Chapter 2: A Prank For One

Chapter Text

Waking up in his new dorm, surrounded by his roommates, Regulus felt nervous for the day ahead. What did he know about today? Well, the first set of classes were today, first impressions, first everything! Most importantly, the first breakfast. Why was that important? Well, because he knew that he'd get a letter from his parents at some point, no doubt his lovely cousins would have told them the news by now.

As he quietly changed into his uniform, sorted out his shirt and tie, and looked in the mirror, he nodded to himself. Even though he was now in Ravenclaw and he was starting to make decisions for himself, he still had to keep in mind the Black family etiquette. He couldn't just forget his posture, his manners, the lessons he was taught. What he knew. He was smart, the hat had said so and so had his private tutors. He just needed to apply his knowledge to work his way around Hogwarts. That would be easy enough, right?

With one last look at his hair, which was just as curly and a little messy as he liked it, he left for the Great Hall. He controlled his breathing and nerves as he walked, his school bag unnecessarily heavy from the extra books he had decided to take with him. He wasn't quite sure how he was going to get through the day, but he wanted to take his books with him, of that, he was certain. They were his only friends, after all. He had a feeling they always would be.

He reached the Great Hall without getting lost, and he thanked himself for remembering the route from last night. Regulus made it to the Ravenclaw Table and sat down.

It was early, about a quarter to seven. He remembered the prefect saying that breakfast started between 6:30 and 8:15, and that breakfast was usually put on the tables by the elves at 7:30. This gave him at least forty minutes to read his book on the classic Muggle story of Robin Hood.

He only managed to read a few pages, however, until he was interrupted by the person he least expected to sit next to him, this early in the morning.

"Reggie, why did I know you'd be here at the crack of dawn?"

Regulus rolled his eyes, he wasn't that early! He knew he was just teasing, but it irked him.

"I don't know, Jamie, why did you know that? Isn't that a bit stalkerish?" Regulus teased the older boy back, who laughed loudly, shaking his head with a grin on his face.

"No, it isn't. You're the exact opposite of your brother. Speaking of which, you need to hold up to your end of the deal," James said all in one breath and Regulus blinked at him in confusion. Over his worries about today, he had completely forgotten about any conversations he had had the day before.

"What deal?" Regulus questioned, closing his book and placing it carefully in his bag. He wasn't going to get any reading done with James there to distract him.

He let his lips turn upwards almost into a smile as he watched James act heartbroken. "You've forgotten, already? How could you!"

Regulus rolled his eyes, not understanding how Sirius could put up with James's dramatics on a daily basis and call him his best friend. He actually felt sorry for Sirius.

"Alright, since you're desperate to know about our deal -"

"- I'm not actually that desperate," Regulus interrupted, and at the look James gave him, he couldn't hold back his laughter, and he laughed like he hadn't done since he and Sirius had been close. His laughter was warm, loose and free, and not loud like James's but still had a bit of character. He missed the expression on James's face as he, after a few minutes, managed to stop laughing. The grin on his face was a true one, and one that hadn't made its presence known for many years.

Regulus stopped smiling, composing himself, and glanced at James, who had a small smile on his face. "I, er... Sorry, I wasn't laughing at you, it's just…" he was stammering.

"I know, Reggie. I know," James said softly, and Regulus bit his bottom lip nervously as he smiled shyly, carefully back into his well-crafted mask. He was incredibly thankful that practically nobody but them and a small handful of students were in the Great Hall.

"The deal?" Regulus questioned awkwardly and he smiled slightly when that seemed to wake James up from his daze.

"The deal! Yes, you said you'd be my partner in crime! And nothing says the first day back like pranks!" Regulus saw the excitement in James' eyes and he sighed internally, he wasn't going to be able to say no to James. He thought that he would never be able to say no to him.

"I guess I did, alright. What's your plan?"

Regulus listened to James listing off his ideas, and as he did, he placed his elbow on the table and put his head in the palm of his hands, focusing entirely on James. So much so, that he jumped out of his skin when he saw a small thin hand wave in front of his face.

He had to blink a few times, holding a hand to his chest as he tried to get his heart beating back to normal. He glanced at James, who looked just as confused as he felt.

"Kreacher? What are you doing here? Are personal house elves even allowed on the grounds?" Regulus questioned in a whisper sitting up straight, remembering how his parents had taught him to behave. He hadn't found an off switch yet.

