Chapter 19 – Any Last Words?

Regulus went outside during almost every recess, finding himself a secluded spot where he could get a small break away from all the students. But a sunny day in March, someone had followed him.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the freak," drawled Avery and shot a look at his two friends, Mulciber and Rosier, as they surrounded Regulus.

"How come they haven't kicked you out yet, freak? Hasn't Dumbledore convinced your parents to put you in a special school? Better yet – a nuthouse," grinned Mulciber.

Regulus' gaze flickered from student to student, trying to spot a way around them, but they had cornered him between the two walls. "You should talk," he said, forcing his voice to sound as cocky as only a Black's could. "- with your ridiculous make-up and piercings. Do you think it makes you look cool and dangerous?"

Avery narrowed his eyes. "We look cooler than you." He gave Regulus a rough push in the chest.

Regulus reeled back, hitting the wall behind him, his heart hammering in his chest. It was clear that they were going to get physical.

"You think you're better than us, Black? Do you?" Avery gave him another push and stepped up to Regulus until he was only inches from him.

With Avery so close, Regulus panicked and shoved him hard in the chest. The Death Eater stumbled back a few steps, and Regulus quickly dodged him and rushed past. He almost got away but Mulciber caught him by the arm and flung him back against the wall.

"Where're you going?" said Avery and picked up a bottle, smashing it on the wall and pointing it at Regulus. "We are just trying to help you. Teaching you some social skills."

"FUCK OFF!" screamed Regulus, his arms flailing wildly, and then managed to knee Mulciber in the groin. The Death Eater shrieked in pain and doubled over, holding his privates.

"You fucking freak!" cried Avery and thrust the bottle into Regulus' shoulder.

Regulus barely registered the pain. Like a wild animal he bolted, now able to get around the three, and ran as fast as he could. He stopped on the other side of the school to catch his breath. The bell had just rung and the area was near empty. He sunk down on a big rock and took a look at his shoulder. Shit. The fabric was torn and there was a deep gash, bleeding profusely, having already soaked the top of his sleeve. He couldn't go back inside - they would just send him to the nurse's office or, even worse, the emergency room. No, he would get his bike and hurry home. Hopefully Mrs. Harris was still there and she could help him patch it up. He clutched his shoulder tightly on his way to the bike shed in an attempt to contain the bleeding. When he turned a corner he nearly ran into the PE teacher.

"Mr. Black," said Professor Hooch, pinning the boy with a stern look. "Where do you think you're going? The bell has just -" Her expression turned softer when she spotted his bleeding shoulder. "What happened to you?" Like all teachers, she knew better than to touch Regulus. "You need to go see Madam Pomfrey right away!" Under vehement protest from Regulus, the professor marched him to the nurse's office.

Madam Pomfrey looked tired when she saw Regulus. "Professor, would you mind fetching his brother?"

Professor Hooch returned a moment later with Sirius, who gaped at his brother in shock. "What the bloody hell happened?"

"I fell in the court yard and cut myself on a bottle," said Regulus, trying to fight off madam Pomfrey as she was trying to clean the wound.

"SIT STILL!" she shouted. "Sirius - hold him down. I need to clean this so I can see how bad the damage is."

"I can clean it myself!" shrieked Regulus, pulling his arm out of her grip for the tenth time.

"Regulus, sit still already!" ordered Sirius, trying to fixate his brother without much luck. Regulus was working himself up into a panic. "Wait here!" said Sirius, losing his patience. He marched off and came back a few minutes later with Remus in tow.

"What's he doing here?" said Regulus. "I told you I can clean it myself!"

Remus stepped into the office, eying Regulus' shoulder in shock. Madam Pomfrey sieged the opportunity of Regulus being distracted to get a better look at the wound. "This will need stitches," she said.

"No, no, no," said Regulus, shaking his head violently. "It'll be fine. I'll just put a large band-aid on and it will heal up nicely."

"No, it won't. You are almost certain to get an infection, and even if it does heal on its own, it will leave a very ugly scar."

