Chapter 4
Sirius did end up visiting, despite everything. Whilst his usual home was the Potter residence, he left the day of the wedding to allow James liberties with his brother. Now, he was officially back and able to check in on Regulus. Sirius couldn't look James in the eyes without feeling the need to beat him--just because he layed with his brother. Yes, the pair didn't do anything wrong but still, Sirius would always treat Regulus as his baby.
Regulus, still tucked in bed as per James’s orders, was startled when the door creaked open. He had expected Euphemia, perhaps, or a house-elf bringing breakfast. Instead, his breath caught as Sirius stepped inside, looking wary, his sharp gaze flickering over the room like he expected to find something amiss.
Regulus blinked, pushing himself up onto his elbows. “You’re not supposed to be here.”
Sirius scoffed. “Yeah, well, when have I ever listened to what I’m supposed to do?” He shut the door behind him with a deliberate click, his eyes finally settling on Regulus. His posture tensed, like he wasn’t quite sure what to make of the sight before him.
Regulus, still wrapped in fine sheets, his hair slightly mussed from sleep, looked small, delicate in a way Sirius rarely got to see. There was something different about him—softer, perhaps, or maybe it was just the aftermath of the bond settling into place. Either way, Sirius wasn’t sure if he liked it.
"You alright?" he asked after a beat, voice quieter than usual.
Regulus hesitated. He knew Sirius well enough to recognize the sharp concern beneath the nonchalance. His older brother—loud, brash, always ready to fight for him—was here despite knowing Walburga would tear him apart if she found out. And, he always knew when Regulus wasn't okay, even when he tried to hide it.
“I’m fine,” Regulus said, smoothing his hands over the blanket in his lap. He wasn’t sure why he suddenly felt shy under Sirius’s scrutiny. Maybe it was because Sirius knew what had happened last night. And for some reason, that made him feel strangely exposed.
Sirius didn’t look convinced. His jaw tightened, and his hands twitched like he was resisting the urge to shake James by the collar and demand answers.
“What did Mother say?” Regulus asked quietly, already knowing the answer.
Sirius exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “The usual bullshit,” he muttered. “‘Omegas shouldn’t be paraded about,’ ‘he should be resting,’ ‘let him wait it out like a proper bride.’” He sneered the last part, his lip curling in disgust. “She didn’t want me seeing you.”
Regulus lowered his gaze, unsurprised but still... affected by it.
“Which,” Sirius continued, stepping closer, “only made me more determined to come, obviously.” He crossed his arms, eyes flicking back to Regulus with barely concealed concern. “So, really. You good?”
Regulus hesitated before nodding. He wasn’t sure if he was lying or not.
"You can be honest with me."
“I—I didn’t think you’d come,” he admitted softly.
Sirius's expression flickered for a moment, something like guilt crossing his face before he scoffed. “Reg, you really think I’d leave you alone after all that?” He gestured vaguely toward the bed, toward the lingering scent of James in the room.
Regulus’s face burned. “Sirius.”
"No, I'm serious," Sirius continued, waving his hands in the air. "An Omega is most sensitive and vunreable after they are freshly mated. Isolating you from your family won't help you get over it. I mean, besides me, you were never exposed to an Alpha's scent yet just yesterday James deflowered you--"
"Sirius!" Regulus cried, burying his face in the blanket.
"Ok, ok," Sirius sat next to him and took his hand. "Tell me, did it hurt?"
"What?"
"When you consummated the bond, did it hurt?"
Regulus stayed silent for a moment. He hated lying, and there was no point in doing so. James wasn't cruel to him, and he took special care of him in those moments.
"Only in the beginning," He confessed.
Sirius gave a soft, understanding smile, his thumb brushing gently over Regulus's knuckles. “I knew it," he murmured, his voice gentle but with that familiar warmth that always made Regulus feel safe, even in the most awkward moments. "And you've never been allowed to go near an Alpha. Those cruel monsters who call themselves parents never let you get used to James's scent. It only makes things worse."
Regulus shifted uncomfortably under the blankets, but he didn’t pull away. Sirius, for all his loudness and dramatic flair, always knew how to tone things down when it mattered most.
