Seven

At 11:32 A.M, there is a Regulus Black, who regrets applying to Hogwarts deeply. The words, What the fuck , run through his mind as he watches the teacher ramble, each word going through one ear and out the other. The time seems to be ticking particularly slow, and majority of the class is actually a girl in the front answers the questions.

She has an hard demeanor, and an air that just demands attention. Beside her, there is a blonde boy, who seems to be five seconds away from passing out, his head bobbing up and down every few minutes. Then beside him is a brunette boy, and Regulus isn't sure if he is just being self absorbed, but he has feeling this brunette boy keeps looking at him every few seconds.

If he wasn't trying his best to grasp every word the teacher was saying, he might've looked into it more.

Fortunately, the abrupt sound of the bell brings Regulus out of the torture, and he doesn't know whether to run out of slump down in his seat. Deciding on the former, he slings on his backpack hurriedly, and waits no time to leave the classroom. However, before he can make his escape quickly, a figure blocks the path.

It's the girl from the front seat.

"I'm Dorcas," she introduced, her tone flat and monotone.

Regulus blinks. "Uh-"

"-I know who you are too," she adds, "No need for introductions. Regulus Black: runaway from your family."

There is something about her voice that makes a shiver run down Regulus's back as he shifts uncomfortably.

Before Regulus can even reply, Dorcas speaks again. "I'm top of the class, and I intend to be valedictorian when I graduate."

"Okay," Regulus replies though it comes off more as a question, "I'm going now."

He goes to turn and walk down the hall, but Dorcas takes no time to walk in step with him.

"You'll never catch up," she tells him, "You'll never beat me. And don't you ever forget that."

Dorcas gives Regulus one last sharp look before walking the other way, not once looking back. Regulus just stands there for a few moments, blinking, trying to process what just happened. Still in a haze, he continues to walk down the hall, but before he can get to his next class safely, he is interrupted. Again.

"Hey Regulus!" a voice calls out. Does everyone just somehow know his name?

Regulus looks over his shoulder briefly, and he instantly recognizes the brunette as the boy who kept -possibly- staring at him in class.

Regulus squints at him slightly. "Hi?"

The brunette smiles, the type of smile that reaches his eyes and everything. "Hey. I'm Barty." he says, walking beside Regulus, "You new?"

"Yes," Regulus replies, quickening his pace.

Barty lets out a sigh as if something unfortunate happened. "Tough," he says in a sympathetic tone, but Regulus has a feeling there is no sympathy. "I could help you study if you want."

Regulus narrows his eyes. "No thanks. I view studying more as a solitary activity."

"Maybe I can be the exception."

Regulus frowns. There is something odd about the boy's tone, but he just can't pinpoint what. "Well you're not."

"Yeah we'll see about that." Barty winks at him before walking away, his smile never dropping for a second.

Regulus just stands there for a few seconds at his second weird encounter he had with someone at this school. Regulus concludes it must be a rich people thing, and thanks his brother mentally for getting them out of that house.

A locker being jammed is the last thing Regulus needed for this day, but people can never get what they want, can they?

"You little son of a bitch," Regulus hisses quietly, "Not fucking today."

He gives an extra harsh pull that fortunately does the trick, but unfortunately makes him go flying back further than necessary. This action causes a chain of reactions, and he bumps into a figure behind him, which is also followed by a sound of a crash that makes him wince.

Slowly turning around, he meets the eyes of a furious Dorcas.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" she bellows, making sure uncinate each word.

Regulus's eyes widened as he takes notice to the crushes up project on the floor, and bits of what seemed to be formerly a castle scattered.

"I'm so sorry," he blurts out, "I swear I didn't mean to. The locker was just jammed and-"

He doesn't give to finish his apology as the furious girl storms off, completely abandoning her project completely, and instead walks into her next class. Regulus looks at the project on the floor then at the classroom and back to the project on the floor before letting out a groan.

"What was I fucking thinking coming to this school," he mutters to himself. He shakes his head before looking at his schedule. History.

Biting his lip, he turns to one of the students passing by. "Excuse me, do you know where H-1 is?"

The student gives a friendly smile before gesturing towards the classroom Dorcas just walked into (just his fucking luck). "Right in front of you."

The student walks off and Regulus lets out another groan, his fingers dragging down his face.

He walks into the classroom very reluctancy, and is immediately greeted by a trio standing near the front: Dorcas, Barty, and the blonde kid who was about to fall asleep during third period.

Dorcas's face drops. "You've got to be fucking kidding me."

The blonde kid snorts, and Barty smirks at him in that infuriating way.

Nope . He takes a seat near the back of class whereas the trio sit near the front, and he hopes that there will be no interaction between him and them, but somehow he doubts that.

The teacher that comes in with a very blank expression, her shoulders tense and eyes bored as she takes her seat.

"Today we will be running through more presentations. Dorcas Meadowes, you're up next."

Regulus eye's widen as he glances towards the door before looking at Dorcas's back as she stands up.

