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Author: Wings Story: Heart of Gold Rating: Teens Setting: Pre-DH Status: WIP Reviews: 3 Words: 121,987
Regulus arrived at the Ministry of Magic early the next morning and wrote out completely what he wanted to present before walking over to Thomas’ office on the other side of the department. He knew he would have to be able to answer questions if he was to convince Thomas that the ideas were completely his own. His hands trembled a little as he raised a fist to rap on the door, but he willed them to stay still as it opened to reveal Richard Thomas. “Regulus, I’m pleased to see you this early. Do come in,” Thomas said as he backed away from the doorway, gestured toward two chairs in front of his desk, and walked back around it to sit. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” Regulus smiled and pulled out a chair lightly. “I’m very eager to present my thoughts to the rest of the team because I’ve been working very hard on this project, but I wanted to run them by you first. You see, I’m not sure if my plan will work or not, and I just want to make sure that I’m not going to make a fool of myself.” “Well, I would rather hear your thoughts later today when you present them to the whole group,” Thomas replied. “But I suppose it wouldn’t hurt for you to run them by me now, just so I can get an idea of what you have been working on.” And so Regulus began. He explained his thoughts on familiarity and spells and how he believed that such a defensive spell would only be able to be cast and held by strong and relationally close wizards or witches. He explained that he was sure it could be held over an area or over those who weren’t part of maintaining the shield, but continued to emphasize the need for familiarity since it was his strongest point. Thomas listened and broke in occasionally to clarify a point or to make a suggestion. “How do you plan on combining the magic of the two individuals?” “I haven’t done much research on what we can use as a focusing tool just yet,” Regulus explained. “But I think the individuals should cast the spell normally and then use another spell to combine the magic over the area. I’m planning to look up words associated with combination in Latin and other languages as my next step.” Thomas encouraged him, “These are very good ideas, I’m very impressed. You are ready to present them to the whole group, I trust?” “Of course,” Regulus replied. “Good. I’d like to start the meeting with that then,” Thomas said. “You’ll have the floor for the first ten or fifteen minutes, then others can ask you questions and we’ll allow them to take your ideas and add their own. They should be arriving soon, I think.” Sure enough, within ten minutes the entire team had assembled in Thomas’ office. He yielded control over to Regulus who explained his ideas with ease, trying not to look either Lily or James Finch in the eye. “Your ideas are excellent,” Frank Longbottom said when Regulus finished. “Most of our Aurors are set up in small teams anyway, so they are very familiar with their partners’ abilities and weaknesses and would easily be able to compensate in order to hold the spells together.” “How do you plan on performing this magical combination,” Lily asked sweetly, though Regulus could hear a bitter undertone in her voice. “Well, uh, I haven’t completely figured that out yet,” Regulus admitted.” Thomas broke in, “That’s something I’d like to open for discussion. I think we should move ahead with what Regulus is suggesting and take his ideas as the heart of the project.” “Well, Lily and I have been developing some ideas about combination,” James Finch added. “We could put our research together and distribute it for others to consider. Regulus, were you planning to write your ideas down and give them out for the rest of us?” “Of course, I hadn’t gotten around to it yet, though,” Regulus replied. “I wanted to see if they were acceptable to Thomas and to the rest of the team, but it looks like we’re all in agreement about them.” “It certainly does,” James agreed. Regulus thought he heard the same bitter undertone in James’ voice as he had heard in Lily’s. Hestia Jones broke in. “I’ve been thinking about a way for others to cast spells through the defensive shield. If Aurors and other law enforcement personnel are supposed to be able to use it, then there has to be a way for them to fight back. They shouldn’t have to sit and wait for their energy to drain.” “That’s great, Hestia,” James encouraged. “Maybe there’s a way that we could leave pockets open in the shield during combination to allow spells to go through.” “But wouldn’t the Dark wizards notice where the holes were and use them to counterattack?” Regulus asked. “Potentially, but the casters might be able to shift where the pockets are to create new openings and keep the shield viable,” Lily offered. “Wouldn’t this require a witch or wizard as part of the equation who would not be casting the defensive spell?” “Yes, it would,” Thomas agreed. “We’ll have to take that into consideration and practice with it.” “This all seems to be coming together rather nicely,” Jacks said, speaking