“Did James... did he look after you afterward?” Sirius asked, his eyes never leaving Regulus’s face, searching for any hint of discomfort, any trace of distress.
Regulus swallowed, unsure of how to answer. "He did." He hesitated before adding, almost in a whisper, “He’s not like the others.” His voice caught on the last part, but he felt the truth in his words.
Sirius’s gaze softened even further, his worry shifting into something more tender, more protective. “I know," he said quietly, squeezing Regulus’s hand reassuringly. "I know he’s not. And he better not be, or I swear I’ll—”
Regulus, feeling a flutter of warmth in his chest, let out a small, reluctant laugh, his fingers tightening around Sirius's hand. “You’ll what? Fight him?”
“I’ll hex him into next week,” Sirius said with mock seriousness, though his tone betrayed the teasing undertone. “Just to make sure you’re taken care of.”
Regulus's smile faltered as he glanced down, fingers tracing the edge of the blanket. The vulnerability of the situation, still fresh from the night before, made him feel exposed in a way he wasn’t used to. He shifted again, trying to find a comfortable position, but all he could think about was the bond, how real it had become overnight. And how, despite everything, despite his reservations, it was starting to feel... right.
"And I--" Regulus began but clamped his mouth shut. Sirius frowned and took Regulus's face into his hands.
"Tell me," He demanded. "And don't lie, I know you don't tell lies, especially to me."
"I'm not a child." Regulus scoffed, averting his gaze.
"Tell me." Sirius commanded again, alpha command seeping in his voice.
Regulus flinched, body tightening for a moment. Sirius sighed and reached over to stroke Regulus's cheek in an attempt to soothe him. Regulus hated the Alpha voice, having had too many awful memories related to it and the times his father would use it.
"I'm scared," He whispered. "I'm not a good Omega. James is a great person, kind, outgoing--he loves life. I'm not like him. What if I'm bad for him?"
Sirius’s expression softened at the vulnerable words, his hands gently cupping Regulus’s face as if the very touch might soothe the storm swirling inside his younger brother. His thumb brushed over Regulus’s cheek, wiping away a tear, though Regulus hadn’t even realized he’d started to cry.
“Regulus,” Sirius murmured, voice low and steady, “You’re not bad. You’re good. You’ve always been good. You’ve always done your best.” His words were soft, carrying a protective force.
But Regulus could hardly meet his gaze, feeling small under Sirius’s scrutiny. He fidgeted, shifting uncomfortably, and for a brief moment, it felt like the weight of the world was pressing down on him. "I... I don't know how to do this. I don't know how to be a good Omega for him. Look at Evans, she's gentle and smart, the textbook definition of an Omega. Barty may be different, but he is outspoken and confident. I'm just. . .there."
Sirius’s frown deepened, but it wasn’t out of frustration—it was concern. “You don’t need to be perfect, Reggie,” His hands gently tilted Regulus’s face back up, forcing him to meet his eyes. “James... he chose you. Not someone else, even when he could have broken the bond. The years he was at Hogwarts were spent watching you. James told everyone all about you--even Lily, and trust me when I say this, she thinks you're a genius. Ma petite étoile, he's going to care for you, just like I do.”
Regulus’s voice caught in his throat as he tried to speak, but all he could do was shake his head, an emotion too complex to put into words twisting inside him.
He swallowed hard, biting his lip. “What if I fail him?” The question hung in the air like a heavy cloud, impossible to shake off.
Sirius’s jaw tightened slightly, but his gaze softened, filled with something that could only be described as infinite patience. He leaned forward, forehead resting lightly against Regulus’s. “You’re not going to fail him. You’re a Black, and for what it's worth, we never give up,” he said softly. “You’ll never fail anyone who truly matters. And you matter to him. That’s enough.”
There was a pause, the weight of Sirius’s words hanging in the room. Regulus felt his chest tighten, the vulnerability flooding back in waves, but this time it didn’t feel so suffocating. It felt like an opening, a door left ajar for something better to slip through.
“I... I don’t know how to be what he expects me to be.” Regulus’s voice was quieter now, and a sob escaped. "I don't know anything."
