Regulus Black/Marauders Era Oneshots

R.A.B.

Regulus decides to contact Sirius one last time before going to the cave. He doesn't know how it will go, but it doesn't matter too much because he plans to go to the cave after he leaves Sirius.

Tw: implied suicide attempt

Regulus knew what he was going to do. He knew it was up to him to get it done, but he couldn't help writing a short note to his brother as the time for him to leave approached. His writing was more sloppy than normal due to the shakiness of his hands. He gave it to the family owl.

Sirius

I know you won't be happy hearing from me, but I'd like to meet up sometime this week. If you'll give me the time, send back a date with the owl. If not, you can shoo the owl away. I won't fault you for it.

-R.A.B.

Regulus tried to relax as time went on, but the only thing he could think about was Sirius. What would happen if he agrees to meet up? What would Sirius say? Regulus couldn't help the choked sound he produced when he saw the family owl return.

Regulus rushed over, and his hands shook as the owl stuck out its leg. Sirius wrote back. He actually did. Regulus tried to steady his breathing as he slowly opened the letter.

Come by floo to the Potter's Manor tomorrow at 5pm. They will be ready to fight if you are not alone.

-Sirius

Regulus read it over and over. His stomach had dropped, but he couldn't be too disappointed because he got a response. That's more than he deserved. Regulus felt tears gather in his eyes at Sirius' signature. The "us" at the end was slightly different, meaning he had stopped at "Siri" before thinking better about it, and that was everything to Regulus.

"Regulus Arcturus! Come set the table, Now!" Walburga yelled from the floor below. Regulus took a deep breath before slipping the letter in his pocket. He straightened his posture before rushing downstairs.

Regulus felt like Sirius should've known just how hard it would be to get out unnoticed at that time. He ended up saying he was going to Crouch's to try out a potion, and they brought it. Well kind of, they said that they expected results when he returned.

He ignored it because he might as well just get his job done after the meeting with Sirius. He was already out, and he could just call Kreacher to him. He slipped the note he wrote to the dark lord in his pocket before he made his way to the floo. His parents were elsewhere, so he didn't have to worry about the location he was going to be overheard.

He threw down the floo powder before muttering "Potter Manor". Regulus tried his best to stay standing as he was thrown from the fireplace, but he stumbled anyway. Before he even looked at his surroundings, he quickly threw his wand out in front of him. He put his hands up to try and show he meant no harm.

"Regulus." Regulus slowly looked up to see the Potter's with their wands raised in defense, and Sirius' wand was barely in his hand anymore. "You- you're actually here," Sirius whispered. His wand fell from his hand, and Sirius stumbled forward. Regulus froze slightly as Sirius brought him into a tight hug. "I didn't think I'd ever see you again."

Regulus' heart clenched as he thought about where he was going after this. "Me too." Regulus let himself relax into his brother. He heard people moving around them, but he didn't look up until Sirius began moving away.

The potter's were now sitting down. There was one completely empty couch, obviously for Regulus, that he made his way to carefully. Regulus heard Sirius stop before walking to the couch across from the one Regulus was going to sit on. Sirius sat next to James Potter before holding out Regulus' wand for him. Regulus he's totaled before taking it and putting it in his robes.

"Well, why'd you reach out, Reggie?" Sirius questioned. Regulus thought about how much he should tell, and what he could say.

"It's kind of hard to explain, but the Dark Lord isn't about what they say he's for. I think I knew that all along, but I just couldn't admit it. There's also something that I found out, and if he knew that I knew about it, he'd probably kill me on the spot, so yeah." Regulus held his breath for Sirius' reaction.

He flinched when he felt a hand brush against his arm. He tried to pull away when Sirius began pulling at his sleeve, but Sirius was too fast. He grabbed Regulus' forearm, and when he flipped it over, his left forearm was on display for everyone to see. The dark mark was bright against his pale skin, but what caused the gasped echoing around them, was the lines slashing through the mark. There were lines all over his forearm, but they did nothing to hide the mark that tainted the skin there.

Regulus' heart was pounding as he snatched his arm away from Sirius. He looked away from everyone; tears threatened to spill from his eyes. "Regulus, Reggie." Sirius sounded so sad. Regulus couldn't stop himself as he got up and made his way towards the floo. "Reg, no, please, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-" Regulus flinched as Sirius' hand clasped his shoulder. Without thinking, Regulus apparated from the room, taking Sirius with him. Some of Regulus' calf was splinched in the process, but he walked forward. "You're splinched, Regulus. Stop, come on. I'm sorry. I love you!" Regulus froze hearing the last of what Sirius said.

"How dare you say that!" Regulus turned to face Sirius, whose palm was splinched, but it seemed he hadn't noticed. "How can you say you love me when you left me to wither in that house! You knew what would happen when you left me there, yet you're surprised of the outcome!"

"Regulus, I wanted to take you with me! I really did! I had to leave; you don't understand. I would've died!" Sirius pleaded. Regulus closed his eyes briefly before looking at Sirius' tearful eyes.

"I loved you too, for the record. I'm sorry, Siri, I really wished this had gone better. Goodbye, brother." Regulus turned and he ran. He could hear footsteps behind him.

"Kreacher." Kreacher popped into existence beside him. "It's time to go." With a pop, Regulus was apparated far from Sirius.

As Regulus shakily handed Kreacher the locket from the basin, replacing it with a copy and a not, he thought about Sirius. He thought about what it would be like had he gone with Sirius that night. He thought about how things would've been if he was sorted into Gryffindor instead. He let himself be dragged into the depths of the lake by decaying bodies, as he thought about his brother. He just wished he would have hugged a little tighter.

He felt water swarm into his laughs, and he felt an awkwardly small hand grabbing him as he let himself drift from reality.