Prologue
They hadn't seen Regulus in a while, Walburga had picked him up from the train station and the Mauraders hadn't heard from him since. James and Sirius had began training to be Aurors last year, Remus using the homeschooling in muggle subjects over his summers to get him into university, going to be a major in English Literature/Writing and art. Peter had moved across country with his family, for his mother's health.
Then suddenly Sirius got a letter, sitting in his, Remus', and James' flat. He had taken a sick day, down with the flu and trying not to give it to anymore. It was a late day in July, him sipping tea and finishing a paper for a ground study thing he was forced to do. The letter is sent through the open window, dropped by a barn owl, then the owl was gone and Sirius was starring down at his name, the familiar scribbles starring back at him. The only things that was never put together about his little brother, his atrocious handwriting.
Sirius opens the letter, he really thought their last year in school was different. Regulus still had his odd friends, but he hung out with his group more often. They ate lunch sometimes, outside on the grounds. He even learned the Gryffindor password and could be found in there, by himself, every once in awhile. That's why it was strange, Regulus not contacting any of them.
Dear Sirius,
By the time you read this I'll probably dead or close to. Please come look for my body, I would hate not passing on. You better let me have my coins, and pack of cigarettes.
Sirius stared at the letter, he started so serious and made a joke. Remus and Regulus shared the trait, chainsmokers that he's pretty sure will forever be chainsmokers.
I am at The Cave, the one Mother had warned us once held Voldemort. Please, come find me, I don't know what I did but it happened.
Sirius stood without finishing the letter, calling for Remus and James on the mirrors. They both answer, James looking a bit more scattered than Remus. "Guys, Regulus, the shores. He's almost dead, and I know why. I-I'll find you and then we'll find him." James nods quickly, starring his location and putting his mirror shard away. Sirius apparates to Remus first, grabbing the sandy haired male then they go for James. He is waiting, pacing slightly.
"Moody is pissed but understands. C'mon, we gotta go." James grabs Sirius' hand, letting the taller drag him away into the sensation of being sucked up a straw and thrown onto a cliff. Sirius leads, following the treaturous trail down the cliff side. He runs for it then, into the case and to the wall. Instantly he splits his palm, pressing it to the wall.
James runs with him, Remus sprinting ahead with his longer limbs. They find him, crouching on an island with a circle of fire around him. Sobs wreck him, screaming pleas to leave him alone. "Please! Please I just want to go home!" Remus doesn't hesitate to blast a group of inferi out of the way. They look like zombies, bloated bodies of the drowned and forgotten. Remus wraps himself around Regulus, holding him tight and covering him. Sirius and James scream spells, knocking inferi back into the water. Soon enough they aren't coming back, Sirius and James panting and voices hoarse. Remus is whispering to Regulus, soothing his hair and rocking slightly. Remus is only slightly taller than the other, a couple inches. Regulus seems so small though, wrapped up in the olders arms.
"Arctie, Art can you stand?" He helplessly cries, pulling at his hair in a tight grip. Remus helps hold the younger as Sirius helps him stand. James is knocking the odd inferi back into the water, silent spells instead of the loud ones from before.
"C'mon mate, we gotta get him to St. Mungos." They all wrap around Regulus, apparating to the hospital.
࿏࿏࿏
Regulus stands in the doorway of the hospital, James in the hallway already. The past couple weeks have been odd to say the least. Dumbledore came and talked to him a few times, setting up for him and James to live in a cottage on France. It was for his protection, that's what his ex-headmaster told him more than once. Why he couldn't stay with Sirius, Regulus didn't understand.
"Reggie, do you wanna get somethin' before we leave. Walburga is outta the house, prepping your, um, your funeral." James snorts a little, Regulus shaking his head, just reaching his hand out.
"Leave now, please?" James nods, taking his hand and smiling at him.
࿏࿏࿏
Regulus had all his things there, Sirius had raided his room a few times in the past few days. They decided he can have his phone and wand, just can't call any old friends, or use magic without James watching. He found the kitchen to be stocked with every type of tea imaginable, all the books he could want stored in the large library.
James sat on the kitchen floor, legs crossed and typing away at his phone. Euphemia was asking about his task, all questions he could answer without going against the contract. Regulus brews a pot of tea, pouring a cup for both of them. He licks a scab inside his lip, measuring out honey for James' tea, more than for his own cup.
Regulus leans down, handing over the cup then pointing toward the kettle. "Oh, thanks Reg. What type is it?" Regulus hands over the small bag that held the tea before he put the contents in the jar labeled Earl Grey de la Créme. James hums, nodding slightly. "Did you add honey or do I need to sweeten it?" Regulus holds up the measuring tool he used for the honey. James nods again, looking back to his phone as Euphemia answers his own question.