𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒 [𝐑. 𝐋𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐧]

𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐔𝐋𝐔𝐒' 𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆

Song:
Dust In the Wind (Kansas)
"Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky. It slips away, and all your money won't another minute buy."

"What if I was a plane?"

"A flying one?" Remus asked, turning his head from the ceiling to Callisto. "A flying plane?"

"Obviously."

"I mean, I guess I'd think you're a hot plane..."

Callisto nodded, seemingly satisfied by his answer.

"What if I was a vase?"

"The prettiest vase I've ever seen."

"Really?" She asked, surprise lacing her voice. "I thought you'd say no. I mean, planes are cool, vases are just objects with a whole in the middle, and you put things in them."

She let out a loud, sudden laugh at that, turning to glance at Remus who was as red as his sweater.

"That's disgusting."

"I'm sorry." She snickered, coughing slightly at the applied pressure on her abdomen. "Okay, what if..."

"Yes?"

"What if I was..." She paused for a moment, narrowing her eyes in concentration. "If I was, a- would you?"

"I probably would."

"Would you still like me if I was something..." Her eyes lit up as an idea popped up in her mind. "If I was a ketchup bottle."

"You're pushing it."

"I thought so."

Silence fell between them, before Callisto opened her mouth to say something.

"Absolutely not." Remus said, smirking slightly as Callisto rolled her eyes and went back to staring at the ceiling.

It had been two days since the attack, and Madame Pomfrey still insisted on keeping them hostage in the Hospital Ward. Their visits had been limited to Lily, James, or Peter bringing them some kind of snack from the Great Hall, most of them spending the entire day in the dorm, trying to calm Sirius down. Sirius had asked whether they were all okay, but he didn't have the strength to come down and see them personally, something neither of the two minded.

What Callisto was truly angry about was the fact that neither Narcissa, nor Regulus had visited her. She was sure they knew, even Frank Longbottom had dropped by to check in, and Callisto had exchanged just a few words with the boy over the year. The biggest surprise had been however when Tobias Nott had passed by, only to smoke in silence next to her for a bit, before he got up and left with no other comments.

"Am I going to fail DADA?"

"No, I think you can get an A."

Callisto nodded, reaching for the potion Madame Pomfrey had left by her bedside. She sent Remus a cheeky wink when she met his gaze, pinching her nose to drink the bright pink concoction. She hadn't noticed Remus' eyes trailing over to the entrance of the Hospital Wing, where Regulus Black was coming from.

"Listo," Remus called. "Is this a calming drought?"

"No."

"Good to know." He dryly said, bracing himself for the upcoming shit-storm Callisto would unleash the moment she saw the younger Black.

"It's a special healing potion for dark curses." Callisto explained. "Very effective, but it makes me a bit... sentimental. It messes up my mood."

Remus forced out a laugh, nodding.

"Wow, that's- that's great."

"Are you okay? You seem a bit-"

"Hello, Callie." Her eyes narrowed the moment she heard Regulus' voice, and she slowly turned around, the smile disappearing from her lips. "How are you feeling?"

"Like smashing the potion vial on your face, you fucking snake."

"Callie-"

"Oh, shut up." Callisto huffed, annoyance in her voice. "You have no excuse. You knew I was injured, you didn't even bother to check up on me, and I'm guessing that the only reason you're here now is because you want something."

Regulus had no idea he was about to dig up his own grave with his next words.

"I didn't know you were injured."

Callisto's expression immediately hardened. Not visiting was one thing, but lying straight to her face when he had been there when the curses hit her was entirely different.

The urge to explode and tell him she knew was very tempting, but instead, she forced a smile on her lips. Remus' eyebrows furrowed at the gesture, especially since he could sense the rage radiating off her.

"Right." She sighed. "Sorry, I-I have been taking this potion for my injuries and everything gets a bit confusing sometimes. I didn't mean to blow up on you."

"It's fine." He smiled, trying to push aside the guilt about lying to her. Yet, he couldn't feel a bit relieved as she patted the space next to her, motioning for him to take a seat.

Tobias was wrong. Callisto had no idea.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm better." Callisto replied, shrugging. "Remus got a worse hit, and Sirius is having a hard time right now."

"Get well soon, Lupin."

