#poly!moonseeker

“I’m not sure.” You offer; the words rough and grating, ripping through your throat before they force their way out of your sandpaper mouth. His brows twitch closer together sympathetically as a tsking sound escapes him. 

“I’m so sorry, my love; we wanted to be here when you woke up.” 

He uncaps a bottle of water he seems to have procured out of thin air and brings it to your lips, and you find that you can’t really bring yourself to question the intimacy of the moment when your mouth feels so dry. His hold on the back of your head is reverent, laying it gently back down on the pillow when you finish drinking. 

“How’re you feeling?” He asks, setting the water bottle down on a rolling tray table beside your bed and perching on the edge; your hand officially being held hostage between his two delicate ones. 

“I feel…weird.” You admit warily; it doesn’t seem too concerning to the bloke, though, who merely nods at you as if that was expected.

“You’ll feel better soon, amour. Everything went really well.” 

You get the sense this is meant to be reassuring, but the rhythmic beeping that was coming from your side is starting to be more cause for anxiety than its former relaxation. You’re embarrassed when you flinch as the bloke moves to wipe some baby hairs away from your forehead; you’re mortified that he notices. 

“Are you alright?”

“Are we- why are you here?” You blurt, too thrown by the apparent intimacy that the two of you share – or, that he seems to think the two of you share, at the very least – to carefully consider your words. 

“I’ve been here the whole time, Y/N. We only left to get some snacks for when you woke up.” 

You don’t have time to get caught up on the we of that sentence, almost scrutinizing him when he readjusts the blankets around you as a shiver shakes your frame. 

And then you spot a beaded bracelet on his wrist.

“Reg.” You narrate; the familiar feeling of the name on your lips filling in a few more blanks. “You’re Regulus.”

Regulus’ shoulders fall in semi-relief, though he seems rather crest-fallen to learn that you feel rather disoriented. 

“You’re having a hard time remembering me, aren’t you?” He concludes, smiling sadly at you when you nod your head in the affirmative. “I’m sorry, amour; that must’ve been kind of scary.”

“Not too scary; you seemed nice enough.” You placate, surprised when this elicits a sharp, surprised laugh from him. You get the feeling such blatant and spontaneous displays of emotion don’t happen often for him. 

“Well that’s good; I’m very glad.”

The two of you fall into a comfortable albeit shy silence; the beeping coming from your side returning to a more relaxed cadence as you watch Regulus’ thumb brush soothing strokes just above the tape on your hand that you’ve only just decided is really very itchy. 

“Do you have any other questions?” He asks gently, bending ever so slightly in an attempt to meet your eyes. 

“Are we…together?”

He smiles as if he knew that was going to be your question, but his cheeks gain a dusting of pink regardless. 

“Yes, we’re together.”

You fight the urge to fidget with the threadbare blanket. “You’re my boyfriend?” 

He nods with a smile, bringing your hand up to his lips to press a kiss to it. You’ve never wanted to rip something off of yourself more than you wanted to pull at the IV, catheter and veins be damned. “And you’re my girlfriend.” 

You let out a breath of relief, feeling yourself settle further into the bed now that your present company doesn’t leave you with so many questions. 

Your eyes begin to grow heavy, and you’re only just realizing that the soothing strokes of Regulus’ fingers are not entirely innocent as your body melts further and further into the hospital bed until the door opens again to expose another, taller bloke with bottles of water and fizzy drinks in his arms. 

“I didn’t know what kind you’d want so I got a few options; I’m sure one of these will appeal to Y/N when she wakes up.” He explains, his gaze pointed at the beverage haul as he clumsily sets them down on a chair next to the one holding the snacks.

He moves towards the bed to press a lingering kiss to the crown of Regulus’ head – an affectionate arm wrapping itself around Regulus’ smaller frame as he pulls him into his side – before he realizes that you’re awake.

That you’re awake, and all but glaring at him. 

There’s a vague part of you somewhere deep in your psyche that tells you this is no cause for concern, but you’re pretty sure other blokes aren’t meant to be kissing your boyfriend. 

“Hi, sweetheart. How long have you been up?”

You feel your brows furrow further, and Regulus answers on your behalf. 

“Not too long, I don’t think. She may have just woken up before I got back.” 

The taller man hums as he affectionately squeezes your hand sitting atop Regulus’; the beeping beside you performing another crescendo as your eyes flit between the two boys. 

“Remus is your boyfriend too, amour.” Regulus placates with a teasing smile. “You’re alright.” 

“What?” Remus asks; his brows mirroring yours as he looks between the two of you warily. 

“I just had to explain to her that I’m her boyfriend and then you came barging in and kissed me.” Regulus explained dryly, though it’s clear that he enjoys pretending to be chiding. 

Remus laughs, reaching blindly behind him to pull a chair towards the edge of your bed, never letting go of your hand in the process. “I’m sorry, dovey; I didn’t mean to confuse you.” 

You feel like you might simultaneously shrink and bloom under the weight of his honeyed eyes and the somewhat familiar moniker falling from his lips; your blinks growing heavier once again as you fall into a content, comfortable silence save the rhythmic beeping beside you. 

You find that you don’t want to close your eyes, though; you have gold and silver ones to admire.

As if reading your mind, Remus brings your hand to his lips to press a kiss to your knuckles in almost the exact same place Regulus had moments before. “We’ll be here when you wake up, dove. Go back to sleep.”

It seems a shame to waste your time looking at the back of your eyelids instead of the two boys in front of you, but the beeping seems to slow and lulls you further into sleep’s welcoming embrace; intricate lines of morse code telling you that you have nothing to worry about, you can stare at them later.

“No, but it has the habit of showing up in the most peculiar places.” You replied, ever present smile adorning your face as Remus and Regulus shared a sympathetic and concerned gaze over your head, respectively. 

“Like where, amour?” Regulus pressed. 

Your lips pursed as you considered him. “One time it was hanging from the rafters in the great hall; that was very tricky to get down. Oh! And another time, it was wrapped in a bow around a pot of venomous tentacula; very cute, but the plant did nip at me when I tried to retrieve it.” 

“Sweetheart,” Remus cooed again as he sat forward in his chair, clearly feeling very sorry on your behalf, “who keeps doing that?”

Your brows furrowed at Remus’ obvious displeasure. “Well, I’m sure it’s probably my housemates? They have easy enough access to my things.”

