What If? Year 2

Chapter 42

Cedric keeps me entertained during the afternoon. He leads me around every inch of the inside of the castle, stopping every so often to talk with a portrait. After a while of wandering be pulls me behind a tapestry and into a secret passageway.
"What are we doing?"
"Just thought I'd show you one of my favorite spots at Hogwarts." I giggle and he sits on the floor.
"Where does it go?"
"It doesn't,"Cedric answers, "it stops just down there. The only entrance is through that tapestry." I sit down besides him and he sneaks a kiss to my cheek.
"I might have to use this as a study spot sometime."
"Yeah, it's a rather lonely spot."
"Not lonely, really," I say, "just secluded and quiet. It's kinda nice, especially with a loud house."
"I'm probably one of the loudest in my house..."
"I mean, it's nice sometimes, but can make studying kinda hard sometimes. I love them, but Merlin!" He laughs again and moves closer and puts his arm around me.
"You know what else we can do here?" he asks, making my face turn pink and my heart race.
"What?"
"Read together... plan things... just be alone together."
"Plan things?" I giggle. "What kind of things?"
"Pranks on friends, dates, of course, summer plans, all sorts of things, love!" I smile and snuggle into his side.
"And this alone time? That sounds rather relaxing." He chuckles and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. He presses a kiss to my lips and I have to surprise a giggle. He lets me go and my eyes catch Regulus.
Shoot
I move away from Cedric and he frowns.
"I'm sorry, love... I should've asked first. I ju-..."
"Shh," I tell him, softly, "I'm not upset, but I think..." Dad and Sirius barge through the tapestry and Cedric and I jump.
"Hi, Dad, Uncle Sirius," I say, staying on the ground, "do you all need me again?"
"No," Dad says, offering me his hand, "what are you doing in here?"
"Just getting some peace and quiet," I say, as he helps me up, "Cedric knew I didn't really want to be around people today." Sirius glares at Cedric, but I shake it off.
"I guess I'll see you later, Goldie," Cedric says, innocently. I smile at him and send him a wink since only I'm facing him.
"Yep, see you later, Ced." I follow after Dad and Sirius.
"We're leaving in the morning," Dad tells me as we get back to the Grand Staircase, "we're sleeping in the Gryffindor common room tonight, if you need anything tonight." I nod.
"We were on our way to tell Harry before we heard you through the tapestry."
"Yeah, yeah... I know about the map, Uncle Sirius."
"Y-you do?"
"Yep... did Uncle Remus not..." I stop myself, but they both catch on.
"Harry found it didn't he?" Dad runs off, but I grab Sirius in time.
"Wait! Oh, wonderful... Uncles Sirius, I need to talk to you actually. Alone." Sirius looks at me very confused.
"Is it something about... him? That you didn't want to talk about in front of your Dad?" I shake my head.
"N-no, I told you all I remember. This is a little more personal." Regulus appears by the secret entrance of a passageway.
"Alright..." I pull him to the passageway and take a deep breath.
"Can you promise me that not a soul, including my dad, will not hear about this."
"That depends on what it is, flower."
"I promise it's nothing that concerns him... or me really for that matter."
"Well, alright then," he says, "then what is it?" I grab his hand and I watch as Regulus grabs my hand. Sirius' eyes widen and lets out a gasp.
"Reggie?" He lets go and Regulus disappears. I still feel his hand on mine.
"You have to hold my hand," I tell him.
"What in Merlin's bloody name was that?"
"You have to hold my hand, Uncle Sirius!" Sirius grabs my hand and Regulus reappears.
"Sirius."
"What the hell?" Sirius tries to pull away, but I stop him.
"Wait, please. I... I need to say something to you." Sirius stops and looks at me.
"Goldie... d-do you know who this is?" I sigh and nod, clearly embarrassed. I already feel tired.
"Your brother, Regulus."
"How do you..."
"I'll try to explain that. But please, listen to me." Regulus sounds near tears and Sirius tightens his grip on my hand.
"Okay... but can I ask questions?" I start to feel dizzy.
"Hurry."
"Okay, first. I want to say... I'm sorry, Sirius. I saw how mom and dad treated you and I did nothing for you. Second... I want you to know that I..." I try to take a deep breath, but end up wheezing and all connection is lost. My knees buckle and Sirius tries to keep me upright.
"Goldie?" he exclaims as I fall to the floor, "hey... hey! What's happening?" I cough a few times, but it makes me feel better.
"I'm alright.... sorry I couldn't stay longer."
"What... was that actually Regulus?"
"Yes."
"Can he hear me right now?"
"I think so." Sirius looks besides me, where Regulus had been.
"Reggie, if you can hear me. I want you to know... a few things. I don't blame you for anything that our parents did. You shouldn't either. I love you, and hope they didn't treat you any different than they did before I left. I was never angry with you... no matter how mad I might have acted. And as for anything you might of done... I forgive you, alright. I hope you can forgive me." Sirius kneels down to me and picks me up. His eyes are red as he kisses my hairline.
"Thank you, Goldie. I don't know how you got him here, but thank you." I nod.
"Uncle Sirius... you umm, you won't tell anyone, right?" Sirius nods.
"Of course, thank you so much." He squeezes me to his chest just as we get back to the common room.
"I've gotta get back to your dad now. Be safe, if you see anything come find us or tell the Headmaster." I nod and press a quick kiss to his cheek.