Sincerely, Sirius

It took everything he had left in him to push off the dark blanket covering his senses. Sound was the first thing to come back to him.

He could hear his own heartbeat, loud and steady. That's a good start. He could hear his own shuddering breaths. Not as good as it could be, but his lungs were at least functioning. 

Then he heard the person breathing next to him. Soft sobs, gasping for air like it was their body that had just given out.

It took him a moment, but he managed to force his eyes open. Turning his head, he first saw the skirt-draped legs mere inches from his head. Lifting his eyes, he followed the body up to the loose black curls crowning a head that was buried in their knees.

“Re–Reggie?”

The head shot up, red-rimmed silver eyes locking on his. “Sirius!”

His brother launched himself at him. Wrapping shaking arms around his neck with an embrace clearly stronger than death.

Oh, there's the pain, he gasped. Gently peeling himself out of Regulus's grasp. 

“What happened?” he croaked. Merlin, his throat hurt.

Regulus opened his mouth to reply but had to stop, covering the sob that escaped him. It took a few deep breaths before he attempted to speak again, “What happened? What happened is I bloody told you not to touch anything!”

The watch, right. He slumped back onto the floor. Apparently, at some point in his ordeal, he had gone from the chair to the rug. "Technically, I think you said not to touch the books.”

His brother smacked his arm at that, “I didn't think you were stupid enough to touch anything else.”

“I just wanted to make sure we weren't running out of time.” His eyes flew open again as he looked back at his brother. Shit, he was looking at Regulus's face, not Bellatrix. “Fuck. Reg, your face! What are we going to do?”

“We need to sneak out as fast as possible.”

“But the Horcrux?”

“I have it; it was in a secret compartment under the table here. I could feel its magic radiating while I was down here saving your life.”

“Thanks for that.” He muttered as he tried to push himself up. “Let's get out of here.”

Regulus reached out and took his hand, helping him stand. “Take it easy, though; you can't pass out in the hallway.”

He was a little wobbly on his feet, but with his brother's help, he stayed upright, hobbling together for a few steps until Sirius got his bearings.

He moved slowly as they made their way back into the main library. Checking the hallway, they found it still clear and started to make their way down the halls toward the front door.

Everything was quiet until they made their way to the entry hall. Where they could clearly hear voices coming from the cracked door of Lucius's office.

“...His information has been reliable until now. I trust that this recent misstep will not be repeated; he knows what will happen if it is…”

Sirius turned wide eyes on his brother, “Is that...?"

“Voldemort.” Regulus nodded.

“Perhaps it can work in our favor that the blood traitor was not captured. The child from the prophecy belongs to one of his friends. He could still be useful if we were to…”

He felt himself drifting forward, trying to get closer to hear what Lucius was saying to Voldemort. What was this about a prophecy?

He felt a hand come down hard around his bicep. Pulling him back toward the direction they had come. He tried to fight him, but Regulus succeeded in pulling him back around the corner. 

Sirius tried to indicate that they should stay and eavesdrop, but his brother vehemently shook his head. Pushing Sirius back against the wall, he whispered, "You are only dying once today.”

He was going to argue; that was second nature with the two of them, after all. But the look on his brother's face stopped him. The fear lingering in his eyes told him just how little good arguing would do.

Instead, he nodded for Regulus to lead the way. Following as he turned and snuck back in the direction they had just come, he turned the corner and came face-to-face with Narcissa.

"Shit," Sirius cursed quietly.

Narcissa was staring, eyes unblinking as she looked between her two younger cousins. A small bundle of cloth tucked against her chest caught Sirius's eye as it wriggled.

They all stood frozen for a moment before Narcissa seemed to snap out of it and pushed open a door near her. Silently nodding for them to follow her into the room.

Sirius looked to Regulus, who paused for only a second before following his cousin into the room. Not to be left behind, Sirius walked in after them.

He watched as Narcissa silently shut the door behind them, eyes flicking from one brother to the other. 

“I knew you were still alive.” She reached out and folded Regulus into her open arms.

To Sirius's surprise, his brother went willingly, wrapping his arms around Narcissa with a small smile tugging at his lips. “I am, but Cissy, you can't tell anyone.” He looked into her face. “Please.”

“I would never. I've only ever wanted you safe, Regulus, and you too, Sirius. I know we were never as close, but… you remind me so much of Andromeda. I'm glad you got out; I'm glad both of you got out.”

“She misses you.” He blurted before he could stop himself.

Narcissa’s eyes dropped to the bundle in her arms. “And I miss her as well. If the world were different, I think we all could have been happy. Together as a family.”

Regulus pulled back from Narcissa's hold and looked between the two, determination in his eyes. “We still can be. At least those of us who are worthwhile. No offense, but I don't think Bellatrix would fit into the happy family mold in any universe.”

“Neither would either of our parents,” Sirius added with a light chuckle. “You and Andy, though, I think we could have.”

Narcissa smiled at him, “If you see her, can you tell her I love her?” She waited for him to nod before continuing, "Thank you. You need to leave right now, though; the Dark Lord is speaking with Lucius in the office, but they won't take long.”

Sirius watched as Regulus pulled Narcissa into another hug, pulling away quickly at the upset squawk the bundle in her arms made.

“Is this Draco?” Reggie asked.

Narcissa pulled the blanket back to reveal the scrunching face of a baby ready to make his displeasure known. His red face was a stark contrast to his pale blonde hair and the ivory skin of his clenched fists. “He certainly is, Draco Lucius Malfoy.” She turned her smile to Sirius, “Would you like to say hello to your baby cousin before he saves your life?”

