Regulus Black @regulusblack-sonandheir - Tumblr Blog

Happy Birthday, Dear | Regulus and Amycus

amycuswants:

regulusblack-sonandheir:

Instinctively, Regulus’ hips arched upwards at the sensuality of Amycus’ kisses down his neck. He let out a soft, strangled sound, fighting against his body and its natural instincts. His mind began to race again, but he could not seem to catch on to a single coherent thought. But this was going so fast, and it was so irregular that Regulus was afraid that if he did not take a moment to think, he might regret what happened next. In fact, a small voice told him from somewhere deep inside his head, he almost certainly could.

Regulus cupped Amycus’ face and brought his head up so that they were looking at each other again. “We’re drunk,” he said quietly, his words hitching. He didn’t want to rebuff Amycus, he did not want to let go. But he also needed a moment to gather his thoughts, to understand what all of this meant.

“Mmmhmm,” Amycus hummed agreeably. He would have been happy spending much longer nestled into the curve above Regulus’s collarbones, but allowed himself to be led into a more upright position and disentangled his arms, moving to hold Regulus’s hands lightly against his face. “And whose fault is that?” He couldn’t help but tease, eyes darting briefly to the empty bottle that had been his birthday present, still wedged in the cushions at their side.

“We’re drunk. But just because you’ve never thought about kissing me when you were sober, doesn’t mean I haven’t.” He grinned, words soft but eyes bright in his slightly flushed face. “I’ve thought about it plenty.” Still, Amycus remained as he was and didn’t push forward, though he did allow his hands to fall, fingers brushing gently down until he grasped his friend by the elbows, wanting to keep contact for as long as he was allowed.

#amycuswants #happy birthday dear

Regulus nearly rolled his eyes. "Yours," he parried. Well? It was Amycus, after all, who decided that the two of them ought to consume the entire bottle within an hour.

This...confession took Regulus by surprise. He stared up at his friend in mild bewilderment. "You have?" This was utter news to Regulus and part of him was convinced that Amycus was either making fun of him or simply too drunk to realize what he was saying. He allowed his hands to roam over Amycus' hair , neck and shoulders as he tried to compose himself. "I don't want us to do...anything we will regret later," Regulus said.

Happy Birthday, Dear | Regulus and Amycus

Regulus allowed the moment to fall over him, to envelope him. Amycus was so familiar that even the sheer amount of contact between them, which should have made Regulus at least slightly uncomfortable, didn’t deter him at all. He tightened his hold on Amycus waist, pressing their bodies, their chests, together. His other hand shifted to the nape of Amycus’ hair and back, wondering over the side of his face, his temple, the back of his neck.

His hair came out of the ribbon but he didn’t object, humming with some pleasure at the light pressure from Amycus’ hands twining in his hair. They kissed, long and deep, though more sensual than sexual. For Regulus there was something surreal about the whole thing - it was almost like an unspoken conversation: I trust you, I care about you, I want you to stay safe. And, without really making a conscious decision to do so, he poured everything he never quite managed to say into those long, drawn out kisses.

The dull roar of his mind went quiet, clear, and content. Pressed tightly together trading kisses and breath, Amycus felt like he was coming into contact with something both fleeting and important. He wanted to capture this moment and lock it away somewhere safe where he could revisit it as often as he wanted. Often. But as the sweet press of lips and gentle caress of tongues continued even that greedy instinct to take and to keep for himself disappeared into the quiet and Amycus faded entirely into the present. An eddy in the fierce current of war and expectation.

Gliding his fingers through dark hair he crossed his arms behind Regulus’s neck, hands resting by the curve of his shoulders. He pulled back, but didn’t go far. Pressing his head into the warmth of the other boy’s neck, Amycus couldn’t be sure if what he heard there was the beat of Regulus’s heart of the pounding of his own pulse in his ears.

His lips brushed against skin, laying a row slow kisses from the harsh line of Reg’s jaw til the barrier of his shirt collar where he paused and attempted to refill his slumberous lungs.

#amycuswants #happy birthday dear

Instinctively, Regulus’ hips arched upwards at the sensuality of Amycus’ kisses down his neck. He let out a soft, strangled sound, fighting against his body and its natural instincts. His mind began to race again, but he could not seem to catch on to a single coherent thought. But this was going so fast, and it was so irregular that Regulus was afraid that if he did not take a moment to think, he might regret what happened next. In fact, a small voice told him from somewhere deep inside his head, he almost certainly could.

Regulus cupped Amycus’ face and brought his head up so that they were looking at each other again. “We’re drunk,” he said quietly, his words hitching. He didn’t want to rebuff Amycus, he did not want to let go. But he also needed a moment to gather his thoughts, to understand what all of this meant.

“is there someone else?”

“I… no. No.” Amycus looked sharply away and then back, worrying his lower lip while his mind tripped over the right words. Did the right words even exist? “But there was. Or, what I mean is, you were. The someone else.” Shit, shit, he wasn’t saying any of this the way he should be.

“Remember what you’re like?” There was a baffled note in Regulus’ voice that even he did not expect. “You think I ever forgot? It’s hard to forget that you’re destructive and hurtful, that you build up walls and pretend to have no feelings when in fact you’re devoured by them. I never forgot that. But what I never remembered was you being dishonest. Disingenuous, yes. You’d maneuver away from opening up, but you never lied to me before, Amycus. Not…not like this; I never felt betrayed by you.” Regulus laughed, bitterly, shaking his head. “It’s not different. Not really. I wish to Merlin it was but you don’t just stop loving someone.”

Amycus looked liked he was going to explode or perhaps implode. He turned away, muttering, his words giving Regulus pause as he wasn’t completely sure what Amycus was referring to. “What’s…repulsive and pathetic?” he asked, cautiously.

Turning away, Amycus braced himself against Regulus’s words, so true he could think of no defense against the sting of them. Hurting all the more because, in any other circumstances Amycus might have been so happy to be known so well. He had been wrong, so wrong, and what was he to do now? What could he possibly do? It seemed pointless to say he regretted it- he so obviously did. Absurd to admit he wished he had never even met that witch, when it wouldn’t change anything in the now. Unhelpful to plead to take back the truth and hide it away, this time forever. But most of all, it felt impossible for Regulus to forgive him.

He raked his hands harshly back across his scalp, halting at Regulus’s question with elbows splayed in an inverted akimbo. Wasn’t it obvious? “Me.” He said. “I am.” The words were soft, unable to catch breath enough to yell.

