Two train tickets
25/6 2023
Regulus is fourteen and he hates it. He hates his school filled with spoiled kids, he hates London where he can’t go anywhere without risking his life, but most of all he hates his family for everything . He hates his mother, he hates is father, he hates his brothe- wait actually he doesn’t hate his brother. He’s just angry at him, he’s angry at Sirius for only talking to him in public, never alone, because seriously how is he going to say what he needs to say if his parents hear his every word. But he doesn’t hate him because he knows that Sirius cares, honestly cares. His brother has been practically raising him since he was about three even though Sirius is only four years older than he is. Regulus needs his brother, even though he’ll never admit it.
That why, when he sees Sirius packing his suitcase so early in the morning it’s still dark outside, he immediately starts to worry.
He runs as quietly as he can up to his brother and taps him on the shoulder.
”Reg!” His brother nearly screams, before realizing how early it is.
- Why are you packing your suitcase in the middle of a corridor at the ass crack of dawn? Regulus whispers suspiciously.
- Im going. His brother says in the most obvious tone as if his answer was of any use.
- Going where? Regulus was feeling more and more irritated the longer this conversation lasted.
- To the train station, I’m leaving. Sirius says as he shuts his suitcase and lock it.
- Leaving?! You’re not leaving me here alone! Regulus screams as quietly as he could, feeling the desperation creep in to his tone. Sirius couldn’t leave, Regulus wouldn’t be able to stand it.
- Like hell I won’t, you’re coming with me. Sirius said it with such a serious tone that he knew his brother wasn’t joking.
For at least two minutes Regulus just stood there, not knowing how to process. Then he thought of his parents, they’d be livid if both their sons left during the same night and compared to Sirius they could force him to go home. He thought of how they’d punish him when he came back. ”No, I’m not coming”
A strange intensity fills his brother’s face ”yes you are”. Of course that’s his response, Sirius can be stubborn as a mule. ”They’d take me back and probably lock me in my room for the next three years” Regulus retorts. ” I won’t let them ”Sirius whispers, reminding Regulus to do the same. ” Their the most powerful people in all of London, you won’t manage” Regulus responds and starts to turn around, he’ll just go to his room and if Sirius leaves him that’s not his problem. But before he can leave Sirius grabbs his arm and as Regulus looks back at his brother he sees tears in his eyes. Sirius starts to speak, but his voice is dripping in determination.
”Regulus Arcturus Black, you are coming with me because I will not let you wither away in this wretched house any longer. I’m not loosing the only person I care about more than anything, so are you coming with me or will I have to knock you out and drag you there”
After he’s done speaking, a twinge of hope sparks in Regulus. If his brother is this determined to get them out maybe he’ll be able to keep them out. So finally, he gives in.
”Fine” he says it with no particular emotion but it’s still enough to make his brother beam and embrace him so tightly he thinks one of his ribs must’ve broken. When Sirius finally let’s go he looks Regulus in the eyes and says ” I love you petite étoile, now pack your suitcase and a backpack for the train, I’ll order us a taxi”. As he walks up the stairs Regulus can’t help but smile, he might finally be able to break free.
***
About fifteen minutes later they were standing outside Black manor and waiting for the taxi to arrive. It was cold, so so cold and even with his heavy coat and the scarf Sirius forced him into he was freezing. They’d been waiting for five minutes now. Regulus thought that this taxi would never come, but then it did. The black car looks shabby and and as they stepped inside the driver looked back at them with a toothless smile. ”Where are two youngsters going t’night” he sneers with a tone that sounds oddly condescending. ”Kings cross station, please get us there quickly” Sirius says while taking out a 10 pound bill and handing it towards the driver. Regulus thought this was rather odd as he’d seen his brother pay for the taxi in advance, but then maybe that’s how you did in a taxi? He wouldn’t know, he’d never been in a taxi, his parents had a personal driver arranged any time they wanted to go somewhere. ”Sounds good , you’ll be there in thirty” The driver replies before starting the car.
Suddenly Regulus feels scared, what if they’re caught? His feelings must be showing on his face because when Sirius looks at him his brother immediately looks worried.
