Best Friend
“Sit.”
James was directed to a little nook in the kitchens he hadnt known existed and did as he was told. He watched as house-elves suddenly surrounded the boy who smiled softly at them before asking for a few coffees and pastries.
The ones who didn’t dash off were doting on Regulus who seemed to keep up with their multitude of questions. James was too busy watching Regulus shed his robes, leaving the boy in slacks and a plain white shirt, to fully comprehend one of the elves scolding the boy.
“Master Regulus needs to be more careful! Millie will bring stubborn Master Regulus some healing soap.” The little elf who seemed to be at her wits end huffed before grabbing the robes and disappearing. Regulus sighed before spotting him as he grinned.
“Stop staring before I gouge your eyes out.” Regulus scowled as he sat opposite James who smiled unabashed.
“Are you always so mean?”
“Are you always so stupid?” Regulus mocked, making James’ grin widen. How could he not when the real Regulus Black came out to play. Gone was the marble mask he knew the Blacks perfected. Here was the Regulus Black James rarely managed to glimpse from his peripherals. The sweet yet sarcastic little shit Sirius used to describe him as.
“Only when it comes to you darling Reggie.”
“Don’t call me that Potter.” Regulus rolled his eyes but James could see the slight twitch of his lips. Two of the elves choose then to bring out the tea plates and fuss over Regulus some more. “Thank you both, Lacey and Tipsy we’re fine for now but could you do me a favour and check in on my friends? Make sure they’ve gotten to the common room alright?”
“Oh anything for the lovely Master Regulus and his friends!” Tipsy smiled and hugged Regulus who patted her head. “We’ll make sure Master Barty and Mistress Cas stay away from trouble!”
Regulus snorted as they popped away, making James’ eyes widen at the familiarity, dually ignoring their last statement. But before he could say anything Regulus turned his ever so startling grey eyes to him as if he could see the very bits of James’ soul he hid. After a moment Regulus spoke.
“What do you want, Potter?”
And it was his turn to watch the other incredulously, “To check in.”
Regulus blinked at him and cocked his head to the side examining him, as if weighing if he was worth his very presence. “Why?”
And that simple word shook James out of his amusement. ‘why’ regulus asked as if his face didn’t bear the brunt of his mother’s insanity. ‘why’ Regulus asked as if James didn’t drive himself spare for half the summer wondering if the missing boy was safe. But James knew how that house haunted its inhabitants. He’d been woken one too many times by Sirius screaming from a nightmare.
He knew from Sirius that Regulus was always the one hesitant to trust, the planner, which was why when he showed up at his house James knew that Regulus trusted him enough to take care of his brother even if he didn’t necessarily like James. That and the fact that hours prior both Moony and Pads told him about what happened in potions and Godric did that make James angry all over again.
“Why?! Regulus you bloody show up on the platform because your bitch of a mother carved you up. Just today fucking Snape and Mulciber practically outed you. Not only that but we have an unbreakable vow tying us together after you pushed your comatose brother through the floo and you’re wondering why I'm worried?!”
Oh.
Regulus had to admit, he’d never expect James Potter to actually be worried about him, the supposed evil younger brother of his best friend. But then again, if Potter was a star he’d be the sun, continuously burning himself to keep everyone around him warm and full of life.
“At least I’m not dead this time.” Slipped past his lips before Regulus could truly formulate a proper response to the other boy’s heartfelt tirade. Perhaps he was still a little bit sloshed off the excess magic.
“What. The. Fuck!?” Potter’s alarmingly high pitched voice was joined by Remus Lupin’s distressed one. Lupin, who had just entered the kitchens looked utterly baffled as his eyes snapped to them.
Choosing to ignore their befuddlement Regulus rolled on as if he hadn’t had a momentary lapse in judgement, “It’s fatuous to dwell on that now. I’m out of that house and alive with my wealth intact which is truly the blessing of a well thought out plan. And no need to worry about Snape and Mulciber. It’s taken care of.”
“Oh and Lupin, you’re free to join us. We have chocolate eclairs to satiate your appetite.”
