And So The Plan Forms
December 18th, 1979
Regulus had never seen Sirius’ flat before, nor did he have any idea that he lived there with his old schoolmate, Remus. He was quite quick to put the pieces together when he realized they only had one bedroom in the flat. Suddenly, a few things seem to make a little more sense to him.
They arrived at the flat and Regulus stumbled in the door as Sirius tried to help him steady himself, Remus had come running to the door looking both worried and angry.
“What the hell ha- Regulus!? What is going on!? Where did you go!? Why are you both soaking wet!?” He yelled at them as Sirius helped Regulus to an armchair by the fireplace that was out. Sirius snapped his fingers and a fire lit itself in the fireplace, warming the small living room.
“I’ll get you a towel and some dry clothes,” Sirius said, “just stay there.”
Regulus didn't need to be told twice. He slouched back in the chair and let the warmth of the fire glide over his skin.
“Remus, bedroom please.” Sirius calmly said.
Remus didn't say another word after that. He looked off put by how Sirius had addressed him, but followed him anyway, glancing back once at Regulus.
As Regulus laid back in the armchair, letting the fireplace warm him, there was the sound of a POP and Kreacher appeared in front of him, grasping the locket tightly in his hand.
“Master Regulus! Kreacher is so happy you’re alive!” He sobbed as he dropped to his knees in front of Regulus. The house elf began to slam his head into the floor over and over again as he cried and sobbed. “Kreacher knows you said to save himself, but Kreacher couldn't leave Master Regulus there! Not in that horrible cave!” The house elf continued hitting his head against the floor as he cried.
“Kreacher! Kreacher! Please stop!” Regulus demanded.
The house elf stopped at once and looked up at Regulus who had tried to sit himself up a little.
“Kreacher, it’s okay.” Regulus said calmly. “You saved my life. Now we're even.”
Kreacher’s eyes widened as if shocked by Regulus’ words.
“E-even?” He whimpered out.
“Even.”
Kreacher’s lip trembled again and he weakly smiled at him.
“K-Kreacher didn't know what to do. Kreacher didn't want you to die, so he went to the first person he could think of. The person who would help no matter what. Kreacher couldn't leave Master Regulus.” The house elf explained.
“I know, Kreacher.”
Kreacher sat on the floor next to Regulus and leaned his head against the leg of the chair. He was still clutching the locket tightly.
After some time, Sirius finally left the bedroom again, bringing out a towel and some of Sirius’ own clothes all folded neatly in a pile in his arm. He had changed his own clothes already and his hair was dry and falling into his face again.
Remus quietly came out of the bedroom just after him. His expression had changed from anger and confusion back to his usual frowning resting face. They both entered the living room and Sirius handed the pile of clothes to Regulus while Remus just made his way towards the nearest window and pulled a cigarette from his shirt pocket.
“You can use the bathroom or bedroom to change, either’s fine.” Sirius said as he flopped down on the old couch next to the armchair.
Regulus pulled himself up from the chair and left to the bathroom with his pile of new clothes, locking the door behind him. The clothes Sirius had given him were a pair of black jeans and an old, grey, sweatshirt that fit him just a little tightly, but they were fine for the time being. At least they were dry clothes.
He dried his hair with the towel, shaking it out a little and as he looked back up, he caught his reflection in the small, cabinet mirror over the sink. Taking a better look, there were bruises all over his neck and scratch marks that were still relatively red. He had been so tired he hadn't even noticed how much his body was aching, but now seeing it, he felt utterly sore.
When he finally left the bathroom again, Sirius was still sprawled out on his couch and Remus was smoking out the window that looked over the street below. Neither of them were talking, simply just resting.
“Where should I leave these?” Regulus asked, holding up his pile of damp clothes as he entered the room.
Sirius sat up and craned his head to look at Regulus.
“Oh, just hang them over the curtain rod of the bathtub.” Sirius said as he sat himself up properly.
Regulus did so then rejoined the others in front of the fireplace. Once again, they were all quiet. Regulus anxiously sat down on the couch with Sirius, trying his best to keep some distance between them. He stared into the fire that crackled in front of them and Remus finally closed the window and stood up.
