all that's lost and treasured

by ziggydidplaygu1tar

Summary:

Sirius Black betrays his duties to the throne to join a pirate ship, looking for something that nobody believes exists, only to find friends, love and family instead.

Chapter 1: Noble House of Black

Notes:

TW:
-homophobic language
-bad family relationships
-fucked up family traditions to do with animals
-smoking
-very brief sexual content (nothing major and nothing explicit)

i think thats it but dont read anything ur not comfortable with <3 take care x

Sirius Black had many riches, those were the very few perks that came with being the heir to the French throne of the House of Black. Sirius, however, wanted none of it.

 

No, Sirius yearned to be free. To be free of the restraints that came hand in hand with the throne, with responsibilities. To Sirius Black, to be free was to be rich, to be free was the real treasure. Though, the throne seemed like a future so far that his crowd failed to wear him down anymore, and though his people said he was ready, his family said he was immature, that he wasn't ready. Sirius didn't want to be ready, but he knew better than to deny that with what his family knew about him, they were absolutely correct.

 

To the public, Sirius was exactly as he wanted them to see him. He was intelligent, possessed grace and skills like no other. To the public he was an angel, he did no wrong and he was a carbon copy of young Regulus Black. To the public, Sirius Black was beloved by all, as was his brother.

 

Regulus Black. Regulus Black had no facade for the public, he was exactly who they wanted him to be.

 

The only person who truly knew who Sirius Black was, was his best friend, Marlene Mckinnon. Marlene, the simplest village girl, who possessed no remarkable talents, and had barely a pound to her family name. People assumed the very best of Sirius, the village came to the conclusion that 10 year old Sirius Black took pity on the farmer's daughter, that Marlene had an incurable disease, that Marlene's company was simply out of pity, that the charming young prince was being charitable to a family going through a loss. This was still the case, even now that Sirius was 19, and there were no signs of illness in Marlene, nor Sirius, the whispers never stopped.

 

Sirius spent all his free time in the village, all his free time with Marlene. The guards knew just where to find him.

 

*

 

The farm was dainty, and congested. Marlene’s room was no different. A box of cigarettes scattered over her bed sheets, one pressed between her lips as she dug through her drawers for a match. Rain hammered down on the roof, leaking down the wall and into a bucket in the corner.

 

A loud bang thundered from downstairs, knocking hard on the door. “Dad! Dad, get the door! Shit-” the cigarette fell god knows where. Marlene crouched to look for it, but no luck. “Shit,” she chanted, tugging at her hair.

 

There was a faint chuckle, and then the voice cooed, “Alright there, Marls?”.

 

Dripping, head to toe, was Sirius Black, dressed in the finest cashmere wools, soaked to the bone.

 

“Fine.” Marlene propped herself up on her bed, lighting a cigarette, the last one from the box. “Fuck, that was my last pack.”

 

Sirius dug through his jacket pocket, pulling out half a pack of cigarettes. "I'll get you another pack tomorrow, have these for now. It's all I've got on me." he said, pressing the box into her palm.

 

"Thanks. So, how's your dad?" She asked. He had been ill for a while and didn't seem to be getting better, Sirius would probably never say it aloud but he was glad the fucker was dying. Orion made his life a living hell. "He still giving you a hard time?" she pushed.

 

No answer.

 

“You really should start letting me know before you get here.” Marlene said. Still no answer from Sirius though, but she was sweet enough that she never pushed him too far. “Are you staying for dinner?”

 

“Will Michael mind?”

 

“Who, Dad? Not as long as you help.” she quipped.

 

“Yeah, not bloody likely.” Sirius crawled beside her on the bed; which gave out a small creak under the weight, then Sirius pecked his lips to the corner of her mouth, bringing the cigarette to his.

 

Marlene caught her lips on his, inching into his lap. Her body was small and soft, easy to hold.

 

Sirius had pulled her closer. His hand framed her face, their mouths meeting, tongues intertwining. Marlene’s hands tangled in his hair, and there were teeth, uncomfortable biting of tongues and lips. Sirius moved a hand to her waist, seeming unsure of himself.

 

“Not like you to be so timid, Black.” she teased, murmuring under her breath, lips brushing his with each word.

 

*

 

By the time that they were downstairs, Sirius had agreed to help and stay for dinner. Marlene, Michael and Sirius sat around the table. Marlene only lived with her dad, since her mother had passed when Marlene was young, and her father never did remarry.

 

Sirius was almost always at the farm, when he wasn’t, he was running errands or had been dragged back to the castle.

 

Sirius was chopping potatoes, paused briefly to wash his hands and tie his long black curls into a neat, but loose bun at the back of his head.

 

Marlene set the table, Sirius helped cook when he felt like it. But regardless of who did what and how much was done, they ate together every day, without fail. 

 

Today was beef stew. Sirius helped chop the vegetables, all carrots, celery, potatoes and beef, saturated in bone broth. The slippery mixture in a dish in the middle of the table. 

 

Sirius dished Marlene a bowl, then Michael too. As Sirius picked up his bowl to dish himself some, Michael suddenly had enough to say.

 

“What ‘av you done with your ‘air, boy?” called a gruff voice, as Michael gestured to the loose knot Sirius had tied into his hair.

 

“I think it looks alright.” Sirius murmured indignantly.

 

Michael snorted out a laugh, “Reckon you look like a fag.”

 

“Dad!”

 

“Can’t your boy take a joke? Whatever makes you ‘appy, son. Lemme ge’ you a beer.”

 

Sirius let out a chuckle despite himself, but took what he was offered. 

 

Just as Sirius, Marlene and Michael were drinking their beers together, there was a loud bang on the door, but the thunder had stopped. The guards were outside. Sirius knew that was his cue. He lifted his head from Marlene’s chest.

 

“Right, I'm off. See you, Marls.” He placed a kiss on her cheek. He stepped outside, feeling the breeze, and cold splatters of rain splay over his face. Sirius was immediately greeted at the door by two masked guards, neither of which he recognised by their voice, which made Sirius feel awfully guilty. Beside them were two teenage boys so lanky that you would laugh if they told you they were knights. Both boys were younger than Sirius, and rather scrawny and gangly. Sirius knew who they were before needing them to stop grabbing each other and realise that he was there too. What Sirius didn't know was why were they there? These were Regulus' knights, not his. Where were his Dames? "Barty? Evan? Why aren't you with Reg? Where are Emmeline and Dorcas?"

 

Barty was a rough looking boy, even as a child. His features were sharp, sharp enough to cut you, and boy did Sirius get cut. Barty was always sickeningly pale, which contrasted with the dark colours of his hair, always green or black, but usually both. Sirius hated him most, because whenever Sirius and Regulus would argue when they were young Regulus got lonely, and it was always Barty he ran to. What Sirius hated most about Barty was his piercing. Sirius remembers distinctly the day

 

Evan, on the other hand, was a very soft looking boy, very handsome, but needless to say, he was just as bad as Barty in his ways. Regulus was nothing but an angel to them, and it made Sirius ill. Regulus Black was no angel, he was a devil in disguise. Evan was a very lovely looking boy, with warm, brown orbs, and rich, golden skin. Evans' hair contrasted just as much as Barty's, because Evan's platinum curls fell over his forehead, framing his face.

 

Barty and Evan never were much help though, and now it is no different. They gave each other a knowing look that made Sirius' stomach feel wishy-washy and within moments the royal guards were dragging Sirius out of the village, and up the steps of the castle. Sirius would pick the comfort of Marlene's farm over the emptiness of their castle, any chance he was given.

 

The second he was through the doors of the castle, he felt his hair stand up on his neck. The eerie atmosphere hit his skin immediately, goosebumps scattering his arms.

 

The large mahogany doors slammed shut behind him with a deafening thud. Welcome home. Sirius thought. He stared up at the ceiling, doing his best to avoid recognition. This place, a place he wanted nothing to do with, a home he had no use for, was the place he knew better than anywhere. 

 

Chandeliers, paintings, family portraits , with eyes so clear and judgmental that they felt alive, that felt as though they followed you. God, no. Sirius felt sick, his insides turning in his stomach as he recognised the smell of musk and old flowers. It could have been haunted.

 

Sirius placed a foot on the step, waiting for the creak that occurred when he was younger, it never came. It hadn’t come since he was 15 and his parents decided to pay someone to repair it, to repair the stupidest little fault. Too much money. Too much money to know what to do with, so they spent it on stupid, nostalgic faults. Sirius could scream.

 

Sirius stepped up the stairs, the heads of deceased childhood pets, mounted on the wall. Their eyes, like lifeless orbs peering down at him. “I’m sorry.” Sirius muttered under his breath, out of mere instinct. Sirius had done that since his first dog, Stella’s head had been mounted on the wall.

 

Stella was an amazing dog, a Great Dane, with the heart of a whale. She ate the foods he didn’t like under the table, she served as a big soft pillow for his younger self, and she even slept at the end of his bed. Her death hit him hard, he was 9 when they told him. 

 

“Stella was old. You mustn’t get attached to things less permanent than you, Sirius.” 

 

“But mama, I want to keep her.”

 

Ever since, it was tradition.

Notes:

I know that this chapter is heavily blackkinnon but i promise its not for long <3 also micheal is the definition of the meme 'My daughter loves him. i think he looks a little gay but whatever makes my princess happy' lol but yeah dont say what he said. also the chapters will get longer but this ones super short because i had no clue how to start it off but the rest of the chapter should be longer

Chapter 2: Orion’s demise

Summary:

Orion’s passing, and that leaves Sirius to soon be king. He runs away in hopes to leave his responsibilities behind too.

