Happy End
To say that Regulus was conflicted on what to do and how to go on would be an understatement of the year. His heart wanted nothing more than to forgive and forget and choose happiness with his soulmate. His pride, however, wanted different things.
It was true that when he was younger, he wanted nothing more than to meet his own soulmate. It had been his dream to find James and be happy. He had refused to follow in his parents’ steps and ended up with someone other than his soulmate. He saw first hand the outcome of relationships based on something other than the soulmate bond.
He laid in his bed, wondering if he had been in the right when he made his decision to get revenge five years ago. Barty and Evan who were sitting on Evan’s bed were watching him without speaking a word. They knew the way Regulus’ brain worked.
He needed to roll over every thought, stone and possibility in his head to be one hundred percent sure of his future decisions. He stared at the ceiling and thought for a while. He flinched when he felt someone play with his hair. He looked to his left and saw Pandora now sitting beside his head, a few strands in her hands while she braided his hair.
“Have you made your decision?” Dorcas asked and Regulus looked at her before he shook his head and continued staring at the ceiling.
“A Quidditch game is coming up. Maybe you’ll get to clear your head there?” Barty called, knowing that that was exactly what Regulus needed now. Playing Quidditch always cleared his mind.
“I hope so.” Regulus answered and they remained silent for the rest of the night. One thing never changed about his friends. They could be loud when together but they also knew when to give each other space and when to remain silent. Regulus needed silence now and he would get it even if Evan itched to start a fight in order to drown his friend’s confusion.
There was no need to do so. Not when Quidditch was two weeks away. To say that James Potter and Sirius Black would not stop stalking them during those two weeks was an understatement of the year. Sirius had been ready to give Regulus space but then James ran into their dorm once and started speaking.
“He can’t focus, Padfoot. He’s amazing and fascinatingly good at making potions but he has been failing to make the same potion for three days now. I know something is bothering him. Please, let us talk to him.” James had insisted until Remus finally nodded his head and let them wander off. If Regulus didn’t want to see them, Barty would chase them away. That much he was certain of.
And every time they came close to him, Barty would appear in front of Regulus out of nowhere, chasing them away immediately.
James had longed to get closer, to literally force Regulus to talk to him but he kept his distance. And then two weeks passed. The day of the Quidditch game came and James had dragged his friends to the Slytherin vs Ravenclaw game. Only a couple of minutes passed before the players started making their way to the field. James quickly found Regulus who looked stunning in green. Regulus had moved his broom and he flew up into the air with the rest of the players.
They watched everyone move around while Regulus remained in his place. He was the only seeker who didn’t immediately charge into chase, giving himself a bit of time to figure out how everyone moved and ticked. James watched as Regulus smirked and then he moved finally, his broom going up quicker than anyone else’s. It was but mere seconds when he caught the ball, shocking James once again by how quick and precise he was at the game.
He would know. Gryffindors were good but they always only lost against Slytherins. Despite James’ speed, he was never able to defeat the green team. Cheers interrupted his thoughts and they all watched Regulus get down to the ground with the ball still in his hand. He was smiling while his team cheered and threw him up in the air a few times as a form of celebration. James smiled at the sight of his happy soulmate and wondered if he would ever see that smile directed at him.
Later that day, there was a celebration in the garden of Hogwarts. A celebration of Slytherin win. Only the Hufflepuffs were allowed to join the Slytherins. The only other exemption was Dorcas Meadowes. She was the only Gryffindor the Slytherins saw as their own. James, Sirius and Remus were forced to watch the celebration from afar, not allowed to join. They watched them all have fun and Regulus laugh after whatever it was Barty said. Sirius frowned and crossed his arms, refusing to believe that Crouch was funny enough to make his own brother crack a smile.
Only the last few years were allowed to drink alcoholic drinks. However, due to the fact that Slytherins won thanks to Regulus, he and his friends had managed to get their hands on alcohol as well. It took James one look at Lucius to realize it was him who had smuggled alcohol to the younger years. Hours of silent observing passed when Remus realized only the last two years of the Slytherins were left along with once again Pandora and Dorcas as the only exemptions.
“Come on! Gather in a circle, you imbeciles. We’re playing never have I ever.” Lucius yelled across the garden. James watched Evan pull Regulus down between himself and Pandora. Regulus who seemed more zoned out than he usually was. Lucius looked around once everyone had taken a seat and smirked at the sight of the three Marauders at the entrance of the school.
“We’re open for other houses tonight, aren’t we?” Lucius asked and watched others turn to see who he meant before the Slytherins began groaning. One glare from Bellatrix was enough to shut them all up. Regulus was the last one to look up. Lucius had a wicked smile on his face while he wiggled his brows towards Regulus who frowned and turned to look at the three Gryffindors he had meant. Regulus’ eyes had widened and he looked at Narcissa who sent him a soft smile and shrugged her shoulders. At some point Lucius must have called them to join them because the next time Regulus looked at his soulmate, he was sitting on the other side of the circle, right in front of Regulus. The younger Black averted his eyes as quickly as possible.
