Chapter Text
The world is divided into 5 groups, factions.
Candor, they value honesty, they tell the truth, even if you wished they wouldn't.
Amity, they value kindness and happiness. They're are always smiling.
Abnegation. The faction of selflessness.
They feed the factionless. the ones who don't fit anywhere. The ones who no one wants to be. Abnegation are trusted to run the government as they don't let their own views change the truth.
Dauntless. They value fearlessness and bravery; they are free. There the protectors, the soldiers and the police of the city. Sirius always admired them.
Secretly, Regulus does too.
Erudite, Regulus's faction. They value knowledge and research. They know everything. Regulus was always taught that one of the most important things in life is to be smart, knowledgeable, to always be the one with the answers. So you are always three step ahead of others.
Regulus is terrified. It's pathetic. He has been alone for almost two years. Sirius got into dauntless and was ecstatic after his test. Though, Walpurga- his mother- hated the fact he didn't stay in Erudite to continue the black legacy. It wasn't a quiet or calm time that night.
He hears Walpurga's footsteps clack down the hall. They're quiet but not silent and Regulus has always been an observant person in more ways than one.
The door to the bathroom creaks open, letting off a quiet squeaking noise that speaks of age. The look of disdain that the woman in the doorway gives the door shows how much she hates it.
In walks Walpurga Black a skinny, but tall woman that if you didn't know what she did (as most people didn't) you would think she's a beautiful woman.
Really on the inside it's just one ugly mess.
Regulus sees the scissors and knows the reason he was told by kreature to be here.
His mother walks until she's behind him in his chair. Her breath ghosts over his neck as she moves her hands until they rest on his shoulder for a moment.
He hates when he gets his haircut. Especially by his mother, the way she touches is all but soft, though he never complains. He's been taught what happens if he does.
Regulus resists the flinch that rocks though his body as Walpurga starts working on his hair, the clumps falling to the floor when he looks down at the tiles.
It doesn't take long. Just a trimming of the edges. Regulus hates every second of it. From the touches, to the loss, to his mother.
“Done, much better. You look like presentable for tomorrow.” Walpurga's voice is deafening in the quiet room, it's as if someone put her voice on three times louder.
“Thank you maman.” The ringing In his ears almost blocking out most of his voice.He always tries to keeps it short when speaking to his mother. There's no reason to get his mother to be mad at him yet again today.
“Are you prepared for the test today?” His mothers voice is monotone, her sinister smile is twisted on her face when he looks at her in the mirror. Though it is a simple question, it weighs more than anyone could ever comprehend.
“Yes.” Regulus is lying. A lie his mother didn't catch, thankfully. He knows the test is important and the way Walpurga talks about it, it's one of the most Important days of his life, just before the choosing ceremony.
“Good.” His mother puts the scissors in the top drawer and begins to walk to the door, her blue and black dress, that has a decoration of flowers embroidered into the sleeves, sways behind her, her posture is ramrod straight.
~~~
The car is cold.
Silence fills the air while Regulus looks out the window, his heart pounding in his chest. His head is pulsing. Every time the car hits a bump in the pavement it sends a strike of pain through his head. The frown on his face deepening and his mood lowering.
The whole morning has been normal or as normal as Regulus is going to get.
They arrive and he feels the tension in the air as the car comes to a stop.
“Regulus, make us proud and remember your name, Toujours Pure mon fils.” Walpurga's voice is sharp, there is never anything soft about the way she speaks.
“Of course Maman.” Regulus replys, a careful mask fitted onto his face. It's one Sirius never learnt to have or never used it. Sadly it got him into trouble countless times because he couldn't keep his mouth shut. It used to make Regulus practically go insane trying to get his to think for once.
He starts towards the front the 5 doors surrounded by people his age. Erudite is the second door along and he finds himself crowded by people. Too many people, Too many bodies. Regulus tries to distract himself from the fact, by looking around the crowds.There are some people in his faction arguing with Abnegation but knowing the things he does Regulus decides that it looks like a petty argument and ignores it. Quite a smart thing to do on his part.
A wind-like sound comes from behind, his curls blowing infront of his face.The train that has dauntless traveling on is coming at full speed. People, a combination of girls, boys and others, jump out whooping and cheering with the adrenaline that comes with the excitement of literally keeping out of a train. Honestly Regulus could call them insane if he wasn't jealous of the freedom they get, it's so unfair. Rolling his eyes, he watches the new crowd arrive.
They sprint through the dauntless door, The noise fading away with them.
Regulus starts towards his faction's door, his hands feel clammy against his own skin.
The walk down the hall is tense, the ringing in his ears- that has been there all morning-
His door is the 3rd along and Regulus stands before it, waiting for the que to go in.
This is his life.
He is Regulus Arcturus Black. The second heir to the house of black.
But most of all he is his own person.
The clear que is spoken in a shout and he holds the door handle. Taking in a deep breath. Regulus pushes it open.
~~~