Chapter 4 – Forget about it, Mate

A few days after the Kreacher incident Sirius' and Regulus' parents demanded that both boys be present at the dinner table. It was not often that they were all home at dinnertime and when they were, they usually demanded to have a family dinner. It was one of the few times they all spent together. Regulus loathed it. There would often be focus on him, especially disapproving comments about his eating habits. Tonight Mrs. Black had decided that Regulus should eat the meat the others were eating and not the turkey Mrs. Harris had prepared specially for him. Regulus sat suspiciously eying the piece of tornedoes his mother had put on his plate, while slowly eating the peas and carrots next to it.

"Eat you meat," demanded Mrs. Black and sent him a sharp look. She picked up her wineglass and took a sip. When Regulus showed no intention of eating the meat, she put the glass down. "Eat it, I said!"

Sirius looked over at his brother while chewing on his own piece. To be honest he couldn't see why they kept trying. Regulus would never eat the meat unless they stuffed it down his throat.

"I don't eat red meat. There's a significantly higher mortality rate among people who eat red meat compared to those who don't. It gives cancer, and the cholesterol gives heart disease."

"You will eat what you're told!" hissed his mother. "And don't give me that nonsense about red meat. The rest of us have been eating it all our lives and nothing bad has happened to us."

"Yet. You will regret it when you have a heart attack before your fiftieth birthday."

"Enough!" shouted his mother and slammed her hand down on the table. "I will not tolerate this behaviour any longer!" She got up and walked around the table in haste, grabbed Regulus' knife and fork and cut a piece of meat, which she then tried to stuff into his mouth. "Eat it!"

Regulus panicked, pushing his mother's hands away frantically and fell over backwards on his chair. He scrambled to his feet. "NO! I WON'T EAT IT!"

"YOU WILL SIT DOWN THIS INSTANT AND EAT YOUR FOOD!" shouted Mrs. Black and grabbed Regulus by the arm. "If you won't, then you can go to your room without any dinner!"

"FINE! I'LL STARVE, THEN!"" yelled Regulus and jerked his arm free. Then he ran up the stairs and slammed his door so hard that they could hear it clearly all the way down to the dining room.

Sirius felt sorry for his brother. "Why don't you just let him eat his own food?" he barked and put his fork down. "He isn't bothering anyone by it!"

Mrs. Black turned to Sirius. "I'm sick and tired of you always sticking up for him! That's why he never gets any better!"

"Yes," agreed Mr. Black. "He needs discipline and you need to stay out of it."

"He just wants to be healthy and doesn't like the same food as us. Why force him to eat something he doesn't want to?" said Sirius in an irritated tone, pushing his plate away. To be honest he was also tired of Regulus' fanatic eating habits and his lectures about food, but he didn't like it when his parents tried to force him to eat things he was afraid of consuming.

"Because it's just another one of his insane ideas. I don't know what's wrong with him, but God, I swear that boy is not right in the head," said Mrs. Black. "We should have had him committed as a child. Perhaps they could have straightened him out."

"He doesn't need to be straightened out!" protested Sirius. "Just leave him alone and it will be fine!"

"We decide what is best for him!" said Mr. Black, pointing a threatening finger at his son. "So you just stay out of it!"

Mrs. Black drank the rest of her wine and poured herself another glass. "I'm getting sick and tired of him always being so difficult. Has he caused more trouble at school while we were away?"

Sirius shook his head, deciding it was best not to mention Regulus giving Avery a black eye or getting punched by Dearborn. "Not that I've heard of."

They ate in silence for a while, then Mr. Black said, "I'm counting on you, Sirius, to keep your brother in check at our party next month. We can't hide him away. It would seem very strange that both our sons were not present our own party at our own house. But I am not in the mood for any trouble from him. Can I count on you?"

"Yes," sighed Sirius. He knew he had his work cut out for him having to get Regulus to behave at a dinner party. It wasn't the first time. "But I'm pretty sure he can behave on his own as long as you don't force him to eat anything he doesn't want to." Sirius knew, however, that it would be more difficult than that. If Regulus felt crowded, which was very likely to happen, he might lash out. Sirius would have to keep a close eye on him for his own sake.

"Well, you do whatever it takes so that he keeps calm and does not make a scene. If you do well, there might be a reward in it for you," said Mr. Black.

"What kind of reward?" asked Sirius, his interested piqued.

