Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

AN: Got my BA in English. Woohoo! Thank you, guest, and I accept your "creeper" congratulations! :D Sirius-centric chapter ahead with a side of James Potter. Thank you for your reviews and continued interest. Yup, not dead. And here ya go:

Chapter 16: The Trick Is To Let Them Do The Losing

Sirius tried to focus on eating his crêpes. He was dividing his time between being...here and being with the Potters. And it was hard.

He loathed Black Manor with every fiber of his being, but he didn't want to be cut off from his brother.

He might not have been a seer, but there was a definite advantage to being a dog animagus: you learned to listen to your gut...and your nose.

And from the churning his stomach was doing, he knew that if he let their relatives separate them now, he wouldn't see his brother again.

Or maybe it was because someone had been poisoning his brother and he didn't want to give them another opportunity.

If he hadn't intervened…

It was like…

He could envision another world where this all played out wrong—involving a death notice from some Ministry worker who'd smile vacantly and pat his shoulder as they directed him to grief counseling.

And to really drive it home, he kept having that stupid dream where his brother disappeared and he couldn't find him.

And James couldn't understand why that was so disturbing.

But then…

James hadn't understood back then either.

When they'd been fourth years and Reggie was tagging along behind them during a winter holiday excursion to Diagon Alley, and then several turns and shops later...he was gone.

He hadn't understood why Sirius panicked.

Because they'd already been exploring various places at eleven, so twelve year old Regulus ought to have been fine.

But "ought" wasn't good enough because Sirius was the elder brother and he'd been "entrusted" with Reggie's safety.

And the way James always stared at him whenever he flipped out...

He hated it because one, it made him feel guilty for snapping at his best mate, and two, it dragged out memories of a young Regulus whose stare had been even worse.

He'd stop and just look dejectedly at Sirius, who was in Hogwarts now and thus far too sophisticated to play stupid baby games with him and he needed to make himself scarce because his real friends were coming over and, no, they wouldn't want to play either!

Regulus would stare whenever Sirius delivered a frustrated: "No, Reg, I'm not smuggling you into Gryffindor Common Room!"

"No, Regulus, I don't care about the Slytherin Record book!"

"Go away, Regulus! You're bothering us!"

"Beat it! Bugger off!"

"I don't want to see your stupid face-"

His fork screeched across the plate.

Pollux gave him an irritated glance.

He swallowed an instinctive, "Sorry," because...because it was Pollux!

Pollux shook his head and then looked over and frowned more deeply. "Regulus, do NOT feed them from the table."

Regulus smiled sheepishly being caught in the act of slipping bacon to a pair of plott hounds stationed beside him.

Since being discharged, Regulus had done his best to accept his change of address and circumstances with an enviable amount of dignity.

Kreacher smuggled what he could of the youngest Master's belongings out while Grimmauld Place was under investigation as a crime scene.

In fact, he'd been so damned nonchalant about the whole thing that when Sirius finally demanded some kind of reaction—Because he had to feel some kind of real distress over the circumstances, over Mum, over the poison, over Dad, or at least being kicked out of the family home!? He had to!

Instead, Regulus gave him a look that could've withered stone and growled, "And what good would come of that? It wouldn't change anything."

"But that's why I'm asking!"

Because feeling trapped and helpless was the worst.

Sirius had suffered a lifetime of it under their family's way of life.

Sirius thrived in being free, in taking risks that opened up new choices, but when he said as much...

"Yeah, I know you do," Regulus muttered bitterly, "even when it limits the choices available for the rest of us."

He was tight lipped after that.

Even when Sirius had asked him very quietly, very solemnly, "...Did they take it out on you?"

Because...because that would've explained a lot...why his brother was so determined to be against him.

Sirius sighed and set his fork down.

Regulus wiped dog drool off his hands onto a napkin and announced then, since it was the only meal Grandfather regularly attended at the dining table, that he had school friends visiting that Friday.

Sirius looked up sharply. Their exams were scheduled that day!

Pollux muttered noncommittally and remarked that he'd likely be out that day as he needed to "patrol the perimeter."

Whatever the Hell that meant.

Regulus took that in stride and their grandfather remarked he'd have full command of the house elves during his absence.