Notes:

TW:
-transphobia (parents refusing to use preferred pronouns and new name)
-conversation about death (idk if this needs a warning it’s very brief because walburga is straight to the point)
-references to child abuse

“Cassopiea, darling. How do you like this dress?” Walburga flaunted an ivory dress in the mirror, fussing with her hair and necklace, occasionally poofing the dress up at the bottom.

Regulus’ head snapped up at his deadname, even after years she refused to call him Regulus. His silver eyes moved from his book to his mother in an instant. “You look beautiful, Mother.”

“Yes, yes, I know. But the dress, dear? Do you like the dress?” Regulus nodded politely, despite how hideous the dress was, he knew that answer wouldn't get him anywhere “Yes, it looks gorgeous on you.” he said. 

“Oh, no. It’s not for me, I'm too old for this. It’s for you.” His face fell, despite the strained smile. “A dress? For me?” he hiccuped. Walburga nodded, awfully pleased with herself. “I don't know what to say..” he murmured, because he really didn't. Anything he could think of would just get his ears boxed. 

“I want you to wear it to your fathers funeral.” she said, cold as ice. He wasn’t even dead yet, we all knew it was coming but she sounded so sure of herself, so careless. 

Regulus was disgusted by her, of course. What she was saying was repulsive, and it wasn't something Regulus wanted to face up until he really had to. His dad was a shit person, but Regulus didn't think he deserved to be treated like he was already dead. Regulus wouldn't have mentioned it. Sirius would.

“Isn’t it a bit early for funeral planning? Old bogger isn't even dead yet.” i voice barked from the doorway.

“Don’t be so rude, Sirius." Regulus said in a bored tone, that was often the tone he spoke in with Sirius.

Sirius grinned, the way he did when he got the reaction he expected, Regulus was just glad he was expecting very little. “Didn’t see you there, Reggie. Drowning in dresses.” Sirius plonked down by Regulus on Walburga’s bed, “Don’t encourage her with that stupid name, Sirius.” Walburga snapped and Regulus felt like a little child again, sitting on mama’s bed with Sirius braiding his long black hair that Walburga refused to let him cut, then mama would strike Sirius wrist for acting like a girl.

“Are you seriously still trying to make him wear dresses?” 

“Any fine young lady wears dresses.”

Sirius looked to Regulus, bewildered. Regulus shook his head, “Where have you been, Sirius?” he asked. Sirius just shrugged the question off. “The village.” Regulus knew that meant Marlene, but he’d ask Barty and Evan, just in case.

“What made you eager to come back?” Walburga asked, unamused by the vague answer. 

Sirius furrowed a brow. “What do you mean? The knights were sent for me, wasn’t that your doing?”

Walburga scoffed, “Hardly.” “I sent them.” Regulus cut in. “I was just.. I just wanted to know where you were, I didn't think they'd bring you home.”

Oh.

Oh.

“Right…” Sirius said, his thoughts occupied, now with the idea that when he was away, maybe his little brother actually missed him. 

*

Sirius’ days in the castle didn’t feel like days at all, and as the days became weeks, the weeks became wasted. 

Every morning, Sirius woke up with the same thought, Marlene. The same dream woke him up every night without fail, falling, and falling from unimaginable heights, just for him to fall endlessly, with no one to catch him.

She was probably waiting for him, hadn’t he promised to come back? Hadn’t he told her he’d get her something? He couldn’t remember what, he just knew he wanted to. Probably something little, like flowers or- cigarettes, that was it.

Sirius’ thoughts were interrupted as he heard the light knock on his door. “Downstairs please, Mr Black.” a timid but familiar voice called. He knew that voice.

“Coming.” He sat up on the edge of his bed, his feet hitting the cold floorboards as he stood. His room was the only place in that house that didn’t make him sick. 

His room was the only comfort in the hollow house.

*

Regulus woke with a start at the bang on his door. “Wakey, wakey, Reg.” Barty called through the door. “Your mum wants you downstairs.”

Regulus, still half asleep scrambled to his feet, slipped into his slippers as he called back, “Do you know what bloody time it is?”

Barty didn’t answer, just laughed. “Get your arse downstairs before she comes to get you.” Barty called. 

*

The boys met at the top part of the stairs, “She called you too?” Sirius asked.

Regulus, not much of a morning person, gave a small hum of agreement. 

The house was completely silent.

“Wonder what it’s about.” Sirius said, silence was never his forte.

“Dunno.” Regulus mumbled.

Sirius stumbled off the staircase, checking the doors to all the rooms they passed. Until he peaked his head into the living room, and his eyes met the cold, sharp daggers of his mother.

“Sit.” Walburga demanded, her tone was different than they’d ever heard it. Sirius and Regulus shared a weary glance, before stepping out into the living room, sitting just before her.

The air was full of tension and it was thick. No noise sounded in the room, nothing but the breathing of the three. Until Walburga’s voice cut through the silence like a knife.

“Your father is dead. He passed away in his sleep last night.”

Sirius felt his heart go heavy, and felt guilt fill him up because he really didn’t care that his father was dead, he didn’t care that the man who ruined his childhood had finally got what he deserved.

What does that mean for the throne? The first thought that hit him.

His mother answered that question too. Always business in the House of Black. “Your coronation is in a month's time, Sirius.”

Sirius shook his head. “No, no. I’m not-“

“It’s not an option.” She cut in. Sirius looked to Regulus, because he wanted to use him as a way out. Surely Regulus would love to be king. 

Sirius’ mind went blank when he saw the tears in his little brother's eyes. Whether it was about Orion or not, he wanted to protect him from all this, not throw him in the middle of it all. 

“Fine.”

*

“You what?!” Marlene shouted.

He had run away again, and when he would get back he’d be lectured by his mother that ‘a king would never abandon his responsibilities’, but never would he have expected that lecture from Marlene.

“So, what? You’ve decided you’re king now and you run away? Do you know how irresponsible that is, Sirius?”

Peter stifled a laugh, only to receive a smack up the back of his head from Marlene. “Don’t you dare encourage him.”

Peter rubbed his head, “Ow. I’m just saying, he’s probably stressed enough as it is, he doesn’t need you on his case about it too.” 

For the first time since they had met, Sirius finally saw why Marlene talked to this guy so much. They were like siblings, the way they talked, the way they fought.

Peter was a sweet boy, he was funny and nobody hated Peter. He was a short, stocky boy, with sandy blonde hair and hazel eyes, he had russet freckles over his nose and his cheeks, and the same up his arms.

Peter’s mum owned the bakery, and Peter worked there too, so that’s where they were right now.  

“Fine, so what are you going to do?” Marlene asked.

Sirius hadn’t thought very far ahead. “I want to run away.”

“And do what? Join a pirate ship?” Pete joked, but Sirius’ mind was racing now. 

A pirate ship, he’d had everything he’d ever needed, and really life on the sea didn’t sound too bad. “Come with me!”

“You- What? Where are you going to find a pirate ship?” Marlene asked.

“I was joking!” Peter said

“At the docks, and not a pirate ship, just any ship!” 

“He’s gone mental!”

“Come with me!”

“I will.” Pete piped up.

“You will?” Marlene and Sirius asked, quite in sync. Peter gave a nonchalant nod, and Sirius just grinned, slapping Peter on the shoulder. “We’ll go tonight. Pack your things, Pete.” 

“You can’t be serious!” Marlene said, shaking her head at the two.

Sirius grinned, “but I’m always Sirius.” making Peter laugh too, Marlene couldn’t suppress her smile. “Fine, I’m coming too. But I mean it, we get a boat and we find an island. No messing about.”

Peter and Sirius nodded, and Marlene was satisfied.

Notes:

I think this chapter was longer but idk even if it isn’t this one took less time to write so i can get into the fun parts. anywayyy orions dead, yay!! i hate him sm and i just wanted him out before he could get in but it was also necessary for the plot bc like.. if he didn’t die sirius doesn’t run away to the docks and like.. everything starts there??

Chapter 3: Pirates

Summary:

Sirius, Peter and Marlene need to get aboard the Hogwarts Express. It’s dangerous, but Minerva lets them aboard.

Notes:

TW
- smoking

I think that’s all but that seems suspiciously short. a light chapter ig guys <3 take care x

The village whispered about the raven haired prince, who had spent days sleeping at the docks, and the sandy haired baker who joined him. They whispered plenty of other things too, but whenever someone passed them, both perched up against a barrel of beer, someone always had something to say.

 

It definitely wasn’t the most comfortable place to sleep, the first night they had bags of flour at least, then through the night they were loaded onto that week's ship, and Sirius had missed it.

 

Marlene had been furious, because boats weren’t too common at the village docks, one every two weeks if we were lucky. The boats usually arrived at the docks on the other side of the country, furthest from the castle so that any supplies nearest to the castle wouldn’t run low.

 

It was all greed with the Blacks. 

 

Sirius barely slept the next week, because he’d been so determined to get a boat, and make sure that they all got away. This week, no boat. Marlene started staying with them through the nights too.

 

One morning, when Sirius was up before the sun, and Peter and Marlene were fast asleep against his shoulders, the sea was still, only rippling with the wind, and the docks were just beginning to fill up, too girls past, one with long waves of platinum blonde, the other with a heap of tight black curls, both girls dressed far too nicely for the docks, or any part of the village, really.

 

Sirius shoved his head down, just avoiding the attention of the girls whatsoever. They barely acknowledged the three. 

 

“Bella, father will be furious, we should go back.” Said the blonde woman.

 

Bella smiled and shook her head, “Cissa, I want to see the pirates!” 

 

“You’ve got to be joking, Bellatrix. They’re all idiots, chasing some stupid, made up necklace!” 

 

“You don’t believe it’s real?” Bellatrix asked.

 

“Of course not, and even if it was, it'll be worth nothing by now, with all the rust. Come on, let’s go.” Narcissa said. Bellatrix pouted, but followed.

