Chapter 6
Regulus spent the rest of the night packing his trunk for school. It wasn’t hard, considering most of his belonging were at Grimmauld Place. He carefully folded the last of his robes and neatly piled them on top of the rest. He added his new knitted sweaters and stared contently at his luggage. He was glad Panda had taken most of his favorite outfits, and all his skirts, (in fear that his parent would find them.) He was excited to see his best friends again.
He heard a knock at his door, “Come in!” he called
Sirius walked in, holding a box in his hands, and sat down on Regulus’s bed.
He whistles, “I like what you’ve done with the place.”
Regulus had put up some paintings, some he found, others he made. A sunset, a landscape, and even the Potter’s garden, it made him feel more at home in this new place.
He sighs, “Yeah, I just wish I had my paintings from home,” He had done some of his best works at Grimmauld place, he wished he had time to grab them before Sirius and he left.
“Who knows,” Sirius says winking, “Maybe we’ll figure out a way to get them.”
Regulus looked at him doubtfully, and Sirius cleared his throat.
“Anyway, I wanted to give you something,”
“You already got me a gift and the record,” Regulus said.
“Yeah well,” Sirius said, “I just wanted you to have this when you’re at school.” He thrusts the box into Regulus’s arms.
“You realize that we’re going to the same school, right?” Regulus chuckles before looking at the strange box that he had been given.
His eyes widened, “Y-your record player?”
Sirius shrugged, “I usually use Remus’s.”
“I, can’t- I don’t-“ Regulus sputters “Thank you,”
Sirius shrugged again, “It’s no problem I-”
Regulus tackled him in a hug, it was the first time they hugged since Christmas. Sirius stood still shocked, before wrapping his arms around Regulus. He held him for a while, before muttering.
“Come on, let’s go downstairs, we're playing some games,”
They wandered downstairs, with Regulus tucked under Sirius’s arm, to meet Mr. and Mrs. Potter, James, and Remus, in the sitting room. Effie handed him a glass of hot chocolate.
Regulus thanked her and took a seat between Remus and James.
“You’re just in time, we’re about to play charades,” James said excitedly.
Regulus groaned.
“I call Tabby!” Remus yelled.
“No way!” James yelled, “I want mini-black!”
Regulus glared at him, “Never call me that again.”
“You got it, Reggie,” James winks.
“James, stop flirting with Reg,” Remus scolded, “It not gonna make him be on your team,”
Both Regulus and James glowed a deep shade of crimson.
Sirius looked at the both of them, “If anyone’s gonna be partners with my baby bro it’s gonna be me.”
\
“How ‘bout kids versus adults?” Fleamont suggested.
Everyone agreed and they started playing.
Regulus’s word was cat. This is easy, he thought as he got down on all fours and started mewing.
“A table!” Remus yelled.
“No, you idiot!” James countered, “He’s obviously one of those muggle toys that you pull to make animal noises!”
“HOOKER!” Sirius yelled, and immediately apologized to Effie, who looked like she was going to pass out from laughing so much.
Regulus was this close to changing into Tabby, his animagus form, just so they would guess the bloody word when an owl flew into the room.
Regulus jumped as the owl dropped a parcel next to him and flew out of the window.
“What is it?” Sirius asked, cautiously analyzing the package.
Regulus looked at the card atop it.
To: Regulus Arcturus Black, Potter Manor
From: Pandora Malfoy, you know where 😉
Regulus gasped excitedly and ripped open the envelope, inside he found three letters, one from, Panda, one from Evan, and one from Barty.
He opened Pandora’s letter first.
Regulus,
YOU GOT OUT! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW PROUD OF YOU I AM! Know that no matter what my parents think you’ll always be my best friend. My parents tried to cut off my contact with you but they knew it was hopeless. That’s why it took so long to write to you. As well as the surprises I prepared ;)
I hope the Potters are treating you well. Scratch that, I know they’re treating you well. I met Effie once at dinner when I was very little, such a sweet woman. Tell Remus I say hi! I’ve missed him so much! I must keep this letter pretty short so my parents don’t discover it. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow! We’ll meet at our usual spot on the Express. Don’t have too much fun without me!
-Your Panda
P.S. I got Evan and Barty to grab some of your things from home Griummuald Place, just some clothes and your favorite books I had to shrink them so Darcy could carry them. I couldn’t get your Quidditch stuff, I’m so sorry. Barty and Ev told me your parents were burning your gear right when they discovered you had left. But they managed to save your lucky snitch. Ok, final goodbye, well not final, you know what I mean. SEE YOU TOMORROW!
