Black Dog
Still, everything felt very quit. Regulus had only once went down for dinner but that hurt even more because the depressing silence was insufferable.
But at least Kreacher talked to him. He always did. He told him bed time stories and Regulus read him some of his poetry in return. It felt a bit awkward doing it especially because he has never shared any of his writing with anybody before, not even Barty, but also he kinda had to give Kreacher something in return for being responsible that Regulus is still alive.
Barty visited twice. The first time he was almost caught by mother because he got too clumsy and slow on the tree. Interestingly enough Barty also got a beating the day before.
Regulus finally got the energy to finish his best friend’s painting. He was really satisfied with how he did Barty’s eyes especially because he was the most scared that he was going to mess them up.
He would never want to mess up the most beautiful part of Barty’s face, even tho his whole face also wasn’t far from handsome.
Still the best part of his days was when Luna would visit. Regulus never really thought he would care so much about a pet, if he could even call Luna that. She was a free spirit. Something that had no rules apply to them. Sometimes he thought she could even fly and not have to fall to the ground under the rules of gravity.
***
Barty sang him a verse from a Led Zeppelin song called “Black Dog”. That album is basically the perfect gift for Sirius’ birthday. Even tho he misses hearing the same Bowie song play from his brother’s record player, he will be satisfied enough with just knowing Sirius will finally try listening to something new.
Sirius’ obsession with “Changes” started that summer. His brother has been trying to find his perfect muggle song since last Christmas when Andromeda bought him the record player. Him and Regulus had asked their cousins to send them thousands of different vinyls, every in different genre and different cover and different name. To Regulus it became quit strange how much music the muggles have, but he didn’t really mind it because sometimes it was a pretty change from the classic piano repeating inside his head. And even tho they got really close with “Stand by me”, which Regulus really adored, he knew that the moment Sirius put on the first song of the album who had a magic looking man on it, that was it. They both got absolutely obsessed. And even tho Regulus sometimes hated the monotony of it always being on, there was no comparing the euphoria that piano brought to him with any other song he even heard in his life.
But Led Zeppelin felt different. When it was his brother in question, they even felt a bit right.
Regulus was really hoping Sirius will be coming for the holidays with a new song on repeat.
***
For once, Regulus couldn’t stop smiling. Because it was Halloween, his favorite day of the year. Well besides his birthday.
The dinner was supposed to be tonight, but also it was his one special night with Andy and candy. For once Regulus would eat sweets that didn’t make him want to puke. And he could dress up, like actually dress up. Well, of course not in front of mother and father, but still.
***
‘Reggie! The costume looks amazing, you are basically a genius!’ Andromeda said. He didn’t really believe he was seeing her again. The last time she visited was for his birthday which was months ago and he genuinely really missed her.
‘Well thank you, I think I did pretty good.’ Regulus really didn’t have many choices in what to make for his costume for the reason of not really being able to buy anything but just make it on the spot. But he was actually really proud of his pirate costume. Even tho he wished he could do some of the cool makeup Bella does on her eyes to finish off the look, he was satisfied with how he actually found even a solution for an eyepatch.
‘Yours is also really pretty. I love the necklace!’ Andy usually had great ideas for her costumes but this year she really outdid herself. She died half of her hair white and had this beautiful pearl necklace that went perfect with the red lipstick she was wearing. Even tho Regulus thought the character of Cruella De Vile would suit Bella more, he was amazed about how well her older sister pulled it off.
‘Thanks Reg, but now let me give you what I’m here for…’ The moment Regulus saw the huge pile of candy coming out of the bag a huge smile stretched across his face. Oh, he loved his cousin so much.
‘Yeah I know, I thought I would give you a bit more this year because well I don’t have to buy for the both of you anymore.’ Then Regulus noticed the sadness in her voice and remembered how she won’t be buying for either of them next year. He really doesn’t know what he will do without Andy’s Halloween visits.
‘Oh my God, I’m so stupid I almost forgot to give you the record!’
‘Yeah! You listened to the album?’
‘A bit I think it’s really in Sirius’ style and it’s kinda perfect like I sometimes wonder Reg how can a ten year old be so talented at picking music.’ That made Regulus really happy.
‘But also… the dinner?’ He saw the worry on her face and remembered how before she ran away for his eldest cousin, the first child of his uncle and aunt, those dinners were the most painful.
‘Oh yeah, it went I think okay. Our parents were as stiff as always, but Bella was at least fun.’ He didn’t really want to admit it in front of Andromeda so he wouldn’t hurt her feelings, but actually Bellatrix made the dinner at least ten times better because even tho he gets along best with Cissa and favorites Andy, Bella has always had a soft spot for him and has been protective so he couldn’t say he disliked her when she would usually defend him at every table they were, because she was usually the only one who had the guts to.
‘Well then so a classic Halloween dinner, nothing ever bloody changes.’
‘I know, it’s a bit sad.’
‘It really is, but now Reggie I really have to go but you know I love you and always miss you so much. And I forgot to tell you that Ted said hi!’ And with that she kissed him on the top of his head and went to the window of his room.
‘Andy um, tell Ted hi back, and also just so you know, I love you too.’ He didn’t know why but those words even for him to say to Sirius were hard. But it is probably nothing.
‘I will, don’t worry.’ And she smiled and he thought that a hundred normal smiles weren’t equal to Andormeda’s warm ones.
***
‘I don’t know about you Reggie, but I think your cousin can really pick some good candy.’ Barty said with a full mouth covered in chocolate while he was basically demolishing the poor bag. Ugh, the prick.
‘Well yeah, but I don’t think I’ll get to try most of it if you keep throwing stuff in your mouth without thinking!’
‘Okay okay, I’ll slow down.’
‘That is what I thought.’ He really loved when once in a while Barty would actually listen to something he said and let the few brain cells of his work.
‘So, did you buy the record at the end?’
‘Yeah, Andy brought it here for me and I really think Sirius will like it.’ He really hoped so. He sent it this morning with a letter he spent basically three hours writing because he couldn’t decide what to and that not to put in it. Regulus couldn’t wait for Sirius’ reply.
‘Well that is fun.’ Barty started throwing candy in his mouth uncontrollably again. It’s really sad how Regulus actually thought his friend has any self control in the presence of sugar.
***
‘Regulus…’ he heard someone whisper beside him.
‘Barty, is that you?’
‘Yes stupid it’s me.’ Barty said through a laugh, but it sounded pained. Something was wrong but Regulus still didn’t get what. His eyes still hadn’t adjusted to the light.
‘Regulus, I’m bleeding, and I’m a bit dizzy.’
No.