for the first time. “I’m very pleased. Regulus, you seem to have taken to the concept of spell creation very well for someone who has never done it before.” “I’m a quick study,” Regulus replied. “I’m very eager for this to work.” “We’ll see about it working later on,” Thomas said. “All right, people, good work. Thank you for joining us this morning. We’ll meet again in two weeks after all of these ideas have been distributed on paper. Regulus, thanks for opening our discussion.” Regulus acknowledged his thanks with a nod and gathered up his research quickly to get back to his desk, ignoring Lily’s stare as best as he could. He did not quite make it back to his desk before Lily caught up with him. “You conniving, little, …” “Slytherin?” Regulus asked as he turned around. “They were my ideas, Lily. I don’t know why you’re so upset. You were using them for your own gain, too.” Her jaw dropped and she narrowed her eyes in protest, jabbing at him with her right hand. “Yes, but I was going to give you credit for them! I was going to allow you in on the research that James and I were doing! You have taken our ideas and told everyone that they were your own! That’s not ambition, that’s plagiarizing!” “They weren’t published ideas, therefore it’s not plagiarizing,” Regulus replied calmly. “Relax, Lily. These really were my original ideas, I just talked to you about them before I told everyone else about them. You still have your own combination theory that you can add. I didn’t take all of the glory for myself.” She shook her head. “Oh, but not for lack of trying. You just didn’t have enough time to figure it out for yourself. I don’t know why I ever trusted you.” “Please, I didn’t do anything all that bad,” Regulus insisted. “Come on. You still have your chance to contribute to the project.” “Yes, but how do I know that you’re not going to steal that away from me, too?” she asked. “I just don’t think that I can share ideas with you anymore. I don’t know if I can trust you with details about my life either. I think you’re all about personal gain.” Regulus folded his arms. “Look, these were my original ideas. I talked to Thomas about them, too, but he doesn’t seem to be angry that I didn’t mention that to everyone else. This has nothing to do with our friendship.” “How do I know that you’re not really trying to take control of this entire project and sell us all out? How do I know that you’re not trying to sell me out?” Lily asked. A light suddenly clicked on in Regulus’ head. “That’s not you talking.” “What?” Her voice raised an octave. “It’s not,” he insisted. “You’ve been talking to James and Sirius, haven’t you? They’ve been warning you about me so now you’re looking for a way to make me the villain. Believe what you want, I can’t make you trust me. But don’t just assume that everything they say is perfect and sensible.” “Be careful what you say about my husband,” Lily warned. “Watch where you put your mouth.” “Be careful what you say, too!” he countered. “Think about what you’re accusing me of – treachery, murder, conspiracy! Those are serious charges that could earn me a ticket to Azkaban!” Lily nodded. “That’s right, and that’s why I’m not saying anything to anyone else. All I’m saying is that I really don’t know if I can trust you, and I’m starting to find more reasons why.” “Well, don’t wonder at my attempts to defend myself,” he replied. “Like I said, you can believe what you want, I can’t change how you think about me, but if you can’t prove anything, which you can’t, please don’t accuse me to a higher authority. I don’t want to have to defend myself in front of a court that may not be so lenient just because I didn’t give you partial credit when I presented my own ideas in front of our team at work, or because your husband and his best mate think that I’m a nuisance.” Lily stared at him for what seemed like an eternity, breathing heavy and appearing only just able to hold her emotions in check. “Fine,” she muttered. “But don’t forget that I’m watching, and don’t expect me to be open to small talk tomorrow morning.” “Fine.” He stood a little straighter, hoping to make her feel small. “Have a nice day.” She turned on her heel and stormed in the other direction. Regulus shook his head in exasperation, noticing that his hair was getting long on the back on his neck. Lily did not know what she was talking about; she was only angry that he did not credit her with what she believed she was entitled to. She would not do anything to him without proof, and soon these feelings would blow over and she would come to her senses. But what did James and Sirius say?, he wondered to himself as he walked over to his desk. What do they suspect? What proof do they have? Regulus could not think of any proof they could possibly have against him. He had made sure to avoid contact with known Death Eaters in public, and to limit contact with those under suspicion. He was in no way connected publicly with the actions in Diagon Alley and there was no way anyone would know about his involvement in the upcoming Fawkes plan. Unless there’s a spy in the Death Eaters. A spy? Surely not, he insisted back at his mind as he approached his