THIS IS ME LEAVING MY MARK ON THE WORLD

Regulus Black remembers the day his brother left.
He remembers how much he wished to leave with him, but was never offered. That bone crushing dread that he felt then, it wouldn't leave him alone now.

It's the start of the school year now, and Regulus had been summoned by the dark lord, his parents' master, and his greatest fear.

"Come in," the words seemed to slither and snake around the wooden door at his back. Regulus breathed a shaky breath, trying to calm his nerves as he stepped around the corner into the fire lit room.

Every step he took, he stared at the floor, hoping he didn't look as terrified as he was.

Today was the day he was to receive his dark mark at the age of 16.
"He's acting rather skittish isn't he?"

His cousin, Bellatrix, had a high pitched voice that grated on everyone's nerves and it got even worse when she was around her one obsession. Voldemort.

Regulus's mother grimaced. He hated disappointing her.

"Now, now, Bella, leave the boy alone." The dark lord said. "Don't scare him off."

Even in the quiet room, his voice echoed and seemed to be louder than it was, thrumming in Regulus's ears.

"Step forward boy, and claim your destiny."

Regulus thought that Voldemort had to have had no idea how much he sounded like Dumbledore in the way they both dramatized everything.

He stepped forward, standing directly in front of the man the world feared most, shoulders back, spine straight, bracing himself for the pain to come.

Regulus didn't want this. He didn't want to join them. But he had to do this one thing if he ever wanted to be with her.

Yes, this was to protect her. To keep her from harm.

He tried to recall her most recent letter, anything that could provide him comfort at this time.

Her words, they wrapped him in a warm hug,
"Regulus, you will always hold my heart. Whatever comes our way, we can get through it together."

Her smile, her lilting laugh that danced in his ears.
He wanted to close his eyes to see her.

He could almost smell her now, her vanilla hair and rich gardenia on her clothes. Oh, how he missed her.

But there would be time for her later. Right?

He'd make it out of this and back to her.

The Dark Lord's wand sizzled his skin, the stench of burning flesh drowning out that fading gardenia scent.

Then there it was, the dark mark. And the worst mistake of his life.

author's note
I know this chapter has been long awaited, and I'm really sorry, I just lost inspiration completely. I hope this is alright, and I'm trying to write the next couple of chapters soon. Tell me what you think! <33