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Regulus awaked on a slippery, cold rock. Slowly, he started opening his eyes to get a view on what was around him.
He was in a dark, cold and death-smelling cave. He was utterly alone. He tried to sit and then, he got a terrible ace coming from all the parts of his body. He turned away and vomited. He closed his eyes in hope to get his memories back. But he didn’t remember anything. He knew his name; he knew he came here from Hogwarts; he knew he had a family – and the last word made his head ache even harder than the body. To stabilize his breathe he closed his eyes and started counting.
1… 2… 3… 4… 5… and then his eyes opened. He looked at what was meant to be his vomit, but only he has found water. At first, he was shocked, but in the next few seconds he got an incredible pain in his head, like if he had been hexed.
He got his memories back. All of them were now his. And honestly – it would have been better to be in a grave, thinking about nothing and seeing eternity in front of him, the laying where he was. Knowing what he did. Knowing what he hasn’t done. And seeing the consequences of Dark Lord staying alive.
What a terrible death! What the terrible fates Marauders faced! Where has God, Merlin been?
They weren’t born for this. No one was.
Regulus awaked in the cave, that has been his graveyard for more than two decades knowing everything that has happened. Knowing every fate of each of his friends, acknowledging that every one of them – his relatives, their friends, his friend and everyone he has ever known – right now, every one of them is dead. His death hasn’t changed a thing.
He screamed. He cried. He messed his hair. He bit his hands. He tore the skin from the wrists. He stopped only when his voice was lost. Only when his hands were filled with scars and bounds.
Only then he stood up. Only then he left the cave.
It was the day when the Voldemort has passed away. The day, when Remus and many others died. He knew everything about past and present. The only thing, thus he wanted, was to get an ability to get back in time. To become the little boy, he was when came to Hogwarts.
It took many months for him to find out how to get back in time. He was deeply lost in the forests of Siberia, where he found an abandoned library. There, he started to learn what even the Dark Lord didn’t know. He learned about the basis of time travelling and how to get it done; learnt about necromancy and ghost-calling. He learnt about many, many things, kept in secret for the rest of the Magician world.
In this library, he spent months until one day, he found the thing he has been looking for.
In his hands, there was an old, yellow from all this time book. It was big and it was written in the old English. In the first page, there was a political map of the world. And on this map, to his awe, he found the Great Roman Empire.
The book was mixed-colored. It was hard to tell what the original color was, but it was the appearance that matters. It is words – spoken, written and known. The book was about the ways to time-travel.
There was a big list of them and among some not updated ways, there has been something interesting and useful. As it turned out, your spirit can travel through time as well.
Regulus could get in time in the long-distant and lost years. And there, in his adolescent body having the experience he now possessed, he could change the way the things turned on. He could save the lives of the people he loved. He could save Sirius. He could prevent the genocide of muggles and half-blooded. This was what he has been looking for. And so, he decided that he will do it. He will return in his eleven-year-old body and having 7 years of Hogwarts ahead, he will change everything. The Dark Lord will face his death before Harry will be even born.
Regulus spent less than a week, preparing everything that he needed. He prepared a potion. He drank it. “And now”, thought Regulus “the world will be changed”.
***
Regulus opened his eyes with the clock. It was the first of September. And in an hour, he will go to the train, whose goal was to leave Regulus at the Hogwarts.
“I did it”, said Regulus to himself, taking an upright position on the bed, “I did it. I did it”.
He stood up and looked in a mirror. He was a pretty, young boy. He looked innocent and incapable of doing what he had to. But it was his destiny. And he will complete it.
Regulus put on his clothes and got on the first floor, where he has found Sirius. Sirius smiled at him and he smiled back. During breakfast Regulus and Sirius had the greatest times of their lives. For Sirius, it was a common regular joke-talking. But for Regulus, it was something he missed. Something he needed. Something he loved.
In 5 minutes, the rest of the family came to the breakfast and the joy has been lost. Their parents have always been terribly harsh and agonistic for them. As years passed by, Regulus admitted that it was, in fact, a child abuse. When he was made to make a tattoo, he killed all the love for the family he had. And now, he felt the bare minimum of the emotions.
In Hogwarts express he set with Sirius friends and all the time of the road he felt how James starred at him. Regulus was devastated from the moment of his awakening and often without reasons wanted to cry. This moment wasn’t an exception, so to get rid from the emotions, he looked in the window, daydreaming. But his side-eye caught everything Sirius, Remus and James said and did. He felt that they all wanted to talk with him. But if they started, he would start crying.
