“I may be a disappointment to but at least I’m not a whore!” Sirius glared at his younger brother who had his arms crossed.
“Go fuck yourself Regulus, at least I’ve got friends.”
“I have got friends!”
“You mean Barty and Evan? They aren’t your friends. They’re using you.” They both glanced up as Snape passed. He looked between them and Sirius’s friends who were giving them space.
“Honestly you’re both disgraces. At least Regulus isn’t a Griffindoor. Go kill yourself.” Sirius froze as Snape’s cold eyes bore into his. He hardly noticed Regulus lunge at Snape, shoving him against the wall.
“Say that again, I dare you.” Snape smirked and looked over at Sirius again.
“In case your pathetic excuse of a brother didn’t hear, I said go kill yourself.” Regulus’s fist collided hard with Snape’s face which was soon followed by James’s who had come running just in time to hear the last comment. Sirius just backed away. Remus and Peter both seemed to be cruely content to watch and they didn’t notice when he turned and ran.
- - -
“Boys!” Minerva’s voice rang through the hallway and all three of them were flung backwards away from each other. “Explain!” They all started talking over each other and Mogonagle cut them off. “Lupin, you go.”
“Well, you see, usually I wouldn’t condone such a thing but…” Regulus cut him off.
“Where’s Sirius?” The four of them froze but Snape just laughed.
“If he’s got any sense he’s off to follow my advice.” Minerva turned to him, voice cold.
“And what exactly would that be?” Remus was already helping Regulus to his feet.
“Dear old Snivelus has told Sirius to off himself. Now if you’ll excuse us professor we’ll be off to find our friend.” He didn’t say “before it’s too late” but it was felt. The four raced off down the corridor to the sound of Minerva tearing into Snape. Once they turned the bend Remus stopped.
“James, map.”
“Already working on it.” Quickly producing it from his bag he tapped it with his wand. “I solemnly swear I’m up to no good.” Regulus sucked in a soft breath.
“So this is how you do it.” There were a few moments of silence before Regulus jabbed a finger at Gryffindor tower. “There.” They took off at a dead sprint.
- - -
Sirius wasn’t entirely sure where he was going at first. He just let his feet carry him. Snape was right. Merlin, what a horrid thing to even think. But it was true. He was a disgrace to the family. He had nothing to look forward to but more summers of abuse and being married off to some pure blood girl he’d probably seen at family gatherings since he was a child.
He’d be lying if he said he hadn’t thought about it before. Sometimes he’d sit up at night and wonder if it was all worth it. He’d even wandered to the astronomy tower a few times but had always backed down.
But would it really be a bad thing? James would find a new best friend, Peter would be quick to move on, and Remus… Remus could finally get over him and find a proper partner. A girl this time. And Regulus? He loved his brother to death. Without him in the picture he’d finally be able to be the golden child. A proper heir. Really it was better for everyone. As he made his way through the common room and up the dorm stairs he nodded. This was the right decision. The selfless one. He’d finally be able to do something good with his life.
Rifling through his stuff he tried to figure out the best way to do it. Remus had pain meds in his bedside table but that’d take too long and he’d never forgive himself for taking them. His hand wrapped around something cold and he pulled out a small switchblade. Perfect.
He settled on his bed, sitting against the headboard. Examining his wrists for a few moments he finally settled on the best way to do it. A slash across the inside of each wrist. He could hit two veins, maybe three on each one. It’d be the fastest. Biting his lip he pressed it against the inside of his left wrist.
- - -
They’d lost Regulus a few corridors back, that boy was fast. When they arrived at the Fat Lady he was already arguing with her.
“No password, no entry and that’s final.”
“Gillyweed.” James called from a few paces back and she grumpily swung open.
They all rushed through and upstairs. Regulus got there first, no surprise, and kicked the door open. Blacks, always dramatic. Sirius was sitting on his bed with a knife pressed against the inside of his wrist. Regulus’s wand came up faster than any of them would react.
“Expelliarmus!” The knife flew from his hand and moments later Regulus landed on him. “You. Idiot! What do you think you’re doing?” Sirius’s face was streaked with tears.
“What’d you do that for? It was going to be better!” Remus ran over.
“Better? What better without you?” He nodded and Remus’s anger deflated. “Siri…” He struggled to find something to say but he was in shock. Regulus didn’t help his condition when he broke down crying.
“You. Are. So. Fucking. Stupid. You’re the only real family I have and you were going to leave me? Alone? With… with them?” Sirius started trembling.
“It’d be better, you’d be the heir, they already like you more. If I wasn’t there they’d treat you better.” James and Peter made their way over from the door but stayed a few paces back, giving them space.
“They absolutely would not, you’re entirely mental.” Regulus shook him slightly by the shoulders. “There will be no offing yourself, do you understand?” Sirius finally broke and started crying.
“‘M sorry. ‘M sorry I’m not what I’m supposed to be. ‘M sorry I’m like… like this.” Remus sat down next to him and Peter and James seemed to take that as a sign to sit on the bed across from his.
“There’s nothing you’re supposed to be.” Remus murmured soothingly, rubbing his back gently. “And no one’s upset with you.” They sat in silence for several moments, only broken by the occasional sob, before there was a knock on the door and Mogonagle stepped in.
“Ah, good you found him.” Her voice took on a softer tone.
“How are you Mr. Black?” Sirius glanced at Regulus and they shared a look before Regulus turned to Minerva.
“I’m doing just wonderfully thanks for asking.” She smiled but studied Sirius, then the room. Her eyes landed on the knife on the floor and went back to Sirius.
“I think we need to have a talk.”
- - -
“Hear me out.” Sirius was settled on a couch in Gryffindor common room next to Remus while James and Regulus sat across from them and Peter sat on the floor reading. “We end the bloodline.” Regulus nodded seriously.
“That’s pretty simple.” Sirius nodded along as well.
“We both hurl ourselves off the astronomy tower.” Remus smacked him lightly.
“No, bad Sirius. What did we talk about in therapy?” Sirius sighed.
“Making jokes about killing oneself a month and a half after actually attempting it is only funny to me and makes other people worried.” Remus nodded.
“Very good.” Regulus chuckled.
“Your dog has very good training Remus.” He grinned.
“Why thank you. I’m very proud of him. And you know the breeding really plays a part. He’s very pure. And his mother was quite the bitch.” They all laughed at that and Sirius leaned back contentedly.
“Yes, but ending the bloodline… quite a fine idea. Mother would be livid.” Regulus grinned.
“And as part of the plan to end the bloodline I’m happy to announce that I’m shagging a boy.” Sirius gaped, horrified.
“I did not need to know that. Who is it?” Remus groaned.
“Oh no.” Regulus smirked and swung his feet up onto James’s lap.
“Why Potter of course.” Sirius was frozen for a count of three before he leaped up.
“Oh you are so dead!”