Bright Lion and a Stag (Regulus Black, James Potter, Marauders)

Chapter 1

August 31, 1975

Regulus Black sat alone in his room finishing packing for school. He was beyond glee that he would finally be returning to school, because in Number 12 Grimmauld Place, if Sirius and Walburga Black weren't screaming their heads off at each other, then the silence in the large home was deadly as well. This summer had been slightly better than the previous ones since Sirius started school and got himself sorted into Gryffindor, but that by no means it was a good summer. 

Suddenly, Regulus heard a knock at the door, which he assumed was his mother telling him to get ready for bed as they would be leaving early tomorrow. 

"Come in." Regulus said. 

The door creaked opened, and to Regulus' horror, it was his older brother himself. His brother had only entered his room once the entire summer, so he was a bit thrown off, especially since the last time had ended in an argument between the brothers. The two of them seemed to always argue nowadays. 

Regulus didn't even understand why Sirius came back this summer. Walburga essentially implied it would not be necessary for this summer, but he stayed anyways. Regulus was glad, he really didn't want to be alone, but for his brothers own safety he wished he had gone to stay with the Potters, or at least Uncle Alphard, one of the only Blacks who didn't hate Sirius, unless you included Andromeda, but she was disowned years ago. 

Deciding to break the silence Regulus decided to speak first.

"Err, hi Sirius" Regulus managed to utter, barely loud enough for his brother to hear. 

Sirius half smiled at Regulus and took a quick gander around his room. He looked at the old newspaper clippings of the Dark Lords attacks which Regulus had put up the summer prior and grunted. Those were what had started the brothers argument the last time Sirius came to his room. Sirius looked at all the Slytherin decor and immediately looked down. Regulus assumed he simply didn't want to look anymore. 

"I want to- I have a- erm. Can I ask you a favor?" He finally managed. 

"Erm, yes possibly. What do you need Sirius?" Regulus replied cautiously. 

Sirius smiled and pulled something out from under his leather jacket. They were two square looking things and Regulus decided to walk over and see closer. 

Walking closer Regulus could see his a cigarette hidden behind his ear. Over the summer Regulus had finally grew to be the same height as his older brother which was a bit unnerving, especially considering Regulus would likely be a bit taller. The two brothers could almost be twins, but Sirius was bulkier than his brother, while Regulus lay skinner and lankier. The two's hair curled differently as well, and Regulus had slightly more straight hair. 

He looked as what Sirius was holding out and saw they were muggle records. The names said Abbey Road and Electric Warrior. 

"What am I to do with these?" Regulus questioned. 

"Er, could you take them for the school year?" Sirius asked, "I don't have enough room in my trunk for them and knowing mother she'll throw them away if I leave them in my room, but she won't come and raid her perfect ickle sons room."

Although Regulus didn't fancy keeping these two muggle things in his room, he nodded and grabbed them, knowing he had a perfect hiding spot so even if his mum or Kreacher searched his room, they likely wouldn't notice. 

Sirius turned and started for the door, but Regulus stopped him, for some reason. 

"Hey Sirius, would you like to, um, play something? Gobstones maybe. We have not done anything like that in years." Regulus uttered quickly.