Regulus frowned as he nervously looked around at the other students. He knew he shouldn't be worried about the sorting. Hundreds of students had gone through it, and no one had died yet. At least, not that he knew of. Though his brother Sirius did have quite a few stories to tell… The other students around him were fidgeting as well, many of them told the same horror stories on the train ride as he was. Regulus was sure that his mum and dad wouldn't purposefully send him somewhere to be hurt, regardless of what Sirius said.

He looked up quickly when he saw some of the students moving into the hall. Regulus followed, fear evident on the normally calm boy's face. He knew that regardless of how this ended, he wouldn't be able to make everyone happy. If he was sorted into Gryffindor like Sirius his parents would hate him. If he went to Slytherin, Sirius might never forgive him. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw… it wasn't even worth considering them. He remembered how angry his parents had been when Sirius was sorted into Gryffindor. Regulus never wanted to be on the receiving end of that sort of rage, and he prayed to whatever deity was listening that Sirius would understand.

With a sigh of relief Regulus walked over to the Slytherin table. He had a house. Sirius had said that your house was like your family at Hogwarts. Looking around the table, Regulus wondered if Sirius was right.

"Good choice," Said a voice beside him, "Slytherin is the only house worth being in."

"And you are…?" Regulus turned and asked.

"Severus Snape," the boy said with a smirk, "Second year."

Regulus nodded. "I'm Re-"

"Regulus Black, I know," Severus said rolling his eyes, "I did hear them call your name. You're Sirius Black's brother then?"

"Yes,"

"Well, I'd forget you know him while you're here. Gryffindors and Slytherins don't associate much unless it's trading hexes or pranks," Severus scowled. He apparently knew this from personal experience.

"He's still my brother," Regulus argued.

"Not during your stay here," Severus added with finality as he began eating.

Regulus looked over towards the Gryffindor table, trying to catch his brother's eye. Sirius seemed to be having a good time with his friends, laughing at whatever they were discussing. After a few minutes Regulus gave up trying and started to eat as well.

Regulus sighed and stared at the ceiling. He refused to move from his bed until he absolutely had to, and since it was Saturday that wasn't likely to happen anytime soon. He had officially managed to survive the first week of school. He hadn't met many people yet, preferring to keep to himself whenever he could get away with it. Hogwarts didn't seem so bad, but it was…awkward. He saw Sirius at every meal. He saw him in the corridors sometimes. Regulus frowned. Maybe Severus was right. Maybe while they were here they really weren't brothers. It seemed so weird to see Sirius and not be able to talk to him. Even if Sirius would tease him and make fun of him like at home, that would be something.
Regulus eagerly opened the letter he received at breakfast. He smiled to himself as he scanned the letter. Mum and dad were proud. This was, of course, followed by strict instructions of what he was and was not allowed to do while there. Studies were, of course, at the top of the list for things to do. And not to do? Anything involving his brother. Regulus sighed. For better or worse, Regulus was officially on his own. He had missed Sirius so much when he started Hogwarts for the first time, leaving his little brother behind. It was easier to bear, knowing that Sirius would be home for the holidays, and that it would only be another year until he joined him there. He never imagined that they would be separated the most when they were attending the same school. His brother wasn't sleeping in the room across the hall anymore and Regulus didn't even know where Gryffindor Tower was.

Regulus shoved the letter in his bag, promising himself he would write them back later that day.