6 - Under Pressure
11:39; 3rd of September, 1979
A response from Dumbledore came in just one day after the order meeting. The letter was long. It was filled with dozens of questions about tiny little details, most of which Regulus really couldn’t recall to save his life, and a request to work together in search of the other horcruxes. Regulus politely declined for now. The idea that Dumbledore now had the full story was scary enough, and Regulus really wasn’t ready to go hunting for more horcruxes. He did answer all of Dumbledores questions to the best of his ability, constantly supported by Lily and James.
Lily and James.
Over the few weeks Regulus had spent in their home, it had grown to be his home as well. Regulus loved flying with James, following right behind him, forgetting all of his worries as the wind fucked up his hair in a way that would’ve gotten him a couple of curses from his dear mother. James’ hair was always fucked up in an attractive way though, and flying didn’t change that. Regulus also loved mornings with Lily. He loved watching her make tea, and then drinking it together while talking about what the day might bring. He loved trying to figure out what muggle stuff was with James, trying to guess what they were used for, and then telling Lily, because it always made her laugh. He loved listening to Lily tell them what it was actually used for. He secretly loved it when James tried to steal his tea, and he loved reading with Lily in the library, in silence, just comforted by each other's presence.
Regulus was home, at last.
-
04:29; 4th of September, 1979.
Regulus was crying on the Astronomy tower because of what Sirius had said to him. “I don’t have a brother anymore” It echoed in his mind along with Sirius’ apparently half-hearted promise to always stay together, no matter what. Regulus had been only 9 that night. Sirius had made Regulus believe that, but it was clearly a lie. And then James Potter came up. And he lied too. He told Regulus he would help.
And so Regulus asked for help.
And Potter laughed in his face as the once so sturdy floors beneath him turned into cold, cold water. Water filled with lies and broken promises to love and to stay. He wanted to escape, but he couldn't. Invisible forces were pulling him with them, down
Down
Down
Down.
He couldn’t see much, but he could make out Potter’s silhouette, shaking with laughter as Regulus went down,
Down
Down
Down.
He wanted to scream, but then he was choking on water again.
But he screamed anyway.
And he went down anyway.
Screams
Down
Screams
Down
Down
Down
Screams
Down
“REGULUS, wake up!”
Regulus woke up.
He woke up to Lily’s worried voice and already half in her arms. He moved closer to her, letting himself be held by her, letting her take care of him as his breathing steadied again.
“It was just a nightmare, Reg, it’s not real.” Lily soothed him until he was really only still in her arms because she was so damn comfortable. When Regulus’ stomach signalled that he was hungry, they went downstairs to make breakfast together.
16:12; 4th of September 1979.
“Checkmate.” Said Regulus, causing James to groan, his head in his hands in a way that would’ve made Walburga Black ask him if his neck was really that weak. James had been defeated twice in a row now.
“How do you keep winning?” asked James.
“How do you continue being so easy to beat?” joked Regulus, which made them both laugh.
“Fair point, I guess.” James smiled. They both looked up when they heard the door creak. It was Lily, who smiled at them fondly. She was wearing one of James’ pink knit sweaters under her yellow overalls. “Hi Sajan, wonderful that you’re here, you can help me beat Reg.” grinned James, causing Regulus and Lily to laugh.
“I think I’d rather watch him beat you,” she said, pausing for dramatic effect, “again.” She smiled and sat down in a comfortable chair, pushing it closer to the chess board to be able to properly see the game. “I bet it’s quite entertaining to watch.”
Regulus snorted “It is.”
“Of course it is, I’m always entertaining to watch.” Joked James. “I’m quite handsome, I’ll have you know.”
Lily laughed and gave him a quick peck on his cheek before making herself comfortable in the plush chair. When they began playing again, Lily cringed visibly at almost every move James made, and then refused to tell him what he was doing wrong when he asked her. After an embarrassingly short game Regulus won, to no one’s surprise.
“You, James Potter, are just going to have to accept that chess is not your strong suit.” Said Regulus triumphantly.
“It’s a good thing I can still beat you at flying.” said James while Lily laughed. “You know what Lils? I bet you couldn’t beat Reg either.” James raised both his eyebrows at her because he couldn’t just raise one like Regulus could.
“Wanna bet?”
“Okay. If I’m right, and Reg wins, I get to steal your tea from now on and you can’t complain anymore.”
“And what if I win?” asked Lily.
“I’ll never steal your tea ever ever ever again.”
“Never ever?”
“Never ever.”
“Deal.”
And so James took Lily’s place in the comfortable chair, and Lily took James’, and the game started. It took quite a while longer than any of the previous ones, and it was exciting right up until the moment when Lily said “checkmate”, and she won.