Enchanted (to meet you)

Heavy clouds have always loomed above the village next to the muggle London. That was almost impossible, to never be able to see the sun on the sky. However not for the residents of the small town. Only the bravest one had an courage to stay there, and don’t fear the frightening palace on the hill; And their owners. The dark walls that were overgrown with sage ivy, has always isolated the mansion from the rest of the world. Muggles avoided this place, comparing it to the cemetery. The dark house never let anyone in, beside people in the dark cloaks. Mansion has always seemed dead and haunted, especially when there were heard squeaks or screams from it. No one knew that there were living two little kids, who have never seen the normal world; The heirs to the Rosier family. They couldn’t cross the walls of their palace, that was the rule that their father set. The kids were able to sit next to the Manor but couldn’t go into the forest, that belonged to their family. Playing anywhere else was also categorically prohibited.

In fact the kids should be grateful for being able to breath. Their parents were more then strict. They had a strong view on everything; Punishment was the first word the kids have heard from them, and understood what that meant very quickly. 

`Who did this?’ The cold voice of their father spread through the whole mansion. It was so empty and quiet that even the house elves in the basement, have heard his voice. The young blonde boy felt shivers going down his spine. His father was in their house really rarely, and when he was it was felt far away; Everyone minded their own business, avoiding any contact with Mr. Rosier. This man was cruel and heartless creature; He didn’t feel any bit of emotion, not even to his kids. 

The twins knew that they needed to go to the main-room when their father was. Since they’ve finished two years old, they understood that making any noise was prohibited in their house. Even the sound of the steps; And especially the sounds that meant any form of emotion, such as laugh or cry. Their parents were raising them for an emotionless, and almost lifeless creatures.

The young boy entered the room and noticed  that his sister was already standing in front of their father; And the broken vase next to his shoes. They had plenty of them around the house and the man hated them, from the deepest parts of his heart; But the punishment must be given to the awful kids. `Who did this?’ Both of the kids fixed their gaze at their elegant, black shoes. They had to stand still, without any motion, and emotion; Posture must be fixed and even in the situation where they should look down, their figures had to present impeccably. `Who did this?’ The man shouted at the kids, the girl trembled. She was scared of their father, he was her bogin and the nightmare that was hiding in the darkest parts of her mind.  

`If there is no maker, then I need to punish both of you.’ The man announced and pulled his wand. `Pandora, step forward.’ Mr. Rosier ordered, pointing his wand at the girl. Her brother knew that it was his sister who broke the vase. When there was no one around, she liked to play ballerina, the girl loved dreaming about other life, where she wasn’t trapped in this terrifying house, where she could be herself; And she must broken it accidentally. They couldn’t charm yet, and those poundings couldn’t be fixed, before their father could see them. When the house elves were around, they have tried to fix it or take blame for themselves, but this time the Rosier twins were alone. 

Evan couldn’t let his sister to be punished, she always was the weaker one. Her fragile body wouldn’t endure it. The boy looked into his father’s eyes. `It was me.’ 

Mr. Rosier snorted. He knew that the girl broke the thing. `What did I say to you, about lying to me?’ 

The boy fixed his posture as he stood hiding his sister behind his back. `I am not lying. Sir.’ Their father always expected them to call him Sir not Father as it was also seen as weakness. He punished them for talking about them, as mother or father; They only were able to do it around the people not from their house. `I broke the vase while running.’ 

`No it was me.’ The girl muttered. `I broke the vase.’ Evan looked at the girl, with pain in his eyes. Not only he was willing to take the pain for the other sibling. Pandora didn’t want to let her father to hurt her twin, because of her.  

`Don’t lie to me!’ The man threw the glass at the floor, shattering it. `Who broke the vase?’

`It was me, Sir.’ Evan said loudly. `I broke the vase. Not her.’ 

The man snorted under his nose. `That is nice of you. Pandora. That you are trying to protect your brother.’ He stopped and looked at his son. `But you broke the vase and you must be punished.’ The man has pointed his wand at the boy’s body. He felt that a bone in his left arm was shattering. The awful sound of breaking bones, has filled the room. Pandora cried and wanted to help the boy, but her mother stopped her. Evan looked at the floor with pain in his eyes. He used the last resources of his strength to hold his posture straight. `Look at me.’ The boy lifted his head, showing that his eyes were full of tears. 

The man slapped him.`That is for crying. I can give you a better reasons to cry.’ The pain was growing in the boy’s body.

`No. Sir.’ The boy whispered looking again at the floor. 

`That’s what I thought. Go. I don’t want to look at you.’ The boy has fulfilled his order. `Pandora. Move forward.’ 

The boy quickly turned his head to see if their father will punish the girl. `That is what will happen when someone is bad.’ The man lectured her, the girl nodded slowly. She had tears in her eyes. 

`Yes. Sir.’ The girl whispered. 

`Now, get of my face.’ He said while pouring the whiskey to his glass. 

The girl soundlessly rushed to her brother’s room. The boy was crying on his bed, he was glad that their rooms were on the other side of the mansion. She sat next to him and hugged the boy. `Why did you do it?’

Evan looked at her. `I will never let anyone hurt you. Pandora.’ Said the boy and hugged her back. `We have only five years to hold in. Then we will go to Hogwarts and everything is going to change.’ He whispered onto her hairs. His arm was still in pain. 

Their house elf has walked in with their clothes, and bowed. 

`Master wants to tell you, that tomorrow there is a party at the Black’s manor. He orders you to wear this.’ The elf put the elegant clothes on his bed.

Pandora gasped. `What about his arm?’ She asked as the elf was heading to the corridor.

`I need to leave it this way.’ Elf explained and quickly went out of the room. He always liked the twins, and seeing them in pain has been hard for him; But he couldn’t change it, his master ordered that the boy’s hand must be untouched, because if not, the boy won’t learn the lesson. 

The girl cried quietly. Even here, they had to hide their emotions. `Pandora. I am going to be okay.’ The boy assured his sister. 

`I wish I could take your pain away.’ The girl laid her head on boy’s chest, listening to his heartbeat. 

`I know. Pands.’ Evan gently touched her hairs. `But I will be okay.’ The girl didn’t left the boy that night; She was sleeping with him to show her support. She felt guilty that Evan took the punishment instead of her. The night was hard for the boy, as his arm was in pain; No one cared for manipulating it, and the boy was forced to go to the party with broken bone.

His friend’s house was looking similar to his; Dark walls, pictures everywhere and antique vases. House elves worked hard to make food for everyone. The Rosier twins were standing next to their parents; The girl was wearing a dark red dress, her platinum hairs were tied into two braids, her brother was wearing the dark trousers and elegant shirt. Pandora waited to see their friend, Regulus. She knew that the boy would find a way to help her brother, or if not him, then his older brother. 

The boys were also presenting perfectly. When Regulus noticed them, he announced it to his mother; She proudly headed towards them. `Oh. Evan and Pandora are growing really fast.’ 

Mrs. Rosier laughed. `Of course. Regulus is also growing in the eyes.’ Their talks always looked like this. Sirius who was standing next to them snorted loudly, showing his contempt to this whole situation. `Sirius too. He is going to Hogwarts in four years. I hope he is going to proudly represent the Noble House of Black’s in Slytheirn.’ She looked at the boy.

`And I hope not.’ The boy whispered. His mother became white from anger. Evan smiled under his nose. `Mother. Can we go and watch how my cousin plays the piano?’

The woman took a deep breath, before trying to fake her smile. `Yes. Take Evan and Pandora with yourself.’ The boy rushed and took the younger companions with them. 

`This party is ridiculous.’ Announced Sirius as they were far enough from their parents. He was rebel before he went to Hogwarts. `I am going to the kitchen. Do you want some sweets?’ The boy asked. 

`The chocolate frogs.’ Regulus said. `Three of them.’ Sirius nodded and rushed to the kitchen. `Why are you so quiet today?’ He asked his friends, and grabbed Evan’s arm to pull him to his room but the boy let a loud groan. `What happened to you?’

Evan just shrugged. `Oh, nothing.’ He tried not to worry his best friend, as he was aware of Regulus not being able to help him.

Regulus despite being younger then him raised his brow. `Show me your arm.’ Evan without protests, pulled up his shirt, showing the blue skin. `What happened to you?’ 

Evan didn’t know what to say. Pandora moved forward and quietly explained. `Our father did it to him. He doesn’t want to fix it. Can you help him. I am begging you.’ Regulus didn’t know how he learned it. Maybe when he was sitting alone in the room, or when he had to help Sirius with his bruises; But the boy was able to do this with his mind. 

`Pandora. We were not supposed to talk about it.’ Evan reprimanded his sister. 

Regulus knew what they meant; Their parents also taught them, to not to say what is happening in their house, especially when they gave punishments to them. `My father has hurt me once too. I even have scar.’ Explained Regulus. `Sirius has plenty of them. Don’t be afraid, I’m going to help you.’ He said and took his friend’s arm. He fixed his gaze at the broken part, and somehow it healed. Evan let a loud cry when his bone was manipulated. 

`How did you do that?’ Pandora said, being surprised. 

`I don’t know.’ Regulus whispered. `I just woke up one day, and knew how to do it.’ He said.

Evan smiled and hugged young Black. `Thank you.’ He also pulled his sister into a hug. `I—.’ The boy wasn’t able to say words `I love you’, as they have never heard it from their parents. 

`We are friends, right?’ Regulus smiled. `I would do anything for you two.’ 

`We would do anything for you too.’ Whispered the twins at the same time; That was how they showed their love to someone, when they indeed loved them. 

A loud noise from the kitchen brought their attention to something else. They creeped to the kitchen’s entry, and looked inside through the small gap between the doors and wall; Orion was standing next to Sirius and held his hand above the boy’s head. Blood was coming down, from the boy’s cheek. His father has hit him for stealing the chocolate frogs. 

`For who is that?’ The man hissed. `Did they asked you to bring them sweets?’ That was banned in their house; Sweets on the parties. 

`It was all for me.’ The boy said looking into his father’s eyes. He wasn’t scared of the man and that dazzled young Evan.

`Can you at least for one time be a good son and don’t fuck everything up? Is that too hard for you?’ Orion said. `You are not going to ruin this party. Do you understand me?’

Sirius bit the corner of his lips. `It’s not too hard. Father.’ The boy muttered. `I just wanted to eat the chocolate frogs. No one would find out.’ 

Orion clenched his jawline, he didn’t want to discus anymore with his son. `Hide it. No one can see it.’ The man pointed at the boy’s wound. 

`Of course.’ Sirius didn’t want to do it, if he had a chance to ruin this party, then it was the right time. His father hit him, and it was his fault not Sirius’s. The boy went out to the room and proudly showed his face to everyone in the room. Evan wished to be like the boy, brave; He wished for his wife to be like Sirius, fearless, rebel. It was the first time when the boy felt something more, but was too young to understand what he really felt. 

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Evan’s arm has healed but not in a right way, he couldn’t use this hand like anyone else in his environment. Pandora saw that and felt bad for his brother, because of her he will never be able to play Quidditch. She always was worried about her brother and he was worried about her. They knew, they had only each other and that support was the only thing that mattered. However that didn’t change the fact, that the girl felt guilty, for being the weaker one. She knew her father would be able to kill her with the pain he put on Evan; When she was small she was ill all the time, and it had an impact on her strength. That is why Evan learned to do potions, to help her be stronger then she was right now. 

`Evan. I am so sorry.’ The girl said, almost crying. Their parents weren’t at home. `I wish to have your arm and give mine to you.’ Pandora cried. 

Evan kneeled next to her. `I am not mad at you. It was a year ago, and you can’t change this. I wouldn’t play quidditch anyway. It is Regulus’s piece of cake.’ He said and grabbed her face. `I love you and I would be never mad at you. I protected you and it is not your fault, it was mine choice.’

`I love you too.’

The sound of steps have reached their ears, when the doors to the room were opened. `Here you are. I was looking for you.’ Their sitter said. She was living with them when their parents were away, which meant that it was really often. `Come on, we can go play outside.’ She said; Despite the ban on letting the kids play outside, she wasn’t scared of letting them do it. 

The kids cheerfully went outside and begin to play around, when Pandora found a small spider. She took it gently and admired it.`Evan! Look what I’ve found.’ She showed it to her brother; The kids felt that the spider was fearing them. `We need to take him to our house. Let’s call him—. Mr. Fluffy. ’  

Pandora always was amazed by animals and other creatures. They couldn’t hurt her as much as humans could. She could hear their emotions, and they could hers. The girl sometimes even could talk to them.

