My boyfriend is getting really annoyed with me writing Blackcest when he wants to talk to me, but come on. Priorities! Blackcest is just so damned perfect though. I promise we will be getting a our first sex scene pretty soon, woohoo! Watch this space XD

Here is the next chapter!

CRIMINALS
Placing The Blame

It was magnificent. Everything was magnificent. That was the only thing that Regulus could think as he stood in the middle of the rainforest, staring around at his surroundings in complete awe. It was like paradise. He couldn't wipe the smile off of his face.

The sounds of the trees rustling from wildlife, and the trickle of water from the stream, and faint sounds of a waterfall somewhere in the distance only made him smile more. The smell of leaves and greenery were like Amortentia to him.

He walked, careful not to stumble over the roots of the tallest tree he had ever seen in his life. He wanted to look at everything all at once but he knew he wouldn't get anywhere if he did. There was something about being in the rainforest that was very peaceful. He felt like he could spend the rest of his life here and be content.

Away from the world, away from people, away from reality.

There was an opening in the trees ahead of him. He headed over to the opening, and pushed the branches aside. When he stepped out, he realised that he was standing on the edge of a cliff. He must have been at least three thousand metres from the ground. As much as he was scared, he couldn't help but look down at the fantastic valley so far beneath him.

Along the cliff line, he could see the waterfall that he had heard earlier. He could not tear his eyes away from it. He had never imagined a waterfall as tall as this one. It looked impossible but yet it was there, before him.

He sat down on the mossy ground, hanging his legs over the side of the cliff. Just sitting there was exhilarating. He put his hand into his bag to take out his camera-

Regulus awoke very suddenly, clutching at his right arm. The pain in his arm was so intense that he had to grit his teeth to stop himself from crying out.

And suddenly there was another shooting0 of pain right down his leg. It felt as though someone had taken a knife and scraped it down his leg. He could feel something wet on his leg.

Regulus fumbled for his wand, and cast the lumos charm. With great difficulty, he pulled his pyjama trousers up to examine his leg. There was a long, deep gash down his shin with a copious amount of blood streaming out of it.

Before he could even react to it, the same thing started happening all over his body. It was like there was some invisible person slashing him with a knife. The pain was agonising, and he could not even stand up. Every time he tried to move, he would get slashed again.

He let out a horrific scream as he felt the most awful pain in his left side. It was like someone had taken a chunk out of him, and he felt like he would black out from the pain.

He was vaguely aware of his curtains opening, and his friends staring at him with panic. He felt their arms around him, lifting him out of his bed.

There were more of the slashes all over, and he was sure he was about to lose all of the blood in his body. He was sure he was dying.

He wasn't holding back now on the screaming. It was impossible not to scream.

Barty and Scabior were talking to him – probably trying to reassure him, but he couldn't hear their words. Their voices sounded muffled. All Regulus could hear was his own cries.

"MAKE IT STOP!" he shouted desperately, and as if it was punishing him, another intense pain started in his arm. He couldn't bear it anymore.

Darkness engulfed him.

Regulus opened his eyes, and he sighed when he realised he was in the hospital wing. Again. He felt like the hospital wing was a second home to him.

He was lying there for about a minute when it all came back to him. The terrific pains, the gashes, the blood. He tried to sit up, but he felt too much pain in his side.

"Oh, hello Mister Black," Madame Pomfrey said when she realised that Regulus was awake.

"What happened to me?"

"I was hoping you could tell me."

Regulus was confused. Was he supposed to know what had happened? He'd been sleeping when it happened, and he had been having a very nice dream.

"I don't know," Regulus said. "One second I was asleep, and the next, I felt like I was dying."

Madame Pomfrey raised her eyebrows, and grabbed the curtains that were concealing his hospital bed from the rest of the wing. She pulled the curtain open and then headed off to attend to another patient. Regulus glanced at the person in the bed next to him. It was Sirius.

"Sirius?"

