Chapter 6
Regulus
The first time it happened, Regulus was five.
He didn’t understand why he was in trouble. Looking back he would never know what he did. But he would always remember the punishment.
It lasted two and a half days. Locked in his room, alone, for two and a half days.
His mother and father often withheld food as a punishment, sending the boys to bed without dinner, not allowing them breakfast if they slept in. He was used to not eating when he got hungry, something no five year old should ever be used too. But he was.
So, he hadn’t complained when dinner time passed, and his door was still closed. He didn’t cry when his door wouldn’t open for breakfast. But when lunchtime approached, he did. He begged his parents to open the door. They didn’t. He called for Kreature. He wouldn’t come.
Eventually, he stopped. And when he stopped a glass of water appeared on his nightstand. He’d drunk it immediately and to his surprise and delight, the glass refilled. He thought perhaps if he stayed quiet, a bowl might appear. It didn’t. Water was the only thing he was permitted. His parents didn’t want him dead, but they did want him to learn a lesson.
He was in trouble again the next week. Speaking when aunt Druella spoke. It lasted three days that time.
It became a staple punishment for Regulus. Being locked away. Having food withheld. And his parents achieved what they wanted. He learned his lesson. Food was a luxury. It was earned and could be taken away.
Chores incomplete? No lunch.
Homework subpar? No dinner.
Too much emotion? His room.
His brother had told him that Hogwarts didn’t have these rules. That students could have whatever they wanted, no matter what. Regulus found that wasn’t the case. The rules were still there, just inside his own head.
But it wasn’t the perfect solution anymore.
At home it was different. He’d be locked inside his room with nothing else to do but think about his next meal. At Hogwarts he had homework. He had classes. He had to perform magic every day. He couldn’t get away with it for as long as he did at home, especially when he joined the quidditch team.
He couldn’t look weak. He couldn’t fail.
So, Regulus found another technique. One he could employ that didn’t affect his concentration or energy.
Walburga had a lot of curses she liked throwing at her sons when they misbehaved, but she had her favourites. Crucio was one and Lacero was the other. His mother tended to reserve the Cruciatus for truly severe punishments, but Lacero? That was her standard.
Regulus couldn’t remember the first time it had been used on him. He hadn’t even realised it was strange for children to have silvery marks on their bodies until he was almost seven. He’d always had a few. It hadn’t occurred to him the Lacero was to blame until Sirius told him it to be true.
She always aimed for their legs. Their backs if she needed more room. Places that no good pureblood boy would let another person see.
Late for his lessons? Slash.
Speaking too loudly? Slash.
Too much emotion? Slash.
The curse was far too complicated for a second-year student. But Regulus found ways to replicate its effects. He wouldn’t risk places that others might see. He couldn’t use the same places as his mother in case she noticed the extra silvery marks. But he managed. He found blank canvas to decorate.
He found it easy to hide all these habits of course. He was already quiet. He was already private. No one noticed when things got worse. No one noticed when things got better. Part of him wished someone would see, but not enough of him to ever reach out. He was fine. He was in control. He liked being in control.
Pandora was the exception.
She noticed when he got more quiet and she noticed when he spent more time alone. And as the only person brave enough to touch him, she noticed when he winced. She noticed when his robes were loose. It took her a while to figure it out. At first Regulus blamed quidditch. Then claimed to have trips and falls. Sometimes he just said she was imagining things. But she was a Ravenclaw for a reason and Regulus wasn’t as good a liar as he thought.
Having her around did help. She was more helpful than Regulus ever admitted.
But he didn’t want help. He wanted to be in control.
---
Regulus tossed and turned all night. He never slept well and was a frequent visitor to the hospital wing requesting sleeping draughts. Not too often to cause alarm, but often enough that Pomfrey didn’t question when he showed up. He had flirted with the idea of brewing them himself at one stage, but it was deceptively difficult potion to make and it was near impossible to test before taking. He wasn’t that reckless. He took calculated risks, not stupid ones.
It took him a few minutes to remember himself when he woke the next morning. At first, he was worried he’d be late for arithmancy. Then he worried he’d be late for the black family breakfast. Then he remembered and found himself wishing he was late for arithmancy instead.
The previous day had been one of his worst.
