The stars are beautiful tonight aren’t they?

And yes, that was it, he would be leaving. He couldn’t bear staying one more minute in this house, with what were supposed to be his “parents”.
Once more, Walburga and Orion had beaten Sirius for hours under the powerless gaze of his brother Regulus. Sirius had refused to take the Dark Mark once more and of course his parents had punished him with a Cruciatus. But he didn’t really care, as long as he didn’t have to take the mark. However, after this intense beating, Sirius limped back to his room, where Regulus entered mere seconds after seconds after him. “Siri… You have to leave; you can’t stay anymore…”
“And what, leave you on your own with them?!” “You don’t understand Siri! They’ll kill you if you stay! I heard last night! They were saying that they would take you to take the Dark Mark tomorrow, and that if you refuse, they would kill you! You can’t stay here!” and Regulus broke down, tears streaming down his cheeks. “I can’t afford to lose you Siri…” When Sirius looked into Regulus’ eyes, he could see that he was sad and desperate, desperate for Sirius not to leave him but desperate because he knew he had to leave if he ever wanted to see him again. “Reg, I – I can’t leave you there with them! If I’m not here anymore, there will take the all beat-up thing only on you!” “I can take it Sirius! I know I’m not as brave as you, but I can take it! For you! For knowing that my brother is safe! It’s not too late for you, you can still be saved!” Sirius looked at him with wide eyes “What do you mean ‘for you’? What did they do?! What did they say?!” “Nothing yet, but Sirius I’m not you… I can’t face them like you do, I know one day or the other, I’ll have to accept their wishes…” Sirius erupted: “No you don’t! Come with me! We can be free, saved, together!” “Sirius… You know what they’ll do if we both go… They’ll search for us. If you’re the only one to go, then maybe that can settle them; I’ll be there to contain them, I never really got out of line, they can’t kill me!” There was a silence. “Why Reg, why do you have to stay?! They wouldn’t find us at James’ house, we’ll be protected” “You know like me that if we both disappeared, they would move everything to find us, and punish us, both. If you’re the only one to go, then they won’t search for you, you’re a ‘dishonor’ as they say after all, you’ve got nothing to lose!... Please Sirius, go! Don’t worry for me, I’ll do fine!” Sirius seemed to be thinking for a while. He looked at Regulus, his younger brother, his best friend. They used to be really close when they were younger, but they kind of drew apart when Sirius went to Hogwarts, but still, they loved each other, and Sirius was always there to protect him. What were their parents going to do to him once he left? But he couldn’t let himself killed, because that wouldn’t save Regulus. And he knew deep down that Regulus was right. If they left together, the parents would find them. “Fine. I’ll go. But don’t you dare get hurt! You understand me?! And if you need anything, you owl me!” “Don’t. Worry. Sirius. I’ll. Be. Fine. Now, prepare your trunk and go! I’ll see at school.” I hope…
Moments later, Sirius was ready to go. His trunk was packed and his bag ready. He looked at Regulus who himself looked like struggling to keep his tears inside. In the Black Family, they always to hide their emotions, keeping a straight face, a mask. Regulus was the best at this, and that’s probably why he was better at their parent’s little game. Sirius was never able to completely hide his emotions, and his parents particularly could always see through it. “Well… I. guess that’s it Reg… You sure you don’t wanna come? You know the Potters would welcome you openly…” “Yes, I’m sure Siri. Now, go before either of us change our mind.” Sirius nodded and enveloped his brother into a hug. “Bye Sirius… I love you…” “Love you to Reggie, please promise me you’ll be careful…” “I will.” With that, Regulus got out of Sirius’ room, checking no one was in sight and called Sirius out. The older boy left the house silently, feeling guilty for letting his brother there while the younger one went in his room, feeling sad and desperate.
