This is a bit of an oddball question but do you think you'd ever write Regulus' initial reaction to hearing about the rumours of Sirius and Voldemort? I'm just curious to see what his reaction was to hearing it like "Omg no way", "did he actually?", "is this the Bella rumour all over again?"
Did he like at all ever put it together before Sirius confirmed it. Like even just a tiny suspicion?
Also, what type of crazy rumours went around the death eater circles?? Because there were different "levels" of death eaters so does the rumors vary to each circle? (Is Avery a big gossip or nah?).
Anyways, love your fics💕💕
Here's a little something. It's a bit silly, but I had fun with it!
Regulus knew his brother would get along well with the Dark Lord, if only given a chance. And he was right.
“We all know Sirius is his favourite,” Corban once says, at a private gathering, with a little smirk. Regulus doesn’t like that smirk. But he puts it on Corban envying his brother.
Everyone was always jealous of Sirius. It’s natural, really. Sirius has his…flaws, but whenever he sets his mind on something, he will accomplish it like no other. Sirius always stands out in any crowd.
“Corban,” Lucius says, softly, reprimand in his tone.
Corban laughs. His gaze moves to Regulus. “Right,” he says.
Regulus holds his gaze until Corban looks away with a sigh.
Regulus hears from Barty, who hears from Rowle, who hears from Parkinson that his brother often saves their fellow Death Eaters from the consequences of their own actions.
“It was odd watching Avery fawning over Sirius,” Regulus agrees, finally happy to have solved the mystery of why everyone rumoured to be in the inner circle is now very careful around Sirius.
“The Darl Lord talks very …highly of him,” Barty says, with a frown.
“Of course he would!” Regulus snaps. Barty just doesn’t know how great Sirius is. They didn’t spend that much time together, mostly because Sirius always bullied Barty when Regulus tried to have them interact.
But they were young back then. Barty should put their childhood behind them.
“Of course?” Barty mimics him. “Sirius is basically our age. The Dark Lord refuses to bend his ear to advice from men much older than us, who have been in his service for over a decade. But apparently he listens to Sirius.”
Regulus snorts. “Sirius is a Black,” he reminds Barty.
Of course the Dark Lord dosen’t listen to any other man. But no matter how young, Sirius is a Black. The Head of their ancient and noble House. He was raised and taught by great men, like their father and grandfather. He learned from the best men in the world.
Anyone with a bit of sense would listen to Sirius, and the Dark Lord is highly intelligent.
While Sirius could be impulsive or have a childish tantrum- that was before! Since McKinnon died, Sirius changed. No one hears about his scandalous affairs anymore, no one has seen him drunk lately, and he has this look about him, this newfound determination. He seems more comfortable, even when he visits Grimmauld and speaks with their mother. His eyes look brighter. He clearly found a worthy cause to dedicate himself to, and that is the pureblood cause, and the Dark Lord.
Sirius grew up. He’s focused now on what matters, not on sex and alcohol. And when Sirius is focused- well, there’s no stopping him. The Dark Lord is wise to listen to his advice. Especially since Regulus knows that now Sirius meets with their Grandfather. Regulus is sure that some of the advice Sirius offers to the Dark Lord comes straight from their Grandfather.
“Bella was right,” Regulus once says, during a tense dinner with his mother and grandfather. It shames him that from all their family, it was only ever Bella that never lost trust in Sirius. She always insisted he would recover, that he’ll get over his rebellious phase and return home.
Regulus lost hope eventually, around the time it was rumoured Sirius had joined Dumbledore, and it does shame him now. He should have listened to Bella. She knows him best, after all.
Both Grandfather and Mother scoff at that. If they have one thing in common, these two, is that they both dislike Bella.
Regulus understands why, he does, Bella is a little…well, she doesn’t do things by the book, she behaves in most peculiar ways, but that doesn’t mean sometimes she isn’t right.
“She was!” Regulus insists. “Look how far Sirius has come!”
Ever since Bella killed McKinnon, their mother’s vitriol towards her has reached unprecedented levels. It’s her usual hypocrisy- she would have despised McKinnon, if she had ever met her. Regulus saw her a few times, even talked to her on several occasions, back at Hogwarts- the woman was a proper blood-traitor.
He was …well, he didn’t exactly approve of Bella killing her, hurting Sirius that way, but that’s how Bella is.
