The Sun, The Stars, and The Moon Year one?

Sirius’ birthday is a big affair, just like last year. The marauders and, surprisingly, Regulus serenade him with happy birthday in the great hall at breakfast, trying to make everyone join in. Almost everyone does, too. Everyone except for the Slytherins. Which, yeah. That makes sense.

When they get to the first class of the day, Transfiguration with McGonagall, the marauders try to convince her to withhold homework, seeing as it’s a special occasion. Minnie says no, but it was a valiant effort anyway.

Sirius is having an amazing day so far. That is until the marauders and Regulus are walking the halls when Narcissa, Sirius and Regulus’ cousin, approaches them. She had dyed her hair earlier this year and her platinum hair is practically shimmering in the dim light. Sirius wants to ask about her hair-care routine.

“Sirius.” Narcissa greets him stiffly.

“Cissy.” Sirius responds. It’s a childhood nickname that Narcissa hates being called. Sirius likes making her hate him. Narcissa narrows her eyes at him.

“You are to eat dinner in the Slytherin common room, Regulus is to come too.” she informs him.

“Why do I have to go?” Regulus asks, arching a brow. He matches Narcissa’s energy perfectly. He has always been a better Black than Sirius is.

“Because we are to have dinner as a family.” Narcissa responds. It’s like she’s reciting from a script. Which, she most likely is.

“Fine.” Sirius says. “We’ll go.” Sirius is dreading dinner. He was looking forward to his third rendition of happy birthday, but he didn’t get it last year, so it was stupid to assume that he would get to have dinner with his friends this year.

That night Regulus and Sirius head down to the dungeons, waiting where the Slytherin common room is. They both decided to wear their most casual clothes as their own little act of rebellion. They wait for Narcissa.

And wait.

And wait.

Then Narcissa finally returns from wherever she was, looking frazzled, her hair a mess and her clothes rumpled.

Sirius and Regulus glance at each other, smirk and then look away.

“Nice of you to finally join us.” Regulus says lightly. Narcissa narrows her eyes at Regulus, turning to the opening of the common room, saying the password and letting them in.

Dinner is a lousy affair. They eat in silence, the only sound in the room is their utensils scraping on their plates. Narcissa attempts to start some conversation, but they never last.

By the time they are finished Sirius is practically vibrating to get out of there. When they do, Sirius goes on a tirade about how boring the dinner was. Chattering on about the dinner, how they shouldn’t have to do them.

Next family affair, Christmas.

Sirius is dreading Christmas.

~*~

Regulus and Sirius have to go back home for Christmas. Regulus is not very happy about it, he would rather stay at Hogwarts or go to the Potter’s as Sirius is trying to convince their mother to let them do. But, of course, Walburga is persistent about having a family holiday. So, by the time Christmas break is only a day away Regulus and Sirius are grumpy. They both don’t want to go home. Although, Regulus is excited to see Kreacher. Sirius is not.

Regulus knows that Christmas will not be a very joyful event, seeing as it will be the first time he will see his mother in person after being sorted into Gryffindor. He is not looking forward to the family dinner on Christmas Eve, either.

Every year on Christmas Eve the Blacks host a party with all the sacred twenty-eight families, excluding the Weasleys. It’s never been an enjoyable event, but this year Regulus is sure that it will be horrible. He knows that he and Sirius will need to look out for each other. He knows that there will be a lot of snide comments.

All that contributes to Regulus’ sour mood.

“So, what are all of you doing for Christmas?” James asks cheerfully. James is one of those people who wakes up on November first and immediately starts decorating for Christmas. And he did. Sirius told Regulus that he had been woken up on November first to James standing on his bed, hanging tinsel on the canopy of his bed. Regulus, personally, doesn’t get it. Although, Christmas was never a joyful affair in his house.

“Well, me and Reggie are going to spend it being miserable.” Sirius announces bluntly. Regulus nods solemnly in agreement. James winces.

“Yeah, sorry, mate. Forget about that..” James murmurs.

“S’okay.” Sirius says.

“Mhm” Regulus hums.

“Er, Remus, what are you doing for Christmas?” James asks awkwardly. He usually tries to skirt around the topic of Sirius and Regulus’ home life, which Regulus is thankful for, and he’s sure Sirius is too. But, sometimes James forgets about it and brings it up without meaning to.

“I’m going to spend it with my mum.” Remus says, not looking up from the book he is reading. Regulus wonders how he can talk and read at the same time. Regulus certainly can’t do that. “I’ll probably read, too.” Remus murmurs.

