Chapter Text
The second Walburga told Regulus he has become of age to gain his inheritance and half of it will be put in his bank account, he began planning.
Regulus gave himself exactly one month to get everything ready, knowing that once he leaves he will never be able to return, he created exact lists of all that he’ll need. He would need his clothes, books, shoes, toiletries, and literally everything else in his room. Oh, and probably some food, he may need that.
“Regulus Black get down here!” He can do this. Only a couple more weeks and then he’ll be free. He will never have to hear his mother’s screams or his father’s disappointed voice again.
No one will be in his ear all day every day telling him how worthless and disappointing he is. He can do this.
As Regulus walks down the stairs, his heart only beats faster and faster, walking into a room with his parents is like being dragged underwater.
No matter how much your mind is telling you to get away, to free yourself, your body just doesn’t listen. It keeps going right towards the danger, all the way until all oxygen is gone.
He knows this isn’t right. You’re not supposed to fear your parents or have to sneak around like a ghost to not be punished for walking or even breathing too loudly.
Regulus makes his face completely blank, completely unreadable. If he shows even an ounce of fear or even resentment he is officially done for.
“Regulus, what took you so long? I called you down here nearly 3 minutes ago.” She looks at him with that searching, prying look. Like hands digging around his mind to find the truth. “What has you so distracted that you can’t even get here when I ask of you?”
“I’m sorry mother, I was reading the book Narcissa gifted me for my birthday. I must have been too focused on the story, it won’t happen again.”
She looks at him with a look of disdain, like she can’t even imagine that this is her child, her heir. “You will come when I call, immediately. I do not want your excuses.”
“Yes, mother.”
“You will not be getting breakfast, nor will you be getting lunch. You need to learn your lesson. You are a Black, we do not dawdle around.”
“Yes, mother.”
Regulus knows she shouldn’t treat him like this. However, he also knows that he is almost an adult, and being treated badly by your own mother is nothing short of pathetic. He should be able to stand up for himself.
“You will accompany your father and I to the Lestrange’s dinner party tonight. You will dress and look appropriately.”
Regulus can’t breathe. “Yes mother.” He cant do this. “Go to your room and get ready.” Please no.
Regulus walks up to his room, shuts his door, and stands in the center of the room for about 10 minutes straight. “It’s ok. Your fine. Stop being such a baby.” He can’t see Rodolphus. Or even his brother, Rabastan.
He can’t see either of them. It’s humiliating. After what they did to him last Christmas, he can’t face them again.
Regulus gets ready and makes himself as presentable as he can. He ignores the purple bags under his eyes, his cheekbones that have become too sharp, or the way his ribs stick out a little too much.
As they drive to the party, Regulus stares out the window and thinks about the lest time he saw the brothers. Last Christmas.
Regulus knows what they did was wrong. “This is great! No one will believe you kid, don’t even try to get us in trouble. You will regret it.” Rodolphus thought it all was so hilarious.
Late that night, when that party started slowing down, many people left but the main families were all on the first floor, gossiping and drinking.
It was nearly 3 in the morning when Rodolphus and Rabastan told everyone they were going to bring Regulus upstairs to show him around their rooms.
Everyone was too drunk or just didn’t care to think about how strange it was that the 24 and 25 year olds wanted to show an 18 year old their rooms.
As they pulled into the driveway of Lestrange Manor, Regulus knew it would be his last time.
“Only 4 more weeks.”