── Friday 25th December 1971

SIRIUS BLACK HAD NEVER ONCE BROKEN A PROMISE TO REGULUS. The words Sirius comforted his brother with, he'd always abided by — if Sirius told him he'd do something, he did it. That's just how it was.

Still, Sirius Black had not returned for winter break.

Regulus had kept himself optimistic the final few days before the break, hopeful as ever to finally see his dear brother after so long a separation, but of course, his hope had been in vain.

The younger Black brother wasn't quite sure how to react to his brother's absence, all his positivity had swirled down the drain and it occurred to him: What if Sirius had forgotten about him? He certainly hadn't bothered contacting Regulus ever since he'd left for school. Regulus felt a sense of betrayal course through him, his chest squeezed as if every broken promise broke his heart just the same — if Sirius had truly forgotten about him, that was not one, but two promises neglected. Two small, doubting cracks in his small, once assured heart.

Nevertheless, even after days, Regulus sat by the windowsill, staring at the placid sky that had been blanketed by the foggy nature of Yule, in search of some sign from Sirius. Something that would grant him some explanation through a few words so that his mind wouldn't do that deed in Sirius' place.

"Regulus," his father addressed him as he marched into the room, adjusting his black, silk tie. "Are you ready? We're leaving." The man glanced at him for a mere moment, raising an expecting eyebrow at his son, before turning to the mirror. Regulus solely nodded, taking one last look out of the window before rising to his feet and exiting the room, a book tucked under his arm that Evan (if the Rosiers opted to join them this year) would surely poke fun at him for.

It was a tradition of the Noble House of Black (and for many other families included in the sacred twenty-eight) that, each winter, a day of the twelve during Yule would be picked for a family supper. There was another tradition following the first — this one special to the Blacks —  that Sirius would muck everything up, being the absolute angel he was, and enrage all the adults present at the feast. Andromeda had told Regulus that Sirius had began this sacred tradition since he was only a year old, when he'd shrieked and wailed throughout the entire dinner, so now Regulus noted that, on the bright side of things, his brother wouldn't be gifted a new scar at the end of this year, to accompany the others littered all over his body.

Orion Black left the room soon after Regulus, appearing to have finished inspecting his attire. His hand moved to grip Regulus' shoulder and the boy winced in response to the physical contact. Within seconds, they'd apparated to the large door of Cygnus and Druella Black's estate and Regulus shivered, the freezing temperature nipping at him instantly. Once the two entered the home, Orion left Regulus to his own devices, leaving to accompany his wife who'd departed from their house much earlier than the two, in favour of Druella's company.

Regulus' eyes took in the rush of people, before he retreated to the corner of the room and took a seat on the shimmery, black velvet chaise. Fortunately for Regulus' book (though not so fortunately for his social skills) the Rosiers didn't appear to be present, in fact it seemed even the Lestranges had chosen to not come, despite Bella's engagement. Regulus opened up his novel, flipping through the pages and skimming the paragraphs as he searched for where he'd previously left off. He really needed to start putting his bookmark collection to use.

"Regulus!" Narcissa exclaimed just as Regulus found the page he was looking for. She was dressed in snowy finery, her white gown embroidered with sparkling silver designs and a silky cloak gracefully draped over her shoulders. Her engagement ring glistened in the amber candlelight that lit up the room. Placing a kiss on Lucius Malfoy's cheek, she left her fiancé with his sister, approaching and engulfing Regulus before the boy even had a chance to respond. The blonde pulled back, moving a stray strand of Regulus' hair out of his face, "You look so lovely, darling. How are you?"

"Tired," Regulus replied, resting his hands on top of his book, "I didn't get to sleep." He excluded the small detail in which he'd spent all night wondering about Sirius.

Narcissa stared at him, taking a seat next to him and putting her hand on top of his ones, "Are you all right?"

Regulus plastered on a smile that he knew Cissa would see right through anyways, "Yeah, just eager to see everyone," he lied.

The blonde seemed hesitant and clearly didn't believe his clever fib, however she still nodded. Spotting the house elves begin to carry in the dishes, the Black girl arose, "Pandora has my purse and I love her, but I do trust her kleptomanic tendencies will encourage her curiosity. Will you save me a seat at the table?" she asked, "We can catch up."

The boy agreed, sighing once his cousin left to fetch her belongings from the Malfoy girl. He stood up. Almost everyone was gathered around the table, claiming their seats — Regulus slipped into one beside Andromeda, who offered him a smile. He smiled back and she gave him a harsh kick in the shin, causing Regulus to flinch.

"What was that for?" he hissed as he glanced at Andromeda and then down at her navy heels, frowning. Regulus' expression softened, morphing into one between curiosity and confusion once he noticed the (horrifically-wrapped) brown paper package in her hand. The boy looked up at his cousin again, puzzlement lacing his expression. 'Sirius,' she mouthed, handing it to him. Regulus blinked, the hope he had lost over the past few days sparking in his heart once more. Nothing of notable importance happened after that interaction between the two cousins; the dinner went on exactly as it had been planned, for once in over a decade.

Later on, after everyone had eaten and went back to their activities, Regulus found himself sitting on a bench outside the estate, ignoring the cold weather the best he could. He stared at the package on his lap, thoughts running and dying in his mind like a wildfire. In his brother's immediately recognisable, cursive but careless handwriting were written the words To Regulus.

