Across the stars

A few hours past after breakfast and they were all in the sitting room. All though, Sirius thought, this version of it could easily be called a living room, or a lounge room, as the people in it were actually relaxed, they all fell into the soft cushions of the coach.

Instead of sitting politely as ever, on material that at times felt hard as rock, as various cold, hollow eyes around the room what your every room.

Orion was holding a book and pointing to different underlined words as Regulus sat next to him, watching the book with interest. The book was on defensive spells, how ironic, if anything the father Sirius knew would be teaching poor Regulus the exact opposite of defensive spells.

“So would you like to test one of these out Reggie?” His mother asked, getting up from her place on the armchair and moving towards the rest of them, an amused smile showing on her face.

“Do you think I’m ready?” Regulus looked up at Orion with curiosity for approval.

“Of course you are my boy!” Orion replied, giving Regulus an approving pat on the back.

“Well, you’ll need someone to defend against. I’ll take the honours.” Walburga stated as she walked to the open space in the room. All the while Sirius was watching this conversation with awe.

“Alright, do you remember the wand movements?” She said, taking out her wand.

Sirius’ heart skipped a beat.

“Explelliar-“

And just like that Sirius leaped out of the couch, running to his brother’s aid. Everything he had learnt in the last few hours had completely disappeared from his memory, all that mattered was Regulus.

Suddenly he was 10 again, rushing to poor little Reggie’s side, shielding him from her.

All he knew was that she was trying to hurt Regulus, and Sirius would protect him in this horrid house no matter the cost. No matter what vile curse that woman was trying to throw at his baby brother.

“NO- . STOP!” Sirius yelled as he formed a human shield around Regulus.

He was scared, Sirius was so so scared. He was about to get hit with some foul curse then of course get yelled at and probably get punished for his actions with something much, much worse.

He could feel it before it happened. Every single fragment of his body turning and twisting with unspeakable pain. The sensation of glass shards breaking their way through his skin like daggers. It hurt, it hurt so much. It was worth it though, if it meant Reggie was safe.

But it never came. Not the yelling, not the cursing, not the pain. None of it. Instead a soft hand came onto his shoulder, and he flinched.

“Sirius?” It was her voice. What kind of sick game was she playing?

“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” Sirius slowly looked up at her to see genuin concern casted over her face.

“I- I just,” Sirius was at a loss of words, this all still far too confusing for him.

It took for Regulus to start speaking for Sirius to remember where exactly he was.

“Siri, you know mum wasn’t trying to hurt me.”

“It was only a simple dissarming spell darling. I would never dream of hurting your brother.”

“Right, of- of course, sorry moth- mum,” Sirius stuttered out. “I thought I heard a different spell. Th-that’s all.”

“Well, good job for wanting to protect Regulus like that son.” His father chipped in as Sirius fell back onto the couch.

This will take a lot of getting used to.

—————————

“Hey, I haven’t shown you my painting yet Siri. Want to see?” Regulus was obviously bored, so Sirius agreed.

He followed Regulus to his room, closely followed by their parents, because here they were actually nice people that care about their kids. Sirius liked that.

Regulus’ room seemed very different to what he was used to. It was still very green, as that seemed to be his favourite colour.

But just like all the other rooms that Sirius has seen in this house it was warmer, the corners of his bed didn’t feel as harsh, and there were several things decorated his wall which weren’t there before. As both Regulus and his parents would deem such things as pointless clutter, but not here.

There was a huge bookshelf with as many books as you could ever imagine, and lots of paintings, big and small, up on the walls. But a large portion of the room was filled with canvas’ and paint, far too artsy for Sirius.

Sitting on the easel was a completed painting, waiting proudly to be hung somewhere. It was of the ocean, with a cave far in the distance. It looked so fabulous. Each wave blending together peacefully, with small crashing hard against the cave wall. All the different colours too, each complementing one another. Merlin, was he a good painter.

“It’s beautiful Reggie.” Sirius stated, looking over to a blushing Regulus.

“I’m glad you like it, though I didn’t know if I should add more to the water, as you can tell some of it isn’t going in the right direction and then-“

Sirius cut him off, “Stop worrying Reggie, it looks perfect to me.” He’s missed calling his little brother Reggie, and he quite liked it.

“Alright, thanks.” Regulus said, admitted defeat.
—————————

Before he knew it Sirius was back in the dining room for dinner. Around him, his family was chatting happily.

“So boys, you’ve been here nearly two weeks and I’ve barely heard any gossip from Hogwarts. Tell me everything!”

That was definitely something that needed getting used to, his mother being interested in the hot goss.

There was no response.

“Oh don’t all speak at once, please! Come on, Reg what’s been going on with your friends recently?” She continued, a fake hurt crossing her face.

