Chapter Text
Regulus followed his brother towards the middle of the train, biting his cheek. He scanned the faces of kids who were already in their robes that didn’t have house colors around their necks or crests on their chests. He saw a kid with a hooked nose sitting beside a mean looking boy he recognized as Mulciber, and another one, Avery, in a compartment. They both looked at him, the boy he didn’t know pointing at him. Sirius rolled his eyes.
“That’s Snivelus Snape, Avery and Mulciber. Right Arseholes they are. Come on.” He grinned at his little brother as he slid open the compartment where a kid with sepia brown skin and wild jet black hair sat beside a round, mousy brown haired boy, across from a pale redhead girl with the most beautiful shade of green eyes Regulus had ever seen. Two nearly identical twins sat on the other side of the boy with messy hair, both with rich copper skin and straight hair so black it looked blue. One had blue eyes, the other black. They were all already in their robes and Regulus noted they were Gryffindors, except for the ones who were obviously related, which just made Regulus’ stomach sink even lower. They weren’t in their robes.
“Room for two more?” Sirius asked and without waiting for an answer, led Regulus in. They put their trunks above them and Sirius sat quickly, pulling Regulus down with him.
“Where’s Remus?” He asked immediately, looking out the clear door that led into the corridor of the train. Regulus looked with him, and then elbowed him subtly. “Huh? Oh, right. Regulus, these are some of my friends– James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, and Lily Evans.” He recognized two of those last names– Potter and Pettigrew. Purebloods, but what his Mother called Blood Traitors. The others, he had no idea of their legacies.
“Hi Regulus, I’ve heard so much about you!” Lily smiled and stuck out her hand. Regulus hesitated before shaking it. Sirius just grinned at him.
“Sorry, Evans, he doesn’t like physical contact much.” He explained and Regulus blushed. Lily Evans was pretty. Very pretty.
“And these two are Citali and Cyrus Holt!” James exclaimed, grinning. Holt, more blood traitors. “Our families are close, and Pete and I figured they could sit with us since they’re first years.” Regulus met eyes with the one with black eyes, trying to remember which one was which, though a voice in his head asked why he was even bothering, considering they were Traitors, but he pushed it aside and instead was trying to be polite.
“I’m Citali. Everyone calls me Catali. I have longer hair than Cy.” The one with black eyes said, Regulus nodded, hiding his surprise at the unfamiliar accent. He also noticed that Citali had a sharper jawline and Cyrus had a tooth gap.
The door slid open again, and Sirius visibly perked up when a tired looking, lanky boy with curly dusty blond hair stepped in, already dressed in his robes. Another Gryffindor.
“Remus!” Sirius pulled the boy down into a hug, which almost squashed Regulus who scooted away.
“Jesus, Sirius!” He laughed. He had scars on his face, and Sirius pulled away, looking him over.
“Gods. What happened?” He asked, surveying his face. Remus’ ears went red. “Was it that bad, Moons?” He whispered, barely loud enough for Regulus to hear and he was less than a foot away. Remus seemed to hear it just fine. He assumed the boys’ full name was Remus Lupin, as he had heard Sirius mention the name before, and he spoke very fondly about him, so Regulus assumed he was alright.
“Rather not talk about it, yeah?” He was Welsh, which surprised Regulus slightly. Sirius frowned but accepted it. He pulled away, straightening. “Lils, the girls are looking for you, next compartment over.” Lily grinned and stood, embracing him before saying her goodbyes. Before she left, she looked at Catali, Cyrus and Regulus.
“Good luck, I hope you get whatever house you want!” And then she was gone.
“What, the girls got their own compartment without us?” Sirius frowned.
“Yep. Mary, Alice and her boyfriend, Frank, Marlene, Dorcas, and now Lily.” James explained, “I’d imagine it’d be a bit crowded with all of us.” Sirius turned to Regulus.
“You’ll get to know them. They’re all Gryffindors, except for Dorcas, she’s in Slytherin.”
“What house do you think you’ll get, Regulus?” Cyrus asked, and Regulus was once again surprised by the accent.
“Slytherin. Maybe Ravenclaw.” He said quietly. “What about you?” He added after a beat of silence, trying to not appear as awkward as he was.
“Gryffindor for this one,” Cyrus elbowed his brother, “He’s always been the bravest of all of us.” Catali blushed and rolled his eyes.
“Cy’s probably gonna get Hufflepuff.” James threw out and Cyrus swatted him.
“There’s nothing wrong with Hufflepuff, James.” Catali sighed as if they’d had this conversation before. “All houses are respectable.” Regulus was intrigued by this boy. All houses being acceptable? What an interesting view for a pureblood to hold.
“Maybe you’re the hufflepuff, Catali.” Peter laughed.
“But in all seriousness, Cyrus is definitely a Slytherin,” James said and Peter was quick to agree with him. “He can be very sly.” Cyrus rolled his eyes.
“Don’t be upset because I get caught doing pranks less than you two.” He teased and Regulus tilted his head. Pranks? Wasn’t he afraid of his parents finding out?
