Chapter 1: The drama that is Regulus Black’s life
Chapter Text
Well, I hope you know how proud I am you were created
With the courage to unlearn all of their hatred
God, I hope that you're happier today
'Cause I love you, and I hope that you're okay
(hope ur ok, Regulus Black)
“I’m quitting.”
Regulus let his head fall back against the ground, groaning.
Barty laughed, glancing down at him from where he was perched on the couch.
“No, you’re not.”
“No, I am. I’m leaving, running away, no one will find me.”
Barty smacked his side with his foot.
Regulus shoved it away.
“Stop being so dramatic.”
Regulus glared at him.
“And we’d find you, me and Evan. We’d chase you till you came back.”
“Saying chasing implies that I wouldn’t want to come back, which I wouldn’t. You need to learn to leave well enough alone-”
He was kicked in the hip again.
Very aggressively.
Regulus turned to glance at Barty.
The man in question smiled, wiggling his eyebrows.
“Don’t be like that. I’m just not letting you give up on your entire life just cause of…”
Barty trailed off, pausing as he realised he was unaware of what Regulus was upset about.
“What are you even complaining about?”
“Everything. Nothing.”
Barty rolled his eyes.
“You’re ridiculous, and you say you’re not dramatic.”
“I’m not.”
“Sure, Black.”
Barty sighed, shifting his weight.
Regulus raised an eyebrow as Barty flopped onto the floor next to him.
“So this is what we’re doing now?”
“This is not what we are doing now, get off-”
“No, c'mon Reg, I know you, lying on floors isn’t you.”
Barty coughed, mock pouting.
“I’m Regulus and I’m too good for the floors. I deserve to sit on furniture the entire time-”
“I don’t think that.”
“And Barty is so fucking stupid for lying on the floor all the time.”
“I do think that you’re stupid.”
Barty smacked him across his forehead.
“You’re lying. C’mon what’s up?”
“I don’t lie, Barty.”
Barty turned, rolling onto his elbows to glance at Regulus’ face.
Look, maybe barging into the studio and collapsing on the floor wasn’t going to end well for him.
Regulus knew that.
But he was having a bad, bad day.
He deserved to wallow in self pity.
No, Regulus wasn’t wallowing.
He was having a respectful meltdown.
Which Barty was ruining.
“Talk to Daddy Barty, Reg-”
“Don’t refer to yourself like that, Barty, it’s gross.”
“Well if you–”
“I am not calling you that.” Regulus grumbled.
“Maybe not anymore.” Barty winked.
Regulus groaned, turning his head away from Barty.
There was a sigh behind him.
He felt a hand grip his chin, turning him to face the older.
“C’mon, spill.”
“It’s so much work.”
Barty blinked at him, a serious expression on his face.
“What is? The show? The album? That you haven’t started despite-”
“I started! I have two songs.”
“Despite.” Barty continued, glaring at Regulus for cutting him off. “Telling your label it’s nearly done.”
So Regulus may lie.
To certain people.
One of those people was the idiots who decided he was able to make music.
“It is nearly done, it’s gonna be a short album.”
“Regulus Black, you do not put out short albums.”
“I’ve put out one album, Barty.”
“A fucking banging album.”
The public agreed with that.
Child star, Regulus Black finally releases pop-rock album, and it’s the future of music.
Six grammys and several platinum records.
“You’re just saying that ‘cause like half the songs are about you.”
Barty shrugged, sitting up and leaning against the couch.
“Not my fault I was a great boyfriend.”
Regulus narrowed his eyes at him.
“You’re the one who wrote the songs, Reg, you literally say I’m a great boyfriend in like two of them-”
“You were a trainwreck.” Regulus huffed, pointing a finger at Barty.
Barty winked.
“You’re favourite trainwreck.”
“Hang on, I better be his favourite trainwreck.” A voice calls.
They both turned their heads to see Evan walk in, hands filled with bags.
“Evan? You’re meant to be–” Regulus started but got cut off.
“In New York, yes I’m aware.”
Evan started removing his jacket, throwing it onto the bench.
“And you aren’t in New York because?”
Evan smiled, glancing at Barty.
Weird. So his friends were conspiring against him, wonderful.
Barty shook his head, clearing it from whatever unholy thoughts were definitely circling through it.
“Rosier is back! We got to get the gang back together!”
“The gang is together–” Regulus huffed.
“Isn’t Dorcas coming back from Chicago next week? It’ll be great! Oh and of course Pan, but she’s always here and–” Barty rambled.
“Barty, shut up.” Regulus groaned, gaze on the ceiling.
Barty and Evan shared a look.
Whatever silent conversation they had ended with Evan walking over to Regulus and Barty looking the other way, towards the bags Evan had brought.
“Ok, c’mon get up.” Evan said, standing over top of him
Regulus glared at Evan.
Evan smiled.
“That doesn’t work, you’re like an upset kitten.”
“Fuck you.”
“So eloquent, if only your mother could see you now.”
Barty laughed, standing up and stretching his arms out.
“If your mother saw you like this she’d go crazy.”
“She’s already crazy.” Regulus murmured. “Been for a while.”
Evan nodded.
“Good, at least this mental breakdown hasn’t made you stupid and forget all about how much you hate your mother.”
Regulus looked up to Evan.
“I’ve never denied that she was batshit crazy.”.
“Let her hear you say that.”
“God no, she’d kill me.”
“She’s already tried.” Barty scoffed.
Evan glares at him.
“Multiple times.” Barty adds when Evan looks away.
If looks could kill Barty would be dead a thousand times over with the glare Evan gives him.
Barty shrugs, and turns away.
A hand fills Regulus’ vision.
Following the hand to the body Regulus sees Evan standing fully over him.
He ignores him.
“I need to write more music.” Regulus says, turning the topic away from his mother for now.
When they started talking about his mother it led to Sirius and… well he did not want to think about him right now.
One thing at a time.
Barty laughed.
“Yeah no shit, Reg, we could have told you that.” Barty says. “Infact just talk to any of your fans for more than a second and they’d tell you the same–”
Evan elbows Barty in the shoulder.
“What Barty means,” Evan says, cutting off Barty.
Barty sighs sadly.
“Is that you don’t need to do anything.”
Regulus pauses. Since he’d released his first album everyone had been reassuring him that he could take his time with his next one.
There was no rush.
He ddin’t owe anyone anything, not his fans or his label.
Yet he feels like he owes himself.
“I want to write more music.” Regulus says.
Evan and Barty share another look, and god that was starting to piss Regulus off.
“You want to?”
Regulus nods, because yes, he does.
“But you can’t?”
“But I can’t.” Regulus agrees.
Evan sighs.
The hand reappears in his vision and Regulus grabs it, letting himself be yanked up.
Regulus assumes Evan misjudged how much strength was needed as he almost crashed headfirst into him.
Evan grabs his shoulders to steady him.
“Shit, my bad, you ok?”
Regulus nods but Evan doesn’t seem to believe him
“Evan, focus.”
“Right ok, so you need a muse.”
Regulus scoffs.
“I don’t need a muse.”
“Nope,” They turn their heads to look at Barty, who was rummaging through the bags Evan brought. “You totally need a muse.”
“But I didn’t last time.”
“Last time you had so many pent-up emotions you were writing a song a day for seven months straight.” Evan says. “I’d call a certain someone those emotions were about your muse.”
Regulus rolls his eyes, pretending he has no idea who Evan was trying hard not to say the name of.
Barty shrugged, winking at him.
“And me.”
Evan sighs before nodding.
“You did have him as well.”
“More like I had him to fuck me.” He mumbles.
“You wound me Reggie baby.” Barty places a hand on his heart.
“You’ll get over it.”
Evan laughs.
“Well it’s good to see my month in New York didn’t change you two at all.”
“You weren’t even there for a month.” Regulus responds.
“Yeah you came home early! Must mean you love us.”
Evan rolls his eyes at Barty.
“You also had emotions about a certain someone. ” Barty says.
And Evan looks like he wants to kill him.
He just might.
“Sirius doesn’t count.” Regulus says, to save Barty from whatever pain Evan picks to inflict on him.
“He never said it was Sirius.” Evan says, putting aside his plans of murder to set Regulus up.
Regulus glares at Evan. Evan gives him a pointed look back.
The silence drags on until Barty lets out a sound of success.
“Yes thank god! Evan, the love of my life, you brought coffee.”
Regulus turns to look at Barty to see him holding a carton of cups from the local coffee shop near the recording studio.
His favourite shop.
So this was planned then, Regulus notes in his head. A planned intervention.
He walks to Barty and grabs his coffee.
Turning and walking away the second Barty gave it to him.
He was still annoyed with him for telling Evan about his meltdown.
Barty had no right to drag Evan away from his work just to come help him.
He sat down, cross-legged on the floor again.
In the giant floor-length mirrors, he saw Evan walk over to Barty, an exasperated look on his face.
“Real great job so far, Crouch.”
“Like you’ve helped at all, Rosier.”
They were talking quietly, but with how silent the room was it wasn’t hard to hear them.
“I’m doing more than you! How stupi dare you to bring up Sirius–”
“Sirius is in the past, he doesn’t care about him anymore–”
“He’s still his brother–”
Regulus sighed, tuning them out.
They’d done this too many times now, they had been doing it for years.
Six of them to be exact.
He sighed, glancing at his reflection.
It was pathetic really.
He was a star, a musician, an actor .
He had been for years.
Working on shows and getting jobs he shouldn’t have all thanks to his parents.
Famous movie actors Walburga and Orion Black.
Hollywood’s sweethearts.
Well, they weren’t that sweet in reality.
The permanent scar on his cheek said otherwise.
The scars on his body.
On Sirius.
He hated his brother for what he did.
Leaving him there.
And then the asshole had the audacity to make a band.
The band.
Number one on most of the charts.
The Marauders.
Stupid name really.
And of course, the band had to have James Potter in it.
If there was someone he hated more than Sirius, it was James Potter.
James Fucking Potter.
Who stole his brother.
He sighed, pulling his phone out of his pocket.
Several messages and three missed calls.
He assumed the messages would be more important.
Narcissa
1.45 pm Are y ou just not showing up to the meeting?
1.52 pm Regulus?
2.01 pm Regulus Black.
2.03 pm You are unbelievable.
2.06 pm This is deciding the next few months of your life
2.07 pm Years even
2.10 pm You’re hopeless
2.44 pm Call me.
2.44 pm Now.
Regulus groaned internally.
Maybe the meeting he blew off to come here to see Barty was actually important.
How was he meant to know? They never are.
He can assume who the missed calls would be from but checked anyway.
Narcissa Malfoy ( Two missed calls )
Tom Riddle ( One missed call )
Shit.
What did he want?
Riddle and him hadn't seen eye to eye since he signed his record deal.
So him calling him? Seemingly out of the blue?
Regulus was standing within a second.
There was no way this was going to be good.
“Reg?”
These sort of meetings tend to happen in the main office.
“I have to– We have to go.”
But if it was a meeting with Riddle it would have been in a conference room instead of the office.
Evan and Barty shared a confused glance, both close enough to show Regulus they had still been arguing.
“Ok? Ok, yeah sure.” Barty said, following him out the door. “Where are we going then?”
None of them bothered to grab their stuff, no one tended to come into the dance studio besides them.
Regulus had claimed it when he was first signed and no one ever tried to take it back.
Regulus walked ahead phone in hand.
“Conference room.”
“Any one in particular or…?”
Regulus ignored him and walked on.
“Just a random conference room… got it.”
Evan hits Barty.
Barty lets out a groan of pain, leaning against the door of the elevator.
Regulus pushes past him, slipping into the elevator.
They follow behind him, Barty still clutching his arm as if Evan had stabbed him.
He hadn’t. Regulus thinks.
He pushes his palm into the elevator button, it lights up and it starts climbing upwards.
He wasn’t panicking, not yet.
He refused to when he didn’t know what he was dealing with.
It could be nothing.
It would hopefully be nothing.
The journey up was quick.
Malfoy Records wasn’t based in a large building.
Or maybe the elevators were just quick.
The elevator doors opened as he felt his heartbeat in his throat.
Narcissa was waiting impatiently, expecting him.
“Reg–”
He lifts his hand holding the phone in the air.
He knows she saw the missed call.
Perhaps she was even there when Riddle made the call.
She sighs, following him as he marches into the main conference room, still full of most of the important people in his life.
The people who control his life.
Lucius Malfoy.
Tom Riddle.
The door closes behind him.
Two pairs of eyes look up at him.
Poorly concealed shock on Lucius’ and amusement written on Riddle’s.
Regulus does now vaguely remember telling Lucius he didn’t plan on coming into the building today.
“Well if it isn’t my star.” Riddle smiled, teeth flashing.
“You called?” Regulus asked, smiling politely, with no real politeness behind it.
He wanted to rip the intestines out of him and watch him bleed out.
“Yes. Yes I did.” Tom said dismissively, not at all in a rush to get to the point. “It’s been a while hasn’t it?”
Not long enough.
“Too long.” He said with mock sincerity.
“Yes I do agree with that, though we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other soon.”
What.
The.
Fuck.
“Oh? Do tell, Tom, what do you have in store for this season?”
Riddle’s mouth twitched at the use of his first name, small victories.
He better be talking about the show. Nacrissa better not have signed him on for another project with Riddle.
“So much, the writers are working hard already.”
Regulus resists the urge to roll his eyes, if he wasn’t playing as Riddle’s golden star he would have.
“You just got renewed.” Lucius says in disbelief.
Riddle smiled.
“We work fast, and were guaranteed to be greenlit for another season, we value consistency, guess you’re not used to that.”
Regulus chooses to ignore the comment that was undoubtedly about his lack of album.
“We don’t have to work fast as we don’t go on unnecessary breaks.” Lucius responds, bitterly.
So maybe when he decided to do music the show's main producer wasn’t thrilled as it interfered with his filming schedule drastically.
And he was even less thrilled when the label he and Narcissa picked was run by Lucius Malfoy.
Regulus didn’t care what label he was with, he just wanted to get his music out.
And if in the end, Narcissa ended up marrying Lucius, that was between her and him.
Narcissa clears her throat behind them.
“Tom, Lucius.” She addresses them. “I’m sure Mr Black here is very busy.”
She raised a slight eyebrow at him.
He couldn’t even pretend to have been busy prior to this.
Regulus didn’t even bother looking at himself.
He knew he looked like a mess.
Wearing Barty’s hoodie and some sweatpants. A random pair of sunglasses he’s sure are Dorcas’ on his head, his docs, and the coffee cup in his hand.
Not really a lead in a hit tv show’s outfit there.
Regulus gave a smile to Riddle and Lucius.
Riddle was looking a little too delighted for Regulus’ liking.
“Very busy.” He says.
“Writing songs I hope.” Narcissa muttered.
Regulus bit his lip to stop himself from laughing.
Because no, he was not writing songs.
“What is the point of this? I have stuff to get back to–”
“I’m sure you do, Mr Black.” Lucius said, not very subtly conveying his hope he is writing music.
Regulus is not writing music.
Lucius does not need to be aware of this fact.
“With the production of the final season starting very soon,” Riddle started, turning Regulus’ attention to him. “We have had an idea, the production team and I.”
Regulus doesn’t want to ask how this came up in a meeting about his schedule for the next few months.
“Go on.”
Riddle smiled.
Regulus thinks he could have dreams about smashing those teeth in, watching the gums bleed their red onto the floor, and staining the carpet of the Malfoy Records Tower.
“With it being the last season and all, we think it’ll be important to link back to the start.”
The start no one talks about, too ashamed to admit the show wasn’t always the way it is now? Interesting.
Regulus made a gesture to signify he understood what Riddle meant.
“A good way to do that would be reusing old sets, old story lines, and…”
The silence stretched around the room.
Regulus was clearly missing something here. And he could already tell he was not a fan of where this was heading.
“And?” Regulus prompted.
“Bringing back characters.”
Oh.
No.
“No.”
“Regulus–” Narcissa tried.
“No, he won’t do it.” Regulus says immediately, because he knows he won’t.
Regulus won’t do it.
He can’t .
“That’s why we need you.”
“Need me? Please you need me in a lot of ways, Riddle–”
Sure the show may need him, Riddle may need him, but what does this have to do with him?
“Mr Black, we need you to get your brother back, for one more episode.”
Regulus was going to have to talk to his brother.
The brother who left him.
Abandoned him.
Left him with them .
And convince him to come back to what he left behind..
He’s going to be sick.
Chapter 2: Pinky swear: June 2011
Chapter Text
One night and one more time
Thanks for the memories
Even though they weren't so great
(Thnx fr th Mmrs, The Marauders)
His brother was leaving him.
“It’s one episode, Reggie, you’ll be fine.” Sirius says, standing tall above him.
“But it might be for longer than that, what if you keep missing episodes?” Regulus whispers, refusing to meet Sirius’ eyes..
Sirius crouches down next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“It is just one episode, I swear.”
Regulus pouted, turning his head away.
“I pinky swear it, Reggie.” Sirius’ hand sits infront of his face, pinky pointed. “You know you can’t break pinky promises.”
