Im re-reading all the young dudes, and im at the part where Sirius has just started dating Mary, and I'm relating a lot to Remus's commentary about romance (speaking as an aromantic asexual). Ik he's gay and is looking at everything from the perspective of him liking girls, but its just interesting to see how these experiences are similar.
Regulus attends Lucius and Narcissa’s wedding and receives a job offer—an offer he has no choice but to accept.
Read on AO3
Read on FF.net
Hope you all enjoy this chapter! I made up the date of the wedding to fit in with the timeline I have planned. Thank you all so far for your lovely likes and reviews! And thank you to my lovely editor @leah-ravenanne :)
Chapter 1: A Family Affair
December 28th, 1977
“I now pronounce you man and wife.”
Regulus stood off to the side with his Mum and Dad, watching the happy couple walk down the aisle. Applause rang throughout the large, ornate ballroom. Guests raised their wands, conjuring soaring doves and floating lilies to surround the newlyweds. Regulus’s mother wiped a tear from her cheek with a handkerchief.
Following his parents dutifully, Regulus entered the reception area where—so it seemed—the entirety of the living members of the Sacred Twenty-Eight had gathered to celebrate the union of the Houses Black and Malfoy.
“Oh Druella, you must be so proud.” His mother cried as her sister-in-law approached the small family. The two older women kissed cheeks in greeting. Regulus and his father lingered, not eager to engage in any more emotional conversation about dresses or flowers or food. Regulus’s Uncle Cygnus joined them.
“Orion.” He greeted Regulus’s father with a sturdy handshake.
“Congratulations, brother,” Regulus’s father responded. “Narcissa made herself quite the match. The Malfoys will be beneficial allies.”
“Very true, dear brother, very true,” Cygnus drawled, looking pompous. Regulus wanted to gag. How could two people be so dreadfully dull? Surely, talk of marriage alliances and family purity could only be so entertaining. If Sirius were here, he’d have snuck off with Regulus to find the cake by now. Before he could stop himself, Regulus pictured his brother grinning mischievously and joking; “C’mon Reg, Old Wally’ll never know!” The image pained him.
The day Sirius had run away and abandoned him, more than a year ago, was the last day the pair had spoken properly. Their parents had been throwing a fit after having found the boys listening to some Muggle rock music in Sirius’s room. Regulus remembered the day well. It was one of those lazy days when he and Sirius had simply enjoyed being in each other’s company. When they acted like normal brothers from a normal family, setting aside any animosity or jealousy their parents tried to create between them. It was the type of day that Regulus had cherished.
Then, in an instant, his life was forever altered. His mother burst into the room, screaming, having been home early from tea. She had called Sirius an abomination, had said he was corrupting Regulus and would bring their family to ruin. She smacked his brother across the face so hard that he had tumbled onto the bedroom floor. Regulus was frozen in horror. By the time he regained his senses, Sirius was screaming back, throwing his clothes into his school trunk. Minutes later, he was gone, leaving Regulus behind.
---
“Regulus, I am so glad you came.” Narcissa embraced him, snapping him out of the painful memories. Regulus genuinely smiled for the first time that night. Of all of his extended family members, he liked Narcissa the most.
“Congratulations, Cissy. I hope you’re happy,” Regulus said. He noticed a shadow pass over her face for an instant, but it was gone before he could even be sure it had been there. Her beaming smile was back.
“It’s a great day for the family. And Lucius is…a good man,” she said. “Here, come on, let me introduce you properly. Lucius, darling,” Narcissa called, grabbing onto Regulus’s arm and guiding him through the droves of wedding guests. A tall, blonde-haired man turned around to face her. He smiled brightly as she approached. It was clear he thought the world of her. Regulus was glad, hoping that meant he’d treat his cousin right.
“Dear, this is my youngest cousin, Regulus.” Narcissa introduced the two men.
Lucius stuck out a hand in greeting. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Regulus. Your mother and father have told me you’re still in school? Slytherin, I presume?”
“Yes, Slytherin. I’m in my 6th year,” Regulus replied.
“Wonderful, wonderful,” Lucius drawled. “Well, Narcissa raves about you. Says you’re her favorite cousin. And, from what I hear, we may be working together very soon, so I’m glad to hear you’ve gotten stellar reviews.” He winked and chuckled heartily. Before Regulus could process what Malfoy had said, Lucius and Narcissa were being swept away by more wedding guests. Narcissa glanced behind her, throwing an apologetic look in Regulus’s direction as she hung off of Lucius’s arm. “Talk to you later,” she mouthed before she was swallowed up by the crowd.
“Look, darling!” Regulus was startled by a shrill voice squealing with glee, “it’s little baby Reggie!” Regulus’s oldest cousin Bellatrix dragged her husband towards him. “Well, don’t be daft, Rodolphus, say hello!” she scolded the large man beside her, slapping his arm playfully.
“Hello, Regulus,” Rodolphus said monotonously. Regulus—who had been quite certain that his cousin’s husband was only capable of speaking in one-syllable words—was surprised at the man’s talkativeness. Perhaps it was the joy of the occasion that made Rodolphus so positively chatty.
