A/N: Thank you all for your feedback and concern for Kreacher. Regulus appreciates it. One of you reviewed as a guest, so we couldn't reply. No, Regulus is not asaxual, his sexuality just clashes with his aversion to touch. And no, the vet isn't Tom Riddle, although that's quite a clever idea you got there :) Could have been an interesting plot.
Chapter 12 – I Don't Have to Prove Anything
Regulus got up before anyone else in the house and rode his bike in the dark to the animal clinic. He waited on the doorsteps an hour for it to open. "How is Kreacher?" he asked as soon as a vet assistant unlocked the door. The assistant looked baffled and before she could say anything Regulus had pushed past her and steered into the room with the cages. To his relief he found Kreacher sleeping. "Kreacher?" he called.
The cat opened his eyes and looked up, meowing hoarsely when he saw Regulus. He tried to get up but Regulus quickly opened the door to the cage and stopped him. "Best lie down, Kreacher," he said as he gently ran a hand over the cat's sparse fur, "or the IV will come out."
"You have been very worried about him, yes?" smiled the assistant, coming into the room. "He's doing alright, as you see."
The veterinarian arrived ten minutes later. "Did that brown cat come in last night?" asked the assistant.
"Yes," said the vet. "They came in with him around three o'clock. A boy and his older brother." He looked past his assistant and spotted Regulus standing with his hand in the cage. "Is he already back?" he asked surprised.
"Yes. I think he's been waiting outside for a long time. He looked freezing. He sure loves his cat."
"He sure does," sighed the vet. "I best be looking in on Kreacher, then." He walked into the back room and sent Regulus a friendly smile. "Well, shall we have a look at Kreacher this morning?" he asked and reached into the cage.
The cat looked very displeased and tried to crawl out to Regulus. Regulus took him out without asking permission. Kreacher let out a hiss in the direction of the vet.
The vet took out a syringe and drew a small blood sample from Kreacher while Regulus held him. "Do you want me to get you a chair so you can sit with him?" he asked. "Just for a short while. He needs his rest, but you can stay for a few minutes."
"I'm not going anywhere," said Regulus determinedly. "I'm staying as long as the clinic is open."
"Don't you have school? And I thought your brother said you had an appointment today?"
"Oh," said Regulus, not looking at the man. "It's not that important."
Kreacher lay curled up on Regulus' lap, sleeping peacefully, when the vet came back in. "Well, I looked at the blood samples and it's going the right way. I will keep him another day, though, just to be safe."
Around noon the assistant asked Regulus if he wasn't hungry and if she could get him something. Regulus declined although his stomach was rumbling. He hadn't remembered to bring his own lunch or even have breakfast.
Two hours later, Sirius walked in, looking angry but relieved. "You know how much trouble I got in for not knowing where you were this morning? And I can't imagen the trouble you are gonna be in if you stay away from that shrink appointment."
"I don't have to go today," said Regulus, looking up at his brother, Kreacher sleeping on his lap. "This is a medical emergency. They'll understand."
Sirius snorted and crossed his arms. "They wouldn't understand even if it had been you in the hospital."
"You didn't have to come. Don't you have lessons you're missing?"
"This is more important. I want to make sure you aren't getting into more trouble than you're already in with Mum." Sirius looked around at the other pets. "Any news on Kreacher? When can you take him home?"
"He's improving. The vet wants to keep him until tomorrow but I'm going to take him home today."
"If the vet says he has to stay till tomorrow, then let him stay till tomorrow, Reggie," said Sirius, looking strict. "No point in risking him getting ill again, and I'm not in the mood for driving to the vet at three in the morning once more."
Regulus reluctantly let his brother lead him out of the clinic and into the car.
o0o0o
An agitated Mrs. Black met them in the hall. "What kind of time is this?" she said, tapping her watch. "We should have left ten minutes ago! I'm not arriving late, so get your behind into the car!"
They arrived at the therapist's office only two minutes late but Mrs. Black made a big deal out of it, even though the assistant behind the desk said that it was fine and that they were running a bit behind schedule anyway. When Regulus was called in, Mrs. Black told him to stay put so she could talk to Doctor Pfeifer first. She came out ten minutes later, looking irritated. She had wanted to stay, but the doctor wanted to see Regulus alone.
Regulus walked in and sat down on a chair, pushing it a few feet further away from where the doctor was sitting, and folded his arms across his chest.
"So, Regulus," said the doctor and smiled at him amicably, picking up a notepad that he had already written something on. "Your mother tells me you have a lot of fears."
