the betrayal
Regulus grabbed the floo powder again, his mind still spinning; why wasn’t he allowed to stay longer?
“potter manor.” he said, while throwing the powder into the fireplace once again. and just like ten minutes ago, he pushed his head into the flames.
he was met with his brother sitting right in front of him, James next to him and Remus sitting on the sofa behind them, reading some book. they didn’t notice he was there until he coughed once, he really shouldn’t have eaten that chocolate pie, it was not like his allergy was that bad; he just got a terrible stomachache everytime he ate it.
“Reg! what did they-” Sirius started, “oh no, did you eat chocolate again?” Regulus raised his eyebrow and nodded.
“why, what’s his issue with chocolate?” Remus asked, looking up from his book; joining them on the floor. Sirius sighed, “dumbass is allergic to chocolate.” Remus gasped, looking at Regulus. “poor thing.”
Sirius shrugged, “he didn’t come here to talk about his allergies, moons. now, i want to know exactly what happened.” he said, while looking back at Regulus.
Regulus lifted his shoulders, “don’t know, Voldemort was there and he told me i should let them know about any little thing that happens at school,” he raised his eyebrows and coughed again. “as if something would happen at school, the only thing that’s different is that a lot of students aren’t even attending school this year; it’s too dangerous.” Sirius nodded, “yeah that makes sense, did he say anything else?” Regulus shook his head, with a confused look on his face.
“some guy questioned me, because of well,” he stopped, and looked at Sirius, “you? But Voldemort said he trusted me, and that i was ‘nothing like my blood-traitor brother’,” Regulus stopped. “after that he told me i should leave; so i did. figured it would be better to listen to him. right after i contacted you guys.” the boys nodded.
Regulus didn’t know if this was the moment where he should tell them, he would feel bad either way, no matter if he told them now; in all honesty, or in a couple of weeks, when he saw them in real life again.
“is uhm, Pettigrew there?” he questioned, making James raise his eyebrow. “no…? why? did something happen?” James asked, making Regulus shake his head.
“i- it’s complicated, i don’t know how to explain; it’s kind of… heavy?” Regulus said. now all three boys looked confused, Remus quickly casted a silencing charm and instantly looked back at Regulus.
“what is it? come on spit it out.” Sirius said, he looked really confused right now; Regulus didn’t want to think about what their reactions would be if he told them. “Reg.” Sirius said again.
Regulus sighed and looked at the floor, “i… i overheard something. a conversation, i don’t think i was supposed to hear.” he spoke, he really didn’t know how to form these sentences; he was about to break up a friendship he had always dreamed of.
“with who? and what did they say?” Remus said, “come on Regulus, if it’s really important, you need to tell us right now.” James spoke, making the others nod in agreement.
“i was at Malfoy manor, i arrived early for a meeting that day. so i was waiting in one of the many hallways, just sort of walking around until other people would come.” Regulus said, he swallowed, “i walked past a door and i heard Voldemort speaking, i’m guessing there was no need for a silencing charm in that moment, and there was someone else in the room, too.” he fell quiet; he had to tell them now.
“peter.” he was quiet once again, “peter said something like ‘yes, i promise, master.’ yes, i think it was something like that.” he tried his absolute best not to look at them; he didn’t want to see their faces when they would realize.
it was quiet. until Remus stood up and walked up the stairs, James was staring at the floor and Sirius was staring into the fire; they didn’t talk.
“when was this?” Sirius asked him, he still didn’t look at him. “about a month ago…” Regulus said, he really wished he wasn’t the person who was supposed to tell them; but if he didn’t, they’d never know and who knows what consequences that could have.
“i feel like i’m gonna throw up.” James said, he also stood up and walked away. now it was just the two brothers, sitting across from each other.
“i'm so sorry… i just couldn’t tell you guys earlier…” Regulus spoke, he felt so guilty, even though it wasn’t his fault.
Sirius looked at him, Regulus could see his eyes were stained with tears.“it’s not your fault, i just… i don’t want to believe it. i mean peter? no…no. peter couldn’t have.”
“i’ll leave. i’m so sorry.” Regulus said as he pulled his head back, when he opened his eyes and was back in the bathroom; he started crying, he hated crying, so he never did. this situation was way different, and there was no other emotion he could feel.
(the rest of this chapter is in Sirius’s POV, dw, next chapter it will be Regulus’s POV again)
Sirius was still sitting in front of the fire his brother’s face had just disappeared in. it couldn’t possibly be true, right? Peter was their best friend, ever since the moment they all stepped aboard the Hogwarts express for the very first time.
torture. it must have been torture, right? it’s the only way. Peter would never betray them, of course not.
he heard James throwing up a couple of rooms away, that made him sick as well. without even wanting to get up, his legs lead him upstairs; finding moony in his bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed, knees up and head in between them, he was crying.
Sirius walked up to him and grabbed his hands, Remus looked up to him, stood up and hugged him.
“it can’t be, right? Regulus must have misheard!” he sobbed, Sirius hugged him even tighter.
“maybe he did, let’s hope so.” Sirius said, they stayed like that for a while, neither of them talking; but just being there for each other.
and now Sirius knew, that the people we loved most, have the most power to hurt us.