“Sorry, sorry mum, I was still chewing on my food,” Reggie told her, “Well Barty and Evan are finally a thing, thank Merlin because it was torture watching them fawn over each other for years.”

Sirius turned his head to face Regulus so quick he might have gotten whiplash. Did he just admit a gay relationship to their parents? He waited for the curse to come, to see a quick flash of light across the table. But no, instead he heard his mother’s voice.

“Well isn’t that lovely to hear, I’m happy for those boys. And how about Pandora, is she doing well?”

“Yeah, she sent me a letter yesterday. Dora and her family went to Switzerland for Christmas, to visit distant relatives or something. She said the snow there has a different projectile aura to here, whatever that means.She says the weirdest stuff sometimes.” Reggie finished with a laugh.

“What about you Sirius, you’ve been awfully quiet all day.” Walburga questioned.

“I guess, sorry, I didn’t sleep well last night, that’s all.” Sirius managed to get out, usually he could lie with his hands tied behind his back, but today was odd.

“Aw, you poor thing. Well tell me about your friends. How’s James going, is he alright being back home and all?”

“What, yeah he’s fine.” Why was she asking if James was ok at home? Of course he would, his parents are some of the nicest people Sirius had ever met. What a weird thing to ask.

“And you know I have to ask, how’s it going between you and Remus?” She asked this like a teenage girl would ask their friend about a crush, it freaked Sirius out.

“Well, last I saw them, they were kissing on the train home.” Regulus offered.

Sirius nearly choked on his drink.

WHAT DID HE JUST SAY? They were kissing? On the train??? Sure Sirius has had the biggest crush on Remus for the past year and a half, but there was no way Remus would ever like him back.

What with his perfect fluffy hair, and his hazel eyes that shun so gorgeously in the light, and those soft lips that Sirius could stare at for hours wishing they connected with his own. There was just no way that amazing boy could like him back, no Reggie must be mistaken.

“Oh don’t go acting so surprised, you know how long Mum’s been wanting you to ask him out.” Regulus shoved him playfully in the elbow.

“Sirius, I'm glad you finally told him how you feel. How’s it happen?” Walburga asked curiously.

Yeah, how did it happen, Sirius thought. Because he has no memory of it happening, it happened to a different Sirius, one obviously braver than him. Guess he’d have to bullshit his way through this one. And what would it matter no one at this table was there to see it happen right?

“Well we were on the train, nearly at Kings Cross and I took him to an empty compartment and I just kinda of asked him.” Sirius said, hoping that would work.

“Oh how exciting, you must invite him over for the summer, given there’s only a few days left of this break.”

—————————

Sirius entered his room for the first time that day since he woke up and collapsed onto his bed.

His room, like Reggie’s, was different too. Guess he was too tired to notice when he woke up. But instead of the trademark Black family green everywhere there was red and gold, his favourite colours (not only because he was in Gryffindor). There were band posters on his walls and muggle record machine sitting in the corner, things his mother would burn at first glance.

But not here, it was so much better. And right at that moment Sirius finally had some time to think about it, all by himself.

This day was one of the calmest days he’s had in this house for years. And his parents actually loved him, they weren’t giving him punishments left and right.

Everything was going very well for Sirius here. He’s happy, his brother’s happy, his parents are kind, and he’s scored Remus.

He quite liked it, and wished that he could stay here forever. Praying it all wasn’t some crazy lucid dream. He was suddenly pulled out of his thoughts by someone calling his name.

“Sirius! Sirius, are you there?”

Where the hell was that coming from? Sirius scanned the room and realised it was from his leather jacket, sitting peacefully on top of a chair in the corner of his room.

“Sirius?”

But whose voice was that? He reached instead the pocket to find a compact mirror.

Of course! It was James, He had given Sirius a two way mirror at the end of second year so that he wouldn’t have to feel completely alone during the summer holidays. But why was James the one trying to frantically contact him?

“James, I’m here. What’s going on?” Sirius asked.

James’ eyes were rimmed red.

“I-It’s my parents.”

“Your parents? What happened with them?” Sirius asked in a confused yet humorous tone.

“They uh, they just,” A look of sheer terror formed on James face as he turned his head to see through the open door behind him.

When he looked back to Sirius, it was immediately gone, replaced with a more neutral expression. More like a mask.

“They’re really getting on my nerves, you know. Been spending too much time with them.” James said with a hollow laugh.

But Sirius recognised those signs, the fear, the mask, the nonchalance. He’s seen it in Regulus far too many times, himself as well. But surely it’s not the same, not with James right. What’s he got to worry about?

“JAMES FLEAMONT POTTER!” A distant voice screeched in the background of James' home.

Now Sirius recognises that tone. It never leads to something good, not even once. Yet, the only people Sirius could think to be saying that are James’ parents, but why? How? Then it hit him.

Oh, no. Oh, no no no no.

James was in trouble.