Year 1 (part 1)
Year 1:
September 1, 1972
It's been nine months since Regulus had last seen Hermione. It wasn't like he was deliberately looking for her. Her curls are just so attention-grabbing that he would notice her immediately among the crowd. He knew that she wasn't in Platform Nine and Three Quarters after Yule. She's not there either when Easter Break came and went. She was also not present when the families welcomed their children back for the summer.
Regulus thought she would be there to welcome her sister back; he assumed, that the red-haired girl is her sister, but the only one who came was the blonde-haired girl with horse-like face and sour expression.
He was not disappointed for not seeing Hermione, though. Regulus couldn't be missing a complete stranger, someone who he had academic discussion once and was quick to notice twice, or three times whenever she was around.
That's just unreasonable, even Regulus knew that.
The significant things that happened at the turn of the year, however, because of Sirius' closeness with the Slytherin Potter, their mother calmed down a little. She is still quick to reach for her wand when she disciplined him and Sirius, but it lessened, somehow.
Cousin Oberon also visited more with Aunt Lucretia and Uncle Ignatius with the Black Sisters sans Andy and their parents during the summer. Apparently, Andy eloped with her mudblood Hufflepuff, a week after she graduated, and they can't find her to drag her back.
It was an outrage. An absolute scandal.
Mother wanted to blast her face off from the tapestry immediately when she heard from Bella and Cissa without direct orders from Grandfather Arcturus. Aunt Lucretia managed to stop her before she could do so, however harsh the words she had said to their mother.
"Stop that, you twit!" Aunt Lucretia hissed before summoning her own sister-in-law's wand in her awaiting hand. "Have you no shame?!" Then, Aunt Tia handed the wand to her brother. "Wait for father's decisions. You said it yourselves, you cannot find her. It's only father who could locate her now."
Sirius snorted beside him that Regulus had to elbow him lest they earned their mother's ire.
"How about bringing the kids out to the yard? Let's play Quidditch or let Cousin Bella teach us her Auror ways, please?" Cousin Oberon said, throwing a smile to the adults that almost reminded Regulus of Cousin Harry's smile back in Platform Nine and Three Quarters when the older Slytherin student tried and succeeded in persuading their mother to allow Sirius to visit James Potter once during the Easter break.
Bellatrix looked conflicted. She obviously wanted to hunt down her sister and bring her back, but it seemed she is close with Cousin Oberon and ushered them outside with Aunt Tia's permission while Aunt Tia and their parents contacted Aunt Druella and Uncle Cygnus.
He and Sirius heard from Bella and Cissa how Cousin Harry followed Bellatrix like a baby deer to its mother doe after getting sorted in Slytherin his first year and when Ron arrived the next year, he followed her around, too. Apparently, they pushed her to become an Auror and convinced her to channel all her raw power in learning and controlling much difficult spells, requiring no one but herself to obtain the control of her potent and unstable Black magic.
That's why, Bella is fond of them, teaching them some of the spells she learned.
However, even after Grandfather Arcturus trying to locate Cousin Andromeda, it was as if she disappeared from the face of the earth. It's September now, and they could not still find her.
It was certainly an eventful summer beside the fact Regulus turned eleven years old in July, finally getting his Hogwarts letter just in time with Sirius' list of new textbooks for his second year and having his own wand: it's ten and a half inches long, made from cedar wood with phoenix feather core. He was told by Ollivander that it's reasonably springy in the right circumstances, staring at him with an inquisitive expression.
Regulus sighed after Sirius helped him to put their belongings up in the rack in the compartment Sirius had chosen for them.
"What's with the long sigh, Reggie? You're finally going to Hogwarts with me, so baby brother, cheer up! Or is it because…" Sirius trailed as a mischievous glint flashed in his grey eyes while staring down at him.
Regulus tried not to look alarmed as he waited for what his brother will say next. It's not like he was a little upset for being unable to see Hermione—…!
"…you want to be tickled with the tickling jinx? Or, is it the cheering charms?" Sirius teased waving his wand he had taken out of his robes' pocket.
Regulus almost sighed in relief. He's proud of himself for not doing so. Sirius will tease him mercilessly if he ever found out why he was relieved!
Then, both Remus Lupin and James Potter passed by the compartment, so Sirius had to poke his head through the gap he made by slightly sliding the door open and yelled down the narrow corridor.
"Oi! Where are you going? I found a place for us!" Sirius called rather loud before his voice broke in the end.
Regulus stared at Sirius with wide eyes in his shock while a laughter burst outside of their chosen compartment, which Regulus joined in once he recovered from quite the shock of the breaking of Sirius' voice.
Sirius glared at him over his shoulder while opening the compartment's door wide, so his friends could enter without trouble.
Regulus pressed his lips tight and the only indication he was suppressing his laughter was the way his shoulder shook as Sirius' friends finally arrived while levitating their bags up the racks with their wands.
"Shut up!" Sirius grumbled before crossing his arms defensively.
"Nope!" Potter said while breaking his own voice, intentionally, unlike Sirius' did before snickering with Lupin, who gave Regulus a polite nod while sitting down across him.
James Potter noticed him sitting there and he grinned, "Why, hello there, little Black!"
"Potter." Regulus greeted back.
Potter was about to say something to him, but then, he saw someone outside of their compartment's large window.
Regulus is horrified to be forced to watch James Potter looking like he was doused with Amortentia.
It was a disgusting sight.
"I have an idea to prank Evans!" Potter began after standing and staring like a lovestruck idiot for a little while.
Regulus shook his head before he opened the page in the Prophet he had taken from their father's paper earlier that morning in order to read anything news worthy in the League Table. James Potter is nothing but a moron. Why would he think pranking the girl he likes would be a brilliant idea?
He was in the middle of reading about the defeat of the Chudley Cannons out of the International Quidditch Tournament—why Chudley Cannons had not disbanded yet? Regulus could not understand—when he recalled the girl James Potter supposedly like is Hermione's sister, which Sirius said in one of his letters…
Regulus lifted his head so fast it was as if he caught sight of the golden snitch. And then, he peered out of the window, but he was unable to spot her in the crowd.
His sudden movement was noticed by his brother and his friends however, who are trying to stop Potter from his stupid idea, but reserving said prank ideas to expand for their future uses on others.
"What's the matter, Reggie?" Sirius asked, confused at his brother's strange action.
Regulus stared at Sirius for a moment and then, he blinked before standing up swiftly. The paper in his hand is wrinkling with how tight he held it.
"I am going to the loo." Regulus blurted as he left the compartment with haste.
"He must be eager to relieve himself." He heard Sirius telling his friends dismissively.
Regulus flushed in embarrassment and almost went back to deny what he said, but with the way he left, he will only dig himself in more embarrassment. So, he ignored them and walked down the hall, discreetly peering at each compartment, hoping to find a conspicuous strawberry blonde curls.
He wasn't looking for Hermione because he wanted to see her. Regulus wanted to confront her. That's what he told himself.
Hermione has a distinct shade of blonde, and Regulus just knew in his guts that it's not her whenever he saw someone with a blonde hair inside the compartments he's passing by one by one.
Plus, you cannot mistake it for another's with how too big her hair is for her body.
Instead of finding Hermione, though, he was found by another blonde but not as the same pleasing shade as Hermione's: it's none other than Lucius Malfoy.
