Disclaimer: This is JK Rowlings sandbox, I'm just playing in it. I own nothing.
CHAPTER ONE
Horcrux. Horcrux. Horcrux. The only word running through Regulus' mind. Horcrux. How could somebody- how could he- how could anyone think making an abomination like that was smart? He knew the Dark Lord was definitely lacking something in the sanity department, but horcrux?
He was a Black. He was more than familiar with dark magicks, he was incredibly familiar. In fact, Regulus Black decided that he definitely knew more dark magic than the Dark Lord. It was in Magick Moste Evile! In a book about evil magic, that book even said something along the lines of: DO NOT RECOMMEND! So of course some ruddy insane maniac decided that was encouragement to do so. One was an abomination, but to make more?
He wasn't daft. Even Death Eaters brag. Lucius Malfoy and Bella are allegedly guarding something of utmost importance to the Dark Lord. So that was probably three, and who's to know there aren't any more? When Kreacher apparated to him, half dead on the floor and groaning in pain, speaking of things that were not there and hallucinating, speaking of dark objects and a torture potion, he knew something was wrong.
He knew what he needed to do, and he bloody well hated to do it. He had to go to his disgustingly Gryffindor brother. Merlin, Morgana, Circe, and Hecate! He loathed having to put aside his pride and speak to his brother who all but ignored his existence the second Regulus was sorted into Slytherin. But what else could he do?
Go into that cave alone and brave the horcrux, poison, and allegedly inferi by himself? He was a Slytherin and had at least some semblance of self preservation thank you very much.
He looked down at his unblemished left arm with incredible relief. At least his "Oh so merciful Lord" did not physically mark school students until they graduated, which thankfully, left Regulus with a full term at Hogwarts before he had to worry about that disgusting mark blemishing his alabaster skin. If he wanted anything marking it, he could go to a muggle tattoo parlour.
At the moment he did not care if his thoughts were utterly treasonous to the "cause." No, right now, all he cared about was the fact that he was going to have to put aside his pride and speak to the brother that abandoned him.
"Bugger." he spoke, his head in his hands, grateful for the solitude his room offered him, just this once. Alone with his thoughts, and his newfound swirling hatred and disgust.
James Potter had never been so bored. Here he was, in 1979, the day before Yule, sitting in the Order Headquarters listening to members drone on and on about information they have uncovered, yet because of Dumbledore's orders, cannot do anything about.
Perhaps he should have listened to his parents about not joining Dumbledore's little vigilante group, for he could be doing so much more than sitting in this stuffy room and pretend to admire Dumbledore whilst he knew the doddering old man was keeping secrets and not sharing everything - anything - he knew with them.
Sirius stifled a yawn from beside him, and James had to pretend to look very attentive when he himself was not so far from nodding off, in need of a good night's rest.
Once Caradoc Dearborn was finished with his statement, Dumbledore stood up, that regular twinkle in his eyes that James found more and more infuriating the more he saw it.
"We have made wonderful progress!" Dumbledore spoke, clasping his hands together. "You are all truly assets in this war against the Dark-" I thought it was a war against Voldemort, mused James. "-And I cannot applaud you enough for how brave you are!"
Many in the Order preened at the praise, except the Marauders. James sat stock still, as if his spine was now a rigid wooden stick. "That concludes today's meeting, and I will send out the notices for the next one," Dumbledore's smile was hidden under his thick white whiskers. "For now, I wish you all a Happy Yule!" He said jovially, as people sat up from their seats, and James and Lily walked over to Remus, Sirius, and Peter.
"That was the most boring meeting ever," Sirius yawned before James could speak and voice his very same sentiments.
"It just feels like we're all stuck," Lily huffed. "We aren't doing anything, and it feels as if we're not making any progress."
"Of course we're not," scoffed Remus. "We're fighting people who intend to kill us with second year spells like expelliarmus and stupefy. We're not going to win like this," He muttered, and Peter squeaked.