“Breakfast anyone?” Remus asked.
Sirius nodded and Remus quickly left to the kitchen at once, leaving the two brothers alone with just Kreacher who had fallen asleep on the floor. Neither said anything for a minute as Sirius rapidly bounced his leg. Regulus knew it meant he was thinking hard and had a lot he wanted to say. He was just waiting for him to say it. But he said nothing, so Regulus decided to break the silence.
“Why did you save me?” He asked, still watching the fire crackle on.
Sirius took a moment to answer.
“Because I hate you.” Sirius replied without missing a beat.
Regulus whipped his head around and stared at Sirius, more confused than he was before.
“What?”
“I saved you because I hate you, but you’re my baby brother… and I think I would hate myself even more if I had let you die.” Sirius continued as he sat up. “I know we’ve said horrible things to each other… I know I’ve said horrible things to you and even if I think you’re just as bad as the rest of them… I just couldn't let you go.”
Regulus stared at his brother, trying to understand what he was saying, but he didn't need to try very hard because he did understand.
“The weird thing though,” Sirius continued, finally looking at Regulus, “is that I was thinking about you, just before Kreacher showed up. I’m not sure why, but when he suddenly popped in here, panicking and begging for help, I just… I knew I needed to go.”
“Even after everything, you still want to be my hero…” Regulus teased him.
Sirius smiled.
“Well, being a hero’s who I am, Reg.” Sirius said with a little grin.
Regulus laughed a little and just as Remus brought out some eggs and toast, Regulus felt the familiar sting on his left arm.
“Shit.” He whispered to himself as he tugged the sleeve of his shirt down. “Shit, shit, shit, shit-”
His heart began to race again as his arm stung under the grey sleeve. His breathing picked up again, it felt as though someone was squeezing and restricting his lungs.
He hadn't thought of what he would do if he had actually made it back and a meeting was called. Did the Dark Lord know the real locket had been stolen? Was he calling him just to kill him as easily as he killed all those other innocent people? He was no innocent man himself, but to face the wrath of the Dark Lord was a fate he never wanted to see.
“Reg? Reg, what’s wrong?” Sirius asked, leaning towards him.
“I- I- I’ve done something, Sirius.” He choked out. “If the Dark Lord finds out, I'm as good as dead.”
Sirius glanced over at Remus who had put the food down on the coffee table. Remus walked over to Regulus and crouched down to his level just in front of him.
“Regulus,” he said calmly, “just breathe. Slowly. What did you do?”
Regulus looked up at Remus’ serious face, feeling the panic race through his entire body as he tried to slow his breathing. He glanced over at Sirius whose expression was not too different from Remus’, then looked down at his hands. Regulus closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths.
“I accidentally discovered his secret.” He whispered. “I discovered how to kill the Dark Lord.”
Everyone was quiet. Then Sirius began to laugh. Regulus looked up at him, confused.
“Oh I thought it was something big, he’s only just decided to betray his side and kill you know who by himself!” Sirius said sarcastically as he laughed again. “Good one, Reg!”
“You don't believe me.” Regulus said flatly as he yanked up the left sleeve of his shirt and held out his arm, branded by the Dark Lord. “Do you see this!? This awful branding our dear old mother forced me to take!? This stupid, disgusting mark I’ll have to live with my whole fucking life!?”
Sirius’ laughing stopped as his eyes fell on the skull and serpent that was burned into his little brother’s arm. His mouth hung slightly agape as he stared at it in surprise. Regulus realized in that moment that Sirius may have assumed he had it, but had never actually been shown the mark.
“I have been waiting- hoping -that one day, just maybe one fucking day, I’d find a way out. That I could find a way to never have to be around those fucking people again. That maybe someone would finally kill the Dark Lord and I’d be free from them. And I guess I’m that person because I fucking found it and I’m so close for fucking Merlin’s sake! And you’re sitting here laughing at me!”
Sirius didn't say a word. His eyes were fixed on the mark on his brother’s arm.
