The Kitchens

Remus woke in the early morning darkness out of habit, but he had no intention of going to work today. He peaked over his shoulder, drawing the sheets closer to his bare skin, and saw the very beginnings of the sun behind the mountains. The light from it was still cool, but in a way that suggested the day’s heat. He looked back to where he had been previously gazing, at Sirius’ face, and saw the light reflected there as well. He let himself fall deeper into the warm mattress and willed the sun to slow down, just for this moment. The morning was like blue water, falling over Sirius’ features with an almost glow. Remus settled into stare at it, mind reeling faster and faster as his body woke up. He stretched his fingers, his ribs, and questions started punching themselves through his mind, different details that needed to be attended to— details that he had no means to attend to with. Money, transport, cover. Not to mention speed. People would only be oblivious to Sirius’ absence for so long. Security, was another thing. Remus picked at a stray thread on the sheets. He had a feeling they’d be missing that one for quite a while.

Sirius mumbled in his sleep, pink tongue coming to wet his lips. His eyebrows twitched downwards, frowning, and he let out a soft, troubled sound, like he was reading Remus’ thoughts. Remus reached forward almost automatically, pushing his fingers through Sirius’ dark strands, thumb coming to rest over the high of his cheekbones. Sirius’ brow smoothed, and he turned his head in his sleep, lips brushing Remus’ palm momentarily before he let out another deep, sleep-filled sigh.

All the questions faded a little at that, that little unconscious gesture. A gesture that let him know there was at least one thing they would never be missing. Happiness. They’d never lack being happy, not when they had each other.

He looked for a few moments more, and then decided it would be quite okay if time were to speed up now, possibly to tomorrow. Sirius’ room, nice as it was, suddenly felt much too close to all that it stood for: power, royalty, and, most prominently in Remus’ mind, separation. Heart break. The stones of these walls, stones that had felt like their only sanctuary for a time, were more like a prison. Then again, anything is a prison of you have something else to look forward to. A room, a conversation, an hour. Time might have been Remus’ most pressing prison of all. How much of it was left, how much of it was wasted, how much would there be to come.

When he was with Sirius, time felt all it could be at once: frozen, too fast. It felt worthwhile and so un-prison like that the thought of a lifetime spent that way made waiting so completely restricting that he thought his lungs might collapse.

He leaned forward, wanting to ease the feeling, wanting to taste that freedom from thought again, and pressed his lips to Sirius’ sleeping ones. They took only a moment and a slightly startled noise before they responded.

Sirius hummed into the kiss, and only got through half of a muffled “good morning” before Remus was kissing him harder, throwing a leg over his hips and settling against them. Sirius’ fingertips pressed into the muscles of his back, splaying widely to avoid the prominent wing-bones there. He pulled the parts of the blanket that had gotten caught between their bodies away, laughing a little when Remus didn’t bother to lift his hips to assist.

Remus breathed deeply in his nose and pressed their lips together with almost a bruising pressure, surrounding himself in Sirius. His fingers held Sirius’ cheeks and temples, keeping him steady and dominating the kiss, ending with a soft nip against Sirius’ bottom lip, keeping it locked between his own before letting go and blinking down at him.

Sirius’ eyes were still closed, lips parted and slowly forming into a smile. When he opened them they were shining brightly, but still slightly sleepy. It made for an endearing combination. He hooked his ankles atop of Remus’, cementing them together, and brought his hand up to cup Remus’ neck. His thumb brushed the point just below Remus’ ear and Remus’ brows knit in confusion when the gesture made him wince.

Sirius hummed, grin spreading, “Sorry. Might have gotten a bit carried away last night.” He arched his head up to press a kiss to the sore love bite. Remus shivered when he felt him nip gently at his ear next, lips brushing his skin and voice low, “But purple is a good color on you-“

“Shh.” Remus laughed, turning his face down to shut Sirius up properly. Sirius was almost laughing too hard to kiss back, but they settled into it again anyway, less harshly this time.

“I like you like this.” Remus said against Sirius’ mouth, “In this light.”

Sirius just kissed him again, hands roaming down his spine, letting the blankets slip away from his back.

“I’m going to wake you up every morning,” His mouth dropped to Sirius’ jaw, “at this exact time,” He kissed the spot just below Sirius’ ear, “just so I can see you in it.” Sirius’ pulse quickened against his lips as he sucked and kissed the sensitive skin, drawing a soft sound from Sirius.

