INFERI (REGULUS BLACK)

50

"Sirius. Sirius! Sirius!" Aoife hollered on the top of her lungs, impatiently waiting for him outside his door. Regulus was waiting at the door, and shot her a reproving look at her shout.

"Coming!" Sirius hollered back. Aoife huffed and continued to tap her foot impatiently on the floor.

After a few 10 minutes, Sirius Black emerged from his room, looking just like he always did.

"I'm ready!" He yelled, almost falling onto Aoife when he ran out of the room.

"You look just like you did an hour ago," Aoife rolled her eyes. "What were you doing, sleeping?"

"No, I was styling my hair," he said, gesturing wildly at his head. "Don't I look debonair?"

Aoife snorted. "It looks like a bird's nest."

Sirius pouted. "You didn't mean that, surely. I'm sure I look great."

"Your hair looks just like it was an hour ago," Aoife said. "Except it smells like ... Did you just smother your hair with an entire bottle of hair gel?"

"See," he said smugly, striking diva poses, "it's not the same hair it was an hour ago."

"Will you two hurry up," Regulus's irritated voice just made them chortle.

"Coming little brother," Sirius yelled. Aoife could almost imagine Regulus rolling his eyes.

"So, you arranged everything?" Aoife asked in a whisper.

"Yes, all's arranged. I even bought off the waiter," he said gleefully.

They'd now reached an irate Regulus Black, who looked quite pissed off.

"We were supposed to be there at 8. 8. It's 9 now," he muttered, opening the door.

"Thanks Reg," Sirius smirked before pulling himself and Aoife out of the half open door. Aoife laughed loudly, and both of them fell of the grass that surrounded the entire house. A more irate (if possible) Regulus exited after them.

"It's not far from here," he said stoically, ignoring the two laughing baboons trailing behind his. "No Death Eater sightings, it'll be okay to go without glamour charms. Sirius, you stick with Aoife, and keep your wand ready."

"My wand's always ready," Sirius smirked at his brother. Regulus raised an unimpressed eyebrow at him. Sirius and Aoife guffawed even louder at it. Both of them were clinging at each other for support by this time.

Regulus walked in front of them, loneliness creeping up on him. It'd been only two days, and Sirius and Aoife were laughing together as if they'd known each other since they were children. It was quite hard not to feel left out. He just hoped it changed after this dinner. He did not want to spent who-knows-how-many years with no-one to talk to.

After 15 minutes of enduring the muffled laughs, snorts and whispers issuing from behind him, Regulus spoke up.

"We're here."

"We know," Sirius replied. Aoife quickly covered his mouth.

"Let's enter," she said hastily, making a beeline for the door. It was a classic Regulus choice, with a shiny exterior, golden chandeliers and classy guests.

"Wow," she gaped. "I've never seen a restaurant like this."

"Really?" Sirius turned to face her. "London has tons of places like this."

Oh, Regulus thought bitterly. She's even spilled her life's story to him.

"I've only seen them from the outside," she answered, stationary at the entrance, gazing rapturously at the handsome guests and decorations. People were starting to snigger. Regulus siezed her arm and pulled her towards their table.

"Oh," she said sheepishly. "Thanks."

Before Regulus could say anything, Sirius, who had been chatting up a few fawning waitresses in a corner, had suddenly materialised and helped Aoife into her chair like a true gentleman he was.

"Thanks," she smiled at him, before turning to the menu. Over the top of it, she saw both the brother's glare at each other before sitting. Sirius looked quite nervous, but covered it well with a smile. Regulus looked like he always was, cool and aloof.

Aoife nudged Sirius with her foot, wanting the awkward part to be over with. Sirius bobbed his head, trying to say that he wanted to eat first and talk later. Aoife understood, but shook her head sharply. There would be too much tension during the meal then.

Regulus watched this silent conversation, consisting of head gestures and eyes rolls, bemused. After a few minutes of ridiculous pantomime (Regulus was quite sure they couldn't understand each other, hence the furious movements) he interrupted their private (and one-sided) conversation.

"Do you want to order?"

Sirius's and Aoife's head snapped up, both focusing on Regulus. It seemed as if they'd forgotten he was there.

"Actually," Sirius started, his voice cracking. Clearing his throat he started again, spurred on by Aoife's encouraging looks. "I wanted to talk about, that night."

Regulus's face hardened a bit, and he shot Aoife a look of immense betrayal.

"I don't think that ..." he trailed off unexpectedly, his eyes zeroed on a table.

"What?" Sirius asked, on the edge of his seat, literally and figuratively.

"I don't think that we should talk right now," Regulus said abruptly, standing up. "We should go."

"Why?" Sirius asked. Regulus moved to exit, but Sirius grabbed his wrist. "You tell us what's going on or else we won't leave," he said fiercely.

"Death Eaters," he answered quietly. "Let's leave. Now."

Aoife didn't know what they were, but they seemed quite threatening. She quietly followed the two brothers out, Sirius's hand on her shoulder.

"Itty bitty baby Black," a voice jeered. Regulus froze, his wand out in a second. "What a pleasant surprise."

They turned around, and were face-to-face with one threatening woman, Bellatrix Lestrange.

Not that Aoife knew her.