REGULUS BLACK POV
The quiet chatter that had plagued my ears had all merged into one tiresome, Sisyphean nightmare. From Lucius' subtle yet boastful nature, to the tranquil and humble tone of Lily Evans - it all came to be one.
I was reluctant to be added to this mix, yet it seemed I had little choice. Slughorn turned his beady, hungry, gooseberry green eyes onto me.
"Ah, Regulus, my boy! One of the younger students joining us, as I'm sure you're aware. How have you been?" he asked in a sickeningly gleeful manner.
"I've been well, sir, thank you." I manage to respond curtly.
"I'm glad! You've been a rather prominent name in the papers, haven't you, son?" he said, chuckling slightly. I felt Hunter stiffen slightly from my left, her breathing becoming somewhat hasty.
"Indeed." I smile, though it lacks the gleam of a true grin, and it doesn't quite reach my eyes.
"Not all good attention, some would say, but all attention is good, I say! How do you feel about it?" he asks, almost prideful in his honesty.
"There's been rather a lot of talk, sir, so I'm not sure where to begin." becomes my response, and I'm careful to not seem irritated or aggressive by any onlookers.
I feel Hunter lace her pinky finger through mine, and I resist the urge to look at her. After all, it is best for this to remain on me and not my dear Hunter; for she suffers when met with criticism, whilst I am able to suppress my feelings of torment.
"Well, that Skeeter article has been widely read. And did you read Gertrude Plum's take on it in 'Rumours!'?" he pressed.
I've seen every news article, kept every single word that these strangers had wrote against me swimming around in my head. I could recite every paragraph that has been written for and against me.
'Regulus Black is a boy who has been born into immense privilege, but in a family littered with sorrow and secrets; his relationship with the equally privileged but much more fortunate Hunter-Rose Moore may signify a turning point in the young boys ideologies, posing a threat to the Black family name. If neither son has taken to the dark beliefs their family holds, does the rising 'Dark Lord' pose as much of a threat as we think? After all, the Blacks are more powerful than the Malfoy's, and what this antagonist desires is power." - Written by Henry Yax, a powerful Welshman.
'Hunter-Rose Moore is the heir to her families throne. She is in a unfathomable position of powerful, and her newfound entanglement with the Black boy is a dangerous, poorly calculated move. There had been much talk over how manipulative Regulus Black is, considering who his family is and what they've done to the Moore household. While Miss Moore is known to be unaware of this, it is likely that Regulus is fully in the know and will stop at nothing to continue his parents legacy as a tyrannical, corrupt leader over one of the most powerful families in the wizarding world, plaguing the good we have as a way to infiltrate our current society." - Penned by Colm Moore, Hunter's uncle.
"Few people, and ever fewer fourteen year olds, are controlling enough to force another person into a relationship with them under false pretences. Hunter-Rose is clearly a moral, conscious soul; but it is hard to say where Regulus Black falls. Only time will tell - is he is a lover or a fighter?" - Published by Rita Skeeter, after the backlash to her first article. Father reported to me that she was under close supervision and told to remain neutral on the 'issue'.
My mind has become littered with the assumptions and rumours made by witches and wizards who are simply trying to get by. Writing what they've been told to by their superiors, but this knowledge does not undo any damage.
This may be why, when Slughorn asked if I had read what Gertrude Plum had to say about this all, I said the following.
"Ugh, of course I have. I've read all that there is to read about it, sir, and it's tiresome. And irritating. And... sad. I cannot talk about the matter, as there is already an overwhelming amount of talk about it! I read the papers! I know what's being said. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get some air." I snap, and a deep silence falls.
With this, I remove my hand from Hunters, and I feel everyones eyes on me as I turn my back and leave.
As I make my way out of the dungeons, I catch a glimpse of my face in an oval, silver mirror that's been hung on the wall. My face is alarmingly red, and I watch as my shoulders and hands shake in frustration, my features presenting my rage.
And then, footsteps.
Turning, I hope to see Hunter, but I am instead met with Lucius and Narcissa. The former looks furious, whereas the latter seems unsure of her very presence.
I squint, awaiting the slap that will surely spread my face. And as I do, I think of Hunter's softly curled hair and the snake from the back of her dress.
This is okay, I say to myself, as this is all for her.
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HUNTER-ROSE MOORE POV
"Miss Moore, elves have been used for centuries, and for much worse things. I assure you, they are completely content and live a high quality of life!" Slughorn smiled, as he stirred his tea.
I was the only person who remained in the room, as most people had begun to disperse ten minutes after Lucius and Narcissa dismissed themselves. The air of the meeting grew thick, and people were eager to leave.
"Sir, you know it is forced servitude. Slavery. How can your conscious remain clean when what you are doing is so evidently immoral?" I respond, now stood by the door everyone had left through.