 

Bellatrix and Narcissa Black. Sirius’ cousins, nasty ladies, despite their riches, and genetics, they were awful. Bellatrix loved Regulus, Narcissa did too. Why couldn’t Andy have been with them? Sirius thought.

 

Andromeda Black, that was Sirius’ favourite person in his awful family. Andy had been disowned, banished from the monarchy because she married a man from the village near Montriond. He wasn’t pure enough for the Blacks, so neither was Andy. 

 

Sirius only met Ted once, Ted Tonks was his name. He seemed alright, and Andy seemed happy. Last he’d heard, Andy was pregnant, but that was a few years ago.

 

Once the sound of the girls had been washed from his ears by the soothing sound of the ripples meeting the docks, he began to process what they were talking about. Bella wanted to see the pirates, and they were here? Join a pirate ship? Peter’s words rang in his ears.

 

Join a pirate ship? Yes. Yes. Yes.

 

He jumped up, shaking Peter awake. “Pete! We’re joining a pirate ship!” He said, shaking him harder. “We’re gonna be pirates!”

 

Peter grumbled awake. “What are you on abou’?” Peter mumbled, his voice thick and slurred with sleep. 

 

“The next ship here, it’s a pirate ship, Pete. Pirates! We’re gonna be pirates!”

 

“Who’s gonna be pirates?” Marlene yawned.

 

Sirius grinned, and yelled excitedly, “Us! The three of us!” 

 

Sirius took a minute, laughing,smiling and looking like the world was at his feet. “Pirates!” He kept shouting gleefully, like it was the only word with meaning. 

 

“There’s a pirate ship on its way. I heard my cousins talking about it!” Sirius explained the lot, not leaving out a single detail.

 

“We’re not getting on some bloody pirate ship, are you mad?” Peter said.

 

“What? Pete, it was your idea!”

 

“My idea of a joke! You’re off your rocker, mate.”

 

Sirius looked utterly bewildered. “It's dangerous, Sirius.” Marlene said. “I- you’re- Pete!” Sirius staggered out his words.

 

“Pirates aren’t safe, Sirius! Don’t they teach you that in bloody royal training?” 

 

That only earned Peter a snarl. “Shut up, Pete!”

 

*

 

So they waited, they waited days, and another ship was surely not coming. Sirius was prepared to leave on that pirate ship alone, because nobody, not even Regulus could get him to take the throne.

 

Sirius had been home, late at night to retrieve his things, then leave and wait again. 

 

Waiting. 

 

But the waiting made his head ache and his stomach sink because every day that ship didn’t come, was a day closer to the coronation.

 

What would Regulus think? Sirius thought to himself, brushing it off as nothing, giving it little attention and hoping that thought would go away.

 

Pacing the docks became boring, and no boats would arrive while he was gone, not unless his luck really was awful. He was thinking of heading somewhere else, but where? The castle wasn’t an option, even if it was, it’d be his last and Sirius didn’t want to see Marlene and Peter, because neither of them would understand that he was leaving with or without them, so he couldn’t go to the bakery either. 

 

Sirius was really alone.

 

Pacing the docks it was. He eventually took to helping out people passing, then sitting on the edge, swinging his feet in the water underneath, with a cigarette to his lips. He couldn’t see the bottom, and that used to scare him. Until one day Regulus got in. Sirius remembered it so clearly.

 

‘Reg, get out, there’s sharks!” Sirius grabbed Regulus’ hand, the only thing still above water. Sirius held the docks with one hand, the other lacing with Regulus’ “Reg, stop messing around!” 

 

Regulus yanked him in. With a high pitched yelp, the water enveloped Sirius’ whole body. “Reg, you idiot, there’s sharks!” Sirius screamed frantically.

 

There was just laughter in return. “Don’t be so stupid! It’s too shallow for sharks over here. Look! I can touch the bottom!” 

 

That’s exactly what Regulus did, and Sirius looked out at the water, thinking so fondly of Regulus, and the water felt ice cold, creeping up his body as he thought about Regulus swimming alone. What if there really were sharks, but nobody was around to save him?

 

Sirius felt 8 years old again.

 

Regulus deserved a chance to escape too.

 

*

 

“Come, run away with me, Reg.” Sirius pleaded.

 

“And leave Mum?” Regulus asked, as if his answer should have been obvious.

 

“She doesn't need us.” 

 

“Her husband is dead.”

 

Sirius scoffed. “Fine, stay. You’ll be a perfect king. If you don’t agree to be her queen instead.” It was bitter.

 

“Sirius. How are you leaving?” 

 

“It’s none of your concern.”

 

“Be safe.”

 

Sirius swallowed the lump in his throat, fighting back the guilt he felt. He wanted to shake Regulus until he saw sense. Come with me, you prick! Come with me! Sirius wanted to scream. Instead he gave a halfhearted nod, and turned on his heel. That very well might be the last time Sirius ever saw Regulus Black, that might have been the last time Sirius saw his baby brother.

 

He felt nothing and everything at the same time.

 

Sirius walked from the castle with his heart heavy and his hands empty. At least you said goodbye. 

 

Sirius swore he had a guardian angel, because Sirius’ mind was only ever positive in the form of a voice, a man’s voice, maybe his age. It wasn’t one he recognised, and it was an accent of a country he didn’t recognise either, but whoever it was, Sirius needed them there at times like this. 

 

He knew that he’d only hurt himself more if they said no, but Peter and Marlene would see more sense than Regulus, they weren’t nearly as stubborn.

 

Sirius threw a rock at Peter’s window, because it was late and he didn’t want to wake Peter’s mum. 

 

His light was on, but the curtains were closed. He threw another, and after a moment, the curtains opened, and so did the window. “Sirius, what you doing ‘ere?” Peter hung from out the window. 

 

“I’m gonna get on the pirate ship, Pete. With or without you and Marlene, I’m getting out of here. Are you coming with me or not?” Sirius stated bluntly, and Peter looked unbothered.

 

“Wouldn’t want you out at sea on your own, what’d Marlene say?”

 

“I wanted to come to you first, maybe if there’s two of us, she’d be more likely to come.” Sirius said, realising his dumb logic.

 

“Don’t think so, she’ll only go if she wants to.”

 

“Okay, fair. I’ll try her. But, you’ll come, right?” 

 

Peter nodded, grinning at Sirius. “Pirates, ini?”

 

Sirius laughed, then nodded back. “Pirates.”

 

*

 

Jolting awake, Sirius heard the sound of a crowd clambering towards the docks.

 

He sat upright, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, then rubbing again, in a cartoonish manner. His eyes had to be deceiving him. It was here.

 

There was a shadow in the distance, the faint image of a boat, which was clearly miles out at sea, but it was huge, so you could hardly miss it.

 

Sirius shoved through the crowd, heading to the bakery for Peter. “Pete! They’re here! They’re- Peter, come on!” He banged his fist hard against the door urgently. 

 

Peter was pulling on his jacket, a brown suede jacket with cream fleece inside, and draped a tattered khaki backpack over his shoulder. “You ready, Sisi?” Peter grinned, teasing with the nickname, meanwhile Sirius just cringed.

 

“I didn’t ask Marlene! Come on!”

 

Sirius fucking bolted to Marlene’s house, Peter close behind and didn’t bother knocking. Michael was usually passed out on the settee at this time. “Marls! Marlene!” Sirius called, running up the creaky wooden steps. 

 

She was laying in her bed, rubbing her eyes. “What the fuck? It’s like 8 in the morning!” She complained, rolling over. 

 

“Marlene, we’re going. There’s a ship, I’m leaving. Are you coming with us or not?” Peter said, 

 

Marlene’s eyes went wide, “Now?” She asked.

 

They both nodded at her. “Get anything you need, and we’re going, you’re coming, right?” Sirius asked, his eyes searching hers in that puppy-like way. 

 

“I’ll get my things.”

 

Sirius grinned. Marlene bossed them around a bit, they grabbed all her things that she needed and we shoved them into Peter’s bag, anything that didn’t fit went in Sirius’ and then there was her bag too but it was pretty empty compared to theirs.

 

Sirius hadn’t brought any of his belongings, except 2 pairs of trousers, underwear, socks and t-shirts. He of course had the clothes he was wearing too, his beaten up leather jacket, his longest, biggest pair of jeans and his black platform boots. 

 

His bag was completely full of gold, money and  cigarettes other than that. He knew that would get him further than anything sentimental.

 

“Got everything?” He asked Marlene, and all it took was her nod and they were off. 

 

*

 

Everyone filled the docks, so it was damn near impossible to get on the boat without someone noticing. There was a strong, lean man holding a gun on the deck, and surely that was for anyone who tried to intrude. 

 

There were only 3 people to be seen on board, but it was far too big for only five people. There was a man with a gun, dark and handsome. There was a gorgeous woman at the other side, less intimidating, but just as dangerous, Sirius could tell. Then there was an older woman, early 40s maybe? beautiful but stern, with her hair in a tight black bun, and wire rimmed glasses on the edge of her nose. 

 

Sirius couldn’t get close enough, but he could see the boat. 

 

It was the most magnificent thing he had ever seen. It was bigger than any boat at the castle, which Walburga would be less than pleased to hear. The sides of the boat were burgundy and black, everything was, the sails, the canons, the safety boats. 

 

The only exception was the crest, marked onto the sail in its full glory, and the words ‘Hogwarts Express’ written in gold letters across the front. The crest was beautiful, it was separated into four equal sections, with a golden ‘H’ between, the emerald green background, with the piercing eyes of a serpent, a golden yellow background, with a badger, ready to pounce, a deep blue background, with an eagle soaring through it like the sky, and the one that really had his eye, the ruby red background, with the lion. The lion with the same ferocity as the badger, the same carelessness as the eagle, and the same cold stare as the serpent.