It was strange to think of yesterday that way, because the reality was that he’d had much, much worser days in his life, but yesterday’s pain was different. It was all in his head. It was grief. It was fear. It was everyone of his worst nightmares brought to life. He’d never thought this would be his greatest fear. He’d always thought his boggart would turn into the dark lord. He would rather face the dark lord everyday for the rest of his life if it meant he’d avoid this.
He had so many questions. But for once in his life, he was far more scared of the answers than living with uncertainty. Funny how something you used to loathe could become something you craved.
When he awoke, he’d been pleasantly surprised to find a new pair of robes hanging on his chair, along with a towel. He’d wanted a shower last night, when he found his wardrobe full of clothes several sizes too big. He’d wanted to just go to bed.
The clothes had a musty, old scent to them and looked very similar to the ones hanging up. He assumed they’d been transfigured. He hoped, by Kreature because he would not be happy to find out either Sirius or Remus had come in while he slept.
He was quick in the shower, not wanting to run into anyone else. He tried calling for Kreature a few times, but he wasn’t the same elf he remembered. That hurt. Kreature had been like a friend to him, especially after Sirius left for Hogwarts. But now he was older and madder. He wouldn’t stop crying and punishing himself every time he was in Regulus presence. He felt awful watching it happen, and decided he wouldn’t call on him anymore.
Everything was different. Everyone was different. He didn’t even have his wand. He wasn’t sure he’d ever get the chance to hold one again.
It didn’t help that he had no idea what was going on outside the walls of this house.
He knew it was 1995. That Sirius was living here with Remus. He gathered from that his parents must be dead. There is no way they would have allowed this. They used past tense when talking about their old friends a lot. James was… Lily was… They never said the Pettigrew boys name, but they did say Dorcas a few times. Also, in past tense.
He wasn’t stupid. He knew what that meant. But he didn’t have the guts to confirm it. Regulus was many things, a coward included.
He also knew that Remus was a werewolf, but that wasn’t new knowledge. The day he’d stolen Sirius’ mirror he’d also seen a letter that said exactly that. He had been rather horrified to learn that Hogwarts had allowed a werewolf to attend, but he knew how close he and Sirius were and after the mirror incident… He hardly wanted to get on Sirius’ bad side again.
It was a good thing he’d gotten that impression, because he certainly knew now just how close Remus and Sirius were. They weren’t exactly subtle, but it was yet to be mentioned explicitly. He didn’t blame Sirius for that though, his mother had always been vocal about her deviant brother. If Regulus wasn’t who he was, he probably would have been just as prejudiced. But he was who he was and he didn’t have a problem with who his brother wanted around.
If anything, Regulus was a little jealous. He had long since decided he would never go down that path. His mother would have killed him for that.
The only other piece of information he was sure of, was that he was supposed to be dead.
That hadn’t been the easy for Regulus to accept. Who would have an easy time accepting that? The age had frightened him even more. He’d have only been around sixteen or seventeen in 1979. He wouldn’t have even finished Hogwarts by that stage. Only a couple of years from now. What sort of 13 year old takes that news well?
The only clue he had was… well… His mother and father had made it very after Sirius left that when he turned sixteen, he would be taking Sirius place. It wouldn’t shock him to find out it had something to do with his death. But it scared him.
Part of him had been hoping since that night, that he would find the courage to leave like his brother. But he didn’t have a way out. He didn’t have a best friend to run too. Regulus would never get out.
He didn’t want to join them. He didn’t want to become like his cousin. But he knew that that was the future that awaited him. The thought that he would spend his entire life serving a monster doing unspeakable acts of evil… perhaps his death in 1979 at been a mercy. A choice?
He shook away that thought. He would never do that to Pandora. Though… that future had been years away… who knows what had come to pass. He didn’t really want to find out.
Dressed, he made his way down to the kitchen to fix himself some breakfast.
I really need some proper robes, he thought to himself as he walked.
Transfiguring clothes was an extremely difficult process. They had so many individual parts that it never turned out quite right, certain parts too large, too small, too thin, too thick. These were no different. The legs were too tight, the waist was too large. One sleeve too long and loose, the other too tight and short. It wasn’t overly noticeable looking at him, but he could feel it. Regulus had never coped well with ill-fitting clothes.
