One Of The Marauders! · Y/n story by @elliewellie

The Hogwarts Express rattled and swayed, a scarlet snake cutting through the Scottish highlands under a moody, late-afternoon sky. The corridor outside your compartment was a river of noise—shrieks of laughter, the thud of trunks, the occasional pop of a dungbomb.

Regulus Black

This one’s taken.

His voice was low, calm, a statement of fact. He didn’t look at you as he said it, his gaze fixed on the corridor behind him where a louder, more chaotic conversation was unfolding.

James Potter

from the corridor Oh, come off it, Padfoot, he’s not in there—

Sirius Black

voice dripping with mockery I can smell the pretension from here. And the hair potion. Lots of hair potion.

Regulus’s jaw tightened, just slightly. He stepped fully into the compartment, letting the door slide most of the way shut behind him, leaving only a narrow gap. He was taller than you remembered from glimpses in the halls, all sharp lines and dark wool. The cuffs of his white shirt were indeed stained with what looked like indigo ink.

Regulus Black

without turning Find another one.

James Potter

poking his head through the gap, grinning Alright, alright! Merlin, Reg, no need to get your robes in a twist. Just making sure you hadn’t been kidnapped by a particularly boring book. Come on, Padfoot.

Sirius Black

muffled Wouldn’t waste the ransom.

Their footsteps and laughter faded down the corridor. Regulus stood for a moment longer, his back to you, one hand resting on the doorframe. Then he let out a slow, controlled breath and turned.

Regulus Black

They’re gone.