July- 1974
Saturday, 13th July, 1974
His first week back from Hogwarts, Regulus was too busy resettling into Dundee to notice his lack of post. Things were just so good there— the quidditch pitch, the forrest, the sunset— those first few days went by in a blur. However, upon seeing Sirius excitedly tear open an envelope he'd received from Lupin, he realized the utter silence on Barty's end of the line.
After eighteen days passed and there was still not a word from Barty, Regulus started to get nervous. His mind, of course, went straight to the most drastic explanation, rather than anything far more likely and believable, and he had to convince himself that the probability of Barty dying was very slim.
Well, considering he had nearly drowned himself in their dorm room a few months ago, maybe it wasn't that slim.
Regulus only wished he had some other way to contact Barty. None of the fireplaces in their summer home were connected to the Floo Network, and seeing as he was underage he couldn't very well apparate or use magic as a means of communication. He was growing more desperate and eventually conceded to pestering his brother.
The next morning, he wastes no time in getting straight to the point. Clearly, Sirius would rather interact with anyone else, so the less time he has to talk to him the better.
"Sirius, I need to borrow Louis for a bit."
Sirius looks up from his bowl of cereal, confusion etched onto his face; no doubt from the fact that Regulus hasn't spoken a word to him since they stepped off the train. He blinks at Regulus. "Why?"
"I want to send a letter to Barty."
Sirius shakes his head. "I just sent him out with my own letter a minute ago. Sorry, Reggie."
Regulus sighs, throwing himself down into the chair next to his brother. "Brilliant."
"Maybe if you'd been a bit more practical. What use does Teddy have, really?"
Regulus frowns, leaning over to thwack Sirius's forehead.
"Ow!"
"Laurie's my friend!"
"He's a cat, Reg. Merlin," he grumbles, going back to his breakfast. Regulus doesn't respond to that, just glares and lets out a long sigh.
The room is silent but Regulus's mind is buzzing with unanswered questions: Was Barty alright? Should he be doing more to try and reach him? What if he was seriously hurt or in danger?
Or what if he simply didn't feel like writing to Regulus?
No, definitely not. Barty said himself, they're stuck like glue, there's no getting rid of him. He wouldn't have just woken up one day and decided to stop being friends with him. And if Regulus had done anything, maybe said something to offend him without realizing, Barty would've told him. At least, Regulus hopes Barty would have told him. Surely he wouldn't let the matter drop, only to think back to it constantly and let his anger fester without actually saying anything. Surely not, right?
But then, what if that had been exactly what happened. What if Regulus had accidentally said something so horrible, so absolutely disgusting that Barty had immediately decided to end their friendship. But Regulus wouldn't have done that. Not on purpose, at least, and if he ever did it on accident he obviously would've apologized.
Can someone even say something that bad on accident?
Regulus quickly begins running through as many interactions with Barty as he could remember, trying to recall the exact details of what he said and did and how it may have sounded to anyone else but himself. There was nothing that seemed too important to him, but clearly it was important to Barty. Important enough to cut Regulus out of his life completely, with no warning, not even a hint of sadness or hesitation, just—
A knock at the front door pulls him out of his thoughts. He sits up straight, turning first towards the door and then back to his brother.
Sirius looks just as confused as he is. "Do we answer it?"
"Would that be bad?" He genuinely doesn't know. They almost never get visitors, not here or at Grimmauld. The only people who stop by on a semi regular schedule would be his aunt and uncle, but those instances are the exact opposite of this.
Cygnus and Druella always give word of their presence at least a day in advance. Furthermore they allow themselves into the home, and Walburga is always there to greet them.
Walburga isn't even in the house currently, so both boys are at a loss.
The knock comes again, a bit louder this time. Regulus slips out of his chair, inching down the hall towards the front entrance. He places a hand on the doorknob, then pauses, looking back. Sirius has followed him, his wand gripped tightly in his hand. They lock eyes and Sirius gives a small, hesitant nod. Regulus turns back to the door and twists the knob, slowly creaking it open.