Pollux's hands off parenting had motivated Sirius into making more visits than even he expected and offering invitations for Regulus to come over (even though they were turned down and his fellow marauders wouldn't have enjoyed his sullen, snobby company).

Still...

Mrs. Potter had been aghast to hear that his little brother was being virtually ignored by their grandfather and supported Sirius's efforts.

Because wasn't this just a repeat of what had happened in Grimmauld Place? Regulus had been virtually alone there too...and someone had been exploiting it.

And…

And when Sirius had finally cracked and admitted to James (who was of the belief that Reggie's problems were largely over and after they caught the poisoner this chapter could close) that he just didn't like Regulus being all alone in the house eating lunch and dinner at any empty table.

James had sighed through his nose and muttered without looking at him, "Sirius...he's not like you. And you're not going to change him. One afternoon with us or a thousand."

And that irritated him enough into leaving to go see Regulus, who wasn't even grateful for his company. Pride smarting at that, he'd asked how he could stand being cooped up in exile?

Regulus had raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "I'm used to it."

Because Mum got sick and Dad was away and Sirius left…

And it was just him at the table.

All alone at the table.

Just him passing time in their house and now this one.

It was bloody depressing.

"They're both half-bloods. Salem is my age though and-"

Sirius's eyes narrowed that was the one who'd attacked Peter.

Trust Regulus to befriend people who'd feel no remorse assaulting him and his friends:

Salem, Snape. Did he recruit them primarily for that purpose?

"I suppose it's a comfort to know you're not a completely isolated social leper amongst your immediate peers," Pollux replied, turning a page of the newspaper and then reaching for his tea.

"Not completely," Regulus agreed glibly as he snuck a crust of toast to a hound while the man wasn't watching. "Grandfather?"

"What?"

"Why don't you just make him leave?" Regulus asked bluntly about the table's third occupant at the far end of the table, who wasn't eating and had his arms crossed stubbornly over his chest.

Pollux looked over and shrugged. "He's got a hold and won't let go. Like the biting chair. That abomination."

Sirius blinked. "What?"

"Nothing!" Regulus remarked too loud and too quick.

The top of the newspaper dipped and Pollux watched them for a beat before the paper went back up.

"If I find a single sneezing teacup or anything of that ilk, I'll have your hide faster than you can say 'Mischief,'" the eldest wizard warned.

"That was back when I was younger and less mature, Grandfather," Regulus replied primly.

"...last year then?"

Regulus went a little pink but didn't deny it.

"Or was it sooner?"

"Grandfather!"

"I remember the girls complaining that you'd hexed their porcelain and made a mockery-"

"I...that is to say...I…"

"You?" he prompted.

"...Alright, yes, I'm guilty. But I shouldn't have been forced to be a part of that."

"Social events are a tedious but necessary aspect of lives such as ours-"

Regulus scoffed into his morning mug of hot chocolate. "You don't attend any."

"The upside to being a widower."

He set his beverage down. "Take pity, Grandfather! I was the only man there! It already dragged out two hours past the ending time and looked ready to last a few more."

That seemed to amuse the old wizard. "One man surrounded by eligible women for a whole afternoon. However did you manage?"

"Eligible?!" Regulus made a face. "Cissy and Bella and their friends? They're all old."

Pollux's lips twitched. "Ah, old. I see. Now, Regulus?"

"Hmm?"

"Lady Treble was inquiring after you and whether or not you'd be interested in taking part in her niece's debutante ball this July."

Regulus gagged. "Dear God, no."

"We should be receiving an invitation shortly."

"She's hideous. I refuse. A bar of soap has more personality. And it's fresher-"

"She is your age and therefore not 'old' and many of the other youths attending will also be of an-"

"I'm ill. Poisoned. The medics said nothing strenuous."

"They also said you needed exercise. Dancing would be a very easy-"

"Nonononono. No."

"Damnation. Am I going to have to accompany you there, like you're five years old?"

"No, because I'm not attending."

Pollux sighed. "Every Black has to make certain appearances in public."

"He didn't," Regulus argued, pointing to his brother.

"That's because he's a disgrace. We have to set our expectations lower for him. He's yet to give chase to a pig in a marketplace or bite the head off a chicken. I'm content. I'll lower it again, once he has."