Regulus excitedly opened the package, inside were all his favorite books, including his collection of Jane Austen novels. Some of his robes and jumpers, and his lucky snitch. He slipped it into his pockets before turning to Remus, “Panda says hi!” he tells him, before opening his letter from Evan.
Tabby Cat,
Jeez Reg, you can’t give a man a break. But for real, are you okay? I know you’re safe at the Potters but I saw what your mom did to you, to know someone is capable of such violence, TO THEIR OWN CHILD! I knew it was bad but not that bad. I know you were stuck but you could’ve talked to me Reg. I’m always here for you.
Anyways I’m sure Panda told you but we got your stuff, I even found your gay mythology books behind your bed, (you’re welcome by the way) and your snitch. Well, Barty found that.
Barty’s parents put him on house arrest, I had to sneak into his house using the floo when his parents weren’t home, they put up security so he couldn’t get out, but they didn’t prevent people from getting in. He’s a mess mate, after what he saw, I think he’s more traumatized than I am.
After Walburga locked you in the library he was panicking, rambling about floo powder until we locked ourselves in your dad’s office. Barty teleported the floo powder into the library, he used so much magic that I could feel it coming off him. He’s still so agitated, and he feels guilty. We need to talk, all of us, tomorrow.
See you then,
Your bestest mate Evan!
P.S. don’t be discouraged by his letter, he’s scared.
Regulus folded up Evan’s letter, confused and overwhelmed.
Barty had sent the floo powder, and Barty had gotten him out.
He ripped open Barty’s letter and found two lines.
Don’t ever go back, ever. I’m sorry, Reg, so sorry.
Barty
Regulus sat down on the couch, hard, letter still in hand.
Sirius, sensing his mood, changes the subject.
“So…” He starts, “Who’re the gifts from.”
“Panda, Pandora Malfoy.” He answers, his mind taken away from the thought of Barty.
“Is she your girlfriend?” James asks tentatively.
Remus and Regulus burst into laughter, “No way,” Reg said, “She’s my best friend, I’m into her,”
As Regulus looked around the room, surrounded by his new family, he realized, he loves these people, even after the few days they spent together. He trusted them.
He took a deep breath, “Actually I would never be into her,” Regulus starts, “I would never be into any girls, I’m gay.”
He immediately shut his eyes; the silence that followed made him wish he hadn’t said anything.
Then a pair of arms wrapped around him, pulling him off the couch. Fleamont Potter, with tears in his eyes, was hugging Regulus.
“We will always love you m’boy,” He says, “No matter whom you love.”
Everyone else followed his example gathering in for a hug, except for Sirius. Regulus felt that he was, not disgusted, or even angry, but guilty. Confused, he pulled out of the hug.
“Now don’t make a big deal about it,” he said, “I’m looking at you, James”
James put his hand over his heart, “You called me James, not Potter,” he said, “You must be warming up to me.”
“You wish,” Regulus scoffed, “There are just too many Potters in this room, you’re not special, Potter”
They all laughed and went back to their games. At around 12:30, the boys decided to turn in for the night, seeing as they had to be at the Hogwarts Express by 11 tomorrow.
Laying in his bed, staring at the ceiling he thought of Sirius’s face when he came out. Does his brother hate him now? No, he knows he doesn’t, but he still felt wrong. Clutching James’s lion, he drifted off to sleep.
He held on to Effie’s hand as she apparates Sirius and him to King’s Cross, and as they pass into Platform 9 ¾, he thinks of the conversation they had that morning.
“I wanna talk about last night,” Sirius said sitting on Regulus’s bed.
“What about it?” Regulus asked coldly, “The fact that you couldn’t guess ‘cat’ when we were playing charades,”
“Reg,”
“Or maybe you want to talk about Effie’s great hot chocolate,”
“Regulus,”
“Ooo, or maybe you want to talk about Panda’s gift, she’s such a great friend!”
“Regulus!” Sirius said, “I want to talk about you, being gay”
Regulus raised an eyebrow, “No, I’m not going to fuck James,”
Sirius looked up at him, mouth agape.
“Or Remus, unless he feels up to it.” He jokes.
Then he felt it, he felt Sirius’s heart skip a beat, saw the redness flow to his cheeks, and felt the jealousy.