“I think I might just let you.” Sirius’ breath hitched at the end of his sentence, fingers curling into Remus’ hair.

Remus grinned, allowing himself to be pulled back into a kiss. There lips had only brushed before they were drawn apart by loud muffled talking from directly behind Sirius’ doors, making them both whip towards the sound. Remus only caught a few words here and there, but the shrill voice they came in was enough to send his heart pounding.

He looked back to Sirius, eyes wide, “Sirius-“

“I need to see my son, this moment!” The Queen’s voice was muffled by the carefully carved wood but close, directly outside, right there.

He should hide. He should leave. He needed to move. Sirius was sitting up suddenly, hand looped around Remus’ waist, keeping him close to him. Remus pressed his palms to Sirius’ chest, steadying himself. He could feel Sirius’ heart’s quick beats, but it felt like that was about the only thing moving fast. Everything was happening in slow motion. He saw Sirius glance towards the bathroom, but then there was a click on the door, the guards undoing the lock.

Sirius didn’t even have time to look at him before his hands were on his shoulders, pressing him down and the heavy quilt was thrown atop both of them, Remus covered completely. The doors opened. Remus had never gone so still in his life.

“Good, you’re awake.”

Sirius’ mother’s voice was muffled by the thick feathered quilt, mingled with the sound of Remus’ labored breathing, made more so by the fact that he was trying not to breathe.

Sirius’ hands were still under the quilt and one was tightly wrapped around Remus’ wrist, almost like a warning in itself: don’t move.

“I’m awake.” Sirius’ voice was closer, and had the edge to it that always appeared when he was talking with or about someone in his family. Remus thanked god for Sirius’ ability to sound so remarkably calm in any situation. He hated when that false calm was directed at him, but he didn’t think they’d survive this without it.

“There has been a theft.” The Queen growled, “From the kingdom, from me! The crown.”

Sirius’ fingers tightened around his wrist, “Wh… The crown?”

“Didn’t you hear me?” The Queen snapped, “Never mind. Get up! All members of the castle are to report to the main hall for questioning.”

“Why the-“ Remus swore he could hear Sirius take a deep breath through his nose, “Why would I steal the crown? Why would-“

“Do as your told!”

“You know it’s them, don’t you? The Lestranges. Your sister-“

“Don’t you dare,” Remus heard the sharp sound of shoes on stone as she came closer, “start on this again-“

Stop, Sirius. Stop. Let her leave. Remus begged him silently. He twisted his wrist, until he could grab Sirius’. A warning. A plea. He didn’t seem to get the message.

“It’s right in front of your face! They’re cruel. You’re blind-“

Sirius’ words choked off in a horrible way. A strangled gasp and a weak cough. Sirius’ hand yanked itself out of his and disappeared for a moment, before flattening down on the bed again, in the open air, just in front of Remus’ face. It was all he could see from his place beneath the quilt. The hand gripped the mattress, then the fingers splayed. The choking sound continued. Remus felt as if he were choking himself. His didn’t move. His fingertips were just out of the light, dying to reach out.

“Do.” Remus almost jumped. She was right there, almost above him. His heart hammered and he knew what the sound was, “As you’re told.”

Don’t move don’t move don’t move. His entire body trembled with the effort.

With the last word the sound stopped and Remus heard Sirius gasp, coughing. There were fast heels on the floor again, and Remus’ muscles ached with relief at the fact that they were receding this time.

“Oh,” He heard the door open, “And do get whatever whore is in your bed out.”

The door slammed. Remus heard the muffled sound of a guard slipping the lock in place.

He threw the covers away, dismissing a soft tearing sound and a few stray feathers flying out where his fingers had been gripping it, and was on Sirius’ in seconds.

“Sirius. God-“ Sirius leaned forward, sounding like the air was going through his throat raggedly as he tried to steady his breathing. He coughed, hard and dry, gagging with it. Remus pressed a hand to his chest, “No, no, lean back. Lean back, love. You need to keep your lungs open.” Sirius did as he was told, but kept a firm hold on Remus’ shoulder, dragging him forward with him, “Sirius, you don’t want me against your chest right now, you need to- okay, okay.” Remus allowed himself to be pulled back onto Sirius’ lap, half selfishly. He needed the closeness too. He glanced backwards at the door, just to make sure it was still closed before pressing his hands to Sirius’ neck gently, inspecting.

