Freefall
Regulus Black was half drunk and starkers in the middle of the Black Lake floating beside one Pandora Lovegood.
Barty and Dorcas were not far off, bickering as they do about the baby kelpies that surrounded them. Evan of course was half monitoring them, half playing with the kelpies.
It was just past midnight or so the moon reflected from its alignment. A bone deep peace settled over the five of them basking in the lasting warmth as September settled its roots.
Regulus didn’t need his buoyancy spell then as prior swimming lessons paid off, even if Barty poked fun at him for never telling them of his slight inability. But back then, Black Lake trips were a need after a horrible day, back when he needed every escape he could possibly manage. It wasn’t a thought to learn how to swim but rather how to survive the next day with mothers who’d sell your soul to the highest bidder and fathers whose touch was as poisonous as a basilisk’s venom.
But they were here and he was thankful.
The Giant Squid whose name Pandora stated was Lachlan, – Dora simply knows things and it's better to not question her ‘knowing’ as we’ve taken to calling it – lingered near them eating the fish platters they brought for him.
If a Squid could hum, Lachlan would practically be singing with enjoyment.
It was nights like this Regulus missed the most whenever he left Hogwarts to stay at Grimmauld Place. The simple sense of existing with people just as fucked as he was, even if they were all naked in the middle of a lake with carnivorous creatures.
They had all stayed coiled up in the snake’s pit since they arrived, only leaving for the kitchens now and again.
The first day back at Hogwarts went better than Regulus expected, not that he expected much to begin with. Some snakes were bold enough to loudly comment on his absence from his family’s gallas. Others simply picked apart his appearance from the sidelines. The few that dared to approach him were swiftly reminded that he was still an heir of the House of Black. He was, as much as he despised the name, the Ice Prince of Slytherin.
None of their year or above bothered to comment as of yet unfortunately. They simply waited for more information before they could strike. They all knew it was coming. The Blacks had a strict hold on their heirs, appearance was everything and for Regulus to show up in muggle attire, looking less than perfect was practically treason.
Not that half the purebloods would even recognise muggle clothing.
He was broken out of his thoughts by a nudge from Pandora whose head was suddenly next to his, floating parallel to him. Her hands waved before them, her bracelets clinking as she began one of her tales.
“The planets will forever circle one another and never collide, the universe will stay filled with wrackspurts that resemble stars yet never burn, that is, unless one goes rogue.” Dora whispered as if she were unfolding a secret, her eyes holding a gentle fondness that reached the curve of her lips.
Reg closed his eyes and breathed in the smell of moss and lingering rain from that morning. “What if the rogue is forgotten?” His eyes stayed closed yet he could feel Pandora’s smile.
“You are not Pluto.”
For such a simple statement, it felt like the ending of war, or perhaps it was the conviction in Dora’s voice that he believed her. And when Regulus opened his eyes the stars twinkled down at him.
He would be fine.
“Firewhiskey, anyone?” Cas, Ev and Barty were suddenly near them as if sensing the change in mood, two bottles of Ogden's finest grasped in hand.
And suddenly they were all side by side getting even more sloshed and absolutely drunk off their arse. Cas had her arms wrapped around Reg’s neck, close to suffocating him while Dora was clinging on to Evan’s back as he and Barty…Merlin only knows what he and Barty were doing.
It would be just his luck that his brother and his friends would stumble upon them. Literally.
Fuck everything being fine then.
—
As Headboy, James Potter had responsibilities and he couldn’t be caught doing things like being out after hours with the rest of the marauders. Which was why he chose that night to patrol with Remus, Sirius under his invisibility cloak and Peter in animagus form just ahead of them.
They had just come back from implementing their first prank of the term when James bumped into an invisible force.
“What the fuck Pads?”
“Look.” with that his face was yanked to the side in the direction of the Black Lake. Before he could truly make out who was out there this late, Sirius threw off the cloak and sprinted.
