The garden of the castle was bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, the faint rustling of leaves creating a serene backdrop. You sat beside Regulus on the stone bench, the warmth of his hand brushing yours as he gazed at the stars. For a moment, the world felt still—like nothing could disturb this fragile peace.

You knew you had to tell him. The weight of the lie was suffocating, a chasm widening with each passing day. Taking a deep breath, you turned to him, your voice trembling slightly.

“Regulus,” you began, your hands clutching at the edge of the bench. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

He tilted his head. “What is it? You’re acting strange,” he said, his tone gentle but laced with suspicion.

You swallowed hard. “I… I haven’t been completely honest with you.”

His gaze sharpened, the soft vulnerability in his expression hardening into something cautious. “What do you mean?”

“I’m Muggl*-born.” The words spilled out, and for a moment, the world seemed to pause.

Regulus froze, his body stiffening as if struck by a spell. Slowly, he turned to you, his eyes wide and disbelieving. “What?” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I’m a Muggl*-born,” you repeated, your voice cracking. “I didn’t tell you because I was afraid of how you’d react, but—”

“Afraid?” he interrupted, his voice rising, the raw edge of anger slicing through his words. “Afraid of how I’d react? You lied to me!”

“Regulus, please, I—” you tried, but he stood abruptly, his hands shaking as they clenched into fists.

“F*cking Mudbl00d,” he spat, his voice venomous. “You don’t deserve to live, you lied to me.”

Tears pricked your eyes, your voice trembling. “I lied because I love you, and I thought… I thought you might see past—”

“F*ck you,” he hissed. “I trusted you. I let you in. And you…” He trailed off, his gray eyes blazing with fury and betrayal. “You disgust me.”

With that, he turned on his heel, his robes billowing as he stormed away, leaving you alone in the garden, the silence oppressive and heavy.