"Ah! Regulus, there you are." Lucius said before pulling him inside a compartment he was sharing with… another blonde he knew, but not the one he was looking for.
"Cissa? What is going on?" Regulus asked while his eyebrows shot up to his forehead in his astonishment upon seeing his cousin in the company of Malfoy.
"Hello, Reggie. I have a favour to ask. Will you accompany us for the train ride?" She asked, but it left no room for him to refuse her. "Lucius and I just decided to begin our courting, you see—"
Regulus could not hide the grimace on his face. Why did Malfoy and Cissa think that this is the best time to inform him of such? He's busy and it doesn't really involve him.
"Congratulations," Regulus stated, still not certain why he needed to be with them.
"—and I am in need of a chaperone." She said as if he didn't interupted her. "I don't think it will be a good idea for just the two of us to sit together without a companion, so what do you think, Reggie?"
Regulus inhaled sharply.
She did not just tried to manipulate him to make this situation his business.
Looking closely at Narcissa, though, he didn't fail to notice her anxiousness with the way she fiddled with the lining of her robes, however unobtrusive the act was.
If Regulus hadn't grown up with her, he'll be none the wiser. Clearly, Cissa must be afraid another rumour will spread around after Andy's scandal this summer.
"You owe me." Regulus told them after a moment of deliberation, and choosing to perch beside his older cousin and across Malfoy.
She is family. She is more important. This, is what Regulus decided. Besides, Lucius Malfoy will owe him a favour, too.
Regulus straightened the Prophet page in his hand, ignoring the two older Slytherins with pleased smiles on their faces. He just left a compartment with a lovesick fool in it, but was now forced to join another with lovebirds in it.
He did not know which is worse.
And that's how Regulus Black was forced to accompany Lucius Malfoy and his dear cousin Narcissa for his first ever train ride to Hogwarts.
x-x
Regulus felt like his soul shrivelled after witnessing hours of Malfoy and Cissa's subtle flirting during the whole train ride, which entailed the horrifying affectionate looks, cloying soft smiles, cheesy banters and occasional bumping of shoes. Those things would usually fly over his head, but it seemed Regulus had nothing else to do after he perused the Quidditch section he had brought with him that he was forced to pay attention to them and endured all of it.
No eleven years old should experience what he exactly did for their first trip to Hogwarts.
They certainly owe him a huge one, and Regulus will milk them big for the kind of suffering they put him through.
Because as soon as the train stopped in the train station in Hogsmeade, he left as fast as he could, which is not impossible. Regulus might be small for his age, but he is quite nimble.
"Firs' year! Firs' year! Gather 'round!" He heard a rather large man who seemed to be a half-giant herded all the first years exiting the scarlet train.
He should ask Sirius later if he's really a giant, Regulus thought distractedly. And then, like a withered plant sprinkled with water, Regulus perked up upon seeing a familiar curls among the crowd of eleven years old.
It was like he drank a Rejuvenating Potion with the way he instantly felt energised at finally seeing her, forgetting his sufferings when he was forced to be with Malfoy and Cissa for hours!
He almost elbowed his future classmates as he sidled close to Hermione, stopping near, just a little behind her where he can keep an eye on the girl with a voluminous curly hair, which made her taller than him.
Once every first year gathered around the gigantic man, they were told to follow him before leading them to a dark and narrow path with towering trees on both sides. He heard some of his peers whimpering at the shadows created by the only lamp held by their escort and the thin ray of lights from the moon piercing through branches of old oak trees.
One of the girls in front of him reached for the closest person they could grasp which happened to be Hermione's robes.
The girl was muttering to herself.
"…so I see danger lies at the end of this path." Regulus heard the last bit of what the girl clinging to Hermione said.
"Hogwarts is at the end of this path." was Hermione's reply, which made him snicker and so did the boy walking alongside him.
"I see," The girl said, straightening herself but still hadn't let go of Hermione's robes.
"No, she did not," whispered by the boy next to Regulus while still snickering.
The steep, dark path ended onto the edge of the lake with small boats floating by the shore and the Hogwarts Castle looming at the distance on the top of a mountain cliff. There's only four students per boat, so he followed Hermione and the girl clinging like a limpet in her arm.
Regulus could not stop the warning glance he sent to another bumbling first year who almost stole his spot near Hermione in the boat. He was followed by the boy walking next to him earlier with amusement on his face.
"I am Barty, by the way. Barty Crouch Jr." The boy introduced himself to Regulus as he sat down comfortably beside him.
If he wasn't looking, Regulus would not catch Hermione's shoulder from slightly flinching. He pulled his eyes away from Hermione and introduced himself to the boy sitting next to him as taught to him since he could remember.
"Regulus Black," He said to Crouch with an imperceptible bow of his head.
The girl sitting in front of Crouch and next to Hermione turned her torso around and introduced herself, "I am Sybill Trelawney, descendant of the Great Seer, Cassandra Trelawney."
Her thick glasses made her eyes looked as if it would pop out. She nudged Hermione, tilting her head sharply towards them as if urging Hermione to introduce herself too.
Hermione glanced at each of them before sighing, "My name is Hermione Gr—" She paused, clearing her throat— "Hermione Ev—"
She was interrupted by the booming voice of their huge escort, "FORWARD!"
Regulus' lips twitched. This is twice now that she was interrupted from telling him her name. He already knew, though. Her very muggle last name; it's Evans, and it was brewing conflict in him.
But, then, she had to smile, even though it was a forced polite smile, yet still, Regulus found them lovely and it settled him, which confused him.
Hermione and the Trelawney girl looked forward as the boats began to smoothly glide across the great black lake with a breathtaking view of Hogwarts, one that Regulus will unlikely forget for the rest of his life. When the boats reached the cliff where Hogwarts stood, they had to bend their heads through a curtain of ivy which concealed a broad opening that led them to an underground dock, just underneath the castle.
Regulus climbed out of the boat, slowly and cautiously. He was uncertain if he should offer her his hand while Crouch was helping Trelawney out of the boat.
He was about to lay his hand for her to take, but she was already walking pass him while frowning at him — as if it was him who was the strange one.
Regulus curled his fingers before hurrying along to follow after her. They walked to a passageway and came out at the shadow of Hogwarts, where the grass are smooth and damp. And then, they climbed up the flight of stone stairs, stopping in front of a huge door made of oak.
Their escort raised his fist to knock thrice on the door before it swung open and they were greeted by a witch in emerald robes with a stern expression on her face. When Regulus heard their escort addressed her Professor McGonagall, he recognised her instantly from Sirius' letters last year. She is the Transfiguration Professor and Head of Gryffindor House.
Instead of leading them to the Great Hall where Sirius must be waiting, McGonagall showed them to an empty chamber where they all cramped in.
Others were nervously glancing at each other as McGonagall stared them down and then, she started informing them of the banquet for the start of the term, the Sorting Ceremony before the mentioned banquet, the Four Houses they would be sorted in, the house points system where the house with most points collected will be honoured to receive the House Cup at the end of the final term banquet.
After that, she left them for a moment for others to tidy themselves. Hermione took a silk black ribbon from her pocket, tying her curls up in a neat bow with just a flick of her hand. It's a pretty neat trick, and it seemed to be a habit of hers because she did it without thought while calming down Trelawney after hearing from someone in the crowd that they had to duel or fight a magical creature like trolls or werewolves to get sorted.
