Sweet innocence ~ Jegulus

10.

It had been three days since Regulus had spent lunch with his brother. He didn't see Sirius much after, not that he minded really, he knew that the Marauders were busy.

***

The first Quidditch practice of the year was always intense. This year was different though, the Slytherin team had to hold try outs because they were down to only three players since most of last year's team had been seventh years who had graduated and left Hogwarts leaving Regulus, Evan and a seventh year named Corey to replace them.

Corey had been named captain, having more experience than Evan and Regulus but that didn't stop Evan from trying to micromanage the try outs.

The morning had been rough, about a dozen first years showed up to the try outs which had resulted in a bunch of eleven year olds falling off their brooms. None of them seemed to have understood the rules of the game or the positions that they were meant to be playing.

Which is how Regulus ended up knocked off of his broom when a little blonde boy- who was meant to be playing as a chaser- dived for the Snitch. Regulus hadn't expected anyone else to be looking for the golden object so he was taken off guard when a mop of blonde hair was suddenly heading straight for it at a very rapid pace.

Luckily, Regulus had managed to dipped his broom down before he could collide with the boy, but immediately regretted his decision when ended up laying flat on his back in the mud.

***

"Rough practice?" Barty joked as Regulus entered the castle, dragging his feet and holding his head. His Quidditch uniform was all muddy and was torn on the left shoulder, exposing some reddened skin. There was a bruise forming on his cheek and he was holding his wrist close to his chest.

"I hate first years." Regulus muttered, rolling his shoulders to relieve some of the pain. "If we get stuck with a team full of first years, I'm quitting." Regulus added, he was being dramatic of course, he'd never quit Quidditch.

"Come on, let's get you to the hospital wing before classes start." Barty guided Regulus throughout the halls, making sure that he didn't collapse from his injuries.

Barty didn't even knock before swinging the door to the infirmary open, pulling Regulus into the room with him. "Oi, Pomfrey! A little help here!" Barty called out, forcing Regulus to sit on one of the beds. There was some shuffling and then Madame Pomfrey's head popped out from behind a curtain that was hiding a bed.

"Mr. Crouch, I'm a bit busy at the moment what's wrong?" Pomfrey asked. "Pretty sure Reg broke his head or something." Barty gestured to Regulus who was clutching his head in pain.

"Regulus?" Sirius's voice came from behind the curtain. A few moments later, Sirius and James were ducking out from behind the curtain. They rushed over to Regulus's side and Sirius leaned down to inspect the damage.

"What happened?" James asked, looking down at the boy in concern. Regulus grunted something unintelligible so James turned to Barty. "Quidditch try outs with first years." Barty explained.

"Hey Reg, how many fingers am I holding up?" Sirius raised his hand in front of Regulus's face. The latter stared at the hand for a minute before groaning. "Erm, trick question?" Regulus mumbled, laying back on the bed. "I think that I'm concussed." He hissed as a pain shot through his head when it came in contact with the pillow behind him.