The Black Family Heir
Late Summer 1976
Regulus had never had a summer that felt so quiet. If it wasn’t Sirius making a scene over wanting to wear his leather jacket instead of his formal robes, then it was his mother screaming at him for putting up more scarlet and gold banners in his room with a permanent sticking charm. Even when it was quiet, Sirius would find a way to sneak into Regulus’ room and entertain them for a little while until they were told to grow up, but now it was just Regulus - the new Black family heir.
Ever since Sirius had run away, their parents had acted as if he had never existed to them. The entire family shunned him like he had never been a Black. Even the mention of his name was often brushed off. He may as well have been James Potter’s brother… he certainly felt like no brother to Regulus.
“Hold your chin high, this will be a grand day for you. Act like it.” Walburga demanded as the private tailor poked needles into his new emerald and black robes.
“Ouch!” Regulus gasped as a needle accidentally stuck him in the arm.
“Oh man up!” Walburga hissed.
The tailor seemed to be completely unbothered by his accidental jab and continued on.
“Now, I don’t want any misbehaviour during the ceremony.” Walburga commanded as she paced around him, making sure every bit of his new robes were in proper order. “If you even so much as put a single toe out of line, there will be punishment. You are our family heir and if you even think to act like the other one… so help me, I will take it away.”
“Yes, mother.” Regulus responded as rigidly as a statue.
His parents had come to refer to Sirius as “the other one” whenever they did have to speak of him. He was beyond being the family disappointment - he no longer was in the family for all they cared.
“You will make this family proud and you will make the Dark Lord proud.” She demanded again.
Regulus did not respond as he watched the tailor stick the next needle into the cuff of his sleeve and tried not to flinch.
~~~
It was an honour to be the next Black family heir. That’s all he had ever heard his whole life and now the honour was being officially bestowed onto him. Everyone in their family was there to watch the ceremony, along with friends of his parents and their children, most of which Regulus was friends with as well.
He hadn't left his room in hours as he waited for the ceremony to start, he just wanted it to be over with. Everyone was there to watch as he took the title that was never meant to be his, like his brother had never existed.
Every so often, Kreacher would knock on his door and let him know who had arrived and how much time until he had to go downstairs. He laid on his bed, in his perfectly hemmed, emerald and black robes, staring up at the canopy draped over the four poster bed. He refused to get up until it was necessary.
“Master Regulus?” Kreacher called, poking his head into the room.
“Yes Kreacher?” He responded, his eyes locked onto the canopy.
“Mistress Black has requested you join the party. The ceremony is about to begin.” Kreacher informed him.
Regulus took in a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment.
“Thank you, Kreacher.” He said, politely. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
Kreacher bowed his head then backed out of the room, closing the door.
It took him a lot of arguing with himself, but he eventually pulled himself up and stood in front of his mirror, making sure his hair was perfectly smooth and neat and there was not a wrinkle in his clothes, how his mother would like it. Then he left his room, quickly going down the stairs.
As he grew closer to the dining room where everyone had gathered, the sounds of booming laughter from men trying too hard to impress each other and hysterical shrieks that might have been considered laughter grew louder as he came up to the door. Kreacher was waiting just outside of the dining room for him.
“Kreacher thinks you look impressive, Master Regulus.” Kreacher complimented. “Like a true heir.”
“Yeah… right… Thanks Kreacher…” Regulus nodded. “You may go back to the kitchen if you please.”
Kreacher nodded once again and opened the door for Regulus. He raised his chin a little as he shook out his arms and prepared himself for the rest of the night. Then Kreacher closed the door and presumably left for his nest he made for himself in a cupboard in the kitchen.
The room was packed with people, all there to watch Regulus during what was supposed to be the most important moment of his life. The dining table had been vanished to make room for all of the guests who were each in their own little circles gossiping and chatting. Had this many people been at Sirius’ ceremony? It hadn't felt this crowded last time.
“There you are.” His mother’s sharp voice said, as she pushed past a few guests to reach him. “We’re starting the ceremony in a moment, go wait by your father.”
Orion Black, a man who looked just as sharp and vindictive as his mother and had the same straight, black hair slicked back, was waiting by a table near the front of the room where a gold encrusted box was sitting. Regulus made his way through everyone and joined his father who nodded at him when they made eye contact.
Soon, his mother joined them too and the ceremony began. Everyone’s eyes were on them now - on him. He kept his chin up, his posture as poised and proud as he was taught to be. If he didn't match that of his mother’s posture, it was incorrect.
“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen,” Walburga spoke loudly over the murmuring crowd. They all seemed to quiet down at once. “Today, you are all here for a very special moment in our son’s life.”
Suddenly, it felt like all eyes were directly on Regulus. He fought everything in him that wanted to curl up into a ball and hide away in a corner and continued to hold his rigid posture, staring out over the sea of people.
Orion opened the box on the table and Walburga carefully pulled out the wand from the dark green velvet lining and held it up to everyone.
“The Black family wand, bestowed onto Regulus Arcturus Black, the heir to the Black Family fortune.” Walburga announced proudly. “Do you, Regulus, promise to uphold the beliefs and values of this sacred house?”