He didn’t turn back around, but dropped his hands to cover his face all the same. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

Regulus hated this. Viciously and viscerally. He hated what Amycus had done but even more he hated that his response to any sign of genuine distress on Amycus’ part - his instinct to be protective and reassuring. Amycus didn’t deserve that right now and Regulus spent so much time focusing on what Amycus needed - on what everyone else around him needed, honestly - that he felt guilty when he even so much as considered putting his own feelings first.

It was all too much.

“You manipulative, selfish bastard!” Regulus bit out, his voice rising but never quite reaching a shouting volume - shouting had been practically programmed out of Regulus during his childhood. “All you can think about is how you feel and how you look. You might think you hate yourself but you also know that I could never stand to hear you say it so you...use this now to-to...This isn’t about you.”

Maybe he was wrong. Maybe Amycus was really trying to apologize. But Regulus was past being rational. “You stayed with me and that poor girl for months because...I don’t know...what was it, Amycus? Were you hedging your bets in case one of us left? Or were you just greedy?” Regulus walked forward and grabbed Amycus’ wrist, turning him around forcefully, his other hand taking hold of his wand in case Amycus tried something. “I don’t care if you feel guilty or if you think you’re an awful person - maybe you should since you did an awful thing.” Regulus felt that he was loosing track of what he was trying to say, but all the hurt was pouring out as if a dam had broken. “I don’t care if you want me to stay or if you need me to stay or anything of the sort. You know, oddly enough right now, all I actually care about is the fact that I tried my best to love you and you...you couldn’t even decide for month if being with me was worth letting go of your emotional safety net.”

Regulus let go of Amycus’ wrist and put both hands over his face because this was a fiasco and he had just made it worse by saying a lot of un-thought through and hurtful things. All he wanted was someone to tell him that he had every reason to be angry and upset. He didn’t know if he wanted Amycus to do it or someone else but he wanted to stop feeling like he had the responsibility to resolve every situation in the best, most mature and compassionate way possible. Perhaps he was simply feeling sorry for himself. Probably. Almost certainly. But Sirius did it all the fucking time so perhaps he could have a turn too. “And I have no idea what to do about any of this,” he said softly.

#meme aus #amycuswants

Searching for Eden--Lucinda and Regulus

Regulus relaxed a little and came closer to her. He would need to apparate her inside the inner wards - the magic around the house would be extra protective now that the outside wards had been breached and it was easier than walking all the way back. “Mad? No, I’m…I’m not mad. Just…surprised, I suppose. I thought you would have simply come to Grimmauld Place.” Although, it was probably better than she hadn’t. His father was away but his Mother was there and she wouldn’t take too kindly to Lucinda, or at least to Regulus’ inviting her to stay, or so he assumed. “Take my arm. I’ll apparate us to the house.”

She kept herself from tensing as he came closer to her. This was Regulus after all. She knew him. She trusted him. She also could tell when something was bothering him, or when he was lying. He was giving no signs of it now. So she figured it was safe to trust him–for the time being.

“Well with everything else…I didn’t exactly think I’d be welcome there,” Lucinda confessed. Plus, everyone knew how much pride the Black family took in their heritage. And she had heard all the things Sirius Black said about his family. She knew he had been disowned. If they could do that to their own son, how kindly would they take to a Halfblooded girl whose parents had just been kidnapped by You Know Who ?

Lucinda placed her hand on Regulus’ arm. She had to force herself to breathe normally and not clench her fingers around his bicep. She wasn’t afraid of Regulus, but she was afraid and nervous all the same.

#casually-furious #Searching for Eden

Regulus sighed. “I suppose Mother can be off-putting, yes. Hold on.” He apparated them straight through the wards and into the front hall of the house. Regulus led Lucinda into the sitting room so they could sit down. “Have you...you haven’t been at home for the last few days much? Are you hungry?” Regulus bit his lip, unsure of what exactly Lucinda’s circumstances were at the moment.

commander-cullywully

otp question meme

send me a pairing & a number, then I’ll tell you:

Who is the most affectionate?

Big spoon/Little spoon?

Most common argument?

Favorite non-sexual activity?

Who is most likely to carry the other?

What is their favorite feature of their partner’s?

What’s the first thing that changes when they realize they have feelings for the other?

Nicknames? & if so, how did they originate?

Who worries the most?

Who remembers what the other one always orders at a restaurant?

Who tops?

Who initiates kisses?

Who reaches for the other’s hand first?

Who kisses the hardest?

Who wakes up first?

Who wants to stay in bed just a little longer?

Who says I love you first?

Who leaves little notes in the other’s one lunch? (Bonus: what does it usually say?)

Who tells their family/friends about their relationship first?

What do their family/friends think of their relationship?

Who is more likely to start dancing with the other?

Who cooks more/who is better at cooking?

Who comes up with cheesy pick up lines?

Who whispers inappropriate things in the other’s ear during inappropriate times?

Who needs more assurance?

What would be their theme song?

Who would sing to their child back to sleep?

What do they do when they’re away from each other?

one headcanon about this OTP that breaks your heart

one headcanon about this OTP that mends it

#meme

Happy Birthday, Dear | Regulus and Amycus

But he didn’t hate it. All the feelings that were battling it out in Regulus at that very moment were varied and overwhelming, but none were hatred or even disgust. And then there was something else – that strange half-vulnerability in Amycus’ expression as he practically admitted defeat, and Regulus found his grip tightening on Amycus’ waist, not letting him pull away. They were still nose-to-nose. “I don’t hate it,” Regulus whispered, the words coming as if in delirium, but also slowly and deliberately.

Tentatively, he closed the inch of space between them and briefly caught Amycus’ upper lip in a gentle kiss. His free hand came to rest against Amycus’ cheek and then there was that new wave - of tenderness. And it was both surprising and not, like something that had been lurking there all along without Regulus having realized it.

The hold at his sides tightened, and Amycus’s gaze snapped back up, focused intently on Regulus’s eyes. I don’t hate it he had said, and Amycus couldn’t have done anything to hold back the slow closed lip smile that stretched across his face. He hedged and hesitated but now his escape has been halted and there was immense satisfaction in being trapped. Amycus moved with the grasp, locking himself around Regulus in small shifts of his weight. Knees settled on either side of the lap beneath him. As he felt his lip caught, the breath left him in one long quiet sigh, and he pressed into the kiss. Small, gentle, but wanted.

Here they were, on his seventeen birthday, a day that declared Amycus an adult and yet he suddenly didn’t feel it. His head seemed to be echoing with words and thoughts like young, and sweet, and most of all boy. Because men were harsh and hard- all teeth and demands, and this was nothing at all like that. It was less, and it was more, and it was good.