The hat once again chose Slytherin. But unlike other students he wasn’t cheered or happy about being there. He caught raged Sirius eyes and all the evening sat in silent.
Sirius didn’t talk with brother for over five months. And Regulus hasn’t talked with anyone from the moment he got in Hogwarts. All the spells they studied were easy for him and he was the greatest in the mark’s student in Hogwarts. He was widely discussed, but most of the time he spent in the library. He decided to study Animagic. He wanted to be able to turn into a crow. Also, he wanted to the end of the third year learn Patronus and Serpatin.
Regulus couldn’t sleep. The problem was, that he didn’t feel safe during it. And so, he walked. Until one day, he was caught at 3 am at the Astrology Tower by Professor McGonagall, who has been watching him for months.
“Regulus Black!” heard Regulus McGonagall’s voice “What to the name of Melin is happening to you?”
Regulus turned face to face to McGonagall and when he has seen that her eyes weren’t angered but sad about him, Regulus couldn’t lie anymore. He put his head down and said “I’m sorry”. After that he started to cry.
Professor rushed to him and hugged him. He started weeping. They stood there for a minute and then she made him go to his bed.
On the next morning, three days before Christmas vacation Professor McGonagall came to Sirius during boring history lesson and made him go with her to her cabinet. Sirius thought it was about him, but the following conversation surprised and saddened him.
“Professor McGonagall”, started Sirius “I’m sorry for the fight I and James started….”
“I asked you to talk with me not about your behavior.”
“Then about what?”
“About your brother, Regulus. He scares all the teachers. Your brother, he never talks with anyone. No one has seen him smile or laugh. All the time he spends in the library reading books for 5 and 6 graders. He eats a little. And sleep a little too. During night, he walks around Hogwarts and speaks with ghosts. This night I caught him in the Astronomy Towel at 4 am alone. When I asked him a question he started crying. We’re scared for him. Has he always been like that?”
“What? No”, said Sirius sadly, “That can’t be true”.
“But it is”, said McGonagall in a little sad voice, “do you know how to help him?”
“I will talk with him”, said Sirius.
“Alright”, answered Minerva, “you can talk with him now, here. I can bring him here. And Sirius, tell him, please, that if he wants to, he can visit Gryffindor rooms as much as he wants and stay in your room, if there is a need – I know, you have an extra bedroom”, said McGonagall, standing up, “we’ll be here in 5 minutes”.
After that, Minerva left room and went to get Regulus. He was at the choir, and during their way to the room, Regulas apologized many times.
“Come in”, said McGonagall, “I want you to discuss your problems with a person you trust. Until he won’t say you’re doing better, you can’t visit library”.
Regulus came into the room, where he saw Sirius.
“Sirius….” Started Regulus, but he was interrupted.
“Regulus, I’m terribly sorry for running away from you”, started Sirius, “I know that you are having hard times and I want you to know that I’m here for you. Please, Regulus, tell me, what upsets you? How can I help you?”
These words were the first Regulus heard from Sirius in the last 5 months. And that’s why he started slowly crying.
“You can’t help me. No one can”.
“I can”.
“No”.
“Yes”.
“No”.
“At least let me try’.
During Winter holidays Regulus lived in the Marauders room. Sirius told his friends that he is afraid for Regulus and they let him stay.
After that accident Regulus hasn’t been caught crying again, however he hasn’t made friends as well. Regulus continued studying all day long, but on the holidays, he didn’t go to his family, but stayed in the Sirius room.
Regulus was an all A+ student. He didn’t break school rules. But now, it was the time for that.
Regulus started the fourth year accomplished everything he wanted. He learnt what he needs to destroy all the horcruxes of the Voldemort.
It was the time to start.
In the middle of October, on Saturday evening, Regulus created a ghost-copy of himself to walk around Hogwarts. Meanwhile he went on his adventure.
Regulus left Hogwarts after dinner. He took some food and a bottle of coffee and then departed.
At 1 am on Sunday he managed to get to the Voldemort’s family house. He didn’t get in just stayed there learning about his family, who he didn’t like. After that he departed to his orphan house where in the morning talked with teachers.
Regulus knew a lot about his horcruxes but still needed some information. But now, he was ready. All he needed was getting the first horcruxes and a tooth of Basilic.
