A/N: Another long chapter for you. Enjoy!
Chapter 16 - You Two Behave!
Regulus always dreaded Christmas, because they usually celebrated with Walburga's brother, wife and daughters. At least they would be coming to Grimmauld Place this year, so Regulus would have his own room to retreat to whenever he got the chance. Also, Mrs. Harris was cooking the Christmas dinner and lunch so Regulus could eat it without causing a scene.
Sirius sighed when he heard the Mercedes roll up the driveway, and before he could make a run for it, he and Regulus had been pulled aside by their mother.
"You two behave!" she said, pointing threateningly at Regulus. "I mean it! The last thing I want is Christmas being spoiled by you two. You behave around your cousins and use a decent tone."
Regulus loathed them all, except for Andromeda, his middle cousin. Uncle Cygnus was just as conceited as Orion, Aunt Druella was as snobbish as Walburga, and Narcissa, their youngest daughter was a self-absorbed model, who thought she was the new Heidi Klum. She entered the hallway in her high heels, tossing her long blonde hair over her shoulder in the best shampoo commercial fashion. Bellatrix, the oldest of the cousins was also beautiful (like all Blacks), but behind her sweetly mocking voice was a cruel cold-hearted witch. Narcissa was accompanied by a tall platinum blond man. She introduced him as Lucius Malfoy, the executive manager of her modelling bureau, and held out her hand showing off a golden ring with a large diamond.
"Oh dear," gasped Walburga, looking at the ring. "Did you get engaged?"
"Yes!" she shrieked, mincing on the spot like an excited schoolgirl.
Sirius turned to Regulus and made a gagging sound. Then he smiled at Andromeda, who entered as the last person. He gave her a hug and asked, "What about Ted?" He liked Andromeda's husband. He was down-to-earth and friendly.
"Oh, he doesn't enjoy spending too much time with my family," she said in a low voice so they others couldn't hear her. "Being just a working class man, they haven't exactly made him feel welcome in the family, as you know. Blimey, I thought they would disown me when I married him. I was actually planning on going with him to celebrate Christmas with his parents this year, but in a weak moment I let Cissy persuade me to come here."
"Well I'm glad you came," said Sirius. "At least there's one person worth spending time on. Too bad Ted couldn't join us, though."
"I'll take their bags to their rooms," said Regulus to his mother, hoping to score some cheap points, but mostly to get an excuse to remove himself from the uncomfortable greeting situation in the hall.
"All right, but you will come right back down for tea," said his mother and showed the guests to the parlour.
Regulus didn't come right back down, however. He hoped that maybe his mother would be so engrossed in conversation that she forgot about him.
Fifteen minutes later, Aunt Druella looked around and asked, "Where is Regulus? He was here when we came."
"Where is that blasted boy?" muttered Orion to his wife, who was sitting next to him.
"I told him to come right back down," said Mrs. Black and stood up. "Excuse me," she smiled at the guests and walked out of the room. "Regulus!" she hissed and knocked on his door. "Come out this minute!"
Regulus was quiet, hoping she would think he wasn't there.
"Regulus Arcturus Black, come out this minute!" she roared and slammed her palms against the door.
When Regulus still didn't answer, he heard her leave, probably to go look for him in the rest of the house, or (if he was lucky) giving up on him for now.
She must have gone looking for him, however, because five minutes later she banged on his door again, this time even louder. "Come out, you little maggot! I know you're in there!"
Regulus knew that the battle was lost so he slowly moved over and unlocked the door. "Blimey, take it easy! I was just using the bathroom."
She narrowed her eyes. "For fifteen minutes?"
"Yes. Do you want the details?"
Mrs. Black grabbed him by the upper arm and gave it a jerk. "Don't you use that tone with me!"
"Let GO!" he yelled and pushed her away roughly. Was she ever going to learn not to grab him like that?
She took a few steps back and eyed him with loathing. "You will come downstairs now or you will regret it!" she hissed but didn't grab him again.
"What was taking you so long?" asked Narcissa, eying her cousin curiously, when he joined them in the parlour.
"Some private business," mumbled Regulus.
"He was using the bathroom," said Mrs. Black and sat back down.