"I don't have it."

The teacher raises an eyebrow. "Were you not given sufficient enough time to do it?"

"I was."

The teacher hums before writing something on her paper, and Regulus can feel his insides tensing up. After all, this was all his fault.

"I guess you're going to have an incomplete for this project," the teacher tsks, "A shame. I expected better from you."

The guilt slowly starts suffocating him like a room with no air and his voice is heard before he even can process it.

"It was my fault," he blurts, and all eyes snap towards him.

The teacher tilts her head. "Sorry?"

Dorcas is glaring at him, but he ignores this. "It's my fault Dorcas's project is ruined. I broke it."

"Shut up," Dorcas hisses quietly, but the teacher ignores her.

"You broke it?" the teacher questions sharply, "When?"

"Just before class," Regulus replies honestly, ignoring everyones stare, "Right outside."

The teacher squints. "What's your name?"

"Regulus. Regulus Black."

The teacher's eyes widen slightly at the last name, and Regulus watches as Dorcas's eyes seem to go even harsher.

"Well," she brings her hands together, "If you broke it then you will simply help Dorcas finish it."

Regulus instantly nods, fine by the arrangement, but Dorcas doesn't seem to agree.

"No!' she says instantly, lip curling up in distaste.

Regulus frowns. "I have no problem-"

"-Well I do have a problem!"

"I'm trying to help you!"

"I don't want your help!"

"Stop," the teacher commands easily, bringing a hand up before turning to Dorcas. "Regardless of Regulus's help, I want your project done by tomorrow. Is that understood?"

"Understood," Dorcas obliges, sitting down in her seat before giving one last glare at Regulus.

Regulus scoffs quietly. What was this girls problem? Honestly! He was just trying to help.

The end of the day finally comes, and Regulus can feel like he can finally breathe again. For the first time of his life, he cherishes the fresh breeze as he walks out of campus and basks in the warm sunlight compared to the freezing classrooms.

When his older brother is in his sight, Regulus has no problem completely discarding his bag on the floor and dropping into his older brother's open arms.

Sirius chuckles when he feels his little brother completely deflate in his arms. "Bad day?"

"The worst," Regulus grumbles, "Five seconds away from jumping out the window during math class."

Sirius snorts, pulling away, and goes to pick up his little brother's discarded bag. "So what happened?"

Regulus shrugs as he walks towards the car. "Everything," he frowns, "Some girl hates me I think, the guys are weird, and everything is fucking hard."

"So just eight hours of torture basically?"

'Exactly."

"Luckily I know what will make you feel better," Sirius smirks, "Movie marathon!"

Regulus lets out a sigh as he enters the car. "Not today. I have to learn every unit, so I can do make up tests next week."

Sirius frowns. "Already?"

"Already."

"Would unleashing Mary on this mean girl help?"

Regulus snorts. "You're willing to risk that?"

"Anything for my baby brother," Sirius says, earnestly.

Regulus scrunches up his nose, "You're such a sap."

"You love it."

"Shut up and drive."

Two dollar blueberry cinnamon rolls with his best friend is exactly what Regulus needed to be cheered up.

"I miss you," Regulus says, taking a bite of his blueberry cinnamon roll, "The people at my school suck."

Pandora nods. "I think people just suck everywhere though."

"Yeah you're right. Not us though."

"Never us," Pandora agrees before checking the time. "I have to get home for dinner."

"But we just started to hang out," Regulus whines, "I haven't seen you all day!"

Pandora snorts. "I know, but someone has to play mediator for my parents."

Regulus still frowns. "Call me later?"

Pandora nods. "Then you can tell me all about this girl who hates you."

Regulus lip twitches upward as he pushes the blonde playfully. "Yeah yeah. I have to get home for dinner too."

The two best friends say their farewells as they part, Pandora disappearing around the corner, leaving Regulus by himself. He lets out a sigh, and decides to stop by Lupins before returning home. Walking in, he is greeted by the sight of Remus reading a book by the counter, his eyes concentrated in thought.

"Reading on the job?" Regulus teases, walking up to the counter.

Remus looks up at the sound of Regulus's voice. "Hey, kid. How was school?"

"Awful," Regulus groans, "Absolutely awful. Awful teachers. Awful kids. Just awful."

Remus hums in sympathy and checks the time. "Yeah as bad as this is, it's too late to serve you coffee."

Regulus scowls instantly. "What's the point of a cafe if you're not even going to serve me?"

"Yeah well I don't care what other shitheads put in their body."

Regulus smiles mockingly as he puts a hand up to his heart. "Aw Remus, do you care about me?"

Remus deadpans, flicking the younger boy's forehead. "No. Now get out of here."

"But you haven't even heard me complain yet!" Regulus protests.

Remus rolls his eyes. "Yes the girl who hates you, I know. You told Sirius who told James who told Lily who told me." he picks up a scone from the display, "Now take this and leave. It's blueberry."