"Thanks." Remus coldly replied, his eyes meeting Callisto's. She seemed to have forgotten all about her angry outburst, only that there was an odd glint in her eyes. She didn't accept lies, that was something he knew. The moment you lied to her, it didn't matter whether you were her friend, sibling or even anyone for that matter, you were going to regret it.

Remus didn't fully understand why Callisto was angry, but he refused to smile at the big nonetheless.

"Why hasn't Narcissa visited?"

"Lucius got into trouble in Hogsmeade." Regulus subtly said, his voice lowering. "He's a Deatheater, Callie."

"Yes, she told me." Callisto nodded. "It's understandable then."

"She did ask me to give you her love, however." Regulus said. "I don't know how that's supposed to be done, but consider her love given."

"Give her mine too."

"Will do." He sighed, his gaze averting to the door. Was he really about to ask Callisto Claire of all people about love advice?

Love advice.

Right, what a joke.

"I did something." Regulus murmured, turning to look back at her. "I did something very bad."

"Did you kill anyone?" She asked, letting out a clear laugh as his breath hitched. "Joking."

"No, not really."

"Then, what's the issue?"

Regulus sighed, "What do you think of Nott?"

"He knows how to 'correctly' cut a finger off." She deadpanned. "What do you think my answer is?"

"Fair."

"I know." She mused. "However, I think there's something you don't know."

"And that is?"

"I think he's into you." Callisto calmly stated, tilting her head slightly as Regulus' cheeks flushed a deep shade of red. "Why are you blushing?"

"I'm... flattered."

"Why did you ask me what I think of him?" She asked again, watching as his cheeks somehow turned even redder. Remus was pretending not to listen, but she knew very well he did, a smirk on his own lips.

"Nothing, I just... We sleep in the same room, and you never know."

"Yeah, he might be a murderer."

Callisto laughed yet again at his expression, her laughter clear and oblivious, with a hint of anger. Regulus didn't say anything, instead letting out a weak chuckle.

"Despite all the fucked up thoughts he has, I think he's a good guy deep down. I think he just shows it differently." She truthfully said, her voice losing that sharp edge to it. "Don't be an idiot, Regulus."

"I'm not."

"Yeah, you kind of are." Callisto retorted. "Seems to run in the family."

"It's only logical when you keep on passing down the same three brain cells for centuries." Remus chimed in, extending his arm to shake Callisto's, who had an amused smirk on her lips.

Regulus scoffed, "Tough talk coming from a guy that looks like a slutty mummy."

"Listo, control your friend."

"Callie, control your boyfriend!"

"Hush." She sternly said, both falling silent. "Finally, some peace and quiet. I didn't fight with Merlin knows how many Death Eaters just to hear you two bicker."

There it was again, that sharp edge polishing her every word. She rubbed her forehead, seeming struggling to recall something.

"Reg," She called. "How many Death Eaters were in Madam Puddifoot's again? As I said, the potion is making me a bit drowsy. I assume you heard all about what happened."

"Yes, it was five."

Callisto smirked.

"Yes, thank you." She nodded. "Three were caught and the other two weren't, right? I was carried here before I could find out."

"Yes, they're unidentified."

"Thank you, Reg."

~ ~ ~

Avada Kedavra.

Those two words were circulating Sirius' mind again and again, the bright green light hitting Ares before he fell on the floor like a ragdoll ghosting him every time he closed his eyes.

The curtains were drawn around his bed, the sheets warm and still holding the faint scent of citrusy cologne and smoke. He was scared to even think that one of these days he could wake up and that scent wouldn't linger around him anymore. It was inevitable, but thinking about it hurt just a little too much.

Ares had insisted they should leave, the same way Callisto had. The only difference was that Sirius had immediately reacted when he saw the Death Eaters by pulling out his wand. He didn't think for a single second not to step in the fight, part of him elated he was fighting against the people that were abusing him for so long. He never even considered that Ares was scared, and wanted to run back to the castle.

Ares couldn't just leave him alone. He was a brave Gryffindor after all.

None of that mattered now, because he was dead. Cold and pale, all light lost from his blue eyes and the warmth of his smile forever replaced by a stone cold expression.

Sirius hadn't fired the curse, but who else was to blame?

