Of Deer and Flowers

Chapter Sixteen

Regulus Black

July 12,

Dear Jane,

I honestly don't know what to think! Not a day has passed since I came home from school that Petunia and I haven't fought! Have I really changed that much? Or is it Petunia? Or maybe both?

Uh oh. That git Vernon is over again! And because it's nine o'clock and Petunia still hasn't finished with her hair I have to go play hostess. He is such a prat! Half the time I wish I could slam the door in his face! But no, we have to be nice to Petunia's 'boyfriend.' Does it make me a bad person if I don't want to be nice to him?"

July 19,

Dear Jane,

Petunia and I just got into a huge fight. And I don't mean a just yell and scream at each other one either! I actually think Petunia might have pulled one of the Kitchen knifes on me if my magic hadn't gotten out of hand and frozen her in place before she reached the kitchen door.

Course Mum's furious so we're both banned to our rooms for a week. Oh, and Vernon's banned from seeing Petunia during this time period too!!!! He's currently downstairs having Dad explain the whole situation to him as he actually walked in at the exact moment my magic went off.

Petunia's sulking cause I gave her a huge bruise on the left side of her jaw. I've got a split lip and a black eye. Stupid bruise feels the size of an orange. Oh, and to top it off, I've got a warning from the Ministry!

July 21,

Dear Jane,

My Black eye is gone. Dad went and bought something from Diagon Alley Yesterday. The stuff tastes awful and I've got a feeling he did that on purpose.

July 26,

Dear Jane,

It's been a full week sense our fight and Petunia and I still aren't speaking. Course we've been in our rooms all week. Still . . .

Mum's sent us shopping for new cloths and she insists that while we're at it Petunia and I work out our differences. Like that's going to Happen! Petunia's managed to drag Vernon along!

Remus sat down in one of the hard-backed chairs at the food court of the local mall. In front of him sat an old, dog eared, thick, leather-bound book. "My father bought this just after I was bitten," he said softly. "Thought there might be a clue to a cure in here."

The others nodded. "I'll go get the drinks," James offered, "then we can start going through it." But as James left another person appeared. Remus sighed as Sirius looked up scowling.

"What is it Regulus?" The thirteen-year-old boy only grinned.

"Stanton's been blasted off the tapestry."

"Always knew he had it in him," Sirius muttered. Remus looked up as another figure joined the group.

"Do . . .do you guys mind if I join you? I'm supposed to be shopping with Petunia, but well . . .three's a crowd." Lily nodded over her shoulder at a couple a few tables away who were making kissy faces at each other over their sandwiches.

"Sure grab a seat!" Remus smiled.

"So anyway." Regulus's smile had become a rather ugly smirk. "Mum's not taking it too hard. She always knew Stanton was a disappointment! He went and got himself married to a Mudblood! Rather like those two!" he sneered at Peter and Lily. Sirius reached up and grabbed Regulus's collar.

"You will keep a civil tongue in you mouth, oh brother of mine, when you're in the presence of my friends!"

"You're related to this creep?" Lily asked flabbergasted.

"Oh some friends you have! A couple of Mudbloods and a Half-breed. The only one who really counts among this lot isn't even here! And yeah carrot top," he said to Lily, "Sirius here's an older brother. Of course it isn't a widely known fact. He's somewhat of a disgrace to the family himself. That's why we let him tell people he's a filthy half-cast." Remus leapt to his feet at the same moment as Sirius.

"Hold your tongue!" Sirius growled.

"Do we really have to listen to this?" Remus said quietly. "I mean if he's going to act like a five-year-old."

"Shut up Remy! Your nothing but a half breed old mongrel!" Remus snarled, his temper about to reach its boiling point. Peter cowered in his chair. Lily however rose smoothly to her feet.

"You know Regulus!" she said smiling sweetly, "for some one who puts so much store by their bloodline, you sure can act like a Muggle!" Remus winced. True Lily was Muggle born, but a comment like that to Regulus . . .

"Why you filthy little ______!" Regulus lunged for her. Lily grabbed the ketchup bottle off the table and squirted it in his face. Regulus stopped, stunned. Wiping a hand across his face he stared at the red goo.

"This isn't over yet Mudblood!" he spat. Turning on his heals Regulus stormed out of the food court.

"Listen I'm really sorry!" Lily said softly. Looking over her shoulder she winced. "I better go before I'm left behind."

"Hey Evans!" Remus herd James address her as he came back with the sodas. "I've always had a thing for fiery red heads!"

"Get lost!"

James only shrugged and came over setting the drinks on the table. "What took you so long?" Sirius asked resuming his seat.

"Muggle money."

"Ahhh." James scrubbed a hand through his hair.

"Why do you do that?" Peter asked.

"Do what?"

"Purposely mess up you hair like that!"

James grinned. "Cool huh?" Remus groaned and opened the book, skimming down the title page.

"Anamagi theory, known Anamagi. Ah here we go. First step to becoming an Anamagi." Remus flipped to the correct page. "Ok discovering your inner animal . . . according to this we should take this quiz to see which animal we're most compatible with."

"Probably several times," James offered, "just to be sure." Remus nodded.