Alright! Here goes. I know I know, it's long overdue. No excuses here. I had severe writer block and just had a terribly hard time with this one. It's my first time writing a battle scene, so hope it's not too terrible. Please leave me a review to her me know what you think! Want to give a huge shout out to my beta! She is the best. DemonKira thank you, as always. You are the best.

Chapter Eleven: Regrets & Broken Hearts

Standing in the dingy cell, staring down at his former professor's face was always so…invigorating. Especially now. Albus Dumbledore's face was struck with a deeply ingrained expression of horror and loss. His eyes had yet to take in the appearance of Lord Voldemort in his cell, and were instead completely engrossed on the dead, now burning body of his once lover. To put the icing on the cake that Voldemort had already made, he thought it fitting to make Dumbledore watch as the body slowly burned. Heartbreak suited the man rather well; the dark lord had kept them both alive long enough. Now the former dark lord was dead, it was time to end the lord of light once and for all.

How he had longed for this day. It was in moments like this that Voldemort questions his own sanity. Why on earth had he even allowed the man to live this long. Yes, torturing him was fun, but killing him would be so wholly satisfying. He took step after step forward, until finally his most hated professor looked up.

His eyes no longer showed the sadness and remorse that they had before. Now they held a steel gaze that seemed to pierce Voldemorts very soul. Oh, how he hated those eyes. "I remember all to well the day I first met you Tom. You were undeniably powerful and smart, but there was something dark within you. My only regret in this world, is that I never saw that darkness for what it truly was. I brought you to the wizarding world Tom, that is one thing I will never forgive myself for."

The old man's voice was cracked and so pathetically weak. Anger shot within him, spreading like a wild fire through his veins. "And my only regret is that I didn't kill you sooner, oh it has been fun torturing and toying with your life. But I can't take the risk of you living any further. Did you enjoy it? Tell me Dumbledore, was Grindelwald's death everything you hoped it would be? Because I promise you, yours will be for me."

The steel gaze turned to fury at the mention of his now dead ex-lover. "Gellert made many mistakes in his lifetime, but never did he ever do anything to deserve death." Dumbledore looked through the glass to the cell holding the dead body.

"Tell me Tom, how many innocent people have died for you cause? How many have simply died for fun? For your own sick pleasure? You are a true monster. I will spend all of eternity regretting my introduction to you of magic. I take it you came here today in order, to not only kill Gellert, but myself as well. I'm old, and I'm ready. Just end it already."

Before anything else could be said and done, three loud explosions erupted from somewhere within the prison. The cell shook, and dust fell from above. Voldemort, wand still in hand from his killing of Grindelwald, became alert. Eyes taking in the cell door and cursing his inability to see out of the cell like he could see in, not wanting to leave to keep Dumbledore in his sight.

Another explosion erupted somewhere in the building, shaking the place like an Earth quake. The few low lights within the prison cell flickered out, just as the door to the cell opened with a resounding bang. With his wand still targeted on Dumbledore, Voldemort narrowed his eyes to the intruder.

Alastor Moody could sense the dark lord's putrid presence the second he and the other rebels breached the perimeter. With five death eaters and the security guards roaming around the halls, he thought it best to split up into groups. He would head to the top of the tower where Albus Dumbledore was supposed to be, he also suspected that was where the dark lord currently was. It would not be an easy feat, but failure was not an option. He would gladly fight the dark lord and die, if only to get Albus Dumbledore free.

Flanking Mad Eye's side, as they split ways with the rest of the rebels, was the ever-capable Lily potter. One of the greatest of the rebellion. Taking up the rear behind him was the once Auror, Kingsley Shacklebolt, watching his back as his second in command. The three of them together were a force to be reckoned with. They were the most suited to taking on the dark lord, as they all faced him down at least once in their pasts. They knew the most about the man, bar Albus Dumbledore who they were here to retrieve!

They were ready to face anything and everything that dared get on their way. They were all ready to lay down their own very lives. It was all for the greater good, after all. Forming a circle of sorts, there wasn't a single blind spot in their defense. Wands were at a constant ready, and bodies stayed rigid and ready to fight. This was war, and those who let their guard down, were already dead. It was the sad truth of the world they lived in, a world the rebellion fought against.

