Chapter 1
He wanted nothing more than to reconnect with his older brother Sirius once he started Hogwarts. At first, Sirius was overjoyed to talk to his younger brother again.
Then the Sorting Day came. Regulus sat with other first years, waiting for his turn. He had met Dorcas, Pandora, Evan and Barty earlier and actually liked them. Each of them had a vibrant personality on their own.
Dorcas Meadowes was the first one to go up. The other three friends cheered her on and waited while the Hat contemplated where to put her.
They made a deal earlier that they would remain friends no matter which House they get sorted into. Then the Hat yelled ‘Gryffindor’ and cheering started. Regulus gulped in nervousness and cheered along with his other three friends.
They would remain friends no matter what.
Pandora Rosier was the next one to go up. Regulus gulped and waited, having liked the kind girl earlier. He really hoped they would all remain friends at the end.
Then the Hat yelled ‘Hufflepuff’ and Regulus looked to his left, at Evan who was cheering and clapping, a big smile on his face. Regulus was almost hundred percent certain the boy would be sorted into Slytherin, but to see him cheer his sister on like this despite the fact that she was a Hufflepuff made a small light of hope appear in Regulus’ dark heart.
Evan Rosier was the next one to go up. It didn’t take the Hat long to decide before it yelled ‘Slytherin’ and then loud cheers came from his left. Regulus looked to see Slytherins standing and clapping, whistling and cheering while Evan proudly walked to the green table.
Regulus gulped, wondering if it would really be so bad to be sorted into Slytherin. Would his brother continue to talk to him or would he cut contact with him? Regulus looked to his right, to the Gryffindor table, and was startled to find James Potter already staring at him. He looked away when Barty’s name was called.
The smart and somewhat unstable boy went up. This one took a while. The Hat kept murmuring and whispering, torn between Slytherin and Ravenclaw. Regulus chuckled when he saw Barty roll his eyes in annoyance.
“Just spit it out, you old thing!” He yelled at the Hat and Regulus watched the Hat frown before it loudly yelled ‘Slytherin’. The cheering started again and Barty proudly marched to the green table.
Regulus was to go up next. He didn’t dare look at his brother and his friends while he walked to the Hat. He looked at Barty and Evan who were sitting next to each other, sending him thumbs up as a form of encouragement. They would remain friends no matter what the Hat yelled, Regulus reminded himself once he sat down on the stool.
The Hat didn’t take long before it yelled out ‘Slytherin’ to him. Regulus gulped when he heard cheers and applause erupt from the Slytherin table.
He stood up and gulped, looking to the side of the red table. Dorcas was sending him encouraging smiles and cheering him on. But she was the only one from the Gryffindor table cheering for him. Sirius and his friends were watching him but not cheering. Sirius looked away the second Regulus’ gaze fell on him.
Regulus gulped and sat down next to Barty who immediately put his palm on his shoulder and smiled in encouragement. Why was he getting support from the friends he has known only for a couple of days but not from his own brother?
Was being Slytherin really that bad? Did it really mean he was just like his parents if he was sorted into the green house?
Regulus gulped once the Sorting Day came to an end. He was on his way to the Slytherin Dorms with his friends, having just left the room when someone crashed into his back, pushing him into Barty who stumbled while he did his best to stop them both from falling down. Regulus straightened his back and looked at Barty who was glaring at someone behind him.
The younger Black turned around to come face to face with James Potter. James who was smiling while he watched him. Siris and Lupin stood next to him, conflicted expression on both faces.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the new Slytherin Snake.” James spoke and raised an eyebrow. Regulus took a deep breath and clenched his jaw.
Was he really being called a Snake before he ever got a chance to become one? Before he got a chance to act like one? Fine, he would become a snake then, he decided and frowned when he felt something burn in his inner wrist. He gulped when he realized what it was.
Of course he knew. Regulus read enough about soulmates to know when one’s mark appears. Out of all the people in the world, did it have to be James Potter?
James Potter, his soulmate, just called him a snake. Regulus straightened his back and realized what he would do now. He would not speak. Sirius wrote enough about James for Regulus to know that the boy was eager to find his soulmate. Regulus would not let him find his soulmate.
He saw Barty walk past him from the corner of his eye and he took a hold of his wrist, stopping his rather angry friend from making a mistake. All the eyes were on Regulus now. Regulus looked at Barty and shook his head, a serious look in his eyes.
Barty gulped while he watched his friend’s light disappear from the eyes. He wondered what he missed and why it seemed like James Potter’s words hurt Regulus more than they should have.
James waited for a reaction but he never got one. Instead of reacting like Sirius would to a remark like that, Regulus turned around and pulled his friend with him towards the Slytherin Dorms.
Sirius took this as a sign that Regulus wanted nothing to do with them and while his heart broke at the idea, he raised his head high and walked away too. Two could play this game, he thought.
James continued standing in the hallway, watching as Regulus disappeared into the dark hallway, wondering why it felt like he messed something up. He didn’t really mean to call Regulus a snake. But he was Sirius’ brother and so he imagined Regulus would be snarky and sarcastic like Sirius was. He imagined he would react to the remark differently.
