Prologue
Prologue:
July 8th
“Go to your room, and do not leave until you are instructed to!” Walburga Black screamed from the bottom of the stairs. Regulus obeyed, walking quietly up the stairs with his head hung. If he had been Sirius, he probably would’ve gone up stomping, yelling obscenities as he did so. But he was not Sirius, nor was Sirius even home. Sirius had left last summer, along with his loud and disobedient presence. Regulus had always been the quiet one between the two; he thought his tactics of taking what his parents gave him and abiding his time was far smarter than fighting back now. Sirius disagreed.
As Regulus entered his room, he silently shut the door and laid on his bed. He let the tears finally stream down his face. His shoulder hurt from some curse his mother had thrown at him, and he missed his brother. Sirius. He had tried to send him a letter once before, but Walburga had quickly found out and punished him. He had no way to contact him now, but he wasn’t sure if he would, even if he could. They did not speak really at school, but it was enough for Regulus to just watch. He always watched Sirius. Watched him with his best friends, and with his new family on the platform at the end of last school year. Regulus wished he could’ve ran over and gone with them instead. Wished the Potter’s had taken him in the way they had Sirius. No matter how much he hated them all, he wished he was part of it. Perhaps he was just jealous.
Regulus rolled over in bed, closing his eyes. It was only 8 pm, and he was still fully clothed, shoes and all, but he just wanted sleep. Summer could absolutely not go by fast enough.
~~~~
Regulus woke up with a start, sitting up straight in his bed. Something, or someone was at his window, which should be impossible because his room was on the third floor. He blinked as his eyes adjusted to his surroundings, hesitantly standing up. The tapping sound was incessant; he hoped it was confined to just his room, and no one else in the house could hear it. He gingerly reached out to open his curtains, scared to even blink or breathe. He slowly opened the curtains, and then jumped back and nearly cried out in alarm as he became face to face with another person. No, two other people. His brother and James Potter. They were flying on a broom together, hovering in the air approximately a foot from his bedroom window.
Regulus quickly opened his window and leaned out. “What are you doing here?!” he hissed. “Go away! Do you even want to know what mother will do if she finds out you’re here?” Regulus was speaking exclusively to Sirius on the back of the broom, refusing to even look Potter in the eye.
“We’ve come to rescue you. Now come on, get your things and throw them out the window for Monty to get. Get on your broom, you’re getting out of here,” Sirius said simply, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Regulus stared at him with wide eyes. “Monty?” he said stupidly, because that was all he could get out.
“My dad,” Potter cut in. “He’ll use magic to get your things back to the house.”
“Your house?” Regulus still refused to look at him.
“Yes,” Sirius said impatiently. “Come on, move quickly, we haven’t got all night.”
Regulus decided he must be dreaming. Why would his brother and Potter, and even Potter’s father, of all people, come to save him from his own house?
“Reggie,” Sirius whispered urgently. “This is your second chance to get out. Most people don’t get that. You can come with me this time. Prove them wrong. Please.” Regulus studied Sirius’ face for just a moment. Sirius left at 15, when Regulus was 14. Regulus couldn't leave then. Regulus staying meant Sirius could escape and no one would care. No one would bother to really look for the heir, because another one was right there. But maybe, now that he was 15, Regulus could leave now. Maybe he could try again. A second chance.
Taking a deep breath, Regulus pushed himself away from the window and began to throw things into his trunk. He moved fast, his hands shaking with excitement and fear. After as many of his belongings he could possibly fit were in his trunk, Regulus dragged it to the window. He glanced down, and sure enough, a middle aged man was down there, waiting. As he picked up the trunk to throw it down to Monty, fiery pain ripped through his shoulder. Regulus winced and hissed in pain, letting the trunk fall out of the window.
“Are you alright?” he heard a concerned voice ask. He glanced at Potter controlling the broomstick. He truly did look worried.
“I’m fine,” Regulus said hurriedly. “It’s nothing.” he turned away, grabbing a bookbag to put the rest of his stuff in.
“It was mother.” It was a statement from Sirius, not a question. Regulus gave a short nod and glanced at Sirius’ hardened look. It surprised him just how angry Sirius looked, like he still truly did care about Regulus. He must, to come back here just for him.
Regulus finished packing his things, tossing his bags down to Monty. His trunk had already disappeared. He looked around his room. He wouldn’t miss it, not at all. Any good memories there had been with Sirius, who had left. With Sirius gone, nothing good was in this house. Except maybe Kreacher, if he wasn’t under his parents rule. Regulus wished he could say goodbye to him, but it wasn’t worth the risk.
