The creaking stairs nudged Regulus out of his dreamy sleep and onto his green slippers that failed at keeping his weary feet warm. He tiptoed towards the grand wooden door and held his breath to hear better. The creaking continued followed along with something small thumping down the stairs. He opened his door wincing while its rusty hinges whined and adjusted his eyes to the almost opaque darkness.
"Kreacher," He whispered, "is that you?"
His hands started shaking when he didn't hear the familiar croak of his house servant. He slowly reached for his wand when he heard a warm but nervous voice speak out.
"No, it's Sirius."
"Sirius?" Regulus answered back in relief, "what are you doing out so late?"
Sirius hesitated.
"I'm leaving." He said sadly.
"Leaving?" Regulus said, suddenly confused.
"I don't want to be a Black anymore, Reg." Sirius glumly explained
A wave of emotions rendered Regulus speechless. I mean he was not surprised. He had the premonition that Sirius might abandon the family due to his deathly strong loyalty to Gryffindor and what he thought was the "right cause." The constant fighting and the wars between Sirius and his parents had always hinted that this day might come. Regulus had never thought what he would do on that day and was not prepared when it actually came.
"Okay." Regulus said very nonchalant.
It was a terrible response and he knew it. He knew that his brother's heart was probably breaking in two. And to be so nonchalant about his brother's departure was to be lying to himself. There was nothing nonchalant about his brother leaving. Nothing carefree. He knew his embarkation would bring more pressure and despair to his own life and he was angry, sad, and hopeless. But Regulus could not bring forth these emotions lest he just crumble into pile of confusion and chaos.
"Well then, good bye." Sirius said bitterly while he wheeled his suitcase around.
"Where are you going?" Regulus questioned.
"To the Potters, but promise you won't tell Mother." Sirius replied hesitantly.
"I promise, truly." Regulus said firmly.
He knew Sirius didn't believe he would keep that promise and rightly so. How many promises of Sirius' had he broken? How many times had he snitched on his scapegoat brother to their parents? He was pathetic and lonely and sad. He wanted attention from his parents, who would only give him the slightest nod when he tried his hardest to get their approval. He broken the bond of trust he had with his brother to create an impossible bond of love with his parents. He was pathetic and lonely and sad. And he wanted to tell Sirius this but he could not.
"The Potters are letting you stay with them?" Regulus asked.
"Yes." Sirius answered.
The Potters. Known as blood traitors, scum, and dirt were giving Sirius a home. A home he could not find here. And Regulus was truly sorry. But he was too proud to apologize. Lights flicked on upstairs and the two brothers heard murmuring. Their parents had woken up.
"Regulus, I have to go. " Sirius said nervously.
"I guess you do." Regulus said quietly.
Sirius looked into his brother's grey eyes as if wanting to say something and Regulus held his gaze. Both brothers silently looked at the eyes that they would never see again. Grey eyes that had witnessed every heartbreak, every golden memory, and every strife that had happened between them. The two brothers felt hopeless, confused, and scared where this next turn in life would lead them. But they remained silent.
The voices grew louder and footsteps thumping on wood were heard. Sirius took his suitcase, tied his shoes, and walked straight out the door without sending a glance back at Regulus. Regulus closed the grand, wooden door and went back into his perpetually cold home.
"Who's down there?" questioned his mother.
"Just me." Regulus answered sorrowful.