Chapter 3
Narcissa was relishing in this new version of Regulus. The way he held himself together, the language he used, even the way he turned his nose up at the state of his food, Regulus was a completely different person. The three had managed to get Alphard into a semi-lucid state. He still thought he was young, but it was better than nothing. So, dinner continued; Walburga pushed a ball of stuffing around the plate as she conversed with Druella. But Orion was off; he wasn't drinking and seemed to be sobering up.
Yet north of the country, the Christmas feast was a hub of activity in the great hall. Sirius had never seen so many colours in one sitting before, the enchanted lights on the tree twinkling and the vibrant mulled spices filtered through the room, wrapping him in a hug of Christmas cheer. James was with him, same with Remus. They both managed to beg their parents to let them stay for the holidays. Euphemina, James’s mother, had sent letter after letter to McGonigal asking if Sirius could stay with the Potters over the Christmas holidays. However, because Sirius still had family and they never responded, he had to remain in school. So, James declared he would stay, and when Remus sent his letter home to his mum, Hope Lupin, she said staying Christmas is about family, and even though he wasn’t related, friends count as family. The three of them dived into Christmas dinner. Sirius thought he had seen the biggest feast ever when he first arrived at Hogwarts, but the Christmas one trumps it by a landslide. The boys had noticed since arriving at school that Sirius had put on weight, not loads, but enough to make him look more like a healthy child and not a shallow construct appearing as human. Sirius joked that his mum would comment on the amount of food he piled on his plate, making James wince. The more Sirius spoke about his family. The more James wanted him to leave with Regulus and stay with him and his parents. As the feast wound down, Sirius saw an untouched yule log and swiped it. Remus caught its rich chocolaty scent when Sirius entered the empty common room.
“Where are you going with that?” Remus asked, putting his book down; Sirius tried to hide the cake behind his back
“With what? I see nothing-”
“The cake, Black. I can smell it,” Remus Smirked; Sirius's eyes widened a little
“What are you, part dog? Besides, it's not for you! I'm sending it to Regulus as a gift,” Sirius stated, showing the Yule log in all its chocolaty glory. Remus huffed a small laugh
“And how are you going to do that? You said any owl you send just comes back” James had emerged from the dorms, his arms full of unopened gifts.
“Well, easy. I'm sending it later tonight when I know Orion will be passed out and Wally will be too engrossed in some silly parlour game to care,” Sirius said matter-of-factly. “And I still have Reggie’s owl, Onyx.” James shrugged, dropping the gifts on the sofa. Sirius set the cake down curios to see what James had
“Oh, mum sent these here” James picked up six neatly wrapped gifts ranging in size and weight to Sirius and another 6 to Remus. The two looked puzzled. “she didn’t want you to go without any gifts,” he pointed a longer-looking box at Sirius, who graciously accepted it, running his fingers over the red ribbon, “and she wanted you to have some gifts as well... look just accepted, or you'll break my poor mother's heart.” the two boys accepted the gifts. They each got fancy quill parchment and an assortment of socks, scarves, and odd bits that meant the world to both of them. Remus didn't have much growing up, and Sirius was never gifted nice things that weren't green or black or covered in some sort of goblin esq murder. Basically, they looked nice and normal, you could say pretty, but these are 11-year-old boys. (12 if your Sirius). James also handed an extra sock-shaped gift to Sirius. “These are for Regulus; Mum didn’t want him to miss out”, James' voice was low. Sirius clutched the gift close to him
“Thank you, I think he will like these more than the cake, minds you” Sirius chuckled. The boys stayed in the common room for a while longer. Sirius had written a letter to Regulus and found a suitable box for the cake and socks. James offered to let Sirius use the cloak to head to the owlery later that night.
Sirius made his way up the stairs, ensuring he was careful on the ice, and located the little Ural Owl sitting on the porch. “Hello, Onyx”, Sirus greeted the bird, who chirped back, happy to see Sirius. “I need you to make a very special and important delivery to Regulus” Sirius handed the box over to Onyx, who took it without hesitation even though it was nearly double the bird's size and weight. “You got it, boy”, Onyx hooted, flapping his wings and setting off into the frozen night.
****
The rest of Christmas was a complete and utter nightmare for Regulus. Orion, it seemed, hadn't had a drop of alcohol. He was, in fact, voluntarily sober. That meant he was more irritable than before. Once dinner had finished and everyone had gone into the parlour to play Troll Toll, Orion waited at the table and asked Regulus to stay behind him. Walburga wasn’t so keen on the idea and ensured that Kreature was close to the dining room keeping his beedie little eyes on the pair. Regulus stayed at the opposite end of the head where his father sat. He tried to remain calm and composed, keeping the new mask he made up and ready. Orion huffed a laugh swirling water in his goblet around.
