Brothers' Past

The two fell silent, their eyes returning to the three dots on the map.

James suddenly said, "Five Galleons says Regulus is using the Ancestral Compass as an excuse, and Padfoot is stammering so hard his head is about to smoke."

Lupin smiled and shook his head. "I'm not taking that bet. I saw that newly bought copy of Witch Weekly: Special Edition for Seventeen-Year-Old Girls under your pillow."

James continued, "Another five Galleons says they're huddled together looking at the stars right now. Black Brothers Astronomy Classroom: a special lecture on how to turn your campus-prince brother into a tongue-tied fool in love in one night. What do you think?"

Lupin's voice softened. "But this is a way for the brothers to spend time together that they haven't had in a long time."

James stopped laughing. His expression turned serious, and his voice lost its usual teasing tone. "I just think... if this can give Sirius and his brother some brotherly time, then it'll be worth it no matter what happens in the end. Sirius never says it, but I know he misses Regulus. They... they should have been the best of brothers."

Lupin looked at him in surprise. "James Potter, you're actually capable of such profound thoughts?"

James protested dramatically, then burst out laughing again. "Hey, I have a sensitive side too! But I still really want to know: if Crouch and Sirius dueled over Lucretia, whose side would Regulus take? The side of Black bloodline, or the side of the protector of his sister in his heart? Or would he take his sister and flee far away to avoid the battlefield, waiting for one of them to beat the other to death? Ha, when Padfoot gets back, we have to give him a proper greeting."

Lupin folded up the map and could not help feeling sorry for what Sirius was about to face. "Sigh."

On the Astronomy Tower, Regulus looked at his brother's embarrassed reaction with a victorious smile.

He casually added, taking the genuine article from Lucretia's hand, "Of course, Sirius has never cared about these traditions. Look, little sister, this is the real Star-Guiding Compass. It's just for you to study with, right, brother?"

Sirius opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it again.

His breathing quickened.

His eyes shifted between the compass and Lucretia before turning to Regulus.

His brother was subtly glaring at him with a look that said, You'd better play along.

Sirius's fingers loosened against his thigh, then clenched again.

He had given her that compass.

It was not a loan. It was not temporary...

Lucretia immediately held the compass out to Sirius. "Oh, I didn't know this was something so precious. Brother Regulus, I should use your copy to study instead."

"No, this... I..."

Sirius took the compass, then paused again, seemingly unsure how to explain. He looked at Regulus once more.

Regulus waved a hand, cleared his throat, and raised a brow at Sirius. "It's fine, little sister. It's not as if Bloodline Tracking is something you need right now. Father and Mother are unlikely to have any more children, and besides... my brother will have plenty of family possessions to worry about in the future. Lending one little Star Chart to his sister for a while is no big deal. After all, astronomy grades concern the Black family's honor, don't they?"

Sirius took a deep breath, straightened the chair he had knocked over, sat down, and handed the compass back to Lucretia. "Yes... a loan. It really is more accurate, especially for beginners."

Lucretia hesitated for a moment before carefully taking the compass back. "Thank you, Sirius. I'll return it as soon as I can."

Seeing his brother's expression turn subtly strange again, Regulus turned his face away so the corners of his mouth would not stretch too wide. "Speaking of which, how far have you gotten? Have you shown her how to find Sirius yet?"

Sirius stepped forward, blocking the edge of the table. "We just finished Lyra, along with part of the Summer Triangle."

Lucretia nodded as well. "We found it, along with the North Star and several major constellations. Sirius was very patient."

Regulus gave a soft laugh, his thumb brushing over the central dial of his compass. "So you really started by teaching her Sirius? I knew you would."

The tips of Sirius's ears reddened slightly as he walked to the railing. "She's very smart. She learns quickly."

Regulus nodded. "Of course. She's my sister, after all."

"Ahem."

Lucretia blinked and asked softly, "Then, Brother Regulus, can you find your Leo now too? Sirius just said your name is the main star of Leo, but we haven't started learning it yet."

Regulus picked up the compass. "That is indeed where my name came from. Little sister, come here. I'll teach you how to find it. Although this isn't the best season for observing Leo, we can barely make it out."

Sirius stood to one side with his arms crossed, watching the two interact.

Regulus turned the compass exactly as Sirius did. Even his little habit when adjusting the needle was the same: pinching the edge with his right forefinger and thumb while lightly supporting the bottom with his left hand.