desk and sat down to collect his thoughts. The only Death Eaters who had enough knowledge of his activities to accuse him of anything were Severus Snape, Lucius Malfoy, Barty Crouch, Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange, and Nicolai Baddock. Baddock? He was a possibility. Perhaps he made so many blunders because he was nervous about his double allegiances. They had had to leave the house well before his parents arrived home. Was it because they were contrary to the Dark Lord’s cause? Had he become a double spy against their will? Was he, even now, plotting the team’s demise in the West Country? It can’t be Baddock, he insisted back. He seems so focused on doing well and making Severus proud. No, there was no way that the Potters and his brother could possibly know how involved Regulus was with the Death Eaters. They could not have enough evidence to convict him, if they had any at all. He was too careful to cover his tracks. All the same, he knew he would have to be more careful when talking to Lily in the future. He also knew that he would have to take extra precautions the following week when the Death Eaters’ plan was finally put into motion. ~~~~~~ Liam crumbled up the third copy of a letter he was attempting to write to his sister Tara and threw it across the room in annoyance. He could not get his mind off of the man from the previous week. Who was he? How did he know about wands and wizards and magic? He had insisted that there were other magic folk in County Clare, but how come Liam had never heard about them? Was there some sort of magical conspiracy going on, two rival factions that were vying for control? Had Callum Donnelly accidentally become too involved in this debate? Had he known that there were others who could do magic? Was that why he had died? The questions kept coming to his mind and he was unable to focus. Had he done the right thing? Surely the man was not another wizard. He had been surprised to see Liam’s wand. Why had the man been walking around late at night? Was he a Squib? That has to be the answer, Liam thought to himself. That was the only reason the man would know about magic without knowing who Liam was, because if the man had known Callum then he surely would have known about Callum’s grandson. Liam had not mentioned the encounter to anyone, especially not to his family. He did not think that it was prudent to involve them in a situation that might never become an issue. But he could not help wondering why he had never heard of other witches and wizards in the area. Did they not send their children to Hogwarts, too? Was there some other school of magic that they favoured? What of Lisa’s cousin, Anna McKinnley? Would she know about these others who could do magic? There was a knock at his bedroom door. “Yes?” “Can I come in, Liam?” Aislinn’s voice came muffled through the wood. “Of course,” Liam said as he rose to open the door. Aislinn walked in and sat on his bed cross-legged. “Your leg seems to be healing very well,” he noted. She smiled and nodded. “Yes, I’ve been working very hard to try to walk normally again. It’s too difficult to explain. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.” He nodded. “More than you know.” They sat in silence for a few minutes. Liam heard the insects humming outside his window as the sun crept farther down the horizon. “I think there may be other people here who can do magic,” Aislinn said slowly. He looked up in surprise but she shushed his response. “Just listen. I’ve heard whispers among some of the mothers at the grammar school, whispers about things that can’t be explained,” she started. “Further, a couple of the children at the school have been doing strange things as well. Their mothers are never part of the gossip. Do you think it’s possible that there have been magic people here all along and we just never knew about it?” Liam shrugged. “Anything is possible. The more I’m in this world the more things like this don’t surprise me.” “Magic is supposed to be hereditary, right?” Aislinn asked. “You had to have gotten it from somewhere. What if there was a magical ancestor in this area a long time ago who had a lot of children who married into the Muggle families?” “That’s certainly possible,” Liam affirmed. “But that’s not where I got my magic from.” “What do you mean?” Liam smiled a little. “Ma told me something very interesting the other day. Grandfather Callum was a wizard.” Aislinn gasped. “Our grandfather?! A wizard? Why hasn’t she ever told us?” “I think he told her not to tell anyone. She said that she didn’t know about it until the day that I almost fell off the cliffs and he told her that he never even told Grandmother,” Liam explained. “Apparently he moved here to get away from something, you know how he was always avoiding people not in his immediate circle of acquaintances.” “Do you think he knew anything about potential magical squabbles?” Aislinn questioned. “I doubt it,” Liam admitted. “He avoided others like the plague.” “Maybe he was a part of it, maybe a whole lot of them came over together and something happened,” Aislinn wondered aloud. “Liam, what if these people know more about