#Regulus bill me Black

[kiwi2229]

Bill me

(James Potter / Regulus Black / Lily Evans | 570 words)

For @jegulus-microfic prompt: Dress

It was a sunny day and all three of them were walking on the street, every now and then stopping by the shopping windows to look in. James made sure he would comment on every piece of clothing or jewellery. Lily on the other hand didn’t spend much time looking until she stopped in front of one shop with a summer dress on the display.

“Lily, you would look great in it,” James says sincerely.

“Definitely.” Regulus agrees. “Do you want to go in and try it?”

“I can’t just go in and try it. The shop looks expensive.” Lily says but her gaze lingers a little too long on the dress. Regulus smiles knowingly.

“It’s fine.” He says and opens the door for both of them. He lets them enter first and closes the door behind them. As soon as the cashier spots them, she hurries to greet them. “Good afternoon, Mr. Black.”

James and Lily immediately turn toward Regulus with confused looks. “Hello,” Regulus answers.

“Please, have a seat. Vincent is in the office; I will call him for you.” The cashier gestures towards the sofa.

“Who is Vincent?” Lily asks.

“The owner.” Regulus shrugs and links their arms so he can lead her to the sofa. James has an amused expression on his face and when they pass him, he wraps an arm around Regulus’ waist and whispers to him.

“Of course, you know the owner, you pretentious git.”

Regulus gives him an unimpressed look. “I shop here.”

James laughs out loud. “Of course, you do.”

“Oi, what does that supposed to mean?” Regulus asks but James’ answer is disturbed by the entrance of Vincent, an older-looking Italian man with his hair slicked back.

“Mr. Black.” He comes towards Regulus, and they shake hands. “I hope you are having a great day. What can I do for you?”

Regulus sits down on the sofa, tugging James right next to him. “My beautiful girlfriend would like to try the summer dress you have in the window.”

Vincent looks towards Lily. “Excellent choice, Ma'am. It’s our new collection. It arrived just two days ago.” He gestures to the door behind him suggesting Lily should follow him. The girl looks back nervously to her boyfriends but both of them nod in reassurance.

When Lily comes out James and Regulus can only stare. Because she looks like a goddess. The dress fits her perfectly. But the most beautiful is the look on Lily’s face when she sees herself in the mirror. Regulus can tell she loves it.

“Lils, you look amazing. They are perfect for you.” James says and Regulus can only nod. Lily blushes and goes back to the room to take them off.

“We should have a picnic date, Reg. Lily would wear this dress and you can braid flowers in her hair.” James says and presses a quick kiss to Regulus’ hair.

“Sure. This Saturday?”

“Great. I will cook for us.” James muses and rest his cheek on Regulus’ shoulder.

“Did you like them?” Vincent asks as soon as Lily comes back.

“Yeah. How much do they cost?” She asks.

Before Vincent can answer Regulus is already standing up, holding his hand towards James to help him. “Doesn’t matter. Send the bill and the dress to my address as usual. That will be all. Thank you, Vincent.” And without another word, he leads them out of the store with satisfied smirk.

[sundropcass]

i finally forced myself to read pathological people pleaser by rweoutofthewoodsyet and it was the hardest and most painful read of my entire life. oh my god. anyway 10/10 would recommend to a friend but i also fear i need to call my therapist except it’s 5:30am so i will not be calling her any time soon.

[stanelyurisisaliveandwell]

being someone in multiple fandoms makes me so self aware istg.

like i have a type- jegulus is literally the same thing as stenbrough PROVE ME WRONG

[hauntedgovernment]

hehehehehe, my birthday was yesterday.. I’m an adult now!!! (kill me /j)

[padfootfest]

Padfoot Fest 2024 Reveals

Hello everyone!

The time everyone has been waiting for has come. It's been a week since our last Padfoot Fest work was posted which means we can now reveal all the authors, so everyone can run to show more love for their other works.

As mods, we would like to sincerely thank all the participants. We are immensely grateful to them for creating a great variety of fics, all celebrating our beloved Sirius Black. We love the works, and we are so so proud of everyone's efforts. We are so thankful for all these works that contribute to the amazing thing that is the Marauders fandom.

Moreover, this was the first year of our fest, and we are overwhelmed with the interest it has garnered. We would like to thank everyone who keeps following, reblogging, commenting and so on. We also can't wait to introduce more events in the following months that will help us shorten the time we've got to wait until the second year of Padfoot Fest opens in 2025. So stay tuned and keep sharing the Padfoot love.

Now without further ado these are the amazing writers from Padfoot Fest 2024 in the order of their posted work. Click the title of the fic to read their works.

tenrousei_kuroi - Is It So Frightening (to have me at your shoulder) (Regulus Black/Sirius Black, Regulus Black/Remus Lupin, Regulus Black & Hermione Granger)

LippSkinn - Silence (Sirius Black/Remus Lupin)

shadowmun - Hero with no name (Sirius Black/Evan Rosier)

Soulniar - Freres, Pour Toujours (Regulus Black & Sirius Black)

LadyofWiltshire - I Really Don't Know Love At All (Sirius Black/Remus Lupin)

dystopianRebel - Soulmates by Arrangement (Sirius Black/Rabastan Lestrange, one-sided James Potter/Lily Evans, Catriona McCormick/James Potter, Peter Pettigrew/OFC)

RockOnGoldDustW - Kiss With A Fist (Sirius Black/Hermione Granger, Sirius Black/OFC)

EastWindmlk - two for divine, three for magic (James Potter/Lily Evans Potter, Sirius Black/James Potter/Lily Evans Potter)

sliebman10 - A Flicker Of Hope (Sirius Black & Minerva McGonagall)

emlovessid - two paper airplanes (Sirius Black/Remus Lupin

veganbutterchicken - Where There Is Love, There Is Faith (Sirius Black/Remus Lupin)

Grey_Kenaz - A Prank Gone Awry (Alphard Black & Sirius Black, Regulus Black & Sirius Black, Sirius Black & James Potter, Sirius Black & Walburga Black, Orion Black & Sirius Black)

MidnightStargazer - An Omen of Death (Regulus Black & Sirius Black)

FivePips - Call it Pathetic or Poetic (Sirius Black/Remus Lupin)

procrastinator123 - Grim Hunt (Sirius Black/Kingsley Shacklebolt)

HuntersWithCellPhones - I would not ask and neither would you (Regulus Black & Sirius Black, Regulus Black/Barty Crouch Jr.)

EuripidesTrousers - The Road to Sweetwater (Sirius Black/Remus Lupin)

maraudersaffair - Lucky for You (Sirius Black/Bill Weasley)

EllieMarchetti - A Ghost from the Past (Sirius Black/Hermione Granger)

onehundredflamingos - always yours (Sirius Black/James Potter)

atropos_aeneas - just being neighbourly (Sirius Black/Remus LupinSirius Black & Remus Lupin)

youprettythings - I'm Waiting Here For You (Sirius Black/Remus Lupin)

andthemarauders - Halloween 1981 (Sirius Black/OFC, James Potter/Lily Evans Potter, Remus Lupin/OFC)

RockOnGoldDustW - Nowhere to Run (Sirius Black & Andromeda Black Tonks, Regulus Black & Sirius Black)

goldenpropeth - everywhere (i want to be with you) (Sirius Black/Remus Lupin, Sirius Black & Hope Lupin, Sirius Black & Lyall Lupin)

Strawberrybasil - Seeking Omens (Sirius Black & Harry Potter)

[lexithwrites]

Please more sugardaddy moonwater hcs. Pls!!

this might get long sorry (but this is kinda what i wanna write next so pls give me feedback) xoxo

they met through a sugar daddy website that james showed to remus one night (he's on it and is absolutely not telling him that he's met a guy)

remus is so embarrassed at first, he was on tinder like twice and had bad dates because of it so he isn't exactly confident this will work but he does get a lot of attention

he gets messages from kinda old guys, and a few older women, that are either way too pushy with what they want in return for an 'allowance' or just kinda creepy and he almost deletes it

then he gets a message off of someone young, maybe his age, and he's gorgeous

remus is so sure its a scam, no one can look that good and be on an app like this but he messages them anyway when they say hi first, and he asks about them and the guy is regulus arcturus black (he gives his full name, he's a loser) and he's literally just looking for company and someone to spend money on, nothing in return, he doesn't need it

remus is kinda shook because like what?? how is this guy lonely he must have friends but turns out regulus just has rich friends that can buy their own things, he doesn't have anyone to spend time with other than when he goes to family events which he hates

and remus is like okay,,,,maybe drinks first and regulus sends him the location of probably the nicest bar in london and remus is close to passing out because he cannot afford this at all but he said he'd go

he wears his nicest outfit (its a brown jumper and some nice trousers and his converse, he cant afford anything else rn because his cat started a hunger strike against the food he's had for a year and remus had to upgrade, kids eh?)

regulus is already there because he is never a minute late, and checking his rolex thinking he's been stood up but remus runs in like 'hi im so sorry i missed the train hi' and regulus is in love already, just straight up his heart starts hammering in his chest because not only is remus gorgeous in a weird, dorky way but he's just...he's adorable

regulus is calm tho, think levi ackerman levels of expression, he just kinda sits there arms folded and asks remus questions about his life and what he would like as an allowance and remus is just,,,confused?

he asks why regulus wants to spend his money on him and regulus insists he's bored (he's so fucking lonely and wants someone around him to dote on) and just needs a date to events as his parents are giving him shit for being single at 26

remus is unsure but decides fuck it, james can probably throw hands if regulus tried anything, and they agree to attend some gala together for regulus' family and remus says he'll have to get new clothes and regulus then sets up a date the next day to buy him an outfit and its a lil montage of regulus giving remus clothes to try its very cute

and is remus confused and guilt ridden for this man spending money on him? yeah, duh, but also he doesn't have to pay his bills anymore, he has amazing clothes, his stress levels are so fucking low than before, and he likes regulus....he really really likes him

and regulus is getting what he wants, but also he has remus lupin as eye candy and that's an added bonus, and god remus is so adorable and nerdy and he wants to climb him like a tree

also yes remus sees james at the event and he's like what the fuck are you doing here and turns out james is with HIS sugar daddy, aka regulus' brother and its a whole ordeal

and maybe one night regulus invites remus to stay with him for the night because its too late to get the train and he doesn't really want to let remus go and maybe they drink wine and maybe they touch just to see what its like and maybe MAYBE they kiss and make out and fuck slow and deep and then AND THEN—

i might write more if people like this idk,,,,

[forestdeath1]

Canon Sirius through quotes

Part 1. Appearance

In the canon, he's described as handsome 3 times from Harry's point of view - but never pretty. By the way, Harry has only described four people as handsome (+ Tom Riddle, Cedric Diggory and Gellert Grindelwald).

