Word Count: 482


Regulus wakes to his mother screaming and yelling. This isn't a terribly uncommon occurrence, but there's something different about it. He hears Sirius' name again and again.

What has his brother done now? This level of anger is terrifying. Regulus can't help but fear for Sirius' life. He pushes his sheet from his body, letting the fabric pool carelessly on the floor as he jumps out of bed and rushes to his brother's room.

It is empty. Sirius' things are gone, but pictures of Muggle girls in bikinis and those ridiculous motorbikes he loves so much are still there.

It's a punch to the gut, and Regulus thinks he might be sick. Sirius can't be gone. It doesn't matter that home is hell for him. He's supposed to stay for Regulus. They haven't spoken in years, not since Sirius was Sorted into Gryffindor, but that doesn't mean Regulus doesn't still love him. It doesn't mean Sirius can just abandon him like this.

Regulus drops to his knees, sucking in a trembling breath. He will not cry because he is a Black, and Blacks do not cry.

They stand before the tapestry. This isn't the first time Regulus has had to appear for one of these things. He still remembers the day Andromeda was removed. Aunt Druella was eerily silent that day, and Regulus remembers seeing her argue with Uncle Cygnus. He hadn't understood it at the time, but he does now.

It isn't easy. Tradition is supposed to be their foundation. Nothing else matters it they do not follow tradition and do what is expected of them. Regulus has learned this from the moment he was old enough for the lesson to be drilled into his head. He accepts that betrayal means being removed from the family.

That doesn't make it hurt any less. His mother stands before them, listing Sirius' transgressions against the family. Everyone nods their agreement. No one defends Sirius.

He is a traitor. He deserves this.

Except that doesn't make it any easier. No one talks about how strong Sirius is, or how he has a heart of gold. All anyone talks about is how he has betrayed them, how they must do whatever is necessary in order to maintain the family's dignity.

And then there's a small flash of light and a hint of smoke. Sirius is removed from the tapestry.

Regulus wants to drop to his knees but he keeps himself upright. Blacks do not cry.

He is alone in his room, and it hurts so bloody bad. The shock has worn off; cold grief has washed over him. Sirius is gone, and the world is cruel.

Now, hidden away where no one else can see him, Regulus does cry.

Maybe he's a Black, but he's also human, and all he knows is that today is the worst, most devastating day of his life.