Their guardian knew, how cruel their parents were.  She hated to see their bruises after, the twins were under their parents `care’. If she could she would take them out of this horrible place.`I don’t think it is the best idea. What if your father founds it?’ 

Evan wrinkled his eyes brows. `You are right, he will kill it.’ Whispered the young boy. The woman took the spider from the girl’s hand. 

`See, every creature is made for something.’ Said the woman. Pandora twisted her face as she could hear really loudly the emotions of the animal. `You are in here for something, and this spider is too. But sometimes the death is better then living with fear. Under someones orders, in cage.’ 

`No!’ Pandora screamed as the woman squished the spider. 

`It was better for him to die. Death is natural and he would die sooner or later. It was revealing for him. Remember, because it is a lesson. Sometimes death is a relief to the pain that strangles you, it is not a bad thing.’ 

It was one of the lessons that twins remembered from their childhood.

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The day was sunny, when the twins went to the train to Hogwarts for the first time. They searched for Regulus; They knew that he is the only person who wouldn’t judge them, who was willing to be friends with them, not carrying about them being weird and quiet. Pandora was scared that day, she was worried that she might be in another house then her twin. She was ambitious and had other traits to be in the Slytherin, but she could also be sorted to Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. 

They sat down in the compartment. The girl begin to sob. `Evan what if I am not going to be in Slytherin? Dad will be mad at me.’ 

`Hey. Even if, I won’t let our father hurt you.’ The boy grabbed her arms. `I am going to be with you.’ The boy assured her. He knew that the girl could be sorted into other house; He was worrying about it too. He heard what Regulus’s parents did to Sirius when he was sorted to Gryffindor. 

Regulus walked and before hugging them, he noticed that the girl was crying. `Pandora, what happened?’

`I am scared that—.’ She cried. `I am not going to be in Slytherin with you. Or what if I am not going to be able to find friends?’ Their parents have isolated them, and for almost the whole life their only friends were animals or Regulus. 

Regulus dried her cheeks. `Pandora. My brother is in Gryffindor. The first member of our house to be in Gryffindor. He found friends there.’ The boy stopped. `You are so amazing that you are going to find friends too. Believe me. And I am sure you will be in Slytherin.’ 

`You can always ask the sorting hat for it.’ The girl’s voice said behind Regulus’s back. Their eyes focused on her. `Sorry. I overheard your talk. I am Dorcas Meadowes.’ The girl sticked out her hand.

The other boy was passing by. When he saw the greeting kids. `I want to introduce myself too. I am Barty Crouch Jr.’ Grinned the boy. `Can I sit with you?’  

`Yes. Sure.’ Pandora agreed. `Right?’ Regulus and Evan nodded. The boy sat down and scanned the rest of them. 

`Can I know your names?’ Barty uttered. `Because I don’t know, how to call you.’ 

Evan become red, no one in his life was so confident, except Sirius. It was intimidating because the boy wasn’t expecting someone like that, will want to talk to them. `Evan Rosier and that is my twin sister Pandora.’

`Cool. And you?’ He looked at Regulus. 

`Regulus Black.’ 

Barty smiled and jumped on the sit. `Those are cool names. Are you all pure-bloods?’ Asked the boy. Evan looked down at his shoes, he knew that it would change the boy’s perspective on them. `Not that it matters for me. I don’t care. You could tell me that you’ve killed someone already, and it wouldn’t be worse then my father, so.’ The boy quickly explained. 

Evan beamed. `We are.’ 

The dark-skinned girl looked at them all and said. `Well I hope we are going to be friends, you seem cool.’ She sat and begin to eat sweets. `Do you want some?’ 

`Me.’ Pandora said. 

`Your name is quite beautiful.’ Dorcas said. `I mean you are beautiful.’ Pandora smiled, she has never been called beautiful by anyone, even her mother. 

`Thank you.’ She blushed. 

Barty scanned, Evan that was sitting in front of him. `Yeah, you all are beautiful.’ Evan didn’t know how to react. He never heard boy calling other boy pretty, he knew something like that existed; That boy could be with boy, but only in muggle world and, doing things like muggles do, were a reasons to be punished. `I mean, you all have interesting features.’ The boy shrugged. 

`Thank you.’ Regulus said. `You too.’ 

`I know.’ Said Barty, winking at Regulus. Evan didn’t know why his heartbeat was faster then usual; His twin has noticed it and the girl understood. She always knew that Evan will be with boy, he never cared about any girl; And they met plenty of them during the parties. `So you want to be in Slytherin?’ He asked Pandora. 

`Yes.’ 

`Ask the hat. It will do whatever you want.’ The boy advised. `Believe—.’ The stop of the Hogwarts express has forced boy to stop talking. `Oh I think it is time!’ 

Regulus scanned the boy. `He is weird.’ Whispered to Evan. The Rosier twins worried that they might be seen as the weird and scary one. They knew that people acted differently, that were able to show their emotions and they haven’t. 

Barty who heard it, laughed. `Everyone is weird.’ The boy said. `I am weird, you are weird. Everyone has their own shit.’ The boy swore and it was knew for the kids to hear it. `What? You never said a swear word?’ Regulus shocked his head. `See. For me it is weird that you never said a bad word. And for you it’s weird that I had. I don’t care about other people’s opinion because it all depends on where you come from.’ He said. That was weird for the Rosiers and Regulus because they have never met someone so tolerating. `Any way, we need to go.’ The boy went out of the compartment. 

Pandora who was amazed by the boy, laughed a bit. `I like this boy, already. I want him to be my friend.’

`Same.’ Said Dorcas. `Come on, Pandora.’ She took the girl’s hand and headed to their group, outside. 

`If Pandora likes him, then he is special.’ Said Regulus; Evan just nodded he didn’t know what to do. He was dazzled by the boy’s behaviour and if Pandora accepted him then it was the most important. `Come on.’ The boys went out, and searched for the first year’s 

The journey to the castle was exciting, especially for the Rosier twins. They have never felt so free in their entire life. As they went to the Great Hall he saw that his friend got sadder. Sirius was looking at them, with contempt and disappointment. Pandora who also noticed it took Regulus’s hand. `Hey. It is going to be okay. Believe me.’ Regulus  was one of first to be sorted, of course to Slytherin. Barty and Evan too. When it was time for Pandora, her friends were holding the thumbs up. The hat touched her head.

`Next Rosier, just like her brother.’ The hat said. `I see you two love each other. I can’t separate you this way.’ It stopped. `LET’S SAY. SLYTHERIN.’  Pandora with tears in her eyes run to her table. Barty who was next to her brother, grinned. 

`I see almost the whole group is together now. I won’t give you all a break for the rest of the school life.’ The boy said and hugged Pandora. 

They laughed. The Rosier twins weren’t aware of it yet, but this school and people they will meet were going to change their whole lives. For better. 

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Regulus loved winter, but hated that it meant Christmas. He felt in his bones that his mother will send him a letter sooner or later, demanding something from him. He was in a bad mood that day, when James was complete opposite. The talk they had on a astronomy tower that night had changed Latino boy’s perspective. He was still worried about everything that happened around him, but when he let himself to feel the sadness, something changed. 

`Hi. Baby Black.’ James uttered as he saw the boy on the horizon. He and Remus had a mission to force Sirius and Regulus to make up. `How is your—.’

Regulus who didn’t sleep for the whole night, looked at James exhausted. `Not today. Potter.’ He said and went away, but James didn’t know the word no. Regulus wasn’t nice for anyone today, but the only person who would worry about that was James; And Slytherin didn’t want to worry him.

`I thought that maybe it is a good idea to—.’ 

`Stop. I said stop.’ Regulus hissed. `I have a bad day. Leave me alone.’ He didn’t want to scream at James, it wasn’t his fault that Sirius said what he said. Regulus tried to convince himself that it didn’t touch him, but it did. 

James tried to stop Regulus by standing in his way. `But—.’

`Which part of the sentence you don’t understand? I don’t want to put my anger on you so leave me fuckin’ alone.’ The boy snapped. He pushed James and went to his dormitory. 

His friends knew that if Regulus had a bad day, then he should be alone. The boy slammed the doors and let a loud cry. He tried everything to not to care about his brother but that was really hard. 

22.07.1970, France. 

`Sirius, Regulus come here.’ Called their mother. `We are going for the whole night. Do not do anything stupid.’ She warned them. They were in France in their holidays manor. They loved spending time in here; They had a museum near their mansion, and there were a lot of beautiful muggleborn girls. 

Sirius nodded. `Of course mother.’ As she close the doors, the boy rushed to the pool outside their house. 

Regulus who always looked up to his brother, rushed after him. They knew their mother would be furious if she found out, that they were swimming in the pool at night. `Sirius we can’t.’ 

`Oh, don’t pretend that you care about the rules.’ He jumped into the pool, fully clothed. `Come on. I am not going to drown you.’ Joked the boy, Regulus didn’t know how to swim and his brother used to laugh about it. 

`But-.’ 

`She won’t find out.’ Sirius tried to convince the boy. `Come on, you can stand on the shallow part.’ Regulus agreed and jumped into water. He felt safe next to his brother. `See. It is not even cold.’ They laughed. `I love summer. Your birthday were almost month ago.’ 

`Yes.’ The boy said. `What about it?’ 

`You know.’ The boy winked. `Today is the night of shooting stars. You can think of any wish.’ Regulus looked at the sky, and as he noticed the ray of the light, coming through the night sky, he smiled and thought of a wish. `What did you wish for yourself?’ 

`I can’t tell you.’ Whispered young Regulus. `Because it is not going to grant itself.’ 

`Oh come on.’ Sirius tried to convince his brother. 

Regulus was never able to say no to his brother. That is why he didn’t need to convince the boy longer then a few seconds. `I am scared. Next year you are going to Hogwarts. What if you are going to—.’ 

`Reggie. Don’t worry. I am still going to be your brother.’ The young boy tried to stop the tears coming down his cheeks. `Is that your wish about?’

`My wish was that, we shall never be parted. That we will be always together against the world.’ Muttered the boy. Sirius chortled and picked up his brother. 

He pointed at the sky. `Do you see all these stars?’ The young boy nodded. `Till they all shine, I’ve got you in here.’ Said the boy and pointed at his heart. `Nothing will separate us. You are my only brother. And will always be. I promise.’ 

Sirius broke the promise, the moment he found himself a new brother. When the stars still shined but Regulus wasn’t in his heart anymore. 

The boy shocked his head at this memory. Slytherin hated memories, they were unpleasant and useless. Nostalgia was the worst thing that could ever happen to the boy. Regulus laid on bed and closed his eyes, trying to fall asleep but his brain switched on another memory. 

25.07.1975, Black’s Manor, London. 

Regulus was sitting on his windowsill when his brother entered the room. `Regulus, I am running away.’ 

`What?’ Boy quickly stood up, and faced his brother. Regulus couldn’t process what his brother was saying. 

`I can’t be here anymore. With every second I feel like I am dying.’ Regulus fixed his gaze at his bed. `Come with me.’ 

`I can’t—. You know I can’t.’ He whispered. `They will search for us.’ 

Sirius snorted. He couldn’t understand what was the problem. The Gryffindor believed that Potter’s would save them, that their parents wouldn’t care about two of the heirs running away. `You don’t want to come with me. Just say the truth. You are one of them.’ He pushed the boy. 

`You don’t understand.’ Regulus was looking at one point. `I-. Where are you going to run away?’ 

`To the Potter’s. At the end of the month.’ Sirius answered. `Please. Come with me. Euphemia and Fleamont will protect us.’ Regulus never thought that his brother was so naive. If both of heirs to the Black’s family would run away then Walburga and Orion wouldn’t give them a break. They would fight till they would have them back; Till the last breath of Potter’s family. 

`No. It ridiculous.’ Regulus started. He wished to be away from this family; However he knew that staying here was the only way to protect Sirius and his friends. He was surprised that his brother was willing to run away. `I—. No-. That is the most—. I don’t know. Sirius—.’ The boy didn’t even know what to say. 

Sirius clenched his jaw. `Do whatever you want. I can’t take you against your will.’ He said while going out. `Just so you know. I am not staying here for you. I am not going to let myself be killed because of you.’ He hissed and slammed the door behind him. Two boys weren’t aware of the plans their mother had for today’s evening. That Sirius was supposed to decide if he is taking the mark today. 

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`Sirius, Regulus. Come here.’ She called them out. As they both entered the living room their hearts skipped a bit. Their mother was standing in the middle of the room, there was whole family in here. Malfoys, Rosiers and many others. `We are here to talk about the important moment. In your life Sirius.’ 

