Chapter 10
Regulus hated blood, always had. So being confronted with a perfect mirror image of himself made entirely of blood and dirty water made him more than a bit uncomfortable. It didn’t help that the blood was actively spilling from a wound on his side. An old wound no less, one from his mother the day Sirius had run away for good.
“Look at you,” the blood reflection spat. “You’re weak. You can’t even do the one thing you’re still alive for without help.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Find something else to harp on, would you?” Regulus whipped his wand, letting a long strip of red fire slash right through the thing in front of him. It hissed in anger and lunged forward, scratching at Regulus’s face. He managed to push it back as it continued.
“You could’ve been great. You could’ve been known by every wizard in the world!”
“And what good would that do me?” Regulus blasted the ground underneath the blood monster. It stumbled, bits of it slipping through the cracks.
“I could make you great,” It said, almost desperate.
“Once again,” Regulus panted. “What good would it do me?”
“You could fix everything. Free your brother, get revenge. You could even bring them back.”
Two spectral, smiling forms appeared behind the monster. One with long, fiery red hair, the other with bright eyes hidden behind rectangular glasses. James and Lily.
Regulus froze, staring at the images that shimmered like soft rain in front of him.
“How?” he whispered, reaching for them. They disappeared before he could touch them. The figure made of blood extended its hand, offering something to Regulus. It was a ring. A simple yet thick gold band with a black stone set in the center.
“Just put this on,” it instructed. Regulus slowly grabbed the ring, turning it over in his fingers. The monster dropped to the ground, seemingly no longer needed. But its voice rang out in Regulus’s ears, whispering,
Put it on, put it on, put it on.
Regulus closed his eyes, taking in a deep, slow breath. He held the ring up to the dim light of dusk, pondering. He waited a second, then another. The old wound on his side was no longer bleeding. In fact, it felt as if it hadn’t reopened at all.
The ring did this, Regulus thought.
It could do so much more, another voice responded.
Regulus took a deep breath.
He slipped the ring into his pocket and walked away.
___________
Remus and Mary’s flat was more than a welcome sight. Regulus was tired and dirty, and the Gaunt family ring felt like a red hot coal in his pocket.
It was early morning, the world was bathed in pale blue. A cool breeze ruffled Regulus’s coat as he lightly knocked on the door. It opened almost immediately, revealing Harry, still in his pajamas and smiling widely.
“You’re back!” he yelled, running forward and almost toppling Regulus over when he wrapped around the man’s knees. Harry laughed as Regulus stumbled and tried in vain to peel the boy off of his legs.
“I am. I’m surprised you’re awake so early,” Regulus said, giving up on getting Harry off of him and shuffling through the door. Remus shouted a greeting from the kitchen as Mary walked over and handed Regulus a cup of tea.
“He woke us up as soon as he saw your car on the street,” She explained, shaking her head fondly at the boy.
She ruffled his hair and told him to go find his glasses. Harry obeyed, reluctantly letting go of Regulus and disappearing into his room.
“As for you,” She started, turning on Regulus and grabbing him by the shoulders. “Go take a shower. Breakfast will be done by the time you’re out.”
He started to argue, claiming it was much more important to inform them of his trip, but she started pushing him toward the bathroom before he could even get a word out.
True to her word, Mary and Remus had just started making their own plates when Regulus stepped back into the dining room. He smiled as Harry clambered into a chair and waved Regulus over to the seat right next to him. He smiled and ruffled Harry’s hair as he sat down.
“So, did you have fun this week?” Regulus asked.
“Yup! We went to the zoo and I saw some cool dragons! And I met a nice lady there. And then after the zoo, we got pizza!”
Harry regaled Regulus with the tales of his week as they all sat and ate breakfast. It was a far cry from the terrible night before and Regulus couldn’t have been more grateful.
“Oh, and yesterday we went to a wizard bookshop! Uncle Moony got me ten whole books!”
“Ten?” Regulus said, glancing at Remus with a smirk. Mary snickered as Remus grinned sheepishly.
“The boy needs to know about the wizarding world. No better way to learn than by reading,” he insisted.
“Also I made something for you!” Harry handed Regulus a piece of paper. On it were five stick figures holding hands. “It’s all of us. And Mr. Sirius. I don’t know what he looks like so I drew you with long hair!”
“That’s… very accurate, actually. Thank you, Harry, it’s very good,” Regulus said, ruffling the boy’s hair again. He carefully folded the drawing up and stuck it in the inner pocket of his robes.
Harry smiled widely and he ate the last bit of his toast.
“Why don’t you go wash your face and pack your things?”
“Okay!” Harry popped out of his chair and ran off. Regulus listened until he heard a door shut before turning to Remus and Mary, who were sharing a look.
“Stop that,” he hissed.
“For someone who was set on not keeping him, you’ve sure got a soft spot for Harry,” Mary said with a smirk. Regulus rolled his eyes.
“Yes, yes, I’m weak. Now, do you have any news regarding Azkaban?”
“Actually, I do.” Mary placed a hand over Regulus’s hands. “But it’s gonna be difficult.”
“We already knew it would be,” Remus sighed.
“I thought the only way onto the island was the Portkey in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, but I after a few weeks I noticed Unspeakables going in and out at any time.”
“Unspeakables? Why would they need to go to Azkaban?” Regulus bit his lip, considering.
“Apparently they help with the Dementors. Checking in on them, making sure they’re fed,” Mary explained, disdain clear in her voice. “Fucking monstrous if you ask me, but I’m not allowed to argue. Anyway, I managed to follow them the other day when they were leaving. They have a spell to make a tunnel-like… thing under the water. It's super secure, unmonitored, and easy to cast after a few tries.”
“And you know where Sirius is being held?” Regulus felt rare hope, like just before he went off to take the first Horcrux. Mary, however, cringed.
“That’s the next problem. I’ve tried mapping out Azkaban every day. The cell placement always changes. Like the stairs at Hogwarts.”
“So we’ll have to find him ourselves,” Remus sighed. “Right then, when should we go?”
“Monday. It’s a new moon, so it will be dark. And, if I’m not mistaken, the Ministry of Magic closes early for the annual Yule celebration. It will be mostly empty,” Mary responded.
“Alright then, it’s settled. We can plan more later. I’d like to visit a friend today.” Regulus stood just as Harry came back, dragging the suitcase Remus had gotten for him.
Regulus whipped out his wand, making the bag float and drag Harry along. Regulus held out his hand and Harry took it gladly.
As they drove back, Harry rambled about his time with his aunt and uncle and Regulus nodded along, only half-listening. His mind was whirling with so many thoughts it was hard to keep track of them.
He was thinking about Sirius and whether their plan would work. If it did, what happens next? How were they going to get to Peter? How could they prove he’s guilty and Sirius isn’t?
How long could Regulus protect Harry from the wizarding world? From Dumbledore? Is keeping him even the right decision? Regulus never exactly had good parental figures growing up, what if he just makes Harry worse?
What if-
“Regulus?” Harry looked at him through the rearview mirror, tilting his head curiously.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Faon I got distracted, what did you say?”
“I just wanted to say thank you. I like being with you a lot more than the Dursleys.” Harry smiled widely and Regulus smiled back, forcing himself to calm down.
He could do this. He had to. For Harry.