The Library incident
Regulus Black was going to die.
Or at least, that’s what it felt like.
Curled up under a desk in the Hogwarts library, he gritted his teeth against the sharp, twisting pain in his lower stomach. His heating charm was fading fast, and he was seriously considering whether stabbing himself in the abdomen might be a viable pain-relief strategy.
He was in the middle of this particularly morbid thought when someone crouched down in front of him.
Remus Lupin.
Regulus barely cracked an eye open. “What do you want?”
Remus raised an eyebrow. “To know why you’re curled up under a desk looking like you’re contemplating your own mortality.”
Regulus groaned. “Currently wondering if stabbing myself would alleviate this pain.”
Remus hummed, considering. “Probably. But it would just cause new pain.”
Regulus gave him a flat look. “So it’s a trade-off.”
Remus smirked. “Win some, lose some.” Then, to Regulus’ surprise, he pulled a chocolate bar from his pocket and tossed it over.
Regulus blinked. “What is this supposed to do?”
Remus shrugged. “It helps.”
Regulus huffed but took a bite anyway. He hated to admit it, but the taste was actually comforting.
Remus sat cross-legged in front of him. “How bad is it?”
Regulus debated lying. Instead, he sighed. “Feels like someone’s twisting a knife inside me.”
Remus nodded solemnly. “Yeah. That tracks.”
Regulus narrowed his eyes. “How would you know?”
Remus gave him a long, knowing look. Then he rolled up his sleeve.
Regulus’ eyes widened at the deep scars littering Remus’ arm. His brain connected the dots fast.
“Oh,” he said.
Remus smirked. “Yeah. So I get it.”
For a second, there was silence. Then, Regulus hesitated before breaking off another piece of chocolate and holding it out.
Remus took it without question.
And just like that, something unspoken settled between them.