The Brothers Black
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The platform was chaos.
Steam from the scarlet engine billowed across Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, curling through the air in thick white clouds that smelled faintly of metal and coal. Owls hooted from their cages. Cats slunk between trunks. Parents shouted last-minute reminders over the din.
Students clustered everywhere in clumps of robes and laughter.
Summer stories bounced across the platform like sparks.
James Potter had his foot propped on his trunk, animatedly waving his hands while talking.
“I’m telling you,” James insisted loudly, pushing his glasses up his nose, “the broom was definitely cursed. There’s no other explanation for why it tried to throw me into the orchard.”
Mary Macdonald snorted. “James, you tried to fly it after three butterbeers.”
“That’s irrelevant.”
“That’s the only relevant part.”
Marlene McKinnon laughed, leaning against a pillar while Frank Longbottom attempted to calm an extremely offended owl.
Fabian and Gideon Prewett were arguing loudly about Quidditch scores from the previous year, both talking over each other while Remus Lupin watched with quiet amusement.
Peter Pettigrew hovered nearby, nodding eagerly at everything James said.
Lily Evans stood with her arms crossed, though there was a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as she listened to the noise.
It had been months since they’d all seen each other.
Energy crackled in the air.
“Oi,” Gideon said suddenly, squinting down the platform. “You lot see those two?”
James turned.
Near the edge of the platform, standing slightly apart from the bustle of families and students, were two boys.
They were about their age.
But something about them looked… wrong.
Not wrong exactly.
Just out of place.
The taller one stood straight-backed and rigid, his arm slung possessively around the shoulders of the boy beside him. His posture radiated tension.
His expression was dark.
Cold.
He looked openly irritated by the entire platform.
The shorter boy beside him was the opposite.
Quiet.
Small.
He leaned into the taller one like gravity itself had decided he belonged there. His hands lightly gripped the front of the other boy’s coat.
His expression was distant.
Almost blank.
Remus frowned slightly.
“Have you seen them before?”
“Nope,” Marlene said.
“New transfers?” Alice suggested.
Lily shook her head. “In fifth year? That’s odd.”
The taller boy glanced around the platform with barely disguised contempt.
The shorter one simply watched the ground.
“Well,” James said, clapping his hands together. “Guess we’ll go introduce ourselves.”
The group crossed the platform.
As they approached, the taller boy noticed immediately.
His posture stiffened.
His eyes narrowed.
Then, very deliberately, he shifted.
The movement was subtle but unmistakable.
He pushed the shorter boy behind him.
Protectively.
The shorter boy blinked, then quietly clutched the back of his coat while peeking over his shoulder.
James stopped a few feet away, raising both hands casually.
“Hey,” he said easily. “You two heading to Hogwarts?”
The taller boy stared at them like they were insects.
Remus cleared his throat politely.
“We just haven’t seen you around before.”
Silence stretched.
Then the taller boy scoffed.
His voice, when he spoke, was sharp and aristocratic.
“Of course you haven’t.”
The shorter boy’s fingers tightened slightly in the fabric of his coat.
The taller boy glanced back briefly.
His entire expression changed.
The anger softened instantly.
His hand reached back without even looking and rested gently against the shorter boy’s wrist.
“You’re fine,” he murmured softly.
The tone was completely different.
Quiet.
Affectionate.
Then he looked back at the group.
The softness vanished.
“We were raised privately.”
James blinked.
“Privately?”
“Our grandfather,” the boy said coldly, “refused to send us to Hogwarts.”
Mary frowned.
“What?”
The boy lifted his chin.
“We were raised in isolation at our family estate.”
His lip curled faintly.
“Our grandfather preferred to teach us himself.”
“Wait,” Lily said slowly. “You mean you’ve never been to school before?”
The boy looked offended by the very idea.
“Obviously not.”
Behind him, the shorter boy shifted closer.
He leaned gently into the taller one’s back.
The taller boy’s arm moved instantly, sliding back to wrap around him again.
Possessive.
Protective.
James blinked again.
“Uh… okay. So why now?”
The taller boy looked annoyed.
“Our grandfather died.”
His tone made it clear he found this entire conversation beneath him.
“The Ministry has decided we must attend.”
He looked genuinely disgusted.
“As though we require schooling.”
Marlene exchanged a look with Mary.
“Right.”
Frank scratched the back of his head.
