Regulus Has a Sociable Christmas, and He Survives
9
Regulus used to hate the holidays. Anytime he had to go back to Grimmauld was a hard time of year, but Christmas was especially grim.
Christmas time in the Noble House of Black involved high-end yule balls, fancy dinners with other pureblood families, uncomfortable dress robes, and lots of pain. Either from the ache in his shoulders from standing stiff as a board for hours or sharp pain and throbs from the wounds, bruises and hexes left from their parents.
Unsurprisingly, all these years of disappointing Christmas’ has lead Regulus to rather detest the supposed 'merry’ holiday. Like most occasions that requires him to do anything other than sit alone in a cosy corner and read or study, Regulus finds the holiday quite tiring.
Since moving in with Alphard last year, the two of them had a very peaceful Christmas. Alphard had been working with the Ministry on the 25th last year, so Regulus actually spent the majority of the day alone. Despite everyones arguments at the idea, Regulus eventually managed to convince his uncle, cousin Andy, and Sirius that he had no problems at all with spending the day to himself. He got to read, drink tea, and relax in the peace serenity of the quiet house. It was perfect. Sirius had come over Boxing Day with Andy and Ted, and with Alphard home the house was suddenly quite loud. Regulus hadn’t minded, and he actually enjoyed it a lot more than he expected. Perhaps it was the refreshing change from the usual Boxing Day Yule balls with the Sacred 28 that Regulus enjoyed more than the actual day.
Either way, last year wasn’t too bad.
Regulus spends the train ride home with Pandora, but Regulus primarily spends it with his focus on his Spanish rune textbook. When the train arrives in Kings Cross, Pandora gives him a hug and tells him to reply to her letters this holiday, and Regulus provides her a promise they both know is empty.
Regulus gets off the platform with his head down and in record time. He uses the floo network to get to the Leaky Cauldron at Diagon Alley, then steps inside the empty bathroom to apparates to Alphard’s house.
Regulus learned the theory of apparition back in his third year when he became curious. Last summer when he moved in with Alphard, Regulus spent almost the whole time teaching himself while Alphard was at work. He managed to get away with practicing in Alphard’s home without the trace flagging him up after Alphard assured him that the house was granted underage magic performance since Regulus moved in. He splinched his hand and left leg on separate attempts, but finally managed to do it. It was only when they were discussing him going back to Hogwarts the first time since moving out of Grimmauld and how Regulus was going to get there did Alphard suggest him doing a side-along apparition that Regulus admitted he didn’t need help.
Alphard’s surprise made Regulus almost throw up and regret revealing his success, but then Alphard had smiled, practically roared with laughter. He’d clapped Regulus on the shoulder and said he felt he shouldn’t be surprised - he knew Regulus was a step above the rest of wizards his age.
So since, Regulus has kept his achievement a secret, but it’s surely made getting back to Alphard’s a whole lot easier.
Landing unscathed on the front lawn, boots crunching on the freshly fallen snow, Regulus adjusts his sachel and makes his way up the cobble path to the front door. He knocks twice before letting himself in, knowing his uncle is a paranoid bastard sometimes.
A wave of warmth hits Regulus in the face. The familiar smell circles around him like a welcomed blanket and instantly, Regulus relaxes. He loves being at Hogwarts. He loves the classes, the library, the hundreds of small nooks and crannies he can squeeze himself in to read unnoticed as students walk and stroll by. However, there is something irreplaceable about the feeling of Alphard’s home. Structured and built decades ago, the cottage is untouched by modern style. It’s all wooden beams and feature brick walls, and being located in the countryside of North Wales, the winter weather has laid a blanket of snow over the house and the fields around it, so there is almost always a fire crackling in the corner of every room.
"That you, Regulus?" Alphard’s voice calls out the moment Regulus closes the door behind him.
"It’s me, Uncle Alphard," Regulus replies, toeing off his boots and coat.
He enters the kitchen, rubbing his hands together to try and get the warmth back into his fingers. Uncle Alphard is sitting at the stove, stirring a pot of what smells like Regulus’ favourite chicken and vegetable soup. Regulus allows the warmth to spread through his chest at the notion.
"Good afternoon, Regulus," Alphard smiles at him. "Good trip back on the train?"
"It was okay," Regulus nods. Adding with a small smirk, "Quiet."
"Of course," Alphard smiles back. He holds up a tea pot, "Tea?"
"Yes please."
"Go and put your trunk in your room. It should be brewed by the time you get back."
Regulus nods, stepping through the kitchen. He barely resists stopping when he passes the living room, the warmth from the roaring fire in the corner almost drawing him in.
He leaves his trunk in his room, resting his satchel carefully on the desk. Back downstairs, Alphard has brought the tea set and mugs into the lounge, a plate of biscuits beside it all.
"How was your term?" Alphard asks as he pours them both a cup.
"It was good," Regulus nods.
"How are your NEWTS going? Not too stressed, I hope."
"They’re fine. It’s a nice challenge," Regulus shrugs.
"Sirius tells me you’ve been helping his boyfriend with ancient runes?"
Regulus freezes in mid-sip of his tea. "What?"
Uncle Alphard looks confused at Regulus’ startled question. "What? Sirius writes to me quite a lot. It’s nice, considering I don’t hear from you."
"Sorry," Regulus apologises weakly, head still spinning.
"Don’t apologise, child," Alphard shakes his head, flashing him a smile. "I know what you’re like, and I don’t take it personally. Sirius keeps me in the loop enough for both of you."
Brilliant.
"What did he say?" Regulus asks meekly.
"The usual," Uncle Alphard shrugs. "That you’re spending all your free time in the library, the escapades of your brothers pranks and rendezvous around the castle, his moaning about teachers, his praise of his Head of House for not suspending him for him and his friends antics, that you have made a friend in James Potter."