Reg smirked as Lupin promptly sat himself next to Potter who looked ready to throttle him. Not that he was opposed to kinky sex, quite the contrary really, but he’d rather not desecrate the elves' sacred space lest they start hiding his shoes like they did to Barty a few years ago.
“You’re a bit fucking mental Regulus Black.” Lupin commented after a few seconds of silence among the three of them.
“I’ve been told the best people are.” Funnily enough it wasn’t Pandora who’d told him such but Evan who’d whispered it to him all those years ago when they first met.
“You do know that you practically admitted that you’re gay and disowned.”
“So I am.”
“You do know that the Slytherins will eat you alive for that.”
Regulus simply hummed, leaning back in his chair as he surveyed the wolf, “Let me worry about what my snakes do and do not do. No need to concern yourself about my house’s matters.”
It was a moment more of silence where Regulus sipped his coffee and waited for the two to ask him what they sought him out for. He knew that Lupin was aware of the vow between him and Potter. He had to take that risk for the safety of Sirius which Lupin was clearly aware of by the way the wolf was looking at him then.
“You know. About me that is. What I am.” Lupin hummed as he studied Regulus the same as Regulus studied him. “You’re the reason Sirius didn’t get expelled in fifth year.”
He could feel Potter's eyes on him as he stared at Lupin with a slight smirk, “I’m the reason you all didn’t get expelled or arrested actually. Well both Minnie and I.”
“Minnie?”
“Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress, Professor of transfiguration. Ring any bells?” Regulus was almost sure he’d given Lupin a heart attack until he blinked. “What? You think only your lot are familiar with her? She has her whiskers in half the school’s business.”
“And you’re familiar with her because…”
“None of your business.”
Potter and Lupin chanced a glance at each other as Regulus took another sip of his coffee. “You have five more minutes to waste my time before one of my self appointed keepers comes to collect me.”
That gave them pause, making them turn to face Regulus as he began eating a croissant.
“Why did you bring Sirius to the Potters but swore James to secrecy?” Lupin peered at him curiously as if his answer could possibly be world ending.
Setting his cup down he debated on how much of the truth was worth telling them. In the end Regulus chose a simple truth as he would rather have them cooperative than distrusting when the time came that Walburga would eventually try something stupid like reinstating the rightful heir.
“He was already going to leave that night…” He paused as the words settled around them, slightly rolling up his sleeves in the process. “Wally caught him just before he could escape. He waited until we were all in bed before he tried to leave but he failed to realise that our dearest mother was up having tea as she did every night after his second year.”
“After first year he spent more time with the Potters than he did at Grimmauld so he didn’t know her habits like I did. I already knew he was going to leave yet I stupidly believed that he’d tell me at least. But he didn’t and she ended up cursing him. I countered the dark magic she cursed him with and got him out when she left.”
By Merlin he remembered that night. It was forever etched into the crevices of his memories. But he would not think of that now when his mind and body were still in repair. He would not let the sorrow in their eyes affect him, he did not need his brother’s darling friends’ pity. This time Potter was the one to break the pensive air, “And the unbreakable vow?”
Regulus sighed and rolled his eyes as if the answer was obvious, “You would’ve done something incredibly stupid like try to save me. I saw it in your eyes the moment you saw the state Sirius was in. I had plans, Potter. Since the day I found out he was sorted into Gryffindor I had contingency plans and not even your inane need to save people would get in the way. I made it out with far more than Sirius or anyone else disowned from the family got.”
“She tortured you Regulus.” His voice was hard and if Regulus wasn’t versed in his stoic demeanour he would’ve flinched. James Potter was angry again and on his behalf at that.
“All in a day in the Ancient and Most Noble house of Black.” He deadpanned, his smile reminiscent of Barty’s sarcastic one. But before they could ask anything more a familiar voice called out to him.
“Starlight.” Evan drawled as he entered the kitchens. Right then. It looked like Regulus’ time was up. “I’ve come to whisk you away from your date with Potter.”
