Work Text:
_•_
Regulus was writing irritably. He could feel his magic buzzing around him with anger. His so-called dear brother left him behind in this place. Regulus will never forgive him for that. He needs a way to hurt Sirius in a way he hurt Regulus. As Regulus continued to write, someone came to mind before vanishing just as quickly as they came. Regulus paused in his writing, put his quill down, and leaned back in his chair, looking up at the ceiling. He thought back to the person who came to mind. He remembers the person quite well; he also remembers that his brother was in love with him, even if Sirius hasn't realized it yet.
Regulus knew he held some sort of feelings for the same person as his now-shunned brother. Though he didn't quite know what those feelings were. He looked over to see a picture of himself and his parents on his desk, and then something clicked. Regulus couldn't hide his manic grin. He stood up from his chair and made his way out of his room. Closing the door behind him as he went.
He stopped in front of his mother's favorite room, where she likes to have her tea. He knocks late on the door before entering when he hears a "come in.”
His mother was sitting on an old Victorian green and silver couch. The dark Victorian coffee table was in front of her with her teacup. The room bass wall color was black, and the rooms decorated were in silver and green, one wall was nothing but a window, in front of the window was a window long seat, the well behind his mother was a bookshelf, in front of her was another couch identical to the one she was sitting in, their are two victorian love seats beside the couches, a fireplace across from his mother, with a blank space for a portrait to go, on either side of the fireplaces was shelves with miscellaneous object, and other books, on either side of the door was two tapestries one of the forbidden forest and the other of the lake, the ceiling look like stars and constellations in the night sky, the floor was dark wood, with a carpet around the seating area. All in all, the room was quite lovely.
Regulus entered the room and sat down across from his mother. She gave him a soft smile, one that he returned with his manic grin. Something in her eyes seems to light with a manic gleam.
"So, my dear favorite son, how can I help you?" Her voice was soft and delicate, but there was a hint of the famous Black Madness in her voice.
"I wish to get back at Sirius for something, and I thought, what better way than to arrange a marriage?" Regulus started as he watched the gleam in his mother's eyes grow more.
"Oh? And who are we arranging?" She asked, her voice still calm but with a slight hint to the insanity beneath it.
"Mine, of course!" Regulus responded he was surprised that his face wasn't hurting by how he was grinning.
"Oh? And how will that hurt you, dear disgrace of a brother?" She asked, taking a delicate sip of her tea, her eyes growing sharp.
"You see, one of his closest friends is a werewolf. My brother has yet to realize he has feelings for him, and I know that I'm going to be Lord Black, so I will need a Submissive Bond Mate. Since I am gay, and I know this friend of his is bi, I thought, "Why not!” He won't be able to get a good steady job after Hogwarts, at least not for a while, not until we get rid of those creature laws. So I figured his family would be willing to make him my bride? He is top of his year and has a decent pedigree. After all, the wolf-blood would get rid of any muggle-blood that he once had from his mother!" Regulus explained as he continued; he watched as his mother gave him a manic grin. One that caused him to grow wider, if possible.
"Who is this boy? So I can get started on how it would be beneficial for them to have their son marry and be the submissive bondmate to the future Black Lord!" His mother said with a clap, her eyes glowing with the Black Family Madness.
Regulus knew that his eyes probably matched hers as he chuckled lightly. "His name is Remus John Lupin."
_•_
Regulus waited patiently. He knew that his betrothed was aware of the betrothal contract, but he was not aware of whom it was that he was set to marry. He also hasn't told anyone but the Evans girl. Who wasn't told anyone else either. The only reason why he knew this was because he overheard their conversation about it in the library.
Regulus knew he had to be careful. He didn't want his future husband to hate him even more than he probably does. So he waited before messaging his mother about when would be the best time to have the first official meeting between them as betrothed. So he watched and listened, and then it was the perfect time.
His foolish brother dared Severus Snape to go to the Shrieking Shack on a full moon night. Snape wasn't stupid; everyone in Slytherin knew Lupin was a werewolf, and they also knew that Regulus needed to get Lupin away from Sirius. As King of Slytherin House, the Slytherins would do what they could to help.
So when Snape decided to go to the Shrieking Shack on a full moon night, he knew he would be helping Regulars. Snape was extremely careful. He wasn't going to get hurt; he made sure of that, but Lupin and the others didn't need to know that.
As soon as Snape returned later that night, he told Regulus what happened. Regulus knew that it was the perfect time. In the morning he sent his mother an owl to let her know that this Yule would be the perfect time.
Regulus watches as Remus distances himself from the other Marauders. He watches as Remus spends more time in the library. Once it was one week before Yule, which is when Remus finally received the letter from home requiring his presence for Yule. Regulus watches as he reads it from across the Great Hall. He can see Remus pale slightly before taking a breath and relaxing. He sees Lily Evans lean over to ask him what's wrong. Regulus reads Remus' lips as he says, "I'll be meeting my Dominant Bond Mate this Yule." Evans seems to hum, patting him on the shoulder lightly.
