Archive of Our Own ^beta

Lily stood with James and the Marauders as they waited for the boats after graduation. They were laughing as Remus told a story from fourth year.

“And then-" Remus laughed, tears in his eyes, “this utter idiot-“

“LILY!” Came a cry from the top of the stairs, and all of a sudden a blur of green and black had collided with her.

Lily’s hand went straight to the back of his head, cradling it gently as his arms wrapped around her, tight as a vice. He was taller than her, so the angle must have been uncomfortable, but he didn’t move or adjust himself. He whimpered, and she shushed him.

“Hey Star.” She said quietly. “You okay?”

His face still hidden in her neck, he replied softly, “Not really.”

“That’s okay. You don’t have to be alright.”

“I’m sorry, Flower.”

“Why?”

“I missed your graduation.”

Lily chuckled. “I know, Star. It’s fine, I knew you would.”

“Still doesn’t feel right.” He mumbled into her neck.

“Hey, look at me.” She told him, loosening her arms around him. He pulled back and Lily heard four synchronised gasps behind her as she met her best friends grey eyes.

“Regulus, it’s okay. You couldn’t have come. That could have put your safely at risk, ruined the whole plan. I would not have allowed you to put your safety at risk just for a stupid ceremony.”

“But it’s not a stupid ceremony though! You just graduated Hogwarts with the highest marks ever achieved in a Charms N.E.W.T. That’s a big deal!” Regulus interrupted her, talking so quickly she could only understand due to years of practice.

“Oh, Star.” Lily said, wrapping her arms around his waist quickly before pulling back again. “I would not have you sacrifice your safety for the next year, especially with summer starting tomorrow and you being locked up with those two for six weeks, just to attend a ceremony neither of us will probably remember in thirty years.”

She heard the Marauders mumbling behind them, but she ignored them.

“Just remember Star, one year today.”

“One year today, I know, it’s just- It’s hard. I’ve always had you here, and I don’t know what to do without my support system with me.”

“You do what you always do. You survive.” Regulus scoffed. “Hey, no scoffing. You survive, because you are Regulus Arcturus Black, and you are made of steel and stardust. I’ll send owls every day, and we have the lockets. I’ll be at your graduation, under disillusionment charms and silencing charms and the cloak, cheering for you loudest out of everyone. Both of us follow the plan, and if you need to run...” She trailed off.

“I know, I can come to you. And if you need to run...”

“I know.”

They paused, looking into each others eyes.

“You know,” She said seriously. “You may have just compromised the whole plan, just to see me. If the Slytherin's see you and tell...”

He smiled, small and sad, and grabbed her had, squeezing gently. “Worth it.”

He took a step back, letting go of her hand. He straightened his shoulders, still looking into her eyes. “I am Regulus Arcturus Black. I am made of steel and stardust, shadows and flowers. I can survive a year.”

Lily had tears in her eyes. She held herself back a moment, before she launched herself at the younger boy, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and her legs around his waist. He quickly moved his arms to support her.

“Sweet Merlin, I adore you, you know?” She said wetly. “You’re my best friend.”

“I know. Same goes for you.” 

He paused for a moment before continuing. 

"We're going to be okay, right?"

"Of course we will be."

"Promise?"

"I swear. On the sun and the moon and all the stars in the sky."

She loosened her limbs and he gently set her down, leaning to press their foreheads together.

“Stay alive, Star.”

“Don’t get dead, Flower.”

Lily chuckled lightly as Regulus turned and began up the steps back to Hogwarts. When he was about half way up, he turned towards her and called, “By the way, good luck explaining this to your boyfriend and his mates.”

Lily stuttered for several moments as Regulus turned back around. Eventually, she shouted, “Oh, you little shit!”

Regulus continued laughing his whole way back to the castle. 

Lily watched him go, heart aching, until she could no longer hear his distinctive laughter. She took three deep breaths, grasping the locket around her neck, and turned.

She met grey eyes she would always associate with Regulus as Sirius stared at her.

Oh boy.

The bell rung, signalling the boats arrival.  She mowed to sit with Marlene, Dorcas and Mary, deliberately avoiding making eye contact with any of the Marauders.