Antlers On His Back

The Potter Family

It was an unspoken decision; Regulus coming to the Potter's that summer. Regulus and James were sat together in a train compartment, waiting for Remus and Sirius. Regulus was on James' left side, and James was sitting against the window. Regulus and James have slowly figured out how to navigate without James' right eye which has now completely clouded over. James told Regulus a few nights ago that he can sort of see lighting of things right in front of him, but nothing other than that. At this point, James accepts the help when Regulus offers it. Such as, Regulus walking on James' right side, while holding James hand, so James still knows he's there, acting as James right eye. He makes sure James doesn't bump into anything, or he doesn't run into someone when they turn corners. Things that they never would've thought of, but have happened so much that James accepts the simple help.

That's another thing, James has progressively gotten better with asking and accepting help. It's still a little shaky with Sirius and Remus, not wanting to ruin their image of him, Regulus suspects. James has asked Regulus for help many times, and he no longer complains when Regulus goes to help him with something.

When Remus and Sirius walk in, they instantly collapse into the seat across from Regulus and James. "The girls wouldn't let us come to you, James," Sirius says dramatically. Regulus rolls his eyes; it was likely the other way around.

Regulus leans his head into James' shoulder, and he watches the conversation start and pass. He observes them the whole train ride back to the station. Eventually, Regulus feels the train come to a stop, and his heart begins speeding up. He looks frantically to Sirius. His parents are going to be waiting for him; he never told them he wasn't coming home. He just simply wasn't going to go back with them. It had seemed simply then. Sirius seems to understand Regulus' worries because he stops everyone from leaving the compartment.

"Okay, Walburga is going to be here waiting for Regulus, or at least, someone will be. We need some plan, so that Regulus gets to Effie before Walburga gets to him," Sirius states. Regulus feels light headed. This isn't going to work.

"I'll get off first, and I can have my parents get closer to the train," James offers. Regulus instantly goes to protest, not wanting to be away from James like that.

"Good idea. I'll go with you then afterwards I can find my mom," Remus says. Regulus looks to Remus, who gives him a small smile.

"Okay, and I'll stay with Regulus. Now, take your things and go, you two." Regulus sits back down, and he watches as Remus and James take their stuff down. He watches as Remus slips next to James like Regulus would've. He watches as James grimaces slightly like he wouldn't have if it was Regulus instead. Regulus takes a deep breath as they walk out the door. Sirius goes to the window to watch James and Remus find Euphemia.

Regulus lets his head drop into his hands. He chest is full of anxiety. "They found Effie and Fleamont," Sirius narrates. Sirius steps away from the window, and he begins getting his stuff down. Regulus takes a another deep breath before standing to do the same. Before he can begin to reach up for his trunk, Sirius is already bringing it down.

"Thanks," Regulus mumbles. Sirius gives him a smile. He squeezes Regulus shoulder as he goes over to look back out the window.

"They're right at the train door, Reggie. Time to go," Sirius states. He looks back to Regulus with sympathetic eyes.

"Yeah, Yeah," Regulus rolls his eyes, forcing his growing anxiety down. It doesn't work very well, but Sirius is already walking out of the compartment. Regulus is only a second behind.

Regulus hands shake as they walk into the platform. Instantly, James is at his side, and He feels someone else on his other. He looks up to see a copy of James, Fleamont. Fleamont gives him a small smile before taking Regulus' luggage from him. Regulus is too surprised to protest. They walk quickly through the crowd. Regulus keeps his head down, hoping not to be noticed. James slips his hand around Regulus which helps Regulus calm slightly. He can see the fireplaces getting closer. As Euphemia sends Sirius through the fire, James' grip on him suddenly tightens. Regulus knows what that means. He turns his head in panic to Fleamont, his eyes are sharp as they stare down whoever had come for Regulus. They walk until they're right in front of the fires.

"Excuse me, I think that's my son you're surrounding," Walburga's voice cuts through. Regulus looks to Euphemia, who gives him a small nod. The next second, Regulus is running into the flames. "Potter manor," Regulus almost yells. He closes his eyes tight as his sucked through the system.

When he's thrown out of the fire, he quickly checks where he is. He sighs in relief when he meets his brother's worried eyes. "She was there, but I just ran into the fire," Regulus explains. Sirius instantly pulls him into a hug. It's so tight that Regulus can hardly breath. Regulus doesn't tell Sirius to stop though. He just let's his head fall onto Sirius' shoulder.

Regulus tenses as the fire doesn't sound again. He holds his breath as more time goes by. He jumps when it abruptly sounds. He looks back to find the three Potter's on the floor. Regulus rushes to James' side. He checks James over once before bringing him into a tight hug. He arms are wrapped around James so tightly that he's sure it's slightly painful, so he lets up slightly. He feels James' arms pull him even closer. He relaxes into James.

"I love you," James whispers. Regulus smiles slightly.

"I love you too," Regulus whispers back. They sit like that until Euphemia clear her throat.

"Were any of you going to tell me about the scar across my sons face?" Euphemism asks with a raised brow. James looks at her confused.

"I thought you would've know," James states. When she shakes her head, James takes a deep breath. "Well, um, me and Sirius had gotten into a fight with someone that, uh, hurt Regulus, and Snape ended up sending a curse at me. It cut my face, uh, and my, um, right eye." Regulus can feel James' hand shake against his, which have just stopped shaking. He connect them, hoping Euphemia doesn't mind.

"Oh, James, honey, is your- can you not see out of your eye?" Euphemia sounds alarmed. "Is that- Is that why it's white?" Regulus feels Euphemia's fear. It's soaking the room.

"Uhm, yeah mum, I can't really see out of that eye anymore. I thought someone would've told you already. I had to- you know, I had to quit quidditch," James says quietly. Regulus watches as James' fear grows little by little. Regulus puts his hand against the back of James' neck, and he rubs his thumb back and forth against the side of his neck.

Regulus hears Euphemia walking towards them, so he quickly scoots away from James. Euphemia quickly wraps James in a tight hug. She's whispering in James' ear. He watches as James' eyes water slightly. He watches as Fleamont also joins the hug. Regulus looks around for Sirius. He gets up, and he sits next to his brother. He follows Sirius gaze to look back at the Potter's. James is now crying is his parents' arms. Regulus heart constructs slightly.

"Do you ever wonder what we would've been like had we been raised by anyone else?" Sirius whispers. Regulus reaches for Sirius' hand. He squeezes it.

"Yeah, sometimes, but I don't think I'm too disappointed with how I ended up," Regulus admits. He sees hesitancy is Sirius' face.

"I feel like I am missing pieces," Sirius whispers once more. Regulus wraps an arm around Sirius. He brings their head together.

"Sometimes, I feel like that too." After Regulus says that he sees James look up at them. James uses one of his hand to wave them over. Regulus watches as Sirius gets up with no hesitation. Regulus slowly makes his way over to them. Sirius hugged Euphemia from the back. She's clearly his favorite. Regulus slips himself directly next to James. Fleamont instantly wraps an arm around Regulus. Regulus feels himself relax. He leans into Fleamont. He might be Regulus' favorite. Regulus wraps his hand around the back of James' neck once again. He feels James relax even more under his touch. Regulus smiles brightly as Sirius grips his other hand. He feels like he belongs. He feels the comfort of Fleamont as if he was his own parent, and he is with his brother and his boyfriend. Regulus let's himself relax into the hug. He let's himself feel safe in all the arms.