"She does? I thought I was just misbehaving."
"She said you have many fears. For example of being touched?" The doctor peered over his spectacles at Regulus, ready to take notes.
"I don't have a problem with being touched."
"You don't?" The doctor looked a little curious. "You wouldn't mind shaking my hand, then? A formal introduction."
Regulus stiffened in his seat. "I don't have to prove anything."
"No you don't, but I would like for you to shake my hand, and if you're not afraid of touch that shouldn't be a problem for you. Or is it that you don't want to be honest with me? I am not here to judge you."
"I don't like shaking people's hands because it's a nasty custom. Scientists agree on this. Illnesses are spread that way - people cough into their hand one minute and the next they're shaking somebody else's hand."
"I see," said the doctor and wrote something on his pad. "And you're very focused on germs and how they are spread?"
"I'm not obsessive, if that's what you think. I'm just conscious about it. Most people don't think about these things and they get ill easily. I'm just clean and sensible. Is it a mental illness having a good hygiene? If it is, then I'm perfectly fine with being mentally ill."
The doctor sat contemplating Regulus silently for a whole minute, making Regulus very uncomfortable. He could practically feel the eyes touching him. Finally the doctor spoke. "I'm curious whether your major issue is germs or physical contact. I would like for you to be honest with me so I can help you with whatever struggles you might have. You don't need to worry about your mother. I have duty of confidentiality."
"I don't need help with anything. I'm perfectly fine."
"I don't think you are," said the therapist. "Since you did not want to shake my hand, I'm going to ask if you will do it if I disinfect my hands first?"
"No," said Regulus, tightening his crossed arms a little harder.
"And why not? If you don't have a problem with touch that shouldn't be an issue."
"I'm not afraid of touching people, I just don't want to touch you."
"I see. And do you not want to touch other people, either? For example people at school? Your mother said you get into fights over nothing at school."
"She wouldn't know. She's always away on business. I don't fight more than the average student."
"Mm," nodded the therapist. "And what about doctors and such? Your mother tells me you act out if you have to go to the doctor's? Any specific reason?"
"I don't have a problem with doctors. Only the kind that snoops in my mind," Regulus said, looking pointedly at the doctor. "And again, she wouldn't know. She never takes me. My big brother does."
The doctor kept going for another half hour, trying to pressure Regulus into telling him something, but little did it do. Regulus just sat there and made snappy replies, not telling the therapist anything he could use.
"Well... I think that is it for today. I will give you a new appointment next week. Same time as today."
"What? We've already discussed what there is to discuss. I don't have anything else to say, so that would be a waste of time," said Regulus and got up.
"I still think we have things to discuss," said the doctor. "But we will see next week."
o0o0o
"So - did you tell the doctor about your problems so he can help you become normal?" Mrs. Black's eyes were glinting with expectation as she unlocked the car.
"He said it was no big deal. He said that you sounded a bit uptight, actually, and that you should mellow out a bit," said Regulus, stopping by the car. He knew talking back was not a smart move, but he couldn't help himself; he was angry that she insisted on him going, especially now Kreacher needed him.
His mother narrowed her eyes. "What did you say?" she hissed and went around the car, grabbing him by the arm. "You will behave and you will start to respect me! Get past this silly phase and become a normal human being!" She let go of his arm in and opened the passenger door. "Now get in!"
"No!" yelled Regulus, his heart hammering in his throat from the shock of being grabbed. "I'd rather walk!" He turned on his heel and headed at a brisk walk down the pavement, hoping she wouldn't follow him.
But his mother slammed the door and ran after him, her high heels echoing on the pavement and she grabbed him yet again. "You will do as I say!" she snarled and gave him a violent shake.
Before he could think, he pushed her away roughly so she staggered back, nearly falling. Then he stormed off, running as fast as he could, not caring where he was going. Why couldn't she just learn not to grab him? How many times had she experienced a violent reaction when she did it?
o0o0o
Remus was walking down the street, shuffling some papers around in his bag and almost walked into someone who came sprinting around the corner.
"Oh, sorry," he said. Then he recognised the boy. "Regulus?" he said in surprise.
Regulus looked at him wild-eyed for a second, then calmed down. "Oh, it's you. What are you doing here?"
"I was just at Ollivander's to pick up my pay check. His shop is right around the corner," smiled Remus. "What are you doing here? I thought you were with Kreacher?"
"I was. Until my mother took me to a stupid shrink appointment. I'm going back to the vet now, but I was so mad at her that I didn't want to ride with her home. I guess I will have to call Sirius to have him come drive me. Unless the clinic is within walking distance. I'm not even sure where I am."
