In the Castle
James settles back into classes fairly easily. Runes is the worst, of course. It’s just so bloody boring. But he gets through it like he gets through every class, and before long three weeks have gone by and James hasn’t really noticed.
Quidditch season picks up quickly. He’s captain now, which is nice. Gryfindor won last year under Frank’s leadership, and now it’s up to James to continue the streak.
Which would be fine.
If Marlene would actually do her job.
“Oi, McKinnon, get your head in the game!” James shoots by her as Marlene does a spin, just barely missing a bludger aimed straight for her face.
She sends him a glare, but when she raises her bat next her eyes narrow in determination. Good. James nods and tries to refocus, making a dive for the quaffle. He gets it through the hoop, but only just. The stands go wild but he just circles around to go again. One point won’t make too much of a difference if Regulus gets the snitch.
Every time James sees him he’s lowered across his broom, darting somewhere so quickly James is certain he’s found it. But the whistle doesn’t blow, so he keeps playing. The points are racking up, and if things keep going in this direction they might just come out ahead.
“Potter!” It’s Mulciber, of course. He’s shouting over the wind, not that that makes a difference. James can hear him loud and clear. “How's your father?”
James grits his teeth and shuts him out, going for another goal. At the last second the keeper bats it aside. James curses and Mulciber grins.
“Ohhh, ouch. Got under your skin, did I? My apologies. Didn’t realize it was a sore subject.”
James catches the quaffle when Sirius tosses it to him, shooting again. This time, it gets in. Somehow, the crowd's cheers don’t drown out
Mulciber’s taunts. “Wow. Such talent. If only your father could be here to see you play.”
“Get some new material, Mulciber.” James ducks under him, desperate to get away. He needs to stay focused.
“Oh, I would. But I’ve only just heard the news! My mother’s thrilled of course. She’s heard through the Ministry that your father’s magic is gone.”
James tries to focus on the wind whipping his hair back. Where’s the quaffle? Who has it?
Sirius flies past. “Piss off Mulciber. James, what’s going on?”
“Nothing,” James grits. Mulciber, seemingly determined to pester James instead of doing his job, smirks.
“Just a little chit-chat, Black.”
There’s the quaffle, flying towards him now. James grabs it, scanning for an opening. Sirius is closer. He tosses it over quickly, and Sirius shoots. It gets in. Mulciber’s lips twist.
“Heard he’s fucking powerless, is that right?” His words drip with venom. “Weak and stranded. Like a pathetic muggle.”
Sirius’s head whips around just as Hoganis, one of the Slytherin beaters, rises on the other side of them. “We talking about Potter’s father? How fun.”
James’s fingers tighten around his broom handle. He needs a way out. He could go down, but he needs to loop around the goal so when Sirius goes for another goal he’ll be there to catch the ball. Fuck.
“You know, that makes you just as bad as a half-blood.” Hoganis shoves into him with his side. James readjusts his grip and grits his teeth.
“Don’t get too close, Leland.” Mulciber looks James up and down with disgust. “His filth might be contagious. What if he’s got whatever his father has?”
“Oh, good point. He’s infected. Disgusting.”
James ducks between them just as Sirius shouts something. Focus on the game.
Just the game.
That’s all.
Somehow he’s got the quaffle again, and he pushes his rage into the tips of his fingers, shooting it as hard as he can through the goal. It makes it.
The crowd cheers and James catches Sirius’s eye. Sirius must see something in his face because he shouts some choice words that James can’t make out at Mulciber and Hoganis, sending their expression’s twisting with anger.
“Don’t you two have jobs?” James asks, passing them again. “Or are you so shit you decided it’d be a better use of your time to come bother me.”
Mulciber shrugs. “Just wanted to see if you were growing scales yet.”
“Sorry to disappoint.”
“Captain, what’s happening?” A Gryfindor beater pauses, looking up at him.
“Nothing. Focus.” James hopes he’s not being too strict.
Hoganis peels off, assumedly to go back to his post, and Mulciber grins. “Captain, huh? How long till the whole team goes down? They should really be quarantining you.”
“Shut the fuck-” Sirius darts foraward just as James notices something out of the corner of his eye. Hoganis, with a bludger in one hand, a bat in the other, and a truly murderous look on his face.
Marlene, trained to stick near the beaters, shouts: “Sirius!”
It’s quick, really.
Less than a second.
James is moving before he can think, shoving his full body into Sirius. Sirius’s broom carreens off to the side just in time for the bludger to catch James on the side of the head on its way past.
Fuck, he thinks as the world explodes into pain and then goes instantly black.
Fuck.
And then he falls.
---
Regulus sees the snitch right before he sees James’s limp body shooting towards the ground. Really, it’s the silence of the crowd that tips him off, unnatural and oh so tense. He whips around and everything in him goes still.
Merlin, no.
His veins are thick and full of ice, muscles freezing up. He’s locked in place, watching as James plummets. He can’t move.
Until he can.
