Chapter 2
“Crucio!”
Regulus isn’t sure what exactly gave rise to the current torture session. He doesn’t remember what exactly set his Mother off this time around. All he knows is pain. Hot, flashing, unbearable pain. Cries of pure anguish fall from his lips. There’s no room for anything else. There’s no room for breathing. Not until…
“Regulus!”
In a mere second he’s upright, heart almost beating out of his chest, disoriented. When he glances around the room, there’s stuff everywhere. Books on the floor, shattered frames all around. He can still feel the buzz of his own magic going haywire. It takes him a second to realise where he is.
“Hey! Hey, you’re okay… Regulus, you’re okay.”
Regulus’ knuckles are white from clutching at the sheets. His breathing is ragged. James Potter is seated on the edge of his bed, still in his pyjamas and his hair a tousled mess. He catches a glimpse of his brother, standing in the doorway, looking like he’s going to be sick. Regulus can relate.
He doesn’t know there’s a sob stuck in the back of his throat until it inevitably comes out. James’ face does something complicated, and in no time he’s pulled him into a tight embrace.
“Let it all out, yeah?” He says softly. “I’ve got you. You’re safe here.”
And so Regulus does. He cries quietly as James holds him, until the exhaustion catches up with him and he no longer has any tears left to cry.
After that, he’s calm. James’ arms around his back, the comforting words he whispers into his ear… It grounds him. And by the time Regulus is almost passed out against his shoulder, he finds himself being tucked in. A gentle brush of fingers pushing his hair out of his eyes.
That’s how he falls asleep; knowing that in the morning, James won’t mention it at all. He’s decided that no one can blame him for falling.