Regulus wasn’t too sure if it was the trick of the light, his still simmering anger or the fact that Regulus would rather lie to himself than admit that James Potter was blushing but he quickly diverted his eyes to Evan who was suddenly by his side and peering curiously at Lupin.
“Oh you slag! Shagging Sirius’ boyfriend are we? How scandalous.” Evan fluttered his lashes at Regulus who scowled. Barty was corrupting the boy.
“You were nicer before you started shagging Barty.”
“So were you but here we are, both corrupted. Actually… that’s a lie. You were always a cunt.”
Potter began to choke on something making Regulus turn to face him as Lupin patted his back amused.
“And that’s my cue to leave.”
But before he could get up Potter grabbed his wrist, “Just one more question.” And then as if it were an afterthought, “Please.”
Regulus quirked a brow before snatching his hand back and motioning for him to continue.
“Would you talk to him and tell him?”
“No.” Both Regulus and Ev said at the same time, making him groan. “And no I’m not expanding on that.”
“I’d say it was nice seeing you two but I’d rather not lie on a night like this.” Ev muttered, grabbing Regulus and guiding him out of the kitchen, waving at the remaining elves as they went.
“He misses you, you know!” Was the last thing Regulus heard before the portrait slammed shut.
—
“No.”
“Yes!”
“No.”
“Yes!”
“Witch, I am not having a threesome with you just because you think I’m pretty.” Regulus huffed out, plucking Ev’s sunglasses off his head to put them on. Whoever told them to get sloshed the night before a Hogsmeade weekend was an utter twat. That being said, Barty had decided firewhiskey was a great way to end their week.
It was not.
However the current problem for Reg wasn’t the Sun peaking through the morose sky but rather Marlene, Dorcas’ girlfriend who he found spent way too much time with them.
“But Reg, it would be so fun! Give me one good reason we shouldn’t.”
“You’re lesbian and I’m rather fond of cock.” He deadpanned before trying to walk away from the girl who felt like it was her duty to make him question his very existence. Unfortunately for him it was of no use.
“And here I was hoping to convert you.” The menace sighed and flung her arm over Regulus much like Dorcas does and grinned at Dora who was giggling next to Barty and Ev. Traitors, the lot of them.
They had just done shopping at Honeydukes, stopping at Zonkos for Barty and Ev and then Scrivenshaft’s for Regulus to pick up and order. Cas had just wandered off somewhere when Marlene came to bother them. It was only when they rounded a corner leading to The Three Broomsticks that he spotted Cas with the other Gryfinndor girls, meaning Lily Evans and Mary McDonald.
“Cas. Please take your heathen of a girlfriend away from me.” Regulus huffed and practically pushed Marls into Cas who just grinned at them. The girl in question cackled and kissed her girlfriend before she tried to grab onto Regulus again who moved to stand behind an outrightly laughing Pandora.
“Come now lover, let’s stop tormenting Reg when he’s grumpy. You can objectify him later.” Cas hummed making Regulus scowl before introducing her girlfriend’s friends to them as if they didn’t attend the same school which Ev pointed out only for Dora to slap him upside the head for being rude.
“Are we still going to the Hog’s Head?” Ev asked as Marls and her girls went into The Three Broomsticks.
“Sure. I just have to pick up another package from the post before I go.” Reg untangled himself from his friends as they made their way to the seemingly seedy pub
“We’ll wait right here for you, starlight.” Barty patted him on the head and smiled as if he were talking to a child.
“I will feed you to the acromantula in the Forbidden Forest.” Reg bit out as he shoved the boys hands away from him, “Also I am not a child. I will not get abducted in the middle of a wizarding village. Walburga is insane, not stupid.”
Cas placed her hand on his shoulder and squeezed, “We just want you safe Reggie darling so we’ll stay right here just in case any creepy crawlers want to abduct you."
“I have bloody magical tattoos that can protect me, I have survived my deranged mother yet can’t go to the post office alone. My life is truly tragic.” Regulus muttered to himself as he crossed the street to the post office.
And it was just as he thought. A quick trip that lasted no longer than three minutes and nothing outwardly had happened. That is until he was heading back to them and almost bumped into Potter who was leaving The Three Broomsticks with his friends in tow.
