Julie’s tawny eyes flashed in recognition and confusion as Regulus held his wand silently. His heart was ramming through his chest as she opened her mouth to speak.
“Stupify!” Eyes wide, Julie began to fall toward the floor. Regulus quickly cast the transfiguration spell in his mind and watched Julie Farrow shift from human girl to rabbit. Her coat was dark brown with a single honey colored ear. Regulus quickly scooped her up, still in shock.
“What in the bloody hell did you do that for!” The Baron’s condescending voice ate through Regulus’ patience. Turning sharply to face the portrait, Regulus glared at the Barron before opening his mouth to speak.
“You pressured me — I wasn’t ready, and you forced me to — and…” He trailed off. Regulus’ heart was beating against his chest. “I have to fix this!” His voice was taut. His wand hand still pointed in front of him. The Baron leaned away. He worked his way to the back of the room, the split in the wall between the portrait’s contents and the castle.
“I will have no part of this! This is simply not my fault. I fulfilled my end of the bargain! Do not come asking for me again.” The Baron had reached the edge of the portrait, disappearing before Regulus could even unfreeze. “Good bye!” He mumbled afterwards, “...and good riddance.”
Time had run out. Julie Farrow was now a rabbit and people would begin to notice that she was nowhere to be found. He yearned for the draught Victoria had given him, to escape, and cease to exist.
Gently, he placed the squirming rabbit into his rucksack and turned toward the Room of Requirement. There would be nothing the room could provide besides guaranteed privacy. He required the potion after all. Not only would the effects dull the sleepers' dreams, when she woke it would leave Julie in a calm state, a loose state. Although , his mother’s voice whispered in his ear, you could use a strong confundus charm— she would easily cooperate. Her thoughts came so easily to Regulus it frightened him, of course she would provide the answer to his problem. One was not good without the other and Regulus had no idea how long the stunning would hold with how anxious he was when he’d cast the spell.
Regulus walked in a frenzy. There were only two places for him to go to, each as unappealing as the other. He could either denigrate the high regard of his family’s power by admitting his weakness and turn to the Hospital Wing for help, or even if it was a total lie, he could accept the pity he would receive, which would diminish the perfect facade of Toujours Pur he’d suffered to maintain. He would not be seen as vulnerable, controlled by his own weaknesses.
Regulus flew down the corridors, sticking close to the walls and ignoring the gnawing guilt creeping up his esophagus like acid. He would have no choice but to turn to the dungeons. Slughorn’s words rattled around in his mind. I've done all I can for you . The professor would have to do a little more. The dank halls finally let out to the store room. Regulus hurriedly fixed his wand on the lock.
“Black? Is that you m’boy?” Regulus jolted but quickly regained his composure before turning toward Slughorn. “You were planning to steal from my stores?” Slughorn’s voice was tense, laced with an undercurrent of tentative concern. Regulus pocketed his wand and held his hands up.
“I didn’t want to disturb you, sir, after–after last night,” Regulus clasped his hands in front of him, holding on to his wand. Slughorn tensed. “I’ve been having– trouble with my own memories. I thought a Draught of Peace would help me calm down, and I just couldn’t go to Madam Pomfry.”
“...I understand you are under a certain–er–pressure from home. I’d like to help you my boy, but…” the professor trailed off, Regulus pleaded with his eyes, allowing his body to barely hold itself up.
