Books
Regulus is sitting in the compartment on the Hogwarts Express. He has his legs bent on his knees pressed against his chest. The ride is pretty long so he decided to have a bit of silence and left his friends about an hour ago. He was fortunate enough to find an empty compartment. The ride is always the same and after all those years Regulus memorised it. But now it feels different. And it doesn’t take a genius to know why. Regulus, for the first time, is not going back home to Grimmauld Place. He is never going back there. Instead, he is gonna live with his brother at Potters.
Sirius run away from home last summer and this year he insisted Regulus will join him. When his brother proposed this Regulus couldn’t agree faster. The summer without Sirius at the house was horrible. His mother was even more cruel and frankly, Regulus doesn’t think he would survive another summer there.
The option of living with Potters saved him. But that doesn't change the fact that he’s nervous. He can’t effort to make any mistakes. He has no other place to go and more importantly, it’s Sirius's home. The last thing he wants to do is to ruin it for him. He will go there and be on his best behaviour, he will follow the rules and keep to himself. In the best-case scenario, nobody will know he is even there. Sirius always talks about Mrs and Mr Potter highly. They were supposed to be the kindest people Sirius ever met. But Regulus isn’t sure he believes him. Each household seems fine to the others including the Black family.
His thoughts are disrupted by the sound of the door opening. “Hello, Regulus.” The dark-haired boy greets him.
“Potter,” Regulus answers.
“May I?” He gestures towards the seat across from Regulus. He just silently nods. His brother’s best friend sits down and smiles at him. “I think you should call me James. We'll be living together after all.”
Regulus says nothing. He doesn’t know this boy very much. For him, he is his brother’s best friend and a great quidditch player. They didn’t talk much besides that.
“How are you feeling?” Potter asks and Regulus gives him a blank look. “I mean it’s a big change… not going back to Grimmauld Place.”
“I’m glad I don’t have to go back there.”
“I know. But still… Is there anything I can help with?”
Regulus sights. He promised himself he wouldn’t complain about anything. He will take whatever they will give him and keep his head down. But there is one thing. One that he would be miserable if he had to give up. He will if they will want him.
“What is it?” Potter asks and Regulus hates that his expression gave that away.
“I have these books with me.” He tries to push his luck. The boy looks at him confused. “They are muggle ones. I like reading them.”
“Okay. And?”
“Is it okay to have them at your place? Or it would make your parents mad?”
Potter gives him a sad smile and Regulus instantly hates himself for bringing it up. He doesn’t like seeing this boy sad. It looks wrong on his face. “Of course, it is. You can have any books you want.”
“Okay. Good.” Regulus whispers in relief.
“Reg…“ Regulus shoots him an offended look at the use of the nickname. Potter quickly corrects himself with laughter. “Regulus, I promise you, you will be safe with us.”
He nods because there is not much to say. He will believe it when he sees it. Potter seems to understand, and he gets up to leave. “I’m looking forward to getting to know each other better over the summer. You can show me the books you like.”
He is almost out of the compartment when he looks back at him. “If you need anything, I’m here for you, okay?”
Regulus nods once again but adds. “Okay. Thanks, Pott… James.”