"I told you earlier that I see danger! We are going to die!" Trelawney cried rather dramatically that she frightened some of the first years near her.
"No, we are not!" Hermione hissed before rolling her eyes and imperiously stared at each first years around her. "Honestly! Did anyone not read Hogwarts, A History?"
"I did," Regulus blurted out, like an idiot who was slipped with Veritaserum in his drink, but he knew he did not consumed anything, besides a few chocolate frogs and pumpkin pasties he bought from the trolley to snack on during the whole train ride.
"Then, you must know what's going to sort us. Please tell them that we're not going to die!" Hermione said, politely and bossily at the same time. It was impressive.
"We are not going to die." Regulus said, monotonously without his intention while looking at each of his nervous peers.
Some calmed down a bit while the others seemed to be struggling to believe him. It was disconcerting. Hermione was nodding along with him, though, and she looked as if she was pleased to help the others, so it seems all is well that ends well?
But, the peaceful moment was broken by Crouch who suddenly doubled up next to Regulus while clinging on his shoulder. He felt Crouch was making fun of him, but he had no idea for what reason, though.
"I hope I will be sorted where you are going, Black. You're a funny person." Crouch told him. "But, I'll be probably sorted in Ravenclaw. That's where my father was sorted."
"My sister is in Gryffindor, but I have no idea where I should be sorted because I think every house has their own merits." Hermione piped in, diplomatically.
"I will be sorted where my friends will be." Trelawney stated.
Hermione pursed her lips before opening her pink lips, "The probability of that is high. By the time it's your turn to get sorted, we're already done with ours."
"You are not denying anymore that we are friends!" Trelawney pointed out, happily.
Hermione looked so done that it made his lips twitched in amusement while Crouch was snickering at the look on Hermione's face. He only stopped when McGonagall returned and made them form a line and followed after her through a huge double doors to the Great Hall, where thousands of lit candles floated up over the four long tables.
Regulus spotted Sirius and his friends in the Gryffindor table easily since Sirius is waving his arms at him like a buffoon. If mother could see him now, he would be berated by her. But, as it is, Regulus had to fight the heated blush making its way on his cheeks and ears with his brother's rowdy and embarrassing support.
Although, he noticed a pretty red-haired girl, sitting in the Gryffindor table briefly squeezed Hermione's hand while they're passing by; she must be her older sister who Potter fancies.
Every first year were led near the end of the hall, where the professors are sitting, and formed a line with their backs to the Hogwarts staff while facing the students who are all staring at them.
Regulus stood stiffly with curled fingers as McGonagall placed a four-legged wooden stool in front of them with an aged pointed hat. There was a moment of silence as the students in the Great Hall stared at the hat before it moved and began to sing of each house's qualities where they might belong. After such astonishing performance, every students applauded as the hat bowed and it went still once again.
Regulus heard a few sighs of relief behind and in front of him when it finally sank that they will be sorted with a hat, and not duel a dangerous magical creature.
McGonagall stepped forward and stood beside the wooden stool, unravelling the rolled parchment in her hand, which was quite lengthy.
"Now, when I call your name, you will put on the sorting hat and sit on the stool to be sorted." She said before loudly calling for, "ABBOTT, Judy."
A girl with dark orange hair in twin-braided tails jumped out of the platform, stumbling a little before putting the hat on and sitting down on the stool.
There is a moment of silence before the hat announced, "HUFFLEPUFF!"
The Hufflepuff table cheered at once as Abbott went to sit among the Hufflepuff before another student was called.
"ADDAMS, Wendy." went to Ravenclaw, where she was welcomed with applause and shake hands from older students.
"BLACK, Regulus."
Regulus jolted before forcing his shaking legs to move. He felt Crouch patting him on the shoulder before he saw Hermione smiling at him, encouragingly, while he's passing by her. Regulus can't help but to smile back at her however tiny it was.
He sat on the stool with the hat placed on his head and Regulus knew it's going to be a moment in his life that will either change everything or nothing; Regulus wants to be with Sirius, but he knew of his duties to his family. He wants to be a good son, but he also wants to be a good brother.
Choosing what is right and what is easy, is the same thing for Regulus Arcturus Black: because the right thing his eleven years of age knew is that his parents teachings are right and being a Slytherin is an easy path, but what is right and easy is different from what Regulus wants. A part of him wanted to be with Sirius in Gryffindor while a small part of him desired to be in a House where Hermione, his new friends, would go.
'Difficult, very difficult,' he heard the voice of the Sorting Hat in his head. 'Loyalty and the thirst for knowledge is plenty. Bravery, on the other hand, is not the easiest thing for you, young Black. You would do well in Gryffindor to pull the courage hidden deep inside you.' Regulus swallowed. Sirius will be happy if he got sorted in Gryffindor, but what will his mother say? Regulus is aware that it's going to break her heart. Then, he remembered his father's advice.
"There is nothing wrong in following what you want, Regulus. But, you have to think of the consequences of your choices: the good and the bad, and how it will impact the people around you. So, when you find yourself stuck on what you should choose, think about what is more important in your life."
Regulus inhaled deeply, thinking about his parents, his family, his brother and his new friends. The bonds that is so precious and what shackled him, and the new bonds he just formed and something to look forward to, but knew will never have the chance to develop as something much more since he is a pureblood and the spare Black son.
'Are you sure? This is your chance to be happy and free to be who you wanted to be, young Black.' The hat haughtily said and if it has a nose, Regulus believed it'll sniff at him in disdain.
'I have decided, and it is more important than what I want.' Regulus swallowed the lump in his throat, his decision made with his fate sealed before he was even born.
He will have to hide himself and let others see him as what is expected of Orion and Walburga Black’s perfect pureblood son.
'Well then, young Black. I bid you farewell and good luck in your future endeavours in…' Regulus exhaled in resignation as the announcement of his house placement is echoing in the Great Hall. "SLYTHERIN!"
The old hat was removed on his head and Regulus saw Sirius' disappointed face. He didn't dare glance behind him as Regulus stood from the stool with a heavy heart.
The loud encouraging cheers from Cousin Ron from the Gryffindor table should take the weight off his chest, but as he walked to the table with green and silver banners, Regulus felt like he's walking to his death and severing ties in every painful step as he got closer to the Slytherin table.
Regulus sat near the second year boys, beside a familiar face: Evan Rosier, the Black Sisters' first cousin through Aunt Druella. His ears are ringing as he was greeted by those around him with their introductions. He did just the same and wondered how he managed it since he could feel himself sinking in the depths within him and getting away.
He barely remembered the second years' names or the fact "BROWN, Emmett" was the first Gryffindor sorted, but those after him, Regulus could not remember because eleven years old him did not know he was occluding intensely in his first year sorting ceremony to mask his true feelings.
He clapped along with the Slytherins when they did. Regulus had no idea how long he was in that state. It might be long or short, but what he knew, he only jolted and came back to himself when he heard:
"EVANS, Hermione."
Regulus hid his shaking hands under the table. What happened to him?
"Evans? As in Snape's mudblood Evans?" He heard Avery speaking. "Is she that Lily Evans' sister or something?"
"Do not be crude, Avery, or I will Scourgify your mouth." Cousin Harry snapped with a warning look before he put all his attention to Hermione's sorting.
