Light and Breezy
Sirius had calmed down some, since he had stormed off from Barty and Evan. He was still not happy with Barty, after all, they had something, didn’t they? And Barty was denying it because he was scared of what Regulus would think?
Who cares what Regulus thinks? And Regulus would be fine, because he and Sirius were good. Finally.
He was certainly of a more level head now, but he was lost, struggling to find his way back to camp. And the woods were freaking him out– it’s like they were alive and trying to attack him, or scare him, like that scene in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves after the huntsman has told her to run. He’s covered in scrapes and bruises, but he’s fine. It’s fine. Everything is light and breezy.
He hears a boom in the distance, like an explosion, but he writes it off as the storm he can see rolling in.
Sirius really hopes he finds his way back before that happens. He sighs, continuing in the direction he thinks the camp is.
He wishes he could see the smoke from the fire, or lights from the camp, but it’s late, and the fire is likely burned out, the lamps all turned off.
That, or he’s too far away to see any of that.
When he finds the river, he breathes a sigh of relief. He’s almost certain that he must be downstream from the camp, and there will be signs of them at the river, he will absolutely find his way back from there.
Everything works out in the end, he thinks, and begins strategizing for how he will work things out with Barty, and eventually, Regulus.
A gust of wind blows heavily at his back, and he thinks he smells smoke. But he knows that’s the wrong direction for it to be coming from. Maybe there are other campers nearby. He shrugs, and continues on.
Then, out of nowhere, his brother bursts from the trees, rushing at him and Sirius steps back, eyes wide. Regulus takes his arms in his hands and wild eyes check him over desperately. “Oh thank god you’re alright,” Regulus says as he just about jumps on Sirius, hugging him.
“Of course I’m alright, Reg, what’s wrong?”
Regulus steps back, but doesn’t let go. “You– haven’t figured out what’s going on? Noone found you?”
Sirius frowns, confused. “No, Reg, no one found me- were people looking? I mean, I saw Evan, at one point–”
“Where did he go? Wheres Barty?” Regulus asks desperately.
“I– I don’t know.” Sirius replies, his brow furrowed. “Why aren’t you back at camp?” He asks.
“There's– Sirius something really bad is happening. People are being picked off, killed. I just saw– Sirius, how well do you know Peter?”
“I… Well not that well, we met him a few months ago, he’s a pretty cool dude.”
Regulus breathes out heavily, finally letting Sirius go. “I just saw him take Lily, and Sirius– James…”
“James what, Reg, where is he?”
Regulus looks sad, a little distraught. “He’s dead, Sirius.”
“No.” Sirius says, denying that his other half could possibly be dead.
“I’m so sorry,” Regulus says, his chin wobbling.
“No,” Sirius says again, voice steady. “He can’t be. I would know.”
“Please, Sirius, we need to get out of here,” Regulus begs, tears pricking at his eyes.
“No, I need to find James.” Sirius insists, and Regulus reaches out for him but it’s fruitless against Sirius’ desire to find his friend.