“That sounds nice.” Regulus says, looking up from the homework he’s pouring over.

“What’re you working on?” Sirius asks.

“An essay for Slughorn.” James says, peaking over Regulus’ shoulder. Regulus jumps.

“Merlin, James! Don’t do that!” Regulus exclaims. James just grins at him, it makes his heart flutter. What’s that about?

“Sorry.” James says, not looking sorry at all. Regulus rolls his eyes.

“D’you want help?” Sirius asks. He has been trying to help Regulus with quite literally all his homework. Regulus always refuses, of course. He thinks that Sirius just does it now for tradition's sake.

“No, I’m doing fine.” Regulus murmurs. Because he is doing fine. He actually quite likes doing homework, even if it’s from his least favorite teacher. He still likes Potions. In fact, it’s one of his best subjects. His worst class is Herbology. Simply because Regulus just doesn't see the point in learning about plants. He just needs to know how to use them, which he already learns in Potions, anyway. It’s not that he doesn’t like Herbology, he finds it… okay. He just doesn’t quite get why students need it.

His favorite subject so far is, surprisingly, and unsurprisingly, flying. He plans on trying out for the Quidditch team next year. Probably for Seeker, he thinks he would make a good Seeker.

But, for now, Regulus can’t try out. What Regulus can do is prepare himself for Christmas. Probably brush up on his French, because, although he has been practicing his French with Timothée, he still wants to make sure it’s good enough for his mother’s standards. He would do more, maybe do some damage control for his sorting, but honestly, he couldn’t care less.

So, by the time Regulus is boarding the train with Barty, Evan, Pandora, and Dorcas he is absolutely dreading going back home. He has been having an amazing time at Hogwarts and he would like to stay, please and thank you. He is quieter than usual. Regulus is sulking and he knows it. He knows he should be happy to see his mother and father, but it’s Orion and Walburga, and Regulus dreads getting letters from them, so, obviously he is absolutely, unequivocally freaking out over having to see them in person.

“What’s wrong with your face?” Barty asks, poking Regulus’ cheek.

“Nothing.” Regulus mumbles, sinking further into the compartment chair.

“Turn that frown upside down, Reggie.’ Evan teases. “Don’t want you to turn as sad as your sad boy poetry.” Regulus rolls his eyes, Barty snickers, Pandora shakes her head. Regulus likes to write poetry. Evan and Barty have taken to calling it sad boy poetry. Regulus hates it, they love it. Regulus shows Pandora his poems, sometimes he even writes poems for her. She always loves them.

“Sad boy poetry?” Dorcas asks, raising a brow.

“When Regulus gets sad he writes his little poems.” Barty says gleefully. Regulus glares at him. Why is he friends with this git?

“Lay off him.” Pandora says softly. She’s always the one to make them stop their teasing. She is like some kind of mother to the group.

“You’re no fun, Panda.” Evan says, crossing his arms over his chest, leaning back in his seat next to Barty. Barty pats his shoulder sympathetically. Regulus gives them a flat look.

~*~

Sirius is sulking. He is sitting in the marauders’ compartment, sinking into his seat next to Remus, glaring out the window. He really does not want to be going home. But he has to. He hates it.

James has been trying to get him out of his mood. He has done everything from giving him food, to offering to kidnap him from his house, which Sirius appreciates, but he knows it won’t work. So, Sirius is moping.

“C’mon, Sirius, why don’t you enjoy your time away from your parents while you can.” Remus offers gently. Sirius almost caves but he wants to keep moping. So, he keeps trying to intimidate the glass of the window into disappearing so he can jump out of it. “Sirius?”

Sirius grunts. He is sad, and angry, and just overall, just not feeling great. Sirius wishes he could stay at Hogwarts, but no, his mother just had to have him and Regulus home. Sirius hates his mother. Sirius has scars because of his mother. On the back of his calves. He doesn’t want any more of them, but, well, it’s inevitable with his mother.

Sirius does not want to go home. He wants to stay at Hogwarts forever and ever, and make it his home and never see his mother again. But we can’t all get what we want, can we?

Sirius is dreading the dinner, he knows that all the pure-blooded families will be there. He knows that he and Regulus will most likely be shunned, which he is not necessarily complaining about. Now, don’t get him wrong, Sirius loves attention, but at these parties, he would rather go unnoticed. He would rather not even go, really.

All Sirius really wants is to stay with the Potters. He really just wants to sneak over to the Potters and stay there for Christmas. He would bring Regulus of course, and he wouldn’t tell their parents where they had gone. Wait… that’s actually not a bad idea.