“Never have I ever drank alcohol before.” Is Lucius starting statement and Regulus snorts as he downs a shot. They all do. Regulus didn’t dare look at James but he could feel his soulmate mark start to itch and Regulus cleared his throat a bit. Barty nudged his shoulder, forcing Regulus to look up. He only shook his head and Barty looked away, certain that his best friend was going to be fine.
“Never have I ever burned something.” Bellatrix continues and nearly everyone downs a shot. Regulus doesn’t. He doesn’t hide his surprise at the fact that the Marauders do. He finds himself wondering what they burned and then he shakes his head, refusing to think of them.
“Never have I ever tortured someone.” Mulciber calls out next and almost everyone downs a shot once more, including Evan and Barty. Regulus, Pandora, Dorcas, James, Remus and Sirius are the only ones who don’t.
“Never have I ever been tortured.” Severus calls out and Regulus gulps before he downs a shot. He looks up to see a few eyes on him and he looks away. He saw the surprise in Sirius’ eyes. Of course he would be surprised. He had no idea that once he left, Regulus suffered greatly at their family home. Nearly all of the Slytherins down a shot too which breaks James’ heart. Remus downs a shot as well and Regulus stares at him a second longer before he looks away. Would that explain the scars on his face, he wonders.
“Never have I ever found a soulmate.” James calls and downs a shot. Many follow his lead but the game doesn’t continue. James’ eyes don’t leave Regulus until the younger Black brother takes a shot too.
“For real? Who?” Mulciber asks from beside James and Regulus glares his way.
“What makes you think you are qualified to have that information?” Regulus asks and watches Mulciber roll his eyes before he looks away.
“Never have I ever been in love.” Pandora calls, interrupting the tension and potential fight to break out. Regulus freezes the moment she speaks. He hears cheering and people being noisy from all around him. Then he hears someone making out and he turns to Barty and Evan with a disgusted look on his face.
“You two disgust me.” Regulus whispers and Dorcas hits the back of his head, making Regulus apologize all the while James observes their interactions and dynamic as a group. Regulus takes a shot and makes the mistake of looking at James who is holding an empty glass in his hands as well.
“Never have I ever had a shameful or embarrassing soulmate mark.” Bellatrix calls. Barty and Evan immediately take a shot. They still proudly show off their marks.
“Watch where you are going, dwarf.” is written on Evan’s wrist.
“Why don’t you go and fuck yourself, asshole?” is written on Barty’s wrist while they both stare lovingly at each other. Regulus chuckles, still finding their first meeting hilarious.
Little Evan had bumped into Barty on their first day at Hogwarts. He had been talking to Pandora and not paying attention to his steps when the fight nearly broke out. Then they realized they were soulmates and the anger disappeared.
Many of the others take a shot too and Regulus doesn’t dare look at the Marauders when he downs a shot of his own. Noone dares ask him anything this time. At some point, Regulus sniffles and looks at Lucius.
“Can we play something else? I’m bored.” He asks and watches as Lucius smiles wickedly, almost as if he was only waiting for this question. He pushes a bottle in the middle of the circle and everyone seems to cheer when they realize which game they were to play. Mulciber spins the bottle first and it lands on Narcissa.
“Dare” She proudly says and receives a dare to kiss Lucius. She does so with no complaint and spins the bottle. It stops at James who chooses dare as well.
“I dare you to kiss whoever you think is the prettiest here.” She says and watches James’ eyes fall on Regulus who doesn’t look at him as he shakes his head. He doesn’t notice James taking a few steps towards him. He nearly doesn’t notice him crouching down in front of him but he finally notices a shadow forming above him. He looks up and his eyes widen as James places a gentle kiss on his lips. A lot of cheering can be heard as James moves back to his place and Potter is met with wide open gray eyes once he sits back down.
Regulus gulps, knowing what James just did was lay a claim on him in front of everyone. It was unheard of to kiss anyone other than your soulmate once they were found. James spins the bottle and it ends on Pandora.
“Truth” She says and James smiles.
“Tell us who is your best friend in the group.” He says and Pandora smiles. She pulls Regulus into a side hug.
“That’s easy. Reggie, of course.” She answers and they seem shocked by her answer. Not the friend group though. Regulus smiles softly towards her and gives her hand a gentle squeeze.
She spins the bottle and another and then another.
Mulciber spins the bottle next and it ends on Regulus who looks at the conniving little shit, knowing he’ll ask something personal.
“Truth” He still says because he knows that is the better choice when it comes to Mulciber.
