Introduction.
When Regulus Black first met James Potter, it ruined his life.
That could be considered dramatic, as there were probably many moments that led to his destruction. But for an eleven-year-old, he did not comprehend that it had been happening slowly and this was its conclusion.
It was probably unfair to blame James. At twelve years old, it was unlikely James had planned on ruining Regulus’ life. But, Regulus was nothing if not vindictive, so he blamed him regardless.
It was hard not to when he first saw James on the train platform. It was September, so the autumn breeze had ruffled his curls and the early morning sun shined off the high point of his cheekbones like a cherub blessing the mere mortals around him. Regulus would’ve been appreciative had he not listened to Sirius gush about his “new best friend” (Which Regulus did not appreciate, as he had considered Sirius his best friend), so anything James did was bound to annoy him.
Furthermore, When Regulus Black first met James Potter, he understood what blind, all-consuming jealousy felt like. It was ugly and corrupting, and Regulus wanted nothing more than to strip off his skin and remove the clawing monster from his rib cage. It wasn’t simply because James had stolen Sirius, but simply his way of being. James was simply good. He seemed to be the sun incarnate, nothing like Regulus who had fought and clawed his way out of a home with nothing but darkness. Regulus could see why Sirius liked James more, and that was what bothered him the most. I mean, how was Regulus supposed to save his brotherhood with Sirius when James was his competition?
And when Regulus saw how Sirius was looking at James, like he had just hung the moon and stars, he quickly realised he had already lost him. Not that he’d admit it; he clung desperately to the remnants of what had existed between him and his brother for years following. But now, when Regulus looks back, he notes that it was the moment that slammed the door that was their brotherhood right in his face. Regulus had arrived at that platform on September 1st, 1972 ready to establish his superior connection with Sirius to this James, only to be slapped in the face with the reality that it was long gone. Regulus knew that Sirius was aiming to escape their family going to Hogwarts, he just hadn’t realised that included him.