Shooting forward, Regulus dimly notes above his rising panic that about ten other people are also going straight for James. They won’t make it. None of them will.
That doesn't stop him from trying.
But-
But he’s not going to get there in time. A surge of the strongest panic he’s ever felt shoots through him and he focuses on James’s body, everything in him reduced to that one point. It’s searing and desperate, nothing more than pure fear. Magic crackles around him as the air turns to static.
“Arresto Momentum,” He hisses, repeating it over and over like a prayer.
And somehow, somehow, James’s body slows to a halt right before it hits the ground. Then it’s over, and he touches down with a light thud. Sirius follows him a moment after, tossing his broom aside and running towards him.
There’s blood, Regulus dimly registers over the wave of exhaustion that threatens to overwhelm him. There’s blood on James’s forehead.
The rest of both teams touchdown on the grass and Regulus notices the shrill sound of a whistle. How long has that been going on? The stands are in uproar, and Regulus can’t see James. He’s got to see James.
But there’s a crowd gathering around him and he can’t push through it, even though he needs to, even though he has to. His feet hit the ground and he shoves forward, elbowing people aside.
Sirius kneels over James on the ground as Madam Hooch steps through, clucking her tongue. “Children!” She scolds and waves her wand.
Regulus takes an instinctual step forward, trying to contend with the monster in his chest that's screaming at him to grab James and pull him to his chest, to not let another soul near him.
Because James wouldn’t fall on his own. He’s too good for that. Which means-
“Madam, is he alright? Please, you have to-” Sirius’s voice breaks as Madam Hooch, sparing him no look, waves Madam Pomfry onto the scene. She flicks her wand and James’s eyes blink open blearily, then immediately contort into pain as he rolls over and shoves a hand over his mouth. He’s trying not to be sick, Regulus can tell. And judging by the way his chest is heaving, it looks like a losing battle.
A house elf appears and then disappears in nearly the same second, taking James and Madam Pomfrey with him. It’s all over in the span of a few minutes.
“He’ll be fine,” Hooch announces. “Just a bit of concussion. But there will be serious penalties for whoever’s responsible.” She turns and hurries off after Madam Pomfry, calling over her shoulder. “Wait here, everyone.”
Regulus doesn’t realize he’s swaying till he nearly tips over, righting himself as much as possible. Wandless magic always takes it out of him.
Lupin’s holding Sirius’s arm, he notices dimly. He must’ve gotten across the field quickly.
Inexplicably, Lupin's eyes lock on his, full of concern. Regulus takes a step forward, not even bothering to hide the panic he knows is written into every feature of his face.
“Uh oh, Potter didn’t look too good, did he?” Hoganis grins. Regulus watches as Sirius’s eyes darken.
Well.
Shit.
Sirius’s wand’s out in the next second as he launches himself at Hoganis, McKinnon close on his heels. The Slytherins surge forward and so do the Gryfindors, and that’s it.
That’s all it takes.
Somehow Regulus pushes through the circle, finding Lupin and gripping his arm hard. Everyone’s focused on Sirius and Hoganis in the center that no one notices Regulus pulling Lupin closer. “Go check on him. Please.”
Lupin’s eyes flick to his, widening. “They won’t let me see him yet- Sirius-”
“Please Lupin,” Regulus rasps. “Just- just try to get in there-”
“Ok. Yes. Of course I’ll go.” Remus moves to run off then turns back at the last minute, eyes widening. “You. You stopped his fall.”
“Go.”
Lupin sprints away and Regulus turns back to the fight. “What the fuck is going on?” He hisses to a fellow Slytherin.
“‘Parently, Hoganis was the one who hit Potter. Black’s pissed.”
Regulus lets out a sharp breath and nods, pushing forward. As much as he’d love to see Hoganis beat to a pulp, Slytherin doesn’t need any more penalties.
“Leland.” Regulus grabs his shoulder and rips him apart from Sirius. McKinnon waits close on his brother’s heels. Regulus shoves his way between them, drawing his wand. “Stop. Now. All of you.”
“Bloody why?” Hoganis tries to wrestle out of his grip.
“Because this is beneath you.”
“Move the fuck aside, Reg.”
Regulus steels himself and looks at Sirius, eyes hard. “No.”
Sirius steps forward, dangerously close. “You didn’t hear what he said. You didn’t-”
“What now, Black?” Hoganis calls behind him. “It wasn’t anything he didn’t deserve.”
Regulus turns, slowly. “What did you say?”
“Oh, the usual. We were just wondering if he’s got the same thing his father does. Judging by the way he fell, I’m guessing he does. Looked pretty pathetic to me.”
Regulus takes a deep breath, resolve weakening.
“You called him disgusting,” Sirius spits, pushing forward. Regulus throws his arm out, bodying him back. “You called him filthy.”
Hoganis grins. “Like his father.”
Sirius shoves forward again, trying to force Regulus out of the way. “You are so dead -”
“Like his father?”
