Cascade
Regulus sank onto his bed and waited for the turbulence to settle. Dinner had been a mistake. There was no time for mistakes. He had slept for an hour hugging Pandora this morning before heading back to the cathedral to sort out the mess regarding his father. There were now two less board members, and the power shift would cascade down in the wrong direction through the organisation if he didn’t act quickly. Which meant he needed to pay a couple of calls to a number of senior and power hungry junior wizards and witches seeking a rapid promotion. Staring at the ceiling, Regulus wondered if this was going to be the rest of his life. “I think I preferred being the dilettante.” he said to himself. He sighed and stood up. “Too late now. Let’s go scare some people into submission “
It was well past midnight when Regulus returned. He was half expecting Pandora to be waiting for him then remembered Lily and smiled. They would be good for each other. He spotted the small vial and note left on the desk by the window. “The Kringlesnacks thought this might help you sleep. So do I. Pip pip.”
The potion did. And it didn’t. Regulus got to sleep more easily than usual but the nightmares were more vivid. Creatures of skin and bone with clawed hands and his mothers face snarling at him to breath in the vicious black water. To drown and be reborn as a greater being. Or die unworthy. A monster like all Blacks. He was being pulled through a vortex of flames. Fiendfyre burning and blistering. His blood boiling and bubbling. Hissing through the gaps in his soul. Eating away at his heart. Until he was plunged once more into a darkness so thick he could no longer breath. He was trapped in silence so profound his screams were swallowed and destroyed. Leaving him empty. Devoid of all emotions and thoughts. Cold beyond measure. Alone in a world full of shadows and death. Abandoned by all he had once called friend or family.
When he awoke for the third time drenched in sweat Regulus decided that he might as well get up and go for a run. The panicked flight through the caves in Fowey had been a timely reminder that he needed to work on his physical fitness, not just his intellect, and so he had taken up running again when he got back to London. Regulus enjoyed the solitude. And he much preferred the run along muggle London’s Themes then the various other places he’d tried. The English would smile politely as you jogged past, but no one ever tried to engage in conversation, or give you a once over, and the coffee at the end of the run was always decent.
Regulus headed out. It was still dark, which suited his mood. He was tempted to go through the market square and into muggle Budapest but a figure in the distance stopped him. Moving smoothly, Regulus changed direction, being careful to maintain a steady pace and distance. The person ran well, a measured gait that was easy to keep without being tiring. They also stuck to well known streets through the town and out to the quidditch pitch before looping round back towards the market place, at which point the man headed up the hill towards the cathedral. Regulus noted the direction and kept going towards the market. The sun was coming up and it would look too obvious if he also went up the hill.
Twenty minutes later Regulus was sipping coffee at a fashionable cafe watching the wizarding world around him wake up, when the figure he had followed emerged from a townhouse nearby. ‘Now I know where to start.’ He thought, as the non-descript man walked past. It was a shame really that his suspicions had been confirmed. The consequences were unlikely to be pleasant.
—-
James tossed and turned for an hour until the sun came up. He had thought about going for a run to shake off the images that had invaded his dreams all night, but if he was being honest, and he tired to be with himself, he had thoroughly enjoyed the wild abandon. Even if they had left him restless and aching for the real thing. Talking with Regulus had given him hope once more that, if nothing else, they could maybe, possibly, be friends. One day in the future. Or one day soon. Or maybe even today.
With a head full of hope and dreams, James emerged from his room to go downstairs for breakfast. He’d promised Sirius they would go back up to the quidditch pitch and then Sirius had promised to show everyone around the public part of the Black Cathedtal. Maybe Regulus would join them and make it official. James grinned at himself. That was highly unlikely. The Blacks hated the Potters. There was no way he would get a tour from the Heir to the empire.
Still grinning and paying absolutely no attention to his surroundings James ran into something solid. “Oops. Sorry.” He said taking a step back.