Regulus glares at the hand before slowly slotting his own against it.
Sirius smiles, and Regulus pulls his hand back.
“Reggie c’mon. I need to get out, do other things. You can’t expect me to do this show forever.” Sirius lightly grabs his chin, turning his head to face him again.
“But you could! We could.”
Sirius sighs, running a hand through his hair as he thought.
“It’s one episode, don’t you want to be the main character for once, Reggie?”
Regulus thought about it.
He guesses he could.
It would be different.
But maybe…
“It,” Regulus says slowly. “Could be fun.”
Sirius smiles next to him.
“Told you.” Sirius laughs, grabbing Regulus and pulling him to his feet.
Regulus groans, but lets his brother grab him.
Sirius spins the two of them around.
“You’re going to make me throw up.”
Sirius laughs, and Regulus can’t help but smile.
“I think Reggie deserves his own time in the spotlight, no?”
Regulus nods, knowing Sirius is talking about his character.
Apparently Mr Riddle was unable to come up with original names.
Not that Regulus minded, it made his life way easier.
“And Evan and Dora?” Regulus can’t help but ask.
Sirius nods.
“Yup! All of you icky little second years.” Sirius said, referring to their grade in the show.
“You’re only one year older than us, Sirius, god.” He hisses back.
“So young, only a baby.”
Regulus yelps as Sirius pinches his cheek.
“Get off Sirius.” Regulus mumbled as Sirius leaned over top of him, using his height to his advantage
“Hmm no.”
Regulus groaned.
“Sirius!”
Sirius laughed, hugging Regulus from behind.
Regulus couldn’t help but laugh with him.
They were going to end up on the floor at this rate.
“Let go of your brother.”
At the sound of her voice Sirius’ hands retracted instantly.
Regulus didn’t have time to mourn the loss, instead turning to look at his unimpressed mother.
She was standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips, looking at her sons.
Anger on her face, eyes fuming.
But he and Sirius hadn’t done anything.
Had they?
“This is not the way you should be acting, Sirius.”
Sirius stiffened behind him, stepping backwards from Regulus.
“You have no time to indulge in these childish activities.”
“Yes mother.”
Regulus knew what was happening, now they were acting.
He made sure his face of hurt wasn’t showing, blank slate.
How mother wants.
“Honestly boy, you show no consideration to this family, selfish child.”
“Mother–” Regulus starts, but Sirius stops him by gripping his wrist tightly
“You will not disappoint me again, you embarrass me, Sirius.”
“I’m not-” Sirius says, happy to talk to her himself.
“You need to act like the proper boy I raised you to be.”
“You didn’t–”
“Do not interrupt me.” Walburga huffed, she sighed, straightening her posture. “You cannot be corrupting your brother.”
“Oh please, I’m–”
That was nowhere near the right thing to say.
Regulus sees her lift her hand before Sirius does, he always notices first.
The smack sounded throughout the room.
“Do not disrespect me, Sirius.”
Regulus doesn’t even have to look towards his brother to know what he’s doing.
He does anyway.
Sirius is holding his cheek, anger blaring in his eyes.
“Regulus.”
Regulus flicked his head to look at his mother.
He braces himself for whatever she plans on saying to him.
Behind him he can feel Sirius’ hands circle his wrist again, ready to pull him out of the way.
“You should be in your costume by now, go.”
Regulus blinked in confusion.
He had at least two hours until shooting started.
“But I don’t–”
“Regulus, did I not make myself clear? Go. Now.”
Walburga was fuming.
Regulus didn’t like the idea of leaving Sirius alone with her.
He turned to look at Sirius, concern on his face.
Sirius smiled at him slightly, motioning to go.
“For fucks sake Regulus. Can’t you listen for once in your life?”
If she was swearing she must be really worked up.
Regulus turned back to his mother in time to see her hand collide with his face.
It was strong, an angry slap.
Her ring digging into his cheek, likely leaving a mark.
Like it always did.
“Don’t hurt him, please , mother–”
“Shut up! Sirius, leave, go to whatever you’ve decided on your own is more important than this family–”
“I’m only missing three days of filming,” Sirius replied immediately as if it made it any better.
He was missing an entire episode.
What show had an entire episode without its main protagonist?
“I cannot deal with your incompetence, Sirius.” Walburga said, rubbing her forehead.
She was hungover.
Of course she was.
Better than drunk.
Sirius was looking at him, at least part of him didn’t want to leave his brother.
Otherwise he wouldn’t hesitate this much.
Regulus held onto that thought for a long time.
“Sirius Orion Black.”
Regulus felt Sirius grip his shoulder as he walked out, leaving him.
His mother turned to him instantly.
“Regulus you need to learn.”
“Yes mother.”
“You will not disappoint this family like your brother.”
Walburga smiled at him.
Full of love, that’s all Regulus saw.
Regulus would only grow to hate that smile.
***** March 2014
“They’re killing him.”
Barty looks up, unimpressed.
“They’re killing him?” Evan repeats slowly, like Regulus’ words were some sort of riddle he was yet to figure out.
Regulus nods.
“That’s the plan.” He mutters.
“It’s a stupid plan.” Barty mutters.
“I’d have to agree with Barty.” Pandora says, glancing at them from her spot on his bed, nestled against the fancy throw pillows as if they were actually comfortable..
“You say that like you never agree with me, Dora.”
Pandora smiles at him.
“That is what I’m saying, yes.”
“Oh fuck off.” Barty groaned, flopping on the bed next to Pandora.
“Quiet.” Regulus hisses, glancing at the door to the room.
Barty straightened up.
“God, she’s here?” He asks, looking at Regulus like he was insane, which he of all people had no right to do.
If anyone was insane here it was Barty.
Regulus shrugs.
After the fourth season started Sirius was showing up to filming less and less.
The show then flipped to having the stories focus more on Regulus and his friends.
Bringing in a new character, Barty.
Played by Barty Crouch Jr. Son of famous action man, Bartemius Crouch Sr.
And god was Barty fucking mental.
Regulus found his presence entertaining, but he was now the leading cause for most of the fights with his mother.
And fights with his mother led to disagreements with his brother.
It seemed that it was Sirius’ only goal in life to piss off their mother, but when Regulus did it Sirius acted as if he was some stupid immature idiot.
He didn’t know what had gotten into Sirius, sure one episode missed lead to three which lead to seven but…
There had been a plethora of new cast members since, Barty included.
His mother had deemed Barty a bad influence the day she met him, claiming he was like a new Sirius to Regulus.
A plague corrupting him.
Regulus can’t help but disagree.
Sirius hardly even lived with them anymore, spending most his time at the Potter’s.
James Potter, Sirius’ best friend in the show and now, because the universe hated him, in real life too.
James was who Sirius replaced Regulus with.
James was better than Regulus, everything he could ever want to be.
If Sirius was able to replace him just like that, Regulus was going to do the same
So Regulus let Barty be dramatic and chaotic and… himself.
Barty sure as hell didn’t mind.
They’d become fast friends.
Bonding over their… less than great parents.
Barty may have encouraged him to be a little reckless.
Regulus doesn’t remember the first time he snuck Barty into his house.
Now he’s done it so many times he could do it in his sleep.
Pandora and Evan have started sneaking in too, they find it fun.
The two of them, like him, too sheltered to do the normal teenage stuff Barty insisted they all try.
Regulus doesn’t know what will happen if his mother found out.
He can’t disappoint his mother.
He can’t be Sirius.
He refuses to be Sirius.
Barty laughs next to him.
“You don’t know?”
Regulus nods, slowly.
“I didn’t check.”
“Holy shit, you let me come here and she may be here? Oh you’re great, Reg, really.”
Evan looked at Regulus.
“Ignore him.”
Regulus turns to face Evan, back leaning against the window.
“So they’re killing Sirius? That’s the plan?” Pandora asks, trying to bring back his original reason for asking them to come here.
“End of the season, he dies.” Regulus mimced a slashing gesture against his neck, Evan looks at him like he’s crazy, maybe he should be having more of a reaction to this but he made his peace with it a while ago.
He thinks.
“How did you get the script for the final episode of the season? I don’t even have a script for the first one.” Barty mumbles.
“Nicked it.” Regulus responds, shrugging.
Barty coughs violently, choking on his breath.
“You stole it?” Evan asks in disbelief.
“Yeah, so?”
“I- Jesus Christ Regulus.” Evan says.
“Hold up, let me cut in here, Regulus Black, you stole the final episode of the seasons’ script?”
“No.”
Barty looks at him confused.
“I borrowed the entire script for season five.”
Evan makes a wounded noise.
“Who from?” Pandora asks, raising an eyebrow at Regulus, no doubt already aware.
She knew everything.
“Riddle.”
Barty starts laughing.
“No way!” He says through his laughs, heavily breathing for air.
Regulus blinks at him.
“Precious Regulus is a criminal. Oh I’m so proud.”
Regulus rolled his eyes.
Barty beamed at him.
“Oh I ruined you.” He put a hand on his heart. “And couldn’t feel better about it.”
Regulus chooses to ignore him, instead looking to Pandora who was next to Barty.
She had moved herself to be sitting upright on the bed.
“You took the entire script for season five?” Pandora asks, smiling at him when he nods. “So what happens?”
“A lot.”
Pandora makes a go on gesture.
“Evan joins the soccer team, I win my art competition. Barty gets in a fist fight with Fabian-”
“Let’s go!” Barty cheers, fist bumping the air. “I better breaking his fucking nose–”
“You get broken up with.” He says, nodding his head at Pandora.
“Oh I liked Xeno for her though.” Pandora mutters.
“Sirius dies obviously, Emmeline performs in the musical I think, although it might be her sister, Barty and I kiss, Evan almost gets suspended because of the shoe incident–”
“Hold up.” Evan interrupts..
Pandora giggles next to him.
Regulus looks at him, waiting to be asked about something Evan;s character does.
“You and Barty?”
“Oh yeah, final scene of the season.”
Barty is staring up at him, an unreadable look on his face.
“Oh Black I’m going to rock your world with that kiss.”
Regulus sighs, turning to look at the window.
Sure his character getting with Barty will be interesting, and kissing the man will be… different.
God his first kiss might be with Barty, gross.
He hadn’t spent time thinking about that, too focus on Sirius’ death.
There is a sound of a smack behind him.
Barty yelps in pain.
A quiet chuckle follows the sound.
Evan probably hit him then.
Regulus slowly lets a smile come onto his face at the thought.
He feels a warm heat beside him at the window, another body pressing into his.
“Oh you’re smiling. I thought you’d be upset.” Pandora says quietly.
“How could I be upset, Dora, when Evan just gave Barty a well deserved slap.”
Pandora giggles next to him.
“Hey!” Barty exclaims.
The two ignored him.
“Yes, very deserved, I’d have to agree with you there, although I imagine you’d had rather been the one to deliver it.”
“Unbelieable.” Barty mutters. “Don’t you dare, Black.”
“If you want me to, I’ll hit him again.” Evan says, and Regulus can hear the smile in his voice.
“I’d rather him to, he hits nicer than you.” Barty mumbles.
The sound of another smack fills the room.
“That was not me volunteering to be hit again!”
Pandora shakes her head, gaze softening as she looks at Regulus.
“So, why’d you take the script?” She says, no doubt deciding those two were a lost cause.
Regulus sighs, looking out the window.
“They were hiding something from me, Riddle and Bella. I knew they were.”
Pandora nods slowly.
“I’m not an idiot, I could tell something was happening.”
He sighs, looking out the window.
“Guess no one wanted to tell me Sirius was leaving the show. Not even him.” He muttered, bitterly. “No one thought I deserved to know, so I took matters into my own hands.”
None of his friends knew how to respond.
“God, you’re so hot right now, Reg.” Barty said into the silent room.
Evan picked up one of Regulus’ cushions and shoved it on top of Barty’s face.
“So he’s leaving then?” Pandora asks.
Regulus nods his head.
“No doubt about it, can’t really bring back a dead character.”
“Oh Reg-”
“It’s fine, Dora, it’s fine, everything’s fine.” Regulus cut her off.
“No, everything is not fine, Regulus.” She responds, hands on her hips. “Your brother is leaving the show that you’ve both been doing since your childhood-”
“It started when I was ten, hardly childhood.”
She gives him a stern look.
Stern looks from Pandora were rare.
“Childhood show, and now he’s leaving it, which forces you to become the main character? That’s crazy selfish of him–”
“Don’t call him selfish.” Regulus hisses.
Pandora looks at him sadly.
“Reg, you need to let him go.”
Regulus glances at her.
“I can’t.”
“You have to, like how he’s letting you go.”
Regulus sighs, turning back to the window, leaning against the frame.
His gaze finds the driveway.
He watches as James and Sirius climb out of James’ car. A bright red sports car.
Damn attention seeking brother stealer.
He just turned sixteen and already has a goddamn car.
Regulus would call him rich if he didn’t live where he did.
The two were laughing, smiling with each other.
Joking and crashing their shoulders’ together.
Regulus hoped they could feel his glare.
James must as he looks up, making eye contact.
He smiles at Regulus, even waves.
Regulus turns around, ignoring him.
Coming face to face with Barty.
“When the fuck did you even–”
“Shh.”
Barty smiles at him, eyes glancing down and seeing his brother and James.
Barty winks at him, moving as to push him more against the windowsill.
Making it so James could see him.
So James would know he isn’t alone.
Sometimes Regulus loves Barty.
Though this slightly looks like they were hooking up, but he’ll give it a pass.
“You two are ridiculous.” Evan huffs behind them.
Barty laughs, and Regulus feels himself slowly smile.
“This isn’t what I meant by letting him go.” Pandora informs him.
“Tis what I heard.” Barty says, winking at him.
Regulus rolls his eyes.
Being the idiot he is, Barty takes that as a signal to keep going.
Barty blows him a kiss, then turning to look at Evan and send him a very exaggerated wink.
Evan laughs, pushing Barty off of Regulus.
Also making his presence known to those below, Regulus noted.
If Sirius wants to parade around James Potter, Regulus can do the same with his friends.
“Regulus, don’t listen to them. Let him go, don’t sink to his level, ok?” Pandora asks him.
Barty makes a kissy face towards Evan.
With Barty now distracted with Evan, Regulus is able to look out the window.
His brother is talking to James animatedly.
James is looking at him though, at the window.
Not even pretending to pay attention to what Sirius is talking about.
His eyes find Regulus’.
He looks less than thrilled.
Regulus’s gaze narrows, eyes flaring.
Sirius says something and throws an arm around James’ shoulder.
Regulus pushed down the pang of jealousy.
He didn’t need Sirius. He didn’t need a brother.
He had his friends. That’s all he needs.
“I’m trying.”
Pandora smiles at him.
“We know.”
And he doesn’t look back out the window again.
Because Sirius never looked at him.
Only James Potter did.
And he has his own replacement family.
Notes:
Yup, we are changing time wooooo.
So basically every second chapter will be in the past, while the other cover our present plot! How fun.
I hope you guys enjoyed, now we are getting into the interesting details!
Let me know what you thought! Kudos help me breath.
Stay safe and drink water
Xoxo Everest
Chapter 3: The most stubborn
Notes:
We are back with chapter 3! Lets go!!!
Happy reading xx
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
I've lost my mind, I've spent the night
Crying on the floor of my bathroom
But you're so unaffected, I really don't get it
But I guess good for you
(good 4 u, Regulus Black)
“I’m not doing it.”
Evan throws a cushion at his head.
They’re in the house, watching Regulus pace back and forth.
Regulus grabs the cushion mid air, turning to glare at Evan.
“If you say that one more time I’ll throw your phone at you.” Evan threatened.
Barty’s laugh can be heard from the kitchen.
“But I’m not! He wouldn’t even say yes if I did ask him.”
Evan raised an eyebrow at him.
Regulus throws the cushion back at him. Hard.
“I mean he left, so it makes no sense for him to come back, like, at all.”
Evan chucks the cushion back to him.
“And he’s dead! So I don’t know what stupid plan Riddle has but I want no part in it!”
“Are you sure?” Evan asks.
Regulus throws the pillow at him.
Evan catches it before it could hit him in the face.
“You’re saying that if they get him to say yes, you won’t want to see him again?”
“That’s…” Regulus trailed off.
Did he want to see Sirius again? The last time they were in the same room was a slight mess, they only barely avoided a massive scandal.
Thanks to one Remus Lupin.
Drummer of the horrid band, The Marauders.
Regulu shook his head.
“No, I don’t want to see him, and I won’t because–”
“Because he’d never say yes.” Evan finishes, cutting him off. “You’re like a broken record.”
“Amen!” Barty yells from the kitchen.
Regulus and Evan both ignore him.
Evan chucks the cushion towards him again.
“Look Regulus, you need to think about this a little more than you have.”
“I’ve thought about it enough.” Regulus says, groaning.
“But just consider it, him back on the show–”
“It’s stupid, bringing characters back from the dead is a cheap cop-out.”
“Unlike you I paid attention to Riddle’s speil, which he totally rehearsed by the way–”
“To convince me? Didn’t work.”
“I think he knows that Regulus, based on you saying no before he even started.”
