One of Us | Jegulus

Six

He felt a twist of guilt in his stomach. He didn't mean to hurt James, but James apparently thought so. He normally wouldn't even really care - but, even if Regulus did not like to admit it, he owed James his life now. It was a poor way to repay him, attacking him at the first opportunity.
"Great job, you ungrateful arse", Sirius spat and shot him a look full of disdain.
Regulus snorted. "Yeah? What are you gonna do about it? Lock me up - oh right. You already did."

Sirius walked over to Regulus. For a split second he thought he'd attack him. But he just seized his wrist and pulled him up.
"You know what?", he hissed. "Maybe James did deserve it. For bringing you here in the first place."
"Let me go, you wanker!", Regulus complained when Sirius dragged him up the stairs, his grip too firm to escape.
Of course, he didn't listen but shoved Regulus back into the little bedroom.
He stopped fighting, he was too weak anyway, and just stood still with crossed arms watching Sirius shut the door. A muttered "Colloportus." told him that he was trapped inside.
Resigned, he sat down on the bed. Wow, he thought annoyedly. It had been great ten minutes outside this room.

. . .

A quick glance at the window told him it must be early evening when the door opened again and Lupin entered.
What did he want now?
"Where's Potter?", Regulus asked sulkily. He didn't want to speak to Lupin.
"Out", he answered shortly. Regulus remembered James saying something about changing shifts so he could help Regulus in the morning. It didn't made him feel fetter.
"So what do you want now?", Regulus hissed, though he had obviously noticed the tablet with food in Lupin's hands. He just didn't want to be treated like a prisoner or a patient that needed to be looked after.

"What does it look like?", Lupin retorted and placed the food on the nightstand.
"I want to take a shower. And a book."
"You can have that. Come." Lupin left the room and Regulus followed him stupidly.
"That's the bathroom", he pointed at a door not far from Regulus' room. I'll get you something to read."
Regulus nodded and entered the bathroom.
He locked the door and undressed quickly. He didn't even wait for the water to warm up, before he slipped into the shower.
It was the best feeling ever. The clean water washed all the dried blood and dirt away he had carried with him for the last three days. The pleasantly smelling soap made all the uneasy smells disappear and his hair would finally be smooth and curly again.

He remained under the hot water longer than necessary and just enjoyed the feeling. He stepped out of the shower eventually and slipped back into James' clothes. Lastly, he inspected himself in the mirror. Thank god, he thought. He finally looked like a Black again.
Feeling the slightest bit better, he returned to the bedroom and found a pile of books on the bed.
Regulus climbed onto the bed and leaned back into the cushions. Suddenly, he realised how exhausted he was, once again.
He grabbed the book on the top and inspected it. Was this Muggle literature? It seemed strange. Something like this he never would have found at Grimmauld Place. His parents would have burned it in an instance.
But should he...? It's just a book. It wouldn't hurt him, would it? So he took a deep breath and flicked to the first page.

At the beginning, it took him some willpower, but soon he found himself actually enjoying the story. He was ashamed of it, of course. But he couldn't deny it. Maybe he could ask Lupin for a similar book, some proper literature, something that was worth reading but told the same story. Because he has already grown close to the characters.

He had to put it down eventually as he couldn't keep his eyes open any longer. He rolled himself up under the blanket and tried not to think too much about the war before he finally drifted off into his dreams.

. . .

James returned the next morning. He apparently wasn't interested in talking to Regulus and just intended to drop off some breakfast silently.
The younger boy immediately woke up at the first click of the door, though, and sat up quickly.
"Wait! Potter!", he exclaimed hoarsely. He cleared his throat quickly. Stupid morning voice.
"What?", James inquired and turned back to the bed.
"Don't you dare lock me up in here again!"
"Yeah? What are you gonna do about it?", Potter retorted.
"Oh come on! I'm not a stupid animal you can just lock away. I don't even have access to a bathroom! I won't let you treat me like that."
"Well you've proved us yourself that you only cause trouble if we let you do your thing here."
Regulus scowled. "I... Look. I'm, er, well. I'm sorry, okay?"

James raised his eyebrows but didn't say anything. Regulus twisted his fingers uncomfortably. He was terrible at stuff like this.
"Look, I didn't mean to. Alright? Now stop pretending all of this is my fault!"
"It is your fault, though, Regulus", James stated earnestly.
"Huh? What did I do? You kidnapped m-"
James stared at him for a moment, dumbstruck. Then he rushed over to Regulus and grabbed his left arm.
"What you did?", he repeated. He pulled up the sleeve, glaring at the Dark Mark that stood out against his pale skin.
"This is what you did. You threw your life away and now you're endangering yourself and many others."

"Don't touch me!", Regulus hissed, yanking back his arm and covering the black symbol hastily.
"I have powers you don't understand. Don't treat me like that or you'll regret it!"
Potter looked like he was about to laugh. It made Regulus furious. He would be taken seriously!
"I could call him you know? The Dark Lord. With this", he waved his left arm. "He'd be so pleased to finish off four members of your stupid Order at once."

James' expression changed. Regulus couldn't interpret it. But maybe he finally understood that Regulus was someone you shouldn't bring against yourself. Maybe he'd let him go now, to save his dear friends.

"Do it, then."
Regulus blinked. "What?"
"Do it. Call him now. If there's no reason not to do it, why hesitate? He'd reward you and you'd be out of here for good. So, do it."
"What are you playing at?", the younger boy hissed. He was mocking him!
"Come on, show us how dangerous our little Reggie is. Call him."
"I - what, no, I -" He scowled and stared into the other direction.
James chuckled. "Thought so."

Regulus shot him an angry look and climbed out of the bed.
"You can't lock me in here and treat me like some child you have to look after. I'll go wherever I want. It's none of your business. Got it?"
Serious again, James seemed to actually consider.
"Well", he started finally. "You're right, you can't just stay in here, without a bathroom and everything. If I think about it, my room has a little extra bathroom... if you wanna move in with me?" He grinned at Regulus, who grimaced at these words.
"Eww."
Potter laughed. Then he sighed.
"Can you promise me not to start any unnecessary drama with Sirius? Or anyone else? And don't get yourself in any trouble or you'll have to live with staying in here. I'm trusting you, Regulus, alright?"

"Yeah, yeah, don't worry", the younger boy muttered.
"Good. Er, I gotta talk to Sirius." And he left.
Satisfied with himself, Regulus walked out of the door shortly after. He stepped into the bathroom and freshened himself up, then he turned back to have his breakfast.

It was better not to be locked up in this room, of course, but he found himself spending most of his time in there, anyway. He wasn't keen on another confrontation with his dear brother, James was too cheerful and he didn't knew the other two he'd seen here before. And maybe there were even more people living here? He didn't know.
He was determined to get his wand back if they wouldn't return it voluntarily and then he'd be gone in a second. It must be here in this house, obviously, so he'd just gotta look for it when nobody was paying attention.

It's all gonna work out somehow. He had always managed to get himself out of tricky situations. He was a Black, after all.