The boy ripped off the paper wrapping, uncovering the thin rectangular box underneath. He handled it gently, as if he was hallucinating and the box would just disappear at any second. Inside the box, safely tucked in black velvet, there was a silver locket. The jewellery was intricately designed, its chains twisting and turning to form elaborate serpents that slithered up the oval frame of the locket, around the emerald fixed into the lid.

Regulus flicked the object open, his lips parting as the picture of himself and Sirius stared back at him. They were standing side-by-side, and filthy with dirt, Sirius' arm was slung around him, securing as always. The photo could only be about two or three years old: Regulus could recall the vague memory of Andromeda taking it on that midsummer's day with the muggle camera she'd borrowed from Uncle Alphard.

The two brothers had spent all day rolling around in the grass and leaves without care, throwing small twigs and boyishly tackling the other like playful puppies. Of course, their mother had been aghast once she'd spotted them covered from head to toe in muck, but Bellatrix had managed to redirect her feelings — though only after scolding the lot of them herself.

A slip of parchment wrapped around the chain caught Regulus' eye, averting him from his reminiscing. The boy flipped it over and there they were, the words he had been hoping for and the words that pushed away his fears for sure: I miss you, baby brother.

Regulus exhaled sharply, gripping the objects in his hands tightly as he let out a longing sob.

── ✧ ──

── Friday 31st December 1971

SIRIUS BLACK WAS HAVING THE TIME OF HIS LIFE. Though Peter and Remus had left for home to spend the holidays with their families, James had decided to stay at Hogwarts with him and the two had dedicated their break to one mission: getting back at Peeves the Poltergeist. Ever since the troublesome ghost had sent a thunderous storm cloud after all four boys in November, they had all agreed (after some argument) that they would avenge themselves and all the other students who had fallen victims to Peeves' unnecessary antics.

Of course they hadn't figured out exactly what they would do yet, for a rain cloud or two certainly wouldn't bother the dead the same it did the living, and they weren't even sure if Peeves had ever even been living — nobody seemed to know where he'd come from, but rumour had it he had come with the castle, when the four founders had built it all those centuries back, and so that supported nothing of use.

"Shush!" James exclaimed in a hushed whisper, swatting at Sirius as the dark haired boy attempted to stifle his giggles. The two boys were crouched behind a stone gargoyle in one of the hallways near the Slytherin dungeons, peering past the statue just enough so that they could watch Peeves without being seen themselves.

"What are you doing wandering here, imbecile?" the Bloody Baron's voice roared before he was even completely visible, clearly startling the poltergeist. The way the light of the full moon travelled through him and the blood he was covered in only succeeded in making him appear even more intimidating.

"Agh! I- I was j- just... just- leaving," Peeves stammered, hovering slowly away from the Slytherin ghost. The poor blue-lit man was practically shivering.

"WELL, GET TO IT!" the baron bellowed and the other squealed like a little girl, making James snort. Both ghosts turned around at this and the two boys froze momentarily, blinking at each other with their hands covering their mouths, before getting up and making a run for it.

They turned a corner and stopped at the end of the hall, standing there for a moment or two before figuring that Peeves had not been so prompted to chase them as they had expected. At this simultaneous realisation, both boys burst into laughter.

"You should have seen your face when they turned around!"

"Did you see Peeves' face? He looked like he was about to wet himself!" Sirius guffawed, looking up at his friend, "Guess we know how to get back at him now," he added, his mind already concocting a brilliant plan.

James' eyes sparkled, matching the marvellous grin on his face, "Guess we do."

"Back at who?" Severus Snape questioned, stopping a few metres away from the two Gryffindors, as usual resembling a dark shadow. He was accompanied by Angus Mulciber and Cameron Avery, who stood beside him with two unamused expressions.

"What's it to you, Snivellus?" Sirius retorted, eyebrow arched, his delightful expression having quickly turned into something more snarky, "You a fan?"

Avery scoffed, "Of you? Not bloody likely," he answered instead, appearing disgusted.

Snape rolled his eyes, "Forget it. We don't care what you blood traitors are up to," he snapped. "Come on, Avery, Mulciber," the Slytherin said, shoving past James and Sirius. Sirius gagged at the contact, making a face. James, however, looked quite offended.

"Aren't you friends with Evans, Snivellus?" he challenged loudly, as if daring Snape to deny it.

Snape paused, "Me?" he asked, his voice suddenly wobbly. "I... I don't care about that mudblood. She's just clingy."

"FUGNARIBUS!" James shouted out before the dark-haired boy could go on. Instantly, bat-like creatures started squeezing through Snape's nose and flying up into the air, earning frightened protest from the Slytherin boy. Mulciber and Avery moved to grab hold of their wands, but Sirius had already whipped out his own, sending two flashes of light their way.

"Never, and I mean never, call Lily Evans that word again, you greasy twat!" James exclaimed, eyebrows furrowed.

── ✧ ──

2042 words woo i have school tomorrow i do not know why im up and that ending is horrible im so sorry happy late new year can you believe it's been a year and we're only on chapter 7 that's my laziness for you i intended to post this on christmas but 💀

hope you enjoyed idk HELP

05.01.21