“Things?” Regulus interjected. “Plural? They do this to your other stuff too?”

“Oh, all the time.” You agreed simply. 

“And you let them?” He continued, earning him a reproachful “Regulus…” from Remus. 

“Well,” you offered with a shrug of your shoulders, “they seem to have fun doing it.” 

“No, absolutely not.” Regulus declared as he stood. “Amour, stand up, we’re putting an end to this.”

“An end to this?” You asked curiously, though you stood as Regulus directed you to, allowing him to position you in the middle of the room. 

“Pretend I’m your roommates.” He instructed, fixing his robes and standing straighter as he ignored Remus’ snort of laughter who simply watched with intrigue. “Tell me to keep my filthy fucking hands off of your godsdamned things.” 

You pulled your lips in between your teeth as you looked at Remus nervously. “Erm…could, well, could you please keep your…filthy fucking hands off of my things…please?” 

“Amour,” Regulus chastised, “stop saying please. Don’t say please.”

“Well, it’s just that it’s a little rude, Regulus.” You explained as though Regulus might not have known. 

“I know it’s rude, amour. That’s what happens when people steal your things, yeah?”

“They’re not stealing my things.” You argued. “They…borrow them; I get them back eventually.”

“Yeah? Remus, do you often have to fight venomous tentacula’s for your things?”

“Not once.” Remus answered quickly, keeping his interested gaze on you.

“No? Why’s that?” 

Remus shrugged. “I’d probably be very rude to them if anyone tried to steal my things.” 

“You’re not rude, Remus.” You insisted, causing Remus’ teasing smile to soften to near painful levels. Regulus thought it was disgusting adorable. 

“I’m not rude to you, dovie. But you also don’t steal my things or play mean pranks on me.”

Your face fell somewhere between bemused and crestfallen. “You think they’re being mean to me?”

A pained sound actually emanated from the back of Remus’ throat.

“Well…I don’t think they’re being very nice to you, mon cœur.” Regulus offered softly, shooting a grimace over at Remus. 

“Well…why would I want to be rude like them, then?” You asked honestly, and Salazar’s saggy balls, if Regulus didn’t completely agree with you.

“You know what, amour? You’re absolutely right.” He agreed; lips threatening to turn up at the corners at your relieved smile. 

“Well, hang on.” Remus started. “What are we going to do about her things?” 

“Salazar help me, if you don’t tell me where the fuck you’ve put her scarf I will have you chained to the bottom of the Black Lake so godsdamned fast, Merlin himself won’t be able to help you.” Regulus hissed, one hand fisting the collar of a beady-eyed Ravenclaw and one hand shoving the tip of his wand into the bloke's jugular. 

“It-it’s hanging in the Hippogriff pen!” He offered quickly, struggling in Regulus’ grip. 

“Good lad.” Remus offered patronisingly from behind Regulus. “Now go get it for her.” 

Regulus released his hold on the bloke's collar the second he nodded, and the Ravenclaw couldn’t have taken off towards the Beast's classroom faster if he had tried. 

“Anyone else have any of Y/N’s things they’d like to cough up before we come looking for them?” Remus asked jovially, smiling at the cautious crowd that had formed when they heard Regulus Black and Remus Lupin of all people were on a warpath. 

“Uhm,” a witch squeaked as she stepped towards you, keeping her nervous eyes pointed at your boyfriends, “sorry, L/N…I, erm, I seem to have come across your History of Magic textbook.”

You smiled as though she was handing you a gift. “Thank you, Clarissa; I kept getting detention for showing up to class without it.”

Regulus was sure Remus could actually hear Regulus’ teeth clench from his place beside him, but Remus simply placed a placating hand on his elbow. 

“If I so much as see you even looking at her things again, Clarissa-” 

“You won’t!” Clarissa yelped, interrupting the end of Regulus’ threat before taking off down the hallway. 

“Do you have all of your things now, dove?” Remus asked after you, watching you look down at the book in your hands.

“Almost, but I’m sure the rest of my things will start showing up now.” You responded happily. Remus nodded in agreement, Regulus narrowed his eyes at the surrounding crowd as if threatening ‘they better’. 

The relationship was new - not tentative, yet delicate - and Regulus hadn’t been quite ready to welcome the attention that being a Black and a Slytherin could draw to what he deemed to be quite precious. 

But if welcoming the attention that being a Black and a Slytherin could draw is what it took to keep you happy and safe, well, he was more than willing to pull out all the stops for his sweet and too-pure-for-her-own-good girlfriend.

Remus must have found that sweet spot inside of Regulus, because a long, pleased moan is drawn from his pretty pink lips, though he never slows his own rhythm as he continues to drive into you.

If anything, Remus’ newest discovery sees Regulus pounding into you with a renewed energy and you’re certain he’s doing it in an attempt to torture you.

Your hands fly up above your head, searching the mattress in a futile attempt to reach for the pillows you had been trying to use to muffle your guttural cries and shouts of pleasure; your eyes screw shut when one almost manages to escape your lips.

Your hands cover your face and you find yourself more focused on keeping yourself quiet and hidden than the pleasure of the moment when you feel the bed dip; lithe fingers circle your wrists and — rather roughly — pull them away from your face before pinning them to the mattress on either side of your head. 

Remus is peering down at you from above as Regulus nearly glares at you from his place at the foot of the bed. 

“What is your problem?” Regulus asks simply, rhythm never slowing as tightens his hold on you — your knees hooked over his elbows — and he continues slapping his hips against yours over and over and over again.

”I-“ you start, almost choking on your words as your chest rises and falls discordantly. “What?”

”What is your problem?” Remus repeats on his behalf, cocking an eyebrow at you from above as mischief dances across his eyes. You aren’t given a chance to consider how the hell he is currently kneeling at the head of the bed when he is meant to be inside of Regulus right now when Regulus slams harshly into you, punching a shout of pleasure out of your lungs. 

“There we go!”  Remus cheers, shaking your wrists that he still had trapped in his hands in celebration. 

“So those pretty lips of yours do work, hm? I was starting to think we’d broken you.” Regulus taunts; another whimper escapes your lips as he does.

“Why do you keep trying to hide?” Remus asks you when you resist against his hold, slightly more considerate than your other boyfriend when he realizes you’re trying to cover your face again. “Red? Do you need to stop?”

Regulus’ hips hardly have a chance to slow – though they do at the tentative use of the safe word – before you sob out a desperate “no! God, no.” 