He didn’t think Regulus’ reaction would be nothing but silence. He could not explain to himself why that mattered to him so much.
From then on, James Potter would not leave Regulus alone, always trying to make him talk. But the boy never did so. Regulus never spoke a single word to James.
James continued to try and try. He did not give up, determined to befriend Regulus and make him and Sirius reconcile. He knew how much Sirius missed his younger brother even if he refused to talk about him.
Regulus only continued to ignore him. He would always be reading a book whenever James was around. He would always find a way to ignore him, whether it be by reading a book or listening to music.
James did not give up though. He lost the count of how many times he pulled Regulus’ earphones out and continued to speak about most random topics. If Regulus was annoyed, he never showed it. He never reacted. And he most certainly never spoke.
James found himself wondering why the younger Black refused to utter a word in his presence. James knew he could talk. He lost count of how many times he watched Barty or Evan usher him away before they sat down with Regulus. Dorcas and Pandora would join them as well and Regulus would not stop talking then.
Something deep in his chest hurt at the idea of Regulus refusing to talk to him. And only him.
He took notice of the thick black bracelet on Regulus’ wrist and wondered why he never seemed to take it off.
James found himself wondering if he did something to hurt or annoy Regulus too much. Was that why Regulus’ friends seemed to dislike him and Sirius? Was that why they would not stop glaring at him?
Years passed and Regulus never spoke a word to James Potter. Five years had passed. James could not help but feel smitten with the younger Black even if he refused to speak to him still.
James found him in an empty classroom that day. Regulus was trying to make some new potion, experimenting with herbs and writing something down. James was once again talking about the most random topics, completely distracting Regulus from what he was trying to do or write down.
He frowned and took a deep breath, refusing to speak a word to James once again. He reminded himself how James called him a snake on his first day in Hogwarts. He reminded himself of the words forever written on his inner wrist.
Regulus reminded himself of his small revenge that had gone on for five years now. He shook his head and looked at his notes, trying to concentrate on the potion brewing on the desk before him. But James would simply not shut up.
He kept going on and on and on about how important it was that one cleans up their own messes. Regulus wasn’t even sure how this topic came up, to be honest. He had tuned him out long enough to start on the potion. But ignoring him was getting harder and harder.
Regulus took a deep breath and turned to look at James, making the boy finally stop talking. This was the first time Regulus looked at him directly. James watched him look away again, taking a deep breath once more. He was calming himself down so as to not speak to him, he realized.
He was close, James thought and continued talking about some random topic that came to his mind once more. He was determined to get the pretty boy before him to talk. He would make the boy he was smitten with talk today.
Another hour of constant talking went by and Regulus had enough. He opened his dark eyes and stomped towards James Potter who finally stopped talking once Regulus pulled his head down to his level by his collar.
“This Slytherin Snake asks you to leave him alone and shut the fuck up!” Regulus growled out and watched James’ eyes widen in surprise. His skin on his collarbones felt like it was on fire and James would know what that meant at any time. Regulus then let go of him and stormed out of the classroom, slamming the door shut behind him.
The sound startled James out of his shock and he ran outside, determined to get the younger Black brother to talk to him some more. He was his soulmate after all. James stopped in the middle of the hallway when he realized that this could only mean one thing. Regulus knew they were soulmates for five years and didn’t speak to him on purpose.
Did he not want him as his soulmate? Did he hate Gryffindor that much? He needed to talk to his best friends, he needed to let Sirius know, he decided and made his way to his own dorms.
To say that Sirius was surprised and pissed off by the news was an understatement. At first, he had been delighted, having hoped this would be what would make him and Regulus reconcile.
Then he realized that his brother knew he was James’ soulmate for five years and kept that a secret, he refused to speak to James Potter on purpose.
“He let you suffer alone for five years. He made you wonder if you would ever find a soulmate for five years.” Sirius growled out, annoyed at his younger brother. But he could also not understand where he was coming from. Regulus was obsessed with soulmates. He would not have done this to James had he known, right?
“Maybe he really didn’t know. I’m sure there is a good reason behind this.” Remus whispered from behind James who gulped and sent him a thankful look. He needed Sirius not to be mad with his younger brother if he was going to somehow win his heart.
“You’re right. We’re going to finally learn the truth from the one who kept it from us.” Sirius spoke and stormed through the doors.
Remus cursed and got up, followed by James who started running after Sirius. They stopped a step behind Sirius who was standing in front of Regulus and his friends. Regulus who had his head buried in a book once more. Regulus who didn’t even seem to have noticed them being there.
Barty Crouch Jr was glaring like always. He also looked ready to jump and start a fight. The only thing stopping them seemed to have been Evan Rosier. Evan who was known for being the more violent one. But even he knew not to start unnecessary fights.
Dorcas was sitting on a chair next to Regulus, twirling her hair between her fingers, while she observed them.
And Pandora seemed to have stopped reading her own book and was observing them as well.