“So… you’re both starting this year?”
“Yes.”
“Same year?”
The boy scoffed again.
“No.”
He gestured behind him.
“My brother is younger.”
The shorter boy peeked over his shoulder again.
His eyes flicked briefly across the group.
Then he quietly buried his face against the taller boy’s shoulder.
The taller boy’s hand slid up to cradle the back of his head.
The movement was automatic.
Gentle.
“Don’t worry,” he murmured quietly to him.
His voice softened again.
“I’m right here.”
The shorter boy nodded faintly.
Remus noticed Lily staring.
James cleared his throat.
“So… uh…”
He smiled.
“We should probably introduce ourselves.”
He gestured around the group.
“James Potter.”
He pointed to Remus.
“Remus Lupin.”
Then Peter.
“Peter Pettigrew.”
He gestured toward the girls.
“Lily Evans, Mary Macdonald, Marlene McKinnon, Alice Fortescue.”
Then the boys.
“Frank Longbottom, Fabian Prewett, Gideon Prewett.”
The taller boy watched them with mild disinterest.
Then James asked the obvious question.
“So… what are your names?”
The taller boy inhaled slowly.
Then he said,
“Sirius Black.”
The entire group froze.
Silence.
The name hit like a dropped plate.
Lily’s eyes widened.
“Black?”
James blinked.
“As in—”
“Yes.”
Sirius sounded bored.
“The Black family.”
Fabian nearly choked.
“The Sacred Twenty-Eight Blacks?”
Sirius rolled his eyes.
“Yes.”
Then he turned slightly.
His arm pulled the smaller boy forward.
The shorter boy stumbled slightly but immediately leaned back into him.
Sirius’s hand slid down to hold his waist.
His voice softened again.
“And this is my little brother.”
The boy looked up.
Grey eyes.
Pale skin.
Dark curls.
He blinked slowly at the group.
“Sirius…” he murmured quietly.
Sirius smiled instantly.
“Yes, darling?”
The group exchanged alarmed looks.
The shorter boy hesitated.
Then said softly,
“…too many people.”
Sirius immediately pulled him closer.
“It’s fine.”
His fingers brushed through the boy’s curls.
“They’re not touching you.”
The shorter boy nodded faintly.
Satisfied.
Sirius looked back at the group.
“This,” he said, “is Regulus.”
Regulus Black stood quietly beside him.
His hands clung to Sirius’s coat.
James stared.
“You’re the Blacks?”
“Yes.”
“You’ve never been to Hogwarts?”
“No.”
“Your grandfather taught you?”
“Yes.”
“And now you’re starting in—”
“Fifth year,” Sirius said, clearly annoyed.
He gestured down at Regulus.
“He will be in fourth.”
Mary stared at the two of them.
They were still standing incredibly close.
Regulus’s hands hadn’t left Sirius’s coat.
Sirius’s arm hadn’t left Regulus’s waist.
They looked… attached.
James tilted his head.
“So you two just… lived alone together?”
“Yes.”
“In a castle?”
“Yes.”
“With your grandfather?”
“Yes.”
James blinked.
“…huh.”
Regulus shifted slightly.
Sirius immediately noticed.
“What is it?”
Regulus looked at the ground.
“…train’s loud.”
Sirius frowned.
“Does it hurt?”
Regulus nodded faintly.
Sirius sighed.
“Come here.”
He pulled Regulus closer.
Regulus practically folded into him.
Sirius pressed a kiss to the top of his head.
The entire Gryffindor group stared.
Sirius didn’t notice.
Or didn’t care.
“You’re alright,” he murmured softly.
Regulus nodded again.
Then Sirius looked back at the group.
His expression turned smug.
“Regulus is brilliant, by the way.”
He gestured at him proudly.
“Top marks in every subject.”
Regulus blinked.
Sirius continued.
“He reads six languages.”
Regulus looked mildly embarrassed.
“He plays piano.”
Regulus looked at the ground.
“He’s perfect.”
Sirius smiled down at him like he’d hung the moon.
Regulus leaned into him again.
James opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
“…right.”
Sirius tilted his head smugly.
“He’s also mine.”
Lily blinked.
“…your brother.”
“Yes.”
Sirius said it like it was obvious.
“Mine.”
His arm tightened slightly around Regulus.
Regulus didn’t react.
He simply rested his head against Sirius’s shoulder.
