i really loved him

chapter 10

Saturday, 18th January, 00:00 – Regulus was huddled under the bedcovers, wand lit, with an Astronomy book lying open in front of him when he heard the familiar light tapping on the door. Making sure the other students in the dorm were still asleep, he slipped out of bed and padded across the room. He pulled the door open.

There, on a golden plate on the floor, was a cake. It was quite small, about the size of one open hand, and was covered with a garish variety of coloured icing; pinks, yellows, blues and greens all marbled together. Copious rainbow sprinkles had been scattered all over the top of the cake, and fourteen ignited candles bordered the edge. Next to it lay a scrap of parchment. Regulus picked it up.

'Happy burthday Master Regulus! Luv from the elves."

He looked around, but the common room was empty. The house-elves never showed themselves outside of the kitchens. They had taken to bringing him a birthday cake every year, on each occasion becoming ever more creative with their decorations. With a small smile, Regulus took the plate back into the dorm and sat cross-legged on his bed.

Fourteen.

He often felt much older. Perhaps due to the pressures of his family, the expectation to carry the weight of reputation from the moment one could walk. Each year, Regulus edged a little closer to coming of age; before long, his role as a member of the Noble House of Black would consist more than just achieving high and making an appearance at formal dinner parties or balls.

Once out of Hogwarts, he would likely be presented with a pure-blooded bride from a prosperous family, with whom he would be expected to bear children and continue the pristine bloodline. He quietly contemplated this as he leant against the hard oak headboard of his bed and found that the whole prospect made him nauseous.

Pushing the thoughts from his mind, Regulus picked up the little spoon from the plate. This was how he had celebrated his birthday in all of his years at Hogwarts. Eating cake, alone in the dark.

7:45 - When the post came in the morning, two parcels were dropped in front of Regulus' place. One was delivered by Basil along with a letter from Andromeda, and the other by Ivan, a handsome eagle-owl belonging to his father.

"Someone's popular," Snape observed, peering over.

"It's my birthday," Regulus told him. He opened the letter first and scanned it through; it contained the usual birthday greetings.

"Oh. Happy birthday, then," said Snape, sounding less than sincere.

"Didn't know it was your birthday, Black," Wilkes said. "Let's see what you've got."

Regulus picked up the parcel from his parents. There was no letter. It was neatly wrapped in glossy emerald paper, though Ivan's talons had torn it slightly.

He unwrapped the rest of the paper to reveal a bulky bronze ring, topped with a chunk of black quartz and engraved, as expected, with the words, 'Toujurs Pur.'

"Is that jewellery?" Mulciber snorted. "What are you, a—"

"It's an heirloom," Regulus said shortly, slipping the ring in his robe pocket and starting on the second gift. In contrast to the ring, Andromeda's parcel was large, bright purple and tied in a sparkly gold ribbon. Inside were several new books, including 'Rune Dictionary', 'Magical Hieroglyphs and Logograms' and 'Advanced Rune Translation'.

That was just like Andromeda. Regulus had briefly mentioned his interest in Ancient Runes to her years ago, and ever since then she had given him everything she could find on the subject. He made a mental note to write to her later.

"I should take these to the dorm," Regulus said, standing up.

"You're coming to practice later, aren't you?" Wilkes asked. "We're playing another game against Gryffindor. I'm going to knock that bitch Marie off her broom."