Months went by and Regulus could be found carrying the little creature everywhere he went, taking it to meals—it even got its own chair at the table!—and taking it to lessons... They were inseparable and Regulus was a very devoted 'father' to his puffskein Sirius, something the real, human Sirius often laughed about, because a nine-year-old boy shouldn't be playing 'father' to a puffskein, apparently. Regulus much preferred puffskein-Sirius over human-Sirius precisely because of that: human-Sirius made fun of him, wouldn't listen, always had to get his way. He caused trouble left and right and was proud of it! But puffskein-Sirius was there for Regulus to talk to, to play with, to cuddle and have a good time with.
By the time July was nearing the end, and Regulus was at the breakfast table, feeding his puffskein little bits of bread while talking to his mother about the lesson she had planned for today, Sirius ran into the room. "Any post?"
Mother looked up. "Sirius, don't run."
"Fine," he said as he plopped down on one of the chairs. "But is my letter here yet?"
She shook her head. "Not yet, dear. You have to be patient."
But a sharp tapping sound disrupted the conversation. Regulus looked up to see an owl at the window, holding the very same letter Sirius had been asking about for weeks: his Hogwarts acceptance letter.
Sirius ran to the window despite Mother's comments of "no running!", and Regulus could only roll his eyes. He looked at the little puffskein, knowing the small animal would never just ignore Mother like that. Besides, it wasn't as if the owl cared if it took a few seconds more. It wasn't going to fly off or anything.
"It's my letter, I know it!" Sirius called out as he took it from the owl, running back to the table. "Do we have any threats here?"
Mother was already going through her handbag and handed Sirius a bird treat. "Walk," she said once more. "For Merlin's sake, just walk."
Sirius ran back to the owl, and Mother groaned in frustration. Regulus looked at her and shrugged; he didn't know why his brother had to be like that either.
His brother was reading his letter stood by the window, and Regulus saw his smile grow wider and wider as his own heart sank.
"I'm going! I'm going! Mother, Reg, I'm going!"
Mother smiled at him. "Of course you are."
He looked at his puffskein on the chair next to him and patted it, but hearing its content hum only made him sadder. Sirius was leaving him so soon...
"Don't worry Reggie, you'll come next year! Besides, you'll have my stories to look forward to."
Regulus looked up at his brother across the table. "Promise me you'll write to me every week, you've got to tell me everything."
Sirius chuckled. "Promise."
-
After a few days of Sirius whining about them needing to go to Diagon Alley to get his supplies, they finally went shopping. Regulus had taken his puffskein with him, holding it under his arm as he followed his parents through the streets.
He followed his parents and brother through the streets of Diagon Alley, trying to ignore all the people and focus just on his family. They took a turn into 'Knockturn Alley', and Sirius stopped so abruptly that Regulus nearly bumped into him. Puffskein-Sirius let out some shocked noises and Regulus petted it, knowing very well how it felt to be surprised by Sirius-the-human's sudden actions.
"Mother, Father, we're going the wrong way. We're supposed to shop for supplies in Diagon Alley, not here," Sirius commented.
Their parents stopped and turned around. "We'll get your supplies-" their mother started, but she was interrupted by their father.
"Sirius, you're right. You two needn't concern yourself with such matters. Go on to Flourish and Blotts, we will catch up with you boys once we're done here—we have important business to attend to."
"What important business?"
"We'll explain later, it's important we get there in time. You either come along, or go to Flourish and Blotts."
"Fine," Sirius sighed and they left their parents, going back into Diagon Alley. "Important business," he mumbled. "What could be more important than me?"
"Lots of things."
"Hey!" His brother shoved him aside, making him stumble and nearly trip over his own feet.
"What? It's true," he said as he found his balance, running behind Sirius while clutching his puffskein so he wouldn't lose the small animal.
They entered the bookshop together. Regulus had been here once or twice before, but he didn't really remember it—he had been maybe 5 or 6 years old at the time—so it was as if he was seeing it all for the first time. He looked around in awe at the towering bookshelves filled with all sorts of books. He hadn't even noticed how long he had been standing there, staring at the different books, until he felt a hand on his shoulder, a familiar voice accompanying it. "Regulus, dear, please focus."
