Sirius woke to find Orion asleep in the chair next to him. It wasn't long until Regulus joined them. Sirius realized it had to be late "Ah, awake I see. Breathing trouble?" The younger brother asked.

"Some. S'to be expected though. Suddenly Sirius remembered hearing something about a party Professor Slughorn was having that Regulus was supposed to go to and the conversation the brothers had not long ago. "So, did you really-' Regulus shot him a look. He knew what Sirius was asking. "You didn't believe me when I said I wasn't going to that party" He said simply. Getting no reply he continued. "Well that is a shame because I was here with you brother. You can even ask your friends they were here too."

"My apologies" Sirius said coughing. Regulus sighed. "Oh no need for apologizing Sirius, it doesn't matter. But don't be too sure I am as heartless as I seem, after all I did write that letter and I did come to see you of my own free will." he added with a side glance. "I know you did and I am grateful. Old habits Reg, you know what they say about them." Sirius yawned. Regulus rolled his eyes. "Yes I've heard," Regulus walked to the side opposite is father and sat in the chair that Sirius realized wasn't there before. How long had they both been there? He thought to himself.

"Father stayed so he could be with you when they move you a little later, He's worried, you know." Sirius did know somehow, something in him knew from the moment Orion set foot inside the hospital wing. Why else would he have come, of course a part of Sirius also believed the reason was to protect Regulus, the 'favorite son' Sirius gave no reply. There followed several moments of silence in which neither brother made eye contact, seemingly purposely.

"Potter sends his best wishes. He would have come in but as I hear it he had to be somewhere last night and he told me that you would understand. He-" It took only a minute for Sirius to realize he must have missed the transformation. He didn't think however that he had slept so long. Last night, that would put him somewhere in early morning just about the time James and Peter would be leaving Remus for Madame Pomfrey to help him back from the willow.

As if cued, Madame Pomfrey opened the doors as quietly as she could while helping Remus over to the bed wrapped in a blanket. He laid in the bed silently the pain evident on his face. Cuts covered the visible parts of his body. Sirius never did like to see his friends in pain. No one deserved what Remus had to deal with. Not even his worst enemy. Well he may not care if it were Snape but no one else. Okay maybe his Mother he added to his thought.

"Your friend looks like he got into a fight with something big...and lost" Regulus commented slightly curious about the events that lead to such a state,

"Nip it Reg, it's none of your concern. Remus has enough to deal with without you sticking your nose in where it doesn't belong" Sirius growled angrily.

"Okay Brother, I am sorry, calm down irritation is not going to help your condition"

Sirius grabbed Regulus by his shirt collar and pulled him down to whisper in his ear. "Nor will it help yours if you don't stop causing it, leave it alone Reg." Sirius warned. Regulus threw his hand up surrendering.

"Alright Sirius consider the matter dropped. I was only saying-"

"well don't" Sirius coughed this time the pain was the worst he had ever felt.

The sound woke Orion who was immediately alarmed.

"take it easy Sirius. Relax. You will be feeling better soon, everything is set up for you to be moved in a very short time. Try to rest." Orion soothed. Sirius closed his eyes and did in fact fall asleep.

Upon opening his eyes Sirius realized his surroundings had changed. He was no longer in the castle, a faint beeping at his side caught his attention and when he moved he felt something attached to his chest. He looked down. Small stickers had been pressed on to him and were connected to wires leading to the source of the sounds.

Sirius raised a hand to touch them but saw that a thin tube was connecting his arm to a transparent bag which held clear liquid "what the-" he began looking around curiously. The room was white and smelled funny, Sirius hated that smell. "Good after noon Sirius how are you feeling?" Sirius looked toward the voice. There standing next to him was Albus Dumbledore. "Starting to feel better I think though I do feel a bit dizzy" Sirius admitted Dumbledore nodded. "a side effect of your current medication nothing to be concerned about." He answered in a quiet tone. "Your father will return shortly, he stepped out not a moment before you wakened, The Doctors have informed him of your condition and he has permitted me to alert you to it." Dumbledore sat down next to the bed.

"we already know what's wrong with me though. I just want to know when I can get out of here." Sirius said attempting to sit up"

"Sirius you must not over tire yourself. Pneumonia is worsened by not getting enough rest and over doing things. The doctors have recommended complete rest for several days. Double pneumonia can become something more concerning, which is where yours was taking you. Your brother's letter helped to speed things along when it forced me to contact your father." Dumbledore explained.