Regulus brightens. "You do love me!"

Remus ignores the statement and goes back to the book, but the younger boy is satisfied enough and sends his final farewell before walking home for dinner.

They were having dinner at the Potters tonight, which Regulus was always happy to be a guest at. Harry was adorable, and Regulus's favorite person ever, but the Potter family in general was just great.

Walking into the house really just felt like coming home. The lights were warm, kid toys sprawled across random places, plants decorated the sides nicely, and it was just filled with so much love. He never got sick of it.

This time was no different. He immediately got hit with the scent of Biryani and Madras Curry as he walked through the door using his spare key; He eagerly basked in the warmth, quickly pulling off his beanie and coat. Both Lily and James were exceptional cooks, and Regulus found it unlucky how Harry can grow up with two parents that cook so well, but Regulus is stuck with Sirius who can't even boil water. (Though he wouldn't change Sirius for the world)

"Reg? Is that you?" Sirius calls from the kitchen, walking out with Harry on his hip.

"Reggie!" Harry calls out happily, reaching out his arms immediately.

"Hey Haz!" Regulus replies, taking Harry in his arms. "When's dinner going to be ready?"

Sirius smiles fondly at the two kids he loved more than anything. "Soon I think. I'm going to wake up Lily."

"She had a rough day too?"

Sirius nods, grimacing. "Got into a fight with her sister."

Regulus winced slightly. He knew how strained their relationship was. "They still talk?"

"Kinda?" Sirius shrugged, "I think she's just clinging onto their relationship."

"Mommy sad?" Harry questioned, pouting slightly at the thought.

"No she's just tired," Regulus reassured, pecking the toddlers hair.

Harry nodded somenly. "I get tired."

Regulus chuckled, and walked to the kitchen to find James. "Me too, bud. Me too."

James brightened at the two children in his life. "Hey guys!"

"Baba!" Harry cheered, clapping his hands.

"Hi baby," James gave a quick kiss to Harry's cheek before returning to the food. "I heard school was rough, Reg?"

Regulus scowls. "The worst."

"Maybe some of my food can cheer you up," James says, turning off the stove.

"If that won't, I don't think anything can."

Harry furrowed his eyebrows. "Reggie sad? Why everyone sad today?"

"Life is sad," Regulus told Harry, putting the toddler in his seat at the dinner table."Stay young forever, kid."

James snorted. "You're young right now."

"No I'm not," Regulus denied, helping James set up the table. "If I was young right now, I would be happy."

"Well I'm old and happy."

"Of course you are," Regulus replied easily, "You're James."

"Well I've got a great job, a beautiful home with with a lovely wife and kid, and my other two favorite people live next door."

"Prongs you're my favorite too," Sirius wiped a fake tear as he walked in, "My soulmate, truly."

James took Sirius's hand and gave him a fond look. "You and me forever, pads."

Lily rolled her eyes as she walked in. "Get a room."

"Mommy!" Harry cheered, happy another person joined.

"Hi honey," Lily said, prepping her son's faces with kisses, "Tell baba he's weird."

"Baba weird," Harry repeated, smiling when Lily gave him another kiss.

Lily ignored James's protest, and turned to face Regulus to give him a kiss on the forehead as well. "Hi sweetheart."

"Hi lils," Regulus replied, giving her a kiss on the cheek in return.

Sirius frowned. "You never give me a kiss on the cheek!"

"That's because I hate you," Regulus says easily, looking blankly at his older brother.

Sirius narrowed his eyes and walked up to younger brother, just to immediately shower the younger boy's faces with kisses of his own, making Regulus shriek and protest instantly.

"Ew! Get away from me!'

"My baby," Sirius cooed, wrapping his arms around Regulus.

Regulus scowled as Lily, James, and even Harry -that traitor- start laughing.

"You have three seconds to get off me Sirius Black!"

After four more seconds of the torture, Sirius finally gets off him, and he is beaming at the end.

Regulus notices this beaming and curls up his lip in disgust. "You're disgusting."

"You're so mean to me," Sirius whines, taking a seat, "I want Harry instead. He wouldn't treat me this mean."

Sirius turns to Harry who is still laughing. "You want to come home with me, Haz? We can play pirates all day!"

Harry cheers and bounces in his seat. "Pirates with pads! Pirates with pads!"

Lily chuckles as she takes her seat. "I guess that means we get Reg then."

James cheers. "What do you want me to decorate your new room with, son?"

"I'm not indulging in this," Regulus replies, piling up his plate with food.

James and Sirius groan.

"No fun," Sirius whines, pulling on one of his little brother's curls, which he receives a smack on the hand in return.

"Yeah okay you dogs, stop whining and start eating," Lily demands while bring a bite to Harry's awaiting mouth.

James and Sirius, like two obedient dogs do start eating instantly, making Regulus snicker to himself.

That was the force of Lily Evans.

The dinner continues with more laughter and banter, and Regulus can't help but love it, just like every dinner at the Potters.