Chapter 3
9th October 1976
The following weeks had been a confusing blur, though Remus could admit that his days were improving. The meetings with Regulus in the middle of the night became almost daily, and they were probably what was getting him through the day. They talked about anything and everything, surprisingly Regulus was very easy to talk to.
Regulus had a way of talking about things, not through right or wrong, but instead true or false, something that Remus had definitely found helpful. True or false were always easier to understand and process for Remus. Especially because his entire existence was a moral debate.
One of their favourite topics to talk about was books, any kind really, but Regulus really loved muggle books, and clearly thought of them as an act of rebellion from his parents. Remus was pleased by this, as none of the other Marauders shared his love of reading.
On the day of the full moon, Remus knew it would be a bad one, despite his slightly improved spirit. His bones felt like they were shaking more and more as the day drew to a close.
He woke up the next morning in a hospital bed, a shaking pain radiating through his body. The noise that had woken him was in fact, Madam Pomfrey, who was shouting.
“Mr Black, do not disturb Mr Lupin”
Remus felt a surge of panic at this, it was not the first time that Sirius had tried to see him on the morning after the full moon, and it made Remus nervous every time.
“I just want to make sure he’s okay!” a voice shouted back.
Much to the surprise of Remus, that voice did not belong to Sirius, instead it was the voice of Regulus Black. He felt great relief at this, not only because it meant Sirius had not come to bother him, but also because he didn’t realise how much he had wanted to see Regulus in that moment.
“Reg?” He choked out, his voice raspy and tired.
Regulus stormed in, looking distressed.
“I was so worried!”
Regulus looked genuinely upset, causing Remus to shuffle up on the bed, letting Regulus sit next to him. Madam Pomfrey followed, looking completely bewildered.
“It’s alright, Poppy, he knows”
This did not seem to lessen the confusion on her face, but she did seem to relax.
“I see, well he can’t stay here all day, it is a Friday”
“I’ve got free periods all morning, can I stay please?”
“Alright fine, but you better let him get his rest” She replied, shaking her head at the familiarity of the situation.
After she had left, Regulus turned to him.
“Alright, how bad was it?”
“Pretty bad” Remus responded, holding up his fully bandaged arm.
“Okay, I’ve got something to show you, just promise not to freak out”
“Okay” he said, unsurely, feeling uneasy once again at how similar the conversation seemed.
Suddenly, Regulus had disappeared, leaving behind a small black cat.
Remus jumped, he would have done worse, but he quite simply did not have the energy.
“You have got to be kidding me!”
“Just hear me out!” Regulus pleaded.
“Why does this keep happening?!”
“Remus! Please let me help, it’ll work!”
“Really, a small black cat will help tackle a werewolf?”
“Ok, maybe not tackle, but I read somewhere that werewolves and black cats get along!” Regulus cried, “I could entertain you! So you don’t eat your arm next time”
“You really are a lot like Sirius you know”
“I resent that” Regulus pouted, “I know the animagus thing isn’t an issue! My brother and your gang all turned into animals to help you!”
“How do you know everything?”
“I’m just brilliant, obviously”
They collapsed into laughter, acting as if they weren’t in a hospital wing, as if one of them wasn’t a werewolf. Madam Pomfrey came in to quiet them down, saying Remus did actually need to rest.
“Just think about it okay?” Regulus asked quietly, “I promise to hex you immediately if you attack me”
“Okay, I will think about it”
“Thank you”
After this conversation, Remus seemed to realise he was actually quite tired. Regulus pulled out a book and read quietly whilst he slept. The whole hospital wing was empty, it was a relaxing morning.
—
When Regulus had to leave, he got up as slowly as he could, not wanting to wake up Remus. On his way out he ran into Sirius, who looked, in Regulus’ opinion, like shit.
“What were you doing in there?” Sirius asked, accusingly.
“Had to talk to Pomfrey.” Regulus tried to walk away again.
“Did you see Remus? Did he look… okay?” Sirius asked, Regulus almost pitied him.
