Chapter 1
James was going to die.
That’s that.
He had gone through as many possibilities as he could think of and this was the only outcome.
Four days of peace was all he had left until Regulus arrived. Four days where he could freely laugh, smile, and relax without the worry Sirius would notice his lingering gazes or longing smiles towards his brother. And that there was the issue itself: Regulus was Sirius’ brother.
The last year had been the best one yet for James. Secret hook-ups in empty classrooms. Nights filled with hushed laughter behind silencing charms. Secret looks shared over the Great Hall during breakfast. And the lies he had had to tell. Oh, the lies!
Telling your best mate his brother had the Invisibility Cloak AND the Map because you had been sneaking him into your shared dorm almost every night was a sure-fire way to cause the destruction of Gryffindor Tower. And, since his home away from home was situated in said tower, James really didn’t feel like telling Sirius about their relationship. So, as far as the Marauders were concerned, Filch had confiscated the Map, and James had lost the Cloak. Yeah, he wasn’t the most popular in their group of friends when he told them. But they were the Marauders so of course they found a way around it. And if anything, the pranks they concocted while deprived of their magical safety-nets were their best ones yet.
And over the summer letters were sent. Plans were made. And in two days time Regulus would arrive at the Potter’s.
Regulus was going to die.
That’s that.
He had gone through as many possibilities as he could think of and this was the only outcome.
Four days of torment was all he had left until he snuck out for the Potter’s. Four days where he would be scrutinized, mocked, and punished while worrying that his Parents would notice his lingering gazes or longing smiles towards his hidden stack of letters from James. And there was the issue itself: James was a blood traitor and associated with Sirius.
This summer had been the worst one yet for Regulus. Burning Sirius off the family portrait. Nights filled with hushed crying behind silencing charms. Secret letters shared late at night. And the lies he has to tell. Oh, the lies!
Telling your bigot parents you were gay and dating a known blood traitor was a sure-fire way of being shipped off to France quicker than you could say QUIDDITCH. And, since his home was situated in Scotland, Regulus really didn’t feel like telling his parents about his relationship. So, as far as his parents were concerned Regulus had no contact with Sirius or any of his mates and he was working hard to be the perfect heir he now had to be. But he was Regulus Black, and he didn’t do anything that he didn’t want to. So of course he found he found a way around it.
And over the summer letters were sent. Plans were made. And in two days Regulus would run away to the Potter’s.