“What is the one thing you love about your soulmate?” He asks and Regulus takes a deep breath. He ignores the burning feeling of James’ eyes on him.
“Their persistence.” Regulus answers after a while, not daring to look at a smiling James Potter. Hours pass before Regulus starts falling asleep on Pandora’s shoulder. Narcissa is the one who notices and tells everyone to go to sleep. Regulus starts to stand up and nearly falls but is caught by Barty who pulls him back to his feet.
“James- Br- bring me to James.” Regulus whispers to his friends, drunk out of his mind and not aware of the fact that James could hear him. It is then and there that James decides with absolute certainty that he can never give up in Regulus.
“Come on, you little drunk. You need to sleep.” Barty says and basically carries a drunk Regulus away, shaking his head and with a small smile on his face, knowing that Regulus was going to freak out the following day.
Regulus freaks out the moment he wakes up the following day. He startles awake and sits up quickly in his bed, looking into the eyes of his four friends who all wore teasing smiles on their faces. His headache was killing him but his embarrassment was worse.
“Please tell me I didn’t do something stupid.” Regulus begs and Barty’s smile widens. Regulus groans immediately.
“Is begging me to bring you to James considered stupid? Especially if he was close enough to hear you?” Barty asks and Regulus buries his head into his pillow, refusing to go to classes or leave his room that day. This was exactly why Regulus didn’t drink usually. He did and said stupid shit whenever he drank a bit of alcohol.
Weeks of Regulus ignoring and avoiding the Marauders pass when SIrius finally loses his patience and approaches Regulus’ friends.
“I need your help.” Sirius admits through his teeth with James by his side and Dorcas looks up with annoyed look in her eyes.
“And I would help you because-?” She asks.
“Because you obviously care for my brother and I want to help him?” Sirius tries and Dorcas continues to chew her gum before she speaks.
“Aren’t you a bit over five years too fucking late to act like a good older brother?” She asks as she stands up and Evan does the same. Sirius looks at him warily, knowing not to push morally challenged Evan’s buttons.
“I messed up. I know that. But I want him to be happy. Do you think he can be happy without his soulmate?”
“He has been perfectly happy the past five years without him.” Dorcas bites, ignoring the hurt look in James’ eyes.
“Was he really though?”
“I think we can all agree that I know your brother better than you do by now, Sirius.” Dorcas speaks and Evan smirks while he watches Sirius frown.
“Be careful of what you say next, Black.” Evan finally speaks when he sees Sirius open his mouth to say something. Both Sirius and James finally turn their attention to Evan who has his arms crossed and chin raised.
“I stuck by his side when you abandoned him. I’ve seen Regulus happy, sad, angry, excited and in pain. If anyone knows how Regulus ticks by now, it is me. Not you. Your brother is not the same person he was five years ago when he innocently came to Hogwarts and sought your approval. He no longer needs it. He no longer needs you the way you showed him you no longer needed him. Now, Regulus has me, Dorcas, Pandora and Barty. The same way you chose Potter and Lupin over him.” Evan’s words were as cutting as always. He didn’t sugar coat anything. He didn’t hide his feelings or opinions. He was open about his hate and dislike. And it had never been more clear to Sirius that Evan Rosier loathed him.
“I know that. I know I fucked up. I don’t need him to forgive me if he can’t. But he should forgive James. Not for me or James but for his own happiness.” Sirius spoke and something flashed in Evan’s eyes for a second.
“Regulus should only do as he wants from now on. It will be his choice whether or not he accepts Potter or not. Agree to that and I’ll help you.” Evan spoke and Dorcas frowned as she looked at her best friend.
“Agree.” James said and Evan nodded his head before he turned around to leave.
“Wait- How will you help us?”
“Regulus, Potter. I am helping Regulus, not you.”
“Okay, but how?”
“Leave the thinking and plotting to me. Don’t worry your simple little head with that.” He said and walked away, already having a plan on how to trick Regulus and lock him in a classroom with James until they talked their differences out.
It is James who gets instructions in a tiny letter a day later and he smiles to himself, thinking that maybe he had been wrong about the Slytherins the entire time. Maybe they weren’t so bad.
Sirius is walking down a hallway that day when he sees Regulus before him. Evan and Barty are the ones who sneak up on him with Barty throwing himself across Regulus’ back, making them both stumble and nearly fall down to the floor.
“What the fuck, Barty?” Regulus snaps and it’s Evan who speaks next.
“We have a surprise for you.”
“What? Why?” Regulus asks in confusion while Evan slowly puts a blindfold across Regulus’ eyes. Sirius watches him in fascination. Regulus doesn’t fight his friends back. Instead, he trusts them blindly even.
