Preparations
After Tom left and shut the door Regulus decided to look around his room for anything that could be used as a weapon or escape route, just in case he had to. He had a feeling there were people outside of his room and he didn’t have a window so he couldn’t escape that way.
Fuck. There was nothing sharp in here either. They were prepared for him to plan a way out. He sat down on the floor abruptly and groaned into his hands. He was going to have to stay, even if it was uncomfortable to train with Tom tomorrow. He didn’t feel like dying tonight, he needs to see the others again to question them and hold Remus once more.
Suddenly, there was a knock in the wall, then a scratching and a small boy, maybe ten years old, crept into the room through what ever secret way he had found. He almost looked like a small version of Remus, without the scars and much more innocent.
"Hi" he giggled, looking at Regulus with curious eyes.
Regulus furrowed his eyebrows at the child. He looked a lot like Remus. So there was a secret passage in his room. Didn’t Remus mention having siblings? Was Regulus in Rome?
“Hello,” Regulus said gently. “Do you think you could tell me where I am? My name is Regulus.”
"I'm Ellio!" He giggled and sat across from Regulus. "They said I can't talk to you but I wanted to talk to you, you looked so nice! Oh, you're in the castle"
Regulus felt himself genuinely smile,
“Thank you for coming here to talk to me, Ellio. I appreciate it. How old are you? I’m nineteen.”
Regulus was definitely in Rome and Ellio was definitely Remus’ little brother. Regulus had actually never been "Ten!" Ellio held both hands in front of Regulus' face with the biggest grin on his face
“I can’t remember being ten, what do you do? Other than sneak around behind adults back, of course.” He asked. “I support that wholeheartedly.” He whispered mischievously.
Ellio's eyes straight up started to glow at that statement with how much happiness was in them.
"Well I am out with the horses a lot...and I read, but that's because I have to." he pouted a bit "it was so much more fun when my brother was still here"
Regulus’ happiness dissipated when Remus was brought up and he smiled sadly.
“Yes, I’m sure. My brother and I were separated for a long time too. I actually know your brother, Ellio. I was with him before I was taken here.”
"You know Remus?! Remus has friends now?" He jumped up and gasped excitedly, seeming genuinely happy.
Regulus let out a sad laugh, “I do know him, he has many friends now. They make him happy.” His eyes welled up at that. “I’m sure he misses us both.”
"Did he tell you about me? I mean he probably didn't tell you about Simon or Arthur, they are mean, but did he tell you about me?"
Regulus had to think for a moment, “He didn’t mention any of you by name, but he has brought you up a few times. He doesn’t really like talking about his time here, and that is not your fault. We haven’t had the time to talk about our loved ones, really.”
He didn’t want to make Ellio feel guilty about anything, he deserved to be a kid.
"Oh I know, they were so mean to him. They also told him that he isn't a boy. But he is."
Ellio's voice got quiet, as if he was telling a secret "He is also a wolf, did you know that?"
Regulus smiled and tilted his head. If he ever saw Remus and Ellio’s older brothers, they probably would have some bones broken by him.
“I did know that,” Regulus spoke just as quietly. “And I love him despite it. His wolf is really quite cuddly once you get past his grumpy exterior.” he said trying to joke.
Ellio stays silent for a few seconds "Oh you loooooove him?" he giggled
Regulus blushed at having let that slip. “I do, and he loves me too.”
Ellio giggled like any ten year old would at the mention of love
Regulus couldn’t help but laugh with Ellio, but after a while he spoke up, “You should know that I’m not human either. I’m not a wolf, I’m a vampire. Like the people that took me here.”
"Ooooh like Tom? Tom is scary, I don't like him. Arthur likes him though so I like Arthur even less"
Regulus might have been like Tom, there was no way for him to tell. He had killed people and enjoyed it after all. “I don’t like Arthur.” Regulus decided to say. “He was mean to Remus so he’s automatically someone I’m not a fan of.”
Ellio nodded, seeming pleased. He glanced at the clock and gasped " Oh nooooo, I need to go or someone will see that I left and I'll get in trouble! I'll come back tomorrow though!"
He crawled back through the tiny space he came through.
Regulus waved at Ellio’s retreating form. There’s no way Regulus could fit through that passage, though he was slim. He hated small spaces. Regulus walked over to the bed and laid down. He wouldn’t be able to sleep.
