Disclaimer - I don't own Harry Potter. This is written for the second regular challenge for August 2023 - prompt - results. The story is an alternative sequel to Ghost Sighting, where Sirius doesn't react while under the effects of alcohol.

Ghost Sighting II - Believing What's Seen

"It was like I was seeing a ghost."

A part of him thought he could brush aside the incident, forget what happened, and pretend he didn't see a young boy who looked like his younger brother, let alone act like Regulus' death didn't affect him.

Sirius couldn't, though, forget, the incident sticking in his head like a sore thumb even when he tried telling himself, " If I 'd really seen his ghost, I'm quite sure I wouldn't have seen Regulus stick his tongue out at me. That is so not a Regulus kind of thing to do. "

Yet, part of him wished it was.

The realization why part of him wished as much resulted from James sticking his tongue out at him during a later mission, reminding Sirius how much he'd always wanted what he got from James from his younger brother, yet Regulus never seemed to pick up on social cues, let alone return any form of affection Sirius tried lavishing on his younger brother, leaving him feeling this a wasted endeavor.

"Something the matter?"

"No. Just thinking," Sirius said in response, letting out a deep breath as he remained leaning against a wall for their current mission.

"So, instead of being bored on a mission where nothing is happening, you're thinking?" James said as if this were a ludicrous train of thought.

Sirius didn't respond with anything more than a sigh, not even getting out any level of annoyance.

"It's been almost a year, hasn't it?"

"Almost a year since what?" Sirius asked. "Last Christmas?" He let his mouth twist into a smirk. "You know I always look forward to Christmas, James, so if you think I'm down in the dumps…"

"Regulus," James said, continuing to watch the location they were assigned to stake out. "It's been almost a year since he died."

Sirius let out a sigh, rolling his eyes. "And why did you bring this up?"

There was, of course, the worry that Remus let slip what occurred on their previous mission, that he'd been preoccupied with the Muggle boy who looked like Regulus. James shrugged his shoulders. "What else could be preoccupying you right now?"

"This entire bloody war?" Sirius responded.

"Fair, fair," James said. "I'll not ask again, but just know if you ever want to talk, I'm there."

"I know."

He didn't want to talk, to elaborate on how it felt seeing that boy who looked like Regulus, how that boy actually had an older brother who cared enough to—

Sirius eyes narrowed from where he lay on the couch in his flat, the mission finished and long forgotten. He sat up, a new thought bothering him. A hand lifted up, touching the side of is head, frustrated at the thought of someone else bringing that side, a side he hadn't realized existed out of his younger brother.

"Bloody," Sirius muttered, recognizing full well the feeling of jealousy welling in his chest. Without hesitation, he got up, making his mind up to go back, to put his mind at rest once and for all.

…

He didn't take James with him.

The main reason lay with telling James he'd not been bothered by Regulus' death, but the other lay with not wanting James to know about the incident on the mission, that he might be losing it.

So, Sirius went alone.

Snow fell from above, fluttering down.

"How am I going to find someone who doesn't want to be found?" Sirius asked, pockets jammed into his jacket as he looked up at the sky. A thought crossed his mind, the memory of the boy calling himself Sebastian, of approaching Muggles, telling them he was looking for his younger brother, remembering the negative way the Muggle reacted. He sighed, wondering what to do, what kind of places in a Muggle town Regulus would go.

His eyes blinked.

And then came the groan as he stood there, snowflakes still falling, a hand reaching up to clutch his head. "Studying. Bloody studying."

Letting out a deep breath, he glanced around, noticing a few Muggles out and about, a sigh escaping before walking over. "Excuse me!"

"Oh, yes?"

"Is there someplace warm I can say study until the weather passes a bit?" Sirius said.

"A college student?" the woman said, the man's arm hooked into hers. She turned her head in one particular direction. "There's the Granger bookstore. Their youngest grandson enjoys having company while studying."

"Their youngest?"

"That would be Sebastian Granger," the woman said, smiling. "Sweet young boy. Married their Olivia recently."

"Hey, don't gossip," the man said, shaking his head before tilting. "Don't mind my wife. She tends to be a busybody. But you need to head around the corner, and you'll find the shop."

