Snow- Regulus and Sirius
“Reggie, wake up.” Regulus groans into his pillow, waving an arm out to push his brother's face away. Sirius isn’t deterred and shakes Regulus’ shoulder gently until he blinks his eyes open, rubbing the sleep out of them before his gaze sharpens and he glares at Sirius.
“You better have a good reason for this.” Regulus shifts around on his bed, pulling the duvet back to let Sirius crawl in next to him, sharing the warmth. Sirius climbs up from where he is sitting cross-legged on the floor and lets Regulus drop his head onto his shoulder, dropping the duvet across his legs.
“Well, it’s your birthday, so happy birthday!” He nudges his brother slightly, wrapping an arm around him in a slightly awkward side hug.
“It’ll still be my birthday in 5 hours.” Regulus deadpans, his eyes already drooping as he rests on Sirius’ shoulder.
“Well, yes, but it might not be snowing in 5 hours,” Sirius whispers, laughing quietly as Regulus shoots up and rushes towards his window, pulling the curtains wide open.
“It’s snowing! On my birthday!” Regulus presses his face so close to the glass his breath fogs it and his nose is squashed, peering out at the falling snow with wide eyes.
There isn’t much snow, only 1 or 2 centimetres has settled, but it flurries down in a promise of a thick coating. In the morning there will probably be enough for a snowball fight, or maybe even a snowman, but their parents will never let them go out and act like children so they have to try and enjoy it in the night.
“Come on, let’s go down there.” Sirius opens Regulus’ wardrobe and searches for his winter gear. Regulus moves past him, pulling out thick gloves and a hat before leading them across the hallway to Sirius’ room, tiptoeing to avoid any noise.
“We’re going to get caught.” Regulus leans against the bed while Sirius gets ready to go out into the garden.
“Maybe, but it’ll be worth it.”
They sneak down all three sets of stairs, avoiding the creaks and holding their breath as they make their way to the back door. Kreacher always keeps a spare key hidden in a cupboard, one that their mother would’ve never gone in which Sirius takes in one hand, grabbing his boots in the other.
Regulus steps out first, flakes catching in his hair instantly, white contrasting the black curls. He looks up and sticks his tongue out to try and catch some snow on it. It’s innocent, and so childlike it’s bittersweet, it’s wonderful and this is how it should be, but it’s so rare for them to be able to have moments like these.
“Come on, race you to the pond!” Sirius darts off, ignoring Regulus' protests that he’s cheated as he chases after him. The pond sits at the far end of the garden and normally spends the winter months completely frozen over. There’s an intricately carved bench out there that they normally hide out that Sirius grabs on too, whisper-shouting that he wins.
“That’s not fair, you ran off before I knew we were racing.” Regulus whines, pushing his shoulder and pouting. Sirius tilts his head up, closing his eyes and feeling the snow fall onto his face.
Suddenly, he jumps up, yelping as a clump of snow falls down the back of his shirt. He turns to Regulus who just looks at him with a wide smile, his anger dissipating instantly,
“Happy birthday Reggie.”