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Professor Remus J. Lupin ([info]galarusblaidd) wrote in [info]breaking_point,
@ 2010-02-12 08:46:00

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Entry tags:*complete, 2025 02, character: james sirius potter, character: regulus black, character: remus lupin, character: sirius black, dead character: albus dumbledore

RP: Remus, Regulus, Sirius, James Sirius
Who: Remus Lupin, Regulus Black, Sirius Black, James Sirius Potter
Where: Hogwarts, Remus' Quarters then the air
When: Friday, 12 February, 2025, evening
Rating/Warnings:
Summary: Remus feels it best, in the interest of Jamie's training, to have a family conference...then he and Regulus are finally going to fly!


Remus had been thinking about his conversation with Dumbledore for the past two days. As far as Remus could tell, an 'inner circle' meant that the Order was going to be divided -- true participants and canon fodder. He couldn't imagine anyone not in that inner circle doing much of anything until they were needed for sheer numbers. They were the people who were not loyal without question, no matter what Dumbledore had said. And if Remus wasn't ruthless enough, how long was it before 'they' decided James Sirius shouldn't be training with him? Everything he'd worked for had been put into question with that conversation because he knew that his place in this war was now irrevocably changed and if he was going to protect the people he cared about, it would have to be even more on his terms.

And he really, really needed a distraction from all of this.

With all of that in mind, he had asked James and Sirius to meet he and Regulus at his quarters that evening -- and to bring a broom he could borrow. They could discuss what this might mean for all of them, the training, any protections or other concerns...and then he was begging Regulus to take him flying after. If he was focused on not falling to his death, he wouldn't be able to think about Dumbledore, Harry, Lily Luna, Snape, any of it.


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[info]hate_fleas
2010-02-12 11:48 pm UTC (link)
Sirius was more surprised that Remus had asked them to bring a broom, than he was that he'd asked them to meet him that evening. He was finding himself up at the castle more and more often these days it seemed - he just wished the reason for all the recent visits had been more to do with just seeing his friend and less to do with Harry's health.

"Time to go," He slid a hand over James' hip when he found him in their bedroom, stepping up behind him and kissing his neck before he pressed his forehead against James' shoulder, just standing there for a long minute before he made any attempt at moving.

And so they found themselves up at the castle again, extra broom in hand while they made their way to Remus' rooms and then knocking. After the start of this week Sirius hoped what ever ti was that Remus had to tell them would be better than any of their previous news.

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[info]simply_james
2010-02-13 12:21 am UTC (link)
James felt like he was going back and forth. Soon, he'd need a room here. His mind was still on what his mother had told him about 'Connor'. It explained so much, but it didn't give them any ideas about where to go and find Lily.

However when they got there, he had to smile at the sight of Regulus opening the door for them. "Getting comfortable, aren't you?" he teased, and snorted at what sounded very much like sod off. Another look at the two made him stop. "Are you all right?"

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[info]te_regulus
2010-02-13 01:16 am UTC (link)
Regulus had opened the door only after checking who it was, and stayed into the shadow to let James and Sirius in. He might have resorted to crude insults, but he didn't feel like joking at the moment. Instead, he took their brooms and set them on the side.

He nodded at the question. "We're fine." It wasn't technically true, but Remus' should be the one to tell him what was happening. "You should sit down." Especially Sirius, he wouldn't like this at all.

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[info]galarusblaidd
2010-02-13 03:56 am UTC (link)
Remus smiled slightly at the sight of the extra broom -- at Regulus opening the door, as well. Gods, he hated having to do this. Hated the entire fucked up situation. The fact he was even thinking in that language was a sign of how ragged his nerves were getting.

"I'm sorry to have to ask you two to come back here like this," he said apologetically, knowing they were already dealing with too much. Seeing Harry that afternoon had been hard on Remus. How much harder was it on James and Sirius.

Sighing, he waited until they were seated before he sat as well. "I wish I could say I had good news, but I'm afraid I may have created greater complications for all of us."

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[info]hate_fleas
2010-02-13 04:20 am UTC (link)
"You've clearly been spending too much time with Gryffindors if you're going to try and tell me you're fine." He said raising his eyebrow at his brother - which could only mean they were opposite of fine, which considering what was happening with Harry was understandable, but that his brother was also saying he was fine, well that meant it was something more than that.

"I'm starting to think we should just move up here." Sirius commented giving Remus a smile while they sat down, making light even in the face of the whatever news it was Regulus and Remus were getting ready to share with them.

"Because we didn't have enough complications in our lives, I always knew you were an over achiever Moony. So what is it?" He didn't do well with patience, especially knowing the news would not be good.

