The Marauders Rise (II)

The Black Brothers

December 25, 1973

In the Hogwarts corridors on Christmas Day, SEVERUS walks swiftly down the stone hallway with REGULUS trailing at his side.

SEVERUS: No, Regulus.

REGULUS: C'mon, just let me come to one meeting-

SEVERUS: It's not for children, Regulus. It's dangerous stuff.

REGULUS: But maybe if you talked to her then maybe I could join-

SEVERUS: Bellatrix would never allow it. She's not even crazy about me being there.

REGULUS: But it's not fair! I need to learn this stuff, too-

SEVERUS: You will when you're older.

REGULUS: But how come you're allowed to go and I'm not?

SEVERUS: Because you're twelve, and I'm thirteen. Patience is a virtue, Black.

At that moment, they round a corner and come face-to-face with SIRIUS.

SEVERUS: Well, well, well. Look what we have here.

SIRIUS: Out of my way, Snivellus.

SEVERUS: A very merry Christmas to you as well, Black. I see you're still not welcome at home? A shame.

SIRIUS: I chose not to go home, actually. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like a word with my brother. Alone.

SEVERUS: But of course. I wouldn't want to interfere between brothers. (He purposefully shoves SIRIUS as he passes him and continues down the hallway).

SIRIUS: (to REGULUS) What do you think you're doing, talking to that creep?

REGULUS: He's my friend.

SIRIUS: I'd get a higher standard for friends, if I were you.

REGULUS: Shut up, Sirius.

SIRIUS: What did you just say?

REGULUS: I said shut up! You don't know anything about him! He's smart and he's helpful! He's been more of a brother to me than you have all year.

SIRIUS: You'd best stay away from him, Reg. He'll only lead you down a dangerous road.

REGULUS: Oh, calm down.

SIRIUS: Grow up, Reg. Have you seen the crowd he goes along with? Mulciber and Avery?

REGULUS: What about them?

SIRIUS: They know more curses and hexes than anyone! You know where they're headed? Straight to You-Know-Who!

REGULUS: The Dark Arts aren't as terrible as you think. They stand for something. The same thing that our family stands for.

SIRIUS: And what's that? Pure-blood mania?

REGULUS: Magic should be kept to purebloods, only, Sirius! That's what our parents taught us since the day we were born!

SIRIUS: (raising his voice) Well, maybe they're wrong, have you ever thought about that?

REGULUS: Of course you would say that! You're the biggest disappointment since Andromeda! Being in Gryffindor, and hanging around with Mudbloods-

SIRIUS: Don't you EVER say that word again! Take it back!

REGULUS: No, I won't! I believe in the future that our parents envisioned, a world where wizards and witches can come out from hiding and demonstrate their power over Muggles, and I'll do anything to make that vision a reality!

SIRIUS: (hesitating) So that's it, then? You're going to follow Bellatrix and Narcissa, you're going to brand yourself with the Dark Mark, and end up getting killed somewhere?

REGULUS: I'll fight for what I believe in, Sirius. Same as you.

SIRIUS: Fine. (He takes out a small, wrapped parcel and throws it at REGULUS' feet) Merry Christmas. (He turns around and storms off).

REGULUS picks up the parcel and looks after SIRIUS for a moment before turning around and walking away.