The boy rolled his eyes. `What?’ 

`You need to say the date.’ 

Regulus already knew what the woman was talking about. 

`What date?’ The boy hissed. He had enough of this fucked up family, and them speaking by some code was frustrating him.

Orion smiled. `The date you will take the mark. The mark of the dark Lord.’ Regulus closed his eyes. 

`Fuck no. I am not going to be the part of your fucked up cult.’ Sirius shouted.

Walburga felt that her son might refuse. She slowly took a deep breath. `If you are not going to take a mark by your good will. I will need to use other methods.’ She said looking maniacally at the boy. 

Regulus hoped that the boy might change his mind, but Sirius would rather die then agree for this. `No.’ 

`No?’ Asked again his mother. 

`NO.’ Said the boy loudly. 

`Then. You are not giving me another choice.’ She said and pointed her wand at the boy. `Crucio.’ The red light shoot Sirius, making him to kneel. `You ungrateful child.’ The woman was torturing him. Sirius was screaming until his wounds begun to bleed. Regulus was looking at it terrified. He looked at Pandora and saw that the girl has felt the pain of the boy. He looked into her brain and saw that his brother was dying. 

Andromeda who couldn’t look at it, cried. `Aunt. Stop it. You are going to kill him.’ 

`No.’ Walburga answered emotionlessly. `If he does not want to take mark. Then he will take this.’ She laughed and put the charm on Sirius again. The boy didn’t make any sound, but that was because he didn’t feel the pain anymore. Regulus put a defending charms on him, it was hard as his mother curse was really strong. He was holding it, and gave Evan a sign to do something. 

Rosier didn’t know how to stop this all, he didn’t have a wand next to him. Pandora looked around and noticed, their way out of it. She purposely knocked down the candles that were standing on the table. The tablecloth quickly started to burn, focusing everyone’s attention on it. They jumped away, creating the chaos. No one had a wand in the room, except Walburga and Sirius. The woman stopped the curse and looked terrified at the burning table. 

`What is happening?’ Walburga spitted out. She started charming the table but the fire was already on other furniture. 

Regulus looked at his half-conscious brother. `I hope you will be fine.’ Said under his nose and for the last time that night made a spell. To transport his brother to Potter’s mansion. 

When the fire was put out the woman looked around. `Where is he?’ 

Lucius Malfoy stood up. `He run away. I saw how he used apparation.’ The woman became red from anger. 

`Well. His choice.’ She hissed like a snake, while going out of the room. `That is all, for today.’  Everyone started to disappear. Evan and Pandora send to Regulus depressed looks, before disappearing too. 

He headed to his room with tears in his eyes. 

Regulus woke up as Evan entered the room. The boy scanned him. `You cried.’ 

`And?’

`I don’t want to see you cry.’ Evan argued. 

`And I don’t want to be alive.’ Regulus hissed. 

`You saved him.’ Evan said. `He doesn’t know it but you saved him. Not Potter, not Lupin. It was you. If I was you I would be proud of myself.’ 

Regulus snorted. `It doesn’t change anything.’ 

`It does, because if you wouldn’t do that he would be dead.’ 

`No. He hates me from the deepest part of his heart. And I can’t change it.’ The boy’s voice cracked. `I hate Hogwarts, I hate-. I hate everything—.’ 

`Regulus, stop.’ Evan stopped the boy from speaking further. `I know it hurts you. I know you love him, and that is normal but you need to let it go.’ Evan knew it was hard for his friend, he himself didn’t know what he would do, if Pandora would stop talking to him; Rosier felt that it was harder for Regulus, after Sirius run away. He never really liked how the old Black treated his best friend, after being sorted into Gryffindor the boy despised Regulus. 

`But—.’ Regulus couldn’t understand why it all happened. Why someone decided that after everything they’ve been through it was a great idea to separate them. He hated looking at himself because he saw his brother and mother at once. It killed him, because he looked like his brother, and the woman who slowly killed them. `How he could leave me just like that? Evan, I am his brother and he cares more about them, not me. I know he treats them like a brothers but what about me? What have I done wrong?’

`Well. Do you want to hear the truth?’ The younger boy nodded. `Maybe he did leave you, the moment he met his friends. I know I am not Sirius, but you are the one who kept me going, for all of these years. You are the person who made me believe I am loveable, that it is worthy to live. If Sirius doesn’t see it, then that is something wrong with him, not you.’ Regulus had tears in his eyes. `You are literally the best person in the whole world, if I had to choose between keeping you alive or me, I would chose you, because you are too good and worthy to just leave this world without making people understand.’ 

`Understand what?’

`Who they are.’ Evan said and laid next to the boy. `I love you Reggie. You’ve helped me with accepting myself.’ The boy whispered. 

`I love you too.’  The boy said and rested his head on his friend’s arm, holding back his tears. 

`You can cry.’ Evan said, holding him tightly. Suddenly all the tears left his eyes. He closed his eyes and let a sob. 

22.12.1971, Black’s Mannor. 

Regulus was playing in his room alone; The boy couldn’t wait for his brother to come back home. He bought a broom for him. It was for his late birthday, he didn’t send it to him as Regulus wanted to see Sirius’s reaction. That was the best broom in the whole world and cost a huge amount of money. Young boy packed it in a paper, without their parents knowledge as they weren’t proud of their older son. Regulus was really proud of him. He would talk about him at every occasion. 

The smash of the doors has excited Regulus. He walked out of his room to greet his brother but the boy just passed by him, not looking into his direction and slammed the doors to his room. Regulus gently knocked at the wooden surface. `GO AWAY.’ His brother shouted back. 

`But Sirius, it is me.’ The boy said, and waited for the answer. `Can I come in?’ 

The doors opened, his brother had a grimace on his face. `What do you want?’ 

`I just wanted to talk to you.’ The boy whispered. He felt tears in his eyes. 

`About what? That I was sorted to Gryffindor? MAYBE you are going to be mad too, huh?’ Regulus didn’t know what he had done bad; Why his brother was so angry at him. `I don’t want to talk to you.’ 

`We can sit in silence.’ The boy hopefully suggested. 

The older Black just snorted. `Of course. You want to sit in silence as always. I regret coming back in here. This place is boring as hell. My friends would want to do a cool things with me, not sit in silence.’ 

Regulus felt rejection, very hurting one. `But we can do cool things too.’ He said. Regulus didn’t know why his brother didn’t want to spend time with him. 

`No. I don’t want to do anything with you.’ He slammed the doors. Regulus felt that his cheeks were wet; He knew that it would happen. That his brother will change after going to Hogwarts. 

The broom was laying on Regulus’s bed. He wished to give it to his brother, but the older boy didn’t even want to talk to him. The boy took the present and put it next to Sirius’s doors. He knocked at it and, hid behind the wall so the boy would see it. `What now?’ 

Sirius wrinkled his eyebrows and took the broom into his hands. There was a note attached to it. 

HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY, SIRIUS. I HOPE YOU’LL LIKE IT. I AM SORRY THAT I AM TOO BORING TO SIT WITH.

REGULUS. 

Sirius widened his eyes and took the broom inside. Sad Regulus headed to his room, and went to bed. He curled up on it, and tried to sleep but couldn’t. The boy heard that someone was going into the room, but didn’t want to turn to them. `Are you asleep?’ Sirius asked. `I am sorry.’ His voice cracked. `I got into argument, with our parents before being at home.’ Regulus looked at him. Sirius crawled under his brother’s quilt. `You are not too boring to sit with.’ He whispered. Regulus hugged him tightly and cried. 

`I missed you. Sirius.’ 

`I missed you too.’ The boy said. ` And thank you for the present. I love that broom.’ Regulus  grinned and put his head on his older brother’s chest. `I like to sit in silence with you. Reggie.’ He muttered and the boys let the silence fill the room.

Regulus knew that it was the last time they sat in silence together. 

22.07.1972, France.

The boys were sitting in the shadow, next to the tree, they both hated sitting in the sun. The weather was perfect for playing in the pool, but Sirius didn’t want to do anything; He wished that there was James with him. Since the boy came back he only talked about Potter.

Regulus was reading the book, when Sirius sighed. `James would love that place. The sun, and everything.’ James this, James that. Regulus had enough of hearing about the boy. He didn’t know if that was due to not being on Sirius’s place or James’s. He wished to be friends with James, and also wished to be as important to his brother as James was. 

`Why don’t you invite him?’ 

The older Black twisted his face. `He wouldn’t like being around them. They hate Gryffindors and James hates Slytherins.’ Regulus hoped it was not true, he knew he will be sorted to Slytherin; And didn’t want James Potter to hate him. 

`Oh.’ The boy nodded. He was sad. Sirius didn’t care anymore about him. He knew it because he only cared about James Potter and some Remus Lupin. If only his brother knew, that Regulus would want to be friends with them if he let him. 

The house elf has appeared next to them. `You are called for the dinner.’  The boys rushed to the manor. 

When their mother noticed them, she smiled. `I have a news for you. I’ve spoken to the headmaster. Regulus got the letter.’ The woman put the letter on the table. Young boy smiled, it meant that he would be with Evan and Pandora, in one year; However it also meant that he would be in Slytherin, and Sirius wouldn’t accept it. 

`Thank you, mother.’ 

They ate the dinner and went to their bedrooms. Before Regulus entered his room, he felt a hand on his arm. `I am happy that you are going to Hogwarts. But don’t expect me to accept you being in Slytherin.’ He grounded out. 

The boy felt stress for the whole month, till he didn’t see his friends; His stress quieted, but just for a while. 

When the boy was going trough the Hall, he felt his brother’s sight. He knew that this day will be the judgmental one in their relationship; If Regulus would be sorted into the Slytherin, Sirius would hate him, and never let Regulus to get closer to his friends. 

`Regulus Black.’ The teacher called the boy. The boy had a strong eye contact with his brother for the whole time. He knew how their relationship would look like. Sirius would act like he never knew Regulus. 

The hat barely touched the boy’s head when it screamed out. `SLYTHERIN.’ Sirius looked at him and rolled his eyes. 

He ignored Regulus’s existence for the whole year. 

03.11.1973, Hogwarts. 

Slytherin boy got used to be ignored by his brother, after a while it didn’t even bother him. He liked to be invisible for people who shouldn’t see him. He didn’t like when people were comparing him to Sirius as his brother was irritating asshole. His friends turned out like this too. And that was what killed Regulus, because James Potter was everywhere but didn’t even see Regulus. The boy was sure that if someone would ask Potter to name Regulus, he wouldn’t know his name. 

The boy was searching for his brother. It was Sirius’s birthday and Regulus had enough decency to go and wish him a Happy Birthday. His brother was standing, with his friends next to the great hall. There was almost everyone here. James Potter, Marlene McKinnon, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Mary McDonald and Lily Evans.

Regulus knew how he should act next to the crowds, to not be misunderstood as a weaker one; He fixed his posture and cleared his throat. `Sirius. Happy Birthday.’ His brother smiled a bit. Every pair of eyes focused on him, but only one has burned his skin. The chocolate one, that belonged to James Potter. The boy tried hard not to blush, it was the first time that Latino boy has focused his eyes on Regulus. At least that was what Regulus thought. 

`Thank you. Regg—. Regulus.’ The boy said. He never talked to Regulus around people. He always acted like his brother was too proud to do anything that suggested their relation. 

The blonde girl next to James smiled. `Sirius. We need to go to the common room. Someone needs to decorate it.’ Regulus’s face didn’t make any move. `You both will talk there. Your brother is coming to your birthday party, right?’ 

Regulus snorted, as he saw the embarrassed face of his brother. Sirius scratched his neck.`No. He is not invited.’ 

Marlene twisted her face as she didn’t know that the boy wasn’t on the guests list.`Oh. Sorry.’ 

`Oh, don’t worry. I have better things to do.’ Regulus hissed, he didn’t want to show his emotion, not in front of Sirius. `Sitting with Gryffindors does not stick to me. Right?’ He said and turned away, heading to the dungeons. He was furious that his brother left him this way. It was pathetic and embarrassing.

That day Regulus swore to him, that no matter what will happen he will never get close to his brother or any Gryffindor in his entire life.

25.06.1974, Hogwarts. 

It was Regulus’s thirteenth birthday. He was two years younger then his brother, and he had to grow up faster. His friends did a surprise for him and it was one of the best birthdays in his entire life. 

He didn’t hope for his brother to come and wish him anything. He knew that Sirius was too proud to do it. Barty took him outside the castle and smiled. `Regulus now is THIRTEENTH.’ They sat on the grass. `I can’t wait for the summer holidays. I am going to throw you the biggest birthday party in the entire universe!’