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[info]te_regulus
2010-02-13 04:52 am UTC (link)
Regulus chuckled, remembering the discussion from the other night. "What's with you Gryffindors and the word 'fine'? It's not a code word for Slytherins but a polite answer that means little, and does not mean 'I'm pretending to be fine, but need you to comfort me'."

He waited until Remus sat down next to him and put an arm around him. "It's not as bad as he makes it sound. Really. It'll be fine. Remus likes to worry too much."

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[info]galarusblaidd
2010-02-13 05:16 am UTC (link)
"Really, I just felt the need to catch up to you and Prongs on causing trouble," Remus retorted with a small smile. He was familiar enough with Sirius' way of dealing with things after all these years not to take offence at the tone.

Although he did roll his eyes even as he leaned in Regulus slightly, pleasantly surprised by the gesture of putting an arm around him in front of others. "Sometimes the worry is for the right reason."

"The short version is that my activity with the Order is most likely about to take a downturn, if I remain in it at all. I'm really not sure what's going to happen with that right now.

"But, I wanted to discuss it with the both of you because I wouldn't put it past Dumbledore to suggest James stop the training he's doing with me and it should be James' decision to make."

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[info]hate_fleas
2010-02-13 05:35 am UTC (link)
Sirius snorted. "It's going to take quite a bit for you to catch up with me and Prongs." He warned his friend with a smirk, considering how often Remus was the one trying to talk them out of many of their schemes rather than helping them plot them.

Despite knowing something not quite good was coming, it was still amusing to see Remus and his brother so close, it was not something he was used to seeing of either of them and it made him smile to see them both happy with that - even if he was still planning on making fun of them forever.

He frowned when Remus told him that he might not remain a member of the Order. "Wait, what do you mean remain in at all? Of course you're going to remain in, why wouldn't you?" they'd all joined together, they'd been members since they left Hogwarts, and he couldn't think of any reason for any of them to have left.

"What happened?" Because of all of them Remus wouldn't talk about possibly leaving the Order, or Dumbledore suggesting James not train with Remus, if something hadn't happened.

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[info]te_regulus
2010-02-13 04:23 pm UTC (link)
He took a look at Remus and decided that the situation would be less volatile if it came from him. "Dumbledore asked Remus to tell him about me. He said that he'd heard about him being in a relationship and wanted a name. Remus refused to."

This was going to be the fun part. "Remus thinks that Severus told him. Severus claims that Dumbledore found out through the portraits and ghosts and then asked him, and that's why he told Dumbledore to ask Remus. Remus isn't very convinced, but I spoke with the Baron and Dumbledore has been asking about everyone, making up for lost time."

He squeezed Remus' hip while he kept his eyes on Sirius and James. "Remus tried to quit after that, but Dumbledore convinced him to stay. The rest about lack of information and James' training is the result of Remus' ability to worry about everything."

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[info]galarusblaidd
2010-02-13 07:25 pm UTC (link)
Remus was surprised when Regulus brought up Severus. He hadn't been planning to mention that part of things as it really had little to do with the reasons Remus was having second thoughts about the decision to stay with the Order.

And for now, they needed Severus' training for James.

"Stay on a limited basis," Remus clarified. That was the important part. Regulus might not understand, not knowing how the Order worked. But Sirius, he hoped, would understand the ramifications of Remus essentially falling from Dumbledore's grace. And, there were reasons he was the strategist of the Marauders.

"There are organizational changes being contemplated," he told James and Sirius. "Both of you will likely be included in that. Jamie because he needs you, Sirius because he needs Jamie. I will not be, even if I choose to stay."

Brown eyes sought grey as Remus' attention focused on Sirius, Sirius who had lived through 1980 with him and would understand exactly what this could mean if Dumbledore no longer trusted him. "How he heard about Regulus and I is less important than the fact he's found reason to question my loyalty and that's going to change things."

The fact that Remus was questioning his loyalty as well, whether it was warranted any longer, he left unsaid.

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[info]hate_fleas
2010-02-13 09:09 pm UTC (link)
Of course Dumbledore would find out, especially now that he was back at the castle - but that should be something Dumbledore wanted, he knew how much Dumbledore had wanted Regulus to join them, though Sirius could see well enough that was something so unlikely to happen, especially now with this news. And he had to wonder what had been going through the Headmaster's mind when he'd tried to force his hand with Remus.

"Do you believe Snape?" Sirius asked his brother, because this was going to be the important part. Snape could clam the sky was purple for all he cared but what really mattered was if Regulus believed him, if he trusted that his friend was telling the truth and hadn't been a part of this.