James had to admit that he didn’t think their friendship would last once the two girls were sorted into a different house. He was proven wrong. Their friendship was stronger every day, judging by the way they all seemed to be guarding Regulus.
“To what do we owe this unpleasant visit, Black?” Barty spat out and James watched while Regulus continued reading his book. James wasn’t sure if he was so immersed in it, he didn’t even notice them being there. Or if he was using the book as a distraction and as a way to continue ignoring them.
“I need to talk to my brother who appears to have been keeping secrets.” Sirius spoke, his eyes not leaving Regulus’ form. The younger Black finally closed the book and put it on a table in front of him. He crossed his arms and looked his brother directly into the eyes.
“You’re going to have to be more specific, dearest brother, I keep a lot of secrets.” Regulus spoke in a sickly sweet tone of voice, a small smirk on his face and James gulped. So, he really did know about them being soulmates? And he kept it a secret on purpose?
“You know what it’s about. Don’t pretend to be stupid. We both know you aren’t.” Sirius growled out and Regulus looked behind him, his eyes meeting James’ finally. James felt his heart stop beating for a second while he watched those dark eyes soften the tiniest bit. Regulus then looked at his brother again and smiled.
“Leave us, please.” Regulus spoke, not looking away from his brother. Barty frowned and shook his head.
“No, I’m not leaving you with them!” He exclaimed and Regulus turned to look at him. He sent him a soft and kind smile and spoke again.
“It’s okay. You can leave me. They will only harm me if they want you coming for their heads.” Regulus spoke and Barty growled but allowed himself to be pulled to his feet by Evan and Pandora. They walked away with Barty still glaring at Remus, Sirius and James. Dorcas was the last to stand up, still twirling a dark curl between her fingers.
She looked all three boys up and down and took a deep breath.
“I know where your dorm is.” She said, adjusting her red scarf and then she walked away.
The threat was clear. Harm Regulus and Dorcas will suffocate you in your sleep. James gulped in slight fear but still looked at Regulus. He found himself thanking whoever was listening for giving Regulus such good and overprotective friends.
“Well? Spit it out then!” Regulus exclaimed once the three boys sat down in front of him and remained silent. He did not look at James again.
“I hear you’re James’ soulmate.” Sirius started and Regulus hummed.
“Maybe I am. Maybe I’m not.” Regulus spoke and Remus snorted. Sirius glared at his boyfriend and Remus looked away. James felt his heart ache at the possible rejection coming his way.
“Stop messing with me, Regulus. You refused contact with me and I gave you space. I accepted your decision. But what the hell did James do to you for you to keep this a secret?” Sirius started and Regulus’ nostrils widened. He glared at his brother and then he chuckled darkly.
“You accepted my decision? You think I wanted to break contact with you?” Regulus asked and Sirius let a hand go through his hair in frustration.
“You think your friend Potter is innocent enough for me to just accept him with open arms when his first words are forever engraved into my skin?” Regulus spoke with so much resentment that James gulped, confused as to what his first words were.
“His first words could not have been that bad!” Sirius yelled, drawing attention to them. Regulus simply glared at the students and watched them look away immediately.
“It was my first day here, Sirius. It was the Sorting Day. I was already terrified you were going to hate me should that stupid Hat sort me into Slytherin. And then it did. I looked at you, you know. You refused to look at me. You looked pissed.” Regulus started and when Sirius opened his mouth to speak, Regulus raised his palm, stopping him from doing so.
“I am talking now! I was so damn anxious that entire day and night and then your friend bumped into me. The first words he told me were-” Regulus spoke and then he removed the thick black bracelet on his wrist. He rolled his sleeve up and James closed his eyes once he read the words. ‘Well, well, well, if it isn’t the new Slytherin Snake.’ was written on his wrist in James’ writing.
“You didn’t correct him, you laughed along and so I decided then and there to hurt you both the only way I knew how to. I knew it would hurt you if I cut contact with you now that we were free to reconcile.” Regulus started and he watched sadness engulf Sirius’ entire face.
“And I knew James wanted his soulmate. So, I decided to withhold my knowledge of our bond.” Regulus spoke and James gulped.
“Were you even going to tell me?” He finally spoke and Regulus turned to look at him. He blinked once and then twice. Then he shook his head and James closed his eyes, his heart aching.
“Every time I thought of forgiving you both, I remembered my first day here when I was called a snake for no fucking reason. And my anger returned.” Regulus continued to speak and Sirius gulped after a while.
“I’m sorry. I'm so sorry. I- When I heard the Hat say that you were to be in Slytherin, I feared you would become like-”
“Like Walburga and Orion? How dare you think so low of me?” Regulus asked and Sirius closed his eyes again.
“Can we- can we start from the beginning, please?” James begged and Regulus turned to look at him, his eyes softening at the sight of him.
“Maybe. Maybe one day, Potter. But not now. I’m sorry.” Regulus spoke and stood up, taking his book in his hands. He looked at Sirius and sighed.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this but do better, Sirius.” Regulus said and walked away, leaving them all to wonder if the mess they created could ever be fixed. Could James ever be happy with the one meant for him? Would Regulus’ rage ever die out?