“And now he’s calling me back. And for all I know, he already knows what I’ve done. I could end up another one of his many nameless victims.” Regulus finally said. Then, he became a little calmer. “You know… I did this for you… hoping that maybe I’d finally be able to have my brother back.”
Sirius’ eyes left the mark as his gaze dropped to the floor. Everyone was silent again until Remus spoke up.
“Well mate, I see it this way. You have two options. You stay here and hide for the rest of your life. Pretend you died or disappeared or something,” Remus stood up, “or you go to the meeting and pretend as if nothing has happened then we take that arsehole by surprise and put an end to this bloody war.”
“And if he does know what I’ve done?”
“Then you fight like hell and run.”
Regulus wasn’t sure if that really made him feel much better, but he knew he was right. He could either hide like he had done all of his life and do nothing more with the knowledge he had or he could fight. He could fight like fucking hell until the Dark Lord was nothing more than a mortal. He himself could be the Dark Lord’s match. He may not have liked it, but he knew what he needed to do.
“I can’t go dressed like this.” Regulus said, looking down at the old clothes he was wearing. “I need my proper clothes and I need them now.”
“Kreacher!” Sirius shouted, startling the house elf awake. “Go dry and clean Regulus’ clothes now! And quickly!”
Kreacher hopped to his feet, a little disgruntled by the sudden demands and in relatively quick time had returned with Regulus’ original clothes in his hands, clean and dried and ready to be worn again. He gave them to Regulus who ran back to the bathroom and quickly changed back into them, doing his best to make himself look as proper as he always presented and hide the bruises along his neck. When he was changed, he re-entered the living room where Sirius and Remus were both standing around waiting for him and Kreacher had fallen back to his little spot on the floor by the armchair.
“I’ll come back here as soon as the meeting’s done. I don’t have much more time to stay here.” Regulus said to them as he rejoined them all. “If you haven’t heard from me by tonight, then Kreacher can explain to you everything.”
“Just…” Sirius sighed. “Just don’t let my brave heroics go to waste because if you die after I just saved your arse, I’ll kill you.”
Regulus laughed.
“Fine.” He said, patting Sirius’ shoulder. “I won’t die if it’s just that important to you.”
“Just go to the stupid meeting, ya git.” He said, rolling his eyes.
And so he did.
He left the flat and out into an alleyway between buildings where he turned on the spot and was soon back outside the current meeting house of the Death Eaters. The mark on his arm was still stinging a little bit, hopefully he wouldn’t be too late to the meeting.
He hurried inside and thankfully, the meeting hadn’t started just yet, but it seemed that most people were already there, gathered around the meeting table. His usual seat was still empty next to Evan and he did his best to casually walk up to it and sit down, trying to act as he normally would have - harsh and cold, just like the cave.
Evan, being the chatty one he was, took no time at all to start a conversation with Regulus, however the conversation seemed to be mostly questions Evan had for him.
“You’re a little late…” Evan pointed out as Regulus sat down. “You’re never late. Where were you?”
“Drafting a letter.” Regulus responded flatly.
“Hm.” Evan nodded. “Did you find out what the Dark Lord wanted with a house elf?”
“No. My house elf hasn’t returned.” He quickly lied, realizing that the Dark Lord would assume the house elf was dead.
“Oh. Well, have you been rewarded yet?” He continued to question.
“No.”
“Do you think you will now?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you think-”
“Evan,” Regulus finally interrupted, “can you please stop with the interrogation? If I knew anything more, don’t you think I would have told you?”
Evan went quiet after that and seemed to sink back into his chair, though Regulus could tell he was glancing at him every now and then.
Soon enough, Voldemort finally entered the room with Nagini once again slithering between his steps. When he entered the room, Regulus felt his heart sink into his stomach. He could feel the panic wanting to rise in him, wanting to consume his whole body, but he had a role to play. A new role. One much greater than he had ever had - fooling the Dark Lord. That was, as long as the Dark Lord didn’t already know. But until Regulus could confirm whether or not he knew, he had to play dumb.
