#regulus black angst

[jaspercasperthecatghost]

sirius: i.. feel bad about what happened.

regulus: so, you're apologising?

sirius: yes, i'm sorry.

regulus: okay. i don't forgive you.

sirius: reggie, i said i'm sorry.

regulus: yeah, and i do not forgive you.

[hotdamnitsmoony]

effie used to let james ‘help’ her to cook while he was growing up, but he always made much more of a mess than actually helping. when regulus moved in, he offered to help effie as a way to give something back, and she taught him everything she knew, recipes and all!

when she died, regulus started cooking for james. it took one dish of effie’s special pasta to send james into a breakdown, because his mum might be gone, but her legacy lives on.

[robarazzii]

he wants to be regulus black so bad🙄🙄😌

[lustsickforyou]

what side are you on?

sirius black x reader (romantic, to platonic) regulus black x reader (romantic, eventually) james potter x reader (if you squint)

summary: you were born into a pureblood family and taught a special ability since birth, you’ve been used your whole life and you start to want a change.

warnings: arranged marriage, abusive parents, talks of miscarriage, mentions of death, angst

a/n: basing the power off of a heart renderer from shadow and bone, so credits do that. i also added in a scene from call me by your name because i couldn’t resist. will be a multi part series. reader is slytherin.

part one , part two

Life hadn’t always been easy for you, it was something that seemed so normal at this point. You were born into a pureblood family, one of the sacred twenty eight. When your mother married your father they placed the expectation for her to bare his heir just as they did to everyone else. Your mother tried so hard to perform her duty, but pregnancy after pregnancy she had failed to do so, even though it wasn’t her fault. Each child that she had lost picked away at her soul, and she swore the last time she was pregnant that she would be done after that. She never even wanted kids in the first place.

That’s when you came along, a healthy daughter, but hardly what her husband had wished for. This daughter couldn’t carry on the family name. Your mother was so displeased with herself, the secrets the woman would share in whispers across the board got to her. So in attempt to save herself and her husband from their reputation being ruined, she made a deal with the devil. Tom Riddle himself. She swore that she would train her daughter to become a heart render at his own expense if he would marry her off to a respectable family. He, of course— agreed.

Heart renderers were rare, just like a legilimens. It was hard to perfect, but with you at home every day as a child and with lots of consequences if you did not perform to your mother’s liking, you mastered the art. You could do a plethora of things, both good and bad. You could make someone’s blood boil, get them to do whatever you wanted, get them to say things they would never normally say aloud. But you could also soothe a temper, calm someones heart rate, keep them warm. It was a blessing and a curse.

You were presented to Tom Riddle when you were eight, and he held up to his deal. Use you in exchange for a husband who had a well known name, that being Sirius Black. You two were to be married when you turn eighteen. The two of you spent a lot of time together at home, but rarely ever in school. He was a Gryffindor boy who was out of control, you were a Slytherin girl who kept to herself. Tom and his parents hoped this marriage would keep Sirius in line.

Many people at school feared you, in fact Dumbledore gave strict instructions for you to never use you powers in school. You understood this, followed the rules. The students didn’t understand, and would often say nasty things about you and your special abilities. How you were untrustworthy, that they needed to keep a distance from you for their own safety. You had never given them a reason to be scared, and yet here you were. Cursed with a power that only you saw could be good, but many found deceptive.

Now you were in your seventh year, used for your powers by Tom whenever he pleased, and Sirius had gone off the rails, leaving his family behind and the promise he gave to you along with them. Just before he left his home he came to you, he saw the good in you. Tried to convince you to run off with him for a better life, but you knew you couldn’t.

“Come with me, y/n.” he pleaded, looking down at you with hopeful eyes. You shook your head, stepping back from him. You wanted nothing more than to leave, to finally free yourself from not only your mother’s tight grip on you but Tom’s as well. “I can’t.” you whispered with tears in your eyes. Tom would kill you if you left, he had threatened it plenty of times when he noticed you grew weary of the things he made you do, the people he made you hurt. “Why?” Sirius tried to dig deeper, hopefully to make you realize that there was no reason why you shouldn’t go. “I can’t.” you repeated shakily. Everything in you was screaming to run, but you knew what Tom would do. He would hunt anyone you ever cared about, saving you for last before casting the unforgivable curse and take your life. Sirius stepped towards you. “Please.” he begged. You stepped back again, holding your hands up. The two of you turned your head when you heard footsteps coming down the hallway, you mother calling your name. You pushed him forward quickly. “Go.” you whispered with urgency. “Please come with me.” he pleaded. You held his arms in your hands and pushed him again. “Go.” you repeated but this time much more firm. With that he was gone, and you hadn’t seen him for months.

Now you sat by yourself at the Slytherin table in the Great Hall. You looked down at the book Sirius gifted to you on your eighteenth birthday just days before he left. It was a muggle book full of poems, something James had shown to him. You two had each other’s backs in the hardest of times. You understood each other on a different level. When he would panic, you would soothe his heart rate. When you would cry he would be there to comfort you. You nervously tapped your finger on the table, turning to see Sirius enter the Great Hall with his friends. They called themselves the Marauders, proud of the shenanigans the four got up to. You didn’t like them, mainly because you were jealous of them. James Potter was from a pureblood family, but nothing like yours. They were loving and kind. Remus was a half-blood boy that was far too good for this world, and Peter was a half-blood as well who was quiet and reserved. They got along with each other so well, you wondered if that’s where Sirius ran off to. To be with them.

Sirius’ eyes scanned the room, and they landed on his brother Regulus. You knew it must’ve been hard for him to leave his brother behind, but then again they were completely different. Unlike Sirius, Regulus was fully devoted to his work with the Dark Lord. You and him rarely ever spoke, mostly because you thought he may be afraid of you. Sirius turned away and sat down with his friends, but you noticed how every so often he would look towards the Slytherin table. Suddenly he stood up, making some excuse to leave his friends, and headed off down the hallway. You took this as your chance to speak with him, standing up and chasing after him.

“Sirius!” you called after him and he stopped in his tracks, turning around with tears in his eyes. “How are you?” you asked politely. “Good.” he lied to your face, but he knew that you knew how he felt. You could hear his heart pounding in his chest, another perk to being a heart renderer. “I— I read the book that you gave to me. The muggle one.” you tried to change the subject, but you couldn’t drop the fact that he was upset. “The poems, they’re really beautiful.” you commented. Sirius only stared at you. “I’m sorry that you’re sad.” you said softly, you always had a way with your words. You knew he was upset about seeing Regulus after months apart, you knew it stung. “I’m saying that because I wanted to tell you that I’m not mad at you for leaving. Not at all.” you explained. You would’ve left too, so why would you ever be mad at him for doing what you couldn’t? “I love you, Sirius.” you breathed out. You didn’t love him in the way many would expect. Sure you had a crush on him as a kid, but you knew the two of you would never work out. You had love for him, though. You held out your hand for him to shake on a deal. “Stay friends?” you asked even though it was a lie. You couldn’t live a double life, that would only put him and yourself in danger. Sirius knew that too. “For life?” he questioned.

You must’ve been ten, maybe eleven— playing in the woods behind your childhood home. You would play there for hours with Sirius. It was a peaceful place, no parents to scold the two of you, just you and him always. You tripped over a rock, hitting your knees on the ground making you cry at the pain. “It’s okay, I’m here.” Sirius comforted you. “For life?” you asked and he nodded. “For life.” he confirmed.

“For life.” you smiled, and he took your hand to shake it. He pulled you in for a hug, signaling he knew it couldn’t happen. You hugged him back, and soon after he pulled away. He stared at you, his eyes flicking between both of yours. He cleared his throat before walking off, leaving you standing alone in the hallway.

—

Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter sat in the room of requirement. The year before Dumbledore recruited them to join the Order, a cause to fight for freedom and away from the grips of the Dark Lord. They had been tasked by Albus to speak with a wizard who worked under Tom Riddle, a man who knew anything and everything about their upcoming plans. The only problem was the Marauders were having a hard time figuring out a plan. Once they reached this man during the fall break, they wondered how they would get him to rat out his boss without force. They never had any ill intention, that included torturing this man into speaking. Well— Remus and James had no ill intent. Sirius understood how evil the Dark Lord was, and he wouldn’t draw the line at anything if it meant taking him down. Peter often agreed with Sirius.

“You know what would make this easier?” Remus asked, turning towards the group with folded arms. “What?” James sighed, rubbing his face in annoyance. They had been going back and forth with ideas for hours. They could dress up in a Death Eater’s uniform and pretend they were on his side, but that wouldn’t work. This man was smart enough to know who was and wasn’t apart of the Death Eaters. They could torture him, but that was off the table. They could simply just ask, but when would that ever work? “If we had a heart render.” Remus shrugged and Sirius shook his head. “Absolutely not, y/n is off the table and there’s no way we’re going to find a heart render in time.” he was quick to speak up.

“Why exactly is she off the table?” Remus had peaked James’ interest. “Because I know her, and her family. Her family is like mine but a million times worse.” Sirius explained. “I don’t know about a million—” Peter mumbled and Sirius shot him a glare, making him go quiet. Everyone stared at Sirius with begging looks. “I’m serious, she works directly under Voldemort. She wouldn’t take the shot to betray him even if she had the chance.” he recalled to when he pleaded with her to go with him, and she wouldn’t. “That’s why she was taught heart render powers from a young age, she was literally born to work for him.” Sirius continued. “It doesn’t help that she’s gorgeous.” James added which earned a punch to his arm from Sirius. “Okay, ouch.” James grumbled.

“Okay, so maybe she was born for it. But let’s look at it from her stand point. I mean she was born and taught by her sadistic mother, traded off like she was nothing. Maybe she had no other choice.” Remus tried to be understanding. Sirius had told them all about your story. James pointed at him with raised eyebrows in agreement. “I mean think about it, Sirius. She’s a pureblood Slytherin girl who chooses not to associate herself with the Death Eaters at this school. Evan Rosier, Barty Crouch Jr. She won’t even look at them. Maybe there’s some good in her.” Remus continued. Sirius scoffed. “Trust me, there’s not.” Sirius mumbled and stood up. “We’ll find another way, but y/n is not it.” Sirius said sternly and they all slowly nodded, all except for James. Soon after everyone went back to their dorm and headed to bed for the night. James laid awake, tossing and turning. He couldn’t get the idea out of his head, you could help them. He had been told no on a multitude of occasions, but when has that ever stopped him?

—

A week had passed and the four boys walked down the hallway after their classes, all heading for the Gryffindor common room. James turned towards them just as they passed the library, spotting you sitting by yourself inside. This was his chance. “I have to go to— bye!” he lied terribly, running off from them. “What was that about?” Peter asked and Remus laughed. “He probably saw Lily or something.” he teased. James rolled his eyes behind them.

James entered the library, hesitantly walking over to you. You were sitting quite peacefully reading your book. James pulled out the chair next to you. “Hello, y/n. Looking as beautiful as ever.” he complimented and you looked up from your book with a confused and annoyed expression. He stared back and after a beat of silence you finally spoke. “Okay.” you sighed, closing your book and grabbing your things to leave. “No wait, you don’t have to leave!” he spoke up and you turned towards him again. “I’m not a fool, Potter. You clearly want something.” you said in detest. “Okay, fine. I want something.” he finally admitted. “What’s that?” you questioned with an annoyed tone. “I want to know more about heart renderers. Everyone says their so bad but— you don’t seem all that bad to me. I’ve never even see you use it against anyone. Or use it at all.” he shrugged. “So what does someone of your nature do?” he asked. “I think you know.” you sighed. “There has to be some good to it, every horrible thing must have a balance.” James almost begged to know.

You finally gave in. “Okay— I can soothe someone’s temper, slow their heart and make them relax. Which clearly you need because I can hear your heart beating loudly.” you pointed out. “You can hear my heart?” he asked curiously. “I can hear everyone’s. Who is this Lily Evans by the way, every time someone says her name your heart beats quickly.” she observed. “Wait— how do you know that?” he asked. You rolled your eyes and finally set down your book. “When you walked in here Remus said Lily Evans, and your heart quickened in pace.” you teased.

“That’s not important.” James mumbled. “If my heart is beating fast then show me how you calm it.” he asked. “Show me how you can get someone to tell you anything just like Sirius says.” James was trying to gain her trust, to show her he wasn’t afraid like everyone else was. “I can’t, I’m not allowed to on school grounds.” you leaned back in your chair. “No one has to know.” James smirked and you stared at him for a second. He wasn’t lying, and he definitely seemed curious about your power. “Give me your hand.” you gave in. James held out his hand palm up. Your slim fingers trailed down his cold hand, everything seemed to suddenly move slow. His heart beat was loud in your ears, and once your fingers reached his wrist and you touched his pulse, it slowed down to a calming rate. “Tell me what you want.” you spoke softly, your buttery smooth voice being the only thing he could hear. He looked into your eyes, before opening his mouth to speak before he even had the chance to stop.

“I need a heart render, give you the chance to do some good in this world.” he answered honestly. You pulled away and thought for a moment. This was your chance, a safe distance away from Tom Riddle and your mother. This was your chance to finally do some good i with your power. You knew you could trust James, Sirius sure did. They were apart of the Order, something you had grown familiar with when Sirius would tell you about it late hours of the night. This whole thing, him needing a heart renderer, had to do with something like that.

“I’m in.”

—

James walked into the room of requirement for their weekly meeting, a proud smile on his face. “I found a heart renderer.” he said confidently. “What? How did you find—” Peter started but was quickly interrupted when you walked in behind him. “Y/N Y/L/N at your service.” you smiled and everyone had a shocked look on their face, Sirius was no exception. “Y/N Y/L/N?” Both Peter and Remus said aloud. You laughed, moving across the room to face all four boys. “I’ve never had that reaction before.” you smiled which quickly faded when you saw the look on Sirius’ face.

“What are you doing here?” he deadpanned. “I’m here to help.” you shrugged. “James here found me in the library and gave me the whole run down on your little issue here.” you looked towards James who still looked incredibly proud at his doings. “What the hell were you thinking, James? She’s dangerous!” Sirius yelled and you looked over at him with a hurt expression. “You didn’t seem to think so when you came to me to calm yourself down.” you exposed him and he glared at you.

“Listen, we could really use her help.” Remus interjected, and Sirius rolled his eyes. “I don’t mean this to come off rude, but how do we know we can trust you?” Peter asked and you looked at him now. “I mean— don’t you work for you know who?” he asked. “It was more like a limited partnership.” you explained without really having to say much. Everyone fell silent. “Listen, if I was really that devoted to Tom Riddle I definitely would not be helping you idiots get valuable information on him. Yet here I stand.” you held out your arms.

“Okay, so say we can trust you. How do we know you won’t rat us out.” Remus asked and you stared at him before sighing. “I have been used by him my whole life, and never have I been given the chance to actually use these abilities for the better benefit of actually helping people. I think the Order can do just that. I know you’re all suspicious of me, maybe you think I’m using my powers on you right now to trick you, but trust me— you would know.”

“She’s right, it’s like a whole other experience.” James laughed and they all turned quickly to look at him. “She used her powers on you?” Sirius asked in shock. “Of course she did, and let me tell you, whatever she did to me will definitely work on that guy we’re trying to talk to.” James defended your case, something you had never experienced before. “Thank you, James. That was really kind.” you smiled and he nodded. “Fine, but after this you’re done.” Sirius was still suspicious.

“Great! When do we start?”

[petitemistletoe]

Grudges

Pairing: Regulus Black x Reader, Potter!Reader

Warnings: angst!

Word Count: 6.2K+

A/N: Alright listen I am a Lily Evans stan through and through but she does not come across the greatest in this fic

“Stop biting your nails,” Regulus nudged you lightly. 

“Sorry,” you said sheepishly, “I just hope the first term went well for Celeste. I’ve missed her so much.” You rested your head on Regulus’s shoulder. 

“Celeste sent us about a thousand owls with updates. She’s fine! Plus she’s had Milo with her.” Regulus made a good point. Your daughter, Celeste, had started her first year at Hogwarts at the same time as her cousin Milo.

“Where are Sirius and Remus anyway?” You asked, glancing at your watch, “The train is going to be in any minute now.”

As if on cue, you saw Sirius and Remus running through King’s Cross. Remus was carrying an empty carseat and Sirius was balancing a baby in his arms. They made their way over to your spot on the platform and were breathing heavily. 

“Someone,” Sirius panted, “take the baby so I can have a moment to collapse.”

“Give me my delicious little nephew,” you grinned, taking the baby from Sirius and giving his chubby cheek a little kiss, “how are you Teddy?”

Teddy gurgled in response and wrapped a chubby hand around a strand of your hair. 

“Why exactly are you two so late?” Regulus quirked an eyebrow at his brother. 

“You know how it is, baby stuff.” Remus explained, setting the carseat on the ground and taking Teddy back from you.

“Sirius take too long looking at himself in the mirror?” Regulus chuckled. 

“You laugh but it’s under the shroud of wicked jealousy,” Sirius deadpanned. 

“Can you believe that our kids are first years! It feels like we graduated just yesterday,” you reminisced, threading your arm through Sirius’ and resting your head on his shoulder. 

“They’ll be here any minute now!” Sirius grinned, looking at the wave of students getting off the train. 

“Sirius! It’s your turn, Teddy needs to be changed.” Remus was now holding Teddy at arms length, his nose wrinkled. 

“Oh no,” Sirius peaked at Teddy’s diaper, “Moony this is a two man job. You guys mind waiting for Milo while we fix this?”

“Go for it,” you waved the boys off. You and Regulus were making idle chit chat until a body slammed into you. You looked down and saw the nicely styled brown and black curls and knew it could only have been your nephew.

“Hi Milo,” you said, pressing a kiss to his head. 

“Hey Auntie! Have you seen my dads?” He asked, pulling away and hugging Regulus. 

“They’re in the bathroom changing Teddy. Have you seen my daughter?” You responded. 

“She’s coming. Her and Harry were saying goodbye to Ron and Hermione at the front of the platform.” Milo shrugged. Your blood ran cold. 

“Harry?” You asked. Before Milo could respond you saw Celeste skipping towards you.

“Mum! Dad!” Celeste gave you and Regulus a giant hug. 

“Celeste! I want to hear all about your term,” you said with a giant grin. 

