Title: Regrets, Memories or Healing.
Author: AntiLupinTonks
Beta: Vikertee
Disclaimer: Blahblah. DON'T OWN.
A/N: Hmm. Little background info:
Day: Saturday.
Time: 9:41 pm
Mood: Bored out of my minddd.
Listening to: Strange and Beautiful - Aqualung.
I haven't heard from my beta in...err...four days sooo chapter four is actually sent to her already but I decided to go ahead and just start writing this one.
-- Previously on Regrets, Memories and Healing --
1...Caroline...2...Francine...3...Joseph...4...
He stopped.
4...Regulus. The tiny sign, hung on the door, read in loopy letters.
He knew better than to knock and instead pressed his ear to the door, listening for motion. There was no sound.
Sirius sighed and turned the knob, pushing the door open silently. He poked his head in.
-- Chapter Five --
He smiled. Regulus was kneeled in front of his bed, his eyes closed tightly and his elbows resting on the mattress. His lips moved in silent prayer.
Sirius stepped into the room, making sure to lightly close the door behind himself and padded silently across the room to where his brother sat. He positioned himself next to him, his elbows next to Regulus.
"Amen..." He heard his brother whisper and grinned, turning his head to stare into two very surprised eyes.
"Hey, Reg. Miss me?" Regulus launched himself at the taller boy and hugged him tightly, pressing his face into Sirius' shoulder, making his rescuer laugh.
The small boy pulled back and stared at Sirius, his grey eyes filling with tears. He grinned.
"You came back!" Sirius quickly shushed him and nodded.
"Of course I did, but we have to hurry. C'mon." He said and stood. "Leave your stuff" he added when he saw Regulus reach for his dresser.
Together, they tiptoed out into the hall and toward the stairs.
"And where d'ya think you're goin'?" A gruff voice came from behind them and the brothers froze. Regulus swallowed and looked over his shoulder.
"Erm...just for a drink, sir." He said, nudging Sirius his the side to let him know that he'd take care of the issue.
"Oh yeah?" The voice came again. "The water's in your room, lad. Y'know that."
"I-I ran out..." Regulus whispered and winced lightly at his stutter.
"Ran out?!" He barked a laugh. "'ow much water yeh drinkin'?"
Regulus giggled nervously and started edging backwards, Sirius following his lead.
"Who's yer friend?" Both of the brothers flinched.
"N-No one. J-Just...erm...Joseph...h-he's thirsty too..." Regulus swallowed hard and gave a shaky smile. Sirius heard the man behind him snort.
"I jus' saw Joseph. Sound asleep, the good lad." He stepped a bit closer. "Stop playin' games now, y'hear? Jus' tell me who the lad is..."
Sirius swiveled around but hunched his back, partly hidding his face in shadow.
"Henry. I just came today..."
The man in front of him was tall and wide, he seemed almost three times the size of a regular man. His face was kind but hard, his eyes narrowed.
"Oh? Henry, yeah? Must've missed the memo...I'm Hagrid." He grinned, his face brightening and shoving a large and calloused hand in Sirius' direction.
Sirius shook his hand hesitantly, wincing at the strong grip.
Hagrid stuffed his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels, a bit like a child.
"Alrigh' then. Go on and get yer water. Then get on straight back teh bed, y'hear?"
Sirius and Regulus both nodded before scrambling down the stairs toward the kitchen.
The older of the two leaned his hands against the counter, panting.
"Too close. They must have raised the security since I left..."
Regulus merely nodded.
"So who's helping you get me out? It can't just be you..." Sirius looked offended. "No, no. Not like that." Regulus was quick to reassure. "I meant that it would be hard for you to keep watch and get me out at the same time...someone had to be watching for Brian, right?"
Sirius nodded slowly. "Okay, then. Who is it?"
"Just a guy I met. Remus Lupin. You'd like him..." he smiled. "He has these amazing eyes that just sort of bore into you, and he smells really good. Like books and Autumn wind..." Regulus snickered. "What?"
"Nothing..." The shorter boy smirked, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "But I think Siri's in love."
Sirius blushed and mumbled something along the lines of 'shut up'.
They stood there in peaceful silence for a few moments before Hagrid's heavy steps on the stairs forced them to think fast.
"Quick!" Regulus hissed. "Out the back door..."
Sirius stumbled over to the door and turned the knob. Locked.
Panicking, Sirius turned to Regulus and opened his mouth.
"You g--" DING. DONG. DOONNNG DIIINNNG.
The ancient bell chimed throughout the entire house and sent a shiver down Sirius' back. The steps on the stairs paused.
DING DONG DONNGG DIIINNG!
"Alrigh', Alrigh'. Keep yur pants on." The steps continued but turned away from the kitchen, through the living and opened the front door. The brothers were frozen where they stood.
A muffled conversation could be heard and Sirius motioned toward Regulus. Together, they tip toed toward the kitchen door, preparing to pry it open when a familiar voice stopped them.
"I'm here for my son. Regulus."
The color drained from Sirius' face.
TBC.
A/N: I have this finished...but my Beta still hasn't sent me chapter four back. I don't know when this will be up...so I'm sorry if it's late. If it isn't...Yay Vikertee!
A/N (edit): Okay Okay, Vikertee was away so PHEW. But just because of that I'm updating so soon. : Umm. Yeah. When I get up to 20 reviews I'm going to update...
Chapter six is already beta'd and ready to go...just...REVIEW. KTHNX.
ANTILUPINTONKS