Rough Waters

Regulus wiped his hands on his trousers, gulping as the grip on his shoulder tightened.

“Listen to me Regulus, you better not end up like your brother in that stupid house. The Black legacy is in Slytherin, not Gryffindor or any other house.” Walburga hissed, with each word the grip on his shoulder tightened. “If you do, you'll face a lot worse than what your brother got. Don’t talk to him, don’t disappoint us Regulus.“

“Yes mother.” Regulus said, staring at the train that was letting out steam. Kids were getting onto the train, kids his age, nothing but happiness on their faces.

“You will not stay with anyone but Evan.” Walburga spat. “Now go on. Goodbye Regulus.”

“Goodbye mother.” Regulus said, picking up his trunk. The best of the best, everything in his trunk was. He began shuffling towards the train, a passive expression on his face. Everything was so overwhelming yet it didn’t feel like anything was happening.

Handing off his trunk he got onto the train, most compartments were already full, which just rattled Regulus’ nerves even more. His hands were shaking, he felt like his legs would give out on him and they almost did when Sirius fell into step with him.

“Hey Reg.” Sirius said, grinning.

“Hi.” Regulus said. They hadn’t spoken, not since Sirius got yelled at for breaking a vase, Sirius took the blame even though Regulus had broken it. He felt awful. It was almost as if the screams he heard from the other room still reverberated throughout his mind. Don’t ever break anything and try to hide it! You filthy liar! Regulus had tried to clean it up, he felt guilty.

“You want to come sit with my friends?” Sirius asked gently. It was as if Regulus was made of glass, one wrong word and he would crack. That was what Sirius thought. But it wasn’t true, he had cracked long ago.

“Mother said I shouldn’t talk to you.” Regulus whispered.

“Oh that old hag won’t know a thing!” Sirius said, waving him off as he ushered him into a compartment. It was too soon. He didn’t want to meet the people that seemed to know Sirius as much as Regulus knew him.

“Sirius..” Regulus said.

Sirius in question paid no attention just sat down next to a blonde haired boy.

“This is my little brother, Reg.” Sirius said, grinning as he pointed at him. Regulus was standing awkwardly to the side.

“I told you to call me Regulus.” Regulus said, scuffing his trainer on the floor as he stuffed his hands into the pockets of his peacoat.

“I’ve heard about you! So this is you huh. Regulus.” A black haired boy said. Regulus knew who he was, he heard countless stories about him. James this, James that, James does this, James wanted to. Each word, every sentence, about James made Regulus feel like shit. “You look like Sirius.”

“He has longer hair, blue eyes, he’s taller and has tanner skin.” Regulus said. He was tired of hearing that his whole life. Tired of being compared to Sirius. “Sirius, I want to go.”

“Oh c’mon Reg.” Sirius said.

“I told you not to call me Reg.” Regulus said as Sirius ushered him to sit. Regulus reluctantly sat down and he felt as if the room were suffocating him the longer he stayed in.

“So are you nervous for the sorting?” Peter piped, a small, warm smile on his face.

Regulus just didn’t say anything and nodded.

“Why?” James blurted.

“Not everyone is like you, James ro Sirius.” Peter scolded.

“What do you mean?! I was totally nervous!” James exclaimed as he threw his arms up into the air causing Regulus to flinch away from his arms.

“Please, the hat barely touched your head before it shouted Gryffindor.” Sirius joked, an amused glint in his eyes.

Regulus bothered at his lip as he looked at all three of the boys and their faces, the way they talked and how they just seemed so comfortable around each other. Regulus felt like an outsider, he felt like he didn’t belong. He wasn’t like his brother, he couldn’t just let go and joke around. So how could he possibly get along with them?

Then Regulus noticed his thinking. He noticed the fact that he was actually considering being friends with them.

He couldn’t be friends with them.

He shouldn’t even be in the compartment with them.

And with that, before Regulus processed what he was doing he stood up and walked out of the compartment with his brother calling his name.