He was hungry this morning, unfortunately he had very little experience preparing food for himself. He was good at potions and figured he’d probably manage if he tried, but he wasn’t in the mood to experiment. He settled for Weetabix. It was hard to screw up that. He boiled the kettled and diced a little banana he managed to find in the fridge. He poured a little of the water over it before adding the banana and a splash of milk. A light sprinkle of sugar too. He had a sweet tooth.
Using the remaining water he made himself a cup of tea and took a seat his seat at the table. He had noticed a copy of the daily prophet folded up on the other chair.
Regulus chose not to look at it.
It was quite nice sitting there in the silence. The room was still dark and Regulus preferred it that way. He could almost pretend this was a normal summer day. Almost.
“Morning Regulus, did you sleep well?”
Regulus looked up to see Remus walking into the kitchen, wearing what looked like pyjamas and begin making a tea and coffee.
“I slept alright” He replied, before adding “Thank you”
Remus nodded, “Sirius won’t been down for at least another hour”
Regulus chuckled, “Yes, he was never a morning person. He hardly ever made breakfast in time to eat something.”
Remus smiled, but his brows furrowed a little. As if Regulus had said something strange. Had Sirius not told him what living here had been like?
They waited in a comfortable silence for the kettle to re-boil. Leaning against the bench casually, staring into space. He hadn’t really taken much notice of it yesterday, too much going on to think clearly, but it bothered Regulus how much older Remus was. Especially when the younger version was so fresh in his mind.
His hair was still sandy, but there were greys mixed through it. His skin was less bright, with lines around his eyes and faint creases on his forehead. He was still just as thin, still lanky but he seemed frailer than before. He was also uncomfortably tall. Regulus knew he was short, his friends loved pretending to get him mixed up with first years, but he didn’t have to like it. And standing next to Lupin made it even worse. He was at least a few inches taller than Sirius, and Sirius was at least a foot taller than his 4’8 self.
He was still struggling to wrap his head around the fact these men were Sirius and Remus. They were so different to how he remembered them. Lupin had always been calm, but he seemed to have grown into that more. Even Sirius was quieter, more patient. It was unnerving.
It also made him feel like they were treating him like a child. Granted, technically he was a child. And yes, technically they were adults. But it was still weird. He’d grown up with his brother. They had both also been children just days ago and now they were what? Mature adjusted adults? Were going to act like his parents?
Regulus shuddered. Hopefully not. No matter how much Sirius looked like their father now.
Merlin, that had been a mind-bending revelation. An embarrassing one at that. He couldn’t believe he’d acted that way in front of his brother. Sirius looking like Orion meant mothing to him. Like he would ever be scared of his idiot, one brain celled brother.
You have been before
Memories of the lake flashed through his mind. Sirius’ cruel smirk. His dark look. No brother of mine.
No. That was different. He hadn’t been scared. He’d been angry at his brother and scared for his life. That was too separate things. And come to think of it. He was still angry. His brother had dropped him into that lake knowing exactly what would happen to him. He proved he was capable of killing if he wanted too.
That’s not enough to scare you?
He decided to end that line of thinking.
“Remus?”
“Yes?”
Regulus swallowed.
“What’s gong to happen to me?”
Remus blinked, apparently not expecting that question. He turned to face Regulus, looking at him like he was a difficult puzzle yet to be solved. Regulus half expected him to just shrug his shoulder, grab his and Sirius’ drinks and leave without a word. But he didn’t do that.
Instead, Remus walked over to him and taking the seat just beside him. Regulus looked down at his lap where his hands were now twisting themselves together.
“We aren’t really sure yet,” he said calmly.
Regulus nodded slightly but refused to look up. He could feel his eyes starting to sting. But to his surprise he felt a hand touch his shoulder. He surprised himself when he didn’t flinch away.
It was gentle and somehow firm. He’d never felt that before. It was similar to Pandora but not the same. Where she was soft and soothing, this was reassuring.
“Regulus…You’re safe here, alright? I know this must be really overwhelming but-”
Regulus snorted, “You have no idea what this feels like. A few days ago I was at school, getting drowned by my brother might I add,” his voice started to shake. “With you lot all the right age, with my friends and…”
He took a breath to stop his voice from cracking. He could feel tears starting to well up in his eyes, his nose starting to run. The hand on his shoulder squeezed lightly and Regulus was surprised to find himself grateful for the comfort. He wiped his eyes and took another deep breath before continuing.