"Mistress Black asked me to deliver this to you personally, Master Regulus."

Regulus gulped. There it was, the letter. He nodded and took the letter away from Kreacher, and with a click of his fingers Kreacher disappeared, like he hadn't been there at all.

"He seems charming," James commented sarcastically.

"Oh, believe me. He's more charming than whatever is in this letter," Regulus replied, not thinking of what he was saying as he opened the letter wanting to know what his parents thought of him now.

Regulus,

We told you to make your family proud, to make up for your brother's mistakes. Yet, we hear from your cousin's that you never joined them in their compartment, and that you were sorted into Ravenclaw, of all houses. We thought you understood our request, and you defied us, just like your brother. I'm in half a mind to disown you both, but that wouldn't look good on our family. Heed this warning, Regulus, you won't have a home to go back to, if you disobey this next order.

Don't let us down again and make ties with the Slytherins. Make sure that they know you're still a Black. In any way you have to.

How does the Cruciatus Curse sound? Do I need to remind you what I did to you and Sirius to keep you both apart from each other?

By the end of the letter, Regulus couldn't hold back the tears that fell down his cheeks.

He had forced that memory out of his head, somehow wishing that it had just been a nightmare. That it didn't actually happen. But it had. His mother knew that, and was using it as a threat.

Regulus liked to think he was brave, or he could be brave. But could he be strong enough to fight her? Or… or could he use Hogwarts as a place to gain his strength so he could one day fight his mother?

He took his wand out and whispered the spell that set the letter on fire.

"Reggie?" he heard James whisper. "What… Are you okay?"

"No," Regulus replied truthfully, looking at James with a sad smile on his face. "I don't know what to do, I could do as my mother wants, or…" he trailed off, he couldn't say the other option out loud.

"Or what?"

Regulus wiped his eyes and took a deep breath. "Or I could fight back," he said softly, "I don't know if I'm strong enough. But for now, Jamie. You need to be sat at the Gryffindor table."

He saw James frown. "Why?"

"To sit with your best friends. I'll be fine over here. Find me later and we can talk more about that prank of yours," Regulus said with a very small smile, and James looked like he didn't want to leave Regulus for some reason. Regulus nodded, wanting to reassure him.

"If it's any consolation, Reggie, you're strong enough to do anything. I believe in you."

James left and Regulus watched him walk away. Regulus wanted to break down, to cry and scream. It would have been easier in Slytherin, he should have listened. But then why did James believe in him? He shouldn't, he wasn't as strong as James thought he was. Or was he?

He was given a timetable a quarter of an hour later, and he noted that his first class was with Hufflepuff, and it was Potions. Then, he had Charms with Slytherin, and History of Magic after lunch with Gryffindor.

Fun times, he thought sarcastically. He didn't feel excited at all, and he wanted this day to be over quickly.

When he arrived at Potions, he wasn't nervous. He just didn't know how to behave. Should he answer the questions, be talkative in the class, like someone who knew all the answers? Or should he lay back in the shadows?

"Good morning, class. First years, always exciting. Come in, come in." Slughorn opened the doors and Regulus stood at the back with the rest of the class, everyone looking at each other, not quite knowing what to do. He remembered, they must all be in the same boat.

"For your first class, I've assigned you with partners. So, when you hear your name, stand by the cauldron I point at." He instructed. Regulus listened to the names until, "Black, Regulus. Cresswell, Dirk."

Regulus stood by his cauldron and nodded at Dirk, who looked as nervous as he had felt yesterday. He was a small boy, with light brown hair, and pale skin. A little chubby, but overall harmless. And from what Regulus knew about the pureblood families and their history, Cresswell wasn't a name he recognised. Muggle-born, then. And a Hufflepuff. Regulus smirked inwardly, maybe he could annoy his parents. Especially his mother by befriending him.

"Now, we're making a Forgetfulness Potion. Don't forget to read the instructions on the board before you start," Slughorn said with a grin and Regulus couldn't help but roll his eyes at the pun.

He turned to Dirk, who had a look of panic in his eyes. "How does he expect us to know what to do? I thought the first lesson would be an introduction, not getting used to making a potion. What even are Valerian sprigs when they're at home?!"

"And breathe," Regulus told him calmly. "This is a really easy potion to make, and Valerian sprigs are a magical plant, we use its roots in many potions."

