wales
"You need to stop running away from your problems, you're going back. They must be worried sick.", Remus sighed, as he walked to the corner store near his mum's old house. He handed the clerk a couple of Muggle coins, taking the paper.
REGULUS BLACK DEAD
"Fuck.", Remus swore loudly, running back to a deserted ally, disapparating quickly.
flat
"Oh my god-", James said, swearing loudly as the cup clattered to the ground. "James? What is it?", Lily asked, panic entering her voice.
"Regulus- he's-", James said, pressing a hand to his head. "We need to- Sirius, we need to find him.", Lily said, pressing a hand to her mouth.
James pulled out his mirror, flashing it upwards, waiting for a response. Nothing.
"Sirius?", Lily asked tentatively, her voice quiet.
"Lily? Is everything alright?", Sirius asked, his face coming into the frame.
"Where are you?"
"I'm- I'm by Greer Lake, why?", he asked, his heart pounding, Had something happened to James?
"Stay there- we're coming.", Lily said, her voice shaking. "What happened?", Sirius asked, again, but the mirror was silent.
"Moony, we'll send a Patronus to him.", James said, waving his wand, before following Lily out.
flat
Remus appeared in the flat, his face shiny with sweat. "Sirius!", he said, his voice echoing throughout the flat.
A stag appeared, glowing, and James' voice came through
Moony,
We're on our way to Greer Lake. Regulus is dead. Come quickly.
greer lake
Sirius furrowed his brow, sitting on his motorbike, as he saw James and Lily come towards him.
"If you're here to yell at me-", Sirius said, his voice tight. James and Lily looked pale, opening and closing their mouths like fish.
"I'm- I'm not here to yell at you.", James said quietly. There was the sound of footsteps, and Remus was running towards them, out of breath.
"Remus- what's happened?", Sirius asked, as Remus wrapped his arms around him. He smelled like chocolate and smoke.
"Have you been smoking?", he asked, surprised. Remus stared at him, paling, before turning to James and Lily.
They shook their heads. "I'm getting freaked out, what's happened?", Sirius asked, louder.
"I'm sorry, Padfoot.", James whispered, staring at him. "It's Regulus.", Remus whispered, and Sirius knew what he was going to say.
"What about him?", he asked dumbly. "He's-", Lily started, "He's gone, Sirius."
Sirius stared at them, his hands shaking, as he shook his head, falling to the ground. "No-", he said, holding his head in his hands.
"Regulus.", he sobbed, "Regulus."
"Come here.", Remus whispered, wrapping his arms around him, James and Lily joining in.
"He's my little brother- I was supposed to protect him.", Sirius said, choking on a sob.
Sirius' thoughts went blank, and he felt like he couldn't breathe.
YoudidthisyoudidthisYOUDIDTHIS
It's yourfaultitsyourfaulITSYOURFAULT
The two brothers were laughing, sitting in the backyard of their house. "There's a monster, it's in the woods!", a younger Regulus had said, burying his face in Sirius' shoulder.
"That's not a monster, it's just a tree branch.", Sirius laughed, running to to it. He swung on the branch, breaking it.
"You defeated the evil monster!", Regulus cheered, a smile on his face.
"Of course I did!", Sirius boasted. "You saved me!"
"I always will. You're my little brother."
"Sirius, love, can you hear me?", Remus whispered as they stepped back from him. Sirius was shaking, his eyes blank, as he muttered words none of his friends could hear.
"Sirius?", James tried, touching his shoulder. Sirius didn't budge, staring off into the distance. Lily nudged him softly, her green eyes flashing with concern.
"This one's really bad, he's not responding.", Remus said, taking Sirius' hands in his.
"Everyone leaves me.", Sirius spoke, finally, his voice cracking on the last word.
"Sirius-"
"My parents left. Uncle Alphard died. My brother died.", Sirius said blankly, ignoring them, "What's the point of living if everyone I love leaves?"
"Don't talk like that.", Lily said firmly.
"Are you going to leave me too?", Sirius laughed drily, turning his grey eyes to them.
"Of course not.", Remus said gently, pulling Sirius into him. "We're never going to leave, alright?", James repeated, shaking his head.
