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CRIMINALS
Criminal

It was two o'clock in the morning, and Regulus was lying wide awake in his bed. He'd been lying there in silence for hours. He was sure his room mates were all sleeping now, so he slowly crept out of bed, and tip-toed across the room without a sound. He opened the door carefully, as it creaked, and then headed up the stairs to the common room. The common room was empty.

He hurried across the room and out of the door. It was cold in the dungeon corridors. The walls were like ice and just being near them was like standing outside on a wintry day. Regulus hugged himself and shivered as he carried on across the corridor towards Slughorn's office.

He paused for a moment to make sure he wasn't being watched or followed, and then proceeded to alohamora the door, which opened. He had been expecting a more advanced locking charm, but was relieved that it had been simple.

The office was dark and eerie. Though there were no windows, Regulus could still sense that it was the early hours of the morning just by the feel of the room. The candles had been long since blown out.

Regulus cast the lumos spell, and headed towards the ingredient cupboard. He tried alohamora again but it did not work.

There must be a key...

He searched the room by wandlight, looking in the obscure places and the simple places.

"Accio key,"he whispered. Nothing happened. He sighed as he realised where the key must be.

Diffusing his lumos charm, Regulus headed towards the other door that led into Slughorn's sleeping quarters. Very quietly, he opened the door and slipped inside. Slughorn was snoring loudly, which Regulus decided, was a good thing. It was an indicator that he was still asleep.

He edged closer to the bed, scanning the room for the key. It was nowhere in sight. He reached over to open the drawer to the bedside table next to where Slughorn was sleeping, and the snoring ceased suddenly.

Regulus froze in place, afraid to breathe. He would be in so much trouble if he was caught.

"Ah yes, a nice cup of tea would be lovely!" Slughorn said loudly in his sleep, and then continued with his snores.

Regulus let out a sigh of relief and opened the drawer. It was empty. There seemed to be nowhere else it could be.

Damn it, he thought, annoyed. Unwillingly, Regulus resigned to leaving. I'll need to come up with something else.

The next morning flew by. He managed to catch Sirius in an empty hallway where they shared a kiss that was too heated for seven o'clock in the morning, and he'd spent the morning studying dragons in Care of Magical Creatures. That class always flew by because he enjoyed it so much.

After he finished his class, he had a few hours free and decided that he'd go and visit Remus in the hospital wing.

He reached the hospital wing and Madame Pomfrey told him that he had half an hour to visit. As he walked around the corner, he gasped at the state that Remus was in.

He was almost unrecognisable. Regulus couldn't believe what Sirius had done to him. It made him sick.

Regulus stepped towards Remus's bed and sat down on the chair next to him.

"Hey," he said.

Remus looked up at him with his good eye. The other was black and completely closed up. "Hi," he croaked.

"I'm so sorry," Regulus said quietly. "I feel responsible."

"Don't," Remus replied quickly. "If anyone should feel responsible it's Sirius," he said, spitting out Sirius's name.

"Hey, you threw a few punches too," Regulus said defensively. "He's been covered in bruises."

Remus laughed harshly. "He deserves worse."

"You two need to stop."

"This whole thing was completely blown out of proportion," Remus said with annoyance in his tone. "I never wanted to fight with him."

"I'm sorry, Remus," Regulus said again. "I shouldn't have kissed you."

"But you did," Remus said. "You can't change that, I can't change that, and neither can Sirius. He needs to just deal with that."

"Give him some time," Regulus pleaded. "I don't want to be the reason you two stop being friends. And your friendship with him is the reason I'm friends with you."

Remus smiled. "I know. I'll forgive him when he apologises for what he's done. When he realises that he was in the wrong."

Regulus sighed. He knew he wasn't getting anywhere. Neither of them wanted to forgive the other without the other admitting they were wrong. He decided that he should change the subject. "So we were learning about dragons today in Care of Magical Creatures."

"Oh yeah?" Remus said. "Did you enjoy it?"

"It was probably the most interesting lesson I've had so far," Regulus said enthusiastically, pulling his book out, about to show Remus everything he'd learned when he suddenly had the thought that Remus probably didn't care. He started putting the book away again when Remus held his hand out to take it. Regulus handed it over and watched as Remus read over his work.

Remus smiled and handed the book back. "Looks really interesting," he said. "I would have loved to take Care of Magical Creatures for NEWT level, but I only got an E in it for my OWLs."

"You got an E?" Regulus asked. He knew that Remus was supposed to be one of the smartest students in Hogwarts.

"Yeah," Remus said with a hint of disappointment in his voice. "Anyway, apparently I was a mark away from an O."

"That's practically an O, then," Regulus said encouragingly.

"I could have done better," Remus said. "Oh well. It is what it is."

"Do you want me to bring you anything?" Regulus asked. "You must be pretty bored in here all day."

"I'm alright, thanks," Remus replied. "James and Peter have been bringing me chocolate and books."

Regulus nodded. "Well I hope you heal up soon. Don't go picking anymore fights."

Remus raised his eyebrows. "Tell that to Sirius."

