As he crossed the entrance hall of Hogwarts, Regulus was already feeling somewhat relieved of all the weight he had accumulated in the previous days... The older boys went a little ahead and he murmured to Severus that he could go on. "I'm fine," were the words he'd uttered when the tall Slytherin had missed Black on the walk and had turned to him. "Can go."
Severus went ahead and disappeared into the golden door without question.
The crowd gradually thinned out and Regulus stared at the owl set in a torch.
-It must be wonderful not to have duties or demands, isn't it... - he muttered, smiling at himself for making that analogy of a sculpture with his life.
He didn't notice, however, that James had just passed by, slightly aware of his presence, but not interrupting his own entrance.
