Regulus (1)
Growing up as a pure-blood wizard is a gift for some; they enjoy some privileges that other wizards do not have. While for others, it is not easy as there are rules that they need to follow, and they do not have a choice but to follow the path their parents have set for them. But being a member of the Noble and Most Ancient of Black? It is not just easy. It is a curse. A family that believes in pure-blood supremacy that they even has the practice of marrying their cousins just to keep their blood pure. And for those who don't follow their rule? They can be erased from the family tree as quickly as snapping your fingers.
And lucky is Regulus as he was born not only as a Black but as a spare to the Blacks. This means that his every move was being overseen by his mother, Walburga, and his mother hates it when Regulus makes mistakes. One mistake may cost his life, so he makes sure to be the perfect spare that his parents need. Being Regulus Arcturus Black is not easy, but he survives because he has his older brother with him, Sirius.
Sirius, his older brother, was always there for him. It was Sirius who was holding his hands when he took his first step, the one who made him laugh, and the one who wiped his tears when he first cried. And Sirius was also there, sharing his punishments whenever he made mistakes. Regulus depended on Sirius so much that when Sirius went to Hogwarts, he couldn't sleep for months because he was accustomed to sleeping beside his brother.
When Sirius went to Hogwarts, that was the first time that he was punished alone, and the reason? He doesn't know. Later, he learned that he was punished because his brother was sorted to Gryffindor. The Blacks are proud to be Slytherins; their family members are always Slytherins. Some may be sorted to Ravenclaw but never to Gryffindor.
After that incident, his mother was more strict with Regulus. He underwent training to make him more Black. That's what their mother told him. And Regulus was okay with it; he could still do it, but what he hated the most was when he was forced to kill small animals, but in order to not get punished, he still did it. And the most heartbreaking thing he had to do was to kill the cat that he and Sirius had, Nebula. But he had to. He didn't want to, but he needed to. His mother was watching him; her wand was ready to shoot a spell if he fails.
After burying Nebula in secret, Regulus got sick for a month, he vomited and he had a fever. Luckily, Kreacher was there to nurse him so he wouldn't die.
And when Sirius came home, they had their very first fight. Sirius learned about what he had done to their cat, and instead of comforting Regulus, he yelled at him, telling him that Regulus was like their parents: cold, ruthless, and murderer. That's when Regulus realized that Sirius changed.
At first, Sirius would always tell Regulus stories about what had happened in Hogwarts, always boasting about his friends, especially the one called 'James Potter'. He was jealous at first, but Sirius promised him that when he entered Hogwarts, he would be part of their group. And Regulus anticipated for that day to come. But when Sirius yelled at him, Regulus knew that it would not happen anymore, that his Sirius was not there anymore. But he still believed that Sirius just yelled at him because of what he did and the stress he gets from their parents. So he apologizes and promises Sirius he will not turn like their parents.
And when he was sorted to Slytherin, relief flooded over him because he wouldn't get punished by his mother. But he was hurt when disappointed was all he could see in Sirius face, and he never got to meet his brother's friends. Sirius acted like Regulus didn't exist. And Sirius proceeded to announce to everyone at the Great Hall that James Potter was his chosen brother.
Regulus cried that night, and he couldn't believe that he was replaced and that he was crying like a kid. But his friends, Evan, Barty, Dorcas, and Pandora, were there to comfort him.
He tried reaching out to Sirius, but he failed. Sirius ignored him and cursed at him. So, he stopped reaching to Sirius at Hogwarts.
And then Sirius ran away from their home. Sirius got into an argument with their mother, and then he ran away. He didn't ask Regulus to come with him, and Sirius also never looked back. And that day, Regulus almost died. Their mother took all her anger to Regulus, and even if Regulus was shielding himself with spells, her mother was still stronger. She took his wand and punished him until he was bloody and almost not breathing. Luckily, Kreacher was there again to nurse him.