Regulus grabbed his broom and took off into the sky with Sirius and Potter. This is my second chance he repeated over and over in his head, trying to calm his anxieties. Free. He was free. He laughed a little into the night. Freedom.
~~~~
As soon as Regulus stepped foot into Potter Mansion, he began to regret his decision. He didn’t belong here. This place was for Sirius and his new life, not for him. He was in the house of someone he hated, and he was a guest for an undetermined amount of time. His stomach churned.
“Oh, you’re back,” he heard a relieved voice say. Regulus turned to see what he assumed to be Potter’s mother. He froze as she enveloped him into a tight, crushing embrace. “Oh, Regulus,” she breathed out. “I’m so glad you’re here. I just couldn't stand to think of you, in that house...oh, you poor thing. I’m Euphemia, but please, call me Effie.” She sounded so genuine, and Regulus felt himself melt into her embrace slightly. “I readied your room, your stuff is in there already. Are you hungry? I can fix you something before bed. But if you're tired you can go to bed. I'm sure it's been a long night”
Regulus pulled back. “No thank you…may I just go to bed please?” He spoke softly, feeling shy in a stranger's home.
“Of course dear. James can show you what room you’re in. I know this is all very new and spur of the moment, but please, make yourself at home,” Effie smiled warmly. Regulus blushed and nodded in response.
“Come upstairs, Reggie,” Sirius said, grabbing his wrist as he pulled him alone with him and Potter. “Goodnight Effie! I love you!” he called as he dragged Regulus up the stairs.
“I love you all as well. Sleep well!” Effie called back.
Sirius pulled Regulus down a hallway at the top of the stairs, following Potter. “This room is yours, Regulus. Mine is across the hall and Sirius is next door to me. Come get either of us if you need anything,” Potter told him sincerely. Regulus glanced upwards, meeting his eye for the first time. He had to look up a little because of their close proximity.
“Thanks,” Regulus responded softly, looking back down. “Thanks for getting me as well.” he flushed at his own words. It was embarrassing that Potter had to help him. He felt that he was in debt now. Like he owed him something for getting him out of that wretched house.
Potter only smiled. “Of course. Anything for Sirius.”
Regulus felt a pang in his chest at this. Of course. Anything for Sirius. That’s why he had helped him, and offered up his house to him. For Sirius. Regulus decided that he still hated him.
Regulus turned and entered his new room, surveying his surroundings. It was large, probably the same size as his room back home. Not home, he corrected himself in his head. This was his home now. Sighing, he collapsed onto the bed, not bothering to change before sleeping for the second time tonight. He leaned back onto plush pillows. They smelt fresh, like sunlight. For some reason this was comforting. He closed his eyes, but they flew open along with his bedroom door. He sat up quickly, alarmed.
“Hey,” said no other than James Potter, who was now leaning in the doorway. He was smiling unbothered, as if he had not just barged in. Regulus huffed, rolling his eyes.
“What do you want, Potter,” Regulus snapped, annoyed at Potter for just barging in without knocking and for coming to begin with.
“Easy, I just rescued you,” James laughed quietly. “Anyways, I brought something for your shoulder.” Regulus tensed up at this.
“I don't need anything.”
Now it was Potter’s turn to huff. “Yes you do,” he insisted. “It’s just a potion for the pain, I don’t know why you’re being so stubborn.”
He walked over and sat next to Regulus on the bed, leaving an appropriate amount of distance between them. He handed the potion to Regulus, waiting for him to take it from his hand. With another eye roll, Regulus took the potion and swallowed it in one gulp and promptly gagged at the taste. He felt Potter’s eyes on him as he did so.
“That is revolting,” Regulus said, his eyes watering.
James laughed lightly. “That’s why I brought you this.” He handed Regulus a warm mug that Regulus eyed warily. He laughed again at Regulus’ expression. “Take it, Reg. It’s just chamomile tea. My mum says it’s good for sleep and stress. Plus, I think it tastes rather nice.”
Regulus gingerly took the mug from him, taking a sip to hide the light blush he could feel on his face. “Thank you,” he said once he had regained his composure.
“Anytime.”
With that Potter stood up, heading for the door. He turned around before he stepped out into the hallway.
“Goodnight, Regulus.”
“Goodnight, Potter.”