C⃨O⃨N⃨T⃨R⃨O⃨L⃨I⃨N⃨G⃨ T⃨H⃨E⃨ S⃨H⃨A⃨D⃨O⃨W⃨S⃨ Regulus Black

Chapter 1: New shelter

Like an artist painting a black canvas with bright colours. The sky cracked like glass, crashing and exploding like a firework. One may think they were being attacked until they looked at the weather channel to discover that it was only a storm. Although in the middle of August you may not expect this weather, with the recent reports of death eater attacks the weather described everybody's mood. With such loud sounds coming from outside their windows Amelia and James had difficulty sleeping. Quietly tip-toeing down the stairs the siblings made there way into the kitchen. The pantry was full of almost every snack possible and so James and Amelia grabbed a pumpkin pasty each and moved to the living room. The siblings grabbed some blankets and wrapped themselves up before sitting in front of the fire.

Quiet munching could be heard from the living room as the Potter siblings chatted about school. "Hey bunny, how's Pandora? I know she usually comes to visit." James asked his sister.

"Her family's gone crazy and her older brothers are trying to convince her to join Voldemort. I feel bad for her, she obviously doesn't want to but she can't run away." Amelia spoke with a sad tone. "How's Lily?"

James blushed a deep red but then smirked and said. "How's Remus?" This time it was Amelia's turn to blush as she sunk into the corner of the sofa.

"I don't know what you mean, we're just friends." She and Remus had been friends since her first year. They had grown closer in the past year because he tutored her in potions. The room grew quiet as James gave her a knowing look, her flushed face was however covered by a blanket.

After she had composed herself she took a deep breath, "Do you think things will be different this year at school? I mean since all of the recent attacks." Amelia asked her brother.

"Things always change but as dangerous as the outside is Hogwarts will always be safe, as long as Dumbledores the head master." James may been stupid sometimes but he was growing up and maturing. He only wished Lily would notice.

As the two giggled and chatted the storm still hadn't stopped. The raging winds and thundering sounds of the sky made it almost unbearable to travel. All through the house a clock chimed midnight, the happy bongs made the house seem cheerful in comparison to the solemn chimes heard at 12 Grimmauld place. The shouts of the family there overcame the loud chimes which usually kept people awake.

The house was used to arguments, screams and shouts, however this one seemed different. That evening started with Sirius refusing to come down for a family dinner, which cause Regulus to have to almost pull him down the stairs. The shouting continued through out dinner and when Sirius tried to make his way to bed.

"Where do you think you're going boy!" An angry Walburga shouted. "We have not finished."

"Fine, then mother." Sirius began while walking towards her, "what do you want me to do!" However instead of more shouting Orion stepped in and hit Sirius across the face with his cane. The boy fell to the floor and Walburga raised her wand, then it was Regulus' turn to be brave.

"Stop!" The boy shouted as he stood up. "You have no right to hurt him! Sirius has done nothing wrong, yet you treat him as if he isn't a person."

"Regulus move out of the way!" His mother shouted, "your brother must be punished!"

Regulus however did not move and instead raised his wand. "You shall not go near him!"

"Do you honestly think you can fight me?" The older woman sneered. "Your not brave enough!" She then turned her wand at Regulus, "Crucio!" The boys face dropped and he felt as if thousands of knives were being pushed in and out of him.

"Mother stop!" Sirius shouted, "NO!" Regulus' face twitched in pain and he fell to the ground, tears streaming down his face.

"Silence Sirius!" Walburga continued as her child, her son, her boy wreathed in pain on the floor.