Bellatrix Lestrange was as loyal of a death eater as they came. She was born a Black, but was married to her youngest sisters intended, after the traitor ran away with a Muggle of all things. She had long, wild, curly black hair, as well as the signature Black eyes and cheekbones. A perfect pureblood with a whole lot of crazy. Those eyes glinted with literal madness and brought fear to anything and anyone that crossed them.

Bellatrix was a viper, a snake through and through, making her former house of Slytherin not at all a surprise. She stalked her victims, waiting for the best moment to strike. And when she did, she sunk her fangs so deep, that it was near impossible for any opponent to survive hear venomous magic. Before going for the kill, she liked to torture her victims a little first. Bellatrix thrived on causing pain.

Rounding the corner of prisons hallway, she took in two hooded backs directly at the end of the next hall. A maniacal grin overtook her, it was finally time to go hunting. She loved spilling blood, and they hadn't even sensed her. This would be too easy. She lifted her wand, torture curse at the tip of her tongue, as two figures sharply turned towards her. Wands also at the ready.

Hoods fell back to reveal two shocked faces, faces which Bellatrix hadn't seen in many years. Oh yes, this would be fun…. "Well. Well. Well. If it isn't my wayward cousin Sirius Black! A traitor! And his iclke little wolf friend." She called put a laugh. Oh, how she had waited for this moment! Fun indeed.

Alastor Moody was getting close, he could feel the powers of Albus Dumbledore. Even though the man was weakened and locked away in a magic restraining room. He could taste the light. Along with him was his right-hand Kingsley Shacklebolt and Lily, they would be the group to release Albus Dumbledore.

The trio made their way through the towering prison silently, the rest of their group had spread out on different directions. Working to keep back the guards and death eaters so that they would have less to worry about when confronted with Voldemort. They had come prepared, but the dark lords appearance was a surprise! But they were all ready to die for this.

They were nearing the top of the imposing tower, and Alastor knew they were close. Along with the light he could feel an imposing darkness, one he knew belonged to the dark lord himself. They were running out of time. They had to get to the top.

In the distance, sounds of battle could be heard. Their cover had been blown, it was now only a matter of time before the dark lord was clued in on their presence. If he didn't already know, Dumbledore's life was quite literally on the line, there wasn't any time for hesitation. Coming to the top of the tower, the trio were instantly ambushed by two guards. Both of which were prepared for their arrival. Within an instance spells were flying left and right. Kingsley took a cutting hex to the leg, before retaliating with a string of spells resulting in knocking out and disarming his opponent. Lily was locked in a fierce duel with hers.

Moody to the opportunity to go after Albus, opening the lock to the guarded was only too easy, all it took was a simple "Alohomora". Moody found himself in a tiny "viewing" room of sorts with two steel doored cells, the wall were windows allowing one to see the prisoner inside. The first cell showed a gruesome sight in the form of the now dead Gellert Grindelwald's body burning to ashes. The inside of the cells seemed to be a window also, as he could see through to the other one, of which held none other than Albus Dumbledore.

It seemed he would have to work fast, his eye twisted madly at the sight of the dark lord leering over the light leader, wand pointed directly at his head. Anger gripped mad-eyes bones, as he creeped his way to the entrance of the second cell, reining in his magical aurora as much as possible so the dark lord wouldn't sense him prematurely. Evidently the "window" was only one way, only being able to see from the outside in, or else Moody was positive he'd be dead.

Even though he had to work fast to be able to take the light lord alive, this gave him a once in a life time opportunity. The chance to get the jump on the dark lord, maybe even kill him or take him hostage. Never had anyone ever managed to catch the man so…vulnerable before. Right now, this moment was invaluable. The dark lord himself, seemed almost distracted, caught up in an angry conversation, with the heart broken former headmaster. Who hadn't once looked away from the burning body since Alastor arrived.

He couldn't mess up, this was his chance to end things once and for all!

