For my darling Grandma

Word Count: 1187

It's a quiet day at the Potter house in Godric's Hollow. Sirius sits at the kitchen table, inhaling the robust aroma of his freshly brewed coffee while Lily stands over the stove, adding chopped garlic and onions to the pot of homemade soup. With a smile, Sirius stretches, leaning back slightly. It's a perfect winter day, except for the freezing rain that pelts against the window.

"Hey good lookin'," James says, entering the kitchen. He wraps his arms around Lily and kisses her neck. "Whatcha got cookin'?"

Sirius groans. "Oi! Can't you two get a room?" he calls.

James turns, brows raising. He fixes Sirius with a perfect imitation of Remus' you're a bloody idiot look. "Mate, you do realize this is, in fact, our house, right?"

Sirius waves a dismissive hand, unable to resist a grin. He loves James and Lily more than anything. He's grateful they let him hang out with them so much that he's almost like an unofficial roommate. "Fine, fine. Whatever you say," he shoots back, sipping his coffee.

There's a knock at the door, soft at first, but then more frantic. Sirius jumps to his feet, wand drawn instinctively. These are dark times, tough he feels like Death Eaters aren't likely to knock first. Still, he knows you can never be too careful.

James is behind him, wand also at the ready. Sirius grins because of course his best friend would be there. They've been inseparable for nearly a decade, and he thinks that only death could ever change that.

Sirius slings open the door, freezing in his tracks. Well, maybe Death Eaters do knock, because his little brother is standing before him, shivering as the winter wind whips against his skin.

"Oh," James says.

"Oh," Sirius agrees.

Regulus wraps his arms around his body. Sirius wonders if he's trying to keep warm, or if he's trying to keep himself together. Whatever it is, Sirius feels those old instincts, like he has to protect his younger brother again.

"I'm sorry," Regulus whispers. "Can I come in?"

James and Sirius exchange glances. Neither says a word; they hold an entire conversation with just a look. In that brief moment, they both silently agree that Regulus looks more scared than dangerous, but they will keep their guard up.

"Hey, Lils!" James called. "Is the soup ready?"

"James Potter, I swear you are the most insufferable, impatient man I have ever met!"

Sirius looks at Regulus. "When they yell at each other, it isn't like Mother and Father," he whispers. "They actually love each other."

Regulus nods, but he doesn't look particularly relaxed. If anything, he looks like he's going to come out of his skin. Maybe it's just now hitting that he's surrounded by three members of the Order, three people who are meant to be his enemies.

"It isn't for me, you impossible woman!" James huffs. "We have guests."

"Sirius isn't a guest. He practically came with the house," Lily says. "He's like a favorite chair."

"I think I'm more of a bedside table." Sirius clears his throat. "But, uh. It's not me. It's my brother."

Lily turns, brows raised in confusion. For several moments, she can only stare at Regulus, mouth opening and closing without a sound. Finally, she manages, "Sirius, your brother is a Death Eater."

"And I am literally right here and can here you," Regulus says dryly.

"Fine. Sorry. Regulus, you are a Death Eater."

Regulus stares blankly at her. "Really? Is that why there's a Dark Mark on my forearm?"

James steps in before Lily can snap back. "He's freezing and, honestly, looks like he's about to have a crisis."

Lily considers for a moment before letting out a sigh. "Coffee or tea?" she asks. "You look like you're about James' size, so I'm sure he can lend you some dry clothes."

James salutes. "I can indeed!"

…

After a bowl of soup and a cup of coffee, Sirius joins Regulus outside. His little brother tucks a cigarette between his lips and lights it, hands trembling.

"I didn't know who else to turn to," Regulus says.

Truthfully, Sirius is surprised his brother came to him. They haven't been close in a very long time, after all. He's never hated Regulus, though, despite all the hard feelings, the hurt, the anger. Even with the distance between them and the different paths they followed, he still loves his brother. He'd be lying if he said he didn't miss Regulus.

And here he is, at his doorstep, and he needs help. How can Sirius turn him away.

"The Dark Lord… Sirius, I made a terrible mistake," Regulus whispers, taking a deep drag of his cigarette and exhaling a cloud of white-grey smoke. "It's worse than any of us thought."

Sirius looks around like someone might be hiding in the shadows, ready to kill Regulus for what he's saying. Maybe he's getting to be as paranoid as Moody. Merlin, he hopes not. He's grown a bit fond of the old codger, but he hopes to never be like him.

"What happened?"

And Regulus tells him everything, or as much as he knows. It's still enough. Even though Sirius has never cared for Kreacher and would happily toss the annoying bastard into an active volcano, he finds himself wincing, pitying the house-elf for the ordeal he went through.

"I didn't know," Regulus says, wiping his eyes. "I didn't know he would leave Kreacher there to die. I didn't… Sirius, I don't want to do this anymore. I never did."

Sirius still remembers the early days. Bellatrix had gotten her claw into Regulus and would whisper little things in his ear, like she had all the answers he could ever want. Sirius had tried to make his brother understand, but it had been too late. His cousin's poison had spread, and Regulus was too far gone.

But there's still something good in there. How could there not be? The fact that his brother is here at all means Sirius' efforts were not in vain. Maybe it's taken a few years, but his attempts paid off in the long run.

"We'll talk to Dumbledore first thing in the morning," Sirius says, nodding as a plan begins to form. "He'll know what to do and how to help."

The back of Sirius' eyes sting, and he blinks rapidly before the tears can fall. He's been waiting for this moment for what feels like an eternity, and it's finally here. His brother is back. Maybe it isn't under the best of circumstances, but it doesn't matter.

Sirius throws his arms around Regulus, holding him close. Regulus tenses, and Sirius remembers how loveless their home had been, how little affection they were ever shown. He had been so touch-starved by the time he reached Hogwarts, but his friends showed him what it means to be loved and cared for.

He will do the same for Regulus. His little brother will never have to be alone and afraid again. Sirius will make sure of that.

"Glad to have you back, Reg."

Regulus relaxes slightly. "Glad to be back."