✓ | PARAMOUR, sirius black

chapter twelve

A few years had passed, and the Marauders, along with their respective significant others, had all graduated and joined The Order.

After years of careful planning and perseverance, everything was finally falling into place.

However, the secret of Kaia's true role was only known to Dumbledore. The rest of the Order still perceived her as a traitor, completely unaware of the sacrifices she had made in the name of the greater good.

With Regulus having enlisted Kaia's help, they joined forces with Dumbledore, working closely together to gather information and formulate a plan.

Regulus called out to Kaia, who was walking briskly ahead. "Wait up," he said, quickening his pace to catch up to her.

"Are you alright, Kaia?" he asked with a hint of concern in his voice, as he walked beside her in the forest towards their destination.

It was the day they had been preparing for, and Kaia's thoughts were consumed by her sister and Sirius, just as they had been every night leading up to this moment.

Before the night when she was recruited into The Order, Kaia had wanted to discuss her relationship with Sirius, wanting to explore what the future might hold after he graduated. She was willing to be patient and wait, but the looming war had changed everything, leaving their plans in shambles.

This night could go in one of two ways—it could end well, or it could end horribly. It all depended on how things unfolded.

Kaia inhaled deeply, taking in the crisp night air as they continued their trek through the forest. The moon was high in the sky, casting an eerie glow over everything it touched. The atmosphere was tense, the weight of what was to come hanging heavily in the air.

Kaia let out a sigh, her voice tinged with nerves as she spoke.

"I've never been comfortable admitting fear. We've been conditioned not to show it, but tonight, I can't shake this sense of foreboding, like things could go terribly wrong."

Regulus walked over to her, taking her hand in his own. "There's something else on your mind, isn't there?" he said gently, lifting her chin with his other hand and making her look at him directly.

Kaia shook her head slowly, her voice barely a whisper.

"Everything we've gone through, everything we've done over the past years, it's linked to their actions. If it all comes undone, I feel like we should be held accountable for whatever part we played in their schemes."

Regulus's frown deepened as he dropped his hand from her chin, looking at her with concern. "Are you suggesting that we allow ourselves to be judged like them?" he asked, the words heavy with implication.

Kaia looked at Regulus, her expression resigned. "I don't know" she admitted, her voice soft and contemplative. "I just don't know if we can escape that fate. If we survive, we'll always be associated with their deeds, regardless of our own beliefs or choices."

Regulus studied her quietly for a moment, sensing the weight of her thoughts. "You shouldn't feel like any of this is your fault," he said firmly, his voice carrying an undercurrent of protectiveness. "You've been doing all this to help, not to hurt"

Kaia closed her eyes, the weight of her thoughts and fears overwhelming her. "I know that, in my heart," she whispered. "But I can't help but feel like there's no way out, no matter what we do. Maybe the only way to truly escape the consequences is..."

Kaia's voice rose in volume as she spoke, her emotions getting the better of her. "So many lives lost," she said urgently, "and we stood idly by, witnessing all the loss and devastation they've caused. How can I move on, knowing what we've been a part of, even if it was for a greater purpose?"

Regulus's own frustration was evident, as he responded firmly. "Yes, it was what we needed to do. It was all a part of gathering the information we needed for today."

Kaia was about to respond, but Regulus's interjection halted her.

"It's because of Sirius and your sister," he stated bluntly, his voice sharp.

Kaia's protests died on her lips as she recognized the truth in Regulus's words. She knew he was good at detecting dishonesty, making it impossible to lie to him.

Kaia's voice was fragile and tinged with guilt as she spoke.

"How could they ever forgive me?" she murmured, her heart heavy with culpability. "We knew about Pettigrew all this time, and if I had just said something, Frank and Alice might not have lost their lives that night."

Regulus quickly interjected, his tone firm and protective. "No," he asserted. "It could have been worse if you had spoken up. The entire Order could have been compromised, and your own life could have been at risk."

Kaia's voice was resolute as she argued her point.

"My life should not come at the cost of Frank and Alice—"

But Regulus cut her off, his tone intense. "No, don't say that," he insisted. "Your life matters as much as anyone's. You sacrificed the life you could have had to save thousands of others."

There was no way Kaia could continue the argument. Regulus was undeniably right, and she fell silent, continuing to walk silently alongside him.

The air was heavy with their thoughts as they continued walking through the forest in silence. All around them, the night was alive with the sounds of nature and the occasional hoot of an owl.

Kaia kept her gaze fixated on the path ahead, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Regulus walked beside her quietly, sensing her turmoil and giving her space to process everything they had discussed.

Her voice was soft as she turned to Regulus and asked, "And you, Reg? How do you feel about all this?" She looked at him, searching his face for any sign of what he was thinking.

Regulus paused for a moment, mulling over her question before responding. "I feel burdened," he confessed, his voice low. "The weight of everything we've been through, everything we've done, it takes its toll."

He took a deep breath, continuing, "But I also feel determined. We've come too far, sacrificed too much, to back down now. We have to see this through, no matter the cost."

Regulus's gaze was firm as he spoke, a steely resolve evident in his expression. He was no stranger to the weight of responsibility and the sacrifices it often demanded.

As they walked in silence, Kaia couldn't help but appreciate Regulus's unwavering determination. It was one of the traits she admired about him—the ability to remain focused and resolute in the face of adversity.