Regulus woke from his bed with a start. Sun flowed through his curtains.

"Kreacher?" he called, and the house-elf immediately appeared. "What day is it?"

"Christmas Day, of course, Master Regulus." Kreacher said.

Regulus' eyes lit up, and his mouth formed a brilliant smile.

"Thank you, Kreacher. That will be all."

Kreacher was gone with a crack. Regulus jumped out of bed and threw the curtains open. London was full of Christmas cheer. He hopped over to his closet and got dressed in his finest clothes. Then, he realised that they were probably too fine and changed to some more appropriate clothes.

He bid Kreacher goodbye, and then exited the house. The world seemed crisper, everything clearer. The colors even felt brighter! He quickly found an alleyway and apparated to Hogsmead. Then he rushed to the Hog's Head, and quickly found a seat, though it was difficult considering that it was Christmas.

He didn't know when his brother would be arriving but he was absolutely bursting with excitement, just as the pub was. He spotted Sirius' friends sitting in a booth, waiting for Sirius and Lupin. Suddenly, Regulus was hit with doubt. Would his brother really want to see him? Regulus would explain himself to him, his brother would give him that, at least.

He heard the bell of the door ring, and his head turned abruptly towards it. There through the door walked in his brother, Sirius, and his brother's lover, Lupin. He watched as they walked over to the booth, apologies of their lateness on their lips.

"Sirius?" Regulus stood and said, at last, before Sirius could sit in the booth.

He didn't look at Sirius' friends, only at Sirius, who looked as if he'd seen a ghost. If only Regulus could tell him about all the Ghosts he'd really seen.

"Reg-"

But it was as if Regulus grew possessed by another Spirit, the Spirit of Christmas herself, for he threw himself at Sirius and hugged him.

Regulus buried his face in his brother's chest. He would stop soon if Sirius didn't want it, but he hadn't been hugged in years and it was so wonderful to be close to his brother again. After a moment, it seemed that maybe his brother became possessed too. Slowly, slowly and hesitantly his brother's arm came to hug his brother back.

Explanations would soon need to be given and there was still a war to be fought, but Regulus smiled and enjoyed the first hug he'd had with his brother in years.

Merry Christmas.

Short ending I know. sorry? R&R