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In hindsight, Regulus should have expected this. 

Perhaps expected was not the correct word, but at the very least the situation he had found himself in should not have surprised him so much. Really, Regulus only had himself to blame. If he had been more cautious then he would have been safely tucked into bed by now but no, he simply had to go and check on the new elfling that Liddy had told him about.

Curse his weakness for that lovely elf and her wide blue eyes.

That wasn't fair. It wasn't Liddy's fault that Regulus couldn't stand to say no to her. If Regulus were more of a heartless bastard he would be nice and warm instead of laying in the Black Lake under an admittedly impressively strong body-bind. 

As it were, he was not a cruel young man and had been very eager to see the new little elf his odd friend had birthed. But, well, Regulus really was an anomaly according to pureblood standards and he had adored seeing the tiny little elf chirp and wriggle her flappy ears at him. It had been so long since he had seen an elf so young and he had been too distracted on his way back to the Slytherin common room as he thought of possible names for the tiny creature. Liddy had insisted that he must have a say in the matter as a gift for his excellent OWL scores (and what did it say about his life that an elf had celebrated this achievement far more than his mother had).

It was while he was comparing Minthe and Leuce as possible names for the elfling that he was unexpectedly ambushed by a cloaked figure from his left side. Regulus had been so absorbed in his own thoughts that he had been unable to react quick enough to do anything other than fling a rough stinging hex across the perpetrator's knuckles - an instinct ingrained in him thanks to Sirius and his love of sneaking up on Regulus to make him jump. The ability to do so wandlessly had never been needed for anything other than bothering his brother. However, now he was more than thankful for it.

Of course, it hadn't done much to slow down his attacker but Regulus had hoped it would at least make them hesitate in their next move. Surprisingly, it didn't and as Regulus was forced into a rigid state with only his eyes able to move, he caught a glimpse of long, greasy black hair and cursed his poor luck. 

Snape, Merlin be damned, Regulus thought to himself. There was nothing stopping Severus Snape once he was determined enough and he didn't doubt the boy would have gotten his hands on Regulus even if he had needed to duel him to do so. 

As Snape, rather crudely, dragged Regulus through the castle and to one of the lesser-used exits, Regulus used the time to think. At first, he had snorted mentally at the indelicacy of being bodily pulled through the castle and was tempted to try and free his mouth purely to hiss at Snape for his sheer muggleness. In hindsight, perhaps it was a good thing his mouth was stuck shut. Snape was notoriously sensitive over his muggle heritage and while Regulus was not quite the raging blood purist his family would like him to be, he did quite enjoy poking at the sour boy for his hypocrisy.

Regardless, it was not very Slytherin of him to provoke his attacker. No, that was something a senseless Gryffindor would do. He knew full well that Sirius most certainly would-

Regulus paused.

His assailant was Snape. Severus Snape; someone who just so happened to have an infamous rivalry with four Gryffindor boys in the year above. Four boys, one of whom happened to be Regulus' own brother. Mentally, Regulus sent a vicious slew of curses at his idiotic sibling. There was simply no other reason Severus Snape would be attacking him, Regulus Black, a scion of House Black unless it had something to do with Sirius.

Thinking carefully, Regulus remembered how - for lack of a better word - odd the past few days had been. 

For the most part, he had been rather distracted by the birth of the new elfling and had not paid it much thought. In retrospect, perhaps he should have. For several days now, he had been followed by whispers and curious looks from his peers. Even the teachers had given him probing glances before going back to their usual duties. In particular, his housemates had given him sly glances as if expecting something from him and he didn't doubt that if it were not for his status as a Black, they would have confronted him by now and come out with whatever it was they were stewing on. 

Regulus could slap himself for being so dense. Usually, he wasn't so obtuse but, well, perhaps he had gotten too sure of himself in recent years. It was high time he be put to the test and he had miserably failed. His vigilance was something his brother had loved to tease him for, calling him the most paranoid nine-year-old in existence at one point and now look at where he was.

Soaking wet and stuck being drawn ever closer from the shallow end of the Black Lake as the gentle tide pulled him closer. He didn't even have the comfort of the Giant Squid saving him. The thing was currently terribly sick and being tended to on the other side of the lake by a weepy Hagrid. No, Regulus was all alone.

As the icy water began to tickle at his chest with the soft current of the water, all he could think was, I am going to kill Sirius.

---

There was a very irritating, nagging feeling that just would not leave Sirius alone. 

He had felt it all day and even as he lay sprawled out along the sofa in the Gryffindor common room, it still wouldn't stop. It had made it impossible to relax and he was beginning to get sick of constantly feeling on edge all day.

"Mate just go for a walk. Run around as Padfoot. Clear your head. Just do anything other than sitting around sulking, blimey." James grumbled as he pushed him off the sofa. "Taking up the whole thing. I've been working my arse off at Quidditch practise and I can't even relax by the fire because of your griping!"

Sirius groaned as he sat up with his back against the sofa, "I'm telling you mate. Something is wrong."

"I wonder what." Remus piped up snidely from where he was tucked into the armchair with a book in his lap. 

Sirius winced. He had been lucky that his best friends had forgiven him for his shitty stunt the previous week but Remus was still a little off with him. His friend was usually mild-mannered and gentle but had become much tougher where Sirius was involved recently. Not that he didn't deserve it. He absolutely did. But it still hurt. Even James had been less jovial, torn as he was between his loyalties to both Sirius and Remus. Peter - bless him - was desperately trying to keep the peace between the Marauders and seemed more and more frazzled by the day. It was probably why he'd gone to bed early, to escape the tension. 

Deep down, Sirius had known he was in the wrong even when he first hinted at Snape how to get past the willow tree. In his defence, however (as he had adamantly repeated to every teacher involved as well as his friends) he hadn't thought Snivellus was quite so foolish as to trust the word of a boy that absolutely despised his existence. Sirius knew for himself if Snape ever told him a thing he'd take it with a pinch of salt and would do his own reconnaissance.

Although, perhaps that was just his Slytherin upbringing talking. 

Sirius shuddered at the thought.

"Sirius," Remus began, tone much kinder as he took in Sirius' no doubt rumpled form, "If you're really this worked up then you need to go and let off some steam. Don't bottle it up. You'll only drive yourself spare."

He could admit that he enjoyed Remus' muggle phrases and unfailing kindness but somehow it only served to make him feel worse when he remembered what he had done the other day. Before he could do anything more than pout, Sirius huffed as he was yanked harshly to his feet.

"What in Salazar's-"

"I'm bloody sick of your moping, Padfoot," James grunted as he dragged him towards the common room entrance. "You and I are gonna run about outside or wack some bludgers or- or I don't know, spell Sir Cadogan's painting upside down and use it as a frisbee. Something!"

