The Stranger
Diagon Alley 1972
Twenty-four hours until Hogwarts Express departure
“James, come on, you promised we would plan a prank today!” Sirius whined
“And we will, as soon as I finish buying the presents,” he said as they entered a sweets shop. Sirius couldn’t help but notice that James was anxiously picking at his fingers.
“You know, you wouldn’t be this rushed if you had bought them earlier.”
“I know that…but I didn't know what to get Lily and Mary so I thought if I waited, maybe an idea would come to me.” James said sheepishly.
Though unwillingly, Sirius and his brother, Regulus, followed James through the candy shop while he fussed about not knowing what to get the girls. This was pretty pointless; Sirius knew for the fact that no matter what James got Lily, whether it was perfect, exactly what she wanted, or a simple, thoughtful gesture, she would hate it, and then promptly decline it. James likely knew that too, because to not realize something laid out that obviously (and Lily made it quite obvious) you would have to have a really thick skull. More often than not, James was really not that dense.
“Look I know I don't know Mary that well, but I still want to get her something nice, ”
“Just get them some chocolate, or something,” Sirius spat exasperatedly. James stopped pacing at the abrupt suggestion.
“Why chocolate?”
“I don't know…doesn’t everyone like chocolate?” Sirius paused, “ Remus sure does,” he added, because it was true, Remue really did love chocolate.
“I suppose you’re right.” James then turned to the chocolate section and bought a handful of chocolate frogs, a box of Grandma Geneveve’s Self-making Cookies, and some beautiful lilies made out of sugar (along with many other sweets for him and his friends). Once the candy was paid for, they left the store.
“Are you done now? Can we finally plan the prank?” Sirius looked at James eagerly.
“Well, I was actually thinking we could go to the Quidditch shop,” James said. Sirius was a little disappointed, but seeing James get all excited about Quidditch made it nearly impossible to deny him what he wanted. Besides, Sirius wouldn’t mind taking a peek at a broom or two. So, James and Sirius started walking, unaware that Regulus had left them with Kreacher in tow.
While Sirius and James were off ogling at the newest brooms in the Quidditch store, Regulus had gone (with Kreacher leading the way) to Mr. Ollivander’s Wand shop to buy the one thing missing from his list. A bell hanging from the door rang upon their arrival.
“Hello again, Mr. Black. Let's see if we can find you a wand this time, yes?” Mr. Ollivander said. He was referring to the fact that Regulus had been here once before with his mother and Kreacher, but he had so much trouble finding a wand that Mr. Ollivander kindly asked him to try again another day. Had they continued any longer poor Mr. Ollivander may not have had a shop at all by the end of the wand picking. It was extremely important they found a wand for Regulus today, not only because he couldn’t attend Hogwarts tomorrow without one, but Walburga would surely be furious, and in the Black household that would not end well. Regulus nodded silently. He waited patiently as Mr. Ollivander searched his options for one that might fit. He delicately pulled out a wand from his vast array. He beamed at Regulus and handed it to him.
“This, this has to be the one,” he said. Regulus waved it hesitantly and a puff of black smoke exploded from the tip, coating Mr. Ollivanders desk and clothes an ashy black, “Perhaps not,” he yanked the wand from Regulus’ hand and swiftly put it back in its box. He moved a few others around, and opened some drawers while mumbling about their qualities, “No, no, too long, Hawthorn?” He paused, sparing a glance at Regulus, studying him thoroughly, “Yes, it may be, yes,” for the second time he handed him the wand, repeating the same process they had followed last time.
Regulus grabbed the wand, and waved it. Nothing happened for a beat, or two, or three.
Mr. Ollivander observed closely before deciding that no, this wasn’t it. The next wand he offered to Regulus felt no different than the one before, and so he waved it no differently, expecting the same result, or something worse. Last time, the worst effect had been a not-so-small explosion near Mr. Ollivanders face that had singed the end of his hair, and eyebrows. Instead, when he waved it this time the point lit up, dispersing an even yellow glow.
“Ah, perfect, I think we’ve found it, quite the wand it is too,” he took the wand back, and packaged it for Regulus to take home, “Unicorn hair, 9.5 inches, and Pine wood, very rigid as well, not too bad.” He handed the box to Regulus. “You know what they say about being paired with pinewood Mr. Black?” Regulus only shook his head. “It means you’ll live a long life.” He smiled at Regulus.
“Thank you sir.” Regulus said. He admired his wand. it felt good in his hand, like he had found a missing piece of himself he didn’t know he’d been looking for.
“Is master Regulus Ready to leave now?” Kreacher spoke in his typical shrill voice.
“Yeah I think-” Before Regulus could finish his thought, someone violently crashed into him, making him tumble to the floor and making the perpetrator stumble forward slightly.
“What the hell? Watch where you’re going!” Regulus said. he looked up and saw the person that crashed into him, a tan boy with pale blonde hair.
“Have you thought that maybe you should watch where you’re going?” Despite that the shover still lent out his hand to help Regulus up. He eyed him for a moment before standing up by himself.
“You were the one that bumped into him, Evan” a girl with the same blonde hair and similar freckled, tan skin spoke up from behind him. They appeared to be twins. The boy shot her a dirty stare and Regulus sensed that they had been arguing well before he bumped into them.
“And why wasn’t I looking where I was going again? Oh Yeah, I remember now, I was busy telling you to not be a dumbass and bewitch all of our school supplies!” He yelled. Regulus was admittedly a little confused. It showed. The boy made an annoyed sound and looked at his sister.
