The Locket

02. Peculiar

Regulus Black made his way to Diagon Alley to buy needed supplies for his last year at Hogwarts. He didn't know why he was still making an effort in his academics. He knew his life would be devoted to the Dark Lord the day he accepted the mark. It was a matter of time before the Lord made his big move. There wasn't room for any other occupation in his life, other than bringing honour to his family, a duty that was passed on to him after Sirius was disowned.

After stopping by Flourish and Blotts, Regulus took a turn to Knockturn Alley. It was only mid-afternoon, but the area still held its fog and dark atmosphere. Compared to Diagon Alley, less people were found bustling the street. There were many shops but each depicted sketchy and uninviting. Whenever he was in the area, he would stop by here, the residents familiar to him as he was to them.

Collecting rare and cursed objects were his hobby. He enjoyed observing them and studying the runic markings or wards cast on an object, which he would then attempt to remove. It was dangerous, and possibly fatal. Learning how to pick apart a curse layer by layer made casting it ten times easier for mastery. It sure made it easier to fulfil the tasks that the Lord entrusted to him. Severus brought him back from the brink of death several times in the past. Yet he knew that even his close friend wouldn't be around this time for his guilty pleasures. He had already graduated last term. The lucky bastard.

On his usual route, a dark, narrow alleyway on the third left from The White Wyvern. One that was usually abandoned and empty, was now occupied by an unconscious young woman. She looked around his age. Her dark brown waves a mess over her slumbering profile.

Hermione's last memory was of Snape flooding the time turner with his magical core. She didn't know if she was supposed to stop him. As the world spun to take her back in the past, she saw her professor collapse from overexertion. She feared that it may have been fatal. That all the more made her determined to make sure his sacrifice wasn't in vain.

Hermione remembered the trip as well. It was a sensation similar to that of Apparition, but worse. She landed upon the pavement but was knocked out by the impact. She awoke a few moments later to find a dark-haired boy looking down at her.

"Are you alright now?" He asked. Hermione refocused on his face before she realized who he was. The resemblance was uncanny.

"Uh. Yes. Thank you." She stood up and dusted her robes, her muggle clothes peeking out.

"You really shouldn't be here at this time of day. Or, any time for that matter. Why were you wandering around here?" Regulus knew it was common knowledge that Knockturn Alley was an area one shouldn't explore by oneself. Dangerous wizards roamed freely here. Like himself, he thought. A witch of her age should be aware of that.

Hermione stepped out of the narrow alley and looked at the near shops. She didn't recognize any of the names, but she had an idea where she was. She decided to make up an excuse, "I was looking for Borgin and Burke's. Do you know which way is it?" She turned back to the black-haired boy. He wore an indistinguishable expression.

If his assumptions are true, she might have been fallen victim to one of the other low-life Death Eaters of this turf. They enjoyed preying upon women, obliviating them after they've used them. It wasn't the first time he encountered a wandering woman on these streets.

Some of the casted memory charms were rubbish. His idiot brothers-in-arms were so careless to endanger their identities. Occasionally, Regulus made sure to improve the charms, out of pity.

"Let me walk you to your destination. It's on my route." Regulus gestured towards the alley. There was hesitation in her eyes but she followed. Originally, he would have gone to Burke's. He had become friends with the owner and was entrusted a first peek at any new merchandise, but ever since he took the Mark, Mr. Burke had been particularly cold with him. So he ventured more around the outskirts, there he found dark objects more difficult to deal with...