Regulus was eleven when he first met Barty.
His first thought was, he's pretty. His second thought was, well, interrupted by 'pretty boy' as Regulus had deemed the boy sitting across from him.
"I'm Barty." 'Pretty boy' introduced himself, holding out a hand to Regulus. "You're a Black, I suppose." 'Pretty boy' tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing slightly as if Regulus was an enigma he had to figure out. "Yes," He continued, without waiting for an answer, "Regulus, I presume. My father has told me about you, and your family. 'A bunch of dark wizards parading around' he said. Well, if he disapproves, I suppose you must be alright."
Regulus took his hand tentatively, nodding, before answering, "Pleasure to meet you." His voice remained firm and clear, just like his mother had taught him, even though he felt like all his blood had rushed to his face.
Barty smirked, and raised an eyebrow, "You all right? You're looking a bit, red."
( Regulus would spend hours in front of the mirror after that, trying to raise an eyebrow as Barty did. He never fully succeeded. )
"I'm fine." Regulus replied curtly, before adding, "Thank you." Manners. He reminded himself silently, thinking back to his mother's strict instructions before he left for Hogwarts. Leave a good impression.
Barty only laughed softly, mouth dipping slightly into a soft smile before he turned away.
Regulus thought he looked beautiful when he smiled.
Regulus had just turned twelve when he first met James.
James had been running down the corridor, chasing after Sirius when Regulus bumped straight into him, stumbling back a few steps before regaining his balance.
"Sorry mate," James had apologized, while he helped Regulus pick up the books that had fallen from Regulus' hands, "Didn't mean to." The two had looked up at the same time, and when their eyes met, the first thing Regulus thought of was warmth.
James had hazel eyes that seemed all too friendly, even as he took in Regulus.
"Oh! Reggie, right?"
Regulus didn't bother correcting him, still trapped in the comfort of his gaze.
"Didn't mean for us to meet this way, but I'm James, James Potter. Sirius' best friend." He introduced himself, as if Regulus didn't already know, hadn't already heard the stories straight from Sirius.
James smiled.
Regulus felt the knot of resentment in his heart slowly unravel.
"James!" Someone called from down the hall, and James turned to acknowledge them.
"You better go," Regulus spoke, softly.
James laughed, "You're right. Sorry again, Reggie." He called as he ran off, turning the corner and out of sight.
( Regulus never met anyone with a brighter smile than James. )
"Reg, you bastard," Barty complained, even as the corners of his lips twitched upwards as he held up the bright pink robes. He threw a spell at them, watching as his robes sizzled slightly, before turning a bright yellow.
Regulus only laughed, twirling his wand between his fingers as he watched Barty struggle.
Evan grinned at the sight, flashing Regulus a thumbs up before swiftly leaving the dorm as if Barty was going to take his annoyance out on him.
Judging by the look Barty had on his face, Evan had the right idea.
Barty threw the robes down onto his bed, glaring at them as if they had personally offended him. "Change them back!" He demanded as he turned his focus back to Regulus, rolling his eyes when Regulus shook his head.
"Fine then."
Regulus watched as Barty flicked his wand, a mischievous light entering his eyes. Oh no.
"There! Now we match." He said as he held up a mirror to Regulus, laughing when Regulus' hands flew to his now-bright yellow hair. He blew a kiss at Regulus, laughing at his expression before running out of the room, leaving a startled and flustered Regulus behind.
( Really, Regulus should have expected it. )
"Potter!"
Regulus grabbed James' wrist, pulling him away from his friends and into an empty classroom, flicking his wand at the door to lock it in one swift movement. He shoved James against the wall, one hand pressed against his shoulder, and the other holding his wand to James' throat.
"Remove the spell." He said, lips tilting downwards when James only laughed.
James raised a hand upwards to Regulus' face, watching, mesmerized, as color bloomed on his cheeks. "Why, I think you look rather charming in those colors."
Regulus gestured to his robes, charmed to be red and gold. "No one looks good in these colors." He grumbled, stepping back slightly as he felt the blood rush to his cheeks. Except you. His traitorous brain thought, and he pushed the thought away as he demanded, "Well, are you going to change them or not?"
"No." James smiled brightly.
Regulus raised his head to meet James' eyes, "Fine. I'll do it myself. Just don't regret it when I get revenge."
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Filthy Death Eater wannabe." The seventh-year Hufflepuff spat at Regulus as he waved his wand, effectively disarming the much-younger Regulus. "Do you know what your kind did to my family?" There was anger in his eyes, Regulus noted, even as his own heart rate increased as he was slowly pressed against the wall.