Regulus took another deep breath.
“I do…” he said, trying to stop his voice from shaking.
“And do you promise to wield your power in the honour of this sacred house?”
“I do.”
Walburga lowered the wand, then turned the handle out towards Regulus. He took it from her grasp and felt a surge of magic connect with hand and travel throughout every point of his body.
“I give you, Regulus Arcturus Black, the true heir of the House of Black.” Walburga announced.
Everyone broke into applause and cheer as Regulus held the wand in his hand, the power flowing through every bit of him. Something about the cheers almost made him forget the fear he had felt moments ago. For once, he felt a little bit confident in himself, sure of himself.
He raised the wand in the air and held it high as green sparks shot out of the end and burst into fireworks. Everyone applauded him again as he felt the magic finally begin to settle within him. He lowered the wand again, this time a little slower, then the ceremony ended and everyone reconvened with their groups and resumed their conversations again as if nothing had just changed.
Regulus held the wand in both of his hands, wondering if it had felt the same for Sirius when he had first held it. The wand was suddenly snatched from his hands and he quickly looked up to Walburga who was now holding it.
“You’ll get the wand properly when you are of age. For now, it remains in my care.” She said as she stored it back in the velvet lined box and snapped it shut. “Kreacher!”
Kreacher quickly appeared at Walburga’s feet in a bow.
“Yes, Mistress Black?” He responded.
“Take the wand back to the vault and do NOT touch anything else.” She commanded him. “Then, you are to serve dinner to our guests.”
“Yes, Mistress Black. Kreacher lives to serve the house of Black.” He bowed once more and carefully took the box from the table, leaving the room once more.
Orion stood just behind Regulus and placed a hand firmly on his shoulder. He was watching everyone mingling with each other as they stood in silence for a moment.
“You had better make us proud, boy.” He said and Regulus felt his stomach twist. “You’re our only heir and the Dark Lord will be expecting great things from you.”
Regulus dropped his head, not looking at anything in particular, but doing his best to avoid any eyes.
“Now, go and make a good impression.” Orion commanded, nudging him forward to the sea of people in front of them.
Regulus did his best to shuffle past as many people without them noticing as he could, looking out for any of his friends. The only person he was able to find was Wulfric Mulciber, the slytherin boy a year ahead of him. Though, it seemed that Mulciber had found Regulus before he found him.
“Regulus!” He cheered, slapping a hand down on Regulus’ shoulder a little too hard. “The heir to the House of Black! How does it feel to be crowned, King of Slytherin?”
“Oh… it’s fantastic!” He responded, trying to hide his lie behind a smile.
“Those Gryffindors are gonna be nothing to you, Reg. Even Potter’s gonna shrink at the sight of the new king!” Mulciber laughed, slapping his shoulder again.
Regulus smiled along with him, forcing a laugh as he tried to find any way out of the conversation, though it seemed that that wouldn't be an option. His only saving grace was when the dining table was set back again and everyone began to find their seats as dinner was served.
As usual, Regulus sat at the far end, to the left of his father and he kept his head down for most of the night as everyone carried on with their conversations. Then, just as she had at Christmas time, Bellatrix brought up the Dark Lord again, but this time there was no one there to protest it. He certainly wouldn't, even if all he wanted was to tell her to shut her ugly mouth - he couldn't make a scene.
She spoke of new plans that he had entrusted her with and how her new husband, Rodolphus Lestrange, and her had become some of his most trusted followers. She was incredibly proud in the way she spoke of him, like she worshipped him with everything in her being.
“It truly is magnificent what he’s doing! He will certainly make great changes to our world!” She said, as she raised her glass as dessert was being served. “Toujours pur!”
Everyone raised their glasses and chanted “Toujours pur!” back, taking a sip from their glasses. Regulus raised his glass as well, but he did not speak. He hadn't noticed the glare his mother had given him.
When the celebration had ended and everyone had left for the night, Regulus went back to hide in his room. With the night over and the ceremony finally out of the way, he was able to relax just for a moment. He threw himself down on his bed after loosening his robes and throwing them aside.
His door then swung open and he quickly sat up, seeing his mother swiftly walk in. Her arms were crossed and her face looked as vicious as ever. She stood over him as he backed up a little on his bed.
“What is our family motto?” She sternly asked.
“Tou-Toujours Pur…” Regulus stuttered out.
“So why is it then,” she hissed, “that you couldn't seem to remember it tonight at dinner?”
“Wha- I don’t-”
“DON’T LIE TO ME BOY!” She shouted, her voice booming through the house.
It sent a shiver down his spine when she screamed. His eyes were seconds away from welling up, but he couldn't possibly cry now, it would only make things worse. Instead, he stared in stunned silence as his breathing seemed to pick up in pace.
“Must I remind you what happens when you lie to me and disrespect our family?” She hissed again.
“No! No I-”
“I think a few lashes ought to do it.” She said as she pulled her wand out.
His heart was pounding out of his chest, he could barely breathe. After that, he could barely remember what had happened. It felt like it had gone by so quickly and so slowly at the same time. All he knew was that he had three new painful lashes down his legs to add to the scars that were already there.