Regulus then quickly dashed out of the kitchen. Lenora and Sirius sprang up, and followed suit.
"What is it Reg?" Lenora asked as they ran out of the house.
"No time to explain. Do you trust me?"
Sirius would've objected, if Lenora hadn't shot him a sharp look. "Of course we do."
"Then apparate to Charing Cross road. A friend of mine will meet us there. Now!" Regulus quickly disapparated. Sirius looked quite doubtful, but Lenora grabbed his arm and apparated before he had time to retaliate. "Charing Cross road!"
"Why are we in London? We need to be at Malfoy Manor, which is not in London," Sirius gasped as the hit the deserted sidewalk quite harshly.
"He has a plan, or else he wouldn't have told us to come here," Lenora glanced around, hoping to spot Regulus's friend.
"Quick, over here," they saw Regulus beckon them. "Hurry!"
Sirius and Lenora exchanged a look, and ran towards him.
"Why'd you ask us to leave?" Sirius asked, not addressing his brother to his face. "The Manor's in Wiltshire, why're we in London?"
"Change of plans. Father contracted me last night..." Regulus quickly briefed them.
"So the diary mission's over?" Lenora asked.
"I'm not quite sure," Regulus frowned. They were nearing an ominous, flaking, locked iron door. "But Father said to meet him at Knockturn alley, at 3. Maybe he'll tell us there."
Regulus knocked quite fast and rhythmically on the door. It was immediately opened by a handsome blond youth. "Good to see you in one piece mate," he murmured. Regulus rolled his eyes and entered, Lenora following him. Sirius recognised the fellow, and proceeded apprehensively, his wand clutched tightly.
"I won't kill you, you know? Any friend of Reg—or brother—is a friend or brother of mine. Sit down, I don't bite. Misty!" Evan Rosier yelled on the top of his lungs.
"Yes master?" A small house-elf appeared in front of them.
"Water of the guest. Tea for my mate and his girlfriend." The house-elf nodded, quickly disapparating.
"She's not my girlfriend!" Regulus squawked, blushing furiously. Simultaneously Lenora muttered, "but he wishes I was."
At this Regulus reddened more.
Sirius snorted. "My ickle baby brother with you? How scandalous!" Evan sniggered.
"Shut up," Regulus muttered. "It was a long time ago."
Misty reappeared. "Water for guest," she handed Sirius a glass of water, "tea for master's friend and his girlfriend," Regulus turned faintly pink at that.
"She's not my girlfriend Misty!" Regulus groaned. "I've told you that a hundred times!"
"Yes master," she disapparated. Sirius would've sworn she was smiling.
"Our luncheon in honour of my mate's sweet seventeen will commence at one! Happy Birthday Reg," Evan gave a comradely pat on his shoulder.
"It's my birthday?" Regulus was quite surprised.
"Of course it is you doofus! Happy birthday," Lenora tackled him for a huge bear hug.
Sirius felt quite uneasy. It had only been an year, and he had forgotten his brother's birthday. He remembered all the Marauders's, even Lily Evans's birthday. He even knew Minnie's birthday by heart, for Merlin's sake.
"Where are Smith and Kitten?" Sirius asked, trying to push that guilty feeling away. There was no need of feeling guilty, he chided himself. Does Reg remember his birthday, nowadays?
Regulus frowned. "Off to find the horcrux. As soon as those things came, they apparated."
"What things?" Lenora asked, her smile dropping slightly.
"Weird cloaked things. Almost like dementors but, worse. I tried the patronus charm, but it didn't work," Regulus shuddered.
"Wait," Evan's brow furrowed. "Did they have a lingering rotting smell? Like dead bodies?"
"Yeah?" Regulus answered.
"I think I know what we're dealing with. Come on," he ran off towards the stairs.
They all followed.
YOU ARE READING
INFERI (REGULUS BLACK)
Fanfiction"If you ever need me, I'll be at the Potter's." These were the words that kept on rolling around Regulus' head. His brother's last words before he left the house, bloodied and bruised. He didn't blame him of course. It must've been hell living as th...
