1st September, 1972
Regulus Arcturus Black.
Regulus wrote in thick, messy letters in black ink in a notebook. He had received it as a gift for his birthday back in July, when he'd turned 11. It had a thick, black, leather cover, with a small snake design, and good-quality, yellowing parchment pages. It was easily the best gift he had received, although there wasn't much competition. It had been from his mother; he had got a set of two lockets from his father; one for Sirius and one for himself. Sirius had not bothered to get him anything, but this was to be expected.
He turned the book over in his hands, feeling the snake engraved into it. It was another reminder that it was of the up most expectation that he was to be sorted into Slytherin.
After he arrived at Hogwarts for his first term, he would be sorted into Slytherin and continue the century long family tradition. And the disgrace Sirius had brought on the family the previous year would be forgotten and nothing short of a distant memory.
He had been constantly reminded of this since his letter had arrived in August. Especially by his father, who prayed upon him like a lion on a defenceless gazelle.
•••
"Regulus!" Came his mother's shrill voice. "Regulus! Come now, we are to be late for the train!"
He quickly hurried, slipping the book into his satchel and hurrying along, hoping not to be caught by his father. To his surprise, his father was waiting downstairs, along with his mother and Sirius. He hung his head down low, nodding nervously at his father as he walked past. A bottle of rum, along with several empty shot glasses accompanied his father. He swallowed dryly, much aware his father would be worse than usual. "Hey boy! Address me in my presence!" He slurred his words but Regulus could tell his tone was dangerous. "COME HERE BOY!" Came his father's thundering voice once more, and he approached. His father stood with difficultly and walked dizzily over to him. He grabbed the small boy's shoulders, and Regulus tried to make his breathing shallow. "Tr-y, not t-to mess-s it all u-p. He sniggered, shoving him to the ground.
Sirius' eyes widened in horror but Walburga just had a weary expression on her face, although she was used to seeing this, which she was.
Regulus held his breath, nervously awaiting whatever his harsh punishment would be. But to his surprise, he just earned another shove, causing him to trip and cut his ear on a nearby dresser. The older man told him to get up, and he scrambled to his feet. His mother had already opened the door by now and soon she was ushering him out before he could do any more damage.
She hurried the boys along the cobbled streets, Regulus clutching his ear. A few spots of blood were now on his fingers. His mother pulled them into an alley before stopping. "Regulus, what an earth was that? You can't aggravate your father like that. Stupid boy." She shook her head and produced a cloth from her pocket, dabbing at the blood. But it was not in a motherly way. It was more as if she would worry what people would think. She tucked a strand of hair in front of his ear.
"Now, that should cover it. Not a word as you know." She said.
"Are you ready Sirius?" The older boy nodded, and they apparated straight to London. She took them firmly by their hands and dragged them all the way to The Leaky Cauldron, where they quickly entered Diagon Alley.
They then made their way to the train station and soon they had arrived at platform 9 .
Regulus stared in awe at the platform. Although he had accompanied his mother to see off Sirius last year, something felt different knowing he was going to be boarding the train. Excitement and nervousness ran through his veins. He could barely wait.
He turned to face his mother. He thought he saw a flash of emotion in her grey eyes, but it was soon replaced by her usual cold demeanour. "I want to hear of no trouble regarding you boys, understood?" She said sharply.
They both nodded obediently. "Yes, you beast." Sirius muttered.
Regulus held his breath nervously. Had she heard him? His question was soon answered. "What did you say to me young man?" She asked, lips pursed, voice like nails against mahogany.
"N-nothing." He stuttered.
"No black speaks like that!" She shrieked. "Speak properly!"
With that, her long thin fingers slashed across his face, leaving red marks across his skin.
His hand flew immediately to his cheek. Her face tensed. Leaning in closer to his face, she whispered. "Not a single word to another soul, do I make myself clear?" She asked softly, yet deadly, her voice like poison. He nodded. "Yes, mother." He said, this time without stuttering.
"Now come, both of you." She gestured for them to follow and turned on her heels, striding across the platform with her usual perfect posture. Regulus breathed out a sigh of relief, thankful she seemed to have let the subject go, at least for now.
•••
Soon they reached the train and it came time for departure. Regulus and Sirius were given their suitcases and other belongings they were to take with them, and once again Walburga turned to face them.
Regulus looked around at all the other children being said goodbye to by loving families and parents. They were receiving hugs and kisses, presents and well wishes. Regulus knew by now that none of these such things were present in the Black household. Not a morsel more of love than was necessary to raise a decent child was shown to the children, and they were treated like adults as soon as they were old enough. Bad behaviour was to not be tolerated and they were taught to behave in harsh and cruel ways, with unforgiving punishments if they were to put a foot out of line and no mercy was shown.
So he was simply given a stern warning to behave in a manner of what would be expected of a Black and yet another reminder that he best be sorted into Slytherin, before him and his brother boarded the great Hogwarts Express and bid goodbye to their mother.
•••
They boarded the train, entering the nearest compartment. Regulus watched as Sirius left, going in the opposite direction. He naturally followed him.
"What you think you're doing?" Sirius snapped.
"I don't know, where are you going?" Regulus asked.
"I'm going to hang out with my friends, now best leave me alone." Sirius retorted.
"But why?" The younger boy inquired.
"Because, I'm not having a git like you buggering up our fun. Now beat it." The older boy snapped.