"Sirius was tall and handsome. He loped with an easy grace, his hands in his pockets and a grin on his face."

"Beside him was Sirius, carelessly handsome, his slightly arrogant face so much younger and happier than Harry had ever seen it alive."

"Sirius stared around at the students milling over the grass, looking rather haughty and bored, but very handsomely so."

"Sirius was lounging in his chair at his ease, tilting it back on two legs. He was very good-looking; his dark hair fell into his eyes with a sort of casual elegance neither James’s nor Harry’s could ever have achieved, and a girl sitting behind him was eyeing him hopefully, though he didn’t seem to have noticed."

"He's still handsome, isn't he, even after Azkaban?" (Tonks about Sirius, Pottermore)

So, Sirius was handsome, but definitely not pretty. The word handsome can be used for all genders, highlighting attributes like strength, elegance, or a more classic form of beauty.

His height is described as tall several times. James is described as the same height as Harry in the Deathly Hallows, meaning at the time of his death James was as tall as Harry in the 7th book: “James was exactly the same height as Harry”. He was described as tall in later books but not as tall as other characters like Dumbledore, Ron, Sirius, Draco, Tom Riddle, Bill.

In England, as in most Western countries, a man is usually considered tall if he is over 6 feet. Typically, very tall is considered to be 6 feet 3 inches and above. So, James could be somewhere from 6 to 6'3", and Sirius taller, say 6'3"-6'4", Remus possibly under 6', but not short, since Harry doesn't note his height at all.

"To Sirius’s right stood Pettigrew, more than a head shorter, plump and watery-eyed, flushed with pleasure at his inclusion in this coolest of gangs, with the much admired rebels that James and Sirius had been."

The average head length of an adult, regardless of gender and age, usually about 8.7 to 9.8 inches. So, Peter was noticeably shorter.

6'3"-6'4" is indeed very tall. (When fanon gives Remus a height of 6.7, I wonder, have you often seen such giants in real life? My granddad is 6'8" – and he's huge to me, frighteningly so.)

After Azkaban and in the fifth book, he has long hair, but in the fourth book, when Sirius is doing well and is relaxing somewhere in the south, he has short hair.

"Sirius looked different – the hair was short and clean now, Sirius’ face was fuller, and he looked younger, much more like the only photograph Harry had of him, which had been taken at the Potters’ wedding."

"Sirius, when he still had short hair" (Moody about Sirius in the Order of the Phoenix photo)

Though in the story about Sirius and James for the auction, Sirius had long hair in 1977:

"The one who had been driving had long black hair; his insolent good looks reminded Fisher unpleasantly of his daughter’s guitar-playing, layabout boyfriend."

I prefer him with long hair, so that's usually what I go with.

Build isn't described. We know Regulus was definitely smaller than Sirius, but nothing specific about Sirius himself.

"Regulus was instantly recognisable as the boy sitting in the middle of the front row: he had the same dark hair and slightly haughty look of his brother, though he was smaller, slighter and rather less handsome than Sirius had been."

His animagus form is a bear-like dog of huge size, but that’s a weak argument.

"The enormous, bear-like dog bounded forwards."

Perhaps canonically Sirius was naturally inclined to muscle (i.e., tall and muscular rather than lanky, because lankiness usually suggests skinniness. Regulus, likely, was lanky), but since he probably didn't engage in activities like workouts, he wasn't exactly buff. Muscles don't just appear out of thin air, but some people are naturally more muscular. Basically, a normal build that doesn't need any special description (not bulky, not skinny, just normal, but tall).

He definitely doesn’t have any tattoos described, but it's unlikely Harry would have inspected every part of his body for tattoos... So, I don’t quite get it when someone says "Sirius didn’t have tattoos". It's a blank slate.

[marauders-brain-rot]

Jegumas - Day 3: Reindeer - 539 words - @noblehouseofgay

“Seriously, where are you taking me?” Regulus asked for what felt like the hundredth time since they’d left home.

“It’s a surprise,” the smile on his lips betrayed any frustration he might’ve tried to portray in his response. “We’re almost there.”

“We’re almost where?” Regulus huffed in annoyance.

“Quit being so grumpy, you’ll love this I promise,” James pleaded as he grabbed Regulus’s hand, dragging him along. Before long they made it to a large open area surrounded by a fence with a barn on one side. There were enough people milling about that it blocked Regulus from seeing what James knew would be there, and he couldn’t have been luckier at the outcome.

“Jamie?” Regulus asked as James walked up to a ticket booth.

“Two please,” he told the man in the box before handing over a few bills. The man handed him two paper tickets and waved them through, James turned around with a smile. “Come on Reggie.”

“What are we doing?” He asked, but James ignored him as he led him over to a stall that was handing out paper bags. James exchanged their tickets for two bags before leading them over to a section of the fence that wasn’t too densely populated so Regulus could see.

“Here,” he handed over one of the bags, a small pouch filled with raisins and dried apples.

“Reindeer?” Regulus asked in amazement as one of them came over, nudging its nose between the holes in the fence.

“I heard they were coming around and thought you might like to feed some,” the idea sounded so stupid to him now though. Poshly raised Regulus Black who’d never physically gotten his hands dirty in his life wanting to feed and even pet animals that likely hadn’t bathed in ages? “Maybe it was stupid.”

Regulus wasn’t listening to him though. Instead he was staring wide-eyed at the large animal before him gently eating a dried apple slice out of his palm. When the reindeer moved to chew, Regulus tenderly reached his hand forward and petted along its snout, a childlike look of wonder overtaking his features.

“Thank you,” he smiled softly.

“Did I do good?” James asked hopefully.

“Perfect as always,” Regulus answered with a bright smile. He stood there for a moment, not saying anything at all. And then suddenly, “can you translate what they’re saying?”

James, at a loss for words, burst out into laughter. “I can sure try love,” he answered as he slung his arm around Regulus’s shoulders. They walked around for hours feeding the different reindeer, James attempting to translate for Regulus but finding that he was making up more than he was actually understanding. He had a feeling that Regulus knew that too based on the glimmer in his eye. Neither would ask just as neither would ever confirm for one another the truth, content to live in the lie they concocted. It would serve as a lesson for them both that not all lies needed to be born out of desperation and necessity, nor did they have to be evil and ugly and all consuming.

Sometimes a lie could be beautiful and full of unspoken promise, sometimes it could be the start of something new.

[galixy0universe]

Kinktober 2024 Harry Potter Edition

Kinktober List

Is it late? Yes, I got sick when I was supposed to upload it and then was busy with my life afterward. I hope to do a big upload with last week's and this week's prompt on the weekend. Until then, here is the list and the requests that were accepted. Please note that if it was not accepted, it may be because I just don't have confidence writing that specific kink. All of these will be rather short to keep up with everything I have to write and my IRL things. I will make a final master list at the end of the month with all the links if I can. If you still want to make a request, let me know; anything in Italics can be replaced.

Bill Weasley-Daddy Kink

Weasley twins-chubby! reader dirty talk/body worship

Breeding-Fred

Threesome both (non-incest)- Weasley Twins

Thigh riding-George Weasley

Role play- Fred Weasley

Spanking-James Potter

Lactating-Sirus Black

Creampie-Percy Weasley

Uniforms-Remus Lupin

Fingering-Sirus Black

Glory Hole-Garreth Weasley

Mirror Sex-Draco Malfoy

Love Bites-Neville Longbottom

Pregnant-Ominus Gaunt

Breeding-Tom Riddle

Tifuck-Harry Potter

Phone/Video-Bill Weasley

Collar-Bill Weasley

Double Pen.-James Potter & Sirius Black

Foreplay-Neville Longbottom

Toys-Charlie Weasley

Anal-Tom Riddle

Dom/Sub-Bill Weasley

Quickie-Percy Weasley

Biting-Harry Potter

Aphrodisiacs-Sebastian Sallow

Exhibition-Remus Lupin

Free Use-Regulus Black

Gloves/Leather-Ominus Gaunt

Car Sex-Draco Malfoy

[lulublack90]

Prompt 23 - Attitude

@jegulus-microfic July 23, Word count 560

Previous part First part

Regulus sat down at the table and opened the menu, ignoring his brother’s protests. 

“Are you going to kick James out as well for bringing me here?” Regulus said, coolly. 

“No,” Sirius started to say,

“Exactly. I’m staying. Now I’ll have what James is having, it sounds good.” James smirked behind Sirius’s back as he tried and failed to keep his laughter at bay. 

“But you don’t eat dairy, or carbs, or processed ham for that matter. How are you going to eat a cheese and ham toastie?” Sirius crossed his arms and glared at Regulus. 

“It’s been five years since you last spoke to me and ten since you cared. Things change, Sirius. I changed.” Regulus closed the menu and clasped his hands on top of the table. “Now are you going to stop with the attitude and serve your paying customers or am I going to have to leave you a bad review?” Regulus quirked an eyebrow at this brother. Sirius spun on his heel and went into the kitchen area, grumbling the entire way. 

“Wow and here I thought Moony was the only one who could get him to do what he’s told.” James chuckled. 

“Me too,” Remus huffed in disbelief. “Right, two of the usual coming up. Regulus, please stick around. I feel like this is going to be fun,” He winked at Regulus before returning to the counter to fill their order and serve the small queue that had formed in his absence. Regulus grinned wickedly in return and settled into his seat. 

“Oh, you’re going to be trouble, aren’t you?” James snorted as he sat opposite the younger Black brother. 

“I have no idea what you mean,” Regulus smiled angelically. “So what’s your usual coffee order?”

“Pumpkin spice latte,” James said nonchalantly.

“Oh Lord,” Regulus moaned as he buried his head in his hands. 

Regulus ate every bite and drank every drop and when he asked for the bill, Sirius took out his pad and told him to take the ticket to Remus at the till, and he’d charge him. 