 

Sirius was forced into an opening in the crowd. He grabbed the wrist of the pretty young girl aboard. “I need to come with you, who do I talk to?”

 

“Don’t touch me, you filth.” The girl spat, her voice harsh like it was personal. “Don’t bother, you won’t get aboard,” she said.

 

Sirius pleaded further. “Please, just let us on, we could be helpful. We’re not looking for a cut or anything, just to leave.”

 

“I can’t help you, idiot!” She snapped.

 

“I have gold, lots of it!” Sirius said quickly, running low on ideas. 

 

The pretty girl eyed him for a second, looking sceptical. “Talk to her, over there.” She pointed a long, slender finger towards the older woman. 

 

With the look on Sirius’ face anyone would’ve sworn she just proposed, “Thank you, I owe you one.” He said, and rushed over to the woman. 

 

“Excuse me, ma’am?” Sirius was on his best behaviour to get on this ship.

 

She looked up from her glasses, peering at him through her lashes.

 

“I’m Sirius, and I really need to get on your ship. I have plenty of gold, I’m not looking for a cut of the treasure, neither are my friends.”

 

She said nothing. 

 

“Excuse me, Miss?” He asked, softly, gently. “Please. I’ll pay however much you need.” 

 

“I need nothing, Sirius. You and your friends are welcome aboard, but there’s no guarantee you’ll return in one piece.”

 

Sirius nodded, no hesitation. “Yes, ma,am.” He said.

 

“Minerva, and very well. You and your friends can board.”

 

Sirius Black owed this Minerva his life, but more than that, his freedom.

Notes:

This chapter was supposed to be 2 but I didn’t know when to split it up so you get one long one instead. yay!

Chapter 4: The Marauders - Part 1

Summary:

Sirius is missing his brother, but now he’s meeting his future brothers!

Notes:

TW:
-brief mentions of child abuse (what can i say orions a prick)
Idk if there’s any others but i could be wrong but stay safe anyway guys<3

The air seems thicker when he looks back to the castle, too thick to breathe. Regulus will be fine. That was that voice again. 

 

Sirius said it aloud to confirm it, then again. “Regulus will be fine.” He muttered to himself.

 

Nobody could be sure of that though. Nobody could be certain that Regulus would be okay, that Walburga wouldn’t use him, bend him to her will. 

 

“Regulus will be fine,” he insisted. 

 

“Sirius?” Marlene put a hand on his shoulder. “Did they say we can get on?”

 

Sirius felt the thoughts growing smaller in his head. There were far less people on the docks now, that’s probably how they found him. “Yeah, they’ll have us.” He nodded, bringing himself back down to earth. 

 

“Come on. Get on.” He said.

 

Peter and Marlene obliged so easily, of course they’d get on board, they werent leaving their little brother alone in the house that fucking ruined them.

 

Sirius envied them. Marlene had her brother, she had Peter with her, and Peter had Marlene. So where the fuck was Regulus? Sirius knew where, wasting away up in that awful fucking castle. He wanted to forget everything before the ship, and forgetting everything could have been simple if it wasn’t for Regulus. Fuck Regulus for making everything right now so much more difficult than it had to be. Fuck you, Regulus.

 

Sirius’ boot sole hit the boat deck with a thud, a thud that sounded like hollow wood to anyone else, but to Sirius sounded like the sound of his mothers palm to his brother's cheek, and it made Sirius’ chest ache.

 

Tears stung at the back of Sirius' eyes, “He’s fine,” he sniffled, and he heard his familiar, but faceless voice. This time that voice wasn't talking to him, and it wasn't being reassuring as usual, and it almost sounded different without its soft, comforting tone, so different that Sirius doubted it was his voice at all.

 

Sirius’ head snapped up, his nose cold from the way the wind blew at the docks. He looked over the faces of the people scattered on the deck, what for, he wasn't sure. Sirius just felt like he would just know when it was him, the one hed been picturing, the one who always knew just what to say and just how to say it with his perfect fucking voice and that perfect accent. He would just know when it was that boy, when it was his boy.

 

Sirius looked around, and felt nothing.

 

Sirius looked at the faces of the people that surrounded, and not one of them had deemed themselves worthy enough to be the voice behind his every positive thought in the castle, because he felt numb staring over the people aboard. Sirius wasn't sure when he walked the rest of the way onto the deck, but that's where he stood.

 

“She let you on after, did she?” There was the voice of the girl from earlier, the girl who had pointed him in the direction of Minerva. “My name's Mary." The way she said it made his teeth hurt, so sickeningly sweet, like butter wouldn't melt on her tongue. Well fuck that.

 

“Pretty name. I'm Sirius.” he said, trying not to sound as shit as he felt. By the sounds of it, he did, because Mary couldn't carry the conversation from there.

 

“Ill find you a dorm and we'll get you settled in then, Sirius.” He just nodded politely. The sound of Mary's voice helped with the numb feeling inside, because he hated it with a passion. It wasnt fair to take his moods out on the people trying to help him, but thats fucking life. Life's not fair, and if it was, his little brother would be on this ship too. Sirius’ legs had carried him somewhere on the lower deck, or second lower deck. He wasn't sure where he was, but he extended his leg and kicked the nearest door. 

 

Sirius hurt his pride and his foot. The kick did nothing but embarrass him, and just alarm some people around him. He couldn't wait to get to his room here, because there was someone everywhere he went and he couldn't think of anything rational with all these people.

 

His eyes were stinging and his hair was sticking to his neck, he missed his fucking brother. Going home would do nothing, if it would, he'd swim back, but Regulus at home wasn't a regulus he recognised. His Regulus was gone anyway. 

 

Sirius knew he was only annoying the people down here, so he returned to the top deck to find Mary. If he couldn't find her, she'd be back for him, surely. She had said so herself, hadn't she? Sirius hadn't been listening.

 

He sat against one of the barrels on deck, he wasn't sure exactly what was in it, but it smelt lovely, like berries. Maybe it was a wine of some sort, or jam, but why anyone would need a barrel of jam, Sirius wasn't sure. Mary didn't seem like she was coming back, so Sirius walked around to see if he could find Minerva. He saw her talking to a very long boy, who was facing away from him, but as Minerva made her way to the very lost looking Sirius in front of her, the boy walked away. 

 

“Sirius, is everything quite alright?” She asked. It was nice to hear a voice he knew and not feel like he was imagining it.

 

“Nearly. I don't actually have a room. Mary said she'd find me one, but I've lost her. Big boat, ini’, Minnie. Say, is it yours?”

 

She chuckled, Sirius couldn't understand why, nothing he had said was meant to be funny, although he did have that way about him that just seemed to brighten the people around him.

 

“The boat belongs to the school, Sirius.” Minerva said, which only further confused him.

 

“The school?” 

 

“Hogwarts.”

 

“What do you teach?”

 

“Pirates.”

 

Sirius frowned. It sounded stupid, but Sirius had an unspoken respect for Minerva already, so he would never disrespect her by saying so. What kind of school teaches pirates? Surely nobody actually goes to that, right? By the looks of it, lots of people do, because the deck really was full of people his age.

 

“You mentioned your sleeping situation, yes?” Minerva asked sweetly, but thinking about it there was nothing sweet about it at all. The gears in Sirius’ head were turning and she knew that, but she just left him to wonder.

 

“Yeah, I just wanna get this bag off me.” He said. Minerva made a gesture that meant something along the lines of ‘right this way’, she flicked her hand in the direction of the dorms and walked the way she had waved to. He noticed how her fingernails were painted a dark, shimmery purple and he was intrigued. Would Sirius be allowed to do that here? At home his father would call him names if he did anything along the lines, his mother wasn't as bad, she would have at least complimented him, but insisted it was for girls, before his father would slap a belt against his thighs. Minerva reminded him strangely of Walburga, which made him weary, but Minerva wasn't a witch like his mother, Minerva was an angel.

 

Minerva stopped before one of the doors, and handed him a key.

 

“You’ll be sharing a room with the boy who arrived with you, Peter I believe, James and Remus. I'm sure you will get on like a house on fire.” She waved her hand at the door and parted almost instantly. He knocked, but no answer. He just opened the door anyway.

 

All three boys were in the room, Peter and another boy on one of the burgundy four poster beds, and another boy on the bed across, his legs dangling off the edge of the bed from his height, and his nose, scarred and slightly bent by his past broken bones, but still buried in a book. Swot. Sirius nearly said it out loud, but refrained.

 

“Sirius!” Peter jumped up, practically shoving himself and James off the bed. “Sirius, this is James, and that’s Remus.” He gestured to the two other boys, James was undoubtedly the nicest looking boy Sirius had ever laid eyes on. He had this aura about him, so warm and affectionate, the same with his rich, brown eyes and olive skin. James wore gold wire-frame glasses, and they complimented his features perfectly. James was tall, lean and muscular. 

 

Remus, he didn’t get a look at before he shoved his way out the dorm. Sirius might’ve been offended, if he hadn’t been immediately overwhelmed by James.

 

“You alright? I’m James. Pete said you’re a king or summin.” 

 

“I’m n-”

 

“I didn’t say that!” 

 

“Yeah, you did!” James laughed, and then Peter did too, and Sirius felt jealous so quickly. What’s so bloody funny? He wanted to scream, he wanted to shake Peter by the shoulders, snap him out of this, but instead he forced a smile and sat on the other spare bed. This was going to be torture.

 

Sirius heard the irritating chatter between James and Peter until the ringing in his ears took over and Sirius was completely elsewhere. Until, his eyes shut themselves. It'd been hours until they opened again and now the only sound he heard was the faint click of the door. Then, the soft pitter patter of footsteps on the floor, the old bed creaking under the weight of his roommate, the rustle of the sheets and the shallow breathing from the other boy. 

