Work Text:
A Young Boy's Dream
by FaeOrabel
He did not know what was initially inside it — something dark. But it was more than that. While the darkness tickled the very part of him he kept trapped away, it also whispered of everything he ever dreamed of.
On the outside, Regulus looked every bit of the proper Pureblood heir, giving in to every whim his mother desired, even at the cost of his very soul. But on the inside, he was still a small boy longing for one thing — his older brother. Everything he did, he did to keep Walburga off of Sirius’ trail. When he was providing her with the son she always dreamed of having, Sirius was free to be an adopted Potter.
If only they’d had room for one more.
The Locket gave him visions of what being an honorary son with Sirius could've been like. He’d get to know what it’s like to be in a loving family. He would be able to run and laugh with all of the boys — the Marauders, they called themselves. Even if it meant only being an honorary member or even just their mascot, he would’ve belonged to something bright… and happy. They had their secrets, but Regulus would be able to know them — genuinely know them — and know Sirius. And he’d keep them.
One vision haunted him the most, one that Regulus knew once existed and never would again. It was a stormy night, lightning thrashing against the windows and thunder shaking the foundation, but Regulus wasn’t afraid because Sirius was wrapped tightly around him.
That’s how he ultimately knew it was evil, for Regulus had no hope of ever achieving that particular dream—any of them, but especially one wherein Sirius willingly touched him again—a ruffle of his hair, a pat on the back—hell, he’d take a punch to the face.
So, instead, he worked in secret against his Master. He didn’t know if Sirius would ever know what he had done, and he didn’t care. He just knew that as long as Voldemort was living, Sirius had no chance of having a long and happy life. Whether he wanted to spend it just living with Potter for the rest of it or he settled down with a girl and had a kid. Maybe he’d end up with Lupin, what with the moony way he always looked at the boy in school.
This was the dream Regulus knew he could work toward.
It was hard trying to figure out the source of the darkness, what made it pulse like a slow, pounding heartbeat. But the longer he spent with the Locket, the more he recognised the way it felt. There was only one person who stole his breath and set his every nerve ending on fire the way the Locket did. And just as suddenly as his Master had given it to him, Regulus knew why he was tasked with keeping it safe.
He didn’t want to use Kreacher in this way, but when his Master’s paranoia took hold, and he decided it needed to be hidden instead, he had no other choice.
As he was dragged down into the depths of the murky water, he saw Kreacher pop away. The Locket was replaced, and the dupe was in its place. Regulus trusted Kreacher to find a way to destroy it.
Even if this meant his own destruction.