Thin White Duke

Regulus was gone when Dorcas returned from her walk. James felt his heart ache again at the thought of not seeing his Reg. He understood why the walls were in place. The Regulus who had begun to emerge around this group of friends was starting to show more warmth. Appear more connected to life and people.. But the Regulus Dorcas had invoked. Old, cold, mean Regulus. No twenty year old or forty year old or even hundred year old should have had the experiences he had had. That any one of them had had as teenagers. James sighed. The sitting room was full of people laughing, talking, playing games, and he was moping for a boy, a man, he could never have. 

“He’ll be back.” Pandora said, joining him on the wide window seat. 

“I know. He said he’d return in the next couple of weeks with a proper plan to get Willow and Tara home.” James said, hugging his knees to his chest. 

Pandora put a hand on his, her dark, ethereal beauty and kindness shining in the pale winter sunlight coming through the window. James could see why Lily had fallen in love with this woman. He suspected most of them were half in love with Pandora without even realising it. He smiled wanly. 

“Why does he talk about murder so casually? 

“It hurts less that way.” 

“Does he like it.” 

“No. Not at all. He hates it. But he sees it as a necessary evil. Some people deserve death. Others deserve punishment. Others to live with the shame of what they did. Others to live their lives unaffected by evil.” Pandora studied James. His normally happy demeanour lay slumbering under his concern for actions beyond his control. “He is who he is to make our worlds better. He is never going to be a good man. You are a good man.” 

“Why do I love him then? I always thought I would fall in love with someone more like you or Lily or Willow or Tara. Someone good. Someone who makes the world a kinder, better place. Why him? He’s mean and cruel. He follows his own path….  Why doesn’t he love me the same way?” James whispered, his eyes full of tears. 

Pandora had the answers. James had to find them for himself. Regulus had to find his own answers as well. They sat together in silence for a while. 

Over by the fireplace Willow and Remus were engaged in a game of wizards chess. Willow was determined to be able to win at least fifty percent of the time by the end of the month. Tara thought that admirable, having managed that so far, played cribbage with Lily. Sirius and Marlene were ensconced on the couch as they talked about quidditch and the upcoming trials. 

“Okay. Got to ask. Why were members of the Hungarian national quidditch team here last night? I can understand why there were members from many of the English teams because we played with them at school, but Dan, Csilia, Bajnok, even the keeper Tamas, all came up and said hello like they were old friends of yours.” Marlene said to the room in general. 

Sirius grinned and tossed his head at James. “We got to train with the team a couple of weeks ago when we were in Budapest. They even signed a photo we found in one of the gift shops. James thought it would be cool to invite them. I don’t think either of us thought they’d actually turn up.” 

“From what I heard, and saw, James did flirt rather spectacularly with most of them.” Lily said, looking up from her cards. “Especially the captain.” 

“Nice woman. Scary as anything and wicked on the pitch. But also really nice.” Sirius said. “I’m surprised she didn’t end up staying the night. Or is that why you’re moping.” He added, throwing a pillow across the room at James. 

James caught the pillow and threw it back. “Her loss.” He said, pushing away the melancholy which had gripped him. 

“Who lost what?” Dorcas asked, coming into the room. . 

“Hungarian Captain.” Sirius said 

“That was the gorgeous red-head, right? She’s amazing on a broom. Why were they here?” Dorcas said, perching on the arm of the couch and dropping a kiss on Marlene’s head. 

“James. But she didn’t stay to fly his broomstick.” Sirius ducked as James threw a cushion from the window seat at him. 

“What I do with my broomstick is no concern of yours.” James retorted. 

Marlene groaned as Dorcas laughed. This was why they had come home. They needed a dose of stupid before pre-season matches started. 

Remus closed the chess bubble he’d created just in case the room got too noisy. He needed to concentrate right now. He also knew exactly whose broomsticks were ridden through the night - during and after the party. Sometimes being supernatural had its downsides. ‘Hungry.’ Rumbled the Wolf. And that was one of them. ‘Later.’ He thought. ‘Need to win. Might not.’ 

“Thinking of broomsticks. Why are the spare brooms flying around the tent outside?” Effie asked, as she and Monty stood in the doorway watching the younger generation. 

“Happy New Year Mum, Dad.” James said, as he got down off the window seat and went over to give them each a hug. 

Effie hugged James back, noting the unusual shine to his eyes, and slight brittleness to his usual cheeriness. Something wasn’t quite right. She didn’t think he was hungover. No. There was a sadness. More heartfelt than the one he returned with from Fowey. She’d ask him about it later. 

“Happy New Year everyone.” Monty said cheerfully. 

