The Story of the Marauders

Nine: Calysta

CALYSTA

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Staring into the eyes of Regulus Black set Calysta on the edge of a breakdown. He didn't look too much like Sirius, but Calysta still managed to see him as such. While Remus crossed his arms over his chest and stood behind Calysta like a body guard, ready to rip Regulus apart, Calysta struggled to not wrap the tormented boy in her arms and comfort him. She told herself it would be inappropriate, for she barely knew him at all. It must be the absence of Sirius that made her more willing to talk to someone who reminded Calysta of him.

"Tell us what you know about the location of the...what was it?" Remus snapped his fingers as he thought of the term. Regulus' thumbs tapped rhythmically on the tabletop on Calysta's desk in the study.

"Horcrux." Regulus filled in. After Calysta scolded him brashly for calling Remus a monster, the younger boy seemed to become more civil. "Cliffs on the North Sea. The cave is protected by a blood spell."

"What kind? There's dozens of blood spells in the books," Remus asked, not skipping a beat. Calysta looked over her shoulder with her eyes briefly. Regulus sighed.

"You have to sacrifice your blood from the barrier to wear off," He explained. "Only a little. I think it wants you to prove you're willing to give your blood to behold the secrets within the cave." Calysta sat back in her chair. Remus leaned against it with his hip.

"What else did you hear?" Calysta encouraged. Regulus kept his gaze solely on her, perhaps in fear of Remus' disapproving eyes.

"I'm not much of help, I'm afraid. There could be a lot of dangerous stuff in that cave. But that's all I heard before I was caught. I ran from them." He admitted. Calysta rubbed her cheek with her hand.

"You ran..." She repeated with mild disbelief.

"It was irresponsible, I know, but they won't come after me. I haven't done anything worth chasing me around for," Regulus muttered. Remus scoffed only loud enough for Calysta to hear.

"Why come here?" Remus asked. Calysta wanted to get to that question eventually; it was biting at her conscience. Regulus finally looked at Remus, only to bring his eyes back to Calysta's.

"I...don't trust anyone else." He said flatly. Calysta stared at her desk, Remus' fingers tightened around themselves.

"What about your parents?" Calysta asked. Regulus frowned.

"My father is dead and my mother is heartbroken. So as you can imagine: no." Calysta considered her options: risking danger to destroy the remnants of Voldemort's existence, or turn her back on someone who had no one else to turn to. If she took the latter, Calysta would know exactly how he felt. Having no one to turn to would be shattering.

"I'll help you," Calysta told him.

"I won't do it," Remus said simultaneously. They looked at each other. Regulus' eyes widened slightly at their differing opinions. Remus furrowed his brow and his lip curled.

"Calysta, you can't trust him! He's not Sirius," Remus argued. The words stung, but Calysta kept her head.

"I do trust him though," Calysta whispered, voice vulnerable. Remus' eyes strayed away from Calysta and stared at the boy watching them closely. Remus squeezed his eyes closed and shook his head.

"He's done nothing to convince us,"

"He came to us for help. Out of everyone who could have interest in this, he came to us." Calysta lowered her voice. Regulus cleared his throat softly.