"I will," Regulus said. "I'll see you around."

"Thanks for seeing me," Remus said with a smile. Regulus smiled back and headed out of the hospital wing.

Regulus had time to kill. He wanted to be with Sirius, but Sirius's day was jam-packed with lessons. His friends were also in lessons, so he resigned to sitting in the library. He pulled his books out, and started his homework, which was starting to pile up.

It was relatively empty in the library, which Regulus preferred. He managed over half of his Charms essay when somebody walked into the library and distracted him. Regulus glanced up at Antonin Dolohov, who had just walked in. Dolohov was also in Slytherin, but in Sirius's year. Regulus had never really spoken to him before, but he had heard stories about him.

Hastily closing his books and putting his essay away, Regulus sprung up and headed over to Dolohov. He cleared his throat.

"Can I help?"

"Yeah, uh, can we talk?" Regulus whispered.

Dolohov raised his eyebrows and nodded. They headed round the back of one of the bookshelves so that they were hidden from view.

"So, er... I've heard you're able to get certain things..."

"Spit it out, Black," Dolohov said in a bored tone. "I have things to do."

"Can you get me some ingredients?" Regulus asked.

"No," Dolohov said. "You must have heard wrong. I don't get people ingredients. I make them potions."

"Oh," Regulus said. "I'm pretty good at making potions though, I just need the ingredients."

"That's not what I do," Dolohov said. "I can make you a whole batch of potions, undetected, discreetly, and even add a couple of my specialties into the potions to give you that extra boost. People that have tried my potions can vouch for me that you can't find a better one anywhere."

"I don't know where to get the ingredients from," Regulus said. "I tried Slughorn's office last night, but I couldn't find the key to his cupboard."

"You're never getting in there, trust me," Dolohov said. "There is an ingredients market in Hogsmeade in a few days."

"We're not allowed to buy them. We can get expelled for even going there," Regulus said.

"That's why you steal them," Dolohov said.

"Steal?" Regulus asked, feeling uneasy. He wasn't a criminal.

"Yes, steal," Dolohov replied. "Are you a Slytherin or not?"

Regulus thought about this. Sure, he could make the potion himself but he would still need to get the ingredients somehow. At least this way, he'd only be stealing the ingredients and wouldn't have the added offence of brewing the potion. He needed that potion. It was unquestionable. He knew what he needed to do.

"I'll do it," he said, sounding braver than he felt.

Dolohov nodded. "So you know the ingredients, I take it?"

"Yes."

"The market is on in two days. Get the ingredients to me as soon as possible and I can have your batch ready in three days."

Regulus nodded. "Thanks," he mumbled.

Dolohov nodded back, and walked away, leaving Regulus alone to think about the decision he'd just made.

Regulus finally had a bit of time off when Sirius did. He met Sirius in the corridor leading to Charms class, and dragged him away into an unused classroom. When the door shut behind them, they were instantly on each other. It wasn't long before shirts were on the floor and breathing was heavy.

"S-stop!" Regulus panted, pushing Sirius off of him. "It's not the time or place."

"I say anywhere and any time is the time and place," Sirius mumbled, leaning closer. Regulus could feel himself getting high on Sirius's scent. His closeness was intoxicating. He closed his eyes and shook his head.

"No, Sirius," Regulus said softly. "Stop seducing me."

Sirius groaned and picked their shirts off the floor, tossing Regulus's back at him, and putting his own shirt back on. "'Sup bro?"

"Don't say that," Regulus muttered, flushing deep red.

"Say what?" Sirius smirked. "Bro?"

"Yes."

"There's nothing wrong with calling you bro," Sirius said. "You are my brother, after all."

"Enough, Sirius."

"Mmm, Reg... are you all embarrassed?" Sirius whispered, leaning closer again, planting soft kisses up and down Regulus's jaw and neck. Regulus groaned. It just felt too damned good. He really really wanted to just let go and just take their relationship to the next level. In fact, he was struggling to find a reason not to. As usual.

"How do you do that?" Regulus groaned, letting his head fall back as Sirius kissed him.

"Do what, love?" Sirius asked between kisses.

"You turn me on so easily!" Regulus mumbled, biting his lower lip to stop himself from moaning again.

"You must find me very sexy, bro," Sirius smirked, watching carefully as Regulus flushed scarlet again.

"Stop saying that!"

Sirius laughed, and planted a kiss on Regulus's forehead. "You're adorable."

"I'm not adorable," Regulus said defensively, folding his arms.

"You really are," Sirius grinned.

"I'm a man," Regulus stated, his voice automatically going deeper. "Men can't be adorable."

"But you are," Sirius shrugged. "You're the most adorable man I have ever seen in my life."

Regulus huffed. "I'd prefer 'hot' or 'sexy'."

"Oh, you're those too," Sirius replied, sitting down on the desk next to Regulus. "Can I ask you something?"

"You just did, but yes, you can ask something else."

"Why can't we have sex?" Sirius asked.

Regulus laughed a little. "You're so desperate."

"Because you're bloody sexy and I need to fuck you."