“Your money is no good here. You’re family,” Remus told Regulus, waving him off when he tried to pay for his lunch. “Come back soon,” Remus called after them, cheerily. James grinned. Remus may be the voice of reason, but it didn’t mean he didn’t like to add his personal brand of chaos into the mix. “James, tell Regulus about the BBQ next weekend. You’re more than welcome to come, Regulus.”

“Remus!” Sirius admonished his boyfriend.

“Yes my dear,” Remus answered, and then the door shut behind them, so all James could hear was the muffled words of Sirius blowing a gasket. 

“So you’re friends with my brother, typical. The first fit guy I throw an apple core at happens to be the man my brother replaced me with.” Regulus groused. James stopped listening after Regulus called him a fit guy. 

“You think I’m fit?” He asked dreamily. 

“Have you seen yourself?” Regulus scoffed as they rounded the corner back towards the park. James had no idea where they were going, he was just happy to follow. “So this BBQ, do I need to bring anything?” James laughed and, feeling a surge of confidence, wrapped an arm around Regulus and tucked him into his side as they took a leisurely stroll around the park. 

Next part

[ecstarry]

Bendy Straws // @fromagony @sixlane

“Would you like one sir?” 

Regulus was ready to give the most intense eye-roll known to mankind when he lifted his head from his book—only to see a kid, no older than eleven, staring eagerly at him with a small box full of colorful bendy straws.

He had a horrible morning and went to a park that was sure to be empty at that time of day. The urge of frustration he felt when his reading got interrupted faded instantly when he realized it was a boy who wanted his attention. The angry, irritable, short-tempered Regulus Black had one soft spot —children. 

“What are you selling?”

“Just some straws. I’m saving up to buy a new controller for my xbox,” the boy smiled widely. 

Regulus put down his book and raised his hips just enough to reach for his wallet. 

“How much for all of them?” 

The boy’s eyes widened. “Really!?”

His enthusiasm reminded him of his goddaughter, Luna. He assumed the boy was probably around her age. Regulus made a mental note of bringing her to the park one day, maybe she could make a new friend. 

“Harry! There you are!” A tall man came rushing over, panting and breathless, before coming to a stop next to the boy.

“Dad! This man offered to buy all of it.” 

The father turned to face Regulus and smiled apologetically and sweetly at him. “You don’t have to do that.”

Regulus blushed at the sound of his voice and the depth of his eyes. He cleared his throat before speaking. “It’s okay, really.” He handed Harry a bill that more than covered the cost of all his merchandise. “They’re for my goddaughter. She’ll love them.”

Regulus must’ve said something right because the man’s eyes softened, a smile forming at the corner of his lips. 

“How old is she?” 

“She’s 11, a very sweet girl.”

“Oh! That’s Harry’s age.” The man responded enthusiastically, he gestured towards the empty space next to Regulus’ on the bench.

“Go ahead.” 

“I’m sorry if this is straight forward, but we just moved here and I would love for Harry to make new friends. Would it be too weird and naive of me to ask for your number so we can arrange a playdate at the park?”

Regulus pondered for a moment, unsure if his trust in this mysterious man was based on any real signs of reliability or simply because he was insanely good-looking and Regulus wanted an excuse to get to know him better.

“Sure.” Two things could be true at the same time. 

“Perfect.” He took out his phone and gave it to Regulus. 

“I’m James.”

“I’m Regulus.” He handed back the phone and their fingers touched. James’ hand was warm, they lingered. He was never one to enjoy the cold. 

“Like the star, I like it.” 

“Yeah, exactly like that.”

[coyotelip]

starchaser (+ onesided moonwater) microfic: salt, hypnotized || MCD || @into-the-jeggyverse @taylorswiftmicrofic || wc: 687

Every Saturday, the same man comes to the restaurant. 

They are a fairly prestigious restaurant, so regular customers are not uncommon, but this man is particularly eye-catching. He is always dressed in a perfectly tailored suit over a black shirt. In fact, all of his clothes are black, which suits his pale skin and black hair. He books a table for the same time, arrives exactly 5 minutes earlier, orders the same dish with the same wine. 

He is always alone.

This sets him apart from others, because such prestigious places are used for dates or meetings with partners to impress. However, it seems that the man has no one to impress. He is sitting at a far table under a painting of a forest landscape, eating his meal slowly and with manners and watching the candles on the table. 

He seems to be hypnotized, sometimes he can take a sip of wine and roll it around in his mouth, watching the flame at the end of a long candle for a couple of minutes. 

Remus is equally hypnotized by these moments, but it's not the candle, it's this man, his slow and graceful movements. And although he is dressed in black, he acts on Remus like a flame on a moth. He wants to get closer, wants to hear his voice and smell his cologne. 

However, the man's table is not assigned to him, and Remus does not even get the opportunity to ask if he needs some water or the bill, or to say bon appetit or good evening. 

So he stays in the corner, hypnotized by the unattainable flame, running through hundreds of questions in his head and wondering why. 

◇◇◇

Every Saturday, Regulus comes to their place. He comes to their restaurant, at their time, sits at their table, orders their favorite dish, and spends exactly the same amount of time as it took James on their first date to charm Regulus completely. Thirty-three minutes.

He recalls how the wine tasted the sweetest on those evenings together, how everything around them disappeared for him, and they existed in their own bubble, sharing events in their lives, discussing colleagues and friends. They met their anniversaries, birthdays, and celebrated promotions at work here.

James proposed to him here. At this table, with a bottle of this wine, five years ago. He hid the ring in the salt and made Regulus laugh with this incredible performance.

“Oh, I think the salad is under-salted today... Mm, something is wrong with this saltine, could you please take a look, dear?”

“Oh my god, it's probably just empty, call the waiter and they'll replace it”

“I don't want to bother them with something so stupid, but look, for me?” James' big eyes does wonders on Regulus, so he couldn't refuse and took the salt in his hands, unscrewing the lid.

Only to find a silver engagement ring with an emerald inside instead of salt.

Four years ago, they got married.

Three years ago, they bought a house on the outskirts of town because James wanted Regulus to have a studio at home.

Two years ago, their house burned down with everything inside. With James inside.

And the most painful thing was that Regulus was left with nothing, not a single thing, because the house had everything. He didn't care about the documents or his studio, all of which could be repaired with money. However, he did care about the things they had earned together, about their photos and books with notes, about gifts from his husband, about his things. He cared about James's body, which remained there, right in front of the door, because he hadn't managed to get out before he lost consciousness.

Regulus was left with only memories, and he decided to drown himself in them, finding no other way out.

And every Saturday he came to their restaurant, sat down at their table and ordered their meal, hypnotized by the candle in front of him, begging for the little flame to swallow him up and take him away with it, just as it had once taken James away from him.

[hollowed-theory-hall]

Any HC's or theories on Regulus Black?

Hi! This was a really fun ask actually and I ended up blabbering a lot about Regulus Arcturus Black because I have thoughts.

Okay, so I'm going to do something similar to what I did with Theodore Nott since there isn't a lot of info about Regulus, but there's a lot implied and I love extrapolating. I think Regulus is a fascinating character that can be read in multiple ways (part of the fun!)

It got a bit long, but here are my thoughts about him:

The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black

“Leave?” Sirius smiled bitterly and ran a hand through his long, unkempt hair. “Because I hated the whole lot of them: my parents, with their pure-blood mania, convinced that to be a Black made you practically royal . . . my idiot brother, soft enough to believe them . . . that’s him.” Sirius jabbed a finger at the very bottom of the tree, at the name REGULUS BLACK. A date of death (some fifteen years previously) followed the date of birth. “He was younger than me,” said Sirius, “and a much better son, as I was constantly reminded.” “But he died,” said Harry. “Yeah,” said Sirius. “Stupid idiot . . . he joined the Death Eaters.” [...] “No, no, but believe me, they thought Voldemort had the right idea, they were all for the purification of the Wizarding race, getting rid of Muggle-borns and having purebloods in charge. They weren’t alone either, there were quite a few people, before Voldemort showed his true colors, who thought he had the right idea about things. . . . They got cold feet when they saw what he was prepared to do to get power, though. But I bet my parents thought Regulus was a right little hero for joining up at first.”

(OotP, 112)

So, first, we have some background. Regulus Black was the younger brother of Sirius. Part of the main male line of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black.

What we know of Sirius' childhood is that the Blacks were pure-blood fanatics. From Elladrora who hung house-elf heads on the wall to Araminata who billed the ministry to legalize muggle-hunting. Not to mention the Blacks' tendency to disown and disinherit anyone who doesn't fall in line with their standards of purity. They are, after all, "Always Pure".

So Regulus grew up wealthy in a family that considered themselves magical nobility (and probably are, in that I think they have a family Wizengamot membership). He never lacked anything, but his childhood came with expectations, more so after Sirius left.

I've seen many write Walburga and Orion as abusive, but I don't think they cursed their children. I don't think they were great parents, but I truly believe they never raised a wand (or hand) against one of their sons. What I think they did, was heft some impossible standards on their sons.

Sirius is the eldest, the heir, therefore as children, he would've carried most of these expectations. Sirius would be the one Walburga and Orion dotted after. Kreature says Sirius leaving broke Waburga's heart and I honestly believe it to be true. I think Sirius was Walburga's favorite. The eldest, the brightest, the cleverest, the most handsome. The brightest star in the night sky.

Regulus, as a child, would always come second. He would see his brother cause havoc and get all their parents' attention, so, in his bid to get attention too, he did the opposite of Sirius. If Sirius got attention for being a rebel, Regulus would follow each and every standard their parents put down to the latter. This is something you see in many families, each sibling wants to have their own "niche" so they tend to do the opposite of the sibling that came before them. And that's exactly what we see with Regulus. Sirius was the rebel, so Regulus became the dutiful, obedient perfect pure-blood son his mother wanted to win her affection and differentiate himself from Sirius.

These comparisons between them Sirius mentioned, they probably went both ways. Walburga reminded Sirius of how dutiful and reliable Regulus is and "Why can't you be more like your brother," but Regulus heard the exact same sentence. "Why can't you be as witty/talented as you're brother".

And after Sirius left, I think these comparisons got worse. I think Walburga and Orion talked about Sirius constantly after he left.