“Then I ask again,” Regulus mutters with a teasing lilt, following each word of the rest of his sentence with a slam of his hips in punctuation, “what - is - your - problem.”

You let out a sob as Remus maneuvers both of your wrists into one hand to free his other so he could trail his thumb in soothing strokes, starting at your temple, trailing down to your jaw and back again. 

“I can’t- I, I’m just - oh god - I’m trying not to be too loud!”

Regulus’ relentless assault on your cunt ceases as he completely halts all movements in order to look at you incredulously, and Remus actually scoffs at you from above.

“Dove,” he laughs chidingly, “who are you afraid will hear you?”

You look nervously between your two boyfriends – which is all the response you offer either of them – before Regulus grumbles something disbelieving and Remus starts to laugh in earnest. 

“You mean to tell me” Regulus starts, pulling almost all of the way out of you before he roughly pulls your hips right to the edge of the bed and farther onto his cock “that you think I’m putting my whole fucking back into this so that you will be quiet?” 

You seem to have inspired a ferocity in Regulus you’re not accustomed to as he starts slamming into you with renewed vigour. “The fucking nerve.”

“You’ve done it now, dove.” Remus teases, laughing at your surprised yelp when Regulus takes both of your legs into one of his arms and forces you onto your side without missing a beat; your body is all heat and dampness, both of which seem to emulate from your cunt and spread ever outwards. 

“Keep her facing forward for me, love. Yeah, just like that.” Regulus sighs as Remus stations one hand on either side of your jaw in order to stop you from burying your face into the mattress. “I don’t want to miss a single one of those pretty sounds.” 

“She’s okay, m’love.” Remus murmured from his place beside you; staring at Regulus as Regulus stared at you. 

“She’s hurt.” He responded simply.

“She’s safe.” Remus countered.

“But she wasn’t, and-”

“All we can do is make sure she is now.” Remus offered a touch more sternly. Regulus envied Remus for the way he was able to take on an authoritative tone with Regulus whilst his body language and gentle touches remained nothing but loving and calm for you.

Regulus had a (rather typical Black) habit of feeling (and exuding) his emotions at 110% always. If he was upset, everyone knew it from the steeliness of his eyes and the set of his jaw, right down to the rigidity of his fingers and toes. 

Remus could be angry and raging with the world, and to the wandering eye, he’d look as though he were merely spacing out, deep in thought.

So even now; even after you’d shown up to the Potter’s unannounced - though certainly not unwelcome - slightly worse for wear and extremely tender, Regulus couldn’t help but keep his fist wrapped tightly around his wand. His jaw was sore from how roughly he was grinding his teeth, and he couldn’t manage to sit beside you on the bed for more than 30 second stretches before he was back up and pacing again.

Regulus wasn’t sure if you’d cast a glamour over any welts or wounds or if you’d healed them before showing up, but Remus and Regulus were more than familiar with the aches that linger even after a hasty healing spell. 

“Why didn’t she tell us?” Regulus finally asked; voice hardly raising above a whisper as he admits what’s been eating at him since the moment you showed up.

Remus let out a sad sigh but never faltered in his hold on you, and Regulus found himself filled with a longing and jealousy for Remus’ ease of comfort. 

“You never told me.” Remus offered.

Regulus tried - thought failed - to tamp down the defensive ire rising in his throat. “Sirius did; you knew about Sirius.”

“Reg… that’s not the same, yeah?”

Regulus let out a huff and refused to look at Remus.

“Regulus, you cannot be mad at her for this; especially not right now.”

“I’m not-” Regulus cut himself off with a frustrated hum as he stood and began his pacing again. “I’m not mad at her.”

“You’re not happy with her.”

“I’m not happy because one of the loves of my life showed up beaten and bruised and scared, and I didn’t do anything about it!” 

The volume of his voice startled even himself, and Regulus’ eyes quickly darted to your still sleeping form. 

“I cast a muffliato.” Remus explained, and Regulus brought his fists up to his eyes at the first sign of his sinuses swelling painfully. 

“Regulus-”

“I didn’t do anything about it.” He hissed.

“Then come here and do something about it.” Remus replied not unkindly. 

Regulus’ hands - one still gripped tightly around his wand - fell uselessly to his sides as he looked at Remus helplessly. “I don’t-” he tried, sucking in a shuddering breath before continuing. “I don’t know how.”

“That’s alright.” Remus continued patiently. “I’ll help; come here.” 

And Regulus did; finally deigning to toss his wand onto one of the bedside tables in the guest room before sliding into the bed on your other side, pausing when you jolted.

“You’re alright, dove,” Remus murmured into your hairline, “s’just Reg, hm?” 

Apparently, that was all it took. Regulus held his breath as you rolled over on the bed and nuzzled into his awaiting arms, clinging to his jumper like he was a lifeline keeping you grounded and saving you from simply floating away.

Regulus found his muscles relaxing as he melted further into the bed, curling his arms protectively around your frame and holding onto you much the same way; like he, too, was afraid you would simply float away if he didn’ hold onto you with the utmost care.

And then Remus went to stand.

“What?” Regulus hissed quickly. “Why are you leaving? Don’t leave.”

“Relax, Black.” Remus snorted teasingly, moving around to the other side of the bed to press a kiss to Regulus’ temple. “I’m going to go make us all some tea, yeah?”

“But…I don’t know what to do…”

Remus shook his head and turned to leave the room. “Hold your girlfriend, Regulus. I’ll be right back.” 

“His confidence in me is astounding.” Regulus muttered into your hair, but Regulus did as he was told.

Regulus held his girlfriend, and he had no plans to stop any time soon.

“I have a hard time believing that the lovely Euphemia Potter said her beloved son should fuck off with the detentions, Trouble.” Sirius chided as he shook his head at you, though he moved the plate back within your reach and allowed you to help yourself.

“Honest to Merlin, hand to my heart.” You responded solemnly as you handed him the letter, watching as he furrowed his brows and held it out in front of him as if it were a royal decree.

“Well would you look at that,” Sirius murmured, “she really did tell ya to fuck off, babe.” 

James made a tsking sound as he snatched the letter out of his boyfriend’s hand. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Message received, bug.” 

“What did the little ickle Potter do now?” Peter asked as he plopped himself down in the booth beside James, ruffling his friends hair causing James to aggressively swat his hands away. “I only ever see James this worked up when his sister’s around.” 

