Chapter 1: Helpless
Chapter Text
Regulus glanced up from his task in the kitchen after the third dramatic sigh from Sirius. He tried to ignore him–he really did. But there was only so much one man could take before setting the butter knife aside and rolling his eyes.
“What is it?” Regulus finally caved.
Sirius reached across the kitchen island to mess with the condiments Regulus had pulled from the fridge. He drew back only after knocking over the mayonnaise.
“I’m bored… and I’m starving to death!” Sirius complained.
“So get something from the fridge.” Regulus finished with the sandwich he was meticulously making and put it on a plate. The smell was nauseating, but he pushed it down as he added the chips to the side. “Or better yet, go out and get it yourself.”
Sirius sighed again as Regulus went to the sink to wash off his hands and started sorting everything back into the fridge and cupboards.
“If you would just let me take a teeny tiny bite out of your little human–”
“He’s not mine, you know that. Riddle wants him alive and intact.”
Sirius pushed himself off the stool and paced around. His hair was tied up, his clothes too tight to be considered decent, but what did Regulus know?
“Oh, yes. That’s why you’re hand-delivering him lunch?”
“Part of being intact means he needs to be fed.”
“Mhm. And the breakfast and late morning snack weren’t sufficient? You could also just send one of the kids to do it.”
“Shove off and go find something to occupy yourself. I’m not here for your entertainment.”
Sirius followed him through the parlor, around the corner, down the stairs, and only stopped when Regulus had to balance the tray in one hand and grapple with the keys in the other. Sirius watched the whole ordeal, but instead of helping, he continued to whine dramatically.
“Humans are so fragile, they’re boring. It’s all too easy. One wrong move and they die. Then what? I’m the bad guy cause I accidentally got a little carried away?”
“Look, Sirius, I really don’t care. Eat, don’t eat. Find someone, don’t find someone. It doesn’t make a difference to me. There’s blood in the fridge, so even if you don’t leave the house, you’re not going to starve to death.”
The buzz of Sirius’ phone filled the air as he turned the key in the lock. The heavy door stretched open with only slight protest.
“Ugh!!!!”
Regulus turned before he took the first step. With a raised brow, he waited for Sirius to say whatever it was he wanted to say. And then prayed to whoever was listening that he would leave.
“I forgot about that meeting at Riddle’s. I suppose we’ll be going out after all.”
“I’m not going.”
“You sneaky bitch. Let me guess, you batted your eyelashes and said you couldn’t attend because your human required lunch.”
“Something like that.” Regulus nodded and started down the long staircase that led to the cool basement. “Give Mother and Father my best.”
Sirius snorted before wandering away.
Regulus pushed away the thoughts of their parents as he made the short trek to the first cell. The little lantern sitting outside the vast door revealed James to be reclining on the small bed with a book resting on his propped-up thighs.
Regulus undid the latch and used his back to push the door open. James immediately sat up straighter and closed the book. He eyed the food and then Regulus. James hesitantly moved to the edge of the bed and waited for Regulus to hand him the meal.
Regulus never knew what to do in these situations. He knew James didn’t like him; it would be incredibly hard to like someone who was holding you hostage for another man to eventually sacrifice you for some creepy ritual.
But Regulus knew James was lonely. He’d never met someone who enjoyed the presence of people more. Someone like James was not meant to be kept so far away from life, from the sun. It wasn’t exactly like Regulus was doing it by his own free will, but he was also not doing all that much to rectify it. There were only so many battles he could fight and win.
And unfortunately, James Potter was a pawn in a very intense game of chess. Did Riddle know he was playing? No. And that was why Regulus was going to win. Even if that meant James Potter had to die.
Regulus turned to leave.
“Will you stay?” James asked hopefully. Regulus knew it had nothing to do with him, only that James craved company.
Regulus hesitantly pulled the chair over–the only other thing in the sad, empty cell–and sat down. His dark hair was messier than the last time he saw it, the gold-framed glasses slightly askew on his nose before he pushed them back up.
“Did Pandora get what she needed last time she was here?” James asked before taking a bite of the sandwich.
Regulus regarded him carefully. Even after a month of being down there, James had no idea why. He was unconscious when Riddle handed him over with very clear instructions. James asked a lot of questions, though Regulus didn’t answer the majority. It wasn’t that he was trying to be cruel; more so, he couldn’t let any of it get back to Riddle.
So until Pandora found a way to make sure his mind was safe and sound from prying eyes, James would remain in the dark.
“I haven’t spoken to her today, so I’m not sure.”
James nodded as he chewed. Only speaking once he’d swallowed. “If she does, does that mean I can leave?”
Regulus shook his head. “No, but maybe then I can tell you a little more.”
James nodded. He still asked a lot of questions, but he didn’t become quite so hostile when Regulus didn’t answer. He was pretty sure James was afraid of him. Which was only fair since he could end his life before James even had time to process it.
It only took a day or two for James to realize he was wildly outmatched, and it was no use to physically try and get the upper hand. James was human. Regulus was…not.
“I’ve nearly finished the book you gave me.”
Regulus glanced at his copy of The Turn of the Screw. He hadn’t read it since it was published, but it seemed like something James would enjoy.
“Oh, and how are you liking it?”
“I like it. The governess might not be a great person, but she acts out of love for those kids, and I think that matters.”
Regulus raised an eyebrow. Leave it to James to find something positive in something so dark. “Well, you’ll have to tell me your final thoughts once you finish it.”
James nodded as he finished his food and set the plate aside. James’ expression turned more serious. To escape whatever it was he wanted to ask, Regulus stood and moved towards the door.
“Come on, you can use the bathroom before I go.”
James let out a sigh of defeat and handed him the plate while following him out. Regulus waited as James made his way to the end of the dark hall, where the small bathroom was. Calling it a bathroom might have been generous, but it had running water and was usable nonetheless.
James slips back into his cell and sat on the bed as he watches Regulus close the door with a somber expression.
+++
Sirius struggled slightly to get the front door open with all of the extra weight hanging over his shoulder.
Sirius kicked off his shoes and wandered farther in as he listened for Regulus. It took shuffling through the entryway to the first parlor on the left to find Regulus sitting comfortably on one of the sofas with a book in his lap. The fire burned brightly, lighting the room in an eerie glow.
The house was all rich mahogany and dark green. Heavy drapes covered the vast windows, rugs lined the wood floors, and ornate furniture filled empty spaces in a way that wasn’t strictly necessary but looked nice all the same.
Regulus stared at him, already wearing a look of disgust.
“Please tell me you did not bring a werewolf into our home.”
Sirius glanced at the body thrown over his shoulder. The sandy-haired man was tall, very tall, which made it awkward and uncomfortable to carry all of his dead weight.
“Unfortunately, I can’t tell you that,” Sirius said with a smile.
Regulus closed his book with a roll of his eyes. “What the hell, Siri?”
“You said to get something to eat. I said humans are boring. Riddle just announced he’d found his werewolf. I decided to steal him.”
Sirius thought back to the crazy night he’d just had with fondness. It had been far too long since he was allowed something as reckless as pinching a wee wolf out from under the oldest vampire of all time.
Regulus closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. “You stole from Riddle?”
Sirius nodded, which dislodged the man over his shoulder. Sirius shifted a bit too much in an attempt to balance the weight, only to end up throwing him on the ground. “Oops. He’ll probably feel that in the morning.”
“Sirius, Riddle is going to murder you. And then me, simply because I’m your brother.”
“Calm down. It’s not like he knows I’m the one who took him. As far as he knows, this man broke out all on his own. Quite violently, too, he killed at least three vampires on his way out.” Now that had been fun.
“I don’t want a werewolf in this house,” Regulus said, looking at the unconscious man with disgust. “He smells.”
“Well, now you’re just being rude.”
“At least put him in the basement.”
“No! Where’s the fun in that?”
“Sirius, we have too much going on right now to deal with this. What were you thinking?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll call Mary. She’ll ward the house and no one will ever know. I’ll even see if she can do something to mask his smell, so if Riddle shows up, he’ll just be a random person we brought for lunch.”
“And what about Theo? He lives here, too, if you’ve forgotten.”
“Oh come on, the kid isn’t going to say anything! He’s not even here right now.”
Regulus looked around like he couldn’t believe that was his life. With a stern figure pointed at Sirius’ chest, Regulus finally spoke. “Call Mary. Sort this shit out before he wakes up. And if this all falls apart, I’m handing you over to Riddle on a silver platter.”
That was a lie. They might fight like dogs, but they’d die for each other in a heartbeat. There was a time when Sirius didn’t think they’d ever fix their relationship. But when they did a couple hundred years ago, they’d built it from the ground up. Making it stronger than it ever was before. So, Sirius smiled and nodded. He picked up his new guest and took him upstairs.
After the tall, lanky man was situated on one of the guest beds, Sirius pulled out his phone and dialed Mary.
She picked up after the third ring. “Sirius, I’m busy. This better be an emergency.”
Sirius focused on the background noise, but only caught the sound of crackling fire. “Busy doing what?”
“Nothing that concerns you.”
“Oh, come on, Marbear. No need to be snippy. I’ve only called for a simple favor. Though it’s a little time sensitive.”
Mary signed. “How time sensitive?”
“However long it takes for an unconscious werewolf to return to the land of the living.”
“Sirius, what the bloody hell have you done?”
“Look, I just need a simple boundary spell around the house and something to make him not smell so… wolfish.” Sirius sat on the edge of the bed as the other end of the line went silent. He knew to give Mary a moment while she sorted through everything.
In his patient state, he picked up the man’s hand and studied the crisscrossing scars that covered his tanned skin. There was dirt under his nails, along with a bit of dried blood, like he’d been trying to claw his way out of wherever he was. The smell was intoxicating, if not a little gross. Despite what Regulus said, it wasn’t because he was a wolf, simply because he had been locked up, and it showed.
Sirius wasn’t sure what Regulus was complaining about; he thought it was a lovely scent when you ignored the filth of solitude.
“Alright, I’ll be over in ten.” Mary finally said before the line went dead.
Sirius tucked his phone back into his pocket as the hand he was holding twitched. “Now is not the time for you to be waking up, mister,” Sirius reprimanded the unconscious body lying limp on the dark covers.
Mary was true to her word and showed up within ten minutes. As soon as he heard the door creak open, he rushed downstairs to meet her.
“Mary!” Sirius threw himself into her arms.
Regulus leaned against the door frame to the parlor he was originally sitting in and eyed them judgmentally.
“Get off!” Mary squealed. “You literally saw me yesterday, you overgrown puppy.”
“You wound me, Marbear,” Sirius stepped back and clutched his heart. “You know I could never get enough of you.”
“Yes, well, right now I’m not too happy with you,” she said as she pushed past him and went towards the kitchen.
“That makes two of us,” Regulus said as he trailed behind them.
Sirius rolled his eyes. “You know, I was really doing everyone a favor when I nicked the little wolf. Bought us some more time if you really think about it.”
Mary froze on the other side of the kitchen island.
Regulus huffed a laugh. “Oh, he didn’t tell you?”
Mary raised her eyebrows while looking between the two. “Fuck off, Sirius. Tell me you didn’t kidnap one of Riddle’s wolves.”
“What is it with you people and wanting me to tell you lies?” Sirius shook his head. “Yes, I pinched the lanky bastard. But back to what I was saying, this is a good thing!”
Regulus closed his eyes in the disappointed way he always did when he was about to start speaking like he was dealing with a toddler. “Sirius, he has many other werewolves he can use for the ritual. Taking one of them does nothing.”
“Well,” Sirius moved around the counter to stand next to Mary as she pulled things from her bag. He racked his brain for something to say; it wasn’t like he could come out and say the real reason he felt so inclined to take the werewolf. “I think this is a good thing.”
“Of course you do.” Mary patted his shoulder condescendingly. Which he did not appreciate.
“It’s not like we can let him go or give him back now. So, we might as well make the most of it,” Sirius added stubbornly.
“I thought vampires couldn’t control a wolf's mind?” Mary asked.
“No, but they're not immune to torture, and if Riddle wanted to know how he escaped then there isn’t anything anyone would be able to hide. Regardless of what kind of supernatural protection they have,” Regulus explained in exasperation, which meant he was starting to see things Sirius’ way.
Sirius smiled. He was going to get to keep the wolf.
“Right, well. Warding the house to make sure he can’t leave will be easy.” She pulled a small pouch of crushed-up herbs and tossed it to Sirius. “Make sure he drinks this every day to mask his scent.”
Sirius’ grin widened as he pressed a wet kiss into her cheek. “See, Reggie, my witch is better.”
Mary and Regulus both rolled their eyes.
“I’d like to hear you say that to Pandora’s face,” Regulus said.
Sirius’ smile dropped instantly. “I’d like to keep my body intact with all of its limbs, so I will not be doing that.”
“Smart man,” Mary cooed.
“I think he just woke up.” Regulus’s head was tilted in the direction of the stairs.
Sirius listened to the sound of a heartbeat quicken and floorboards creaked.
“Gods, why am I even friends with you?” Mary asked. “You should not look this happy about someone you just kidnapped.”
“ Saved,” Sirius corrected. “And if I recall, you were the one saying I needed to lay off the humans. Well, he’s not human… so really, this is on you. And you–” Sirius pointed at Regulus as he headed out of the room. “For not entertaining me enough.”
“Oh yes, this is all our fault. Mary, how could we have done this?”
The sound of Mary’s laughter followed him up the stairs.
Sirius paused at the door for only a moment to listen to the movement on the other side. That was why he wasn’t surprised when he opened it and was immediately slammed into the wall. The taller man loomed over him with a firm hand wrapped around his neck.
Sirius could have easily pushed him away, seeing as the wolf was exhausted, and even on a good day, Sirius was probably still stronger. However, he found he was enjoying their current placement.
“You should press a little harder,” Sirius drawled as he licked his lips. Cause, oh, that scent was overly intoxicating. The sound of his heartbeat fluttering in his chest and the way it made the vein in his neck pulse... The warmth of his skin pressing into Sirius’. It was almost too much.
The man let go too soon and stepped back.
“Who are you?” the werewolf asked. His voice was scratchy from prolonged disuse. Or maybe he had been yelling, Sirius wasn’t sure.
“Sirius,” he responded as he trailed his eyes over the other man’s frame slowly. He’d never seen someone with quite so many scars before; they were fascinating in the way they were carved over his skin in a silvery glow.
“Where am I?” he never took his golden eyes off Sirius as if waiting for him to make a move. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that the wolf knew exactly what Sirius was.
“You’re in my home.”
“Why?”
“I guess you could say I saved your life,” it was a bit of a stretch since Sirius was probably going to have to kill him in the end, but he figured it would bring the little wolf some comfort.
He was wrong. The man’s jaw tensed, his entire body rigid with the urge to run. Typical wolf, always running away.
“It was your kind's fault that I was taken in the first place,” he snapped.
Sirius took a step forward, only for the man to retreat.
“What’s your name?” Sirius asked as he continued to stalk closer. The man’s eyes flicked to the open door. He never would have been able to make it before Sirius stopped him. It seemed he was smart enough to know that.
That did stop him from seething with rage. “Like I would tell you.”
Sirius rolled his eyes. Finally, something that wasn’t boring. You’d think that working on some massive scheme to save the damn world would keep him entertained, but it did not. This, however, was riveting. Sirius didn’t stop walking until the man was pressed into the opposite wall, the bed to his left.
Sirius didn’t touch, no, not yet. He tilted his head to the side as he watched the way his Adam's apple moved as he swallowed. He could see the thump of his heartbeat and the way the air moved through his lungs.
“Mmm, then what will I call you?” Sirius flicked his eyes up to meet the golden glow of his. “My little wolf?”
The man scoffed. Though he was caged in and not going anywhere, he still held his hand out–not enough to touch–to make sure Sirius kept his distance.
The moon wasn’t for a couple more weeks. There wasn’t a chance in hell he could overpower Sirius, not even with the amount of confidence–defiance?–it took to stare him directly in the eye as he fantasized about what his blood would taste like.
His heart would probably be warm and heavy sitting in the palm of Sirius’s hand. Dripping a steady stream of crimson. He wondered if it would stain his skin.
“Moons? Moony? Pup?”
“Remus, my name is Remus.”
Sirius smirked as he rolled it around his mouth. Tasting it on his tongue. “Remus.” He shook his head. “No, I think I like Moony better.”
Remus bit the side of his cheek hard enough that Sirius would smell the blood pool into his mouth. He took a deep breath and stepped back before he did something he regretted.
“Well, welcome to my home, Moony. You’re welcome for saving your life. I didn’t think you’d appreciate being used in some creepy ritual.”
“Why not just let me go? Why am I here?”
Sirius clicked his tongue. He wondered if Mary was done with the warding yet. “I was bored.”
Remus stared with a furrowed brow. Disbelief sneaked its way into his next words. “You kidnapped me because you were bored?”
Well, at least he wasn’t asking Sirius to lie to him. “Yes. And I was hungry. I’m not allowed by the human my brother stores in the basement, and so I had to take matters into my own hands.”
If Remus could have gotten further away, he would have. “Keep your filthy fucking fangs away from me.”
“Oh, whoa. No need to be vicious. I think I’ve been perfectly gentlemanly.”
Remus didn’t respond, though his heart was still beating fiercely. “Well, you’ve been through quite the ordeal. Why don’t you shower, and I’ll make you something to eat?”
Remus glanced at the door again, one foot moving ever so slightly.
“I wouldn’t try that if I were you.”
“Why not? You going to kill me?”
So much hostility!
The thud of Remus’s head against the wall was the only indication to Sirius that he’d moved forward. Before he could help himself, he lifted onto his toes and brushed his nose along the curve of the wolf's neck.
“Don’t tempt me,” Sirius said against his olive-toned skin.
Sirius took a step back and cleared his throat. “I’ll get you something clean to wear and make you something to eat.”
Remus didn’t move until the door had clicked shut behind Sirius. He waited there for a moment, listening. It took a few moments for Remus’ breath to even out and the fluttering of his heart to slow. He rolled his eyes at the sound of the window latch flickering open.
When Remus cursed under his breath and the window closed, Sirius smiled to himself and headed down the stairs.
Yeah, his witch was better than Regulus’.
Sirius waited an appropriate amount of time before delivering clothes to his werewolf guest. Luckily for him, Regulus had a type, and that was tall and broad. So, finding clothes that would fit Remus in the large container of miscellaneous things left behind over the years was not all that difficult.
Sirius listened for the sound of the shower before walking into the guest bedroom. The ensuite bathroom door was closed with Remus pacing behind it. Sirius wondered if he was going to shower or be more difficult than was strictly necessary. Either way, Sirius left him to it and headed back down to an irritated Regulus preparing the human’s nightly meal.
He was baffled to learn how many times they required food a day. Especially the one in the basement. Sirius also had the hunch that Regulus was using it as an excuse to pay him visits. So, maybe it wasn’t that concerning.
“Hello, lovely brother of mine,” Sirius sing-songed as he hopped onto one of the stools at the kitchen island. He couldn’t help but reach across and fiddle with the plastic packaging of the sandwich bread. It looked odd and highly unappetizing.
Regulus snatched the loaf from his stretched-out hand with a glare. “Do you need something?”
Sirius sighed. “Don’t be upset, Reggie, I promise nothing bad is going to happen. No one will ever even know.”
“Sirius, we have people in and out of this house all the time. Do you really think you’re going to be able to hide the wolf?”
“We’ve been hiding a siren for years in the lake.”
Regulus furrowed his brow. “What are you talking about? Everyone knows Dorcas is there.”
Sirius pursed his lips and waved him off. “You worry too much, it’s going to be fine.”
Regulus shook his head as he finished assembling the monstrosity in front of him. “We’ll see. What else happened at the meeting besides your kidnapping venture?”
“Not much,” Sirius leaned back and threw his legs on the adjacent stool. “His quest for more willing witches is still going strong. Seems no one wants to jump on that bandwagon.”
“I’m shocked!” Regulus let a hint of a smile crack through his stone-cold demeanor.
“I know. Has Pandora said anything? I know Mary has been being pestered, but she assured me she could handle it on her own.”
“I’m pretty sure I saw Pandora dump a few body parts into the Black Lake the other day when she came over. I would wager she’s faring just fine.”
“I bet Dorcas loved that.”
“Quite. Anything else we should worry about at the moment?”
Sirius shook his head. “No, nothing new. Riddle’s getting desperate, and we all know that means he’s going to get messy, so we should be extra careful. Especially Barty.”
“Yes, nipping wolves from under his nose is the epitome of being careful.”
“Oh, my ever-loving Gods. I’m never going to hear the end of this, am I?”
Regulus picked up the plate and headed out the door. “Perhaps when he’s dead in the ground or rotting at the bottom of the Black Lake with only Dorcas for company, will I let it go.”
Sirius shook off his brother’s dramatics (something that certainly ran in the family) and prepared a simple meal for Remus. Along with the tea Mary left behind. Sirius wasn’t 100% sure if the sandwich he’d created was edible, but to be fair, he hadn’t had human food in…well, ever. Remus was definitely on his own after this act of kindness.
Sirius didn’t bother listening for any kind of clue as to what Remus was up to before opening the door. The room was still empty; however, the clothes were gone. Sirius set the plate down and impatiently waited for the wolf to exit the bathroom. At least the sound of the water wasn’t muffling whatever he was doing, which seemed to be pacing–again.
Finally, after what felt like forever, Remus emerged from the bathroom with hesitant steps. His eyes immediately caught Sirius’.
“I brought you something to eat.” Sirius pushed the plate across the bed closer to Remus, who looked at it like it was poisoned. Sirius rolled his eyes. “If I was going to kill you, I swear it would not be through something as pointless as poison.”
Remus took a hesitant step forward, eyes going between Sirius and the plate. He wasn’t sure what a Riddle-hostage-situation looked like but he was pretty sure it didn’t include copious amounts of food. Remus had to have been starving. And if he was starving, then Sirius wasn’t going to be able to eat either.
Sirius stood, which was apparently too abrupt because Remus took several steps back towards the bathroom. Sirius held up his one free hand and extended the other, which held the tea. “Drink this.”
“Why?”
Sirius closed the distance between them and pushed the cup into his chest until Remus was forced to take it.
“It blocks your scent.” Remus furrowed his brow. “Not because I don’t think you smell lovely. But if anyone else were to step foot in this house, they would know a werewolf was here. I can’t have that.”
