Chapter 4
two weeks
two fucking damn weeks since the disappearance of the Black heir
The two weeks since the case has been quite exciting to everyone.
Rumours began to circulate, suggesting that the youngest Black had been kidnapped by a Dark Wizard, or worse, murdered.
Sirius Black became even more furious when he heard these rumours. He's been crazy ever since his brother disappeared, and it's made everyone around him crazy, especially James.
Okay, to be honest, the rumours are starting to make sense now. because how could a young wizard hide so that the Aurors and the Black family couldn't find him?
James wouldn't tell Sirius that, of course.
All the owls and all the tracking spells, until the quite dark one, don't work at all. like the boy has simply disappeared off from the earth.
Despite the Blacks, the Potters, Dumbledore, even the Ministry and Aurors searching for Regulus, there is still no sign of him.
The Black family themselves had given up trying to force the Potter family to admit that they were hiding Regulus in their house, although they were still sending threats to Sirius.
James desperately hope they could get some news about his best friend's younger brother. But he couldn't bear to see Sirius like this. He thought again about where Regulus could go, apart from hisfamily, friends and the Potter family. nothing.
James took a deep breath and lay down on his bed, trying to take his mind off the Slytherin Ice Prince for a moment.
***
James woke up when Sirius brutally grabbed his shoulder.
"James, James, James!"
oh, merlin! not anymore
James rubbed his face roughly, then realised he had fallen asleep with his glasses on.
"What's happen Sirius?" he tried to ask gently.
He knew Sirius was stress at the moment, but if it continued like this, it looked like James would be the one to strangle himself
"Regulus' friend, the blonde one, said that they want to meet me. Did they find Regulus? Have they heard anything from him? Did they find anything? A clue? Did Regulus send their a letter? is he okay?"
"Whoa, whoa, Sirius, calm down," James tried to calm Sirius down, he look like he is going to run out of breath.
"I can't calm down James, this is my baby brother and nobody knows where he is, what if he's in danger and I'm not there for him?"
James hugged Sirius as soon as he realised that his friend's body is shaking. Damn, he really hate seeing Sirius like that. Sirius had been through a lot of unpleasant things in his life, when he deserve all the happiness in the world. James hug his friend, hoping that Sirius would calm down.
"Do you think Reggie hates me?"
Oh
this is about that
To be honest, James hadn't liked Regulus all this time. He thought Regulus was arrogant and ungrateful. How could he side with his parents when he has a wonderful brother like Sirius? How could he ignore Sirius and be cruel to him? What did Regulus do to deserve a brother like Sirius?
James always wanted a sibling, and he fell he got that from Sirius. So, when Sirius turned up bleeding outside his house, or maybe, it was since because the youngest Black was sorted into Slytherin, James decided that he would take Sirius. he would make Sirius his brother. because James was there when Sirius told him about his brother. James' shoulder was where Sirius cried. James was the one who made Sirius laugh, happy. James was the one who should be Sirius' brother, not anyone else, not Regulus.
No one knew that James, as well as being angry and sad for Sirius when he appeared at Potter's house, was also a little happy. Because, finally Sirius is coming to him. Finally Sirius would be his. And he was going to make sure that no one could take Sirius away from him. Nothing could harm Sirius anymore.
Sirius' reaction to the loss of Regulus was a little confusing to James. Doesn't Sirius hate his brother? Yes, James knew that Sirius still love Regulus in his heart, but James didn't really think that Sirius love him that much. It made James a little jealous, because what Sirius felt for Regulus was a pure kind of love, which proved that they are brothers, a bond that no one could deny, not even - apparently - James.
But lately, James' low opinion of Regulus has changed a little. When the Slytherin prince runs away from home, it means he doesn't agree with his parents. Maybe he wasn't as bad as James thought.
James hugged Sirius tighter, trying to give him as much warmth and security as possible.
"There's no way he hates you, Pads"
Well, he honestly doesn't know, but that's a matter for later.
"I left him, James! I left him alone in that place! I was never there for him, I am a bad brother, James" Sirius put his head on James' shoulder.
James' embrace of Sirius grew tighter. Merlin, how he hates to see his bestmate like this
"He wouldn't think like that, Sirius, you had to leave the house that day or you could die. He would definitely understand."
"What if he doesn't?"
that's mean he doesn't deserve you.
The words were on the tip of James' tongue, he couldn't say that at a time like this.
