𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐧𝐞-𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬

Unbroken Bonds

Title: Unbroken Bonds

The dark, stone-walled courtroom was filled with whispers and murmurs as Barty Crouch Jr. stood before the Wizengamot, defiant yet resigned. His fate was sealed—Azkaban awaited him. The sentence hung heavy in the air as his father’s voice rang out with finality.

“Barty Crouch Jr., for your crimes against the wizarding world, you are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment in Azkaban.”

The gavel was poised to strike when suddenly, the heavy oak doors of the courtroom flew open with a deafening bang, causing everyone to turn in shock. A figure strode into the room with determined steps, their voice echoing through the chamber.

"I invoke the Gallows Law!"

Gasps erupted from the Wizengamot as all eyes fell upon the figure who had just interrupted the proceedings. It was a face many had not seen for several months, a name thought long lost to the darkness of the Black family history. Regulus Arcturus Black—alive.

His dark hair fell in loose waves around his shoulders, his grey eyes sharp and filled with resolve. He looked every bit the heir of the House of Black, though his presence was a surprise to all, especially to Barty. For Barty, seeing Regulus was like seeing a ghost—the friend and the secret crush he had mourned for years was not only alive but standing in front of him, determined and very much real.

The silence in the courtroom was suffocating as Barty tried to process what was happening. His mind raced, his heart pounded. Regulus was alive. And invoking the Gallows Law?

The Gallows Law was an ancient and seldom-used piece of wizarding tradition, a desperate measure once employed to save those condemned to death or Azkaban. It declared that if someone was willing to marry the accused, the sentence would be pardoned. A life shared was the price for a life spared.

"Regulus Arcturus Black," Dumbledore’s voice echoed, laced with surprise. "You invoke the Gallows Law on behalf of Barty Crouch Jr.?"

"I do," Regulus answered, his voice unwavering. "I am willing to marry him."

Barty’s breath caught in his throat. His gaze met Regulus’s and he saw the determination burning in his old friend’s eyes. It was real—Regulus was standing here, choosing to marry him, to save him from Azkaban. But why? A million questions raced through Barty's mind, but he found himself at a loss for words.

The courtroom buzzed with incredulity and outrage. Barty’s father, his expression like stone, tried to speak up, but Regulus’s voice cut through the noise.

“I believe the law stands, regardless of who protests. Or has our Ministry abandoned tradition entirely?”

The Wizengamot’s members exchanged wary glances, unwilling to outright challenge the legality of the invocation. The Gallows Law was indeed old but still valid. As Barty stood motionless, Dumbledore turned his piercing gaze towards Regulus.

“This is a serious undertaking, young Black. Marriage is not a mere formality—it will bind you to Barty Crouch Jr. for life. Are you truly prepared for the consequences?”

Regulus took a step closer to Barty, who could see that his once-proud face bore the signs of struggle and survival. The Regulus he remembered had been a brilliant but conflicted youth, struggling with his family’s legacy. Now, he was older, his presence more commanding, but there was still that glint of resolve that Barty had once admired, that he had missed dearly.

“Yes,” Regulus answered, his voice steady. “I am prepared.”

The words left Barty feeling a tumultuous swirl of emotions. There was relief—at being spared the Dementor's Kiss and the terror of Azkaban. There was confusion—why would Regulus do this? And above all, there was a glimmer of something warm, something hopeful. He had mourned Regulus, had cursed himself for being too weak to stop him from whatever fate had taken him. Now, his friend—his crush—was alive and willing to tie their lives together.

“Regulus,” Barty whispered, finally finding his voice. "Why?"

Regulus’s grey eyes softened as they locked onto Barty's. “Because I know what it means to feel trapped, Barty. And because… you were my friend.” There was a flicker of something deeper in his gaze—something Barty dared not hope to name just yet.

Regulus turned back to the Wizengamot, his voice steady. “You may question my motives, but I am here. I am offering a binding contract of marriage under the Gallows Law. Let Barty Crouch Jr. stand trial for his actions, but not be condemned to a fate without hope.”

After a tense silence, the gavel struck the podium with a resounding thud. “The Wizengamot acknowledges the invocation of the Gallows Law,” Dumbledore declared. “Preparations for the marriage shall begin immediately. Barty Crouch Jr., your sentence is hereby postponed until further deliberations.”

The courtroom erupted in mixed responses of outrage, relief, and disbelief. But none of it mattered to Barty as he stood beside Regulus, his pulse racing. The heavy weight of despair was slowly lifting, replaced by a hesitant but growing sense of hope. As the guards approached to take him away temporarily, Barty turned back to Regulus, his voice low and rough with emotion.

“I don’t know if I deserve this,” he admitted.

“Then let’s make sure you do,” Regulus replied, his tone lighter now. “We’ve both got a lot of unfinished business, haven’t we?”

And as Barty was led away, his heart felt unexpectedly light, for the first time in years. There was a chance—perhaps the last one he would ever have—but it was more than he had dared to dream. And it was Regulus who had given it to him.

The friend he thought was lost had come back, and maybe… just maybe, they could find their way forward together.