He hooked his thumb through the ribbon and pulled it easily from Regulus’s hair, letting it fall entirely free now and reveled in the feel of those unbound strands tangled between his fingers. “Not hating. That’s a good start.” He murmured, lips parting and pressing forward once again, the lightest brush of his tongue at Regulus’s lower lip. “I’ll take not hating.”

#amycuswants #happy birthday dear

Regulus allowed the moment to fall over him, to envelope him. Amycus was so familiar that even the sheer amount of contact between them, which should have made Regulus at least slightly uncomfortable, didn’t deter him at all. He tightened his hold on Amycus waist, pressing their bodies, their chests, together. His other hand shifted to the nape of Amycus’ hair and back, wondering over the side of his face, his temple, the back of his neck.

His hair came out of the ribbon but he didn’t object, humming with some pleasure at the light pressure from Amycus’ hands twining in his hair. They kissed, long and deep, though more sensual than sexual. For Regulus there was something surreal about the whole thing - it was almost like an unspoken conversation: I trust you, I care about you, I want you to stay safe. And, without really making a conscious decision to do so, he poured everything he never quite managed to say into those long, drawn out kisses.

[Dated: July, 22] Dear Lucius, I hope this note finds you and Cissy well. As time is something of the essence, I will skip the pleasantries. I was hoping to speak to you on a matter of some urgency, but as it is of a rather delicate political nature, doing so over owl would not be completely appropriate. Would it be possible for us to meet and talk, if not today perhaps sometime tomorrow? Kind Regards, Regulus

Dear Regulus,

Cissa and I are well. I hope the same can be said for you. Pleasantries aside, your use of urgency has me believing this is a matter that is best dealt with sooner rather than later. I suppose I can let Cissa know I will be a little late from work this afternoon if you feel that meeting today will be necessary. Since you are family, I simply request being given a bit of an idea of what I am getting myself into.

Best,

“It is not Greyback who I care about, as it were, and I fully understand and share your distaste of him,” Regulus said, keeping his tone mild and amiable. “I’m here on Lupin’s behalf. It is simply that Greyback is the instrument by which you may derive a political victory for yourself out of the situation.”

When Lucius said he would look into it, Regulus decided to not push further. That was as close as a promise to help as Lucius would give him, given that Regulus had little to offer him in return. He nodded when Lucius said he owed him or his family a favor. “Yes, you or anyone of your family, of course.” Regulus stood and offered Lucius a handshake. “Thank you, Lucius.”

“I don’t care about either of them,” Lucius bit out. He didn’t like werewolves as it was, so having agreed to look into it should have brought an end to the conversation. Greyback just happened to be easier to focus on since Lupin had nothing to do with him. He would have asked why Regulus had taken an interest into Remus, but figured it best to stay out of it.

“Excellent,” Lucius murmured, his voice a little calmer than the tone he used the last time he spoke. “Should I send updates on how things go, or is it safe to assume you don’t mind waiting the week to find out if it was a success?”

#lusciousviper #asking for favors

“If you could give me an idea of where things stand before Lupin’s trial begins, I would appreciate that,” Regulus said. The conversation was coming to a close and all things considered, Regulus would say it had gone well. He hated politics and Lucius made him nervous, but he supposed he could call this a success. He was grateful that Lucius had not asked after why he was willing to spend political capital in the name of protecting Remus Lupin, virtually a stranger to Regulus whom he had no particular reason to care about.

[Dated: July, 22] Dear Lucius, I hope this note finds you and Cissy well. As time is something of the essence, I will skip the pleasantries. I was hoping to speak to you on a matter of some urgency, but as it is of a rather delicate political nature, doing so over owl would not be completely appropriate. Would it be possible for us to meet and talk, if not today perhaps sometime tomorrow? Kind Regards, Regulus

Dear Regulus,

Cissa and I are well. I hope the same can be said for you. Pleasantries aside, your use of urgency has me believing this is a matter that is best dealt with sooner rather than later. I suppose I can let Cissa know I will be a little late from work this afternoon if you feel that meeting today will be necessary. Since you are family, I simply request being given a bit of an idea of what I am getting myself into.

Best,

Oh Malfoy. Not that Regulus hadn’t expected this. Not that Regulus had much to offer him. “My solicitors have done some…research…and we believe that the prosecution may try and use Lupin as a sort of…instrument to convict Greyback. They run Lupin’s trial on two separate days. On the first day, they present their case, play with the prejudices of those present. After, they come to Lupin - who is panicked and convinced that he will be acquitted - and offer him a deal: he testifies against Greyback, says things they need him to say to convict Greyback, and they let him go free. He’ll balk at first but between perjury and Azkaban even Lupin is likely to choose perjury. Lupin gets immunity and Greyback - who is the one they really want - gets an easy conviction. But their plan is contingent on the fact that they will be able to set the Wizengamot visibly against Lupin. If the Wizingamot is very much divided or non-intimidated, this plan would fail.”

Regulus held up a hand to stem any protests. “Why does this matter? Because. You and I might find Greyback distasteful, but you cannot deny that He values him. Greyback is our only clear connection to the werewolves and the only one who can keep the biggest pack in England in check and firmly doing His bidding. He is valuable to the Cause, as distasteful as it is, and a valued asset. If you were to present yourself - and I could corroborate - as the one who foiled the Ministry’s plan to deprive the Cause of a valuable asset by exerting your influence in an effective fashion…well, I’m certain that such success would earn great favor with Him.” It wasn’t that Lucius particularly needed help in rising in the ranks of the Death Eaters, but he was banking on Lucius’ desire to put as many smug victories under his belt as possible as well as his great ambition to prove himself as loyal and worthy of the greatest honor in the eyes of the Dark Lord.

Regulus gave Lucius a plaintiff look. “I think you could turn this into a political success for yourself Lucius, if you wanted to. If that does not seem reason enough, well…as I said, I’m asking this as a favor. I would, naturally, owe you one in return. Of course, if there is something you would like of me in the present…” Regulus spread out his hands, invitingly. “Name it.”

He could care less about the werewolves. If he hadn’t agreed to listening, Lucius would have quickly shut down the conversation. Regulus knew precisely what to say to catch his interest, so Lucius remained still, his expression unreadable while he listened. It almost sounded as though Regulus was suggesting that he try to sway the Wizengamot. Lucius opened his mouth to say something, but the words were lost to the younger wizard raising up his hand.