“Sure Mum! I want you to meet one of the greatest friends I made. He’s actually one of Milo’s childhood friends.” Celeste stepped back and revealed Harry standing behind her. Even if you hadn’t recognized the name you would’ve know that Harry was James’s son. Harry was the spitting image of James, save for his eyes. His eyes were the same color as Lily’s. 

“Hi! I’m Harry Potter, it’s nice to meet you Mrs. Black, Mr. Black.” Harry extended his hand to you and Regulus. Regulus had the same gobsmacked expression that you did and he swallowed harshly before saying, 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Harry. I understand that you and Celeste have become fast friends.” 

“Yes! I’ve known Milo my entire life so he introduced Celeste and I. Milo’s fathers are actually my father’s two closest friends. You might know him, James Potter?” Harry asked. 

“Uh, yes. We were in school at the same time as your father.” Regulus said, diplomatically. 

“Really?” Harry asked. Before you could continue any further Sirius and Remus returned. 

“There’s my godson!” Sirius laughed, wrapping Harry in a tight hug. 

“He hugs Harry before he hugs his own son.” Milo rolled his eyes as he hugged Remus and gave his baby brother a kiss on the forehead. 

“There’s my boy.” Sirius lifted Milo of the ground in a grandiose show of affection. 

“Where are your parents, Harry?” Remus asked. 

“Around here somewhere I’m sure.” Harry scanned through the throng of people. He disappeared off and you felt like you could breathe again. 

“Alright, love, do you have all your things?” You asked Celeste, running a hand over your daughter’s head, “Regulus grab her trunk.”

“Did you make the Christmas fudge mum?” Celeste asked. 

“Three trays of it.” You grinned, pinching Celeste’s cheek. 

“Oh Auntie your fudge is the greatest! Dad can we go over to Celeste’s and have some?” Milo asked Remus. 

“Why not? You know I have a soft spot for chocolate.” Remus laughed as he tried to juggle both the car seat and Milo’s trunk. 

“Give me the baby and give the car seat to Sirius.” You said. Remus went to hand you Teddy but tutted, “Other side, Remus. My shoulder.” You swapped sides and then took Teddy from Remus’ arms and balanced him on your hip. 

You were making your way out of the train station when Harry was running back towards you all, a giant smile on his face.

“Alright Harry?” Celeste asked.

“Yeah, yeah. I wanted to introduce our parents. Mr. And Mrs. Black these are my parents James and Lily Potter.” Harry stepped back to reveal his parents. You felt like the wind had been knocked out of you. 

“James.” You said, cooly. 

“It’s been a while.” James’s tone was as icy as yours. 

“Well we should get going,” Lily said diplomatically. 

“Yes! Yes. Good to see you. Have a happy Christmas!” Regulus pushed Celeste away before the conversation could progress any further. 

Luckily for you all, Celeste forgot all about encounter by the time she got home, had a tin of fudge, and played with her little brother Atlas who had been in private lessons when you all were at the train station. Atlas and Celeste were sleeping peacefully, now, and you were thinking about James as you got in bed next to Regulus. 

“Love?” Regulus shook you from your thoughts. 

“Yes darling?” 

“I was saying that Narcissa called and wants to have tea tomorrow and get all the children together.” Regulus said. 

“Oh, sure Reg.” You nodded.

“Thinking about James?” 

“You know me so well,” you laughed softly, “it just caught me off-guard…seeing him again.” 

“I know. Are you alright?”

“It’s weird, right? Harry and Celeste being friends.” You asked, rubbing your shoulder. 

“Yeah, a good weird though. I think we should consider the possibility of telling them that they are related. They deserve to know and it’ll only be worse if they find it out on their own.” Regulus ran his thumb over your knuckles. 

“I know you’re right.” You went to bed that night with your thoughts spinning impossibly fast in your brain. 

✰

“Oh my God! How can a child so small poop so much?” Remus said in disgust. His entire chest was coated in what had previously been Teddy’s breakfast. Sirius had been walking over to check on Remus, but immediately turned and crept back down the hallway as quietly as he could. “Nice try, Pads! Get back here right now.” 

“How did you know I was in the hall?” Sirius asked with a groan, taking over the diaper change while Remus removed his shirt and scourgified it. 

“Werewolf hearing, obviously.” Remus rolled his eyes. 

“Dads! When are we going to Celeste’s?” Milo asked, peeking his head into the room. 

“We’re going to meet Celeste and Atlas at Aunt Narcissa’s house.” Remus responded. 

“Oh fuck do we have to go to Narcissa’s? It’s so creepy there.” Sirius complained. 

“Really? You aren’t even going to pretend to act like a parent in front of our kid?” Remus rolled his eyes. 

“Aunt Narcissa isn’t so bad,” Milo shrugged, “Draco’s kind of annoying though.”

“Of course he is. He’s the spawn of a Black and a Malfoy.” Sirius rolled his eyes at the thought. 

“Sirius!” Remus was unfortunately not surprised at his husband’s antics. 

“I have a different question.” Milo shook his head, “so you know how Celeste and Atlas are mine and Teddy’s cousins because Dad and Uncle Regulus are brothers?”

“Yeah?” Sirius and Remus weren’t exactly sure where things were going.  

“And you know how you two were best friends with Uncle James and Aunt Lily in school?”

“Yeah…” Now Sirius and Remus had an idea where things were going and they didn’t exactly love it. 

“Why was I never allowed to have Harry and Celeste over at the same time? And why were things so awkward between everyone at the train station when Celeste’s and Harry’s parents met?”

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.” Remus said quickly. 

“Yep, Milo, you’re crazy.” Sirius nodded.

“Wait a minute,” Milo’s brain was moving quickly now, “isn’t Auntie’s maiden name Potter? But she doesn’t have a brother…is Uncle James her cousin? Are they fighting? Have they been fighting since before any of us were born? But Auntie always talks about how important family is…did Uncle James do something to break their bond? They must’ve been close since they would have been just a year apart at Hogwarts. And you two are still very close with her and Uncle Reg…in fact Dad I remember you said that Auntie was the person that reunited you with Uncle Reg. So it had to be something really specific between Auntie and Uncle James. Aunt Lily’s face was almost as red as her hair and Uncle Regulus was glaring at Uncle James when we were at the train station so I bet it was something about Auntie marrying Uncle Regulus and Uncle James marrying Aunt Lily. But Uncle James and Aunt Lily got married first so it was probably a fight between Auntie and Uncle James about Aunt Lily!” Milo looked very pleased with himself.

“You’re way off, Milo, it wasn’t like that at all.” Remus said weakly.

“How did you do that?” Sirius was looking at his son now like he was dripping in radioactive waste. 

“I knew it!” 

“Okay, Milo, listen you can’t tell Celeste or Harry. This is not our information to share.” Remus was very serious. 

“Of course, Dad. The secret is safe with me!” Milo beamed. 

✰

“Oh my God Ron! How has it taken you this long to cast a communication spell? Fred and George showed it to us like four times before we left for holiday!” Celeste whispered. She was underneath her covers as it was past one in the morning but Milo had sent everyone an owl saying he had an urgent message and needed to talk face to face. 

“It was hard, Cel!” Ron tried to defend himself but Harry was laughing too hard to be heard for anyone else on the call to hear him. 

“Okay, okay. Milo what’s your news?” Hermione asked, shaking her head.

“I just discovered something big! Something about Celeste and Harry.” Milo said excitedly.

“Does it have something to do with how weird our parents were at the train station?” Harry asked. 

“Yes, indeed. Celeste’s mum and Harry’s dad are cousins!” Milo paused to allow the revelation to skin in. 

“No way! Why wouldn’t they tell us?” Celeste gasped. 

“Apparently they had a really bad falling out and I think it’s because Celeste’s mum and Harry’s mum hate each other!”

“Why would they hate each other?” Hermione asked. 

“No idea. But you two are going to have to find out.” Milo grinned. 

✰

“So mum,” Celeste asked after you all returned from the Malfoys, “I have a question for you.”

“Sure, love. Did you want any more fudge?” You asked, taking out a tray and cutting off a few pieces. 

“Thanks mum!” Celeste took the plate from you.

“Hey Atlas! Do you want any fudge?”

“Yes yes yes!” Your eight year old came running into the kitchen. Atlas looked just like Regulus, dark curls and bright green eyes. Celeste looked more like a potter…more like James, in fact: tanned skin, warm brown eyes, easy smile. Celeste and Harry had looked like twins at the train station. It filled you with an uncomfortable heartache.

“Giving the kids more sugar?” Regulus quipped, helping push Atlas’s chair closer to the table. 

“It’s Christmas.” You smiled, “there’s a fresh batch of egg nog in the fridge from this morning if you’d like to join me in a glass.”

“Read my mind, Mrs. Black.” Regulus poured you and him two glasses and you sat at the able with your kids. 

“So Celeste, you said you had a question for me?” You asked, leaning back so you were resting against Regulus’s shoulder. 

“Are you and Harry’s dad cousins?” Celeste asked. Your back went rigid as Regulus sputtered and choked on his eggnog.

“Why…where did you hear that?” You asked. 

“Milo.”

“I’m going to kill Sirius.” Regulus shook his head.

“The truth is, yes, James and I are cousins.” 

“Did you have a falling out because you hate Harry’s mum?” 

“Oh my god,” Regulus rubbed his temples.

“Who’s Harry?” Atlas asked.

“I do not hate Harry’s mum.” You sighed, “James and I are just not as close as we used to be.”

“You know what,” Regulus stood, “we’re going to Sirius and Remus’s. We can let them explain everything since they felt so strongly about sharing it in the first place.”

“Good idea.” You hoisted Atlas onto your hip, even though he was far too big for it now and apparated as Regulus grabbed firmly onto Celeste’s wrist to apparate them both. You were standing in Sirius and Remus’s living room and you set Atlas down as Sirius entered the room with a blanket and a bowl of popcorn. 

“Oh fuck,” Sirius tried to turn on his heel but you grabbed him by the back of the shirt. 

“You’ve got a big mouth, Black.” You shoved Sirius down on the couch. 

“Moony! Milo! Can you come in here please?” Sirius called as Regulus and Celeste apparated into the room. 

“What’s up, Pads?” Remus entered the room, Milo right behind him.

“Hey Auntie,” Milo said shyly, sitting between his fathers on the couch. 

“Milo, when we speak to you do you hear words or is it just the Charlie Brown whomp sound?” Remus said with a sigh.

“Sorry,” Milo shrugged. 

“We’ll deal with you later. Take your cousins up to your room while your aunt tears me a new asshole.” Sirius sent Milo, Atlas, and Celeste out and then cast a silencing spell over the living room for good measure. 

“What the hell is wrong with you!” You said, slapping Sirius on the chest and arms after each word for emphasis. 

“Milo guessed it! It was really only a manner of time considering your behavior at Kings Cross.” Remus said with a sigh.

“You’re right.” You flopped on the couch next to Remus and put your head in your hands. Regulus sat down next to you and rubbed your back. 

“Do you think it might be time for you and James to reconcile? It’s been ten years since you two last spoke.” Remus asked.

“I don’t know. I’ve been carrying this resentment so long I might feel lonely without it.” You said with a weak chuckle. There was a loud crack in the air and James, Lily, and Harry were standing in the living room. 

“Sirius!” James roared, “I’m going to kill you!”

“Milo has another parent! Why do target me?” Sirius threw his hands in the air. 

“Kids are upstairs, Harry. Why don’t you join them while we talk?” Remus sent Harry upstairs. 

“I think we should have a conversation about how we’d like to proceed. Celeste and Harry are closer than ever and I don’t think any of us have been very fair.” Regulus said with a deep sigh. 

✰

“James!” You said in a sing-song voice as you set your book down and settled down on the blanket that James had spread in front of the lake. James, Sirius, and Remus had been taking advantage of the nice day and were studying outside by the Black Lake. 

“What is it?” James was pretending to be exasperated but he couldn’t hide his smile. He always had a soft spot for his baby cousin. 

“I need your potions notes. We’re brewing liquid luck and Slughorn assigned me a terrible partner.” You said with a sigh. 

“Who’d he assign you?” Sirius asked. 

“Your little brother,” you said with an eyeroll.

“Come on,” Remus exhaled lazily, handing you a joint that he’d lit a few moments before, “as far as Slytherins go, Regulus is pretty good at potions.”

“Yeah, yeah he’s a potions wiz. I don’t need him mansplaining potions to me so I need to read up on liquid luck and show his ass up.” You said before taking a long drag of the joint, “This is really good, Remus.”

“Thanks, I did get an O in herbology.” Remus laughed. 

“Here,” James was forever organized and was able to locate his notes from last year rather quickly, “use them wisely.” 

“Hey Prongs did you tell the young Miss Potter your news?” Sirius asked, taking the joint from you.

“No! What’s your news, Jamie?” You poked James in the ribs playfully. 

“Now that Lily and I have been dating for a few months now, I’d like for you two to officially meet.” James said with a grin. Your stomach turned unpleasantly. You had only ever seen Lily in passing, considering you were in Slytherin and a year younger than the Marauders. You hadn’t liked how James had pined after Lily considering she did not make it a secret how she despised him. Sure, James was a bit immature sometimes but he had the biggest heart of anyone you knew. You swallowed all that down and grinned, 

“Can’t wait. When are we going to meet?”

“Why don’t you come to the Gryffindor common room tomorrow night?”

“Sounds like a plan.” You grinned. You had to leave the warm sun and your friends an hour later to meet with Regulus to start the potions work. You didn’t care for Regulus. Being a close friend of Sirius meant that Regulus was naturally more haughty towards you and you thought he could be unnecessarily cruel whenever he was around Barty Crouch Jr. To you had been less than pleased when Slughorn had paired you together would be an understatement. 

You found him sitting at a table in the corner of the library, bent over a book. 

“Hello Regulus,” you said, sitting down next to him. 

“Hi. I thought we could start with raiding the greenhouses to find some horseradish. The first step of brewing Felix Felicis is to mix ashwinder eggs and horseradish.” Regulus said. 

“I think it’d be better actually to substitute wasabi for horseradish. Apparently it makes the potion more potent.” You said, setting James’ notes out in front of you.

“These notes are brilliant,” Regulus snatched up the page and studied it. 

“Thanks, they’re my cousin’s.” You shrugged. You worked for a while with Regulus before walking together back to the Slytherin dorms. 

“You know…it’s funny.” Regulus said with a small shake of his curls. 

“What is?”

“You and I both have close family in Gryffindor. The Gryffindor/Slytherin mix isn’t super common.” Regulus said. 

“Yeah I guess you’re right.”

“We’re not so different are we?” 

“I’m nothing like you, Regulus. I’m not cruel.” You crossed your arms. You were at your door now and weren’t entirely sure why Regulus had walked you all the way up to the girls dorms. 

“The Felix Felicis takes six months to brew. I bet you’ll be under me by then.” Regulus said with a confident laugh.

“In your dreams, Black.” You said with an eyeroll. You entered your room and huffed but had to admit it was a bit hard to hide your smile. 

✰

You were nervous as you ascended the steps up to the Gryffindor common room. You didn’t know what it was exactly but you weren’t looking forward to meeting Lily. You shook the thoughts from your brain as Sirius let you into the common room. 

“Remus!” You said with a grin, jumping into Remus’s lap and accepting the joint from him. Lily was perched on James’ lap and she was grinding down on him as they made out like their lives depended on it. 

“Break it up, love birds, you have company.” Sirius said, slapping James upside the head on his way back to the couches. 

“Sorry,” James said, sheepishly, setting Lily down next to him. James introduced you two. 

“Lily, it’s great to finally meet you. The guys talk about you all the time.” You said with a smile.

“Ditto! James always says you’re one of the most important people in his life.” Lily grinned. 

“Yeah. James and I are both only children so we really felt more like siblings than cousins.”

“Are you the first Potter in Slytherin?” Lily asked. It was an innocent enough question, Lily could not have known that it had been a sore subject in your family. You were the first Potter in Slytherin. No Potter had been in a house that was not in Gryffindor for over one thousand years. It had been a shock to your family. 

“Uh, yes I am.” You tried to hide your discomfort over the question. 

“Oh. Good for you.”

“And you’re a muggle born, right?”

“Yes.” Lily’s eyes flashed dangerously. 

“Good for you.” You responded. The rest of the night passed rather quickly and then James walked you back to the Slytherin dorms. 

“So?” He asked excitedly.

“So what?” 

“So what did you think of Lily? She’s great, isn’t she?” James was beaming.

“She’s something.” You pursed your lips. 

“What do you mean?”

“I hate her.” You said with a head shake. James was shocked. He tried to get more out of you, but you told him you were tired and went to bed. James felt like his brain was in shambles as he made his way back to the Gryffindor common room. Only Lily was left, reading a book by the fire. 

“Hey love,” James sat down next to her and pressed a kiss to her forehead. 

“Hi James. Have a good walk?” She asked. 

“Yeah, yeah. You liked my cousin, right?”

“Your cousin?” Lily said nervously, “Yeah! She’s quite spirited.” 

“Oh my god you hate her, don’t you?” James’s heart felt like it had dropped into his ass.

“I do!” Lily groaned, “But honestly I barely know her. We’ll get together more and more and hopefully we’ll become good friends. It’s clear to me that we both care about you a lot and want the best for you.” Lily said. James could only shrug. 

✰

As Lily and James became closer and closer, you started spending less and less time in the Gryffindor common room. You also became closer to Regulus as you continued working on your potions project together. You were finally able to meet Regulus for your final potion check before you submit it as a final to Slughorn. As you made your way down you ran into James. 

“Hey! I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever. I miss you.” James said, slinging an arm over your shoulders. 

“I know! It’s just been so busy with classes and finals but I’m about to submit my potions final so that’ll be a huge weight off my shoulders.” You said with a grin. 

“We’re going to the Three Broomsticks tonight, why don’t you meet us there? Celebrate the end of potions for the year” James said, “We’ll get properly pissed.”

“That sounds great. Who all is going?” You asked. 

“The whole gang! Remus, Sirius, Mary, Marlene, Lily.”

“Lily?” You faltered. 

“I know you aren’t her biggest fan but I promise it’ll be fun.” James begged.

“Alright! I’ll see you later then. Have a butterbeer waiting for me.” You called as James reascended the steps. He sent you thumbs up before disappearing around the corner. You walked into the potions classroom and saw Slughorn was peering over your cauldron as Regulus explained away. 

“Ah Ms. Potter, nice of you to join us. I was just about to review your potion. I believe you and Mr. Black were assigned Felix Felicis.”

