#regulus001

Apparently today was the day she was going to hone those skills. She had probably been lucky that she hadn’t seen too much cyber security in her crime fighting days. But today the case file she was looking at was quite closely linked to cyber security. Her boss had actually scribbled a name of one of the cyber security guys on the top of the file, so that was where the brunette was heading. 

“Hey....” She murmured to the first person she found down there. “I’m looking for Regulus....” Who she did actually know. From her childhood anyway. She hadn’t seen him in a while. But hopefully he’d be able to help her with her case

Sirius had been trying to pull his brother aside for the better part of an hour now; however, he hadn’t managed to dodge his mother and father liked he’d hoped. His mother had embraced him, whispering death threats if he ever dared to betray their family again. His father had shaken his hand. It all felt rather strange and surreal. Sirius had never considered what it’d be like going home, but he’s glad he went to his grandfather first. No way his mother or father would’ve taken him in again.

He finally spots Regulus and makes his way over to him, feeling nervous for the second time that night. In a room full of people, Regulus is the only one Sirius gives two shits about. He’d been a failure of an older brother once he was sorted into Gryffindor, and on the night that he left, he had to do so quickly. There wasn’t time for goodbyes or apologies. Sirius clears his throat to get his brother’s attention, and once he has it he starts. 

“Regulus. Is there -- could I talk to you?” He glances at the people around them. “Maybe in private?” There’s a hallway not far from where they are, maybe they could just duck in there for a quick chat. 

Society for Artists & Art Lovers. 

Sirius laughed a little bit. Of course Regulus was in a club like this. 

His little brother had been on his mind, ever since the end of the school year. Regulus was done with school now. What did that mean for him? What did that mean for them, as brothers? It had been a little over a year since they had spoken. Sirius had sent letters. Telling Regulus about his new flat, and the new job he got too. He knew Regulus was angry that he left, but he thought that maybe some time would fix that. One year of stony silence was more than enough time in Sirius’ opinion. Whether Regulus liked it or not, he was going to speak to him. He would get mean about it if he had to. 

It had taken some time to find Regulus’ whereabouts. Who knew that his little brother would turn into such a homebody. He practically never came out into public, from Sirius’ point of view anyways! It was Remus who told Sirius where he might find Regulus. He hadn’t gone right away, wanting to really think about what he would say. Such thoughtfulness was rare from him, but this was his little brother, and he felt more than just a small amount of guilt over how everything that happened.

He waited outside the building for an hour, unsure of when the meeting would get out, and scared of missing this brief window. Finally, after what seemed like forever, the doors opened and people began to spill out from inside. Regulus came out soon after, and Sirius wasted no time, bounding across the building entryway. Regulus was coming down the steps, and on the opposite side, Sirius pounced forward quickly. He put his arms on the rail, moving in time with his brother. 

                              “Long time no see, Reg. Did ya’ miss me?”

Even though many recognize the Three Broomsticks as a good place for drinking and food, it’s true what they say about teenagers on the area - many went there during school break, looking for a place in which they could both relax and feel enough welcomed to try something on the menu themselves. A few she liked Ivy let them spend the time there, meaning in times they shouldn’t be on her place but at school instead; yet, she didn’t encourage such behaviour. Her encouragement had more to do with making them know no matter how stressed out it would be, the effort they put on studying would certainly matter in the future. How unfortunate it was that many weren’t thinking about it anymore, a lot more worried with what had to do with the war; she couldn’t help but feel disappointed with this, they were just kids, almost like her, the only difference was she had finished her studies more than ten years ago, while they… they should have given the opportunity to truly enjoy their years at Hogwarts, not worry about what was going on in the outside.

Which was a few of the reasons why she was staring at the darkened image of Regulus Black, quietly resenting whoever let the boy spent so much time at her place. Not that it had anything to do with her, but Ivy had noticed the many hours he spent studying, always by himself and sitting somewhere many wouldn’t see him unless searching, seemingly focused and untroubled by whatever went on around his chair. She had his doubts but kept it to herself, even if he might not be at all studying what a boy his age needed to, it wasn’t like his business had anything to do with her; should it be interesting for Aversio to know what went on in his mind, she might try and figure something out, but now? Now she wanted to help him the few ways she could: offering a few drinks and meal, whenever he went too long without asking for something.

This had actually went on for years now, and they never spoke much - she had tried, only to realize he kept things to himself even when not with a book under his nose. A few hours later that day, the pub closed. What interested her was the fact that he didn’t move and, while walking to approach him, she noticed he wasn’t reading, or doing anything for that matter but sleeping. Ivy let her body fall in a chair, calmly, a small smile playing on her lips as she observed the scene. Perhaps it was better to let him sleep, Merlin knew how tired he was and how he would react at any attempt to awake him. So she went somewhere else, still in that area, fixing everything on the pub before sitting again, a book on her hands. The reason why she didn’t sleep herself was simply because she had, almost until the end of the afternoon, before taking over the bar from the other bartender.

A few more hours and he moved. With that she realized he would be awaking soon, which made sense given sun was already rising above. Madam Rosmerta closed the book and went to the kitchen area, preparing a fast meal to herself and him; a soup, a bread. Something simple, really. Water for her, the only drink she saw him drinking with certain frequency for him. Why was she doing that? Well, Ivy usually let some of her patrons, the ones who regularly went to the pub, to stay there if a similar situation happened. Of course, only on a certain cases, and she extended such treatment for a few people, but for those… she didn’t mind helping. Why get stressed out?

“Morning.” She waved calmly at him after letting the food on the table next to his figure, realizing he was awaking now. “You fell asleep a few hours ago, I thought it best to let you rest. Here, take some food.” She offered, more like not taking a no for an answer, and he knew his stomach was probably hungry for any sustenance.

“Has anybody told you it’s not healthy to study that much?” There wasn’t judgment in her voice, though. If anything, she wished he would calm down a little, maybe focus on things boys his age normally would. With a calm presence and movements, she let her body rest once again.