Rumors of a Runaway Pt 2
Regulus POV
By Wednesday the Hogwarts rumor mill had gone absolutely rabid over Sirius's dissapearence. What started off under the control of the 4 in the know, (since Peter who truly was apparently so out of it Sunday that he had little recollection of anything beyond 'I pissed my cage as a rat sized dog and was so overwhelmed by the scent of predators, and my own ordor of fear plus the sleeping draught, I have no memory of anything but emotions') had quickly avalanched. Severus Snape had been marched off to the Headmasters office with several aurors, under the admittance that he had indeed potioned Sirius prior.
Regulus would be amused if it wasn't a shame that such potential had been wasted due to a petty childish squabble of trying to outdo the other.
Even Sirius, for as much as he found the half-blood annoying, would feel guilty for the boys loss of prospects that would come from even a simple investigation on his records. Hopefully the headmaster wouldn't throw him under the proverbial knight bus.
For all of that, Regulus was more worried then he let on - which was significantly worried. Even if that might make his fellow Slytherins look down on him for showing emotions... they could understand that this was a big deal. The plan was spiraling and he feared their parents would intervene when word got back to them. The staff were searching, but half-heartedly (Sirius had fucked off to the forbidden forest in 2nd year with James and the two of them had disappeared for 3 days, and Regulus still didn't know the full story there.*1) because it seemed old hat by now that Sirius Black was a problem child.
He knew they hadn't yet since last time his parents had been called to the school at the end of last year when they had put him in a magically induced coma after Snape had tripped him down the stairs and he had been concussed - they (his Mother, specifically, his father hadn't said a word) told Slughorn, Pomphrey, and Dumbledore bluntly "Only call if there's a dead body." And promptly left. They (James and the other two) had had dententioned sentenced until Christmas this year for what they did to Snape in retaliation.
The had somehow Vanished the window in the Slytherin dorms and flooded the entire dungeons with the Black Lake.
He had heard it took nearly all summer for some of the most Top Class expertised in charms and restoration to fix the damage. The dorms had even gotten new furniture in the process and several portraits had begged to never return.
It had been during their scheduled dinner hour (on a day popularly known as Snapes preferred brewing time in the dorms). Only Snape and a few others had to be rescued from the ordeal.
He sat quietly pondering all this while his eyes seemed to rove over his Transfiguration text. In reality he was wondering what had occurred since he had left the conjured room Sunday. He knew he would have to wait for Sirius to approach him to catch him up on if there had been any contracts written up.
He felt a silencing ward pop up around his table as someone, no someone's, sat down in front him.
"How is the little brother-" started the red head on the right, "of the infamous Sirius Black-" said the red head on the left "holding up?" They finished in unison.
"Do I know you?" Regulus intended pompously.
The twins smiled brightly "Our ward pebble is up, little snake." Fabian teased. "You know when we activate it, not a hair is visible. Not a peep heard if we want it to be so." Gideon chuckled, reciting his usual line though Reggie didn't need the explanation. His hand reached out and Regulus held it, allowing his smile to break through his usual mask. "Is Sirius okay?" Gideon asked in an unusual show of seriousness. But after last years incident, it was no wonder. The twins had written off many of the Mauraders pranks this last year as they increased in a solely vengeful nature against a singular person. Before then, they had been the 4somes mentors of a sort. Keeping things light hearted and fun with simple pranks. These other chaotic shenanigans were carried out by the spirited brothers with their pumpkin juice colored hair. While Regulus had been poking around trying to sneak into the infirmary and check on his brother last year, the two 6th years had noticed and decided to help. Their first direct contact, where they got to know Regulus as more than the proper little pureblood everyone thought him as.
Under guise of a different name, he had been writing to them all summer. They had managed to hide on the train to the school for a bit under the wardstone the twins had created. And in that time, Regulus had developed quite the crush on Gideon. Who returned it, albeitly... he didn't want to go very fast due to Reggies age. The younger boy could appreciate that. Even if he was miffed by it.
"I'm not entirely sure." Regulus answered on a sigh and turned over Gideons palm to trace the lines there. Avoiding looking into the burst of blues that made his stomach swoop. "He's fine physically, I think." He wrinkled his nose at the technicality, but pressed on. "Part of this issue is in regards to our parents. He's trying to find a way out of them putting forward a marriage contract by this Christmas, as it is tradition to have one in the works before their 16th birthday."