“Wait, won’t you two be upset if you’re in different houses?” Sirius asked and they looked at each other, a little confused with the question.
“At first, probably, because we’re so used to always being together, but we’re still brothers, aren’t we?” Catali proposed with a gentle smile and Regulus tried to ignore the fact that his heart was pounding against his chest, those words ringing in his head.
We’re still brothers, aren’t we? Regulus looked at Sirius, who looked back at him and smiled softly.
“Yeah.” He answered and Regulus felt himself relax. As long as Sirius actually listened to those words, he doubted their relationship would decay.
“We’ll definitely still hang out at every given chance, though! I’m not letting him get away that easily,” Citali smiled and rolled his eyes when Cyrus flung an arm around him.
“Why do you think you’ll get Slytherin, Regulus?” Regulus blinked in surprise. That answer should be obvious, shouldn’t it? He was a Black. Didn’t the Holts know about their reputation? They were the oldest Pureblood Wizarding Family, Sirius was an outlier.
“There has only been one Black since the formation of Hogwarts who was not in Slytherin.” He reminded, but their eyes both just widened as if this was news to them.
“Who?” They both said at the same time.
“Me!” Sirius proudly pointed at his robes, which sat in his lap. He was ready to change into them it seemed. “I’m in Gryffindor. Mother didn’t like that much.” He grinned.
“Cool. Our family hasn't been to Hogwarts in nearly two hundred years.” Cyrus boasted and it was Regulus’ turn for his eyes to widen.
“You were homeschooled?” Sirius asked, fascinated by this piece of information, which Regulus couldn’t deny, he was too.
“Well, not exactly. We’re from America. Our family went to a school in America, we attended a muggle elementary school-- uh, primary school. We moved here when we were 8, and then we met James and his parents, and then Peter and his.” Catali explained. He seemed to be far more calmer and relaxed, more relaxed than his twin who was more dynamic and lively. “Our last ancestor to attend Hogwarts was a Ravenclaw.” He added.
Remus hummed, “My dad was one too, but my mom’s a muggle. He’s a pureblood though.” Regulus felt his breath hitch. A Halfblood? Sirius was best friends with a halfblood?
“Mine were Gryffindors.” James supplied. The door opened and Lily stepped back in, looking at where Remus sat.
“Hey, I forgot my bracelet here.” She said, and Remus stood, looking for it. He found it in between the wall of the compartment and the seat. “Thanks, sorry for interrupting.”
“You weren’t interrupting!” James beamed and she rolled her eyes at him. Sirius and Peter grinned at each other, Remus chuckling and rolling his eyes as if Lily Evans being annoyed with James Potter was a common occurrence. Regulus wouldn’t be surprised if it was, James Potter was very dynamic, and it was a bit overwhelming. He predicted if he ever did find himself hanging around him, their personalities would clash a lot.
“We were talking about what houses our family members have been in. What about yours?” Lily smiled gently at Cyrus.
“I’m a muggleborn.” She said and Regulus felt his heart freeze, and he felt a bit nauseous. “Thanks again, Re.” She left again and Regulus looked at his brother, tugging on his sleeve. He glanced at him.
“Un sang de boue?” Sirius’ eyes widened and his head whipped around to face him.
“Non. Muggle-born. Ne dis pas ça. C'est insultant.” Regulus blinked in surprise. James frowned.
“You’re friends with mudbloods?” Regulus whispered, confused. Cyrus and Catali both gasped loudly.
“Regulus!” Sirius gasped. Remus, Peter and James were both sitting forward, eyes narrowing at him.
“Forgive him. He’s never met a muggleborn. He’s like me at the beginning of first year, give him time.” Sirius said quickly, glancing at him.
“But Mother says--”
“Mother’s wrong, Regulus, okay? Lily’s a good person, and she’s real talented. She’s an example that blood has nothing to do with how good at magic you are.” Regulus frowned again, head spinning. “Okay?” Regulus just blinked, and Sirius glanced at the others, before sighing.
“Regulus–” Regulus recoiled slightly when Remus addressed him, unused to half bloods speaking to him. “Sirius was confused at first, too. You’ll understand blood lineage doesn’t determine how powerful a wizard is, alright? It’s actually not that important to most people.” Remus smiled gently, as if he was used to prejudice.
“Yeah. It’s really not important, alright?” Sirius told him and he swallowed and nodded, trying to process this information. He wasn't a big fan of change, and this literally challenged everything he was taught. “Alright?” Regulus huffed and rolled his eyes.
“Yes, mum.” Sirius shoved him.
“Shove it.” He rolled his eyes back and when Regulus shook his head and turned back to the book he had waiting in his lap, he saw Sirius, ever so childishly, stick his tongue out at him. He elbowed him in the stomach and got shoved again.
“Let me read, Tête de noeud.” Sirius gasped and dramatically put his hand over his heart.
“You wound me.” Regulus ignored him.
“I didn’t know you two spoke French,” Peter said, and Regulus was half listening, focused on his reading.
“It’s Father’s native language and Reg was born right around when they began teaching me, so it’s like his first language.” Sirius shrugged, “I think it’ll be good for when people realize how attractive I am. That way I can flirt.” Regulus pretended to gag and Sirius swatted him.