Regulus saw the older Slytherin Prefect was staring with his lips parted in shock while cousin Ron was leaning forward to stand halfway in the Gryffindor table like some weirdo, and they were both staring at Hermione like they cannot believe their eyes that she was there.
Regulus frowned at their odd behaviour. It was also noticed by other students as the two purebloods with mothers from Ancient and Most Noble House of Black were both oddly invested in her sorting.
Then, whispering started to come alive in the Great Hall as Hermione sat there with the hat longer than the other first year. He heard she is getting closer to becoming a hatstall, a rare occurrence. So, that might explain his cousins' behaviour.
"RAVENCLAW!" the Sorting Hat shouted eventually before the five minute mark.
The Ravenclaws burst in loud applause as they welcomed Hermione in their table. He saw her sitting across Crouch—which was making Regulus confuse: when did Crouch got sorted? And he was in Ravenclaw? He did say that he might get sorted in there.
He did not notice his staring, but few older Slytherins did, like his cousins in Slytherin.
"What are you staring at, Regulus?" He heard Cissa asking, snapping him out of his reverie.
He glanced at his older cousin, who has a slight arch of her eyebrow. She's staring at him as if he had done something wrong. Is it because he was looking at Hermione?
"Filth," Regulus answered and crinkled his nose like what his mother would do before looking away from Herm—Evans…because after saying that, Regulus felt he no longer deserved to call her by her name.
She would no longer be his potential friend because she's a mudblood. Lily Evans is a mudblood, so her sister is a mudblood too. It's not feasible for a pureblood like him to form friendship with Hermione Evans. She is the first person he would try to forget or severe ties with, when he made his choice in Slytherin.
He heard the second year older students snickering while the older boy with greasy hair and hooked nose across Regulus was sneering at him. Cousin Harry was looking at Regulus with a curious expression, and it was making Regulus feel uneasy. It's like he could see through him: through the lies Regulus uttered to keep himself hidden.
Later, when Regulus closed the curtains of his four-poster bed and warded his space with spells he learned from several books in his family library, that's when his choice would finally sink in him. Regulus knew he will have to live with this decision, and will have to try not thinking about the different paths that briefly opened to him, which he should've taken but did not—still would not choose if he had to do it all over again.
He's a Slytherin. This is the House he had been imagining to be placed with Sirius in their much younger years when their only companion in a dark and bleak home was each other. In the end, though, Sirius was not here; it's just Regulus in the only place he can be to bring comfort in his mother's heart—never mind the comfort of his own.
Regulus would stare, unseeing, above him and would think about breaking pieces of him to become the perfect pureblood son, and how he would bury and drown himself in the depths to remain with the choice he made—could not afford to regret.
But, for now, Regulus had to partake in the Sorting Ceremony, avoiding several gazes that he felt are piercing him from different directions.
x-x
September 1972
Regulus spent the first week in Hogwarts a little bored with the introductory lessons in each seven core subjects. It was all theory, and he knew them. Regulus supposed he's not the only one because he spotted some of his peers, especially the pureblood ones who hired private tutors, were looking with glassy eyes at their teachers or pretending they were attentive or doing other things in each class.
The strangest was Evans. Because while the other… of her kind took notes in each of their classes, Regulus caught Evans in Potions reading a book not related to the lesson nor their shared class. She wasn't listening to the theoretical lectures either in Charms.
Their first practical Flying Lesson started on Thursday, a week after they arrived in Hogwarts. Madam Hooch who have elfin-like ears and distinguished yellow eyes is the one instructing them.
Regulus had already flown with a broom before. He heard from Evan Rosier, who heard it from the youngest Lestrange in the older boy's year, that these lessons are simply designed for the mudbloods.
It's an utter waste of time. It wasn't like the first years would be allowed to play Quidditch in the Quidditch Matches.
The old, school broomstick slapped on his awaiting palm when Regulus summoned it in his first try.
When Regulus saw a huge strawberry blonde curls in his peripheral, he can't help but glance at Evans. She already have the old school broom in her hand, however, that was not what he noticed first. Her strawberry blonde curls have streaks of brown, red, pink and gold in them under the afternoon sun.
How can someone's hair have so many shades in them? Regulus forced himself and looked away. He pressed his lips in annoyance, and he tried to listen to the instruction Madam Hooch was teaching their class though he already knew them.
When they all mounted their brooms, silver-grey eyes frequently strayed to Evans' hair.
Why is Evans' hair so eye-catching in the afternoon light? What right did she have to distract him so? Did she enchant her hair? Is that it?
Is that why he can't look away from her?
Evans noticed his staring, gazing back at him with a confused frown. She somehow looked adorable with the slight crinkling of her nose—wait, what—?! Regulus inhaled sharply and swiftly looked away, steering his broom the other way. Evans should not be adorable! It should be impossible!
Regulus decided to fly like he usually do and did some manoeuvres with Crouch. His eyes landing on Evans, floating at a respectable distance while encouraging Trelawney.
"Trelawney predicted a student would fall off their broom. She's off most of the time, but with the way she's holding that broom, she might be the one falling." Crouch said while riding his broom upside-down.
"Crouch! Stop that this instant!" Madam Hooch yelled before blowing her magical whistle that echoed in the entire field.
The sudden noise made Trelawney lose her balance. She almost fell off if Evans wasn't there to pull her long black robes, so Trelawney could balance herself back to her position.
"So, Black," Crouch began as he moved to a proper position. "Do you fancy Hermione or something?"
Regulus' broom swerved and bobbed for a moment. If he hadn't directed his broom to the side, Regulus would've dropped down like Trelawney had foreseen.
"What?" He eventually asked Crouch in disbelief. How did he came to that sort of conclusion?
"You're always looking at her." Crouch told him, which is true, Regulus can't deny that but…!
"We're eleven!" Regulus gasped in alarm, a little scandalised.
They are too young to think about girls, but more importantly, did someone hear them talking? What will happen to him if someone heard and they told Cissa who will probably tell his mother?
"So?" Crouch countered while letting go of his broom's stick to cross his arm. Madam Hooch will scold him once she saw him.
"So? We're too young to think about that! Besides, I am a pureblood. She is a… you know." Regulus replied in frustration and forced himself to say a word he wouldn't have a problem saying few months ago. "…a mudblood."
Crouch hummed before tilting his body side to side. If he keep doing that, he'll probably be the student who will fall off their broom. Crouch nodded to himself before grinning mischievously,
"Got it, Black. If you need my help, though, I will be here. What are friends for."
Friends. What a strange concept. But, if his friendship with Crouch would make it easier to be near Evans without question from the watchful eyes of others…
"It's Regulus." He eventually told Crouch offering his hand, which he accepted.
"Then, I am Barty. Crouch is my father." Crouch said as they were told to safely land on the grass.
"Alright, Barty." Regulus accepted.
Without Regulus' knowing, this is the first ripple when Hermione Evans was dropped in his life. Because the Regulus in the time that will never-be thanks to a certain time-travelling trio, was a true loner and kept to himself and only cared for his family and a house-elf. However, this time, his attention on Hermione Evans piqued the curiosity of a bored Barty Crouch Jr., someone who is trying to hide his loneliness and need for a validation and attention from his father by focusing on something interesting.