“Regulus!” He heard someone shout. He was tired of people yelling his name. Turning around he was greeted to the welcome sight of Evan Rosier.

“Hey.” Regulus said, smiling slightly.

“Are you looking for a compartment as well?” Evan asked. Evan was almost the same height as Regulus, he was maybe two inches taller if you were being generous, he had dirty blonde hair and blue eyes, he had a little more color to his skin than Regulus. “Oh look at this one! It's empty!”

“No, it's full of people.” Regulus said dryly. “Jampacked actually. Let’s go in instead of standing outside like idiots.”

Evan just made a face at him as the two boys walked into the compartment and sat down on the seats, Evan and Regulus sat next to each other.

“Hello?” A boy asked as he opened the door to their compartment. “Ehm, can I sit here? I can’t find anywhere else to sit.”

Regulus narrowed his eyes as he looked at the boy. There was something so familiar about him that he couldn’t put his finger on.

“That’s Crouch’s son.” Evan whispered into his ear. “Do you think we should let him sit with us?”

Regulus focused his eyes back on the boy. He had straw blonde hair and had a lanky frame which was slightly unusual for a boy their age. He seemed to be slightly taller than average and had a shy look on his face as he tried to not look at the two boys.

“I dunno. Do you think he knows who we are?” Regulus whispered.

“We? You. Do you think he knows you.” Evan whispered as he let out a slight snort before he raised his voice. “Do you know who he is?”

Evan had always been very adamant about his family being the lesser known one and it was true. It was true because people viewed his family as a mess. His father had passed from sickness when he was a child, his mother was a drunk and could care less about her children, and his older brother was just there. Although e was a lot older than Evan, around seven years older.

“Yeah, you’re Regulus Black and you’re Evan Rosier.” Barty said, nodding, “I’m Barty Crouch…… Jr. But I assume you already knew that.”

“Why do you want to sit with us? If I remember correctly, your dad doesn’t like our families.” Evan said.

“Well I’m not him.” Barty simply replied, shrugging. “Plus I like upsetting him, only way he’ll notice me.”

Regulus’ interest was piqued, he understood where Barty was coming from and so did Evan/

“Come in.” Evan said, as he nodded. Barty brightened slightly as he stepped into the compartment and sat down across from the two boys with a grin on his face. “Welcome to the ‘so you have at least one horrible parent club’ It now has an astounding three members.”

“That's a bit of a long name, can’t you shorten it? Make it easier to roll off the tongue.” Barty asked.

“I dunno.” Evan said as he furrowed his eyebrows in thought.

“How about, bad parent club.” Barty said, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes.

“That doesn’t sound right. Maybe we can abbreviate it?” Regulus asked.

“SYHALOHP Club?” Barty said. “That's a bit of a mouthful.”

“It is.” Evan said as he tried thinking once more.

“What about YHABP Club?” Evan asked. “You have a bad parent club.”

Regulus frowned slightly, he didn’t think his parents were bad. Yeah, they hit him and Sirius and sometimes used curses as punishments, or starved them but they were doing that for the better. So that they could be the best that you could.

“No. YPS club. Your parents or parent suck club.” Barty said, nodding.

“We’ll work on the name.” Evan declared.

“We will.” Regulus said as he pressed his lips into a line.

Regulus was about to make another remark when someone knocked on the compartment door.

“Sorry to disturb you but could we possibly sit here? There isn’t any room in any other compartments.” A red headed girl asked. Regulus froze, it seemed that the other two boys did as well.

It felt like forever before one of them spoke up.

“Sure. Why not.” Barty said after he shared a series of looks with Evan and Regulus, shrugging his shoulders as he moved over Evan and Regulus.

“Do you think your parents are going to be okay with this? My mother said not to speak to any people of muggle descent.” Regulus whispered. She didn’t exactly say people of muggle descent but he didn't want to say that word.

“It's fine they won’t find out. Plus they don’t seem totally muggle.” Evan whispered back.

“We can hear you.” The brown haired boy said, he was tall, and had scars on his face and his hands. The scars were slightly pearlescent which sort of piqued Regulus’ interest.

