Clarence (he/they)

Most full moons go the same. They're almost always smooth with little to no issue. Sure, there'll be an accident here or there. Maybe Moony is a bit irritable, maybe Prongs gets distracted and gets his antlers stuck in a tree again. These are things the boys are used to.

What's never happened is running into another wolf.

Now, the sun is rising and Moony is coming back to himself, as well as the other wolf. Peter, being good at healing spells, stays to tend to Remus while James and Sirius move towards where they left their mystery guest.

It was rough, keeping the two wolves apart. They didn't seem hostile to each other, but it was safer for everyone to keep distance.

The two boys stop just as they see a human boy laying on the ground, curled in on himself.

James is still hesitant about the situation, but Sirius? Sirius stares at the boy's back, at the freckles down his shoulders, at the dark hair on his head. The blood drains from his face as it settles in.

Sirius is staring at his baby brother.

His baby brother is a werewolf.

Sirius’ body moved quickly, collapsing onto the ground next to Regulus. “Reggie?” Sirius whispers, his voice shaking. He hears a small gasp from James as the realization hits him too.

Sirius checks all over Regulus, scanning for any possible injury from the night. Once he's sure he isn't dying, only a bit scratched, Sirius quickly takes off his jacket and covers his shivering brother.

Tears prick at his eyes. Two of the most important people in his life have to suffer every single month. And Sirius can't fix it.

“I thought I smelled him last night…” Remus’ voice cuts through Sirius’ thoughts. “I didn't remember til I was awake…but I knew I knew the other wolf. I just…I didn't know it was him.”

All four boys stand over Regulus as he begins to finally stir. Sirius brushes hair from his brother's face. “Reggie? Reggie, it's me.”

Regulus’ dull grey eyes blink a few times as he comes to. He takes a shuddering breath as he looks from Sirius, to James, to Remus and Peter. He looks back at Sirius, and something snaps.

Regulus breaks down sobbing. He curls into Sirius, grasping for comfort as if they never grew apart. Because right now that distance doesn't matter. Every fight, every bit of pain, none of it matters. All that matters is that Sirius has his brother in his arms, both of them crying like they're kids again.

_____

Getting both Remus and Regulus to the infirmary was a difficult feat. Peter helped Remus and Sirius and James had to carry Regulus back together. Pomfrey didn't ask questions, not yet at least. She knew from the thick tension in the air to deal with injuries now and lecture them all later.

Now Regulus lay in a hospital bed, unable to look at any of the others. Sirius stayed sitting on the edge of his bed despite the tension. It was comforting to know that even with all their issues, he still held love for his little brother.

A gentle hand rested on his leg. “Reg?”

Regulus hummed.

“What,” Sirius sighed, clearly not wanting to continue, “what happened?” His voice cracked a little. “How did this…”

All Regulus had to say was one thing. “Maman…”

Sirius sucked in a sharp breath and covered his face, unable to stop tears from pouring out.

“Your mother…” Remus tried to continue for Sirius. “She did this to you?”

Regulus nodded. “Had me bitten…thought it would force me down the path she wanted.” He chewed his lip. “Didn't work though. It just ended up with her almost killed at my hand and in turn, me running away.”

The silence sat heavy in the room, the only sound was Sirius’ choked breathing as he tried to calm down.

Now Regulus felt his own tears sting his eyes. “I didn't want you to know. I didn't- I had no idea about Lupin. I didn't think I'd run into any of you-”

Sirius grabbed Regulus’ hand and held it close to him. “You're going to join us for fulls. Non-negotiable.” Regulus opened his mouth to argue. “No. No, Reg.” Sirius' voice became gentle. “I have to keep an eye on you. Let me help you.”

Regulus’ lip trembled a little but he nodded, accepting that he couldn't handle this alone anymore.

_____

Regulus was terrified yet relieved for his first moon with the others. His first moon not on his own.

The change itself went as well as usual- meaning it was incredibly painful.

After both boys had transformed, Moony had immediately gotten up to go towards his pack. Regulus however, stayed behind. His wolf felt just as out of place as he did as a human.

That's when Moony stopped to look behind him. The bigger wolf grumbled and walked back, nudging Regulus in the right direction. It was rather against his will but it did the trick. Both wolves were now in a forest clearing with a stag, a dog, and a rat.