“… and now… everything is different, and I don’t… my parents are dead… you guys are older and I’m…”
Regulus couldn’t finish the sentence. He breathed in again, trying to get rid of the lump in his throat. Trying to keep it together.
“You’re right. I have no idea what you’re going through right now”
Regulus pressed his hands together more tightly, trying to control himself.
“But we’re going to help alright? Sirius and I.”
Regulus let out a noise that was halfway between a laugh and a sob.
“You do know he nearly killed me a few days ago right? You were there… You watched…”
Remus let out a breath, “and you have no idea how sorry I am that I didn’t make more of an effort to stop him that day”
“He said I wasn’t his brother anymore too…”
“Regulus, I can’t pretend that I fully understand the relationship between you and Sirius, but I promise you that Sirius cares about you, more than you can possibly imagine.” He paused, as if weighing up whether to continue, “Sirius did a lot of things he regrets that year Regulus. The day at the lake is one of them. I suffered at the hands of his poor judgment too and I can’t tell you to forgive him… but… Regulus…”
At the sound of his name, Regulus finally let himself look up. He knew he shouldn’t have. His mother would have his head if she knew he was acting so weak in front of someone. But he couldn’t help it.
“Give him a chance. There are always more sides to a story and I’m sure that some of the things he told us about you are more complicated than he could see at the time. You are safe here. You are going to figure this out”
Remus had a soft smile on his face, and for a moment Regulus found himself wondering if this was what he’d been missing his whole life. For someone to tell him it was gonna be ok. Listen to his concerns and rather than punish him for feeling, support him through it. Reassure him that he was safe. Remus sounded so sure. So certain that Regulus wanted to believe him. He wanted to believe that Sirius wasn’t what he thought he was. That there were more sides to the story. He’d always wanted his brother to show he cared; he’d just thought Sirius didn’t care.
Regulus dropped his gaze back to his hands, which were now starting to shake a little. His whole body was starting to shake a little. His breathing was getting even harder to keep even and tears were now freely falling down his face. It was humiliating. He didn’t want to be seen like this. He wanted to run away and hide in his room where nobody could find him until this stupid display of emotion was over.
“How did you get so good at dealing with stupid kids huh?” Regulus tried to joke, but it came out unsteady.
“You aren’t stupid Regulus.” He said, “but to answer your question, you and Sirius are very similar-”
“I’m nothing like him…”
Remus snickered, “I think you would be surprised. But I also taught at Hogwarts for little bit a few years back. Defence teachers are still only lasting a year, you see. I picked up a few things.”
“I don’t… I don’t want to know everything yet… but…”
Regulus froze. Preparing himself to hear the answer he knew was coming but hoped wouldn’t.
“Did I… Did I become… one of them? Did I… you know… get the mark?”
Regulus held his breath and looked up at Remus, begging to see him say no.
Please tell me I didn’t do it. Please tell me that I didn’t join. Tell me I got out, that my death was an accident.
“You did… I’m sorry… It was just before your 6th year”
Of course…
This time it was Remus who looked away, turning his head up to face the ceiling. Regulus watched as the older man brought his free hand up to his face, covering it, before wiping his eyes.
When they made eye contact once more, Regulus could see his eyes were red. He felt a surge of guilt. He hadn’t meant to upset him…
Remus must have caught onto what he was thinking.
“Don’t worry about me.” He choked out with a laugh, “Now, I need to get Sirius his coffee soon or he’ll be cranky all day. Are you alright if I head up?”
Regulus managed a laugh too, “He is such a child.”
Remus grinned, at last releasing his hold on Regulus shoulder and standing.
“Don’t tell him I said so… but I happen to agree”
And with that Remus grabbed the mugs and left.
---
Sirius
Sirius awoke to the feeling of his sheets being lifted and someone climbing into bed beside him.
He smiled, and snuggled into the warm body.
“Morning Moons” He said softly, trying his best to open his eyes.
“Morning Pads” Remus replied, “Want some coffee?”
Sirius let out an affirmative groan and felt himself two hands grab him beneath the arms and sit him up against Remus’ chest. Using one hand to rub the sleep from his eyes, he stuck out his other hand and felt a warm mug get placed in it.
He took a sip and sighed with relief.
“Perfect as usual” he said, finally opening his eyes to see the face of Remus Lupin smiling down at him.
“I’m almost tempted to make it wrong just too see what you’d do” Remus teased.
