A/N: I am so sorry, I forgot to put a disclaimer for the book that Sirius and Regulus read. It's Oh The Places You'll Go by Dr. Theodore Seuss Geisel. I know that, if we go by J.K. Rowling's timeline, this story would take place in the late 1960s, and Oh The Places You Will Go didn't come out, until 1990. I just really think that the story gives a good message about Sirius and Regulus's situation. I'm still going to make the story set in its original time period, however. Dr. Seuss is a pretty unpredictable guy. Maybe he sent a bunch of books back into the past?

Thank you for your great comments, already! They're what's keeping this story going!

Chapter Two

The dawn was alive with the day-to-day bustle of the city. Sirius's silver eyes flew open, with the sound of a passing automobile.

His stomach rumbled, and he felt shaky from malnutrition. He cast a look at his sleeping brother, before emerging from the alley.

Sirius tried to blend in with the commodores, but it wasn't easy.

Even though his head was hung, his eyes shifted from side to side.

He shuffled up to a fruit stand, with an angry looking attendant.

Sirius pulled several pennies out of his pocket, "How much will this buy?"

The man was not amused, "It'll get you a stem off of this apple."

"Please, sir," Sirius pleaded, "May I just have one piece of fruit?"

"No," the man said, gruffly, "Now get away from my stand. You're scaring away all of the customers."

Sirius backed away defeated. He quickly walked back to the alleyway, leaning against the side of the rundown building.

From his pocket, he produced two pieces of fruit. He sighed, bitterly. He hated being a thief, but it was the only way for him and Regulus to survive.

"Regulus," he whispered, shaking his brother, "It's time for breakfast."

Regulus blinked, sleepily. In his sleepy stupor, he reached for the fruit. He took a bite, murmuring, "It's too sour."

"Take this one, then," Sirius soothed, swapping fruits.

Regulus sighed, still half-asleep, "This one is too bitter!"

Sirius rolled his eyes, but kept his tone even as he said, "This is all we have to eat, so I suggest that you get used to it."

Regulus looked disheartened, but finished his fruit in silence.

Sirius saw his downcast look and said, "Remember that time when Aunt Irma took us to that fancy restaurant in Diagon Alley?"

Regulus looked up, a smile spreading on his face, "We had the whole restaurant to ourselves. The chef brought us whatever we asked for."

Sirius laughed, "We ordered the most bizarre things. Remember when I ordered the Bertie Botts Every Flavored Bean encrusted lobster?"

Regulus giggled, "You dipped it in chocolate! Oh, we were so hyper, when we got home. Mummy and Daddy were simply furious."

His face suddenly clouded, as he remembered the price that they had paid for their moment of fun.

Sirius also looked pained. He finally said, quietly, "Maybe we can go back to that restaurant, one day."

"Soon?" Regulus asked, hopefully.

"Soon," Sirius promised.

It was a blatant lie, and both brothers knew it. They couldn't risk going to Diagon Alley. They had to lie low in the Muggle world, where their parents wouldn't dare look.

A whistle suddenly blared through the alleyway.

Sirius looked up, trying to place the sound.

"It sounds like a train," he whispered, "The tracks must be nearby! This is it! This is our way out of the city, Regulus!"

He grabbed his younger brother's hand, running through the streets, towards the sound of freedom.

They ran onto the small train station, where the train was just starting to pull away.

"We have to hurry!" Sirius urged, pulling Regulus.

Sirius managed to scramble into an empty boxcar. He spun around, and saw that Regulus was falling behind.

"Come on, Regulus!" Sirius roared, holding out his hand.

But the eight-year old was not fast enough. He stumbled over his own feet, falling hard onto the platform.

Sirius hesitated, as the train picked up speed. He took a deep breath, leaping off, onto the platform. He felt his knees buckle, and he rolled onto the concrete, ignoring the pain in his shoulder.

He looked up, just as the last few boxcars sped around the corner.

For a moment, Sirius lay there, wondering if he had just made a huge mistake.

He hated himself for even doubting his actions. Groaning, he crawled over to Regulus, who was looking forlorn.

"I'm sorry, Sirius," Regulus whispered, "I tried."

"It's alright," Sirius soothed, hugging him.

"You should've gone," Regulus said, tearfully, "You would've gotten out of here. You would've been free."

"I wouldn't have been with you," Sirius pointed out.

Fat tears rolled down Regulus's face, making a path through the dirt.

"Stop that," Sirius said, quietly, "Reg, you can't keep crying at everything that goes wrong. Sometimes, life isn't what you want it to be. But it's your job to make something of what you have."

"I don't understand," Regulus sniffed.

Sirius sighed, "I know you don't. You're too young."

Regulus pouted, "You're only a year and seven months older than me!

"Those seven months are what make the difference," Sirius teased, ruffling Regulus's hair. He fastened his brother's cloak, and the two set off the tracks by foot.

Regulus's words still played in Sirius's mind. His brother was quite right. Sirius was hardly two years older than him.

Still, Sirius could definitely say that he was more mature.

It wasn't that Sirius wanted to be the mature one. There were days when he wanted to burst into tears. There were days when he wanted to chuck a Dungbomb at someone, or give a hearty, meaningful, laugh.

It was just that he had to grow up, quickly, in order to protect Regulus. Those childish things, like laughter, Dungbombs, etc, they were all nice. But Sirius was willing to shorten his childhood, so that Regulus could experience one.

He would also never cry in front of Regulus. Ever. Sirius knew that he was his brother's role model. Sirius knew that wherever he went, Regulus would follow. Sirius also knew that as long as he remained strong, Regulus would be strong.

So, Sirius blinked back his tears, put an arm around his brother, and the two walked towards the horizon.

A/N: Thank you for your reviews so far. I'm sorry I didn't put any flashbacks into this chapter. They will be coming soon; probably in the next chapter or so. Unfortunately, they will be coming in small incriminates and increasing as the story goes on. Right now, Sirius and Regulus don't want to think about the past. They want to push on for the future.

Any other suggestions will be greatly welcomed and put to good use!