Sirius bared his teeth in a snarl at the old man.

Regulus made a face. "I don't want them thinking I'm interested when I'm not. I'm fourteen!"

"You were happy to tell the nurse last week you were very nearly fifteen. And that's still some time away."

"She asked if I wanted a lollipop. That was just degrading. That doesn't mean I'm ready to be married off."

Pollux snorted. "No one is expecting anything out of you. You arrive well-dressed, you dance with some young ladies. You talk with the young men. You shake hands with their better connected elders there. You leave. It's just so they know you and can consider you once you're of age."

"But-"

"No one is marrying you off. It's not the 1300s. We don't need to sell you in exchange for goats or some other such nonsense."

"..."

"You're a second born and you're not established. You'll be quite safe."

"And if I went?" Sirius asked, picking his fork back up to poke at the uneaten remains of his breakfast.

"I wouldn't...in your case."

"Why?"

Pollux set his paper down and sneered, "You're a bloodtraitor, Sirius. It'd cause a scene to have you suddenly appear."

Regulus was watching the exchange with too much interest.

They both noticed.

Pollux turned to him. "Reggie. Fetch the sneakoscope from my room. Top dresser drawer, left."

Regulus pushed away from the table, lips in a firm line of displeasure as he obeyed. "Yes, Grandfather."

Both of his elders watched him walk away.

"Close the door on your way out."

Regulus visibly hesitated, his gaze darting between his family members.

"Now, boy."

He heaved a sigh. "Yes, Grandfather."

The great mahogany door clicked shut behind him.

And then they waited.

And when Pollux was satisfied that their youngest relative was out of earshot, he narrowed his eyes at Sirius. "You've picked a fine time to grow interested in our family's obligations."

Sirius threw down his fork, taking comfort in the loud sound it made as it hit the plate. It was so hard to be heard here. It was always so hard for his family to hear him out. "I'm not! He just doesn't want to go alone. I'm only trying to-"

"No. You made your choice and now you get to stand by it."

Sirius glowered. "So I can go with you to Azkaban this weekend but not to a ball next month-"

His grandfather didn't relent. "You are unwelcome at that ball and any place where good breeding and familial loyalty are values that prove paramount. You're a bloodtraitor."

"You keep saying that."

"Because you're an idiot and you still can't fathom what it means. Find out," the wizard hissed between his gritted teeth. "Find out. Quick."

It took pestering some of the estate's house elves but Sirius eventually deduced that he was essentially an outcast of the Pureblood realm.

Sure, house-elves still did his bidding and he wasn't officially written out of any wills so he still had access to family estates but…

He didn't have their support…their respect…

And even the elves showed a distinction from him and other purebloods in little ways. His room was cleaned but dust stayed in the corners and window sill. The sheets were changed sporadically.

His brother's rooms were spotless.

Sirius frowned down at the study materials he'd left in the estate's library. They were exactly as he'd left them. His brother's had been neatly stacked and there was a small bag of treats set on top of them.

Sirius rolled his eyes and shoved his work into his satchel intending on going outside. He walked out into the hall in time to see a house elf pretending to polish a suit of armor but really using the surface to glare at him.

The only redeeming feature of Black Manor was the dogs; Walburga never let her sons have any pets growing up. They weren't even supposed to be overly attached to their owls.

Their grandfather's estate teemed with canines.

And while it was a given that they'd enjoy Sirius's company because he knew exactly where to scratch their ears (from experience), they were tremendously fond of his brother and that just wasn't right.

It was a cruel twist of fate that Regulus should end up being a dog person...and despise him.

His brother entered the main room then and there were were barks of joy.

"Take them out," Pollux ordered since he was trying to read. "Run them in the yard."

"Yes, Grandfather," both boys answered readily and gave follow commands. The pack happily trotted after them.

Sirius found the least marshy bit of ground he could and sat down, drawing his satchel near.

The land here was so damn bleak it made studying for his exams easy...or maybe it was the dog that kept butting his head against his shoulder, he always needed a little noise and levity to relax into concentrating. Being inside the stuffy estate made him freeze up.

"Get the stick, get the stick, c'mon you know you want to. Yes, you great, slobbery, brute!"