"I thought you were tired?" Sirius questioned as he was pushed out of the Fat Lady's portrait. Turning sharply, he gave her a charming grin and winked at her in apology for the disturbance this late at night. She tittered as James and - surprisingly - Remus exited the common room. "Er, Moony?"

Remus sighed, folding his arms over his chest. "I'm here to make sure you two don't do anything stupid." Which was another side-effect of Sirius' poor decision making. Remus had decided to start babysitting them more often. Which was completely unnecessary! Sirius knew he had made the wrong decision and it wasn't like he would do something similar again (and if he did, he wouldn't get caught).

"And I am knackered." James assured him, "But I'm also the greatest best-friend you'll ever have. Therefore, I have decided just for tonight, I will put your lowly needs above my own." He declared with a mischievous grin. The exaggerated stretch of his lips and the weary creases by his eyes gave away his tiredness yet Sirius couldn't bring himself to try and persuade James to go back to bed. Merlin, James really was the best friend a bloke could ask for.

"Right, where are we going then?" Sirius asked cheekily.

Before either of the two wilder boys could make a suggestion, Remus held a hand out. "The kitchens. We can get some drinks before we go off into the forest for a bit. It's a shame Pete went to bed already." Sirius hummed in agreeance. He was tempted to turn back and drag the boy out of bed so that he could join them but he knew how Peter was about his sleep. He'd claw their eyes out if they tried - he certainly gave it his all the last time Sirius and James woke him up in the middle of the night.

"The forest?" James gasped dramatically.

"You mean the forbidden forest?" Sirius affirmed with wide eyes.

"The very same," Remus said dryly as they followed him to the nearest secret passageway that would cut their journey time in half.

"B-But-" James stammered anxiously, "I heard there were... things in there."

"Big things."

"Hairy things."

"Scary things." They said at the same time.

Remus stopped walking before letting out an exaggerated sigh. "Things that howl at the moon?" He asked with a slight quirk of his lips.

Sirius gasped, "How did you know?"

"Oh pack it in," Remus grumbled. "You'd think you two would have grown up some by now."

"I've grown a whole lot thank you, Moons. Would you like a look?" James grinned as he pretended to pull open his robes. The sharp smack around his head dislodged his glasses and lead to James whining while Sirius searched for them on the floor of the dark secret passageway they were in since Remus refused to help and James was as blind as a bloody bat. 

Sirius recounted what he said earlier. He hated his friends - especially James Potter.

---

It was as they stumbled away from the kitchens with a shrunken basket that Remus had tucked into the pocket of his inner robes that it occurred to Sirius that he still felt out of sorts. The feeling hadn't left him in the slightest. If anything it had only gotten worse especially after he had to endure the house-elves chittering about the 'lovely little Black' that they had just seen.

James' nose had wrinkled and Remus had grimaced when one of the older elves had glared at Sirius and reprimanded him for allowing his little brother to wander the halls at night. Sirius' response had been to put on a fake smile and take the reprimand with a bowed head. It wasn't like he could just lock the elf in the cupboard under the sink like he often did with Kreacher when he was annoying so he had endured. Besides, it wasn't like the elf was wrong for insinuating he was a bad brother, but it was hardly his fault. Regulus would barely speak to him since he'd left Grimmauld last year and they were both too angry and hurt to have a civil conversation which only made things worse. 

They continued on through the castle, through long corridors and dark hallways before Remus suddenly paused. "Look sharp, lads," Remus mumbled under his breath as they heard footsteps approaching. Remus held a hand up to silence them as he narrowed his eyes, "It's one person. A student."

"Down here at this hour?" James' brows furrowed as he glanced around before shuddering, "Ugh, we're in snake territory."

At that, Sirius glanced around warily and unholstered his wand silently. Somehow, they had wandered a little too close to the Slytherin side of the lower levels and he grimaced with distaste at the eerie feeling this side of the castle always produced. It reminded him far too much of Grimmauld Place with its stone ceilings and bone-chilling temperatures. Truth be told, he didn't know how the Slytherins could stand it down here, especially in the winter. It was bloody freezing.

"Hopefully it's just a prefect," James continued, Head Boy badge glittering in the dim light, "I can threaten them with extra rounds to make them shut up."

"Abusing your position, Potter?" Sirius snorted in amusement.

"You know it, Padfoot." James winked as the footsteps grew closer. The three of them tensed in anticipation though only Sirius was holding onto his wand beneath his sleeve. It wouldn't do for the Head Boy and a prefect to come off as hostile anyway so of the three only Sirius had that liberty. The fact that he was the best of them at defence was a mere coincidence, of course.

Sirius cursed the instant he recognised the shadowy figure that stuck close to the darkest parts of the corridor. Really, he should have expected to encounter this particular snake. Warily, he peered at Remus from the corner of his eye and winced at the colourless face of his friend. Beside him, James had gone rigid and anxiously licked his lips as he glanced at Sirius before settling back on the student that had halted across from them.

"Snape," James said, forcing himself to appear less offensive.

As the light shifted, Snape's repugnant face was twisted into a hateful sneer as he glared at the three of them. "Potter, Black, Wolf."

Remus flinched and tightened his jaw. Instantly, Sirius took a step forward, "Keep your foul mouth shut, Snivellus." He had been trying to avoid using any childish nicknames but if Snape was going to go there then Sirius certainly would as well.

"Sirius," Remus nudged him sounding beyond tired, "Let it go."

"Of course," James pressed his lips together, "Off you trot, Snape. I won't even deduct points. Just go back to your common room and we'll go back to ours." 

Snape's jaw twitched and his hand spasmed.

"Just piss off, Snape." Sirius spat, "We don't exactly want to waste our evening staring at your ugly mug so do us all a favour and sod off."

At Sirius' voice, something switched within Snape. The three boys all watched as Snape transformed, coming to life in a predatory manner as he took a step closer. "I should think that you would be on your best behaviour as of late, Black," he said with a twisted grin. Remus made a soft wounded noise that had both James and Sirius tensing.

"Is that supposed to be a threat, Severus," Remus asked, refusing to give in to Snape's childishness like his friends so easily did.

Snape gave a hateful hiss, "Don't talk to me, beast."

Sirius raised his wand and fired off a slicing spell before he could even think, "Don't you dare-"

"Sirius!" Remus reprimanded, forcing his wand arm down even as James drew his own wand to block any spell Snape might send their way. "James! Both of you, stop it!"

