Sirius packed his bag. He couldn’t do it anymore, he just couldn’t.
That night was the final straw, the avalanche. The screaming and crying clawed at his thoughts as he tried to shake them.
It wasn’t safe for him anymore, not in this home.. but maybe the next.
-
“Thanks for letting me over, Mrs. Potter.” Sirius held his bags awkwardly at the door. “It’s Effie, Sirius. And of course, you’re always welcome at the Potters.”
- Always.
He never really trusted the adults words. They were always empty promises, oaths they couldn’t keep, but Mrs- Effie, was different. She had welcomed him with open arms so many times before. He just hoped tonight wouldn’t be different.
His bag was packed and his school stuff sent with his owl. Now he needed to get out.
He carefully lifted the now filled bag from his bed and slung it over his shoulder. Getting down the old creaky stairs would be no easy feat, but he had to risk it.
Luckily the paintings along the staircase were soundly sleeping, but all it would take is one loud creak.
He made it to the bottom somehow, and started towards the library, not before being stopped by Kreacher.
“What is young Sirius doing up at this time of night..” Kreacher looked him up and down and Sirius scoffed. “Fully dressed with a packed bag. Not suspicious young Master, no not suspicious at all…”
“Oh shove off Kreacher. Don’t say a-“
“Sirius? What are you doing, it’s so late.” The younger boy tiredly rubbed his eyes, obviously just woken up by Kreacher’s commotion.
“Reg- You can’t say anything.”
“Young master-“
“Kreacher, hold on.” Regulus silenced him and walked the rest of the way down the stairs.
“What’s going on?” The boys were face to face.
Sirius looked into his brothers eyes with regret. He should’ve taken Regulus with him. A better life for the both of them, but he wouldn’t go, and Regulus had to stay. Regulus had to be the perfect child because Sirius couldn’t be.
“Sirius, what are you doing?”
—— Regulus POV ——
He looked to his brother with confusion. The boy was dressed unnaturally for the night, and he had a heavy looking bag around his back. He seemed to be on his way to the library…
No. No- no Sirius couldn’t be leaving. Not for good.
“Sirius don’t tell me-“
“I have to, Regulus. I can’t stay here, not anymore. Just- come with me! We can- can go to the Potters together. The two of us.”
Regulus shook his head. He could barely look at his brother as he stumbled backwards.
“We don’t have to stay here anymore. You don’t have to follow-“
“Stop. Don’t- don’t you understand? Voldemort is our legacy. Following this family is our legacy. You can’t leave, you can’t.”
Regulus’s heart almost shattered at the look Sirius sent him.
“You’re just as bad as the rest of them. Don’t you understand? What they’re doing to us? I can’t be a Deatheater, I just can’t. I won’t.”
“The rest of them?! You mean our family? You know what, Sirius? Leave. I don’t need you, this family,”
He gestured to the walls around them.
“Doesn’t need you.”
Sirius stared at the other, mouth gaped and eyes wide, until his expression turned sour.
“I wouldn’t want anything more.”
Regulus clenched his fists, biting his lip to reel back tears.
“Good. I’m glad you’re happy.”
Sirius turned and didn’t look back.
“Bye, Regulus. Good luck with this family.” He scoffed.
And that was the last Regulus saw of Sirius. After his figure was lost behind the slamming of the door, he was gone.
They both got what they wanted.
Right?