Chapter Three: The 'Not Thomas' Boy

Being a Prefect was not all it was cracked up to be, Regulus thought as he trudged along the empty corridors at night-time. Sure, some of the First Years looked up to him, but his small stature and seeker build hardly made him intimidating, and he was hardly a figure of authority. The badge proudly displayed on Regulus's robes was simply a symbol that he hadn't put a toe out of line since starting Hogwarts, and not that he was a suitable choice for leading others.

Sirius would have teased him about it, had he been around – being a Prefect was so unlike Sirius and was something Regulus had wanted to be for a long time. He'd always tried his best to get good grades so that he'd be chosen. However, Sirius had abandoned him over a year ago now. Secretly he still missed him, but they weren't supposed to talk now, and Regulus wouldn't be expecting any more light-hearted teasing.

When Regulus saw the flash of light, his first thought was that something interesting was finally happening. Despite the fact that he knew the Gryffindors, like his brother and his irritating friends, roamed the corridors at night, he had yet to come across anyone at all, not even a Professor. So when Regulus came across the bedraggled, dirty-ridden teenager, who looked a bit like one of the older Prefects, he had been curious.

At first he'd thought the teen was Thomas, questioning how he had got there. Thomas, an acquaintance Regulus knew only by his last name, was a Slytherin seventh-year. Being good friends with Evan Rosier and Severus Snape, also seventh-years, Regulus knew that Thomas had been asked several times about his opinions on joining the Death Eaters and that he had disagreed with their views. He also knew that Thomas had been ostracised from the main gang of seventh-year Slytherins and mainly hung around with the two Ravenclaw Prefects instead.

On closer inspection the older teen was not Thomas, or at least wasn't the same Thomas that had educated him about how to do Prefect duty. There were subtle differences in his features and the older Slytherin Prefect would never have worn Muggle clothing like that, and certainly nothing so filthy. The teen looked as if he'd been on the run! He also looked distinctly shocked and as if he couldn't quite understand how he had arrived at Hogwarts or where he even was.

"You look like you've been confunded," Regulus told him. "I think it would be best to take you to the Hospital Wind and get you cleaned up while we're there. Follow me." The boy looked warily at him, while he helped him to his feet. It was clear to Regulus that the older boy was not only ill, but had no idea where they were, or who Regulus was.

"My name's Regulus. I'm a Prefect, in Slytherin, fifth year. I'm just taking you to the Hospital Wing. There's nothing to worry about," Regulus told him as they walked, hoping some of the words would stimulate the older boy's memory and get him to explain who he was. Instead it just seemed to instil panic in him.

"Is it because I'm in Slytherin?" Regulus asked. "If you like, we can go to McGonagall or Sprout. I'm sure they'd know what to do, or who you are. What house are you in?"

"Gryffindor," answered the boy who looked a bit like Thomas.

"Ok, McGonagall it is then," said Regulus, changing their direction. "I'm assuming you don't like the Hospital Wing. By the way, what's your name?"

The other boy looked hesitant to tell him and Regulus wondered why. He knew the names of many people in the school, including some Gryffindors, but had never been able to use a name against them.

"I won't tell anyone, if that's what you're worried about," said Regulus. "Look, I haven't even taken any House Points off you. If you tell me, I can help you."

Still Regulus didn't receive an answer, which frustrated him. He'd always tried to uphold the reputation that he could be trusted and now this person wouldn't even tell him his name. What did he think Regulus was going to do? Prosecute him? They walked in silence until they reached McGonagall's office, where Regulus rapped anxiously on the door. Professor McGonogall was a strict teacher and not someone Regulus had previously tried to bother in the middle of the night.

"What is it at this hour?" she questioned, coming out of her quarters. "Who's this?"

"He appeared out of nowhere," said Regulus, gesturing towards the boy he'd brought with him. "He says he's from Gryffindor, but I don't recognise him and he won't even tell me his name."

"Well he isn't a student of mine," said the Professor. At this, the older teen looked shocked and Regulus wondered if he had expected McGonagall to recognise him. Seeing this, the Professor backtracked and invited them into the office to discuss things. Regulus noticed a silver cat appear from the end of her wand, a Patronus, if he remembered correctly. Professor McGonogall therefore must have been worried enough to call for back up.