Chapter 7
It wasn't long before the three boys and girls enter The Great Hall still happily chatting away. Remus and Marlene talk about the Game Boy and tamagotchis, Marlene was melting about how cute hers was, and how sad she was she couldn't bring it with her. It wasn't long before a wave of first years entered The Great Hall amazed by it, just as they once were. The Hogwarts students welcomed the first years with applause and cheers as they made their way to the Sorting Hat. Remus couldn't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia as he watched the Sorting Ceremony. He remembered his own Sorting like it was yesterday. After the Sorting, the feast began. The tables were piled high with delicious food, and the students dug in eagerly. James and Peter had already started a competition to see who could eat the most treacle tart.
"No really. Where is Sirius, guys?" asked Marlene. "I thought he was just hiding form us on the train, but he wouldn't miss the feast, would he?"
"Maybe his brother would know?" Pete mouth was full so they could hardly understand.
A bite caught James' throat "Sirius has a brother?!" he tried to caught out a piece of pie that was stuck.
"You are his best friend and you didn't know that James?" questioned James Pete.
"NONO- of course I KNOW he has a brother. But he always talks about his as if he was a little kid. I would never guess he is already a student in Hogwarts!" Justified James ans grabbed another piece of pie.
"Regulus is a 5th year James." Remus wanted to add a bit of a fuel to the fire and as he watched James coke on his food for the second time, he knew it was worth it.
"ME AND SIRIUS WILL HAVE TO HAVE A TALK." He pulled up his sleeves. "So where is this Regulus?"
Marlene chuckled at James's enthusiasm. "I heard he's in Slytherin," she said. "So I doubt you'll be running into him anytime soon."
James's expression soured at the mention of Slytherin. "Right," he muttered, stabbing at his food with his fork.
Remus leaned in, a sly grin on his face. "Jealous, James?" he teased.
"No way," James protested, but there was a hint of defensiveness in his tone.
Marlene rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Boys and their rivalries," she said, taking a sip of pumpkin juice. "Can't we all just get along?"
Lily nodded in approvement "I like this new sassy Marlene, the holidays really did you good, Marls."
"Thank you, Lily!"
The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, who stood up to give his opening speech for the new school year. The students fell silent, listening intently to his words. After it ended James saw determinate to find Regulus Black and talk to him about Sirius.
"You go ahead to the common room guys! I have to say hi to Minnie."
"Fine don't leave us waiting for too long, James." Remus blinked flirtatiously as he put an arm around Lily Evans.
Just you wait, Remus! James thought and he rushed to the Slytherin table. He was surprised he decided to approach a Slytherin without any prank intention in mind. But there is a first time for everything. Unfortunatly, he had the misfortune of approaching Evan Rosier in particular.
"You didn't hear, Potter? They are dead, both of them. Regulus and Sirius. Their house caught on fire and they didn't managed to escape in time." Evan was a lot of things, one of them being a brilliant actor, so it wasn't surprising to any of the Slytherins he managed to trick James without much trouble, the poor boy is so gullible.
James felt a wave of disbelief and shock wash over him as Evan's words sank in. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Regulus and Sirius, both dead? It didn't make sense. He was supposed to ask Regulus about Sirius, and now Evan was claiming they were both dead?
James's mind raced, and he couldn't process the information. He looked around at the Slytherins, hoping to see some sign that Evan was lying, but their laughter and smirks seemed to confirm his worst fears. Dorcas's mocking tone only added to his distress.
"No, that can't be true," James said, his voice trembling with emotion. "That's not true, they would have written it in the Daily Propthet!"
"Poor James, he is in denial..." joined in Dorcas. Narcissa and Lucius began to giggle a little.
"It's ok, James, we are all mourning, we miss our dear Regulus everyday." Barty also wanted to participate, so he put down his fork and made his way towards Potter. "I heard chocolate helps?" Barty said softly trying to imitate Remus and offering him a chocolate pudding.
James looked at Barty skeptically, not sure if he should trust the Slytherin's sudden show of sympathy. He glanced around and noticed that several other Slytherins were watching with curiosity, waiting to see how he would react. Taking a deep breath, James decided to keep his cool. He didn't want to give them the satisfaction of getting a rise out of him.
"Thanks, Barty," James said, his tone neutral. "But I don't need your sympathy, and I certainly don't need your lies."
Barty's expression faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered, plastering a fake smile on his face.
"Well, suit yourself," Barty said, shrugging. "But you'll see, Potter. Regulus is gone, and there's nothing you can do about it."