"I don't care," said Regulus.

"Yes you do," said Sirius. "Let Madam Pomfrey fix you!"

Remus sat down beside Regulus and looked at his shoulder with a grim expression on his face. "You... you really should let her stitch you up."

Regulus took another look at the wound and reluctantly realised that they were right. "Mrs. Harris can do it. She can sew. I'll just ask her to do it."

"Unless this Mrs. Harris is a nurse or doctor she is not qualified to do so," said Madam Pomfrey and took out a piece of cloth and some disinfection gel for the wound. "Now let me handle it or I will send you to the emergency room, and I know you will hate that even more."

Remus took one of Regulus' hands and gave it a gentle squeeze. "It'll be alright. She will fix you right up."

But Regulus could not stand the thought of Madam Pomfrey holding his arm and doing something so evasively as digging into his flesh with a needle. "What about Remus? Can't he do it while you instruct him?" he asked, clutching for straws.

Remus' face turned white as he looked from Madam Pomfrey to Regulus. "I-I…" he stuttered and was relieved when Madam Pomfrey shook her head.

"No. It has to be me. I'm a nurse and I have done this hundreds of times before, so just relax."

"Yes, but I don't want you digging in my shoulder! Your face will be really close to mine and I can't stand that!"

"Reggie, stop that fucking rubbish and get it over with!" barked Sirius. "Do you want a big nasty scar? No? Then pull yourself together!"

"You can look at me while she does it," said Remus, trying to find a way to distract Regulus. "Then you won't have to sit face to face with her."

"What if we just put on a very tight bandage to keep it together? Then maybe it won't need stitches..." said Regulus, still not quite ready to give in.

"Do you want an ugly scar?" hissed Sirius, a vein pulsing on his temple. "What about Remus? How attractive do you think he would find a big nasty scar on his boyfriend?"

Regulus gasped, his eyes flickering from his brother to Remus.

"W-what?" said Remus. "No! I just want you to be okay, that's all that matters to me." Remus sent Sirius a reproachful look before returning to Regulus. "You need to get stitches. It will also keep infection away, and it doesn't really hurt. I fell in the school yard once and cut open my knee." Remus pulled up his trouser leg and revealed a scar. "See? It won't be so bad."

"I don't care about the pain!" scoffed Regulus. "It's her. I don't want her doing it!"

"You're acting like a brat!" yelled Sirius. "How do you think you're making Madam Pomfrey feel, talking like that?"

"Regulus," said Madam Pomfrey. "We need to get this stitched! There is no way around it or I will send you to the hospital where they will sedate you to do it. Would you rather have that?"

Remus caressed Regulus' hand and looked him in the eye. "You can handle this. I know you can."

"Alright..." said Regulus finally. "But you sit in front of me."

Madam Pomfrey told Regulus to carefully remove his shirt so she could get to his shoulder. When Regulus refused, she allowed him to keep his T-shirt on and rolled up the sleeve the best she could. "It's going to hurt a bit, but I'll be as gentle as I can."

When Regulus said nothing, she started sewing. Remus held Regulus' hand and tried to keep eye contact to keep his attention off Madam Pomfrey.

Regulus' self-control lasted for one and a half stitch and then with a rough jerk he tore his arm away from the nurse's grip, ripping open the skin where the needle had been half way through.

"Regulus!" gasped Madam Pomfrey, staring at the damage.

"Sit still for God's sake!" cried Sirius. "You're gonna rip yourself to shreds!"

"He needs to lie down," said Madam Pomfrey, treading the needle anew. "On your back, Black, and then your brother take a good hold of your wrist."

Sirius pushed Regulus down on the examination couch and took a good hold on him to keep him steady. "Now lie still and let her do her bloody job!"

"Don't hold so tight!" snapped Regulus at his brother. "Can't Remus do it?"

Sirius looked over at Remus and then nodded, letting go of Regulus to let Remus take over.

