Sirius and Everybody else were sitting at the headquarters of the order, they were talking about the current dangerous events, Sirius was making a sarcastic remark and then boom a blue portal pops up floating over the table and a boy falls down, he grunts as he hits the table, He seems to be injured, and hes holding something very tight with his right hand as if his life depends on it. his hair is messy and wet hes got blood all over his face because of a open wound injury and his clothes and hands are also all bloody.
As he tries to get down from the table he cant keep his balance so he falls down and hits the ground hard, Molly's Mother Instincts kick in and she rushes over only to get stopped by Remus who seems very cautious and skeptical of the boy, everybody is staring, Sirius hasn't seen his face yet, so he cant quite tell who it is.. he knows its a child...finally the boy decides to turn around and everybody gets a better look at his face and that's when Sirius realizes this isn't just a random boy who randomly Teleported into the dining room...
Sirius slowly stands up from his chair his brain cant process it fast enough. Regulus? His Regulus? The Little Brother he lost? The little Brother he thought was dead? but hes here, and hes a child? and he looks horrible.
The room goes dead silent. You could probably hear a pin drop. Everyones just staring at this blood covered, shaky kid who collapses on the table out of nowhere. Remus, being the rational one, is probably already moving toward him, instinctively ready to help. but Sirius... Sirius cant move. His heart is pounding in his chest because this isn't possible.
And then Regulus starts groaning after he tries to sit up, still gripping whatever hes holding like its his lifeline. His voice is softer, younger but Unmistakably his.
Sirius stumbles forward and says, barely above a whisper
"Reggie?"
"And Regulus still too out of it to process everything, just barely lifts his head and blinks at him. his expression shifts from confusion and pain to something more raw. something almost like relief.
Regulus tries to speak, but his throat is dry, and his whole body feels like it's been through hell. He sways slightly, still gripping whatever hes holding against his chest. His hands are shaking. His breath is shallow, he looks like he might just collapse again.
Sirius watches, stunned. He doesn't even realize hes moving until hes right in front of him, kneeling down, gripping Regulus by the shoulders, his hand tight but not rough, like hes trying to confirm that this is real. That he is real.
"Reggie?" Sirius repeats, his voice hoarse.
Regulus blinks up at him, and for a second, its like hes seeing a ghost. His dazed eyes trace over Sirius face, his older brothers face, older than he remembers. and then, very slowly, something in Regulus expression crumples something vulnerable, something lost.
"Sirius?" he croaks, barely above a whisper.
And thats all it takes.
Sirius feels the air punch out of his lungs. Its his brother. his baby brother And hes alive But hes also not okay.
Regulus tries to push himself up, but his arms give out and he falls forwards. He wouldve hit the floor if sirius hadnt caught him. Instinct kicks in, and sirius is holding onto him, supporting his weight.
The others snap out of their shock. Remus is already moving closer, his voice gentle but firm.
"we need to get him lying down. hes losing too much blood."
Molly, like the mother she is, is already clearing a space on the couch, barking orders to the others. Hermione and Ron scramble to help, still looking completely bewildered. Harry hasn't said a word hes just staring, his mind racing.
But Sirius doesn't let go.
He tightens his grip on Regulus, barely able to breathe, his heart hammering in his chest. And then, in a voice so quiet it almost gets lost in the chaos, Regulus whispers something.
"i don't understand..." His voice is unsteady, confused and desperate..."i wasn't supposed to be here"
And Sirius feels his whole world tilt
Because yes Regulus wasn't supposed to be here not like that...he was supposed to be dead.
But now hes here.
Sirius doesn't notice it at first, hes to focused on Regulus, on the impossible reality of his little brother being here, in his arms, bleeding, shaking, looking so lost. But Remus does.
As he moves closer to check Regulus's Injuries, his sharp eyes catch the glint of metal clutched in the boys trembling hands. its old, tarnished, the chain wrapped so tightly around his fingers that his knuckles have gone white. but the locket itself...something about it feels wrong.
"Sirius, look at what hes holding," Remus says, his voice tense
Sirius barely registers the world until he follows Remus gaze and then, suddenly, his stomach drops. he recognizes it. he doesn't know how he recognizes it, but something in his gut twists painfully.
"Reggie, what..." Sirius starts focusing more on whats in his hands that are covered in blood but the moment he reaches for it, Regulus jerks away.
His entire body reacts violently, instinctively, like a wounded animal protecting its last shred of hope.
"No," Regulus gasps, his breath ragged. "no you cant.." His arms tighten around the locket like his life depends on it, his expression wild with panic.
