Crossroads

26 June 1976

The second son of Walburga and Orion Black groans at the loud muggle rock music blasting from the closed doors of his brother's room. 'It is just like Sirius to wreck havock this early in the morning'. 

This is quite normal for the Black households with Sirius still stuck in his rebellious streak since he returned home from Hogwarts after his 1st year. He is completely different from that elegant and sophisticated pureblood heir of a noble house that he was before entering Hogwarts. Now he wears muggle jackets and torn muggle jeans and in his mother's words looks like a hooligan. 

'Merlin, don't I deserve one day free from mother and Sirius coming for each other's throat.' He thinks while rolling on his bed like the 15 year old he is ,so different from the pompus proud pureblood persona he has created for the world to see . 

'If taunting and sending barbed words at each other's way was a sport, mother and Sirius would be world Champion.' he snorts at his own joke. 

He walks out of his door and knocks loudly at the next door, not that Sirius deserves his curtsy when he himself just barges in Regulus's room. But Sirius has not entered his room since beginning at Hogwarts, when they were on friendly terms, now they ignore each other at best and hex each other at worst.

He will die before admitting it but he misses that easy going fun which he used to partake with his brother. Now, Sirius has lowered his standards by  being friends with those mudbloods and blood traitors and halfbreeds so much that Regulus has to step up and represent the house of Black properly for the both of them.

He shakes his head and murmurs "the best", which is the magical password to Sirius's door. When they were younger, around 7-8, they found this brilliant spell in the library books which locks the door with a password. Sirius locked his with the password " The best ". Regulus who always wanted to one up Sirius used " The bestest" In his 7 year old glorious wisdom. Only the two of them knew about each others door's password. It is strangely nostalgic to know that neither of them has changed it despite their current radio silence towards each other for two years. 

There on the bed lies Sirius with his head upside down and he seems to be be having a conversation with a mirror? Wow, Sirius and his weird life choices. 

Regulus notices that the blasting music is nowhere as loud in here as it can be heard from outside this room. This must be one of Sirius's charm work to make it look like he is listening to that damned muggle music when in reality he is having talk with himself. The idiot. 

Sirius has not noticed him yet. 

"..........and then dad was laughing so loudly and mum was giving me her best glare but I can see the slight twitch in her lips. It was glorious. You should have seen it padfoot. " Sirius laughs loudly. 

Regulus jumps and stops himself from screaming when he hears someone say from the mirror. 

Wait a minute. He vaguely remembers that voice. 

"I wish prongs. Here I am stuck in my room all day. The only highlight of the day is my screaming match with dear old mother but they have also lost their fun now a days. " Sirius replied sadly. 

So the highlight of sirius's day is the Black hole of Regulus's. He hate fights. 

"I still don't understand why you decided to stay their this summer when from last 3 years you spend most of it at mine. "

Ohhh, so it's that idiot Potter that Sirius is conversing with. So, tweedledum and tweedledee have got a way to talk and see each other's faces in this little bit of time in which they are apart. 

There was a time when Regulus hated Potter for everything he's got. For stealing his brother. For being the star kid of school who has girls and boys alike following him around like ducks. For being the narcissistic, arrogant and egoistic brat who is self centered enough to think that everyone should just adore him for simply existing. Not that he had started liking him now. It's just that the hate has converted to strong dislike since last year. 

It was when he saw the look on his brother's face whenever he is around that brat. Then he realised that Sirius has not replaced him with Potter. In fact, there is nothing brotherly or platonic about his feelings for Potter. He has got heart eyes for that moron who has eyes only for that mudblood Evans girl. 

What a group Sirius has found for himself. Potter having unhealthy obsession over a mudblood who thinks that Potter does not deserves her, the audacity of that mudblood! Then Sirius who can't get over his unhealthy codependency of and love for Potter, a blood traitor. Then there is that half breed Lupin who is unhealthily infatuated with his brother. The only decent one is pettigrew who does not wants to get into one of his friend's pants. 

Sirius sighs, "Prongs, I have told you a hundred times, this year I have to stay here. Mother and Father have lost the marbles completely. I don't want them pressurising Regulus in my absence."

"Common Pads, he is a right Prat. Always around those Slytherins from our year. I mean what kind of person wants to be part of a group called death eaters. It's name is enough to tell you what kind of deeds they are doing but no baby black is quite proud of himself of his ambition to be that." Potter says

The audacity! Who does he thinks he is, criticizing Regulus like that. Just wait till he becomes a part of the dark lord's organization then he will tell this blood traitor who really is a prat and then he will know whose ambitious are stupid. 

