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Chapter Text

Kreecher apparates himself and Regulus to the inner island. He looks fearfully at the basin but Regulus has already told him that he will not have to drink it again. Regulus walks toward it, hhe know this has to be done, the dark lord has to be stopped. When he sees the gross, green liquid filling the basin dread fills his stomach. “Accio locket,” Regulus calls, but nothing happens, he knew it wouldn’t work but it was worth a try. He looks back at the water, filled with corpses. No, filled with Inferi. They seem calm for now, but he knows that if anything touches the water they will likely attack. 

Regulus gives Kreecher his wand, he don’t know what he would do with it once he’s drunk the potion, and reminds Kreature of his orders. Regulus turns, again, to face the basin, picking up the shell that lies next to it, filling it with the potion, and dumping it down his throat.

Regulus' whole body shutters, the potion itself is incredibly gross but it’s the effects that are truly terrible. His mouth and throat go bone dry and accusatory voices begin shouting in his head. 

He fills the shell again and quickly dumps it down his throat. The taste is no better the second time around. If it’s possible, his throat and mouth become even drier and a distorted Sirius appears before him. He blames Regulus for him running away and starts calling him the spare. Regulus prepared myself for this, when Kreecher described the effects of the potion, He knew he would see Sirius. What he didn’t prepare for was what came next. 

Standing next to Sirius is James. Why did it have to be James? Regulus had blocked him from his mind. When James starts telling him how terrible he am and how everything that happened was his fault, Regulus believes him because he already know it’s true.

He quickly takes another drink from the potion and the figures of his brother and love come closer and yell louder. “I’m sorry,” he says before swallowing the vile substance again. 

Regulus can no longer stay standing. He sits down and leans against the basin. He can’t take any more of this, he's so thirsty and James and Sirius are in his face telling him about everything he's done to wrong them. Kreecher gently puts the shell to his lips, he drinks because he knows that he needs to for Kreature to get the locket. 

Regulus can see glimpses of some of his worst memories. When Mother used to torture Sirus, torture him; when Sirius ran away; when he saw the mark on Regulus' skin for the first time, the look of disgust on Sirius' face still haunts him. He can see the last time he saw James. When Kreecher tries to pour another shell-full into his mouth, he squirms away, "no," he beggs, "I can't do it."

“Master must,” Kreecher says as he forcefully pours the last of the liquid down his throat. he’s so thirsty, he needs water. 

Kreecher shows him the locket, “You know what to do, Kreecher. Make sure it's destroyed.” he rasps. Kreecher looks at him with a sad look in his eye and apparates away. 

Regulus' need for water overcomes him and he start to crawl toward the water. Just a sip. He reaches the water and no sooner than he reaches my hand out to cup the water, the cold dark inferi swim towards him, grabbing onto his clothes, scratching his skin through as they do. He's too weak to fight them, they pull him into the water, down into the murky depths. 

Regulus' survival instinct kicks in and he try to swim to the surface. His lungs burn with lack of oxygen and the cold water makes his movements sluggish. A part of him wonders why he's even fighting, he's betrayed everyone, he's not even worth it. He's a coward, he deserves to die. The only two people he's ever loved hate him so what’s the point?

 Despite these thoughts, he continues to fight his way up. His hand scratches the surface, feeling stale air on his fingertips before he is embraced by silent darkness. 

***

James is sitting on his bed at home, levitating random things around his room when he hears it. The unmistakable crack of apparation. The Black family’s house elf stands before him, looking rather ashamed. “What are you doing here?” he hisses. He want nothing to do with anyone that could have sent him. 

“Please,” the elf begs, “you must listen to Kreecher. Or at least Master Regulus.” James hasn't heard that name in a long time. He never thought he’d have to again. He was foolish enough to love the fool, then Regulus went and got the dark mark. 

Kreecher hands him a piece of paper and a locket. He wants to shove it all back into the elf’s hands but curiosity gets the better of him. What could Regulus possibly have to say to him?

He opens the letter first, and he recognizes Regulus’ elegant cursive immediately:

James,

I have instructed Kreecher to give you this letter and locket to assist you in the downfall of the dark lord. The locket is a Horcrux, it is my belief that he has made or intends to make six. I need you and Kreecher to find and destroy all of them. I would help you but I do not intend to make it out of the cave where the first Horcrux is kept. I know that I will die, but it’s worth it if it means safety for everyone else. 

Please know that I never stopped loving you and I was never loyal to the dark lord. Yes, I took his mark for my parents but also for the purpose of finding his weakness. Now that I have, he is one step closer to being, once again, mortal. 

