Song:
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (The Animals)
"But I'm just a soul who's intentions are good. Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood."
The funeral of Ares Brown was held in the afternoon, right next to the Black Lake, under the tallest willow tree. Unlike all other funerals held for the murdered students, his was the only private one. Just his friends, his family and the teachers. No press, no random students, nothing.
Callisto and Remus had put up quite the fight to go, only managing to convince Madame Pomfrey an hour before the actual funeral. She had accepted only after conducting an excruciatingly detailed physical examination, even making them walk into a straight line before she said they could join, but were to avoid any excess activities.
"Remus." Callisto called, coming out of the bathroom. She was holding her black dress close to her chest, the white bandages covered by the thick material. "I can't zip it up."
"Abdomen stretch?"
"Why does the fucking abdomen participate in everything I try to do?"
"Little pervert wants you to stay naked." Remus mused, zipping her up. He gently kissed her shoulder, before he took a step back. "All ready."
"Thanks." She murmured, watching as he took the hairbrush from the table next to her bed and started brushing it gently.
"I can do that myself."
"No excess physical activity." He reminded her, pulling her hair to the side.He started to brush it, not even two minutes passing by before he spoke again. "This is quite boring."
"Want me to do it?"
"No, I just wish there was some kind of surprise while I do it." Remus murmured. "Like, a dragon coming out of your hair if you brush the wrong place."
"A dragon?"
"A niffler would do the job too."
"I'll keep it in mind." Callisto said, with a small laugh. "Are you done?"
"Yep." He nodded, letting down the brush.
It was the first time since the attack that she felt like an actual human and not a troll, the scent of her perfume surrounding her as she straightened the material of her black dress. It was simple, but elegant, her aunt's pendant contrasting with the black material.
She picked up her black gloves, the silky material covering the dark brown bruises on her skin. It was the least of her concerns, but she didn't want to look completely beaten up outside of the ward.
"You look stunning." He murmured, kissing her forehead. "Mind helping me with the tie?"
"Yes, I very much do mind." Callisto said, starting to fix his tie nonetheless. "You're very handsome, Remus."
"I look like a slutty mummy..."
"You really did take that to heart, didn't you?" Callisto asked, patting his chest twice as she let go of his tie. "Ready to go?"
Remus nodded and took her hand, the pair walking out of the Infirmary.
~ ~ ~
"Lupins!" James greeted, making Callisto's eyes narrow yet again. She didn't say anything, letting the boy inspect both of them curiously. "You both look much better."
"Are you implying we were ugly before?"
"Never." James responded, rolling his eyes. "There she is!"
Lily walked over to them, Peter and Sirius by her side. Her arm was around Sirius' shoulders, the boy leaning down slightly to hear what she was saying. He nodded slightly and looked up at them, smiling slightly as he saw Remus and Callisto.
"Sorry for not visiting." He immediately said, hugging her. "I was-"
"Don't even finish that sentence." She murmured, kissing his cheek. "You're all good."
"Are you removing the bandages soon, Moony?" Peter asked curiously. "It looks stupid."
"Gracious as always." Remus dryly said, masking the annoyance in his voice with sarcasm.
Callisto hadn't been to many funerals, but she supposed this was a beautiful one. It seemed as if everyone remembered Ares fondly, friends, teachers and family alike. Sirius hadn't given a speech, but couldn't help the few tears that ran free down his cheeks as he was lowered to the ground, right under the tree they had confessed their feelings to each other.
Callisto couldn't help but notice the small girl sitting in the front, her eyes curiously searching the crowd and only stopping when she saw Sirius. She didn't say much, just nodded in acknowledgment, sending a tight-lipped smile to his direction.
For him, it was more than enough.
The person Callisto didn't expect to see was Regulus Black, standing at the very back of the little venue that had been formed. He had his long coat wrapped around him and his eyes were completely devoid of any emotion, his jaw clenched.
He only approached them when the funeral ended, everyone concentrating in small circles before they left for the castle.
"Regulus." Sirius acknowledged, his voice sounding hoarse.
"I'm sorry for your loss, Sirius." Regulus said, his voice more sincere than Callisto had ever heard it. She didn't say anything, averting her gaze to the ground.
Sirius nodded, extending his arm.
Regulus seemed to hesitate for a moment, a wave of guilt hitting him like the sea throws a man against the rocks during a tempest. He returned the gesture, nonetheless, his fingers wrapping around Sirius' hands as he shook it.
There were no hugs, no sentimentalities exchanged by the Black brothers. Just a mutual understanding that if things were just a bit different, they could find their way back to each other. Unfortunately, in this life, their paths had separated long ago. Trying to force them to converge would only end up in more heartbreak, the type of pain that can never be healed with time and ends up consuming you.
