Chapter 1:

The words slid under his forefinger, gradually outlining the galaxy in its enormity and suspense. Regulus wiped his eyes and pressed on, determined to finish the last chapter of his Astronomy textbook should it kill him. It had already taken him two days to read a paltry 1267 pages, and at such a snail-pace, he'd never hope to finish the series Starring Our Heavens by Dimension Knight, a revered wizard in France. He could only hope that the last volume would be translated into English before the end of summer vacation; hence his goal of inhaling all the prequels.

But before he could quite absorb the last paragraph for the fifth time, a loud CRACK sounded in his room. Without lifting his eyes from the book, Regulus muttered, "Don't bother me."

"Sorry little brother, but it's time and I've been waiting forever. Don't make me Levicorpus you."

Regulus had no choice now; with an elaborate sigh, he bookmarked his spot and faced Sirius, whose brooding face could not betray his excitement. "Couldn't wait one more minute, could you? I was reading my Astronomy book—"

"—so much that you cried," finished Sirius as he eyed Regulus's wet face. "Really that boring?"

"No," said Regulus irately, "I found it—"

"Don't tell me you found it touching," exclaimed Sirius incredulously. "Oh the stars, they're so symbolic of our family…" And with that sentiment, he fanned himself and squeezed crocodile tears. "I can't control my wonder for them!"

"Be quiet," snapped Regulus, stung by the thought of appearing that eccentric. "My eyes are wet because they're tired. You'd think with all the money we have—"

"Practically leaking out our doors," interrupted Sirius cheerfully.

"—that we'd invest in a few more lights," finished Regulus, wondering whether Sirius would ever try the Instant Stick Taffy he had given as a hint on his birthday. Judging from his brother's chattiness, it probably remained wrapped and bow-tied. "What do you want?"

"Not too bright are you?" said Sirius, pausing deliberately so that the pun would not pass unnoticed. After Regulus continued to scowl, Sirius added, "We have to dress before dinner. Dad said so hours ago."

"Father told us that we only need to be ready by the time Andromeda and that boy arrive. It won't take me more than fifteen minutes to throw on dress robes. What's more, Andromeda's never been on time."

"She will be if Dad's involved. And besides, looks like mine take a little longer than fifteen minutes to fine tune." Regulus watched as Sirius resisted the urge to glance at the mirror on his desk. "Remember what Dad always says."

"Look immaculate, even if you're dealing with scum," Regulus recited immediately.

"Good boy," said Sirius, playfully scuffling his hair. "Accio dress robe!" A brocade black robe (the Black family was infamous for their dark wardrobe) finely stitched with pure gold thread flew towards them like a phantom, its sleeves outstretched pleadingly. Like one in love, Sirius opened his arms and caught the robe before whipping out his wand and meticulously floating the tip over each speck of dust. Seeing no hope for it, Regulus combed his hair and also retrieved his robe, a deep black with embroidered with humble silver. That's how it was in the family. Only the best for the first.

Tugging the robe over his head, Sirius said lightly, "So I saw her yesterday."

The inflection in his voice made Regulus glance up. "Which one? Mildred? Or Charity?"

Sirius gave what could only be described as a derisive snort. "Charity, she's been crying for me to come back. And I don't even remember a Mildred."

"I found you two snogging in the kitchen just two days ago," reminded Regulus. "Nearly made me gag up my baklava."

"But those girls, they're all the same really. I'm talking about Adelaide," and with that single name, a fond and secretive smile glowed on his face. "She's lovely."

Regulus struggled not to laugh. "Lovely? Not hot-like-a-Hungarian-tail-in-mating-month sort of hot?"

"Not in the least," said Sirius.

"Not sexy like cheating-on-all-your-OWLS-and-getting-Outstandings-sexy?"

At that, Sirius barked in laughter. "Regulus, you dunce, only you would find the grading period attractive."

"Then who's Adelaide?"

"She's got poofy hair up to here…" with that, Sirius shaped his arms into a wide U. "And some nice brown eyes that just stare at you…"

"Sounds like a poodle," giggled Regulus. "I know you're attracted to dogs, but…"

"Shut up, this is tender. She won't even look at me." As if by magic, Sirius's face darkened to a haughty expression, his eyes burning with hormonal affection. "And I can't understand why."

"Did she ignore you when you tried to talk to her?" asked Regulus, beginning to feel a certain liking for this Adelaide.

"Of course not. I walked past her twice, and she didn't even sense my presence once," said Sirius, throwing both arms up in disgust. Though Regulus scoffed, he couldn't help but understand Sirius's surprise. Father had to throw up a Nulluspuella spell all around their mansion to ward off lovesick girls begging for Sirius's attention.

Regulus took a second to peer into the mirror, brushing back a stray dark hair on the side of his head. He was already fourteen, and he hadn't yet snagged a girl. According to Sirius, his first girl arrived in a lacey, silky package at his first ball when he was a mere ten-year-old. Sure, Regulus had gone to a few galas himself and dutifully twirled a few girls in obligation to his father, but as for an official, Witchbook relationship, he was dolefully lacking.

Sirius's face appeared next to his in the mirror, and to Regulus's surprise, it held a sympathetic appearance. "Don't worry, mate. You're always studying so hard at those books; you can't afford any disturbances just yet anyway. Don't you want to be an astrologist?"

"Yes." Grateful for that considerate point of view, he offered, "Why don't we ask Father to invite Adelaide to our house for dinner? I'm sure she'll enjoy Mother's cream of spinach."

"Can't do that," Sirius said abruptly, moving away from the mirror to pull on socks. "Then it would never work out."

"Are you kidding me? Once she sees all the Galleons we use to play checkers, she'll fall for you and your masculine appeal," he said, rolling his eyes.

"True, but she's a Muggle," he said offhandedly.

Regulus paused. No explanation needed; they both knew how Father would react to something impure. He for one couldn't understand why Sirius would pine for something not all there. Muggles were like impure silver; still worth something, but much less valuable. Life must have determined something faulty with Muggles and decided that magic would reach beyond their capabilities, and who was he to question nature?

"I know what you're thinking," said Sirius. "It doesn't take Occlumency to figure it out. And you're just being immature and close-minded."

"I resent that," said Regulus coolly, though the comment from his older brother indeed stung. "I think you're being impossible as always, shooting for something just because you know it's forbidden. Maybe you should just listen to Father. If we settled for less, we would never have life as we know it now. Besides, as your younger brother, I just want the best for you."

Sirius finished tying his last shoe and made to the door without looking at him. "I don't want to settle for only the best," he said shortly.

Regulus sighed, deciding to give up the lost case as of the moment, and Apparated.

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