He got back at Hogwarts and went to the locked bathroom. There he with snake language got into the secret chamber and found a snake with a diary. Using “Avada Kedavra” and a sword he stole from Dumbledor he killed snake and then destroyed diary. After that, he got sword back and went to his room with a few teeth. His job for today was done. He destroyed the first horcruxes. He did it.
To the end of the fourth year Regulus practiced very hard and imperious spells and potions. Right now, he was more powerful than half of the Death Eaters and teachers.
However, that year was harsh for him – not the year, but the summer, when Sirius ran away. They promised to stay at each other’s sides, but… Regulus knew, that Sirius loved his friends more than family. Especially, he liked Lupin.
Sirius and Lupin started dating in the August, and if to be honest, Regulus was happy for them. Yet now, he was all alone in his own house.
In the beginning of September, Regulus once again came to the Dark Lord’s family. Now, he got the Marvolo Gaunt’s ring, that he destroyed in the locked bathroom.
In the November, Regulus destroyed third horcruxes – the lost diadem of Ravenclaw.
It was the easiest one to destroy. Others were much difficult and so, in the room where the diadem was situated, he found books on the very, very dark magic.
In the middle of December, Sirius came to Regulus to talk after dinner.
“Reggie”, started Sirius, “on these holidays, I won’t stay at Hogwarts. I’ll go to the Potters’.
“Oh”, said Regulus, upsetting deep down in his emotions, “Okay. I’ll be at Hogwarts”.
“Reggie”, said Sirius, “Potters invited you too. I don’t want you to spend New Year alone. Will you go?”
“Yes”, agreed Regulus without hesitations.
“Great. James’ parents will be in Italy, so it will only be me, you, Lupin and James. Peter can’t go, unfortunately.”
“Alright”, said Regulus.
When Regulus arrived in the chimney of James’ house, James handed Regulus hand to help him stand up.
“Thank you”, said Regulus.
“You are welcome”, answered James, “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine”, lied Regulus, “and you?”
“Unlike you, I am really fine”, answered James.
“Where is my brother?’’
“In his bedroom with Remus”, said James smilling. “Do you want breakfast”
“I wouldn’t mind”.
“Ok”, said James and went to the kitchen with Regulus. There, Regulus sat on the dining table and opened book to read. Meanwhile, James took and broke the eggs, threw them into a frying pan with sizzling bacon. He was going to cook scrambled eggs. While the eggs were frying, James began to look at the youngest of the Blakes. Regulus was extremely handsome, but very pale and thin. He was a head shorter than James, and to be honest, James liked Regulus.
Until the fourth grade, James liked one of his girlfriends, but over time, he began to switch to his best friend's brother. Regulus seemed to James the most beautiful and pleasant person on earth; Regulus made James dizzy... However, James didn't like his lover's constant pallor. His constant lack of sleep. His sad face. His lack of a smile. If James had not restrained himself, he would have come up to his beloved, taken him by the chin, kissed him, carried him to his room and surrounded him with love and care.
James was in love with Regulus. In a person with whom he almost did not communicate.
When Sirius escaped, James worried all summer that Regulus would be treated badly by his relatives. And honestly, he brought up with Sirius many times the topic that they need to save Regulus. And Sirius agreed with him.
When Sirius began to live with him, James realized how cool it is when you have a person who loves you. He was jealous of Remus and Sirius. They were such a perfect couple.
And his couple did not even think about him as a friend.
This had to be corrected. So, after preparing breakfast for Regulus, James approached him and said:
"Your breakfast, honey," after which he gave himself a mental cuff.
“Thank you, a lot, Potter”, answered habitually Regulus.
“Please, call me James”.
“As you wish. Do you like living with Sirius?”
“Well, it isn’t me who lives with Sirius. It’s Moony”.
At this, Regulus smiled sweetly.
"How beautiful he is," thought James, and wanted to kiss Regulus even more, but restrained himself.
"Morning," Sirius said as he entered the kitchen. "You only cooked scrambled eggs for one person? What about me? How cruel you are, James," Sirius said, and then turned to his brother, "I'm so glad you're here," Sirius finished his sentence and sat down at the table."