---------
The morning came fast, Fenrir had fallen asleep on Scabior’s shoulder. Remus and Scabior were awake and talking to everyone else when Lily came downstairs.
Lily hadn’t seen Remus in months and he comes back with a pack and a boyfriend that was kidnapped, so it took her a little bit to wrap her head around that. She was happy to have him back though.
Remus’ brothers had taken to hitting on her but she would rather hang out with Ellio and Mary. Mary was someone she had had a huge crush on for years, but Remus’ friend with dark skin and glasses was attractive too. Only pretty to look at, she hadn’t even spoken to him.
Marlene spoke highly of him and Regulus’ brother. Lily liked Marlene and Dorcas, but she was jealous of how close they were. Everyone was ready to storm the castle and if Lily got caught aiding and abetting she could very well be executed or fired. Anything for Remus. He was her best friend, and that would never change.
Remus smiled, he was much more relaxed. He was sitting on the floor, Fenrir's flannel wrapped around him, it had gotten cold over night.
"Good Morning Lily" he chuckled. Fenrir was still fast asleep and he would like to keep it that way, knew that he needed the rest just like everyone else.
“Good morning” She laughed back. “Glad to see you’re not grumpy anymore, but you honestly had every right to be.”
"Huh I- oh. Yeah, yeah it's all kind of stressful right now. Glad you're not mad at me for that" she didn't know about Moony, of course she didn't...
“Yeah, I’ve never seen you that angry so Regulus must be pretty important to you.” She mused. “I’m glad you have him, I’m sure he’ll be okay.”
"Of course he is important to me, he might be the only person I was completely able to trust- no offense or anything, but you used to be pretty openly against any non humans"
Lily stiffened at that, “Yeah, I know. I’m sorry.”
He nodded but he felt Moony's displeasure, heard him grumbling actually. He slightly rolled his eyes.
Lily frowned at Remus rolling his eyes but said nothing. “Did you eat breakfast?”
"Not yet, spent the whole night awake, talking, going over the plan and sharing stories" Scabior had some amazing stories to tell, of course, after centuries of living.
“Do you want something? I’m sure I could convince Petunia to let me in the kitchen.” Lily said while nodding.
Remus shrugged "I am really not hungry but I can help you make breakfast if you want to"
“That would be great!” Lily said with a smile.
Remus got up and placed the flannel over a chair "Alright, let's get on it then." he smiled. They hadn't done anything in a long time.
Lily dragged Remus to the kitchen where Petunia and her parents are. They’d been avoiding the main rooms. Lily kissed her mother’s cheek as she entered but Petunia was standing in front of the oven.
“Tunie, can you move please?” She asked.
“Why did you bring him in here, Lily?” Petunia asked snootily.
Lily stared at her. “It’s Remus, Tunie. You know him.”
Petunia scoffed and looked away. “Whatever. I’m going to Vernon’s house.” and she left.
Lily stared after her and sighed. Petunia had been pulling away for years but the pack staying in their home had really set her off. Lily didn’t like Vernon at all.
“Sorry about her, Remus.” Lily said while grabbing some flour and sugar. “I’m gonna make some Roman Breakfast cake.”
"It's alright, I know how siblings get" Remus chuckled. But he felt Moony downright clawing to get out and he wouldn't allow that. He hated to fight Moony but it was needed.
“Yeah,” Lily confirmed. “You okay?” she asked. Remus looked like he was in pain almost.
"Yeah don't worry it's-" he didn't wanna lie but he also didn't feel like explaining "it's a werewolf thing"
Maybe that hadn't been the best way to phrase it...
Lily froze at that but continued to grab ingredients for the cake after a second.
“I see.” she said.
She is trying to not sound bigoted but she was not used to Remus talking about it so openly, in fact he used to avoid talking about it at all. It took some getting used to.
Remus was mostly silent, despite wanting to help. Moony took too much of his energy and he knew that in some ways, Moony was even right.
The silence was suffocating. Lily felt like Remus was a stranger. Did six months of separation really change the both of them that much? She didn’t know what to say.
Barty ran into the kitchen, “Remus, Lily-“ he paused to catch his breath.
“Ooh, that smells good. Anyway, we’re all awake now so Scabior and Fenrir want everyone in the kitchen like in an hour tops.”
"We are quite literally in the kitchen right now, Barty" Remus chuckled, seemingly a little more relaxed.
Moony and Barty had actually not once fought, they got along incredibly well.