Sirius finally looks away from the window. “James, can me and Regulus come and stay with you for Christmas?” Sirius asks hopefully.

“Pardon?” James asks, bewildered by the sudden question.

“Can me and Regulus come and stay with you for Christmas?” Sirius repeats impatiently.

“Er, sure? I’ll write my mum.” He says confusedly. “Does your mum know about this?”

“No, I just won’t tell her.” Sirius mumbles.

“Sirius-” James starts.

“Please, James.” Sirius pleads. He knows he sounds desperate, like a whiny child even, but he really, really does not want to go back home.

James sighs. “Okay, okay. I’ll tell my mum you’re both staying.” he says’ standing up to grab some parchment and a quill. Sirius stands up.

“I’m going to go tell Reg.” he says, leaving the compartment to go tell Regulus that they’re going to stay at the Potters for Christmas.

Maybe, for the first time, they’ll have a good Christmas.

~*~

James is worried. He has seen Sirius moping before, Sirius is like this whenever he has to go back home, but that doesn't stop James from getting anxious. He really doesn’t like seeing Sirius, or any of his friends for that matter, like this. He wants his friends to be happy. Every day, all day. He knows that’s not necessarily possible. Even so, that’s not going to stop him from trying his hardest to make the closest thing to that happen.

James has never seen Sirius like this, though. He knows that Sirius doesn’t have the best home life. He knows that Sirius hates going back home. In spite of that, Sirius has never asked to stay with James. That’s what gets him worrying.

James worries as he writes the letter to his mum.

James worries as he sends it off on his owl, Hattie.

James worries as he sits and waits for Sirius to come back with Regulus.

James worries as he sees Sirius come back with Regulus.

If you haven’t already guessed, James is a worrywart. Although, only for the people he loves, most of the time. He looks up when Sirius and Regulus walk into the compartment. Sirius is grinning broadly, which makes James worry less. Regulus has a small smile on his face that makes James’ heart flutter.

James’ heart always flutters when he’s around Regulus. At, quite literally, anything Regulus does. Especially when Regulus insults him. James likes when Regulus insults him. He doesn’t quite know why. He just- does.

“Reggie’s in!” Sirius announces, excitedly.

Regulus hums and lugs his trunk into the compartment. He puts it up on the luggage rack (with Remus’ help, the tall wanker) and sits between James and Peter, sitting closer to James.

Regulus seems to not like Peter and James can’t quite figure out why. Peter’s great. He tells stories in a way that makes even the most serious stories funny and he is amazing at playing chess. He might steal your snacks every once in a while, but that’s all. However, Regulus is the type of person to hold a grudge over the pettiest reasons. So, maybe James shouldn’t assume anything.

~*~

Regulus is very, very excited. This can be the best Christmas he has ever had. So, he is appropriately ecstatic.

When Sirius walked into his compartment and told him they needed to talk he, admittedly, got nervous. But, when Sirius said they were going to spend Christmas with the Potters, Regulus immediately went back into the compartment to grab his trunk. He said his goodbye’s and his merry Christmas’s to Pandora, Barty, Evan and Dorcas and went with Sirius. He is no longer moping, and, if Sirius was, he isn't anymore.

Regulus is seated between James and Peter, closer to James. Regulus doesn’t like Peter. Doesn’t get a good vibe from him. Regulus doesn’t know why, he seems like a nice guy, he just- doesn’t feel right.

Sirius is chatting with Remus. Regulus has noticed that Sirius is close to Remus in a different way than James and Peter. He… looks at him differently. It might just be Regulus seeing things, but Regulus has known Sirius his whole life and he knows when Sirius is looking at someone differently. And right now, Sirius is looking at Remus differently.

“So, what’s your plans for Christmas, Remus?” Regulus asks. Sirius looks over at Regulus, Regulus smirks at Sirius. He knows something is up.

“I thought I already told you?” Remus asks.

“Just starting conversation.” Regulus says lightly, smirking as Sirius glares at him there’s no reason, Regulus wonders why. Whatever, it’s fun to watch.

“Well, I'm going to spend it with my mum, read a bit. Maybe go Christmas shopping for the aunts and uncles.” Remus says.

“Hmm, quite interesting.” James muses.

“What are you and Sirius planning to do with your new found freedom?” Remus asks.

“Oh, maybe we can go sledding, Reg!” Sirius exclaims. He seems very excited about this new prospect. Now, you have to see it their way, they have lived with Walburga and Orion Black their whole life. That means no fun. Which means no sledding, or good Christmases or, well, pretty much any fun Christmas activities you can think of. Basically, they weren’t allowed to be children.