They both had had enough of pain and more was to come that they weren't aware of.
So, they just shook hands.
"Will you stay until it ends?" Callisto asked, the sharp edge missing in her voice. "You can sit with us, if you want."
Regulus glanced at Sirius. He just nodded, gesturing to the empty chairs.
It felt odd. As if they were exposed to each other, all but Callisto feeling greatly desynchronized by each other's presence. Yet, nobody moved.
Maybe funerals were supposed to feel slightly unnerving.
"May I sit with you?" A sweet voice said, making everyone turn to look at its source.
The girl was obviously nervous, her fingers nervously fidgeting with her golden necklace. She was wearing a light blue dress, much different to everyone's black attire, a man's jacket draped around her narrow shoulders. Her blonde hair was falling messily on her chest, pinned back by two gold bumblebee hairpins.
"Sure." Lily smiled, taking her jacket from a chair, and gesturing for the girl to sit down. "You must be Lana."
"Yes, that's me." She smiled awkwardly, as if the small movement ached. "Were you his friends?"
"Yes, except for Callisto and Regulus." James said, pointing at the two Slytherins. "Callie knows him through us and Regulus..."
James trailed off, not knowing how to continue.
"He's my brother." Sirius finished for him, Lana nodding apprehensively.
"It's nice to meet you." The girl said. "If you don't mind me asking, could you tell me how exactly it happened?"
Everyone fell silent.
Callisto's breathing seemed to get more erratic as the events popped up in her mind, images of Remus hitting the floor followed by Sirius screaming over Ares' dead body flashing in her mind. Remus took her hand in his, squeezing it reassuringly three times.
"I mean, the aurors talked to us." Lana continued, her voice shaking. "But they just told us three Death Eaters attacked you in Hogsmeade. Apparently all three were very high in his ranks, and... well, there was nothing more that could be done."
Regulus froze for a brief moment. He saw Lily shoot James a look, wondering the same thing he did.
Three?
"I'm sorry," Callisto gently said. "They didn't tell you anything else?"
"Just that some of you were injured." Lana said. "I can see your friend hit his head, everyone else seems fine though. I'm glad nobody else got seriously hurt."
Silence fell again.
Callisto tugged the sleeves of her gloves just a bit higher, covering the bruise that threatened to peek through.
"Their trials are soon." Lana murmured. "My brother was a good man... I hope they rot in Azkaban. All three of them are monsters..."
Three.
Three Death Eaters, not five.
Regulus felt his heart beat faster. Sweat was clamming in his forehead and he slightly tucked the neck of his turtleneck, allowing the cool air to hit his hot skin. He was confused to say the least, but he had heard it three times already.
Three Death Eaters, not bloody five.
His gaze met Callisto's, the panic that was suffocating him threatening to end him. His hands were shaking as he dusted off his coat, trying to get his thoughts straight.
"Reg," She called. "How many Death Eaters were in Madam Puddifoot's again? As I said, the potion is making me a bit drowsy. I assume you heard all about what happened."
"Yes, it was five."
Five. Five. Five.
Crap, absolute crap.
He swallowed the lump in his throat.
"All three will get what they deserve." Callisto's voice was smooth in his ears, yet her eyes hadn't left him. She was examining his every movement like a hawk, seeing through every single lie.
Lana nodded.
"Thankfully, nobody escaped."
"Yes, thank you." She nodded. "Three were caught and the other two weren't, right? I was carried here before I could find out."
"Yes, they're unidentified."
Three caught, two escaped. This gives us five. Five, the fucking number that made him sick to his stomach.
He could see the small smirk on her lips as she looked at him, her eyes cold as ice. He could hear her voice, taunting him. He thought he had been lucky. She had believed him, oh-so easily. She had blamed the confusion on her medication, while she was setting a trap, in which he fell right into.
How could he have suspected the aurors kept the true number of Death Eaters in the small shop a secret? How could he have imagined that Callisto Claire knew the truth, but had chosen to see past it for some odd reason?
He could feel the bile rising in his throat, burning his esophagus and filling his mouth with a bitter taste.
She just nodded, the head movement so miniscule he almost missed it.
I know everything, Regulus.
It whispered tauntingly.
I'm not an idiot, Regulus, but you are. Shame on you for believing you could ever trick me, and shame on you for trying to lie your way out of it.
It was suffocating him.
Who do you think confounded the auror, Regulus? I saved you.
Maybe she shouldn't have.
You're too young to be damned yet, Regulus.
"I'm sorry, I-" He blurted out, everyone turning to look at him. "I am feeling rather sick. I think it's best that I go."