Lucius glared dagars at Regulus when he wasn’t given the chance to ask questions or interrupt, but kept his complaints to himself. It was for the best that he kept his mouth shut, as he was bound to say something he could regret if he didn’t take the chance to think things through. The thing that annoyed him most was being interrupted before he got the chance to say anything. Lucius didn’t have reason to dislike Lupin, but Greyback made him uneasy. If it weren’t for mentioning the Dark Lord seeing use in him, Lucius would have said something about letting him rot there. He took a deep breath to fill the space where his jaw hung open, slowly closing it as he released it.

“He may be valuable, but he is a cretin,” Lucius scowled, still needing to think about what Regulus said. Proving his loyalty as well as earning a success in regards to the Ministry from doing one thing would be great. It was just a matter of setting personal biases aside and actually agreeing to see what he could do – assuming he got to a point of deciding that was the best course of action. “I suppose I can look into it,” He said after a moment of thought. It wasn’t as though changing people’s opinions on matters was all that hard. Usually speaking and sounding sure of himself was enough to get them to believe in what he had to say. Swaying the Wizengamont was something he was willing to take on. “But that’s purely for the sake of His cause, not because I want Greyback to be acquitted.” Lucius drummed his fingers against his desk after that, his eyebrows furrowing together in thought. “You owe me or another member of my family a favor. The family part of that being under the assumption a more pressing matter comes up before I come up with something.”

#lusciousviper #asking for favors

“It is not Greyback who I care about, as it were, and I fully understand and share your distaste of him,” Regulus said, keeping his tone mild and amiable. “I’m here on Lupin’s behalf. It is simply that Greyback is the instrument by which you may derive a political victory for yourself out of the situation.”

When Lucius said he would look into it, Regulus decided to not push further. That was as close as a promise to help as Lucius would give him, given that Regulus had little to offer him in return. He nodded when Lucius said he owed him or his family a favor. “Yes, you or anyone of your family, of course.” Regulus stood and offered Lucius a handshake. “Thank you, Lucius.”

princeinmyownright-blog

Unquestionable // Severus & Regulus & Lily & Sirius

lilium-inter-spenius-blog

This was one of those missions that Regulus despised: violent and absolutely useless, attacking unarmed civilians and, yes, they were muggles, but there was no need to inflict torture and murder on them. Regulus didn’t care about muggles – he wanted them away from his world, perhaps he would like to keep them under control to the extent that wizards could be free and didn’t have to hide, but none of that involved murder. The way was making so many people lose sight of what was right and what was honorable and it was making Regulus sick.

But he had no choice. Order were orders.

Sirius’ presents would only make things worse. No, it will be better, he tried to tell himself. Maybe you will finally stop being a pathetic little child and realize who you truly owe your loyalty too.

They had caught Lily and Sirius by surprise. Binding them was easy. Gagging them was the next step, for both of them had a big mouth and no self-preservation instinct. But Merlin they had been stupid. No vetting, no protective barrier, no hidden backup, not even a back-to-back defensive stance. Sirius had no training at least, but Evans was an auror. Did they teach them bloody nothing in their idiotic academy? How have we still not won with this level of incompetence?

Severus, of course, turned on the dramatics, but Regulus was not in the mood. “Save the drama, honestly,” he muttered and cast a wordless spell on Sirius that could keep him moving behind, levitated just a few inches off the ground, while keeping him bound. “Let’s just work.” Masks, voice-disguising charms, no-names as per protocol in close-range ops – Regulus wasn’t worried about Sirius figuring out it was him. Why worry at all, boy? a voice that sounded suspiciously like his father’s snarled in his head. If you think he loves you so much, take off your mask. Let him know it’s you. Regulus grit his teeth. And go to Azkaban? Evans is here too. His subconscious laughed at him. Have you forgotten how to cast Obliviate? You know it works. You cast it on Longbottom, remember? But that’s not what you’re scared of. You’re scared of seeing the look of hatred on his face. Regulus snapped mentally at himself to shut up and pulled up his Occlumency shields for a brief period, mostly to put a wall between himself and the world for a moment. (He was too new to this and wouldn’t be able to keep them up while working anyway.)

They walked toward the house they had picked out earlier. Regulus had suggested it. Snape didn’t know, but Regulus had studied the area before they went to do an initial sweet and block. He tried to find the most despicable people possible. Finally, he came across something: a man with an assault conviction and two prosecutions for rape. He’d been acquitted both times because his wife had covered for him in the trial, proving an alibi (which Regulus had an easy time believing was false). The worst part was that they had a teenage son who, as far as Regulus could tell, was just some kid, a year or two younger than himself, and definitely did not deserve this. But it was the best Regulus could do, so he had pointed the house out to Severus and suggested it. Snape had agreed.

I hate this. This is so useless. We should be planning a Ministry coup not wasting time with murder and muggles.

@siriusblackstar

siriusblackstar-blog

To say it was strange to get a tip about the Death Eaters would be like saying it rained in England, but the members of the Order had requested that they go and check it out. Any lead that they could possibly get would be helpful, as they had no idea what direction to go after having burned down one of their safe houses. He recognized now that it might not have been the most clever of plans as it left them with no leads and no trail to follow since everything inside had been incinerated. It wasn’t one of his better ideas, but he felt the weight of responsibility on him now to pick up the slack and try and make up for the loss. While he was reckless, he wasn’t stupid, and he wasn’t sure he liked the feel of this particular mission. After all, what did they know about this person they were supposed to be meeting with? Nothing.

He looked over at Lily, taking in her expression frowning at her words. “If it’s another dead end then we just keep searching until we manage to find a lead that works in our favor. That’s all we can do, right?” He shrugged his shoulder at her, shifting awkwardly, still feeling slightly uncomfortable around her after having nearly set her ablaze, even if it was unknowingly. Apologies only got a person so far, and even if she forgave him, he still couldn’t help but feel bad that she could have been killed in the incident. James would have never forgiven him, but more than that, he would have lost a good friend, because that was what he’d come to see Lily as in her own right. She wasn’t just James’s girlfriend any longer, she was his mate, and he wanted to protect her at all cost.

Therefore when he felt the pertification spell hit him as they landed at their apperation point, he found his body careening towards Lily’s in an attempt to block her. Sadly, it had been too late for both of them though as they’d gone stiff as planks, crashing to the ground. Rage built up inside of him as his gaze landed on the forms above them, two Death Eaters, masked cowards who dare not even have their faces associated with their actions, as though their anonymity would ever protect them for long. They would search all of them out eventually, learn their names, find their ins. It would only be a matter of time, and the masks would be futile, nothing more than a symbol of their fear for the world to judge them for.