I believe Sirius and Regulus were actually close as young children and started growing apart once Sirius started school. Sirius being sorted into Gryffindor was a new point of tension in the home. The constant comparisons they both heard to each other made resentment grow and after Sirius left, Regulus couldn't speak to his parents without hearing "Oh, Sirius would say this" and "Sirius would think that" I think that resentment and bitterness got worse. So, he did what he always did to differentiate himself from Sirius — be the perfect Slytherin pure-blood.

I think this helped his decision to join the Death Eaters. Not the only factor, mind you, I don't think it's Sirius' fault Regulus joined the Death Eaters, it was still Regulus' decision. But I think the situation at home after Sirius left factored into it.

Who was Regulus as a person?

Now I want to talk a little bit more about Regulus' personality before covering his untimely end everyone is familiar with.

It was a pompous little sign, neatly lettered by hand the sort of thing that Percy Weasley might have stuck on his bedroom door. Do Not Enter Without the Express Permission of Regulus Arcturus Black

(DH, 163)

They moved over the threshold together, gazing around. Regulus’s bedroom was slightly smaller than Sirius’s, though it had the same sense of former grandeur. Whereas Sirius had sought to advertise his diffidence from the rest of the family, Regulus had striven to emphasize the opposite. The Slytherin colors of emerald and silver were everywhere, draping the bead, the walls, and the windows. The Black family crest was painstakingly painted over the bed, along with its motto, TOUJOURS PUR. Beneath this was a collection of yellow newspaper cuttings, all stuck together to make a ragged collage. Hermione crossed the room to examine them. “They’re all about Voldemort,” she said. “Regulus seems to have been a fan for a few years before he joined the Death Eaters . . . ” A little puff of dust rose from the bedcovers as she sat down to read the clippings. Harry, meanwhile, had noticed another photograph: a Hogwarts Quidditch team was smiling and waving out of the frame. He moved closer and saw the snakes emblazoned on their chests: Slytherins. Regulus was instantly recognizable as the boy sitting in the middle of the front row: He had the same dark hair and slightly haughty look of his brother, though he was smaller, slighter, and rather less handsome than Sirius had been. “He played Seeker,” said Harry.

(DH, 164)

I believe you can learn a lot about a person from their living space. Regulus' (and Sirius') bedrooms remained unchanged by their parents from the moment they left them. As Regulus died when he was 18 or 19 the room is frozen as it was when it served him. So, what does Regulus' bedroom tell us about him?

Harry refers to the sign on the door as something pompous, and written in a nice handwriting. I believe the sign was put up when Regulus was younger, specifically against Sirius. It's one of these signs children put on their doors specifically against their annoying siblings who steal their stuff or rummage through it. And even after they grew out of it, after Sirius left, Regulus kept the sign up. I think he couldn't really muster to put it away even once Sirius wasn't around to poke into his room anymore.

As I mentioned above, Regulus tried to be the opposite of Sirius and decorated his room accordingly. The most Slytherin pure-blood child of Hosue Black there could be. The Hogwarts memorabilia is some of that perfect Slytherin son image, but it's also really sad. It's a reminder of just how young Regulus was when he died. Sure, he would've probably kept a lot of it as an adult, but it's unlikely he would've displayed Slytherin banners and pictures of the Quidditch team in the same way long after school was over. But Regulus graduated a year before his death, he didn't have time to grow up and grow away from his school experiences. So his room, like him, is stuck at 19.

The Black family crest and motto painted above the bed is another extra mile to show Regulus' dedication to being the perfect son, the perfect child his mother wanted. I headcanon this was painted after Sirus left. A sort of sign to say that Regulus wouldn't leave. That he cares about his family.

Harry also mentioned Regulus was a Seeker on the Slytherin Quidditch team, according to his seating in the photo. It doesn't tell us much more about Regulus, I think it's just more of him trying to please his parents. That and I think he genuinely liked Quidditch, which is a fun little tidbit.

Now, we don't know much about Regulus at school, but I'd say he was a good student. He wasn't as naturally talented and gifted as Sirius, but Regulus knew to work his ass off. The neat handwriting on the door sign is probably his, I bet he had really organized notes in school that everyone wanted to copy. Regulus as the second best to Sirius, would be more of a hard worker than Sirius in general and strive for perfection in his school work out of his desire for attention and recognition from his parents.

Now, let's talk about the newspaper clippings elephant in the room...

Regulus the Death Eater

Sirius said his parents thought Voldemort had the right idea about muggles and muggleborns, and it's clear Regulus agreed with them. Regulus was a Voldemort fanboy before he became a Death Eater, yes, the circumstances he grew up with and his resentment towards Sirius were part of it, but it was a choice he made. He thought it was a good idea, he thought muggles and muggleborns should know their place. I think there are a lot of parallels between Regulus Black and Draco Malfoy, especially when Kreature talks about how Regulus was at first as a Death Eater:

“Master Sirius ran away, good riddance, for he was a bad boy and broke my Mistress’s heart with his lawless ways. But Master Regulus had proper order; he knew what was due to the name of Black and the dignity of his pure blood. For years he talked of the Dark Lord, who was going to bring the wizards out of hiding to rule the Muggles and the Muggle-borns . . . and when he was sixteen years old, Master Regulus joined the Dark Lord. So proud, so proud, so happy to serve . . . And one day, a year after he joined, Master Regulus came down to the kitchen to see Kreacher. Master Regulus always liked Kreacher. And Master Regulus said . . . he said . . . ” The old elf rocked faster than ever. “. . . he said that the Dark Lord required an elf.” […] “Oh yes,” moaned Kreacher. “And Master Regulus had volunteered Kreacher. It was an honor, said Master Regulus, an honor for him and for Kreacher, who must be sure to do whatever the Dark Lord ordered him to do . . . and then to c-come home.” Kreacher rocked still faster, his breath coming in sobs.

(DH, 168-169)

Like Draco, Regulus was proud to be a Death Eater, excited to do something against the "filthy mudbloods" plaguing their society. He considered helping Voldemort an honor. A good thing. Same as how Draco talks about it at first. But like we see with Draco in book 6, that it became too much for him, that he was having mental breakdowns in the toilet with Myrtle, I think Regulus experienced something similar.

He grew up spoiled, well-treated, well-mannered. He wasn't raised a soldier, a killer. I don't think Regulus had it in him, same as Draco. He couldn't bear to torture and kill.

Regulus, Kreature, and Empathy

The other interesting note in the above quotes is "Master Regulus always liked Kreacher". I find this adorable and jarring. We see how Sirius treats Kreature, he doesn't treat him as an equal being, he treats him like a slave, like a house-elf. Sirius does it because that's how he was raised to see house-elves, even the Weasleys think of house-elves in this way. It's a societal thing. But Regulus doesn't.

Regulus is kind to Kreature, and cares about him, likes him. It's kind of insane for a blood-purist Death Eater to show affection for a house-elf, especially the kind of affection in which Regulus chose to die instead of torturing his elf (his choice to die had other factors in it, and I'll get to it later). It's just, I don't know, the dynamic Regulus and Kreature had is really precious to me, okay?

Like, the fact it could happen goes to show how compassionate Regulus was even with his bigoted views and choice to become a Death Eater. Sirius calls Regulus "soft" and I think he is 100% right. Regulus was the "softer" and more empathetic of the two brothers. That softness doesn't mean he didn't think muggles and muggleborns are lesser and chose to become a Death Eater on his own accord. But that empathy is what probably made him uncomfortable among Death Eaters and get cold feet once he saw what was going on inside.

I imagine Kreature and Regulus were friendly for years. Kreature has served the Hosue of Black for a good while, which means he likely raised Regulus and Sirius. I think he helped with Regulus more than with Sirius, just because of how they reacted to him differently. Also, Waburga and Orion probably had less attention to give to Regulus when he was just born as Sirius was still really young then (a year or a year and a half old), so their attention would be more divided and Kreature would help more. I headcanon when Regulus was a young child Kreature would, like, sneak him extra desert and such and a young Sirius would complain he's not getting any.

How do we know what happened to him?

“Was he killed by an Auror?” Harry asked tentatively. “Oh no,” said Sirius. “No, he was murdered by Voldemort. Or on Voldemort’s orders, more likely, I doubt Regulus was ever important enough to be killed by Voldemort in person. From what I found out after he died, he got in so far, then panicked about what he was being asked to do and tried to back out. Well, you don’t just hand in your resignation to Voldemort. It’s a lifetime of service or death.”

(OotP, 112)

Now, what's interesting about this quote is how Sirius found this out. Why would he know that's what happened? Who could he have spoken to that would've known to tell him this?

Voldemort killing traitors is known, and many other characters mention it, but who would know Regulus turned traitor?

Other Death Eaters. Specifically, highly valued Death Eaters that are related to Regulus, like Bellatrix, who happened to be in Azkaban with Sirius.

I believe Sirius "found out" from Bella or other Death Eaters in a neighboring cell who told him that's what happened. I just don't really see any other way he'd come to this conclusion on his own. It's either that or wishful thinking on Sirius' part.

I think the inner circle Death Eaters were told Regulus was killed for treachery but nothing beyond that. I didn't really write about how I think the Dark Mark works, but I think it allows Voldemort to magically know when a Death Eater dies (and a bit more). I don't think he knew how Regulus died, just that he did. But Sirius mentioned he knew Regulus betrayed Voldemort, it means someone had to know. It means Voldemort likely knew Regulus was a traitor and told some of his Death Eaters. The same ones Sirius was in Azkaban with.

Regulus' betrayal and Death

“So what happened when you got back?” Harry asked. “What did Regulus say when you told him what happened?” “Master Regulus was very worried, very worried,” croaked Kreacher. “Master Regulus told Kreacher to stay hidden and not to leave the house. And then . . . it was a little while later . . . Master Regulus came to find Kreacher in his cupboard one night, and Master Regulus was strange, not as he usually was, disturbed in his mind, Kreacher could tell . . . and he asked Kreacher to take him to the cave, the cave where Kreacher had gone with the Dark Lord. . . . “ […] “And he made you drink the poison?” said Harry, disgusted. But Kreacher shook his head and wept. Hermione’s hands leaped to her mouth: She seemed to have understood something. “M—Master Regulus took from his pocket a locket like the one the Dark Lord had,” said Kreacher, tears pouring down either side of his snoutlike nose. “And he told Kreacher to take it and, when the basin was empty, to switch the lockets . . . ” Kreacher’s sobs came in great rasps now; Harry had to concentrate hard to understand him. “And he order—Kreacher to leave—without him. And he told Kreacher—to go home—and never to tell my Mistress—what he had done—but to destroy— the first locket. And he drank—all the potion—and Kreacher swapped the lockets—and watched . . . as Master Regulus . . . was dragged beneath the water. . . and . . . “

(DH, 171)

To the Dark Lord I know I will be dead long before you read this but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more. R.A.B.