Regulus abruptly chokes on his tea, wheezing and trying to subtly cough the liquid out of his throat before it goes into his lungs.
"Whatever is the matter with you, lad?" Uncle Alphard asks, taking the tea cup out of Regulus’ hands and looking at him with surprise.
It takes Regulus a minute to dislodge the stray tea in his throat and catch his breath, cheeks burning with embarrassment over the ordeal and the fact that Sirius told Uncle Alphard about James’ persistent attempts at befriending Regulus this term.
"Why did Sirius tell you about James?"
Uncle Alphard raises an eyebrow at him. "Has something happened?"
"No," Regulus replies, not intending to sound as self-conscious as he does. "Of course not. There’s nothing to talk about, so I don’t understand why Sirius mentioned it."
"He only said that you’ve spent some time with James, and that you went to Hogsmeade with them all, which sounded like fun," Uncle Alphard explains, smiling. "I met James last year. He seems like a nice lad, Sirius seems to say enough about him. His parents are good too."
Regulus swallow thickly. "Right."
"How did you end up making acquaintances with him?"
"He stalked me."
"Stalked you?" Uncle Alphard smirks. "I don’t know if I find that amusing or concerning."
"He’s just about bearable for it not to be concerning," Regulus admits feebly. It’s the truth: he’s not concerned by James’ persistent efforts at interacting with Regulus anymore. At first, Regulus was slightly worried about the intentions. After he realised James is just that nice, he became more annoyed by the constant nagging by James.
"Right," Uncle Alphard muses. "An interesting term, then?"
Regulus just hums, finishing his tea.
Next time he sees Sirius, he’s going to throat punch him.
*
The first week home from Hogwarts, Regulus spends most of his days in his room finishing the rest of his essays, perfecting his rewritten class notes, and catching up on his reading and studying. He reads his way through four books: two being fiction books that Pandora loaned him, 1964 and To Kill a Mockingbird, a book on Magical Mediterranean Water-Plants and Their Properties, and a final book on South African Reptiles. Alphard leaves Regulus to his own devices, only speaking to him when he’s nudging for Regulus to come and join him for food and drinks.
It’s the day before Christmas Eve when they’re sitting downstairs having a late dinner, Uncle Alphard having gotten home late from the Ministry. They’re eating the homemade pie that Tibby made, the small kitchen silent apart from the sound of their cutlery gently clinking the crockery.
"Regulus."
The younger boy looks up at the call of his name. "Yes?"
"I’m going to have to travel to Madrid in the morning. I’ve been sent there on emergency business, so I’m going to be away for Christmas this year," Uncle Alphard explains.
"That’s fine," Regulus nods.
"I don’t want you to be on your own again this Christmas," Uncle Alphard says, expression troubled and twisted with guilt.
"It’s okay," Regulus shakes his head. "Honestly, Uncle Alphard, I don’t mind."
His uncle shakes his head. "It’s not okay, you shouldn’t spend another Christmas alone."
"I won’t be alone," Regulus argues. "Tibby is here."
"Tibby is hardly enough company for Christmas Day," Alphard smiles gently. "I’ve spoken to Andromeda, but she said her and Ted are going to his parents for the day, and I hope I’m correct in assuming that you would not be fond of joining them."
"No, thank you," Regulus replies quickly, barely repressing the shudder at the idea.
"So, I’ve spoken to Sirius and the Potters, and they’ve offered to let you stay with them over the holidays. I should be back on Boxing Day, if all goes well, so you won’t be there long."
Regulus can’t speak for a moment. His brain feels like it’s been disconnected from his mouth, whole system going overdrive because Uncle Alphard has organised him a Christmas at the Potters.
With Sirius.
And James.
And James’ parents.
And James.
James, who has seemed to have made it his prime role this last term to befriend Regulus and both ruin and improve his life simultaneously. Who has decided by himself that Regulus’ life, which is great, by the way, needs improvement with his bubbly, annoying and dreadfully loud presence.
Regulus is going to have to go there on, naturally, the most chaotic day of the year.
Not good.
"That won’t be necessary," Regulus argues desperately, mouth feeling dry. "I’m happy to stay here."
"Regulus…" Uncle Alphard starts.
Regulus is suddenly not above begging. "Please, let me stay here."
"I’d feel a lot more comfortable if you were at the Potters," Alphard says.
Regulus frowns, "Why?"
Uncle Alphard let him stay last year. He didn’t seem at all bothered by the notion of leaving a 15 year old at home on his own. Regulus doesn’t care that it’s Christmas Day, if he’s left on his own, he can treat it as any other day but instead of eating a sufficient meal, he can get away with munching on mince pies at his desk all day.
Its a win-win: alone time and unashamed mince pie eating.
"Because you’re young, and you shouldn’t spend the day on your own again because of my work," Uncle Alphard explains. "Sirius said he’d already invited you while you were at Hogwarts, so the Potters weren’t all that surprised when I approached them to ask."
"Of course he’s already asked," Regulus grumbles, rolling his eyes.
"It’ll be fun."
Regulus looks up sharply. "We have different ideas of fun."
"We do," Alphard smiles. "But still, it will be good for you."
"Gruelling more like."
"You never know," Alphard shrugs, sipping his wine, "you might enjoy yourself."
Sulkily, Regulus mutters, "Unlikely."
*
Uncle Alphard leaves in the morning with another guilty apology for having to go that Regulus’ easily shrugs off. He doesn’t really understand why Alphard feels so bad. The man could spend all year travelling and Regulus wouldn’t hold it against him. The man has an important job in curse breaking within the Ministry, and a year ago he got Regulus out of Grimmauld Place, away from his parents and provided him with a home with no hexes or punishments. Uncle Alphard has done more for Regulus in the last year that any adult has done for him in the 16 yeas he’s been alive. So no, he doesn’t berate Uncle Alphard for having to go away on emergency work.
