REGULUS

Lunaria Constella Reed. Regulus had looked her up in the family archives that detailed every pureblood family since the beginning of the wizarding world.

Lunaria Constella Reed. Even her name was beautiful. Merlin, she was mind-boggling. Regulus had got Kreacher to run a diagnostic charm over him once he'd returned home out of fear she'd actually charmed him. He'd never been so enamoured by someone so quickly. He'd seen her around school of course, she was best friends with Barty's twin - of course he'd seen her, heard little tidbits of information over the years but nothing came close to being in her presence.

As Regulus slowly packed away the last of his belongings ready to set off the next day he couldn't get the girl off his mind. He needed to. The last thing he wanted was for Barty, Evan and Dorcas to get wind of his school-boy crush. No, he could compartmentalise it. But Merlin was she someone he wanted to know more of.

Since Sirius had run away, Regulus had been toying with his pureblood beliefs. Teetering on the cusp of giving in and following blindly, or attempting to see why Sirius found it necessary to leave them; to leave him.

He mused over the idea since Sirius had left the summer before the younger Black sibling started his fifth year, but hadn't made any real effort to unlearn what his parents had taught him and re-learn the realities of the world - after all Diagon Alley wasn't built in a day.

But Lunaria; she was just like him, pureblood, raised to be a follower and there she was, openly discussing muggle literature with him? Surely she didn't speak of such topics to just anyone? He shook off the little warm feeling settling in his stomach as he pondered the idea of being special to her. They just met for fucks sake.

When Sirius Black left in a haze of red and agony, Regulus felt a part of him rip away with him. He'd long since given up on the hope of a reconciliation, he no longer wanted one. Sirius may be blood but he wasn't his brother. Blood may run thicker than water, but he'd sooner drown himself in the water of others than the blood of a brother that abandoned him.

When Regulus had returned to Hogwarts and saw Sirius for the first time, laughing with the likes of James Potter, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew, Regulus found that the ache in his chest had dulled, barely noticeable now. They'd been drifting for years, turns out all it took for their connection to break was one final argument, a couple of cruciatus' and a handful of spiteful words. So Regulus had spent the year further cementing the bonds between himself, Barty Crouch Jr, Evan Rosier and Dorcas Meadowes. And it was the best thing he'd ever done.

Climbing into his bed, Regulus let out a sigh as he sunk into the mattress. He'd be in the Slytherin dormitories by this time tomorrow and he couldn't stop the grin from spreading across his face. In less than twenty-four hours he'd be home.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Stepping onto Platform Nine and Three Quarters, Regulus decided he didn't care if you were Pureblood, Muggle-born, Squib or something in between. He hated people. He didn't care about their blood he decided as everyone and their mothers brushed past him on the bustling platform, eager to say their goodbyes and grab a spot on the train. Why people felt the need to be so emotionally vulnerable at 10:30 in the morning, he had no idea. But he hated it.

Walburga Black did not cry whenever she dropped her son at the barrier, nor did she issue any tearful, heartfelt goodbyes, not even back in his first year. No, every year it was the same. Her nails would dig into his shoulder painfully, and she'd whispered, "Do not disappoint me, Regulus," before releasing him and turning sharply on her heel, refusing to enter the Platform and mix with those she deemed lesser than herself. A shadow of black robes swirling in her wake as she left her son alone.

Regulus rolled his eyes and sidestepped a few first-years who were struggling with their trunks and hugging their parents teary eyed as he made his way to the back of the train. His eyes scanned the crowd of the emotional families around him - mothers with arms open wide, faces lit up with love as they hid their tears, fathers giving encouraging pats on the back, siblings giggling and teasing each other. And it all made him feel... well, nothing. Nothing but an itch to get away, to get back to something familiar, something that wasn't loud and chaotic and overwhelmingly emotional.

As soon as he boarded the ruby train, the wave of nostalgia hit him like a hex to the chest - Hogwarts was his true home, yet this year felt different, heavier. And he was certain it had to do with his new role and fresh ink on his left arm. Home would never be the same. At least he had one thing, one constant.