He swore when Remus started telling him about organizational changes, that just meant bringing in more people, people Dumbledore didn't trust and when you weren't trusted you were expendable. And if Remus wasn't trusted .... "He has to know it would be stupid not to have you though, he wouldn't -" He shook his head, Remus was not just someone you threw away, what had happened at things were so changed. It used to be so easy to follow orders, to be a good soldier - now suddenly things didn't seem so easy.

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[info]te_regulus
2010-02-13 09:46 pm UTC (link)
"Does it matter, Sirius? I can't prove anything either way. He's right. Dumbledore could find out any secret within this castle. Whether Severus helped pointing him in the right direction is irrelevant now." It was only important on a personal level and he would still give Severus the benefit of the doubt.

"He won't," he continued. "I told you, Remus will be fine. He's just worrying to much." Severus had better deliver on his promise, but he supposed that they'd find out soon enough.

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[info]galarusblaidd
2010-02-13 10:43 pm UTC (link)
"Snape's role in any of this is superfluous." Letting Sirius fixate on the Headmaster was not going to be conducive to much of anything.

Remus raised an eyebrow at Regulus' response, hearing more under those words than even a simple 'fine' would cover. Self-assurance was one thing. This was something else. "We will be fine," he murmured for Regulus' ears only, before addressing Sirius.

"He wants me involved. But, how much will depend on what he decides regarding my loyalties, how much he wants to trust them and what he feels when he does learn Regulus' identity." Remus shrugged. "Your brother may very well be right and I'm worrying too much. Still, he knows now that my priorities are not 'kill at all costs' and that may affect his wishes for Jamie's training. It might not. I honestly don't know.

"But, I wanted to be the one to tell you both what is going on before things changed and you were left wondering what the hell happened." And so they would know enough to start taking their own precautions, even if Remus wasn't saying that part. "For now, I'm still in the Order."

And would remain until he was sure Regulus would be safe from any machinations aimed at Remus regardless. Then, Remus would see where things stood and make more permanent decisions.

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[info]hate_fleas
2010-02-13 11:10 pm UTC (link)
Sirius wanted to argue that it did matter, that of course Snape would have done something like this - for all the times he'd acted like he wasn't that same boy they'd known in school, this was just enough to prove otherwise. But he sighed and didn't push it, because the possibility of Remus no longer being in the Order was the more pressing issue at that moment.

He sighed and nodded, this was not what he'd expected when he came today - the possibility that Remus might not be a part of the Order. He wasn't sure how he felt about that, about not having him there, it wasn't something he'd ever considered before.

And what about his own priorities? He already knew there had been a shift - James was more important than anything else now, more important than even the Order, and he had to wonder if the time would come that Dumbledore would ask too much of him.

"Whether he trusts you completely or not shouldn't affect James' training - he can't deny that you know what you're doing." He didn't see how that could change things.

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[info]simply_james
2010-02-13 11:23 pm UTC (link)
James shared a look with Sirius. He wanted to know if Severus was involved, because you were either family or not. You either trusted each other or didn't.. He thought that it wasn't superfluous, but vital, but he was willing to let it go for now.

"I don't see why it's relevant what I do. I never told him with whom I was training. He didn't have a say on my training with Regulus. It's something we do, because we're family," he said with a shrug. "He can change the Order, but he can't change family."

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[info]galarusblaidd
2010-02-13 11:57 pm UTC (link)
Remus smiled, still surprised sometimes at being included in the 'family'. "Trust me, whether you told him or not, he knows who you're training with. He knows a large portion of what you're training in, how you're doing with that training, and how to make sure you train in what he wants you trained to do. There's very little that man doesn't know."

Shaking his head, he reminded himself he'd promised not to try and persuade them all to quite. "It may not happen. Nothing may change at all. I just wanted you to be prepared in case something came up as a result of this.

"As Regulus said, I worry. Better be prepared and nothing worse happen than I'm out a little information, than not be prepared and have to face something worse." Remus shrugged.

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[info]bp_dumbledore
2010-02-14 12:17 am UTC (link)
Albus had waited to go and speak with Remus again. He wanted to find the right moment, and he also needed a day or two for him to calm down, however when he discovered that Sirius and James were present, he decided that this was the right moment.

He used one of the shortcut and finally reached the second floor. There were a few stops, and more people to talk to, but this was a good thing. He had forgot how important this was. Just a few months, and he'd lost his connection to the castle and he would not do it again.

Finally in front of the right door, he knocked, and waited, smile on his face, waiting for one of them to open.

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[info]galarusblaidd
2010-02-14 12:30 am UTC (link)
Remus glanced at the others when the knock at the door came. Except for Regulus, no one visited him at his quarters unless they'd been previously invited. That was part of the reason he kept his office open for so long in the evenings. That was where he wanted interruptions. His quarters were his retreat from all of that.

What now? he couldn't help thinking, hoping they weren't about to hear that Harry had died or something of that sort.

