Chapter 10
Regulus was quietly playing with the blocks and toys in the littles room with Lily right next to him. Honestly, he wasn't all that interested in them. He missed Sirius. Still Lily was nice and he was trying to be brave. Sirius would be back very soon so he just had to wait. He stretched out on the soft carpet and was considering asking for a book when professor McGonagall came in. She said something to Lily who nodded a little worriedly.
She turned to him and said, “Reg do you remember Sirius told you that some people would be there to ask questions and do some checkups today?” He nodded absently. “Well they’re here now and we should go and meet them hmm?” Horror washed over him. It hadn’t registered that Sirius wouldn’t be here with him when he had to do all of that. The only way he could do it last time was because Sirius was there. He began to hyperventilate and did the only thing he could think of. He ran.
He dodged everyone trying to catch him and just continued to run till his breath came in short gasps and he stumbled and fell. Only then he looked around him and realised he’d subconsciously come back to The Astronomy Tower where Sirius had found him. And so - just like last time he sat on the steps and waited for his brother to come find him.
Regulus wasn’t sure how long he’d been in the tower. He'd fallen asleep at some point and woken up wet. It was cold and the hard floor was uncomfortable and he started to sniffle and whine. Then he heard a vaguely familiar voice at the bottom of the stairs. The person calling him came into view and he was met with a face he did not expect to see.
Soft hazel eyes, a bird's nest of hair, and a concerned look, James Potter was standing in front of him. “Hello Reg. I’m Jamie.” he said softly. Regulus didn’t respond, just looked at him warily. “You miss your brother huh?” Regulus nodded softly, tears pricking his eyes. “Yeah, I know. I miss him too.” And that was all it took for Regulus to burst into tears and launch himself at Jamie.
Jamie immediately wrapped his arms around Regulus and began to rock him back and forth. After a bit, when he’d calmed down he spoke. “You know what I used to do when I missed my parents? I would go to sleep - that way when I woke up they would already be home. So how about we go back - you let the ministry officials check you over quickly and then you can nap. And once you wake up Sirius will be here, alright?”
Regulus nodded - he didn’t like the idea of letting strangers poke him but if it meant Sirius would be back quicker he’d do it. James picked him up and carried him back to the littles room. Lily ran to them the moment they entered. She hugged Regulus, “Oh merlin, I’m so glad you’re ok.”
Being hugged by Lily was nice. Hugs in general were nice, now that he was getting more of them. “Thank you James,” He heard her say.
“Anytime, Evans.” The response came although Jamie sounded strange. But before he could think about why, Lily carried him over to the changing table, “I’m sorry sweetling, but I can’t leave you in a wet diaper, you’ll get a rash.”
Regulus whined but allowed her to change him. It really was uncomfortable being wet. “I’m going to carry you over to where the ministry officials are alright?” He cringed but nodded, He just had to get through this and then he could see Sirius.
The Ministry Officials were not so bad. They quickly established that his headspace wasn’t old enough to respond to anything more than yes or no questions so they finished that part very quickly. Even the medical was over much quicker, they only cast a few spells. The lady got a sort of pinched look on her face when she saw the results but smiled the moment she saw him looking at her.
Soon enough it was over and Lily came back into the room and scooped him up, “You’re so very brave darling. Now I hear it’s time for someone’s nap?” Reg nodded but there was one more thing he had to do. “Jamie stay. Jamie s’eep too. See Siri.” After all Jamie missed Sirius too. Reg could share his brother for a bit.
Jamie smiled but once again there was something weird about it, like his face wasn’t really trying to smile but he was forcing it to. “Okay, I’ll stay.” He picked him up and began walking around. Lulled by the soothing motion, Regulus was asleep in minutes.
James stood, laid him down in a crib and sat down, shaking his leg nervously. It was time for a long overdue conversation between him and Sirius. If nothing else they would clear the air and maybe get some closure. But he would be lying if he said he didn’t want more.