|In The Dark|

88

ANNABELLE LUPIN-BLACK

There was something about him. Something about his eyes and his face. And even the way he spoke. It was familiar. Like maybe I knew him. Regardless, I kept my wand drawn and stayed next to Theo. Theo struggled to hold Draco up with one arm so he could keep his wand drawn with the other. The man gave a gentle smile and held his hands up in surrender. "I mean you no harm. But if you'd like to keep your wands up, I understand." he said. "We'll keep our wands up." Theo said sharply. He nodded. "Go ahead. I'm going to put the kettle on, please don't hex me." he said. He walked off and I looked at Theo curiously. We followed him into the other room and he was filling a kettle with water. "If you'd like to put Mr. Malfoy down, there's a bedroom upstairs for him." he said. Theo shook his head. "Very well." he said. He rummaged through a cabinet and pulled out some tea leaves. "Would you all like a cup?" he asked casually. I was so stunned. "No! I'd like you to tell me who the hell you are!" Theo yelled. He chuckled. "You are much like your father, Mr. Nott. You look like him too." he said. Theo stared at him. "Who are you?" he repeated, his tone short and clipped. The man turned and looked at me. "I'm surprised you don't recognize me, Annabelle." he said. I looked at him strangely. "I've never met you before." I said. "I suppose that's true. Did my brother not have any pictures?" he asked. I looked at him in confusion. He smiled and extended his hand. "My name is Regulus. Regulus Black." he said. My eyes widened and my face paled. I shook my head rapidly. "No- no- it's not- you're not- you died. You're dead." I said. "That's what most people think. Only a select few know the truth." he said. "I don't understand." I said. "It's a long story. Why don't you get comfortable?" he said. I looked at Theo and nodded. Theo laid Draco down on the couch in the other room and we sat at the table. He gave us each a cup of tea and sat down. "I faked my death." he said. "Why?" I asked. "Because betraying the dark lord rarely goes over well. And if he found me after what I did, after how I betrayed him, it would have all been for nothing." he said. "What did you do?" Theo asked. Regulus looked at me. "I stole one of his horcruxes." he said. My stomach lurched. "What's a horcrux?" Theo asked. "I'll tell you later." I mumbled. Then I looked back at him. "My dad said you were loyal to him. You were a death eater. Why would you do that?" I asked. "Many reasons." he said. I just nodded. "I barely made it out alive after stealing the horcrux. So it was easier to just say I died." he said. "Makes sense." Theo said sarcastically. "Why didn't you tell Sirius?" I asked. "My brother and I had a complicated relationship. And I knew if I involved him, you, Lupin and your father would never be safe. So I let him believe I was dead too." he said. I nodded. He continued to tell us everything he could and answered the questions with anything he was allowed to tell us.

"I'm sorry I can't tell you everything. But it's for your own safety." he said. I just nodded. "So why are we here?" Theo asked. "Dumbledore told me about Mr. Malfoy and your plan to hide him. Voldemort has never found me here and he won't find Mr. Malfoy either." he said. "Dumbledore is dead." Theo said. Regulus paused. "Who did it?" Regulus asked. "Me." a deep voice said. I turned around and Snape was standing in the doorway. Regulus nodded. "Severus," he said. "Regulus, I see you met your niece." Snape said. "Yes." Regulus said he was looking at me. "Where's Draco?" Snape asked. "We had to stun him. He's on the couch." Theo said. Snape nodded. "You- you killed Dumbledore?" I choked out. "That was the plan. Dumbledore's plan." Regulus said. "You mustn't tell them. They're just children." Snape said. "Children who are fighting in his war deserve to know his plan." Regulus said. Snape scoffed. "Fine. Why don't you tell them everything then if you're so keen on freedom of information?" Snape snapped. "I could say the same about you." Regulus replied. "They seem close." Theo whispered. I nodded. "Enough, Severus. These children have been through a lot and I'd like to show them around their home if that's ok with you." Regulus said. Snape rolled his eyes. "If you must." he said. "I'll show you your bedrooms." Regulus said. I nodded and we followed.

He led us upstairs and showed us around. Draco's room was first in the hallway, the Theo's, then mine. I looked in my room and sitting at the foot of my bed, was my trunk. "How?" I asked. "Severus had your belongings sent here this morning." he said. I just nodded. "Now, I'll let you all get settled. Dinner should be ready in an hour or two." he said. Then he left. Theo and I went into Draco's room and I locked the door. "He's going to lose his mind." Theo said. "I know." I said quietly. Then I drew my wand and spoke. "Incarcerous." I said. I strapped him down to the bed and looked at Theo. "Just until he calms down." I said. He nodded. Then we woke him up. Draco's eyes opened and he looked around for a moment. "Where the hell am I?" he asked. "Somewhere safe." Theo said. His eyes went dark and he started pulling against the bonds, trying to break free. "Let me out!" he yelled. "No. Not until you calm down." Theo said. "You fucking bastard! I'm going to fucking kill you! Let me out! Let me out now!" he screamed. Tears filled my eyes and my heart ached. Minutes passed as he screamed and fought and said awful things to us. But we knew he didn't mean any of it. Then he just broke down.

Sobs wracked his body and he looked at me. "Please Anna! He's going to kill my mum! Please!" he cried. I exhaled a shaky breath. "I have to protect you." I said as a tear rolled down my cheek. "Let me go! My mum! I have to save my mum!" he screamed. "I'm sorry, Draco. But we are keeping you here, where you're safe." Theo said. He stared at us, choking back a sob. "I will never forgive you for this. Either of you! I will hate you! I will hate you forever!" he yelled. Tears rolled down my cheeks and I wiped them away. "I'm sorry-" I started. "Get out! Just get the fuck out!" he yelled. Theo pulled me out and shut the door, silencing the room. I walked into my room and sat on the bed, burying my face in my hands. Theo stood in the doorway watching me. "He didn't mean it." he said. I looked at him. "Tell me we did the right thing." I said. He sighed. "I really hope so, Belle. I really really hope so." he said quietly.