flourish and blotts
When Regulus woke up the next morning, he felt strangely calm. His ribs didn’t ache like he expected them to; Pandora must have taken his binder off of him before she helped him to bed. She was still in his apartment, sprawled out across his mattress under his emerald green duvet next to him. Sometimes he resented how she could baby him, treating him like he was unable to help himself, but other times he was thankful for it. This was one of those times. He sighed as he climbed out of bed and tugged an old hoodie over his head, stepping over his and Pandora’s shoes that had been discarded the previous night and heading to the bathroom to brush his teeth.
After breakfast had been ordered; which consisted of two breakfast sandwiches and two iced coffees from the local restaurant down the road, Regulus sat down on the couch in his living room. He glanced towards the window where a plethora of plants he had been neglecting over the past few weeks. Their leaves were wilted, turning brown and drying up. He resented how much he resembled them at the moment. Regulus frowned, a sickeningly familiar anxiety beginning to bubble in his chest.
I should check my phone, he thought to himself.
He sighed, his head falling back against the sofa. Truthfully, he didn’t want to check his phone. He couldn’t deal with the bombardment of texts from Sirius, Remus, or…god, James. How could he face James after last night? Would James even want to talk to him anymore?
The anxiety that had begun to bubble in his chest grew stronger, his hands beginning to shake again. He made fists with his hands, squeezing them until his nails had dug into his palms and his knuckles were white. “Fuck,” He whispered, glancing down at his palms. He had drawn blood, the crimson streams pooling in the creases of his hands. Regulus stood up and walked to the kitchen, rinsing his hands off and grabbing a bandage from the cabinet. He found his place back on his couch quickly after that.
His conversation with Pandora last night was in the forefront of his mind, gnawing at every thought he had. The fact that James, now, would know him as Sirius’ sister before he would know him as Regulus made his heart break. The breakup between him and Barty still lingered in the back of his mind, a constant reminder that people out there saw him as a girl, rather than who he truly was. He wasn’t the heiress to the Black fortune, he wasn’t Sirius’ little sister, he wasn’t Walburga and Orion’s forgotten daughter; he was Regulus Black.
And knowing that the person he trusted with things he hadn’t even told his brother would always know him as a girl before a boy made him want to crawl into a hole and die.
“Reg, stop wallowing,” Pandora said suddenly, plopping down on the couch next to him. Regulus spared a glance in her direction before staring back up at the ceiling.
“I don’t know why so many flats use popcorn ceilings instead of smooth ceilings,” He noted.
Pandora sighed. “You haven’t spoken to anyone this morning, have you?”
“I mean, popcorn ceilings look way worse than smooth ceilings. Maybe it’s because of the cost.”
“Regulus, stop avoiding my questions.”
“Which I understand, ceilings do seem like they could be expensive-”
“Regulus!” Pandora exclaimed, grabbing her friend’s hand tightly in her own. “Stop talking about the bloody ceiling and answer my questions!”
Regulus sighed, sitting up properly and looking over at her. “I just…I don’t know what to do, Pan. I haven’t even checked my phone yet because I can’t deal with everyone yet.”
Pandora rested her head on Regulus’ shoulder. “I’m sorry, Reg. If it’s worth anything, James seems worried about you. You should, at the very least, respond to him at some point soon.”
“I know,” He said, sighing. “You’re right. I need to. Might as well do it now, I guess.” He frowned.
For the first time that morning, Regulus pulled out his phone from his pants pocket.
[22:03] REGGIE IM SO SORRY
ARE YOU OKAY
PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOU’RE OKAY
WHAT THE FUCK
[22:05] i’m so sorry i don’t know why i didn’t say anything sooner
i don’t know why i didn’t shut the fuck up while you were there
i love you baby brother
[23:12] regulus please
are you home safe?
[01:23] goodnight regulus
i’m sorry again
[08:15] i’m sorry
pandora and i fell asleep early last night
i got home safe
i’ll talk to you more later
[22:05] i’m sorry about sirius
he’s overprotective as fuck, as i’m sure you know
i hope you got home safe
if you need me to relay any messages to sirius just let me know x
[08:21] thank you, remus <3
[22:12] i hope you’re okay reg
i love you
let me know if you need anything <3
[08:23] i’m home safe
i love you too
i’ll let you know <3
[23:52] hi
i’m sorry about tonight
i’d like to talk about everything at some point, whenever you’re ready
sleep well, darling x
[02:12] i’m having trouble sleeping
i hope you’re asleep rn
you deserve to rest
i hope you’re not mad at me
[02:14] i’m bad at talking about my feelings. idk. i just wanna say i’m sorry about how everything went down. i was pretty shocked about everything, i should have said something rather than sitting there like an idiot.
