Childhood Fears

Aged nine and seven respectively, Sirius and Regulus Black sat on the steps leading to the backyard of their house at number 12 Grimmauld Place, London. The rest of the boys' family, that is to say their parents, their aunt and uncle and two female cousins were currently inside the house having a celebration of sorts.

The older of the two painstakingly-similar boys, Sirius, picked up a rock and threw it in an arc towards the shrubbery in front of him. "Bugger them all," he muttered with a cheeky grin. "We can have our own fun out here, can't we, Reggie?"

The younger of the two seemed quite at ease at that moment, leaning comfortably against his big brother, while keeping a careful ear trained on the noise inside the house. "Of course," he replied, any childish slurs vacant from his educated voice. "What shall we do, though?"

There wasn't much the young pair of wizards could do. Not without their parents' permission, or with any of the typical supplies to have 'fun'. "I don't see why they're celebrating so much anyway," Sirius added.

"Bella's not very nice, I won't congratulate her when she comes back for Christmas," was Regulus's contribution.

"I mean, it was obvious she'd make Slytherin, anyway, right? So the fuss is useless!" Sirius heaved a dramatic sigh and tugged on his little brother, effectively pulling them onto the lawn.

Stretched out on their backs, he grabbed the other boy's hand and stared up at the slowly darkening sky, the full moon peeking out from behind the clouds. "Reckon any werewolves are around here, Siri?" asked Regulus softly, his grip on Sirius's hand tightening just a little.

"Of course not, Reg. Mother and Father would have them off the property before you could even count to one," laughed the older boy, gently quelling his brother's fears.

"What about Mudbloods? Bella told me I had to watch out for them, that they would eat my soul like Dementors. Are there any here?" Regulus continued, staring fearfully into his brother's eyes.

Sirius chuckled and rolled over onto his side, propping himself up to look at the black-haired boy. "Silly, I told you not to listen to Bella; there aren't any of them around here. They'd be gone quicker than werewolves!"

"Well, I heard Lucius say that the Muggles are the real children-snatchers. That they take little wizards and witches and steal their power and kill them. Sirius, won't they get us if we're just laying out here?"

"Nope, we're stronger than that, little brother. And I'll protect you even if they do come!"

Still, Regulus did not seem content as he squirmed; trying to bite down what he had been itching to ask. "But Sirius, what if I don't make Slytherin? What'll happen, Siri? You'll still stay with me, right, Siri?" he asked, or rather begged to his brother.

"Don't be silly Reggie! We'll both be there and we'll be the kings. You and me, we'll rule the whole house! Or maybe even the whole school. We'll get Lucius to do all the dirty work, and maybe Cissy can help us rule," was Sirius's confident reply.

"But what if—"

"No what if's! I know we will, it'll be great. And besides little brother, you're stuck with me. Forever, and ever and ever!"

"Promise?"

"Double-charmed promise, Reg. I won't ever leave you unless you want me to."

Only then did a real, identical smile cross both boys' faces.


A/N: Just a quick idea I had based on a memory I wrote for another story I've yet to finish; my first real try at writing Black boys' relationship when they were children.