Letters 1972
Sirius went, as he had said, to the Potters' two weeks later, he lied to his parents once more. Regulus didn't even want to say goodbye, something he deeply regretted a few minutes after Sirius had left. He was the most important person in his life, maybe that's why it had hurt him so much when he left, even if it was just a stupid summer vacation. He would have expected the abandonment of any member of his family, his cousin Bellatrix, his parents and even Narcissa, but Sirius...
Once again Regulus was plunged into guilt and rage throughout the holiday. He couldn't take a vow of silence like in Christmas, in the summer the Blacks held many more family gatherings and Regulus had no choice but to interact.
During several of the family meals, he talked to Narcissa about what his first course would be like. Regulus liked talking to her, she terrified him, but at the same time she was probably the only one of his cousins who seemed to notice his presence. Sirius had Andromeda. During the summer, he spent a lot of time with Cissy and her boyfriend Lucius Malfoy. Regulus did not deeply like Lucius, but he definitely preferred him to the just married husband of his other cousin Bellatrix. They used to go to a park near her cousins' house. Lucius and Cissy let the little boy go with them most of the time and he appreciated it, at least in company he didn't have to constantly hear his thoughts screaming.
Wednesday August 23, 1972
Lucius was leaning against a tree and Narcissa lay, her head in Lucius's lap, reading a French poetry book. Regulus had brought a book as well but at the moment he was just sitting across from Lucius and his cousin looking at them. They had brought a green picnic blanket and were just spending the day in the sun. There were barely a few weeks left before returning to Hogwarts and Regulus was getting more and more nervous.
— You know Reg? I think you'll be a wonderful addition to Slytherin. — Lucius said without opening his eyes. —
— Really? —Regulus didn't usually talk much when he was with them, he used to stay in his book and if he had to talk, he didn't hesitate to choose Narcissa as the safe option —
— Yeah, I'm sure you'll fit in wonderfully in our house. — Narcissa added without closing her book. —
— Your brother, it was a surprise for your cousin and for me that he did not enter, we had reserved a good place for him in the dining room and we had already expanded his name. Too bad... — Lucius continued saying —
Narcissa closed the book and glared at her boyfriend as if to say: what are you doing, idiot? Lucius, who had already opened his eyes, noticed, and tried to rectify without much success.
— Hmm... See, I'm not saying that you're going to go through the same thing... of course Cissy and I believe that you're going to...
— As Lucius said, Reg, we've already made room for you in Slytherin, everyone knows you're not like that traitorous brother of yours. It was a pity, yes, but if Sirius wasn't ready to come into our house, we can't do anything about it. — Narcissa interrupted Lucius. —
— In any case, Regulus, it might be a good idea for you to stay away from him at school. — the blond boy added once more —
— What? — Regulus seemed really confused by that —
— Yes Reg, Lucius is right. Sirius is not one of the best influences. I'm sure he'll try to introduce you to his Gryffindor friends.
— Agh, Potter, Pettigrew, and Lupin...how I hate those bastards...
— But what's wrong with that? — Regulus remembered something Sirius had told him on one of his starry nights. His brother had told him about the rivalry between houses, something that from the first moment had shocked him a lot. — Is it because they're Gryffindors?
— What? No, don't get me wrong Reggie. You can get along with people from other houses. One of my best friends, Alice, she is a Hufflepuff and it's okay, it's just that Sirius… well I already told you what he and his friends do.
— The Marauders, — Regulus said thoughtfully. —
— Anyway, they've been messing with the Slytherins all year and I don't think you want to be associated with him much.
— Bastards, those first years are bastards.
Narcissa looked back at Lucius and nodded slightly. Regulus thought a lot about that conversation over the next few weeks.
During the summer, Sirius wrote many letters to his little brother.
Dear Regulus,
I hope you are having a good summer. I'm sorry I left without saying goodbye, I wanted to have given you something before I left, but Walburga didn't let me. I have specified the owl to enter through your window so that she does not read the letters. I'm sorry about our last conversation Reg, I didn't want you to find out like this.
I can't wait to go on the train with you, I've talked to James, Remus and Peter and they're fine with you coming on the wagon with us. I think you're going to like them all, Peter is super funny, and James is the coolest person I've ever met, and Remus is just great, he knows a lot about muggle music and always brings weird chocolates (I've saved some for you to try, I think you will love the Maltesers)
I hope you'll write to me soon, Sirius.