“I apologize for asking you all to meet this early in the morning,” the Dark Lord said as he sat down at the end of the table, “but I have news I need to share with you all.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. He knows. He knows. He fucking knows.
“As you all know, a few days prior I asked for your assistance in aiding me with a house elf for a vitally important task.” He was looking in Regulus’ direction now. “And our dear Regulus Black offered me his family’s elf for that task. I am pleased to say that the elf fulfilled his purpose in aiding me and the task has been completed, solidifying me as your one, true leader.”
He’s happy? Does he not know? Does the Dark Lord really not know?
“The house elf did die during our work, but I made a promise that the one who gave me their house elf would be rewarded greatly… and I always keep my promises.” He said now looking over at the people who were sitting closest to him. His eyes fell on Severus for a moment who was sitting just next to him on his left side. Then, he looked back at Regulus.
“Regulus Black, would you please join me and take Severus’ seat next to me?” He requested.
Severus looked as though someone had stabbed him in the back. He didn’t dare question the Dark Lord nor did he dare look at him, but he stood up and moved out of the way. He did, however, glare at Regulus for a moment before he moved to Regulus’ old seat next to Evan.
Regulus sat down in his new position at the table, using every bit of energy in him to hide how terrified he was at that moment.
“See what happens when you aid me in my times of need?” Voldemort said, addressing everyone at the table. “You become my most trusted.”
Holy fucking shit. He doesn’t know. Merlin’s beard, he doesn’t fucking know.
“Now, Regulus… You have the highest honour. I hope you will take this role very seriously and make your family proud.” He finished, solely addressing Regulus in his eerily soft voice.
He finally turned to the rest of the room and continued on about his “great plan” and what was going to be needed next and Regulus made sure to listen very carefully until the end of the meeting. This was his chance to finally prove to Sirius that this was never his choice - that this was never who he wanted to be.
When the meeting ended, everyone made sure to stop Regulus and congratulate him on this high honour bestowed on him. Of all people, Bellatrix seemed the most excited for him.
“To think, my own cousin! My own, pure blood… holding the Dark Lord’s highest honour!” She cheered through a cold smile. “Soon enough, the Black family will be the Dark Lord’s greatest followers, walking side by side with him to rid the world of the nasty, little mudbloods.”
Her hand was latched tightly onto Regulus' shoulder as he forced out a smile and nodded along with whatever foul thing came out of her mouth. When he was finally able to release himself from her grasp she continued on, bragging about her “beloved cousin” to anyone that would listen (though it wasn't often when someone ignored Bella unless they wanted to be her next target practice).
As she continued on, Regulus managed to slink away, finally finding a quiet place where he could think for a moment before he’d have to leave. He needed to be sure he had everything straight before he could go back to Sirius. So, what did he know?
- The Dark Lord doesn't have any idea that Regulus stole his locket or that anyone stole it at all.
- He thinks Kreacher is dead.
- He was now named the Dark Lord’s most trusted follower.
- No one seemed to have any idea of his plans.
So now what?
As he continued sorting through his thoughts, unaware of anything happening around him. His concentration was broken by the sound of a person clearing their throat. He looked up and met the tired eyes of Severus who had his lips pursed and his arms crossed.
“So… the Dark Lord’s most trusted now…” Severus said in his usual slow drawl. “You must feel quite honoured. It is quite the privilege to have.”
Regulus nodded his head.
“Yeah… it was certainly unexpected, but quite the honour… yes…” Regulus agreed.
“Well, don't let it get to your head, Black. Anyone could creep up behind you and take the spot at any moment…”
Regulus stared at Severus with a slight scowl. He couldn't let anyone take his position, not when he was in the perfect role. The perfect role to get any information he wanted - any information he needed.
Regulus straightened his back and held his chin high, he wasn't as tall as Severus, but just his strict posture alone made him feel like the bigger person.
“Severus, I certainly hope you are not threatening me right now.” Regulus shot back coldly. “It would be a shame to have to lose such a… prominent… member of our side.”
Severus stared back at him, grinding his teeth.
