✷ Chapter Fifteen, Wedding Fight
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THE DAY HAD ARRIVED. THE SHAM WEDDING.

Capella and Regulus had secretly been married for three weeks before the wedding, their union sealed in whispers and moonlight, away from the prying eyes of their families. Their bags were already packed and hidden, ready for the escape they had meticulously planned. Scotland would be their brief refuge before they flew to Switzerland with Penny and Maisie, leaving the chaos behind for good.

But today, today was the sham wedding.

Regulus was in his suite at the Black Estate, sitting in a high-backed leather chair, thumbing through a book he wasn't reading. His tuxedo hung neatly by the wardrobe, its crisp lines taunting him. His mind, however, was far from the grand ceremony that awaited. Every second, he counted down to their freedom.

Capella stood in front of the gilded mirror in her room, a vision of ethereal beauty in a long, pure white gown. The black feathered collar encircling her shoulders added an edge to her otherwise traditional appearance. She stared at her reflection, her face a mask of composure, though her heart hammered in her chest.

Walburga Black entered silently, the Lestrange Diadem in her hand. Without ceremony, she placed it on Capella's head, her fingers cold as they adjusted the delicate band.

"Straighten your back," Walburga said, her voice sharp as glass. "You are to marry my son and bear him many children. Do better."

She left as abruptly as she came, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor.

Narcissa and Bellatrix lingered behind, watching Capella with expressions as different as night and day. Narcissa offered a faint smile, a flicker of something kind, while Bellatrix's wild eyes seemed to dissect her every move.

"I would like to finish getting ready myself," Capella said, her tone polite but firm.

The sisters left without argument, though Bellatrix hesitated for a moment before following Narcissa out. Cissy, ever proper, closed the door softly behind her.

Capella wasted no time. She locked the door with a bobby pin, her hands trembling as adrenaline coursed through her veins.

From beneath her vanity, she retrieved a small, sharp knife. Taking a deep breath, she sliced across her palm, the sting sharp but necessary. Blood trickled onto the floor, vivid red against the white rug. She smeared it deliberately across the walls, the mirror, and the floor, painting a scene of chaos.

Next, she ripped the skirt of her gown, tearing it unevenly and stuffing part of it into the crevice of the window. She dropped the veil where it would be conspicuous and shoved the genuine Lestrange Diadem into her trunk. In its place, she left a flawless replica—a decoy crafted by Bedelia's expert hands.

Dressed now in a sleek black ensemble hidden beneath her gown, she moved to the window. She pushed it open and climbed out, the cool air biting at her flushed skin. Her heart pounded as she scaled down the side of the estate, her movements quick but deliberate.

When her feet hit the ground, she sprinted across the estate grounds, the hem of her black trousers catching on the manicured hedges. She spotted the van waiting at the edge of the property, its dark exterior blending into the shadows.

Capella threw herself into the back of the van, relief washing over her as she saw Andromeda, Uncle Alphard, Regulus, and Bedelia seated inside.

"You're late," Andromeda said dryly, though her eyes sparkled with mischief.

Regulus reached for her, pulling her into his arms for a brief, grounding moment.

"You okay?" he asked softly.

"Never better," she whispered, though her voice betrayed the exhilaration and fear coursing through her.

Maisie, the driver, waited for Regulus's signal. He tapped twice on the side of the cab, and with a roar, the van sped off into the night, leaving the Black Estate—and the wedding guests—scrambling in confusion.

Back at the estate, the scene they had left behind was chaos. The room looked as though a struggle had taken place, and whispers of kidnapping spread like wildfire. The bride and groom had vanished without a trace.

But Capella and Regulus? They were on their way to freedom.

✷

At the Black Estate, Walburga stormed through the halls, her fury a tempest that left no corner untouched.

"Lucius! Rabastan! Break it down—now!" she commanded, her voice a thunderclap of authority.

With a blast of combined spells, the suite door shattered, revealing a room steeped in chaos: blood smeared like ominous streaks, a torn wedding dress discarded near the window, and the Lestrange Diadem lying abandoned, a hollow echo of its former grandeur.

Walburga's scream pierced the air. "Find them!" she demanded, her rage an unrelenting force. "Find them now!"

The Death Eaters scattered, their search snaking through London and into the heart of Diagon Alley.

Capella and Regulus emerged into the warm glow of the alley, their faces lit with fragile hope as they embraced Andromeda and Alphard one last time.

"Be safe," Andromeda whispered, clutching Capella's hands.

"We will," Capella promised, though her voice betrayed the weight of her uncertainty.

Inside Gringotts, the atmosphere was cool and sterile, a stark contrast to the chaos Capella and Regulus had left behind. The goblins, with their sharp eyes and calculating expressions, barely reacted to the couple's presence, accustomed to unusual requests.

Regulus approached the nearest teller with calm authority, his hand resting protectively on the enchanted bags at his side.

"We'd like to make a deduction," he said, his voice firm yet polite.

The goblin raised a brow but said nothing, motioning for them to follow.

Capella glanced around nervously as they descended into the vaults, the faint rumble of carts echoing in the tunnels. "Do you think they'll trace us here?" she whispered.

Regulus placed a steadying hand on her arm. "We'll be gone before they know we're missing."

When the vaults opened, golden light spilled into the chamber, illuminating mountains of galleons, glittering jewels, and centuries of accumulated wealth. Without hesitation, they began filling their bags, the enchanted fabric expanding to hold more than seemed possible.

"This will buy us time," Regulus murmured, his fingers brushing against hers as they worked. "And freedom."

Capella nodded, her resolve hardening. "We won't let them take it from us."

