Chapter 4
James helped a pale, skinny Regulus out of bed, looking at the younger boy curiously. When Regulus and Sirius came tumbling out of the fireplace, he hadn’t recognized either of them. Soot covered both boys and Regulus was wrapped up in a blanket, shaking from the pain. James had helped Sirius up while his mum treated Regulus.
“Don’t worry about me,” Sirius coughed, “Just focus on him, he got the brunt of the curse.”
Still, James had wrapped Sirius in a blanket and given him water, before returning his attention to his mother and Regulus.
“What do you need me to do?” James asked
“Get my draughts and potions,” his mum replied “they should be in my cabinet. I need the blue, green, and yellow bottles, and get murtlap essence.”
“Got it,” James said and ran upstairs.
--
Now James looked at the same boy he had seen broken on the floor. He was laughing and red in the cheeks, shoving James away when he tried to help him get down the steps.
“If you want to stare at me that long, you might as well take a picture,” he said, smirking.
James blushed and looked down.
“It’s just,” he started, “You look so much better, healthier”
He thought he saw a blush creeping into Regulus’s cheeks.
Regulus scoffed, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, I always look amazing”
James smiled; he must’ve imagined the red in Regulus’s cheeks.
“Are you hungry?” James asked “I could make you some lunch”
“I’m famished,” Regulus sighed dramatically, “I could eat a horse”
James chuckled “I see theatrics run in the family.”
Regulus grinned at him, “Like brother, like brother”
James walked them into the kitchen and sat Regulus down.
“Just sit your pretty arse down, and let James take care of you.”
“Who told you referring to yourself in the third person was attractive?” Regulus commented.
“James says it’s pretty damn hot,” he said winking. Opening the fridge, James examined the shelves. “The only thing I know how to make is breakfast, so I hope you like eggs,” he said while balancing the carton atop the loaf of bread.
“You’re going to drop something,” Regulus said.
“The great James Potter is anything but clumsy Reg!” he yelled. Slipping and barely managing to keep his hold on the eggs. “See?”
Regulus rolled his eyes “Smooth.”
While James made Regulus his lunch, he talked about previous Christmases and family holidays, upcoming pranks, and school.
“Ta-da!” James said proudly, presenting a plate with eggs and toast to Regulus with a flourish.
“And you say I’m dramatic, Regulus smirked
“You’re not the only one who knows how to make a grand entrance,” James said winking.
Realizing what he just said James turned a bright red. “I’m sorry, I didn’t-”
Regulus laughed, there was something about that laugh, it lit up his face and brightened the room. “It’s okay James,” he said softly.
As Regulus finished his eggs and toast James rummaged through the cupboards, looking for something to eat. He pulls out a box of Cheerios. And grabs himself a bowl.
Regulus’s eyes widened, “You have muggle cereal?”
“Yeah,” James said smiling, “Mum buys it when she visits muggle London. Do you want some?”
“Yes please,” Regulus said quietly “D-do you have Fruit Loops?”
James laughs quietly and pulls out a box. He slides it across the table towards Regulus. “Do you want milk?”
“Soy, please” Regulus whispers, as if ashamed of his choice.
James smiles and grabs the milk from the fridge. Pouring it into his cereal before handing it to Regulus. He thanks him quietly and starts to eat.
James observes Regulus, curiously. Watching how his face lights up after the first bite. He releases a small, contented sigh as a small smile appears on his face.
“I haven’t had muggle cereal in a long time,” Regulus said, looking over at him.
“Your mom let you have muggle cereal?” James asked, fully aware of the Black’s anti-muggle stance.
“Not my mom, my uncle Alphard,” Regulus confided, “We used to visit his cottage in Wales during the summer holiday. It was gorgeous. He lived on the edge of this huge forest, and we used to spend hours outside with him. Cissa, Andy, and Sirius would run around the woods, trying to hex each other and playing tag.”
“That sound like Padfoot” James chuckled, “What would you do?”
“Bella and I would stay in the garden.” Regulus said fondly, “Alphard would teach us all about plants. I would help him care for the roses, while Trix would try to find the most poisonous thing in the garden.” He laughs, softly, “He would always have something for her.”
“You said you used to go,” James inquired, “What happened?”
Regulus lowered his eyes, clearly pained by the memory.
James, worried about how he upset Regulus, looked down at his bowl, “You don’t have to-”
“It was five summers ago before Sirius got his letter,” Regulus began, “Our Uncle took us to a muggle village, he took us into a muggle sweet shop. When we got home, I was so excited. I wanted to share this great adventure I had. I told Kreacher, our house elf, where we went. Mother had been suspicious of Alphard for a while, she just need confirmation. And once I told Kreacher-” he stopped, words clogging his throat.
“She knew,” James finished.
Tears started flowing down Regulus’s cheeks, “He- he had to go into hiding, he risked getting disowned. And mother, she rewarded me. Rewarded me! For ruining his life!” he sobbed.
“That’s fucked up,” James said, trying to reach his arms around Regulus. Immediately he stiffened.
“Get off me,” He grunted, “I don’t need your sympathy.”
James turned away from Regulus and muttered a quiet apology.
Around a half hour later James heard familiar footsteps coming down the stairs. He met Sirius at the entrance of the kitchen.
“Is he-”
“He doesn’t blame you,” James reassures, knowing how much guilt his friend must be feeling, “He’s just a bit, shaken.”
He watched from the door as Sirius walked over to his younger brother, after exchanging some quiet words, James saw the two boys embrace. James smiled to himself.
“I hope he forgives himself,” a voice says from behind him.
“Me too mum,” James responds.
Effie walks over to the two boys and lightly lays her hand and each of their shoulders. “Come on boys, if my memory serves me correctly, Regulus has some unopened Christmas presents.”
Regulus’s eyes widened, “You- you didn’t have to-”
“You’re family now love,” Ms. Potter says softly, as she guided him into the sitting room, where three wrapped presents lay.
---
Regulus gingerly picks up the first gift, it was medium-sized with gold wrapping paper. He unwrapped it and found his 3 favorite muggle books, To Kill a Mockingbird, Pride and Prejudice, and The Outsiders. He had first read these books at Hogwarts, something his friend Pandora recommended. He fell in love with these books and muggle literature in general. He loved them so much that he took them home for the summer. His mother found the books hidden under his bed and beat him.
He mutters a quiet thanks to the Potters and put the books aside, trying to ignore the tears forming in his eyes. He picks up the next present, wrapped in a similar wrapping paper. Inside it, he finds a new Slytherin jumper . His old one was still at Grimmauld Place. His mother had probably burned it as soon as she found out he left. He examined his new jumper. Embroidered in silver thread was his name, “Regulus Arcturus”.
“We didn’t know if you would want your last name on it,” Effie says.
Regulus understands and is glad that they didn’t decide to put “Black” on it.
The third gift was different from the rest, it was a small black box with a gold ribbon. Pulling on the bow and opening the box Regulus found the most beautiful pocket watch he’s ever seen. Though on closer inspection Regulus realizes that it’s not a pocket watch, it’s a compass.
“It’s enchanted,” Sirius says, “It’ll point to whomever you love, you just have to say their name.”
Regulus’s eyes welled up with tears, he stood up and walked over to his brother. He grabbed him and pulled him into a hug. He doesn’t know how long he and Sirius stayed there; he just knows that he’s happy. Happy he won’t need Sirius to defend him, happy that he will no longer get hurt trying to protect him. For once in his life, Regulus is glad he ran away.