The flickering candlelight cast shadows across the walls of the empty classroom where Regulus sat with Y/N. They had chosen this room for its isolation—far away from the eyes and ears of Slytherin or the curious Gryffindors. He had made his choice, but now came the hardest part: figuring out what came next.
Y/N sat beside him, her gaze fixed on his face, searching for any signs of doubt. Regulus was quiet, his brows furrowed in concentration, his hands clasped tightly on the desk. The decision to seek Dumbledore's help was one thing, but going through with it—walking straight into the line of fire—was another.
"Are you sure about this?" Y/N asked gently, breaking the silence.
Regulus turned to look at her, his face shadowed but his eyes steady. "Yes," he replied, though there was a hint of uncertainty in his voice. "But I don't know how to approach Dumbledore... or what to say to him."
Y/N nodded, understanding. "We'll figure it out together. Sirius said he could arrange a meeting, right?"
Regulus took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Yes, but... how do I know I can trust Dumbledore? What if he thinks I'm just a spy for the Dark Lord?"
"He won't," Y/N assured him. "He's not like that. He's always been willing to give people a chance, no matter where they come from. Besides, you're not going in alone. I'll be there with you. And Sirius, too, if you want."
Regulus's shoulders relaxed slightly at the thought of not having to face it alone. "Alright," he agreed. "Let's set the meeting. I... I want to do this as soon as possible."
Y/N smiled softly. "We'll talk to Sirius tonight, then. He'll know how to get in touch with Dumbledore."
---
Later that evening, the three of them found themselves in an unused corridor in Hogwarts, far from prying eyes. Sirius had a determined look on his face as he paced back and forth, his hands ruffling his hair in thought. Regulus watched him carefully, noting the nervous energy in his brother's movements.
"Alright," Sirius finally said, stopping his pacing. "I'll send a message to Dumbledore tonight. He's got his ways of communicating without anyone knowing. We'll set up a meeting for tomorrow after classes. Reg, you'll have to be prepared to answer a lot of questions. He'll want to know everything—what you know, who you've spoken to... everything."
Regulus nodded, swallowing hard. "I know. I'm ready for that. I just... I hope he believes me."
Sirius smirked slightly. "Dumbledore's a sharp one, Reg. He'll know if you're being sincere or not. Just speak from the heart."
Y/N squeezed Regulus's hand, offering him a smile. "You've got this," she whispered.
---
**The following day...**
Regulus had never felt time move so slowly. Every second seemed to drag, the hours stretching into what felt like days. He couldn't concentrate on his classes, his thoughts spinning around what he would say, how he would explain himself to Dumbledore. He noticed the way his friends—Evan, Barty, Pandora—watched him, curious about his distraction. He tried to act normal, but he could feel their suspicion growing.
Finally, the time came. Sirius met them in the hidden corridor again, his expression serious. "He's ready to see you," he said simply.
Regulus nodded, his heart hammering in his chest. Y/N squeezed his hand once more before they walked together toward the headmaster's office.
They reached the gargoyle that guarded the entrance. Sirius whispered the password—"Acid Pops"—and the gargoyle leapt aside, revealing the spiraling staircase leading up to Dumbledore's office. Regulus hesitated for a moment, fear gripping his heart, but Y/N's gentle squeeze on his hand gave him the courage he needed. They ascended the stairs together.
When they reached the top, the door swung open as if Dumbledore had been expecting them, which he most certainly had. The headmaster sat behind his large desk, his piercing blue eyes twinkling beneath his half-moon spectacles. He smiled warmly when he saw them.
"Mr. Black, Ms. Potter," Dumbledore greeted in his calm, soothing voice. "Please, come in and sit down. I've been expecting you."
Regulus took a deep breath and stepped into the room, Y/N following close behind. Sirius stayed near the doorway, his arms crossed, watching his brother carefully.
Dumbledore gestured to the chairs in front of his desk. "Please, sit. Would you care for some tea?"
Regulus shook his head, his nerves too raw for tea. "No, thank you, sir," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "I... I've come to ask for your help."
Dumbledore nodded, folding his hands in front of him. "I see. And what sort of help might you need, Mr. Black?"
Regulus swallowed, glancing briefly at Y/N, who nodded encouragingly. "I want... I want to leave," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want to follow the Dark Lord. I don't want to be a part of my family's plans. But I don't know how... how to escape."
Dumbledore's expression remained calm, but there was a flicker of interest in his eyes. "That is a brave decision, Regulus," he said gently. "And a dangerous one. Are you sure this is what you want?"
Regulus nodded firmly. "Yes, sir. I've thought about it for a long time. I don't want to be like them. I want to be... free."
Dumbledore studied him for a long moment, as if weighing his words. Then he smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Very well," he said. "I believe you, Regulus. And I will help you."
Regulus felt a wave of relief wash over him, but it was short-lived as Dumbledore continued, "But you must understand, this is not a simple matter. There will be risks—great risks. The Dark Lord does not take kindly to those who defy him."
"I understand," Regulus replied. "I'm ready to face those risks."
Dumbledore nodded. "Then we must be cautious. For now, I suggest you keep up appearances. Act as if nothing has changed, as if you are still loyal to your family's ideals. This will give us time to make a plan, to find a way to get you out safely."
Regulus nodded, though he felt a pang of fear at the thought of continuing to live the lie. But he knew Dumbledore was right—if his family or the Death Eaters suspected anything, he would be in even greater danger.
"And one more thing," Dumbledore added, his tone serious. "You must trust me, Regulus. There will be moments when things seem uncertain, when you may doubt the path you have chosen. But if you truly want to leave, you must trust that I will do everything in my power to help you."
Regulus looked into Dumbledore's eyes and nodded. "I trust you," he said quietly. "I trust you, Professor."
Dumbledore smiled warmly. "Good. Then let us begin."
---
**After the Meeting...**
Regulus and Y/N left Dumbledore's office, both feeling a mix of fear and hope. Sirius joined them as they descended the staircase, his expression a blend of relief and concern.
"How did it go?" he asked.
"It went... well, I think," Regulus replied, still processing everything. "Dumbledore agreed to help. He said I should keep pretending for now, to stay safe until we have a plan."
Sirius nodded, a small smile appearing on his face. "That's good, Reg. It's a start."
Regulus glanced at Y/N, who was smiling proudly at him. "Thank you," he whispered. "For everything."
Y/N grinned, squeezing his hand. "You're not alone anymore, Regulus," she said softly. "We'll get through this. Together."
Regulus nodded, feeling a warmth spread through his chest—a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time. Hope. For the first time in years, he felt like there was a chance for a future, a future he could choose for himself.
