Seven

It was 6:26 PM when Sirius opened the enrollment fee notice.

It was 7:42 PM when he was arguing with the office from Hogwarts.

"It just doesn't give me much time to pull a bank job," he joked, running a frustrated hand through his hair.

The person on the line obviously doesn't catch the joke, making him wince to himself as he restrains the urge to scream. How was he suppose to pay $25,000 all at once?

Sirius hasn't struggled fincially in years as he grew to learn how to budget and save, growing out of his spoiled posh boys way. He hasn't had problems buying Regulus everything he needs to be a happy kid: toys, clothes, cute school supplies that look way better than the ones that school provided, etc. But that doesn't mean he has the money to pay this tuition all at once on such short notice.

"No a bank job means to rob a bank- no I was just- nevermind."

The lady on the phone was not amused. Maybe if this was face to face then Sirius could charm his way into getting his way, but since the circumstances are otherwise, he could only rely on his words.

His words so far were not working.

"Do you want me to give away Regulus's spot?" the lady ask, her tone giving away how disinterested she is.

Sirius can imagine it: A random forty old lady sitting in a plain office chair, examining her sixty dollar nails, and dully waiting for another "poor" family to try to convince her to give them more time with the enrollment fee.

Maybe if Sirius was anyone else he would have given up the spot, but he's not. He's Sirius Black, and he will make sure his brother will be at Hogwarts on Monday morning in their stupid fancy uniform.

"I'll figure it out," he replies, holding back a sigh.

The lady does not waste any time and hangs up the phone immediately.

Sirius lets out a groan.

"What am I gonna do?" Sirius asks repeatedly, pacing around his living room.

Lily and Remus had taken Regulus to the local bookstore in celebration, promising to buy him whatever books he wanted. A trio of swots, truly.

With Regulus out, Sirius had called the remaining of his friends over to brainstorm ideas how to get the tuition fee ready.

"You could sell James's kidneys on the dark web?" offers Marlene.

James, who is on the floor by fireplace, scowls at the blonde. "Why me?" He proceeds to throw a chip at her, receiving a book getting thrown at his head in return.

"Oi!"

Marlene ignores his cry of outrage. "Better you than us."

Mary, who had been in the kitchen, comes back with a plate of cookies with the steam still rising in the air indicating it was a fresh batch. "Any new ideas?" She joins Marlene on the love seat, pushing her up against Marlene who flushes slightly and looks elsewhere.

James notices this encounter and quirks an eyebrow, but Marlene ignores his gesture.

"Well.." Peter off, sounding as he doesn't want to say what idea is going through his head. "There is an idea."

James, having an idea where this is going, bends down to hit Peter across the back of his head. "Don't go there Wormy."

"It's not that I want him to do it!" Peter squacks, lips turning downward into a frown. "But I don't see any other idea."

"What?" Sirius asks, eyes shining with hope as he kneels down, facing Peter. "I'll literally do anything."

Peter isn't making eye contact with him.

Ten seconds, twenty seconds; the time seems to go on forever until Peter finally speaks.

"You could talk with your parents."

Sirius's smile drops.

The paint on Regulus's walls was starting to chip off. They had painted the room together when the duo first moved in. Sirius at first wanted to pay someone to paint it, but when Regulus for the two of them to do it together with eyes shining of hope, Sirius knew he wouldn't be able to refuse. Though he always had a harm time refusing his baby brother. The two brothers had spent a lot of the time at the hardware store examining the different colors they had to offer. At the end, Regulus insisted on the forest green color, which Sirius had gone against at first. He thought it was too broody and gloomy for a little boy, but at the end he given in.

Sirius laid in Regulus's twin sized bed watching the constellations they had painted on the celling. Regulus used to be afraid of night; his distant memories of living in that house haunting him when the sun would go down. So Sirius being the big brother he is had painted the celling with the stars because Sirius truly would give Regulus the stars for a smile from his baby brother in return. The paint was glow in the dark, making it shine so brightly in the dark, reminding Regulus that even if it was dark out, the stars would be there watching over him.

He let out a sigh as Peter’s words circled through his head. You could talk with your parents.

That was the last thing he wanted to do, but now that the idea was present, he couldn't think of another to top it. The group had only left twenty minutes ago deciding to leave Sirius in his thoughts, which he was both grateful and dreadful for.