"Well..." said Mr. Black, buttering a piece of bread. "What would you like? I will be generous if you do a good job of charming our business relations as well."

"I'll think about it," said Sirius, not sure what to ask for He already had everything he could possibly dream of. Also, it seemed strange to put a price tag on his brother's behaviour, but then again why shouldn't he get a bit out of it? God knew he had plenty of trouble with looking out for Regulus, and getting very little gratitude in return.

o0o0o

Later that evening, Sirius knocked on Regulus' door. "Reggie?" he called, not sure if his brother was asleep.

There was quiet for a moment. Then, "Yes."

"Can I come in?" There was another yes and Sirius walked in and placed a plate on Regulus' desk. "I brought you some food," he said and sat down on the edge of the bed.

Regulus, who had been lying on the bed, sat up and took a carrot. "Thank you. Did you wash them?

"Of course I did. I know about your crazy habits better than anyone, so naturally I washed your veggies." Sirius sat for a moment, watching his brother eat the carrot. "Mum and Dad are having a dinner party next month and we both need to be there. They asked me to keep an eye on you, but I trust you won't cause any problems if people keep their distance. However, it might be hard to get out of shaking a few hands and such."

"Oh, no," groaned Regulus. "Do I have to? You know I can't stand those parties. I get very stressed. Those people are always so pushy."

"Reggie, you're not getting out of this one," sighed Sirius, "and we'll both be in trouble if you don't behave. But they promised me a reward if I made sure you didn't cause a scene, so I figured we could split it so we both get something out of it. Just walk around and try to relax. I'm sure they will be content if you just show your face and shake a few hands. No one says you have to stay all night. Just excuse yourself after a while and it should be fine. Or sit with Kreacher – that's bound to keep people away from you," he sniggered.

Regulus decided to ignore the comment about Kreacher. "The only reward I'm interested in is getting to stay away from the party. Why is it so important that people see me, anyway? It's like I'm an animal in a zoo."

"Because they have two sons and no one ever sees you when they go to other parties. They only bring me for those and now the party is in their own house so they can't very well hide you away here."

"Last time that sweaty Mr. Barlow squeezed my hand like he was attempting to break it. And some old lady tried to kiss my cheek," said Regulus, shuttering at the memory.

"Just deal with it," said Sirius. "You can take a long bath afterwards and you can go wash your hands after everyone has said hello to you."

"What if I refuse to go?"

"You know they will give you an even harder time than they do now," said Sirius, thinking of what their mother had said about committing him. "You gotta go, Reggie. Just stay close to me and I'll look after you."

Regulus sighed dramatically. "Alright. But promise me to keep the pushy people away from me, will you?"

"I will. I'll make sure to draw all the attention to me," Sirius grinned.

Regulus snorted. Then he said, "What's the story with that new friend of yours? The tawny-haired, skinny one? He's stopped coming around. Is he already tired of you?"

"No he just got ill and had to stay home for a few days. And for your information, mate, he loves my company, like any sane person would."

o0o0o

Another week passed before Remus' mother declared him well enough to go back to school.

"Two weeks for a common cold?" said Peter as they sat in the cafeteria for lunch. "That's a long time."

"Well, that's Remus' condition, remember?" said James.

"Yeah, I know. It blows for you, Remus. Must be boring as hell."

"It is," said Remus and sighed. "I was once home ill for two months. Well, that happened a couple of times, actually."

"Two months in bed!" gasped Sirius. "I would be bored out of my mind if I had to endure that."

"Well, I have my books and my drawings, but yes it gets very tedious in the long run."

"You coming home with me after school?" asked Sirius. "We were talking about bowling. Or we could play a video game if you'd rather do that."

"I'm a little weedy still from being ill," said Remus. "But video games sound fun." And you get so se Regulus again cheered a voice inside Remus' head.

"Deal! You can pick the game," said James. "Sirius has hundreds of them."

o0o0o

They went to Sirius' house after school, finding it empty. The parents were away at work and Regulus was either out running or hiding somewhere.

After half an hour of playing, Remus excused himself to go get something to drink in the kitchen. On his way there, he heard the sound of a piano playing a beautiful tune. He followed the sound like a sailor lured by siren song. He stopped outside a room and carefully cracked open the door to peep in. It was a large room with a floor-to-ceiling window and by the far end stood a grand piano. Regulus, in deep concentration, sat playing it. Remus pushed the door slightly more open and stood against the doorframe, getting caught up in the enchanting music.

