Regulus's heart pounded in his chest as he stood in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady, the entrance to the Gryffindor common room. He had been here before, of course—had even slipped inside once or twice in the company of the Marauders when he and Sirius were still speaking—but now, it felt different. He was different. His hand hovered over the frame, uncertain.
Y/N stood beside him, her presence a calming force. "You can do this," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the noise of students passing through the corridor. "I'm right here."
Regulus nodded, taking a deep breath, and finally, he knocked. The Fat Lady looked down at him with a mildly annoyed expression. "Password?"
"Er... I don't have it," he mumbled.
The Fat Lady huffed. "Then you're not getting in, are you?"
Y/N stepped forward, giving her a sweet smile. "Could you please ask someone to fetch Sirius Black for us? It's important."
The Fat Lady seemed to consider it for a moment before sighing dramatically. "Very well, but only because you asked so nicely." She disappeared from the frame, and Regulus felt his stomach twist with anxiety.
Minutes ticked by, each one feeling longer than the last. Regulus felt his palms grow sweaty, his nerves fraying with each passing second. Finally, the portrait swung open, and there was Sirius, his face set in an unreadable expression. His gray eyes flicked between Regulus and Y/N, and then he nodded.
"Come in," Sirius said, stepping aside to let them enter. Regulus hesitated, but Y/N gave him a reassuring nod, and he followed his brother into the common room.
The Gryffindor common room was warm, the fire crackling in the hearth, and students lounged around, some playing games, others buried in books. James raised his head from a conversation with Peter and looked like he was about to say something, but Y/N gave him a look that made him think better of it. The room grew quieter as people noticed the two brothers standing together.
Sirius gestured to a corner away from the others. "Let's talk over here," he suggested. Regulus followed, his eyes scanning the room, feeling exposed, but he kept his head high. This was important—he knew it was.
Once they were seated, Sirius leaned back, his arms crossed. "Alright, Regulus," he began, his tone guarded but curious. "Y/N says you're in trouble. That you want help... from me."
Regulus swallowed, his mouth dry. "I didn't ask for help," he said quietly. "I... I just needed to talk."
Sirius's eyes softened slightly, though his expression remained wary. "Talk, then. I'm listening."
Regulus glanced at Y/N, who gave him a small, encouraging nod. He took a deep breath. "I don't want to be a part of... of what they're planning," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "The Dark Lord, the Death Eaters... I'm not like them. I don't want that life. But I don't know how to leave."
Sirius studied him for a moment, his expression unreadable. "You've finally figured that out, have you?" he asked, his tone somewhere between teasing and bitter. "Took you long enough."
Regulus's eyes flashed with anger. "It's not that simple, Sirius!" he snapped, his voice louder than he intended. "You don't know what it's been like for me since you left. I was just a kid. They turned all their attention on me... I had no choice!"
Sirius's face softened, his posture relaxing slightly. "I know, Reg," he said quietly. "I know it wasn't easy. I never thought it was. I just... I thought maybe if I left, you'd follow. But you stayed, and I... I didn't know what to do."
Regulus looked down, his anger dissipating into something more fragile, more vulnerable. "I didn't know how to leave," he admitted. "But now... I'm scared, Sirius. I'm scared of what they'll do to me if I try. Of what they'll do to you... and to Y/N."
Sirius sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Reg, they're going to try and force you into that life. They'll use every trick they have, every threat. But you don't have to face it alone. You've got friends, people who care about you—Y/N, me... even James, for all his complaining."
James, who had been listening nearby, grumbled, "Hey, I don't complain that much!" but then he added more sincerely, "He's right, Regulus. If you want out, we'll help you. We'll protect you."
Regulus looked between them, his expression conflicted. "But how?" he asked. "How do I get out? I'm already marked... not officially, but... my name is on their list."
Sirius leaned in closer, his tone serious. "There are ways, Reg. Dumbledore is fighting against them—he's got a whole network, the Order of the Phoenix. You could join them, or at least get their protection. But you have to be willing to take that step, to say no to the family, to the Dark Lord. And that... that won't be easy."
Regulus shuddered, the weight of Sirius's words sinking in. "And what about you? What about Y/N? They'll come after you, too."
Sirius shook his head. "Let them try. I've been dealing with their threats since I left home. And as for Y/N... she's stronger than she looks."
Y/N, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. "We're all in this together, Regulus. None of us are safe as long as they're out there, but we can stand together. We can fight back."
Regulus's gaze moved back to Sirius. "Do you really think it's possible? To leave, to be free?"
Sirius's expression softened, a small, genuine smile tugging at his lips. "I do, Reg. I did it, and so can you. You just have to make the choice."
Regulus swallowed hard, his heart pounding. He had been trapped in that house, in the expectations of his family, for so long. He had lived in fear, in the shadow of his parents' control. But now... here was his brother, offering him a way out, a chance to forge his own path. He looked at Y/N, saw the trust and hope in her eyes, and then back at Sirius, who seemed to be waiting, holding his breath.
Finally, he nodded. "Alright," he said softly, determination hardening his voice. "I'll do it. I'll talk to Dumbledore, join the Order... I'll find a way out."
Sirius's grin widened, and he reached out to clap Regulus on the shoulder. "That's my brother," he said, pride in his voice. "We'll figure this out, Reg. Together."
Y/N's face broke into a relieved smile, and she squeezed Regulus's hand. "I knew you could do it," she whispered.
For the first time in what felt like years, Regulus felt a flicker of hope. Maybe it wouldn't be easy. Maybe the path ahead was filled with danger and uncertainty. But he wasn't alone—not anymore. And that made all the difference.