“The fuck did you just call her?” You heard Barty demand from the other end of the pub, kneeling on the booth and peering over the other Slytherin’s to level Peter with a severe glare. “That witch is a Treasure, Pettigrew, and you will address her as such.” 

“Merlin’s beard…” Peter muttered as James snorted at his expense. “Okay…okay, sorry Junior.”

“You will be.” Barty spat menacingly before he slowly lowered himself back into his seat. 

“Oh don’t mind him, Pete.” You offered jovially. “He’s harmless.”

Your sentiment was severely undermined by Evan and Barty who had their heads lowered together as they kept their predatory gazes locked on the - now pale in the face - Gryffindor boy, though. 

“It’s hard to know what to call you sometimes.” Peter offered with a nervous shiver as he pulled his attention away from the otherside of the pub. “You’ve got so many.” 

“So many, what?” Lily asked as she took a seat at your table. 

“Names.” James said around a mouthful of chips. “She was called about four just now.” 

“Ickle Potter.” Peter whispered as he eyed Barty carefully.

“Trouble.” Sirius offered.

“lovebug.” James carried on.

“And Treasure, according to Junior.” Peter continued.

Lily hummed thoughtfully. “Four nicknames, that’s not bad.”

“Your mum called you her little lion in her letter.” Sirius added.

“There you are, amour.” Regulus sounded from behind you as he and Remus entered the pub; the three of you having split up to run to the post whilst Remus joined Regulus to Pippin’s Potions for a few supplies. 

“Amour.” Lily, James, and Sirius all chorused as Peter chuckled, causing Remus and Regulus to slow their strides and their brows to pinch in bemusement.

“What’s going on?” Remus chuckled somewhat nervously as he pressed a kiss to your hair before taking a seat beside you.

“We were just talking about your girlfriend’s names.” Lily explained.

“Names?” Remus laughed as he turned back to you. “How many do you have?” 

“Apparently a lot.” 

“Why? What’s wrong with ‘Y/N’?” He asked, and the entire table fell quiet.

“Why would you call me that?” You asked as steadily as you could manage. Remus’ brows pinched again before he turned to look at the table worriedly. 

“Remus.” You begged. “Why would you call me that?”

“What? Call you what? Your name?”

“That’s so rude, Rem.” You whined, your pout almost turning into a snicker when you heard Regulus breathe out a chuckle from behind you when he caught on, though you managed to hold strong. 

“I…I don’t understand what I’ve done wrong. What- why can’t I call you by your name?”

You let out what sounded like a breathy sob as you turned towards Regulus and pushed your face into his chest. “He’s so mean to me, Reg.”

Regulus made a sympathetic sound as he circled his arms around you. “My poor girl.” 

“That was cold, Remus. Stone cold.” Sirius stated solemnly. “If James were a better brother, he’d beat you up for this.”

“I’m a perfectly fine brother, thank you.” James protested immediately. 

“I don’t see you fighting to defend Trouble’s honour.” Sirius argued. 

Remus looked between his two oldest friends for but a moment longer before he turned to see your shoulders shaking as you hid in Regulus’ chest.

“Dovey.” Remus cooed, moving to reach out to place a comforting hand on your shoulder only for you to jump up and turn to expose a beaming smile on your face. “What the hell was that about?”

“How many is that?” You asked no one in particular, though Peter, Lily, James, and Sirius all chorused “seven”. 

“For Godric’s sake; was this all over a silly nickname?” Remus asked in faux admonishment as he turned to level you with a look that did not translate when he was smiling at you like the lovesick fool he was. 

“It’s not a silly nickname.” You denied immediately, eyes soft and smile softer as you leaned further into him. “I love it.”

“You really had him there for a moment, amour. I think he actually thought you were sobbing into my shirt over something he’d done.” Regulus offered, shooting Remus a wink when he tried to scowl at his boyfriend. 

“It’s not easy to trick Moony so it’s always extra fun to see him sweat.” James agreed.

“You should spend more time with us, Trouble; see what other pranks you can help us out with.” 

“Sorry lads.” Remus said as he rested his arm over the back of your chair and trailed his thumb over your neck where the fabric of your jumper gave way to skin. “This dove is our Trouble.”

“And Treasure.” Regulus added as he knocked his ankle into yours under the table. 

“My little lion.” Remus whispered into your cheek, causing you to curl into yourself at the tickles from his breath. 

“My lovebug.” Regulus chuckled.

“Should we go on?” 

“No, no. Merlin’s saggy balls, we get it.” James groaned as he rubbed his eyes harshly under his glasses. “You guys are disgusting.” 

“No more disgusting than you and Pads all wound up after a win.” Remus retorted, causing Peter to nearly spit out his butterbeer. 

“Alright, alright.” You relented. “I think there are a few too many siblings here to be talking about this right now.”

“Agreed.” Regulus and Sirius chorused before glaring at each other. 

Remus simply chuckled and pressed another kiss into your hair. “Sorry dove.”

“You’re forgiven, Moons.”

You were still being punished for it, and would now pay that debt for the rest of your life.

Remus thought that might have been the hardest part for him, as he and all of your friends returned to school to find you looking, appearing, and probably feeling quite fragile.

The second hardest part - which of course had nothing on watching you work through your physical and emotional trauma - was having to deal with Regulus and Barty’s realisation that they would not be able to help on your first full moon. 

Of course they knew as much when they started the process, but there was a stark difference between reading the fact that the mandrake leaf needed to remain in one’s mouth from one full to another versus digesting that for what it meant. 

They were lucky enough to start the month-long mandrake leaf step immediately after you were bitten, which would allow them to complete the “full-to-full” moon cycle with the leaf in their mouth should neither of them spit it out or swallow it accidentally, but that was simply step one in a long and arduous potion-making process. 

They were then required to wait for an electrical storm after making the difficult potion with other hard-to-come-by ingredients - performing an incantation each morning and night in the meantime - to complete the process. Seeing as it was currently the middle of winter in the Scottish Highlands, they could be waiting an awful long-time for the next appropriate storm. 

“What do you mean?” Barty asked again.

Remus tried to suppress the urge to roll his eyes; for being brilliant enough to receive Outstanding on all twelve O.W.L’s, Barty was really quite thick.

Regulus - well versed to his friend’s foolishness - had no such qualms and audibly rolled his eyes at him.

