𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐚 || 𝘳.𝘢.𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬

023. christmas at the blacks

"Honestly, I don't understand how people even class them as pure blood." Bellatrix says boredly. "People like the Weasleys and the Prewetts are why we have a bad reputation."

"We have a bad reputation because you can't keep that wand of yours out of trouble." Rabastan smirks and Regulus rolls his eyes as he sits next to Narcissa who gives him a warm smile.
Out of all of his cousins, Andromeda and Narcissa have always been his favourites. Narcissa has always shown Regulus kindness, even after she married her awful husband.

"Oh, he's finally here." Bellatrix smirks widely when she notices Regulus had taken a seat next to her sister and Regulus just locks his jaw with a curt nod and Bellatrix cackles slightly. "You look terrible, Reggie."

Regulus almost rolls his eyes at the childhood nickname that she's lost the right to use. See, Bellatrix prides herself of the bad she's done, she's one of the many witches and wizards that follow Voldemort and attack the muggles and muggle-born's for nothing but their own amusement. She would most certainly kill anyone that Voldemort tells her to, she'd probably kill Maria Potter if she found out that Regulus has been hanging around her a lot more than often.

Even though the Potters are truly pure blood, they're not classed in the sacred 28 because of their 'common muggle surname'. The Potters are descendent from a pure-blood wizard that lived in a muggle village, using his magic to help the muggles and try and produce medicines and was always pottering around the village. The villagers naturally called him the 'Potterer' which then was shortened to Potter. Regulus had read about the wizard one day when he was bored studying but Alyssa had insisted he study for a muggle studies essay.

"Nice ring." Narcissa says softly to Regulus who had previously been twirling Maria's ring on his finger and he offers her a forced smile.

"Well, we have good news." Bellatrix grins, shaking Rodolphus' shoulder. "The Dark Lord is recruiting new death eaters." She glances suggestively at Walburga and Orion, then at Regulus. "Says they have to be of age, what do you say Regulus?"

Narcissa glances at Regulus worrisomely and everyone in the room goes silent, Rabastan and Druella ending their conversation about his arranged marriage with a girl called Rosalée Mulciber, Ruben Mulciber older sister — by four years.
Regulus looks to his parents for aid, he knows it's stupid and that they won't be of any. But it's natural for a child to look to their parents for help when under pressure or in danger. And that's all Regulus is. A child that has his whole life ahead of him, not wanting to worry about war and what blood status someone is.

"We've discussed it." Walburga states in a monotone voice. "He will do it, as long as I have a say. You have to make the Dark Lord see that us Blacks can be trusted with the mark, Regulus."

The tousle haired boy swallows, the apple on his throat bobbing prominently and Narcissa quickly grabs her cousins hand under the table, something she's done since they were children and their parents were bickering loudly.

"Well, me and Rodolphus are off to have some fun." Bellatrix smiles wickedly. "Won't be too long."

The husband and wife leave, talking manically to each other as they prance out of the room. Regulus lets out a shallow breath and shared a look with Narcissa.

"Mulciber had told me his son's been talking." Lucius suddenly says, eyeing Regulus strangely and the boy gulps once more, his head spins slightly at the thoughts of what Ruben could've told his parents about Regulus. "Says he's seen you with some girl recently, Black."

"Rebecca Barnes, I should hope." Orion grunts and Walburga nods along with what her husband says, also eyeing their son.

"Hm, that's not what Ruben's been saying to his father, unless of course, the boy is lying." Lucius shrugs making everyone turn to him.

"Well who was he saying Regulus had been seen with?" Cygnus asks inquisitively, eyeing Lucius suspicion glistening in his dark grey eyes.

"Maria Potter."

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"How dare you?!" Walburga shrieks when the three Blacks reach a private room, shoving Regulus into it as Orion shuts the door loudly behind him. Regulus grimaces at her volume as he stands up straighter. "I am absolutely disgusted with you! You filthy blood-traitor! I expected you to turn out better than—than that!" She jabs a finger at the scorched mark on the family tree where Sirius' face once was.

"You can't actually believe Lucius?" Regulus asks them incredulously and Walburga laughs humourlessly.

"I don't know what to believe!" Walburga shouts at her son. "That you've been the boy we've always known you to be or some thing that your br—that created in you!"

"Mother, after all this time of following your rules, why would I disobey you now?" Regulus says to his mother loudly and Walburga glances at her husband for input.

"We shall believe you this once, boy." Orion says hoarsely, advancing on Regulus. "But if you so much as look at Maria Potter, you're gone."

Regulus swallows under his parents gaze and nods wordlessly before his parents storm out of the room to see back to their guests and Regulus lets out a shaky breath, falling back against the wall and sliding down it.
His elbows rest on his knees and his hands knot in his tousled hair as tears threaten to spill from his clouded eyes.

He thinks of Maria, Maria would want him to be strong. To be brave and stand up to his parents. But he can't. He's not a Gryffindor like Sirius, he won't get a happy ending like Sirius has now, all he had is a family that doesn't care about him, only what he does.

Regulus hears Bellatrix's maniac like cackles as her Rodolphus enter the home again, it must be late, at least ten o'clock at night by now. He hears muffled, excited shouts and walks to the door of the room, wiping his cheeks of tears and opening the door before freezing.

"Oh, look who's come to play." Bellatrix says, shaking the person who's captive in her arms with a bag over their head.

But Regulsu knows that luscious, brunette hair, he knows that beautiful fair skin, he knows that white, floaty dress.

Maria.

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