"Shouldn't you be studying?" Sirius asked. "McGonagall will be here this Friday. I highly doubt she'll extend your deadline again...I'm still in awe she pushed back mine."

"I've been studying," Regulus snapped back defensively, an immature whine tingeing his tone.

"You're ready for your Potions exams?" Sirius replied dubiously.

"..."

"Reg, I can help you with that. Grab your books."

"...Not the...boss of..."

"I didn't catch that?"

"I said, you don't get to order me about."

A dog dropped a stick at Regulus's foot and whined for him to throw it again.

Which he did.

Again and again.

Until he tried to play tug of war with the dogs and lost and they tackled him to better administer slobbery affection.

A medwitch dropped by as lunch neared to check in on Regulus and assure there were no complications.

Sirius didn't bother trying to read his Transfiguration textbook through that and watched his brother breathe into some kind of apparatus that measured his lung strength.

The medic was all smiles and well-dones as she waved her wand and performed tests.

She remarked loudly enough for Sirius to hear that he was recovering well.

And Regulus was, dare Sirius say it?, civil to the woman.

They joked a bit about misheard radio lyrics and when he left with the woman's clipboard to get Pollux to sign off for another round of medicine, Sirius sidled up beside her.

It was awkward but he thought he asked rather discreetly if the medication his brother was on had any side effects on temperament?

She adjusted her glasses. "Is he acting peculiar?"

It was embarrassing to suggest that his brother being...well...whiny and cheerful and immature at turns was a change from what he'd gotten used to.

She asked a few questions and he answered as honestly as he could, aware that for the first time in a long time, describing his brother in less than flattering terms made him rather uncomfortable. And they never even touched his pureblood mania and prejudices.

She nodded and hmmed and allowed him to get it out and then she responded, "So, he's acting differently, now?"

Sirius nodded emphatically. Because while his brother was still very horrible to him, there was something missing.

"Well, part of those mercurial moods are just hormones. He's a teenager, but...as far as the hostility you were used to him displaying...It's...very hard to be...pleasant when one's suffering chronic, widespread pain. Arsenic isn't...a kind poison, Mr. Black. The havoc it wreaks on internal organs...I saw some of the tests and blood work when your brother first came in, he must've been beyond miserable. I'm amazed he was in school. That he managed to get out of bed-"

Guilt dripped down into his stomach.

And you didn't really notice. You saw the change in demeanor, but it didn't prompt you to investigate sooner.

Because he really had spiraled from young and obnoxious into a downright nasty little jerk…

...damage to his organs…

And he still played quidditch.

"But he'll be...alright? Now, that you all know...you've given him what he needs, he'll be-"

Her smile wavered. "He is still a bit anemic and if it can't be managed-"

Blood. His blood was a problem…

Wasn't that just perfectly ironic?

"Now, you are a near relative and if you were willing...we'd still need your Grandfather or Guardian to sign off if you're underage-"

"Is his blood failing? Is he-"

"He likely just needs a little more time. But-" She pointed to a sheet of paper titled: Symptoms of Severe Anemia.

Sirius read through them determinedly and his eyes lingered on "fainting." "But?"

"Now, he's doing much better. But if he does end up requiring a transfusion, we'd just need a small amount from you to get the replication spell started."

"From me?"

"You're the same type," she stated.

There was a lot that could be read into that. Things a fifteen year old version of him would've railed at to hear.

And yet…

It wasn't a one way thing…

"Sirius...he's not like you. And you're not going to change him."

Maybe he didn't have to? Maybe underneath, way deep down...he was already...

Sirius nodded. "...Alright. Let me know when-"

"Of course there's no pressure, it's just a precaution-"

"I'll do it," he answered determinedly...desperately. "Leave the paperwork. I'll get the signatures and send it in. I'll-"

"Now, I'm not supposed to say this. But...he's going to make a full recovery." She smiled. "Sometimes you can just tell. He's a fighter."

He watched Regulus rush down the stairs towards them with more energy than he'd seen in a long time and he barely nipped the scolding in his throat.

Because he never wanted to sound like their parents...only...now that wasn't as terrible a thing as it used to be.

Because neither of them were around.