_•_
Remus tries not to fidget as his mother does his hair. He was thinking back over everything that had happened since the beginning of the summer. About halfway through summer he learned he was going to be a submissive bondmate to a future lord. He tried to protest, saying that he was a werewolf and that no lord would want a werewolf as a submissive bondmate. But his parents had informed him that the heir and his family were aware of him being a werewolf, and that was why they had chosen him to be their son's Submissive Bond Mate.
Remus knew that no Light Families would welcome a werewolf into the family, Neutral Families didn't particularly care, and Gray Families wouldn't mind a werewolf. No, the Dark Families were known to go out of their way to get a creature into the family if they wanted one. He knew that his betrothed was going to be part of a dark family.
He didn't know which one, but he knew that his parents were giving quite the bride price for him. He also knows that his family has put quite a lot into his new dowry. He didn't have one before. But with the bride-price and how much is in his dowry, he knows that his betrothed is part of the Sacred 28; they have to be with that much money, or they are really, really well off.
He wasn't as angry now as he was in the beginning. In the beginning he was angry because he thought his only friends wouldn't want to be friends anymore once they found out. But before he could tell them, Black had done what he did. That so-called prank could have gotten Snape killed or turned, and then Remus himself would be killed for killing or turning someone. But the factor that could have gotten him killed didn't really matter to him; it's the fact that he could have killed or turned someone that was bothering him. He couldn't live with himself if he did that, if he took a life or forced someone into something they didn't want to be.
Black didn't seem to think there's anything wrong with what he did. Potter took Black's side, as he always does. Saying that no one seriously got hurt, so everything was fine, and that it was water under the bridge. Peter didn't agree with them but decided to still be friends with them, because other than Remus? They were his only friends. Remus didn't think he would have any friends after that, but Lily proved him wrong.
She had figured it out on her own earlier that year that he was a werewolf and didn't particularly care. When she had heard what Black had done, she wanted nothing to do with him or Potter. She stayed with him even after she found out about him being betrothed to more than likely a dark family. She stayed, and he hoped that whoever he was betrothed to wouldn't force him to stop being friends with her. She was aware of this possibility and was prepared for it just in case. They wrote to each other daily via two-way journals. She decided she would go home for Yule this year. She was one of the muggle-borns outside of Ravenclaw muggle-borns who followed the old ways. Remus remembered she practically begged him to teach her the culture of the Wizarding World. He was quite happy to teach her the old ways.
Remus stifled a wince as his mother pinned up his hair. Once he was considered the Submissive Bond Mate, he had to grow out his hair to the length of his thighs, as tradition dictates. He had to carry himself a certain way to give off a certain image. He has to wear certain-style clothing as well.
For today, since he's meeting his betrothed officially for the first time, he was wearing a silver shirt similar to a poet shirt. The only difference was it was tight-fitting on the torso and loose-fitting on the sleeves before going tight-fitting where the cuffs stop, and the cuffs laced up from his wrist to the middle of his forearm. He had green dragonhide skin-tight pants on, with a black skirt over it. The skirt just barely touched the floor with his black heeled boots on, and the skirt split in the front so it only covered his sides and his backside. The skirt laced up from his groin to just below his rib cage.
His mother stepped back, admiring her work. "You're done, my dear; your betrothed will be here soon." His mother said before leaving the room with a kiss on his head.
Remus sighs before standing up and walking over to the mirror. His hair was in a waterfall side braid with his hair pulled over to his right side. His hair was decorated in silver, green, and black trinkets. Looking closely, he could see that some of the trinkets looked like crows, snakes, and wolves. Shaking his head, Remus takes in the full picture of himself.
He looked regal. He never wore clothes this expensive before; they were made out of the finest of silks and cloths. He couldn't help but feel a little more anxious, a little more nervous. For all he hated the idea of being forced into marrying someone he didn't know, or if he did know them, most likely didn't like them. He wanted this to go well. He knew there was no way out of the contract; he wasn't allowed to read the contract until he and his betrothed first met. Meaning tomorrow or later tonight he'll be able to read it finally.
But one thing Remus was sure of was he would do his best to make this work. He did not want to be stuck in a loveless marriage. He refused to be in a loveless marriage.
_•_
Remus can't help but stare at Heir Black, his dominant bondmate and betrothed. This was not what he had expected. Sure, he expected a Dark Family to be the ones who approached his parents; he just didn't expect it to be the Blacks though. He just lost his friendship with Black, who was his best friend, and now he's betrothed to another. Oh, the universe must be laughing at him.
"This... is not who I was expecting." Remus admitted softly as he sat across from Regulus on a bench in his family garden.
"Oh? Were you expecting someone else? May I inquire who?" Regulus was curious as he looked at Remus, his head tilted slightly.
"Well really, I didn't have any idea who. It's just I didn't expect it to be you... or any Black for that matter." Remus admitted shapelessly it took everything in his power not to rub the back of his neck. Showing nerves like that wasn't proper for someone now in his position.
"Ah, I suppose it could be quite a shock." Regulus said his head inclined in the opposite direction from where it was originally tilted.
"How long have you known?" Remus decides to ask as he fails to hide his nerves and starts to fidget with his fingers.