After that Sirius stopped smiling and became sirious. He looked at his brother and his friend abd said:
"James, I'm sorry, but Remus and I urgently need to visit his family. Something happened to his mother's health, we'll be staying with them for a week. Can I please leave my rother under your care? I don't want to send you to Hogwarts or even worse, home," said Sirius, looking at Regulus at the end.
"Can I?"
"Yes, of course. Give Remus my condolences. I'll take care of Regulus. You don't mind, do you?"
"No," Regulus replied.
Remus and Sirius left two hours later, leaving them alone. James and Regulus went for a walk and then shopping, where James helped Regulus choose and buy clothes because he didn't have enough. After that, they came home, ate what James had prepared and turned on TV to watch a movie.
The movie was pretty boring, which caused Regulus to fall asleep with his goth on James' shoulder. To which the second was very happy.
The holidays went well. For the first time in a long time, Regulus began to enjoy life. On his last day, James planned to kiss Regulus. But he decided that he would start a relationship with him in a year. James completely fell in love with Regulus, and Regulus started to like James. But his feelings, the younger decided to hide deep within himself.
Regulus passed all his high school exams without difficulty and returned home for the summer. Now, he had to make a difficult decision: leave the family or stay.
Regulus could not go to Sirius, because that would have framed his brother. But he was not ready to accept the mark. Therefore, he decided to choose the third of two evils - to move alone to live in the apartment of his distant, childless, deceased uncle, who left it to him.
Leaving the family was hard. Not coming to Sirius was harder. But he had no choice. He had only two years and three Horcruxes left. It was necessary to act.
In this apartment, his house elf came to him in his free time and brought food. Regulus ate little, as he spent most of his time studying dragons, necromancy, and meditating. Regulus learned what the Dark Lord could not. He learned to conjure not only silently, but also without a wand. Not all spells, but most.
In August, Regulus, disguised as his sister Bellatrix, came to the bank. Then he went through all the ops and isles to the dungeon and there, he defeated the dragon, got to the safe with the goblet. With the cup and on the dragon Regulus, under the spell of invisibility, he returned to his apartment. In it, he destroyed one of the three most guarded horcruxes – Hufflepuff’s cup.
In September, he returned to school. Only little has left. He had time. But now, both sides are opposed to him. Regulus didn't see the point in studying, but continued to attend classes. But due to the fact that most of the Slytherins hated him for refusing to accept the mark, and his brother and friends did not understand what kind of game he was seeing, he began to miss more.
He never missed classes. But he never went into the Slytherin common room. He got permission after school to go anywhere on his own responsibility. And he really wanted to take advantage of this opportunity.
Despite James' invitation, he did not come to New Year's Eve. He had an important goal - to kill Nagini.
He was going to do it in December, on New Year's Eve.
However, before that, something happened that should not have happened.
"Regulus honey, can we talk?" James asked in the hallway of Hogwarts.
"Yes, of course," Regulus agreed.
While they were together a year ago, James used to call his beloved by pleasant, pet names.
James and Regulus went to the Astronomy Tower to talk.
"Regulus, I've wanted to tell you this for a long time," James began. He and Regulus were both alone in the tower. It was already evening, and since it was winter, the moon shone on the two of them. James was very handsome. He was liked by many girls at school - he was already 18 years old, he was finishing 7th grade, he wanted to go to the Ministry of Magic, he played incredible Quidditch. But Regulus wasn't such a fan. Therefore, in love with him already for 3 years, James was terribly worried.
"Regulus Arcturus Black, I do really love you. I liked you since I was 15. I fall completely in love with you last year and all this year not a single day has passed without me thinking of you", after that James moved forward to Regulus and took his head in his arms. Then, James looked at Regulus lips and decided to kiss him.
James lightly kissed Regulus a few times, when he felt that Regulus started to shake a little. James made a step back and asked Regulus:
"Do you want to be with me?"
"I would want to", said Regulus in a very sad voice, "but it will never happen", ended he seriously.
These words broke James’s heart.
"But why? You like me. We can be as happy, as Remus and Sirius are".
"I'm not the right person. You will never be happy with me. You don't know me at all. I will break your heart".
After that words Regulus turned away and ran down the stairs. On them, he transfigured to his apartment.
There were only three school days left before Christmas and Regulus decided to move into his apartment. Regulus was upset by this conversation. He didn't want to break James' heart.
He would be happy with a possible relationship.
But they were impossible, as Regulus will die before the end of the seventh year. And this could break James' heart more than any words.