“You’ll see. It’s nothing bad. Panda is the one who helped us plan.” Barty speaks finally and Regulus sighs while they tie the blindfold behind his head. Sirius follows them while they lead Regulus to an empty classroom. Pandora and Dorcas are there, waiting for them while Dorcas still glares at Sirius like she’s itching to gut him. Evan pulls them into the classroom quickly and makes Regulus stumble again. He is still kept upright by Barty.
“I swear to all that is Holly, if I break something, both of you will lose your kneecaps.” Regulus threatens and Evan chuckles a bit before he stops walking and so does Regulus.
“Yeah, yeah, sure, buddy. Now, take the blindfold off in five seconds.” Evan says and quickly drags Barty out of the classroom. Pandora quickly closes and locks the doors behind them. Regulus had frowned at the commotion and took off his blindfold, immediately looking at a nervous James.
“Oh you fuckers can bet your asses I am cursing you all once I get out of here.” Regulus growled.
“Just talk to him, Reggie. Talk and make a decision. Then we’ll let you out.” Pandora called softly and Regulus could not resist rolling his eyes anymore.
“Of course you were involved in this too, Panda. You hopeless romantic. Has everyone betrayed me at last?” Regulus called and Sirius felt his heart break at the lack of trust he seemed to have even in his friends now.
“Is it really betrayal if they just want us to talk?” James asked and Regulus finally turned to look at him, his anger disappearing the tiniest bit. They stared at each other for a while with Regulus not moving or speaking. He remained planted where he stood.
“It is if I wasn’t ready to talk to you.” Regulus answered and James took a deep breath, running his hand through his hair.
“I know what I said was bad. I’m sorry for the words you’re forced to wear forever now. But was it really so bad you had to leave me in the dark for five years? Was it so bad that you refuse to talk to me even now?” James asked and Regulus remained silent, observing him for a while. Then he crossed his arms and walked towards one of the tables in the room. He sat down on it, his legs dangling in the air as he did so.
“We, the Slytherin snakes, can be rather vengeful and petty.” Regulus answered and James closed his eyes, knowing his words on Regulus’ skin would forever haunt him. He would never forgive himself for his first words, knowing that the first thing Regulus felt when he met him was hurt.
“Sirius told me about you, you know? You used to love the idea of soulmates and were obsessed with any book on them you could get your hands on. You used to make up stories of how you would meet me.” James started to speak and Regulus’ eyes widened slightly, nearly forgetting how to breathe. He took a deep breath and looked away while James started to walk towards him.
“And while our meeting was nothing like what you were imagining, I am still here. I am ready to love and cherish you for the rest of my life. I am ready to make all your dreams come true, baby. You just have to let me in.” James started and Regulus looked at him again, feeling his mark begin to itch again the closer James got. Now, James stood so close Regulus could touch him if he wanted to. Then his eyes seemed to get angry again.
“I have no dreams about soulmates anymore.” Regulus growled out, the knowledge of the words forever etched into his skin, burning his entire soul. James gulped and took the last two steps so that he was now standing between Regulus’ dangling legs. He let his palms rest on Regulus’ thighs and he watched the younger Black’s eyes soften the tiniest bit.
“Let me make them come back then, baby.” James whispered and reached for Regulus’ cheek. Regulus didn’t dare move while James moved forwards and he planted a gentle kiss to his forehead. Then his cheeks, then his nose and at last a gentle and lingering kiss to his lips. Once he moved away, he looked into Regulus’ gray eyes filled with tears and longing and he felt his heart break again. He would not give up on Regulus. Not ever. Not now when he knew the younger Black loved his persistence and wanted to be near him when he was drunk. A drunk man’s words were a sober man’s thoughts after all.
“Why are you crying, baby?” He asked despite the fact that no tears ever fell down Regulus’ cheeks. Regulus gulped and closed his eyes for a few seconds. James watched him take a deep breath before he opened his gray eyes again.
“You have no idea how hard it was to hide the truth from you or how many times I itched to get closer to you. But I couldn’t-” Regulus finally admitted and then he stopped, taking another deep breath without looking at James.
“That’s okay. Let me in now. That’s all that matters.” James said and Regulus looked at him with teary eyes once more, feeling James squeeze his thighs in comfort.
“We lost so much time because of my pettiness.” Regulus spoke and James planted another kiss on his forehead.
“That is okay too. I had unintentionally hurt you. You had every right to make me pay. Just don’t push me away now. Let me love you.” James started to speak again and Regulus took another deep breath, wondering if he would be doing the right thing if he let James in. He decided it would be fine. He would live. James would live. They would be happy. They deserved to be happy. So, he took a hold of James' tie and pulled him forwards, crashing their lips once more and smiling into the kiss. He wasn’t sure but he thought he could hear cheering from the other side of the door and he thought to himself that maybe, just maybe it would all be okay.