A/N: Sorry for this being late! It's 3.1k words to make up for it! I've been really busy for the past few days, with Christmas Eve being four days away. I hope you like it! It's focused a lot on Regulus' relationship with Kreature 👀. Everything ends in pain, doesn't it? On a funnier note, I hope you like the photo I got from Pinterest up there! I found it quite amusing. Remember the more you love on this story, the more your character is featured in the normal chapters!

𝕽𝖊𝖌𝖚𝖑𝖚𝖘' 𝕻𝖔𝖎𝖓𝖙 𝖔𝖋 𝖁𝖎𝖊𝖜

Regulus took a deep breath as he prepared to ask his parents something over breakfast. It had never been the same since Sirius left back in his fourth year, the air was colder, and harsher, as if a warm fire had just been extinguished.

"So, mother, father," Regulus said slowly, he had rehearsed the words about a million times after he woke up. (He woke decently early at home, for fear of his mother storming in and screaming at him).

"Don't say so, it makes you sound like the middle class," Walburga snapped, and he immediately flinched away, swallowing thickly.

Regulus raised his head back up again, he was quite thankful he dyed his hair back to black before he came home. If his mother would snap at him for using the word so, just imagine the horrors he'd face if he were to come home with dyed blue hair -- even if it was a prank from Sirius. He missed his blue hair though, maybe Sirius could prank him again after they got back to Hogwarts.

"Mother, father, I was wondering if perhaps I could go to the Clark' home for a bit today to see Miranda," Regulus asked, and he bit his tongue as he awaited an answer.

"Miranda Clark," Orion mumbled, reading a biased newspaper that the blood-supremacists all read. Regulus knew it was biased because it never featured anything about muggle-borns, and barely anything about half-bloods, and it always talked about the Dark Lord and pureblooded. people

"The girl he's courting, you know Mr. Clark and Mrs. Clark, they're a good pureblood couple with our same thoughts on mudbloods and halfies. I hear they even want their daughter to be a Death Eater, just like what we want for Regulus," Walburga told Orion, and Orion just kept his head in his newspaper. Walburga looked over to Regulus With an expression Regulus was sure could freeze water, "You may go—"

Regulus nearly breathed out a sigh of relief, but he knew he'd be punished for it, so he just kept his breath in.

"— if you demonstrate the Crucio curse on Kreacher before noon," Walburga said with a sneer.

Regulus' face nearly dropped in horror, but it didn't because he knew he'd be punished for it.

"Of course mother, may I be excused?" Regulus asked.

"You are excused," Walburga said with a wave of her hand.

Regulus left the table, leaving his plate where it was. He would've much preferred to put it in the sink so Kreacher would have less work to do, but he would've been punished.

Regulus went back to his room and fell into the bed, groaning into his pillow. Why was his mother like that? Honestly! Crucio Kreacher? That was disgusting! Regulus loved his house-elf, Kreacher did everything for them after al. Why should Regulus be anything but grateful for all he, and his house-elf family, has done?

Sometimes — no, all the time —- Regulus thought his mother didn't have a heart. He was sure she ripped it out years ago and stored it in a box somewhere, probably rotting by now. One day back, barely even a day back, and he was already being reminded of why he hated his family so much. Lovely.

"Does Master Regulus wish to speak his feelings to Kreature?" A gravelly voice said from beside Regulus.

Regulus pokes his head up and sees Kreature standing by his bed. Regulus quickly sat up, "No thank you, Kreature, did you hear what my mum said?" Regulus asked.

"Yes, Kreature did," Kreature said, "Kreature knows Master Regulus loves Miss Clark very much. Kreature also knows that Master Regulus would like to see Miss Clark in her home."

Regulus nodded sadly, "But I don't want to hurt you Kreature, mum wants me to crucio you or I can't go," he said, frowning.

Kreature answered without hesitation, "Kreature gets crucioed by Mistress Black once a week when Master Regulus is gone. Kreature is used to it."

Regulus looked at Kreature with an utterly horrified expression on his face. His mother did what? He was practically livid! Regulus was sure he could feel steam coming out from his ears like in those muggle movies and tells shows.

"She did what?" Regulus hissed, careful to keep his voice low so that his parents wouldn't hear him, or, of course, he'd be punished.

"Mistress Black crucios Kreacher once a week," Kreature repeated.