"For fifteen minutes? What were you doing for fifteen minutes in the bathroom?" asked Orion and eyed Regulus suspiciously.
"Do you need to know the colour of his shite?" asked Sirius.
"Sirius!" scolded Walburga. "I will not hear that language in my house!"
Bellatrix laughed. "This is an easy one. What do little teenage boys do alone in the bathroom?"
"I didn't!" snarled Regulus.
Narcissa giggled girlishly, covering her mouth with a napkin. "I didn't know Regulus had started doing that yet. He is so young."
"I'm sixteen!" snapped Regulus, feeling his cheeks burn.
"So you did do it?" asked Narcissa and giggled to her husband who didn't seem to find it quite as funny as she did.
"NO! Why are you so interested in what I do in the bathroom, anyway? Do you have some sort of sexual perversion?"
"Oh stop it, little cousin Reggie," smiled Bellatrix. "No need to be embarrassed. It's only natural and I'm sure that in ten years' time you will get to try the real thing. If you ever let anyone touch you, that is."
"Why don't you shut that hole in your face," spat Sirius. "Just because your husband can't satisfy you doesn't mean you can butt into other people's private life!"
"You little creep!" hissed Bellatrix.
"OUT!" yelled Orion, standing up and pointing to the door. "Go to your room! And I suggest you do some serious thinking about how to treat our guests before you show your face down here again!"
"They're the ones who started!" spat Sirius, remaining seated. "Why don't you yell at them? Or is it because they are girls? They can't just waltz in here and talk to Regulus that way!"
"They are guests!" yelled Walburga, getting up as well. "Now, get out like your father told you!"
Sirius looked at Regulus and felt bad for having to leave him unprotected, so he didn't budge. "Fine! I'm sorry for defending my brother against our guests when clearly you were too busy talking so you didn't notice the hurtful remarks they made."
"Get... out!" hissed Mrs. Black.
Sirius shot daggers at her as he got up, marched off and slammed the door to the parlour behind him.
"Aww... Big brother not here to defend you anymore?" cooed Bellatrix at Regulus, pursing her lips.
Regulus poured himself a cup of tea, pretending he hadn't heard her.
"So, how is school, Regulus?" asked Andromeda. "You were always so book smart."
"Fine," mumbled Regulus, stirring his tea, although he had put no sugar in it.
"Get into trouble lately?" asked Bellatrix. "I hear you get into lots of fights."
"That's an exaggeration," said Walburga. "Regulus doesn't get into more fights than normal boys. He does very well in school, actually. Top marks in every single subject."
"Oh, that is nice to hear," said Aunt Druella, putting down her cup of tea.
"What about PE, little cousin?" asked Bellatrix, a malicious glint in her eyes. "How is that going?"
Regulus stared into his cup. He had been excused from PE because he refused to use the locker room and shower, and the teachers had finally given up trying to force him. Bellatrix knew that very well, it seemed from the sly look on her face. "It's fine," he mumbled, not looking at her.
"So you're finally getting over that silly phase of yours?" asked Narcissa. "I knew you would grow out of it at some point." She turned to Malfoy. "Regulus used to have this obsession about cleanliness. He doesn't like people touching him either. Well, good thing if he has grown out of it."
"Let's test it, shall we?" said Bellatrix and before Regulus could react she had reached over and planted a hand on his chest.
He jumped up so fast that several cups were knocked off the coffee table, some shattering on the floor and tea splashing out. "What's the matter with you, you bloody witch?" he yelled.
"Regulus!" roared his mother, jumped to her feet. "Look at this mess! What in God's holy name is wrong with you?"
Orion had got to his feet as well and grabbed his son by the arm. "Excuse us," he muttered and dragged off with a struggling Regulus
"Well, that was fun," said Malfoy in a sardonic tone.
"I warned you about Regulus being a nutter," said Narcissa.
Walburga forced a smile. "I apologise for Regulus' behaviour. He must be having a bad day."
"Let GO!" Regulus screamed, fighting like mad to pull free of his father's iron grip.
"I will not tolerate this behaviour, Regulus!" growled Orion as he dragged Regulus up the stairs. "Not one of my sons can behave for a single day!" He reached Regulus' room and tore the door open, making Kreacher flee underneath the bed. He threw Regulus into the room, finally letting go of his arm. "Get in there, and I don't want to see or hear you until dinner!"