“Why?”
So many damn questions.
Sirius sighed. “Well, for one: I took you from Riddle. That alone would raise a lot of questions that I don’t want to deal with. Second: my brother doesn’t appreciate you being here. I’m trying to keep the peace so I can keep you.”
“You do know how fucking creepy that sounds, right?”
Sirius scoffed and took his spot back on the end of the bed as Remus smelled the tea–though he didn’t drink it.
“Would you like to go back to Riddle? I can say I found you trying to run away. I’m sure he’d welcome you back with open arms.”
Remus took a sip of the tea.
“That’s what I thought.”
Remus moved to the other side of the bed and picked up the sandwich. Again, he smelled it before taking a bite. Sirius couldn’t help but watch the way his throat bobbed as he swallowed. He didn’t miss the grimace that crossed his face.
“This is horrible,” Remus said as he put it down and tossed the entire plate onto the bed. He seemed to use the tea just to get the taste out of his mouth. “Did you put ketchup on that?”
Sirius looked at the sandwich. “I don’t know, maybe. There’s other food in the kitchen if that isn’t up to your standards.”
Remus set the empty cup on the nightstand. It was strange the way his smell shifted so significantly. He still had the same sort of scent, though it was significantly less… wolf-ish, just like he requested. It was as though he were a simple human. Sirius found that he didn’t appreciate the change, but knew it was for the best.
Sirius stood before stalking closer. Caging Remus in once again against one of the walls. The smell of his blood luckily didn’t dull with whatever herbs Mary had given him. Remus pushed him back forcefully. Sirius let himself fall back with a smirk turning up the corners of his lips.
“I said to stay away from me,” Remus balled his hands into fists, but didn’t move from his spot against the wall.
“No need to be so hostile, Moons,” Sirius picked up the plate, knowing he’d be no fun until he had something to eat. “The kitchen is downstairs, feel free to roam around wherever you’d like. And if you run into my brother, try not to antagonize him. He’s in a mood and won’t hesitate to rip your heart out.”
Sirius didn’t bother waiting for his reply. He simply slipped out the door and deposited his failed attempt at being hospitable in the garbage.
+++
Lily’s shift at the hospital couldn’t have been any longer. However, she was finally released and made her way to the little cafe they’d agreed on. Lily was nervous, she wasn’t going to lie. She’d never done anything like this before. Never needed to really. But desperate times and all that.
She didn’t bother ordering coffee, too jittery to keep anything down anyway. Not even a minute later, a beautiful blonde with thick sunglasses sat down. Her arms were covered in various tattoos, and the tips of her hair were dyed pink. The woman hadn’t given Lily her name in any of the emails they’d exchanged. The only thing she knew was the alias she’d been told: Marley.
Lily nervously went to reach into her bag.
“Oi,” the woman exclaimed. “Keep those pretty hands where I can see them.”
Lily nodded. “Right, sorry. I was going to get the folder of things you asked for.”
She eyed the bag sitting next to Lily and motioned for her to go on. Lily slowly pulled the thin manila folder out and slid it across the table.
“I don’t usually get requests to find people.”
“What do people usually want then?” The woman glanced up and raised an eyebrow. “Oh, right. Yes, well, I definitely don’t want that. He’s a friend. My best friend.”
“Mhm. Missing for ten days. Odds aren’t very good I’m going to find him alive.”
Lily didn’t want to consider that possibility. Truthfully, she’d already had a right panic over it several times the last week and a half and wasn’t keen on getting back into it in a cafe filled with strangers.
“He’s alive,” Lily insisted.
“If you say so.”
The woman slid a small piece of paper with a time and location. “I’ll meet you here in two weeks with whatever I find.” The woman looked at her expectantly as Lily nodded her understanding.
“Right, yes. She pulled out a small pouch and took out the rubberband bundle of money, which the bank questioned why she wanted it.
“Half now, the other in two weeks. No matter what I find. I don’t do refunds for disappointing news.”
Lily took a deep breath. “I understand.”
“Let’s hope your–” she looked at the folder with the name scribbled under one of the many pictures she had to choose from. “Remus Lupin is alive.”
Chapter Text
Remus’s entire body ached. He’d been taken from outside Lily’s flat shortly after healing from the full moon. From there, it had been utter hell. And that was putting it lightly. Oftentimes, post-moon recovery only lasted around a day or two; however, it had been a bad moon. Lily, as always, tended to him as best she could since she knew his pack wouldn’t bother.
He wasn’t born with the affliction and therefore was never respected the same as the others. It didn’t bother him so much anymore, but it made the moons worse, and his relationships with the older pack members were strained. His life didn’t get better until after he met Lily.
Remus’ time with Riddle wasn’t something he wanted to think about. A day out of his clutches did nothing to dull the ache plaguing his bones; his joints creaked and protested with every movement. The lack of food was exacerbating the fatigue that never seemed to fade. He wanted nothing more than to curl up between the blankets, and what he was sure was a soft mattress. It was a complete contrast from the cold, stone floor he’d been subjected to for the past week and a half. It was also a step up from the room he had with the pack. A small shack in the middle of nowhere, cramped and shared with several other people.
However, he wasn’t foolish enough to fall for any of the false sense of security Sirius was creating. He’d made his intentions clear, and Remus was not going to sit around and wait to become the filthy vampire’s dinner. Not if there was anything he could do about it.
The fact that he’d found himself so intertwined with a bunch of bloodsuckers in the first place twisted his insides worse than anything the moon could ever do. Nothing good ever came from the soulless creatures that haunted the night. Death and destruction followed them like a shadow wherever they went. It didn’t matter how charming they acted, because it was just that: an act. A tactic to lure unsuspecting victims to their demise. Remus didn’t even know how many packs had been picked off for simply existing because vampires couldn’t handle the potential threat. Just the idea of a bunch of werewolves sticking together for safety was enough to send them into a murder frenzy. Like this was something any of them chose.
Despite his protesting limbs and the pounding in his head, he opened the door as quietly as he could. He’d waited a while, well after the sun had set, and still he didn’t hear anyone moving about. His hearing might not have been to its full strength so far from the moon, but he could at least pick up enough to assume everyone else in the house had gone to bed; that was the hope anyway.
Remus slipped into the hallway and closed the door to at least give the illusion that he stayed put. Though Sirius did say he was free to go wherever he liked, whether that was true or not, Remus was yet to find out. He’d made it all of one step before jumping back from the small wooden thing he’d almost tripped on. Remus moved the doorstop to the side and quickly looked around to make sure he didn’t alert anyone with the commotion. He only continued when he was sure he hadn’t been heard.
Remus ignored the slight limp in his right leg that had started acting up from disuse and generally poor living conditions. He caught a glimpse of himself in a mirror in the hallway and thanked his fast healing abilities because he really didn’t want to know what he would have looked like without it. That wasn’t to say he was the picture of perfect health. The scars littering his body stared back at him as if taunting him: You really thought your life was going to get easier after leaving home?
The stairs creaked, despite being mindful of each step. He paused every few seconds to listen for any other movement. When it didn’t come, he continued his way down the curved staircase. He was deposited in a grand foyer where everything was mahogany and gaudy and honestly sickening. The whole house–if you could even call it that–reeked of death. He didn’t even want to consider how many innocent lives had been taken in the halls of this creepy manor.
The reds and golds and overly curtained windows were messing with his vision. He wasn’t sure he’d ever been anywhere quite so… outrageously expensive and opulent. The wealth was practically dripping from the walls. Remus had a hunch that the rug he was standing on was probably imported from somewhere prestigious. It was no wonder Sirius thought he was entitled to everything. He’d probably never been told no a single day in his life. Truly fed from a silver spoon. Remus wouldn’t have been surprised if the stick up his arse was hand-placed by the queen herself.
He let his senses guide him further through the manor. The eeriness wasn’t only amplified by the lack of light, but the only reprieve to the shadows was the moonlight seeping in through the small cracks between the curtains. If he didn’t have heightened night vision, Remus would have been stumbling around in the dark.
With his stubborn leg and pounding head, he very well still could have been causing a ruckus and not being any the wiser.
The front door was easy enough to find since it was off the small landing area at the base of the stairs. He quickly slid the lock until it clicked, and while holding his breath, he pulled the door open. Considering Sirius had no qualms with him getting this far, he shouldn’t have been as disappointed as he was when he couldn’t get his foot through the open door.
It was like there was a glass barrier blocking him from freedom. When he tried it again with his fist, he was met with the same resistance. He even attempted to beat the invisible blockade, but that only resulted in a sore hand.
Eventually, Remus admitted defeat–two doors, four windows, and a pet door later. Remus was disturbed when thinking about what creature was using that small door. He made his way through the majority of the rooms on the lower level, mindful enough not to stumble into anyone's bedroom. As far as he could tell, they were all located on the second floor.
Remus had to pause for a second when one of the doors revealed a large pool. A fucking swimming pool. Large windows encased the entire thing as if it were some sort of greenhouse. Small lights lined the ceiling, a soft glow sprang from within the water, which reflected off the glass.
Remus slowly backed away and closed the door as he wondered whose house he was in.
When his leg truly couldn’t handle anymore and the nausea was taking over, Remus relented and went to the kitchen he’d scoped out earlier. The food selection was dismal, but still more than he would expect from a bunch of people who didn’t eat anything. After making himself a sandwich and sitting in one of the stools at the kitchen island, he considered taking it up to his room, but the journey back on an empty stomach didn’t sound appealing.
Remus really should have forced himself to find the energy. All the hairs on the back of his neck stood up as Sirius slinked into the kitchen, a smile already plastered onto his too-perfect porcelain skin. The flawlessness was disturbing.
Remus had always heard the stories of the filthy blood-suckers who drew you in with their good looks and alluring voices. This was the first time he had experienced it firsthand, because, yes, Sirius was attractive. If you were into the pale, haunted look. Which Remus wasn’t, in fact, he found the very presence of Sirius to be horrifyingly appalling and unwanted.
Which is why he immediately lost his appetite and stood to leave. He might be currently unable to leave the house, but he’d be damned if he were to have a willing conversation with a vampire. Especially this one.
“Oh, come on. Don’t leave,” Sirius all but whined.
Remus might have found his voice to be pleasing if it weren’t coming from the man actively holding him hostage. Instead, he found it grating.
He clenched his jaw and took another step, furious with himself when his previous limp was exaggerated from overuse.
Sirius was at his side in less than a second, literally. The way he moved wasn’t natural. Remus jerked back instinctively, though he was too late, considering Sirius’s arm was already around his waist while he pushed him back onto the stool.
“Get the fuck away from me!” Remus snapped.
Sirius rolled his dark grey eyes and took a step back. “You haven’t finished your food.”
“I’m no longer hungry,” said Remus as he pushed the plate away.
“Are you always this stubborn?”
Remus clenched his jaw so tightly he feared his teeth might crack.
“I was just coming down to see if you needed anything.” Sirius took a step closer.
Remus watched in apt attention as he reached out and ran the pad of his pointer finger over Remus’ wrist. He pulled his hand away, almost toppling over the stool in the process. However, he at least had enough dignity to force himself to remain upright.
“I’d like to leave.”
“So you’ve said. Unfortunately, that is simply not possible. See, I’d have to call my witch over–and she really doesn’t like it when I disturb her at such late hours,” Sirius attempted humor that was wasted on Remus’ ears.
Remus only stared, hoping that if he channeled enough indignation and loathing through his gaze, Sirius might feel it burn.
When he was sure he would be able to make it more than a step with following over, Remus stood once again and pushed past the vampire. Surprisingly, Sirius let him go with only a mocking laugh to follow him up the stairs. If he had to stop several times, well, no one else needed to know.
Remus went straight to the bathroom to stave off the panic rising in his bones. He was trapped, basically helpless while recovering from his time with Riddle, and locked in a house filled with predators. He splashed some water on his face and waited for the black spots in his vision to clear.
Remus stepped back into the vast room and immediately noticed the plate and cup sitting on the bedside table. He inched over to it while glancing at the door he never heard open. It remained shut the entire way. Remus situated himself on the bed–making sure his back was never pointed towards the door.
He pulled the plate into his lap and shoved all the worry aside as he finished the sandwich he’d made earlier and drank the glass of apple juice.
Remus didn’t bother pushing the blankets back and crawling inside, as much as he would have liked the feeling of comfort, he knew it wasn’t worth lowering his guard. Despite the anxiety lapping at his mind, Remus was asleep within seconds.
+++
Regulus removed the boiling water from the stove before cracking an egg into a pan. Learning to cook required a lot of trial and error, but he found he liked the routine of it all once he got the hang of it. He could tell James was getting tired of the same things every day, so eventually he would have to branch out.
For the time being, he was getting eggs, toast, an apple, and tea. Was that a well-balanced meal to sustain a fully grown human? Regulus wasn’t sure, but the lady at the grocery store seemed to think it was enough for her, and she looked healthy enough. Pandora was absolutely no help on the matter since her diet consisted of the strange things her husband came up with. Most of them didn’t seem all that fit for human consumption.
Regulus pushed the small can across the counter without turning around. “Put that in his bowl, would you?”
Sirius huffed and grabbed the cat food. “If he bites my hand off, I’m blaming you.”
Regulus smiled as he moved the gooey egg around. As long as he ignored the smell, it wasn’t all that bad.
“Kreacher is a sweetheart, Sirius, it’s not my fault he doesn’t like you.”
“That demon spawn you brought into the house is by far the most terrifying thing I’ve ever encountered. And I’ve had tea with a wraith. I’m pretty sure you’re the only one he actually likes. Just the other day, I saw Theo running from his sharp claws.”
Regulus rolled his eyes. Through all his protesting, Sirius dumped the cat food into the bowl next to the fridge and even filled his water dish.
“I don’t know how you can stand that crap,” Sirius scowled at the eggs slowly cooking in the pan as if they’d personally offended him.
“You’ve been willingly fraternizing with a werewolf. You have no room to judge what I can and cannot tolerate.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, did I offend the fragility in which you care for your human?” Sirius mocked.
Regulus didn’t bother responding. Sue him for being a good host! The man was well on his way to his deathbed, and the least Regulus could do was provide him with something he deemed fit for human consumption.
Sirius peered into the pan. “Do you think you could make a little extra?”
Regulus stopped when the front door creaked open. He smiled before it fully opened. “Good morning, Panda.”
The tall blonde crept in with a thick leather-bound book tucked under her arm. Her hair was twisted and littered with even more charms than the last time he saw her. Her bright blue eyes that contrasted starkly with the darker shade of her olive-toned skin scanned the room as she always did, constantly taking in everything that surrounded her. Not as if she were assessing danger like her brother Evan often did, but more so, cataloging every little detail to make note of the differences.
“Good morning, lovely. You have a new guest.” Pandora closed the door behind her. The loose green skirt flowed weightlessly and covered the tops of her bare feet.
She was certainly more eccentric than most of the witches he’d encountered. However, her innocent demeanor and voice that practically dripped with honey could never fool him into thinking she wouldn’t tear someone apart with her mind alone.
“What brings you here so early? I wasn’t expecting you until later.” Regulus continued his trek to the door leading to the basement, knowing she was likely only there to see James.
“I believe I found a solution to our little problem.”
And Sirius dared to claim his witch was better!
Regulus juggled the plate and cup in his arms to unlock the thick wooden door. “After you, then.”
Pandora beamed as she skipped past him and down the long flight of stairs.
“Dorcas says hello, by the way,” Pandora said. “She’s annoyed you haven’t been by in a while.”
Regulus sighed. “I’ll make it a priority.”
James was already up, a different book situated on his lap. He’d brought him a few options once he’d finished the last. James sat straighter as he set the book aside. A small smile curled his lips when he caught sight of Pandora.
Over the month and some days that James had been hidden away, he’d seemed to grow quite fond of the witch. He couldn’t exactly blame him. If Pandora deemed someone worthy enough of her time, she was impossible not to like. Honestly, the people who died at her hands probably still sang her praises until they were decomposing at the bottom of the lake.
“Let him eat first, Panda,” Regulus said as he handed James the breakfast plate and tea. It took a little while to find one that didn’t make James grimace. Annoyingly difficult since James would lie and say they were all good, even though he was clearly having a difficult time swallowing without making a face.
They now have an entire cupboard worth of various teas that no one will likely ever drink. Perhaps Sirius can feed them to the wolf; surely he has worse taste than a human.
James made quick work of the food while Pandora set her grimoire on the cement floor and sat in front of it with her legs tucked under her.
She pulled a few candles from her bag and lit them with a swish of her hand. The air grew a little warmer as she mumbled something under her breath. Years spent with the witch told him she was cleansing the place.
If Pandora was anything, she was superstitious and would never perform new magic without ridding the area of anything that may be lingering in the corners. James set the plate aside and waited for instructions.
As far as things went, James was actually taking everything fairly well. He had no idea why he was there, other than some evil vampire wanted to use him in an ancient ritual. After a few weeks of acclimating, James was fairly pleasant to be around. Throughout all his years of being alive, Regulus tried to avoid the human population as best he could, unless he required something to eat.
He found them to be dull and small-minded. So despite Sirius’ incessant teasing, yes, he liked James and all the odd quirks that came with him. Like the way he would squint behind his gold frames when he was concentrating, or the way his eyes would grow large with new information as if he were filling it away in his mind. That happened a lot, especially when Regulus had to explain that he was a vampire. He enjoyed the way James would stretch in the morning if Regulus was there early enough to wake him, or the way his breathing would become shallow when he was tired.
Regulus found himself curious to know more, even if he only had a short time to learn it. The one thing that never sat right with him was the willingness with which James accepted that someone wanted him dead. He hardly seemed concerned and really only offered a shrug when Regulus asked why he didn’t appear surprised. When he pressed a little more on the topic, James said that he couldn’t say, and then proceeded to anxiously try and change the subject.
Regulus dropped it at the time because it really didn’t make a difference in the long run how James was feeling about his untimely demise.
“Come, sit.” Pandora motioned to the space across from her.
James set the mug of tea on the ground as he lowered himself down. He looked at Regulus, who was leaning in the door frame. He knew better than to try and involve himself in Pandora’s spells.
“Alright, I can’t explain what I’m doing until after, in case it doesn’t work. It will probably hurt quite a bit, so take a deep breath.” Pandora reached out for his hand, but James pulled it away and moved back a little.
“Hold on,” James said as he looked between the two of them frantically. “You’ve got to give me something here.”
The panic was clearly written across his face. Regulus couldn’t imagine how fragile he was, probably feeling in a room with a vampire and a witch, and really no option to escape. Regulus stepped forward in case he needed to intervene. James did not consider it a comforting act and ended up standing and pressing his back against the wall to create as much distance as possible.
Pandora glanced at Regulus, who sighed and held his hand out to try and calm the frantic human.
“It’s okay. I’m sure it will be over quickly, and then I can explain.” Was Regulus going to give him enough information to actually satisfy him? No, but James didn’t need to know that. The only thing that mattered was eliminating the risk of Riddle finding out what they were doing. He already knew too much as it was. The mere fact that Pandora was in the cell with him was enough to get them all killed, even if James didn’t know that.
James shook his head. Pandora pulled out a few herbs from her bag, but Regulus quickly shut her down.
“It could help,” Pandora reasoned.
Regulus wasn’t overly familiar with human etiquette, but he was fairly certain drugging one to perform magic without their consent was crossing a few too many lines.
Regulus gave James a moment to calm down. When his breathing slowed–unlike his heart rate–Regulus took another step forward.
“Look, it will be over before you know it. You probably won’t even notice a difference, and I promise it’s for your own good.”
James peered through his eyelashes to meet Regulus’ gaze. Warm, pleading, brown eyes bore straight into him. If he had a conscience, Regulus was fairly certain James would be tugging at it.
“Do I get to leave the basement when it’s done?” James asked.
No. “We can talk about it.”
James took a deep breath, assessing all the options he had, which, to be honest–there was only one. Regulus needed this done, and he was sure that James would thank him when they could talk more freely.
“Okay.” James hesitantly sat back down and eyed Pandora with reverence.
She offered him a soft smile and held her hand out, waiting for him to accept it. James gave Regulus one more glance before taking her hand hesitantly.
“It will only last a moment,” Pandora said as she gripped his hand tightly and closed her eyes. “Try to stay conscious, if you can.”
James’ eyes went wide before she started mumbling whatever spell she was casting. The flames in the candles flickered. Regulus took another step closer, smelling the blood trickling out of James’ nose before he saw it. James’ eyes rolled to the back of his head as he started to scream. Pandora’s ironclad grip not faltering for a second despite the way James tried to pull away.
Regulus knelt beside the shaking man only to be told off by Pandora. “Don’t touch him, it’s almost done.”
After what seemed like a lifetime, Pandora pulled back, and James slumped against the bed behind him. He had a faraway look in his eyes, but remained conscious.
“Did it work?” Regulus asked.
Pandora pulled a cloth from her bag and handed it to Regulus. “I’m not sure.”
Regulus held the small fabric against James’s nose, which was still gushing blood. James absentmindedly raised his hand to his mouth to inspect the blood dripping down his face.
“I don’t feel so good,” James said.
Unsure how exactly he was supposed to help, Regulus picked up the discarded mug and pushed it against his lips. “Come on, drink this.”
James obliged, only leaving a few drops to mix with the blood on his chin. Regulus pulled the cloth away, relieved when the blood seemed to stop. He used the other side to wipe away as much as he could.
The smell was intoxicating, but somehow his worry for the human took over, and Regulus had no issue throwing the bloodied fabric to the side. It might have also been the fact that he’d eaten recently. He was going to go with that.
Pandora blew out the candles and put everything away in her bag as James finished his lukewarm tea. He seemed to be coming back to himself as he looked around the room in slightly less confusion. Regulus helped him up enough so he could sit on the bed.
Regulus pushed the damp hair from his forehead and looked into his eyes. “How are you feeling now?”
“Tired.”
“Okay, you can lie down in a minute. I just need to try something first.”
James looked at him apprehensively, which was completely fair after what he’d just been through.
“It won’t hurt, I promise.”
James nodded, all while holding eye contact. Regulus felt the pull in his chest as he spoke. “Stand up.”
James set the mug aside and stood on unsteady legs without question.
“Bollucks,” Pandora huffed.
“No, hold on,” he turned back to James. “Did you stand because you felt like you had to or because I asked?”
