── Friday 31st March 1972

FOR THE PAST MONTH, Sirius' mind had been racing as Nott's words rang repetitively through it. Pas étonnant que le seigneur des ténèbres préfère son frère. What did that even mean? Well he supposed he had some ideas of what it meant - the notion of a Voldemort character, some raving fanatic who preached blood purity, had been circulating through Hogwarts' halls as if common gossip for a while now, especially now that he was a topic that stood out greatly to Sirius.

If he was completely honest, Sirius had feared his family would quickly jump to associate with what seemed to be the embodiment of their beliefs. Toujours pur, as was their family motto. Merlin, maybe even he would jump at that chance, had his Uncle Alphard not strayed him from that stupidity. After having admitted his "homosexuality", (A word which Sirius in fact did not know the meaning of. Perhaps he would ask Remus later on.) his uncle had been shunned by their family, including his own sister, Sirius' mother.

Even now, years later, the family tree tapestry at Grimmauld Place displayed the remnants of Alphard's name, his picture having been burnt off by Walburga herself. However, sometimes, when Sirius was assumed to be asleep, like Regulus, and his father was out of the house, the boy would come across his mother kneeling in front of the same tapestry, fists clenched in her lap, doing something he swore he'd never see her do, a sight that was just wrong on Walburga's hardened features. He'd see her cry.

This had been exactly why, when later hearing of the supposed murders of innocent muggles that Voldemort had carried out, Sirius had completely scratched the idea of the Blacks being involved with him at all. His family were set in their ways, sure, but they weren't monsters, and they certainly were not killers. Because they were just human. Messy humans enraptured by pain and anger that at times Sirius longed to escape perhaps, but humans all the same.

So why, after this determined realisation did Sirius still have the inkling of a feeling that Nott's comment had been more than just a petty retort? His brother was so naive, so stubborn, so eager to impress that perhaps he didn't even need a push to seek out the dark lord, perhaps it was a push enough that he'd support the family views this way. But that didn't even make sense, did it? How would Reggie even manage a meeting by himself?

This thinking was driving Sirius wild as all his conclusions only concluded in dead ends. Nott had carelessly tossed him into a maze of questions and not bothered to give him a map. It didn't help that he hadn't heard from Regulus since he'd left for Hogwarts. Only Merlin knew how he was after all this time. Well, Merlin and apparently Nott.

"You still up, Sirius?" came James' loud whisper, if one could even call it that.

Sirius rolled over on his side to face a squinting, half-asleep James Potter. "Hey," he said quietly.

James sat up, taking a moment to faff around and find his glasses and then turned to face him, "Had another nightmare?"

Sirius' eyebrows furrowed. The only person who knew about those was Regulus. He opened his mouth, ready to deny it, but James cut him off.

"You're always up late - like now - and you're always really tired. At first I thought you just weren't a sleep person, but I heard you murmuring the other night and- then I realised you were crying," he said, looking at him with large eyes brimming with worry, eyes that felt vaguely like something he'd seen before.

Sirius frowned, finding himself instantly defensive - perhaps due to his pride or even the shame that he was such an open book,"I don't cry-"

"I'm sorry, Sirius," James said at the same time. Sirius' frown grew deeper, "I really didn't know what to do. I was going to wake you, but then it stopped so I figured you'd not want me to bother you. Should I wake you next time? Are- are you okay?"

"I don't need your pity!" Sirius snapped, getting up. James' eyebrows raised ever so slightly at his outburst, "I don't need you to feel bad for me and act like I'm some weak, wounded puppy, James, I-"

"I'm not telling you this because of pity!" James protested, standing up as well, "Can't I just care about you?"

Sirius' words fell short, his irritation dissipating, "I... what?"

"Is that so hard to believe?" James frowned, "You're my mate, I bloody love you, Sirius. I'd never judge you for anything, I- I just want to help."

"You do?" Sirius asked, quieter now, in a shaky tone of voice that betrayed his attempt to stay put together. "You don't think I'm weak?"

"Of course not," came his unhesitant response.

"Oh."

James sighed, sitting down on Sirius' bed, offering him a small smile and then gesturing for him to join him. Sirius did so, muttering an apology, but James shook his head, telling him he had nothing to apologise for.

"It's Reg," Sirius muttered.

"Your brother?"

He nodded,"Nott said some shit about him and I'm so scared, James," he admitted,"I don't want him to get hurt."

"Oh Sirius," James pulled him into a hug, causing him to stiffen, though he quickly thawed and, as his friend held him with such love and affection, Sirius wondered what he'd ever done to deserve it.

── ✧ ──

── Monday 3rd April 1972

TO PUT IT PLAIN AND SIMPLE, Regulus could not - he had no clue how to act about this entire ordeal, ever after weeks of being told in advance. The idea that the dark lord had personally requested to meet him had him utterly confused. Him. As if Regulus had any important assets to hand to his cause at all - in fact, the dark lord's cause unnerved the boy the more he heard of it. Evan and Rabastan had been reciting rumours of his violent nature for quite a while now - Rabastan even going as far as saying that he'd killed people. Regulus didn't entirely believe in that - their parents would never invite a killer into their homes for tea and biscuits, least of all frequently - but it was still an unsettling thought to have in the back of his head. So to conclude, Regulus did not want to meet the dark lord, but he had to. He was perfectly fine with imagining a mysterious, cloaked grim reaper type of figure, but there really was no choice here.