Once outside, Sirius lifted his wand to call the Knight Bus which appeared suddenly, almost driving over him. Once inside, he asked for Godric’s Hollow, and after a much too violent, but thank god short, travel; he was at the Potters, and the day had fall. He knocked on the door, tears menacing to fell. The door opened shortly after to let appear James. When he realized it was Sirius, he opened the door wider to let him in; and that’s when he saw Sirius’ expression. He immediately understood something happened, most likely his family throwing him out or something linked to his family. When he saw his trunk, he understood it was very serious “Padfoot, what happened?” “I, I fled… I couldn’t stay there…” “Finally?! What did your… family,” and he used all of the disdain he could muster to accentuate the word, “did this time?” Just after James said that, Sirius became a crying mess, even attracting James’s parents who came from the kitchen a worried expression on their face. The only words everyone was able to understand were “Cruciatus” “Regulus” and “Dark Mark”. When he heard Regulus’ name, James became angry. “What did you brother do?? Did he finally got the mark as your parents wanted? Or maybe he insulted you alongside them?!” he spat hatefully. Suddenly, Sirius turned sharply to him. “NO! That’s not what he did! He sacrificed himself…… for me… He told me he eavesdropped our parents that were talking about me. They were saying that they would bring me to Voldemort to become his servant and take the mark, and that if I refused, they would kill me. So, Regulus… Regulus told me to leave while I had time, and he stayed so they wouldn’t come search for us so I could stay safe… And now, now I left him there, I’m so scared for him…I. should have never done that, now he’s gonna be forced to do what they want, I should have insisted more, forced him to come…” Immediately, Euphemia Potter, James’ mom, came to hug him. James was silenced by Sirius’ revelation about Regulus. He never thought that he would actually help or defend Sirius, they always seemed so distant, while Sirius was the rebel, Regulus was the obedient one. “Erm… Sorry there Pad, I didn’t think he would do that… Maybe we can try to have him come over?” From the bones crushing hug Euphemia was giving Sirius, the latter answered, his voice muffled “He’ll refuse, I know him. And it would be risky to send letters, the parents could read them…” James tried to argue but Sirius told him what Regulus had told him, and those were good arguments, but still, James felt bad for leaving Regulus with the monsters the Black brothers had for parents. The subject was dropped, and everyone went off to bed. The rest of the summer vacations went by quickly, with Sirius and James playing Quidditch outside, sleeping until lunch, planning pranks, visiting Muggle London and Diagon Alley among other stuff. Then, it was time to go back to school, and Sirius realized that he was going to see Regulus again. Would he want to talk to him still? And mainly, would he be okay??
When he and James got to King Cross, they said goodbye to the Potters, and they went through the barrier 9 ¾. Sirius was looking for Regulus but he couldn’t seem to find him among all of the people. He was desperately looking around and James noticed. “Who are you looking for?” Sirius murmured “Reggie… Do you think he’s okay?” James sighed. He didn’t really know what to say to comfort his friend. He would never admit it, but he was worried too for Regulus. Even though he never was a model brother for Sirius, well he did stay this fateful night during the summer to protect Sirius, and well, he couldn’t say that Sirius ever was a much better brother either. And he hoped that Regulus didn’t pay the price for this. So he just patted his shoulder “Don’t worry Pads, he should be fine.” Sirius only looked half-convinced, but he still got in the train, beginning to look for the compartment where Remus and Peter probably already were. No one saw Regulus during the train ride, and when finally, James and Sirius were able to lay their eyes on him, they could only see his back as he was turned, not facing them. “I’ll go talk to him!” suddenly said Sirius while they were eating. Remus intervened “No, you shouldn’t go. He’s at the Slytherin table, close to Bellatrix, it could just cause some sort of misunderstanding or something, you know how your family is.” And unfortunately, Sirius knew he was right, even if it hurt to realize it. Finally, when the feast was finished, everyone got up, and the Marauders could finally see Regulus. And they weren’t ready for what they saw. He was much paler than usual. Not his usual elegant and distinguished pale skin, a much paler tone if it was possible. His eyes looked sad and like he’d given up. Even if he tried to hide it, they could see the bruises on his neck. Sirius felt his heart shatter in pieces at the sight, and James were not far from it. Remus wrapped his arm over Sirius shoulders in a consoling manner, guiding him to Gryffindor Tower while trying to distract him. In the meantime, James was lost in his thoughts. He didn’t know what to think, say or do. He wanted to help Regulus, but from Sirius said to him, he apparently didn’t want help and didn’t think he could be saved. In the dorm, no one said anything, not knowing what to say. Sirius looked like he wanted to cry and at the same time felt so guilty. Everyone went to bed, hoping for a better tomorrow.
