Chapter 18
Sirius
Sirius griped his coffee mug with both hands and took a shallow sip, swirling it around his mouth before swallowing.
“I’ll need to come see him for myself. I believe you’re being truthful in saying what you think is true but I need to verify his side of the story. These are trying times as I’m sure you’re aware, we can’t afford a mistake.”
Another mistake you mean
“Yes, we we’re expecting you would say that.”
Dumbledore nodded, still leaning against his hands over his desk. “I will have to use legilimency. Is that going to be an issue?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Like that would stop you
“I understand why it’s necessary.”
And he did, understand why it was necessary. War had a lot of moving pieces and he couldn’t afford to underestimate another pawn. They couldn’t risk another Peter situation.
Sirius grimaced. He hated the thought of comparing Regulus with that rat. He took another sip of his coffee.
“I appreciate your patience, Sirius. This must be a very… troubling experience.”
I’m sure you do
Sirius decided to try his luck one more time.
“Are you sure I can’t see Harry while I’m here?”
Dumbledore gave him an apologetic smile, “I’m sorry, Sirius. As I’ve explained, I have my reasons for why Harry must return to the Dursleys and I fear seeing you might make it more difficult for him to accept going back there.”
Sirius closed his eyes and forced himself to take a deep breath.
Don’t shout
Dumbledore had certainly made it clear he had his reasons; he just didn’t feel the need to explain what those reasons were. Sirius had tried to reason with him, arguing for why Harry would be better off with him and Remus at Grimmuald, but Dumbledore wouldn’t budge.
If Regulus wasn’t involved, the conversation wouldn’t be going as kindly. He had a feeling Dumbledore knew that and was using Regulus as leverage to take his focus off Harry. Unfortunately for Sirius, this was the perfect method of manipulation.
“And I’ve explained where I stand on that decision,” he replied shortly.
Sirius set his mug on the desk and stood, “We shouldn’t drag this out.”
Dumbledore nodded, gesturing toward the fireplace Sirius had come through earlier that morning. “I will floo in behind you.”
“Yes. Of course.”
Sirius turned and walked over to the fireplace. He grabbed a handful of floo powder from the basket hanging by the mantle and tossed it into the flames. The heat was gone instantly as the flames turned from golden to green and Sirius stepped inside. Without looking back, Sirius called out “Grimmauld Place” and he was gone.
When Sirius’ feet made contact with the ground again, he steadied himself and stepped into the Grimmauld Place study as the green flames burned away to nothing and the room was plunged into darkness.
He hated this room.
Sirius found himself standing by the door, when the room was lit up by roaring green flames and Dumbledore stepped out of the fireplace.
“This way,” he said, pushing open the door and stepping into the hallway. When Dumbledore came through, Sirius let the door swing shut and recast the locking charm.
“Is that necessary?” Dumbledore enquired.
I wish it wasn’t, he thought, though he didn’t answer aloud. He’d already explained the situation and Dumbledore was about to get his own read on it anyway. There was no point repeating himself.
Sirius led Dumbledore down to Regulus room, where the door was still open. There wasn’t no sound of conversation, but he could hear the faint scribbling of pen on paper. Right before entering, Sirius stopped. He turned and looked Dumbledore dead in the eye, letting him see flashes of the last few days.
“Please don’t push him too hard…” he whispered firmly.
“I will try,” he said grimly.
I’m sure you will
Sirius stepped inside Regulus room.
The curtains were open and the midmorning sun was streaming in. Remus was sitting in a wide armchair just opposite the door by the window, reading the daily prophet, letting the sun light up the paper. Regulus was in bed, leaning against the backboard with his knees tucked up, writing in a notebook pressed against his legs.
“Happy to see the house hasn’t been blown up while I was gone,” he announced.
Remus looked up from the paper and rolled his eyes, “I suppose Regulus and I just don’t have your dramatic flair.”
“Clearly.” Sirius ginned, “I would have at least pretended to set something on fire.”
Remus groaned and muttered something that sounded suspiciously like ‘why did I pick you’, though the little upturn of his mouth didn’t disappear.
“Reg? Dumbledore is here, are you ready to have a that chat we talked about?”
Then scratching stopped and Regulus looked up. There were dark circles under his eyes, but a little colour had returned to his cheeks. He still hadn’t actually said anything since yesterday, but he was responding now. Regulus nodded and closed his book, setting it beside him, though he kept twisting his pencil about between his fingers.
