— chapter seven —
PHYSICAL PAIN

—

DINNER FINISHED, YET Remelda was still nowhere to be seen. Regulus, who was already worried, was beyond that point now as he didn't know where his sister was. It wasn't like her to skip a meal, seeing as Remelda always did love the tiny desserts that Hogwarts provided. Sometimes, he knew, that she went into the kitchens when she couldn't sleep for a cup of tea and a slice of the chocolate cake. Not that she ate that during dinner, that was very unlady-like, and they, sadly, had a reputation to uphold.

People were beginning to stand up when he saw Alfie, Remelda's best (and only) friend. He looked particularly nervous, playing with his fingers as his eyes shuffled anxiously. Something was going on with him. The youngest Black made his way to the boy, blocking his path as Alfie tried to leave.

"Remelda wasn't at dinner," he casually says, "Have any clue where she might be?"

Alfie shakes his head almost immediately, raising suspicion in Regulus. "No, sorry, no clue," and then he ran away. Definitely, Regulus thought, he knew something.

No matter, Regulus would pressure an answer out of him later. At that very moment, he just needed to find his sister. While he usually didn't show it, he loved his sister very much. They were family, the two of them. It used to be a trio, but Sirius (Merlin, he hated that name now) left them.

Really, Regulus wasn't accustomed to showing emotions. That was something that was brutally taught in his family - in most families from Slytherin. Some, who weren't from the pureblooded families, showed many emotions - usually happiness, but they found out quickly that they weren't supposed to. Sadly, Regulus and the rest of the pureblooded children were taught from a young age - since they could comprehend words - that emotions were weakness. Not a strength, definitely not a strength.

If Regulus could give Sirius credit for anything, it was that he taught them that emotions were alright. They were a strength. Friendship, happiness, family...they were strengths. Love was the greatest one. But to his parents, they were the greatest flaw in human kind; falling in love.

No matter for that now, Regulus swiftly moved through the corridors before he spotted Nadia and Sirius. Really, the youngest Black deeply disliked him. Never could he say that he hated his brother, not after all he had done before he left them. Regulus swallowed, knowing he had to speak to Sirius. For Remelda, of course, only for her.

"Sirius," he courtly said, ignoring the shocked expression his brother wore, "Have any idea where Remelda might be?"

"No, sorry," Sirius apologized, "Why? Has something happened to her?"

The youngest of the two raised his eyebrow, "Why would anything happen to her?"

"Well, I was talking to her before dinner. She ran away, though, don't know where she went after that," Sirius replied, "If there's anything I can do -"

"No," Regulus snapped, cutting him off, "You've already done enough, mate."

It was spiteful, a little bit of bitterness ringing through his voice. Most times, Regulus could contain his distaste for people when holding a conversation with them. He had to when the balls happened and he was forced around young women his age as his parents tried to present him to the girls. All they wanted out of him was to marry a pureblooded girl, have children, and become a killer. Wait, sorry, let me rephrase the last thing; become a Death Eater. My mistake.

Regulus sped off, having a great idea where his sister may be, not looking back to notice the worried looks of his friend and brother. He could speak to Nadia later, she was always there to listen, especially after last year. Regulus was her last best friend left after Lucille Knight. He didn't know that girl, but she seemed nice enough, and she was best friends with Nadia as well, so there must've been something good about her.

Rounding the corner, Regulus reached the girl's bathroom. No one used this particular one, seeing as Moaning Myrtle resided there, but it became the only place that Regulus and Remelda could speak freely when their rooms were holding their other roommates. Roommates who were brainwashed to believe whatever their parents told them. They would speak about the barbaric and traitorous thoughts that the two had, ruin them and press unbearable punishments to the both of them, maybe even death. It wasn't free, so this bathroom was.

"Remelda?" Regulus called once he closed the door. He went around the sink to see her limp body lying on the ground in a pool of blood. There were cuts everywhere and Regulus choked. No, was his first thought. He couldn't lose her too.

Panicking for only another moment, paralyzed with fear, he reached for Remelda. Holding her pale body (paler than usual) in his arms, he raced out of the bathroom and to the hospital wing. He yelled for Madam Pomphrey, who ran out from one of the wings to see the wounded body of Remelda. She let out a cry before immediately helping the girl. Tending to her wounds as Regulus took a seat.

She could've died. She could've died in that fucking bathroom and no one would know her killer. Fuck, they would walk away, probably would've even felt guilt for killing her. They would've left Regulus alone, really alone, to bear the punishments from their parents. Fuck. She could've died.

He felt like only minutes had passed, but in reality it was hours, until Madam Pomphrey ordered that he go to Slytherin chambers and get some rest. That he could see Remelda in the morning. But it's not like he could sleep, all his thoughts on the fact that Remelda could've died and he wouldn't have known. He would be trying to find her - alive - and then find her dead. It was really a miracle that he found her when he did. She could've died...she could've...

Needless to say, Regulus didn't sleep at all that night.

―

Pain.

There was an ache in her bones, an itch on her arm, and she just felt pain. Her throat felt sore and ears letting in a melody of loud voices. She winced, at least, she thinks she did. All she knows is that her mind is throbbing and she really wanted to move her arms to itch the spots that were sobbing to be scratched. She tried to will her arms up, but nothing. She felt weak. Not the mentally or emotional weakness that she usually felt, at least, that's what her brain was telling her, but a physical weakness. Like she couldn't do anything.

Her eyes were shut, though she knew there was a stream of light somewhere, probably overhead, staring at her. She tried to open them, but it was like they were glued shut. With her mind racing, trying to figure out why she couldn't move, the throbbing accelerated. Merlin, it was almost unbearable. She wanted to scream, but her throat was still too sore.

Nothing was working except her ears. It had quieted down, and she was pretty sure she could focus on the voices now. Nothing else was working, so why not use her ears while she could?

"If you hadn't spoken to her, none of this would've happened," a voice barked, "It's all your fault."

"I just wanted her to listen. I just want to explain myself. Look, Regulus, please..."

"Save it," the voice snapped. Regulus...that name sounded familiar. Yeah, she had a brother named Regulus...and another named Sirius. Yeah.

Wait, why was she here? She didn't know, everything was still so fuzzy. Her mind was throbbing, pleading for her not to dig through it to try and remember. Almost like a warning, almost as if it was trying to protect her. She didn't care.

Another name came to mind. Alfie. It seemed so important, like there was a key memory there that she needed to unlock, but what? Merlin, if only she could think of it. More memories hit her, none that seemed to be that important one including Alfie. But at least she was remembering.

And then it hit her. Literally. Something had hit her - a spell - and she went to the ground. She saw a figure standing above her, but couldn't quite see the face. It was all so blurry. Wait...that was important - not that one including Alfie, no - but it was important.

That's why she was there. That's why she felt so much pain. Something had hit her, someone had hurt her, and now she was here, lying in pain. Where? She didn't know, but there was most definitely a lot of pain following her. Her throat began to whine, begging for attention, trying to make her forget about the memories that seemed so key as to why she was there and think of the pain. She didn't listen, she couldn't. The itch was getting more tempting. And then her eyes opened. Finally.