Chapter Text
Regulus awoke with a choked start, gasping for air. He frantically looked around his bedroom, the early morning sun beamed through the curtains. Just seconds ago, he was thrashing in the Black Lake, his body’s instinctive yet futile attempt to fight death.
So why was he back here? Was there someone else there?
Did someone bring him back to Grimmauld?
Before he could lie there and dwell on the matter any further, his door had been slammed open.
"Reggie, get up!" Sirius hissed. "And get dressed, you know we're going to Hogwarts today. Mother will have your head if you make us late on your first day."
He jolted up.
First day where? That couldn't be possible, he knew it wasn’t possible. Regulus was sure that all he had been carrying was the locket.
Time travel to this extent is unthinkable even with a time turner. Which he’s certain he didn't have.
He'd never heard of a kind of time travel that can alter the physical body.
Not wanting Sirius to linger any longer or become annoyingly suspicious, he decided he could investigate the matter further later.
"Alright! Get out before I-" Regulus froze, realising that their relationship hadn't yet soured to the extent it had been previously. He remembered how it had slowly spiralled after being sorted into Slytherin. He wonders if this is in fact all real, if the same will happen.
"Before you what?" Sirius probed, as he leant against the door frame.
"Before I... eat all the good food for breakfast." Something he'd made up on the spot, but he knew it would get Sirius out of his room, as the older was very particular about food.
"You wouldn't dare." Sirius said, acting aghast, hand placed dramatically on his chest.
"Would you rather stay and find out, or would you like to eat soggy toast this morning?"
"Okay, okay, I'm going, I'm going."
Once Sirius had left, Regulus sat down on his bed with a heavy sigh, he struggled to act somewhat normally around his brother, the sorting hadn’t happened yet, there's no animosity he doesn’t need to be defensive.
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King’s Cross Station was as busy as ever during September, full of people getting back into work after the summer holidays eventually ended. People were sitting at in-station cafes as they'd wait for their trains to arrive before departure. Others simply grabbed a drink to go, clambering to the main board to see what platform they had to go to before hurrying off again. He'd often watch people go about their days at Hogwarts, he found it to be relaxing, he hoped doing the same now would ease the uneasiness he'd been feeling.
Regulus observed his mother's distasteful scowl as they made their way through the station. Walburga despised muggles, that much was evident with how she glared at anyone who may have walked too close.
He looked behind him to see Sirius trailing behind. He knew Sirius was never keen on being anywhere in her vicinity when they went out, she’d go on a horribly boring tangent about muggles and their lack of respect every time.
Upon making it to the platform, Walburga stopped walking, and turned on her heel sharply.
"Now remember Regulus. I don't want you disappointing me." His mother's gaze was cold. "You know how important it is that you represent our family correctly, grades and all. I won't have you acting a fool like your brother. Enough shame has been brought upon our family name because of his unruly behaviour, if you even think of following in his footsteps, the consequences will be drastic."
Holding back a scoff, he gave a single nod, When he had done everything the last time, he did everything his parents wanted of him. To protect himself and Sirius, especially after he had left. "Yes. I understand." Back then, thought it was right, stay and do what they wanted to protect his brother’s happiness. Sirius never saw it that way, never gave him a chance to explain. Eventually, Regulus just assumed that their bond was a sacrifice he needed to make.
Maybe that wasn't the case, maybe he could be braver this time.
No, not just could, he would. He decided he would be braver this time. Regulus wouldn't allow himself to lose a second chance like this. Nor would he allow himself to lose his brother for a second time.
Sirius wrapped his arm around Regulus’ shoulders as they boarded the train.
Regulus tried not to tense up, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d received affection like this from Sirius. A heavy lump formed in his throat, accompanied by a dull ache spreading through his chest.
It hurt.
He never realised just how much he had lost until he had it all back.
It wasn't until he felt the tears on his eyes that he realised he had started to cry, he quickly wiped them away, still not used to appearing vulnerable. Sirius had noticed his brother’s tearful expression and assumed it was because of their mother’s harsh words.
"Mum’s words mean nothing, alright?" He said softly, grip tightening slightly, "you aren't going to disappoint anyone, especially not me."
Stiffly he nodded, stopping himself from giving a bitter retort about how he had disappointed him, even if it didn't apply here. Sirius led him through the carriages, worming past the occasional obstacle. The lighting inside brought a small sense of comfort, there was something about the soft amber hues that made everything that troubled him wash away somehow, even if it was temporary.
Eventually, they arrived at a compartment near the back end of the train, the doors muffled the sound of excited voices.
Then he turned to face Regulus. He gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze.
"You'll be fine, I promise", he said. "I'll always be there for you, you know that, right?"
Again, Regulus held back a comment, as he watched Sirius pull the door open, causing the chatter to die down.
"Guys", Sirius said, "This is my baby brother, Regulus", he gestured to Regulus, who scowled at being referred to with such an embarrassing term.
"Reggie, these are James, Peter, and Remus." Each waved at the mention of their name.
Regulus nodded stiffly, not sure how to greet them. "Nice to meet you all." The words struggled to leave him, he cursed himself internally for sounding so awkward.
Sirius gave him a gentle nudge, causing him to stumble sideways slightly from surprise. "C’mon, Reggie, they're my friends, they don't bite."
"I know that, Sirius. What do you take me for, an idiot?" He replied indignantly.
As Regulus sat down, James leaned against the compartment wall, his usual grin spread across his face. "So you’re the infamous ‘Baby Black’ I keep hearing about," he teased, "All that fuss over someone so small."
He narrows his eyes at James' comment and gives him a look. "Shut up, I'll hex you if I have to." He retorted sharply, he hadn't known Sirius' friends too well before, so he didn't take the comment about his height too kindly.
Peter chimed in. "Your brother's got quite the temper, hasn't he?"
Sirius shrugged. "We take after our parents, it's genetic, all about the dramatics and so on."
Remus spoke up from his seat next to the window. "Ignore James. He's just being stupid. It’s nice to meet you too, Regulus."
"Oh, erm… thank you."
Just as he sat down, the train jerked and started to move. He figured he'd at least try to enjoy the train ride, it'd take until early evening to arrive at Hogwarts after all.