epiphany ♕ | 𝗷𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

48

MIDSUMMER MADNESS. THAT'S HOW Regulus Black felt through the first summer with his mark. He became consumed by the burning and darkness that came with callings, anger pulsing through his veins. The boy despised the dark lord, contemplating whether to defy him now or wait later. He decided to stay put, not wanting to cause a scene. Lucius told him about the terrible things they did, shuddering while recalling the memories. Regulus wasn't the type to do something despicable, but he knew he would have to. He would have to form a facade of evil.

Nights like this, he felt pressured. The constant traveling from Hogwarts to Malfoy Manor was a tedious one. Regulus had to keep himself calm every time Lucius came for him, grabbing ahold of the boy's arm. Tonight, however, felt different. He felt as if something was going to happen, something troubling.

"Black," Lucius called out. Regulus snapped back into reality, gazing at the blonde-haired man in front of him. Lucius was motioning towards the obsidian-colored door. Regulus cleared his throat, dusting off his clothes.

"Isn't this our biggest meeting yet?" Regulus implored, messing with the end of his sleeves. Lucius hummed in response, waiting for his wife to appear. "I'm a bit nervous since everyone, including my cousins, is going to be there."

"You have nothing to worry about." Lucius comforted. Regulus mustered a smile, trying to calm his nerves. "I entrust you'll be a natural at this. You're a Black; it practically runs in your blood."

"I just think..." Regulus wavered. "Am I not too young for this?" Lucius heaved out a sigh, staring at the ground. "I know I signed up for this, but I think some tasks our lord gives us are a bit—well, outrageous."

"I do agree with you." Lucius licked his lips. "It's something we can't control, though. Our lord chooses, and there is nothing we can do. If we try to defy him, you'll see yourself easier dead than alive."

Regulus became silent, losing himself in his thoughts once again. How would someone go on to defy a well-known murder? It sounded foolish, unbelievable even. No one had done it except Leonardo Nott, a good friend of Siobhán's. Regulus's eyes lit up, a smirk threatening to appear. The boy knew what he was going to do. He was going to make acquaintance with Leonardo and possibly work with him. It wasn't a good plan, necessarily, but he had confidence. Regulus was determined to make his plan work.

"Regulus, is that you?" came Narcissa's voice from an open door. Regulus shifted his gaze towards her, smiling widely.

"Sissy." Regulus walked towards his cousin, embracing her tightly. "Oh, how I've missed your presence."

"I've missed you too, my favorite cousin." Narcissa scrunched her nose, rubbing his arm. Her gaze shifted towards her husband, eyes filled with adoration. Regulus watched as the two crushed into a hug, twirling around the vicinity. He smiled, realizing that in the end, the pair had worked out.

"Alright, stop it, lovebirds." Regulus feigned a disgusted tone, covering his eyes. Narcissa giggled, smiling at the younger boy. "Sissy, smiling won't help me forget what I just saw."

"I was hoping it would." she sighed, enlacing her hand with Lucius's. Regulus rolled his eyes, counting down the seconds till the door opened. He thought this meeting couldn't progress any faster until he heard an all too familiar cackle. Regulus stiffened, slowly turning towards his cousin. She furrowed her eyebrows, wondering what was wrong with him.

Slowly, a door started creaking open. Regulus felt inaudible like he couldn't speak. He never would've thought that she would be next to him. She had always been insane, but Regulus had never realized how insane.

"Missed me, Reggie?" her voice boomed through the meeting hall, arms flung out for a hug. Regulus couldn't move, his legs almost giving out on him. "You look so fragile and scared; it makes me laugh."