“You asked…?”
Regulus laughed. “Okay, I should have clarified.” Regulus pushed him slightly to get him to sit back down. “This time, do not stand up, even if I tell you.”
James nodded even if he didn’t understand.
Regulus repeated his command with all the force he could muster. James didn’t move.
“I’m confused…” James finally said when he didn’t move.
When James remained stationary, Regulus went a step further and tried to peer into his mind. It wasn’t something he was good at or liked doing, but he had to be sure. After a moment of nothing but James looking like a lost puppy, Regulus looked at Pandora and shook his head.
“Well, I’ll be damned.” Pandora pulled her bag up. “I was honestly not sure that was going to work.”
James looked at her with a bit of glare that Regulus had never seen before. James seemed to realize he was doing it and immediately looked away.
“How can we be sure it will keep Riddle out as well?” Regulus asked, pushing James’ confusion away to address later. The poor human was tragically lost. Pandora seemed hesitant to answer with James’ questioning gaze.
“James, why don’t you rest? We can talk about everything later.”
James nodded and moved further into the bed.
Regulus followed Pandora out, only turning once to make sure he was alright. He was met with James already lying down, eyes closed. When the door was securely shut behind them, Regulus spoke more freely.
“Mind telling me what you did now?”
“Well, after all the efforts I put into implementing a block on his mind so no one could make him do or say what he didn’t want–complete waste of time, I might add. I started deconstructing the reasoning behind why wolfsbane can block your compulsions. After a long, long deep dive into the history behind the peculiar plant, I learned nil.”
“Panda, as much as I love our chats, can you please get to the point?”
Regulus pushed the basement door open and waited for Pandora to slip through before locking it behind him.
Pandora glared. “As I was saying… The herb didn’t tell me much because he would have to ingest it every day, so if he were with Riddle for a prolonged time, then the effects would wear off and become useless. But then that led me to thinking about werewolves and how they are immune to mind meddling. Short of turning James into a wolf, I was ultimately left with nothing except the question of why they were immune.”
“I would assume it’s because most supernatural creatures are? I really don’t see where you’re going with this,” Regulus sighed as they moved into the parlor. The sun lit the room, creating an orange glow.
“I just wanted you to know all the efforts I went through and how all of them were completely useless. In the end, it ended up fairly easy. I found a spell in one of my family's old grimoirs. Technically, it’s meant to expand the mind. But really, it just grants the afflicted control.”
Regulus rolled his eyes. “Alright, so is it going to do anything else to him?”
“I doubt it. There were some notes that the only thing it ended up doing was improving memory. Witches back then weren’t all that worried about vampires and humans, so really, it was just a theory that it would work at all. I suppose it’s your lucky day!”
“Oh yes, I’m filled to the brim with luck.”
“And apparently snippiness. What’s with you?”
Regulus ran through his mental list and was already exhausted with the amount of worthless tasks he was assigned by Riddle. “I’m just tired, Panda.”
Pandora gave him a sympathetic smile. “It will all be over soon. I can feel it.”
Regulus really hoped she was right.
+++
Sirius grabbed the plate of food Regulus was kind enough to make for his little wolf and brewed the tea from Mary. A glance into Remus’ room let him know he wasn’t there. Sirius wandered around for a minute before finding Remus in the library.
The man in question didn’t seem to hear him come in, so he continued running his finger along the spines. A furrow in his brow and a slight limp in his leg that Sirius had noticed yesterday.
“Good morning, little wolf.”
Remus spun around. “I told you my name so you wouldn’t call me that,” he snapped.
Sirius shrugged and stepped farther into the large room after kicking the doorstop in place. Sirius didn’t spend a lot of time amongst the books, but was used to it enough from tracking his brother down there.
“I brought you something to eat.” Remus looked at him with disdain. “Don’t worry, I didn’t make it.”
Remus made no move to come closer. Sirius huffed and motioned to the small sitting area by the fireplace. “Come, sit, eat. I won’t bite… yet.”
Remus glared, absolutely no sense of humor whatsoever, but came over nonetheless. He hesitantly sat down–his limp noticeably gone with Sirius’ prying eyes.
Sirius dropped the plate into his lap, the fork clattering a bit against the porcelain. He handed him the mug with steaming tea that smelled absolutely horrid, some sort of perfumey scent that lingered in the air. Remus peered into the cup with a frown.
Sirius plopped on the other end of the couch and watched patiently as he ate.
“Why are you staring at me? It’s creepy,” Remus asked, mouth around the fork as he took a bite of the yellow eggs.
Sirius shrugged again and pulled whatever book was left on the table. Probably one from his brother, a glance at the title told him it definitely was. Remus was finished before Sirius could bore himself to death with however this Dorain Grey arsehole was.
Sirius tossed the book aside just as Remus put the plate on the table and took the last sip of his tea. Sirius had to say, he was a little sad to find his natural scent dulled by whatever herb Mary had supplied.
Remus was about to stand when Sirius threw a leg over his waist and sat on his lap.
“Bloody hell!” Remus immediately tried to push him off with no avail. “What are you doing?”
Sirius put his hands on the taller man’s shoulder; however, with their newfound position, Sirius had the height advantage.
“I thought it only fair, I fed you…”
Remus’ eyes darkened as he tried again to push him off. “No. Get off.”
Sirius bent his neck until his nose was pressing against soft scarred skin. “Do you want me to say please?”
“I want you to get off me.”
When it was clear he wasn’t going to get him off with sheer force, Remus dropped his hands as if touching him burned. Which Sirius knew it did not, and Remus was just being dramatic.
“Oh, don’t tell me you’re upset because a man is sitting on your lap. I know mortals love their prejudices,” Sirius said as he pulled away for a second.
Remus looked at him incredulously. “I don’t give a shit that you’re a man, I care that you’re a vampire–holding me against my will–and sitting on my lap, uninvited .”
“Mm, I’ll keep that in mind.” Sirius licked the expanse of his neck. Remus was forced to turn his head to the side. “It won’t even hurt that bad, I promise.”
Sirius could feel the slight panic in the wolf by the way his body tensed and his jaw clenched so tightly, he thought he’d heard his teeth crack. Sirius sighed and sat back until he could meet Remus’ furious gaze.
“One little bite,” Sirius tried to reason. He really didn’t see what all the fuss was about. He was a wolf for fuck’s sake! He’d probably barely even feel it. “I’ll even do something for you.”
Remus stared intently. “Let me leave.”
“No can do. I quite like my life, and setting you free would be a death sentence.”
Remus bit the inside of his cheek, luckily not enough to draw blood, or Sirius might not have been able to control himself. It had been a while since he’d fed, and he was getting desperately hungry, sue him.
“I want to talk to my friend, tell her I’m alive at least.”
Sirius mulled the idea around. Eventually deciding it was too risky. “Outside communication is risky.”
“She’s human. She’d never even know who to tell.”
Sirius shook his head. “Can’t take that chance, Moonboy.”
Remus seemed to be growing more irritated than panicked. “Then no, get off.”
“Oh come on, don’t be like that! There has to be something else.”
Remus stared at him for a while, Sirius’ smile never faltering.
“The full moon is next week. I want to shift outside.” Before Sirius could protest, Remus continued. “I don’t care where, it could be in your backyard. Just outside. And absolutely no chains.”
Well, to be honest, Sirius hadn’t put much thought into what exactly he was going to do with a lethal werewolf–highly deadly to a vampire when shifted, he felt the need to add–but he thought the basement was sufficient enough. He supposed he could make a compromise; Mary would be able to figure out a way to make it safe, he was sure.
Sirius smiled a little brighter. “Alright. I will talk with my witch.”
“Swear it.”
He might have been more dramatic than Sirius himself. “Yes, I swear. You can change in the comforts of the outside, and I can bite you whenever I want.”
Remus scowled. “No, just this one time.”
“Remus, darling, I think we both know it's not going to be this one time. But if you would rather change in one of the basement cells…”
“Fine, but not after the moon. You have to at least give me a couple of days. Before too.”
Sirius huffed but nodded. “Yes, I will accommodate all your wolfy needs.”
Hesitantly, Remus turned his head and balled his hands into fists in preparation. “Go on then.”
Sirius tucked the dark strands of his hair out of his way and leaned forward once again. He couldn’t only hear the rapid pulse, but feel it as his lips grazed over tanned skin. He hummed before placing a delicate kiss to try and calm Remus down. It didn’t seem to work cause he was met with a few curses and told to hurry up.
Not enjoying being rushed, Sirius kissed his neck again before feeling his teeth push through and sink into his artery. Remus let out a small whine before Sirius sank a little deeper. His hands stop Remus from instinctively pushing him off.
The taste was better than anything he’d ever had before. Worlds different from humans or any other supernatural creature he’s had the privilege of trying. Why he’d never done this before was beyond him. It hit his tongue like a rush of iron-rich whiskey, spiced with smoke and pine. Sirius could feel it coursing through his body; it was intoxicating. Filling him with energy, completely addictive. He knew he needed to stop before he took too much.
Slowly, he retracted his fangs and bit his tongue enough to draw blood. He licked the teeth marks, still oozing red, until the small punctures healed completely.
When Sirius pulled back, he felt like he could do anything. He licked his lips and smiled. “That was fucking incredible.”
Sirius released his hold but remained on his lap. Remus felt his neck and was visibly surprised to find his hand clean when he pulled it away.
Remus pushed him away forcefully, and this time, Sirius relinquished and got up. “Now you can fuck off.”
“Alright, alright. There’s more juice in the fridge if you’d like.”
Remus didn’t meet his eyes, though he didn’t even attempt to stand, so Sirius sighed and decided he’d go and get it for him.
+++
James wasn’t sure how long he’d been sleeping, but Regulus had yet to return. His head felt heavy, and everything moved a little slower than it should. However, despite the feeling of everything being wrong, he forced himself up and waited for the vampire to return.
He had to get himself together before he came back so he could absorb every detail that Regulus exposed to him. He let his mask slip a little after Pandora had assaulted his mind. He couldn’t afford to do that again. Not when he was in that much danger. All he had to do was stay alive long enough for Albus to come break him out and get as much information on Riddle as he could. Easy peasy. Everything was going perfectly fine.
James thought he did a pretty decent job pretending he knew nothing about vampires and witches and every shitty thing they’d been up to over the years. Regulus was content in thinking he was only a fragile human, and he was going to let him.
As far as vampires went, he wasn’t all that bad. Pandora was actually quite nice, so he didn’t find his role too terribly difficult to fall into. He was good at making people like him. While he’d never tried with a vampire per se, it couldn’t be all that different. James wasn’t too concerned as to why Albus hadn’t shown up yet; he knew he’d come when he could.
He was taking a little bit longer than James had thought, but he wasn’t worried. He did hope that Peter wasn’t fretting too much about his absence. Hopefully, Albus will let him know that James will be back soon. In the meantime, James would gather as much information as he could. He’d play the good prisoner role and soon be free again.
He was still confused about his capture in the first place because the circumstances were beyond strange. Maybe Regulus knew what happened. Whether he’d tell James or not was uncertain. He hadn’t told him anything of substance, but that was before Pandora fried his mind.
Eventually, Regulus came back with a new plate of food.
“Oh, good, you’re awake.” Regulus set the plate of food down next to him. “How are you feeling?”
James could feel the vampire’s eyes on him even when he wasn’t looking. It was such an intense stare, he had to repress the urge to shiver.
“Better now, thanks.” James ate in comfortable silence. Regulus wasn’t the type to offer much; normally, James wouldn’t mind if that wasn’t what he was counting on. His head grew clearer the more he ate. “So, it worked?”
Regulus nodded. “As far as we are aware, yes. No one will be able to breach your mind.”
James nodded. That sounded good, he supposed. “Will you tell me why I’m here now?”
Regulus pulled the chair sitting in the corner over and took a seat. Regulus explained the ritual that Tom Riddle was planning to enact in familiar detail since James had heard it many times before. Basically, it went as such:
The big, bad, evil vampire king named Riddle didn’t like other creatures and wanted them all eradicated. To accomplish that, he needed to complete a ritual that would grant him the power to accomplish such a feat. However, when that was all said and done, his plans for the human population weren’t looking all that good either; even some of the vampire population had reason to worry. So, to prevent the all-powerful vampire lord from becoming even more powerful, he needed to be killed.
The only way to do this would be during the ritual when he would be at his most vulnerable. James wasn’t sure what exactly happened during the spell work of it all, but he knew it involved a blood sacrifice, a pureblood vampire, a werewolf, and whatever the hell a horcrux was.
But then things started to differ from what Albus had always told him when he said that all three of those people would have to die to complete the ritual.
Apparently, James’ panic and lack of a poker face were enough to stall Regulus’ explanation.
“What’s wrong?” Regulus asked.
What’s wrong?
For one, he must have been mistaken, because Albus never said anything about any of them having to die. No, it was only a few drops of blood, and then he would come and rescue James. That was how it was supposed to go.
James had to rein in his emotions before he blew the entire thing. “That… um– that just doesn’t sound right.”
“James, he’s been planning this for the last thousand years. I’m pretty sure I’m familiar with the details.”
James shook his head.
“I already told you that Riddle was going to kill you. Why are you freaking out over it now?”
Well, that was a simple answer. James never actually thought his life was in danger.
“That’s… that’s not right. That can’t be right.” He felt his mind slipping, the words tumbling out of his mouth before he could think better of it.
“I know it’s probably difficult to process–”
“No, because Albus wouldn’t have lied to me!” James tried to catch his breath.
“Albus?”
Oh, fuck.
James did not mean to let that slip. “Um. What?”
“James, you can’t just play dumb because you said something by accident.”
“– I don’t know what you’re talking about.” James sat up straighter and dug his fingernails into the palms of his hands to try and regain his composure. Things were going so very wrong way too quickly.
“Okay, then, can you tell me how you know who Albus Dumbledore is?”
James shook his head. “Who?” he didn’t mean for his voice to come out quite so high-pitched. Too many things were happening at once in his mind, and he was having trouble untangling the mess.
Regulus took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose like James was getting on his nerves. “The founder of the Order of the Phoenix. As far as humans go, they’ve been a pain in the arse for Riddle.”
James looked up with a furrowed brow. “Huh?”
“James.”
“I don’t know what that is. We’re definitely talking about two different people.” They had to have been, cause what the hell was the Order of the Phoenix?
“James, who is Albus to you?”
“He’s raised me since I was sixteen.”
“And you don’t know what the Order is?”
“No.”
“And you didn’t think that you would die in the ritual?”
“No, of course I’m not going to die. Albus would never put my life in danger like that.”
“Are you sure? Because if he was planning on letting you be part of it–encouraging it from what it sounds like–then he was willing to let you die.”
James shook his head. “You’re wrong. He’d never do that. He’s going to get me out of here and then…” Well, then he was going to do what he always planned, which was give a little bit of blood and then… and then Albus would get him out of there.
“Why would he try to rescue you when you're pretty much exactly where he wants you to be? Ready for the slaughter so he can swoop in and try to kill Tom Riddle. Pretty fucking pointless on his end since even at his weakest, a human organization would never stand a chance, but I’ll give him props for trying.”
“You’re lying, or mistaken,” James felt his shoulders drop when he ran through all the facts. Albus sent him on the errand that led to his capture, but that was just a coincidence. Albus never liked him having any friends other than Peter… but that was just him being protective. Albus didn’t let him attend school, but that was because of all the dangers.
James was twenty-five years old. He would have told him by now if he were supposed to be some sacrificial lamb. He would have lied to him all this time. The room became too warm, the air too thick to breathe. Regulus moved forward, but James was already retreating closer to the wall. Regulus was lying to him; he had to have been. None of it made sense.
“Okay, I’m going to leave you alone for a while, you seem to need to process this…”
James barely registered the door closing behind him. But then he was alone. James slipped down the blankets until he was lying down. He needed to talk to Albus. There was just a misunderstanding.
But then why did it feel like his whole world was crashing down around him? Why did it hurt to breathe, and why were tears running down his face?
+++
Mary walked up the stairs to her apartment with a bag in one hand and her cell in the other. Sirius’ voice flooded her ear faster than she could comprehend what he was saying.
“Yes, darling. He’s delicious, that’s excellent. I’m glad you’re happy with your wolf. Now do you want to tell me why you’re calling?”
“What? I can’t just call my best friend and tell her all about this wonderful thing that’s happened to me. You wound me, Marbear, truly.”
Mary stayed silent as she took the last step. Her apartment was located above the apothecary she ran, which was really a front for everything witchcraft.
“Okay, fine. I need you to ward the field away from the house so Remus can shift on the full moon but not get anywhere near me or Regulus.”
Mary rolled her eyes. “Oh, is that all?”
“I also wanted to remind you that you are the sexiest, most talented witch that has ever walked this earth. Truly an exquisite work of art with the mind far beyond the rest of us.”
Mary smiled only to have it immediately vanish when she got to her door and spotted the bouquet. Red roses, her favorite. She kicked them aside and shoved the key into the lock. Suddenly, her day just got a whole lot worse.
“Mary? You okay?”
“All good, darling. I’ll come over tomorrow and ward the field. Have fun with your wolf.”
“You’re the best! Toodles, Mare. I’ll see you tomorrow!”
Mary clicked off her phone and shoved the door open. She set her bag down and scooped up the flowers, tossing them in the bin as she closed the door.
After a bath and a pleasant dinner, Mary lit her candles and opened her grimoire while wrapped in her silk robe. She sat with her legs crossed only to be interrupted by a knock on the door. A glance at the clock told her all she needed to know. Opting to ignore it only to be drawn out of her head a second later to another knock.
“Fucking hell,” Mary said as she clambered to her feet. The jewelry on her wrist grew warmer in the presence of her intruder.
Mary opened the door with more drama than was necessary.
“Hello, Mary.”
Mary glared at the too-tall, too-pale, too-sarcastic, too-smug, and too-aggravating man standing in front of her.
“Rabastan,” Mary bit out. “I thought we understood each other. I have no interest in joining your cult of misfit vampires trying to gain more power they don’t need or deserve.”
Rabastan ignored her and pushed his way inside, despite the lack of invitation. “Did you get my flowers?”
Mary closed the door as he wandered around her small apartment, all while eyeing the candles and spellbook warily. It was no secret that a witch could take down a vampire if provoked. And Mary was powerful. Anyone would be stupid to deny that.
“They were lovely, too beautiful to dare keep.”
Rabastan smirked when he caught them lying in the trash. “Not nearly as lovely as you, but I’d be an idiot not to try and keep you.”
“What is it you want?”
Mary had had enough of entitled men for a lifetime. All she wanted was one quiet night.
“I was just checking in, seeing if you’ve possibly changed your mind…”
“I haven’t and I won’t.”
Rabastan turned to face her. Dark eyes meeting even darker ones. He stalked closer, but Mary didn’t move. “And there’s nothing I could do to… persuade you?” The suggestion was clear in his tone.
Mary was forced to tilt her head up when he moved closer. She didn’t bother with a response. Instead, she took half a step forward, all her attention trained on the vampire’s eyes as she felt the magic flow through her veins.
Rabastan doubled over, both hands clawing at his head. “Fuck, you bitch!” Rabastan whined as Mary popped the blood vessels in his head repeatedly until he was stumbling back. Mary pulled a chair out for him to sit.
In his inebriated state, Mary picked up one of the wooden bowls from the counter and a knife. Rabastan watched her a bit dazed as she took his arm and slit his wrist, careful not to make a mess as the blood pooled into the small bowl.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“I figured since you were here, you could at least be useful. I need blood for a spell. Humans are preferred, but yours will do.”
“You know, you could have asked nicely and I would have obliged.”
Mary felt her lip pull up in the corner. “Where’s the fun in that?”
“So… what is this spell you’re doing?”
“I would tell you, but you’re on your way out.”
“Damn Mary, bleed a man dry and then kick him out. That’s cold.”
“Only for you.”
“I like the sound of that.”
Mary set the bowl aside when the cut on his wrist healed and resumed her position in front of the candles. “Close the door behind you.”
“Goodnight, little lamb.”
Mary closed her eyes when the sound of the door closing faded and her bracelet cooled. Now, back to what she was doing before being rudely interrupted.
Notes:
Sorry for the delay folks but I'm back from vacation and will be able to post regularly (either once or twice a week, depending on how things go with my other fic).
Speaking of my other fic, if you're waiting around for chapter 22 of Live Together, Die Alone, I should have it out by Friday!
Anyway, back to the fic at hand...I'm so excited about this story and all the different directions I've decided to go, so stay tuned for so much more!
Chapter Text
James hadn’t spoken more than three words to Regulus in the past week, and he wasn’t sure what the hell he was supposed to do to fix it. James rarely accepted meals, refused to acknowledge anyone else's existence, and slept more than he had before.
Regulus figured it would stop after a few days when James came to terms with everything; however, that was not the case. Regulus was still battling with all the things he’d learned that he would have cared not to know.
His energetic, happy prisoner had been faking it the entire time to gather information for his… whoever the hell Albus was to him.
He also didn’t appreciate the fact that James was convinced Regulus was lying to him. (Regulus only knew this because the three words James graced him with were: You’re a liar.) Why would he lie about this? Well, you’d have to ask James. He probably wouldn’t answer because he’s. Not. Talking. He also refused to engage with Pandora, which, sure, she did mess with his head, but that was no reason to shut out the lovely witch.
“I don’t see what the big deal is, Reg,” Sirius said from his place in front of a large canvas. Paint-stained hands working meticulously on his latest project. “If he doesn’t want to talk, then more power to him. It’s not like we need information.”
Regulus spun around on the little stool and looked out the window. Sirius’s art studio was the only room in the entire house that wasn’t in perfect order. Regulus had no say here, much to his dismay. He couldn’t deny that it was an impressive sight, however.
The room was lined with colorful canvases Sirius had painted over the years, an entire wall of windows that overlooked the lake, and a small nook in the corner that harbored enough natural light for Sirius to sit and sketch.
Regulus sighed. “He used to talk so much. He’d ask questions, comment on things, and seemed so comfortable.”
Regulus didn’t miss the side eye he’d received from Sirius. “Reggie, darling brother of mine. You just rocked his entire world–and not in a good way.” Regulus rolled his eyes. “He’s bound to be a little upset. Have you talked with Pandora about it? Maybe she could make him see reason.”
“No… She keeps offering me different herbs to give him. Though I doubt any of them would really help.”