"Bombarda Maxima" Yelled out an anger fueled Sirius Black, even though they had gotten the jump on Bellatrix, the crazy witch seemed to have so many tricks up her sleeve, that he and Remus were quickly losing this battle. Remus was down, and Sirius was doing everything in his power to shield them both, as well as duel his cousin. It wasn't going well at all. Bellatrix had managed to hit the werewolf with a nasty bout of the Cruciatus curse, followed by a cutting hex while the man was already down, all the while keeping Sirius at bay with a series of nasty curses. It was infuriating how just only one witch was easily getting the better of them.

Said bat shit crazy witch/bitch just cackled loudly and jumped back several times, easily avoiding the large string of explosions that rocked the hallway they were in. Sirius cursed himself for his own stupidity, he'd got so worked up and caused a ruckus, their presence was no secret anymore.

The Blacks eyes widened, before he grabbed Remus's limp body, and quickly rolled away from a masterfully aimed 'Avada Kedavra.' He was quick to put his failed shield back into place before throwing out a quick 'Defodio' Which missed his target, who was hidden behind layers of smoke. Growling in frustration, Sirius hopped to his feet. Willing his shield to keep Remus protected as he took on Bellatrix who made her way back through the smoke.

Sirius was weak, nearing magical exhaustion. His resolve was strong, but hers was stronger. Just as his dueling was great, he was one of the best, but some how she was always better. This seemed to be a loosing battle from the start, he was going to fail, he can only hope that their mission would be successful. That they would retrieve the light leader alive, and that somehow Remus would make it out of here. That is all he truly wanted.

He gripped his wand tightly, ready for the next round of their battle to begin, only to stop in shock as Bellatrix quickly ducked down to avoid the avada kedavra greenlight coming at her from behind. A figure wearing a black hooded cloak, with the order Insignia on it-much like the ones he and Remus wore, stood in the wreckage of what used to be a hallway but was now just a room full of rubble. The order rarely resorted to the use of dark magic, and most refused to use an unforgivable, so for this person to have thrown out the killing curse so easy as a member was a shock of its own.

Lowering his hood, the figure stood with a grin. "Mind if I step in and take this dance big brother? Its been awhile since I last did the waltz with our dear cousin. Have you missed me Bella?"

Sirius watched as shock and mild horror took place on Bellatrix's face as she took in the sight of Regulus Black. Sirius himself was rather dumbfounded, he had thought his brother dead, but here the man was. Not only was he here, Regulus was also fighting on the same side as he himself, and Sirius wasn't quite sure how this could possibly be. The killing curse made sense with his brother at the opposite end of the wand, Regulus always did have a thing for the dark arts and had little to no morals.

Before he could wrap his head around things, spells were flying between his forsaken cousin and long-lost brother. He used to opportunity to gather his strength and turn most of his attention onto the wounded Remus. Using what little healing magic, he knew from his days as a young Auror, he went to work on getting Remus into the best shape he could. Quickly waking him with a 'Rennervate'.

They both looked up in time to see Bellatrix locked into a corner, panting for air, and holding her slowly bleeding stomach-which seemed to have been hit with a cutting curse of sorts. Regulus stood in front of her, not a hair out of place, with a semi-maddening smirk of his own before casting the killing curse once more.

Moving as fast as light Bellatrix managed to jump out of the way of the curse, before disapparating with a snap. For how much better she was at dueling than Sirius, she'd never held even a single flame to Regulus. She was better than him, but his brother could beat them both blindfolded, the only person to ever out duel the youngest black brother was the dark lord himself.

Sirius helped Remus to his feet, the werewolves arm wrapped around his shoulder, as the Black took on his weight. The both stared in shock at Regulus, who turned his mad grin to them. But before anything could be said between the two brothers, a piercing scream could be heard seemingly throughout the entirety of Nurmengard. Sirius and Remus both painfully jumped to alert at the sound of their good friend Lily Potters painful scream. Something was wrong, Regulus disapparated before they could do anything, they soon followed in hopes of getting to Lily before its too late.

Voldemort knew the man was there before the door was blasted in, but he was still angry with himself, he hadn't sensed Alastor Moody until the last possible minute. He had once again let Albus Dumbledore get to him and had left himself vulnerable to an attack. He scoffed as he sent a 'Crucio' at the man who was foolish enough to think he stood a chance against the dark lord. The once famous 'Mad-eye Moody' had been a thorn in his side for years, leading that Morgana's forsaken rebellion 'Order'. Now he was going to relish killing the man. Albus Dumbledore still sat limp and pathetic, it would be fun making him watch his old friend die, only to then die himself. It was almost fitting.

