A Life Worth Living

Regulus found it surprisingly familiar to spend the night at the school, much like the restless nights he endured at the manor. The hours seemed to stretch endlessly, interrupted only by the sporadic moments of fitful sleep he managed to grasp.

In the dead of night, Pandora had returned, accompanied by Peter who had brought futons from a different room. With a mix of relief and fatigue, Pandora had been given some medication, allowing her to finally drift off into a well-deserved sleep. Peter departed shortly after, leaving Regulus in solitude once more.

His eyes wandered over to Barty, who was sprawled on the table nearby, deeply asleep. Regulus had chosen not to disturb him or move him to a futon—he was hesitant to risk waking Barty and potentially ruining his chances of a full rest. A wry smile tugged at Regulus’s lips as he imagined the complaints Barty would undoubtedly voice about his aching back when he woke.

Sirius had returned bearing food, courtesy of a woman named Molly. It was typical of his brother to befriend strangers with remarkable speed. Regulus observed with a touch of amusement how Sirius had adapted so effortlessly to the new people around them, particularly the tall one—Remus, as Sirius had informed him. Regulus couldn’t ignore the obvious admiration Sirius had for Remus, though he begrudgingly admitted that his own thoughts were preoccupied with James since leaving the room earlier.

Regulus internally chided himself for being so consumed by thoughts of James. It was maddening, this constant replay of James’s warm smile and kind eyes. He wasn’t accustomed to forming connections so swiftly, let alone obsessing over them. Still, he found some solace in this distraction from the haunting memories that plagued his mind.

“What’s all this?” Sirius inquired, noting the futons.

“Futons,” Regulus replied softly. “From Peter.”

Sirius nodded and looked around before settling his gaze back on Regulus. “How are you holding up? Did you manage to get any rest?”

“Yes,” Regulus replied with a smirk. “More than you, I imagine.”

Sirius’s audacity was evident as he launched into a detailed account of everything he had observed about their surroundings. Despite the jest, Sirius was keenly perceptive when he chose to be, and his dedication to those he cared about was undeniable.

Regulus listened in silence, allowing Sirius’s observations to flow over him. Their discussion was soon interrupted by Barty’s groggy voice.

“Oh! Sirius, I see you’ve finally graced us with your presence.”

Barty carefully stretched, mindful of his injury, and the conversation quickly shifted to Evan, a topic Regulus knew would inevitably arise. He was becoming increasingly concerned about how long they could reassure Barty with empty promises about Evan’s well-being.

“Did you see all the medicine they’ve got?” Barty’s sudden shift in focus caught Regulus off guard. “They have plenty to spare.” The gleam in Barty’s eye was unmistakable—a plan was forming.

Sirius sighed, acknowledging the truth in Barty’s observation. “It is quite impressive. Alright, what else do you think we need?”

“Weapons, most likely,” Regulus suggested.

“Obviously,” Barty retorted with his usual sarcasm. “I’m not going back empty-handed. We’ll be strung up before we even get close.”

Both Regulus and Sirius nodded in agreement, recognizing the grim reality of their situation.

“Well, we know weapons and medicine are here somewhere,” Sirius added. “I saw them bringing supplies in from the last run, but I’m not sure where they’re stored.”

“Oh, come on, Sirius,” Barty scoffed. “You spend all day with Mr. Business, and you don’t pick up anything useful?”

Sirius looked taken aback, momentarily at a loss for words.

“Not everyone is willing to share information with us,” Sirius snapped back, his frustration evident. “We can’t just sneak around and risk getting kicked out. If that happens, we’re done for.”

“Right,” Barty said dismissively. “But I bet you know Remus’s height and favorite color by now?”

Sirius’s expression revealed that Barty wasn’t entirely off the mark. “Are you with us, Sirius? Because if not, you might as well stay here.”

“Barty!” Regulus interjected, his irritation rising. “Enough already. We’ve been over this. Sirius is right; we can’t risk our position.”

Tension hung thick in the air. Barty’s agitation, Sirius’s defensiveness, and Regulus’s mounting frustration created a strained atmosphere.

“I think,” Sirius began cautiously, “maybe I could ask Remus for help—”

“No,” Barty interrupted firmly.

“Barty, just—”

“No,” Barty insisted. “We can’t afford to make them more suspicious. We need to handle this on our own.”

