Chapter Text
The students had been standing, searching in the room for a little over five hours. That was when Regulus suddenly snapped his fingers, silencing everyone in the room. He spoke in French, waiting for Sirius to translate. "The blood of the hath found'r," he began "shall bewray what oth'rs can't seeth." he read the words carved into the ground, translated by Barty, who had cut in before Sirius could.
"It's old English." He tried to explain. "It should be translated to old English."
"So... What? We just need to find the blood of a dead person?" Fabian asked in disbelief, to which Regulus scoffed.
"No." He reached out to James' thumb, inching it closer to his mouth. With a wince from James, he bit down, drawing a bit of blood. Then, tugging on James' hand, he started smearing it across the floor, the room began to shake slightly, almost as if an earthquake had overtaken it. With a creak, the wall opened, revealing a staircase. "Toujours pur."
"Always pure," Sirius translated easily. "Our family motto, it can be used for the Potters', too. They probably have the most pure bloodline, because cousins, and brothers, and... Whatever got married, had children. That makes him directly related to... Probably Godric." He tried to explain to Remus, James and Peter who all looked at him with raised eyebrows, utter confusion shown on their faces.
"Well, lead the way," Regulus pointed out to Evan, who chuckled, but did end up leading the way. Wands were drawn out as they reached the top. It was a huge room, spreading out into five different rooms. "This is weird."
"What many might not know about our founders," professor Mcgonagall spoke as she reached the top of the stairs "Salazar Slytherin wasn't an only child. He had a sister, Sebille. Sebille Slytherin." She explained, pointing at a door with S S carved into it, a star added next to it. "Then, right there, Salazar," and with that, she pointed at all doors, explaining why, and who they were. "all girls will split up into Sebille and Helga, boys, you take the remaining rooms. I'd tell you to prepare, but it's late, and we have tomorrow."
"Can you believe that we're standing where they stood?" Barty was shocked, eyes wide as he, Evan and Regulus walked into Salazar's room. There were four beds, and five boys in this room. Regulus sighed as he moved to sit on the bed in the far right corner. Once settled, Barty and Evan laid together, Regulus alone, and Gilderoy laid next to Dirk's bed.
"I can, yes," Regulus answered simply "James shares blood with Godric, that's crazy."
"Maybe he shares blood with Salazar, who knows?" Barty voiced, before trying to close his eyes.
••
Regulus startled awake with a gasp, having felt the soft touch of being tapped on the shoulder. Opening his eyes, he was met with Sirius "come with me." Sirius whispered. Taking his brother's hand, he followed him out of the room, trying to be as silent as possible. Regulus had slept like shit, and could tell Sirius had, as well, by the bags under his eyes, and the red rims. Being led into the room Sirius shared with Peter, James, Remus and Kingsley, he felt like he was intruding, but did slip into Sirius' bed. Soon enough, his brother wrapped his arms around Regulus, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. They always used to do this, when sleeping over at Cygnus', or anywhere that wasn't home. They'd be frightened, as they were, now, but laying in each other's arms, they felt safer. Regulus did, at least. "I'm here." Sirius whispered lowly, to which Regulus hummed.
"I'm afraid." Regulus lowered his voice, matching Sirius'. He really was afraid, hands trembling due to the lasting effects of the Cruciatus curse. "Are you?"
Sirius nodded, but only wrapped his arms around Regulus tighter, even if he heard the sniffle escaping his brother, he didn't let go. Soon enough, Regulus laid crying in Sirius' arms, though not a sound escaped him. Silent crying, that had always been the worst in Sirius' opinion.
Falling asleep once more, Regulus could finally rest instead of tossing and turning in the fear that he would be attacked in the middle of the night. He knew, somewhere deep down, that Sirius would protect him, even if he could protect himself.
••
"Good morning!" James called out loudly, startling Regulus out of his sleep, releasing a stuttering breath as he shot out an "Impedimenta!" Slowing James for the time being.
"I'm sorry," James frowned "I didn't..."
Sirius was now glaring at James, hand placed Regulus' shoulder, trying to soothe his frightened brother, that had tremors overtaking him, shaking within Sirius' arms as Sirius wrapped his brother up in a tight hold. Only then did Remus understand why he had shaken off James' question. Then, it hit James why they both seemed to tremble constantly, only for Regulus it was worse. "Dear lord..." He mumbled. "The Cruciatus curse? That's why you hate your family? That's fucked up--"
At that, Regulus eyes shot up to James, expression cold as he rose up. "Never, ever," he stepped forward "say that again. You know nothing--"
"I think I do, though," James voiced "seeing by your reaction, able to shoot out a spell within three seconds... I'd say it happened more than once. Am I getting close?"
Regulus raised his wand once more, ready to speak the words when Sirius shot out a counter spell, blocking what Regulus had attempted. "No." Sirius warned "that isn't you, okay? Don't."
Regulus clenched his jaw tightly, lowering the wand that had shot out the spell to immobilize James, which, luckily, had been blocked by Sirius. Then, Regulus seemed to get an idea. "I want you to be my opponent for the duel."
"What?" James was confused, frowning deeply, only seeing Regulus' cat-like eyes narrow. "Fine. I accept your challenge."
Shooting out spell after spell, dodging and blocking, moving swiftly and with grace, Regulus fought, and James knew he was losing against his quick opponent.
James went onto defense only, blocking, blocking, and blocking again whilst Mcgonagall watched, before Regulus shot out a loudly spoken "Expelliarmus!" That had James' wand flying backwards, before landing on the ground.
Regulus was about to fire off one last spell, when Professor Mcgonagall stopped him with a loud clap of her hands. "We're training, Regulus. We aren't cruel. We don't aim to hurt, we aim to prepare. Save your anger for You-know-who, you could use it, then. Bottle it up, keep it inside of you, and you will be the strongest you can be, the moment you need to channel that anger."
Regulus lowered his wand, seeing the frightened look on James' face. He had scared his brother's friend by doing what he had been trained to. To be ruthless, careless and cold.
Barty started clapping, followed by Evan who joined in, patting Regulus on the back. "That was amazing." Evan spoke, bright grin on his lips. "I knew you'd win."
"Oh you did, did you?" Regulus watched as Barty nodded his head up and down, grinning along with Evan. Even Dorcas found herself smiling.
"I doubted it," Dorcas voiced "but I'm glad you won."
"Me too. Showed him just what the Black family can do." Those words, albeit cold, they were true. Even Sirius knew it. The words did hurt him, though. He didn't want to be like his family, but he knew his brother's approach was the best. Quick, ruthless and smart. Too quick for his opponent might have been unfair, but right or wrong shouldn't matter in a war.