"I don't know what clinic he's at but I could wait with you until Sirius comes to pick you up?" offered Remus. "We could grab a cup of tea to keep us warm. There's a café right there," he said and pointed across the street.
"No, that's alright. I don't want anything, but we can sit and wait here," he said, pointing to a bench. He found what the cleanest part of the bench and sat down, careful not to touch it with his hands. Remus sat down a few feet from him. Regulus pulled out his mobile and called his brother. "Do you mind coming to get me? I need to get back to Kreacher and it's quite far from here. I'm sitting across from some café named Roberto's on Winston street. I couldn't ride home with the old hag. She got violent. Oh, and could you bring me something to eat? I haven't had anything since last night. And a large bottle of water."
When Regulus had hung up, Remus asked a little hesitantly, "You said your mother got violent with you? Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine. She just has this annoying habit of trying to jerk off my arm when she gets angry. She dragged me to that shrink. She's convinced there's something wrong with me and I have to be fixed. She should mind her own business."
Remus just nodded but looked concerned. It would seem that Regulus truly didn't want any help. "As long as you're okay," he decided to say.
Regulus glanced at Remus. It was nice sitting here with him and suddenly he felt like sitting closer. He stood up, pretending he needed to stretch and sat back down, closer to Remus this time, trying to make it look random.
Remus looked a little surprised and felt a warmth spread in his chest. It was nice to sit like this and he felt like it was a step in the right direction.
Their arms were touching. They were both wearing winter jackets so that was okay for Regulus. He couldn't remember when he had last sat this close to somebody without being close to panic. It had been Sirius, no doubt. He was the only one to whom he could tolerate this kind of proximity.
Remus looked up at the sky, which was grey with clouds. "I think winter is coming, don't you? The weather is cold enough soon for snow." He wanted desperately to take Regulus' hand, but he didn't want to push it.
"Yes. Well it is December, so technically it already is winter." They were quiet for a minute. "Remus? Could I... Do you have an extra bed?"
Remus looked over at him, a little puzzled. "We have a camp bed. Why do you ask?"
"Could I sleep at your house tonight? I don't want to go home. My mother is livid. Tomorrow they're off on another business trip and when they come home maybe she will have forgotten about it. Cooled off, at least."
Remus' eyes widened. Regulus wanted to stay at his house? "Sure you can stay! You're always welcome at my house."
Sirius' new second-hand Porsche honked and pulled up to the curb. "I'm staying at Remus' tonight," informed Regulus when his brother got out of the car. "I don't want to face Mother. It could get ugly."
Sirius looked very surprised but then nodded. "Well, I can't say that I blame you. She's furious. I had to sneak out to take the car. So how do you wanna do it?" he continued, looking from one to the other. "You want to visit Kreacher first, I reckon. You need me to get something? Like clothes for tomorrow?"
"Yes, clean clothes, and a set of bedding and toilet bag. And... what about food, Remus?"
"My mum only buys organic food. She doesn't want me to ingest pesticides or artificial additives."
Sirius grinned. "Your mum is as bad as Regulus. They are going to get along just fine!"
"Okay. I don't eat red meat or fish, though. Or fatty foods."
"I think I'll go straight home and figure out about the food," said Remus. "I don't live far from here. Was on my way home when I ran into Regulus, actually. Perhaps you could drive Regulus to my place when you're done getting his things and visiting Kreacher?"
"Sounds like a plan," said Sirius. "I'll drop you off at the clinic, Reggie, and then pick you up again when I've fetched your stuff."
o0o0o
"Oh, Remus, could you run down to the grocery store and buy some potatoes? I forgot them when I was out shopping," said Mrs. Lupin when Remus came home.
"Sure, but Mum," he said and walked over to her. "Regulus asked if he could come and stay the night."
"Regulus wants to stay over?" said his mother, nearly dropping what she was holding. "That's quite out of the blue! I mean he hasn't even agreed to meet your father and me yet. But of course he can. He's more than welcome!"
"Well... He had a falling out with his mother and didn't want to go home, so he asked if he could stay here." Remus looked at the groceries and then at his mother. "What are we having?"
"Cod and steamed veggies. And baked potatoes, once you've bought them," she smiled. "You know you should have fish at least twice a week. You need the omega-3 oils."
"Could we make a piece of chicken for Regulus? I can buy it when I get the potatoes."
"He doesn't eat fish? But that's very healthy. I would have thought he would like that."
