Katniss' POV:
"Professor Lupin?" Regulus inquires timidly.
"What do you need, Regulus? Is something bothering you?" I ask, concerned.
"I just need to get something off my chest. It's about Sirius," Regulus explains as he leans against the wall, his back facing me.
"I'll listen until you're done," I say and allow Regulus to speak with me just listening.
"My brother and I don't come from the best family, as you know. For the last few years, he's been living with the Potters after my parents kicked him out for befriending a blood-traitor family. He said he'd never leave me behind. And yet, he did. After that, he stopped talking to me. He began to glare at me whenever we passed each other in the hall. It hurts knowing my older brother, my best friend, left me and didn't look back. I want to leave my family's house. I want to get away from my abusive parents. I want to reconnect with my older brother. I just don't know how. Could you help me escape my parents and reconnect with my older brother?" Regulus rants. I surprise Regulus by embracing him tightly and rubbing his back comfortingly.
"Oh, darling. Of course, I'll help you. I have an idea already brewing. Why don't you stay here for a moment? I'll be right back," I say, pulling back and looking into Regulus' stormy grey eyes that match his brother's. Regulus nods and twirls his wand to occupy himself until I get back. I leave the classroom. The portrait at the entrance to the Gryffindor tower nods her head at me and opens the entrance to allow me through.
I whistle sharply, causing all eyes to fall on me. "I require Sirius Black, James Potter, and Remus Lupin to follow me, now," I announce. The three boys mentioned look at me confused, but follow me out of the Gryffindor tower. "There is something rather important I require from you three. But first, I must get Albus and Minerva," I explain vaguely. "Lemon drops," I say to the gargoyles guarding Albus' office. "Albus, Minerva. There is something urgent I must speak to you about in my classroom. It requires the audience of these three Gryffindors in addition to a Slytherin who came to me with a rather urgent request," I say. The two adults glance at each other before following me. I lead the group back to my classroom. Once we get into the room, I lock the door and cast a privacy spell.
"Now, a few minutes after the last class, Regulus Black came to me with the request to confide in me. I won't say what he said, I'd prefer if he said it. Either way, I have a solution to his second request. Regulus, would you mind explaining what you told me? Anything you say, is not to be told to anyone other than us seven, does everyone understand?" I state, leaning against my desk next to Regulus.
"Yes, Ma'am/Yes, Professor/Of course, Katniss," are the responses I gain.
"I don't mind explaining. After the last class, I came to Professor Lupin with the request to confide in her. I needed someone to talk to who would just listen and not interrupt, or judge me in the end. From the short time I've known her, she's become more than a professor, I consider her a close friend now. I confided in her a very personal thing, something I haven't spoken of since I joined Hogwarts. My brother and I don't come from the best family, I know that. My brother has been living with the Potters for the last few years after my parents kicked him out for befriending a blood-traitor family. He said he'd never leave me behind. And yet, he did. After that, he stopped talking to me. He began to glare at me whenever we passed each other in the hall. It hurts knowing my older brother, my best friend, left me and didn't look back. I want to leave my family's house. I want to get away from my abusive parents. I want to reconnect with my older brother. I just don't know how. My second request was that Professor Katniss help me, in some way, get away from my abusive family and reconnect with my older brother," Regulus explains, keeping his gaze away from Sirius, only looking up at his older brother a few times.
"I agreed to his second request. I had an idea brewing throughout the duration that Regulus confided in me. Now, it will only work if everyone here agrees. I'd like to take back custody of Remus. In addition to that, I'd like to fight for custody of Regulus and Sirius from their parents," I explain, to the shock of everyone in the room. Regulus and Sirius gape at me in shock.
"We'll help you fight for custody of Regulus and Sirius," Minerva says with a gesture to her and Albus.
"I'm sure we can get the rest of the staff on it. It'll make everyone rest easier, knowing Sirius and Regulus are being cared for by someone other than their abusive family," Albus adds with a nod.
"So, boys. What do you say? Are you ready to fight against your abusive family, Regulus, Sirius? Until this is resolved and until I get custody of you two, I'd prefer it if you joined me either at the Potter family home or here during the holidays and over the summer," I inquire, standing from where I was leaning against my desk.
"As long as I get my little brother out of there, I'm ready to fight," Sirius says, looking at Regulus determinedly.
"We're with Sirius," James says as he and Remus stand next to Sirius.
"I'll call a staff meeting tomorrow after lunch. Until then, keep this to yourselves," Albus says. He and Minerva walk out the door after I unlock it.
"One more thing, Regulus. I don't hate you, I never did. I didn't mean to leave you, I didn't want to leave without you. Our parents stopped me at the door as I was walking out. They told me that if I so much as looked at you while at Hogwarts, they would harm you to the point of no recognition. I couldn't get you out in time, and I'm truly sorry for that," Sirius says before wrapping his brother up in a tight embrace. The brothers cry into one another's shoulders as they hold one another tightly.
"I'll lead you back to your common rooms. Remember, not a word of this to anyone else," I say after the two brothers pull away.
I lead the four boys back to their common rooms. Regulus and Sirius hug once more before Sirius follows James into the Gryffindor common room. Remus turns to me and I hug my son. I kiss the top of his head gently before pulling away. "I love you, Remus. Keep an eye on Sirius and James for Regulus and I. Also, watch Peter. I have a bad feeling about him. Something dark surrounds him. I hope you three can turn him to either the light or neutral before he does something terrible," I say, warning Remus of Peter.
"I'll keep an eye on them. I love you too, Mom. See you later," Remus says.
"See you later, my pup," I reply before guiding Regulus back to the Slytherin common room.
"Thank you, Professor. For listening and helping," Regulus says.
"Of course, Regulus. And please, once this is all over, call me anything but Professor," I state.
"Got it. See you later, Professor," Regulus says. I nod and watch as he enters the Slytherin common room. I walk back to my classroom. I pack up before walking to my chambers, which aren't far from the Slytherin common room, in the dungeons.