Bloody Hell
Regulus always prided himself in being observant. He was leaned sine he was young to recognize patterns and conditions, if A, then B, it was how life always worked. For instance, if Sirius talked back to mother, then, she would curse him. It was only logical then, that if Regulus kept his mouth shut, then, mother wouldn't hurt him. It of course branched out and became more complex as years went by and Regulus became smarter.
By now, he knew that seeing the Marauders--what kind of prick has a name for their friend group, truly-- were running amok, it meant there was either a cause for their celebration, which was generally quidditch, or a prank going on. But then again, they were always energetic, so running and prancing was their baseline behaviour. Not an anomaly Regulus should pay attention to.
So James Potter ran through the Great Hall, that wasn't an abnormal sight in itself. Dumbledore's speech was already done, he was gone already, probably for the best, nosy old fuck. But James Potter ran for McGonagall, that was an abnormal sight. More so because Lily Evans was joining him.
Regulus could hear the headache already forming in his mind. The crowd started to follow. To his misfortune, Barty, Dorcas and Evan were leading the crowd, and while he wasn't one to fall to peer pressure. He was one to know his brother and Remus Lupin had just left and this was definitely going to end terribly for them. Something he wouldn't miss, a dinner and a show, if he was with someone it would be a grand date. Not that he'd know.
It was intriguing though. Madame Pomfrey and McGonagall were rushing out before the crowd, so they must have really fucked up. Maybe his brother and Remus had a fight and his brother pulled out something out of dear Mother's spell book. Like Regulus would be so lucky.
The witches disappeared into the fifth floor bathroom. Maybe for once the gods wanted him to have a good start of the year and his brother and Remus did something stupidly embarrassing. Pardon, describing anything Sirius and his friends did as stupid is inherently redundant.
But as fate would have it, no, of course he wasn't lucky enough. Remus and Lily marched out of the bathroom. Staring at the crowd, their minds a thousand miles an hour.
"Everyone to their common room!" Lily was using her prefect voice. The crowd was thick and the rumours were already being spread, a real feast.
"Not letting us in on the fun?" Barty had a way to truly get under her nerves like no one else could. She tightened her jaw.
"Trying to help them save face Evans?" Regulus was going to indulge himself, just a little treat. Evan was giggling along between them as the crowd moved around them, Lily had drawn her wand. and the three of them were left with Lily and Remus surrounded by the crowd.
"Listen up, Crouch." She pulled back her hair in a ponytail.
Remus pulled Regulus closer by his tie, enough for no one but them to notice, he stopped his mouth right next to Regulus' ear. He didn't catch when Remus got so close, it was quick, deliberate, sharp like a fang. "One of yours is hurt. We're on the same side right now, and if you don't help us I swear to God and Merlin that I will--" He didn't need to hear anymore.
Regulus was not at all allowing for anyone to threaten him like that, but something Remus said, we're on the same side right now, something in the tone of his voice, it was chilling even for Regulus. He respected Remus Lupin more than any of the others in Gryffindor anyways, so if he was going to listen to one of them for once, it might as well be him.
Regulus pulled out his wand and pointed it at the crowd, "Anyone still here in three seconds will be cursed by Bartemius Crouch Jr." He stared at him, and his friend was almost salivating like a puppy, his eyes then fell to Lily, "and Prefect Evans will not stop him."
She let out a sigh and loosened the hold on her wand.
Three.
Two.
One.
And the hallway was empty, but for them, Evan and Dorcas.
"Would you now be so kind as to explain?" Regulus spoke. "And needless to say, Lupin, but if you ever dare to threaten me again I will curse you and your entire bloodline, living and dead."
But the door slammed open and the explanation wasn't needed anymore. Sirius and James were carrying Alexander and running after Madame Pomfrey. They didn't stop. They didn't look around. They just left a bloody trail behind them, dripping from Alexander's arm.
Even Evan flinched for a second, his face constricted into an look of absolute abjection. Dorcas covered her eyes. Barty couldn't not stare as they carried him away, covered in blood, soaking Potter's robes beneath him.
McGonagall did stop. "Although I cannot condone you methods Mr. Black." She fixed her glasses, "you were quite efficient." she looked at those remaining. "10 points for Slytherin. And ten for Gryffindor as well, Mr. Lupin and Mrs. Evans, you managed to make the right calls."
She paced again after the envoy and Regulus' mind started racing with possibilities and probabilities so he could know what to do now, how to react. What could have happened and what was likely to have happened among the options. Dorcas, Barty and Evan were staring at him waiting for guidance, they were as lost as himself.
Lily was the first to start walking after Professor McGonagall and Lupin didn't miss a beat. But for once, twice now, he figured he could follow the Gryffindor's lead.
It was better, because as long as they were pacing and taking the shots. He wouldn't have to sort through the possibilities that Alexander was bloody hurt.