“Happy New Year.” Most of the room choruses back. 

“How are the hangovers?” Monty continued as he took them all in. “Who’s winning?” 

Tara looked at the chessboard. A few pieces lay scattered at the edges. “Hard to tell.” She said. 

Monty wandered over to take a look. “Oh this one is tough. And they’ve shielded themselves from distraction.” He studied the board for a moment. “Too close to call yet. Unless one of them has a major slip, they could be here for another hour at least.” 

Sirius groaned unhappily. “Long games are so boring.” He said. 

“In that case, now it’s stopped snowing, why don’t some of you go round up the brooms and clean up the back garden.” Effie said “James help me with the kitchen please.” 

Everyone jumped up to help. Tara conceded the card game to Lily, and Dorcas was pleased to be able to do something that avoided talking too much right now. 

“How was last night?” Effie asked once the others were in the garden. 

James lit up. “It was amazing Mum. So many people came and joined in. There was an endless quidditch match in the tent. I didn't know you could turn quidditch into a drinking game, but Csilia, she’s one of the Hungarian chasers, assured me that it’s excellent for teaching balance and concentration skills. The fireworks worked a treat. Must thank Dad for those. Took everyone’s breath away. I think I may have inadvertently improved some quidditch relationships. Certainly there was cross pollination between teams. Should make for an interesting international, and national, season this year.” James laughed. He’d stumbled across quite a few couples taking advantage of the darkened corners in the tent and garden. “We found out that Dorcas and Marlene got married last month but there will be a proper party soon to make up for there not being a proper wedding. Sirius has promised to be the groomsman of honour but I don’t think that’s a thing. Also” James paused for affect “Pandora and Lily are getting married. Don’t know when. But they’re so beautiful together.” He sighed, smiling wistfully. 

Effie waited.  

“And before you ask. I think it’s amazing. I imagine they’ll split their time between London and wherever Pandora's cottage is. Which is perfect.” James grinned “Only two people, now three, know where Pandora lives. Apparently her grandmother made her promise to only tell her best friend and forever partner. So that’s all who know.” James looked out at the garden “I guess that’s why he feels so safe there.” he murmured. 

And there it was. Effie caught the sadness before James banished it behind a bright smile. Whoever he was, was clearly someone who meant a great deal to James. She wondered who it might be but didn’t ask. She’d find out when James was ready to tell her.  

Effie handed James the last plate to dry, before turning to check on the large saucepan of milk simmering on the stovetop. It was true they could do most mundane tasks with magic, and had a house elf to help out, but Effie and Monty had made the conscious decision to teach James how to look after himself in the muggle as well as magical worlds. With both of them working for the ministry, they didn’t want their only child to grow up spoiled and unaware of how others lived. They’d taken the same approach with Sirius when he’d joined their family.  

“Thanks Jamie. You can join the others if you want. I reckon the hot chocolates are about ten minutes away. But it can simmer for as long as you guys are outside.” 

“Thanks Mum.” James said, giving her a hug. “Talking with you always makes me feel better.” He added and dashed out the back door. 

Effie watched him go. He certainly seemed far brighter than when they had started the washing up. 

“He okay?” Monty asked quietly, as he came into the room and wrapped his arms around his wife so that the two of them could watch the antics in the back garden. 

“He will be. I have a sneaking suspicion he’s fallen in love and his heart is breaking.” Effie said, leaning back against the man she adored. 

“That was fast. Even for James.” Monty laughed. 

“No. This is different. It feels … unresolved.” Effie mused as she replayed what wasn’t said. 

“He’ll figure it out. He’s got a great bunch of mates who’ll help too.” Monty assured her. 

“And us.” Effie smiled 

“And us.” Monty agreed, turning and kissing his amazing wife. 

— —

Regulus was sitting under his favourite tree staring blindly at the snow covered vista before him. He’d been tempted to go back to the hill he’d taken James  but was feeling far too much for that. Instead he’d apparated to the cottage and the tree. Kreacher had brought him blankets and hot cocoa which he’d appreciated. He was seething.

 At this moment Regulus felt that he’d never hated anyone quite as much as he hated Dorcas Meadows.  How dare she waltz in and ruin what had been a pretty amazing morning. Sleeping with James. Waking up with James. Fucking with James. The look on James’s face when he showed up at the back door less than ten minutes after kissing him goodbye had been priceless. He loved being able to insult and flirt with James in public. It was so much fun. The fact that Sirius was determined to remain clueless was even better. And the reaction to his gift. The joy on Lily and Pandora’s faces. The connection he’d felt ever so briefly. Those few, very rare, moments made his life worthwhile. Then Dorcas fucking Meadows spoilt everything.  