“Fucking bloody hell,” Remus groaned his eyes far better than James’ with the wolf’s sight. “Regulus and his friends are out there.”
“Shit.”
“Come on then, let's go stop him from making things worse.”
With that they rushed towards the lake just in time to see a shocked Sirius stumble into a tree.
And well, if you were to ask James, the sight in front of him was too surreal not to laugh.
Peter, who had just caught up to them burst out laughing while Remus simply snorted in amusement before going over to help his boyfriend who still seemed stunned.
“But you can't swim.”
It was with that, that James finally paid attention to the bodies in the water and Gods he wished he could burn that scene into his memory.
Regulus Black was in the Black Lake, soaking wet with the meanest of smirks on his face. And by Merlin if James wasn’t besotted before, he was utterly fucked now. Of course if James were to truly look at the boy he would see the slightest flicker of unease in his grey eyes. However it didn’t go completely unnoticed as Remus caught his eyes.
“He learned.”
And suddenly their eyes flickered to Barty Crouch Jr. who was suddenly striding out of the water towards them only to be stopped by Dorcas Meadows who James somehow missed was hanging off of Regulus.
“You’re not fighting anyone drunk and naked you cunt.”
“Who said anything about fighting?” Crouch grinned and sank back into the water next to Regulus.
“You’re all naked?” Peter startled next to him.
“Why? You want to join us, Pettigrew?” Crouch smirked and winked at Peter who snorted.
“Merlin no! But its fucking September in Scottland for fucks sake!”
The group in front of them broke into laughter. Regulus, the ever Ice Prince as some had deemed him, chuckled with unrestrained laughter. He looked ethereal in the moonlight.
And he was naked. It seems the Gods decided to bless James that night. Fuck, the things he would give, the things he would do. The most he could see was the outline of a tattoo on his collarbone where droplets of water slid down the expanse of his neck and crashed.
Remus elbowed him, pointedly breaking him out of his staring. With an apologetic smile, James locked eyes with Regulus for the tiniest of moments before the boy was pulled behind Dorcas.
“ Wait, but Dorcas, aren’t you and Marlene together? Wouldn’t she mind you being naked in, well, here?” Peter groaned out, rubbing a hand behind his head.
“Nah she doesn’t mind. She joined us once last year, couldn’t get enough of our Reggie here.” the darker girl slightly slurred but grinned at the younger boy who scowled and splashed her.
“I'm not having a fucking threesome so your girlfriend can see if she still hates men.”
“Awww but darling…”
“What the fuck?!” Sirius, who looked inches from an existential crisis, broke them out of their bickering. James himself wasn’t far off from the edge as he began to choke on his spit and oh, poor Peter who looked as red as their tie patted his back to help.
“Right then, how may we help you fine gentlemen on a night like this?” Evan Rosier chimed in, highly amused.
And Remus, bless his soul, answered for them. “You’re out past curfew even if three of you are prefects.”
That seemed to take them aback, a quick conversation seemed to pass through their eyes that only he and Remus seemed to see as they were both staring at the younger Black brother..
“Am I still prefect Lupin?” Regulus quirked an eyebrow, the scar on his face glistening white as he ran a wet hand across his face.
This time it was James who answered, “Your name was on the list Min- I mean Professor McGonagall gave me.”
“I told you she’d come through!” Pandora Lovegood who James somehow also now noticed giggled as she beamed at her friends.
“She always does, doesn’t she.”
There was a strange fondness to the statement, a strange assurance coming from someone who was in Slytherin and with a glance at Remus, the thought was mutual.
“What does that even mean Regulus?” Sirius practically growled out. His frustrations creeped into his tone making James wince. “One minute you’re Wallburga’s perfect son, hanging onto her every word then the other Uncle Alphard had to be the one to tell me my own brother ran away after Wally accused me of kidnaping you and now you’ve shown up with that fucking scar and making vague comments. So what the fuck Regulus?!”
