[Harry Potter] A Joke About Bloodlines

She never thought she would see that Death Eater again, one of the fanatical members of those madmen who pursued pure bloodlines. But he no longer wore that fanatical, arrogant air he had always maintained. He looked utterly dejected and miserable.

"He's doing something terrifying." The man seemed on the verge of breaking down. "He took Kreacher with him. I thought... I don't know. He actually wants to... He wants to..."

"To split his soul." Carol said the words he couldn't bring himself to say. "He wants to live forever."

She saw the Black family's pride staring at her in shock. "...You know?"

"What did you think they captured me for? To brew Draught of Living Death, something even second-years can manage? He wanted to make a soul-soothing potion that even that toad didn't know about. So," she asked with some scorn, "did you only just realize what kind of lunatic you were following?"

She saw young Black look away, his expression complicated.

Thinking that this guy was one of them made her furrow her brows.

"I'm sorry. I don't know who to trust..." She heard the man's guilt creeping into his voice. "I don't know what to do... I never thought... Can you help me, Field?"

He really was at the end of his rope.

Carol Field thought, clutching her arm.

Otherwise, he'd have to be crazy to think she would help him.

"Since you let me go," she sighed quietly, "Regulus Black, I owe you one."

Set in the Marauders' era.

The male lead from the blurb... maybe.

A wartime friendship between two lonely "cowards."

(Yes, I've jumped ship again. Please spare me.)

Theme: Blood status is bullshit