Here we go
Sirius gave Regulus an encouraging smile, then sat himself in the space beside Remus, immediately squeezing his hand as Dumbledore entered behind him.
The older man didn’t waste any time. He smiled at Remus before immediately turning to Regulus.
“Good morning, Regulus,” he said lightly, giving his best grandfatherly smile.
Sirius bit his tongue. At least he’s being nice, he told himself, trying not to say something he’d regret.
Regulus swallowed and opened his mouth to speak. It hung open for a few seconds before he shut it, looking down at his lap and giving a slight wave instead before crossing his arms over his chest.
“I hope I haven’t disturbed you too early in the day, but I just have a few questions to ask.”
Regulus nodded again, and Sirius gave Remus’ hand another squeeze. He’s fine, it’s just a few questions.
Sirius had mentioned that Regulus might be a little difficult to get talking, but he wasn’t sure how much that was going to play against him. Legilimency wasn’t infallible, things could be hidden by a skilled enough occlumens and if Dumbledore suspected Regulus was hiding something things could get heated.
“Do you know how you came to end up here, Regulus?” Dumbledore asked, standing by the end of his bed, looking down. He was using the same tone Sirius remembered from his days at school, calm and kind, but the undertone of suspicion was clear. After the tournament, it wasn’t surprising that it was there, but it still didn’t give Sirius any comfort.
Sirius didn’t believe there was any chance that Regulus was anyone but who he claimed to be. He didn’t understand how it was possible, but there was no uncertainty. No one was this good at acting. He just hoped Dumbledore would agree.
Regulus took a second before he shook his head, still looking at this lap.
Dumbledore hummed, “Sirius tells me he found you in here in the middle of the night. You don’t recall who brought you here? Who let you in through the wards?”
Again, Regulus shook his head. He opened his mouth slightly as if he was about to speak, but nothing came out.
“Do you understand where you are? What the date is? When you are?”
Regulus shifted and glanced over to where Sirius and Remus were sitting. Sirius smiled, tilting his head toward Dumbledore, trying to encourage him to speak. He had to start speaking.
Regulus took a deep breath and turned his head toward Dumbledore, nodding.
That’s a start
Dumbledore stayed silent for a moment as he and Regulus kept their eyes locked on one another. Regulus shifted again, his fingers digging into where he was gripping his upper arms. Dumbledore was almost certainly poking around his mind right now.
“And may I ask, what is the last thing you remember before you woke up here?” he asked, smiling slightly but keeping his eyes firmly on Regulus’.
Come on, Reg. Just a couple words.
Regulus parted his lips. Then pressed them back to together.
You have to talk, please.
He tried again, but once more his lips pressed back down on each other tightly.
Dumbledore spoke, this time his voice a little firmer, “Regulus?” he said, eyes a little harder.
Sirius breathed in deeply, trying to keep himself calm. He told Dumbledore to be patient. He couldn’t push. This was a kid. You couldn’t do that to kids and expect them to react normally, especially not a kid in Regulus’ position.
Regulus swallowed and curled his shoulders forward slightly, his brow furrowing slightly. His lips separated and this time a small, muffled voice came out.
“… school… the lake…”
Dumbledore nodded, “And how old were you? How old are you now?”
Regulus kept his eyes on Dumbledores, not breaking the gaze just as Remus and Sirius had told him not too. That would increase suspicion.
“I… I-I’m… thirteen… sir…”
Sirius strained to make out the words, being on this side of the room, but he was mostly relieved that Regulus was talking now.
“I see,” Dumbledore said and minute of silence passed.
Come on, just ask the questions and let him go
Remus moved slightly and Sirius felt him leaning down toward his ear, “He’s doing great. It’s alright.”
Sirius nodded and gave Remus’ hand another little squeeze.
“Are you aware of the fact Voldemort has re-risen?”
Regulus tensed up at the name, but he managed to nod.
“You know nothing about this? Aside from what Kingsley and Tonks had said?”
“…n-no sir…”
Dumbledore nodded and at last broke eye contact, taking a step back and turning to face Regulus desk.
Regulus’ whole body relaxed, and he immediately looked back down at his lap, pulling his knees up a little closer as he tried to cover up his sigh of relief.
That’s good. That’s great. That’s-
“You’ve met Voldemort before have you not?”
Regulus’ head shot up, eyes landing straight on Dumbledores turned back.
Sirius clenched his jaw. Shit… does that mean… does he not believe him?
Regulus seemed to be having the same thought. His eyes had doubled in size and were darting back and forth between Sirius and the older man, his brow knitted together.
