"Mother? Father?" Regulus asked. He had to admit that he was looking at his parents differently after what they had done to Sirius.

"Yes, Regulus?" his mother said. He took a deep breath and assessed Walburga Black. She was tall and the proud expression permanently etched on her face spoke volumes about her character. He had never seen his mother as arrogant, but now that he looked, it was obvious.

"I – I…" he started but then paused, unsure of what to say exactly.

"What, Regulus?" she said impatiently. "Blacks don't stutter."

"Why can't I remember anything?" he said.

"Wha-" his mother began, a look of blank shock on her face. Then her eyes hardened. "Orion!"

Regulus felt an uncharacteristic surge of anger as his mother called for his father. Did she always hide behind him? Every time a hard question came up – every time there was something she didn't like – she called him.

Regulus found it weak. He had never thought about it before, and the thought itself shocked him. After all, these were his parents. He had always respected them.

And they deserved respect. Right?

"Yes?" Orion asked, entering the room with the soft sweeping of proudly worn robes.

"Regulus wants to ask something." Regulus turned to his mother with surprise. Of all the things he had expected her to say, this had not been one of them. Regulus's father switched his gaze to his son. When Regulus didn't immediately speak, Orion said,

"Well?"

Regulus took a deep breath. After his mother's reaction, he wasn't sure if he even wanted to ask that question any more. Steeling himself, he took a deep breath.

"I want to know why I can't remember anything." Orion Black set his in anger. It was a small movement – so small that it was nearly not noticeable – but Regulus noticed it. He was tuned to see the small signs of his parents's anger. Of course, he rarely did see them.

His father held his anger well. When he spoke again, there was no hint of it in his voice.

"What do you mean, Regulus?" A bit of worry crept into his face, but Regulus could easily tell it was fake. Perhaps that was because of what his father had done to his brother. No loving father could beat his one son and be concerned about the second.

Regulus swallowed hard. His throat felt dry. He was scared – no, more than scared – of his father. Still, though, he plowed forward, refusing to allow himself to pause.

"I can't remember much from before this year." His father – jaw still tight with anger that Regulus perceived through ways that he didn't understand – allowed the fake worry to drain off of his face.

"Is that all?" he said. There was the emotionless voice again, but it also seemed relieved. Regulus was sure that that was as true as the worry that had previously graced his gaze. "You are getting older, Regulus. You cannot expect yourself to remember every moment."

"But I barely remember any of it," Regulus protested.

"No one remembers much from when they are young. It's normal to lose a few memories."

"But Sirius said-"

"Regulus," his mother put in with a sigh. "Just because your brother hasn't been home for a while doesn't mean that he's changed. He's the same person you knew before. He's still going to lie to you – about everything." Reluctantly, Regulus nodded.

Perhaps that was it. His brother had always liked a good joke. What if the pain was all pretend, too? Regulus didn't think it had looked so serious when his brother had hit his head. It was only when Sirius had woke that it seemed bad.

"Okay," Regulus said, turning.

He wanted to believe his parents, but still, there was something inside of him protesting against that.

It was telling him to believe Sirius.

But why? He had never believed Sirius before. They had never liked each other.

In fact, they had always been at each other's throats. Now, after Sirius began Hogwarts, things were still the same.

Sirius was a Gryffindor.

And from an early age, Regulus had been taught that they are not to be trusted.

He exited his parents's room and returned to his.

He still had a few hours until Sirius awoke.

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"R – reggie?" Sirius groaned. He blinked open his eyes. To his delight, the light didn't hurt him as bad as before. Though – the headache certainly wasn't gone. Turning his head slightly –even the soft movement made his head pound even worse – he looked around. It was clear that he was in his room.

Reggie wasn't there.

"Reggie?" he said again. His voice was hoarse. Sirius blinked slowly a few times, trying to wake himself up. The objects in his room were distorted slightly and seemed to waver as he looked at them. That wasn't good, he thought serenely. He couldn't do anything to stop it, though.

As if summoned, Regulus entered the room at the second call.

"Oh," he said, sounding slightly surprised. "You're awake."

"Yeah," Sirius said. The hoarseness in his voice seemed even worse now. He wasn't sure if it was because he was talking or if he was more aware.

As he became more aware, he noticed the deep pain within him. As soon as he became aware of it, it tried to swallow him. Its teeth mashed against him. Of course, the sharpest – and most deadly – were on his head.

He tried to push himself to a sitting position only to gasp as the pain shot through him. He whimpered, and almost immediately, Regulus was at his side.

"Lay back down, Sirius," he snapped. Sirius could see the concern in his eyes. "You're still hurt."

"I still don't remember what happened," Sirius said. His voice was very soft – that was strange. He hadn't meant it to be.

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"I still don't remember what happened?" his brother said softly. Regulus sighed and handed Sirius a glass of water. Sirius took it in his hands, but they shook badly, and a large glob of water bounced over the top of the glass.

Regulus, seeing his hands shaking, grabbed the cup and steadied it with one hand. Sirius, shooting a grateful look at him, drank from it.

"Sirius – do you remember waking up before?" Regulus didn't know exactly why he had said that. He wasn't planning on saying it. In fact, it came as a complete surprise.

After all, he had believed his parents.

They were right, and he trusted them.

Right?
"Er –" Sirius said, grimacing as he tried to think. "I think so."

"You said that I changed."

"You have," Sirius said. "But you don't remember it…"

"Why should I believe you?" Regulus said sharply. His pride was a bit injured at the thought that if Sirius was lying, then Regulus had played right into his hands.

"Why shouldn't you?" Sirius asked calmly.

"Because you've lied to me before," Regulus growled. He stiffened slightly – anger coursing through him roughly.

"No I haven't," Sirius said calmly. Despite the talk, Sirius yawned slightly. His eyes fluttered. It was clear to Regulus that he was tired – exhausted even. After all, he was still injured.

"But – I – I remember-"

"It's not real," Sirius whispered. "Talk to Alex. He knew you before you changed." Regulus curled his lip with disgust. Talk to a mudblood – why would he do that?

Before he could protest, however, Sirius was asleep.

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Hey guys! Sorry for taking so long and sorry this is so short!

I have excuses for both. It's thunderstorming here, and I'm being kicked off the computer, so I figured I'd end it here.

And I was at VA beach on a music trip with my school. We took first place orchestra! Yeah! I play cello I also went to Busch Gardens (there were some Homestuck cosplayers there!) We were at the beach, too, and I went swimming… into 40 degree water. I was nearly completely numb.

So, anyway, I'll stop blabbering about things people don't care about.

Please review.

Thanks to all my old reviewers.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter!