Sirius Black had finally had enough. The oppressive atmosphere of 12 Grimmauld Place had become unbearable, and with a heavy heart, he decided to leave his toxic family behind. That night, he escaped to the Potters, seeking the warmth and acceptance he never found at home. But in his wake, he left behind his younger siblings, Regulus and Y/N, to face the brunt of their parents' wrath.
---
Y/N Black sat in her room, her eyes fixed on the letter Sirius had left for her and Regulus. He had promised to come back for them, to save them from the nightmare that was their home. But now, in the immediate aftermath of his departure, she and Regulus were left to endure the full force of their parents' anger.
Their mother, Walburga, stormed into Y/N's room, her face contorted with fury. "Do you see what your brother has done?!" she screamed, her voice echoing off the walls. "He has brought shame upon this family!"
Y/N flinched, trying to make herself as small as possible. "I'm sorry, Mother," she whispered, though she knew it would do little to appease Walburga's rage.
Regulus appeared in the doorway, his face pale but resolute. "Leave her alone," he said, his voice steady despite the fear in his eyes.
Walburga rounded on him, her anger shifting targets. "And you, Regulus, what do you have to say for yourself? Your brother's actions reflect on you as well!"
Regulus stood his ground, but Y/N could see the effort it took. "Sirius made his own choices. We had nothing to do with it."
Orion Black entered the room, his expression cold and unforgiving. "Both of you will learn what happens when you defy this family," he said, his tone chilling.
The days that followed were a blur of harsh words and cruel punishments. Walburga and Orion seemed determined to break their spirits, to ensure they would never follow in Sirius's footsteps. Y/N bore the brunt of their ire, often finding herself the target of their harshest reprimands.
One evening, after a particularly brutal confrontation, Y/N sat in her room, nursing her bruises. Regulus slipped in quietly, his face etched with concern. He knelt beside her, taking her hand in his.
"I'm so sorry, Y/N," he whispered, guilt heavy in his voice. "I should have protected you."
Y/N shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "It's not your fault, Reg. We're in this together."
Regulus hugged her tightly, his own tears mingling with hers. "We'll get through this," he promised. "One day, we'll be free of them, just like Sirius."
Y/N clung to that hope, drawing strength from her brother's words. Despite the darkness that surrounded them, the bond between her and Regulus remained unbroken. They would endure, they would survive, and one day, they would find their own way to escape the shadows of 12 Grimmauld Place.
