The train platform bustled with people, most of them too concerned with seeing their own students onto the train to school to bother noticing the Most Noble Black family cross through the barrier.
"Full of muggles" Mrs. Black commented under her breath. Her arm tightened on her husband's as she took in the crowd of people, many of whom - parents and students alike - looked very confused and slightly anxious, as though they expected it all to disappear. Mrs. Black looked down at her son behind her, a mess of black hair and gangly limbs struggling to push a trolley filled with a massive trunk and a large owl.
"Sirius Orion Black, keep up!" Mrs. Black snapped. The boy moved faster, the trolley now beside his parents. On his father's other side was a smaller boy, much like the first but still having enough childish features to avoid being described as gangly. The boy peered around his parents and looked at his brother, struggling with the weight of the trolley. The younger boy fell behind his parents and ducked around them quickly enough to avoid the barking reprimand of their mother. He dropped into step beside Sirius and pushed with him. Sirius smiled gratefully at his brother.
"Thanks, Reg." He whispered, hoping not to draw the attention of their mother. Regulus looked at Sirius with pleading eyes.
"Don't go." Regulus said, so quietly Sirius almost missed it. Sirius sighed sadly.
"I have to. What would Mother say if I didn't attend Hogwarts?" Sirius shivered at the thought. Regulus looked to the ground.
"But who will help me when I get in trouble or when I get scared?" He asked, even his voice holding a childish quality that Sirius couldn't help but smile at.
"I won't be there to get you in trouble in the first place." He gave Regulus what he hoped was an encouraging smile.
"I can get into trouble without you there." Regulus said the words that had been haunting Sirius since the moment he realized he would be leaving Grimmauld Place for an entire school year.
"You'll be okay." Sirius whispered. The four of them stopped as they neared the tracks, the boys having to pull hard on the trolley to stop its moving forward. Regulus didn't respond as Mrs. Black walked up to them, a severe expression etched permanently into her features.
"Now," his mother began, listing a series of things for a "pureblood like yourself" to remember, most of which made Sirius want to scream. The train whistle blew loudly, signaling a quickly approaching departure, and cut her off. "Go!" She shooed him towards the open door of the train, annoyed that he hadn't already been there, despite her lengthy lecture hindering him. He pushed the trolley again, Regulus helping him as an excuse to have another moment alone. They quickly lifted his trunk onto the train together and Regulus grabbed his brothers arm.
"Don't go" His eyes were just as pleading as his tone of voice and Sirius clenched his jaw to keep it together. He pulled his little brother in for a hug and smiled into his shoulder. Sirius felt his cloak dampen with tears and he didn't pull away, scared to see his brother crying.
"Sirius, please"