Sirius glanced down at him again.
“Reg.”
“Yes?”
“Hold my hand.”
Regulus immediately obeyed.
Their fingers intertwined without hesitation.
James looked at Remus.
Remus looked deeply concerned.
Peter looked confused.
Marlene whispered to Mary,
“Is that normal?”
Mary whispered back,
“No.”
Sirius ignored them entirely.
He lifted Regulus’s hand slightly.
“Stay next to me.”
“I always do.”
Sirius smiled.
Then he said casually,
“If anyone tries to touch him, I’ll hex them.”
The group went quiet.
Regulus didn’t react.
He simply nodded faintly.
“Yes.”
Sirius brushed his thumb across Regulus’s knuckles.
“Good.”
Then the whistle blew.
The Hogwarts Express roared.
Steam erupted across the platform.
Students began rushing toward the train.
Sirius glanced at it with clear disdain.
Then he looked at Regulus.
“Come.”
Regulus followed instantly.
Without question.
Sirius pulled him along by the hand.
The Gryffindors watched them go.
James exhaled slowly.
“…what the hell was that.”
Remus rubbed his temples.
“I think we just met the Black brothers.”
Mary stared after them.
“They’re weird.”
Marlene nodded.
“Very weird.”
Lily crossed her arms.
“They’ve been isolated their entire lives.”
She frowned.
“That kind of upbringing…”
She trailed off.
Remus finished quietly.
“…changes people.”
Ahead of them, Sirius pulled Regulus up the steps of the train.
Regulus followed easily.
Their fingers never separated.
And Sirius didn’t let go.
For several seconds after the brothers disappeared into the train, the group simply stood there.
Steam curled through the platform.
Students rushed past them with trunks and cages and loud laughter.
But none of them moved.
James blinked.
“…did anyone else see that.”
“Unfortunately,” Marlene muttered.
Peter scratched his head. “Are they… always like that?”
“We’ve known them for exactly two minutes,” Lily said flatly.
Frank looked toward the train doors.
“…we should probably go.”
But nobody moved.
Remus was staring thoughtfully down the platform where the two brothers had disappeared.
“They’ve never been outside their home before.”
Mary frowned.
“What?”
“That’s what he said.”
Remus folded his arms.
“Raised in isolation. No school. No social contact.”
Alice looked unsettled.
“…that’s not normal.”
“No,” Remus said quietly.
“It isn’t.”
James suddenly clapped his hands together.
“Well then.”
Everyone looked at him.
James grinned.
“We have to follow them.”
Lily blinked.
“…what.”
“We have to.”
“James—”
“You can’t just drop something like that and expect me not to investigate.”
Marlene pointed toward the train.
“You want to interrogate the creepy Black brothers?”
“I want answers.”
Fabian nodded eagerly.
“I also want answers.”
Gideon grinned.
“I mostly want to see what happens.”
Remus sighed.
But he was already picking up his trunk.
“Fine.”
Mary groaned.
“Oh Merlin.”
—
The Hogwarts Express was packed.
Students crowded the corridors, dragging trunks and arguing over seats.
The group split slightly, peering through compartment windows as they walked down the train.
“Not here,” Gideon said.
“Not there either,” Fabian added.
Peter opened another door.
“Nope.”
Marlene checked another.
“No Blacks.”
James pushed open the next compartment door.
Empty.
They kept moving.
Further down the train.
Another door slid open.
Remus froze.
“…found them.”
Everyone crowded behind him.
Inside the compartment, the two brothers were curled together in the far corner.
Exactly like before.
Sirius was sitting against the window with his legs stretched along the bench.
Regulus was curled in his lap.
Not just sitting beside him.
In his lap.
Folded against him like he belonged there.
Regulus’s arms were loosely around Sirius’s waist.
His cheek rested against Sirius’s collarbone.
His eyes were half-lidded.
Calm.
Quiet.
Content.
Sirius had one arm wrapped tightly around him.
His other hand was gently brushing through Regulus’s curls.
His expression was soft.
Completely different from the arrogant glare from earlier.
He was smiling.
“You comfortable?” Sirius murmured.
Regulus nodded slightly.
“Mhm.”
Sirius pressed a gentle kiss into his hair.
“Good.”
Then the door slid open.
Sirius’s head snapped around.
The softness vanished instantly.
His entire expression hardened.
“What,” he snapped.
