Chapter Text
After Sirius got sorted into Gryffindor. Regulus’s mother signed him up for Beauxbatons instead of Hogwarts. And Honestly Regulus enjoyed the school, but for his 5th year, the two schools decided to do an exchange program. So for the past few months he had been forced to be pen pals with a kid named James. James was overly excited, but had honestly good French, even if he had poor handwriting. Regulus was voluntold by his friend Barty to go on the exchange trip to Hogwarts.
Regulus didn't know whether to feel nervous or excited, he was sitting in a carriage next to Barty and Pandora, two of his closest friends. He looked over to Barty who had been talking pretty much the whole trip. “Je suis content de voir Evan, il avait l'air détendu en lisant les lettres.” I am happy to see Evan, he seemed cool over the letters. Barty rambled on, Pandora laughed and nodded. She had been talking with a girl named Lily. She seemed nice enough, though seemed to have boy trouble.
Barty shook Regulus “Oui” Regulus responded exasperated. He had been more quiet than usual, his stomach was churning. This would be the first time in 3 years that he would see his brother. After Sirius was sorted into Gryffindor he stopped coming home for holidays, and was barely there for summer, then three years ago he ran away, and Regulus was forbidden to owl him. He hoped he would see little of his brother. “Cheer up Reg, we are almost there!” Barty complained in strongly accented English, he draped himself over Regulus and Pandora. Regulus sighed and patted him on the head.
“Avez-vous hâte de partager une chambre?” Are you excited to share a room? Regulus asked Barty suggestively. The two of them had been sleeping together for the better part of a year now, but it was harder when they had single rooms that detected romantic interest and locked them out. Regulus was meant to be rooming with his penpal, but because James was in the same house as Sirius he requested to dorm with Barty and his penPal. Barty blushed but nodded, “You are meant to be practising English” Pandora said giggling, her accent less than Barty's. Regulus glared at her, they both knew he was basically as good at English as French. “Fuck off” He said giving her the finger. She rolled her eyes at him.
It was just starting to get dark when the carriage stopped, their door opened and they could hear yelling from the teachers to get in line and their stuff was already in their dorm’s. All the French students stood in a semi line and walked into Hogwarts, It was already dinner so they would be going directly into the great hall. When they walked in the hall was quiet, but some Hogwarts students stood by the door holding a sign with their penpals name. James was easy to spot, he was standing next to a pretty red haired girl, Regulus temporarily said goodbye to Barty and walked over to James. Pandora was walking the same direction as him, her penpal was the red haired girl.
“Bonsoir!” The red haired girl said excitedly, putting her hand out for Pandora they quickly started chatting. Regulus looked at James, “Good evening, you must be James, it is nice to finally meet you.” He said, his french accent only a whisper. James nodded and looked nervous, he put his hand through his hair but smiled at Regulus. “Ah, umm, Bonjour, comment s'est passé le voyage?” How was the trip? He said very slowly, his pronunciation more Spanish than French. It took a second for Regulus to understand what he said.
The red haired girl next to him sighed “This is why you should pay attention in class, that was horrible! And Bonjour is only for the morning, Bonsoir is for the evening” She said exasperated. Regulus looked at her and smiled “Hello, it's very nice to meet you, I have heard a lot about you from Pandora, my name is Regulus.” Regulus said politely, tilting his head in her direction. She looked pleased at his introduction before James interrupted. “Sorry. I'm not the best at speaking French, I thought my Spanish would get me further than it did in French.” James said sheepishly
The haired girl looked like she was going to say more before an old man at the front of the hall told everyone to sit at their table with their penpal.
Regulus followed James, and felt a pit open in his stomach when he saw James sit next to Sirius. Regulus took a deep breath, he would sit next to his brother, he was 16 for Merlin's sake. Regulus sat down and let James introduce him. “Hey guys, this is the penpal I was talking about, his name is Regulus, Regulus this is Remus, Peter, and uhhh, Sirius.’’ James said, pointing to the corresponding person. Regulus nodded politely. “It is nice to meet you”. He got the expected responses back, and silence took over the table, Regulus took a small portion of food and began eating. He could feel his brother's eyes burning into him. Regulus ignored it in favor of eating.
James awkwardly tried a new conversation starter “So Regulus, do you like quidditch?”. Regulus nodded “Yes, back at school I play seeker, and my friend Barty plays beater.” Regulus responded. Sirius looked surprised and a little saddened. Regulus ignored him. “Oh that's awesome, I also play beater with Sirius, but I would say I'm the better one.” James joked and Sirius looked offended at that “Oi not true, I can fly circles around you wanker!” Siruis said outraged, Remus sighed “Mates, can we not tonight?” That quickly got both boys to shut up. Regulus felt someone tap him on his shoulder, he turned around to see Barty and Evan.
“Reg, nous allons nous coucher, et je supposais que tu voudrais venir avec moi.” Reg we are going to bed, and I assumed you would want to come with. Barty said to him. Regulus nodded “Goodnight, nice meeting you, good night Pandora” Regulus said, Pandora and Lily said goodnight, they were deep in conversation.
Regulus greeted Evan, they were childhood friends, and had hung out not even two months ago. When the three of them were walking out of the Great hall, a voice called after them. “Regulus, wait, are you not going to talk to me?” Sirius said. Regulus turned around and sighed.