Evan smiled and looked around. `Your brother is coming.’ He said and Sirius in fact was heading into their direction. 

`Hi, Regulus can we talk?’ The boy asked. `Alone.’ 

`Why? You can’t talk to him in front of us? Does your ego gets smaller after talking to Slytherins?’ Barty laughed. The boy loved be mean to Sirius. 

`Shut up Crouch.’ Sirius grounded, and looked at Regulus. `Please?’ 

The boy nodded and went a few meters away from his friends. `What?’ 

`Happy Birthday. Reggie.’ The boy said. Regulus hasn’t heard this nickname from Sirius’s lips since the Sirius’s Christmas break during the first year. The boy pulled out the copies of books, and scratched his neck. `I wasn’t sure what I should give you. Those are muggle’s books. I thought you might like it. They are really good writers.’ Explained the boy. Regulus couldn’t believe, that his brother thought, that he wouldn’t like a book just because it was written by a muggle. 

`Thank you so much. Sirius.’ The boy smiled weakly. 

`I am sorry for the situation with my birthday. It was shitty of me.’ Apologised the older Black. `Will you forgive me?’ 

Regulus pursed his lips. `Of course I will.’ Sirius opened his arms, and pulled Regulus into a hug. 

`Happy Birthday once again.’ 

For Regulus this day become the best day in his entire year. His brother came and spoke to him. 

The young boy knew since always that no matter what he will do, his brother will take a blame. Because Sirius loved him and didn’t want to look at Regulus’s pain. 

Regulus didn’t like it too. He hated it when his mother without any emotion, was pointing her wand at him and cursed him. Sirius’s body on the floor, and the voice full of pain. It was Regulus’s boggin, when he had nightmares it was about his brother being in pain. Sirius always thought that Regulus was so obedient, because he was like his parents; He was never aware, that his brother behaviour was due to saving his life. He always listened to them because he knew that Sirius would stand in his defence and be tortured too. That is why younger boy decided to be obedient. 

To never let Sirius be in pain, and after while he understood that he had to play this game even in front of Sirius; Because that was the reason to join the death eaters and if older Black would find out, he would stop Regulus from doing that. 

Regulus didn’t care if that would send him to the grave, because if he was able to save his brother from death, then he would do it at any cost. 

Barty entered their dormitory and scanned the room. The lessons have bored him, and hearing about marauders has frustrated him more then ever; That is why he came to the dormitory, to calm himself. He noticed, sleeping Regulus on his bed. The boy’s face was puffy and his eyes were reddish. Evan was sitting next to Regulus and scratched his back. 

`He cried, because of him?’ Barty whispered. 

`Yes.’ 

Barty sighed and rolled his eyes. Seeing Regulus sad, caused a physical pain in him.  Especially when it was because of Sirius or any other Gryffindor.  The boy really had to stop himself from hurting the Gryffindors. Every time he saw Sirius or James fuckin Potter, the blood boiled in him. Sirius was unfair towards Regulus, and James was just irritating asshole who does not deserve Regulus in any universe. Barty tried to convince Regulus to talk to James but that was only because Regulus really loved the boy, not because Barty liked Potter. In fact Evan had to prevent Barty from his violence attacks; Every time the hairs of Sirius Black were on Barty’s horizon, he clenched his fists till his knuckles were white. One time he even thought, if he didn’t broke his jaw from clenching it. Sirius didn’t respect his brother and that was the worst thing that could happen, according to Barty. 

His father never respected him, and when he saw that Regulus wasn’t respected by only person he wished to be respected by, was making him furious. If only Regulus wanted to do something or say, that would change his situation. That would change everything. 

Barty always admired Regulus; The boy was younger, smarter and more talented then the rest of the Hogwarts. Barty was too, but that was something different, at least according to him. He never studied for anything, Regulus too but the younger boy had something that no one else had. The spark, the elegancy, the thing that forced people to think that he was the best and the strongest in the whole room. 

Barty remembered this day vividly. He got into argument that day with his father, that told him to be normal; To not to catch anyones attention for being himself. That is why Barty mentioned that everyone is weird in train. He knew that the kids probably never heard it and, before coming to Hogwarts the boy promised himself, that no matter what will happen, he will find people that need a little bit of help with being themselves. When he was bypassing their compartment, the person who caught his eyes was Regulus. The boy looked younger then the rest of their peers, and was the one who didn’t have any fear in his eyes. He had his head up, and his posture was fixed. 

Barty also noticed the unusual look of the heir of Black; The steely eyes, in contrast of the black hairs. Even for the kid the boy had high cheekbones, and was fearless. Later Barty found out that the boy just knew how to hid his emotions, because he was in fear of his brother rejection. For young Barty it was impressive. That such a young person could hid the emotions like an adult; Little did he know that the boy didn’t need to pretend as he really had such a strong demeanour. Even when Regulus was laughing, he was doing it with a not forced grace. Barty couldn’t explain it but, the young boy was never proud of himself, he knew his talents but never showed it to anyone to make them feel worse. 

Regulus never had a good reputation, but so did Barty, Evan and Pandora. They were always the weird, scary psychos. It never occurred for them to mind but, Barty still couldn’t understand why Regulus wasn’t going to change his reputation. He knew that young Black didn’t care, but James Potter was carrying and Black knew it; And that always surprised Barty. 

12.07.1974, Italy, Crouch’s mansion. 

Barty always dreamed of having real friends, that would do everything for him, and he would do the same. He found them at Hogwarts, Evan Rosier, Regulus Black, Pandora Rosier and Dorcas Meadowes. Crouch knew that his friends were coming from the hard and traumatising backgrounds, and he decided to make their holidays the best in the whole life. He invited them to his mansion in Italy; It was near muggle town called Genua, on the west coast of Italy. People there were rich, and many of them had yachts. Barty’s family was one of these people. No one really knew it but Barty was from old money family, and was rich in muggle world and wizarding world. However they have never took part in any parties, before Barty went to Hogwarts. 

His parents were forced to come back to London and left their son alone in the mansion. Barty assured that his friends and him will be acting well, before their comeback. Especially no parties. However young boy had already planned their first ever party with half of the muggle town, alcohol and cigarettes. 

Regulus was the first one to be there, he helped Barty with preparing the mansion for the party. `Are you sure it is a good idea?’ Asked Regulus.

`I don’t care, if my parents will be mad. I want to party with you for the whole night.’ Barty assured his friend and winked at him. 

Rosiers and Dorcas came later, and Barty showed them their rooms, as they were going to stay there for the whole month. Crouch already planned what they would do. He would take them to Rome, Crema; That is where Regulus found out about the book `Call me by your name’. Sicilia was on his tour too. He would take them to the local shops and learn them how to surf or drive a boat. Basically Barty’s plan just included showing them how muggles live, as he was raised around muggles and he loved it. The technology was better then the wizards and it had many perks that would change pure-bloods perspective. 

`I bought vodka, and some cigarettes.’ Barty announced, as he showed his friends the house. The villa was in bright colours, contrasting with his friends’s houses and his in London. The floor was white marbled, with dark lines, or green tiles. The house outside was bright yellow, this was the traditional in those regions; However the house was really elegant and his friends already loved it.

Pandora was impressed by the house; Since she was a young kid she dreamed of having the house that is not gloomy, and lifeless. Barty’s house for sure wasn’t lifeless, as Ms. Crouch has decorated it. Everywhere were books, magazines and exotic plants. The house smelled like a coffee, and everything was colourful. The garden was a huge land with a lot of trees, such as mandarines, peaches or the other plants. The gardeners were taking care of it, but Barty liked to help them. The pool was also huge and there was a place to sit outside; Regulus also fell in love with this place. He could read so many books in here, this place had soul, not like his manor in France. No wonders why Sirius didn’t like to be there if he could sit with James Potter in similar place or in Mexico. 

`I love this place.’ Pandora uttered, she spun around and jumped. `I can finally be a ballerina without being judged.’ The girl always dreamed of being ballerina, as she was raised in Russia. She was growing up while watching the ballerinas almost everyday, but her parents didn’t let her train it; And Pandora always dreamed of being able to dance ballet in front of the whole world. 

Barty smiled as the great idea came up in his mind. `My neighbour is a ballet trainer. She can teach you.’  

Pandoras eyes sparked. `REALLY?’ 

`Of course. She is also from Russia, and mastered it a couple years ago.’ Barty beamed. `I will talk to her, tomorrow, after our party.’ He said and the girl jumped to him, hugging him tightly. 

`Thank you.’ She whispered. 

`Everything for you.’ The boy answered. The maid of their house has entered the room. 

`Mr. Crouch. Your guests are here.’ She announced. `Do I need to keep it a secret?’ 

`Yes. Please.’ The boy answered. He knew that his maid would say anything to his parents, as she was actually in role of his parent, and she hated that Mr. Crouch was so tough to the boy. `And don’t say what I did today.’

`Of course. Your secret is safe with me.’  The woman bowed and headed to the doors. 

Regulus narrowed his eyes. `Do you not have a house elves?’ It was surprise for him, that a real, living person that was not a squib was serving a household. 

`How could we have a house elf when we are literally leaving around muggles. We are the only wizards in here.’ Barty answered, suggesting that the question was really stupid. 

Evan nodded. `True.’ 

Regulus snorted. `Of fuck you, guys.’ Barty laughed when he heard a bunch of teenagers, coming into the house. 

`WHERE IS A FREAKIN BARTY CROUCH JR.’ One boy shouted with the Italian accent . ` I missed you, motherfucker.’ The boy said, he was holding a bottle of wine and a cigarettes. `Oh. Those are your friends I assume.’ He said, scanning the whole group. ` Il mio nome e Fernando. And yours?’ 

Pandora smiled and sticked her hand out. `I am Pandora, that is my brother Evan.’ She pointed at her twin. `That is Dorcas and Regulus.’ The girl introduced her group. 

`I see you all are from different countries.’ The boy said. 

`How?’ Regulus asked suspiciously, as he didn’t trust anyone new. 

`Your looks.’ Fernando shrugged. `Can I guess where are you from?’

`Yes.’ Pandora said, but Evan was not convinced to this. 

The boy firstly looked at Regulus. `You are for sure aristocratic, maybe England or France or something like that—.’ 

`Give me that wine, I will open it .’ The maid has said as she took the wine from the boy’s hand. Dorcas wrinkled her brows, she wasn’t used to older people, helping teenagers with drinking underage. However in Italy there was a different traditions, as they could drink alcohol, like wine till sixteen years old; And most of the people there have gave it to their kids earlier then this age. 

The more people were coming in, the more Barty was getting excited. The amount of people in the house would send him to grave; Or his parents. The cigarettes were smoked everywhere and the smell of alcohol was pinching the nostrils of young kids. 

Regulus was smoking first ever cigarette, with Fernando and Barty. The boy has shown him how to properly drag the smoke to his lungs, he felt like all of his food was coming back from his stomach. It wasn’t the best feeling, but after two cigarettes his head stopped spinning, and it wasn’t as disgusting as it sounded. 

The Slytherins were sitting outside the house, next to the pool, when Barty has taken the shot glasses, and put them in front of his friends. He poured to each one a vodka and beamed. `That is our first shot of vodka.’ He took it. `CHEERS.’ The boy screamed and drunk his shot. His friends has done the same. 

All of their friends has done the same, their faces twisted as the taste of the alcohol wasn’t nice. It was burning their throat. `It’s disgusting.’ said Pandora.

`I know, but that is our first party.’ Said Barty pouring the next round. `For us. And our friendship.’ 

`For us.’ Everyone said and drunk again. The boys didn’t count, how many shots they have drunk, but for sure it was too much for their young bodies. Regulus has seen three Bartys. The vision got blurry for them, they could’t walk straight and everything got funnier for them. Young Crouch took Regulus to his yacht, so they can breath a warm, fresh air, far from everyone. 

They have sat down and Regulus laid his body on the bed. He scanned the stars and beamed. `You know my name is from the star?’ 

Barty looked up, it was confusing for him, the boy couldn’t understand since when there are so many stars on the sky. It always was fascinating him, the astronomy, but wasn’t able to see anything on the sky, so he just left his interest in it. `WOW. SINCE WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY OF THEM.’ The boy laughed and looked at Regulus. `How do you know which one is which? I mean they are just the shining dots.’ 

`Well, many of them, are creating a constellations. For example Sirius, is the brightest star in the constellation of the dog.’ Regulus explained, showing it to his companion. 

`And where are you?’ Barty didn’t want to force the boy to talk about his brother. He knew that their complicated relationship was hurting Regulus. 