“Yes sir, we were.” You nodded. 

“As I was saying,” Regulus said with a quick nod in your direction, “we decided to add wasabi instead of horseradish to the potion in order to increase its potency. 

“Very smart.” Slughorn nodded. He mulled over the potion for a full two minutes before nodding. “Outstanding work you two. I knew great things would come from the two of you. Your reward is that you are able to keep the potion. I’m sure you both understand, however, that use of the potion during a Quidditch match is strictly illegal.” 

“We understand, professor.” Regulus nodded. Professor Slughorn stalked out of the room. You and Regulus hugged tightly. 

“We did it! Do you want the potion? I don’t have any use for it.” You said with a shrug.

“Yeah.” Regulus nodded. He uncorked the vial and swallowed it down.

“What are you doing?” You raised your eyebrow and looked at him.

“I needed it for what I’m about to do.” Regulus said. Before you could ask him what he was talking about, Regulus grabbed you by the waist and kissed you hard. You were surprised at first but then you wrapped your arms around his neck and kissed him back.

“Oh wow.” You said when you broke apart. 

“Will you go out with me?” Regulus asked, brushing his curls out of his face. 

“Yeah. Do you want to go to the Three Broomsticks with me?” You asked. 

“Yeah I do.” Regulus grinned. 

The two of you walked hand in hand to Hogsmeade. It seemed that the Gryffindors had started without you and the group was very, very drunk. Lily was perched in James’s lap again and you tried not to roll your eyes.

“What are you two doing here?” Sirius asked, slurring his words a bit, “I mean…what are you two doing here together?”

“We’re friends, Sirius.” You rolled your eyes. You and Regulus were able to catch up to the rest of the crowd quickly. 

“More than that.” Regulus laughed and slung his arm over your shoulders. 

“Really?” James narrowed his eyes. 

“Why not?” You snuggled yourself deeper into Regulus’s arms. 

“He’s a Slytherin. He’s dangerous.” James snapped at you.

“I’m a Slytherin.” You bit the inside of your cheek harshly. 

“So you finally made your way over to dark wizards? Guess you really are a Slytherin.” Lily giggled. 

“And you’ve proven that you can live up to the stereotype of annoying muggleborns.” You shot back. 

“Stop it.” James frowned but it was too late. The storm between you and Lily had been brewing for six months and there was no stopping it now.

“You know what James, I can’t do this anymore. It’s her or me.” Lily crossed her arms over her chest. 

“Oh come on! Like James is going to pick some girl he’s been dating for less than a year over his cousin.” You rolled your eyes.

“Don’t do this. You both are being unfair.” James said. 

“James didn’t tell you? After we graduate, we’re moving in together.” Lily spat at you.

“Make your choice James.” You said coldly. 

“No.” James shook his head.

“Fine,” you said, standing and grabbing Regulus’s hand, “I’ll make it for you. Goodbye.” And you stormed off. 

✰

There was quite a bit of electricity in the air during the Quidditch final. It was already charged, being a competition between Gryffindor and Slytherin. You and Regulus were both playing as chaser and seeker respectively. This was an important match for you, you were being scouted by four different professional Quidditch teams and the representatives were all in the stands. You still had a year of Hogwarts left after this one but the teams were ready to make an offer that would work around your school schedule. 

You couldn’t think about that right now, though. You wanted to stomp Gryffindor into the dirt. Your blood was pulsating in your ears as Madame Hooch blew the whistle to signify the start of the match.

The match was vicious, with you and James diving at each other and playing dirtier than you ever had to before. You were flying next to James and you shoulder checked him rougher than you should’ve. James nearly fell off his broom but he was able to swing all the way around and restabilize. 

“That was a cheap shot!” James spat at you.

“Guess I’m just a lousy Slytherin.” You spat back. “At least I’m not wrapped around the finger of a witch with a stick up her ass.”

That was too far, you knew it, but you were too upset to care. James yanked at the back of your broom just as a bludger rammed itself into your chest. You fell hard and Madame Hooch had been too enraptured in a squabble between the Sirius and the Slytherin beaters to notice what was happening until it was too late. You hit the ground hard and heard a sickening crunch sound as your arm was wrenched awkwardly behind your back. You groaned as Madame Hooch started running towards you and blowing her whistle wildly. Before she reached you, though, your broom did and it embedded itself in your shoulder. You were screaming so loud your throat was raw. You tried to grab at your broom with your other hand but realized that the broom had impaled the fleshy part of your shoulder and was anchoring you to the ground. 

“Oh my God,” Madame Hooch gasped as she made her way towards you. Madame Pomfrey was hot on her heels and she knelt down next to you. Regulus made his way down to you next. He dropped to his knees next to you and grabbed at your hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. Then Sirius landed. He took one look at you and promptly vomited into the grass. James was there next, his face paler than it had ever been. 

“Alright love, I’m going to move you over to the hospital wing where I’ll give you a sedative and assess the damage.” Madame Pomfrey said. You wished that Madame Pomfrey had given you the sedative before she moved you. You had never and would never again experience such pain. Not when you gave birth, not when you had been a victim of cruciatus  curse, not ever. Madame Pomfrey had to move you again to St. Mungos and a team of healers were put together to remove your broom from your shoulder and patch you up. 

When you were finally stable again, the doctor who had been presiding over your case made his way to your bedside. Your parents and Regulus had been by your side for the entire four day period. 

“It will take time for your shoulder to heal. It faced an unbelievable trauma and even after much physical therapy, rigorous potion taking, and rehabilitation your shoulder will never reach its full, working capacity.” 

“So I’ll never play Quidditch again.” You said bitterly.

“Oh darling let’s just be happy that you’re okay.” Your mother tried but you shook your head. 

“I’m so sorry, Ms. Potter, but no. Playing professionally will not be possible.” The doctor bowed his head. 

You refused James’s visits for the next two weeks until you were able to be discharged from the hospital. You were home, laying on your bed and staring at the ceiling. You wanted to rip down your Quidditch posters but you couldn’t extend your arm that far up yet. You were forced to just glare up at them. 

“Hey, can I come in?” James asked, knocking on your open door. You looked at him and turned back to stare at the ceiling. “You have no idea how sorry I am. I have never felt more terrible in my entire life. I thought you were going to die,” James had tears in his eyes, “and it would have been all my fault. All over something so stupid. But I’m glad that you’re alive. But I am so so sorry that I cost you your career. If I could go back and erase it, I would.” 

“I don’t ever want to see you again.” You said softly and stared at the ceiling until James left the room. 

✰

You and James did not speak for four years. He got married and you got married and it was bizarre. All of a sudden you were no longer speaking to your best friend. Good things came out of the situation, though. You and Regulus got married and had a baby. Regulus and Sirius repaired their relationship and Sirius and Remus married and had a baby as well. You and Reg had Sirius and Remus over often, watching the newly one year olds play together. 

“I still can’t believe that you named her Celeste.” Sirius shook his head. 

“Why? You don’t like the name?” You asked with a soft laugh.

“I just can’t believe you stuck with the celestial theme.” Sirius rolled his eyes. Regulus laughed too.

“It wasn’t even my idea,” Regulus laughed, “my darling bride thought of it. She wanted Celeste for a girl and Atlas for a boy.”

“You really are a Slytherin.” Sirius laughed and gave you a kiss on the cheek before scooping Milo up.

“We should get home and give Milo a bath before bed. I don’t know why people think that having babies is hard. Milo’s a dream.” Sirius shrugged. He apparated out. Remus was about to follow when he turned to you.

“What is it Remus?” Regulus asked. 

“I know you don’t want to hear it, but James and Lily are in a rough place. James might try to reach back out to you.” Remus said. 

“I’m not interested in that.” You said, looking down at your lap. 

“I know. Just thought I would give you a heads up.” Remus said with a smile before apparating out.

“Celeste still has so much energy. Should we let her play for a little longer before bed?” Regulus asked, settling into the couch. 

“Yeah, why not.” You shrugged. You and Regulus chatted idly for a bit longer before you heard a knock at the door. 

“Think that’s Sirius forgetting something?” Regulus asked. You stood up and headed for the door, 

“Doubt it. When has Sirius ever knocked?” You laughed. You opened the door and your jaw dropped in shock when you saw James at your doorstep, Harry on his hip.

“Hey.” James said softly.

“James. What are you doing here?” You asked. 

“Who is it?” Regulus called from the couch. 

“Uh, it’s James.” You responded. 

“I’m sorry,” Regulus walked up over to where you were, “I thought you said James but I must have mis-” Regulus went silent. 

“What are you doing here?” You asked. 

“I, uh, I wanted to see you. I wanted to talk about things.” James said, bouncing Harry on his hip a few times. 

“Why don’t you come in,” Regulus stepped back to let James in. He lead James into the sitting room where Celeste was sitting on the ground and playing with her toys. 

“Thanks, Regulus.” James said as he entered. 

“Why don’t you let Harry play with Celeste?” Regulus offered. James set Harry down next to Celeste. “I’ll go make some tea.” Regulus left you and James sitting on the couch in awkward silence. 

“Harry looks like you.” You said softly.

“Yeah, yeah he does. Celeste looks like you.”

“Seems like they were fast friends.” You said. Harry and Celeste were curled up, yawning and grabbing at each other’s feet. 

“That’s good. It’s good for cousins to be close.” James said. 

“I heard things between you and Lily are rough right now.” 

“It’s just a rough patch. But I’m sorry about the way things happened. I want Harry to have his cousin in his life. I want my cousin in my life.” James was nervous, you could tell. 

“I don’t know if it’s fair to set up Celeste for that kind of heartbreak. Wouldn’t want the kids to get close only to have Harry abandon Celeste for some girl and then nearly kill her.”

“That’s not fair,” Regulus said, setting down the tray with the tea.

“I don’t have to be fair. James cost me everything.” You said, your jaw set. 

“I want to start over. Please. I love you, I miss you.” James begged. 

“Then why did you choose Lily?” Emotion was cracking through your cold exterior. 

“I didn’t!” “You did! I’m your family! You never should’ve chosen her over me.” You said, rising from your seat. 

“You never should’ve made me choose!” James screamed back. 

“Maybe we should revisit this later when everyone has had a chance to calm down.” Regulus stood between you and James now.

“No. I think you’ve made it very clear. Sorry I tried.” James scooped up Harry and left, slamming the door shut behind him. 

✰

“No, we haven’t been fair.” You said, “But I’d like an apology.”

“I’m sorry! I’m so so sorry for everything I did to you.” James gushed, grabbing your hand. 

“Not from you,” you shook your head, “from Lily.”

[cherryslyce]

Familial Impasses | Regulus Black

Synopsis: Pressure arises as a familiar face becomes embroiled in political trouble and moral ambivalence. Alternatively: As James Potter’s younger sibling, you fight for Regulus.

Pairing: Regulus Black x (Adopted) Potter!Reader

Notes + WC: 5.4k , James and Sirius are so chaotic.

The Potter household has long been a foundational pillar of love and ease for you. Plumes of cotton clouds were perpetually suspended above the sumptuous manor, and you distinctly remember the day you arrived in front of the regal front yard, donning new robes and the Potter surname. 

Even amidst the gloomiest of days, Potter Manor remained unblemished by the sheen of greys and drops of heavy rain. Your parents were tenderhearted folk, often unable to properly reign in the boisterous force that was your brother. James was the apple of your eye when you first arrived in the lived-in home at the ripe age of eight. 

Under the near-yellow lights of the entryway, he took you under his wing the second his eyes befell on yours. 

Yet, your reminiscing did little to quell the fiery frustration that singed at your patience. After so many years of tumultuous adventures and shared laughter, you felt everything drown away as the forefront of your mind became consumed by the imperious demands he was layering onto you. 

“James. You are being absolutely ridiculous right now, do you know that?” You huff out, arms crossed as you stare hotly ahead. 

Sirius is settled beside your brother, eyebrows drawn together as an uncharacteristically firm frown decorates his face. James clicks his tongue and pinches the bridge of his nose as he tries to catch your eyes, “Y/N, we’re being serious here. Siri and I are graduating soon and we won’t be able to look out for you when we’re gone.” 

“I’m sure you’ll find a way.” You mused stubbornly, fixating your gaze on the sprigs of tulips peeking at you from the polished coffee table. “Besides, what the hell are you even protecting me from? Regulus? He would never harm me.” 

“You don’t know that.” Sirius interjects, hands rubbing together as James shoots you an admonishing look. 

Astonished by the field of conversation, you shake your head as you finally face the two boys, “Sirius, this is your brother we’re talking about! Merlin, if anyone said anything like this about me, you’d both have their head, would you not?” Your narrowed eyes dart towards Sirius as he sighs, placing his hand up to placate you. 

“It’s different, Y/N. Regulus is going to take up my father’s mantle soon, and there’s no doubt that he’s already been brainwashed into following the Dark Lord.” Sirius mumbles, face now looking weary as he gazes out of the window behind you. 

You bite the inside of your cheek at the mention of the Dark Lord, aware that Regulus had been researching the man for a few months now. Internally, you found solid reason to believe in what your brother was advocating, but your longstanding friendship with Regulus turned you away from the decision to abandon him. 

“I’m not going to stop being friends with him.” You announce, eyebrow slanting up as Sirius made an effort to protest your proclamation. “But, if it eases your worries, we’ll strictly talk about school work.” 

James and Sirius share a long look of consideration before your brother turns to you and sighs, “Fine, but we won’t like it.” His acquiesce fills you with tepid relief, but you could count it as a temporary victory. 

In the stirring waves of your mind, you were completely aware that you’d make little effort to actually change your dynamic with the younger Black brother, knowing that the boy was much more capable of independent thinking than given credit for. 

The remainder of your Yule Break is spent buried in swaths of parchments and tomes with the occasional migraine from James’ antics. A cavernous pit materialized in your chest as you seemed to gradually wither away from stress, mind carouseling around the plethora of O.W.L. exams you needed to study for. 

On the penultimate day before you, James, and Sirius were due to return to Hogwarts, a familiar black-banded owl came fluttering to your bedroom window. Clambering around the strewn leaflets of paper and open textbooks on your floor, you gaily greet the owl with a wide grin, gently grasping at the letter between its beak. 

“It’s always nice to see you, Belenus.” You coo at the perceptive bird. 

Cracking your window open further, you muffle an amused huff as the owl teeters through, resting straightly on your windowsill as it examines the disarray of your room.

“Er, it’s been a long day.” You wave in elaboration, not perturbed by the near judgemental look that flashes across the bird’s eyes. “Did Reggie ask you to wait for my reply? The lack of patience in that boy, I swear.” 

Sitting down at your dimly-lit desk, you carefully unfurl the letter with trembling hands, heart skipping at the sight of the boy’s penmanship.  

Dear Y/N, 

I hope that everything is well for you. It is a shame that we are not able to convene before the end of break, however, I will give you your gift when we get back to the castle. I hope that Sirius is not giving you too much trouble, mother and father were never able to control his rambunctious behavior. However, he strangely settles after a cup of peppermint tea (his favorite brand is Lady Bramble’s).  

I know you are brimming with anxiety from our last conversation, and for that, I deeply apologize. You will be pleased to know that I have given it much thought as per my promise to you, and I think we should talk more about it when we get back. I have not yet made any permanent decisions. 

I have much to tell you after break. I miss you dearly.  

R.A.B

You suppress a smile at the last few words, head feeling light with unadulterated joy. Threading together inklings of composure, you sit up straight and begin to draft your response, fingers unsteady with shreds of nervousness. 

Reggie, 

The week has been long and difficult without you, I must admit. I hope you are faring better than me with your homework (I fear that I may not make it). James and Sirius pulled me aside a few days ago to advise me against remaining friends with you. It is growing dire, Reg. I don’t want to sour this exchange by rehashing our last conversation, but I want you to know that even though my love and loyalty for you runs deep, I am unwavering in my stance against You-Know-Who. 

If you are giving me my gift in person, I suppose I will do the same. As for the tea, thank you for the idea. Perhaps, I can test it on James to see if their uncanny likeness extends to calming agents as well. 

Delighted to hear from you, I miss you so much. 

Y/N

Once you reread the passage with attentive eyes, you nod once to yourself and prepare your wax seal. Weaving around the flush of work on your rug, you carefully give Belenus your letter. 

“Give him my regards, will you?” You whisper, running your index finger along the owl’s head. The creature tilts its head before shuffling through your window again, taking flight in the blink of an eye. 

Just as you begin to fall into a peaceful lull, elbows propped against your windowsill, a thunderous knock against your door has you nearly falling into the pane of glass. 

“Y/N! Come outside with us!” Sirius’ shouts bleed through the thick wood as if it were made of thin air, and you roll your eyes sky high, grateful that your mother was out shopping and not napping. 

“Hold your horses!” You yell back, scurrying over to fling your door open, heart still stuttering in its beats at the clamorous interruption. 

As you crack open your door with an unimpressed look, you’re met with Sirius’ shit-eating grin and a highly entertained James holding a pile of plastic-wrapped goodies. Your brother juggles the crinkling jumble before he balances one in his hand, flashing it around as he practically vibrates on the spot. 

“What’s that saying again, patience is virtue?” You mumble sarcastically. 

Sirius shakes his head and waves you off, “Being virtuous is boring.” 

“Right. Where did you get all of these from anyway?” You question breathlessly, reaching forward to snag one of the items from James’ arms.

Plecky’s Triple Ruby Ice Cream. The bulky square is icy to the touch, the packaging’s lurid colors buzzing against your eyes as Sirius begins to impatiently tug you down the hallway. 

“No time to explain, we have to eat all of these before mum and dad get home.” James offhandedly hums, marching behind you and Sirius as you pace down the stairs. 

“I hate you both, do you guys not have to study for your N.E.W.T exams?” You huff, batting at Sirius when he squeezes your shoulders. 

James lets out a hearty chuckle at your words and Sirius clicks his tongue goodheartedly before whispering to you, “Nope! Moony and Lils are going to help us after break.” 

You sigh into the air, hands limply flying up as you mutter lightly, “I don’t understand how they put up with you both, honestly.” 

James bounds forwards past you both, flinging himself through the open door and into the pool of sunlight as he calls back, “We’re both extremely loveable. Now, I bet I can eat more of these than you!” 

The next time you feel any semblance of peace is the day you return to Hogwarts, school work long forgotten about when you hurry to meet with Regulus in the astronomy tower. You had practically inhaled your dinner, leg bouncing with uninhibited anticipation the moment you locked eyes with your devastatingly pretty friend. 