“No… of course not. Who would ever dare to threaten the Black family heir?” Snape sneered.
“Good,” Regulus said, “Now move out of my way, I have somewhere to be.”
Severus stepped to the side, letting Regulus pass and he walked by in a stride, trying his best to exude as much of his confidence and coldness as he could. No one spoke to him again as he left.
Apparating back to London, in the same alley he had left earlier, he landed just behind an old dumpster that covered his sudden appearance. He needed to go back inside and tell Sirius and Remus everything he had learned, everything that had happened, but he couldn't seem to move his feet. He just stood in place, blankly staring ahead of him at the brown, brick wall as his chest tightened again. He grabbed the side of the dirty, old dumpster to steady himself, feeling a little dizzy.
Fuck… Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
“FUCKING BOLLOCKS!” He suddenly screamed as he finally turned and kicked the dumpster with all of his strength. “AGH FUCK!” Something had definitely just broken in his foot.
He turned back and leaned against the wall, letting himself slide down it, onto the ground as he closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. His chest suddenly felt incredibly heavy. The pain in his foot was horrible, but not completely unbearable. He didn't think anything could hurt as much as that cave.
The rusty door on the building in front of him cracked open. He thought maybe he should move out of sight, but what use would that be to him?
“Reg?” He heard Sirius call out. “Is that you yelling out here?”
Sirius looked around, stepping out the door and propping it open with a loose brick by the step. He looked around again and Regulus made no effort to signal where he was, but he didn't have to. Sirius just barely spotted him, collapsed on the ground and looking even more pale than usual. He was gasping for air at this point. Why was his chest so heavy?
“Reg? Reg!? Reg, are you okay!? What happened!?” Sirius asked in a panic, but Regulus couldn't answer as he began to cough again. “Okay, okay, come on, get up. I’m gonna get you back upstairs.”
Sirius crouched down and threw Regulus’ arm around his shoulder, doing his best to pull him up. Regulus leaned most of his weight onto Sirius to avoid putting it on his broken foot. He felt like he had just run a marathon and had lost badly.
“I think… I broke… my left… foot…” Regulus panted as Sirius helped him back towards the building’s door.
“Let’s just get you back to the flat.” Sirius said as they went inside.
Climbing the stairs back to his flat was probably the worst part. Sirius was nearly dragging him by the time they reached the last step.
“Godric, you weigh a lot for someone of your size.” Sirius grunted as he helped him up to the door.
“They’re called… m-muscles… you wouldn't… know…” Regulus panted out, a small grin on his face followed by more coughing.
“Even when you’re dying, you still have time to make jokes.” Sirius said. “Are you sure you’re not friends with James?”
Sirius dragged Regulus in the door and let go of him when they reached the couch of the living room. Remus was sitting by the window again, just pulling it closed as Regulus laid himself along the couch. His breathing still felt heavy and he was exhausted. Every so often he’d need to cough again and once or twice, he’d cough up a little bit of water.
“Fuck, you sure know how to make a dramatic entrance.” Remus joked, moving to stand in front of him. “You’re giving Sirius a run for his money.”
Sirius rolled his eyes at Remus.
“He thinks he’s broken his left foot and he’s still coughing up water.” Sirius told Remus.
Remus scowled like he was trying to process his thoughts.
“I’ll take a look at his foot,” Remus said, “I’ve fixed a few broken bones before. As for the water, I could try and get it out, but it might be better if we get Marlene over here-”
“NO!” Regulus interrupted, sitting up.
Sirius and Remus both stopped and looked at him.
“No?” Sirius repeated.
“No more people. If I’m caught at all around any more people from the Order, sooner or later, I’ll be caught.”
“Well mate, I can give it my best shot if that’s what you want.” Remus shrugged. “But I say we start with the water problem first.”
Regulus nodded and Remus pulled out his wand. Regulus leaned back on the couch again and Remus slowly hovered his wand over his chest, whispering incantations just above his lungs. At first, he felt nothing, but as he continued and Sirius worriedly watched just behind Remus, he began to feel his lungs almost warm up. Then, very suddenly he felt far too much water fill his throat and it began to spew out of his mouth. He choked and coughed and retched, as it spilled out of him and all over the floor of the living room.