While dread spiked inside of him, it was more for Lily than himself. She was muggleborn, everything they were trying to eradicate, and while he was a blood traitor, he he knew the fact his blood was pure might buy him a few more hours than her. The immediate threat was on her, and he wasn’t about to let her fall to some bastards who had gotten the jump on them. Ropes ensnared their bodies as the petrification spell fell away, and he hissed trying to get out of them, despite not having a wand. As the ropes tightened he glared at their captors, snorting at Lily’s spirited response to their little speech. “Fuck you is an understatement,” he growled, twisting his hands, trying to get a better angle for them. His mind, however delayed, picked up on something more important than their apparent honorary status though. “Hand-picked? Who the fuck were we hand picked by and to what end!? That’s what I want to know!”

As they levitated the two of them towards a Muggle home, he glanced quickly towards Lily, not liking where this was going. He tried to force all his body weight down in hopes forcing of the levitation spell to give enough for him to scrape his feet along the ground and offer resistance, but he couldn’t quite reach, feeling anger swelling inside of him. “What the fuck do you assholes think you’re doing?! If you want to kill us, just bloody well do it! What the fuck is with the theatrics? We’re not going to tell you anything. You can torture us all you want!”

@princeinmyownright

princeinmyownright-blog

Severus was thankful for the mask he wore. Not only did it hide his identity from Sirius and Lily, but it kept Regulus from seeing him roll his eyes. Severus obviously didn’t want many people knowing he was among the Dark Lord’s ranks, preferring to use his blood lineage as an excuse for denied admittance. That way he had a bit more freedom to gather information, which had thus far allowed him to slowly climb the ranks of the Dark Lord’s most trusted servants.

What he didn’t understand was the way Regulus seemed to refuse to play the part. Dramatics were essential to the task. They were working with people who, whether they liked it or not, knew them better than most. If Severus and Regulus acted too like themselves, not only would they have been forced on a pointless mission, but those they had captured would recognize what was going on.

Severus held some resentment for the ease in which Regulus had entered the ranks of the Death Eaters, but he wouldn’t wish for Sirius to recognize him. Sev had been on the receiving end of Sirius’s wrath for long enough to know how difficult it was. Severus resolved then and there to distract Sirius, keep him from realizing who exactly it was who and tied him and now levitated him over to the house.

Lily was angry, of course, but in her frustration was seething quietly. Sirius was the more annoying problem, bellowing as they walked to the house. Every word was growing louder, and it grated on Severus’s nerves. It wouldn’t be his fault if a crucio happened to slip out and strike Black squarely in his back while they walked, would it? But Sirius was Regulus’s charge, not his, and the added notice of screams wouldn’t be very inconspicuous for the traveling group. Severus settled on a wordless silencio directed at the annoyance, and Black’s protests finally ceased in one glorious moment of peace.

“Now now, Black, we never said anything about killing you. You both wanted a tip about the Death Eater’s movements, correct?” Severus shot a sideways glance at Lily. Had she gathered who she was talking to, or was his unusual bravado and the theatrics of it all fooling the pair of them? “My colleague and I are simply offering you the opportunity to see first hand some of the cleansing work the Dark Lord has commanded. This invitation comes from him personally, you know.”

He looked ahead at Regulus, wondering when they would get to the house. Contrary to what his forced ease and enjoyment suggested, he wanted this mission to be over with as quickly as possible. Finally, after what seemed like the longest stroll through a neighborhood in their lives, they had arrived at the house.

The whole family of three was there, that had been arranged before, when Regulus suggested the house. Casting another silencio on Lily for good measure, Severus nodded to Regulus and magically unlocked the door. Severus entered with stealth; the husband had his back to the door, sleeping on the couch while some ridiculous show played on the muggle telly. The wife was in the kitchen, washing dishes or some other sort of menial task. Again, her back was to the door, but when she heard the latch click she turned around, confused.

At the sight of the four of them barging into her house, she breathed in to let out a scream to alert the rest of her household. Before she had the chance, Severus bellowed out another Petrificus Totalus and her body locked up as she fell stiffly to the ground.

“I’ll take care of the husband and figure out the best place for our demonstration. You go get the boy.” Severus muttered to Regulus, keeping his voice low. The man in the house still hadn’t realized they were there, so engrossed in his telly that he hadn’t grabbed Sirius roughly by the arm, pulling him into the house after Regulus and closed the door behind them. He turned his attention to the father, still fast asleep. A precautionary stupify made sure he wouldn’t wake, and he set the stage for their little mission.

Dragging the wife into the room, he propped her up against the wall, her eyes wide and darting with fear. It was pathetic, seeing her there. Next, Sev heaved the unconcious body of the husband next to her, a crumpled pile on the floor. Finally, he levitated Lily and Severus over to the couch, sitting them there and adding a few more ropes just in case to tie them to the furniture.

As Regulus emerged down the stairs with the boy, Severus finally lifted the silencing charms off of Sirius and Lily. Underneath his mask, he grit his teeth. The the show begin.

@lilium-inter-spenius

They were muttering to one another, clearly they knew who they were beneath their masks. Lily wanted nothing more than to tear the bloody disguises off of their faces–hopefully they were stuck on the skin with sweat so that the process was painful–so she could see the cowards beneath. Unfortunately, she was restrained and forced to move forward.

She glanced to the side. Lily was trying not to take her eyes off of the pair of assholes dragging them along the streets while keeping Sirius in her focus. While she was a mudblood, Sirius was considered a blood traitor. Lily knew where she stood with the fuckers in front of them. What she didn’t know was what they were going to do to Sirius and if she could do anything to put herself between them and Siri then she would do it.

The words pouring from Sirius’ mouth strengthened her resolve. They were in this together and no torture that they experienced at the hands of the masked cowards would have them talk. Lily would be lying if she said there was not a thread of fear running through her at the prospect of death, yet this was war and it was inevitable. All she could do now was fight for her life any way that she could and hopefully take down those bloody bastards with her.

“Cleansing?” Her bravado fell slightly at the man’s words. This wasn’t about her or Sirius was it. They were be taken to some home not to be tortured themselves, but to watch another being tortured. Lily’s stomach churned and it took a hell of a lot of willpower not to scream. She turned to face Sirius, concern etched across her brows even as her eyes still held a venamous fire in them.

The next few minutes felt like a blur, they were all but dragged into the home of a family that Lily did not recognize. Strangers in her eyes that she should not worry about, yet she did because they were now going to the victims of some cruel unjust punishment. Lily wanted to say something, warn them to run, anything…the spell had been cast and she was rendered helpless…voiceless.