As far as Regulus is concerned, it would have been a treat, had his uncle not tried to be a kind samaritan and send Regulus to the Potters.
Curse his Uncles good conscience.
When Alphard leaves, Regulus curls up on the sofa with his potions textbook and parchments. He figures he isn’t going to get a chance to look at a single word on a page over the next day, so he relishes in the peace of the house and the opportunity to study while he can.
Hours pass at a steady pace, Regulus is nose deep in reading about the properties of the Anti-Paralysis Potion when the fireplace roars and moments later, Sirius is stepping (or more accurately: stumbling) out.
"Reggie!" Sirius cheers. "How ya doing, Rabbit?"
Regulus rolls his eyes, about to tell Sirius to buggar off with that nickname when the fireplace sounds again and before Regulus can ask, James comes stepping out.
And straight into Sirius’ back.
The pair of them go down in a heap, Sirius yelping when James lands on him.
"Why were you standing there?" James asks. "You were meant to move, you twat!"
"I’d only just come through!" Sirius defends, cheek mushed into the carpet.
James begins to get up, pausing when he notices Regulus watching them from the sofa.
"Reggie!" He beams. "Hi! How are you?"
"Hello," Regulus replies blandly.
"Prongs!" Sirius cries from the floor. "Will you get off?"
"Sorry, mate!" James’ eyes widen, scrambling to his feet. He dusts himself off and looks back at Regulus, grin twitching when he eyes the book in Regulus’ hand. "Are you studying?"
"Yes," Regulus replies.
"It’s the Christmas holidays!" James cries. "We’re not meant to be studying, Reg! It’s our time off, to relax."
"Regulus doesn’t know the meaning of the word 'relax'," Sirius chimes in, swiping the sheets of parchment off the table. "Merlin, Rabbit, you really are a swot. I don’t even think we learn this stuff in seventh year."
James hooks his chin on Sirius’ shoulder and looks down at the papers. "Blimey, Reg. I haven’t even heard of some of these ones."
Regulus rolls his eyes, annoyed despite the burning of his cheeks. He reaches up, snatching the notes out of Sirius’ hands and hiding them between his chest and his book.
"Why are you here?" He asks.
"To take you to the Potters," Sirius replies. "Effie doesn’t trust you to feed yourself so she’s demanded we retrieve you for dinner."
Regulus narrows his eyes. "I can look after myself."
"Minus the bare necessities of human consumption, yeah, you can look after yourself."
"I have never not looked after myself, Sirius."
"Yeah, well, James let spill about your horrible self-care habits you exchange for reading and studying and he’s got Effie all worried about your little meagre existence," Sirius shrugs, "Hence, we are here to drag your arse back to the house for a proper meal."
Regulus’ eyes snap to James and he glares with every might in his body. "You did what?"
James shrinks back sheepishly.
"Cheers, Pads," he grumbles.
Unfazed, Sirius shrugs.
James looks back at Regulus, smiling apologetically. "Sorry, Reg. Didn’t mean to, it just kind of came out. Mums a bit of a mother hen, she’s kind of taking it upon herself to make sure you’re being looked after now."
"Consider yourself officially adopted by the amazing Effie Potter, Reg," Sirius grins. "She’s probably going to make you fat."
Regulus rolls his eyes.
"Where’s your Christmas tree?" James asks, frowning as he looks around.
Regulus shrugs. "We don’t have one."
"You don’t have one?" James gasps. "Why?"
"Because it’s a pointless exercise to make a room feel foolishly festive," Regulus replies. "Neither me nor Alphard see the point of such mockery."
"That’s a lie," Sirius replies. "Uncle Alphard doesn’t do Christmas trees because he’s rarely at home for it."
"That’s sad," James pouts.
Regulus sighs tiredly. "You’re pathetic."
"We’re gonna stomp out that misery before tomorrow, Reg," Sirius quips. "You need to get in the festive mood."
"I do not," Regulus mutters.
Sirius shakes his head. "You do, Effie will help with that."
"Brilliant."
"You packed?"
"No," Regulus replies. "I was hoping you’d forget and I’d be able to stay here."
"No can do, brother," Sirius grins. "Uncle Alphards orders, no hermit-Regulus over the holidays. Now, hurry your scrawny ass up and go pack a bag. Effie has mince pies in the oven and I will blame you if we don’t make it back in time for them to be freshly done."
Regulus rolls his eyes, leaving the room before they can torture him some more. Upstairs, he grabs his shoulder bag that he has put an undetectable extension charmed on so is practically bottomless. He packs a few days worth of clothes inside, his copy of The Great Gatsby and his potions textbook he had downstairs. He grabs his toiletries from the bathroom and is just packing them too when he hears his bedroom door open.
He turns in time to see James peaking his head around the door.
"Wow," the older boy says.
"What are you doing?" Regulus asks.
"Just wanted to see if you needed any help," James says, half stepping inside.
"I do not," Regulus replies, turning back to put the last bits in his bag. Sheepishly, he adds, "thank you. I’m almost done."
"Okay," James quips easily.
A few moments later, Regulus zips up his bag and slings it on his shoulder. He turns to find James standing, eyes scanning around the room.
Regulus suddenly feels slightly scrutinised and embarrassed about his room. He looks around at the books stacked on the floor, the parchments stuck to the walls, the slightly necessary amount of blankets on his bed.
"What?" He asks.
"Nothing," James smiles, genuine and kind. "You’re room is nice."
"Its just a room."
James shrugs, still looking around. "Well, it’s very you."
Honestly, Regulus can’t tell if that’s an insult or not.
"Right," Regulus huffs.
"It’s a good thing," James replies easily.