And really, that’s more than enough.
Regulus steps aside.
And Sirius attacks.
Immediately fists start flying, and Regulus crosses his arms, stepping back and watching cooly. Leland lands a good hit that Sirius barely seems to notice, absorbing it and moving on. Hoganis goes down in seconds and Sirius ends up on top of him, throwing punch after punch. There’s a dangerous sort of glint in his eyes. Regulus watches his knuckles turn bloody and a cold satisfaction starts to spread through him. Remus and Peter aren’t here to pull Sirius back, and Regulus sure as hell isn’t going to stop him. Hoganis deserves everything he’s getting.
It feels good, watching him hurt.
It feels better watching Sirius be the one to do it.
Because it means, in some small way, they’re still the same. They both know how to throw a punch. They both know how to take one. They both know what it’s like when the rest of the world slides away, leaving nothing but the cold sting of raw, consuming fury.
They both know that sometimes, violence can feel good.
All too soon, some Gryfindor is pulling Sirius off Hoganis and shoving him back. Muciber moves forward but a few Slytherin players catch him before he can start it all up again.
Sirius grins, teeth bloody from a split lip. “Don’t talk about Fleamont like that. And don’t you fucking dare talk about James like that.”
“You’re a bloody psychopath-” Hoganis groans, rolling over. His face is so cut up it’s mostly blood.
“I didn’t throw a bludger at my opponent's head,” Sirius offers, eyes a little wild.
“It was aimed at you, not Potter. He just took it upon himself to get in the way.”
McKinnon steps up, glaring. “Wrong use of the bat. You’re lucky I didn’t swing one back.”
A shrill whistle blows and Madam Hooch, returned from the Hospital Wing, hurries across the field towards them. “Children!”
Instantly both teams take large steps away from each other. Hooch bustles in between them and glares at them all individually, muttering what are probably expletives under her breath. “I can’t- I don’t even have the energy to get to the bottom of all this. Since it was Slytherin’s bludger, 50 points. And-” She gives Sirius’s bloody knuckles a heated glare. “20 points from Gryfindor for escalating the conflict.”
Both teams start to trail off to their locker rooms but Sirius immediately turns, setting off in another direction. He’s finding James, Regulus thinks. Before he can stop himself his feet are moving and he catches up to his brother.
“Sirius,” He says, then promptly shuts his mouth.
Sirius turns, eyes widening slightly. “Reg?”
Regulus stops in his tracks, crossing his arms. He didn’t quite think this one through. He stays silent.
Sirius frowns. “What?”
“Nothing.”
Sirius gives him a hard look. “Why did you let me hit him?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Hoganis said something about Monty and you just- let me hit him. Why?”
Regulus shrugs. “Sometimes I think Hoganis could be taken down a few notches.”
“And that was the time and place?”
“I guess so.”
“Reg?”
“What?”
“Why did you let me hit him?”
They stare at each other for a long moment, eyes grey on grey. Fire and ice.
When Regulus turns and walks away, he tries not to think too hard about how easily Sirius lets him go.
---
It’s the middle of the night when James opens his eyes again. The hospital wing is dark and creaky, the curtains around his bed swaying in the breeze coming through a cracked window. He shivers, pain shooting down his spine at the motion.
Oh.
Right.
The hit, the fall.
As soon as he remembers, his head starts to throb. Shit, it hurts. He’ll be fine in the morning, he knows. Pain’s always worse at night.
He hears a soft sound and looks down, wincing. Then he stills and lets out a breath, sinking into his pillow. It’s Regulus, tucked into a chair and resting his head on his arms, fast asleep. His dark curls run over his arm and eyes, lashes heavy against his pale cheeks. He seems to glow in the moonlight, skin reflecting the light through the window. James lets himself watch for a long time, gazing at the calm expression on Regulus’s face. It’s so, so rare to see him so docile. He revels in the sight.
Then he reaches out and gently nudges Reg’s arm, because he knows he’d kill him if he didn’t wake him up. Regulus stirs, mumbling something softly and blinking. He sits up as his eyes settle on James, filling with relief.
“Hey,” James mutters, giving him a weak smile. “You’re here.”
Regulus leans forward, looking him over with a dangerous expression. “Of course I’m here. What the fuck were you thinking?”
James blinks at him. “Pardon?”
“Taking a bludger for my pathetic excuse of a brother? Really, James? He does not deserve that. God, you could’ve gotten yourself killed. If it had actually hit you full on instead of just the side of your head…”
James cracks a grin. “You care.”
Regulus knits his eyebrows together, glaring. “You fucking idiot.”
James takes his hand. “I’m fine.”
Regulus glowers at him, hand firmly clasped around James’s in a vice grip. “You scared me.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
“I heard the things Hoganis said about your father.”
James closes his eyes, letting out a tense breath. “It’s fine. I- I was trying not to let it get to me.”
“Mmm.”
“Regulus? What did you do?”
