Chapter 10
“Your leaving, aren’t you?” Regulus found Sirius packing.
“I can’t stay here,” said Sirius. “I can’t do this anymore. I can’t be around them. I can’t!”
“Where are you going?” Regulus felt his chest clench even though he already knew the answer. Sirius was off to live with James.
“Reggie, I—”
“Go,” said Regulus coldly. “Have fun with your dirty mutt Lupin, the blood traitor Potter, and his mudblood whore.”
Regulus turned to leave when Sirius called after him.
“I know about James and you!”
His heart froze in his chest, and he turned towards his brother, who looked at him with accusing eyes.
“Did you think I didn’t know?” spat Sirius. “Sneaking around, lying.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Regulus, trying to hide the panic inside.
Sirius let out a snort as he crossed his arms over his chest.
“I always wondered why you hated Muggle-borns so much until I found your diary—”
“You’re lying,” said Regulus, his nails digging into his palms.
“They will never accept you,” said Sirius coldly. “They will never love you. You think because you repeat all their nonsense about purebloods and birthrights that will make them accept you, but it won’t. They will disown you the moment they find out what you are.”
“You don’t know anything!” snarled Regulus, feeling tears stinging his eyes. “You think your leaving will hurt them. You think they’ll care that you’re gone? They won’t!”
“Shut up!” Sirius shoved him so hard he nearly fell over.
“I am their only true son! I am the one that’s not a failure! I will keep our family proud and strong! You are just a degenerate who cavorts with werewolves, half-breeds, and mudblood whores! So go, no one will miss you!”
Then Regulus turned away and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
He ran to his room and slammed the door, angry tears spilling down his cheeks as he screamed.
***
Several years later
“What do you want?” James sounded tired as he turned to look at Regulus. Kreacher passed along the note Regulus had written, and Regulus waited patiently, hoping James would choose to show up.
“Is it true? Are you marrying that—” he wanted to say mudblood. He wanted to say a lot of things, but he didn’t want James to storm off.
“Reggie,” James sighed and turned away from him. “Why are you doing this?”
“I just—” I miss you. I need you. “I made a mistake. Please don’t marry her. I heard, and I—”
“Yes, is that what you wanted to hear? Yes, I am marrying Lily.” James turned to him with accusing eyes, and Regulus was surprised by the coldness in his voice. “What did you expect? That I would wait for you forever?”
“No,” yes. “I just… does she know about us?”
“Yes and no,” said James, crossing his arms over his chest. “I was scared to tell her. Terrified out of my wits to tell her I’d liked a bloke like that. But I didn’t tell her it was you, just that it was a long time ago and it was over.”
“Do you love her?” The question came out before he could stop it, and Regulus watched the pained expression on James’s face.
That was all the answer he needed.
“You have someone who loves you too,” said James. “I know Sirius misses you. You're his little brother; he needs you.”
At that, Regulus let out a bitter scoff.
“He hates me. He has always hated me.”
“Reggie, you know that’s—”
“He fucking left me!” screamed Regulus angrily. “I needed him, and he fucking left me! He ran off with his half-breed and his werewolf and left me all alone! Just like—”
“Me,” said James, his voice sounding pained and choked. “Reggie, I wanted to be with you. I loved you. I would have stood by you through everything—the taunts, the whispers—but you were too afraid of what your pureblood friends would think!”
“I had no choice,” said Regulus as bitter tears rolled down his cheeks. “I would have had nothing! I would have been nothing! I would—”
“You would have had me,” said James. “You would have had me if you’d only believed.”
Neither one said a word to the other, and Regulus wiped away his tears.
“Once I admired and loved Sirius with all my heart,” said Regulus, “until he betrayed me. He chose his path, and so have I. Goodbye, James.”
Then, with a loud crack, he was gone.
***
“You did this!” screamed Ned as he was restrained and held back by Oswell Whent, while Rhaegar clung to Lyanna's body. “You killed her! If you hadn’t taken her, she’d be alive and well. Murderer!”
The sound of a baby’s cries filled the air as Regulus was led into the top chamber of the tower. Rhaegar was sobbing on the bed, clinging to a dark-haired girl. Ned was screaming at Rhaegar, and Regulus spotted a terrified nurse in a corner holding a small bundle.
A baby.
Regulus could never describe the sounds Rhaegar was making, clinging to the girl in his arms as tears fell down his cheeks.
“Lyanna, please, I need you. Please don’t leave me.” He looked up and found Regulus at the door. Gently setting Lyanna down, he scurried to Regulus, grabbing him by the collar. His violet eyes were wet with tears, and he could barely breathe.
“Please,” he begged, falling to his knees in front of Regulus, clinging tightly to him. His robes clenched tightly in his hands. “Please, I beg you. Don’t let the stranger take her. Please, bring her back.”