IX

I snuggled into my bed and tried to forget the terrible birthday party.

"Sirius?" someone whispered. I was almost asleep.

"What is it?"

"Are you awake?"

"I am now," I murmured. I sat up.

"I forgot to give you your present," Regulus said. "It's your birthday today."

"It's okay, Regulus. Go to sleep."

"Will you open my present first?"

Sighing, I took the present. It was a picture that he'd drawn. A picture of me and Regulus, playing Quidditch like we sometimes did with our toy brooms. I smiled.

"Thanks Regulus."

It was the best birthday present I'd gotten today.