[02:15] i’ll be honest, i do like you a lot. i’m known to fall hard and fast when it comes to people i like. but i’m trying to take it slow, for the sake of not ruining what we have. you could have easily blocked my number, ghosted me, anything, but you didn’t. and i don’t want to take advantage of that.
[02:17] i do want to talk at some point, but on your terms. about everything. just let me know when you’re ready
sleep well, darling <3
[10:23] hi
[10:23] good morning!
pandora told me you got home safe
i’m glad
[10:24] yeah
she stayed with me last night
which was a smart decision lol
[10:24] i’m glad, she’s a good friend for you
how are you doing this morning?
[10:25] i’m
well. i’m existing
which is a start
i wouldn’t say i’m doing great
[10:25] which is fine
last night was a lot, i wouldn’t expect you to be completely fine now lol
[10:26] haha yeah
it’s just a lot
i read your messages, by the way. i appreciate everything you said a lot
i assume pandora already told you about my ex
[10:27] i promised her i wouldn’t say anything, but yeah. how did you know?
[10:27] pandora is very bad at lying
she tried to tell me she didn’t say anything to you while we were talking this morning
but when she lies she starts fidgeting with her crystal pendants more than she does already so
[10:28] that’s very endearing
you aren’t mad?
[10:28] you were gonna find out eventually
so it’s not that big of a deal
i’m not mad at her or you
[10:29] that’s good
i’m sorry again
[10:32] it’s alright, james. it’s not your fault, it’s no one’s fault really. maybe sirius, since he always has the worst reactions to everything lol. i’d like to talk about everything; where we stand, my past, your relationship with sirius, so hopefully we can figure out a time that works for both of us. but for right now, honestly, i’d like to go back to how it was.
if we can.
[10:33] i care about you a lot, i hope you know that
sirius does too
hell, so does remus
[10:34] and in my eyes, even though i knew sirius before i knew you, you’re always going to be regulus. nothing else. i don’t care about who you “used to be”, because you’ve always been regulus. you didn’t just spontaneously decide that you were a boy, y’know? you always were, everyone else just didn’t know until recently.
[10:36] james
if you were here right now
i think i’d kiss you right on the mouth
i care about you too.
you’re great. i hope you know that.
[10:37] so are you, reg
and i’ll hold you to that x ;)
[10:37] it’s too early in the morning for flirting james i’m gonna punch a wall
i’m in emotional distress and you decide to flirt with me
am i nothing but a booty call to you james potter 🤨
[10:38] HDJFHEJDH
STOP IM TRYING TO BE NORMAL
well
normal for us
;) xoxoxoxo
[10:40] fuck OFF james x
[10:41] omfg
since sirius is ur brother
that means your full name is regulus black
[10:41] this is correct
picked it out myself 😎😎
[10:422 haha very funny
my full name is james fleamont potter
got my dad’s name as my middle name 😘
[10:43] my family’s big on astrological names
when i chose my name i stuck with that theme lmao
[10:43] so ur middle name is like
sagittarius or smthn
[10:44] HELFPRJEK
no jts arcturus
it’s*
cries
[10:44] regulus arcturus black
cute name
for a cute guy ;)
also maybe dont cry
[10:45] STOP FHAT
ok i need to go shower
plus pandora wants to go crystal shopping and shes getting impatient
[10:46] ah shes a ~ crystals girlie ~
[10:46] yeah but i love how excited she gets when she tells me about crystals and shit
same with dorcas and how excited she gets when she gets new piercing supplies
they deal with me infodumping abt art so i deal with them infodumping abt crystals and expensive tools
[10:48] you’re so cute
i’m gonna Scream that’s not fair
go shower before you make me scream
[10:49] i can make you scream if you ask nicely ;)
[10:50] REGULUS ARCTURUS BLACK
I SWEAR TO GODDD
[10:50] talk later handsome ;) x
also do you have instagram
[10:51] yeah its @prongspotter
[10:51] interesting
mine is just @regulusblack lol
i followed you
okay see you later ;) xxxx
[10:52] you’re gonna kill me, reg
[ Incoming Call ]
padfoot 🐾
[ Accept ] [ Decline]
“Hey mate, what’s up?”