So Regulus did. He walked in the opposite direction and suddenly began to feel rather small noticing the many other compartments all around him and his small cheight compared to the older students. He wished Sirius was there to comfort him. He went looking for an empty compartment and eventually found one after searching for a while. Attempting to put his suitcase in the overhead storage area, he realised he couldn't reach as he found he was too small. So instead he sat down on one side, placing his suitcase opposite him, taking a liking to the view out of the window. He heard many sounds coming from the rest of the train: laughter, conversation, hushed whispers and practicing of spells, and was reminded that he was all alone.
He hoped maybe he would get some friends like Sirius had, like Remus who Sirius said was stubborn, but kind, and James who he said was bloody cool and his best friend, and then there was Peter, who Sirius didn't talk about a lot, he said he was a bit of a tosser. And of course Snivellous, who regulus hoped he didn't meet anyone like, because according to Sirius he was a stupid git.
•••
He was broken out of his thoughts by the sound of the compartment door sliding open. He glanced up, surprised to see a tall, older boy with hazel eyes, round glasses and a mop of jet black hair that was rather messy indeed. He sat down opposite him, as if completely unaware that he had just sat in a stranger's carriage. The older boy seemed to notice him for the first time and held out his hand eagerly. "Oh hey there! I'm James potter. Don't s'pose i've seen you round here before. You a first year?"
Regulus nodded, staring at the boy in awe.
James continued. "An, what's your name? Quiet one aren't you!"
Regulus nodded. "I guess. I'm Regulus. Regulus black." He said, extending his arm out and shaking the other boy's.
"Black? Bloody hell! You don't say! You're Sirius' brother then are you? Thought so. You don't half look similar." James remarked.
"Do we?" Regulus asked, surprised.
"Yeah, you do. Who do you look like then? My mam says I look like my pa, got his eyes."
Regulus nodded. "I guess I look like mother, Since we both have dark hair."
James continued talking fast. "Why you all alone over ere' anyways?"
"Oh, Sirius said I had to leave him alone. Said he wanted to hang out with his friends or something. I suppose it's fair enough." Regulus explained.
"Wow, not half posh are you? But you're alright. We can't keep your name though, what kind of poncey name is Regulus?"
Regulus shrugged. "I don't know, it's not like I picked it."
But then he paused, wondering if James would think him rude, or not speak to him anymore.
But the older boy just laughed. "You're funny, I like that. Cmon. You can join our club." He stood, gesturing for Regulus to follow. The younger boy stood, lugging his great suitcase behind him. "Club?" He asked.
"Yeah", James nodded, "we're the marauders we are."
"Oh," regulus nodded.
"Hurry up, then." James said impatiently. Regulus tried his best to follow.
"I know what we'll call you. "Reggie." We'll call you Reggie."
Regulus nodded. He had yet to form an opinion on this nickname, but it didn't matter, because he was a part of something.
They reached James' Carriage, and he slid the door back and gestured for Regulus to sit. Opposite them sat another boy, who was skinny and rather boney, with blonde hair that was cut into a perfectly straight fringe, and two sticking out front teeth, and eyes that darted back and forth like a kind of rodent. He had been fast asleep, snoring, but he woke with a start when James entered. He didn't speak, but James introduced him as Pete. He introduced Regulus as Reggie, and the young boy felt a new sense of pride at the use of this new nickname.
"We call im' Wormtail. And then there's Mooney and Pads. Where are they, Wormtail?" James asked Pete.
The skinnier boy shrugged, snorting and going back to sleep.
"He's useless, he is. You've got to meet Mooney, though."
"Mooney? Is he part of your club too?" Regulus asked.
James nodded. "It's not is' real name either, it's Remus. But we call, him Mooney you see, ever since-." He looked like he was about to finish but suddenly stopped.
"Oh, I'm not spose' to tell y that. It's a secret."
"A secret?" Regulus was intrigued.
"Yeah, an a big one too. I best not tell you. Not yet."
Regulus felt slightly disappointed at this, but continued to follow James through the train.
They arrived at another carriage, and they both entered. Sirius was sat opposite a taller boy with curly, sandy coloured hair and hazel eyes. Silvery scars ran across his face and hands, and a sprinkle of freckles ran down his cheeks and nose. James sat down next to him, and Regulus sat next to Sirius.
Sirius sighed. "What are you doing here?"
Regulus went to speak, but James cut him off. "Leave im alone Pads, he ain't half bad your brother."
Regulus felt his cheeks getting hot. Never had anyone defended him like that.
"Yeah, he seems okay, Pads." Said the sandy haired boy.
"I'm Remus, by the way, nice to meet you." He offered a scarred hand to Regulus, who shook it gratefully.
"I'm regulus." He replied.
Sirius sighed. "Okay then, just don't bugger things up."
James ruffled Regulus' hair playfully, while the other boys laughed. James chimed in, "I thought we'd call im' Reggie for now, cause he hasn't got a proper nickname yet, but he should ave' soon, y'know."
Remus smiled. "Maybe he could become one two."
"I don't know." Sirius shook his head.
"Oh, I think so." James added. "E'd be a good one too, I'd say.
"Maybe." Said Sirius.
"A good what?" Regulus wondered aloud. "Tell me," he begged.
James shook his head. "Not yet, little Reggie, you'll learn it all in time. But for now, welcome to the Marauders."