“Do you miss your brother?” it was a simple question Orion asked; Regulus was taken back slightly, his mask of calmness slipping a little
“Yes, I do miss him... I miss him a lot, Father” Regulus focused on his breathing, and Orion let out a hum
“I want to do better for the both of you. I want to help you and Sirius.” Orion's voice was sincere; he meant every word. “I’m sorry I failed you both” Tears had spilt from Orion's eyes, Regulus hated seeing people he cared for cry, and somehow, he found it in him to care for this version of his father. The sober version of his father that is. They had met a few times; the first time was when Walburga had left them home alone; Druella, her sister, was having marital problems and went to her sister's aid leaving the boys with him. He was intoxicated but kind until Regulus heard his brother’s strained scream from the upstairs bathroom and saw Orion try to drown Sirius. Kreachure and another house elf whose name escapes him had saved Sirius. The other house elf was killed for helping Sirius and taxidermied as a constant reminder of what happens to disobedient house elves. The horrid thing stands in the grand hallway as a continual reminder of that night.
Regulus continued to watch Orion as he moved from his seat, swaying over to him. Even though he wasn’t drunk, he still moved like one. Regulus tensed as Orion got closer. “ you shouldn’t have to live in a place like this,” Orion murmured as he turned the chair Regulus was sitting on to face him, dropping to his knees. Regulus tensed a little he had never been this close to Orion before. On instinct, Regulus noted the placement of his butter knife still left on the table.
“I don’t... I don’t understand. Father” Reglulus felt so incredibly small he could feel the tears prick in his eyes. It wasn’t out of sadness or anger. It was fear. Regulus was scared; he wanted to scan the room for a form of salvation, but he needed to keep his focus on Orion.
“Shhh, it's okay, my sweet boy” Orion pulls Regulus into a hug. At first, it was a nice hug, and Regulus relaxed into the embrace. It felt so much like a hug from Sirius. Soft and caring, full of love, he never knew how much he missed those hugs. Regulus let his guard down; he felt like a child again, not wearing his mask and just fully letting himself be consumed by the hug from his father.
But something wasn’t right Regulus felt the hug get tighter and tighter as if his father had morphed into a boa constrictor. Breathing was getting harder; he could feel Orion shaking- no. Was he crying? “I'm sorry you have to be in a place like this”, orion sobbed as his hand shot up to the back of Regulus' head. The other hand was on his shoulder. The man before him would break his fucking neck if he continued. Regulus choked, gasping for air; he couldn’t get enough to scream, but his arm wasn’t pinned to his side entirely, and the butter knife was still on the table.
Regulus knew how to get out of this situation with his free arm. He reached out his fingers and brushed the ornate silver handle of the knife; it spun around on the placemat. No! Black spots started to enter his vision. It was now or death at this point. Regulus swayed slightly using the moment he rocked to the left. His fingers brushed the handle again, just enough for him to get a grip on the blade. Regulus plunged the blunt butter knife into his father's neck using the last of his strength. Regulus felt his body go limp as he tried to gasp for air. A warm trickle of blood coated his hand as it dropped to his side.
Orion let out a scream pulling away from Regulus. The knife was still in his neck; Andromeda was the first to get there. She rushed over to Regulus limp in his chair, his white shirt and hand covered in blood
“REGULUS!” she shouted as she cradled his head “Reggie, Please look at me. It's Andromeda”, she sobbed; Narcissa followed her sister and screamed at the sight of blood. That was when Walburga had burst into the room face like lightning; Druella wasn’t far behind her as Narcissa ran up to her mother, hiding in the skirts of her gown. Wlaburga took in the scene before her: Orion was on the floor, a knife driven through his neck, but still breathing, unfortunately. Regulus was covered in blood, crying and being cradled by Andromeda. Perfect, she, through no amount of damage control, can keep this mess from going public. Narcissa calmed her tears and looked up at her aunt's calculating features.
“the girls can stay with Regulus in his room while I take him to St. Mungos, as far as the family knows. Orion did this to himself. Make sure that if the blasted profit gets wind of what has happened, they publish that story” Walburga directed it to anyone in the room but mainly Kreature, who was wringing his hands fearfully, waiting for his punishment. Walburag didn’t bother to acknowledge Regulus. She picked Orion up off the floor, slinking his arm over her shoulders; Druella crouched down to Narcissa, kissing her forehead
“help your sister look after Regulus, please”, she whispered, hugging the beauty; Narcissa nodded, rushing over to where Andromeda was fussing over Regulus. Drullea headed to where Walburga was with Orion getting his other arm and hoisting him up between them as they headed for the floo.
