The Journal of Regulus Arcturus Black

Chapter 35. Battle of Hogwarts

Dear Regulus,

I'm going to have to cut this letter short I'm afraid. I think this'll be one of my last letters to you too, Regulus. I don't know much about the next events, how everything will play out. Whether or not I'll win or lose, what the future holds for me. I just would like to tell you, thanks. For everything you've done and that someday I hope to see you.

I'm sorry that you died on your own. I'm so fucking sorry that you lived under the shadow of your parents and brother without protection. You deserved to have someone to rely on when the time came and I wish from the bottom of my heart that it was Sirius.

That's how you can tell I've grown. I actually don't envy your brother anymore. He is to you what you are to me and I want you to know that I want you very much. I want you alive and breathing. I want you clapping a hand on my shoulder and pushing me into the Light. To train me and compliment my Quidditch skills. To lash out and scream when I make the worst decisions.

I need you to know that you are loved. By Kreacher, by Slughorn, by Sirius and by me. Not just the version of you I have in my mind, but the real you. One day, I will have the privilege to meet you and when I do, you better expect a hug.

I love you Reggie.

Your godson,

Draco Regulus Black.

***

Draco had Vince and Greg flanked on both sides of him, which should have made it easier to walk through the crowded and messy Room of Hidden Things. But it was the knowledge that there could have been a potential horcrux nearby, that had him holding his breath. He continued to walk through the aisles of makeshift piles of junk. There was noise coming from the doorway but Draco didn't even know where that was anymore.

He had walked too far into the room to remember if there was even a way out. He understood why Jamie hadn't wanted to come back into the room, it was suffocating, made Draco feel as if the looming piles of junk would eventually fall on top of him. That was not a pleasant image. 

"Draco?!" called Harry from somewhere behind him.

"I'm here!" Draco shouted back, spinning around and looking back at a huge pile of clothing. Not knowing how he would even get back to Harry or his friends. He had walked too far into the room and even though Greg and Vince were beside him, there was still an eerie sense of caution following him. Turning back around, Draco continued to walk through the maze-like building, feeling the hairs on the back of his neck prickle. 

He was not scared. Nope. 

Draco held his wand out protectively in front of him, eyes darting around the treasures of lost things around him. "Does anyone know what the diadem looks like?!" he called out.

There was some shouting that sounded like Weasley, "It's probably blue!"

"That doesn't help!" Greg shouted back.

Draco found himself chuckling under his breath whilst he continued to look. Vince was pushing things all over the place, looking around the taller piles whilst Greg stayed close to Draco. He was lucky to have his friend there with him; if he were alone, Draco suspected an oncoming panic attack would be the most likely outcome.

With that said, his heart was practically racing in his mouth.

Draco decided to walk to the nearest pile and use his wand to levitate a bunch of things off one another. Until he felt Greg push him back slowly, guising him away as things toppled over one another. Frames from old painting, ancient wooden toys and even something that looked like a desk he would use in Potions class.