Getting up, he angled himself so that whomever it was would have to do some craning at the least to see past him into the room where the others sat. All they needed was someone else finding out about everything.

Of course, when he opened the door and saw who was on the other side, his first instinct was to say he was busy, had company. But, his mother had taught him better than that and they couldn't afford to appear as though this was anything other than family spending some time together. All of which passed through his mind in the quickest of flashes before he said "Professor Dumbledore," in welcome and to give the others warning.

"What brings you by this evening," he asked mildly, standing aside to allow the old wizard to enter. "Please come in. Have a seat."

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[info]bp_dumbledore
2010-02-14 01:21 am UTC (link)
"I was walking around," he started, ignoring the snort from the Slytherin. "And I met Sir Nick. He said that he heard from Sir Cadogan, who'd learnt from the Fat Lady that Vi had seen Sirius James come up here, and then the Fat Friar said that he'd seen them come here, and I thought what better time than to come and see all of you."

He walked in, smiling at everyone, but he stopped in front of James. "I'm sorry about your father, James, but he's a tough man. He's beat incredible odds before." He squeezed the boy's shoulder, before taking a seat where he could see all of them. "Mr. Black, it's a pleasure to see you. I must say that the Baron really likes you. That's always a good sign. He's pickier than he seems about who should be Head. Never did like Horace. You really should consider moving to the dungeon, Remus. It's a lot better protected and less exposed than the second floor. Too many portraits and ghosts around. It might be safer in the long run."

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[info]galarusblaidd
2010-02-14 01:45 am UTC (link)
Remus blinked at the recitation of the very intricate game of telephone that had been played to give Dumbledore an excuse to provide for the intrusion. Closing the door, he moved back to the couch he'd been sharing with Regulus -- because, really, they all knew Dumbledore knew where things stood anyway -- and purposely sat with himself positioned between Regulus and Dumbledore. He made no overtly protective gestures, but that was enough.

And then he promptly choked inwardly, working very hard not to show the reaction outwardly, at being given residential advice from his former Headmaster. "I'll certainly have to keep that in mind, Professor," he said mildly.

"It sounds like you are still enjoying your return to the castle. Will you be staying with us over the weekend? Or returning on Monday for the Transfiguration classes?" Remus hated small talk, hated being reduced to such now. But, he also really wanted to know if he could expect another unexpected visit in the middle of the dinner he had planned for Sunday.

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[info]bp_dumbledore
2010-02-14 01:55 am UTC (link)
"You do that," he said with a pleasant smile, and then his eyes stopped on Regulus. "I'm sure the Professor would understand how far Slytherins can go to protect what the value, and the Baron is more proof of that."

He chuckled. "It really is good to be home, and I'll be here until Harry is better and Ginny can go back to class. I'm loving it so much that I've offered Severus to pick up any class when the professors are indisposed." He leaned closer. "There's very little I can't teach and I can take classes after the full moon. I know a thing or two about defence." He would just have to keep the connection with the castle going, and be here on smaller doses. Gellert would understand the importance of this. He couldn't run a war without knowing what the people were doing.

"Sirius, James, has Remus told you about my idea?" Of course he had, which proved just how much his alliances had changed, but as long as they were contained, they could use it. "We'll keep it small of course, people that we can trust and rely on. I'm hoping to have a meeting as soon as Harry is well. We'll make sure that it's not on the full moon of course so Remus can be present."

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[info]galarusblaidd
2010-02-14 02:24 am UTC (link)
Remus' eyes narrowed suspiciously as Dumbledore's moved to Regulus, every sense practically screaming warnings of indeterminate shapes at him. Mirroring the old wizard's motion unconsciously, Remus leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees and put himself just a little bit further between a one-time mentor he wasn't sure he could trust any longer and the lover who was coming to mean more to him than he'd ever thought possible.

"I'm sure the Headmaster must appreciate the kind offer." He smiled placidly, wondering if he was reading into things or if Dumbledore was seriously implying the threat Remus heard in the comment on defence. "Of course, with the advancements in the treatment of lycanthropy in this new era, the full moon is no longer a real issue. Defence should remain uninterrupted for the time being."

One eyebrow raised when conversation was directed to James and Sirius, but Remus remained silent. He had hinted, but he had made an effort to remain vague enough that he had not actually told them about the idea. 'Organisational changes' could mean anything. The questioning of loyalty had been the more important issue.

And apparently, things had changed. He'd been afraid of that. "I appreciate that, Sir. Of course, given the current pace at which events seem to be happening, I would understand completely if that were not possible. It is to be expected, after all."

