Chapter 19 – Please Forgive Me

There was a knock on the door to Regulus' flat. Regulus chose to ignore it, because he counted on it being Sirius, who couldn't get into his head that Regulus didn't want to see him right now. However, when he heard Barty calling his name, he went to open, glad to see his friend.

Barty eyed him with a worried look before pulling him in for a hug. "Mate... I just heard."

Regulus broke down sobbing for probably the tenth time that day.

"What happened? Everything was going so well!" Barty said when Regulus finally pulled away. Barty guided him to the sofa to sit down.

Regulus wiped his eyes and nose in a tissue Barty provided. "I don't know. I mean, addicts have relapses all the time, yeah? And Remus certainly had his share. But this was different than the other times. He was so happy. We're in love, he just reconciled with his parents, was looking forward to starting school. He hasn't had a bad day in a long time!"

"Yeah, it doesn't make much sense," Barty sighed. "Did he tell you why?"

"He wouldn't even admit it. Came up with a ridiculous lie. As if he thought I would be stupid enough to buy it. Which, on second thought, I might as well have been. I've believed him every time he told me he wouldn't do drugs again. He said some bloke abducted him and injected him with heroin. As if someone would want to do that!" Regulus scoffed. "It makes no sense, but I suppose it's the best he could come up with."

"That's a weird lie. Who found him?"

"A maid found him in a motel room. It's a bit strange, though, because he usually went back to his old neighbourhood when he relapsed. He said this bloke jumped him on his way to Tesco and pulled him into a van. Then he woke up in the motel room and the bloke held him down and injected him."

"He must have been big if he could hold him still while he found a vein, and all," said Barty, chewing on his bottom lip.

"He said he was. A big Scottish bloke. Told Remus to just lie still and enjoy, because it was the last thing he would get to enjoy, or something. Whatever that was supposed to mean. I don't know what sense Remus thought that would make to me."

Barty was quiet for a moment, leaning back on the sofa, seeming like he was in deep thought. "Scottish, you say? You said your parents wanted to get Remus out of your life, right?"

"Yeah," Regulus said, a puzzled look on his face. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"I'm probably letting my imagination run wild, but…" Barty started. "April, your father's secretary – you know, me and her have been flirting for a while, and she told me –"

"Get to the point."

"Right. She put a call through from some bloke with a heavy Scottish accent, and then she heard Mr. Black giving him hell, saying something about not doing the job right."

Regulus stared at Barty for a long time. "A hitman? No. My parents are horrible people, but murder? They couldn't..."

"They did try to pay him off, didn't they? And what else could the next step be?" said Barty, sounding doubtful but also a little intrigued.

"But..." Regulus knew his parents were willing to do what it took to get their way, but he couldn't wrap his head around them trying to murder his boyfriend. But the circumstances of Remus' OD and story were strange and would be explained by Barty's hitman theory.

"Think about it," said Barty, eagerly. "What would be the easiest way to get away with murdering an addict?"

"Giving him an overdose," Regulus answered. "Nobody would suspect a thing."

"Exactly," Barty nodded. "And if that hitman took Remus to that motel, there might actually be some CCTV, either from the motel or the street where Remus was taken."

Regulus looked like he was seriously debating with himself about whether or not to continue down this road.

"Think about it, Reg," Barty said. "If there is even the smallest chance that Remus is telling the truth, shouldn't we at least check it out or report it so the police can look into it? We could start out with going to the motel and ask if Remus came in alone."

"Yes. Yes, of course!" said Regulus, jumping to his feet, finding that he actually hoped Barty was right - realising he would rather that Remus was telling the truth and his parents being murderers than the opposite. "Let's go to the motel right away!"

"When are Remus' parents planning to come pick him up?" Barty asked as they sat in the tube on their way to the motel (they had gotten the info from the hospital).

"I haven't called them yet, so they don't know anything," said Regulus. "I was trying to pull myself together when you came over."

"You know – perhaps we should call Sirius and get him to go to the hospital and keep an eye on Remus. Just... you know, in case that bloke decides to try and finish the job."

Regulus looked at him, suddenly scared. "I'll call James! I don't want Sirius to be alone with him. Also… well, I don't want to air the idea that our parents are murderers this way. I'd like to have that talk in person." Regulus called James, not giving him many details; just telling him to go to the hospital and not let anyone tend to Remus other than the doctor and nurse who had been there earlier.

o0o0o

"Could we talk to the maid who found him?" Regulus asked the clerk at the hotel after he had explained why they was there.

The clerk shook his head. "Alice isn't here today."

"Which room was it? Can you tell me who rented it?"

"First of all, it was paid in cash," said the clerk, looking on his screen. "Second of all, even if I did know, I wouldn't tell some random person. You're not coppers, so..."