She struggled against the bonds, the rope cut into her skin with every motion. Lily was sure she was bleeding, that did not concern her at the moment. All she wanted was to break free and save the family that was being brought before their eyes. There was a fear in their eyes that was breaking Lily’s heart. The moment she felt the spell lift she finally screamed.

“Don’t you fucking lay a hand on them. They didn’t do anything. If you want to hurt someone hurt us.” Lily glanced beside her at Sirius. Again she noted that they were in this together and she would follow his lead as she was sure he would follow her.

@regulusblack-sonandheir

#siriusblackstar #princeinmyownright #lilium-inter-spenius #unquestionable

Regulus found the boy in his room, sat on his bed. When Regulus came in, he jumped up, startled. The magazine he’d been holding fell out of his hands; his pants her were unzipped. Regulus cast two spells in quick succession: one to gag, one to bind. A glance at the magazine told him it was full of pictures of naked and nearly-naked women. How tasteless.

He levitated the boy - he was fifteen or sixteen - and hauled him downstairs, depositing him beside his parents against the wall. He tried to not look at the boy’s face. The room was dim, the only light coming from the muggle contraption - something Severus had once told him was called a television - and the kitchen. Regulus walked the perimeter of the room, putting up a sound inhibiting ward and then a protection ward to keep out any accidental (or not so accidental) intruders. (It wouldn’t be hard to break with magic, but at least they would be well-protected from any muggle intrusions.)

“I’d like to have a go at the husband, if you don’t mind,” Regulus told Severus quietly. It wasn’t particularly fair try and stick Severus with the choice between a woman and a boy (though, the “boy” wasn’t much younger than them) but perhaps Sev didn’t mind...

@siriusblackstar

Searching for Eden--Lucinda and Regulus

The worst part was that he did not know why she was hesitating. He ran through what he knew of what had happened at her house: their people went in and took her parents, likely there was a struggle. As far as he knew, no Dark Mark had been cast. After taking Barty home this morning, he had stopped by her house. It looked mostly normal, except for the crime scene markings/tape. Did she think he was involved somehow? But no that was impossible, certainly she would have come here if she she thought that.

“It’s no trouble, Lucinda,” he said calmly, taking a careful step toward her. “You can’t stay out here. I understand you don’t feel very safe after what happened, but the house has blood wards on it. It’s as safe as you can get.”

“Maybe–maybe just for a little bit,” she conceded, arms still wrapped around herself. Even if she did stay the night, she’d be gone come morning. It bothered her to stay in one place, even in a house. Even if Regulus said it was safe. She didn’t mention that she wasn’t worried about the blood wards keeping anything out. She was afraid of being kept in. Or what could get to her there. But that would just insult Regulus and hurt his feelings. And she couldn’t exactly afford to lose any more friends. She wanted to trust him anyway, she did. And she felt that if she did go back to the house with him, she’d be safe. Regulus was a gentleman, and he had a sense of honour. He wouldn’t let a guest of his be harmed.

“You’re not mad at me?” she asked in a small voice.

#casually-furious #Searching for Eden

Regulus relaxed a little and came closer to her. He would need to apparate her inside the inner wards - the magic around the house would be extra protective now that the outside wards had been breached and it was easier than walking all the way back. “Mad? No, I’m...I’m not mad. Just...surprised, I suppose. I thought you would have simply come to Grimmauld Place.” Although, it was probably better than she hadn’t. His father was away but his Mother was there and she wouldn’t take too kindly to Lucinda, or at least to Regulus’ inviting her to stay, or so he assumed. “Take my arm. I’ll apparate us to the house.”

Searching for Eden--Lucinda and Regulus

“So instead of coming to Grimmauld Place or owling you decided to skulk in the woods?” Regulus couldn’t help it. He raised an eyebrow at her, hoping that using the teasing tone he usually used with her would help put her at ease. Oh but this was terrible - of course she was upset with him; he hadn’t immediately done everything to try to find her. Sure, he had had Barty to take care of all last night but sending a patronus was such an easy thing and didn’t require knowing her location. He would have certainly done it if he hadn’t been such a coward and so afraid to face her.

“Luci, I’m sorry, I’ve been so thoughtless. I won’t make excuses. But, honestly, this is silly. Come to the house. If you need a place to stay you can always stay here. As in, at the estate, not out in the woods of course.” He didn’t think it would be wise to bring her to Grimmauld Place - just in case. He wasn’t sure how he’d justify that, but he’d cross that hurdle when it came.

Lucinda bit her tongue to keep a sharp retort from escaping her mouth. She knew that Regulus was just teasing her, but she didn’t appreciate it. She was not feeling as if her life or her safety were something to joke about at the moment. Of course it was easy for Regulus; he was secure in his position as the Black family heir. No one would dare mess with him. But he was young enough that even with his position and influence, she wasn’t entirely sure he could (or would) protect her if it came down to it.

“I don’t want to put you to any trouble,” she muttered, not meeting his gaze. She hated asking for help or even admitting she needed it. Lucinda had always had her pride. Plus, even though he was her friend, she couldn’t help but be nervous about going into anyone’s house at the moment and being unable to leave.

“I don’t know if I should.”

She looked up at him then, trying to hide her anxiety over whether to accept or not accept his offer. She half hoped he saw in her eyes the depth of her fear discomfort. She wasn’t trying to be difficult. But she was sleep deprived and running on adrenaline and bread and cheese. And she wanted to trust in him, but she didn’t know who to trust at this point.

The worst part was that he did not know why she was hesitating. He ran through what he knew of what had happened at her house: their people went in and took her parents, likely there was a struggle. As far as he knew, no Dark Mark had been cast. After taking Barty home this morning, he had stopped by her house. It looked mostly normal, except for the crime scene markings/tape. Did she think he was involved somehow? But no that was impossible, certainly she would have come here if she she thought that.

“It’s no trouble, Lucinda,” he said calmly, taking a careful step toward her. “You can’t stay out here. I understand you don’t feel very safe after what happened, but the house has blood wards on it. It’s as safe as you can get.”

Searching for Eden--Lucinda and Regulus

She looked frightened, though after what had happened he supposed that was natural. But why was she here? “Wait, wait. Lucinda–what are you doing here? Are you alright?–I mean…I heard about…that your parents disappeared. I…” He trailed off, stumbling over the words, feeling terrible that he was indirectly complicit, if not in what happened to her parents per se, then to her pain. Although, he was not told - probably for security reasons - where they had relocated her parents, so helping at this point would not be so simple. Obviously, Headquarters was holding his friendship with Lucinda against him. (Not that he was surprised - objectively/tactically speaking, it was the right thing to do.)

