you set my soul alight

Regulus waited just outside the grand chapel doors. They were twice the size of him - the biggest doors he’s seen on a church. They were carved with small pictures of past kings and their greatest achievements. 

The doors in front of Regulus opened and he stepped inside the chapel. He’s seen this place a million times in the lead up to the coronation. The paintings on the wall that were cracking from the paint that has lasted literal centuries. 

The ceiling had one massive mural of the past king, Regulus’ father. Orion Black II, who was painted as fighting a massive lion. From Regulus’ many history lessons on this exact chapel, he remembered that the lion was symbolising the Kingdom of Potter.

Regulus walked slowly down the aisle. He doesn’t remember the chapel being this long, perhaps it’s all the eyes staring at him, trying to pry his deepest secrets out of him. Regulus tried to keep his eyes towards the right of the altar, where he would sit for the rest of the ceremony. 

However, a tousle of black hair had completely ruined his plan. Regulus felt his heart stop, it was Prince James Potter. Regulus locked eyes with him and his heart began beating faster. James Potter should not be here, and especially not sat in the front row, which is meant to be reserved for the highest of royals, where people like their parents were sat. 

Regulus kept staring at James until he passed him. then his heart rate slowed slightly as he got to his seat, which was to the left of the altar. It also was unfortunately opposite to where James sat. 

Regulus sat down carefully in his seat and waited to see his brother come through the chapels’ doors. He looked at James, who nodded encouragingly. 

It felt like five minutes, when Sirius finally walked through the doors. His stride was off. He was slightly limping on his right leg as he walked to the front, nobody else probably would have noticed. Regulus knew Sirius well enough that he knew when he was hurt, even if it was just a small injury. Regulus knew exactly what had happened to him. 

Sirius arrived at the altar and stood facing the high priest.

“Sir, is your Majesty willing to take the Oath?” The priest’s voice boomed out. Regulus could’ve sworn there was some magic happening because, someone’s voice cannot be that loud.  

“I am willing,” Sirius replied, his voice slightly quieter than the priest. Definitely magic. 

“Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of the Kingdom of Black, and for the greater good of the Kingdom?” 

“I solemnly promise to do so.”

“Will you to your power cause justice to be executed in all your judgements?”

“I will” 

Regulus watched as Sirius stood from his chair and walked to the front of the altar. He knelt on one knee, and a crown was placed gently onto his head. The gems on it were sparkling in the dim light. 

Sirius stood up and took the sceptre and the orb from a servant of the priest. He held them up as the priest began talking in Latin. From the little Latin that Regulus knew he could pick out some words being said. 

“Rex noster Sirius Orion Black II cum magna sua potestate per omnes difficultates nos ducat,” the priest said. (Translation: May our king, Sirius Orion Black III, lead us with his great power through all difficulties.)

“Salve rex,” came the chorus on the top of the chapel. (Translation: Hail the king) 

Then, Sirius put the sceptre and the orb back onto the pillow that the servant was carrying. Then now’s the boring part of the coronation. Sirius must sign 13 papers, which formally agree to the terms. 

Regulus tuned this part out, drifting off into a daydream. He thought about Potter in the front row. He thought about the way his lips looked when he talked, or the way he was so casual in everything he did, and the way he stood. He imagined James’ arms around his shoulders and James’s whispering in his ear, things that only he would be able to hear. 

Regulus snapped out of the daydream. He blinked a few times and realised he was meant to be getting up and walking down the aisle. Then he was meant to socialise with the guests and ‘charm’ them, that was Sirius’ specialty. Regulus had absolutely no idea how to charm people. 

He was next to leave now. Regulus stood, trying not to tumble over and embarrass the family. 

Regulus stood outside, and he breathed in the fresh air after being trapped in that stuffy chapel for hours. Regulus knew that he wouldn’t see Sirius now, but he still looked anyways. 

Then, a hand grabbed his wrist and dragged him away from the centre of the crowd. 

He whipped his head around to see Prince James Potter. He had a stupid grin on his face that Regulus would’ve liked nothing more than to wipe it right off with a punch to his mouth. 

“Cool coronation, am I right?” James spoke loudly, putting a hand around Regulus’ shoulder and leading him away from the crowd of people. Regulus felt a little bit of Deja vu and then he tried to get out of his grip. 

“What the hell are you doing, Potter?” Regulus hissed right into his ear. James squeezed his shoulder, his grip surprisingly tight. 

“Saving you, you looked like a lost puppy, Black,” James whispered into his ear, weirdly cheerful. 

“I don’t need saving, and I was not lost. Let go of me,” Regulus clenched his jaw and tried to shake off James again. 

“And I don’t think you should start squirming out of my arm there, Black. You do realise that your people are watching you,” James said with a practiced fake smile. Regulus froze and looked at the crowd of people. Some of them were whispering, and others were just plain staring. “See?” 

“What the actual fuck is wrong with you?” Regulus said, while he stood there, taking in the crows. He let James’ arm stay on his shoulder. 

