Harry Potter Character Oneshots

Protector (Regulus Black M. E.)

Being friends with the Marauder's may have seemed a bit strange to someone on the outside, given that I was a couple of years younger than them. It all began when Sirius took me under his wing. Like him, I was deemed a Gryffindor when I came from a family of pure blooded Slytherin's. The first letter I ever got at Hogwarts was a howler from my father, calling me a disgrace to the family. I didn't know what the letter was, so I opened it in the middle of the Great Hall at breakfast. It was the most embarrassing thing I had ever been through at the age of eleven.

Tears streaming down my face by the end of the scolding, I got up and ran out of the eerily silent hall. I ran as much as I could until I found a quiet area, slid down the wall, and buried my face in my knees to try and quiet down my sobs. I had no idea someone had followed me, let alone that person being Sirius. I felt someone slide down the wall beside me, wiping my eyes quickly I looked up and realized that an older boy was sitting next to me. He wasn't looking at me, he was looking straight ahead, and had a solemn look on his face.

"I was in your shoes a couple of years ago, little lion. I came from a family line of Slytherin's, my parents weren't happy about it either."

"Have your parents gotten over it, Black?"

Looking a bit shocked that I recognized who he was, he sent me a small smile. "No, they haven't and I don't believe they will, Gaunt."

"So you remember me?"

"Hard to forget a sweet girl like you, you are the only one who was able to break Regulus out of his shell."

I gave him a small smile, "I don't think my father will get over it either."

Sirius wrapped his arm around my shoulder, giving me a slight squeeze, "Well, you've got loads to look forward to. You can stick by me as long as you want."

*****

Three year time skip

Running through King's cross as quickly as possible before the Hogwarts express left, I threw my luggage onto the train. As I reached for the rail to help pull myself up, a hand shot out to grab onto one of mine. Helping me onto the ledge, I thanked the person that helped me.

"Thank you so much" I said breathlessly, before looking up and choking on my words a bit.

"You should probably be a bit more on time, Gaunt" Regulus said with a slight smirk.

Rolling my eyes, "I wasn't trying to be late, Black."

"Then why were you?"

Startled by the question, I looked away, "I overslept"

"Really?" He looked over me before meeting my eyes, "because your parents were here dropping off your brother, with plenty of time to spare."

I knew he saw the shock on my face, but I quickly hid my emotions behind the mask I had developed over the past few years. "I overslept, Black. Now, are there any other invasive questions you would like to ask, or can I go find my friends?"

He met my gaze one last time, trying to read me as quickly as he could before he inclined his head for me to leave. I quickly grabbed my luggage and dragged it down the carriages until I found the car the Marauder's were in. Remus opened the door giving me a smile as he reached for my luggage to stow above the seats.

"Thanks Remy"

"What took you so long little lion? You almost didn't make it"

I sat down in between James and Sirius as he threw his arm over my shoulder to pull me into a hug.

"Just overslept Siri, nothing crazy"

"You're a right liar, you know?" He whispered

I rolled my eyes, giving a slight chuckle, "The parents didn't get you up, huh?"