Work Text:
Grimmauld Place was silent except for the crackling fire and nervous finger tapping from a sandy haired boy. His head turned as a hand laid gently over him, looking at his friend. The nervous boy chewed his lip while the other smiled at him gently.
"It's gonna be okay Bart, you'll get accepted." The black-haired one reassured, however this didn't seem to convince Barty all that much.
"How? How, Reg? I'm not from a powerful ancient bloodline. I don't know, I don't think he'd accept me and what if he just outright kills me?" Barty's voice started rising in rarely seen panic. It made Regulus smile to himself because it reminded him of how Barty acted when he had come out to him. The idiot really hadn’t thought Regulus would accept him for being gay.
"REGGIE! Are you listening to me?!" the sandy haired one snapped, bringing Regulus out of his musing and making him roll his eyes. He squeezed Barty's hand comfortingly.
"It's gonna be okay, Bart, you're forgetting that you got only Outstandings in your OWLs and you've done really well in your NEWTs as well. I know you have. Plus, you're working as your father's apprentice who is the Head of Magical Law Enforcement. The Dark Lord would take that in account on its own; also, let's not forget Bella and Lucius have put in a good word for us both." Regulus explained, while leaning over and tapping the other boy's nose at the last bit.
Barty smiled at Regulus as he turned his palm face up to interlace their fingers and squeeze. "Thank you, Reg." The other boy squeezed back in response, smiling in return as Barty relaxed.
"The Dark Lord is ready for you." A loud voice interrupted them causing Regulus to quickly remove his hand and sit up straighter, his eyes becoming steely and closed off. Barty frowned at the missing warmth before straightening as well and donning his own mask. Bellatrix swayed her hips in, looking down at her youngest cousin and his friend. As they stood up to greet her, two other opposing figures entered the room.
"My dear cousin, Bella, thank you." He took her hand and kissed it while Bella smiled and pinched his cheeks.
"My ‘ittle cousin is all grown up and joining the Dark Lord. So proud." The crazy haired witch cooed while Regulus pulled back and rubbed his cheeks as he turned to the two figures and bowed his head at them.
"Mother, Father, how are you?" He addressed his parents as all well-bred and properly-behaved pure blood children should. His mother, a stern-looking woman with sharp features and silky black hair tied into a painfully looking tight bun, approached him while his father stood in place watching with a blank face; however, his eyes gave away as they sparkled with pride.
"Regulus Arcturus, your father and I are so proud." She held his face and brushed his hair in a rarely shown sign of affection. His father nodded, stepping forward, and placed a hand on his wife's shoulders.
"Do not discredit the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black," commanded his father, Lord Black. At this, Regulus straightened and held his head up high.
"I would never discredit our family name, Father," he replied with respect and confidence, which his father approved with a nod.
"Reggie’s grown into a big boy now. Look how fast they grow." Bellatrix cooed which caused Regulus to inwardly cringe. He stood to take his elder cousin’s delicate hand and kissed it. Just as he pulled back she grabbed him and pulled him into a hug while coo-ing into his ear. While Bella was busy smothering her little cousin, Barty stood up and bowed his head.
“Thank you, Lord and Lady Black for your hospitality.” He spoke in a neutral tone, which was returned with a small nod from both of them.
The other figure, who had entered behind Bellatrix, was dressed in robes of black that made his pale blonde hair and even paler face stand out in contrast. He stood near the doorway of the sitting room, holding a smooth, black cane with a silver snake’s head and glittering emerald eyes. He stepped forward as he spoke in an icy tone to his cousin by marriage.
“The Dark Lord does not like to be kept waiting. He is expecting us.” This caused Bellatrix to pull away from Regulus with a slight pout before rolling her eyes and smiling, hooking her arms around his and grabbing Barty’s to do the same.
“Well, we can't keep him waiting, can we?” With this, Bellatrix followed Lucius, dragging the young wizards with her.
They stepped into the visitors lounge and without another word, both were dragged into a squeezing tube of darkness before appearing on a familiar path in front of a familiar building, Malfoy Manor. Due to the shields being lifted and keyed to allow Lucius and Bellatrix to apparate into the grounds with their backs to the tall, black and twisting gate. They walked forward to the looming double doors of the mansion in silence, the wards adjusting to the presence of two newcomers. As they stepped into the manor, doors opening on their own, they were greeted by an elderly female elf who took their traveling cloaks while another guided them to the drawing room.
Upon entering the drawing room, they were greeted with a tall ceiling and a white, almost cream-coloured, marble fireplace that was lit and flickering, casting ominous shadows around the room. At the far end of the room rested a throne of sinister black, long metal snakes twisting around the armrests and merging into a writhing crown at the head. A set of shimmering, glowing gemstones gleamed above a hooded figure who rested on the throne with practiced ease. The infamous Dark Lord. The only skin visible was that of his pale hands resting on the arms of his throne. He rolled the yew wand gracefully between his fingertips as he watched the four approach him. Lucius and Bellatrix bowed before their Lord as Regulus and Barty kneeled on one knee with their heads down.
