Regulus Black, the youngest second born son of the ancient and esteemed Black family, stood nervously at the forefront of a sea of eager faces, his heart pounding like there were a thousand golden snitch’s within his chest. The Great Hall of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry buzzed with anticipation as the Sorting Hat, began to sing his song. However Regulus couldn’t hear it over the numbing ringing sound in his ears. He didn’t notice when it had stopped singing and began to call upon The first years one by one. Regulus cast a quick, apprehensive glance towards his older brother, Sirius, who stood nearby, his visage etched with worry and a profound understanding of the immense weight resting on Regulus' slight shoulders.
The weight of his family's expectations bore heavily on Regulus's shoulders. The Black family, staunch believers in blood purity, had always been sorted into Slytherin. It was an unspoken rule, an assumed destiny that awaited each new member of their lineage.
It was his duty as a son of the Noble house of black to prioritize the preservation of his family's magical lineage by upholding the long standing pure blood traditions in order to uphold his families honor. Family was everything, and in order to keep his family, and his mother happy, that meant being sorted into slytherin.
He longed for acceptance, not just from his family, but from himself. The strict routine of the Black family, the unforgiving pursuit of pure-blood supremacy, left Regulus feeling suffocated. He couldn't reconcile his own beliefs and values with those he had been raised to accept. All his life he has been told that purebloods were superior and his noble blood was an honor, however he was beginning to have doubts. He loved his family and his brother, he loved being a black, he was proud of his blood and of his family ancestry. And so, with trembling hope, he awaited the Sorting Hat's judgment.
"Regulus Black," the Sorting Hat's voice echoed throughout the Great Hall, breaking the anticipation-filled silence. As the name reverberated, all eyes turned toward the young heir, whose heart raced with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity.
Regulus took a deep breath, summoning his courage, and made his way towards the stage with measured steps. He could feel the eyes of his cousins watching, the eyes of his brother. As he climbed the steps, his gaze briefly met his elder cousin Narcissa's, who nodded subtly, a flicker of understanding passing between them. He looked towards his older brother, Sirius, who sat at the edge of the Gryffindor table next to his friends. Sirius wore a mixture of concern and curiosity. As he climbed the steps, a flicker of determination ignited within him,
As the Sorting Hat was placed upon his head, Regulus closed his eyes tightly, his mind filled with a whirlwind of thoughts. The fabric of the hat brushed against his temples, and he could almost feel the Hat's ancient presence seeping into his thoughts.
The Sorting Hat, wise and ancient, sensed the turmoil within Regulus's heart. It took a moment to examine his thoughts, his desires, and the conflict that threatened to tear him apart. It understood his longing for acceptance and his yearning to break free from the expectations of his family. The Hat cleared its throat and began to speak.
"Ah, Regulus Black," the Sorting Hat murmured thoughtfully, its voice resounding in Regulus's mind. "The second son of the esteemed noble house of Black, yes yes I see many similarities between you and that other Black boy. A name with a storied past, a lineage steeped in tradition.
And yet, there's something different about you, something that seeks liberation from the chains of conformity. I sense a great thirst for knowledge and an unyielding loyalty for your family, however also a great courage within you, a determination to challenge the expectations that bind you. A very difficult decision indeed, what to choose, what to choose, hmmmm, what do you desire child?
“ You’re asking me? Shouldn’t you be the all knowing and wise sorting hat? Isn’t the answer already obvious? I’m a son of the house Black, shouldn’t it be slytherin?” Regulus asked with a questionable tone.
“Oh, a snarky boy, we’ll Regulus, let me let you in on a little secret. The houses are not rigid boxes; they are just starting points. You can transcend the expectations of your family and forge your own path. In you, I see the potential for bravery and a desire to stand up for what's right. I also see a boy who seeks knowledge of the world, and a boy who just wants to please his family. However the final choice will always be yours and yours alone”
“Where do I want to be?”
“Yes, your choice matters. Speak your heart's desire.”
Regulus took a deep breath and thought, he knew what was expected of him, and he knew the consequences of how his results could be. However he yearned for a life of his own, where he could live how he wanted. So after a moment he finally responded, his voice filled with sincerity. "I want to be with my brother, Sirius."
“Very well, then. GRYFFINDOR!"
A collective gasp filled the Great Hall as the red and gold banners were unfurled, signifying Regulus's placement in Gryffindor. Sirius's eyes widened in surprise, but then a wide smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Regulus couldn't help but return the smile, feeling a sense of relief wash over him.
Regulus took a deep breath, summoning his inner resolve. "Gryffindor," he said with unwavering determination.
The words were barely out of his mouth when Sirius erupted in ecstatic celebration unable to contain his excitement anymore, letting out a deafening cheer that reverberated throughout the Great Hall. His exuberance was infectious, and soon the Gryffindor table joined in, clapping and cheering for the newest member of their house.
As he made his way towards his new house, Sirius leaped from his seat, embracing Regulus in a bear hug. "You did it, Reg! Gryffindor! We're going to have the time of our lives!"
Seated next to James Potter at the Gryffindor table, Regulus felt a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. James turned to him, his hazel eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Regulus Black, eh?" James said, his voice laced with friendly interest. "Quite the surprise, mate. But you know what they say, the Sorting Hat knows best!"
Regulus managed a small smile, grateful for James's attempt to put him at ease. "I suppose it does," he replied, glancing around at the sea of red and gold surrounding them. “ I’ve always wanted to make my family proud, ever since I was a child, however now that I’m older, I’ve decided that I want to become my own person”.
James nodded knowingly, his messy black hair falling into his eyes. "I understand, Regulus. Sometimes, we have to break free from the expectations placed upon us. It takes courage to forge your own path, you should be proud.”