So, it makes sense that Sirius is excited about this new-found freedom. Being able to do whatever he pleases when not at Hogwarts. Sirius is excited to stay at the Potters, as is Regulus. Regulus has never met James’ mother or father. Sirius has, and all he had to say was good things. They seem to be the complete opposite of Orion and Walburga in every way. Which is definitely not a bad thing.

“Yeah, maybe.” Regulus murmurs. It may not seem like it but Regulus also wants to go sledding. He never has before, at the ripe age of eleven and he is quite excited to be able to.

“Come on, Reg! Get excited! We can finally have a good Christmas!” Sirius informs Regulus. Regulus already knows. Regulus is excited. Regulus is just choosing not to show that fact. Regulus is good at not showing emotions. He learned early, the way Sirius never did. He had to, what with their parents and their favorite motto ‘boys don’t cry’. He does cry, sometimes. Never with anyone around, other than Sirius, and especially not in front of their parents.

“I am excited.” Regulus informs Sirius, sounding very un-excited. Sirius sighs as Remus snorts.

“Oh, Reg, you sound so very excited.” Remus informs him.

“I am well aware.” Regulus says, standing up to retrieve his journal and pen from his trunk. Maybe this train ride he can actually do something productive. He wants to write Pandora a poem for her Christmas present, since he didn't get her anything otherwise. Barty and Evan don’t deserve Christmas presents. Maybe Regulus can send them a letter telling them to go screw each other, with perfect grammar, of course. Just because, why not?

“What’re you writing?” James asks, trying to peek at his journal. He has a habit of doing that, Regulus has found.

“None of your business.” Regulus says, tugging his note-book from out of James’ line of sight.

“Oh, is Reggie writing about his crush?” Sirius teases. Regulus gives him a flat look. Regulus does not have a crush. Well, Regulus doesn’t think he has a crush.

“For one, I do not have a crush.” Regulus says flatly. “For two, I am writing a poem to Pandora for Christmas since I can't really get her anything else.”

“Oh, so no present for Evan and Barty, Reggie?” Sirius asks.

“Not really, I was going to send them a very sophisticated letter, telling them to go shag each other.” Regulus admits.

“Oh, that’s amazing.” Sirius says, enthusiastically.

“Yeah? I thought it was unoriginal.” Regulus muses.

“Depends on how you’re going to word it.” Remus interjects. “What was your plan?” Remus asks, all business.

“Well, I was going to write ‘I request that you proceed to engage in sexual intercourse with Barty,’ that one’s for Evan.” Regulus announces.

“Oh, no, that is perfect.” James says, Peter nods. Regulus hums and goes back to his journal. He writes until they get to Kings Cross.

~*~

When Sirius and Regulus get onto the platform they look out of the windows of the train, surveying the station for their parents, or Kreacher, they don’t see any of them, which is strange. But Sirius isn’t complaining. They all get off the train. Remus and Peter head off to their parents after saying goodbye, while James, Sirius and Regulus all head over to Euphemia and Fleamont Potter.

“Hello, Mrs. Potter.” Regulus says politely. Euphemia laughs softly. It’s a warm, comforting sound.

“Oh, call me Effie, dear. Everyone does.” Euphemia says sweetly. Regulus nods stiffly.

“I am Fleamont, but you can call me Monty.” Fleamont informs Regulus. He once again, just nods. Sirius almost feels bad for his brother. He’s never met these people and they’re being nice to him. That has never happened to Regulus. He’s probably suspicious.

After Effie and Monty greet their son they all head to the Potter's house. Sirius is so, so relieved to be there. To be away from his parents.

The first thing they do, when they get to the Potter’s, is go sledding. Sirius has never done it before but James is a proper professional. They stay out for hours, in the snow, until they all have rosy cheeks and runny noses. They stay out until Effie calls them in to have dinner. Sirius wants to go back out again, but Effie says it’s too dark to be going outside. So, Sirius, James, and Regulus all sit by the fire with Effie and Monty. James and Regulus, surprisingly, are playing a very heated game of wizards chess.

Sirius and Monty are having their own running commentary about the game. Sirius making comments that his mother would be having a fit over if she heard, when there’s a knock at the door.

“Were we expecting anyone?” Effie asks Monty.

“No, I don’t think so.” Monty says, grabbing his wand from the coffee table and walking to the door. Sirius hears Monty opening the door, hears a sharp voice on the other side. He knows that voice.

That voice belongs to his mother.

Oh no.