The Hunt | Regulus Black

Godric's Hollow

— Present —

Against her better judgement, and Regulus' advice, Theodora makes her way to Godric's Hollow to convince James to return.

She approaches the charming little abode with a snow covered thatched roof, smoke gently wafts from the chimney, surrounded by a garden that still manages to stay kept and rather beautiful. Imagine a beautiful cottage nestled in a winter wonderland. Smoke gently wafts from the chimney.

Knocking on the door, the nerves bubble up inside, she chokes down her pride and waits for the door to open.

Slowly the door opens, revealing a girl Theodora hasn't set her eyes on since her last day at Hogwarts. Her hauntingly beautiful presence fills the surrounding environment, however, her face falls slightly at the sight of Theodora...

Understandable really, Theodora doesn't know exactly how much Lily Potter knows.

"Lily, who's at the door?" James' voice echos as he makes his way down the hallway.

"It's Theodora Maddox" Lily chokes at her words.

"I'm not here to cause trouble, simply to talk" Theodora sighs.

James gives Lily a slight nod, to allow Theodora in. Lily steps aside and Theodora enters, unsure of her next move or even if this is a good idea.

"Look... I know you have no ground to trust me" She sighs holding James' firm eye contact, "But the only chance we have of taking him down is if we work together".

He looks at her, clearly weighing the risks and rewards.

"You cannot hold what happened in school against me" Theodora says firmly, "I had no choice".

"There's always a choice" James scoffs.

"It was practically kill or be killed" Theodora snaps back.

"I can't believe you're defending yourself right now" James laughs in disbelief.

"James" Lily's warning tone shuts him up, "Theodora, I believe you".

Lily and Theodora never spent much time together in school, didn't really know each other really. What Lily did know about Theodora was that she was a victim of her bloodline.

The girls smile at each other, 'I believe you' are words Theodora had only heard from Regulus in recent years.

"Fine" James says bluntly.

———

Deatheater meetings, they happen ever fortnight. Voldemort calls them an 'innocent catch up', nothing innocent about them.

A dimly lit room with a singular long table and many chairs, the room breathes cold. The Death Eaters gather, their dark cloaks billowing, as they discuss their plans in hushed whispers. The atmosphere is filled with an air of secrecy and intellectual curiosity.

Voldemort sits head of the table, various known names in the ministry are sat around the table.

Beside Voldemort is Atticus Maddox, his right hand man. Also Theodora's father, he has been beside Voldemort's side since day one.

The two had met when Voldemort, then Tom Riddle, met when they ended up sitting beside one another after the sorting ceremony in their first year.

As a pureblood wizard, Atticus fed off of Tom's ideologies. The pair became fast friends, each acknowledging the value and benefit of their friendship.

Theodora is sat next to her father, with Regulus beside her.

"Bellatrix is the item found and safe?" Voldemort grins menacingly.

"It is my lord" She replies.

"Good, good" Voldemort begins to walk around the table, he stops between Regulus and Theodora.

The pair ensure to keep a confident demeanour, not wanting to let on their grave betrayal. As each meeting progresses they find it more and more difficult to maintain this. Voldemort's disgusting speeches grating against their eardrums, almost as if his words are slowly suffocating their brains.

Soon the meeting draws to an end.

"Theodora, come here please" Atticus says bluntly.

Theodora walks over to her father, their relationship has never been what most would call the typical father daughter bond. The icy nature of their relationship is apparent to strangers and family friends alike. This complicated bond has not stopped Atticus treating Theodora although she is a trophy.

"I heard you spotted in Godric's hollow" Atticus states.

She knew this was a possibility and has rehearsed her answer, "I was simply keeping tabs father".

"Tabs?" Atticus questions.

"On Potter" She responds.

Atticus nods in approval.

"And.. Regulus? You have been spending a lot of time together" Atticus scans Theodora for a reaction.

This catches her off guard, she is visibly slightly stunned.

"Two strong pureblooded families are like be a great mix for the Maddox lineage" He adds.

Regulus then approaches them, "Hello Mr Maddox" he extends his hand to Atticus.

"Regulus" Atticus takes Regulus' hand and shakes.

After some pointless and cold conversation, Regulus and Theodora apparate back to Grimmauld place.

"Are you okay? You looked shaken back there" Regulus asks with concerned threaded through his voice.

"I'm fine, just caught me off guard with a question, but we're okay" She replies, thinking about what her father had said.

Sirius hears the two return and greets them, asking about the meeting.

They all make their way to the kitchen, James and Lily are sat at the table. Parchment, masses of text, pictures and notes are scattered across the table.

Regulus leans against the wall, "There was one thing he said... He asked Bellatrix if an item was found and safe".

"It has to be a horcrux" Sirius responds.

"I agree" James nods.

"But where would she put the item to keep it safe?" Theodora questions aloud.

The group fall silent as they think.

"Wait" Lily says as she stands up searching through papers, "I saw something about..."

As Lily rummages through, the others watch her intently.

"Here" Lily places the paper in front of Theodora and the rest gather around.

A look of satisfaction washes over them, as they take a step closer to the end of this hunt.

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Authors note:

A special thank you to my girls for being the most supportive people I know! Especially to Taylor, Krystal, G and Mirtill <3

Also special shout out to Hellen for the name of Theodora's father.

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