He’s on the run
That night was clear for Regulus. He could remember everything clearly. It wasn’t a traumatic blur. No, it was raw and pain filled. Pure and justified anguish tore into his heart as he relived it every time he slept.
Sirius had walked into his fathers study, he wasn't supposed to see.
He wasn't supposed to see.
Regulus could remember the mortification he felt, the embarrassment that incased his body. He could deal with his father's abuse, as long as Sirius didn't find out. The deal his father made him at the ripe age of 6.
--
"You are such a nice looking boy, Regulus", he'd told him drunkenly.
It was late at night and there was a party going on, on the main floor. Regulus and Sirius had been sent off to bed by their mother. They'd bid everyone goodnight and went to their respective rooms. Regulus didn't realize that their father had followed them up. Orion had waited until he knew Sirius was asleep to go into the room where his youngest son resided.
When his father opened the door, light poured in and the laughter, music and general sounds of a party accompanied it. Regulus sat up and rubbed at his eyes with two balled up fists.
"Father?", the young boy asked as he watched his dad make his way to the bed in the far corner of the room. Orion stumbled and wobbled, clearly drunk. The elder Black sat on the bed, close to were his son resided. Young Regulus could smell the scent of firewhiskey oozing off of his father. He scrunched his nose at the offense.
"You look just like your mother, so frail and beautiful." Regulus once looked up to his father with adoration and awe. After this night he'd never look at him that way again.
When Orion Black walked out of that room that night, he left behind a violated son. Regulus was left bleeding from many places that night. He had many bruises that would eventually fade away. But he would always have the scar that it left on his mind. A scar that was rehashed and opened many times after.
---
"If you say no, I'll just make Sirius do it. And you already cause enough trouble for him."
"You want to help you brother don't you?"
"That's a good boy, Regulus."
---
When Sirius saw his little brother bent over the dark mahogany of their father's desk. He saw red. There was nothing but pure and utter rage in his eyes. Never once had Orion Black been afraid of someone. He was an untouchable man. However, when he saw his eldest son's eyes light with a fire that couldn't be contained he feared for his life.
Sirius didn't even reached for his wand, he just charged at his father. There was no thought but getting his brother away from that blasted man. The tears and fear in his baby brother's eyes would haunt him forever. That look of his father standing over the young boy forever scorched into his brain.
When Walburga Black heard the commotion, she made her was swiftly to the study. The sight before her frightened her like no other. One son bleeding from multiple places, shivering and half dressed. He was crying so heavily and trying to curl in on himself. The other was beating more than just the life out of her husband.
Anger took over many people that night. Sirius's back was covered in more magical scars. Proof of the Cruciatus curse lingered on the bodies of both of the Black sons. Now more than ever, but there were no more children staying in the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black.
On the early morning of June 21st 1975 Sirius Black dragged the body of his unconscious brother through the chimney to the house of the Potter family. It was roughly 5:37 am, and Fleamont Potter was getting ready to head to his office. Running your own business wasn't easy. Fleamont was kissing his wife good by as the heard the fwoosh of the floo and the thud of something heavy. It was immediately followed by the sharp cry of his surrogate son.
"Mum?! Dad?!", normally the names would've brought smiles of joy to their faces, but the way he called for them instantly set them on edge. Danger senses were on as they both ran into the sitting room. Sirius was carrying the limp body of a striking familiar boy. Regulus Black. They were both drenched in sweat and tears. Blood decorated both of their bodies.
Euphemia let out a horrified gasp and brought her hands to cup her mouth. Fleamont wanted to break down and cry as he looked onto the scene in front of him, but he couldn't. There was no time for him to panic. He could sob and scream later; when both boys were clean and tucked safe and sound into bed.
Fleamont slowly approached the feral boy in front of him. Hands in front of him, like he was approaching a rabid animal.
"Let me help him, Sirius", he crowed softly. Sirius set his gaze on him, and it took everything in Fleamont not to cower. The Black family held the trait of a piercing gaze. As the older Potter opened his mouth to speak again, he heard James make his way down the stairs. Both of the standing men looked over to the staircase were James stood. When the younger Potter set his eyes on the two ragged boys, his jaw set. A look appeared on his face that had only been seen a few times before.
James looked at his father and took into account what he was trying to do, "Let dad help, Sirius. You know he can."
Sirius between the two Potter men before settling his gaze on his best friend. "Yeah."
James looked relieved as he replied, "Yeah?".
Sirius looked at his surrogate father with a mixture of fear and trust, "Alright."
----
It was a long and grueling night. Sirius paced outside of the door he knew Monty was taking care of Regulus in after Effie had checked him over. Only the aftershock pains of the Curse remained. The blood spattered on him wasn't his. It was his father's. No.
It was Orion's.
Some of it belonged to his little brother. Sirius paced and paced and paced. For at least 2 hours until Monty made his way out of the room. He looked exhausted. His glasses were pushed up into his hair. Holding the unruly curls back, but only barely. There were worry lines etched onto his brown skin.
Sirius stopped right in front of him. Fleamont looked down at the young boy,
"He's alright. He's tough like his big brother."
The pale boy practically collapsed against the older man as he was pulled into a hug. The remaining Potter family members joined into the hug. They held their place for a few minutes before Monty pulled away.
"Now Sirius, I need to know what exactly happened to you and your little brother."