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—yesterday—
Sirius ’ eyes opened, his mouth pressing into a frown. His head tilted down to see a head of curly black hair buried into his chest, pale hands clutching his clothing.
The result was his entire body stiffening, trying to remember what happened yesterday as well as where he was, the first thought being that he was back at Grimmauld place, and yet a glance around the room—Sirius recognized he was still at the Potter ’s, although in one of the guest rooms rather than the room that they made into his.
A hand reached up to touch the head of curls, the thought crossing his mind that Regulus hadn ’t climbed into bed with him since his younger brother started at Hogwarts, since—
“Since I rejected him at school because he got sorted into Slytherin,” Sirius thought. “Is that when Regulus stopped smiling?” He let out a deep breath and turned to his younger brother, who continued clinging to his clothing, not wanting to wake him, his eyes blinking as he tried remembering how Regulus got to the Potters, knowing he’d not brought his younger brother with him that summer.
And—
“I’d crawled into Regulus’ bed rather than the other way around this time,” Sirius thought to himself, letting out a deep breath as he ruffled his brother’s black locks of hair gently in hopes of not waking the younger Black, his eyes taking note of the bandages on Regulus’ hands, feet, neck.
Sirius took a deep breath, remembering how instead of apparating, they ’d Flooed back to the Potters, as Regulus was in such a delicate state, but he remembered the fuss James’ parents made over Regulus, getting his younger brother settled safely into one of the guest bed, how he hovered watching his younger brother, as if afraid—
He frowned. “ That ’s how I ended up in here. I was worried sick about the little brat. ” He took a deep breath. “ And mother is dead. ”
“Your father might not be far behind,” Uncle Alphard said. “They were protecting Regulus with everything they had, but had Orion not sent Kreacher…”
The very idea one of his parents could produce such a thing floored Sirius. Still, he wondered what exactly the old man ’s happy memory was, wondering if he’d ever get the chance to ask, although he didn’t think he wanted to ask. There was also that voice in his head, “ Would they do the same for me? ”
“Of course they would!” Uncle Alphard said. “But if both of you had been there…”
The implication was there. And contrary to Uncle Alphard saying they guessed it was Bella, they knew. The word of a House Elf, though, didn ’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. Sirius took a deep breath, watching Regulus start to stir, and then—
Sirius felt his younger brother stiffen, and slowly the younger Black looked up, giving Sirius a scowl, the one he always did when he was super furious at his brother for something. “What,” Regulus said, letting go of Sirius clothing as he did so, “Are you doing in my bed.”
Regulus then sat up, or he tried to. Instead, he let out a hiss as his hands made contact with the bed. Sirius clucked his tongue. “Careful, or you’ll hurt yourself.”
“I’ll hurt you if you don’t get out of my room, Siri,” Regulus said, his eyes closing. “And what are you doing back home. You swore you’d never come home again, so what happened?”
And there was the classic Regulus sneer, the well practiced mask.
“What do I care,” Sirius said, getting up off the bed. “Oh, and for your information, Regulus, you’re not at Grimmauld.”
Regulus ’ eyes opened. They blinked in confusion, and his mouth opened. “Where…”
“The Potters.”
“Why?” Regulus squeeked out.
“You don’t remember?”
“Maman is going to kill me,” and then Regulus looked at him, absolutely horrified. “No, she’s going to kill you. What have…”
“She won’t,” Sirius said. “Just, trust me on that one.” After all, Regulus didn’t remember, “No. He never even realized last night that she’s dead, kept asking for her and papa.”
“Where’s papa!” Regulus said, his voice straining. “I want to talk to him!”
“Not here,” Sirius said.
“I want my papa!” Regulus said, the panic setting in, almost as if—
“No. He can’t be remembering.”
“I want papa!” Regulus cried out.
“And not your precious maman?” Sirius said, sneering back.
Regulus startled, stared, and then, closing his eyes screamed. “I want my papa! Where ’s papa!”
And then Euphemia was in there. “Regulus. Sweet heart.”
“Kreacher!” Regulus called out.
“No!” Sirius said as the House Elf popped into the room. He took a deep breath. “You…”
“Kreacher! Where’s papa!” Regulus cried out as the House Elf…
Sirius frowned, watching Kreacher ’s ears go back, recognizing that as one of the signs Kreacher had been ordered to do something he disliked, or that an order given contradicted another order.
“I want papa! Take me to him, please!” Regulus said, as Euphemia tried holding him still.
“Sirius! Help me! Before he,” and then she looked at Regulus’ feet. She let out a sigh. “Can you hold him, and ask the House Elf to help while I get fresh bandages and a calming drought?”
Sirius ’ eyes blinked.
“Sirius, now please!”
He hurried over, holding onto Regulus shoulders while the House Elf proceeded to help, and Sirius noticed he did this without Sirius having to help, but then Kreacher ’s eyes were on his young master, the one he always didn’t have a problem finding loopholes for.
“Papa,” Regulus let out a sob. “Please!”
“Kreacher can not,” Kreacher said. “He can not say anything about what happened yesterday, let alone take Master Regulus to Master Orion. Not yet.”
And then Euphemia was there, putting the potion down Regulus ’ throat. “There, there.”
Sirius looked at his feet. “What happened?”
“I’ll tell you later,” Euphemia said.