He peeks outside, then yanks the door the rest of the way in and launches himself forward.
"Barty!"
Regulus crashes into Barty with so much force that they almost go tumbling backwards. Luckily the woman standing behind him blocks their fall, keeping them up on their feet. Regulus buries his face into Barty's neck squeezing him as tight as he can. Barty just laughs and hugs him back.
"Told you I'd come!"
"Are you mad? What are you doing here?" He refuses to let go, wrapping every inch of himself around his friend. "How did you even find me?"
"Through entirely legal means, obviously," Barty chuckles. The woman standing behind them makes an amused noise, and Regulus glances up to see her shake her head, suppressing a laugh.
"We'll discuss that later, though." Barty pulls away, revealing a massive grin. He takes the woman's hand, shaking her as he talks animatedly. "This is my mum! She brought us here and she's been dying to meet you since last summer! Mum, this is my absolute bestest mate of all time, Regulus!"
Barty's mother is a kind looking woman. Her hair is less auburn than her sons, more straightforward brown. Aside from that, they look quite similar— their face shape and features clearly showing they're related to each other.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Crouch," Regulus states a little sheepishly. He presents his hand, and when she offers up her own he takes it gently and bows his head. Perfectly practiced.
"Aren't you a lovely little gentleman? Please, dear, call me Penny."
Regulus smiles up at her before glancing back at Sirius, a little uncertain. "Um...would you like to come inside?"
The words have barely left his mouth before Barty waltzes in like he lives there.
"Where's Teddy? I've missed him terribly."
Regulus stutters only for a moment, soon rushing after his friend and leaving Sirius— who looks equal parts shocked and outraged— to deal with Mrs.Crouch. He takes Barty by the shoulders, leading him up the stairs to his bedroom. Theodore and Barty reunite ceremoniously, the boy scooping the cat up in his arms to cuddle it. They make themselves comfortable on Regulus's bed, each making mutual sounds of content.
Regulus can't help the smile on his face, feeling that same warmth he does when similar interactions happen in their dorm room. He leans back against the door, saving a picture of the moment in his head.
"I can't believe you're here right now."
Barty smiles and wrinkles his nose playfully. "Face it, Black. You'll never be free of me."
"Excellent timing, as well. Mother left just last night, she won't be back for another day at least."
At that, Barty deflates the tiniest bit. He seems to consider his next words more than he usually would.
"Is it better for you?," he asks tentatively. "When they're not here, I mean?"
Regulus opens his mouth to speak but no words come out. He shakes his head, pushing forward to join Barty on his bed. "Never mind. What I still want to know is how you managed to find where we live."
Barty rushes into a long and detailed story of how his fathers job with the ministry allows him access to some important information, and how there are records of every witch and wizard in the world, both living and dead, and technically there are no rules saying an employee can't pull up some of those files to help their son find out where his best friend lives. So yes, entirely legal means.
Regulus is both impressed at his determination and slightly frightened at the lack of security, but he chooses to ignore that bit.
Barty demands to be entertained, and so Regulus starts off with a tour. They visit every room in the house, making small comments and hums as they peek into the doorways. They make their way downstairs and wind around the first floor as well. Sirius has offered Mrs.Crouch a cup of tea and they sit together in the kitchen, nodding through polite conversation. Regulus ends the tour on the sunroom, saving the best for last.
"It's so bright in here." Barty stands by the windows, transfixed by the view outside. "I could live in just this room for the rest of my life and be happy."
"It's good for painting. And look, that's the forrest I told you about. It's absolutely massive."
Barty turns to Regulus, eyes shining. "Well come on. Show me."
Regulus raises his brow. "Really?"
Barty nods, then darts back towards the kitchen. Regulus follows quickly.
"Mum, Regulus wants to take me to the forrest out back. Is that alright?"
Mrs.Crouch purses her lips slightly. "I'm not sure, is it safe for you boys?"