He hold Sirius' face in his hands. Sirius' blue eyes being dark, fill with despair, like the sea in a storm.
James wipes away Sirius' tears.
"When will we meet Regulus' friends?" James ask
"After dinner."
James nodded.
"Okay, I'll come with you."
"You will?"
"Of course Sirius, you are my friend."
Sirius ran back into James' arms.
"Thank you James, thank you for everything."
"Anytime Sirius, anytime."
oh, how james really hope that they really have a proper information.
***
Sirius and James walk together down a deserted hallway that seemed to be no longer in use. When sirius told james about the meeting place, the class was unused, James became a little suspicious. he is worry that this might be a trap and that the Slytherins just want revenge against them, But no matter what, he wouldn't let Sirius go alone.
After walking down the winding hallway, they see the blonde hair of Regulus' Ravenclaw friend. Sirius' shoulders stiffened slightly as the girl waved at them. Beside her, Meadowes stared at them deeply.
"I thought you wouldn't come,"
"Yeah, but now we're here, right?"
Meadows glanced at James just before entering the classroom.
There were Crouch and Rosier standing there, looking like they are, um, yeah, fighting?
“No, Barty, he doesn’t have any real family or acquaintances there,” Rosier says tiredly.
“Well, maybe, you don’t know. Reg is so full of secrets. Maybe he has close acquaintances there, or—” Barty’s insistent words are cut off by Evan.
“I’m literally his second cousin and have been around him more than I know. You think I wouldn’t notice if he had an acquaintance close enough for Regulus to trust like that?”
“Yes, maybe,” Barty mutters.
Evan looks like he wants to strangle Barty, but before he can say anything, Pandora cuts him off.
“Boys, calm down.”
They’re still glaring at each other fiercely, but then they turn their gazes toward James and Sirius.
“Wow, what are these two Gryffindor bastards doing here?” Barty narrows his eyes.
James’s hand moves closer to his wand as he sees Rosier reaching for his own.
“I brought them,” Pandora’s voice breaks the tense atmosphere.
“What—Dora, why?” Rosier looks at his twin, confused.
The other Rosier sighs. “I thought maybe they’d have an idea about—”
“They won’t have anything,” Barty spits, glaring at Sirius. “I’m sure he doesn’t know anything about Regulus.”
Pandora sighs. “After all, he’s still related to Reggie, even just by blood, and Reg trusts him enough—at least was.”
Barty looks like want to cut in, but Pandora is faster. “And we really need the slightest bit of information.”
Barty takes a few deep breaths before dropping heavily onto the sofa in the middle of the classroom. Evan sits next to him after shooting a look at Sirius and James that could kill. James swallows hard before sitting across from them. Pandora and Dorcas take a seat on the sofa opposite.
Sirius coughs once. “Um, okay, may I know—have you heard any news from my brother?” he fidgets with his nails nervously, and James reaches over to hold his hand.
“They found Regulus’s last location,” Dorcas says, making Sirius whip her head around to look at her. James winces, hoping his friend's neck wouldnt break with how fast he turns.
“they found him? Where is he? How is he? Is he—”
“last location, Black,” Barty interrupts lazily, “but no, they still don’t know where he actually is.”
James frowns, trying to make sense of it. cause, what the hell is it? “What do you mean?”
“They apparently found a trace of Regulus,” Evan explains, “but it ended at the edge of a Muggle town. After that, there was no trace of magic at all, which should be impossible. How could he just disappear without magic?”
Sirius feels even more confused. What exactly happened? Where could his brother be? He’s still struggling to wrap his mind around it all.
“We called you here to see if there’s anyone Regulus might know well enough there, because it’s likely he would go to them.” dorcas says
“No,” Sirius shakes his head.
“It’s impossible for Regulus to know anyone in the Muggle world, our mother would kill him just for going there.”
“Look, he won’t know anything,” Barty cuts in, his voice tight.
James looks like he wants to respond, but Sirius holds him back.
“Look, I really don’t know what’s going on, but I can guarantee Regulus wouldn’t have any acquaintances, especially someone that he trust that much, in the Muggle world. Walburga would definitely find out. And, honestly, what are the Aurors doing, not being able to find traces of a fifteen-year-old boy?” Sirius runs a hand through his hair in frustration.
“Are you sure he wouldn’t have any friend there?” Pandora asks for confirmation.
“hundred percent,” Sirius insists.