“Hey Reggie!” Potter grinned and waved as if they were long lost friends after one conversation Regulus thought went nowhere for them.
If he ignored them perhaps they’d forget he existed.
No such luck for Regulus Black it seemed as he turned only to be faced with Sirius.
“Reg!” Sirius called out to him, making him curse under his breath. There goes walking by without being noticed. “Wait!”
And for a moment he hesitated but that was all Sirius needed to grab his arm. He could see Potter, Lupin and Pettigrew standing just a hair’s length behind him.
Reg looked at Sirius then. With a fag between his fingers and his leather jacket thrown on without a care, he could almost admire his devil-may-care look. Regulus could truly appreciate his growthsput then as he slightly towered over Sirius. He wasn’t as tall as Barty but he and Evan were on par now.
“May I help you?” Regulus quirked a brow and lightly took his arm out of Sirius’ grip.
The boy in question winced before opening his mouth then closing it only to open it again and groan out a strangled “We need to talk.”
“Is that not what we're doing?” Reg deadpanned. He knew he was being an intolerant little shit but who could blame him.
“I mean in private you twat.”
And Regulus really looked at him then. There were dark circles around his eyes and his lips were chapped which for anyone else might be normal but not for one Sirius Black whose physical image was everything to him, especially those little things. But Regulus didn’t know if he was ready. He didn’t know if he’d ever be ready to open himself up to getting hurt again.
“No.”
Regulus made a move to leave but Sirius unfortunately stepped in front of him again. “Wait! I just, please Reg.”
And by the muggle Gods above he was going to regret it later when Barty and Cas threaten to murder Sirius or when Evan consults one of their cursed books from the Black library and plans his slow demise. He’d hate himself later when they’re all in Ev’s bed for that night. But for now, he’d take a chance, perhaps Lupin was right and Sirius missed him…
“Fine.”
“Fine!?”
“Yes. Fine. Now would you move?” He could see Potter try to smother a laugh at the mere disbelief on Sirius’ face. Even Pettigrew looked like he was shocked Regulus agreed which was fair since even Regulus was shocked.
“Hurrying off to your girlfriend then? The blonde?” Sirius’ face was now carefully blank as he nodded to Dora who was briskly walking towards them. Merlin’s bloody ball sack did he already forget that Regulus admitted to being gay or did he just not believe it?
The words however, left his lips before he could temper them.
“Sister.”
“What?”
Regulus would not dare to think of the utter befuddlement in his Sirius’ voice nor the look of betrayal that flashed across his face. He had no right. Sirius was the one claiming new brothers before he lost his own.
“She’s not my girlfriend Sirius, she’s my sister.”
And he meant it. Pandora meant more to him than anyone else in existence. He’d forever be grateful for meeting her. She was as much of a family to him as Ev, Cas and Barty were. If there was a time that Regulus ever believed in divination he’d say that his soul and hers were always meant to be together even if their love wasn’t romantic of any sort, it didn’t negate its intensity.
An excited squeal echoed behind him making him turn to see a grinning Dora who ran over to capture him in one of her soul altering hugs or so Cas deemed them. Dragging him away from the Marauders, she pulled him to his own little group who wrapped themselves around him. He felt the arms of Evan and Dorcas wind around him and Dora. Barty was the last to join, effectively jumping on them making them all topple over.
“Merlin starlight! You’re the sweetest little thing to exist aren’t you.” And if Regulus could’ve hexed Barty he would’ve. Unfortunately for him, his wand arm was trapped under Dora who understood him well enough and resolutely did not move.
“One day Bartemius, just you wait.”
He felt Sirius’ eyes on him, unwavering until he entered the dingy wizards pub that, as horrible as it seemed on the outside, was truly a treasure minus of course the slight smell of mould and drunken elder wizards grumbling like sailors out at sea.
They crowded their usual table in the corner as Aberfoth, the disgruntled owner, slammed a tray of their usual down onto the rickety old table and left.
“Fuck me.”