James watched as Regulus rose from the lake and stalked towards Sirius. He watched as the boy outstretched his hand and summoned a towel he wrapped around his waist. He watched as the boy slightly towered over Sirius, a growth spurt from that summer apparently.
Merlin was this a bad time to be fawning over Regulus Black’s arse. Fuck, it was an even worse time to imagine running his tongue along his spine tattoo.
They all watched as Regulus’ lip curled and no louder than a whisper was his voice heard, void of any fondness or tipsiness, “But I'm not your brother Sirius. Isn't that what you told me when I was sorted? ‘You’re not my brother’ ”
Sirius was about to respond when Regulus closed his fist just beside his head, not a sound left the eldest Black’s mouth after that. James felt his feet move before he truly realised it but Peter and Remus gripped his arm and shook their heads. This wasn’t their fight.
At the corner of his eye he watched as Regulus’ friends got out of the water and stood in a line near the edge of the lake, watching and waiting.
“You haven’t been my family for a long time, Sirius Black. And I haven’t been yours for longer. Do not pretend you care just because the Potters showed some concern. Now I’m going to leave before I do something I regret, or worse let them have at you.”
With that, the Lovegood girl was suddenly near Regulus gently pulling him back and seeming to hand him off to Crouch and Dorcas.
“No murder Dora.”
“You’re no fun sometimes, starlight.”
The girl grinned, pushing her almost white hair from her face. With a nod to the girl, Regulus then caught James’ eye before heading back to the castle, staying just by the doors, watching them.
Her and Rosier were the only ones left with them and as the slight girl grabbed Sirius, they tried to get to her but were blocked by an invisible barrier of sorts.
“You won’t get through that unless he lets you,” Rosier nodded towards the castle doors, “It’s more for her safety than anything.”
Then as if to ease their worries the girl chimed in, “I won’t actually kill him, the planets aren’t yet aligned for that. Perhaps in December, but we shall see.”
“Now, listen to me well Sirius Orion Black. The Regulus Black you remember from your childhood is dead. The one you created in your mind to ease your guilt practically never existed until he did. You are not entitled to be a part of his life. Tell me Sirius do you know his favourite colour? Food? Star? You do not. Yet he knows. He knows the things about you you’re too afraid to admit. And what he knows, we know.”
“That is not a threat Black. It is a warning. If we even see you breathe in his direction with an ounce of bad intent we will make Wallburga at her worst look like a fairytale. And that is a promise.”
Suddenly she was in front of the remaining marauders all smiley and bubbly as she was before, “Reality needs to hit him hard, he still acts like a child which is most likely that vile woman’s fault. After all, look what his childishness did to you. But you needn’t worry. He took care of it.”
With a pat on the cheek for Remus she nodded at Peter before turning to whisper at James, “His thighs are that toned from Quidditch by the way. I'm sure he’d take you for a ride if you asked.”
With that she left a blushing James and bemused Remus who went to Sirius’ side soon after.
“Well, wasn't that fun.” Leave it to Peter to be the one to break the tension.
—
“It’s too fucking early for this.” Regulus groaned with his head on Dora’s shoulder as Evan and Barty complained about the fucking bread of all things. The sunglasses he nicked from Ev was perched on his nose as Dora filled his plate.
“Rise and Shine tossers, your saviour is here.” Cas tossed a bag of vials onto the table before plopping down on the other side of him.
“God bless.”
The muggle saying rolled off his tongue easily enough, making Cas grin and look him up and down whistling, “Look at you Regulus Black, dripping sex appeal with your sunglasses and silk shirts. If only I wasn’t lesbian…”
She sighed into him before jumping up and with a quick kiss to their cheeks she was off to the Gryffindor table where her girlfriend just arrived.
“One day she’ll end up snapping her neck to look at Marlene.” Ev muttered, gulping down the hangover potion.
