Chapter 12: Hogsmeade (Part 1)
Regulus frowned, watching from the Slytherin table the Howler received by Sirius disintegrated into his plate. So, the Potters thinks they were his parents now, how had they dared, to take him under their roof as they had done? Did they really think Sirius belonged to them now? His place was at home, no matter what he said, no matter what had happened, no matter what his mother could say.
He would remain a Black, no matter what, and his place was with him, at the Dark Lord's side. He would probably be disappointed to know that he would not have the support of the whole Maison des Black, but as Sirius had been disinherited, wiped out of the family dynasty and was no longer attached to the lineage, perhaps his anger would be less terrible.
He was still watching the Gryffindors, as his older brother got up from the table laughing, frowning further more, wondering what could be hung around his neck. Some Muggle stuff no doubt, he loved them so much. Regulus sighed, even more annoyed, as Sirius sat down beside Lupin, his chin resting on his shoulder, laughing at something, as their faces were so close that their noses were touching.
Lupin burst out laughing and put his hand in his brother's hair to ruffle them, anyway, Regulus thought, they were so long now that they didn't even move, but Sirius still displayed an outraged expression, finally retreating at a reasonable distance from him. Sirius had always liked being in other's personal space, Regulus knew that, but when it was Lupin, he seems to have no inhibition and sometimes, who would almost believe that they were about to kiss. It was a completely ridiculous idea, for sure, but nothing surprised him anymore now when it was about his brother.
-You coming, Reg'? Regulus looked up; Barty Crouch was standing behind him, staring at him. Regulus sighed before nodding. He let Seigneur finish his pumpkin juice and picked up his bag to get out of the Great Hall without a glance behind him, having seen from the corner of his eye Sirius catch Lupin's face in his hands.
Regulus followed Barty outside where the students crowded themselves into the carriages to go to Hogsmeade. He took a seat next to Avery and Mulciber, who had already settled down, Barty dropping himself, laughing at something between Severus and Rabastan, Evan Rosier, sitting next to the window, nodded his head to greet them.
-I would have loved that Howler coming from your mother, it would have wiped that stupid ass smile from his face. Avery exclaimed, turning to Regulus, gratifying him with a mocking smile, laughing with the others.
-It wouldn't have wiped anything at all. Regulus replied coldly. -He would have burst out laughing and probably imitated her to make his stupid Gryffindor crew laugh. Sirius is not the kind which can reaches so easily, Avery. It surely not with a Howler that my mother would have managed to shake him and that, she knows it.
-That guy is crazy. Mulciber grunted -Surely there's something wrong going on in his head, isn't it, Sev? You told me he threw himself on you as you walked down in the hospital wing's corridor a few weeks ago?
Snape crossed his arms a little harder on his chest, simply nodding without adding anything while Regulus was rolling his eyes, a twisted smirk on his lips. -There's nothing wrong with Sirius, he knows perfectly what he's doing and seriously, stop underestimating him, one day it'll come back straight at you without you'll even notice it.
-Did you bring what I asked you? Rabastan asked them, cutting Barty who had opened his mouth to add something, turning more precisely to Regulus and Severus. -We're going to need it today.
-Rabastan, we've already told you. Regulus said sharply, turning his gaze towards Snape to look at him insistently. -We do not play those games, Severus and me.
- I believe Black, that I am old enough to decide on my own if I want to play along or not. Answered Snape looking at him, pulling a little piece of parchment out of his cloak and handing it to Rabastan, who showed a pleased smile.
-That's just a joke Reg'. Said Mulciber rolling his eyes. -A joke of no consequence that will –
-Are you kidding me? Slammed Regulus without letting him finish his sentence. The carriage suddenly became silent under Regulus's cold voice. The others looked at each other, seeming more or less inclined to say something to their friend.
Regulus, in spite of all appearances, was someone who commanded a certain respect when he was speaking. There was not much that distinguished him from Sirius at home except for those traits that belonged to Walburga. Calm, laid, resourceful and calculator. Sirius darted head down, inflamed by his convictions, ready to brandish his sword of justice and beheads whoever had the misfortune to displease him. This last trait was something very common among the Black Family, something Sirius hated.
Never had Regulus gone head first in something without over thinking about it. His actions were planned, manipulated until everything was well prepared. Even though Sirius liked to think that Regulus did not have his presence, the years and their respective houses had blurred Sirius's judgment towards his brother. His pride of being different from his family, his constant fights to be an outcast, to not bend to what they were trying to instruct him had altered his vision of things and especially those concerning Regulus.
Sirius had believed that he was, soft enough to believe them, to believe everything that was said to him, as if he had no voice of his own, as if he was a mere puppet, struggling into his strings. He had always thought that he knew better than anyone about what was wrong and right, but the truth was that their realities were meant to be different from the very day of their births. Whatever Sirius could ever have said, Regulus knew that his brother had always known it too.
-It's just a joke. Repeated Rosier, a little more coldly. -You're not going to get out of it Reg', are you?
- I do not, get out of it, I'm not participating, that's all, I had already made myself clear about that. He replied in the same cold, dry tone. - I don't find this funny at all, it's stupid, immature, dangerous and it will help us in no ways, so the answer is no, find some other sheep, I'm not participating.
Mulciber rolled his eyes, annoyed before exchanging a glance with Rosier who simply shrugged his shoulders, Regulus then turned to Snape to glare at him. He would have liked to have a little support from the latter, but it was a lost cause. He shook his head, grunting as Barty led the conversation to the Quidditch teams who were closed enough of participating in the Quidditch World Cup this year.
