We Were

Young

August, 1972

Laughter was a thing of nightmares in Grimmauld place, but Sirius seemed hell bent on changing that this summer no matter what it cost him. He'd only just discovered what the real meaning to the word party was last year when Gryffindor had won the Quidditch Cup, and he refused to live through another of his mothers parties without James at least! It's not as if his parents could disapprove, though Sirius hadn't acknowledged to anyone in this household his best friend being a pureblood, even not a well renowned one, was pure coincidence.

Still though, his summer had not started off the best. He'd apologized out of pure moral obligation to his parents for his slight on the family household for winding up in 'the wrong house' but it certainly hadn't been sincere enough to escape punishment. He rubbed his shoulder ruefully for the reminder and instead sought help.

He seemed to have patented his superior look while Sirius was away.

"Alright then, what can I say to get you to agree?" Sirius pleaded, even putting his hands together in hopes his brother would, for once, understand why Sirius wanted his help.

He contemplated this for several moments, even tapping his chin to mock him, but Sirius could see he was not chewing on the inside of his cheek, his brothers giveaway. He'd already made up his mind and was toying with him. "Reggie, please!"

"Alright," Regulus gave in with a grin, and Sirius released a breath, his brother had been going to help all along. "Only if you promise to let me hang out with you two tonight though."

"Yes alright, now go," Sirius ushered him back out into the drawing room eagerly without thinking twice.

He'd been avoiding everyone so thoroughly he hadn't even realized the party was tonight, his parents would be furious with him daring to ask a guest over so last minute. He had all of his fingers crossed regardless they'd cave for Regulus though.

The floorboards of the old house groaned beneath his feet, he had to stand with his ear pressed right against the closed door of father's study to even have a hope of hearing-

"What is Master Sirius doing?"

Sirius yelped in surprise Kreacher had snuck up on him, then scowled more at himself than anything. He wasn't used to watching his own back anymore, he'd grown so used to Remus and Peter doing that for him.

"Nothing! Go away," he snapped at the rotten elf ruining his sneaking, but too late, father had heard. The door swung open and Sirius had indeed been standing too close, it smacked him in the face. He staggered backwards in surprise, cursing and clutching at the pain shooting across his nose. His eyes were welling up at the throbbing as he blinked up at his father to see him scowling down at him.

"Honestly Sirius, what are we going to do with you," his booming voice echoed in Sirius' head, making him shrink back several more steps. "This is not the sort of behavior we raised you to have, now you're trying to get your brother in trouble!"

Sirius glared balefully at Regulus' repentant look. He had no clue if Regulus had gone in there and snitched on him or if Orion had simply heard him outside.

To his surprise though, father continued, "however, luckily for you, Andromeda is not going to be in attendance, so we have an extra seat at the table. Your friend may come, Potter was it?"

"Yes sir!" Sirius said in delight, straightening his posture at once and almost quivering with more excitement than he'd ever recalled having here at home.

His father's stern look was not promising, despite the fact he'd already given in. Sirius suddenly had a bad feeling about inviting James over here. Surely though his parents had said their peace and wouldn't suddenly turn on James and punish him like they had Sirius? His parents weren't known for holding back on any emotion they'd had, and if this were the case, they'd have invited him over themselves by now to do such a thing.