Regulus rolled his eyes, remaining calm, "No. Allow me to guess. Your dad? No, your mom, I bet. Gone, now, right?" He smirked, hiding the way a pang of sympathy rang through his body.
The Hufflepuff aimed his wand, "Petrificus Totalus." He muttered, anger clouding his features, and he watched with satisfaction as Regulus' arms snapped to his side. "Diffindo" Regulus bit his tongue as his cheek was split open. You can handle pain. He reminded himself.
"Stupefy!" A sharp cry had the Hufflepuff crumpled to the ground, and Regulus sighed with relief.
Barty stood over the stunned Hufflepuff, pointing his wand with a slightly unhinged look in his eyes, "Alarte Ascendare." He pointed his wand at the boy crumpled on the floor, and the Hufflepuff shot up in the air, before landing hard on the floor once more.
Regulus wanted to think he could've stopped Barty from going a bit too far, and it was only the spell binding him that held him back.
( And perhaps there was something in Regulus that reveled at the sight of blood. )
Barty gently held Regulus as he nudged the Hufflepuff with his foot, disdain covering his face. "Are you hurt?" He asked, eyes flashing with anger.
"Just a cut," Regulus waved him away, picking up his wand. "Don't worry about it."
Barty frowned, concerned, and Regulus gave him a small smile, "You came."
"I'll always come for you."
"Why should your family be favored by the Dark Lord when I so clearly deserve it instead?"
A flash of red light shot at Regulus, who deflected it with a wave of his wand, and sent it back at the angry Slytherin. "You'll have to do better than that." He said, arrogance dripping from his voice.
The Slytherin snarled, "Don't you worry, little Black. You'll get what's coming for you. Baubillious!" A shot of yellow-white lightning emerged from his wand, heading straight towards Regulus, who scrambled to defend himself when-
-Someone slid in front of him, crying out when the spell hit him instead.
"Locomotor Mortis, Stupefy!" Regulus shot in quick succession, taking advantage of the other Slytherin's surprise.
He knelt down beside the person who had protected him, turning him around so he could see his face. "James?" The name escaped his lips unwillingly as he gazed down at him. "You idiot." He murmured, casting a healing spell on James before waking up.
"Why would you do that?" Regulus demanded, when James fully woke up, groaning. "Aren't we all just 'slimy death eater wannabes to you Gryffindors?"
James smiled weakly at Regulus, "I see the good in you, Reggie. I know it's there. Besides, I'll protect you no matter what. I would die for you." He spoke with certainty as if just saying it aloud would protect Regulus from the war.
Regulus remained still, the words not yet processed in his mind when James leaned in and kissed him. Kissed him.
Stop.
Stop.
Stop.
Regulus was kissing him back.
Regulus was drunk.
He smiled as he spoke, "Barty, have I ever told you that you're pretty? So, very pretty. I want to touch-" He stumbled, falling into Barty's arms as the other laughed, helping Regulus to his bed.
"I know I'm beautiful, Reg." Barty smirked, pressing a kiss to Regulus' forehead.
That had become a regular thing for the two of them now, and Regulus found him searching for it every time. "I love you, Barty." He murmured, slurring his words.
"I love you too."
"Don't leave me?" Regulus asked, pulling him down to lie beside him.
Barty smiled, "I would never leave you. I would kill for you, Regulus. I am yours, and you are mine."
"Okay."
"James?"
The Gryffindor ran a hand through his already messy hair, "Yes?"
"I'm lost," Regulus told him, tears welling in his eyes as he rolled up his sleeve, revealing the dark mark that rested on the forearm. "I think I'll be lost forever."
James pulled Regulus in close, holding him as if Regulus would disappear any moment now.
"Then I'll help you find a way." He replied. "I'll be your light in the darkness if you can't find your own." He rested his head on Regulus' neither of them wanting to go, but also knowing they couldn't stay.
Regulus leaned in slightly, seeking the comfort and warmth that James always held.
"Okay."
They stood in front of him, one at his left, the other at his right. One who would kill for him, and one who would die for him.
Crossroads. Regulus thought, Crossroads.
"Please, Reggie. I'll protect you." James said, desperate as he reached out to Regulus.
Barty reached out as well, "Don't. You don't need him, okay, love?"
Something inside him cracked, and Regulus thought, I'll never be the same, will I?
For once, the stars shining over him replied, their light reaching inside him to pull his feelings out and up, into the open. Not the same. Not anymore.
Regulus chose.