"Calm down, Sirius," Regulus said quietly. "I have my reasons."

"Why?"

Regulus sighed. "I'll tell you if you do me a favour."

"Done, what's the favour?"

"I need to borrow your friend's invisibility cloak in a few days - don't ask why," Regulus said quickly.

Sirius looked a little confused but nodded. "Now tell me why."

"Right, so I remember learning about sex," Regulus said slowly. "I know how things work. But, well... I don't have a clue about what, er, gay sex is. I don't know what to do, and I'm scared I'll do it wrong."

"Pretty simple really," Sirius said. "Blowjobs and anal."

"Sirius!" Regulus hissed, embarrassed.

"You must know what a blowjob is," Sirius said.

"Of course I do," Regulus said, feeling himself blushing again.

"And you must know what anal sex is," Sirius continued.

"Yes," Regulus said. "But I still don't think I'll be able to do it right."

"All you have to do is lie there and let me do all the work," Sirius smirked, licking his lips.

"So why do I have to be the one getting fucked?" Regulus asked.

"Because I'm older," Sirius said. "Makes more sense."

Regulus pouted, his eyebrows furrowed. "That's not my fault."

"If you really want to be on top, that's fine, but we both know I'm the dominant one," Sirius winked.

"Fine," Regulus mumbled. "You can be it. The one on top."

Sirius nodded. "So are you ready?"

"Not yet," Regulus replied.

"You're driving me crazy here, Reg," Sirius said.

Regulus smiled a little. "I'm sorry."

"I'd better get back, my lesson started ten minutes ago," Sirius said, kissing Regulus firmly on the lips, leaving a lingering tingle through Regulus's body.

"Bye," Regulus said softly, as Sirius left the room.

It was the day. He'd convinced his teachers that he was ill, and so everybody thought that Regulus was sleeping in his room. In reality, he was standing behind a shop in Hogsmeade wearing James Potter's invisibility cloak. His heart was thumping so loud, he was amazed that nobody else could hear it.

He stared at the market, at the different stalls and the different witches and wizards. He tried to memorise were he needed to go. He tried to rationalise what he was about to do in his head.

It's not stealing, it's just borrowing.

He shook his head. He couldn't call it borrowing because he wasn't going to return the ingredients.

It's just taking what I need. It shouldn't be classed as stealing.

But he knew that if he was caught, he could be expelled from Hogwarts, or worse - sent to Azkaban.

He heard footsteps behind him and drew in a breath. He was caught. It was over.

But the person walked straight past him. He sighed in relief and decided it was now or never. He tip-toed across the cobbled path into the centre of the market. Even though he was under the invisibility cloak, he felt like people could see him. It was terrifying.

He slowly headed towards the stall which held the first of his ingredients, and shakily reached into the basket and grabbed a handful of Shrivelfig sprigs. He silently dropped them into his bag that he had under the cloak, and headed to the next stall.

This stall was very busy. Somebody barged right into him, knocking him over. He scrambled back up and hurried far enough away so that the person who had walked into him wouldn't detect him.

Calm down, you can do this.

After composing himself, Regulus headed back over to the stall and hastily grabbed some porcupine quills and peppermint sprigs.

Only two more stalls.

He headed over to the next stall, which wasn't as busy as the last. The wizard who was manning the stall was busy talking to an interested customer, so Regulus took his opportunity and grabbed the wormwood.

The last ingredient was the sopophorous beans. They were extremely expensive and extremely valuable. He knew this would be the hardest ingredient to obtain. Sure enough, the stall was right in the middle of the market, in view of everyone.

Regulus stood in place, watching the people around him carefully. The stall wizard was talking to two customers, while another customer browsed. Regulus edged closer to the basket and kept his eyes on the two customers and the stall wizard. When nobody was watching, he reached his hand out and took a handful of beans.

"THIEF! THIEF, RIGHT THERE!"

Regulus froze. Surely they couldn't be talking about him - he was invisible. He turned around and noticed that the person who had yelled was standing right behind him. To Regulus's horror, he realised his hand had been uncovered when he'd gone to pick up the beans.

"RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! THERE'S A THIEF WEARING AN INVISIBILITY CLOAK! GRAB THEM!"

Regulus tossed the beans into his bag and sprinted away from the market. He ran faster than he ever imagined was possible, and he didn't stop until he was safe in the Slytherin common room. He was sure people were staring at him. He was probably panting so loud that they knew he was there.

He headed up to his dormitory and threw the cloak off. That had been a close call. If he'd been caught...

He tried not to think about it.

He knew he should be happy that he managed to get the ingredients. He knew he should be proud of his achievement. He knew he should be relieved that he'd get his potion.

But he just couldn't feel any of those things.

He was a criminal, and things could only get worse from there. Once a criminal, always a criminal. Only the crimes get worse.

Regulus closed his eyes and sighed. At least the potion would take away his uneasy thoughts.

He lay down on his bed and pulled the covers over himself, and he no longer had to pretend that he was feeling ill, because he felt sick to his stomach as he drifted of into restless sleep.

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