"Well, I'll call the police, then, so they can come and ask you the same questions, if you'd prefer that," said Regulus irritably.

"Can you at least tell us if it was one or two people who rented the room?" Barty sighed.

"Why?" The clerk asked as if he was getting rather tired of the conversation. "You think your girlfriend had a little fun with the junkie?"

"What? Girlfriend?" Regulus looked utterly confused.

"Well, when someone comes in and asks if one or two people checked in, it's usually because someone is afraid their partner is cheating. So that's why I'm asking."

Regulus ended up having to call the police in order to get anywhere. They listened sceptically to his story, but figured it serious enough to at least look into it.

When they finally got to see the sign-in, only one name was attached to the room number. Remus Lupin. Regulus sighed in disappointment. But then again, why would the hitman give his own name when it was supposed to look like Remus had been alone?

"CCTV?" Barty asked.

The clerk sighed dramatically, but let them look at the surveillance-recordings from the day before. And there it was: a large man, signing in at the time stamp that Remus was supposed to sign in. And placed on a chair in the corner was a slumped-over person, either unconscious, doped or very drunk.

"That's Remus!" Regulus gasped, recognising his boyfriend, when the large man dragged pulled him to his feet after signing in. So Remus was telling the truth! Regulus raced outside, leaving everybody, including Barty, behind, and flagged down a taxi. He only had one thing in mind - getting to Remus. He barely cared that his parents had tried to have his boyfriend murdered; the only thing that mattered right now was that Remus had been telling the truth.

o0o0o

At the hospital Regulus rushed in, nearly giving James, who was sat dozing on a chair outside Remus' room, a shock. Without an explanation he went inside.

Remus was lying on his side, curled up, his back to the door.

"Remus!" said Regulus and rushed to the bedside, trying to hug the figure from behind. "Remus, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry I didn't believe you!"

Remus jerked in surprise when he felt Regulus' arm around him and for a while he lay frozen, but then moved a weak and shaking hand up to gently place it on the arm embracing him.

"I'm so, so sorry, Remus. I should've trusted you," said Regulus, pressing his face into Remus' neck. "Please forgive me."

Remus started sobbing and twisted around in the bed so he could cling to Regulus, feeling like he could get lost in his arms.

"What's happening?" James said, standing in the doorway to the room, looking rather confused. Had Regulus suddenly decided to forgive Remus again? James could already hear Sirius screaming his head off when he found out.

"He was right," said Regulus, turning his head, but not letting go of Remus. "There was a man who abducted him. We saw it on the CCTV at the hotel. The police are looking into it."

James looked flabbergasted. "Seriously? Why would anyone try to kill Remus? Does he owe someone money that we don't know of?"

"I don't owe any money," Remus sobbed, clinging to Regulus' arm. "I don't know why 'e did it."

"No... We don't know yet, but I think my parents have something to do with this," Regulus said, sending James a knowing look. Then he turned back and pressed his face into Remus' shoulder. "Oh, God, you could've died... would've died if that maid hadn't come in when she did." He could feel himself shivering with shock and overload of emotion. "I'm going to buy her a flower bouquet so big she'll need help to carry it."

Remus tried to turn around slowly, still feeling sick from the overdose but also because the withdrawal was starting to set in. He had refused to take any methadone; even refused to eat or drink, so they had had to put a saline-drop in his hand.

Regulus cried a bit with Remus, stroking his hair and back. "This is all my fault. My family did this to you. If you had moved back to Leeds with your parents you would have been clean and happy now, instead of nearly murdered and relapsed. If you hadn't been my boyfriend..."

"I would 'ave been miserable without you. Or dead from an OD," Remus said. "Please don't blame yourself. You made me life matter."

James left the room, not wanting to spy on the emotional display. He pulled out his mobile and called Sirius to bring him up-to-date. "... so Reg suspects that your parents are behind it. That they hired a hitman to get Remus out of the way... No, I'm not pulling your leg… What do you think?"

There was silence for a moment and then the sound of a deep sigh. "I'm not going to say they're incapable of murder, because… fucking hell, they're fucking murderers! Jesus Christ…"

"Blimey. I had prepared myself for an explosion. Was a bit worried that you might rush over to kill your dad or something, actually."

"I'm considering it," Sirius said, gritting his teeth. "I'm trying to keep calm since I'm more worried about Reg and Remus right now. Perhaps that bloke might try to finish the job."

"Well, the police are on it now, and I think either Regulus or Barty told them they suspected your parents, so I think they'll get a visit very soon. But I'll stay here outside the room to keep an eye out."

"Tell Reggie I'm on my way."