Reg shrugs, meeting his eyes coolly. “Let Sirius beat him bloody.”
James groans, putting a hand over his face. “Ugh. No. Sirius. That’s only going to bite him in the arse.”
Regulus just shrugs again. “Hoganis deserved it.”
“How… how bad did he hit him?”
“Bad enough.”
James stares at him for a moment. “Reg…”
“James. I would’ve done it if I could. I still might, honestly. I’m not sure yet.”
James can tell he’s being serious. “Don’t. It’s not worth it.”
Regulus gives him a look. “I’m not my brother. I wouldn’t do it in the middle of the Quidditch pitch.”
“Regulus.”
Regulus rolls his eyes and squeezes James’s hand. “Doesn’t matter. How are you feeling?”
James sighs. “Fine. Head hurts.”
Regulus smiles softly. “That makes two of us.”
James feels his eyebrows pinch. “What? Still?”
Regulus briefly looks like he regrets saying anything. He waves his free hand. “It’s fine.”
“Is it still- It’s been weeks-” Regulus had tried to hide it, at first. But James saw the way he’d wince sometimes when he’d look at him, as if James’s very presence was hurting his head.
He fucking hates Bellatrix for that.
For ruining the sight of him.
“She did have all summer,” Regulus murmurs. “I got good, though. At blocking her out.”
“I’m glad. I wish it didn’t hurt.”
Regulus’s eyes glint in the moonlight. “It won’t, soon. When I don’t have to hide you from myself anymore.”
James watches him for a long time, trying to commit every inch of his face to memory. “Thank you.”
“For?”
“For hiding me. For letting this be something worth hiding.”
Regulus’s eyes go wide, gaze locked on James’s. He doesn’t say anything, but he doesn’t have to. James knows.
“You should go. Go to bed. Get some actual rest.”
Regulus scoffs softly. “As if you’re going to sleep tonight.”
He knows him too well. James shrugs. “I ran out of your sleeping positions a while ago.”
“I’ll make more tomorrow.”
“Can I help?”
“You mean can you watch?”
“...Yes.”
“Yes.”
“Go to bed, Reg.”
Regulus stands up slowly, stretching. He leans over James, carding a hand through his hair and then running his thumb down his cheek. “Don’t do that again, Potter.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“And if you take one more hit for Sirius I swear to god I’ll-”
“Reg.”
“Right.” Regulus kisses him softly, so softly, then rises and takes a step back. He stares at James for a long moment. His lips part softly and James can see it in his face: the indecision. James says it so he doesn’t have to.
“I love you.”
Regulus’s eyes soften as he lets out a breath. The curtains flutter in the breeze. “I love you too.”
---
“I don’t think you’re doing it right,” Remus leans over him and snatches the paper from the desk. “Ursa shines in the west.”
Regulus just stares at him, unimpressed. Remus pauses. “Doesn’t it?”
“Nope.”
“South?”
Regulus raises his brows and Remus sighs. “North.”
“Good job.”
“Shut up.”
“I thought you were going to leave the star charts to me.”
Remus slides the paper back across the desk. “It was upside down. I couldn’t see it right.”
“Yeah, and the polar opposite of North is West, obviously.”
Remus flips him off and sits back in his chair, staring out the window as Regulus gets back to his drawings. He wonders what Sirius is up to. He then immediately grimaces in embarrassment at the thought and scrubs a hand over his eyes. He should go see James after class. He’s being let out for dinner, much to his relief. James has been pestering Madam Pomfrey to release him for the last day, making sure everyone in a five mile radius knows his opinions on the matter.
“I think James is being let out soon,” Remus mutters.
Regulus’s shoulders tense before relaxing, not looking up from the chart. “Why should I care?”
“That was impressive, stopping his fall like that. Wandless magic is- difficult. And the amount of energy you would’ve needed-”
“I don't know what you’re talking about.”
“I also heard what Sirius did to Hoganis.”
“Yeah? Did you bandage his knuckles and give him a feel-better kiss?”
Remus feels himself flush, electing to ignore him. “You need to be more careful if you want to keep this thing hidden. He’s already wondering why you let him go.”
Regulus shrugs, eyes on the paper. “What was I supposed to do?”
“Keep him back?”
“Hoganis deserved everything he got.”
“You’re both insane.”
“You sound like James.”
Remus does a double take. “You’ve seen James?” After the fall, Remus followed Madam Pomfrey to the Hospital wing, where she refused to let him in but did reassure him James would be fine. Since then, he’s only seen him once.
Regulus gives him a look. “Yes.”
“When?”
Regulus shrugs. “Doesn’t matter.”
“Where… where do you two go? When you meet up? Why can’t I see you on the map?” Regulus doesn’t answer him, tucking a lock of hair behind his ear. Remus frowns. “Do your friends know?”
Regulus looks up, sliding the paper back across the desk and dumping some colored pencils in front of Remus. “All done. Your turn.”
“I despise you.” Remus grits as he picks up a pencil.
