Friday 21st May, 1977

The final quidditch fame between Slytherin and Gryffindor was tomorrow, and tensions were high. Gryffindors and Slytherins got into squabbles about anything they could, and there were many rumours about failed attempts on several quidditch players lives, though none had been confirmed. Nevertheless, spirits were also high, and you could find many students from different houses conversing and betting on which team would win.

I sat at the Slytherin table with my friends as I ate breakfast. I usually swapped between the Gryffindor and Slytherin table, but something told me it would be safer if I stole some food from the kitchens tomorrow, lest I want to face the wrath of the opposite house than the one I chose.

I was eating my breakfast when the morning post arrived, interrupting me as owl after owl flew into the Great Hall. I got a letter from my mother, as expected, but what surprised me was the letter to Regulus. Immediately I recognised the Black crest and glanced worriedly at Regulus as he snatched the letter up and shoved it in his pocket, his expression dark.

I shared a worried look with Pandora who also saw the letter, remembering our conversation the other day on his family. Again, I wanted to ask him about it, but from the look on Regulus's face it didn't seem like he would answer any questions I had about it.

Regulus and I left the Great Hall, going to our first class together, when Regulus started talking. I was still worrying about his parents, but I tried to pay attention to what he was saying. I failed miserably until I heard him say 'Snuffles'.

"What? Sorry, I blanked out. Can you repeat that?" I asked.

Regulus's brow creased in concern and he brushed his hand over mine. "You okay? You seem worried and out of it."

I felt a burst of appreciation for this boy, who instead of getting upset that I didn't listen to him made sure I was okay and didn't treat me negatively. After I was hit with a strong sense of guilt, because this was the perfect time to ask Regulus about his parents, yet in that moment I knew I wasn't going to. I wasn't ready to face even more pain, even more stress. Things were just slowly getting better, and I didn't want to open another wound and have to go through even more things. It was extremely selfish, I knew, as well as cowardice, which is something I'd been noticing in myself a lot more lately whenever Regulus was involved, because I was too scared to lose him.

I gave him a weak smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. What were you saying?"

Regulus stared at me for a second longer before speaking, and I made sure to listen to what he was saying.

"So, Snuffles visited me again yesterday," Regulus said, lifting my mood. "It's weird, but he sort of reminds me of Sirius."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, like, I don't know how to explain it, but whenever I see him, it just feels like I'm seeing Sirius." Regulus explained.

I stared at Regulus, trying to gauge his expression. "And how do you feel about that? Seeing Sirius every time you see Snuffles?"

Regulus looked at the floor, biting his lip, before looking up at me and answering. "It makes me miss him."

I smiled and grabbed his hand, squeezing it lightly as we entered the classroom. I was overjoyed at the fact that Regulus had been able to admit this to me, because it meant things were progressing, however slowly.

"That's good," I assured him. "He misses you just as much, and now the two of you are able to socialise without the threat of your parents interfering."

Regulus nodded his head slowly at my words and gave me a small smile. I mirrored his expression, glancing at him one last time before focusing on our teacher. Classes had become significantly more stressful now that we were rapidly approaching our O.W.L.s. Most of the classes were spent revising the stuff we'd learnt that would be put in our O.W.L.s, so it was important to pay attention.

A few stressful hours and breakdowns later, it was lunch, and Regulus and I gladly entered the Great Hall, looking forward to some delicious food. I drifted towards the Gryffindor table when I remembered I'd sat at Slytherin this morning, bidding Regulus goodbye, who was rather reluctant to part ways.

When I sat down, I was greeted with Lily launching herself at me, wrapping her around me in a bone crushing hug. I spluttered in surprise but kept quiet for the most part, even when I felt like she was partially suffocating me.

"What was that for?" I asked when she finished her assault.

Lily smiled. "Thought you needed it, with O.W.L.s and all."

