Regulus watched the delicate fluttering of the butterfly's wings. He had been watching the creature for some time now, hoping that if he stayed still enough it might come closer. Mesmerised by the colours and grace of the creature, he didn't notice his brother approaching until it was too late.
"What're you doing?" Sirius asked loudly, frightening the creature and causing it to fly away.
"Nothing," Regulus said tonelessly, watching the insect fly over the fence at the back of the garden and out of sight. He had been hoping to keep it as a pet.
.oOo.
He stood at the platform, about to embark on his first year at Hogwarts. Sirius had disappeared as soon as they'd arrived, leaving him to say goodbye to their parents alone.
"Don't forget your owl," his mother said, handing him the heavy ornate cage. The creature was large and brutish, feathers permanently ruffled; nothing like the sleek owl Sirius had received before his first year.
Regulus pushed a small finger through the bars of the cage, withdrawing his hand almost immediately with a gasp. Blood dripped down his finger from the gash created by the creature's beak, and he glared back at the large bird.
"Regulus, do be careful," his mother admonished, quickly healing his finger and ushering him onto the train.
.oOo.
"Why do you always use the school owls?" Barty asked him one evening; they were the only two people in the Owlery. "I'd never use one of these useless creatures if I had my own." Regulus quickly tied the letter to the bird's leg, glancing briefly at his own owl where it sat far out of his reach and glaring at him with small, beady eyes.
"I'm pretty sure it killed my cousin's cat," Regulus said monotonously, breaking eye contact with the creature and allowing the school owl to fly off.
"Don't be ridiculous; it's a bird," Barty said. "It couldn't possibly kill a cat."
Regulus wasn't so sure.
.oOo.
Regulus stood, owl cage in one hand, matching the creature's glare from across the room. He held his wand firmly in the other hand.
"Will you just get in the cage," he snapped. The made a slight noise of displeasure, but otherwise didn't react.
"You've been here for hours," Barty said, tone bored. "Just give up already."
"It's my pet. I can't just leave it at Hogwarts," Regulus hissed, not breaking eye contact with the owl.
"Some pet. You haven't even named it."
"Well… I…" The owl ruffled its feathers aggressively, and the few school owls brave enough to sit even remotely close to it shifted away. "It hates me," Regulus said. "Always has."
"Just leave it. It's the school's problem now."
Regulus took one last look at the owl before dropping the cage and leaving the Owlery.
"You could keep the cage, y'know," Barty's voice could be heard behind him.
.oOo.
"Are you still moping about that owl?" Barty asked, letting himself into Regulus' flat without bothering to knock.
"I miss the evil bastard," Regulus said, not looking up.
"How? You only ever saw the thing when you went to the Owlery," Barty said. "How'd you even get it home over summer?"
"I didn't. Never saw the point."
"So why d'you miss him?" Barty asked, but continued before Regulus could reply. "Anyway, if you still had that beast I couldn't give you this." Regulus frowned, finally looking over.
"What is that?" he asked, trying to see what Barty was cradling in his hands. Barty grinned, handing over the black ball of fluff to his grinning friend.
"So, what're you gonna call her?" Barty asked, dropping down onto the sofa next to Regulus. Regulus took a moment to think before answering.
"Mariposa," he said with finality.
"You can't name your cat butterfly," Barty said, smirking when the kitten bit the pad of Regulus' thumb. "You really have rotten luck with pets."