"I'm going to actually start shoving you if you don't hurry up!" Evan whined, grabbing Regulus' hand, instead practically dragging him through the hallway of his home. "You're so slow."

Evidently, Evan had very different views on Regulus' situation.

He hadn't even processed his situation entirely, and here he was being pulled along towards Lord Voldemort by some overexcited blonde who swore on his beloved pet spider that the dark lord had "a very-nice-to-look-at face". Like that changed everything!

"There's still ten minutes left till the meeting starts," Regulus responded with a roll of his eyes, "I'll go at the pace I want."

"Slowcoach!"

"You mean your brain is?"

"That's such a bad comeback."

"And slowcoach is a spot of genius, isn't it?"

"Yes." Evan said, grinning obnoxiously.

Regulus scoffed,"Delusion isn't a good look on you, Rosier."

"Everything's a good look on me, Black. I'm just that hot."

"What, like the dark lord?"

"Exactly like the dark lord. He's very pretty."

"Stop it! He's literally in that room," said Regulus, gesturing to the Rosier's dining room a couple of metres away from them.

"I heard he's a legilimens."

"So he knows you think he's pretty?"

"He probably knows he's pretty too. So will you."

"Don't drag me into this."

"I think if I was a girl I'd be really into him."

Regulus blinked. "But you're not," he reminded him, staring at the blonde.

Evan's carefree attitude vanished. He pursed his lips as if mentally reiterating what he'd just said. "I said if," he established, suddenly avoiding eye contact and letting go of Regulus' hand. "I wasn't actually serious, weirdo."

"Right," replied Regulus, tone doubtful as ever.

"Yeah..." Something past Regulus seemed to catch Evan's eye and his posture straightened. Regulus turned to see his mother approaching the two, donning a long, black cloak.

Before Regulus could utter a word, the blonde had already taken to greeting her. "Mrs Black!" he exclaimed, enthused to see her, yet still the image of what a pureblood boy should be: formal, polite, easygoing and all. Regulus almost envied how comfortably Evan fit the stereotype. "What a pleasure to see you - you look so lovely today. How have you been?"

"Evan," Walburga greeted, a thin-lipped smirk playing on her lips."I'm well, thank you. Shouldn't you be inside by now?"

He nodded, his bright smile never leaving him,"Of course, I was just saying hello to Regulus here," he explained."I'll head in now though. I'll see you in a bit, Regulus," Evan said, before turning his attention back to his mother, "Goodbye, Mrs Black. I'm glad you're well."

His mother's gaze fell on Regulus as Evan entered the dining room. Regulus offered her a smile, practically mirroring Evan's but she simply set to work, fixing up his hair and muttering on in annoyance. "Stop grinning like a buffoon. Honestly, you should be more like Evan," she snapped. Regulus' smile faltered.

── ✧ ──

Regulus' first thought upon entering the dining room was that the number of people supporting Lord Voldemort's cause had expanded rapidly, in comparison to his initial introduction to him. It was eerily silent despite this, as if everyone but him knew what was going on. Though Regulus did catch glimpses of confusion from Evan and a few others as he followed after his mother, something which offered him little comfort in the long run.

His second thought consisted of three simple words: Evan was right. Regulus mentally cursed himself at this, but he had to admit the dark lord had been much more brutish in his imaginations. In reality, he was nothing of the sort with his tall. slender figure and neatly combed hair. This man at the end of the dining table looked like a good painter rather than a mudblood exterminator of all things. Perhaps he was both. It was funny how things like that worked.

"My lord," said Walburga, bowing her head as they stopped before him. He acknowledged her with a simple nod and she sat down next to Bellatrix, leaving Regulus standing. The dark lord smiled at him with what seemed like the predatory nature of a reptile. Regulus stared, unsure of how to react.

"Regulus Black?" questioned Lord Voldemort. Regulus nodded."I've heard so much about you. How about you take a seat?"

── ✧ ──

WE'RE NOT JUSTIFYING WALBITCH I SWEAR I JUST GOTTA MAKE THE MUMMY ISSUES RUN DEEP 😭 sirius is like omg my mum cries she's such a good person like baby no not the denial don't be delusional

was gonna add angst this chapter but i thought why not have some james sirius bonding b4 sirius and regulus reunite in the next one 😊 im so nice have not actually written them much in ages so hopefully i got their characters right

i love showing regs comfortable w evan now simply by making him insult him more it's so funny not him calling voldemort hot they're like DILF but no homo tho 🙄
literally sat there for a while observing my 11 year old brother and this is what i got help

also haven't done a good cliffhanger in a while but i would say this counts as one ur welcome

09.09.23