Brotherly Past

The two quieted down, their gazes returning to the three small dots on the map.

James suddenly said, "Five Galleons says Regulus is using the Ancestral Compass to make a fuss, and Padfoot's already stuttering so hard smoke's coming out of his ears."

Lupin smiled and shook his head, "I'm not taking that bet. I saw that new issue 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 lecture on how to turn your older brother from campus prince to a tongue-tied, love-struck idiot overnight?"

Lupin's voice softened, "But this is a way for them to spend time together, something they haven't done in a long time."

James stopped laughing, his expression turning serious, his voice losing its usual playful tone, "I just think... if this can give Sirius and his brother some brotherly time, then it's 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 can have such profound thoughts?"

James protested exaggeratedly, then burst into laughter again, "Hey, I have a sensitive side too! But I'm still curious, if Crouch and Sirius were to duel over Lucretia, who would Regulus side with?

The Black bloodline, or the guardian of his sister in his heart? Or would he take his sister and run away to avoid the drama, waiting for one of them to kill the other? Ha, when Padfoot gets back, we'll have to give him a good talking to."

Lupin folded the map, and couldn't help but start to pity Sirius's upcoming predicament, "Sigh."

On the Astronomy Tower, Regulus watched his brother's flustered reaction with a triumphant smile.

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

Sirius opened his mouth, wanting to say something, then closed it.

His breathing quickened.

His gaze darted between the compass and Lucretia, then looked at Regulus.

His younger brother was subtly glaring at him with a 'you'd better cooperate' look.

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

This compass was something he had given to her.

Not borrowed, not temporary...

Lucretia immediately handed the compass gently to Sirius, "Oh, I didn't know it was something so precious. Brother Regulus, I'll just use your replica to study."

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

Sirius took the compass and paused again, seeming unsure how to explain, and looked at Regulus again.

Regulus waved his hand, coughed lightly, and raised an eyebrow at Sirius, "It's fine, sister. Bloodline Tracking isn't something you need right now. Father and Mother are unlikely to have other children, and besides... my brother will have enough family items to worry about in the future. It's no big deal to lend this little Star Chart to sister for a while. After all, Astronomy grades are related to the reputation of the Black family, aren't they?"

Sirius took a deep breath, righted the chair he had knocked over, and sat down, handing the compass back to Lucretia, "Yes... borrowed. It is indeed 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 possible."

Watching his brother's expression subtly shift again, Regulus turned his face away, trying not to let his lips spread too wide. "Speaking of which, how far have you learned? Did you find Sirius for her?"

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

Lucretia nodded in agreement. "We found it, along with the North Star and a few other major constellations. Sirius is very patient."

Regulus chuckled softly, his thumb brushing over the central dial of his compass. "You really started teaching her with Sirius? I knew you would."

The tips of Sirius's ears turned slightly red as he walked to the edge of the railing. "She's very smart and 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? Sirius just said your name comes from the main star of Leo, but we haven't started learning about it yet."

Regulus picked up his compass. "That is indeed the origin of my name. Sister, come here, I'll teach you how to find it. Although it's not the best season to observe Leo right now, we can still find it."

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

Regulus turned the compass with the exact same technique as Sirius, even the small habit of adjusting the pointer was the same: pinching the edge with his right index finger and thumb, and lightly supporting the bottom with his left hand.

"Hold it like this," Regulus demonstrated. "Then imagine 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 pursed her lips and looked up at Brother Regulus. "Is my technique wrong? It feels different from Sirius's."

Regulus glanced at Sirius, raising an eyebrow. "A replica might need stricter guidance. But my brother's is indeed effective. Sister, just use his."

Sirius paused for a moment before moving to Lucretia's other side.

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

Regulus picked up the sentence, just as they used to recite family history together as children. "Even if they chose different paths."

If you find this book good, remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.

Due to popular demand from readers, we are now offering a VIP membership ad-free feature.

Click to view.

The gazes of the two brothers met above Lucretia's head.

Regulus's lips curved slightly, and Sirius's expression also softened.

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

Lucretia breathed a sigh of relief, watching the compass emit a silver glow in her palm.

Regulus explained, "That's Leo. The brightest star in it is Regulus, also known as Regulus."

Sirius looked up at the sky, straightening his back. "It's not as bright as Sirius."

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

Sirius snorted, unconsciously mimicking the posture he had as a child when stargazing with his brother, one hand on the railing, the other pointing at the starry sky.

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

Regulus demonstrated some compass functions that Sirius hadn't mentioned, and Sirius shared usage tips that only family heirs knew.

The interaction between the two gradually became smoother, sometimes even finishing each other's sentences and completing each other's explanations.

While explaining Centaurus, Regulus suddenly asked, "Do you remember the Astrology Notes we stole from Uncle Alphard when he was going to school?"

The question came so abruptly that Lucretia, who was taking notes, looked up.

Sirius froze for a moment.

That was a long time ago, so long ago that he had almost forgotten they used to do things like that together.

Then he laughed.

A hearty, unguarded laugh.

"He was almost driven mad then."

Regulus chuckled along. "He locked that Star Chart in a box."

Sirius continued, completely forgetting the awkwardness from moments before.

"But we still found a way."

Regulus shook his head. "You mean the way you found? Smashing that antique box? I suspect Uncle Alphard went mad precisely because you smashed his most beloved box."

Sirius retorted, "And wasn't that because you deliberately went to distract the House-elf, and almost let slip? Otherwise, I would have had a better method."

The two looked at each other and smiled, seemingly forgetting for a moment the rifts of the past few years, the different houses, the family pressures.

They were just two little boys who used to steal Astrology Notes together and get chased by their uncle, who scolded them all the way.

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

She placed the compass on the table and began to clear the pie plates.

The Blackberry Pie was long gone, with only a small piece left on the plate.

Lucretia naturally handed it to Regulus.

Regulus took it, spun it on his fingertips twice, then took a small bite.

He savored it, his expression becoming thoughtful: "Compared to the Lemon Flavor you made for Barty, this Blackberry Pie is very special."

Sirius, who was tidying up the Star Chart, looked up sharply at this remark: "What do you mean?"

Regulus blinked innocently and continued to eat the pie slowly: "Nothing. Just an observation. Sister always remembers everyone's preferences, doesn't she?"

Lucretia, unaware of the subtle atmosphere between the two, was writing down the constellation positions she had just learned in her notebook.

"Oh, right, Brother Regulus. Mother also copied a few new recipes for me in her letter. I can try them next time you and Barty have Quidditch training... Oh, and I can make some other Blackberry Flavors too."

Sirius leaned forward, his fingers tightening: "You haven't eaten her Blackberry Pie before?"

Regulus slowly licked the jam from the corner of his mouth and nodded with a smile at Lucretia.

"That's why I was curious. It's indeed delicious, Sister. More... personal."

Sirius's Adam's apple bobbed, and his fingers unconsciously traced the edge of the empty pie plate in front of him.

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

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

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