The Story of Regulus Black - Years 1-4

LXXXIII. The Departure of the Black Brothers

Regulus was to be staying with Narcissa for the entire last month of summer, and Sirius was to be staying with James Potter. Because of these similar schedules, they were departing on the same day.

Regulus awoke on the morning of 1 August, 1975 with a pounding headache. He groaned when he had become awake enough to be aware of the throbbing in his head, and he threw his hands up to cover his eyes. He thought that the sliver of warm sunlight which was just peaking through a tiny gap in his bed curtains and landing directly in the line of his eyes was nothing but a cruel joke.

"Kreacher," he grumbled, and the old house elf was at the foot of Regulus's bed in seconds.

"Good morning, Master Regulus! Kreacher is here! What is Master Regulus be needing?" Croaked the elf.

"Could you get me a glass of water, please?" Requested Regulus.

The house elf nodded his head. "Kreacher will get his Master Regulus a glass of water!" And he disappeared with the snap of his fingers.

Regulus forced himself to sit up in bed, the elevation change only increasing the pain in his head. Regulus didn't know what had caused such an awful headache, and he didn't care much, either. He just wanted it to go away.

Kreacher reappeared with the glass of water. Because of his old age, his hand was a bit shaky as he held it out for Regulus to take. Regulus didn't pay this much mind, and downed half of the glass in one gulp.

While it didn't immediately help his headache, it helped the dryness of his mouth. He downed the rest of the glass, handed it back to Kreacher, and requested a refill.

Kreacher disappeared once again, and Regulus forced himself out of the bed. He had to squint his eyes to keep the sunlight from assaulting them too much, and he stood from the bed. He was unsteady on his feet at first, and he gave a very deep yawn. Regulus reached his arms up above his head to stretch, and then pressed his palms firmly against his eyes in hopes that it would wake him up more.

Kreacher reappeared, put the glass of water on Regulus's bedside table, and asked what Regulus wanted for breakfast.

"Oh, just some oatmeal would be fine. Thank you, Kreacher." Regulus said, and he gave the elf a tired smile.

"Kreacher will make his Master Regulus oatmeal, just like his Master Regulus had requested!" Kreacher exclaimed, and he disappeared - presumably down to the kitchen.

Regulus spent the next few hours being sure that he was thoroughly packed for his stay with Narcissa at Malfoy Manor. He ate his breakfast, downed several glasses of water and mugs of coffee, and even took a quick break to look over the list of supplies that he would be needing for school. He knew that Narcissa would be taking him to Diagon Alley, and he was very excited - he much preferred shopping with her over shopping with his parents.

However, what he didn't like was the prospect of seeing Narcissa again. Sure, she was his favorite cousin, and he longed to see her again. However, she was down - Regulus could even tell just from the letters that she was sending him. Plus, her absence at the wedding had not gone unnoticed.

He didn't know if Narcissa would lock herself away and spend her days sulking, or if she would try to put on a happy act in front of her cousin. Neither of those sounded very appealing to Regulus.

Though, he was still excited to get out of his house.

Sirius wasn't such a bothersome presence anymore. Sure, he and Regulus hadn't really spoken aside from small talk in passing on the landing, but they were certainly on better terms. Regulus still didn't know what had caused such a drastic shift in the dynamic of the Black bothers, and he didn't care much, either. It was nice, being on civil terms with Sirius.