The Search Is Over

Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now

To the surprise of both Regulus and Kreacher, Orion never spoke of what he'd seen again. Eventually after a few days the two relaxed, no longer frightened of consequences from the Master of house Black when it came to their relationship.

"Does Master Regulus truly believe Master Orion will allow us to be together," Kreacher whispered into Regulus's ear one night after they'd satisfied one another's urges behind Regulus's locked bedroom door. "He seems to have forgotten that he has seen us, but Kreacher knows this cannot be true."

"He likely wishes to forget," Regulus said with a slight smile. "And as for allowing us...He can not stop us. I keep telling you, Kreacher, no one is going to stop us. If worse comes to worse, we will just leave. We have enough skills and abilities to make our own fortune if need be. We can even go to the uncivilized Americas if necessary. I'd do anything to be with you as long as that's also what you want. Besides, to a degree they need us to uphold the family's good name. As long as we are willing to keep our love a secret, it seems that father is willing to play." Kreacher's worries and doubts frustrated Regulus even if they were to a degree understandable.

"Master Regulus would give up his wealth and station for Kreacher? He should not have to," Kreacher said, eyes wide with horror.

"I don't care about any of it if keeping it all means that I am to be the pawn of society in all things, Kreacher. I have ever been proud and happy to be the good son, but if they try to take this from us, that will have to change. What is the point of being a great wizard if one cannot at least have personal happiness," he demanded. Kreacher did not reply, but his gaze held doubt as it too frequently did. He was the first to reach out though, touching Regulus's cheek then his hair. The conversation was over then, as the two melted into one another, giving way to their passion once more. They lay tangled together in the aftermath when Regulus felt the sudden burning on his arm where the Dark Mark was engraved. Lifting the arm to his eyes, he could see by the dim light of the ornate candelabra on the wall that the mark seemingly sprang to life on his flesh stark and black against his white skin.

"Kreacher," he gasped in breathless excitement. "I think I've just been summoned to a Death Eater meeting! Look, see how the mark has come to life?"

"Kreacher sees," the elf breathed, round blue eyes even wider than usual as they fixed in awe on the Dark Mark on Regulus's arm.

Regulus sprang from the bed and lunged for his Death Eater robe and mask where they rested neatly folded atop his wardrobe. At once, Kreacher was at his side, helping him to hurriedly dress then don the robe and mask.

"Master Regulus looks impressive," Kreacher said, open admiration in his voice as well as his round blue eyes.

"Thank you, my friend," Regulus said, bending to embrace the elf tightly before straightening to go. He touched the Dark Mark on his arm as Bellatrix had instructed him to do when giving him his new robe and mask a few days prior. She had explained that when they were summoned, they did not need to know where the meeting was being held. They had only to touch the Dark Mark and apparate. The mark would lead them directly to the Dark Lord. It worked just as Bella promised. Regulus apparated and found himself in the same room in which he'd met the Dark Lord last week. He stood among many other people in matching robes and masks to his own. He felt a momentary surge of discomfort upon realizing that he could not go and stand with Bellatrix and Rodolphus as he'd intended to do because he couldn't see who they were with the attire covering everyone so completely.

"I would like to welcome our newest member," the Dark Lord said warmly. When he spoke, Regulus's attention was drawn back to him once more where it remained. He forgot about wanting to stand with Bella and Rod, and his initial discomfort completely faded so swept up was he in the sheer magnitude of the Dark Lord's presence. The man sat on a high gilded ornate chair with a great serpent forming the seat's high back. But no...the serpent wasn't the chair's back, Regulus suddenly realized. It was the same huge snake that had coiled around the Dark Lord's chair and legs when Regulus received his dark mark. Only now it was reared up over the chair and twined around it like an ornate part of the chair itself. This touch only added to the Dark Lord's presence even more if such were possible. Once again, just as he had when first laying eyes on the thing, Regulus thought how he'd never imagined such a huge serpent could exist! "Welcome to our ranks, Regulus Black," the Dark Lord called and he was answered by a chorus of "WELCOME," from everyone else in the room.