Disclaim: Don't own the characters only the plot.
Warnings: Mushy, hugging
Chapter two: The sorting, the bet and new friends.
The group of first years were taken to school by boat and then led into the castle. A strict woman in a navy blue robe was waiting for them at the top of the stairs. She launched into speech of the does and don'ts of Hogwarts. Then the group were taken to a room and told to fix them selves up before she came back. There was silence and the occasional murmur from some one. Every one was making themselves respectable, Regulus was as good looking as Sirius and he knew it. It was something about him that made him feel empowered. He was proud to be so much like his big brother and aspired to be exactly like him. The doors opened and the strict woman came into view. "We are ready for you now, follow me." They did as she instructed. They walked through some double doors and into a large room with four vertical tables one for each house and one horizontal table for the teachers. The ceiling was enchanted to look like the sky out side and in Regulus's opinion it was a very good illusion. They lined up in front of a stool on which sat a hat Regulus supposed this hat was the one Sirius had told him about.
Sitting on Dumbledore's right were his mother and father who smiled at him in cheerful ways which he half heartedly returned. He watched as all the A children were sorted then it was his turn. "Black, Regulus." He walked up looking as calm as could be but on the inside he was petrified. He took his seat on the stool and just before the hat was placed on his head he saw Sirius give him a thumb's up and a grin. Then a voice issued from the hat. "Well, well, well, what have we here, another Black? Well let us see here you are smart yes very intelligent but sadly not Ravenclaw intelligent I fear, kindness is evident it is the kind for a Hufflepuff yet you seem a bit to rouge for that, you could be extremely brave if you train up a bit and learn not to be afraid of the sorting hat, yet there is ambition not quite unlike your brothers, and a determination to be all you can be……hm…you are a unique one aren't you? Well I can see a lot of Gryffindor in you, yet there is still the Slytherin…you seem rather torn…Haha! Oh I get it weighing your brothers love for your parents acceptance are we? Well do not worry I shall place you where you can measure it correctly. As I have lived in the head masters office all my life I pick things up and I think that your parents are about to win their bet! So do not fear when I put you here, your brother shall soon follow your foot steps after the feast you shall see what I mean…SLYTHERIN!" the table with green clapped hard. Upon the hat being removed Regulus saw Sirius's face, such a shocked fearful and angry face as he stared at his brother he was not moving. Regulus smiled sadly at him to show his sorry then went to the Slytherin table. He looked at his parents as he sat down they were beaming at him proudly and his step mother said something rather smug looking to Dumbledore. Who merely nodded and looked resentful. The feast began as Camile Zwain was sent to Hufflepuff. Regulus dug in and began to eat. He looked across the room at Sirius who looked miserable and was not eating. His friends were trying to get him to eat and were failing miserably. Regulus suddenly found he was not hungry and stopped eating he pulled out some paper worte something quickly on it, took out his wand and flicked it he looked and saw Sirius jump as the letter appeared on the table in front of him he watches as Sirius warily opened the letter to read it as he read he started to smile. He looked at Regulus and grinned. He also wrote a letter, then drew his wand and flicked it. The letter appeared in front of him and he grinned over at Sirius. Took the letter and read.
Dear Reggie
I am alright with you being Slytherin. I am still proud that you were in the house that I am opposed to now we will have lots more fun! Pranking one another and dueling in the corridors...Love you lots.
Siri
'Thanks Siri' thought Regulus. And he grins at Sirius who was grinning back the two brothers exchanged their grins and started to eat.
"Well now then I think since we are all watered and fed we can call it a night so pip pip off to bed!" said Dumbledore cheerfully. "Except Sirius, and Regulus Black you two stay!" said Orion in a strong voice. The Marauders exchange looks of worry. "I'll see you guys in the common room." Sirius said to his mates. "Okay." Said James and Peter and they left but Remus stayed and he spoke quietly to Sirius for a moment. "I promise! I'll be fine Moony just go back to the common room or the dorm I'll find you there." Reassured Sirius with a smile. Remus hugs Sirius then leaves. The two pureblood brothers go up to the teachers table to see what was wanted of them. "Well Dumbledore I believe we won the bet so Sirius shall be moved." Stated a triumphant Walburga. "Yes he shall be as soon as I have informed the two of the arrangements. Now if you will please wait for them just outside the door." "What's going on?" asked Regulus hiding slightly behind his brother who took his hand reassuringly. "Your parents and I had a deal that if Regulus were to go to Slytherin then you Sirius would be placed with him to guide him through this crucial part of his life. This according to your parents is now your responsibility as you are the eldest, and you are in school while your brother was sorted, to look after him at school." Said Dumbledore looking gravely into Sirius's eyes. Sirius stared right back apparently lost for words, he looked fearful and almost as if he was going to cry. Dumbledore nodded. "Ah Sirius, there is not shame in crying. It is part of being human." He was smiling kindly and understandingly at Sirius. Regulus peered up at his brother to see his face. What he saw made his heart break Sirius had tears in his eyes, that looked like they burned red hot as he tried to keep them in. Sirius noticed his brother looking at his face and he quickly tried to smile at his brother but failed so looked away from him. "Sirius whats wrong?" Regulus asked Tugging on his brothers sleeve. "Nothing Reggie 'm fine." He grinned in a way that looked falsely happy. Dumbledore peered at him closely still then brought Sirius into a hug. Sirius had a shocked expression on his face at first then returned the hug. Eventually they drew back and Dumbledore smiled. "A small hug can go a long way can it not?" he told them. "Sirius concerning Mr. Lupin I am going to have to ask you whether or not you are busy dealing with his how should I say-?"