He quickly spun around to see his mother. His father and Sirius stood by the entrance, both carrying a stack of books. "Mother! I'm sorry, I didn't realise you were back so soon."
"Come on," she said, gently guiding him out of the shop. "Let's get Sirius his robes."
She didn't explain what she and Father had done in Knockturn Alley, nor why they were already back. Or had more time passed than he had realised? How long had he been standing there, just staring at the books?
They made their way over to Madam Malkin's and he waited outside while his parents helped Sirius get his school robes. He made sure to stick close to the shop, because it was easy to get lost in Diagon Alley, especially when it was busy like this. Softly whispering to his puffskein about what he saw, Regulus noticed the different witches and wizards walking about. There were a few familiar faces now and then, but most of the people he saw were total strangers.
Diagon Alley in late July to August was always a sight: hundreds of Hogwarts students and their parents all looking for the right supplies—including Muggles, who were easy to spot. Muggles wore the strangest clothes and absolutely refused to fit in with the wizarding world, as did their mudblood children, but at least Muggles were honest enough to say they weren't a part of this world.
"It's gonna be totally awesome!"
It came from his left, very close to him, and he turned around to see who had said it. He vaguely recognised the boy who was chatting with his brother.
"You bet," Sirius said in response. "Got your wand yet?"
The boy shook his head. "We were about to go to Ollivander's, right, Mother?"
The boy turned towards what could only be his mother. Regulus definitely recognised her—the Rosiers were related to them, and although he wasn't sure who she was to him exactly, he had seen her around before.
"Yes, all we need is your wand and then you'll be all set," Mrs Rosier said.
The boy, Evan, glanced back at Sirius. "Are you coming? Are you getting yours too?"
Sirius turned to their parents, who had left the shop as well by now, but were in hushed conversation with each other about something Regulus couldn't quite catch.
"Mother, Father, are we getting my wand now?" Sirius asked, interrupting their conversation.
"Yes, yes, wands... Ollivander's..."
All six of them made their way to Ollivander's, Sirius being the first to go in with their parents, leaving Regulus out with Evan and his mother. He didn't talk to them much, instead focusing his attention on Sirius-the-puffskein. It was awkward knowing who they were, without ever having done formal introductions, especially since they weren't especially close or anything. He couldn't think of what to say, so it was better not to say anything at all and to just pet Sirius.
Soon enough, Sirius-the-wizard ran out of the shop, holding up his wand in pride as he yelled out: "I've got my wand, I've got my wand!"
Regulus managed a small smile, but couldn't help the sadness—it was all becoming real very fast. Sirius had his own wand now, he would leave for Hogwarts and start his own life, leaving Regulus here at home, all alone.
"Your turn will come. Hogwarts isn't going anywhere." Evan's mother smiled kindly at him.
Regulus could only nod, somehow her comment, though meant to be comforting, only tightened the knot in his stomach.
His own parents stepped outside and Evan and his mother went in. "We'll have lunch at the Leaky Cauldron."
Together they made their way to the Leaky Cauldron, finding a table in the back. Sirius was playing with his new wand, but Regulus noticed the way his parents were looking at him and his brother, and at each other. Worried looks, worried whispers too quiet for him to hear.
Father ordered them some food and drinks, but returned with only three plates.
"Aren't you hungry?"
"This isn't for us."
"For whom-"
But that's when he spotted Evan and his mother making their way over to the table. Evan sat down where Father had been sitting, and Mother rose as well.
"We will be back shortly."
"Wait!" Regulus jumped up. "Where are you going?"
All three adults looked at him with that look. A look of 'you're too young', of 'we'll explain later'.
"Mother, Father... is everything alright?" He couldn't help but be worried, the way they were acting today!
His father was the one to speak, his voice barely audible. "Boys, this is important. We have a visit to make in Knockturn Alley-"
"Weren't you just there?" Sirius interjected.
"We were meant to be, yes. And keep your voice down. This concerns the Lord, we don't need the whole pub to know."
Evan's mother was impatiently hoping from one foot to the other. "We have to go. Now."
"We'll catch up."
With a final wave to Evan, she ran off. Regulus stared at his own parents, his heart beating faster than ever before. The Lord... Lord Voldemort? He looked to his brother, but he kept his head down, pretending to focus on his wand. Evan was playing with the food in front of him, neither boy seemed willing to ask the adults anything further.
