Title: Regrets, Memories and Healing
Author: AntiLupinTonks
Beta: Vikertee
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Do I really have to keep writing this??

A/N: GAG! I'm sorry sorry sorry sorry sorryyyyy!!

Remus Lupin flicked on the TV in his small apartment, flopping down on the couch with a bowl of popcorn. Toeing off his shoes he decided he'd have a peaceful day off. His plans were, obviously, not meant to be. A tap on his window forced him out of his butter induced state of unawareness. Standing, he walked to the window and peered out.

"REMUS!" Sirius Black stared back at him, his eyes hard and no bright smile plastered on his face. Remus jumped slightly but pulled the window open.

"Sirius? What're doing here? How did you find out where I lived?" Remus asked as Sirius clambered in, his heavy boots hindering his movement a bit.

"Never mind that..." was Sirius' answer. He ran a shaky hand through his hair and started pacing, only causing Remus to worry more. He placed a small hand on Sirius' arm.

"Padfoot...what's wrong?" Sirius huffed through his nose and flopped down on one of the slightly worn arm chairs. The shorter boy sat down on the coffee table, facing him.

"I-I think I better start from the beginning..."

"You and your brother are going away for a while..." Orion said and folded yet another shirt.

"You'll be staying here..." A man with dark chocolate hair that fell limply in his eyes said and motioned to the door. On a tiny sign read the word: Sirius.

"Aw look, Scott! A newbie!" A girl with an unnaturally high voice squealed, her long hair hanging down in tangled curls. She pinched Sirius' cheeks.

"Shut up, Reg! Do you want to live or not? Now stop crying..." Sirius said and wiped the tears from Regulus' cheeks, sighing softly. Regulus hiccupped.

"I'll be back, Reggie. I promise." Sirius whispered to his younger brother who slept peacefully on the large bed. Sirius turned and let himself be led away onto the street by Brian.

"Andromeda is here to watch over you, pets. Be good for her..." One of the watcher-maids said and pushed a kind looking woman toward the group of teens. Andromeda smiled.

"He'll forgive me...I'm his big brother. His big brother, Sirius." Sirius thought to himself, listening to his trainers pound against the walk.

"Find your brother and get out." The words, his mother wrote, read.

Sirius inhaled deeply and let is out slowly. Remus shook his head rapidly, eyes large.

"So...that's my life." Sirius whispered, glancing up at Remus under dark lashes. The next thing Sirius knew, his arms were full of Remus and the amber-eyed boy was whispering quickly and quietly in his ear. Sirius stiffened, not used to cuddles and hugs from anyone but his brother, but soon relaxed, hugging the boy back.

They sat there for a few minutes before Remus pulled back, a determined expression on his face.

"I'll help you save your brother."

Sirius drew back in shock and shook his head, gaping like a fish.

"N-No!" He finally managed to yell. "You could get hurt." Remus snorted and waved his hand.

"Hush, Pads." He stood and dusted off his pants, mumbling lists of supplies under his breath. "We're going to need food, clothes for Regulus, money..."

Sirius stared as the boy disappeared down the hall into his room and started banging around.

Remus reappeared, wearing all black and holding a duffle bag in his left hand. In his right hand he held a bundle of dark clothing.

"Here." He said and tossed the bundle to Sirius, who caught it. "Put it on."

Sirius raised an eyebrow, glancing from the black clothing in his hand to the black clothing he was already dressed in.

"Hey, Moony?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't take this in offence or anything..." Sirius turned the bundle over and over in his hands. "but are you color blind?" he laughed.

Remus rolled his eyes and whacked him with the newspaper he was about to toss into the trash.

"Shut up and get dressed. There might be dogs and they'll probably have something that smells like you..."

Sirius nodded and quickly redressed, ignoring Remus' blush.

"Done." He said to Remus' back, who cleared his throat and turned back around, his neck and cheeks still stained a faint pink.

"Great. Now...we should go now and camp out until nightfall. You'll go in and get Regulus while I keep watch. Got it?" Sirius nodded. "Good. Let's go."

Remus sat, hunched up next to Sirius, his thigh pressed against Sirius'."How much longer?" Sirius whispered and unfortunately for Remus, the words were being spoken directly into his ear. Remus shivered and swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Uh...only a few more minutes." He felt, more than saw, Sirius nod and then there was silence again.

They sat there for a few more minutes before Remus nudged Sirius. "Alright. Go."

Sirius got up and, crouching low, made his way to the door of The House. He wiggled the doorknob and as he suspected it was unlocked. He slipped in, silently.

The house looked exactly how he remembered. Old time gothic style in blacks and yellowish gold. He quickly made his way up the stairs, onto the floor of rooms. Counting he tip toed down the hall.

1...Caroline...2...Francine...3...Joseph...4...

He stopped.

4...Regulus. The tiny sign, hung on the door, read in loopy letters.

He knew better than to knock and instead pressed his ear to the door, listening for motion. There was no sound.

Sirius sighed and turned the knob, pushing the door open silently. He poked his head in.

TBC