I do not expect to be remembered as a hero because I am not. I do; however, hope that you do not forget the love we once shared. I am not afraid of death. I am not afraid because I know that I have lived, not for a great deal of time, but I did nonetheless. You are the reason for that. Thank you, James, for giving me life before my death.

With love,

Always,

Regulus

James reads through the letter quickly. What? A million thought swim about his brain. Is Regulus really dead? What is a bloody horcrux? And why is it important to Voldemort? It is certainly something that needs to be dealt with urgently but not right now. “Kreecher. Take me to Regulus.” James demands. Even if he is dead, he should not be left to rot in a cave. Especially if he isn’t the traitor they all thought he was.

“Master ordered Kreecher to leave him behind.” what? James knew Regulus had a martyr complex but he didn’t realize it was to this extent.

“Wait. Was he alive when you last saw him?”

“Yes, but Kreecher drank the same potion as Master Regulus. Kreecher only survived because Master Regulus called him home.”

This gives him hope. “Kreecher, we may be able to save him, but you need to take me to him now.” What does the potion do? Will he be able to save Reg if he is still alive? 

“Master demanded that Kreecher leave.”

“But he didn’t order you not to come back did he?”

The elf shakes his head in submission and hands James a wand that he recognize as Reg’s. He puts it in his pocket, next to his own, and grabs the elf’s hand and he snaps.

James feels the familiar tug of apparation and suddenly he am standing in a cave. A ring of water surrounds the small rock platform that they are standing on and a small rock basin fills the center. It’s immediately obvious that Regulus’ not on the island which means, oh no , he’s in the water. James runs to the edge and see bodies floating everywhere, he recognizes them as inferi. 

He scans the water for Regulus but doesn’t see him. It only takes a few seconds for a small splashing sound to catch his attention, he looks just in time to see a hand sink back below the surface. He runs over to see Regulus’ form sinking into the dark depths. “Kreecher!” James calls, “He’s over here!”

Kreecher doesn’t hesitate to cast a silent rope charm. The ends rap around Regulus and haul his limp form towards them. Come on. Please be okay. He breaks the surface and James immediately bends down to help haul him out. 

James pulls him towards the basin in the center and immediately feels for a pulse. Please be alive, please. I can’t lose you a second time. He can’t find one but the inferi start to climb out of the water. “Incendio! Kreecher, get us out of here,” James calls. “ Incendio!” The elf grabs him and Regulus and all of a sudden they’re outside. James doesn't know where but he doesn't care. 

James immediately starts to perform muggle CPR on him, it’s all he can think to do. After a few terrifying moments, Regulus starts to cough the water out, though it is mixed with a dark green substance. After another moment, he stops coughing and relaxes, falling back into unconsciousness. That’s probably not good but when he tries to wake him, he can’t. But now that Regulus' breathing, he can look him over for other injuries. 

He’s pale and cold, they’ll need to get him warm soon. There are also long, deep gashes all over his body. “Kreecher, we need to get him to my mum. She’s a retired mediwitch, she can help.”

“No one can know Master is alive.”

“We’re just going to my mum’s house, no one there will say anything.”

The house elf seems to reluctantly accept this and grabs James' shoulder while he holds on to Regulus as they disappear again. 

They land in the middle of the living room, much to the surprise of Effie and Monty. “Oh my!” says my mother, “What’s happened.”

“Long story short, he’s not working for you know who, he found a way to destroy him and almost drowned while trying,” James replies quickly. “He’s breathing, I did CPR, but he needs help.”

“Are you sure this isn’t a trick?” Effie asks.

“Yes.” James knows him well enough to know that the letter was genuine. “Please, Mum, help him.”

“Okay, but you’d better go tell Sirius what’s happened, he may take more convincing. Monty, dear, go and grab my potions kit please.” 

“No one can know Master Regulus is alive.” Kreacher says again and Effie shakes her head in acknowledgment. James had forgotten the house elf was there but when he turns to face him he says, “Kreecher must return before his Mistress suspects anything” At that he snaps his fingers and disappears. 

James takes one last look at Regulus before turning and heading up the stairs to his room where he left the letter. As he passes, Sirius steps out of his room and asks him what all the commotion downstairs is. James tells him that he’ll explain in a minute and asks him to follow him into the room.

When Sirius enters James shuts the door then picks up the letter and turns to him. “Hear me out,” Sirius gives James a suspicious look, “your brother is downstairs.”

“But you're my brother Prongs,” he looks like he’s getting mad. “Whoever could you mean, it couldn’t possibly be the traitorous scum with whom I share parents. It couldn’t possibly be him because he betrayed both of us to go kill innocent people. The one who broke both of our hearts that day in 7th year?” He’s yelling now, “It couldn’t possibly be him because you’re not stupid enough to let him back into our lives.”