"I have to destroy it...," he chokes out. "I-i have to-"
His body suddenly sways, the last of his strength draining away. His vision swims. His breath stutters. And before Sirius can react, Regulus slumps completely into his older brothers arms.
Sirius holding him tight and carefully
And now holding his barely breathing little brother, with blood on his hands and an overwhelming sense of wrongness radiating from that cursed piece of metal Sirius finally understands.
Regulus didn't just fall here
He fought his way here.
And whatever hes been through, whatever nightmare he escaped from...
it isn't over yet.
Sirius is holding Regulus, his arms locked around his brother's limp body. His mind is a mess a storm of panic, confusion, rage. what the hell just happened? Where did Regulus even come from? How is he alive?
But then Remus voice cuts through the haze,
"Sirius, we need to lay him onto the couch now!"
only then sirius realized that he was still holding his brother in his arms
Sirius carefully lays regulus on the couch and molly adjusts the pillows so it can be soft and comfortable
Hermione is standing frozen by the table, her eyes locked onto the locket still clenched in Regulus hand. Something about it deeply unsettles her, but she doesnt dare to touch it.
Ron, pale and fidgeting "Did he just say he was supposed to be dead?!"
"Not the most pressing issue right now, Ronald," says Hermione, though her voice is thin, uneasy.
Harry, still by the table, hasn't spoken. he couldn't. This whole situation was too much to handle at once, A little brother? A portal? and that thing Regulus seems to be protecting with so much passion.
He swallows hard. "that thing," he says suddenly, his voice low but firm "Its dangerous." harry says
"what do you mean dangerous?" sirius looks at harry with a worried face
Harry hesitates, but before he can say anything, Regulus stirs.
A sharp, pained gasp escapes him as his fingers tighten around the locket. His body reacts before his mind does- he grips it like hes still fighting to keep it, to keep it away from something or someone.
Sirius immediately grabs his wrist, gently but firmly "Reggie hey- hey, its okay, youre safe"
Sirius cant believe himself. these words, to someone like Regulus Arcturus Black, the stubborn, composed, cocky and pureblood fanatic boy?
Now remus speaks up
"Regulus," he says, calm but firm. "What is that? What are you holding"
Regulus doesn't answer. His jaw clenched, his eyes darting toward Remus before flicking back to Sirius. His whole posture is defensive, like he knows exactly whats coming.
Sirius follows Remus gaze, staring at the locket. Hes never seen it before, but something about it makes his skin crawl. And harry hasn't stopped staring at it neither, his face far to pale.
Molly shits nervously "we should take it off him-"
"No!" Regulus snarls, his voice suddenly sharp and alive in a way it hasn't been since he arrived. His whole body tenses as if she just threatened his life "you- cant"
Hermione brows furrow. "Regulus, i dont think you understand"
"No! you dont understand!" Regulus snaps, his breath hitching. His voice is cracking, panicked, but theres a sheer desperation underneath it. "you cant take it! I- it- its dangerous..."
Silence
The weight of those words slams into Sirius like a curse to the chest
"what?" he breathes.
Regulus shakes his head, his whole body trembling. His fingers spasm around the locket, and for the first time, Sirius notices something.
His Hand. The Skin on the tips of his fingers...its... burned?... Like something has been eating him away.
And suddenly it all clicks
Sirius lunges.
"Reggie let go of it!"
Regulus tries to push him away with the little strength he doesn't have left.
Sirius doesn't care. He grabs Regulus wrist, trying to pry the damn thing out of his grip. But Regulus fights.
"No, No, No, you cant-!" His voice is choked, weak but desperate. His fingers wont let go
"Regulus, its killing you!" Sirius growls, his grip tightening. "whatever that thing is its-"
"I know what it is!!" Regulus gasps. His eyes flash with something raw, something terrified and furious all at once. "You dont understand- Sirius, if you touch it, it'll--"
But then another pair of hands join Sirius's
Remus.
His Fingers wrap around Regulus's wrist, firm and steady. His voice is low, soothing, almost hypnotic. "Regulus, let go."
Regulus whimpers.
Remus tightens his grip ever so slightly "you dont have to hold it anymore!"
Regulus lips part. his chest heaves
And then, finally, his fingers loosen.
The locket slips from his grasps
Sirius lunges forward to snatch it away- but the moment his fingers brush the cold metal, a shockwave blasts through the room.
The candles flicker. the walls seem to shudder. a deep, low whisper snakes through the air-- something hissing, something dark and ancient, something that isn't supposed to be here.