Silence fell once more. Each of them was exhausted, and the argument was going nowhere. They knew what needed to be done, even if the path forward wasn’t entirely clear.

“Fine,” Sirius relented. “I’ll see if I can find something useful. But we need to stay here a while and earn their trust. The more they trust us, the more access we’ll have to the supplies.”

Barty looked ready to protest, but Sirius cut him off. “And I promise, the moment we can, we’ll go and rescue our people.” Sirius’s gaze was unwavering, and his pledge was clear.

As the conversation shifted to potential plans of action, Regulus remained mostly silent, absorbing the discussion without much input. He forced himself to stay engaged, trying to focus on Barty’s ideas about locating the supplies. Many of Barty’s plans seemed overly ambitious, driven more by his desire to play the hero than by practical considerations. Throughout it all, Barty was clearly on edge, barely able to sit still. Regulus had a feeling it wouldn’t be long before Barty would push for them to head out, Regulus just hoped by then they’d have something useful, or else Barty’s impatience might cost them more than just time.

———————————————————

Perches on a windowsill on the upper levels of the school, Remus gazed out into the darkened world. The moon, half-hidden behind clouds, casts a faint, silvery glow over the dilapidated buildings and broken streets below. It was quiet, a fact he didn’t revel in, especially in this world where silence was often followed by the sudden storm of chaos. 

His body, though still, was constantly alert, muscles tense beneath the surface, waiting for any sign of danger. It was the routine he’d grown accustomed to in this place. Taking the night watch allowed his mind to settle into the rhythm of the night. 

He’d brought The Group, his mind had dubbed, here- a decision he was still processing. At first glance, it seemed foolish to take in strangers, let alone a seeming family fractured by secrets. Yet, here they were, fitting themselves into the routine of the sanctuary as though they belonged. 

His mind lingered on the enigmatic one, Sirius. From the moment they met, there was something about him that Remus couldn’t shake. Sirius carried an intensity about him, a restless energy barely contained beneath his easy grin and sharp remarks. It was something Remus recognized. It intrigued him. 

“Persistent,” Remus muttered quietly to himself, leaning back against the cool stone of the window ledge.

Sirius was persistent in a way that could be admirable, or perhaps dangerous. The way he had immediately found his footing among the people here, befriending even those who remained wary of outsiders. And it wasn’t just the surface-level charm that stuck with Remus- though Sirius certainly had plenty of that- it was his determination. He was clearly searching for something, or maybe running for something. It was hard to tell which.

He glanced down at the courtyard, the few lamps that still worked casting faint pools of light on the cracked pavement. Everything about this place was broken, albeit functioning in its own way.

Remus’ gaze drifted again to the stars, though they were mostly obscured by the night clouds. A part of him wondered if he was doing the right thing, bringing these people in, offering them protection. He didn’t regret it—yet—but trust was a fragile thing. And the group was still a mystery to him. Even the younger one, Regulus, was difficult to read, though Remus had noticed the quiet moments he shared with his brother, the way they communicated without words. It reminded him of his shared bond with James, his makeshift brother in a sense.

Footsteps below broke the stillness of the night. Remus straightened, instinctively readying himself, but he soon recognized the casual gait. Sirius. He watched as Sirius crossed the courtyard below, eyes scanning the area as though on patrol. A small smile tugged at Remus' lips. Of course he wouldn’t stay in one place for long.

Sirius was allowed more freedom now. He had earned it quickly—faster than most. He had a way of making people trust him, or at least tolerate him, and Remus wasn’t sure if that should impress him or concern him.

“Couldn’t sleep?” Remus called out; his voice low but carrying in the quiet.

Sirius looked up, startled at first, but then relaxed when he spotted Remus perched above. “Didn’t know you’d be up here,” he replied, walking closer. “Mind if I join?”

Remus shrugged, motioning for him to come up. There was something about Sirius’ presence that set him on edge, but not in a bad way. It was more like… an anticipation. He couldn’t quite pin down what it was, but Sirius’ unpredictability was certainly part of it.

Moments later, Sirius climbed up and settled onto the ledge beside him, surprisingly quiet for someone usually so brash. Remus remained still, though his gaze flicked over to the other man, watching as Sirius leaned back against the wall, tilting his head up to the night sky.