“He means exactly what he said, Barty.” Regulus spat.  “We will not be able to be there for her first…transformation.” Any remaining  ire swiftly left his tone as his eyes darted to you at the end of his sentence.

Your lips pursed slightly but you simply looked at your feet.

Remus felt as if he’d hardly heard you speak since That Night; though he knew that wasn’t true. You’d spoken plenty, it just never sounded exactly like you.

There was none of your quick wit, or your simmering temper, or your effervescent joy.

Remus knew this would change you in more ways than one; being infected with lycanthropy didn’t mean you would simply turn into a rage-filled beast once a month.

This also meant you’d be warring with another voice inside of your head and another heart beating inside of your chest, both of which were seemingly working against you more and more everyday closer to the full moon.

This meant that you would never fully trust another person to know you - all of you - lest they judge you for your affliction. 

This meant that any plans and dreams you once had for your future self would have to be reconsidered or scrapped entirely. 

Life was different for you now.

You were different now. 

And it was Remus and Regulus’ job to love you through that. 

“Can you…” You started quietly before trailing off, still looking down at the floor. 

“What is it, dove?” Remus encouraged quietly.

You swallowed before nodding your head to yourself. “Can you tell me again? How it happens?”

This wasn’t the first time you asked this question, nor was it the first time Remus described the process to you in gruesome detail, but he would repeat it however many times you asked him to if it brought you any comfort at all. 

“After dinner, we go up to the dorms to change before heading to the shrieking shack. There’s a small knot on the whomping willow that Pete scouts ahead to press in order to stun it momentarily; long enough to let us in.” He explained. “I usually get upstairs and try to lie down for a little bit…try to be as comfortable as possible until I feel the transformation coming.”

“How do you know? That the transformation is coming?” This time, it was Barty who asked. 

“Your heart rate speeds up nearly double time and my skin feels like it's being pulled taut. No one is allowed to be in the room when it happens - neither I nor The Wolf have any control over our movements at the time; it’s not safe.” He explained to Barty before turning back to you. 

“About halfway through the transformation, you lose sight of the pain because it’s no longer you that is feeling it; it’s no longer you in control.” He expressed solemnly to you. “James, Pete, and Sirius would have already transformed in the next room before they come out to check on Moony; the first time they were very cautious and Moony was stand-offish, but they’ve fallen into a routine now.” 

“And then?” You continued quietly for him. Remus ached to reach across and pull your hand into his; but Remus understood just how violated you must be feeling since the Bite, and he was wary to push you. 

“And then, depending on the mood Moony seems to be in, James - as Prongs - usually opens the hatch that is Moony proof and lets them out for a romp. They start by following a trail they’ve carved down a large hill, then they chase each other down the riverbank before stopping for a drink at the edge of the Black Lake, and then Pads encourages Moony back towards the shack before the transformation.” 

“And transforming back…it hurts the same?” You asked cautiously.

Remus smiled sadly and leaned his elbows on his knees bringing him that much closer to where you were seated; looking painfully small in the desk chair situated near the trunk at the end of Regulus’ bed that Remus was sitting on. “It does, my love. But then it’s done.”

“But then it’s done.” You echoed in a whisper, pausing shredding your nail beds when Remus placed a tentative hand over your own. 

“What’s the new plan?” It was Regulus asking this time. “Now that she will be there?”

James, Sirius, and Peter - who had been quiet up until that point - perked up. 

“The plan stays mostly the same.” Sirius started.

“We’ll head upstairs after dinner and change. We’ll head to the shack, Wormy will stun the tree.” James continued.

“But that’s where the plan deviates.” Peter added. 

“There’s the room with the bed that Moo- erm, Remus awaits the transformation, and then there’s the room that we usually hide in during the transformation as our animagi; Y/N will transform in that room.” James explained.

“But then where will you lot be?” Barty asked then. 

“In the attic - it’ll be a little harder for Prongs to navigate down the narrow steps but he can manage.” Sirius stated surely, clapping a teasing hand against his friend’s back.

“We’ve practised - it was quite funny to watch the first time.” Peter added with a chuckle.

“I’ll have you know I am very agile.” James argued with a pout. 

“What happens if the wolves don’t like each other?” Barty asked again; clearly uninterested in hearing just how agile James’ animagus was. 

The room fell quiet as the Gryffindor’s shared awkward glances and Remus stared at the top of your down turned head, rubbing his thumb back and forth over your knuckles. 

“They should be fine.” Sirius started, though his tone lacked confidence. “Wolves are pack animals - they should-”

“But what if they’re not fine, Black?” Barty pressed. 

“Junior, knock it off.” James barked. 

“I will do no such thing! You’re locking two very dangerous beasts in-”

“Enough.” Remus ordered when you flinched at the phrase dangerous beasts; shocking the whole room quiet. “That’s enough now.” He added quietly, encouraging your hands to separate and pulling them to his lips. “You’re okay.” 

“I’m okay.” You repeated on an exhale, but your voice was pitchy.

“Everybody out.” Regulus demanded.

The three Gryffindor’s moved without second thought. 

Barty seemed to hesitate. “But this is my roo-”

“Barty, please.” Regulus begged, causing Sirius to turn and look at his brother sadly; desperation not commonly seen or heard from a Black. 

“I’m sorry, Treasure.” Barty whispered before turning and following the other boys out of the room. 

“I’m okay.” You said again.

“You don’t have to be.” Remus offered you then as Regulus sat beside him to look at you imploringly. 

“I’m fucking scared.” Your voice cracked painfully at the end of your sentence causing Remus’ heart to crack painfully in sympathy. 

“I know dove, I know.” 

“We’re so well prepared, amour. This is going to go as well as it’s going to go.” Regulus added solemnly. 

It hurt both of them to be unable to comfort you anymore, but neither of them were willing to lie to you, and you seemed to appreciate the honesty. 

“I’m okay.” You repeated.

“You’re okay.” Both boys agreed in unison. 

You have to be. Remus thought to himself. I’ll make sure of it. 

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

If Sirius had thought the walk to the Whomping Willow after having to watch you and Remus say goodbye to Regulus (and Barty) was painful, then having to listen to the sounds of your blood curdling screams during your transformation was down right excruciating. 

Sirius - now Padfoot - was well-versed in hearing his Moony crying out in agony, though he wouldn’t go far enough to say he was accustomed to it. No one became accustomed to hearing such visceral sobs from anyone, let alone one of their best friends. 