He noticed that she looked hesitant, almost as though she was scared of him specifically. Regulus tucked his wand away into his sleeve. “I didn’t know where you were. I’m sorry; I didn’t think of sending a patronus,” he said, a lot more calmly after giving himself a moment to collect his thoughts.

Perhaps Lucinda was expecting too much from people. Had her idea that her friends would come to her aid, or at least check on her, been naive and too optimistic? It was true that not many wanted to involve themselves in the trouble of others. And obviously some believed there was a stigma associated with her now. While the past three days seemed long to Lucinda, it was, realistically, a blink of an eye. It would have been easy for people to note the disappearance and either think of sending words of comfort to Lucinda, or merely dismissing the knowledge as a piece of news and forgetting about it altogether.

While it hurt that Regulus had not immediately tried to contact her, perhaps Lucinda’s expectations had been set too high.

“Oh, you know, I’m fine,” she said, shrugging, looking away from him. Her falsely cheery tone was unconvincing. “Just thought I’d come for a walk in the woods.” The look she gave him was sarcastic, and in keeping with her former attitude. But it was not an attitude she could keep up for long, not right now.

“I just…needed a place to sleep for a bit where I felt safe,” she admitted, ducking her head. Her arms wrapped around her torso protectively. She hated admitting vulnerability. She would rather be shouting at him for not having reached out to her. But she was trespassing on his lands. She was fairly at his mercy. And she wanted to see if she could still count him as a friend.

“I figured warded, isolated grounds of a powerful family might do the trick, at least for a night?” she said, trying for a rueful smile as she looked back up at him to meet his gaze.

“So instead of coming to Grimmauld Place or owling you decided to skulk in the woods?” Regulus couldn’t help it. He raised an eyebrow at her, hoping that using the teasing tone he usually used with her would help put her at ease. Oh but this was terrible - of course she was upset with him; he hadn’t immediately done everything to try to find her. Sure, he had had Barty to take care of all last night but sending a patronus was such an easy thing and didn’t require knowing her location. He would have certainly done it if he hadn’t been such a coward and so afraid to face her.

“Luci, I’m sorry, I’ve been so thoughtless. I won’t make excuses. But, honestly, this is silly. Come to the house. If you need a place to stay you can always stay here. As in, at the estate, not out in the woods of course.” He didn’t think it would be wise to bring her to Grimmauld Place - just in case. He wasn’t sure how he’d justify that, but he’d cross that hurdle when it came.

Searching for Eden--Lucinda and Regulus

Regulus was reading when Kreacher came in to tell him he had a firecall from Andrew Schmit. Something urgent. Regulus went to speak to his head of security surprise and worry intermingling.

“What’s gong on, Andy? My father is away on business so you just as might tell me.”

“Sir. We’ve had a wards breach at Buckinghamshire. Usually, I’d send someone to take a look but most of the staff has an off-day today.”

Regulus frowned. Few people even knew about the Buckinghamshire country house - what could anyone want with an old country house? It was strange and therefore extra doubling. “Which wards?”

“Most outer. Woods-side.”

Even stranger. “Meet me at the house. I’ll go out with you.”

The outer wards could not be apparated into or entered by unauthorized portkey but they could be breached without having to be broken if crossed by broom or on foot or horseback. Wards did not need breaking until reaching the second ward barrier, which was much closer to the house. However, an alarm would go out to the security staff. Usually, something minor like this would be handled by Andy’s boys but they had this day off. Curious - and a little worried that this could have something to do with the war - Regulus decided to not send Andy out on his own. Once at the house, they cast a special tracking spell and followed it on broom.

It led them to the pond where he and Lucinda had played at catching frogs. The memory made Regulus wince inwardly. He had avoided Lucinda for the last couple of days since, since they had taken her parents, but he was afraid that he had to finally do something. At least find out where she was. (He knew she was unharmed - she hadn’t been the target - but she didn’t know he knew.)

They landed by the pond and pulled out their wands, tracking through the trees until –

Lucinda’s face was turned mostly away from them, but Regulus knew her well enough to recognize her even like this. He heard Andy breath out, “A girl?” at his side. This brought Regulus out of his initial shocked stupor. He stopped and held up a hand to stop his companion.

“Go back, Andy. I’ll handle it from here.”

“But, sir–”

“Don’t argue with me,” Regulus said firmly but flatly. He waited for Schmit to disapparate before making his way cautiously toward Lucinda. The tracking spell had told him she was alone. Dear Merlin, what was she doing here? Regulus wasn’t sure if she was asleep or not but as he got closer, she suddenly sat up, eyes wide. Regulus slowly lowered his wand. “Lucinda?”

Like a startled rabbit, Lucinda jumped to her feet. Except a rabbit would have heard its predator coming and gotten out of the way, out of sight. Lucinda had been stupid to think she was safe here, to think that her trespassing would not be noted. Of course the Blacks would have wards up on their estate and of course someone on the property would be noted.

She cursed herself mentally for not concealing herself better, but she had been so tired….And now, now it was too late. Because now she had to decide whether Regulus was friend or foe. The lowering of his wand was a good sign, but Lucinda would not put too much trust in the gesture.

“Reg! I-I’m sorry. I was just….” she didn’t know how to finish that sentence.

I had nowhere else to go.

I wanted to feel safe.

I thought I could escape here for a while.

“I should go,” she said, beginning to back away from him slowly, though she wanted to run. Her heart was beating a million miles a minute, but she forced herself to be calm. To not rush. She didn’t draw her wand, didn’t want to seem like a threat, but she was prepared. Prepared to drop to the ground at the first indication of his wand rising. Prepared to Stun one of her closest friends. And all over a little blood status.

She supposed she was lucky it was him and not one of his servants who had come to investigate the breaching. She had a feeling they’d be more inclined to Stun first, ask questions after. And in that time, she’d be at the mercy of whoever wanted to claim her. With Regulus at least, she stood a chance. She hoped she did.

He didn’t look mad at her anyway. Just confused. It gave Lucinda hope, though she refused to dwell on that for long. Hope and trust were dangerous when anyone could be an enemy.