“Do you always apologise to inanimate objects?” A voice smirked
James looked up and blushed. He’d just apologised to a tall slim bookcase. And been seen to do so by Regulus, who had kept moving along the corridor. “Regulus?. Why are you wearing a tracksuit?” James blurted.
Regulus turned and stepped slowly towards James. “Would you prefer me to wear nothing at all?” He asked, voice dropping low and full of promise.
James nodded mutely, eyes wide and darkening with lust. Stopping in front of him, Regulus reached out and gently ran a finger along James’s jaw, closing his generous mouth. “Too bad.” He whispered before spinning round and continuing on his way.
James felt his knees buckle, his face aflame, as he collapsed back against the bookcase and sank to the floor. ‘What on earth was that about?’ He thought wildly, staring at a retreating Regulus. ‘One minute he’s all cold and serious and “I can’t do this”, and the next he’s .. he’s … ‘ at a loss for words and coherent thoughts, James sat there for several moments. ‘Ok Potter. That’s an enigma that’s not going to get solved by you crashing down useless tunnels. Let’s go have breakfast and enjoy the day.’ He told himself sternly, and standing somewhat unsteadily, set off for the dining room once more.
Regulus had also collapsed against a bookcase, but in peels of laughter rather than confusion. Which was how Pandora found him when she entered the room he hired for himself the day before after deciding he didn’t want to stay in his house any longer.
“Ok. Who did you do what to?” She chirped, joining him on the floor.
“P…P…. Potter!” He gasped.
“Is that why he was also sitting leaning against a bookcase?”
Regulus nodded, his eyes staying closed.
Pandora giggled. “That’s just mean. You’re not supposed to tease helpless creatures.”
“I know. I couldn’t resist. He’s so wonderfully easy to flirt with. And it catches him completely off-guard.”
They sat in silence. The sounds of the street below floated up. “You’re chirpy this morning?” Regulus observed
“Lily makes me happy.” Pandora said simply.
“Good. Otherwise I’ll be compelled to have a serious talk with her.” Regulus said, only half joking.
Pandora smiled. That was so like him. Always looking out for those he cared for. ‘Regulus is a far more pleasant person when he isn’t in London.’ She thought, not for the first time in their friendship. ‘Now to find a way to keep him away.’ Pandora hummed some more. “Breakfast?” She asked eventually.
Regulus shook his head. “Had a coffee earlier. I do need to follow up on someone I saw this morning. Feel like coming up to the cathedral with me?”
Pandora squealed. “Lily asked me the same thing, apparently Sirius said he’d do a tour of the public area. Maybe we can all go together.” She stopped, taking in the carefully neutral face beside her. “Or they can go on their own, and I can get a tour with the king of the castle.” She finished, bouncing up onto her knees and then her feet. “Go dress appropriately King Regulus. I’m going to have a snack. See you downstairs.” Pandora sparkled down at him. “I wonder what we’ll see.” She added and floated out of the room.
Regulus stood and stretched. Pandora was right. He did need to dress the part. Luckily his wardrobe matched his name which meant fewer decisions required. A quick shower, a beautifully tailored suit and shirt, shiny shoes, and he was ready to take on the world. Or at least badly dressed magic users and his board members.
—-
The quidditch pitch was busy when the six friends finally wound their way along the river. Word had got out the team was in town and a practice session scheduled. James and Sirius were ecstatic when Danika and Csilia came to speak with them. James instantly pulled out the photo he had found, while Sirius produced a quill. The two players laughed and signed it instantly, promising to send the rest of the team down in pairs to sign it as well.
By the end of the morning, James had achieved his goal. ‘If only seducing Regulus was this easy.’ He thought as they waved goodbye to the players and headed back to the posh part of the city. ‘Life would be perfect.’
“Penny for your thoughts,” Lily said, slipping her arm through his.
“No Pandora this morning?” James responded.
Lily shook her head with a smile. “Other plans. Though she did say they would try to catch up with us later.”
“They?” James was curious.
“They. Though with Pan that could mean her and Regulus or her and a whole bunch of tiny or unusual creatures, or an entire herd of dragons.”