"Alright, that's enough..." a voice from behind Evan said. "You are not as funny as you think you are. Besides. I am perfectly alive and well." It was Regulus Black. James was stunned how similar he look to Sirius, his features however were less rough, he couldn't explain it, because his face was still sharp, just like Sirius', but Regulus look different, he was actually so beautiful. His features were refined, his complexion flawless, and his eyes held a captivating charm. Regulus was often considered the epitome of physical beauty. James found it puzzling how he and Sirius shared such a strong resemblance, while Regulus looked distinctively different. 'Fuck, Sirius is going to kill me.'
The Slytherins at the table burst out laughing at James' stunned expression. "You should see your face, Potter," sneered Narcissa, "it's priceless."
Regulus pulled up a chair next to James, still smirking. "Sorry about that, mate. Evan can be a real prick sometimes."
James was still in shock. "But... they said you were dead... how did they even-"
Regulus rolled his eyes. "I have no idea, probably just spreading rumors for the fun of it. But I'm here, alive and well." He grabbed a piece of chicken off a nearby platter and took a bite.
The Slytherins at the table continued to snicker amongst themselves, but Regulus seemed different from the rest. James could see a hint of mischief in his eyes, but there was also something else, something almost... kind. It was a strange feeling, being surrounded by Slytherins, but not feeling like an outsider. He quickly shrugged of the feeling of being welcomed here.
"I came here to ask you about your brother, where is Sirius?"
Regulus's expression darkened at the mention of his older brother. "He's not here. What do you want with him?".
James hesitated for a moment before deciding to press on. "Is he okay?"
Regulus sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping. "He's fine, he..." Regulus stopped for a bit contemplating if he should lie or not. "He got into some trouble with McGonnagal when we arrived. Who are you and why do you care, anyways?" Regulus flinched away from James's gaze.
"I am his best friend James Potter, lovely to meet you." James offered Regulus a hand.
Regulus stared at him with a raised eyebrow. "Regulus Black."
"Silly you I already knew that. The resembalance between the Black brothers is unbelievable." James grinned and punched Regulus's should, which was surprisingly bony.
"Oh, James Potter, I could have guessed, just as my brother said incredibly infuriating." Regulus grinned showing his teeth just enough to make James weak. 'Fuck he is so cute.'.
As he made his way back to his friends, he couldn't help but think about what Regulus had said. Sirius getting into trouble with McGonagall was not entirely surprising, considering his rebellious nature, but something about the situation felt off. James knew Sirius well enough to know that detention on the first day of school seemed unlikely, even for him.
"So how was your date with Minne?" Asked Remus when James entered the common room.
"Didn't catch her, however I did get to meet Regulus Black."
"Really? How was it?" asked Lily
James sighed, "You know he seemed like a prick, just like his brother. A reaal pain in the ass" his mind wondered to the younger Black brother and his beautiful mischievous smile.
Before the feast at the infirmary
"Fuck, Reggie, I told you I don't need help. They can't know." Sirius insisted.
"Sirius, you can barely walk. You are going to the healer. Besides I am a Black, lying and deception is in our second nature. I already have a cover-story make sure you stick to whatever you hear." Regulus smiled at Sirius. Then he took a deep breath and knocked on the door to the infirmary, he waited until it opened until he put on the best show Sirius had ever seen. Regulus was the best brother anyone could ask for. Regulus's eyes watered as he was telling a made up story about exploring an abandoned mansion ans Sirius stepping into a magic trap.
Sirius watched in awe as Regulus spun a tale so convincing that even he believed it for a moment. His younger brother had always been clever, but seeing him in action, manipulating the situation with such ease, made Sirius realize just how capable Regulus was. The healer listened attentively to Regulus's story, her expression a mix of concern and sympathy. He examined Sirius carefully, checking for any signs of active magical traps on his body. Sirius played his part, nodding in pain whenever Regulus mentioned the trap and describing how he had fallen into it.
It was really a heartbreaking story. Believable one as well. There has been a rise in number of houses with magical traps inside them. Aurors usually dealt with them, but when Madam Pomfrey asked Regulus where it was in order to report it to the ministry of Magic, Regulus insisted he was too scared and shaken so he couldn't remember for the life of him.
"Please Miss, don't tell anyone, you know the Black family, you know our mother, she will punish us when she finds out. She-she- doesn't even want me to talk to Sirius, ever since he got placed into Gryffindor. I-I-i--"
"It is ok, Regulus. I won't report it to your mother. It is my duty however to report it to Miss McGonnagal, she will decided if she wants to take his to your parents or not. I will try to push her into not telling them. But you have to trust me, now ok? You go enjoy the feast, your brother will be just fine in the morning, ready for his first class." She smiled at his and pushed him through the door.
"And scene. People are so stupid." Regulus mumbled under his breath and bowed down to his imaginary audience. He smirked, put his hands into his pockets and started to walk towards The Great Hall, strangely proud of himself.