His heart ached as he regarded Sirius. His eyes were open but looking at the ceiling as he drew in long, shuttering breaths, coughing here and there. His face looked paler than usual except for his cheeks which were bright with the blood that had sprung all at once back to the surface. And his neck… Remus pressed his thumb gently over the small love bite below his ear, heart aching at how similar but different it looked compared to the quickly forming rings of purple that lined his windpipe and adam’s apple.

“God… God, why did she…” Remus shook his head, carding his hands through Sirius’ hair, “Can you breathe alright? Can you talk to me?” Please Remus thought.

Sirius just nodded for a moment, slowly, but then he closed his eyes and wetness streaked down his cheek, betraying the nod.

Remus shushed him softly, fingers soft on his cheeks, pressing light kisses to his mouth, restricting no air, and to his cheeks, “You’re okay now. You’re okay now.”

“No, I know.” They both winced at Sirius’ voice. It was a rasp, breaking, made worse by the tears, “I know. Fuck, sorry, I’m just- it-“ his breath hitched, “It just startled me.”

“Don’t apologize.” He pressed another kiss to his skin, this time directly over a strip of bruise, “Don’t apologize for this, okay? Never… None of this is ever your fault.”

“But it is.” Sirius’ eyes were sad, pleading, “She does this because…because I- I do something and- God, and she almost found you. If something had happened to you… If something had- it would have been my-“

“No.” Remus’ hands were shaking again, “No, Sirius, get that out of your head. Look at me.” Remus dropped his voice as it wavered, “Look at me-“

But suddenly Sirius’ eyes were widening and he was sitting up, “You have to go.”

Remus blinked taken aback, “What… What?”

“The crown- The crown was stollen.” Sirius put his hands on Remus’ shoulders, guiding him off the bed, “Jesus, you-“ He coughed as he stood, “You have to go, Remus-“

“Why? Why do I have to go?” His voice was momentarily muffled as Sirius all but yanked a shirt over his head. He shoved his hands through the sleeves and grabbed onto Sirius’ newly put on shirt, “I have to take care of you, you’re mother just fucking-“ Remus caught the pants Sirius threw at him.

“No. No.” Sirius straightened from fastening his own pants, grabbing Remus’ hand and guiding him towards the bookshelf, “Didn’t you hear what she said?”

Remus stopped them in front of the bookshelf, putting his hands on Sirius chest, “Sirius-“

Sirius turned, palms cupping Remus’ cheeks. His eyes were wide and nervous, the grey dark, “They’re rounding up everyone in the castle. For questioning.” Remus’ lips parted as he started to understand. Sirius’ thumbs stroked softly over his cheeks, not matching his frantic tone, “That means the servants too, Re, if they don’t find you in your room when they come-“

“Okay.” Remus felt like he was only breathing half the air that he had been before, “Okay.”

“Go.” Sirius pressed a long kiss to his mouth before yanking the bookshelf open, “ I’ll find you. Wherever you are, I’ll find you. We’ll leave and never look back, okay?” Remus nods, desperately holding onto him. Sirius looked pained but took Remus’ hands away from his shirt, kisses his knuckles, and releases them, “Go.”

Remus leaned on his toes for one more kiss, and disappeared into the dark tunnel.

The passage had never felt so long or so small as it did right then. He didn’t have enough room to run without banging his head painfully on the ceiling with every shift of weight. So he half walked, half ran, quickly, tripping over his feet until he burst into the hallway that the passage connected to.

He halted momentarily, fear-stricken. He hadn’t even bothered to listen for footsteps. But he was alone, the halls were quiet and deserted. The only sound he could hear in this part of the castle was the pounding of his own heart.

The downstairs was a different scene. He saw his friends, servants of both high and low status, being herded like sheep down the stairs of the sleeping quarters. He looked for James, but didn’t see him. Maybe he had already been lead out. He made eye contact with Lily, a gaze she returned only with a fearful look.

He tried to walk calmly to his room, heart beating too hard for normal breaths, so much so that it almost hurt to try. Each creak of the old staircase caused his heart to jumpstart all over again. He rounded the corner at the top of the staircase and his stomach kept to his throat. His door was ajar. He was too late.

He pushed it open, hoping in vain to find it empty still, but froze at the sight within.

“Ah. Lupin.” His name was said like it was dirt, a curse, “So nice of you to finally join us.”