“They trust you,” Remus commented after a while. His tone was neutral, but the implication behind the words wasn’t lost on Sirius.

“Yeah, well,” Sirius began, exhaling softly, “I’ve had practice.”

Remus raised an eyebrow, curious but unwilling to pry just yet. The silence stretched between them, not uncomfortable but laden with unspoken thoughts. Sirius was like that—a walking contradiction, full of energy and yet weighed down by something heavier than what he let on.

For a moment, Sirius didn’t speak. He kept his gaze fixed on the sky, as though searching for something among the stars. When he finally spoke, his voice was softer, less guarded than usual.

“I like it here.” He said, quieter than Remus had ever heard before. He turned and met Remus’ eye, and Remus knew, from that one look, that he didn’t want Sirius to leave. He didn’t want him to have to return to his family and live in fear again. It was an intense look, and Remus saw it was as much fever as he could muster in the dim lit space they shared. 

“It’s not easy to keep everyone safe. No matter how hard you try.” Remus said quietly, “We all have to make difficult decisions.” 

Sirius sighed, leaning back against the wall again. “Yeah. Tell me about it.” 

Silence grew between them as they both let the weight of the words sit in the still night air; there was a mutual understanding now, an unspoken acknowledgement of the weight they both carried. 

“Thanks,” Sirius said after a long while, breaking the silence. “For letting us stay.”

Remus glanced at him. “Don’t thank me yet. We haven’t made it through anything yet.”

Sirius chuckled softly. “Yeah, but… I appreciate it. Really. I know some of us are not easy to deal with.”

Remus smirked slightly, Barty’s outburst immediately coming to mind, his gaze drifting back to the dark horizon. “No,” he said. “You’re not.”

The quiet of the night settled around them once more. Despite the weight of the conversation, there was something calming about the shared silence between them. Both of them knew they had a long road ahead, but for now, in this moment, it felt a little more bearable.

———————————————————

It had been a few days since they rescued Regulus, Sirius, Barty, and Pandora, bringing them to the relative safety of the school. Since then, things have been tensing but manageable. Barty was still on edge, snapping at the slightest provocation, and Pandora was healing slowly, her exhaustion leaving her quieter than the others.

But Regulus? He was a mystery. Silent, intense, and always keeping a careful distance, even when it seemed like he wanted to be closer.

James had noticed it right away. There was something about Regulus that drew his attention, something that made it impossible to stop thinking about him. It wasn’t just his sharp eyes or the way he carried himself with quiet confidence, though that certainly didn’t hurt. No, it was more than that—something deeper.

And as much as James tried to shake it off, he couldn’t stop wanting to get to know Regulus better. That’s why, after days of casual interactions and fleeting glances, James decided to take a leap.

He found Regulus alone in one of the school’s empty classrooms, sitting at a window and staring out at the overgrown fields that used to be a playground.

“Hey,” James called out as he leaned against the doorframe, trying to keep his tone casual. “You busy?”

Regulus turned to look at him, his expression as neutral as ever. “Not particularly. Why?”

“Well, I was heading to the library. Figured you might want to come with. Y’know, change of scenery.”

There was a pause as Regulus considered him, and for a moment, James thought he’d refuse. But then, with a small nod, Regulus stood up and gestured for James to lead the way.

The library was one of the few places in the school that had been left mostly untouched by the apocalypse. Dust covered most of the bookshelves, and some of the windows were cracked, but the air still smelled faintly of old paper and ink. It was quiet, peaceful even—an escape from the chaos outside.

James pushed the door open, and the faint creak echoed through the space. He stepped inside, glancing back to make sure Regulus was following him. Regulus didn’t say much, just gave a brief nod as they entered, his eyes scanning the shelves.

“You like reading, right?” James asked, trying to sound casual. He didn’t really know what Regulus was into—hell, he barely knew him at all—but something about him just screamed “bookish.”

Regulus looked over at him, raising a single eyebrow. “I do.”

“Cool, cool,” James nodded, feigning interest. “I figured you’d like this place then. I don’t come here much myself, but, uh, it’s quiet.”

Regulus didn’t respond, instead moving toward one of the bookshelves and running his fingers lightly over the spines of the old, weathered books.

