A first time
The Black family had been a part of the noble line of London since the late 1500’s. Their bloodline was the longest drawn back beside that of the royal families, which dated back all the way to the very start of the United Kingdom. The family was held in high regard at any social outing and event. It was almost considered the highest honor if a Black family member would attend your ball.Though the highest resigned with the Royal family.
The current Duke and Duchess of the Black household were Orion and Walburga, being succeeded by their two sons, Sirius Orion Black the Third and the younger brother Regulus Arcturus Black the Second.
It was considered a high mark in society to be good enough to be married to someone in the Black family line. Even a distant cousin who did not even share the name could boost your standing socially.
So that made this year a very exciting year for those eligible for marriage.
Both Black brothers were Going to be on the market for marriage this year. Having come of age at 17 in June of this year it was Regulus Black's First season, and while he was not the heir to the Black fortune and namesake he was still considered by the people of the town one of the most desired prospects. As well as the heir Sirius Black who is now 18 and on the market for a second year.
Sirius, He was loud and while charming as could be, there was no looking past the scandal that he had caused in the prior season. Being spotted multiple times with Commoners and those who were new to society and did not have a well enough bloodline to even be considered worthy of being in the same room of a Black.
Regulus on the other hand, much like all the Blacks that came before him, was hidden from the town until he was presented so not much was known about him, but that certainly wasn't going to be for long. It was said by his brother that he enjoyed hunting, Music, Sword fighting, All the proper things a young man would be interested in.
To his family he was almost perfect.
While on the other hand after his last season his brother was well known to the town. Sirius black while he could be charming he was also a devil behavior wise to the pure blood members of society. His brother had been spotted and caught with comers and barons who were nowhere near the level their parents said were respectable enough to be associating with him.
It had caused quite a stir in the town, and he found himself wondering how this would affect his brother being able to marry someone.
Regulus had witnessed many times his brother get punished for his behavior. While his parents told him many times to pay attention to his own lessons and leave his brother be. He spent many nights in Sirius’s room waiting for him to get back from any punishment his parents had made up for him to patch him up and make sure he was okay.
There was often blood and bruises, as well as a lot of screaming. Nothing that would scar in places that were noticeable to people.
The only time that happened was when Sirius slept with a common girl, Regulus remembered him saying that his body was sore for weeks after that beating. He had a black eye for 2 weeks after that night.
Sirius never talked about it with him, if he asked he was just told that he was alright, and to not worry about him.
So he did just that, he focused on his lessons and did his best to stay out of trouble. But of course when one’s parents were always looking for the smallest imperfection they were due to find one.
Sword fighting was something Regulus found himself in thralled with. It was something he used as an outlet often, and he had gotten rather good at it as time marched on.
And it seemed that time marched on quickly because it was now time for his season out. He wasn’t nervous; it was what he had spent the last three years of his life preparing for. He was not going to fail either.
His introduction to the royal family was near flawless. He was congratulated by many of their family's friends for being unlike his brother in his introduction.
Tonight was the first ball that his family was attending. He was sitting in his fathers private study next to his brother. He was giving them a talk on how they were to conduct themselves tonight. Sirius of course was zoning out ignoring him.
Knew of course that he was going to be either married or engaged by the end of the year, he heard his parents say it many times. It would be easy of course if he listened to them, he was sure that his mother had a list of people she wanted for her sons.
Hearing his father say that was something he hoped he would hear for the last time. It seemed that him saying his brother's name brought him back into reality before they were dismissed.
Regulus got up and made his way back up the stairs and to his room. His mother had picked out his outfit for the night weeks ago, a sleek black vest that buttoned down in the front with a dark green jacket. The family color, it was tradition for a black to wear it on their first night out.
Slipping his arms into the jacket, he looked at himself in the mirror. He buttoned the front of the jacket making it so only part of the vest was visual.
Guess I should go see if Sirius is ready, he thought as he walked across the hallway and knocked on his brother's door, not even bothering for a response before he opened it.
The first thing he saw when he looked at his brother was the red color he was wearing. For some reason he had made it a point to wear and do whatever he could to get himself into trouble.
“Green I see” Sirius said snarkly towards him.
He nodded, stepping closer to his brother, “ I see you decided to piss mother off by wearing red,” he said.
Sirius nodded, “she's always saying it's a poor man's color, and being a part of this family seems to be the poorest thing to me.” his brother laughed. Regulus didn't. He looked away at the ground instead not knowing just what to say to that.