“Have you spoken to my brother at all today?”
“…yeah, why?”
“He texted me this morning and hasn’t responded to me since, and I’m freaking out.”
“Okay, when did they text you this morning?”
“Around 8:30, I think.”
“Last time I spoke to him was at 11, and he was getting ready to go out with Pandora for the day.”
“…so they’re fine?”
“As far as I know, yeah. Why are you freaking out so bad?”
“I just want to make sure they’re okay. My reaction last night was shit, and I want him to know that I’m sorry.”
“With Reg, I’ve found that the best way to talk about your feelings with them is to send him a text laying it all out, and let him respond on his own terms.”
“…can I just let it be known that I hate you right now?”
“What? Why?!”
“You’re trying to shag my brother, Prongs! You know him better than I do!”
“I am not trying to shag your brother, Pads.”
“Mmhm, yeah, keep saying that, Mr. I Might Be In Love With The Phone Stranger. He’s too young for that!”
“Sirius, they’re only a year younger than us. It’s not like they’re 14.”
“Ew. I suppose you’re right…I still hate it, though.”
“That’s fair, he is your little brother after all. But they’re an adult, he can do whatever he wants. And if he wants to flirt with me, then that’s fine by me.”
“Blegh, I don’t even want to think about that. I’m hanging up the phone now. Bye.”
“Bye, Pads.”
Call With padfoot 🐾 Ended
Regulus Black Defense Squad
[13:10] hello
i have news
[13:11] i’m with pandora rn, what’s up?
[13:11] do you remember
the hot bartender from the hog’s head last night
[13:12] dorcas oh my god
yeah i do
[13:13] well
< Attachment: 1 Photo >
[13:13] DORCAAAAAS
YOU DID NOT
??!,!;!,!?.!.?
REPSOND TO MR RIGHT NOQW???!?!?!!?
[13:14] LMAODODODKEK
we hooked up
she made me breakfast
we’re getting lunch rn
and we’re gonna go visit their friends lily and mary at the bookshop they own
[13:15] DORCAS IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU OH MY GODDD
wait what bookshop do they own??
🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨
[13:16] flourish and blotts in diagon alley
[13:16] WE’LL BE THERE TOO
[13:16] SEE YOU SOON DORCAS <3
“That crystal shop definitely overcharged me for this tourmaline tumble,” Pandora grumbled, digging through the small satchel the shop had given her to hold her crystals in. “It’s alright, though, it’s a small shop. And the owner is nice.”
Regulus laughed, tucking his hands into the pockets of his trousers. “You say that every time we go in there, Pan,” He responded and pulled out his phone. “How far away is the bookshop from here anyways?”
“I went there once, it was on a date with that Snape guy,” Pandora said, frowning. “He sucked. He kept trying to find the political books and talking about the tighter foreign policy he wants for the United Kingdom. It was awful. The bookstore was great, though, I spoke with one of their employees for hours after he ditched me. Her name was Alice, I think.”
Regulus grimaced at the mention of Snape. He remembered him vaguely from school; he had been obsessed with Regulus and Sirius for the sole reason that their parents were wealthy and powerful. He wanted the power for himself. When Sirius wouldn’t be friends with him, he went to Plan B; marry his way into the fortune. It nearly worked, with Severus’ parents becoming close with Regulus’ due to their political power (and their blatant ass-kissing towards the Black family) and encouraging a relationship between them. But then Sirius ran away, so Regulus was pulled out of the school at 15 to be homeschooled instead, and they cut contact with anyone outside of the immediate family.
Then Regulus started dating Barty, which didn’t end well either.
“It says the shop is only a few blocks away,” Regulus said. “Only a 10 minute walk.”
Pandora smiled as she tucked the cloth bag into her tote. “Let’s get a move on then!”