It was when they were at the private place of James and Lily's home at the Potter Estate (after seeing Peter off to his mother's house) that a patronus, a grim patronus at that, bounded to Sirius. It spoke, loud and clear.
"Sirius, I know you don't want to hear from me, but I need your help. Meet me at the Leaky Cauldron in one hour." It was Regulus.
The silence was palpable. It was James who spoke. "Are you going to go?"
There was a pained expression on Sirius' face, and everyone looked at him in understanding. "He's my brother," He choked out.
"Go," Lily whispered to him, affectionately caressing his dark, long hair, with a soft smile. "We understand."
James nodded resolutely. Remus smiled softly, encouragingly. "Can..can one of you come with me?" Sirius asked, his grey eyes as big and bulbous as that of an abused house elf when showed kindness. But his eyes betrayed one thing. He wanted James.
"I will," James whispered, clasping his hand on Sirius' shoulder. Lily and Remus sat down in the dining room while James and Sirius went to change out of their Auror robes.
"Do you think this is a good idea?" Sirius blurted out whilst buttoning up a plain black shirt. James paused, thinking of a good way to articulate his answer.
"I think.." He spoke slowly. "That if it were me and my brother, I'd go."
Sirius nodded, schooling his face to be blank, in a way he had perfected as a child. Like it or not, he was a son of House Black. He had chosen to run from it, and in doing so, he had lost some of the only family he had cared for.
After an hour, they apparated after saying goodbye to Lily and Remus, and stood in front of the Leaky Cauldron. James and Sirius inhaled sharply, and went inside.
James spotted Regulus immediately, sitting in the back, isolated from everyone. They walked over, and sat in front of him silently. He looked up, and glanced from Sirius to James, before wordlessly whipping his wand out and silently casting a privacy spell around them.
"Hello," Regulus murmured softly.
"Hi, Reg." Sirius answered, and James just watched with a keen eye. He did not speak, nor did he greet Regulus. His face remained impassive.
"How've you been?" Regulus asked, then promptly cringed at the question, which made Sirius raise an eyebrow in lewd amusement and James bit back a chuckle.
"I've been better," Sirius drawled in a pureblood tone that he had also perfected as a child. "And yourself?"
"Swell," Regulus muttered. "Okay, I asked you here because I need your help," he murmured, mustering up the courage to look up into Sirius' grey eyes that were exactly like his own.
"Alright, what happened, Reg?" Sirius murmured, his eyes unconsciously scanning Regulus form for any injuries.
"It's..quite complicated, really." Regulus murmured. "But, I have to get something, and it's dangerous. I can't go alone, or I may die."
Sirius and James sat up in alarm, looking at the boy in shock. "Regulus!" Sirius hissed. "You're barely seventeen!"
"I am aware!" He said back, his eyes flashing with annoyance and..fear. James furrowed his brows, before speaking for the first time.
"What is it?" He asked. He may not have a Dark Magick Library, but he was a Potter, and his mother was a Black. He knows more than most people. Knows enough for the Dark Lord to covet his knowledge. He was by no means stupid. Nor was he weak. And that caught the attention of the man he's personally trying to kill.
His mum and dad did not get Dragon Pox randomly. He was lucky enough to catch it in its earliest stages, and forced them to St. Mungo's. They were going to make a full recovery and were now going to go home after their final appointment today, but he was not stupid enough to believe the way they got it was an accident.
"It's something dark. Evil. The Dark Lord needs it," Regulus began and Sirius snorted it.
"You want us to help you bring something to him? Are you mad!?" He hissed angrily.
"If you let me finish!" Regulus bit back. "He needs it. I need to ensure it's destroyed. For all of our sakes. Because unless these items are destroyed, you cannot kill him. Not really." He whispered, and Sirius and James tensed, before glancing at one another in horror.
No. No. No. There's no possible way. That's ludicrous. There has to be..he cannot have.
"Please tell me you're not telling me what I think you're telling me, Regulus." Sirius voiced, his voice strained and choked as he felt fear and disgust swallow him whole.
"He has horcruxes," Regulus whispered. "At least three that I know of,"
James whimpered. "Three?"
