After Walburga left, Orion let out a long, weary sigh, tipping back his glass and draining it in one smooth swallow. He felt the burn of the whiskey, but his thoughts were far from the taste. His gaze drifted back to the photograph on his desk that had reappeared almost as if summoned. Reaching out, he traced a finger over the image, his touch soft yet possessive.
"I miss you, my Rooh… I've kept my control all these years, but it's slipping. They're losing their way—don't you think?" He chuckled darkly, his voice dropping to a near whisper, thick with longing. "Damn, I miss you. I miss kissing you, I miss feeling you under me… even though they think you're dead, I know your secrets. You're alive somewhere, my madam, and I swear—I will find you."
His voice held a dangerous edge, as if his words could summon her to his side. His thumb brushed over the engraved name at the bottom of the photograph: *Vishaka Orion Black-Rathore*. He closed his eyes for a moment, fighting the restless desire that surged within him, imagining her dark eyes staring back at him with that familiar, knowing smirk.
---
**At the Great Hall During Dinner**
The hum of conversation filled the Great Hall as the Marauders sat at their usual spot, finishing up a late dinner before heading off to detention.
"Come on, we're already late for detention," Remus urged, nudging Peter, who was still picking at his food.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming," Peter muttered, finally standing.
"Remus," James said, his eyes fixed on the row of owls swooping overhead.
Remus raised an eyebrow. "Yes, what are you staring at, exactly?"
James glanced at him, distracted. "I'm waiting for a letter from my father. I sent him a copy of the Black family crest that was on the seal Sirius got a letter from. I figured he might have some insights."
Remus looked at him with approval. "A surprisingly good idea."
Sirius's ears perked up, and he leaned forward, indignant. "Wait, one: a good idea. Two: did you tell your father anything else? Three: why are you all going to detention without me?"
James smirked. "Yes, yes, and yes to detention without you, Padfoot. And no, I didn't mention anything else about the letter."
Sirius groaned, slumping back in mock betrayal. "Why? Detention without me is cruel, but… wish me luck. I'm going to talk to my brother tonight."
Remus gave Sirius a sympathetic look. "He's your brother, Sirius. And it's been what—almost a year and a half since you last spoke to him?"
Sirius's face clouded over for a moment, but he forced a grin. "Yeah… a year and a half. Bit… intimidating, you know? I haven't exactly been there for him."
James nudged him, half-teasing. "So you finally realize it?"
"Prongs!" Sirius scowled, though the tension in his shoulders seemed to ease at the banter.
Remus's voice softened, his tone understanding. "It's good that you've realized it now, Sirius."
Sirius's smile faded, replaced by an anxious frown. "But everything's going to be alright, yeah? He'll talk to me, won't he? I mean, he's my brother. My own blood."
Remus gave him an encouraging nod. "Yes, Sirius. It'll be fine. Just… don't expect it to be easy."
"I think so too," James said, trying to reassure him. "Just… maybe grovel a little. Just in case."
Sirius smirked, a flicker of his usual swagger returning. "Alright, I can handle that… Seriously?"
James's grin widened. "Siriusly."
Remus rolled his eyes. "Not now, James."
A round of chuckles followed, lightening the mood. Peter, who had been quiet, chimed in, "He'll talk to you, Sirius. He will."
**Later that Night at the Astronomy Tower**
Regulus entered the Astronomy Tower, his expression a mixture of determination and resentment. He had been ready to confront his brother, to finally say all the things he'd been holding back. But as soon as Sirius caught sight of him, he crossed the distance in a few strides, his eyes glistening, and pulled Regulus into a tight hug.
For a moment, Regulus froze, taken aback. He'd prepared himself to be cold, to shut Sirius out, but here—wrapped in his brother's embrace—he felt an overwhelming sense of relief, like he'd been yanked from drowning waters and thrust into warmth. Despite everything, his brother's arms had always felt like the safest place in the world. His resolve wavered, and in a rush of pent-up frustration and sorrow, he broke down, burying his face in Sirius's shoulder.
"You left me, Siri… all alone," Regulus choked out, his voice trembling as he clung to his brother. "You chose them over me—your friends over me…"
Sirius held him tighter, guilt written plainly on his face. "I didn't want to leave you, Reg. I was going to take you with me." His voice grew thick, and he pulled back slightly to look Regulus in the eyes. "I was saving up all the money Uncle Alphard gave me. I even found us a place, put up all the protection charms and incantations. But… when I came back for you… you were so angry, Reggie. I thought… I thought you hated me."
"Really?" Regulus whispered, his voice barely audible as he searched his brother's face for any hint of deception.
"Really," Sirius replied softly, brushing a hand over his brother's shoulder reassuringly.
Regulus's lips trembled, and he threw his arms around Sirius once more. "Don't leave me again, brother."
Sirius hugged him fiercely. "I won't, little brother. Never again."
They held each other in silence for a moment, the weight of the past year and a half slowly easing. Eventually, Sirius pulled back, resting a hand on Regulus's shoulder. "So… how have you been holding up?"
And with that simple question, the brothers began talking, sharing everything they had missed in each other's lives—the good, the bad, and everything in between.
As the night wore on, Regulus and Sirius continued talking, sharing stories they'd never thought they'd tell each other.
"Sirius… I saw Voldemort at our home," Regulus said suddenly, his voice low, almost as if he couldn't quite believe it himself.
"What?!" Sirius's eyes widened, a flash of anger and worry crossing his face. "I mean—what the hell did he want?"
Regulus nodded, as though he'd expected Sirius's reaction. "Yeah, that's where things took a twist." He paused, recalling the tension of that moment. "The Dark Lord wants the support of the Black family."
Sirius muttered something under his breath, a bitter look twisting his features. "And Father just let him walk in?"
"That's the thing," Regulus continued, a slight smile tugging at his lips as he remembered. "For once, Father actually showed up—at just the right time. He came into the dining room, and there was Voldemort, sitting at the head of the table, bold as anything."
Sirius leaned forward, hanging on every word. "And?"
"Father didn't even flinch. He just strolled in, hands in his pockets, barely giving Voldemort a glance. And then the house magic responded—two more chairs appeared at the table, large, imposing, powerful. One for me and one for him. Father sat down and looked at me, and in that cold, commanding tone of his, he said—'Walburga, why is my son standing in his own house?'"
Sirius let out a low whistle, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "I'd pay to have seen that. So what did Voldemort do?"
Regulus's face turned serious. "He was there to talk, obviously, but Father… he treated him like air. Ignored him entirely at first. It was so intense, Siri. The whole room felt like it was waiting for something to snap."
"And?" Sirius's voice was barely above a whisper, captivated by the image of their father facing down Voldemort.
"Then, it got strange. I started feeling something… like a protective barrier wrapping around me. Father's magic, I think. He was shielding me, Sirius. I'd never felt anything like it before, so strong, and just—there."
Sirius nodded slowly, a mix of emotions flickering in his gaze—relief, pride, and something more complex. "That's… incredible, Reg. Maybe he does care, in his own twisted way."
Regulus managed a small smile, though the weight of the moment was still on him. "Yeah, maybe. For the first time, I think I actually felt like I was part of something… that he was truly protecting me."
"And then he asked me to go to my room after that I didn't know what happened between them "continued Regulus