 

The moon crept through the curtains, illuminating his figure, tall and lanky. His hair was in soft curls until his neck, his skin like porcelain, completely perfect and untouched, besides the light blush scars that streamed across his face like a curse. Sirius didn’t see it that way, Sirius saw the beauty in them, even if he’d missed them before. 

 

Sirius sat awake in bed, watching his roommate through the slither in the curtains. He wondered how his skin would feel over the other boys. He sat awake wondering what Remus would be like to touch or to hold. Remus looked soft, he didn’t look warm as James, but Sirius never really liked the warmth.

 

Sirius didn’t dream much at night, but that meant his daydreams ran wild. Sirius mindlessly twirled his hair between his fingers, thinking about the way Remus’ curls would feel instead. Sirius never thought about anything but boys, it seemed.

 

“Remus?” Sirius called, but received no answer and he saw the boy turn over in the light. “Remus,” he tried again,

 

“Piss off.” Was what he got in return. It’s better than nothing. Sirius thought stupidly to himself, feeling suddenly giddy.

 

Sirius grinned and turned onto his side. 

 

“Goodnight.” He sang, and Sirius was more than pleased that he’d gotten an answer the first time, so being ignored again didn’t bother him at all.

Notes:

Sorry this chapter took so long im on holidays

Also Sirius is gay- no surprise there- and he’s gonna figure it out very very soon. Sorry for the Mary slander in this btw i love Mary so much but Sirius won’t for a little bit just because i do want them to become friends in a cooler way.

Chapter 5: The Marauders - Part 2

Summary:

Remus hates Sirius, but hes all Sirius can think about. Luckily, his new friend, James makes it easy to forget about.

Notes:

i dont beleive that there are any tws for this chapter but if theres anything you think needs warning in each chapter than please comment or dm me my insta is @siriusblackkin x

Sirius was sitting beside Remus on his bed, Remus who did nothing but read and wanted nothing to do with Sirius but would let Sirius sit with him whenever he pleased, as long as he was quiet. 

 

Sirius read into that too much, he held out a slither of hope that Remus was infatuated with him, like he was with Remus. 

 

James and Peter were clicking instantly, playing switch with an old deck of cards they had found when Pete was on duty. Sirius hadn’t been given any jobs yet, and he couldn’t help but feel useless. Even Marlene had been given jobs, so he couldn’t even go see her for a snog if he was bored. 

 

He valued his time with Remus more than anything. Remus never spoke, but when he did, it was nice. It was familiar, but of course, everyone had jobs except Sirius, so Remus was constantly leaving in the nights, he never said what for, Sirius just assumed it was something Minerva had said.

 

Sirius was spending all his time alone, just looking for something to do. He paced the deck all day, waiting desperately to be someone’s knight in shining armour.

 

“Need help with those, Potter?” Sirius was beside James in an instant when he saw him, his big arms barely containing a shit ton of books. Sirius swept an arm gracefully under his, taking a good few, to lessen the load. “What are you needing all these for?” 

 

“Cheers. Minnie likes to keep us on our toes.” James grinned with all his teeth. 

 

“What do you mean?” Sirius wasn’t sure where the books were to go, and he hadn’t bothered checking what they were about, he followed James like his dog. “You know, school work. Course, we work on the boat mostly, but we need to know our stuff before she can throw us into treasure hunting.” 

 

Sirius shrugged. He hadn’t thought of that. 

 

*

 

Remus was getting increasingly annoyed at the boy who’d just been put in his room. Remus refused to call him his roommate, there was no ‘mate’ about it. Sirius Black was a pain in the arse.

 

Whenever Remus was reading, Sirius was there. Whenever Remus had jobs to do, Sirius questioned it. Whenever Remus needed quiet, it was Sirius who denied him that pleasure. What the fuck is that about?

 

Sirius had finally backed off, and Remus was spending his hours of peace in the place he least wanted to, in McGonagall’s office. 

 

Remus was surely not in trouble, she couldn’t be mad at him for anything, he’d been so busy trying not to cave Sirius’ head in that he hadn’t had time to cause any trouble. 

 

Or maybe that was it? Maybe he’d been distracted and accidentally forgotten about a job, about work? Oh, Sirius Black was so dead. 

 

The sound of the door shutting snapped Remus out of his thoughts. “Remus, do you know why I’ve asked you here today?” Minerva spoke softly, not stern like she might have in previous times he’d fucked up. “No, professor.” He answered.

 

She tutted her tongue. “I was wondering if you’d given any more thought to what I’d asked you?”

 

“Oh, right.” Sirius. Sirius. Sirius. Sirius. What a twat.

 

“Nah, haven’t really thought of it.” He said, and seeing the look of brief disappointment on Minerva’s face, he felt guilty. Remus knew what she meant, he just wasn’t interested.

 

The first night Sirius, Peter and Marlene were welcomed aboard, they’d also been assigned ‘buddies’, although completely oblivious. The buddies were essentially babysitters, to make sure that the 3 new members were looked after, and that they had a friend or two. Marlene had been assigned Lily, they got on well enough. Peter had James, and Sirius was supposed to have been assigned Mary. Sirius didn’t take well to Mary, and instead it was clear that Remus was a much better fit. McGonagall had suggested that Remus would simply take over Mary’s position.

 

Remus wasn’t interested in the slightest. “I mean, I haven’t given it much thought yet. I’ve been busy with my studies n’ stuff.” He backtracked, McGonagall was all he had and he hated to disappoint her.

 

Her lips curled into a tight, sincere smile. “I understand that, Remus. If you make up your mind, I’ll be here, but for now,” she had a threatening gaze normally, Remus didn’t mind it because he’d seen much worse and most of all, because Minerva McGonagall was a mother at heart, the kind of mother who would never intentionally frighten her children.

 

“How are your studies, Remus? Are you getting anywhere with your research, my dear?” She asked. Remus smiled the faintest smile. “S’ coming along, I suppose.” He said.

 

Minerva clasped her hands together on the desk. “Glad to hear it. What was it you were taking this year, Remus?” Remus looked down at his own hands in his lap, fidgeting anxiously with his fingers. Why? God knows. Remus wasn’t anxious, not around Minerva.

 

“Astronomy.” He said. She gasped in delight and spoke sweetly to him. “Ah, of course. Specifically the moon, am I right?” Remus nodded with a small smirk. “Tell me, what was that called?” She asked him. He smiled wider because he knew that she knew. Minerva knew everything, and something as simple as this wouldn’t have stumped her. He also knew that this was Minnie’s way of letting him talk about this. “A Selenography.” He said.

 

She hummed, that way she did when she was interested. “Yes, that’s it. Well, Remus I'm afraid that’s all I had to say, so unless there’s anything else you’d like to talk about, you’re free to go.” Remus paused. “I’ll do it, Minnie.” He said simply. “I’ll show Sirius around.”

 

Her expression changed from serious to seriously pleased. “Thank you, dear. I’ll talk to Mary.”

 

He gave a nod and left her office. He saw James and Sirius walking towards him and it clicked what he’d done. He’d basically surrendered all his spare time to Sirius, the spare time in question was the time away from Sirius. 

 

There was a loud bark of laughter, and Remus had to do a double take. Hang on, since when are they such good pals? That was James, his best friend. What was James doing with Sirius? 

 

“Alright, James?” Remus asked nonchalantly, walking past like it was nothing. James turned to look at him with that toothy grin. “Yeah, alright.” James took him by the back of his neck and pressed a deep kiss on his cheek. Remus blinked and turned his head away, “Piss off.” Remus chuckled softly as he pushed his friend off of him. James laughed and headed into Minerva’s office behind Sirius.

 

*

 

Sirius and James finished bringing the books down to Minerva, and now they were sharing stories on the way to their dorm. “One time, my little brother, Reggie and I set fire to our grandparents' portraits. Mum was fuming, of course.” Sirius recounted.

 

“You’ve got a brother?” James asked, Sirius nodded proudly. “I ain’t got any siblings, just my mum and dad.” James said and Sirius instantly felt guilty. It made him think what life would’ve been like without a brother, and the thought gave him chills. “Oh.. sorry.”

 

“Don’t bother, nothing to be sorry for is there, just means I can pick my brothers.” He said, smiling just as bright as usual. “I've picked on you now, mate. Race you to the dorm?” 

 

*

 

James and Sirius burst in, both clearly out of breath, James first with Sirius just on his tail. “Beat you!” James said, jumping onto Sirius’ bed. Remus looked up from his book with his brows knitted together tightly, not saying a word. 

 

Sirius sat beside James. “Fuck off, you cheated.” He said playfully, and they both burst into fits of giggles. Fucking idiots , both of them. Remus thought to himself.

 

Remus stood up and headed for the door again, and realised he had nowhere else to go. “Have either of you seen Peter?” He asked, and gritted his teeth as he spoke.

 

“Kitchens I think, mate.” And without anything but a muttered ‘cheers’ Remus stormed down to find Peter. 

 

Peter worked in the kitchen, and given he was a baker back home Remus knew better than to question him in the kitchen. He brought Peter a book he’d asked to borrow, something on rare plants and looking after them. He tapped him on the back with the edge of the book and slipped it into the pocket of his apron when he turned to face him. “You can keep it if you let me stay.”

 

“Yeah, or’right. What’s wrong with the dorm, then?” Peter shot back. 

 

“Sirius just fries my ‘ead, that’s all.” And that earned him a nod from Peter. Pete gets it.

 

“He’s seeing my sister, you know? Well, she’s not really my sister. Might as well be.”

