Gryffindor Black brothers

Chapter 42

Soon enough, the winter holidays were upon the students of Hogwarts. Regulus was not looking forward to going home like his friends. Going home meant that he had to deal with his parents and more death eater meetings. They would be returning home for the holidays the next day.

The Great Hall was filled with the joyful chatter of his classmates, their laughter ringing like a melody he couldn't quite join. He glanced around at the familiar faces, the warmth of camaraderie surrounding him like a comforting blanket. But the thought of returning to Grimmauld place loomed over him, a dark cloud that dulled even the brightest of festivities.

"Regulus, are you even listening?" James's voice broke through his thoughts, pulling him back to the present. Regulus blinked and focused on the Marauders, who were deep in conversation about their holiday plans.

"Sorry, what were you saying?" Regulus asked, forcing a smile as he picked at his uneaten pumpkin pasty.

"Just planning our epic snowball fight when we're at James' house over break," Sirius chimed in, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "You'll be coming with to James's home right, Reggie?"

"Not this time, Sirius," Regulus replies "You know I need to be home. Maybe next year." 

"But you've come every year till now!" James exclaims "You can't break tradition now!" 

"Yeah Regulus," Peter chimed "We would miss you." 

"Maybe in the summer I could convince mother and father to let me come for a week. I really can't this hols." 

"Death eater meetings?" Remus asked 

"Part of it. I also need to talk to my cousin and house elf. It's something serious. I have hunch. Also there are books that i can more freely access at Grimmauld Place then anywhere else," Regulus replies 

"Is this about what you talked to Sirius and Lily about?" Peter asked tilting his head to the side. 

"Yeah. Growing up in that place you quickly learn which books are good and bad. And right now I need access to the bad ones," Regulus mutters but loud enough for the maruaders to hear 

Just as this was happening, Mary, Lily, Marlene, Dorcas, Emmeline and Hestia came and plopped down next to them. 

"Why the sour face Reggie?" Mary asked nothing but fondness in her voice 

"He's grumpy about going back home for the holidays," Remus replies 

"Are you not going to James'?" Marlene asks "You go every year!" 

"That's what I said!" James said

"No not this year. Maybe in the summer if I'm lucky," Regulus replies 

"Lucky? You mean unfortunate," Dorcas quipped, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "What's so great about Grimmauld Place anyway?"

Regulus shrugged, forcing a laugh. "You'd be surprised. It has its... charms." The sarcasm in his voice was palpable, and he tried to mask the flicker of anxiety that tightened in his chest. The last thing he wanted was for them to pry too deeply into his family's affairs.

"Charms like a cold, dark basement?" Hestia teased, leaning in closer. "What are you really up to, Regulus? Is there something you're not telling us?"

The teasing tone shifted slightly, and Regulus felt the weight of their gazes on him. He could almost hear the unspoken questions. Why did he insist on returning to a place that seemed to stifle his very essence? Why was he so loyal to a family that seemed intent on dragging him into darkness?

"I promise, it's nothing you need to worry about," he said, his voice firm yet soft, trying to keep his friends from digging deeper. "It's just... family stuff."