Author's Note:

Reviews and Comments: To Bellmel: Regulus is a complicated character. I think he was very confused and unfortunately when he finally realized his brother was right, it was too late for him. He had a tragic life. Thank you! To CrimsonDragon1337: He definitely could have been if he'd made the right choices. Sirius and his friends would have welcomed him with open arms, but he made his choice. He was an unsung hero. Thank you! To A Huge Fan: It is sad they never really got to reconcile, but I think it shows that there are regrets in life for all of us. Sirius definitely helped him question things and I think it was because of Sirius that Regulus ultimately makes the decision to try to destroy one of Voldemort's Horcruxes. Thank you! To scrappy8: Yes, he should have. Thank you! To ellyann13: All very true. Thank you! To alix33: I love that Regulus is secretly fascinated by a few Muggle things, even if he is allowing his parents to brainwash him to some degree. Thank you. To Sets: Thank you. The "we all bleed red" line is a very important statement. Thank you. To ascfan: Thank you! To Shivani: I enjoyed your spam reviews while you caught up so thank you! Regulus' story is very heartbreaking. Thank you! To EnigmaticEmperor: Regulus does love Sirius and he's very conflicted and he can see that Sirius feels the same which is more confusing for him. He's always looked up to his big brother and now he's left him with his parents and you can see how conflicted Regulus is by that. Thank you!

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Thanks to Dusk for her amazing editing skills.

As always, thank you very much for reading and please, please review!

Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO:

The One With McGonagall vs. Walburga

August 1976…

Remus walked alongside his mother in Diagon Alley to shop for his school things. He couldn't believe that he would be entering his sixth year of Hogwarts in two weeks.

"Come along, Rem. If you want to have time to hit the book store in London, we need to hurry," Hope exclaimed, holding his arm in hers.

"Mum, we have lots of time," Remus told her. "We can stop and get lunch at that place you love, if you like?"

"HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO ME LIKE THAT?" a voice echoed across the street.

Remus turned, easily seeing over the crowd with his tall lanky frame. He towered over most people now, especially his mum, having undergone another growth spurt that put him well over one hundred and eighty-five centimetres. Hope was convinced that he would gain at least another ten in the coming year as he was built like her father, lean and tall.

The voice carried; he tugged on his mum's arm to get closer as a crowd was drawing around them as he realized the voice belonged to his head of house.

"How dare I? You are unfit to be a mother to a flobberworm let alone an incredible young man like Sirius! You tossed him out?"

Walburga Black sneered. "He's nothing but a snivelling ungrateful little brat who thinks he's better than the rest of us! I'd toss him out again! And if you heard how he spoke to me, you'd be singing a different tune, Minerva!"

McGonagall scoffed. "You're lucky Albus held me back when I learned how you treated him at home! If you ask me, his life just improved exponentially the moment you kicked him out. I'd rather live in a shoe box downhill from a dung heap than anywhere near where you were."

"Are you insulting me?"

McGonagall smirked. "I'd love to insult you, Walburga, but I'm afraid I won't do nearly as well as nature did."

Walburga Black turned a lovely shade of purple as McGonagall merely narrowed her eyes.

"I hope Regulus realizes what an unfit mother you are as well. Thank Merlin the Potters have such a big hearts! Good riddance!"

She turned and stormed off as Walburga Black spluttered after her.

"Oh my," Hope said quietly. "That seemed overly harsh. I'm sure that she's not an unfit mother."

"No, she definitely is," Remus said. "That's Sirius' mum."

Hope's eyes narrowed. "Well, that bitch is lucky I didn't know that or I would have joined in!"

"Mum!"

"When you told me that she chained her son up… I told Lyall to call the magic police and he said that it was none of my business!"

"They're an old pureblood family, Mum. It's fine. Sirius must be living with Jamie now."

Hope huffed in annoyance. "Well, I hope so!"

Remus put his arm around his mum's shoulders. "Come on, let's finish our shopping. Then can I go to James' and check on Sirius?"

"Of course," Hope said. "You'll let me know if he's all right?"

"Promise," he said, kissing her cheek.

They headed off to the next shop and Remus couldn't help but wonder what had finally caused Sirius to leave his home.