Brooooooother
You didn't answer my last letter, is everything alright?
You won't believe what happened the other day! We were playing a muggle game that Remus had explained to us, the thing is that James was asking questions to guess what it was and to one of his questions Remus answered something so funny that Peter's tea ran out of his nose. BY THE BLOODY NOSE REGGIE! I don't think I've ever laughed so much in my life...
How is everything over there?
Write to me, Sirius.
Regulus had read the first letter but had not been able to answer. Same thing happened to him with this one. He didn't understand Sirius' anecdote because he hadn't been there. He was dying to tell his brother some fascinating story from his summer that would make him think he was having a blast too, but he had nothing. The most special thing he had experienced that week had been finishing playing a complete piano piece and he knew that would do nothing for his brother. Regulus was really envious.
After many avoided tears and crumpled papers, Regulus gave up and only answered the truth.
Hello Sirius
I'm glad to hear you're having a good time. Peter sure sounds like a very funny guy but his nose must have hurt a lot, the tea would be on fire. Narcissa says that Remus Lupin is rumoured to be in a band, is that true?
Nothing interesting here. Many days I go with Lucius and Narcissa to the park and we have picnics. Lucius isn't as repulsive as we thought, he even gave me a couple of books I might like, I don't know, he's nice sometimes.
A little bored, your brother.
Reggie
WITH CISSY AND LUCIUS? Shocking that you went on a picnic with them, isn't Lucius really that horrible? Merlin, at Hogwarts he looked like a complete madman, be careful Reg.
We don't know to what extent it's true about Lupin, he doesn't want to answer any of our questions hahaha. I think you're going to love him; I can't wait for you to meet him.
James says hello, by the way.
Sirius:
Uhm… hello, James.
Regulus
PS Sirius please if Lupin is from a muggle gang stay away from him.
Calm Reg
I think he's not really from a gang, but he's the coolest wizard I've ever met in my life. Wait, I'm going to ask him to write something for you.
Um, hello, Sirius’s brother Regulus. Sirius told me to write you something so… what's up mate?
Wait Reggie, James and Peter want to write to you too.
Hi Regulus! (Peter)
We are looking forward to meeting you mate. :) (James)
Haha aren't they great?
There were no more responses from Regulus, Walburga had discovered the owl's secret entrance and did not allow the letters to keep coming. Sirius sent many more, but none made it into the hands of his little brother.
Regulus?
Dude are you still alive? I have sent you about 50 letters and you have not responded to any of them. Everything alright there? If you don't answer this one, I guess it's better to stop writing to you.
Answer me come on Reggie.
Sirius.
Reg?
Well, I guess you have a reason for not answering me so I better not burden you more little brother.
Hope all is well.
See you soon, Sirius.
— Do you think something has happened to him? — Peter asked, a bit infected with the concern that Sirius had been radiating for the past week. —
— No... probably our dear mother will have found the letters and won't let him see them...
— Would she do that? — James asked alarmed. —
— Yeah, it's definitely a very Walburga Black thing.
— Sorry man, that sounds horrible. — Remus stood up, putting aside the vinyl he was inspecting. —
— Don't worry guys, Reg knows how to take care of himself, besides that's what it will be, she will have closed the secret route that I had indicated the owl and my poor brother won't even be receiving them... — Sirius was silent for a moment, — I hope — He added in a voluntarily low voice so none of his friends will hear. Remus looked at him. Sirius realized that he had heard him and couldn't help but wonder how. He had spoken impossibly softly. He gave no room for confusion or wailing and opted to distract Remus's attention. — Remus, you're a genius!
— me? — Remus said dazed —
— Yes mate, you have found the key to change to a more cheerful theme.
— What are you talking about Sirius? — Pete asked. —
— T.Rex of course,— he said pointing to Remus's hands that held a vinyl record. —
Remus looked down to where his hands held Sirius’s new album that his cousin Andromeda had sent him by muggle post just a few hours ago. Immediately, everyone smiled. Sirius reached for the vinyl looking Remus directly into the eyes, at which point he would have loved to tell his friend telepathically don’t say anything, please? And despite not being able to do it, handing him the vinyl, Remus perfectly understood Sirius's message, nodded slightly, and smiled.
The first song began to play, and song after song the marauders enjoyed the afternoon avoiding worrying about lost letters or missed answers.
Deep in my heart
There’s a house
That can hold
Just about all of you
(Spaceball ricochet – T.Rex)