"Yeah, thanks," Sirius grinned, used to putting on whatever masks he needed to, having been raised in the Black family. The smile faltered, a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach. "So that wasn't his older brother. I mean, they said he married into their family."

Taking a deep breath, he let the smile falter, feeling angry—angry at the apparent deception. He headed into the store, the bell dinging over his head. And there, behind the counter, was that person, the one who claimed to be Regulus' brother who socked him. Sirius took another breath, completely prepared to stand his ground as the young man started to move, only for an older gentleman near him to grab his arm.

"Lettie. Don't cause a scene."

"Yeah, but…" This Lettie person glanced in a specific direction, cluing Sirius to where Regulus must be.

"Don't cause a scene," the man said as Sirius headed in the direction he knew Regulus to be.

And there, sitting at a low table on the floor, near—

Sirius stiffened, grimacing. " Who in their right mind would let Regulus babysit their little one? " And then he cringed, another thought crossing his mind. " Yeah, yeah. Andy doesn 't let me watch her girl. But still. "

He moved closer, unnoticed by Regulus, who was studying, lowering himself to sit across from the young man with black hair and silver-gray eyes, his features traits inherited from the Black family. He let out a deep breath.

"So it wasn't a ghost."

He watched Regulus, unsure of what to say, as even he knew better than to wake a sleeping baby, although he wasn't so sure of Walburga Black. Sirius' mouth opened, yet said nothing, unsure of how to broach the subject, which ended poorly the last time, yet he couldn't help but notice. " He 's using his right hand. " Panic set in, making him wonder if he'd gotten it wrong, wondering why, at that moment, he remembered such an odd detail, but then, " How many wizards or witches do I know who are left-handed. "

And then Regulus shifted his pen to his other hand and started writing while Sirius watched.

"He can use both?"

This was perplexing, at least until Regulus stopped writing a few minutes in and began to shake his left hand, the look on his face obviously frustrated with something, probably not getting the results he wanted from his left hand. Sirius opened his mouth to say something, only for Regulus to finally tense, having noticed his presence. He looked up, saying nothing.

"Hi."

"What do you want?"

The tone was a familiar one, one Regulus always used whenever Sirius barged into his younger brother's room, many times to complain about the rest of the family while ignoring the fact his brother didn't want him there.

Regulus sighed deeply, lowering his right hand while the left reached to rock the carrier near him. "I told you the other day I don't know you."

Sirius took a deep breath. "And I know Lettie isn't your brother."

"What are you talking about," Regulus said, continuing to glare as any member of the Black family would when standing their ground. "Lettie is my brother."

"You married into the Granger family," Sirius said.

"You're reaching," Regulus said, tilting his head.

"You married into the Granger family. Thus, Lettie Granger can't be your brother."

"Wow. You're an idiot, aren't you? Lettie is my brother, and if you keep bothering me, he'll clock you like he did the other day."

"And you, Regulus…"

"I'm not this Regulus."

"…know just how stubborn members of the Black family can be."

The response was Regulus was no longer rocking the baby carrier. His eyes narrowed, Sirius noting the spark of danger every member in their cursed family carried, even though he'd never seen such spirit in Regulus, always remembering his younger brother to be a mild-mannered, super-conservative child. His nostrils flared, the electric lights in the store starting to flicker, almost as if…

Sirius held up his hands, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Woah. I'm not here to hurt you!"

Regulus' nostrils flared, the lights flickering even more, the babe stirring near him. Regulus focused on the baby in the baby carrier, rocking it back and forth, ignoring Sirius.

"Hey."

"Contrary to what you may think, you and I don't have any business with each other."

Sirius took a deep breath, frustrated. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his wand, placing it on the table where Regulus could see the object, which made Regulus turn his head to look at Sirius again, the lights flicking again. Still, this time, he continued to rock the baby carrier. "What," Regulus said, his voice tightening. "Are you trying to get at with that strange stick of yours?"

"Strange stick?" Sirius felt the corner of his mouth twitch as the lights continued to flicker. "This isn't…"

"I think you should leave."

Sirius stiffened, then turned his head to look at Lettie, who crossed his arms.

"Lettie." Sirius turned his head, watching Regulus sigh, close his eyes, and lean back, the lights flickering. He lifted his hand, letting the infant's small hand take his finger.