Regulus rolls his eyes, turning away from Evan to resume his stress pacing.
“Look they plan on some sort of hallucination, or like a ghost thing but only you can see him. Which sounds confusing–”
“I’m not doing it.” Regulus says, crossing his arms. “That’s final.”
“But Sirius might want to.”
“He won’t. He hates the show–”
“He doesn’t, he hates your mother.” Barty says, adding himself into the conversation.
Regulus turns to look at Barty.
Barty was heading back into the lounge with two cups.
“It’s true, she’s why he left. I thought we all collectively knew that.” Barty said, stating this as if it was common knowledge.
It was not common knowledge. Was it?
Regulus turned to look at Evan.
Evan shrugged.
“I mean I kind of assumed…”
“But-“ Regulus tried, turning back to Barty. “No.”
“Reg-”
“No, he left the show ‘cause he hated it.”
He left the show because James Potter hated it.
James Potter made Sirius hate the show.
That was a fact.
Barty sighed.
“He may have hated the show, sure. But he hated Walburga more.”
Regulus looked at Evan, then back to Barty.
Barty walked over to him, placing the cups down on the coffee table as he went.
He stopped in front of Regulus, raising an eyebrow at him.
“No.”
Evan sighed, leaning forward and grabbing one of the cups.
“You can’t just say no to your brother hating your-” Evan started.
“Not my brother.”
“-Mother, it’s crazy even for you and Sirius. So you two have differing opinions on your mother, so what?”
“They have differing opinions on everything.” Barty muttered, crossing his arms.
“Barty.” Evan scolded.
“We don’t have different opinions on everything .” Regulus argued.
“Guess you’ll have to talk to him to find out.” Barty smirked, leaning closer to Regulus.
Regulus recoiled, turning away from Barty to restart his pacing.
“I don’t need to find anything involving Sirius.”
“Regulus-”
“Nothing at all. If I could I would never talk to him again. Ever.”
“Cause that’s healthy.”
“Oh shut up, Crouch, as if you would talk to your father again.”
“That is different Regulus, do not even try.”
Regulus groans.
“Is it really that bad, Reg? You could get some closure.”
“I don’t want closure.”
“Regulus-”
“No! I don’t. And now I have to talk to him, thanks to fucking Narcissa.”
There was silence.
“I’m going to tell her you said that.”
Regulus picked up a pillow and chucked it at Barty.
“Or maybe I won’t, damn .” Barty rubbed his head.
Regulus narrowed his gaze.
Barty rolled his eyes.
No one said anything, so Regulus continued his mission to make indents into the floor.
The sound of fabric sinking made Regulus aware that Barty had sat down next to Evan.
Regulus kept pacing, walking back and forth.
And back and forth.
“Reg, relax, take a breath.”
Regulus ignores Evan.
“You aren’t going to see him today, or even this week probably, you can chill.”
Regulus kept walking, his thoughts racing.
What was he going to do once he saw Sirius again?
Why did Riddle insist it had to be him?
What would his mother say?
A pillow flew over his head.
“How are you so bad at throwing?” Evan asked in disbelief.
Regulus could see Barty shove his arm.
“Fuck you.”
“Fuck you.”
Regulus continues, ignoring his friends.
Their voices fade into the background.
He needed to sabotage Tom Riddle’s plan.
Be the reason it all falls apart.
Watch as it crumbles from the inside.
But making sure to keep himself, his friends, and his brother out of the downfall.
His brother?
Regulus groaned.
For years he’d gone without thinking of his brother, without remembering that section of his life.
And now it was all coming back to him.
“Regulus, for fucks sake at least put your phone on silent if you are gonna ignore it, it’s driving me insane.” Evan groans, rubbing his temple.
Regulus turned to look at his friends.
“What?”
Evan looked at him confused.
“Your phone.” He motions to it, lying forgotten on the sofa, next to Barty.
Regulus nods slowly.
“Its- Regulus, it’s loud!”
Regulus walks over and picks it up, not too surprised at who was texting him.
Twenty two missed messages, all from one Narcissa Malfoy.
“You fired or what?”
Regulus rolled his eyes, opening his texts with his manager.
“As if.”
“They could never fire Reg.” Barty mumbles.
“It’s just Cissa.”
“Narcissa? Oh she’s mad then.”
“Oh for fucks sake Crouch.” Evan says, shooting Barty a look which conveys you are not helping.
“What? She only sends a hundred messages a minute when she’s pissed.”
“Narcissa doesn’t get pissed at Reg.”
“She can.” Barty mutters.
“She does.” Regulus says, eyes glancing at the messages.
“See, if Regulus agrees, then I can say it.”
“I didn’t agree with anything.”
“Oh fuck you.” Barty moaned.
A grunt was heard and Regulus knew Evan had smacked Barty.
Serves him right.
Narcissa Malfoy
4.31 pm Regulus we need to talk about how you plan on going about this
4.33 pm Regulus
4.34 pm Look I get you’re mad, or annoyed or whatever but if you’d just talk
4.34 pm to me I’d be able to help
4.37 pm I plan on reaching out to Andy, if that would be helpful?
4.40 pm Regulus
4.41 pm You can’t just ignore this forever
4.41 pm Fine, ignore this Regulus, I’ll plan a meeting with your brother
4.43 pm Yeah ok that didn’t work to get your attention
4.43 pm Wow guess who responded before you
4.43 pm Reggie, my sister can respond before you even read my messages
4.44 pm I’m seconds away from asking Barty if you died
4.45 pm I actually would very much not like to talk to Barty
4.45 pm Would be amazing if you just responded
4.45 pm Regulus, c’mon
4.45 pm Regulus Arcturus Black
4.45 pm And now I am texting Crouch.
4.46 pm He told me, and I quote
4.46 pm Reg is fighting the voices in his head
4.47 pm Do I need to sign you up for therapy?
4.47 pm I know you said no and all and that you ‘are very sane and have no trauma’
4.47 pm Which, first of all, no, you have a lot of issues Reg.
4.47 pm Secondly
4.48 pm You can’t get out of this, it’s happening
4.48 pm You get to pick how it’s happening though
4.48 pm Sirius doesn’t.
Regulus Black
4.49 pm Sirius gets a lot of things
4.49 pm So you respond to say cryptic shit about your brother?
4.49 pm Yes
4.49 pm You are exasperating
4.50 pm I can’t believe you
4.50 pm Ok
4.50 pm So unhelpful
4.50 pm Whatever, look you got an idea of how you want this to go?
Regulus sighed.
He fell backwards onto the couch, half landing on Barty.
Barty yelped.
Evan laughed at the noise.
Barty glared at Evan, maneuvering Regulus so he was lying with his head in Barty’s lap.
“You ok?” Evan asks, glancing at him.
Regulus nods.
“I can’t get out of it.”
Barty snorts.
“Yeah, no shit.”
Evan leans over and smacks Barty’s cheek.
“Not the face, Rosier! How dare you touch my money maker.”
“You aren’t a model, Crouch.”
“I could be.” Barty pouts. “Out of all of us here I would be the best model.”
Regulus blinks up at Barty, raising an eyebrow.
“Shhh, you don’t count.” Barty pushes his hand in front of Regulus’ face.
“Why don’t I count?” Regulus asks, recreating Barty’s pout.
“Cause you actually model.” Barty groans as if that explains anything.
“Thank my mother for that.”
“Go Walburga!” Evan says unenthusiastically.
“I am not thanking that woman for anything.”
Regulus sighs.
“Barty-”
“Nope that women fucked you up enough, I’m not thanking her.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Every time I see her I imagine smashing her skull in.”
“You see her as often as I do nowadays.”
Barty shivers.
“Too often.”
Evan chuckled beside them, reminding Barty of his presence.
Barty turned to Evan and started talking to him.
Regulus turned to his phone.
Narcissa Malfoy
4.53 pm I’ll take the no response as a no.
4.53 pm You have options here, Regulus
4.53 pm We could organise a meeting
4.53 pm Or corner him on the streets
4.54 pm Or use Andy to find his location and fake an accidental running into each other
4.56 pm Regulus?
4.57 pm None
4.57 pm What?
4.57 pm None of the options
4.58 pm Regulus.
4.58 pm Pick one before I pick for you
4.58 pm In fact I’ll make a new one
4.58 pm Where we lock you both in a room and let you talk it out
4.59 pm Fight it out
4.59 pm Is that you picking an option?
4.59 pm No.
4.59 pm For fucks sake Regulus
4.59 pm Why are you impossible?
5.00 pm I thought I picked the reasonable brother to represent
5.00 pm I was the only reasonable person in that house
5.00 pm Not gonna think about that right now
5.00 pm God you need help
5.00 pm Tried. Wasn’t a fan
5.01 pm You got hospitalised cause you were a risk to your own health
5.01 pm That is not the same
5.01 pm Tried.
5.01 pm Pick an option Regulus.
5.01 pm And don’t say none, I will drive over to that hazard of a house
5.01 pm Just to force you to pick one
5.02 pm Barty would take offense to you calling our house a hazard
5.02 pm It is a hazard
5.02 pm Stop deflecting, pick an option Black
5.04 pm Fake accidental meeting
5.04 pm Perfect
5.04 pm Thank you
5.12 pm You are free tomorrow morning
5.13 pm That is a statement, not a question
5.13 pm I know.
5.13 pm Then yes, I am free tomorrow morning
5.13 pm I don’t want to go to a meeting
5.13 pm Especially with Riddle, do not make me see Riddle at unholy hours
5.14 pm You won’t be in a meeting
5.14 pm You’re going to get coffee
Regulus groaned.
He was going to see his brother.
******
His brother was not here.
Now Regulus didn’t want to seem like he was happy about this, but he was not mad.
Evan laughed.
“He still might show.”
Regulus turned to him, glaring.
“He better not, I’m having a good day.”
Narcissa had called Andromeda, her sister, and The Marauders manager, to find out some information on Sirius.
Of course, Andromeda found the entire situation amazing, and was delighted to help reunite the brothers.
Reunite was not the word Regulus would use.
More like cause a lot of shit.
One of Andromeda’s helpful tips was that Sirius tended to go to a coffee shop by his apartment.
Regulus was now at said coffee shop.
He pushed his sunglasses up onto the top of his head.
Look, call it cliche but sunglasses worked to disguise people.
That's what Barty swears by.
Sunglasses.
He hated doing it, but when attending a coffee shop The Marauders frequent, the paparazzi were inevitable.
Thankfully none even try to enter the store, likely being told not to by the owners.
Regulus could respect that.
“Are you trying to burn a hole in the counter?”
Regulus scowled, ignoring Evan’s smile.
“It could benefit from a hole, I’m sure.” Evan continued, nodding.
“You are dead, Rosier, dead.” Regulus muttered.
“Not in public, my dear Regulus.”
Regulus rolled his eyes, looking to the barista.
She thankfully hadn’t recognised him or Evan.
It wasn’t likely she would with Barty’s go-to disguise.
The two of them were standing next to the pick-up area, waiting for their drinks.
Regulus had agreed to wait until he had finished the coffee, then he was free to walk out and not try again.
Narcissa may not know she agreed to the last bit.
Evan brushed his arm against his shoulder.
“You’re not even looking at the door.”
Regulus shook his head.
“No point, he’s so loud that I’ll know when he enters simply by the shift of annoyance in the air.”
Evan lets out a startled laugh.
“Jesus Reg, your brother really brings the worst of you out.”
Regulus glared at him.
“Some may say that’s my best quality.”
“Oh bullshit, everyone knows under that grumpy persona is a cuddly little kitten.”
Regulus elbowed Evan in his side. Hard.
“Feisty cat.” Evan mumbled.
“Fuck off.”
“Nope.” Evan responded, false cheerfulness in his tone.
Regulus sighed.
“I miss when you were sad and annoyed every day, Ev, I really do.”
Evan shook his head.
“Ok.”
“Why’d you have to change, can’t I have my moody best friend back.”
“Best friend.” Evan teased. “You mad at Barty now too?”
“No.”
Evan fake gasps, making Regulus wonder how on earth he is an actor.
“Then… are you saying… you like me more than Barty? Oh Reg-” Evan leaned over to him, making kissy noises.
“No. Eww get off.”
Evan laughed.
“You’re insufferable, Rosier.”
Evan nods.
“Sure, but you like it.” He half hisses, laughing on the rest of his words.
“Whatever you want to believe Evan.” Regulus grumbled. “Like if you believe you are not hopelessly in love with Bar-”
“Shut up, I’m not!”
Regulus shrugs.
“Could have fooled me.”
“Hey, I don’t grill you on your love life.”
“Cause my love life is dead.” Regulus responded.
“By your choice.” Evan responded, teeth flashing.
“If it were my choice I’d still be with-”
“With Barty? You better be about to say Barty and not Ben-”
“With Benjy.” Regulus finished, eye flaring.
“Benjy was an asshole.”
“He was fine.”
Evan glared at him.
“No. You’ve written too many songs about how shitty he is to change back now.”
“He wasn’t a shitty boyfriend, that’s actually the point I made most of my album-”
“Please we both know those songs were about Barty.”
“What? Jealous Rosier?”
“For fucks sake Reg, don’t act like a dick just to take away from the fact that you think Benjy was a fine boyfriend.”
“I’m telling you the truth, you’re just jealous.”
Evan shook his head.
“Look I get that you’re mad about having to see Sirius, but don’t start acting like this again.”
“Oh like what?” Regulus huffed, crossing his arms.
“Like I’m going to leave like Sirius did so you need to push me away first.”
Regulus glared at him, standing his ground.
“Go back to sulking, Reg.”
Regulus did.
He turned to look at the door, his back to Evan.
Soon he’ll be given his overpriced coffee, then he’ll drink it as fast as he can.
Then this could go down as a failure.
One that Tom Riddle hopefully won’t want to repeat.
And then he’ll forget about the entire idea.
Regulus watched as people entered the cafe.
It wasn’t small by any means.
But it was crowded.
Seems that people didn’t follow the same rules as the paparazzi.
He’d heard a lot of people chatting about his brother. Too many.
Only his idiotic brother would manage to visit a cafe so many times that his fans started to swarm it.
And the paparazzi.
How Sirius manages to come here every day is beyond him.
Regulus thinks he personally sees the paparazzi too much, and it’s nothing compared to this.
Though whenever he is out on his own in public the paparazzi are restless.
Yelling at him, following him.
Especially after shit went down with Benjy.
That was horrid.
Dorcas made them all swear to stick together, none of them leaving the house without the others.
Regulus was essentially bodyguard by his friends.
It was horrible.
They were always with him, he could hardly breathe.
Of course, they noticed and proceeded to tell him to deal with it.
Well not them, Barty did.
Barty was particularly angry after Regulus and Benjy broke up.
Mad on Regulus’ behalf and mad at himself.
Regulus thinks Barty blamed himself for what happened after.
For what Benjy did.
It was all stupid really.
The door chimes, signaling another person walking in.
And Regulus looks up.
And then proceeds to turn around and look at Evan.
“We need to leave.”
Evan glances at him unimpressed.
“I paid for this coffee, I’m not leaving it.”
“Rosier.”
“I don’t care if he’s here, we are here to see him as a matter of fact.”
“Evan-”
“Reg, we are here to see him.”
“It’s not him it’s-”
“James! Long time since you’ve come in here.” The barista greets.
Regulus watches as Evan’s face drops.
Regulus turns to watch the interaction between James and the barista.
“Yeah, Sirius has been obsessed with forcing Moony here. So I haven’t had the chance to come spend my entire fortune here.”
The barista laughs, flashing James a smile like they’re old friends.
“Yes I do see him often.”
“Ughh tell me about it. If your coffee wasn’t so good I’d be sick of it by now.” James says winking at her.
Regulus rolls his eyes, turning back to look at Evan.
“Can we leave yet?” He hisses, voice quiet.
Evan nods slowly.
“Yeah. Yeah… Yeah ok.”
Regulus lets out a slight sigh of relief.
“Good.”
Evan laughs, but it's strained, eyes locking onto Regulus’, asking a silent question.
Are you ok?
Regulus shrugs in response.
Evan glances at his phone in hand.
“Ugh, Barty’s being a bitch.”
Regulus lets out a chuckle.
“He always is.” Evan nods his agreement. “What about?”
“He needs his coffee otherwise he’s going to… chuck Pandora out the window.”
Regulus blinks at Evan.
Evan laughs.
“Oh poor Pan.”
Regulus shakes his head.
“She’s fine, knowing her she’s busy talking about some dream she had.”
“And knowing him he’s trying to kill himself.”
Regulus laughs.
“Well, no issue with that then-”
“Regulus?”
He closes his eyes.
He’s imagining it.
Because James Potter did not just say his name.
Because this isn’t happening.
He turns around.
“Potter.”
James is looking at him with wide eyes like he’s seen a ghost.
If either of them deserves to look like that it’s Regulus.
He doesn’t though, he just looks annoyed.
He’s making sure all his annoyance and anger is on his face.
“I- Holy shit, Reggie-” James splutters out.
“Don’t call me that.”
It doesn’t phase James, he just nods continuing.
