Desire

Regulus was frozen along with everyone else in the room. Regulus watched as Sirius’ face filled with color. Sirius let out a choked laugh and wouldn’t look at anyone. James’ face was completely empty. Probably the first time Regulus has ever seen James without a smile. Pettigrew had a nervous smile on his face. Lupin looked intently in the mirror like he couldn’t look away. Regulus is glad that he’s good at disillusionment spells.

“Yeah, okay, I think we should leave,” Sirius said with false cheer. “I really think we should find another classroom, any other classroom.” This kicked James back into gear.

“Of course, Pads. Let’s go guys. We weren’t supposed to find this,” James stated. Lupin ripped his gaze away from the mirror to nod.

“Yeah, come on Pete.” Lupin waved Pettigrew to follow as they began to leave. He quickly followed his friends. Regulus waited a couple of minutes before he let his charm fall.

Regulus slowly made his way back to the mirror. He sat down in front of it and watched. He watched as the person reflection himself slowly shifting from him to Lily. It was like it had to make sure Regulus knew that he was Lily.

“Fuck,” Regulus whispers, letting himself fall backwards. This was not what he had planned today. He wanted to find a quiet place to finish his book. He wanted to relax, but now his mind is running faster than it has in a while. The only consistent thought in his mind is James.

Eventually, he decided he needed to leave, so he forced himself off the ground. He didn’t look back at the mirror; he just turned and left.

He walks deeper into the abandoned part of the castle, still wanting to be alone. As he turned a corner he ran straight into someone. Regulus hit the ground hard as he fell. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Black,” Lupin apologized. Regulus saw Lupin hold a hand out to help him up. Regulus takes it swiftly. “I didn’t see you. I’m really sorry,” Lupin stated again. Regulus nodded.

“It’s okay, Lupin. I didn’t see you either,” Regulus responded. Before either of them can say anything else a voices echos down the halls.

“Moony! James just found another secret passageway! We need you to mark it on the map,” Sirius yelled. Regulus watched as Lupin cringed at Sirius’ words. Regulus can see Sirius approaching behind Lupin. “Remus?” Lupin slowly turned around.

“Sorry, Pads, I ran into your brother as I was exploring this way,” Lupin states quietly. Sirius froze. Regulus looked at the ground.

“What did he hear?” Sirius whispered. Lupin grimaced again.

“All of what you just said,” Lupin stated. It was now Sirius’ turn to grimace.

“Fuck.” Regulus considered his options for a moment before speaking up.

“I understand you two don’t trust me, but I won’t tell anyone. Hell, I don’t even know exactly what it is you’re doing. This place isn’t exactly forbidden,” Regulus reassured. He watched as both Lupin and Sirius thought about it. “If you don’t mind me asking, what exactly are you doing? We already have maps,” Regulus hesitantly asked. Lupin looked at Sirius, who shrugged, before looking back at Regulus.

“Don’t tell anyone, Black, but we’re making a map that shows where everyone is in the castle,” Lupin stated. That instantly interest Regulus.

“Oh, so like something working along side with magical signatures. It would have to be slightly different if you want to know where they are at all times not just when they use magic. Have you guys figured out how to do that?” Okay, Regulus is a bit of a nerd when it come to magical traces, magical signatures, and magical intent. He watched as a look of surprise takes over Lupin’s face.

“Actually we haven’t gotten anything solid yet, but we’ve been getting closer. We need to connect a tracking like spell to the map, and that’s been giving us problems as well,” Lupin explained. Regulus wracks through his brain for anything helpful.

“I think you’d have to morph spells to get something like that. There’s no existing spells like that,” Regulus stated. Sirius looks lost.

“We have been gathering information on that,” Lupin stated. Regulus is surprised that Sirius managed to get such a smart friend.

“Anyway, let’s go, Remus. We need to help James.” Sirius began pulling Lupin along. Lupin looks back at Regulus before stopping Sirius.

“Let’s bring him,” Lupin said. Sirius looked back, startled. “Come on, he can clearly help,” Lupin defended. Sirius just looked at him like he’s crazy.

“No, now let’s go.” Sirius began pulling on Lupin’s arm once more. Lupin just rolled his eyes, and reached a hand out for Regulus.

“Oh,” Regulus muttered. Lupin latched onto Regulus’ wrist, and now he’s being dragged around an abandoned part of Hogwarts with his brother.

“He can be helpful,” Lupin said sharply. Sirius huffed in response.

“No, you’re enough, Remus. Let him go.” Lupin didn’t. Regulus could’ve easily gotten out of his hold, but he didn’t really want to. He found what his brother’s friends were doing fascinating. He was kind of excited, weirdly enough.

“Damn, what took you so long, Sirius?” James asked as they finally found him. Pettigrew was already standing there.

“Remus found my brother, and apparently, they’re besties now,” Sirius grumbled. James’ eyes found Regulus, and Regulus’ whole body jolted. He was able not to let out a physical reaction to it though. James looked surprised.

“Oh, well, is he going to be helpful?” James asked. He seemed to have to peel his eyes away from Regulus, looking at Lupin instead.

“Yeah, he seems to know a lot about magical signatures and spells, so I think he could really help,” Lupin explained. James looked slightly surprised. Pettigrew also looked surprised.

“Are you sure he won’t go telling everyone about it?” Pettigrew questioned. Regulus laughed slightly.

“Yeah, you guys don’t have a way to know that. You just have my word,” Regulus stated with a smirk. Pettigrew looked at him wide eyed. James looked slightly assumed, so did Lupin. Sirius look surprised.

“Wow, very believable, Regulus,” Sirius stated sarcastically. Regulus just gave him a smile.

“Well, Regulus is here whether you guys like it or not because I’m tired of being the only person understanding anything that we’re doing,” Lupin stated with a sense of finality. Both Sirius and James began to protest, both immediately stopped when Lupin raised his hand. Regulus chuckled at that.

“Looks like you got yourself some pureblood dogs, Lupin,” Regulus joked. Lupin laughed loudly at the comment.