James hovered near the door, trying to appear as if he belonged in this setting, though he’d be the first to admit he didn’t know the first thing about literature beyond what he’d skimmed in school. He wasn’t much of a reader, not like Remus or Lily. His talents were more physical—he was used to moving, to doing things. But something about this moment, watching Regulus in the library, made him want to stay. Maybe it was the way Regulus seemed at ease here, or maybe it was just James trying to figure him out.

“Do you write, too?” James asked suddenly, surprising himself with the question. He wasn’t sure why he’d asked, but the words were already out before he could stop them.

Regulus glanced over at him, his expression carefully blank. “I used to.”

“Used to?” James echoed, stepping closer. “What kind of stuff did you write?”

Regulus hesitated for a moment, as if deciding whether or not to share. Then, with a noncommittal shrug, he answered, “Poetry, mostly. Before all of this.” His hand gestured faintly to the world around them, the unspoken ruin of everything they once knew.

James blinked. “Poetry? That’s… that’s actually really cool.”

Regulus shrugged, clearly not as impressed with his own talent. “I don’t write anymore. Doesn’t seem like there’s much point.”

“Well,” James said, trying to find the right words, “it’s still pretty impressive. I never really got into writing myself, but I always thought people who could put their thoughts into words like that were… I don’t know, different. In a good way.”

Regulus didn’t respond, but something in his posture softened, just a little.

“You should share some of it sometime,” James added, then quickly added, “No pressure, though.”

Regulus gave a small, almost imperceptible smile. “Maybe.”

Before James could push his luck further, the door to the library creaked open, and Lily stepped inside. She was carrying a stack of books, her red hair tied back in a loose ponytail.

“James,” she called, her tone playful. “What are you doing here? Didn’t think you even knew where the library was.”

James chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “What, just because I’m not buried in books 24/7 like you doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a good library.”

Lily rolled her eyes, but there was a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Sure. And I bet you’re here for the poetry section, right?”

James shot a quick glance at Regulus, hoping Lily hadn’t overheard their earlier conversation. “Something like that,” he muttered.

Lily set her books down on a nearby table and glanced at Regulus. “You’re into poetry?”

Regulus nodded, though his expression remained neutral. “I used to write. Before.”

Lily’s eyes widened with genuine interest. “Poetry? That’s amazing! I’ve always admired poets. They manage to say so much with so few words. What sort of stuff did you write?” 

Regulus didn’t smile, but there was a slight softening in his expression as he spoke. “Classical, mostly. I liked playing with the meter and form. And I know Latin, so sometimes I’d incorporate that into my work.”

James blinked again. “Latin? You know Latin?”

Regulus shrugged again, as though it were no big deal. “Yeah. It’s not that uncommon.”

Lily was clearly impressed. “It’s a beautiful language. Do you still remember a lot of it?”

“Most of it,” Regulus replied, his voice neutral, though there was a hint of pride there. 

James wasn’t sure what to say to that. He wasn’t exactly good with deep conversations, but he felt an odd sense of admiration for Regulus. Poetry? Latin? There was so much more to him than James had ever realized. And here he was, feeling like an idiot for pretending to be into books just to get closer to him.

“I think it’s cool,” James said after a moment, his voice sincere. “You know that you still carry that with you. Even if you’re not writing anymore.”

Lily nodded in agreement. “Yeah, it’s a gift. And who knows, maybe you’ll find a reason to start again.”

Regulus didn’t respond to that, but his gaze lingered for a moment before drifting back to the shelves of books around them.

As they settled into a quiet routine in the library—Lily flipping through books, James pretending to be interested in one, and Regulus browsing the shelves—footsteps echoed down the hall. James glanced up just as Remus entered the library, looking as composed as ever. There was a slight nod exchanged between Remus and James, something unspoken passing between them.

“Found your way to the library, I see,” Remus said with a faint smile as he approached. His eyes flicked over to Regulus, and there was a knowing look in his gaze, something James hoped Regulus wouldn’t pick up on.

James shot him a look but said nothing. Remus turned to Regulus, offering a polite nod. “We haven’t formally met. Remus Lupin.”

“Regulus Black,” Regulus replied, his tone polite but distant.

“We were just talking about poetry,” Lily added, smiling at Remus. “Regulus used to write!”

