I Will Follow You Into The Dark || Jegulus

68. Not While I'm Around

"I don't feel good about just leaving you alone after what happened today."  James and Regulus sat in the Potter's living room. James had to leave for the order meeting alongside Sirius, but he was unmoving.

"James, I have your parents, I will be okay, plus there are so many wards on the house." Regulus ran his hands down James's arms until they got to his hands, which he squeezed reassuringly. 

"I know, I just - if anything happens I want to be there." James sighed. He knew it was an unreasonable request, especially since Regulus would be going back to Hogwarts without James in just a few months, but James didn't want to lose Regulus. Not after what happened over Christmas break. 

He pulled Regulus in for a hug and held him there as long as he could until Sirius cleared his throat, getting James's attention.

"I love you. Stay safe." James muttered and pulled away, placing a kiss on Regulus's forehead.

"James..." Regulus muttered.

"Sorry, sorry. I'll get out of here." James placed a final kiss on Regulus's knuckle, "I'll be back soon hopefully."

"Yes you will. Dumbledore isn't going to send you on a mission on your first day, not the same day you just left Hogwarts." Regulus said hopefully, though in reality nobody knew what Dumbledore would end up doing. 

James nodded, "You're right. See you later love." James said and backed out the doorway before he could smother Regulus any further. Him and Sirius linked arms and apparated to the Orders' meeting spot.

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"What is he doing here?" James sneered upon seeing Snape sitting near Dumbledore. That disgusting death eater could not be trusted in the order of the Phoenix. Not after he attacked Remus and Regulus alongside his fellow death eaters.

"I assure you Mr. Potter. Severus is on our side." Dumbledore gave Snape a fond pat on the shoulder. "I will not hear anyone badmouthing your fellow order members."

"He attacked me with the death eaters!" Remus spoke up, slamming his hands on the table he was previously sat at. His bad leg buckled under him from the sudden pressure.

"Mr. Lupin. Please sit down. If you have an issue with Severus, keep it to yourself or you can see yourself out." Dumbledore crossed his arms.

Remus huffed and sat down, ignoring the pain from his leg.

"I have a mission I have been waiting to give you Mr. Lupin. I would like if we could send you out as soon as possible." Dumbledore said, changing the subject seamlessly.

Remus had a bad feeling. Similar to when Dumbledore called him to his office, asking Remus to double agent for Greyback. It was that day Dumbledore revealed that the only reason he let Remus attend Hogwarts was to have a werewolf on the inside. For that reason, Remus was on edge, scared of the missions he's agreed to be sent on by joining the order of the Phoenix.

"I've already told you i'm not-" Remus started, but Dumbledore held up his hand.

"I am not sending you to Greyback. I have a group of people who could prove useful to us. I need you to go talk to them. I do have Intel telling me that He Who Shall Not Be Named is also trying to recruit these people."

Remus nodded, "When is this mission?" He asked.

"I'll need you to leave tonight. They own a resort of sorts."

"You are not sending him on a mission alone on our first day." Sirius spoke up, glaring at Dumbledore.

"Feel free to tag along Mr. Black. Same with Mr. Potter and Pettigrew. The more the merrier, but Lupin is essential for this task."  Dumbledore slipped a paper folder towards Remus. "Here is everything you need to know. I suggest you take the knights bus."

Remus opened the folder and flipped through the papers, "some of these people are muggles. What is going on?" He asked.

"For your benefit, I cannot tell you anything. Now you really must be going Mr. Lupin." Dumbledore ushered. Remus felt overwhelmed, he hadn't been given any time to prepare. Would every mission be like this?

"Come on guys." Remus grabbed his cane and stood up alongside Sirius and James, and just like that they were on their first Order of The Phoenix mission.

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"Fleamont? Could you possibly help me with something?" Regulus stood outside Monty's office. Monty sat at his desk scribbling something for work. He turned around to look at Regulus fondly.

"How many times do I have to ask you to call me Monty?" He smiled, "It's a step up from Mr. Potter, that just makes me feel old."

Regulus stepped into the messy office. The lights flickered, which Monty was meaning to fix, but never had the chance to. Papers were strewn all across his desk, and even on the floor. Regulus hated to put another burden on the man's shoulders, but he needed help.

"I was thinking of brewing wolfsbane for Remus, but I - I'd need some help." Regulus muttered quietly.

"Regulus you can always ask me for help. I'd love to help brew wolfsbane,  but it will be a struggle." Fleamont stood up and walked over to a cupboard, scanning the area, "I'll need to do some shopping. How about tomorrow?" He suggested.

"Sounds great. Thanks Fleamon- Monty." Regulus smiled.

"Anytime, son"

From the kitchen, the two heard Effie call them. Regulus and Monty made their way to the kitchen to see Effie reading a letter.

"What is it dear?" Monty asked, reading the letter from over her shoulder.

"It's from James. The boys were sent on a mission already." She frowned, "they barely got home from school, that man couldn't even wait a day." She frowned.

"When will they get back?" Regulus asked.

"He didn't say. I don't think details are safe to enclose." Effie sighed.

"Our boys are strong. Don't worry about them." Monty wrapped his arm around his wife's shoulder, pulling her close.

𝄽

Sorry for the wait. I've felt very unmotivated recently, and idk if its burnout or something else but pretty much since I graduated ive been tired nonstop and unable to do anything creative or even talk to people I care about. Ive gotten over whatever depressive episode I was in, but for a while I really had to just force myself to do stuff I wanted to do and it never ended up going well. I've spent a lot of time learning how to crochet and i feel a lot more motivated creatively, (alongside an urge to create anything batman related even though i feel like I dont know enough of the lore to accurately write anything batman related) Anyway I really like where this fic will be going and I didnt realize how fast everything was approaching, like I found out last night that at this point in time Molly would already be pregnant with Ron. 

Anyway this song is so James and Regulus. And I recently found a cover sang by Gaten Matarazzo, and omg his voice is so good. 

Hope you guys are enjoying the story, and that i'm not boring you guys out with my 70+ chapters I have somehow written.