Sirius turned to face him. He looked awful. He was covered in lacerations, and that was just his face.

"What are you doing here? What happened?" Regulus asked worriedly.

"I was attacked," Sirius croaked.

"By… oh… it was a full moon last night, wasn't it?" Regulus said. "He attacked you."

"And you," Sirius said. "It's all my fault. I'm so sorry."

"I don't understand," Regulus said.

"We're linked, remember," Sirius replied, looking guilty. "It's my fault."

Regulus closed his eyes. That made sense. He pulled up his shirt to take a look at the wound in his side. It was covered with bandages.

"Did you get bitten?" Regulus asked.

"Yeah," Sirius wheezed. "In my side and in my arm."

"You're not going to become a-"

"-Of course not," Sirius said quickly. "I wasn't human," he said, lowering his voice. "It won't do anything."

"Are you sure?" Regulus asked.

"I hope," Sirius said. "James is looking it up right now. But the whole reason I became an animagus was so that he wouldn't be a danger to me. I think I'm safe."

"Good," Regulus said. "You still look sexy," he said quietly.

Sirius smiled. "So do you."

There were loud footsteps, and then James Potter appeared.

"Sirius," he said breathlessly. He was stopped in his tracks when he noticed Regulus there. "Regulus," he said. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm linked to him," Sirius said. "Your idea, remember?"

"Oh," he said, looking horrified. "I'm sorry," he said to Regulus.

Regulus waved it off.

"Good news, Sirius. It won't have an effect on you," Potter said. Regulus inwardly sighed in relief and smiled at Sirius, who smiled back at him.

"Thank Merlin," Sirius said.

"Time to sleep, boys," Madame Pomfrey said, handing Sirius a potion and then handing Regulus a potion. "You need your rest."

Regulus took his potion without a second thought.

"Reg."

"Mmm, what?" Regulus mumbled.

"You're awake," he heard Sirius say.

Regulus opened his eyes to see Sirius sitting on a chair next to him. His wounds had pretty much healed. He still had cuts on his face but they were almost all gone.

"You're better," Regulus said happily. "That was quick."

"I know," Sirius said, frowning. "You're not."

Regulus tried to sit up, but the pain in his side was still excruciating. He felt like it was still bleeding, and it probably was. It wasn't exactly a small wound.

"Why?" he asked.

"I don't know," Sirius said. His mind seemed to be elsewhere. The look on his face was worry.

"What's wrong, Sirius?"

"Nothing," Sirius said, shaking his head. "How are you feeling?"

"Good actually," Regulus said. "Now that you're here, I mean. You smell amazing. It just automatically cheers me up."

"I probably smell like sweat," Sirius said, laughing. "You're weird."

"Well it smells nice, anyway," Regulus said. "Blocks out that disgusting medicine smell."

"I don't smell anything," Sirius said.

"Count yourself lucky," Regulus replied. "It's burning my nostrils."

He felt Sirius's hand on his face, caressing his cheek. "I love you," Sirius said softly.

Regulus smiled. "I love you, too. I was having the most amazing dream that night before you were attacked."

"What happened in your dream?"

"I was in a rainforest. Just me. It was so peaceful and beautiful," Regulus said, closing his eyes and smiling. "It was just perfect. I would love to go there in real life. I'd love to travel and study the magical creatures in the rainforest."

Sirius smiled at him. "That sounds wonderful," he said. "So you want to be a Magizoologist?"

"It's my dream job," Regulus said.

"I think you could do it," Sirius said. "You're good at Care of Magical Creatures and Defense Against The Dark Arts, aren't you?"

"Yeah, pretty good at them," Regulus replied.

"They do exchange programmes, you know?" Sirius said. "You could go to Castelobruxo and study there for a year."

"I know, Sirius," Regulus said. "It sounds amazing, but I couldn't afford it."

"Neither could I. But I promise you, we'll go there – to the Amazon Rainforest. We can build a house there or something."

