Chapter Text
Sunday, July 27th, 1975
James Potter was sleeping when he heard the noise, it was quick and quiet but still audible. It took him a second to realise that it’s three in the morning and no one should be trying to get to his house - via floo anyway.
He quickly got on his trousers and headed down the stairs to where his fireplace would be.
He almost barfed at this sight.
Sirius,
Covered in blood,
With his 14 year old brother in his arms seemingly clutching to the last bit of life he had.
It was awful seeing Regulus like this.
One word echoed around his head ‘helpless.’
He looked helpless.
The few encounters they’ve had, he’d been shy and kinda sad, but not helpless. He always seemed to stand up for himself if Sirius - or anyone for that matter - had ever given him shit.
But here, now, you could barely recognize him.
His head began spiralling,
‘What happened?’
‘Why are they here?’
‘Did she hurt them again?’
But before the questions got too bad he heard the voice of his best friend and snapped back to the situation at hand.
“You just gonna stand there or are you gonna help?” Sirius said without humour, his voice sounding strained.
He’d never really seen Sirius like this either, he thought, but couldn’t finish it because he needed help.
He quickly turned off the floo network and then went to get his parents for help.
Euphemia Potter always had a soft spot for Sirius Black. He didn’t mind it though, most adults in his life that he wasn’t related to just saw him as another spoiled Black who thinks he’s better than everyone.
James has to admit,
Sirius did think he was better than most people, but you couldn’t really help it when you’re good at everything on the first try.
James always thinks when there’s some new spell or potion Sirius has to do that:
‘ This’ll be it, this’ll be the time that he can’t do it.’
James knows it’s stupid and petty, wanting someone to fail, but Sirius isn’t modest about it, he is overjoyed every time, without fail.
It used to really annoy James, how righteous he was, but eventually realised that it was like 50% of his personality and learned to live with it, and to love it.
But here, now seeing him with such uncertainty in his eyes about his brother, this was the first time that he thought that something was really, really wrong.
As much as Sirius doesn’t like to admit it, he loves his brother.
And as much as Reg doesn’t like saying it back, he does too.
Monday, September 1st, 1975
James isn’t as happy as he thought he would on the way to Hogwarts. This trip was always the best because it’s usually the first time he speaks to Sirius over months, but now, all he can think about is Regulus. Regulus who had finally had the strength to stand up to his parents and protect his brother. Regulus who could have died when he blocked the curse. Regulus who has to go back to the Slytherin dorms where he can’t protect him.
James noticed that the time that Regulus had been at his house, he kept his distance, never wanting to intrude or be impolite, never wanting to create any reason he had to leave. Eventually, Sirius had convinced him to hang out with them one day after dinner. And after that the three of them hung out for the rest of the summer, playing small games of quidditch when Peter came around, goofing off in town doing whatever, sometimes Sirius even convinced him to have a sleepover in James’s room.
One time when Remus had come over he and Regulus spent the entire time nerding over some new books that Remus had bought at Diagon Alley a week before.
Over that time they spent together, James had grown quite protective over the younger boy, not wanting to ever see him hurt ever again. James brushes it off by reminding himself that he feels that way about all of his friends. But deep down, he knows it’s something different.
When he realised that they might have to go back to that horrid house with those horrid people, he felt a pit in his stomach. His parents said they’d try their best to get custody over them, but hadn’t heard any news about it since.
When they arrived at Hogsmeade station, the pit grew bigger when he saw Severus Snape walking towards him and the rest of the Marauders.
James rolled his eyes as he obviously wanted something.
“What do you want, Snivellus?” James said, like he had just made the funniest joke ever, though, the hysterical laughter of the rest of the Marauders in the background didn’t make it seem as though it wasn’t.
Snape made an angry face and became slightly red before letting out an angry huff and took a breath:
“I’m not here for you,” he said, eyeing the rest of his friends looking for the smallest in the group of 5th years. When he saw Regulus he pointed, “you. I’m here for you. You need to come with us.” he said, looking back at two other 5th year Slytherins.
“Like hell you are.” James said, trying to figure out who to look to.
“James-” a small voice erupted from the crowd.
“No, I’m not gonna- they can’t- why-” James stuttered to find an answer that would justify how he was feeling, not being able to make sense of why he can’t just let him go.
“James.” Sirius’s voice interrupted the void of endless thoughts that had been circling in his head for weeks. “We have to let him go.” Sirius said reluctantly. “We can’t do anything anymore.” Sirius sounded almost bitter. He turns to Regulus, “be safe, and don’t stay too long, and always be around someone you trust, Okay?” Regulus nodded.
And with that, Regulus went with Snape and his goons reluctantly and slowly as they all gradually made their way to the mediaeval castle that they call home.