Between Coffee And Cigarettes

-17-

"James! Lenny! Sirius!", Euphemia waved when they arrived at Kings Cross and got out of the train. She wrapped her arms around all three of them tightly and hold them there for a good minute. "Mum, I can't breathe", James complained and laughed. "Aww, well, I don't care. I missed you soo much", the elderly witch said and tightened her hug even more. 

"Ahem", their Dad brought attention to himself, "It's my turn, my dear", he said and gently separated his wife from their kids, before crushing them even harder in his embrace. Lenny enjoyed those moments a lot and was even more thankful that Sirius convinced her to ran away with him that night, many years ago. She was thankful for all the love that she received in all these years, although it was a bit overwhelming for her in the beginning, due to the fact, that she and her twin never got that kind of attention from their birthparents.

But every time, Lenny was happy in the arms of the people she called her parents, she thought about Regulus and him missing all that. She was pretty sure that he never got a hug or appreciation or kind words and she knew that it slowly destroyed him. Whenever they talked, she would avoid the mentioning of the Potter's, because his face would always become sad with a hint of jealousy.

When their Dad finally released them and they all could breathe normally again, Lenny spotted Reg getting off the train and making his way through the crowd. "Could I get a minute?", she asked, looking expectantly at Euphemia and Fleamont and they both nodded slightly, which told her that they understood. 

"Sirius!", the girl commanded, got a grip of the wrist of her twin and dragged him behind her. When Regulus saw his sister, coming in his direction, his eyes lit up, but when he spotted the person she forcibly dragged behind her, his expression became just as confused as the one of his brother.

"Reg!", Lenny exclaimed and waved, just before she and Sirius stood in front of him. "Uhm... Is everything ok?", he asked, "Or why is he here?", he said and pointed confused at his older brother. Even though Regulus was the youngest, he was almost as tall as Sirius and surpassed her by several inches. 

"I actually am just as clueless as you are. Maybe you could explain, why you so gently pulled me away?", Sirius asked directed to Lenny sarcastically and gave her a questioning look. She couldn't believe how stupid and stubborn they both were, so she sighed deeply and closed her eyes for a second to gather her composure and stay calm. "It's time for you both to grow up and accept that you are family", she explained, "What happened in the past, nobody can change, but I am honestly sick of going back and forth and always choosing between the two of you. It wouldn't hurt you to just be civil with each other and not bite the others head off, every time you are in their presence. So... I thought that maybe you both could wish each other Merry Christmas or something like that. For a start...".

The girl didn't really know, why she thought that now was the perfect time for them to reconcile, but she was sick of their behavior towards each other. She shot them both an impatient look and waited for them to say something in response. But neither Sirius nor Regulus said anything or made a move; they both were just incredibly stubborn. "Seriously?", Sirius asked after a while as if she was joking.

"No. I'm doing this for fun", Lenny said sarcastically and tilted her head, making an annoyed face, "just watch and do as I". Those words were more directed towards Sirius as she hugged Regulus tightly, her arms around his shoulders. He immediately hugged back and pressed his head into her neck. "Merry Christmas, Reggie", she muttered into his neck as well, "and please write back, because otherwise I will think that You-Know-Who killed you", she added worried, with tiny chuckle and so quietly that only he could hear it.

"I will be okay", he sweared, but in his voice was doubt. They released each other and with teary eyes, Lenny turned around to Sirius and expectantly stepped aside so he could get easily to Regulus. Hesitantly he stepped forward and wrapped slowly his arms around his brother as if he could hurt him. It was neither a long nor a tight hug, but at least it was one. Both stepped back to bring distance in between them, looking shyly on the ground.

Suddenly, Sirius lifted his head and spoke: "When you need a place to stay, you know, when...". Regulus understood and nodded so he didn't have to say it out loud. Sirius cleared his throat before continuing: "You welcome to stay at ours". Regulus was silent but the corner of his lips curled a bit upwards. 

With a last wave, Regulus made his way to the Black Manor and Lenny and Sirius back to their family, when suddenly Lenny was hugged from behind. She turned around and Alice and Marlene stood there, smiling at her with the widest smiles on their faces. "What?", Alice said, "Did you actually think that you could get away from us without saying goodbye?". Lenny was confused. They all already said goodbye on the train, just before the Hogwarts Express entered King's Cross. 

"But... We already hugged and wished each other Merry Christmas". "Yeah, but that wasn't a proper 'bye', was it", Marlene rolled her eyes jokingly, before crushing the blue-haired girl in her arms. Taken aback by the sudden contact, Lenny looked over Marlene's shoulder at Alice, searching for help. The short-haired girl just snickered and said: "Marlene, I think our dear friend, here, is a bit overwhelmed". "Ha! For how long do you two know me now?", the blonde exclaimed and separated herself from Lenny, still holding her by her shoulders, "Six, seven years? I think you both know that Len has no other choice than to accept my welcoming touch".

Sirius, who stood besides the scene the whole time, took Marlene by her waist and pulled her in a kiss, releasing her from his sister once and for all. While the fresh couple said their goodbye's, Alice turned to Lenny and pressed her two smooches on each side of her face. "I'm going to Paris this Christmas with Frank's and my family and apparently this is how they say adieu.", she explained, "Lenny", the witche's face got more stern, "promise me that you write and that you will be fine. Take your time to relax and recollect yourself, will ya?"

The words came out of nowhere but for her own sake and the sake of her friend, she promised and then took off with Sirius, going back to James and their parents.

Back home, the three siblings heaved their belongings upstairs in each of their room and unpacked. It was already quiet late and so they all left to bed; Lenny in her room, James and Sirius in James's. They often slept over in each others bedrooms and would concoct new pranks and upcoming trouble.