The walk was uneventful; mostly Pandora talking about the crystals and the new tarot decks she purchased. Regulus appreciated that about Pandora, she was always able to fill silence when he couldn’t. They arrived at the bookshop; the bricks were painted a rosy mauve color, plants nestled on the stairs up to the door, which was painted a light mint color. In the windows were different hand-painted signs; one said Black Lives Matter, and one said LGBTQ+ Black Owned Business. Regulus followed Pandora up the stairs and into the shop, immediately being hit with the scent of sandalwood incense and the sound of Fleetwood Mac coming from the speakers. Across the store were different posters for movies, LGBTQ+ flags, flags for local colleges. The store was littered with circular tables, covered with books, magazines, small collectibles, brochures and pamphlets for different activities throughout the neighborhood. The shop made Regulus feel safe.
“Welcome in!” A woman said from behind the counter; she had soft orange curls nestled in a ponytail on her head, her light brown skin dotted with freckles. She wore a light blue denim jacket, a pin with the lesbian flag secured onto the lapel. “My name is Lily, just let me know if you need anything.” She said, before turning back to the notebook she was scribbling in.
He heard a laugh coming from across the small shop, and immediately spotted Dorcas and Marlene. He smiled and waved at them, catching Dorcas’ attention. “You assholes!” She said jokingly, walking up and hugging Pandora first, then Regulus. “I don’t know why I thought you wouldn’t actually show up. Marlene, you remember Regulus from last night, yeah?”
Marlene nodded, waving at Regulus. “Yeah, how’re you doing today? Not hungover?”
Regulus chuckled, shaking their head. “Nah, I have a pretty high tolerance.” He said.
“Oh, and this is Pandora. We’re all a group.” Dorcas said, pointing at Pandora.
Marlene laughed. “I take it you both already met Lily at the front, eh?” She asked. “This is Mary, she owns the shop with Lily. They’re dating.”
Mary smiled and waved at Pandora and Regulus. “Hi! You both look awesome, would it be alright if I took some pics of you two for the shop’s Instagram?” She asked, holding up a fancy looking camera.
“Of course you can!” Pandora said excitedly, pulling Regulus closer and striking an overly dramatic pose. Regulus laughed, holding up a peace sign for the camera. Mary took a couple pictures with different poses, including them holding up some of the new releases that had come to the shop.
“These are gonna look great guys, thank you so much,” Mary said happily. She stopped by the front register to kiss Lily quickly, before stepping into the back office.
“They’re so cute, it’s revolting,” Marlene said jokingly.
Mary came bounding out of the office again, running up to Regulus. “What’s your instagrams?” She asked, handing him her phone.
Regulus laughed and typed in his instagram, handing the phone Pandora to do the same.
When Mary had her phone back, she looked up at Regulus curiously. “You're related to Sirius Black?” Mary asked curiously.
Regulus shrugged, nodding. “Yeah, I’m his brother.” He said.
Mary laughed. “He’s friends with Lily’s old fling, that’s crazy,” She said. “He’s great, though. We’re all still friends now.”
Regulus felt his body relax; when he had tensed up, he had no idea. He smiled softly at her, chuckling. “Fun,” He said, looking down at his shoes.
“Maybe next time we all hang out, Marlene can invite Dorcas and you all can come!” She said. Lily, from across the store, voiced her agreement.
Regulus smiled again and nodded. “Absolutely.”
“Do you two want to get lunch with us? I know Dorcas and Marlene already got lunch, but we’re closing the shop pretty early today and we were thinking of getting lunch if you want to join us.” Lily asked while coming up to the group, wrapping her arm around
Pandora glanced towards Regulus, who shrugged. “Yeah, we’re down if you’re okay with it!”
“Great! Give us a few minutes to close the shop and we can head out,” Lily said, before her and Mary turned to close the quaint bookshop.
[16:32] food is expensive
and i hate grocery shopping
[16:33] someone seems cheery this evening
[16:33] yeah i’m just peachy x
fuck the supermarket this is why i live off of boxed mac and cheese
[16:34] LMAOOOOO
i’ll have to teach you how to cook for cheap someday ;)
[16:34] so u think im a cheap date 🤨🙄
[16:35] now ur just putting words in my mouth
[16:35] HFKDJDKDH
though that does sound quite fun
i’m quite shit in the kitchen
[16:36] i’ll teach you how to cook
dont worry x
[16:36] i appreciate it
i should get back to shopping
have a good night james :) <3
[16:37] i got a heart! i win forever! <3
have a good night as well, regulus <3333 xoxoxo