James shifted uncomfortably, leaning against an overpacked shelf in Flourish & Blotts with books jabbing into his back.

"I can't believe he poisoned him," Lily murmured in shock. "I don't care how many points for Slytherin they earned."

They'd met up by chance and for the first time in his life, he wasn't overwhelmed by heady feelings of delight by her proximity.

He felt that undeniable tug of attraction but…

Now wasn't the time.

He always wanted to make a good impression on her and right now…

Right now...he was so afraid of losing his temper.

Because he wasn't surprised in the slightest that Snape would throw a friend under the bus for the sake of his own glory.

But Snape had been her closest friend once…

Before…

"'I don't need help from filthy little Mudbloods like her!'"

His fists clenched. "Supposedly, he'd already been poisoned before that-"

"So I've heard." Green eyes watched him closely and she continued, "I heard a rumor from Finch Fletchley...his aunt works at Mungo's-"

His nose wrinkled and he finished, "It was a muggle poison."

She gave him a look on hearing his tone. No doubt, she didn't appreciate the insinuation that Snape's half-blood status automatically made him a suspect in James and Sirius's book.

Though neither could figure out a real motive for him; they were supposed to be friends.

He fidgeted. "Right, right. O'course. Sorry. I didn't meant to...it's just..." He ran a hand through his hair, thoroughly stressed. "I'm stressed. Sirius is afraid."

"Why?"

"Because he's a muggle sympathizer!" he snapped. "They could frame him! Set him up for some ridiculous 'revenge' scheme. I...I'm afraid..for him. I...sorry, Evans. I...I don't mean t-to yell at you...I just...I should go."

Her face softened and she moved in front of him—cutting off his route of escape,

"Pott...James...I'm really sorry. It's terrible. And no one knows how it happened?"

He shook his head, jaw tight, hazel eyes dark.

"Well then," she began with an almost arrogant toss of her head, which made her red hair bounce and catch the light. And he felt his eyes instinctively follow it.

That hair. He mused it was her hair that had snagged his attention from the start on the train to Hogwarts and triggered his falling in love with her.

And her eyes had sealed the deal.

For better or worse.

"We obviously need to solve this immediately. Or you're never going to be able to focus on your Head Boy duties and I….I-I refuse to shoulder all the work on your behalf! Even if you and your friends are having troubles."

He gave a small smile and looked up at the old iron chandelier hanging in the shop. "Thank you, Lily."

And that kindness in her...kept him in love with her.

It was good to know that someone else knew intrinsically that Sirius was innocent. She hadn't even entertained the idea of him hurting his brother. Even though the little git was awful to him and probably deserved a punch or three.

From what James had gleaned, it sounded like Regulus didn't appreciate any of the effort Sirius was making to reconnect with him.

And though Sirius didn't say it, because James would use it as a reason for him to stop going, it hurt him.

And no one got to hurt people James cared about.

Especially not rude little xenophobic creeps!

Even if life was giving them brutal bludgers left and right!

James released a breath and tried to force gratitude and warmth into his voice, since she was trying so hard to be helpful. And he wanted her to know he appreciated it. "You're the cleverest witch I know. I'm sure with your help, we'll sort it all out."

Had he been less focused on those melted candles and more on her, he would've seen her blush.

Sirius ran a hand through his hair in agitation as his mates laughed at his expense; he kept bombing questions.

"Shut up, Peter."

The blond snickered harder and dodged his swat.

"I just...I can't believe you left this all to the last minute," Remus muttered. "Pads, you had two additional weeks!"

"I just couldn't focus."

"Yeah, I get that," James murmured, eye to eye with a rather vicious looking stuffed lethifold. "This place is creepy, I can't believe you've managed to sleep here at all."

It wasn't just that though…

It was that Snape kept visiting the past few days to help Regulus study. And while there was an unspoken truce in effect that there'd be no fighting with Pollux present, his oily presence made Sirius seethe.

And his grandfather seemed to sense his hate because he started showing up for meals. Which meant having to sit across from the git and...treat him like a guest.

He finally just invited his own friends over because if he had to be outnumbered by

Slytherins one more time...especially with Snape giving him that smug smirk…

James looked over Remus's shoulder and read out, "List the four main attributes of Goblin government."