And the amusing thing he found was the spare Black son's infatuation over Evans. It's enough to keep him busy for the next seven years. The second ripple Hermione Evans made, unintentionally.
x-x
Since befriending Barty, Regulus would often join with the Ravenclaw in a study group with his housemates: Evans and Trelawney, in the library. Studying with Barty gave him the excuse to be within reach with Evans, appropriately.
It's a study group where Regulus, Barty and Trelawney do their homeworks while Evans is reading different books in each session. It was maddening to see her not doing her homework, but still helping her friends, mainly, Trelawney and Crouch, to look for the reference book they will need for their assignments and essays.
"What are you reading?" He quietly asked her after Barty and Trelawney left to get a book she referred for their Charms' essay, which would help him too, but he is much more curious about her reading materials since he joined their study group.
With a slight flitting of his eyes, he saw Evans looking up from her book with a probing gaze and tilt of her head before Regulus' eyes went back to the Defense Against the Dark Arts' assignment he's working on.
"The Importance of Ancient Rituals and Olde Ways of Magick." Evans answered and Regulus lifted his head to look up at her and the book she's currently reading.
"Is it really?" He sceptically said, eyeing the inconspicuous book titled with 1000 Magical Herbs and Fungi since yesterday she was reading Hogwarts, A History.
Evans rolled her eyes before she put the book down on the table and pushed it to his direction. Regulus scanned the page she was reading and realised the title of the book was different from its contents. Evans cleverly disguised the book as one of their textbooks.
He heard from the older students that this book is one of the books Dumbledore had removed from student access even though it was already in the Restricted Section.
"Why are you reading this? I heard it was removed from the Restricted Section. How did you get it?" Regulus failed to notice he was leaning forward as he questioned her.
Evans swiped the book out of his hands before telling him, "In order to assimilate properly in this world, I have to learn how things were done to not offend anyone's sensibilities."
Regulus heard the slight bitterness and sarcasm in her tone. He noticed she did not told him how she got the book and it was too late to interrogate her because Trelawney and Barty arrived with piles of books following behind them. The books thudded on the table as Barty directed it with his wand.
Evans went back to her disguised book while Regulus tried to ignore her, putting all his focus on his homework, but all he could think about was what she told him. Did she already offend someone? That it warranted her to secretly read a banned book in Hogwarts?
Evans' approach in the Wizarding World is the opposite of his mother's teachings and Regulus' stomach churned, violently, at his realisation. His mother is always right. But, Hermione Evans?
She is nothing like the mudbloods mother told him about, and Regulus didn't know if he liked knowing in this case: his mother is wrong.
Regulus stuffed his books, parchment, ink bottle and quill back in his satchel. He felt the need to get away from Evans.
"Where are you going?" Barty asked him, confused at the way Regulus moved like a mad person.
Maybe he's getting crazy like some of his family members. He must be with the way he's been fixating too much on Evans.
"I just—I have to meet—Sirius. I'm meeting Sirius and I think I'm late." He lied, and it's not his best. He knew, but he had to leave now.
"Oh, alright. See you around, Black." He heard Barty saying cheerfully.
Regulus nodded, not looking at Evans as he turned around and left. Every step he took, Regulus felt like the ground behind him is crumbling, shadows chasing after him, and he had no idea what to do.
x-x
Regulus would be happy to ignore Evans' existence, if she wasn't always at the top of her game in every classes they shared.
"Perfect Charms' work, Miss Evans!" The Charms Professor, Flitwick, said after she did the levitation charm first in their class. "Ten points to Ravenclaw."
If it weren't for the eyes around them, he would have join in congratulating her like Barty and Trelawney did. In his situation, though, he was left to follow after her. It's the only way he could think of that would make her remember him. If he could do it after her or better yet, before her, it would get her attention, right?
Because even though he wanted to ignore everything about her, Regulus still desired her attention for whatever reason. And so, he made his own feather levitate after she did hers.
"Oh! Ten points to Slytherin, Mr. Black." Professor Flitwick awarded but Regulus' eyes was on Evans.
She glanced at him and Regulus felt his cheeks heating up. When she smiled at him for his success, he felt like bursting into flames. This is ridiculous! And does his heart hates him? It's racing so much!
"Talented just like your brilliant sister, eh?" He heard Slughorn praising her after she finished her Cure-for-Boils Potion quicker than anyone in their class. It was a perfect sky blue consistency, too, and according to the old Potions Professor, Evans' potion was like it was made by an expert brewer.
Slughorn has a gleam in his eyes while he was looking at Evans. It's the same gleam he had when Regulus Black was sorted in Slytherin. He truly is a Niffler, who likes to collect students he believed will be golden in the future.
Regulus wrinkled his nose in disdain while taking his pewter cauldron off the flames to cool down the pink hued potion before adding the porcupine quills in his brew.
October 1972
It only took Regulus a month in Hogwarts to acquiesced to the blatant truth staring at his face: Hermione Evans is odd even for a mudblood.
Her existence is the complete antithesis of what he knew about her kind.
In short, everything about her is wrong.
For that reason, Regulus decided he must observe her thoroughly to learn more what exactly made Hermione Evans so different from the other mudbloods in Hogwarts.
His first act: approaching her in the library to observe her closely without Crouch and Trelawney.
Regulus perched on the seat across Evans in the library, spreading his homework and books on the table she had claimed as her own even without saying it. This is the only table she had been using while studying in the library for a month now, so he believed she will be claiming this specific table until they graduated.
It took him not a second longer to notice that Evans was staring at him. Regulus is feeling smug, all of a sudden. He must be feeling this way because for a month now, he had been staring at Evans, but she did not notice him. Unlike him who noticed her staring immediately.
Regulus raised his head and met Evans' eye-pleasing teal eyes curiously eyeing him.
"What are you doing?" She quietly asked with a little tilt of her head.
"Studying." He pointed out the obvious to her.
Evans rolled her eyes before she absently waved her hand.
Regulus' brow rose a little at the wandless magic she performed without thought. She must have silenced the small area around their table to avoid getting reprimanded or thrown out of the library by Pince.
"That's not what I meant." Evans hissed.
Regulus realised what she's referring to, but he elected to ignore it, smiling at her.
"Then, what do you mean?" He innocently asked while channeling his inner annoying Sirius and batted his eyes at her.
Evans sighed before shaking her head, her flyaway curls springing from her ribbon.
"Never mind." She said, and then added, "Can you please wipe that smug look on your face?"
"What look?" Regulus said with the same smug smile she wanted him to wipe off.
After that, she huffed before digging her nose to a thick tome with mind-numbing and boring title, which he suspected the content was not really as the title said it was supposed to be.
He had no idea that seeing Evans like this is quite entertaining. It seemed his brother was on to something when he do this acts.
When Evans raised her eyes and met his, Regulus only smiled cheekily at her before starting his homework in Transfigurations. Occassionally, he would glance up to look at Evans and see what she's doing before diving back to his homework.
He's orbiting around Evans for a, what is it that Sirius called it? Ah! Right. It's a social experiment. That's what Regulus is doing, if anyone asked.
x-x
His second act: following her around in their shared free time, especially on the weekends.
Since Regulus rarely interacted with his housemates, except when cousin Harry and Cissa cornered him in the common room to enquire of his well-being and if he's adjusting fine in Hogwarts, nobody would question his whereabouts most of the time. They simply assumed that he's either spending time with Sirius and his Gryffindor friends or studying with Barty.