"Regulus saved my life then." Sirius said slowly "it would appear that way Sirius." Dumbledore confirmed. Sirius sat in stunned silence. So much could have gone wrong with his brother's plan. Regulus had meant it. If she had ever found out His Mother may actually kill Regulus for saving his life, it was not only a one way ticket to being blasted off the family tapestry but out of bring "the good son" and with his mother's temper Sirius would put nothing past her. He owed Regulus his life.

Dumbledore was about to continue when there was a soft knock at the door and Regulus walked in seemingly unnerved by the place. "I do not understand how these people can stay in a place like this it is so... I can not even come up with the right word. A new one shall have to be invented Merlin's beard." Sirius laughed suddenly. Dumbledore himself was smiling but offered the brothers time to themselves, claiming he needed to attend to some work since Sirius was no longer alone.

"Don't you know what a hospital is Reg, 'these people' don't have much of a choice. It's not a bloody resort." Sirius said chuckling. Regulus sighed. "yes well, be that as it may this place is horrid and what is that smell?" Sirius shook his head. "Have a seat little brother, visit a while." Sirius gestured to the chair Dumbledore had occupied moments before and Regulus took the invitation. It was then that Sirius noticed a red envelope in hid brother's hand.

"I believe I shall, thank you. So how are you feeling?" Regulus asked absentmindedly playing with the object in his hand. "Grateful and Lucky to have you Reg." Regulus tilted his head curiously. He was obviously not told and perhaps it was Sirius who was meant to have this talk with him.

"What are you on about, has the fever gotten to you, older brothers are not supposed to say such things out loud, it threatens the connection." Regulus said now trying even harder to keep up his rigid act.

"No one's told you about what the doctors have said on my health then?" Sirius asked relaxing more into the pillow. Regulus seemed worried now. "What did they say?" Sirius grinned. "Not all that much Reg, just that-" He paused for effect. Regulus moved to the end of his seat "Sirius you'd better tell me right now. I'm not messing around!You tell me right now or I'll -" "Oh Reg, Mr. Proper has stepped out I see" Regulus realized what he had done a d stopped trying to regain his image. He cleared his throat. "Enough nonsense Sirius what news do you have": "Give it up Reg, You lost I. You don't need to be that way with me, save it for mum and dad. You'll have enough trouble as it is if mum hears what you've done." "Well what have I done then Sirius I don't understand"

"You saved my life Reg. Literally, Doctors said I was getting worse and if you hadn't written Dumbledore, I would probably not live much longer" Sirius smiled "Thank you Reg. Of course you know now that I owe you my life by wizard's honor. So whatever you need whenever-" Regulus grabbed Sirius's hand "No Sirius you don't owe me anything at all, I mean it. We are brothers, that's what we do, care for each other" Suddenly he remembered the envelope in his other hand. "This, this is for you Sirius but please wait until I leave to open it" Regulus handed him the envelope, Sirius' name written in elegant letters. Sirius promised to wait and the two brother no longer rigid or angry sat and talked. Catching up on all Sirius had missed in Regulus' life since having to leave. There was laughter and tears from the younger boy. No matter what Regulus did Sirius was still his big brother and would always love Regulus and Reg, in return would always find a way to his brother no matter what the cost to himself.

Sirius sighed lying in his old room at number 12 Grimauld place. "Oh Reg, I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. You are still in my heart, now and always."Sirius whispered into the quiet dark room. In Sirius' hand sat the red envelope from that long ago day Sirius hadn't looked at it in years. Slowly he opened it up and revealed a letter written by Regulus.

Dearest Sirius,

As long as I can remember, You have been the one on my side when everyone else around me abandons me and I am left with nothing, You stand at my side ready to fight for me and guide me. Even now after all that has happened between us. You've always said that we all have choices to make. Mum made hers to call you a blood traitor and ask for me to join her in this belief.

Blood traitor and rewarded or brother and discarded .

I choose Brother.

I will make you proud

All my love ,

Regulus

Sirius smiled yet despite this tears fell. "I love you Reg, and you have made me proud... more than you'll ever know. I've learned your secret Reg. You truly were very brave. Sirius sat the note down on his bedside table and laid down for the night and reached over to his lamp, turned out the light and was asleep almost immediately. After all he had to see Harry off in the morning, He couldn't be late for that.

An: well it's finally finished. I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you to everyone who has stuck with it and has given continued support to my writings.