It was now summer vacation and in 2 weeks Sirius, the eldest Black, would be off to Hogwarts. Their parents were naturally proud, but Wallburga more so because this was the beginning of a new age; her sons were embarking out into the wizarding world and soon they will fix it.
She was sitting in the parlor writing a letter to McGonagall to confirm Sirius's attendance in the coming year for Hogwarts. She heard a mischievous giggle from the other room that she knew to be Regulus and a moment later Kreacher ran past screaming. She sighed.
"Regulus, you better not be doing anything a young Black wouldn't do" she called out but remained concentrated in her letter which was now over two pages long.
"Mother" she looked up to see Sirius, who had really grown up in the past year. He was taller now for an eleven year old, his hair elegantly over his forehead and his features starting to stand out. She knew he was going to be a lady killer soon. Just like his father, she thought grimly.
"Mother, why can't I go with you to Diagon Alley? I want to buy my school supplies too."
"No" she said firmly. "You will stay here and take care of your little brother. Diagon Alley is full of all kinds of people at this time and I really don't want you catching any diseases"
He didn't say anything but glowered and walked away.
She felt a moment of regret. Buying school supplies for the first time was a big moment for a wizard or witch but she couldn't take them out yet to Diagon Alley. It was still too soon. Besides, Orion had been quite adamant about it too. He was fast becoming an over protective father, well he was always over protective but now he was close to paranoia.
She sealed the letter and left it there for Kreacher to mail. She went to the other room where Regulus was humming gladly to himself and Sirius was intently reading a comic.
"Now children, I will be coming back in the morning. Your aunt Cressida needs my support for a while. Your father will also be coming home late from work" she said, "in the mean time I want you two to behave. Regulus, listen to your older brother. Anything you two need, ask Kreacher."
Once she disapparated, the two boys squealed and ran around the house like monkeys. They released all their energy and by night time they were both worn out.
It was raining hard and the thunder was deafening. Regulus had snuck in to Sirius's room in an unspoken tradition every time a storm came. Sirius was almost asleep when Regulus started to snivel.
"What's the matter?" said Sirius, suddenly alert.
"Today was lots of fun"
"Yes" said Sirius patiently.
"Sirius what am I going to do without you for one year?"
"Well, I'll come back for Christmas…"
"Ya, but one year!"
"You've got Kreacher" said Sirius, attempting a joke. He started to feel the pillow wet. When Regulus started crying it was like turning on a tap.
"I…Regulus you'll be fine. I'll write as often as I can. In the meanwhile you can have fun with the cousins. I mean truthfully, they're not all bad" said Sirius.
"But they're not you" said Regulus. "What if I have a problem or a storm comes or Mother and Father aren't home, what will I do?"
"You'll be brave" said Sirius and he pulled Regulus close and held him. "You're smart and strong and you can handle anything" muttered Sirius. "You're a Black and Blacks are winners" he said in his best Mrs. Black imitation voice and they both giggled.
After a while the lull of the wind outside put them both to sleep. The storm calmed down and when Mr. Black came home at midnight he checked up on the boys. His heart dropped for a moment when he saw Regulus's bed empty but then he remembered that there was a storm. He crept in quietly into Sirius's room and his heart warmed at the sight of his sons. He knew that they would be okay as long as they stayed together, and he slept soundly that night for the first time in months.