“Pads, I had to brong him here.” 

Sirius looks dumbfounded, “Why!” 

“Just look at this letter before you pass judgment. I had to save him,” James hands him the letter, “Kreecher apparated to my room a while ago and gave me that.” 

He reads it over and seems to think for a minute. “It’s probably a trick.”

“I don’t think it is.” 

“What makes you so sure, he is alive, right? You said he was downstairs. If he’s alive, how can you trust the rest of this thing? And how’s this horcrux thing supposed to defeat him?”

“I don’t know and call it a hunch, he was planning on not making it out of the cave. I made Kreecher take me to him and he actually was dead when I found him. I did CPR, it’s this muggle thing but it worked, and Mum is treating him as we speak. I didn’t bring him here for the fun of it. It’s going to take a lot more than a letter for me to forgive him, but I couldn’t let him die.”

It takes a moment for Sirius to process what James just said but eventually, he asks, “Is he going to be okay? Don’t get me wrong, I’m still mad at his betrayal, real or fake, and I’m mad at you for bringing him here but you just told me that my brother was dead. So is he going to be okay?”

“I don’t know, but Mum might.” They just stand in silence for a moment before heading downstairs.

When they get to the living room, Effie eyes Sirius suspiciously, “I understand that you don’t like him right now and you don’t have to, but if you intend to do anything to interfere with his recovery, you can go right back up the stairs.” 

“No, no, I’ll be good. I just wanted to know if he’ll be okay. James thinks that he’s been on our side this entire time.”

“He’ll may very well have been. Your brother doesn’t seem to be the type to follow anyone blindly.” Mum answers, “and he should be fine, I treated his wounds, removed the rest of the water from his lungs, put him under a warming spell for the hypothermia and gave him both a healing and sleeping potion. The only thing is-“

“No….no, I’m sorry. No.” Regulus mumbles in his sleep as he squirms beneath the blankets.

Sirius looks concerned, “can’t you give him a potion for dreamless sleep?”

“I did, that’s one of the things that concern me. He’s been doing this since I removed the remaining water from his lungs. He shouldn’t be dreaming after the potion I gave him, yet he clearly is. There is also a potion in his system that is unidentifiable. I think his dreams may have something to do with that.” Effie explains. 

“Please…don’t touch him, please. I’m sorry.” Regulus mumbles again, a tear slipping down the side of his face. It kills James to see him like this. After all this time, his feelings for him have remained unchanged. Regulus betrayed him and broke his heart the day he saw the tattoo, but here he is and all James wants to do is take all his pain away. 

“Kreecher said that he also drank the potion before, maybe we can ask him?” James suggests.

“That’s a good idea,” says Monty. 

“Sirius, dear, can you call for him?” Asks Effie, “You’re still a Black, he can hear you if you call.” 

Sirius sighs and calls, “Kreecher! Come here! We need you!” 

The house elf quickly appears in the middle of the room. “Kreecher was called?”

“Yes,” James says, “You said that you drank the same potion as Regulus. What did it do? Is there an antidote?”

He seemed to ponder my question for a moment, “Indeed, Kreecher was forced by the dark lord to drink the very same potion as Master Regulus. When Kreecher drank the potion, he was very thirsty and drawn to the water. It took away all of Kreecher’s strength and made him see horrible things, twisted versions of the worst parts of Kreecher’s existance.”

The room is silent for a minute before Sirius asks, “And what about an antidote?” 

“None that Kreecher is aware of, he simply had to wait for it to leave his body.”

“I see,” says Effie.

“Kreecher must return home now.” And the house elf disappears again. 

Sirius goes to his brother and sits down, looking directly at him, “You idiot! You could have come to me! We would have solved this together!” Sirius yells. For a moment, James thinks Effie is going to send him back upstairs but he seems to be done so she lets it slide.

“We should alert Dumbledore and the order.” Monty says, “If he found a way to kill you know who, the propper people need to be notified.”

Sirius nods his head, “Yeah, we should. Maybe Dumbledore can tell us what this Horcrux thing is.”

Both of James' parents’ eyes go wide in shock. “Did you say Horcrux?” Effie asks.

“Yeah,” Sirius responds as James hands them the letter. 

Effie reads the letter, “We need to alert the order now! This says he's trying to make 6 horcruxes,” she spots the locket in my hand, “And we have one of them.”