When Regulus turned his head to the right to hit the highest few notes, he spotted Remus standing by the door. "What are you doing?" he exclaimed, sitting up straight. "Standing there spying on me?"

"N-no! I just... I was just listening in. You play so beautifully I felt drawn to it." Remus rubbed his arm nervously. "Would you mind if I stayed and listened for a bit?"

"Why?" asked Regulus, nonplussed. He wasn't used to Sirius' friends being interested in classical music, and it suited him just fine.

"Because it sounds so beautiful. I always enjoyed listing to the piano." Remus looked pleadingly at the younger Black. "I promise I'll be quiet."

"Oh... okay," mumbled Regulus, deciding that Remus seemed sincere enough. "Okay, just... sit over there," he said, pointing to a chair by the wall, a good distance from the piano.

Remus nodded and tiptoed over to the chair as if afraid to disturb Regulus if he walked normally.

Regulus decided on a difficult piece by Rachmaninoff, hoping it would impress Remus.

When Regulus finished, Remus clapped his hands eagerly. "Wow, you're really talented!"

"Oh..." said Regulus, feeling himself blush a little. "I just practise a lot. I've been playing since I was five."

"Really? I always wished I could play but my parents could never afford lessons, or a piano for that matter so I gave up on it. But you're so talented. I think I could listen to you for hours."

"That's too bad. That you didn't learn to play, I mean. Well... Do you want to hear another piece or do you need to get back up to the others?"

"I think I can hear one more," Remus said happily and rested his arms on his knees, watching the younger boy excitedly. "If you don't mind playing for me, that is..."

Regulus shrugged. "It's no bother, as long as you sit quietly. Do you want to hear my favourite piece?"

Remus nodded eagerly.

"It's Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto number 1. I was completely taken in the first time I heard it. It really should be played backed up by a symphony orchestra, but since that's not going to happen, it'll just be the piano."

Remus sat with his eyes glued to Regulus as he started to play. He found him beautiful and enchanting as he sat playing, fingers dancing over the keys, his raven locks perfectly framing his concentrated face.

Regulus once in a while stole a peek at Remus to see how he was responding. He was still a little wary of the possibility that Remus might not be honest, although it seemed so.

Half way through they were interrupted by James sticking his head into the room. "There you are! We were starting to think you had drowned in the toilet or something. What are you doing in here?"

Remus eyed James, a little frustrated with the interruption. "Just listening to Regulus play the piano. I'll be back when he's done with this piece, if that's okay?" He had completely forgotten about the others, having been so caught up in the music and Regulus.

"Ah, come on, Remus. We're waiting -"

"Go ahead and take him," snapped Regulus. "It's not as though I'm forcing him to stay."

Remus looked over at Regulus and then got to his feet. "Well, It was really pleasant to listen to you," he smiled. "Maybe you will play for me again?"

"Whatever," mumbled Regulus, not looking at him.

"What are you so interested in him for, anyway?" asked James as they were heading back towards Sirius' room.

"I just think he's interesting," said Remus and bit his lip. "And he didn't mind playing for me so I was glad to listen."

"Where were you?" asked Peter when they got back. "Did you get lost?"

"I... I listen to Regulus play the piano," admitted Remus.

"I didn't know you were into that kind of music," said Sirius. "Were you eavesdropping?"

"No, he let me listen in," smiled Remus, slumping down on the bed. He sat there with a goofy smile on his lips as he thought about Regulus playing the piano for him. He wished he could have stayed for a little longer.

James pulled Remus aside a little later while Peter and Sirius were battling each other in Tekken. "You fancy him, right? Isn't that it? Don't deny it, mate, you got that look on your face, and you're always ogling him."

Remus stared at him and went slightly pink. "Maybe just a little," he admitted.

"Well, just a piece of friendly advice," said James, putting a hand on Remus' shoulder. "Forget about it, mate. It's never going to lead anywhere. Regulus is... well, even if he was gay, you would never get anywhere with him. Hell, I don't even know what his sexual orientation is, but it barely matters. That bloke is going to die a virgin."

Remus' gaze dropped a little. "I know you all say he is mental but I think that maybe he just needs to find the right person and to take things really slow…" Remus could hear that he sounded a little desperate.

"He hates people and he freaks out if anyone touches him. Do you think he would be interested in a romantic relationship?"

"I don't know..." sighed Remus. "I just can't help feeling sorry for him if he never gets to know love."