“Nah” Sirius said, taking another sip “you love me too much”
“Oh do I? Really?”
“Yep.”
Remus hummed. “Alright… maybe a little…”
Sirius grinned. He’d never get of waking up like this. It was just like being back in their apartment.
“I’ll get up and bring you tea tomorrow”
Remus snorted, “No you won’t, you lazy twat.”
Sirius laughed. He was right, he made this promise every day, and every morning he woke up the same way.
“You never know, maybe I’ll surprise you”
“Not likely, Mr I can’t function without at least 8 hours of beauty sleep every night”
Sirius gasped in mock of offence, twisting himself around and straddling Remus hips.
“And here I was thinking you liked my beauty. Well, well, well, it’s all coming out now isn’t it. Next, you’ll be telling me you don’t like it when I sleep talk” he said, taking another sip of his coffee and leaning forward.
“Oh no. I love hearing you mutter in your sleep about the runaway cauldrons coming to steal your pet broomstick.” Remus grinned before adding, “It’s your constant need to cuddle up to me that’s the real pain.”
Sirius pouted and Remus laughed.
“Fine then. No more cuddles for you.” Sirius said leaning away, but before he could get far, Remus’ hands were around his waist, holding him in place.
“Hmmm… never said I didn’t like it”
Sirius took one last slip of his coffee and tossed the empty mug aside. Putting his hands around Remus waist and leaning right in close.
“We talked about this masochistic trait of yours, Moony”
“Yes but I don’t think you are that upset with this one” Remus replied, so close Sirius could feel his breath against his own lips.
“You might be right”
Sirius closed the gap, and pressed his lips to Remus’ who responded by pulling their hips together. Time slowed and all Sirius could think about was this moment. This kiss. He moaned into Remus mouth, holding on tightly as he felt Remus slide on hand up his side, into his hair. His hand ranking through his locks as they moved their mouths in perfect harmony.
Sirius let his hands crawl up Remus’ chest, slowly moving all the up leaving one at the base of his neck while the other cupped his cheek. Remus leant his head back, and Sirius kissed along his jaw, biting at his ear gently.
“Sirius…”
Sirius grinned, and moved down to his neck, nipping at the skin. The hand in Sirius hair tightened, as did the hand on his hip. He was just about to continue when Sirius was being rolled to the side. Remus using his strength to flip them over and put himself on top. Sirius lost his grip and as he hit the bed felt Remus grasp his wrists, holding him down as he repositioned himself, pinning him down with a smirk.
Sirius leaned up and Remus met his lips, kissing deeply, savouring the taste of each other. Sirius gasped as Remus moved down his neck, lowering his weight down onto him.
Remus only kissed harder.
Sirius felt Remus grasp both his wrists in one, and his free hand reached down, slowly sliding across his chest, his waist, his hips…
“Remus…” Sirius breathed and he felt the Remus smirk as his he made his way up his neck, along his jaw and met his lips again. It was dizzying the way they moved together. Euphoric almost. Addictive.
After a while they pulled apart, Remus collapsing down beside Sirius, holding him tight as they caught their breath.
“I love you” Sirius said as buried his face in Remus’ neck.
Remus pulled him even closer, burying his face in Sirius hair.
“I love you, too” He replied, closing his eyes and breathing in his familiar scent.
They stayed like that, in each other’s arms, until Sirius’ decided he couldn’t resist the pull for some breakfast.
They walked downstairs together, Sirius telling Remus all about his dreams that night. Apparently he hadn’t actually been too far of with his tease about broomsticks and cauldrons.
“What do you want this morning?” He asked as he opened the fridge, noting once again that needed to make a list.
“Toast?” Remus suggested half-heartedly causing Sirius to playfully punch in in the arm.
“I refuse to make toast again. How about omelettes? I can even sneak in a few vegetables for you”
“I’ll have whatever you make me”
And you call me the lazy twat, thought Sirius as he started pulling out the ingredients.
He really did enjoy cooking; Effie had taught him when he moved in with the Potter. James always helped out and when Sirius had come along, she made it her personal mission to teach him everything she could.
He started chopping up some tomato, a little capsicum and a bit of spinach because Remus never ate enough of his greens.
Merlin, I sound just like her… Unlike when he noticed himself acting like Walburga, he smiled at the though of himself acting like Effie. He missed her. He wished Regulus had, had a chance to meet her.