And then--
A Piercing shriek erupts from the locket.
Sirius lets go of the locket like it burned him
The second he does, the air settles. The candles return to their normal glow. the unnatural presence recedes, curling back into silence.
Sirius is breathing hard. His hands are trembling too, but not from fear. From rage.
"what the hell is that thing?" he demands to know.
Regulus, still pale, looks from the locket to Sirius, his jaw tightens.
"Its a Horcrux," Reguus says panting
"A Horcrux? what is that?" Harry demands to know
"Its dark magic..." Remus says he knows exactly what a Horcrux is, and that shows on his face.
Sirius swallows hard and looks back to Regulus
"Reggie?" he murmurs, shaking his shoulder lightly
No response.
"his pulse spikes. He grips regulus wrist instinctively, feeling for a heartbeat--
"hes asleep" Remus says quickly, voice calm but firm "exhausted, more likely. His body couldn't handle any more"
And the locket--
The cursed, wretched thing--
--sits on the floor, completely still. Innocent-looking. A simple, tarnished piece of metal. But sirius knows better. He felt it. That thing is alive.
Harry Turns to Remus "What the hell is a Hocrux exactly?"
Remus hesistaes, exchanging a glance with Sirius, who nods slightly
"The darkest kind of magic out there. A Horcurx is an object that contains a piece of a wizards soul. It makes them immortal"
Harrys blood runs cold
"Whose soul..."
Moody swallos "Voldemorts"
Sirius inhales sharply through his nose, forcing himself to stay calm. But his grip on to the couch tightens, his nails digging into the fabric. His brother-- the little brother he thought was dead-- Nearly died with this thing.
And voldemorts soul was inside it.
His hands clench into fists " that bastard--"
"Sirius" Remus warns, his voice steady, "we'll deal with that later. Right now, Regulus needs rest."
The room is tense. No one quite knows what to do next. The locket sits untouched on the floor, dark and quiet now, but the weight of it lingers.
Molly is the first to move. With a deep breath, she kneels beside the couch, brushing Regulus's damp hair back with a a gentleness that surprises Sirius. Her fingers are warm, careful-- motherly.
"Poor boy" she murmurs shaking her head. "He shouldn't have had to go through this alone."
"He needs rest. And food. And a proper cleaning up." she mutters, her voice full of quiet determination. " whatever hes been through hes not going through it alone anymore"
That shouldn't make Sirius feel as relieved as it does. But it does.
Molly straightens up, clapping her hands once, as if to pull herself together. "Remus dear, do you have any more of that healing salve?"
Remus nods "I'll get it."
Regulus remains still, his breathing slow and even. Its the first moment of quiet since he crashed into their world.
Molly summons a damp cloth, wringing it out before dabbing carefully at the dried blood on Regulus's face. Her touch is light, but the moment the cloth makes contact, Regulus flinches, a tiny, instinctive movement.
Sirius stiffens.
Molly hesitates but doesn't pull away. Instead, she murmurs, "Shh, love. its alright"
"Hes still on edge" Remus observes quietly, returning with the healing salve. He kneels beside Molly, eyes scanning over Regulus's injuries. He exhales through his nose "Merlin, hes in worse shape than i thought"
Molly finishes wiping away the worst of the blood, but it doesn't make him look any less fragile. Shes gives Sirius a brief, unreadable look before pushing the salve into his hand.
"You should do it" "she says gently
Sirius blinks "what"
"He'll need to feel something familiar when he wakes" she explains, standing up and dusting off her hands. "And thats you"
Sirius throat goes tight. He looks down at the salve in his hands, then back at Regulus
His fingers tremble slightly as he dips them into the salve, but he steadies himself. Slowly, carefully, he reaches out and begins applying it to Regulus's wounds.
Regulus doesn't move. But the tension in his face seems to ease, just slightly.
And Sirius?
For the First time in a long time
He feels like a big brother again.
The room is quieter now. The immediate chaos has settled but the weight of what just happened still lingers in the air.
Regulus is still asleep, his face pale but peaceful in a way that doesn't sit right with Sirius.
"We should move him" Remus says gently "He'll be more comfortable in a proper bed"
Sirius nods, running a hand through his hair. His fingers shake slightly, but he ignores it. "Yeah, Yeah you're right"
Sirius gently lifts his brother up into his arms.
Sirius could barely feel Regulus, hes too light.
