separated
Regulus looked at James across the great hall longingly. It had been a few weeks since Halloween and it was now mid November. Things between James and Regulus were going great. All of their friends got along well and Sirius was kind of ok with the fact that they were together (with the exception of any time the two of them kissed or even touched in front of him). Regulus felt as though everything in the world was going his way and nothing could change how happy he felt in this moment.
Suddenly an owl flew down upon the Slytherin table. Regulus didn't know why but he felt a chill rush down his spine upon seeing this bird. The owl was a dark shade of black and had bright yellow eyes that pierced into Regulus's soul. Regulus felt as though he recognized this owl though he wasn't exactly sure how, he felt as though the owl was an old friend he hadn't seen in a very long time. The bird swooped over the table and dropped a letter on the table in front of him. Suddenly he knew exactly why he recognized this owl and dreaded what he would see scrawled on the envelope in front of him. Regulus reluctantly picked up the letter in front of him and read the return address though by now he didn't need to, he already knew exactly who had sent this letter. He slowly turned the envelope over and opened the letter. Inside the envelope was a piece of paper that had been neatly folded. He unfolded the letter and began to read in disbelief.
To Regulus Arcturus Black,
It has been brought to mine and your father’s attention that you have decided to disgrace our family name by joining your blood trader of a brother in running away from home. This disobedient behavior will not be tolerated so long as you are a member of the noble and most ancient house of Black, however me and your father have decided to give you a second chance. You are to cease all contact with your brother and his friends and return home over your winter holiday. If you are caught fraternizing with anyone of improper blood status you will be punished greatly when you return home, and if you do not return home with Kreacher over the winter holidays we will send Kreacher to acquire you and you will be unenrolled from Hogwarts.
-Walburga Black
Regulus's mind began racing trying to find a way to fix this. "Reg, who's that letter from?" Evan asked with a mildly concerned look on his face. Regulus tried to hide his fear to no avail. "Oh, it's just... another letter from Effie. She wanted to see how I was doing." Regulus said, tucking the letter into his pocket. Evan could tell something was wrong. "Are you ok Reggie? You look a little frightened." Barty said with a concerned look on his face. "Ya, everything's fine. You know I'm not all that hungry," Regulus said, quickly standing up from the table and stumbling to his feet, "I'm gonna go get some fresh air, I'll see you guys later." Regulus continued as he scrambled away from the table and quickly left the great hall. In Regulus's rush he neglected to realize that said letter had fallen out of his pocket.
Dorcas noticed the note on the ground and quickly picked it up and read it. Her eyes lit up with terror as she read. "We need to go after him," She said as she passed the note to Evan so he could read it too, "I don't think it's safe for us to leave him alone right now." Dorcas said with a somber look on her face. Evan and Barty read the letter quickly, their faces lighting up with shock and horror upon reading it. "I don't think we should go after him, seeing all of us at once will only stress him out more." Barty said with a look of concern painted across his face. "We can't just leave him alone, someone needs to make sure he's alright!" Dorcas said. "I think I know exactly who needs to go after him." Evan said, turning to look at the Gryffindor table. "We can't send James after him, you read the note. They don't want him to talk to James or Sirius!" Dorcas whispered so as not to draw attention to the situation. "How are they going to find out? We both know that when Regulus gets stressed out he likes to go to the forbidden forest and there aren't any professors or students there to see them!" Evan whispered back. "Ok, but how are we gonna tell him to go after Regulus without people noticing?" Dorcas said. "Why don't you go over there and sneak a note to him, I mean you're over there all the time to talk to Marlene so it won't look that suspicious." Evan suggested. "Hey, I do not talk to Marlene ALL THE TIME. I just like to talk to her sometimes." Dorcas said defensively. "Focus Dorcas, just go over there and slip James this note while you're talking to Marlene without anyone noticing." Barty said, taking out a piece of paper and writing a brief note before handing it to Dorcas. Dorcas looked at the note in her hand and then up at the Gryffindor table with a look of determination in her eyes. It may have been a pretty terrible plan but it was a plan nonetheless and she couldn't let it fail. The fate of one of her closest friends now rested on Dorcas's shoulders.
