This is part of the Sleeping With Snivellus "world" - if you can call it that. You'll know where they all come from within the story, it's pretty obvious. They are all short, but I hope you enjoy them anyway.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: domestic abuse, abusive relationships, mentions of suicide, rape (though not explicitly), and probably a bunch of other stuff that I can't remember. Please don't read this if any of these things are triggers.

Before anyone reads on, I want to say that I have never experienced anything that is written down in these chapters, from suicide to abusive relationships. I apologise profusely if you feel that I have poorly depicted anything that is covered, but I took narrative license (if that's what it's called) and created a story within my mind. Please don't read on if you think that I shouldn't be writing anything about any of these subjects and think that I have done an injustice to the struggle that anyone suffering from these things endures. I also want to add that if you are struggling with any of these things, please, please, reach out to someone.

Disclaimer: what's JK Rowling's is JK Rowling's

Please review and I hope you like it

Reuniting With Regulus (Chapter 3)

I send my phone flying across the room, restraining the urge to growl at it. Reg has been calling for the last five minutes, persisting even when I've declined the call. I should have known he'd keep going; he was always a stubborn brat. I'm so done with the insults that I receive whenever one of them calls, or emails, or talks to me, or whatever. Only Andy was ever not like that and I've lost contact with her.

Finally, my phone stops ringing, and I flop back onto my bed, hands clenched by my sides. Couldn't they just leave me in peace? Just for once in my life.

My door creaks open, and I glance up, spotting James. I smile at my best friend – basically brother – but the look on his face immediately makes it disappear. Something's very wrong.

'What?' I question, furrowing my brow.

James tells the person on the phone to wait and pulls it away from his ear, asking, 'Have you been getting calls?'

My mood darkens. Why is he asking about that? 'From Regulus.'

James sighs deeply, running a hand through his hair. Quietly, he says, 'Regulus is in the hospital.'

I shoot upright. My world is spinning wildly. 'What have I done?' I can't have betrayed Reg again, not after everything. I can't have done this.

Extending his phone, James adds, 'They think he shot himself, Sirius.'

I almost throw up. Tears spring into my eyes, and I shove them down, barely able to breathe. Reg tried to kill himself. This. Is. Not. Happening. I snatch the phone off James, saying, before they can even hear me, 'I'm so sorry for not picking up. What happened?'

A calm, female voice on the other end answers, 'Regulus came in just a little while ago in an ambulance after someone heard the gunshot. He's currently okay, but we thought that you would want to see him.'

'Yes, thank you.' I grab my jacket, shrugging it on as I leave my room, slamming the door slightly too hard behind me. I head into the living room, pacing up and down as I keep listening and try to work out a way to get to the hospital.

'Pads.' James's voice breaks through my panic, and I glance up to see him waving his car keys.

Relief floods through me. Without waiting for Prongs, I storm out of apartment, taking the stairs instead of the unpredictable lift. The bang of the metal echoes through my body, each running step in time with my beating heart. I can't get down there quick enough.

As we make our way to the hospital, we hit every single red light. Unable to control myself, I swear at each one, wishing that would make them turn green quicker. The receptionist hangs up two red lights in, and I'm left waiting anxiously to get to Reg's side. All I can think of is his face, the mischievous smirk I loved seeing when I was younger.

I left him behind.

When we get to the hospital, I leap out the car before Prongs has parked. I don't care that I'm risking my life or limbs or anything. I need to get to Reg. Now. The entrance is so far away, and my steps aren't quick enough. It's agony, knowing he's in there and I'm not.

The receptionist stares at me as I burst through the doors. 'My brother. My brother is here. Please. My brother.' I should be saying his name; I should be saying something, but all that's coming out of my mouth are those words over and over. My brother. He's my brother. I need to see my brother.

'Regulus Black,' James says to the lady, 'This is his brother: Sirius Black.'

'Room 12.'

I don't know whether she said anything else. All I can hear is those two words. Room 12, Room 12, Room 12, Room 12, Room 12.

Standing outside the room is a doctor. I stalk towards her, knowing she can tell me what's wrong and if Reg is okay. If my hateful parents have decided he's worth their time.

Just as I'm about to demand to see him and for the doctor to get out my way, James placed a restraining hand on my shoulder. I almost shrug it off.

'Sirius Black?' the doctor asks, glancing up.

