occasus [regulus black]

𝐱𝐱𝐱𝐢.

Neither of them spoke a word when the woke up the next morning. The tension was too much. Hand in hand they apparated back to the Selwyn manor and hid the dagger inside the box behind a stack of books in the bookshelf. Estelle quickly walked into the kitchen and placed some fresh fruit and bread on a plate. She was doing this ever since she was a child and was now watching a grey rat starting to devour the apple slices.

"Are you ready?" Regulus asked standing next to her, putting an arm around her waist and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. They could both feel the tension and commitment, but also fear of the other. Estelle nod and with a loud banging sound Kreacher appeared next to them.

"Master Regulus has called," he curtsied before him and let his eyes wander to Estelle, "and Miss Selwyn is here as well, Kreacher owes you."

"It was an honor to help you." Estelle replied with a soft nod and smile.

"You have to show us where the Dark Lord took you." Regulus demanded and saw the change in Kreachers expression, it changed from happy to see his master again to a terrified look.

"It's very dangerous, Master. No place for young Regulus and nice girl. The dead swim there, it's horrible."

"We want to go there to kill the Dark Lord. So he can never harm anyone like he has harmed you, Regulus or me." Estelle coaxed, while kneeling in front of him and holding his hand to calm him down a bit.

"He hurt young Regulus?" Kreacher looked confused and angry, then he took their hands and apparated after they both gave him a agreeing nod.

The cave was dark and wet. They could hear the sea crashing against the walls aggressively and Estelle grabbed Regulus wrist trying to calm herself. She was still afraid of water and being in this cave surrounded by it was not exactly relaxing to her.

"One needs to pay a blood price." Kreacher instructed them pointing towards a sharp stone knife laying on an elevated stone.

TW: Description of cutting skin with the knife

Estelle had grabbed the knife before Regulus could move a muscle. Her hand was shaking when she placed the blade on her palm. Pain cut through the air when she pressed down the blade and small red dots of blood started collecting in her palm. The blood was glistening almost black under the diffused light. For a few moments no one moved. They waited for Estelle to do the next step and only moved again when she smeared her blood on the wall behind her. She grunted from the pain and Regulus placed one hand on her shoulder.

End of scene

The massive stone wall started vibrating and moved aside slowly. Granting them access to whatever they might find behind there. Kreacher slid through the pathway first and was followed by Regulus and Estelle, who was clenching her fist to stop the bleeding.

"Let me," Regulus pulled her hand towards him and let his wand slightly hover above the wound tracing the outline and closing it seamlessly, "There you go."

"Should've become a healer." Estelle said, after pressing a kiss on his cheek. After a few more steps they could see the lake. The water was so dark, that no ground was to be seen. The look of the water made Estelle freeze in place and just stare at the surface. For a moment she thought she had seen hands trying to get a hold of something, but it was gone as soon as she blinked.

"The boat it right here." Kreacher said, while pointing towards a chain, that Regulus picked up. It laid heavy in his hands and smelled heavy like iron. With every pull he send little waves over the sea. They could hear them crashing against something. Once the boat had risen from the depths of the water they climbed inside. Automatically, the boat started moving towards the middle of the lake. Estelle could feel her heart beat in her head. Regulus sat on the edge of the boat, his whole body under tension and his wand in his hand. Not once did he lowered it.