Regulus shifts, adjusting the strap of his bag. After a moment, he clears his throat, "Shall we go?"
James jolts, blinking. "Right. Yes. Yeah, of course."
Downstairs, Sirius is waiting for them by the fireplace, Tibby by his side.
He looks up at them as they come down the stairs, and Tibby straightens when she spots Regulus.
"Master Regulus!" She beams. "Tibby hopes you have a good Christmas with Mister Sirius and the Potters!"
"Thank you, Tibby," he smiles softly. "Are you going to be okay on your own?"
"Of course, Master Regulus! Tibby will be fine, do not worry about Tibby!" She squeaks.
Regulus huffs softly, nodding. "I’ll bring you back some mince pies."
He hugs Tibby goodbye, stroking her ears like he would a puppy because he knows she loves it.
James goes through the floo first. When Regulus looks to Sirius, the older boy smirks.
"After you," he says, motioning to the fireplace. "I don’t trust you not to follow me through and lock the damn thing after me."
Regulus rolls his eyes, not even bothering denying it. It has definitely crossed his mind since the two Gryffindor’s arrived. He takes a handful of powder, and moments later, he’s stepping out into the Potter Manor.
Honestly, Regulus isn’t sure what he was expecting. He knows the Potters are wealthy, that their heritage goes back decades like the Black’s, a formulation of pureblood and heirlooms passed down through generations. Sirius has never been shy expressing to Regulus how amazing the Potter manor is and all those who inhabit it, but Regulus was still apprehensive of his arrival.
When Regulus steps out of the fire place, he can’t stop his jaw from dropping in surprise. Despite his feelings for James being fairly grim and undermining the first few years he knew the older boy, bitterness for stealing Sirius clouding his judgement, he was still hoping to find that the older boy lived in squaller. Perhaps he’s influenced by his own dislike, or perhaps the only times he’s ever seen the Gryffindor is when he’s walking around the school with his untucked uniform and wonky tie that has lead him to believe he lives in dirt instead of cloth.
The Potter manor is not a reflection of the Potter boy’s untidy appearance. High ceilings, huge windows, large drapes and thick, soft rugs are just the tiny touches of the manor. The moment Regulus steps out of the floo, he’s engulfed in a physical and emotional warmth. He feels as if he’s been wrapped in a blanket, heavy and thick and comforting. James is grinning from him a few steps away, seemingly ridiculously pleased that Regulus actually came through after him.
"Welcome to the Potter manor, Regulus!" He cheers brightly.
Moments later, Sirius comes tumbling out behind him with a grace that is not passed down within his heritage. Regulus rolls his eyes as his brother scrambles up from the floor with a loud laugh, shaking his hair out of his face.
"Merlin, Sirius," Regulus grumbles. "Have some bloody opulence."
"Merlin, Reg, talk like someone your own age, will you?" Sirius shoots back, ruffling the smaller boys hair and ignoring his indignant squark. "Prongs, where’s your folks at?"
"Lets find them," James replies with a loose shrug. "Leave your bags here, Reg. Lets go introduce you to mum and dad."
Just the idea of being introduced to the Potter parents makes Regulus debate throwing himself back into the floo without worrying where he’d end up. However, he has no chance. James walks in front of him and Sirius stays behind him, the two of them barricading him like they’re a pair of guards escorting a prisoner.
Outside the room they flooed into to, James leads them into a huge foyer. The ceiling is high, a chandelier hanging above them. A large staircase to the side that splits in the middle leads to the floor above, and the wooden floors below them are aged but polished and shiny. A rug sits in the centre, a pattern of deep burgundy and greys being a splash of colour in the clearly centuries old mansion.
Despite the huge structure, Regulus has never been somewhere so homely. It’s different from Alphard’s, where the cottage is cosy and crowded. After going from Grimmauld, where the walls were dark and the windows failed to ever make the natural light feel like it was bringing the grim corridors and rooms any brightness, Regulus thought no place could be nicer than Alphard’s old, half crumbling, overcrowded cottage. Yet, the Potter Manor is proving to Regulus that big places can still feel like home.
"The lounge is in there, and in here is the dining room," James is explaining. "This is the pantry, though I’m not sure if it qualifies for that name considering it’s more the size of a bedroom than it is a food store!"
Regulus hums in acknowledgment but doesn’t offer any worded answers. Honestly, he’s too preoccupied admiring the rooms he’s seeing.
"In here is the kitchen, also known as Effie Potter’s happy place!" He grins over his shoulder.
The smell of fresh food and baking could be smelt from the front door foyer, but as they get closer, the smell has Regulus’ mouth watering.
"Mama!" James calls as they step into another huge, spacious, bright room. "Regulus is here!"
At the introduction, a tall woman who was by the kitchen sink turns around. With curly dark hair pulled back in a messy bun, tanned skin, and dark eyes, Regulus can instantly see the resemblance to James.
This is the woman who showed Sirius that Walburga and Orion aren’t parents. This is the woman who saved his brother, who gave him a home, who comforted him whenever Regulus couldn’t.
This is the person that Regulus has always been envious of, the person that he’s wished had found him as a child and stolen him away for a life away from the Grimmauld Place.
"Hello, Mrs Potter," Regulus greets, the words barely coming out strong enough to be heard. "Thank you for having me. You have a lovely home."
"Thank you, darling, and it’s Effie, please. None of that formal rubbish around here," Effie tusks kindly, drying her hands on a towel before coming closer. Her face is split with a beaming smile, everything about her oozes comfort and warmth. "Oh, it’s so wonderful to finally meet you. We’ve heard so much already, it’s exciting to put a face to match it all!"
Regulus feels his face curl up in a grimace he can’t stop.
"If you received the information from either of those two, please kindly ignore it."
