Work Text:
Fandom: Harry Potter
Main Relationship: Regulus Black and Kreaher
Warnings: alternate universe; time loop; and Regulus Black is learning how to be a better wizard
Prompt: (Minor Character) Regulus Black, and (Word Count) Less than 500 words
Summary: In which Regulus Black awoke and he found himself reliving the same day over and over again.
turn around and make it right
When Regulus Black opened his eyes, he was stunned. He was staring up at his bedroom ceiling. Blinking a few times, he tried to gather his racing thoughts.
What was he doing here?
Had Kreaher come back for him?
The last thing he remembered was the burning thirst as he crawled to the water’s edge before hands – so many hands – were grabbing him and pulling him into the water. His heart raced at those memories.
Sitting up, Regulus shook his head. Sliding a hand under his pillow, his finger found his wand and he pulled it out. With a wave his wand, he cast a silent Tempus .
7:00 on October fourth of 1987.
Shock filled him at the sight of the date. He nearly dropped his wand. Today was October fifth, not fourth. The fourth was yesterday.
Regulus cast Tempus a few more times. Each time yielded the same results. What was going on?
“Master Regulus,” greeted the voice of Kreaher.
Regulus felt him freeze for a few seconds before he turned to look at the house-elf. The sight of Kreaher filled Regulus with warmth.
The house-elf bowed. “Master Regulus must be up,” he stated. “He asks Kreaher last night after Master Regulus’ mother leave.”
Regulus found himself nodding. His mother went to visit his grandparents. There was no one else at Number Twelve – it was only Regulus and the house-elf.
At Kreaher’s urging, Regulus found himself getting out of bed and getting ready for the day. This was nearly identical to yesterday.
“Kreaher,” he found himself asking as he sat down to yesterday’s The Daily Prophet , “does any of this seem familiar to you?”
Kreaher’s eyes narrowed. “Kreaher being taking care of Master Regulus,” he answered.
“Didn’t we do all of this yesterday?” Regulus pressed. “We went to the cave, I drank the potion, and you took the horcrux.”
Kreaher’s eyes widened and his hands started to shake. “K-Kreaher was looking after Mistress Walburga yesterday,” the house-elf stammered. “K-Kreacher has not taken Master Regulus to any cave. K-Kreacher knows not what you speak of.”
“I’m speaking about the cave where the Dark Lord took you and the horcrux,” Regulus explained, growing frustrated.
Pulling out his wand, he cast a wordless Transfiguration spell on his fork turning it into a replica of Slytherin’s Locket. “This horcrux, remember?” he demanded impatiently.
Kreacher started to wring his hands together. “K-Kreacher must tend to his chores,” the house-elf said before he disappeared.
Anger filled Regulus. With a shake of his head, he apporated away, headed to the cave. At the cave, he quickly made his way to the boat and he climbed in, headed to the island in the center. Without another plan in mind, Regulus found himself drinking the potion until he found the Locket. With shaking hands, he picked it up and he placed it in his pocket.
The next thing Regulus Black knew, he was staring up the ceiling of his bedroom with a sense of foreboding.