Maybe he should make an extra plate for Regulus…
“Think I should make some for Reg?” He asked Remus as he started cracking a couple of eggs into a bowl, whisking them together.
“Oh he was in here when I came down, he’d had some cereal so I imagine he won’t want anything else.”
Sirius hummed an ok. He didn’t want to push too hard.
He placed a pan on the stove and spelled it so he didn’t have to wait. It never came out quite as well when used too much magic, but he was hungry this morning.
He added half the eggs, then half the chopped vegetables, letting it cook almost the full way through before flipping it over then putting it on a plate. He repeated this process until he had a second omelette.
“Want to eat in the living room this morning?”
“Sure,” Remus replied, taking his plate from Sirius and following him out of the kitchen.
“Thanks for cooking,” he said as he took up his usual seat and grabbed his almost finished book.
“No problem,” Sirius replied, setting his plate down and spelling a record to start playing. He had to admit that he was devastated to have missed the 80s. Remus had introduced him to ‘The Smiths’ and he was very obsessed.
They ate without speaking. Remus reading his book and Sirius humming alone to the music.
Sirius let his mind drift all over the place, as he listened. He eventually landed on his brother.
“Did you and Regulus talk about anything this morning?” He tried to ask casually, knowing full well he sounded about as casual as James did whenever he found out one of his friends had spoken with Lily.
Remus didn’t look up from his book, “I think you need to make some time to sort things out with him”
“Is that what he said?”
Remus sighed, and set his book down.
“Look Sirius,” he started, eyeing Sirius carefully, “He’s more upset about what’s going on than he was letting on last night. He’s…”
“He’s what? Remus please, tell me. What did he say?”
Sirius could feel his blood pressure rising as he went through the possibilities in his head. He waited for Remus to answer but the other man just looked at him with a sad expression.
“Is he mad at me? Is it the lake?”
“He’s not… Ok yes he’s mad at you-”
“I knew it”
“But, I think that if you talk to him, he might be able to forgive you”
Sirius couldn’t help but roll his eyes. He wasn’t sure when Remus had grown up to be such an optimist, but sometimes his missed his cynicism, like now for example. On what planet was Regulus going to forgive him? It had been 20 years for them. The incident was a few days ago for him.
Remus must have known exactly what he was thinking because he chose that moment to speak up.
“He wants to forgive you, but you have to give him a reason to trust you Sirius. He thinks you tried to kill him.”
“He thinks I what?! I would never do that to him? Even after he joined the death eaters, you know how stressed I was about facing him in a duel.”
That had been one of the worst parts about learning Regulus had been marked. He was terrified every time he went out that he would be forced to fight his brother. He had no way of knowing who was behind the masks and if he had of hurt him… even if it was self-defence, even if it was an accident, he wouldn’t have been able to live with himself.
On some level, finding out about Regulus death had been a relief. Even if, selfishly, it meant that he wouldn’t have to fear that chance ever again.
“I know that, but he is only 13 years old Sirius. I think he…”
“You think he what?”
Remus folded his arms.
“Please don’t take this the wrong way but… I think he might… well…”
“Spit it out, Remus. You think he what?”
“Well… you know how much you look like… you know…”
Sirius knew where he was going with this, and he didn’t like it.
“I’m nothing like him.” He spat out.
Remus held up his hands in mock surrender.
“I know, I know, but I think that for Reg the similarity is a little bit too much for him. Especially given he thinks you have actually tried to… you know… at the lake…”
Sirius felt sick. His stomach churned and he fought the urge to yell.
No. Stay calm. Don’t react. Don’t be like them.
“What do you think I should do?”
“Tell him the truth.”
“I tried that last time. He wouldn’t have a bar of it.”
“Yes well… you know how to approach it differently then, and besides, in case it escaped your notice, these are very different circumstances to the last time”
Sirius nodded. He knew that. He knew on some level that was true, but it still stressed him out. And he felt bad about that too, having extra knowledge. He felt guilty at the thought of using to convince Regulus to forgive him. It felt dirt and manipulative and… he wanted Regulus to forgive him for real. Not just because Sirius knew which buttons to press.
“I know and I will… just…”
“You don’t want him to reject you?”
Sirius didn’t answer, but they both knew that was exactly what he was afraid of.