What If? Year 1

Chapter 51

"Marigold Potter!" Regulus's voice slices through my mind. I open my eyes and Regulus is standing over me. I look up to him. 
"Yes?" 
"Where going to have some fun." 
"That's what everybody has been saying." He yanks me by my arms. 
"Come on!" I sign and get up. I follow him out to the courtyard. 
"How far can I go from the castle?" 
"I don't know! We're going to find out!" I shake my head and continue to follow him. He takes me to the Whomping Willow." 
"Do you want us to die?" I scream at him. 
"I'm already dead, and you won't get hit, calm down." 
"Harry and Ron almost died after they crashed into it with a car!" 
"I forgot that they did that, bloody hell." He shakes his head and grabs my hand.
"Follow me." I follow right behind him and we make it to the trunk. There is a hole in the trunk and we go down into the hole. 
"Where the hell are we going?" I ask, and Regulus shushes me, "Answer me." He continues to lead me through a tunnel until we get into a house. 
"Where are we, Regulus?" 
"Only seven people, now eight, know how to get in here." 
"Where are we?" 
"The Shrieking Shack." I look at him and shake my head. 
"What are we doing?" 
"You'll see." 
"Stop being so ominous and tell me!" I send him a glare and he smirks. 
"You're so adorable when you get angry." 
"Shut up." He sits down on the dusty floor and motions for me to join him. I set with my legs crosses. He moves himself so that he is right in front of me. He holds his hands out to me. 
"What are you doing?" 
"I know you saw that memory of Sirius and I. I want to try and show you something more." 
"What, you knew?" I ask, anxiety rising into my throat, "Oh Reg, I'm sorry. I did really even know I could..." 
"It's fine. I saw you next to my reflection in the mirror." Heat touches my cheeks. He reachers towards my hand. I meet mine with his. 
"I want you to close your eyes and take deep breaths. The rest is my job." I nod and close my eyes. 
1234, breathe in. 5678, breathe out. 
The quietness of the Shack slowly morphs into bustling noise and loud voices.  
"Make us proud, son. And stay away from your no good older brother."
"Yes, ma'am." The tiny voice makes my eyes snap open. I am not seeing from young Regulus' eyes, like I was last time, but instead I am standing besides him. 
"Choose your friends carefully too, no mud-bloods." The large stern lady talking to Regulus spets the slur from her mouth. Tiny Regulus only nods, sadly. I notice Sirius with my father, Remus, and a young boy I do not recognize. 
"Now, run along and find Narcissa. She and Bella will take good care of you." Regulus nods and I he tries to hug his father. 
"No, Regulus. Not here. I'll see you for Christmas." Regulus grabs his trunk, which is the same size as him, as starts to drag it to the train. 
"He's so small," I whisper. Young Sirius rushes over to him. 
"Let me help you, Reggie." Regulus shakes his head.
"They're gone already, Reg. Drop the act and let me help. You're going to hurt yourself." Sirius grabs the trunk from Regulus. 
"Siri..." 
"If you'd like, you can come sit with me and my buddies." 
"No, Siri.. I'm going to find Cissy and Bella." 
"I really think you'll like my friends, Reg." 
"I'll see you at the feast, Sirius. I'm sorry." The elder looks sad, but smiles and ruffles the younger's hair. 
"Find friends." The teasing makes Regulus roll his eyes. Regulus hops up into the train, on a mission to find his cousins. Two red-headed girls are in the first compartment Regulus opens. 
"S-sorry," he stutters out, shutting the door back. He hears the two girls giggle. 
The scene speeds up. 
"Hello! May I sit with you on one of the boats?" One of the red-headed girls was standing besides Regulus. I look up at her, trying to hide the surprise on my face. She looks just like me, but she had freckles. Regulus seems mesmerized. 
"S-sure. I'm, umm, my name is Black, Regulus Black."
"Oh, you're Sirius' brother!" she says, "he came in and bothered my sister and I on the train. I'm Marigold Evans, by the way.. but everyone calls me Mari."  My own eyes widen and I smile.
"I'm sorry about my brother, Mari." 
"No, it's alright. He was very funny, and mostly just bothered Lily. Um, what house are you hoping to be in? My sister has told me about them, but I'm not bias to any of them yet." 
"Oh, you're a muggle-born?" 
"Umm.. yes?"  Regulus' face turns pinks. 
"Oh, I didn't realize.. I'll answer your question. My parents want me to be in Slytherin. 
"Okay, but what do you want?" 
"I don't know.. I just want my parents to be happy." 
"Well that's sweet.. I think Slytherin would be a cool house." 
"You probably don't want to be in Slytherin.." 
"Why?" 
"Because you're a muggle-born." 
"What does that matter?" 
"Umm.." -Regulus face turns bright red and he looks at his lap.- "because some purebloods don't particularly like muggle-borns. Especially those in Slytherin." 
"Are you a pureblood?" Regulus nods, sheepishly. "Do you not like me?" 
"My parents won't." 
"Well, then your parents don't need to know." Mari links her arm with Regulus and a smile appears on both of their faces. 
The scene speeds up again and slows back down abruptly. 
"Black, Regulus!"  A younger version of McGonagall smiles at the small boy walking up to the stool. She sets the hat onto Regulus' head. The sorting hat rings into my head.
Ah, yes.. the youngest of the Noble House of Black. Your brother is faring well in the Gryffindor House, and I think you will to.
"Please no... Not Gryffindor."
Not Gryffindor? Why not, your bravery will be what you are remembered by.
"No..." 
Okay...
"SLYTHERIN!" 
Regulus runs off to the Slytherin table, with a frown on his face. Other names are called as Regulus is congratulated by his cousins. My ears finally pick up Evans, Marigold. Her red hair bounces in waves as she sits down on the stool. 
"A new Evans, but like your sister, GRYFFINDOR!" Regulus sighs and looks down at his hands. 
"Don't worry, Regulus," Narcissa comforts, "you'll make friends in Slytherin.. and Bella and I will help you in what ever you need to help with." 
"Okay, thank you, Cissy." 
-Time skips-
"Hey, Regulus!" Mari's voice makes Regulus smile. He turns in his seat as Mari sits down besides him.
"Can I sit with you?" Regulus nods, interest brimming his eyes. 
"Of course.. hey, Mari? Can we be friends?"