"At least." Regulus answered back.
"And you know where one is?" Sirius murmured.
"Yes." Regulus said.
"We...we should go to Dumbledore," Sirius said hesitantly, not liking the idea at all, but it was an idea at least.
"No!" James and Regulus echoed. They looked at each other in shock before turning back to Sirius.
"If we tell him about them, then he's going to want to find out how we know," James explained.
"And Dumbledore tends to control and manipulate things. Chances are, he already knows or at least suspects," Regulus states. "And isn't doing anything about it. He's telling you all to fight and making you martyr's in the process. And in school, there were two sides." Regulus whispered. "Dumbledore, or Him. I did not want to be manipulated and sent out like a lamb to the slaughter. At least with Him, I thought I knew what I was signing up for," Regulus breathed shakily. "I'm a Black. I can't be expected to stay neutral, not when my older brother already declared himself a Dumbledore-Lover,"
Sirius felt an ache fill him. Regulus had to pick a side. And he was pushed to choose His. All because of the way Sirius acted. He looked at Reg, who had dark circles under his eyes and his face looked weary, worn, and even somewhat gaunt. A seventeen year old shouldn't look like that. It was his fault. Despite being a Gryffindor, he could have been a good heir. So Regulus wouldn't have just his burden on his shoulders, but he now had Sirius' as well.
"If there are people that are forced to join him because they don't want to join Dumbledore," James voiced. "Then we should make another side. Not light, or dark." He said, looking into his best friends and his best friend's little brother's eyes. "A grey faction. One cannot fight people with the intent to kill with stunning spells and disarming spells. We need to fight with the intent to kill as well." James whispered.
Regulus and Sirius looked at him with wide eyes. "You're suggesting..betraying the Order?" Sirius voiced.
"Aren't we already?" James responded. "Just by sitting here and talking to Reg, with no intention of telling Dumbledore or the Order, we are. Regulus may not be marked, but he is considered a Death Eater. Like it or not, we're traitors. Might as well make our own side while we're at it. Mum and Dad didn't want to fight with Dumbledore. Uncle Arcturus doesn't want to fight with Dumbledore-Don't give me that look Sirius. Uncle Arcturus is a good man. If we can get them to agree, if we tell them, we have more of a chance." James murmured.
Sirius and Regulus sighed, before nodding. James was right. Many powerful people did not want to fight for Dumbledore, but maybe they'd fight with them.
"If we get them on our side, it will make this Horcrux hunt easier." James murmured. "They're incredibly powerful, and Dad and Uncle Arcturus are incredibly powerful and fought together against Grindelwald. Mum is an amazing fighter and healer. Lily is the same. Remus is one of the best duelists we know. Marlene, Emmeline.." James murmured. "Maybe we can get Moody too, but that's doubtful. And there are some powerful people on the other side too, Reg." James said, looking at Regulus.
"You recruit trustworthy people from your side, We'll recruit from our side. And we three will call a family meeting. I think it's time we got the House of Black and Potter back together. Allies. Friends. Like we were before...Dumbledore with his light alliance broke it up." James muttered. And then it was settled. His parents were home by now, fully recovered, and he knew his mum and dad had no intention of lying in bed. The meeting was going to be called tomorrow. But tonight? They were going to get that damn Horcrux.
Regulus called for Kreacher.
"Kreacher is here to serve the proper heir of Black," He croaked, with a nasty look aimed at Sirius. "What does the heir of Black need Kreacher to do?"
"Kreacher," Regulus spoke softly. "I need you to take us to that cave, where He took you."
"But-but Kreacher does not-" Kreacher croaked in panic. Before resolutely nodding. "Take Kreacher's hand, Blood traitors and Master Regulus."
They did, and with a pop, they were gone. They appeared at the mouth of a dank cave, James, Sirius, and Regulus shivered as they felt the dark magic coiling around it. It was an abomination. They walked over to where a stone slab sat, and James felt the wards.
