AN: Look I'm sorry that the chapters that don't have anything to do with the books are so short. I have a slight problem realizing how to end a chapter if there is nothing to point it out to me or by a cliff-hanger. That said I hope you enjoy.

SYD: Thanks for reading the story. I hope you continue to like it.

Chapter 48

James, Remus, and Sirius walked down the stairs to the common room. Then James sent a patronus up the girls' stairs to get Lily. They were all silent as they walked towards Professor Dumbledore's office, trying to come up with exactly what they wanted to say. They knew that the explanation wouldn't be very believable unless you were there.

"Msrs. Potter, Black and Lupin, and Ms. Evans, what are you doing out of bed at this hour?!"

They turned to see Professor McGonagall hurrying up the hallway behind them. She was wearing her tartan dressing gown and looking none too pleased.

"Professor, we need to see Professor Dumbledore, it's urgent!" said Sirius.

"Well, it had better be. If not, you will all receive detention for a month. You've scared everyone out of ten years of their lives. We don't need you four flitting around the castle upsetting everyone again."

"It is, Professor. Believe me, it is."

Kreacher used the house elves uncanny sense for their masters to take him right to where Master Regulus was. There was only one problem. When he arrived, he found Regulus surrounded by Death Eaters and in very poor condition.

Regulus had been subjected to the Cruciatus curse many many times over the past few hours. His face was also swollen and bruised from physical beatings. Blood poured from his mouth and nose and he was very pale. Uncaring of what would happen to him, Regulus had tried to save the lives of a family of muggles that he knew the Death Eaters were going to attack. Furious that one of his own had betrayed him, Voldemort had backhanded him across the face and then ordered the Death Eaters' retreat so he could deal with the nuisance. Regulus was just happy that when he last saw the muggles, they were alive.

Ever since, his former comrades had been beating him and cursing him. He knew that it would eventually end with his death, but couldn't bring himself to care. He had done something right and good for a change and not what was easy. He had never thought doing so would bring such a feeling of contentment and peace. Sure it hurt, but he was proud of what he did and had made his peace with his death.

Voldemort raised his wand to bring about his traitor's death, when a movement in the shadows caught his eye.