He shocked them by blanking out on the last two and they agreed to take a break. At least Sirius knew it wasn't just him, being in a dark wizard's home could put anyone on edge.

Peter kept gasping whenever he came across a particularly fierce looking creature and Remus muttered that it was good to know that if he ever had to be hunted, there'd be a spot in this collection for him.

When lunch came around, they had to go searching for Regulus and Snape.

Apparently, Pollux could start eating because this was his house and he could do whatever he pleased but if the rest of them were going to have a morsel, they had to find the twosome first.

Remus suggested asking one of the manor's house elves for help and flagged one down. And that brought about the unhappy reveal that they didn't take orders from half-bloods.

Sirius almost left right then because Peter and Remus had been so shocked…

And James was furious.

But then Kreacher skulked by and muttered begrudgingly, "If Master is looking for young Master, he is in the dungeons."

When Sirius challenged the validity of the tip, because Kreacher rarely helped him for no reason, the creature shrugged, "Young master needs to take his medicine with lunch."

"Right."

Their quest led them down through dark tunnels.

"Just when I think this place can't get worse," Remus grumbled.

James whistled and it echoed. "Your family's twisted, Pads. I can't believe there's an actual dungeon here."

"I can," Remus replied.

Then they heard laughing.

"Must feel like home to them," Peter offered.

Sirius frowned.

There was something ingrained in being a marauder that made them all approach cautiously, quietly. Eavesdropping always had perks.

There were a handful of candles and the cauldron's burner lit up the area haphazardly.

Dim and spooky; Snape's natural habitat.

Regulus shook his head and snickered, "This is so stupid, I shouldn't have to do this. I mean, really, smell that. That's awful. It's supposed to smell like that?"

Well yeah, Sirius winced as the odor assaulted him, it was Girding Potion.

"It's Girding Potion, Reg, and yes."

"Rancid."

"Reg-"

"Are you nose-blind, cuz that's a feat considering your physiol-"

"Nose jokes, yes, I came here for those."

"..."

"Focus. Fairy wings, doxy eggs, dragonfly thoraxes, aaand?"

"...flying seahorses?"

"Yes! Now, what was the order of the colors."

"Ugh."

"Reg, I told you to pay attention."

"I know, I know. Um...the potion turned turquoise then pink then blue? No! Red!"

"Good."

"Then blue, silver...um...red?"

"Good."

"Blue again and then green."

"You might pass this."

Regulus laughed. "I guess that's better than yesterday's 'You won't pass this.' Still, maybe we should take a break and study something els-"

"No."

"But-"

"No, this is the subject you need help with. You know the others. And I brought you all of my fourth year notes—I aced that class! These are worth their weight in gold. I mean, honestly, you can't think I've held onto all of these for the past two years for my own sake?"

"No...I appreciate it. I just...hate this subject."

"You can't fail this, Reg. I won't forgive you. Your mum couldn't bear the shame-Sorry."

Regulus went quiet.

"Sorry. Reg, I'm-"

"No...it's...she's...doing better. Uncle Cyg says when he visited her she...she knew what month it was and that...she's starting to wonder where I am."

"...Why isn't she here?"

"Because Alphard is stupid. He's all, 'You shouldn't see her this way.' You know? Like I hadn't seen her before?!"

"..."

"...Stupid...I know what to say. Not to upset her. Cuz you know she thinks Dad is just downstairs in the office and Sirius is out with his friends. And that's fine. I know how to deal with that. With her-"

"Sirius?" James questioned softly.

And he realized he had one of the cell's iron bars in a white knuckled grip.

Because…

It wasn't right that Regulus knew how to deal with that.

He should never have had to.

Sirius set the pensieve down, careful not to let any of the liquid spill.

They'd returned to the Potters' homestead for the rest of the afternoon when it was clear that Sirius just couldn't concentrate in such close proximity to Snape.

It didn't help that Snape, knowing he was safe with Pollux nearby, kept goading him and Pollux thought that was amusing and sometimes joined in.

Being away from the oppressive atmosphere of Black Manor was the key to getting him to relax.

After a brief game of Quidditch, Mrs. Potter making him that stew he loved, and James agreeing to come over with him the next day to the test and wait for him to finish, he finally relaxed.