Remus' grip was gentler than Sirius', yet firm. Regulus tried to relax, focusing on Remus' face and trying to block out everything else.

About fifteen minutes later Madam Pomfrey could finally cut the string and lean back, wiping her brow. "There. Now you keep that arm steady or it will burst open again and all this will have been for nothing. I suggest you go home for the day and rest."

Regulus heaved a sigh of relief when she let go of him. It had been incredibly uncomfortable, but Remus' calm demeanour had helped him not panic. Sirius meant well, but his way of dealing with Regulus in these situations were not the most efficient. He would get more and more frustrated and, in turn, wound Regulus even more up.

Remus helped Regulus sit up. "How are you feeling?" he asked and looked at him a little closer. He thought he looked rather pale. "Do you want me to go with you? I can skip the rest of my classes."

"You shouldn't skive off lessons for me..." said Regulus although hoping he would. "Sirius, will you drive me home?"

"Of course. There's no way I'm letting you bike home with that arm."

"It's no big deal," said Remus. "I'll do some studying at your house so I won't fall behind. So what do you say? Is it okay that I go with you home?"

"If you insist," Regulus shrugged.

o0o0o

Once in the car Sirius turned to his brother. "Now tell me the real story. I'm not buying the 'I fell and cut myself' fib."

Regulus sighed. He had lied to Professor Hooch because he did not need another scandal involving him and fighting. He had trouble enough at school as was and with his record the teachers would probably not believe that this was not his fault. "It was Avery. He and Mulciber and Rosier cornered me out behind the science wing. He broke a bottle and cut me when I tried to escape."

Sirius' eyes went dark as he let out a string of curses.

"They cut you with a bottle?" asked Remus, horrified. "But why?"

"Because they're mental," hissed Sirius and turned to his brother for a moment. "I won't let them get away with that shite!"

"We should go to McGonagall or Dumbledore," said Remus.

"No. I don't want more trouble at school. There's enough of that. Besides, they'd bring Mother and Father into it, since cutting someone open with a bottle is pretty serious. And I don't want them to know."

Sirius didn't say another word the whole way home. He looked like he was thinking hard. "I'll be home in a few hours," he said as he dropped them off.

Remus nodded and thanked him for driving them. As Sirius drove away, Remus turned to Regulus. "I didn't like the grim expression he had. You don't think he'll do something stupid, do you?"

"Oh yes, I'm sure he will do something stupid. I only hope he doesn't get in trouble for it."

Remus bit his lip and gazed after the car that had disappeared over a hill. "Let's go inside. "It's freezing out here."

When they walked inside, Mrs. Harris came out from the kitchen, looking mildly surprised to see them. "Regulus? Why are you home so early?" She frowned. "Did you get into trouble at school again?"

"I cut my shoulder," said Regulus, taking off his jacket to reveal his bloody shirt and the bandaged upper arm. "It was just an accident." He felt a little ill and dizzy, which was not so strange. He had bled quite a lot.

"Good gracious! Have you seen a doctor?" she said and quickly examined the wound. "Get off that bloody clothes and take a shower, dear. Then I'll fix you some food. You look a little pale."

"I just need to lie down for a bit," said Regulus, but hurried to his bathroom, eager to get out of his bloodied shirt. He was disgusted by body fluids and hated to be anything but clean.

Ten minutes later he opened the door slightly so he could peep out, hoping Remus was waiting in his room. "Could... could you give me a hand with my shirt? It's a bit difficult to put on with my shoulder, you know."

"Of course," said Remus.

Regulus hesitated for a second. This would mean Remus got to see him topless. He wasn't quite comfortable with that, but supposed that as long as Remus didn't grope him it wouldn't be so bad.

Remus did his best to not gawk too blatantly. Regulus' body was slender and flawless. Nothing like Remus' own. He gulped and picked up the clean shirt and helped Regulus put it on. When Regulus' head popped through the top, their faces were very close to each other. Remus smiled and looked into the grey eyes, reflecting himself in them.