Once you’re situated atop the staircase, you quickly survey the open room for the boy, eyes dancing across the atrium when you find that you’re alone. The stars begin to peek through the canvas of the sky, thinning streams of clouds drifting away as the mottles of luminous spheres grow in number. 

The wind whistles sharply as it bats against the aged stones of the castle walls, providing a steady white noise as you wait patiently against one of the many iron railings. Only a few moments after you grow comfortable in your spot, you hear the faint padding of footsteps ascending towards you. 

Regulus’ eyes widen imperceptibly when they land on your lax figure, his body jolting to hurriedly close in on yours, “You got here early. Are you not cold?” 

The boy reaches for your hand, humming when he finds your fingertips cold to the touch. Shaking your head, you deftly wrap your arms around him as you mumble into his ear, “It’s so good to see you, Reggie.” 

Regulus’ arms find themselves around your waist as he reciprocates your hug, nuzzling against your neck as he lets out a low hum. Your relationship was not clearly defined by any title, nor was it barred by any conventional lines, and for the most part, you wouldn’t exactly say it was platonic in nature. 

However, affection was limited to hugs and handholding, the situation between your families and the state of the political sphere too convoluted for anything beyond that. 

“How was your break, love?” He asks with a soft voice, fingers ghosting against your hips as his arms loosen so he can crane back to look at you. 

You smile and drop your head onto his shoulder, “It was good. Though, Sirius got a bit ill yesterday.”

“Oh?” Regulus’ voice edges on concern, but he can decipher the amused hint in your tone to know it isn’t worthy of unease. 

“We ate a load of ice cream the day before, and Sirius is weak to bets.” You answer, not missing the light chuckle that Regulus releases. 

A few beats of peaceful silence ensues before Regulus detangles himself from you, eyes searching your face as conflict flickers through his eyes. A heavy burden seems to weigh against his shoulders as he huffs out a sigh too considerable for someone so young. 

“What’s on your mind, Reg?” You mumble, hands dancing up to rest upon his taut shoulders. 

Regulus frowns minutely before he throws his head to the side and indulges, “I won’t last much longer.” 

“Pardon? Helga, are you alright?” Your eyes are blown wide as you try to catch the boy’s eyes. “Regulus, don’t dance around this, tell me what the hell you’re saying.” 

Regulus’ shoulders give a shake as he swallows a dry laugh, facing you again with serious eyes, “Sirius had the right idea from the start, and I was too blind to see that I should have packed and ran for the hills, too.” 

Shock blisters across your mind as you reel back to process the information, mouth drawn into a small gape as you assess the boy’s expression. “What’s with the sudden change? I mean not that I hate it, frankly, I quite like this, but you were still uncertain just days ago.” 

Regulus mulls over your question for a few moments, hands moving to encircle your arms as he muses, “I’ve been corresponding with my Uncle Alphie since the start of break, and he was able to give me a rather impartial crash course of everything. From then, I just had to pick up the pieces stripped away and build on the bare bones…” His words taper off as his mouth furls into a small frown. 

“Love, you’re going to give me a hernia from all this roundabout talking.” You jokingly reprimand, eyebrows raising as Regulus nervously cracks his neck. 

“My parents are not good people, and I’ve seen those that Bellatrix surrounds herself with–” the word death eaters was notably eschewed, “and, well, it all seems like drivel now. Besides, I don’t want to fight on any side of any battle if I have to lose you. Your letter was a pretty jarring wake up call.” He finishes, his hands now unconsciously moving you closer to him. 

“Well, fuck.” You whisper into the air, mouth curling into a content smile as Regulus relaxes. “I didn’t want to lose you either, and I’m glad that I don’t have to. We’ll figure something out, but I won’t ever let you step foot back in that house ever again.” You promise with a firm voice. 

Regulus nods and his eyes shine with conviction, the promise quelling the storms of doubt in his bones, and erasing the wedge between you both. 

“Can I do something?” Regulus whispers, eyes capturing yours with an entrancing glimmer. 

“As long as it's not throwing me over this railing, then yes.” You whisper back coyly. 

Regulus chuckles, face now inches away from yours as he shakes his head, “Never.” 

As the little promise escapes into the air, Regulus tugs you into him, lips finding your own as he pours every inkling of passion and love coursing through his veins into his ministrations. Your hand tangles in his curls as he continues to heatedly kiss you, the silent push-and-pull between you both now long forgotten. 

Humming against his lips, you give a small tug to his hair before you pull back with a shaky breath, “There’s no going back, Reg.” 

“Good.” His words are hushed as he places his forehead on yours, “You’re my only constant. Not a bloody thing in this world I’d rather do than be with you.” 

“Is this the gift you were talking about?” You mumble, suppressing the tsunami of heat threatening to dissolve your self-restraint as you peer at the breathless boy.

“No, but forget about it for now.” He hums, “I hope you don’t have anywhere to be, I intend on keeping you here until curfew, love.” 

You laugh lightly and run your thumb across his cheek, “Bloody troublesome, you are. I can see the resemblance between you and Sirius now.” 

“Please don’t bring my brother up while I’m trying to love you.” Regulus huffs, swallowing your next retort with his lips as he dives back in to claim your undivided attention again. 

Luckily, you both made it back to your dorms before curfew came to nip at your tangled figures in a slew of detention slips and reprimands. The shift in your relationship was noticeable, but it did little to hinder your day-to-day routine, the both of you still trembling under the weight of your studies. 

It was the Friday of your first week back when James and Sirius bounded towards your hunched figure, your hands littered with inky streaks and eyes squinting painfully at your textbooks. The library upheld a faint degree of chatter, and you were itching to track down Regulus (the boy was likely off at Quidditch practice). 

“Heya, kiddo!” Sirius beams, slinking his way over with a respectable amount of carelessness as a few students side-eye him. James is beside him, hands in pocket, sporting a pitiful frown. 

“What’s up? And what’s with the frown?” You muse, stretching your back as they both pull out the chairs across from you. 

Sirius snickers and leans over to obnoxiously whisper to you, “Lily gave him a good scolding earlier.” 

“Sorry to miss it. What’d you do? We all know it was your fault.” You perk an eyebrow up at your brother, refusing to back down even as he throws his hands up with a flabbergasted look. 

“Well–er…” Sirius trails off, mouth agape as you could practically see his brain stuttering in its hollow glory. 

James sends a resounding kick to the boy, and shakes his head as he turns to you, “Nothing, just a disagreement about a certain Slytherin.” 

“Severus?” You inquire, lips tugging into a frown at the thought of your (reluctant) Potions tutor. 

Sirius huffs at the mention of the boy and clicks his tongue, “No, not Sniv–” 

“Finish that remark and I will maim you, dear boy.” You narrow your eyes, quill pointed threateningly in his direction. 

Sirius throws his hands up in surrender and opts to shuffle one of your open books over to him, eyes running along the words with vague interest. James’ eyebrows furrow and he seems to be debating on saying something when you continue your prodding, “So not Severus. Don’t tell me… Were you both arguing about Reggie?” 

“What? No!” James refutes, head shaking furiously as irritation stews in your gut. 

“Don’t lie to me, you don’t care about any Slytherins other than Reggie and Severus. But why the hell were you talking about my social life, again?” You huff, arms crossing as you see Sirius tensely peek up from his reading. 

James sputters for a moment before he breathes in deeply, a stern expression overtaking his face as he straightens his posture, “Lily agrees that I should be more… open minded about your friendship with him–”

You perk up and throw your hands into the air, “See!” 

James puts a hand up and shoots you a small look, “However, I am your brother, and it’s in your best interest to distance yourself from him.” 

“My best interest, or yours?” You ask with narrowed eyes, beginning to pack up your supplies. “James, we can’t keep having this conversation. Why don’t you try sitting the both of us down and having a completely reasonable, civil conversation with us for once?” 

“Well–” He begins, a frown pressing down on his features. 

You shake your head and huff, “No more excuses. Either you put on your big boy pants and try to understand where I’m coming from, or you can continue to mope, but if you choose the latter, don’t even think about approaching me until graduation.”

Without another word, you sling your bag over your shoulder and march away, ignoring Sirius’ calls after you, your textbook still in his hands. As you storm through the winding corridors, evading the swaths of students milling around, you set your sights on the Quidditch Pitch. 

The sun escapes into the stacks of pillowy clouds as you round the field, giving you an opportunity to peer up into the skies and track down Regulus, a pleased hum escaping your throat as you see the team begin to descend from the air. 

Shifting your weight from leg-to-leg, you wait patiently as Regulus hurries to break away from the circle of Slytherin players, nodding distractedly at Rosier. A few moments later, Regulus strides over to you with a flickering grin, eyes alight with lingering endorphins and excitement. 

“Love, what are you doing here?” He breathes out, dropping a small kiss to your cheek as he maneuvers his broom to his left hand, leaving his right hand to brush his curls away from his face. 

Beaming at the boy, you hum, “Just wanted to see you. And perhaps talk to you about something.” 

Regulus tilts his head and nods agreeably, “What’s on your mind?” 

“I’m thinking about telling my parents about us, and maybe you can ask your Uncle Alphard about y’know… leaving your house?” You mutter, fingers twitching with nervousness as a look of consideration passes through Regulus’ eyes. 

“Well, I don’t mind your parents knowing, but I also don’t mind them not knowing. I don’t want you to get into any trouble,” He confesses, rolling his arm back to stretch his sore shoulders. “As for my situation, I think my uncle would be willing to help me get emancipated. I don’t want to intrude in his home though, my mother would probably blow it up if I stayed there.” 

“So don’t.” You hurriedly say. 

He rubs your arm as he hums, “Don’t?” 

“Don’t go to your Uncle’s. Stay with us.” You mumble, eyes pleading with him. 

“Love–” He starts, eyebrows drawn together. 

A resounding voice echoes from across the pitch before he can finish, diverting both of your attention away from one another, “Hey, Black! Don’t dawdle! Avery said he wants you here for strategy!” 

“Go ahead.” You whisper, patting Regulus’ arm with a reassuring smile as you begin to back away. 

“Hey,” He whispers back, stepping forward to grab your hand with a fatigued frown, “I love you.” 

“I love you too, we’ll talk later, yeah?” You muse, lips furling upward as you squeeze his hand in farewell. 

You linger ankle-deep in the damp grass for a few more moments, watching as Regulus disappears into the distance with one last glance over his shoulder. 

Almost like a robot being rewound, you spin on your heel and march back to the castle, mind racing with threads of words to send to your parents. 

Once in your dorm, you immediately launch yourself on your bed, head craning down for indistinguishable reels of minutes, occasionally stopping mid-sentence to ponder on your next thoughts. When you lift your quill up from the parchment with finality, your eyes dart from the paper to your window, squinting with a light bristle as painful clouds of blue mull in your vision, the lighting in the room now too dim for comfortable writing and reading. 

As the sky grows gloomier, the wisps of lingering clouds withdraw into invisibility and you’re left to race against time as you fold up the finished letter to your parents. 

Dear Mum & Dad, 

I hope that you are both well! Please be sure to get lots of rest! Also, may we stock up on Lady Bramble’s peppermint tea? 

Rest assured, I am studying well. James and Sirius are as well (surprisingly). 

I was wondering if I could ask for a very large favor that would require the utmost discretion… 

To be direct, Regulus and I are together, and he needs to find sanctuary away from his parents. His uncle is willing to aid him with the legal processes of the matter, but he has nowhere to turn to for the summer breaks. 

I know this is a lot to ask, and I also know it isn’t ideal (for a multitude of reasons), but I will be forever grateful for even the slightest bit of deliberation. Please get back to me as soon as you can. Also, please don’t tell James. 

Your favorite child, 

Y/N 

The spiral of waiting threatened to tip you over the verge of complete impulsivity, one that would lead to you exposing your relationship prematurely and the subsequent Regulus-hunting that would ensue on your brother’s part. 

It had only been a couple of days since you sent off the letter to your parents, and at first you had been suspicious that your brother had somehow found out. After your disagreement with him in the library, he had been strangely distant, only occasionally giving you long, indistinguishable looks. 

Your sudden withdrawal from your brother and his circle spurred deep concern from your friends, and especially from Regulus, who managed to subtly bring up the development during every conversation you had with him. 

“Are you nervous?” You ask with a small frown, watching Regulus fiddle with his pot of ink. 

The boy shakes his head and flicks the ebony glass, “Not really. Rosier has been keeping an eye out on their new strategies and formations.” Regulus finally looks up and leans across the table toward you, “You’re coming to watch, right?” 

Rolling your eyes playfully, you hum lightly, “When have I ever missed one of your games?” 

“Right… and you’ll cheer for us?” His eyes run along your face as you furrow your eyebrows. 

“Yes… like I always do. Are we playing twenty questions now, love?” You huff out with a breathy laugh, intrigue only swelling higher when Regulus says nothing and gives you a small, uneasy grin. “Okay, what’s up? You’re looking at me the way I look at Severus when I accidentally mince my cowbane instead of chopping it.” 

“Poor Severus.” Regulus hums, eyes retracting into a sheen glaze as he reminisces on your ineptitude in Potions. “Anyway, it’s just… we’re playing Gryffindor.” He continues, mouth parting slightly when you squint at him. 

“Yes, Regulus, I know. Are you alright, dear?” You enunciate with blatant concern, head tilting to survey the boy’s uncharacteristic apprehension.

He clears his throat softly and shrugs, “I’m alright, I just don’t want you to be put in a weird place because your brother is also playing.” 

“Merlin, Regulus. So this is what you’re getting at.” You click your tongue with a small smile, reaching over to pat his hand, “Don’t stress yourself out, I always cheer for you.” 

“Uh? Ouch.” A familiar voice echoes from your right, tearing through the little bubble of comfort you’ve established with Regulus.

Swiveling your head over to the interruption, you narrow your eyes at the perpetrator and huff a small Hello, James. 

“Yeah, hi.” He blinks emphatically, “Please tell me you’re joking.” 

Regulus flips his hand over and threads his fingers with yours as you direct your full attention to James, “About cheering for Regulus? Well, I’m not.” 

James holds up a hand and sighs, “Okay, that’s a whole different discussion to be had. But I’m not here to argue. Sirius and I,” James leans to the side and gestures, but when he meets nothing but dusty air, he chokes on his spit and fully turns around, “Sirius?” 

You and Regulus exchange a concerned glance as James continues to talk to one of the bookshelves, “Sirius, what are you doing?” 

A fragile silence collects in the air as the three of you seem to share a collective perplexion, all waiting with bated breath. Regulus runs a hand through his hair as he frowns at James, likely questioning the boy’s sanity. 

Finally, Sirius’ broad figure emerges from behind a bookshelf, eyes wide with sheepishness as he makes eye contact with you and Regulus. “Hey, guys.” 

“Sirius.” Regulus greets with a stiff nod, fingers tightening against yours. 

“Why were you behind a bookshelf?” You hum, wrestling down an amused smile as James presses Sirius with a similar questioning look. 

Sirius chuckles dryly and walks over to your table, sitting on the edge as he slides a book toward you, “I was waiting. I honestly thought you’d hex Prongs to next Yule.” 

“Smart. What’s this?” You pick up the tome, exhaling loudly once you see it’s the book that you left in Sirius’ possession after you stormed away days prior. 

Sirius taps his fingers against the table and gives an exaggerated nod to James, throwing his arm towards an empty chair as your brother shuffles awkwardly on the sidelines. 

“Right.” James muses, hurrying to take a seat as Sirius slides over to make room. “We’re here because we wanted to talk to you.” He chews on his bottom lip and glances at Regulus, “The both of you.” 

Regulus nods and looks to you for confirmation before sitting up, “We’re listening.” 

“Well, it’s just that… you can’t be that bad.” James says, rubbing his shoulder as he nods at Regulus. 

Regulus rubs his thumb along your hand as he coughs out a laugh, “Uh, thanks. You too?” 

“And if it’s true that you’re… changing, then Sirius and I are very happy at the end of the day.” James finishes, now more confident as Sirius reaffirms his statement with his own light hum. Sirius rubs a hand down his mouth as he seems to debate on what to say to his brother, eyes flickering between Regulus and the far wall. 

“Well, I’m glad then.” Regulus adds, shooting you a relieved smile. 

Sirius clears his throat and paces towards Regulus, clapping his hand on the boy’s shoulder as his voice thickens with emotion, “I’m really relieved, Reggie.” 

“Yeah, me too. It will be different now.” Regulus promises with a whisper, smiling up at his brother with resolution. 

As Regulus and Sirius have their little moment, James knocks his shoe against yours to grab your attention. “Here. This came with my mail today. Don’t worry, I didn’t peek or anything.”

Quirking an eyebrow up, you slowly reach forward as James extends an envelope to you, eyes brimming with curiosity as he surveys you. “From Mum and Dad?” You murmur rhetorically, getting an affirming grunt from James in return. 

Ripping open the thick paper, you deftly extract the folded letter with coiled anxiety, head beginning to feel heavy as you anticipate the letter’s contents. Unfurling the crisp pages, your eyes run over the passage of ink, sinking into concentration as everything fades into the backdrop of your mind. 

Y/N, 

You should finish the rest of your other teas first, however, I bought a few tins of the peppermint tea as they were on sale.  

I cannot say I am surprised by the development of your relationship with Regulus, you and James were always attached to the Black brothers since youth. We are not able to house the boy comfortably for the sake of safety, it is entirely too unpredictable to have both runaway heirs under one roof. However, your father and I discussed the matter and we have decided that Regulus may be safe at Godric’s Hollow for the summer. The plot is untraceable and not widely known about outside of our family. We will send along a portkey for him to take near the end of the school year. 

Your father is expecting an explanation when we see you next. 

Please look out for your brother. 

Your father and I love you lots, dear. 

With love, 

Mum

A cold pin of disbelief rocks through you for a few moments before blind elation envelopes it and has you sighing into the air. Dropping the letter down, you smile widely and practically fly over the table, grabbing at Regulus’ tie. The boy darts his eyes to you in alarm before his eyes light up at the joy written across your expression, “Love?” 

“You’re going away for the summer.” You whisper enigmatically, a grin stretching at your lips when Regulus’ eyes widen further. 

“I am?” 

Nodding, you lean forward and press your lips against his, “My parents gave the okay.” 