Memorizing answers for his N.E.W.T.s was a piece of cake after that and by eight, he declared himself a shoo-in for O's. That's when plans for visiting a muggle cinema arose and then got canceled. Peter's mom had fetched him after dinner because of a surprise visit from a great aunt and he begged them to postpone their outing.

It seemed as good a way as any to celebrate Sirius acing his exams...and Regulus, whether he admitted it or not, enjoyed movies...maybe he could rope him into joining?

"Your exam is tomorrow," Remus reminded him. "Can't this wait?"

No. It couldn't.

Now, he was antsy. He wanted to do something! Wanted to get an upper hand against Snape.

"I really don't think this is right," Remus muttered. "These are Snape's memories. It's private. I can't believe you guys would take-"

"You don't have to look," James suggested. "In fact, you can stand guard if you want."

Because the Potters would NOT have condoned their actions and knowing Mrs. Potter, if she caught them, would march them over to apologize...no matter what hour of night it was.

Remus gave a long suffering sigh and locked the door before joining them.

James and Sirius shared a grin.

The first two memories were a bust, boring summer jobs as a food vendor in a muggle mall.

Though the second had involved trying to teach Regulus how to use an escalator with hilarious results and the younger Black declaring that lifts and stairs were not meant to marry.

The next memory was a younger Snape waiting in a darkened hallway while a man yelled and cursed at Snape's mom until she cried.

"I'm not comfortable with this," Remus stated—voicing the unease they all felt at the scene.

The pensieve responded and the scene rippled and they suddenly found themselves in Diagon Alley.

"I'm not comfortable with this," a small twelve year old Regulus mumbled as he looked around nervously. "I-I'm not s'posed to-"

"Do you really want an afternoon of this?" Snape prompted, waving a hand to where Sirius and James were panning out to look for him.

James whistled as if for a dog. "Reeeegggie. C'mere, boy."

Regulus bristled. "Ugh, I hate you so much, James Potter."

An older James sighed. "I was just teasing you, Regulus."

"C'mon, ditch the Gryffindorks."

Sirius's jaw dropped. Talk about coincidences. He'd been thinking about this. Snape caused it?!

"Mum said-"

"Reg-"

"We have to drop this-" He raised a bag he was carrying. "-Off in Knockturn Alley."

Snape mulled that over. "Alright, I've an apothecarist I want to visit-"

"Mum says Sirius has to be with me-"

"Your mum just doesn't want you to be alone in Knockturn, she'd be fine with me-"

"Sirius is s'pos-"

"Sirius didn't show you around Hogwarts. I did. And I can tell you, now. Sirius doesn't know Knockturn Alley like I do."

"I'm sure," Regulus deadpanned. He sighed. "We're supposed to go by the Quidditch-"

"We can go there, too. On the way back. You just need to slip off, you can meet me at the corner by-"

"I don't know how to slip off. He'll catch me and he'll tell Mum and Dad!"

"The trick is to let them do the losing."

Regulus gave him a doubtful look. "Kay, I'll try."

It didn't work.

It just made Sirius annoyed.

"Stop dragging me," Regulus whined, trying to get out of his brother's headlock hold.

"Then stop dragging your feet!" Sirius released him to poke him in the chest. "You begged to come."

"I know but-"

"Reggie, I swear we will go to Quality Quidditch Supplies. But we'll do it on the way back so we don't have to be lugging bags around."

Regulus sighed and shifted his hold on the bag he was carrying.

Sirius sighed. "Here, I'll hold it."

"No, I got it!"

Sirius crossed his arms. "If you get tired and drop it, don't even think about blaming it on

me."

"Fine, I won't."

They moved into the holiday bustle. And to Snape's satisfaction, the crowd, the mud, the weight of the bag, and the patches of snow here and there began slowing Regulus down. He began struggling in earnest to keep up.

Snape grabbed the younger boy's scarf and yanked him back. "Now, wait for this vendor to pass."

"Sev…" He looked back and forth from Snape to Sirius and back. "I dunno…"

"It'll be fine."

