Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: James Potter/Rhea Black
Warnings: alternate universe; female!Regulus Black (Rhea Black); het; pure-blood culture; and pure-blood society
Prompts: (Pairing) James/Regulus; (Setting) Grimmauld Place; (Word) Gray; (Word) Merciful; and (Word) Stream


Rewrite the Stars
006. Please Don't Go

Rhea Black flinched, looking away from her older brother. While she knew that look wasn't aimed at her, she couldn't recall a time when she had ever seen such a cold and furious look on his face. The sight of his cold gray eyes made her flinch and look away, feeling weak and ashamed. Sirius wasn't meant to look cold and furious, he was meant to smile and laugh.

"Come with me," Sirius said, his tone was hard and cold, making him sound nearly emotionless.

Sneaking a look at her brother, she stared at him. "Why?" she asked, her voice soft.

Sirius' cold and murderous look melted away, leaving an emotionless expression – looking every bit the Heir Black their parents wanted. "Because you aren't safe here," he replied. "Look at what our parents did to you."

Surging forward, Sirius seceded her sleeve, making Rhea flinched. Her shoved the sleeve of her robes up, revealing her right arm. His grip tightened as he eyed the bruises from the stick and the scars from the Blood Quill. I will act like a respectable pure-blood witch worthy of the House of Black. I know, understand, and will fulfill my duties for the glory of my House.

Rhea closed her eyes, turning to look away from her. Shame filled her. She knew what her parents did to her – she knew it better than anyone.

"Rae," Sirius whispered, his tone was gentle, "mother and father gave you these." He ran a thumb over the words and the bruises. This was the first time he saw these up close. He had seen Walburga hit her with a stick and he saw witnessed Orion order her to write with the Blood Quill.

Opening her eyes, she stared at her brother through her lashes. Rhea bit her lip, thinking about what to say. I deserve it. I should know better than to dream. I know what's excepted of me. The words were stuck in her throat, trying to escape.

Instead, she didn't say anything as her gaze dropped to her right arm, taking in the sight of the words scarred onto her arm and the bruises from the stick. She didn't want to suffer like this, but if she left than she would lose everything.

"Who would want me?" she whispered, tearing gathering in her gray eyes. All Rhea ever dreamed of was a family – a loving husband and children. As a daughter of the main branch of the House of Black, Rhea was considered cattle to be sold to the highest bidder. If she was born into a different branch, Rhea might have a chance to marry for love or marry someone close to her own age.

Sirius' expression softened. "I'll find someone," he promised.

Rhea stared at her brother for a few seconds. "Okay," she whispered.

Without another word, Sirius pulled her into his arms. He held her close.

"Kreacher," he called, summoning the family house-elf.

The house-elf appeared with a pop. "What does nasty Master Sirius want?" the house-elf asked.

"I need you to pack my sister's things," Sirius told the house-elf.

Kreacher looked over at Rhea, his eyes widened at the sight of her arm. "What has happened to Miss Rhea?" he asked, sounding concerned.

Sirius' eyes hardened. "Kreacher, pack!" he ordered. "We're leaving tonight!"

Kreacher turned back to Sirius. His eyes narrowed. "Kreacher will," he said with bow before leaving the room with a pop.

Wrapping an arm around his sister's shoulders, Sirius led her out of the hallway and into his bedroom. His trunk was packed and ready to go on his bed. He retrieved his wand from under his pillow. Waving his wand, he muttered an incantation under his breath. The trunk shrunk, and Sirius quickly put it in his pocket.

"Where's your wand?" he asked.

"Father took it," Rhea answered in a whisper. Upon their return from Hogwarts, Orion took his daughter's wand as punish for her poor grades, although most people would consider Exceeds Expectations and Outstandings to be excellent grades. She was expected to obtain all Outstandings and to be ranked first in her year, not third below a blood traitor and a mudblood.

Kreacher entered the bedroom with pop. "Kreacher brings Miss Rhea's trunk and wand," he presented the two items to Sirius and Rhea.

Sirius took the shrunken trunk while Rhea grabbed her wand.

"Thank you, Kreacher," she muttered.

