Regulus’ Tracy
James’ POV.
When Regulus Black arrived at Hogwarts, Sirius made all of us promise to keep an eye on him. Whenever we sat down to eat, he would make sure his brother was present on the other side of the Great Hall. At first, I didn’t really pay much attention to baby Black, but Sirius’ habit of always looking for him in every room was extremely communicative. And soon I found myself watching Regulus’ every move.
I know Regulus doesn’t like physical touch. Once, I clapped his shoulder to congratulate him for making it in the Slytherin quidditch team, and for months he had kept 5 feet between us at all times.
Even with his best friends, Barty Crouch Jr (who Sirius and I don’t like, but Regulus seems to be really attached to him for some reason.) and Evan Rosier (who’s kind of okay, but since he seems attached by the hip with Barty, he is also suspicious.) Regulus doesn’t get physically close, at least, not in public.
The only ones, who are allowed to touch him are Sirius, and Pandora. I always wondered why Pandora had such a privilege. Sirius was his brother, so it was obvious. But Pandora ? What did she have ?
Sure she’s also his best friend. But she’s a Ravenclaw so she doesn’t spend as much time with him as Barty and Evan, who share a dorm room with him. She couldn’t be his lover, could she ? I never saw them kissing… But I did see them hold hands once !
What if she’s forcing him to be physically close with her ? And poor Regulus doesn’t know how to reject her because she’s so appreciated by everyone. I have to ask Sirius about her. He out of everyone would know if they’re a couple.
Which would be fine… I’m just looking out for him. That’s what Sirius asked me to do. Nothing more. I just worry about him.
I push my homework to the side, it’s not like I can focus on it anyways.
“Padfoot ?”
“Yeah ?” Replied Sirius from his bed where he was also studying.
I struggled to form a question without sounding suspicious :
“Do you… I mean don’t you think Pandora and Regulus are… like really close ?” I finally asked
“Well yeah. Why ?” Questioned Sirius, looking up confused.
“Oh, I don’t know… I just… wondered if you thought anything weird of it.”
“Of Pandora ? No no, she’s lovely. If anything, I’m really glad she’s by my baby brother’s side.” Answered Sirius. “No, don’t worry Prongs, we like her. We like Pandora.”
“Yeah okay.” I replied still unsure. “But… Do you think they’re like… like together ?”
“Like a couple ?”
I nod, and my best friend burst out laughing. Was it really that funny ? I chuckle awkwardly, pretending to focus back on my assignment. Sirius finally sits back :
“Okay, listen Prongs” He starts. “Regulus and Pandora go wayyy back. Even before Hogwarts they were basically glued together. During first year, while I was here with you, Reggie was alone with our parents. And we’d send each other secret letters, checking on the other. He was like : ‘Siri, Mother and Father took me to another one of those awful parties.’ And I’d say, every time : ‘Were you with anybody ?’ Because as his big brother I always want to know; ‘is my brother alone with our parents and other pure bloods, or does he have a friend to hide away with’. And he’d always answer : ‘Yeah ! Dora’. So there was always Pandora, who was always with him and I thought; ‘okay, thank Merlin for Pandora. Pandora is a least there for my baby brother.’ I don’t think they would ever be more than friends. They’re basically little versions of us if you prefer.”
“Yeah.” I said, thinking. “Yeah, okay, I get it.”
So that’s why Pandora can touch Regulus. Because she’s been here for so long. Maybe he only tolerates touch from those who’ve been around all his life. But that would mean I will never get the privilege…
Or maybe Regulus only lets people be all touchy with him once they proved they would stay by his side no matter what. Like Sirius and Pandora did. So that’s what I need to do. Prove to Regulus that I’ll stick with him forever.
To keep an eye on him obviously. Just to make sure he’s okay. No other reason.