Chapter 4
It had been a few days since James and Regulus had their conversation. Regulus was still on edge, and not opening up, but James had a feeling the man was coming around. Regulus was still a mystery, but James was determined to figure him out.
"James, I have the report on the last battle. I have a feeling we're losing ground, and fast" Peter said, entering the office, he had a file folder in his hand, and a worried look on his face.
"What do you mean?" James asked.
"We've been pushed back, and we're losing more troops than we're gaining. if this keeps up, we're gonna lose the city. and if that happens, we're done for."
James sighed, this was bad. very bad. They needed a new plan, or a way to keep the death eaters from taking the city. James thought for a minute, trying to come up with a new plan. Something that could help them win, or at least give them some time. He was snapped out of his thoughts by a knock on the door.
"Come in." he called, his gaze not moving from the map.
"Sir, we have an urgent matter. It has to do with the death eaters, and a new tactic they have." Alice said, walking into the room, her tone serious.
"What is it?" James asked, finally looking up.
"They're sending a spy into the city. To gather intel on us. And find a way to break through the defenses."
"Who are they sending?"
"It's someone from the marauders. a new recruit, i don't know his name."
James sighed, a spy, that could be anyone, and it couldn't be a good thing. they would need to tighten security, and keep a close eye on everyone. "I want the city locked down, no one gets in or out without my permission. I also want the names and files of all the new recruits. I want to know who they are, where they came from, and how they got here."
"Yes sir."
James could feel the panic rising inside him. This was not good, not good at all.
As soon as he got the reports he began to tear through them. they were all in alphabetical order. So Regulus was at the top. He quickly moved it aside knowing someone in his own squadron wouldn't be the spy. He then began to look through the other files. reading the names, and backgrounds of each one. He was trying to see if any of them stood out.
He could feel his heart beating faster, and his palms getting sweaty. He had to find the spy, and fast. He couldn't afford to lose the city.
"Peter, any word on the death eaters' movements?" James asked, trying to keep his tone level.
"Nothing yet, but I'm sure they're planning something big. and it can only mean one thing." Peter told him.
James nodded. They didn't have much time.
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Regulus sat at his desk quill in his hand, Writing to the dark lord.
It had become less and frequent over the past few weeks, making the excuse of them having nothing left and no new plans after the death eaters attacks and while it was partially true. Regulus couldn't help but feel guilty after growing close to these people. As much as he tried to avoid it.
It didn't matter how welcoming they were to him or how James' smile made him want to come out of his shell. or even those late nights cooking with mary. He hated to admit how many times it had made him laugh, and smile, that these people were now his friends.
But he still had a job to do.
So as he sealed the letter and got up to go send it to the dark lord, the warning of the next attack but he hesitated. Thinking over the consequences of his actions and how it could all go south for them.
And burned it.
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Regulus sat with the others on the outside of the death eaters base. They had been there for a few hours, and it was getting dark. they were waiting for it to be just dark enough to sneak in and attack from the inside. There were rumors that Tom Riddle would be there tonight, Although Regulus knew he wasn't, he still had to act like he believed it.
"Okay, are you guys ready?" James asked.
"Yes sir," the group chorused.
"Good, let's move out."
The group made their way closer to the gate. They could see the guards posted, their red and black masks hiding their faces. Regulus was calm, but scared for the others, they had no idea what was going to happen, that if they were not perfect they were going to be massacred. Regulus could see James and the others moving quickly, keeping low, and staying quiet.
They could see the guards posted, their red and black masks hiding their faces. Regulus was calm, but scared for the others, they had no idea what was going to happen, that if they were not perfect they were going to be massacred. Regulus could see James and the others moving quickly, keeping low, and staying quiet.
This strike had to be perfect for it to work, and to not alert the death eaters. Regulus could feel his heart pounding, and his palms sweating. This was the biggest attack they had ever attempted. The biggest risk they had ever taken. And it could cost them their lives.
The group continued moving, their footsteps almost silent. Regulus lagged behind as he thought, he watched the group in front of him and could feel the weight of the wand in his hand. He couldn't help but think about his own family, his brother and mother.
he thought about Sirius, and how he had abandoned him, left him in the care of their parents, who weren't good. It was a hard thing to admit but it was true. and as much as regulus tried to ignore it. or even hide from it. He was afraid of them. He was afraid of being a failure. and he was afraid of Sirius. What would happen when he saw him again?
Regulus was snapped out of his thoughts by James grabbing his arm, dragging him down. "Are you okay?" James asked.
"Im fine," Regulus said, shrugging off his hand. "Just lost in thought."
James nodded, and whispered to the others, "we need to split off then group up in the center of the town. Are we all on the same page?"
The group nodded, and made their way into the city. It was dark, and quiet. Regulus could see the lights from the Death Eaters base, and the sounds of the fighting. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and death. Regulus kept close to James, following him, his mind racing. This was it, the attack that would either be the turning point in the war or just another loss that pushed them closer to loss. He could feel the adrenaline rushing through his veins, his heart pounding.
They came up to the wall, and climbed over.
They were close now, they could see the Death Eaters. Regulus could hear their laughter, their voices, their screams. The sounds of the battle raging around them. It was a common death eater customer to laugh and make your victim scream if the fight was mostly over, it was a horrible custom he never liked and always cringed at when his parents made him watch when he was younger. But he knew he had to keep going. For his mission, and for his brother.
He didn't know who he could run into here that may give away his identity. Or who he could run into and have a chance of dying by. He could feel his heart pounding faster, his blood pumping harder. He could hear his breath coming in shallow gasps.
Soon enough the fighting broke out and Regulus focused in on the task at hand, He pushed off the death eaters just enough and let James do most of the heavy damage. He cast a curse towards one of the death eaters that was sneaking up on James, "thanks." James said.
Regulus just nodded and kept going. He could see the Death Eaters beginning to thin out. He looked over at James and said to him "we need to work our way towards the center of the town to meet up with the others." he said. James nodded and the two of them began making their way to the center. The fighting was still going strong, and the sounds of spells and weapons clashing rang in his ears. Regulus could feel the tension, and the fear.
they weaved their ways through the sides of buildings and small alleys that gave them just enough cover to move around undetected. Regulus kept his eyes open, his wand at the ready. He could see the Death Eaters, they were everywhere, they were attacking the marauders, the innocent people, and the city itself. He didn't put it past them, he had seen much worse up close. and had done much worse himself.
He wasn't proud of it, and he knew it was wrong, but it was necessary. the end justifies the means, right?
They reached the center, and Regulus could see the others, they were fighting the Death Eaters, trying to push them back. But they were failing at doing so. looking at the scene in front of them Regulus knew if nothing was done they were going to die.
Regulus looked at James, and could see the determination in his eyes. He could see the fire, and the passion. James was focused, and driven. He was ready for this fight, and for what lay ahead. Regulus couldn't say the same.
The two of them rushed into the battle, and Regulus could feel his body reacting on its own. He was casting curses, and shielding the others. He had the skill and he knew it. hed to it to buy them some more time, he was still on the dark lord's side. but after hours of this he grew exhausted so when a spell hit him and knocked him back, and he hit his head and he saw black, he knew his fate was sealed.