Work Text:
FIRST YEAR
Sirius knocks quietly on the compartment door.
“Come in.” Remus answers.
“Hey Remus, first on as always I see. Um- You think we have room for one extra?”
“I guess.” Remus shrugs.
“Okay. Come on Reggie.’ Sirius enters the compartment pulling his brother behind him. ‘Reg, this is Remus. I told you about him, remember? Remus, this is my little brother Regulus.”
“Hello.” Regulus greets quietly.
“Hi.” Remus smiled kindly.
“We sit over here, and James and Pete will sit on that side.’ Sirius gently pushes Regulus into the seat by the wall. He smirks to himself and levitates his and Regulus trunks up on the racks. ‘Cool Right?” He smiles at Reggie and sits in between the two boys.
“We see magic all the time.” Regulus still smiles slightly.
“But It’s cool to actually use it huh?”
Regulus nods.
The door bangs open and James stumbles in with Peter tripping after him.
“Remus! Sirius! Uh- Sirius two?” James frowns in confusion at Regulus.
Sirius chuckles. “I told you about my brother, remember?”
“Oh yeah!’ James smiles brightly. ‘Lovely to meet your acquaintance, Baby Black.” He bows jokingly.
Regulus huffs a laugh. “Hello.”
“This is James, and Peter.”
Peter waves meekly.
“So, how was summer?” James asks them all.
----------
A small tug on his sleeve pulls Sirius out of his conversation.
“Yeah?” He asks Regulus quietly.
“W-what happens if I am sorted into Gryffindor, like you? Mother won't be pleased.”
Sirius frowns and tilts his head. “But you're a snake Reggie through and through. We know this. It’s okay, I’ll come see you so much you’ll get sick of me.”
“I know.’ Regulus frowns back. ‘But just what if?"
Sirius sighs. “If you are sorted into Gryffindor, I’ll handle Mother. She’ll blame me anyway. Cissa would never let any of the Slytherins hurt you. We would move you into our room, I’m sure we can convince Kingsley to switch.”
“Okay.” Regulus says quietly and goes back to his book. Sirius wraps an arm around his shoulders and Regulus lays his head on his chest.
----------
Sirius drops Regulus off with the first years and tells him to enjoy the boat ride.
“Black, Regulus.” Professor Mcgonagall calls.
Regulus loses sight of Sirius as the hat slips over his eyes.
“Ah! Yet another Black. I see. So there should be another-”
“Wait.’ Regulus said right before the hat yelled out. ‘Can-can you put me in Gryffindor?”
The hat is quiet for a moment. “In all my time, no one who has fit into Slytherin house so well has asked for something different.”
“I want to stay with Sirius.”
“I'm afraid that's not how this works.”
Regulus glares. “It will work like this, or you will stop working altogether. Is that clear?” He painted a very clear picture in his mind.
“Touchy, Touchy. I hate being wrong, but for you, and me, I will be so Regulus Black. So it shall be GRYFFINDOR!”
The hall sat in shocked silence. Professor Mcgonagall pulls the hat off his head.
“Go on, Mr. Black. I believe there's an empty seat next to your brother.” She directs.
Regulus chances a glance to the Slytherin table as he walks away. Cissa is frowning at him in disappointment, Andy has a small smile, and Bellatrix looks like she's trying to start him on fire.
Professor Mcgonagall calls up the next student as Regulus sits next to Sirius.
“What happened?” Sirius put a hand on his shoulder.
Regulus looks down at the table. “I don't know what you mean.”
“Reggie.” Sirius says sternly.
Regulus looks up sheepishly. “I may have implied the hat would stop working if it didn't put me in Gryffindor.”
A slow smile works its way onto Sirius’ face. “You threatened the hat into putting you in Gryffindor?”
Regulus gives a little shrug. Sirius and his eavesdropping friends all burst out into laughter. Mcgonagall calls out to them to start behaving when James falls off the bench. Regulus smiles slightly.
----------
“Kingsley.” Sirius greets as they enter their dorm room.
“Sirius.” Kingsley nods.
“What do you think about switching things up a bit?’ He pulls Reggie out from behind him. ‘This is Regulus, my little brother. How would you feel about switching rooms with him?”