James was devastated. He thought, if he tells his beloved the truth, he would agree to go with him. To stay with him. But he wouldn't.
James went to his bed and jumped on it. He was way too much overwhelmed with feelings and pain, that he started crying in front of Lupin.
Remus came to his bed and tried to cheer him up, but everything went in vain. Then, Remus called Sirius and Peter. They sat in circle around James and tried to find out what all this upset was about.
"I crushed into one boy when I was 15. I fell desperately in love with him at 17. Today, I told him about my feelings. But he said he would break my heart and then left. I don't know what to do", finally after some minutes of silence James explained the situation.
All his friends were sad for him. They tried to find ways to prove that he still could started dating his crush. They talked about it for an hour, when Remus asked:
"James, who is that boy? Do we know him?"
"Yes"
"Who's that?"
"Sirius, promise, that you won't kill me"
"I promise. So, who is that?"
"It's Regulus"
"What?"
"Yes", said James, putting on the sad face again. "I don't know how it happened. I just know that I have never been so in love and heartbroken before".
Seeing James reaction calmed down Sirius’s anger and that's why he decided not to kill James. In another situation he would be furious, but seeing James so broken he couldn’t be angry on him. He was sorry for James and couldn’t understand what was wrong with his 16-year-old brother.
Nevertheless, he needed to talk with his dear brother. He needed to know what happened 6 years ago, when Regulus lost all his will and passion to live his life to the fullest. He decided to go to his Slytherin room. But there, as Sirius found out, Regulus didn’t sleep.
Sirius went to Professor McGonagall, but she as well didn’t know where Regulus lived and stayed.
As she explained to him, she and Regulus had an agreement – Regulus could go in and out from Hogwarts whenever he wanted.
“Why did you agree with it?”
“I didn’t have a choice. Otherwise, Regulus wouldn’t go to Hogwarts at all”.
Sirius came to their room and told everyone about his conversation. James immediately felt regret towards Regulus. None of them understood what was happening to him.
Regulus was not at school the next day. In the evening, after he didn't show up, Sirius went to see Minerva again. As it turned out, Regulus wrote her a letter that he would be away for the rest of the school days and that he would spend the holidays at his place.
James was shattered by this news.
Regulus was in his apartment preparing a plan. In five days, he will have to go to the mansion of Lucius Malfoy, where the party was held and on it, he had to take the life of Nagini.
He prepared a plan.
Four days later, he kidnapped and put to sleep for three days one insignificant, but high-ranking Death Eater. Having assumed his appearance, he penetrated in the midst of a party with enchanted mice. And while Voldemort was busy communicating with his people, Regulus grabbed a tooth and pierced Nagini with it. She resisted quite a lot, so Regulus got scars.
As he left, Regulus left a letter. He wanted a little, but to gloat.
He had already managed to leave a similar letter in the place where the goblet was.
The next morning, Narcissa brought a strange letter addressed to Voldemort. After that, it was stolen and given to Dumbledore.
"Voldemort.
I know what your regime has in store for humanity. I know the sacrifices that will be made to stop you. I can't let them happen. You can't defeat me. By the end of the year, you will be killed by me.
RAB”
This letter came as a surprise to both sides. Luckily for Regulus, Voldemort didn't believe him. But in vain. This was his fatal mistake.
Regulus now had an injured arm. She was covered in terrible scars. Lucky for him, he didn't get bitten. He also had a deep cut on his cheek and a slightly split lip.
But there is little left. A little bit.
Regulus returned to school, where he became a sensation. When he was the last to enter the dining room, many people looked at his bandaged hand, very pale skin and cut cheek. While he was eating off to the side, Professor McGonagall approached him and asked him several times if he was okay. Then, more than once, she suggested that he go to the medical department. But he refused.
Before dinner, Remus approached him and asked him to follow him. Regulus agreed and followed him into his room with his friends in the Gryffindor tower.
Remus dated Sirius for over a year and they trusted each other, which is why he agreed to call Regulus without any problems. It was hard for Remus to see Sirius upset, as well as James. Therefore, they all together decided to talk to Regulus. Four against one.
Regulus and Remus entered their room, where Peter, Sirius and James were sitting on two beds. Regulus sat down across from them.
James broke down first.
"What happened? Who did it?"
"I should rather ask what's going on with you in general?" Sirius interrupted James.
"Nothing is happening to me. I'm perfectly fine."
