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Summer 1974, Number 12 Grimmauld Place
“Sirius please!” Regulus sobbed, tugging at Sirius’s shirtsleeves.
“I have to leave Reggie, whether you are coming, or not.” Sirius climbed out the window.
“What is this?” Walburga thundered into the room. “Crucio!”
Sirius screamed. He fell from the window onto the carpeted hardwood.
“Mother, stop!” Regulus ran forward.
“Stay where you are!” Walburga snapped, pushing him away. “I’ll deal with you later.” She dragged Sirius out the room, slamming the door after her.
Regulus fell to his knees, sobbing.
This is all your fault.
“Shut up.”
None of this would have happened if you had just gone with him.
“You’re not real.”
You always say that, but you never do anything about it.
“Shut up!”
The door pushed open. Sirius stumbled in. “Miss me?” He said weakly, and promptly collapsed.
“Sirius!” Regulus ran over. He was bleeding from a cut on his neck, and had bruises all over. His arm looked broken. Potions. He needed potions. He ran over and pulled a small trunk from under the bed and pushed the top off. He rummaged through its contents. His hands found a small bottle. Dittany, the label read. He popped the cork off and stumbled toward Sirius.
“R-Reggie?” Sirius looked up weakly.
“Shhh, shh. It’s okay Siri.” Regulus spread the potion over Sirius’s leg.
“I need you to stay put, okay?” Regulus hurried towards the fireplace. He threw a handful of green dust in. “Potter Mansion.” Regulus announced, and the fire turned bright green.
“Regulus?” James Potter’s face appeared. “What-”
“I need you to listen carefully.” Regulus propped Sirius onto his feet. “Sirius is hurt. You cannot let her find him, you can’t-”
“Slow down. Why is Sirius hurt? Who is her-”
“There is no time!” Regulus hissed, hearing sharp footsteps clack down the hall. “Take him!” Regulus pushed Sirius into the fireplace. “Aguamenti.” A stream of water put the fire out.
“Regulus!” Walburga burst into the room. “Where is your brother?”
“I don’t know, Mother.” Regulus said calmly. “I heard him run to his room, Mother.” Walburga frowned. Box it, lock it up, and throw away the key. Regulus could almost hear Sirius’s voice. He could feel Walburga reaching inside his head, probing and prodding for any sign of disobedience. He felt her fingers withdraw, satisfied with her answer.
“You will not be attending Hogwarts for the next fortnight. You will stay here. I will send Kreacher to tell your professors you are ill.” She locked the door when she walked out. Regulus stared at the open window. Come back, He willed. Come back and save me, Sirius. I need you.
“Hey!” Sirius’s head popped through the window. “Come on dummy, I hope you packed. We’re getting out of here.”
-
Winter 1979, Cliffs of Moher
Regulus blinked down at the icy waters of the lake.
Water, a voice inside him pleaded. Water, please.
None of it was real. It never was. Sirius Orion Black had graduated Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and forgotten completely about his baby brother. No one came to save him.
I need water. His throat felt so dry. Water, please.
"Aguamenti." He croaked, waving his wand. Nothing came out. "Aguamenti." He insisted, waving his wand again. He looked back at the emerald lake and its endless waters.
Dry, He really needed water. So dry.
Oh, well. Just a little taste. It couldn't hurt, could it?
He reached towards the water. There was something in the water. Some detail he couldn't quite recall. A pale hand shot out and grabbed his wrist. Inferi. Ah, he thought. that. The hand pulled him into the water, as others grabbed and pulled, scratching at his clothes, his skin, his hair. Everything was hazy, but in the mist and gloom, it was Sirius that he shouted out for.