As they ascended back into the main hall, Capella felt a momentary surge of relief. They had done it—they had taken the first step toward their escape. But the moment they stepped outside, the illusion of safety shattered.

But the world would not let them go so easily.

A scream split the air, followed by the unmistakable sound of chaos: spells crackling, shop doors slamming shut, and panicked voices scattering in every direction.

"They're here," Regulus said grimly, his hand instinctively going to his wand.

The Death Eaters had arrived, their dark forms slicing through the crowded alley like blades.

"There they are!" Rodolphus roared, pointing at Capella and Regulus. "Don't let them escape!"

"We fight," Regulus said softly, his hand brushing hers before he turned to face the onslaught.

Capella's wand was in her hand before she could think, her body already moving with the grace of practiced determination. The first spells flew, shattering windows and sending shopkeepers diving for cover.

"Stupefy!" Bellatrix snarled, a jet of red light streaking toward Capella.

Capella sidestepped, her own wand snapping upward. "Expulso!" The ground beneath Bellatrix's feet exploded, sending shards of stone flying, but the older witch twirled away, her laugh cold and sharp.

"Is that all, darling?" Bellatrix sneered, her wand carving the air. "Crucio!"

Capella dove to the side, barely dodging the curse that left scorch marks in its wake.

"Diffindo!" Capella shouted, aiming a slicing curse at Bellatrix's wand arm. The spell nicked her sleeve, drawing a thin line of blood, but Bellatrix didn't flinch. Instead, her smile widened.

"Getting bold, aren't we?" Bellatrix taunted, her wand lashing out with another barrage. "Confringo!" The ground erupted in a fiery explosion, forcing Capella to leap backward, her heart pounding.

Across the alley, Regulus was locked in combat with Rabastan, their duel a furious exchange of light and shadow.

"Incarcerous!" Rabastan bellowed, ropes shooting from his wand. Regulus slashed through them with a sharp flick, retaliating with a booming, "Reducto!" The force sent Rabastan stumbling, but he quickly recovered.

Capella's focus snapped back as Bellatrix closed in, her movements serpentine and calculated.

"Protego!" Capella's shield charm flared to life just in time to block another jet of red light.

"Avada Kedavra already?" Capella spat, her voice shaking with both anger and adrenaline. "Getting impatient, Bella?"

Bellatrix's laugh was chilling. "Why waste time, cousin? You're as good as dead."

The two witches circled each other, their wands weaving intricate patterns in the air. Spells ricocheted off the cobblestones, shattering shop signs and scattering debris.

Capella saw an opening and struck. "Petrificus Totalus!" The full body-bind curse sped toward Bellatrix, who deflected it with a flick of her wand.

"Sectumsempra!" Bellatrix roared, her voice dripping with malice.

Capella braced herself, but the curse struck its unintended target.

"No!" Capella screamed as Regulus crumpled, blood soaking his robes. Her wand fell limp for a moment, her world narrowing to the sight of him on his knees, his breaths shallow.

"Don't look away!" Bellatrix hissed, and Capella turned just in time to deflect another curse.

She was on her feet in an instant, her fury igniting. "Bombarda Maxima!" The spell exploded between them, sending Bellatrix stumbling back. But it wasn't enough.

Capella darted to Regulus's side, her trembling hands pressing against his wounds. "Stay with me," she whispered, tears streaking her face.

Bellatrix's eyes gleamed with dark triumph as she approached. She raised her wand, her voice cold and venomous.

"Crucio!"

Capella's scream tore through the alley, her body writhing in agony as the curse consumed her. She clawed at the cobblestones, her every nerve aflame.

"Bellatrix, stop!" Rabastan shouted, his voice distant through Capella's haze of pain. But Bellatrix didn't stop. She drank in the torment, her laughter echoing off the shattered stones.

The curse lifted, and Capella collapsed beside Regulus, her body trembling as she gasped for air.

Despite her pain, her bloodied hand sought his, their fingers intertwining. Their gazes met, a silent promise passing between them even as the world around them faded.

As Capella writhed in agony, Bellatrix sauntered forward with a twisted smile, her wand still crackling faintly from the Cruciatus Curse. She crouched beside Capella, her movements slow and deliberate, her fingers tracing the blood trickling down Capella's cheek. With a mocking smirk, she smeared it across her nose like war paint.

"You should have known better," Bellatrix murmured, her voice dripping with malice.

Nearby, Rodolphus grabbed Regulus's limp arm, yanking up his sleeve to expose the dark mark. He sneered, shaking his head. "What a waste," he muttered.

Bellatrix's wild laughter echoed through the empty alley, her delight reverberating off the walls of the silent shops. Her attention shifted to the trunk lying abandoned on the cobblestone steps. With a flick of her wand, the lid flew open, revealing the shimmering Lestrange Diadem nestled inside.

"Oh, you thought you could steal this, did you?" Bellatrix sneered. She lifted the diadem and placed it on her own head, tilting it as though crowning herself queen of their downfall.

Rodolphus and Rabastan exchanged dark glances before stepping back toward Bellatrix. With one last glance at the broken, bloodied forms of Capella and Regulus, the three Death Eaters disapparated, leaving behind only the faint crack of their departure.

On the steps of Gringotts, Capella and Regulus Black lay entwined, their hands still clasped as if they could hold onto each other even in death. Their faces, though pale and still, bore the quiet defiance of those who had fought for their love against impossible odds.

The Black Sea had claimed its contenders, drowning the pride and passion of the two lovers in its depths.

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

i'm sorry babes.

but it had to be tragic

xoxo june