Kingsley's jaw drops. “R-really?” He asks with tears in his eyes.
“I mean- yes?’ Sirius frowns. ‘B-but we like you plenty! It doesn't mean anything against you, I promise!”
Kingsley sniffles and rushes over to shake Regulus' hand vigorously. “Thank you, you kind brave soul. I’ll never be able to repay you.’ He levitates his still full trunk behind him. ‘IM FREE!!!” He yells running out of the room.
Regulus raises an eyebrow and the other four boys frown at each other.
“We’re not that bad.’ James stomps his foot. ‘We never even played a single prank on him.”
Remus sighs. “James, you and Sirius consistently ruin his homework and interrupt his sleep while experimenting.”
“If my homework gets ruined I’ll cut off your hair in your sleep.” Regulus glares at James and Sirius.
“Oh hush.’ Sirius ruffles Regulus' hair. ‘I’ll put charms over your stuff. Mother would have my head if I corrupted you any more than I already have.”
“Do you think she knows yet?” Regulus asks, hopping up on his new bed.
A red envelope flies through the open window, the hoot of an owl fading.
“Yeah.’ Sirius sighs and steps in front of Reg. ‘I’d say she knows. Sorry in advance for everything she’s about to say, Mates. I’m afraid you’re what she hates.”
“REGULUS ARCTURUS BLACK, FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF YOUR FOOLISH BROTHER…”
SECOND YEAR
Sirius grunts as he sits down gingerly touching his torso.
“I’m sorry.” Regulus whispers.
Sirius sighs. “It’s not your fault.” He tries to smile at Remus when the boy frowns at him.
“Yes it is. She did this because I forced my way into Gryffindor.”
Sirius sighs again because yeah, but. “Mothers actions are her own. She's also had a full summer to find new reasons to be mad. I for one am glad you forced your way in. I told you I would handle Mother and I am, and will continue to do so. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“Here.” Remus hands Sirius a vile.
“What’s this Re?”
“Pain potion. It should last into the afternoon tomorrow.”
“Why do you have pain potion?”
Remus stutters looking in between the two.
“Probably to deal with the massive headaches you and your friends give him.” Regulus looks at Remus too knowingly for his liking.
“Oi!’ Sirius complains sufficiently distracted. ‘They’re your friends too.”
“Only because you forced me out of the library. And all it got me was my first detention.”
“Aha!’ James exclaims bursting into the compartment. ‘But you had fun with the prank on Snivellus and you know you did.”
Regulus lips twitch up. “I concede it was amusing watching him freak over a little bit of goop.”
“Hi Reg.” Peter waves.
“Hello Peter.”
---------
Remus waits outside the dorm room. “Regulus.” He grabs half the stack of books the young boy acquired already.
“Thank you.’ Regulus smiles. His face falls at the worried look Remus wears. ‘I won't tell them. I don't know how they haven't figured it out, but I won't tell them or give them any reason to think I know anything.”
Remus relaxes. “Thank you.” He turns to enter the dorm.
“Remus.’ Regulus stops him. ‘I think- well if you did want to tell them, they wouldn't think any differently of you.”
Remus tilts his head. “You dont think differently of me?”
Regulus shrugs. “I think it's Ironic your name means wolf wolf.”
Remus chuckles. “Thanks Reg. I-um I’ll think about it. Telling them.”
“NERDS!” James, Peter and Sirius start chanting when they walk in with Regulus’ books.
THIRD YEAR
“Remus are you alright?” Sirius asks as he packs their trunks away for the ride.
“I'm okay. Just my illness acting up again.”
“Do you need more pain potion?” Regulus asks gently.
Remus smiles tiredly. “I’ve already had as much as I can.”
“Hellooooo 4th years, and Reg of course.” James smiles.
“Must you always barge in like that?” Regulus raises an eyebrow.
“I don't know if he knows how to enter a room in any other way.” Peter answers.
----------
“How long have you known?’ Sirius closed the curtains and put up a silencing charm. ‘About Remus.”
Regulus hesitates. “My first year. You know I track the stars and moon much more than you. Promised I wouldn't say anything.”
“That where he is tonight?” Sirius asks.
