Chapter 6 (Pt. 3)
"Will you stop pacing, please- you're giving me a migraine." Claudette tutted as Ivan passed in front of her on the bench for the eightieth time in the last ten minutes.
"He's a half-an-hour late. He's never late, Claude." Ivan huffed worriedly.
"You worry too much, I'm sure he and James just got a little carried away is all", Claudette explained, the more logical of the two, "Besides we're both alive and breathing, so he must be as well."
Ivan sighed before stopping his pacing, Claudette stood up and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"You're right, it's just hard to turn it off sometimes- after everything that's happened." Ivan spoke softly.
Claudette pecked him lovingly on the lips, Ivan deepening it with a hand on her cheek.
The pair only pulled away at the loud pop and cry that pierced the air.
A house-elf, no taller than Ivan's kneecaps, stood in the center of the plaza cradling a bundle whose cries carried throughout.
"Is that...."
The words slipped from Ivan's mouth as he glanced at the baby bundle.
Claudette swallowed.
"I take it back...." She spoke, barely a whisper.
The elf's eyes snapped towards the couple and began heading their way.
Ivan wondered if he was breathing as he glanced down at the elf and baby.
"Kreacher was given a task by his Master to place the child in your care." The elf explained his words emotionless and his eyes cold and conceded.
Ivan had heard many stories about Kreacher from Regulus, only proving his suspicion of the small child.
"Harry..." Ivan muttered as he swooped up the child in his arms, swaying gently.
Soft shushes left his lips as the baby calmed and slumbered.
Claudette's hand was timid on Ivan's shoulder, squeezing as Ivan looked back to the elf.
"Where is he?" Ivan asked.
Kreacher pained at that, opening his mouth, only to hiss, "Kreacher is not allowed to say."
"By who?" Claudette spoke, breaking her silence from beside Ivan.
"Lord and lady Black." Kreacher explained as if knowing it was a loop hole to his command.
Ivan opened his mouth to question further, but the elf was gone.
The couples blood ran cold at the realization of who exactly was in control of Regulus' fate.
The same people who'd beaten and bruised him since he was a small lad.
The same people that made him insecure and broke him in every possible way.
Ivan looked at Claudette as if answering the silent question, 'what do we do now?'.
They both shared a look of thinking the same thing.
They were going to find Regulus- and they would kill anyone who'd stop them.
Ivan nodded before apparating the three of them to the cottage.
Ivan landed perfectly with Harry, but Claudette was less fortunate- loosing her balance and almost falling into the pool, if it weren't for Ivan who caught her.
Claudette thanked him before pushing open the sliding doors and strolling into the lovely cottage.
A crash sounded and Claudette had to keep from cringing as a disheveled James popped from around the corner.
"Regulus?" James quizzed before stepping into the room to answer his own question.
The couple noted his disappointment and the worry that streaked his face.
James opened his mouth to greet them, but found himself at a loss of words as baby Harry sighed through his nose.
James' mouth went dry and he must've sent the most crazed look the pairs way as they looked at him sympathetically.
Confusion swirled around him and he had to place an arm on the table to keep himself from falling to the ground.
"Is that...." James couldn't even get the words to leave his lips, fearing the worst.
Claudette nodded.
"Where- where is he?" James questioned.
"We have reason to believe he is at Grimmuald Place", Claudette explained, "A house elf named Kreacher told us that he was doing his masters wishes by giving us Harry."
"He also said he was told not to say where Regulus was by Orion and Walburga." Ivan added.
James tried to contain the fear that coursed through his veins- not again, he wouldn't let this happen again.
Regulus could be anywhere from a bloody pulp to being held together by a thread- he was alive, at least he was alive.
Yes, he was alive, but at what cost- pain, agony?
James didn't want to know how much more they would break Regulus.
“Are you in any pain?” James asked, looking between them.
Claudette shook her head, “Just achy.”
Good. That meant Regulus wasn’t in an awful amount of pain.
“I have to go get him.” James breathed, starting to head for the door.
Ivan stopped him.
“You’re going to storm Grimmuald Place on your own?” Ivan quizzed.
“I’ve done it before.” James spat.
“Exactly, they’re probably expecting you now.” Claudette explained.
“What do you suggest?” James quizzed.
Waiting it out wasn’t an option. James was getting Regulus back- no matter what.
Claudette thought for a moment before a lightbulb appeared over her head.
“Who do we know that knows all the secrets of Grimmuald Place?” Claudette said with a knowing smirk.
~
The trio headed into town, determined to find their boy.
James couldn’t take his eyes off of Harry as Ivan held him. He had the smallest tuft of hair and Regulus’ nose.
“You can hold him, you know”, Ivan quipped, offering James the baby, “He’s your baby.”
James was hesitant. He hadn’t come to terms with Harry’s arrival yet. In James’ mind he was still supposed to be safe in Regulus’ stomach.
Ivan handed the baby off to James and he was starstruck.
If Regulus wasn’t in danger, James would be infatuated with his baby right then. His and Regulus’ little miracle.
James made sure Harry was warm, wrapped up tightly in a blanket. He adjusted the blanket every so often to keep it tucked to Harry’s chin.
They arrived at Sirius and Remus’ flat, letting themselves in.
Sirius peaked his head out of the kitchen, noticing James.
“Hey, James.” He greeted, shuffling around in the kitchen.
They’d only seen each other a few hours ago, but it wasn’t unusual for either of them to drop by.
Sirius stopped what he was doing, backtracking.
He furrowed his eyebrows, glancing at the three. His eyes traveled to the bundle in James’ arms.
“Oh my- Merlin. Is that-?” Sirius started, approaching the group.
James nodded.
”Regulus is in trouble. Your parents are holding him captive.” James explained.
Remus appeared out of nowhere.
”What?” He spat.
“Kreacher gave us Harry and said that Walburga and Orion told him not to say where Regulus was.” Claudette explained.
“We have to go get him.” Sirius insisted.
“Do you know a way in? One they won’t expect us to use?” James asked.
Sirius thought hard.
“There’s a vent that leads into the basement”, Sirius explained, “Padfoot and Dot could fit.”
“I’m coming too.” James quipped.
“You’re definitely not going to fit”, Sirius huffed, “I’ll be in and out. They won’t suspect a thing.”
James didn’t like that he wasn’t involved.
“He’s my brother, okay? I’ll bring him back.” Sirius assured James.
After they had created a concrete plan, Sirius took off.
James hated that he didn’t know what was happening.
He focused on the little bundle in his arms.
Remus offered to check over Harry and make sure he was healthy. He’d just finished his healer training and was about to become a healer at St. Mungos.
James couldn’t breathe without Regulus and as soon as Harry left his arms- he felt like death.
Remus returned Harry quickly, assuring that he was a perfect baby in all aspects.
It felt like ages the group of them spent huddled around the fireplace.
Suddenly the door swung open and Sirius appeared carrying a bloody, weak Regulus.
James stood up carefully, following as Sirius brought Regulus into the bathroom.
Remus began checking the boy for injuries, but he figured most of the filth was due to child birth.
Sirius began running a warm bath as Regulus sat on the toilet seat, his eyes heavy.
James gently rocked Harry in his arms, trying to relax his racing heart.
Regulus was safe- he was okay.
James took a breath, looking down at his baby.
His boys were safe. They were okay.