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[info]bp_dumbledore
2010-02-14 02:33 am UTC (link)
"Are they?" That was indeed news to him, although Remus' body language was as interesting as the potions. He nodded, smiling. "That's good. We have come a long way from the days when the Shack was the only treatment. I'm happy for you, Remus. I truly am."

He shook his head. "No, no reason to do things when you aren't available. You should be there like always. My misgivings were based on not knowing who this person that had your loyalty was. I must say that my mind had come up with very different people, married women mostly, Draco's wife had come to mind. I have no objections to Regulus. Severus has made it clear that he trusts your boyfriend? Lover? I am terrible with these names, but anyways. The point is that I have no objections, and it's much easier since we all have the same goal."

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[info]hate_fleas
2010-02-14 03:04 am UTC (link)
Sirius didn't know what to do now that suddenly Dumbledore was there with them as well - he'd still had more questions for Regulus when their former Headmaster had shown up. And so he sat quietly, letting Dumbledore talk to Regulus and Remus. He would have preferred not having his brother there - something about having all of them in the same room, especially given their conversation, made him a little twitchy.

When Dumbledore turned towards him and James, Sirius kept a hand on James - for one of the first times in hide life feeling uncertain when faced with the man. He shrugged when Dumbledore asked if they'd heard about his plans. "I'm not surprised you want to make some changes." He answered instead, it made sense even apart from these new developments with Remus.

"Of course you should be there, Moony." Sirius insisted despite his friend's attempt at pushing it away - Remus was a part of this, and he should be a part of any new ranks that Dumbledore wanted to make as well, they'd been there since they finished with school and Sirius wasn't about to let Remus be left out now for whatever reason Dumbledore might have tried to come up with, though hearing that Dumbledore also agreed that Remus should be there went a long way to calming his nerves.

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[info]te_regulus
2010-02-14 03:15 am UTC (link)
Regulus knew that there were two discussions here, one for the Gryffindors and one for him. They could be missing what Dumbledore meant, but he understood all too well. Severus had spoken to him, and described the terms.

"None of us want to see the Dark Lord regain power. That would only lead to another full blown war, and no one wants that, Headmaster. However, killing him is not going to be easy if he's taken steps toward immortality," he said calmly. "We all have ways of helping toward his final destruction. Remus will be there with his friends, of course, while others will help in different ways." Agreement made, now Dumbledore needed to fuck off, and leave them in peace until there was something to be done.

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[info]simply_james
2010-02-14 03:20 am UTC (link)
James looked confused amongst the people present. This was more tiring than training without a wand for hours and hours on end. In fact, he couldn't imagine anything more tiring that this verbal stabbing, this ping pong of threats and chit chat.

"Okay so just to recap, there are going to be changes in the Order, but while it's supposed to be secret, you're telling us in front of Regulus, because they are shagging, and you trust him, because Severus says so, instead of things like... I don't know, opposing Tommy boy, maybe?" James said. "However, since we're all in agreement, why are still discussing all of this?"

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[info]galarusblaidd
2010-02-14 04:05 am UTC (link)
Remus couldn't help the tiny smirk when Dumbledore mentioned imagining all sorts of different people he could have been involved with. That had been his intention, of course. "Personally, I dispense with the labels and simply call him Regulus. It's much easier that way. But, I'm glad you have no objections, Sir."

Not that it would have mattered a wit to Remus if he had.

"I'll be there as long as Professor Dumbledore has need of my service," he told Sirius, smiling at his friend's support. He hadn't been trying to push it away. Rather, he found the entire turn around of position to be entirely suspicious.

And Regulus' response only added to that. Remus knew Regulus well enough by now to know when he was seeing Regulus Black and when he was seeing the Black Family heir. The latter was very much in evidence right then. Remus might very well have been missing the finer details of any shadow conversation, but the reference to 'immortality' set those earlier warnings clanging through Remus' senses again.

However, those suspicions could be addressed in private and Jamie's recap was startling a quiet chuckle from him.

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[info]bp_dumbledore
2010-02-14 04:19 am UTC (link)
Albus could see the confusion on Sirius' face, but then Sirius was never one to plan and think. No, Sirius made decision and stuck to them, and when he said that Remus would be there, Albus had to smile. However, the same words by his brother were very different. Sirius just thought that his friend should be with them; Regulus was making a statement, leaving no room for discussion. It was a clear message, and Albus could work with it.

"I think we all have something in common here, more than Tom's destruction." He wanted to see these boys survive if he could. However, James' recap had him laughing. "You, my dear boy, sound more like your uncles than your father. Never minced words, any of them, but you're right, we don't have to discuss this."

He stood up, smiling. "I've taken enough of your time." He turned to Remus. "It wasn't labels that worried me, but identity. None of this would have happened, if I'd learnt that name from the start." He nodded in Regulus' direction. "I'm sure we'll see each other more often. Perhaps you can show me those wonderful potions, and now good evening."