Regulus nods. “He says Madam Pomfrey has a place where he goes.”
Sirius hums and bites his nails.
“Have you taught yourself a nervous tic?” Regulus nods at his hand.
“No. Used to do it when I was younger, you were just a baby. Trained out of me of course. Purposefully did it until it became natural again.”
Regulus pulls on his cropped hair. “How long does it take your hair to grow out? It always seems to come back right after we get here, even though she cuts it when we're home.”
Sirius leaves the bed and comes back a few seconds later with a vile. “Hair-growth potion, take it in front of a mirror, don't take too much or it’ll grow until your feet. Where are the books about animagi in the library?”
“Fifteen rows down over to the right three shelves- ish. Why?” Sirius just leaves again. Regulus leans out of his curtains.
“James, Pete. Let's go on an adventure.”
“Sirius, it's almost past curfew.” Regulus calls.
Sirius smiles. “Yes and? Are you coming or not?”
Regulus frowns. “Just get me what I need. I told Remus I’d come visit the hospital wing at sunrise.”
“Salut.” Sirius waves.
“Salut.” James tries in just horrible French.
“Uh-Bye.” Peter smiles.
Regulus sighs and pulls his covers around him.
FOURTH YEAR
“Moony, Moony, Moony.” Sirius sings as the enter.
“Padfoot, Baby.” Remus smiles.
Regulus scoffs. “Just because everyone thinks I'm sleeping with all of you, and my animagus is a baby lion, that won't grow, that does not mean my nickname has to be Baby.”
Sirius raises a hand. “All All of us?”
Regulus nods with raised eyebrows. “All All of you.”
“Ugh.” Sirius gags.
“I'M HERE!” James throws his arms out.
“You’re a 5th year, aren't you done with this?” Regulus sighs.
“Never Baby.” James winks.
“Remus, the other prefects said to tell you you have to meet in two hours.” Peter pushes James in the rest of the way.
“Thanks Pete.”
----------
“Uh- well you see Moons, what I mean is…”
Regulus leans out of his curtains. “He wants you to fuck him into a mattress then take him out for Ice Cream before you pet his hair.”
“James said the dorm was empty!” Sirius says with wide eyes.
“Prongs' brain is empty, and he was talking to Evans, why would he pay attention to any bloody thing else.”
“Oi! Just because-”
“Sirius stop fighting with your brother, I believe you were trying to tell me something, or was he wrong?” Remus smirks.
“No! Not wrong!” Sirius squeaks.
“I’ll teach you that charm you’ve been wondering about.” Remus looks past Sirius.
“This is why you're my favourite.” Regulus grabs his homework. He kisses Remus cheek as he leaves just to hear Sirius noise of indignation.
FIFTH YEAR
“My Moonshine.” Sirius smiled brightly.
“Don't Moonshine me.” Remus glared with his arms crossed.
Sirius cringed. “Remus.” Regulus tried.
“Don't Remus me either. We’ve left, with uncle Alfred, write when we can. Two Months You two!”
“Mother would’ve found us. She wants Reg back. Alfred managed to keep us hidden but she was monitoring all forms of communication.”
Remus sighed. “I’m glad you're gone. I understand you couldn't contact us.” He uncrossed his arms.
Sirius smiled and straddled his lap.
“You could at least put your trunk up.” Regulus rolled his eyes.
"Mmm." Sirius hummed, running his hands through Remus' hair.
"Oh Thank Merlin." James pulled Regulus into a tight hug. Regulus hesitantly hugged back.
James pulled away just to tackle Sirius who still didn't leave Remus' lap.
"Hi Baby." Peter also pulled Regulus into a hug.
"Hey Wormtail."
----------
A knock sounded on the door. "Oh' James jumped. 'That'll be Lily, told her to stop by. She can come in, right?" He looked around.
Peter nodded. Remus shrugged and Sirius rolled his eyes but nodded.
"Baby?" James tilted his head.
Regulus shook his head. "It's fine I guess." He mumbled.
James pulled the door open with a smile. "Hey Evans."
"James. Peter. Remus. Blacks." She sat next to James with a smile.
"Hi." Peter mumbled.
