Written for:

The Houses Competition - Round Five - Food is Good for the Soul

Standard - Prompt 9 - [Time] 20:29 (or 8:29 P.M)

Word Count: 1221 words

Also written for:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry -

Assignment 8 - Advanced Warding - Task four - Light: Write a story set at night

Eight Twenty-Nine

Soulmate!AU

The numbers had been on his wrist since the day he was born. 20:29. Some people received a date, others a time, and it fascinated Regulus. The whole concept of Soulmates was marvellous.

Growing up, he was made to realise that it was just a concept. Just because soulmates existed, it didn't mean that he would end up with his. Yes, they would meet, but Regulus would have other expectations. Family requirements such as a suitable marriage to someone with a good social standing.

The family tree had burn marks. Squibs. Homosexuality. Those that chose their soulmates over their family. Once in a while, the soulmates were a good match, but the Blacks were expected to cast unworthy soulmates aside and Regulus had thought he could do just that.

Growing up, Sirius' arm had had a time too. The morning he was due to leave for Hogwarts, the numbers on his wrist had shimmered, causing Sirius to hide them under a long-sleeved shirt and robe. That was the first time that Regulus understood the difference between dates and numbers.

The time showed the moment Sirius would meet his soulmate. He would meet too many people on that day to be able to distinguish who his Soulmate was, but the time narrowed it down for him. His name had been burnt off when he chose Lupin over his family, and Regulus had vowed not to do the same.

He hadn't seen his brother since the day he had left. Regulus had been sent to Durmstrang to avoid the bad influence that Hogwarts provided, and his parents had forced the idea of duty over love even more.

...oOo...

Regulus walked through the dark streets, wishing that it was still summer. The sun went down quickly in the winter evenings, so even though it was not much past 8 p.m., it felt like it was a lot later.

He couldn't put this journey off any longer. Years without his brother and the hole that Sirius left behind only grew with each passing day, rather than lessening. The more time he spent thinking about Sirius, the more he wondered if Sirius had it right...

Sirius had given up everything for love. From the information Regulus had received a few days before, Sirius was happy. Sirius had a new family, was planning a wedding. Regulus envied him this freedom. He was jealous that Sirius had the courage to go after what he wanted.

One day—the previous day—it had become too much. Regulus somehow found his own courage. Or perhaps it was cowardice at the idea of marrying a stranger. Whatever the reason, Regulus knew he had to leave. He made a plan for the next day and hoped he could bring himself to follow through with it.

The next morning, his timer shimmered. 20:29. Regulus couldn't consider it a coincidence that his soulmate timer happened to coincide with the day he planned to confront Sirius, or ask for his help (he had yet to decide what he wanted from his brother, he just knew that he needed Sirius more than he needed the rest of his family).

The directions to Sirius' home led him through Muggle streets, and he understood now why he had a time rather than a date. Even so, he hastened to find the place. He was already doing something insane by going after his brother—finding a Muggle soulmate was not an option. His mother would probably kill the Muggle if that happened.

There were only a few minutes left now and Regulus found the street sign that would lead to his brother. He stood there for a long moment, staring up.

Once he found Sirius, he was quite sure that there was no going back. He was about to find his brother again, he was about to meet his soulmate. Could he really do what the rest of his family had done and walk away after finding that one person the universe chose for him?

Sirius was the strongest person Regulus had ever known, yet Sirius hadn't been strong enough to walk away. Regulus doubted that Sirius even tried to do so.

It was darker now, the streetlights few and far between, and Regulus felt colder. He regretted not wearing a cloak or robes, opting for simple trousers and a shirt so he could walk amongst the muggles without drawing attention. Clothes sat in the small bag he had brought with him, along with his wand a few belongings that he hadn't been able to leave behind.

He checked the time.

Nine minutes to go. He had to hurry, lest he catch the gaze of a Muggle at the moment the time matched his timer.

Regulus began to walk again, his gaze darting to the first building. His lip curled slightly at the sight. Blocks of flats surrounded him, but he forced the contempt away. There was no reconciliation with his brother if he turned up judging him, showing contempt. He needed to be accepting. That's what mattered. It didn't matter where Sirius lived.

He continued walking, searching for the right place, finally stopping at a set of doorways. Faded numbers on the wall told Regulus he was finally in the right place, and he was a little more relieved to see that Sirius had his own front door at least, rather than living in one of the bigger blocks on the other side of the road.

One minute.

Regulus struggled to take a proper breath. He started up the path, just as the light behind the hallway curtain switched on. Had they seen him, or was it because it was dark out now?

There was no turning back now. Turning back would mean he'd meet a Muggle. At least whoever was on the other side of that door would be magical (he hoped—he wouldn't put it past Sirius to have Muggle friends).

He brought up his hand and knocked.

The sound of a lock startled him. Someone had been waiting on the other side of the door, and before Regulus could compose himself, the door swung open and he found himself face to face with a handsome man with hazel eyes and glasses.

"You're not a Muggle are you?" Regulus blurted out.

The man stared at Regulus for a long moment, a pensive look on his face, before grinning. "You're not… Regulus, are you?"

Regulus nodded. The man knew his name, so he was at least in the right place. "Yes, I am."

"I'm James Potter." He held out his hand and Regulus could see the shimmer of the timer on his wrist. 20:29. "I've been waiting a long time for you. Me, your brother and our friends have been waiting for half past eight all evening."

"Eight twenty-nine," Regulus corrected him softly. Potter. Sirius had mentioned his friend upon returning from school, and Regulus was a little relieved. "Can I come in?"

James' gaze moved to the travel-bag that Regulus was carrying. He nodded quickly, bringing a hand up to his head, running it through his dark hair.

"Sirius will be delighted that you've finally come," James said. "I can't wait to finally get to know you."

Regulus stepped into the warm flat. It already felt like home and he was suddenly glad of his choice.