"Can I come in?" James gently asked, tugging the curtains in ever so slightly.

"Yes."

James sat on the bed, pushing a plate with three sandwiches over to him. Sirius couldn't help the small smile that formed, even in his grief. Hell could freeze over and James Potter would still feed them all like an angry mother goose.

"The funeral is tomorrow." James informed him, screaming in relief internally as Sirius picked up a sandwich and ate a small bite. "Will you go? It's okay if you don't want to, we can stay here with you, or we can go for a walk."

"No, I should go." Sirius immediately said. "This is my last chance to say goodbye."

James nodded, "Very well then."

Silence fell between them as Sirius took another bite from the sandwich and let it down on the plate. He didn't reach for it again, the food tasting like cardboard in his mouth even if it was the same he alway had. It was what Euphemia had made for him when he dropped into the Potter's house one rainy night of Christmas, with blood in his clothes and tears streaming down his face.

Sirius found himself missing Euphemia. She would probably know what to do.

"Mom sent a letter." James said, as if he had heard Sirius' thoughts. He took the folder from his pocket and handed it to him. "I didn't read it."

"The seal is broken."

"The owl ate it." Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Okay, yes I read it, but come on. I was curious."

"It's quite alright, Prongs."

"Bloody hoped it would." James sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Moony and Elphie said hi."

"Are they feeling better?"

"Well, they're a sight to behold, that's for sure." James stated. "Moony has bandages around his head and Elphie's stomach is wrapped in bandages and she has the tube until tomorrow. They're both very much medicated with heavy painkillers and can't get their thoughts straight from time to time, but they're much better."

"When are they coming back?"

"By the end of the week." James answered. "Moony was trying to teach Elphie DADA, while she was trying not to fall asleep on his shoulder when I went."

"They make each other very happy." Sirius murmured, feeling the pang of sadness in his chest.

"They do."

"I miss him." Sirius stated, his fingers absentmindedly trailing the sheets as he looked into space. "I feel like I'm in a fucking nightmare, but there's no way to wake up."

"I know you do, Pads." James comforted him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "We are all here for you though. You're our brother, and we'll always be here to help, even though we all suck."

"You don't suck."

"We kind of do." James laughed slightly. "In a cool way though."

"His family will be there tomorrow." Sirius murmured, remembering how Ares dreaded having the 'talk' with his parents. They were good people, but he was still nervous. Only his sister, Lana, knew. She was a sweet girl, from what he said, albeit a bit peculiar.

Sirius was initially a bit jealous of the bond between Ares and his sister, because he never had something similar with Regulus. Maybe when they were children, but it seemed like an eternity since then and too much had happened to be able to mend bridges.

The only thing that brought him comfort was knowing his brother had surrounded himself with good people. Callisto and Narcissa would take care of him, they always supported each other.

"You don't have to talk to them."

"They don't know that I was with him." Sirius said. "Only his sister knows who I am."

"Sirius, don't pressure yourself into doing something you want, just because of how it will look." James enunciated. "This is how you deal with your grief, and nobody can judge you for being too talkative, or not talkative enough, or whatever other bullshit they come up with."

"I know."

"Good."

"I just can't believe he's gone." Sirius sighed, his fingers pressing on the mattress a bit more forcefully. "Why would they even kill him, James? He was a kid, he wasn't some kind of fucking auror or I don't know what else. He didn't deserve it."

"Sirius, if everything they did was logical, they wouldn't be monsters."

"My family did this to him." Sirius said a bit louder, feeling tears prickle his eyes. "My own fucking flesh and blood killed him!"

"They're not your family." James sternly said. "Not on papers, and certainly not in anyone's mind."

"Doesn't change shit."

"It changes everything." James insisted. "You're nothing like them! They don't deserve the dust on your shoes, Sirius."

"I'm still their son."

"Mom and dad would put up a fight if you said that to them." James lightly scolded. "Whether you like it or not, you're a Potter, Sirius."

Sirius didn't say anything, wiping the tear that had rolled from his eye.

"Thank you." He said, sincerity in his eyes. "For being my friend, and... doing everything you can for me."

"Of course, mate."

James grinned widely.

"You're my brother, for fuck's sake."

~ ~ ~
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