Sirius frowned, thinking it over, and when it clicked, the color drained from his face. He leaned forward, hissing. "Wait. You let a Muggle know you can use magic? You moron!"

"Hey," Lettie said. "He's not a moron."

"You," Sirius hissed, turning to look at Lettie. "I should erase your memories right here, right now."

Lettie's eyes widened, obviously taken aback by what Sirius said.

"Sirius, don't."

And there it was, the proof he'd been right, as Regulus said his name. Sirius turned on his younger brother. "Why shouldn't I? You've breached the statute of secrecy, Reg!"

"You," Regulus said, taking a deep breath. "You don't know what I've been through."

"What you've been through?" Sirius let out a hiss. "He's dead because of you." And then it hit, deep in the gut, a realization that his death bothered Sirius as well, now that he knew the other was alive. "But it shouldn't. The old man kicking the bucket…"

"Wait. The war's over?" Regulus said, brightening, sitting up straight. "It worked?"

Sirius stiffened. "You brat."

Regulus stared.

"Rabbit," Lettie cleared his voice. "Sebastian, I don't think the war is over, kiddo."

Regulus' eyes opened and closed. "But if Sirius didn't mean him, who did…" The color drained from his face. "Sirius, who did you mean?"

"Who did I mean?" Sirius frowned. "Who did you mean? What did you mean by something working?"

"You don't need to know," Regulus said, shaking his head. "I won't have you…"

"What? Preventing his side from winning?" Sirius said. "Have you told this Muggle family of yours…"

"We know, but we also know you bloody weren't there for him," Lettie said.

"What," Sirius hissed out. "Do you know? You're not supposed to know anything."

The infant stirred, making a sound, resulting in Regulus rocking the infant.

"My brother…"

"Lettie, stop."

"…almost died because of you lot."

Sirius stared at the person he hated so much that he was jealous. He then turned his head to look at Regulus, who looked away. "What does he mean, you almost died?"

"Just what it means," Regulus said, shrugging his shoulders.

Pieces started falling into place. Sirius swallowed. "Wait. You meant him. Your precious dark lord."

"That monster," Regulus said, jerking his head around to look at his brother, trying to keep the infant calm. "Isn't precious to me at all. And if you lot haven't killed him yet…"

Sirius swallowed. "Then you did. You did something to kill him? You moron!"

"Hey!" Lettie said as the infant started to cry.

"Both of you!" Regulus said. "She's trying to sleep." He took a deep breath. "And who do you think I killed?"

"Nobody," Sirius said. "I shouldn't have," and then came the deep breath as he looked away. "You know I have a temper, Reg."

"Yes. Her temper."

"Hey!" Sirius said, turning back to Regulus, keeping his voice low. "Don't bring that woman into this."

"Tell me the truth."

Sirius took a deep breath. "Look. We thought you were dead, alright. That's all…"

"You obviously thought I killed someone," Regulus said, his lip trembling. "One of them," the corner of his mouth twitched. "Please tell me you thought it was that traitor."

"What traitor?" Sirius said.

"The one feeding us—them, the lot I was a part of—information."

Sirius' eyes widened. "Wait. You know who the traitor is?"

Regulus tensed. "Wait."

"Regulus, stop being evasive," Sirius said.

"Not," Regulus' body began to tremble. And then he was up, hurrying away from the table. Sirius got up, hurrying after him as Lettie went for the infant Regulus left alone. A door to a restroom slammed, followed by the sound of vomiting.

Sirius let out a sigh, knocking on the door. "Reg? Hey. Regulus."

"Why did you have to come back?"

Sirius turned, looking at Lettie, who held onto an infant girl.

"We finally got him to enjoy life." Lettie narrowed his eyes. "You should leave."

Sirius stiffened, a part of him wanting to, that part of him realizing what Lettie was trying to say politely, but the other part said, " Regulus has information. Information we need. "

"Lettie," the old man said. "Sending this young man away. It won't make the problem go away."

"That," Lettie said, turning to the old man.

Sirius sighed, opening the door, the vomiting having stopped. Regulus hunkered down in a corner. He stepped in, lowering himself and sitting against the wall as he heard the old man tell Lettie to close up that the storm was worsening. "Hey?"

"Not Potter?" Regulus said, rubbing his eye.

"What?"

"Please tell me it wasn't Potter."