“Right, ok. Regulus! I can’t believe it’s you and you’re here and-”
Regulus glances at Evan, who is standing beside him, not that James has noticed.
“And you’re here too, hi, yes I know you too.” James says briefly looking at Evan.
Evan's only response is the glare on his face.
“You, uhh, you look good, Reggie.” James smiles at him.
Regulus narrows his eyes.
James' smile slips slightly. He lifts a hand to run it through his hair.
“It’s been such a long time.“ James tries.
“It has, hasn’t it? Now it’s been lovely and all-“ Evan says stepping forward.
“No it hasn’t.” Regulus mutters, making sure it was quiet as so only Evan could hear.
From the way James’ gaze flicks to him in an instant he guessed he heard.
James always did have great hearing.
“I- no wait I haven’t seen you in years, I thought-“
“Don’t think then. Must be hard for you anyways.” Regulus hisses.
James’ face drops, though there is a hint of a smile, like Regulus was joking.
Regulus wasn’t joking.
“Well that sounds like you again.” James says.
“Me again?” Regulus huffs, crossing his arms.
James smiled.
Regulus had never felt the urge to shove someone into a wall so strongly.
“Don’t think you’d know what me is, Potter.” He spat.
James’ face fell.
James always wore his heart on his sleeve.
Always.
Even back then.
“Regulus c’mon talk to me, I know you.”
“No, you don’t!” Regulus hisses.
“I do! I knew everything about you back during the show.”
Regulus rolls his eyes.
“Oh please.”
James shook his head.
“Sirius told me everything-”
“Oh so you think Sirius just knew every little thing about me?”
James freezes , shocked by Regulus actually speaking to him in a full long sentence.
Regulus watched as he slowly nodded.
“Well he’s your brother-”
“He didn’t, so you definitely didn’t, you’re both as pathetic as each other, god.” Regulus turned his head to see the barista walking over.
She glanced at Regulus with worry.
Until she recognised him, barely masking her face of shock.
Regulus glared at her, watching as she placed the drinks down.
“I- there you go.” She looked to James.
James gave her a smile that looked more like a wince.
“It’s uhh great coffee here. Good place you picked.” James muttered. “Really good, we come here a lot, actually. Most people know that…”
James trails off and Regulus debates smacking him.
Anyone could have figured it out.
Figured out he was here on purpose.
James Potter is not anyone.
He’s James Potter.
“Molly here makes it really well, she’s also great.” Regulus looks at Molly briefly, he must not seem too excited cause she raises an eyebrow at him and walks away.
Regulus picked up his coffee, resisting the urge to chuck it at James and cause a scene.
Cause they were in fact in public.
One quick glance around showed no one paying them much attention.
Which was crazy as the amount of conversations surrounding The Marauders hadn’t stopped.
The fans were only too interested in their phones and own personal talks than actually paying attention to the world in front of them.
Also considering James wasn’t even hiding his face.
Idiot.
Regulus turns to Evan.
“We’re going.”
Evan nods, face still hard as stone.
James sputters behind him.
“No, hey wait Reggie-”
“Do not call me that.” Regulus hisses, turning back to face the door, and James.
James holds his hands up in surrender.
“Don’t go! Let’s catch up, yeah? Please it’d been forever and I’m sure Sirius-”
Evan coughs behind him.
James doesn’t pick up on his warning.
“-will be so happy to hear from you. He’s been wanting to reach out. For a while really. But especially after he learnt you left Walburga.”
Regulus bit his lip to stop himself from doing something stupid whilst in public.
“He was really happy you realised how bad they were treating you. He would never admit it but he was so sad to have left you. But now you left and are thinking clearer, with your music career and all-”
“You’re ridiculous, you know that Potter?” James glances at him in shock.
“We were waiting for you, Reggie. We thought you may never go but then you left her, god awful woman she is–”
“Don’t talk about my mother that way.”
“But-”
“God do you ever shut up?” Regulus snaps.
James mouth slams shut, the small smile he had sinking.
“You just think that I left and… what?” Regulus laughed, aware of the maliciousness in his tone. He didn’t care. “Just became someone different? Forgot about before?”
“No, I-”
“Think I changed?” Regulus scoffs. “I did change, just not the way you seem to have wanted.”
“No.” James says certainly.
Regulus wonders how one man can have so much ignorance.
“I don’t believe this… this act. You’re in there, I know you are.”
He rolls his eyes.
Regulus reaches a hand up and pushes his sunglasses down off the top of his head, watching as the world darkened as they covered his eyes.
“Regulus you don’t need to hide anymore.”
Regulus scoffs.
“God you don’t get it do you? I’m not hiding, Potter, this is me.” Regulus lets the venom fall into his tone, all the anger and hurt this man had caused him over the years coming out.
James looks at him with wide eyes.
“I’d say get used to it but I don’t think I’ll be seeing you ever again, I’ll make sure of it.”
Regulus looks to Evan and starts walking.
Evan grabbed the other two drinks on the counter.
They were almost at the door when James calls out to him.
“It really was good to see you, Reggie.”
If Regulus faltered that was not to be mentioned.
“I missed you, the real you. Not whatever this is.” James tries again.
Regulus walked out the door.
Notes:
Everyone meet James Potter in present time!!! Can you tell I'm excited?
Oh the drama.
Also Evan has my heart oml.
Regulus and Narcissa's friendship is so important to me to
I hope you enjoyed!!!!
As always stay safe and drink water
Xoxo everest
Chapter 4: Goodbye and hello: July 2014
Chapter Text
No, I'm not saying I'm petty
But there's no sayin' that you're so innocent
No, you're not innocent
(we’re not alike, Regulus Black)
“Regulus.”
Regulus looked up from his book, just as Barty ran into his room, panting.
“Barty what are you-”
The door slammed close behind him.
Barty looked up at him with wild eyes.
“Regulus I’m sorry.”
Regulus slowly stood up, walking over to him.
“What’s… what’s wrong?”
Barty backed away, shaking his head.
“You… just fucking you.”
Regulus laughed.
His laughter trailed off once he saw the expression on Barty’s face staying the same.
“Me?”
“You!”
“Me?” Regulus asked again, knowing his face conveyed the confusion he was feeling.
Barty walked forward pushing his hands against Regulus’ chest.
Regulus felt his back collide with the wall of his bedroom.
He could feel the indent of a push-pin from one of his posters in his back.
“You are everywhere! I can’t escape you.”
“Escape me? Barty we’re friends, why would you want to escape me?”
“Because you are… you are…”
“I am?”
“You’re a nightmare. You are crazy, like that psycho brother of yours, and I…”
Regulus breathed hard, making eye contact with Barty.
Barty was taller than him, so with Regulus cornered Barty was leaning entirely over him.
“Barty?” Regulus tried.
“I can’t get you out of my head since that stupid night.”
“Barty what’s going on?” Regulus asked, moving forward.
Barty shoved him back, a hand resting next to his head, the other on his chest.
“You.”
“Me?” Regulus gulped.
“You.”
Barty moves in, slowly.
Regulus knows where this goes next.
“Barty-“
“Tell me not to. Tell me to not do it and I won’t, I’ll leave and this never happened.”
Regulus glanced at Barty’s face, serious.
“Do it.”
Barty leans down quickly, mouth finding Regulus’.
Regulus’ eyes flutter closed.
The hand on his chest wraps around his waist, pulling him in.
They kiss for a while, mouths on each other’s.
“And cut!”
Barty and Regulus break apart in seconds.
“That’s a wrap!” Riddle calls from his spot off set.
Regulus makes eye contact with Barty as he wipes his mouth, smirking at him.
Barty responds by wrapping an arm around Regulus’ shoulder, both turning to look at Riddle.
“Amazing work guys truly! A great end to season five.”
Cause it’s the end.
Not of the show.
But of the show with Sirius.
He can see him standing with the other cast members who came to watch the finale scene.
Sirius was talking to James Potter.
Not even paying attention.
He probably didn’t even watch the scene, too busy with Potter and this new life that they’ve built.
Barty squeezes his arm, bringing his attention back to the conversation happening that actually involves him.
“-was wow, I didn’t think you two had it in you, but watching that was amazing.”
“Thanks Riddle.”
Tom nods, smiling at him.
“Well go cool off, enjoy yourselves, take a cold shower,” He winks at Barty with that comment. “And join the party.”
Riddle walks away leaving Barty and Regulus.
The cast and crew have started to walk into the other sets, mingling.
He was looking for someone in particular though.
“We ditching?”
“Yeah…” Regulus said, looking off distracted.
“I’ll go get Pandora and Evan then.”
“Sure.”
Barty sighed, turning to face Regulus.
“Talk to him Reg, it might be your last chance.”
Regulus sighed.
He knew that he was unlikely to ever see his brother again.
“He doesn’t want to talk to me.”
Barty sighed behind him.
“Well, I’d disagree as he’s heading this way.”
Regulus flicked his head round to look at Sirius, who was in fact walking towards them.
James following behind him.
“Kill me.”
“Nope, deal with your mess, Reg.” Barty smiled, walking away.
Regulus turned, watching him leave him.
Like Sirius was about to.
He heard the approaching footsteps stop, meaning if he turned around he’d see his brother.
Regulus didn’t want to turn around.
If Sirius wanted a goodbye he needed to work for it.
If he wanted a nice goodbye, he was dreaming.
A throat cleared behind him.
Sirius wasn’t polite enough to do that, fucking James Potter.
He debated just walking away.
It would be so easy.
Regulus resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
He schooled his face, removing all emotion as Walburga had taught him.
He turned back, immediately making eye contact with Sirius.
The silence continued.
Regulus had no need to start this conversation, or have it at all.
Sirius searched his face, looking for some sort of emotion.
Looking for his brother who he knew better than anyone else.
Thankfully Regulus wasn’t that brother anymore.
It took every bone in Regulus’ body to not glance at James.
James who was watching his every move.
James who stole his brother.
“Reggie.”
And no fuck that.
Regulus moved forward, shoulders hitting Sirius’ as he pushed past him.
He couldn’t do this.
He didn’t need this.
“Regulus wait.”
Sirius’ hand grabbed his shoulder.
Regulus turned around quickly, glaring at his brother.
The hand removed itself.
“Reggie please.”
“What? What do you want, Sirius?”
Sirius blinked, not expecting Regulus to talk to him.
“To say goodbye.”
Regulus scoffed.
“Then don’t bother, I have no one I want to say goodbye to.”
Sirius’ face dropped, hurt all over his face.
Regulus took the moment of shock to walk away, towards Barty and away from the person who he used to call brother.
****** January 2015
Regulus knows what he likes.
Acting. Fine he can do it, done so for a while now.
Music. The songs his brother used to play, they’d sing along together.
Modeling. Never has he hated something more
Other than Sirius.
He’s done it a couple times.
Promotions for the show.
For the other movies he’s been in.
Just for fun.
It was not fun.
Modeling takes too long. Too much can go wrong.
Outfit changes and lighting changes and more.
Too many factors at play.
So that’s how he finds himself in a random studio’s waiting room.
“It’s not a random studio, Regulus, it’s Vogue, you will not act like this when we get there.” His mothers voice fills his head.
She had left him a few seconds after he got checked in, preferring to talk to her friends in the building.
Regulus couldn’t even pretend to care.
About his mother ditching him, or about being on the cover of Vogue.
This was meant to be an honour.
Regulus knew that, he really did, but he just didn’t care.
He wanted to be at the house, doing things he liked.
Being with his friends.
It made life fun again.
Life was not fun now, waiting to take some likely weird photos and pose for hours.
So Regulus didn’t like modeling .
He glanced at his phone, hoping to pass the time.
He had a few texts from Barty and Pandora, nothing of interest.
Nothing to distract him.
He watched as a girl walked out of the studio next to him.
She was pretty, probably a model then.
Regulus wasn’t a fan of models, they were always self-obsessed.
She smiled at him as she saw him looking.
With a glance to the clock on the wall she sat next to him.
Regulus looked at her in confusion, this was weird.
“Hey.” She said.
“Hi?”
She smiled at him.
“I’m Dorcas, Dorcas Meadowes.”
“Right, well I’m-”
“Regulus Black, I know.”
Regulus felt even more confused.
“Famous actor, starred in several movies and of course your own tv show.”
“Are you trying to flatter me or tell me my successes in life? Cause I’m neither narcissistic or stupid.” He huffed, crossing his arms.
The girl smiled again, a perfect model smile.
“Oh none of those options.”
He glared at her.
“What do you want then?” He hissed.
People nowadays always wanted something from him, and he was sick of it.
“You looked sad, I’m fixing that.”
Regulus scowled at Dorcas.
“I’m not sad.”
She raised an eyebrow at him.
“Then why are you pouting?”
“I’m not– I’m not pouting!” Regulus sputtered, only being quiet when he saw the smile on her face.
“Hmm, don’t believe you.”
“This is ridiculous, go bother someone else who cares .”
Dorcas rolls her eyes next to him.
“Hmm, I think I’ll stay here thanks, free place and all.”
Regulus ignores her, glancing at the clock, only a few more minutes till his shoot starts, then he can leave.
“So why are you here, huh? Actors don’t tend to come to Vogue unless…” She trails off, expecting him to say why he is here.
He does not.
She glances around, eyes locking onto the door he keeps glancing at.
Some form of recognition filters through her eyes.
“Oh congratulations, people would kill to be on the cover, especially of our age.”
Regulus rolls his eyes, turning away from her.
Silence fills the room.
“You are so not the sweetheart you are made out to be.” Dorcas says after a few seconds of silence.
“Oh sorry, didn’t know that's what you wanted from me.” He scoffed. “Let me just bat my eyelashes at you and look pretty, that’s all they want me to do.”
Dorcas laughed briefly.
“Burnt out child star, couldn’t see that one coming, especially not from you.”
“Oh cause I seem so happy.”
Regulus turned to look at Dorcas.
She had a face of hurt, like she felt bad for him.
Pathetic.
“You’re a model right?”
She nods.
“Explains why you can’t keep a straight face.”
He stands up, stretching as he does.
“I’d learn how, before you make it big, otherwise things will get messy.”
She doesn’t say anything, simply staring at him.
He scoffs, turning and walking to the door of the studio he knows he’s shooting in.
The clock clicks over onto the next minute and he pushes open the door.
He barely hears her over the noise of people in the room.
But Dorcas speaks a promise behind him.
“I’m going to help you Regulus Black, whether you want it or not.”
And that was the start of the revival of Regulus Black.
Notes:
Finally making use of the Barty/Reg tag
Exes Bartylus is a part of my soul
Quick everyone pretend youre surprised Dorcas is in the fic
Jokes aside i love her, and she is awesome
I swear these chapters in the past are only boring for so long, they will pick up soon, just wait
Well as always I hope you enjoyed.
Stay safe and drink water
xoxo everest
Chapter 5: Slight mistakes
Chapter Text
Breakin' my back just to know your name
But Heaven ain't close in a place like this
Anything goes but don't blink, you might miss
(Somebody told me, The Marauders)
James Potter’s secret entanglement with Regulus Black.
Article by Amelia Bones
People Magazine
Just hours ago actor and singer Regulus Black was seen leaving cafe The Snuggly Duckling with co-star and close friend Evan Rosier. Only a few minutes later rockstar and past co-star James Potter could be seen following after them. This is the closest these two have been since Potter’s split from the show they both worked on in their childhood years, other than the night at the grammys.
Many assume they left on rough terms, with Black’s brother Sirius Black, also leaving with Potter. Of course none have come out to us with their resentment for each other, but it is clear to see. The two may still follow each other on social media platforms, but us here at People know better.
So what could Potter and Black be doing meeting in the coffee shop known to be frequented by the Marauders? Clearly being shown in these photos is the fact that Potter leaves carrying four coffees, likely to give to the others in the hit band (find about their rise to fame here) meaning that he had plans to cover his tracks, and keep it a secret.
Are the two secretly meeting to hide away from Sirius Black? How long have these two been hiding from public view to converse? These questions and more will be answered throughout this article, showing a timeline of their meetings. (Click here to read more)
******
James read over the article Peter sent to their group chat.
It was unbelievable really.
He didn’t even know Regulus was going to be there.
If he did he would have thought about what he was going to say more, instead of whatever stupid mess of words came out of his mouth.
[The Marauders]
Wormy
11.41 pm Prongs?
11.42 pm I think I broke him
Moony
11.42 pm You didn’t break him
11.42 pm He’s in shock likely
Wormy
11.42 pm He should be running.
11.42 pm I just watched Sirius leave the room
11.42 pm Correction
11.42 pm I watched Sirius glance at his phone and sprint out the room
Moony
11.42 pm James’ll be fine
Wormy
11.43 pm Will he though?
Moony
11.43 pm He’s a fast runner
Wormy
11.43 pm Sure, but Sirius is faster
Prongs
11.43 pm great to see you have faith in me Wormtail
Wormy
11.43 pm And he lives
Padfoot
11.43 pm Not for long
Several people are typing …
James sighed, flopping back on the couch in their apartment.
Sirius was meant to be in the studio with Peter, James is guessing he is coming home very soon.