"T-thanks," said Regulus, taking a step back. "Do you want to lie down with me a bit while I rest? Mrs. Harris will probably disturb me soon with something sugary."

"I'd like that very much," said Remus. He hoped Mrs. Harris would come before they got too comfortable. It would be nice to lie and relax with Regulus until Sirius came home.

"Could you put this on the wound?" asked Regulus, handing Remus the extra bandages Madam Pomfrey had given him to dress the wound to protect it from infections.

"Sure," said Remus. "Just keep it steady and I'll put it on." Carefully he started to wrap Regulus' shoulder very carefully, afraid to put pressure on the wound. "Does it hurt?" he asked, not taking his eyes off the shoulder while working.

"It's alright," said Regulus. The wound did hurt quite a lot but he was not going to sound like a wimp.

Mrs. Harris knocked on the door five minutes later and Regulus hurried over to meet her so she didn't have to come inside the room.

"I brought you and Remus some tea and biscuits."

Remus was there in an instant to take the tray so Regulus didn't have to use his injured arm.

"Thanks," said Regulus.

"You two enjoy," smiled Mrs. Harris.

Regulus wasn't really hungry, he just wanted to sleep, but he knew Mrs. Harris expected him to eat, so he took a biscuit and stuffed it into his mouth before lying down

Remus lay down beside him. "You just sleep. Tell me if you want me to leave the bed, yes?" He remembered when Regulus had slept at his house he had wanted to sleep alone, but this time he had asked Remus to lie with him.

"Mmm," hummed Regulus, closing his eyes. He was very drowsy already and in less than a minute he had fallen asleep.

o0o0o

"I'm going to smash his face in," said Sirius when he had told James and Peter what had happened. "I'm going to kill that bloody bastard! I just need to get him on my own and preferably outside of school so I don't get in trouble with McGonagall."

"How are you going to do that?" asked Peter with admiration in his voice. "I mean those Death Eaters always walk in packs."

"It wasn't just Avery, was it?" James asked Sirius.

"Mulciber and Rosier were there too, but it was Avery who cut Reggie. And since I don't want you to get in trouble for fighting, I'll settle for just him."

"What the hell?" said James, looking incredulous. "You don't want my help?"

"I'd like your help getting Avery on his own, but if you start beating up students you'll lose your prefect status if someone finds out. Even if it happens outside of school. And now you've finally landed Evans, I don't want you to risk all that."

James protested vehemently but finally agreed to let Sirius do the dirty work alone.

It turned out to be easier to catch Avery on his own than they had expected. They stalked him for half a kilometre walking with Mulciber, Snape and Nott, but then they split up, Avery probably heading home.

"Pete and I will wait out of sight," said James. "But we're keeping an eye on you, and if you're getting your arse kicked just yell and we'll come and save you."

"Very funny, Potter. I think I can handle one little Death Eater on my own." When Sirius was sure the others had left, he hurried after Avery and when he was only a few yards away from him, he barked, "Avery!"

Avery spun around and froze when he spotted Sirius. "Black? What do you want?"

"You hurt my little brother, you son of a bitch," he growled, walking towards Avery, his hands clenched into fists. "Any last words before I beat the living shite out of you?"

Avery took a quick look around to see if there was an easy escape route. "That sick freak attacked me - it was self-defence! Everybody knows he starts fights all the time!"

"I don't believe you," said Sirius. "If he got violent it was self-defence, and no matter what, it doesn't give you the right to slice him with a broken bottle! He had to get fifteen stitches!" Sirius walked even closer and Avery backed into a wall. "How does it feel? Being cornered? How do you think it made my brother feel?"

Avery gulped, looking scared now that he was alone. "I didn't corner him! It was Mulciber's idea, okay? And then your brother attacked him and I had to defend him."

"Wrong answer!" Sirius grabbed a hold on Avery's collar so he wouldn't escape and planted a solid punch in his jaw.