"Okay, okay." Dirk ran a hand through his hair. "Sorry, I've been panicking all morning. I'm a Muggle-born, you see? I did open the books before I came here, a bit ironic, really, but I've forgotten what I learnt."

Regulus blinked a few times, Dirk certainly seemed very chatty. He could talk enough for the two of them combined.

"Why don't I get the ingredients while you read through the instructions?" Regulus offered.

"Yes, please. That'll calm me down, thank you."

An hour later, Regulus and Dirk surprised the class by making a successful Forgetfulness Potion. They gained ten points for each of their houses, and Regulus had never felt more proud of himself at that moment.

Before he knew it, it was lunch time. The class with Slytherin turned out to be… Not horrible. In fact, he seemed to get along with a select few of his classmates in that house. When he sat down at the Ravenclaw Table in the Great Hall, he sighed. Half of the day was done. Another half left to go.

After he had eaten, he decided to explore the grounds before he went to his afternoon classes. They had been given homework in Charms, but it wasn't due for another two weeks, so he wasn't going to start that til the weekend.

He thought back to the letter he had received this morning, and his brow creased as he reached the lake.

Regulus knew he shouldn't be surprised by his mother's words… but he couldn't help but be surprised by them. She was threatening him, and if he hadn't made a decision that enough was enough yesterday, that he could make his own choices… he paled. He would have gone to Slytherin, he would have been the perfect son that she hadn't got with Sirius, he would have done everything his parents wanted.

And then, he would have been too far gone to be saved.

Regulus pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed heavily. Perhaps he should read on ways to stand up for himself, defense, and all that. A few books in the library would help, and he was going to need all the help he could get.

"There you are."

Regulus jumped slightly when he heard Sirius's voice, and he spun round to see Sirius wearing his signature smile.

"James was looking for you, he thought you'd be in the library. Seems like I know you better," Sirius said and Regulus raised his eyebrows, his lips curling upwards, almost into a smile.

"I should hope you do know me better, I am your brother," Regulus replied, and Sirius laughed.

"That you are. I wanted to talk to you, actually."

"Nothing Sirius I hope?" Regulus joked, and Sirius just shook his head in disbelief. They both sat down on the grass, looking out onto the lake.

"You had me convinced you'd go to Slytherin, you know," Sirius said softly, and Regulus shrugged sheepishly.

"It was a close call," Regulus told Sirius, "The hat disapproved of me keeping a book in my back pocket, I don't know why."

"I wonder," Sirius said with a smirk. "I thought maybe you'd be in Gryffindor, when it took longer than a minute to sort you."

Regulus let a smile slip past his mask. "It never came up, actually. I suppose the hat knew we would have been too strong together in the same house."

He wasn't sure where this conversation was heading, but he was glad that Sirius had found him. That he was actually speaking to him, like a brother.

"I never saw it that way," Sirius said with a bright grin. "Imagine all the trouble we'd have caused!"

"We can still…" Regulus said too quickly, "If you would like that," he added afterwards.

Silence overlapped them, and for a few moments, Regulus regretted talking without thinking.

"I would."

Regulus let out a breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding. Slowly, he thought, slowly they'd go back to how things were before.

OoO

It was dinner, and Regulus was doing his best to hide his excitement. He and James had finally decided on a prank for Sirius. And he was looking forward to starting a prank war, it was a great way to end the day. Considering how his day had started.

He glanced at James, who winked at him from the Gryffindor table. That was the signal, and Regulus smirked when he saw James's wand point towards Sirius.

Suddenly, there was a loud bang, and the Great Hall was silent as everyone tried to find the source of the noise. Regulus grinned. There his brother was in a bright pink uniform, and even brighter pink hair. He stifled his laugh by his hand, as the Great Hall burst into laughter.

Regulus nodded at James, and James nodded back at him as Sirius was embarrassed, looking at his friends, wondering who he had to blame. And then, Sirius stood up and took a bow. Taking it well. What Sirius didn't know was that Regulus had the idea of making the spell last for twenty four hours.

He froze when Sirius turned in his seat to look straight at Regulus, who gulped. He gave him a wave, and Sirius rolled his eyes.

"It's on, Reggie. You and James brought this on yourselves," Sirius said loudly through the chatter, to make sure that he could be heard.

"Who's to say this wasn't what we wanted?" Regulus retorted back challengingly and he saw the surprise in Sirius's face. Sirius glanced at James, who smirked mischievously.

Partner in crime, Regulus thought happily, I bet no one saw that coming.