It had been years since he had even thought about his parents. They stopped being his family the minute they laid a hand on Regulus. Sirius could've forgiven let go of his parents treating him terribly, but Regulus? That was unforgivable.

He remembered the night so clearly that he had promised that he would get both Regulus and him out of that house. Walburga had thrown a glass cup at him, cutting his cheek badly during dinner when Sirius refused to work for the family business. Black Industries was a booming business, continuing growing stronger and more known each that goes by. It had been in the family for generations, and all that fame and wealth would go to Sirius one day since he was next in line for Heir. However, there was one problem: Sirius didn't want it.

It wasn't that he lacked the intelligence to do so. In fact, despite being a reckless trouble maker, he maintained good grades and was one of the top in his class. He had natural talents that made him strive academically well, and he would have no problem succeeding in the business world, but he just didn't want to. He had no interest in do so, and he had made that very clear.

But you don't get out of being the Black family easily.

Regulus, who was only six at the time, was so upset by the action that he had bursted into loud sobs with tears rolling down his chubby cheeks. It broke Sirius's heart. Walburga, however, had only screamed at Regulus for being too soft, threatening he would be next if his crying didn't cease.

Being at an age that had little control over emotions made Regulus only cry harder from his mothers screams. Sirius, fueled by his brothers cries, had stood up and told his parents something that he knew he would never regret.

"Once the clock strikes twelve and I turn eighteen, I am leaving this house for good and I am taking Regulus with me."

Orion, who had been unbothered by the whole situation, suddenly looked alarm. "You can't! The business-"

All words spoken by him afterwards faded out as Sirius scoffed in disbelief. Of course, the one time Orion actually seemed to care about something, it was about the business. Business business business. Nothing else seemed to matter to him. Not the wellbeing of his children, not the potential possibility of losing both of them forever, but only his precious business.

Both Walburga and Orion told Sirius he would never be able to do such thing and Sirius had started laughing manically. Even if Sirius was different from his family, it didn't spare him the Black family madness. Sirius threatened them that if they tried to stop him he would go to court and expose his family for all their wrongdoings. Illegal business trade, child abuse, and other shady business the Black family kept a secret. He had two things: proof and passion . He had documented many of the abuses he had to endure during the years with photos, recordings, and had stolen some of his fathers illegal contracts from his study.

Even Walburga and Orion could not risk it and reluctantly agreed with Sirius's plan.

And Sirius did not back out. Instead of celebrating his eighteenth birthday, he had packed his and Regulus's bags with essentials the minute it turned twelve and drove away. And did not once he looked back. No matter how rough it was at first, he never regretted his decision to run away.

"Hey," a voice said, breaking him out of thought as he looked up to the source of the sound.

It was Marlene.

Sirius furrowed his eyebrows. "I thought you guys left."

Marlene shifted her foot from one side to the other as she scratched her neck. "Yeah they all did, but I just thought I should check up on you."

Sirius's eyes softened as he moved over slightly and patted the space on the bed next to him.

The bed dipped slightly as Marlene got in, laying her head on Sirius's shoulder afterwards.

The two sat in silence for a few moments, just enjoying each other's presence and the comfort it brung. Marlene and Sirius had been best friends since grade school, the two bonding over being the black sheep in their family. Sirius explained how his cousins, parents, aunts, and uncles were all cold boring people that just thought of their name and fortune while he was considered too loud, bold, and intense.

Marlene despite her family being different had felt similar to the feeling of being an outcast. The Mckinnons were considered a golden family: they ran charities, donated regularly to organizations, and had built many homeless shelters across several countries. Marlene had three older siblings who all had bright futures and already did amazing things.

There was Faith Mckinnon who was only in secondary school, yet had already won many awards for her impactful art on classicism. She was considered an insightful young girl with a future brighter than her golden blonde hair. Then there was Albert McKinnon who was is in his sixth form and considered an academic star. He had the highest grades in his year and was well known on the internet for his speeches about economic gaps at events. Lastly there was June McKinnon who had already hosted two charity galas and raised more than two million dollars each for charity.

Marlene feared she would never live up to her family and earn her right as a McKinnon.