When Pandora learned what happened, she cried for Regulus, and she nearly went to Sirius to knock some sense in him, but Regulus stopped her.
And a year later, James Potter, who always ran after and followed Lily Evans everywhere, began noticing Regulus Black. And Regulus hated James for stealing his older brother, but James was persistent in talking and following Regulus. Soon after, they started a secret relationship. He wasn't ready for everyone to know that he was into blokes, and he was afraid of what his mother would do to James.
Being with James, Regulus was happy. For the first time, he laughed like when he was with Sirius. Their secret meetings in the Astronomy Tower were the ones that Regulus always looked forward to, and their secret glances at the great hall were enough to make Regulus' face go red.
When Pandora learned about their relationship, she was against it because she believed that Regulus shouldn't be kept as a secret. She was afraid of what would happen to Regulus once Walburga learned about this. But when she saw how happy Regulus was after his midnight date with James, she helped Regulus keep his secret.
But Regulus' happiness didn't last long when Sirius learned about his relationship with James. Sirius got angry, and they fought until James intervened. Then Sirius made James choose, and Regulus knew that James would always choose Sirius, but he still hoped that he would be chosen this time. But of course, James chose Sirius, and so their relationship ended just like that.
And after a week, he was summoned to their house, and there he was punished. His mother learned about his relationship with James, and his mother was so angry at him for being a disgrace to their family and for having a relationship with a Potter. That was the third time he almost died, but he was once again saved by Kreacher.
A month later, Regulus was engaged to Pandora, his best friend, who promised that she would choose Regulus over and over again.
Regulus knows that it is selfish for him to keep Pandora, especially since Pandora has a mutual understanding with Lovegood at that time. But Regulus was tired of fighting. He was so tired of fighting and losing and crying and getting his heart broken so many times. He was so tired of living. So, he just goes with the flow.
He was tired, but Pandora was there for him. She loved Regulus more than Sirius loved him. More than how James had loved him, if James ever loved him. Actually, after breaking up with James, getting punished for a week, and nearly losing his life, Regulus' mind was not working right. He is not in the right state. Kreacher said that it was called depression in muggles words. But Regulus can't find help because his mother restricts him from leaving his room.
It was Pandora who made him speak again, and Regulus' life depended on Pandora at that time. And Regulus was thankful for Pandora. She makes sure that Regulus is breathing. Their engagement was Regulus' only reason to continue living because he didn't want Pandora to cry because of him.
When Regulus went back to Hogwarts, Pandora was always by his side. He heard what Pandora was doing to keep people from talking to Regulus, and Regulus bathed at Pandora's attention. It was selfish, he knew, but it's the first time someone was there to fight for him, so forgive him for loving it. He knows that their engagement will end because he wants Pandora to end with Lovegood, and he doesn't wish Pandora to sacrifice her life for him. But let him enjoy it while he has it.
Regulus knows too that Sirius and James are following him around, but they never talk to him, which he is thankful for because he isn't ready yet to speak to them, and he'll never be ready. In fact, he doesn't want to see them again and have a connection to them. Thank goodness Barty and Evan was always with him. Again, Regulus was thankful and lucky that he had his friends with him all the time.
Regulus was now walking to the library, alone this time because Professor McGonagall called Barty and Evan. And he needs to meet Pandora at the library for their essay in herbology that is due next week. He was rushing not to make Pandora wait any longer, but he was walking so fast that he didn't realize that someone was following him, and the next moment, he was being locked into an empty classroom.
"Fuck it!" Regulus cursed as he stood up, and he cursed again when the door didn't open. His wand is not with him. Pandora has it because he has episodes of self-harm, and Pandora is worried for him. Regulus knows how to use wandless magic, so he doesn't really care that his wand is not with him.
He was ready to mutter the spell to open the door when someone covered his mouth using their hand.
And panic flooded his system when he smelled that person's perfume.
James Potter!
And Regulus knows that they're not the only ones locked in that room.