Regulus laughs brightly and pushes up from his seat, cupping your face as he reciprocates your kiss. You both continue to exchange affection as Sirius and James drift off to the side, disgruntled and looking anywhere but at you both. 

Amidst running your hands into Regulus’ curls, you vaguely hear James muttering under his breath. 

“Sirius, you better go wrench your brother away before I make you an only child.” 

masterlist

[atydblack]

trouvaille

regulus black x slytherin!reader

masterlist

this is part one of an ongoing series! think there will be 3 parts in total <3 no cws as this is gonna be pure angst

Being James Potter's younger sister inquired a lot to live up to. James was the perfect Gryffindor student who succeeded in all his classes, exuded confidence with his every word, had soulmates for friends and an even better girlfriend.

You, however, were almost the opposite.

You were sorted into Slytherin in your first year and although they tried their best to hide it, you could see the disappointment in James and his friends eyes as you walked over to the Slytherin table. Your parents were still accepting but there was some clear favouritism in the family, no doubt. You did well in classes however didn't ever see yourself becoming a prefect like James or being top of any classes.

You sat in potions next to your best friend, Lara. Her straight blonde hair and bright blue eyes opposed my black curly hair and dark brown eyes. You had always been jealous of her, she was the type to catch everyone's eye when she walked into a room while you just trudged in behind her.

"Do you have idea what this question means?" Lara asks you, huffing slightly as she rested her chin in her hand.

"You really think I'd have the answer if you didn't?" You joked. You glanced up at Slughorn who had started dozing off behind his desk and you smirked. "Look."

Lara mirrored your smirk and you both dropped your quills on the desk to turn around and start talking with your friends instead.

"I'm bored out of my mind." Lara groaned to your other friend Freya sat behind you.

"Slughorn says if we don't get these all finished, he's gonna give us all detention until we get them done." Freya rolled her eyes, but you could clearly see that she'd almost finished.

"Have you got the number to 42?" You asked her with wide eyes, trying to sway her in to letting you copy her. "And 43, 44, 45... and the rest?"

"Merlin your voices are retched." A voice came from a couple desks to your right, none other than Enoch Wilkes. He was a tall boy with sleeked back greasy hair and a superiority complex due to his family heritage.

"What's your problem, Wilkes?" Lara shot at him.

"I'm trying to actually do my work but all I can hear is Potter's squeaky voice in my ear." Wilkes replied with a grunt.

"She's just as unbearable as Saint Potter except dumber." Icarus Nott joined in from next to him.

"What did you just say?" You spat, standing to your feet and making your way over to them with your wand gripped tightly in your palm, willing to do anything to stand up for your older brother. There was a third boy sat with them, Regulus Black.

Regulus had always been quiet, however he never failed to be part of the horrid Slytherins who gave your house a bad name and thought they were elite causing them to look down on everyone else. He had only made a few sly comments in past years, but everyone knew his thoughts on muggle blood.

You were also a pureblood, but would never allow yourself to feel any prejudice towards anyone else.

You couldn't deny that Regulus was attractive. He looked a lot like Sirius... however his facial features were softer. His dark black hair fell onto his forehead effortlessly and his green eyes complimented his pale skin.

"You heard me." Nott mocked you, not moving from his seat. You had gained a small audience as everyone's head turned towards you.

"What an embarrassment having a Gryffindor blood traitor for a brother." Wilkes joked, not backing down. "At least Black had the right idea and cut his off, what's stopping you from doing the same?"

"Y/N, sit down." Freya begged from across the classroom, not wanting to get either of you in trouble. "He's not worth it."

"You have no idea what you're talking about." You smirked, holding up your wand and pointing it right at him.

You were closest to Sirius out of all your brothers friends. He had moved in with your family two years ago after he left his family and you'd always been there for him, especially during everything that happened with his brother Regulus. Regulus was clearly a lost soul, strung along on the same ideologies as his parents however he would send letters to Sirius every once and a while but continued to act like he didn't exist at school.

"Leave it, Wilkes." Regulus muttered. Funny this is the first time he had ever attempted to stick up for you and it was only to save his own back.

"What's she talking about, Black?" Nott glanced at him, but Regulus' eyes were set on yours as you stared each other down. You knew you would never actually say anything to expose Regulus as doing so would only hurt Sirius too, but you could sense how scared he was that you'd open your mouth.

"She's a freak." Wilkes chuckled. "Just like her brother."

This sent you over the edge as everything turned red. You dropped your wand to the floor and quickly punched Wilkes square in the nose.

"Olive!" Lara shouted from across the classroom.

You felt a pair of strong arms pulling you back as you attempted to go in for another hit.

"What on earth is going on?!" Slughorn announced and you all froze. You turned around to see it was in fact Regulus' arms that were holding you back and a brush grew on your cheeks. "Black, Potter - sit down at once!"

You both complied, with a guilty expression you made your way back over to your desk and your friends gave you an apologetic look.

"I expect to see you both after class." Slughorn continued.

"But sir-!" Nott shouted, attempting to stick up for Regulus.

"I don't want to hear it." Slughorn quickly cut him off earning a scoff from the boy.

The lesson felt like it took hours to end but you felt slightly ill in your stomach when everyone else was packing up to leave but you and Regulus sat firmly in your seats.

"We'll be in the great hall; I'll save you a seat." Lara smiled at you before her and Freya took off out the classroom and to dinner.

"Both of you have detention with Filch every night after dinner starting tomorrow." Slughorn mumbled, uninterested. You scoffed as you were way too used to detention with Filch now.

When you were dismissed, you quickly stood to your feet and attempted to leave ahead off Regulus to avoid any awkwardness. You began walking down the corridor, ready to rant to James about what had occured.

"Potter!" Regulus called from behind you. You stopped in your tracks and turned on your feet with a confused expression on your face. He approached you slowly and timidly before speaking. "I-uh. I wanted to thank you for not saying anything about Sirius and I."

"I didn't do it for you. I did it for Sirius." You mutter before turning back around and leaving him there dumbfounded.

You reach the great hall and make a B line for your brother and his friends. James smirked at you as you approach him with a sour expression on your face before sitting in between him and Sirius, your green robes standing out in the sea of red.

"What's up with you, Y/N?" Sirius smirked before patting me on the top of your head.

"I've got detention again this week." You huff, crossing your arms and leaning them on the table.

"How do you manage to get yourself into so much trouble?" Lily quizzed you, a humorous look on her face that mirrored the rest of the group.

"She takes after me, that's why." James joked but you only rolled your eyes in response.

"Yeah, apart from the brains." You sigh, leaning your head on Sirius' shoulder. You glanced over at the Slytherin table and quickly caught eyes with Regulus, who must have been staring at you. You kept eye contact for a short moment before he turned his head and acted like it never happened. You furrow your eyebrows and listed your head once again. "At least I'm the better-looking sibling." You continue, causing everyone to laugh.

"Keep dreaming, kiddo." James rolled his eyes.

"Go on then, what did you do this time?" Remus questions you.

"I punched Enoch Wilkes in the nose during potions." You say smugly causing everyone to laugh once again.

"I would advise you that violence isn't the answer, however we can make some exceptions for people like that." Remus smirked.

"Tell me about it, they're horrid." You scoff before stealing some food from James plate. "No offence obviously, Sirius."

"Go ahead," Sirius chuckled. "I had to endure it for most of my life."

[slytherweasley]

Bet (Regulus Black x reader)

Warnings: angst, smut, unprotected sex

Summary: Regulus makes a bet with his friends to take y/n’s virginity but things end up badly after he succeeds and y/n figures out it’s all a lie.

As you walk past the group of Slytherin boys their heads follow you as you walk through the great hall and meet your friends at the Gryffindor table. “Can you believe she’s still a virgin?” One of the boys asks in disbelief “I still don’t believe the whole innocence act” “she’s a tease, I’d hardly call her innocent” Regulus says.

“Well someone’s going to be the lucky one, one day” “I bet I could be” Regulus says confidently “Alright, it’s a bet. You have three weeks” his friend challenges. “You’ve got a deal, three weeks.”

Most guys had tried but they never succeeded. However, Regulus knew how to gain your trust. He had three weeks yet he decided to take it slow.

You already knew him fairly well since you are good friends with his brother, Sirius and you’d visited the Black home before. Which meant it wasn’t unusual for him to make conversation with you and you wouldn’t suspect that anything was corrupt.

Everyday you’d see him more and more until you would be spending breakfast, lunch and dinner together talking and laughing. He was friendly but slightly flirtatious. Her tuck your hair behind your ear and maintain longing looks from across the room, he’d walk you to the common room and kiss your cheek before you left.

He’d been playing it slow but after 2 and a half weeks it was time for him to make a move. Sirius had his doubts about his brother’s intentions and he made it clear to you that you shouldn’t fully trust him or his intentions. However, you were captured by his charm and you didn’t notice any possible warning signs such as Regulus inviting you to his empty dorm room to hang out.

You walked with him after dinner, he let you into his dorm and the two of you sat close to each other on his bed. The conversation flowed and Regulus found the perfect moment to make his move. As you talk with a smile on your face he leans in and you go silent, he presses a kiss to your lips and you reciprocate.

The kiss starts off slow and passionate and he advances smoothly, his hand guides you onto his lap, his hand slides from your back to your bum squeezing softly. You were completely comfortable.

Shortly after you started to unbutton his shirt and he removes yours leaving you in your bra and school skirt. His lips leave yours and move down your neck to your chest placing a hickey on your breasts, still covered by your bra.

He removes your skirt and you fiddle with the button of his pants and unzip them, he gets out of them and kisses you again. You unclasp your bra while he kisses you and throw it to the ground. He lays you on his bed and his lips kiss down your stomach and removes your underwear.

A finger dips into your folds to find you’re incredibly wet. He palms himself over his underwear and removes them. He spreads your legs and you watch him, your eyes are filled with innocence.

“Please” you beg, he holds your hand up to his mouth and kisses it before he lines himself up with your entrance and pushes himself inside you. You grit your teeth, the feeling is foreign but not painful. He starts to move slowly then you start feeling more comfortable. Your body relaxes and Regulus senses that as he starts to find a good pace.

You hold onto his shoulder as you watch his face, he doesn’t even glance at you once. Your mouth parts and you let out moans as you feel a tightening in your stomach. You can see Regulus looks more concentrated and grunts leave his mouth. Your feelings are heightened and you feel you are close, for the first time he starts to watch you as you have your first orgasm.

He pulls out and finishes on your stomach as you try to catch your breath and collect your thoughts. He lays beside you in silence, you break the silence after minutes “that was really good thanks Reg” you lean over to kiss him but he dodges your kiss “I think you should go, I’m tired” he says “oh” you reply sitting up “I need to clean myself” he reaches beside the bed and passes you a tissue.

You wipe your stomach with a tissue and get dressed. “I’ll see you tomorrow” you say “maybe, just so you know this means nothing” in that moment you feel your heart break “I know” you say quietly “so don’t go around telling your friends we are together or whatever because we aren’t.”

You composed yourself until you made it out of the dungeons, immediately you started sobbing. You cried yourself to sleep knowing you were being played the whole time and you never wanted your first time to be a one time thing.

Regulus won the bet but he didn’t feel like a winner especially when he saw you walk into class with red puffy eyes as you made direct eye contact and you sat on the opposite side of the room. You could never forgive him.

[sebbianas]

Regulus Black, age 7, watching the sunrise knowing he’s finally able to leave his room that day after being locked for a week

Regulus Black, age 10, watching the sunrise knowing his brother is leaving him alone for the first time and feeling scared

Regulus Black, age 11, watching the sunrise knowing that he has to make a choice to be brave like his brother or to survive

Regulus Black, age 14, watching the sunrise waiting for a brother who will never come home again

Regulus Black, age 15, not watching the sunrise instead he was watching a boy who could outshine the sun

Regulus Black, age 16, watching the sunrise knowing his life wasnt his own anymore

Regulus Black, age 17, watching the sunrise heartbroken and alone knowing he’ll never feel warm again

Regulus Black, age 18, watching the sunrise knowing its the last time he’ll ever see it again

[patrophthia]

you know me like no other | regulus black

⇢ now playing 'get up’ : track 3

pairing: regulus black x reader

wc: 1.9k

genre: fluff, best friends to lovers!!, very slight angst, both reader and regulus are lovesick idiots

note: thank you to @lucy-is-never-logical for being so kind and reading this over for me, i owe my heart to you!!!

summary: to love is to sacrifice, and to love your best friend is to apparently make jokes about wanting to have grandchildren with them.

Regulus gaze lingers on you, even through the flailing hands and flashing lights; you are his only sole focus. You and the drink in his hand. 

His eyes dropped down, finally looking at something that wasn't you for once. A party wasn't really his scene, it's yours, and you wanted him to be here with you so here he is. He could only hope he seems cool to you.  

"Hey?" There's a tap on his shoulder. "You want to get out of here?" 

Regulus licks at his lips and looks at you, slowly —almost painfully, he nods. And you smile at him; your hand slipping into his as if it belonged there to lead him out the door. 

He's walking by your side, drink still in his hand. You bump into him slightly, purposely even; trying to grab his attention as you did so. "You know," you begin, dragging out your words, "you don't have to come to these parties if you don't want to."

He wants to nod, it's his habit to answer people by nodding by now. But it feels wrong to just nod at you so instead, he says: "I know." 

"Then why do you always look so lost whenever you're at them?" You ask him with a small smile. "And why do you even come to them?" 

"Someone needs to look out for you," he admits bashfully, "you can get pretty reckless, you know?"

"And you think you're looking out for me?" You're teasing him, ghost of a smile never leaving your face. "You know every time you come to one of these parties I always end up leaving early with you."

"... do you want me to stop coming?" 

There's a pause, and before he knows it, you're frowning. "That's not what I said." 

"That's what it sounds like," he murmurs. 

"I don't mean it like that, baby," you reply softly. When you started calling him baby exactly, he can't remember —what he remembers about it though, is why you started calling him it. "I just meant that, if you don't like these things you shouldn't come because I'll end up leaving early with you and it's no fun for the both of us." 

"So you're saying I'm no fun?" He's teasing you, really, he is, but his tone remains so serious that you seem to not be getting it. 

"Reg," you drag out, there's a small look of frustration on your face and he can't help but find it cute. "You know I don't mean it like that." 

He finishes up his drink, your hand slipping from his as he did so; pinkies left intertwined in the process. "I do." 

It's later that night, with you tucked under your blanket, slipping in and out of sleep did your friend return back from the party. They're quiet at first, careful to not wake you to only find you still somewhat awake. 

There's a small tsk from one of them, frowning as she says: "you’re sacrificing your own fun for him again?" 

"I have fun with Reg." Was your argument, words blurring into one another as you tried to defend yourself. "I'm not sacrificing anything." 

"Right," she scoffs, "especially not your love life." 

There's a slight implication in her words, your brows furrowing as you think of a reply. "What does he have anything to do with my love life?"

"You're always with him, you know? You're with him everyday and it's like you're always putting him first," she says, wiping away at her make up. "You've been excited for this party for weeks and we were barely thirty minutes in and you leave all because of Regulus? How does that work?" 

You blink slowly at her, awake enough to think it through. "He's my best friend." 

"That's your argument?" She asks softly. "Does he think of you as his best friend then? Because I'm starting to think otherwise." 

Your voice is soft and hushed, whispering in the dark of the night. "What do you mean?" 

"I don't think he thinks of you as his best friend," she says lowly, switching off her lights, "I think he thinks of you as something more." 

There's a rustling of blankets, your friend slipping under her comforter as the question whether Regulus was asleep by now crept into your mind. "Like?"

"His girlfriend." 

And if you'd thought of him as your best friend, would you really be wondering whether he was asleep by now? Maybe not. Maybe you should go to sleep. 

You fall asleep with a lot on your mind that night. Though it might not seem like it, you're sure that Regulus thinks of you as often as you think of him —or at least you hope so, or else you've spent the past few years of your life working yourself over nothing.

"Reg.” It’s a Hogsmeade weekend, the two of you walking side by side —pinkies connecting to one another just to keep you from getting lost within the growing crowd. “I told you that I’d pay this time.” 

“Mhmm.” He only nods. “I’m sure you do. But my mother taught me to never let a woman pay if they’re going out with me.” 

“I’m not exactly going out with you though?” It’s getting colder now, the first snow expecting to have fallen at any given moment. Regulus’ cheeks are flushed, the tip of his nose tinged just a adorably. “We’re just two friends hanging out.” 

“And?” He asks, as if what you said was going to change anything. “As if you’ll have to pay for anything when I’m here.” 

Though you understand that he was rich enough to buy the entire of Hogsmeade, and that friends paid for their friends from time to time; Regulus always having paid for you —and continuing to do as you speak— didn’t feel right. 

“If I asked you to pay for a mansion, would you then?” You ask rhetorically, annoyed by his behavior. 

He looks at you, short curls bouncing as he tilts his head to the side. “If you asked me to then why wouldn’t I?” 

Regulus lips curls when you roll your eyes at him. “What?” He chuckles, eyes glinting prettily. 

“You can’t say stuff like that baby,” you tell him, “you say that to a girl and they’ll start thinking of names to name your grandchildren with them.” 

His chuckle turns into a full laugh, his nose scrunching in the process. “You already call me baby, I don’t think me wanting to pay for you is what would push someone to think of names for their grandchildren.” 

“Are you saying me calling you baby makes you think of having grandchildren with me?” You giggle. “I only call you baby because Sirius calls you it.” 

He turns his face to the side bashfully, cheeks red whether from the cold or from embarrassment, you can’t tell. “It’s different with you.” 

“Is it?” There’s a slight lilt in your words. “Is it really?” 

“Yeah.” It’s soft, barely audible against the sound of people passing by. “Being his baby and being your baby feels different. He doesn’t know me like you know me neither does he see me like you do.” 

There’s a shift in the air, the atmosphere feeling tranquil for second; your heartbeat being the only sound you could truly hear.

“Apparently I don’t see you like how my friend does either,” you murmur, Regulus turning to you with furrowed brows as you did so. “They’re starting to think that we're more than what we tell them." 

It takes Regulus a good minute for his ears to catch up with your words. "They think we're hooking up?" 

"Not hooking up perse." You shrug. "More like secretly dating." 

"They think we're together?" 

"Mhmm." 

Is it wrong that he doesn't mind it one bit? That people thought the two of you were together? Maybe. 

"Is it cool with you?" 