“Y-Yes I… I have… s-sir…”
Dumbledore hummed and turned back to Regulus, looking him up and down, before locking eyes again.
“Do you support his beliefs?”
Regulus face went white as Dumbledore stared down at him, an eyebrow raised.
Stay. Calm.
Sirius had to use every ounce of strength to stop himself for jumping up right then and there.
Regulus swallowed, “N-No sir…” he stammered out, “I-I don’t… h-he… n-no…”
Sirius resolve was cracking. He was getting close. Regulus had answered his questions. He’d read his damn mind. This wasn’t going to get them anymore.
A second of silence passed and Regulus face lost another few shades of colour. Sirius could feel his own face draining too. Dumbledore had to believe him. He had too. He was just a kid, he wasn’t going-
“I’m very happy to hear that, Regulus.”
A calm, warm voice announced.
Sirius could have passed out with relief.
He believes it. Thank Merlin. He did it. He’s ok. He’s safe.
“I want you to know that I believe you. I’m not sure what has transpired for this to happen, but I trust that Sirius and Remus will be able to help you while we figure things out.”
Oh, thank Merlin and Morgana. He’s safe.
“I do have duties to return though. Sirius? Could you show me back to the study?”
Sirius let go of Remus’ hand and shot up to his feet. “Yes. Yes. I can. No problem.”
Oh, thank Merlin. Thank Merlin.
Sirius shot a glance over to his brother who, though still clearly nervous, seemed to be calming down. The colour was already returning to his face, and he was leaning back with his eyes closed. Sucking in even breaths.
“Go Sirius, I’m still here.”
Sirius looked down, too see Remus smiling up at him. He smiled back.
Always know what to say.
Dumbledore gave Remus and Regulus his good wishes and farewells, before the two of them headed out the door and began walking down the hall.
“I do believe him, Sirius.” Dumbledore announced as they reached the study door. “Though I truly don’t know how this could be possible… I thought perhaps… well… I don’t believe that is true anymore…”
Sirius unlocked the door and swung it open, “What did you think had happened?”
They stepped inside and Dumbledore headed straight for the fireplace, “It is nothing to concern yourself with. I trust that is not what was done.”
Sirius nodded. He’d been hoping Dumbledore might have an answer, he doubted there was much solution, but it would have been nice to know how this had occurred.
“I will inform the order of the story you and Remus have come up with. I agree that his identity should be kept secret, at least for now.”
“Thank you,” Sirius replied.
Dumbledore pulled out his wand and shot sparks at the fireplace. Golden red flames roared to life and a warm glow was cast around the room.
“Severus is the only person I suspect to recognise him, but I will speak with him.”
Remus had suggested that might be the case. He didn’t think they’d been friends, especially not at this age, but in seventh year Snape had followed Regulus around like many other death eater hopefuls, likely knowing the Blacks had a shoe in. He wasn’t sure how them meeting would go.
Dumbledore picked up a handful of floo powder and cast it into the fireplace, plunging the room into green light.
“I must be going. You will receive the same message I send the rest of the order but for now-”
“Wait,” Sirius took a deep breath. “You used legilimency right?”
Dumbledore nodded.
And Sirius looked down at his feet. He couldn’t help himself.
“Is he… Is his mind… his…”
Dumbledore sighed, “Not the best.”
Sirius pressed his hands together.
“Are we… doing… do you think that… we can help him?”
Sirius held his breath, waiting for an answer.
The question hung in silence for long enough that Sirius’ lungs were starting to burn.
“I won’t lie to you. If these were normal circumstances, I would have suggested he be sent to St Mungo’s for a while.”
That wasn’t what he’d been hoping to hear.
“But… do you think we can… are we doing enough?”
Sirius looked back up, trying to ignore the sting in his eyes. Dumbledore sighed.
“I’m afraid I’m not the best person to ask my boy,” He paused, “but I think that you will just have to try.”
A moment later Dumbledore was gone and Sirius was alone. He cried.
---
Regulus
He believes me, I’m okay. He believes me, I’m okay.
The phrase bounced around Regulus’ head with no rhyme or reason as he sucked in breath after breath trying to calm down. It had taken everything to force himself to speak, but it was over now. He didn’t have to talk anymore. Dumbledore wasn’t going to kick him out or ship him off to Azkaban. He was safe for now.
Sirius and Remus had tried telling him as much this morning, but he hadn’t believed them, not wanting to get his hopes up only to be let down. Especially given he felt like they were just trying to avoid another incident like yesterday.
