[Harry Potter] The Lion's Heart

Regulus alternate-universe story, "[Harry Potter] The Lion's Heart". Please add it to your reading list! Regulus gets a happy ending!

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Blurb:

[Everyone knows how dazzling Sirius is, but has forgotten that Regulus is the heart of Leo.]

1. Childhood friends (age eleven)

"When I was little, I used to play with Regulus all the time. We had so much fun."

"You don't know Antares. She's really wonderful. If you knew her, you wouldn't say that."

2. An angry confession (age sixteen)

"Part of me wants to be with Reg, but... we're too different..."

"You know I like you so, so much. But what about you? How have you treated me? You call, and I come; you dismiss me whenever you like. I've had enough."

3. The raven and the black dog (age seventeen)

"I've never considered how he felt, or whether I needed any of this. He was always by my side, and all this time, I only cared about myself. But now, I'm going to do something I should have done long ago."

"I should apologize to you, too. Once some things get started, they can't be stopped. I couldn't stop, and I was so nervous and scared..."

The girl's smile grew wider as she leaned down and silenced the rest of his words with a kiss.

Years later, Antares would still remember that year's Quidditch Match. A spirited boy in silver and green swooped down from high above and stopped in front of her. His black hair was a mess from the wind, and his gray eyes were filled with joy.

He flew right up to her, then opened his palm.

"Antares, I caught the Golden Snitch. You lost this time, so be my girlfriend."

It was a brief, inseparable love, a moment of warmth hidden in the darkness.

It was hands clinging desperately to each other in the freezing lake, refusing to let go.

It was the courage to break through the night together, and a love that endured as dawn approached.

After the battle, Antares said to Sirius earnestly, "Reg was never a coward."

[He made the choice he believed was right. The kindness in his heart overcame his willingness to submit to the darkness. Even as he was dragged into the freezing lake, he never harmed an innocent soul.]

--To R.A.B., forever.

[Reader's Guide]:

This book is the Regulus alternate-universe ending to another Harry Potter fanfic, "[Harry Potter: The Marauders Era] The Law of Rebellion." But you can read this one without having read the other!

Theme: A lion's heart shines just as brightly.