"Miss Rhea is most welcome," the house-elf told her.

Turning to Sirius, Kreacher presented him with a large pouch. "Kreacher grabbed this for Master Sirius," he explained, "so he can care for Miss Rhea."

Sirius took the pouch, loosening the tie. It was a bag of galleons. "I will," he promised, meeting the house-elf's eyes.

The house-elf nodded. "Kreacher plans to disable the wards at midnight," he announced before leaving the room with a pop.

...

Sirius and Rhea remained in Sirius' bedroom until midnight. At midnight, the pair left his bedroom and they headed down the stairs and into the kitchen. From the kitchen, they walked as quickly as possible to the front door. With the wards being down, they would be able to use the front door.

Once they were outside, Sirius and Rhea moved quickly. They walked down the street from Grimmauld Place. Sirius planned to summon the Knight Bus, but he wanted to put a good amount of distance between them and Number Twelve.

They walked for several blocks before they came across a park. Sirius glanced around before he pulled out his wand to summon the Knight Bus.

A few minutes later, a double-decker purple bus appeared. The man was barely out the door before Sirius was shoving his sister up the stairs.

"We're headed to The Leaky Cauldron," Sirius told the man, handing over a galleon.

Sirius and Rhea took a seat on a nearby bed. Rhea was barely seated when the Knight Bus was taking off.

They were on the bus for a few stops before it arrived to The Leaky Cauldron. Sirius and Rhea were quick to disembark. They took two steps away from the bus before it was zooming off.

Inside the pub, Sirius requested a room with two beds before he led his sister upstairs. He pulled their trunks out and restored them to their normal size.

"Stay here," he ordered. "I have a few errands. I should be back in an hour or two. Don't open the door, and don't let anyone in the room."

Rhea nodded, pulling out her wand. "What wards should I use?" she asked.

Sirius smiled, reaching to tuck a piece of dark hair behind her ear. "Don't worry about it," he told her, "I've got that covered."

Rhea watched as her older brother pulled out his wand and he started casting several enchantments. It was easy to forget that Sirius was a talented student due to his record of detentions, his friends, and his love of pranks.

A few minutes later, Sirius returned his wand to his pocket. Turning, he pulled Rhea into a quick hug.

"I have a plan," he whispered before pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Mutely, Rhea nodded as anxiety and doubt started to build. Was coming with Sirius the right thing to do?

Sirius left a few seconds later, leaving Rhea alone with her thoughts and doubts.

"Have a made a mistake?" she whispered in the empty room. Tears filled Rhea's eyes as she collapsed onto a bed.

Eventually, she fell into an uneasy sleep.

...

Once he entered Diagon Alley, Sirius headed straight to Gringotts. The bank was open twenty-four hours a day, every day of the week. He needed to act quickly. He had a matter of hours before Orion and Walburga would write to inform Grandfather Arcturus and they would be disowned.

Entering the bank, Sirius was escorted back to Silverhammer, the Manager of the Black Accounts.

"Heir Black, this is a surprise visit," the goblin greeted.

Sirius nodded. "And it will be our last," he said.

The goblin titled his head. "That is unfortunate," he stated.

"If we can begin?" Sirius requested. He was limited on time.

Silverhammer nodded. "How can Gringotts be of assistance today, Heir Black?"

"I need to set up three new vaults," Sirius replied, running a hand through his dark hair. "I need an account for himself, for Heiress Rhea Black, and a dowery account."

The goblin pulled out a few pieces of parchment and he quickly wrote out the requests. His eyes met Sirius' at the mention of a dowery account.

"Should I transfer the full amount in Heiress Rhea's current dowery account?" the goblin asked, retrieving a separate piece of parchment from his desk. He placed it in front of Sirius.

Sirius' gray eyes widened. Who had set up a dowery account for Rhea? One shouldn't be opened until she was sixteen. Sirius was opening one early to ensure Rhea had a dowery.

He grabbed the parchment. As he read the words, his fingers tightened around the edge. Walburga Black was the worst mother. She had sold her only daughter to the Dark Lord.

"Does Lord Black know about this?" Sirius asked, his voice close to emotionless.

