Will we survive?

Part 4: The train ride

Finally the day had come. The boys we're going back to school and summer was over. They left the Potter's house with nostalgia. Nostalgia of summer, of life, of firsts but also nostalgia of Hogwarts, of their friends they longed to see, and of the fun they would and have had. They also carried fear with them. A fear so great, Regulus could have easily stayed home.

Euphemia and Fleamont apparated with the boys to King's Cross station. They boarded the train after hugging the parents warmly. The train was already full even this early in the morning. It was scheduled to depart at 11 but most students eager to go back to Hogwarts and see their friends would ask their parents to bring them earlier. The Black brothers and James had arrived around 9. James found an empty cabin at the back of the train and motioned for the brothers to come join him. Walking down the hallways Regulus kept his head low, and some students were whispering. They had probably heard about him running off to the Potters.

Even if he loved coming to school and had supposedly amazing friends, wizards were still extremely judgmental. Most people would say it's because they are teenagers and humans. Of course it's in human nature to judge people on everything they do, even have opinions of others without meeting them. Wizards judged your every move more than anyone. There was always an impending war and the houses didn't help with that. You are what your house is. If you're a slytherin you are expected to act like one. The second you step a millimeter outside of line you can get your house, your second family on your back. Your family name is your identity, you step in their steps all the way until the end. Everything has rules and they can be helpful because once you understand them you understand this world very easily, there is no confusion. But for people who step out of the line wizards will be vicious.This knowledge, if we can call it that, Regulus carried around him so he kept his head low until he reached the compartment.

He looked out the window for a while seeing other students arrive on the platform.It was now 9:30 and more students were arriving. Parents saying bye to their kids flying off to see their friends, showing the new suitcase they had, the brand new quills, the owl their parents gifted them or the new broom they recently bought hoping to get in their respectful quidditch team. Regulus reached for his book and read until the train departed. When he finally looked up from the compartment had a couple new faces.

Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Lily Evans, Marlene Mckinnon and Dorcas Meadowes had invaded the personal compartment in Regulus' opinion. There they were talking and catching up with each other including Sirius and James. No one seemed to care that he was with them and let him be. He liked their indifference. No it didn't make him feel valued but it was better to have to endure snide remarks and whispers from other students. 

It didn't seem that anyone noticed he had stopped reading which allowed him to analyze everyone and the group's dynamic. James kept talking to Lily with this god awful attempt at what seemed to be flirting. His dialogue seemed to repulse Lily and James was failing miserably. Sirius was glancing at Remus but kept up a lively conversation with Dorcas and Marlene showing off and making jokes about, like his true self. Remus was quite quiet sitting next to the door reading or writing, maybe both, he'd blush anytime Sirius glanced at him and would settle in such reverie it wasn't sure if he was aware of his surroundings. Peter was trying to impress everyone and was really trying hard to be as effortlessly funny as James and Sirius. 

"What are you reading?"

Regulus hadn't realized that Lily Evans had sat besides him.

"Umm a book?" He wasn't sure if she was actually being genuine with her question.

"Of course silly, I meant what book are you reading?"

"Uh- no- I -no- I know what you meant. I- I'm sorry." He stumbled over his words. Kindness wasn't something he was used to. At least not from others than the Potters and Sirius.

"It's okay, don't worry. I understand." She looked at him with her eyes filled with empathy and genuine kindness. She understood what he felt without him having said anything. " So what's the book? Is it good?"

"Not really, it's the hardcover complete version of Louis May Alcott's Little Women." Regulus was comfortable talking about books. They were his escape when things were hard and his way to deal with his anxiety.

"I'd never think it would be the type of book you read."

"I always enjoy a classic. I like to know what people read before and why these books are still read today. The best way to do that is to read books."

Lily saw how relaxed he became and the passion started to spark in his eyes. "Why don't you like it?"

"I like the ideas in the book but I don't think it's very interesting. It's quite boring and just tells the story of four girls growing up. I understand how relatable it can be even today and from a historical point of view you get to learn a lot about civil war times in America. I prefer stories where you can't put the book down because there are so many cliffhangers and you can't wait to see what is going to happen next. You can still learn so much from those."

Lily and Regulus discussed and debated on books for a big part of the train ride. Regulus felt at ease with Lily and was glad they could talk about a subject he rarely got to talk about. Lily was as passionate as him and really listened to him .He almost forgot the racket happening around him. In front of them, Sirius observed them with a brotherly smile happy his brother had made a friend.