Chapter 106 - Stupid, Sirius! (2/2)
”Promise?” Regulus suspiciously said.
”I promise on Quidditch,” Sirius swore.
”Fine,” Regulus said, before quietly helping Sirius pack for tomorrow morning. It wasn't the best packing, but it got the job done.
The following morning, Sirius and Regulus quickly eat their breakfast, before eagerly run into the hallway, where the trunks had been brought down by the old family house elf. Sirius wrinkles his nose in disgust at catching sight of Kreacher. The old house elf had a bulbous, snout-like nose, bloodshot eyes, many folds of skin that moved when he did, and white hair growing out of his bat-like ears. It certainly did not help that his sack-like toga was quite old and rather worn and gross.
Sirius shudders and holds back a sneer as Regulus smiles down at Kreacher. ”Thank you, Kreacher, that was very helpful of you,” Regulus gratefully said in sincere gratitude for Kreacher having brought their trunks downstairs.
”Kreacher aims to please, the young masters,” Kreacher said, casting a dower glance at Sirius.
”So how do we go about doing this?” Sirius grumbled.
”Please hold your trunks, young masters,” Kreacher instructed as his wrinkled hands grabbed onto the two boys and they apparated away. The three of them appeared with a small pop just outside the station on the side. Without even saying thanks, Sirius grabs his trunk and says, ”Hurry up Regulus!”
”Thank you, Kreacher,” Regulus hastily thanked the house elf, before hurrying off after his older brother with trunk in hand. With a faint pop heard from behind, the house elf left and returned back to the manor.
”C'mon, hurry up!” Sirius impatiently snapped at Regulus who was struggling to keep as he dragged his trunk behind him.
”Wait up, Sirius!” Regulus called out much to his older brother's chagrin. With a sigh, Sirius slows down and waits for his pesky younger brother to catch up. With a sigh, Sirius helps Regulus put his trunk onto the trolley, before walking through the station.
After some time, Regulus nervously glances around and fidgets. ”Um, Sirius, I don't see platform 9 ¾'s.
”That's because it's not here,” Sirius confidently smirked causing Regulus to pale and stare at his older brother. Hiding an evil grin, Sirius stops before the enchanted wall and says, ”We have to run through the wall.”
”What?!” Regulus cried out looking at his older brother as if he was insane. ”Is that a joke, Sirius? Because it's not funny!”
Sirius cackled in response, before running straight at the wall. Regulus almost shuts his eyes waiting for the expected crash to only see his brother vanish through the wall. ”Sirius?” Regulus croaked to only not hear a response, before hastily running at the wall as he closed his eyes and fully expected to crash.
Flinching, Regulus finally dares to open his eyes as he hears loud voices. Regulus's eyes fill with awe as he sees a scarlet engine waiting next to the platform that is teeming with people. Smoke from the engine drifts over the crowd as the wrought-iron archway reads, Platform Nine and Three Quarters. Some of the train carriages are already full of students waving goodbye, or even fighting over their seats.
The crowd babbles as cats' meow from their owner's arms and owls hoot from their cages. Regulus suddenly panics and searches everywhere for his older brother to only spot him further ahead in the crowd. ”Wait for me!” Regulus desperately called out as he hurried after his older brother. Either Sirius didn't hear Regulus over the dim of the crowd, or he purposefully ignored him.
Regulus hurries after his older brother to finally catch up with him and finds Sirius talking to a tall, thin, rather delicate, exhausted-looking boy with russet hair and tired eyes. Regulus stops a short way-a- way and shuffles his feet as he waits for his older brother to cease greeting his friend. His brother's friend notices him first and says, ”Is that your younger brother, Sirius?”
Sirius rolls his eyes at Lupin. ”Sadly enough.”
Lupin hides a grin and instead says, ”You must be Regulus, right? I'm Remus Lupin.”
Seeing his brother's expression, Regulus pulls out the good old Black family manners. ”Are you a Gryffindor too?” Regulus huffed.
”Yes, I am,” Lupin rather good-natured replied.
Regulus snorts as Sirius growls at his younger brother. ”C'mon brat, I've got to get you on the train.” Regulus flushes in embarrassment as Sirius adds, ”Save me a seat, Lupin.” And left his truck with the sighing Lupin, who is going to have to drag the trunk aboard as well.
”Sure thing, Sirius,” Lupin wearily sighed as he glanced over at the nervous-looking younger boy.
Ignoring Lupin's gaze, Regulus hurries after his older brother. Grumbling, Sirius reluctantly helps the struggling Regulus pull his trunk onto the train. After a moment, Regulus quietly asks, ”You're not going to sit with me, Sirius?”
”Of course not!” Sirius snorted. ”I want to sit with my friends, not a 1st-year baby!” Regulus head droops at the reply as Sirius impatiently shoves Regulus into an empty compartment.
”Wait here, I'm going to go and find Rowan.” Dragging his trunk away, Sirius quickly disappears as Regulus glances about and timidly takes a seat.
Trying to hide his hurt feelings, Regulus mumbles, ”Stupid, Sirius!”
The compartment door sliding open prevents Regulus from a more emotional outburst as he sees a gangly boy with somewhat curly flaxen hair standing in the doorway. The boy warily smiles and says, ”I don't mean to be a bother, but are any of these seats taken?”
”No, not at all!” Regulus said as he motioned to the empty seats.
”Oh good,” the boy said with relief as he slides his trunk into its proper place.
Stretching out his hand, the boy says, ”The name's Dirk Cresswell, and you are?”
Regulus carefully takes the boy's freckled hand, ”I'm Regulus Black.”
”Well, Regulus it's nice to meet you too. Are you a first-year too?” Dirk Cresswell asked.
”Yes, me too,” Regulus said with some relief at meeting someone in his own year. The two boys quickly begin to chat and are pleased to find that the other has already read A History of Hogwarts, before the start of the school year.