Bad Things
James was still grinning when he went down stairs for brunch a couple of hours later, his hair damp from the shower he’d ended up sharing with Regulus.
“No cat?” Sirius asked, nursing his second cup of coffee.
“It would appear so.” James said, pouring himself a cup of tea.
“You are remarkably cheerful today. How do you have no hangover? I could have sworn you drank as much as the rest of us?” Sirius grumbled.
“Guess the cat brought me good luck.”
Sirius threw a piece of toast at James who caught it and began to eat. Pandora smiled happily at him. Remus looked smug. James grinned at them both. He knew they knew, and that was okay.
Before their shower, James and Regulus had talked. Sort of.
“You know this is how it will be for us?” Regulus had said, as they stood watching the village children playing in the field behind the house.
“I know.” James had said, resting his cheek on Regulus’s head. He liked the way they fitted together. Regulus was just short enough to be able to see over his head. Every protective instinct in his body could hold onto the fragile looking man in his arms and keep him safe. The fact that James knew Regulus was far stronger than he looked didn’t matter. They fitted together and he wanted to hold onto that forever.
“Jamie.”
“Yes Reg.”
“I get married in three weeks.”
“I know. Elsbeth Parkinson. Youngest child of Angus and Mara-Gret Parkinson. Finishing school in Switzerland. Currently residing in London. Charming and erudite she has taken the wizarding world by storm, appearing on the young Lord Regulus Black's arm the epitome of poise and fashion.” James recited. “I may have read the article once or twice.”
Regulus smiled. “She’s definitely all that. Lovely too.”
“Have you slept with her yet?” James was genuinely curious. “Ooof. What was that for?” he grunted when Regulus elbowed him in the stomach.
“What do you think?”
“I don’t know. That’s why I asked. Have you? Will you? Can I?”
“No. No. And No.” Regulus responded, dropping his hand so that it cupped James. “These now officially belong to me.” He squeezed.
“Careful. I’m going to need those.”
“Oh yes?”
“Would you like me to show you?”
“Do you think you can?”
“Hmm… let’s see.”
James grinned into his cup of tea thinking about the lead up to the shower. He knew his relationship with Regulus would be on the younger man’s terms. He also knew that what they’d left unspoken was as real as the couples around him. He wished it could be more. That it could be public. But Lord Black had an image to uphold and that did not include a male lover from the other side of the recently fought wizarding war.
“What’s going on in there, Potter?” A voice smirked from the back door. “Are you having some form of aneurism?”
James looked up, shock plain on his face.
“Reggie.” Sirius bellowed. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be shafting your charming and erudite fiance.”
“I could go back to what I was doing this morning if you’d prefer.” Regulus said, staring blatantly at James who blushed furiously, causing Remus to choke on his coffee and Pandora to giggle hysterically.
“No no. Stay here with us.” Sirius said, missing the reactions in his excitement. “Have you had breakfast yet? Tea? Coffee?
“Thank you. I ate earlier. A coffee would be great though. Can I come in?”
“Yes. Yes. Come in. Come in.” Sirius said. “Shove over James, otherwise Reggie will be forced to sit in your lap.”
“Again.” Murmured Remus with a sly grin at James whose blush had almost receded only to rapidly reemerge.
“Happy New Year Regulus.” Pandora said, jumping up to give the new arrival a hug.
“Happy New Year Pan.” Regulus said, hugging her back. “And congratulations to you both.” He added producing a small beautifully wrapped gift and handing it to Pandora.
Pandora sat back down beside Lily, who looked at Regulus with wide eyes. “You knew?” She asked.
“I guessed. I came by today to see if I was right.” Regulus said taking the now spare chair between Sirius and James.
The girls looked at each other. It was only the six of them around the kitchen table. “Shall we open it now?” Lily asked. It was unusual to see Pandora so unsure.
“If you like.”
Lily looked at Pandora who smiled so suddenly it took her breath away. “Yes. We shall.” Pandora said with certainty.
Carefully they unwrapped the gift exposing a small jewellery box. Together they opened the box. Lying on a bed of velvet were matching necklaces. Acorns, intricately wrought in white, rose and yellow gold, with tiny ebony stems. And two germinating acorns in a glass compartment underneath.
“Oh Merlin! Regulus! These are magnificent.” Lily breathed. “Thank you.” She met his gaze with wonder and gratitude in her deep green eyes.
Regulus fought and beat the blush that threatened. He truly hadn’t known how Lily would react to such a gift. Another ice block in his heart melted. Pandora looked at him, eyes shining with tears of gratitude. “Thank you.” She said simply.
Sirius was staring at his little brother with undisguised awe. “Who are you and what did you do with my coldhearted marble little brother?” He asked
Regulus shrugged. “It’s not everyday your best friend gets to marry the person they love and who loves them back. Thought I’d celebrate a little.” He said noncommittal.
James reached under the table and squeezed the slim hand he knew so well. Regulus squeezed back. This was so odd. People who actually got to be truly happy with those they choose. No ulterior motives. No sly comments. It was a mistake calling in. He’d seen James. He could have given Pandora the gift when he saw her next at her cottage. Why was he putting himself through this? It could never be his.
The room lapsed into a warm silence as Pandora and Lily stared at the necklaces and smiled lovingly at each other. Sirius had put his head on Remus’s shoulder and closed his eyes as Remus kissed his forehead, his own eyes closed as well.
James had captured Regulus’s eyes and seen the sadness in them. He was about to lean in and kiss him when a shriek came from the hallway door and a fireball exploded in front of them. James almost screamed as he watched all the walls Regulus had begun to dismantle slam back into place.
“Dorcas. What the fuck?” He ground out instead.
“What is He doing here? Murderer!” Dorcas stormed into the room, wand raised and pointed directly at Regulus.