He relished in the screams of his victim, keeping watch on the old headmaster for any funny business, and the blasted doorway for any back up. He would take them all on, torture and kill them all, this would be the end of this rebellion. They didn't stand a chance against him after all. He was the king of the chess board, when it came down to just him against the entirety of the opposition, he wouldn't cower in fear.

No, he would stand tall, and pull out his hidden pawns. He was the only king that would be left standing. Only Lord Voldemort would rule the world, he was immortal! A god! No one would dare oppose him, it was high time he released pesticide on these foolish vermin.

Before they could follow mad eye inside the tower, Lily and Kingsley were ambushed by about twenty guards lead by the death eater, Lucius Malfoy. Somehow, they had managed to get lured out and were now surrounded. Lily was dueling several of the guards, while Kinsley fought Malfoy. At some point a few of their own came to back them up in the form Of the Weasleys. Arthur, Molly, Bill, and Charley stood on the outside of the circle of men they were entrapped in, fighting the guards along with Lily.

They were somehow managing to hold their own, despite being outnumbered, but Lily was becoming increasingly frustrated. This was taking so long, and she had to go help Moody. She needed to make sure they got Dumbledore out alive. It was the only way. A sting went through her bones as a nasty hex broke through her shield and hit her head on. It wasn't as anything too dangerous, just painful. She grits her teeth as she quickly resurrected her shield back into place, just in time to avoid a cutting curse to the heart.

A deep tortured scream reached her ears, and she couldn't help but freeze in horror, recognizing the sound of mad-eyes voice. She had to get in there before it was too late! Without another thought, she quickly broke formation and shocked her opponents with a blasting curse before using the smoke to run her way to the door. Swerving to avoid several spells headed at her back. She blasted through the door and only came to a screeching holt when she took on the sight through the windowed walls.

Through a whole in the cell where a door used to be, red eyes met hers. She couldn't move, she was locked in place by those eyes, and a sense of imploding darkness. It was so strong and thick within the air. Only once had she felt such evil, horrible magic, and that had been when she was faced with this very man in the past.

A smirk took place in his lips, so terrifying, and yet so beautiful and mesmerizing. She was paralyzed, she couldn't even talk. Such tantalizing, beauty… such evil. His very being was a power of its own, and she'd never felt so much power before, it was too much. His lips curled up more and a deep laugh escaped them, as he released the torture curse he held on Alastor. It was such a beautiful harmonious sound, and Lily had never felt sicker in her life. She was absolutely disgusted by her own thoughts; this man killed her husband!

She could barely register as Dumbledore's unseeing gaze, finally seemed to see, as he looked up at her. Or as Moody's eye bobbled in her direction, forcing the pained shaking man to look up at her. All she could take in was the dark lord walking her way with that evil smile. And a foreboding sense, that this may just well be the end for her.

Regulus wasn't supposed to be here, he didn't want any part of this. He had lived on the run for so long, he couldn't deal with this many people. He had fought and fought, that actively seeking a fight just wasn't his thing. But Lily always seemed to have a way of making him do things he didn't want too. Its almost as if she had a spell cast on him, one that was truly and completely unbreakable.

All he had wanted was to find his son, but somehow, she had found a way to drag him back into the fold. Somehow, she managed to drag him into a fight he never wanted any part in. Into a war he'd spent half his life avoiding. And under the very nose of the man who he'd been running from for over a decade. A man who thought he was dead as far as Regulus knew. All for one women.

The very one who birthed his son, hid him away, and acted like it never happened. The same women who would never put him first, and who always chose James over him! She used him time and time again, lied to him, manipulated him and made him an enemy to his friends and loved ones. Turned him away from his mentor, and all for what? Yet he couldn't stay mad. Regulus supposed that was the down fall of love. Love was destruction. Destruction of life and the heart.

He had almost said fuck it and turned away from the battle, but then he saw his big brother. Who was getting his ass royally handed to him by their beloved cousin. Regulus couldn't turn away and leave his brother to die. So, he stepped in and took control of the fight, running his cousin off. Regulus was just about to disappear once more, go back into hiding since he had revealed himself, when he heard her scream. And that…well that changed everything.

