RP Log: Sirius, Regulus and Andromeda
Characters: Sirius Black with NPC'd Andromeda Tonks and Regulus Black
Setting: Black Family Plot, Friday afternoon
Summary: Sirius says goodbye.
Rating: PG.

Funerals were horrible. Especially ones held at mausoleums. It wasn't like this place was dark and dusty – of course not, their dead ancestors had to have a crypt made of white marble, kept shiny by house-elves. It was eerily bright in there and Sirius squeezed his elbow against his side, pinning Andromeda's hand a little tighter.

He wasn't going to cry or anything like that, just having Andromeda's hand on him made him aware of his surroundings and he really didn't want to be aware of anything, because just staring at the casket (unfortunately closed) was what he'd come here for. They'd slipped in while the service had started and were standing in the back, even though he could feel his family's collective glare and the grumblings of those nearest to them. His mother was wailing and clinging to his stoic little brother and Sirius wanted to wrench open the top and to see for himself that the man was really dead. The fucker seemed to be dead and his mother's fake tears were show enough for Sirius to think that yes, he was, but that didn't actually prove anything. Short of actually going up and looking for himself – which he was sure would end in another dead body (his) to which everyone would spit on. Right now he was just grateful that it was grumbling and not an actual confrontation, really, such good manners they all had, not starting a fight at a funeral. Sirius thought disdainfully.

Sirius looked down when Andromeda pinched his side, and she motioned for them to leave, as everyone was disbanding and headed out the exit – Sirius shook his head – they needed to wait for it to empty out to avoid any unwanted altercations. Sirius used this extra time to stare at the casket some more. His insides were frozen and his heart was beating so slowly he wasn't even sure how he was alive. Sirius didn't think someone should be so conflicted over a death – he was nearly gleeful and happy but at the same time he actually felt guilt and anger over this needless death. He was so out of his element, he didn't know how to react and Sirius let Andromeda pull him along once most of the 'mourners' had left.

There was a motion to the side that caught Sirius' eye as they exited the mausoleum and he paused. Regulus was standing at the corner, motioning for him to follow. Sirius hesitated – he hadn't talked to his brother since September and had hardly seen him. But how was he supposed to ignore that pained look on Regulus' face? He knew this couldn't be easy for him – Orion hadn't been nice to his youngest either, not as mean, but still nowhere near father of the year. And now Regulus was head of the family. What that meant for him and the rest of the Black clan, Sirius didn't know. But he knew he needed to at least talk to Regulus, to see what he wanted.

Fuck.

Sirius turned to Andromeda, who was looking between them curiously, a disappointed frown on her face. "Go on to James'. I'll meet you there and we'll have dinner with the Potters."

When it looked like Andromeda was going to argue (which she was in a very right mind to do so) Sirius shook his head just once, "Come on, it'll only be a minute and if I'm gone more than that, you can send James after me. I'm sure he'd be glad to come chase me down."

He waited until she'd gone to the edge of the wards and disapparated before turning around and slowly walking over to his brother. What was he supposed to say? They were brothers, and had been best friends during their childhood. Sirius was completely devastated at the state of their relationship and that he couldn't do anything to fix it. He'd apologized, tried to make amends – maybe this was Regulus doing so? Death caused many different reactions and feelings in people, this was just another one of them, maybe. Regulus took a few steps back behind the mausoleum so they were hidden from view. Sirius wasn't that stupid and even though he had his arms crossed, he had his wand in hand, hidden under an elbow.

"What's up kid," Sirius asked gruffly; eyeing his brother greedily, trying to take in all the changes and differences in Regulus' appearance since the last time he'd seen him.

Regulus looked around nervously, and Sirius couldn't decipher the look on his brother's face. "Here, you need to have this," Regulus said as he stuck out his hand and opened it, revealing his brother's signet ring.

Sirius nearly laughed, "That's yours. That goes to the heir of the family. Its for you to give to your son."

Shaking his head slightly, Regulus stuck his hand out a little more, "No, it's for me to give to my heir, the one I want to choose. I-I can't un-disown you, I can't undo that, but I can do this. I choose you."

"You can't do that either – kid, you've had like a day to be Head, you can't-"

"Goddamnit Sirius, just take the fucking ring!" Sirius hadn't seen Regulus this angry in quite a long while. It actually made Sirius feel a little better inside and Sirius rolled his eyes, reaching out with his empty hand to take the ring.

He'd barely closed his fingers around the body heat-warmed metal when he felt the distinct pull behind his navel. Sirius stared at the evil smirk curling up on Regulus' face and couldn't believe what was happening. He was never very good with portkey travel and ended sprawled out on his back with his brother leaning over him.

"Do you really think you're good enough to be my heir? Silly Gryffindor fool," Regulus spat and before Sirius could remember his wand, he was writhing under the affects of a crucio. Sirius couldn't think of anything beyond how angry James was going to be when he caught wind of this.