The Great Pretenders

iii. Regulus

The chatter between the Marauders and Alice was interrupted by a teacher who came to gather the students going home for the holidays. They were instructed to go get their luggage and return to the Entrance Hall afterwards.

The lions and the badger parted ways and twenty minutes later they reunited, carrying their travel bags, near the main oak doors where a caretaker was taking attendance.

"Black?" he called, and both Sirius and a boy standing on the edge of the crowd raised their hands.

"You have a brother?" asked Alice, standing on her tip-toes to get a glimpse of the boy. She couldn't see anything aside from a few curls before a group of kids blocked her view.

"Yes." answered Sirius, his jaw clenching as he averted his gaze.

              They stood in uncomfortable silence for a moment. Alice was called on while James, Peter, and Remus chatted amongst themselves. They were so caught up in their conversation that Remus was almost marked absent.

"Lupin? Lupin."

Remus' hand shot up and he looked around, startled. Alice laughed softly and shook her head as she watched him gesturing wildly with his hands, diving right back into whatever he'd been talking about. She turned back to Sirius and hesitated upon seeing his sudden change in demeanor before asking,

"Does he know about the plan?"

"No, he doesn't."

"Will you tell him?"

"I don't intend to."

Alice nodded awkwardly and started fidgeting with her bracelet. She'd never had to deal with a snappy Sirius before. She knew him to be cheerful and witty at all times.

"Why don't you like talking about your brother?" she asked suddenly after another moment of silence.

"What?" said Sirius, frowning and finally facing her. He looked at her in a gentle way, but it was clear he was still rattled by the topic. Alice wished she'd just dropped it, but she felt the need to ask. "What makes you think that?"

"Well, you got all tense and uncomfortable when I asked about him," she explained cautiously, not wanting to upset him further. "And you've never mentioned him before. I know it's really none of my business — "

"Don't worry," Sirius sighed, "We used to be close, but I don't know what he's been up to recently."

"Have you tried...asking him?"

Sirius' head hung as he brought his gaze to the floor, "I'll explain in the train,"

Alice comfortingly placed a hand on his arm, "It's okay, Sirius. I don't want to force you into telling me something you're not comfortable talking about."

"No, it's alright — it's good to let it out sometimes. Besides, I trust you."

Alice nodded and smiled as her cheeks tinted a slight pink before they both returned their attention to the boys standing beside them, who were now making plans for their stay at the Potter's.

              Interrupted by the caretaker's instructions, Alice and the Marauders climbed inside one of the carriages when asked to, sighing and shuddering in relief from standing in the cold for so long. They bounced slightly as the carriage advanced towards Hogsmeade Station in awkward silence, until Alice cleared her throat.