He masked his presence, and very being. A strong disillusionment and silencing charm were expertly placed, he masked his powers tightly, knowing the dark lord would sense him if he wasn't careful, before apparating close to the scream.

They were on top floor of the great Nurmengard, a battle seemed to be underway as several order members fought the guards of the tower as well as a few death eaters. He recognized the forms of Lucius Malfoy who was at the heart battling a top ranked order member -Kingsley Shacklebolt. A pang made its way through heart at the sight of the old friends he betrayed. Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange made their way into the room blasting their way to Lucius's side, followed by several more of the rebellion. It was pure chaos.

Looking around for any sign of Lily, he quickly spotted her. She was in room at the opposite end of the grand one he was in, it was small and seemed to host cells, the entrance and a good portion of the wall to the room had been blown away. And he could see her writhing on the ground, hear her piercing screams as she shook. And that's when Regulus saw him.

This ghastly little Mudblood bitch of a women. How he'd longed to kill her for so long. He stared down at the writhing body being held under his curse, relishing in the sounds of chaos, battle, death, and screaming around him. Oh, it had been far too long since he last got to cause so much pain! It was like a dream come true.

Dumbledore, Moody, and this mudblood bitch who caused him so much trouble in the past? He was getting to torture them all. When he was done with her, he would go back and finish of the blasted headmaster before anything more could be done. He could take his time a little, time and enjoy her pain. All the pain, the fallen headmaster couldn't use magic, Alastor Moody hasn't be moving for quite some time, and the bitch Lily Potter was down for the count. None of them stood a chance in hell against his almighty power, he would kill them all!

This woman turned one of his top dearth eaters against him, almost got two of them. She was responsible for the disappearance of one of his beloved horcrux's. He wanted her to suffer. Like when he had killed her husband, now that was a treat. And he said so too, as he taunted the bitch.

Taking in her hate and pain filled emerald green eyes, the sickening thought of just how pretty those eyes were, hit him. He had to stop his torture in shock. Where had such a thought come from…Why were those eyes so familiar? It wasn't from before, no he could care less about them before…but now…

He sensed power behind him. Turning with a with a sharp crack, as his body protested the fast movement, he was faced with Albus Dumbledore supporting Alastor Moody. Moody held his wand high and proud with a violently trembling hand. Both men stared on with determination in their eyes, Albus, frail as he was, was in a stance ready to take on a fight. He let his head fall back in laughter.

Lifting his wand fast, killing curse on his tongue, Voldemort was shocked beyond measure as his wand flew from his hand. How could he let this happen, how in the world had someone managed to disarm him? Never had he felt so furious as he turned to where he'd been hit from, coming face to face with a man he believed to be dead. With a man he taught himself, his protégé. His once favorite. Regulus Black.

Voldemort saw red.

Looking Back, Regulus should have left when he had the chance. Maybe he could have saved himself a world of pain…or perhaps it would have only delayed it, either way, anything was better than this. His presence had somehow managed to give The Order of the Phoenix the distraction they needed, so maybe he had managed to do some good.

After disarming the dark lord. The mam turned all his fury onto Regulus, who then engaged the man in a duel. Voldemort, it seemed, had truly mastered the art of wandless magic. As he fought just as proficiently without it, before he summoned it back to himself, its allegiance somehow never changing. Moody even tried to get a hit on the man, despite his devastatingly weak state.

Voldemort was not one to be underestimated. So, Regulus had quickly upped the game of their fight, he even managed to land two hits on the dark lord. He had learned from the best, after all, his teacher was the dark lord. However, Voldemort was still better.

It was a duel of life and death, one if which Regulus was quickly losing. Losing, but winning at buying time, which just do happen to be what Moody needed, as he used the time to gather power to activate a portkey of some kind.

Before anyone knew it, Alastor Moody managed to slip away, along with Dumbledore. The order had won. Voldemort was positively murderous as he took in what happened. In the main room, order member vanished one by one as the seemingly mass portkey went into effect.