Andromeda managed to coax Regulus out of the dining room and back upstairs; he was still tense and shaking. ANrcissa had helped him with his bath making sure he scrubbed the blood from under his nails. Andromeda had checked Regulus over; he seemed to have a few broken ribs, his breathing was still shallow, and the bruising was showing. The best way to heal him was with magic, but none could perform advanced spells like that without the ministry knowing. Bellatrix was old enough, but none of them could trust her enough, and the same went for Alphard and Cygnus. Speaking of Bellatrix, she was still in the house cackling as usual, but Alphard had kept her entertained and away from the three upstairs. By now, everyone was exhausted Drulla had sent word that Orion was stable but would be kept under close observation for a few days meaning the two mothers wouldn't be home.
Finally clean and safe in his bed, Regulus was still shutting the girls out. He had screamed for Sirius when they wanted him to take a bath but other than that, he hadn’t uttered a single word to them. It was around 10 pm when the three heard tapping on Regulus' window. None of them got to sleep even though Bellatrix had left and returned with Andromeda and Narcissa's nightclothes; she left promptly, probably on Alphard's orders. The tapping at the window continued, this time with more urgency. Regulus huffed, knowing the other two were deep in hushed conversation. He left his bed, unlocked the window, and Onyx flew in haphazardly from the weight of the box he had clutched in his talons.
Narcissa shrieked, covering her hair. “Calm down, sissy; it's just Onyx” Regulus' voice was still a horse; Onyx gathered his bearings and went for his perch on Regulus' Desk, carefully dropping the package. Andromeda stood up, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear
“Who do you think it's from?” She asked.
“Sirius, of course,” Regulus chirped as he read the tag with Sirius’ handwriting on it. It was cursive but also resembled dragon scratch, not as elegant as Regulus writing, but that gave it its charm. Regulus pulled out his desk chair, taking a seat. Andromeda and Narcissa sat on each end of the desk, excited to see what was in the box after the events at dinner. Even just a letter would brighten their moods. Regulus untangled the ribbon, letting the box collapse, revealing the delicately decorated chocolate yule log, a neatly wrapped sock shape gif and a letter.
“Mmm, that smells amazing” Narcissa licked her lips, eyeing up the chocolate frosting
“What does the letter say, reg?” Andromeda asked, inclining her head to the side, trying o read the letter.
Dear Regulus,
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
In my last letter, I promised you a slice of chocolate cake that I hope Andy and Sissy gave you!
I hope you are well and doing better with me not there, and please write soon. I do miss you dearly.
Also, James’ mum has sent you a gift so that you won’t go without; Mrs Potter is very nice. I hope we can meet her in person one day.
Merry Christmas
S.O.B
PS The cake is your present from me, don’t let anyone else eat it!
Regulus smiled at the letter; he looked over at his cousins, who both were drooling over the cake. Regulus smirked, swiping his index finger through the icing and licking it off. “It's mine. It’s a gift from Sirius!” Regulus chided, a massive smile plastered on his face. He was acting as if he didn’t just stab his father 6 hours ago.
The three of them feated on the cake finishing it not long after starting it and ultimately making themselves feel sick in the process, but it was worth the chocolate hangover. Regulus passed out first, leaving the two girls to contemplate the day.
“We have to tell Sirius,” Narcissa whispered
“What! We can’t; we don’t know how he will react,” Andromeda shot back with a careful whisper not to wake Regulus.
“so it's fine if he finds out that Orion was Stabbed in the profit. Im telling him!”
Andromada made an angry noise that Narcissa rolled her eyes at as she went to the desk, pulling out a few rolls of parchment.
*******
Sirius, James and Remus were still buzzing from the sugar and festive cheer flowing through the castle. It was around 2 am that they had finally wound down enough to pull out some playing cards and play a few rounds of Bullshit* James was on a massive losing streak; Remus was bearly holding on yet winning, and Sirius was just happy playing after having the rules explained to him thrice.
Usually, owls tend to drop letters off in the morning during breakfast but due to the urgency of the message and the threatening glare of one Narcissa Black. The little Ural Owl flew through the cold Christmas night, tapping frantically on the window, drawing the boy's attention.
“oi, in’t that your brother's owl?” Remus said between bites of his chocolate frog, pointing at the frazzled owl. Sirius furrowed his brow
“Yeah. I only sent him home a few hours ago...” Sirius frowned, sliding off James' bed towards the windows. Even though the school is old as fuck, the tower windows open slightly, with just enough room for Onyx, but if it were Bellatix’s oversized eagle owl, it would struggle to fit through.
Onyx landed on an empty bedpost, dropping the letter in Sirius’ hands. “Weird, it's from Sissy”, Sirius mumbled.
“Well, don’t let us anticipate what it says,” James asked, revealing his hand to Remus.