The Gryffindors awkwardly shuffled into the doorway.
James raised a hand.
“Hey again.”
Sirius’s lip curled.
“You again.”
He immediately pulled Regulus tighter against his chest.
Shielding him.
Regulus blinked sleepily and glanced toward the group.
“Oh.”
Sirius glared at them.
“Why are you here.”
James stepped inside anyway.
“We just wanted to talk.”
“Leave.”
“Or ask some questions.”
“Leave.”
The rest of the group slowly filtered into the compartment and sat down anyway.
Sirius looked deeply offended.
“You people are incredibly irritating.”
He tightened his arms around Regulus again.
Regulus simply adjusted slightly on his lap.
Still clinging to him.
Mary cleared her throat.
“So…”
Sirius glared.
“Yes?”
“Your grandfather really kept you locked away your entire lives?”
“Yes.”
Regulus spoke softly.
“He didn’t like people.”
Sirius immediately looked down at him.
“Reg—”
“It’s alright,” Regulus said quietly.
Sirius frowned.
But Regulus looked back at the group.
“He thought society was… corrupt.”
His voice was soft.
Hesitant.
“He said Hogwarts would ruin us.”
James blinked.
“So he just… kept you home?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“France.”
Everyone blinked.
“France?” Fabian repeated.
Regulus nodded slightly.
“Our estate was there.”
Sirius sighed.
“He thought Britain was a cesspit.”
Gideon raised a brow.
“…and France isn’t?”
Sirius glared at him.
Regulus continued quietly.
“He taught us magic himself.”
“Everything?”
“Yes.”
Remus leaned forward slightly.
“That’s… impressive.”
Sirius huffed.
“Obviously.”
Regulus shifted slightly in his lap.
Sirius adjusted automatically, pulling him closer.
“What happened to your parents?” Lily asked gently.
Regulus went quiet.
Sirius’s jaw tightened.
“They died.”
His tone made it clear the conversation should end there.
Regulus spoke again anyway.
“An accident.”
Sirius frowned.
“Reg—”
“It’s alright.”
Regulus rested his head back against Sirius’s shoulder.
“They died when I was little.”
The compartment went quiet.
“So your grandfather raised you,” Alice said softly.
“Yes.”
“But he didn’t actually… spend time with you?” Remus asked carefully.
Regulus shook his head faintly.
“He traveled a lot.”
Sirius scoffed.
“He ignored us.”
Regulus glanced at him.
“He was busy.”
“He abandoned us.”
“Sirius.”
Sirius looked irritated.
Regulus gently squeezed his sleeve.
“It’s alright.”
Sirius huffed.
But he relaxed slightly.
James rubbed the back of his neck.
“So when he died…”
Sirius’s expression darkened again.
“The Ministry interfered.”
“They said we had to attend Hogwarts.”
“Which,” Sirius added bitterly, “is ridiculous.”
Regulus nodded faintly.
“Sirius became head of the family.”
Frank blinked.
“…you’re serious.”
“Yes.”
Sirius looked proud.
“I am Lord Black.”
The Gryffindors stared.
Mary muttered under her breath.
“Merlin help us.”
Meanwhile Sirius was glaring at them again.
“You’re asking far too many questions.”
Regulus tilted his head slightly.
“They’re curious.”
Sirius frowned.
“They shouldn’t be.”
Regulus looked back at the group.
“You can ask.”
Sirius made a deeply offended noise.
“Regulus.”
Regulus blinked.
“Yes?”
“You’re supposed to be on my side.”
“I am.”
“Then stop talking to them.”
Regulus looked confused.
“But they asked.”
Sirius groaned.
Then suddenly he pulled Regulus closer.
Before anyone could react, Sirius buried his face against Regulus’s neck and dragged him tightly into his chest.
Regulus disappeared against him.
“Sirius—”
“Stop talking.”
Regulus’s voice came muffled.
“…alright.”
The entire compartment stared.
Regulus was now completely curled against Sirius.
His arms loosely wrapped around Sirius’s shoulders.
His face hidden in Sirius’s neck.
Sirius looked satisfied.
“There.”
James blinked slowly.
“…okay.”
Marlene leaned toward Mary.
“…are we seeing this.”
“Yes.”
Remus rubbed his temples.
“This is concerning.”
Sirius heard that.
His head snapped up.
“What did you say.”
Remus spoke calmly.
