Chapter 1
The Potter household was beautiful. Unlike Grimmauld Place, there were no screams filling the house, chills that would travel down people's spine when they walked the cold halls, and the overwhelming sense of numbness when standing inside.
However, it wasn't his home. Because despite how miserable he was in that place, it was still his home. His life . Sirius had taken that away the moment he had dragged Regulus away, and forcing him to enter the Potters world where he didn't belong.
He wasn't good like his brother. He would never shine so bright that people were just compelled to stare at him, he would never be the funniest one in the room that made people charmed by him instantly because he was not Sirius Black.
He was just Regulus.
Sirius constantly tried to include Regulus with his friends, thinking that his baby brother would fit right in, but he was wrong. Regulus would never fit in with them; no matter how hard Sirius or even James would try.
James Potter.
He was the biggest tosser Regulus knew. With an ego almost as large as his head, Regulus hated him. Though no matter how much Regulus avoided him, James seemed to be like a leech: attaching himself to Regulus and wouldn't shake off no matter how hard Regulus tried.
An example was right now.
"Reggie!" called James, running up to the younger boy with a large grin on his face.
Regulus picked up his pace.
"Hey!" James cried out, "I know you can hear me!"
Letting out a defeated huff, Regulus rolled his eyes and turned around to face the boy, knowing he couldn't get out of this.
James's smiled widened at seeing Regulus turning around to face him. "Hi."
"What do you want, Potter?" asked Regulus harshly, tightening the grip on his backpack.
James smiled faltered slightly at Regulus's harsh tone, but quickly recovered. He ran a hand through his hair, "I was wondering if you wanted a ride home."
"No."
Regulus turned around to walk away.
However, James was quick to fall into step with him and started to walk with him down the hall, much to his irritation. "Why not? We're going to the same place anyway and the bus sucks."
"No we're not," Regulus said simply, "I'm going to Pandora's house. You're going home."
James paused in the hall though quickly started walking with him when he realized Regulus wouldn't stop in the hall and wait for him. "Did you tell Sirius?"
Regulus held back the irritation that he could feel rising in his blood. "Why would I do that?"
James shrugged and pushed up his glasses. "I don't know, I just think he would wanna know."
"Well it's none of his or your business."
James's lip turned downward as he let out a sigh. "Reggie-"
"Regulus," Regulus corrected with clenched teeth. "For the last time, my name is Regulus."
" Regulus, just text him, all right?"
Regulus looked hesitant for a moment before he let out a sigh of defeat. "All right."
"You're the best Reggie!" James beamed, ruffling the younger boy's hair before walking off happily, ignoring the yells of protest about the nickname from Regulus.
Regulus let out an annoyed groan before taking out his phone from his pocket.
Baby Reggie: going to dora's house after school
Sirius: what time should I pick you up?
Baby Reggie: you don't have to pick me up
Baby Reggie: I'm just telling you bc James forced me
Sirius: then how are you going to get home?
Baby Reggie: there's something people do called walking
Sirius: WHAT
Sirius: there's no way im going to let you walk in the dark
Sirius: just text me when you're done
Baby Reggie: wtf
Baby Reggie: Im not a child sirius
Baby Reggie: il be fine
Sirius: Im not joking regulus
Baby Reggie: and you think I am?
Baby Reggie: stop bossing me around
Baby Reggie: and change my stupid contact name
Not deciding to wait for his brother's answer, Regulus shut off his phone and continued walking down the hall to find Pandora. She was the only tolerable person to be around recently.
He slung an arm around her shoulder as soon as he saw her standing by her locker and laid his head on hers. "Sirius and Potter make me wish I didn't exist."
Pandora hummed, not bothered by the statement. "What'd they do now?"
"Breathe."
Pandora shut her locker and slung her bag over her shoulder. "I'll make sure to cut off their oxygen supply next time I see them."
Regulus snorted and flashed Pandora a small smile. "This is why you're my favorite."
"Don't be ridiculous," Pandora rolled her eyes, "There are many reasons why I'm your favorite."
"Someone's confident," replied Regulus though he didn't deny it.
"I'm not confident. I'm all knowing."
"Oh yeah?" Regulus raised an eyebrow, "What's going on in Xeno's mind right-"
An elbow in the rib shut Regulus up.
"I just don't get it!" said Sirius frustratley, pulling on his hair.
Mary furrowed her eyebrows. "Get what?"
Mary, Marlene, and Sirius were currently at Three Broomsticks, which was the coffee shop Remus and Lily worked at. It was a small place with plants and records decorating the walls, and bookshelves against the back wall.
"Regulus!"
Mary and Marlene looked at one another before looking back at Sirius. The two knew how the Black Brothers were currently not on the best terms right now, and how much it was affecting Sirius. The more effort Sirius pushed into their relationship, the more it seemed Regulus was pulling away.
"You should just give him sone space," Marlene shrugged, "Kids are just weird."
Mary side eyed Marlene. "You do know he is only two years younger, right?"
Sirius gave a dismissive hand. "He's still practically a baby."
"Talking about Reg I assume?" asked Remus Lupin, walking up to the trio. He wore a simple brown tee shirt with a red apron that was decorated with stains and the words Three Broomsticks in all white in the center.
Sirius pouted and showed his phone to his boyfriend.
Remus skimmed over the texts before looking back at Sirius. "Want me to pick him up? I don't think he would be as mad if it was me."
As blunt as the words were, they were true. Remus seemed to be the marauder Regulus had the most tolerance for as he barely even protested when Remus started talking to him. Remus had found pride in that, and took more chances to talk to the younger boy, in hopes Regulus would open up. The furthest he had ever gotten was Regulus telling him how he related to a book character they both liked, but except that, their conversations remained mostly strict and casual.
Sirius visibly brightened. "Really?"
Remus nodded. "Of course."
Sirius sprung up to throw himself at his boyfriend and kissed his cheek repeatedly. "You're the best boyfriend."
Remus rolled his eyes, but a fond smile creeped up on his face as he hugged Sirius back. "I'm doing this for Reg, not you."
Despite the two not being close, Remus had felt a sense of protectiveness over the boy, and looked after him subconsciously when they were at school.
Mary scrunched up her nose. "Tone down the PDA!"
Marlene snorted. "You act as if you and Lily are any better."
Mary smirked. "Lily and I look cute though. Sirius just looks like a dog who is licking his owner."
"You take that back Macdonald!"
Mary only flipped Sirius off in response causing the latter to almost pounce on her before getting interrupted by another voice.
"Sit, dog," Lily said, walking up to the group as well. Her long red hair was placed in a high ponytail and her green eyes swirled with exhaust. It had been a long shift at the cafe with customers quickly coming in and out.
Sirius groaned. "You guys are my least favorite couple to exist."
Mary stood up to give Lily a peck on the lip before wrapping an arm around her waist. "You're just jealous we are cuter than you and Remus."
Sirius gasped. "No way!" he narrowed his eyes, "Remus and I are ten times cute you guys are!"
Turning to face Marlene, Sirius asked strictly, "Who is cuter? Moony and I or Lily and Mary?"
Marlene raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "One is the right answer and the other has you in it."
Remus snorted followed by the laughs of Mary and Lily.
"Traitor!" cried Sirius, pointing an accusing finger at Marlene. "I trusted you!"
Marlene ignored his cries of outrage and stood up, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "Yeah continue on with your bitch fit," she turned around, "I gotta go meet James to practice for my game coming up."
A chorus of farewells was followed except for Sirius who only huffed in response.
Dramatic Git.