"Your cheek is cut!" exclaimed James.
"Show me your hand," Remus asked for Sirius.
"What's happened?" Peter spoke up.
"I had a fight with a snake. It was enchanted, so the scars heal slowly. However, I'm fine. I don't feel pain. Enough answer?"
"No!" Sirius screamed, "What happened to you? What was that snake?"
"Magical. I was defending myself. Any more questions?" Regulus asked as he stood up.
"Yes. Why did you refuse to date James? Why are you acting like a psychopath?" Sirius stood up and shouted across the room. "What happened to my sweet, kind brother? Why are you so alone?"
"Because I was not created for happiness. My death is already outside the window. Soon I will die. Therefore, I don't want to bind people to me. You don't know me. You don't know what happened to me. Get out of my life. I'll only hurt you all."
"What do you mean you will die?" Sirius screamed even louder.
"You are 16 years old, soon to be 17. You are still a child. What di you mean - death? Are you going to kill yourself?"
"No. But I have no choice"
"That's crazy," shouted James, standing up.
"This is my life. What's left of it."
"I forbid you to leave Hogwarts," Sirius said, standing up, "otherwise, you can forget about me as your brother."
"Stay," James begged.
"No," Regulus replied, "If that's the case, if you say so, then I have no choice. Farewell."
After that, Regulus directly from the room transfigured into his apartment.
He sat down on a chair thinking about what had happened for about an hour. Then, he took paper and ink and wrote a letter addressed to Dumbledore.
"Headmaster Dumbledore!
Regulus Arcturus Black is writing to you on 13.01.1978.
Due to my inner suggestions and some personal reasons, I ask to be expelled from Hogwarts. I can't attend any more classes. I will pass the state exams for the possession of magic a year earlier, in June of this year at the Ministry of Magic. Please write and give my owl a letter confirming that I am allowed to do this.
Give my best regards to the Hogwarts teachers. And thank, please, separately Professor McGonagall for taking care of me.
Yours sincerely,
Regulus Arcturus Blake”
Under his name he left his signature.
The next morning Dumbledore asked Marauders to come into his office. They all did it. In their office there was Professor McGonagall.
“Why did you ask us to come?” asked Peter.
“Because this morning, I got the letter I have never got before”. After that Albus read the letter out loud.
When he ended, the silence came. No one was capable of saying something. The silene broke Minerva, who asked to retell the story about yesterday.
When it was told, Albus was surprised as much as Minerva. Then, they called the head of the Ministry of Magic and asked them to retell the story to him too. Especially, the Prime Minister was interested in the part about snake.
“What is his full name?”
“Regulus Arcturus Blake”
"His initials – R.A.B?"
"Yes," Sirius confirmed, "he wrote them everywhere as a child. On tablets, in letters to me."
"How old is he again?"
"Sixteen".
"He refused to accept the mark?"
"Yes"
"And didn't stay at Hogwarts since the beginning of the year"
"Yes"
"Oh my God," the Prime Minister said in horror, turning to Dumbledore. "It was he"
"Apparently"
"What are you speaking about?" Asked Sirius. He didn't like the words spoken between Prime minister and Dumbledore.
"In order to become indestructible, the Dark Lord created Horcruxes," the Prime Minister began to explain, "two of the known to us are the Hufflepuff goblet and his snake, Nagini. In November, someone broke into the world's most secure bank and destroyed it. On the New Year's Eve, someone entered the Dark Lord's party and destroyed Nagini. This person left several letters at the places of destruction. In these letters, a person wrote that by the end of the year he would kill the Lord. These letters were signed with these initials."
"The Hogwarts rooms are so heavily guarded that neither I nor the Dark Lore can transfigure in them. If he can, if he killed Nagini.... Then Regulus is dangerous. He decided to kill the Dark Lord," said Dumbledore.
"He solved the mystery of the Horcruxes," finished the Prime Minister, "how did he do it?" he turned to the Marauders.
"I don't know," Sirius said in shock.
They stood in silence for a couple of long seconds and then the Prime Minister asked a couple of questions about Regulus about Minerva. Then he turned to Dumbledore:
"What shall we do?"
"Just as we were asked"
"Does he have a chance to kill him?"
"It seems to me - yes. At least he is ready. He asked to answer. We will then answer and ask him to tell us about everything"
"Good. Call me as soon as you get an answer."
