Chapter Text
Regulus had sat at the end of Sirius' bed, listening to him ramble on about his friends, and how happy he was with them for years. At the age of sixteen, Sirius left Regulus behind in a house that poisoned his mind. He was left behind in a house to fend for himself, when he had never been taught how he should do that. He had only seen his brother fend for himself, and that usually ended in him getting a bruise, or bloody nose, whatever their parents wanted to inflict on him, in that moment. Regulus didn't run after his brother like he wished to do. He simply closed himself off, chin held high as he walked through town, or through their school, across the street, anywhere, he acted like his parents would. Almost too perfect, even though Regulus knew it was a lie. Regulus walked arm-in-arm with girls to make the wealthier families believe he was dating girls, simply so it doesn't come back to his parents that their son might be queer, like their eldest who had been disowned the moment they found out. Regulus didn't wish to follow in his brother's footsteps, he simply wanted his parents to love him, but from what he learned, his parents are incapable of love. At least that's what they make him believe.
Sirius had to watch his brother come to school, wearing a tie with their family crest on it. He had to watch his brother who had became the perfect image of their mother. Cruel and cold, heartless yet hurt. If only Sirius could see behind the fake smile, and the squared shoulders. If only Sirius could see the pain hiding behind the boy's eyes, maybe then Sirius would have worried more. Maybe then he would have done something. Maybe he would have stepped up, but as time went on, Sirius didn't do anything. He simply waved every day he saw his brother at school, until even that stopped. Regulus was left alone at home, at school, everywhere he could think of, Regulus was painfully and utterly alone, left with only the darkest thoughts in the parts of his mind he desperately hoped to push down.
Regulus was afraid. He always had been, he feared for Sirius, and the family that had taken him in. He feared for the Potters, because he knew just how ruthless his own parents could be, and how far they would go to hurt Sirius. Maybe they cannot hurt him physically, but they can take away everything he loves, knowing that is what Sirius values most. His new family.
"Regulus!" His name was called out by the music teacher, who frowned worriedly, gazing at Regulus to make sure the boy was alright. "Are you alright? I called your name twice now."
"Yes, I am alright." He let his fingers ghost over the keys of the piano, breathing in deeply, before he picked up the song he was supposed to play. As he got into it, the violinists joined in, as well as the choir that stood behind him. Regulus closed his eyes, letting only his fingers guide the song. He didn't have to look to know where his fingers should be placed, as he had been forced to learn over and over again to do it, even if he were to be blinded. He had fought against sleep for nights, turning into weeks, as he taught himself how to do so, almost effortlessly. He finally opened his eyes again, holding his breath as he moved onto the harder notes, his fingers moving twice the speed they had been, before, leaning forward to play as perfectly as he had been taught. Soon the music died down, giving Regulus the chance to breathe again. "Thank you, Regulus. You have improved much over the weeks. I'm proud of you."
Regulus nodded in appreciation, the ghost of a smile threatening to spread onto his lips. "Thank you, sir." His voice unwavering, even as emotions of the past swirled around in his unwanted mind, plunging him into the deepest parts of himself. Parts he had wished to never see again.
"Alright, class dismissed!" He called out once everyone placed their instruments back to where they came from. With care, Regulus stepped up from behind the piano, inching towards the door of the classroom which was emptying more and more with every second, as students filtered out into the hallway, chattering happily, laughing amongst themselves in a hushed manner, as to not disturb the other students.
Regulus reached his locker, which he opened after having put in the number-combo. With each click, he grew bored, and wished he just had a key to open it, instead of a five-number lock which was starting to annoy him immensely. The moment he opened the locker however, a green envelope with beautiful golden writing stood out. 'J.P invitation'. Regulus opened the envelope, a ticket with the same beautiful writing falling into his awaiting hands. It was an invitation to the Potter house on Wednesday night. Why would the Potters invite him? Why would James invite him? They hadn't spoken much to each other, unless they were forced to. Regulus knew his brother would be there, and didn't trust himself to be able to get through one evening with Sirius without breaking down, in whatever way. Regulus might either try to kill him, or beg him to come back, to save him. Regulus wasn't sure, himself.
"Hey," some girl spoke up, clearing her throat "hi." She repeated, which finally made Regulus look up. First, he turned around to look behind him, before looking back at the blonde. "Yes, you!" She chuckled softly "you were great today. In music class, I mean. That was beautiful. Who taught you how to play like that? You didn't make a single mistake, and we've only been in this class for four months."
"Sorry, people don't usually speak to me," Regulus smiled for the first time in who knows how long, his pearly white teeth lighting up the hallway, to the blonde's surprise. She had never seen the youngest Black smile, before. What a shame, because it looked beautiful on him. "I taught myself. Actually. I stayed up a lot, repeated the song until I was able to play it blindfolded."
"I might steal that tactic from you. It seems to be effective, maybe it'll help with my shaky hands." She smiled right back at Regulus "I get nervous sometimes. When I do, my hands shake, and then I usually mess up whatever I was doing."
"Try holding your breath for longer periods of time. Start short, and build your way up until you can hold it for an entire part of a song. That's how I keep my hands almost impossibly still." He explained, his smile fading away, as he reached out to grab onto her hand. "Like this," he held out her hand, flattening it. It was trembling slightly, before Regulus gestured for her to hold her breath. Once she did so, Regulus focused on her hand, and not even a second later, her hand stilled almost entirely. "See? You're a natural."
She gasped in, when she couldn't hold her breath any longer. "It's nice to meet you officially. I'm Pandora."
Regulus shook her hand with a firm grip, the smile returning to his soft, yet chapped lips. "Regulus." He replied, his hand resting in hers, before he pulled it away.
"I see you were invited to the party." She stated when she saw the card in his hand. "Will I see you there?"
"I think so. I might go, I--" Regulus cleared his throat, scratching the back of his neck as he thought of an answer "I'm undecided."
"Oh, well, I'll be there, if you do decide to come. You won't be a complete stranger." She grinned.
Regulus prided himself on his strength, more internally than externally, but strength, nonetheless. He was stronger than most people would have been in his situation, but how could he just go to a party at the house of his brother's friend, when he didn't like James much, or his brother, for that matter. He knew a fight would be waiting to break out, because Regulus could never seem to keep his mouth shut.