“I said it’s concerning.”
“Why.”
Mary cleared her throat.
“Well.”
She gestured vaguely.
“The… dynamic.”
Sirius looked offended.
“What dynamic.”
Fabian muttered quietly,
“They’re trauma bonded.”
Remus nodded slightly.
“That’s likely.”
Lily added softly,
“Isolation can create… unhealthy attachment patterns.”
Peter whispered,
“Broken love maps.”
Sirius went completely still.
Then his eyes narrowed dangerously.
“Are you analysing me.”
The entire group froze.
“Yes,” James said honestly.
Sirius looked furious.
“You people are insufferable.”
His grip on Regulus tightened.
“You don’t know anything about us.”
Regulus sighed softly.
He lifted his head from Sirius’s neck.
Sirius immediately looked down.
“Reg—”
“It’s alright.”
Regulus gently touched his face.
Sirius looked annoyed.
“They’re being irritating.”
“I know.”
Regulus leaned up slightly.
Then he kissed Sirius’s cheek.
Soft.
Affectionate.
“Calm down.”
Sirius immediately melted.
His entire posture softened.
“There you are,” he murmured softly.
His hand moved up to cradle Regulus’s face.
“My sweet boy.”
Regulus smiled faintly.
Sirius kissed his hair.
“Don’t worry about them.”
Regulus nodded.
The Gryffindors stared in horror.
Mary slapped a hand over her mouth.
Fabian whispered loudly,
“WHAT.”
Marlene grabbed Lily’s arm.
“DID YOU SEE THAT.”
Peter looked like he might faint.
James whispered,
“WHAT IS HAPPENING.”
Remus stared at the ceiling.
“Oh Merlin.”
Meanwhile Sirius was smiling softly down at Regulus again.
“Better?”
Regulus nodded.
“Yes.”
Sirius kissed his temple.
“Good.”
The compartment erupted into chaos.
The compartment had not recovered.
Not even slightly.
The air still felt tense with disbelief.
The Gryffindors sat frozen in various positions of shock while Sirius Black appeared completely unconcerned with their continued presence.
In fact—
He seemed to have forgotten they were there.
Regulus remained curled on his lap, small and relaxed, his arms loosely looped around Sirius’s waist while Sirius leaned slightly into the corner of the seat.
His fingers were lazily combing through Regulus’s dark curls.
“You’re comfortable?” Sirius murmured softly.
Regulus nodded against his shoulder.
“Yes.”
Sirius smiled faintly.
“Good.”
His voice had dropped into the same soft tone from earlier.
The tone that seemed to exist only for Regulus.
“You should rest.”
“I’m not tired.”
“You look tired.”
Regulus hummed quietly.
Sirius brushed a curl away from his face.
“You’re always so pretty when you’re sleepy.”
Across the compartment, Marlene choked.
Mary slapped a hand over her mouth.
James leaned toward Remus and whispered hoarsely,
“Is he serious right now?”
Remus whispered back,
“I wish he wasn’t.”
But Sirius continued talking like no one else existed.
His thumb gently traced along Regulus’s jaw.
“My perfect boy.”
Regulus blinked slowly.
Sirius smiled.
“You are.”
He tilted his head slightly, studying him with clear adoration.
“I swear you’re divine.”
Mary made a strangled sound.
Sirius ignored it completely.
“You must be,” he continued softly. “No one could be this perfect otherwise.”
Regulus looked mildly embarrassed.
“Sirius…”
“Don’t argue.”
His fingers brushed down Regulus’s cheek.
“You’re angelic.”
Marlene whispered loudly,
“ANGELIC.”
Sirius didn’t even glance at them.
“You’re better than everyone in this entire world.”
He sounded completely sincere.
“Better than anyone who will ever exist.”
Regulus rested his cheek against Sirius’s chest again.
“You always say that.”
“Because it’s true.”
Sirius kissed the top of his head.
“My pretty boy.”
James leaned back in his seat.
“…what the hell.”
Fabian whispered,
“Does he hear himself?”
Gideon muttered,
“I don’t think he cares.”
Meanwhile Sirius continued gently stroking Regulus’s hair.
“You belong with me.”
Regulus hummed softly.
“Yes.”
Sirius smiled contentedly.
“My perfect little brother.”
Mary whispered to Lily,
“This is deeply concerning.”
Lily nodded stiffly.