(HBP, 609)

So, there are a few things to talk about here:

1. Why did Regulus choose to betray Voldemort when he did? What changed?

As I mentioned above, I think Regulus was always empathetic, just not towards muggleborns (at least until he saw torture first-hand perhaps?), but he was towards Kreature. That worry over Kreature, that's the first big seed of doubt about Voldemort. Regulus cares a lot about Kreature and he's clearly clever. He's smart enough to realise Voldemort must think Kreature is dead so it'll be better if he didn't see Kreature, hence why he told the elf not to leave the house.

I think seeing Keature in a state after he was in the cave is what really caused the shift in how Regulus thinks about Voldemort. I think there were doubts before, I don't think Regulus was ever on board with being the one to torture and murder, he doesn't strike me like the sort, but as long as he didn't really need to partake and it was only "filthy mudbloods" he could kinda excuse it to himself. And whenever a pure-blood was killed or tortured (the first war killed more pure-bloods than muggleborns) he could excuse that too, "they were against us, after all". But then Kreature was hurt too, it was the final nail for Regulus. That's what he couldn't excuse to himself as "justified" anymore.

So Regulus continues being a Death Eater, but he is suspicious, he doesn't trust Voldemort's goals are what he always promised them, and he is uncertain about the means being justified anymore. He is unsure if he is willing to go as far as Voldemort is. So he watches, and study, and waits for his chance.

And that chance came when he found out about the Horcruxes.

After Regulus finds out about the Horcruxes Kreature describes him as "disturbed in the mind" and "strange", it's clear the something rattled him. A lot.

I think finding out Voldemort made a Horcrux pushed Regulus' betrayal to happen. Like, I think Horcruxes are very taboo magic, even among wizards who practice the dark arts. As I mentioned in the past, you need to essentially kill yourself to make a Horcrux. I think messing with your life and soul is considered perverse and twisted even for dark wizards, and Horcruxes even more so. I mean, I think it's uncomfortable to learn you swore your allegiance to someone who's willing to kill himself to gain immortality. It means that someone would stop at nothing to achieve their wishes.

And Regulus is already disenchanted with how far Voldemort is willing to go for goals he isn't even certain of anymore, and then he discovers the Horcrux. A magical item that says that as far as Voldemort went with the war, he could go further, because he is a man who'd stop at nothing, not even self-mutilation is too high a tool for him. That is frightening. Following the orders of someone like that, someone who doesn't care for you and is never going to say "maybe this is too far" is terrifying. The idea of someone like that ruling a government is even worse... no wonder Regulus turned traitor the moment he learned about the Horcrux...

So I think finding out about the Horcrux is why Regulus decided to turn on Voldemort and destroy the Horcrux.

As you can tell, his opinions on muggles or muggleborns aren't the main factor I believe changed Regulus' mind. The means, and how far Voldemort was willing to go is what mostly caused the change of heart. I think Regulus had too much heart for it, even if he thought muggles and muggleborns lesser, he took no sadistic joy in others' pain the way some Death Eaters do. And seeing pure-bloods like him could be hurt in the same way (the Order were mostly pure-bloods), I think was especially abhorrent to him.

2. Why did Regulus choose death?

Regulus chose to drink the potion because he wanted to spare Kreature. This is the same kindness and empathy that I've already discussed, but he could've ordered Kreature to take him back home, nothing stopped him from doing that... and Kreature would've, happily so. So why didn't he?

In the letter Regulus outright said he'd be dead by the time Voldemort reads it, he went into the cave with the full intention to die, he never planned to leave. Kinda like how Harry walked into the forest in Deathley Hallows... but why? Why did he choose death?

I think Regulus chose to die because he knew he wouldn't be able to hid his treachery from Voldemort. I mentioned already I believe Voldemort told his inner circle Death Eaters that Regulus turned traitor and died for it. Voldemort knowing Regulus is a traitor makes Regulus' decision to die make more sense.

The phrase "I want you to know it was I", makes me think Voldemort suspected someone had learned of his Horcruxes but didn't know who. Maybe Voldemort suspected there was a traitor who knew about the Horcruxes, and after Regulus died Voldemort investigated after the fact and figured it was Regulus that turned traitor. Maybe he even checked on the cave and saw Regulus was dead there, so he didn't bother to check on the Horcrux. I don't think he would've expected Kreature to have been there too, otherwise, he'd see no reason for Regulus to be dead. Because for Voldemort, it wouldn't make sense to allow yourself to die like that, he wouldn't really understand why anyone would choose to die if they had the choice.

So Regulus even kept the secret of the Horcrux being taken at all by his death.

Additionally, Regulus chose to die and take out the Horcrux while doing it to avoid being tortured and killed by Voldemort and the Death Eaters. By dying, he also protected his family from being hunted down to try and locate him. He died to protect himself and everyone he cared about from the treatment of Death Eater traitors. Which we know is not pleasant...

3. How did Regulus find out about the Horcruxes?

This is something I'm less sure of and is foraying into heavier speculation. The only hint we really get is: "I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret" from his letter, but what exactly does this mean?

Well, Kreature told Regulus everything he saw. He told him a locket was placed in a cave filled with magical protections. Kreature's information about the locket is probably how Regulus made/bought the replica. But how from "well protected magical item" Regulus reached the conclusion that it's a Horcrux? How did he discover the secret?

I don't know how he was discovered, as for the Horcrux, I have a guess.

Regulus said he discovered the secret, I think what he did was piecing the puzzle together not unlike Dumbledore. He knew from Kreature that Voldemort had an item he guards very securely, he might've heard from Bellatrix that Voldemort is immortal since I'm pretty confident she was told what the cup in her vault is. And I think Regulus, as a member of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, and a clever enough dark wizard, could trace a book about Horcruxes and figure out that's likely what the locket is.

Some random headcanons

1. I think Regulus could be just as much of a little shit as Sirius. I mean, there's a certain edge to how he words his note. I like to think, that when they were young, before Hogwarts, they'd pull pranks together in balls or other stuffy functions and get in trouble together.

2. I have little to no basis for this headcanon, but I'd like to think the painting of the Black family crest and motto above Regulus' bed was painted by Rregulus. I mean, he can do nice calligraphy on the sign on his door, I see no reason he couldn't also paint.

3. And finally, to a kinda sad headcanon, Harry actually saw Regulus in the cave:

the wandlight had slid over a fresh patch of water and showed him, this time, a dead man lying faceup inches beneath the surface, his open eyes misted as though with cobwebs, his hair and his robes swirling around him like smoke.

(HBP, 565)

I assume most of the corpses are muggles, and most of them are actually described as worse for wear than the one robe-wearing wizard corpse Harry describes above. For these reasons, I believe this corpse is Regulus. It's a sad thought, but it crossed my mind when I read this passage in my recent HBP reread.

[cherryslyce]

Second Son (XVIII) | Regulus Black

Series Synopsis: Forbidden from contacting Harry over the summer, you opt to explore the eerie halls of Grimmauld Place where you stumble upon a lonely portrait of the House's second son.

— Chapter Synopsis: The group reconvenes over tea. The Black Brothers reunite. Harry proposes a risky plan.

Part XVII / Part XIX / Series Masterlist

Pairing: Regulus Black x GN!Reader

Notes: Only one more chapter + the epilogue!

A dizzying edge of familiarity beats through your veins as you keep your eyes firmly locked on the teacup in front of you. Instead of the soft cranberry glass from last time, the Contessa dished out stout porcelain cups with curved handles, small forget-me-nots wrapping around the diameter of the ivory cup.  

As your tea continues to steam, you could feel a dense tension curl around every inch of the atmosphere. Regulus sat to your right, appearing to try and distract himself by burying his face in his tea cup, while Luna sat to your left, finger tracing the floral design of her cup absentmindedly. Across from you, Sirius sat, eyes unseeing and mouth still uncouthly agape. 

The Contessa sat patiently at the head of the table, eyes flickering between you and Regulus, and frowning every so often as she observed Sirius’ paralyzed state. Harry sat next to his Godfather, green eyes sitting as wide as prophecy orbs behind his round glasses. Hermione was biting her lip as she tried to restrain herself from interrogating you, hand wrapped tightly around Ron’s wrist as she attempted to rein in the sputtering boy. 

Sirius had gone into a state of shock after Regulus greeted him, perhaps short circuiting after realizing that the boy was not a figment of his imagination or a product of a sudden lapse of delusion. You were positive that the older man would have collapsed if not for Harry’s fast reflexes and initiative to move him to the tea room. 

Sirius leans forwards suddenly, hair swinging wildly at the sudden motion as he suddenly blurts out, “What the hell?” 

The Contessa places her cup down on her saucer with a resounding click before she hums, “Indeed, as Lord Black so eloquently voiced, what exactly is going on?” She immediately sets her eyes on you and you feel your shoulders freeze at the sudden rapt attention. 

You turn to share a quick look with Regulus, and the boy offers you an assured nod, clearly giving you the greenlight to disclose what you thought was necessary. Turning to face the Contessa, you stew in your thoughts for a few moments as you try and string together an explanation. 

“What I’m about to tell you all—it’s quite unimaginable, but we plan on publishing many of our findings soon, so there is no point in sugarcoating it.” You inhale deeply and clasp your hands together in apprehension, “When Dumbledore passed on, he left a note in his will for me. It was a suggestion that I visit an old friend of his in Norway, and that I may find some answers to my concerns.” 

The trio nod, readily dredging up the memory from Bill and Fleur’s wedding day, and you see the Contessa raise her eyebrows imperceptibly at the admission. You feel Luna reach over and rest her warm hand atop of yours as you continue, “Well, I went with Luna, and we met up with the man. Over the span of the few months of my absence, we discovered some enlightening theories.”