James found Regulus sitting on the edge of the bed, running a hand continuously over Remus' hair, smoothening it away from his forehead. Remus had closed his eyes; and although he was trembling and looked quite sick, there was a smile on his lips.

Regulus fished out his phone when Barty called. "I'm sorry I just ran out on you. I didn't even think -"

"It's alright, mate. I get it. Listen - the police have already picked up that bloke and taken him down for interrogation."

"What? How can they be so fast?"

"They recognised him on the CCTV footage. Not his first brush with the law, apparently. They're probably gonna bring Remus a photo to look at or have him come down to the station if he's well enough. Just to make sure they got the story right and it's the right bloke," Barty continued.

"He isn't going anywhere for a while. He's been through enough, and he's feeling quite poorly. They can come here if they need to talk to him."

"They caught him already?" James asked, having overheard the conversation between the two. "Guess he isn't exactly a professional."

"Right. I would have thought my father would know better than hiring an amateur. But I suppose he doesn't have any experience in the field.

Not long after, the police showed up at the hospital, asking for Remus.

"I'm not sure he's well enough..." started Regulus, and sent Remus a look to see how he was reacting.

"It's important that we get some details about what happened," the officer said softly. "A few questions will do today. Just so we have enough to ensure that –"

"I want to 'elp," Remus cut him off.

"Thank you, Mr. Lupin," smiled the officer as Regulus stepped aside and let him move to Remus' bedside. Regulus sat down at the other side and took Remus' hand for moral support.

First the officer brought both Remus and Regulus up-to-date with the situation, and then he held up a picture "Have you seen this man, Mr. Lupin?"

Remus looked at the picture and nodded. "Aye. He's the one who took me and gave me 'eroin."

The officer nodded, looking pleased. "Are you certain? No doubt, whatsoever?"

"I'm certain," Remus said. "I'll never forget that face."

"You'll be willing to testify in court?"

Remus looked over at Regulus, not sure what to say. "I… I guess." He was still a bit shook up about the whole situation.

Regulus looked at Remus, then the officer. "Is he going to be put away?"

The officer nodded. "Extremely likely. He's as guilty as a cat in a goldfish bowl, and we already have the CCTV footage. The case is unlikely to even make it to court - if he's just a little bit smart, he'll cut a deal."

"Sounds good," Regulus said and sat down on the edge of the bed. He was about to ask about his parents' involvement, but found he didn't have the energy to go into that right now.

Remus closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths as soon as the officer had left, still holding onto Regulus' hand. "Did... did you call me parents?"

Regulus shook his head. "I didn't get that far. I was trying to force myself to let you go. I knew I had to, but... I knew the moment I called your parents and asked them to take you home, things would be final."

Remus caressed Regulus' hand. "I'm glad you din't," he said in a soft voice. "I wouldn't 'ave been able to live without you. They might as well just 'ave let me die, then."

"Don't say that," whispered Regulus and pressed his face against Remus' neck. "If we hadn't found out that you weren't lying..."

They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Sirius stuck his head in and asked. "Can I come in? I waited till the coppers left. Thought you didn't need more people in the room than necessary…"

"Yeah, it's okay. Remus will probably need some sleep soon, though."

Sirius looked a little guilty for having jumped to conclusions about Remus. He sent him a quick smile and walked around the room for a bit as if he trying to come up with a conversation subject. "So... how is everything?"

"Well, our parents tried to kill my boyfriend and now he's sick as hell, and I almost kicked him out," Regulus said a little dryly. "Otherwise, things are fine."

"Yeah..." Sirius said, chewing on his lip. He guessed they had informed Remus about it being their parents' supposed involvement, because the pale boy did not seem surprised. "How… how are you going to get clean again?" he asked Remus. "You're not doing another cold turkey, are you? I mean, you've already been through enough hell, lately…"

Remus smiled. Coming from Sirius, this display of sympathy for his drug problem was something entirely new.

Regulus shook his head. Remus had said he wanted to do it the hard way, but Regulus was determined to talk him out of that. It had been horrible enough witnessing the first time where it had been Remus' own fault and Regulus was angry with him. "A week or two in rehab for detox, yeah, Remus?" he said.

"I don't want to be there all alone again," Remus said, holding Regulus' hand like a lifeline. "Can't I just take the methadone at the clinic every day? And perhaps we could go to me parents' house until I'm better? Away from London for a while?"

Regulus looked at him and then nodded, giving his hand a squeeze. "Yeah, let's do that. I'll see if I can get some time off to study, or they can give me some work I can do away from the office. Else, I'll just quit and find another job. But if it gets difficult, then promise me you'll go to rehab."

"Alreyt, but it won't be necessary," smiled Remus. "I've learned to 'andle me emotions now, and I 'ave both you and me parents back in me life, so I 'ave everything to live for."