Warning for abuse, crime, a panic attack, and fighting.

This is for Round 6 of the IWSC.

StoryTitle/Link: The Task to be Done

School and Theme: Durmstrang - Betting Shop - Explore those who commit crimes/go against the rules but aren't inherently evil.

Main Prompt: 4. (character) Regulus Black

Additional Prompts: 15. (action) getting kidnapped/kidnapping 7. (character type) A Turncoat

Year: 2

Wordcount (google docs): 2860

A/N: This is a muggle!AU and a crime!AU. Tom Riddle here is an infamous criminal who has many families working for him (much like Voldemort did). One of these families is the Black family. And, like in canon, Sirius doesn't agree with his family's ways and runs away, which makes Regulus start to try and leave this crime gang. Riddle, being a master of deception and lies, figures this out and gives Regulus the task of kidnapping his own brother as a way of testing his loyalty. In this story Regulus takes on the character type of a Turncoat although I guess Sirius sort of does as well.

...

This was also written for the Harry Potter Cluedo game on TGS.

School, House: Beauxbatons, Barbegazi

My guess is the following...

Item - 10. knife

Character - 4. Regulus Black

Location - 10. Muggle London

Regulus made sure to keep his head down as he walked hurriedly through the almost deserted streets. He, perhaps more than anyone, knew that these were dark times. Of course, he would know. Since his family was part of the reason why.

He bought the latest issue of The Daily News from a newspaper stand. As he skimmed the pages, an all too familiar heading popped out at him. Finding a bench along the sidewalk, he sat down to read the article.

The Daily News

The infamous crime master, Tom Riddle, ensures that no one is safe.

All of London must take extra caution for the following months. The infamous crime master, Tom Riddle, has had the daughter of the famous inventor, Nicholas Flamel, kidnapped. Investigators are currently unable to find the girl's location.

It is known that Riddle employs families to work for him, making his money off of theft and other crimes. Over the past few years, Riddle and his gang have become more and more of a threat. Recently, he has found a new money-making plan: by kidnapping members of rich families, Riddle can ensure gaining ransom money in the promise of the return of their loved ones.

Anyone who is caught working for Riddle and his crime gang will be taken to custody on sight. If you ever see what looks like a kidnapping in the streets, please call the crime helpline that has been set up. The number is as follows-

Regulus stopped reading with a groan, putting his head in his hands. He knew exactly who had kidnapped the inventor's daughter. Bellatrix, the young adult who used to be Regulus's favourite cousin, had been bragging about getting the task assigned to her not even a week earlier. His family, along with many others, worked for Riddle and were a part of his infamous crime gang.

The night was beginning to fall and Regulus knew he ought to get home before police started to come around to fine anyone out past the newly installed curfew time.

As he walked home, Regulus let his mind wander to the danger that the world was in. Riddle was hiring members of his gang, Death Eaters he liked to call them, to kill and to kidnap. In a way, the name Death Eaters really was fitting; they caused death probably as often as they ate. It was sick. And he hated it.

But things had been changing. He no longer supported the life of crime as his parents did. He never had. He knew it was wrong but never had the guts to tell that to his parents. Ever since his big brother Sirius had run away from home, there had been even more pressure on Regulus to continue working for Riddle. Regulus, who had always secretly hated what his parents did for a living, and what he was forced to do after he had turned 18, was proud of his brother for leaving their toxic household. Hopeful that maybe, just maybe, his parents would realize their mistake and let them escape somewhere where Riddle wouldn't find him. Yet, he knew it wouldn't be as easy for him to run away all on his own. Because Sirius, unlike him, hadn't been forced to take the Dark Mark. And he knew that once you had gotten it, there was no going back.

With a grimace, he pulled back his left sleeve, up to his elbow. There sat the tattoo which Riddle often referred to as the Dark Mark. It was a tattoo in the shape of a skull, the gang symbol. He hated it. Anyone who wanted to join had to get it as a way of showing your loyalty. A loyalty that was currently waning in his heart.

When he finally reached his house, Regulus paused before knocking on the door. He knew his mom would be very angry with him for staying out past the curfew. Even if it was only for ten minutes. His hand hovered over the old-fashioned brass knocker on the door of the Black mansion. However, before Regulus could even knock, the door swung open, and a pair of hands grabbed him by the collar of his perfectly ironed shirt before dragging him inside and throwing him onto the floor.

"Where have you been?" A voice shrieked. Regulus looked up with a familiar sense of foreboding. His mom was towering over him, a belt in her hands.

"Sorry, mom. I just got lost in my thoughts."

She brought the belt down, catching him across the stomach. "You worthless child! Don't you remember anything? I specifically told you never to stay out after curfew! Do you really want to give the police a reason to be suspicious of this family?" The belt came down again, this time it struck his arm when he moved it to protect his face.