him? What if they can tell us about our family’s past? Don’t you want to know about that?” Liam shrugged and leaned forward in his desk chair. “Of course I do, Linn, but what if he didn’t want us to know for a reason? What if something happened to him in the wizarding world that he wanted to keep secret? What if he had something that they wanted?” “I don’t know, but I think we should try to find out,” Aislinn insisted. “Have you talked to Ma or Pa about this?” he asked. “Well, no.” “I didn’t think so.” “You know they would never agree to it, Liam,” Aislinn protested. “They want to keep us safe and they want to respect Grandfather Callum’s wishes. If we want to find out about this we’ll have to do it on our own.” “We can’t bring Silas into it either,” Liam noted. “He doesn’t understand magic. He thinks that it’s only around to make things easier, but it doesn’t work like that. You can’t use magic to solve all of your problems.” Aislinn leaned against the wall and stretched her legs to shift her weight. “I agree. I don’t know what we’ll find as we look into this, but I think it will be more than Silas would be able to handle. He still doesn’t fully understand what happened to me over there. There may be blood battles here, I know that.” “Maybe the people who moved here did so because they were persecuted wherever they came from,” Liam offered, leaning back in the chair to even out his weight as well. “Maybe they’re all Muggle-borns or half-blood. I can’t see Pureblood families running away from anything.” “You never know,” Aislinn countered. “Besides, it might have nothing to do with blood at all.” “I doubt it,” Liam said darkly. “Everything over there seems to be about blood.” Aislinn nodded. “Well, you can’t say ‘over there’ anymore, Liam. Now it’s over here, too. This is more than just a Scottish or an English game. This is everywhere.” They sat in silence for a few more moments. Liam decided to tell her. “Aislinn, you know when I went to the pub with Sean a few weeks ago?” She nodded. “Yes, you met that lovely girl, Meghan. You should bring her around for supper.” “She’s not the only person I met,” Liam continued, ignoring the suggestion. “That night it was very foggy. I could barely see anything around me as I was walking home, so I decided to cast a lighting charm with my wand.” “You used magic?! Out in the open?” “Yeah, I did. I know it was probably a bad idea, but I figured that I would just use a memory charm if I ran into any Muggles,” he insisted. “Well, I did run into someone, someone I’m pretty sure was a Muggle. The thing is, Linn, he knew that I was a wizard. He recognized the lighting charm and he told me that I had better come inside with him because it was dangerous to be doing magic at that time in this area.” “What did you do?” she asked. “I performed a memory charm,” he admitted. “I regret it now, but I couldn’t think of something better to do then. I was scared. I thought that maybe Voldemort had sent followers after me and he was trying to lure me into a trap.” Aislinn looked thoughtful as she replied, “He may have been. How did he sound when you were talking?” “He sounded scared, too. He also sounded surprised that I had a wand. He saw the wand first, you see,” Liam explained. “He said, ‘My word, a wand. You have a wand. You’re a wizard.’ Then he said that we had to get inside quickly. What was I supposed to do? Like I would follow someone I didn’t know into their house at one thirty in the morning! That would be madness.” “That doesn’t sound like someone who is one of Voldemort’s followers,” Aislinn offered. “But it does sound like someone who is just as scared as you are of others finding out about the knowledge he holds.” “I can’t get him out of my mind. I want to go find out about him, but I erased his memories about me,” Liam said regretfully. “Did you see where he lived?” Liam shook his head. “No, I didn’t follow him. However could I find him again?” “He can’t live very far; you only went right down the road to the local pub, right?” Aislinn asked. Liam nodded. “Okay, well, let’s just be extra careful to look out for a man like him. What did he look like?” “He was hard to see in the dim light and the fog,” Liam admitted. “But I’d say he was about ten centimetres short of two metres, thinning grey hair but it looks like it was thick at some time, I don’t remember what colour his eyes were.” “What kind of clothes was he wearing? What was his face like?” Liam strained his mind to remember. It had all happened so quickly and he had been so frightened. The details were blurring together. “I think he was wearing brown pants and a grey overcoat. He had a small lantern that he was holding. Oh! He had a light beard, not a very thick one. It was silver,” Liam continued, growing excited as the memories came back. “His face was weathered and deep lined. He had rather large hands.” Aislinn had taken out a piece of paper and a pencil. She made note of the details Liam told her and sketched a picture based on the information he gave her of a man holding out a lantern. “How accurate is this?” Liam took the paper and examined her drawing. “That’s not bad, Linn. I guess we’ll look for a man who