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POV SIRIUS
It had been more than 3 years since he and Regulus had moved to France, forgetting about life in London. He had heard about the war that was going on there at the time but it didn't affect him much. There was no need for either of them to worry about anyone else. After the Marauders broke up, they had no friends there. The fight that happened 6 years ago was a complete break from there.
After Sirius had moved out of the dorm and left the three behind, he continued his life away from them. He acted like they didn't know each other even when one of them tried to talk to him. He just kept walking. So he finished school without any real interaction with his old friends, with exceptionally good grades and a very good relationship with his brother.
Although Sirius would be lying if he said he didn't once think about stopping running from them and listening to them, he always remembered the day he was going to die and the damn letter from Remus.
Regulus really save him that day and after. Even though he was pretty broken too. Sirius could always see Regulus' gaze fixed on James and knew that his brother hadn't really gotten over it to this day.l
And when one day he receives a letter from London, which somewhat alarmed the brothers, knowing very well that there is a war there and no one knew where they disappeared after Regulus also finished school.
They both sit face to face at the table looking at the envelope in the middle of the table, which is not signed by anyone, only stamped. The stamp looked familiar but neither of them knew who it belonged to.
-So shall we open it? "Do we really want to reopen something from the past?" Regulus breaks the silence when he sees Sirius won't do it.
-I do not know. Do you want to know something from there? I know you also received letters from a few people there and I also know you didn't open them but you still have them.- answered Sirius, pulled out of his thoughts and focusing on the problem they have.
-And you did the same. But no letter so far has been sent to both of them, nor has it been anonymous.- says Regulus, looking nervous.
- So we open it. This means nothing more than a letter, right? - says Sirius taking the letter in his hand.
-Correct. Nothing more. - he says in a neutral tone.
After opening the letter, both brothers look at it carefully and begin to read it.
Dear Black Brothers,
I know you don't want my letter for many reasons, both for different reasons but I was chosen to let you know this. Your parents are dead, so you must both come to receive your inheritance. Of course not with me but at the Ministry. They died a few months ago but the letter was delayed because of the war. Also, the war is over and there have been many casualties and I don't know if you want to come to their funerals, but you were once close to them and I feel compelled to let you know about it. Besides that there will be trials of your family members and they want you to participate in them because you are the only members who had nothing to do with the war. I hope you will come and if you have any other questions we can meet before the meeting at the Ministry, it is at your discretion. I await your reply. Maybe this time I'll get it.
ps I don't know where exactly you disappeared to, I know you're wondering that, but the letters are sent by your house elf, so don't worry about lovation.
James Potter.
Sirius looked at Regulus with a stunned look on his face as well. They are plain and simple. And he doesn't know if it's because the war is over or because their parents are dead or because they're not disinherited or maybe because there are people who died and were close to them or most importantly JAMES POTTER WROTE AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW THE FAMILY STAMP HIS.
-So this letter is a BIG THING besides what I thought.- Regulus broke the silence again for the second day that day, but with a hurt voice.
- It really is.
- Shall we answer him? - Regulus asks in a whisper.
-You tell me. I don't have a problem with him or the people there, I just don't want him to ruin my life again and I won't let him do that.- says Sirius with a steady voice.
- We will answer him then. We need to know more details than what he gave us. - Regulus says decisively.
Then Sirius left the writing of the letter to Regulus, he just read it at the end.
James Potter,
We received your letter, we have decided that in two days we will pay you a visit, thanks for the information you sent us, but we need more details before we make an appearance.
RAB SOB
They sent the letter that day, then prepared to go back to their past. The place they swore they would never return. But now they both stood outside James Potter's door waiting for someone to answer their door.
After a few minutes the door opens and an older James Potter appears in the doorway, more tired and without the glow that emanated from him when someone looked at him. Now the babe fakes a smile as she greets the two in surprise and leads them to the living room.
-So, is anyone else here? I don't want to meet anyone today - says Regulus when all three of them are sitting on the sofas in the yellow living room.
-No, it's just me, no one else lives here.- says James in a simple tone and with a slightly stressed face.
-Single? "Don't Effie and Monty live here?" Sirius asks, hoping it's not what he thinks it is.
-Actually, they died after a few months from the beginning of the war.- James says sadly, bowing his head.
-We are sorry for the loss.- the two say in unison, Sirius pure and simple preventing his tears. They had loved James' parents dearly for a long time, and when he came to say goodbye to them 6 years ago it ended with all three of them crying. He can't believe they're dead.
-It's okay, I should tell you this, you're just here for the death of your parents.- James says equally stressed avoiding looking any of them in the eye.