Sirius pulled him into a tight hug, his arms wrapping around him tightly. “You don’t have to figure it all out right now."
Regulus clung to his brother’s warmth, his fingers tightening around Sirius's shirt. He listened to the elder's heartbeat, calming himself down and reeling his instincts back in.
“I’m scared,” Regulus whispered again, his voice barely audible now. “What if he gets tired of me? Mother always said that I feel too much and Alphas won't like it. She's right, of course, but still, it hurts to hear."
Sirius pulled back just enough to look him in the eye, an angry expression taking over his face. “Mother is wrong," He said firmly. "She's a monster. Having emotions is what makes you human. And, if James gets tired of you, then he doesn’t deserve you, either. But he won't get tired of you. James isn’t a fool. He’ll see what I see. And what I see is someone who’s strong, even when he doesn’t feel like it.”
Regulus nodded, but the uncertainty still lingered in his eyes. “I hope you’re right.”
Sirius smiled gently, brushing a lock of hair out of Regulus’s face. “I know I’m right.” He hesitated, then added with a wry smile, “And if James does screw it up, I’ll make sure he regrets it. No one messes with my baby brother.”
“Can I ask you something?” Regulus murmured after a moment, fingers curling into the hem of Sirius’s shirt.
“Of course.”
“I… I don’t like punishments,” he said softly, barely meeting his brother’s eyes. “I really hate them, Sirius. Could you…tell James not to punish me if I do something?”
Sirius’s expression shifted, a mix of sympathy and helplessness tightening his jaw. “Oh, Reg,” he exhaled, brushing his thumb gently over Regulus’s knuckles. “You know I can’t promise that.”
Regulus's face fell. "Why?"
"As your Alpha, he has the right to punish you," Sirius explained in a soothing manner. "Still, he isn't cruel,"
Sirius squeezed his hand again, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I'll always be here for you."
Regulus nodded, his chest tightening at the sincerity in Sirius’s words. “I know,” he replied.
==========
James didn't look up when he heard the door open and close behind him momentarily, knowing it was Sirius. James remained seated at the dining table, shuffling through a bundle of letters addressed to Walburga. The woman had forgotten it near Regulus's luggage, before she'd left.
"Padfoot," James muttered, frowning at the letter in his hand. "Know anyone named Tom Riddle?"
Sirius let out a heavy breath as he dropped into the chair beside him, throwing an arm over the back. "No."
James’s gaze flickered up. ". . .Have you heard of the pureblood supremacist Voldemort?"
At that, Sirius sat up and leveled James with a heavy glare. "Of course I have, Prongs. Who hasn't?" He retorted.
"Well," James sighed, and passed the letter in his hand to Sirius. He accepted it and immediately read it, face morphing into something twisted as he read each word. "Yeah. He signs these letters as 'Lord Voldemort. I found those in Regulus's trunk. His mother left them there."
"What the fuck?" Sirius breathed out, hands trembling with rage. "This letter isn't even adressed to him, it's to Walburga."
James shook his head, trying to curb the fury building inside of him. He couldn't finish the letter-just knowing there was another Alpha trying to claim his Omega triggered his instincts. He had half a mind to pull Regulus over his lap and leave him a crying mess, but refrained from doing so.
"Read it." James said, anger seeping in his voice.
Sirius looked at him with an arched eyebrow, but did so.
"To Lady Walburga Black,
News travels quickly among those who pay attention to bloodlines, and I was... disappointed to hear that your son, Regulus Arcturus Black, has been prematurely claimed.
It is a loss—for you, for the future of your House, and for me.
I had hoped to take him as my own. An Omega of such rare standing should be bonded to power, to someone who understands the legacy he carries and the purity of blood that runs through his veins. The Potter boy is sentimental. Soft, empathizing with mudbloods. Unworthy of what your son represents.
But bonds, as you know, can be broken. Even the sacred ones.
I remain willing to accept Regulus into my keeping. There are ways to correct this mistake. To make him forget. To sever what should not have been bound.
Should you wish to preserve your family’s legacy—should you come to regret the match you allowed—know that my offer stands.
I am not without mercy.