Chapter Text

Sirius hadn’t left his brother’s side all night. He watched him toss and turn in his sleep, face contorting in sorrow and fear. Sirius hated it, all the conflicting feelings swirling around inside him. Fear that Regulus wouldn’t survive this, fear that if he did, he’d just turn around and betray them all. Guilt over leaving him alone in that house. He hated watching his brother suffer, he spent all those years hating him, yet all it took was seeing him like this to bring him back to the person he used to be. The person who would do anything to protect his little brother.

They had contacted Dumbledore, they didn’t dare tell him about the horcruxes in their message for fear of it being intercepted.  Apparently there are a lot of urgent matters in a war so Dumbledore wouldn’t arrive for another day or two. 

Sirius noticed that James seemed to have similar conflicting emotions to him. He hadn’t ever been a fan of their relationship, but he loved both of them so there hadn’t been much he could do when They had told him at the end of fifth year. Of course, Sirius had run away that summer and Regulus had pulled away, so he couldn’t help but be grateful to James dating his brother. Without that connection, Sirius doubts his brother would have spoken to him at all after that. Of course after Regulus took the mark and broke James’ heart, he couldn’t help but hate the boy. Sirius and James had chosen their side long before and Regulus had chosen his, or at least they had thought. 

James didn’t stick to Regulus’ side all night like Sirius did, but Sirius would catch him frequently in the doorway despite having claimed that he was going to head to bed. James had insisted that Regulus had betrayed Voldemort, but Sirius could tell that there was a part of him that worried that he was wrong and Regulus would try to kill them all the moment he woke up.

Sirius was about to fall asleep in his chair when he heard his brother gasp and saw him sit up, eyes searching the room, frantic and fearful, it hurt Sirius to see him this way. When his eyes landed on Sirius, he freaked out, he started backing away from Sirius as quickly as he could, which considering how weak he was, wasn’t very fast, and yelling variations of, “no!” “please” and “I’m sorry.” Tears spilled down his face and Sirius hated that he was at least partially the cause of it. He quickly closed the distance between them and knelt in front of him. “Regulus, look at me. You’re safe, it’s okay,” Sirius assured him desperately.

It took a second for the words to register with Regulus but when it did, he became still and laughed. “The universe certainly has a sick sense of humor to make you my afterlife. Or, I guess, as close ‘you’ as my memory can create. Where are mother and father, they must be included somewhere? Or Potter, if you’re here, there’s no way the universe forgot him.”

Sirius’ stomach filled with dread. “No, Regulus, you’re alive. James and Kreature saved you and brought you back here. You’re at James’ house. You’re safe and you’re alive.”

Regulus chuckled darkly, “now I know that this isn’t real. Yes Sirius would never choose to be in the same room as me again, but you know how I’m absolutely positive? James Potter would never willingly choose to save a death eater, especially me. He’d sooner murder his own parents.”

“Regulus, James got the note you left for him, he made Kreature take him to you. They saved you and brought you back here, Effie tried to fix you up but she didn’t know what you took. She helped with the cuts and stuff though.” 

Regulus looked confused for a second then peered down at his exposed skin and realization dawned on his face. His breathing picked up as he registered what had happened. Sirius tried to take one of his hands in his, but the second the younger boy felt skin touch his own he jumped away. “Don’t touch me!” His eyes were wide again in pure terror.

Sirius started to say “Reg, what happe-” When a voice behind him cut him off. 

“Pad’s, what? Reg? You’re awake!” James must have been woken up by the commotion.

Regulus looked to James and his face turned sad. “James…” 

James began to rush forward, relief evident on his face, when he saw Regulus flinch away, and he stopped dead in his tracks. “Reg…”

“I’m sorry” Regulus said with sorrow coating his voice.

“What happened?” Sirius finished his earlier question. “Didi you really betray Voldemort?”

Regulus seemed to contemplate his answer for a second before answering, “Yes. I stole something of his that could be the key to defeating him.”

“We know,” James replies, “your letter talked about a horcrux. Mum and Dad know what it is but they refuse to tell us. It must be important though for you to have risked your life. Plus Mum and Dad wouldn’t have sent Dumbledore an urgent request to meet if it wasn’t important. 

“They called Dumbledore…” Regulus repeats. “No, no, no. You can’t trust him. Or Pettigrew either, but that’s something very different.”

“What do you mean, we can; trust Dumbledore? He’s literally leading the army meant to destroy Voldemort.”

“Yes, he is, and I don’t deny that. But he has a certain way he wants to go about winning this war and he is convinced that it’s the only possible way to win. The thing is, too many people get manipulated by him and die for him in the process of winning his way. Pandora’s seen it. She helped me find the horcrux”

“Regulus.” Sirius starts, “who dies if Dumbledore’s plan works?”

He looks solemn for a second. “Everyone.”