James laughed. He foolishly hoped it would be the former, but strongly suspected it would be the latter.
They walked on in amiable silence, enjoying the bright sunshine and crisp winter air. ‘A beautiful day.’ James thought ‘I wonder if Regulus prefers days like today or warm and sunny or cold and wet. I think I like them all. I must ask. Maybe we could …’ His musings were interrupted by a loud crash. “What the!” He exclaimed.
“I win!” Sirius crowed.
“Win what?” James asked bemused
“Dinner at a place of my choosing.”
“What for?”
“I correctly estimated the when and where you would return to the here and now.” Sirius said triumphantly
“I said it would be sooner. Given I let go of your arm a while ago?” Lily said. “Should have known you were miles away by the goofy look on your face. You’ve been doing that a lot lately.”
James grimaced. A certain pale ghost of a man had taken up residence in his head it was true.
“He was undoubtedly dreaming about Dan - and maybe even joining the team.” Sirius decided
The others laughed. James grinned. It was plausible enough. “Guilty as charged. Now where is this family monument to power and wealth?” He said shifting topics.
“Just around the corner. Let’s go see if anyone recognises me.” Sirius said gleefully. He was going to enjoy this.
Schooling his features to appear appropriately somber, Sirius led his friends along the street which encircled the building. He had vivid memories of walking here with his father when he was fifteen. The year before he ran away.
“One day, Sirius, if you learn to behave and embrace the family principles, all this will be yours.” Orion had spread his arms wide. “The businesses, the houses, the cathedral itself. All that is above and below the ground upon which we walk.”
Sirius hadn’t known whether to be enthralled or terrified at the prospect of so much responsibility. But at what cost? He might come from one of the wealthiest wizarding families in the world, but they were cold and ruthless. Until he had met the Pottters Sirius had always assumed that riches meant that all relationships were business deals, that only money mattered. Money, unwavering obedience, and pain. Effie, Monty and James had shown him that while money was important, love, understanding and kindness inspired obedience. Now as he walked the streets, Sirius wished with all his heart he could show Regulus that he wasn’t trapped. That he could have whatever life he wanted. That he didn’t need to be part of this soul destroying empire.
“Now whose turn is it to be off in la la land?” James teased as he steered Sirius around a corner only to come to an abrupt halt when faced with a massive wall of marble.
“Please tell me we don’t have to walk through that to get in?” Tara said, coming to a stop behind them.
Sirius shook his head. Everything in him screamed to run. To run as fast and as far as he could. This was a stupid idea. They would get seen. He would be dragged back. He’d be bound again. Forced to face his mother. To explain. He’d be beaten. His friends cursed. He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t.
“Sweetheart.”
The gentle Welsh lilt and strong hand in his broke through the spiral of panic that had started to engulf Sirius. He took a deep breath. And another. He focused on the heartbeat he could feel through his hand. “I’ve got this.” He breathed. “No. We don’t have to walk through this wall. There is infact a door. It’s not used very often so tends to remain hidden to the casual observer.” He stared at the wall, all senses alert. “Ah. Got it. And it recognizes me as family. Excellent.” Sirius grinned. “Let’s find out where else we can go. Everyone hold hands now.” With a confidence he didn’t actually feel, Sirius stepped up and through the wall, continuing to move forward until all six of them were inside.
“Wow!” James exhaled. The corridor in which they stood was long and wide, with vaulted ceilings and smooth walls of grey-veined marble walls imbued with a pale blue light..
“Where are we?” Lily whispered
“First lower level. Under the main floor if I remember correctly. One of the lesser used corridors.” Sirius replied. “It gets plainer as we go further down.”
“What’s it like if we go further up?” Willow asked
“Let’s find out.” James said and took off towards a brighter spot at the end of the corridor.
“Is it safe?” Lily asked, concern lacing her quiet voice.
Sirius shrugged a shoulder. “No idea, but let’s not loose sight of him.” He said and set off. The others followed