Sirius hummed as he mixed two different paints to create a darker blue. “If it really bothers you that much, then do something to make him happy. You’ve kind of been a downer in his life as of late. Not like he has much reason to be all that joyful.”
Regulus thought about it as he stared off into the midday sky.
“It’s a full moon tonight,” Regulus noted.
“I’m aware.”
“And you are harboring a werewolf. Any plans for that, or should I leave the house to avoid death?”
Sirius laughed. “All taken care of, baby brother. Just don’t go in the field behind the house, and you’ll make it through the night.”
“Can’t you just put him in the basement?” The thought of a werewolf loose on the grounds was more unsettling than living with one the rest of the month.
“Don’t worry, Mary has already been over twice to make sure it’s safe.”
“Fine, but if I get bit, I’m taking it up with you .” Regulus pointed his finger at Sirius before leaving the room to let him work.
+++
Remus could already feel the effects of the moon. He was tired and sore and ready for it all to be over. The past week had been strange to say the least. Sirius would seek him out several times a day and then disappear to God knows where for the rest of the time–probably terrorizing children and kicking puppies. He stayed true to his word and hadn’t fed from Remus for the last couple of days; however, before that. Well, Remus didn’t like to think about it.
It always happened the same: Sirius would bring him something to eat, wait for him to finish, climb on his lap, bite, heal, linger far too long, and then he’d bring Remus a glass of juice. Never more than once a day, and never too much where he felt sick from the effects of blood loss. As the day grew later, Remus was starting to worry that since Sirius got what he wanted, he’d throw Remus in a cell to shift regardless of what they agreed upon.
He’d not met very many vampires, but none of them were trustworthy. Actually, they were rancid, murdering, psychopaths. So it was safe to say that Remus was agitated for good reason.
Remus waited in the library, not wanting to go about the house in case he ran into the brother. It was clear that Regulus detested him for the very nature of what he was. He didn’t care; if anything, it was beneficial to have one less vampire paying attention to him.
The only times they’d interacted were when Sirius was present and Regulus made it a point to switch to French, lest Remus pick up on whatever they were talking about. It was clear that something was going on, but Remus hadn’t a clue and couldn’t bring himself to care. Whatever it was, it was probably evil. All Remus needed to concern himself with was getting out.
Every morning before anyone was up, Remus would go around the house testing doorways and window frames to see if whatever magic was keeping him had lifted. It never even budged.
An hour or so before he usually went down to the kitchen to make himself something to eat, Sirius strode through the library door with a smile plastered onto his porcelain skin.
“Ready, Moonboy?”
Remus clenched his jaw as he closed the book in his lap; he hadn’t been reading it anyway. Too uncomfortable to get his eyes to focus. It was always like that before the moons, especially with all the anxiety coursing through his bones. It was looking to be a particularly nasty one that month. He only hoped that Sirius was true to his word and would take him outside.
It took a few too many moments for him to stand, which meant Sirius was by his side, trying to help. Remus shook him off. He didn’t think his nerves could handle rubbing against something the wrong way, let alone being touched by a vampire. A tingly sensation flowed through his bones with the anticipation of shifting, which only made everything feel too tight.
“Stop.” Remus finally snapped when Sirius tried to take his arm again.
Sirius threw up his hands in surrender. “No need to bite my head off, I was just trying to help.”
Even his voice was annoying. The smooth, angelic drawl grated against his head, making him want to claw it out.
“I don’t want your help,” he seethed.
Sirius kept his hands up as he retreated to the door to wait for Remus to catch up. The trip down the stairs was torturous, but at least Sirius didn’t try to help him again, even if he clearly wanted to do so. Remus followed him through the house until they reached a door off the kitchen leading to the backyard. He’d already tried a few windows this morning with no luck of getting out, so he hesitated in the doorway as he watched Sirius walk ahead.
“It’s fine, you can come out,” Sirius said when it became clear he was hesitating.
“You’re not worried I’m going to run off?” Remus said as he pushed through the door slowly.
The cool autumn air washed over his body. Sirius’ eyebrows rose as his eyes swept over Remus’ awkward frame, making him feel exposed and shifting uncomfortably away from the intensity that was the vampire’s gaze.
“I don’t think that’s going to be a problem,” Sirius settled on after a moment.
Remus bit his tongue lest he say something unseemly and wind up in the cellar. Remus took in everything they passed, cataloging it for later, even if it wasn’t more than he’d been able to see from various windows within the house. Nothing about it gave away where they were, which meant Sirius probably figured it didn’t matter what he saw. Or Remus was going to be dead before it ever came to matter.
Still, Remus would have liked to know where he was. He’d spent a good amount of time unconscious and wasn’t sure how far he’d been moved. Hell, he wasn’t even sure he was still in the same country.
He decided to take the chance and ask. “Where are we?”
Sirius looked at him curiously. “Surrey. One of my family's estates.”
Well, a different country then. That would definitely make things more difficult when he finally got away from the leech.
Sirius stopped when they seemed to have reached the outskirts of his property. He could see a large lake in the distance, but for the most part, it was an open field.
“Alright, so, Mary set up a perimeter boundary about a three-mile radius. You’ll be able to feel it when you get close. It won’t hurt if you touch it, but if you run into it, it will feel like hitting a wall.”
Remus nodded, knowing the wolf wouldn’t accept any kind of boundary.
“The moon isn’t going to be out for a while, but I wasn’t sure if you needed to get acquainted with the area or something.”
Really, he just wanted to sit down. He could feel the wolf at the forefront of his mind, just waiting to get out and sink sharp teeth into the vampire standing next to him. If only there were a way to get him to stay…
Remus took several steps only to find Sirius close behind–arms swinging. “So, what do you normally do before?”
Remus didn’t want to explain how he would normally be with his pack. Unless someone was being initiated into it, Remus was good at steering them away from any sort of populated place, which made it a mundane affair. Apart from the bones snapping, of course.
Remus opted to ignore the aggravating vampire who wouldn’t leave him alone.
“Do you like… meditate or some shit? Should I stop talking?”
“Why would I meditate?” Remus snapped.
Sirius shrugged. “You seem quite tense.”
“Yes, being kidnapped by a psycho vampire does that to me.”
Sirius narrowed his eyes at him. “Are you talking about me or Riddle?”
Remus glared. “Both.”
The trees in the distance swayed with the subtle breeze; small ripples formed over the surface of the water. Remus tried to take it all in, but the tightness of his skin was getting worse with the moon so close; he was almost looking forward to the shift just to get a reprieve from the suffocation.
Sirius continued to talk, the violent urge to spin around and pin the vampire to the grass, and squeeze his throat tightly until he could utter another word was at the forefront of his mind, making it hard to concentrate on anything else.
“You’re kind of mean. Has anyone ever told you that?” Sirius asked with indignation.
Yes , he has been told that in fact. “You just make me mad.”
“I’ve been known to do that to people, I’ll admit.”
Remus felt his temper waxing. “Do you want something, or are you here to be annoying?”
“Fine, fine, I’ll leave you to it.”
Remus waited a moment until Sirius’s form had disappeared back into the house, and then he finally sat in the grass. He went over everything he’d been through and the feeling of dread that accompanied it. All he wanted was to wake up in the morning and find Lily there to help him through the aches and pains that always accompanied the full.
When Remus first joined a pack, things were better than they’d ever been before, until they were slaughtered one moon, and Remus was left alone with a kid who was barely fourteen, with nowhere to go. The second pack they’d joined wasn’t great, but it was better than being alone, which was practically a death sentence in those days.
Leaving home at eighteen was the end of turning in a cell and wrecking his body with scars that would never heal. When he looked around at the open field, Remus knew it could have been a lot worse, but that didn’t mean he was in for an easy night. The wolf never did well alone, and he was still trapped, whether by physical walls or magic ones; it was a cage all the same.
+++
Regulus prepared James’ dinner and headed down to the basement. As expected, he was sitting on the small bed pushed against the wall with a book in his lap that he was clearly not reading. He didn’t move even as Regulus closed the door or set the tray beside him. He did, however, take the cup of water and drink it before going back to do nothing .
“James, it’s been a week. You can’t keep this up,” Regulus said through his exasperation.
Regulus eyed the plate from earlier that had barely been touched, and the way James wasn’t making any move towards dinner. “Okay, suit yourself. Pandora will be over in the morning. Perhaps you’ll talk to her.”
James turned the page of his book.
Regulus sighed and headed towards the door. He hesitated for a moment before opening and shutting it behind him.
Something good… He needed to find a way to make James happy. But what did you do for someone who you just told was going to die?
+++
James looked up as soon as the door was shut. The room dissolved into silence once again. He felt the tears prickle the back of his eyes that he refused to shed. He hadn’t heard the sound of his own voice in a week, he’d barely eaten, and he slept the majority of the day.
He didn’t want to see Pandora, but like everything else in his new reality, he didn’t get a say. Actually, if Regulus was to be believed, he hadn’t had a say in anything since he was sixteen years old. The longer he was stuck in that cell, the harder it became to ignore all the details that aided in the idea that Regulus wasn’t lying.
Albus never planned for his future or let him do anything to work towards it because he knew he wasn’t going to have one. Peter had made a valiant effort to take him places, to see the world, but Albus always said it wasn’t safe. Nothing was ever safe.
And this Order? Albus was gone a lot of the time, away for business, as he would say. And what was James doing? Oh yeah, that’s right, he was sitting around waiting to be sacrificed without even knowing it. He’s actually still doing that, except now he doesn’t even have Peter to talk to.
Oh, how he missed Peter.
More than the anger and the disorienting reality that James didn’t want to believe, he was lonely. He wasn’t used to the quiet or the emptiness. People had always been around, and when they weren’t, he always knew how to meet someone new. Whether it be in the park or the library, he never ran out of people to talk to.
He also missed the warmth of the sun. Everything was so cold and dismal. He feared that it would be the last place he saw before he was shipped off to die for some creep who drank blood.
James was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he barely registered the door opening again. He startled when he saw Regulus, who rarely came back after dinner. Not unless he wanted something. James tensed when he saw the wooden box cradled in his arms. The book fell aside, knowing he wouldn’t be able to ignore him that time.
“I know you don’t want to talk, and that’s fine, but you must be bored.” Regulus pushed the chair to the side and sat on the ground as James watched him warily from the bed. “One game, if you want me to go after then, I will.”
Regulus opened the box to reveal a chessboard and all the pieces. He set it up with nimble fingers, all the chessmen perfectly in line. When he was finished, a glance was thrown in question. James thought about refusing, but before he could bring himself to shake his head, he was moving to sit across from the vampire. Really, James should have been worried about upsetting him. Regulus was a vampire for fucks sake, but he couldn’t bring himself to muster the fear.
It was hard to find someone frightening when they’d never done anything remotely scary, or even threatened to.
They played in silence for a while. James wasn’t bad at chess–you couldn’t be when your best friend was Peter–but he was still losing. He supposed that Regulus had the advantage of playing for, well, who knows. A lot longer than James, that’s for sure.
Regulus was true to his word and didn’t make James talk; however, he was finding it hard not to. He wasn’t used to being silent; it practically went against his nature. The words buried in his throat crept to the edge of his tongue and begged to get out.
“How long am I going to be down here?” James asked, a little mortified by the croakiness of his voice. He cleared his throat and hoped it wouldn’t happen again.
Regulus looked up after moving his knight and taking one of James’ pawns. If he were surprised by James' change in attitude, he didn’t show it. “I’m not sure. Riddle has known about you for quite some time. I don’t know why he decided to take you when he did.”
James went back to focusing on the board and tried not to get irritated over the complete non-answer. He thought after getting his head scrambled, he’d be privy to more information, not that he would do anything with it now.
Oh, look at that, he wasn’t even trying to convince himself that Albus was coming for him anymore.
The game concluded after about half an hour, with James losing miserably. “You couldn’t at least let me win?” he asked.
Regulus looked at him curiously. “Why would I do that?”
James felt himself smile and then immediately chastised himself for finding the vampire endearing.
“Would you like to play again?” Regulus asked.
James found himself nodding before he could think better of it, already dreading the moment the cell would revert to its usual state of silence when Regulus left.
After a few moves, Regulus spoke again, a bit more timid this time. “Could I ask you a question?”
“I guess.”
“Do you still think I’m lying?”
James couldn’t say that he was surprised by the question. “No,” he said under his breath. Because, really, he didn’t. The more he thought about it, the more damning the evidence was. He was going to die; might as well not live in denial for his last… however long he had.
Regulus nodded as he took another turn. “I’m sorry that you had to find out like this. I didn’t know about your connection with the Order. Can I ask you another question?”
James nodded, still not meeting his cold, grey eyes.
“What did he tell you about your place in the ritual?”
James took a deep breath. He didn’t want to think about it anymore. “He said that I had to give some blood, then he’d come get me.”
“That’s it?”
“No, but that’s what mattered.”
“And you were okay with that?”
“He said it was for the greater good. How am I supposed to refuse something that would save people?” James asked, finally looking up to see Regulus already staring back.
“That’s very noble.”
“Yes, well, now I suppose I’m going to die for the cause, so my nobility is about to be off the charts.”
James startled at the sound of Regulus’ laughter. When he realized he’d been caught, Regulus cleared his throat and schooled his expression. “Yes, I suppose it will.”
James found it far too difficult to look away, but eventually he brought his attention back to the game, which he was losing…again.
+++
Sirius sat by the window watching as the moon was replaced by the sun. The first chance he could, he grabbed a blanket and headed out the door. The metallic tang of blood flooded the air the second the cool air washed over him. Sirius furrowed his brow and followed the sent up the hill.
Remus was lying in the grass with his head tucked into his arm; his breathing was steady, leading Sirius to believe he was sleeping and thankfully not dead.
Sirius approached slowly, not wanting to startle the man. “Remus?” he said softly when he was a few steps away. He’d never seen a werewolf right after the transformation and wasn’t sure what the proper protocol was. Did he leave him to his own devices? Carry him into the house? Call for a doctor? No, he certainly couldn’t do that.
When Remus didn’t so much as flinch, Sirius stepped closer and draped the blanket over his naked body. There were various cuts and bruises littered around his olive-toned skin. Sirius pushed him until he was lying on his stomach; the heat from his skin permeated the morning chill.
There was significant bruising on his ribs, slashes still bleeding, and wounds that had begun to knit themselves back together. Sirius nudged his shoulder to wake him. Remus let out a disgruntled whimper as he tried to cover his eyes from the sun.
Sirius brushed some of the dirt off his arms as he spoke a little louder. “Come on, let's get you back in the house.”
He knew the boundary spell wasn’t holding him in any longer, and while he wasn’t in any shape to run away, Sirius didn’t want to take any chances.
Remus moved his arm and squinted. When he registered Sirius looming over him, he was swatted away.
Sirius chuckled; he was stubborn even while half-asleep, it seemed. “Don’t be like that, I’m here to help.”
“I don’t want your help,” Remus muttered, though his voice was scratchy.
“Yes, so you’ve said. But I’m not giving you a choice in the matter. How difficult you make it is entirely up to you, though.”
Luckily, he’d made sure to eat before collecting his wolf, so the blood pooling out of his skin wasn’t a problem. Sirius gave him a moment to consider his options before taking his arm and pulling him up. Remus stumbled back a few steps–mindful enough to have held the blanket against his body.
Sirius could see the exhaustion and blood loss taking its toll. The faster he got him back to the house, the better. It was a difficult process, but they made it eventually. Despite Remus’ protests, Sirius led him into one of the downstairs bathrooms that had a stand-up shower.
Remus was almost completely unconscious by the time he got him to sit on the tiled floor with the water running over him. He’d slumped against the wall, completely unmoving. The blanket had been tossed aside after collecting much of the dirt and blood staining Remus’ skin.
It was difficult to find a spot on his body that hadn’t been affected by the brutality. Remus had most likely added a few new scars to his vast collection. Sirius was looking forward to the day when he’d be allowed to map them all, to feel them under his touch.
A soft whimper pulled him out of his lewd thoughts. “Oh dear,” Sirius sighed while taking his shirt and trousers off and stepping in behind Remus.
Sirius hauled him up between his legs until the wolf’s back was against his chest. The tawny head of curls dripped dirty water on his pale skin. The light from the bathroom was dim, making it easier for Remus to open his eyes when he wanted.
“What are you doing?” Remus asked quietly as he attempted to pull away.
Sirius held him tighter. “Shh, just let me help.”
He could feel Remus relax a little as Sirius carded his hands through his hair to get out all of the dirt and debris. The water was warm against his bare skin. Most of the wounds had stopped bleeding, and some had already closed completely. Sirius made a note to bandage the ones still causing a fuss.
“Why?” Remus’ breathing had started to even out again. He couldn’t see his face, but he was pretty sure his eyes were closed.
“Why what?”
“Why help?”
“Well, I can’t have my wolf bleeding out in a field, now can I?” Sirius made sure to keep his voice low.
“I can wash myself,” Remus argued, even though it was clear that he absolutely could not.
“The way I see it is, you shut up, let me help, and then you can sleep in an actual bed the rest of the day. Or I can leave you to your own devices, which I’m betting is falling over and passing out covered in grime on the shower floor. Which would you prefer?”
There was a beat of silence where Sirius was left wondering if Remus had already passed out. But then a small, pitifully mumbled fine escaped his lips, and he stopped fighting against Sirius’ touch completely.
Sirius washed his hair gently until the water ran clean, then he moved on to the rest of Remus’ lanky body. His touch never lingered, even if he would have liked to explore the vast expanse of his mangled skin. Sirius kept his gaze clinical and brief because he was respectful like that.
Remus’ eyes remained closed, succumbing to the help Sirius was selflessly offering. If only he were that compliant with everything, both their lives would be so much easier. Perhaps the wolf would consider that the next time he chose to be stubborn.
When Remus was as clean as he was going to get, Sirius wrapped him in a towel and led him back to his room. He found some clothes and helped Remus into them before dressing three wounds still open across his body.
The worst was on his thigh. Then the one on his lower stomach. And lastly, one that went across his shoulder blades. The bruising was becoming more prominent, and by the time Remus was lying in bed, he was asleep.
Sirius had stayed up most of the night listening to him howl and found that he was quite exhausted as well. With careful movements, he pulled the blanket over the werewolf and crawled into bed beside him. Not touching, but still close enough to feel the heat radiating off him.
+++
Pain. Everywhere. Not the worst Remus had ever had, but it was up there. He vaguely remembered how he’d returned to the house. The horrifying image of Sirius carrying him through the halls, helping him shower, and dressing his wounds lingered in his mind. Part of him wished the transformation had killed him, just so he could have avoided the humiliation.
Remus dreaded having to open his eyes and deal with post-transformation agony. Though he noted almost instantly that he wasn’t overheating as he normally would have been, which was odd. All the energy usually turned him into an inferno. Remus stiffened as he registered the weight of a body lying next to him.
He pried his eyes open, giving them a moment to adjust before taking in the dark head of hair that brushed against his chin. He pulled his arm away with a gasp. Moving back so quickly, he almost fell off the bed.
Sirius sat upright in confusion. “What’s going on?”
“What the hell are you doing?” Remus demanded.
Sirius rolled his eyes. “I was sleeping, and then you decided to cuddle me. So the real question should be: What the hell are you doing?”
“I did not cuddle you in my sleep!”
“Oh, but you did. Which really isn’t that big of a deal. I don’t know why you’re freaking out.”
Remus pushed the blanket away, slightly surprised to find himself fully clothed. He didn’t remember that either, and part of him was glad since he doubted he managed it on his own. The rapid movements pulled at his wounds uncomfortably, even though they were starting to heal.
“Come on, Moony. It’s nearly dinner time. Let’s get you something to eat.”
Remus didn’t get up, afraid of how pathetic it would look to try and hobble out of the room. Sirius somehow sensed his hesitation. “I promise, I won’t help, and I won’t laugh.”
Remus gritted his teeth and pushed himself up without saying a word. Sirius smiled smugly and pushed the door all the way open as he waited for Remus to follow.
It took a little while and a lot of will-power, but eventually they made it into the kitchen where Regulus was already busy at the stove. It surprisingly smelled alright.
“Reggie!” Regulus didn’t bother turning around as he stirred whatever was in the pot. “What is that?” Sirius asked in disgust.
Remus pulled out one of the stools at the island and sat down before he collapsed.
“Soup,” Regulus replied.
Sirius turned his nose up at it. “It looks and smells dreadful.”
“Yes, well. I wouldn’t expect you to eat it. There’s blood in the fridge.”
Remus felt his stomach turn at the idea. Sirius, however, smiled and practically skipped to the fridge.
“Wonderful. I’ve been starved.” Remus rolled his eyes as Sirius rifled around the shelves before pulling out one of the blood bags. Remus looked away as Sirius continued his tantrum.
“Is this really all we have? You know I can’t stand this type.” Sirius complained.
Regulus sighed. “Yes, if you would like your own, then you can go out and get it.”
“I don’t know how you can stomach this shit,” he tossed the blood back with a huff. “Guess I’ll continue my fast.”
Regulus turned, glanced at Remus, and then at his brother. “Coming from someone drinking from a werewolf, I don’t think you have room to question my taste.”
Sirius gasped. “Moons, don’t listen. You’re wonderful.”
“Oh, good, I was worried there for a second that you were going to stop,” Remus deadpanned.
Sirius smiled back at him like he wasn’t being sarcastic. “No need to worry.” Then back to his brother. “Literally anything is better than O+.”
“Stop being a dramatic arsehole. It’s the most common blood type in the world and the easiest to get.” Regulus said as he poured the soup into two bowls.
Regulus set one of the bowls in front of him. “I’m assuming you’re hungry.”
Remus stared in surprise before taking the offered spoon and pulling the bowl closer. “Thanks.”
Regulus nodded as he took the other serving and left the kitchen. Sirius finally sat down beside him on another stool. “You’ve never thanked me before.”
“Well, he didn’t kidnap or bite me.”
“Oh my God, when are you going to let that go? I saved your life,” Sirius pouted.
Remus ignored the vampire perched next to him in favor of tasting the warm bowl of soup. Remus looked down at his thigh when he felt a cold pressure. He glared at the hand placed there and then at its owner. Sirius followed his gaze and pulled his hand away as if he hadn’t realized he’d put it there.
“Sorry,” he mumbled. “Is it good?”
Remus swallowed the soup. “It’s very salty.”
