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Chapter Text

As James strutted through the smoke he ran into the love of his life, Lily Evans. He was blinded by her beauty, but was immediately pulled out of his trance by the ugly, greasy snail that stood next to his goddess, Snape. That disgusting whore was looking at his girl with heart eyes. As if she would ever go for Snape. Yes, James is aware that he is a measly 12 year old, but when you know you know.

James’ hand immediately flew to his hair and he messed it up. He just couldn’t stop doing it in Lily’s presence. “Oi, Evans!” he greeted as he walked with as much stride as possible; far more proper than the slobbering git that stood by her shoulder. Snape inched towards Lily, almost as if sending James a clear message: Back off, she’s mine.

Lily rolled her eyes, “Oi, Potter!” she mockingly imitated him, tossing her hair around, which honestly made James weak to the knees. He forced himself to maintain a courteous posture. Snape snickered, then glared at James. “What? Do I need to flick my hair around too? Or perhaps you’d prefer if I bow to you.”

The loudest cackle in the crowd rose from behind James. “Oh please! If you had to flick your head we’d all be covered in oil! But by all means, bow!” Sirius Black dramatically made his appearance from the steam of the train station. His long black curls hanging in over his forehead and draping like sheets over his shoulders. His hair is not quite as long is Lily’s but it almost reaches his shoulder blades. James honestly couldn’t imagine Sirius with short hair.

“Sirius!” James yelled as he nearly tackled his best friend in a bone crushing hug. “Merlin! You’re still alive!”

Sirius dusted his robes down and pushed his hair out of his eyes, revealing striking blue-grey eyes, one of his most well known features (his hair being the most famous, obviously). “Well,” he breathed a high pitched sigh, much like a tea kettle whistling “I’m surprised I even made it here. Almost thought my wretched mother wouldn’t bring me back here. Although they rather send me here than deal with me back home, which was the first thing we’d ever agreed on.”

Forgetting Lily and her slimeball, James swung his arm around Sirius’ shoulder and they made their way for the train. “Ah, look at you! Bonding with your parents.” Sirius kicked James in the heel.

Once on the train, the two of them squeezed their way through students, Sirius and James settled in the compartment at the very end of the train, just like last year. It was only when Sirius was hoisting his heavy luggage in the overhead compartment that James realised Sirius didn’t have his screech owl with him. The bird was bloody annoying and pecked at James’ fingers if he tried to pet him, but he was just as useful too. “Where’s that bloody owl of yours?”

“With Reggie.” Sirius replied nonchalantly as he continued to try and poke his wand through his hair to make a messy bun.

“Oh, cool.” James said casually as he began rummaging through his bag of sweets. Then it hit him.

Oh.

Oh. Regulus.

“Oh my gosh!” James exclaimed shaking Sirius by the shoulders. “Where’s your brother! I want to meet him!”

Sirius cursed as his hair fell out of its bun and his wand got tangled on the way down. “James!” Sirius hissed. “My hair!” James apologised while trying to untangle Sirius’ wand from his soft hair. “So…” James smirked as he handed Sirius’ wand to him. He threw his hands up in the air. “OK! We’ll go find my brother now you twat!” James clapped to himself as they left the compartment on a hunt for Regulus Black.

James and Sirius glided past compartments of snogging couples that couldn’t keep their hands off of each other. It looked kind of gross, actually. James wondered if he would ever enjoy doing that with Lily, or who ever he married someday… but hopefully Lily, right? A group of third years were playing exploding snap and some seventh years were showing off their magic, seeing as they can now perform magic outside of school. It was only towards the middle of the never ending train that Sirius stopped outside a compartment and abruptly opened the door and poked his head inside.

“Regulus,” Sirius chided as he cocked his head towards James. “Someone is very eager to meet you.” James felt a flush rise in his cheeks, Sirius was making him sound like some fanboy. He’s just here to meet his best friend’s little brother.

“Go away Sirius! I don’t give a-’’ Sirius grabbed James by the arm and half shoved him into the compartment. It took James a second to find Regulus, there were three little boys in the compartment. One blonde haired kid sitting next to another kid with dark brown hair, across from them was another even smaller boy and suddenly, James didn’t need to wonder what Sirius would look like with short hair anymore; he was staring right at him right now.

~*~

Regulus didn’t think anybody could ever care for his existence, not until now. Apparently the handsome boy with glasses did. Regulus entertained the thought of somebody appreciating his presence on this planet, but felt awkward about it now. The boy was just gaping at Regulus through his gold, square glasses.

“Hello.” Regulus half whispered, averting gazes with this kid. “Did my skin turn green or something? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You look just like your brother.” The boy said, as he messed his hair up.

“Why do you do that? Your hair looked nice before you ruined it.” Regulus said spitefully. The boy immediately flattened his hair, or at least he attempted to. Sirius’ eyes widened and he scoffed. “Why does he get a compliment about his hair and you don’t even know him? You’ve known me forever and not once have you commented on my hair!”

