A/N: I do not own HP. I am not J.K. Rowling. That said, thanks to Pilgrim Em and Luthiera7 for alerting this story! It means a lot. I decided to (since I have been on a writing streak today, and this is my favorite part of the story) to post the next bit. I'm also on the lookout for a Beta, if you know anyone who might be interested. Enjoy!
Regulus was five, and had just woken up from a night terror. He knew his mum heavily disapproved of him coming to her at night. The last time he had, she scolded him thoroughly and told him that Sirius had not done this when he was a big boy, and that Regulus must learn to be braver. His chubby face fell as he recalled that memory. This is why he found himself toddling towards his older brother's room. He would comfort Regulus, surely. Maybe he would even tell him the secret to being brave when one has had a night terror.
Cautiously, Regulus had pushed open his brother's door. Sirius was fast asleep, sprawled across his bed, his mouth hanging open. He found he did not want to wake up his brother, when he looked so peaceful. Right now his room looked about the same as Regulus's, considering his mum still controlled the decorative tastes due to magic. He crawled up next to his brother, trying not to jostle him. Finally, he found himself snuggled up next to Sirius, a happy glint in his grey eyes as he shut them, trying to go back to sleep.
However, it appeared he failed, as he heard Sirius mumbles," What are you doing in my bed, Reg?"
Regulus eyes went wide and his heart started thudding," I am sorry, big brother. I got scared."
"What could possibly have scared you, Regulus?" Sirius asked, rolling over, and giving his younger brother a small smile.
He frowned, upset at this comment, even though he knew Sirius was trying to cheer him up," A night terror."
"Oh," Sirius yawned," Why didn't you go to Mum?"
Regulus looked down, embarrassed to have to admit this to Sirius. His cheeks reddened," I did, last time, but Mum said that big boys don't get scared, and that I have to be a big boy now."
Sirius sighed, and hugged Regulus to him," I understand, Reg. Just come to me next time, and I'll be happy to let you sleep in here."
Regulus dimpled, he smiled so happily," Thanks, Sirius."
"No problem," Sirius rolled over," Now go to sleep."
Regulus, to his credit, did try to sleep, but found he could not, remembering his Mum's words about Sirius being brave, and not coming to her about everything.
"Sirius?" Regulus asked softly, in case his brother was already asleep.
"Yeah?"
"How do you do it?"
"Do what?" Sirius asked, a slight note of irritation entering his voice.
"Be brave…"
His brother rolled around, and faced him," What makes you think I'm brave?"
"Mum said that you were brave because you didn't go to her about night terrors. How do you be brave?"
Sirius knit his eyebrows together, thinking," It is not really something you do, Reg. It's just something you are."
"Oh," Regulus frowned," So I'll never be brave?"
Sirius chuckled lightly," I am not saying that. Don't worry, night terrors end eventually."
With that said, Regulus felt comforted enough to think about closing his eyes in order to sleep. He nodded off slowly, his head on his brother's shoulder. Sirius smiled to himself, and went to sleep also, thinking about his brother calling him brave. Regulus would never know how much that helped Sirius define him as he became older.
Regulus started, hearing a knock downstairs. He knew his Mum's guests had arrived. He smoothed his robes, and started to the parlor, thinking about the night he had gone to Sirius about night terrors. It was the first, and only time, he had done so. After that, he just remembered Sirius's words about being brave having to do with what you are, and not so much what you do. Therefore, he stuck in his room, and tried to force himself to be brave. It did not really work, as Sirius was sorted into Gryffindor, and Regulus into Slytherin. He often wondered if his mum regretted telling her son to be brave like his brother after that.
"Regulus," Walburga said, with a slight hint of excitement, as he came down the stairs.
His eyebrows lifted only slightly as he looked at his mum. It had only been a couple of hours since his mum had blasted Sirius's name off the tree, and Regulus was worried. As soon as she ordered poor Kreacher to clean up the mess, she began calling on her friends. He had no idea what she was up to, and frankly, he had no desire to learn what it was. Somehow, though, he had a feeling he would know very soon what plans his mum had put into motion.
