Chapter 1
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“Remember Regulus, you are to behave like a Black. No foolishness. If I find out that you are behaving like your brother in any way, I will not hesitate to give you a firsthand demonstration of what I threatened to do to him.”
“Yes mother.” Regulus rolled his eyes internally.
It's been three years since Sirius left and every year since he gets “The lecture” to not misbehave. Not that he has ever once behaved like his brother. Not even before he left.
The door is opened for him by the family butler Kreacher, and Regulus steps out of the car.
“Thank you Kreacher.” He softly nods his head at his only real friend.
“Of course, Master Regulus. Have a good year. Call if you need anything.” Kreacher gives him that familiar, kind smile and leaves him on the steps of the academy.
Once he hears the comforting sound of the car driving away, Regulus relaxes and allows himself to settle a small smile on his face. The academy has been the only place to bring him that level of peace since his brother left him.
His peace was shortly interrupted by a huge shoulder ramming into him. Quickly turning to glare at the intrusion of his personal space, he comes face to face with his brother's best friend.
James Potter.
In comparison to his pale complexion and neat black hair, James’ skin was a warm tan color. His hair, which had a mind of its own at this point, was a curly mop of brunette.
James’ eyes slightly widen as a result of the impact but grow to be about the size of saucers once he realizes who he had accidentally shoved.
“Reg, I- I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.” A crimson blush, of embarrassment no doubt, flushes across his face.
“Don’t call me that.” Regulus says through gritted teeth and a glare that could cut glass.
“Right, Regulus. I’m sorry. Sirius just-"
Regulus holds up his hand to cut off James mid-sentence.
“I have no interest in hearing about Sirius. For all I’m concerned, he’s been disowned and holds no importance to me.”
Guilt blooms in Regulus’ chest before he can stop it. He loves his brother, and he always will but he has a reputation to uphold. One that his brother could not give less of a shit about.
His and James’ attention was pulled quickly to a crashing sound beside them.
"Speak of the devil and he shall appear” Regulus thought.
Following close behind were a man and a woman. Definitely James’ parents. His Mother was a short, thin Hispanic woman with the same curly brown hair as James. His father looked exactly like James, but he was a tall white man with a gentle smile instead of James’ cocky grin. In front of them was a child definitely not theirs. Paper white skin, long black hair and grey eyes that lifted to meet his own identical pair.
Staring right at Regulus was his brother. It was almost looking in a mirror. They looked almost identical. The only differences were the fact that Sirius had grown his hair out to his shoulders instead of the short cut their mother made them keep and he had a few piercings and tattoos scattered along his body.
Hurt flashed through both their eyes simultaneously. Both remembering the last time they had truly looked at each other. The night he left. Regulus was all set to continue avoiding his brother until they graduated until his idiot friend rammed into him.
With that thought, Regulus’ attention is whipped back to James. James’ eyes grow wide once again, and he grimaces with an awkward chuckle. Regulus glares at him once more. With a sad glance back at his brother, he sharply turns back to his things and heads through the doors.
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