-Actually, we would like to know about the war as soon as possible.- says Regulus.
"Oh, well, what would you like to know?" James asks.
-Who died?- asks Sirius this time.
-Marlene died first, once with all her family, she died 2 years ago, after her came Dorcas who wanted revenge for her lover and ended up dying at the hands of Voldemort. Then Lily and I were going to die one night when we were both in a safe house, but we both escaped, then we found out that Peter is a eater and he killed Marlene." James paused visibly affected by the memories he tells now. Also, the brothers feel worse and worse as they listen to the events they ran from.
-Peter? Why?- asks Sirius sadly feeling his brother's hand on his back trying to calm him down.
- We don't know, I haven't found out yet, but I will go to his trial in the next few days.
-Are there others?- asks Regulus after a while of silence.
-What the? Dead or friends who became devourers? - asks James still avoiding the eyes.
-Both.- answers Regulus.
-Many colleagues of ours and yours died, I can't tell you all their names yet, and the devourers became Evan and Barty, but they deserted 2 years ago and entered the order, so they only received minor punishments.- he continues James.
-Lupin? What's with him? Or Mary and Lily?” Regulus asked looking at Sirius who wanted to thank him for asking.
-Remus is more or less alive. Mary and Lily are in the muggle world at the moment, they will be back in a few months. - says James more relaxed that he doesn't have to talk about the dead anymore.
-What do you mean about Remus? Is it good or not?- asks Sirius irritated by the few details they got.
-He is alive, but the full moons are making him more and more sick. I only see him when he comes to help him with the months. That's it.- says James again stressed by the presence of the two.
-You said he comes on full moon days?- asked Regulus.
-Yes, the day before. "Why?" James asks.
-Then I think we have a guest for the discussion.- Regulus says pointing to the door in the living room where Remus was making the other two turn and look at the shocked man.
-You didn't tell me that they agreed to see you.- says Remus sitting next to Regulus.
- Because we haven't seen each other since I sent them the letter. And I really didn't think they would really come. - James answers.
-Okay, we can go back to the time when our presence in the room was visible.- says Sirius.
-Yes, sure, where were we left?- James asked looking at the place where Sirius is standing.
- I asked you when it got so bad? The months I mean? Sirius asked ignoring that Remus was also there now.
-About year 6.- Remus answers, making his presence noticed.
-ok, so your injuries make sense, what about you? Did you become a werewolf again?- Regulus asks looking at James' dark cuts looking like claws.
-Oh no, they were from a mission that Dumbledore wanted me to do alone.- James says looking at the wounds.
-And when was the mission you still haven't passed?- Regulus asks, trying not to look worried.
- About a year ago. The wounds won't go away, they're made by the underworld.- says James, covering the wounds with his hand, leaving Regulus with a shocked face.
- Is Dumbledore crazy? How could he send you after the Hocrux alone?” Regulus shouted, making the other three men in the room smile.
-Are you worried about me?- James asks.- How did you know what the mission was about?
-Shut up.- says Regulus ashamed.- I knew full well that I gave Dumbledore the details about her and clearly told him to send 3 people for her to make sure no one dies.- continued Regulus making the others shocked
"When did you do that?" Sirius asked.
-In year 7, I told Dumbledore about it after we found all the details and he promised not to send James or Remus on that mission and the bastard did that and still sent him alone.- Regulus says nervously.
-Why not send me or James?- asks Remus this time.
-Because then I cared about both of you and I knew you were already in the Order.- says Regulus slowly.
"Why didn't you tell me anything?" Sirius asked again.
-Because I swore I wouldn't bring any of them up.- Regulus says, and James and Remus' faces look guilty.
-That's right.- says Sirius.
-So while I'm still here, I have some potions to heal your wounds as little as possible, if you agree.- Regulus says turning to James.
-I...- James began before he was interrupted.
-Don't worry, Regulus is the best healer and potions master in France.- Sirius says when he sees James' doubt.
-Seriously?- James seems amazed.
-Yes, he did his apprenticeship there.- says Sirius.
-What about you?- Remus asks, making Sirius make eye contact with him after 6 years.
-I became an artist.- Sirius says less confidently.
-Seriously? It's amazing.- says Remus smiling doubtfully at Sirius.
-OK, you still haven't told me if you want me to heal you, have you?- says Regulus.
-Yes, of course.- James says incredulously.
Then Regulus comes out of the living room in a moment, Sirius knowing he's going to get his potions.
-So, how have you been?- asks Remus.
- I think you like me like you. - says Sirius without any expression.