“Would you care to enlighten the stranger?”
The girl breathed a deep sigh and began. “Okay, so I may have, perhaps…bewitched all of our school supplies to eat each other…” Though embarrassed she seemed vaguely pleased with herself.
Regulus was quite impressed that someone without much practice in magic had managed to do that, sure not the best outcome, but still something to be admired. Actually, everything about this girl should be admired. She was weird, but she knew that, and she owned it like it was a badge of honor, to her it was, like it should be to everyone. Regulus found himself smiling. When he looked back at them though, he was back to his expressionless face.
“I would think of that as an accomplishment, most people can’t do that without some practice.” It was the truth. The girl smiled proudly at her brother.
“See, he thinks I’m good with magic.” Her twin was about to say something, but was cut off as she kept talking, “What is your name? I don’t want to call you ‘the stranger.’”
“Regulus, Regulus Black.” He straightened his back as he said the family name, he could hear his mothers voice in the back of his head reminding him of what a proper Black was supposed to be. Back straight, head high, serious demeanor, polite, never too kind, and always have the perfect public image.
“Oh, a Black,” the boy says through a pained grin , “Our parents will be glad we’re mixing with the right people, don't you think, Panda?”
“Evan, where are your manners? Sorry about him, I’m Pandora Rosier.” she smiled at Regulus.
“And I'm Evan Rosier.” Evan grumbled. Regulus stared at the pair for a bit, gears turning in his head.
“Wait, I have met you guys before” Regulus exclaimed. “I’ve seen you at the reunions, for the sacred twenty-eight,“ Evan looked a little annoyed.
“what about it? Does that make us cooler to you or something? more noble?” Regulus looked confused.
“Do you not find it honorable? you’re of the purest of pure blood, that is something to take pride in.”
Evan opened his mouth to counter what he said, but Pandora quickly shoved him with her elbow and gestured towards Kreacher. Evan Understood and promptly shut his mouth.
“Of course we’re honored,” Pandora started, “there is no greater joy in life, am I right Evan?”
“Yeah…what she said.” he sighed and took Pandora by the wrist.
“Come on Panda, we better buy those school supplies while it's still bright out.” Evan walked away with no further notice, and Pandora stumbled after him, giving Regulus a small smile, and a shrug. Regulus stood there watching them go, and disappearing into the crowds of people.
“Master Regulus, we must make haste to find master Sirius soon, Mistress Walburga awaits your return at the Black Manor.” Kreacher waited for Regulus’ permission to begin leading him to the Quidditch store where Sirius and James were still looking at the brooms, and deciding which one was the best.
“Alright, let's go Kreacher.”
“James I’m telling you, that is not the best broom by a long shot, in my opinion-”
“Hey I think someone over there is trying to grab your attention,” Sirius turned to the entrance of the shop, and saw his little brother, Regulus, with their house elf clearly trying to call him over.
“Oh, what time is it? I think I have to go,” James looked at him disappointedly.
“Aw, just stay a bit longer? We haven't planned the prank yet!” He really, really, wanted to tell James that he would stay longer. He would’ve if Regulus wasn’t here with him, but it wasn’t just him who would get in trouble, and there was no way he would let that happen if it was in his power to stop it. Sirius mustered a fake laugh that was mostly believable.
“No, sorry James, we have to get home, Reggie would hate me if I made him wait, see you on the train tomorrow though?” James pressed no further. He smiled back and nodded.
“Sure, see you tomorrow Sirius,”
“Oh before I go, take this.” Sirius pulled out a handmade bracelet from his pocket. It consisted of red and yellow beads strung together on a white elastic. In the center of the bracelet was a golden snitch strung between the beads. It was beautiful. “I made it with Regulus.” He smiled widely at the memory.
It had been a warm afternoon about halfway through summer, their parents were out on some pure-blood business they didn’t specify, and Sirius had convinced Regulus to come stay at his room, promising that their parents wouldn’t find out. They sat there until early morning putting beads on threads, and talking about how great Hogwarts was gonna be when Regulus finally got to come with Sirius. How they’d get a break from their parents, and maybe wouldn’t have to go home for the Holidays. Sirius told Regulus all about Remus, and James, and the pranks they pulled every day of the week. He failed to mention all the times they got caught by McGonagall. Regulus asked interminable questions that Sirius pretended to know the answers to. They even listened to some of Sirius’ records that were hidden beneath the bed and charmed with a notice-me-not to better conceal them.
It was the highlight of the summer.
Sadly, the greatest moments must become memories, and that's what this would be in years to come. A memory stored in the back of Sirius’ mind, one he would not forget, and hoped Regulus’ wouldn’t either.
James opened his eyes wider, stunned at the gesture.
“What's this for?” he asked, but still kept an amused grin.
“I just thought it would be nice for all of us to have matching bracelets, that's all.”
“Sirius, I love it!” Sirius put his arm around James’ shoulder flamboyantly.
“Well, you know me,” he sighed jokingly, “Just absolutely amazing in every way.” The pair laughed, but it quickly died down once Kreacher started shooting them, shaming stares.
As the Black brothers left James was left alone to stare at the beautiful bracelet. He slipped it on and felt a smile tug at his lips once more. He had always been the one giving, and never the one receiving. It was nice to know what it felt like to be given a gift for a change.
It felt good.