The Mall
The next few weeks were a blur, Regulus stayed with the Tonks’ and moved into the guest room permanently. He was quite hesitant with Ted at first, how could he not be? But after Ted chopped Regulus’s hair off for him, he slowly started to open up. The hair was messy and uneven, and he’d definitely get it professionally fixed later, but it was the thought that counted.
Their three-year-old, Nymphadora, was also friendly—he was seriously wondering if it ran in Ted’s family to be overly kind Hufflepuff’s—and by that he meant she forced him to play dress up and dolls and tea party with her. It wasn’t all bad, Sirius even joined in when he visited.
Sadly, Sirius dragged him to the mall with his three misfit friends and James’s girlfriend to get “proper manly clothes” since Regulus was currently wearing Ted’s old clothes that were two sizes too big.
“I cannot believe you dragged me out here.” Regulus hissed under his breath, he tried not to talk a lot. Before it was a hatred for his overly feminine voice that made him quiet, now it was the embarrassing voice cracks that started a few weeks ago as it changed. Remus said it was normal when starting on testosterone, or “T” as the lycanthrope called it, and to just wait it out. That was definitely easier said than done.
“Don’t be such a debbie-downer, Reg! You need new clothes; Ted’s don’t exactly fit your whole “dark and mysterious emo” vibe.” Sirius said, throwing an arm around Regulus’s shoulders. Sirius had gotten way better at using Regulus’s chosen name and had made less and less slip-ups as the days went by.
“What’s a “debbie-downer”?” He asks, turning to the person closest to him, Peter Pettigrew. Regulus didn’t mind Peter, he was far less annoying than Sirius, less egotistical than Potter, and more social than Remus. He was the perfect mix, and he was a natural comedian.
“Just something people say when someone’s being particularly… pessimistic or aggravated.” Peter said, shrugging and Regulus nodded even though he didn’t understand it. “I think you would love Hot Topic.”
Sirius’s eyes gleamed at the suggestion, and he nodded vigorously, practically dragging Regulus behind him. “Wormy, you absolute genius!” He exclaimed, dragging his baby brother (with all his friends laughing at his antics behind them) into the store.
Regulus did end up enjoying the store and spent most of the muggle money he had exchanged for a handful of galleons from his vault in Gringotts—well, it was technically his parents’ vault, but since he hadn’t been formally or publicly disowned yet, Regulus took a large portion of coins… just in case—on clothes that were mostly black, some green and blue thrown into the mix.
They went to Claires after, James and Peter insisted on getting matching butterfly “B-F-F” necklaces and Sirius (despite heavy refusal) had gotten him and Regulus matching friendship bracelets.
“I hate you.”
“Hates a strong word, Reginald.”
“It’s not strong enough, loathe is better. I loathe you, Sirius.”
Their bantering got a snicker out of Lily and Remus, both watching the exchange in amusement while Peter and James argued on which got the yellow necklace and which got the purple.
Merlin, Regulus was surrounded by idiots.
****
After getting food from the food court and walking around. James and Sirius suggested they go to a store called “Spencer's” before they left. Lily was vehemently against the idea while Peter and Remus just rolled their eyes and shared a look, followed by an exasperated sigh.
Regulus was very confused by this… until he entered the store. At first, it was fine. The front of the store had shirts with very, very odd things on them (Peter later explained this was more of a joke store than others). Then they traveled farther back. Regulus and Lily were looking at the jewelry as most of it was totally something Regulus would wear.
James and Sirius giggling like little girls farther back grabbed his attention, and he couldn’t help but follow the sound… but, like the saying says, curiosity kills the cat. And Regulus wished he could wipe his eyes and memories of what he’d seen.
Sirius and James were holding up lingerie against themselves and posing while asking each other how they looked between laughs. Regulus thought that was bad, then he saw the rest of it. Sex toys were packed in the back shelves from the ceiling to the floor, it was repulsive.
Regulus almost immediately left after James asked him in concern why he looked so pale and bursted out laughing when he found out. “Awww, you’re just an innocent little boy!” He said between his hysterics, causing Regulus’s cheeks to heat up. “Shut the hell up, Potter.” Regulus snapped in annoyance—seriously, how childish could one be??!—before turning and walking out with a huff.
He joined Peter and Remus on the outside of the store and immediately deemed the two the smarter of their group for choosing to stay away from the horrors inside that store. “You got to the back, didn’t you?” Peter asked, looking at Regulus’s mortified expression, the blond sighed and patted his shoulder when Regulus silently nodded. “First time’s always the worst.”
The three made pleasant conversation until the others emerged from the dungeon of doom and Regulus found out he and Peter both adored chess and Remus was also into myths. “You know, you’re both probably my favorite and the least obnoxious of my brother’s friends.”
The conversation was cut short when the three emerged. Lily had purchased some jewelry, James had gotten nothing, and to Regulus’s absolute horror. Sirius had bought multiple things from the back of that hellish store. “You are disgusting.” Regulus said after Sirius insisted on showing the “adult toys” he got while winking at Remus. “Both of you are disgusting.” Regulus corrected once he saw Remus blushing.
Regulus left with clothes that actually fit (and absolutely scarred from Spencer's) and were more his style than Ted’s oversized flannel and jeans, so he’d say it was pretty successful… minus the last store.