He didn’t remember much of what happened. He’d been floating around for a while, just him and a void of nothing until Remus’ voice had become clear enough for him to hear. He’s slowly become more aware of Sirius pressed against him. The soft lounge he was sitting on. The dim lamp lighting up the room.
Eventually he came back enough to move. Enough to hold Sirius back and relax into him as sleep overcome him.
Then he woke up here, in his room, a red eyed Sirius slumped against a sleeping Remus on an armchair that hadn’t been there yesterday. He woke Remus up and they talked had a quick chat about Dumbledore and Sirius had left him alone with Remus.
Regulus hadn’t been planning on doing anything, but as the minutes ticked by and his nerves about what the coming conversation grew, Remus handed him his new notebook and a muggle pencil suggesting he distract himself.
He wasn’t much of an artist but his mind wasn’t supplying him with any words, so he opted to just trace patterns onto the pages. He methodically filled up every row. Swirls, spots and zigzags. Repeating that order down the page. It was nice. He knew what came next and he could see exactly what had come before.
The Sirius and Dumbledore came in. That ruined his peace instantly. But it was fine now.
He believes me, I’m okay. He believes me, I’m okay.
“You alright over there?”
Regulus nodded, his head resting against the backboard of his bed. If there was at least one thing that Regulus was enjoying being around Remus and Sirius, it was the fact they didn’t force him to talk when he didn’t want too. As long as he nodded or gave some sort of response, they accepted it. He didn’t mind the questions; he was just struggling to find his voice.
At Hogwarts there was always someone asking him a question and though he could last longer at home, his mother and father never let him get away with it if that wasn’t what they wanted. This was a good difference.
“Do you feel like coming down for a little breakfast?”
Maybe a little bit…
Regulus opened his eyes and gave Remus a sort of smile, nodding his head slightly. Remus responded in kind and Regulus pushed himself up, hanging his legs over the side of his bed and rubbing his eyes. He was in desperate need of a good sleep.
He raised his arms up, stretching-
Ah. Shit.
He winced, dropping his arms back down. He’d forgotten about those. Remus said he tried to heal them last night, but his magic was resisting the treatment, and couldn’t do much. He declined when asked again this morning. This was just about the only point of control he had left. He felt a little cheated that he didn’t even remember doing it.
He stood up and Remus gave him a questioning look, glancing down at the hidden marks.
Regulus ignored him and began the hike downstairs, pointedly walking past the study without slowing down. Remus trudged along behind him, sounding just as tired as he was.
“Is toast alright?” He asked as they entered the kitchen.
Regulus shrugged and took at seat at the little table. He didn’t really want to think about it too much, the more time he spent stressing over it the less he was going to want anything at all.
“Toast it is then,” Remus muttered, pulling out a loaf of a bread.
Regulus put his arms on the table, resting his head on them and closing his eyes as he listened to Remus move about.
Remus was humming a song he didn’t recognise as he banged around with plates and pulling out a dozen of different jars. It was the one thing Sirius seemed to be quieter at. He glided around effortlessly, whereas Remus just made a racket.
It might also have to do with the fact Remus liked having as many different toppings on little pieces as he could manage and ended up needed half a dozen utensils to do the job properly. Why he didn’t just use one and rinse it between spreads Regulus would never know.
“What do you want on it?”
Regulus lifted his head and set his eyes on the jars Remus had out. Honey, strawberry jam, orange marmalade, peanut butter and a couple others he couldn’t quite make out the names of. He wouldn’t have minded the honey, but Remus was really heavy handed with everything and he didn’t want it that badly.
He shook his head.
Remus frowned slightly, “Just plain?”
Regulus nodded.
“Do you want a little butter on it?”
Regulus thought on it for a second. He didn’t really want dry toast, but he doubted Remus’ version of little was anything like his own so he shook his head.
Remus frowned again but didn’t push it.
“Alright then, here you go,” he announced, placing a plate in front of him, then sitting himself down on the other side of the table with his own plate.
It wasn’t too bad. If Remus knew how to make one thing, it was toast.
“I’ve got to drop into town again today, did you want me to pick up anything while I’m there?”
Regulus shook his head. The books Remus had gotten him would hold him over for a while, though he was starting to wonder how long for. He was used to doing a lot of reading but even he could recognise he’d hit a wall with this eventually, but he didn’t really know what else he could ask for to do.