A merchant was moving their trailer and Snape maneuvered them behind it. "Follow for a bit and then we'll double back to the shop. I know another way to Knockturn-"

But Regulus had barely turned to follow him when—

"Reggie, I TOLD you to stay close!" Sirius ranted as he stalked over. "And you're losing your scarf. I told you to knot it." He reached for the green and grey scarf and tied it like his own.

"There. Keep it like that. You'll stay warmer."

It was another two shops later that Snape realized Regulus just didn't have what it took to run off from his brother.

So he lurked behind some long drapes and when Regulus drew near, grabbed him, and hid him.

"Creep around bridges on your days off, troll?" Reg muttered darkly. "You seem like you've done this before."

"Shut up."

Regulus looked like he wanted to protest.

"You think Evans would like stuff like this?" James gestured to a display of perfumes.

"Not from you, mate. Honestly, I just don't think she's-"

James's face soured and Snape smirked.

"-Don't know what her problem is. I mean, yeah, sometimes I mess up or I go too far but I never just-C'mon, you've got to know something on how I can get in her good graces."

"How would I know?" Sirius squawked.

"You've got girl cousins-"

"Yeah, but we're not really-I mean, Andy's not a girly girl. And Bellatrix is ugh-"

"But Narcissa is!" James pressed.

"Reg is the one to ask. He's her favorite. Whaddya say, Reg? The pink or the blue-" Sirius

looked around. "Reggie? Reg! He was behind you, right?"

"Huh?"

"Regulus!"

"Er, I thought so?"

"James! I told you we have to watch him. Mum'll kill me if something happens to her precious Reggiekins!" Sirius grumbled bitterly. "Reggie, I swear if you're hiding on purpose, I'm going to-"

Regulus shuddered and gave a pleading look to Severus to let him go.

When they came close Snape clapped a hand over Regulus's mouth and nose, which he only removed when the others left for another part of the store to continue their search.

Regulus panted and shoved him away angrily. "That was all shades of creepy, you know?"

"Clearly, you've never had to be silent before."

Sirius fidgeted at the implication, getting the feeling that the angry man of the previous memory was Snape's father. And if Snape wasn't silent…

Still, it didn't make manhandling his brother like that alright.

Regulus blew out a breath that messed with his fringe. "Whatever. Well, what're we supposed to do now? I mean, eventually I'll have to meet back up with him. We have to catch the Knight Bus later. I..I kinda forgot my wand, so I really will need him for them to let me on-"

"I have to take the bus, too. Stop worrying. Let's go."

"What about-"

"C'mon. I just want to test something."

Regulus cocked his head to the side, "Huh?"

Snape stilled. "At...at a store...I need an ingredient to test something. Look, we'll have fun."

"We better. He's gonna yell at me later."

Sirius nodded. He did. In Knockturn Alley, a few hours later he had a meltdown—having raced all over to try and track Regulus down. And it was only by a combination of Regulus bursting into tears, and the shopkeeper physically throwing them both out, and that getting his brother genuinely scared, that Sirius calmed down.

It was weird watching it from Snape's perspective though, he'd seemed perversely pleased by the whole debacle.

And it confirmed a lot of Sirius's worst suspicions.

Snape had wanted to test something alright: him.

He snickered as he watched the brothers through a grimy shop window. "Well, well, Black. Guess there is a chip in your armor after all."

Because when James arrived and tried to give Regulus a swat on the head (for causing so much mayhem), Sirius shoved him hard enough he nearly fell.

Snape laughed.

It was so-so Snape-like to befriend his brother just as leverage against him. His nose wrinkled. The next time he saw him...he cracked his knuckles.

James wore a similar look of disgust at their enemy's actions and caught Sirius's eye.

"Alright, Sirius, Pads the II can hang out with us. Just, until we find him some...un-evil friends."

Sirius glared at the memory's gleeful Snape.

God, he was such a dark, loathsome thing... up to his eyeballs in Dark Arts and dark intentions and—

Inspiration struck.

He'd know...

He made a habit of knowing all sorts of high society Pureblood upper circle stuff. From Dark Arts to social etiquette...

Because his blood would never be enough to gain him entry. He had to get an advantage, a clearance through other means...through alliance...or ruthlessness or favors...or knowledge.

He would know.

"What's a cleansing?" Sirius demanded.

The pensieve responded.

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