"He does not," Silverhammer answered, taking the parchment back. "He left the arrangements of Heiress Rhea's betrothal to Mrs. Black."

Sirius' eyes narrowed. "Can you transfer the entire account and an additional one hundred galleons?" he asked.

"Consider it done, Heir Black," the goblin told him. "What balance would you like in yours and Heiress Rhea's vault?"

Sitting back in his chair, Sirius thought for a moment. Their Hogwarts education was paid for in full, barring supplies and personal effects. Sirius only had two years left while Rhea had three. "Five hundred galleons in my own vault," he requested, "and a thousand in Rhea's."

Silverhammer grinned, showing off his mouthful of teeth. "Is that a rush order?" he asked.

Sirius nodded, offering the goblin a smile. "I need it completed before I leave the bank today," he said.

"There will be an additional fee of twenty-five percent," Silverhammer said.

"Can you take the fee from Mrs. Black's personal vault?" Sirius asked.

"If you insist, Heir Black," the goblin said.

"Are there any matters I should be informed of, concerning myself or Heiress Rhea?" Sirius asked as the goblin filed the requests for new vaults and the money transfer orders.

Silverhammer said nothing as he looked through his desk. He pulled out an old piece of parchment.

"I believe this will interest you," the goblin told him, turning the parchment to face Sirius.

His eyes widened as the sight of the title Delayed Betrothal Agreement. "How old is this?" he asked, picking the parchment up.

"Almost one thousand years old," the goblin told him.

Sirius nodded, his eyes scanning the document. They stopped at the name of the other family Peverell. "I thought House Peverell died out," he said.

"The patriarchal line has," the goblin confirmed, "but a matriarchal line married into House Potter four generations ago."

His eyes widened a little further. "Does that mean House Potter will uphold the agreement?" he asked. Hope was filling him. He knew James would take care of his little sister, and the Potters were a good family.

"Either the Potters will or Tom Marvolo Riddle," the goblin answered. "Whomever comes here first."

Sirius nodded, his eyes narrowing. He was vaguely familiar with the name Tom Marvolo Riddle. The man was a schoolmate of Orion's. That wasn't the type of man he wanted his sister marrying.

Staring at the contract, Sirius tried to think. He needed to get the Potters – namely James or Fleamont – into the bank within a few hours.

"Can Gringotts send a port-key?" he asked. It was likely he would know the answer himself if he paid attention in History of Magic, but he hated that classes and Professor Binns.

"For a fee of fifty galleons," Silverhammer answered.

"Please, use Mr. Black's vault," Sirius said.

Silverhammer grinned in response. This was profitable day for him – and the bank. It would be sad to see Heir Black lose access to his family's vaults and accounts. Maybe there was a way they could assist him in keeping access.

As Sirius remained in Silverhammer's office, a Gringotts house-elf was sent to run a few errands for Sirius, mainly picking up some supplies from around Diagon Alley. The goblins were perfectly willing to assist – for a fee of twenty galleons for the use of the house-elf plus additional fees on top of that.

An hour after the port-key was sent, Fleamont and James arrived in Silverhammer's office.

"Sirius," Fleamont Potter greeted.

"Lord Potter," Sirius greeted in return.

Fleamont nodded. "I take it this is official business," he said.

Silverhammer was quick to answer, "Heir Black was just informed of the Delayed Betrothal Agreement between House Black and House Peverell."

James frowned, looking between his best friend and his father and the goblin.

"I'm afraid that I'm unfamiliar with that particular agreement," Fleamont said.

Sirius handed the piece of parchment over to Fleamont.

The man took the parchment and a seat before he read the document over. He read it twice before placing it on the desk.

"What's going on, Sirius?" Fleamont asked, looking at his son's best friend.

"I ran away," Sirius replied, "and I need someplace for Rhea to go."

"Your sister?" James asked, looking over at the piece of parchment. He grabbed it for himself.

Sirius nodded. "She came with me," he whispered.

"You're looking to use the agreement for your sister and James?" Fleamont asked.

Nodding, Sirius turned his gaze to James. "I know it's asking a lot," he said, "but I need to take care of Rhea."

