Encounter #1
When the group had finally gotten to the Great Hall (they had to pause several times because of Remus’s giggling and pointing at the moving portraits), they spotted none other than Regulus Black, hovering outside of the hall; as if waiting for somebody. The sight made Sirius’s blood run cold.
Regulus’s eyes flicked to Sirius, and then to Remus. It only took a moment before the smile on Regulus’s face widened, almost mocking. He pushed himself off the wall he was leaning against and strolled toward them, his steps slow and deliberate.
“What the fuck are you still doing here, Regulus?” Sirius asked, poison loaded in his voice, fists clenched at his sides.
Regulus chuckled. “You didn’t really think you could get rid of me that easily, did you?” he said coolly, examining his fingernails. “Mother and father care very much about my education.”
“Mate…” James muttered, standing directly behind Sirius, ready to hold him back. “Don’t do this. Not right now. For Moony’s sake?”
Remus, who had been walking alongside the group, looked up at Regulus with a confused furrow in his brow. He blinked several times, as if trying to place the person standing in front of him. His gaze flitted between Sirius and Regulus, a slight frown tugging at his features.
“Who… who are you?” Remus asked quietly, his voice unsure, like a child trying to figure out a puzzle.
Regulus's smirk deepened, and he turned his eyes to Remus. “Oh, this is just precious,” he sneered. “You don’t even recognize me, do you, Moony?” His words were sharp, dripping with contempt, calculated for maximum harm.
The group froze.
“Regulus,” Marlene snapped, her voice low and dangerous, “don’t.”
But Regulus ignored her, leaning forward slightly, his voice softening with mock sympathy as his words curled into something even crueler. “Don’t worry, it’s all very complicated, isn’t it? A little foggy in there, Moony?”
Remus flinched. His shoulders tensed as if Regulus’s words had struck him physically. His lips parted, his voice barely above a whisper. “Y-Yeah... I-I don’t understand what’s going on.” He looked to James, his wide eyes pleading for an explanation, for clarity.
“Enough!” Lily’s voice rang out, sharp and commanding. Her wand was out now, shaking slightly in her grip. “That’s ENOUGH, Regulus!”
But Sirius didn’t hear her. His fury boiled over. “You vile, spineless—” He lunged forward, but James caught him, slamming an arm across his chest and pulling him back.
“Not here, Padfoot!” James hissed, though his own voice was strained with anger. “He’s trying to get to you! Don’t let him win!”
Regulus’s smirk widened. He stepped back, arms spreading as if to bask in the chaos he’d caused. “You’re all so predictable,” he said lazily. Then his eyes darted back to Remus, who was clutching the sleeve of Sirius’s robe as if grounding himself. “You should be careful, Moony,” Regulus added, his tone almost playful now. “You’re trusting the wrong people.”
Sirius struggled against James’s grip. “Shut up!” he roared, his voice cracking with desperation.
Regulus chuckled and glanced back over his shoulder as he turned to leave. “Enjoy breakfast, everyone,” he called mockingly. “Especially you, Moony. Don’t get too lost in the fog.”
Remus trembled, holding tighter to James’s sleeve. “What did… What did he mean? I don’t…” His words trailed off into a confused murmur, his head ducking as if trying to disappear into himself.
Sirius exhaled shakily, his anger momentarily replaced by heartbreak as he rested a hand on Remus’s shoulder. “It’s nothing, Moony,” he murmured. “Just… just ignore him.”
Regulus’s smirk widened as he turned to James. “Holding him back, Potter? Afraid your little hero might lose control in front of his friends?” He laughed, a hollow, sharp sound that made Marlene take a step forward, her wand hand twitching.
“Enough,” Lily snapped, using the voice she usually reserved for when she was in “Prefect Mode”. Her green eyes burned as she glared at Regulus. “You’ve had your fun. Now leave.”
Regulus’s eyes glittered with amusement as he looked at Remus, who was still lost in confusion, his mind unable to settle on who was who. “You know, Sirius, it must be frustrating for you. To watch your precious Moony slip away like this. And I’ll bet you’re starting to wonder whether it’s all worth it, huh?”
Sirius’s face twisted with fury. “Shut up, Regulus,” he spat, but the words barely seemed to land. Remus, hearing the tension in Sirius’s voice, looked up again, a hint of recognition crossing his face, but the fog quickly overtook it once more.
“Grant?” Remus asked, a small grin on his face. “Grant. I’m hungry. Where’s the food?”
Regulus smirked again, turning and waving his hand over his shoulder lazily. “Don’t lose yourself in the fog, Moony!” He shouts over his back, walking into the Great Hall.