Regulus shifted in his seat to face his older brother. “Well, you never present yourself properly anyway. At least this one here…” Regulus gestured towards the boy asking Evan and Barty if his hair looks ok. “He’s trying. Task failed successfully, I guess.”

Sirius repeatedly opens and closes his mouth, weighing on what to say, which insult will sting more. Regulus has seen him do this on countless occasions when finding the right words to win an argument, but the case is closed at this point. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. Who is he anyway?”

The boy immediately whips around with the widest, tooth bearing smile Regulus has ever witnessed and sticks his hand out. Regulus politely takes his hand and reluctantly shakes it. “James Potter.” The boy says through his grin. Regulus has to fight the urge not to wrench his hand from this boy’s grip. A Potter! One of the families his mother had told him to avoid at all costs.

“You should go.” Regulus says more to Sirius than James, shooting him a look like: The hell are you doing with a Potter. Sirius reads the look but waves it off. He motions to grab James’ arm. “Ok, let’s go. I’m sure the others are waiting for us in the compartment as we speak.”

James looks at Sirius like a child asking his mother to stay for five more minutes at a playdate. “Wait, I don’t even know their names yet.” He gestures towards Evan and Barty.

“Evan.” Evan says raising his hand.

“Barty here!” he follows just after Evan’s lead.

“Now shoo!” Regulus ushers them out. Honestly, can’t his traitor of a brother keep his reckless behaviour to himself? Regulus wants nothing to do with Sirius’ friends, ever.

Chapter Text

James’ mouth didn’t stop moving until they got back to the compartment. Sirius watched as his best friend yapped on about his little brother.

“He’s so adorable! Like a little you!” James threw his hands up as if it was physically impossible for siblings to look alike.
They eventually reached the compartment door. “I know,” Sirius agreed, wrapping a friendly arm around James’ shoulders. “But I’m the prettier one.” He stated proudly, thumping the free hand to his chest.

As Sirius slid the door to their compartment open, a voice echoes from inside. “And so the ego of Sirius Black continues to expand.”
“Remus!” Sirius exclaims as he throws his arms around his friend. Aside from skin, a rough material bulges from Remus’ back. Hence his slight wince when they pull apart. He just grins, rubbing his shoulder. “What happened to you?”

Remus’ eyes widened slightly, and his hand moved from his shoulder to the back of his head. “Er… well, it’s a long story.” He shrugs and settles back down into his side of the compartment benches. “We have until Hogwarts, I’m sure you can tell us.” James says lazily as he slouches into the bench opposite of Remus, Sirius accompanies him. “Yeah! Go on, tell you story.”

Remus’s gaze faltered a little. He tucked his knees to his chin despite having the entire bench for himself. Just as he was about to start talking, James interjected. “Wait, Peter isn’t here yet!” he shoots up from his seat and slides the door slightly ajar. He peers outside in an attempt to find their friend, his head whips from left to right so many times Sirius wonders how he hasn’t got whiplash. “I’m sure he wouldn’t want to miss this.” He grabs Sirius and pulls him out of his comfortable position. “We have to find him.”

Sirius stumbles out of the bench, spread out on the floor. Remus snickers from above. When Sirius looks up, he sees the flash of red being James’ sneakers. “Come on! I think I saw him!” Remus is up too now. Once Sirius has gotten up, he pokes his head out of the door. A familiar blonde kid is being pushed out of a compartment further down the train. Peter’s eyebrows are furrowed and he seems to be scratching his head and spiralling around on the spot.
James breaks out into the corridor, waving like a mad man. “Pete! Over here buddy!”

Peter catches sight of James, and waves back. James rushes over to help the smaller boy with his luggage. Sirius and Remus are close by when James glares at the door Peter was shoved out of. Sirius sees it before James says it.

“Pete, why were you in Regulus’ carriage?”

A faint flush rose in Peter’s cheeks. “Oh, is that his name then?” he gestures towards Sirius. “I thought it was Sirius, except the hair didn’t seem right. I’d figured your mother punished you by cutting it.”

James almost drops the briefcase he’s barely carrying, “See? I’m not the only one!”

Honestly, Sirius is offended anyone could mistake his little idiot brother for himself. Why is everything about that little piece of crap now? Although, he was excited at the thought of having his brother at school with him, at least he wouldn’t have to worry about whether Regulus was being fed every night. Being the favourite child doesn’t come with luxuries, it comes with higher expectations, and Regulus can’t always maintain those. As a result of this, he is severely underweight and shorter than the average 11 year old.

The thought of Regulus being at Hogwarts excited him, relieved him, but also worried him. Would Regulus too reign the scarlet and gold and suffer the same fate as Sirius? Or would he forever be torn from Regulus in rival houses.

~.~

The start to Regulus’ school career was going great until the blonde kid showed up.

“Yes, Bartemius! We know you hate your father with a burning passion and wish to throw him into a fire!” Evan had clearly had enough of Barty’s ranting about his horrible father. They’ve been hollering at each other for 10 minutes now since the Potter boy left.