“I think that might’ve done the trick then.” Remus laughed. “Does that feel any better?”
Regulus slowly looked back up at him, he could feel all of the colour completely drained from his face. But to be fair, he did feel better. Breathing did feel a bit easier, so he nodded then let his head fall back on the couch.
“As for your foot…” Remus turned to his foot and pulled off Regulus’ right shoe a little more aggressively than he would have liked, which made him wince a little. “Brackium emendo!”
“AGH! Oh…”
“I think that should have done it.” Remus said as he stood up again. “How does it feel?”
Regulus moved his toes around and stretched out his foot.
“Better.” He said.
With the pain now mostly gone and his breathing back to a somewhat normal pace, he remembered what it was he needed to check.
“Where’s Kreacher?” Regulus asked. “Is he still here?”
“Kreacher!” Sirius shouted, calling out for the house elf.
At once, the elf ran out from the kitchen and came to halt when he saw Regulus’ abnormally pale complexion. He rushed over to him, concern all over his face.
“Master Regulus! Oh, Master Regulus! Are you alright?” He asked as he rubbed his hands.
“I’ll be fine…” Regulus replied. He sat up a little better. “Kreacher… I need to know. Have you left this apartment at all since the cave?”
Kreacher quickly shook his head.
“No, Master Regulus. Kreacher waited here for you to return.”
“Good.”
“Why is that good?” Remus asked, sitting down in the armchair.
“Because,” Regulus started, “my plan worked. The Dark Lord thinks Kreacher is dead and his locket is safe… He’s named me his… his most trusted Death Eater.”
Sirius immediately shot up at that. His face quickly fell into disbelief followed by anger. He paced back and forth in front of the couch for a moment before he finally stopped and faced Regulus.
“So… you’re now You Know Who’s number one companion and you supposedly have the secret to killing him, yet you haven't told us what it is. How do I know you’re not lying to us right now?” Sirius asked angrily. Regulus realized he should have expected this.
“I know you have no reason to trust me… I just need you to believe me.” Regulus answered calmly. “Kreacher, do you still have it? The locket?”
Kreacher nodded and dug around in the pocket of the rags he was wearing, pulling out the silver and emerald locket that looked brand new. Kreacher must have polished it at some point while he was gone. He handed the locket over to Regulus and he held it up by the chain.
“This.” Regulus said.
“Is that Salazar Slytherin’s locket? The real locket?” Sirius asked, leaning in to take a closer look. “How is this supposed to stop You Know Who?”
“Because this is no longer just a locket. It’s a vessel… It’s a horcrux… The Dark Lord’s horcrux.”
Sirius’ jaw dropped in disbelief. He looked over to Remus for any sort of validation at his disbelief, but Remus just sat back.
“Huh…” Remus let out as if the wheels were turning in his head. “Well… now I can see why you nearly died for it.”
“You believe him?” Sirius asked, sounding almost shocked.
“Pads, he nearly drowned trying to get that thing. Kreacher told me what happened before you got there. Who in their right mind would put themself through all of that just for the hell of it?” Remus reasoned with him before turning to Regulus. “I believe you, Regulus.”
Regulus nodded at Remus. The two of them had never really gotten along for the time they knew each other, but they had both always seemed to have an unspoken understanding. They knew neither of them were necessarily bad people, just two people who’d been through hell and back.
Sirius sat himself down on the armrest of the couch, a little calmer now as he looked back and forth between the other two.
“Fine… If Moony trusts you and this really is a horcrux… then I believe you too.” Sirius said.
While he still felt incredibly tired, his breathing had finally eased.
“Thank you, Sirius.” Regulus said, looking down at the locket in his hand.
“So what now then?” Sirius asked. “Where do we go from here?”
Regulus held the locket up again. The sunlight from the window shined off of the emerald as it slowly turned in the air. He looked back up at Sirius.
“We figure out how to destroy a horcrux.”