But the addition of your gut wrenching shrieks simply added even more heartbreak to an already heartbreaking moment as Padfoot desperately tried to cover his ears with his paws, wondering if he shouldn’t have been so quick to promise Regulus that he’d make sure you were okay because this felt anything but. 

Prongs, either agreeing with Padfoot or simply sympathetic to his plight, wrapped his neck around his canine friend in an attempt to quell the noise coming from below them.

It didn’t help much, but Padfoot was grateful for it nonetheless. 

Dogs couldn’t tell time, so Padfoot had no real way of knowing how much time had lapsed between the sounds of wailing to the sounds of howling before both faded away into an occasional grunt and sniff, but Prongs - after sharing a cautious look with his friends - carefully opened the latch to the lower levels as the three friends deigned to enter the wolf's den. 

Moony - usually very excited to see his friends and packmates - hardly spared the three marauders a passing glance as his face stayed pointed at the slightly ajar door that Padfoot, Prongs, and Wormtail usually entered from.

Padfoot made a snuffling sound and nudged Moony’s hip with his shoulder, but the wolf simply spared him a fleeting glance and offered him a dismissive huff before turning back towards the door. 

Moony could tell something was different, something was off, though he knew not what yet. 

But the second there was noise coming from the room, Moony was standing with his ears pinned back against his head and his teeth showing. 

The door was slowly pushed open by means of a long snout also snarling as Padfoot watched Trouble slowly creep out of the room with her hackles raised and teeth bared. Moony quickly surged forward - the big oaf - causing Trouble to back into the peeling wallpaper which disturbed the dust as she snarled loudly at the other wolf.

This was not going well, Padfoot thought. They were supposed to be a pack - this was decidedly not pack.

Padfoot was just about to say something along those lines when Wormtail nibbled on his foot.

Warning. 

He hardly had a chance to give the rat a doggy glare when he noticed Moony’s stance changing; no longer was he low to the ground but moving to stand tall in front of the still cowering and snarling Trouble.

Padfoot held his breath as Moony’s snout inched closer and closer to Troubles; sniffing her out as she continued to snarl until he gently booped her nose with his, causing her to rear her head back and close her mouth - though the growling from her chest was still ever present.

Suddenly, Moony let out three ‘sneezes’ in quick succession before bowing down in front of her.

Yes! Padfoot cheered. Friends! Pack! 

He must’ve made an excited whine because Moony’s head whipped towards his oldest friend before launching himself at him and starting a playful wrestling match full of hip shoves, sneezing, and play bites. 

Trouble cocked her head at the two as she cautiously sat down, looking sceptically between the rat and stag.

Prongs, being perhaps more brave (or bold) than Wormy, stepped towards the wolf offering her a regal bow before gently booping her nose with his, causing the wolf to let out a sneeze.

Play!? Padfoot wondered at the canine sign for enjoyment and playfulness. Moony agreed, letting out three quick yips before play bowing in front of the other wolf again.

Padfoot watched as Trouble considered the wolf in front of her - far more seasoned than her, in an established pack, and … seemingly okay with her.

Padfoot offered her an encouraging stomp of his doggy foot, and that seemed to seal the deal. 

The rest of the evening had gone pretty smoothly after that; the three friends agreed that Trouble could handle a short romp in the woods. Moony didn’t seem too fussed that his usual routine was being disrupted, so Padfoot considered that a win, too. 

Padfoot, Prongs, and Moony gallivanted through the trees whilst Trouble and Wormy followed dutifully behind them; only pausing when Trouble heard any other noise or creature in the forest and letting out a quick rumbling from her chest before Moony merely rubbed against her like a giant wolf-like feline to assure her they were fine. 

So yeah, the rest of the evening had gone pretty smoothly. 

And then it was time to transform. 

Trouble seemed completely uninterested in going anywhere or doing anything when her bones started to shift again, letting out pained whimpers and yips and snarling at anyone who got too close to her.

Padfoot was anxious; they needed to get her back to the shack - she could not transform out here. 

Prongs stomped his hoof into the ground very authoritatively as he puffed out his chest, and Moony looked between his stag and his wolf in concern before Wormtail scurried over to Trouble’s snout now resting in the dirt.

Padfoot’s not exactly sure what Wormy was telling Trouble as he sniffled at the Wolf’s snout and offered it gently pats, but whatever he said seemed to work as Trouble let out a pained huff but managed to stand and followed the pack back to the shack. 

Trouble had hardly made it into her designated room before she started howling in pain and the Padfoot could actually hear her bones breaking. The wincing from both Wormtail and Prongs suggested they could too. Moony made a snarling sound at the three of them, clearly suggesting they get their arses to the attic.

But the second that the howling turned into sobbing, Padfoot shifted back to Sirius and he went racing down the stairs. 

“Go- go check on her, please.” Remus gritted out, and Sirius didn’t need to be told twice.

You were unconscious, but you were breathing. Sirius took a quick inventory of your body and was happy to note you didn’t appear to have any external injuries before he covered you with a blanket. 

“Moons, sit down- no, stop.” Sirius heard James arguing.

“I need to see her, I need-”

“You need to lay down.”

“Sirius has her, Moony.” Peter offered. 

“Where is she!?” Sirius heard Barty shout breathlessly at the same time Regulus murmured a quiet “mon loup…” 

“She’s in here, Reg.” Sirius called before two bodies came barreling through the door.

“Why isn’t she awake? Why isn’t she awake!?” Barty shouted, causing Sirius to turn and stare daggers at him. 

“Junior if you cannot control yourself and stay calm for her sake you need to get the fuck back to the castle.” 

Barty seemed stunned by his intensity but Regulus simply knelt beside Sirius over your body. 

“Oh mon amour…” He murmured sadly. “Is she-”

“No injuries, Reg. And she’s breathing, just unconscious. I think that probably makes some sense, sometimes it takes a while for Rem to wake up too.” 

Regulus simply nodded as tears trailed down the bridge of his nose and chin before dripping onto the mattress beside you as he brought your hand to his lips.

“Thank you.” Regulus whispered. “For keeping both of them safe.”

“I made a promise, yeah?” Sirius offered, attempting to feign nonchalance but missing by a mile. “I keep my promises.”

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Your lungs felt as though they were constructed from cement offering you no give or take as you took effortful breaths, but you were breathing nonetheless.