"He's being a little twat." Sirius growled, unable to let the slight against Remus go. It was his fault that Snape now knew for certain what Remus was, after all. Something that he would never be able to forgive himself for. But he would be damned to Tartarus if he ever let someone insult one of his best friends.

"I wouldn't think that was the worst of your worries, Black." Snape taunted, black eyes glittering with malicious intent. 

Instantly, Sirius was on alert. That awful, persistent feeling of dread curled in his abdomen as he stared Snape down. It had occurred to him that there would be very real repercussions after his little spat with Snape the previous week, but the professors had handled it all alarmingly well and he had hoped Snape would be satisfied with the punishments dealt by them. 

Of course not. Really, Sirius should have known better. He himself knew that if Snape had been the one to try and make an attempt on his life, he would certainly have gone out of his way to make the rest of Snape's stay at Hogwarts as miserable as possible.

"What did you do?" Sirius asked darkly, tone brokering no argument.

Snape's lip curled in amusement, "Nothing you need to worry about."

James and Remus both shifted uncertainly, "Snape if you've done something you know the professors will hear of it eventually. Best to just come clean-" James tried before Snape cut him off with a merciless laugh. "Look, just admit to whatever it is you've done-"

"Admit to what I've done? I'm not the one harbouring a dangerous animal in my dormitory!" Snape protested, "I have done nothing you lot don't deserve. The whole school should be informed of what they're living with..." He trailed off with a lingering promise. 

"Sod off, Snape," James grunted, losing all patience. "You've been sworn silent and you know if you do anything Dumbledore would have you expelled so stop with the empty threats."

"Oh, you have no idea, Potter." Snape grinned wickedly, "You have no idea what's awaiting you when we graduate. Just you wait. Then you'll all realise."

Remus cleared his throat, "Listen, it's late, let's just-"

"No," Sirius said stonily, eyeing Snape's mud-covered shoes. "What have you been up to Snape?"

"Sirius-" Remus started tiredly.

"No, look at him," he gestured towards the hem of his robes that was sodden, "Been sloshing about in a swamp, Snivellus? Getting back to your roots?"

Snape's teeth gnashed, "I wouldn't be so quick to insult me, Black. It isn't in your best interest. Not when I've finally got leverage over you."

Sirius paused, eyes narrowing in distaste. "Leverage?"

"Precisely." Snape's eyes glinted in the dim lighting. Sirius had to forcefully grind his teeth together to stop him from doing something despicable out of pure spite. Merlin, Snape was such a dramatic bastard even if Sirius hadn't hated him from the moment they met he knew he certainly would have grown to within just a few short meetings.

"What kind of leverage?" Sirius ground out.

"Well it wouldn't be very Slytherin of me to just tell you, now would it?" Snape purred, inching closer. "I can't show my entire hand to you this early on in the game."

"This isn't a fucking game, Snivellus. Whatever it is you've done is only going to get you in trouble so just hurry up and spit it out." James reminded him, "Either way I'll be going straight to McGonagall and we'll see what she thinks of your little threats."

Snape pressed his thin lips together before grinning wickedly, "Ah, but that would take an awfully long time. From the dungeons to Gryffindor tower is at least a fifteen-minute walk. Perhaps ten if you run fast enough. I don't know if he's got that long."

And suddenly, Sirius knew why Snape had been so theatrical. He was stalling. Biding his time for- for what? Sirius didn't know exactly. But he did know that whatever it was had been the cause of his ill feelings all day.

With a sharp tick of his jaw, Sirius pressed forward, "What are you on about you slimy git?"

Snape let out a dry laugh, "How does it feel, Black?"

"What did you do?" Sirius demanded, raising his wand wildly. "Who are you talking about?"

"How does it feel to be so helpless?" Snape urged, "How does it feel knowing that this is all your fault? You've brought this upon yourself, Black. I can't say I feel all too sorry for you."

"Severus..." Remus whispered, "What have you done?" 

James looked between them all desperately, "Lads he's chatting out of his arse, let's just-"

Snape laughed boisterously, a maddened glint in his eye that made Sirius want to reach out and throttle him. "Oh, am I? I don't think I am, Potter. I hope Black has a nice life as an only child from now on. You've wasted too much time, see."

James' eyes widened as he frantically snapped his gaze back to Sirius who had frozen in mute horror. Remus pushed past Sirius and held a hand out to Snape, likely trying to coax him into doing the right thing but Sirius couldn't focus. All day he had felt off. All day he had felt sick and terrified and now he knew why. An only child, Snape had said. An only child... without siblings... without Regulus.

"What have you done you filthy little fucker!" Sirius lunged forward only to be restrained bodily by James, "I'll fucking kill you if you've hurt him!"

"Don't worry, your brat didn't suffer too much." Snape laughed as Remus pointlessly tried to calm Sirius down.

"I'll tear your fucking throat out you little freak!"

"Snape seriously just-"

"Bloody hell Sirius stop it-"

"I'll use your corpse for potions ingredients!"

"Why take the effort?" Snape grinned, "There's a perfectly good one floating in the lake right now."

With a fierce roar, Sirius managed to shrug off James and Remus and pounced on Snape. In an instant, his hands were wrapped around Snape's throat as he pinned him tightly against the stone floor. Snape sputtered as Sirius dug his thumbs into the sides of his throat, cutting off his oxygen supply and making him choke and thrash in Sirius' hold.

"Sirius!" Remus cried.

"What have you done to him?" Sirius asked darkly, slamming his head back down. "I won't ask you again."

Snape only coughed as Sirius pulled away, "I- It's too late. He'll h- have drowned by now. You shouldn't have insulted me. I c- could have gotten him but-"

Sirius' lip curled with utter loathing as he pulled his fist back and knocked Snape out in one clean blow. Jumping to his feet, he stalked off in the direction Snape had come from, already waving his wand to summon the map. Distant sounds of hurried footsteps suddenly pricked in his ears but he paid it no mind. He knew it was likely just James and Remus rushing to follow him after they had hopefully stashed Snape out of sight of any teachers.

The sound of fluttering came from behind him and he paused as he glared at a sheepish Remus. "You said Peter had it."

"I didn't want you lot getting up to any mischief," Remus murmured shiftily as he eyed the map that had been summoned from his pocket.

James huffed, "That's all we do, Moony!"

Sirius continued to ignore them, instead choosing to focus on the map as he scoured the grounds for his baby brother. "Bloody Snivellus. I'm gonna kill him if- if-"

"Let's just calm down, alright?" Remus said as he took the map from Sirius and straightened it so the three of them could read, "Snape was covered in dirt so it's safe to say we can ignore the castle and focus on the grounds."

"That's true. He was wet too." James piped up, "And he said something about drowning."

"There." Sirius snapped, pointing with the tip of his wand to the Black Lake. Just on the edge, the name of his little brother was visible although it was far too close to the lake for Regulus to be on land. The revelation made his gut sink. "Reggie can't swim." He whispered, horrified as he turned and began to run in the direction of the closest exit.

"What? H- How is that possible?" James asked in a strained whisper in an effort to keep the noise down.

Sirius spared a moment to be thankful for his two friends that were following him without a moment's hesitation before focusing back on the task at hand. Snape, in all his slimy wickedness, had done something to his baby brother and left him out by the lake. He wasn't sure if Snape knew that Regulus couldn't swim and had a crippling fear of large bodies of water but he wouldn't put it past him. If one paid attention enough, he supposed they would notice how Regulus always went out of his way to avoid the Black Lake and grew anxious during particularly long storms. And if there was anything Snape was good at, it was skulking around and spying on people that couldn't stand him.

Admittedly, Sirius hadn't thought that Snape would bother. He hadn't realised it was so obvious that he still cared deeply about Regulus. He'd tried to keep it to himself but apparently, he'd failed. Miserably so, judging by the lack of surprise on James and Remus' faces when he'd lunged at Snape after he'd mentioned Regulus.

"He's terrified of drowning. Of water." Sirius admitted as they emerged out of the castle, "It's Bellatrix's fault, the heinous cunt. She threw him in the lake when we were kids. She tried to explain it away by saying she was teaching him to swim but it scarred him for life. He had nightmares for months after that. If Cissa and I hadn't been there we would have lost him." Sirius finished, swallowing down the lump in his throat.

James stumbled as he was running as he tried to turn to him incredulously, "What?"

"Your cousin is psychotic," Remus shouted as they neared the edge of the lake they had seen Regulus' name hovering over.

"I agree with you on that one, mate." Sirius huffed out a humourless laugh before tripping over himself as he slowed to a stop. Anxiously looking around, he bit his lip as he raised his wand to send off a silent ball of light to hover over the lake. The faint glow cast an eerie set of shadows and it was only then that Sirius realised how bitterly cold it was. The lake water was partially frozen over and nausea curled in his gut as he realised even if they managed to get to Regulus, he would likely be in a terribly sorry state. The wind bit at his cheeks, the frosty air making him shiver and clutch to the thin robes he was wearing as he desperately sought out his little brother in the dim lighting. 

"Can you see anything, Moony?" James asked as he too pressed closer with his wand tip lit.

"The fog's making it hard to see," he squinted, "I think- I can hear something." Remus' head perked up, eyes focused on a point a few metres down from them. Sirius hurried to follow his friend and was pleased when James did the same. 

The trio came to a stop which was punctuated by a gasp of horror from Sirius as he looked down at the edge of the lake. There, floating just underneath the surface of the lake, Regulus lay stiff and cold with his eyes closed. Sirius dropped to his knees, ignoring the mud and jagged rocks scraping his shins and palms as he tried to gauge how far his brother was. "Reggie!" Sirius cried, wading out into the water with a splash, only making it a few steps before Remus managed to stop him. "Let me g-get to him!" He demanded, shivering as the icy cold water he was up to his knees in began to pierce through his trousers.

"We're wizards, you fool! You'll catch your death going out there!" Remus reminded him. "Accio!" He called, pointing his wand at Regulus' still, too still, body.

Behind him, James was muttering warming charms under his breath but Sirius refused to take his eyes off of his baby brother. As Regulus came closer, Sirius choked on a sob as he took in the unnatural stiffness of his body. With urgency, Sirius wrapped his arms around Regulus and pulled him over the riverbank, not caring one bit that he was now sodden and covered in thick mud, sodden with swampy lake water and was bleeding in several places.

"O-Oh," James gasped, "Merlin... Did Snape do this?" 

"Obviously." Sirius bit out, teeth clenched as he reversed the body-bind on his little brother. Thankfully, Regulus' arms immediately unattached themselves from where they had been tightly pressed against his sides. "Moony- is he-"

"I- I don't know, Padfoot." Remus whispered hoarsely, "I- I can't tell." Which was never a good sign. If Remus, who was a werewolf, couldn't hear Regulus' heartbeat or scent that he was a living creature, then it did nothing to dispel the queasiness Sirius was feeling.

"Please- Reggie-" Sirius begged in a hurried whisper, patting his little brother's cheek as Remus began waving his wand over his chest. "Wake up, Reggie."

"Why would Snape do this?" James asked, dropping into a crouch beside Sirius and helping Remus warm Regulus up. 

"Because he hates us, Prongs." Remus murmured uncomfortably while glancing between them, "I don't doubt this is some twisted form of payback for what happened last week. I don't know why he thought attempted murder was acceptable-"

"Attempted? He's alive?" Sirius latched onto that. It didn't matter why Snape had done it, all that mattered was that he had and now Regulus was unresponsive and had likely been terrified until he'd passed out from exhaustion. Sirius swore to himself he would get vengeance - after making sure his baby brother was going to be alright.

"He is," Remus' declaration soothed his worries instantly. He trusted Remus implicitly and he knew that he wouldn't steer him wrong, especially not in such a worrisome situation. "We should get him to Madam Pomfrey though just to be safe. I'm pretty sure Snape made sure his head wouldn't go under but apparently, he forgot that we are currently in Scotland in February."

James snorted, "Too right. It's bloody freezing. We're lucky Regulus isn't frozen solid!"

"He had him under that body-bind. Maybe that somehow-" Remus cut himself off with a shake of his head, "I don't know. Either way, I can't see the professors being too impressed by this."

"You would be correct, Mr Lupin." The sharp Scottish brogue of their favourite professor cut in behind them. Sirius whirled around to see not only Professor McGonagall but Slughorn and Madam Pomfrey too. At the sight of Regulus passed out at their feet, the Matron stormed past the rest of the teachers and began to wave her wand over his still form. 

"You boys have a lot of explaining to do," Slughorn said ominously, gesturing for them to follow him and McGonagall while the Matron continued to mutter angrily under her breath. The three boys shared a look before slumping and following their professors back into the castle.

---

No matter how many times Sirius was dragged into Headmaster Dumbledore's office, he didn't think he would ever truly remember every little detail. From the array of portraits to the whirring and clacking ornaments decorating his shelves, there was simply too much to see and admire. Godric, the man even had a phoenix sitting on a golden perch by the edge of his desk! It was wicked!

"Let me see if I am understanding this correctly, boys." Dumbledore began, hands pressed together atop his desk as he peered at them over the rim of his glasses, "Despite the warnings and punishments given out this past week, Mr Snape saw it fit to take matters into his own hands and thought it best to involve the youngest Mr Black even though he was not in any way involved in the unfortunate incident from last week. This, in turn, prompted Mr Black to attack Mr Snape which Mr Lupin and Mr Potter decided to cover up by storing Mr Snape in a nearby broom cupboard before following Mr Black out onto the grounds where you then proceeded to rescue the young Mr Black. All without thinking about informing a teacher first." Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, "Am I forgetting anything?"

"No, Headmaster." The boys all grumbled.

"Ah, good," Dumbledore nodded benignly, sounding far too chipper in that instant. There was another lapse in conversation as he continued to watch them. Beside Sirius, James fidgeted in his chair and Remus swallowed thickly, looking distinctly uncomfortable being back in this office so soon. On the seats further away, Snape glared down at the floor while Slughorn kept a firm hand on the back of his chair with an uncharacteristically solemn look across his face. Sirius knew McGonagall likely looked just as severe from where she was perched behind him.

Just as Sirius began to wonder why they were stuck sitting in silence, the door to the office was thrown open and Madam Pomfrey stormed inside with a wrathful air befitting a disrespected hippogriff. "Albus!" She called, stomping into the room, her neat bun out of place. "I should hope you are taking this incident seriously! That poor boy could have died, those lakes are currently below freezing!"

Snape huffed in his chair and it took James throwing an arm across him to stop him from lunging at Snape and giving him a second bruise. "You piece of shit-"

"Boys," Dumbledore called, eyes stony as he stared at all four of them in turn. With a mournful nod, he gave the Matron a serious look, "Rest assured, my dear. I shall be taking this incident just as seriously as I would any other."

"A child almost died, Albus." McGonagall bit out, "Beyond that, Mr Black had nothing to do with the petty rivalry between you boys! I am utterly disgusted that he was brought into this at all."

"Don't look at me!" Sirius insisted, "I had nothing to do with that! Snivellus is the one that tried to murder my little brother for something I did. He's the one that dragged Reggie into this mess!" He spat, glaring at Snape across the office.

Snape returned the look with just as much poison, "You almost killed me! You set that- that beast on me! Obviously, I wasn't satisfied with the punishments given! You should have been expelled or sent to Azkaban for what you did!"

"So you tried to kill my little brother?" Sirius roared.

"Oh please," Snape scoffed, "He would have been fine. I had him charmed to float and I'd have gotten him out in an hour or so."

"In an hour he would have been frozen solid!" Madam Pomfrey shrieked, whirling around to glare at Snape who jumped at being addressed so scathingly. "He would have died in the next five minutes if those boys hadn't found him!"

"That's- I wasn't-"

"Silence," Dumbledore ordered, glasses reflecting in the light of the office and making his eyes appear much colder than they'd ever been before. Sirius swallowed. He knew he had fucked up royally when he goaded Snape into going into the tunnel that led to the shack, but he hadn't thought Snape would do something so outrageous in response. He could have understood if Snape went after Sirius himself. Merlin, he'd even understand if he went after James, Remus or Peter. But Regulus? To drag Regulus into it was a whole new low.

"Now," Dumbledore's voice lowered, "I have been very patient regarding this rivalry of yours over the years, boys. I had hoped that in time you would grow out of the childish urge to provoke each other every time you are forced to be in each other's company but I see now that perhaps I have been too lenient." Dumbledore paused to let that settle over them before continuing, "Thus, I believe I should make my stance on this clear. Especially now that an innocent boy almost lost his life in a ridiculous and utterly foolish scheme that he was not involved in."

"They've been bullying me for years!" Snape cried, "You haven't done anything because they're your precious Gryffindors but I do one thing wrong and it's like all of that never happened."

"I do not doubt you have struggled, child, but I assure you it is not a matter of house, Severus." Dumbledore frowned, "While these boys have often caused trouble and gotten into many spats over the years, they have never done anything to grievously injure or endanger anybody. At least, not until the incident of last week." Dumbledore admitted, "And while I understand you have been treated poorly by them, do not think I am out of touch with reality just because I spend so much of my time up in my tower. I am well aware that the hatred is strong on both sides and I know you have been just as cruel to these boys as they have been to you. Do not attempt to play the victim here, not while a young boy is fighting for his life due to your actions."

Sirius didn't think he'd ever heard Dumbledore speak so sombrely and for so long. Even last week he had seemed more inclined to give him quiet, disappointed glances, content to let McGonagall rant herself hoarse than say anything. Perhaps he was right. He had been rather lenient on them over the years and maybe that had been why Snape and the Marauders hated each other so very much. Aside from the odd detention, they'd never really gotten in trouble to a degree that it would dissuade them from getting right back to antagonising each other the next day.

Snape stared moodily down at his shoes while Slughorn's eyes fluttered closed in exhaustion, a hand coming up to rub at his forehead. "Albus, about Regulus-"

"Ah, yes. Poppy, my dear, I trust your charge is well?" He asked the Matron who was still eyeing Snape with an air of frustrated disappointment.

She snapped to attention at once, clearly very much in her element as she nodded promptly. "Of course. I haven't lost a student yet nor do I plan to anytime soon - despite numerous attempts to make me do so." She said heatedly, cutting a sharp glance between Sirius and Snape. "Mr Black will need plenty of rest and careful monitoring for the next few weeks. He is currently recuperating so any questions will have to wait until at least tomorrow."

Sirius' head jerked up at the same time Dumbledore sighed wearily, "Understandable, my dear."

"He's okay?" Sirius breathed, shoulders slumping.

"Yes, Mr Black. Your brother will be fine. He may have some flu-like symptoms for a few days to a week but I shall keep him under careful observations." She assured him, sounding much gentler when faced with his obvious relief.

"He's okay." Sirius whispered to himself, hands covering his face as he leaned on his elbows that were balanced on his thighs, "He's okay, he's okay." He repeated.

"Ah, how I do enjoy seeing such fraternal affection among our youth." Dumbledore piped up jovially as Sirius slumped against the back of the chair. 

McGonagall gave a very sharp huff, "Albus, if I may, we still have the issue of what occurred this evening to deal with."

"Quite. I apologise, Minerva. Forgive me," he smiled gently before sharpening his focus back on the four naughty children in his office. "Under normal circumstances, I would hope that detentions and privileges being taken away would be a suitable enough punishment. However, I cannot trust that there will not be a similar incident in the future."

"We're even, Headmaster." Snape said in a placating tone, "Black tried to kill me so I evened the score. There will be no more-"

"Am I truly supposed to believe that Mr Black will not seek retaliation for the attempt on his brother's life?" Dumbledore asked, peering over his spectacles at them. Sirius shifted, giving Dumbledore a stony glance but did not speak up to try and plead his innocence like his friends were probably hoping he would. The answer was clear to all the adults in the room, Sirius would not allow such an incident to go unpunished if he had any say in it. "Precisely. Therefore, I find myself at a loss for what to do."

"I do believe this is grounds for expulsion," Dumbledore said although he did not look too happy about it.

"What?" Snape's eyes widened, "Black didn't get expelled for what he did to me!"

"The difference, Mr Snape, is that although Sirius clearly did not think things through, he never actually attempted to kill you. He, quite foolishly, did not expect you to get hurt." Dumbledore pointed out, "What you have done to Mr Black is beyond unacceptable. You deliberately placed a boy - an innocent student, nonetheless - directly in harm's way. Whether your intentions were to hurt him or merely to cause him distress, the end result is the same." Dumbledore paused, "Much like how the incident last week went down." He pointed out thoughtfully.

Sirius' stomach turned but he kept quiet. If he got expelled, he would take the expulsion. Regulus had almost died as a direct consequence of his actions and he knew that things could have ended up a lot worse with Remus. He was lucky they were even still speaking to him. No, Sirius would not argue against Dumbledore's decision. It wasn't his place.

"Rest assured, boys. Nobody will be facing a Ministerial inquiry just yet." Dumbledore soothed with a tilt of his head.

"Albus! One of my best students almost died!" Slughorn protested, "I apologise for my bluntness but I must demand that something is to be done about this!"

Sirius noticed Snape looked shocked that Slughorn was essentially vying for him to be expelled and held back a snort of derision. Whether Snape was good at potions or not, he was still a penniless half-blood of no social standing. Meanwhile, Regulus was a stellar student all around, a prefect, an excellent Quidditch player and had the backing of the Black name. There was no question as to who Slughorn would pick if forced to choose.

McGonagall gave Slughorn a begrudgingly appraising glance, "Albus, I must agree. We cannot keep allowing this frivolous rivalry to continue if these are the consequences. Two students in two separate incidents have almost lost their lives - this cannot be neglected any further."

"I assure you, it will not be." Dumbledore agreed, "In fact, I believe it is time to put a stop to this once and for all. I did not wish to ask this of you but I believe this is the only viable option. I must request an oath - a wizard's oath - from the four of you that this will go no further."

James straightened, "An Unbreakable Vow?" He asked, ashen. 

"Not quite." Dumbledore's lip quirked slightly in amusement, "Forcing an Unbreakable Vow on students would be unethical. No, no. This is much like the oath Mr Snape is under to keep Mr Lupin's secret. You boys will merely swear to be cordial from this moment onward until you have graduated." Sirius' ears pricked to attention at the wording of the vow. Dumbledore was purposefully allowing them to break free of the oath the minute they graduated - meaning that once they left school in a few months time, they would be free to do whatever they pleased.

The war. There was no question that Snape would be fighting on Voldemort's side and he himself knew he would be right alongside his friends on the side of the Order (something they had overheard from James' father and had been preparing to join ever since). If left open-ended, this oath would stop the Marauders and Snape from engaging each other in the war. However, Dumbledore's clever wording would allow them to fight as they pleased when they became Hogwarts graduates and he was thankful for the old man's forethought on that.

He really couldn't imagine coming face to face with Snape across a battlefield and not even being able to do anything about it. 

"Although, I would prefer not to do so and if you wish to argue, the alternative will be expulsion for the offending parties." He said with a pointed glance between Snape and Sirius who both stayed mute. Sensibly, Remus and James did the same. "No? Brilliant! Let us commence, shall we? Mr Snape, please stand and recite these words."

---

"Bloody ridiculous," James grumbled as they made their way to the hospital wing. Snape had already been dragged to the Slytherin dorms by an irritated Slughorn. A wickedly cruel part of Sirius was glad to see him finally lose Slughorn's favour so openly and he hoped the professor would keep his ire for some time to come. If Sirius couldn't antagonise Snape then he would at least revel in his losses from others. "Bloody Snape."

"I can't believe Dumbledore didn't expel him." Sirius hissed. "Reggie almost died."

"If he had, he would have had to expel you too." Remus pointed out quietly, "Maybe if last week had never happened... but as it is, Dumbledore wouldn't be able to get away with only expelling one of you. Not if he wanted to be fair about it, which he always is. And expelling you would mean letting the Ministry know that there's a, well, me here." Remus said, faltering over his words.

Sirius grimaced, "I get that but it's still not right." He repeated stubbornly.

"I suppose this is the best outcome." James shrugged, "Short of Snape being shipped to the middle of the Sahara and left to rot."

"Write that down," Sirius squinted, "Could be a viable option in the future."

"Well, you'll have to wait to get any payback." Remus huffed.

"We could always use Wormtail." James perked up as they rounded a corner.

Sirius grinned wickedly, "That's very true."

Remus shifted, "Wouldn't we be breaching the oath if we ask Pete to get involved?"

"Not unless we leave it up to him." James shrugged, "And I'm not saying he does anything crazy. A couple of rat droppings here-"

"-some chewed up essays there," Sirius carried on with a grin, "Nothing too elaborate."

Remus shook his head with a fond smile, "You two." He said as they approached the doors to the hospital wing. Sirius always thought it was strange that the infirmary was so attractive with its wide fancy doors and artfully crafted ceiling but let it go as he anxiously tried to peer through the frosted panes in the door. "He'll be alright, mate. You heard the Matron." 

"I know," he responded, "I just want to see him. I need to- I need to see him. Say sorry and that." Sirius mumbled.

"Well then, you are in luck." Madam Pomfrey's voice was much quieter than it had been previously. Sirius almost jumped at seeing her down here so fast before remembering she had left quite swiftly once she saw Snape give his oath, an air of satisfaction surrounding her as she returned to her duties. "Your brother is awake."

"Can I see him?" Sirius begged, "I'll be really quick. In and out. A- And I won't do anything to stress him out. I just need to see him and make sure that he's alright so-"

She held up a hand and he snapped his jaw shut. 

After a beat of silence, she sighed, "As long as you promise to keep things quiet. I was not exaggerating earlier. That boy needs all the rest he can get and I am not above forcing you to leave if you upset him. He's already been through enough of an ordeal."

James and Remus shifted behind him, "We'll leave you to it, mate." Remus smiled sadly, recognising that not only did Sirius need to do this alone but that Regulus likely wouldn't appreciate their presence. Not yet.

Sirius nodded, "Thanks, lads."