”Qu'est-ce qui ne va pas, petite étoile ?” Sirius says in a soothing voice.
”J'ai peur, et s'ils nous attrapent?” Regulus responds, feeling cold with worry. At that, Sirius hugs him tight, whispering ”they won’t” calmly as he strokes Regulus hair. They sit huddled together in the back seat of the car for what feels like hours until the car comes to a stop.
”There you are, kings cross station” the driver says looking back at them with increasing interest.
”Thank you sir, have a great night” Sirius says as he opens the door. Regulus does the same and they leave the car.
***
The station is big and almost completely empty except for a few lone travelers. No one notices the two boys walking towards station 10. Well, not exactly. As their walking a woman who, by the looks of her uniform works there, asks them if they need any help. But Sirius seems as though he’s prepared for this because with a polite smile he replies
”Thank you but we are doing just fine, we’re just taking a train to Hogsmead to meet our relatives”. This seems to mollify her and she just waves them of with a quick ”take care!”. Honestly this woman was stupid, who takes a train to see their relatives this early in the morning. But maybe it wasn’t so early, he hadn’t checked the clock since he went to bed last night (more like this night). His thoughts were broken by his brother calling his name ”Reggie! What do you want from the vending machine?” Regulus didn’t even know there was a vending machine at the station, let alone what was in it so he just responded ”you pick”. When Sirius came back he was holding one bottle of water, a Twix and a small bag of chips. He hands Regulus the chips and water, but keeps the Twix. ”Here you go Reg” Sirius smiles and when he looks at the bag he sees it’s sour cream and onion, his favorites. A few minutes go in complete silence before Regulus decides to strike a conversation.
- Sirius? He says, nudging his brother on the shoulder
- Yes, Reg?
- What time is it?
Sirius rummages through his pocket for a while before pulling out his phone and checks it.
- 3:30, the train arrives in about five minutes.
- Wow, no wonder that woman questioned us, two kids in a train station at three in the bloody morning.
- One kid, I’m eighteen and turning nineteen this November. Sirius corrects indignantly
- Yes, and that definitely makes you sooo mature and grown up. Regulus retorts, tone dripping with sarcasm.
- Respect your elders young man! Sirius says while imitating their mother, making Regulus crack up and fully laugh for the first time in what feels like months.
- Got it, old man.
Sirius responds with something but regulus can’t hear it as what he was saying is completely drowned out by their train arriving at the station.
***
The train cart is cold and dingy, but at least they’re the only people there. Regulus hates people, or maybe people just hated him. He wouldn’t know, he’d never been good at understanding people’s feelings so until someone straight up tells him they hate him he’s just confused. He looks at his brother, who looks so grown up even though he’s barely even of age. But he guesses that’s what happens when you have to live in the hell hole that they called their home. Vaguely Regulus wonderes if he also looks older or if he still looked like a kid? Well, it didn’t matter. At that moment Sirius seemes to decide it had been quiet for long enough.
”So Reggie, how’s life been” The words reawaken the anger that had been nullified by their dramatic escape.
- it’s been absolutely bloody awful, but you would’ve known that if you’d actually spoken to me!” He snaps back so loudly his brother actually flinches.
- Regulus, I wanted to talk to you but-
- But you were to busy clubbing out in London, right? Regulus cuts him off.
- It’s not like that! Sirius pleads.
- It’s EXACTLY like that!
- THEY DIDNT LET ME! Sirius finally screams, shocking Regulus into silence.
Sirius softened and when he speaks again his voice is calm. ” If I spoke to you alone they would kick me out, and then I wouldn’t be able to speak to you at all. I needed to be able to speak with you or I wouldn’t be able to get us both out. Je n’allais pas partir sans toi” At this Regulus wanted to cry, of course the brother he’d been mad at for a month now had just been trying to protect him. Sirius always tried to protect him, and all he ever got for thanks was a sarcastic remark from Regulus or a slap to the face from their mother. His remorse fills him with a wave of determination as he says what he hasn’t said in years ”Je t'aime, grande étoile”