Regulus sat on the park bench, watching two children playing together on the swings. There were other children at the park, all laughing and having fun; playing games that Regulus would never be a part of.
.oOo.
"Can I play?" Regulus asked a group of children around his own age. They looked at him silently, taking in his appearance. One of the girl's eyes flicked towards the bench, conspicuously absent of either of his parents, and she leaned in to whisper something to her friend.
"We're going home now," said the boy she'd whispered to. He picked up the ball they had all been kicking around mere minutes earlier, and the group headed towards the small brightly painted gate.
Regulus stood, dejected, watching them depart. He was only left alone for perhaps a minute, though, before a hand grabbed his shoulder.
"Regs! Come play with us," his brother grinned. "This is Peter; he just moved here."
.oOo.
Sirius wasn't here now, though, and Regulus had never been good at making friends.