looks like this,” he said. “At least it’s somewhere to start,” she agreed. “I’ll start looking for men like this, and you keep looking, too. You’ll be able to recognize him, in theory.” “Should be able to. Okay, let’s do this then,” Liam said. “I don’t know what we’ll find, but it’s better than doing nothing at all.” ~~~~~~ Lily continued to ignore Regulus for the next two weeks, only speaking to him when it would be rude not to do so. The meetings for the spell defence team continued as usual and some progress was made, but the advanced shield charm was nowhere near ready by fifth November. Regulus assured his Death Eater counterparts that they would be in no danger of the charm the night of the mission, considering they had not released their research to the Auror Department. No one outside of the eight members of the team, and respective spouses, knew anything about their research. He Apparated to Malfoy Mansion in high spirits at eight o’clock. Lucius had asked him to come early to make preparations for the rest of the team. He smelled something lovely coming from the direction of the kitchen when he appeared in the foyer. “Lucius?” he called. “Narcissa?” “Regulus, glad to see you made it in one piece,” Lucius said as he walked down the dark green carpeted stairway, one hand on the gold railing. “Thanks for having me, Lucius. Is Narcissa here? Does she know about tonight?” Regulus asked as Lucius reached the last step and walked swiftly over to where he stood. Lucius nodded his affirmation. “She knows what is going on tonight. She’s not happy about it because she thinks we’re being reckless, but I think she’s accepted it for what it is. She asked the elves to make some dessert for us while we wait for the others.” Lucius pointed in the direction of the dining room and Regulus walked slightly ahead. “That’s very kind of her. What do we have to do to get ready?” “I’d just like to talk over some of the plans with you,” Lucius said as they entered the dining room and sat down at the long table. “I like Barty, but sometimes I’m not sure if he can be fully trusted. I feel the same way about Severus, and well, I’m not sure if Baddock really has his head together. You’re at least a member of the family.” Regulus felt a flash of pride. “I’m glad that you’ve seen fit to include me in your plans. I’m sure we’ll be able to lead this team together effectively.” “Well, we can’t make it look like we’re taking charge,” Lucius pointed out. “Severus still needs to think he has the upper hand. I’m worried that he’ll be angry if one of us tries to take control. I think that he hasn’t considered all of the possibilities.” “Yes, I agree with you,” Regulus said as two éclairs covered with melted chocolate appeared on the table before them. “Good choice for dessert, Lucius. In any case, I agree that Severus has a very narrow view of this mission. What would you suggest that we do?” Lucius swallowed a bite of his éclair. “We need to devise an attack strategy. I don’t think Severus has considered the value of a specific plan. There are several key wizarding families and individuals in the Stratford-Upon-Avon area, as well as an Auror training post. I say we give the wizarding families a bit of a scare, and maybe set fire to the Auror post.” “Isn’t that a bit destructive?” Regulus asked. “Slightly, but there shouldn’t be anyone there because it’s night-time. Besides, most people will be out watching the fireworks for Guy Fawkes Day,” Lucius pointed out. “We could set off the Dark Mark in the fireworks,” Regulus suggested. “Good idea. I’ll set Barty on that, as well as on a few of the families. He’ll really take to it, I’m sure,” Lucius said. “Do you want to handle the Auror post with me? We’ll let Severus and Baddock go do whatever they wish and then meet back here at eleven.” “That sounds good to me,” Regulus said as he finished his éclair. “Shall we go get our robes ready?” Lucius nodded. Twenty minutes later, they stood in the foyer with the rest of the team. Narcissa bade them good luck, but took her leave because she had been feeling sick lately. Lucius explained that it was due to morning sickness and said that the wizarding remedy had not been working well for her. “All right, then, chaps,” Barty said excitedly. “Are we ready to make some mischief?” Severus broke in. “Do remember to be careful and keep one another safe. The Dark Lord does not wish any of his followers to be lost tonight. No one should be able to combat us, but if we do face resistance, we need to take absolute measures. None of us can fall into their hands. If one does, the Dark Lord will not be pleased.” “Even if we do meet resistance from Auror teams, they shouldn’t be able to respond with any new spells,” Regulus assured them again. “Nothing we have been working on is fully operational.” “Still, we all need to understand that we might have to turn on each other if the time comes,” Barty admitted. “I doubt it will come to that, but I think we’re all capable of answering that challenge if it comes” Lucius said. “We’re ready for this. Let’s get going. Everyone?” They all donned their hoods in sync and touched a quill that Lucius had made into a Portkey, for