“You say it like she won’t love it.” Barty snorted, glancing behind him where the two girls were already snogging. “And that’s why I'm gay.”
“And here I thought I was the one to turn you.” Ev sighed out rather dramatically.
“Nah that was Reg.”
“What am I? A bloody vampire?”
The two boys looked at each other and grinned back at him, “Yes. You bite.”
“And you’re pale enough.” Dora joined in with a sip of her pumpkin juice.
Rather aghast Regulus threw scones at them, “I’m friends with inane plebeians.”
“We love you too.” The three offenders simply cackled at him but before he could curse them a note slithered into his bowl.
‘Mr. Black, do see me in class ten minutes before it begins. ~ M.M’
Looking towards the head table he inclined his head in acknowledgement before passing the note to Dora who passed it to Ev and Barty.
“Let’s go then.”
—
Minerva McGonagall took in many of her cubs over her lifetime. She had seen both the good and the bad. She had helped them both. Regulus Black was the first snake to come to her but then again he never asked for help for himself but for his brother.
She advised him over the years, kept him in the know about his brother’s latest accomplishments even if they landed him in detention.
Regulus grew to appreciate the older woman’s sharp tongue and sense of justice, even the brashness of her anger was refreshing. She was one of the only adults in his life or rather their lives that stood in their corner.
He had only asked for her help on happenstance, a query about the subject turned to a query about his brother as she seemed fond of him, not that she’d admit it then, so he did as one does and weighed his consequences. The scale still weighed in his favour hence he took a chance and warned her of the things Sirius would endure being a Gryffindor in a dark house.
He asked for help and she agreed with stipulations.
She made him have tea with her.
Every Sunday, just the two of them for the longest time the had tea until he learnt to trust Pandora and after that, Ev and Barty, so they joined. It was a year after they joined that Cas came.
They all needed someone to see them and she did.
They would forever be grateful.
The doors to the classroom swung open with a flourish of a hand. Regulus strolled in with the others in tow.
“Miss Lovegood, Mr. Rosier, Mr. Crouch do get off my desk, Mr. Black. I hope you are all well.”
With the faintest of smiles Regulus dropped his stoic composure. They all relaxed in the Professor’s presence.
“We are, no wrackspurts or nargles near.” Dora grinned, seating herself next to Regulus on a desk.
“Ah, right then, I do think this should be returned. I did try to owl it but for the strangest reason the owls got confused and returned minutes later.” She quirked an eyebrow at the group before her, peering at them over her spectacles, “But then again I do have brilliant students who are rather capable of hiding when need be.”
Regulus grasped the prefect’s badge as it floated over to him, turning it over in his hand as he examined the emerald and silver design, “ How did you manage to get it back? I thought Snape and Mulciber were adamant on my punishment being as good as death?”
Minerva’s lips tilted up slightly, clearing her throat, “The board of governors were rather perturbed that such a promising student was being denied his earnings for a little skirmish.”
“That and Edmund Burke would rather not have his dirty knickers aired out to The Prophet.”
Regulus snorted in amusement, his lips twisting into a smirk as Barty cackled like a madman and Dora giggled. Evan, as used to Minerva as they were, was still shocked by her ruthless nature.
A knock suddenly sounded by the door breaking up their little meeting
“To your classes then.”
With that, the doors opened just as they jumped off the desks, a voice he knew all to well echoing through the filling room, “Minnie, our dearest, bestest, most favourite professor in the world, you’d never guess—”
“Mr. Black.” Minerva cut him off, “Mr. Lupin, Mr. Pettigrew, Mr Potter.”
“What are -”
“We shall see you in class Professor, thank you.” Regulus interrupted before he could finish but before he could leave Minerva’s voice caught him.
“Oh and Mr. Black…” Minerva floated another piece of paper towards him, “Congratulations seem to be in order.”
And with that he flashed her a grin, leaving with a simple “Thank you.”