"Hey Lily." Remus smiled, albeit a bit strained.
"Evans." Sirius saluted from his spot now spread across Remus lap.
Regulus just hunched in more and focused on his book.
Lily raised an eyebrow at James who just gave her a small smile then looked over at Reg with a concerned look.
"Chocolate Frog Baby?" James asked.
"No thank you." Regulus said stiffly as Lily opened her mouth to answer.
"Uh-' She hesitated. 'You call him Baby?" She asked.
James nodded innocently. "Wormtail, Moony, Padfoot and Baby. Isn't he adorable?" He reached across to ruffle Regulus' hair.
Regulus slapped his hand. "Keep going and Baby will bite your hand off."
James gasps. "Baby would never betray me like that."
Regulus hummed and went back to his book.
James flopped into Sirius' normal seat and sprawled himself across Regulus. "Take it back.' He whined. 'Baby would never."
"Only time will tell." Regulus said airly.
"So Regulus, what are you reading?" Lily asked kindly.
"A book." Regulus answered.
James snorted. "Don't worry Lils. Reg doesn't like anyone. If I didn't know better I would say he tolerates me."
"Then I guess you don't know better." Regulus flicked James' ear.
"Oh hush, Baby. You love me." James sat up to kiss Regulus temple before taking his seat back.
----------
"Thank you." Sirius whispered head between his knees.
"I'm not going to let you throw away the best thing that ever happened to you because you lack impulse control." Regulus says surprisingly gentle.
Sirius sniffed and lifted his head. "Are you going to tell him?"
Regulus sighed. "I should, but I wont. And neither will you. To anyone. Snape won't even know what I stopped. So whatever guilt you have, get over it now." He sat on the floor next to Sirius.
"I'll deal with it. I won't come close to hurting him ever again."
"Good."
"You know' Sirius started a few minutes later. 'You could borrow some of my lack of impulse control to deal with James."
Regulus avoided his eyes. "James has what he's wanted, he's happy."
"If you've seen the same dimmed smiles I have then you don't believe that."
"To be clear this is the one and only time I will blackmail you with this, shut up about it."
"There's the snake I love." Sirius pulled him in and kissed his hair.
A while later they dusted themselves off and left.
"You need to believe me." James said in the tone of voice they knew to mean he was on the verge of losing it.
"He doesn't talk to me James, neither of them.' Lily said. 'Even Peter talks. How can you expect me to believe they're not blood purists when all they do is look at me with distaste?"
"I've told you.' James said, a step closer to the edge. 'Sirius is protective of us and suspicious of people we bring close and Regulus doesn't like anyone. And I expect you to trust me when I tell you they're not."
"I cant James, okay. They're Blacks and somehow have managed to blind you to that!"
And there goes the cliff. "You Have No Idea!' James yelled. 'You know nothing about them. You don't know how hard they've had to fight to not be blood purists! Especially Regulus, when every fibre of him has been shown and taught to Obey his parents or suffer. And Sirius has gone through more than you can even fathom just to be himself. I know exactly whose blood they are, and that is a reason I love them even more, because they fought to get out. I know that I don't suffer all the effects of blood purist, but I know who is one and who isn't. How is Snape?"
"That's not fair James." Lily said quietly, voice cracking.
"Why? Because you know him? Well I know Sirius and Regulus, and they are part of my everything, a part of me.' James scoffed. 'The fact that you think I would even consider being friends with a blood purist above the age of 13 shows me how much you trust me."
"Above 13?" Lily questioned.
"I told you, you know nothing about what Sirius and Regulus have gone through. Yeah it might take one or two years after exposure to unlearn what Children have been taught, but I'm willing to give them a Chance. Because someone has to break the cycle."
They hesitantly peaked around the corner. James put on a convincing but fake smile when he saw them.
"Padfoot! Baby!"
"I should go." Lily cleared her throat. She reached a hand out to James who took a step back and shuffled his feet uncomfortably. She dropped her hand and walked away without another word.
"Did you mean that?" Sirius asked quietly.
"Mean what?" James chuckled nervously.
"You love us more for whose blood we carry?"
"Yeah' James rubbed his neck. 'I've heard enough, seen enough of your guys' nightmares. You guys would've had a much easier life if you did what you were supposed to."
