Disclaimer: I'm not British, blonde, or have I written seven wonderful books. I do not own Harry Potter!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Chapter one: The Sorting~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We all know that Regulus is the perfect little pureblood. But, what if he was given a choice at the beginning? What if his choice was to follow his brother? Would it lead to the same gruesome end, or would countless lives saved by this simple change, where Regulus takes control, and stops being pushed around?
(1972, September 1st, Platform 9 3/4)
To everyone watching, they may look like a normal family, getting ready to send their two children away to Hogwarts.
But that's what they want them to see. Nobody sees when the mother pinches the eldest, under the guise of a kiss on the forehead, or the scathing remarks and threats. Regulus sighs, 'why couldn't my family be normal?'
This all started last year when Sirius went and got himself sorted into Gryffindor, enraging their parents, resulting trying to shove their ideas down Regulus throat. He really didn't understand, because muggleborns and halfbloods seemed fine to him (Though he has never met one, Sirius says their nice).
But he had to get sorted into Slytherin or his parents would hate him, and never forgive Sirius. Sirius was always encouraging him to rebel. But would his darling Siri even be there for him if he did? Bitter resentment welled up in him, because he knew the first thing his brother would do would be running off to see his friends, leaving Regulus alone. Again.
His mother, Walburga looked down at him and gave him a strangely twisted smile, "Be good, darling Reggie. We can't wait to hear about your sorting." and you better be in Slytherin was the unspoken message they all knew was there, hanging in the air.
"Come on Reggie, the train is about to leave," Sirius said tugging on his soft arm. 'So, now I'm good enough to spare a glance at? You forgot all about me when you left for Hogwarts. (I'll write you everyday!) Yeah, right.' He spat out bitterly in his mind, the words frozen on the tip of his tongue.
The younger boy sighed, but followed, remembering the broken promises and false words dripping like poisoned honey, sweet and deadly. He knew he shouldn't care. But Regulus never really ever had a choice, did he?
(Flashback: 1971)
A boy with soft black hair, and shining silver eyes burst into the room, throwing the door opens, startling the younger boy in the room.
"Reg! It's tomorrow! Can you believe it? I'm going to Hogwarts," He chattered excitedly.
"That's great, Siri," Said the smaller boy, with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
The older boys excitement quickly faded, to be replaced with concern. "What's wrong, Reg?"
"Nothings wrong," said Regulus, adverting his eyes, "I'm... I'm just going to be lonely."
Sirius walked forward, closing the door behind him. "It's going to be your turn soon, and you'll have Kreacher for company," he said quietly, while absently walking forward and sitting next to Regulus on the bed. "It wont be that bad," Sirius finishes, with a fake cheery tone.
"Kreacher? You think Kreacher is good company?" He said incredulously, tears welling up in his silver eyes, as he tried his best to will them away with the thought of 'Blacks go not cry,' booming in his head, "You get to go off to Hogwarts, and I'll be here. All by myself!"
Sirius stared at him surprised. His brother never cried, or spoke to him like this.
"Reg, get over here," He says softly, the words fainter then he would like, as he pulled Regulus into a hug. Smiling slightly when the younger boy relaxed into the hug.
"Will you write? Everyday?" Regulus whispers quietly, as if he spoke louder the delicate balance would be broken.
Sirius puts his hands on his shoulders, "Everyday. I'll write everyday Reg,"
Regulus nodded. Sirius got up to head back to his room to sleep. "Goodnight," He says softly.
"Goodnight Siri," Regulus whispers, "I'll miss you." Letting the last part trail off into the darkness.
(Flashback end)
Regulus had written him everyday. Day, after day, after day.
He had waited, but most of the letters were short, and simply said something along the lines of 'Sorry, I had homework. James and I are having a blast. —Sirius'
That was okay, because at first he had at least heard from him.
But then he started getting a letter a week, then every two weeks, then a month, and eventually then stopped coming altogether, leaving Regulus with no one. But Kreacher, just like he said.
