Chapter 7: [Sirius POV] Regulus's letter

Summary:

Regulus's reply letter on Sirius's sorting and Sirius's revenge on Lucius Malfoy

I expected a lot from Regulus's facility in writing, since the Blacks did seem to have an abundant literature education, so I tried my best, although it still might not be enough because, again, I'm not a native speaker.

Reedited2023/2/19

Sirius didn't know what had provoked him, but he had sent a letter back home in the evening of the sorting as soon as he could.

Naturally, he revealed his Gryffindor allegiance. A part of him thought it would be hilarious to just drop a bomb like that, while the other part felt protective and wanted to justify his choices to his family.

Despite his reluctance, he still felt the undeniable pull of anticipation toward their reply. There was the possibility that his mother would be tempted enough to send him a Howler. Although logically, his mother would never display herself that way in public.

But should he underestimate his mother's hatred for him? Would she seek a Pyrrhic victory?

Sirius would see it as both an embarrassment and a triumph for himself: his patronizing mother and father would have been forced to remove their indifferent masks and emerge from their self-deceiving shells for once. Needless to say, his circumstances would have to hit the nail on the head.

The morning of the next day had been uneventful, sadly.

Sirius spied Narcissa from across the great hall and noticed her reading from a suspicious piece of parchment. However, he had no intention of distributing his intranquil heart to her, so he stayed put. If James had discovered his unsettling anxiety, he made no comment. Sirius was extremely grateful for his silence.
Even with his troubled family's problems lingering in the back of his mind, Sirius's first taste of life at Hogwarts was simply unparalleled. Sirius would never forget the feelings plunging through his body on the first morning since he woke at Hogwarts.

Everything was just so beautiful.

The gold and scarlet of the Gryffindor common room, the brightly coloured paintings, the constantly rechanneling elongate staircases, the gleaming candles in the great hall, the swoop of owls from the morning mail, the ethereal ghosts, the muted and polished coats of armor, the brick walls hugging the courtyard, the rugged stairs leading from the castle's foot, the towers gracefully climaxing upwards into the blue sky, the almost human-like waywardness of the Whomping Willow, the smooth but mystical waters of the Black Lake, the untamed quiet wildness of the Forbidden Forest, the company of James, and the sweet smell of freedom in the air.

One's spirits just couldn't be dampened while rushing through shimmering ghosts and soaking up the lively and boisterous atmosphere. Sirius was spared anything intense in the morning. However, life had to become complicated in the afternoon when he finally received his response, coming from a place that seemed so far away now—more than 200 miles away in London was his childhood home, Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place.

It was from his younger brother, Regulus.

Dear Sirius:

The arrival of your mail caused pandemonium in our house, and the letter from Cousin Cissy, which came only a little later, just added fuel to your already detrimental situation. Undoubtedly, you would be able to imagine our parents' reactions, but it is my belief that you seek support from me.

Although I was conflicted between my brotherly affection for you and the betrayal I felt for our own house, I finally settled my judgement of you. The news came completely unexpected, of course, and yet, on the contrary, it seemed reasonable, justified, and inevitable. You were constantly in pursuit of novelty and engaging in unconventional behaviors, both of which I certainly felt no appreciation for.

However, I would withdraw my criticism of you, for I sincerely wish you the best in Gryffindor. Personally, I think it would simply intensify your recklessness, temerity, and piquancy. But, once again, because you are one of the bravest people I have ever known, the presence of you, a member of the most ancient and noble house of Black indeed, would overshadow all the other Gryffindors.

Also, in reference to them, Cissy's letter made us aware of your fraternity with bloodtraitors. You must comprehend the ignominy of such actions. I suggest you address your apology to our dearest Cissy for your inappropriate dispute with her.

Regardless of the disagreement that erupted recently in our house, life had been substantially normal here. I would admit that there is less activity now that you aren't around. I am not saying that this quietness is unsatisfactory, but in the meantime, I shall look forward to your next letter.

Cordially,

Regulus

It had been approaching dinner time. Sirius read through the letter. He was disappointed by Regulus's formality and his seeming compromise towards him being in Gryffindor; it had always been unfortunate when his younger brother would choose to eat up all their parents' superficial ways and values.

The part about requesting an apology for Narcissa had Sirius smirking, though. Shame, because Sirius, in fact, had already sent his regards to Narcissa and Malfoy a while ago this afternoon.

They hadn't had any classes, so Sirius and James took advantage of their freedom to accomplish a matter they were of one mind with. By the looks of things, neither Narcissa nor Malfoy had been fit to unleash any unwelcome comments on people.

Sirius discovered that an advantage of being a first-year was the ability to shuttle through crowds unnoticed before finally taking aim.

Their spells hit, and Narcissa whipped around for Sirius to catch her eye; he grinned mischievously, confirming his guilt to her, before taking cover among the passersby.

Her mouth formed a snarl, squeezing her otherwise pleasant features into something repellent. That was when, finally, Malfoy sensed something as well; he was quick to defend Narcissa, but only when he opened his mouth did, he realize the ingeniousness of Sirius and James' trick.

For when he opened his mouth to speak, he was met with a high-pitched screech. He looked around to find others giving him renewed or inexplicable looks. Scandalized, Malfoy quickly shut up.

Sirius knew only too well that they weren't daring enough to risk making a scene. He and James were quick on their feet, knowing if they couldn't catch them in their faces, they'd have no choice but to swallow their grouses. Their rage that came with being forced to hold back would be the icing on the cake, with their hourly silence serving as a backdrop since it would be an emancipating break for everyone else from their sprouting venom.

Sirius and James collapsed into hysteric laughter as they approached the end of the corridor, making a final turn to get rid of their pursuers.

James's indulgence in his act of vengeance, as well as his participation, warmed Sirius.

It felt so right to have him there, like standing with an army.

Reading Regulus's letter, Sirius recognized the truth in his words about his never-ending pursuit of unconventionality. Pity that his brother never paid attention to the other side of Sirius's conviction.

Sirius has always believed that being a muggle or a wizard, muggleborn or pureblood, should have no bearing on one's worth or rights, whereas Regulus preferred their parents' viewpoint that being born from the house of Black made you a royal.

However, by now, Sirius was close to realising that with James by his side, his sense of division might finally be able to heal.

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