fic for googlebrat: Duty (Regulus, Walburga, PG)

[genficsanta]

Title: Duty
Author: miss_morland
Recipient: googlebrat
Rating: PG
Character(s): Regulus, Mrs Black
Warnings: None
Author's Notes: I hope you'll like this! Many thanks to my lovely beta reader for her help.

--

Comments

Duty

[catsintheattic]

There is so much of this complex family rolled into this poignant little tale: the pride of and the obligation to the family name, the way Regulus and his mother don't talk with each other, the expectations and rules that leave no wiggle room. Regulus's only chance of staying true to himself and the family's honour is to take away his mother's hope for a future dynasty.

Re: Duty

[miss_morland]

Thank you!

Regulus's only chance of staying true to himself and the family's honour is to take away his mother's hope for a future dynasty.

Yes, that's it exactly.

[therealsnape]

Such an exceedingly well-written story. You've managed something I haven't seen before: keeping Walburga Black perfectly IC, yet giving her some humanity and dignity.
The inexplicable fits of anger, but here still -sometimes- controlled. The pride in her family name, the desperate hurt at Sirius's betrayal.

earlier, detailed accounts have been found boring, vulgar What would she have thought of Voldemort? Really thought, deep down inside? The pride is all for the family, for the Dark Arts - but did she really think Voldemort the best representative for that?
Your story raises all sorts of new questions on Mrs. Black.

If we do not hold ourselves up in these turbulent times, to whom will the others look for guidance?" This could so easily have come from someone on the side of the angels. Shows how narrow the line can be.

"Is there any suitable girl you have your eyes on, Regulus? I should be happy to speak with her parents on your behalf." I love this mixture between stern, cold duty, and genuine concern for her son: his

[vegablack62]

If we do not hold ourselves up in these turbulent times, to whom will the others look for guidance?" This could so easily have come from someone on the side of the angels. Shows how narrow the line can be

[therealsnape]

But they are the same cards in opposite suites certainly.

What an interesting idea. Now that you've mentioned it, I can quite see this. They are indeed, each in their own way, upholders of pride, values, traditions.
And I agree on Augusta's cold anger - but then, hers is a clean sorrow. It's atrocious, but she needn't feel ashamed. Seeing this version of Mrs. Black, I can see how she would crack under the loss of another son, in another shameful way.
And I think, too, that she would find that man very vulgar - useful, of course, does good things, but showy.

[vegablack62]

"...hers is a clean sorrow. It's atrocious, but she needn't feel ashamed

[miss_morland]

Thanks so much! *hugs you* I'm so glad you liked it.

[vegablack62]

This is a fine study of both characters. As much as I agree with all the comments on how you drew Walburga, I'm impressed with your Regelus. He has no self-pity, no bitterness, only a resigned acceptance of what he knows he has to do. I love this line

[vegablack62]

I wanted to add that I liked the way you show that adherence to duty, can be motivated by love. We see it as a cold emotion but here love and duty are expressions of each other.

[miss_morland]

Thank you so much, both for this wonderful review and for reccing the story! I'm so glad you liked it.

He wants to live and he wants to please her, but he also has to uphold what he believes.

Yes, that's exactly what I wanted to convey here. :-)

[lareinenoire]

This is so elegantly written, says so much in so few words -- wonderfully done! I love how much isn't said, but comes through anyway. Poor, poor Regulus, and, in an odd way, I felt sorry for Walburga, so caught up in appearances and reputations that she can't even see how much her son is hurting. And Regulus can see so much more about her, but can't say anything. Painful and beautifully written.

(Also, fascinating parallel drawn in the comments about Walburga and Augusta Longbottom. Much food for thought there!)

[miss_morland]

Thank you so much! I'm happy you liked it. :-)