I nodded my head as I rubbed my shoulder, deciding not to say that I'd probably have to miss out on half my exams because I was pretty sure I had a few broken ribs. Instead, I gave her a bright smile, because I knew she meant well. "Thanks Lily."

"You're welcome," she chirped. "Also, there's a small party happening at the Gryffindor Tower for the game tomorrow. No alcohol or anything like that, but just a fun gathering. You should come."

I thought about it for a second before nodding. "I will."

"Bring the boyfriend as well," Mary chirped when she sat down next to me

I agreed and sent her smile before focusing on the food in front of me, feeling a wave of dread hit me when I thought of the rest of my classes for today and the amount of stress that would accompany them. Maybe I did need that hug Lily gave me.

After lunch I met back up with Regulus who had a forlorn expression on his face as we arrived at class.

"Hey, we've been invited to a party," I told him as we entered, hoping to lift his spirits.

Regulus raised his eyebrows. "On the night before the game?"

"It's a small party, nothing big, and definitely no alcohol," I explained. "It's at the Gryffindor Tower."

Regulus groaned. "I knew there'd be a catch."

I lightly shoved his shoulder as we sat down. "Don't go having that attitude. It means more time to bond with Sirius."

Regulus went silent at my words, and while he did continue to complain about it for the rest of the day, he never said no, so after dinner I found myself in the Gryffindor Common Room with Regulus by my side, gripping my hand tightly.

"Y/n, Regulus, you made it," Lily exclaimed, getting up from her spot on the couch.

She came over and gave me a hug and Regulus a smile before gesturing us to join the crowd of people hanging around near the fire. Crowd might have been an exaggeration, since there were only about 10 other people there. Lily was right when she said it was going to be a small party.

James got up to greet me and glanced at Regulus but thankfully didn't say anything. Sirius stayed seated, avoiding eye contact with Regulus and I. I could tell his nerves were up about tomorrow, so bringing Regulus along would have only increased them. I hoped he'd push through them and talk to Regulus though, because from the death grip Regulus had on my hand, I wasn't sure he was going to initiate the conversation.

We both sat down on some pillows near the fire, and it was then that I noticed Dorcas curled against Marlene's side, looking very comfortable. I grinned at her when she noticed me and she immediately went beet red, gaze darting away.

I shared a look with Regulus, both of us pleased she'd gotton with her crush, and both of us also knowing we were going to be teasing her about it endlessly when the party was over. Regulus smiled before his gaze strayed across the room, only to quickly dart back to me as his grip on my hand tightened even more. I found the source of his distress when I discovered Sirius staring determinedly at the side of Regulus's head, waiting for him to acknowledge him once more.

Rolling my eyes at the two Black's hopelessness, I got up and tugged Regulus to his feet before leading him to Sirius and sitting down next to him. Regulus followed me stiffly, looking down at the floor until I elbowed him in the gut and he finally looked up at his brother.

The air between the was tense, the silence too loud. I sighed. "Well, go on. Talk."

Sirius and Regulus stared at one another awkwardly, though no one opened their mouth to speak. I rolled my eyes again.

"The Ballycastle Bats suck," I stated.

"What do you mean they suck-"

"How dare you say that-"

Both brothers abruptly cut off as they stared at each other, wide eyed.

"You still go for the Ballycastle Bats?" Sirius asked.

"You still go for them?"

A careful conversation of quidditch started between them after that, both brothers hesitant of one another like the other was about to shout at them at any moment. That didn't happen though, and as the conversation grew I left them to their brotherly bonding.

I looked around the room, noting James and Lily sitting quite close together, before taking a seat next to Remus. I leant my head on his shoulder as we both stared at our respective boyfriends talking to one another, a smile already on Sirius's face while Regulus fought back one of his own.

Things between them were finally starting to mend.

A/N:

double update bc i forgot to update yesterday

the black brothers >>>

yes i understand the past three chapters have been about them. do i care? no

also, i am a firm supporter that lily gave the fiercest, most bone crushing hugs and you cannot change my mind