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[info]simply_james
2010-02-14 04:22 am UTC (link)
James watched the man leave, and he waited until the door was firmly closed, before turning to Sirius and the other two men. "What the fuck? And you people actually went to meetings with him? I think I've finally figured out why people do what he wants. It's easier than trying to follow what the fuck he's saying."

He snorted. "So how much did we miss? Because you sounded like the world was ending, and he sounded like we were one big, happy family," he asked Remus.

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[info]galarusblaidd
2010-02-14 04:45 am UTC (link)
"That wasn't a meeting," he said dryly. Remus hadn't begun to breathe any easier once the door had closed behind Dumbledore. There had been something he himself had missed and until he knew what that was, he wasn't sure exactly what to call the conversation they'd just had.

"I'm not sure yet," he answered finally, turning to look questioningly at Regulus. Whatever it was he was missing, he suspected it had been in that last exchange. Returning his attention to Jamie, he continued. "Either something changed his mind, or I misread the original conversation."

Remus would bet anything on the former. Clearly Dumbledore was still not happy with him for his decision in not revealing Regulus' identity. But, he was also making a statement by including Regulus in this conversation and making a point of giving his blessing and welcoming Remus back into the fold. The man cast privacy charms when giving assignments to members during Order meetings. It was no accident that he had said any of this so relatively openly.

"Whatever just happened, it would seem my worries may have been unnecessary at this time." Or were needed even more. Remus' trust was not something that would bounce back so easily just because Dumbledore made a show of acceptance.

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[info]te_regulus
2010-02-14 04:54 am UTC (link)
"And yet, so much was accomplished." Regulus believed that 'meetings' were a useless thing meant to stroke egos. The same had been true with the Dark Lord. The real scheming and plotting wasn't done at meetings but on a more personal level.

"I told you not to worry," he said softly while his fingers closed around the nape of Remus' neck, massaging it gently. "And I also told you to let things run their course."

He turned to James and Sirius. "They will get James ready to fight, and at this point it's inevitable. You can trust them to do that, but you can't trust either him or Severus blindly." This was mostly for James who seemed to take a very all or nothing approach to life. "You need to be careful, James. You aren't more important than killing the Dark Lord. If you remember that, then you should be fine."

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[info]hate_fleas
2010-02-14 05:15 am UTC (link)
"When did things get so complicated?" Sirius asked shaking his head - he didn't remember any of his talks with Albus being quite so filled with unspoken meanings and uncertainty - even in the midst of an actual war, it didn't seem like it should be quite so fought with confusion.

He shook his head, he didn't think it would be an issue for him not to trust Snape completely, James may consider him something of a friend, but Sirius still didn't know how to define the sort of working relationship he'd forged with the man. He was, though, starting to see that Albus wasn't always someone he could blindly trust either - and it was going to take a little time to adjust his thinking for that, he had always trusted Dumbledore, but Dumbledore had never asked him to do some of the things he had in recent months in the past. And there was so much more to consider now.

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[info]simply_james
2010-02-14 05:23 am UTC (link)
James was pretty sure that they were all insane. If this was how they did things, no wonder people kept dying. He was ready to throw himself in front of an hex just to avoid thinking.

"All right, so we don't trust anyone and we have no idea what's going on, which I'm pretty sure that was the conclusion we reached at the house two weeks ago." That was nice, and he didn't mean to curt, but they were trying to find this boy Voldemort was using as a donor for the Polyjuice and it was a lot more important than this.

"This has been... interesting, but I have things to do. When you guys figure out what's going on, you can let us know." He kissed Sirius. "Are you staying or are you going back to the Ministry with me?"

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[info]hate_fleas
2010-02-14 05:34 am UTC (link)
Despite all the thought rolling around in his head, Sirius had to be amused when James provided his own personal brand of recap of the evenings activities, for a second time - at least James would always be someone he knew he would understand easily. "Something like that." He agreed with a nod, he knew James thought they were all paranoid - but it was just the way things went at times.

"Yeah, I'm going to go." He nodded standing, the answer mostly for his brother and Remus, than for James. "If anything else comes up, let me know." He'd likely end up talking to Remus again later in the week after he'd sorted through things on his own.

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[info]te_regulus
2010-02-14 05:40 am UTC (link)
Regulus snorted. James had the uncanny ability to sum things up to their basic level. Of course, he ignored that most people didn't think like that. "Nothing else will come up," he said.

He watched as Sirius and James left, knowing that Remus wasn't as easily pleased, because he did plan and think, and he wouldn't just accept that Dumbledore had changed his mind.

