╔═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╗
❝ end in tremendous heartbreak ❞
╚═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╝

𝓔𝓿𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓮'𝓼 𝓟𝓞𝓥
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25th 1977

I watch from Regulus' bedroom window as the snow falls heavily, settling in a sea of white that covers the whole grounds for as far as I can see. Although it's Christmas Day and I'm supposed to be in a cheery mood, I'm not.

My mind is with Remus who I know is currently in pain, the hours leading up to the full moon tonight are going to be hard for him and I'm useless here. Plus, that nagging feeling in my mind that something bad is going to happen has never felt stronger than it does right now.

There is a knock at the door and I turn my head to see Narcissa enter the room with a kind smile on her face.

"Dinner's ready" She tells me.

I let out a sigh, pulling myself to my feet and brushing down my silver fitted dress. The dress ends at my mid thigh, layers of black tule under the skirt to give it more of a princess look. The bodice is fitted like a corset with a sweetheart neckline, tied tightly at the back in a bow and the straps are off the shoulder.

"How do I look?" I ask, hoping that Poppy's potion done it's job.

"Beautiful" Narcissa assures me.

My black heels click across the wooden flooring and my curls bounce as I make my way over to the girl, linking my arm with hers.

"Madam Pomfrey?" She questions me knowingly.

"She's a godsend" I answer with a nod.

"Always has been" Narcissa smiles softly.

The two of us enter the dining room and she takes a seat next to her husband while I take the free seat between Regulus and Bellatrix.

We all sit and eat in complete silence, none of us making eye contact or making any move to start a conversation of any kind.

Once the empty dishes are taken away, I finally look up and make eye contact with my mother who looks almost guilty.

"Since no one else seems to be willing to speak up, I will" Walburga declares confidently and we all look to her "We have great news"

Orion and my father share a curt nod and my mother sighs, discreetly shooting the other three adults a glare.

"Evangeline. Regulus" Orion states "You are to be married once the school year is over"

"What?!" Regulus and I shriek in disbelief.

"Isn't it wonderful, lovebirds?" Bellatrix says cheerily.

Regulus and I share a shocked look before looking at our parents with the same look.

"What made you change your mind?" I ask my parents, mostly looking at my mother.

"You were both selected for something wonderful, my dear" Father answers vaguely.

"Selected for what?" Regulus questions.

"The Dark Lord has chosen you two to take his mark" Mother declares, not looking half as pleased as the others at the table.

"He wishes that you both are initiated before going back to school" Lucius explains.

I grab Regulus' hand under the table in fear and he squeezes it reassuringly, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles.

"I need some air" I speak up, letting go of Regulus' hand and standing up, my chair scraping across the ground.

"Evangeline!" My father barks but I ignore him.

I quickly exit the Black household and make my way down the garden, running my fingers through my hair in frustrated disbelief. As I reach the large oak tree at the bottom of the garden, I'm relieved to see that the branches and leaves have shielded the small swing from being coated in snow. I sit down on it and drop my head into my hands.

Within ten or so minutes I feel the presence of another hovering over me and I can immediately tell who it is by the fact they don't speak at all, they just silently wait for me to speak first.

"I'm in love" I admit aloud, turning to my mother "And it's not Regulus"

"I'd hope it wasn't Regulus. I can imagine loving a boy who loves boys would end in tremendous heartbreak on your end" Mother states in amusement.

"How do you know?" I gasp in surprise.

"I'm a very observant person, honey. And I am not blinded by what I want to see like the others" She explains "Now tell me about your love"

"Father will be so very disappointed in me, mother" I frown deeply.

"Your love is not a pureblooded wizard" Mother realises and I nod weakly.

"He is a half blood. A lycanthrope. A Gryffindor" I rant stressfully "He's everything I've been warned to avoid, but I just couldn't stop myself from falling for him"

"Oh, Evangeline" Mother sighs, pulling me to my feet and wrapping me up in a warm hug.

The feeling of my mother's embrace is something I haven't felt in a long time and the warmth that floods through my body as I stand in her arms causes me to break down into tears.

"I can't get married to Regulus, mother" I cry out "I can't take the mark"

"Then run" She states and I peel away from my mother, looking at the woman in shock.

"What?" I breathe out in surprise.

"Take nothing that will weigh you down and run like your life depends on it, because it does" Mother tells me firmly.

"What about Regulus?" I question in concern.

"Forget about Regulus, my dear. Forget about everyone" She advises "Use that Slytherin self preservation and run as fast as possible without looking back"

The sound of someone clearing their throat is heard and we both jump around to see father glaring down at us in anger.

"I want you both inside" He demands "Now"

Neither of us argue or fight back, my mother wiping my tears away with a reassuring smile before she kisses my temple and looks at me with so much love in her eyes that I find it hard to believe she's the same woman I grew up with.

"I haven't been the best mother, and I'm sorry for that" She apologises and I frown in confusion "I love you with all my heart, Evangeline"

"I love you too, Mum" I assure her.

"I said now!" Father snaps at us.

We both nod and follow after him as he storms back towards the house.

"Mum" I speak up, my bottom lip trembling.

"Yes?" She replies.

"I forgive you, for not being better" I tell her and she smiles at me weakly.

"I never wanted this for you" She murmurs in a hushed voice "You have to believe that"

"I do. I believe you, Mum" I nod.

"Please, run" She pleads "Before it's too late"