Because that's what he had been doing for a month now, and this deviation from his normal routine is unexpected. No one will believe that a pureblood Black would follow a mud—muggleborn around just to carry out a "social experiment".
And so far, Regulus had seen Evans doing odd things, like: suddenly disappearing in the corridors, sneaking around in what he believed to be the Hufflepuffs' commons, and feeding an invisible creature near the Forbidden Forest while spending time with her Gryffindor sister.
The company she kept are also strange, given she's friends with Trelawney who is gaining a reputation as either a true seer or a fraud. He had also seen her spending time with the older students in her House: the second year Pandora Selinofoto, who likes to explode stuff intentionally and the third year Xenophilius Lovegood, the older boy who spouted about magical creatures he believed to exist to anybody who would willingly hear him out.
Regulus had seen the three of them doing a strange dance near the Black Lake while one of the tentacles of the giant squid was splashing around in the background.
When Regulus decided to ask Evans about it, she blushed before informing him, "I am doing it for research."
Regulus didn't know if he should believe her, but decided to let it go because her blushing face distracted him. Why is she adorable? He thought in annoyance.
But, what shocked Regulus the most while following Evans around was when Cousin Harry and Ron approached her. At first, he thought he was caught by them and they will tell his mother, who in return will drag him away from Hogwarts. However, they simply ignored him—and if they had seen him, they didn't give any indication—they just hauled Evans with each of their arms before disappearing on the seventh floor.
Regulus was so bewildered at what he just witnessed that he couldn't move nor think. It was like he was cursed, and when he did finally move, he almost panicked because Evans is a muggleborn and he didn't know if his older cousins believed in Toujours Pur motto of their family.
What if they hurt her or something similar? Regulus almost went to get Sirius—anyone who would help him, really—to rescue her.
He didn't need to, though, because they eventually appeared around the corner with happiness and contentment on their faces while Regulus felt like he put Evans in danger and it was all his fault!
But, then, he saw them—!
Regulus felt disarmed because it was the first time he saw Harry Potter looking as if what he had been waiting for finally came while cousin Ron looked simply delighted. And when the trio saw him, Regulus felt his face heating up.
"Hello, Regulus." Cousin Harry said with a teasing grin forming on his face. The very same look that was beginning to shape on cousin Ron's face as well.
Regulus flushed in embarrassment and his eyes swimming from side to side. He can't even make a proper excuse because they caught him—they had seen him earlier! He couldn't look Evans in the eye, so he chose to look at her round forehead, which made him more flustered. He had never thought foreheads could be cute, too, and now, he do.
"The nice is forehead." Regulus blurted like a moron, like a James Potter-moron.
"Pfft…!"
Regulus felt like a disgrace. So much for a Slytherin, huh. Evans just looked confused. Good for her, Regulus thought as he failed to look dignified in front of his cousins.
"Let's go, Regulus." Cousin Harry said with suppressed laughter as he left Evans and cousin Ron's side to take him back to their common room.
The walk of shame with Harry Potter was an experience Regulus would never forget.
x-x
There was no third act. Because after he was caught, Regulus didn't dare to follow Evans around anymore. Although, he still went to their weekly study group because it truly helps him in classes, and he could have academic discussions with Evans as much as he wanted to; they didn't need to be friends to talk about school lessons.
Also, Evans seemed she didn't mind what happened a week ago. But, ever since he saw cousin Harry and Ron hauling Evans, he would infrequently spot them huddling near the Grounds Keeper's hut, acting like suspicious persons.
Well, his older cousins were the ones who looked like unsavoury individuals because why would they spend their time around a first year Ravenclaw with impure blood? It was unheard of.
Though, by the looks of it, sometimes, it seemed they were arguing based on the furious gestures of Evans. Regulus can't hear them because of the privacy charm they placed in their vicinity every time he caught sight of them. And yet, even when Evans is angry and cousin Harry and Ron looked like they were both having a hard time taking her seriously, they would still spend time together twice a week.
He was not the only one in Slytherin who noticed it, though. Because Lucius Malfoy eventually decided to confront cousin—or is it Uncle?—Harry, a day before Samhain, in the Slytherin common room. It was half day classes, so almost every Slytherin are gathering in the common room.
Regulus hadn't arrived yet when Malfoy accosted cousin Harry, but he's present when the Slytherin Prefect was telling his peer off before claiming Evans under his protection:
"Oh, yeah? If I am a bloodtraitor, then what are you? At least I do not claim to follow a half-blood masquerading as a pureblood lord." Harry said, sneering at Malfoy.
His statement stumped Malfoy and the other older students who were privy to what he was saying. Then, the Slytherin Potter stared at everyone, including him, before gravely announcing,
"Hermione Evans is under my protection. Do not cross me, especially those people who are aware of what I can do."
And with that, Harry Potter left with his long black robes billowing behind him.
Regulus saw Severus Snape staring at his cousin with respect and slight admiration in his eyes.
Later that night, the Slytherins present in the common room were all tensed during the Halloween Feast except cousin Harry who is enjoying a slice of treacle pie. Like he hadn't threatened everyone and made an enemy out of Lucius Malfoy. Probably.
Regulus can admit to himself that he is a cool person like Sirius had told him once.
November 1972
Sirius' thirteenth birthday came and went with a fanfare, charming each table with a fountain of pumpkin juice and the trays of tooth-rotting chocolate cake. Regulus sent Sirius his gift, which he asked Kreacher to make: the traditional monstrosity birthday cake—made up of strawberry poundcake, raspberry compote, generous amounts of chocolate sauce, whipped cream and mint chocolate ice cream with chopped berries—they secretly enjoyed in their birthdays. Also, Mother sent Sirius a parcel during breakfast while their Father gave the owl which delivered the gift.
They were obviously trying to make up for the lack of gifts Sirius received last year.
The first Quidditch Match began between Slytherin and Ravenclaw. Decked in green and silver, that is how Regulus showed his loyalty to the Quidditch Team of his House when he left the dormitory and went to the Great Hall for breakfast.
When he arrived in the Slytherin table, he saw Harry chatting with Ron and Cissa as Malfoy tolerated Harry's presence to show solidarity as the Prefect was his Quidditch Captain.
"Good morning, Regulus." Cissa greeted him with an excited smile, which Regulus believed was caused by watching Malfoy as her official suitor to lord over the other girls. Apparently, Malfoy belonged in the list of sought after prospect husbands in Pureblood Society, along with his cousins, which made up of purebloods, handsome and wealthy blokes.
Last Regulus heard, Ron was still high up in the list because even though he have a Prewett red hair and cornflower blue eyes, he took after Aunt Lucretia in appearance, but without her icy attitude, which Cissa is trying to emulate.
"Good morning," he greeted back.
"Come, sit with us." She invited and made space between her and Ron by gracefully pushing him.
Regulus politely thanked her before sitting down and served himself some sausages, eggs and toasts. He was mid-chew when Sirius and his friends went to their table to show support for Harry and challenge him after Sirius and Potter became reserves in Gryffindor's Quidditch team.
And then, Evans appeared sans her blue and bronze scarf. Malfoy is about to say something rude to her probably, however, once he saw her hair, he shied away. Her hair that made him and the others choke: because on her head that should be curls were animated green snakes, hissing and dancing while flicking their tongues in the air at anyone who would look at Evans the wrong way.
