Gryffindor Black brothers

Chapter 31

Three nights later, Regulus found himself standing before Bellatrix and a handful of other Death Eaters. They were gathered in a dark, secluded clearing deep within the woods outside London. Bellatrix's presence loomed larger than ever, her eyes gleaming with the excitement of the task ahead.

"Tonight, Regulus, you will prove your loyalty to the Dark Lord," Bellatrix declared, her voice sharp and cold in the night air. "There is a family who has been speaking out against our cause. They live in hiding, protected by their wards—but we have found them. Your mission is simple: lead the attack and ensure none of them survive."

Regulus felt a wave of nausea roll through him. He had anticipated something terrible, but the reality of the task hit him like a punch to the gut. An innocent family. He had no choice but to appear eager, but inside, his mind raced for a way out—a way to buy time, a way to survive this without damning himself in the process.

He straightened his back and nodded. "I understand. I won't fail."

Bellatrix smirked. "Good boy."

The forest was dark, the only light coming from the sliver of moon overhead. Regulus stood at the edge of the clearing, his heart pounding in his chest. He stared at the small house before him, its windows glowing warmly through the night. Inside, a family lived, unaware of the danger approaching.

Bellatrix's voice cut through the silence. "Tonight, Regulus, you will prove your loyalty to the Dark Lord," she said, her tone almost gleeful. "This family has spoken out against us, and now they will pay for it. You will lead the attack. Their blood will cement your place among us."

Regulus kept his face neutral, though his insides twisted with dread. He had known this moment was coming, but that didn't make it any easier. He glanced at Bellatrix, whose eyes gleamed with the anticipation of violence, then nodded.

"I understand," he said, forcing his voice to remain steady. "I'm ready."

Bellatrix's twisted smile widened. "Good. We'll be watching."

Regulus turned back toward the house, his heart racing. He raised his wand, feeling its weight in his hand like a lead weight. As he muttered the incantations to break the wards surrounding the house, his mind raced. There was no way out of this—not now. If he hesitated, if he showed weakness, Bellatrix and the others would turn on him in an instant. He had to do this.

The wards fell, and Bellatrix gave him a small nod. "Go on," she said, her voice a low purr. "Prove yourself."

Regulus swallowed hard, then stepped forward, leading the group toward the house. Each step felt like it carried him deeper into the abyss. When they reached the door, he pushed it open, the wood creaking loudly in the silent night. Inside, a woman's startled gasp filled the air, followed by hurried footsteps.

"Who's there?" a man's voice called out from the shadows.

Regulus stepped into the house, his wand raised, his heart thudding in his ears. The family stood in the center of the room—a man, a woman, and their young daughter. They looked terrified, and the sight of their fear cut through Regulus like a knife.

He hesitated for a brief moment, but then Bellatrix's voice echoed in his head: "Prove yourself. The Dark Lord values results, not promises."

There was no other way. He couldn't fail—not here, not now. His entire mission depended on him playing his part perfectly.

Regulus raised his wand, locking eyes with the man. "Avada Kedavra."

The green light shot from his wand with deadly precision, hitting the man square in the chest. He collapsed instantly, his body crumpling to the ground. The woman screamed, clutching her daughter as she backed away, tears streaming down her face. But Regulus couldn't stop now. His mind went numb, his body moving on autopilot as he raised his wand again.