“The feeling’s mutual.”
Remus lowers his head and begins to color in the constellations.
---
“I can help.”
“No, you can sit. I’ll do it. You’re concussed.”
“Barely.”
Regulus ignores him, continuing to crush his lavender. James was released after dinner, and almost immediately came to find Regulus. They ended up in the Come and Go room, where Regulus insisted on making some more sleeping potions.
“Smells good.”
Regulus looks at him over his shoulder. “If you fall asleep Potter, I swear to god…”
“Not asleep- just… resting.” James tips his head back on the couch, staring at him through lowered lids. “I got a letter from my mother today.”
Regulus’s hand stills over the lavender. He knows, at this point, not to be surprised when James switches topics abruptly in the middle of a conversation. “Yeah? What’d she say?”
“Dads… not doing well. He’s tired, all the time.”
Regulus frowns. “The potions aren’t working? His body should be doing well. Recovering, yes, but not… getting worse.”
James shrugs. “I don’t know if it’s related to the potions.”
“What do you mean? What did he tell you?”
James lowers his gaze. “He… erm. He hasn’t written me yet, actually.”
“What? Why?”
“I don’t know.”
Regulus dumps the lavender into the pot and stirs silently. “Has he reached out at all?”
“He’s sent Sirius letters.”
Oh.
“He’s probably busy.”
“Busy doing what? Laying in his bed and thinking about what an awful son he has?”
“He wouldn’t have taken those potions if he didn’t want to. Stop…”
“Stop?”
“Just stop going down whatever mental route your going down right now.”
“Hm.” James goes back to staring at the ceiling and Regulus pulls out a few more ingredients. As he begins to pour out some oil his forearm suddenly twinges, sharp and hot and twisting. He drops the bottle, letting it clatter on the table beneath him. Behind him, he hears James take a breath. “Reg?”
Shit.
Shit.
What was that?
Was that supposed to happen?
The feeling’s gone now, reduced to a faint itch that makes Regulus want to go back to scratching. The scabs on his skin around his mark are still healing. “Slippery,” he mutters in liue of an explanation, uncapping the bottle of oil. He does his best to ignore the dread curling in his stomach.
James stands up and joins him at the table, taking the bottle from him and starting to pour it into the cauldron. “Tell me when.”
Regulus waits a beat, heart still pounding. “Stop.”
James sets down the oil and leans over the cauldron, taking a deep breath. “What would I do without you?”
Regulus tries for a smile. “I’ll teach you how to make them so you can keep at it after Hogwarts.”
“Nah, I prefer yours.”
“James-”
Suddenly there’s a resounding boom and the entire castle shakes, dust raining from the ceiling. Both Regulus and James stumble, grabbing the table to steady themselves. The aftershocks rumble and they stare at each other, eyes wide.
“What the fuck was that?”
“I don’t-”
Another boom, another impact. Regulus’s forearm twists again, writhing and itching beneath his shirt.
No.
No.
They said-
Barty said-
“What’s happening?” James stares, scared, at Regulus.
“I-”
“ATTENTION HOGWARTS STUDENTS. THE CASTLE IS UNDER ATTACK. THIS IS A LOCKDOWN. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. STAY INSIDE CLASSROOMS. MORE INSTRUCTIONS TO COME.”
Regulus’s forearm burns and he nearly doubles over, grip tightening on the table. James takes short breaths, backing up. “Fuck, fuck, fuck-”
“They said they wouldn’t,” Regulus hisses. “They said they wouldn’t.”
“He’s here, isn’t he?” James sounds terrified.
“I-” The mark burns again and Regulus cuts himself off, sagging against the table. “They said they wouldn’t.”
“You- you knew?” And that’s not fear in James’s voice, not anymore. That’s anger.
“No, James-
“They were planning this, and you- didn’t say anything?”
“They said they wouldn’t. Barty said-”
There’s another boom and a cackle somewhere echoing from the walls of the castle. Regulus knows that laugh. “Bella,” he gasps.
“Fuck- I’ve got to find Sirius-” James backs up rapidly and Regulus can’t breath.
“No, James, they’ll kill you.”
“I don’t fucking care. I’ve got to find Sirius.”
“I didn’t know, I swear, Barty said they wouldn’t-”
James tests the door and lets out a breath when it swings open. Apparently the lockdown didn’t affect the Come and Go room. “I can’t- I’ve got to go.” Without looking back, James slips out the door and down the hall.
Regulus grabs his wand and quickly extinguishes the flame under the cauldron, bolting out after him. He’s light headed, though he’s not exactly sure why. There’s a tug in his stomach that corresponds with the itching of his mark, pulling him down the hallway. He takes a few steps and yes. That feels right. He needs to go that way.
Regulus isn’t stupid.
He knows the Dark Lord is calling him. He knows he’s probably waiting at the end of that hall.
He takes another step anyway.
“Regulus!”