"Agreed"
After that, Dumbledore wrote a letter to Regulus asking him to tell him about everything.
The Marauders left the office in deafening silence. No one could believe what Regulus was about to do.
During lunch, Dumbledore got up from the table and sat for a moment of silence to make the announcement:
"This morning, I received a letter from Regulus, in which he asked me to expel him from Hogwarts. He asked me to convey kind words to all teachers and friends. His will is done. Regulus, temporarily, is expelled from Hogwarts. Slytherin will not be expelled for his missing on lessons. Thank you."
At the end of his speech, Dumbledore sat down. Sirius and James felt eyes on them from all over the dining room.
"I can't believe it," Sirius said sadly.
"Me too," James confirmed.
Two hours later, Sirius received a letter from his parents.They were scared by what Regulus had done.
Sirius told them that Regulus had been suffering from severe depression for years. That he tried to help him, but nothing helped him. He asked them to tell him if they found Regulus, because he was very worried.
After dinner, they were all asked to go up to the office again and were asked to sit on the sofa. A minute later the Prime Minister arrived.
"I received a letter in which Regulus explained everything. This is a very difficult letter."
"Read," Sirius asked sadly.
Dumbledore began to read:
"Headmaster Dumbledore!
I'm ready to tell you everything. All I ask is that you only tell people you can trust about this.
I am living this life for the second time.
At first, everything ended badly. Like now, I was a Slytherin. It wasn't until I was sixteen that I found the strength not to buck Voldemort. I didn't want this, so I started looking for a way to betray him. And I found. I found one of the Horcruxes - the only one in this world that is not destroyed yet.
Voldemort created six Horcruxes. Five of them have already been destroyed.
In that world, I tried to destroy one. But I only got half way. To get the horcrux, you need to drink poison. In that dimension, I drank it and when I tried to cross the lake of dead souls, the drowned people grabbed and drowned me. I died at the age of eighteen.
Twenty-three years later, I was resurrected because Voldemort was killed. But over the years, he managed to kill all the people I've ever loved. Therefore, I went around the world to study other types of magic in order to return to the past and change everything.
A year later, I succeeded.
I returned to my eleven-year-old body and began to change the course of history.
I learned a huge amount of magic unknown to anyone. Learned to do what not to believe. And from the fourth year, I began to destroy Horcruxes.
First of all, I killed the monster of Slytherin - Basil, as his teeth can destroy Horcruxes. It was difficult, but possible, if you talk to the monster on the serpentine. With him, I destroyed the first Horcrux that was in the Secret Dungeon of Hogwarts - his diary.
In the fifth grade, I found Voldemort's grandfather and took and then destroyed the second Horcrux - Marvolo Grant's ring. By the way, the true name of the Dark Lord is Tom Marvolo Redel.
A month after that, I destroyed the third Horcrux - the lost diadem of Ravenclaw. She's been hidden away in the Help Room at Hogwarts all these years.
At the beginning of this year, I was at the bank, as you know. There, having tamed the dragon, I entered the Secret Department and destroyed the fourth Horcrux - the Hufflepuff’s cup.
Two weeks ago, I destroyed the fifth - I killed the Nagini snake, right in the next room from Voldemort. She managed to hurt me, but not bite.
In the next few months, as soon as I can perfect my Necromancy abilities, I will destroy the sixth Horcrux - the one that will kill me. I will be able to keep myself alive with necromancy for about a month, and this month, I will meet the Dark Lord in person. I will kill him, but most likely, if even one unforgivable spell hits me, I will not be able to maintain my life for more than a day. The chance that with his death there is a curse on me exists, but it is rather small. By the end of the year, as I said, I will be dead. Bury me under a willow in my family cemetery.
Tell my brother and James that if it weren't for the obligation to finish what I started, I would stay. I love them all very much. So much so that for their lives I decided to arrange everything.
Farewell,
Yours sincerely,
R.A.B.”
They sat in silence once again. Then, Prime Minister spoke a little with Dumbledore.
Sirius and James couldn’t talk about anything for a week. But as times passed, they started to speak with each other.
In the February, Regulus was ready. He departed to that island and got inside.
There, he drank the poison and took the Slytherin’s locket. Dead people were way to scared of him to even scream.
He got inside his apartment and started reading spells. He stopped his disease, but part of his skin, reminding him of his illness, began to turn black.
He was in great pain, but he destroyed the last Horcrux. There is very little left.