"Finally decided to join us then, eh?" Barty quipped, eye's sparkling with mischief. "We were just about to assume you'd transferred to Beuxbatons."

Regulus stood in the doorway, his eyes scanning his three favourite people. Barty and Evan were lounging casually on one side of the compartment, legs an entangled mess and elbows touching, a position far more than friendly but nobody would question it. Their relationship was a secret known only to Regulus and Dorcas. Dorcas herself, sat opposite the couple, twirling a loc between her fingers with a fond smile on her face as she took in Regulus' appearance.

Regulus snorted, in response to Barty, settling down next to Dorcas. "I was merely avoiding that circus," he replied, pointing to a third year clinging to their mother as they both sobbed hysterically. "The thought of parents sobbing over their kids is truly unbearable."

Evan smirked. "Ah, there's the Regulus we know and love. Always so empathetic."

Dorcas rolled her eyes but leaned forward. "Honestly though, how was everyone's summer? I didn't see any of you and your letters were painstakingly vague."

Evan shot Regulus a sidelong glance, too quick for Dorcas to notice. "Eventful, to say the least," he said, but the three boys shared a silent understanding that certain topics were off-limits in Dorcas' presence. "But mostly dull. Father insisted I spend most of my time reading 'important' literature. You know, the kind that makes you want to hurl yourself off a broom."

"You'd have to have the balls to get on a broom first Evan." Dorcas winked as he threw a jelly slug at her in protest.

Barty let out a bark of a laugh before replying. "Same here, although I did manage to get out of most of it with a few strategic lies. Mr and Mrs Crouch now think I have a keen interest in History of Magic now. Merlin, I don't even take that class. They couldn't pay less attention if they tried."

Dorcas chuckled and glanced at Regulus, wrapping her hand around his, her expression softening. "And you? How was your summer, Reg?"

Regulus felt a pang of hesitation but schooled his features into neutrality. "Uneventful," he lied, giving her a small smile. "Just the usual."

Dorcas studied him for a moment, and for the briefest second Regulus thought she might press him further, but then she sighed and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Well, I'm glad we're all back together. I swear, I love my family, but being in a four bedroom house when there are seven of us, was about to drive me insane."

"Thank Merlin we're back." Barty sighed as he relaxed into Evan's arms.

Dorcas rolled her eyes again. "We haven't even left yet."

"Details, details." Evan murmured, waving his hand dismissively.

Regulus watched his friends bicker with a faint smile, reserved only for their presence, letting their easy camaraderie wash over him as the train began to pull out and speed away. It was moments like these that he felt most at ease, surrounded by people who didn't expect him to be anything more than who he was. Despite the needed reprieve, he couldn't help but glance at the compartment door, more often than he'd like to admit, his stomach twisting in anticipation.

Dorcas caught his gaze at one point and raised an eyebrow. "Something on your mind, Reg?"

"Nothing," he replied, his tone more clipped than intended. He could tell she didn't buy it, but before she could press further, she glanced at her watch and groaned.

"I promised Marlene I'd catch up before we reached Hogwarts," she said, standing and gathering her things. She shot Regulus one last searching look before exiting the compartment. "Try not to get into too much trouble while I'm gone."

"Wouldn't dream of it." Regulus called after her, and just like that, she was gone, leaving a strange silence in her wake.

Barty and Evan fell into their own conversation, and Regulus took the opportunity to close his eyes, willing his heartbeat to slow. It wasn't long before there was a soft knock on the compartment door, and Regulus' eyes snapped open. He straightened, his pulse thrumming in his ears.

The door slid open, revealing none other than Clarice Crouch and, right behind her, Lunaria Reed in all her glory. Regulus felt his breath hitch, but he forced his expression to remain carefully blank. 

"Do you mind if we join you?" Clarice asked brightly, already stepping inside as if she knew the answer. Her and Barty, whilst similar in appearance, were contrastingly different in attitude. Barty was all sarcasm and sharp edges whilst Clarice was all warmth and softness, she was also a genius, hence her Ravenclaw sorting.

"Clari-Bear! Get in here you!" Barty grinned, pulling his twin into the compartment further and crushing her in a bear hug as she grinned.

