Regulus Black - The marauders era

Chapter 1 - Brothers

TW - Mentions of abuse
Sirius and Regulus didn't always have a strained relationship it was only as they grew older that they really grew apart and their differences came between them but Regulus never did stop admiring Sirius' courage.
Regulus age 5 and Sirius age 7
"Come on Reg let's go find the brooms and go for a fly," Sirius whispered dragging his brother along to where their brooms were locked up from the time they had both been on Sirius' broom and crashed into a window shattering it.
Sirius by now was quite clever and a mischievous boy so he knew exactly how to pick a lock whilst Regulus stood beside him praying that the wouldn't get caught.
"There," Sirius let out a low whistle under his breath as he gave the lock a couple more jiggles until it broke open.
By now Regulus was beside himself with anxiousness but grabbed his broom nonetheless and following his brother making sure his feet padded silently along the floor.
Sirius had found the key and was busy unlocking the back door of 12 Grimmauld place and as soon as it was open both brothers rushed out embracing the slightly cold wind of the night air and Sirius let out a whoop of joy at being free.
"Now Reg like this," Sirius carefully explained surprisingly not getting annoyed at the fact that his brother wasn't that quick at picking up the art of broom flying.
As soon as Regulus learned the right technique to fly he gently hovered over the ground not moving very much but just embracing the fact that he and his brother were spending some time together.
Regulus age 9 and Sirius age 11
Tears were streaming down Regulus' face as he found out that he would be separated from his brother in 2 days for most of the year and he would become subject to the wrath of Walburga and Orion Black.
"Please don't leave me I-I will miss you," He cried hiccuping softly while Walburga turned her icy stare towards him.
"Now boy there will be none of that unless you want a beating," She hissed and Regulus frantically shook his head his hand coming up to his mouth to try and stifle the sobs that were falling out of it.
"Mother he's just upset leave him be," Sirius tried reasoning with their mother but she dismissed it as Regulus being weak.
Sirius set his hogwarts letter down and went over to his younger brother wrapping an arm around his pitiful shaking form.
"Hey, hey it's alright I'll write every day and it'll be like I never left," He whispered and Regulus looked up at him eyes still brimming with tears as he buried his head in Sirius' robes but Walburga tore them apart.
"You little weakling!" She yelled in Regulus' face as his eyes widened in fear at the hand about to be upon his cheek.
"Mother NO!" Sirius cried running to intercept the hand but was too late as it connected with Regulus' pale face leaving a bright red mark and his eyes were wide and terrified as he got chucked to the ground by his own mother.
Sirius pulled Regulus from his place on the floor into a standing position as he gently tried to help the shell shocked boy up the stairs but it ended with him carrying the much lighter boy into his room to try and console him. Sirius was hurting for his brother and was feeling guilty at the fact that he couldn't get there in time to stop the harsh hand of Walburga black from landing on his young face.
"Reggie are you alright?" Sirius knew it was a stupid question but didn't know was else to say.
Regulus let out a small whimper his hand coming up to his cheek but he nodded looking into his brothers eyes and threw himself into his arms wanting the familiarity and comfort it brought.
Regulus age 11 and Sirius age 13
It was Regulus first time aboard the hogwarts express and he was nervous and followed his brother like a puppy dog.
"Reg you can come into my compartment," Sirius offered and Regulus let out a breath of relief at the fact that he wouldn't be alone.
Sirius hadn't exactly written everyday well not even every month and his mother and father were yelling at him about the fact that he was in gryffindor and Regulus went to hide under his bed trying not to be dragged into the argument but he usually was anyway.
"Everybody meet my brother Regulus," Sirius announced to a group of 4 boys boys and Regulus gave an awkward wave allowing his brother to put away his trunk as he found a seat.
"Doesn't talk much does he?" A boy, Regulus recognised to be James Potter, spoke up giving Regulus a curious stare.
"Yeah he has always been like that though you know quite quiet and reserved," Sirius said shrugging and Regulus gave him a small, rare smile.
"What house do you want to be sorted into?" Sirius' other friend, Remus Lupin, asked him.
"I don't know I guess Ravenclaw wouldn't be bad," He said looking at Sirius out of the corner of his eye.
"Ah so he speaks," James Potter announced with a smirk but his next words were interrupted by the bang of the compartment door opening.
"Regulus why don't come sit with we all know you'll be in Slytherin," Bellatrix, their cousin, announced walking into the compartment and grabbing his trunk but Sirius stood up furiously grabbing the trunk back and standing in front of Regulus.
"I umm I'll stay here with Sirius and his friends," Regulus said his voice no louder than a whisper but the look of praise that Sirius sent him was enough to block out Bellatrixs' glare.
"SLYTHERIN!" The hat screamed and Regulus let out a sigh before mournfully looking over at his brother who had a look of bitter disappointment on his face.