"Fine by me!" said Regulus and locked the door from the inside, his heart hammering against his ribs.
Sirius had heard the commotion and came out from his room just as Orion was heading back down. "What's going on?"
"Your brother caused a scene again," said Orion. "Now get back in your room! I am not dealing with any of you right now."
"I bet he didn't start it. Who was it? Was it Bella, that evil bitch?"
"Sirius!" roared Orion and walked back up the stairs. "You are not to speak of your cousin like that. Ever!"
"So it's true? I knew it."
Regulus could hear every word spoken because they were so loud. He opened the door and stuck his head out, hoping to be able to catch Sirius' attention without their father noticing.
"Get back to your room before I make you regret it!" roared Orion at Sirius.
Sirius spotted Regulus and sent him a reassuring smile. Then he turned his attention back to his father. "And you call yourself our father. You're supposed to take our side when we're being abused, but you don't give a rat's arse about them playing tricks on Regulus!"
"Abused?" growled Orion, now purple in the face. "You two spoiled brats have no idea what abused means!"
"I know a real father would understand his son's problems and not just blame him for everything that goes wrong!"
"Sirius," said Regulus. "Don't. Just... don't."
Sirius eyed his brother for a second and then decided to back off. "Fine!" he spat and went back into his room.
o0o0o
Regulus was relieved to find that Mrs. Harris had prepared pheasant for dinner so that he could eat everything the others did. Had it been red meat or fish, someone were sure to comment on him not eating it, and he didn't want any more attention drawn to himself today.
"Such a shame Rodolphus couldn't join us this year," said Walburga to Bellatrix. "But I'm sure it's important business he's away on. Where did you say he went?"
"Shanghai. The business marked in China is just exploding," she said. "He was sorry that he couldn't join us, but he has promised to call tomorrow."
"To make sure you haven't run off to join some Satanist cult?" asked Sirius. "He really shouldn't worry. Tonight isn't a full moon."
Everybody stopped talking to look at Sirius. Regulus sank deeper into his seat, waiting for hell to break loose.
"SIRIUS!" yelled both Mr. and Mrs. Black.
Bellatrix just smiled her sugary smile. "If I were in a Satanist cult, little cousin, I would offer you up to the Master for sacrifice."
Sirius smirked at her. "Doesn't it have to be a virgin? Because that ship has long sailed." He took a sip of wine, not taking his eyes off Bellatrix. She wasn't going to get the satisfaction of winning this one.
"We could take your little brother, then. He's a virgin for certain."
Sirius hadn't seen that one backfire. He narrowed his eyes. "Who says he's a virgin? He could be dating someone and having sex but just not want to share the news with the world!"
"Sirius!" said his mother again. "We are eating and I will not have talk about sex at this table!"
"Don't be such a prude, Mother."
"Don't tell me what to do in my own house! We will lead a civilised conversation at the dinner table. We're not sitting in a common pub!"
"I wish I were," mumbled Sirius and sank back in his seat. He really wished tomorrow had been a school day so he didn't have to sit in the house with their cousins all day.
Bellatrix sent Sirius a stealthy little smile, indicating she wasn't done provoking him. Round two would be up later. Sirius made a face at her when his parents weren't looking.
It didn't take long until the topic at the table was Narcissa's favourite: herself and her career.
"- And of course I'm an obvious choice for the Versace spring collection catalogue, isn't that right, darling?" she said, turning to her fiancé.
"Yes, my dear," Malfoy nodded. "They would be foolish indeed not to choose you. And I'm going to make certain they don't make that mistake."
"As you can see, now that you've met everybody," Narcissa said to Malfoy, "beauty runs in the family. Just look at my cousin," she gestured in Sirius' direction. "He would make a good model, don't you think?"
Malfoy eyed Sirius with mild distaste. "With his looks, perhaps, but somehow I doubt that young Sirius has the self-discipline it takes to be a model."
"And what's that supposed to mean?" said Sirius, eying Malfoy with great dislike.
Malfoy let out a humourless laugh. "I mean, modelling is hard work and takes self-discipline and knowing how to behave, for one thing."
