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“Can Regulus come and stay with you?”
“What? You don’t want him under the same roof as you?” Sirius said, far from amused that his father had approached him.
Orion took a deep breath, Sirius ’ words obviously affecting him. “It’s not that. It’s not that I don’t want him to come home.”
“Then what?”
“I just think it’s best for his mental health. And I’ll try to stop by as much as possible. I don’t want,” Orion paused, then said, “I don’t want him near her.”
“Walburga.”
“Your mother,” Orion said. “And don’t say she isn’t when she is.”
Sirius turned his head so he wouldn ’t have to look at his father. “At least you’re doing right by Regulus.”
“Sorry I didn’t do more,” Orion said. “As for Regulus staying with you?”
“Tell him,” Sirius said. “Tell him what you plan and why.”
“I’ve already discussed with him whether it is a good idea to come home, given,” Orion took another deep breath. “She’s of the opinion we need to be firmer with him, and all of Regulus’ problems will go away. The Healers at St. Mungos have made it clear we need to be patient with him, love him, and….” There came a pause, followed by. “Regulus needs his stuffed creatures. They’re helping him.”
“Then, yes,” Sirius said. “He can come to stay with me at my flat, at least for the holidays. However….” He frowned. “I’d rather not leave him alone when I return to school.”
“Well, there is that,” Orion said. “I’m still discussing with Dumbledore what should be done so Regulus can return to school.”
“He could stay in the Gryffindor dorm with me,” Sirius offered. “I’m sure….”
“Yes, but would the rest of Gryffindor be okay with that?” Orion took a deep breath. “It’s come out he’s been marked.”
“Oh, yeah.” Sirius looked at the ground. “He should be able to have a normal life.”
“Yes. We should have given him that sooner.”
…
Sirius nervously waited, jumping when a knock came at the door. His eyes blinked at seeing Fabian and Gideon. “I wasn’t expecting you two.”
“Dumbledore wants one of the Order near Regulus,” Fabian said.
Gideon looked behind him. “Hey. You don’t have to hide behind me.”
“F….” Sirius stopped himself. “Orion didn’t bring him?”
“Dumbledore felt this was for the best, but the ministry is also restricting who can or can’t come through your fireplace,” Fabian said. “We brought some things to make things easier?”
“What do you mean?”
“Just trust us.”
Sirius frowned, not thinking they could be trusted, but then they brought out a VCR and a bunch of films, sitting Regulus down in front of the television as his younger brother hugged one of the stuffed toys—the Niffler he ’d brought for Regulus. Fabian started explaining how to use the VCR to Regulus so that he could watch television and movies.
And Sirius thought nothing of it.
…
Except there was more to it. Regulus remained glued to the television until Remus and Lily came to the rescue and brought him books and schoolwork to catch up on. Yet, the television remained to play in the background, a stuffed creature always tucked under Regulus ’ arm as he worked.
And then—
“What do you want for Christmas?”
Regulus looked up. “A dog.”
Sirius flinched. “Pets aren’t Christmas gifts.”
“Yes, they are,” Regulus said, going to pick up one of the animated movies that Sirius didn’t understand. He showed it the movie titled Lady and the Tramp. “And one like this. A female one that I can call Lady.”
“Say what?”
“I know I might not get it,” Regulus said. “Given mother always said pets weren’t allowed, but I’ve always wanted a real pet. And she’d be so soft.”
“Regulus, someone will have to take the dog for a walk. And you’re not allowed to leave the apartment, remember.”
“I know,” Regulus said. “It’s what I have my heart set on.”
“Oh boy.”
“But that doesn’t mean it has to happen this year,” Regulus said. “Maybe when I get my own place, and it’s safe for me to walk a dog on my own.”
“Yeah. That would be nice,” Sirius smiled. “I did tell you to have a dream of your own, didn’t I?”
“Yes, although I know this isn’t what you meant,” Regulus said.
“It’s a start,” Sirius said. “I mean, I don’t remember you ever asking for anything growing up.”
“I guess I didn’t.”
Which made the fact he would be finding something else to give Regulus all the much harder. Yet, he felt Regulus would enjoy whatever he got.
…
The box from Orion moved, filling Sirius with dread, thinking someone assigned to watch REgulus had gotten the idea to tell the old man what Regulus wanted. And sure enough, in the box, Orion brought over when he came for Christmas was a little Lady, to which Regulus hugged the puppy close to him.
“Oh, don’t worry,” Orion said. “It will help him as the stuffed creatures do.”
“Yeah, but,” Sirius frowned. “Puppies are a lot of work.”
“Lady is already properly paper trained,” Orion said, “So all you have to do is take care of the papers when she goes. And….” Orion smiled, turning to his youngest. “You must leave your books and stuffed creatures out of her reach. Puppies like to chew things up.”
“Shoes as well,” Regulus said. “I remember that from the movie.”
Sirius smiled, feeling as if his life which had already gotten a lot harder, managed to get even more complex.