Curse Breaker (or how to find answers)

Write a letter and keep a grand secret - pt.2

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Suddenly, the tempus went off, and James opened his eyes brusquely, feeling like he had missed something. Blinking, and slowly sitting on his bed, his body warm under the sheets now, James scratched the back of his head, wondering what he could have forgotten about. Then, it was as if his mind was finally opening its eyes wide, and James remembered. Regulus!

James pushed his sheets, and took his wand, that he was always leaving under his pillow, before slowly and carefully opening his bed curtains.

Remus was snoring softly. And everyone's bed was closed. The light of the room was off. James quietly sat on the edge of his bed, casting a silencing charm on the floor — he was used to this movement by now, used to the creaking of the wooden floor — before putting his feet on the floor, and walking to his nightstand to get his glasses.

Putting on his red jumper, some socks and some shoes, and taking his invisibility cloak after a second of hesitation, James quickly left the dorm before waking up one of his mates.

Once he was in the cold hallways, James quickly made his way to the tapestry. He felt lighter than earlier. His talk with Sirius had lightened him.

Passing by the classrooms filled with people during the day, as they were completely empty and dark now, James wondered if, on his way, he would see the black cat. He looked around, hoping to see two green eyes in the dark suddenly appearing and walking toward him. But no Mr. Cat appeared at a corner, and James finally got in the long corridor that lead to the tapestry.

He knew he was a bit late and so, walking quickly inside the dead end, he hoped Regulus wasn't gone. That would have been upsetting, but James saw Regulus' silhouette immediately as he got inside the dead end. He was standing next to the long window, the same window they had talked to the day before. His contours were drawing themselves in the light like black lines on a white paper sheet.

James took his cloak off his shoulders several metres before entering Regulus' field of vision, putting it under his arm. And with a tiny wry grin, James walked confidently — even though quite quietly — to Regulus.

Few metres before reaching him, Regulus turned toward him with slightly wide eyes, and he looked at him getting closer.

James spoke first. "Hi Regulus," he said lowly, almost whispering.

"Hi James," Regulus replied, before looking back at the window. "You're late," he added after a very short pause.

James looked through the window too, scratching briefly the back of his head with his free hand, messing a bit with his hair in the process. "Yeah, I know. Sorry, I took a nap."

Regulus looked back at him, with a strange kind smile, and said nothing.

"So, what is your idea?" James asked. "You left me that note in which you said you found a solution."

"Yeah," Regulus nodded, regaining his neutral and serious expression. "Follow me," he ordered, turning around, straightening his back slightly, as if he needed to relieve some tension in his back.

He walked to the tapestry without any more word, motioning for James to follow him with a quick gest of his hand. James looked at him, curious, but indulged meekly, and got closer. Once he was at his level, Regulus grabbed the edge of the tapestry. The frogs crying and dancing seemed to pause for a moment, looking at them, as if they were about to witness something of the utmost importance. And before Regulus could lift the corner of the heavy tapestry to let them walk inside the secret passage — James could only guess Regulus was going to make him walk inside, the secret passage probably leading them where he needed to take James —, he paused.