The Game
Lily was staring at the clock watching the seconds pass she felt herself falling asleep in transfiguration as much as she loves McGonagall she can't stay awake during her lectures
DINGGGG
“Oh thank god I didn't think I could last another second,” Lily said grabbing her bag and walking out of the room with Marlene
Yawning Marlene said “I think I need a nap after that class”
“I’m so happy it's finally Friday,” Lily said relieved
“Tell me about it I can't believe it's the first game of the season,” Marlene said jumping suddenly full of energy
“Woah there rockstar you don't wanna use all that excitement in one place,” Lily said placing her hands on Marlene's shoulders to keep her feet on the ground
“Oh shove off,” Marlene said, knocking their shoulders together slightly “Wait what time is it!?” Marlene said suddenly looking slightly panicked
“It's 4 o'clock Mckinnon,” James said coming out of the class behind them “We’ve still got some time,” he said reassuringly
“Oh, Hi James,” Lily said red-faced
“Hey Evans” James replies trying to act cool while his face is redder than Lily's hair
“Gross” Peter said disgusted by the soppy crushes
“We need to lock them in a room maybe they will finally get together, and let us keep our lunches down,” Marlene whispered to Peter causing him to nod and laugh
As the 4 made their way to the Gryffindor common room in a different part of the castle Regulus was thinking the same thing
“For Merlin's sake will you too spare me the disgust and just make out already,” Regulus said exasperated from all the flirting
“Whoaahh you’ve got the wrong idea there Reg,” Barty said putting his hands up
“Yeah me and Barty are just mates” Evan adds
“Yah Reg they’re just mates, they keep it over the covers” Dorcas adds teasing the two boys
“Oh shove off Dora,” Barty said lightly pushing Dorcas
“Hey,” Pandora said walking up to the group
“Pan! You’re here” Evan said excited to see his sister
“Of course I am who else would cheer Reg on?” Pandora said teasing her older brother
“Oh you’re all just full of jokes today aren’t you,” Evan said putting an arm around Pandora and pulling her into him
“Oh look Avery the Rosier sisters sharing having a moment,” Severus said as they passed the group in the hall
“Don't make me hit you again Snape, I don’t think your nose can take another break” Barty said threatening
“Oh looky here Crouch is defending his little girlfriend,” Mulciber said pushing Barty's buttons
“Watch your mouths before I jinx them off,” Dorcas said drawing her wand and pointing it at the trio of boys
“Woah now need to get trigger-happy their Meadowes,” Severus said putting his hands up
“Come on boys let's leave these girls to get ready for their match,” Avery said not wanting to get hexed by Dorcas again
As the boys walked away Avery and Mulciber asked Severus what trigger-happy meant not understanding the muggle slang their “pureblood” friend was saying
“Avery looked like he was going to shit his pants,” Pandora said laughing
Evan looked over at Barty “I told you to stop fighting my battles, I’m a big kid you know” He said annoyed that Barty never lets him get a word out before jumping over him and blurting something stupid out
“I’m sorry Ev it's an automatic reaction,” Barty said apologetically
“Please try and stop because they just want a reaction and you are giving them one,” Evan says pleadingly
“I’ll try,” Barty said genuinely as they walked to the common room
-2 hours later-
James was pacing the locker room panicking
The game was about to start but he couldn't get himself to leave
He’s never panicked before a game but being captain is different the weight of the team on his shoulders is too much he feels himself breaking
What if he lets them down?
Will they replace him?
Of course, they will no one wants a captain who pushes the team to failure
With that thought, James falls onto the wall and slides down struggling to breathe with tears rolling down his face
With his head in his hands and the sound of blood rushing in his ears, James didn’t notice Regulus walking into the locker room
“Potter?” Regulus's voice sounded confused “What are you still doing?”
James slightly jumped at the sudden sound of Regulus’s voice
“I-I-I am j-just medit-tating,” James said trying not to stutter and failing miserably
“Are you alright?” Regulus said slowly approaching James
“I-I’m f-fine,” James said internally cursing his tongue
“No, you’re not Potter,” Regulus said slowly crouching down next to James “You’re having a panic attack aren't you?” His voice calm and steady
“I’m n-not p-panicking, I’m perfectly calm,” James said trying to convince himself just as much as Regulus
“James” Regulus said slowly as he put his hand on James's shoulder “I need you to breathe for me, can you do that?”
James's heart skipped a beat his voice was calm and comforting not like his usual sarcastic and sharp tone
“I’m g-going to let-t everyone down,” James said curling himself further into a ball and letting his emotion loose “No estoy lo suficientemente bien” (I’m not good enough)
“You are not going to let anyone down, trust me the whole castle knows just how good of a leader James Potter is,” Regulus said wishing Sirius or preferably Remus would walk in and take over
James just shook his head “Sé que no puedo estar a la altura de sus expectativas” (I know I can't live up to their expectations)
“I can’t understand Spanish but I hope that you said you will get up wash your face and get out onto the pitch and kick some snake ass because that is exactly what you will do alright,” Regulus said sounding a little too much like his brother for his liking
“But what if I don’t,” James said looking up at Regulus
“You will” Regulus softly
A moment passed between them
“Alright now get up, the whole pitch is waiting for us,” Regulus said suddenly uncomfortable with how close they were
“I’ll see you out there Regulus,” James said calming his breathing
Regulus didn't respond only gave James a small nod as he walked
“Oh and Regulus,” James said quickly “Thank you.”
“Don't mention it,” Regulus said, “like ever. to anyone.”
