Lily Evans was standing in an alleyway behind the Leaky Cauldron, where inside, the order members were celebrating a battle won. She was pregnant, and wanted a breath of fresh air, away from the stale scent of cigarette smoke and fire whiskey. It was dark, and she was a little afraid, but she didn't show it.
She thought she saw a movement from behind a trash bin, but assured herself it was just a shadow. Her brain making things up to try and trick her, frighten her.
"You're one of them." Suddenly, Regulus Black was standing before her. A wave of fear passed over her, and she mentally berated herself for not seeing that "shadow" for what it was: a death eater. But she knew Regulus, and she knew she didn't really have anything to fear.
His words were not a question, or a command, just a statement of what he already knew. She had no reason to lie, so she answered.
"Yes."
"He's here, isn't he?" Regulus asked now. She didn't need to ask who "he" was. It was Sirius. She nodded wordlessly.
"Can you get him? Bring him out here?" She noticed now that he seemed extraordinarily pale, and rather tense. He looked afraid. "Please?" He added, in almost a whisper.
She nodded once more. She disappeared into the Leaky Cauldron, and a few moments later she was replaced by Sirius Black.
"Sirius," Regulus called. Sirius turned.
"Regulus," he replied.
"I wanted to tell you, in person, what I've done. This is the end, Sirius."
"What are you talking about? God, you look awful. Death eaters not serving you well then?" Sirius was smirking, mocking him.
"You're right."
"I'm what?" Sirius looked rather shocked.
"I've left them. I'm going to do…something. And then I won't be around anymore."
"You're an idiot," Sirius said quietly.
"I know," Regulus replied. They were still standing a good distance away from each other. If you couldn't hear what they were saying, it would look much like a stand off.
"I missed you," Regulus whispered.
"I missed you too," Sirius said in answer.
"So this is goodbye then?" Sirius asked, trying to appear collected.
"I suppose it is," Regulus responded. He had a dark look on his face, and he was very nearly smirking. He walked forward and extended his hand to Sirius. Sirius took it, and shook. It was brief, but it was enough.
"It was nice knowing you," Sirus said, rather casually, walking backwards towards the bar.
"I could say the same to you," Regulus said, chuckling quietly. He retreated into the shadows once more.
A week later, Sirius got an undressed and unmarked letter. He opened it, and all that was inside was a sheet of paper that read, He's dead. He recognized the loopy cursive, and knew this was his cousin Bellatrix's writing. He almost laughed at the irony of it all, but he coudln't. He couldn't cry either. He could only sit numbly, remembering his last conversation with his brother.