"I'm not…"

"Because I can't think of why you'd react so negatively," Regulus said, sniffing.

"James is fine."

"Ah. Good," there came another sniff, and then Regulus stiffened, looking up at his brother. "Lily?"

"I-what? No."

"Her sister Tuni."

"Reg."

"Or is it Fabian? Gideon. Who…"

"It was the old man!" Sirius snapped, running hands through his hair. "It was bloody Orion! Alright!"

"I don't," Regulus said. He sat up straighter. "But you don't," and then, "You hate the family. So why? Why blame me?"

"I don't know!" Sirius said. "I don't know why I care when I bloody hate the family like I do, but I get why…" He took a deep breath. "I told you. You didn't kill anybody. I just overreacted." He took a deep breath. "What's this about trying to kill Voldemort? Why didn't you ask someone for help? Why didn't you ask me?"

"Ask the brother who hates me?" Regulus felt his mouth twitch. "What a laugh."

"Regulus," Sirius closed his eyes. "I don't hate you."

"Yes, you do. You bloody…"

"Do you know how torn I was when I thought you died?"

"Then why does it surprise you," Regulus frowned. "Wait. What?"

"Hold on. Finish the first sentence. About me being surprised?" Sirius let out a sigh. "Is this about me being surprised you're alive?"

"That Lettie said I almost died."

"When I saw you alive, I bloody thought that you'd purposefully faked your own death!" Sirius said.

"Oh." Regulus wiped his nose. "I didn't."

"Obviously," Sirius said.

"What does papa…" Regulus frowned. "Why did you say I killed Papa?"

Sirius took a deep breath. "You didn't. It's not your fault. He just." Sirius clenched his fists. "He just couldn't take it. Sometimes I can't—couldn't, take the it either."

"It what?"

"That you were dead."

"Then I did kill him?" Regulus said, his throat tightening.

"No, no." Sirius closed his eyes, opening them to see Regulus holding his hands out, shaking. "He loved you, Regulus. He cared."

"Someone cared?" Regulus said, swallowing.

"You didn't think anyone did?"

"Well, you didn't. And I betrayed him, something that surely—they'd have not taken that well."

"About that," Sirius said. "You betraying him."

"Not for your ears, Sirius." Regulus frowned, folding his arms across his legs while sitting there. "Dumbledore, though."

"Yeah, but he's not," Sirius frowned. "Wait. You know the traitor, right? That would let him know what side you're on."

"Oh," Regulus said, frowning. "He's one of your friends."

Sirius swallowed. "Not Potter. Because you freaked out at the thought of him being dead, whereas with the traitor." He took a deep breath. "Remus?"

"Remus?" Regulus frowned. "I don't actually know…"

"Bloody! You don't know who the traitor is?"

"No. I recognized his voice, definitely." Regulus let out a laugh. "Probably not something any of them expected, that I could tell who they were despite wearing masks."

"Regulus," Sirius said. "If you know who he is."

"I don't know the name of the traitor. It's not like I learned Potter's name. As for the other two," Regulus frowned. "The werewolf's name is Lupin, but it wasn't him."

"Wait. You said," Sirius closed his eyes. "That's Remus."

"That's Lupin's first name?" Regulus took a deep breath, still shaking. "I see. Well, it's the friend I never could learn the name of. He was too quiet, kind of like me, I guess."

Sirius took a deep breath. "I know who you're talking about." He stood up. "If things go well, I'll return and take you to Dumbledore personally."

"Hey."

Sirius froze, turning to look at Lettie.

"Don't drag him back into this."

"Lettie," Regulus said.

"He was a bloody mess from what happened the last time. He's still bloody recovering!"

"I need to do this, Lettie."

"Yeah, but if something happens, this jerk brother of yours isn't going to protect you. He never has."

"You're right," Sirius took a deep breath, irritated at this Lettie person. "So I start now. I won't accept a result where you're dragged back beyond telling Dumbledore whatever you need to tell him. I promise you and this jerk here."

"Hey," Lettie said, obviously annoyed.

Sirius didn't wait, walking past him and heading for the door. He wanted to go after Peter, yet stopping him was the knowledge that going after Peter for betraying so many of their friends would mean nothing to prove Regulus was on their side. He took a deep breath. " I still don 't know how this will turn out. "