It wasn’t like James has been meeting with Regulus for ages, this was the first time.
If it was up to him he’d have seen him several more times.
They would all be together.
They would have taken Regulus with them.
Stolen him if they had too.
His mother wasn’t too fond of his idea to kidnap the youngest Black.
Of course they kept pushing until Effie told them to give it a rest and that Regulus will leave if he feels the need to, he’s a smart kid.
Regulus did not leave.
For three fucking years.
And then didn’t even reach out to them.
[The Marauders]
Wormy
11.43 pm And here we go
Padfoot
11.43 pm Tell me James
11.44 pm That you haven’t been having secret meetings with my brother
Prongs
11.44 pm ofc not Pads
11.44 pm i would never
11.44 pm well I would if I could
11.44 pm but I’d tell you!
Padfoot
11.44 pm Hard to believe that when every magazine ever is writing about the two of you
Moony
11.44 pm They always lie
11.44 pm It’s a rule people follow
11.44 pm Never trust the press
11.45 pm Remember when they tried to convince the fans
11.45 pm That all the songs you wrote were about me and you?
Wormy
11.45 pm Moving on from that
11.45 pm Prongs you saw Regulus?
Prongs
11.45 pm yeah…
Moony
11.45 pm How was he?
Prongs
11.45 pm he's different and the same all at once
Moony
11.45 pm That was so incredibly vague
Prongs
11.45 pm hes hard to explain
Padfoot
11.46 pm Always has been
11.46 pm Fucking prick he is
Moony
11.46 pm Sirius
Padfoot
11.46 pm What’d he say to you Prongs
Wormy
11.46 pm Nothing nice I’m assuming
Prongs
11.46 pm oh no
11.46 pm he was not nice
11.47 pm it was great
Moony
11.47 pm Seriously James?
Prongs
11.47 pm its been forever since I’ve seen him
11.47 pm hes so much meaner
Moony
11.47 pm And that’s a good thing?
Prongs
11.47 pm ofc
Wormy
11.47 pm Right…
Moony
11.47 pm Peter, you got eyes on Sirius?
Wormy
11.48 pm Oh he’s gone mate
11.48 pm Long gone
Moony
11.48 pm Hey Sirius, where you at right now?
Wormy
11.48 pm Good luck getting a response
11.48 pm He’s on a mission to murder Prongs
Prongs
11.48 pm hey!
11.48 pm what did I do?
Moony
11.48 pm Talk to his brother?
Wormy
11.49 pm And not tell him abt it
Padfoot
11.49 pm Not a great list there Potter
Moony
11.49 pm Hello to you too Sirius
Padfoot
11.49 pm Hi Moony
11.49 pm Love you Moony
Moony
11.50 pm I love you too Sirius
Wormy
11.50 pm Hello?
11.50 pm What about me?
11.50 pm No one loves me?
Prongs
11.50 pm i love you Wormtail
Wormy
11.50 pm Love you too Prongs
11.50 pm Now back to the fact James is a liar
Prongs
11.50 pm wormtail!
Wormy
11.50 pm I mean… you did lie
Prongs
11.51 pm i haven’t been secretly conversing with Regulus!
“Oh you better have not been.”
James looks up to see Sirius in the doorway.
He gives him a wary smile.
“Hey Pads-”
“No.”
James sighs, standing up and raising his hands in surrender.
“Pads I swear I haven’t been-”
“Don’t care.”
James sucked in a breath.
“Sirius-” James cuts himself off with a yelp as Sirius launches himself at him.
He leaps over the coffee table and James runs.
He can hear the yelling of Sirius behind him.
“Get back here!”
“Pads I haven’t-”
“Liar.”
The chase ends when Sirius pushes James into the kitchen counter.
“Oww.” James says, rubbing his back.
Sirius only glares at him.
“Talk. Go on. Defend yourself.”
James sighs.
“I went to your coffee shop and ran into him, simple as that.”
“No.” Sirius says. “Try again.”
“That’s it, Padfoot! He was there with the uhhh one of the Rosier twins-”
“Evan or Pandora?” Sirius asks, cutting in.
“Evan I think.” James recalls. “They were waiting for coffee, and I heard them talking-”
“What were they talking about?”
James reaches a hand up to adjust his glasses.
“Someone killing themselves or something–” Upon the look of horror he receives from Sirius he quickly adds, “ It was a joke, I think. I wasn’t really paying attention.”
Sirius raises an eyebrow at him.
“I heard his voice and panicked, Pads. Last time I heard it was-”
A time James doesn’t think about.
A time Sirius doesn’t know happened.
“Was a while ago, and he’s so much older, so much.” James rambles, he can’t help it.
Sirius doesn’t stop him.
“Like oh my god he’s not a kid anymore, and I mean I knew that but jesus.”
James finishes his sentence and looks at Sirius, smiling at him.
“Go on, tell me about him.” Sirius throws an arm around his shoulders, walking with him.
“He’s changed, that’s for sure. He’s older, wittier-”
Sirius barks out a laugh.
“Didn’t think that was possible.”
“He is! And he’s angrier too, at me- us. At all of us.”
Sirius nods slowly, sadly.
“Does… does he look happy?”
James thinks about it for a moment.
Did he look happy?
Not when he saw James, but before that.
He was laughing.
“He does, quite happy. Being a little rockstar suits him.”
Sirius smiles at him, the private smile Sirius reserves for his friends.
“He is a little rockstar now isn’t he?”
“Not really little…”
Sirius scoffs.
“Damn prick has more listeners than us.”
James nods, walking next to Sirius as they reach the living room.
“I…” Sirius trails off, unsure of himself.
James looks to his bestfriend, waiting for him to get his thoughts in order.
Sirius was a whirlwind of thoughts at every second, but sometimes he need to think about how he was going to phrase things.
Specifically regarding his brother.
James pulls them onto the couch, sitting across from each other.
“I want to see him.”
James is immediately against the idea.
“Sirius-”
“No ok I see why you’re about to say no, I get that the last time I really saw him I was seventeen and impulsive and he said some stuff and I was sad about it for a bit.”
After leaving Walburga and Orion, Sirius took his time in being happy with his new situation, still not quite happy with leaving Regulus behind.
He was mad at Walburga for how she treated the two of them.
Annoyed with her for making Regulus think she really loved him.
Upset that Regulus didn’t listen to him, too caught up in his parents lies.
Over time that may have grown into a dislike for Regulus, blaming him for staying.
Till Sirius hated his parents and Regulus, lumping them together.
Then Regulus was copying his brother, releasing music.
Sirius was fuming at the idea.
Regulus stole his show, acting, his fame, and now wants music?
Sirius was pissed.
Until Sirius heard the songs Regulus was putting out on his album.
He had a new view on his brother then, wanting to get in touch.
Then the grammys happened and everything went to shit again.
Sirius refused to talk to anyone but the three of them.
Not even Andromeda.
And now James has managed to have an entire conversation with the youngest Black.
“Sirius-”
“You got to see him, Prongs.” Sirius whines. “I want to.”
“He’ll be mean.”
“He’s always been mean.”
James always knew Sirius was going to
“Be careful, he’s-”
“Be careful? He’s my brother Prongs, I know how he is.” Sirius cut him off.
“I don’t want you getting hurt. He’s still the same, he doesn’t pull any punches.”
Sirius scoffed. James thought it was an ugly sound coming from Sirius, too posh for his best friend.
“It’s Reggie, he grew up in that house, he was always going to be that way. But now he’s gone-”
“That’s the thing.” James says cutting him off.
His mum says that’s his worst trait, that he needs to be patient and let others talk.
That didn’t matter right now.
“He was arguing that he’d left but was still the same-”
“He’s just saying that-”
“Padfoot, he was defending Walburga.”
Sirius’ mouth slames shut.
“No.”
Sirius shakes his head.
“I can’t believe that. He hated that house, he had to have hated that house, Prongs.”
“I don’t–”
“No, he can’t have…” Sirius trails off, glancing into the distance.
“He was a kid, Pads.”
“Sure he was a child but he wasn’t an idiot! He knew, he had to know. So I don’t believe you.”
“Then find out for yourself.” James says quietly.
“I will, I’ll call Andy, right now and-”
The door to the apartment opens.
James guesses that Sirius didn’t lock it after barging in.
“Oh my god. You seeing this Moony? They didn’t kill each other.” Peter exclaims as he walks in.
Remus follows after him, arms ladened down with bags.
“Moony!” Sirius exclaims.
Remus looks at Sirius, his upset expression shifting to a small smile.
Next to him Sirius holds his arms out in front of him.
Remus gives him a look.
“I’m a little busy here, Sirius.”
“But Moony~”
“You know you could help instead of just watching and I’d end up giving attention to you quicker.”
Sirius pouts at Remus.
He then turns his attention to the other, who had removed his jacket and flopped down on the other sofa.
“I left you alone, where did you pick Moony up from?” Sirius asks.
“Ran into each other in the lobby, literally.”
James glances at Remus.
“Peter needs to slow down when he rounds corners.” Remus says.
“Nah, I need to speed up, causes more damage that way.”
“And why are we wanting to cause more damage? Honestly-” Remus huffs, exasperated.
“More damage means more fun.” Sirius cuts in.
Remus glares at him.
“Don’t you start.”
Sirius gives a wobbly smile to Remus.
“Whatever you say Moony.”
James doesn’t know how Remus always manages to make Sirius listen to him.
No matter what, Sirius will listen to Remus.
He doesn’t even pretend to listen to James most the time.
He’s pretty sure they’re dating, like ninety percent sure.
But he doesn’t know if they are aware of how their relationship is viewed by an outside perspective.
Remus walks into the kitchen, leaving the three of them alone.
“So? What’s the verdict? Is James dead? I dibs his room.” Peter asks from his place on the couch.
James looks at him confused.
“Why would you take my room? Yours is bigger.”
Peter shrugs.
“Yours has its own bathroom-”
“So does yours?”
“-with a bathtub, Prongs.” Peter finishes. “Do you understand how unstoppable I’d be with a bath in my possession?”
“Wormtail, you can use the bath in my room, I've told you that before.”
“Sure I could, but it’s not the same.”
James rolled his eyes, smiling at Peter.
Remus re-entered the room, sans the bags.
“So other than Peter wanting his room, what happened these last few hours?” Remus asked, settling down next to Sirius.
Sirius immediately leans against Remus.
“Well we think-“
The door slams open.
All four heads snap up to look at it, watching as Andromeda walks in, phone in hand.
“Ok we really need to start locking that.” James mutters.
Andromeda glances at them, doing a headcount.
She nods when she sees all of them present.
“Uh huh…. No for sure… Yeah I will… soon yeah… we’ll stop by… yup… good talk.” She says into the phone.
She pulls the phone away from her ear, looking at them.
“So.” She says, looking between them. “Hi guys.”
“Hi Andy.”
“Andy!”
“Hey Andy.”
They all say at once, a mash of words.
“How can we help you, Andy?” Remus asks, waiting for the other three to be silent.
“Yes, why did you break into our apartment on this nice Friday afternoon?” Sirius says, leaning forward to look at his cousin.
“It’s– It’s Tuesday, first of all.” She says with a pointed look at Sirius.
He shrugs, falling back onto Remus’ lap.
The man in question only lets out a sigh, readjusting to sit comfortably with the new weight.
She smiles at them.
“And really I’m here for you, Black.”
Sirius raises an eyebrow at her.
“I have a meeting, with Cissa you see and I thought maybe you’d like to see her-”
“Oh my god! You’re seeing Narcissa? And you didn’t tell me! Andy I’m going to kill you-”
“It’s for work, Sirius. But I thought she may be happy to see you.”
“Yes. Yes, yes of course.” Sirius turns to the band. “You guys remember Narcissa right? You’ve met her before.”
James nods, he’s met her several times, at parties, at dinners, just all over the place.
She was great.
He hadn’t seen her in a while.
Since Andy and Cissa had reconnected they kept in touch, but they didn’t meet up as often as they did when they were first trying to rekindle the relationship they had before Andy left.
Meaning that Sirius was dragged along to be the peacekeeper.
And as Sirius can’t keep the peace in any situation for the life of him the rest of them would go along too.
But now the two sisters were able to talk about work things together, so they were clearly doing better.
“They’ve met her several times, Sirius. Even I know that-”
“Shut up, Andy.”
Andromeda laughs, shaking her head.
“C’mon, then.”
Sirius blinks at her.
“Let’s go?”
“Oh it's now?” Peter asks, engulfed in his phone.
Andromeda sighs.
“Yes, yes it is.” She turns to the door.
Sirius abruptly stands up, following her.
Peter groans.
“I just got home, Padfoot.”
“Then stay Peter.” Remus says standing up.
Peter groans again.
“Never have one day of peace.”
He slowly stands up, glaring at them as he does so.
“Cheer up, Wormtail, get through this and you can use my bath.”
*******
It’s raining outside.
James tries not to let it get to him as they walk.
Apparently wherever they were going was so popular they had to park in an underground parking garage a few blocks away.
James pulls the hood of his shirt over his head, covering his hair.
Sirius and Peter are engaged in a loud conversation behind him.
Remus is trying to use his phone in the pouring rain, emphasize on trying.
James is rooting for him, he really is.
Beside him, Andromeda is moving quickly, on a mission.
She does glance behind her every now and then with a sigh, like the children she’s babysitting are taking too long.
James tries not to take offense to that.
He hears Andromeda release a sigh of relief when she catches sight of what James assumes is the building they are meeting Narcissa at.
“Not a fan of the rain, Andy?”
Andromeda turns to him, glaring.
“Not really, no.”
James laughs, throwing his arms out, feeling the fabric get soaked through with the water.
“How could you not love this?”
Andy huffs at him, crossing her arms over her chest.
“It’s wet and cold, so no, not loving this.”
James smiles, walking closer to Andromeda.
“But it’s so nice! Don’t tell me you got old and then suddenly couldn’t handle a little rain?”
James winked at her.
“Watch it Potter, I have your mother’s number ready to call at all times.”
“What did James do now?” Sirius asks cutting in, moving to walk next to them, leaving Peter and Remus to walk with each other.
“Nothing! Just being my amazing self, Padfoot.”
“He’s being himself.” Andromeda responds.
Sirius laughs, throwing an arm over James’ shoulder.
The three walk towards the building, the closer they get the easier it is for James to make out the sign on the side.
Malfoy Records.
It made some sort of sense to be meeting there, especially since Narcissa married Lucius Malfoy, owner of Malfoy Records.
It was also Regulus’ record label.
James didn’t know why that stuck out to him so much.
He remembers hearing that Regulus had signed with Lucius and not thinking much of it.
Now it is all he can think about.
Regulus would be all over the building.
Literally and mentally.
They were entering his domain.
James hoped for Sirius’ sake Regulus wasn’t there.
“-even listening? Prongs!”
James turned to look at Sirius.
“Yeah, yup, listening, go on.”
Sirius sighs.
“As I was saying to Andy here, with the few songs we already have, we have this new sort of style we are heading down.” Sirius pauses, looking at James.
James nods.
They weren’t doing too great with their new album, none of them being able to find stuff to write about.
Almost as if their music lacked the voice it had last time.
James was dating Lily.
Sirius was… dealing with Sirius stuff.
And Remus was angry with his father.
Peter didn’t write, he thought that he was better at the rhythm and coming up with a bass line then lyrics.
They all had something going for them.
An experience to back them, emotions to write about.
Now? They were happy, living their dream.
They were struggling to write music.
“So I was thinking that maybe then our new album should have more of a…”
Sirius trailed off, eyes bulging as he looked off into the distance.
James followed his gaze and saw a person.
He wishes he could say he didn’t recognize him from this far, but he does.
Because walking in from of them, towards Malfoy Records, soaking wet was Regulus Black.
Regulus Black with a pair of headphones in.
Regulus Black looking pissed off as hell.
Regulus Black wearing clothes nowhere near suitable for this weather.
James looked to Sirius.
His best friend was frozen, watching as Regulus pushed his way into the building.
“He… oh shit.” Sirius muttered.
A grunt was heard behind them.
James saw Remus rubbing the bridge of his nose, having been distracted by his phone, causing him to run into the now frozen form of Sirius.
Peter groaned.
“Why’d we stop in the middle of the street? Really Sirius?”
Sirius turns to Andromeda.
She automatically has her hands up, signally surrender.
“I didn’t know he was going to be here, I swear it Sirius.”
Sirius sighs, looking back at the door to the building.
“Who are we talking about?” Peter half whispers to James.
James elbows him in the side.
Peter winces.
Sirius laughs, causing everyone’s attention to be on him.
“Guess we’re doing this today then.”
“Pad-”
“No, no, no, this is happening, he can’t get away this time.”
Remus raised an eyebrow at James.
Regulus, James mouths to Remus.
Remus nods, somehow being good enough at lip-reading to understand him.
Peter on the other hand is not good enough to get it.
“What-”
“Hey Pete, let’s get in the building yeah? I know how much you had getting wet.” Remus asks, smiling at him.
Peter nods, following Remus.
James looks to Sirius, expecting to see him falling apart, but all he sees is Sirius with a look of excitement.