"He might be a right prat but he is no killer prongs. I know him, he is not... "

Potter interrupts, "Do you padfoot, do you know him. The last you two spoke properly, he was a 10 year old kid. "

Sirius replies sternly, "No, you are right. We have not seen eye to eye in the last 5 years but he can't even hurt a kitten Prongs let alone an innocent human being whose only fault is to be born to muggle parents. He is just naive. He maybe a blood purist. He may subscribe to Walburga's bullshit but he is no killer. He won't be able to handle it if they pressurise and manipulate him the way they are doing to me. He will do it for the sake of family if not for anything else. "

"But what about those newspaper clippings he is got in his room which you told me about, Pads? "

How dare Sirius enter his room and search around and tell this blood traitor about his precious collection. 

"He is immature and much too trusting of our parents. I don't understand but the little Reggie I knew would never side with violent behaviour. He even hates when I fight with that hag. "

"But what if they force you to join them?. I don't have to tell you, how insistent Walbitch can be. Please Sirius come here, I don't want to see you hurt. " 

"James, I am very well aware of her ways, both emotional and physical . But he is a minor and does not knows better. He has only got Walburga whispering in his ears and he is surrounded by all those Slytherins who also puppet their parents' words. With our distance and no communication, he is cornered. I don't know how to make him see but if I leave then he will be the first in the line of this situation and I know he will break soon. "

"I didn't know you cared for him one way or another. "

"I had decided to run away from this hellhole, you know that Prongs but then on the last day on the train I found him talking to a Muggleborn girl in her first year from Hufflepuff, she tripped on her way to her compartment and some kids from Ravenclaw were laughing at her . He was helping her and calming her down. All it took me was to see this to know that my brother is also just a kid with his heart in the right place."

Potter had a fond smile on his face at this. Regulus having heard enough of this roasting session exits the room where once again he is accosted with blasting music. 

He is fed up with his brother's bullshit talks. Sirius has never taken any interest in his life but he has many times in the last year at school and home tried to talk him out of his plans to join the dark Lord. As if he has got the right idea. Those blood traitors have brainwashed him.

But if Sirius has decided to stay here in some misguided attempt in saving Regulus then atleast he cares enough about him. Regulus will also return Sirius's favour. He will become a death eater and show Sirius that he and their family have the right idea. 

But he will have to wait a year for that till he comes of age. His 16th birthday is next week.

What if there was some way to show Sirius right now that he is following the wrong path. And that Regulus and their parents are right. 

Regulus heads towards father's study. If there is some magic which can possibly help show some snippet of future then it is precious enough to be kept locked there and not openly in the library. 

He tip toes towards the study and searches for the books there. 

Whatever happens he will find answers to bring Sirius back to the right path. Back in the fold. 

Zero. He could find no way to show Sirius the future where Purebloods and Wixens will flourish when mudblood scum is removed from their society. 

He is sitting on the dinning table with his parents on his either side and Sirius sitting opposite to him, today is his 16th birthday, and Kreacher has prepared his favorite dishes and strawberry cake.

For the whole week he has scourged all books in office and library but there is no book on such topic. No potion or charm work or ritual. 

Of course there was nothing. Regulus felt like the most stupid person in the world. If there had been books on knowing your future just lying around, then everyone will do that. Just take a peep into future and do all the right things. 

Maybe Sirius is right. Maybe he is too naive to even believe for a second that such easy solution will be there let alone waste these many days on it. 

He has slept very little in this time period. Wanting to find a solution. 

He eats the meal halfheartedly. Listens to his parents telling him to follow family's path and make them proud. That he is a young man now and should take his responsibilities as a Black scion seriously.

Soon they retire for bed after his parents handing him a gift package. It is an old family heirloom belonging to his grand uncle who had the same name as him. It is supposed to keep those of dirty blood away from him. 

Regulus decides that there is no way to see future except for real divination and that he can't do. So he decides to atleast complete his summer homework. 

He is so emersed in his reading that he does not hears his brother enter the room nor does he becomes aware when Sirius stands there observing his younger brother for few minutes. He looks up when someone clears their throat. 

"Hey Reggie. " Sirius says with a small smile. 

Regulus raises his eyebrow at his brother for calling him that when he knows well enough how much Regulus loathes that nickname. 

Sirius takes out a small package from his pocket and enlarges it and offers it to Regulus. 

"It will not blast in my face or convert my hair pink., will it? I don't want to be test subject of any of your silly prank Sirius. "

Sirius barks out a laughter. "Just open it. Trust me Regulus. " He says sincerely. 

Regulus gingerly plucks the gift out of his brother's hand and opens it slowly, still not trusting fully. 

In it is some muggle Scketch book and muggle colour pencils and water color. 

"You remember. " Regulus says. Eyes still on the present. 

"Of course I remember. If it were up to you, you would have drawn so much that there will be a shortage in parchment supplies. You idiot. What kind of idiot forgets their brother's favorite hobby. "

'The kind of idiot who hated their brother just for being sorted in a different school house then them. ' Regulus thinks but just says " But these are muggles. " Wrinkling his nose as if disguted but wanting to try them as soon as possible. What can he say, he is allowed to praise mugglee to praise them on their advancement in art supplies material. Everyone is allowed one exception. 

