I Will Follow You Into The Dark || Jegulus

30. What Hurts The Most

Evan didn't know what Mulciber or Avery did before they left, but Evan noticed everyone seemed to be concealing stares and whispers the days following. The other members of his house never came up to him, which he was grateful for, but their glares told him everything he needed to know.

They knew, they knew about him and Barty and neither of them were safe anymore. 

He walked with Regulus in the corridors, tripping over his own feet. He couldn't seem to find his footing, or even his own mind. His thoughts were racing and he couldn't hold onto one thing for too long before it went to the next.

"Evan." Regulus grabbed his wrist and stopped. Evan noticed they were outside. When did they get there?

Evan blinked and looked around. The sun was setting a beautiful shade of orange. "M'sorry Reg, were you saying something?" Evan asked.

"Are you okay?" Regulus asked, a genuine look of concern on his face.

"I dunno. It seems like everyone is staring at me. I think people know about me and Barty... I don't feel safe." He whispered. His eyes darted to a small group of people nearby as if they would attack him at any point.

"Hey," Regulus put his hands on Evans shoulders, looking Evan in the eyes, "you are safe as long as you are with me. The only people who would do anything are Slytherins and I won't leave you alone with anyone I don't trust." Regulus said.

"Thanks Reg. You think we should get back to the common room?" Evan asked.

"I'll walk you back to our dorm, but I think I'm gonna stay out a little longer." Regulus said.

"Stay safe."

Regulus nodded and walked Evan back to their dorm. Barty was sitting on his bed working on his coursework and motioned for Evan to join him. Regulus smiled and slipped out of the room.

When he got to the astronomy tower, James was there. He almost turned and left when he noticed James was crying.

"Hey... what's wrong?" Regulus asked. It felt weird, trying to talk to a boy he considered his mortal enemy. James Potter was hard to hate. Why was it so hard to hate him?

"Reg?" James sniffed, wiping away his tears.

"Yeah it's me. Are you doing alright? Uhm you said at some point Barty helps out with stuff like this right? Do you want me to go get him?"

James shook his head, "I'm alright, just had a disagreement with Lily. I'm overreacting." He said.

"It's alright to get upset. It doesn't mean you're overreacting." Regulus said.

"She said you were a death eater - please tell me you're not." James said. He honestly looked pathetic, but Regulus couldn't help but think he was cute. It made sense that half the school seemed to be in love with the guy.

Regulus hesitated. How did she know? Regulus couldn't lie. He didn't want to lie, but he can't just tell James. He didn't want to explain it, that was too personal for someone like him. Someone Regulus was desperately trying to hate.

"I'm not a death eater. I'm actually trying to figure out how to kill you-know-who. Of course knowing my family it's extremely hard though. He's always around." Regulus whispered.

"Thank merlin." James smiled, "I know you and your friends are good people. I just wish Sirius and Lily and everyone could see it." He said. "How are Evan and Barty doing?" He asked.

"Barty is fully recovered now, still taking it easy, but I'm worried something is going to happen. Mulciber outed them, and I'm just hoping he didn't tell their parents. I mean you can probably guess now they would react." Regulus frowned.

James nodded, "how can parents not just love their children? It's so messed up." James was so grateful constantly to have the parents he did. They were truly the most wonderful people ever, and not a day goes by where he doesn't think of them and how lucky he got, because the world was cruel, and people's parents sucked.

"You know Sirius would kill you if he saw you trying to talk to me." Regulus decided to change the subject.

"I don't care. I want to talk to you, I know you're a good person behind that wall you shut yourself in." James smiled.

"But what if I'm not?" Regulus whispered.

"You've been through so much recently, just accept my love Reggie." James wrapped his arms around Regulus, who tried to wiggle away.

"Stop James" Regulus held back laughter, and kicked James.

"Don't make me tickle you!"

𝄽

"I'm sorry Lily, but I'm going to keep talking to Regulus I know he's a good person," James said in a hushed tone. He was in the great hall, Lily was still mad at him.

"It's me or him, James. I don't like you getting tainted by death eaters." She shook her head.

"Lily you can't be serious. He's not a death eater." James frowned. His birthday was coming up soon, and he was looking forward to spending it with Lily and all his friends.

"I'll give you a week."

A week. That was his birthday.

James nodded and headed back to where his friends sat. On the way, he ran into Marlene McKinnon.

"James! Just the man I was looking for! Can I invite my girlfriend and her friends to your party?" She asked.

"Of course Marls!" He forced a smile, not that he was unhappy at the request, but because of his prior conversation. He didn't want Marlene to think he didn't want them there. He knew that Dorcas's friends meant Regulus and Barty, and even Evan, who James was growing fond of as well.

𝄽

Remus was finally discharged from the hospital wing with crushing news, he had permanent nerve damage in one of his legs, and he might be blind in one eye, but it was too soon to check. He was given a pair of crutches temporarily and set on his way by Madame Pomfrey as if nothing happened, as if his entire life wasn't just changed in a few sentences. 

He has permanent nerve damage, and she just threw that under the rug as if it was nothing. She didn't even bother to tell him until she discharged him, and just sent him on his way barely able to walk, expecting him to be able to pull himself together all alone. 

He hobbled his way up to Gryffindor tower, he had to take numerous breaks, more than expected. Before he even got halfway, he had a head splitting migraine, and his leg hurt worse than he ever thought possible. He weakly limped his way up the moving staircases, hoping to not fall off the entire time; he felt weaker than he ever had, but he pushed on until he reached the portrait of the fat lady, where he saw Professor McGonagall. 

"Oh good lord, Mr. Lupin!" She cried out and went to support him. "Did you come all the way here alone?" She asked

He nodded weakly, "Madame Pomfrey says I have nerve damage, I'll probably never be able to walk normally again. 

"And she still sent you off alone knowing how far you had to walk? That woman, she's sweet, but honestly." She shook her head, "Take a few days off from classes, I will have your classmates bring you your homework, and we will figure out when you can return to class as you recover. Unfortunately the process is going to be slow and grueling. You probably will not be able to read or write comfortably for a long time, and your depth perception will be gone, so you will have to be careful. If you do have to go anywhere in the school, I suggest you be accompanied, at least until you are comfortable walking." She advised, Remus nodded along, but his head was throbbing. 

"Ma'am, if you could, can you let me go rest, I'm not feeling the best." He groaned. 

"Oh of course, get some rest, I will see you in class once you are better." She said. 

𝄽

Omg guys hi, cant believe im updating somewhat regularly (its been way too often and i need to slow tf down, but im taking advantage of this break fr b4 i have to go back to school and lose all motivation.