Regulus Black/Marauders Era Oneshots

So Soon

Regulus had begun to talk to his brother again, and when he has to go back home, Sirius makes sure he knows he's welcome at the Potter's. Regulus didn't think he'd have to over there as soon as he did.

Tw: abuse

Regulus had begun to talk to his brother after he left. For a while after Christmas, Regulus wanted nothing to do with Sirius. Sirius had selfishly left Regulus alone with the creatures they have for parents, but he quickly realized that Sirius had it a lot harder than he did. He realized that Sirius had taken every punishment with no argument; he had even taken Regulus'. Regulus grew to respect Sirius. He realized that, had Sirius not left when he did, there was a high chance he would've died. Regulus couldn't help feeling slightly abandoned, but after a few months, he began communicating with his brother. Over the last months of the school year, Regulus was introduced to his brother's friends. He began hanging out in the Gryffindor common room. He ignored the anxiety that tried bursting in his chest; the thought that his parents have got to know he's talking to Sirius.

Eventually, he found himself relaxing next to his brother, and his friends. He began taking naps when they had a particularly late night the day before. He found himself letting Lily braid his hair. He let James take care of his curls. Remus offered to, but he was quickly forced to do Sirius' instead.

He almost forgot about his parents until Sirius brought it up after their exams were finished. "You know, if you ever need to, you are welcome to come to the Potter's. Euphemia really wanted to show up at Grimmauld Place and get you. I had to convince her not to. I didn't know if you would've came with her or not, and I didn't want Walburga to hurt her." That had hurt Regulus. He had to admit it hurt that Sirius didn't want to come back and get him, but he understood why. All he told them was that he would come if he absolutely needed to.

He didn't know that he'd show up so soon. He had bid them goodbye on the train before hurrying in front of them to get off separately. He looked around for a second before a hand gripped his shoulder roughly, and they instantly apparated away.

Before he could register what was happening he was thrown to the ground. "You have been associating with Sirius and his gang of blood-traitors! I cannot believe you!" Walburga screeched. He winced feeling his wrist crack from the impact on the ground. He knew he should say something, defend himself in some way.

"I am so disappointed in you, Regulus. Have you learned nothing from your brother's mistakes? Would you like to be disowned as well, huh, would you, Regulus?" Regulus knew they were empty threats. Without Regulus, they would have no heir. Before Regulus replied with anything, he heard his mother mutter something, and Regulus was hit with the most pain he'd ever experienced. Regulus jammed his mouth closed. He tried not to scream. He tried to take it, but after a few moments, Regulus could think about nothing except how nice death would be. 

Eventually, everything stopped. "Take your things up to your bedroom, Regulus. Now." Walburga stated before walking away. Regulus listened to her heels tap against the ground as he tried to stop the shaking of his body. Slowly, he forced himself to get up, and he carefully brought his trunk up the stairs. His mind completely blank, he forgot for a moment that he could just use magic to bring it up the stairs. He took out his wand. His arm shook as he maneuvered his trunk up the stairs. He collapsed on his bed once he got into his room.

His muscles were still twitching by the time Walburga called him down to dinner. He spelled away any dust that could be on his clothes from the floor earlier. He held tightly on the stair rail as he walked down the stairs. He felt a pain shoot up his right hand, and he grimaced. He tried ignoring it. Before he could enter the dining room, he was cut off by the family house elf, Kreacher. "Young master, Regulus, take this." The elf placed a small bag in his hand. "It is the floo powder. Master Regulus must use this before it gets bad. Master Orion is really upset with Master Regulus. Master Regulus must be prepared to leave if he needs to." Kreacher then disapparated without another word. Regulus quickly tucked the small bag into underwear. It could be seen clearly in any of his pockets.

He walked into the dining room, and he almost tripped. His cousins were here, with the exception of Andromeda. He instantly straightened his back, and he walked straight to his seat. He ignored most of the conversation during the night. He ignored the glares from Walburga, Orion, and Bellatrix. He had to use both hands to drink out of his glass, as his wrist was most definitely broken. Eventually the dinner came to an end, but no one began to get up.

"Regulus, we would all like to talk to you," Orion began.

"Your family is very disappointed with your actions in the past year, and- sit down." Walburga started with a sharp voice. Regulus had got up. He promptly walked from the dining room. He stood in front of the entryway fireplace.

"Stop, silly boy!" Orion bellowed. Regulus turned, and he saw everyone following him from the room.

"You're right there was a lot I didn't learn much from Sirius' mistakes, but I learned a lot more than you think I did. I learned that no matter how hard I try, no matter what I do, I will never be good enough for you. I also learned that, sometimes, leaving is the only option." Regulus took a handful of floo powder. He threw it into the fireplace.

As he stepped into it, he heard yelling from the people behind him. He yelled out "Potter Manor" at the same time his mother shouted "Crucio".

As Regulus began twisting through the pipes of the floo network, his body felt like it was on fire. He shouted into the never ending floo network. He crumpled to the ground when he came out of a fireplace. The spell hadn't worn off yet. He continued shouting because the pain wasn't stopping. He knew it should be stopping because he wasn't in that hellhole anymore, but he was hit with it in the fire. He inched away from the fireplace with all he could. He saw the green flames in the fireplace still. There was a red glow in them too. Regulus was about three feet away from the fireplace when the flames went out, and the pain finally stopped. Regulus wanted to melt into the carpet.

There were footsteps slamming on the floor around him, but he couldn't make himself look to see who it was. He stared absently at the ceiling of the place he was now in. He heard shouting. He thought he heard his name.

Soon enough, a face appeared in front of him. Sirius. Regulus felt tears appear in his eyes. He reached up with twitching arms, and he was instantly brought into a tight hug. He felt sobs burst from his chest. He gripped onto his brother, hoping that he could somehow make the pain he was feeling go away. He felt Sirius place a potion to his lips, and he drank it without even thinking.

Regulus woke up feeling like he just got hit with a bludger. He groaned, and he began to open his eyes. He flinched, feeling a hand immediately attach to his. His eyes burst open, and he was met with messy hair and a worried smile. "Hey, Reggie, how are you feeling?" James. Regulus just brought his arms out in front of him, and he was captured in another tight hug.

Regulus could feel the twitching and shaking of his limbs. His head felt like it was going to explode, and his chest hurt because he was no longer a Black.  He felt tears gather in his eyes from both relief and pain. He could no longer be the heir he was raised to be, but he also didn't have to be the perfect son they expected him to be.

James pulled away, and Regulus saw his eyes were also glassy. Regulus' mind was going a mile a second and he didn't know how to stop. The only thought that he could make out was James looked really pretty, looking at him like that. With no self control, Regulus sat up, and he pressed their lips together. Regulus instantly flinched away. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thin-" He was cut off by a soft kiss to his forehead.

"No, no, don't worry about it, Reg. We can talk about it once you've rested more." James slowly ran his fingers through Regulus' hair. Regulus felt himself relax in James' arms. "Here, drink this." James slowly placed a potion to Regulus' lips. He drank it quickly. Regulus hugged James as he quickly fell back to sleep.