"What Are We Doing, Again?"

"What are we doing, again?"

"Learning about the Unforgivable Curses," Evans says, "Do you not listen to anything the teachers say?"

"I try not to," Sirius shrugs.

"Well, come on," James takes Sirius by the shoulder, "Let's not be late."

They arrive at the classroom, somehow not being the last ones there. Sirius looks around the room and frowns.

"Why do we have to be with the Slytherins?"

"Because," Evans sighs, "that's how they've organised it. We can't change that."

"But-"

Sirius is cut off by the Professor. "Alright, class. Settle down and find the table with your name on it."

"We have assigned seats?" Sirius groans.

"I'm sure we'll be next to each other," James assures.

They weren't. In fact, the Professor made sure they were on opposite sides of the classroom.

Sirius walks over to his desk, and looks at the name of the person meant to be next to him.

"Hey, Professor!" He yells, "Can I switch tables?"

"No, Mr Black, I'm afraid not," the Professor groans.

Sirius doesn't even know the Professor, why is he so annoyed with him?

Sirius groans, but holds out hope. No one's sat next to him yet.

That hope instantly dies, however, when the door opens to reveal Barty Crouch and Regulus Black, coming in late.

"Mr Crouch, Mr Black, may I ask why you're only just arriving?" The Professor asks.

"Sorry, sir," Crouch smiles, "just got a bit lost."

Regulus elbows Crouch discretely, muttering something to him.

"Whatever you say," the Professor says, unbelieving, "please, find your seats."

Crouch, who is seated next to Mary, looks over at Regulus, smiling apologetically.

Regulus just rolls his eyes and goes to find his seat. He stops short when he does.

"Professor?"

"Enough. No one is switching seats," he says, already predicting what Regulus was going to ask, "Now, let the lesson begin."

Regulus and Sirius both sit very stiffly next to each other, trying and failing to ignore the other's presence.

"And lastly, the Cruciatus Curse," the Professor announces, having discussed the Killing and the Imperius Curse.

"Huh?" Sirius murmurs, "I thought we were discussing Unforgiveables."

Regulus just stares ahead, brow furrowed.

"The Cruciatus Curse, also known as the Torture Curse, is only used by the most vile Dark Wizards, wishing to cause their victims immense pain. It is of the most Unforgiveable actions of a wizard, and whoever uses this curse will be sent straight to Azkaban."

"Sorry, sir," Sirius puts his hand up, "I'm confused. I thought Cruciatus was like... for punishment or whatever? How is it Unforgiveable?"

"No, Mr Black, this curse is highly illegal, as it would cause, whoever is on the receiving end, life-long mental and physical trauma."

"That's not true," Regulus speaks up, seemingly without meaning to. "I mean," he says, more shyly now that everyone's eyes are on him, "it would be painful but not... not that bad, right?"

For a while, there is silence, making Sirius's skin crawl. He turns to his brother, hoping this is all one big joke.

Regulus looks back at him, just as confused, as the Professor speaks once more.

"I'm not sure where you've heard these false rumours, but please know that whoever is telling you these things are lying."

"No..." Regulus protests under his breath, his face going slack.

Sirius, equally confused, just puts a hand on his brother's shoulder, hiding his face as he tries to blink away his tears.

If their parents are willing to break the law to use an Unforgiveable Curse on their own children, then there really is no hope that they might love them, is there?

Its that realisation that makes Sirius stand, abruptly, and leave, to hide the evidence of his fears. And for once, Regulus follows, not to fight, but for comfort.