“I take it that’s bad in food?” Sirius tilted his head in question. If he weren’t a highly delusional, insane, psychotic, mass murderer, Remus might have thought he resembled a puppy.
“It’s not the best.”
He continued to eat the weird concoction that Regulus called soup. It was a strange mixture of chicken, noodles, and tomatoes. Maybe that’s what the man in the basement was into, but Remus doubted it.
Sirius continued to stare at him as he finished the bowl.
“How do you feel now?” Sirius asked.
Like he wanted to sleep for a month straight in his own bed, with Lily there to make sure he wasn’t suffering through the pain. Even if he’d never admit it to anyone that something was bothering him. She just knew. He also would have liked to know how Teddy was doing. Many members of the pack weren’t accepting of the two of them since they were turned and not born that way.
“I feel like I want to be left alone,” he admitted.
“Come on! That’s no fun,” Sirius whined.
“I’m sorry I’m not entertaining enough for you.”
“What do you usually do the day after?”
“Why do you want to know?”
Sirius shrugged. “Thought maybe there was something I could do to help.”
Remus got up carefully, schooled his face, left his bowl in the sink, and left the room. He didn’t really have a destination in mind, but he ended up sitting in the library anyway. Not even a few minutes later, Sirius was wandering in.
Remus clenched his jaw and glared.
Sirius held up his hands. “Don’t worry. You won't even know I’m here.”
Remus highly doubted that.
+++
Mary locked the door to her apothecary and glanced around the dark street lit by a single overhead lamp. It was late enough that there wasn’t a soul in sight, but that didn’t stop her bracelet from warming against her skin. It didn’t take long to figure out she was being followed.
Knowing exactly who it would be, Mary continued down the street to her destination. It took about five minutes for Rabastan to fall into step beside her.
“Where are you off to at such an hour?” Rabastan asked in his usual flirty drawl that made Mary want to strangle him and his advances.
“Nothing that concerns you,” Mary said without looking over.
She could smell the expensive cologne coming off him and mixing with the cold Autumn air.
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that. You know he likes to know what all the witches are up to–”
“I’m not his witch so he can shove his concern straight up his ass. Though you’re so far up there, you’ll probably feel it.”
Rabastan chuckled deeply. “So testy… Are you sure Black can handle you?” The innuendo wasn’t hard to miss.
The prickle of annoyance she always associated with Rabastan only increased at the mention of Sirius. “He’s more than you’ll ever be, Lestrange.”
“Mary, have I hurt your feelings?” his faux concern shining through. “I apologize. I’ve never bonded with a witch so I wouldn’t know how it felt to be stuck with someone so incompetent. It must be a sore subject.”
Mary dug her nails into the palms of her hands before she exploded. She knew that he was only saying things to wind her up. It was incredibly rare for a witch and a vampire who had been bonded to be romantically involved. It was practically unheard of. The implications of it ending badly were never worth the risk, considering–like Rabastan pointed out–they were stuck with each other. The only escape being death.
“Rabastan, if there is something you need, then spit it out. If not, then fuck off. I have things to do.”
“Careful, Mary. You’re going to upset me.”
Mary stopped in the middle of the street and turned to face Rabastan. He might have been taller, but Mary’s temper soared far above either of them.
“Am I?”
“Mhm, wouldn’t want me to think you’re going against the Dark Lord. It’s one thing to deny him, it’s another to defy.”
“Please,” Mary scoffed. “Don’t tell me this is actually you threatening me. Not even man enough to do it yourself, you have to hide behind your Lord. ”
“I wouldn’t take it so lightly. It was such a shame what happened to Crouch’s witch after going against Riddle. What was her name…?”
“Watch your mouth.”
Rabastan beamed. “Oh, that’s right, you two were friends.”
Mary pushed him into the nearest alley, blind rage and adrenaline giving her enough strength.
“Why are you here? Tell me the truth, or so help me, I will snap your neck and leave you here to rot.”
Rabastan bent his neck, his breath ghosting her cheek as he whispered in her ear. Mary didn’t falter as much as she wanted to step back.
“Maybe I just wanted to see you.”
Mary bit the inside of her cheek hard enough that she could taste the blood coating her tongue as she pushed back to meet his gaze. She looked into his dark eyes through her eyelashes. With a subtle turn of her lips, she felt the magic flow through her until it was crowding to get out.
Rabastan ran the back of his hand down her bare arm. His touch was cold and unwelcome, but that didn’t stop him from taking her hand into his.
She didn’t hold back. Rabastan must have sensed it as his eyes widened before Mary tilted her head and heard the cracking of his neck, before he fell to the ground and lay limp.
With a deep breath and a glance around to make sure no one saw through the cover of the night, she headed back onto the street. “Arsehole.”
Mary kept her pace brisk as she moved through the darkness until she came upon the small church. The lights were still on despite the late hour. She slipped inside and looked around at the lit candles and the woman sitting on one of the benches.
“Minerva,” Mary greeted as she sat beside the older woman.
“Ms. Macdonald. You’re late.”
“I’m sorry, I was held up.” Mary glanced around again. “A church? Really?”
“You know it’s important not to draw attention. And no one can overhear us here.”
“You’ve been listening to Dumbledore again.”
Minerva narrowed her gaze. “I’ve been listening to the spirits, Ms. Macdonald. And they talk.”
“What have they been saying?”
“That you are getting involved in things that you shouldn’t be.” Minerva gave her a pointed look. One Mary was overly familiar with from the decades they’d known each other.
“We’re doing what we have to, you know, we can’t stay out of it.”
Minerva nodded. “Wizards are always getting witches involved in things we never would have started.”
“You don’t have to be, you could get out of here, start over somewhere else. You’ve done it before.”
“I would never leave all you children to fight in a war alone. I will always do what I can.”
Mary smiled at her old mentor knowingly. As much as she complained, she would never leave them. She’d taken so many of the young witches under her wing during the Salem witch trials and never seemed to be able to let them go. Mary being one of them. It wasn’t long after that she found Sirius and made herself practically untouchable.
“What else have the spirits told you?” Mary asked. Minerva wouldn’t have suggested meeting so urgently for idle chit chat.
“There’s been talk of a witch. One that Tom Riddle knew before he became a vampire. Most believe her to be long dead–killed by Riddle himself. But I’ve been hearing whispers.”
“What’s her name?”
“Rowena.”
The floorboards creaked in the distance, causing both their heads to whip around. Nothing was there, but the unease didn’t fail to creep up Mary’s spine. Rabastan would still be out for hopefully the next hour, but he was a pureblood, so he’d likely heal faster, and Mary didn’t like her chances of walking home with a pissed off vampire running around.
Minerva, of course, held that same caution. “I think it’s time we said goodnight.”
Mary nodded. “I suppose you didn’t happen to hear where I could find this witch?”
“If only life were that easy.”
Mary hummed. “Goodnight, Minerva.”
“Goodnight, dear. Watch yourself out there.”
Mary nodded and made her way out of the church.
+++
Remus bolted upright at the sound of glass breaking from the floor below. He pushed the covers away quickly and went to the door. He cracked it open, careful not to make any sound. Just as he made it into the dark hallway, another sickening sound of destruction came from downstairs.
He could faintly hear the sound of Sirius yelling as he got closer to the stairs. The beating of his heart filled his ears as he tiptoed down the long staircase. As his foot hit the landing, Sirius ran in front of him, though he didn’t acknowledge his presence. If Sirius were a dog, Remus is pretty sure his hackles would have been raised. He looked around with large grey eyes, still not turning to Remus on the stairs but blocking his path.
“Sirius, what the hell is going on?” Remus asked in a whisper.
Sirius held up his hand without glancing his way. His eyes were trained on the front door. Remus followed his gaze and tried to focus, but he couldn’t hear anything. That was until Sirius flipped around just in time to be thrown on his back with a smaller, blonde woman straddling his waist–stake raised above his heart. Remus held his breath as he waited for Sirius to either throw her off or the woman to force the stake into his heart.
However, neither of those things happened. Remus clenched the railing hard enough to turn his knuckles white as Sirius started to smile.
The woman spoke first. “Would you like to explain to me why some redhead is looking for a Remus Lupin and why I was led here to find him?”
The woman lowered the stake until the sharp point was touching the loose-fitting shirt Sirius wore.
“Lily?” Remus found himself saying before he could think better of it.
The blonde turned his way, and Sirius finally acknowledged him standing there. “Marls, this is Remus. Remus, Marlene. Now if you don’t mind…”
Marlene huffed and lifted herself before holding out a hand for Sirius to take. Remus watched as they both got to their feet in utter confusion. He was still processing everything when Marlene continued.
“Well?” Her voice was demanding and caused Sirius to roll his eyes.
“I don’t know, Marls, you’d have to ask him.” Sirius pointed to Remus, whose eyes had gone a bit wide with all the information.
Lily was looking for him. Well, that didn’t surprise him. What did catch him off guard was that she had found… whoever exactly Marlene was, and was actually able to track him down. However, the fact that she was talking with Sirius and not breaking him out wasn’t boding well for him.
Marlene turned and raised an eyebrow in question.
“Um. Well, I’d imagine she got worried when I simply disappeared without a word,” Remus supplied.
“Right,” she turned back to Sirius as if he were no longer important. “And I take it since he’s here, you wouldn’t want me spreading that around. Regardless of how much I’m being paid.”
“Tell you what, I’ll double whatever she’d agreed to and won’t mention it when you sneak off to see Dorcas. Win-win for everyone!”
Well, except for Remus. Though if someone was able to find him that easily, then maybe he had a chance of getting out of there. It was just bad luck that Marlene happened to know Sirius. But if Lily were able to get someone else, or kept trying, then surely someone would be able to get him out of there. Or if he could just sneak out somehow–
“Works for me, Black.”
Black?
…Sirius Black? As in one of the oldest and most deadly, unforgiving, psychotic, vampire families to ever exist?
Both heads turned before he realized he’d started laughing uncontrollably.
Oh, he was so fucked.
Notes:
Ah, the first moon with Sirius there to help...
For those waiting on chap 22 of Live Together, Die Alone. Well, I'm sorry. It's taking me a lot longer to write than I thought and then I helped my parents move the entire weekend and haven't had the chance. But hey! I managed to edit this bad boy, so that's something!
Anyways, hope you guys enjoyed! Rosekiller next chapter!
Chapter Text
James registered the sound of someone’s voice before he opened his eyes. He tried his best to remain calm and keep his breathing even to hopefully feign sleep.
“I just don’t see what all the fuss is about,” one of the voices said, clearly male, young–but that didn’t really mean anything when he was surrounded by vampires. “He looks quite average to me.”
“B, you think everyone looks average.” The other voice was also male, slightly deeper than the other.
“Yes, but Reg has been in a real tizzy over this particular fragile human, and I want to know what’s so special.”
“Well, you can always ask him, considering he’s not asleep.”
Shit.
James slowly opened his eyes. Both figures were blurry without the help of his glasses. James quickly grabbed them and slid them onto his face. One of them–dark hair with even darker eyes, tall, lithe, and all sharp angles–was straddling a chair in the center of the small cell. His arms were folded and resting on the back. The other–even taller, blonde, piercing blue eyes, and quite muscular that even if James wasn’t sure he was a vampire was convinced that he’d be able to break him in half with very little effort–was leaning against the doorframe with one foot crossed over the other. They were so different, it was almost comical. The one in the chair was wearing casual clothes that bordered on rugged, while the other was dressed impeccably with formal trousers and a clean, button-down, white shirt (James even thought it might have been ironed–if vampires did that). His hair was perfectly kept, while the darker man’s was a mess like he’d just rolled out of bed, though it didn’t look bad.
The one that he was pretty sure was B got up from the chair and sauntered over to where James was still lying, propped up on his elbow. James quickly scrambled himself into a sitting position and backed up against the wall. Unfortunately, that was as far as he could go. His heart was hammering away in his chest as he visibly swallowed.
The man in the doorway didn’t move as his friend crowded into James' space and ran his hand over James’ cheek. James swatted his hand away, but that only made the other man smile wickedly.
“Well?” B asked.
“Well, what?” James spoke tentatively. He wasn’t sure if these vampires would be as friendly as Regulus.
“What makes you so special? It’s not every day that Regulus locks pretty men in his basement and caters to their every need.”
“Maybe you should be asking him that then.”
“But I’m asking you,” B drawled as he reached out his hand again. “Though, if I had to guess, I would say it's that very intoxicating scent you’ve got going on there. Wouldn’t mind taking a bite myself…”
“Watch it, Barty,” the blonde said with no real concern. “No need to piss Regulus off.”
“He could never be mad at me!” Barty said as he took a step forward. “I’m his favorite,” he said proudly.
Barty retracted his hand, but his gaze remained heavy as he looked over the entirety of James with pure judgment. “Unlike you,” he said. “Who seems to be quickly going from someone Regulus likes, to a pain in the arse. Not really a good look for someone who’s knocking on death's door.”
James swallowed at the threat.
“He’s not wrong,” the blonde said. “For someone in your position, it seems like you’d be trying a little harder to get into the good graces of the person, more or less controlling your life.”
James wasn’t really sure how he was supposed to explain how he’d pretty much always had someone controlling his life, whether he knew it or not. He wasn’t going to start sucking up to the vampire who’d already made it quite clear he had every intention of handing James back over to the worst vampire in history. He’d rather wallow in his self-pity. Well, that’s not true, but he’d just been woken up by two very rude vampires who were set on tormenting him, so there was that.
Barty sighed and retreated just as Evan moved out of the doorway for Regulus to step around him.
“What the hell are you two doing down here?” Regulus asked evenly as he stood in front of Barty and pushed him away.
“Just saying hello, nothing nefarious, Reg. No need to worry,” Barty said with a smile that was all teeth and faux innocence. “Did you not get our present? We left it upstairs for you.”
“I saw. What did this one do?” Regulus asked as he glanced back at James as though he were checking to see if anything had changed.
“Bristol now has one less sadistic sociopath, who likes to cut up young women into itty bitty pieces and sell them on the internet,” Barty explained.
“Hell of a time trying to catch him, but of course, he turned out to be an idiot in the end,” the blonde added.
“Right, and I noticed that he still had a pulse, so I suggest you go take care of that,” Regulus said without taking his eyes off James.
“Fine.” Barty went over to the blonde with a sullen look. “This is what we get for doing something nice, Ev. No one cares anymore…”
The blonde shook his head as he pulled Barty out of the cell and let the door fall closed behind them.
Regulus took a step forward as soon as they were gone. He reached out quickly with cold fingers and held his chin, pushing it slightly to the side as he studied his neck.
“They didn’t bite you, did they?”
James pulled out of his grasp easily. “No.”
“Good.”
James looked at the door and then went back to Regulus. “I’m confused.”
Regulus rolled his eyes and moved the chair around so he could sit properly, facing James. “Evan and Barty like to hunt serial killers. They think it’s fun.”
“Oh, well. That’s nice, I guess.”
“Don’t think too highly of them. They’re not doing it for the good of the public,” Regulus said, but James was pretty sure there was some fondness laced in his tone. “What did they say?”
James was starting to wonder why they couldn’t just ask each other all their questions. “Just wanted to know what made me so special.”
“What did you say?”
“Well, Barty said that it was probably how I smelled, and I didn’t get a chance to answer after that.”
Regulus hummed as though he wasn’t surprised to hear that.
“Do I smell different than other people?” For some reason, he found that extremely unsettling.
“You do. Only up close.”
“Why?”
“You’re bloodline. It’s rare.”
James pushed his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. He was really getting sick of the half answers and vague reasoning.
“I’ll bring you breakfast shortly. I just wanted to make sure you were alright. They can be a lot.”
James nodded and prepared to be left alone once again.
+++
As soon as the sun was up, Marlene pushed the blankets back and got dressed. She pulled the curtains aside to see the Black Lake looming in the distance. A smile turned up her lips as she made her way out of the house and practically skipped through the vast yard before stopping a few feet away from the water's edge. She wasn’t daft enough to get any closer.
“Dorcas?” Marlene asked as she gripped the strap of her bag a little tighter.
She glanced over the part of the lake she could see and waited for the water to bubble. A few seconds later, she spotted the familiar ripple and felt her smile widen.
A head of dark, braided hair came out of the water slowly until she was met with the most beautiful–practically black–eyes. Long eyelashes dispelled a few drops of water as Dorcas approached the lip of the lake. Her dark skin glowed in the warm morning sun.
Marlene lowered herself to the ground and set her bag aside. The grass was damp against her loose-fitting jeans.
“Not going to come in?” Dorcas asked with her melodic drawl that Marlene felt low in her stomach. A pull to obey and take a few steps closer. However, she forced herself to stay grounded lest she end up at the bottom of the lake.
“Why don’t you come out of the water? I know you can.”
“You know I don’t like it out there.” Dorcas swam in a small circle before lifting herself onto a large rock halfway submerged in the glistening water. The blue scales of her tail shimmered in the light as the droplets fell back into the pool. The tips of her fingers ran over the surface of the lake, causing small ripples around her. “So much better in here.”
Marlene felt that same pull to dive headfirst into the water. She shook her head and looked away quickly. “Stop that.”
“You’re stronger than most.”
“I like to think you aren’t trying that hard.”
“Believe what you’d like.”
Marlene drug her bag over to rummage through until her fingers laced around the object she wanted. Dorcas eyed her curiously.
“I brought you another,” Marlene said as she tossed her the small pink stone.
Dorcas caught it easily and studied the smooth surface. Her hands ran over it several times before she looked up with a small smile.
“I like it better when you bring me men.”
Marlene scoffed. “Well, you're going to have to go through Sirius to get one this time.”
Dorcas looked horribly offended. “As if I’d do that. I gave him a few drops of my blood, and he has yet to deliver on his end of the bargain.”
“What are you owed?”
Dorcas smirked as she looked back at the stone. “You don’t want to know.”
Dorcas dropped the stone into the water and watched it disappear. “Are you going to tell me what poor soul had to die for me to get this one?”
“You don’t want to know.”
“Mm. You know it’s dangerous to take things from the dead. You never know what you stumble upon.”
Marlene scoffed. “Yes, ancient wise one. If you don’t like it, then you can give it back.”
Dorcas slipped back into the water and swam to the edge to be closer. She lifted her arms out and rested her chin on her forearms, all the while studying Marlene intently.
“I’m careful with what I take, don’t worry.”
Dorcas blinked slowly, the whites of her eyes becoming more prominent the longer she stayed above the surface. “New necklace?”
Marlene clutched the chain around her neck and shrugged. “I thought it was pretty.”
“It’s beautiful.”
Marlene felt the heat warm her cheeks when she found Dorcas looking at her eyes instead of the necklace.
+++
Sirius didn’t bother checking anywhere else before heading straight to the library. The door slid open easily to reveal his little wolf reading contentedly on one of the large sofas. He saw the exact moment Remus registered his presence as his entire body stiffened. His knuckles became almost white with the force he used to grip the book in his lap.
Sirius thought it was a bit of an overreaction after everything they’d been through together. He practically nursed him back to health and was still met with such animosity. It was ridiculous. Sirius didn’t let it bother him as he moved further into the room.
If he was well enough to be grumpy, then he was well enough for Sirius to push the book out of his way and climb onto his lap. He liked Remus having to tilt his head up to meet his eyes. The man was tall, but Sirius had the advantage when straddling his legs.
It took a lot of self-control not to reach out and trace the scars marking his face. Or to run his hands through the hair he knew was soft.
Remus’s hands fell to the side as Sirius pressed against his chest comfortably. “Jeez. Do you have to be on me?”
“Yes. Jeez,” Sirius attempted to mimic his Welsh accent. “I like the way you say things.”
Remus stared at him like he was the worst thing to ever grace the earth. “Have you eaten?” Sirius asked when the silence became uncomfortable.
From this close, he could see the way Remus bit into the side of his cheek and the sound of his teeth grinding together.
“I did,” he finally replied.
“And are you feeling better now that it’s been a few days?”
“It’s been two.”
“Is that not enough?”
“No. Get off.”
Sirius sighed and dropped his forehead onto Remus’ shoulder. He liked the way the warmth of his skin seeped into Sirius’s own. He felt like he was basking in the sun. Though it was slightly ruined by the way Remus tensed even more underneath him.
Sirius swung his leg over until he was sitting next to him. “Fine. I will keep you company then. My brother’s friends are over and I’d prefer to avoid them.”
“Fine.”
Sirius hopped up and went over to the record player he’d installed when it was clear that if he wanted to spend time with his brother, he was going to have to enjoy the library. Since the man in the basement moved in, Regulus had been suspiciously too occupied to pay much attention to the many books lining the shelves, but Sirius kept that to himself. Especially since Remus seemed to also appreciate the space and would doubtfully return if Reg was there.
Remus’s head snapped up as soon as the song started, and he made his way back to the couch.
“What?” Sirius asked. “You don’t like Bowie?”
“No, I do. I just didn’t think you would.”
“Oh, I love him.” Sirius grabbed one of the books on the table and threw his socked feet onto Remus’ lap. “Met him in the 80s, actually. He was a great lad, that David.”
Remus stared at him like he had lost his marbles, and didn't even bother telling him to move his legs. “You met him?”
“Mhm. It was the craziest thing. Met him in a bar before one of his concerts–mind you, this was before he was well-known–but we got to talking and he invited me to the show. Think I fell in love that night…” Sirius tipped his head back onto the armrest as he thought back to that night. He had half a mind to turn him on the spot and keep him forever, but alas, he refrained. Self-control and all that.
“So, what was he like?” Remus asked, though he was back to looking at the book in his hand.
Sirius lowered his own, that he had no real intention of reading, and smiled.
Somehow, they spent the next hour talking about Bowie and other artists that Sirius had met over the years.
“Okay, now you’re just lying,” Remus said, his book forgotten.
Sirius sat up a little straighter, though his feet remained in Remus’ lap. “I am not.”
“Right, you expect me to believe that you slept with Andy Warhol?”
“Well, you’re allowed to believe whatever you like, but that doesn’t change the fact that it happened. And slept with might be a tad of an exaggeration. I sucked him off after running into him at a museum.”
Remus looked at him skeptically. “Okay, and how was it?”
“Oh, painfully average. There was a reason it ended there.”
Remus laughed through his nose before immediately scoffing.
Sirius found himself smiling as he watched the wolf try not to enjoy himself.
