"I take it Ginevra is coming to the ball?" Lucius asked, as he crumbled up his parchment and tossed it at Regulus-who was bent over a book.

"She told me she got the invitation, she wasn't clear as to if she would be attending," Regulus replied.

"Does she realize she got extended a personal invitation?" Lucius asked annoyed.

"Perhaps you should tell her what that means," Regulus suggested sighing.

"Not only is not attending rude, but it is also-"

"Some people actually come to the library to study," Regulus interrupted, looking away from his book and giving Lucius his full attention.

"I finished my homework," Lucius pouted.

"Well, then by all means feel free to help me-" Regulus grinned pushing his textbook towards his friend.

"Why don't you give us a hand too Black, instead of lurking behind the stacks like a love obsessed first year," Lucius smirked leaning back in his chair.

"Just waiting for you to leave so I can have a family discussion," Sirius responded stepping around the shelf and standing in front of the two boys.

"I'm helping Regulus with his astrology homework," Lucius retorted.

"Regulus doesn't need help with astronomy, he could teach the class," Sirius responded, the whole time avoiding eye contact with his brother.

"Lucius I'll see you in the common room," Regulus spoke, closing his book as he took in his brother.

He was wearing his robes, the red and gold tie, loose around his neck, and half his shirt tail hanging out the back untucked, and his curls a mess across his head. He couldn't help but smile, his complete lack of regard for personal appearance is one off the things that drove his mother mad.

"Are you sure, I can sit here silently and study," Lucius grinned.

"We both know you don't study," Regulus laughed as Lucius rose from the table and walked away from the table nested near the back of the library.

"Sirius-" Regulus started, as he looked over at his younger brother.

"Ginevra is going to the Malfoy ball," Sirius started as he took a step closer to the table but made no move to sit down.

Regulus didn't respond, unsure of what to say.

"I want you to help me sneak in," Sirius quickly added.

"Sirius-" Regulus sighed.

Sirius took a step back from his brother and the all to familiar way he sighed his name. In a tone that seemed to say 'my poor naive young brother' it was a tone that Sirius found endearing, he both missed it and hated it.

"I love her," Sirius added.

Regulus looked down at the cover of his closed textbook for a moment before responding.

"It won't be easy, the wards on Malfoy manor will be at their highest. The manor will be packed with powerful witches and wizards."

"I don't care," Sirius responded quickly.

"They tighten security, you can't get in without an invitation, once you're in you'll be recognized, pure-blood wizards always want to know what options they have for their children-"

"I'm not interested in finding myself a wife Regulus," Sirius snapped.

"It will be next to impossible, there's only one real way," Regulus responded looking around to make sure Sirius's outburst hadn't earned them an audience. "Come home, come home and come to the ball as part of the Black family."

"You know I can't do that," Sirius sighed.

"Why not?"

"I'm not having this discussion," Sirius responded his face blank as he crossed his arms.

"If you're worried about Ginevra, I-"

"You'll what? Watch over her? Take care of her?" Sirius cut off his brother his voice rising. "I'm sure you'd love that wouldn't you? You did such a good job of it last time," Sirius added.

"Sirius-"

"I think it's time to go," James spoke from behind Sirius.

"I'm fine James," Sirius responded to his friend without turning around.

"Remus wants to go anyways," James added.

Sirius sighed, turning around to face his friend who nervously adjusted his glasses.

"If you really cared about her, you'd help me." Sirius added turning around to address his brother before following James and a waiting Remus out of the library.

"Family drama?" Remus asked grinning as the three friends left the library.

Sirius's response was kicking the tapestry outside of the library and then loudly crying out when his foot hurt.

"Yea, my brother is a real pain, jealous because I'm better at Quidditch, I'm better looking, I'm-" Sirius began ticking off a finger as he worked his way down his list, choosing humour instead of indulging his friends on the conversation he had with his brother

"You know we're here for you right?" Remus asked.

"Lets go back to the common room," Sirius responded, walking ahead of his two friends.