𝕄𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝔻𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕

Regulus Black had known Sekhmet Arafa since they were five years old. He taught her how to speak French and, in turn, she taught him how to brew his first potion.

When he had turned nine and his parents forgot his birthday, Sekhmet celebrated the occasion with him. She had somehow found a way to convince her father to let her come to Britain and spend the day with him. The only caveat was that they had to be in the presence of his older cousin Narcissa. The three had gone to Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour and Regulus was able to get his favorite flavor of Early Grey and Lavender. His parents hardly took him anywhere fun and had labeled the flavor too feminine the first time he had gotten it. Regardless Regulus made it a point to enjoy himself, if not for his own well being then for Sekhmet who had been kind enough to bring him a gift. She presented him with an old traditional sketch pad made of papyrus paper. The front was made of green cloth and had the initials RAB embroidered into it in a dark grey. Despite the day starting with him crying in his room, realizing that no one had remembered his birthday, it was one of the most beautiful memories he had of his childhood.

The reason his older brother hadn’t wished him a happy birthday was because Sirius had been ignoring him for months. after Regulus had accidentally mentioned how Sirius was listening to this strange music in his room to their parents one evening, their bond had soured. The revelation of Sirius listening to what Regulus now knew was muggle music led to Sirius getting into a screaming match with their mother.

Regulus felt terrible but he knew that once Walburga Black had her mind on something she was going to see it through no matter the well-being of anyone near her when she exploded. It was no use, even when Regulus begged for Sirius to be spared from the barbaric punishment that their parents called discipline, their mother cast hex after hex on Sirius until he was covered in black and blue bruises. Regulus had cried in his room that evening as his father made quick work of him, telling him that men didn’t cry. He worked on healing tonics for Sirius to take and ease his pain, but spared making one for himself, feeling he deserved what had come to him. Sirius hadn’t forgiven him for the incident though, and didn’t talk to him for two months. This meant that he had ignored Regulus’ ninth birthday. It was the first one Sirius had ever missed, but Regulus would eventually find out that it would be far from the last.

Sekhmet had always been there for him. She had helped in get through each of their despicable home lives, walking beside him every step of the way. Had noticed a long time ago—his feelings never seemed to change despite his reluctance—He was in love with Sekhmet Arafa, his best friend, confidant, and the other half of his broken soul.

That’s why he was so confused at the moment. Evan had told Regulus of the events that transpired in the library the other day. How Sekhmet had agreed to teach his traitorous brother and his friends how to properly duel. He was hurt that she was working with the brother who had abandoned him, but he was more concerned that she hadn’t told him about it.

Why was it that it seemed as though everyone left him for Sirius? He tried his best; tried to be the perfect heir when Sirius was the one they wanted, tried to make his parents proud regardless of their horrific abuse, and tried to do his best at showing a kindness he had never experienced. It was never enough though. Bloody hell even Sekhmet didn’t trust him now.

But why?

The question kept running through his head on repeat much like how Regulus imagined purgatory would be. Slowly consuming his every thought, not stopping until he was on the edge of insanity.

He figured if anyone were to know why Sekhmet was holding out it would be her. This led to Regulus Black standing at the bottom of the Slytherin girls dormitory stairs like an absolute idiot and yelling her name until she spared him just a sliver of her attention. Merlin… Barty and Evan were never going to let him live this down.