Rest In Pea...who died again?
Regulus got up out of bed, pulling on his clothes trying to ignore all of his thoughts telling him how wrong this is. He glanced at his phone of course Sirius was calling. He’s all but the manifestations of his guilt.
“Who’s that?” James popped his head up from the bed, utterly spent. How was Regulus to say “Oh, that’s just my older brother whom I live with and who pays all my bills! He’s probably asking if I’ve found a job yet because news flash–babysitting isn’t getting me an apartment! Oh! And, I’m not in fucking law school!” Easy, he didn’t.
“Just a client. Stupid…brunch thing I have to get ready for.”
“Yeah? What, is he another fling?” James walked over to Regulus and ran his hands over his sides. “Seriously, Reg, how do you expect to get through law school if you keep screwing around with these guys?”
Regulus repeated his question with an eye roll. James creeped his hand to give him a quant spank. Sure it was genuine but Regulus couldn’t take any reminders of how badly his life has gone. For starters, he was on the verge of homelessness at one point. That doesn’t scream ‘Honorable Black Family’. Not to mention, he didn’t even know where he was going with his life. Sirius and Remus would be happy to continue providing housing but realistically Regulus can’t continue to live in that house. He loves them but he needs to figure himself out.
“You know,” James’ voice snapped him out of his trance, “I really want to help you with your degree and law school and everything and I think it’s really great to support our future.”
“I know.”
James walked off for a moment which allowed Regulus to try and send a quick text to Sirius. He’s never been quick, James came back over to Regulus holding a 5 dollar bill. Surely this was his way of being funny. But the serious look of charity on James’ face told Regulus otherwise. He should be angry, he comes from an old money family and James is giving him five dollars? Despite the annoyance, Regulus took it anyway. It’s a little over what he makes hourly. Oh Merlin, how did his life come to this?
James’ face crinkled with a bastardly smile forming. “Don’t spend it all in one place.” He pat Regulus’ shoulder as he laughed at his own joke.
***
Regulus walked to the address Sirius sent him because, well, he doesn’t have a car. As he finally made it to the location he heard an argument in the distance. Remus, Sirius, and some ugly van. People kept talking to Regulus, as strange as it is. He was trying to just ignore it but then he started recognizing the houses he was walking past. Oh no, oh Merlin no.
“Regulus!” Remus shouted, waving his hands like a mad man. “Regulus!”
The two had never bonded during their secondary school ages. Matter of fact, they never even communicated. But then Sirius married him in the years since he had run away. Now that’s Regulus’ brother in law and he couldn’t be happier.
A few items were stuffed in Regulus’ hands but his attention was grabbed by none other than Barty Crouch Jr. Why is he here? What even is this?
“Sirius.” Regulus tried to grab Sirius’ attention. “What even is this?”
Sirius looked at Regulus with confusion as if he had told him already. “Aunt Druella died last week?” The notably blank stare from Regulus irritated him further. “Bellatrix’s mother? Merlin, Reggie, she’s whose funeral everyone was at while you were doing Merlin knows who!”
Regulus wasn’t listening to Sirius, he simply couldn’t take his eyes off of Barty. He really cleaned up in past years, it made Regulus feel as if he had to dust himself off to look even slightly competent. Sirius followed Regulus’ line of sight, giving an immediate eye roll.
“No funny business with Barty.”
“What?”
“I mean it, this is a memorial service!”
***
Regulus found himself between a sobbing lady with Barty staring darts at him. He was trying to engage with whatever this lady was saying, but honestly didn’t care.
“I’m so sorry for your loss.” Regulus nodded in agreement despite not knowing what he was even agreeing to. “She was so full of life.” He didn’t know how to continue, he barely knew her. “She was so…yeah.”
Such an embarrassing interaction had Regulus walking away before the person could finish their word. He went to the food table, trying to get himself a plate before a family member tries to rudely comment on his weight. He was undeniably frazzled and too sober for this.
Hands grabbed his shoulders, Regulus tried to shake them off but it was Sirius. He walked him over Bartemius Crouch Sr. who probably was only there to boast about Barty’s “many” accomplishments. Regulus gave him a tight handshake followed by a tense smile.
“What’re you doing these days, young Black?” Bartemius asked but gave Regulus no time to answer. “Barty recently got into Rowena.” He let the group give empty praises for a moment. “Great, yes, but we were hoping for better.”
Regulus couldn’t handle this, he walked away after giving the fakest smile imaginable. He was ready to stuff his face and go home. Well, wait until Remus or Sirius wants to go home. Being unemployed sucked despite how many people want to say otherwise.
But he couldn’t eat. Regulus stared and stared at his plate but he simply couldn’t eat it. He felt a shiver run down his spine and glanced behind him. Oh the horror! Barty Crouch Jr.
“You ignoring me, Reg?” Barty had a sly smirk on his face. He pushed Regulus a bit to get his attention. Regulus stumbled, a bit more dramatically than he would admit. It made whatever remnants of their conversation die out quickly
Regulus cleared his throat. “Congrats on law school, that’s really great.” Merlin that was so fake.
“Thanks. It only took you four fucking months to say it.” There was an awkward silence after Barty’s annoyed words. He was clearly expecting a quick and bitchy retort from Regulus, but he didn’t get it. Barty took a long inhale. “How’s your career going? Babysitting, I mean.”
“...good?” Regulus let out a harsh sigh. “I didn’t think you were going to be here.” In all honesty, why is Barty even here? He doesn’t know Cygnus Black, doesn’t know Bellatrix, and didn’t know Druella. So why is he here? “Do you even know who died?”
“Do you? You weren’t at the funeral.” Well he got him there. Barty nodded slowly at the silence. “You can’t just show up to the afterparty of a funeral.”
“Well you just be so sad about Druella’s death.”
“Druella’s in the next room over. Dorea died.” Barty said with a scoff.
“That’s what I said.” Regulus tried to cover up his mistake, how did Sirius not know who died? “She, um, used to play Runuk Ko with my gran.”
Barty was about to come up with another annoying comment but then Sirius came over. He excitedly dragged Regulus into another room, rambling as they went.
“You just have to meet James,” Sirius rambled, “He’s the one I had told you about? I lived with him and his family for a while. Walk faster, oh I’m so happy to introduce you two!”
Regulus rolled his eyes right onto James, only, it was his James. Oh Merlin he was screwed. The two made eye contact, James’ eyes even widening at the sight.
Fuck.