She looked frightened, though after what had happened he supposed that was natural. But why was she here? “Wait, wait. Lucinda--what are you doing here? Are you alright?--I mean...I heard about...that your parents disappeared. I...” He trailed off, stumbling over the words, feeling terrible that he was indirectly complicit, if not in what happened to her parents per se, then to her pain. Although, he was not told - probably for security reasons - where they had relocated her parents, so helping at this point would not be so simple. Obviously, Headquarters was holding his friendship with Lucinda against him. (Not that he was surprised - objectively/tactically speaking, it was the right thing to do.)

He noticed that she looked hesitant, almost as though she was scared of him specifically. Regulus tucked his wand away into his sleeve. “I didn’t know where you were. I’m sorry; I didn’t think of sending a patronus,” he said, a lot more calmly after giving himself a moment to collect his thoughts.

Searching for Eden--Lucinda and Regulus

It was the third day of her parents being gone. The third day where she woke up in an unfamiliar place, wondering where she was, and where her parents were. Only one of those questions got answered.

She had been running since leaving the hospital. She wanted safety, but didn’t know where to find it. Her home was obviously out of the question. Her friends…well she wasn’t sure she had many of those left. No one had reached out to her anyway. And, while she was desperate, she still had her pride. She wouldn’t go begging for anyone to take her in. She didn’t want to put anyone else in danger either.

So she ran. She knew that the next few days would be spent finding ‘safe’ places for her to rotate between. Her last night had been spent curled up under the desk in her father’s office, and waking up far too early in order to leave the Ministry without being seen.

As Lucinda coughed from the exhaust of a Muggle bus going by, she suddenly longed for her broomstick. For wide open spaces, wind in her face. For the sky. But they had broken her broomstick. She wouldn’t be keeping her date with Regulus this week.

Lucinda stilled as a thought entered her head. It wasn’t dangerous exactly but it couldn’t entirely be called safe. Regulus hadn’t reached out to her, after all. She didn’t know his opinion of her now. But with any luck, she wouldn’t even see him. She would Apparate close to his estate in Buckinghamshire and enter the grounds on foot. She’d stay in his woods. She was sure that few people trespassed on the property of the Blacks. And she would stay far away from the main house. She would, of course, be outdoors, but it was summer time. She could handle it. She hoped. She’d have to.

With new resolve in her step–she liked having a plan–Lucinda Apparated home. She checked outside her house sure it–and she–were being watched. She would Apparate away from inside when she was done.

Even though it had only been a few days, the house already seemed abandoned, lonely. This, despite having dropped her cat back off here. Tetu would do better without constantly being put under a sleeping spell. As the black fur ball ran towards her, Lucinda lifted her into her arms, hugging her tight. There was a stillness to the air that made Lucinda nervous. But she ignored it. She had a purpose for being here.

Grabbing one of her large purses, Lucinda put a fresh set of clothes in her bag, a sweater, and a blanket. From downstairs she got a few apples, bread, cheese. She wasn’t hungry. She hadn’t been for a while. But she knew it was possible. And she knew she technically needed to eat. She filled her water bottle with water from the tap and placed a refilling charm on it just in case. She didn’t want to add dehydration to her list of problems too.

Once she had her meagre supplies, she went back into the living room. The mantlepiece looked bare without the usual photos. But the glass on some had been broken during whatever had happened at her house and others had what could only be blood smeared over them. The Aurors had taken them all away for evidence.

As Tetu twined around Lucinda’s legs, she sighed. She wished she could take the cat with her, but knew that she was better off here. She could hide if anyone came back, and it was unfair to be dragging her from place to place. Lucinda had piled the cat’s dish high with food and hidden it in the laundry room. She only hoped that Tetu would still be here next time she came back to check in.

With one last look around the place, Lucinda took a deep breath, exhaled, and then Apparated away. She allowed some small measure of pride at her accuracy in Apparating, but it quickly faded. It seemed trivial in the face of everything else. Hitching her back up on her shoulder, Lucinda wandered around, crossing the border onto Regulus’ lands, until she found the pond they had played at several times after the first.

It was so peaceful here.

Lucinda knew that setting up right by the pond was a bad idea, so she withdrew a little further into the trees. She was exhausted again, and hated herself for her weakness. But what else did she had to do but sleep? Placing her bag on the ground, Lucinda used it for a pillow. She was asleep within moments.

She didn’t wake until the crack of a breaking twig snapped through her unconscious mind. Her eyes flew open immediately.

@regulusblack-sonandheir

Regulus was reading when Kreacher came in to tell him he had a firecall from Andrew Schmit. Something urgent. Regulus went to speak to his head of security surprise and worry intermingling.

“What’s gong on, Andy? My father is away on business so you just as might tell me.”

“Sir. We’ve had a wards breach at Buckinghamshire. Usually, I’d send someone to take a look but most of the staff has an off-day today.”

Regulus frowned. Few people even knew about the Buckinghamshire country house - what could anyone want with an old country house? It was strange and therefore extra doubling. “Which wards?”

“Most outer. Woods-side.”

Even stranger. “Meet me at the house. I’ll go out with you.”

The outer wards could not be apparated into or entered by unauthorized portkey but they could be breached without having to be broken if crossed by broom or on foot or horseback. Wards did not need breaking until reaching the second ward barrier, which was much closer to the house. However, an alarm would go out to the security staff. Usually, something minor like this would be handled by Andy’s boys but they had this day off. Curious - and a little worried that this could have something to do with the war - Regulus decided to not send Andy out on his own. Once at the house, they cast a special tracking spell and followed it on broom.

It led them to the pond where he and Lucinda had played at catching frogs. The memory made Regulus wince inwardly. He had avoided Lucinda for the last couple of days since, since they had taken her parents, but he was afraid that he had to finally do something. At least find out where she was. (He knew she was unharmed - she hadn’t been the target - but she didn’t know he knew.)

They landed by the pond and pulled out their wands, tracking through the trees until --

Lucinda’s face was turned mostly away from them, but Regulus knew her well enough to recognize her even like this. He heard Andy breath out, “A girl?” at his side. This brought Regulus out of his initial shocked stupor. He stopped and held up a hand to stop his companion.

“Go back, Andy. I’ll handle it from here.”

“But, sir--”

“Don’t argue with me,” Regulus said firmly but flatly. He waited for Schmit to disapparate before making his way cautiously toward Lucinda. The tracking spell had told him she was alone. Dear Merlin, what was she doing here? Regulus wasn’t sure if she was asleep or not but as he got closer, she suddenly sat up, eyes wide. Regulus slowly lowered his wand. “Lucinda?”

angstmemes

My muse is suffering from war flashbacks. Send me “You’re safe here.” for my muse’s reaction.

#meme