"Sirius wouldn't care about modelling, anyway," said Regulus, speaking from own initiative for the first time. "He's very intelligent and wouldn't want it to go to waste."
"Are you saying models are dumb?" said Narcissa, glaring at Regulus.
"No..." gulped Regulus. He didn't know why he had suddenly spoken up. He usually avoided drawing attention to himself when he could. Maybe it was because Sirius had defended him earlier and got into trouble over it, that he felt the need to do the same. Not that Sirius needed defending, but Regulus really disliked this Malfoy, coming into their house and talking down to them. "I just said it doesn't take intelligence. It's your choice if you want to waste yours."
"I am not wasting my intelligence," hissed Narcissa. "Modelling is very demanding work!"
"Yeah," snorted Sirius. "I bet you need a college degree to become a model. How was that again - did you finish school before going into modelling or did you plan to just live off your looks for the next ten years and then hope Malfoy is stupid enough to keep pumping money into you the rest of your life?"
"SIRIUS!" roared Orion, getting up from his chair. "You're a disgrace today! You ought to be ashamed of yourself! And you," he continued, shooting a glance at Regulus, "you better not start copying his obnoxious behaviour. We have enough trouble with you as it is!"
Sirius sank back in his seat. He turned his head and looked at his father. "Am I excused or do I need to offend Miss England some more?" He was in his dangerous mood and did not care what his father said. Malfoy had offended him and Narcissa and Bellatrix, offended Regulus earlier.
"No, you are not excused," said Orion in a steely tone. "You will stay seated until everybody is excused and you will behave."
Sirius slumped into his seat and started to twirl his fork on the table, clearly bored out of his mind, and when Narcissa started talking about her modelling career again, he shot Regulus a look like they were both undergoing torture.
o0o0o
Christmas dinner the next afternoon was not much more pleasant. Regulus ate a little of the traditional Christmas turkey although it was fried in too much fat for his taste. At least he knew it was organic, and if he didn't eat any, he knew there would be comments about it.
It turned out there were comments, anyway: Aunt Druella asked, "Are you not feeling good, Regulus? You have eaten so little of the good bird."
"Just don't want to get fat," he mumbled. He knew that starting his tirade about saturated fat clogging up the arteries was not going to be received well by his parents.
After the Christmas pudding everybody made themselves comfortable in the lounge, relaxing after the vast, satisfying meal. Regulus, however, slunk off before everybody had settled, hoping that his absence wouldn't be noticed for a while. Although his parents had forgotten to tell him directly, he knew his presence was required.
Regulus had brought Kreacher a piece of turkey. He didn't often give him unhealthy food, but Kreacher was skinny so a little fat couldn't harm once in a while. He dug into his pocket and pulled out a napkin in which he had wrapped the poultry. "Look what I got you," he said and held out the turkey. "A little Christmas treat."
Kreacher snatched the turkey and gave it a good shake as if to kill it and then he started eating it happily.
"They're absolutely horrible, Kreacher," Regulus said while watching the cat devour the poultry. "If you want to go out while they're here, best avoid getting close to them. Especially Bella. She's mean. I think Sirius might be right when he jokes about her being in a Satanist cult."
Kreacher finished his food and started licking his paws clean. A text from Sirius beeped in on Regulus' mobile. Better come back down before you get in more trouble. They're asking for you.
Regulus sighed and pocketed his phone. "I better get down to the madness, Kreacher. Do you want to go out?" he asked, holding the door open for Kreacher in case he wanted to go out. But the cat just looked at him and then curled up on the bed, not seeming the least interested in the hallway.
"Where have you been?" asked Mrs. Black in an unusual kind voice. You would have to know her well to hear the hidden irritation in her voice.
"Just tending to my cat. He needs a little extra attention for Christmas as well," mumbled Regulus.
Sirius sat beside Andromeda and was having a conversation with her. Regulus sat down on Sirius' other side.
Andromeda smiled kindly at him. "How is Kreacher?"
"Oh, God," commented Narcissa as she turned her head. "Don't tell me you still have that hideous thing?"
Regulus had decided to keep a low profile but Narcissa was pushing one of his buttons.
"Looks aren't everything, Narcissa. You'll learn that when you get old and ugly. Then you have nothing."