“Oh cazzo,” Barty swore with a laugh, “I meant the dining room. Sorry.”
Lily nodded. “This will take some time to bake, so we can go if you want to, Remus.”
Remus shook his head "It's fine, if you tell me what to do I can help, I just barely slept the past days so I can't think well"
“I get it. Do you think you could cut some peaches for me?” Lily asked.
"Sure" Remus nodded and got to work.
----------
Regulus made his way into the room he met Tom in at some point. He had no idea what time it was but he’s extremely bored and wants to start training, whatever that entails.
“Hello.” he said monotonously. Everyone was back in the room, and they had stopped talking when he entered.
Tom smiled when he saw Regulus enter "Ah, good morning, I hope you had a good rest?"
“Morning, I rested fine I guess.” He said stiffly before sitting in the open chair.
Tom nodded and gestured towards a chair "Sit, eat, wake up properly"
There was a downright banquet on the table, all sorts of breakfast foods.
Regulus looked at the food with thinly concealed disgust but found himself making a plate anyway. Tom said he had to eat to train, so here he was. Forcing himself to eat.
Meanwhile, Tom continued his conversation.
Regulus was tuning in on what Tom was saying but he couldn’t really understand it.
“We need to plan for an attack.” Bella was saying.
"I am aware, Bella. Do not assume that we are unprepared." Tom's voice was soft but controlled
"It is not expected of us to build the defense, that is a thing that has been discussed previously"
“Do you really expect Lyall and his goons to be able to stop them?” She challenged.
Regulus figured she either had a lot of audacity, which was true, or that Tom trusted her in some way.
Tom sighed.
"I hate to admit it, but you are once again right. Of course we have to consider that."
He leaned back a little "So...if that is your worry, then what is your plan?" He almost smirked.
“I think we should attack them first, because you know your brother. He isn’t going to follow your rules.”
"I admire your willingness to go into offense, but I would rather not start a war right here"
Bella sighed dramatically, “Why not, my lord? We have more in numbers.”
Regulus looked between them and couldn’t even process that information.
Tom looked at her in a way that shut her up "It would directly influence humans that live all around, that is not a responsibility that I am willing to carry"
Bella seethed quietly. She clearly wanted to say something but she looked between Regulus and Tom like she wasn’t allowed to say it.
Regulus was curious, that’s for certain. Was it something about humans?
Tom raised and eyebrow and sighed "Bella, I have told you my thoughts about it, you should consider what I have said"
It was...as if he had read her mind
Could Tom read minds? Maybe that was part of the magic vampires had. It would make sense seeing as Tom had practically finished Regulus’ sentences yesterday.
Bella nodded and looked down at her plate.
What had Bella thought to make Tom react like that? It definitely seemed to be about humans, due to Bella’s reaction. Regulus wanted to ask her but she probably hated him after Cissa knocked her out and he killed his mother.
Regulus felt himself wince at that thought. He’d been avoiding thinking about his mother at all.
"Regulus it is fine you are nothing like that" Tom said barely even looking at him but sounding friendly.
Well, that confirmed it. Tom can read minds. Regulus didn’t know how to feel about that. Tom seemed to care though….
Was he truly as bad as Scabior had painted him to be?
"If you need to talk about it...you can, alone. No need to keep anything to yourself that hurts you"
“I’m okay,” Regulus told Tom. Honestly he didn’t even know what he was feeling so how could he talk about it? He pondered his thoughts, well it was mostly unsure and melancholic thoughts. He hadn’t written poetry in quite some time….
“When are we going to start?” He asked.
"Well I will sadly have to talk to Lyall before we can start, as you heard there are some concerns"
Lyall... must be Remus’ father.
“What’s going on?”
"Just some safety concerns, security issues, nothing we can not fix quickly"
Regulus narrowed his eyes at that. Are they going to be attacked by someone? Tom’s brother? Didn’t Scabior mention something about that? He couldn't remember.
“Oh, okay.” He said.
"It's alright, you'll be safe. No need to worry about it"
Regulus nodded, not sure why he believed Tom so quickly.
“What are we doing today then?”
"I''ll explain the basics to you first, make sure you know what you are dealing with here"
Regulus nodded, “Sounds good to me.”
"Do you want to wait here or should I pick you up from your room?"
Regulus shook his head, he felt foggy.
“My room will be fine.”
Regulus entered his room and sat down, everything was spinning. What was going on with him? He found it hard to even think.