"His birthday is in November, he's barely 15!" Fabian exclaimed. They would know, those boys put out some huge parties in the dorms whenever one of their birthdays would come around. Regulus just hummed, obviously knowing that as well. "I know from eavesdropping that it's either this, or they'll disown him from the family soon. When that happens, I'll become their next target for both a betrothal and in persisting in any alliances they seem politically advantageous."
His mother's attention was the last thing he wanted more of. His father was rather the type to just allow Walburga to do whatever she wished. He often suspected his father was bewitched somehow by mother against his will. But then, the man would have to show having some sort of will at all.
He missed the look exchanged between brothers.
"If you can," Gideon began "someday" Fabian broke in "escape from them, just know" he flipped his hand over and grabbed the younger boys hand again more securely "you can always come to me, I'll help you." Fabian snorted 'help' he mouth in mocking air quotes. A pang rang through him at the act and he blurted "You know... I had a twin. She," He took a breathe "She was a stillborn, but my family house elf... He tells me often, that her magic clings to me. I sometimes wonder... but," He cleared his throat warily, unsure of his outburst "But I'm certain she'd tell me to take this offer and thank you heartedly."
"My, whatever would we do with two of you!" Both twins exclaimed in dramatic flair to attempt to cheer the younger one up. Regulus chuckled. "We would probably overthrow some government and rule the world." He teased as he looked up into blue eyes. He noticed Fabian looking between him and his twin, rolling his eyes, but Regulus only had eyes for Gideon.
"What are the rumors saying about Sirius? I have heard some amongst the Slytherins but you both know I don't interact much outside my house." He decided to change the subject before his daydreams could continue on route to dangerous territory.
"That he jumped from the astronomy tower, classic tale of course, Ivory Lee in Puff swears she saw him jump." Fabian rolls his eyes, as Gideon shakes his head in faux forlornment and adds "That he slipped out to go join some uprising, that his training as a pretend boy of the light was suddenly eclipsed by his more important role as an upcoming murderer. Per the words of some bug eyed thing in Ravenclaw." Regulus couldn't help the grimace he made. Honestly, Sirius Black could do that. He could see it. However, his brother likely would have not done so on purpose. Dumb dog is too loyal for his own good. Probably could be tricked into some plan to make himself look bad with the wrong circumstances in place.
"Though there is a rumor going round he's gone off to elope with Potter. However Potter is in classes, so that can't be it." Reggie blinks rapidly as he tries to control his reactions. "Who is spreading that information?"
"Skinter?" Fabian looks up in a clear attempt to dislodge the memory from his mind. "No. Skinner. Ravenclaw. 7th year blonde." Gideon corrects his twin. "No no, that's not it either. Maybe her name is Spleenter. Relda Splitter. Spelter?Something like that. Friends with the bug eyed one." Fabian responds. "Pretty sure it's Reya Skinner. She's constantly lurking around and gossiping with every person that'll give her a time of day."
Regulus sighs. "Rita. Rita Skeeter. Her father Ryan works at the daily prophet as the head journalist. He's a site in to end up managing the damn thing by the time she's set to start as an entry level tabloid editor. My mother loves his trashy scopes on whose doing what and who. She likely takes after him in that regard." He shakes his head "Well... this is certainly an unfortunate twist of events."
"How come?" The twins ask in unison. "I'm going to need to set a diversion so she'll be off the trail. She's too close to the truth for comfort."
"Wait," they say together again in tandem, they look at each other and Gideon leads the ask they wish to speak "Sirius and James are really eloping?"
"The Potters have effectively decided to figure out a way to contract a marriage between them, yes."
The gingers sit in silence for a beat as they absorb that information. "Good on them!" They cheer. "No more dealing with poor Lily getting harassed needlessly as some sort of forced cover up. Anyone with two eyes can see James and Sirius are extremely close." Fabian declares, as Gideon lands forward - eyes alight with mischief. "So, a diversion you say? What is that clever mind thinking?"
"I'm thinking, we'll make them think Sirius is behind it while effectivity also distracting everyone from wondering where he's at..."