"He has this idea that fish are full of chemicals."
o0o0o
Sirius picked up Regulus when the clinic was closing. Regulus was close to asking him to take him home instead, that he had changed his mind, because the thought of sleeping over at somebody else's house was terrifying. Almost more than his furious mother. But Remus would be disappointed. Regulus had seen how his eyes had lit up when he asked if he could stay.
"Tell Remus I'll pick you lot up tomorrow morning for school," said Sirius as he stopped to let his brother out.
Regulus stood for a moment at the front door, very close to running back to stop Sirius and ask him to take him home, but the image of Remus' crestfallen face stopped him.
A beaming Remus opened the door. "Come in!" He stepped aside and let Regulus in. "How was Kreacher?"
"Better. But he didn't understand why I left him there... I'm going there straight in the morning to pick him up," said Regulus, untying his shoelaces.
"So you're not coming to school tomorrow either?"
Cleo strolled into the narrow hallway and rubbed herself against Regulus' leg. Regulus jumped but relaxed when he saw it was the cat and bent to pick it up. "School is not important. I learn from my books, not school." Cleo rubbed her head against Regulus' chin and gave it a lick.
"She really likes you," smiled Remus and stroked the cat's head, careful not to touch Regulus.
"I'm a cat person," said Regulus. "Are… are your parents home?"
"Yes. Mum's in the kitchen preparing dinner. My dad is in the living room, watching telly. He had a long day at work. Started at five and just got home."
"Do they... know about... us?"
Remus nodded. "Yeah. I'm sorry, I couldn't hide if from my mum. She knows me too well. I hope you're not mad."
Regulus started sweating. He wished he didn't have to face Remus' parents. How were they going to act, knowing they were together? What were they expecting?"
Mrs. Lupin stuck her head out from the doorway to the kitchen. "I thought I heard someone come in," she smiled. "Hello, Regulus. Welcome to our home. Dinner will be ready in ten minutes."
Regulus followed Remus upstairs to put his things in his room. Ten minutes later they went back downstairs to the dinner table.
Mrs. Lupin had placed a plate in front of Regulus with a piece of chicken on it. "You can just help yourself to potatoes and veggies as much as you like," she smiled.
"So, Regulus," said Mr. Lupin. "Remus tells me your cat is ill. Is he doing better?"
"Yes, he's better. I'm taking him home tomorrow. Your house is close to the clinic, that's why I asked Remus if I could stay here," said Regulus, not wanting to tell them the real reason in case Remus hadn't already told them. He put the chicken and some vegetables on his plate but hesitated before taking a bite. "Is everything organic?"
"Oh yes," said Mrs. Lupin. "Remus' immune system needs to be protected from anything potentially damaging, so I always buy organic food."
Remus dropped his head. He felt so fragile whenever his mother talked about his condition like that.
"Well, you're quite right," agreed Regulus. "Especially with the meat. Conventionally produced meat is full of medicine and antibiotics. It's poison to the immune system."
Mrs. Lupin nodded and smiled. "See what I told you," she said and turned to Mr. Lupin. "Poison to the immune system. "You're a very smart boy," she smiled at Regulus. "And you can go ahead and eat the food. I guarantee that it's all organic and prepared with impeccable hygiene."
Regulus decided to trust her and started eating. He figured there was no reason for her to lie about the food and he was starving, having barely had a bite all day.
Mr. Lupin was looking a Regulus curiously throughout dinner. He had been told by both his wife and Remus to give Regulus some space but it was difficult when he was so curious. "You look a lot like your brother," he said.
"Er... Yes, I've heard that before," mumbled Regulus.
Mr. Lupin smiled and took a gulp of water. "Good looking bloke, Sirius. Of course you are too, since I just said you looked like him. Nice catch, Remus," he grinned.
Regulus gulped and stared down at his plate. He wasn't used to anybody knowing he was gay. Not even his brother knew.
"You should come by more often. It's nice to keep an eye on the boy our son is dating."
Remus could have hidden under the table in embarrassment of his father's lack of tact.
"Give the boy a break, Lyall," reprimanded Mrs. Lupin.
"I was joking," said Mr. Lupin, holding up a hand.
Remus leaned in a little closer to Regulus and whispered "Sorry about that."
"Well, you're not funny," said Mrs. Lupin, sending her husband another stern look.
Mr. Lupin looked a little taken aback and then returned to eating. "So how old are you, Regulus?" he asked a moment later.
"Er... sixteen..." mumbled Regulus.
"Really? I thought maybe you were younger. You don't look sixteen."
"Dad..." said Remus.