“I’m sure he’s fine, a migraine isn’t going to kill him” Regulus said, dismissively.
“Oh right, a migraine” Sirius looked helplessly into the hospital wing, scared to go in.
Regulus stormed away, trying not to let himself think about Sirius.
Regulus and Sirius’ relationship had always been somewhat strained, they each had different methods of dealing with their parents, but this doesn’t mean that they were never close. They had always attempted to cover for each other if one of them was in trouble, and Sirius loved to assume the protective older brother role.
Sirius and Regulus were just too different, or maybe they were too similar. Both of them had a vicious stubbornness that drove their actions, but Regulus seemed to lack the same confrontational personality as Sirius.
Sirius had probably been the closest thinking to a friend that Regulus had ever had, until he started meeting with Remus.
Regulus doesn’t know how they each became so close so quickly, but he wasn’t complaining. They found comfort in each other, it was the sort of friendship that had no expectations or strings attached, so secrets weren’t really necessary.
—
12 October 1976
“Do you think you will ever forgive my brother?”
“I think I want to, but I don’t think I could trust him again”
“I doubt he’d do it again, he’s stupid, but not that stupid”
“I know, it’s just one of those nagging feelings”
“I get that”
They were sitting on their usual log, in their usual spot. The nights were getting longer as the year progressed, much to Remus’ displeasure.
“Okay here me out”
“Everytime you say that I get scared, you are far too alike to your brother”
“Not true, and here me out!”
“Okay fine!”
“Why don’t you try just talking to him”
“Ugh you sound like James” Remus said, shaking his head.
“I’m not saying have a heart to heart with him! Just have a normal, boring conversation and see how it goes”
“You still sound like him”
“Yeah but you know you have to listen to me because I know everything”
“Now you sound like Lily”
“Well then she seems like a very reasonable person”
“I hate you” Remus responded, completely deadpan.
“No you don’t” Regulus replied, just as deadpan.
“Fine! I’ll try it”
“Good”
—
11 October 1976
The next day Remus decided he would attempt to talk to Sirius. He still was unsure about the whole idea, but over the past month, Remus had discovered that pushing everyone away was simply not working. Regulus had to explain to him that if he, a Slytheri, and a member of the most dark family in the magic world, could keep a secret, then maybe Remus should at least try to trust more people.
At breakfast he spoke three words to Sirius.
“Pass the toast”
Sirius looked at him like he had just spoken gibberish, and then very quickly passed the toast over.
Everyone at the table looked at Remus, shock clear on their faces, but Remus ignored them and ate his toast.
Well the whole world didn’t collapse when I spoke to him, he thought.
He didn’t say anything else for the rest of breakfast, but he was still proud of himself. Regulus would find it funny, the amount of courage it took for a werewolf to say three measly words, but he was proud nonetheless.
“So did you do it?” Regulus asked, impatient.
“Briefly”
“And did the ground drop from beneath you when you spoke to him?”
“No…” Remus responded quietly.
“Exactly” Regulus began, “You don’t have to trust someone to speak to them occasionally”
“You’re right”
“Always”
Ever since the full moon, Regulus had been caring a lot more about Remus’ well being, which to Remus, was very endearing, and very strange.
“Maybe you should start talking to your other friends again” Regulus started to lecture again, “It can’t be healthy to only hang out with me”
“Not true”
Regulus rolled his eyes, “Have you thought about the next full moon?”
“A bit”
“And?”
“I did some research about black cats and werewolves, unsurprisingly there wasn’t much, but there was an article about a pack who adopted a kitten”
“Exactly!” Regulus exclaimed “It would work!”
“Okay, okay! I suppose you could come”
“Yes! Thank You!” Regulus looked so happy, that he actually looked his age. Remus always forgot that he was a year younger, because you wouldn’t be able to tell under the scowl on his face.
“You have to promise that you will hex me if things get out of hand though”
“Yes, okay, I promise”