Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal -- Summer 1979

We found out that Regulus was no longer coming back.  He was gone.  My little cousin was no longer coming back.  This was horrible.  I was wearing all black as the entire family started to pour into the graveyard.  I stood near the tomb and casket of the empty grave because my cousin's body was never found.  I was the strong cousin.  I would not shed a tear for Regulus.  I woudl find out who killed him and make them feel the pain I was feeling -- and I did not care if it was a fellow Death Eater or not.  And I swear... if I saw our treacherous cousin come to his brother's funeral... I would lose it.  He was not welcomed here.  He left.  He idd not want to be a part of this family... so why on earth would he say goodbye?  He already did.  When he ran away like a child to the blood traitor's house.  This was too much.  I recognized some people, though.  They were fellow Slytherins.  It warmed my icy heart a little bit to know that Regulus made such an impression on fellow students when he was at school.  Granted, this was so little time since they graduated... it was horrible.

I could not believe it; Regulus was gone?  I could not bring myself to believe it.  I was at the graveyard and put a hand to my face.  I saw so many people crying... people I thought I would never see show emotion.  I went to where a lot of other classmates were standing; we all were close.  We only lived with each other for seven years... why would we not be close like family?  None of us could believe that Regulus was no longer with us.

I walked into the graveyard and saw the tears and everyone mourning the loss of the best Black they have seen in such a long time.  I was there to see if he was really gone.  Rumors were that the Death Eaters killed him.  of course that was no tthe case... if it were, i would not be there right now.  They just did not know what happened to him and the fact that he was so young, it was so much that they all thought he was gone.  i crossed my arms as I looked around the mourning family.  I needed a clue of some kind that would lead me to where Regulus Black was.

I looked around and those who had come to Regulus's funeral and saw Darwin.  I felt warmth spread through my body -- it was anger.  I stormed over to where he was standing.  "Why are you here?  You need to leave.  This is a time of mourning... not a time for you to do whatever it is you're doing," I hissed at him.  Why could he not just let my family have this one day that was not about business?  I was so angry at Darwin... after everything that Regulus went through to be initiated and had to put up with with Darwin, he had the audacity to come to his funeral.  It was ridiculous.

I had heard about Regulus's death through the rest of the Death Eaters. I may as well pay my respects; a lot of the fellow Death Eaters were doing just that. By the time I had gotten there, I saw Bellatrix having it out with Darwin. She was so occupied with him, she did not realize that there were a handful of other Death Eaters milling about. Which was fine by me. I just had to make sure that Sirius would not end up showing up... the last thing I needed was to explain my presence here.

I looked at Bellatrix and merely shook my head.  "If the Dark Lord feels not to inform you of everything, then nor do I," I said to her simply, looking about the crowd that was gathering.

I glared at Darwin.  "I am a Black.  You will not treat me with any disrespect -- least of all at my cousin's funeral," I hissed at him.  How dare he!

I was not sure if I could do this.  I had a history with Regulus.  Mrs. P was watching Jada for me so I could be here.  But how silly was I to think I could walk in here by myself?  Then I felt a hand in mine and turned, seeing Ember beside me.  "You're here," I said, shocked.  I looked around.  "Does that mean...?"  Was Sirius here?

I squeezed my best mate's hand and tried to give her a reassuring smile the best that I could being at a funeral and all.  I shook my head sadly.  "No... he's with James," I said to her, the sadness evident in my voice.  "I don't know if he'll come or not.  But I was not going to leave you here by yourself."  Besides, Regulus helped me out a couple of times and I could see that he was a good guy... just a Slytherin on the outside.

I ignored Miss Bellatrix.  The Dark Lord may have a soft spot for her -- and apparently any Black -- I did not need to deal with her.  I looked around at the guests, a smirk coming to my face.  "Ah, I did not realize that Potter would make an appearance," I said, staring at the younger Potter child.

I looked over and then saw Monroe and Potter.  I glared at them.  "Potter's only here because of Monroe.  They were mates," I said to Darwin.

"Thanks," I said to Ember with a slight smile.  I looked around and saw a guy staring at Ember.  "Just... be careful here, okay?  Not everyone seems to be pleased to see you."  I nodded towards the guy so Ember could at least be aware.

I looked in the direction October was indicating.  That guy gave me the chills.  "He doesn't scare me," I said, though truth be told, he scared me with the intensity he was looking at me.

I nodded, but was not really paying attention to Black.  I cared not for her... but I knew who Potter was.  I thought that I might go speak with her... see what she was like.  And then I would make sure things would be hell for her.  Her mother gave her up without my knowledge and she ends up with the Potters?  I was sure that her mother had something to do with that.  Putting her somewhere that good could reach her.

I was shocked when I saw Ember arrive with October.  I definitley had to stay in the background.  I was quickly coming up with how to explain my presence:  to be there for Sirius if he felt like wanting to come or not.  I had a feeling that Ember would end up spotting me -- she had a knack for that.