Barty rubs his face roughly, about to say something, when a crack sounds in the room. A house elf stands there, bowing.
“Deek was ordered by Professor Dumbledore to summon Sirius Black and Mr. Regulus Black’s friends to the headmaster’s office.”
They all glanced at one another.
“What did you do, Barty?” Dorcas asked, narrowing her eyes.
“Not me! they are calling Black too” Barty replied defensively.
“Thank you, Deek. We’ll be there as soon as we can,” Pandora smile kindly to the houseelf.
“It’s Deek’s duty, Ms. Rosier,” the little elf said with a bow before disappearing with a loud pop.
“it van be something about Regulus,” Evan suggested, make everyone turned to look at him.
“Yes, maybe,” Sirius said, standing abruptly. “We’ve got to go. Now.” He glanced at James, who returned the look with slight hesitation.
James then glanced at the Slytherins before speaking. “Right, let’s get, then. It seems they’ve got some good news.”
Barty snorted. “Good news? If it’s good, why would they bother calling him? It’s not like he’s actually his brother or anything.”
James opened his mouth to reply, but Sirius stopped him with a quick shake of his head. his energy drained. Picking a fight with Regulus’s friends wasn’t worth it right now.
Evan shrugged, jumped up from the sofa “enough. Let’s go find out whether it’s good news so we can leave or its bad news so we can burn down his bloody office.”
The Slytherins followed him out
Dorcas turned back to Sirius and James, raising an eyebrow. “Are you planning to stay here forever, or what?”
“We’re coming,” James replied quickly
*****
“What do you mean he’s okay?!” Sirius barked, his voice filled with frustration.
“Hey! You should be happy he’s okay, asshole,” Barty shot back, glaring at him.
“I- of course I’m glad he’s okay, but—” Sirius faltered, his words catching in his throat.
What the fuck is happening right now?!
For the past week, Sirius had been consumed with worry, imagining the worst about Regulus’s condition. The possibility of kidnapping, harm—anything but this. He truly hopes that his brother is safe, but he doesnt really think that regulus is really fine
If Regulus is fine, then why hadn’t he told anyone? Didn’t he realize how worried everyone had been? How Sirius himself had barely slept, eaten, or thought of anything else?
“So, where is he now?” Pandora’s calm voice cut through Sirius’s chaotic thoughts, dragging him back to the real world.
All eyes turned to Dumbledore, who sat serenely behind his desk, his expression unreadable.
“Mr. Regulus has informed me that he is currently with someone he trusts. He intends to return to Hogwarts early next week.”
two more days
Barty let out a loud, exasperated sigh and raked his hands through his hair. “That bastard,” he muttered, his frustration evident.
Here’s a more human-like version with slight imperfections and natural phrasing
“salazar, I’m so relieved that finally we get news about him, to hear he’s alright,” Barty muttered, his tone sharp. “But couldn’t he have told us sooner? I thought he’d been torn apart by worewolf pack or Being a sacrifice for some dark magic.”
Dorcas, wgo is standing beside him, gave him a one-armed hug, trying to calm him down.
“At least he’s safe,” she said softly. “We’ll give him a lesson when he gets back.”
Pandora, however, kept her eyes fixed on Dumbledore, her expression hard.
“Are you sure he’s safe?” she asked, her voice low but pointed.
Dumbledore hesitated, clearing his throat. “I cannot fully guarantee it, Ms Rosier. We can only hope for the best about Mr Black right now.”
“So you’re telling me to just believe a letter?” Pandora shot back, her tone sharp.
yeah, it’s Regulus’s handwriting, but-
"how can we be certain? How can we know he’s actually safe? He’s with someone who can slip past all tracking spells and the Aurors. they're even managed to dodge the Black family’s spells. Do you really think that’s reassuring?”
The room fel silent. Her words hung in the air, uncomfortably true.
Sirius looked stunned. He, of all people, know how determined Walburga could be when she want or looking for something. Whoever had taken Regulus had to be extraordinary people id they could escape from her
Luckily, a moment later, an owl swooped down, dropping a letter directly into Pandora’s lap.
"I'm fine. Don't plan murder. –R.A.B."
It is from Regulus Black.
They all stare at each other, stunned for a moment, before Evan burst out laughing.
"That rascal!," he said, shaking his head. "He really knows how to play with people’s emotions."
Sirius and James exchanged a glance, neither saying a word in this situation
erm, at least now they knew that the youngest Black is alive and, yeah, safe.