Sirius just shrugs and surprisingly not offended at his little slight on muggles. "You just have to hide them from mother. Otherwise we both know you are itching to try these soon.  Muggles had got right ideas on certain things. They don't have magic just their mind. But there logic is more then enough. Wizards are just lazyy old people who have stopped reasoning with things otherwise we won't be so far behind muggles. "

With that Sirius leaves after wishing him once again. 

Generally he would be pissed at his brother's for advocating muggles but he has given Regulus an idea. Right he needs logic. He needs to think beyond the box. 

But how???? He is too tired to think at the moment. He decides to rest and then come up with some idea. 

The answer came to him three days later. He had spent this time by treating himself with a hobby he finds peace in. The muggles have certainly outdid wizards in this one thing. The muggle colour pencils are really very nice to use. The texture, the light weight, the grip, the smothness, the richness in colour, the variety.  Everything is amazing and the sketch book is also of great quality. 

He had lost this hobby of his when he decided that he was old enough to do something serious with his life and started to collect clippings about the dark lord in the newspaper. His parents had motivated him to follow the organization which work for the benifit of the Wizarding world. 

He is really thankful that his brother gave him this gift so that he can once again find his peace between art. Regulus maybe a Slytherin but deep down he knows that he is not made for politics. Nor is he a very talented wizard like his brother. But he is best at creating art. He wishes his parents could understand this and not demand something of him that he can't be. 

Sirius for all his defiancy and disobedience will be good for that role. He truely does deserve to be the heir of house of black. Not just because he is the first born male but because despite being a Gryffindor, he can be cunning and ambitious when it seems fit for him to be such. After all he might be a proud lion but he is born and brought up as a snake. 

Anyways, Sirius was right that wizard are so dependent on magic that they do not use common logic. 

The answer to his problem came from Kreature. House elves are bound to perform there master's task. This is the basic of their magic. There is no rules or charm or Encantation or ingredient required. There magic is wired to fulfill their master's wishes. 

So theoretically if he asks, Kreature will have to tell him. It is a simple as that. 

He takes a deep breath, prays to mother magic to show him the right way to restore balance in their society by wiling it off all the filth and calls for his beloved elf. 

"Young master called. " The elf bows his head. 

Regulus rolls his eyes. " Kreature how many times have I told you there is no need to bow in absence of my parents. And please call me Regulus. please. "

Regulus knows that the elf is not comfortable in calling him anything other than young master but that is just due to years of habit and not his actual desire to address Regulus as such. He had decided to remind Kreature untill he is tired of listening to Regulus's request and calls him by his name. 

" Please do not tell anyone about what I am going to ask you okay. " He says sincerely. 

The elf nods. 

"Can you show me what future will be like if I join the death eaters. "

Kreature appears to contemplate for a minute then nods his head. 

" Kreature will do what his master asks him but the future is much too long.  What does master Regulus wants to see. "

"I want to know will I make mother and father proud. Will Sirius follow me when he sees me succeeding after joining the dark lord. How will be the wizarding socitey be once the dark lord had done his work. Will the dark lord cosider me his close ally. Will I play an important role in all this. Will Sirius come to respect our family once more. What will our life be like after freeing the world of muggles and mudbloods and halfbreeds." he gushes on. 

He suddenly feels excited that his plan has worked. The solution was so simple and sitting right in front of him. 

Kreacher snaps his fingers and a beautiful pensive appears with golden and silver runes covering it. He then points his index finger towards his head and closes his eyes and focuses for few minutes. Regulus is just about to call his name to ask him what is going on when a silver thread like substance shoots from Kreature's finger. He places the silvery thread in the pensieve basin and twirls it. The liquid turns golden for a few minutes and then becomes colourless. 

" Master Regulus will just have to look in the basin and all his questions will be answered. "

Regulus gets on his knees, gives kreature a tight hug and thanked him for being this amazing elf and helping him out. 

Kreature leaves after that and Regulus looks at rhe penieve that holds anwers to every little doubt in his mind. Because this all may have started as a way to proove to sirius that joining the dark Lord is for their own best but Regulus himself is not fully sure. 

The days he has spent engulfed in with his art material. He got the thought that how could muggles be bad if they make these things which bring regulua confort and safety. Much more than he feels with his parents or those Slytherins that his parents had asked him to acquaint with. 

The only feeling of belonging he got was with his friends and with Sirius. But then sirius started hating him for being sorted in Slytherin. 

And Regulus is now torn between whether his brother who had loved him as a child is right or his parents. 

Before he can show this future to Sirius, he will see it himself alone. He will make sure that everything turns out as he thought it would then he can confidently show it to his brother. 

He takes a deep breath and enters the pensive.