He missed flying, but that wasn’t really an option at the moment. Even if they weren’t house bound, he imagined they wouldn’t be too keen on letting him on a broom. Maybe he could convince them to let him outside just for a quick walk around the park one evening, he and Pandora did that all the-
Regulus swallowed a bit of his toast.
Maybe not that…
Although, aside from those options, Regulus didn’t really have any hobbies. He didn’t have time during the school year because he was working so hard to make sure he was topping all of his classes and even during the summers he spent most of the time just trying to avoid trouble. What sort of things could he even do here?
He was about to start trying to narrow down a list of things he might be willing to try, when his brother came in being overdramatic and broke his focus.
“Moony, where’s my toast? Do you not love me anymore?” he cried out, stretching out everything syllable.
Regulus turned slightly to see Sirius right by the table, clutching at his chest like he was about to keel over from a heart attack. How they were related, he would never know.
“You’ve caught me, Pads. The missing toast is my way of symbolizing our love's tragic demise.” Remus replied completely deadpan.
Regulus watched as Sirius brought a hand to his head and pretending to faint, dropping to his knees with a melodramatic sigh. “I will not survive this. How can I go on without you?”
“Have to find some other poor soul to torture I’m afraid.” Remus chuckled, taking a bite out of his strawberry square of toast.
Regulus allowed himself a little grin.
Sirius on the other hand, didn’t so seem impressed, dropping his hands by his side and gasping loudly.
“Torture?!” he cried out, rising to his feet and stepping behind Remus, wrapping his arms around his shoulders. “How dare you insult my love for you?!”
Remus rolled his eyes and leant his head back against Sirius stomach. He smiled and held out the remainder of his toast square, “I’m so sorry. Will you forgive me? Accept this as a peace offering?”
Sirius reached out and snatched it away, taking a bite. He chewed it slowly, making so many different facial expressions he could pass as professional food critic, before swallowing. “Hmm it isn’t your best… but I suppose I’ll allow it. You’re forgiven.”
He bent down and gave him a quick peck on the lips and Regulus decided that was his cue to look down and start analysing the contents of his plate. He did not want to see that first thing in the morning.
As he counted the tiny perforations in the abandoned chunk of toast, Sirius must have had enough of being dramatic and started making his own toast and cup of tea.
“Do either of you want me to make you a tea?” He asked, while grabbing down his mug.
“That would be great, thanks.” Remus replied and Regulus nodded.
It wasn’t long was placing down the drinks and seating himself at the table. Apparently Remus had inspired him as he’d gone with strawberry jam against his usually savoury palate.
“I’ve got to head out soon to help Emmeline with moving,” Remus mentioned as he took a sip of his tea.
“Oh I forgot about that. How is… um… you know…?”
Remus snickered, “You don’t remember her name, do you?”
“I do… but just to test your memory, what was it again?”
“Cynthia.”
Sirius lifted his mug and clinked it against Remus’, “I knew you could remember. Well done.”
Remus rolled his eyes, “Hmm... well they’re excited to be moving in together.”
“I’m sure they are, already been a month,” Sirius said teasingly, causing Remus to chuckle.
“Yes, very slow moving, but what I was getting at was just checking if you’d thought of anything else for me to grab?”
“Aww you spoil me, but no, nothing aside from that book. I really wanna try experiment with that AC/DC stuff.”
“Growing on you, is it?”
“Hmm maybe a little,” Sirius said leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes.
Regulus had no idea what they were saying and took it upon himself to take his plate up to the sink while they continued chatting. He vaguely recognised the name Emmeline but he couldn’t recall from where. He was very surprised to hear that Sirius was after a book, though given it was Sirius and he used the word experiment, he wasn’t overly interested in finding out.
Regulus tossed the leftovers into the little bin beneath the bench and turned on the tap to rinse off his plate. He scrubbed off the crumbs with a little soap then set it aside to dry. He could almost see why Sirius liked doing these sorts of things the muggle way, it was nice just being able to mindlessly do a task.
He sat back down to finish his tea, zoning in and out of listening to Remus and Sirius talk about mundane little things until Remus announced he had to get ready to leave and left the two brothers alone.
Sirius lasted exactly fifteen seconds before he spoke.
“Do you want to come play a round of chess?”
Regulus wasn’t really in the mood but decided this wasn’t a battle worth fighting so he nodded.
They relocated to the living room and Regulus set the board while Sirius stood by the record player trying to decide on which background music he wanted.
“Help me pick, a classic or something new?”
