March 9, 1978

Lily strolled through the castle hallways, laughing and talking with James. They had just finished their rounds and were heading back to Gryffindor tower, when Lily heard an ominous noise from around the corner.

She pulled James back and put a finger to her mouth, indicating he should be quiet. James nodded in understanding and peaked around the corner.

"See anything?" Lily whispered.

"Yeah, Regulus."

'What's he doing up?"

"I don't know should we ask him?"

"Well, I think we have to. He's out of bed after curfew."

"Right."

The started round the corner, but James stopped.

"He's gone."

"James." It was Regulus. He had come up next to them, and his sudden noise beside them had made them jump about a meter into the air.

"Hello Regulus. What are you doing out of bed after curfew."

"I need to talk to Sirius." He fiddled with something in his pocket as he spoke.

James narrowed his eyes. "You haven't wanted to talk to Sirius in years. Why now?"

"It's urgent, please, just go get him."

James looked at Lily for direction. She nodded. Lily knew very little about Sirius' home life, but she knew that Regulus hadn't wanted anything to do with Sirius for quite some time.

"Alright, wait right here."

James and Lily walked quickly to Gryffindor tower. Sirius was sitting with Remus in front of the fire playing wizard's chess.

"Sirius. It's Regulus." James said solemnly.

"What about him." Sirius said returning to the game.

"He wants to talk to you." Lily said gently.

"Well perhaps he should have thought of that." Sirius muttered

"Sirius, you should at least see what he wants." Remus interjected.

Sirius stared at him for a couple seconds. "Fine." Sirius stood and walked out of the portrait hole. Lily, James and Remus looked at each other confusedly. Then Sirius stuck his head back inside. "You all coming or what?"

They followed Sirius out and then James led them all to where they had left Regulus. He was sitting on the ground against the wall staring at a piece of parchment and looking defeated.

He stood up quickly, stuffing the parchment back into his robes, when they came into view.

"Sirius."

"What is it, Regulus? Why do you want to talk to me all of a sudden?"

"This is really a family matter-"

"These people are my family." Sirius said with a note of finality.

"Right."

There was a great pause as Regulus composed himself, during which Sirius stared coldly at him.

"Father's fallen ill." Regulus said finally.

"Sorry." Sirius said quietly.

"Sorry? Sirius he's your father?!" Regulus burst out.

"He stopped being my father a long time ago, Regulus. Mother burned me off the tapestry! I'm not a part of that family anymore." He sighed, tension clear in his shoulders.

"You need to come back, Sirius."

"And why should I? Come back and watch my father die so he can tell me one final time what a disappointment I am?"

"So you can help me!"

"What do you need help with? Another reminder for dear old mum that you're so much better than I am?"

"Sirius, it's getting bad."

"Why am I not surprised." Sirius muttered.

"I don't know what to do, Sirius, I need a big brother right now!"

"Why don't you get Macnair's help. He seems to have taken a liking to you. He give you an invitation to the death eaters yet?"

"Sirius…."

"I'm not going back to that house ever. I swear I won't ever go back."

"Sirius…"

"Go on write to our hallowed mother tell her that her disowned son won't be coming back. If they wanted me there she wouldn't have burned me off the tapestry."

"They don't want you! I do!"

"Then why would I go back?" Sirius asked softly.

"Because I need you!" Regulus seemed near tears at this point and looked like the effort of keeping the tears at bay was costing him a great deal.

Sirius walked over to Regulus. They looked remarkably similar, but Lily could see that their years had separated them.

"I can't help you with them, Reg. If you need anything else, anything but that, I'll help you no questions asked. But I can't. With them I can't. Don't you get it?"

Regulus nodded. Tears were leaking from the corners of both of their eyes. Regulus leaned forward and they were hugging.

Lily motioned to Remus and James to leave the two alone. The brothers needed to be alone to reconnect.

A/N: Hellllllo I would like to add to this that Regulus Black is the true hero of Slytherin House and anyone who says differently can come me!