Regulus bit down on his lip, trying not to let his tears fall. He knew his mom didn't want anyone suspecting that the law biding Black family actually worked for Riddle.

"Walburga," came another familiar voice. "That's enough, let him be."

He crawled to his feet and saw his dad standing there. Out of both of them, his dad had always been more manageable.

His mom glared at him but lowered the belt. "Fine," she snarled at him. "Go to bed, I don't want to see your face tonight. You better be at the Riddle manor by eight sharp tomorrow. Otherwise, there will be serious consequences."

His heart sank. "Why does he want to see me?"

She smirked. "Let us just say that he has a very special task for you."

As Regulus crawled gingerly into bed, he couldn't help but wonder what horrible task he was going to have to complete to demonstrate loyalty that didn't exist anymore.

xXx

"What!" Regulus cried, ignoring the fact that you weren't supposed to disobey Riddle. But the task he was given was outrageous. "I can't do that. How could you ask me to kidnap my brother?"

Riddle smiled It was a slow, humourless smile. "Your brother is not part of our gang. What difference does it make whether he is your brother or anyone else?"

Regulus took a deep breath, trying to control his racing heart. This was crazy! But he should have expected something like this.

Riddle, being a master of deception and lies, surely would have figured out that Regulus was a lot more withdrawn and quiet these past few months. Of course, he was suspicious.

Seeing his hesitation, Riddle stepped closer. "It shouldn't be too hard of a task. I'm hardly asking anything of you. Kidnap Sirius Black and blackmail the Potters into paying for his release."

With his heart hammering in his throat, Regulus said, "I'm not sure, my master. Wouldn't it be difficult for me to kidnap someone who knows me so well? Surely he would recognize me and the whole gang would be exposed." He hoped the fake concern in his voice sounded at least somewhat realistic.

"I'm sure there will be no issues with the kidnapping of Black." He paused as though for dramatic effect. "I would absolutely hate for a little, let us just say accident, to happen to your dear mom and dad." Regulus froze. Was Riddle threatening him? With his parents? "So, have you made your decision?" Regulus clenched his fists, Riddle always made it sound like you had a choice but, in reality, you never did. Although he hated his parents and their crime-loving ways, he couldn't knowingly allow them to be hurt.

With his blood boiling with anger and his hands trembling with fear, he nodded. "I'll do it."

xXx

For the next few days, Regulus couldn't focus on anything except the fact that he was going to have to kidnap his own brother. Surely there was some sort of law that prevented this? He sighed and ran his hands through his hair. He had watched people be kidnapped but had never done it himself. His dad had always told Riddle he was too young. But now that he was an adult he had to do the same things as everyone else.

His parents were being no help whatsoever. They both had obviously already known about his first task and decided not to warn him. The day he came home from the Riddle mansion, his dad, at least, had given him a sympathetic smile. But his mom was just downright cruel.

"It's a good task for you," she had said, the horrible smile on her face identical to Riddle. "A way to hurt that horrible traitor of a brother you have. Try and do something awful to him, all right?"

Regulus had stormed up to his room before bursting into angry tears. He hated everyone! This crime gang was horrible and he just wanted to run away as his brother had. But his parents' lives were in danger.

He knew exactly where Sirius lived and there were several houses Riddle had built for the sole purpose of keeping kidnapped victims. Therefore, Regulus had no reason to not do his task. He had to do it. No matter what.

xXx

Regulus felt his heart beat faster and faster and he ducked behind an old building. The black clothing made him feel feverish and the mask made it difficult to breathe. The fact that it was night and there was no moon certainly didn't help. He felt like he couldn't see. To say he was overwhelmed would be the understatement of the century.

Sirius was walking briskly towards the Potter's house. He was obviously trying to get home before anyone realized he was out after curfew. Regulus paused for a moment to stare at his big brother. Someone whom he had always admired and looked up to. Someone whom he was about to kidnap.

Without giving himself time to chicken out, Regulus pulled the large piece of cloth from his pocket and sprang forward. He swung his foot out, tripping Sirius, who went crashing to the floor. Careful so that his brother didn't recognize him, Regulus pulled out the phony knife he had brought. He wouldn't have brought a real one, no matter the circumstances.

Sirius started to shout out at the sight of what, in the dark, looked like a real weapon, but Regulus, with his heart aching, punched his brother in the gut.

Sirius doubled over on the floor, groaning, and Regulus had the chance to wrap the cloth around his brother's mouth, gagging him. He tried to haul Sirius to his feet but his brother, ever the fighter, was resisting. Regulus sighed, he had no other choice. With a sharp hit to the back of the head, Sirius crumpled to the floor. Unconscious but otherwise not injured.

With tears wetting the fabric over his face, Regulus heaved his brother up and slung an unconscious arm over his shoulder. One of the crime houses, as he liked to call them, was just a block away. Stumbling under the combined weight of them both, Regulus barely got to the crime house. His hands shook as he twisted the key and pushed the door open. He staggered inside and slammed the door shut before sinking to his knees.