“Then it will be our secret,” James said smiling
“Don’t make it sound like that I mean you don't have to bring it up or do anything in response,” Regulus said
“I won't,” James said quickly as Regulus walked out of the changing room
“There he is our star chaser and Gryffindor captain James Potter” Remus's voice echoed through the stands “Always one for a grand entrance eh Prongs”
James jogged out to the field heading to the front of the Gryffindor line
“Mr. Lupin,” said McGonagall as a warning to the very biased commentator
“Don't worry Professor I will not be biased” Remus said
“For the first 5 minutes,” Remus whispered into the microphone
McGonagall just shook her head
“Oh would you look at that the players are mounting their brooms
“And Madam Hooch is counting down
“And they're off, wow the new Slytherin chaser is fast but not fast enough cuz McDonald has got the Quaffle, atta girl”
The Gryffindor stands cheered loud and proud in their red and gold
“Oh shit Pucey watch it there you almost hit Rilley over there, good thing Mckinnon was there to block it or else that would have been a foul” Remus said the last part in a singy-songy way
“Mr Lupin, language!” McGonagall scolded Remus
“Sorry Professor won't happen again,” he said sheepishly
“Holy fuck Prongs that was a good save if only Rosier was half as good as you they would have a fighting chance”
“Mr. Lupin,” McGonagall said offended
“Sorry Professor but it's true” he shrugged turning his attention back to the game
“*wolf whistle* look at that dive seems like Montgomery has spotted the snitch
“Holy shi-shooting stars I didn’t even see that bulger good work Sirius,” Remus said proud of his friend
“Mr Lupin you are meant to be commentating not boasting for your friends,” McGonagall said a smile prominent in her words
The Slytherin stands suddenly stands and cheers as Evan puts the quaffle through one of the hoops
“Oh, boohoo get your head in the game Starrett your letting the fucking snakes win!” Remus said pissed that the Slytherins are now in the lead
“Mr. Lupin!” McGonagall said warningly
“Sorry Professor won't happen again, Slytherin is in the lead with 70 to 60
“Hey, my eyes can't work that quick. MacDonald has got the quaffle
“Oooh watch for that bludger MacDonald, it almost took your head off,” Remus said sighing in relief
“And that 10 points to Gryffindor and we are once again neck in ne- SIRIUS behind you” Remus yelled into the microphone
But it was too late as soon as Sirius turned he was hit on the side of his head with a rogue bludger and instantly started falling from over 50 meters in the air
“Shit shit shit!” Remus was yelling as he ran down to the pitch
As soon as Regulus heard the unmistakable crack he turned to see Sirius begin to fall and immediately leaned as far forward as he could and flew like his life depended on it to try and break Sirius’s fall
But James was faster and right before Regulus reached his brother James caught him and brought him to the ground
He should have known better than to think he would catch his brother.
After all, this is why Sirius chose James
He was the better brother
As Regulus landed quickly beside Sirius and James he immediately checked Sirius’s pulse to reassure himself that Sirius was still alive
As Madam Hooch finally got to Sirius Remus, Peter, and McGonagall were already there keeping the entirety of Hogwarts away from Sirius' limp body.
In the hospital wing
“Thank you Madam but I'm fine I only rolled it,” Regulus said to Madam Pomfrey
“It is swollen and purple” she replied with a stern voice “I highly doubt it is just a rolled ankle not to mention you were limping when you walked in”
“Come on Reg just listen to the woman and let her look at your ankle so we can leave,” Barty said just wanting to go back to the common room and destress
“You go Barty I'm not leaving till rounds later tonight” Regulus replied
“Fine by me,” Barty said getting up “Just don't get too in your head ok, it wasn't your fault”
“Just leave” Regulus snapped at Barty
“You know Mr. Crouch is right,” Madam Pomfrey said “The sooner I look at your ankle the sooner I will let you be”
“Would it be quick?” Regulus asked tentatively
“You won't be here longer than 10 Minutes” Madam Pomfrey replied
“Alright then, It's sprained but not quite broken” Regulus replied as he brought his leg onto the bed and lifted his trouser leg letting the medi-witch have a look
“Alright, I will be right back with a potion then” As easy as that Madam Pomfrey went to get Regulus a bone mending potion.
As Regulus sat there he heard the door of the infirmary open and someone enter
He immediately tensed up assuming it was his mother
But calmed as soon as he heard Euphemia Potter’s soft voice
“James, How is Sirius? Is he awake yet?” She sounded worried and Regulus hated the way that made him feel
“No but he’ll be ok Madam Pomfrey said that he's lucky his skull didn't crack,” James said still trying to be the optimist in the room
Regulus couldn’t help but laugh to himself of course Sirius’s skull didn't crack its too thick
“And how is Regulus with all of this? Did he come to the hospital wing?” Euphemia asked out of the blue and Regulus’s mind began to question this woman
She asked about me?
Why? She shouldn’t care.
I'm not her son.
I'm not Sirius.
Why does she care about me?
“Mrs. Potter I didn't hear you come in, here to check Sirius I presume?” Madam Pomfrey said as she walked over to Regulus’s bed “I will give you all his information right after I deliver this potion”
“Oh please Poppy it's Effie there is no need for formalities between friends,” Euphemia said smiling at Madam Pomfrey as she passed
Opening the curtains around the bed “Alright then Mr. Black this might taste a bit bitter but your ankle will be all better” Madam Pomfrey’s voice was as sweet as honey
“Thank you, Madam Pomfrey,” Regulus said with a thin smile as he took the potion
“I will leave you here, feel free to stay as long as you want or need,” She said putting a hand on his shoulder
Being left alone Regulus mind ran free
I guess Sirius doesn't need me anymore.
He has a better family now
A better brother
A better mother
And no doubt a better father
Why did I ever think he still needed me?
He left me why can't I just let him go
He doesn't want me.
I shouldn’t want him.
And with that last thought Regulus left the hospital wing. Sirius has his brother and Mum in there he doesn't need Regulus.