Regulus Black: The Prequel

Chapter 13 - Remus' Secret

Regulus and James had been hanging out in the Room of Requirements, listening to music James had been playing.

He had good taste, although Regulus hadn't much of a music education to judge with.

"Why were you in the Forbidden Forest last night?" James asked out of nowhere.

Regulus had been doodling on a piece of paper and came to a stop immediately.

"Who said I was in the Forbidden Forest?" Regulus quizzed, suddenly the room had grown warmer.

"I saw you coming out of it. When I was heading back after rounds", James explained, "What were you doing?"

Regulus sighed and placed his quill down.

"You have to promise you're not going to freak out." Regulus jeered.

"Reg-"

"Promise you're not going to get mad at me." Regulus insisted.

James moved his beanbag to sit beside Regulus.

"I promise."

Regulus averted James' gaze.

"He was there. It was a meeting for him." Regulus explained.

"Who?" James questioned, not understanding.

"They call him the Dark Lord. He was recruiting students to become death eaters." Regulus muttered, his voice shaky.

"He was here?!", James exclaimed, "V-"

Regulus smacked his hand over James' mouth.

"Don't say his name!" Regulus squeaked.

"Regulus-"

Regulus shook, tears threatening to spill.

"I didn't want to go, but Barty and Evan they dragged me and I couldn't say I didn't want to because they would freak. And he was there and Bellatrix and I- I was so scared." Regulus cried.

James tugged the boy into his chest and held him.

Regulus instantly broke into sobs.

"Hey, hey. It's okay. You were so brave", James cooed, "Don't want you to worry. I'm gonna make sure it never happens again. Gonna protect you."

Regulus clung to James like a lifeline.

He believed the boy would protect him.

Regulus never wanted to see the man again.

James would make sure of it.

~

Regulus hadn't meant to be out of his dorm that night.

And he definitely hadn't meant to hear his brother and Snape fight.

"-Go to the Whomping Willow and touch the knotted branch at the bottom. It will freeze the whole tree. You really want to know the truth? You want to know Remus' secret?-"

Regulus didn't like this- he didn't like this at all.

"Stupefy!" Snape spat.

Sirius was thrown back and onto the ground a couple feet away, stunned and unable to move.

Snape jumped to his feet and took off.

"Shit!" Sirius cried, letting what he'd done sink it, "Remus- fuck."

Once Sirius could, he jumped to his feet and raced down the hall.

Regulus paused.

Remus' secret?