Regulus's POV — 29 July 1975

As of that day, Regulus Black was officially brotherless. Well not technically. The brother in question was still alive.

The bright flames spread further across the tapestry. One day, his father had said. Too short of a time for anyone to come to their senses. Regulus stared as it burned, watching his mother's wand over the fabric.

Time seemed to stand still as his father lectured him. It was numbing. Only hours later was he permitted to leave. He walked into his room, grabbing a fresh piece of parchment and quill. Regulus wrote one, simple sentence:

I would've said yes.

Sirius's POV — 19 June 1975 — Last day of 4rth Year, Hogwarts Train

"For the last time, James, I said yes."

"But why don't-"

"I have to show up for the holidays. I'll come in a few weeks when I can get away."

"How long do you reckon you'll hold out?" asked Remus as he handed a few coins to the Trolley Witch.

"I don't know," Sirius said. "I'm honestly done with dealing with their crap all summer. The only reason I ever go home for the holidays is so Regulus won't be alone. Can't have him turning into a Death Eater without me."

"Please don't joke about that kind of stuff," said Peter.

Sirius ignored him. "Loosen up, Pete, it's just a joke."

"What'd your mother do after you made that speech at the Easter party?" James asked.

"Oh nothing, just wrote me out of her will."

"Don't worry about it mate. All you have to do is steal one of those creepy house-elf heads, sell it, and you're all set for life."

"Or outsell James' father with a new hair potion," suggested Remus. "Or rob Gringotts."

"I'll take my chances with that last one. Don't fancy carrying a severed head into Knockturn Alley."

"We could give it to Snape if it doesn't sell," James said.

"… I change my mind."

The hours on the train were short. Too short. Far too soon, they were in the middle of King's Cross, saying their goodbyes while waiting for their parents.

"Owl me every week, or I'm breaking you out," James said.

"If you're breaking me out, does that make me Rapunzel?"

"No, you don't have blond hair. You have to have blond hair to be Rapunzel."

James looked towards his waiting parents. "I've got to go."

"Bye."

"Adieu! Farewell!"

"Parting is such sweet sorrow!"

"I am gone forever-"

"C'mon Peter," Sirius heard Remus say. "Once they pull out the Shakespeare lines, they go on for a while." Then, quieter, "I knew I never should've brought that book in First Year."

After their goodbyes, Remus, Peter, and James all found their family and left. Sirius walked towards his parents, dragging his things behind him.

"Hello Mother, Father," Sirius said cheerily. "Regulus. Ready to go?"

As he followed his parents and brother through the barrier, Sirius couldn't help but wonder how long he would survive this summer.

Regulus's POV — 29 July 1975 — The day after Sirius left

"You see this? This is what happens when you turn your back on your family. This is what happens when you deny your purity and affiliate yourself with filthy Mudbloods and Blood Traitors. You understand me, Regulus?" His father said, pointing at the burnt mark on the tapestry.

Regulus looked down. "Yes, Father."

"You are not to speak to him ever again."

Sirius's POV — 28 July 1975 — The day he left

"That's it," Sirius muttered, running up to his room.

He was done. Done with his parents. Done with his stupid family. He had put up with their Pureblood mania for long enough. He couldn't take another curse. Pulling out his school trunk, he started shoving whatever he could find into it.

"What are you doing?" A voice behind him asked.

He turned around, almost rethinking his decision. No. He had to leave. Slamming the trunk shut, Sirius shoved past Regulus, dragging everything he had with him.

"Sirius? Where are you going?" Regulus ran down the stairs, right behind him. "Sirius, no you can't-"

He turned around once he reached the door. "I can't what? Leave? It won't make a difference."

"What-?"

"Regulus, we've barely spoken all summer," Sirius said, looking past the hall to make sure his parents had left.

"Well, you were too busy sending love letters to your friends to speak to me."

"I wasn't- never mind."

"No!" Regulus said, desperation in his voice. "Sirius. Sirius, just please, don't go, I need-"

Sirius Black stared into the eyes of his brother. "Then come."

There was a silence. His brother made a pained face. "I-"

"C'mon Reg. I know you're sick of this just as much as I am."

Regulus took several steps back. Sirius's heart sank. That was it. Nothing was holding him back.

He scoffed. "That's what I thought."

Turning around, he opened the door. He walked out into the pouring rain, his trunk and wand clenched in his hand. Sirius Black never dared to look behind him, scared that if he looked into the pained eyes of his brother, he would come back.

James Potter was the first person Sirius had thought of when he asked himself where he was going to go. He stood in front of the Potter family's house, not knowing what he was going to say when it opened.

"He- Sirius?"

"Hello, Mrs. Potter." He said in a shaky voice. "Sorry, I probably should've sent an owl. If you're busy I- I can come back later."

Mrs. Potter gave him a curious look. "No, it's okay. Come in, dear, you're drenched. What happened?"

Sirius dragged in his things, not answering. Mrs. Potter sat him down in a chair just as James came down the stairs.

"Mum, have you- Sirius!"

Sirius grinned. James gave him a quick hug. "I thought you weren't coming till next week."

"Why don't you boys go upstairs? James, please clean your room before dinner." Euphemia told James, eyeing Sirius worriedly.

"C'mon."

Sirius followed him upstairs and into his messy room. He remembered staying there the summer before. He had never been allowed into anyone's house when he was younger, except family. Coming to James' house for the first time had been a solace. He felt more at home with Euphemia than he did with his mother.

"So what happened?" James asked nonchalantly after a few seconds of silence.

"What?"

"You appear at night, with your trunk, a week earlier than planned. What happened?" His eyes lit up. "Wait let me guess. Lily finally professed her love for me, and you came as fast as you could to tell me? You couldn't stand not seeing your best mate for another week, so you had to come? Did something happen to Remus? Or maybe you're not Sirius? Remember that one time in second year when you and Regulus switched places, and I didn't notice until- "

"I left," Sirius said quietly, looking down.

James' froze, grin dropping. There was a long, profound silence. His friend crushed him in a tight hug.

"You left… You ran away?"

The air around him seemed to freeze. Almost numb. It finally sunk in.

"I left… I finally left." Sirius repeated.