"Morning, Harry, Ron." She said and when Harry turned around, he too, choked in his pumpkin juice before laughing.
"Are you supposed to be Medusa?" Cousin Harry's laughter bled in his words. "It suits you."
"And here I wanted to be funny and show some support for you." Evans sniffed with a glare.
Harry went stiff as if she turned him into a stone before snickering and grinning wide at her.
"You do not scare me anymore, Hermione. You're too adorable." He heard Harry said, teasingly.
Regulus would be nodding along with the Slytherin Potter in agreement if he wasn't stuck on what Harry said: "anymore".
What does it mean? Regulus was frowning as he stabbed his sausage with a fork. He did it not because he's irrationally angry… the sausage is tough to slice through that day.
"Bloody hell, 'Mione!" Ron blurted out after getting over his astonishment at Evans' unique show of support.
Mione?! His cousin could already call her by a nickname? Regulus violently tore his toast with his teeth which went unnoticed because of Evans' transfigured hair.
"Traitor!" Barty yelled at Evans while he was wearing the full paraphernalia of his House.
Evans looked at him in the eye while taking out something in the pocket of her robes—a miniature Ravenclaw flag—and waved it to show her support for the Ravenclaws.
"Go Ravenclaw!" She deadpanned.
"Why don't you all join us in the stands?" Ron stated with a pretty smile that made the older girls who saw him sighed.
And that's how a group of Slytherins sat with the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws for the first Quidditch Match of '72. Regulus was just glad to watch the game with his family and friends.
"The SLYTHERIN TEAM! We have Captain and Seeker, Harry Potter. Chasers: Lucius Malfoy, Filomena Fawley and Claude Flint. Beaters: Cassius Crabbe and Larkin Goyle with Keeper: Alasdair Pucey." announced the Hufflepuff announcer next to Flitwick, Sprout and McGonagall.
Regulus assumed his Head of House is probably with the alumni attending the game.
After announcing the 7 members of the Ravenclaw Team, the match started with Flint snatching the Quaffle up the air. It's so fast that when Fawley threw the ball to the hoop that the Ravenclaw Keeper was defending, all the Slytherins cheered. The snakes in Evans' hair twisted and hissed. The game continued with Slytherin scoring most of the points.
When cousin Harry flew near their stand, the snakes on Evans' head would hissed at him, which would light up his face and have a laugh or two before focusing back in the match as if someone reminded him. Regulus felt his stomach revolting and his insides squeezing when he saw them.
The feeling stayed much longer when Ron wrapped his own Gryffindor scarf around Evans' neck to keep her warm and toasty.
Regulus loves Quidditch, but he couldn't enjoy watching the game much the entire time. Maybe he should join the team next year. That must be it.
It could not be his older cousins attention on Evans. She's not that important to him. Besides, Evans is not his friend.
x-x
Ever since Harry Potter claimed Hermione Evans under his protection, which Oberon Prewett backed him up with, she began to attract attention from Slytherins in various years, including Rabastan Lestrange from Evan Rosier's year.
Nobody knew what Evans did to gain their attention nor how she managed to acquire their favour and immunity, and the mystery of it was attracting unwanted scrutiny.
And because of Lestrange's unnecessary eyes on Evans, Regulus had to temporarily stop from attending the study group in the library with Evans, Barty and Trelawney. It was a nuisance to Regulus' study routines and an inconvenience to get another table away from his Ravenclaw friend and study buddies.
(Because that's what Evans is. She may not be Regulus' friend, but she is a great and irreplaceable study buddy.)
If Regulus jinxed Lestrange's right shoe to be an inch smaller than his left shoe as an act of petty revenge for the hindrance he's unknowingly putting Regulus into, then, it's for Regulus to only know.
"Not with Mini-Evans and your Ravenclaw friends today, Reggie?" Sirius began as he slung an arm around Regulus' shoulder.
"Good afternoon, Sirius." Regulus greeted his brother but with the way he had said it, it was obvious to Sirius and his friends that there is nothing good in his afternoon.
"None of that." Sirius dismissed the polite greeting while waving his free hand that's not near Regulus' space. "So, what's with the long face? Are you busy?"
"What do you want, Siri?" Regulus asked, pursing his lips in a little annoyance.
Sirius hummed while Lupin and Potter exchanged looks. Pettigrew is staying behind them, but Regulus spotted him acting like some sort of look out, which made him narrow his eyes in suspicion.
"We're planning a prank and we actually need your help, little brother." Sirius said with an innocent grin Regulus didn't trust.
"No," Regulus refused.
He tried to leave, but his steps faltered when he heard them trying to prank the Slytherin boys in their year.
Lestrange is one of the second year boys…
It took everything in Regulus not to smirk as he looked over his shoulder to see the second year Gryffindors huddling as they tried to think of another plan how to enter the Slytherin Common Room.
"What's in it for me?" Regulus eventually asked them.
"Merlin's beard!" Sirius yelped. "Reggie!"
Lupin whirled his head to look at him while Pettigrew was clutching his wand, tightly.
"I thought you already left!" Potter hissed while clutching his chest like the thespian that he is.
"If I help you, will you guarantee that the prank you're doing will keep your targets occupied?" Regulus asked, schooling his face to that of someone fascinated. "And are they the only ones you're planning to prank?"
Potter and Pettigrew were frowning while Lupin was the one who replied to him.
"They would be, yes." He answered, tentatively, and then he said, "Why?"
Regulus smiled, angelically, "Just curious."
It wasn't a lie, per se. However, it wasn't the complete truth, either. What they do not know won't hurt them.
"I won't tell you the password," Regulus informed them, calmly.
"But, you said—" Sirius almost protested.
"However, you people can follow me at a distance." Regulus continued as if he was not interrupted. "If you happen to hear the password, I know nothing of it."
Sirius closed his mouth with an audible click and looked at him with his shrewd molten grey eyes.
And the next day, the second year boys of Slytherin House were all in the Infirmary. It was a good day, Regulus thought, while he happily placed his satchel to the seat next to Barty, smiling at Evans across the table, who has a heavy tome propped up on the stack of books in front of her.
"You finally graced us with your presence, Black. You were sorely missed." Barty said dramatically.
"I had to deal with a… minor problem." Regulus vaguely informed Barty while spreading his homework on the table, glancing at Evans while opening his ink bottle.
"By minor, you mean?" Barty prompted as he leaned back with his seat as it stood on two legs.
"Nothing you need to mind." He dismissed with a wave of his hand before dipping his feathered quill to the ink bottle and began writing his homework.
He heard Barty humming in discontent next to him, but Regulus ignored him. It wasn't a subject one would discuss in a place like this, after all.
December 1972
Regulus felt like he was hit by a stinging hex when he caught sight of his mother. The guilt of spending time with someone she deemed beneath them was coursing through him. He was afraid she would kill him or worse, torture him, if she found out he was hanging out with a… muggleborn.
A wry smile made its way on Regulus' lips: he found it ironic that he is worse than his older brother. At least, Sirius didn't spend most of his free time with Lily Evans while trying to find excuses to be around her. He could admit to himself that that's what he had been doing for the whole term around Hermione Evans.