Nicolai’s sake. Regulus felt the tugging sensation at his belly and waited a few seconds until they were in the garden of the Crouch house, then let go. They all appeared in one piece and so split off in different directions. Nicolai and Severus stuck to the shadows and headed toward the town centre, while Barty Apparated immediately to his first assigned house. Lucius turned to Regulus. “The Auror training centre is this way, follow me.” He took off at a swift walk, almost a jog, and Regulus hurried to keep up. They crossed one of the bridges out of the town and turned to the right, following a countryside lane. “They built it just out of town so as not to arouse suspicion,” Lucius explained as Regulus hurried alongside him. “It’s under the guise of an archery field, I think. There it is.” He pointed toward a long building behind which stood a large, open field. The sign in front of the complex stated that it was the Stratford Institute of Field Training. As they drew closer, Regulus saw another sign at the door identifying the building as part of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. No lights were on inside. “Doesn’t look like anyone is here,” he noted. Lucius shook his head. “We won’t be interrupted. Incendio!” The front of the building burst into flames. Lucius ran around back and started ransacking the training field. Regulus followed suit, but then stopped when he thought he saw movement inside the building. “Lucius! I think there’s someone in there!” he called. “Well then don’t use my name, idiot!” Lucius replied. “Go inside and check it out. We should be done here. I’ll meet you back at the house later.” He Disapparated, leaving Regulus all alone. Regulus walked toward the building and yelled, “Hey! Is there anyone in there?” “Yes!” a voice called back. “Help me out, please!” Regulus broke a window and stood back as a blonde man scrambled out. It was Frank Longbottom. “A Death Eater!” Frank said, drawing his wand. “Expelliarmus!” Regulus yelled, making his voice deeper. “I helped you out, Longbottom, but now you’re on your own.” “What are you doing here tonight?” Frank asked as he tried to find his wand. “Why have you set fire to this place?” “At the Dark Lord’s bidding,” Regulus replied. “Go home to your wife. You have no business here.” “Too late,” Frank countered with a tone of victory in his voice as several figures Apparated to join him. Regulus retreated to the woods nearby and watched. “Frank! What happened here?” asked a woman who Regulus assumed was his wife. Regulus’ heard Frank’s response, “Death Eaters, Alice. One of them just retreated into the forest. I doubt that he’s the only one here.” “Can you take care of this mess?” asked another male voice that Regulus recognized as belonging to James Potter. “Lily and I will head into Stratford and see if there is anyone else involved. “Not a problem,” Frank replied. “We’ll fix everything.” Regulus' body trembled with alarm; they were going to jeopardize the mission! He had to warn the others. He Apparated into Stratford and then realized that he had no idea where to go next. Where were the others? Why had they not set a more specific plan? He heard a scream coming from down the street and turned toward it to see another house on fire and two black-cloaked figures outside of it; they had to be Severus and Nicolai. Regulus ran down the street toward the source of the sound and called out. “We’ve been compromised! Prepare for action!” The other figures turned away from their work and ran toward him. “I’ll find Lucius and Barty,” said Severus from behind one of the masks. “We’ll meet back at the Crouch house in twenty minutes. How did this happen?” “Lucius and I went to destroy the Auror complex but Frank Longbottom was inside. He put up resistance so we spooked and ran. We Stunned him, but he had called in his wife and the Potters before he left. I’m sure Potter also contacted my brother and the others in Dumbledore’s pathetic organization,” Regulus explained quickly. “So we’re up against the Potters and the Longbottoms,” Severus summarized. “And potentially your brother. We should be fine. I think Barty is on the opposite side of the city scaring some Muggles. You two get back to the house. We need that Portkey because Nicolai can’t Apparate, so don’t lose one another.” Regulus protested, “We can stand up to them. There’s no need to cancel the mission because of this. Let’s continue with the plans.” “I agree,” Nicolai said, to Regulus’ surprise. “Let’s finish what we started, Severus.” Severus shook his head. “Do what you like on the way over to the house, but in twenty or thirty minutes you both had better be there.” He ran in the other direction and disappeared into the black night. Regulus turned to Nicolai. “What do you suggest?” Nicolai’s eyes gleamed with the glow of as-yet-unrealized glory. “Let’s go meet those Aurors.” Regulus nodded. “Let’s go.” They stuck to the shadows as they crept along the outer walls of the short buildings, trying to make silent footsteps as they listened for any sound of the opposition. “I hear voices,” Nicolai said softly. They stopped walking and strained to listen. “Shh, did you hear