Writing Project Day 46 (or Month 2 Day15)
So, as abruptly as I began, I think this will be my last day of Writing Project. I never post on Septemeber 16th anyway, and I think I served my purpose. I'm finding it more difficult to stick to a word limit and/or write to a random word. I'm beginning to focus on a particular story and I am reluctant to continue to write odd snippets from it in this bizarre order (like I'm shooting a screenplay or something). I know I don't have to write chronologically, but I feel I ought to start posting that way at least.
So...this is a rough draft of the first 500 words of what I hope will become The New Black.
Living in a dormitory in the dungeons of Hogwarts wouldn’t prepare the average Slytherin for roaming around Number 12 Grimmauld Place at midnight. For Regulus, it was just home. As a child he learned that the mounted elf heads cast strange shadows in the silvery moonlight and the creaks and whispers in the shadows were harmless.
Except tonight, he was questioning everything once believed was right.
He made his way by memory through the darkness to his father’s library. He remembered the first time he had been allowed in it - the Christmas Holidays after his first year at Hogwarts.
You’ve been sorted Slytherin. You are welcome into my sanctuary.
It had made Regulus feel even more superior than Sirius. He believed that a pure-blooded wizard need not fear any magic, even what some cowards at the Ministry had labeled ‘dark.’ Under his father’s tutelage, he eagerly paged through books not even found in the restricted section of the Hogwarts Library.
Now he wasn’t so eager. But something about Kreacher’s story - and the Dark Lord’s words at recent meetings - had him seeking out a vague memory. Something even his father found too distasteful to discuss.
With the light from his wand, Regulus scanned the books, until he found what he was looking for in Secrets of the Darkest Arts. His stomach lurched. Everything turned upside down in an instant.
“I have to stop this,” he whispered.
He went down to the kitchen and quietly opened the cupboard to Kreacher’s den. The house elf slept fitfully, just as he had since he got back. Whatever it was that Kreacher had drunk, it still tormented him.
“Kreacher.” Regulus nudged him gently. “You’re having a nightmare. Wake up.”
Ever obedient, even in sleep, Kreacher sat up immediately. “Yes, Master Regulus?”
“Kreacher, I’m sorry. I need you to do something for me.”
“Yes, Master. Master Regulus is a good Master, not like Master Sirius.”
“Sirius?” Regulus asked.
“Bad Master Sirius broke my Mistress’s heart.”
Regulus almost laughed hysterically. Sirius was ‘the bad one’ in this house, but everything was backwards here and Sirius, it turned out, had been right all along.
“Master Regulus?” Kreacher looked worried.
“It’s all right, Kreacher.” Quite suddenly, Regulus changed his plan. “Kreacher, can you find Master Sirius?”
“Find Master Sirius?” Kreacher looked uncertain.
“You used to be able to find us, remember? Whenever we were hiding from Mum you would just show up and bring us to her. Can you still do that?”
“Kreacher can find anyone Master Regulus wishes,” he said with a proud nod.
Regulus nodded. “Good. I need you to find Master Sirius and take me to him. Right now, tonight.”
Good House Elf that he was, it didn’t even occur to Kreacher to ask why. He just grabbed Regulus’s sleeve and Apparated.
Regulus had no idea what kind of reception he would get. He only hoped Sirius would stay his wand long enough for Regulus to explain. Because if he didn’t, all would be lost.
***
I have a couple other things I need to do before I start this in earnest (the story of my life), but I do have a rough plan (and several fragments of scenes after the past month and a half)...so.
Thanks for the support everyone. Off to bed.
So...this is a rough draft of the first 500 words of what I hope will become The New Black.
Living in a dormitory in the dungeons of Hogwarts wouldn’t prepare the average Slytherin for roaming around Number 12 Grimmauld Place at midnight. For Regulus, it was just home. As a child he learned that the mounted elf heads cast strange shadows in the silvery moonlight and the creaks and whispers in the shadows were harmless.
Except tonight, he was questioning everything once believed was right.
He made his way by memory through the darkness to his father’s library. He remembered the first time he had been allowed in it - the Christmas Holidays after his first year at Hogwarts.
You’ve been sorted Slytherin. You are welcome into my sanctuary.
It had made Regulus feel even more superior than Sirius. He believed that a pure-blooded wizard need not fear any magic, even what some cowards at the Ministry had labeled ‘dark.’ Under his father’s tutelage, he eagerly paged through books not even found in the restricted section of the Hogwarts Library.
Now he wasn’t so eager. But something about Kreacher’s story - and the Dark Lord’s words at recent meetings - had him seeking out a vague memory. Something even his father found too distasteful to discuss.
With the light from his wand, Regulus scanned the books, until he found what he was looking for in Secrets of the Darkest Arts. His stomach lurched. Everything turned upside down in an instant.
“I have to stop this,” he whispered.
He went down to the kitchen and quietly opened the cupboard to Kreacher’s den. The house elf slept fitfully, just as he had since he got back. Whatever it was that Kreacher had drunk, it still tormented him.
“Kreacher.” Regulus nudged him gently. “You’re having a nightmare. Wake up.”
Ever obedient, even in sleep, Kreacher sat up immediately. “Yes, Master Regulus?”
“Kreacher, I’m sorry. I need you to do something for me.”
“Yes, Master. Master Regulus is a good Master, not like Master Sirius.”
“Sirius?” Regulus asked.
“Bad Master Sirius broke my Mistress’s heart.”
Regulus almost laughed hysterically. Sirius was ‘the bad one’ in this house, but everything was backwards here and Sirius, it turned out, had been right all along.
“Master Regulus?” Kreacher looked worried.
“It’s all right, Kreacher.” Quite suddenly, Regulus changed his plan. “Kreacher, can you find Master Sirius?”
“Find Master Sirius?” Kreacher looked uncertain.
“You used to be able to find us, remember? Whenever we were hiding from Mum you would just show up and bring us to her. Can you still do that?”
“Kreacher can find anyone Master Regulus wishes,” he said with a proud nod.
Regulus nodded. “Good. I need you to find Master Sirius and take me to him. Right now, tonight.”
Good House Elf that he was, it didn’t even occur to Kreacher to ask why. He just grabbed Regulus’s sleeve and Apparated.
Regulus had no idea what kind of reception he would get. He only hoped Sirius would stay his wand long enough for Regulus to explain. Because if he didn’t, all would be lost.
***
I have a couple other things I need to do before I start this in earnest (the story of my life), but I do have a rough plan (and several fragments of scenes after the past month and a half)...so.
Thanks for the support everyone. Off to bed.