-Lord Voldemort (Tom Marvolo Riddle)"
James didn’t speak at first. He took the letter from Sirius and stood over the hearth, the final embers of the letter flaking into ash at his feet. His posture was rigid, jaw clenched so tight Sirius could hear the faint grind of his teeth. The room felt cold despite the fire, tension pulling tight through the air like a drawn bowstring.
“He wants to break our bond,” he said at last, voice low, unreadable. "No wonder she kept him hidden. Always guarded. Never brought him around the rest of us. Always bloody sending excuses for why Regulus couldn’t attend things.”
Sirius leaned against the table, arms crossed, his own expression darkening. “To think that she'd been planning this right under our noses!”
“She tried to break the pact,” James spat, turning on his heel. “And, she knew what kind of man Riddle is. Filthy, insane, blood supremacist that has blood on his hands! She knew, and she still—” He cut himself off, running a hand through his hair before gripping the back of a chair like he needed something to keep him grounded. “She was going to sell him off like a prized breeding hound.”
Sirius lifted his eyes. “She wouldn’t see it that way. Not if she had an excuse. If she could paint you as unfit—or say you violated the terms.”
James laughed dryly, incredulously. “Violated the terms? Regulus was born their only Omega, the only Omega of the 3 families left to be mated. He’s mine by rite."
“She won’t say it outright,” Sirius said, running a hand through his hair. “You know how Walburga works, there is always something she could work with. She’ll act like she still honors the pact, but find a loophole. Try to claim you weren’t a strong enough Alpha, or that failed your duty, so the pact is void.”
James’s face twisted with disgust. “Failed him how? I’ve done everything I’m meant to. I married him. I bonded him. I marked him. He’s wearing my scent like it’s stitched into his skin. And she wants to hand him over to Riddle--no, The Dark Lord--like some sick offering.”
Sirius let out a sharp breath. “If she can prove the bond isn’t secure—if you haven’t established a pregnancy or if Regulus can be made to confess doubt—then technically, the claim can be challenged under old law. If you fail to impregnate Regulus, technically, the bond is fruitless and be nullified if a number of the Sacred 28 come together and demand it, under the approval of the Omega's parents. He could be passed to another Alpha that produces pureblooded offsprings.”
James turned, the edges of his mouth lifting into something dark, possessive. “Let her try. I’ll just get him pregnant.”
Sirius blinked. “...You’re serious.”
“Deadly,” James replied. “She can’t contest the bond if Regulus is carrying. She can’t claim weakness or instability. And no wizard—no matter how powerful—will be allowed to interfere with a mated, bonded, expectant Omega under protection of the Pact.”
“You’re insane,” Sirius said, but he was smiling now. "I like it. Wait--not the idea of you impregnating my brother. Ugh, you bastard! Do not talk to me about getting my brother pregnant!"
“I don't care,” James yelled, the mood suddenly shifting. “I'm not losing him!”
"Lower your voice," Sirius growled. "Regulus is upstairs, you'll scare him."
James’s eyes flashed. “He’s mine now. He belongs here, not to her. Not to him.”
“Then act like it,” Sirius snapped, stepping forward, his voice low. “You yelling about it down here isn’t helping anything. You want to protect him? Then don’t let him hear you tearing the house apart over something he’s already terrified of.”
James’s jaw worked, nostrils flaring as he stared Sirius down—but then his gaze dropped. He exhaled sharply through his nose, dragging a hand down his face.
“I know,” he muttered. “I know. I just—Merlin, Pads. He’s still so bloody soft. He flinches when I raise my voice. Still walks like he’s not sure he’s allowed to take up space. And now I find this.”
Sirius’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “He’s never had someone choose him before. Not really. He spent his whole life earning affection by being quiet, being obedient, being… what they wanted.”
“Well, fuck what they wanted,” James snarled.
Sirius didn’t stop him this time. He let James have it—let him pace the floor, let the fury burn itself down just enough. Then he said, “You’re his Alpha now, the head of the household—but that doesn’t mean you can strong-arm him through everything. You have to learn how to guide him without breaking him. Handle him in a way that fits who he is, not who you expect him to be."