Remus gave an appreciative nod, raising an eyebrow. “That’s impressive.”

Regulus shifted slightly, uncomfortable with the attention. “It’s nothing. Just a hobby.”

“Well, it’s more than most people have these days,” Remus said lightly. “And if you ever feel like sharing, I’m sure James here would love to hear it.”

James glared at Remus, but Remus only smirked in response.

They were just starting to settle back into their conversation when a sudden crash shattered the peace of the library. The sound of metal screeching against concrete echoed through the room, followed by the unmistakable roar of an engine.

James jumped to his feet, his heart pounding in his chest as he watched in horror. A car—a beaten-up, barely-functioning vehicle—plowed through the library’s double doors, sending bookshelves and debris flying in all directions.

“Get down!” Remus shouted, pulling Lily behind a stack of books for cover.

James ducked instinctively, yanking Regulus down beside him as chunks of wood and metal rained down around them. His heart pounded in his ears as the dust settled, and he squinted through the chaos to see what had happened.

The car screeched to a halt in the middle of the room, its tires were still spinning as the driver, a wild-eyed man, stumbled out of the vehicle, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

“Help! Please!” the man shouted, looking frantic as he stumbled toward them. “They’re coming! They’re right behind me!”

Before anyone could react, the distant groaning and shuffling reached their ears. Zombies. Dozens of them.

“Shit,” James muttered, his hand tightening around the metal rod he’d grabbed from the wreckage.

The sound of the car crashing through the library had already attracted the attention of the nearby horde, and now they were closing in fast.

Lily scrambled to her feet, grabbing a makeshift weapon—a broken piece of wood—and positioning herself near one of the windows. Remus was already moving, pulling out a gun he had stashed under his jacket, his expression grim.

James glanced at Regulus, who had already picked up a heavy metal rod from the wreckage. His eyes were sharp and focused.

They had to act fast.

The first of the zombies burst through the shattered library doors, their decayed faces twisted in grotesque groans, their movements erratic as they staggered toward the group. The air grew thick with the stench of decay, and the eerie sound of their shuffling feet sent a chill down James’ spine.

"Barricade the doors!" Remus yelled, already moving toward one of the overturned bookshelves. James sprang into action, helping Remus push the shelf against the gaping hole where the doors once stood. But it was a temporary solution at best; the zombies were too many, their numbers increasing with every passing second.

“Over here!” Lily shouted, her eyes darting around the room, searching for another way out. “We need to block the windows too!”

Regulus and James rushed to help, shoving whatever debris they could find in front of the large, cracked windows, but the zombies were already pressing against the glass, their hands smearing blood as they pawed at the panes.

“Shit, shit, shit,” James muttered, his heart racing. His grip tightened around the rod in his hand, and for a brief moment, he glanced at Regulus, who seemed unusually calm given the situation. There was something almost cold about the way Regulus assessed their surroundings, his mind clearly working at a different pace than James’.

The frantic man who had crashed into the library was still shaking, his back pressed against the car as if he could somehow disappear into it. James turned to him, frustration flaring. “Who the hell are you, and why did you bring them here?”

“I was trying to escape! They were everywhere—I didn’t know where else to go! I didn’t know—I didn’t think—” the man gasped, his voice thick with panic. 

“There’s no time for this!” Regulus cut in sharply, his voice commanding in a way that startled even James. “If we don’t handle this, none of us are getting out of here alive.”

James nodded, focusing back on the immediate threat. The barricades they’d hastily assembled were already starting to give under the weight of the horde, the undead pressing against the weak barriers with increasing intensity.

“Ready yourselves,” Remus called out, his voice steady despite the chaos. “We can’t let them get past this room.”

The first zombie smashed through the barricade at the window, its decaying body toppling over the wooden beams they'd stacked. Without thinking, James swung the rod, cracking it across the creature’s skull. It collapsed to the floor, lifeless, but another one quickly took its place, snarling as it clawed its way inside.

Regulus was right next to him, his movements quick and precise as he drove his weapon into the next zombie’s head, the sickening crunch of bone echoing in the room.

The fight turned into a blur of movement—zombies pouring in from the shattered windows and the wrecked door, each one more determined than the last. James lost count of how many he had killed, the relentless onslaught leaving little time to think. His arms ached, his breath came in ragged gasps, but he didn’t stop, couldn’t stop. Not with the others depending on him.