Regulus was positive there was a team coming out of his ears at that point, "Why?" He hissed again.

"Because Mistress Black wanted to practice, Master Regulus, she wished to practice."

Regulus grit his teeth in anger. So his mother just wanted a practice dummy, so she used the family house-elf. Regulus thought she couldn't get cruller, but here she was, practising on Kreature for fun. At least every time Regulus was forced to see it, she had a "reason" (no reason was ever justifiable for an unforgivable in Regulus' opinion) for it, now she just did it for fun.

"Master Regulus needs to get out of the house, he needs to see Miss Clark," Kreature observed, "Master Regulus knows the Cruciatus Curse, Master Regulus is powerful enough to cast it, why does he not?"

Regulus just shook his head, "Because it's cruel Kreature, there's a reason it's an Unforgivable Curse. And I like you, it's not fair to hurt you," he explained.

Kreacher got a hard look, "Master Regulus needs to be happy, Kreature will make Master Regulus crucio Kreacher!"

"No, I'll just explain the circumstances to Andie, she'll understand," Regulus assured, but Kreature wasn't having any of it.

Kreature leapt for Regulus' wand and pointed it to his chin and stared right at Regulus, "If Master Regulus does not crucio Kreature so that he can see Miss Clark, then Kreature will crucio himself until Master Regulus does so!"

Regulus snatched his wand from out of Kreature's hand, "No Kreature! I'll do it!" Regulus said and Kreature smiled, "But you promise you'll let me give you a gift this year for Christmas?"

Kreature looked completely horrified, "A gift, Master Regulus? What will Mistress and Master Black think?"

"They won't know, it'll be between you and me, between friends."

Kreature seemed to consider it, "Okay! Master Regulus will give Kreature a present if he crucios Kreature to see Miss Clark!"

Regulus bit his tongue, "Sure, now leave, please" he said as he went up and went back to the dining room.

Regulus took in many deep, calming breaths as he prepared himself for what he was about to do. Of course, his parents had forced him to learn how to cast the Unforgivables on different animals, things, even a muggle-born they had kidnapped once back in Regulus' fourth year. Regulus helped him escape after apologizing profusely for using (mostly failing) the Cruciatus Curse on him. Regulus thought he was just very grateful for him freeing him though, even if he did curse him, he kissed him before leaving too, which made Regulus feel icky since he had tortured him before — not the fact that he got kissed by a boy or that a boy kissed him, he was cool with that, he didn't even think he was completely straight. He had rocked back and forth in his bed pondering it for an hour. He was always complimented on how powerful he was and how he could cast the spells perfectly, but he thought it was horrible what he could do.

Regulus entered the dining room with his wand clutched right in his hand, he thought that if he held it any tighter, it would shatter into a million pieces, as he was sure his heart would do in the next few minutes.

"I'm ready, mother," he said to Walburga.

Walburga tried to smile, but to Regulus, it looked like a sneer, "KREATURE!" She shrieked.

Kreature waddled in, not looking at Regulus, "Yes, Mistress Black?" He asked.

"Stand there," Walburga said and she looked over to Regulus with expecting eyes.

Regulus licked lips and pointed his wand to Kreature, he did a silent, I'm sorry, with his eyes. He thought about casting the spell on his mother to feel the hatred he was forced to feel to cast the spell, he imagined Kreature as Walburga.

"Crucio," Regulus said, and he wanted to close his eyes, but couldn't or his mother would punish him and Kreature.

Kreature cried out in pain and Regulus wanted to as well, he looked over to Walburga with an emotionless face though. His face was just asking a question, which would have been in a bored tone if he were actually speaking. Can I stop now?

"Free him," Walurga said, and her face curled up in what seemed to be a smile. Regulus thought it looked like she hadn't properly smiled a genuine smile in years, and that's what she remembered it to be.

"I'm proud of you. You may go," Walburga said with a wave of her hand. Orion hadn't reacted at all, he just sat like a statue across from Walburga.

Regulus went to his room with fast strides, clutching his wand in his hand so hard, he thought it would snap in two. He half-wished it would. The wand did something horrible, it made him feel ... dirty in a way. Even if it did break, it would be like using your sleeve to wipe a smear off of a century-old mirror. No m after how hard you scrubbed with a single sleeve, the mirror would still be dirty after a century's worth of use.