 

Remus smiled at that, that’s sweet. “I assumed Sirius was more interested in..” Remus paused, how the fuck was he meant to say that.

 

“Into boys? Yeah, me too.” Peter finished, looking a little amused. Remus chuckled, he couldn’t help it. 

 

“What av you got left to do? Anything I’d be any help with?” Remus offered, Peter looked up in thought, and Remus was reminded stupidly of in cartoons when a light bulb would appear beside their head. “Don’t think so.” Peter said. “Mh. Let me know if there is.”

 

Peter was so much easier to talk to than Sirius. 

Notes:

peter and remus are my sirius and james. theyre best friends and thats it. we dont leave peter out in this household. alsooo new pov unlocked yayyy. there will be more when i see fit lol but so far its just sirius, remus and reg.

Chapter 6: Marlene

Summary:

Marlene's pirate life. Is Regulus Black too proud to find his brother?

Notes:

TW; and i do need to explain this first one,
-age gap. Marlene is attracted to a much older woman, but none of the characters mentioned in this fic so far is under 18, and also the attraction is unrequited.
-kissing
-mention of swords

Marlene was on the deck with Lily, who was proving to be wonderful company. Marlene couldn’t help but think how beautiful Lily was, everything about her. Her bright green, warm eyes and the amber freckles splattered across her nose underneath, and Lily was so kind. So, so kind. 

 

It made perfect sense that Lily wanted to be a medic, it made such perfect sense that her reason wasn’t ’it’s less dangerous than fighting’ or ‘I won’t be needed often.’ No, whenever Marlene, or anyone for that matter would ask her why she did what she did, her reason was just as sweet as she was. “I just want to help people.” She’d say. Marlene would listen for hours on hours to her friend say such a thing.

 

“Madame Pomfrey said Grant is really sick, something about it being contagious. Nothing I could do but let her do her job, she said.” Lily explained to Marlene.

 

“Hope he’s alright.” Marlene said. She usually just listened when Lily spoke and added a comment or two when necessary. This was more than satisfactory for Lily.

 

“Mh.. me too. Say, have you figured out what you wanna do yet?” She brushed her hair back, pushing through it with her fingers, like flames licking at her palm. Marlene couldn’t look away for the life of her. 

 

“No. No, not yet.” She said tearing her eyes away from Lily completely, though it took more effort than it should have. Her eyes scanned the deck for something, anything to distract her. “Reckon I’d be any good with a sword?” Marlene asked with a cheeky smirk as she backed away from Lily, towards the only thing on board that was as attractive as the girl in front of her. 

 

Swords. A barrel of swords, all glistening silver and delicate designs caressing the blade. Marlene drew one, without a rational thought. “Holy shit..” she muttered to herself. “They teach you how to use these?” Lily shook her head. 

 

“No, you’ve got to take a different course than I did.” Lily said, Marlene just ran her tongue across her top teeth, tutting in mock disapproval. “Shame, thought you might be able to teach me.” She drew it fully from the barrel. “I’ll get the hang of it.. I think.” Marlene backed away, swinging the sword with ease, practically dancing around a smirking Lily Evans. 

 

She continued with her hand over one eye, mocking your stereotypical ‘pirate’. Lily looked less amused, more bashful than anything now. Marlene didn’t realise it, but Lily wasn’t looking at her anymore. Lily was looking directly behind her. “You’re a natural.” A voice said from close, not intimidating at all. Marlene whipped around, and honestly might have fallen to her knees right then, had she not been suddenly hot. She was blushing.

 

An older woman, presumably in her mid fourties stood in front of — a very flustered — Marlene. She had jet black hair, with faint silver streaks that only made her more appealing to Marlene and eyes dark as her hair but what really struck her down was the gentle tone in which she spoke, and the creases beside above her mouth which were so clearly a courtesy of her smile.

 

“I- I didn’t..” Marlene stumbled on her words, looking up at the most gorgeous woman alive probably. “Sorry.” Forgive me, please forgive me. 

 

The woman flashed that smile again, and Marlene’s jaw felt so much heavier now. This had to be a fucking dream. “It’s okay, dear. I could train you, if you’d like to use it properly.” She spoke again, and Marlene just nodded. What was she saying? Marlene wasn’t listening at all, just soaking her all up, every detail. Swords, right. Swords..

 

“I’d love that..” Marlene tried not to sound like a fool. “My name's Marlene.” She said quickly, practically pleading. Just acknowledge me. 

 

“Euphemia, but call me Effie. Everybody does.” She had the nicest smile Marlene had ever seen. It was so warm, it just felt like a fireplace, a thick blanket and a hug all at once.

 

Marlene nodded, coming back to her senses. She brought her eyes away and felt like a twat. How long had she been staring up at Effie? How long had she been just straight out ogling some woman? Marlene never thought she was attracted to girls. Never.

 

Sure, she knew her friends were gorgeous but she wasn’t attracted to them per se. She just liked looking at them. This was completely different. 

 

Fuck off, you don’t even know her. Marlene told herself.

 

“Tomorrow morning, you’re welcome to come train with me and Mary.” Effie said gently and Marlene didn’t notice until now but Effie was crouched ever so slightly so she was on Marlene’s level, and Marlene was always taller than most women she spoke to.

 

Marlene nodded, and she knew then.. she’d never be the same again.

 

*

 

Sirius was facing some problems of his own too. Except, Marlene was finding new women to fall in love with, Sirius was trying to get his roommate to speak to him. 

 

Remus Lupin was a tough bugger, he’d give him that. James and Sirius were each others’ favourite person alive, nevermind aboard the ship, and he’d known Peter so long before the ship that he wouldn’t question his loyalty, but Remus wouldn’t budge.

 

Sirius couldn’t be the problem. Sirius was never the problem. Sirius was likeable, handsome, charming, smart, funny.. humble, What wasn’t there to like?

 

Remus felt like unmarked territory to Sirius, and it made him so curious. Remus barely spoke, and when he did it was just some snide comment muttered into the page of his newest book, and Sirius was a sucker for mystery. 

 

Sirius sat behind Remus, pressing his chin against his shoulder to peer over. “What you reading?” Sirius sang. 

 

“Mind your own.” Remus sang back, shrugging him off. Sirius wasn’t so easy to get rid of. He ran a finger over Remus’ nose, tracing the light pink scarred skin. “How’d you get these? You in a gang or something?” Sirius joked. Remus wasn’t amused.

 

“Piss off, Sirius.” He said. Sirius gave an exaggerated sigh, then snatched up the book from Remus’ palms. Sirius read the title under his breath, then flipped it over for the blurb. Remus’ hand snapped out. His cheeks flushed bright red, and Sirius couldn’t tell if it was his embarrassment or anger. 

 

He held the book away from Remus, smirking. He began to read it aloud to really torture him. 

 

“ Set in the elegant Edwardian world of Cambridge undergraduate life, this story by a master novelist introduces us to Maurice Hall when he is fourteen.

We follow him through public school and Cambridge, and on into his father's firm, Hill and Hall, Stock Brokers. In a highly structured society, Maurice is a conventional young man in almost every way," Sirius encouraged himself by giving a cheeky 'ooo' "and  ‘stepping into the niche that England had prepared for him’: except that he is… ” Sirius had to pause, he had to question himself. “ homosexual ..”

 

Remus snatched it back immediately. “That’s enough.” He growled, shoving Sirius back. Sirius felt the guilt twisting his stomach into knots. “Remus, I didn’t mean to-” “Just fuck off, alright?” Sirius nodded, his shoulders feeling heavier than they did before. 

 

So what if Remus was reading queer books? That didn’t make him queer, did it? They were just books. Remus was always reading, maybe he was running out of books to read and was just trying whatever he came across. Maybe. Maybe Sirius was reading into this too much — pun intended. Maybe Remus Lupin wasn’t queer at all, and maybe he had a queer friend. That made much more sense.

 

*

 

Barty lay along Regulus’ bed, his head perched up against Evan’s thigh, his eyes bounced back and forth the room after one Regulus Black. It was a sight indeed, The same Regulus who almost always kept composure was now pacing his bedroom. “Careful, Archie. Keep looking so worried people might start thinking you're human.” Evan teased, Barty looked back at him with a smirk, earning himself a sharp tug at his roots from the pretty blond.

 

Barty whinced and rubbed the back of his head, while Evan reassured him. “Reg, I'm sure he's fine. Probably on the sea with that, uh.. What's her name again?” He clicked his fingers at Barty, obviously expecting some help.

 

“What you lookin’ at me for? I don't know. Something McCartney?” Barty added unhelpfully.

 

Regulus scowled at the two idiots. “It's McKinnon, Marlene McKinnon. McCartney is one of The Beatles, you absolute moron.” Evan elbowed Barty hard in the arm. “Useless.” He muttered. 

 

Regulus came to a sudden halt, drawing the attention of both Barty and Evan. “Fuck it, I’m going to find it.” He decided abruptly. “Are you fucking mental? That's the whole ocean you're talking about.” Evan added.

 

“Theyve only been gone a few days, how far could they be?” Barty asked.

 

Regulus nodded. “Exactly, we can catch up, they've hardly left.” He said, his panic had clearly turned into some sort of high, like an adrenaline rush. Barty grinned, “When are we leaving?”

 

“We?” Evan asked, bewildered. “What, you mean you’re not coming?” Barty looked at him with the kind of expression that said ‘don’t give me that bullshit’. 

 

“Well, I can’t, can I?” Evan said, but it wasn’t a question at all. “Dora’s sick, I can’t just leave..” He said. 

 

Barty wanted to just grab him by the neck and just shove his tongue so far down his throat he’d choke. “She can come with us, right Reg?” Barty turned to Regulus, who was folding clothes into a briefcase. “All of you, pack light. We won’t be gone long.” Barty looked smug. “Optimistic, are we?”