So the duo bonded immensely and had been each others rock ever since. When they were young they would find a hiding place at important events to giggle among themselves and ignore their family expectations for a while and as they grew older, they would just sneak out entirely to go smoke on the roof. Marlene had even gifted Sirius his first leather jacket on his eleventh birthday. He still had it to this day.

Months later Regulus Black was born and Sirius had now a baby brother. Before the birth Sirius was unbothered by the fact and initially thought that now his parents could actually raise a son that fit their expectations and the attention of him would loosen. But when he first set eyes on his baby brother, all Sirius's initial thoughts disappeared and he knew that from that day on there would be nothing he wouldn't do for Regulus. Instead of trying his best to get out of the house he would go spend all his time in Regulus's nursery watching over his baby brother and ensuring no harm would ever come to him.

Marlene also quickly grew to adore Regulus and brought a new toy over every time she came over. Walburga showed obvious displeasure over that, but knew better to upset a McKinnon family member. Despite the Blacks having more wealth, the Mckinnon had the advantage of being adored by the public and Walburga knew only harm could come from upsetting Marlene.

When they were thirteen they met James Potter who had just moved in the house next to Marlenes. The three had been a trio ever since, and James grew to motherhen the other two often. Despite being quite a trouble maker himself, he would watch out for his friends constantly and offered a safe space for them at his house when they wanted to get away.

Sirius was so so so grateful for James and his offer, but he rarely accepted as he didn't want to leave Regulus in that house alone. While there were many servants there, so Regulus wouldn't be entirely alone, the servants lacked the authority to do anything if his parents acted up.

He would have to wait until Regulus was older, so he could also bring Regulus over to the Potters.

It wasn't until Sirius was sixteen he often went to the Potters, driving both him and Regulus over there. Euphemia and Fleamont Potter were two of the kindest people Sirius ever met. They always welcomed him and Regulus into their home, and watched over the two brothers as if they were his own. The couple despised Sirius's parents for how they treated their sons and were always reluctant to see the two brothers leave to back home.

The two were seventeen when Marlene had came out to Sirius as lesbian, confessing she had a crush on a girl in their math class. Marlene had looked nervous, rocking her feet side to side and Sirius just looked at her in confusion as he thought this was a known fact since they were kids. The two laughed about it to this day.

"You don't have to do it."

The words were so quiet that Sirius almost missed it and he almost wondered if he imagined Marlene say it, but deep inside he knew.

"I know," Sirius's voice cracked, "But this is such a good opportunity for Reggie and I can't give it up."

Marlene lifted her head from Sirius's shoulder as she shook her head. "You can find the money elsewhere," she said desperately. "James and I talked about it and we both are more than willing to give you the cash. June had just sent me a bunch of cash and I have nothing to do with it anyway. I only have me to take care of. Please let us do this"

Sirius shakes his head as he holds back tears at the absolute devotion in Marlene's voice. God he loves his friends so much.

Marlene's eyes also start brimming with tears. "I really can't convince you, can I?"

Sirius lets out a laugh despite nothing about the situation being funny. "You know me too well, Marls."

The door creeks open, making both of them snap their eyes to the door. Regulus walks in, eyes stuck on his phone with headphones on as he flicks on the light switch. After taking a few step he looks up and startles at the sight.

"Jesus!" he exclaims, placing a hand on his heart and rips off his headphones, "why the hell are you guys sitting in the dark in my room?" Regulus squints, "Are you guys crying?"

Both Marlene and Sirius let out a chuckle despite both having tears in their eyes as they watch the boy they both adore so much. Sirius reaches out his arms. "Come here Reggie."

Regulus scrunches up his nose, backing away a few steps. "No way."

Marlene smiles, holding out her arms as well. "Come on Reg we use to always do this when you were young."

Regulus rolls his eyes. "Yeah when I was like four."

Though the two don't budge and stare down the younger boy until he lets out a groan of defeat. Squishing his way into the small twin bed, he sits in the middle of the two who immediately cling onto him when he sits down properly.

"You guys are children," Regulus muttered, but still nuzzled into Marlenes shoulder.

The blonde in return pecks the younger boy's hair. "Then I hope we all stay children together forever."

Sirius lets himself smile as he sits with two people he would do anything for. He already decided with himself he would ask his parents for help and even if absolutely dreaded it, in this moment, he is sitting here and he is happy.