Regulus laughed. "You have some wild ideas."

"I just want you to be happy, Reg," Sirius said. "Anyway, I was attacked by a dog. That's the story, if anybody asks."

"Quite ironic," Regulus said. "Since you are a dog."

"Yeah. I had to explain to the teachers about how we were linked. They made me reverse the spell. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Regulus said. "I'm alright now. I won't hurt myself."

"Are you sure?" Sirius asked.

"Yes," Regulus replied. "I'm happy now."

Sirius beamed at him. "I'm glad."

Regulus had been taking the Elixir to Induce Euphoria for a few weeks now, and he hadn't been happier. The horrible thoughts that had plagued his mind the last couple of months were just gone.

The only price was going into Hogsmeade once a month to steal ingredients. The stealing still made him feel uneasy, but it was worth it. The feeling after taking the potion was worth everything.

"How is Remus?" Regulus asked, suddenly realising that Remus must be tearing himself up inside for what had happened.

"He's in his private hospital bed," Sirius said. "He won't talk to me."

"Does he know what happened?" Regulus asked.

"I don't know. Probably. I'm sure he's talked to James," Sirius said. "I don't blame him at all. He didn't know what he was doing, and he was angered anyway."

"Do you think it's safe to go and be with him next month?" Regulus asked.

Sirius nodded. "It was because he was in a bad place. His emotions have an effect on the wolf. It's my fault."

"It's not your fault," Regulus said. "If it was anybody's fault, it was mine."

"No, Reg."

"It was," Regulus said. "I'm the reason you two are fighting. He attacked you because you're fighting. It's my fault."

"Don't think like that," Sirius said softly. "You should sleep, you look tired."

"I just want to get out of this place," Regulus sighed. "Can you give me some of your magic healing powers?"

"I think I healed quick because it happened to me in dog form," Sirius said. "I don't know how that even works, but I'm sure that's the reason."

Regulus nodded.

"Go to sleep," Sirius said, leaning forwards and kissing him on the forehead.

"How can I say no to that?" Regulus asked, smiling up at him. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, love."

"Mister Black, please wake up," Madame Pomfrey said. Regulus unwillingly opened his eyes. Sirius was still sitting next to him, though he was wearing different clothes. A day had passed. Maybe more.

Sirius looked worried, scared and nervous all in one.

"Your wounds in your side and in your arm are not healing," Madame Pomfrey said.

"That's weird," Regulus croaked. "He certainly didn't feel much better. If anything, he felt worse.

"Sirius, you need to be honest with me," Madame Pomfrey said, sounding stern. "Was it a dog that attacked you?"

Sirius glanced at Regulus, and then at the matron. "Er, no. It wasn't a dog."

Madame Pomfrey nodded. "I am struggling to understand why the attack has not affected you in the same way it has your brother, Sirius."

"I'd rather not get into it," Sirius said awkwardly, shifting in his seat.

"Mmhmm," she mumbled. "Well, unfortunately it's not good news."

"What is it?" Regulus asked.

"I am assuming that the bite was from a werewolf," Madame Pomfrey said. "Am I right?"

Sirius nodded.

"You are very lucky, Sirius. The bite should have turned you."

"But it didn't," Sirius said. "So what's wrong with Regulus?"

"The reason I had my suspicions that it was a werewolf bite is because of your injuries, Regulus. The gashes have mostly healed but they have scarred. Your bites – the only bites I know that don't heal like that are werewolf bites. They kill you."

"But I'm still alive," Regulus said.

"I'm thinking since it wasn't a direct bite – how it came through the link to Sirius – it's not the same. You are dying, slowly."

Regulus couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was dying? This couldn't be true. Sirius looked as though he would be sick.

"Well what can you do about it?!" Sirius yelled hysterically. "I'm not letting him die."

"I can heal it," Madame Pomfrey said. "With powdered silver and dittany. The only risk is that because it's such a unique situation, there may be consequences. I don't know whether healing your wound will turn you into a werewolf."