"Hmm?" Regulus hums questioningly, not having hearing anything you've said passed your confirmation.

"Does it bother you that they think we're dating?" You ask again with a small laugh. 

". . . No?" He answers slowly, his shoulder bumping against yours as he did so. "As long as it's cool with you."

"It is." You nod. "You want to know something else?" 

He's attentive and slow, watching you carefully as you speak. "Yes?" 

"I'm starting to think that we are too." 

Oh? 

"We already do all the couple-ey stuff just without labels, you know?" You ask him, the two of you slowing down your pace as you spoke. "We hold hands, we put each other first always, and you're always on my mind it exhausts me." 

"But . . ." He pauses, eyes cloudy. "Isn't that just what friends do?" 

"Maybe," you offer with a shrug, "but I don't think about my friends the way I think about you." 

"Which is?" Regulus prompts. 

You seem, oddly enough, embarrassed. "How much I want to kiss you." 

"Does it matter then?" 

It's your turn to be confused. "Hmm?" You hummed. 

"Does it matter what your friends say then? Whether we're together or not?" He asks, eyeing your hand in his. 

"Reg, what are you saying?" 

"Maybe there's some truth to it —what your friends said." Regulus is hesitant, slowly chopping up the courage to continue on his tangent. "If it's cool with you then I don't see why we couldn't be together."

For a minute it's quiet, his words going from one ear to the other without really full processing it. 

"You like me?" 

There's a dry laugh that coughs up his throat, it's cold and you hope to never hear it ever again. "Is that not obvious?"

"No?" You're gazing up at him, seeing him in a different light. "Obviously not or else I'd have made a move on you by now." 

There’s an amused smile on his face. "How so?" 

"I don’t know," you huff out with a small laugh, “I’d probably kissed you by now.” 

Regulus' eyes drops from your face to his feet, lips pursed as he find the floor incredibly interesting. How does one react to that? How does he react to this? 

He peers back up at you, eyes softening as he took a step forward; a hand reaching up to cup your face. The palm of his hand, rough and scarred presses against the cushion of your cheek. 

And as he leans down towards you, your eyes finds themselves fluttering shut; reaching up on your tippy toes to close the distance between you and him. 

The kiss is slow, soft, gentle, and loving in every way. Years of unrequited feelings oozing out with every passing second. 

You're the first to pull away, watching as his pupil blows wide in front of you; taking every inch of you into his memories. 

Slowly, you ask. "Does this mean you're my boyfriend now?" 

Regulus finds himself smiling at your words, sure that he's looking foolish as he did so. "Mhmm," he nods, "for as long as you'll have me."

— from bee: regulus’ installment is finally here, now for remus’ hehe

[heaven4lostgirls]

Can you pretty pleaaassse write for regulus black x reader angst

Where they were friends and got along really well and because they're both pureblooded there families arranged marriage for them. But then regulus gets paranoid and starts to think badly of you and thinks that you were only ever nice to him so that your parents would arrange marriage. And he thinks that you hold the same awful pureblood beliefs as both of your parents and he is afraid to say anything about it incase you tell his family that he doesn't really believe that muggles are lesser. Then regulus is quite distant and mean in your marriage and he eventually comes to his senses when he realises how upset you are and how much his distance hurts you and he can hear you crying yourself to sleep

pairing: regulus black x fem!reader

warning: angst, regulus is a bit of a dick but he comes around ! miscommunication (i’m sorry✊)

summary: request above

authors note: hi! sorry this took forever, i’m really bad at keeping up with requests but i hope you enjoy this, i always say im hoping to get back into writing but it’s always touch and go, my mental health isn’t great a lot of the time and uni just piles on so much more, hopefully you guys understand ! 🫶🩷

regulus wasn’t used to people sticking around, he had been abandoned by the only person he ever truly cared about and left to fend for himself. which was why he assumed when news of his engagement to you was announced by his parents, at a shared dinner party for the sacred 28, you two would simply…co-exist. never fully acknowledging the others presence yet acquaintances at best.

what a shock to his system it was when he grew to know what a wonderful person you were, never abrasive or hostile like his parents, never boastful like most of the pureblood families he knew, instead you were the embodiment of everything he never knew he wanted, a calm to the raging angst inside of him he couldn’t quell after sirius had left, and that alone left him scared more than any of his parents threats to present him to the dark lord as a servant.

you two had formed a quick friendship due to the circumstances surrounding your fast paced engagement, you were set to marry next august and your engagement had only been announced in april. regulus had no problem performing his duties to his family, however this one came with little to no reluctance from either of you as feelings of love and respect blossomed from the friendship you two shared.

however, as time passed, regulus could slowly but surely feel his walls he had fought so hard to build up, crack. he couldn’t fathom why someone like you would feel so comfortable around him, how you somehow managed to worm your way under his skin like no one ever could, not even sirius.

except as time flew by, he had somehow found some of that “gryffindor courage” as james potter always declared, to tell you about his feelings, emphasizing that if you wished, he would never bring up again if you did not reciprocate and you two would still move forward together into marriage as friends.

to his surprise, you were much more welcoming to his feelings than expected, you two had shared a small kiss as you leant your forehead against his and claimed “i was just waiting for you to see me.”

since you two were already a couple in the eyes of the public, the only people he had really had to tell was your shared friends. as expected, they all reacted joyfully to the news and you both carried through the rest of your year no longer pretending to be in love, but actually falling into it.

however, at the beginning of your 6th year, you could tell something had shifted between yours and regulus’ dynamic. no longer was he patient and comforting, instead he was judgmental and fast to anger. some part of you knew it had to do with his parents but you didn’t have the heart to push your questions onto him.

as time passed you watched as he distanced himself from you, pushing away your touches, rejecting your offers to hang out, blowing you off when he would eventually agree. you could only handle so much of his behavior before you eventually broke when telling your friends.

“i don’t know what to do anymore, it’s like walking on eggshells whenever he’s around because im scared of him snapping at me for breathing too loud” you vent to your friends as you place your hands on your eyes to try keep the tears at bay.

“how longs this been going on y/n?” pandora asks softly as she shares a concerned look with lily. you blubber out as answer that sounds like “a couple of months” as tears leak past your palms.

“i can’t keep doing this” you emphasize to them both, “and you know i can’t break up with him because we still have to get married-“

“break up?!” lily questions surprised, “you can’t be serious y/n.” she says as she places a hand on your shoulder.

“i think you need to talk to him” pandora says again as she smiles softly at you as you look at her with tear filled eyes.

“…what if he doesn’t want me anymore?” you whisper, too afraid to say it out loud in fear of it coming true.

“oh love” lily coos as she drags you into a small cuddle with her and pandora, “you’re gonna need to ask him to know that y/n” she whispers as she rubs your back.

you sigh heavily and nod before looking at the both of them. “okay” you concede as you try and form some sort of a plan to confront regulus, your anxiety spikes at the thought of him not wanting your relationship anymore, you couldn’t imagine a marriage with the man you loved where his feelings weren’t reciprocated.

the next day, you planned to corner regulus at the library before dinner but as you walked up to his table, you heard the voice of not only regulus, but barty as well.

“reg, you know you’re hurting her by ignoring her” barty says with a sigh as you pause behind a bookshelf near the table to eavesdrop.

“you know better than i, that i can never be with someone who thinks the way she does…its disgusting” regulus says with a sneer but you can hear how disappointed he is by the statement.

disgusting? he thinks i’m…disgusting? what is he even talking about? you don’t think you’ve ever done anything remotely bad enough to be called disgusting.

“how do you know she thinks like them?” barty implores and you hear regulus sigh, “you’ve seen how she acts when the sacred 28 talks about the muggles” he says and you frown, part of being a child of one of the sacred 28 meant you had to act your part, regulus knew that better than anyone else. so why was he suddenly judging you and telling barty about your issues when he couldn’t even give you the time of day?

“i don’t know if i can marry someone like her” regulus says again and your heart drops. someone like her, you repeat in your head, every insecurity you ever worked through, comes back in tenfold from that sentence alone. you stumble on your feet from the flashes of tears and heartache from all your deepest points of sorrow.

you shake your head and straighten your back before reminding yourself, if he wants a true pureblood wife, that’s what i’ll be. quiet, docile,…perfect.

your wedding approaches faster than you can imagine, dress fittings, bridal party dresses and events all pass with a blur. never fully there, you encompass a state of numbness.

regulus and all your friends notice how you slowly fall into the facade you usually have in front of your parents, instead this time, it never breaks in front of them.

regulus waits for you to come to him, to seek his comfort like you have so many times before, but it never comes.

he spends his nights worrying about you, questioning if it’s something he’s done, you’re still sweet and loving to him, just…more hollow than you were before.

you embody the perfect pureblood princess and he couldn’t hate it more, he hears from people around you how you’re not sleeping, always coming to class in a perfect face of makeup everyday when you usually only used skincare, in beautiful dresses for hogsmead days when you used to use comfortable clothes.

he tries to talk to you, to question why you’ve somehow flipped the switch out of nowhere, but they go unanswered.

the day of your wedding, he can see past the makeup, your sunken in eyes and red eyes. he still places a soft smile on his face as you stare passively into the distance, never making eye contact with him while saying your vows.

the distance between the both of you grows larger as he starts to believe that this was the life you truly wanted, a prince and princess, a couple born out of need not out of love, arranged perfectly to fit the narrative of pureblood royalty.

however, one night he falls asleep later than usual and hears you cry into your pillow, small pleas of being good enough for him as your body shakes with small sobs. he resists the urge to reach out to you in fear of you not recieving his touch well.

he lies awake as he hears you say, “i’m not like i was before, please let him love me now, oh merlin please” you whisper with clenched hands and eyes that leak tears. his heart breaks at the thought of you existing to please him.

he had seen how his mother had done the same for his father, how she turned cold and abusive with no comfort and love from her partner, how she pushed her self hatred onto her children. how that pushed her eldest son to run away.

he spends the next week racking his brain for what he could’ve done for you to think that way before he realises that the summer after his 5th year, his parents had implored him never to give you anything more than the bare minimum because nobody could be trusted. he remembers pulling away from you and pushing you away in fear of you using him for his fortune.

the idea that his parents had made him internalize that you would never love him just for him, you were moving into this marriage not because of your shared love but because of necessity. his heart drops out of his chest as he realizes all of this must have translated to you and that he now had a lot to make up for.

he plans out meticulously how to get his wife back and slowly but surely, he does. it starts with small things, a single flower that you had told him once you liked the smell of on your nightstand, a pair of earrings you remarked look beautiful when window shopping. a handwritten letter telling you goodmorning and his favorite things about you in your bag before class.

your initial confusion morphs to anger at the thought of changing yourself all for him to want you to go back to the self he called repulsive. you don’t respond to his initial attempts to woo you, but as weeks and months pass, he doesn’t give up.

he speaks to you, really speaks to you, asking you about your day, how he can help you when you’re not feeling well, what you need whenever he leaves the house, small compliments about your cooking or how the colour of your dress matches your eyes.

you two start sharing small good mornings and good nights when going to bed, which then translates to small hand holding or shared touches between each other. the ice around your heart slowly but surely starts melting whenever he’s around, you quickly become accustomed to his quick kisses on the cheek whenever he leaves the room or house.

he holds you at night as he whispers sweet promises of never letting you down again, grasping your face to look into your eyes whenever he compliments you to let you know how much you mean to him.

your heart is now warm and full at the thought of his presence, no longer a shell of yourself, slowly but surely healing with his sweet actions.

[reysdriver]

Sleepover | R.B.

You and your family finish off a tiring day with a makeshift sleepover — dad!regulus x mom!reader

warnings: mentions of death (a kid's pet goldfish dies), nightmares, just general parental exhaustion i guess

words: 1.6k

a/n: I've been working on this fic on and off for like a month lmao, but this is my comeback to writing so boom

It’s been a long day. Ascella has been fussy all week, Aurora’s pet goldfish died, so you had to have that talk with her and Perseus plus a fish funeral, and then later, Aurora fell while playing outside and scraped her leg up pretty badly. 

And on top of all of that, the Ministry of Magic needed Regulus to work late tonight. 

So, that long day got even longer since it was just you taking care of the kids. 

By 7 o’clock in the evening, the two older kids kept asking you where their dad was, and all you could tell them was that they would have to wait and see while bouncing Ascella on your leg to quell her tantrum. 

Aurora and Perseus eventually listened to you and ditched asking you questions you didn’t know how to answer for a hand-clapping game they had made up the other day, but that was also dropped the second they heard the front door unlocking. 

The kids rushed to the door and pounced on Regulus, each choosing one of his sides to hug tightly. 

Your husband laughed. Not at the children, but at how he hadn’t even gotten the chance to take his shoes off before they latched onto him. 

“Daddy!” They squealed, arms wrapped around his thighs and their faces squished against his waist. “It feels like you’ve been gone a hundred years!”

“A hundred years?!” Regulus parroted sarcastically. “Well, you all look wonderful for your old age!”

They laughed at their dad and let go of his legs. “You look exactly your age!”

Regulus does an exaggerated gasp. “Well, sounds like no dessert for you two for the rest of the week! And get me your mom and your sister who isn’t mean to me.” 

The children looked at each other frantically, not realising Regulus had been joking about the dessert. Perseus speaks up for the both of them. “We’re sorry, Daddy! You don’t look a hundred years old, we promise!”

“Alright, I forgive you. Just get your mom and your sister so I can tell them I changed my mind about the dessert.”

Eager to earn their after-dinner sweets back, your two oldest kids run back to you in almost perfect lockstep. 

“Daddy’s here!” 

“Oh, is that who was at the door?” You feigned surprise, standing up with Ascella. “Come on, honey. Let’s go see Daddy, huh?”

When Regulus saw you and your baby girl walking his way, his lingering smile doubled in size. He hung his jacket up on the coat rack and held out his arms so he could get more hugs from the two of you.  

Ascella’s frown disappears to morph into an expression that matches her father’s. She babbled and squirmed in your arms until you were able to pass her over to Regulus. 

He pressed a couple of kisses to his daughter’s soft hair, which only made her more excited than she was when she saw her dad for the first time of the day. 

Regulus brought his attention off of Ascella and onto you while you watched the two of them laugh and play. You didn’t think you were letting the events of today show on your face, but Regulus seemed to pick them up immediately. 

“What’s wrong?” He asked softly. 

You shook your head. “Nothing. I’m just happy you’re back home.”

Regulus understood what you meant and didn’t press. He just went back to teasing your youngest daughter. “Did you three make it a long day for Mummy? Huh? Did you give her a hard time today?”

Ascella just kept laughing as he tickled her sides and kissed her cheeks. 

◆◇◆◇◆

Insistent that she would have trouble sleeping in her room without her fish, Aurora begged to stay with you and Regulus for the night. 

You wanted to say no. You’ve been putting Ascella to sleep in the bassinet beside your bed while she’s been sick because she keeps waking up in the middle of the night in a fit of cries and screams. If Aurora slept in your bed, she would have to deal with that as well. Regulus said that it would be fine, so Aurora gladly hopped into your bed, dragging her stuffed rabbit behind her. 

While she still wanted to chat before bed like you expected, when you reminded her to whisper because Ascella was asleep near you, she quieted down quickly and fell asleep soon after she stopped talking. 

After that, Regulus joined you in bed. Aurora had taken up a fraction of both your side and Regulus’ of the bed, but she had mainly been sprawled across your husband’s half, so he just pushed her over enough for him to lie down. 

Now you and Regulus laid across from each other, one little girl lying between you. You smiled sympathetically at the fact that you couldn’t hold each other like you usually would because of Aurora, and Regulus made the same face back. 

“I’m sorry I had to work late.” He said quietly. “I know it wasn’t an easy day today. I know me having to stay later than usual didn’t help.” Since coming home, he had heard all the stories about today’s happenings, and he felt worse and worse with every one. 

“It’s okay.” You reassured him. “These kids may be a handful, but there’s nothing about them that’s too much for me.”

“Well, I’ll still try to avoid working late from now on. You never know what a day is going to be like with them.” 

“All I care about is that you’re here now.”

“Yeah, I am pretty great company to have.”

You could tell by his little grin that he was expecting you to laugh and argue with him, but he didn’t say anything you could push back against. Instead of fighting him on it, you just put out your hand for him to take in his. 

“You are.” You told him sincerely. “For me and for the kids. And everyone else, too.” 

He brought your hand up to his lips and pressed a sweet kiss to your palm. You smiled but held back a giggle, careful not to wake either of your daughters who were sleeping in your room tonight. 

Regulus kept his mouth on your skin, moving his kisses further along. It started with your palm, then he trailed over to the ball of your hand, your wrist, your forearm. You tried silently shuffling closer to him so he could reach more of you, but he detached himself from you when you heard a soft knock at your bedroom door. 

“Come in, honey.” You called quietly. 

The bedroom door opened, and you could hear Perseus sniffling as he made his way across the room.  You and Regulus both sat up, concerned for your son, and you held out your arms. Perseus accepted your invite and hugged you tightly, wiping his tears on your shoulder. 

“What’s wrong, baby?” You asked, not letting go of your son. 

“I had a bad dream. I got scared.”

“Are you still feeling scared?”

He nodded, unlatching his arms from the hug. “A little.”

Regulus spoke up from beside you, still keeping his voice to a low hush. “Do you want to sleep here?”

Again, Perseus nodded, then he crawled onto your lap. You lifted up the covers so he could lay down beside you. 

Your husband reached over and tousled your son’s hair lovingly. “We’ll keep you safe here.”

 You enveloped Perseus in your arms and kissed the crown of his head while rubbing circles on his back. “Do you want to talk about your bad dream?”

He sniffled into your neck and shook his head. That was okay. You weren’t going to force him to talk and upset himself even more. It was good that he was enjoying your company and feeling safe in your arms. 

“That’s alright.” Regulus told him. “We can just all cuddle and enjoy this little sleepover here tonight. How does that sound?”

Perseus lifted his head up to look at Regulus and attempted to muster up a smile and a nod. “That sounds good, Dad.”

You smiled, happy that Perseus was already feeling better than before. “Yeah, we’re all gonna have a nice sleepover, and then we’re gonna have a great day tomorrow?”

Today wasn’t a great day, but you would do anything in your power to make sure tonight was good and tomorrow would be even better. 

Perseus nodded sleepily once more at your proposal. “That sounds good too, Mum.”