Lily fought with fierce determination, using her makeshift weapon to stab at the zombies as they got too close, her face set in a grim expression. She was resourceful, always had been, and it showed now more than ever. But there were too many of them. No matter how many they put down, more just kept coming.

“They’re breaking through!” Remus shouted from across the room, her voice filled with panic.

James looked around, heart pounding. The shelves were collapsing under the weight of the zombies, and the windows were nearly entirely shattered now. They were running out of time, out of space.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw something. A glint of metal in the car’s back seat.

A flare gun.

"Regulus, cover me!" James shouted, bolting toward the wrecked car. He could hear the groans of the zombies right behind him, feel the heat of their rotting breath, but he kept moving, diving into the car, and grabbing the flare gun.

“I’ve got it!” he yelled, just as a zombie lunged at him from the side.

Regulus was there in an instant, his rod smashing into the zombie’s skull with brutal precision. The body fell to the ground, twitching, and Regulus gave James a quick nod before turning back to face the next wave.

James stood, gripping the flare gun tightly. "Everyone, get back!" he called, raising the gun toward the roof.

The others barely had time to react before he fired the flare straight up into the air. It shot through the shattered ceiling, and for a moment, the library was illuminated with a brilliant red light.

The flare didn’t just light up the room—it attracted the horde outside.

The zombies, drawn by the light and noise, turned their attention away from the windows and doors, staggering toward the source of the flare instead. The ones already inside were distracted too, momentarily pausing as if confused by the sudden brightness.

"Now!" Remus shouted. "We need to get out of here while we have the chance!"

Together, they made a break for the back of the library, where a narrow hallway led to the rest of the school. James stayed close to Regulus, making sure none of the zombies got too close as they fought their way through.

By the time they reached the hallway, the flare had started to fizzle out, and the zombies were regaining their focus. But they had made it, at least for now.

They barricaded the hallway door as best they could, using more debris to block the entrance. It wouldn’t hold forever, but it would buy them sometime.

Panting, James leaned against the wall, his whole-body aching from the fight. “Everyone okay?” he asked, glancing around at the group.

Lily nodded, though she looked shaken. Remus was already inspecting the barricade, making sure it was secure.

At this point Kingsley burst through a door on the other end of the hall. His voice rang through the hallway, his posture stiff and alert as he leveled his gun at the disheveled man in the corner. Frank and Mary flanked him, both ready for anything. Sirius, meanwhile, had rushed to Regulus’ side, whispering something that only his brother could hear, but his eyes kept darting back to the stranger in the room. Pandora had also been drawn by the commotion though she hung towards the back. 

“Who are you?” Kingsley repeated, his tone low and menacing. The room was thick with tension, the air heavy with the scent of blood and dust.

The man raised his trembling hands, his face pale, dirt, and dried blood smearing his cheeks. “Please… I didn’t mean to cause any harm. I had no choice. They… they were everywhere.”

“Answer the question,” Frank snapped, taking a step closer. “Who the hell are you, and why did you crash through here like that?”

Before the man could respond, Pandora’s voice broke through the tension, soft but full of surprise. “Xeno?”

Everyone’s attention shifted to Pandora, who was now stepping forward, her wide eyes locked on the man. Her usually calm demeanor was cracked with disbelief. “Xenophilius Lovegood?” she whispered, the name heavy with a mix of recognition and shock.

Xenophilius—Xeno—nodded weakly, relief flooding his features as he spotted Pandora. “Pandora… Thank Merlin. I didn’t know where else to go. I didn’t think I’d make it out there.”

Pandora approached slowly, her face a mixture of familiarity and confusion. “You… you’re alive.” Her words were barely a breath.

The others exchanged wary glances, none of them lowering their weapons just yet. James watched as Pandora’s emotions warred with the harsh reality of their situation, unsure of what to make of this man. He’d brought a swarm of zombies to their doorstep, endangering all of them. Even if he was a familiar face from the past, they couldn’t afford to trust blindly anymore.

Kingsley wasn’t swayed. His gun remained fixed on the intruder, his eyes narrowed. “I don’t care who you are or how you know her. You almost got us all killed.”

