✷ Chapter Twelve , Fortress
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CAPELLA SAT DOWN.

Capella sat on her bed, staring at the unopened letter from Hogwarts resting on her lap. The Ministry seal glared back at her, a reminder of the consequences of her actions. Her hands trembled as she contemplated the potential fallout. Regulus was going to kill her. He had warned her, begged her to let things be, but she couldn't resist trying to make things right, trying to fix what was broken.

"Why did I do that?" she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible in the silent room. The cacophony of serene and divine noises that usually filled her mind had vanished, replaced by a relentless storm of anxiety and regret.

Her eyes wandered to the window, seeking a distraction from the turmoil within. Outside, the world continued unabated. She focused on a girl and a boy sitting together at the bus stop across the street. They seemed so carefree, so unburdened by the weight of the world. Just sitting there, not a single worry etched on their faces, simply enjoying each other's company in the heart of London.

Capella envied them. She longed for that simplicity, that innocence. How could a single, solitary woman be in so much chaos and distress while others appeared so untouched by life's cruelties? She sighed, the heavy burden on her chest refusing to lift.

Her thoughts drifted back to the letter. She knew she had to open it, but the fear of its contents paralyzed her. What if the Ministry was aware of her actions? What if they were coming for her? She imagined the looks of disappointment, the whispers of betrayal. Her entire world could come crashing down with just a few words.

Summoning all her courage, Capella reached for the letter and carefully broke the seal. The parchment felt heavy in her hands as she unfolded it, her eyes scanning the official script. The letter was a summons, demanding her presence at the Ministry for a hearing regarding "matters of grave concern."

Her heart sank. This was it. The moment she had dreaded. She had tried to make things better, but now she faced the consequences. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she blinked them away, determined to face what was to come with as much dignity as she could muster.

The door to their flat creaked open, and Regulus entered, his expression shifting from curiosity to concern as he saw her sitting there, the letter clutched tightly in her hands. "Capella," he said softly, crossing the room to her side. "What is it? What's wrong?"

She handed him the letter, unable to find the words. As he read, his face hardened, a mix of anger and protectiveness flashing in his eyes. "We'll face this together," he said firmly, pulling her into his arms. "No matter what happens, we're in this together."

Capella nodded, finding solace in his embrace. She had made a mistake, but she wasn't alone. With Regulus by her side, she felt a flicker of hope. Together, they would navigate the storm, find a way through the darkness.

That night, as they lay in bed, Capella couldn't help but think about the girl and the boy at the bus stop. She wondered what their stories were, what challenges they might face. Life was unpredictable, full of unexpected twists and turns. But for now, she was grateful for the support of the man she loved. Tomorrow, they would face the Ministry, but tonight, she found a small measure of peace in his arms.

✷
six hours before the hearing

Capella wandered about the two-story flat, absorbing the minimalistic yet cozy atmosphere. It was small, the kind of place where every corner felt lived-in. The front door led directly into the open floor plan, where there were only the four base walls and a few support walls. The bedroom, kitchen, and living room were all in full view of whoever entered, creating an intimate yet exposed environment.

There had been some close calls before. Regulus had once made the grave mistake of giving Evan a key. One evening, around 7 pm, Evan had shown up unannounced, hoping for some dinner and comfort after a fight with his girlfriend. Instead, he walked in on Capella and Regulus, intimately engaged. It was an embarrassing moment that left them all red-faced. Evan still had the key but hadn't come over in a while, preferring the isolation of his flat in Yorkshire after his sister was taken. He rarely left his place now, cocooned with his girlfriend.

The opening and closing of the big wooden door startled Capella, but she didn't move. She was lost in her thoughts, staring at a portrait of King George III hanging on the wall. The painting depicted the monarch in his regal attire, his expression stern yet somehow vulnerable.

"Darling? I have a newspaper for you. I also got some brekkie," Regulus muttered as he entered, noticing his girlfriend's fixed gaze on the portrait.

"The mad king. Everyone misunderstood him. He just wanted to be himself. He tried his best. Sometimes I feel like I'm him. I feel like I'm going crazy or insane a little bit more every single fucking day," Capella said, her voice tinged with a mixture of melancholy and frustration.

Regulus approached her, placing the newspaper and the breakfast on the small table beside her. He looked at the portrait and then back at Capella, understanding the weight of her words. "You're not mad, Capella. You're just overwhelmed. Everything you've been through... anyone would feel like they're losing it."

She sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "I know, but sometimes it feels like no one understands. Not you, not my family, not even myself. I see all these pieces of my life, scattered and broken, and I don't know how to put them back together."

Regulus reached out, gently cupping her face in his hands. "You don't have to do it alone. I'm here, and I always will be. We'll figure this out together."

Capella looked into his eyes, finding solace in his unwavering support. "I just... I don't want to end up like him. Misunderstood, driven to madness by expectations I can't meet."

Regulus pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly. "You won't. We'll make our own path, free from the expectations of others. You're stronger than you realize, Capella."

They stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other's arms, finding comfort in their shared strength. The flat, small and unassuming, was their sanctuary, a place where they could be themselves without judgment.