You were breathing.

The bubbles in your ears seemed to pop slowly with each breath, eventually allowing you to hear the gentle murmuring around you. You could hear…James, and Barty, and…

“Rem?” You croaked, wincing at the feeling of sandpaper in your throat as you tried to clear it.

“I’m here, dove. I’m right here.” He responded quickly, a gentle hand encasing yours. 

“Where-” you paused as you tried to swallow around the thickness in your throat. “Where’s Reg?” 

“I’m right here, amour.” You heard from somewhere above you; fingers brushing featherlight touches across your forehead as he moved some hairs away from your face. “Can you open your eyes?” 

You didn’t know. Could you open your eyes? You felt as though you should be able to, however, the fact that it took you as much effort as it currently did to suck in oxygen didn’t leave that too likely. 

“Come on, babylove, let us see those pretty eyes, hm?” Remus murmured as he pressed a kiss to your hand, and you decided that it was worth the try if Remus was going to speak so sweetly to you. 

“There she is, ma belle fille.” Regulus whispered as you looked up at him, currently standing at the head of your bed as he looked down at you with no shortage of adoration. 

Remus was sitting on your opposite side, no bandages or bruises as he held your hand in his, though he seemed the sort of bone deep tired that could only come from worry.

“I did it.” You murmured, causing Remus’ face to break out in an emotional smile.

“Of course you did, Treasure.” Barty sounded from somewhere at the foot of your bed. “You’re phenomenal and can do anything, there was never any doubt.”

“And I’d sooner die than let anything happen to you.” Sirius added. 

“I’m okay.” You whispered with a breath of relief. 

“Glad to hear it, because I decidedly wasn’t - leaving me alone with the likes of Barty all evening.” Regulus teased, though he seemed far more relaxed now as he perched against the edge of your bed. “Never let it happen again, okay?”

Sirius scoffed at his brother when James piped up. “Yeah well the two of you better hope for some unlikely weather then if you want an electrical storm in the middle of winter.”

You watched in perhaps a little bit of horror as a wicked smile took over Barty’s face. “Oh, don’t you worry.” He started. “There will be an electrical storm.”

And you couldn’t even find it in yourself to be exasperated, knowing damn well that if anyone was clever (and bat shit crazy) enough to fuck around with elemental magic and succeed, it would be Barty. 

“Can’t wait.” You offered with a smirk, and all six boys softened as they smiled at you.

“You’re missing quite the show, Reg; our girl looks gorgeous from up here.” He murmured into Regulus’ shoulder, earning him a pitiful whimper as Regulus’ neck appeared incapable of lifting the weight of his head.

“Come on, pretty boy; look at her.” He encouraged, placing his palm at the back of Regulus’ head and positioning it so that his face was pointed resolutely at you.

The sight was almost too much for you; Remus looking down at you like you looked good enough to devour whole from above Regulus’ shoulder, his hand roving the expanse of Regulus’ waist, and Regulus’ red and teary face looking down at you like you were both his salvation and damnation. 

“Fuck, fuck, I can’t. I’m- I can’t, I’m gonna-”

You responded simply by taking his cock further into your throat and humming in acknowledgement as you felt him tense.

“Fuck baby, I’m-”

And you swallowed; your throat constricting around him as he fell over the edge, coming with a cry.

You fell back onto your heels as you caught your breath and looked up at the pair; Remus petting Regulus’ hair down from its rather rumpled state as he, too, caught his breath. 

“Merlin, you’re bloody good at that.” Regulus breathed at last, causing Remus to bark a surprised laugh.

“Is that how you say thank you, Black? We’ll have to work on your manners.” Remus taunted as he patted his hip.

“I thought you Sacred 28 children were raised to be gentlemen.” You teased as well.

Regulus grumbled miserably as he bent down to retrieve his pants. “I’d appreciate it if you refrained from speaking about my parents while my dick is out, amour.”

“Did Reggie just say dick!?” You squealed in laughter. “How terribly uncouth.”

“Would you lower your voice.” He hissed at you then; tone harsh but face dutifully lovestruck. “Lest you wish our brothers to hear.”

“Lest.” You snorted as you went to stand; Remus quickly at your side to help you up. 

“We really need to tell your brothers soon, you two.” Remus added solemnly, causing both you and Regulus to groan in unison.

“Listen, if they find out, it’s me they’re going to castrate.”

“And?” Regulus asked as he buttoned his trousers. 

Remus glared at him. 

“But they’re so dramatic, Rem.” You whined as you sat on an overturned crate.

Was the secret passageway between Honeydukes and the castle an ideal place for canoodling with your brother's best friend and your brother’s best friend’s brother?

No.

But when you had brothers like Sirius and James, who had a charmed map of the entire castle that told them exactly where everyone was at any given time (thanks to your horribly stupid boyfriend [boyfriend? Could you call Remus that when the three of you only ever met in private? You’d have to ask him] who helped create said map), options were limited. 

“I don’t like lying to them.” Remus argued then.

“You think we do?” Regulus asked, to which you and Remus answered ‘yes’ quickly. “Yeah I do.” He relented. 

“I really don’t feel good about it guys and…I, I don’t know, I love you guys and I want to be able to love you all of the time, not just some of the time.” Remus admitted softly then.

You and Regulus each seemed completely dumbfounded by both the admission of love and the vulnerability of your [yup, you were definitely going to start calling him your] boyfriend.

“Well how the hells am I supposed to argue with that?” Regulus spat with no ire as he pulled Remus in for a kiss. 

“What do you say, dove?” He asked you as he and Regulus pulled apart. “Do you have an argument for that?” 

Yes.

You had plenty.

First of all, you didn’t want to share this with your brother because he would react in one of two ways: he could either a) be horrified and try to forbid the three of you from seeing one another or [and perhaps more disturbingly] b) be so overjoyed at the idea of love that he becomes a unwelcome quasi-fourth in your relationship.

But Remus loves you. Loves.

And perhaps more importantly, you love Remus, and this was important to Remus.

Son of a bitch, “Fine.” You harrumphed. 

“Yeah?” He asked hopefully around a laugh, Regulus smiling at you as they came to stand above you.

“Yeah.” You breathed out as Remus took both sides of your face in his hands and brought his lips to yours.

“My sweet girl.” He murmured reverently.

You smiled up at him as Regulus pressed a kiss to his cheek. 