Avery let out a grunt as his head popped back and knocked against the wall. He raised his arms trying to shield his face but before he could get them in place Sirius landed another blow on him

"You're a coward!" Sirius hissed and sunk a fist into his stomach, letting go of him so he could sink to his knees. "Attacking my brother and then trying to lie your way out of it? You're not so tough when you're on your own, are you?"

"You're gonna pay for this!" coughed Avery between gasps for air. "You and your freak brother!"

Sirius narrowed his eyes and pulled Avery to his feet by the hair. "What did you say? My brother is not a freak!"

"You're both mental!" said Avery, trying to wipe his mouth with a hand, smearing blood and black lipstick out on his chin.

"You're a waste of my time," said Sirius and pushed him back so he hit the wall again. "But if you ever lay a hand on him again I'll waste a whole hour of my time on redecorating your ugly phiz. Got that?"

"Blimey," said Peter, looking very impressed when Sirius returned to them. "You didn't even get a scratch!"

"Yeah, he wasn't so tough without his bottle," said James.

"I had hoped for more of a fight from him," grinned Sirius. "I thought he would piss himself when he saw me, backing away and wide eyed."

"Well, let's hope it will keep him away from your brother."

"If not, I will do it again and this time he won't be able to stand up when I'm done."

o0o0o

Mrs. Harris met the three in the hall. "What's that on your jacket? Is that blood? Did you get in trouble as well? I have just taken care of your brother!"

"Nah, it's nothing," said Sirius, waving her off. "Is Reggie okay?" he asked a little worried. "Since you said you had to take care of him. I thought Madam Pomfrey had fixed him right up."

"Well, he was pale! He needed fluid and sugar, of course. The poor boy lost a lot of blood. And don't brush me off like that - what happened with you? I want the whole story! Your brother told me he fell and cut himself."

Sirius sighed. So Regulus had not told her the truth. "I got into a fight with one of those goth kids at school." He sent her a smile and crossed his arms. "I didn't get one scratch, so you don't have to take care of me."

"Ah, so he cut your brother. Yes, I can put two and two together. I hope he needs as many stitches as poor Regulus."

"Sadly not," said Sirius. "I gave him a few good punches, though. Hope I broke his nose at least." He then looked serious. "Don't tell mum and dad. Regulus doesn't need more problems."

"No, I won't say anything," she sighed. "But I would like to get my claws in the boy who did this."

"I'll bring you to school and point him out to you," Sirius laughed.

James and Peter chuckled. Just the thought of Mrs. Harris running down the hall after Avery was priceless.

o0o0o

There was a knock on Regulus' door. "Reggie? Remus?"

Remus opened his eyes with a start and looked around confused. Then he realised where he was and spotted Regulus lying beside him, still fast asleep. He sat up and carefully moved out of bed and went to open the door.

"Sleeping, yeah?" said Sirius when Remus opened the door, rubbing sleep from his eyes. "How is Reggie?"

Remus glanced over his shoulder at Regulus who had rolled onto his side. "Better, I think. He got a shower and a bit to eat. "

"Well," said Sirius, pulling a small box from his pocket. "Here's some antibiotics Madam Pomfrey forgot to give us. You can be the lucky man who gets to break the news to Mr. drama queen. He needs to take them to prevent an infection."

Remus looked at the package and gulped as he took it. "I'll do my best."

"You staying for dinner? I think Mrs. Harris is making pot roast. And believe me, she makes one killer of a pot roast!"

"That sounds good," Remus smiled. "Are James and Peter here as well?"

"Yeah. We're going to play some boxing on Wii. I'm winning, since I got a good warm-up on Avery," Sirius grinned. "I would ask you to join, but I'm guessing you would rather cuddle with my little brother."

Remus went slightly pink. "Wait a minute," he said as he just realised what Sirius had said. "You got in a fight with Avery?"

"Oh, right. Gave him a bloody nose and wet trousers, I think. What a coward."

"I hope you don't get in trouble for it."

