"I'm Regulus," he says.

"Wegulus? That's a silly name." She giggles, and he finds himself giggling without knowing or caring why. It is a bright morning, the lone sun shining upon the next-door neighbors from different worlds. There is no need for formal courtesy; theirs is the shamelessness of childhood. It is nice to meet her. No need to mention it when it couldn't be otherwise.

"Regulus!" his mother screeches from the top step. "Come inside!"

He needs no words to protest, just simple ignorance.

Her shadow nears across the yard until she scoops him up, hands bony and frustrated. "I don't wanna!" he futilely screams, thrashing as he is borne inside.

"You do not speak to Muggles," she hisses once there. Some of his relatives on the walls stir when they hear her, nodding their approval and tsking their disapproval.

"Whah?" says Regulus.