Another resounding boom shakes the castle, forcing Regulus to grab at the wall. Shit. He turns to find Sirius bolting towards him.
“Sirius-”
“Have you seen James? His name was here on the map, I don’t-” Sirius takes a panicked breath, looking around. “What the fuck is happening?”
“How did you get out of the lockdown?”
Sirius waves a hand. “Moony’s had a spell for ages. Shit. I need to get to the great hall. Dumbledore’s sending kids who are still outside there.”
“I-” There’s another cackle down the hall and both brothers turn that direction. Regulus’s forearm burns.
“Bella,” Sirius breathes.
Regulus takes a step in her direction. Sirius notices. “Regulus.”
He takes another step, and another, as the pit in his gut draws him forward. He has to find him. He has to find the Dark Lord. “Go. Anywhere else.”
“Regulus, don’t. Don’t do this.”
“I have to. Sirius. Go.” He’s pleading now, begging even as the feeling in his gut and arm draws him backwards. Then he’s tripping over his feet and moving quicker down the hall, turning away from his brother.
“Then I’m fucking following you.” Sirius is there, by his shoulder, and Regulus wants to sob. “I need to see who’s here, so I can tell Dumbledore- maybe I can fight them-”
“You can’t.” Regulus speeds up, steps getting more decisive the closer he gets. “You know you can’t.”
“Yeah, well, unlike you, I’m not a fucking coward. I’m going to try.”
They round the corner and both come to a halting stop. Bellatrix and the Dark Lord are standing with their hoods lowered across their faces, wands drawn in the middle of the hall. Regulus feels his stomach drop.
“Regulus,” The Dark Lord says, stepping forward. And god, his voice. Regulus shivers in disgust, resting the dual urges to run forward and get the hell out of there. “And you’ve brought Sirius. What a pleasant surprise.”
Sirius stands completely frozen next to him. Regulus whispers as low as he can: “Go. They’ll only kill you. I’ll try and convince them to leave.”
“Reg-” Sirius croaks.
“They won’t hurt me.” Then, louder, “An honor, my Lord. May I ask why you’re here?”
“Oh, I just decided to pay a visit. Sirius, my child, are you alright? You’re looking a little pale.”
Regulus sees it coming before Sirius does. Bella’s wand flicks and Sirius trips backwards, crying out. Regulus takes a step to the side, blocking him a second too late. “Bella.”
“Yes, Reggie? Why won’t you step aside and let me have some fun.”
“Let him be. We can deal with him later.” Regulus keeps himself calm, keeps his face schooled. He can hear Sirius gasping behind him as he pulls himself to his feet.
“Oh, you’ve gotten cocky, haven’t you?” Bellatrix takes a step forward and the Dark Lord sighs.
“Bella, make this quick.”
Sirius rises next to Regulus, still breathing labored, painful breaths. “Stay the fuck away from him-”
“Ohhh Reggie! Did you hear that? Big brother’s still protecting you, even though you’re the only one still standing. How cute.”
Regulus turns his head, just slightly. His heart hammers in his chest. “Sirius. Please, I’m begging you. Go. I can handle them. You can’t. Find Lupin, find Potter, get somewhere safe.”
“Reg-”
“Go. Now.”
Sirius takes a step back, then another, then he turns on his heels and makes a run for it, skidding to a stop at the corner. He turns and Regulus curses him silently.
Bellatrix shrieks and raises her wand but the curse misses, firing off the floor. Sirius ducks behind the wall. Regulus lets out a breath of relief.
“Reggie, did you have to spoil my fun?” Bellatrix pouts. Regulus ignores her, eyes only for the Dark Lord.
“Relax, Bella.” The Dark Lord sighs. “The others are still out there. They’ll do what they’re told while we’re gone. Go help them.
Bellatrix’s eyes light up. “Of course, My Lord. it’d be my pleasure.” Then she lets out another insane cackle and darts off, shoving past Regulus on her way out and heading the opposite way from where Sirius is hiding.
Regulus steals himself. “My Lord, what is it you require of me?”
An ugly grin splits his face as he tips his head, looking Regulus up and down. “I told you before, Regulus. I have big plans for you.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
Voldemort beckons. “They start now. We’ve got to get outside castle limits.”
Regulus steps forward, the string in his gut following the Dark Lord’s call. Voldemort sets a hand down on Regulus's shoulder, grip tight and bruising. Regulus knows that from where he’s watching Sirius can see how hard he flinches. Regulus finds his brother’s eyes, mouthing ‘Go,’ as clearly as he can. Sirius bites his lip, blood running down the side of his face from whatever Bellatrix hit him with. Regulus tips his chin in a silent plea and finally, finally, Sirius turns and runs, footsteps echoing down the hall. Regulus turns back to the Dark Lord, whose eyes are fixed on the place Sirius just disappeared from. “Where are we going, My Lord?”
“Do not ask questions. Follow me, or face the consequences.”
Run fast, Sirius.
Keep them safe.