A little while later, Remus started shifting around uncomfortably. He lifted Sirius's legs slightly as he repositioned.
“What are you doing?” Sirius asked.
“I can’t sit like this anymore,” Remus admitted, like it was the be-all, end-all.
Oh, the horrors of sitting in one position for too long and needing to move. Sirius rolled his eyes internally, but was kind enough to extract his feet. Sirius craned his neck to look at the clock hung over the unlit fireplace and was surprised to see it was nearing the late afternoon.
“Come on, you must be hungry.”
Sirius pulled himself up and brushed off his trousers as he waited for Remus to stand. Surprisingly, the wolf didn’t even argue; he simply followed Sirius down the stairs. Sirius froze as soon as they reached the landing. He pinched the bridge. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Sirius mumbled under his breath.
“Is that blood?” Remus asked from where he was stopped behind him.
Sirius pulled himself a little straighter, glanced at Remus, and made his way toward the kitchen. He wasn’t sure what he was going to be walking into, but no amount of time could have prepared him properly.
“Holy shit.” Sirius heard from behind him. “Oh, I think I’m going to be sick.”
Sirius didn’t bother glancing back to know that Remus quickly excused himself.
“What the fuck did you two do?” Sirius demanded as his eyes flitted over the room.
Barty sat with his arse on the counter, Evan wedged between his legs–still with their tongues down each other’s throat like Sirius hadn’t just interrupted. There was blood splattered on the cabinets, along with other human entrails. Sirius could just spot what was left of the mangled corpse on the other side of the island.
Evan finally pulled himself away from Barty when Sirius cleared his throat for the third time. “We’re heroes!” Barty threw his arms up in exasperation. A trail of crimson streaked down his chin until it disappeared into his shirt.
“No, you’re trespassing buffoons who ruined my kitchen!”
“It’s not that bad,” Evan said as he glanced around. Somehow, the man had kept his neat dress clothes pristine. The only evidence was the red streaking through his blonde hair that probably ended up there by Barty’s filthy hands.
“Just make your werewolf clean it, maybe he could actually do something useful,” Barty said offhandedly.
“Um, no. He will not be doing any such thing!”
Just as Sirius was devolving into his tantrum, the door swung open to reveal Regulus.
“Really? I was gone for like twenty minutes.”
“We got bored!” Barty whined.
Regulus rolled his eyes as he stepped around the body to get to the sink. “Whatever, just clean it.”
“Regulus, you have two perfectly good hostages. Why do we have to do it?” Evan complained.
“James is not setting foot in this kitchen, regardless of whether it’s spotless or not.”
“Okay, then what about the wolf?” Barty repeated.
However, before Sirius could vocalize his clear refusal to allow Remus anywhere near the bloody entrails of some deranged freak, knowing Evan and Barty, he was probably a psychotic murderer better off dead.
“You made the mess, you clean it,” Regulus said calmly as he rinsed off the plate, dried it, and stuck it back in the cupboard.
“FINE,” Barty got off the counter and dug through the cabinets until he found a trash bag. “At least Dorcas will appreciate us when we bring her a bag of treats.”
Sirius scowled when he was told he wasn’t allowed to leave because they had things to discuss about the next meeting with Riddle.
Mary walked through the door on the other side of the kitchen just as Barty managed to stuff all the loose body parts into the plastic bag.
“Oh, lovely.”
“Mary!” Barty yelled. “Oh, would you be a doll and whisk all this away?”
Mary glanced at Sirius with a raised brow. Sirius set himself on one of the stools that managed to stay relatively clean.
“What did this one do?” Mary asked as she used her magic to clean the pools of blood from the floor and cabinets.
Evan went into an in-depth tale of how they came to have a certain serial killer in their clutches and why he deserved every second of pain that he got.
“You know, we figured since he was cutting women up, he wouldn’t mind going out like that.” Barty reasoned.
When everything was clean and Dorcas had delivered her gift, they returned to the task at hand. They’d all gathered in the living room, Remus still nowhere to be seen. Sirius made a mental note to make sure he brought him something to eat when they were done with their plotting.
“So, I heard from my source that the spirits know about a lead into Riddle’s past. I don’t have much, but I’m going to do some digging,” Mary said as she sipped her tea. “Also, Lestrange has been following me. I don’t know if it’s Riddle being suspicious or Rabastan being a pain.”
“Either way, you should be cautious. The Lestrange’s are an old family; it wouldn’t be good to get on their bad side,” Regulus said diplomatically.
“Might be too late for that, I may have snapped Rabastan’s neck and left him in an alley.”
“Mary!” Sirius exclaimed.
Mary rolled her eyes. “He was mouthing off about things he shouldn’t have.” No one missed the subtle glance she threw Barty’s way.
The man grew quiet, his eyes clouding over just slightly. No one brought her up anymore. Even after all those years, it was a sore spot that Barty was never going to move on from.
Evan took his hand silently.
“Just be careful,” Regulus reiterated. “That goes for everyone. The closer Riddle gets to completing whatever ritual he intends to do, he’s going to get even more paranoid.”
“So, the man in the basement… Is Pandora any closer to finding something to give us an advantage?” Sirius asked.
“She’s coming over tonight with something to try.”
“I still don’t think we should let him go through with the ritual at all,” Barty said. “Seems too risky if we aren’t able to take him out, whatever he’s doing, I doubt it’s going to make him weaker after the fact.”
That wasn’t the first time Barty had brought up the idea that they may fail and fuck themselves even further.
Regulus took a deep breath. “That’s why we need to figure out what the ritual is, and then we can decide if it’s worth it to go through with it or not. It’s not like we have the power to stop it now.”
“I mean…” Evan started. “We have a pretty big piece of the puzzle sitting in the basement. If we just eliminate him from the equation, then Riddle can’t complete shit.”
“And how exactly would we explain that to Tommy?” Sirius asked. “Even if it wasn’t our fault, he’d kill us all and everyone we’ve ever met just for not keeping him alive. It would all be for nothing.”
“I think we all know that’s a death wish,” Mary said as she set her cup aside. “Speaking of, where the hell is Theo, and why isn’t he back yet?”
“He checked in yesterday,” Sirius said. “Said he was still on some assignment from Riddle and would be back soon.”
“Is this still about what his parents did? He was ten when Riddle killed them, and he’s still punishing Theo,” Barty huffed.
When they’d concluded that nothing had really changed and they’d continue to do as they already were, Sirius excused himself to the kitchen and assembled what he hoped was an improved sandwich from the last time.
Remus wasn’t in the library.
Sirius wandered around the house until he circled back and found him tucked away in his room. He was sitting with his back against the headboard, book in his lap, and a dazed expression. Remus glanced over as the door creaked open.
“I brought you lunch… Well, late lunch.”
Remus swallowed and put the book aside, though he didn’t say anything. Sirius wasn’t exactly sure how he was supposed to go about this. He liked that Remus had started talking to him, and the kitchen incident probably set them back to the beginning. Sirius couldn’t really blame him all that much either.
Sirius sat at the foot of the bed with his legs crossed and handed over the plate. “Sorry about earlier. If it makes you feel any better, the guy definitely deserved it.”
“Right.” Remus took the plate and set it in his lap, but he didn’t attempt to eat it.
Sirius sighed. Back to square one.
+++
James flipped through the pages of the latest book Regulus had left him as he waited for dinner. That was what his life had come to: waiting for the next meal and hoping it wasn’t his last. The surprise visit from Evan and Barty wasn’t exactly pleasant, but at least it was a change in the normal routine.
As much as James didn’t want to give in, he hoped Regulus would stay for a while that night and play chess with him again. The thought left him unsettled since he shouldn’t want that. He should be fighting against it all. But then James would think about the last month and a half that he’s been there and found that he didn’t really mind Regulus all that much. He figured that as far as vampires went, he wasn’t all that bad.
He was funny in the dry sense of humor sort of way. He never lied that James was aware of, but then again, James isn’t exactly the best judge of character, it would seem. It also didn’t hurt that he wasn’t bad to look at either, but James wasn’t thinking about that. He absolutely wasn’t, it’s just, he has eyes… James pressed the heels of his palms into them until he started seeing little black dots. He was probably developing some sort of Stockholm Syndrome. At least he wouldn’t be around long enough for it to matter…
A little while later, the door creaked open enough for Regulus to slip inside with a new plate of food and a bottle of water. James set the book aside and sat up a bit straighter. He had to admit that Regulus’s culinary skills were improving slightly. The soup at least didn’t taste like the ocean anymore with the amount of salt he thought was necessary.
James accepted the plate and furrowed his brows, thinking he might need to take back everything he had just thought.
“What… what is this?” James asked as he poked it with the fork.
Regulus looked at him with concern as he sat in the chair that hadn’t moved from earlier. “It’s chicken.”
“Okay, and what’s this?” James pointed to the pile of green much that looked horribly unappetizing.
“Peas. And green beans.”
“You mixed them?”
“Was I not supposed to do that?”
“I mean, normally no. But then you also mashed them?”
“The picture on the back of the chicken seasoning box looked like they were mashed.”
James thought for a moment until it clicked. “Reg, I’m pretty sure that was creamed spinach.” James could almost picture the box Regulus was talking about perfectly.
“Reg?” Regulus asked. James hadn’t realized he’d even said it.
“Oh, sorry. It slipped out, I guess. Your name’s a mouthful.”
Regulus nodded thoughtfully. “I don’t mind.”
James ate the chicken, which wasn’t too bad (completely overcooked, but that was better than raw). He even tried the green mixture since Regulus was watching him expectantly. It wasn’t exactly good, but it was edible, so he finished it and set the plate aside.
“Pandora’s coming over in a little while; she has something she wants to try.”
James’ eyes went a little wide as his heart rate sped up. The witch was lovely when she wasn’t prying into his head with enough force to make it feel like it was about to burst.
“Oh, okay then.” James tried to keep his voice even, but he wasn’t sure he succeeded in the cool and calm department.
Regulus gave him a sympathetic look. “Do you want to play chess until she gets here?”
James nodded far too eagerly. He was hopeless.
Two games went by before the blonde showed up. Regulus spoke with her outside the cell for a moment before they both came back in. Regulus didn’t look thrilled about whatever it was. James wasn’t sure if that worked in his favor or not.
“Hello, James,” Pandora said with a smile.
“Hi.” James finished putting the chess pieces back in the box, assuming they’d be done for the night. Not that James actually knew how late it had grown. All he knew was that he was tired enough that he could probably fall asleep.
Pandora pulled out a little clear bottle and handed it to him as he repositioned himself on the bed. “What’s this?”
“Hopefully, it’s something that will turn your blood toxic without showing any signs.”
James clenched his jaw, half tempted to throw the bottle on the ground and watch it shatter. He felt like a guinea pig. He opened his mouth to argue and then closed it, figuring it wouldn’t do much. Their sole purpose for him was to get them some sort of advantage. He doubted his well-being was taken into account or cared for. Though the look on Regulus’ face softened his anger just slightly.
“Regulus will stay with you the entire night to make sure nothing goes wrong. You shouldn’t even know anything is different. If something happens, Reg will give you another potion which will reverse all the effects immediately,” Pandora explained.
“So I won’t feel any different?” James asked as he swirled the clear liquid around. “It’s not going to make my blood boil or something awful?”
“If I’ve done everything right, then no. Reg being here is just a safety measure. I’m confident you’ll be just fine.”
Regulus took a deep breath. “Pan, I trust you with my life, but are you sure about this?”
“Honestly, I’m more concerned that it won’t do anything at all than that it actually hurts him. Like I said, just a precaution.”
They both turned to him as if he were supposed to give some sort of blessing. “You want me to drink it now?”
Pandora nodded.
Regulus moved to sit beside him, which was honestly the closest he’s ever been to the vampire. It was strange. Not bad, just different. There wasn’t any warmth to him. Regulus reached for his hand. “Do you mind?”
James shook his head and placed his hand in Regulus’. Cold. But also smooth and soft.
James pulled the cork out with his teeth and hesitated for a moment before drinking the clear liquid. The sweetness of it was surprising.
Nothing happened. He held his breath waiting for the pain to come, or something, really anything. But it never did. Both grey and blue eyes watched him intently to see if he was going to keel over at any moment. Again, that didn’t happen. James couldn’t help but feel the whole thing was a bit anticlimactic.
“So, what now?” James finally broke the silence.
“I need to taste your blood to see if it worked. Just a couple drops,” Regulus said.
James nodded. “Right. Sure, I guess.”
James felt the sharp sting in the tip of his finger as Regulus bit into his flesh. James watched without blinking as he sucked on his finger. His stomach fluttered as Regulus opened his eyes and looked at James through his eyelashes. However, they weren’t a steel gray anymore; instead, a dark red filled his irises. Bluish purple veins slithered under his eyes.
James was finally forced to breathe when Regulus pulled away.
“Well,” Pandora asked impatiently. Regulus still hadn’t looked away from James.
“I don’t think it worked,” the vampire responded.
Pandora sighed. “That was my fear. It should have been instantaneous, but if you could try again in a few hours, that would be great.”
James pulled his hand away to inspect his finger, which was perfectly spotless.
Pandora didn’t stay long after it was clear that James was fine and whatever it was she was attempting hadn’t worked. Or at least it hadn’t worked yet.
Regulus moved himself back to the chair after letting James out to use the bathroom and get changed. James lay down and prepared to sleep when he opened his eyes to find Regulus still staring at him.
“Are you going to do that all night?”
“I was told to watch you.”
“It’s freaking me out. I don’t think I can sleep while being stared at.”
Regulus sighed and grabbed one of the books from the small pile that had formed. A little while later, James was still awake and completely unsettled. He didn’t like being watched.
James rolled back over to find Regulus still sitting in the chair with his eyes heavy-lidded and the book left forgotten on his lap.
“You’re going to fall off that chair,” James said, which startled Regulus enough to send the book clattering to the ground.
“M’fine.” Regulus yawned into his hand. “Need to check your blood anyway.”
“Lovely.”
James blinked the sleep from his eyes as Regulus came to sit beside him. James flopped his arm into his lap and closed his eyes. It didn’t exactly hurt when Regulus bit into his finger; of course, there was a slight pinch, but really, it was actually quite sensual. Maybe James was just losing his mind.
That was a strong possibility.
After a moment, Regulus gently set his hand down and hummed. “Pandora will be disappointed.”
James didn’t respond for a moment as Regulus started to get up.
“Does that mean you’re leaving?” James found himself waking more in the moment.
Regulus shook his head. “No, better not.”
Before he could sit back in the chair, James lifted the blanket. “Do you want to lie down?”
“Pardon?”
James almost laughed at the formality. Though that was probably how they spoke eons ago whenever Regulus became a vampire. James wasn’t sure how old he was, but the way he carried himself, the tone, and word choice all pointed to someone who’d been around when they were still saying good day, sir, or by jove!.
Regulus blinked a few times in the dim lighting. “You want me to lie next to you?”
“Well, I’m not sleeping on the floor in my own cell,” James giggled at his joke. Regulus didn’t seem quite as amused, but there was a slight upturn to his mouth. “So, yes, that is the idea.”
Regulus seemed to be frozen with indecision. “I’m cold.”
James furrowed his brow. “I’m sure you’d be warmer if you were under the blanket then.”
This time, Regulus actually smiled. “No, I mean I haven’t eaten in a little while, so my body isn’t very warm.”
“Oh,” James wasn’t really sure how to respond to that. “I don’t mind.”
Regulus nodded. “Alright then. It will probably be easier this way for me to tell if anything goes wrong.” It sounded more like he was trying to convince himself of the fact than James, but he didn’t point it out.
Regulus lay down on the small bed next to James without touching him a single time. It was actually quite impressive and a little disconcerting how he could hold himself so stiff and still at the edge of the mattress. James threw the blanket over the top of him. He stared at the back of his head as he bit the inside of his cheek.
“Can I ask you something?” James asked quietly.
Regulus shifted until he was lying on his back–still not touching James. “Alright.”
“How old are you?”
Regulus looked over with raised eyebrows. “Out of all the things you could be wondering about, that’s what is keeping you up?”
“Not really. I was just curious, and I figured it was one of the things you might actually tell me.”
Regulus turned his attention to the ceiling, a look of guilt washing over his features before dissipating back into indifference.
James had noticed he did that a lot. A strong emotion would flash across his face, and then it would be gone. Blink and you miss it.
“I suppose I’ve lost count over the years. Somewhere around seven hundred, I’d say.”
James stilled. “Oh.”
Regulus turned his head again until he could see the cool gray of his eyes. He could still picture the piercing red they’d turned.
“What’s it like?” James asked quietly.
“Which part?”
“All of it, I guess.”
“Well, I’ve never really known anything different.”
“I mean, you were human once…”
Regulus shook his head. “James, I thought you knew about vampires.”
“I do, obviously.”
“I was not ever human. I was born a vampire.”
James stared at him for several seconds. “I’m confused.”
Regulus laughed through his nose, looking far too amused. “You might know of our existence, but do you know any of the history?”
James thought of things that Albus had told him: cold, evil, bloodthirsty creatures that deserved nothing but death.
“I suppose not.”
“Well, it all started with Tom Riddle, actually–”
“The guy who wants me dead.”
Regulus nodded. “Yes, him. He started as a wizard many, many years ago. But he wanted more; more power, immortality, strength. He wanted it all. So, he figured out how to achieve it and, in the process, turned himself into a vampire. Traded his magic for something far more deadly.
“Later, he turned twenty-eight other witches and wizards, creating the sacred twenty-eight. The oldest and strongest vampire families. Of course, over the years, there have been more, but no one really acknowledges them. One thing Riddle didn’t account for was the amount we still rely on witches to survive. We can’t conceive without their magic, can’t walk in the sun, aren’t as strong…”
“So Pandora…?”
“I’m bonded to her. It’s a long process that I will spare you the details of. But basically, I draw from her and she from me. I’m stronger; she’s immortal as long as I live. It’s a give-and-take sort of thing. Emotionally as well. Not every vampire chooses that, though; it takes a certain kind of connection beforehand for it to even work.”
“I’m not sure I fully understand, but I’ve seen the way the two of you interact. It’s like you’re the same person sometimes, or, I guess, more accurately would be to say you act like twins.”
Regulus laughed. “Evan would love that. He’s actually her twin.”
James’s head hurt from trying to process it all. “But he’s a vampire… So he was turned?”
“No, he’s part of the twenty-eight. We’re technically descended from witches, so every once in a while, a witch will pop up instead.”
“And she didn’t want to bond with her brother? Can you do it more than once?”
“It’s an extremely emotional thing; Pandora has part of my soul. To do that with a family member or a lover could turn out badly. You only met Barty briefly, but he lost his witch; he calls himself a cautionary tale. But it broke him in a way that could never be fixed. Now imagine that with someone you’re also in love with or your twin.”
“I suppose that makes sense.”
There was a beat of silence where James thought Regulus had fallen asleep, but then the vampire glanced over.
“Do you have children?” James found himself asking. Surely someone so old would have already experienced everything possible.
Regulus laughed. “No, definitely not like that. I have turned a few people, though.”
“So, not all vampires are born then?” James was having a hard time keeping track of all the information he was learning; more questions sprang from every answer he was given.
“No. It’s frowned upon to turn a human. Doesn’t happen all that much; they’re seen as lesser, I suppose. I turned Barty, and I’m fairly certain if he wasn’t so loyal, he would have ripped my head off by now, and there wouldn’t have been anything I could do to stop it.”
“So you don’t believe that?”
“No. I don’t think it matters whether you started as a witch or a human or whatever else. Once you’re a vampire, that’s that. It isn’t as if you can reverse it. It’s not really a big deal in other parts of the world. Most of the ones that Riddle has turned from witches are still scattered across Europe. The humans that have been turned chose to leave and make lives away from the scrutiny, and in time, more were turned.
“It takes a lot for a vampire to conceive, so our numbers–purebloods as we’re called–have dwindled over the years. I think that scares Riddle.”
“Is that what the ritual is for then? To make more?”
“No, I honestly am not sure what it will achieve. Riddle spits so much nonsense on the matter about making us stronger and keeping the lines healthy and more powerful than other creatures, but it’s all bullshit if you don’t have your head up your arse.”
James laughed. He’d never heard such improper language from the little vampire lying next to him. Regulus turned his head and scowled.
“You’re laughing at me?”
“No,” James cleared his throat. “No, this is all just a lot to take in, is all.”
“You should sleep.”
James nearly pouted. “You never answered my question.”
“And what question was that?”
“What’s it like?”
Regulus shifted around a bit, his arm brushing against James’ hand. “It’s exhausting, I suppose. It can get boring. But there are also endless possibilities. An entire world of things to explore.”
James closed his eyes as he listened to Regulus talk about what his life was like. He didn’t know when he’d fallen asleep, but it was to the silky sound of his voice quietly whispering next to him.
James tried to roll over, only to find that he couldn’t move. He blinked a few times to clear his vision. He tilted his chin down to see a head of black hair fanned over his chest. After a few more blinks of confusion, he remembered that he’d asked Regulus to sleep next to him and now had Regulus asleep, well, on him.
Regulus had seemingly curled himself up, much like a cat, against James’ side. For a seven-hundred-year-old, deadly vampire, he looked quite delicate. Fragile even. Using his free hand–the one that wasn’t trapped under the sleeping man–James gently pushed the few loose curls out of Regulus’ closed eyes. Apart from wiggling his nose, he didn’t stir. James smiled to himself. Was he allowed to feel the warmth that fluttered through his chest? It didn’t seem like he was.
But if he was going to die anyway… well then, what would be the harm?
Notes:
Oh James...didn't anyone ever tell you that it's not a good idea to cuddle with a vampire?
Rosekiller! Dorlene! Things are happening!
Up next, we'll be getting our first moonflower and prongsfoot interactions! It's so weird not having James and Sirius already be friends.
Thanks for reading! <3
Chapter Text
Remus laid in bed most of the morning, unable to get the scent of blood out of his head. Or the images of red covering every surface of his mind. He knew it wasn’t real, only a lingering memory of the last time he’d spent a moon with his first pack.
He was barely twenty years old, watching his new family get slaughtered for nothing more than existing. The people who died had been kind, wonderful, selfless werewolves who took him in after he left his parents at eighteen. He still didn’t know how he survived; most of the events were a blur as they were every month when he’d shifted into the wolf and left his human self behind. By the morning, he was in a forest, naked, covered in blood, and surrounded by nothing but bodies. Horrifying carnage and a child that somehow also made it through the night. Remus couldn’t fall apart, not when someone else–a kid who’d been bitten only a month before–was counting on him to know what to do next.