Sirius is now wholly aware, his unwavering gaze prodding you. You turn to look at the man, a frown washing over your expression, “These theories happened to overlap with something I had told the man in passing,” your eyes flicker over to Harry, “Dumbledore had taken Harry and I to a cave the day he was killed. In this cave, we encountered Voldemort’s army of inferis and a locket.” 

Harry perks up at your words, and begins to shoulder the task of recollecting, “It was supposed to be Voldemort’s locket, but when we investigated it over the summer, we found out that it was a decoy,” the boy pauses before inclining his head towards Regulus, “one that was made by Regulus.” 

You nod and suppress the smile threatening to appear on your face as you see Regulus’ wide eyes, clearing your throat to resume your delineation, “Yes, and so we both worked out the fact that Regulus had…died in the cave when he swapped out the lockets, and as a result, became one of the inferis.” 

Sirius pivots his head to stare at his brother in incredulity, “What? Why would you swap the…” The man trails off and he leans forwards in his seat, eyebrows drawn as he presses for an answer. 

Regulus meets his brother’s gaze evenly before elucidating, “Because I defected.” 

The silence that ensues is stark, and you watch as revelation sinks through Sirius, the older man’s expression batting between relief and anguish. Waiting for a few more beats of silence, you continue quieter than before, “Yes, Regulus made the choice to take the locket, despite knowing what the consequences entailed. Dumbledore’s friend had long theorized about the state of inferis and believed that their souls were still chained to their bodies—present, but dormant.” 

You pause to catch your breath, lifting up your teacup and sipping your coolled tea to soothe your jitteriness. The Contessa runs a manicured finger along the edge of the table as she muses, “And what is the significance of this locket? For the magnitude of trouble it's caused, I don’t suppose it’s just any ordinary sentimental locket?” 

You share a look with Harry, and he gulps before turning towards the dispassionate woman, “Are you familiar with horcruxes, Contessa Zabini?” 

The woman pauses for a split moment before stiffly nodding, hand moving to clasp her teacup, “I see.” She frowns lightly, eyes darkening as she hummed, “Well, it is abundantly clear to me now that aiding you was the astute choice, Mr.Potter.” With that, she relaxes again and closes her eyes as she polishes off the rest of her tea. 

Turning your gaze to run around the table, you survey everyone to check if anyone else had any lingering questions. Seeing that all of the occupants were waiting for you to continue, you nod and rub a hand over your jaw, “Right. Well, this man and I performed an ancient soul-tracking ritual to confirm his suspicions since now he finally had a subject to test it on, and we found abnormal results.” 

Regulus’ attention is now squarely on you as you elaborate, hand rising to rest on your knee as he absorbs every tidbit of information. Catching Sirius’ eye again, you continue, “He decided that perhaps there was a way to unchain an inferi’s bound soul and revitalize them back to their former states.” You place your hand on top of Regulus's hand, squeezing firmly, “So, I took him to the cave that Harry and I were at, and we retrieved Regulus’ inferi.” 

Ron blinks slowly in a disbelieving manner before squawking, “You retrieved an inferi?”

“Not me.” You shake your head and ignore Harry’s astounded goggle, “But yes, we got him. It’s a bit of a blur afterwards, but Regulus had gifted me some items that were imbued with his magic, and it helped us bring him back.” 

Regulus nods faintly as realization dawns on him, his hand slipping from under yours to interlace your fingers together. Hermione sits up bone-straight in her seat, swaying a bit in eagerness as she stares at you like a hawk, “Imbued? Is this a part of the research you’re planning to publish?” 

You chuckle slightly and grin in confirmation, “Yes, but Reggie is the expert on that.” 

The boy next to you bites his cheek to veil his smile, but the twinkle in his eyes as he shoots you an appreciative nod satisfies you enough. 

Sirius’ thoughts are truncated in a flash by your words, and he instinctively slams his palms on the table as he leaps up from his chair, “Reggie? Don’t tell me…” He peers over the length of the table to see your joined hands, “Oh blessed Morgana.” The man tips back into his seat, eyes finding the ceiling as the Contessa scowls at his outburst. 

Regulus takes this as an opportunity to directly address his brother, “Siri. I’m sorry,” pausing to glance at you, “not for this,” he gestures between you and him, “but for everything else.” 

The man directs his attention back to his younger brother, eyes becoming glassy at the genuine sorrow on Regulus’ face. Drawing a hand across the table, Sirius reaches as far as he can towards Regulus, “You fool. What is there for you to apologize for?” 

“For all those venomous words during our youth.” Regulus’ words are hushed as he pulls your intertwined hands into his lap for comfort. 

Sirius shakes his head fervently, “Our youth is all in the past, Regulus. We both made awful choices back then, but I mean, what choice did we really have with our parents being who they were?” The man smiles wryly as he tries to comfort his brother. 

Regulus’ throat bobs as he tries to suppress the tender emotion rippling across his face, “But you got out.” 

“And what did that cost me? I left you behind,” Sirius’ expression grows grave, “and I can never forgive myself for that.” 

The brothers share a long look before Sirius breaks into a watery smile, “Look at us, huh? Enough trauma to last seven lifetimes.” 

Regulus chuckles quietly and smiles at the older man, “I missed you, Siri.” 

“I missed you too, kid,” Sirius smiles widely before it falters, “which reminds me, it’s a bit eerie to see you look so…” 

“Young?” You supply lightly. 

Sirius nods before bringing a hand to run across his face, causing Regulus to grin broadly, “Guess I’m the better looking brother, now.” 

Harry hides a snicker behind his hand and you see Hermione laugh at their antics, dabbing the corner of her eyes with her finger to rid of the wetness in her eyes. Sirius gawks at Regulus’ words and jokingly sneers at him, “Well try being in Azkaban for over a decade.” 

“Try being dead.” Regulus shoots back with narrowed eyes. 

“At least you got to keep your looks!” 

Regulus leans back with a hum, “So you admit it, I’m better looking.” 

You tune out their squabbling as you turn to address the Contessa, “Thank you for everything you’ve done to help us, Contessa. I’m sure Harry and I could slip in a good word and all, once this whole thing blows over.” 

The woman smiles pleasantly at your words and nods, “And a signed copy of your published work, dear.” 

Hastily agreeing, you sink into your seat as warmth permeates across your chest. It was perturbing to consider how comfortable you felt in that moment, knowing that outside the safe confines of the Manor walls, an impending bloodbath was awaiting your arrival with bated breath. 

You all move to get along with your day, your succinct explanation satisfactory enough for the time being. Regulus pauses in the doorway, hand in yours, as he looks between you and Sirius with a conflicted frown. 

“Go,” you nudge him lightly, smiling when you see Sirius assess your joined hands like it was something of earth-changing novelty. 

Regulus’ eyes scan your face for a few moments before he nods, “I’ll find you in a bit, birdie.” 

You squeeze his hand lightly before stepping back with a teasing grin, “Oh, and by the way, I think you’ve always been the better looking brother.” 

Before he has a chance to respond, you’re spinning on your heels to meet up with Luna, the girl lingering nearby to wait for you. You loop your arm with hers and slowly make your way down the ornate hallway. 

“Let’s go get washed up, little moon.” You mutter, eyes widening as you catch a fleeting glance of your ruffled reflection in one of the glittering mirrors. 

The hours seem to slip away through the threshold of your mind, and soon you’re left to your lonesome as you gaze towards the setting sun. The planes of the sky are marred by blends of flowery pinks that bleed into blood orange, and you find yourself entranced by the stretches of trimmed grass and patches of flowers that are illuminated under the vibrant sky. 

In your hands, you slowly flip the smooth labradorite stone that Luna handed you once you emerged from the steamy bathroom. As you continue to drift in your sea of thoughts, you faintly hear footsteps approaching you. 

“Here you are, birdie.” Regulus murmurs, tucking his chin on your shoulder as he tiredly drapes himself on your back. 

Smiling gently, you bring a hand up to pat his cheek, “How’d it go with Sirius?” 

“Great, actually. Our conversations were always turbulent when we were younger, but now it feels like we’re both on the same wavelength.” He hums, hands slowly drawing patterns on your waist. 

You bring your hand up and open your palm to the sky, your stone glimmering under the sunlight, “That’s good, and he didn’t have kittens over our…us?” 

Regulus’ chest vibrates against your back as he laughs, voice light with a content buzz, “Surprisingly not. He’s quite taken with you though, so he did warn me a bit about messing around with his ‘pup’.” 

“Merlin, you’d think he was my father.” You mumble with an amused huff. 

“I was quite floored, honestly. He never wanted kids of his own, something about being the cool Uncle.” Regulus hums. 

You shake your head before a pained memory surfaces in your head. Tensing a bit against Regulus, your voice comes out wispy, “Reg. Before I left for Norway, I found something that belongs to you.” 

The boy tilts his head as you pull away, grasping his elbow to pull him back inside your temporary room. Digging into your borrowed coat, you pull out the shrunken journal, deftly returning it back to its original size with a wave of your wand. 

“Oh,” Regulus blinks as he slowly takes it from your hold, “I completely forgot about this.” 

You scratch the nape of your neck as you clear your throat, “I read through it,” you pause as you frown at him regretfully, “I’m sorry.” 

The boy shakes his head and shoots you a small smile, “No need to apologize, birdie.” He flips open the journal and scans through the pages, eyebrows occasionally raising up at the contents of the page. At one point, the boy pauses and runs his thumb against a page before slowly drawing the book closed. 

He reaches over to you and cups your neck with a soft gaze, allowing a few beats of silence to pass before he whispers to you, “I would paint the stars with your name if you asked me to, Y/N.” 

You feel like your heart burst at that moment. 

You and Regulus spend the rest of the night recalling blurry childhood memories, neither of you willing to succumb to sleep before the other. It’s one of the few times you feel completely at peace, eyes drooping lazily as you peer into the darkness of the high ceiling above you, the sky no longer a plethora of colors as it settles into a midnight forestry of mottled stars. 

Sometime before the cusp of dawn, you both settle into a light slumber, hands interlaced as you both laid side by side on the king sized bed. It is when the thrushes begin to sing at the first sliver of sunlight when you are awakened by a firm hand on your arm. As you blearily peer into the dark room, you make out the faint glint of glasses. 