Sirius still didn't know it was him. It would be so easy to bring his brother back outside and leave him on the street. He would wake up and go back home. But then both of their parents would be killed.

Regulus ripped off his mask and took a long look at Sirius, who lay crumpled on the floor. Then, finally free of judgement and scolding looks, he bent his head and wept.

xXx

Regulus looked out the window as the sun came up. Sirius would wake up soon and he still hadn't figured out what to do. Usually, you were supposed to use the victim's phone to call their family and demand money in exchange for their loved one to be returned. But Regulus knew the Potters, they were all Sirius had ever talked about before he ran away. He couldn't do this to them. But he had to. Regulus let out a choked sob, why did everything have to be so hard?

"Reg?"

Regulus spun around so hard he thought he would get whiplash.

Sirius was groaning on the floor, struggling to sit up. The sight of his big brother, always so strong and fearless, curled up on the floor made his eyes sting with tears. He desperately tried to wipe them away but Sirius noticed anyway.

"Reg? What's wrong?" Sirius made to move closer and grimaced. "Where are we?"

Regulus shook his head, hoping Sirius would take the hint and leave him alone. The true, horrible reality of what he had just done crashed over him in a huge wave, threatening to drown him once again. Oh God, he thought, running a hand through his hair. He had just kidnapped his own brother. What kind of a brother was he?

He could hear Sirius saying something but his voice was lost in the sound of his heart thumping against his chest. The world seemed to sway as he tried to catch his breath. He grasped at the wall, trying to get himself under control. All of his thoughts seemed like a whirlwind, pounding at his brain. He just needed a break from it all. And why couldn't he breathe?

Without warning, Regulus felt his legs give way and he crumpled to the ground. Through his spinning vision, he saw Sirius jump up despite his injuries and rush to his side.

"Regulus!"

He flinched at the loud voice, his hands dancing across his chest. It was as though he was still wearing that horrible mask. He just couldn't breathe.

"Regulus," Sirius's voice was softer this time. "Regulus, look at me."

With all the strength he could muster, Sirius met his brother's concerned eyes.

"Regulus," Sirius repeated his name for what seemed like the hundredth time and grabbed his hand. "You need to breathe, alright?"

"I-I can't...It hurts."

"Come on, you can do it. I know you can."

Sirius sounded worried, actually worried. Focusing all of his energy on what should have been a simple task, Regulus fought to get air in his lungs. Sirius murmured words of comfort, something strange in their distant relationship, in his ear as he let his breathing even out.

After a few minutes, or perhaps an hour, Regulus was finally sure that he wasn't going to die, that he could actually breathe. Feeling suddenly embarrassed, Regulus looked down, not wanting to meet his brother's eyes.

"Hey, look at me." Sirius put his hand on Regulus's chin, forcing him to look up. But still, Regulus refused to look at him. "What happened? I need to know, okay."

When Regulus finally looked at his brother, guilt threatened to overtake him again when he saw the look on Sirius's face. He was wincing in pain, in actual pain. And it was all his fault.

The world started to spin again and Regulus felt Sirius put a hand on his shoulder. "Reg, calm down. Please just tell me what's going on."

Before he could back out Regulus finally spilled everything. The task he had to do. What would have happened if he didn't. How much he missed his brother. And how bad he felt for ever agreeing to do this wretched task.

By the end of it, Regulus was in tears. Sirius comforted him dutifully, like a proper big brother. He didn't seem nearly as mad as he should have and Regulus didn't understand why. He had kidnapped him.

After many more reassurances that he didn't deserve, Regulus couldn't take it. "Why aren't you mad at me!"

Sirius frowned. "What do you mean?"

He took a much needed deep breath. "I tried to kidnap you for God's sake. For Riddle no less."

Now it was his brother's turn to take a deep breath. "Look, I should have never left you alone in that horrible house. You had no choice and although it was a bad mistake, it was just that. A mistake. I know you regret it. I don't blame you, not even in the slightest."

"But I don't want to be a part of that side anymore. Can I come live with you and the Potters?"

Sirius frowned again. "I wouldn't mind," he said slowly. "But what would Riddle say?"

Regulus felt his heart drop, he hadn't thought of that. "I'll go talk to him." At Sirius's shocked expression, he said, "I don't care of he kills me, that's better than staying on that side for even another moment. I'll go now, you stay here."

He made to get up but Sirius dragged him back down. "No," his voice was stern. "Reg, I have never been there for you and I refuse to leave you alone again. Whether you like it or not, I'm coming too."

Regulus tried to argue but he knew it was no use. Sirius was as stubborn as a mule. "Fine."

Sirius smiled. "Promise that we'll figure out this mess together?"

"Promise."