Ever the Same

Chapter Twelve: Seaton Sluice

Regulus's wand was out and at Severus's neck faster than the others could react, with Severus's eyes only slightly widening. 

"What a surprise. So glad to see you back stateside, Severus."

"Where's Lily?"

But a fuming Sirius answered first. "I don't see how it's any of your concern, Death Eater."

Snape's eyes narrowed as he pushed against Regulus's wand, attempting to surge forward. "You don't know anything, Black."

It had been years since the war. Years that the Black brothers had spent together, even if most of it was spent bickering. There was a comreiderie between them that rivaled any other bond that the two shared with others, and Regulus could feel it flare within the moment. 

Regulus pushed against Snape's chest with his forearm, shoving him back and pointing his wand directly at Snape's heart. "You have ten seconds to tell me why I shouldn't kill you."

The restraint, for Regulus, was new. He would attribute it to working with children.

James, though, had not spent the last years around children. He had spent it around Death Eaters, Dark Lord Sympathizers, and lowly criminals. Because of this, it wasn't all that shocking as he surged forward, grabbing Severus by the collar and punching him in his nose.

Blood gushed from it immediately, but that didn't slow James down. He laid into Severus, letting out every ounce of frustration he had been feeling in recent days, even if it had nothing to do with him.

He was angry at Snape for obvious reasons.

Punch.

He was angry at Lily for endangering herself.

Punch.

He was angry at the fact that everything was beginning to have an effect on Harry. 

He was angry that for just a split, selfish second, he thought that maybe he could have a normal life with Regulus Black as his partner.

Remus was the one to finally pull James off Snape, leaving the former laying on the ground with a broken nose, a chipped tooth, and a severe black eye. 

"Careful, Prongs. You're an auror."

"Not today, I'm not," James almost growled, spitting at Severus's feet. 

Regulus placed a hand silently on James's shoulder, seemign to try to convey something to him silently. And it appeared to work, with James shoulder's lowering but slightly as Reg spoke.

"We need to see what he knows. Then, we call the aurors."

"As if! I vote we take care of him ourselves!" Sirius seemed to be steaming, given that he had not had the opportunity to lunge at snape first. "The Ministry won't give him a harsh enough punishment!"

Regulus's spine straightened, and the look on his face was as reminiscent of the old Regulus that James could remember. It drummed up a feeling within him, remembering the days of camping out and fighting Death Eaters together. 

Specifically, he remembered the night in the field. They had fallen asleep in the grass together, looking at the constellation that held Reg's namesake. The Heart of the Lion.

"Please, Sirius," Regulus scoffed. "You and I are some of the last surviving members of The most Noble and Ancient house of Black. Prongs, over here," he gestured with his head, trying to hide the smirk that played on the edges of his lips. "Is the head of the Potter family. If we need him, we'll get him."