"I didn't get to say goodbye.", Sirius sobbed.
flat
Sirius had eventually tired himself out, falling asleep in Remus' arms. The three of them picked him up, apparating away with the motorbike.
James set Sirius down on the couch, pushing his hair back frustratedly.
There was a crack, and Kreacher was in their apartment, practically drooping. Sirius stirred, opening his eyes.
"Master Regulus said to give this to him.", he croaked out, and disappeared with another crack.
Sirius took the letter, reading through it, swallowing thickly, tears filling his eyes, "This is my fault."
"It's not, there was-"
"If I never ran away then he would- he wouldn't be dead.", Sirius stuttered.
"But you might be.", James said thickly, his glasses fogging up. Sirius didn't say anything, tears streaming from his eyes.
next day - outside of black manor
"Are you sure this is a good idea?", James said, fidgeting with his tie. "I need to say goodbye.", Sirius said, his face stoic, grasping on to Remus' hand.
"Moons, Lily- it's not safe for you to be here. It's not safe for anyone to be here, but James the least.", he said.
"I really don't think the two of you should be there alone.", Lily said, her eyes flashing.
"Please, let us come. We can't let the two of you go alone.", Remus pleaded.
"If anything happens to you, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself.", Sirius said softly.
"We'd- we'd like to say goodbye, too.", Lily said softly.
"We'll be safe, yeah?", Remus asked, rubbing his thumb over Sirius' knuckles. Sirius nodded, almost uncertainly, his hands trembling.
The four of them headed towards the backyard of the Black manor.
There was a crowd of purebloods, all wearing fancy black clothes, their umbrellas perfectly poised above them.
"What are you doing here?", Walburga hissed, as murmurs ensured through the crowd.
"I'm here to say goodbye to my brother.", Sirius said, keeping the tremor out of his voice. The three of his friends stayed at a good distance, not too close but not too far.
"How dare you.", she spat, "You have taken everything from me. First my husband."
"Your cousin, you mean?", Sirius spat, unable to keep the fire inside him calm.
Walburga stared at him angrily, as Sirius bent down to the coffin, pressing a kiss to it.
"Goodbye.", he whispered, a tear slipping from his eyelashes.
"How dare you bring your impure friends?", she yelled.
"We're leaving, Mother, no need for dramatics."
"Ungrateful little pig.", Walburga spat, glaring at him. "He said we're leaving.", James said loudly. Sirius turned to him, shaking his head as Remus opened his mouth.
In two strides, Walburga stepped over, slapping Sirius in the face. He heard yells of protest as he staggered back, pressing a hand to his bloody cheek.
"He wouldn't want this.", Sirius choked out, before turning around and walking out, his friends trailing after him.
flat
Remus pressed a tissue to Sirius' cheek, as he winced. "Do you want anything?", Lily asked gently.
Sirius shook his head, his eyes still blank.
"He'd be proud of you.", James said quietly. Sirius snorted at this, "For what? Getting thrown around by my mother again?"
"Sirius-"
"There's no fucking point.", he said quietly, turning around.
later
"Padfoot, Mum and Dad are here.", James said quietly, walking into his room. Sirius stared up at him, his eyes empty.
"Coming.", was all he said, as Remus helped him up.
"Come here, sweetheart.", Euphemia said quietly, reaching out her arms for a hug. Sirius visibly flinched, before reddening, "Sorry.", he muttered, before relaxing into it.
She rubbed circles into his back as he let out a dry sob into her shoulder, before Fleamont hugged him.
"Getting snot all over you.", Sirius muttered, wiping his nose.
"Want something to eat?", Remus asked hopefully, heading to the kitchen. "I'm not hungry.", he said quietly, and James' face fell.
"I ate already. Promise.", he said hurriedly.
There was a silence, and Fleamont began coughing violently into his handkerchief, bending over slightly.
"Appa, what's wrong?", James asked, panic filling his voice as Lily handed him a glass of water. "Nothing, just a cough.", he said, shooting a discreet look to Euphemia.
"Are you sure?", Sirius asked, furrowing his brow. Fleamont nodded, waving them off.