"I only pay attention to the positive parts, cariño," she teases with a wink. "And trust me, they have truly shone you in a positive light."
"I find that incredibly hard to believe."
Effie’s bright smile doesn’t falter. "Well, then allow me and Monty to make our own opinions of you."
"That’s a dangerous play of cards, Effie," Sirius grins. "Reggie isn’t the best at hospitality."
Against his will, Regulus feels his cheeks heat up in embarrassment.
"Very rich coming from you, Sirius," Regulus snarls. "They invited you over for dinner when you were 11 and you haven’t left since."
Sirius’ jaw drops open so far Regulus is sure the joints crack.
"Boys," Effie chides softly. Then, she turns back to Regulus, "Regulus, darling, are you hungry?"
"No, thank you," Regulus replies.
Despite the food smelling delicious, he’s so nervous right now he’s sure if he tried to eat anything his stomach would repulse it instantly.
"Okay," Effie nods. "Well, the first batch of mince pies are almost done, so I’ll leave them out incase you get peckish later. Feel free to help yourself, you’re too thin."
"Uh oh," James grins beside him. "I think that’s a new record, mum," He looks at Sirius over Regulus’ head, "Sirius, time?"
"Not even five minutes, Prongs."
"Definitely a new record," James nods seriously, looking back at his mum. "Not even five minutes and you’re already trying to fatten him up."
"Keep the cheek up, boys, and you won’t be getting any mince pies."
"Sorry, Effie."
"So sorry, mama."
"Good. Now, make yourselves useful and give Regulus a proper tour of the house. I’ve set up the South facing bedroom for you, Regulus, and I’ve put towels and such on your bed, but James and Sirius will show you where it is. I think Monty is in the lab again, and I’m sure he’s forgotten about you arriving today. It's nothing personal, cariño. He gets very into his work sometimes, he sometimes forgets we’re all here when he’s focussed enough."
Regulus just nods in reply, feeling sightly overwhelmed with the welcome so far.
Effie must notice the way he feels like he's drowning without water, because she smiles softly.
"Make yourself welcome, Regulus," she adds. "This is your home as much as ours. Anything you want or need, help yourself or ask. Okay?"
I will absolutely not be doing that, Regulus thinks. He's not sure a lifetime away from his parents will allow him to feel such relaxation. Still, he nods despite himself.
"Okay," he murmurs.
"Good," she beams. "Now, run along. James, don't forget to show him how the upstairs bath and shower works."
"Of course, mama," James replies. "Come, Reggie. Let's continue the tour!"
The 'tour' is just as overwhelming as the rest. The Potter manor continues to amaze Regulus as they move from room to room. Sirius insists they show him the library last, because Sirius is convinced that they won’t get Regulus back out of it.
"Give him an inch, and he’ll take a mile, when it comes to books," Sirius says teasingly.
Regulus doesn’t even have it in him to be offended. Sirius is right: if the library is big and magnificent, Regulus will not be leaving. As well, if it gives him a place of escape from James and Sirius, they’ll have to drag Regulus out kicking and screaming.
"This is dads potion lab," James says, leading Regulus to a room still on the ground floor. "Dad’s a potioneer, and he spends a lot of time making potions for St Mungo’s."
Regulus nods along.
"Dad?" James says, knocking and opening the door. When no one replies instantly, James pushes the door open and steps inside. "You still alive in here?"
The lab walls are structured with shelves upon shelves. Bottles and jars cover every surface, and there are desks and worktops in the middle of the room with cauldrons. Smoke emits from some of the cauldrons slowly bubbling away, and Regulus’ eyes are instantly drawn to a man standing beside a boiling pot, cutting something finely on a chopping board.
"Very funny, son," the man replies playfully, and when he looks up, he jolts in surprise when he spots Regulus standing beside his son. "Oh! Hello there."
"Dad, this is Regulus," James introduces.
Feeling awkward and throat closed, Regulus offers the man a shy wave.
"Nice to meet you, kiddo," the man smiles. Like Effie, he seems shockingly friendly. Regulus supposes he shouldn’t be surprised, considering the two of them created someone like James. "I’m Fleamont, but please, I beg of you, call me Monty. Only my mother and Effie call me Fleamont, and it usually means I’m in the doghouse."
Finally finding his voice, Regulus manages to croak out, "Nice to meet you, Monty."
"We’re excited to have you here," Monty says. "Sirius says you’re a prodigy at potions and charms."
Regulus is pretty sure his eyes bulge out of his skull. He feels his face heat up horribly, stomach swooping. "Oh, n-no—"
"He’s a little smart-ass at everything, Monty," Sirius interrupts, clapping Regulus on the shoulder.
"He is, dad," James adds. "You’re taking what, seven, N.E.W.T.S?"
Regulus flashes him a glare to get him to shut up.
"Very impressive, kiddo," Monty smiles. "Maybe you could be a good influence for these two over the holidays. I’m sure their precious ego’s won’t be able to handle being out-achieved so easily."
"It’s Christmas, dad," James whines.
"Yeah, anyone that reads a book during the holidays is the definition of a bore," Sirius adds.
Monty rolls his eyes at the pair of them, "Don’t listen to them, Regulus."
"I never do," Regulus shrugs.
"I like you," Monty nods, laughing. "He’s my new favourite."
"What!"
"Dad!"
"Regulus, feel free to come again," Monty chuckles. "My door is always open. To you, that is. You two, consider it still locked."
"Unbelievable," Sirius breathes. "Can you believe this, Prongs? The little bloodsucker has been here 10 minutes and he’s already got free access to the lab?"
"Just wait until I show you around the library and the green house," Monty says. "Do you like reading, Regulus?"
Sirius scoffs.
"Yes, I do," Regulus replies, deciding that while Monty and Effie’s hospitality is overwhelmingly kind, he thinks he’s going to like them very much.