Before Regulus has the chance to answer, Sirius cuts in. His smile is clearly fake and his voice is almost too kind, though Regulus assumes he's the only one to pick up on the forced nature of his words.
"Of course, Mrs.Crouch. Reggie knows those woods like the back of his hand."
"Please, mum? We'll be careful, promise."
She holds her breath for a second, looking at her sons hopeful expression, then nods. "Alright. Stay together, don't hurt yourselves, please. Be back before sundown!"
They barely catch the end of her warnings as Barty grabs Regulus's hand, dragging him off towards the back door.
They burst into the outdoors, racing through the grass hand in hand. Their laughter bubbles up and floats through the air, the sun shining down on them brilliantly. Regulus is filled with a kind of joy that he's never felt before— pure and invigorating and so utterly carefree. If time could freeze so that they can live in this moment forever he wouldn't be complaining.
Barty ends up loving the forrest. His naturally childish manner goes well with their surroundings; he finds joy in simply climbing over fallen tree trunks, brandishing sticks he finds on the ground, plucking up strange berries and mushrooms that Regulus has to convince him not to immediately shove into his mouth.
Regulus attempts to teach him the art of tree climbing, only he doesn't exactly take into account just how clumsy Barty is. They spend about fifteen minutes trying to get him up onto the first branches before Barty decides to try a different approach— climbing on top of Regulus first to give himself an extra boost. It's quite uncomfortable and it earns a few groaned curses from Regulus, but in the end it works and Barty looks incredibly pleased with himself.
They carry on deeper and deeper, laughing and shouting and just generally enjoying each other's presence, allowing their spirits to run free together. Regulus thinks it incredible how at ease he feels around Barty, especially considering that Barty has never known peace a day in his life. Things are always big and loud and over the top yet somehow they're so calming and relaxed. It's stupid and makes perfect sense all at the same time.
They walk and explore and walk some more until the suns light begins to die out. Eventually they turn themselves around, winding back out the way they were reeled in. They go slow— slower than slow— trying to extend their time together as long as possible.
"Next week you should definitely come to Peterborough. There's no forrests, but there's that shop right down the street from me. Merlin, Reg, they sell loads of sweets there."
Regulus shakes his head, cheeks flushed pink and breath labored, as he trudges onward. "Mother won't approve of that."
"Of what, the sweets? I don't give a damn, you're a kid. You're allowed to—"
"No," Regulus hushes, then chuckles a bit. "Well, that as well, she's never allowed us any. But I mean me going to see you."
"Am I that bad an influence?," Barty smirks.
"It's not you. She's got lots of rules, you know?" Regulus tilts his head up, smiling towards the treetops. "Merlin forbid we have even the littlest bit of fun."
He presses on for a few seconds before Barty takes him by the arm, keeping him in place. Regulus turns around questioningly.
"You don't..." Barty's face twists. He looks rather uncomfortable now and it makes Regulus squirm. "You know you don't have to listen to them all the time. Just...I think you should have the right to enjoy yourself."
The forrest is by no means silent, but right now you could hear a pin drop. Regulus shifts, unsure of what to say. The weight of Barty's words falls over them like a thick blanket, smothering them underneath their warmth. Eventually, Regulus blinks, glancing down at the grass below.
"It's almost dark."
No response. He looks back up at his friend.
Barty's eyes are trained on him, bold and blue and searching for some kind of sign, of what he isn't sure. In the fading daylight, a subtle softness casts over Barty's face, shadows dancing across his pale skin in a way that makes Regulus stop and forget what they were talking about for just a second.
Regulus swallows, drawing his brows. "We should go now."
Barty stutters a nod, pressing his lips together into something that's almost a smile. They find their way back to the house in silence. Upon being greeted by Mrs.Crouch, both boys make their own silent decision to file that last conversation away and put on a happy face. Overall, their day together had been quite the expedition. Why throw it away over a few poor words?