Regulus just sighed as he went into his room to get a coat. He found Kreature already there, waiting for him with his favourite winter coat in his arms.

"Kreature hopes Master Regulus has a fun time with Miss Clark - his love - Kreature says this from the bottom of his heart," Kreature said as he gave Regulus his coat.

Regulus took the coat, but could barely meet Kreature's eyes after what he had done, "But Kreature. I used the Cruciatus curse on you," he mumbled shamefully as he put on his coat.

"Kreature will be fine, Master Regulus must have fun at the Clark Family Home. Bye-bye, Master regulus!" Kreature said,

Regulus managed to meet Kreature's eyes with a sad smile. He was the one to teach Kreature, "bye-bye" since "goodbye '' seemed too formal. Kreature only used those words around Regulus though.

"Bye-bye, Kreature," Regulus said, waving bye as he appeared out of the house.

𝕸𝖎𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖆'𝖘 𝕻𝖔𝖎𝖓𝖙 𝖔𝖋 𝖁𝖎𝖊𝖜:

Miranda lay on her bed, occasionally (every other second) checking her clock for the time.

Where could he be? She thought as she rolled over so that her stomach was facing the light pink ceiling.

Her room was like the Head-Girl and Boy soulmate rooms -- only about ten times fancier and ten times more luxurious. Everything that the eye could see was either blue, pink, white, or silver. (Miranda would've gone with bronze for Ravenclaw, but decided it didn't work with the existing blue, pink, silver, and white shades). Her chandelier was made of real diamonds and was gigantic at the centre of her room. The room had a vintage feel to it, like it was made a long time ago, but could still fit into modern beauty under the categories: luxury, gorgeous and stunning. No less for Miranda, never.

Miranda rolled back onto her stomach, her curls pushed to one side of her head as she looked at her pink vintage lock. Regulus wasn't late but it wasn't like they had established a specific time for him to come over.

Miranda had asked her parents if it was alright for him to come, and they eagerly agreed since the Black family was considered one of the most "pure " and "noble." Miranda, in turn, asked Regulus to ask his parents if he could come over after breakfast, and it was an hour past when Miranda usually ate breakfast, ten minutes past after when Regulus ate.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity and a half, Miranda heard the doorbell ring. Miranda practically leapt out of bed as she studied herself in her large white vanity. Perfect as always. She made sure her robes had no wrinkles in them before heading to the foyer to greet Regulus.

Miranda came down the steps to find Regulus pressing a kiss to her mother's hand, probably winning her over in that moment. Well, Miranda sure Regulus won her mum over when Mrs. Clark knew he was a Black, but oh well.

Regulus and Miranda's eyes met, which caused a chain effect of him to smile, which caused her to smile, and the smile caused the entire foyer to light up even brighter with just her smile.

The foyer was gigantic though, something the Clarks loved to show off. All the major pureblood families had manors, but only a few renovated them. Some (like the potters) had kept the old-style comes and the beauty that came with that, while others (like the Clarks) completely renovated their homes into something new. See: the gigantic foyer.

The Clarks wanted the first thing you saw when you walked into the manor to be their wealth and power. This is also why the foyer was not only gigantic, it was decorated in a way that radiated power and wealth. Miranda thought it also radiated beauty, just like her.

Miranda heard snippets of her parents welcoming Regulus and Regulus expressing his gratitude but only walked down once she was sure they were almost done chatting.

"Oh Miranda, how lovely! Bipsy will be up in your room at any moment if you two need anything. Miranda, you and Regulus are free to go wherever," Mrs. Clark said, and Miranda raised an eyebrow. She never got that much freedom. On selected days she could go to selected palaces in the manor. Today was probably just an exception because her mum wanted to look good in front of Regulus.

"To my room, we go?" Miranda suggested and Regulus smiled in agreement.

"Thank you again for letting me into your home," Regulus told Miranda's parents respectfully. Miranda was sure if Regulus dropped on one knee and proposed to her, her parents would have cared less.

Miranda smirked as she led Regulus to her bedroom, closing the white double-doors (with diamond handles mind you) behind her. She took her house shoes off and sat by Regulus, who was already on her ginormous light pink bed.

Miranda could sense something was off, "Hey, are you alright?" she asked in a soft tone -- a stark contrast from her usual bitchy commentary.

"Honestly, not really," Regulus said, biting his lip.

Miranda prodded him into explaining and was horrified when she found out what Mrs. Black made Regulus do, he had told her the whole story.