"Should we play a game? I can have Dolan bring my chess set up here," he said, knowing that it was the worse attempt at subtlety he'd ever shown.

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[info]galarusblaidd
2010-02-14 06:17 am UTC (link)
Remus smiled tiredly at his best friend as the two of them left. No matter that he was encouraging a mass exodus from the Order, Remus was grateful for Sirius' support. Especially after the last war. If nothing else, coming back from the dead into this time had given him back his best friends and Remus would always be grateful for that.

He would always be grateful for the chance he'd been given in this time with the younger Black brother as well.

Which was why, when the door closed behind James and Sirius, Remus turned fully to regard his lover with a serious expression. He wasn't taking any chance of letting things go unsaid or giving Regulus time enough to form effective evasions of the questions he wanted answers to right then.

"Sure, chess would be good," he said with a nod. "Of course, before we do that, maybe you can help me figure something out about this chess match conversation we just engaged in with Dumbledore. Because I wasn't expecting that castling move of yours at the end. Would you care to explain it?"

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[info]te_regulus
2010-02-14 06:30 am UTC (link)
"I'm not sure I know what you're referring to," Regulus said with a raised eyebrow. "Castling? And would I be the king or the rook? I like the title of king, but it's to weak in the game. Or would you the king? I'm a little confused about the question since I don't see anyone protecting anyone else."

He grazed Remus' cheek with the knuckles. "You should be involved. You are involved. It's really very simple, and you're looking for things that aren't there. You can stop worrying, and we can move onto more pleasurable things." He leaned in and kissed Remus' cheek. "What is it that James said? We can worry when something happens."

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[info]galarusblaidd
2010-02-14 06:45 am UTC (link)
"Then I had better continue worrying because something did just happen and I think I need to know what it was." Capturing the hand at his cheek, Remus laced their fingers together.

"I may not be as well-versed in the art of double talk as some people," he said with a sigh. "But, I know it when I hear it and you were telling Dumbledore a lot more than merely a confirmation of my own involvement. Nothing is that simple, Regulus. Especially not when you're dealing with Dumbledore.

"He's still not happy with me for keeping you from him. That much was crystal clear. Yet, tonight he's perfectly happy to know it was you I was protecting and offering platitudes of reassurance of my role in the Order. Something doesn't add up. There's blind spot I can't even see the shape of and I can't protect you from his machinations if I don't know what I'm dealing with.

"So, I need to know. What did you just do?"

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[info]te_regulus
2010-02-14 06:54 am UTC (link)
"Something didn't just happen and I just didn't do anything." It was true, considering that the agreement was made in Severus' office. This was merely a verbal confirmation of previously stated terms. The choice of having so many people present was for him, Regulus knew that.

"He might not be happy, but he will include you, because it's in his best interest to have you there, no defections in the ranks. It's better for you, because you'll have the protection they can give you and you will be with your friends," he said. "No one needs to know about what happened with you and Dumbledore, and everything will be fine."

He smiled. "And I'm just that amazing. Even he can't resist me." He leaned in and brushed their lips together. "You don't have to protect me from him, and there are no machinations at play, just... a gentlemen's agreement."

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[info]galarusblaidd
2010-02-14 07:15 am UTC (link)
"I'm nether naive nor stupid, Regulus. So, please don't expect me to believe there wasn't more going on here."

Remus had a list of moments that had passed from the time Jamie and Sirius had arrived to the time they had left, a list of moments when something didn't seem right on the surface. Most of those moments happened during Dumbledore's little visit. And, most of them pointed to some communication happening between General and Slytherin.

Remus didn't like feeling he was being talked around or manoeuvred. And he really didn't think he could take knowing Regulus was keeping something potentially vital in all this from him.

Cupping the back of Regulus' neck to hold him in place, Remus did not proceed to kiss him breathless as he might have been tempted to do on another night. Instead he merely looked him in the eyes steadily. "I could spend the next hour dissecting that little interview and pointing out each little inconsistency and how they all seem to point back to your gentleman's agreement."


"Please, Regulus," he pleaded softly, closing the short distance between them then and pressing his lips to Regulus' with gentle desperation that had nothing to do with moving the conversation to the bedroom. "I need to know you're safe or none of this will mean anything to me. And, I can't know you're safe if I don't understand what just happened here tonight."

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[info]te_regulus
2010-02-14 07:30 am UTC (link)
Regulus didn't like to share, wanted to protect Remus from all of this, but he knew that the truth would keep both of them safer in the long run. It didn't stop him from wanting to hide everything.

He put his arms around Remus, staying close to him. "I don't think you're either. I know how smart you are." He smiled a little. "Annoyingly so. You could be like Sirius and James and ignore everything, but I know you won't."