Sirius opened the letter reading it, his face twisting as multiple emotions tried to take over at once.
Dear S.O.B
I’m sorry you must hear this from me, but it’s better than getting a tale from the daily profit in the morning, Orion; your father was rushed to St. Mungos earlier today due to Regulus Stabbing him in the neck. Please don’t panic. Reggie is safe with Andy and me, but he has suffered a few bruises and a broken rib from where Orion nearly suffocatedhim well. It's not good, but he is okay. I'm sorry you had to find out this way, but I had to tell you. Andy and I are staying with Reggie tonight. We managed to get him cleaned up, but I fear he is not the same person we left on that platform in September. he was delighted and thankful for the cake and socks. Andromeda is a little jealous that the great Eufamina Potter has gifted him Socks.
Please don’t worry yourself over this
N.B
Sirius let the letter drop to the floor as he shot out of the tower and down the stairs; James and Remus shared a look. “Well, that can’t be good news”, James stated as he went over to the letter picking it up and reading. Remus watched as James’ face contorted at the information he read.
“Hope you're not planning on running away as well? Is it cursed or something?” Rmeus asked a little hesitantly. James sighed
“Worse, I heard his parents a little”, James gestured with his hands. “Weird, but it seems his father nearly killed Regulus. Look,” James pushed the letter to Remus, who read it intently
“shit.” Remus breathed.
*****
Sirius burst out of the portrait hole and continued to rush through the hallways causing the ghosts to turn around in curiosity as Sirius sped through the hallways and up another flight of stairs towards the faculty corridor. Sirius forgot about the time. He was panting hard, his fist hurt as he pounded on the door to Minerva McGonagall’s quarters, and it wasn’t long until she whipped the door open, her tartan dressing gown billowing with the force of her door swinging open. His face was a sight of anger from being woken up at 2 am on boxing day, then twisting into a look only a mother could have when seeing her child red-faced with tear-stained cheeks as she beheld one puffy, red-faced Sirius Black.
“Mr Black, What on earth is the matter?” Minerva asked, her Scottish accent soothing the roaring tide in Sirius's mind. Sirius's Eyes welled up
“My brother, I need to go home to Regulus. Professor, please, he got hurt, and I need to help him,” Sirius sobbed. Minerva ushed the raven-haired boy into the rooms; this conversation did not need Peeve’s or any other nosey undead witnesses to hear. That goes for the Painting of Phinesus Black, a previous school headmaster.
Minerva sat Sirius on the small sofa in her room and sat next to him. “Right, Mr Black, why do you want to go home?” Minerva asked again, her voice calm. Sirus sat and processed the question, filling him with that horrible white-hot rage. The gift from his father was the rage of 1000 men, it seemed.
“ARE YOU FUCKING MENTAL! WHY DO I WANT TO GO HOME?!” Sirius was seething, he was already pacing, yet Minervra observed like with feline-like eyes, slowly blinking and just letting Sirius vent. “MY BROTHER NEARLY DIED, AND I WAS TOO BUSY HAVING FUN! THAT'S ALL I HAVE BEEN DOING! HAVING FUN,” Sirius's temper simmered slightly as the tears took a choke hold, his voice waving. “I LEFT HIM WITH....With those monsters,” Sirius collapsed onto the floor, his hands shooting for his hair. “I left him and... And I'm a horrible brother. Please let me go home” Sirius was crying now. Full-on waterworks, Minervra knelt on the ground next to Sirius, pulling him into a hug as sob after uncontrollable sob wracked through his body. He tensed as he felt the warmth of her body and her thin arms wrapped around him.
“Shhh there, there. you are not a terrible brother Sirius” she cooed; Sirius had finally relaxed a little, accepting the embrace. He had never been hugged like this before. Sure, Andromeda had held him, but this was different this felt like he was being protected and loved by a real mother.
Though Minervra McGonagall was never lucky enough to settle down and start a family of her own she took pride in mothering her students who need one the most. Long ago she had a student in Ravenclaw who lost everything he held close to him in regards to family but felt and found solace in Minervra. Sirius was no different to that boy. Shunned from his partens by being sorted into a less desirable house and now banished from his own home during holidays. Sirius craved love, though he had buckets full to give he felt undeserving of it back because of who is was.
“how are you so sure” he mumbled, wiping his eyes on his jumper.
“because you ran to me in the early hours of the morning to go see him. If I am not mistaken that is the bravest and most brotherly thing a borther can do” She smiled at the boy who looked up at her “though I’m sorry I can’t help you. I will see if I can organise something.”
Sirius sniffed letting out a shakey breath his eyes going heavy, Minervra and sirius stayed on the floor of her quarters for a while longer. She didn’t know what prompted her to sing a soft lullaby. But it helped sirus drift off to sleep.