She often hurt Sirius, ever since they were young, but she was always the one to kiss away his pain, a balm for his every ache. It wasn’t unexpected that she’d turn a wand against McKinnon even if Regulus heard the Dark Lord prohibited it.
Bella was jealous. Regulus never understood why their parents didn’t arrange for a marriage between her and Sirius, especially since anyone with eyes can tell they’re in love.
He doesn’t know how Rodolphus stands it, or why Sirius, as jealous as Bella, hasn’t tried to murder him.
It really is a great mystery, and people often mock Rodolphus behind his back, that Sirius is sleeping with his wife, and he’s welcoming Sirius in his Manor, at his table.
That aside, it seems Bella was right about McKinnon, too. No matter how it hurt Sirius, since McKinnon died, he’s a much better man. He even seems happier. Bella really does know what’s best for him.
But both his mother and grandfather seem to think killing the redhead was a terrible thing.
“It pushed Sirius onto a path that will be difficult to correct,” his grandfather said.
What path? If anything, it only pushed Sirius into a deeper connection with the Dark Lord, and that is the best thing to ever happen.
Regulus ignores them. These old people always like to criticise Sirius, nothing he ever does pleases them.
It’s why he left to begin with, years ago, after their father fell unconscious. Their mother, grandfathers, uncle- everyone was unreasonable, and nothing Sirius did ever met their standards. They said Sirius was the issue, but when Regulus was forced to replace him, they found faults in him, as well.
Their grandfathers and Cygnus belittled Regulus and, deep down, seemed to resent him that he wasn’t like Sirius.
So Regulus long learned to ignore these people, just nod, agree with them, and never take to heart their constant nitpicking.
He long learned that no one will meet their standards; only his father did, but his father was one of a kind, there’s no one else like him. Yet Sirius is the closest they have.
“Do not call me that!” Regulus says, measured but firm. He hates nicknames, but he allows those close to him to use them.
Avery has no reason to be so familiar.
“Sorry, sorry.” Avery comes closer, tries to put an arm around Regulus, who steps away. “Listen, I was wondering if you could put in a good word for me? With Sirius? I find myself in another tough spot, and no one can find Sirius these days. But you’re his brother, you’ll probably have an easier time getting in touch with him, yeah?”
Not this again. So many people now come to Regulus, asking for Sirius, who apparently lives….
No one knows where he lives. His so called house is abandoned.
Regulus suspects he’s sneaking around with Bella, using one of their properties.
He does not want to confirm it. It’s distasteful. Bella is a married woman, Rodolphus is a good man, and while Regulus agrees Bella belongs to Sirius, first, they still shouldn't do this. Alas, neither Sirius nor Bella ever cared much for social norms.
These things are better ignored, unknown, so Regulus doesn’t try too hard to find Sirius.
“No way,” Avery snaps when they establish the Quidditch teams.
It’s Regulus’ birthday, and, for once, everyone is forced to do what he wants.
And he wants to humiliate them.
“No way in all the hells,” Avery insists. “You can’t put Rowle as a Beater on the team that’s playing against Sirius!”
Avery is growing crazier and crazier by the day.
“You can’t! Rowle is an excellent Beater, and he could accidentally damage Sirius’ face with a bludger! And then what will we do? Out of the question!”
Barty looks at Lucius, in confusion. To his shock, he sees Lucius nodding in agreement.
Worse, even Rabastan says, “yeah, I’ll replace Rowle, I’ll make sure Sirius’ face remains intact.”
“What is going on?” Regulus snaps at them.
Barty sighs, as the others argue about what men are to be trusted with a bat around Sirius’ face.
“Have they all gone mad?” Regulus asks him.
Barty takes him aside. “It’s…well…it’s rumoured the Dark Lord favours Sirius.”
“Yes, and?” Regulus doesn’t see why that matters when they’re talking about a friendly quidditch match.
“Favours him, Regulus. All of him. Including the face, you know?”
“I imagine the Dark Lord doesn’t want one of his most trusted men injured, obviously,” Regulus says. “But this is just Quidditch!”
Barty sighs again. “Alright, there’s no easy way to tell you this, and you obviously can’t take a hint, but …it is said the Dark Lord is…you know…involved with Sirius. Intimately.”
Regulus blinks. For a few seconds he can’t comprehend what he’s hearing.
The rage comes next. How dare anyone suggest such a thing, slandering the good name of his brother and the Dark Lord’s!
It must show on his face, because Barty backs away, lifts his hands in surrender. “I’m not saying it! I’m just telling you what others are saying!”