He wants to see Regulus again.
This is his chance.
James sighs mentally.
He wants this to go well, for both brothers’ sakes.
Andromeda stops them in front of the reasonably tall glass building.
She motions for him to enter, half pushing him through the revolving door.
The door spins, then spits him out inside of the lobby of the building.
The heating inside the building hits him hard, removing that chill that settled deep inside his bones.
The people on the front desk of the building look unenthusiastic to see him, probably assuming he was some person taking shelter from the rain in the building.
Sirius entered behind him, eye flicking through the building, taking it all in.
James already checked when he entered, no Regulus.
But Sirius didn’t seem phased by this, instead continuing to look around.
It was fancy, tall ceilings, a chandelier, white sofas.
On the walls were some of the famous artists signed with them.
Stubby Boardman, Charity Burbage, Rabastan Lestrange and of course Regulus Black.
James noted the obvious lack of one Benjy Fenwick.
Interesting.
Sirius’ gaze was turned to photo of Regulus mid concert.
James recalls watching it off of youtube with his family the day after.
Regulus is singing into the microphone he’s holding, smiling.
He’s leaning mostly off the stage, as hands from the audience reach up to him.
Its signed and framed on the wall, the biggest photo there.
There is others with Regulus too.
One of him and Lucius, holding up the Spotify Billion Bowl.
He looks happy in it, hair a mess, clearly having been forced awake to take it. But he looks happy, with an unguarded expression.
The doors stop their spinning and James sees Andromeda go talk to the receptionist.
The man and her talk back and forth for a bit.
Andromeda sighs before grabbing a card out of her purse.
The man nods at something she says, taking her ID out of her hand.
He looks it over before nodding, pointing towards a set of elevators.
She looks at the four of them.
Here they go.
Notes:
Ohhhh shit gonna go down
Also the marauders have my heart and their gc is just so iconic.
omg James POV? Who was expecting that
I hope you enjoyed!
Stay safe and til next time
xoxo everest
Chapter 6: Hidden things: February 2015
Chapter Text
So you'd think that I was smart
Stupid, emotional, obsessive little me
I knew from the start this is exactly how you'd leave
(Enough for you, Regulus Black)
Regulus is two months into this year and he already wants to drown himself.
Sirius has been gone for seven months.
Life hasn’t gotten easier.
It’s hard.
His mother blames him for most things now.
His father doesn’t acknowledge him most of the time.
Sirius once said, when he was leaving the show for a few scenes not entire episodes, that he was making things easier for Regulus.
But this?
This wasn’t easier.
This wasn’t better.
Season six was delayed in being filmed, instead of starting in a month like they normally would, they are waiting till September.
Regulus doesn’t know why the filming is later, he doesn’t think anyone would tell him if he asked.
Now that the show is without Sirius he feels like he knows less.
Riddle doesn’t speak to him unless to praise him, or tell him how good the show’s doing.
Regulus found out that season six had been written by Evan telling him over the phone one day.
Evan hadn’t read it yet, of course, his father hadn’t given him or Pandora their scripts yet, under the guise of it changing.
Neither of the Rosiers believed that.
Regulus sighs, walking into the massive kitchen in the house.
Perks of being the child of two Hollywood sweethearts, they were bound to be loaded.
Regulus once got so bored without Sirius that he counted how many sinks they had in the house.
Seventeen.
Who the fuck needs seventeen sinks?
The Blacks do, apparently.
Regulus felt the ground shift into tile, the coldness seeping into his clothed feet.
He looked around the kitchen, but no one was there.
He let out a brief sigh of relief, walking quickly to the walk-in pantry.
Regulus had managed to go nine days without speaking a word to his parents.
He wanted to see if they noticed.
He wanted to prove Sirius wrong.
If Sirius wanted to claim that their parents were using them, he needed proof.
Regulus was going to get it.
They loved him, and Sirius.
And they just had gotten too busy to realise that they hadn’t spoken to their son! That’s all.
Regulus leaned down, looking through the shelves, they had to have something he could eat.
Sure they had private chefs but they had to have something he could eat without cooking it and largering the risk of him burning down the house.
He found a container filled with the crap given through gift baskets, most of it looked untouched.
Perfect.
No one would notice, and he didn’t have to do much.
He opened it and grabbed a fancy-looking granola bar.
With a glance around he unwrapped the bar, quickly shoving it into his mouth.
Not at all in the way his mother would want him too.
In order to cause his parents to realise his absence he’s been missing some meals, leading to him being rather hungry.
Of course, with them not noticing his absences not commenting on his absences he’s not been getting extra food made for him.
Regulus winces at the grainy texture of the bar.
It may have been a while since he’s had one, but he was certain this wasn’t the correct consistency.
Regulus glances at the packaging, noticing the very obvious expiration date.
April, 2014.
He moves to the trashcan, spitting it out.
What a waste.
Regulus threw out the remainder of the bar.
He turned back to the container of gift basket nonperishables.
Digging through it he found several other out of date items.
Regulus sighed, finally finding a pack of pretzels that was in date.
He stands up, moving out of his crouched down position.
“What are you doing?”
Regulus spins around, hands hidden behind his back.
His back against the cupboard he was just searching through.
His mother stands with her hands on her hips.
Regulus breathes in a shaky breath.
“Mother I was just-”
“No.” She says holding her hands up, eyes searching his face.
She can’t read him like she used to, it's on her for all the acting lessons she made him take.
“Tell me Regulus, what are you doing?”
“I’m just-”
His mother’s gaze hardens.
“Regulus, fix your posture, a Black shouldn’t stand like that.”
Regulus does.
His mother sighs.
“I try so hard to help you Regulus I really do. But I can’t keep doing this.”
Some part of Regulus knows he hasn’t done anything wrong.
He can’t listen to that.
Everything he does is wrong, he just wants to do his best. For his parents. For his mother.
All he does is disappoint her.
He can’t do that.
He can’t be Sirius.
“I’m sorry.”
His mother doesn’t acknowledge his words.
She has no need to.
She knows he is. And he knows it’s not enough.
“We need you to be doing more, I’ve spoken to Tom. He agrees that you should be in more entertainment. He’s looking into movies he thinks would suit you.”
Regulus knows he wouldn’t be leaving Riddle any time soon.
He also knows his mother and Riddle have been in cahoots for the entirety of the show.
But that doesn’t seem to stop him from saying something stupid.
“I don’t want to keep working with Riddle.”
Regulus expected the slap before it came.
The sting was normal, grounding.
What would his life be without his mother’s love?
His mother’s hand didn’t leave his cheek after the impact, instead moving to hold his chin.
“You’re pulling yourself away, I won’t have that. You need to have all your attention on this. On the show. You are nothing without the show. Without me. Don’t forget that.”
Regulus nods, to the best of his ability with her hand gripping his chin.
“This is your purpose, to act. To do what I tell you.” She curls her lips into a smile. “You wouldn’t survive without me, you aren’t ready for the real world, okay?”
Regulus nods again.
She smiles at him.
Her hand moves from his chin to the side of his head, running through his hair.
Regulus sucks in a shaky breath.
“You’re better than he ever was, you know that Regulus?”
Regulus knows that. Deep down he knows it.
Sirius said that to him too.
In the nights before he left.
You’re the child they wanted.
You were made for this.
You’re their perfect creation.
They’ll never let you leave.
“He couldn’t do what you do for me Regulus.” His mother continues.
Regulus nods again.
“We have a meeting, with Tom, tomorrow. Don’t be late.”
She walks away, leaving Regulus there, against the counter.
He doesn’t bother mentioning she never gave him a time.
She wouldn’t care.
****** March 2015
Regulus doesn’t know how he ended up in Sirius’ room.
Eight months ago he left.
Eight months ago Regulus swore to his friends, to himself, he’d forget him, let him go.
Now here Regulus is.
Remembering him.
The room hasn’t changed, not really.
Some of the posters are still there, along with certain bits of Sirius’ stuff.
Why? Regulus doesn’t know.
But it hurts him.
Cause the room is the same, so distinctively Sirius.
Regulus was having a fine day too, before it started.
He was texting Barty, walking through the garden behind Grimmauld Place when it hit him.
That Sirius was gone.
And that Regulus wouldn’t see him again.
So Regulus felt something in him break when he was in the garden, looking at the fountain he and Sirius used to sneak out of the house to play in.
He’s pretty sure Barty is still texting him, phone thrown onto the floor of Sirius’ room when he first entered.
Regulus curls in on himself on the bed.
When he closes his eyes he can still smell Sirius’ stupidly expensive cologne on the sheets.
Some part of him tells him he’s making it up.
He ignores it.
He lies back on the bed, glancing at the ceiling.
There’s a photo of him and Sirius up there, he remembers watching Sirius jump up to stick it there.
A bitter part of his mind says that Sirius didn’t care enough to take it down.
Regulus hopes it’s wrong.
He sighs, sitting up.
He wonders what was left behind, what Sirius deemed not good enough to take, or what he forgot about.
He doesn’t bother spending time looking around the room, he knows where everything is.
Back then he came to Sirius’ room more than his own.
They were inseparable.
He pulls open the bedside table on his right.
Nothing.
Same with the one on the left.
He turns and walks to Sirius’ dresser drawer. It used to be almost overflowing.
Now it sits sadly, empty.
Regulus tugged the top left one open, Sirius always left things of importance there.
Sitting innocently was a few items of clothing, they wouldn’t seem like anything of importance.
Regulus knew better.
He pushed them to the side and he saw a black notebook.
S.O.B engraved on the front.
Bingo.
Regulus grabbed the notebook, walking backwards to sit on the edge of the bed.
The notebook was a slight for sore eyes.
With some slight rips and tears in the pages.
It was well loved.
Regulus knew that.
He opened the book.
There were pages and pages off words, lyrics.
This was Sirius’ song writing notebook.
What the hell was it still doing in this house?
This was something Regulus would have assumed Sirius would have taken with him.
It was something he saw Sirius with often.
And he just left it?
Regulus flipped through it, recognizing a few of the lines here and there.
Then the words stopped, a quarter through the book.
It was empty past the first few pages.
So it was new, that’s why he left it?
Regulus paused his flipping, turning to the first pages.
It was a collection of songs, maybe around four or five.
Regulus turns to the first song, if he could even call it that.
It was unfinished, only really having a verse, not even that.
Lines, likely out of order, were scribbled over the page.
I knew a boy once, when I was small
Regulus managed to make out, who was this about then?
James?
He wore long sleeves 'cause of his dad
And somehow, we fell out of touch
Regulus scoffed, like James Potter had daddy issues.
He’s met the older Potters, and they were perfectly fine, respectable parents.
No wonder Sirius jumped ship.
His parents cared more about the Bible
Than being good to their own child
Regulus glared at the piece of paper.
What was Sirius going on about?
Then it hit him, who this song had to be about.
He only really knew one person who these lyrics would fit.
Don't know if I'll see you again someday
But if you're out there, I hope that you're okay
Regulus moved to grab a pen.
Because if Sirius was going to waste his time writing shitty songs about him.
Regulus would just have to finish it, writing about Sirius.
It’s not like he had much else to do.
Notes:
Just gonna leave this here. Hope you enjoyed
Stay safe
xxx everest
Chapter 7: Unprepared
Notes:
Surprise! Since the last chapter was so short you guys get a bonus one!
Happy reading xxx
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
I heard you're goin' 'round
Playin' the victim now
But don't even begin feeling I'm the one to blame
'Cause you dug your own grave
(Fighter, The Marauders)
Andromeda told them all to be on their best behaviour when the elevator doors opened.
They all muttered their agreement, eyes taking in the walls around them.
The floor they were on was some sort of conference hall, with big rooms with huge glass walls lining the hallway.
It was overwhelming, screaming money, in big capital letters in their faces.
James glances at Sirius, who seemed to be handling the situation perfectly fine.
So James knew he was having an inner turmoil at this point.
“Hey Pads.” He said, bumping shoulders with him. “You okay?”
Sirius nods, taking his gaze off of the plaques hanging next to them.
James recognised some of them, having won a few themselves.
Some of their best achievements.
Of course it was even better when they learned how expensive some of them were.
Not that they needed money, they were world-renowned music artists.
But they were some high priced plaques hanging there.
And there was a lot of plaques.
“It’s… this is wild, Prongs.” Sirius muttered
James nodded.
“Sure is. This place is huge.”
Sirius laughed next to him.
“Yeah it is.” Sirius looked to Remus and Andromeda, who were engaged in a heated conversation.
James smiles at his friends antics. Only Remus would challenge Andromeda.
“And to think we could have signed with Malfoy Records and been here everyday.” Peter says behind them, eyes transfixed on the awards.
“You ok… there Wormtail?”
Peter nodded slowly.
“I want this.” He said motioning in front of him.
“The award?” Sirius asked, looking at the one in front of Peter. “It’s not big, recon I could smuggle it out.”
“Oh no it’d be easy to grab, just shove it under your jacket.” James added.
“No stealing.” Remus said behind them. “Not while the cameras are focused right on us.”
He then turned, making the other three follow behind him.
Andromeda was waiting for them at the end of the hall, hands on her hips.
“Slow asses.”
James laughed.
“It’s not our fault we haven’t been here before.” James says, shrugging.
Andromeda narrowed her eyes at him.
“Does that sound like your best behaviour, Prongs?” Sirius asked beside him.
James turns to him, hanging his head.
“No, no it isn’t. You’re right, Padfoot.”
Sirius nods.
“Right, now apologise to Ms Andromeda.”
“This isn’t funny.” She sighs next to them.
“I’m so sorry Ms Andromeda.”
“Oh my god.”
“Well done, Prongs!”
“Thanks, Padfoot!”
“Murder. Murder is bad.” Andromeda mutters.
James flashes a smile at her.
“Only if you’re caught.”
“I’m talking about your murder James, it’s getting tempting.”
James continues to grin at her.
“Already people, let’s see good old Cissa.”
“She’s gonna kick you out if you open with that.” Remus argues.
“Oh well.” He says, walking ahead. Only to stop and turn to Andromeda when he realised he had no idea where he was going.
She sighs, muttering something under her breath that sounded oddly like these fucking idiots.
“Last one.” She says. “The biggest one.”
Sirius nodded, walking ahead, Remus beside him.
Andromeda turned to James.
“How’s he…?”
“He’s fine, seems a bit excited really.”
Andromeda nods, happy with the answer.
“Good, they need this.”
James doesn’t even bother trying to decipher what that means.
“Right….”
The two walked towards the others.
They hadn’t reached the end yet, instead getting distracted by a picture on the wall.
“...stupid really.” Sirius was saying as they walked up.
“Hmm?” James asked.
Sirius turned to him, pointing at the picture.
It was one of Regulus, to no one's surprise.
He was on tour, at one of his many sold out concerts.
There’s a microphone in one of his hands and in the other he’s holding a plaque, like the one hanging beside the picture.
It was a picture of the spotify logo, with text below.
In recognition of Regulus Black
and the passing of
1,000,000,000 streams
Of the song Good 4 u
The photo must have been taken when he first got the award.
Regulus’ mouth is open, like he’s yelling something.
He’s clearly smiling.
“What about it, Pads?”
Sirius just looks at it.
“It’s stupid.”
James nods, slowly.
“Sure.”
Sirius smiles at him, happy he agreed with him.
“You boys can look at this stuff later, I’m sure there is lots more, but right now we have a meeting to attend.”
They all nod, letting Andromeda walk them to the room.
And then all collectively pause as they saw who was currently inside.
The giant glass walls let them have a front row view of the conference room.
The conference room where Narcissa Malfoy was talking to Regulus Black.
Talking was a stretch, most likely arguing.
James gripped Sirius’ wrist, holding him in place, just in case he decided to barge in there.
He didn’t doubt he would.
In the room Narcissa said something to Regulus, sitting down at the end of the table.
Whatever she said they couldn’t hear through the glass.
Regulus said something back to her, crossing his arms.
She and Regulus went back and forth for a while.
None of the Marauders said anything, watching as the two got more and more heated.
Regulus rolled his eyes at something Narcissa said, pulling his phone out of his pocket.
Narcissa didn’t appreciate that as she stood up, moving to stand in front of him.
Regulus glared at her, slightly moving his gaze off the phone.
She kept talking to him.
Moving around him, and talking with her hands.
Regulus argued back with small comments here and there.
Then Narcissa said something else, which set Regulus off, turning to angrily yell something at her.
Not at all the calm headed Regulus James and Sirius knew.
Narcissa kept talking to him.
Regulus seemingly ignored her, turning to walk out, phone to his ear.
“-doesn’t change the facts, Regulus!” Narcissa’s voice filled their ears as Regulus opened the door.
Regulus, having not yet noticed the group, rolled his eyes.
He then turned to look at Narcissa, flipping her off.
Sirius gripped James’ hand tightly.
Narcissa laughed, shaking her head at Regulus.
Regulus then closed the door to the room, back still to the Marauders.
“I’m telling you Barty, it's entirely ridiculous.”
Sirius jumps beside him at the sound of his brother’s voice.
Regulus must be on the phone with Barty then.