“Sorry.” Regulus said, feeling a wave of shame wash over him.

“It's just our parents don’t want us talking to people like you.” Evan said.

“People like us?” The red headed girl asked.

“Wizards with muggle blood.” Barty said. “We’re all purebloods, but they’re parents are stricter about who they should hang out with.”

“Oh. So should we leave?” The brown haired boy asked, a slight tinge of frustration painted on his face. But otherwise he was very soft spoken.

“Are you half bloods?” Evan poked.

“Yeah.” The brown haired boy said.

”Ehm, I’m a muggle born.” The girl with red hair said.

Regulus pressed his lips together into a line as he looked at the other boys.

”It’s fine! C’mom sit!” Evan piped. Regulus shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

“What’re your names?” Barty asked.

“Remus Lupin.” The brown haired boy said.

“Lily Evans.” The girl said.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Regulus Black.” Regulus said quietly.

“Black. You’re Sirius’ brother.” Remus said, grimacing.

“Yes.” Regulus said, feeling himself tense up. “Why? What’s your deal with him?”

“Nothing much. He’s just convinced that I have it out for him.” Remus said, letting out a slight laugh.

“Huh. Interesting.” Regulus said, before nudging Evan.

“Right. I’m Evan Rosier.” Evan said, a polite smile on his face.

“Barty Crouch Jr.” Barty said, wrinkling his nose slightly towards the end.

“Are you guys first years?” Lily asked.

“Yeah.” Barty said, nodding.

“Did you three just meet?” Remus asked.

“You two certainly have a lot of questions.” Evan said, laughing slightly.

“Me and Regulus, we’re sort of related. Barty here is the new addition to our club.” Evan said, shrugging.

“Ah. I see.” Remus said before he paused. “Club?”

“You have a bad parent club, we’re working on the name.” Barty said.

“That's a club I can join in on.” Remus said, snickering.

“You lot have problems and I’m just going to leave it at that.” Lily said, as she tried to refrain from laughing.

“That is so rude.” Evan said, feigning offense. “You’re welcome to join our club, even if your parents are terribly lovely. You’ll be our token good home kid.”

“Thanks.” Lily said dryly. “I’d be honored to join your club.”

“You do realise that this is just a club for kids who are mentally ill.” Remus said.

“Shhh. We don’t acknowledge that bit. We’ll be thrown into the wizard looney bin if there is one.” Barty said as he brought his pointer finger up to his lips. “So are you two friends?”

“Yep.” Remus said.

“I hope you’re not expecting us to form a bloody friendship group.” Regulus said.

“We’re not. We’re just acquaintances.” Remus compromised.

Acquaintances, Regulus could do that.

Regulus felt the sensation of his memories being prodded through. He didn’t like it. He never did. It made him feel sick to his stomach.

Now Regulus Black you certainly are interesting. What aren’t you showing me Regulus? There are gaps, major gaps. I can’t sort you if you don’t show me what you’re hiding. But that's what you want isn’t it?

It was a battle but he wasn’t about to spill all his insecurities and hopes and dreams to a stupid hat. But soon enough the walls that he put up broke down in mere seconds and Regulus felt his memories being prodded through.

You are very talented. Especially at such a young age. You’re eleven and already have fairly good occlumency walls. You’d blossom in Ravenclaw, surrounded by people who strive for any forms of intellect. Not only that but Ravenclaws look out for their kind much like the other houses.

But you’d also do great in Hufflepuff, loyal to the people who you care about. Loyal to the point where you will risk everything for someone. You might not think that you’d ever do that yet but you will see in the future. You are loyal even if those people aren’t loyal to you. As much as you want to, you'll never be able to cut someone fully off. Hufflepuff would do you good.

Ahh but there is also Gryffindor. As much as you think you aren’t brave Regulus, you are. Though it manifests in different ways. You think you’re so much different than your brother but when you whittle it down you aren’t so different my boy.