It took three moons to find another pack, three moons that they barely made it through alive. Vampires were relentless and unforgiving when it came to werewolves. Remus always thought the pack leaders were exaggerating in their worries. A tactic to keep the younger members in line. Until it happened. Until Remus was washing their blood from his tired limbs in freezing waters in the middle of the woods.
The pack they landed with next wasn’t filled with the kind-hearted, welcoming folk that he grew accustomed to. No, they were weary, untrusting, and harsh. Being a bitten wolf hadn’t helped either of them. The initiation was brutal; more blood and destruction. But at least there was a sense of safety. Wolves could survive if they were ruthless and had the numbers to defend themselves. It wasn’t the life he wanted for the kid he basically considered his own–even if he was only ten years older–but for the time being, it kept them alive.
When his stomach growled again, he finally forced himself out of bed. He just assumed that if he waited long enough, Sirius would bring him breakfast, and he wouldn’t have to leave his room. However, that didn’t happen. Because, of course, the one time that Remus actually wanted to see the vampire, he was nowhere in sight. Probably off sharpening his teeth or whatever vampires do in their free time.
Before leaving the room, he did a quick check at the window to see if whatever was keeping him in had disappeared. It hadn’t. He knew he needed to find a way to get in contact with Lily. Sirius told the blonde woman–Marlene–to tell Lily that he was dead. Remus wasn’t about to let Lily think that he’d been kidnapped and killed. She deserved better than that. He thought about asking Marlene outright not to do that, but he didn’t think his chances of her listening were all that great, considering she was friends with Sirius.
He lingered outside the door to the kitchen for a moment before taking a deep breath and forcing himself to enter. He couldn’t smell the blood anymore, only the phantom traces from the darkest corners of his mind. Besides, it wouldn’t do him any good to starve. Especially when he was the sole food source for an overzealous vampire that had serious boundary issues. The thought of passing out because he was fatigued and malnourished twisted his stomach more than Sirius needed to be constantly near him.
Remus wasn’t sure he realized what he was doing half the time and still somehow ended up on his lap like it was the most natural thing in the world. It wouldn’t have been so bad if it weren’t for the fact that Sirius was a vampire. Filthy, bloodsucking, dead vampire.
Remus might be a monster, but at least he had the decency to feel shame about it. And he was only a danger one night a month (if he couldn’t convince the pack to seclude themselves in the woods, which he was usually successful at unless Grayback was present). Vampires were a threat every hour of the day. Unless they had to deal with the sun, however, considering how many witches he’d seen wandering around, Remus could only assume the sun was an issue of the past.
Regulus was putting something on a plate that he was pretty sure was supposed to be scrambled eggs. What made it onto the porcelain surface was a bit too runny and a bit too light in color, but Remus wasn’t going to mention it since it didn’t look like he’d made enough to share.
“Morning,” Regulus said.
Sirius had told him to stay clear of his brother, but he seemed to live in the kitchen. Making food for whatever poor soul was trapped in a different part of the house. Since learning the lineage in which he’d been taken hostage, Remus’ hope of escaping with his life had dwindled to almost nothing. Whoever else was in the house probably didn’t fare much better.
In a way, that newfound discovery made him far less careful since he knew his fate was pretty much sealed. He was forced to be in a house with soulless creatures that claimed otherwise. The least he could do was whatever the hell he wanted in the time he had left on that cruel earth.
“Morning,” Remus replied as he sat on one of the stools and waited for Regulus to be done with whatever health hazard he was creating.
“I didn’t make you any. Sirius said you hadn’t gotten up.”
“That’s fine.” He doubted he’d eat whatever was on that plate anyway. “Who do you cook for anyway?”
Regulus glanced up at him through his eyelashes. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Ow!” Remus yelped. He looked down at his ankle to see clear teeth marks. He followed the creature that created them to a small food bowl at the end of the kitchen island. “What the fuck.”
“Are you really surprised that a cat doesn’t like you? Wolf,” the tinge of disgust in Regulus’ tone wasn’t missed.
“I wasn’t even doing anything.”
“You reek. And because of that, you’re going to get us all killed, so drink your damn tea.”
Regulus picked up the tray of food and left the kitchen, the cat following closely on his heels.
Remus watched him go for a moment before getting up and filling the kettle with water. The familiar irritation pooled at the surface of his skin as he cracked an egg into the pan and waited for the water to boil.
He hated vampires.
Remus had finished his tea as he stirred the eggs–which weren’t a watery mess. When the quiet sound of the door opening and closing sounded behind him, he didn’t turn around. He already knew who it was.
Two arms snaked around his waist as Sirius pulled himself close. Remus paid him no mind as he finished the eggs and flipped off the heat.
“Are you still mad at me?” Sirius asked.
Remus furrowed his brow. He wasn’t particularly happy with him, but he wasn’t exactly sure what Sirius was referring to this time.
“I’m always mad at you,” Remus decided.
He moved the pan away from the burner but found himself held in place. Remus huffed his annoyance, but it didn’t deter the man pressed against him. Sirius shuffled his hands against Remus’ chest, causing him to look down at the item presented.
“What is that?” Remus asked as he, too, in the small bar of chocolate Sirius was offering.
“Chocolate.”
“Why?”
“I looked up how to make someone not be mad anymore, and Google said that chocolate usually works,” Sirius sounded awfully proud of himself, if not a little hesitant.
Remus raised his eyebrows as he plucked the chocolate from his hands and inspected it. He didn’t recognize the brand, but just based on the packaging, it looked expensive. Leave it to a rich arsehole to unknowingly spend an arm and a leg for a simple sweat.
Finally, Sirius relented and stepped back. When Remus turned around, and was met with wide eyes and skin that was far paler than it had been the previous day. The almost translucent skin matched the temperature in which he felt when Sirius was wrapped around him: cold.
Ice cold.
Remus grabbed a plate and ate his eggs while being watched, which wasn’t creepy at all.
+++
Regulus went into the basement with Kreacher in tow. He knew the cat didn’t appreciate having a werewolf around, and Regulus strongly agreed. Kreacher also didn’t appreciate it when all the kids came around and ruffled him up, though Kreacher didn’t bite any of them. He usually hid when he realized the error of making himself known.
He did bite Sirius whenever the occasion arose, but that was just funny.
Regulus was a little late this morning–due to a quick visit with Dorcas–so James was already awake and sitting up against the wall. The door creaked open as Kreacher rudely pushed past Regulus's legs to slink into the small space.
James’ face immediately lit up upon seeing the big ball of fur meander in.
“You have a cat?” he asked in awe.
“His name is Kreacher,” Regulus responded.
James nodded as he moved himself to the floor and sat with his legs bent under him.
“Hello, Kreacher,” James mused with a smile.
The cat gave him an appraising look, a few sniffs, and a quiet meow before reaching his verdict. Regulus raised his eyebrows at the sight of Kreacher crawling onto James’ lap and swiftly curling up.
James carefully stroked his fur without any protest from the cat. Regulus set the tray of food on the end of the bed and pulled the chair away from the wall so he could sit. James spoke softly to Kreacher as he lifted him and set him on the bed. The cat didn’t even seem upset about it either. Regulus stared in amusement as James continued like nothing had happened and pulled the plate onto his lap.
“Eggs…?”
Regulus felt the warmth in his cheeks. “Yes. And toast.”
“Right. Looks delicious.”
Regulus knew he was lying by the way he hesitantly bit into the bread and stared at the mess of yellow.
“Okay, what did I do wrong this time?” Regulus asked in exasperation. How humans kept themselves fed was a mystery to him.
James laughed. “Oh, nothing. I’ve just never seen them quite this… soupy?”
“When I cracked the egg, it looked even worse, trust me.”
James looked at him with amusement. “Well, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
James ate for a few moments in silence before setting the plate aside and petting Kreacher gingerly. “So, can I ask you something?”
Regulus took a deep breath; he never really knew where James would go with his questions. “Sure.”
“What were the 1500s like?”
“Exhausting, honestly. I spent the better part of it looking for my brother.”
“Where’d he go?” Kreacher stretched until his front paws were resting comfortably on James’ thigh.
Regulus shifted uncomfortably. “He had a… disagreement with our parents, so I had to go find wherever they put him as a punishment.”
James furrowed his brow. “Is that… like a common thing that vampires do? Hide their children?”
“For some, I guess. Though I don’t really know anyone else’s mother who shoved them in a box for two hundred years,” Regulus said as he shook his head in exasperation.
James’ eyes went a little wide at that. “Oh, that’s um– that’s not great.”
“No, but things got better when he found Mary.”
“Mary?”
“Sirius’s witch. They bonded shortly after the Salem witch trials. He saved her life, actually.”
“So Mary is like what Pandora is for you?”
Regulus nodded.
“That’s nice.”
Regulus could almost see the wheels turning in his head as he took in the new information. “Speaking of Sirius, I have to help Pandora with something, so he will be bringing your lunch.”
“Oh,” James took a deep breath. “Another vampire?”
Regulus’ lip turned up at the corner. “We’re not so bad.” Regulus was just glad James didn’t walk in on whatever Barty and Evan had been up to, like Sirius’ wolf did. He did not want to deal with the fallout of that mess.
“So, what should I expect? Is he like you?” James asked.
“And what am I like?” Regulus asked.
“Considerate. Nice, I guess.”
“You guess?”
“Well, I am being held in your basement waiting to be sacrificed, so that takes off a few points. Sorry,” he definitely did not sound sorry about it.
“Fair enough,” Regulus thought for a moment. “Sirius is far more outgoing than I am. He’ll probably ask you a lot of questions. He doesn’t like it when people don’t like him, so I guarantee he’ll try to win you over somehow.”
“Like you’ve won me over with your wonderful cooking?”
Regulus tilted his head. “You’re being sarcastic, aren’t you?”
“Maybe.”
“I don’t think it’s that bad…”
“Well, I don’t see you trying it.”
“I could eat the best food in the entire world and still find it to be disgusting.”
Another beat passed as James directed his attention to Kreacher.
“Can I ask you another question?” James said eventually.
“James, you can ask me whatever you want. I can’t guarantee I’ll answer, but I won’t lie to you.”
James stared at him for a minute. “Oh, yeah, okay.”
“Well?”
“Oh, right. I was just wondering, you said that you were born a vampire–which I’m still having a hard time wrapping my head around–but anyway… How do you like, stop aging? Cause I’ve seen different vampires who look a lot older than you do.”
“Oh, it’s quite simple, really. The first time we die, we stop aging.”
“So you died?”
“Several times over the years, actually.”
“Right… How did it happen the first time?”
“I drowned.”
James sucked in a breath. “That sounds horrible.”
“I don’t remember it much, to be honest.”
“And the other times?”
Regulus thought back through the years. He didn’t particularly like thinking about all the horrible things that had happened, but if it would satisfy James’ curiosity, then he would answer. It was far better than the silent treatment. “I’ve had my neck snapped a few times, starved a couple–which is by far the worst–stabbed once…”
“Jesus Christ,” James said under his breath. “You look perfectly fine, though.”
“Yes, I’ve healed since then.”
“So what would actually kill you? Like what would be permanent?”
Regulus smiled. Any other time, if someone were to ask how to kill him, he’d consider that a threat; however, looking at James’ earnest eyes, all he can see is interest and bemusement. “There are a few different ways. Wooden stake, ripping my heart out, cutting my head off… Oh, and if I were to stand in the sun without my daylight ring.”
“What’s that? Also, how the hell do you rip someone’s heart out?”
“For me, it would be fairly easy. I don’t imagine you would be able to do without a lot of effort and luck. Even then, you’d probably get yourself killed.” Regulus lifted his hand to show him the silver band that rested on his middle finger. “It’s spelled by a witch to keep me from burning in the sun. Most vampires have them.”
“And the ones that don’t?”
“I suppose they just don’t go out into the sun. Riddle will sometimes take them away from vampires as a punishment.”
“That sounds miserable.”
“I would imagine so.”
James nodded as he absorbed the new information. “Can you turn into a bat?”
Regulus laughed. “No, I can’t turn into a bat. However, Barty can turn into a raven, but that has more to do with his impulsiveness and witch than it does with him being a vampire.”
“So Pandora could turn you into an animal?”
“It’s a bit of a process which involves breaking open your chest cavity and putting a heart of whatever animal you choose next to your own. There’s a very strong chance it would kill the witch and the vampire. Emmaline was talented at that sort of magic, so it wasn’t as risky.”
James couldn’t hide the shudder of horror even if he tried. “Was?”
Regulus looked at the floor. Her death wasn’t something they talked about. Even after half a century, it was still a sore subject that no one brought up. He knew that Barty went to her grave, knew that he needed that connection, but even he didn’t talk about her. Not with anyone other than Evan.
“Yes.”
James nodded, seeming to understand he wasn’t going to elaborate. “So, what does he do as a raven?”
“Spies mostly.”
James laughed. “I guess no one really thinks to question the birds around them.”
“No, they don’t,” Regulus said with a fond smile.
+++
Marlene opened a cupboard to find it filled to the brim with tea. Odd. Her snooping didn’t reveal much more than that, although she did learn that whatever human was being fed in the house was most likely suffering severely.
Regulus was off wherever he went when he left the house, and Sirius was in his art studio, painting bleak things. She’d just completed a job in the area and thought she’d pop over for a quick visit. The two weeks she gave the redhead were dwindling down, and Marlene wasn’t ready to have that conversation. Sorry, I scoured the earth to find your friend, and all I found was a body. No need to look any further. Please accept my condolences, but like I said, there will be no refunds.
Marlene sighed and wandered up to the library, where she thought she’d find the person cruelly ailing her thoughts. Sirius was very clear that she was to leave him alone. Marlene rolled her eyes at the sound of his voice in her head and pushed the door open.
Remus looked up from his book with a furrowed brow. “Hello,” he said hesitantly.
“Hi.” Marlene threw herself down on the couch beside him. Her bag fell to the floor with a clunk. “So, why the hell are you here?”
Remus scowled. “Why don’t you ask my very kind captor that?”
“He wouldn’t tell me.”
Remus sighed. “I’m surprised he didn’t boast about saving my life.”
“Oh, he did. He just wouldn’t tell me why you’re still here.”
“Something about not getting everyone killed.”
Marlene rolled her eyes again. “Typical. Always so bloody dramatic. Probably got Mary wrapped up in it as well.”
Remus closed the book in his lap and looked her over intently. “Who are you then?”
“Marlene.”
“Okay…”
Marlene sighed as she sat up straighter. “Look, I have to tell your girlfriend that you’re dead,” Marlene threw up her hands at his scowl. It wasn’t like she wanted to piss off a werewolf, even that far from the moon. She was, after all, human. Even if she were perfectly capable of kicking a vampire's arse. “But I happen to know a certain someone’s phone password.”
Remus raised his eyebrows. “And you would tell me?”
Marlene shrugged. “She seemed nice. And completely uninvolved with whatever is going on here. I doubt she’d cause any harm by knowing.”
Marlene told him the password and left before Sirius showed up and bit her head off for keeping his prisoner happy.
The crisp Autumn air washed over her as she made her way through the backyard and down to the lake. It didn’t take long for Dorcas to pop out of the water and lift herself onto the rock she seemed to favor.
“Twice in one week. I’m honored,” Dorcas said as the water dripped from her perfectly braided hair. The scales on her tail and the ones scattered around the rest of her dark skin glowed in the sunlight.
Marlene shrugged as she sat in the damp grass a few feet away from the lake. “I was in the area.”
Dorcas eyed her skeptically. “Mhm, but you still didn’t bring me anything?”
“Wasn’t that kind of business. Also, I’ve got to thinking and I bring you an awful lot and get nothing in return.”
“What would you like?”
Marlene ignored the warm pull in her stomach that just wanted her to go forward, to get in the water and let all her worries wash away. She focused on the way the droplets fell from Dorcas’ eyelashes as she blinked. A slight tilt to her head as the corner of her lips turned up into a mischievous smile. Of course, she knew what she was doing.
Marlene cleared her throat to help ground herself. “You know what I want.”
Dorcas shook her head. “Land offers nothing. I don’t want to leave the lake.”
Marlene quelled the disappointment, knowing that it wouldn’t be easy to convince her to come out. She would know since she’d already been trying for almost two years. Not nearly as often in the beginning, but there was just something about her that Marlene couldn’t quit. Siren aside, Marlene wanted more.
“What would it take? Just for a day,” Marlene added quickly.
“One day?”
Marlene nodded.
Dorcas seemed to consider it for a while before answering. “There’s a book. A grimoire. You bring it to me, and you can have your one day.”
Marlene nodded again eagerly as she listened to Dorcas explain what she wanted.
+++
James riffled through the various books that Regulus had brought him over the weeks. He never took any of them back; instead, they were piled along the wall, collecting dust. He sighed as he sat back on his bed while thinking that his head was going to explode if he read one more word.
He was so terribly bored. The silence was the worst. He could hear the sound of his own heartbeat filling the room as he breathed evenly. It hadn’t been that long since Regulus had left, but he was about to pull his hair out just for something to do.
Eventually, James picked up the small notebook and pen that Regulus left behind after one of their games of Scrabble. It had sparked quite a few arguments. Regulus tried to use words from the beginning of time, and James was not about to let him cheat like that. The dictionary was somewhere in the pile of books and might have been the most well-worn.
He flipped through the pages containing their scores until he landed on a blank one. He thought about drawing something and then decided that would be a disgrace to the paper. Instead, he started jotting down everything he’d learned, not that he would be passing it along to anyone anymore, but simply for something to do.
Dear diary,
It’s been almost two months, and I have yet to leave the basement. I fear I am losing my mind. The food is horrid, even if I tell the little vampire that it’s not all that bad. I’ve learned quite a bit about the vampire species, though I’m still not convinced that Regulus isn’t just having a laugh and telling me a bunch of nonsense, because what do I have to base it on? That’s right. Nothing!
And why do I have no clue what the hell is going on? Well, that would be because Albus decided that I wasn’t worth telling. I mean, what good would it do when I was destined to die anyhow?
At least Regulus has enough decency to allow me to be informed before I’m off to the slaughter…
James looked up when the door creaked open. He hadn’t realized how long he’d been writing until he stopped and found his hand aching and at least three pages filled with various facts and thoughts. He’d listed pretty much every detail he’d learned so far, complained a fair bit, and even said a few nice things about Pandora. It was overall a pretty successful way to pass the time.
The resemblance was unmistakable, so it was pretty easy to tell that the person entering his cell was Sirius. However, physical looks were about all similar as they could be considering Sirius’ attire. Black skinny jeans, that were so tight they must have been cutting off all circulation, an oversized band tee, and white socks. Sirius also had his ears pierced, chains around his neck, and rings covering almost every finger. His dark hair was just past his shoulders, half tied back into a bun, while some of the pieces escaped and framed his face.
He stopped the door before it could fall shut, with a quick look around, he pointed to the chair.
“Could you bring me that?”
James furrowed his brow but obeyed.
Once the door was successfully propped open, Sirius looked up with a smile. “I had Remus make your lunch, so it should be alright,” he said as he pushed the tray into James.
He had no clue who Remus was, but the sandwich and chips on the plate weren’t strange colors or consistencies, so James counted that as a win.
James took it back to his bed and sat with his legs crossed. Since the chair was now occupied, Sirius chose the end of his bed without a bit of concern for personal space. He watched as James took a bite of the sandwich and smiled when he didn’t say anything negative about it.
“So, James, what do you and Regulus usually get up to? He spends quite a lot of time down here…”
James swallowed. “We usually talk, sometimes we’ll play a game. He likes chess.”
“That fucking snake, he cheats, I swear he does,” Sirius said as he shook his head even though there was a clear fond smile on his face.
“Well, I’ve never won against him, so you may be right.”
“I’m always right.”
James laughed, which made Sirius’ grin become wider.
“Wait,” James tried to catch his breath. “So, Regulus found a siren and put her in the Black Lake cause he was mad?”
Sirius shook his head as he sucked in air. “Yes, that petty little bitch was upset because one year I pushed him into it–it was a just cause, I swear. But he was whining and complaining about how something horrible could have happened, and that I didn’t know what was in there. So in retaliation, he found a siren and convinced her to take up residence in our backyard. The next day, he said he had something to show me, and the bastard pushed me in.
“At first, I was just upset about getting wet, but then something grabbed my ankle and pulled me to the bottom. Imagine my surprise when I came face-to-face with someone else in the water. Dorcas still won’t let me live it down. She says that I looked horrified. But could you blame me??”
They talked for a while, and before he knew it, James was doubled over laughing at some story Sirius was telling him. Albus would probably kill him, but he found himself unavoidably taken with the vampire sitting across from him.
Regulus was right, Sirius was definitely trying to win him over, and he was certainly succeeding.
By the time Sirius said that he had to get going, James’s sides ached from laughing so much. He wasn’t sure he’d ever felt like that in his life. Maybe with Pete, but there was just something so carefree and joyful about Sirius that he’d never encountered before.
Even their ending remarks didn’t dampen the good mood that Sirius had put him in. As if forgetting that he’d just said he had to go, Sirius continued on.
“So, what did you do to make my brother so smitten?” Sirius asked, completely shifting his tone from lighthearted and friendly to a more serious tone.
“I didn’t do anything…?” James wasn’t sure how he was supposed to respond to something like that. James was far from thinking that Regulus actually cared about him beyond his general comfort. But even that was most likely because he felt guilty about locking him in the basement.
“Uh-huh. No, you definitely did something.”
“Sirius, I promise, I don’t think Regulus is smitten.”
“Oh, he definitely is. And I’ve known him his entire life, and I’ve only ever seen him like this once.”
James stared at him for a moment without saying anything.
“Fine,” Sirius threw up his arms, the smile returning to his face as if it never left. “Keep your secrets. But I promise you, James Potter, I will find out.”
James’ eyes went a little wide. “I think he just feels bad, that’s all.”
Sirius laughed. “I don’t think Regulus has ever felt bad about anything a day in his life.”
Sirius stood and gathered the empty tray into his arms.
“Will you come back?” James asked. He knew how desperate he sounded, but he didn’t really care.
