The moon hung low over the Forbidden Forest, casting long shadows across the Hogwarts grounds. Y/N Potter and Regulus Black stood hidden behind a tall oak tree, their hands intertwined, the secrecy of their meetings making each moment together even more precious.
"Y/N, you know I hate hiding like this," Regulus whispered, his grey eyes filled with a mix of longing and frustration. "But I can't bear the thought of losing you."
Y/N squeezed his hand, her own emotions mirroring his. "I know, Reg. But if our brothers found out... you know how James and Sirius are. They'd never understand."
Regulus sighed, pulling her closer. "They don't have to understand. We do this for us, not for them."
Their lips met in a tender kiss, the world around them fading into insignificance. For a few stolen moments, everything was perfect. But the reality of their situation always loomed close, ready to shatter their fragile happiness.
---
Weeks passed, their secret meetings growing more infrequent as the pressures of their respective houses and families increased. Y/N could sense a change in Regulus—an unease that had nothing to do with their forbidden romance.
One evening, as they met in their usual spot, Y/N noticed a dark mark peeking out from the sleeve of Regulus's robe. Her heart dropped. "Regulus, what is that?"
Regulus's face went pale, his eyes darting away. "It's nothing, Y/N. Don't worry about it."
But Y/N grabbed his arm, pulling the sleeve up to reveal the Dark Mark etched into his skin. "How could you?" she whispered, her voice breaking. "You joined Voldemort?"
Regulus pulled his arm away, anger and shame battling in his eyes. "I had no choice, Y/N. My family—"
"Your family?" Y/N interrupted, her voice rising in disbelief. "What about us? What about everything we've been through?"
"Do you think this was easy for me?" Regulus shot back, his voice trembling. "I did it to protect you, to protect us. They would have killed us both if they knew!"
Y/N stepped back, tears streaming down her face. "You think this mark protects us? It's a death sentence, Regulus. For both of us."
Regulus reached out to her, but Y/N recoiled, the pain of betrayal too raw. "Y/N, please. I did this for us. I love you."
"I love you too," Y/N whispered, her voice choked with tears. "But I can't be with someone who serves him. I can't."
Regulus fell to his knees, the weight of his choices crashing down on him. "Please, Y/N. Don't leave me."
Y/N took a deep breath, her heart shattering as she turned away. "I'm sorry, Regulus. But I can't be part of this. I can't watch you destroy yourself."
She walked away, each step feeling like a dagger to her heart. Regulus's anguished cries echoed in the night, but Y/N forced herself to keep moving, knowing that this was the only way to protect herself—and perhaps, in some twisted way, to protect him too.
---
Back in Gryffindor Tower, Y/N collapsed onto her bed, the weight of the evening's events crashing down on her. James, sensing something was wrong, approached her cautiously.
"Y/N, what's wrong? Did something happen?"
She looked up at her brother, her eyes red and puffy. "It's Regulus. He... he joined Voldemort."
James's face hardened, anger flashing in his eyes. "I knew he couldn't be trusted. I told you to stay away from him."
But Y/N shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "He did it to protect me, James. And now... I've lost him."
James pulled her into a tight hug, his anger melting into compassion. "We'll get through this, Y/N. We'll find a way. I promise."
As she clung to her brother, Y/N knew that the road ahead would be filled with pain and uncertainty. But with her family by her side, she also knew she had the strength to face whatever came next
