library letters
september 9th, 1979
it was Sunday, and after the first week of school, that felt like months; Regulus finally had the time to write a letter. he was doubting this decision a lot, because the person he was about to write to, was Peter.
he sat down in the library, in an area where not a lot of people were sitting, plus the fact that it was a Sunday, and there was no reason for students to be in the library.
peter,
he started. he instantly dropped his quill, he just could not do this; he had to, but it felt awful. especially since he had to pretend to support him, and his actions.
i saw you at the meeting, at the first of the month. i want to congratulate you on joining the organization, and supporting the dark lord. if you ever need something, or if you want to talk to someone, here i am.
greetings,
Regulus Black
merlin’s ball sack. never in his entire life had he felt so awful about writing a letter, but he knew it had to be done. he had to pretend to like him, in order to figure out some things.
Regulus grabbed another piece of parchment, and started writing something to Sirius, he felt like it was the right thing to do.
dear Padfoot, and Prongs and Moony as well,
i send a letter to pettigrew, telling him that he can come to me if he ever needs something; i’ve never felt worse about writing a letter, ever. i thought i should let you guys know; once again, don’t talk to him.
with regards,
R.A.B
he used their nicknames, if someone were to interfere their post, he didn’t want to risk anything, on both sides.
he grabbed his stuff and made his way to the owlery, he walked passed some random people he knew; some people staring at him like he was an attraction at a carnival. at this point Regulus was used to this, being an introvert and Sirius Orion Black being your brother, wasn’t a good match.
he arrived there and he called a random brown owl, mainly so his post wouldn’t be recognized, and gave it the letter addressed to the left over marauders. he called another owl and gave it Peter’s letter.
he watched as they took off, the view was honestly so beautiful, he had never appreciated it this much before; if only this wasn’t such a bloody annoying situation.
the beautiful terrain of Hogwarts, it was slightly cold, but not in an uncomfortable way; it was cold enough to feel your skin go cold, not in a way where it hurt. Regulus wrapped himself tighter in his robes, as he walked to the black lake. he sat down there and grabbed his book, he was almost done with ‘the picture of dorian gray’ and he really wanted to finish it today.
“Oi, Reggie-Boy! there you are, we’ve been looking for you everywhere mate!” the voice of Barty said, making Regulus turn around.
“i told you this morning, i needed to go to the library, but you guys were snoring so hard you probably missed it.”
“we don’t snore!” Evan now said, joining Regulus on the side of the lake, he hugged his knees and wrapped his cloak even tighter around him as well.
Barty was laying down on the cold grass by now, and for a minute it seemed like he was about to fall asleep.
“Reg, i don’t know if you noticed; but the library is like, in the school.”
“i’ve already been to the library you dickface, it’s not my fault you don’t wake up before ten.”
Both Evan and Barty started working on their defense against the dark arts essay, which was due tomorrow. Regulus continued to read, he had finished the essay a good three days ago; he preferred to spend his weekends relaxing.
some 6th year Ravenclaw girls were sitting down on the other side of the lake, giving them looks and giggling uncontrollably. Regulus looked up, nudged Evan, who also looked up and they both looked at the girls for a while, they were pretty, but most of all annoying; because Godric, people that giggled that much couldn’t be fun to be around.
one of the girls waved, she had this shorter, messy brown hair and a gorgeous smile; to Regulus, she looked like James, a lot. James was way different though, there was something about him that was unexplainable. Regulus waved back and the girls started giggling once again.
Regulus went back to his book and started reading again, merlin it was cold. he felt someone tap his shoulder, and he turned around.
“Regulus, right?”
“yes?”
she giggled again, and another blonde came running towards them as well.
“i wondered, maybe you wanted to… go on a date with me?”
oh? Regulus furrowed his brows and looked down at the grass, after looking at Barty and Evan for some sort of help; he hated things like this. but they both raised their shoulders.
“hey uh… wait what did you say your name was again?”
“it’s Margret.” she giggled again, Godric save me, Regulus thought.
“well uh Margret, you see, i uh, i am not interested…? sorry?” he eventually managed to say.
Margret nodded sadly, and she ran away, the blonde girl giving an angry glare at Regulus, and ran after her.
“i honestly figured they’d ask about your bloody brother again, isn’t that what happens most of the time?” Barty said, making Regulus glare at him.
“give him some credit mate, you’re acting as if he can’t get girls by himself.”
“well? apparently he can’t? no offense Reg, but have you ever even been in a relationship?” Barty said again.
“well, well, look who’s saying it,” Regulus said “don’t be so bloody hypocrite, just say you can’t get girls and leave me be; you don’t know about my relationship status.”
he turned back to his book, it definitely sounded like he was angry, which he wasn’t. but it was like his default to sound mad for no reason at all.
“have you even been talking to Sirius, lately?”
“no, haven’t spoken to him ever since he got, you know, since it happened.” Regulus didn’t know what to say, he couldn’t admit he was finally good with his brother again, even if it was only with Evan and Barty, it would be too dangerous.
“don’t you miss him, sometimes?” Evan asked him.
“Ev, let him be.” Barty told him, and Regulus mentally thanked him for that; he didn’t want to talk about his family situation, Barty and Evan both knew it was bad. They could never understand, they were born into loving families, loved no matter what they did. Regulus could save the world and his parents still wouldn’t say ‘i’m so proud’, or anything like that. Now that he was thinking about it, he didn’t think he had ever heard them say that, not to him, not to Sirius.
Regulus used to be unbelievably angry at Sirius for leaving, but the older he got, (even though they only had a one year difference) the more he understood why he had left; Regulus often wished he was more like Sirius, but no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn’t.
it was now late at night, and Regulus was alone in the common room. he was just on one of the couches, in front of the fireplace, studying for his History of magic exam.
“pssst!”
Regulus looked up in confusion, and looked around the common room; no one.
“psssst!”
he turned his head to the fireplace, which was now sizzling.
suddenly Peter’s face popped out of the fire, Regulus was a little shocked by that, but he quickly changed his expression.
“hi there, uh peter!” Regulus said, maybe a little too enthusiastic. focus. he told himself.
“hiya Regulus, i got your letter, i uh,” he stopped for a bit, and Regulus raised his eyebrow. “i don’t have much time, i just wanted to ask you what happened at earlier meetings.”
Regulus thought this was a strange request, but he couldn’t really decline now. he did say that ‘he could always ask him about anything if he needed anything’ he now regretted saying that.
“some of the usual.”
“okay?”
“yeah, not anything more, to be honest.”
it was awkward, almost like Peter could sense that Regulus wasn’t being honest. Peter looked so different from the last time he saw him, which was the week after the marauders graduated Hogwarts, they were all together hanging out at some muggle bar, Regulus didn’t stop to talk to them, but he continued walking.
Peter looked almost ill, like he was about to throw up, maybe he was, after all Regulus didn’t know where he was.
“oh well, Regulus, it was nice talking to you, i’m gonna leave. bye.” but peter pulled his head back before Regulus could say anything.