Remus unconsciously backed up, only to feel the slight wind of his door being slammed shut behind him. It rattled the frail room. He imagined the splinters in the walls peeling off further.

There were four guards in his room. One, threateningly behind him, slamming the door, trapping him inside. He didn’t know his name. Two more, standing on either side of Remus’ trunk which had been moved from the end of his bed. He didn’t know them either. And a fourth. This one he knew. Severus Snape was sprawled on his bed, muddy boots dripping on the bare mattress.

He smirked at Remus, black, greasy hair falling in his eyes, “Now what on earth would you be doing at such an early hour as this? Out for a walk,” his eyes blazed, “around the castle?”

Remus opened his mouth to respond but Snape was already standing. He made his small room look even tinier. The bed and floorboards groaned beneath him, “Or, no. No, perhaps you fancied yourself something better?” His eyes hardened as he stepped forward, only just looming over Remus, “A crown, for instance?”

“No.” Remus could physically feel blood forcing itself through his veins despite his lack of breath, “No-“

“Don’t lie.” Snape snarled, “It obviously isn’t the first time you fancied yourself a little…treasure.”

Remus shook his head. He didn’t understand what that could mean. Until recently he’d barely even been upstairs, much less had motive to take anything.

Snape flicked his fingers at the guard behind him and suddenly Remus was restrained, his arms held firmly to his sides, “Maybe we need to refresh your memory.”

He walked over to the trunk, kicking it open, and bent down to retrieve an object.

“These,” He turned, “look rather expensive for a someone like yourself.” Snape sneered, “And this… Well, unless your name is Sirius Black…” Remus thought he was going to be sick, “I don’t know what you could want with this. Unless it was practice for something bigger. Something better.”

Remus could do nothing but stare. In Snape’s hands were his two most prized possessions. The two things that kept him going, that reminded him that his happiness was real when he was alone.

Dangling from Snape’s right hand was Sirius’ slippers. And held softly in his left, was Sirius’ ring.

Remus wanted to scream. No sound would come. His limbs wouldn't move. Blood roared in his ears.

Through the fog he heard Snape’s voice.

“Take him upstairs. To the Queen.”

~

Sirius finds the castle halls unsurprisingly deserted. He knows everyone is in the main hall, waiting to be questioned. Or maybe it has already started. He yanked at the ties of his shirt that won’t seem to stay put, and knots them haphazardly. He could feel his heart pulsing in his neck, drawn, black and blue, to the surface of his skin by both his mother’s fingers and the panic in his chest. He couldn’t remember how long the passageway was, and only hoped Remus had made it there on time. If he wasn’t in his room when the guards arrived… Sirius didn’t even want to think about how that would look, especially this early.

He quickened his pace down the hallway that had never seemed so long. His hearing felt muted, but his own footsteps, his own breathing, was much too loud, like the entire world knew where he was going and where he had come from.

Remus would make it. He had to tell himself this. They would both make it. They would both make it. Through tonight, out of this place, in the world.

The doors that lead to the staircase came into view looking strange without guards flanking them. He was footsteps away, heart already in his throat at what he might find on the other side-
When a body suddenly slid in front of them, pressed back against the polished wood and grinning. Sirius choked on the air, halting just in time to keep from slamming into her. He straightens quickly, working to straighten his face into one of nothingness. The struggle only increases the pounding in his chest.

“Bellatrix.”

His cousin’s grin shifted into a pout. Her dark, ringleted hair curled tightly around her narrow face. She would have been beautiful, he thinks, but the temperament of her mind, wild and cruel, seemed to ooze through her skin like poisoned honey.

“Oh, don’t try so hard, cousin. We both know you despise me.” She took a step forward, a challenge, “Why don’t you just let it show?”

Sirius didn’t move backwards, a challenge matched, “Shouldn’t you be in the hall for questioning, with the others?”

She pressed a hand to her chest, mocking surprise, hurt. Her full lips formed an ‘o’, but her lipstick was smudged around the corners, just a little, making the shape look torn and used, “Me? But why would I steal the crown?” She hooked her fingers through Sirius’ knotted shirt, pulling him down and forward, their faces so close that he could see the flecks of dried makeup on her skin, “I’m about to marry into it.”