In early March, he drooped to the Dark Lord's base. He put all the guards and death eaters to sleep with spells without any problems and went into the house. On the stairs, he was met by his shocked family.
He changed a lot - he became deathly pale, his eyes began to darken, his hands were black, like a dead man's. His spells were incredibly powerful. With his power, Regulus became the most dangerous magician in the world.
He dealt with his family without any problems - just like he put everyone else to sleep. After that, he went upstairs to the Dark Lord's office.
Tom was scared of him. Therefore, he tried first to talk to him, and then to lure him away. But Regulus was brief.
He raised his hand and silently read those terrible words. Tom did not have time to react, as he was thrown out of the window by a superior force.
He died.
He finally died.
Regulus stood in the office for a couple of minutes when Dumbledore came for him. He asked Regulus to follow him. He agreed.
They entered Hogwarts through the dining room, where there were no Marauders. When he entered, all eyes looked at him, not understanding what had changed.
When they went into the office, in the dining room, the history teacher announced to the whole room that Regulus Blake had just killed Voldemort, shocking the whole school.
In the office, all the Marauders and several persons from the Ministry were sitting. Regulus silently greeted everyone with a nod and sat down.
"Regulus," the Minister began, "you've done a great job. Thank you, on behalf of the general wizarding community. In this cup," he began, showing him the cup, "a medicine has been created for you. It will help remove the curse from you. You want it accept?"
"No," Regulus replied.
"What "Why?" Sirius exclaimed.
"I'm tired of living, Sirius," Regulus began, wearily closing his eyes, "I'm tired of fighting and suffering and suffering. I've never experienced happiness in my entire life. I'm not made for it. I'm dangerous, whoever wants me to continue to live? Now, I'm the one who poses a threat to the magical world. Why should I live? For what?" Regulus asked sadly.
He felt very bad. That spell had taken all of his strength. He had less than a day to live.
"For my sake," Sirius said after a pause, "Live for me. For James, Remus, and Peter. For all of us, you are a good friend and more. Please stay alive. I understand that you are terribly tired. But we will help you. You mustn't die. I won't be able to watch this. You've saved so many people, now let us help you."
"Sirius is right," said James, "we'll take care of you. You're the worthiest person to live. Please drink the cup."
Regulus sat silently. It was hard for him to decide.
It hurt James to look at Regulus. He looked too hurt and lonely. His hair was tangled, his eyes dimmed, his hands turned black, his skin was paler than that of a drowned man. He wanted to come over and hug Regulus.
"Very well," Regulus agreed and telepathically took the goblet, "I'll drink your antidote."
Regulus lifted the goblet to his lips and began to drink slowly. He finished the potion and felt sleepy.
"This potion, during treatment, makes a person fall asleep," the Prime Minister explained. "Will you take care of him?"
"Yes," both James and Sirius answered in unison.
"Fine".
After that, the Ministry left. Dumbledore allowed Marauders to miss a couple of weeks of school, and if anything, take the exams later.
James came to the sleeping Regulus and took him on his arms. He was vey thin. With Regulus, James transfigured to his house. Remus and Sirius did it as well.
James wanted to look after beloved at night and decided to lay him on his bed. He laid near him and hugged him.
Sirius and Remus went to their room, where Remus helped Sirius to calm down.
James woke earlier than Regulus, that’s why he sat near him, looking at his face. In half an hour, Regulus woke up.
He was very weak and tired. But when he opened his eyes and saw James, he said:
“James, I didn’t tell you this before, because I though I wouldn’t survive. I love you. And I have always had. Forgive me, darling, please”
“I don’t need to forgive you. I love you”, answered James, hugging Regulus.
They sat hugging for a minute. Then, they started slowly, lightly kissing. But, as Regulus was still a little ill, they just kissed for a couple of minutes and then, James helped Regulus to stood up and get to the kitchen.
In the kitchen James cooked breakfast, when Remus and Sirius came. Sirius came to his brother and hugged him. The same did Remus.
“I’m sorry for that fight”, said Sirius,” if I have known the truth, I wouldn’t leave you”.
“I’m sorry too”.
They sat at the table and started talking about something unimportant.
Remus and Sirius sat together, from time-to-time glancing at each other. When they left to go to Hogwarts, James and Regulus sat together at the sofa. There, they started kissing once again.
Everything started to go well for the Regulus.