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Regulus showing up at the Potter Mansion was the last thing that James expected during their summer between 6th and 7th year. But he did. He did show up, a large bruise on his jawline, his hair messy, and his normally put-together clothes rumpled and loose on his body.
James immediately pulls him into their arms, guiding the younger further into their house and onto the couch in the living room, calling out to his parents. Effie is in the living room almost immediately and she rushes over while James lowers themself and Regulus onto the couch.
“Oh dear, what happened?” The woman asks, kneeling in front of the two of them, “Regulus, darling? Are you okay?”
“No… She-” Regulus breaths, leaning further into James’ body heat, “She learned about James and got… upset. She kicked me out.”
“Can I run a spell on you to check for any wounds?” Effie asks, pulling out her wand. She casts the spell when Regulus nods and hums a couple seconds later, “Alright, it doesn’t look like you have any internal wounds. Only bruises and we can take care of those. Have you eaten recently?”
“Yeah, I had lunch not long ago.”
“Alright then,” She pats his shoulder gently, “I’ll let you run off with James, if you need anything feel free to come to me.” Regulus nods and the woman presses a kiss to James’ head, telling them something that Regulus can’t hear before walking out of the room.
Once she’s gone, James turns to him, “Do you want to come lay down with me?”
The younger nods, “I could use a nap.”
“Of course, love.” And with that, James helps their boyfriend stand up and pulls him up the stairs and into their bedroom. They dig around their closet and pull out some clothes for Regulus to change into before starting to crawl into their bed, waiting for Regulus to finish with his clothes and lay down with them.
When he does, James immediately pulls him to their body, running their hands through his hair and humming a soft tune to help him calm down a bit.
“Where’s Sirius?”
“Out with Remus. I’m sure mum will tell him that you’re here when he gets back. I don’t know how long he was planning to be out, though.” Regulus hums his acknowledgement then goes silent once again, leaning into James’ body as much as he can.
Eventually, the two of them are lulled into a sleep and when they wake up, it’s to yelling happening downstairs. James immediately pushes their body up and starts getting out of bed, apologizing to their boyfriend when he whines about the loss. The two of them make quick work of getting downstairs when the yelling starts to get louder, rushing towards where it’s coming from.
Only to see Effie standing up to Walburga in the doorway. Effie is much shorter than the latter woman, likely a foot shorter than her with Walburga’s heels that she insists on wearing, but the way that she holds herself makes it impossible to tell. Sirius is standing in the living room, watching the two of them as well, though his gaze started flickering between the two women and Regulus when he noticed that they arrived.
“If you do not give me my sons, I will be contacting my lawyers.” Walburga screeches in Effie’s face, though the shorter woman doesn’t flinch.
Instead, Effie stands up taller and takes a step forward, making sure to still block the entire doorway in case Walburga makes an attempt to get inside her house, “Contact your lawyers all you want, Black. You disowned your first born and you abused your second when you learned that he was in a romantic relationship with my child. Not to mention the times that both of your children have come running to either myself, my husband, or my child beaten, bruised, and crying after what you did to them. I’m also not sure that your dearest Ministry would enjoy hearing about not only the abuse that you put your sons through, but also about the work that you’re doing with one Dark Lord, would they, Walburga.”
Walburga sneers, learning down to get in Effie’s face, “You dare threaten me in-”
“In your own house?” Effie asks, cutting her off, “Dare I remind you that this is my house. This is the Potter Manor, not your own. I have given you and your husband several warnings before to not step foot onto my property any more, therefore not only are you threatening me, you are also trespassing onto my home and I can, and will, get you removed if you even think about touching me or any of my children.” Then the woman turns into the house, her eyes landing on James, “Darling, would you mind fire calling the aurors for me?”
“Of course ma.” James nods, smiling at their mom. They turn to the living room and start walking towards the fireplace.
“Wait!” Walburga screams, backing up, “Don’t call them.”
“I won’t if you leave this property and do not step foot anywhere near this place every again,” James sneers, changing course so they’re walking towards where their mom is in the doorway, “And if I ever hear that you even looked at Regulus or Sirius, the aurors won’t be the only thing you have to worry about.”
Walburga scoffs and glares at Effie, “Are you going to let your son talk to me like that?”
Effie laughs, cruel, “Oh please, Black. I fully support my child. In fact, both my husband and I will be right behind them when they do come for you. Now, I think it’s best that you see yourself out before I do.” And with that, she slams the door shut. The four can hear Walburga let out a very undignified screech through the door before she seemingly apparates away
Effie sighs and shakes his head, “I’m going to have to talk to Flea about getting more spells up around the house.” Then she pulls James into her arms and presses a kiss to their temple, “Thank you for helping me with that wretch. Now, what do you kids want for dinner? Fleamont should be home from his meeting soon.”
And now, both Black brothers were well aware of Effie’s protective streak, and they were both fully aware that she was where James got it from, but neither had ever expected the sweet, warm Effie to get in the face of Walburga without flinching and threaten her point blank.
Sirius laughs, bounding towards where the woman disappeared into the kitchen, “You’re so cool, mum.” Which makes said woman laugh, this time bright and ringing clear like a bell with no trace of the cruelty of her previous laughter.
Meanwhile, James makes their way over to Regulus, pulling him into their arms, “You’re safe now, love.”
“I have no doubt of that.” Regulus smiles, pulling James into a kiss that they’re more than willing to return with love.