Hogwarts Oneshots

Regulus Black - Death Eater Attack

Requested by @Cookiezsnake !

The wind swept my hair as I walked down the cobbled steps of Diagon Alley. I pulled my cloak closer to my body, feeling chilly. My footsteps echoed across the damp walls of the abandoned shops. The air was tainted with something else other than fog and dew...

Fear. 

Ever since the death eaters had arisen, everyone had been too scared to come out of their homes. And rightly so... I myself wouldn't be here if I hadn't needed a book that was only sold at the little shop here. 

I would just need to pick it up and I could go back to my home. 

I quickened my pace and located the shop. The window was broken, but a small tinkle sounded the minute I opened the door. 

"Hello?" I asked softly. "Is anyone there?"

I heard a scuffle near the back of the shop. I slowly started to walk over, not trying to make any sudden sounds. 

"I just need to purchase a book." I said. The counter came into view and I saw an old man crouched behind it. "Please, sir." The man peered over the counter. "I mean no harm."

He slowly stood up. "You want to purchase something?" He said in disbelief. 

"Yes." I nodded, pulling out my money pouch. "Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling."

"It has been weeks." The old man muttered, searching the shelves behind him. "No one has bought anything. Business has been so slow." He finally found the book. Despite my reason for being in the store, I still had to ask...

"Why are you not at home? Why are you risking your life to be here?"

"Business has been so slow." He repeated. "But I need the money." He handed the book over to me. "10 galleons please."

I looked down at the battered cover of the book I was holding. I looked up at the man. "Sir-"

Suddenly a blast sounded from outside. Both I and the old man ducked. My wand was in my hand in the next second. I stood up and took my entire money pouch, putting it on the counter.

"Take all of it, apparate home, you don't need to come back anymore. Not until the war is over." I quickly told him. I then turned around and headed out the door. 

When I came outside, I saw nothing. Panting, I turned in a circle. Nothing seem to have changed... but something felt different. 

The air took on a more sinister chill. The wind ripped harder at my clothing. Suddenly I saw a black shadow in the corner of my eye. I whipped around, pointing my wand. But the shadow was gone.

Then there was another, on the other side of my peripheral vision. But the minute I turned it disappeared. 

"Show yourself!" I yelled. The uneasy knot in my stomach tightened in suspense of who was going to come out. 

"Look what we have here." A voice said behind me. 

I turned around to see a death eater standing there, cloaked in black, the light glinting off his silver mask. 

"Aren't you Regulus' girl?" A second death eater came up next to him. I pointed my wand at both of them. 

"You don't want to do this." I gritted my teeth. 

"No no, I remember." A third death eater appeared and laughed. "She was Regulus' girl. Before she picked the losing side." He cocked his head to the side. 

"I am no one's girl." My grip tightened. "Especially not Regulus'." 

"Why not?" One of the death eaters got closer. "What do you have against him?"