“Unfortunately, I think you’ll be waiting forever on that one, brother,” Regulus said mildly, as he continued to read. The others laughed but Regulus ignored them. He was good at that, he often did it at the Balls his Parents dragged him too, so he would be able to get through it without feeling like he wanted to rip his ears off because everything was too loud and too much.
He read as the others continued to talk until eventually, Sirius nudged him.
“Reg, you want any sweets from the trolley?” Sirius asked, and Regulus looked up, and his eyes lit up when he saw the sweets.
“Tu peux m’apporter du chocolat?” Sirius grinned and nodded, ordering chocolate frogs and honeydukes chocolate for them. He let Regulus take what he wanted, and he swung his legs back and forth happily, biting back a smile. Sirius ruffled his hair and for once he didn’t care, too absorbed in the fact that he had chocolate, one of the few things in life he genuinely enjoyed. One of Sirius’ friends, Peter maybe? Regulus already forgot his name, was about to say something, likely teasing, but Sirius shot a withering glare as well as a kick to his shin.
Regulus realized himself and immediately stilled, going stiff. He looked at everyone's face and immediately mumbled an apology and lowered his eyes back to his book. Sirius sighed as Regulus pushed the chocolate away and busied himself reading.
The compartment fell quiet for a while, until Remus brought up the fact that there was another Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, and they fell back into conversation. Regulus read until Sirius nudged him again.
“Reg, it’s time to change.” He said and Regulus nodded.
“Can someone get the blinds?” Remus gestured his hand at the compartment door and the blinds fell down. Sirius beamed at him while the Holt twins’ jaws simultaneously fell open. Regulus hoped he was hiding the look of shock present on his own face because James Potter and Peter? looked rather ridiculous with the looks of utter shock on their faces.
“Remus, you did wandless magic!” Remus looked rather surprised by it himself.
“I didn’t mean to.” He looked sheepish.
“You’re such a good wizard, Ma lune.” Regulus looked at his brother like he was crazy. My moon? Gods, Regulus knew Sirius liked his new friends, but really? Calling him an endearment like that in front of others? Had he forgotten all they were taught?
Regulus brushed this aside and changed into his robes as quickly as possible while the Holts and his brother did the same.
All was fine until Citali tripped and Regulus, without thinking, reached out and caught his sleeve, catching him. He knew he shouldn’t have immediately but he didn’t regret it for some reason. They met eyes and it was like everything else froze around them as they just stared, steely, hardened silver eyes meeting soft, gentle black ones.
“I think you’ll be the clumsiest Gryffindor in history, Tali.” Cyrus teased but Citali was still staring at Regulus, who couldn’t look away for some reason. He swallowed and forced himself to look away finally and sat back down, muttering how he should be careful. Citali seemed to realize himself and sat down too.
“We can’t be more than twenty minutes away,” Remus stated and a burst of anxiety gripped Regulus in a tight fist. He almost began to bite his nails but scolded himself and they remained at his side.
“Siri, can I talk to you in the corridor?” He muttered and Sirius’ eyebrows furrowed and they went out to the small hallway.
“What if I get put in Slytherin?” He whispered. Sirius blinked.
“I thought you didn’t care what house you got in?”
“I don’t. You do.” He nervously wrung his hands, biting his lip. “I don’t want to lose you. I-I want us to stay the same.” Regulus admitted, despite feeling childish. Sirius sighed.
“I don’t want to lose you either. It’s like Catali said, we’re still brothers, alright?” Regulus nodded.
“Then we’ll be fine, okay? Je t’aime, petit frère.” He smiled at the warm feeling in his chest and was about to respond when someone called out to them.
“Oi Black!” Both of their heads turned to meet eyes with Avery, Mulciber, and Snape. Instinctively, Sirius put himself in between his little brother and them.
“What do you want, Snivellus?” He barked, and Regulus was surprised. There were few people Sirius reserved this disdained tone for, and Severus Snape, someone Regulus had heard of once or twice by Sirius, apparently made that list.
“That the Spare Heir to the House of Black? Let us have a look!” Regulus’ jaw clenched. He did not like the tone of which they were speaking to his brother about him.
“Piss off, Mulciber. Let me talk to my brother.” He rolled his eyes, but didn’t move.
“You think there’ll be two disappointments to their family name–” Regulus stepped out from behind Sirius with angry eyes.
“I’m sorry, who are you?” He asked and Sirius sent him a warning glance.
“Avery, Snape and Mulciber. We’ll be happy to show who's the wrong sort– those traitors and mudbloods your brother hangs out with– and more.”
“I think I can do that myself, thanks.” He replied dryly. Their eyes narrowed and Regulus arched an eyebrow. “Any other boring conversation topics you wish to bring up or will that be all?” They opened their mouths, but Regulus tilted his head and Mulciber scoffed and led them off.
Sirius sighed and shook his head, about to head back in but Regulus grabbed his arm, whispering back his answer.
“Je t’aime aussi, grand frère.”