Title: Regrets, Memories and Healing
Author: AntiLupinTonks
Beta: Vikertee
A/N: Thanks to all my reviewers! Love you guys. Here...have a cookie.
So sorry for the late update but up until recently I had every intention of abandoning this fic. But, I was trying to get to sleep one night and a burst of inspiration struck me. So here's the next chapter!
Chapter Nine:
"I'll wait outside, and keep the car running." Frank assured the two teens, a grim expression stuck on his face. Remus and Sirius nodded before disappearing together into the darkness. They moved quickly and quietly toward the towering building which was The Home.
"Okay, same thing as last time?" Sirius whispered as they crouched behind the bushes. Remus frowned,
"No way, I'm going with you."
"Fine, Fine." Together, they made their way to the door and Sirius hid in the shadows slightly as Remus rang the bell, and they waited...and waited...and waited.
"No answer..." Remus murmured as he looked upward, toward the windows that lead to the bedrooms. Sirius came out from his hiding spot and joined Remus on the step.
"Maybe they're all asleep." Sirius shrugged but Remus shook his head.
"No...maybe they're gone."
"Tsk Tsk...back already?" A voice came from behind them, and Sirius and Remus swiveled around.
"Father." Sirius greeted coldly and his gazed flickered around him, counting the men he had with him. Ten. Coward. Orion bowed his head and smirked, tugging a blindfolded figure next to him. Sirius ground his teeth together.
"I see you kept him alive."
"Sirius?" Regulus whispered, tugging against his father's grip.
"Shut up." Orion said serenely. "Did you come to give yourself up?"
"In your dreams."
Remus straightened his shoulders as Sirius tensed, preparing himself for a fight. Orion chuckled and took the revolver from his belt, surprising Sirius since he didn't notice it earlier. He cocked the gun and held it to Regulus head.
"In my dreams?" Sirius clenched his fists, a flicker of panic appearing in his eyes. Remus shifted uneasily.
"I...didn't think that was your style, Father. Much too messy..." Sirius answered nonchalantly, his mind racing for a way to get Regulus out of this. He was buying time and they all knew it.
Orion laughed, a sign of sadistic pleasure in the noise.
"You don't know me at all then, Sirius. I quite enjoy a nice messy murder. The more blood, the better." He said this in a quiet voice, making Sirius question his sanity once again. Regulus whimpered, drawing Sirius' attention back to his little brother. He had to think fast and so, doing the one thing he knew his father thought he'd never do...Sirius tackled him.
Surprised, Orion squeezed off a shot, missing all targets completely. The two black haired men rolled, and subconsciously Sirius noted Remus fighting off a couple of the goons and drawing Regulus to himself. Orion brought his elbow up swiftly, knocking the air out of Sirius' lungs and switched their positions. The click of the gear moving into place invaded Sirius muddled mind as he panted for breath and he threw all his weight at his father, forcing him to the ground. Another shot rang out. A gasp. Everyone froze. It was as if the world stopped as they all looked over to the blindfolded teen.
Regulus was stooped over, his hands to his stomach. Blood leaking from between his fingertips.
"No..." The word glided unnoticed from between Sirius' lips in a whisper. Regulus gasp, a raspy sound that scraped against his teeth and he shuddered.
"S-Siri..." The side of his mouth twitched and he fell, as if in slow motion, onto the ground where he lay still.
"NO!" Rage filled Sirius and he turned to the body under him and began to beat it mercilessly. He felt blood on his knuckles but he didn't stop, he continued to pound his fists into the now no responsive body. He felts arms grab his own and pull him up and back, dragging him away from his father. Still he swung, blindly swinging at the air. Nonsense words spilled from his lips and tears threatened to spill from his eyes but he held them back. The arms vanished and Sirius collapsed to his knees, panting and shaking. Arms encircled his waist and a head was laid on his shoulder. Remus. Sirius turned partially and whispered hoarsely,
"Is he...?" He felt the nod of confirmation and he felt his world fall out from under him. The stress was closing in on him, the air was becoming thick. "So sorry..." He whispered, barely audible before he succumbed to the darkness and everything went black.
--
Remus was able to brace himself for Sirius' fall and managed to catch him in time.
"Remus?" Frank called and the amber-eyed boy turned, pulling Sirius up so he carried him bridal-style.
"Over here." He said back in a normal tone. Frank emerged from the bushes, and he took in the scene.
"What the hell happened?" Remus just shook him head and motioned Frank closer.
"Here, take Sirius and go back home. I'll call the police and get all of this settled." Frank looked hesitant but he nodded, taking the unconscious boy from his arms and disappeared back in the direction of the car.
Remus pulled a mobile from his pocket and dialed, calling the police. He explained as best as he could the situation without stating names before fleeing the scene. He went to his old apartment and proceeded to remove all the clothes he didn't take before. Next, he went to the bank and took out all his savings. Lastly, he dialed an old friend up; he needed a ride back to Franks.
"Diagon Inn, James Potter speaking."
"Hey, James. It's Remus..."
--
Sirius sighed, as he woke, snuggling into the warm body next to him. Then the body went rigid and then disappeared completely. Confused, Sirius blinked grey eyes open to be met with surprised amber ones.
"S-Sirius?" Remus whispered.
