At eleven, he watches his brother from across the Hall. He wonders if Sirius knows how much he hurt their family, how much he disappointed their mother. The eldest had gotten himself sorted in Gryffindor, something that their father still ranted about a year later. Regulus, on the other hand, was a Slytherin, and he would make his family proud.

At twelve, he watches his brother from across the Hall. He looks like he's found another family to replace the Blacks. It's better that way, too. Regulus knows his mother is going to snap soon and make Sirius an outcast.

At thirteen, he watches his brother from across the Hall. He's joking with his friends, waving wildly as they laugh. He glances around at his table and sees only solemn faces discussing important matters. He wonders if he made the right choice.

Yes.

Yes he did.

He's a Black, and true Blacks are sorted in Slytherin.

At fourteen, he watches his brother from across the Hall. He has his head bowed, his three friends crowded around him as they plan a new prank. How immature they are! Even Regulus, a year under them, knows they are at school to learn, not to wreak havoc.

At fifteen, he watches his brother from across the Hall. He looks tired but still happy. A glance at Lupin and Regulus notices the boy is grinning from ear to ear. Something must have happened. That boy is almost always hiding behind a tired smile.

At sixteen, he watches his brother from across the Hall. He has a girl under his arm. Granted, he always has a girl under his arm, though they change every week.

At seventeen, he has already joined the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters. He remembers the previous seventh years, the way they kept touching their forearms to make sure the Dark Marks were still covered, still invisible. Most of those students had been Slytherins.

Who could blame them? After being labeled as "evil", they had finally found a place where they were accepted. But perhaps it wasn't only the snakes who were tired of being judged, Regulus had seen some students from other houses as well.

He also remembers Sirius, who had finished school and had vaguely talked about the war that raged outside castle walls.

The last Black heir wonders if his brother knew that the war had already breached the guarded doors.