God how he wished he wasn't in Slytherin.
Regulus age 13 and Sirius age 15
"Sirius," Regulus called trying to get his brothers attention.
"What Regulus," Sirius questioned a sneer of his face.
A pang went through Regulus' heart as he noticed Sirius never used his nickname anymore.
"Well I got an O on my potions paper and you know how difficult that is," He announced and excited smile playing on his lips.
"Wow look at you all smart now run along to your death eater friends," Sirius said in a sarcastic manner and the happy smile on Regulus' lips dropped right off and his grey eyes brimmed with unshed tears as he ran back to his dormitory.
Why oh why did Sirius hate him so much all he wanted was his brother to love him like he did 2 years prior when he was younger.
Regulus cried himself to sleep that night but had to try and stifle it as he didn't want his dorm mates thinking he was weak. Every time he tried to get Sirius' attention he was always shut down. While walking to transfiguration the next day which ended in him dropping his satchel.
"Oh I'm sorry I was distracted," He muttered and the person he bumped into looked at him in surprise.
"Sirius since when do you apologise?" The girl questioned her eyebrows knitting together in confusion.
"Oh I'm not Sirius I'm Regulus his younger brother," He said adjusting his satchel strap.
As the girl turned to walk away he stopped her, "WAIT would you mind passing a message on to Sirius for me as you're in gryffindor?"
"Oh sure what should I tell him?" She asked.
"Just ask him where he's going to be for the Christmas holidays and that I'm here if he wants to talk," Regulus said and Lily nodded before walking off.
Regulus sighed hoping that Sirius would at least want to be in the same room as him after his message.
The next morning outside the great hall Sirius stormed up to Regulus with Lily running behind him.
"Look I'm staying here for Christmas while you can go home and suck up to mum and dad and don't think that for a minute I want to talk to you," He growled pushing Regulus back while lily looked on with sad eyes.
"Sirius please I don't care that you're in gryffindor I just want it to be the same as when we were kids," He pleaded
"You don't care well I  care that you're a slimy git in Slytherin," Sirius said hatred clear in his voice as he looked at Regulus in contempt.
The familiar burn behind his eyes brought Regulus to his senses as he fled running to the library.
Regulus age 14 and Sirius age 16
"I'M LEAVING!" Sirius shouted and Regulus heard the shouts and screams of Walburga and Orion Black as they tried to get Sirius to stop but Sirius was having none of it.
Orion stepped forward wand at the ready glaring at his eldest sons retreating form.
"Well it had to be done," He growled under his breath and Regulus knew exactly what he was talking about.
"Father NO please you can't," Regulus pleaded but Orion shoved him back and he fell dazed into the banister of the stairs and his vision was swimming.
'Where would Sirius go?' Regulus' mind was swirling but he knew that he had to get Sirius back otherwise he would fall to pieces.
Regulus grabbed his cloak and wand before leaving out his window but his still felt a bit rough from his fall earlier so he stumbled around desperately trying to regain his balance. Grabbing his broom for the back garden Regulus took off into flight.
"The Potters," Regulus muttered under his breath as he set a course for Godrichs hollow.
2 hours later and a half frozen Regulus, after all it was winter, arrived in Godrichs hollow. As he dismounted his broom Regulus shivered wrapping his cloak even tighter around him as he trudged forward but I didn't do much as it was covered in a layer of snow making it wet and cold. 10 minutes later Regulus stood trembling on the Potters doorstep clutching at his broom so hard that his knuckles turned white. Only now did Regulus notice a gash on his forehead from when he had fallen into the stairs. He noticed when wiping some of his wet hair out of his eyes. Regulus knocked once and don't need to knock again as the door was immediately flung open by Mrs Potter.
"I need Sirius," Regulus murmured before promptly fainting at the Potters doorstep.
When he came to Regulus' muscles felt stiff but he felt warm and snuggled even closer into a blanket.
"Reggie," a soft voice spoke to him and his eyes snapped open as soon as he heard that voice.
"Sirius?" Regulus gasped sitting up before a wave of nausea passed over him and he promptly laid back down again.
"Easy little bro when Mrs Potter found you, you were half frozen and had a great gash on your forehead," Sirius said gently moving some of Regulus' hair off of his brow.
"You don't hate me?" Regulus questioned and Sirius shook his head making Regulus launch into his arms sobbing.
"Now Reggie how on earth did you get that cut on your forehead?"
"Dad," Regulus muttered and Sirius had a look of barely concealed rage on his face.
"Oh Regulus dear you're awake would you like some toast?" Mrs Potter asked him and he gave an uncertain look towards Sirius who gave him a reassuring smile and somehow Regulus knew everything would be alright.
Hope you enjoy my new Fanfiction of one shots based on Regulus Black
~ Hazel