"Easier maybe.' Regulus whispered. 'But not better."
James smiled a real small smile and pulled both of them in a hug.
SIXTH YEAR
Mr. Black,
Although it is unprecedented, all of your professors have agreed to have you in their 7th year classes pending exams for each class during the first week of school. Provided you prove you have the necessary knowledge to attend 7th year classes you will be expected to learn all that was taught in the first week.
Best regards, Professor McGonagall
“I’m fine Pete.’ James smiled slightly as he came in. ‘Yes, we broke up, yes I was sad. But I was more disappointed in the situation than anything.”
“I just worry.” Peter answered quietly.
“You always worry, you little worrier.” Sirius ruffles Peter’s hair fondly.
“Oh, because you never worry about anything…” Remus gives a pointed look to Regulus.
“About that’ Regulus bit his lip, ‘I got this a few days ago. I didn't want to tell you guys until I knew it was possible.” He held out his letter and Remus and Sirius read it first. Remus mechanically handed it to James while they stared. James and Peter joined in on the staring ten seconds later.
James smiled brightly and tackled Regulus to the ground in excitement. Regulus grunted as three more bodies fell on top of them with excited screams.
“This is a little excessive.” Regulus said dryly.
“You’re a genius Reg.” James said joyfully.
“I’ll be a dead genius if you don't all get off me, it's a little hard to breathe.”
They all pulled away and were smiling brightly at him.
“How’d you even come up with this?” Remus asked, pulling him up.
“Studying with you mostly. I keep up with all the material, and just get bored in my classes because I already know it. I didn't see a reason to stick around by myself for a year to learn what I would already know. I Owled McGonagall at the start of summer.”
“Is that why you had your head in books all summer?” Sirius asked.
Regulus nodded, sitting back in his seat.
“Awwww.’ James started with a teasing grin which earned him a preemptive glare. ‘Baby’s all grown up.”
Regulus shot a stunner at him and the others laughed while James dove to the floor to dodge it.
-------
“...And Sirius already said it was okay, I asked.’ James groaned. ‘Ugh. Shouldn't be this hard, I asked Lily out hundreds of times. Reg. Reggie. Regulus. Baby? No, probably in the wrong context this time.” James' face planted into his pillow.
Regulus peaked out of his curtains with a curious half-smile. “Regulus Arcturus Black’ James said muffled. ‘You are the prettiest boy I’ve ever seen. I know we all call you Baby, but I don't want to call you Baby because of your Lion. Though he's adorable, even when he nips at my heels because of animal instincts, thank merlin he's not old enough for sharp teeth. I want to call you Baby cause you're mine. I've talked to Sirius, he's threatened me with bodily harm and then approved of me asking you on a date. I've never felt pride like the day you passed your entrance exams. Not because you're the first to do it, but because your brain is as beautiful as the rest of you.
You choose at such a young age to stick by your brother and rebel against your family, even if you didn't make it as loud as Padfoot. I think that’s when I started to fall in love with you. I just didn't know it then. I realised about a whole 3 days ago, but I’ve felt like this for a lot longer. I love you, and not like Lily. It’s not infatuation and childish dreams. I know you're kinda an arsehole on your best days, and I still love you. And I know you can be downright cruel on your worst days, but I still love you even if you sometimes make me cry those days. I know you're trying to stop making us cry. I want to love you freely and loudly, sorry I know you like the quiet, love you with all I am, although if you say no I might need some time to not do that. And it's probably too soon to say I love you considering I’m supposed to ask you on a date not confess my love.” James yelled into his pillow.
Regulus squatted down and laid his chin on his arms on James' bed. “Or you can tell me you love me, then we can go on a date.”
James screamed and rolled off the other side of the bed. “Ow.” He said quietly.
Regulus laid out on James bed to look at him on the floor. “You’re so stupid.” He said with an adoring smile.
“Thanks?” James tilted his head. His eyes widened.
“Kiss me before you freak.” Regulus said sternly enough James moved on autopilot kissing him softly, gently cupping his face.
James pulled back with wide eyes. “You kissed me! You said yes?’ Regulus nodded. ‘You said yes. YOU SAID YES!!” James ran out of the dorm repeatedly screaming he said yes.