-Relax a bit Reg'; it's true! Laughed Barty as they arrived at their destination. -That's just a joke, we only want to laugh with her, that's it. Anyway. He said, making a big gesture of his hand in response of Regulus's nasty glare at him. -It's a Mudblood nobody cares about that filth.
-No, everybody, as you say, does not, not care. Said Regulus sharply, defying his gaze. -It's going to get us into trouble, that's all we're gonna get, troubles, and I don't need to tell you that my parents would not be happy if I was expelled.
-Too bad then. Avery said coldly. -I take the risk, sooner or later, it will be necessary to be noticed by the Dark Lord, even if it implies having to do it under Dumbledore's nose, come Nicolas, seems that Reg' is too afraid to act. He added, grabbing Mulciber by the arm to get away. Rosier looked at Regulus, Barty, and Severus before winking at them and following the other two.
-It's not true! Regulus yelled, clenching his fists as Barty burst out laughing and Severus crossed his arms, turning away his head, determined to lock himself up in his usual silence. -No chance of having a little support from the both of you, I suppose? Is it too much to ask? He spat, shaking with anger.
-I think they know damn well what they have to do, Regulus. Answered Severus before looking up at the sky. -If it matters to you, then follow them and stop them, it should not be too difficult for the Heir of the Black Family. He said mockingly, a wicked smile twitching at the corner of his lips.
-And they intend to use one of those spells of yours. Hissed Regulus, looking him straight in the eye, feeling Severus's hesitation as it gained him. You only had to push it a little and it was easy to make him change his mind, he was so manipulable, what a disappointment really. Regulus could not help himself and roll his eyes when Severus finally agreed and he grabbed him by the arm, forcing him to follow him, turning the corner of a street, disappearing with Barty and Rabastan behind them.
Those three idiots were going to spoil everything with their stupidities and there was no way that they were going to be spotted. Thought Regulus, shaking his head, pacing the streets of Hogsmeade, searching for his friends, wondering where they could have disappeared. They certainly would not be on the main street, that was for sure.
The more he advanced on the street, the more Regulus felt his heart accelerate in his chest, the air seeming to choked him and he had a bad feeling about this. Something was wrong, something was wrong, he said to himself as they turned the corner of an alley to head in one of the little streets less frequented by the Hogwarts's students.
-They must be near the Hog's Head. Said Severus, as it was exactly what Regulus was thinking. -Students never go near it, it's too creepy for them, so maybe we'll find them there.
-Come on, let's move. Sight Rabastan, taking the lead. Regulus sighed too, trying to suppress the growing oppression he had felt since Mulciber and Avery had left them, while Barty laughed. They were totally unconscious. One day, they would meet their end and be thrown to Azkaban because they would have made those kinds of things, he was sure of it.
-Where did they – A shrill scream suddenly broke the silence of the street and Regulus felt his blood froze in his veins, as his sentence died in his mouth. He heard Barty burst out laughing, a loud crack that echoed on the houses' walls, as a second resounding yell was heard, Barty running straight ahead, Rabastan following him closely.
Regulus rushed after them, his heart pounding, the palms of his hands were moist as a million ideas about what he was going to find were crossed his mind. -No! He shouted when he finally reached Barty, repelling Avery who was unable to stop laughing.
Mary MacDonald, a Ravenclaw he knew to be friends with his brother, was lying on the ground, a trickle of blood coming out of his mouth as she was convulsing, her eyes open wide and blank. Rabastan burst out laughing as Rosier leaned over her and moved his face roughly, a funny gleam in his eyes. -Did she struggle? Asked Rabastan, raising his head towards Mulciber.
-Just enough for it to be interesting. He scoffed, turning his wand between his fingers. -Severus, I must say that you amazed me more and more with those spells of yours. The latter had stayed a bit afar from them, looking the street up and down and beckoned them to lower their voices. -We're going to have some company in a bit. He Said.
-We must go, now. Regulus said to them, turning his head quickly as he heard voices coming closer, exchanging a glance with Severus.
-No! She's still alive, it must be ended her life! Rosier screamed, clutching Regulus's arm fiercely. -It's our chance to get noticed by the Dark Lord, and it will serve them well to all those Mudbloods –
-There'd be no point in getting noticed if we're thrown in Azkaban before! Regulus spat at them, kneeling in front of her. -What did you do to her?! What did you do to her?! He repeated fiercely when no one answered him.
-Some of Severus's curse, I don't remember which. Laughed Rosier, shrugging his shoulders. -And maybe a little bit of the Cruciatus curse. He continued as Barty Crouch burst out laughing.
-People are coming closer... Severus pressed them.
-Come, we must go now, or it will be too late, left her where she is. Regulus told him, grabbing Mulciber, forcing him to follow him, heading in the opposite direction to their first arrival.
Yet Barty trampled on for a moment, still lagging behind, still staring at Mary MacDonald's body. Regulus yelled at him to follow them, that it was no time to play the hero, and that they have to return to the main street. Barty took his head in his hands for a moment, before finally pointing his wand to the sky.
-Morsmordre! Shouted Barty, despite the "No, Barty no!" Regulus cried out to him but his scream vanished in the sound of a loud whistle, a colossal skull appearing in the sky, shining like thousands of emerald stars, a snake emerging from his mouth as the mark slipped higher and higher into the sky. Even in broad daylight, the dragging of green smoke was terrifying, reflecting in the clouds as an imminent threat, shining over their head as they fled as quickly as possible from this place.
Regulus glanced over his shoulder once they were back on the main street, when the mark had reached its apogee in the sky, yelling and screams of horror could be heard coming from everywhere, people seeing it freezing out of fear on their way. Trying to act normally, trying to calm himself down, his heart still beating hard in his chest, he grabs Barty, who was still laughing to death, by the arm, making him move faster on the street.