That's when time decided to slow way down, he had no port key, but knew who did. He jumped to grab hold of Lily's limp body, needing to escape right then. As he could only apparate to just outside of the fortress due to the wards and couldn't escape fast enough that way. Voldemort turned all his murderous hate on to Regulus in that very moment, who was mid jump to get to Lily's passed out body. A vicious snarl took over the mans face.

He was mere centimeters away when Lily was bathed in a flash of green light. Her eyes opened, emeralds shining bright in the sea of Avada Kedavra green, before dimming completely just as his hand made contact. Horror filled him as he stared into viciously smirking red eyes, before disappearing in a crack.

Not for the first time in his life, did Regulus feel like he'd rather be dead than alive. Not for the first time, was his heart destroyed. But it would be the last, that Regulus vowed. Voldemort would die for this. He would find his son and destroy the dark lord once and for all. A great darkness settled its way into the mans now empty heart.

The dark lord was blinded by rage! How could he let them get the best of him? He was the best damnit! If it wasn't for that man! Regulus Black, the traitor would suffer for eternity for this. Not only was the man alive, he worked with the enemy, and allowed them to take Dumbledore out from under his very nose. For Merlin's sake how could he be so stupid!

He had gotten so caught up in revenge and bloodlust, letting the addictive dark magic take control, as he unleased his torture. He'd let himself be taken by surprise by the enemy, something he had almost done once more that very night. He bad been so confident yet so careless.

Voldemort stood outside of the fortress of Nurmengard. His death eaters and guards cowering at his feet! With a vicious smile he sent a 'Fiendfyre' to rip apart the once magnificent building, having no use for it now. He cared not for any prisoners, nor guard's left inside, they could all burn. He wanted everything to burn.

His dementors were circling in the air atop the building, waiting for commands. He could hardly care to deal with them or anything right now, he was angry. So very angry. He'd allowed Dumbledore to escape, all because if his own very foolish, almost petty juvenile need for vengeance. For torture.

Voldemort allowed his magic to lash out at all who surrounded him, vicious, dark, and oppressive. Before disapparating home with a harsh snap that knocked those who were closest to him to the ground. He was tired and would deal with this mess in the morning.

Upon arriving home, Voldemort couldn't help but still reel with fury. Knowing very little would calm him down he made his way to the library, a book would help qualm him for a short while. At the very least it would keep his mind busy and away from his own pathetic failures.

Zoning in on the first book his eye caught, which just so happened to have been left out on one of the many tables throughout the library, he quickly grabbed it up. "Mavericks Tales of The Grey" The 1st edition within the series. It had been many years since he last read any of these books. They were rather unpopular, and highly controversial. But Voldemort had always the pure genius within the works. He had never practiced the mans works, but he had studied it rather thoroughly.

Interest momentarily peaked at the fact such a book was left just lying around, he couldn't help but to open it up. The words and power within flooded his angry mind, giving momentary distraction to his blinding anger. As he stood there reading the first chapter fast and easy, he sensed a presence approaching.

The dark lord closed the book just as the door opened, revealing a beautiful sweet darkness in the form of Hadrian snow. And oh, how his very being seemed so much darker than he remembered, the boys magic danced lustfully in the air, bestowing the room with its near sinful presence. Looking at the little mudblood, he couldn't help but notice how pale the boy way.

Curiosity edged within him, only to be pushed away by his still quailing anger. The foolish child had probably done something stupid again, he seemed rather adept at pure idiocy. Yet he had such pretty face, and those eyes! Oh, how gorgeous were those eyes.

Voldemort made his way to leave the library, door in sight, when his shoulder brushed up against the boys. Sparks seemed to fly, his skin tingled all over ant the very touch. it was like a lightening strike within his very skin, and Voldemort wasn't quite sure what to think about that.

Their eyes met in a dead lock. He couldn't help but recall the face of Lily Potter as the killing curse hit her head on. How emerald green eyes lit up with the killing curse, making the most breathtaking shade of green. The very shade that stared up and him in this very moment. Unearthly, lovely, and just like hers…only somehow brighter and better. True Avada Kedavra green. But still…. they were just like hers…

With that he continued walking, right out the door, gripping the book tight within him palm. As his anger slowly dissipated.

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