Evan shifted to make room, his eyes briefly flickering to Lunaria before settling back on Barty and Clarice. "We always have room for the other half of the Crouch twins. And your friend of course," he added politely, nodding to Lunaria.

Lunaria offered a small, polite smile, though her eyes lingered on Regulus. He met her gaze, a thousand unspoken thoughts swirling between them, before looking away.

"Ah, yes. Boys, this is Lunaria. I mean, you already know that, you've been in the same house for five years." Clarice smiled, plopping herself down next to Barty, leaving Lunaria to sit next to Regulus.

The atmosphere was awkward at first, the compartment filled with a heavy silence as everyone settled in. Regulus could feel Lunaria's presence acutely, like she was radiating heat. He stared determinedly out of the window, willing himself not to steal glances at her every other second.

"Well, this is cheery," Barty said loudly, breaking the silence with an exaggerated sigh. "Clari-Bear, didn't you bring that awful muggle sweet you love so much?"

"It's not awful!" Clarice shot back, but her eyes were dancing with amusement as she dug into her bag. "You've got no taste, honestly Barty-Bear."

Barty snorted. "Says the girl eating Muggle sweets. What's next? Muggle music?"

"Maybe!" Clarice retorted, sticking her tongue out at her brother. "Not everyone can be as refined as you."

Their banter seemed to break the ice, and soon the compartment was filled with laughter and chatter. Regulus felt some of his tension leave his body, though his attention kept drifting back to Lunaria. She was watching the twins exchange with a fondness that softened the sharpness of her aristocratic features, and he felt a pang in his chest at the sight.

At one point when the others were deep in discussion about something mundane, Lunaria leaned in closer, her voice a soft murmur just for him. "You looked like you would rather be anywhere else on that platform."

Regulus stilled at the thought of her watching him, before he huffed a quiet laugh. "I hate crowds," he admitted, surprising himself with his ease at being honest with her, turning to meet her gaze. "It's... overwhelming."

"I noticed," Lunaria replied, her lips quirking upward. "You looked ready to hex someone." She noticed. She noticed. She NOTICED. The words rang loudly in Regulus' ears, to the point he wasn't sure that Barty and Evan hadn't started echoing the words in the compartment. Sending a quick glance their way, only to seem them busy chatting animatedly to Clarice, he turned his attention back to Lunaria.

"I was close," he confessed, a hint of a smirk pulling at his own mouth. "You're not a fan either, I take it?"

"Well, that depends on the situation entirely, but in this instance, no, not particularly," she agreed, and there was a moment of shared understanding, an unspoken bond that flickered to life between them, much like the one that was born the day they got their shared task just the few nights before. "Believe it or not, sometimes, it's a lot easier to be invisible when there's just a few people."

"I don't think you could ever be invisible," Regulus found himself saying before he could stop himself.

Lunaria's eyes widened fractionally, her face as blank as ever, though a hint of a blush began to dust her cheeks, but she didn't look away. "Neither could you."

They stared at each other for a heartbeat longer than necessary, something electric between them, before they were pulled back to reality by Barty's voice. "Oi, Reg, Luna, you two paying attention or what?"

"Of course." Regulus replied smoothly, though his pulse was still racing. He glanced at Lunaria one last time, and she gave him a barely there smile, one that made his heart skip a beat.

"When did I say Luna was an acceptable choice of nickname from you Bartemius?" Lunaria asked Barty with a raised brow as the boy began to blush at the use of his full name as Evan and Clarice burst into loud laughter.

The rest of the train ride passed by in a comfortable haze, with the banter and laughter between old and new friends weaved itself around them. Regulus listened more than he spoke, acutely aware Lunaria said even less than him. He occasionally caught the girls eye and those secret glances left him feeling strangely light, despite the great weight that had weighed him down since he got marked.

By the time the train pulled into Hogsmeade Station, Regulus felt an odd sense of anticipation settle over him, like something had shifted irrevocably, and he was eager to understand what it meant. One thing was for certain, things were changing and it was all down to the added presence of Lunaria Constella Reed.