"That's horrible!" Miranda exclaimed, "How could she -- that poor house-elf --- he really loves you --- I hate her!" Miranda said, stumbling over her words in anger, which was about as rare as an albino rhino. Trust her, she would know, her parents had thought about getting some, but they were "too much of a hassle to take care of". She usually kept her cool, but using the curious curse on a house-elf for no apparent reason? No, Miranda would not keep her cool.

"I know," Regulus said sadly, "The only upsides are --"

"There are upsides to this situation?" Miranda asked with a raise of her eyebrow.

"I'm trying," Regulus said, "I can now give Kreature his gift without him complaining and I get to see you," he said as she kissed Miranda, holding her waist,

Miranda couldn't help but smile into the kiss. Regulus' lips just had that effect on her.

Miranda gently pulled away, "And what did you get him? She asked.

"A blanket, a pillow, a pillowcase, and a new cushion," Regulus said, shrugging, "It's not I can give him clothes without him freaking out and going into a depressive state. Jewellery my parents would see instantly. He can barely read, much less write, so I thought those were the best option."

Miranda shrugged along with him, it made sense. She switched the topic though, not because she was uncomfortable or anything. She just wanted to, and what Miranda wanted, Miranda got.

"Do you want to decorate the house?" Miranda asked, Regulus was about to say something, but then she cleared her words up, "My room that is."

Regulus thought for a moment, "Sure," he said with a smile, "I'll do anything as long as it's with you."

Miranda just smiled brightly, but then she saw Regulus think a bit deeper, "But how would we get the lights? No doubt we're not allowed near where your parents keep any kind of decorations. No matter what your mum said about letting us go anywhere. Well, my parents don't let me do it, they claim it as 'servant work'."

Miranda just smirked, "I've got that part covered," she said, "Bipsy!"

Her house-elf appeared, "Yes Mistress Miranda?" she asked, quivering under Miranda's gaze.

"Go fetch some white, pink, blue, and silver Christmas decoration for me,

Miranda ordered, "Please, and don't let my parents know," she added as an afterthought.

"Yes Mistress Miranda '' Bipsy said, still shaking like a leaf under Miradn's gaze, then she disappeared.

Miranda looked over to Regulus, who was asking her a silent question.

"When I was little, I threatened to give her clothes or sneak clothes to her somehow. Bipsy's terrified of me now, and I do whatever I say," Miranda explained with a delicate shrug.

Regulus looked a tad bit concerned for Bipsy, "And how old were you?" he asked.

"Probably five."

"Five years old? She still listens?" He marvelled.

Miranda just giggled and grabbed a white fur pillow from her headrest, laying on it, Regulus followed suit, laying next to her on his stomach.,

"Can we talk seriously for a moment?" Miranda asked.

"Why would you want to talk about my brother," Regulus teased, "But go on."

Miranda turned so that she was one her stomach, the pillow underneath her chest, "Do you think you'll join the Death-Eaters?" she asked.

Regulus blinked rapidly as if he had not processed Miranda's question. "I beg your pardon?" he asked.

Miranda repeated her question, and Regulus bit his lip. Which Miranda would have found sexy in different circumstances.

Regulus seemed to choke on his words, "I mean, probably, mum and dad really want me to. I'm supposed to be the perfect child after all but," Regulus faltered, "I really don't want to," he whispered.

Miranda twirled a curl around her finger, "Me too, "She said softly, "Mum really wants me to. She thinks the Dark Lord will be our saviour and all, and that I should be on his side when he 'saves us all' but," Miranda leaned her head on Regulus' shoulder, "what they do, what they want, it doesn't feel right."

Regulus smiled and pressed a kiss on her forehead just as Bipsy came back with a buttload of Christmas decorations in a box.

"Bipsy put the pink, white, blue, and silver decoration in here. Mistress Miranda will call Bipsy if Mistress Miranda needs more," Bipsy said before disappearing, leaving just the box of decorations.

Miranda looked over to Regulus, "shall we?" she asked.

"We shall."

Question For Your OC: What's their relationship like with their family?

(Other than Odin) Hel loves her (close) family and they love her! They're basically family goals in that they support each other with decisions, and they're always there for her. Even her "monster" brothers.

Characters Used in This Chapter:

Miranda Clark

Regulus Black

Sirius Black