Regulus just shrugged, not caring either way. Apparently, that was good enough for Sirius though, who loudly exclaimed, “Good point, too much good stuff to pick from. I’ll spell it to shuffle through both.”
Again, he just shrugged. He wouldn’t admit it, but he was coming around to Sirius’ taste. When the first track started playing though, Regulus squinted. He didn’t recognise this one.
“AC/DC,” Sirius said when he caught Regulus look, “Marlene was obsessed with them, but I was always too stubborn to give them a proper listen. I was missing out.”
Regulus’ frown deepened at that explanation. Wasn’t that book Sirius wanted about them? Why would his brother want a book about musicians? That made no sense, even for him.
Regulus pressed his lips together, thinking through the possibilities, but he couldn’t find one that fit. Who got books about bands? The point of music was to listen, not read about it. Even he knew that and he would read just about anything.
Th curiosity was burning him up. He hated not knowing things. He swallowed.
“Why are they in that book?” he burst out, the question to much to keep in.
Sirius jumped at the sound of Regulus voice, his head snapping around like he didn’t know what was going on.
“What?” he blinked.
Regulus took another breath and swallowed, “The book Remus is getting, what’s that do with this band?”
Sirius brow furrowed slightly as he glanced down at the record playing and back again at Regulus before realisation bloomed on him.
“Ohhhh that, it’s just a song book. Music sheets you know?”
Wait, what?
“You? Know how to play an instrument?”
“Yeh, guitar,” Sirius laughed. “Is that so surprising? I always pegged myself as bit of a rockstar.”
Regulus scoffed, “I’m just surprised you had the patience to learn. Who taught you?”
Sirius smile turned a little sad, not unhappy, but like he was remembering something he missed. “James’ dad, Monty. He always wanted to teach James, but James was too obsessed with Quidditch to give any time to it.” Sirius shook his head and grinned, “Monty was thrilled when I showed up asking for lessons, even more so when I actually stuck with it.”
Regulus let that sink in for a moment. He actually wasn’t that surprised, Sirius was the most musical obsessed person he knew so it made sense he’d gotten into it. He tried to ignore the twist in his stomach hearing Sirius talk about the Potters though. It was stupid, but he didn’t like hearing about Sirius spending time with them like they were a family. Sirius was supposed to be his family.
“Is it hard?” Regulus asked.
Sirius screwed up his face a little in thought, but shook his head. “Nah, you’ve just gotta practice enough.” He looked back down at the at the record spinning then glanced back up at Regulus, biting his lip.
“I could teach you if want…?”
“Me? You want to teach me?”
Sirius nodded, “Doubt I’m as good a teacher as Monty, but you’ve always been a better student than me… So if you wanted to learn…”
Regulus paused for a moment to consider. He liked music, but he’d never really pictured himself being the one playing it. Then again… he’d never really pictured himself as much of anything. He was just… Regulus. The backup. A shadow. Born to fulfil a list of duties then die.
He glanced at the record player. He definitely wasn’t as passionate as his brother about it… but he was trying to find something to do while he was stuck here. Maybe it would be a good way to pass the time and… well… maybe it would be nice… doing something with his brother.
Aside from watching Regulus have his stupid little moments, all they’d done together was argue, sit in silence reading or play chess. Regulus didn’t have a great deal he wanted to talk about right now given everything he knew was covered in a thick layer of grief, and Sirius was in a similar boat. Maybe… this could be give them something to do with each other, give them a chance to be brothers again. He missed that.
Regulus looked back up at Sirius, who was flipped an empty record sleeve over in his hands.
“Okay,” he mumbled.
Sirius looked up, “Really!? You want too?” he exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face.
He nodded, “I don’t know if I’ll be any good but-”
“Nah, you’ll be great. If I can figure it out, you’ll be able too. You’re really smart, so you’ll have no problem learning how to read the score and you’ve got seeker skills so you’ll be able to learn to switch between chords easily. Besides I can help you through the tricky spots anyway.”
Regulus looked down at the chess board to hide the little smile creeping onto his face and what he was sure was a blush accompanying it. It had been years since someone said something like that before. Slughorn used to rave about his potions skills but now it was just sort of expected. His parents always just demanded more, regardless of how well he did at something. And quidditch… well… as much as he loved it, being the seeker meant a lot of pressure and people were always on his back about getting faster.
“Alright…” he muttered, “I’ll give it a try…”
He glanced back up to see his brother practically vibrating, beaming down at him. Regulus smiled back and Sirius took that as his invitation to launch into a detailed explanation of the ins and outs of learning to play.