King Of My Heart | R. BLACK

28 | dreadful discoveries

Regulus Black had been home from Hogwarts for a month and his family was hiding something from him. And no, this wasn't some sneaking suspicion of a teenage boy. It was a fact.

It wasn't until he finally confronted Kreacher that he figured out what it was.

"Mistress has requested that Master Regulus not be allowed in," Kreacher informed the boy.

"Master Regulus asks that Kreacher make an exception this one time and let him pass." Kreacher remained put. "Oh, come on!" he exclaimed. "It's been a month! What could possibly be so important to take a month?" The screaming had stopped at least two weeks ago so he didn't understand why it was still closed off.

He was aware that he should have done something to help whoever was on the other side but what could he do against multiple fully trained dark wizards? Get himself killed, is what. Angela's words had been echoing in his head since she spoke to Barty on the train.

"You're a coward," she had spat at the boy, "Nothing but a filthy coward hiding behind some stupid tattoo and a man who believes he's superior because of his blood status and i should kill you for it." He couldn't help but think she was talking to him and it was entirely possible that she was. "But I won't." But she won't. "Not yet." Not yet.

Maybe she was right. Maybe he was a coward. But not today.

"Don't make me hex you, Kreacher," Regulus warned.

"Master Regulus is not allowed to use magic outside of school."

He rolled his eyes, "Master Regulus also really wants to know what's going on in that room."

Kreacher narrowed his eyes but stepped to the side, "Master Regulus must be quick. Kreacher will play injured and claim Master Regulus did it if he gets caught."

Regulus muttered a quick thank you to the elf before he entered the room.

The first thing he noticed was the smell. It overwhelmed his senses and virtually blinded him. He thought he would throw up from how awful it was.

He squeezed his eyes shut and fought down the urge to barf up his lunch before taking a deep breath and opening his eyes. He took in the scene in front of him.

There was a lot of blood even for the two bodies that were on the ground. There was no way they were alive.

It wasn't until he had walked closer that he realized he recognized one of the bodies. And when he looked over at the other, the breath was knocked out of him.

An icy chill ran through his body as he stared at the girl. She was thinner than he remembered and her skin was pale, covered in bruises and poorly healed cuts. He gulped as he realized he could see her breathing.

"Angel?" he croaked out but it was too quiet for her to have possibly heard in her state. Or maybe she was dead. No, he shook his head, not possible. He slowly made his way over to her. He took steadying breaths. If she was gone...Well, if she was gone, he wasn't sure what he would do but it wouldn't end well for anyone. Certainly not for him. "Angel..." he tried again.

She let out a groan and he couldn't help but let out a gasp of relief. He fell down at her side, not caring about the blood that was probably ruining his pants. "Hey, hey," he whispered, "Can you hear me?"

"Reg-" she tried but her throat was too dry, "Reg-"

"No, don't," he suggested. "I'm going to get you out of here."

"Kill me," she requested, pleading clear in her tone. She cleared her throat, "I can't take it anymore. Get your mark, kill me. Please. Just this one time, do what I ask because I can't take anymore."

He shook his head, "What? No! That's not - I won't-"

"Please," she tried again though she had very little energy.

"No," he replied firmly. He looked around the room trying to find a solution before his eyes locked on the fireplace. "I'm getting you out of here."

"Reg-" she said but he hushed her as he lifted her carefully. Angela didn't protest but instead asked, "Daisy, is she...?"

He glanced over at Daisy, Angela's friend and grimaced. She was certainly not alive. He cringed as he remembered the arm that was no longer attached to her body but instead wrapped in her other arm and covered in flies. No, she wasn't alive. "I'm so sorry, Angel."

"Take me home," she begged, resting her head against his chest. "I want my brother. I want to go home."

"It's good to know we have the same idea."