Regulus smiled as he loved talking about it, Barty noticed the glimpse of happiness in his friend eyes, and decided that he will be asking more about it. `I am here.’ Regulus grabbed Barty’s hand and pointed at the constellation of the lion. `I am the brightest star in the constellation of the lion.’ 

Barty looked at his friend, and the strange feeling grabbed his heart. The boy was so majestic, and Barty has seen it from the first day. He was dazzled, and wished to be in love with someone like Regulus; But in fact if Barty could choose, who he was in love with, he wouldn’t choose a boy. Especially the pure-blood boy, the boy that was his best friend. Barty knew that Regulus was gay, and wished that Evan Rosier was too. 

He was hiding this feeling, since the first day. Since he saw his platinum hairs, and the blue piercing eyes. It was strange to see such a angelic face, yet so mysterious. Barty tried to avoid this feeling, he never felt something like that to a boy, but he noticed that girls has never interested him too. The boy sometimes could say that the girl was attractive or pretty, but not in a way he would want to marry them. And he could marry Evan. 

Barty didn’t tell anyone and when the alcohol was controlling his body, everything was so easy to him, and kissing his best friend was too. He never kissed a boy and was curious how it could affect him. 

`Are you listening to me?’ Regulus asked, but Barty in fact wasn’t listening to him. He tried to resist the temptation of kissing his friend. `Okay. You are acting weird. Maybe you drunk too much today and—.’ The boy started, but Barty’s lips crushing his, stopped him. Regulus  widened his eyes, and tensed. When Barty moved away, the overwhelming feeling controlled his body. Regulus noticed that. `Barty it’s okay. I—.’  The boy tried to calm his friend, but Barty was just mumbling some words under his nose. The young Black wasn’t sure what he should do, he didn’t feel anything romantic to Barty but couldn’t just turn him down. 

`Barty.’ The boy started again. `Tell me what—.’ 

Barty couldn’t wait any longer, he looked at his friend and with the serious face. `I am in love with Evan.’ 

Regulus’s face has shown a pure shock, he widened his eyes, and opened his mouth. `WHAT?’ 

Barty hid his face in his hands. `I am so sorry.’

`WHAT?’ Regulus still was in a great shock. He couldn’t comprehend, what his friend just told him. Barty never gave any signs of being attracted by boys. It took him while to rig up any sensible sentence. He was drunk and shocked. `What do you mean, you are in love with Evan?’ 

Barty was too drunk to cry. `I mean, I am in love with Evan.’ The boy mumbled. 

`But do you mean Rosier? Evan Rosier?’

`Do you know any other Evan?’ Barty asked sarcastically. 

Regulus wrinkled his brows. He stood up and started to walk in a circle. `I am so fucking sorry. I don’t understand what just has happe—.’ 

`Don’t tell him please.’ The boy begged. 

`Why would I?’ Regulus asked, and Barty just shrugged at the answer. `Since when do you even like boys?’ 

`Since, I met Evan.’ 

Regulus shocked his head. `How?’

`And, how do you like James Potter, huh?’ Barty said. Regulus was too drunk to answer ironically, and his mind was filled with, what his friend just said. 

`I am not going to answer this.’ The boy pointed at him. `I am also not going to say that, to Evan.’ 

Barty hugged the boy. `Thank you so, so much. I was scared by your reaction of me kissing you.’ 

`Are you surprised? You are my best friend, we are drunk at your party in Italy, and suddenly you are kissing me. I didn’t even know you like boys.’ Regulus uttered. 

`Well, to be honest. Even if I didn’t like boys I would like to kiss you. You are fit.’ Barty said drunkly. 

Regulus widened his eyes again. No one has been so honest with him, in his entire life. `Well you are fit too.’

`What? Are you saying that, because you pity me?’ Barty asked with a unusual hesitation. `I don’t want you to pity me. I know he is straight. I mean—.’ 

`Oh. Shut up.’ Said Regulus and pulled his friend closer, connecting their lips. Barty was so surprised that he didn’t even kiss, the other boy back. `If I am saying that you are hot. You are.’ 

Barty laughed. `James Potter is a winner.’

`I don’t want to think about him.’ The boy said. Barty smiled when the great idea come to his mind.

`Well. I have an idea.’ Barty said.

Regulus’s eyebrows shoot up. `Go on.’ 

`We are friends, but we could be more then friends. Like not fucking or you know, for now just kissing.’ Barty suggested. `If you wanted to kiss someone, or me, we would just casually kiss.’ Regulus looked at him. `Muggles, are calling it friends with benefits.’ 

`I—.’

`We both are in hard situations, with our lovers.’ Barty explained. `I am not making you, I won’t get mad, if you don’t agree.’ 

Regulus didn’t want to hurt Barty, he didn’t want to give him a chance, when he knew the only person he would fall in love was James Potter. `But nothing more then this.’ 

`No. Not dating, falling in love with each other. We would still be friends, but sometimes we would just kiss. When one of us will be dating someone, this all stops.’ Barty explained, and sticked his little fingers to pinky promise. 

Regulus after a little hesitation, made a promise. `Just friends, with casual kissing.’ 

`Just friends, with casual kissing.’ Barty smiled and kissed Regulus’s cheeks. 

02.01.1973, Hogwarts. 

Barty couldn’t wait to see Regulus after the Christmas break. He had so many things to tell him, that the even wrote it on a piece of paper to not to forget. The young boy wasn’t aware that his friend’s Christmas looked quite differently then his, they weren’t as gloomy and painful as Regulus’s. Barty did know that Regulus’s parents were actually kind of like his father, no emotions, rising their kids for also emotionless creatures but wasn’t aware that they would punish the boy so cruelly.

When Barty saw Regulus on his horizon, he rushed to him and hugged the boy tightly; But Regulus didn’t have a strength to hug him back, his eyes were blank. Depressed. The bones of the boy were so emphasised that Barty got worried. 

`Regulus, are you okay?’ Barty asked worryingly. Evan behind the younger boy just shook his head, suggesting that Regulus in fact wasn’t okay.

`It’s going to pass.’ The boy said in cracked voice, he smiled weakly and slowly headed to the Slytherin compartment. Barty looked around and noticed Sirius Black. Who looked as bad as Regulus, and Crouch understood that it had something to do with their Christmas break. 

Barty moved closer to Evan and whispered to his ears. `What happened to him?’ 

`I don’t know.’ The boy said honestly. He also didn’t know what has happened to their friend. Everyone knew that Christmas breaks could be traumatising to them all, as their parents were sadistic monsters. They would do anything to ruin, amazing moment. 

`We need to find out.’ Barty whispered nervously. `He looks like a corpse.’ The boy said and went after Regulus. He didn’t know how to make Regulus, to tell them the truth. In fact Evan didn’t know how to do it too. Regulus wasn’t open about anything that happens in his life. 

Barty looked at the French boy. Regulus looked like he wasn’t eating for the whole break, he looked weak and exhausted. `Do you want something to eat?’ Barty said, Regulus eyes got bigger as he said that. Barty understood that the boy was scared of them, finding out the truth. `I am starving.’ Boy added, so Regulus wouldn’t be stressed. He also noticed that Regulus was twisting his face every time he moved. The whole journey, they all sat quietly. Evan was reading book, Regulus was sketching and Barty was trying to figure out what was happening. 

When there was time to change into robes, Regulus wanted to leave and change his clothes in the bathroom; He never did that, and Barty started to get why. Before the boy could walk out, Barty grabbed his hand. 

Evan who was sitting with them, knew what happened to the boy. They have probably tortured him, and what so worse. Starved him. 

`You are not going out. What is happening?’ Barty asked. `You did not say any word during the whole journey.’ 

Regulus rolled his eyes. `I am tired.’

`Since when did you become so sassy?’ Barty hissed. He was getting angry, because he wanted to help his friend and didn’t know how. `Will you tell me what is happening? Or do I need to go ask Sirius.’ Regulus’s brows shot up, as Barty used the Sirius card against him.

`Excuse me?’

`You are not excused. What is happening?’

Evan closed his book.`Stop fighting.’

`You shut up.’ Regulus hissed at Evan.`I appreciate that you are worried, but stop.’ 

Barty has never gave a win to someone. This time he would do that too.`Roll up your shirt.’ 

`What?’ Regulus hissed again. He wasn’t used to people carrying about him. 

`You’ve heard me.’ Barty said confidently, facing Regulus.`Please. I am worried.’ 

`No.’ Regulus protested. 

`If there wouldn’t be anything that we shouldn’t worry about, you would do it.’ Barty argued. 

`Barty.’ Evan started.`Don’t push him.’ 

`I will. I will literally go to your brother.’ Barty warned Regulus.

The boy has sighed and clenched his jawline. He slowly rolled up his shirt, uncovering the bruises on his ribs and tiny scars. Barty eyes filled with tears.`It’s fine—.’ Regulus started but Barty hugging him tightly, stopped him. 

`It’s not fine. They have hurt you. I’m sorry, for making you to show me this—. I will help you.’ Barty said as the guilt spread through his body. He always knew that pure-bloods families where sick, but not like that.

Barty always complained about his relationship with his dad. The old man always expected something from Barty, and the boy always did everything to make him disappointed; They have argued quite often, but his dad wouldn’t torture him. Sometimes he would slap him across his face, but never torture or starve him. 

`I am sorry.’ Barty whispered. `Remember you can always go and talk to me. You are like my brother.’ The boy said and looked at Evan. `You too. Guys we have each other. If there will be need to kill for you or set the whole world for you. I wouldn’t think twice.’ Barty said. 

Evan smiled and hugged two boys. `Promise, nothing will part us.’ 

`Nothing will part us. Even death.’ Said Barty. `I love you all.’

`We love you too.’ Regulus hugged them and cried quietly. 

Since that day, Barty knew that he will never let anyone hurt Regulus. Even if that would cost him, his own life. 

£££

Not only Regulus hated Christmas. It was the problem of the whole group; They have wished to stay for Christmas at Hogwarts but the summer break would welcome them with the tortures for not being present at the Christmas parties. Rosiers and Regulus had the worst, but Barty and Dorcas also weren’t really excited to see their parents. It was all complicated and when winter started, they all has been stressed about everything. Marlene wished to understand Dorcas, but the girl was avoiding her. It was easier for the Slytherins to be around each other, because random temper tantrum, didn’t hurt them. They understood, why it all happened so it wasn’t a new thing for them. 

Dorcas was standing next to Regulus, and scanned the corridor really restlessly, they were standing in small corridor, next to the abandoned class. `Dora, you can’t avoid her, for the whole month.’ The boy was aware of her fear; He wish to take it away and if he could he would even ask her to be with him on Christmas break, so she wouldn’t endure all of this pain alone. 

`I can, and I will.’ Dorcas argued. `You avoid, Potter.’ 

`Yes that is because, he is not my boyfriend.’ Regulus rolled his eyes. Dorcas wanted to prove her point to Regulus. 

Dorcas looked at the boy with one brow up.`But you wish, he was.’ 

Regulus sighed. `It is not what I wish. Dorcas, she is your girlfriend and you should talk to her.’ 

`No, she won’t get it.’

Regulus was hiding with her. They both avoided the people from the Gryffindor house. Dorcas because she didn’t want to hurt Marlene, by her mood swings and bad mood; And Regulus avoided the Gryffindor house, so he wouldn’t see his brother and James Potter. He screamed at him the last time they talked, and Regulus felt stupid. He let his feelings, control him. 

`Why are you both hiding?’ Barty asked out of nowhere. 

Dorcas jumped a bit. `Bloody hell, you scared me.’ 

Barty laughed. It was funny for him that his friends were hiding away from James and Marlene. `You are hiding, very, very incompetently.’ 

Regulus put his finger, to his lips, suggesting Barty that he should be quiet. 

`Okay, I don’t understand why you both are fuckin, hiding.’ 

`Dorcas is avoiding McKinnon.’ Regulus betrayed his friend.

`And? He is avoiding Potter.’ Dorcas argued. 

`But I am not in a relationship with him.’

`Because you are too stupid.’ 

Barty was looking at both of them. `Okay. Why you two are avoiding, your lovers?’

`He is not my lover.’

Dorcas narrowed her eyes. `He beat Malfoy, for you.’ 

`And you fucked McKinnon.’ Regulus said. `Your relationship is deeper.’ 

`I am not going to talk to her.’ Dorcas said.

Barty sighed. `Why?’

`Because, you are the only people who understands, my mood before Christmas. She is excited for it and I am not, their whole group talks only about winter break.’ The girl explained. `I don’t want to ruin this time for her.’