 

He looked at Evan. “Dora’s not sea sick, is she?” He teased, not getting nearly the same enthusiasm he’d hoped for. “Let’s go pack.” Barty gripped him by the front of his shirt.

 

“Bye, Archie.” Evan muttered at Regulus, then followed Barty back to his room. “Keep doing shit like that, you’ll get us caught, you twat.” Evan said with a rather smug expression. 

 

“That’s the fun, ain’t it?” Barty asked, but didn’t wait for an answer before pressing his lips to Evan’s, his long arms twisting together at the nape of the blond boy's neck. The ‘fun’ as Barty called it, was waiting for Evan to react, and it was almost always the same.

 

His rough hands found Barty’s slender waist and they pulled him impossibly closer, before he pulled away. “Mh.. I’d love to stay and chat, but I’ve got to let Pandora know about our plans. Your fault, by the way.”

 

Barty growled, “ Sirius’ fault, actually. But fine, go see your sister.” He sighed, letting go. 

Notes:

rosekiller my babies :D
writing in marlenes pov is so fun i just les out over a bunch of the women. lily and marlene are just platonic but i wanted it to be clear that lily is that girl. like yk how in atyd remus is the casanova? thats lily here. everyone wants lily. i want lily.

Chapter 7: “This is music”

Summary:

Sexuality is confusing. Marlene gets it, and Sirius does too.

Notes:

TW:
-struggles with sexuality
-age gap (same as last chapter with that and it’s even briefer here)

maybe others but I think that’s it, please lmk if you see something I should put a warning for. okayy byeeee have fun!!

What the fuck was going on with her?

 

Marlene was really stressed out, she was constantly flushed and the thought had only just reoccurred that not only was she ruining her duelling training sessions with her stupid crush on Effie, but her relationship too, because yeah, Marls you’re still dating Sirius Black, a boy. 

 

Marlene had come a long way in very little time, she’d even come to terms with the fact that she did in fact have a crush. A crush that was on another woman, no less. So why on Earth was she still dating a boy?

 

Good question.

 

So, she swore it to herself; next time she saw Sirius, she’d end things. She wondered how he would react, because Sirius had had many women before he and Marlene made things official, but he always ended things when he wanted to. What if he asked why? Holy shit. 

 

I can’t do this. Yes, you can. No, I can’t. Yes. You. Can.

 

*

 

Sirius was sitting in his dorm, his eyes glazed over in that way they did whenever he wasn’t really present. Daydreaming, if you will. Lovely things, daydreams, so personal.

 

Sirius might’ve just died if his daydreams were projected for anyone else to watch with him, especially now. Remus was lying across his bed, his long limbs stretching against the sheets. 

 

His mind had been whirling with endless questions. The most important being ‘Are you queer?’ But that wasn’t something that you could just ask someone, so Sirius had to let his imagination wander.

 

Some days he would just imagine asking Remus, and daydream Remus would almost always snap, but there were also the days he would imagine what it would feel like, to see two boys kissing, just to see Remus kiss another bloke.

 

And of course, there were the days his curiosity got the better of him, and his creative imagination had to be brought back down to earth, those were the days that Sirius started imagining what it would be like if he kissed another boy. When he imagined what it’d be like to taste Remus Lupin specifically.

 

Sirius could daydream all day. It was a hobby of his, to just get lost in his imagination but when Sirius was looking up at the ceiling, imagining the way Remus’ sandy brown curls would drip like honey over his knuckles, and how it would feel to hold Remus’ face between his palms and place a kiss on every scar, that’s when things got complicated.

 

These thoughts were only natural. Remus was a beautiful boy, that’s all. It didn’t make Sirius queer just for putting himself in the shoes of someone luckier than himself… Even if it did make sharing a room a little more intense.

 

Sirius went over to James, as he usually did when he couldn't sleep. This had become a recurring theme, a routine even. Sirius quietly tip-toed across the room, crawled up into James' single bed while everyone else was asleep, and no matter what time it was, once they were both snug under the blanket, they'd talk. It didn't matter to Sirius what they talked about, because talking to James was easy.

 

James’ gentle whisper broke through the closest thing to silence that had ever been between them. “Have you met Lily yet?” Sirius shook his head, “No, Marlene wants me to though. She nice?”

 

James’ expression had lifted very slightly. “Yeah, she is. She’s pretty too.” Sirius caught on fast enough and grinned from ear to ear. “Ooo, Jamie's got a crush.” James laughed at his obvious teasing, shaking his head. “Shut up, idiot.” he said, lacking bite.

 

“Maybe I do, but that's got to be shit for my reputation.” Sirius sat up a bit. “Why? What's the matter with her?”

 

“No, nothing.. S’just that I don’t fancy anyone. Everyone fancies me, that's my appeal.” Sirius let out a loud bark of laughter that James quickly silenced by putting his hand over his mouth, which was for the best, Remus was a very light sleeper.

 

Sirius pulled his hand away by his wrist. “I’m sure your reputation won't suffer because of one girl. If you like her, go for it.” James nodded.

 

“You should take your own advice, mate.” Sirius’ eyebrows knitted together, obviously puzzled. “I what? I’ve already got a girlfriend, I don't-” James looked between Sirius and the corner of the room, and Sirius knew where he was looking, but followed his gaze there anyway; Remus’ bed.

 

 “Oh, right. Sorry, I just thought the two of you- he just talks about you so much- you know what, never mind. It was stupid.” They didn't say a word after that, and it never took long for James to fall asleep, tonight was no different. Sirius padded across the dorm back to his bed, and he didn't find rest until hours later. ‘He just talks about you so much.’ still ringing in his ears when he woke up. Sirius felt how he usually did when he was hung over, but he’d been sober since he got on the ship. Though, when he saw Marlene, all was right again. He hadn't seen her in a few days, so to him, she looked even more stunning than usual. 

 

It took him a second to realise it, but Marlene’s face fell as she saw him. 

 

He approached her with utter caution. “Hey, stranger.” He said, charming as ever. She smiled awkwardly. Okay, so it was official; she literally hates his fucking guts. “You alright, Marls?” he asked carefully. 

 

She pinched the bridge of her nose and muttered something quickly. Didn't quite catch that. “Sorry?” he leaned in a little.

 

“Iwannabreakup.” Ah. Sirius wasn’t going to lie to make himself feel better, it felt like a bag of bricks. He nodded slowly. “Okay.” He managed to stay calm.

 

“I just don't think it's for me.” “Marls, it’s fine.”

 

“No, but that's not what I meant. I really-” 

 

“Marlene, you don't have to explain yourself, I get it-” She immediately cut him off. “I’m gay! Or, no, I'm a lesbian, if we're getting specific. I’m queer, like… I just like girls.” 

 

Sirius did selfishly feel a lot better after that, “Oh, well that's great! Still friends then, yeah?” he asked. Marlene was undoubtedly one of his favourite people alive, along with James.

 

She let out a huff of relief. “Oh yeah, course we are.”

 

*

 

The rest of the day continued as usual for the most part, and he was wandering the ship for jobs to do, and after covering most of the lower deck and realising that he was probably becoming an annoyance, rather than a help, he had found his way to his recently favourite room aboard, the music room. “Hiya, Monty.” Sirius chirped as he sat crosslegged on the carpet, peering his head into the box labelled ‘rock records’. 

 

Mr Potter was tall, and the image of James, but not like your typical father and son, you'd think they were the same person if you weren't paying attention. The only difference being that Fleamont now had gentle silver streams lapping through his hair. “Morning, Sisi. See anything you fancy?” Fleamont ruffled Sirius’ hair playfully, Sirius grinned and held up a record that read ‘Led Zeppelin IV’ “Pops, what's this one?” he asked.

 

“I’ll chuck it on and we’ll have a listen, shall we?” Fleamont smiled, taking the vinyl and playing it on one of his many record players.

 

Sirius nodded, and as the record began to spin under the needle, Sirius thought he could have been floating. What was this magic? 

 

Hey, hey, mama, said the way you move

Gonna make you sweat, gonna make you groove

 

Legendary, that was the only word suitable for a song like this.

 

Ah, ah, child, way you shake that thing

Gonna make you burn, gonna make you sting

 

“Holy shit.” Sirius said, and Monty just smirked. Maybe he wasn't fully aware of how much this was affecting him, but if he was then he wasn't showing it at all. 

 

Monty started looking through cupboards, obviously trying to find something. Sirius might have offered his help, had he not been hypnotised by the sound of Robert Plant shouting about some lass who only wanted his money. 

 

He was pulled out of the trance by Monty, who placed a vintage-look record player just in front of him. “See any albums you like, and they're yours, boy.” 

 

“Oh, pops I couldn't." Sirius said, just to be polite, but everything in him was aching to dig through that box with reckless abandon. This must have been clear in his face because Fleamont insisted. “Take them, you're the only one who uses them anyway.”

 

Sirius beamed up at him. “Thank you, Monty.”

 

“S’ nothing, Sisi.” Fleamont kissed his hair, and Sirius felt more love in that moment than Orion had shown him his whole life. No wonder James was such an angel. “And while you're looking, if you could sort them out for me, that would be a huge help.”

 

Sirius usually spent hours a day in the music room anyway, and now he would get to take a part of it to his dorm. There was no word for how he was feeling right now, but it was a wonderful thing to feel. He sorted through the records, and decided he would only take three, maximum. He was set on ‘Led Zeppelin IV’, ‘Electric Warrior’ and ‘Tanx’.

