The Marauders - Order of the Phoenix - Part One

Regulus's Lifelong Hope

Fenrir Greyback was in the parlor when Regulus arrived in the room. Walburga was seated in her favorite highback chair, her face red and eyes diverted to the floor. Fenrir was shaking out his hand, facing the fireplace mantel and cursing.

Regulus's swaggered faltered slightly when he saw his mother's face, and he was about to check on her when she shook her head ever so subtly. She was telling him to keep on the facade of confidence. And so he did.

"Oh it's you," he said lazily, as Fenrir turned 'round to face him. "I thought I smelled something fowl as I was coming down the stairs just now."

Greyback let out a bark of mirth and sneered, "You watch your smart ickle mouth, you little lump of dung, or I may just have a lapse of mind next full moon and tear your jugular clear out of your throat."

Regulus didn't even so much as blink at the threat. Greyback clearly wasn't used to no response, for he seemed to have to regroup before adding on, like an after thought, "Of course your family seems to rather enjoy their lunatics, don't they?"

"If that is a reference to my filthy brother and his... mate..."

Greyback's lips curled, "Then what, little poppet? Then you'll be very, very angry and boo hoo hoo?" He said this in an impish, babyish voice, mocking.

Regulus kept coolly starring at him. "I was going to say that perhaps you should shut your filthy mouth seeing as you were rather lucky to have a lunatic crazed Black who once loved you, for a time." Regulus paused, "Before she was stupid enough to get herself destroyed that is... Yours wasn't her last kiss, of course."

Greyback's eyes flashed. It was an unspoken rule that none spoke of Druella around him.

"You watch your mouth you know what's good for ya," Greyback growled.

Regulus didn't let it show outwardy, but he rather was terrified of the sound of that growl. He had to check himself a bit extra to keep from wavering. He'd stepped over a line and he knew it. But it had felt rather good to get a rise out of him, anyway.

"Where's the snack I was promised?" Greyback demanded.

Regulus raised one eyebrow. "Beg pardon?"

"I know you took 'em, them Phoenixes," Greyback leaned against the mantle, "And I'm here for'em."

Regulus shook his head, "I think you're mistaken, Fenrir."

Fenrir picked at his tooth with the sharp, pointed claw of his pinky finger. "Don't think I am. I saw you - both you," he added, nodding at Walburga.

"It was dark in that theater," Regulus said, shrugging, "Nobody could see anybody."

"Wolves got better eyes than little boys."

Regulus hadn't thought of that. He forced himself to stare at Greyback without looking down, even as his mind reeled in panic. How could he weave himself out of this mess? he wondered.

"You ran up on that stage and you - you grabbed Potter," Greyback continued, nodding at Walburga. "And you took the other one... the ice cream boy. Then your elf come and snatched you up and disapparated you away..." Greyback sneered. He stepped closer to Regulus, so close that Regulus could smell his breath, the rancidness of it nearly gagged him. Greyback paced around behind Regulus, his hands grasping onto his shoulders, and he pulled Regulus back against his chest roughly, catching Regulus off guard. The straight face fell from Regulus's face and panic replaced it by the sudden move. "Tell the truth, boy, or maybe I'll have to find myself a replacement to satisfy my pack's hunger..." He was so close, he nearly had his mouth on Regulus's shoulder.