that, Lils?” asked James Potter. Lily’s voice came back, soft and light. “Hear what?” “I thought I heard voices coming from that direction.” Regulus could not see where she was pointing, but he was sure that they had heard Nicolai or himself. He grabbed a handful of Nicolai’s robes and drew him into a nearby alley to keep them out of sight. Looking out, he saw James and Lily Potter, wands outstretched, searching the street meticulously. He strained to hear their conversation. “Sirius told me that there have been attacks in Hogsmeade and central London as well,” James said to Lily. “They must be trying to pass them off as Guy Fawkes events.” “But parties never get this out of hand,” Lily protested. “I’m sure they meant more to it than that.” James agreed, “They probably did, but we’ll need to capture one of them to know that for sure. This is bad, Lily. I’m amazed that Frank was able to get away from that one Death Eater.” “Where are Peter and Remus?” “Peter, I think, has gone to Hogsmeade with Sirius. Remus is still recovering from the full moon, so he’s out of commission,” James said regretfully. “We could really use his skill tonight.” “So there’s no one else coming?” “It’s just us,” James replied. Nicolai rushed by Regulus and bowled him over before he realized what was going on. “Expelliarmus!” he shouted, pointing his wand at James. “Protego!” Lily shouted in response, creating a shield between James and Nicolai and rebounding the spell back at him. Nicolai dodged it and regained his composure to respond. “Come on, Mudblood!” he shouted. “Is that all you have in you? Throw something real at me, not just a stupid shield charm!” “DON’T you EVER talk to MY WIFE that way, you SCUM!” shouted James, rushing forward to protect Lily. “James! Stay inside the shield!” Nicolai continued to taunt the couple, “Oohh the blood-traitor is protecting his little Mudblood pet! How precious. Come and fight like a real man!” “You don’t have to do this!” Lily yelled back. “Stand down and come in quietly! You don’t know what Lord Voldemort is really trying to do. Please, don’t stay in this mess.” “Oh, sweetheart, you have no idea what’s going to happen here!” Nicolai shouted with glee. “You are going to lose, do you realize that? The Dark Lord will rise and when he does there will be nowhere for you to hide.” “Baddock! You’re out of line!” Regulus hissed from the shadows. Nicolai turned back to respond. “You could be helping me, you know! Get out here and…” “STUPEFY!” yelled James Potter and Nicolai Baddock fell to the ground. “Cast a shield around him, Lils! There’s someone else in that alley! You! Come out here and fight where we can see you!” Regulus gritted his teeth and deepened his voice again. This was getting a little ridiculous. “Leave him be, Potter. He’s no concern of yours. Protego!” Regulus said as he emerged from the shadows, trying to edge close enough to cast the spell around Nicolai as well. “Don’t even think about it, Death Eater,” Lily snarled. “You have no business here, and you have no business with him.” “I have every business with him. You leave him be!” Regulus retorted, struggling to conceal his voice. “I’ll do what I have to in order to get him back!” “Do what you like,” James replied. “I don’t think you have it in you. I think you’re just a bunch of overgrown schoolboys playing at things that are bigger than you are.” “Oh really? You want to test me on that, Potter?” Regulus was growing testy. “You really want to see what I’m capable of?” “James, James I don’t know if this is a good idea,” Lily said carefully. James persisted, “They attacked you, Lily! They’re trying to destroy this town and our way of life!” “Listen to her, blood-traitor,” Regulus drawled. “You don’t want to take your chances with us. Give the boy back to me and go home. You can’t win this battle, and you know it. You don’t know how many of us there are.” “I don’t know who you are, Death Eater, but I do know one thing. You’re over-confident. You have no idea about the plans we have already set in motion. You cannot win this,” James insisted. “If you stay with this cause, your life is forfeit.” “Oh, I beg to disagree,” Regulus replied. “My life is forfeit if I leave, just like yours. What you don’t realize, Potter, is that if that boy and I don’t show up at our meeting point in five minutes time, our people are going to come looking for us, and then you’ll be in real trouble.” James spread his arms and looked around. “Then let them come! What, are you scared?” “James, let’s just take the boy and leave,” Lily insisted again. “We don’t have to wait here. Let’s go!” She rushed toward Nicolai, but Regulus got there first. “Oh, no you don’t! You aren’t going to take him away from us, Mudblood!” he said suddenly, inwardly horrified at the words that had just tumbled out of his mouth. Regulus had just called Lily the most foul name imaginable for a witch of her background, and he had almost called her that in his normal voice. He knew exactly what look Lily would give him if she knew his identity. The shock of the realization was enough to make him pause and lose control of the situation. Lily reached Nicolai first and started dragging