Chapter 1
Regulus
September 1st 1972
Boarding the Hogwarts express was nowhere near as fun as Sirius had made out last year. Regulus' sweaty hand is clutched in his older brothers, as he struggles not to lose him in the throng of students and parents. His own parents had given him instructions before seeing him off.
Be in Slytherin. Bring pride. Don’t end up like Sirius.
Easier said than done, because Regulus wants nothing more than to be like Sirius. In his eyes, Sirius is a great hero and will continue to be. The last year without his older brother with him had been hell for Regulus. At least he had gotten to see Sirius over all the holidays, even if Sirius spent his entire time talking about his new friends. Regulus knew he had to make a good impression to his older brother's new friends so he was already in his Hogwarts uniform.
“You still with me, petit?” Sirius calls over his shoulder to Regulus, using the French nickname he had given Regulus.
“I’m not small!” Regulus protests. At elven, he was almost as tall as Sirius. But to be fair, it didn’t look like either of them would grow to be six foot.
“Sure, petit.” Sirius flashes his award winning smile at Regulus over his shoulder and Regulus stares in awe at him. He wants to be just like Sirius. So effortlessly cool. Regulus wants to be cool too.
They continue walking and Regulus is grateful they don’t see their parents again. Sirius had pulled him straight off as soon as they had run through the barrier. This was their freedom from their parents, Sirius says so. Regulus hopes freedom tastes as sweet as Sirius describes it.
Regulus never thought they’d be free from their house. Well, they’re technically not free, they are free most of the year. It was better than sitting up on the rooftops with Sirius, stargazing and hoping that one day they could run free together.
He remembers the first time he asked Sirius if they could fly among the stars. Sirius had cried and hugged Regulus, promising one day they would be able to fly among the stars.
“James! Over here!”
Regulus was pulled from his thoughts by Sirius shouts. Clearly Sirius had spotted his friend. James. According to Sirius, James was amazing. An actual ball of sunshine. He said they were “best mates” and that James and Regulus would be best mates too. But Regulus couldn’t help feeling a little resentful to James.
He had stayed loyal to Sirius. He hadn’t even thought about getting a different best friend. Sirius was his best friend and the only person he needs. He was meant to be Sirius's best friend, not this James guy. He was meant to be Sirius's best friend, the one Sirius got into all the trouble with. He couldn’t help feeling James was stealing Sirius away from him.
But that will change this year. Regulus had a plan. He was very good at making plans then executing them perfectly. His parents saw Sirius as the troublemaker, but Regulus was the brains behind the operation.
First step in his plan, get sorted into Gryffindor. It would be difficult, but Srius had managed it so Regulus could too. He may be a year younger, but Regulus is confident he can take on just as much as Sirius.
Next step in his plan was to shut James out. Regulus would be rude to James and all of Sirius' other ‘best friends’, until Sirius remembers Regulus is the only best friend he needs.
Then, he will be Sirius best friend for the rest of their lives. Sirius would get them out of their parents house, and then they would fly among the stars, just like Regulus had asked Sirius, all those years ago.
“James!” Sirius says, letting go of Regulus' hand to give James a hug.
Regulus, too busy in his thoughts, walks straight into his older brother's back. He bashes his forehead and stumbles back into another boy. This boy was tall for twelve, lanky almost. He wasn’t in school uniform, but a pair of muggle jeans and a sweater which was baggy. He has lots of scars on him and Regulus can’t help but stare at them, his mouth open. He thought his parents were bad, but wow. Maybe Sirius would take this boy too, and they could all fly among the stars together.
“Remus Lupin.” The boy introduces himself, peering down at Regulus. Regulus looks back into this boys eyes, determined to show he wasn’t afraid of them. “You must be Regulus Black. You look just like Sirius.”
Regulus gives a shy smile at that, showing the dimple in his cheeks. There was no higher praise, in Regulus' mind, then being told he was like Sirius in any capacity. “I am. Regulus Black.” Regulus holds his hand out politely, using his absolute best manners with this boy. This had been the boy he had liked the sound of best.
Remus takes his hand, shaking it and smiling.
“Remus!” Sirius yells seeing Remus finally. Regulus watches his brother turn around, and get a light shade of scarlet in his face at the sight of Remus. No one else seems to notice anything though. Sirius stands there awkwardly for a moment, before flinging an arm around Regulus' shoulders. “I see you’ve met petit.”
Regulus scowls, trying to shove Sirius off when the older boy reaches up to ruffle his hair. He needed it perfect for meeting James. A good impression always counts, and maybe, if James is really like a ball of sunshine, he and james could be friends. But he would still be Sirius best friend, obviously.
“Come meet James!” Sirius says excitedly, turning Regulus around, his arm still over his shoulder.
Regulus blinks. Stares. Blinks again. Stares again.
Wow.