Dorcas stood up from the table and confidently walked over to the Gryffindor table. luckily enough Marlene and James were sitting right next to each other. Dorcas tucked the note into her sleeve, walked silently to the table, and stood behind Marlene making small talk. After a few minutes of talking she handed the note to Marlene and whispered softly in her ear. She had never been this bold while talking to Marlene in the past but she was willing to do anything to help Regulus. "Give this to James without anyone seeing, don't read it. I'll tell you why later." She whispered quietly before walking away. Marlene's face turned a light shade of pink when Dorcas leaned in close to her and whispered into her ear. She knew that it really didn't mean anything, I mean it's not like she was actually saying anything that told Marlene that Dorcas liked her, but still the intimacy of the moment had Marlene's heart racing. "Hey, Marls! You're blushing!" Sirius said. "Shut up Sirius!" Marlene fired back. She looked down at the note in her lap and gently nudged James's arm with her elbow, trying not to draw attention to the situation. James looked at Marlene with a confused look on his face and without turning her head to look at him Marlene shoved the note into James hand. assuming that this was meant to be kept secret, James discreetly began reading the note under the table.
JAMES THIS IS URGENT!!
We need you to go find Regulus in the forbidden forest ASAP without telling anyone where you're actually going or why you're doing it.
Regulus might be in danger and the only way we can make sure he's safe is if you find him and calm him down without anyone knowing.
The most important thing is you CAN'T TELL ANYONE!!!!!!! not even Sirius.
James looked up from the note trying not to display his concern on his face. "I'm full, so I'm just gonna head back." James said nonchalantly as he began standing up from the table and walking away. "Ok mate, see you in a bit." Sirius said with a small smile on his face.
-meanwhile, in the forbidden forest-
Regulus rushed out of the great hall and quickly made his way to the forbidden forest. He was desperately trying to keep his cool in the corridor so no one would be alarmed. Once in the forest Regulus walked to a large tree near the lake. His heart was racing and he began pacing back and forth. He was breathing rapidly and struggling to get enough air into his lungs. He yanked his tie off of his neck and threw it to the ground in a desperate attempt to get enough air. He felt as though the whole world was crumbling around him. Regulus slowly sat down underneath the tree.
After a few minutes James entered the forest and found Regulus sitting under the tree. "Reggie! Are you ok?! What happened?" James asked as he ran to regulus's side and kneeled down on the ground beside him. Regulus was still breathing heavily and he had a look of fear in his eyes. Regulus looked into James's brown eyes and James could see how scared he was. James quickly wrapped his arms around Regulus and began trying to get him to breathe properly again. "Breathe with me. Breathe in and hold it, now let it out." James said as he began trying to sync their breathing.
After a few minutes Regulus's breathing returned to normal and he was able to begin telling James what was going on. "My mother sent me a letter. It said that they are going to force me back to Grimmauld place and that if I talk to you or Sirius I will be 'punished greatly' as she put it, and also that if I try to avoid going home for winter break they will take me out of school." Regulus explained. "What?! They can't do that! You should just come live with me again!" James said, frantically trying to find a way to avoid the inevitable. "James, did you not hear what I just said?! If I don't go back to them they'll take me out of Hogwarts!" Regulus yelled back. "Then my parents will take you in, they can pay for you to continue going here." James said. "It's no use Jamie, if I go home with you they'll just send Kreacher after me and if they do that they'll probably drag Sirius back too." Regulus explained, trying to get James to finally understand that there is nothing he can do. "No! They can't do that! Reggie you can't go back there. You almost died the last time they had you there, what do you think will happen now?!" James yelled. "You think I don't already know that!!! I know exactly what they'll do to me if I return, but if I don't they'll do it to Sirius too! And if they have us both there's nothing stopping them from killing one of us. They can't kill me because without me they don't have an heir, but if they have a backup there's no telling how far they'll take it. Look James, I would love to go home with you, but I can't do that." Regulus explained, a single tear streaming down his face.
The next few days past slowly, not being able to talk to Sirius or James was torture to Regulus. He found himself staring at James every chance he got, but nothing he could do would fix the ache he felt in his heart. He felt as though his heart was ripping into shreds. not being able to talk was killing James too, it pained him knowing that there was nothing he could do to help Regulus. The pair wanted nothing more than to share one last kiss, but the winter holidays came quickly and before they knew it, it was time to go home.