Regulus yawned, covering his mouth with an elegant hand. “I’m visiting my brother. Congratulations by the way. I heard you were married last month.”
Marlene stood behind Dorcas, her mouth agape.
“Oh do close your mouth McKinnon. The flies will get in and further addle your brain.” Regulus continued, a bored expression on his face.
Dorcas looked at the others in disbelief. “Why is this murdering bastard at the breakfast table? Did he stay the night?”
“Afternoon Everyone. Oh hi Regulus. Didn’t think we’d see you until the end of the month. Happy New Year.” Willow said as she and Tara wandered into the kitchen. “Oops. Have we interrupted something?”
James burst out laughing. He couldn’t help it. “It appears we forgot to tell Dorcas and Marlene that we’re now all friends with the evil Regulus Black.”
“Are you evil?” Willow asked,
“Yes.”
Willow tilted her head to one side and shook it. “Dark definitely, but not evil. Wrong aura.”
“And not as dark as he used to be.” Tara added.
“Thanks. How can I continue my nefarious practices if my favourite hedge witches ruin my reputation?” Regulus said drily.
Sirius burst out laughing. “Dorcas, Regulus has promised to help us return Willow and Tara to their own time in California.”
“But he’s a murderer. He…. He killed Sam.” Dorcas stuttered as Marlene gently lowered her wife’s wand hand.
Lily felt her breath hitch and heart stutter. Pandora, squeezed her hand.
“I am murderer. That bit’s true. I did not kill Sam. I killed the person who did.” Regulus said, impassive as always.
James winced. Lily blanched. Sam and Dorcas had been cousins and close to each other.
“Do tell.” Dorcas said accusingly, staring down at the man she hated.
“Sam got caught in some major crossfire, and had taken shelter behind a fence on the opposite side to the Prewitt twins and Moody. I was trapped further down the street by the Longbottoms and could only watch as Elias Flitch crept up behind Sam and cast the crucio spell.”
Sirius shuddered violently. He hated that spell. It hurt beyond all reason. Regulus glanced at his brother sympathetically before turning cold eyes back to Dorcas.
“Gideon said Sam died screaming while the wizard who cast the spell laughed.” Dorcas said, tears running down her face. “He said he saw you with your wand raised at Sam. That you had killed Sam.”
“No. I killed Elias. He bled very very slowly to death and all the while he screamed and begged for mercy. It took him three days to die. What Gideon saw was me incapacitating Elias so that the spell would stop and hopefully save enough of Sam to go home to Lily.”
“Why? How did you know?” Lily whispered.
“I’ve always known. Sirius may have stopped looking out for me, but I never stopped looking out for him or his friends.” Regulus replied, meeting Lily’s eyes with a fierce compassion in his own.
Lily nodded. It made sense in a horribly screwed up way. James and Sirius always came back. Not always healthy but always at least mostly alive. “You saved James.” She whispered.
Regulus nodded. “At least twice. Once with help from Sirius.”
James looked at them both, locking gazes with Regulus. “Internal bleeding. It was his voice I heard. You called me Jamie. It’s why I came back.” He said softly to the others.
“Yours is why I came back.” Regulus said as quietly, the rest of the kitchen forgotten as they drowned in each other's eyes and memories.
“You want us to believe, you murdered someone on your own side and saved your brother's best friend because you care about him.” Dorcas sneered, breaking the moment.
“I killed many death eaters and their supporters over the course of the war. I injured, and possibly killed, a number of their opposition as well. I never intentionally hurt a muggle or a child.” Regulus said so coldly James felt ice emanating from his lover. It scared him. Sirius shivered. He felt it as well. “What did you do?” Regulus sneered.
Dorcas blanched at the tone and felt frightened for the first time since she entered the room. She looked at the others. Their expressions ranged from neutral to shocked to sorrow. How had they all forgiven him so easily? Dorcas turned to Marlene.
Marlene drew her into a hug. “It’s time to let it go. Sam is gone. Lily is happy again. Regulus is … well … Regulus. He’s not a good man. I believe him when he says he didn’t kill your cousin. I also believe he tortured the man who did to death. Let it go. Please.” She said, looking at Regulus for the last part.
The room fell silent for a long moment. “Ok. Maybe. I don’t know if I can. I’ll try.” Dorcas muttered, before stepping back from Marlene. “But first I’m going for a walk. Will you be here when I get back?” She snapped at Regulus.
Regulus shrugged a shoulder. “Depends on how long you’re gone.” He answered.
Dorcas scowled. She should have known she would get a glib answer. With a nod to the others Dorcas turned on her heel and left the kitchen in search of her coat and boots. A few minutes later the front door slammed.
“You not going?” James asked as Marlene went to put the kettle on.
“No. Dorcas needs to be alone right now. If I’m there she won't be able to process anything because she’ll be too busy trying to figure out what I’ll say and do.” Marlene said
Lily gave a little laugh. “Sam was the same. Took a while to work that one out.”
“I always have someone around. You get used to it. Kringleshacks and Pelepopeeds don’t give very good advice though. I don’t think they understand humans very well. Ravens on the other hand are excellent conversationalists.” Pandora said.
Lily kissed her on the cheek. “Living with you is going to be weird.”
“Are you sure?” Pandora asked, suddenly anxious. She hadn’t seen this.
“Yes. Totally and completely.” Lily said, love radiating out towards her intended. “Sam once told me that if I ever needed cheering up you were the best person in the whole world to go and see. Now I get to do that forever.”
Pandora beamed. “Oh. That reminds me. I have a book I borrowed. Now I can give it back.” She said, completely at ease again.
“But I never lent you anything.” Lily said
“That’s okay. It’s yours now.” Pandora said.
Lily looked at Regulus. “You’ll find out when you get back to the cottage.” He said almost warmly.