"I suppose you're right. But that's his own choice. Don't waste your time and emotions on him, Remus."

o0o0o

The next day Regulus came home to a shock. He had been out running (something he did several times a week) and as usual headed straight up to his bathroom. He could not stand being sweaty and God help those who got between him and a shower as soon as his exercise was done. As he opened the door to his room he could hear talking and splashing noises coming from the bathroom. He stiffened. Nobody went into his room without his permission and absolutely nobody used his personal bathroom.

The door to the bathroom swung open and a wet dog came bounding out and crashed into Regulus on his way through the room towards the bathroom.

Sirius followed, almost as wet as the dog, with foam all over his shirt. "Padfoot! You're not done yet!" he called and flashed his brother a grin. "Hello, dear brother."

Regulus' face went white as a sheet. It took him a moment to really take in what was happening. And then he exploded. "SIRIUS! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? THAT BLOODY MUTT - MY BATHROOM!"

"Seems he likes your bathroom better than mine," sniggered Sirius. "Just payback for your bloody cat peeing on my bed."

Padfoot bounced around shaking his fur so water splattered all over the floor and walls, and then he jumped onto Regulus' bed where he proceeded to roll and rub himself all over the sheets.

Regulus screamed as if someone were being murdered. He pushed Sirius roughly towards the bed, hollering, "GET HIM OUT! GET HIM OUT! GET HIM OOOOOUT!"

Sirius however was in no hurry to get Padfoot off the bed. He just clapped his knees and spoke in a childish voice. "Oh, Padfoot. Are you enjoying yourself? Best be off, though. Reggie wants his room back." Padfoot stood on the bed with wagging tail and tongue lolling out of his mouth. Then he jumped down and Sirius took him by the collar. "Thanks for letting us borrow your bathroom."

"I HATE YOU!" screamed Regulus, now red in the face and tears in his eyes. "I HATE YOU!"

"What is going on in here?" sounded Mrs. Harris' voice from the door.

"Just a little well-deserved payback from the other day," explained Sirius.

"He let his dog mess up my room!" screamed Regulus. "LOOK! LOOOOK!"

Mrs. Harris stuck her head inside the room and saw the water on the floor and the messy bed. "Sirius Orion Black," she said, placing her hands on her hip, sending the boy a stern look. "Did you bathe you dog in Regulus' bathroom?"

"Yeah. So what?" said Sirius and looked back at her with his bottom lip stuck out.

"My lord, lad. You're eighteen years old – not a child! How could you upset your brother like this?"

Sirius looked at Regulus and then at Mrs. Harris. "Well... well he was asking for it. He wouldn't apologize for Kreacher."

"You come out here with me!" ordered Mrs Harris, gazing at Sirius and pointing to the door.

Regulus was crying now and gave Sirius a push toward the door to hurry him up. "OUT! And don't come back! EVER!"

Sirius muttered a few words as he left.

Regulus locked the door behind his brother and quickly found a pair of rubber gloves and started frantically pulling the sheets off his bed. Everything was going in the washer and next would be a thorough scrub-down of the entire bathroom.

o0o0o

The first time Regulus spoke to Sirius after the incident he asked him, "How did you get into my room? Did you pick the lock?"

"The door was open," said Sirius and took a sip of coffee. "You forgot to lock it for once."

"I never forget to lock my door," said Regulus stiffly. "Did you pick the lock? Or make a copy of my key?"

"I picked the lock," admitted Sirius. "I wouldn't go as far as stealing your key and making a copy. Honestly what do you think of me?"

"What I think of you? You broke into my room and wreaked havoc!" Regulus made a mental note to buy an external lock with a code so things like this wouldn't happen again.

"Well you asked for it. Your pet messed up my room and mine yours, so now we're even."

"You're such a twat, you know that?" said Regulus, getting up to leave. "Kreacher and I didn't do anything on purpose, but what you did was just pure mean!"

"You're the twat. Kreacher did it on purpose – he hates me. And you could have just apologised like I asked you to. You're lucky it wasn't the bloody cat I decided to give a bath. I'm sure the rest of his fur would have fallen off and clogged the drain."

Regulus clenched his fists but then decided that he didn't want to waste any more time on the argument. "Get stuffed," he just said and marched out of there.

A/N: To see Zayhad's illustration to the chapter go to deviantart dot com and look up Zayhad. She has a folder in her gallery with the story's name on it.