`If she loves you, then she would understand.’

`Who loves who?’ Asked Evan. 

`Is it seriously, so obvious where we are.’ Regulus said irritated, because if their friends could find them then James or Marlene could do it too. 

`It is almost main corridor.’ Evan said, confused. `Who loves who?’ 

`Marlene, loves Dorcas.’ Regulus answered.

`That’s why your are hiding, because Marlene loves Dorcas?’ Evan muttered. `I think, you all lost your minds.’ 

`Good, that you didn’t lost yours.’ Dorcas snorted. `I am not going to talk to her.’ 

`So, you are going to avoid her for the whole year?’ Barty asked, holding Evan’s hand. 

`No, just till the winter break is over.’ She said. 

Regulus laughed. `That is actually ridiculous. Dora, go and talk to her.’ 

`I agree with Reggie.’ Evan stated.

`Same, here. You should go and talk to her.’ 

`When Regulus is avoiding James, you both don’t seem to care’ 

`First of all, they do care, believe me. Second of all, he is not my boyfriend, and third of all I am not going to avoid him for the rest of the month.’ 

`Oh, so when are you going to stop hiding from him?’ 

Regulus clenched his jaw. `He will find me.’ 

`How?’

`I don’t know, but every time he wants to talk to me, he finds me.’ 

Evan shrugged. `Well, Marlene for sure found you, right now.’ 

`Hide me.’ Dorcas said. She really didn’t want to hurt her girlfriend. 

`Dorcas are you avoiding me?’ Asked Marlene, behind their backs. The dark-skinned girl closed her eyes, before turning to her. 

`Why, do you think so?’ The girl nervously laughed. 

`Because, every time I see you on the corridors, you and Black are running away.’ The girl gesticulated.

Regulus’s face showed a grimace. `Why are you involving me into this?’ 

Marlene killed Regulus with her eyes. `Because you are part of this. James also thinks you and Dora, avoid me.’

`Why, would I avoid you? I don’t even know you.’ Regulus argued. 

`You are avoiding him.’ Marlene said. 

`Excuse me?’ Regulus hissed. Barty tried to stay serious, but just couldn’t. He giggled, behind Regulus. French boy turned to him and scanned his body. `I am not avoiding him. Dorcas also doesn’t avoid you. It’s just end of the semester and we focus more on lessons.’ 

`Cut the bullshit, Black.’ Marlene said. `If you are not avoiding us. Then why are you standing here?’

`And is this banned now? To stand in a corridor.’ Regulus tried not to make this while situation worse then it was; Evan hid his face in Barty’s arm so no one would see his laugh. `And if Potter, has some complaint, then he should talk to me, and not send you here.’

Marlene pointed her finger at him. `One more word, Black, and I am going to send you, to the hospital wing.’

Dorcas knew that Marlene was mad, but she was never the best in, speaking about her feelings; She knew that it was better to distance the girl, for now. `Do you have my book?’ Dorcas asked Regulus, stoping their fight. 

`What book?’ French boy asked confused. 

`I asked, you to take my book.’ 

`No, you did—.’

Dorcas looked at him meaningfully. `Of course, you forgot. Now we need to take it from your dorm. It is for our next lesson.’ Barty shook his head slowly. 

`Oh, that book. Yea I forgot, sorry, we need to go for it.’ Regulus, understood his role, grabbed her arm and pulled her after him. 

`Sorry, Marls I need to go.’ Dorcas said with a weak smile. 

The blonde girl snorted. `Of course you need to go. That is pathetic.’ French boy pulled Dorcas to the sprint. 

They stopped rushing, when they were next to library. `You need to talk to her.’ 

`Give me a break, Black.’ The girl hissed. `You should say the truth to James. Will you do it?’

`No.’ 

`Exactly.’ The girl snorted.

Barty and Evan found them. They both were laughing, so much that they couldn’t walk straight. `You both are such a good actors.’

`Shut up.’ Regulus hissed. `Why would they care, if I am avoiding James or not?’

`James?’ Dorcas asked. `Since when do you call him James?’

Evan smiled as they won. `SEE. I’ve told you, you can’t hid your feelings any longer.’ 

`You all, are getting on my nerves right now. I think I will use McKinnon’s offer, and let her transfer me to the Hospital wing.’ He said, and went to the library to sit in silence. They didn’t have lessons this day, so they could sit in the library. They liked being quiet around each other, because they didn’t need to talk to feel support. 

Barty was nervously taping into the table. It was annoying Regulus, but he knew that it was relaxing him. Evan’s head was resting on Barty’s arm and for French boy it was more the cute. He saw how both of them were hurt because of the feelings to each other, and now when they finally understood what to do he couldn’t be more happy for them. Dorcas was nervously pinching her fingers. Regulus grabbed her hands and smiled. `Everything is fine, she is going to forgive you.’ The girl just nodded. 

`Hi. I have a letter to Barty Crouch Jr.’ Said the boy from the Gryffindor house. He was always giving the letters as the owls couldn’t fly everywhere. 

Barty took the paper with the shaky hands. `Thank you.’ The boy smiled and run away. The whole group looked at Italian boy with worry. That is always how they have reacted to any of them got a letter from any of the parent. `It’s from my father.’ 

`I can read it.’ Regulus volunteered. 

`It’s fine.’ The boy said, and opened the letter. It had a crest of the Crouch’s family. While he was reading it, Evan hold his hand to give him support. After reading the letter, he scrunched it up. `I wish, I could burn this.’ 

`What does it say?’ Dorcas asked. 

Barty snorted.`He is throwing a ball, during Christmas break. He said that I need to be obedient, that I can’t ruin it like I ruin everything else.’ 

`Of course.’ Regulus  hissed. 

`It is matter of time, when we all will get the letters.’ Evan said, uplifting Barty. 

`Fuck him. I am going to ruin it.’ Barty said. `But he gave me an opportunity to invite someone who is not on the guest list. You all are, so you can ask McKinnon if she wants to be part of this shit.’ 

`I will.’ Dorcas said. `But I don’t know when.’

Regulus knew that he wasn’t the best person to give such a advices but he couldn’t let Dorcas ruin her relationship because of fear. `Dora, you should go and talk to her.’

`I know, I am just not the best in talking about feelings, I don’t need to be good at it, when I am with you.’ 

Barty squeezed her hand. `Tell, her that. It can’t be worse that talking to our families. Do it before you ruin your relationship.’ The girl smiled, weakly. `Dora, just tell her the truth.’

`Under one condition.’ Dorcas said and looked at Regulus. 

`What now?’

`You will stop avoiding Potter.’ 

Regulus clenched his jaw. `But—.’

`Regulus you like him, very much, I know you don’t want to get hurt by rejection, but you can’t avoid him.’ Dorcas said and Evan nodded. `If you don’t want to be lovers with him, you can be friends. Just don’t avoid him.’ 

`I am not avoiding him, I am avoiding my brother.’ Regulus explained. `James is not stupid, but he doesn’t understand, that the smallest interaction with me could make Sirius mad. Even if he would look into my direction, Sirius would comment on it, and I know that James is not the best for it. He is also hurt by us fighting, that is why I am avoiding him. So Sirius wouldn’t cause the drama.’ 

`I didn’t know, sorry.’ Dorcas said honestly. The girl was glad her siblings does not go to Hogwarts with her.  

`Don’t worry, it’s not your fault, I just—. You know. Don’t want to place James in uncomfortable situation.’

`You are protecting him.’ Evan stated.

`I am not protecting him.’ Regulus argued, he didn’t want to let this thought to him.

`You are protecting him, you blackmailed Malfoy, Mulciber and Snape, that if they snitch on him, they won’t be able to finish this school.’ Dorcas added.

`I blackmailed them because James, beat them for of me.’ Regulus tried to explain to their friends that it is not a big deal.

`Stop, lying to yourself. You are protecting him and Sirius with your whole heart. Admit it.’ 

Regulus rolled his eyes. `Why do you care so much?’ 

`Because we care about you, and you care bout him, so stop avoiding him.’ Dorcas said, and stood up. She knew that, she should talk to Marlene, and it was the best time for it. `I am going to my girlfriend.’ 

`GOOD LUCK.’ Barty screamed, which has met dissatisfaction from the librarian woman. `Sorry.’ 

Dorcas laughed and headed to the Gryffindor common room. She knew that the girl was there with her friends, Dorcas even knew the entry word. `Gingerbread.’ 

The portrait has opened, and Slytherin girl saw her Marlene sitting on the couch with James Potter. They were hugging when she entered, but James noticed her.

`Marls.’ He said and pointed his head at Dorcas. The girl looked at her and rolled her eyes. 

`You don’t have to rush for your imaginary lesson, with Black?’ Marlene spitted out. 

`I am sorry, can we talk please.’ Dorcas looked at her shoes. `But privately.’ 

`I can go.’ James said quickly as he didn’t want to be a part of this whole fight. 

`No, we will go to my dorm. Lily and Mary are not here anyways, so—.’ Marlene stopped, grabbing Dorcas’s arm, and pulling her to the dorm. James showed a thumb up to Dorcas, uplifting her. `What?’ The girl said as the door closed.

`I wasn’t avoiding—.’

`Stop lying to me.’ Marlene hissed. `If you are going to lie now, we can end this conversation here.’ 

Dorcas hid her face in hands. `I am sorry. I was avoiding you.’

`I know.’ 

`Can you just listen to me?’ Dorcas muttered. Marlene just shrugged. `I am sorry. I don’t know how to talk about my feelings, I was raised with three brothers, and two emotionally unavailable parents.’ 

`Talk how you talk with your friends.’ 

`I am not talking about my feelings with them, they also don’t know how speak about those things and it’s just sticks with me. When I am sad or angry or any other negative emotion, they are just there with me. No questions asked, they just accept it.’

`Okay, I understand it, I think.’ Marlene grabbed Dorcas’s hand, and they both sat down on Gryffindor girl’s bed. `Just tell me what is happening, you don’t need to pack, negative emotions into beautiful box.’

Dorcas smiled weakly. `I hate Christmas, winter break, and everything that is connected to it.  That’s because it is hard to stick with my parents around. You and your friends love it, James is planning the break already and you were happy. I didn’t want to ruin it because of my mood changes. I can’t be happy about it. And it is hard to keep my feelings controlled.’ The girl stopped. `They don’t like Christmas too, and my mood swings are not burdensome for them.’

`Dorcas, you avoid me because you were scared of ruining the winter break?’

`No. Marlene, when I say mood swings I mean that I am really hard to be around, and it is happening because I know what will happen during the break. Barty’s father already send him a letter, what he is expecting from him when he will be back. My parents are the same, Christmas are not nice time in my house. It is awful, exhausting. I have to present well, and I know that it is matter of time when my parents will say what they are expecting from me.’ Marlene scratched Dorcas’s back. `I just didn’t want to put too much emotions and pressure  on you.’ 

`Dorcas, you are my girlfriend, I am able to say you are the love of my life, and I would never think that you are burden for me. Please do never think that way about yourself.’

`I am sorry. It’s hard, because my whole life I was too much for people. Expect of course my friends, they are not expecting me to feel well. I know you don’t expect me to feel well, all the time too, but that is different.’ Slytherin girl cried. `You would need to know the whole relationships with all of them to understand.’ 

`We have time.’ Marlene said. `I want to know everything Dorcas, so I can support you.’ 

`I don’t know where to start. From who.’

`Maybe your parents.’ Marlene said, after a while. `I think they had the biggest impact with your brothers on how you perceive life, and they for sure had impact on your later relationships.’ 

Dorcas nodded. `But this will take a while.’ 

`I have eternity for you.’ Marlene assured the girl, and smiled.

`Okay. So, my mother comes from pure-blood family, just like my father. They weren’t raised for loving creatures. Their marriage was arranged, like most of marriages, but my mother wasn’t raised to be proud of having a baby girl. My dad was just raised for being an asshole, but he respects women. My mother does not. I am her failure and she mentions it at any opportunity. If I am not going to birth a child I am going to be probably disinherited.’ The cry stopped her. `I was always compared to my brothers, I am middle child and a girl. I was never prised for anything in my whole life, even if I am achieve something it is not enough for them. For her. My father is proud that I play quidditch, but I will never be as good as my brothers.’

`I am sorry to hear that.’ Marlene said, she wasn’t aware that Dorcas had such a problems with her parents.