"I'll be seventeen in June," mumbled Regulus. Normally he would deal with uncomfortable social situations like this with lasting out verbally, but this was Remus' father, and he didn't want to upset Remus by offending his parents.
"Tell us how Ollivander is doing, Remus," asked Mrs. Lupin.
"He's doing fine," said Remus, grateful that his mother changed the subject. "He asked if I could work a few days around the holidays because it's usually very busy around that time."
o0o0o
"I've had it with that damned boy," said Mrs. Black when she told her husband about the psychiatrist appointment. "He's out of control. Raced down the street as if fleeing from a lion or something. You should have seen the people staring at us. So embarrassing."
"I hope this doctor will be able to set him straight," said Mr. Black and looked up from his newspaper. "He is too old to be put in a mental institution."
"Can't we have him involuntarily committed? Adults can be committed too, by their family."
"Yes, but that's a very difficult procedure. I talked to a lawyer about it, and he said you can only commit somebody if there is clear proof that they are dangerous to themselves or others."
Mrs. Black poured herself a nightcap. "What have we done to be stuck with such a child? People at the street thought I was abusing him with the way he behaved. It was so embarrassing. He can just wait until he comes back home!" She clenched a fist. "Then I will give him reason to flee from me."
"He isn't home yet?" asked Mr. Black and looked at his watch. "Where is he? He's never out this late."
"I have no idea where he is," said Mrs. Black. "But he will come home soon, I'm sure. His bizarre habits will not allow him to stay out all night."
"But how did the actual conversation with the psychiatrist go?"
"I don't know. The little devil had the nerve to tell me the doctor had said that I was the problem! That I'm uptight and ought to loosen up!" said Mrs. Black. "I swear to you, I have no idea how that child got so out of control. I thought we had raised him better. He and Sirius are nothing alike."
"They certainly aren't. Although they both lack respect for us. We must have been too soft on them. Sirius has his good sides, yes, but he can be insolent and disrespectful, you know that very well."
"Yes, I know," sighed Mrs. Black. "But there's hope for Sirius. He knows how to behave, it's just a matter of when he chooses to do it."
"He's still very immature," grumbled Orion. "He's bound to grow up sooner or later, I suppose. He better hurry up."
"He has been doing a good job helping out with his brother lately," said Walburga. "He is the only one who has some kind of control over him. If it hadn't been for him, Regulus wouldn't have come home so we could go to the therapist. Sirius found him and picked him up."
"Did he, now?" said Mr. Black, looking up at his wife. "Then he likely knows where he is at this moment. We should call him down."
Mrs. Black went into the hall and called Sirius' room on the intercom. "Sirius!" she yelled into the speaker when he finally answered. "Come down here - your father wants to talk to you!"
Sirius sighed and turned off his music and went downstairs. "What do you want?" he asked, walking into the drawing room, irritated to have been called down like a servant.
"Your brother has not come home. Do you know where he is?" asked Orion.
"No. Maybe out running or something," said Sirius. "Why would I know where he is? Regulus prefers his own company." He looked at his father with a bored expression, trying to act as casual as he could. He had promised Regulus to cover for him and he intended to do so.
"You knew where he was earlier," Walburga pointed out.
"I knew where he was after school because he had told me. I haven't seen him after the shrink," lied Sirius. "It's not my job to keep tabs on him. That should be yours, and it would probably be easier for you if you showed him a little consideration and understanding."
"Consideration?" spat Walburga as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Until that boy shows us some consideration he will not get any in return! And watch your mouth, young man!"
Sirius just shook his head and folded his arms. "No wonder he doesn't tell you anything. But to answer your question again: no I don't know where he is. Probably found a place to hide for the night so he could avoid getting his head ripped off."
"You best start to shape up, Sirius," said Orion in a warning tone. "We will not stand for your cheek! You're a role model for your little brother, and the way you're talking to us certainly doesn't teach him how to show respect!"
"Well I learned from the best. It's not like you lot show us any respect either. You treat us like we're your property, not human beings. How am I supposed to show you any respect when you give me no reason to do so?"
Mrs. Black jumped to her feet. "And I was just sitting praising your good qualities to your father. Well, you certainly know how to remind me of your bad ones! You're a spoiled rotten child, is what you are!"
By the end of the tirade she was screaming, and Mr. Black left the room, knowing from years of experience that this was the start of one of his wife and son's screaming matches, and he preferred to get out of earshot.
A/N: To see Zayhad's illustration to the chapter go to deviantart dot com and look up Zayhad. She has a folder in her gallery with the story's name on it.