-I wanted to apologize.- says Remus avoiding contact with Sirius.
-For what? If you want to offer me condolences you should know that my parents' death doesn't interest me.- says Sirius ignorantly.
-No, because of what happened 6 years ago, Regulus sent us a letter before the 5th year ended saying that you didn't actually do anything to stop Snape from coming there then .- says Remus guiltily.
-Oh, so you're apologizing for not trusting me?- asks Sirius ironically and annoyed.
"Yeah, sorry Pads," Remus says, making Sirius wince at the use of the nickname.
-NO, don't use that nickname, never use it.- says Sirius nervously.
-Sirius, we're sorry.- James says this time.
-It does not matter. Does not matter anymore. I've worked too hard to rebuild my life for you to apologize and expect me to forgive you.- Sirius says hurt, trying to hold back his tears.
-But I didn't do it, I didn't rebuild my life, I always lived with the guilt of losing you.- says Remus, approaching Sirius.
-Lying. I saw your letters that day before I overdosed, I saw what she wrote to you and what you wanted to say back. So stop lying. Why do you think I would believe you now, I haven't even opened your letters in years.- Sirius says crying, completely ignoring that James has disappeared from the room.
-Sirius, the letter I wrote wasn't for him, when I received the letter from him, I realized that I couldn't be near anyone other than you, so I decided to write you a letter, for that you were always running away from me. - says Remus smiling gently at Sirius.
-But why didn't you do anything after that?
-Sirius, I tried, I came to the hospital wing, but I got kicked out, then you erased yourself from the map and moved out of the dorm, and then you ignored me when I came to talk to you, and now you said that you also ignored my letters, so what else was I going to do? - says Remus.
"I..." Sirius starts, but simply takes Remus' face in his hands and kisses him, kisses him like he always imagined he would when he saw him again. Neither of them broke the kiss until they heard a voice behind them.
-So, you couldn't last even 20 minutes in the same room without touching each other.- says Regulus entering the room with his hands full of potions.
-What can I say, try not to touch anyone for 6 years.- says Sirius amused.
-Seriously, have you forgotten who you're talking to?- Regulus asks raising an eyebrow as he placed his potions on the table.
-Of course, Reggie, how can I forget that at your 20 years old you are still extremely virgin.- Sirius laughs at his brother when he realizes that James had also entered the room.
"Sirius!" cried Regulus, ashamed.
-Virgin?- James asks smugly.
-Yes, Potter, not everyone is like you, to start their sex life early.- says Regulus avoiding looking at anyone.
- How do you know when I started my sex life? - asks James.
-Because it's hard to miss when you're walking around school and everyone's talking about the fact that James Potter and Lily Evans did it for the first time , it's like they don't care if you got into it or not.- says Regulus annoyed remembering that memory, which he had told Sirius.
-What the? That wasn't true, me and Lily, terrible.- says James miming funny disgust
-What?- Regulus asks.
"Lily and I were never more than friends, all the rumors were started because of that damn kiss that Lily stole from me to make Mary jealous," James explained.
-oh....I have to treat your wounds now.- Regulus very obviously changes the subject making James chuckle.
-You are such idiots.- says Sirius pointing at Regulus and James.
-Who's talking, I didn't even jump on him in 20 minutes after 6 years of holding a grudge, I thought you would torture him for at least a few days.- says Regulus concentrating on James' wounds.
-Well, you never said how much I have to torture him like this.- says Sirius.
- I mean you knew the whole truth and you weren't mad at us but you wanted to take revenge? - ask James and Remus.
-Yes, before we agreed to come here, we thought a lot, then we opened the letters in which you told what happened, if you forgot, then we informed ourselves about what really happened and decided to we come here to win back my lover, of course, and Regulus wanted to have fun, but I think he had something else in mind.- says Sirius recognizing the brothers' plan.
-You are evil. You know how stressed I was when you told me you were coming. - says James.
-What can I say, you deserve it.- Sirius says smiling into Remus' hug who hadn't commented on the reveal and Sirius thinks his boyfriend doesn't even care.
-So, Reggie, did you have someone in your plan or was it just for fun.- James turned to Regulus.
-It's none of your business, Potter.- says Regulus ashamed.
-You let me tell you Reggie, I won the world, my star.- James says happily, losing sight of Regulus' small smile directed at him.
Sirius knows that Regulus came here with the same thought as Sirius, to get his eternal love again, but Sirius knows that his brother is not as fast as him so it will be a while before the sun meets his stars, but he knows that it was going to happen anyway because it was inevitable, just like he was with Remus, just like the moon with his star.