"I’ll show you the library later," Monty winks, "It’ll be nice to have someone here who appreciates it."
Smiling, Regulus nods, "That’d be lovely."
There’s a small retching noise beside him.
"Gag."
"Shut up, Sirius," Regulus hisses. "Just because you can’t read."
"Hey—"
"Alright, get out all of you," Monty laughs, waving them off. "Regulus, come again. You two, entertain yourselves without destroying the house when you’re done giving Regulus the tour."
"Yes, dad," James nods, mock-saluting as he ushers them all out. They head back to grab Regulus’ bags so they can take them upstairs to his room.
"This is becoming a problem, Prongs," Sirius says, shaking his head as they make their way through the house. "I know you’re parents are lovely and love everyone, but I don’t think Monty was joking when he said Regulus is going to be his favourite."
"Shut up, Sirius," Regulus mutters.
"No!" Sirius cries. "I’m worried I’m going to be demoted from favourite adopted son!"
"You should be worried."
"You’re manipulating them," Sirius grumbles childishly. "You’re all small and shy in front of Effie, plucking at her mother hen heart strings. Then you’re all bookish and smart with Monty, making him fucking giddy at having someone he can talk stupid potions with."
"You’re sounding like a brat, Sirius."
"You’re the brat!"
"Excuse me." James chimes in. "They’re my parents. I am the favourite!"
"And I’m the second!"
"Was," Regulus corrects.
Sirius moans and groans behind him.
"This is your room," James says as they head upstairs. "This is your bathroom here, but you have to share with me and Sirius. My room is here, Sirius is there, and my parents are on the second floor upstairs."
The room they’ve given Regulus is cosy. A large bed with endless cushions and blankets making the whole thing look incredibly inviting and soft. There’s also a huge bay window that expands the view of the gardens.
"You even have a view of the lake," James says, pointing to the bank of water at the end of the grass expanse. "If you ever come here in the summer, we can go swimming."
"Reggie doesn’t know how to swim," Sirius pipes up from where he’s flung himself on Regulus’ bed.
"What?" James frowns, looking confused and irrationally offended. "Really?"
Regulus flushes under the scrutiny. "What? It’s not like we ever had a lake in our back garden to practice in."
Truthfully, it’s not a matter of not being able to swim. Regulus could learn if he wanted, and potentially he would have by now, if he didn’t have a crippling fear of bodies of water. It stems back from when he was five, and a 15 year old Bellatrix had thrown him in a pool at the Black manor on summer. Regulus couldn’t swim, and the shock of being thrown into a deep pool had caused him to panic. Sirius and Narcissa had barely got him out in time, and he’d spent five minutes afterwards throwing up water and sobbing. Later, his parents had punished him for creating a scene, and then Sirius had sat at his bedside for two weeks when he got pneumonia from all the water he’d swallowed into his lungs.
Regulus hasn’t gone near water since. For years after, even baths freaked him out unless Sirius sat in the room with him.
Regulus’s eyes flick to Sirius on the bed, and by the sudden anxious look on his brother’s face, he knows the older boy is remembering too.
"Come on, Prongs," Sirius says, leaping up from the bed. "I’m sure Reg wants some time to freshen up. Let’s go see if the mince pies are done."
"Alright," James nods. "You okay up here, Reg?"
Yes. Yes, please leave.
Regulus nods.
James flashes him a beaming smile. "Okay. We’ll be downstairs."
"Okay," Regulus murmurs, and then they’re gone.
As soon as the door closes behind them and the silence surrounds Regulus, he slumps like a marionette with their strings cut. Exhaling once, heavy and long, he deflates all the anxiety and nerves. The static in his ears seems to ease and disappear as the calm of being alone at last settles in.
Sinking down on the large window pane, Regulus looks out over the garden views and allows himself to just breathe.
In, and out.
In, and out.
In, and out.
Now he's alone, he can't believe he's here. Half a country away from Alphard's cottage, where the ceilings are low and the windows are a sight out of the Victorian age, he's now here in James Potter's house, Sirius and the Potter parents.
The peace and tranquility is ruined by the first half of the Marauders, a pair of classic loud and boisterous Gryffindors, combined with two adults that Regulus is so scared to give a bad impression to.
It's scary enough being a guest in someone's house, even more scary when it's Christmas, and even worse when it's the house where his brother ran to feel safer than when he was with Reg, and where the three apparent most amazing people live.
This is the place that Sirius ran for refuge and comfort, where he wanted to go when he didn't want to stay at Grimmauld anymore. The Potter parents were the people Sirius went to when he couldn't live at home anymore, when he needed the support their own parents refused and Regulus couldn't provide.
These people saved his brother, they gave him what Regulus could have never given him, and whether they know it or not, Regulus was already in their debt even before they offered to house him over the holidays.
So, yeah. Regulus is pretty fucking nervous right now.
Nervous for the amount he's aware he's going to have to be around people, nervous for the fact that he's going to have to be pleasant and sociable and chatty. He's mostly nervous for the fact that he's worried he's going to have to be someone he's not: nice, happy, bubbly.
Regulus is not Sirius, and he's most certainly not James. He doesn't have a loud laugh or a stomach aching sense of humour. Regulus isn't fun. He likes to read, sit in silence, study till his fingers bleed and spend as much time alone as politely (and sometimes rudely) possible.
If Effie and Monty are anything like the spawn they produced, Regulus is not going to fit in here at all.
He spends sometime unpacking his meagre amount of stuff. Truly, he's only here for two nights. He's barely filled the bag he brought, so unpacking takes minutes. When he's done, he curls up on the bed and reads the rest of his book he was reading when Sirius and James arrived at Uncle Alphard's house.
