Chapter 10
Regulus stared silently as his brother walked to that scarred boy, Remus. His lover, though Sirius may not want anyone else to notice. He bit his lower lip, tears wanting to curl in his eyes. Even Sirius thought him incapable...but...but this had never been a thing before, so much so that he could not help but want to ask for clarification, but before he could begin to gather the courage enough to actually do so, he found his attention being drifted off by Barty, who had come and gently held his neck, fingers wrapping tightly around him, if gently.
"Your help is appreciated, Regulus," Regulus' eyes flared, but he simply nodded once. "Sirius, viens avec moi. (Sirius, come with me)" The french caught Sirius' attention, and he waddled over to the other, silently pleased at Barty's frustrated expression. Annoyance had flared in the directors' eyes and Sirius just couldn't help but feel a petty sense of justification. It was enough that Sirius resolved to practice his french as much as he could during this case just to piss them off. Clearly, he did not know what Regulus was saying, and was irritated because of it. Serves him right, treating someone as delicate as Regulus as nothing but a bartering piece. The thought merely served to ripen his anger.
"Je t’en prie! (my pleasure)" Though Sirius' own french was still painfully rusty, it was totally worth the judgement in Regulus' eyes just to see Bartimeus Crouch's eyes narrow annoyed. Sirius wasted no time in yanking Regulus into the interrogation room, hand around a delicate wrist that was still much too thin. He did not comment, however, merely saving things to speak with Remus about, and continued to sit down in the room. He pushed Regulus into the seat, watching as the other swayed slightly, and sat himself down too.
Interrogations. Sirius was a dab hand at them, and it was clear that Regulus knew what he was doing as well. This man, across from them, liked control, liked manipulation, enjoyed a sense of superiority and more than anything, liked submissiveness. When it came to interrogations, one had to be careful, and they had to play this delicate dance. The more knowledgeable and self aware serial killers (usually the Psychopaths or adjacent) knew this, and enjoyed it to their max content, watching as they tried to figure out any weakness, but others, like this one, were unaware of the game being played in the interrogation room.
Regulus had already shown his hand, playing the younger and more submissive gentleman, and Sirius knew that he would be painfully good at it, but the knowledge also stabbed him through the heart, as he was aware of the reason why Regulus would be this good at it. His time with that sycophant was the reason, and it tugged at his heartstrings that someone so similar to his brother could have to deal with something so painful for who knows how long.
"So, you did a great job not dying." Was Sirius' first words, sarcasm thick in them, and he practically felt the tension skyrocket.
"Sirius! Ne le contrariez pas ainsi! (Sirius! Do not antagonize him so!)" The gentle syllables of french curving around Sirius made him feel a familiar sense of irritation at the words, and he glared at Regulus, unable to help it despite the clearly cautious and gentle wording.
"You don't tell me what to do!" The growl came out, and he saw as Regulus flinched imperceptibly, shock flying through his eyes. A slight tremble to the lips. Sirius groaned, rubbing a hand down his face before turning to ignore him and back to the criminal. Hopefully, Regulus would see it as a side to the game, rather than a personal matter. It was just...It reminded him so much of his brother and how they used to handle their mother and father's outbursts.
It was clear that they caught the interest of the criminal, though, as his sharp gaze instantly honed in on Regulus, and his reactions, and was interested. The spark lit in his eyes, and Sirius knew they would have to still tread carefully, but they had him. One way or another. they had him.
"Pardon! (Sorry)"
"Oh, what is this?" The man asked salaciously. Regulus felt his breath catch at the obvious come on. He pulled his body back, his eyes wide and almost wild. Sirius felt a protective rage seep through him.
"Aye, look at me, not him." The man chuckled, but did turn his gaze.
"Whatcha wanna know?"
"Who the hell tried to kill you for one."
"Sirius ! Arrêtez cela. (Sirius, stop it)" The formal tone had Sirius growling under his breath, he had upset Regulus, and this time he was not entirely sure if it was a joke for the game or not. "S-Sorry," Regulus cleared his throat, as though trying to stop the tremble, but the man still captured it, eyes wide and staring, taking in Regulus in his entirety. "We just wish to know who ordered you to kill the last one of your...victims, and who tried to kill you after your success."
"What makes you think that it wasn't me?" Regulus tilted his head slightly and shook it.
"It would not ha-ave been you, Pardonnez-moi (forive), but you do not target males, and beyond that the star sign was obvious in itself. You also did not mark the boy as you did the others, defining your kills from those you were forced to perform." The man clapped, visibly elated.
"Oh, so wonderful, what a brilliant mind to go with such a pretty face. Fine, for your sake, I will tell you what you want to know."
"Pour moi? (for me)" Regulus' voice was quiet, confused, and it did not take a genius to know what he was saying.
"Yes, for you, because it is you they want, isn't it?" Regulus' breath caught, staring at him with big eyes. "You are too soft for the police, too pliant, and too..." The man licked his lips. "Such a beauty cut short too soon by someone not me is just a shame."