I Will Follow You Into The Dark || Jegulus

80. The Ballad Of Lucy Gray Baird

James waited anxiously for the train to arrive. He missed Regulus way too much over the few months he was gone. Luckily this was his last term, and James could get fully codependent and clingy.

James may or may not have gotten ahead of himself and bought rings. He wanted to propose to Regulus, and he didn't care how fast their relationship was progressing. They were already stuck together forever, why not make it official?

The train arrived on the platform and the second it stopped, he felt himself practically vibrating from anticipation. He saw couples and friends reuniting. Marlene enveloped Dorcas into a hug, lifting her into the air.

The second Regulus saw James, he went running into his arms, and immediately grabbed James's face and kissed him.

"Sirius is still gone?" Regulus asked.

James nodded, "Dumbledore said he would be back before Christmas. That's only in a few days though." James frowned.

"I hate him..." Regulus mumbled, and apparated home with James. Remus was there, as well as Peter. They were putting up last minute decorations around the house.

"Where are Monty and Effie?" Regulus asked.

James frowned. "There in St. Mungo's now... they're not doing too well. The dragon pox..."

Regulus rubbed James's shoulder. "They'll be okay." He whispered.

A tree stood in the corner of the living room, coveted head to toe in ornaments, half of them homemade by the family.

Underneath the tree already stood a few presents, some wrapped neatly, and some that looked like they were foraged out of a dumpster. "Who wrapped those?" Regulus laughed.

"Ah, sorry." Remus chuckled, "Hard to wrap gifts with no depth perception" He pointed at his mangled eye.

"Let me take over for you. You're in no shape to be climbing ladders." James said and ushered Remus off the ladder.

Remus stepped down and grabbed his cane, which was balanced against the wall within reaching distance.

Remus had good and bad days for his leg. Today seemed to be a good day where he could somewhat balance himself, but some days he could hardly stand. It really messed him up some days, where he felt like a complete failure, or a burden.

"Reg, can I talk to you privately?" Remus asked.

Regulus looked over at him, a little surprised, but nodded.

They decided to sit outside on the back porch where a few rocking chairs sat.

"Are things still tense with Sirius?" Regulus asked, knowing Remus and Sirius had hardly spoken. That must have been hard, Regulus knew how close they had been, even though hard times. Regulus rocked back and forth in his chair.

Remus nodded, "It's not just that... Reg, I don't know if we can trust him." He said.

Regulus planted his feet on the ground and stopped moving, "What do you mean?" He asked.

"I think he is a traitor. I know there is a traitor in the order. Someone other than Snape. I don't know Snape's intentions but the information getting out is not something that would come easily to him without us knowing. And I know who I can trust. That only leaves those I don't." Remus sighed, "I'm sorry Reg. He's been gone constantly, for weeks at a time without a word. Dumbledore refuses to talk to me about him or his missions. I don't know where he is or what he's doing."

"That doesn't mean he is a death eater!" Regulus almost yelled. He wanted to scream. After everything Sirius did to him, he of all people would never become a death eater.