Chapter 1
Regulus
Regulus Black had been running from Hogwarts since his brother had been sent there after his parents disowned him. This new change was a last resort on their part, attempting to set him straight and ensure he was ready to be their heir. He had no doubt they were working on backup ideas at this exact moment should he fail to impress them.
Regulus takes the port key his parents present to him with the message clear, disappointment. Regulus swallows down the dread that’s followed him his whole life. Now is not the time for him to become unstable.
He grabs the key and turns to his parents. “You will see this is unnecessary Maman” Regulus tries to appeal to her. He rarely speaks back, the reactions never make it seem worth the effort.
“You will show us you have earned the right to be our heir or you can follow the blood traitor to ruin” Maman strikes back.
No one needs to say Sirius’s name anymore “blood traitor” is the final memory of his brother allowed in the house of black. Without another word, he shuts his eyes and holds the portkey tight as his body twists through time and space.
He is graceful as always, Regulus would never be seen as anything other than flawless. He looks ahead toward the infamous institution of Hogwarts it is as beautiful as it is eerie. There is no way in or out without pre-established portkeys directly from Albus Dumbledore. He walks up the path when he feels eyes on him. There is no one around of course it’s 6 am, and all the other students are asleep. Regulus specifically wanted to come in as unnoticed as possible.
Before he can analyze the weird feeling of someone watching him the main doors open dramatically.
“Young Mr. Black I do hope the port key wasn't too rough we hope you understand why we have such measures” Dumbledore smiles at Regulus like a child. Regulus is sick of this, but there are games to be played and he wants to leave as soon as possible fooling Dumbledore would be the fastest way.
“No trouble at all my parents have had me traveling by portkey since I was young.”
“Wonderful, come follow me inside I bet you are eager to see your room”.
Dumbledore's attempts at small talk cease after this. Regulus is glad talking with people he doesn't care about is so exhausting.
Though there are worse things than following the headmaster through Hogwarts to his dormitory.
“Here we are Mr. Black, we apologize for the shared space since but you’re a late-term addition some family friends of yours have offered to share their room. Regulus looks around to see a room with his childhood friends Barty and Evan. One look at Barty and Regulus having to fight giving anything away.
He rounds back to Dumbledore “I appreciate the accommodations Headmaster, when can I expect a schedule to be provided I have no intentions of falling behind I would prefer to start immediately.”
He’s compartmentalizing forgetting Barty, forgetting his past, forgetting being a mistake. He wants to be alone this is going to be a nightmare he needs to set up silencing spells on his bed immediately if there is any hope of him keeping it together. He's digging his nails into his palms, fuck stop what's wrong with you.
Apparently, while Regulus has been overthinking Dumbledore has prattled on about useless schedule options.
Regulus opts for the easiest response to get him to leave “Whatever you suggest Headmaster I’m sure you know best, my parents expect me to be in all advanced classes is all”.
“We would have to place you with the year above, you would be in classes with Sirius is that acceptable”.
If Dumbledore expected that statement to set Regulus off, he will have to try harder. Regulus stares directly at Dumbledore.
“of course, not my studies are the most important thing my parents want to see me excel Sirius is nobody to me having him in my classes will be inconsequential.”
“Well Mr. Black if you are certain, class starts in 20 minutes I suggest you change and leave for defense soon your schedule will appear on your desk any minute now”
As soon as the headmaster is gone Regulus feels his magic relax. He's still on guard turning to his old friends.
“Crouch, Rosier” Regulus looks at them.
They laugh “Haven't changed much Reg, still the same pureblood chosen one aren't you, why did you even get sent here everyone knows you are the perfect heir”. Regulus feels raw being called out by someone he used to think knew him better. “Perfect heir” Regulus knows that's the biggest lie of all he might be covering his flaws up well enough but his mind laughs at him perfect is the last word he would use.
“Not that it is any of your business but my parents want to challenge me to prove my loyalty and if that means attending Hogwarts and showing my magical prowess amongst everyone that's what I will do” Regulus hardly thinks this lie should matter he's been lying his whole life anyway, no one will ever know the real reason Regulus is here.
“Good luck with that rumor has it that Sirius is undefeated in defense get ready to look as weak as you really are in front of him, maybe they lost the better heir” Barty bites back.
Regulus understands the hatred but loathes it, all the same, he needs to be alone the thoughts are getting too much. Without a response, he grabs his schedule in a rush slamming the door on his way out.
Screw Barty, he thinks, and screw Evan for standing in silence. They both used to be his closest friends now he feels like he doesn't know them at all.
He thinks he’s walking in the general direction of defense getting lost is the last thing he needs on the first day. There is no room for error Sirius won’t take a single thing from him anymore. It it takes crushing him in class Regulus won’t hold back.
He’s been seen as weak his whole life but only Sirius knows that he used to stay up reading the dark arts books to try and learn what his parents might use against him. In the end, he gained more than an understanding of defense but his offense is flawless.
He rounds the corner before slamming into what feels like a wall. He steps back to assess what on earth happened. Mystery solved some idiots run into him.
“Hey, sorry man” the stranger rushes to say. The offender looks genuine but Regulus will have to set a precedent for respect accepting apologies quickly will make him a target.
“Who are you, why aren’t you looking where you go,” Regulus says while looking this boy over. Something about him makes Regulus nervous.
“I forgot people were around for a second, I’m James are you new?”
Regulus feels a migraine coming on how is he supposed to deal with such idiocy? “Yes I’m new, Regulus Black” he offers no hand to shake showing this James exactly how he feels about him. He doesn’t know what he expects certainly not recognition.
“Your Sirius’s little brother, what are you doing here”.
Great, it must be one of Sirius’s friends he’s decided he’s over this whole interaction. “I have no relationship to that blood traitor now if you’ll excuse me I try not to make a habit of being late to class”.
“We have class together I’ll walk with you” James smiles. It can’t possibly be normal to be so cheerful Regulus wishes he hated it more. He resigns himself to walking with James not quite sure why he gave in too easily but James seems to get the message Regulus wants to silence and a part of him appreciates the break from conversing.