Sirius clenches his jaw but doesn't say anything as he stands, holding his brother close. The last time he carried Regulus like this, they were children. Reggie had fallen asleep in the library after sneaking one of their fathers old books, and Sirius had smuggled him back into his room before Walburga could find him.
That had been a lifetime ago.
Now, he carries him through the dimly lit halls of Grimmauld place, the house that was never really home. The house where they had been brothers, before bloodlines and war tore them apart.
Ron and Hermione follow at a distance, quiet and wary, while Remus walks just behind him, as if ready to help if needed.
Sirius moves on instinct, navigating the house by memory. His feet carry him to the door at the end of the hall, a door he hasn't opened in years.
Regulus's room.
His hand hesitates on the doorknob.
Something cold washes over him. He suddenly remembers-
He never cleaned it.
For all the years he's spent hating this house, for all the times he cursed every memory within its walls- he never once set foot in Regulus room after he left... he couldn't... maybe because he was scared that he might lose the only thing left of Regulus.
And now, standing at the threshold, he realizes
The air inside is stale, untouched by time. The Furniture is still neatly arranged, the bed still made with its pristine dark green covers. The bookshelves are lined with volumes on magical theory, some of them far too advanced for a teenager. The Black family crest is carved into the wooden headboard. The walls, covered in deep emerald wallpaper, are lined with framed pictures- most of them Regulus alone. A few show their parents, standing stiff and severe. One of them one that catches Sirius off guard- is of the two of them.
Him and Regulus.
Its old. Probably from when Sirius was 7 and Regulus 5. They aren't smiling, but they're standing together in the Black family library, caught in rare moment of camaraderie.
Sirius throat tightens.
"You alright?" Remus asks who is still behind Sirius
Sirius exhales through his nose "Yeah...just didnt think it'd still be like this."
He moves inside, carefully laying Regulus down on the bed. The moment he lets go, Regulus shivers and curls in on himself, pulling the blanket tighter.
Something in Sirius chest aches.
Molly steps forward, adjusting the blanket so it fully covers him, then smoothing his hair back one last time. "there" she murmurs- "He'll be warm now"
Sirius just stares at him, at this ghost of a brother who shouldn't be here-- but is. He lets out a slow breath and sits at the edge of the bed, running a hand down his face.
"He used to hate when people touched his hair" he mutters, mostly to himself.
Molly gives a quiet chuckle. "Most boys do."
Sirius doesn't move from his spot on the edge of the bed. He watches Regulus, his little brother, who has somehow been given back to him. It doesn't feel real.
Molly lingers for a moment longer before finally stepping back. She glances toward Remus, who gives her a small nod.
"we'll give you a moment" she says gently.
Hermione and Ron exchange glances but follow her out without argument. Harry hesitates in the doorway, watching Sirius carefully. He opens his mouth like he wants to say something but then closes it and simply nods before stepping out.
Remus is the last to leave. He rests a hand on Sirius shoulder, squeezing lightly "If you need anything"
"I know." Sirius voice is raspy and quiet
Remus doesn't push. He gives one last glance at Regulus before slipping out, closing the door softly behind him.
And then it's just Sirius,
And Regulus.
And a room frozen in time.
Sirius exhales slowly, running a hand through his hair. his gaze drifts around the room, taking it all in-- the neat bookshelves, the polished desk, the perfectly made bed, as if Regulus had just stepped out for a moment instead of disappearing off the face of the earth for decades.
Everything is so neat and perfect in this room.
Of course it is. Regulus was always the perfect Black heir. Everything in its proper place. Everything just as their parents expected.
Sirius hated this room when they were younger. He hated the suffocating silence, the way Regulus always tried so hard to be what their parents wanted. He hated what this room represented.
His eyes land on the old photo on the wall. The two of them.
He stands slowly, moving forwards it, reaching out as if to touch it-- but his fingers hesitate just before they make contact.
Regulus shifts slightly in bed, a soft barely-there noise escaping him. Sirius turns back instantly, his heart leaping into his throat- but Regulus doesn't wake.
His brow furrows slightly, like hes dreaming. His fingers twitch against the blanket.
Sirius's chest tightens.
He hesitates for only a second before pulling the chair from Regulus's desk and sitting beside the bed. He leans forward, elbows on his knees, rubbing a hand over his face before exhaling sharply.
"You better wake up soon, Reggie" he mutters, voice rough. "We've got a hell of a lot to talk about."
Sirius leans back, folding his arms, and settles in
hes thinking...before he lost contact to Regulus...he was a death eater.. and a supporter of the pure blood ideology...did he change? he asks himself.