“Of course,” Sirius said with an easy smile. “I might even break you out of here for the night and let you see the Black Lake for yourself. You can see it from the window in my studio.”
James nodded eagerly. Even if it were unlikely to happen, it was still nice to think about.
+++
Mary made it back to her shop just as the sun was setting. She locked up and headed upstairs. There were no flowers, but her bracelet was burning, and the air felt heavier. She knew that he was likely to come back after she snapped his neck and left him in an alley, but Mary honestly thought his ego would take longer to recover.
No matter, she still wasn’t surprised to see him sitting in the dark with a cup pressed to his mouth. The moonlight flooded the room through the open curtains. Mary set her keys in the dish by the door and flipped on the light. Rabastan lowered the glass, leaving a red stain on his lips.
“Hope you don’t mind, I found it in the fridge,” Rabastan said as he looked her over. “Though it’s really the least you could do after our last encounter.”
Mary laughed. “Surely you’ve learned by now not to mess with me, and yet here you are.”
“Here I am.” Rababstan set the glass on the coffee table and was in front of her within the same second.
Mary didn’t flinch. Even as he reached his hand out and brushed a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. She clenched her jaw in an effort to stay calm. However, it wasn’t working all that well, considering she slapped his hand away and took several steps back until she was in the kitchen.
“Riddle can’t be that interested in me. Why are you here?” Mary demanded as she gripped the counter. She’d done a pretty heavy spell this morning and could still feel the effects and exhaustion. Now was not the time to be picking a fight with a vampire from an ancient bloodline.
“I thought maybe you would want to apologize. You know, broken neck and all.”
Mary tilted her head. “It was nothing you didn’t deserve. You’re lucky I left you there in one piece. It was quite reckless of you to let yourself be in a situation like that.”
“Mm, Mary,” Rabastan tutted. “Surely, you aren’t blaming the victim. Next, you’re going to be asking me what I was wearing.”
“You’re repulsive.”
Mary didn’t even have time to turn around before Rabastan was behind her, pinning her to the counter. “It really wasn’t very nice what you did.”
“I should have driven a stake through your heart while you lay there, pathetic and helpless.”
She heard the crack of her nose before she felt the blood run down her chin. “Fuck!” she yelled as she lifted her head from the counter and spun around. She was tired but not tired enough to quell the anger that ran through her veins and allowed her to throw him across the room without lifting a finger.
The sound of glass shattering filled the small space. Rabastan stood and brushed off the loose shards from the coffee table. Before he could make contact with her again, she was throwing him against a wall. The pictures came loose and clattered to the ground.
Mary doubled over as she sucked in air that felt thick in her lungs. Her throat burned as she rightened herself. She didn’t have the chance to react before Rabastan grabbed her arm with a sickening crunch. Mary screamed as she pulled away. She didn’t stop until her back hit the wall.
Mary put all her focus on Rabastan’s approaching figure until he was rolling on the floor, clutching his head and screaming. Eventually, the exhaustion won, and she had to stop.
“Fuck, okay, enough!” Rabastan yelled.
Mary reached for her keys as Rabastan pulled a large shard of glass from his thigh. His shirt was covered in blood from wounds that had already healed. However, he was breathing as heavily as she was and looked like he needed to sit down.
When she felt the cold metal touch her fingertips, she grabbed the keys and shifted slowly to the door, all while her eyes remained trained on the man in front of her.
Rabastan finally pulled himself up to his full height when Mary had her hand on the doorknob.
“You’re hurt,” Rabastan said evenly.
“I wonder why,” Mary said. The metallic taste filled her mouth. Her arm burned along with her nose.
“Let me heal you.”
“Take one more step and I will snap your neck again.”
“You don’t have the strength for that.” Rabastan’s breathing evened out slightly as he looked at her skeptically. She didn’t think that he would call her bluff, and the pain rattling through her body was really hoping he wouldn’t.
“You really want to test that? I don’t think it would be very good for your ego for you to be wrong.”
Rabastan smiled. “Run along then, little lamb.”
Mary opened the door without turning around and slipped out.
It didn’t take long before she was stumbling through the door of Black Manor. “Sirius!” she yelled.
Regulus was the first one into the entryway and looked at her with a bored expression, though she knew after years of being around him that he was concerned.
“What happened?”
Sirius came running down the stairs and burst into the room.
“Mary?” Sirius’ eyes went wide as he rushed to her side and ushered her into the living room.
Mary caught Remus hovering in the doorway as Regulus sat on her other side, Sirius crouched in front of her. She had her arm cradled against her chest, horrified to even look at it. It hurt, and that was enough for her.
Her nose was also broken to all hell and forcing her to breathe through her mouth.
Sirius bit his wrist and held it to her face. She accepted it without hesitation. The taste was just as horrid as the last time she’d wound up in need of healing. It didn’t take long at all for the effects to flow through her veins.
Mary sighed in relief as the pain subsided and her bones knitted themselves back together.
“Okay, spill. Was this Rabastan?” Sirius asked sternly.
“I’ll make you some tea,” Regulus said as he moved towards the kitchen.
Mary nodded. “He wasn’t thrilled that I snapped his neck.”
“So he bashed your face in and broke your arm?”
Mary nodded again. “Don’t worry, I gave as good as I got. The fucker just heals faster.”
“I’m going to kill him, rip his head off, and throw it in the lake.” Sirius went to stand and only stopped when Mary pulled him down next to her.
“You’re going to do no such thing. Rabastan keeps saying that Riddle is keeping tabs on me. I don’t know if I believe him, but it’s not worth the risk. If he goes missing, then I’m suspect number one. We’d have Riddle’s little bitches up our asses before he sinks to the bottom of the lake.”
Sirius clenched his jaw; his knuckles turned white with the force with which he was holding onto the sofa.
“I’m fine, Si. I promise. I’ll be more careful next time.”
“You’re staying here.”
Mary laughed. “I will not be doing that. I can take care of myself. As you are well aware.”
“Mar.”
“Sirius, if I couldn’t, I would be dead right now. He’s not going to try anything again this soon, and I think in his twisted mind, we’re somehow even. He even offered to heal me.”
Sirius stood, a flurry of emotions crossed his face until he landed on pure rage and disgust. “You aren’t going anywhere near his blood.”
Mary rolled his eyes. “I’m starting to think it would have saved me a lot of drama.”
Sirius huffed and paced the room until Regulus came back with a steaming cup of tea. Mary smelled it and crinkled her nose.
“What is this?”
Regulus looked offended. “Tea. Why the hell are you all so picky? It’s plant water for fucks sake.”
Mary laughed. “It’s fine, thank you.”
Regulus sank into one of the chairs next to the fireplace that hadn’t been lit yet this year. Bloody vampires and their inability to get cold. She couldn’t imagine how James was faring all the way in the cold basement. Speaking of the cold:
“Sirius, you’re freezing. Why haven’t you been eating?”
Sirius looked away. “I have.”
“Bullshit. My magic has been weaker all day. Eat before you get us both killed.” Mary glanced back at Remus, still hovering in the doorway. “Isn’t that what he’s for?”
Remus huffed and left the room completely.
Mary glanced over at Regulus. “You look just as pale. What the hell is going on with you two? Just because you think you can survive on a drop or two doesn’t mean you should. No one is stopping you, for fucks sake. Take care of yourselves.” They both had the decency to look a little embarrassed. “Or I’m telling Pandora.”
“Fine, fine. No need to go and do that,” Sirius said as he sank back into the couch as if it would swallow him whole.
Mary agreed to stay the night just because her flat was a wreck and she didn’t want to deal with it until the morning. Even with a fully healed body and strange tea in her system, she was drained and fell into one of the guest rooms with ease.
She was only slightly irritated to find out that her usual room was given to the wolf. It had the best view.
+++
Sirius stared at the blood in the fridge and pulled out one of the bags with a scowl. He split it into two glasses just as his brother walked in.
Regulus picked up one of them and downed it without much thought. Sirius, on the other hand, stared at it like it was going to bite him.
“Siri, you’re being way too dramatic, even for you. Just drink it.”
“It’s disgusting.”
“Alright, tomorrow I will go and get the kind you like. For now, listen to Mary and drink.”
“You’re just scared she’s going to blab to Pandora.”
“Of course, I’m scared she’s going to tell Pandora. She’d probably create some kind of synthetic blood in her creepy lab and force it down our throats to see what it does.”
Sirius shivered just at the thought.
“If you’re not going to drink this, then go find your werewolf and have at it.”
“He’ll just be mad at me.”
“Sirius, you sound incredibly pathetic right now. I hope you know that.”
“I don’t see you snacking on James,’ Sirius said with a raised brow.
“That’s not why he’s here. And I’m not making a fuss about the blood in the fridge.”
Sirius rolled his eyes and left the kitchen without even bothering to take a sip of that shit he left on the counter.
It was late enough that Sirius figured Remus would be in his room instead of the library. And just as he predicted, Remus was lying on his bed with a book in his lap, the curtain slightly pushed aside to let the moonlight in.
Sirius took a deep breath and climbed onto the bed. He didn’t wait for Remus to acknowledge him before settling down with his head in his lap.
“What are you doing?” Remus asked with his hands held firmly above Sirius's head like it would be horrible if he touched him.
Sirius rolled over until his face was pressed into Remus’ stomach. He soaked up the warmth for as long as Remus would let him. Eventually, Remus cleared his throat and set the book to the side as Sirius rolled back over and sat up.
“Are you feeling better?” Sirius asked.
“I’m fine.”
“It’s been several days since the moon.”
“It has.”
Sirius moved closer, his face just inches away from Remus’ neck. When Remus didn’t protest, he pressed his mouth to the scarred plane of his long neck. Remus tilted his head away to allow better access, which Sirius took full advantage of.
He kissed his tanned skin a few times before giving in to the hunger and sinking his teeth into soft flesh. The relief was instant as the warmth pooled into his mouth. He tasted like heaven. Nothing could even come close to comparing.
Sirius became lost in the sensation, only stopping when Remus frantically tapped his arm and muttered for him to stop. He pulled away after healing the small puncture marks and couldn’t help but fall back into his lap; one arm laced around his back so he could pull Remus closer.
“Sorry, got a little carried away,” Sirius said sheepishly. It wasn’t like him to lose control like that. “Do you want anything? Juice?”
Remus shook his head. “It’s fine.”
Sirius nodded and shifted around until he was comfortable.
Remus huffed. “Are you just going to stay there?”
Sirius hummed.
There was a moment where neither of them moved, and then Remus reached over to the book he’d set down and resumed reading. Sirius closed his eyes and basked in the entirety of Remus.
Sirius wasn’t really tired, but he liked where he was. He barely realized his hand had slipped under Remus’ shirt until he noticed Remus staring right at him, the book set aside once again.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing,” Sirius said as he felt Remus’ bare skin. He’d seen him naked after the moon, so he knew that the textured expanse of skin he was feeling was riddled with scars. When his fingers brushed over a certain spot, Remus’ entire body shuddered.
Sirius peered up at him.
“Can I see?”
“You’ve seen me naked; you already saw it,” Remus responded evenly.
Sirius scoffed. “Well, I was doing my best not to look.”
Remus seemed to think about that for a moment. “Fine.”
Sirius shifted back to give enough room to lift Remus’ shirt to just above his ribs. He traced the large bite mark that had long since healed but was permanently etched into his freckled skin.
“How old were you?” Sirius asked without taking his eyes off the mark.
“Four.”
That made Sirius look up with wide eyes.
“You were a child? A baby?”
Remus only nodded. “I don’t remember a lot of it.”
“Why would someone do that?”
Remus chewed on his bottom lip before answering, probably trying to decide if he wanted to or not. Sirius knew how he felt about vampires. He could almost guarantee what the other wolves had ingrained into his head.
“My father pissed off the wrong person.”
Sirius looked at some of the other scars that covered his entire stomach. “I’ve seen other werewolves. They don’t have nearly as many scars as you do.”
It wasn’t phrased as a question, but Remus answered anyway.
“My parents kept me from the packs when I was a kid; they thought it would be better that way. So I ended up turning in the cellar. Tore myself apart from being trapped.”
“That’s horrible.”
“They didn’t know any better. In their minds, it was better to keep me away from the man who turned me.” Sirius didn’t miss his tense defensiveness.
Remus started shifting around again, causing Sirius to drop his shirt.
“Can you move? I can’t sit like this anymore,” Remus said in a clipped tone like he was trying not to get irritated and failing.
“Are you hurting?” Sirius asked as he sat up.
“I’m always hurting,” Remus said offhandedly as he got comfortable.
“What do you usually do to help? Do you have medicine?”
“I have Lily.”
“What does she do?”
Remus looked like he wanted to say something harsh, but refrained at the last minute. “She just does things.”
“What things?”
Remus clenched his jaw, clearly not wanting to give up that bit of information. “My back gets stiff along with some other joints. She helps.”
Sirius furrowed his brow, trying to figure out what he meant. “Oh, like a message?”
Remus scoffed and moved further up the bed, only for him to wince and very poorly try to cover it.
“I can do that,” Sirius said as he shifted closer again.
“No.”
“Why not? You just said it helps.”
“I don’t want your hands all over me.” He looked disgusted at the thought, and Sirius had to resist the urge to roll his eyes.
“I hate to break it to you, but my hands have already been all over you.”
“That doesn’t mean it has to happen again.”
Sirius took a deep breath and stared at him with a slightly raised brow. Remus worried his bottom lip until finally relenting.
“Fine.”
Sirius stared at him for a moment while he waited for him to move to a better position. Remus finally gave in and scooted further down the bed so Sirius could crawl behind him.
Sirius messed with the hem of his shirt. “Take this off.”
“No.”
“It would be easier–”
“No.”
“Like you said, I’ve seen you naked, I don’t see what the big deal is…”
Remus turned to glare at him.
Sirius glared right back. “You know, I’m not going to infect you just by touching you. I’m trying to help.”
Remus stared at him for a long, drawn-out moment before finally pulling his shirt off and setting it aside. Sirius moved closer until he could see the deep scars that ran over his tanned skin. The second Sirius touched his shoulders, Remus’ entire body tensed. Sirius sighed but chose not to comment on how he was meant to be making him less tense.
After a few seconds of running his hands over Remus’ back, he hopped up and muttered that he’d be right back before Sirius skipped out of the room. Once he found what he was looking for in his own room, he was right back to sitting behind Remus. He was met with a very skeptical look filled with apprehension, but there was no snarky comment, so Sirius didn’t say anything either.
Instead, he squeezed the lotion into his hands and applied it liberally to Remus’ skin.
He worked quietly, but the longer he sat behind the taller man, the more Remus relaxed into his touch. He wasn’t an expert at it or anything, but he could feel the tension in his shoulders and the knots that were embedded quite deeply.
Sirius ran his knuckles down Remus’ spine, causing him to sit up straighter.
“Do you want to lie down?” Sirius said after a little while.
“No.”
Sirius had to bite his tongue to keep from snapping at his endless refusal. “You’re quite a bit taller than I am. It would be easier if you would just lie down,” Sirius tried again.
Remus didn’t respond, but he did flip himself over until he was lying on his stomach, his arms tucked under his head. Sirius threw a leg over his hips and sat directly on his arse, much to Remus’ dismay if the grunt was anything to go by. However, the change in angle made it incredibly easier to reach the full expanse of his back. It didn’t take long for Remus to close his eyes. Sirius tried to keep his thoughts from running rampant, but there was only so much a man could do when he had this beautiful creature under him. Pliant and willing–okay, so that was a stretch–in his hands.
Sirius wanted more. More of the small sounds Remus let out when he hit a particularly sore spot. More of the soft exhales when Sirius did something that felt good. He just wanted more of it all. But he knew that was unlikely to happen, so he reveled in the feel of his soft skin, marred by years of torment, and focused on making Remus feel better.
By the time he felt satisfied that Remus would be in a little less pain, he was pretty sure the man in question was asleep. Carefully, Sirius lifted himself off his wolf, fixed the blanket so it was fully covering him, and inched off the bed. Just before he could switch off the light, he caught amber eyes tracking his movements.
“Will you stay?” Remus asked hesitantly.
“What?” Sirius heard him, but knew he must have gotten it wrong. There was no way he had heard that correctly. Only minutes ago was Remus snapped at him and acted like his touch was the end of the world.
“Will you stay… with me tonight?”
Sirius crinkled his eyebrows as he waited for Remus to start laughing or roll his eyes, or something other than what he was doing. Which was staring at him with half-lidded eyes, waiting for an answer.
Eventually, Sirius nodded and climbed into bed. He slipped out of his jeans and set his phone on the nightstand. This time, he actually did flip off the light.
He stared at the ceiling for a long while, waiting for something to happen. But all that did was a slight shift of Remus getting further under the covers.
Sirius moved a little closer, but Remus ignored his presence and flipped over. Sirius was confused and a bit taken aback, but closed his eyes and succumbed to sleep fairly quickly.
+++
Remus waited until he was sure Sirius was asleep. As he moved the arm that had been carelessly thrown over him, he forced his breathing to remain even and moved incredibly slowly. It took several minutes to get out of bed and around to the other side, where Sirius had placed his phone.
He didn’t even realize he wasn’t breathing until his lungs started to burn. Very carefully, he picked it up and tiptoed to the door. It was already open from Sirius, so he didn’t have the risk of it making any noise.
Just before he made it out of the room, Remus glanced back at the bed and found it empty. He froze, his heart beat sped up.
“What are you doing?” Sirius asked from beside him.
Remus jumped back. There wasn’t really any denying it, he was creeping out in the dead of night with Sirius’ phone clutched in his hands.
“Please, Sirius,” Remus said softly. He knew he sounded pathetic and hated asking, but he couldn’t let Lily think he was dead. He just couldn’t.
Sirius smiled sadly. “It’s too dangerous, Moons.” He held out his hand.
Remus only clutched it tighter. “She’s not going to tell anyone, I swear. She’s human, she wouldn’t even know who to tell.” That wasn’t really the truth, but Remus knew Lily wouldn’t say anything to the pack if he asked her not to.
Sirius looked to the ceiling and back like this was the most exhausting conversation he’d had all day. “Can’t risk it. Come on, come back to bed.”
“Marlene is going to tell her I’m dead. Please,” Remus argued.
“And that’s for the best. If she thinks you’re dead, then she’ll stop looking and we’ll have nothing to worry about.” Sirius shook his hand in emphasis.
Remus thought about running out of the room with it, but he knew he wouldn’t get very far. Sirius raised his eyebrows at Remus’ continued defiance.
Eventually, Remus placed the phone in Sirius’s waiting palm.
“Thank you, now if you would come back–”
Remus turned around and left the room.
Remus sat on the couch in the library in the dark. He could have turned on one of the many lights, but he didn’t want to. All he could think about were all the things he did wrong that led him to where he is now.
He knew that it must have been some sort of karma, that deep down, he thought this was really what he deserved. All the blood on his hands finally caught up to him. He wasn’t sure how much time had passed when the door creaked open and Sirius sat down across from him.
Without saying anything, he handed him his phone. Remus took it with a questioning look.
“You can’t tell her where you are, or who I am. Or who took you in the first place.”
Remus nodded eagerly. “I won’t.”
Sirius sat back and looked around until he decided to grab a book from the table in front of them.
Remus turned the phone around in his hand and swiftly typed in the password that Marlene had given him earlier. Luckily, he’d memorized Lily’s number years ago. He never knew where he was going to be after the moons, or if he’d have his phone, so it was better just to know it.
As he punched in her number, he silently hoped that she wasn’t at work because then she wouldn’t have her phone on her, and this wasn’t something he wanted to leave on her voicemail.
It rang three times before she picked up. “Hello?” Lily’s voice was groggy from sleep.
He could have cried just from the sound of her. “Hey, Lils.”
There was an immediate shuffle and movement from the other end of the line, the sound of a lamp flicking to life. “Remus?!”
Remus glanced up to see Sirius with the book open in his lap, though he could guarantee he was not reading a single word.
“Yeah, I um–”
“Oh my God! Where are you? Are you okay?” Lily asked quickly.
“Yes, yeah, I’m alright.” He looked at Sirius.
“Where are you?” she repeated.
“I uh– I can’t tell you.”
“What do you mean you can’t tell me?”
“I just, I can’t tell you, but I’m okay.”
Lily lowered her voice. “Remus, are you alone right now?”
He could have laughed, considering no matter how quiet she kept her tone, Sirius would hear every word as if she were sitting right next to him. Sirius seemed to come to the same conclusion as he made a show of flipping the page like he wasn’t paying attention.
“Lily, I need you to listen to me, okay?”
“Remus John Lupin, tell me what the hell is going on right now! You have been missing for weeks, and now you’re calling me in the middle of the night and being vague as fuck.”
Sirius snorted and then schooled his expression while pulling the book a little closer to his face.
Remus ignored him.
“I know, I’m sorry, but I really need you to listen to me.”
There was a pause. “Okay, I’m listening.”
He took a deep breath. “That woman you hired to find me, well, she’s going to tell you in a few days that I’m dead. I can assure you that I’m not. I promise. But no one can know that, so you just need to play along.”
“You want me to act like you’re dead when you’ve been fucking kidnapped and are now being held hostage, and the person responsible is probably holding you at gunpoint or something right now?” Lily asked incredulously.
“I’m not being held at gunpoint, Lils. I’m okay. I promise.”
“And what about the moon?”
“I was outside, it was fine. Not even that bad.”
“Don’t you dare fucking lie to me.”
“It wasn’t any worse than it used to be at home.”
Lily sighed. “When are you coming home?”
Remus watched as Sirius shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t know,” he said as he let out a breath. He wasn’t sure he was ever going to leave that house again.
“I don’t accept that. Tell me where you are and I will come get you.”
“I can’t do that. Just promise me you’ll look after the kids, okay? Teddy isn’t going to do well without me, you know how the pack is.”
“Of course, I’ll look after them. Who’s going to look out for you when you're being held hostage?”
“I can take care of myself, Lils,” He said, a little offended.
“Rem,” she said a little softer. “Please come home.”
Remus didn’t look at Sirius that time, even if he could feel his grey eyes on him. “I’ll try.”
Notes:
Ugh, I love this chapter. Who doesn't want a nice message from their vampire captor? And Prongsfoot! Yay!
I'm working on later chapters, and all I can say is I've been seeing a lot of Halloween Horror Nights content on TT and let's just say, I've been *inspired*.
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