What You Can't See (Harry Potter Fanfic)

Not Alright

"No, that's not alright."

"What do you mean that's not alright?" Sirius said in response. The tone of voice Regulus' older brother used, Regulus recognized as the one that was almost always followed by his brother blowing up by whoever rubbed him the wrong way. And since he was the only one in the room—

Regulus cringed.

"Hey. Whatever is the matter?"

"You're going to be mad at me."

"For what?"

"For telling you it's a stupid plan," Regulus said, closing his eyes and waiting for his older brother to blow up at him. He heard Sirius let out a sigh.

"What do you mean it's a stupid plan?"

"Well, so was me using spells to hide my presence," Regulus said, keeping his eyes closed. "So how could this not go wrong as well?"

"Because I'm involved," Sirius said, chuckling.

Regulus opened his eyes, frowning, watching Sirius point his thumb at his chest. "And that's supposed to be reassuring?"

"Well, isn't it?"

"Considering the antics you got up to and in trouble with at school, Sirius, no, it's not," Regulus said, shaking his head and folding his arms across his chest.

"Alright. What's the worst that can happen?"

"I'll never get to see you again," Regulus said, pushing his lips together. There came a silence, a silence from his older brother, who was actually thinking for once.

And then Sirius said. "So, seeing me is important to you?"

Regulus sighed, turning his head to look at his brother, someone who in his mind was the epitome of what the Black family wanted physically in a male family member, and swallowed. He tilted his head, glancing away. "I know it doesn't matter to you, not seeing me, but it does matter to me, not being able to see you. And if she finds out, she'll definitely put her foot down. She is Walburga Black, after all."

"Yes. She's Walburga Black," Sirius let out a sigh. "I'd offer to let you come and live with me, but I really can't have a Death Eater living under the roof, if you know what I mean."

"No, I don't," Regulus hissed. "But then you didn't get what I said just moments before, did you?"

Sirius quickly jerked his head up, indicating a surrender. "No, no. I got it. But the fact I got what you were saying Regulus, tells me just how clueless you are."

"Thanks," Regulus muttered, rolling his eyes. "I appreciate the compliment."

"It wasn't."

"I know it wasn't," he snapped, letting his fingers dig into his arm, frowning as he did so. "Sirius, I know...."

"Can't have a Death Eater living under my roof, little brother," Sirius said. "Not with our differences in beliefs." Regulus swallowed. "Not when it would mean a death sentence for us both. You've got to go home."

"You don't think I know that?" Regulus said, shaking his head. "I use the spells to prevent her from knowing I've been coming and going. Although, with how they failed, it seems like she simply hasn't ever noticed me in the first place, making it a moot point."

"What do you mean?" Sirius said. "You're her favorite!"

Regulus turned his head, glaring at his brother. "Why am I the favorite?"

"Because she's always going on about how perfect you are, how I should be more like you!" Sirius said.

"Sirius, she's talking about being better behaved," Regulus said. "But if she actually cared, she'd actually notice I'm no saint."

"So that's what sneaking out was about? A form of disobedience against authority in your life?"

"What?" Regulus shook his head. "Sirius, I get that you don't take things seriously, but for once, please do."

"You're not here to see me," Sirius sneered. "You're here because you want a taste of doing something she wouldn't approve of."

"That," Regulus frowned. He tilted his head. "What you said doesn't make sense."

"It doesn't? How so?"

"Because I don't want to get in trouble."

"You don't want to get in trouble?" Sirius said. "Isn't that because you're chickening out of your whole rebellious phase? Just because you don't want to be punished for once?"

"What did you not understand about me wanting to see you?" Regulus said, swallowing. "If I get in trouble, that's what I'll lose. That's what my punishment will be."

"That," Sirius said. "Wait. You think that's the worst; that's what your punishment will be?" Sirius sighed, shaking his head as he did so. "You're actually that clueless when it comes to," and then another sigh as Sirius rubbed the back of his neck. "Look. If you don't go home, Regulus, she'll eventually go looking for you. Believe me; I've been there."

Regulus sighed. "Sirius, she never went looking for you. She always knew you'd run off to the Potters."

Sirius closed his eyes. "Okay. So maybe she was waiting for me when I got home, but don't you think the longer you stay away from the house, the more likely she is to notice."

"I told you, she never notices me. Ever."

"You don't think Kreacher won't tattle?"

Regulus let out an indignant sniff. "I've never given Kreacher reason to tattle on me, but I also know what orders to give him, so she can't force him to either. Unlike someone else I know."

He watched his older brother open and close his mouth, then pointed. Sirius swallowed, then said. "Well, you said she doesn't notice you, so she won't notice, right?"

Regulus swallowed. "Sirius, I think."

"You think too much!" Sirius said, grabbing onto his arm.

"She notices you," Regulus said, letting his mouth twist. "So," he started saying, just as his brother Apparated him as he said he was, not far from Grimmauld place. Regulus felt the color drain from his face as he looked around, horrified. "Sirius, what have you done!"

"I did what I said I would. I got you home. I wish you'd be more thankful!"

"What don't you understand about how she notices you, meaning me being with you is the one time she will manage to notice me."

"Sure!" Sirius saluted for some reason; Regulus couldn't phantom, which meant what he did was likely a Muggle thing to do. He grinned ear to ear before Apparating away, leaving Regulus to deal with the mess on his own. Regulus took a deep breath, returning to Grimmauld's place, unsure of what to say or do, still mortified at his failed spellwork.

"Well. Sirius is right about one thing. I can't stay away."