"Yes?" Sirius whispered back; what type of game was this? Suddenly Sirius found his arms full of the smaller boy as he, reflexively, returned the hug. "Not that I don't appreciate the hug, but what's it for?"
Remus pulled back and there was a flicker of pity in his eyes.
"Siri..." He whispered and Sirius frowned.
"Wha--?" The door opened and only then did Sirius realize he was in a hospital room. A woman with red hair, twisted up in a bun peeked her head in and smiled warmly.
"Hey Remus, Sirius." Sirius looked over, forgetting about the conversation with Remus.
"Hello, my Lily-flower." Sirius smirked and winked cheekily. "I see you came to visit me. Missed me, did you?"
Lily merely rolled her eyes and mutter:
"Better not let James hear you say that."
"Who?" Sirius asked, an expression of confusion on his face.
"Lily's new boyfriend," a voice supplied from the doorway and Alice walked in, followed by her husband. Lily scowled and opened her mouth to protest, but Sirius beat her to it.
"But Lily..." he sniffed and wrapped his arms around an amused Remus.
"Well, if I can't have you, I'll have to settle for Moony here." Remus gasped and landed a smack on Sirius' head. Sirius smiled and nudged Remus' neck with his nose. "Just kidding, love."
Frank cleared his throat and looked away, flushing as the two woman cooed. Sirius rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. Now, Siriusly-" A chorus of groans "Why am I here?" Everyone's smiles disappeared.
"Er..." Remus muttered and sat up. Lily and Alice shot glares at him.
"He doesn't know?" Lily hissed.
"Well, how was I suppose to tell him?"
"Tell me what? Sirius butted in and all eyes snapped to him. Swallowing, Remus shifted, the flicker of pity returning to his eyes.
"Do you remember what you were doing before you blacked out?"
Sirius frowned, a line appearing between his brows.
"We were at...The House..." And then memories slammed into him as his body shuddered. Faintly, he could hear voices calling his name but he wasn't listening.
Regulus lay on the grass outside the house, red staining the front of his shirt. Eyes closed, he looked so peaceful and if it weren't for the lack of rising-and-falling of his chest he could have been asleep.
Vaguely, he noted he was crying and arms were wrapped around him as they rocked. Regulus was dead and it was all his fault.
--
The days after that were blurs to Sirius as they led up to Regulus' funeral. The teen stayed locked in his room and no amount of begging would get him to open the door. Finally, Lily had enough of his moping.
"SIRIUS BLACK!" She yelled, marching up the stairs. "GET YOUR ARSE OUT OF THAT ROOM OR SO HELP ME-" and the door swung open. Lily faltered but then continued on.
"YOU ARE SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD! YOU CANNOT AND I WILL NOT LET YOU ACT LIKE A CHILD!" Remus, Frank, Alice and James cringed as Lily continued her verbal onslaught.
"DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!" Sirius stared at her, black hair falling limp against his forehead, once sparkling grey eyes dull. He dragged a breath between chapped lips and nodded.
Lily's face softened as she opened her arms, drawing Sirius in.
"I only yell because I care, Sirius. Now c'mon, love. Get dressed and cleaned then come downstairs. You must be starved." She let go and turned, walking back down the stairs. The soft click as the door closed was her only reply.
--
Remus sighed and ran a hand through his hair. It'd been two hours since Lily came back downstairs and she was still confident that she got through to him. The three other people weren't so sure.
Sipping his tea, Remus halfheartedly watched James' attempts to woo Lily.
"Just one date, please..." He was begging now and as much as it amused Remus to watch him make a fool of himself, he stood and walked into the kitchen. He set his empty cup in the sink and turned on the water to rinse the remains of tear away when arms encircled his waist and a chin came to rest on his shoulder.
"M'sorry." Sirius muttered and Remus could feel that the taller boy's hair was still damp from the shower.
"For what?"
"For blocking you out." A butterfly-kiss was placed to tea back of his neck. Remus turned around and wrapped thin arms around Sirius' shoulders, threading his fingers through Sirius' hair.
"It's alright."
"Oh, um...sorry." An embarrassed voice came from the door and both boys turned to look. James ran a hand through his hair, a faint pink blush crawling up his cheeks. Sirius smiled and detangled himself from Remus, extending his hand to James.
"Sirius Black."
"Ja--"
"James Potter, I know." James frowned.
"How'd you kn--?"
"You worked at Diagon Inn, remember?" A flicker of recognition sparked through hazel eyes and his smile turned into a grin.
"Small world, eh?" Chuckling, Sirius grabbed Remus' hand, threading their fingers together.
"C'mon then." Sirius muttered and together they followed James into the living room.
"Hey, Evans!"
"What?"
"Go out with me?"
Sirius smiled and turned to Remus. Sure, he had his regrets and he had no doubt that at Regulus' funeral tomorrow he'd be a mess but with Remus by his side he knew he'd make it. Leaning down, Sirius dropped a smacking kiss to Remus' cheek causing a blush to erupt on Remus' face. Yes, with Remus there he knew he'd survive.
Fin.
A/N: Yes, it's over. Thanks to Vikertee and all my reviewers. No sequel is planned but if anyone has any ideas or wants to write the sequel themselves then you can contact me and I'd be happy to hear your ideas. (if you want to write the sequel yourself then just make sure I know before you do, and I get some credit.)
Antilupintonks.