James was in his bed, curtains closed, looking at the Marauders’ Map. For once he wasn’t looking for Lily Evans, no, he was just looking around. It was pretty late, and that’s when he saw it, or rather him. The name Regulus Arcturus Black, alone, in the Astronomy Tower. At almost midnight. And even before he understood what he was doing, James took the map and his old Invisibility Cloak and he left the dormitory, after checking that everyone was asleep. His steps took him to the Astronomy Tower. He went up the stairs and took off the cloak. And let’s say that he was rather surprised at the almost ethereal sigh of Regulus. James knew he was rather attractive, being the brother of Sirius and a Black. He had long dark curls, and he was rather tall for his age, skinny but not scrawny, he could see he was rather fit (how did James knew that? Well, he just knew from Quidditch y’know) and had such a presence. But tonight, that’s not what James noticed, well not only (even if he didn’t really realize that). No, he noticed that Regulus, THE Regulus Black, was actually smoking. A Muggle cigarette. He held the cigarette in his right hand, between his middle and pointer finger. He slowly brought his hand up to take a drag, sending the smoke up in the night sky. He was leaning against the wall, looking rather mysterious and still so sexy as he took another drag on his cigarette, acting like he did it all of his life. Suddenly, as if feeling a presence, he turned towards James. He seemed surprised to see him there.
James could still see the paleness on Regulus’ face and the bruises on his neck, disappearing inside his shirt. “Regulus… are you okay? And should we talk about the fact that you’re smoking up the Astronomy Tower? After midnight? Why are you even up?” Regulus looked at him with a sneer. “Why are you here Potter?” James shrugged “Just taking a walk, couldn’t sleep.” A lie.
There was a silence. Regulus was still smoking, looking up at the dark sky, and he murmured “The stars are beautiful tonight, aren’t they?” His eyes were sad, as if he was missing something or longing for it, but he didn’t let anything show on his face, always keeping his mask and his emotions well hidden. “Reg… Sirius is worried for you…Let him talk to you…And, well I guess I’m worried too, after what you did for Sirius…” “Don’t call me that Potter. And I did nothing. There’s nothing to worry about.” He crushed his cigarette blowing the last of the smoke in James’ face. “Now, if you’ll let me Potter, I’d like to go to bed. It’s rather late you see, and we have school tomorrow” he said sarcastically. Regulus was almost at the door when James realized and understood what he said. “Wait Reg!” Regulus sent a death glare to him “Don’t you call me that Potter! What do you want?” James seemed taken aback by the question. “Well Reg, just want to talk” he said with a grin. Regulus eyed him suspiciously. “Why would you want to speak to me?” “Well as I said, but it seemed you weren’t listening…” He was interrupted by Regulus: “Me pretending to listen should be enough for you” he said sarcastically. James was, another time, gob smacked by Regulus retorting like that to him, and he realized that he had been shut up by a Slytherin, his best friend’s brother additionally, twice in the same night. He looked at him, mouth opened, not able to produce a sound. “Well, you really are the epitome of loquacity and vivacity, aren’t you Potter?” Regulus added to face James’ lack of response. Finally, James was able to find his voice. “Well Reg, I didn’t know you could be that sarcastic and impudent. Even Sirius isn’t like that” he said with a smile. A sarcastic tone answered him. “Yes, well strangely enough, the only difference between us is not only our given name you see.” Regulus was glaring at him, with an annoyed look in his eyes. “Reg, please will just stop with the sarcasm and hear me out?” “Don’t call me that. And it’s been approximately,” he looked at his watch, “10 minutes I’ve been listening to your rambling Potter. Or your lack of reaction or even intelligence for that matter.” James sighed. “Reg, I’m, WE are worried for you. And Sirius is.”