And with his stomach sinking, Regulus moves forward.
---
Remus turns the corner, heart pounding. He has his wand out in front of him, other hand raised and ready.
Another boom.
He figured out a while ago the Death Eaters were probably attacking the defensive shields Dumbledore raised on the outside the castle. He was trapped in the bathrooms for a brief stint before he remembered his unlocking charm and the door swung open. He’s got to find-
Suddenly someone rounds the corner and full on runs into him. A flurry of black hair and grey, panicked eyes that Remus knows all too well. “Fuck!” Grabbing Sirius’s shoulders he steadies him, scanning him quickly.
There’s blood on his temple, running down the side of his face. Remus swears, trying to wipe it away. “Are you ok? Sirius, what-”
“I’m- I’m fine.” Sirius swipes at the blood with his sleeve, taking short breaths. “Had a bit of a run in with my cousin.”
“We can’t stay here. Too open. Let's find a classroom or-”
“The Great Hall,” Sirius pants. “Dumbledore told the teachers to tell us to meet there.”
“Right. Right. And where’s James?”
Sirius curses and rips open the map he’s got shoved in his pocket, scanning it quickly. “One floor down, main hall.”
Remus sets his jaw. “Let’s go.” They take off, skidding along the sleek floor and running as quickly as possible down the stairs. It’s terrifying, rounding corners blind, not knowing who's waiting for you or what they’d do if they find you.
They crash into James, who already has his wand out. He panics for a moment, throwing his hands up before he sees it’s them. “Shit. Are you two ok?”
“Fine,” Remus responds, sending Sirius a glance out of the corner of his eye. “I’m fine, at least.”
Sirius waves him off, but there’s a far away look in his eyes Remus doesn't like. James looks fidgety, glancing over his shoulder and shifting from foot to foot.
“Great Hall,” Sirius mutters, and then they’re off again, sprinting down the stairs.
“Cousin!” The shriek is loud and piercing, echoing off the walls.
Behind Remus, Sirius skids to a stop.
Remus and James trip over themselves in an attempt to slow down. James is muttering a consistent string of ‘shits’ under his breath and Remus, heart in his throat, can’t help but agree. They turn to find Bellatrix waiting at the end of the hall. “You’ve gotta stop running at some point, Sirius!”
“Fuck you!”
Bellatrix laughs, tossing her head back. Remus hears James let out something akin to a growl next to him. “You ran the first time, last year. Left poor little Reggie all alone. And then again, just now! Except… it’s different this time.”
“How so?” Sirius backs up slowly, wand raised.
“Well this time, Reggie isn’t alone. The Dark Lord’s with him.” Bella grins, and Remus feels James go completely stiff next to him. “And this time,” Bellatrix continues. “I caught you.”
She sends a curse straight for Sirius who barely difflects it, staggering back. Remus tries an expelliarmus charm but she just laughs and side-steps, letting it hit the wall behind her.
Neither of them are skilled enough to fight her, Remus realizes. She’s got years of experience on them.
“Sirius-”
“Bellatrix. I must ask you to leave my castle.” The voice comes from behind them, loud and authoritative. An overwhelming rush of relief runs down Remus’s spine. Dumbledore.
The headmaster steps between and in front of them, wand drawn. Bellatrix’s expression shifts from glee to anger, eyes sharpening. “It’s too late, old man. We’re already here. And my colleagues are out there, finding all your little mudbloods and gobbling them up.”
“I assure you they’re failing.” Dumbledore turns to look at Remus. “The Great Hall. Now. Keep the younger kids inside.”
“But Sir-”’
“Now, children. The time to fight will come later.”
Remus grabs Sirius’s arm and they take off, running again. Distantly Remus hears Bellatrix shout something but he can’t quite make out what.
Mercifully, the Great Hall doors slam open just as they reach them and slam shut right after. Immediately Sirius doubles over, taking gasping breaths. Remus grabs his shoulder, rubbing circles into his back as he does his best to deal with his internal panic.
There are people watching them, Remus can tell. He can feel their eyes. “Come on, Sirius.” They make their way over to a bench and sit down, glancing around. There’s a smattering of kids spread out among the tables, a few teachers lingering among them- none of their friends. All the kids are exchanging tense whispers, heads bent and faces serious. James slides into the seat across from them, staring at the table.
Sirius leans forward, resting his forehead on the table. His shoulders heave. “I left him.”
Normally this is James’s job. Normally he’d lean forward and rub Sirius’s back, muttering soothing words that only Sirius can hear. James knows how to fix Sirius better than Remus ever will.
But now James doesn’t move, still staring at that one spot on the table. His hand, where it’s clenched in his lap, is shaking. Remus glances between him and Sirius before realizing he’s going to be zero help. “Sirius. Left who.”
“Regulus. I was with him and then we found Bellatrix and- and him, and he called Regulus over and he went, and then he told me to run, told me he would get them to leave, and I- I did. I ran.”
