Records and First Classes
Sirius is currently ecstatic. He knew Regulus wasn't like the rest of the family. He knew it. He told the rest of the marauders that Regulus would be in Gryffindor. And he was right. The only thing is, Regulus doesn’t seem too happy about it. He’s talking less than usual, which already isn’t much. Sirius is concerned. He thought Regulus would be happy about this too. They’re in the same house, they get to see each other every day, they can even sleep in the same bed like they do at home and just talk until they can’t keep their eyes open. Sirius tries to talk to Regulus but he just answers with curt, short answers. Merlin, Regulus can be even more stubborn than Sirius at times.
After dinner, Sirius, being the good big brother he is, walks with Regulus to the Gryffindor tower and helps him get his side of the dorm ready. Regulus is sharing with three other boys. He doesn't seem to like them very much, but Sirius is sure they’ll be fast friends. He stays with Regulus for a while and then goes up to his dorm. James, Peter, and Remus are already there, unpacking. James has almost all his Quidditch posters up so far and Remus is setting up some of Sirius’ records that he asked the rest of the marauders to have over the summer for safe keeping, since, if his mother ever found any of Sirius’ muggle records, she would most definitely burn them. Peter is sitting on his bed eating a chocolate frog and talking to James as James uses spell-o tape to stick his posters behind his bed.
Sirius walks over to where Remus is stacking his records. “How are my babies?” Sirius asks, picking up one of his records with such reverence that, if Sirius had a partner, they would be oh, so jealous.
“Your babies are fine.” Remus says, watching Sirius in amusement. He has a couple new scars this year. One on his neck running up his jaw, another small one on his cheek. Rough moons, Sirius guesses. The marauders discovered that Remus is a werewolf last year, they don’t care. Remus is their friend. Always will be.
“You would think you’re dating those records, what with the way you look at them.” James says, jumping off his bed, all his posters are stuck to the wall behind his bed like some kind of flying broomstick shrine.
“You worship your Quidditch posters. You can’t say anything” Sirius says. He’s grinning. He is so happy to be back, away from his mother.
“I do not!” James exclaims, offended.
“Do to!” Sirius retorts childishly.
“Do not!” James says again.
“Do to!”
“Do not!”
“Do to!”
Remus sighs, shaking his head exasperatedly. He misses having his quiet space already, Sirius can tell. He grins sheepishly at Remus. Remus gives Sirius a flat look. Sirius looks away. He has always felt different about Remus than he does James and Peter. Sirius can’t quite place it, but he knows it's different. He feels all warm inside whenever Remus smiles at him. He wants to be around him all the time. He just- he wants more around Remus. He also finds himself saying stupid stuff in front of Remus more often than not. Remus has that effect on people. He can see right through them and make them spill their guts. It's impressive and slightly scary at the same time.
Remus has always been an anomaly to Sirius. He always has some secret for Sirius to find out. It’s exciting, getting to know more about Remus everyday. Getting to know him more than anyone else. Sirius has always loved puzzling people, and Remus is like a one hundred thousand piece puzzle that Sirius is determined to put together. Piece by piece.
Piece by piece.
~*~
Regulus never thought he would be a Gryffindor. Regulus thought he would be a Slytherin. He never doubted it. Not even for a second. It was a constant in his life and that constant has just been ripped from him. It has been ripped away and Regulus doesn't know what to do with that. Well, what can he do, really? He can go to classes, he can try and make friends, and he can try to get comfortable with this. He can try.
So try he does. He tries, and he tries, and he tries. He makes friends with his dorm mates. There’s Christopher, William, and Timothée. Christopher is English, William is Welsh, and Timothée is French. Regulus is closest with Timothée, since they’re both French and like messing with Christopher and William by speaking in French in front of them.
Regulus is still friends with Barty, Evan and Pandora. He made friends with a girl named Dorcas Meadowes. She’s in Gryffindor as well. Barty got sorted into Ravenclaw, as did Pandora. Evan got sorted into Slytherin, which Regulus is slightly bitter about because that's the house he’s supposed to be in. He knows he shouldn’t be bitter. It's not Evans' fault. It’s that stupid hat’s fault. But Regulus was never very good at not being bitter. About anything.
Although, by the time the first day of classes rolls around it's safe to say that Regulus has settled in.
So, on the morning of the first day of classes, Regulus and the Marauders meet in the Gryffindor common room, all ready for the day, and their entourage all head down to the great hall.
He and Remus glance at each other, both arching their brows at each other. Regulus likes Remus. Remus is his favorite out of Sirius’ friends since he actually has intelligent things to say. He thinks that he and Remus are friends. Good thing too, because Regulus doesn't think he would be able to survive hanging out with one James Potter without being able to share looks with Remus that, quite distinctly, say this boy is an idiot.
“What are you wearing?” Asks Barty the moment Regulus sits in the seat next to him in Potions.
“The uniform?” Regulus answers. He is confused as to why Barty is pointing out his uniform. He is wearing it perfectly. All the buttons are done up, the tie is tied perfectly, so why is Barty pointing it out?
“Why are you wearing it perfectly?” Barty asks amusedly. “You don’t need to have it look like you have a stick up your arse.” Ah, there’s that Barty affection. He shows you he loves you by insulting you.
“It’s the uniform.” Regulus informs him flatly.
“Well, I think it looks wonderful.” Pandora praises. She’s like that. She thinks everything everyone does is wonderful, even when it's not true.
“It’s horrendous.” Barty very helpfully points out.
“Why, thank you, Barty, for that very astute observation.” Regulus says flatly.
“You are quite welcome, Reg.” Barty says. He’s grinning. Regulus doesn’t like that he’s grinning.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Regulus inquires, arching a brow.
“Like what?” Barty asks, tilting his head and looking annoyingly smug. The bastard.
“Never mind.” Regulus grumbles, looking up to where Slughorn has hobbled over to the board and started talking to the class.
“Hello, and welcome to your first potions class!” exclaims Slughorn. He seems a little too excited. Regulus doesn't like him. “We will start with our potions soon, but first I have to do role call.” Slughorn says cheerily. Regulus rolls his eyes.
Slughorn starts calling off names, giving his own running commentary as he goes. It’s annoying. It has already been five minutes when Slughorn reaches Regulus’ name. “Regulus Black?” he says.
“Here.” Regulus says boredly.
“Another Black in Gryffindor. Two in two years, as well. I can’t say I'm not disappointed. I was quite looking forward to having you in my house. But, nevertheless, congratulations, my boy.” Slughorn says, and Merlin, Regulus hates this man. He just pointed out what a disappointment he is to his family in front of the whole class.
Regulus hates Slughorn.
Regulus is glad he is not in Slytherin.