By the time he's finished, he has a burning desire to explore the library that Monty so boldly raved about. The older man said it was fine to go in, but James and Sirius never showed him where it was. With a new found sense of braveness, he leaves his bedroom and ventures to find Effie, hoping she's still around the kitchen so he doesn't have to explore the rest of the house to find her.
To his luck, Effie is exactly where she was earlier.
Regulus' bravery flees as soon as he's in standing in the kitchen doorway. Voice gone and body frozen, he watches as Effie bustles around the room, curly hair bouncing and aroma and smells of food wafting around her.
Regulus doesn't know how long he stands there, silent and loitering like a ghost, before Effie turns around and jumps in fright at the sight of him.
"Oh!" She cries, hand coming up to her chest. She laughs, shaking her head. "Hello, love. I didn’t see you there."
"Sorry," Regulus croaks.
"No bother," she smiles. "Everything alright?"
"Can…" he clears his throat and forces himself to stand straighter. "Can I go in the library?"
At the simple request, Effie's smile becomes a beam.
"Of course!" She says. "Did the boys show you were it is?"
Regulus shakes his head.
"Come with me," she smiles kindly. "Do you like mince pies?"
Regulus nods.
"Wonderful. Here, lets take these too. I saved you a plate of them so the boys wouldn’t eat them all without you."
"Oh," Regulus blinks, eyes flicking between the plate of freshly baked pies and Euphemia's face. "Thank you."
"No worries, cariño," she smiles. "Come, lets show you the library."
Regulus follows behind Euphemia like a shadow as he leads him through the maze of their family home until they come up to a door. She opens it, swinging it open slowly and stepping inside. Regulus follows with a strange sense of trepidation, feeling like he's being shown something secret or exclusive.
The library is magnificent. The room is huge, with shelves lining the walls from floor to ceiling. The windows are wide and long, allowing ample rays of light and shine to bleed into the room. There's a handful of chairs, all wide and high-backed, looking inviting and comfortable.
Euphemia places the plate of mince pies down on a small table beside a lounging chair.
"Help yourself to any book you'd like," she says. "I feel like you're the last person I need to ask to not damage the books, am I right?"
"Of course," Regulus replies in mute horror. He would never damage someone else's books. His own get battered and bent when they're stuffed in his bags or carried around all day, but he would never dare to even bend a page of someone else's.
"You’re welcome in here whenever you want," Euphemia explains. "Only me and Monty really come in here, so you should get plenty of peace and quiet."
"Thank you," Regulus replies.
"Come and find me if you need anything, alright?"
"Okay."
"I’ll come and grab you when dinner is ready."
"Thank you," Regulus echoes once more, and then the older woman closing the door behind her.
Regulus spends all day in the library. He grabs a muggle fiction book by Virginia Wolfe, sits himself down in the comfiest looking chair, which ironically is the one that Euphemia placed the mince pies down beside. He reads through the whole book. Hours pass, he slowly munches his way through a small mince pie in-between flipping the pages, lost in the words and submerged in the writing. He doesn't realise how long he's been curled up in the chair until there's a knock at the door.
He manages to hide his startle and surprise in time for Euphemia to pop her head into the room.
"Hello, love," she smiles. "Dinner will be ready in five minutes."
Regulus nods, closing the book. "Okay."
"Good book?"
He holds up the book so she can see.
"Oh! She's a wonderful author. Mrs Dolloway is my favourite of hers."
"It's very good," Regulus agrees, standing up and grabbing the plate of mince pies. When he see's Euphemia noticing the left over pies, he flushes and explains, "T-They were lovely, Mrs Potter. I just didn’t want to ruin my appetite for supper."
"No worries, dear," she smiles. "I’m glad you liked them."
"Thank you."
Dinner is an awkward affair, though Regulus is left alone to eat his food, he can’t help but feel pressured to join into the conversation despite no one being able to get a word in edge wise with Sirius and James’ yapping. Regulus feels entirely socially zapped, despite barely interacting with the Potter’s since arriving, the nerves and anxiety about staying at their house for three days has drained him mentally.
After dinner, thankfully, Sirius and James disappear faster than they appeared. They’re both practically sprinting from the room the moment they put their plates in the sink and Mrs Potter assures they don’t need to assist in cleaning up.
"You can go back to the library, love," she says to Regulus when he puts his plate to the side. "Or, if you want, you could join Monty in the potions lab. Sirius has told us you’re a prodigy in potioneering, and I know Monty would love to have some like-minded company."
Regulus eyes widen, both with curiosity but mostly fear that Effie has invited him to do something that Monty isn’t going to want him to join in on.
Mrs Potter must see his dread for what it is, because she’s smiling softly and nodding to something over his shoulder.
"She’s right, Regulus," a voice says, and Regulus turns around to see Monty standing by the now cleared and clean dining table. The older man didn’t say much during dinner, but now he’s smiling kindly at Regulus and adds, "I always enjoy some like-minded company in my lab, unless you’re going to be like James and Sirius."
Regulus frantically shakes his head. "No. I’m not like them."
Monty laughs, "I guessed so. Come on, kiddo. Let me show you the magic."
Regulus likes Monty. They spend all evening in the potions lab, working together on blood-replenishing potions and other healing remedies that Monty provides for St Mungo’s where Effie works. Monty is quiet, his voice is soft despite how well it carries. He teaches Regulus methods of cutting and crafting the ingredients, feeds him small bits of information about the properties of the potions. Regulus enjoys learning from Monty just as much as the senior Potter enjoys teaching.
***
Christmas Day at the Potter’s is chaotic. Regulus doesn’t know how else to describe it as anything other than enjoyable chaos. Sirius and James act like they’ve overdosed on Felix Felicis, bouncing around the house all day with endless energy and laughter.
The day passes in a blur, and by the time evening rolls around, Regulus is exhausted and over-full from all the food. Yet, as the hours of the night bleed past one another, Regulus can’t sleep.
