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“Why?”
Blood trickled down his right arm, his eyes glued to the person before him. The level of confusion playing out in his head—there was no getting around the fact Regulus didn’t understand why the person in front of him saved him, let alone how.
“Why did you save me?”
“Because Sirius would be sad if you were dead,” the person in front of him said. “James as well.” The speech was slow, indicating something wasn’t right. “And maybe I know what it’s like to be treated like a monster when that really isn’t who you are deep down.”
“What are you talking about?” Regulus reached forward, latching onto the shirt of Sirius and James’ friend, who hadn’t betrayed them.
“You need not worry about that. Worry about getting out of here,” the man said, reaching out a calloused hand to ruffle Regulus’ soaking wet locks of hair. “You’ll be fine, given what you know.”
Regulus frowned, suddenly wondering if he’d not been quite right about who the traitor was, in that there might have been more than one, albeit one who, at the last minute, decided to do the right thing. His eyes narrowed. “How did you know?”
“How?” The figure stopped ruffling the wet locks, something Regulus wished Sirius had been inclined to do, yet their relationship over the years had simply become that frayed. The man in front of him took a deep breath. “I noticed you acting strangely. At the meetings, I was able to attend. And then Kreacher showed up at Sirius’ place.”
Regulus’ eyes blinked. “Wait. I told him,” and then a deep breath. “I told him not to tell anyone in the family.”
The person in front of him smiled. “It’s a good thing then that I’m not family; that family wasn’t there at that moment because, for some reason, House Elf holds you quite dear. Surprising, given Sirius has not a kind word about him.”
“Sirius,” Regulus said, shaking his head, still hearing his brother and mother arguing in his head. “Doesn’t like Kreacher.”
“You do know Kreacher can take you out of here?” The man said. “I mean, he brought me here, so why wasn’t it a part of your plan to have him help you out of this place? He can get you out of here.”
“He can get us both out of here,” Regulus said, frowning. “Kreacher!”
“Yes, young master?” the House Elf said.
“Sirius’ place,” Regulus said, watching Kreacher’s nose wrinkle up. “Oh, bloody—you’re the one who brought the werewolf here, so you can bloody help me get my savior to safety. Because I know that’s why you don’t want to.”
“Kreacher apologizes. Young master is correct that the filth did help young master survive,” Kreacher paused, glaring at the lake in the dark, dank cave. “That.”
And then they were out of there, back at Sirius’ place, only for Sirius not to be there. Regulus turned to Kreacher. “I know you don’t like my brother, but….”
“I will fetch the filthy runaway,” Kreacher said, not batting an eye. “Kreacher knows that is what young master wishes.”
Sirius’ friend laughed as the House Elf disappeared before coughing. “Yeah. That House Elf is definitely fond of you, Regulus.” And then he frowned. “Be sure not to get any of my blood on you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, don’t let my blood mingle with yours, you little fool,” the other said. “You should know why, given the fact you just moments ago voiced my secret.”
“Is it really a secret? I mean, the teachers weren’t batting an eye when you disappeared during the full moon, but that means they somehow managed to find a way to allow you to attend while keeping the other students safe. That’s pretty amazing if you think about it,” Regulus said.
“You,” Remus let out a laugh. “You are certainly not what I expected.”
And then Sirius was there, at first cursing at the House Elf for fetching him, and then, “Remus! What the bloody!” His want was out, pointed at his own brother. “Regulus, what did you do to him?”
“Relax, Padfoot,” Remus said, coughing. “He didn’t do anything.”
“Bloody Merlin, he didn’t.”
“For your information,” Regulus said. “Your friend just saved me, so could you maybe save my savior?” Sirius stared and Regulus—it hadn’t worked in a long time, but he still put in a slight whine to what he said next. “Sirius, please.”
“Of all the” Sirius said, calling Kreacher back and telling him to fetch Lily and James. He then walked over, taking Remus’ weight off Regulus and sitting him down on the couch. “What the bloody….”
“This werewolf decided to tangle with Infiri,” Remus said, laughing, coughing again, grinning ear from ear as their group was apt to do.
“What were you doing messing with Infiri?” Sirius turned on his younger brother. “You bloody Death Eater!”
“Ex-Death Eater, Sirius,” Remus said. “Your brother, his life isn’t yet saved, but he’s going to need your help.”
“What are you bloody,” Sirius turned.
Remus latched onto Sirius’ front shirt, hissing slightly. “Sirius, you need to get Regulus to Dumbledore. What he’s done—it changes everything.”
“We still don’t know who the traitor is,” Sirius said. “Although, not you.” His eyes blinked, his head turning to Regulus. “Wait. The other day…..”
“I said it wasn’t Potter. Not this one, either. The other one I can’t remember the name of beyond the fact the Slytherin kept calling him a word associated with bodily functions for some reason, and,” Regulus frowned. “Not surprised he’s the one who turned on you.”
“What do you do,” Sirius said.
“Little Peter Pettigrew?” Remus asked. “He’s the traitor.”
“Oh. P.P,” Regulus frowned. “That explains the nickname, and yes.”
“Well, if he shows up with Lily and James, blast him one for me.”
“You can do it yourself,” Sirius said.
Remus let out a laugh. “Sorry, Padfoot. Not happening.”
“What do you mean it’s not happening?”
“Just take care of that brother of yours. Make sure none of my blood mingled with his.”
“Hold on,” Regulus said, frowning. “You can’t be serious. My life isn’t bloody worth the loss of another.”
“You got that right,” Sirius snapped, only for Remus to latch onto his shirt.
“Sirius, don’t. Don’t lash out at him,” Remus said.
“But I deserve it,” Regulus said.
“I told you, I know what it’s like to be treated like a monster, kiddo,” Remus said, his fingers tightening on Sirius’ shirt. “And if you can give someone like me a chance, Sirius, why not? Why not your own brother?”
“What,” Sirius said, and then. “Wait. Remus. Open your eyes! You idiot!”
This was when James and Lily arrived, and the crying started, but only after a bit did Regulus realize he was the one crying, saying something about not wanting anyone to die for his sorry ass. And yet, it happened.