"It'll be alright, Pads." James patted his shoulder, "Baby Black won't stay mad at you for long."

Sirius blinked, "Who said-" he started before pausing with a grimace, "Ugh, Reggie's going to kill me."

"Probably." James shrugged, still looking unbothered, "But it won't last. You can never stay mad at your brother for too long. No matter how much he fucks up." James said with a lopsided grin.

Sirius felt warmth fill him and he lightly punched James on the shoulder, "Get out of here you sentimental bastard."

James laughed and dragged Remus away, the two instantly dissolving into hurried whispers. He didn't doubt that James was likely asking Remus for ways around the oath and he also didn't doubt that Remus had already begun to think up ways to go about doing exactly that. That werewolf was just as crafty as the rest of them and it was hilarious watching people that didn't know Remus beyond his gentle outward persona realise that.

"Come, he's just through here." Madam Pomfrey prompted him to follow her, which he did only after stumbling slightly in his haste. Sirius hurried along after her, feeling a tad confused before he realised she was taking him through the infirmary to the back where the private rooms were. He grimaced slightly. Remus only had to use them every so often when he was especially poorly - partly so that gawkers couldn't have a nose into his business and partly so that Madam Pomfrey could monitor him better. For Regulus to be there... Sirius swallowed down the desperate urge to forgo the vow and teach Snape not to mess with his baby brother.

The moment the door opened and Regulus saw him, he sighed dramatically and declared, "I hate you."

At the sound of his little brother's voice - although Sirius would forever deny it - he teared up a little. He couldn't help it! He was emotionally drained and he was ecstatic to hear his idiot of a brother talk after thinking the worst for a moment, even if it was just Regulus cussing him out. 

"Mr Black, I told you to finish those potions. Do not think you can get away with stuffing them under your pillow." Madam Pomfrey said at once, stalking over to his bed and pulling out three medium-sized vials from under his pillow.

Regulus huffed, "Don't know why I still bother."

"Nor do I. It never works and you most assuredly know it by now." She said with a doting smile as she forced the vials into his line of sight, "Now drink. I shall stand here and watch you do so."

Regulus grumbled as he took the vials from her and downed them, grimacing after each one. Sirius watched in complete bemusement as they went through this routine. It appeared as if they did this often which implied Regulus spent plenty of time in the hospital wing. Sirius refrained from sighing, he had rather neglected his little brother in recent years and after almost losing him he realised just how sorely he had missed him.

The slightly whiny cadence of Regulus' voice should have been annoying but to Sirius, it was simply adorable. Perhaps because he had known Regulus for so long and gotten beyond used to his petty and childish moments - he'd even encouraged them just to stop him from becoming an uncaring Black like his parents. After a few more minutes, the Matron left though not without giving Sirius a very stern look that promised he would be strapped to a bed if he dared to disrupt Regulus' peace.

From there, it turned quiet. Regulus seemed just as unsure as he was and Sirius couldn't help but think back to when they had last had a moment like this together. The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black didn't allow for companionable silences. Even as children it was rare for them to find a moment alone together - not once Sirius had started to come into his much more abrasive, Gryffindor personality. 

"I'm sorry," Sirius whispered, unable to say much else.

"What for?" Regulus asked chin raised somewhat. 

Sirius' eyes fluttered closed in a pained moment of silence. "You know what for. For this. For getting you hurt. For pissing Snape off so much that he thought it'd be a good idea to try and- and-"

Regulus spared him a careful glance, "I didn't think you'd care."

"Don't start that shit, Reggie. You know I care." Sirius frowned, "You know full well I love you. We've been over this. I couldn't stay any longer, you know that."

Regulus' lips resembled a pout - a childish action he had never shed over the years much to Walburga's dismay. "You could have." He said quietly.

"It would have killed me, Reg," Sirius replied tiredly. Any other time, he was certain they would have already dissolved into angry shouting and violent gestures but Sirius simply couldn't find it within him to try and upset Regulus. Not after seeing him so stiff and cold, not when Sirius was so drained and itching for a good night's rest, not when Regulus had almost died and was now looking up at him with wide, vulnerable eyes.

"It's not any easier for me, you know." Regulus pointed out, still petulant. "Y- You could come back. Mother would take you."

"I can't. I won't." Sirius shook his head, "I love you, Reg. So much. But I can't ever go back to that house."

Regulus turned away, "Right. Well, that's lovely then. You can go now. You know I'm fine. You can assuage your guilt. Snape failed miserably and all is well for you Gryffindors."

Sirius' head fell forwards, "Reggie, please don't do this."

"Do what?"

"This," he gestured, "You're shutting me out like you always do. Let me help you, Reg. Come with me. Leave them. We can get you help and-"

"There's no use, Sirius," Regulus whispered, eyes suspiciously wet. "They'll just drag me back kicking and screaming. We always knew it would come down to one of us and- and well I suppose it's going to have to be me. You got away, be thankful for that."

"That's- That's hippogriff shit, Reg!" Sirius jumped to his feet, "You bloody well know it, too! They don't get to control you and especially not once you're of age!"

"I can't-"

"You bloody well can! It's really not as difficult as you seem to think it is! You pack a bag - or your trunk - and you walk away and you just don't look back. Once you're out, you're out. That's it. They don't want blood-traitors on their precious tapestry, Reg. They won't care once you're gone and you know it."

"And next year? What happens then?" Regulus demanded, "I'll be stuck here while you're off gallivanting with your mates. I'll have to deal with the repercussions, Sirius. My housemates - my dormmates won't allow me to just turn my back on everything I've stood for over the past six years. It doesn't work like that."

"The hell it doesn't!" Sirius spat, "Your dormmates are a bunch of whiny brats feeding into each other's superiority complexes! We both know you'll be Head Boy next year anyway and-"

"We don't know that!" Regulus yelped, a tinge of pink appearing across the bridge of his nose.

"Trust me," Sirius snorted, "You will be. So you won't have to worry about your dormmates any longer. As for your classmates, I know most of your friends are Ravenclaws anyway. Crouch and them lot. And the few decent Slytherins you're mates with won't care. It's not like you'll be missing out, I know you don't even like Avery or Lestrange."

Regulus wrinkled his nose at the mention of his detestable dormmates before sighing. "Still, Sirius. It isn't as easy as you make it out to be. I- I would be turning my back on everything. On everyone. I'm not a Gryffindor, Siri. I'm not as brave as you, I'm scared."

"You think I'm not?" Sirius asked incredulously.

"You never get scared," Regulus murmured, fiddling with the blanket across his lap. There was an admiring tone to Regulus' words and he couldn't help but lean forward and pat Regulus' hand, sparing a moment to be pleased with the warmth he felt from his skin.