"Hold it like this," Regulus demonstrated. "Then picture the shape of Leo and the pattern of the entire constellation."

Lucretia tried to follow Regulus's gesture, but the compass only trembled slightly.

She pressed her lips together and looked up at Brother Regulus. "Am I holding it wrong? It feels different from when I use Sirius's."

Regulus looked at Sirius and raised a brow. "The copy might need stricter guidance. But my brother's really is easier to use. Little sister, you should use his."

Sirius paused for a moment, then walked to Lucretia's other side.

His voice became steady. "Leo represents courage and honor. Grandfather said it watches over all brave members of the Black family."

Regulus continued the sentence, just as they had when reciting family history together as children. "Even if they choose different paths."

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The brothers' gazes met over Lucretia's head.

The corner of Regulus's mouth curved upward, and Sirius's expression softened as well.

With both of them guiding her, the compass lit up again, pointing toward a cluster of stars in the southeast.

Lucretia sighed in relief, watching the compass emit a silver glow in her palm.

Regulus explained, "That is Leo. Its brightest star is Regulus—also known as the main star of Leo."

Sirius looked up at the sky and straightened his back. "It isn't as bright as Sirius."

Regulus shrugged noncommittally. "But its spectrum is purer."

Sirius snorted, unconsciously copying the posture he had used as a child when stargazing with his brother. His left hand rested on the railing while his right pointed toward the stars.

For the next while, the three of them studied the Star Chart and compass together.

Regulus demonstrated several compass functions Sirius had not mentioned, while Sirius shared techniques that only the family heir was meant to know.

Their interactions gradually became smoother. Sometimes, they even picked up where the other had left off, completing each other's explanations.

While explaining Sagittarius, Regulus suddenly asked, "Do you remember when we stole Uncle Alphard's Astrology Notes before he went to school?"

The question came so suddenly that even Lucretia, who had been taking notes, looked up.

Sirius froze.

That had been a long time ago, so long ago that he had almost forgotten they had once done things like that together.

Then he smiled.

It was an open, unguarded laugh.

"He nearly went mad with anger."

Regulus laughed too. "He locked that Star Chart in a trunk."

Sirius continued, completely forgetting his earlier embarrassment.

"But we still found a way."

Regulus shook his head. "You mean the way you found? Smashing that antique trunk to pieces? I suspect Uncle Alphard went mad because you broke his most treasured trunk."

Sirius retorted, "Wasn't that because you volunteered to distract the House-elf, then nearly let it slip? Otherwise, I had a better way."

The two looked at each other and laughed, seeming to forget for a brief moment the disagreements of the past few years, their different Houses, and the pressure of the family.

They were only two little boys who had once stolen Astrology Notes together and been chased by their uncle while he scolded them.

Lucretia listened quietly, her gaze drifting gently between the two brothers, a faint smile on her face.

She set the compass on the table and began clearing away the pie plates.

The blackberry pie had long since been eaten, leaving only one small piece on the plate.

Lucretia naturally handed it to Regulus.

Regulus took it, spun it between his fingers twice, then took a small bite.

He savored it carefully, his expression becoming thoughtful. "Compared to the lemon one you made for Barty, this blackberry pie is quite special."

Sirius was gathering up the Star Chart when he abruptly looked up at those words. "What do you mean?"

Regulus blinked innocently and continued eating the pie slowly. "Nothing. Just an observation. Little sister always remembers everyone's preferences, doesn't she?"

Lucretia did not notice the subtle tension between the two and was writing down the constellation positions she had just learned in her notebook.

"Oh, right, Brother Regulus. Mother copied out several new recipes for me in her letter too. Next time you and Barty have Quidditch training, I can try them... Oh, and I can make more blackberry-flavored things too."

Sirius stepped forward, his fingers tense. "You've never had her blackberry pie before?"

Regulus leisurely licked the jam from the corner of his mouth and smiled at Lucretia.

"That's why I was curious. It really is delicious, little sister. More... personal."

Sirius's Adam's apple bobbed as his fingers unconsciously traced the edge of the empty pie plate before him.

The sweet scent of blackberry still lingered there, reminding him of the special treatment he had just enjoyed.

Regulus ate the rest of the pie in one bite, clapped his hands, picked up the Star Chart, and continued explaining for a while, occasionally glancing up at his wristwatch.

"It's getting late. Astronomy class is about to begin."