Hello Fam :)

Happy Reading...

After casting his first spell, Charles taught Sirius how to control his magic because once Sirius learned to concentrate on his spell, there was excessive magic which was often destructive. When Sirius pointed that out to Charles, the elder Potter just said that Sirius was a powerful wizard and not because he was a Black. It settled something inside James's heart because his brother didn't need to question his worthiness about being a wizard especially when he was so damn brilliant. Sirius relaxed pretty much after that. Except for today.

Sirius was on guard since the moment they woke up and James never saw him like that in Potter Manor before. As a Black heir, he has been trained to hide his emotions but Sirius is someone who would wear his heart on his sleeve except when something is bothering him. Then, the boy would use all his training to hide them. After he had finished his packing, James went to Sirius's room. Even though they were sleeping together in his room, Dorea insisted to keep Sirius's belongings in his room. It was his mother's subtle way to make sure Sirius has his personal space if he needed some time alone.

When James went there, he saw Sirius sitting on the bed, his belongings packed and shrunk and probably somewhere in his jeans pocket. James welcomed himself in, sat beside the boy, and bumped their shoulders to get him out of his thoughts. He rolled his eyes when Sirius masked his emotions within a fraction of a second. "What's up, Sirius? Don't bother lying. I know your face when something is bothering you."

It took a moment but his face crumpled and Sirius sighed heavily. "I am nervous."

James laughed. Sirius and being nervous rarely exist together. "About what? Meeting Marlene? Didn't know you were that 'serious' about her?"

Sirius threw the nearest cushion on his face but James ducked in time. "About meeting Reg."

James frowned before pulling the boy into a side hug. "Hey, what's there to be nervous about meeting Reggie?"

"I don't know how had he been alone during the vacations. It was the first time he is alone with mother and father after I ran away."

"Sirius, Reg is capable of handling them without causing any trouble. Don't worry. And if he is injured, we will talk to mom and remove him from Grimmauld's too."

Sirius gaped at James. "You would do that for me?"

James cuffed his head. "Not for you. For Reg. Remember, he is my brother too", he told and smiled when Sirius chuckled. "I wanted to kidnap him long back but I know the stubborn idiot would protest. I will draw the line if he is hurt. I would rather tie him here than let him get hurt at Grimmauld's."

Sirius nodded before throwing his arms around James.

XXX

Dorea and Charles took the boys to the station and left early after making sure they got a cabin for themselves. Remus and Peter were already waiting in their usual cabin. There was nothing new to talk about as there were messages sent back and forth throughout the holidays and they have already met during Christmas. James launched into an elaborated story on his discovery about the new broom that was about to be launched and Peter thought it was the best time to meet others because him and Quidditch were a big no. That's when Remus noticed Sirius being nervous.

"Is he down with a bug?", he asked James.

James rolled his eyes and explained about Regulus. Remus grinned at the two before standing up.

"If you have forgotten already, I am a prefect. How about I will take a round and inform you where Regulus is through the mirror while I go for the prefect's meeting?"

"You are the smartest marauder for a reason, Moons", exclaimed James.

On cue, Lily Evans entered their cabin for Remus and James waved his hand.

"Hey, Evans."

"Hello, Potter. Remus?"

"Yeah. See you later, boys."

Lily raised an eyebrow when Sirius didn't respond to anyone while looking out of the window. James blinked his eyes assuring her before throwing his arm around Sirius when the redhead left.

A few minutes later, James's mirror vibrated, startling Sirius, and it boomed with Moony's voice informing them that they could find their target near the washroom. Sirius grinned and jumped to rush out of the cabin. James shook his head and followed ahead.

XXX

Sirius found Regulus inside the washroom and pulled the boy into a hug. While James was keeping a guard outside, Sirius took his time to run his hands all over the younger boy to notice any wince or discomfort. Regulus wiggled away from him, smacking his hands.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Checking if you have any injuries", said Sirius with a confused frown. James, who had lost his patience waiting, came inside and locked them from inside. "Reg, I know you are the favorite son but I don't trust mother to lose her temper and raise her wand against you every time she thinks you breathed wrong."

Regulus took a moment to ponder over what Sirius had said before looking at his brother. "Is that what you used to do always?"

Sirius nodded. Yes, whenever Sirius didn't go to Christmas for holidays, he and James would either wait for them at the station or corner Regulus to check if he had any injuries or not. Sirius didn't want Reg to ever experience anything he had to undergo at Grimmauld's. "Wait. What did you think I was doing then?", asked Sirius because even if they made a huge scene in front of Reg's friends, Regulus never complained or pushed them away. Sirius thought he knew what was going on. Apparently not.

Regulus shrugged in answer. "I don't know. Being obnoxious on purpose."

"Brat", said Sirius, punching his arm lightly. "Why did you let me do it then? Why didn't you stop me?"

When Regulus spoke again there was a vulnerability in his eyes that the Blacks are not supposed to show. "I thought it was the closest to a hug you would ever give me."

"You are an idiot", said Sirius, his voice thick with emotion. "I never stopped loving you, brat. You could always hug me, okay?" To prove his point, Sirius pulled the younger boy into his arms.

"I know now", muttered Regulus, falling easily into his brother's arms.

"Idiots", said James, finally breaking his silence and tackles both of them into a hug.

"Leave me", protested Regulus. "I was having a moment with my brother." But no one pointed out how he pulled James closer into the hug, completely contradicting his own words.

XXX

When they reached the station, Sirius had a bounce on his step.

"I see the baby's fine", said Lily.

Sirius grinned.

"Which baby?", asked Peter.

Lily smiled mysteriously before leaving towards her cart.

Remus let out a silent chuckle and James asked Peter to not take her words seriously. No one knew about their reconciliation with Regulus except Sirius, James, and the redhead. Remus might have guessed long back but he wouldn't say anything to anyone. They didn't want anyone else to know, especially Peter, who hated the Slytherins and was always wary of Regulus.

I would like to keep Peter in the dark about Regulus being a family with James and Sirius. It's very important to the plot in the future. :P

Also I love Black brothers.