 

It didn't take him long to put the records into order, and he went back to the door after an hour or two of listening to rock with Monty, until he decided it was probably time to go back to his dorm. He took his new record player, and the albums he’d picked out and set them on his bedside cabinet. He put on ‘Electric Warrior’ for what had to be the third time that day, turning over in his bed. James was on duty that night so he would have to sleep without him, just this once.

 

Beneath the bebop moon

I want to croon with you

Beneath the mambo sun

I got to be the one with youuuuu.

 

Notes:

eekkk music!! I love these albums and im a sirius black variant sooo by logic he does too!!

Led Zeppelin IV is an album by Led Zeppelin and it was published November 8, 1971. The lyrics in this chapter are from the song Black Dog.

Electric Warrior is an album by T-Rex and it was published September 24, 1971. The lyrics in this chapter are from the song Mambo Sun.

Tanx is a later album by T-Rex that was released March 16, 1973.

Chapter 8: Siren Regulus

Summary:

The beginning of jegulus

Notes:

TW:
-panic attack
-guns
-mention of murder (doesnt happen)

I think that’s it! lmk at my insta if u think anything needs to be mentioned as always! @siriusblackkin

Days. Days of searching and pining over that hope of finding his brother, but Regulus found nothing. 

 

Barty and Evan were trying their best, but their best wasn’t enough, there was nothing that they, or anyone else could do was enough, not until Regulus had his brother back. Nothing was important. Not the sound of the waves thundering against the boat, or the flinch that came after from Regulus, not the smell of salt on the ruthless wind, not the small shoal of fish beneath the boat. Sirius was the only thing on his mind and it would stay that way until they were brothers again.

 

The boat Regulus took was the biggest the castle had, which was plain stupid, considering there were only 4 people aboard— 8 including the servants, but Regulus never seemed to include the servants— on board was Regulus, Barty, Evan and Pandora and then there were the servants; Kreacher, Winky, Daisy and Dandy. 

 

Stupid prick probably hasn’t given his little brother a second thought since he left. Said that nasty little voice in the back of Regulus’ mind, and other than that there wasn't a thought behind his eyes as he looked overboard at the sea. It was picking to rain and the sun was setting, and Regulus might have looked completely at peace, had the crease between his brown not given him away.

 

Of course, that voice was right. It usually was. Sirius Black had joined a pirate ship, and he was having the time of his life. He’d really discovered himself, and he was nothing without Not only had Sirius found a best friend in James, but a brother too. A real brother, not like Regulus. 

 

“What are you here for? Surely not the money?” James laughed heartily, Sirius did too.

 

“No, no. Just getting away, and you?” 

 

“For the thrill, Black. It’s all for the thrill.” James winked, with that wicked grin of his that could make you believe almost anything.

 

Almost.

 

“That’s really it?” 

 

“My mum didn't trust me to stay in England alone.” He finally gave up. They both broke into a laugh, belly laughing over something as stupid as James’ awful lying.

 

Outside of their duties James went nowhere without Sirius, and Sirius went nowhere without James.

 

Today was like every day since Monty had given him a job in the music room. Sirius tuned the instruments and sorted through the many boxes of records and cds. 

 

Sirius was more than happy to do so, because Monty always let him play music as he sorted, and then any records he liked he was free to take back to his dorm. It was a dream come true for Sirius, but that didn't mean his nightmares would get better.

 

It was another bad night for Sirius, and the nightmares were getting worse. Lately, it was harmless things, just Regulus feeling sad or a little lonely, but Sirius reminded himself that Regulus was far from alone, he had his friends, but the last few nights, they had become so unbearable that Sirius had taken up permanent residency in James’ bed with him. Tonight was no different.

 

Sirius sat up in James’ bed, and James was beside him, arm around his shoulders in that sportsman-like way that James seemed to do everything in. “I’m worried about Regulus.” Sirius said in a soft voice. It wasn’t like Sirius at all to talk about his family, and the look on his face told James this was a hard enough subject.

 

“He’s not ready to lead our kingdom. He’s just a boy.” Sirius said, sounding like he might break, he internally winced at the display of weakness.

 

“How do you know?” James asked, being gentle with Sirius, as Sirius would be with him if that’s what he needed.

 

“Because I’m not ready.”

 

There was a beat of silence, before the door creaked open again. “James, you’re on duty.” It was Peter, holding a rifle out to James. “I doubt you’ll need it, but just in case.”

 

James was strong, and rather intimidating looking without his glasses. His muscular frame made him appear dangerous. James couldn’t have been more different. James wouldn’t hurt a fly, his muscles were mostly from gardening and handy work for his mother. He was the personification of the sun itself. However, James still ended up on guarding duties. The idea of shooting someone? The idea of someone else’s life in his hands, someone else’s blood coating his fingers? James felt sick.

 

“Okay..” James croaked out.

 

*

 

The deck was pitch black.

 

James lit a torch and hung it on the deck. Holding his gun up in an uneasy stance. James was sweating, his breathing shallow like he might faint. He could smell it on the gun, where the trigger had been pulled before, he could smell the remains of the gunfire. Had it hit someone? Did he do it? Suddenly James couldn’t remember a moment before this. 

 

James saw a boat in the distance, it was a while away, but it was large. So large. He cried out a desperate whine. Please don’t come over here.

 

Almost defiantly, the boat turned towards them. No, no, no! Go back! James wanted to scream, but he was stuck, frozen. 

 

James could see it, could see the boat approaching. It was getting closer and closer, but James wasn’t moving. James did nothing.

 

*

 

“Barty, take us closer.” Regulus ordered. “There’s rocks under us, Reg, we can’t get any closer!” Barty snapped back. 

 

“Then I’ll swim!” 

 

“You can’t swim!”

 

“Yes. I can!” 

 

“Since when?” 

 

“Shut up!”

 

Evan laughed “Reg can’t swim?”

 

“Kreacher, get a smaller boat from the lower deck.” Regulus ordered, stubbornly unamused.

 

*

 

Clawing. Clawing on the side of the boat. James whimpered, but no other sounds left his mouth, no matter how badly he wanted to scream. Merlin, no, no, no! Leave, leave, leave! He knew it. Everyone aboard was going to die and it was all his fault. It was James who did nothing.

 

James clutched the gun tight in his fists, his breath uneven as he peered over the edge. James sighed. They didn’t seem a threat, how much of a threat could a small wooden boat even be. 

 

James felt the feeling in his legs return. He nearly collapsed on the deck, as the feeling overwhelmed him. “Remus! Sirius! There’s a boat!” He screamed, the minute his voice came back, almost instinct.

 

James kept his gun as steady as possible, lifting it to the smaller boat. Remus ran onto the deck, and James lifted his gaze from the gun's aim for a split second before Remus was frantically screaming. 

 

“James! Shoot, James!”

 

*

 

Regulus barely stepped on board and there was a gun pressed against him. He kept his breathing steady as he lifted his hands. All of that was for nothing. You’ll never see him again, Reggie. You’re dead. That awful voice sounded again, each word like a stab between his ribs.

 

Sirius. Sirius. Sirius. Sirius. Sirius. Sirius. 

 

Help.

 

 

 

That was all that crossed Regulus’ mind. He was so close, mere metres away from his brother and he knew he wouldn’t make it that far. 

 

Sirius. Sirius. Sirius. Sirius. Sirius. Sirius. 

 

*

 

James stared down the gun, and his jaw went slack. He couldn’t shoot him. He could not shoot the boy in front of him. He wouldn’t let anyone else either. It would be such a waste of such a precious thing. 

 

James’ breathing picked up again, not because he was pointing a loaded rifle at someone’s chest, but because the person he was looking at was possibly the most powerful person on that ship, against James at least.

 

If looks could kill, James wouldn’t be the one holding the gun.

 

A siren. Surely, that was it. James was face to face with a siren. Was James really that transparent? Put a pretty boy in front of him and he crumbles? He wasn’t falling for it.. he tried not to.

 

But the way his curls, damp and clinging to his forehead framed his face. The way his eyes, silver and soft, contrasted with his sharp bone structure. 

 

James was a weak man.

 

*

 

“Sirius, get up! There’s a boat!” Remus said as he ran out of the dorm. 

 

 

Sirius groaned, rolling out of bed slowly. “A boat?” He grumbled. Sirius got out of the sheets, and wrapped himself in Peter’s dressing gown. 

 

The sound of a gunshot made Sirius wake with a start. 

 

Sirius ran out onto the deck, and surely it was a nightmare. Remus was holding a smoking gun and luckily he had terrible aim, because Regulus was on his knees, and James had a fucking gun to his baby brothers head. “Put the guns down!” Sirius’ voice boomed. “Reggie, get up.”

 

He would make a perfect king. Nobody questioned him at all, nobody except Remus. Regulus rose to his feet, barely making a difference to his height compared to James, who had put the gun down, and was clearly relieved to do so… but Remus.

 

Remus wasn’t so easy. 

 

“Remus, put the gun down!” Sirius barked.

 

“Dumbledore wouldn’t want someone else on our ship!”

 

“He’s my brother!”

 

*

 

James was immediately snapped out of his trance. His mouth dry as paper as he broke the intense eye contact between him and Regulus. “This is Regulus?” James’ eyes were wide.

 

“It hasn’t been that long since I’ve seen him, James. I know what he looks like.”

 

James did too, and now he’d seen Regulus once, he wanted to commit every single detail of his face to memory.

 

*

 

Sirius looked between his two brothers, feeling completely thrown that James, unknowingly had a gun to Regulus’ chest. Nothing could’ve prepared him to see that.

 

“Regulus, how- what? What are you doing here?” Sirius stammered.

 

“I came looking for you.” Regulus said, looking stern as always. Regulus had this distinct look when it came to Sirius. Eyebrows knitted together, arms crossed, very disappointed, begrudging adoration. That sort of look.

 

“Oh.”