“That’s not what I want to talk about,” he said, blushing.
“Oh,” Regulus said, “You’re…”
“Yep,”
“And you fancy…”
“Yes,” Sirius groaned covering his face, “Merlin this is so embarrassing. Please don’t tell him.”
“I won’t,” Regulus promised, he would never out someone like that.
“I-, thanks,” Sirius said, “I should pack,”
“Yeah,” Regulus says awkwardly and watched his brother walk out of his room. Maybe he a Sirius had more in common than he thought.
As he watched James, Sirius, and Remus, drag their trunks onto the train he wondered how he couldn’t see it before, the way he looks at him, was not anything less than love.
The train blew its whistle, signaling that it was time to board. The three of them hugged Mr. and Mrs. Potter, while Regulus gave them a small wave, before boarding the train.
Immediately after getting on, Regulus went to find his friends before the prefect meeting. He ran into Evan and Pandora, with no sign of Barty.
“REGULUS!” Pandora screamed, tackling him in a hug.
“Hey Panda,” Regulus greeted.
“Hey Tabby Cat,” Evan said, hugging him fiercely once Pandora had let go.
“Again with that stupid nickname,” Regulus groaned.
“Don’t blame me, blame Moony.” Evan winked, “So tell me, what’s been going on, it’s been a week since we last talked, how’s the Potter’s?”
Regulus explained his week in detail, promising to show them his record player later when he remembered something. He looks up at Evan and Pandora.
“Where’s Barty? I want to catch up with him before the prefect meeting,” He asks
Evan avoids his eyes, “It may be better to leave him alone for a bit, he’s one edge. His dad was, rough,” He winces.
“Is he okay? I swear to Merlin if he touched him, I’m going to-”
“He’s fine just, wants to be alone.”
Regulus was about to argue when he hears a familiar voice behind him.
“Reg?”
He turns to see Lily Evans behind him.
“Oh shit,” he says, “The prefects meeting,” he turns to Pandora and Evan, “I’ll see you at dinner!” he shouts a quick goodbye before following Lily out of the cabin.
Immediately after arriving at Hogwarts, he was pulled aside by Professor McGonagall.
“Come with me to my office for a minute Mr. Black, it should only take a moment.”
He nods to his friends before walking off with McGonagall. When he arrives at her office, he finds Professor Slughorn sitting behind her desk. She takes a seat next to him.
“Mr. Black I would like to start by saying we have both heard about your current living situation and it will not affect your learning, Mr. and Mrs. Potter have already signed your and your brother’s Hogsmeade permission slip so that will not be affected.” She pushes her glasses up on her nose as she continues, “In other news, Professor Slughorn and I have both noticed that your skills and grades in both of our classes have been excellent, beyond outstanding.”
“So,” Slughorn cut in, clearly not wanting to let McGonagall speak the entire time, “Minerva and I have decided to allow you to move up a year in both Potions and Transfiguration.”
Regulus sat there in shock, “Is that all professors?” he asked calmly, wanting to inform his friends of what had just happened.
“Yes,” Professor McGonagall smiled, “You may return to dinner.”
Regulus sped to the dining hall just before dinner, Evan and Pandora, with no sign of Barty. Regulus told his friends about his meeting with McGonagall. They were as shocked as he was. They talked and gossiped throughout the entire feast, with Reg sneaking glances towards his brother at the Gryffindor.
After the feast, Regulus ran up to his dorm, hoping to find Barty. And he did, standing in the middle of the room, with a black eye and a swollen lip. Regulus ran up to him and wrapped his arm around Barty’s middle. Nestling his head in his chest.
“I missed you,” Regulus murmured.
“I missed you too love,” Barty whispered.
“What did he do to you?” Regulus asked
“I just pissed him off one too many times,” He said.
Barty suddenly pulled away from him, looking away, “Go to sleep Reg, you’re exhausted.”
Regulus realized he was right, he was exhausted. When Barty goes to the bathroom, Regulus starts to unpack, putting all his clothes away and putting on his pajamas. Pulling out Sirius’s record players and some of his records.
At the bottom of his trunk, he finds a familiar stuffed lion. James’s lion, Quaffle. With a note attached.
Thought it would help you sleep better.
x James
Regulus felt tears coming into his eyes and he clutched James’s lion. Plagued by exhaustion, he collapses into his bed, closes his curtains, and falls asleep.