Regulus's breath hitched in his throat. "I might… become a werewolf?"

"I truly hope you won't. But you will die otherwise," Madame Pomfrey said.

"This isn't fair," Sirius said. "This is all my fault."

"Stop blaming yourself," Regulus said quickly. "Just heal the bites, please."

"Are you sure?" Madame Pomfrey said.

"Well," Regulus said. "Rather that than be dead, right?"

Madame Pomfrey nodded. "I shall go and get the powdered silver and dittany. I will be back in a moment."

She left them alone, and Sirius reached for Regulus's hand, holding onto it tightly. "You'll be okay, Reg."

Regulus nodded, trying to stay brave. "Of course I will."

Madame Pomfrey reappeared, and Sirius didn't let go of his hand. She lifted Regulus's sleeve, and pulled away the bandage that was concealing one of his bites. Regulus hadn't seen it yet, and it was worse than he had expected.

"This may sting a little, but it should be instant. You will feel better."

Regulus nodded, and she put her hand into the bowl and sprinkled the powder over his wound. It did sting a little, but it was nice compared the pain he had felt before.

And instant it was. He looked down and the wound had closed up. There was a silvery tinge to the scar that remained. Madame Pomfrey then proceeded to healing his other bite that was on his side.

It was such a relief to sit up without wincing. He smiled confidently. "I don't feel any different."

"You wouldn't," Madame Pomfrey said. "If you were going to become a werewolf, you would have felt the changed since the moment you woke after being attacked."

"What would I feel?"

"Werewolves in human form have certain tendencies. They have heightened senses. They can hear things from further away, smell things that others can't. They are slightly stronger than humans. Silver burns them."

"I thought that was just a myth," Regulus said.

"No, believe me it's real," Sirius said. Regulus wondered when poor Remus had been subject to silver-testing by his friends. "Reg, you could smell that medicine when I couldn't."

"I'm sure that's nothing."

"It's something," Madame Pomfrey said. "Here, hold onto this." She was holding a silver spoon in her hand.

Hesitantly, Regulus reached for the spoon. He took it in his hands. It wasn't hot, like he'd have imagined. It didn't burn him, but after letting go his hands stung a little. It was like touching a stinging nettle. Irritating but bearable.

"You're not a werewolf," Sirius said, with relief heavy in his voice.

"It stung, though."

"I agree with Sirius," Madame Pomfrey said. "It didn't burn you. You aren't a werewolf. I suspect you are part-werewolf, though. I'm not sure what that means. We will have to monitor you, and we will need to take precautions at the next full moon. We need to be very careful as we don't know what will happen."

Regulus shivered at the thought. What if being part-werewolf still meant that he would have to transform at the full moon? He had heard terrible stories about werewolf transformations. He'd heard about the pain, and the feeling of dread of hurting someone. He'd heard it was one of the worst afflictions one could have.

"What should I do?" he asked.

"Come back to me if anything happens that you are worried about," Madame Pomfrey said. "I will need to tell Professor Dumbledore about this, unfortunately. I'm sure he will want to speak with you regarding what to do at the full moon."

"Okay," Regulus said.

"You are free to go, now."

"Thanks," Regulus said, slowly climbing out of his hospital bed. Sirius stood up, nodded to Madame Pomfrey, and helped Regulus walk out of the hospital wing.

When they entered the corridor, Regulus was taken by surprise as Sirius pulled him into a kiss. He kissed back, smiling into it. He'd forgotten what it was like to kiss Sirius. He felt like he'd been in the hospital wing forever.

Sirius's arms were wrapped tight around him, like he never wanted to let go. When the kiss broke, Sirius still held onto him.

"I'm here for you, Reg," Sirius whispered in his ear. Regulus rested his head on Sirius's upper chest and smiled again.

"Thank you, Sirius. I love you."

"I love you, too. We will get through this, I promise."

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