“You look nice Reggie. You'll make them happy tonight i'm sure of it” Sirius said.
Regulus knew that he was only saying that to calm his own nerves. He wondered what horrible thing his brother was going to do tonight to keep him out of trouble.
Jokingly he asked him, “Any advice for me?” he heard his brother ask him.
A small smile spread across Sirius’s face, “are you sure you want advice from me?” He asked his brother.
“Of course not.” Regulus Scoffed, his brother could be a major idiot sometimes. ”I only wanted to know what more of what not to do” he continued. “If I wish to keep my head attached to my body I’ll do my best to act like we’re not even related” he finished.
Sirius patted his brother's shoulder “atta boy Reg.”
Regulus bit back a small fond smile from his lips. He wanted to joke more with his brother but Sirius backed away from him and walked towards the door. That’s when Regulus picked up the sound of his mothers heels coming down the hallway.
He knew that she would go to his room first. She always went to him first. He had asked her about it years before, why she always went to him then Sirius. His mother had told him that it was because she was always so angry at his brother and she didn't want that to deflect onto him. As long as he did well.
Their mother entered the room without knocking, Regulus felt a slight shiver up his spine as her sharp click of her heels got closer to him. His back is still semi-towards her.
“Come now, we must leave soon if we want to arrive on time. You both look up to par. Even if your color choice is quite poorly Sirius” The woman said. She had stopped her fight to get her oldest son to stop wearing a poor man's color years ago, but some battles she knew she would never win. It only mattered that she won the battle of his marriage.
She walked further into the room, over to Regulus, he turned to face her. Her hands went up to his vest pulling it more tightly onto him, straightening out any imperfections. “You will be astonishing Regulus. The family will be pleased.” she told him.
His mothers facial expressions were blank, they were most of the time. The only time he had ever remembered her smiling was out at social events. Never at her children and certainly not in private. She looked him over once more before leaving the room, his eyes following her as she left.
He and his brother shared a look before they walked down the stairs out to the front of the house where the carriage was waiting for them. The footman opened the door and Regulus climbed in before his brother. Sitting directly across from his father. Once Sirius had sat down his father gave the command and he felt the carriage sweep into motion.
They rode in silence before his mother spoke up “I want you both to understand that I will have my eyes on you the entire night” their mother said, “neither of you will be leaving the ballroom without permission for even a second.”
This was no doubt because of Sirius, last year he remembered multiple times Sirius telling him, all about how he met many wonderful people. So unlike their family, and other members of high society.
“Yes mother,” Sirius answered her. Knowing the warning was for him.
Regulus doubted that she would keep up to her word. She had talked non stop about all the suitors that she had for him before he was even out. He knew that he would meet most of them tonight. Expected to perform and entertain them.
Within minutes they arrived at the ball. It was a beautiful venue. The dark sky filled with stars above them. Fires lighted along the walkways. It was a sight to take in.
Quickly they ushered inside, it was warm, and most of the town seemed to be in attendance.
And there goes Sirius, in record time too, he thought as he saw his brother walk along the walls to get away from them. His mother stayed close beside him, Regulus kept his shoulders square and head up. No shame or hesitance. It was unbecoming of a black. Regulus was better than that. He'd show everyone.
“Well aren't you flawless” he heard from behind him, he turned his head to see who it was the words came from. He semi recognized the man, he had blonde hair. They had met before but he could not remember his name.
Mother smiled clean and bright greeting the man “Mr.Malfoy, what a pleasure it is to see you” she said to the man.
Lucius Malfoy, that's it.
The man laughed, “ah indeed it is Lady Black. And it is a pleasure to finally formally be meeting you Mr.Black” Lucius said, reaching out for his hand.
Regulus gave it to him instantly, “the pleasure is all mine Lord Malfoy. “ he said, shaking it.
“Where have you been hiding this one Walburga, this one is so much better behaved than your eldest” he joked.
Walburga laughed “ yes yes i always say if I could make Regulus my heir i would, but it seems god thought i was punished enough with his brother and brought me a good one instead” she said.
Lucius nodded his head, “ who needs the heir when the spare seems so much more devine. The others has ruined himself”
“Can we not speak about my brother that way” Regulus interrupted, he stopped in his tracks in an instant realizing what he had just said, and quickly almost tripped over his words in a way he hoped that his parents did not realize. “ I only mean there are so many better things for us to talk about rather than him. Shall we Mr.Malfoy?” he asked.
The man offered his arm and Regulus took it.
Sirius was right, this is hell.