And finally there is Slytherin. You are ambitious Regulus and you are cunning yet not like how your family was. You do not share their same dark ambition. The only person who is like you that I sorted is Andromeda. I can see you’re surprised, you thought it was going to be Narcissa? No, no, you and Narcissa are alike but also different. Your brother is more similar to her.

Regulus tried to peek under the brim of the hat as he noticed that people were beginning to start murmuring and he shook his leg slightly as he noticed that it fell asleep.

They call it a hat stall, Regulus. Now tell me, what house do you want?

Regulus didn’t know. He never thought about it but as he thought about it more he realised that he’d be fine with anything. Although he was slightly more inclined to want Slytherin, though not because his parents wanted him in Slytherin but because that's where his new acquaintances were.

You’ve never thought about it. Well let's look through one more time.

And then came the somewhat softer feeling of his memories being prodded through once again.

You are very interesting Regulus Black, very. And you have the possibility to blossom in all the houses but there is one house where you’ll strive in.

And with that Regulus held his breath as the hat got ready to shout his house out.

“SLYTHERIN!”

It bellowed and with that Regulus let out a breath as he hopped off the stool. The Slytherin table was clapping but Regulus couldn’t help but look over to the Gryffindor table. He was met by the disappointed eyes of his brother. The expression on his face said what he was feeling. Disappointment, anger, sadness, confusion.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Regulus sat down next to Remus, Remus sent him a reassuring smile. One that Regulus felt like he did not deserve.

Soon enough it was Barty’s turn and then soon after it was Evan’s turn. The two sat down next to him and Barty looked like he wanted to murder somebody.

“The bloody hat said that Hufflepuff was a close second.” Barty grumbled, taking a sip out of his goblet.

“You’re joking.” Evan said, he was practically on the verge of bursting into laughter.

“I’m not. It was just like, ‘oh Barty you are very loyal to those you care for. Loyalty is important to you, very. If it weren’t for your other qualities you could’ve gone to Hufflepuff’.” Barty repeated. “I would’ve never heard the end of it if I got sorted into Hufflepuff.”

“Well you got in. That's all that matters.” Regulus said, smiling grimly.

“I did. The people here are quite gloomy aren't they?” Barty said, an amused smirk on his face.

“They are. But hey you both could pull off gloomy, and brooding.” Regulus said, grinning.

“Don’t act like you couldn’t either. You’re broody all the time.” Evan said.

“Oh piss off. I am not, broody.” Regulus said, fixing his posture.

“Sure.” Evan said.

“How come we don’t have another roommate?” Barty asked, sending a wary look at the spare bed.

“I dunno.” Evan said, frowning.

“-Maybe it's because there's just an extra bed?” Regulus said. “Bloody idiots.”

“I was just getting to that!” Barty exclaimed. “I would’ve gotten to that conclusion a few seconds after!”

“Sure.” Regulus drawled.

“I guess it's better this way.” Evan said, shrugging his shoulders.

“It is.” Regulus said, grabbing the spare chocolate frogs he had from the train. “Here.”

“What for?” Barty asked, splitting them with Evan.

“For our dormitory. Nothing that is said in here shall leave.” Regulus declared.

“Bloody hell. Are you going to fess up to being a murderer or something.” Evan asked.

“No!” Regulus said, whacking him on the arm. “This is- a chocolate pact. Oath. Promise. Whatever it is.”

“Okay. Let's do it.” Barty said, opening his chocolate frog. “This isn’t crazy at all.”

“We each take a bite and it's sealed.” Regulus declared.

“No, wait. Let the frogs touch and then we bite.” Evan said, holding out his chocolate frog.

“This is weird but whatever.” Barty said, holding out his chocolate frog to touch Evans.

“It is strange.” Regulus said, moving his chocolate frog to meet them in the middle. “Now, we eat them.”

The three boys let their chocolate frogs touch for a few seconds before they took a bit out of their chocolate frogs.

“That was really stupid.” Regulus stated.

“Oi! It was your idea, besides it's sealed. Whatever we say in here will not leave.” Evan said. “You said so.”