As they sat down to eat breakfast, Capella glanced at the newspaper, the headlines a blur of mundane and sensational news. She realized that while the world outside continued to spin in its chaotic rhythm, they had carved out a little corner of peace for themselves. It wasn't perfect, but it was theirs.

Regulus squeezed her hand, his presence a constant reminder that she wasn't alone in this journey. Together, they could face whatever challenges came their way, finding solace in each other's company. The portrait of King George III remained on the wall, a silent testament to the struggles of those who came before, but also a reminder that they had the power to shape their own destiny.

✷

one hour & two minutes until the hearing of capella + regulus

Capella was dressed in her finest outfit, a meticulously tailored grey wool, double-breasted suit dress with navy trim and a matching pillbox hat perched elegantly atop her head. She radiated an aura of classic sophistication, reminiscent of Jackie Kennedy, though thankfully, Regulus hadn't been shot. Yet.

"If he doesn't get out of that bathroom in less than two minutes, I swear I'll shoot him myself," Capella muttered under her breath, pacing the small flat with mounting frustration.

The tram to the Ministry of Magic took at least forty-five minutes, followed by a good ten-minute walk through the bustling streets. Time was slipping through their fingers, and they still had no idea what awaited them at the Ministry. Were they witnesses? Defendants? Criminals? The uncertainty gnawed at Capella, making every passing second feel like an eternity.

The flat, with its open floor plan, seemed to close in around her. The walls, usually a source of comfort, now felt like a cage. She could see everything from where she stood—the bedroom, the kitchen, the living room—all laid out in plain view, a stark contrast to the hidden turmoil she felt inside. The echo of past close calls, like the time Evan walked in on them, added to her anxiety.

Finally, the bathroom door creaked open, and Regulus stepped out, adjusting his tie with a casual air that belied the tension crackling in the room. "Ready?" he asked, his voice calm and steady, a stark contrast to Capella's barely contained storm.

"Ready as I'll ever be," she replied, grabbing her handbag and heading for the door, her heels clicking sharply against the wooden floor.

The ride on the tram was a blur of noise and movement. Capella's mind raced with possibilities, each one more troubling than the last. She glanced at Regulus, his expression inscrutable, as if he could sense her thoughts and was doing his best to shield her from the worst of them.

As they disembarked and made their way to the Ministry, the weight of their situation pressed down on them. The imposing structure loomed ahead, its grandeur doing little to soothe Capella's nerves. They entered through the grand entrance, joining the throngs of witches and wizards bustling about their business.

Capella's heart pounded in her chest as they approached the reception desk. The receptionist, a stern-looking witch with a sharp gaze, took their names and directed them to the appropriate office. They followed her directions, each step echoing ominously in the cavernous halls.

Finally, they reached the designated room. The door, heavy and foreboding, seemed to mock Capella's fear. She took a deep breath and looked at Regulus, drawing strength from his presence. He gave her a reassuring nod, and together, they stepped inside.

The room was dimly lit, the air thick with tension. At the center was a large, ornate table, surrounded by officials in dark robes. Their faces were a mixture of curiosity and judgment, making Capella's skin crawl. She and Regulus took their seats, feeling the weight of scrutiny bearing down on them.

An elderly wizard with a long, white beard presided over the gathering. His eyes, though kind, held an unsettling depth of knowledge. "You are here concerning matters of great importance," he began, his voice resonating with authority. "We require your cooperation in an ongoing investigation."

Capella's heart skipped a beat. Investigation? She exchanged a glance with Regulus, who remained calm, his face a mask of composure.

"We need you to answer truthfully and completely," the wizard continued. "Any deception will be met with the full force of the law."

Capella felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead. This was serious, more serious than she had anticipated. She clasped her hands together to stop them from trembling and nodded, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

The questioning began, each inquiry more probing than the last. Capella and Regulus answered as honestly as they could, navigating the delicate line between revealing enough to satisfy the officials and protecting themselves from potential incrimination. The minutes stretched into hours, each one feeling like a lifetime.

Finally, the elderly wizard leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "We will need to conduct further investigations," he said. "You may go for now, but be prepared to return."

Relief washed over Capella, mingled with lingering dread. As they left the room, the enormity of their situation began to sink in. They had survived the initial inquiry, but their ordeal was far from over.

Outside, the cool air felt like a balm on Capella's frayed nerves. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Regulus slipped his arm around her, offering silent support.

"One step at a time," he murmured, his voice soothing. "We'll get through this together."

"I just hope that she will rest in hell. She deserves nothing from us."

Capella nodded, drawing strength from his words. The path ahead was uncertain, fraught with danger and doubt, but with Regulus by her side, she felt a glimmer of hope. They had faced the storm and emerged, if not unscathed, then at least still standing.

Together, they would navigate the treacherous waters that lay ahead, finding solace in each other and forging a path forward, no matter how daunting the journey. The world around them might be filled with uncertainty, but in each other's arms, they found a refuge, a place where they could face anything, as long as they were together.

AUTHOR'S NOTE━━━━━━━
i twist , you turn , who's the first to burn?

hey pals! idk im trying something new... anywayyyyyyyy yah. we gotta new chapterrrrrr in da house.... idk why im talking like thisssssss but have an amazing long weekend + summer lovelies 🤭
xoxo inez