James’ tone was more serious. “Did they… hurt you Reg?” Even though Regulus tried to keep his mask, James could see some emotions pass on his face and in his eyes as he asked about his home life, his parents. He had never seen something like in someone else’s eyes. There was sadness, disgust, hatred but also weakness and abandon. His eyes were far too serious for someone this age, like he went through too much stuff he shouldn’t have. “Don’t call me that Potter! And I said I’m fine.” When he said fine, he looked everywhere but in James’ eyes. And again, as he lit another cigarette, he used sarcasm to keep people away. “What doesn’t kill you gives you a set of unhealthy coping mechanisms and a dark sense of humor. See?” He blew the smoke towards the sky, looking everywhere but in James’ eyes. Who was again unsure of what to say. Regulus was sometimes so… cynic and biting and mean, but, well that was part of his… charm? Wait, did James just thought that Regulus had charm? Anyway.
“Regulus… Please. You know that we are worried. So stop hiding your emotions and tell me what you feel and what happened!” Regulus glared at him and when he spoke, his voice was dark and menacing, almost screaming at James. “You wanna know how I feel? Do you?! Well I’ll tell you! I feel fucking terrified every time I see my parents, my bloody parents! And I feel fucking paralyzed. Because I know they’ll beat the crap out of me for not telling them that Sirius left, for not being strong enough, for being gay or for some other shit like that! Or because I know that they’ll Crucio me until I pass out! I feel FUCKING TERRIFIED because I know that at Christmas, they’ll force me into taking the Dark Mark and I can do NOTHING about it because they’re so rich and powerful that they can come and take me whenever the fuck they want! You wanna know how I feel?! Are you sure? Because I feel like every day, I’ll explode! I’m so fucking scared that if I don’t comply to my parents’ wishes, then they’ll just send one of the Dark Lord pawns to torture me in my own school! I can’t make a step without fearing what will happened to me! But you, the big mighty Golden Boy Potter can’t believe this right, because that’s everything I deserve right?”
That left Regulus breathless, tears in the eyes, and for the first time since long, he let down his mask. Showing his vulnerability, his fears. But before James had a chance to say anything, Regulus turned away and left the tower in a billowing of robes. James was shocked by Regulus’ revelations. Yes, he knew that Sirius was beaten, but Regulus too? Crucio, his parents used the Cruciatus on him?! How could they hurt him? He thought he was their “Golden Boy”, their favorite son and all. But apparently, Regulus feared them, was worry. And apparently, he was going to be forced to take the Dark Mark. Against his will. Or else… well the consequences while not clear were promising of violence. James was thinking back to what Regulus said, and especially to why he was beaten up. Because he protected Sirius (who would feel so guilty learning that), because he was gay, because – wait, did he say he was gay? Regulus Black? Well, he could say that tonight was the night when James learned a lot of things about Regulus!
He didn’t know if he should tell Sirius about everything that happens, and especially everything Regulus told him. He wanted to help him, he had to do something for him, he couldn’t just stay there doing nothing after what he heard. And he felt like it would be betraying Regulus’ trust if he said everything to Sirius. But wouldn’t it break Sirius’ trust if he didn’t tell him?
But he decided then and there that he would try to help him. Afterall, he was the most thick-headed and stubborn person you could met. Once he decided to do something, he would, such as chasing after Lily since 1st Year…), and he decided to help Regulus out of his misery and sadness. Lost in his thoughts and plans, he went back to the Gryffindor Tower and to his bed, trying to find a way to help Regulus. He could invite him over at Christmas to avoid getting the Mark, but he was sure he would say no, so he had to find a way to convince him to leave his parents. Without fearing for his or Sirius’ security. He fell asleep lost in the thoughts of his plan.