"That's certainly not true. I get scared much more than you might think." 

Regulus' brow wrinkled, "But- You never act like it." His voice was small, quiet and tinged with exhaustion as he fought to stay lucid enough for this conversation.

"That's bravery for you, kid." Sirius cuffed his chin lightly, "Being brave isn't the absence of fear. That's just foolishness. That's doing something reckless and stupid without thinking of the consequences." He paused, wincing as he thought about the incident under the Whomping Willow, "But bravery... Bravery is knowing that something is dangerous and being scared or uncertain and yet doing it anyway. It's knowing that what you're about to do is completely absurd and would send most people running to their mummy, but doing it because it's the best thing to do. It's the right thing to do."

Regulus pondered this for a moment, chewing the inside of his cheek and picking at a loose thread on the blanket in his lap. "Where would I go?" He asked, sounding far more vulnerable than Regulus Black had any right being.

Fierce protective instincts rose within Sirius and he reached out to steady himself by holding onto his little brother's shoulder, "With me. I've already got a flat thanks to Uncle Alphard. It's got a spare bedroom and I was going to use it to store all of my jackets but I suppose I can rent it out to my ickle brother."

Regulus blinked up at him, "Really?" He whispered, hopeful.

"Really." Sirius nodded. 

"But what about your friends? Wouldn't... I mean, wouldn't you like to live with them? With Potter?" 

Sirius shrugged, "That's not an issue. James and I will be working together anyway and as much as I love him, there is such a thing as spending too much time with someone. As for Remus and Peter, they're staying with their parents while the wars going on. I was originally going to ask Moony to live with me but- uh- circumstances won't allow it. He's too, uh, unwell and his mum's as clingy as the Giant Squid apparently."

Regulus' nose wrinkled at the mention of the squid but he nodded slowly. "So..."

"So," Sirius began with a grin, "If you want - and it's entirely up to you, but I know what I'd prefer - I can either continue with my plans to live on my own, or I can gain a roommate and hopefully someone that won't mind doing the cooking every so often."

Regulus gave him a blank stare, "I've never cooked a meal in my life."

"Wicked! Me neither!" Sirius grinned, "It'll take the two of us working together to get things sorted so really it only makes sense that we do it together."

"The Black brothers tackle muggle cooking," Regulus murmured to himself, "I can not believe I'm even considering this." Although, the pleased flush to his pale skin gave away his pleasure at the future Sirius was laying out for him - handing him on a platter, more like. All Regulus would need to do was not go home at the end of the year. He was already of age and Sirius would fight tooth and nail to get what he wanted so interference from the Blacks was a non-issue.

"What do you say, little brother? Care to be my roommate?"

Regulus pressed his lips together, staring straight ahead at the wall opposite him. Sirius could practically see the two futures Regulus was envisioning. In one, he would be stuck under the pressure of his family. He would likely become a Death Eater upon graduation before being forced into the duty of a man Sirius knew he didn't support (Regulus had always been far too soft for the level of violence Voldemort encouraged). Beyond that, Regulus likely knew he wouldn't survive very long and even if he did, he would never be the same person. He would be destined to either die young or grow old, bitter and lonely.

On the other hand, Regulus could be free to do whatever he wanted if he chose to live with Sirius. Yes, Regulus would have to deal with the nonsense of his classmates for another year but after that? He would be free to pursue whatever career he wanted. He could do anything, be anything and not have to worry about disappointing a family that did not care for him. There was still the chance he would die young, they were not so ignorant as to forget that they were stepping into a war, but he would not be alone. He would be loved fiercely and would be able to live happy and peaceful.

Sirius could see the exact moment Regulus made up his mind. His jaw tightened and his head fell back softly against his pillows, a sheen of tears stinging at his eyes and prompting him to close them tightly.

"She's going to hate me." He whispered.

"You'll have me." Sirius reminded him gently, running a hand through his hair. "That'll never change."

"Promise?"

"I promise, Reg." Sirius declared. "If Wally or Bella try to cause a fuss, I'll hex them both. Merlin, I know James has been itching for a reason to go after Mother and I don't doubt Remus will jump in too."

Regulus groaned, "I'm going to be surrounded by Gryffindors."

"You'll learn to love us." Sirius decided.

Regulus gave him an oddly gentle look, "I do, you know. Love you, that is."

"Could you have worded it any more reluctantly?"

Regulus huffed, "I love you, you arsehole. Is that better?"

Sirius was tempted to keep annoying him but he couldn't help but be overjoyed by the words. Plus, Regulus had finally agreed to leave their awful family behind! "I love you too, brat. Even if you almost gave me a heart attack today. I mean, really Reggie? You let Snape get the drop on you? For shame."

"I know!" Regulus gasped, "Oh, it's just terrible, isn't it? I cannot believe he managed to get me so easily."

"Well, perhaps not that easy. I distinctly recall seeing some familiar red welts across his knuckles." Sirius tapped his chin, "Although, you'll need to brush up on your duelling. Don't worry - big brother will teach you."

Regulus snorted, "Great."

"Hush, brat," Sirius demanded.

They sat in pleasant silence for a few moments, Sirius alternating between tugging Regulus' hair around his ears and inspecting the scrapes he'd gotten from being dragged across the rocks near the riverbank. After a moment Regulus asked, "Sirius?"

"Mhm." Sirius hummed, frowning at a particularly rough looking scratch and pondering why Madam Pomfrey hadn't healed it yet. Maybe because he had been exposed to too much sensitive magic that was regulating his body temperature. Sirius had no idea. He was tempted to ask if she'd just forgotten but he didn't think that would go down too well with the disgruntled witch.

"I- I really appreciate this."

Sirius smiled fondly down at his awkward little brother. Where had the time gone? He was sure Regulus had been a tiny toddler just yesterday and now look at him. Awkwardly fumbling through his teenage years just as every other kid did. 

"No worries, mate." Sirius patted him on the top of his head, "It's those big eyes. You're too cute to say no to."

Regulus rolled his eyes and smacked at his arm, "Oh, shut up. You can never let me be nice to you."

"I most certainly can. I just choose not to. What else are big brothers for if not to tease you?"

"Wish I was an only child." Regulus murmured, "Better yet, I wish I was the eldest."

Sirius laughed uproariously, "As if!" After a good hearty laugh at the expression on Regulus' face, Sirius paused. "I do have one request if you're going to live with me," Sirius said thoughtfully.

Regulus bit his lip uncomfortably, "What is it?" He asked cautiously.

"You have to get on well with my dog."

A pause. 

"You have a dog?"