James never really liked Barty, always thought he’d be a bad influence on the youngest Black.
Barty must say something back on the phone because Regulus lets out a half laugh.
“No. That’s just… wrong. Don’t say that.”
James glances at Sirius, who does not seem to be handling this too well.
He looks like he’s tempted to jump out a window.
“That’s pathetic.” James turns to look at Regulus again. “Right, can you just do what I asked you to do? It isn’t hard Barty… not my fault you have the brain of a chipmunk.”
Regulus sighed, then turned around.
James wishes he could explain the many emotions that flicked through Regulus’ face.
He looked slightly spooked, which was honestly pretty fair.
They were kind of surrounding him.
Regulus blinked a few times, schooling his expression.
“Pas aujourd'hui. Merde ça.” He muttered under his breath.
James was like ninety percent sure Sirius wasn’t breathing beside him.
Regulus started walking, heading straight for the elevator.
“Reggie-”
“No.” Regulus said, side-stepping his brother.
“Regulus.”
“Putain, putain d'idiot, ughhh, je ne peux pas faire ça. Non, non, non.” Regulus says, swapping to french easily.
Regulus was close enough James could make out some of what was being said on the other side of the phone.
“What? Regulus? I don’t… Oh for fucks sake… Evan!”
Sirius was watching his brother closely, eyes searching his face.
“Regulus.” Sirius said again.
Regulus turned to him sharply, annoyance on his face.
“Ne commence pas. Nous ne faisons pas cela. Je suis occupé.”
“Fucking hell Reggie.” Sirius replied, removing his hand from James’. “You don’t get to disappear on me right now.”
“Oh, comme tu l'as fait?” [Like you did?]
“Ce n'est pas ce qui s'est passé et tu le sais, Reggie.” [That's not what happened and you know it, Reggie.]
Sirius was talking french.
James forgot he could do that.
One glance at Remus says he did too, or he never knew.
Regulus rolled his eyes, turning and walk away.
And then Sirius was chasing after him.
“Regulus!”
James moves behind Sirius, not wanting him to do this alone.
“Aujourd'hui a juste été le pire” Regulus says into the phone, ignoring Sirius. “D'abord la pluie, maintenant ça. Baise-moi.”
“I don’t speak… Evan! Come here!” James could make out through the phone.
Guess Mr Perfect couldn’t speak french. Negative point to Barty.
“Regulus, do not run away from me. C'est pathétique.”
“Technically he’s not running.” James says before he can stop himself.
The look Sirius sends his way could have killed him, James swears.
“Pathétique? You’re pathétique , Sirius honestly.” Regulus replies.
And then James hears the most violent intake of breath on the other side of the phone.
James wonders if Sirius is even paying attention to the words Barty is sputtering out.
He thinks his best friend was more focused on Regulus.
“Vous dit.” [Says you]
Regulus glared at Sirius, reaching the elevator doors.
He presses the button, turning his attention back to the phone.
“De toute façon, Barty, j'ai besoin de toi aussi... Evan ? Oui, salut. Non, je vais bien, merci d'avoir vraiment demandé.” [Anyway, Barty I need you too... Evan? Yes, hi. No I'm great, thanks for asking really.]
“Reggie, please.”
The elevator doors open, and Regulus steps through instantly.
Sirius reaches a hand out, brushing against Regulus' shoulder.
“Don’t.”
“Regulus-”
“Go away Sirius, leave me alone, like you’ve done the last few years. Je n'ai pas besoin de ça.”
The elevator doors close.
And Sirius has a hurt look on his face.
“Pads-”
Sirius shakes his head.
“No. He’s not getting rid of me that easily.”
“Huh?”
Sirius ignores him, turning and walking back to the others.
Narcissa and Andromeda are talking together.
They both look at them when they walk back to them.
“Was that you guys then?”
The sisters shared a look.
“Well fucking done.” Sirius says, glaring at them. “Went splendidly if you ask me.”
“Sirius-”
“Would have liked some kind of warning, hell…” He turned to Andromeda. “Pretty sure you told me you didn’t know he was gonna be here.”
“I didn’t.” Andromeda says, glancing at Narcissa.
“Don’t blame me, Lucius asked him to come in on his own, I didn’t know he was coming till he was here.”
“Very good communication skills there people.” Sirius says.
“You can’t talk about communication issues.” Andromeda replies.
Sirius rolls his eyes.
“Right, well next time, do better.”
The sisters shared a look.
“Next time?”
“He’s been a stubborn little shit, it’s not gonna work for me.”
“So…?”
“So he’s going to stop and he’s going to be nice and civil.”
“Have you met him?” Remus asks.
Sirius turns to him.
“I have in fact met him, yes Moony.” Sirius says, raising an eyebrow. “Kinda raised him.”
“I’m just saying, don’t think anyone with the last name Black is capable of being civil.”
“I agree.”
All heads turned to look at Lucius.
Narcissa rolls her eyes.
“Seriously?”
“Just saying, love, I don’t think you guys know how to handle things civilly.” Lucius says, walking to his wife.
Narcissa glares at her husband in true Black family fashion.
“We do so.”
“So that yelling I heard… wasn’t the two youngest Blacks?”
“We weren’t yelling.” Sirius cuts in, crossing his arms. “We were speaking calmly.”
“In french.” Remus mutters. “I can’t believe you never told me you spoke french.”
“I am french.” Sirius says dismissively, turning to Narcissa.
Remus’ mouth gaped.
“Look Sirius-”
“Get him back here.”
“I can’t right now, he knows y’all are here.”
Sirius stares at her, eyes narrowing.
“Look,” Andromeda says, walking over to them. “Give it time, you’ll end up seeing him soon, especially if we keep meeting with Narcissa.”
“You want me to casually end up running into him? With how well this went?”
“Not casually, we can give you warning.”
Sirius nods.
“Good, good.”
James looked between the three of them.
“So this is happening then?”
Sirius looks at him, smiling.
“It’s going to be perfect.”
James highly doubts that.
Notes:
No way did the Black brothers just interact *shocked face*
I love this scene so much, everyone here has my heart istg
As always I hope you enjoyed!!!
Stay safe
xox everest
Chapter 8: He should not have licence: February 2015
Chapter Text
Buildin' out from the bottom
Now there's no way to go but up
And I’m not gonna stop ’til I get enough
( finally free, Regulus Black )
“Look Reg, I normally find how stressed you get to be enduring, but this is next level.”
Regulus turned and glared at Barty.
Barty was sprawled across his bed, like he owned the place.
His two best friends were in his room, his mother and father at some meeting regarding Regulus that he should probably be attending.
He was very much not.
Cleary.
Instead he was here, debating on showing the people he trusts most a book that had his feelings written down on the pages.
“Barty shush.” Evan said, leaning against the door. “What’s up?”
Time to bite the bullet.
“I did something.”
Barty sat up immediately.
“Something bad?” Evan asked before Barty could say something stupid.
Regulus shrugged.
It would be considered bad by his parent's standards.
“What’d you do then?” Barty asked.
“I–”
“Fail a class? Steal something? Yell at Riddle? Do drugs?” Barty cut in.
Regulus didn’t respond, only glaring at Barty.
“Holy shit. You’re high?”
“No! No. No, I’m not high Barty, Jesus."
Barty shrugged.
“I could see you getting into drugs.”
Evan leaned down and chucked a pillow at Barty.
“What? It’s common for child stars to become stoners after they burn out.”
Regulus sighed, turning around to grab the notebook out of his desk drawer.
Barty walked up behind him.
“What’s that?”
“A notebook.” Regulus replied.
Barty glared at him.
“Sirius’ notebook.” Evan noted coming up to stand behind Regulus as well.
Regulus sighed, flipping open the notebook to the page and shoving it at Evan.
He then turned and walked away, sitting down on the edge of his bed.
He watched as Evan’s eyes skimmed over the words on the page, one hand out, pushing Barty away from reading it.
I miss you, and I hope that you're okay
Evan’s face got more and more confused as time went on.
He looked up at Regulus.
“Reg-”
“It’s a song.”
Evan paused, eyes flicking back to the book.
“So it is.”
He raised his brother on his own
Barty yanked the book out of Evan’s hands.
“And you wrote it?” Evan asks.
“Part of it.”
Evan raised an eyebrow at him.
“I–” He trailed off, wanting to phrase it right. “Sirius started it, I made it better.”
Evan laughs, sitting down next to him.
Barty, still standing at the desk, turned to look at him.
“This is depressing as shit.”
He was tired 'cause he was brought
Into a world where family was merely blood
“I am aware.”
“Like holy shit.”
“Helpful Bartemius, really.” Evan adds.
“It’s like good depressing shit though.”
“Really?” Regulus asks, hating how small his voice sounded.
Evan’s head whipped to him.
“Yes! Regulus it’s really good, and I haven’t even heard it with the music.”
Barty nods.
“It’s good as fuck.” Barty flopped down on the bed next to the other two. “Can you sing?”
“I… I guess I can.”
“You guess?”
“I’m not bad?” Regulus said, shrugging.
“Well,” Barty says, he holds up the notebook. “This shit needs to be sung.”
Regulus glances at Barty.
Barty stands up.
“Where are you going?” Evan asks, exasperated.
“To find that ridiculously attractive cousin Reg has.” Barty then walks out into the hallway.
Regulus blinks himself into awareness.
“Hold on-”
“The blonde one, what’s her name?”
No one responds.
“Natalie… Charlie… something along those lines.”
“Cissa?” Regulus asks, standing up and following Barty out the room. “Why are we-”
“Cause, I say so.”
“That-” Evan says, catching up to them. “It doesn’t work like that, why are we finding Narcissa?”
Barty laughs ahead of them, running down the stairs.
Evan and Regulus share a look, then they’re running too.
“Barty-”
Barty pushes open the front door of the manor.
“Crouch!”
Barty ignores them, on a mission.
He walks to his father’s car. Barty loved to steal from the older Crouch.
That included his car most the time.
“Get in.” Barty says motioning to the car.
“With you driving? I’d rather not die.”
“Well, how would I know with the depressing shit you just wrote, get in the fucking car Black.”
Regulus got in the fucking car.
Evan followed.
Nothing's forever, nothing is as good as it seems
“Where are we going?” Evan asks once sitting in the car.
Barty responds by pulling out of the Black’s driveway at a speed that could kill god.
“Jesus.”
“Oh my god we’re actually going to die.” Evan mutters.
When the clouds are ironed out
And the monsters creep into your house
“Killed by Barty’s horrible driving skills.” Regulus agrees
“How he has a license is beyond me.”
“I passed the test easily.”
“Yet we’re going to die– that’s a stop sign!” Evan half yells at Barty.
“Shit, guess it was, oh well.”
“Where are we going, Crouch?” Evan demands.
“Narissa’s apartment.”
“How-”
“Why–” Evan speaks at the same time as Regulus.
The two look to each other.
A silent conversation is had.
You first, it’s your cousin.
And my song.
Yes, so talk.
“Why? What does she have to do with this?”
“She’s got a massive crush on Lucius Malfoy, no?”
“They’re dating I think–”
“What does that have to do with anything?” Evan asks.
“She just needs a reason to talk to him, enter Regulus.”
Silence flows through the car.
“This is stupid.” Regulus mutters.
“This is not stupid, this is genius, you will see.”
*******
It was in fact, stupid.
Narcissa looked at the three of them.
“I’m sorry?”
“I told you this was stup-”
“Call my plan stupid one more time, Black, and I will make sure you never make it in this industry.”
Regulus looked to Evan, he shrugged.
“It’s… it’s not bad.” Narcissa admits across from them.
“The song?”
Narcissa shakes her head.
“No idiot,” She smacks Regulus’ knee with the notebook. “The song’s great. But the plan… we can work with it.”
“We can?”
She nods.
“So… this could work?” Evan asks.
Narcissa smiles at him.
“This is gonna work, we just have to be smart about this.” She stood up.
“So Barty shouldn’t be involved.” Evan decided.
“Hey-”
“Agreed.” Narcissa says.
“This is unfair.”
Regulus glared at Barty.
“I did like most of the work, and now I’m being sidelined? This is totally-”
“Shut. Up. Crouch.” Evan says, grabbing Regulus’ arm and pulling him to follow Narcissa.
“Rude. Very rude Rosier.” Barty flashed a smiled at the two of them. “I’m so proud. Slowly, slowly I’m ruining you posh fuckers.”
Well, I hope you know how proud I am you were created
Regulus crosses his arms, glaring at him.
“Sure, Barty.”
“Oh I’ll fuck you up eventually, Black, don’t you worry about it.”
“Counting on it, Crouch.” Regulus replies.
Barty laughed
“If you guys are done… with whatever that was, we need to figure out how we plan on doing this.” Narcissa’s voice made them turn their focus to her.
Regulus nodded slowly.
“Right.”
Narcissa smiled at him.
“So, we get a meeting with Lucius, won’t be hard.”
“You’ve done this before?” Barty asks.
“We are all allowed our secrets, Crouch.”
Barty laughs, smiling at Narcissa.
“Oh I like you.”
Narcissa rolls her eyes.
“The real challenge would be Riddle, he’s not gonna like this switch in career, but with your parents on board… actually how have your parents taken this?”
With the courage to unlearn all of their hatred
No one responds to Narcissa’s question.
Narcissa turns to Regulus with an exasperated look on her face.
“They don’t know.”
Regulus shrugs.
“Maybe-”
Narcissa groans.
“Maybe, I haven’t told them.” He finishes saying.
“Is that such a big deal?”
“Yes! Yes it is such a big deal, Crouch. What was the plan, Reggie? Hide this from them, forever?”
“Kinda-”
“Oh my god-”
“Cissa, Cissa, it’s ok, they don’t know now, they won’t know unless it becomes something.”
“But it will become something… right?” Evan asks.
“Yes, it will! That’s the problem, Regulus. This is good, this is going to go somewhere, and they are going to find out.”
Silence fills the room.
“It’s really going to lead to somewhere?”
Narcissa nods.
“Yeah, yeah, we just need to come up with some plan to get us there, but it could work. It should work.”
It could work.
He could do this.
He needed to do this.
God, I hope that you're happier today
Because this was for him.
Something just for him.
Not like the show, which was a hand me down from his brother.
Not for Sirius.
Even if the song is about Sirius.
'Cause I love you, and I hope that you're okay
But maybe, maybe his brother would hear the song.
And they could… reconnect.
Maybe.
But that wasn’t what this was for.
This was for himself.
Notes:
Reg finally is starting music!!! Who's excited? I know I am.
Barty has my heart, he is def my fav to write.
Also Narcissa and Reg's relationship is the sweetest and I love them.
Let me know what you thought.
Til next time, stay safe
xox everest
Chapter 9: Snapping
Chapter Text
Regulus was certain he was going to die.
Whether by natural causes or by his own hand.
First Narcissa told him that he was desperately in need of new music, like desperately.
And that his lies to Lucius were not being believed at all, stop trying to lie to him Regulus he’s not five, he can tell you’ve done jackshit in regards to music.
That was annoying, a bad end to his already horrible day.
But then it got worse.
He saw him.
And him.
He saw too many people he did not want to see.
And he refused to think about it.
But then here he was, a week of moping and complaining later.
Waiting in the same room he was a week prior, this time looking out the windows, not wanting to end up seeing his brother again.
He has no doubt Narcissa was behind it.
She was disappointed when she heard he hadn’t been able to run into his brother.
He hadn’t told her he saw him.
James fucking Potter.
Scum of the earth.
But it hardly matters, he was not going to see them again.
Because as long as it had been, he knew his brother Sirius.
Or, more accurately, he knew how much he hated the show.
So he would never ever play his role again.
Thank all the gods above.
The door to the conference room opened.
Could they have this unofficial meeting in Lucius’ office? Yes.
But Regulus refused to go in there after the incident.
The two Malfoys walked into the room, each holding a cup of coffee, Narcissa with two.
She placed it on the table in front of him.
“This a peace offering?”
Narcissa sighed.
“Regu-”
Regulus grabbed the coffee and took a loud, exaggerated sip.
Narcissa crossed her arms.
“Really?”
“I don’t forgive you.” Is what Regulus responds with.
“Great, didn’t ask you too.”
Regulus rolls his eyes.
Lucius laughs quietly at the two of them, setting his stuff down next to where Regulus is sitting.
“You guys are something else.”
The both turned to glare at Lucius.
Lucius simply smiles.
Regulus sighs, grabbing a pen from the pile of stuff Lucius brought with him.
Lucius doesn’t even bat an eye, used to Regulus and his pen thieving habits.
Regulus looked down at the notebook in front of him.
It was a right mess.
Worse than it was when Regulus found it all those years ago.
Now it held an entire album's worth of songs.
And a few scrapped ones.
A lot of scrapped ones.
He opened the book to the most recent song he was working on.
Another dig at his amazing ex boyfriend Benjy.
Maybe Barty and Evan were right, he did need a new topic to write about.
But it’s not like he’s swimming in possibilities.
“I’m having a meeting in here in five.” Narcissa says, drawing their attention to her.
Lucius looks up from his computer.
“That’s fine.”