He spends hours tossing and turning in bed, becoming more and more frustrated. He gets up after a while and goes downstairs to get a glass of water, hoping a change of scenery for a moment will act as a reset when he gets back into bed.
He stands by the sink while he drinks his water, shivering as goosebumps line his arms beneath his sleeves. Even in a jumper, the winter chill has made the kitchen cold and frozen.
"Can’t sleep?"
Regulus jumps about five foot in the air in fright. He squeaks in surprise, whipping around to find James standing in the doorway, looking sheepish and guilty.
"Sorry!" He winces. "I didn’t mean to scare you."
Regulus glares, his heart pounding in his chest. "You came out of no where in the middle of the night."
"Sorry," the older boy apologises again, grimacing.
"No," Regulus replies, finally answering James’ earlier question. "I can’t sleep."
"Same," James smiles. "I was just coming down to make a hot chocolate. Would you like one?"
Despite a mug full of sugar and sweetness being unwise before attempting to go to bed again, Regulus nods, "Okay. T-Thank you."
He watches James move around the kitchen, making the drinks with milk and chocolate on the stove. The older boy moves with a similar confidence and fluidity that he does when he’s on a broom playing Quidditch.
Regulus shivers again, and James must notice because he frowns.
"Are you cold?"
Regulus flushes. "A little bit."
"It should still be warm by the fire," James offers. "I’ll only be a minute and then I’ll bring the drinks over."
Regulus nods, sliding out of the chair and crossing the floor into the living room, where earlier that morning they all sat around and opened presents. As soon as Regulus sits down on the rug by the fire, that has long lost its flames but the wooden embers are still glowing in places, he realises that James was right. A comforting warmth is still emitting from the wood burner, and Regulus can barely resist curling up like a cat and soaking up the heat from the fire. Pulling his knees to his chest, Regulus allows the remnants of the burning wood to warm his face and limbs.
Before Regulus knows it, James is sitting down next to him, two mugs in hand. He hands one to Regulus, and instantly the hot crockery brings back warmth into Regulus’ fingers as he wraps both hands around it.
"Thank you," he whispers.
"You’re welcome," James smiles, crossing his legs to get comfortable on the rug. "Did you have a nice day?"
"Yes," Regulus nods. "It was like no Christmas I’ve ever had."
"Good. It was nice having you here."
After a few minutes, Regulus asks, "Was it lonely?"
"Was what?"
"Living here," Regulus explains. "Just you and your parents. It's... it's so big and it's only the three of you."
"At times, I guess," James shrugs easily. "I've got a lot of cousins, so the house was always busy at holidays. It was nice having other kids around, and it always felt pretty empty when they left. But that emptiness didn't last very long. My mum and dad are great. I just... I guess I got used to entertaining myself. It's probably why I've always been so loud at Hogwarts. It was the first time I got to spend more than a few days at a time with people my own age."
"That makes sense," Regulus nods.
For James, he thinks. He can’t imagine James doing well with solitude. The older boy practically thrives off company.
"It must have been amazing having a brother," James says softly.
"It was," Regulus whispers. "That house wouldn't have been survivable without Sirius."
It’s no word of a lie. Regulus would have survived a year let alone 15 in Grimmauld Place if Sirius hadn’t been with him. His brother means everything to him, despite how much they bicker and Regulus pretends that Sirius’ mere existence brings him excruciating pain. He owes Sirius a life debt for protecting him when they lived with their parents, and Regulus will never forget that.
"Does it get lonely at Alphards?" James asks.
"No," Regulus answers honestly. "As cruel as it sounds, when I'm not fearing for my life, I'm pretty content with being alone."
James chuckles, "That’s good. I’m… I’m glad you’re happy, Reg."
Regulus startles at the comment, his eyes widening and his cheeks blushing. He hopes the warmth from the fire hides the fresh rosy flush in his face.
"It’s Regulus," he mutters weakly, mostly out of habit.
James grins, flashing him his teeth.
***
Boxing Day passes much easier than Christmas. Remus and Peter come over to visit James and Sirius, so Regulus happily excuses himself from their antics. Monty practically drags him into his potions lab after breakfast when he hears the other half of the Marauders are coming over. For hours, the two of them are hunched over various potions and ingredients as Monty teaches Regulus how to make the very complicated and advanced Mandrake Restorative Draught. Effie comes in periodically with tea and snacks, kissing Monty’s cheek and stroking Regulus’ hair as she goes. When dinner comes around, Regulus is happy to find that the other two boys have gone, but is pleasantly surprised to see that Alphard is sitting at the table.
Regulus stops short at the door.
"Uncle Alphard?" He says, confused. "What are you doing here?"
"I was invited," Alphard smiles. "Did you have a good Christmas?"
Regulus nods, finding his feet again and making his way into the dining room. "Yes, thank you. How was work?"
"Incredibly underwhelming," Alphard shrugs. "Still, done and dusted now, and I am very grateful to be invited tonight for dinner."
"You are always welcome here whenever you like, the both of you," Effie replies, nodding with emphasis.
"Thank you, Euphemia,"
The older woman sighs, though she doesn’t sound annoyed, "Effie, please, and I won’t tell you again!"
"Of course," Alphard nods, seeming embarrassed and scolded. "My apologies, Effie."
"Much better," Effie winks, and Regulus can’t help but bite back a laugh at the idea of his Uncle Alphard being scolded by James’ mother.
Regulus and Uncle Alphard go home that night, and Sirius, Andy and Ted join the two of them on the 27th for lunch. By the time they leave in the evening, Regulus’ tank is empty and he practically runs to his room.
Uncle Alphard doesn’t bother him for days, only coming in to bring him drink and pull him out for food.
Regulus is grateful.
— tbc.