someone who loves you wouldn't do this
Living at the Potter's was... different.
That's what Regulus thought when he walked to the kitchen for breakfast the first morning, to see a grumpy Sirius runing into Remus' arms (who was drinking his third cup of tea), James kissing both his parents hello and Effie filling his plate with half the contents of the kitchen.
It was really overwhelming, all the attention he was suddenly getting.
The second day there, he was starting to enjoy living here. He could spend his days like he wanted to, nobody was there to tell him to stand up straight, eat less or study everyday.
But the calm never lasted.
The third day, he was reading in his room. Someone knocks and James enters.
"Hey, I wanted to ask... Would you like to come play Quidditch with me and Sirius someday?" The boy asks.
Regulus looks surprised but nods "Sure"
James' smile widen "Great, I'll tell you, we will propably go tomorrow or-" but he stops as they hear banging and shouts downstairs.
Regulus straightens up immediately. He could recognize her voice among thousands.
She's there.
James pulls him behind his back as they hear steps going upstairs and Effie angry voice.
"I-It's her James... S-She came for me"
James don't have the time to respond because they hear doors opening and Walburga screaming with horror. They both frown and Regulus's face goes white.
"Oh no... S-Sirius- James, she must have walk on Remus and him-" he manages to say shakyly
"Don't move." James rushes outside.
But Regulus follows stubbornly. He's not gonna leave his brother getting hurt. He grabs James' arm, afraid he will go away. "Okay fine... But stay close," whispers James.
His grip on his arm loosen as he sees his mother fulming standing in front of Sirius door open. Sirius looks like he just saw a ghost and Remus like he's gonna bite her. They're both fully cothed, thanks Merlin.
"You disgusting fag! I can't believe my own son turned like this!"
James interrupts her angryly, "You have no right to talk to Sirius like that"
Walburga gaze shoots up to James and notices Regulus behind him, "Regulus. You're coming with me. Now."
Regulus takes a step back at his mother's words, his heart racing. He can feel his body shaking, the fear and dread coursing through him.
James, however, doesn't. He clenches his fists and steps in front of Regulus, "He's not going anywhere with you," he says, his voice firm and unyielding.
Monty arrives at the same moment. "Mrs Black. You will get out of my house and out of my children."
Walburga sneers at Monty and Effie, her eyes narrowing.
"You heard me," he says firmly, stepping closer. "You are not welcome here. And you certainly are not taking Regulus or Sirius anywhere."
"He's my son! He's under my responsability! You can't do anything against the law!" She hisses walking to grab Regulus arm. But James steps between Walburga and the younger boy, his arms blocking her path.
"You don't have any rights when it comes to Regulus anymore," he declares fiercely. "You lost that right the moment you started hurting him. He's safe here, and he's staying here."
Regulus watches with horror Walburga raising her wand to hex him but Monty is quicker, disarm her with a spell "DON'T! Don't touch my child!" He says firmly pulling her away, "we have all the proofs to denouce your abuse. If you touch any of those kids again, we will not hesitate to prosecute. I am at the head of the Ministry and we have enough power to make sure you and your husband end up in Askaban."
Walburga's eyes widen as she processes Monty's words. Monty keeps holding her arm, his grip strong, his tone leaving no room for argument. Effie behind him, seems to be holding back from jumping on Walburga, to strangle her.
James looks at Regulus, who is shaking uncontrollably behind him. He wants to take him away from all this.
Walburga's gaze suddenly softens, in a really weird way. "Come on Regulus, darling, you wont let a little argument break our family won't you? You know I love you."
Regulus's eyes widen at her words, and he visibly flinches. Never once in his life she told him that she loved him. It couldn't be true right?
"Regulus, please, don't listen to her," James says gently, trying to get his attention. "She's just trying to manipulate you."
Walburga gives him a death glance and looks at Regulus with a overly sweet gaze, "Come with mum, come on. You need your family," she holds out her hand to him.
Regulus looks at it, with fear and confusion.
But before he could have say anything, Sirius slips away from Remus arms, steps in front of her fulming and start yelling.
"Don't you dare. DON'T YOU DARE SAYING THAT BULLSHIT! YOU NEVER LOVED US, YOU RUINED OUR BOTH LIVES! HOW DARE YOU TOUCHING HIM?! BEATING ME TO DEATH WASN'T ENOUGH? YOU'RE JUST A MONSTER, I WON'T LET YOU TAKE HIM BACK, I WON'T LET YOU DO ANY MORE HARM TO HIM! Never."
Sirius' face is red, Regulus never saw him like this.
He's so stunned that he don't even notice James coming in front of him like a shield to the scene.
"You have no power here," Sirius continues, panting, his voice cold and hard. "You can't control us anymore."
Walburga clenches her jaw, her eyes darkening again at Sirius's words. She looks like she's about to snap, but Effie steps in between them before she can say anything.
"Enough!" Effie's voice cuts through the tension, drawing everyone's attention. She looks from Walburga to Sirius, his expression stern. "You WILL leave our house, NOW."
Walburga glares at them, her fury clear on her face. She wants to argue, but the look on their faces, the steely determination in their eyes, tells her that it would be useless.
She's about to leave when she turns back to give her one last straw, "Regulus je n'aurais jamais pensé que tu tomberais si bas," she hisses and then turns to Sirius, "Quand à toi... Je suppose que j'ai toujours su que quelque chose n'allait pas avec toi."
Her words cut deep into both Regulus and Sirius, their faces showing the hurt and pain. James clenches his jaw and steps forward again, placing a protective hand on both of them.
"You're not welcome here," Monty repeats, his voice firm. "And I will ensure that you are not allowed anywhere near any of these kids again."
Walburga glares at Effie and Monty, then back at Regulus, her gaze lingering on him for a moment before she turns to leave, slamming the door behind her.
Few seconds pass before Regulus collapses on the floor hyperventilating.
Sirius stands there, his eyes wide and unfocused.