They entered the train together. They both knew Sirius was going to leave him when he found James.
Why does this hurt? I already know he's going to hate me when I'm a 'Greasy, slimly snake, so I should get use to it. Regulus thinks sadly, and quickly shake the notion from his head. It will be all right. His brother wouldn't abandon him. Would he…?
When he finally saw his brother at Christmas Break, he never wanted to play with him; and when he did talk to him, all he talked about was James, James, and James. And sometimes a few Remus', and Peters. Regulus hated it, the feeling of resentment and bitterness. He wanted his brother back, wanted him to care, didn't want to feel like Sirius replaced him.
"Oi, Reg." Sirius said, sounded irritated.
"Yes, Sirius?" Regulus replies, trying to shake out any of this unguided resentment.
"I'm going to find my friends. Go find a compartment or something." Sirius says, shaking his head. "And don't follow me! You should at least try to talk to people."
"Okay then," He forces out, hoping he doesn't sound as hurt as he felt.
Regulus quickly turned around, and started looking for an empty compartment.
Regulus found his desired compartment towards the back of the train, and went ahead and put his stuff up, struggling to put his trunk up. 'Please, please don't let anyone come in here,' he thought hopefully.
Of course, the world doesn't seem to like him at the moment, because a small blonde girl entered the compartment.
She had waist length white-blonde hair, and large blue eyes.
"Hullo," she says shyly, "I'm Ashlyn,"
Regulus studied her for a moment, and decided she looked nice enough. "Regulus. I'm Regulus, its nice to meet you."
"Yup! Do you mind if I sit here? I'm trying to avoid my older brother, because he's trying to drill in that I absolutely have to be a Gryffindor. Honestly I think I might want to be a Slytherin just to spite him," Ashlyn said with an evil grin, making Regulus want to snicker.
"My whole family have been Slytherin's, besides my older brother. I might be a snake, or I kind of have to." Regulus said, good mood diminishing as he studied his hands. Ashlyn would be a Gryffindor, and they wouldn't, no couldn't be friends.
"Well, my whole family is lovely Gryffindor's! At least you don't have your brother badgering you twenty-four seven reminding you, you absolutely cannot be anything but a lion!" Ashlyn exclaimed sounding exasperated.
He smirked at her, running his hands through his hair. "Do you think you'll be a Gryffindor?" He tilted his head slightly to the side, resulting in his soft black hair to fall in his eyes.
"I don't know," She pauses for a moment, "I don't think I'm brave enough for Gryffindor, or soft enough for Hufflepuff. But, I am pureblood, but I'm not cunning or sneaky, so I won't fit Slytherin, and I don't feel very smart."
Regulus nodded slight, "I'm excepted to be Slytherin," Regulus paused, thinking hard. Should you spill his guts to some girl he just met? "I think I'm not suited for Slytherin. I was thinking I might end up in Ravenclaw, but I can't," Regulus pushes the hair away from his eyes before continuing. "I have to get sorted to Slytherin, whether I want to or not."
Sophie stared at him; blue orbs boring into shining silver ones.
"There's always a choice you know," she started quietly, "We could be rebels to our families! We could shame everyone by being little 'puffs!" Ashlyn said smirking.
"Yeah, lets be Hufflepuffs! I'm so sure nobody would murder us while we slept!" Regulus exclaimed with a snort.
She shook her head, blonde hair swinging gently. "They wouldn't murder us, the badgers are too nice. No, our familes would kill us."She said grinning widely, before sobering. "I really hope you let the hat Sort you to where belong, not where your family wants you to be."
She tilted her head lightly, finger resting on her plump pink lower lip, "But I think you know what you want to do." She finished with a smirk.
Regulus opened his mouth, then closed it again, and finally settled on saying, "But maybe I'm a evil slimy snake naturally,"
"Maybe I'm a noble, reckless lion."
"Lion? I think you meant kitten."
"Alright, then you're a flobberworm."