Regulus rested his head back against the tree and closed his eyes. He needed to get his anger under control or he would do something he might actually regret.  It was the heartbreak in James’s eyes that had been his undoing. 

Everything he had said was true. He had murdered and tortured people. He’d been doing it for years. He didn’t like it. But it was a useful tool and Elias Flitch had deserved everything he got. Not just for killing Sam. No. Flitch had made Evan and Barty’s psycho tendencies seem positively mild in comparison. Flitch also had a thing for kids. Particularly muggle kids. And that was the real reason why he had died so slowly. He would have drawn it out further if that piece of scum’s body hadn’t given up. Regulus sighed. What no one knew was that he was still trying to find the rest of the victims to help reduce their trauma. He couldn’t banish it completely as the body would remember, but he could help them heal.  He never wanted anyone to turn out even remotely like him. 

A memory of playing with Sirius surfaced. They were down by a river. Their parents had a meeting of some sort at a merchants house in the country and sent them outside. Naturally they’d gone exploring. There had been two little girls as well who had been keen to show their new friends all the best places. They’d gone back to that house a few times over the next couple of years. Now Regulus thought about it, his parents must have been negotiating a marriage contract for Sirius who was about eight at the time. To the two boys it was a great opportunity to be outside and away from the dreary house. They were so innocent in so many ways. He smiled at the memory and vaguely wondered what the two girls were doing now. Not that it mattered. 

Feeling much calmer now, Regulus stood and gathered up the blankets and flask Kreacher had given him. With slow, measured steps he made his way back to the cottage and knocked on the front door. 

“Thanks for these Kreacher.” He said, handing everything over. “Are you okay here?” 

“Yes Master. Thank you.” Kreacher replied. “You know you are welcome inside at anytime. And you can stay as long as you like.” 

“I know. It doesn’t feel right without Pandora.”

“Did the tree help?” 

“It did. And so did you. Thank you again.” Regulus said and turned away. He still hadn’t got a final plan together for Willow and Tara. That would be a good place to put his rage. 

Several hours later Regulus was staring out his window onto what should have been an empty street. Someone was lurking. Odd. Curious, Regulus tucked his wand into its arm sheath and headed down into the side alley and circled around behind where the person was pacing. He didn’t actually need a wand anymore but it made others feel better if he at least made it look like he did so he carried it with him. Moving silently Regulus approached the person and pressed his wand into the heavily covered back. 

“Care to explain yourself?” He asked conversationally. 

The person jumped. “Regulus. Oh thank Merlin. I was hoping you were home but your place is so heavily warded I couldn’t even get across the street.” A familiar voice responded. 

“Evan?” 

The person nodded vigorously. “Can I turn around?” 

“Slowly.” Regulus answered, lowering his wand. 

The person turned around and removed the scarf from his face. It was Evan. And he looked scared. Very scared. 

“Ok. I’ll let you past the wards, but you must promise to tell me absolutely everything.” Regulus said

Evan nodded. “Anything. Everything.”

A few minutes later the two school friends and cousins were sitting in Regulus’s flat. 

“What’s happened?” Regulus asked, passing Evan a fortifying drink. The young man looked like he needed it. 

“It’s Barty. He’s been captured.” 

“Where? When? By whom?” 

“It was a set up. We were following a lead. You know we do PI work for now?” 

Regulus nodded. They weren’t overly fussy about who their clients were either or what was required to fulfill their contracts. 

“We’re working on a case at the moment which involves some senior ministers.” Evan continued. “It’s quite salacious and extremely scandalous if it should ever get to the public. A perfect case for us. It started off normally about a month ago. Tailing a minister or two. Listening in on conversations. A little bit of babysitting when people were reluctant to talk. The usual stuff. Then last night we get a call. The minister we need to get to is at this big New Years Eve party at some swanky bar in the City. That’s cool. We’d been planning to hit the local pubs so this was an good excuse to wear our glad rags and pretend to be posh.” Evan grinned. He has been brought up very posh. “Anyway we show up, give the fake names we’d been told to use, and in we trot. It was just like those dreadful events the parents made us go to when we were kids. Bland food, worse alcohol, stuffy suits, and more backstabbing then at a butchers convention. Barty was on a roll. Suave, sophisticated. The perfect gentleman. We had our cover stories in place and all was going well as we made our way towards our target. Took a couple of hours mind you and we learnt a lot of info that may be good later, but we got to the minister and his pals. They were clearly bored and decided to play cards in a small room off the main event. They invited us along. Not an unusual occurrence when Barty’s in top form so we didn’t think anything of it. Three hands in, I’m losing nicely - you never win at the beginning it looks suspicious - Barty’s won a hand to keep things even and the main dudes win the other two. All is going well when the lights suddenly go out and we find ourselves pinned to our chairs. “Gotcha” says the minister “You walked right into this one boys.” And the next thing we know there’s pain flooding all through us. It wasn't even the fun kind of pain. Man has no talent for it.” Evan grimaced. 