They’d done this many times before now.
If you worked at Malfoy Records you almost assumed you’d see Regulus with the two.
He was practically the star of the label now anyway.
Perks on your manager being fucked by the owner.
And maybe because he had good music, but that’s unlikely.
“Ok, so whatcha got?” Lucius asked, looking at him.
Regulus unenthusiastically held up Sirius’ his notebook.
Lucius sighed, holding out his hand.
Regulus threw the notebook at him.
He caught the book and looked at the page Regulus was on.
He nodded as he read.
“It’s good.” Lucius says, eyes still flickering over the pages. “Unfinished?”
“Obviously.” Regulus huffed.
“Regulus-” Narcissa started saying behind them, sitting at the other end of the table.
“About Benjy?” Lucius says, cutting his wife off.
“Obviously.” Regulus repeats.
“Jeez Reg, lighten up.”
Regulus glared at him.
“You’re writing is good, great even. It’s a brilliant song.”
“But?”
“But, you’ve done this all before, is this what we want the album to be? Another break up album?”
Regulus glared at him.
What was Regulus meant to write about then?
They say write what you know, and he knows break ups.
“Don’t see you giving any option here, Lucius.”
“Look Regulus, I just think you’re not enjoying writing and making this album because… you just don’t care about this anymore.”
“Oh fuck off.”
“Regulus.” Narcissa chastised.
“I’m saying you’ve moved on from him, Reg. You don’t care to write about how painful the break up was because it doesn’t bother you anymore.”
“That’s not a good thing.” Regulus groans, placing his head down on the table.
“It is a good thing, you healed! It just means you are in need of something else to write about… something or someone new.”
Regulus doesn’t bother responding to that.
Lucius sighs.
Silence fills the room, the sound of the two typing on their computers being the only thing he could hear.
Regulus closes his eyes.
He opens them when Lucius lightly taps him on the back of his head with the book.
He sits up, snatching it back.
He stares at the page.
The song is almost done really.
A verse left.
Glad that I got out before it got dark
You could be a better person, no, it's not hard
Maybe he had gotten over Benjy.
Sure he still hated his guts.
No man who talks shit about him online deserves to be liked by him and his friends.
He’s pretty sure if Barty and Evan saw him in public they’d actually beat him to death.
And maybe Regulus likes fantasising about that, sue him.
Benjy and his relationship wasn’t even that bad, until it ended.
Benjy was certain Regulus was still in love with Barty, and that's why Regulus broke up with him.
Then he proceeded to tell everyone, the papers, the paparazzi, Rita Skeeter .
Not a pretty break-up.
But now, Regulus just can’t bring himself to care.
That was in the past.
If there was a moment in this where you saw it goin' different, tell me what part
He won. He got the fans and fame.
And Benjy got to fall out of fame with very little grace.
Dropped by his record label.
And most of his fans.
It was poetic justice really.
And now he just didn’t care.
Regulus groaned.
Lucius sighed next to him.
“Ok this is pathetic Regulus.” Narcissa comments.
“Fuck you.”
Narcissa laughs.
“You need to get out more, find someone new.” Narcissa says.
“Or just find someone for the night.” Lucius mutters.
“I hope you know that translates to go be a slut Regulus.” Regulus replies.
Lucius coughs violently, hiding his laughter.
Narcissa gives him a death stare.
“Really Regulus?”
“What? Tis what you said.”
Silence fills the room.
“I mean I’m not opposed to-”
“Oh my god, shut up.”
Regulus rolls his eyes.
“So I can’t be a slut? Make up your minds guys.” He looks down at the notebook, mindlessly writing down his ideas for the song he was partly through. “Be a slut, don’t be a slut. Just pick one honestly.”
Lucius chuckles beside him, Regulus was hyperaware that he was reading over his shoulder what he was writing.
“You’re hopeless.”
Regulus shrugs.
“I’ve been told that before, mother dearest actually-”
“Do not-” Narcissa started.
“-compare you to that women, yes I know, Cissa.”
Narcissa sighs.
Regulus turns his attention back to the book.
You'd leave me dead if it'd set you apart
“You could add that to the chorus, end with it.” Lucius says.
Regulus looks at the line he’d written, nodding.
He wrote it where Lucius suggested.
The song was coming together.
It felt like a goodbye song.
Cause annoyingly Lucius was right, he was done with Benjy.
He needed something new.
And I'm like, oh, goddamn, not another rockstar
“Yeah that’s good, no hiding who it’s about then.” Lucius jokes.
Regulus turns to him, rolling his eyes.
“Unless Barty secretly became a rockstar.”
“Don’t put it past him.” Narcissa comments. “He would be the type to live a double life.”
“He could never, he’d started bragging about it immediately, he doesn’t do secrets.”
“Oh, believe me, I know that.” Narcissa wrinkles her nose at her words.
Regulus lowers his gaze and smiles slightly.
“He was excited-”
“He told me when you two got together-”
“Ok so maybe-”
“Way too many details.”
“You’re just upset that they were fucking in-”
“Oh my god.” Regulus groans, covering his ears.
He was not about to be discussing his and Barty’s sex life right now.
“It was horrible, the best day of my life when you broke up.”
“Cissa!” Lucius gasps.
“Seriously?” Regulus whines, crossing his arms.
Narcissa laughs. “Sure, minus the angry phone calls.”
“Tu es putain d'incroyable, Cissa.” [You are fucking unbelievable, Cissa.]
“Sure whatever you say, Reg.” Narcissa responds, not even bothering to pretend to understand his french.
Regulus sighs, turning back to the book.
He's been a player since the cradle
He quietly hummed the tune of the song.
Finding sentences that fit in the rhythm.
Aren't I lucky 'cause he could have chosen any guy to fuck with?
He hummed slightly louder, he knew Narcissa and Lucius didn’t mind.
They tended to encourage him to do it, saying it didn’t bother them.
They both know if he was in his house with Barty and Evan he’d be actually singing the lyrics.
Baby steps.
And he chose me, so I guess I should be grateful
“Lucius.” He says, getting the man’s attention.
“Mmm?”
“Read.” He pushes the book across the table to him.
Lucius leans forward to read it.
He nods.
“Good, good.” He keeps reading. “Can you… How would that go in with the rest?”
Regulus looks to the book, pointing at the most recent section he wrote.
“This bit?”
“Yup.”
Regulus nods, breathing in.
“ Aren't I lucky 'cause he could have chosen any guy to fuck with? And he chose me, so I guess I should be grateful, No, no, no, no.” He sings, not too loudly.
Lucius smiles.
“Yeah, that works, sounds good Reg, keep it coming.”
He pulls the book back to him, beginning to write again.
As much as he procrastinates writing he can get it done pretty quickly once he’s in the mood.
He hummed as he wrote, effectively zoning out and just simply writing.
Hmm, funny I could pick 'em in a line up
Narcissa and Lucius spoke around him.
“-coming any second now.”
“Good, I’d offer to move to my office but…”
Pretty certain I could do it with my eyes shut
“Yeah, it’s fine. They can deal with it.”
A little self-obsessive and I sign up
“Pretend to be nice, Cissa, come on.”
“I am nice, I’m just not pretending to care if they are annoyed with you guys being here.”
“They have a meeting with just you.”
“This is your company.”
Where's the pen? Where's the line?
Regulus kept his head down, humming a little louder, to tune them out.
“You guys talk too much.”
The two let out startled laughter.
“Regulus-”
“You two fight like an old married couple… so at least you don’t need to bother growing old together as you act like it already.”
“Regulus-”
“I very much would like to grow old with your cousin.”
Narcissa smiles at Lucius.
“Same here.”
“You guys are disgusting.”
The door to the room opened.
“And I’m the hopeless one.” Regulus muttered, shaking his head.
They're tortured and I wouldn't understand it
“Cissa, hey.”
Regulus looks up from his book to see Andromeda and Narcissa hugging.
He guesses that’s who her meeting is with.
One glance at the door shows The Marauders standing awkwardly in the entrance to the room.
Regulus glances at Lucius, who is already looking at him.
Lucius shrugs.
Regulus sighs, he couldn’t be bothered with this shit today.
He turned back to the notebook.
Then felt himself freeze as he realised, shit, this is his notebook and he’s here.
He grabbed the notebook, making sure to hide the engraving on the front.
Why does the universe hate him this week?
He refused to look at them, so he kept his gaze down, gripping the pen so tight he was certain it could snap at any moment.
Almost exactly how he felt in the moment.
They don't wanna talk about it, is that a challenge?
“Great that you guys could all make it.”
Of course Narcissa knew the entire band was coming and didn’t tell him.
He risked a look to Narcissa.
He hoped it conveyed, what the fuck.
Her glance at him said, suck it up.
He rolled his eyes, glancing back at the notebook as the conversation filter throughout the room.
“We tried, takes a lot to get these idiots out of the apartment. A bunch of oversized toddlers this lot.”
Narcissa laughed.
“Not surprised.”
“Hey!” Sirius says.
Narcissa laughs again.
“Sorry Sirius, but it’s true.”
“And you are the worst out of all of us.” A voice adds.
Regulus doesn’t immediately recognise it, must be one of the band members.
“I don’t know Remus, you give him a run for his money sometimes.” James says.
Remus, Regulus guesses, laughs.
Remus is the drummer, his mind supplies.
Regulus personally doesn’t mind him, he even hugged him when he won one of his Grammys.
It was a long story.
He glanced at the notebook in front of him.
Lucius always said write what you know, often hinting that maybe his shitty family life would be useful.
And he felt like he could just write his thoughts about Sirius, he could just write it down.
He scribbled down what words were in his head.
And do you still feel like you know what you're doing
“Sleep is important.” James says.
'Cause I don't think you do
“Like you’d know, you wake up at god knows what time to run. Who does that?” Sirius huffs.
“Me, Padfoot, I do.”
“Crazy.” The other band member says.
“I know! At least Wormy agrees with me.”
Some part of Regulus highly doubts this man is actually called Wormy.
“Ignoring them,” Narcissa says, “How have you been? Working on a new album I assume.”
“Good, good. Yeah the album… is definitely coming. Eventually.”
James coughs.
“Our writers seem to hate writing.”
Narcissa laughs.
“Couldn’t relate.”
Lucius chuckles.
“I take it your second album is taking time too then, Regulus, huh?” Andromeda asks.
Regulus doesn’t bother pretending to hear them.
“It feels like I’m personally attacking him everytime I ask him to write.” Narcissa says, knowing he was not planning on answering.
“Like we’re forcing him to do his job.”
“I feel like that too, though at least James claims to enjoy writing.
Let's hear the applause
“It takes time, I’m sure Reggi- Regulus can relate.”
C'mon show me how much better you are
Silence fills the room.
Regulus mentally sighs, glancing up and meeting James’ eye, glaring at him.
The man’s smile falters.
Good.
See you deserve some applause
He returns to his book.
“Yeah, uh right.” James sputters out.
Cause you're so much better
“Just ignore him, he’s finally writing something.” Narcissa says, tension obvious in her voice.
Regulus lets his eyes roam over the paragraph he’d written. It was really only a few lines, but it was something.
Something about his brother. And James.
Great.
“So you write all the music for the band, James?” Narcissa asks.
“Most of it, Sirius has written a couple… It’s mostly a group effort. Anyone who wants to write a song could, but they haven’t.”
“Not much of a song writer.” Wormy says. “Or a singer, I like hiding in the back.”
“I write most of the actual music.” Remus says.
And oh yeah Regulus did know that. He’d been told by Barty once when he was crushing hard on the drummer.
Regulus did understand the idea of Remus, he was hot as fuck.
But Barty learnt everything in the world about the drummer in the span of an hour.
The he put his phone down and fucked Regulus.
What a good relationship they had back then.
“Moony is responsible for most of our music ever existing.” Sirius says.
James laughs.
You might have him, but I'll always get the last word
Regulus couldn’t do this.
He stood up, grabbing his forgotten cup of coffee, the notebook and pen and walking to the door, making sure to go the long way to avoid the band.
“Where are you going?” Narcissa asked him, exasperated.
“Out.” He replied, slipping out the room.
He let out a sigh.
He started walking towards the offices.
He walked inside of Lucius’.
A smile slipped onto his face.
He crouched down and popped open the window and crawled onto the fire escape.
He was very much not meant to be here.
But Lucius wouldn’t care.
He sat down on the stairs, placing down his stuff next to him.
He sighed again, leaning against the building.
This was what he needed, to relax.
To breathe and be away from that mess that was happening.
He picked up his now cold coffee, taking a sip.
It was fine, not worth the money Narcissa spent on it.
Then again she should waste her money more often, she ended up getting half of Cygnus Black’s massive fortune, not that it was even remotely on par to what Regulus was set to inherit once his parents left this earth.
With Sirius out the picture… it was a hefty sum.
Not that Regulus needed it.
He looked down at the city below.
It had finally stopped raining, meaning more people were out, taking in the sights.
To Regulus it was just a bunch of ugly buildings.
He heard the door to the office open behind him.
“Fuck off Cissa.”
“It’s uhhh- not Narcissa.” Regulus spun around, meeting James’ eye. “Sorry?”
James awkwardly looked at him, a hand in his hair.
“Just well you left quite fast and no one seemed to be doing anything and I wanted to see if you were ok, and you look ok so I’m just going to go… uhhh yeah ok.” James rambled.
Regulus scoffed, rolling his eyes.
He turned his back to James, downing the rest of his coffee.
There was no telltale sound of the door closing so James was in fact still in the room, great .
The sound of silence washes over the room.
“Are you ok?” James asks.
Regulus doesn’t bother answering. James is not someone worth responding to.
“Regulus-”
“Potter.”
“Right, right I know not my place but shit Reggie, I can’t just stand by here thinking that maybe something is up with you-”
“You know what your issue is Potter?”
James physically recoils as Regulus turns back to face him, venom on his tongue.
“You can’t fathom the idea that not everyone needs you meddling in their lives, some people prefer to be far away from you and your fixer-upper attitude and fragile mind, because guess what?” Regulus hisses. “Not everyone wants you in their lives, so go, take those stupid, pointless words of yours and your stupid face and get out.”
Regulus crosses his arms, motioning to the door with his eyes when James doesn’t move.
“There’s the door, and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll take the rest of your idiotic band with you.”
He turns around, waiting for James to leave, he does not.
“That was the most words I think I’ve ever heard you say at once.” James mumbles, mostly to himself. “You know, I think there’s more to it than that.”
Regulus scoffs.
“There's more that you’re not saying that you don’t like about me, go on, I’m not fragile ,” James said.
Regulus could hear his smirk.
“Cockyness doesn’t look good on you, Potter.”
James laughs, and then he’s crawling out the window.
Regulus narrows his eyes at him.
James ignores him, sitting down next to Regulus.
They sit in silence.
Regulus groans in his mind.
Fuck this, and fuck him.
He stands, walking to the window.
A hand grabs his wrist.
He turns, pulling his wrist away, to his chest.
James winces.
“Shit I’m sorry, Sirius has a thing about touch I should have expected you’d have issues with it-”
“God, just fucking stop, Potter.”
James pauses, eyes wide.
“Stop assuming I’m anything like my– him. Ok? Cause I’m not, so drop this act I’m not going to be some charity case for you to fix, like you did for him.”
Regulus sighs when James doesn’t respond.
“I- I don’t think that.”
Regulus scoffs.
“I don’t! Look that’s not why I followed you out, I… I have an idea.”
Regulus raised an eyebrow at James.
“Ok… so from the sounds of it, we both are taking… our time to write our albums… so-”
“Get to the point, Potter.”
“Right ok… just we could work together?”
“What?”
“Help each other you know? Studies show that working with someone speeds up the creative process. We could… help with the others album, write together?”
“I think you have bandmates that would be more than willingly to help you with that, Potter.”
“I do, but I don’t want them… I want you…” James paused, smiling at him before he collected himself. “I want to work with you! It’d be a fresh start, a new way to look at a problem… a fresh set of eyes?”
“None of those were used correctly.”
“Yeah I know, but look, Reggie-”
“Do not.”
“Regulus,” James corrects himself. “Regulus, we could help each other. Write together, and then boom, we’ll have two albums just like that.”
Regulus paused, genuinely considering it.
He wrote alone, he always wrote alone.
Then he’d show the songs to those who mattered.
He didn’t need a fresh set of eyes.
But… there was logic behind it.
Not for writing the album.
God no.
But he could use it to get James to listen to him… to get Sirius to say no to Riddle.
And that would be helpful.
“Fine.”
“What?” James said, jumping up, wincing as he hit his head on the stairs. “Really?”
Regulus shrugged.
“I… ok! Great so when do you want to-”
“Figure it out, I have places to be.”
“Right… right ok.”
Regulus walked to the window.
“I’ll see you ‘round, Regulus.”
And he would.
Because Regulus was doing this.
Here he goes.
Notes:
We back woooooo
So... we enjoying Sirius and Regulus? I know i am!
Plus Jegulus my beloved.
Not much to say rly, finally we reveal the plot of the story! Yay!!!
I hope you enjoyed!
Stay safe
xoxo everest