Eta Carinae

Written for round 1 season 11 of the quidditch league fan fiction competition.

Captain and Chaser 2 of Pride of Portree.

Main prompt: Eta Carinae: Known for its "Great Eruption" wherein the star expelled about 10 percent of its mass, creating a small nebula around it - Write about an argument or conflict that has massive consequences. Additional prompts: (setting) Astronomy Tower, (dialogue) "There has to be something better than this.", (relationship) Siblings.

June 1976

This late night in June the dimly lit corridors were especially chilly. Sirius watched as Remus rubbed his arms, seemingly freezing even in his double layer of sweaters. As they were turning in the direction of Gryffindor tower he spotted his younger brother further down the corridor. Sirius tugged at James's shirt sleeve to get his attention. James gave him a wondering look as he leaned in to whisper in his ear; "I've gotta talk to Regulus about our plans before I decide."

He turned around to see Regulus as well. "Sure, you can borrow the map." James told him, taking the marauder's map out of his back pocket. "Do you think he'll be upset?"

"Maybe. I reckon this summer will be worse than ever for him since I'm not there to take all of his punishments on me." Sirius reasoned. "I'll tell you about it tomorrow, Prongs. Gotta catch him before it's too late."

He unfolded the marauder's map, searching the area for Regulus's name. His footsteps were moving toward the defense tower, then turning right in the direction of the transfiguration court. By now Sirius was pretty sure he was headed toward the Astronomy tower. He glanced at his friends who had now been joined by Evans. Interesting.

When he reached the tower he spotted Regulus tucked away in a corner, leaning against one of the large telescopes. He was sketching a black haired boy with a snake slithering around his neck.

"You probably have a few hundred of those by now. No inspiration left?" Sirius teased.

He rolled his eyes.. "So now you're talking to me again."

Sirius sat down across from him on the cold, hard stone floor. "Look. I want to talk to you about something, but you can't tell mother or father. "

"Is this what I think it is?" Regulus wondered, putting his sketchbook down on his lap.

"That depends on what you think it is." He paused. "You know I love you, right?"

"I guess, but it doesn't seem like it anymore" Regulus sighed. "What happened?"

Sirius took a deep breath before speaking; "I've been planning something with James and I didn't want to risk you finding out. I'm sorry if I–"

"I knew it!" He interrupted angrily, rising up. "You're leaving me. Running away to live with the Potters!"

"Do you think I want to spend another summer break being mentally and physically abused so that you can appear as the perfect pureblood son? It's hell on earth. Torture!" Sirius spat furiously.

"Now you're being selfish! Are you seriously betraying me like this? I thought we were brothers." Regulus cried out.

He flinched. "Me, selfish? Our entire childhood I've tried my best to protect you from this messed up family and this is how you're thanking me?"

That shut him up. Sirius looked out at the starry night sky, seeing nothing but his worst enemies amongst the luminous celestial bodies. He shifted his gaze to the younger boy he'd once called his brother, hurt evident in his grey eyes. He turned to leave the tower, but stopped when he heard Regulus's quiet voice.

"There has to be something better than this. You'll be burned off the tapestry just like Andromeda." he uttered carefully.

Regulus looked at him desperately, clenching and unclenching his fists.

"I don't care." Sirius muttered, walking away from the tower to avoid letting his brother's words make the final decision.

The brothers hadn't heard from each other since that night in the astronomy tower. Not until the day he received a letter from Regulus. Sirius considered opening the letter, but put it away when he remembered his promise to himself. He's probably realizing how much he has gotten away with in the past, thanks to me.

James entered the guest room that had now become Sirius's own. "Did someone write to you?"

"No. I'm just– cleaning." He lied.

James obviously saw right through him, but thankfully brushed it off.

Regulus kept sending him letters every few days and it was getting increasingly more difficult to resist opening one.

"It's Reg, isn't it?" James asked one day. "Otherwise you wouldn't be hiding them from me. Unless you have a secret girlfriend that I for some reason can't know about."

"Yes, it's him." He sighed, putting the unopened letter away in the bottom drawer along with the other ones.

"I know you two aren't getting along, but maybe you should just open one and hear him out?" James suggested. It could be something important, you know."

"We'll see." Sirius muttered.

Eventually he opened the letters, starting from the bottom of the pile. Regulus wrote to tell him about their mother burning him off the family tree, which didn't surprise him the slightest. Some were apologies about being an ungrateful brother while others were general news about the family or the death eaters.

Regulus keeping up with his letters even though he didn't get any answers were awfully familiar; he used to talk to him from outside the door when he was grounded, quietly so that mother or father didn't hear him. Affection toward his brother that had been pushed down for weeks crept its way forward again.

Sirius asked Fleamont for a quill and a parchment before he returned to his room. He reflected on the situation and tried to figure out what he wanted to say, then he began writing.

Brother,

I have avoided reading your letters all summer, well– until now. I'm so sorry. I just felt I needed to do what's best for myself for once and if it makes you feel any better (or worse) I've been enjoying my summer more than ever.

I'm guessing there's more pressure and responsibilities upon you now that I've left. If I know you Reg, you'll obey them and eventually become a death eater. Just remember to go through with it in the right way and please don't lose your judgment fully.

Don't reply to this letter. Just because you've managed to hide them all so far doesn't mean mother won't find out. We'll talk at school if you have anything to say to me.

PS. Try and outsmart them all, I know you're able to.

Sirius