“Harry?” You mumble thickly at the bespectacled boy. 

You see him nod and slowly tug at your elbow, head jutting to the side, indicating at the ajar door. Nodding slowly, you silently sit up on the bed, turning your head to look over your shoulder as you slowly clamber off the bed. Regulus was still in a tranquil sleep, only faintly stirring when you carefully pulled your hand away from his. 

Padding across the room, you make sure to softly close the door behind you. Harry walks a few paces ahead of you as he leads you out of the wing of guest rooms, only stopping when you both cross into the spacious atrium at the center of the manor. 

“What’s on your mind?” You whisper, ears still sensitive from a blanket of fatigue. 

Harry fiddles with his fingers before he peers into the somber atmosphere, “Dobby came for me yesterday after our talk. Aberforth–Dumbledore’s brother, can help us into Hogwarts.” 

You nod and cross your arms against your chest, “And Sirius and Regulus?” 

“Kingsley will bring them in afterwards, ‘said something about how we just need to get into contact with Aberforth.” Harry muttered, eyes jumping around as he mentally mapped out his plans. 

Humming, you chuckle dryly into the dim air, “Look at you doing savior things. Time really flies.” 

Harry rolls his eyes at you before gently pushing your arm, “Look at you,” he intoned, “running off on your own and coming back with novel ideas of magic.” You shake your head and move to lean against one of the pillars behind you, head softly smacking against the cool concrete. 

“How are things going with Ginny?” You teasingly ask, voice raising in the slightest as the shadows of sleep slowly recede from your mind. 

Harry throws his head back and moves to lean back on the pillar next to yours, “I wouldn’t know. Communication’s been cut off since the school year started.” 

“Neville will take care of her,” you hum reassuringly, mentally picturing the gentle boy with a lion’s heart in your head. Harry nodded in agreement, but you could see the weariness that weighed on his shoulders as he continued to ponder. 

“Hey, Harry,” you swivel your gaze over to him, “how did you get into contact with Aberforth, anyway?” 

Harry slowly sinks down onto the floor, bringing one leg up to prop his arm as he answers, “Dobby came a while back. But it was Hermione who insisted that we continue to reach out afterwards.” 

You shoot a lazy grin at him as you sink down onto the floor, “I’ve heard he’s quite…prickly.” 

“Not all of us have the privilege of being able to handle churlish individuals.” Harry shoots back good heartedly, eyes lifting to observe the lavish surroundings. 

“The Contessa keeps me on my toes-” you bring a hand up to cover your mouth as you yawn, “besides, I’ve dealt with you and Ron for most of my adolescent years—managing petulant outbursts and jibes is more of a polished skill than innate talent, really.”��

Harry frowns at your words, but knows better than to argue, the Fourth Year fiasco surfacing in his mind almost instantaneously. As you both continue to sit in comfortable silence, a sudden thought blares in your head, “Wait, why exactly are we going to Hogwarts?” 

Harry blanches for a moment before leaning forward to study your expression, “I didn’t say?” 

You shake your head in amusement, “Nope. Can’t imagine it’s because you miss Snape.”

“Merlin, no.” The boy winces as he flinches back, “We think the last horcrux is in Hogwarts, and the Order wants to usurp Snape.” Harry drops the bombshell with an unbearable causality that has you recoiling back like you’ve been stunned, and you have to close your eyes for a few seconds to process the news. 

“Harry, what the bloody hell?” 

After Harry caught you up to speed, you quickly dismissed yourself to crawl back into the welcoming swaddle of your bed, mind set on getting a few more minutes of sleep before the initiation of Harry’s perilous plans. 

Regulus blinks rapidly as you shift to get comfortable in the sheets, eyes finding yours as you peered over cautiously. The boy slackly drops an arm over you as you turn to face him, “Thought you got lost for a moment there, birdie.” 

“When did you wake up?” You mumbled, hand twitching as you resisted the urge to draw your finger down the planes of his face, his features illumined by the hazy sky light. 

Regulus shifts to look at you, “When you closed the door.” 

“Oh, sorry.” You mutter, slowly inching closer to his warmth. After relaxing for a few moments, you begin to voice your passing thoughts, “isn’t it bizarre?” 

His eyelids droop down as he wrestles against his fatigue, mouth drawing into a confused frown when he answers, “What is?” 

“That just two years ago you were sleeping on my nightstand, and now you’re actually here.” You breathe out, hands slowly crawling between your bodies as your eyes drop to look at the duvet. 

Regulus quietly hums as his hand splays itself on your back, “Sleep would be a stretch, I mainly just watched over you.” You suppress a small snort at his words, remembering all the times he would practically demand that you angle his portrait towards the window. 

“Well I hope you enjoyed the view then, Crowface.” You retort, finally caving in to your yearning thoughts as you place your hand on his bicep. 

Regulus groans and practically rolls onto you, arms dipping under your back to lift your midsection up as he smothers his face into your shoulder, “Will you ever let that nickname go, little bird?” 

“Not until my dying breath.” You muse with a small laugh. 

He huffs and burrows himself further against your skin, “Yeah, not happening on my watch.”

When you apparated into Hogsmeade with your friends, you didn’t quite expect to be hounded by the shrill screeching of cats. The cacophonous alarm had you immediately sprinting for cover, taking note of how death eaters began to pour into the snowy promenade only moments later. 

Hermione was only a few yards away from you, crouched behind some dusty tarp with Ron. Harry and Luna were by your side, the boy’s hand tightly grasping his wand as you all surveyed the influx of enemies. There were too many for you to handle, and you swivel your head around to look for a way out. 

You tense as you peer over the cluttered table beside you, watching as a couple death eaters break off from the crowd to make their way towards the veranda you were all in. With adrenaline buzzing through every nerve of your body, you hastily shoot an evanesco towards an abandoned stall across the pathway, causing all of the crates and tin instruments on it to topple onto the ground as the structure vanishes. 

The noise has the death eaters whipping their heads around, shouts immediately blooming into the chilly air before they are running off towards the opposite direction. You all wordlessly dart through the damp alleys, mind set on finding Aberforth at the Hogshead. 

As you practically barrel into a dead end, teeth giving the faintest chatter at the sight of the rusted-shut gate, one of the nearby doors pops open from a worn building. You twirl on your heel with your wand up, startled that you failed to notice it before as the entire wall seemed to blanket into one canvas of shadows. 

“Potter! In here!” A sharp hiss rings through the air, voice tinted in displeasure and wariness. You are the first to heed the call, shrugging as you figure an enemy would have already fired off a killing curse rather than extend an invite out towards your group. 

Once you’re all herded into the dim stairway, immediately trekking into a dingy room, you tilt your head as you notice the older wizard standing across the room. He bore little resemblance to your former jovial headmaster, but he radiated an aura that was unparalleled in such a way that could only belong to someone from the Dumbledore line. 

Wetting your lips as you observe the man’s hasty movements, you leak out an inkling of your magic to slither towards him, your signature promptly being greeted by a burst of sweltering heat. His magic reminded you much of being directly in front of a fireplace whilst draped in endless folds of blankets. A stuffy feeling reminiscent of sweat and stupor. 

It was quite unpleasant. 

The man gave a momentary shiver before shooting a narrowed look towards you, causing you to retract your magic with a blank look on your face. You could see why Harry was not exactly captivated by the man; he wasn’t remarkably charming in the way that Anders, and hell, even Moody were. 

“Mister Dumbledore, thank you.” Hermione is the first to fracture the silence, stepping forward as Aberforth paces towards you all with a tray of refreshments. 

You nod and pocket your wand, opting to gaze at the surroundings as your friends tuck into their glasses. The beamed ceilings were quite high, with concrete walls chipped in numerous areas as faded drapes ran from ceiling to floor. Flutes of light flickered from around the room, cylindrical lamps illuminating just enough for visibility while veiling the clouds of dust that were undoubtedly swirling about. 

Harry is quick to curtail the tense atmosphere, jumping straight into your objectives. Aberforth merely grunts before walking towards the only colorful decoration in the room—a sizable portrait of a smiling young woman. 

You mask the minute grin that flickers across your face at Aberforth’s demeanor, feeling awfully maudlin as your mind conjures up an image of Anders. As Aberforth mutters something to the woman, she gives him a compassionate smile before making her way further into the painting.  The old wizard retreats into the darkness without another word, only shooting you all a fleeting look of appraisement before his presence completely slips away. 

You had to say, if anything, you were quite partial to his inclination for efficiency. 

The young woman trails back towards the forefront of the painting with a figure staggering out from behind her. Before you can lean over to make out the movement, the large frame swings open and you gape as one banged up Neville leans down with a weary grin.  

“Hey, guys.”

You all stand there speechless, but Luna slowly migrates from behind you, eyes flickering around the boy’s cut-up face. Seeing the girl’s look, Neville shakes his head and waves her off, “This is nothing, you guys should see Seamus.” 

Honestly, you didn’t think you wanted to. 

“Good to see you’re well and kicking, dude.” You mutter with a relieved smile, shoulders sagging as the worry you didn’t even realize you were carrying melted away. Neville helps you all up into the portrait hole, quickly giving the rundown of Hogwarts’ status during the walk through the tunnel. 

You were quite surprised by how scrappy the boy was, as he seemingly unlocked a newfound penchant for leadership in the months that you were all gone. Luna turns back to give you a small smile, as if hearing your thoughts, and you stifle an airy chuckle as nostalgia runs rampant through you. 

Oh, to be eleven and naive again. 

And as Neville steps aside once light seeps into the rocky tunnel, the feeling only swells higher as it tangles with pride at the sight of the worn and dirty students cheering from below you all. 

You all filed down as the blisters of hope bled into conviction around the room, rough hands clapping you on your back as you slowly drifted through the crowd. 

“Lightning has struck!” A voice shouts from across the room, and Harry was quick to turn to you with gleaming eyes. 

“They’re coming.” He utters with excitement, clearly overwhelmed that his plan had worked so far. 

They were coming. The Order was coming—Regulus was coming. 

War was no longer on the horizon, it was marching towards you in beacons of exhilarated shouts and determined eyes, and as you observed the blinding smiles from all around you, you knew you’d do whatever it took to protect your home. 

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[hptransfest]

Author Reveals!

