Simply Incorrigible [S.B]

Chapter 12

Sirius dreaded returning to Grimmauld Place for the Summer Break. Even though he maintained his cheerful prankster persona throughout the train ride, when they got off at King's Cross Station, the dread began to fill him up.

Two dreadful months of staying away from his friends, tolerating his family, and defending his beliefs against them loomed ahead of him.

His eyes flickered towards Arielle as she stood with her twin siblings who had come to take her home from the Station. The expression in her eyes wasn't much different from his own, even though she was smiling softly at her sister Alecto.

"Siri, we're getting late," Regulus caught up to him at last, "Father's waiting for us."

"Oh," he was shaken out of his thoughts, "come on."

He saw his younger brother dragging the heavy trunk so automatically he lent a hand, nodding at the low thank you that escaped Reg.

Orion Black was waiting for his sons in the waiting area of the wizarding platform which had Floo chimneys connected to it. As soon as he saw the boys approaching, he nodded slightly, gesturing for them to step in first.

"Grimmauld Place," Sirius and Regulus spoke together as they stepped in the chimney leading them to their family home. While Reg's voice was comparatively cheerful at the prospect of going home, Sirius sounded rather somber.

Walburga Black was waiting in the living room for them to arrive and the first sight that met their eyes as they stepped out of the chimney was the elder Black woman. She was standing with her characteristic air of grandeur, her dark grey dress billowing around her magnificently, and her features turned up in a haughty scowl.

That scowl melted into a smile the instant her eyes landed on the youngest son, her arms reaching out towards him as she exclaimed, "Regulus, how I have missed you... My darling son, such a pleasure to behold you at last."

Sirius flinched and took a step back, knowing that beautiful smile would turn into the same haughty look the second she acknowledged his presence as well.

He had been correct in assuming that because as soon as Walburga's blue eyes landed on Sirius, the smile vanished and was replaced by a cold stare. "Sirius."

"Mother," he replied, an indifferent cold sweeping over his soul that was quite contrary to the words he uttered next, "lovely to see you again."

She chose not to reply, but led Regulus inside, her hand still lovingly holding the younger boy and her voice soft as she asked him about his school year.

"Go freshen up first," Orion spoke up, "dinner will be laid out in the dining hall."

Sirius looked at him questioningly, "Are you implying that I should join you at dinner?"

"Yes."

He nodded, picked up his trunk, and ascended the flight of stairs that led to his room. It was unusual for him to be present at the dinner table and he didn't mind not joining them. It was when he was asked to be present that caused an issue for him.

He would have to see his parents treat Regulus as the perfect son all over again and indirectly ridicule him for not being like little Reg.

He didn't hate his younger brother for that, but he knew very well that such treatment was unfair. 

However, being asked down to dinner could also mean that one of his Uncles was coming for a visit. Uncle Alphard, to be precise.

A soft smile broke out on his face thinking that if Uncle Alphard was coming for dinner, and he was supposed to be at the dining table with them all, he would not mind it that much.

Alphard was Walburga's younger brother and his favorite uncle since the man was a known prankster of his time and had a nature very similar to Sirius's.

Hoping that he was right in his assumption, he placed his trunk in the corner, took his casual clothes, and went for a quick bath. Dinner would be laid out soon and he had to be downstairs on time, or else it would cause another havoc.

***

Regulus sat at the dining table silently, his blue eyes flickering from one face to another, observing the variety of expressions evident in front of him. 

In the farthest corner was Sirius, forking around his food for it didn't seem like he was in the mood to eat anything. Right beside Orion sat his mother, and across from her sat her brother Alphard.

Alphard had twinkling blue eyes that matched the shade of Walburga and Reg's irises but the difference was that his eyes were friendly, full to the brim with mischief. And it was then he realized that despite the eye color, Alphard's eyes reminded him of how Sirius had been at Hogwarts.

Careless and free, having a playful storm dancing within.

And then there was Walburga, his mother who had the same blue eyes but instead of delight or mirth, her eyes held forbearance. A cold unfeeling look that was bestowed upon her elder son ever so often. Her eyes were not soft like her brother's, those irises were stone cold.

His gaze flickered towards his father next. Orion's grey eyes which resembled those of Sirius were not focusing on anything other than the food, subconsciously listening to Alphard as he told them about his trip to Italy.

And then there was Sirius, smiling at his uncle's tales but feeling his mother's silent glare ever since he had sat down at the table.

"Regulus, my dear, you haven't eaten anything."

He looked up, nodded his head, and filled his spoon, wondering at how saccharine his mother's voice was as compared to the stern tone she used with Sirius. It made him wonder if he had not followed his parents' wishes, just like Sirius, he could be facing a similar treatment.

The answer, as always, was terrifying.

As always, he couldn't help but think that one toe out of line, one wrong decision, and one mistake could land him in the same spot as his elder brother. It hurt to see Sirius get mistreated but if he spoke up against it, he had no idea what would happen to him as a consequence.

And even though he was considerably treated well compared to Sirius, there was always a lurking fear of it being snatched away if he stepped one inch out of the line drawn for him.

That fear was what kept him away from the Simmond twins, that fear was what kept him blindly following each word told to him by his parents.

He feared being forsaken for he thought he didn't have as much strength as Sirius did to face everything on his own.

***