Shadows of Darkness

Trip down memory lane

The Gryffindors sat at their long table, a few scattered students absorbed in their conversations, while others were solemnly focused on their breakfast.
At the center of the table, Sirius Black lounged against the wooden surface, watching the Slytherin table from beneath his tousled dark hair. He absently poked at his breakfast, his thoughts drifting far away from the crispy bacon and fluffy pancakes laid before him. His friends—James Potter, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew—chattered about Quidditch, but they could feel Sirius' distraction.
"What's eating you, mate?" James finally asked, pushing his plate aside to focus on his best friend. "You look like you've seen a ghost, and it's not even Halloween yet."
Sirius sighed, glancing toward the Slytherin table where Oakley Crouch sat like a sunflower among thorns. She was laughing with Evan Rosier and Alecto Carrow, her bright presence making Sirius feel a disconcerting mix of nostalgia and loss. The way her laughter drew in the attention of the whole hall. Just a few years ago, they had been a tight-knit group, playing pranks and conspiracies that echoed through the corridors of the manor.
"It's just... I miss them," he murmured, barely audible over the din of the Great Hall. The glances exchanged between the Marauders revealed that they understood what he meant.

"Miss who? The Slytherins?" Remus asked carefully, noting the tension in Sirius' shoulders. "You don't mean Oakley, do you?"
Sirius nodded, his gaze locked in an unyielding stare at Oakley. "Yeah. And Barty. And Regulus. It's awkward now, you know? It's like they've all chosen sides in this war—Barty and Oakley are with their family, and Regulus... well, he seems to be constantly trying to prove himself to the Black name."
"Regulus never wanted that," James interjected. "He always had a heart—"
"Which is why it hurts," Sirius shot back, frustration rippling beneath the surface. "I'm worried about him. All of them."
"Have you tried talking to them?" Remus suggested gently.
"No," Sirius admitted, raking a hand through his hair. "I don't know how to face them. All we do is fight"

Sirius pushed away his plate, the food that had once prompted his appetite now forgotten. Sirius rose from his seat, his heart pounding. He threaded his way through the bustling students, dodging laughter and dropped toast, finally reaching the Slytherin table, which seemed to emanate an air of secrecy. The moment he stepped closer, Oakley's gaze locked onto him, a mixture of defiance and hurt etched on her features.

"Sirius," Oakley said coolly, her voice laced with a touch of disdain. "What would you like?"
"I need to speak with Regulus," he replied, voice steady despite the swirling emotions roiling inside him.
Regulus looked up, surprise flashing across his face before he masked it with indifference. "What do you want, Sirius?" he asked, the words clipped as if he were guarding a secret.
"I want to understand why," Sirius responded, a frown pulling at his lips. "Why this path, Regulus? Why choose them? "
Barty snorted, clearly amused by the confrontation. "You really think he's going to change his mind because you ask nicely?" He leaned back, an arrogant smile on his face. "Regulus made his choice. You should just accept it."
Regulus shot Barty a warning glance, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. "Sirius, you don't understand the intricacies of everything. It's not that simple."
"Isn't it? You're standing with the very people our family claims are 'pure.' This isn't a house rivalry, this is about fighting a war, Regulus," Sirius replied, frustration boiling over. "You're on the wrong side."
An unsettling silence settled over the table, broken only by the shuffling of cutlery. Oakley crossed her arms, her expression hardening. "It's easier to call it 'the wrong side' when you're still living in the castle and haven't had to face the realities that come outside its walls." Her voice was sharp like glass.
Regulus leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice yet still loud enough for Sirius to catch every word. "I've made my choice, Sirius. And Oakley is with me in this. We're engaged." The words hung in the air like a thunderclap. Oakley's heartbeat quickened; there was a rush of feelings, a sense of belonging amidst the uprising, and a darkness encroaching from the chaos beyond.
Sirius staggered back a half-step, the betrayal stinging sharper than any physical blow. "Engaged? To him?" he asked incredulously, pointing at Regulus as if he were accusing him of a crime.

Barty laughed, reveling in the drama unfolding. "I'd watch what you say, Black. You'll find you're not the only one who can make choices."
Alecto Carrow, seated next to Barty, smirked. "You'll see the truth soon enough, Sirius. We're not the bad guys. Sometimes, power is bestowed upon those courageous enough to grasp it."
Regulus met Sirius's gaze, fury simmering beneath his calm facade. "Why does it matter to you anyway? You threw away the family's expectations. I'm doing the same—for love, for commitment."
Love. The very word sagged heavily in the air, laden with uncertainty and impassioned conflicts beyond their years. Sirius struggled to reconcile this new image of his brother with the boy he had grown up with—loyal, sweet-natured Regulus whose laughter once filled their home with life. Now, here he was, a pawn in a game he didn't fully comprehend.

With that, Sirius felt the last vestiges of hope for his brother vanish into the morning mist that clung to the windowpanes of the Great Hall. Sirius turned away, feeling hollow. He didn't look back; he couldn't.