Howdy

All That Is Holy

'So this is the spare room. Try not to help yourself to the linens and for the love of all that is holy will you get rid of that gun!?'
Lupin looked down at the gun he was casually holding at his side.
"Darn tooting if I didn't completely forget about it! Relax, you saw it's not loaded for yourself."
'Yes but the Sheriff is around here a lot and I've already lied on your behalf.'
"I poured you a drink, let's call it quits?"
Lupin winked at Sirius but shoved the gun under the mattress all the same.
'From my own-! You know what fine let's call it quits!"
Sirius stormed out of the room and headed for the stairs.

Lupin opened the door to the bathroom, ready to shower this strange day off himself when he saw the door on the other side was ajar. He put his bag down and walked into the adjoining room. He saw a family portrait above the bed. The two young boys looked identical, both standing dead straight with matching bored faces while the parents' cruel stares sent a shiver up Lupin's spine.
Looks like somebody had quite the pleasant childhood.
He walked to the bedside table where he saw a straw doll with a note pinned to it's body and a photograph.
Will you be the godfather partner?
The photo showed a laughing Sirius with an arm around an equally amused looking Sheriff.
He wasn't kidding when he said the sheriff was around often.

"Brother! What brings you out all this way?" Regulus answered the door with a wide smile.
'Howdy Reg!'
Sirius walked through the door and gave his brother a hug.
'Sheriff told me the plantation had been burned?'.
"Oh that silly thing, not to worry it was mostly just petty vandalism."
'Reg, James told me it was the Sin Eaters.'
Regulus rolled his eyes and led Sirius to the parlor.
"Sometimes your tie to the sheriff is a real drag. Kreacher would you please bring us a couple of mint juleps?"
'Still bossing the poor old guy around I see.'
"It keeps him busy, you know he hasn't been the same since I freed him."
'So the Sin Eaters? What did they want this time?'
"The same thing they want every time, my money to fund their crusades."
'And?'
Regulus sighed and put his drink on the table while he rubbed his hand down his narrow face.
"I am still not a member Sirius! You know I disagree with everything they stand for!"
'I'm just worried about you Reg, you know they'll promise you anything to get your support.'
"Burning down half my crops did them no favours, trust me."