Regulus

The young cousin was horrified. Never had he seen Aquila lose control of his emotions. The older boy wept quietly, sobs trembled through his body but were silent. If it hadn't been for Regulus' wet crumpled shirt front he might not have realized that the other teen was crying.

At a loss, Regulus simply held his cousin running his hand up and down the boy's back as Aquila had done for him in the past and kissed his temple. "Talk to me, Qui."

"Non, mon cousin. There is nothing to talk about." Aquila calmed slowly, but Regulus refused to rush him, offering the other boy a quiet strength.

Regulus had no idea who long they sat on the cold tile floor, but that didn't truly matter. All that mattered to Regulus was comforting his cousin as Aquila had done for him. The sun was high in the sky, filling the room with its rays of light and casting shadows in odd shapes. Aquila took a deep breath and sat up, "Merci."

"Grandfather upset you?"

"Oui, but that is not important." Aquila pushed himself from the floor and straightened his robes as he walked to his bathroom where he splashed water on his face.

Regulus stood at the threshold and leaned against the bathroom door frame. "Do you still want to go to Diagon Alley?"

"Yes, I must get supplies for next year. Are you coming with me then?" Aquila stood in front of the mirror and smoothed his hair.

"Of course," Regulus grinned, "I have been waiting for you. Mother wanted me to go with her, but I'd rather have dragon pox than shop with her."

"That's rather melodramatic, don't you think?"

"Perhaps, but it's the truth all the same." Regulus backed away from the threshold as Aquila exited.

The two cousins made their way down the stairs and were passing the open door of the drawing room when the shrill voice called out to him. The screeching annoying tone was unmistakable, "Regulus!"

He thought to ignore her, he truly did, but in the end propriety won and he stopped to see what his mother wanted.

Walburga snarled at Aquila before turning her full attention back on her son, "Where do you think you're going?"

"Diagon Alley," Regulus responded with nominal words.

"You aren't going with him. You'll go with me." Walburga's shrill voice caused Regulus to twitch, but before he could refuse a thought occurred to him.

Regulus stepped around his mother, straightened his shoulders forcing his spine ramrod straight and gave his grandfather a respectful nod, "Grandfather."

Pollux peered at the Black heir, "What is it, boy?"

"I will be purchasing my school supplies at Diagon Alley today. There is no need for Mother to chaperone, as I have ample protection. Aquila will accompany me." Regulus gave another sharp nod and turned on his heel to leave. "Come Aquila, it is time to depart."

For all his bravado, Regulus was trembling as he strode out the front door with false confidence. His cousin was steps behind him, or at least he hoped so because Regulus couldn't possibly stop now, it would ruin the effect. The shrill voice of his mother followed the two out the door as she bellowed to her father about her son's behavior. What Pollux's reaction was Regulus hadn't waited to hear. The door closed long before he spoke.

"Bravo, Regulus." Aquila followed a step behind, hands folded behind him as they strode towards the propertyline.

"I can't beleive that worked." The younger wizard still hadn't stopped his forward momentum, nor had he stopped trembling. Regulus lost his footing as his knees gave out and Aquila's hand at his elbow quickly supported the teen's weight.