However! However, Regulus would like to maintain that his only reason for wasting so much of his free time observing Evans closely is because she's an anomaly, and her being odd made him curious. Besides, it wasn't like he was actively informing his mother of his detailed student life through his sporadic letters he attributed to hectic school work.
What concerned Regulus and made him guilty were the rumours he was aware of and unaware of that could possibly pass through his mother's ears from the ladies she went to tea parties with.
Regulus did not have a Slytherin Potter like Sirius to assure his mother of his loyalty to his family. Regulus was already a Slytherin yet that won't help him if his mother heard that her perfectly obedient child defied her by associating with a mudblood.
He suddenly had a desire to not get off the train and just stay inside the compartment he and Barty were sharing with Rosier and Lestrange. According to the older boys, it's the closest compartment they found, what with Lestrange complaining about the pain in his right foot. What could two first years possibly say to refuse their seniors? None.
"Pomfrey insisted there was no curse, but there must be one!" Lestrange whined the entire time while gnawing a licorice wand.
Rosier was ignoring him. Probably tired of the complaints he heard for the umpteenth time. Barty was quietly eyeing Lestrange's swollen toes that the older boy was trying to numb with salve because he lacked the knowledge to numb his foot with a healing spell.
It wasn't that hard to presume innocence about Lestrange's foot affliction that the older boy was blaming on the Gryffindors who pranked them last month. Regulus is grateful and feel sorry for Sirius for taking the blame of Regulus' pettiness. Hopefully, his brother never found out or he would be teased endlessly.
"Hey, Black! Carry my luggage, will you." Lestrange said, putting on his sock and shoe back after the train stopped in the station.
Regulus tore his silver eyes away from his mother's figure and looked at Lestrange in disbelief.
"Huh? Why should I?" He asked the older boy. It's not like he was the one who cause him his suffering. Oh. Wait.
"It's your brother's fault that my foot is like this!" Lestrange replied with a scowl.
"Then, tell that to Sirius." Regulus said, sending his heartfelt apology to Sirius.
"I'll help you, Lestrange." Barty chimed in that made Regulus turn to him, he almost broke his neck at his bewilderment.
Sweet Salazar. What is Barty doing? Did he lose his mind? Regulus thought with a frown.
"You would? That would be great." The older boy said while smiling at Barty.
Barty grinned with his cheeks dusting with light red.
"Oh, this is—not again." He heard Rosier's whinging before the older boy left with his suitcase.
Regulus, who suddenly felt awkward at the sudden departure of the other older boy, slowly stood up from his seat while eyeing Barty and Lestrange, who began talking like he wasn't there anymore. He grabbed his own suitcase from the rack above them and bid them a farewell that they completely ignored.
Regulus left the compartment with an odd feeling that he had experienced something quite similar like this before… he just could not remember when, though.
"Regulus," Cousin Harry called just as he exited a compartment he was sharing with Ron and—is that Evans and Trelawney?
Why are they…?
"Come on. Ron and I will accompany you to Cousin Wally." Harry said while taking Regulus' suitcase from his hand, guiding him with a hand on his shoulder. "I have an errand to run for my mother, you see."
Regulus was left dumbstruck as cousins Harry and Ron sandwiched him between them; like he had seen them doing thrice with Evans. He was silent the whole time they were dragging him to his mother. It's a surreal experience.
"Cousin Walburga," Harry greeted with a smile while offering his hand to his mother.
"Harry," Walburga sniffed while placing her hand on Harry's opened palm.
Regulus watched Harry Potter placing a light kiss on his mother's hand before he let it go with a charming smile that he felt he couldn't trust.
"I have heard some rumours about you." Walburga said while scrutinising Harry.
"We could discuss just that. In fact, my mother wanted me to tell you that she's inviting your family for Yule Ball in Potter Manor. She will send the invitation soon, and I hope your family would come." He smoothly said, but Regulus is aware that his mother was a Slytherin.
"I just want to know, Harry Potter. Where do your loyalties truly lies?"
Regulus stood stiffly between his mother and cousin Harry. Is this about Evans?
"Of course, to my family and mine." The Slytherin Potter replied with a soft smile, but Regulus could see the determination of a predator in his eyes. Like, a lion? An overprotective lion.
It's the closest thing he could compare and he felt troubled.
Because it's a disconcerting comparison. How can a snake shed its skin to become a lion that easily?
Walburga narrowed her eyes before she gave him a simple nod. Regulus was not certain if she's satisfied with his answer, but it seems his mother is letting it go for now.
In the corner of Regulus' eyes, he saw the familiar curls of Evans meeting up with her sister and Severus Snape. He did not dare to look her way as Sirius approached them with James Potter. It seems Pettigrew and Lupin already left with their family.
"Mum and Dad told me I will be coming home with you, Harry." James excitedly informed his older cousin. "Will your big brother Henry come back home for Yule this year? I wanted to hear all about his adventures in Asia!"
Harry smiled messing James' already messy hair before replying, "Perhaps."
"Come, Sirius. Regulus." Their mother said as she held them each on their arm before she apparated them away to the top step of Number 12, Grimmauld Place.
One look at his mother's face, Regulus felt dread in his spine while she eyed him and Sirius outside of their house.
Regulus felt it would not be a peaceful holiday. It would be a tedious and little dreadful. What with his mother's look, which made her beautiful appearance distort into something baleful and ugly.
x-x
As Regulus expected, the week before the Yule Ball in the Potter Manor, was not that peaceful at all. His mother and Sirius were butting their heads because they are both stubborn and hot-tempered. After mother tried to question them about the rumours she heard: the mudblood girl Harry Potter declared under his protection, his brother refused to divulge to their parents about Regulus' closeness to Evans and just told them the basics he knew about her.
Hermione Evans is a year below Sirius. A brilliant witch just like her older sister, Lily Evans.
Their mother didn't take kindly to Sirius' praises for the two muggleborn sisters, punishing him for daring to lie to her. Of course, Sirius did not take that easily, so they were shouting at each other.
Regulus just hid inside his room like the coward that he is. Kreacher visited from time to time to check up on him. And as their mother and Sirius fought loudly, his father was either locking himself in Study or leaving the house.
As far as Regulus could remember, their father was never an affectionate person and is indifferent not only to his wife, but also to his sons. He chose to leave every family matter to their mother's hand and wand while he occupied himself with the Black family businesses and investments.
A hands-on mother who is quick to reach for her wand while an indifferent father is what Sirius and Regulus grew up with. It's what they both knew as family.
That's why, when Regulus saw how Harry and James interacted with their respective parents during the Yule Ball, it bewildered him.
The simple affectionate touch of hand to arms, face and hair. Warm smiles, readily available to their child. The kind eyes that look with no contempt for a differing belief and opinion, just acceptance.
A complete contrast to Regulus' parents. Did Sirius knew? How different they are? Did he felt the odd one, too? And the pit inside his stomach that churned from an envy and longing?
Regulus quietly sat with his father while he was chatting about Potions with Fleamont and Charlus Potter. The only time Regulus had seen Orion Black having an interest.
Sirius was playing Quidditch with James, Ron and Harry's older brother, Henry. As for their mother, she is in the middle of a conversation with Harry and the ladies of the Potter family.
They are probably resolving the matter about Evans. Evans, who is not present, but became someone quite prominent in the people around Regulus. Either in the positive light or negative way.