You started rubbing his back once more to help him calm down and fall asleep faster. It seemed to be working as his breathing became more steady and his heartbeat was going back to normal. 

“Goodnight, honey.” You told Perseus, even though you were sure he was too tired to hear you. 

You looked up at Regulus, who was watching you lovingly from the other side of the bed. You were certain that if your bedroom wasn’t full of your sleeping children, you would have lunged across the bed for him the second you saw him gazing over at you. 

“We should go to sleep too.” Regulus broke the silence. “Don’t want to risk waking them if we stay up and talk.”

You shot your husband a sweet grin. “You’re right, as always. Plus, the faster we get to sleep, the closer we get to the great day we’re gonna have tomorrow.”

[sarahisslytherin]

fools in love || r.b.

summary: your marriage to regulus has been arranged meticulously by walburga in order to secure a pureblood, slytherin wife for her youngest son. you make a lovely couple but you doubt he will ever grow to love you the way you have grown to love him.

contains: some light angst with a fluffy ending.

a/n: i know it's short, just a little something to ease back into the writing mindset.

12 grimmauld place is frozen in time this late at night. the halls are empty, the staircase lit only by bits of moonlight. tomorrow there will be light in these halls. there will be music and laughter. there will be rare displays of affection; the embrace of an estranged brother, the grave look of a mother. you will wear white and regulus will take your hand. but for now, the only light in dark grimmauld place is coming from the small flame on your bedside table.

your marriage to regulus had been arranged meticulously by walburga in order to secure a pureblood, slytherin wife for her youngest son. you made a lovely couple, you must admit, complimenting each other in ways you wouldn’t have expected of such a forced relationship. you’re sure regulus is pleased with you, but you doubt he will ever grow to love you the way you have grown to love him. 

now you sit up in your bed and shiver. half from the cold, half from the nerves. your eyes fix upon a corner of the room as your head runs wild with worry. will this marriage last? is regulus only in it to please his family? how long will he tolerate you before he realizes he wants someone he can actually love? 

you stand and slip on your robe, which billows as you pace barefoot into the hall. your candle lights the way to regulus’ door, the flame doing little to fight the cold. after two hesitant knocks comes a long pause, and you’re already turning to leave when the door finally opens. 

“to what do i owe the visit?” he smirks as he takes you in, examining your disheveled state. he steps aside and you waste no time marching into the dimly lit bedroom.

“we can call off the wedding if you want.” you blurt out. “we can call it all off.”

his brows furrow in confusion. “what? why would i want that?”

“reg, you don’t have to pretend with me.” you plead, taking his cold hands in your own. “what good will we be if we aren’t both in love?”

at this, his hand drops from yours to instead pinch the bridge of his nose. “i knew this would happen.” he sighs as he sits at the edge of the bed. 

“you did?” you ask in disbelief, kneeling in front of him and brushing a stray lock of hair away from his eyes. “i just don’t think we should go through with this. do you?”

“i don’t know.” he sighs, clearly at a loss for words. “i don’t know what i was thinking. i supposed you’d just fall in love over time, or at least grow fond enough of me to make this work. but i see that simply won’t happen and i understand. i’ll go speak with mother first thing in the morning, call the whole thing off.”

you watch as he puts his head in his hands, his breathing growing ragged and heavy.

“reg, i- that’s not what i meant.” you rasp. “i’m certainly in love with you, i only thought you didn’t feel the same.”

regulus gives you an expression somewhere between shock, pain and embarassment. “it seems only i can be madly in love for months and not let the person know till the wedding.” you can’t help but chuckle at that, sitting beside him on the bed as you gently pry his hands from his face and into your lap. “i thought you knew.” he sighs.

“and i thought you knew.” you smile, a bittersweet tear streaming down your cheek.

“what fools we are.” regulus laughs into your neck, his lashes brushing against you. 

“we are all fools in love.” you say before meeting his gaze. “i’m your fool, regulus.”

“and i yours.”

taglist: @velvetcloxds @oliverwoodmarrymepls @canibeoneofthepogues @leahsficemporium @saintlike78 ​ @sereinegemini ​ @imabee-oralizard ​ @sheraayasher ​ @mendesxruel ​ @gilmore-angel ​ @cupids-crystals ​ @amourrs

[regulusblackslut]

i have 2 (maybeee 3) things coming out this week 👀👀 thanks for being patient! school is.. school 😐

[lustsickforyou]

what side are you on? part two

pairings: regulus black x reader (enemies to lovers) sirius black x reader (romantic, to platonic)

summary: you are finally able to use your powers for good, but what happens when you get called home early and are delivered the worst news of your life?

warnings: abusive parents, torturing, arranged marriage, avada kedavra, death, anger, kidnapping, angst

a/n: i have decided to change the readers year from seventh down to sixth just because it works better for the storyline. another mention that the powers are based off of shadow and bone. NOT PROOFREAD!!

part one , part two

The entire plan was laid out for you, the four marauders would somehow capture the man and you would use your powers to reveal all of his secrets. It seemed easy enough. You hadn’t talked to any of them since, you wanted to keep a low profile as to not raise any suspicion on yourself or them.

It was the day school was let out for fall break, you had a plan for that as well. You and the boys would be taking a trip to london, but of course you couldn’t say you were going with them. You wrote to your parents to let them know you would be staying back at Hogwarts to catch up in school and study ahead for your classes. You told the pureblood boys from Slytherin that you would be going home, as some of them would be staying back in school.

What you didn’t expect was for none other than Evan Rosier to question you. You had packed your bags quickly and started heading down the hallway to catch the train with the marauders, but you felt a grasp on your arm that whipped you around. You looked down at the hand in confusion, your eyes following up the arm and to the face of the familiar blonde haired boy. “You’re going home?” he asked and you stared for a moment before nodding. He never spoke to you before, in fact you knew he was scared of you and your abilities. So why was he talking to you now?

“I was under the impression you were staying here.” he spoke with no emotion in his voice and you swallowed thickly, thanking whatever higher power that was out there that he too couldn’t hear your heart beat. While his was rather calm, yours was beating so hard you thought you might break down. “I’m not, i changed my mind last minute.” you lied, hoping he wouldn’t notice your nervous demeanor.

“But— you never go home.” he was definitely suspicious, and you took a deep breath. It was true, you didn’t unless you were forced to. Going back home was the most horrible thing you had to do time and time again. You had to turn this around on him, make him uncomfortable with the conversation all together so he could forget about it completely. “Why do you care?” you asked, your voice much more calmer than anything else within yourself. Your eyebrows were knitted as you looked at him.

“What?” he asked, equally confused. “Why do you care?” you repeated, stepping back from his grip. “You’ve never cared before, in fact you’re quite scared of me.” you pointed out and his face dropped to realization, knowing what you meant by that. “So why do you care now as to what i’m doing? Why are you talking to me?” you asked and he didn’t respond. “Right.” you scoffed, turning around and walking away. “Y/N, wait—” he called after you but you didn’t turn around. You hoped he wouldn’t think on it too much, or worse— write to your mother back at home.

It didn’t take you long to reach the train, searching for compartment number three. You looked down the walkway of the train to make sure nobody was watching you, but of course there was one person. Regulus Black. He was heading into compartment eight, quite aways from yourself, but just before he walked in her made eye contact with you. As much as Sirius had talked to you growing up, Regulus had never made the effort to do the same. You had a sense that he was scared of you just like everyone else was, I mean— he wouldn’t even look at you. So now as his dark eyes drifted up to look into your own, you felt a shiver run down your spine. Just before you could do anything, he disappeared into his own compartment. You took a deep breath before knocking on the door three times, just as the boys had told you.

The door slid open to reveal Sirius, who looked both ways before pulling you inside. You gasped out in shock and the door was closed behind you quickly. “Did anyone see you?” he asked. You thought about Regulus, surely he hadn’t noticed you well enough to do anything about it. “No, there wasn’t anyone in the hallway.” you finally settled on an answer and he nodded. “Alright, we’re going to get off the train in London. You’re going to wait back in the motel while the four of us—” he started but you rolled your eye. “Yeah, yeah. While the four of you do your heroes act to capture the bad guy. Then I’m going to work my magic because all of you were too stupid to come up with an easier idea.” you jabbed and Remus scoffed, only to earn a punch to the arm from James. Remus furrowed his eyebrows and rubbed the now sore area on his arm. “You are insufferable.” Sirius sighed and you smirked.

—

You had been waiting in the motel room for hours now, constantly checking the old clock that hung on the wall. Something bad must’ve happened surely, why else would they be taking so long. As time went on you paced around the room. They hadn’t even told you where they were going, what if they had been caught by the man, or worse— ambushed by a group of death eaters. You nervously chewed on your nails and suddenly the door busted open. You looked over to see them all beat up, whilst holding the man they captured who looked worse off than them. “What the hell?” you asked, studying the man’s face before looking up at Sirius. “I thought your plan was to not hurt him?” you asked and as if on cue the older man ground, practically hanging by Sirius and James’ arm. “Yeah well— he was a lot stronger than we expected. And someone couldn’t get the potion right that was supposed to knock him out.” Sirius looked over at Peter. “Okay, if you guys would’ve given me more time I could’ve done it!” he defended and you sighed.

“Okay, just put him in the chair.” you instructed and they did as they were told. The four boys stepped back along with you as you stared at him nervously. “Are you going to do it or what?” Sirius asked impatiently and you glared at him before walking up to the man. You had done this hundreds of times for Tom, so why were you so nervous now? Maybe it was a multitude of things, like the fact that you could get caught and there was a high possibility you would get killed for ever going against Tom Riddle. You took a deep breath in, and kneeled before him. The back of your hand trailed down the side of his nervous and beaten face. “You’re safe now.” you spoke softly, seductively. You could hear his heart beat racing. What had they done to this poor man? Every time you had seen him around Tom Riddle he was confident and cocky, always a calm heart rate.

You looked down at his hand, placing his palm to face up. Your soft hand trailed down his rather rough one, the ruby ring on your middle finger glistening through the dim light of the motel room. When your fingertips reached his palm his heart slowed immensely. You looked up at him again. “Now you can just speak.” you said slowly. He took a deep breath, looking into your eyes. “And I will just listen.” you nodded. “Alright..” he complied. “Tell me what Tom Riddle is planning.” your voice was mesmerizing.

“You won’t believe me but—” he replied with a tired voice. “He is planning on attacking Hogwarts.” he breathed out as if he had been holding it in for so long. You remained calm, but Remus sucked in a shocked breath. Sirius was now angry, stepping forward to kneel beside you, you remained focus on keeping the man calm. “Who is helping him?” Sirius asked. The man breathed out a shaky breath. “If I tell you— you’ll set me free?” he asked. “You have my word.” Sirius smiled. James looked up at him with a confused face. “Sirius—” he tried to intervene but Sirius held up a finger for him to be quiet. “I’ll set you free.” he nodded with a reassuring smile. “You’re in London now, you can go anywhere in the world from here.” his words were very convincing.

The man looked over at you and you nodded, although a part of you was unsure with his words. You had known him long enough to know when he was lying, and this seemed like one of those times. The man looked back at Sirius. “Just imagine.” Sirius whispered. The man spaced off, looking up at the ceiling. “Come on.” Sirius smiled. “His name is—” he paused nervously. Your fingers slipped deeper into his wrist to coax the words out of him. “Regulus Black.” he answered clearly and Sirius’ heart dropped along with your own. You had seen him earlier that morning, you would have never guessed he was planning to attack the very school he went to.

James, Remus and Peter’s eyes drifted towards Sirius with worrying looks. “Regulus Black? Are you sure?” Sirius asked and the man nodded tiredly. “Good job.” Sirius said, standing up. You looked up at him with a concerned look. You continued to sooty the man as Sirius stood up to speak with the boys. The man looked at you with such content as you smiled at him. You didn’t want to know what they were talking about. You were worried about what they were going to do. You heard Sirius mumble a ‘perfect’ and the man looked up. “You’ll set me free now?” he asked.

“Of course.” Sirius nodded and pulled out his wand, casting the unforgiving curse and he fell back in his chair and to the ground, going limp. You screamed, jumping back. Everyone went silent, staring in shock as your chest heaved up and down. Sirius had not a single bad bone in him, but tonight you had saw a side of him you had never seen before. There were a million thoughts running through his head, one mainly being that he had to stop Tom Riddle at any cost, and now he felt the same about his own brother. Dumbledore would surely not approve of this.

“Sirius— what the hell.” James was the first to speak up, Remus walking over to you and helping you on your feet. “The whole reason we came up with this plan of Y/N helping us was because we didn’t want to kill him.” James confronted him. Sirius stared at him for a moment. “Now Tom Riddle’s most trusted henchman is dead, where is the first place he is going to look? Hm?” James questioned with raised eyebrows, getting close to him as anger dripped from his words.

“I need some air.” you managed to stutter out, walking passed the boys and practically running outside. It was pouring rain as you walked into the street, your chest heaving up and down with fear. The whole reason you wanted to help them was because you didn’t want to hurt anyone. Even if you didn’t cast the curse, you were just as much responsible for that man’s death as much as Sirius was. You helped him coax the words from him, and a part of you was starting to regret ever listening to James in the library in the first place. You shoved those ideas down, trying to remember what you were trying to accomplish here, and before you could go inside you spotted a dark clothed figure in the street.

You looked over at them with a concerned look, and as you started to walk back to the hotel the dark figure followed you. They wrapped their arms around you as you screamed out, putting their hand over your mouth to conceal the alerting noises. Suddenly you apparated away, and before you could even realize where you had ended up, you knew exactly what had happened. “Stop screaming.” the angry voice commanded, who you recognized as Evan Rosier. You stopped screaming and struggling, looking around to recognize that you were in Tom Riddle’s manor. Evan dragged you into the receiving room, which was a long corridor with a throne at the end, very on brand for a man like him. You had been here hundreds of times, but you knew this time would be much different.

Your eyes trailed over to see Regulus Black and many other members standing off to the side of Tom who sat comfortably in his grand throne. Evan shoved you forward, causing you to fall on your hands and knees in front of him with a cry. Tom stared for a moment with anger in his eyes, standing up and kneeling down in front of you. He grabbed your face harshly with his hand to make you look up at him, a cry escaping your lips as he did so. He shook his head, pursing his lips as he thought. “Who knew you would betray me.” he said sarcastically. “When I received word from Evan Rosier about your lies, I just knew something must be up with you. But for you to go behind my back to help—” he swallowed back a disgusted look. “Them? Now that is crossing the line.” Tom let go of your face with a shove as a sob wracked through you. You were soaked from the rain now. “You’re too valuable to kill, those boys on the other hand?” Tom asked and you stared up at him with saddened eyes.

“I was thinking while Evan Rosier was out to fetch you— what can I do to get you to stay on my side?” he asked, pacing back and forth. “At first it was your mother, all those years ago. Begging for me to use you and traded you off to be married to a respectable man.” Tom recalled. “And we all knew how that worked out.” he laughed and the rest of the people in the room laughed with him. You couldn’t tell if they were pity laughs because they were scared of him, or if they found you genuinely pathetic. Nonetheless, there were too many people there for you to use your powers to get out of this situation. It would kill you, and at this very moment you considered it.

“But then I remembered something.” Tom continued in his thought process. “There is another boy that might just do the trick.” he smiled, and looked over at the group. Evan, Regulus and Barty Crouch Jr. all stood in a line like soldiers. “Regulus, my boy— step forward.” Tom waved him over and he looked at him confused before doing as he was told. “My most loyal follower who is just as young as you.” he smiled. “You two will be married in a weeks time. Maybe this time you’ll consider staying.” Tom was pleased with his decision.

“Sir—” Regulus went to speak up but Tom held up his hand as if to shut him up. “Go to hell.” you spat, and Tom looked down at you with hurt eyes. “Fine, I will give you some time to come to your senses.” Tom decided, and two men came up from beside you, grabbing you on each side and dragging you away as you screamed and kicked to break free from their grasp. They had managed to get you all the way to the cellar, chaining your hands apart and above your head so you were unable to use your powers. “Please.” you begged them through tears, two boys you had grown up with. “You know me, don’t do this to me!” you pleaded but they didn’t listen. They left you there, alone in the cold and soaking wet from the rain.

Meanwhile back in the receiving room many argued, including Walburga Black. “This girl is a traitor, I will not have my son marry her.” she stood her ground and Tom stared at her with an annoyed expression. “Yet you were willing to do the same for your other son?” he asked. Walburga scoffed, shaking her head. “They’re both traitors, they would’ve been better off together and away. Not here with us, why don’t you just get rid of her?” she asked. Tom stared for a moment, as if he was asserting his dominance. “Can you control one’s heart?” he asked, and the women fell silent. “Can you make the blood of anyone you desire boil?” he questioned. She didn’t respond.

“Y/N is a weak girl, and with time I believe she will come to her senses again. Regulus can help her do just that, set an example. Besides, I must punish your family for what Sirius did. Leaving this place, betraying us and killing my right hand man?” he asked and Walburga furrowed her eyebrows. Her Sirius had killed someone? “Regulus is a fine boy, and it is clearly not your choice who he marries.” Tom said. Your mother stepped forward. “He is right, Walburga. My daughter will be a perfect wife.” she defended.

“Of course you think that, your family line ended when you couldn’t manage to have a boy. You’re trying to save your own dignity.” Walburga jabbed and your mother didn’t say a word. “Enough, both of you.” Tom ordered and they both stepped back. “What do you say, Regulus?” he asked. Regulus stood quietly for a moment. “I would do anything you told me to, sir.” he agreed and Tom clapped excitedly. “Wonderful.” he was pleased. “Now my boy, did you ever dispose of that assassin those boys had sent on you?”

During the summer Regulus had been attacked by some wizard he had never seen before. Tom had said it was an assassin sent by his own brother, knowing Sirius would stop at nothing to take his brother down with him. It was the whole reason Regulus was okay with taking down Hogwarts by Tom Riddle’s side. “I did.” Regulus confirmed, and Tom nodded. “Wonderful. I would like to congratulate you on your engagement.” he almost taunted in a way, and with that the meeting was dismissed.

You and Regulus Black would be married in a weeks time.

—

tag list: @thelastemzy @theday-dreamer17 @jack1n @leslieiscrying @kaverichauhan @helloitsmeeeeeee

[petitemistletoe]

Grudges Part II

Pairing: Regulus Black x Reader, Potter!Reader

Warnings: angst!