Sirius said nothing, too busy holding his breath. Everything in him was screaming at him to push her away, to find Remus, to run with him out of the hall if that’s what it took. Something in her tone, something, made his veins feel icy with dread. His lack of response only seemed to anger her more, and she let out a sound, deep in her throat, almost animalistic. When she spoke, however, her voice was light, a dangerous calm,

“You hate that, don’t you? You hate me.”

Sirius gridded his teeth, “I’ll do what I have to do for my country.” Words have never tasted so bitter.

Bellatrix stared at him, eyes focusing and un-focusing in an eerie way. The gaze made it felt like she was only partially seeing him, and that the other half of her vision was elsewhere, seeing something entirely different. Then she smiled, all teeth, “Your country.” The smile melted. The teeth stayed but the corners of her lips, smeared lipstick and all, turned down. She shoved him away and Sirius was forced to take a step back, “It’s never been your country. It never will be your country! You don’t even want it.”

“I’ll be king.” Sirius dug his nails into his palms, “That’s all there is.”

“No you won’t.” His cousin sneered, “Not now.”

Suddenly—and Sirius hadn’t even seen her move—but, suddenly, Bellatrix was holding a knife. It was a small, short blade. Bone glinted at the handle, white and polished. But it a knife all the same. Sirius felt his hands raise on their own, like a barrier. He opened his mouth but Bellatrix beat him too it,

“You were never going to be king, don’t you see that? You, with your—your morals. Your ideals about equality and-“ She growled, “We aren’t meant to be equal to them. No, we are our own race. Pure, and high, and royal. You’re just in the way-“

“How can you stand there and call yourself pure? Saying things like that?” Sirius bit back. He looked into his cousin’s black eyes, and the words came pouring out, “You’re right. I don’t want to be king. You disgust me. Marrying you is the worst news I’ve received in this lifetime.” He straightened his back, nails digging in harder to his palms, “But you’re clever, aren’t you? Or at least your mother is-“ Bellatrix sneered at him and he pushed on, “That’s what this theft is, isn’t it? A distraction. Get the servants out of the way, get my mother out of the way, get my guards out of the way… all so you can what? Kill me? Is that what you’re really going to do?”

Bellatrix grinned, “Oh, so now he’s smart. Glad you’re catching on.”

She made a swooping jab with the knife and Sirius leapt easily aside, his back towards the door now, and Bellatrix where he had been standing. Blood pumped in his ears. He knew that if he wanted to live, he had to keep her talking, buy himself time.

“How do you expect to explain away the crown, then? Bits of royal metal don’t just walk away, you know.”

Bellatrix laughed, “Oh, that’s already taken care of. They’ve already caught the theft, or didn’t you hear?”

Sirius’ blood ran cold, but he refused to let the ice show on his face. He raised an eyebrow, “Did they?”

His mind swam to James first, then, painfully, to Remus. He saw him in chains in his mind and blinked desperately at the images, willing them away.

“Yes, a servant. One of the kitchen boys I think. It doesn’t matter, I can’t tell them apart. Filthy and foul as they are.”

No. Sirius gasped as he barely dodged another blow from the knife. The tip grazed his side, tearing a small hole in his shirt.

“Hm, getting slower, I see.”

Sirius could barely breathe. He had to get down there, had to make sure Remus was okay. He inhaled sharply through his nose, chest heaving, “And then what?” He gasped, “Then what? After I’m dead. The power doesn’t go to you, it goes to-“

Bellatrix laughed, “I don’t need the power to go to me.” She twirled the knife in her hands, as if testing her next strike pattern, “You aren’t as close to your little brother as you once were, are you, Sirius? You forget—he’s on our side now.”

And there it was. All Sirius needed.

He’s on our side now.

He thought to the lake, Regulus at his side. Had that really been such a short time ago? He saw himself so clearly sitting next to his brother, and his words,

Do you know you’re the only person I care about?

He straightened his back, hands dropping their defensive posture, shoulders dropping, “Your side…” He could have laughed.

Bellatrix laughed, “That’s right. Amazing, isn’t it? The power you gain when you have someone on the other side to trust.”

Then the laugh turned into a snarl, and she lunged. But Sirius was ready, expecting it. He had newly found hope. He grabbed her wrist and twisted, letting her let out one shriek before he slid his hand into hers, around the dagger, and brought it sharply against her temple. She fell silent and to the ground in one motion.

He spun the dagger in his hand, sticking it in the back of his belt, out of view.

