I don't own!
Chapter XI- When We Were Young
It was 12:00 pm, on August 4th, 1978. The dining room at Twelve Grimmauld Place was crowded full of people.
"I called you here today to discuss an issue I need help with." Sirius took a deep breath.
"My brother, Regulus, has gotten himself into a mess. Bellatrix LeStrange has harassed him. In weakness, he has told her he will join the Death Eaters. Tonight. I would've called you all here earlier, but I have only just found out.
"Reg doesn't want to be one of them. Reg's a good kid, and I have to get him out of this. He could even be a great addition to the Order. He's brilliant, and he's talented." Sirius looked at everyone. "I need help to get my brother out of this."
Everyone was quiet for a while. Some started whispering harshly, but no one really said anything to Sirius.
Albus Dumbledore stood up. "We'll do everything we can to help Regulus." Everyone went silent again. "But we'll need time. Tonight. If there was any way to postpone his joining…"
Sirius bit his lip, thinking. "There is. It'll give us a month, at least." Sirius nodded to himself.
"Then go ahead," Dumbledore told him. "We'll figure this out."
"Thank you," Sirius said. "Reg-"
"But, Sirius?"
"Yes?"
"We're going to need you to keep an eye on him."
"Of course."
The Order left after that, except for James and Lily. They sat in the dining room.
"How is he?" Lily asked.
"He should be alright. I've got to talk to him," Sirius said.
"How are you going to postpone?" James asked him.
"Remember when we were young?" Sirius answered. James nodded.
Sirius stepped into the living room. Regulus wasn't there. He started upstairs. "Reg?! You in your room?"
"Yes, Sirius," Regulus called back.
Sirius went into Regulus' room. "Listen. I need you to Floo Bellatrix and tell her you're not feeling well."
"Yes, Sirius." Sirius lightened up a bit.
"Then I need you to come down to the living room. James and Lily are here." Regulus sighed.
"Alright, Siri."
James, Lily, and Remus were sitting in the living room.
"I like what you guys have done with the place," Lily said, trying to break the awkward silence.
"Yeah," Remus said. He looked distracted.
"Remus? What's wrong?" James asked.
"Oh, it's nothing." Lily looked him in the eye. "Okay. Before the confusion, Sirius and I had already decided that today we were going to tell Regulus."
"Oh," James said. "Oh." He thought for a second. "Well, don't worry about that."
"That's what Sirius said."
"Well," Lily said, "Sirius was right."
"Reg already likes you, right?" James asked.
"Yeah," Remus sighed.
"That's not going to change."
"You two are starting to sound like Sirius now."
"Then you should probably listen to Sirius more, Moony." James sighed.
"Can you believe him?" Lily asked.
James shrugged. "That's our Remus." Remus blushed.
"Bellatrix?" Regulus had drank a potion to make his throat a bit hoarse.
"Yes, Regulus?"
"I can't- do tonight. I'm sorry. I've been feeling like this all day."
"Oh. Alright then." Bellatrix knew very well how bad Regulus used to get sick, and how easily it got worse "I'll tell the Dark Lord. You get some rest; you sound terrible."
"Thank you. I- I'm sorry."
"You two make yourselves at home," Sirius said. "We're glad to have you here." He paused. "What are you thinking for dinner tonight, Remus?"
"I don't know. Anything's good." Remus shrugged.
"Lily, have you ever had quail?" Regulus came downstairs. "Oh, Reg. How'd it go?"
"Perfect.- Ugh, ahem," Regulus said, getting his voice back to normal, "Perfect."
"That's great. Lily?" Sirius looked to the redhead.
"No, I don't think so."
Sirius chuckled. "Great. Kreacher! We're having quail tonight!"
Well, here goes nothing. Don't worry, we're telling Regulus about Remus' Furry Little Problem come Chapter XII.
Oh, and I'm going to need reviews to pay for Reg's hoarse throat elixir!