Xenophilius swallowed hard, his voice trembling as he began to explain. “I—I was trying to get away. The zombies, they came out of nowhere, and I didn’t have time to think. My car—it was already falling apart, and I thought… I thought I could outrun them.”

Pandora’s eyes softened, though there was still a hint of uncertainty. “Xeno, how… how did you survive this long? I thought—”

“I’ve been hiding, moving from place to place,” Xenophilius interrupted, his voice raw with desperation. “I didn’t know who to trust. I didn’t know if there were any safe places left. I was on my own for so long, Pandora. But when I saw this school… I thought maybe there were people here. I didn’t mean to bring them down on you, I swear it.”

James’ gaze flicked to Kingsley, who still looked unconvinced. Trust was a rare commodity these days, and even though this man knew Pandora, there was no telling what kind of danger he could bring beyond the swarm he’d already unleashed.

Pandora’s hand rested gently on Xenophilius’ shoulder. “He was a friend,” she said quietly, her voice thick with emotion. “Before everything fell apart. We went to school together.”

“That doesn’t mean he isn’t a liability now,” Mary muttered, her eyes never leaving his still shaking figure.

Remus, who had been silent throughout the exchange, finally spoke up, his voice cold and measured. “How do we know he’s telling the truth? He could’ve been followed. He might not be alone.”

The man shook his head frantically. “No! I swear, I’m alone. I’ve been alone for so long. Please… I just need somewhere safe to stay. I’ll do whatever you ask, just don’t send me back out there.”

The desperation in Xenophilius’ voice was palpable, and even James felt a pang of pity for him. It was hard to tell who could be trusted anymore, and the fear of betrayal was constant. But he also knew what it was like to be on the edge, terrified and desperate for a place to call safe.

Pandora looked to Kingsley, her voice pleading. “Please… let him stay. I vouch for him. He’s not a threat.”

Kingsley’s jaw tightened, clearly weighing the risks. His eyes flickered over to Frank and Mary, who both gave him unreadable looks. The decision wasn’t easy, and the room held its collective breath as they waited for his response.

Just as Kingsley opened his mouth to respond, there was a commotion from the hallway. The sound of shuffling footsteps and muttered curses echoed through the walls, growing louder as someone limped toward the library. A moment later, Barty appeared in the doorway, disheveled and clearly out of breath, his face twisted in annoyance.

“I don’t give a shit about you,” Barty was yelling, his head frantically turning back so he could yell at Peter. “I heard a giant crash, and you want me to stay sitting in that room without knowing what the fuck happened. I don't think so. Maybe you don't care if your friends are dead, but I sure as bloody hell care about mine.”

“Barty!” Regulus exclaimed, sounding a little scandalized and embarrassed at how rude he was being. He rushed from James’ side to help support the limping man. When he reached him, Barty rested his head on his shoulder and James couldn’t help the jealousy that he felt with the familiar gesture they shared.

“Peter?” Kingsley asked, tearing his eyes from the intruder so he could address the ‘doctor’ still catching up.

“King, I'm sorry,” Peter panted. “He might be injured but he's still pretty fast and I didn’t want to hurt him even more.”

Kingsley looked about as exasperated as James felt, Barty was a handful that’s for sure. 

“What the hell is going on?” Barty broke the tension again, his eyes flashing with irritation. “You all leave for an hour, and it sounds like the whole bloody world’s falling apart.”

James couldn’t help the brief, humorless chuckle that escaped him. “Yeah, you missed a lot.”

Barty scowled, his gaze sweeping the room, taking in the smashed windows, the broken shelves, and the still-wrecked car in the middle of the library. “Well, this looks like a disaster.”

“You have no idea,” Sirius muttered under his breath, casting a glance at the scene still set before them.

Kingsley stepped forward, his voice stern. “We’re dealing with it. But right now, we need to focus. There’s a horde outside, and it’s only a matter of time before they recover.”

James began to steady himself, rolling his shoulders with a wince. “Great. So, what’s the plan?”

“We’re going to clear the rest of them out,” Remus said calmly, stepping away from the barricade. “They’re distracted by the flare for now, but it won’t last. We need to finish this.”

James nodded, feeling the tension in the room shift. The immediate danger was still present, and they didn’t have time to dwell on Xenophilius’ arrival—not yet.