"I will still be beautiful when I'm old!" stated Narcissa and brushed her hair over his shoulder. "I would have thought that Aunt and Uncle would have made you get rid of that ghastly animal long ago. I just don't understand people who keep ugly pets. Like that filthy mutt of yours too, Sirius."
Sirius' eyes went blazing. "They are family to us! So keep your big mouth shut for once in your life!"
"Watch your tone, Sirius!" warned Walburga.
"Our boys are privileged and perhaps a bit spoiled," explained Orion to the others. "Why they have chosen these pets are beyond me, but as long as they don't ruin the house, then that's their choice."
Sirius shot his mother a glare but decided not to start another fight with Narcissa. She didn't say anymore either, just sat twirling a lock of her hair around a finger, looking surly.
A little later Bellatrix got up from her seat, excusing herself to go to the bathroom. As she passed Regulus, she let her hand run over his hair. "You have so soft hair, baby cousin," she said in a sugary voice.
Regulus nearly fell off the sofa even though he had been on the lookout. "Keep your hands to yourself! I'm your bloody cousin! It's disgusting!"
Bellatrix put her hand to her chest and looked at him with a fake shocked expression on her face. "My God, Regulus. What are you accusing me of? I only complemented your hair."
"Well, stop feeling me up all the time!"
"I'm just being nice to you," she smiled, giving his shoulder a squeeze.
This made Regulus give another jerk and both his parents looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"Sit still for God's sake!" hissed Mrs. Black. "You're making everyone jump with your constant movement!"
"Go away," said Regulus, glaring at Bellatrix with eyes like storm clouds, mustering all his self-control to sit still.
"Sooner or later you have to get used to someone touching you," said Bellatrix, her lip curled in a satisfied smile. "How do you expect to ever get a girlfriend if no one is allowed to touch you?"
"That's none of your business. I don't do incest, so you are not girlfriend material. And it's sexual harassment what you do," said Regulus, his body extremely tense, ready to bolt if she made another advance on him. She was still standing way too close.
"You have a twisted mind, cousin," she laughed. "I'm not making a pass at you."
"Regulus, stop it!" warned Walburga, her teeth gritted. "Don't accuse your cousin of such filth. She barely touched you."
"Weren't you on your way to the bathroom?" asked Sirius, looking up at his cousin. "Or did you have other things in mind when you got up?"
Bellatrix slowly passed Regulus and headed toward the hall, her eyes boring into Sirius with a dangerous glint as she went. Regulus heaved a sigh of relief and slumped back into his seat.
o0o0o
When dinner was served that night, Sirius' chair stood empty. Walburga sent Regulus to fetch him, but Sirius was nowhere to be found.
"Orion this is unacceptable," said Mrs. Black irritated and tried to smile to their guests so they wouldn't see how angry she was.
"He will just have to go hungry to bed, then," said Orion, clenching his jaw.
Regulus looked away. He had a strong suspicion where Sirius had gone, but he was not going to say anything.
At ten thirty Sirius pulled into the driveway and sighed as he prepared himself to go inside. He hoped he would be able to get to his room without being noticed. But Mrs. Black had been on the alert ever since dinner ended and she fell upon Sirius like a bird of prey the moment he came in through the door.
"Where have you been? What time is this to get home? Where have you BEEN?"
"Out. I needed some space," said Sirius and took off his jacket. "What do you care where I've been?" He kicked off his shoes, not looking at her. "So if you'll excuse me, I'll be going to my room."
"Oh no, you don't!" growled Mrs. Black, grabbing a hold of his arm as he tried to pass her. Had they not had guests she would be screaming. "You missed dinner! Everybody was wondering where you were!"
"Who cares? All they do is bitch and moan about me! And all you do is yell at me and Reggie, but Cissy and Bella can say whatever the hell they want to us!"
"They are guests! And they're also adults!"
"I don't care if they're guests!" said Sirius wrenched his arm away from his mother. "If they're dishing it out, they should be prepared to get the same treatment! Why can't they just go home?"
"I won't hear any more from you! They are guests and should be treated with respect no matter what! I don't care what you think is fair - you will behave for the next few days or I promise you there will be consequences!"
o0o0o
Regulus went to see his brother in his room a little later. "Are you mental?" he asked while holding out a hand to keep Padfoot from bouncing up on him. "Where'd you go? Potter's?"