“Go on.” Regulus prodded. 

“Anyway. We’re mildly tortured for what felt like hours. No real questions. We repeated our stories again and again. Barty flirted - he does that to distract himself. Then one of the men decided it was time to get serious. He … They decide we don’t need all our digits. That was the point Barty decided I needed to go get help. These men were getting properly pissed and I don’t even know why. Is it a game? A power trip?”

Evan looked at Regulus, eyes bright with tears, then dropped his head. “I can’t loose him Reggie. It’s been so good since the war ended and we don’t have to care what anyone thinks anymore. Pretending to be just friends around the others was a nightmare but you know how Barty didn’t want to risk it.” 

“Why come to me? Why not go back to the person who hired you?” 

Evan looked up again. Was that sympathy in the usually impassive tone? “I tried. I waited at the meeting place but he didn’t show. That’s when I came here.”

“Ok. Why me?”

“You’re the scariest mother fucking wizard we know.” 

“Not Voldemort or Walburga?” 

Evan shook his head and downed his drink. “Nah. They’re mean, manipulative, viscous, vindictive and make us look piss weak. But they’re predictable. They take great pleasure in causing pain so they will always go the pain option. Physical or emotional.  But you. You’re completely unpredictable. They’re loud. You hear them coming. You? You my dear cousin, are as silent as a wraith. If I wanted someone to do something and say I’d report it to the dark lord sure there was fear. If I said I would talk to the younger Lord Black there was proper terror.” 

Regulus nodded. He’d worked hard to build that reputation. “Who captured you?” He asked 

“Tobias Finch, Zebadiah Stone and Cyrus Parkinson.” 

“Ahhh.” Regulus exhaled. “Guess I need to go say hello.”

“Oh fuck! I just realised. Parkinson. Your marrying one of them. And they must know we’re related. This wasn’t a trap for us. It’s for you! Fuck!” 

“Precisely.” Regulus said with a cold smile. “I get to clean up Walburga’s mess. Again.” 

“So what do we do? And why didn’t they go after you directly?” Evan asked, refilling his glass for the third time from the decanter Regulus placed on the small table beside him. 

“We rescue Barty of course.” Regulus grinned, menace settling on his features. “And why not  go after me  directly? Too dangerous. As you said Walburga is well known to be vindictive, so she would take it as a personal sleight as well as an attack on the family, and find a way to exact revenge that would include destroying their careers. This way I stepped in where I shouldn’t and get to pay the price, with no reason for my mother to seek revenge. Stupid stupid men.”

Evan grinned. This was going to be fun. Barty always said that if you wanted to see true passion in Regulus Black whatever you did needed to be personal. Very very personal. By capturing and torturing two of his closest friends, these men were going to be exposed to the coldest side of Lord Black. Evan wondered briefly if the men would even survive before a random thought hit him. 

“Regulus.” He said as they stood to go. “Did you ever fuck Barty?” 

Regulus looked at his cousin for a long moment. Evan had had a crush on Barty for years before either realised. They didn’t actually do anything about it until they’d left Hogwarts and Evan had been almost killed by Alistair Moody during the war.  “What has Barty said?” 

“Nothing specific” 

“Are you sure you want to know?” 

Evan nodded. He was curious. 

“Yes. We fucked. Beginning of fifth year. We were curious. It was safe. It confirmed what I’d long suspected about myself. I think it may have confused Barty more though. So I’m sorry about that.” Regulus said, continuing to hold Evan’s gaze. 

Evan grinned. “Thank you.” 

Regulus raised an eyebrow. That wasn’t quite the reaction he was expecting. 

“I think Barty has been embarrassed about those final few years when he shagged pretty much any girl who showed interest in him. Now I know why.” 

Regulus laughed. “Yes. That was him going through denial in a big way.”

“You didn’t do that. You were no recluse though.” 

“I had my fair share of liaisons. I simply made sure nobody but the people involved knew who I was involved with. I had a reputation to uphold.”

“Devious prick.” Evan said warmly. “Shall we go create chaos?”

Regulus nodded. He’d forgotten how much fun Evan and Barty were. He needed a good distraction from all his pinning. It was exhausting.