Chapter 6
Sirius just looked at James in beffudlement. James supposed it was worthy of such a thing. After all, their consultant had threatened an officer, but in the grand scheme of things, techincally that officer had tried to attack him, so James honestly could not really see a bad side of it. After all, self defense and all that jazz. Still, hearing the Director of the FBI call to Regulus as if he were nothing more than a dog did unsettle him, and from what he saw in Sirius' gaze, he knew it unsettled him too. They both glanced at Remus, who did not really seem all that concerned, so they shrugged off their own concern, determined to speak with him about it later.
"Regulus, the cup?" Lily asked, her voice gentle. It would seem that she saw something in Regulus the rest of them had yet to see, but James knew that the reaction he had had upon seeing it in the crime photos would definitely warrant gentle handling. He had fought against the Assistant and the FBI Director in utter terror upon the sight of it. Now, that selfsame cup was in the room with them. Regulus tilted his head, glancing at Lily before striding over to where another officer had placed the evidence tub with them. He plucked the mug up, turned it over, and...well it was some stars.
"Regulus,"
"What?" The man asked blithely, a bit sarcastically if James was totally honest.
"The constellation is Regulus, and the cup didn't really match the aura of the scene, that's how he knew he was being called out, and why the Director and Assistant Director were so hard handed on convincing him...right?" Sirius turned his grey eyes towards the man, startled a bit as the same color-but different shade-struck his.
"Yes, that is how I knew."
"So who is calling you out?" Sirius asked, "And why do you say not to waste time with the cup? Surely best to be safe rather than sorry."
"Oh, there are a fair few who may want to call me out, and even more to get the prized title of dragging me back," Sirius felt something almost guilty stir in his stomach, before he shoved it off. This was not the same situation. "However, I think the most important question is for dear old Barty here."
"I am not old, for the last damn time!" Regulus hummed, his eyes glazing slightly as a sort of...manic grin took his features by storm. A tense pause locked the room and curled around each member tightly. "They know you haaaaveee meee." A laugh pushed its way out, Sirius flinched at the sound. It was so familiar, yet so different at the same time.
"Regulus, Reg, look at me." Crouch rushed over, shaking him by his shoulders. Stormy eyes met the Directors, glazed over and almost skimmed past him. "We don't know its them. We don't even know how..." A quick shiver and the man's eyes cleared.
"There are only two people with enough power, and access, to find me, Barty," The man whispered, fingers trailing down his face. "One, I'd really rather not go back to, but I can handle it if I am forced, and the other..." Words failed him at that point, and Remus saw him fully retreat into himself. Crouch sighed, steering Regulus to a chair, he looked over them and spotted Remus, who he quickly ordered to stand next to Regulus, to protect from himself or everyone else, Sirius did not know, the situation with the officer still bright in their minds.
"I suppose you are going to need some more information if I expect you to protect Regulus," Barty sighed annoyed.