Chapter 8
Nobody really knew what to do with this new information. Regulus was a victim, and a rather important one with information nobody lese had. It was frustrating, but Sirius had guessed something similar. He laso knew that the director and his buddy the assistent director were a bit too...buddy buddy with Regulus. Yes, Sirius knew the physical correction was undoubtedly needed, especially if even half of what the Director said-let alone thought-was true, but that did not mean he could not have it leave a bad taste in his mouth, and it did. Now they were using him as bait, and as a way to obtain more information. Sirius did not even know what to think about that, especially considering it was obvious that Barty Crouch cared about Regulus. Perhaps not in the most traditional way, considering he was willing to use him for his own ends, but he did care nonetheless. The protective detail, and willingness to overlook certain obvious crimes aside, it was in the eyes, the panick tone of voice.
The worst, perhaps, was that Sirius understood what Barty Crouch was trying to do. He was trying to give Regulus a peace that he currently did not have. His captors were still free, they were still searching, and clearly had the ability to nag the FBI into letting out their infamous important witness. Regulus would never be wholly okay until they were captured and brought to justice, if they could...well sirius had to admit he would want to have his family arrested for their criems too, but he was never that lucky. In some ways, Regulus reminded him of himself, and yet in others they were totally different. There was this nagging thought that just would not let up...that perhaps Regulus had survived, somehow, and this was him, away from the blood and grime, but Sirius knew there was no hope there. He had heard the screams, and the manicked laughter, he knew what happened, and knew his parents had not lied to him...even if they would lie about everything else for whatever ends. They loved Regulus, however twisted as that love may have been.
He turned his eyes back to Regulus, who was now once again with the world, and humming softly to himself flicking through the reports idly. He seemed bored, and unsure of what to do. Sirius bit his lower lip, wondering if he should offer his own assistence. He got the feeling for some reason, that Regulus did not like him. He did not know why, he had no idea who the guy was, but it was clear enough that he was at the very least wary and cautious of him. Sirius wanted to know why, but knew he would not be able to get an answer. Not from him, not like this. Still...HE could not seem to help himself and in spite of James' attempt to snatch his arm so he did not do something stupid, and Remus' warning look, Sirius dropped into the chair vacated next to Regulus.
His fingers paused slightly, before continuing to flick through the files. Nothing else indicated the change. No other indications that he had even realized someone had moved into his space that he had set up for himself. "Since you seem to know so much more about these people coming after you, why don't you give us something to work with?" Sirius asked. Regulus dropped the file down on the table, tilting his eyes towards Sirius, curious. The only emotion that showed was in his eyes, everything else was shuttered down and blank. Sirius did not like the chills that it gave him. It made him want to run off. He had come across so many people that were the opposite once you unmasked them, dead in the eyes, yet they smile, but this opposite was really throwing him somehow.
"Do you really want to know?" The question somewhat confused Sirius. Why would he ask if he did not want to know? It threw him for a loop, and he found that he did not like it.
"Of course, why else would I bother asking?" regulus hummed, watching him carefully. Sirius got the distinct impression that he was being assessed, as if Regulus was trying to figure out if he was being obtuse or being honest. It was not really all that pleasant. Before the other could bother to respond, however, the M.E. finally popped in, hesitant, but deterimined.
"I have finished my report." Regulus tossed the chair back, standing and watching the poor forensic with those intense eyes. Sirius, now knowing what it felt like to have that gaze lit on him, felt a sympathetic shiver roll down his spine.
"Nothing?" He asked, a smile to his face, but it was almost fake, yet...Sirius was not entirely sure why it was that Regulus seemed to be all full of contradictions, and no real direction. Perhaps it was Sirius' own abilities that were flawed, but Regulus was a victim, and one that had managed to last so long, those did not typically react normally. Perhaps that was why he was so shaken about everything...but even Sirius could not lie to his internal self, denial is all fine, but in the grande scheme of things, he knew Remus was connecting dots with the constant concerned looks that he was being thrown. He just could not help it. Regulus was so similar to his little brother, and even though Sirius knew that his brother was dead, he had seen the body himself, he could not help but want to help this regulus. To protect him as best he could. Perhaps that was the curse of finding someone that seemed so similar to his little brother, and yet so not.
"We found some prints." It did not seem to faze Regulus. Yet the excitement in the air was palpable, at least until Regulus' next words.
"Yes, and you will find him dead in the next twenty four hours, so I would not get my hopes up too high, but go ahead, who is it."
The guy had gang connections, and Regulus had been correct, it was not any of the profiles that they had him look over. A part of Sirius wanted to be irriated at that, that Regulus was proven right, but he just could not be. The guy was not at his house, not at his relatives, not at work. Sirius could not quite stop the sinking feeling that Regulus had been right, that they would not find him until he was dead the next day or two...
...but they got lucky...and by lucky, Sirius did mean it, because they found him in the middle of nowhere, at Regulus' reluctant directions (apparently he knew where these people often liked to dump their little side cases), and the car the guy was trapped to was rigged to explode. The damage it would have done to the local forest was no joke, but Regulus couldn't help but laugh as the killer was loaded up into the police vehicle. There was a manic glint in his eyes that reminded Sirius a bit too much of his mother, and he couldn't stop himself from curling his arm around Remus for comfort.
"Time to question the little lacky. Though I doubt we will get much," Regulus admitted with a shrug as they loaded the man into the interrogation room.
"Do you want to come with me?" Sirius could not believe Crouch. First he endangers Regulus, then he asked for his help in an interrogation? What was up with this guy? He was beginning to really question his capabilities as a director because what the fuck.
"No, no, I would rather not. Good luck though, Barty. If you fail...me and Sirius will go in." Sirius felt his body jolt at the admission.
"Are you sure?" The words were soft, almost pitying, but Regulus narrowed his eyes, suddenly angry, and shoved the Director.
"Go,"