“The new recruits you asked for, My Lord.” Lucius spoke as both he and Bellatrix rose, after their Lord flicked his hand in a dismissive gesture. The cloaked figure rose to his feet and stepped down off to his throne with the agility and silence of a predator, towards the young wizards who were knelt at his feet. The two older wizards stepped back as he lowered his hood, and stood above them. The dancing orange flames of the fire cast dark shadows on Voldemort's sharp jawline and high cheekbones, his pale elegant features making his normally chestnut hair look black in colour. However, the most noticeable feature was his eyes. Red eyes that glowed in the darkness as if they were embers of a dying fire.
Regulus resisted the urge to flinch at the touch of cool, slender fingers that tilted his head up. Looking into the glowing ruby eyes, above him, as he was addressed to in a cold, high voice.
“Young Master Black, how wonderful to meet you. I have heard of your many talents, and I hope you use those to serve me well. In return, I will teach you the darkest of the arts and give you power most can only dream of . ” With a smirk, he straightened and glided to step in front of Barty to do the same. As Regulus watched Barty flinch slightly at the sudden touch of finger, he noticed a golden chain glinting in the low light where it dangled from Voldemort’s neck. He knew what it was when he saw the locket with the emerald ‘S’ on the back. The locket of Slytherin. Although, something didn’t seem right. There was almost something off about it, like it was infected.
He was brought out of his thoughts when Voldemort straightened up again and completely missed what was said between him and Barty, who was watching their soon to be Lord with wide eyes filled with respect and hope.
“You are aware that once you join me, you join me for life? You try to leave my ranks and it will be certain death. Is that understood?” the cold voice hissed as he stared down at them expectantly.
“Yes,” both wizards replied in perfect unison. The only indication of his approval was the blink and small smirk.
“And do you both promise to follow my orders no matter what I command you to do? Even if it means losing your life?” the cold voice drawled. Again, both young men replied in concord.
“Yes, my Lord.” At this, the powerful wizard smirked wildly, a glint in his cold eyes as he twirled his wand,
“Then hold out your left arms so you can be christened with my mark.” Both Barty and Regulus did as they were told and rolled their sleeves up.
The slender fingers wrapped around Regulus’ wrist first as the tip of the wand dug into his forearm, however Regulus eyes drew towards the locket and it took everything in him not to let his breath hitch in surprise. It couldn't be, could it-? He was cut off when he heard the Dark Lord chant.
“Brachium morsmordre trahere colos cranium anguis,” he hissed, before slipping into parseltongue, and at this black ink started to spread from the tip of the yew wand. Regulus bit his tongue, held in place by the surprising physical strength of the Dark Lord. Needles of fire spread from his forearm and through his body into his very being. He started to scream.
The next thing he knew his forehead was pressed against the cold stone floor, everything aching as he shuddered from the aftershocks of the pain. He heard someone sobbing, distantly. He would deny that it was ever him. Through the fog he heard a scream.
Barty.
After what seemed like hours, which was only about five minutes, he felt a wand at his temple and the fog dispersed along with the pain as if it had not been there at all. He slowly rose to his knees, glancing subtly at Barty who was doing the same. He looked up the man who he would be under the thumb of for as long as he lived.
“T-t-thank yo-u, m-my Lord,” he stuttered to his own shame. The lord in question smiled at him and then turned to Barty, who thanked him as well.
“M-my Lord, s-so m-merciful, t-thank you.” He bowed again, nose touching the floor. Regulus watched as Voldemort smiled. He was pleased.
“Rise Barty and Regulus. You are dismissed. All of you.” He turned his back to them, returning to his throne. ''I will call you for the meeting in a few days.”
Both Regulus and Barty rose to their feet shakily as Lucius and Bellatrix approached them to lead them out the room and across to the lounge in which to sit and get their energy back. Both of them slumped into the chairs with a groan, much to Lucius’ disapproval.
“Bellatrix, we will leave the boys to recuperate and celebrate their joining of the ranks later shall we?” Lucius spoke to his sister-in-law. Bellatrix pouted at this, wanting to celebrate straight away
“I guess so, dear Lucy.” She turned to the young wizards and cooed. “Don’t worry, you'll be fine in a few hours and then we can really celebrate!” With a wink, she turned to follow her brother-in-law out of the room, some drinks and snacks already on the table. Barty dove straight at, shoving a cheese sandwich in his face and practically inhaling a pint of water.
Regulus was distracted and deep in thought. Had he— they —done the right thing in joining Voldemort? He must have said something out loud because Barty sat next to him, intertwining their fingers together and passing him a sandwich, a soft smile on his face.
“It’ll be okay, Reggie, we have done the right thing. WE will be okay. Now c'mon, eat.” Barty pressed the food into Regulus’ hand, making him smile. He joined Barty in demolishing the food and drinks.
However, there was one thought floating at the back of his mind. Something about the dark magic radiating from the locket snaked around Lord Voldemort’s neck. Something was off . A foreboding feeling crawled over him as his stomach twisted. The claws of uncertainty sank their way through his mind, leaving him to wonder if this was truly the right path. Either way, he just hopes that both him and Barty will make it through to the end of the war, together.