Word Count: 496
"Years of love have been forgot in the hatred of a minute."- Edgar Allan Poe
Regulus tells himself he's going to let it go. He really does try.
But then he sees Sirius and his friends walking down the corridor, laughing he tugs at his crimson and gold tie, and resentment sours his stomach.
"This story's about me, not him!" Sirius says, nudging the boy beside him. "No offense, Pete."
"None taken."
Regulus wants to run over and smash his brother's face in the wall. But he doesn't want it. Not really. It isn't anger that fuels him now. He is bitter and wants to lash out, to make Sirius feel as miserable as he does.
It's the principle of it, really. He and Sirius hadn't been close in the past few years, not since he was Sorted into Gryffindor. But it doesn't matter. A different House is one thing. Sirius ran away and abandoned him, and it isn't fair.
He can't stop himself. Regulus storms over, standing in front of the laughing quartet. "I need to speak with you."
Potter laughs and whispers something in Sirius' ear, too low for Regulus to catch. Whatever it is makes Sirius smirk. "You lot go ahead," Sirius tells them. "I'll catch up."
The three hesitate but finally start moving again, quickly disappearing in the crowd. Sirius turns to Regulus, brows raised. "Well?"
Regulus looks around them. They are off to the side, but there are still too many people around. He shakes his head. "Not here," he says. "Somewhere private."
Isn't crowded. Most people will probably pass them by without a second thought. All it takes is one person, though. Regulus is supposed to be the good son. If his parents find out that he's talking to Sirius… He isn't sure his mother's heart could take it.
Sirius shrugs and leads the way into an empty classroom. "What do you want, Reg?"
Reg. He hates Sirius for using a nickname now. They haven't spoken in years. What gives him the right to talk to him like they are friends?
"You left."
Sirius doesn't even look apologetic. He just nods. "I left," he confirms.
"You left me."
Regulus doesn't know why it hurts so badly. They haven't been close in so long, but Sirius leaving feels like a wound that refuses to heal. It isn't personal, but that doesn't make it hurt any less.
"I couldn't stay there," Sirius says. "I'm not like you."
Regulus winces. Not like you. He knows Sirius' opinion of the family. He can imagine what that means. Something inside of him hardens, growing colder. "Well, it wouldn't be the first time you've ruined everything," he says sharply.
"Reg…"
Regulus shakes his head and stalks off. "Don't come near me again," he mutters.
Maybe he had hoped to make amends, to figure out a way to keep his brother in his life. But it isn't supposed to be that way. He and Sirius are too different, and maybe this is for the best.
If only it didn't hurt so much.