He shook his head. "You don't have to make a list. I'll tell you." He kissed Remus again, the need clear in their kiss. "I'm fine. I'll be fine, and this isn't some code word. I mean it."

He drew his head back. "I wasn't lying. Nothing happened here. This was just confirmation of something previously agreed upon. When I went to see Severus, I knew that something needed to be done. Dumbledore wouldn't have let you leave, not like that, and we were both exposed. I offered him a deal. If he accepted you into whatever he's planning, I'd help the Order, and before you say anything, I would be forced to, even without this agreement. You, Sirius, James, Severus, I'd help despite of everything. It wasn't a big concession, okay?"

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[info]galarusblaidd
2010-02-14 04:26 pm UTC (link)
"I could," Remus agreed with a soft chuckle, holding tightly as Regulus moved closer. "But, you'd have grown bored with me after less than a handful of conversations if I ignored everything."

Listening in silence as the other man spoke, Remus blinked at the admission and little pieces began to fall into place. I'm sure the Professor would understand how far Slytherins can go to protect what the value, Dumbledore had said. Remus will be fine, Regulus had continued to repeat. Regulus, what have you done, Remus thought.

"So, to protect us," he said slowly once he'd finished processing everything, "you'll do something you would have done in any case, but in the process have allied yourself to a man you neither like, nor trust, who you would rather keep as far from yourself as possible, who knows your most dangerous secrets and will not hesitate to use them against you in order to keep you in line with what he wants from you? Regulus..."

Remus couldn't find the words, so he put the rest of what he had to say about that into a heartfelt press of lips, a language that seemed to come so much more easily than spoken words.

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[info]te_regulus
2010-02-14 04:50 pm UTC (link)
"Yes, I would have," he said, laughing. He loved his brother, but being with someone like him would drive him to murder in hours. He enjoyed the conversations and the mental connection as much if not more than the sex.

Gryffindors and their little recaps. They might be accurate, but the raw truth lying so naked between them offended his Slytherin sensibilities, but he didn't want to lie to Remus either. He had gone to great lengths to protect Regulus and he would not betray that trust.

The kiss came as a surprise, just as he was steadying himself for an argument, and he smiled against Remus' lips, relaxing against him. "I told you that everything will be fine," he whispered.

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[info]galarusblaidd
2010-02-14 08:57 pm UTC (link)
"Your definition of fine is seriously skewed," Remus breathed, kissing him softly once more before sitting back with a quiet sigh.

Bemused still that Regulus would have voluntarily allied himself with Dumbledore in order to protect their secrets, Remus was nonetheless already thinking through the ramifications of this development. Dumbledore's words about knowing a thing or two about Defence worried him even more now. Had that been a threat, a hint, something with amorphous meaning they'd learn later? Nothing but smoke to make him worry?

This wasn't going to stop the questioning of Remus' loyalty, of course. If anything, he could see his loyalty to Regulus, and vice versa, being used to keep them in line. But, they had some breathing space to figure a way out of this mess. Or at least to figure out how to keep their secrets safe, as well as each other.

And when had he stopped trusting the old wizard this much?

"Well, I suppose he has what he wants for now, which gives us some time to breathe. You told me before that Harry and Dumbledore both knew about how you died. Does anyone else? Sirius? Severus? I'll need to know who to watch if I'm going to be in these exclusive meetings, now."

Running his hands soothingly over Regulus' back, he couldn't help pressing another kiss to the other man's temple. He knew what it must have taken for him to make a deal like that and Remus had no intentions of berating him for a moment of Gryffindor brash-ness. "We don't have to think about this any more tonight. If you want to call Dolan, we can play a game. Or..."

Remus pulled away to look at Regulus with a grin.

"I told James and Sirius to bring an extra broom when they came here tonight. So, we can go flying if you like."

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[info]te_regulus
2010-02-14 10:17 pm UTC (link)
"Compared to the last two years of my life, this is very fine," he answered, grinning. "In fact, this is relaxing, fun, interesting, laid back, almost boring. It was time for things to happen."

He nodded. "He does, and we're not without power, but you need to stop rocking the boat. Everything is fine, everything is back to normal, nothing happened," Regulus said. "The more you act like something is wrong, the worse it will be, and if you pull the cord too much, he will cut it off, and we can't afford that. Both of us become dispensable, and that would be fine if we could just leave, but we can't separate ourselves from this because there's people we care that are involved. So don't act like a Gryffindor."

He squeezed Remus' leg. "Potter, Weasley and Granger know. Sirius and Severus know. I think Severus knows everything, but not from me, Sirius as much as you. James might know, but I'm not sure. No one else as far as I know."

Regulus grinned brightly. "Chess versus flying? Are you kidding me? Let's go fly." In the air, they could forget all about their problems.

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