him gently away from Regulus. James rushed forward to help her with his legs. “Oh, no you don’t!” Regulus shouted as he pointed his wand at James. “Stupefy!” James collapsed to the ground and hit his head hard on the sidewalk. “Let go of the boy, Lily,” Regulus ordered. “Don’t make me do what I have to do.” She shook her head. “Do what you like to me. I don’t mind dying for what I believe in, Death Eater.” “I’m not going to kill you,” Regulus replied. “But you can’t have him. Avada Kedavra!” Nicolai’s body went limp. Lily dropped him in surprise and jumped backwards. “You, you killed him! You didn’t have to do that! You could have Stunned me and ran!” she cried in shock. “Actually, I really couldn’t have,” Regulus replied. “I couldn’t let you take him, but I also couldn’t show up with him and tell the others that I didn’t kill you and your Auror husband. Killing him was my only choice. Get out of here before I change my mind, and don’t you dare follow me back to where I’m meeting the others. I doubt they’ll be as merciful to you.” Lily shook her head in dismay. “Killing is not what I call mercy. You better hope that I never find out who you are because when I do there will be hell to pay. I’m not as innocent and soft-hearted as I look.” “Trust me, I know,” Regulus said with a laugh. “Go home, Lily.” She stood staring at him defiantly as if trying to decide whether or not to press the issue, but eventually backed away and placed a hand on James’ arm. Seconds later, they were gone. Regulus hadn’t realized that he was holding his breath until he was alone. He looked down at his feet and saw Nicolai’s eyes staring upwards, cold, unfocused. There had been no other option; Nicolai was a sacrifice that had to be made. Regulus could not bring himself to hurt Lily, and Nicolai would have told the others about what had happened if Regulus had let James and Lily go. Appealing to Lily’s nature had been the only way to achieve self-preservation. Regulus knew from his experiences with James that while James did have an honest streak, he also did not have a problem with using force and humiliation to get his way. Had Lily not been there holding him back, James would have had Regulus on the ground in seconds just like he overpowered Nicolai. Nicolai had known the risks when he joined the Death Eaters and volunteered for this assignment. The only option had been to Stun James and kill Nicolai. Regulus could not let the others know that he had hesitated when presented with the choice of hurting Lily and James. Only Lily knew what had really transpired, though he was sure that she would tell James as soon as she revived him. They did not know who he was, so word could not get back to the Dark Lord about his inability to hurt Lily Potter. He touched Nicolai’s cold arm and Apparated to the Crouch house. “Regulus! What happened?” Barty yelped as soon as they appeared. “Let’s get back to Malfoy Manor. I’ll tell you then,” Regulus replied. The other three agreed and they Apparated back to Lucius’ house. Narcissa ran down the stairs. “Back so soon? I thought you would be…oh my!” She screamed when she saw Nicolai and ran over to Lucius. “What happened?!” Barty answered, “We’d all like to know that. Regulus?” Regulus collapsed to the floor and leaned against the wall. The adrenaline rush had died and he was exhausted. “It was James and Lily Potter. They were looking for us and they surprised us. James Stunned Nicolai and it was all I could do to hold them off by myself,” Regulus explained quickly. “They were going to Disapparate with him. I did what I had to do.” The others were silent with understanding, each staring at the floor and breathing heavily. “Nicolai knew the risks when he signed up for the job,” Severus noted simply. “You did the right thing, Regulus. There was action in Somerset tonight, so we can pass off his death as the result of it. I’ll let the Dark Lord know what happened.” Lucius shook his head and punched the wall. “I can’t believe James Potter is still botching everything up! This is the second time he and that Mudblood have defied and foiled our plans!” “The Dark Lord will not be pleased,” Barty said glumly. “But there’s nothing for it. Do you have anything to drink, Sissy?” “I’ll get the elves to send something up,” she replied and then ran from the foyer. “Are you going to be all right, mate?” Barty asked Regulus as he placed a hand gently on his shoulder. Regulus nodded. “Yeah, I think so. I might be sick, though. Can we get him out of here?” “I’ll take care of him,” Severus said. He placed a hand on Nicolai’s shoulder and Disapparated. Narcissa reappeared moments later with glasses and a bottle of firewhiskey. “This should do the trick, I think,” she said softly. Lucius poured glasses and distributed them. “Well, I guess we can toast to Nicolai,” he suggested. Barty nodded and raised his glass. “To Nicolai. May his sacrifice not have been in vain.” ~~~~~~ Author’s Note: Thanks to Arnel and Cygnus for beta-ing despite the challenges life throws our way. I’m glad I get to share this break from reality with you and that you play in my playground with me!
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