A/N: Again, thanks for the reviews and favs! It took me a while to get this chapter just right because I was having a difficult time finding just the right tone for the back-and-forth between Sirius and Regulus. Let me know what you think!
Chapter 4 – Of Brothers
By Saturday afternoon, I had all but forgotten about the scuffle in the corridor. I had spent the last two days hunched over my Charms essay in a secluded corner of the library, furiously scribbling down information from the stack of dusty tomes at my elbow. Max had attempted to lure me to the Quidditch pitch after breakfast each morning, but I had grudgingly refused. I had put off the essay long enough, and I knew that if I waited any longer, the books I needed from the library for research would be slim pickings at best. So with a forlorn glance at Max's retreating form, I gathered my things and headed to the library.
The library on a Saturday afternoon was completely different than it was on a weekday night, the time when most students occupied its study tables. During the week, the low murmur of conversation and the occasional giggle swept through the stacks only to be shushed by the strident footsteps of Madame Pince. The more studious students would eventually pack their bags with a glare and storm huffily off to their dorms, presumably to finish their studying in silence. Today, however, the library was quiet and empty. Madame Pince was perched at her desk pouring over the checkout ledger. Upon hearing my footsteps, she looked up and nodded at me in greeting. I smiled back and headed into the stacks.
I was three or four stacks in when I heard muffled voices towards the back of the Charms and Curses section. I slowed my steps, hoping to grab the book I was looking for without disrupting the increasingly angry conversation. The muffled voices became much clearer when I turned the corner and spotted Regulus Black through a nearby bookshelf. His arms were folded across his chest and a fierce scowl was slashed across his otherwise handsome features. He appeared to be on the receiving end of a blistering lecture from a figure obstructed by a particularly large volume on the Engorgio charm and its many uses. But I didn't need to see the figure to know who it was. The arrogant lilt in his voice was as easy to identify as his good looks.
"—can't believe you'd even entertain the idea. I thought you were past all that blood purity bullshit."
Regulus continued to glare, "Just because you're intent on getting yourself blasted from the family tree doesn't mean I am. A Black does not besmirch his own house," he paused and added with a sneer, "especially for mudbloods and blood traitors."
Quick as a snitch, Sirius shoved his brother up against the opposite shelf, his arm pressing tightly against his brother's throat. He growled quietly, "Never utter those words in my presence again, little brother. I have cursed Slytherins for less."
He shoved Regulus against the wall once more before releasing him. He turned to leave, but stopped before he reached the corner of the shelf. His back still to his brother, Sirius snarled, "One day you're going to regret your foolish words and misguided beliefs, but by then it will be too late. When that day arrives, do not come to me for help, for I will not offer any." With that, he rounded the corner and hurried past me, not noticing my open stare. Seconds later, Regulus followed with an identical scowl on his face.
Before now, I had never seen Sirius and Regulus in the same vicinity, and the similarities between the two brothers were startling. Both boys had dark hair, pale skin, and slender, graceful bodies. They even shared the same aristocratic nose and cheekbones. Yet Sirius' slate eyes made him unreadable most of the time, while Regulus' blue eyes were expressive, revealing every thought and emotion like a scrying glass. Standing just short of six feet, Sirius was several inches taller than his younger brother, yet it was Regulus who always seemed to be looking down his nose at others.
The biggest difference between them, however, was not physical. On the outside, the brothers may be similar, but on the inside, they were vastly different people. Whereas Sirius' demeanor was mischievous and bright, Regulus' was dark and shadowed. In fact, in the four years Regulus had been at Hogwarts, I don't think I had ever seen him smile. In contrast, it was hard to recall a time when Sirius wasn't laughing at a joke or flirting with a pretty girl. But this image of Sirius didn't correspond with the one I had just seen disown his brother. I wondered when Sirius had become so, for lack of a better word, serious.
My musings were interrupted by the sound of returning footsteps. I grabbed a book off the shelf, attempting to look absorbed in its pages. The footsteps stopped at the aisle opening. I could see a figure standing at the end of the row, staring in my direction. Bullocks. I had the worst luck.
"How long have you been standing there?" Sirius asked gruffly as he covered the distance between us in a few long strides.
I continued flipping through the pages of my book, the words blurring uselessly in front of my eyes. "Not long. Just doing a little light reading," I lied. I waved the book in front of me, realizing too late that I had grabbed the blasted Engorgio book from off the shelf.
He arched an eyebrow as he read the spine. "A Real Swell Spell: The Engorgio Charm and Its Many Uses." I reddened as he continued with a smirk. "Light reading, you say? What unlucky bastard is going to be on the receiving end of that?"
I didn't fully understand the implications of his comment, but I realized from his tone that it was probably insulting. I glared, embarrassed, at a spot above his shoulder, not quite able to meet his eyes. "I would never—" I sputtered, "—never attack another student!"