"Yes, Mother?" He asked, as politely as he his training had taught him to.
"Regulus, meet Andromache Greengrass."
Regulus coolly glanced at his mum's friend, and smiled pleasantly," Nice to meet you, Mrs. Greengrass."
Mrs. Greengrass swept over him with appraising eyes before turning to a young girl that stood beside her. She looked to be in Regulus's year, and had straight long brown hair that was pinned back. Her hazel eyes held a guarded look, though he swore he could see a flicker of irritation in them.
"This is my daughter, Thalia. I had her as a student at Beauxbatons, but considering what all has been going on, I wanted her closer to home, so I had her transferred to Hogwarts this year."
Regulus pulled a blank for a second. Why did it matter if Thalia was closer to home? She came from a pureblooded family. Besides, if she were not France would have been much safer than England. However, Regulus remembered his manners.
He gave her a slight bow, and a light smile," Pleasure to meet you, Thalia." Then, after an encouraging look from his mum he added," It would be even more of a pleasure to show you around Hogwarts when term begins."
Thalia let a tiny smirk grace her lips, as she stared at him, that flicker having grown into a flame of irritation," I would be immensely grateful to you if you did."
Mrs. Greengrass nodded to herself, pleased, but gave her a daughter a precursory warning look.
Thalia just looked at her mum innocently before turning back towards Regulus," Perhaps we could take a walk?"
Regulus glanced at his mum, and as she nodded encouragingly, he nodded," Yes, of course."
He offered Thalia the crook of his arm, and the two strolled outside, away from prying eyes.
Once of the eyesight of her mum, Thalia quickly let go of his arm, and sighed heavily.
Regulus was puzzled," Did I offend you?"
"No—yes, but no," was her way of answering his question.
"How so?" He inquired as politely as possible.
She glanced at him out of the corner of her eyes," I apologize. I just find having to be so formal tediously boring."
Regulus let out a laugh," Oh, thank God. I'm not the only one with that issue."
Thalia whirled around to face him, surprised," You agree?"
"Yes," He chuckled," I always have. However, Mum is not someone you want to anger, so I just go with it."
"That's the real reason I'm switching schools," Thalia confessed," Mum got tired of all the letters from my etiquette teachers complaining about how awful I am."
He grinned," Then Hogwarts will be a relief to you. We have no such class."
"Oh, I know. I read Hogwarts, a History," she said dismissively.
He blinked," Are you serious? You actually read that book?"
Thalia nodded hesitantly," Yes…is that a bad thing?"
Regulus shook his head," No, but you've got to be the first student to have ever done so."
She flushed, and replied defensively," I like reading."
Regulus shrugged," I was teasing. We should be heading back, before they get concerned, or your reputation is damaged." He said the last part mockingly, knowing how people got over girls and guys spending lots of time together without a chaperone.
"Oh, right," She took Regulus's arm again, and they quietly began their walk back to his house.
"Well, I normally lie through my teeth when I say this, but I'm being completely honest this time, it was nice meeting you, Thalia."
"Lia," she said suddenly.
"What?" He asked his face bewildered.
"Lia, call me Lia."
Regulus smiled," But not in front of your mum right?"
Thalia cringed," Right."
With a small laugh, they entered the living room again, and Thalia took her place beside her mum.
Mrs. Black looked like she just ate a canary, and smiled pleasantly at both mother and daughter," Well, I shall see you later, Andromache, and you of course, Thalia."
Mrs. Greengrass gave Mrs. Black a knowing look before smirking," Yes, of course. We would be honored. However, we must go now, as her father is due home from work."
With that, Mrs. Greengrass grabbed her daughter, and apparated.
"How did you like Thalia, dear?" Mrs. Black asked calmly.
"She was very pleasant," Regulus answered as he was supposed to. He really was intrigued by the girl, and was sure to keep his word about showing her around.
"That is great news," With that, Mrs. Black swept up to her room.
Regulus frowned, wondering what made her so happy all of a sudden. He shrugged, deciding not to think about it, and headed up to his own room to finish a potions assignment. Not that it mattered, of course. Slughorn absolutely loved him.
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