"If the elves have no qualms with it, my dear, than it is not slavery! Go and ask any of them if they would leave, dear. They'd all refuse and look at you as if you were speaking Troll!" he answers lightly.
"Everyone can speak Troll, sir. It's just... grunting. And that's not how it works, in regards to-" I respond.
"Now, now, Hunter. This is not the time for such a debate. I do see value in your point, my dear, so I suppose I can... test out using human servants. Happy?" Slughorn asked.
"Yes, sir." I bite my tongue.
"Off you go, my dear. The Hufflepuff common room is quite a walk, is it not?" he asks.
"It is, aye." A strained smile spreads my face and I turn to leave.
"You be on your way, then. Oh, and Hunter?"
"Yes, Professor?" my head turns and my eyes meet his.
"I'm not sure if I should say this, but you sound just like your grandfather, which is a promising thing, I assure you. Goodnight, now."
I beam, somewhat appreciative of this compliment. I have no doubt that he's saying this to appease me, but he's smart with his compliments.
"Thank you, sir. Night!" I call out as I leave Slughorn's office and go to leave the dungeons.
But then, I hear a voice. Panicked and irrational.
"No... get away... from me..."
Another familiar voice joins it. Deeper, and comforting.
"It's alright, I won't hurt you. I won't tell anyone."
I walk towards the two voices, which appear to be by the Potions classroom, obscured in the darkness.
"Hello? Is everyone alright?" I call out.
"Hunter?" A pale, familiar Slytherin moves into the moonlight.
"Oh, Reg. Are you alright?" I ask, slightly panicked, as I rush to give him a hug.
"I'm fine, Hunts. I promise." he responds, although only a fool would believe him. He looks a mess - his hair ruffled, his dark green, velvet jacket screwed up on the cobblestone floor. His face was tearstained, and a large red mark was visible on his left cheek.
"No you aren't, Reg, don't be silly. Merlin, who did this to you?" I ask, horrified at the sight before me.
"He's told me everything, Hunts. Let's calm the hysterics." the other voice emerged, and I'm met by none other than Remus Lupin. Wearing black robes and a calm demeanour, my eyes swivel over to him as I stay holding Regulus.
"Calm the hysterics? Oh, pack it in, Rem, he's hurt! Do you need to go to the Hospital Wing, Reg?" I ask the fourth year Slytherin, who shakes his head quickly.
"No, no, Hunts, I'm fine." his shaken voice managed to respond.
"You clearly aren't, but that's understandable. What happened?" I ask.
"I can tell you, Hunts, but Regulus should be getting into his common room. I'm sure he'll meet you in the morning to discuss what happened in his own words, but for now, he needs to rest." Remus asserts himself cooly, and I sigh.
"Is that okay with you, Reg?" I check with my boyfriend.
"Of course, go to your common room, Hunts. I'll see you in the morning."
I softly kiss his cheek, bid him farewell, and leave the dungeons with Remus.
"So, what happened?"
"Narcissa slapped him." he responded curtly.
I blink, believing I misheard him. "Narcissa?"
"Yes. I think that may contribute to him being shaken, besides the fact that he was hit."
"Lucius didn't...?" I trail off.
"Nope, didn't lay a finger on him. Apparently Lucius started shouting at him, and when he began to answer back, she hit and lectured him."
"What a bitch. I ought to talk to her tomorrow, although that's an awful idea, now that I think about it. What do I do, Rem?"
"I'm not sure that there is much you can do, Hunts. Just... support Regulus, I suppose. That's what I would want, if I was in his position."
I nod, agreeing with his outlook. Despite this, my emotional involvement wants to seek justice. And yet, there's nothing I can do. To be reckless is unwise, and it would be for the best if I do not involve myself.
After I bid Remus goodnight by the Gryffindor common rooms, I go to walk to my Hufflepuff one.
In an ideal world, I would march up to Narcissa Black, hex and humiliate her and allow her to feel the fear and pain that Regulus experienced at her hand. Justice would be served as she felt the same as Regulus had, maybe even worse, and she would leave him in peace and be wary of the skills that her hands possess.
But we don't live in that world.
Instead, she will not ever meet the consequence of her action. Tomorrow, she'll awake, get herself ready, attend her lessons and socialise without fear that there will be repercussions from the pain she caused. I will watch on, my blue-green eyes squinting, as she is able to move on from last night and disregard the impact it will have on Regulus,
Sighing, I make my way into the fifth year bathrooms for the Hufflepuff girls as I shower and put on my sleepwear. Tomorrow, I'll awake, attend my quidditch match, attend my lessons and socialise as if nothing has happened.
I am Hunter-Rose Moore, after all. And if I seem troubled or inconvenienced, it's a cause for concern, and that would inevitably be linked to Regulus.
So, I will smile, and laugh, and bat my eyelashes and make quips and participate in class gleefully. I will fill the role I am supposed to.
After all, what good comes from trouble?