dancing in the shadows (R.A.B)

a promise of no violence

Regulus didn't move an inch, but Eve didn't need psychical tells to know he was hurting. Even without the way his hands were obviously shaking, something about him just looked tired. Eve wished she could take away all his pain and bear it herself.

But she couldn't, so instead she reached out to him and grabbed his wrist. She guided his trembling hand into her own steady one, and held it tightly until the shaking began too slow.

It would never go away, she knew. The shaking. It was nearly Samhain now - nearly two months since Regulus or any of the others had even set foot in the Black Manors, so nearly two months or longer since they had been under the curse. When it's been two months and the shakes and trembles still happen, that's when a healer knows - it's permanent. For the rest of their lives, the Black children will live with unsteady legs and vibrating hands, twitching hands and full-body shudders.

If Eve was as ruthless as the man in the papers, she would kill the Blacks first. She would do it slowly, over the years, so they would experience the indescribable pain they put their children through. And right as they finally began to believe they could live with it, with the agony and hurt, she would do it again, and again, and again.

They are so lucky that Eve isn't completely ruthless. At least not yet.

Regulus' eyes looked so haunted, in this moment. Eve glanced to her side, to look at her blonde best friend, and she wanted to kill them all over again; Narcissa's eyes were too deep, too shadowed and tortured for such a young age.

"Let's make a pact," Andi said suddenly, leaning into the table away from listening ears. "A promise. To never, ever, ever, cast that- that spell. On each other, or on anyone else."

They all stared at her in shock. A pact, a promise between a group of friends that considered each other family - in a world of old magick, it was even more binding than the Unbreakable Vow. If they all agreed to this promise, they would truly be a family, in the eyes of Magick. It wouldn't mix their blood, or anything like that, so they could still marry others in their group, but still.

Bella laid her hand down on top of Andi's in a sudden move, and Rodo followed her lead. One by one, they each covered hands. Eve had her own right on top of the whole pile. Her fingers, bare of jewelry she had so wished for, seemed swallowed in the depths of their intent.

They all ducked their head together, blocking out the rest of the world, and Eve felt Regulus' hair brush against her cheek. She didn't turn to look at him, though; she was sure she was blushing bright enough to light up a blacked out room.

"I, Andromeda Druella Black, swear to never cast the Cruciatus Curse against my family, friends, or strangers in any of your gift of life." Andi whispered first, and a glow of yellow blazed her hand.

"I, Bellatrix Cassiopeia Black, swear to never cast the Cruciatus Curse against my family, friends, or strangers in any of your gift of life," Bella swore, her palm lighting up a deep, dark green.

They all repeated after each other with their own names; Rabastan was orange, Barry was blue, Rodo was red. Lucius turned pink - they all struggled to keep a straight face at his horrified face - while Narcissa was a much lighter green than her older sisters, almost a neon.

"I, Regulus Arcturus Black, swear to never cast the...." Regulus turned his head, locking his and Eve's eyes together as he continued, "...Cruciatus Curse against my family, friends, or strangers in any of your gift of life." He finished, and his hand lit up a pure white so bright it left spots in Eve's eyes.

Eve took a deep breath. "I, Evelyn Amethyst Potter, swear to never cast the Cruciatus Curse against my family, friends, or strangers in any of your gift of life." With bated breath, she watched as a long two seconds passed before her hand lit up a purple as true as her middle name, and they all let out quiet cheers, mindful of the people outside their huddle.

Behind her back, Eve uncrossed the fingers she had twisted with her left hand.

She intended to keep the promise she had made to herself, the first time she noticed her friend's shaking hands. She would get justice for them. They were her family, pact or not.

hi!!!

this chapter did not go where I was planning it too, but I do think it turned out alright.

I added a LOT of foreshadowing too this chapter - so keep a looksie;)

I hope you all had a very merry Christmas! next chapter should be up January 10.

Also, a disclaimer!! This is a stand alone story; this story is not related to any others on here. I.E. - the other story i have on my page, "A Story of Loud Ravenclaws and Deadbeat Dads," is NOT related to this story, and is set in a completely different universe.

All the love,

angel

comments are so appreciated, thank you all for your wonderful words!!