"Touché."
Regulus delicately nodded his head, taking her words to heart. They spent the rest of the trip talking and bantering about what they would do when they got to Hogwarts, and promising to be friends, even if they are in different houses.
Soon enough they arrived and shared a boat. McGongall got everyone in a line, and the sorting started. Regulus would be lying if he said his stomach wasn't a bundle of nerves. 'I think I'm going to be sick,' he thought. And in no time at all it felt, he heard,
"Black, Regulus!"
He took a deep breath, 'Here goes nothing,' and slowly walks up to the stool, picking up the hat and putting it on.
'Ah, another Black. Hm, let me shift through here,' the hats voice was echoing through his head. This is so weird… Regulus thought disconcerted. 'You're not the only who thinks that! Let's see here, very smart, and you love books, don't you Mister Black? You're way to gentle, and not nearly merciless enough. The snakes would eat you alive. You're much to gentle. Regulus was confused, what does that make me then? You're very suited to Ravenclaw, but are you willing to take the chance?' Ravenclaw… Mother is going to kill me, he thought with a grim smile. 'Well then, better beRAVENCLAW!'
Said table look surprised, but pleased and they started clapping. Regulus carefully took off the hat and placed it the stool. He hurried over to the Ravenclaw table, carefully avoiding looking at the Slytherin's. 'I did it. I can't believe it. Mother is going to be furious,' he thought giddily. Regulus looked back at the first years waiting to be sorted and grinned widely at Ashlyn. She gave him a thumbs-up, with a smirk.
"Caster, Kate!" "HUFFLEPUFF!" "Damon, Ash!" "RAVENCLAW!" and it went on and on. He clapped with his house when someone got sorted into Ravenclaw, and waited for Ashlyn's name to be called.
"Potter, Ashlyn!" Wait a minute, Potter, as in James Potter? Regulus wanted to laugh at the irony. Maybe Sirius and him had more in common then they thought.
The hat seemed to take quite a long time to sort her. He stared perplexed, wondering why it was taking more then five minutes. Regulus was silently praying for it to shout out the house of Eagles.
And finally, the hat shouted out, "RAVENCLAW!" and she got up with a smirk of satisfaction. Regulus looked over to the lion table and saw her Brother gapping. He inwardly smirked. Ashlyn came and sat next to him, grinning from ear to ear.
"So," she said with a smirk, "Ravenclaw? I thought you were a shoe in with the slimy snakes," she teased lightheartedly. Regulus laughed lightly, then replied, "And I thought you were a shoe in for those ever so brave lions?"
She very maturely stuck her tongue out at him, and then paused peering over his shoulder at the Gryffindor table.
He turned around and looked around at the Gryffindor table and asked, "What are you looking at?"
"Somebody's staring at you. Is that your brother?" Ashlyn asked curiously.
Regulus saw his brother was indeed staring at him as if he'd never seen him before. He scowled slightly at his darling Siri, and then turned to face Ashlyn. "Yes, but Sirius has been avoiding me since he started Hogwarts. He was convinced I'd be a Slytherin, I think." Regulus tried his best to keep any bitterness out of his voice, and was pretty sure he failed. "Wait, wait, wait. I just realized you're a Black." Ashlyn exclaimed.
"Yeah, and you're a Potter."
"Our brothers are best friends."
"Yeah, so?"
"James has been going on about Sirius all summer! I hated his guts! And now his brother is my friend!"
Regulus grinned, and said happily, "Yup! If we're being honest, I hate your brother. After the twenty-seventh retelling of things about James Potter, it gets annoying."
Ashlyn grinned widely, "I felt the same about Sirius. I have a feeling we're going to be great friends."
A/N:
Hi! This is my first story, and I admit it sucks. But I've always loved little Reggie, and I wanted to write a story about him reaching great feats, and all that junk. So add in James' little sister, it's going to be great (Hopefully!). Please leave a review to help encourage me to continue if you liked it!