Chapter Text
Regulus lay on the dirty, cold basement floor and breathed heavily. His head ached. His whole body ached. He was cold. So terribly cold. And he was so hungry. He couldn't remember when he had last eaten. Yesterday? Three days ago? Five? Everything seemed to blur together. Was it day or night? How long had it been since the beginning of the holidays? And where the hell was Sirius? He should have been here. He always was. The basement door opened with a bang. Walburga and Orion went downstairs.
- Have you gotten smarter? Or are you going to keep wasting our time? - Orion growled in a cold voice and lifted the boy by his arms. Regulus groaned quietly, but didn't even try to fight him. He didn't have the strength. The man sat him down on a chair and tied his hands and feet tightly.
- Father asked you a question. - Walburga hissed and slapped him in the face.
- I already told you everything. - the boy croaked quietly.
- No, Regulus. Not everything. Who are you dating? - the woman asked dryly. Walburga received a letter informing her that Regulus was dating someone he shouldn't.
- No-one, mother. I swear. - he whispered quietly and lowered his head. Hot tears welled up in his eyes.
Don't think about him. Don't you dare think about him.
- You're lying. You're lying again. You know that lying is not tolerated in this house! - she shouted angrily and slapped him in the face again. Orion went back upstairs leaving them alone. - You have one last chance. The last. If you don't tell me the truth today, your brother will pay for it. - she said in a calmer voice and grabbed her wand.
- I-I'm not lying. I'm not lying, mother. P-please. - he croaked quietly and squeezed his eyes shut. He didn't want to cry in front of her. He didn't want to give her that satisfaction. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't think of any excuse, any imaginary girl from Slytherin, because Walburga would check it right away, and the consequences of lying would be greater.
The woman sighed quietly and lifted his head by the chin with two fingers.
- I don't want to do this, son, but you give me no choice. - she said quietly and put her wand to his head. - Legilimens. - she muttered. Regulus squeezed his eyes shut and screamed loudly.
Don't think about him!
Don't think about him!
The boy looked for something safe to focus on.
Sirius!
Sirius.
My older brother.
Sirius.
Sirius.
Sirius.
Hogwart.
Sirius is in Gryffindor.
James is in Gryffindor too.
No!
Don't think about him!
Sirius is in Gryffindor.
Red and gold.
Lion.
Quidditch.
Match.
Sirius is playing Quidditch.
They are on opposing teams.
Sirius is in Gryffindor.
James is also in Gryffindor.
No!
Don't think about him!
James is the team captain.
No!
He always waits for me in the locker room after the match is over and we…
Walburga pulled away from her son as if struck by lightning and frowned.
- James? Potter?! - she screamed and grabbed Regulus by the cheeks - Are you dating Potter? Are you dating… a boy? A Gryffindor?! - she whispered in disbelief. Her gray eyes were full of disgust, but also shock, disbelief. It was the first time Regulus had seen such an expression on her face. He wanted to continue to deny it. He really did, but it made no sense anymore. Walburga snorted quietly and smiled strangely. - Your brother is a mistake. He's broken. But you? How could you do this to us! How could you do this to our family?! Such a shame! Such a scandal! - she screamed and clenched her fingers, digging her long, well-groomed nails into his skin until it bled.
- You'll show me everything. Everything! - she hissed and cast the spell again. Regulus had no chance to defend himself. Walburga saw everything.
Everything.
When she pulled away from her son, she was pale and sweaty. Pure hatred and disgust were written on her face. In her eyes.
- Enough of this. Enough. I'll teach you respect. Responsibility. - she screamed furiously - Orion! - The man opened the door to the basement. - Bring him in. - she hissed.
- No! N-no! M-mom! P-please! - Regulus screamed and struggled in fear - P-please! It's not his fault! M-mom! - he screamed and cried hysterically. Walburga glanced at him and muttered a spell. Regulus felt his voice catch in his throat.
- You'll finally learn that your actions have consequences. Orion returned to the basement, but this time not alone. He dragged Sirius's by hair. The boy was holding his wrist, and tried to get up, but he couldn't. Regulus shook his head and struggled in fear. Sirius was beaten, weak. Orion must have tortured him. The father threw his older son on the ground, right at Regulus' feet. Sirius groaned in pain and sat up. He quickly looked around the room and after a moment his eyes fell on his brother.
- R-Reggie... - he whispered with tears in his eyes and ran to his legs. The younger boy was crying in panic and shaking his head. He wanted to hug him so much. To apologize.
- Enough of this. - Walburga growled in disgust and yanked Sirius by the hair. She threw him to the ground and glanced at Orion. - Get out. - she hissed and focused her attention on her sons again. - - Thank your brother, Sirius. Even you have never let me down like this. - she smiled icily and raised her wand – Crucio!
Sirius's scream echoed throughout Grimmould Place.