The Marauders and the House of Black

Chapter Four: The Tribulations of Blood Purity

While being brothers in the Black household carries a different weight, having to be at odds only adds more strain. Things were already bad enough being hated by most of his family, but having his brother be forced to participate broke his heart. Tensions in his family were already pretty high, a fact that even Sirius was aware of. The week prior, Regulus had been sent a letter from his parents. In summary, the letter said that Andromeda had run off and eloped with a muggle-born Ravenclaw graduate. This came as a shock to everyone, except for Sirius of course.

The day the letter arrived, Regulus "accidentally" bumped into Sirius in the hallway. During this interaction, he dropped a letter into his pocket. The letter was as simple as it gets: Astronomy Tower, midnight, I have news. So, as instructed Sirius made the trek up the stairs that night.

"Reg?" Sirius whispered

"Hey!" Regulus said walking up to his older brother. "We should sit."

"What's happened?" Sirius asked.

"Well, the good news is, you might not be the only family disappointment anymore." The first year was trying to make his brother laugh, but he missed the mark.

"The bad news?" Sirius said impatiently.

"Andromeda has been blasted off the family tree," Regulus paused to let the information sink in. "She married this mudblood, um I think his name is Ed?"

"Ted," Sirius corrected. "Ted Tonks."

"Yeah, that's it! Anyway, Auntie and Mother were furious so I don't think we will see her again."

"What about Bella and Narcissa?" Sirius inquired.

"Completely turned against her, they support their mother more than her, she's a traitor."

"She's not a traitor, Reg! She's just in love." Sirius said definitely.

"Why couldn't she love someone more fitting of her status?"

"Unfortunately, that's not how it works, you'll understand when you're older."

"You're not that much older than me!" Regulus was getting grumpy, he did not like being treated like a child.

"Maybe not, but I am much wiser." Sirius snapped back.

It just so happened that the brothers met again a few days later, it was not usual to meet this frequently, but matters warranted it. The chosen meeting place was beneath the western set of stairs that led to the fourth floor.

"Why the emergency meeting, Regulus? I'd like to actually sleep tonight." Sirius' tone was irritable.

"Oh sorry I forgot you had Astronomy last night, but I had to speak with you." Regulus' tone was hushed and fervent. "Something's gonna happen, something bad."

"Ugh, I'm gonna say this, even though it's gonna make me sound like Mother and Father, but cut to the chase! What's going to happen?"

"Some Slytherin's– not in my year, they're much older–they're planning on... finding you?"

"Is that a question or a fact," Sirius drawled, his face void of emotion.

"Well I didn't hear everything, but they were talking about it in the common room, they want to, 'show you what happens to blood traitors', or at least that's what I heard" Regulus looked seriously uncomfortable.

"And when is this supposed to happen?"

"I- I'm not quite sure, that's why I didn't want to wait to tell you." Regulus' breathing was heavy despite how quiet his voice was.