"I won't. Did it away from school and he isn't going to squeal. He would be in more trouble than me if it came out what happened. He sliced open a student with a bottle. Even Dumbledore would have to expel him.

"That's true," nodded Remus. "I'm glad you didn't get hurt. He could have cut you as well."

"I'd liked to have seen him try. Well, see you at dinner."

Remus ran his hand through his hair and sighed before closing the door. He sat down on the edge of the bed and gently cupped the sleeping boy's cheek. "Regulus? You awake?"

Regulus woke with a start as he felt a hand on his face, but calmed when he saw it was Remus. "Well, now I am. Have I slept long? Is it late?"

Remus checked his watch. "You slept for three hours." He sent him a smile and brushed his hair back. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. Don't worry."

"Good," Remus said and hesitated a little before speaking again. "Um, Sirius brought some antibiotics for your shoulder. You really need to take them so you don't get an infection."

"What? No, I don't think I need that. I'm not taking something for something I don't have. I'll just save them in case I do get an infection," said Regulus, reaching out for the box in Remus' hand

"I really think you should take them," Remus said and tried to gain eye contact with him. "It's better to prevent an infection than to fight it off. Believe me I know all too well."

"Well, it's different with you. I'm healthy and don't get ill that easily."

"It's just that Madam Pomfrey said that bottle could have had a lot of bacteria on it and that you really need to take these. Please? I just don't want you to get ill."

Regulus hesitated. "No. She cleaned the wound and I'll be careful to keep it clean. It will be fine." He sighed. "People have so much faith in pills and medication. You can get pills for anything nowadays, and people think they have some kind of magic ability. Like that stupid therapist my parents are forcing me to see. He wants me to take crazy-pills for my 'condition'. I bet you he knows it's all bollocks. He's just doing it to please my mother. She wants the magic pill solution."

Remus looked a little surprised. "Well, if you want to, I can ask my mum about that medicine you got and whether it's any good."

"Your mum?" asked Regulus, raising his eyebrows. "Why? Is she a doctor?"

"Um, well kind of," Remus said and rubbed his arm nervously. "She's a psychologist. Not that she would try to force any medicine on you," he quickly added, afraid Regulus would get the wrong idea.

"What?" exclaimed Regulus angrily. "She's a shrink and you never told me? So she's been spying on me whenever I've been to your house? Studying me? Do you sit and discuss what an interesting case I am?"

"What? No of course not!" said Remus, although it wasn't quite true. "My mum likes you. And she doesn't go around studying people outside of work, you know."

"I think you should leave. I feel a little betrayed and I need some time away from you."

Looking very hurt, Remus got up from his seat on the bed. "I honestly didn't think it mattered," he said before leaving and going to Sirius' room.

"Hey, what's with you?" asked James when he saw Remus' crestfallen face.

"Regulus is upset with me and said he needs time away from me," said Remus and sank into a chair. He explained what had happened.

"Ouch," said Sirius, lowering his controller. "Classic Reggie. Always finds something to make drama about."

"Bloody hell, Remus," said James. "But you always knew you had a difficult boyfriend. Do you think he'll come around, Sirius?"

"Yeah. You mean the world to him, Remus. It might take some time, though. If anyone can hold a grudge, it's Reggie. Best just leave him alone until he talks to you on his own."

o0o0o

To Regulus' annoyance he found himself disappointed to find that Remus had left when he came down for dinner. He was still mad and wasn't supposed to want to see him for a while.

Regulus put some of Mrs. Harris' low-fat potato salad and a large piece of whole-wheat baguette on his plate and turned to head upstairs.

"Why don't you have some of the pot roast?" asked James, feeling like provoking Regulus a bit. "Red meat's got plenty of iron and you've lost all that blood."

Regulus turned on the spot and scowled at James. "It also has a load of unhealthy things. And stay out of my business, Potter. You're not my doctor!"

A/N: To see Zayhad's illustration to the chapter go to deviantart dot com and look up Zayhad. She has a folder in her gallery with the story's name on it.