Chapter 4
It was actually going somewhat well. Regulus avoided everyone, not just his brother, and stayed holed up in his room more than he did not. He took small portions of food during mealtimes, when Sirius would drag him out of the room, and then would throw it away when none were looking. His wand was still with Sirius. The other had taken it and as much as Regulus tried, he had yet to manage to get it back. He had almost snuck it back one night, but then Sirius had been absolutely furious and Regulus had quickly rushed off, not wanting to continue that fight. Really it was not worth it. His grasp of wandless magic was not the best, but he knew some basic spells, and that would just have to work for the time being. It was obvious that Sirius did not trust him.
Yet, things clearly went sideways about a week after he had been unceremoniously dropped at the Potter's firekeep. Apparently, Mr. Potter was having some sort of coworker meeting. The other was clearly excited, and so James and Sirius were allowed to invite Pettigrew. Regulus did not know him well, but he saw the cowardly man often times hanging out with the group. Regulus was up in ends. He did not really have any clothes, Sirius had not brought any with him, and he had been wearing the same article of clothing for the last week, which surprised him considering it would seem none had noticed, though since he only ever truly came out for dinner, he supposed they probably thought of it as some form of pajamas, and Regulus was not eager to correct them. Either way, it was definitely not suitable for ministry officials.
His plan had been to stay in his room whilst they arrived, and maybe make a slight appearance, but Sirius...
"You're coming with me," Sirius said simply, cocking his hip against the doorframe.
"No, I do not have the proper attire even if I did want to see them, which I do not. There is no point, and I would much rather simply avoid it." His brother rolled his eyes, striding forwards almost faster than what he could see, grabbing his wrist, and proceeding to yank him out of the room. Regulus rushed forwards with an audible yelp as he was dragged into the living area, frustration quickly escalating through his blood. His brother also kept a firm grasp of his wrist, so as to keep him from slinking off. It frustrated him even further to note that.
Slight tugs did nothing to release his wrist. Sirius was quite strong, as it was, and Regulus did not know where the hell he got it from but it was quite clear that he was much stronger than himself. Eventually he huffed, and simply let his arm stay still by his side, a rolling feeling of sickness wrapping itself around his stomach. In moments the flames turned green, and Mr. Potter stepped out of the fireplace. He walked up to his wife and James and kissed them each, though one on the cheek and the other far more...intimately. Regulus averted his eyes at that moment, and resolutely decided to keep his eyes towards the ground.
He heard the flurry of a couple of other people entering before he heard them...
Regulus liked to think he would know them by their footsteps alone, and this had been proven time and again. After living the life Regulus did, being able to distinguish something as stupidly simple as footsteps could be the matter of a ncie afternoon reading, or an afternoon in the basement screaming. People had a distinct way of walking, and Regulus had gotten quite good at figuring his out. As a result, he did not even have to look up to know who it was that had gripped his arm gently, before prying Sirius' fingers off one by one, and taking his brother's spot.
"Good to see you are alive," The words were low, harsh, and annoyed. Regulus winced slightly, barely noticeable as he twitched in their hold.
"Yes, and you will never believe..." The voices trailed off as the adults moved from the living area to the wider common room. Regulus sighed, relieved. Finally, he pulled his gaze up from the floor to see Barty's frown, dark eyes were glaring at him, but Regulus had honestly not felt safer since they left for the Hogwarts express at the end of the school year.
"I'm sorry,"
"You promised, Reg...." Barty growled. "You said you would not do that sort of thing again!" Barty's voice was beginning to carry, and he saw his brother glance over from the corner of his eye. He hushed Barty hastily.
"Can you not be so loud!"
"Probably should have thought about that when you sent me a letter WRITTEN IN BLOOD!" Sirius, James, Remus, and Pettigrew finally stopped, staring at the two of them. Regulus groaned.
"I am sorry, I said that already, I didn't have a quill or anything with me."
"Did you not have you wand as well?" Regulus murumurred but Barty was not having it. "I didn't hear that, Regulus Black did you or did you not have your wand?"
"Sirius took it," The words were slightly louder, although Regulus was hoping that his brother's group could not hear what was being said. It was a folly thing to hope for as Barty finally released him only to march straight up to Sirius, dark eyes gleaming with hatred as they stared his brother down.
"Where are you staying, where is he staying?" He directed this at Remus, who stuttered slightly when saying the exact room. Regulus' breath caught as he saw Barty storm up the stairs. He glanced towards his brother but did not linger as he rushed after him. he heard the falling of feet indicating they were being followed.
"Barty wait, wait, please!" Reg begged, but Barty was having none of it, slamming the door open to Sirius' room and proceeding to destroy the room in search of Regulus' wand. Everyone was so stunned they just stared as he did it. Barty finally grasped Regulus' wand, and with a venomous glare behind them, handing it to him. Regulus felt his breath hitch in his throat as he finally grasped the handle of his own wand.
Tears began to flood his eyes, he could not help it. Barty stormed past him, a hand comforting on his shoulder, as he stared down his brother's friend group once more.
"Do not even THINK about taking his wand again, or so help me you won't wake up to complain about his having it." The words were so quiet Regulus barely heard them, but the sheer rage behind them put even an irate Gryffindor to shame. "Come here, my dear, let's get you to your room, where is it?" Barty asked, his voice turning soft and calm, as he rubbed up Regulus' arms soothing him as he was trembling slightly from the sheer rage that had come off of him. "It is alright, you don't have to worry about him anymore. I am staying until hogwarts." Regulus pulled back at the news.
"Your father..."
"Will deal with it." Barty growled out, ignoring the gasps that accompanied his words as he gently guided Regulus through them.