War is Over

5.

"Regulus Potter." The man spoke so clearly it sent a shiver down my spine. I watched Reg straighten his posture and jut out his chin as the man spoke.

"Yes sir." He was made for this sort of thing. His whole life was an unfair trial, he knew just what to do. Dad held my hand.

"Previously Regulus Black, correct? Son of Orion and Walburga Black?" He winced at their names, but it was subtle enough I was fairly certain I was the only one to pick up on it.

"Yes sir."

"The most devoted Death Eaters, who died for he-who-shall-not-be-names?" He clenched his jaw.

"Yes sir." The words were more tense this time. He was one question about his family away from snapping.

"Tell us your role in the war." Thank Merlin.

"I was devoted to the Order. A spy, Voldemort trusted me, trusted my family, I listened in to their meetings and reported back to the Order." He replied.

"And why did he trust you?"

"As far as he knew I was still a Black."

"No one knew you had married Mrs. Potter?" Reg just shook his head.

"No member of the Death Eaters, no. I acted as thought I had come around to what they always wanted and left Nova. I acted as if I was one of them."

"And you were the one to alert Professors Mcgonagall and Dumbledore about the attack on October 31,1981?"

"Yes sir."

"And Professor Dumbledore told you not to act?"

"Yes sir."

"So why did you? You were under his command."

"I personally did not, sir. I couldn't blow my cover if the war was to continue after that night. I told the Potters, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin, they acted in protecting their loved ones." Dad squeezed my hand tighter.

"Mr. Black-"

"Potter."

"Pardon?"

"Potter. Mr. Potter." He squared his shoulders. I knew that slip wasn't an accident, nor was it taken lightly.

"My apologies. What did you do as a member of the Death Eaters?"

"The only assignment I was tasked with was hiding a horcrux, and before you ask no I do not know who hid the others or where, but I destroyed mine. A locket. I destroyed that part of Voldemort's soul, the day after he attacked the Evans-Potter house."

"Do you believe Mrs. Potter, Mr. Black and Mr. Lupin acted fairly toward Mr. Pettigrew."

"More than fair. If I were them I would have killed him earlier."

"Do you believe his death was the only way to stop the death of the Evans-Potters?"

"I do. Firmly. I believe had Nova not killed Pettigrew, Voldemort would have killed Harry Potter. Lily Evans-Potter would be dead and James Potter would have died at the hand of who was once his best friend." I closed my eyes and leaned on dads shoulder. He stroked my hair.

"Any further questions?" The man asked. Reggie's chair spun.

"How are we to believe you were devoted to the Order?" A new man asked. Reg smiled.

"That's your call, but let it be on the record that I have loved Nova Potter with every ounce of my being since I was fourteen years old. I've devoted myself and my life to her. If you dig deep you'll find me and James Potter had our issues in school, but now that man is part of the only family I have. I spend every Friday night with Mr. and Mrs. Potter, having dinner in their home. Lily Evans-Potter has always been someone I've deeply trusted. Harry Potter is my nephew and I would and have put my life on the line for him. I'd do it again. Remus Lupin, one of my longest friends," He paused. "Sirius Black, my blood brother who defied our family from the very beginning, is my hero. Go dig into my past, by all means I expect you to, you will find that never once had I made a friend out of Peter Pettigrew. I made a mistake being friends with Barty Crouch Jr, I know that now. I should have seen the signs. As far as I'm concerned now, he should never step foot around here again. I don't believe it would be such a fair trial if I saw him again." He looked straight at Barty's dad as he said it. My breath caught in my throat. Dad put his head in his hand.

"Mr. Black-"

"It's Potter. Regulus Potter, sir. I won't tell you again."

"Mr. Potter, you are dismissed."

🗡️🗡️🗡️

"They seriously called you Mr. Black?" Sirius asked as we sat in my living room with Reg and Remus. Moony rolled his eyes and poured another glass of wine.

"Religiously." He replied as he finished his wine. His hand found my leg to stop it from bouncing.

"I can't believe they think you're not loyal." Remus said. We all nodded.

"Who's next?" Sirius asked. I swallowed my mouthful of wine.

"Rosier. They want to talk to all the spies this time, then I don't know."

"Shame Cas couldn't be here to set them straight." Sirius said grimly. We all nodded. A year ago today we lost her. I twirled my glass between my fingers.

"She wouldn't want us to mope. She'd want us to get Nova off." Reg spoke quietly. I nodded.

"She'd kill us if she saw us upset about her." I added. Moony smiled.

"Has anyone talked to Marlene today?" Sirius asked. We all shook our heads.

"I rang but Evan said she was out." I said. Moony nodded.

"Same, but he told me she didn't want to talk."

"I got sent to voicemail." Reg said.

"I sent flowers over, figured you lot called." Sirius replied. The silence hung over us for a moment. Moony refilled our glasses. He raised his own.

"To Cas," He started.

"The best person I've ever met." Regulus added.

"The only person who could pull Marlene Mckinnon from playing the field." I joked.

"The only one of our friends we never got to say goodbye to." Sirius finished. We all drank.