“Who?” Regulus demands. “Who dares-”
Regulus marches over to their so called friends, to give them a piece of his mind, but just then Sirius walks in, hand in hand with Bella, and -
He can’t say these things in front of his brother. Sirius doesn’t deserve to hear such offensive lies made up about him.
People gossip a lot- when they run out of truths, they invent stuff. Like that nonsense that the Dark Lord is having an affair with Bellatrix.
Regulus breathes in, tries to calm himself. That rumour made all the rounds for years, and it finally died down.
No doubt, this one will as well.
His parents always did say people are obsessed with Blacks, that they make up rumours about their family all the time, and that the best thing Regulus can do is never pay them any attention.
Everyone is just so jealous of the confidence Bella and Sirius enjoy with the Dark Lord. They earned their place at his side because of their Black greatness, but people can’t stand that, so they spitefully try to denigrate their success.
“My Lord,” Regulus adds, just as the Dark Lord turns.
They ran into each other by accident in Lestrange Manor, and exchanged quick greetings. The Dark Lord is always so polite with Regulus, it’s really is such a rare honour, from what Regulus learned about other Death Eaters’s experiences.
Regulus doesn’t know how to say this, but it occurs to him he should take advantage of this opportunity.
He can hardly tell Sirius, his brother will lose his mind and murder someone.
“You should know that some people,” he says, “are speaking ill of you.”
“Half the country speaks ill of me,” the Dark Lord says, amused.
Regulus waves it away. Who cares what mudbloods and traitors say? “I meant within our own circle.”
“Do they?” the Dark Lord tilts his head, interest piqued. “And what are they saying?”
Oh, Gods. “Unfounded accusations, fuelled by jealousy, My Lord. It concerns Sirius, as well. You and Sirius,” he adds, hoping that would suffice, that the Dark Lord would get his meaning.
And he does! His eyes flicker with understanding, and he goes still.
“Avery is the worst of the lot,” he goes on. “But Corban should take more care with the way he implies things, too. I apologise for even mentioning it, My Lord, it is so far beneath you, but you can imagine how these types of accusations could hurt one’s reputation. This nonsense shouldn’t spread; otherwise, obviously, it could make people abandon our cause, if they are misguided enough to give credence to this filth.”
What pureblood worth his salt would ever follow a man rumoured to lie with other men?
“I see. Thank you, Regulus, for bringing it to my attention.”
“You’re most welcome, My Lord. I- if I may offer some advice?”
“It’s best if you don’t inform my brother about this. You know his temper. He’d be infuriated to learn someone is accusing him of such depravity.”
“No doubt,” the Dark Lord agrees.
He’s taking this much better than Regulus would have thought. If Regulus were the target of these types of rumours, he would not react as stoically as the Dark Lord.
“I will see to it, Regulus. Don’t trouble yourself any further.”
Regulus smiles at him. He feels better now, knowing someone can deal with this nonsense.
That night, at a party, Avery again makes some insinuations, but Regulus doesn’t react. No need. Soon, the Dark Lord will punish him for such infractions.
“You look gleeful,” Rabastan says, taking a seat beside Regulus. “Whose puppy did you kill?”
Regulus tells Rabastan, not just to boast and to let the man know he will never lie down and take slander against his family in stride, but also to warn him, subtly, that if he also partook in such slander, the Dark Lord has now been made aware of it.
He must have partaken, because Rabastan genuinely looks horrified for a second. Not many things scare Rabastan these days. Only Rodolphus.
“You said that to his face?!” Rabastan whispers.
“Someone had to,” Rabastan drawls. “He surely appreciated I am looking out for his reputation. I won’t let anyone imply he or my brother would ever lower themselves to that.”
“You’re a- gods,” Rabastan shakes his head. “You are so lucky you are Sirius’ brother. If you were anyone else, I’m sure he’d have killed you.”
“I am lucky, yes.” Regulus would have no one else as a brother. Sirius is the best. “And yes, it took remarkable restraint from the Dark Lord to have to hear those vile things and not snap, but he’s a wise man, he knew I was simply the bearer of bad news.”
“Did you use that word? Vile? Morgana’s tits, Regulus!” He shakes his head again. “Do yourself a favour and never say that to Sirius.”
“You mean do you lot a favour?” Regulus asks. He laughs. “Alas, I am not that vengeful, Rabastan, as to set Sirius on you.”
“Thanks,” Rabastan says, full of sarcasm.
