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Maybe forever is a word meant for memories, not people. Forever was only supposed to be the word whispered to him late at night, full of love and affection. Forever was what his life was supposed to be with his true love. Forever wasn’t supposed to be the burn of the snake tattoo on his forearm. Forever was supposed to be the life he threw away. Of the nights of warmth with his sun, the days of stolen smiles as they passed in the halls.
The snake tattoo served to remind him of his decision, the decision which has caused him to stand at the mouth of the cave. The crescent moon provided no light but a sense of happiness as the four he held dear were tucked in safely in their beds fast asleep in the walls of Hogwarts.
He took in a deep breath as he stepped onto the small sandbank of the cave, the waves crashing closer and closer to the walls. He took a vile of red from his pocket and looked over to a smooth flat stone which seemed out of place against the jagged algae covered rocks. Taking out the cork he let the deep red liquid run thick onto the rock only ones blood will work. The wall of rocks cracked open revealing a larger dark room with a silvery shine in the air.
He took in another deep breath as the words of a man echoed through his head ‘Stand up straight little soldier, you were born for this. My most loyal follower, a corner of the world will be yours.’ He took a step into the depths of the cave passing through an invisible curtain snatching all magic and the cold air taunting him. A blanket of warmth, of hope surrounded him as the thoughts of his sun lit the way. The thoughts of protecting the boy with the spark to heal the world.
He smiled a bittersweet smile as he reached the edge of a creek, an old tattered boat rested upon the shore. His feet touched the base of the rotting wood of the raft. Decayed hands attached to bodies in the murky water below reached up holding the boat just above the water passing it between them to the island in the centre of the creek.
The boy in the boat left towards the ornate sink out of place in the ancient cave. As he reached the sink a shrill voice echoed through the cave as one of the creatures raised their decaying heads. The boy turned to look and all the warmth and hope he previously felt was sucked away. The emptiness in the creature's soul morphing into one of malice sending a sharp chill down his spine.
He looked down into the sink filled with a crystalline liquid with swirls of the same silver. With the last of his hopes he attempted to plunge his hand into the water only for it to hit an invisible barrier. With a sigh of defeat he picked up the large shell balancing upon the edge and let the liquid pour into it. He raised the shell to his lips and drank as fast as he could. Thoughts raced through his head trying to combat the evil entering his bloodstream ‘James, James, James, do this for James, do this to protect Sirius, do this to protect the ones you love.’
Fire burnt in his soul, one of evil, pain, and fear. He plunged the seashell into the liquid again taking large gulps as the creatures went to shore. The faces of his friends appeared on the malice creatures.
“Come in Reggie, the water is fine.” One sang the face of James staring back, the face of his sun decaying.
“Come in Reggie, we will forgive you.” The face of his older brother echoed.
“Come in Reggie, we can be together, forever” The one of his sun continued.
He plunged the seashell into the sink again, the last drops going in. Tears fell from his face as the last drop touched his lips.
“KREACHER” he yelled in a raspy tone as the small house elf appeared. Coughing greatly he took a green locket from his pocket replacing the one in the sink.
“Take this,” He cried holding the locket. “Destroy it please, any way you can.”
“But Regulus”
“Kreacher, this is an order” he sobbed as he reached for the hand of his love. The elf and locket left just as he was pulled below the water's surface with a smile on his face.