`I remember when I was five, I won against my brother in some stupid game, my mother instead of congratulating me, she hit me, and said that girl shouldn’t win against the boy. My father didn’t bother to help me because he agreed with my mother. That I shouldn’t be so masculine. The same day my mother was so mad at me, that she wanted to throw away my dresses, because if I wanted to act like a boy then I shouldn’t wear dresses.’ She relaxed her head on Polish girl. `This time my father, supported me and they got into a huge fight. Later she apologised to me, because my father had bigger respect to me then her, she wasn’t his child, she didn’t have his blood. He threaten her that if she will be so cruel to me, he is going to throw her out of the house.’ The girl played with her hands. `After that she hated me even more. Because, the biggest failure in her life has more rights then her. Now everything she does to me is behind my father’s back. He would kick her out, and she is aware of it.’ Marlene hugged her tightly.

`You didn’t deserve it. I am so sorry, if I knew earlier—.’ 

`It’s okay. It doesn’t change anything, because it was a years ago.’ The girl argued. `But that sums my relationship with my parents.’

`What about your brothers?’ 

`Well. It is more complicated then relationship with my parents. My older brother, he is competitive, and overprotective. He loves me, but does not understand why I am trying so hard, he thinks that I don’t need to have skills or anything to be loved. But is the first one to compete against me. For fun of course because I am not actually real threat for him. I am just a girl. He was the one who stood up to my mother when she wanted to hit me. He said that if she hits me, he hits her.’ Dorcas whispered. `That ended bad for him. He shouldn’t disrespect mother like that, but he did not care. His little sister was in trouble, and he would do anything to save me. You know. He was actually happy for having a sister.’ 

`Well, if that so I can accept him.’ Marlene said.

`He would fight for me, do everything for me, because he felt like it is the right thing, but never took me seriously. My passion to quidditch is less important then his or my brothers, if I have a good grades it is because I am pretty and not because I am smart or something. If I am good at anything it is either because of my look or luck. I can’t blame him. He is brainwashed by my parents right?’

`I—.’ Marlene didn’t know what to say. 

`However I love him the most because respects me the most from our family. He is hard but I can bare the breaks because of him. He accepts my mood swings and would lie to save my ass. Because no one can hurt his beautiful sister.’ Dorcas smiled a bit. `My second brother who is basically, one year older then me, thinks that I am his biggest threat. He everything into a competition, even a stupid looks at our parents’s ball. He never snitched on me in any way because he wouldn’t hurt me on purpose. However he just does everything to show me that he is better, and I think I have enough of him. He was like that since I was born. The only person he feels worse is our oldest brother.’ Dorcas took a deep breath in. `I mean, I know he is insecure enough to think that I am his threat, but he is my brother. I love him, and I can’t stand that he is actually looking at me and thinks where he should `punch’ to make me not win against him.’

Marlene stayed quiet as she didn’t know what to say. 

`My younger brother on the other hand is complete opposite of them two. He never had support as our parents compared not only me to them, but also him to us. He tries his best to impress them, and he despise me, to show them that he is like them. He hates me, because he can’t stand that the girl is better them him, even when I am much older then him.

`Dorcas, I did not know you have such complicated, situation. If I knew I wouldn’t be mad at you for acting weird. It must be hard for you to know that in couple of weeks, you are going to sit around them.’ Marlene felt guilty, she wished to talk to Dorcas earlier. `I didn’t know you had such a hard childhood.’ 

`Well, actually everything has changed when I came to Hogwarts. I know you don’t think well about my friends, especially Barty, Evan, and Regulus, because you know Pandora a bit, but they have been with me on my worst. I—. They remind me of my brothers, they are just better.’ Dorcas explained. `It is complicated, Barty is like my twin, he would set a world on fire for me. One time, he actually get into a fight with my mother, when she was complaining about my look. He said that as a man he thinks I look perfectly, and that the problem is in her. I love Barty, because he has his own shit to deal with, but when he actually loves someone he is the best. He is my biggest supporter, of course they all are, but he is just different. Barty loves when I smile, and he often does plenty of things just to make me smile.’ 

The girl beamed, at the thought of young Barty. `When in second year, my mother prohibited the teachers to let me train quidditch with other boys, Barty and Regulus were the one who trained with me after-hours.’ Dorcas smiled. `Barty is crazy, but he would do anything to make me happy. Later he wrote a letter to my father, begging him to let me play quidditch, he said that I am the best girl- player he has ever seen. My father agreed, because he knew I had a talent. It was so brave of Barty to spoke to my parents like that, but he is actually fearless when it comes to saving, people he cares about. He is such a ride or die.’ 

`Well, I love Barty for this. I literally stoped hating on him, that much.’ Marlene announced, Barty was an arrogant asshole and Marlene hated him with his whole heart. However if he is the one who helped Dorcas, then Gryffindor girl will accept his existence. 

`He is arrogant, but for people that he doesn’t care about. You should see how he treats Evan and Pandora. I believe that Pandora also thinks he is like a brother to her.’ The girl bit the corner of her lips. `When I was a child I thought that my life is the worst. That no one had worse —. Then I met Evan and Pandora Rosier, and I understood that I should never be ungrateful for my life. They both cringed in fear when anyone was raising their hands next to them. I found the reason why he can’t play quidditch. His father broke his arm, and didn’t bother to manipulate it. He has been through many shit and he still manages to be support for me. I don’t have a connection with him, like I have with Barty, but he still is the biggest supporter. Evan often manages to do a potions, or ointment for me after I got a bruises from my mother. He would do anything for me, and I guess he would even kill my mother with some potion, if I asked him to.’ 

`Well, Evan and Pandora always scared me.’ Marlene admitted.

`Because they are scary indeed. I remember how Pandora looked at me when I complemented her look for the first time. She was surprised that someone could think of her as someone worth the compliments. Till this they she never got the complement. She is like a sister to me, and I know how this sounds, but I was raised with three brother and psycho mother—. I have never had a close girl friend and, when she has became one, I would do anything to her. Pandora is the sweetest girl in the whole universe, and I love her more then I love myself. She could sit with me, and listen to my complaints for the whole day and night. I guess I couldn’t imagine better friend then her. I mean you know Barty is important too, but I can’t talk about everything with him, he wouldn’t get some things. And Pandora, she wouldn’t hurt a fly. She is not maybe as hard tempered as Barty, but she is still the best girl I could image to be friends with. ’

`I understand. It’s normal that you are thinking of her as a sister figure.’ Gryffindor girl agreed. `What about Regulus?’

Dorcas smiled, through tears. `Regulus is—. I don’t know how to explain, what I feel to him. I am pretty sure, that if soulmates exists, he is mine. He would do anything for me, he gets me without any words and I just couldn’t imagine living without him. Regulus could just look at me and know, if I am sad, happy or angry. That is why I was with him for the whole day, because he is the one who gets me the most. It is different relationship, then I have with Barty, Evan or Pandora, because Regulus know that something happens, even when I am not with him. He would sacrifice himself to save me. He just feels, if something bad happens. I don’t know how this is possible but I know that mine and his souls are tied. ’ 

The blonde girl wrinkled her brows. `Regulus Black?’ 

`Yes, he is so freaking good. I can’t even explain, how much I love him, he also has complicated situation with Sirius, and he gets me more then anyone. And he is not avoiding James, he avoids Sirius.’ Dorcas quickly added. `Sorry for avoiding you again.’ Dorcas apologised.

`I love you.’ Marlene kissed her lips gently.

Dorcas let a quiet laugh. `I love you too.’ 

£££

James wanted to see Regulus the whole week, but didn’t manage to do it. He wished the boy was more open, but was also surprised that, he said the truth about having bad day. Latino boy has also an idea of making Sirius and Regulus to talk honestly. He wished that it happened, because Sirius was hard to bare after their fight. Everything Barty or Evan did was judged by Black. When he saw his brother on the corridors, he would act like the biggest drama queen. This has also impacted Regulus as he was avoiding James like fire. Potter felt like their relationship was going back; It was always like that. When they were getting close, Regulus just starts distancing himself and avoid James. It was really unbearable for James, also the one person was getting on James nerves. 

Theodore Nott.

After the fight between Sirius and Regulus, this boy was everywhere. Of course near Regulus, and the Slytherin boy didn’t avoid him. James knew that he was jealous, because he couldn’t do anything about this whole situation; And when he saw Regulus’s name on the map, that was heading to the astronomy tower, he couldn’t wait any longer to see him. James was thinking for the whole week, how he should start the conversation. His brain only circled around Regulus and if he should start their talk by asking the question. 

When James saw Regulus looking at the stars, he forgot everything he wanted to say. He scanned the boys face and took a deep breath. He was stunning as always. `Are you avoiding me?’ 

Regulus knew that James would come to him. He actually waited for it. `Are you following me?’ The boy asked. Latino boy was sure that Regulus was flirting with him, making him forget everything again. 

`Maybe I do.’ 

Regulus tried to cover his smile. He was better then on Monday, when he last saw James. `Good.’ Black wasn’t sure if he should be so nice to James, but the boy was so surprised that it only satisfied the young boy. 

James didn’t know how to react. He was sure that, he would need to start their relationship again. For sure didn’t expect Regulus to be flirty with him. `Good?’ 

`Yeah. Good.’ 

`Are you high?’ James asked suspiciously, the French boy always was so nice when he was high or drunk.

Regulus laughed, and it was the best sound James has ever heard. `No. I am perfectly sober.’ 

James sat down next to the boy and tried to relax himself but it was hard as the only reason for James’s stress was Regulus. `I was worried about you.’ 

Regulus wasn’t sure why, but he suddenly got a need to speak French. `Pourquoi?’ The boy said in French accent. James understood that it would be the end of him. Not Regulus’s hands. Not his face or body. His French. 

`What?’ The boy tried not to squeal. 

`I asked, why.’ Said Regulus and scanned the sky again. James felt dizzy, he was never expecting Regulus to be so intimidating for him. 

James knew many languages, it was his hidden talent that no one knew. He knew how to speak in eight languages, but not French. `I don’t know French.’ 

`I can see that.’ Regulus agreed. `Tell me. Potter. What other language then English do you know. Or is it a secret.’ He said in lower voice, and James knew, that if he won’t do anything he is going to kiss Regulus that afternoon.

`It is not. Guess.’ James understood what game they were playing. `Guess how many languages, do I know.’ 

Regulus bit the corner of his lips. `Probably Spanish.’ 

`Yes.’ James said.

`It was so freakin, obvious.’ Regulus rolled his eyes.

`Six more. Guess it.’ James said, surprising Regulus. 

`What?’ Regulus asked. `You know seven languages.’ 

`Yes. Eight with English.’ 

Regulus wouldn’t expect that in any universe. `Tell me. What languages.’ 

`Okay so, Spanish,  Portuguese, German, Greek, Norwegian, Arabic and Hindi.’ James counted on his hand. 

`Norwegian? Why would you know Norwegian?’ Regulus  asked. 

`I had a friend from there.’ James explained.

`So, you have learned some Norwegian but not French?’ Regulus couldn’t complain because he saw that his accent has affected James. 

`Yeah. Sirius wasn’t really into learning me.’ Said James, but it wasn’t true. If he wanted to he would learn it. He learned almost all of the languages alone. He noticed how Regulus’s face twisted as he heard Sirius’s name. `So—.’

`Do you actually want to die?’ Regulus hissed. `Sorry, is banned.’ 

`Okay. Lo siento.’ 

`I know it means sorry.’ Regulus rolled his eyes. `Why do you know so many languages?’

`Well. I was waiting for that question actually.’ 

Slytherin boy lifted the corner of his lip a bit. `You did?’

James scratched his neck, awkwardly. He wasn’t used to Regulus being so confident. `Yes. When I was a kid, I always fascinated about knowing more languages, and every language I learned was actually kinda random.’ James explained.

`Nice.’ The boy said. 

`Nice?’

`Are you deaf?’ Regulus said. He wanted to tease James a little.

`I am just telling you that I can speak eight languages and the only thing you can say is `nice’?’

`Yes?’

James was getting frustrated by this conversation, he wanted to impress Regulus meanwhile the boy just didn’t care. 

`Oh—.’ James stopped from frustration. Regulus tried his best not to laugh. `I can swore right now, in eight different languages.’

`Don’t flatter yourself, Potter. Everyone has their own weird —.’

`Weird?’ 

`Yes, that’s what I just said.’ Regulus looked straight into James’s eyes. 

`Weird?’ This has touched James’s ego.

`Potter, everyone has other passions that matters for them.’ Regulus tried not to laugh.

`So I just told you, about my hidden talent, and it doesn’t impress you?’ James grabbed his hairs. 

`No.’ It was a big fat lie, because Regulus wished to hear James speak in those languages. It was impressive that the boy had passions like knowing languages. Regulus noted in his mind, that it is what makes James be more attractive. 

