Chapter 18
3rd April 1977
Over the next few days life took on a domesticity. Regulus would wake up, normally by himself, and he would go into the kitchen, where Remus was making breakfast.
Regulus was worried that he would have to make a large adjustment to his new life, but Hogwarts had a larger affect on him than he realised. Everyday was rather similar to how he spent the Christmas holidays, and he was enjoying it.
Regulus loved Remus’ flat. He wasn’t sure why, but it felt right. It was warm and big enough for the both of them, and it was easy to just hide away in there.
Regulus was thinking about Sirius a lot, he had of hated Sirius for a while for running away, but he couldn’t find it in himself to be angry with him, not anymore. Walking around, doing mundane tasks and the general boredom of it all was one of the greatest things he had ever experienced. If this is how it was for Sirius, Regulus would be more angry with him if he chose to stay.
It wasn’t like he chose to stay either. He had been almost unconscious, Regulus was the one who pushed him away.
He was just sad, and angry, and needed someone to blame. He couldn’t blame his parents, of course, so it was just easier to be angry at Sirius.
The anger that had faded with Sirius had been quickly ignited by his parents. Looking back at memories, they all seemed clearer. Regulus could see all the ways he and his brothers were abused by them. It took every piece of self restraint he had - plus a bit from Remus - to stop him from marching down to their house and enacting every kind of revenge he could think of.
Regulus was also very glad to have Remus there. He wouldn’t have been able to do it without him, so he would always be grateful to him.
Remus had a bad self esteem, Regulus knew that. His lycanthropy, as well as a few ignorant opinions, had lead him to believe that he was a monster. He would joke about that sometimes, but there was always a bitter undertone beneath the jokes. Like he thought they were true.
But if Regulus could take away one thing from this whole experience, it would be the fact that he knew for certain Remus was not a monster. Remus could never be anything other than the incredible human he was.
Now that Regulus’ biggest problem was more or less sorted, he would have to help Remus deal with some of his misplaced ideas.
That could come later though, for now he would enjoy the life of the free, with his best friend.
“Remus?” he called across the flat.
“Yeah?” he called back.
“Do you think we could go out today?” Regulus began walking towards him.
Remus looked up from his frying pan, “Uh yeah, sure,” he thought for a moment, “where’d you wanna go?”
“Well I’ve never really been to London.”
“Regulus, you live here.”
“Yeah, but we never really went out, when we did it was just to other people’s houses or the train station.”
“Well then, yeah, we can,” Remus said, flipping the eggs, “after we’ve eaten.”
“Alright”
—
The two of them were walking down a high street, it was busy, considering it was the holidays.
“So, I think we’re gonna need to get you some new clothes.”
“What? My clothes are fine!”
“Yeah, they’re my clothes, and they’re too big for you.”
“Where would we even find a tailors?”
Remus laughed, “Idiot, we can just buy clothes, Regulus.”
“But-”
“Yeah, that’s not really how it works for normal people.”
“Oh”
“You’re gonna have to get used to a few things, Reg,” Remus chuckled, “I know I’m not exactly poor, but most people don’t do a lot of the weird things you’re used to.”
“Huh” Regulus eyebrows drew together.
“Right, here we are.”
“What’s this place?”
“It’s a charity shop, you can buy second hand stuff here,”
“So, like, people have worn it before?”
“Yes, now come on, you snob,” Remus rolled his eyes.
They shopped for a little while, Regulus found some jumpers and jeans that were similar to Remus’ whilst they passed through different charity shops.
“Do you wanna find somewhere to eat?”
“Yeah, um oka- “ Regulus head darts to the side, “it’s my brother, hide!”
Before Remus even gets the chance to be confused, Regulus sprints into an alleyway, leaving Remus standing in the middle of the street.
“Remus?” he hears James’ voice.
“Oh, hey!” Remus looks around, making sure Regulus can’t be seen.
“What are the odd?!” James laughed, “Sirius, come on, it’s Remus!”
“Um, hey Remus,” Sirius moves closer, he sounds nervous.
“What’s going on, you were fine two minutes ago?” James whispered to him, Remus could hear him, of course.
“Nothing, I’m fine,” Sirius whispered back, and then, almost to prove a point, he looks at Remus, “So, what have you been up to?”
“Just shopping mainly,” Remus tries to say as much as he can without lying, “needed to restock on old man jumpers.”
“I like your jumpers,” Sirius says quietly.
James clears his throat, “Right then, we have to go, mum’s waiting for us, but we should hang out again, seeing as you couldn’t stay with us!”
“Yeah, send me an owl,” Remus says distractedly.
“Bye!” James called, dragging Sirius with him.
Regulus seemed to pop out of nowhere, wearing a scowl.
“They really seem to be everywhere, don’t they?” Regulus mumbled.
“Yep, they really do.”
Remus’ heart managed to slow down a bit as he watched them walk away. He was already feeling very guilty about keeping the whole thing with Regulus, he had been for a while, but as each day passes without coming clean, Remus knows Sirius will be more and more mad at him.
“I really do think he likes you back,” Regulus announces, interrupting Remus’ thoughts.
“I think you’re speaking nonsense,”
“Well, that’s your opinion,” Regulus says blandly, “Now, lunch.”