"If you must know, then yes," said Sirius, looking very moody.
Padfoot kept trying to jump up Regulus but was pushed down every time he tried and then started barking happily, wagging his tail enthusiastically.
"How can that dog so dumb? I keep turning him away and still he acts all happy to see me."
"He's too happy for his own good," said Sirius and called Padfoot over. "He just hopes you'll eventually care enough to pet him."
"It's pretty dumb being happy when somebody you want to talk to keeps giving you the cold shoulder. He has no reason to like me."
"Neither did Remus, and he still liked you even though you gave him the cold shoulder to begin with."
"I didn't give Remus the cold shoulder," said Regulus. "I've never hit him or even pushed him, have I?"
"You did tear up that picture he drew of you and called him a freak. How that didn't scare him off is beyond me." Sirius shook his head and shrugged. "And Padfoot likes everyone. The more you push him away, the harder he tries to get your attention."
"That's what I'm saying: He's dumb." Regulus looked around to locate a spot Sirius or Padfoot had not made a mess of, and decided to sit on the counter. He eyed the tail-wagging dog and said, "You know, if you would just calm down and be polite about it, I might actually want to pet you. If Sirius gave you a bath first. In his own bathroom."
Sirius ruffled the dog's fur and talked in a childish voice. "You're perfect the way you are. Yes you are." Padfoot wagged his tail even more violently, nearly knocking Sirius out of his chair. "He just hasn't been out running today, that's why he's so full of energy," Sirius explained. "You should try and pet him after he's been out running."
"I've seen him after he's been out running," said Regulus drily, indicating that Sirius was stupid for thinking otherwise. "He's only a little calmer and drools twice as much as normal."
"You just don't want to like my dog," sighed Sirius. "You should just try and pet him. It would mean the world to him."
"I will, if you give him a bath and groom him," said Regulus. "He's filthy."
"Deal," grinned Sirius. "And I'll use my own bathroom this time." He sat quietly for a moment. "Did you get Remus anything for Christmas?"
"Of course I got him something. A sweater, gloves and scarf. He needs to keep warm so he doesn't get ill again."
Sirius smiled. "I just didn't know if the two of you had decided on giving each other presents. I mean, you haven't been dating for so long. I wonder what he got you."
"Yeah... Maybe I should open it now. I'm not going to do it tomorrow morning in front of the others. There will be questions."
"Yeah, that's probably a good idea."
Regulus went back to his room, excited about Remus' present now that he had decided to open it. He dug it out from the drawer he had put it in. The package was hard and square and was wrapped in dark blue paper with stars on, making it look like a night sky. Regulus carefully unwrapped it as he sat down on his bed. Kreacher pricked up his ears as he looked curiously at the present. Inside was an astronomy book. There was also another book filled with sheets of piano music. Inside the box there was a small note:
Happy Christmas, Regulus. We just got this book in, so I immediately thought of you. I remember you said you liked this author. I hope you like the things, otherwise I'll trade them in for something else that you would enjoy more. Remus
Regulus smiled and carefully opened the book. It made him feel warm inside how thoughtful Remus was about finding him a good present. And he realised just how much he missed him. A sudden crazy idea hit him: He could go to Remus' house now. Why not? He should be able to sneak out this late and they wouldn't discover that he was gone until the morning. And he could leave Remus' house early... It was risky, he knew. There was a chance they might find out, but right now he didn't care. He was willing to play the odds.
Before leaving. he went into Sirius' room. "I'm going to visit Remus," he announced.
Sirius raised his eyebrows. "Really? You're actually going to sneak out and visit Remus? Well, I would drive you but I think Mum would notice if I start the car. Did you tell Remus that you're coming?"
"No..." said Regulus, scratching his neck. Truth be told, he was a little afraid that if he called, Remus would talk him out of it. "I want to surprise him. It's fine, I can ride my bike."
"Okay. I'm sure he will be happy to see you." Sirius walked over to the window and looked outside. "You better dress warm. It's snowing."
A/N: To see Zayhad's illustration to the chapter go to deviantart dot com and look up Zayhad. She has a folder in her gallery with the story's name on it.