'Yeah, that's me.'

'Doctor Pomfrey.' She extends a hand, apparently wanting me to be all civil while my brother is in that room in pain.

'Is Reg gonna be okay?' I demand, reaching to shake her hand. My worry pours into that action. I need to see him. Now.

'He survived, but he'll need counselling and lots of rest.'

I breathe a sigh of relief. Again, tears begin to well up, but I shove them down, blinking quickly. I can feel my hands trembling violently by my sides. It hasn't been this bad since I ran; I don't want to have a panic attack while Reg is alone in there. 'Thank you, Doctor,' I say, finally regaining some manners.

'You are welcome.' Doctor Pomfrey meets my eyes, her gaze hard. 'Just to let you know, we tried to call your parents, but they refused to come.'

This time, it's anger that crashes through me. To hide it, I feebly joke, 'Don't like Reggie anymore, huh?'

'Regulus is not awake just yet,' Doctor Pomfrey says, ignoring the joke, 'but you can go in and sit with him – if you want.'

If I want. There's nothing I want more. It's the whole reason I'm here. To reassure myself he's alive. Knowing Prongs is probably worried, I glance back at him. 'I'll be fine, mate, go.'

'You're sure?'

James has so much to deal with, with all this Lily stuff going on. He's suffering so badly from it, and I don't want to add something else to his plate. I can manage. I can always manage. Flashing a smirk, albeit a rubbish one, I say, 'Positive. Everything's peachy.'

James rolls his eyes. 'Don't ever say that again.' He smiles quickly and heads out. I don't doubt he'll go home to find Moony's called the whole gang together. It's enough to bring a faint, but real, smile to my face.

'I'll be back in a bit, Mr Black,' the doctor informs me, 'go on in.'

Steeling myself, I push open the door and head inside.

Regulus is so still. His face is inhumanely pale, mouth slack in unconsciousness. His dark hair has been partially shaved off, presumably to get… to get to the bullet inside his head. White bandage is wrapped around his head, proving that he's done this. There are different needle things going into his arms. Resting on the sheet are his pale arms, so thin and fragile.

He's just a kid.

I blink back tears, slumping down onto a chair. 'I'm so sorry,' I say into the silence, voice breaking. 'Please stay with me, Reggie.' Reaching out, I take one of his hands, holding it tight. 'I should never have left.'

The words break some part of me. Tears begin to stream down my cheeks, but I don't move to wipe them away.

'I failed you,' I whisper, leaning down to rest my head on the bed. My whole body wracks with sobs. 'I failed you so miserably, Reg.'

I still remember when Mother and Father told me I was going to have a sibling. I had been happy, over-the-moon. I'd wanted to dance and sing and celebrate like crazy. Of course, being part of the family I was part of, that was not possible. Still, when I'd gone up to my room, I'd gone into the wardrobe where I knew there were no cameras and jumped up and down.

When Reg had arrived, I'd known that I would love him forever. As we'd grown up, we'd begun to look alike. We'd both loved it, claiming it made us more like brothers than ever. It had been perfect, the two of us living our best lives, enjoying every moment together.

Then, it had all gone downhill. After I'd gone to Hogwarts, I'd begun to rebel. In small ways at first, but then I'd found the hidden cameras in my room – the ones I hadn't already known about – and destroyed every one of them. Regulus had begun to become the perfect son, and the relationship the two of us had had had imploded.

Just before I'd left, I'd knocked on Reg's door. His lip had curled when he'd opened the door to see me. I'd quite literally begged him to come with me. When he refused, I'd yelled at him, accused him of not caring. We'd had a shouting match, throwing barbs at each other.

I'd stormed off and out of his life, never to return.

I just want one more chance to make it alright. That's all I'm asking for. One more chance to make it up to him.

'Come on, Reggie,' I beg, 'Just open your eyes.'

And then… 'What the hell do you want, Sirius?' Regulus's hoarse voice feels like a miracle.

I pull my head up from the bed, smiling weakly. 'Shut up, Reg.'

He tries to smile, eyes only half-open. Only half-open, but open all the same.

It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

You can blame my cousin for more of Sleeping With Snivellus (just extra bits!) Yes, there is teasing of Sirius's backstory - yes, hidden cameras in his room. I'll let you make up the rest!

Anyway, hope you enjoy and please review!