“No, I said I want to dig a deep hole, set the pit of the hole on fire, and throw my tied up father into it.” Barty defensively placed his hand on his chest as if horrifically offended. “And don’t call me Bartemius.” He said the name with such distaste Regulus thought he might be sick. Barty continued in a very much forced fancy accent. “That, is my father’s name, peasants. My name is Barty.”

“Who are you to call me a peasant? I’m a Black mind you.”

Barty flips Regulus off. “I don’t give a-’’ The compartment door slides open.

“Sirius! I’ve been looking for you!” Regulus’ heart stops. Oh gosh. Is this another one of Sirius’ little blood-traitor friends. The boy continues before Regulus can turn around. “Where are James and Remus? And who in the world are they?” The kid must've been referring to Evan and Barty.

Barty and Evan exchange glances and burst into laughter. Evan slurs between fits of laughter, obviously mocking the boy. “Oh, James and Remus are in another compartment! James was just here. You missed him!” 

Regulus averts gazes with the newcomer, hoping Barty and Evan can bully the kid out of here. Barty rises from his seat and sizes up who must be Peter Pettigrew. Sirius had told Regulus all about his friends, they’d called themselves the Marauders. Regulus found it immature, but then again, this was Sirius he was talking about.

“Coming to steal our friend are we?” Barty hisses at him.

Regulus hears Peter quiver as he speaks, “No! He was my friend first! Sirius, who are these-’’ Peter’s hand touches Regulus’ shoulder, which sends sirens whaling inside of Regulus’ head. He jerks up and moves away from Peter.

“I’m not Sirius, that would be my brother you’re after. At the back of the train, get out.”

Peter’s tiny blue eyes widen in shock. “Oh you’re- Reginald, right? Sirius told us you’d- hey!” At ‘Reginald’, Barty shoves the boy out of the compartment and Evan reaches over to shut the door when Barty forgets to. Regulus sits right back down without a word.
“Good grief, you’re famous today, Reg!” Evan bursts out after a beat of silence, restyling his hair, tucking a loose blonde curl behind his ear. Barty toys with the multiple rings on almost each finger; his middle finger, featuring a skull, ring finger sporting a rainbow of silver and dark green gems, his index finger is host to a black snake ring. It’s clear which house he’s hoping for.

“Pfft! Reginald.” Barty teases as he re-arranges the order of rings on his ring finger. Another thing about Barty’s jewellery is that all his rings go on his right hand, his left remains clean of any accessories.

“Stop fiddling with your bloody rings, Crouch. Find another way to cope with your psychotic thoughts about murdering your father.” Regulus snaps at him after he’s changed the arrangement 4 times. Barty glared daggers at him with cold brown eyes like black coffee, not quite dark enough to be black, yet too much darkness to be brown. Evan sighs, “Alright, instead of plotting each other’s murders, let’s trash talk some more parents. How much of a cow are your mothers?”

Barty’s fingers twitch like they’re resisting to strangle someone. “She’s the best person in my life, so… not much at all.”

Evan shrugs. “Daddy issues, I see. Regulus?”

Regulus locks eyes with the floor. “I hate her, for her ways, but she is my mother.”

Evan rolls his eyes, “So your answer is?”

“Totally a cow, but one I respect.”

Barty bangs the back of the seat with his elbow. “Change of topic.” He blurts out loudly, staring at the ceiling then staying silent. “Ev, you got a sister, right?”

“Yes.”

“Does she look like you, but a girl version?”

Evan shifts away from Barty, looking suspicious. “I’d say so… yeah.”

“She single?”

Evan kicks Barty hard in the shins. “Pandora is OFF LIMITS! No one dates my sister!”

Barty slaps Evan on the shoulder and slowly gets up to look around outside. “Relax, mate! I was only joking!”

“Who’re you looking for?” Regulus asks since there’s finally a space where he can add his two cents.

Barty ignores Regulus at first then turns back to him and Evan. “I don’t see her.”

“You can’t just date your friend’s sibling!” Regulus shoots at Barty while Evan spirals into madness. “Oh my gosh! Will you drop it?!” Evan yells, but his shouts are muffled as his drops his head into his hands.

“Can I at least see her?”

“No!”

“Even if I-’’

“NO!”

Regulus just stares outside the window as his two friends threaten each other. He watches as endless fields fade into thick trees of different shades of yellow and green. A realisation hits him, this is going to be his life now. Barty and Evan bickering while Regulus mediates from the sidelines, he enjoys the thought of that though. He’s basking in his empty mind when some girls shriek in the compartment adjacent to theirs. A muffled voice vibrates through the wall.

“Mary! You didn’t just say that!”

Evan’s face turns to stone. Barty sees it and is up immediately. “That’s Pandora, isn’t it?” He says a little loud and too satisfied with his discovery. “See you dumbasses at the sorting.”

Regulus has never seen Evan move as fast as he did in the little time he’s known him as he bolted after Barty. Regulus, who wanted nothing to do with this didn’t stray further from the compartment door.