Remus’s heart clenches. “Dumbledore is handling it. I’m sure he’s fine.”
“You should’ve seen the way he flinched when Voldemort grabbed him.”
“I’m sure he’s fine.” Remus repeats, a little bit desperate now. He needs Sirius to calm down. Glancing up, he tries to catch James’s eye. “Prongs,” he says, a bit too harshly. James looks up, eyes weirdly blank.
“What?”
“Can you- I mean- can you help? Or- something?” he nods to Sirius, head still resting on the table below him.
James’s eyes flick down and then back up. “Prongs-” he frowns, trying again. “I-”
Then he shakes his head, lip curling in disgust, and gets up from the table. He quickly shoves the bench in and turns away, crossing the Great Hall in quick strides. Remus doesn’t see where he goes.
Placing a hand on Sirius’s back, he leans forward. “Take deep breaths.” Sirius takes a shuddering inhale and twists, wrapping his arms around Remus’s torso. Remus hesitates before hugging him back, not really caring who sees. “It’s okay.”
“Where’d Prongs go?”
“I don’t know,” Remus says, a little annoyed. Sirius is suffering, and James, the one person who can consistently put him back together, is nowhere to be found. Not only that, but he actually just got up and left after Remus asked him for help.
“Is he ok?”
“Don’t worry about him. He’s fine.” If James wants to get all pissy and upset over his Death Eater boyfriend, he can do so. But Remus won’t pity him, especially since Regulus made this choice and James knew what he was getting into. This was something that could’ve been prevented an over-emotional reaction that could’ve been spared.
But Sirius, this, now, was inevitable. This was something undeniable. Remus hugs him a little tighter. “Everything’s going to be fine. Dumbledore’s got in under control. You know what they say.”
“Dumbledore’s the only man Voldemort’s actually afraid of,” Sirius manages, and Remus nods.
“Yeah. He’s got it handled.”
“Right.”
Sirius takes a shuddering breath and pulls out of Remus’s arms, looking around. Another boom shakes the castle, but it’s weaker this time. Sirius frowns. “We should go back out there.”
Remus snorts. “We should not.”
“We should help- we have a duty-”
“To what? Get killed? We aren’t ready yet, Sirius. The other students are in lockdown. No one can get in or out. Dumbledore and the teachers are out there, handling it. We wouldn’t be able to do anything.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“We’ll wait it out, and someone will come by to give us an update in a second.”
“Prongs-”
“Sirius. Stop worrying about him. He can handle himself.”
“Yeah. Yeah, it’s James. He’ll be fine.”
The doors suddenly slam open, Dumbledore striding through. Tons of students pour in behind him. He looks around, placing his wand to his throat to amplify his voice. James suddenly appears behind them, eyes scanning the crowd. Remus shoots him a disappointed look which he promptly ignores, eyes keen and searching. Sirius opens his mouth to say something, but Dumbledore’s booming voice cuts him off.
“The threat has been dealt with. We are no longer under attack. The grounds have been secured and barriers repaired.” He looks over his students as more come through the door behind him. “We’ve only had a few injuries, none serious. At this time we are unsure how the Death Eaters got through the castle’s defenses.”
Everyone lets out a collective breath.
Dumbledore continues. “All classroom doors have been opened and everyone has been instructed to return to the Great Hall. As far as further precautions go, we will be sleeping here tonight.” Everyone nods, too shaken up to care. “Is that- Professor McGonagal, is-” He mutters something to her, taking the wand away from his neck. She casts a spell, flicking her wand, then says something Remus can't hear. Dumbledore nods and puts the wand back as the doors behind him slam shut. “That’s everyone in the castle, then. Good. We’ll work on setting up beds and lodging while you sit tight. There will be more updates soon. I thank everyone for their bravery.”
Sirius turns to them, cracking a hesitant smile. “No one was seriously injured.”
“That’s great,” Remus says, letting out a sigh of relief. “Ok. Alright.” Slowly he lets the adrenaline leak out of him, taking a deep breath.
They all go quiet for a moment, listening to the chatter of students all around them.
“Sirius?” James says, and his voice sounds hard. Remus looks at him, taken aback by the sharpness in his eyes. “Sirius.”
“Yeah?”
“Where the fuck is Regulus?”
---
Somewhere in the night, a cricket chirps. Regulus stares up at the country house in front of him, heart pounding.
“Where are we?” He asks softly. Next to him the Dark Lord sighs.
“There’s a man in there that works for the Ministry. His name is Harold McPickens. He has two daughters and a wife that’s currently out of town. Her name is Lucy McPickens. She’s fond of wearing bows in her hair.”
Regulus closes his eyes.
“They have two cats, or so Rodolphus says. Recently, Harold printed an article denouncing our beliefs and mission. It was more of a footnote, really. I think the article was actually focusing on different bakeries in London.” The Dark Lord looks down at him, eyes glinting in the streetlamps distant light.
“Tonight,” he says, “Harold is going to die.”