"It's a blood sacrifice." He whispered. "I'll do it." And before anyone could protest - which they were - he conjured a knife and cut his arm and smeared the blood over the stone, which gave passage.
In front of them was a lake. Sirius felt the dark magic coiling around him, suffocating him. It was cold, as if he were experiencing a dementor right in front of him, but a patronus charm would not help him now.
"This boat won't be able to hold all of us," Regulus murmured. "And there are inferi in the lake."
"We can have Kreacher pop us over." Sirius contemplated. "House Elf magic is more powerful than ours. They're magical creatures, made of magic themselves. The anti apparition and disapparition wards won't work with elf magic."
And so, Kreacher popped the three of them to the little stone area in the middle of the lake, holding a crystalline basin filled to the brim with a dark potion. Sirius tried to just grab the locket without drinking it, but an invisible shield pushed his hand back. They had to drink it. Regulus commanded Kreacher to leave, to wait until he was called upon by either himself, James or Sirius. The old house elf was reluctant to do so, but he knew that his Mistress would be wondering where he was if he did not make an appearance at Grimmauld, and soon. So, he obeyed, and disappeared with a soft pop.
"I'll drink it." Regulus whispered.
"No!" Sirius protested. "You can't!"
"I must. I'm the one that brought you two here, I'm the one that got you into this mess and now James is bleeding!"
"I'm fine!" James interjected.
"I will drink it." Regulus said stubbornly, before grabbing the goblet that was inside the potion, scooping it up, and moving it to his mouth. He looked at James and Sirius. "You can't let me stop. I must drink all of it. Grab the locket, then leave."
"We're not leaving you here!" James responded hotly, glaring at the younger boy. Regulus just grinned.
"Didn't know you cared, Potter." Before gulping down the black potion. He shivered. He felt despair fill his very bones as he scooped up another drink and forced it down his already dry throat. Another. And Another. He fell to his knees, crying. He heard things. He saw Sirius twitching on the floor, his mother crucio'ing him over and over again.
Sirius, half dead, bleeding, twitching from the cruciatus, barely lucid. "Reggie," he choked.
"No no no, Sirius I'm sorry," He whimpered. James and Sirius looked at one another, and Sirius had heartbreak written all over his face.
He grabbed the goblet and filled it once more. "Come on Reggie," Sirius murmured soothingly. "We're almost done."
Regulus was crying and shaking. "No, no, please don't make me," He whimpered, but Sirius soothingly shushed him, and held the goblet to his mouth. Sirius' eyes filled with tears, as he took another scoop of the poison and fed it to his brother.
Regulus was sobbing now, he was hysterical, but a voice, he didn't know who it was, a voice kept telling him to drink. He thinks he knows that voice. Trusts that voice. And so, he drank.
The potion was done, and at the bottom of the basin, sat a locket with magic so evil James felt it suffocating him. He grabbed the locket immediately and put it around his neck, ignoring the horrible coiling feeling of dark magic settling around him, as if poisoning him.
"Let's go," He murmured. Sirius was holding Regulus, trying not to let him go to the water.
"Water," Regulus croaked.
"I know, Reggie," Sirius whispered. "But we can't. We have to go now. Kreacher!" He called desperately.
Kreacher scowled, but appeared. His scowl disappeared when he saw Regulus. "Kreacher, I need you to take us to Potter manor." And with a pop, they were gone.
Authors Notes: Hi guys! This is my first work, so please don't be too rude haha. i'm learning to navigate here by a lot of trial and error, and your comments (if anyone reads this) are very appreciated. I know in Pottermore that James' parents are listed as Fleamont and Euphemia, but for the sake of this story, they're going to be Charlus and Dorea. Dorea was a Black, which gives James access to the Black Family Magick and the Black Family itself. Likewise since Sirius is related to Dorea, and is Charlus' adoptive son, he can access the Potter magick. This will prove to be important in the story later on, I honestly really hope I finish this and one way to do that is through the motivation that comments and such gives me. I hope to deliver a story that you all will love, and if there are any discrepancies or misspellings of names, please tell me! Much Love 3