The Story of Regulus Black - Years 1-4

XXXIII. 20 December, 1973

Regulus didn't own any Christmas jumpers.

He grew up in a household that never saw Christmas as much of anything. They would treat it as a normal day, with the addition of a few presents. So, Regulus didn't own a Christmas jumper.

He didn't know exactly who did, but he only really had two friends in all of Slytherin house - in all of the school - so he turned to them. Barty owned one, but it was too small for Regulus. So, he turned to the other.

"Hey, Gillian?" Regulus asked on 19 December. The two of them were walking back to the castle from Quidditch practice, both with damp hair from showering and their brooms rested on their shoulders.

"Yeah?" she asked, looking down at the small boy whom she was walking beside.

"Do you own any Christmas jumpers? I don't have any, and I got invited to the Slug Club Christmas party thing, and Slughorn asked everyone to wear their Christmas jumpers."

"I'm sorry, Regulus, I don't," her voice was apologetic.

"Oh, ok. Thanks anyways."

So, Regulus was without a Christmas jumper for the party.

He was sitting at the Slytherin table for lunch the day of the Christmas party, glancing 'round at everyone in the hall. Watching them. Studying them.

Christmas break was starting the following day, which meant that the castle was absolutely buzzing with excitement. They were done with classes for the first half of term, and the Christmas spirit had already settled itself within the walls of the castle. It had been snowing practically non stop since mid-November, leaving the grounds coated in a thick layer of stark white snow.

Students could be seen spending every waking moment of their free time outdoors, building snowmen, making snow angels, having snowball fights, you name it. This made Quidditch practice absolutely miserable for every player involved. Regulus had to wear layers upon layers upon layers of socks, pants, shirts, jackets, gloves, and scarves just to have a hope of not turning into an icicle on the field. Even then, he would often return to the locker rooms with flushed cheeks, a bright red nose, and blue-tinted lips.

The inside of the castle was much more pleasant.

The corridors were decorated in tinsel of all different colors, garlands of green with little cranberries growing in them and a light layer of unmelting snow, big red bows, and the rugs that covered the halls had been magicked to have rather Christmassy designs. In practically every single corner of the castle, there was a large Christmas tree. They were all decorated differently, but still beautifully.

To add to this, the teachers had put a rather complicated charm on the Great Hall. For the entire week leading up to the holiday break, it snowed during meals. Though, they had also cast a sort of Protection Charm, so the snow always melted and disappeared a few feet above the tables.

Hogwarts looked magical.

Regulus watched all of the students talking to one another in utter excitement, all speaking about their plans for the holidays. It was very easy to deduce which students were staying and which were to be going home based off of their mannerisms. From this observation, he discovered that both Francesco and Benjamin were going home, but Deacon was staying at the school. He seemed much less excited about the holiday than his two best mates.

What he was also able to discover was that Sirius was the only one of the four marauders who were staying at the school. Remus Lupin was a maybe, but Regulus suspected that he was most likely leaving.

It was while Regulus was observing the other students' behavior, that a rather thick and scratchy looking jumper was dropped onto the table in front of him. Startled by the sudden article of clothing, he jumped back, and his shoulder blades hit something solid.