Sirius tilted Regulus’s chin up slightly.
“No one else deserves you.”
Regulus blinked calmly.
“Probably not.”
Sirius’s grin widened.
“Exactly.”
Across the compartment Peter whispered,
“Did he just agree with that?”
Remus rubbed his forehead.
“Yes.”
Sirius continued murmuring softly to Regulus.
“They’re all beneath you anyway.”
Regulus shrugged faintly.
“Most people are.”
James choked.
“EXCUSE ME.”
Sirius ignored him.
“None of them could ever deserve you.”
Regulus lightly played with the edge of Sirius’s sleeve.
“That seems dramatic.”
“It isn’t.”
Sirius kissed his temple again.
“You’re mine.”
Mary whispered,
“OH MY GOD.”
Sirius glanced at Regulus again with clear fondness.
“You’re the most beautiful thing in the world.”
Regulus blinked slowly.
“Sirius.”
“What.”
“You say that a lot.”
“Because it’s still true.”
Fabian leaned over to Gideon.
“I think we’re witnessing something illegal.”
Gideon whispered back,
“I’m pretty sure this violates several social rules.”
Remus murmured quietly,
“It’s an extreme attachment response.”
Mary nodded rapidly.
“Definitely.”
Lily added under her breath,
“They literally only had each other growing up.”
James gestured wildly at the brothers.
“Yes and now we’re seeing the result.”
Meanwhile Sirius sighed contentedly.
“Honestly I’m glad the old man died.”
The compartment went silent again.
Regulus glanced up at him.
“You are?”
“Yes.”
Sirius sounded extremely pleased about it.
“He was irritating.”
Mary blinked.
“That’s… one way to describe your grandfather dying.”
Sirius waved a dismissive hand.
“He refused to let me do anything.”
Regulus rested his chin on Sirius’s shoulder.
“What kind of things?”
Sirius smiled slowly.
“Important things.”
James frowned.
“…like what.”
Sirius glanced at him briefly.
Then looked back at Regulus.
“Like arranging our betrothal.”
The entire compartment froze.
Complete silence.
Regulus blinked.
“Oh.”
Mary’s voice cracked.
“WHAT.”
Sirius continued casually.
“The old man wouldn’t allow it.”
He gently tucked Regulus closer into his arms.
“He insisted we marry other families.”
Regulus hummed thoughtfully.
“That does sound inconvenient.”
James made a choking noise.
Sirius nodded.
“Exactly.”
His voice was calm.
“But now I’m Lord Black.”
He smiled faintly.
“I have full authority.”
Peter whispered,
“…authority for what.”
Sirius shrugged.
“Everything.”
He brushed Regulus’s hair again.
“So now I can arrange our betrothal myself.”
The compartment exploded.
“WHAT.”
“YOU CANNOT DO THAT.”
“THAT IS NOT HOW ANYTHING WORKS.”
“ARE YOU INSANE.”
Sirius glared at them all.
“Quiet.”
Regulus blinked calmly.
“Would that upset people?”
James nearly fell out of his seat.
“YES.”
Fabian yelled,
“EXTREMELY.”
Remus pressed a hand to his face.
“Oh Merlin.”
Sirius looked deeply annoyed.
“I don’t see why.”
Lily stared at him.
“Because that’s your brother.”
“Yes.”
Sirius said this like it proved his point.
Mary made a horrified noise.
Sirius tightened his arm around Regulus again.
“Regardless.”
He looked calm again.
“Now that I’m Lord Black I can do whatever I want.”
Regulus rested against him again.
“That sounds convenient.”
“It is.”
Sirius kissed his temple.
“And if anyone tries to flirt with you—”
He paused thoughtfully.
“I’ll kill them.”
The Gryffindors stared.
James whispered hoarsely,
“HE JUST SAID THAT SO CASUALLY.”
Marlene whispered back,
“I THINK HE MEANT IT.”
Sirius continued petting Regulus’s hair.
“Honestly I might kill anyone who even looks at you wrong.”
Regulus shrugged.
“That seems fair.”
Mary buried her face in her hands.
“I cannot handle this.”
Remus sighed deeply.
“This is going to be a very long school year.”
Meanwhile Sirius simply pulled Regulus closer again.
“My perfect boy.”
Regulus smiled faintly.
“Yes, Sirius.”
And across the compartment the Gryffindors collectively lost their minds.