That stopped James. His hand fell away from the chair, and for a moment, he just stood there, breathing hard. “I know,” he said finally, voice rough. “I care. I want him to feel safe. I want him to wake up one morning and not flinch at the idea of making a mistake.”
“Then don’t let this change how you treat him,” Sirius said. “Don’t let Walburga win. Don’t let Voldemort get in your head.”
James glanced toward the stairs. “I won’t.” His voice was quiet now. Steady. “But he knew--he knew and never told me. This has been going on for years! Merlin, Sirius, any other Alpha would have had him over their knee right now.”
Sirius winced slightly but didn’t argue. “He didn’t tell you because he was scared. That’s the part you don’t get. He’s not disobedient, James. He’s just… scared. Of being a burden. Of being a disappointment.”
James’s jaw clenched. “I’m not angry that he’s scared. I’m angry that she made him think he had to lie to me to stay safe," He ran a hand through his hair, gripping it tightly. "That was a rule I directly emphasized to him, to always tell me if something is wrong, to be honest and never lie."
“He’s very sensitive when it comes to punishments,” Sirius added quietly, looking down at the letter still in his hand. “You raise your voice, and he thinks he’s done something unforgivable. You so much as look stern, and he braces for it. Like he’s waiting for the backhand.”
James closed his eyes and exhaled slowly through his nose. “I won’t hurt him, Sirius. But I will speak to him. He should have told me. Even if he thought I’d be angry.”
Sirius was quiet for a moment. “So you’re going to discipline him?”
James didn’t answer right away. Then, “I’ll talk to him first. Make sure he understands it’s not about rage. It’s about trust. And if I do administer anything—” his eyes flicked to Sirius, “—it won’t be cruel, and it would only be done if he lies. I’m not going to coddle him into thinking secrets are acceptable between us.”
Sirius sighed and leaned against the edge of the table. “He’s going to cry if you do it.” He muttered, tone tinted with sadness.
“I know,” James murmured. “I’ll hold him after.”
There was a pause, long and weighted, before Sirius gave a small nod of acceptance. “Alright. I know him, he’ll tell you soon. If he doesn’t, be gentle, yeah? I won't let you get away with everything."
James gave a soft snort, almost affectionate. “He’s softer, yeah. But he’s not weak.”
“No,” Sirius agreed. “But he’s still my baby brother.”
“And he’s my Omega,” James said, voice tightening with possessive certainty. “I’ll protect him, even if that means protecting him from himself.”
The room fell quiet again, the letter still between them like a stain that wouldn’t scrub out.
Then James stepped away from the table and squared his shoulders.
“I’ll go up,” he said. "But, I won't tell him now."
“Yeah,” Sirius murmured. “Be his Alpha, not his warden.”
James nodded once and disappeared up the stairs.
---
James found Regulus looking through a pile of books--potions books to be exact, when he entered the room. The Omega immediately stood when he walked in, lingering around for a moment, eyes nervously darting as if he didn't know what to do with himself. He took a tentative step forward, pausing just short of James, his posture hesitating. For a moment, it looked like he meant to kneel, the way he ducked his head, hands twitching at his sides—then he stopped himself, bit his lip, and stood still.That sight—his sweet Omega trying to figure out what would please him, even when overwhelmed—extinguished the leftover fire of James’s temper. His chest ached with it, with how soft Regulus looked, how unsure and yet so clearly trying to do what he thought was right.
James crossed the room in a few steps and drew him into his arms without a word. Regulus tensed for half a second, then melted against him with a relieved breath.
“It’s okay,” James soothed, his lips brushing the crown of his head. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. I don’t expect you to stand for me or wait to be scented every time I walk in. You’re not a servant, Regulus. You’re my mate.”
Regulus didn’t say anything, but his fingers curled into the back of James’s shirt, clinging. His face stayed tucked into James’s chest, as if hiding the faint color blooming in his cheeks.
James cupped the back of his head and lowered his voice just a little, observing his reaction. “And if there’s ever something that makes you uncomfortable, you can tell me. Even if it’s small. I mean it.”
Regulus nodded slowly but didn’t lift his head.
James didn’t bring up the letter, nor the topic of Voldemort. Not yet.