Regulus rolled his eyes and flopped back into the bed with a smile. A loud bleating came from downstairs and he sat up stiffly before rushing to follow the sound.
----------
Regulus sat under James’ arm in between him and Peter instead of his normal seat. Sirius didn't complain as he spread across the bench with his head in Moony’s lap. Sirius whined nudging Remus’ hand. Remus sighed and started to pet Sirius hair, still mainly focused on his book.
“What are we gonna do now?” Peter asked.
“We’ll stay at my house until we find a house then we can all move in together.” James said.
“I’ve picked one, you guys are horrible planners.” Regulus said, absentmindedly sketching James hand on his leg.
“How much is it?” Sirius asked, eyes closed.
Regulus hesitated. “Doesn't matter. I blackmailed Mother for it.” He said quickly. The compartment went tensely silent.
Sirius hummed. “With what?”
“Um- the party with the minister when we were little. I cut myself Kreacher wasn't around and you couldn't heal it.”
“She was curcioing him into blocking the new creatures bill wasn't she?” Sirius says evenly.
“Yes.”
Sirius hummed again.
“Siri?” Regulus asked shyly.
Sirius peaked an eye open. “You think she didn't send me a letter asking what the hell you thought you were doing?” He closed his eyes again.
Regulus cringed. “You didn't-”
Sirius groaned as he sat up. “I didn't what? Blow up at you? And call you a fucking idiot? Don't see the point, you already knew it was fucking stupid to contact her after almost two years.” He looks at Regulus blankly.
“I-”
“What’d she say? Just curious. She say nice things? Tell you she’s proud of you? Tell you if you go back all will be forgiven?”
Regulus shuffled nervously under his brothers knowing stare.
“Do you know I’m continuously terrified of that?’ Sirius' jaw clenched barely. Regulus frowned in confusion. ‘That one day they'll contact you and you’ll think there's still a possibility that they’ll love you, or they’ll treat you better.’ Sirius' eyes shine with tears. ‘You didn't get the same treatment as me, even when you were sorted, you don't hate them like I do. And as much as I’m happy you don't have to carry that with you, the absence of it scares me.”
“I don't plan on contacting them again.” Regulus said weekly.
Sirius nodded. “And what did she say?” He persists.
Regulus bows his head. “That they understood you influenced me into Gryffindor and running away and that if I returned, everything would be forgiven.”
“And you didn't say anything until it was forced out of you. What if next time you don’t say anything until it's announced in the papers Second Black Son is Rehinheritated by House of Black.”
“I wouldn't-” Regulus tried weakly.
“You can put on a mask better than anyone I’ve ever seen Regulus, but you can't turn emotions off like the rest of us can, they make you vulnerable.”
Regulus bit his lip for a minute. “So next time I want to blackmail mother tell you and let you do it?” He hesitantly looks up.
Sirius groans into his knees. “That's not funny.”
Regulus smiles slightly. “Yes it is. You're just still mad at me.”
Sirius huffs and stands up. “C’mere.’ He opens his arms and Regulus steps into them hiding his face in his brother's neck. ‘You’re right I am still mad at you.”
“Okay. When will you forgive me?”
“I don't know. Let's say five days, I’ve kept my mouth shut for a while.”
“Okay.”
Marauders House
“Sirius!” Regulus calls.
“What?!” Sirius yells back.
“Put your fucking silencing charm back up!”
There's a pause. “Sorry!” Then blessed silence.
James chuckles as he walks in with tea and biscuits. “You could put up your own charm to block it out.”
Regulus glares. “Not until I teach him some bloody discretion.”
James just has to kiss the glare off. “Where’s Pete?”
“Work, he’ll be home in a few hours.”
“We could put on our own silencing charm.” James kisses his jaw.
“But you just got me tea.” Regulus protests half-heartedly.
“I’ll put a warming charm on. Be great for after.”
Regulus groans slightly as James sucks at his collar bone and rubs his thigh. “Deal, Shite, Deal Deal.”
James chuckles and picks him up by the thighs and wordlessly and wandlessly levitates the tray behind them.
“Fuck."