"May I come with you?" Regulus asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"It's not safe," his mother replied. "But we will explain everything when we come back."
"But-"
"Regulus," she said, her voice firm now as she forgot to whisper. "This is for grownups. You're staying here, with Sirius and Evan. And that's the end of it."
Regulus looked down. He heard footsteps leaving, and when he raised his head again, his parents were gone. "Please be safe," he mumbled before looking at the two boys he was with. "What do you think they're doing?" He asked as he sat back down, his puffskein on his lap.
Sirius shrugged. "I'm not sure, but I doubt it's anything good."
"Things are escalating, don't you know?" Evan chimed in. "My parents told me there's this new group, formed late last year, something with a Phoenix? They're targeting the Dark Lord. Like, seriously, they've taken down a few of his men already. The Dark Lord's not having it, though. Working hard to up his game. What? They haven't told you?"
Regulus could see the confusion in Evan's eyes as he realised this information was new to Regulus and Sirius.
"Our parents never tell us anything," he said. "They say we're too young."
Evan snorted. "Too young? Nobody's too young to know about what's going on. I'll tell you all you need to know."
-
He lay in bed that evening, thinking about the events of that day. He had spent the entire afternoon with his brother and Evan, being filled in on current events and talking about this Lord Voldemort—who was to only be referred to as the Dark Lord out of respect. His cause was noble as it was brave and necessary. Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord, fought for what was right. He fought for people like themselves, pureblood wizards and witches, who had been punished and ostracised by the Ministry of Magic for as long as history could remember. Why, even Salazar Slytherin was bullied by the other three for wanting to only accept purebloods, bullied until he left the school. That's how deep this hatred ran. And look what Muggles have done to wizards for all those years! Witch hunts, both literal and figurative ones. But no, Muggles were perfect and purebloods had to suffer for it. It was enough to make his blood boil just thinking about the injustice of the world.
Their parents hadn't returned until the Leaky Cauldron was closing up, and they had left abruptly, separating away without another word and once they got home, they had been sent upstairs straight away—no explanation, nothing.
And as he lay there, in bed, he couldn't help but be a little scared. Very scared, actually. If there was this order, fighting against this Dark Lord Voldemort... Bellatrix was in danger. And what were his parents doing in Knockturn Alley? It was to do with this Lord Voldemort, and that made it dangerous because there were people out there taking his followers down, and he didn't want his family hurt like that.
After tossing and turning for hours on end, thinking about all that could happen to his family, he decided to get up. His heart was heavy and beating fast as he went downstairs to his mother's bedroom. He took a few deep breaths before knocking on the door.
To his surprise, it was his father who opened the door and stepped out, shutting the door behind him. "Regulus!"
"I- I'm sorry to interrupt, I just-"
"It's okay. Today was rough, wasn't it?"
Regulus nodded, relieved that his father understood he was going through a lot. "I'm scared," he whispered. "Bella, she-"
"What exactly did that Evan tell you?" His father interrupted him.
Regulus looked away. "That some Phoenix group is going after the Dark Lord and his followers."
He sighed and put a hand on his shoulder. "Regulus... your mother and I, we didn't want to scare you, nor your brother. Sirius is with your mother now, with similar concerns—the leader of this Order of the Phoenix is said to be none other than Albus Dumbledore. He is the current headmaster of Hogwarts."
Regulus' hands flew to his mouth as his eyes widened it shock. His brother was going to walk straight into a school run by the man tracking down people like Bellatrix? That was horrifying news!
"He'll be okay, he will be safe there. You are children, you won't be sucked into this adult business. Or shouldn't, at least..."
The door behind them opened just then, a teary-eyed Sirius stepping outside. "I'm going to bed," he said as he walked past them, towards the stairs.
"Wait! I'm coming with you! Goodnight, Father." Regulus rushed after his brother, running up the stairs behind him. "Wait! Sirius!"
But as he reached the topmost landing, Sirius' door slammed shut. He made his way over to the door. "Sirius..."
"Go away. I just want to sleep."
"But-"
There was a bang on the door. "I want to be alone!"
Defeated, Regulus got up and went across the hall to his own bedroom, curling up on his bed once more, tightly holding his puffskein as he drifted into an uneasy sleep.