The Magic of You by MarkReed - Petunia Evans Dursley/Severus Snape - Rated E can i tell you something? by L0TUSEATER - Regulus Black/Remus Lupin - Rated G What Are Friends For? by otpcutie - Draco Malfoy/Harry PotterHermione Granger/Ron Weasley - Rated M Sun's out, Guns out by Elfarock - Charlie Weasley [ART] - Rated T Full Indulgence by hsvh - Fleur Delacour/Nymphadora TonksNymphadora Tonks/Bill WeasleyFleur Delacour/Nymphadora Tonks/Bill Weasley - Rated E brother, i've returned by friendofthefrogs - Sirius Black & Regulus Black - Rated G I don't wanna be anything other than me by brandileigh2003 - Sirius Black/Remus Lupin - Rated T your friends are a fate that befell me by Heated_Mausoleum - Regulus Black/Sirius BlackRegulus Black/James Potter - Rated E Fawning Over You by toxik_angel - a Podfic by Cailynwrites - Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter - Rated E force our smiles, baby, half dead (from comparing myself to everyone else around me) by LynnyLovesYou (Sagiko_AKA_RegulusBlackKinnieBITFW) - Remus Lupin/James Potter - Rated M The bleedin' hearts, the arts and that other stuff by fairies_withspirits - Remus Lupin/James PotterDorcas Meadowes/Lily Evans PotterRegulus Black/Sirius BlackBarty Crouch Jr./Pandora Lovegood/Evan Rosier - Rated E Between These Walls by SiobhanHazel - Harry Potter/Severus SnapeLuna Lovegood/Rolf Scamander - Rated E Wine Drunk by grow_as_we_go - Sirius Black/Remus Lupin - Rated T It's not over yet by PenGwenPen - Lily Evans Potter & Severus SnapePoppy Pomfrey & Severus SnapeSeverus Snape & Original Character(s) - Rated T moving into me by flamingbrownwitch - Hermione Granger/Ron Weasley - Rated T call it fate, call it karma by nofishforstepson - Regulus Black/Barty Crouch Jr. - Rated T Lights up by galaxo - Sirius Black/Remus LupinRegulus Black/James Potter - Rated E La brouillard est bien loin by melissamwrites - Regulus Black/James Potter - Rated E

[lexithwrites]

@bartylusmicrofic — prompt: hurt

TW for injury detail!

His cigarette was nearly burnt down to his fingers, but Barty took one last drag of it as he sat against the cold, scratchy brick wall of the club. Every muscle in his body ached, but his knuckles, nose and ribs were throbbing the most. He sniffed then immediately winced—not broken but close, it could have been worse. He flicked the cigarette away and licked his busted lip, tasting metal, then glanced up at headlights.

Shit.

The drivers side opened once the car was parked and Barty squinted in the light to see a figure silhouetted before him. He looked like an angel, but then again he always did, and Barty smiled.

“My knight in shining armour,” he grunted whilst getting to his feet, “come to rescue the damsel?”

“Come to get the idiot, more like.” Regulus huffed, but wrapped an arm around Barty’s waist to stabilise him. “Come on, let’s go.” Barty held back more winces as they walked, then slid into the passenger side of Regulus’ sleek, way too fancy for his grubby clothes, black car. When Regulus joined him, and the noise from the club died, he took in a deep breathe. “Reggie—“

“Don’t.” He mumbled, and put the car into gear to pull away. The drive was silent, Barty making occasionally grunts whenever they hit a bump. Regulus didn’t look at him once which wasn’t a good sign. But then again, it was 3:30 am on a Saturday, surely he had better things to do than pick Barty’s ass up off the curb after a bar fight?

Or he didn’t, since he actually came and picked him up.

“Are you mad?” Barty asked, looking at the blurry lights outside as it started to rain. Regulus switched on the windshield wipers and scoffed.

“Am I mad.” He shook his head. “You got into a fight, again.”

“Was well fuckin’ deserved.” He nearly growled and Regulus gripped the steering wheel tighter. “I don’t hit people for no reason.”

“Anymore. And let me guess, I know exactly who it is?” Regulus gave him a look and Barty felt like shrinking into the leather seat. “Jesus, Barty.”

“He was talking shit so I shut him up.” Barty replied, touching his lip again. He didn’t want to get blood in Regulus’ car, he’d never be able to afford the cleaning bill.

“I don’t care what he says, you can’t hit people.” Regulus spat. “It’s…it’s childish.”

“You didn’t hear what he was sayin’.” Barty grumbled and looked at his hands, flexing the muscle and watching the bruises stretch across his skin. Well deserved.

There was another long silence before he heard Regulus exhale. “What did he say?”

“You really want to know?”

“I want to know why you hit him.” Barty looked at him for a while before sniffing. “Was it about me?”

“Yes.” Regulus shook his head. “He said…he called you easy. An easy lay that bitched and moaned and—“

“Okay, I get it.” Regulus cut him off and Barty felt a pang of guilt hit him. “Did you win, at least?”

That made Barty smile. “Why do you think I was outside and he wasn’t? The cunt went straight to hospital.” Regulus didn’t smile exactly, but Barty saw the edge of his lip curl just a little. Approval. His chest bloomed. “I’m sorry, Reg. He never deserved you.”

“I don’t want to talk about him. Not anymore, not ever.” Regulus turned a corner and they were driving into his apartment complex, slotting into the allocated space and parking. Barty was ready to have a long, hot shower after that. “You can stay tonight but just…don’t bleed on the carpet.” And Regulus got out.

His apartment was immaculate. Minimalistic but still every inch Regulus with the art on the walls, the comfortable weighted blankets, the bar cart that displayed the fancy glasses he rarely used around guests, and the Lego display by his sofa. Barty took his boots off and put them on the little shoe rack next to the door, right next to Regulus’, and followed him like a sad puppy into the bathroom. This was even cleaner than the living room, and smelt of fresh linen and cherry blossom. Barty could live in his bathroom and be happy, it was nicer than his whole flat.

“Sit on the toilet, I’ll get the first aid kit.” Regulus instructed and Barty did as he was told, all lanky legs and arms as he waited patiently for Regulus to patch him up.

He’d done this before, only once, when someone had tried to touch Regulus in a club a few months back. He’d seen red and then ‘woke up’ in the back of a taxi with Pandora stroking his hair and Dorcas muttering something about him being a ‘crazy fucking idiot’. He had smiled and passed out again. He later learned that he did win the fight but Regulus was furious at him. The patching up that night had been pretty heavy handed in Barty’s opinion.

“You’re my own personal nurse, now. Nurse Black. Do you have a hot costume somewhere?”

“In your dreams, maybe. A nurse is so tacky.” Regulus smiled properly this time and Barty felt relieved. Not as mad as last time, which was good. “Lift your head.” Barty jumped when Regulus was suddenly right in front of him but he did as he was asked, looking up at him as Regulus ever so gently cleaned his wounds. Barty didn’t even flinch, he was too focused on Regulus’ thin, delicate fingers on his cheek to notice the burn of the alcohol wipe on his cut. “I wish you didn’t start fights.”

“I know.” Barty replied quietly, never taking his eyes off of him. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re an idiot.” Regulus told him.

“I know.” Barty breathed, feeling his busted lip being tugged but not caring. He was so close, so fucking close it made him ache. Barty swallowed, adams apple bobbing, and Regulus paused. Almost hesitantly, he kneeled down and Barty felt the air leave his lungs in an instant.

“I hate seeing you hurt.” Regulus looked up at him, eyes sad and doe like. Sincere. “I really do.”

“I’m not hurt anymore.” Barty shook his head. “And you’re worth getting hurt for.”

“Don’t say that.”

“I mean it.” Barty frowned. “I’d punch a thousand drunk twats, start a million bar fights, if it meant I could protect your name. Protect you.” Regulus’ lashes fluttered, and Barty did something stupid. Or brave. He cupped his cheek with his dirty, bruised, bloody hand. Regulus closed his eyes and nuzzled his palm, and Barty fell in love all over again.

He was ten, looking at the new boy in school shyly introduce himself. Black curls, grey eyes, skin so pale it was almost transparent, but he had so many little freckles across his nose and cheek—constellations. That was the first of many times Barty fell in love with Regulus.

And now, touching him, he felt it again.

“I’d probably do the same for you.” Regulus whispered and Barty blinked himself back.

“I wouldn’t let you.”

“I’m not fragile.” Regulus touched his knee and Barty almost jumped.

“You bruise easy.”

“So do you.” Regulus seemed to have moved closer because suddenly their faces were only inches apart. “That’s the second ex of mine that you’ve punched, Barty.”

“Hopefully I’ll never have another one to punch.” That hung in the air for a while; hopeful, a suggestion, a question. Regulus slowly smiled.

“Hopefully.” Their noses brushed and Regulus sighed, warm, minty breath hitting Barty’s lips. “Have I ever told you that you look sexy after a fight?” He whispered and Barty grinned.

“No. You think so?” Regulus just nodded. “Good to know.”

“No more fights.” Regulus touched his cheek this time, and Barty leaned into it. “Promise me.”

“I promise.”

“Because I still hate blood.”

“Even mine?” Barty pushed forward so their lips brushed, and he felt Regulus shiver. Forgive me, Lord. I’m going to ruin this man and he’ll ruin me.

“Maybe not yours.” The kiss was slow but deep, burning hot and desperate. Regulus was pulled against Barty’s chest and his hands went to the sides of his neck, tangling in his hair as he moaned. Barty’s arms were around his waist, one bruised hand grazing his hip and the other wandering up his back between his shoulder blades.

It had always been there, the tension, they’d just never acted on it. He’d seen the way Regulus would look at him sometimes, when he thought Barty was too distracted, and it set Barty alight. He looked hungry, whenever he looked at Barty. Starving.

Even though they didn’t care about breathing right now, they pulled back for air and panted together. Barty chuckled a little, voice low. “If I shower, can we share the bed?”

“You’d be showering whether you were beaten up or not.” Regulus poked his chest. “Get in, I’ll put out towels. Just…hurry up.” He kissed him quicker this time, but it was just as sweet. Regulus stood over him, and when Barty met his gaze his hand drifted under his chin to tilt it up. Just a light touch, but it held more power than anything Barty had ever felt before.

“Anything you want.” Barty promised, and he meant it.