“Lovely to see you again, Rodolphus,” Regulus responded, boredly. He hoped his lack of interest in conversation would send Bellatrix on her way. Unfortunately, his coldness did not seem to deter her.
“Reggie, I’ve been talking with Goyle—you know Goyle, graduated last year—and he’s been saying that you’re quite the capable student!” Bellatrix praised him, smiling widely. Her deep brown eyes, which had always unnerved Regulus, looked like they were about to pop out of her head.
“I work hard,” Regulus said.
“Well, he also told me you hang around with some of his crew—Mulciber, Avery, Snape—but, you don’t seem to express as much interest in their…extracurricular activities as of late.” Bellatrix pouted her lips and looked disappointed. “And, I was shocked to hear about this! I mean, you want to make your Mummy and Daddy proud, don’t you? You want to be extraordinary? I know you don’t want to end up on the same path as your…old brother…oh what was his name?” she asked, pretending she had forgotten, “Sirius?”
Regulus glared.
---
In the days that had followed Sirius’s flight, Regulus had been distraught, fearing for his brother’s life. He searched his brother’s room for clues about where he had gone, sending countless owls to discover his whereabouts. He barely spoke to his parents—he lived in fear of another outburst if he mentioned his disgraced older sibling. His mother had looked manic, and frankly, more terrifying than ever (which was saying a lot) when she had burned Sirius off of the family tree.
About a month into that summer, he received word from a friend of a friend that his brother was living with the Potters. However, instead of feeling glad that his brother was safe, Regulus was overcome with resentment. His older brother was supposed to be his protector. Instead, Sirius had abandoned Regulus, finding himself a new brother in James Potter. He had left Regulus to deal with their parents, with their family pressures and expectations, and hadn’t even bothered to write! To apologize! To offer to take him along. Sirius had tossed Regulus aside, first chance.
Without his brother, Regulus had no escape from the constant barrage of Pureblood ideologies with which his family aligned. Sirius’s presence had been a beacon of hope for Regulus. Sirius was braver than Regulus felt he could ever be. When Regulus was afraid to speak his mind, Sirius was there to back him up. More than that, he was Regulus’s guardian when their parents screamed and shouted. He was the champion who had defended him from bullies. He was his best friend.
---
Bellatrix clicked her tongue in disappointment and shook her head. Regulus felt his parents approach him from behind. His mother’s hand rested upon his shoulder, possessively. “Bella, dear, you look marvelous, as always.” his mother doted on her niece. “Have you spoken to Regulus about the opportunity, yet?” she questioned the younger witch. Regulus curiously stared at his parents. Orion nodded his head, signaling for Bellatrix to speak.
“Not yet, Auntie Walburga,” she said sweetly, “But, I was just about to! Regulus, all of what I have been saying has had its purpose. I wanted to give you the good news, myself. The Dark Lord has heard of your potential—Rodolphus and I may have put in a good word—”
Regulus stifled the urge to crack a joke at his cousin-in-law’s expense. He hardly believed that Rodolphus was able to produce a “good word,” let alone say one to the Dark Lord on Regulus’s behalf.
“—and He wants to initiate you. Properly,” Bellatrix finished with a beaming smile. His parents grinned behind him. His mother choked back a joyful sob.
“I-I-What?” Regulus stammered. “I-what does the Dark Lord want with me? I’m not even of age yet!” Regulus had figured his family would encourage him to join the Dark Lord sooner or later. They had been priming him for Pureblood perfection ever since he could walk. But he hadn’t expected this offer to come so soon. And to be so definitive. He desperately wished that his brother was here. Sirius would have been able to call his family out, to say that Regulus could make his own decisions. However, Regulus now began to realize his reality; the people surrounding him were the only family he had. They welcomed him. They respected him. They made him feel wanted—something that Regulus had desperately craved ever since Sirius’s departure. This sense of devotion, of belonging, was the straw that broke the camel’s back. There was no sense in rebelling, as his brother had. He was the good son. The one his parents could parade in front of the rest of the world. Even as Bellatrix made her offer, Regulus could sense his parents’ pride. And their pressure. There was really no decision to be made. At least, no decision for Regulus to make.
Holding onto the thought of family, he forced a smile. He stuck out a hand for Bellatrix and Rodolphus to shake. “It would be my honor to represent the Noble House of Black at the Dark Lord’s table.”
You are in love is about wolfstar and no one can change my mind.
All of it just has the vibe of their relationship. Not the day-to-day stuff, but the overarching feelings they have for each other. Especially "One night he wakes/Strange look on his face/Pauses,/then says/You're my best friend/And you knew what it was/He is in love", like that is just remus trying to say 'I love you', y'know??
Summary: "To tell you the truth, mate, I don’t think anyone is really a bad person. I think people make bad choices, especially when they’re lost or confused. But, deep down, I don’t believe anyone can survive without a little bit of good in 'em.” War is approaching, and Regulus Black realizes that he's chosen the wrong side. Determined to atone for past mistakes, Regulus makes a series of decisions that will change his life forever.
I have officially begun publishing chapters of my new Regulus Black story! This is my first multi-chapter fic. I don’t know if I’ll post every full chapter on Tumblr, but I will post some key ones. PS: if you want to potentially beta read for this story, DM me for details!