They all nodded, terror filling him as Callisto stood up with a smile on her red lips, hugging him.
Her voice was merely above a whisper, making shivers run down his spine.
"Don't ever think you can lie to me, Regulus."
~ ~ ~
"Ready to cut the crap?" Callisto asked, looking at the two Slytherins. Narcissa was looking at her, her face devoid of any emotion, while Regulus avoided her gaze at any cost.
"You are avoiding me." She said, looking at Narcissa. "And you are a liar."
"I don't owe you the truth."
"Yes, but you do owe me not being a prick." Callisto retorted, her tone harsh. "When I confront you about something, have the balls to take responsibility. You didn't visit, you lied to my face about it, and that's all there's to it."
Regulus scoffed, "I don't exactly go around parading that I'm a Death Eater, Claire."
"That's not my issue, and you know it." Callisto cut him off. "If you became a Death Eater, it's because of your parents, not because you believe in him. I'm your friend, Regulus, have the decency to be honest with me."
"How did you know?"
Callisto shrugged, "Ask her."
Narcissa just looked at Regulus, not feeling any guilt or fear under his angry glare. She didn't care anymore, she couldn't bear any of it. The guilt of what Lucius Malfoy had confided in her before they slept was much more than anything Regulus Black could ever make her feel bad about.
"Is this supposed to be intimidating, Regulus?" She drawled, raising an eyebrow. "I told her because she cares for you and she's our friend. I'm not going to apologize for being honest with her, something we greatly failed at this time."
"We?"
"Yes, Callisto." Narcissa said, sighing. "We."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that I knew about the attack, but didn't say anything." Narcissa stated, Callisto's eyes darkening. "Lucius made me promise I wouldn't tell anyone. I didn't mean for you to get hurt."
"Is that why you never visited?"
"That, and the fact that Lucius got injured, but couldn't go to the Hospital Wing."
"I could pretend and say that I hope he is well, but I can't find it in me to feel any sympathy for him." Callisto coldly said. "You're better off without him."
Narcissa's eyes narrowed.
"I love him."
"Love doesn't make the world go round." Callisto pointed out. "I don't doubt that you love him, or that he loves you, but it's not enough. I can guarantee you one day you'll wake up, you'll look at him and you won't even recognize him."
"Shut up."
"If he's so eager to hurt people now, can you even understand how much of a monster he will become?" Callisto exclaimed, shaking her head. "I'm trying to protect you, even though you never cared to protect me."
"I don't need your fucking protection." Narcissa shouted, standing up. "You either stop criticizing my relationship, or you leave the dorm and you never come back!"
"Narcissa." Regulus sternly warned. "Be rational."
"I mean it." Narcissa stated. "Dislike him all you want, but in front of me, your mouth stays shut."
Regulus' jaw clenched, "Are we seriously about to fucking fight over Malfoy?"
The atmosphere in the room was thick, the two girls glaring at each other. Callisto wanted to give her a piece of her mind; to tell her exactly how one day, Narcissa would end up abhorring Malfoy and his brutal ways. She knew how it would go, it was as if she had seen it with her own eyes.
Narcissa would kick her out.
She didn't care about the dorm, she could have it for all she cared. What Callisto was worried about was that when the fatal day came and Narcissa realized who Malfoy truly was, there would be no one for her to turn to.
"I won't say anything about Malfoy again."
Regulus audibly exhaled in relief. Narcissa nodded, the anger in her eyes slowly fading away.
"I'm sorry." Narcissa stated, her jaw still clenched. "I should have told you. I-I really didn't mean for you to get hurt, Callisto. You know I wouldn't want that."
"I'm not apologizing." Regulus complained. "But, I'm also not lying again."
Lucky for them, she didn't have the strength to argue anymore.
"Good."
"Being honest is our thing now, huh?" Regulus asked, biting his lip.
"Yeah."
"In this case, can I be very fucking honest with you two?" He murmured, sighing. "I was supposed to kill Brown."
They both stayed silent, the shock too much to process.
"It was my mission, but I wouldn't go through with it. I-I couldn't do it." He admitted. "So, Nott killed him; for me."
He was convinced that by the end of the confession, they would both pass out.
"I asked him why the hell he did it." Regulus said, his voice steady. "I called him sick in the head, I wanted to hurt him, because Brown didn't deserve it and he's a bloodthirsty bastard."
"Only that," He trailed off, averting his gaze from them. "He isn't. I shouted at him, I was angry, I wanted to bash his head on the fucking wall and instead I- I kissed him."
Narcissa paled. Callisto's eyes widened.
Regulus couldn't keep it in any longer.
"I liked it."
~ ~ ~
I really like Callisto's and Remus' relationship.
That's it. That's the message