"Since my first year, all of Slytherin, all of Ravenclaw, and I think the majority of Hufflepuff are aware as well. It's just mostly Gryffindors who are not aware." Regulus admits as his eyes zone in on Remus's fidgeting fingers, amused.
"Ah," was all Remus could say in response before a question popped into his head. "Will I still be able to be friends with Lily?" Remus asked, looking at Regulus with slight hope.
"I do not see why not, and if rumor is to be believed, she follows the old ways." Regulus said, and once he gets a nod from Remus, he continues. "Then perhaps I can find a fellow heir of the Dark Family who would wed her. Of course it would be someone she could get along with." Regulus said, and Remus couldn't help but relax; he could keep his friendship with Lily.
"Is there anything you wish to ask?" Remus decided it was only fair that Regulus could ask him questions in return.
_•_
Regulus looks at his friends and ponders seriously. He told his betrothed that he would find someone for Remus's closest friend, and he intended to keep that promise. Regulus debated on everything he knew of the young woman and compared it to his friends. After a while one of his friends in particular caught his attention.
'Humm, yes, that could work,' Regulus thought to himself as he continued to think over what he knew of both people. He will need to talk to Remus later, but he believes they would be a perfect match.
_•_
Regulus liked how Remus' full attention was on him, though Remus did look slightly concerned. "Are you sure?" Remus asked, looking at Regulus wide-eyed at what he said.
"Yes, I do believe it would be a lovely couple. I've already spoken to Rodolphus, and he does find Lily to be rather fetching. The fact she practices the old ways just settles the idea for him more. I'm pretty sure he's on his way to talk to her now actually." Regulus said as he sat next to his betrothed in the library.
“...I thought he was betrothed to Bellatrix?” Remus asked, utterly baffled at the situation and his conversation.
"I already talked to my mother, and I know Rodolphus talked to his father. So they have agreed to make it where Narcissa will marry his brother instead. Rabastan and Narcissa get on better anyway; as for Bellatrix, she will be marrying Lucius instead. Most everyone agrees those are better matches with personality anyway." Regulus said simply, and Remus just rubbed his temple.
"Are you sure Lily would even agree to this? I don't even believe she's ever had a conversation with the man before!" Remus said as he threw his hands in the air and slouched backwards.
“That may be true, but surprisingly they do have quite a bit in common." Regulus said, simply loving Remus's reaction to everything.
"Ugh, I'll just take your word for it," Remus said before he paused, looking back at his betrothed. "How did it go from Narcissa and Lucius to Narcissa and Rabastan and Bellatrix and Lucius? Did it make more sense to keep Narcissa with Lucius and just match Bellatrix with Rabastan instead?" Remus asked, completely baffled at how that came about.
"Oh, my mother asked my opinion on the matter since I'm next Lord Black; she figured I should have a say. She rather liked my suggestions and ran with it." Regulus responded, watching amused as Remus just sank farther into the seat, staring at Regulus, utterly baffled even more.
"...You like playing matchmaker...?" Remus questions, lightly tilting his head, slight amusement starting to fill his eyes.
"Perhaps, would that be a problem?" Regulus inquired, confused, as he stared at his betrothed, who was now utterly amused.
"Hmm, no, not at all." Remus admitted as he sat up in his chair.
_•_
"Remus! Is it true!?" Came a yell from down the hall with the running footsteps of someone Remus really didn't want to deal with.
"What, Black?" Remus inquired, turning to face Sirius Black, who flinched at the tone of voice he used.
"Is it true that you are betrothed to marry my brother?" Sirius asked, sounding and looking utterly betrayed at the idea as well as hurt for some reason.
"I do not see why that should bother you that I am." Remus responded, looking at him in confusion, tilting his head slightly.
"I—we—you can't marry him!" Sirius stuttered over his words before he demanded Remus.
"One, why shouldn't I? And two, I don't have a say in the matter. The contract was made by our parents over summer. I did not know or get a say in the matter, and three, you don't get a say after everything that happened." Remus responded, trying to keep a hold of the invisible mask he had on.
"I-I-ugh,” Sirius was utterly and completely lost for words as he tried to gather himself, unnoticed by him but noticed by Remus that his brother was approaching from behind him. "Because I love you!" Sirius finally shouted, causing Remus to pause and stare at him dumbfounded.
"You had one hell of a way of showing it." Remus responded, at a loss for words for anything else to say.
"I know, and I'm sorry. Give me a chance to make it up to you—” Sirius started as he started to step towards Remus, only to be cut off by his brother's wand jabbing into his side.
"You will not go near him again. You do not deserve forgiveness or a second chance from my betrothed. Do you know that he would have been killed if he had turned or killed Snape, or did you just not care about the consequences at the time?" Regulus asked and threatened, his aura oozing darkness as he stepped around his brother to stand in front of his betrothed.
Sirius just stared at his younger brother stupefied as his mind raced to keep up with what he was saying. Regulus just shook his head and offered an arm for Remus to take.
"Let me lead you to your next class," Regulus offered, deciding to just ignore his brother. Remus accepted the offered arm with a soft smile to his future husband.
_•_