Regulus sniffed the air, hesitant of the new animals. Though they weren't new were they? He recognized them. He knew he did.

The black dog bounded over to Regulus, sniffing and nosing at him. Regulus growled a little but the dog didn't hesitate. It wasn't til the stag came over and nudged the dog to the side.

The dark grey wolf stared up at the magnificent stag. The stag snorted before bowing to the wolf. Regulus rolled his eyes, turning away from the animal.

The night passed with ease and, from the little bits he remembered, Regulus woke up the next day surprisingly happy all things considered.

_____

It's been three full moons together now, each time going smoothly. Both werewolves wake up the next day rather unscathed, just extremely tired and a bit moody.

The only issue now was how much time Regulus had to spend with Potter.

It was agonizing.

Regulus swears he'd rather be a werewolf full-time instead of having to spend even a moment alone with the older boy. Everytime he's left with him, he feels face heat up and he can't think clearly. It's dreadful.

He was doing perfectly fine ignoring Sirius and his friends. Well, that's a lie. Obviously it sucked. But if he ignored Potter, he could ignore the crush he's been nursing for five years now.

It was way worse now, having to spend time with him. Knowing not only was Regulus a Black, a Slytherin, trans, and Sirius’ little brother, but now he was a beastly wolf every month too. James Potter shouldn't even glance at him.

Yet Regulus swears James wants to spend time with him, as absurd as it sounds. Maybe it's pity. Maybe he's just a charity case for hero-extraordinare James Potter.

Maybe Regulus will take what he can get.

Maybe Regulus will take every bad joke, every cheeky smile, every bit of time he gets where James Potter is looking at him like he's worth more than all the gold in Gringotts.

_____

Regulus’ friends are smart in a lot of ways. Unfortunately though, they're not smart enough to not poke their noses where they don't belong.

Barty and Evan are beyond nosey. Regulus loves them (unfortunately) but they're constantly moments from being hexed.

At first, Regulus just said his periods were worse. That was reasonable, they both knew he was trans and simply accepted it and moved on.

Then they noticed the new cuts on his arms one day after a shower.

Then they noticed the slight limp he had last Thursday.

He could only threaten them so much before they stopped caring and pushed further.

That brings Regulus to right now.

He's sitting in his bed but surrounded on all sides. Barty and Evan are on one side each, making sure he doesn't leave. Pandora probably knows what's happening already from her visions and dreams, but that doesn't stop her from sitting at the bottom of his bed, blocking that exit. And Dorcas is at the door as a last resort, in case Regulus was to escape the bed.

“Reg, come on. Spill and we'll let you go.” Dorcas reasoned from the door. “We just want to make sure you're safe. You're covered in scars.”

Regulus raised an eyebrow.

Barty scoffed. “Not the ones from home, idiot. We know those.” He reached out and grabbed Regulus’ arm only to immediately be met with a wandless stinging hex. Confiscating his wand will do them no good, Regulus is quite good without it. “Oi! Knock it off!”

“Let me go and this won't be an issue.” Regulus glared at all of them, but faltered when he reached Pandora's bright eyes. He frowned, always wanting to give her whatever she wants. Truly, she's evil with that sad face of hers.

“Nothing you say will change what we feel for you.” Pandora's soft voice soothed some of the ache swirling in his chest.

Regulus would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous about what they'd think of him. Sure, they all say they aren't scared of things like him. Barty and Evan even get excited at the talk of dark creatures. But what about when they're faced with their friend being one? What if it's all just talk and they turn on him.

He trusts them with his life.

And that's why he's scared.

If they were to hate him, turn him in, whatever…he thinks he'd let them.

It's a scary thing to care about people that much. Regulus would never admit it out loud, but that doesn't make it untrue.

He pinched his eyes shut, gripping the bed sheets as he spoke. “Over the break, my mother had me attacked.”

“That cunt…” Barty mumbles.

He opens his eyes, staring down at his white knuckles. “It was a werewolf...”

He hears a sharp gasp from one side of the room, probably Dorcas. Everyone else is silent. He feels tears behind his eyes but he refuses to let them fall. He won't show anymore weakness than he already has.

After what feels like an excruciatingly long time, Pandora is the first to move. She makes a small whine as she climbs on the bed. She places herself right in Regulus’ lap and wraps her arms around him tight.