James met his friend's gaze. "I understand," he told his best friend. With a grin he added, "We'll be real brothers this way."

Relief filled Sirius at his friend's words. "You'll do it?" he asked. He knew James was interested in Lily Evans.

Looking at his father, James answered, "I will. Family is the most important thing to a Potter."

Fleamont smiled at his son.

"Here you are," Silverhammer said, presenting the group with a Blood Quill. "While I hate to interrupt your moment, I feel I should hurry you along."

"Thank you," Sirius muttered, taking the quill. He quickly signed Heir Sirius Orion Black at the bottom of the contract before passing the Blood Quill to Fleamont.

Fleamont signed as Lord Fleamont Charlus Potter.

Taking the Blood Quill from his father, James signed as well as Heir James Linfred Potter.

The three signatures glowed gold as the contract was accepted.

Watching the parchment turn white filled Sirius with relief. His baby sister was taken care of. "Thank you," he whispered to Fleamont and James as a few tears streamed down his face. A huge weight was lifted off of his shoulders. While Sirius knew he was rash, he was happy to know his sister wouldn't be paying the price for his decisions. She deserved so much more.

James pulled his best friend into a hug. "Don't worry about it," he whispered. "I promise to take care of Rhea."

Sirius wrapped his arms around James. "Do you think you'll fall in love with her?" he asked. He knew Rhea dreamed of romance. She deserved it and more.

"I'll trying," James promised. It was said that a Potter only fell in love once.

"Let me know how I can help," Sirius told his best friend as they separated.

"Where are you and Rhea staying?" Fleamont asked.

"We have a room at The Leaky Cauldron," Sirius answered. "I was going to see about finding an apartment today."

"I would like Rhea to come to the manor," Fleamont said. "I know you've take responsibility for her – and yourself – but I loath the idea of her staying here."

James brightened at the thought of having Rhea at Potter Manor. It would give him a chance to get to know her as more than Sirius' little sister.

Sirius bit his tongue, ready to deny the request. Originally, he planned to stay with the Potters, but those plans changed the moment he brought Rhea with him. He wanted to prove that he could do right by his sister, taking care of her on his own, but this wasn't the time. He needed to put Rhea first – ahead of his pride. Living with the Potters was the right thing to do.

"We'll need to work out an arrangement for rent," Sirius told Fleamont.

James frowned, opening his mouth to tell his friend off. There was no need to pay.

"Can we have this discussion this afternoon, after we all sleep?" Fleamont asked. He was impressed with Sirius.

"Of course," Sirius agreed.

Before leaving Gringotts, Sirius retrieved the purchases from the house-elf and the keys for the new vaults. The group headed to The Leaky Cauldron. James and Fleamont waited down by the bar as Sirius headed up to the room he rented.

Upon entering, he was pleased to see that Rhea was sound asleep. Waking over, he gently shook her awake.

"Siri," she muttered when she opened her eyes.

Sirius smiled down at her. "We need to get moving," he told her, waving his wand to shrink their trunks down.

"What's going on?" she asked, sounding confused.

Taking a deep breath, Sirius sat down on the bed next to her. He needed to tell her everything. "A lot," he whispered before launching into the recent events, including the betrothal Walburga had arranged for her and her new betrothal status. "It was the best way to cancel Walburga's."

"I understand," Rhea whispered, taking her brother's hand in hers. She offered him a small smile. "Potter beats the Dark Lord any day."

Sirius tried to return her smile. "I want you to be happy," he told her.

Rhea shrugged. "That's up to me and Potter to find," she said. "I know you'll help us, but this is something we need to figure out."

Sirius and Rhea spent a few more moments in the room before heading down to meet up with the Potters.

James greeted Rhea with a hug while Fleamont looked on with a smile.


Count: ~3,000


This was written for

Are You Crazy Enough to Do It Challenge
299. (Pairing) James Potter/Regulus Black

Build a Zoo Challenge
Zebra (Enclosure): (Setting) Grimmauld Place

Character Boot Camp: Favorite Character
03. Grey

Character Boot Camp: Favorite House
49. Stream