𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒 [𝐑. 𝐋𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐧]

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐈𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄

"I look like a slutty mummy..."

"You really did take that to heart, didn't you?" Callisto asked, patting his chest twice as she let go of his tie. "Ready to go?"

Remus nodded and took her hand, the pair walking out of the Infirmary.

~ ~ ~

"Lupins!" James greeted, making Callisto's eyes narrow yet again. She didn't say anything, letting the boy inspect both of them curiously. "You both look much better."

"Are you implying we were ugly before?"

"Never." James responded, rolling his eyes. "There she is!"

Lily walked over to them, Peter and Sirius by her side. Her arm was around Sirius' shoulders, the boy leaning down slightly to hear what she was saying. He nodded slightly and looked up at them, smiling slightly as he saw Remus and Callisto.

"Sorry for not visiting." He immediately said, hugging her. "I was-"

"Don't even finish that sentence." She murmured, kissing his cheek. "You're all good."

"Are you removing the bandages soon, Moony?" Peter asked curiously. "It looks stupid."

"Gracious as always." Remus dryly said, masking the annoyance in his voice with sarcasm.

Callisto hadn't been to many funerals, but she supposed this was a beautiful one. It seemed as if everyone remembered Ares fondly, friends, teachers and family alike. Sirius hadn't given a speech, but couldn't help the few tears that ran free down his cheeks as he was lowered to the ground, right under the tree they had confessed their feelings to each other.

Callisto couldn't help but notice the small girl sitting in the front, her eyes curiously searching the crowd and only stopping when she saw Sirius. She didn't say much, just nodded in acknowledgment, sending a tight-lipped smile to his direction.

For him, it was more than enough.

The person Callisto didn't expect to see was Regulus Black, standing at the very back of the little venue that had been formed. He had his long coat wrapped around him and his eyes were completely devoid of any emotion, his jaw clenched.

He only approached them when the funeral ended, everyone concentrating in small circles before they left for the castle.

"Regulus." Sirius acknowledged, his voice sounding hoarse.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Sirius." Regulus said, his voice more sincere than Callisto had ever heard it. She didn't say anything, averting her gaze to the ground.

Sirius nodded, extending his arm.

Regulus seemed to hesitate for a moment, a wave of guilt hitting him like the sea throws a man against the rocks during a tempest. He returned the gesture, nonetheless, his fingers wrapping around Sirius' hands as he shook it.

There were no hugs, no sentimentalities exchanged by the Black brothers. Just a mutual understanding that if things were just a bit different, they could find their way back to each other. Unfortunately, in this life, their paths had separated long ago. Trying to force them to converge would only end up in more heartbreak, the type of pain that can never be healed with time and ends up consuming you.

They both had had enough of pain and more was to come that they weren't aware of.

So, they just shook hands.

"Will you stay until it ends?" Callisto asked, the sharp edge missing in her voice. "You can sit with us, if you want."

Regulus glanced at Sirius. He just nodded, gesturing to the empty chairs.