James has decided to put everything on one card, and started to be flirty. `Then what does impress you?’ 

Regulus felt shivers. He knew, he should as James was in love with Lily, but flirting never killed anybody. `Well, it is not personal, that it doesn’t impress me.’ 

`It is hard to impress you?’ James was so frustrated, that he almost stood up.

`Guess, Potter.’ 

`I—. I am not going to tolerate you—, underrating me like that.’ He pointed his finger at Regulus, warning him. 

Regulus’s face was still serious. `What are you going to do? Fight me?’ 

`Oh, you are —.’ James stoped as Regulus bursted into laugh. `You were joking the whole time?’ 

`Yes.’ The boy muttered behind his laughter. `You were so serious, I touched your ego.’ James was too stunned to speak. Regulus was joking, and laughing next to him. James couldn’t understand the mood changes that the boy had. `Potter, it is impressive.’ He whispered. 

James wanted to throw himself out of the astronomy tower, the tension between them was so sparkly, that James has felt warm in the middle of the freakin autumn. He was so frustrated that his blood was boiling, he wanted to do anything that could show his affection to Regulus but couldn’t. `Quiero besarte ahora mismo.’ 

`Excuse me?’ Regulus said, James was getting more attractive from day to day, and him speaking Spanish was turning Regulus on. 

`I said, that I want to kill you, right now.’ James said, but that was completely untrue that his cheeks became red. `So it is impressive?’

`Maybe a bit.’ 

`Me estás volviendo loco.’ James uttered.

`Stop, talking in Spanish, I don’t understand a shit. How would I know, that you are not saying a bad things about me?’ Regulus argued, because it was irritating him that the boy was so attractive while talking Spanish. It was really impressive that he knew so many languages, but he wanted to tease him more. 

James has never felt such a need to flirt with someone. `I am saying things, that you would like. Believe me.’

`Oh so you think, I would agree for you, killing me?’

`I will, if you won’t say that it is impressive.’

`But it is not.’

James pushed the young boy. `So it is not impressive? Entonces que es impresio—.’ 

`Okay. It is.’ The boy said and raised his both hands in peace. 

`I know.’ 

`If you are so freakin, confident, then why did you need my confirmation.’ James had on the tip of his tongue that he wanted, Regulus to be dazzled by him. `Never mind. It’s your ego, I know.’ 

James was astonished by the fact that he liked, when Regulus was talking like that to him. `Maybe it is.’ James said.

`Tell me the truth. Potter.’

`What truth?’ James, rested his elbow on the floor. Regulus looked at him and wished to touch his hairs. They always seemed to be so soft. 

`What you were saying.’

`That is going to be my sweet secret, baby Black.’ 

`You know what is going to be sweet? Your body, in blood, left in here after you being so freakin mysterious.’

`So you don’t like when people are mysterious?’

`I don’t like, when you are mysterious.’ 

`So you like me in general?’

Regulus snorted. `Maybe yes, maybe not.’ 

`You are impossible.’ James laughed. 

`Well, here I am.’ 

James rolled his eyes. He noticed that Regulus shivered. `Are you cold?’

`No.’ But James was already taking off his jumper. `I don’t want your jumper.’ 

`And you don’t have much to say about it.’ James protested, making Regulus roll his eyes. `If you are not going to take the jumper, at least tell me if you were avoiding me.’

`I thought McKinnon would explain that, I wasn’t avoiding you.’ Regulus said, scanning James.

`Why would she know that?’ James wrinkled his eyebrows. 

`Dorcas probably told her. Never mind, I was avoiding my brother, not you.’ Regulus admitted. `And believe me, you are always with him so it connects.’ 

James beamed. `So it did hurt you.’ 

`No, I just don’t want to cause any drama.’ Regulus lied, he didn’t want James to find out the truth, it was unnecessary and French boy already regretted of telling it to his friends. 

Latino boy sighed. `You know, I was thinking `bout words you said to me, last time.’ He was playing with his necklace. `And I recalled, what my grandmother was saying.’ 

`Yeah?’ 

`It’s Spanish saying, Lo que será, será.’ James said with Spanish accent. `It was stupid of me, because I wanted to have tattoo of it and didn’t stick to it.’ 

Regulus moved his head. `I still do not know what it means.’

`Whatever will be, will be.’ James quickly explained. `You kinda said the same things. I am dazzled, because it is really important saying. I will stick by it, thank you.’

Regulus’s brows shot up. `But it is not mine, Potter.’ 

`But you have similar point of view, I know it is not usual in your home.’ James widened his eyes as he understood what he said. `I mean, Sirius does not think this way so I assumed—.’ The boy tried to fix, what he said.

`Potter, you are right. They do not stick by those, the only motto they have is Toujours Pur.’ Regulus calmed him. 

`What does that mean?’ 

`Always pure.’ 

`Oh, it is shitty motto.’ James snorted. 

`Depends for who.’ Regulus protected his family, but he himself hated the motto.

`I see, that you think like me.’ James said.

`Where do you see that?’ 

James looked into Regulus’s eyes, causing the shivers on French boy’s back. `In your eyes, they belong to latin countries.’  

`I literally look opposite to latinos.’ Regulus stated. 

James didn’t know what guided him to say that, he just felt that it was right. He wished to take Regulus to his motherland and show him the best places. To eat mangos, or other fruits that are way better there, then they are in England. `It’s not about your look, baby Black. It about what you have here.’ The boy pointed at his heart. 

`You don’t know what is in my heart, Potter.’ Regulus breath got shallower, and he wished that James wasn’t so gold-hearted. 

`Maybe I do know, you would love latin America, and people there.’ 

Regulus tried hard to not to say, that he is already in love with one latino. `Thanks, maybe I will visit it one day.’ 

`Oh, you definitely will.’ James said, and winked at the boy. Regulus rolled his eyes, trying to cover his smile. It sounded like James was inviting him there. `I think it is my turn, to ask you truth or dare.’ 

`Of course.’ Regulus snorted. 

`Marlene mentioned that you don’t like Christmas.’ James said. `If that’s so, what is your favourite holiday?’

`Why did you assumed, I would say truth?’ Regulus tried to avoid talking about Christmas. 

`Intuition. If you want I can dare you.’ 

Regulus didn’t want to play this game. `I don’t like any of holidays.’

`WHAT?’ James screamed. `What do you mean? You have no favourite holiday?’

`Yes, I assume you have.’ 

James throw his hands up. `Yeah, I do have. I am normal person.’ 

Regulus scanned James. `So I am assuming, like normal person, it is Christmas.’

`No. My favourite holiday is Día de los Muertos.’ James proudly corrected his companion.

`Cool, Spanish again. I have no clue what is that.’ Regulus uttered. 

`It is the day of the dead. It is Mexican tradition, and as a proud Mexican I admire it.’

Regulus laughed. `I am sorry, from every holiday in the world, your favourite is the day of the dead, and I am not normal here. That is kinda creepy, you know.’ 

James face was serious. `It is not like here.’

`Then tell me about it.’ Regulus said, Gryffindor’s eyes sparkled as he heard that.

James fixed his position and beamed. `It is not sad holiday. It is beautiful, the parades, people painting skeletons on their faces and there are flowers everywhere. In Mexican culture, we are not afraid of death, because everyone will die sooner or later.’ James said excited, Regulus has never seen him so excited. Even when the boy was talking about quidditch he was less eager. `We welcome death like it’s our friend, and we also welcome dead people like this. Every Mexican has their own ofrendas, full of candles, food, flowers and pictures of dead people, mostly from our families. We believe that if someone is on the ofrenda then their souls will come to us on the Día de los Muertos.’ 

`That does sound amazing.’ Regulus admitted. 

`It is amazing. It is not sad holiday. It is actually beautiful that the dead souls could go to us, and be with us at least this one day. I also believe that our souls meets after death, and we live normally, I mean our souls live normally, just in the special city destined for souls.’ James squeaked. `We also leave food on cemetery, and what’s the best. From every person’s grave, kids are besprinkle the way to their houses with flower’s petals, so the souls could find their way to it’s old home. Whole Mexico is so colourful, everywhere are cut-outs and people are playing music, in their houses, even on the palacio municipal!!’ James shouted with eagerness 

`Well, that indeed sounds like a perfect holiday.’ Regulus whispered.

`It is, sadly I wasn’t in Mexico for Día de los Muertos, since I started Hogwarts, so I miss it.’

Regulus wrinkled his eyebrows. `So why don’t you just leave the castle, it is your favourite holiday, and part of you culture, they should let you out for one day. It wouldn’t hurt anyone.’  

`I’ve never spoke to my parents about it, to be honest.’ James said. `They don’t know I care so much about it.’ 

Regulus shook his head slowly. `Then you should talk to them, if I knew earlier I would talk to any teacher so they would let you out for this, but now it is too late, and—.’ Slytherin boy didn’t think much before saying that.

James smiled and turned his head to Regulus. `You would ask someone, if I could go to my family and celebrate Día de los Muertos? You would do that for me?’

`it is not big of a deal. Anyone could do that, and if I had to then —.’ The boy stopped as he saw James face. Latino boy was grinning at him. `What?’

`You are not as cold-hearted as everyone is saying.’ James stated, throwing Regulus out of guard. 

Regulus nervously bite the corner of his lips. `What?’

`Everyone, along with you are trying to make you look cold-hearted, egocentric asshole.’ James said.

`I am pretty sure, you are talking about my brother.’ Regulus hissed, he didn’t like where this talk was going. 

`I am talking about you. You were such a bear, when we started our lessons, I guess it was just a shell.’

`You don’t know me, maybe I am like that and now I am just playing to be nice.’ 

`No, I am trying to get to know you, and you just showed me that you care about me going for my favourite holiday.’ James pointed his finger at Regulus. 

Regulus didn’t know what to say, as he had the same conversation with his friends earlier. `I don’t think that it is an achievement, everyone would do that.’

`My friends never did that.’ James argued. 

`Maybe because they don’t know about it.’ Regulus said, he didn’t want James to think that he is warm-hearted. 

`Oh, Marlene knew.’ James said, and pinched Regulus’s cheek. `Just admit that you care.’

Regulus slapped away James’s hand. `I am not going to admit to something that ridiculous.’ 

`Why? Is your ego not letting you?’ James knew that this will piss off Regulus. The French boy’s brows shoot up. 

`My ego?’ 

`Yes you ego, Regulus Black.’

`My ego is not as big as yours.’ The boy pounded his finger to James’s chest. `I am not going to admit it, because it is not unusual.’ 

`To be honest it is. You always seemed to care only about yourself.’ James said.

`On marlins beard. That is only yours point of view.’ Regulus hissed. 

`Yes, now I am changing it, you care about me.’ 

Regulus clenched his jaw from frustration, why does talking to James Potter was so hard. `Even if, what does it change?’ 

`Many things. I have satisfaction.’ 

Regulus eye twitched. `You are so freakin’ irritating.’ 

`Oh, just admit, that I am right.’ James yelled. 

Regulus who didn’t know what to do more, took a deep breath. `Okay, maybe you are, but that’s just because you deserve to be around your culture more.’ 

`That is the most stupid thing, I’ve ever heard.’ James vividly gesticulated. 

`That’s probably because, you didn’t hear yourself.’

`Oh, Regulus sassy Black.’ James mocked the other boy.

Regulus snorted loudly. `James irritating asshole Potter.’ 

`You are such a baby.’ James teased the boy.

`One more word, and I am going away from you.’ It was lie, Regulus wouldn’t go out because he really enjoyed this talk, and company of James Potter. 

James smirked. `Oh, so you are going to force me, to follow you.’ 

`Pff, you wish.’ 

`Oh, maybe I do.’ James uttered. 

`You should be grateful, that my brother does not see you here, with me.’ Regulus sticked middle finger into Gryffindor’s direction. James widened his eyes, and begin to search for something in his clothes. 

`Shit. I forgot the map.’ The boy cursed under his nose.

`What?’

James quickly stood up. `I need to go. I am sorry, baby Black.’ James headed to the entry of the astronomy tower. 

`Wow, that was quick.’ Regulus yelled after him. `Just so you know I am not going to follow you.’ He didn’t feel sad, but the fact that James had to go, has caused a negative emotion in him.

`See you, baby Black.’ James winked at him, while opening the door. `I know you will follow me.’ And he disappeared. Regulus laughed to himself and begin to think of what James said earlier, about the day of dead. He wished it was true, maybe there Regulus would be able to say the truth to his brother. If life after death really existed then maybe there, Sirius and he would have normal relationship .