"Furry little problem?" supplied Sirius. "Yes well that, are you James and Peter doing anything which could get you harmed?"
"Yes professor we are but I can't tell you what it is that we are doing to help him."
"I suppose your parents do not know of his "furry little problem"?" he asked calmly.
"No they do not."
"Well then I think it would be wise to not let them find out so make sure they do not know."
"Don't worry I have a plan to make sure they never will find out."
"Very good! Now I think we ought to get you both settled in."
*
"Hey Regu-" Narcissa was cut off at the sight of Sirius. "What is he doing here!?!" she shrieks. "I've been moved to a different house to keep care of my brother." Sirius told her casually. "Oh then you can both come to our dorm room we have space." Said Avery who was standing with Snape, Goyle, Crabbe, and Rodolphus's brother Rabastan at the other side of the room. Regulus remembering earlier that day ducked behind his brother as the three boy's came at them with slightly menacing looks on their faces. "If you want to fight then go ahead I won't bother stopping you." Sirius said glumly. "Oh we don't want to fight, we are just going to show you two your dorm room with us, and we were just going to take a bath would you like to join us?" Snape said politely. "I think a bath sounds good right about now, don't you Siri?" Regulus told them quietly from behind his brother. "'Spose it doesn't seem like a bad idea." said Sirius warily. "Well then let's go." Said Rabastan. The five made their way up some stairs to a large square room where there were three beds taken and two vacant beds. "Just put your stuff down where you'll be sleeping doesn't matter where." Said Avery calmly. Then he went to Sirius. "So, are you a fan of Puddlemere United or the Holy Head Harpies?" "Puddlemere United is my favourite if you must know." Sirius told him airily. "And you? Holy head harpies or Puddlemere United?" he shot at Regulus. "Umm… well I have always liked Puddlemere but the Holy Head Harpies has some cute looking girls on its team." Regulus stutters. "Haha! This kids got class! Sirius why'd you never tell us?" he asked slinging an arm around Regulus's shoulders and pulling Regulus to his side. "Because it was none of your business and if I even tried to approach you I would have turned out to look like Crabe or Goyle." Sirius stated coolly. "By the way don't hold Regulus to you like that, you are making him uncomfortable." He said with his back still turned as he rifled through his trunk for something every one noticed he hadn't turned when he said this. "How did you know he was holding Regulus to his side?" asked Snape curiously. "Simple," he answered and he turned to face them. "Avery just seems the kind to make people uncomfortable, I heard the movements they were making, also Reggie told me simply by whimpering slightly and then falling silent." He said quite calmly as Avery releases Regulus, who rushed to his brothers side and sat on the bed to watch, as Sirius dug through his trunk all the while cursing under his breath. They were all ready to go bath and Sirius was still digging through his trunk cursing. "What are you looking for Sirius?" Avery demanded. "It's a type of…Shoot Prongs must have it. Oh yeah that's right I gave it to Prongs…Shoot! A type of parchment and a mirror with magical abilities I use it to communicate with people who have the other mirror." Sirius told them. "And the parchment what is that?" Snape asked. "Oh the parchment is a sort of map which I use to see where people are in the castle." Sirius said in a muffled voice. "Wicked!" the four other boys say. "Yeah I guess. I'll look for them later. Now lets go wash up so we can go to sleep." Said Sirius.
"'Gnite Sirius, 'Gnite Severus, 'Gnite Regulus, 'Gnite Rabastan." Says Avery.
"'Gnite Avery, 'Gnite Regulus, 'Gnite Severus, 'Gnite Sirius." Says Rabastan.
"'Gnite Rabastan, 'Gnite Avery, 'Gnite Sirius, 'Gnite Regulus." Says Severus.
"'Gnite Siri, 'Gnite Severus, 'Gnite Avery, 'Gnite Rabastan." Says Regulus.
Then there was silence which Regulus broke. "Um… Siri? Why aren't you saying good night to any of us?"
"Because I don't want to."
"Awe! Please!!" Avery begged.
"Fine! 'Gnite Reggie, 'Gnite Avery, 'Gnite Severus, 'Gnite Rabastan. Now may I go to sleep?!?"
"Yes Siri you can." Regulus confirmed.
"Halleluiah!"
Regulus smiled at his brothers reply and soon drifted of into a deep, dreamless sleep.