“Yes,” he grinned down at her unmoving form, “Quite amazing.”

~

“Finally.” His mother snarled, “Didn’t I tell you to come immediately? Or did I not give you enough incentive.”

Sirius had never been aware of so many eyes on him as he entered the hall, but he stared his mother straight on. He didn’t have time for an argument, he needed to get her attention off of him so he could find Remus. He walked obediently to her side, “My apologies.”

His mother seemed to be aware of the staring eyes too, because she brought a hand around his neck, and her voice feigned softness, “Quite alright, son.” The words sounded more than strange coming out of her mouth. None of the servants could see the nails digging in and re-opening the old, crescent shaped scars on his neck. Sirius didn’t dare wince.

“After all,” his mother continued, “it seems that you are in debt of some sympathy as well. The kingdom was not the only one who was stollen from.”

Sirius stopped his subtle search of the crowd in favor of looking at his mother, “No?”

“Of course, the crown is the priority. But you seemed to be the frequented practice target. Bring the thief forward!”

His heart was like a drumroll in his ears as Sirius’ eyes shifted to the moving forward guards. Two of them parted for two more. Two more that each had a tight grip on the arms of an achingly familiar thin frame, jerking it forward: Remus. Sirius felt his throat close up.

Remus raised his eyes from the ground to his. They were wide, and pleading, and Sirius thought that he would die right on the spot from just that look alone. He very nearly stepped forward, to reach for Remus, but he stopped himself. The hand still digging into his neck stopped him.

He didn’t even feel it when his mothers nails pulled out of his skin. He only felt Remus’ gaze, and the unyielding need to take him away from this place.

He cleared his throat, needing, praying for his voice to come out strong, “He- He doesn’t look like a thief.”

His mother scoffed, “All the more reason to steal! Perhaps that was why he needed you.”

Sirius blinked, still unable to tear his eyes from Remus. He hoped his face was blank, “Me…”

His mother waved at the guards from the corner of his eyes, her long, black sleeves swishing, “Show him.”

Only then did he register Snape, head of the watch, stepping forward, “Your majesty.” He bowed deeply to Sirius, then raised his hands, one object in each, “The crown has yet to be located but we found these in the thief's room. I believe at least one belongs to you.”

Remus’ eyes changed a little, a change he caught before he looked away. His head shook almost minutely, and his eyes calmed. And Sirius looked at the objects. Bile rose in his throat. And he understood Remus’ look.

This isn’t your fault.

His shoes. His ring. He had provided the very proof that was needed-

This isn’t your fault.

Snape’s voice broke through his thoughts, “We believe that he used these smaller thefts-“

Sirius held up his hand, “I understand.” His voice rang clear. He didn’t know how. His lungs burned from lack of breath.

For a moment the hall was quiet. He knew they were waiting for him to speak, for him to get angry. He felt none of that. Only the same urge to grab Remus and run.

He felt his mother’s hand on his neck again, “Well? Take him away! He’ll spend the night in the dungeons. Take him to be hung at dawn.”

Sirius’ knees threatened to buckle and he shook his mother’s hand off. His breathing was ragged, muscles tensed in an effort to keep himself standing.

“Please, no-“

Sirius’ head whipped up. For a moment, he thought he had said it, but then he saw Remus’ mouth parted in surprise, a sob ripping up his throat. And then Sirius did want to yell.

No. Don’t say anything. You know I’ll get you out of here. You know I’d never let this happen to you.

He tried to catch Remus’ eye and say it that way instead. but Remus was already looking down, lips clamped tight.

“How-“ Sirius’ mother was gone from his side in a flash, looming over Remus who had never looked so small, “How dare you speak. You filthy, greedy thing-“

Her words cut off with a slap and a sharp cry from Remus. And Sirius couldn’t help it. He had already taken four steps forward before something stopped him. Suddenly there was a hand on his shoulder, squeezing, but not painful. He looked to his side, barely able to breathe. Regulus’ dark, somber eyes stared back at him. Their message was clear.

Don’t.

“Take him away.” His mother’s voice was shrill and she spun away from Remus.

Their eyes met. Gray against hazel. Sirius’ breath caught. Regulus’ hand tightened on his shoulder.

Remus’ cheek was sliced across his cheekbone, face wet with blood. It dripped from his jaw. The guards half dragged him out of the hall, doors slamming with a sound of finality behind them.