Word Count: 3.5K+

A/N: There is a LOT of jumping around in this one, pay attention closely to the stars that signify scene changes. The Daily Prophet article took me longer than I'd like to admit so please appreciate it. Once again, some people were not able to be tagged :( so sorry!

Grudges Part I

“This really isn’t my fight.” Lily said, looking between you and James in confusion. 

“Isn’t it?” You asked, cocking your head to the side, “James and I didn’t have any problems before you came into the picture. If you weren’t around, James and I would not have fought during the match, I wouldn’t have a shoulder injury that I still suffer from today, and James would not have taken my spot with the Bats.” You crossed your arms. 

✰

A deep ache in your shoulder wrenched you out of sleep. You grabbed your shoulder harshly and sighed, blinking the sleep out of your eyes. You were able to see a few rays of sun had broken the horizon, so you knew that the morning was not far off. You turned and felt around the side of the bed and realized Regulus wasn’t there. You pulled yourself out of bed and made your way down the stairs of the Black house. 

Your parents were not thrilled that you were spending so much time at the Black estate with Regulus, but they figured that anything that made you happy after your shoulder injury, relationship with James, and your promise of going pro in Quidditch all shattered, there was not much they could say. Regulus’s parents were out for the weekend so you had the entire estate to yourselves. The place was creepy, to say the least, and Regulus had promised that you two were going to move into somewhere much nicer and happier once the two of you graduated. 

You were on the stairs, rubbing your eyes and thinking about making a nice cup of tea when you heard Regulus whispering to someone. You stopped on the stairs and listened for a moment.

“This isn’t going to go over well.” Regulus sighed. 

“I tried to tell him not to. That it would only make things worse, but, he wouldn’t listen to me. And can you blame him? It’s an unbeatable opportunity.” The other voice said. 

“For someone who wants to reconcile, he’s really driving the knife in.” Regulus said bitterly. 

“There’s nothing I can do. Remus and I already said our piece.” The voice mirrored Regulus’s sigh. It must have been Sirius. You made your way down the staircase and saw Regulus and Sirius sitting at the kitchen table while Kreacher grumbled over with a tray of tea.

“Blood traitor in the Black house.” Kreacher growling, slamming the tray on the table and glaring at Sirius. 

“Go away you disgusting rat.” Sirius brushed Kreacher off with wave of his hands. 

“Milk and sugar, Kreacher.” Regulus ordered. 

“Sirius, what are you doing here?” You asked, taking a seat at the table next to Regulus. 

“Hey, surprised to see you up, it’s early.” Sirius said with a nervous smile. 

“My shoulder hurt. What are you doing here?” You pressed. 

“I was just telling Regulus some news.” Sirius chewed at his thumbnail. 

“What is he talking about, Regulus?” You turned to Regulus. 

“James Potter has taken your position with the Ballycastle Bats.” Kreacher said, setting down the milk and sugar on the table.

“You foul little roach.” Sirius roared, sending a couple of a shocking hexes Kreacher’s way. Kreacher was able to dodge all but one, which zapped him in the elbow. He rubbed his elbow ruefully and glared at Sirius before disappearing down a dark corner. 

“James took my Ballycastle offer?” You blinked. 

“I’m so sorry, love.” Regulus bowed his head.

“That makes complete sense.” You nodded. 

“Remus and I tried to tell him not to.” Sirius grabbed at your hand but you snatched it back. 

“No, no that makes sense. It’s a great opportunity. I would know.” You shook your head. “You should probably go, Sirius.” Regulus said quietly. 

“Sirius will you pass on a message to James for me?” You asked. 

“Of course.” Sirius said with wide eyes. 

“Tell him that I hope he drops dead.”

✰

“I want you to know that I told James not to take the position.” Lily said with her head bowed. 

“You expect me to believe that?” You said, crossing your arms across your chest. 

“It’s true,” Remus insisted. “Give her your memory, Lily. We have a pensieve.” 

“I don’t need that.” You started but Lily had already pulled the silvery memory from her temple as the pensieve pulled itself from its closet. 

✰

“How’d it go?” Lily asked as James slammed the front door shut.  

“Terrible.” James said, dropping onto the couch and putting his head in his hands. Lily sat next to him and rubbed his back for a few minutes. 

“Is she going to be alright?”

“She’ll survive. But she’ll never ever play quidditch again. Her shoulder is completely fucked and it’s all my fault.” James released a shaky sigh. 

“Oh James, she’s your cousin, I’m sure she’ll forgive you. It just takes time, okay.” Lily said. James only nodded, crying in Lily’s arms for a few moments. There was an owl at the front window, carrying a rather large package on its back and pecking harshly. Lily stood and retrieved the package, placing a sickle in the owl’s claw before it flew off. 

“What is it?” James asked, rubbing his nose harshly. 

“It’s for you.” Lily said, placing the package in front of him. James tore through the package and gasped. It was your broom, in shambles, with the hilt of the broom covered in your blood. 

“Oh my God,” James pressed his fingers over his mouth to stop himself from retching. 

“Is that her broom?” Lily asked, her own fingers shaking.

“Yeah it is. It’s the broom I bought her for her fifteenth birthday.” James said, studying the inscription on the hilt. The gold lettering was splattered in dark red blood. 

“Okay,” Lily pushed the package out of James’s hands, “she’s very, very angry. But we need to remember that she’s been hurt. Badly.”

“She goaded me into it.” James said, standing and making an angry circle around the couch. 

“Goaded you into what?” Lily asked. 

“Pulling her broom. She could’ve hurt me just as easily and she said all those foul things about you. She was goading me.” James spat. 

“James, she’s the one that’s injured. She was a fantastic player and she’s lost everything now because of that game. Isn’t that punishment enough?” Lily knit her eyebrows. James was going to respond but another owl was at the window. He unrolled the parchment and grit his teeth. 

“It’s the scout from the Ballycastle Bats. Now that the chaser position is free they want me to sign. It’s a five year contract, handsome salary plus benefits.” James said, studying the parchment. 

“Surely you aren’t thinking of taking it?” Lily stood too.

“Lily, this is my opportunity to go pro. We’d be set for life.” 

“James,” Lily was shocked, “you will lose your cousin forever. You can’t take this job.”

“You can’t stop me.” James said, narrowing his eyes, “listen, Lily, I chose you. I sacrificed everything for you.”

“You’re prepared to lose your cousin forever?” Lily asked. 

“She’s made that decision for herself.” James said, setting the blood soaked broom hilt on top of the contract. 

✰

“Oh my God. This whole time I’ve been hating Lily. But it’s you.” You said, pulling your head out of the pensieve. 

“Listen-”

“It was you!” You shoved James back harshly, “And you had the audacity to try and come and beg my forgiveness. Own up it to, James.”

“It was me. But you know you would’ve taken the position too if you were in my shoes.” James said. 

“Oh come on, mate, what kind of apology was that?” Remus shook his head. 

“I have some memories of my own I’d like you all to see,” Regulus said, pulling his memories and casting them into the pensieve.

✰

“How are you feeling, love?” Regulus called as he shut the door behind.

“Gigantic.” You said, waddling in and resting a hand on your swollen stomach. You were due any day now and were feeling the full effect of nine long months of pregnancy. 

“I know, love, I’m so sorry.” Regulus sat with you on the couch and pulled one of your aching feet onto his lap and massaging it. 

“Why did I let you get me pregnant! It’s your fault that I’m due in August!” You groaned. 

“I know, love. You are really, really sweaty. It’s been a viciously hot summer.” Regulus said. 

“I know.” You fanned yourself with your hand.

“I mean, seriously,” Regulus laughed, “did you piss yourself or is this just sweat?”

“What are you talking about-” You felt a tight pain coil through your body, “Regulus, it isn’t piss or sweat. My water just broke.”

“Oh my God.” Regulus shot up. “We need to get you to St. Mungo’s!”

“We can’t!” You grabbed at your stomach and groaned, “I don’t think there’s time.”

“I’m going to get Remus.” Regulus disappeared. In reality, it had been less than five minutes but it felt like an eternity. Your contractions were dangerously close and you practically sobbed with relief when you saw Remus and Sirius enter your house with Regulus.

“You’re in labor? Already? We need to get you to the hospital.” Sirius said, helping you off the couch and onto the ground where Regulus had spread blankets down for you.

“How far apart are your contractions?” Regulus asked. 

“Two minutes.” You said, gritting your teeth as another contraction washed over you. 

“We can’t get to a hospital. If we try to go now, we run the risk of splinching ourselves.” Remus said as he knelt down to your level and held your hand. 

“Should I fetch Marlene?” Sirius asked.

“No,” Remus shook his head, “she’s with…Lily.” 

“Lily had her baby?” You asked, trying not to sound too interested. 

“Yesterday, a boy named Harry.” Remus said with a tight smile.

“Harry. That was my father’s name.” It was quiet and then threw your head back in pain again, “so what are we going to do now?”

“I sent an owl for a healer but…I think we’re going to have to figure this out on our own.” Regulus grabbed your other hand and brushed your hair from your forehead. 

Your labor was short, too short, and the baby had come just as the healer had arrived. 

“Look at you,” Regulus said, cradling Celeste in his arms, “your mummy did it. She’s the strongest person alive.” Regulus grinned up at you and you smiled back tiredly at him, your body was slick with sweat. 

“Mr. Black, send for three more healers. Tell them I sent you.” The healer commanded, taking a deep breath and he poked through his potion bag. 

“Go Sirius.” Regulus commanded. “What’s wrong?”

“Your wife is losing a lot of blood.” The healer said. Sirius was back within the minute with three other healers. One took Celeste from Regulus’s arms and began making sure that she was alright. The other healers helped lift you from the floor and move you onto a hospital bed. Regulus saw only then that there was a pool of blood underneath you. The healers worked tirelessly and you grabbed Regulus’s hand tightly. 

“Regulus, there’s a folder with all the important documents in the bottom drawer of the desk in the study.” You began. 

“Don’t talk like that,” Regulus said, biting back tears, “it’ll all be alright.”

“You have to tell Celeste that I love her.” There were tears running down your own cheeks. 

“You will tell her yourself, darling.” Regulus placed a gentle kiss on your knuckles. 

“Will you do something for me?” You asked. 

“Anything,” Regulus nodded. 

“I want James,” you cried, “get James please.” 

“I will.” Regulus nodded. “Sirius, come take over. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Regulus took a deep breath as he apparated to the front door of the Potter house. It had been a very long time since he had been to Godric’s Hollow. He knocked on the door, softly.

It was Effie Potter who came to the door, a large grin on her face as she opened it. Her smile faltered before she cleared her throat and said, 

“Regulus, hello dear. Is everything alright?”

“Is…is James there? I need to talk to him.”

“Did-” Effie stopped for a moment, taking a deep breath to hide her eagerness, “did she have the baby?”

“I need to talk to James, Mrs. Potter. Please.” Regulus begged. Effie gestured for Regulus to come in and then disappeared for a moment. She returned with James in tow. James was beaming, with bright red cheeks and messy hair. He stopped dead in his tracks, however, when he saw Regulus. 

“What are you doing here?” James asked, biting the inside of his cheek. 

“Congratulations…on the baby.” Regulus said, swallowing harshly. 

“Is this about her?” James pursed his lips when he referred to you. 

“She just gave birth. To a baby girl, her name is Celeste. She sort of you looks like you, James.” Regulus said. Effie’s hand jet over her mouth at the mention of Celeste. 

“James’s son is named Harry.” Effie said with a smile.

“Is that all, Regulus?” James asked, his face stony. 

“Celeste is fine. But…she’s sick. There are a bunch of healers taking care of her but she’s losing a lot of blood.” Regulus explained. Effie gasped and looked at James. 

“So what are you doing here?” James asked. 

“She’s asking for you.” 

“For me?” James sounded hopeful for a moment.

“Will you come?” Regulus asked. 

“No. I have to take care of my family.” James turned on his heel.

“I’ll talk to him, Regulus, just give me a few minutes.” Effie said. 

“Don’t bother.” Regulus said before apparating back home. The first thing he saw when he reentered his house were the healers packing up their tools. 

“What happened?” Regulus said, a rush of stress washing over him. 

“She’s fine now, stable but sleepy.” One of the healers patted Regulus on the shoulder, “Congrats Dad.”

Regulus made his way back to the living room, where you were snuggled onto a bed that had moved downstairs. Celeste was sleeping in her bassinet next to your bed. Sirius had his arms wrapped around you, whispering to you as Remus prepared tea in the kitchen. 

“Hello love,” Regulus took Sirius’s place next to you on the bed. 

“Where were you, Reg?” You asked. 

“She’s pretty sleepy and out of it,” Sirius said, flashing his eyes at Reg. Regulus nodded and pressed a kiss to your forehead. 

“Just was thanking the healers before they left. Go to sleep, love, it’s been a long day.” Regulus held you until you fell asleep. Then he joined Remus and Sirius in the kitchen. 

“He didn’t come?” Sirius asked, a distraught look on his face. 

“He said no.” Regulus shook his head.

“I can’t believe it. You told James how sick she was? How badly it looked?” Remus’s jaw dropped.

“He said he needed to stay with Lily and Harry.” Regulus wrapped his hands around his mug of tea. 

“So that’s it then,” Remus said, his shoulders sagging, “their relationship is irreparable.”

Regulus cleaned up the mugs of tea as you slept peacefully. Celeste had woken up once and you had fed her before you both passed out again. Remus stayed to help around the house while Sirius went home to rest before his important meeting in the morning with the adoption agency. Remus was upstairs, assembling some baby monitors when there was a knock at the door. Regulus furrowed his brow before walking to the door. 

“Oh wow.” Regulus said. It was James. 

“How is she?” James asked. 

“She’s alright now. Sleeping, of course.” Regulus explained. 

“And the baby? Celeste, she’s doing well?”

“Yes. How’s Harry and Lily?”

“Good, good. Can I see her, Regulus?” James pleaded. 

“I don’t think it’s such a good idea, James.” Regulus shook his head. 

“I miss her so much Regulus. I’m so so sorry for everything that I did.” James dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around Regulus’s waist. He sobbed against Regulus’s abdomen. 

“I know James. I think if you try, she’ll forgive you. She misses you too.” Regulus explained. 

“It’ll be different. I promise.” James said, standing up and wiping his eyes. “I’ll be back in a few days. Congratulations Regulus.” 

“Congratulations to you too, James.” Regulus shook hands with James before James apparated away.

✰

“Oh my God.” Regulus gasped, dropping and shattering his glass of orange juice. 

“Reg! You’re going to wake the baby!” You scolded, listening for a moment. It sounded like Celeste was still asleep so you waved your wand and cleaned up the broken glass. 

“Did you see this?” Regulus pushed the newspaper towards you.

“Oh wow.” You said, staring at your hands. 

“You’re the anonymous source aren’t you?” Regulus sighed. 

“They were going to make him captain of the Bats, Reg. That was supposed to be my job.” You said, storming off. Regulus was going to pursue but there was a knock at the door. 

“Tell her that I know what she did. I have absolutely no interest in seeing her again.” James said, throwing the newspaper at Regulus’s feet. 

✰

“The prophecy speaks of a child, born in the final days of July,” Voldemort said, stalking around the room. A shiver crawled up your spine as you felt his breath on the back of your neck. Regulus had involved you in this mess long ago and now you were both working for the resistance as double agents. You wanted to stop long before the birth of Celeste but now that she was here you wanted nothing more than to get as far away from the death eaters as possible. The order had been able to find many of the horcruxes and Regulus had had quite a bit of luck destroying the locket a few years before while leaving Voldemort none the wiser. 

Voldemort knew there was a spy, someone that was betraying him. He never fully trusted you, you being a Potter, but he trusted Regulus more than anything so the dark lord and his followers were usually more than civil with you.

But now Voldemort was angry about something. His voice was steely calm as he made his way around the room, trailing his long, disgusting fingers along the backs of chairs. “This child is supposed to lead to my downfall.” Voldemort paused for a moment as a collective intake of breath went around the room. 

“What can we do?” Amycus Carrow asked. 

“I think the more important question,” Lucius Malfoy said with a snide glare Amycus’s way, “is who is the child?”

“Severus,” Voldemort called, “would you like to answer that question?” 

“It was not as specific. But there are children who fit the parameters of the prophecy.” Snape said, pursing his lips tightly. 

“Who are the children?” Lucius Malfoy asked. 

“So far, we know of he Longbottom boy and the Black girl.” Snape looked down at his hands. 

“The Black girl?” You asked, “Are you talking about my daughter?”

“Yes, Ms. Potter, your daughter.” Voldemort said, flashing his eyes dangerously at you. He always insisted on calling you Potter, wanting to separate you from Regulus.

“Our daughter was born August first.” Regulus said, gripping your hand tightly. 

“According to you. The healers did not arrive until after the baby was born.” Lucius said. 

“Stop it,” Narcissa whispered, resting her hand on top of Lucius’s. 

“Your daughter poses quite a threat.” Voldemort picked up his wand delicately. 

“There’s another child. Born on July 31st.” You blurted out. Regulus turned to look at you pointedly. 

“Who?” Voldemort asked. 

“Lily and James Potter have a son. Harry.” You said, “It could be him.” 

“I have underestimated you, Mrs. Black,” Voldemort said with a grin, “Harry Potter.”

✰

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Regulus screamed after you arrived home. 

“He was talking about Celeste, Regulus! My daughter. Our daughter!” You said, threading your hands in your hair. 

“You have to tell them. You have to warn them.” Regulus shook his head.

“I know. I know. I’ll go right now.” You apparated back. There were tears running down your cheeks as you banged on Lily and James’s door. It was Lily who answered and she took a small step back before saying,

“I am very surprised to see you.”

“Voldemort’s coming. He heard a prophecy about a child born in July who would be his downfall and he thinks its Harry.” You said quickly. 

“What? Why does it think it’s Harry?” Lily asked, her eyes wide. 

“Get a secret keeper. Don’t tell anyone I told you.” You apparated away before Lily could respond. 

✰

“I owe you an apology,” you said. 

“You…you put my entire family in danger with Voldemort, you got me kicked off of the Bats and nearly disgraced by the entire Quidditch community.” James said. 

“You impaled me with my broom and refused to see me when I was on the brink of death.” You responded.

“Neither of one of us have been very good cousins, have we?” James smiled. 

“I’m so sorry,” you swallowed harshly against the lump in your throat. James did not respond, he rammed into you hard, wrapping his arms around you tightly. 

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