“So are we really doing this? Are we actually going to tell them?”

“Tell who what?” James’ voice echoed through the passageway; the three of you whipping your heads towards the sound to see James and Sirius coming around a corner. 

And it appeared that, despite your best intentions, none of you were quite willing to actually share the news with your brothers/best friends.

But apparently, you didn’t have to.

Apparently, your well rumpled hair from Regulus’ hands, your swollen lips and smudged mascara, Regulus’ belt hanging loose and his uniform shirt still untucked from his trousers, and Remus’ awkward shift in an attempt to hide his bulge which was still at half mast (though falling quickly now) said it all.

“Wha-” Sirius started, though the question died on his lips as he continued scrutinising the three of you. 

“I…I don’t- I don’t understa- I….” James tried then, also to no avail. 

Peter - the bastard - took that moment to appear around the corner then, lifting his head from fiddling with his wand to see the three of you standing there being stared down by James and Sirius like you were in some off-brand western standoff. 

“Oh? Oh! Oh… are you guys shagging?” He asked ineloquently. 

That seemed to restart your brothers’ brains as they both shouted “my brother!?” and “my sister!?” in unison. 

“Rem, it’s been nice knowing you and your bollocks.” You murmured solemnly. 

“Seconded.” Regulus agreed before the two of you took off in a sprint down the passageway and away from your brothers, boyfriend, and Peter.

“Merlin, Moony; you really know how to pick ‘em…leaving you to the wolves like that.” Peter laughed as he carried on ahead; slapping a hand on Remus’ back as he passed whilst Sirius and James continued standing there with their mouths agape. 

“Does it make it any better to know that I’m absolutely head-over-heels in love with them?” Remus asked cautiously then.

“Minutely.” James gritted out then, earning him an elbow in the gut from Sirius. 

“I expect to be allowed two weeks of moping and muttering.” Sirius bargained.

“One week.” Remus countered.

“Nine days.” James tried then.

"Eight?"

"Eleven." Sirius countered.

"Nine." Remus backtracked.

James and Sirius shared a look before James turned his gaze back to Remus. "Deal."

“Fuckin’ hells.” Sirius griped as he ran a heavy hand down his face. “This was not on my bingo card this year.”

“Sorry mate.” Remus offered then, earning him a glare from his best friend.

“No you’re not, you brother-fucker.”

This was going to be a long nine days.

If they hadn’t been following the growing number of baskets and bins of clothes and hangers, they would have been able to follow the sound of your playlist emanating from your phone.

The music was playing in your bedroom which was nothing short of a disaster, but - unless you were hidden beneath one of the various piles of clothes and linens - you weren’t in it; the only evidence that you had been in there was your phone charging on the nightstand and the entire contents of your wardrobe spilled out onto the bed and floor. 

The sound of a machine whirring alerted them to the fact that you were in the den, and they followed the noise to find you hunched over the sewing machine as you sewed a patch onto an old denim jacket. 

Remus had to fight the urge to let out a sweet cooing sound - ever enamoured and fascinated by the way your mind works - and based off of Regulus hiding his smile behind his hand, he felt much the same.

“Hey, dove.” Remus called gently, though loud enough to reach your ears over the sound of the machine, causing you to startle.

“Oh! Hi!” You called, lowering the needle of the machine to save your spot before turning to give them your attention. “What are you guys doing here?”

Remus and Regulus shared a quick look before the latter answered. “We’ve just gotten home from the shops, amour.”

Remus watched as your brows furrowed before your face fell. “You guys are back!?” 

You nearly knocked the table with your sewing machine clean over in your haste to stand and made a beeline for the hallway. 

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” You apologised as you paused in front of the bedroom. “Shit; I swear I’ll clean all this up!” 

“I know you will, dove.” Remus tried to placate, but you were already bending over and grabbing bins and boxes. 

“When I heard your laundry stop, I thought I’d switch it over for you, and then I figured I should probably do my laundry too, you know? And then by the time the laundry was done and I went to put it away, I realised my closet was overflowing and I figured I should downsize. But then I found my old denim jacket that I loved but had a rip in it in the back of my wardrobe! So I grabbed that - and your jumper, Rem - and started to sew.”

“It’s okay, amour.” Regulus assured you, though you stomped your foot in clear disagreement. 

“It’s not okay! All I was supposed to do was mop the-” Your jaw fell open as you turned to your boyfriends in horror. “I was supposed to mop the kitchen…” You nearly whimpered, and Remus’ heart squeezed when he noticed frustrated tears welling in your eyes.

“And it will get done, dove, hey-” He mollified as he encouraged you into his chest. “Why don’t we help you finish up what you’ve gotten done so far, and then-”

“I’m not supposed to need your help!” You argued, though your protests were muffled by the fabric of his jumper. “I should be able to manage a few measly chores.” 

“And you can amour. But you also have two handsome and helpful boyfriends who live to serve you.” Regulus teased, subtle mischief shimmering in his grey eyes that felt like home to Remus. 

“S’not funny.” You pouted.

“I’m not making fun, my love, honest.” Regulus assured you as pressed a kiss to your hair and rubbed a soothing stripe up your back. 

“You were very busy today,” He murmured into the side of your head then, “did you leave yourself any time to have something for lunch?”

Remus had a hunch, but the way your body tensed at Regulus’ gentle accusation was all the proof he needed.

Remus pressed another kiss to the crown of your head before pulling you away from his chest to look down at you. “How about you get the room organised enough that we have somewhere to sleep tonight, and I’ll make us something to eat before Regulus finishes mopping the kitchen?”

“But-”

“Great plan, Rem.” Regulus butted in quickly, turning and beelining it for the kitchen before you could even begin your protest.

“Let him help, dovey.” Remus encouraged. “He loves it.” 

“I just…” You started, and Remus continued rubbing his hands up and down your back as you searched for the words. “I just wish my brain worked normally.”

Remus squeezed you tight against him at your admission. “Well, I understand that you’re frustrated, but if it’s any consolation, I love your brain just the way it is, and I know Reg feels the same too, yeah?”

You let out a groan but returned his hug, and Remus accepted it for the acquiescence it was.

“What do you say? I think we ought to go find Regulus before he does all the chores and leaves nothing for the rest of us.”

And as much as he had been teasing, the two of you scurried out of your bedroom rather quickly knowing that Regulus - the notorious clean freak - would absolutely do just that if left unattended for too long.