“Wow, I didn’t know you were allowed to swear! I never knew you even could,” James said with an amused chuckle, trying not let a real smile onto his face. 

“James Fleamont Potter,” a regal voice, said somewhere to the left of them. James immediately stepped away from Regulus. He walked to a woman looked like James but was much prettier and more had a very warm smile. Regulus thought she was beautiful. He stopped before following them, and turned back around to Regulus and mouthed something that Regulus couldn’t understand. He winked, and then followed the Queen of the Potter Kingdom. 

Regulus blinked, and his brow furrowed. James Potter was literally meant to be an enemy of a traitor kingdom, not a friend. Regulus had certainly not thought them close enough to throw an arm over his shoulders, he was literally just thinking of that. 

Regulus brushed imaginary crumbs off his suit and frowned more deeply. He pushed his way back into the crowd and reluctantly began socialising with the guests.

~~ 

Sirius stood in his room back at the palace. He stared at the glittering crown that was his. It was official that his freedom was gone. For good. 

He sunk to the floor and sobbed. Sobbed like the world was ending, like he could never breathe again, as if there was an invisible noose that had already tied itself to his neck. For it was partly true, he’d never get to feel as free as he did this morning, talking to that tall bookstore owner. 

What was his name? Robert? Rowan? Riley? Rory? Sirius couldn’t tell you, all he knew was that his name started with an R. Maybe he could make up a name. That could keep his time occupied. 

With a bit more thinking, he came up with a name that he thought suited the man. Remy. It was perfect, just like him. 

Sirius knew that his mother would never approve of that marriage. He sobbed for the loss of his small crush, and the knowledge that the relationship was already impossible. 

Why was everything so unfair for him? 

Sirius took a shaky breath and stood up, he wiped his eyes with a little more force than was necessary and decided he was going to go back into the village and pretend that he wanted to make appearances as their new king. 

~~ 

Remus sat behind the counter and put his feet up on the desk. He was reading a random book he found in the furthest aisle just on the floor. 

The little tinkle of the bell told Remus another customer had walked in, but he was so entertained by the book that he just didn’t look up. He hoped they would be gone soon. 

“Excuse me,” that regal voice again. Remus looked up and nearly fell off his chair. 

The prince, sorry, king, was standing right in front of him, and he looked nervous? What reason would a king have to be nervous? Remus hurried to collect himself. 

“I’m so sorry your majesty,” Remus said, rushing to stand up. 

“I thought I told you to call me Sirius. Please call me Sirius, this is like the one time I cannot be the king of this place,” Sirius said. 

Remus nodded, “I’m sorry again, Sirius. Can I help you with something?” 

“Yes, actually, where are your most strange books?” 

“Right this way,” Remus led Sirius to the very back of his store. There were cobwebs and the cheap wallpaper was falling off the walls, at least more than the rest of the shop. It was almost as if they had walked into an alternate universe. 

Sirius looked around in awe. Remus was confused, because didn’t Sirius have the most magnificent place in the palace? Why is he so impressed? Weird. 

Remus pointed to a bookshelf, “that’s got all the books that nobody else buys, if they’ve got dust on them, it’s probably wise not to touch them.” Remus smiled at Sirius and began to walk out of the aisle. 

“Thank you, Remy,” Sirius blurted. Remus whirled around; his face contorted in constrained amusement. 

“What did you call me?” Remus said trying to hide a laugh. Sirius’ face broke out into a smile. 

“Remy.” 

“I hate that. Don’t ever call me Remy, Sirius”. 

“Okay Remy,” Sirius’ voice went up an octave, then he immediately buckled over laughing. Merlin, his laugh was melodic. Like the morning birds that Remus heard when he walks to his bookstore. 

Remus rolled his eyes and turned on his heel and exited the aisle, leaving Sirius to find a book by himself. 

~~ 

Sirius stood, just watching Remus walk out. His walk was hypnotising, the way his hips swayed slightly, and how his feet stepped directly in line with each other. And the way that his shoes made a distinct clack sound as he walked on the wooden floor. 

Sirius snapped out of it when Remus turned the corner. He turned back to the shelf. He looked for a while before deciding on a book called ‘Werewolves and Where to Find Them’ by some author whose name had been crossed out and scribbled on. 

He took the book and made his way to the front, where Remus stood nervously. He dropped the book on the counter. 

“This one please Mr…” Sirius said, drawing out the last word.  

“Lupin,” Remus finished. “Also, it’s on me, just take the book.” Remus pushed the book towards Sirius. 

“Are you sure? I can pay you know, I’m absolutely stacked with money,” Sirius grinned and pulled out a wallet which was overstuffed with money. Remus shook his head firmly. 

“No, take the book. Before I change my mind,” he said and turned around to find a pen to write with. “Also, you should come back more often, you actually brighten my day a lot more than my usual customers.” 

With that, Sirius smiled and left the bookstore, happy with his new book, and new acquaintance. 

~~