“Oh, thank you” Regulus blushes.
“Welcome to Gryffindor Regulus, we’ve been waiting for you, the only brother Black with any brain”. Said a girl with beautiful dark red hair.
“Shut it Evans” Sirius snapped back, sticking his tongue out,
“Moony, defend my honor would you” Sirius said flopping dramatically onto the lap of Remus Lupin.
“You have to be more mature in front of the first years Sirius” Remus scolded.
“Traitors, all of you” Sirius cried pouting his lips.
Regulus's cheeks flushed with a mix of happiness and relief. Everyone was so kind and welcoming. He took his place among the Gryffindors, feeling an instant connection to his new housemates.
_______________________________
After the rest of the sorting ceremony and the feast finally finished, Regulus headed towards his first class of transfiguration.
Throughout the day, he found himself amazed by the professors and their knowledge, from Transfiguration to Defense Against the Dark Arts. He eagerly took notes, excitedly in high hopes for his future life here. Regulus was pleasantly surprised by the fellow house members and the support he found among his classmates, who welcomed him into their study groups and shared tips and tricks for navigating the intricacies of magical education. By the end of the day, although tired, Regulus felt a sense of accomplishment and belonging. He was so deep in his thoughts that he didn’t see his brother creeping up behind him.
Sirius than proceed to jump him and grabbed Regulus’s hand, leading him towards the Gryffindor common room.
“Are you ready for the best time of your life? We're going to party, Reggie! A true Gryffindor style celebration for the first year's welcome party!”
They raced up the winding staircases, their laughter filling the corridors as they arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady. Sirius shouted the password, and the portrait swung open to reveal a room alive with excitement and revelry.
The common room was adorned with red and gold banners, and the air was filled with music, laughter, and the scent of homemade treats. Sirius led Regulus into the heart of the celebration, where Gryffindors of all years and backgrounds joined in the festivities.
He spotted Evans and a couple other girls in a corner dancing and laughing together. In the other side he saw James trying to persuade Remus into stepping on the dance floor (clearly failing at it).
Regulus couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging wash over him as he danced, laughed, and shared stories with his newfound Gryffindor family. He was now one of them, a member of the Gryffindor family.
______________________
Over the weeks and months that followed, Regulus grew closer to the Marauders. Late nights were spent huddled in the Gryffindor common room, sharing stories and dreams for the future.
One evening, as they sat by the crackling fireplace, the Marauders engaged in their usual banter and mischief. Pettigrew, had transformed the flames into dancing fiery dragons that performed acrobatics in mid-air. The group erupted in laughter as the fiery creatures twirled and spun, captivating their attention.
Regulus couldn't help but join in the merriment, his worries momentarily forgotten. He found solace in the camaraderie of his newfound friends, relishing the freedom that Gryffindor had granted him. Sirius, ever the troublemaker, leaned closer to Regulus with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
"Reg, how about we plan a little surprise?" Sirius whispered, a devilish smirk playing on his lips.
“Your very first prank as a new member of the marauders.
Regulus chuckled, knowing exactly what Sirius had in mind. The notorious Marauders had a reputation for their pranks. With a shared understanding, the group tiptoed through the halls of Hogwarts, their laughter echoing softly.
As they approached the kitchens, the scent of freshly baked treats wafted through the air, tantalizing their senses. Regulus's mouth watered, but his mischievous instincts took hold. With a wave of his wand, he stole a multitude of cream pies, their fluffy peaks bouncing along as they levitated towards the group of boys.
It was time to execute the prank, the Marauders and Regulus started their plan. While James created a diversion to keep the Slytherin prefects occupied, Sirius, Regulus, Remus, and Peter stealthily made their way through the secret tunnels of hogwarts towards the current class of slytherin potions.
As the Slytherins busily worked on their separate projects, Regulus and the Marauders burst into the classroom, casting a spell that launched all the pies straight into the room of the unprepared slytherin students.
The pies splattered against the walls, the ceiling, and even on a students startled face. The students sputtered and their eyes widened in disbelief, their calm demeanours momentarily replaced with confusion.
Regulus and the Marauders burst into peals of laughter, their joy infectious. Sirius high-fived Regulus, Even Remus, the usually composed and thoughtful one, couldn't suppress his laughter, doubling over in fits of mirth.
“We’ll done boys, I think that was a successful true marauder start to the year”. James said while still cackling.
The prank became the talk of the school, earning Regulus and the Marauders an even bigger mass of popularity. While the Slytherins were initially furious, a few begrudging smiles began to surface as they admired the sheer boldness of the prank.
From that moment on, Regulus fully embraced the spirit of the Marauders. Together, they devised pranks that would go down in Hogwarts history. They charmed staircases to turn into slides, bewitched quills to write messages during exams, and even managed to sneak into the Forbidden Forest for moonlit adventures.
Their escapades brought color to Regulus's life, replacing the darkness he had once known. They became his second family, the Gryffindor brothers he had longed for.
During those moments of levity and laughter, Regulus's worries about his mother and the Black family momentarily faded into the background. He found solace in the embrace of true friendship, and in the knowledge that he was no longer alone in his dissenting thoughts.
The Marauders, with their unwavering loyalty and zest for life, reminded Regulus that he didn't have to conform to the expectations of his family. He could forge his own path, guided by the principles of bravery, compassion, and a love for mischief that brought joy to those around him.
In those moments, surrounded by laughter and the warmth of friendship, Regulus discovered a newfound strength within himself. He was not just Regulus Black, but Regulus, a Gryffindor through and through. And with his brothers by his side, he knew that no matter the challenges he would face, he would always have a family that loved him unconditionally.