His eyes slanted thoughtfully as he searched my face. "Do you even know what I'm talking about, Jones?"
"Yes—well—no, not really, but that's besides the point!" I snapped the book shut immediately and shoved it back on the shelf. I brushed past him as I headed down another aisle, hoping he'd get the hint and leave me to my studies.
He followed me. I could feel his eyes on the back of my head as I stopped at another shelf and began pulling books that would help me with my essay. "I can't tell if you're being purposely obtuse or if you really are that naïve," he mused as he leaned casually against the bookcase next to my outstretched hand. I yanked another book from the shelf.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I'm talking about sex. You know, what happens when a man and a woman—" He made some vulgar gestures with his hands.
"I know what sex is," I interrupted sharply. "I don't need a visual."
He smirked. "Alright, so which is it? Are you really so naïve that you can't fathom a more resourceful use for the Engorgio charm or are you just playing dumb?"
I flushed at his expectant gaze and said the first thing on my mind, "Don't you have something better to do, like patch things up with your brother?" I knew immediately that was the wrong thing to say. I watched as his eyes turned cold and the smirk fell off his face.
"You don't know anything about me or my brother, so just stay out of it."
Feeling properly chastised I lowered my voice, "I know. I'm sorry. It's not my place to interfere."
He sagged against the shelf, staring hard at the encyclopedias across from him. His black hair had fallen forward across his forehead, hiding the cuts from a few days before, giving him the appearance of a brooding artist focusing on his next masterpiece. He was quiet for so long that I thought he might have forgotten I was still standing there. Just as I was prepared to leave him to his thoughts, he broke the silence.
"He's thinking of joining You-Know-Who."
I gasped. "Your brother?"
"Yeah. Mum will be happy. She was furious when I was sorted into Gryffindor, and even more livid when I came home after first year and told her my best friend was James Potter. Suppose now she'll think she's replaced the heir with the spare."
"Has he already taken the Mark?" I asked.
He shook his head and smiled bitterly. "He's waiting until this summer, so Mum can attend the ceremony."
"Then it's not too late. You can change his mind," I urged. I didn't know why I was trying so hard to fix things between them, but for some reason, this felt important.
"Do you think I haven't tried?" He argued hotly. "He won't listen to me! Every day he spends in Slytherin poisons his mind against me. I used to be able to get through to him, but in the last year, he's become more hostile and distant." He shoved his hands into his pockets and slumped heavily against the shelf. "I barely recognize him anymore."
I shifted the books into my left hand and laid my right on his shoulder. "He's still there underneath it all. The brother you used to know is just confused and probably scared. As much as I hate to admit it, we're not all as brave as you are, Sirius. It probably isn't easy for him to go against your mother and his housemates."
When he didn't answer, I continued tentatively. "It's only September, Sirius. Summer isn't for nine more months. Use this time to show your brother that courage isn't just for Gryffindors."
He looked up, sensing the double meaning of my words. "You're right. It's not. Anyone who believes that is an idiot." He gazed meaningfully at me. That was as close to an apology as I would get from him, but I didn't care. I knew what he meant, and that was good enough for me. It wasn't every day that Sirius Black ate crow.
I reached up and hesitantly traced a cut on his forehead. "You look like shite."
He grinned and punched my shoulder. "Shut up. Besides, the prat deserved it."
"Deserving or not, I'm surprised you risked your face for a scuffle with McNair."
He shrugged, like he didn't know just how handsome he really was. And maybe he didn't. He'd never really struck me as vain, but it was hard to imagine someone with his striking looks without a little bit of vanity. "McNair was hexing a first year. What was I supposed to do?" He grabbed the books out of my hand and walked me to the front of the library.
I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye as Madame Pince stamped my books. He had pulled his wand out of his pocket and was twirling it in his fingers, a habit I was beginning to notice.
"Looks like you cleaned out the charms section. Mind if I borrow a few for my essay?" He asked. "I'll bring them right back when I'm done."
I contemplated loaning him a few of my books as we headed for the door. With my luck, he'd probably lose them and I'd be responsible for the fines. "How about we meet here again tomorrow and share the books? That way we can both use them."
He looked relieved. "Excellent. Thanks, Jones. I owe you one."
"Just be here tomorrow at ten o'clock."
He nodded, grinning. "Right. See you tomorrow, then."
"Don't be late!" I called over my shoulder as I headed to the Hufflepuff Common Room.
"Jones!" He shouted when I was just about to turn the corridor. I looked back and saw him smiling widely at me. "If you ever want to try out that Engorgio charm, I'm your man."
With a huff, I spun around and turned the corner. I was half way to the common room when the full implication of his comment hit me. I flushed. Perhaps I wasn't so naïve after all.
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