Sirius stepped up to them, peering down at the newborn. The baby's gray eyes looked back up between his and Regulus's. 

Guess that makes it three children he actually likes.

After a moment, little Draco's eyes settled on him, an odd expression on his face. If he didn't know any better, he would have thought the kid was judging him harshly. 

Apparently, he did not pass whatever test the child had set because it instantly let out a shriek that rivaled an Augurey. 

Maybe it is just two.

Narcissa smiled down at her son, “That's my cue. I won't ask questions right now as I'm fairly certain I know why you're here, but someday I expect to hear all about it.” She turned to walk to the door, quietly unlatching it and stepping out. “Be safe, both of you.”

Before either could respond, she was gone, the clack of her heels on the marble floor retreating toward the office. 

When they heard the cries cut off by the click of a door, they both peeked out into the hallway. Seeing that it was clear, they stepped out.

They made their way toward the front door again. This time, hearing the muffled voices and the sound of a screaming child coming from inside the office, the door shut firmly.

He couldn't help but think it was either very brave or very stupid (perhaps both) to bring a screaming child into the presence of Voldemort. Sirius didn't think the man would think twice about killing the child for being a nuisance.

They crept forward, past the office and to the front door. Quickly, they swung it open and stepped out. They were closing it behind them just as the office door reopened. 

Narcissa and Draco had given them just enough time to escape with the Horcrux. 

They crossed the wards, and Regulus immediately took Sirius's arm and apparated away.

—

When they landed again, Sirius did not recognize where they were. He had expected they would return to the shack in the forest in Wales. This certainly wasn't that, though it looked more like a park.

He realized with a start that they were in the park near Grimmauld Place in Islington. The one they had come to as children when they were allowed fleeting moments of near freedom to be kids.

They hadn't been here together since they started Hogwarts, and Sirius hadn't come since he ran away. 

Looking at his brother, he started to ask why they were here but was interrupted by Regulus speaking, “I got a flat, just across the park.” He pointed. “After you showed up at my last one, I came here sometimes in the weeks until I sent you that letter. It made me feel better to see a place where we had been happy. So when I saw that a flat was for rent overlooking the park, I took it.” He started walking, so Sirius followed.

He realized just how much of that he had been doing. Following Regulus. Where he went, with his plans, all by his lead. He followed Regulus, and he would keep following him right to the end of this war. 

Then maybe they could learn how to walk side-by-side again.

Regulus led him up a set of stone steps and into an old Victorian building. He went up a flight of stairs and walked into a small flat.

Sirius looked around. The flat was filled with dark woods and small patterned wallpaper. It reminded him of their parents' home. He felt his shoulders tense up in the dark space, a feeling of claustrophobia settling in his bones. Flashes of standing in his father's stuffy study, where he was beaten and berated, came flooding in.

But then Regulus reached for the drapes and flung them open.

He looked around again. Light spread through the space and lit it up as it truly was. There were paintings all over the walls, not angry ones of ancestors who screamed their displeasure. These ones were of two young boys smiling in a park. Running around trees and chasing the memories that would guide them through the darkest moments. 

A few were clearly Regulus’s friends from school, filled with love for the people in his life. Then there was one with warm brown eyes and gold-rimmed spectacles that Sirius recognized immediately. He couldn't make himself face that one, though, so he turned his head away. 

On the opposite wall was a small framed photograph, the one of the two of them. The one he returned to Regulus after he had left it behind in his old flat.

No, this home was nothing like Grimmauld Place. This was a home Regulus had filled with love and joyful memories.

He turned to his brother, who had been watching him the whole time. “Your paintings are beautiful, Reggie.”

Regulus shrugged. Coming to stand in front of Sirius, he looked over his shoulder at the painting of James. “They're all right."

He scoffed, “Much better than all right, but these ones are very different from the ones in your other flat. Those were all landscapes and vegetables and shit.”

A warm laugh sounded next to him, brightening the space further. “Yes, I was painting to cope then. I'm painting to hope now.”

“And what do you hope for, Reggie?”

“I hope for a future where my happiest moments aren't in paintings, but are happening every day.”

—

When Sirius got home, he set to work. He and Regulus had discussed their theories about the location of the last Horcrux over dinner. Deciding very quickly that it must be at Hogwarts and most likely in the room of hidden things.

This meant that Sirius needed to get permission from Dumbledore for himself and a friend to be in the castle for a day.

Thankfully, his being in the Order did give him some leeway in regard to begging favors from the headmaster. Within a few days, he got back a letter with written permission to come to Hogwarts as long as it was during the winter holidays.

That was two months away. Surely they could wait two months. They had other things they could plan. How to take down Voldemort once they had all the Horcruxes came to mind.

He walked to his desk to write to Regulus; no need to delay their planning.

Dear Reggie,

I have heard back from Dumbledore regarding access to Hogwarts for me and a friend. He granted approval so long as we are there when classes are not being held over the winter holidays. I know you were hoping to go sooner, but I can't see a way around it. So we will have to wait the two months. 

The full moon in December is the 21st, which is the day after the students leave, so it is not only the most convenient time but also the soonest we can get there. We can meet at the Three Broomsticks at 10 a.m. Please don't be late again.

If you would be interested, I can still come to yours for the November moon, and we can discuss other plans. I would like to spend more time with you. 

With love,

Sincerely, Sirius