Did some minor editing (spring 2015) - plan to do some major editing once the entire series is finished, but we'll see. I sort of like to see how far my writing has come, and while it's still not perfect, it shows what writing everyday for over a year can do.

Also, the first chapter of Part 3 of the series is up… please check it out!

Finally, since I don't want to post this on its own just yet, here is a little one-shot of Sirius at 14 with his brother. (May or may not remove it eventually and post it by itself.)

As you know, I prefer to write Regulus as the older brother, only because I thought he actually was older when I read the books. It makes sense to me that the oldest would be the parent pleaser, and the younger the more rebellious. And it's fan fiction, so... Hope you like it!

The Better Son

Summer 1974

Before the end of June, Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter had made a pact to secretly teach themselves to apparate during the summer holiday. They were well below the legal age to apparate alone, but legalities never stopped them before. In fact, that was part of the appeal - doing something forbidden. Not that age would have mattered under Minister Jenkins' rule; she had all but abolished The Trace, considering it "a waste of wizarding resources to maintain it." She was a believer that parents should determine when and how their magical children learned about magic, not the government. Young witches and wizards all over Britain had rejoiced when she was appointed.

The boys had also convinced themselves that getting a head start in apparition could only benefit them when sneaking out of the castle. If they ever got into trouble, escape would be just one pop away. Mostly, they just wanted to show off to their peers that they'd learnt how to do it before everyone else did.

Learning to apparate was easier said than done, though. It took loads of concentration, and the noise it made was difficult to hide. Sirius had to wait until his parents stepped out before attempting it, but Kreacher was always lurking about, waiting to catch him in a transgression so he could tattle to Sirius' parents. Not to be thwarted by a surly house-elf, he taught himself an advanced sound-proofing charm, then continued his practice unheard.

After the entire month of July, and just in time for his stay with the Potters, he finally mastered it. The night before he was to leave, his parents had gone to some corny ball at Malfoy Manor. Regulus had played sick, moaning that he felt feverish and light-headed. Sirius was impressed that he would attempt something so risky. Deception wasn't something his parents took lightly, not that they took anything lightly. Much to Sirius' surprise, Regulus' act worked, but Sirius suspected he owed his success to his parents wanting a night out without their pesky offspring.

After they left, Sirius peeked out of his room, listening to make sure the coast was clear. He ducked back inside when he saw Kreacher at his brother's door. The elf stood at Regulus' feet, looking up at his 20-year-old master with a cup of tea and a hot water bottle. Sirius listened closely, wishing the elf would bugger off already so he could find out what Regulus was up to.

"Mistress says Master Regulus is ill."

"Feeling a bit better now," said Regulus, his voice smooth and resonant. "Going over to a mate's for a bit. If the Master and Mistress return to find me gone, please tell them I've just gone to pick up a fever potion. Do not tell them anything else. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Master Regulus. Kreacher will do as you command."

"Thank you, friend. Now, how about you go back downstairs, have a rest, and enjoy that cup of tea?"

"But, Master, who will mind the sneaky one? Mistress says to keep close eye on him."

"He's leaving for his muggle-lover friend's house in a bit. Don't worry about him. Go, enjoy your tea." Before Kreacher could protest, Regulus warned, "That's an order."

"Yes, Master Regulus."

The house elf trudged down the stairs, and Regulus headed for the bathroom opposite Sirius' room. Just then, an idea occurred to Sirius. He would scare the daylights out of Regulus by apparating into the bathroom. He waited another moment to be sure Kreacher wasn't lurking, then stepped out, carefully approaching the bathroom door. He could hear the sink turn on, so he close his eyes and concentrated with all his might.

CRACK!

Regulus almost jumped through the ceiling, yelping like a puppy.

"Fucking hell!" he shouted, the shaving razor having sliced his cheek before it dropped out of his hand.

Sirius doubled over in laughter, barely able to catch his breath. Regulus grabbed a towel and held it to his face, then turned and shoved Sirius to the floor. Sirius continued to laugh, rolling onto his side and holding his stomach.

"You little shit. You could have killed me."

He stalked off to his room, and Sirius got up from the floor and followed, almost crying with glee.

"God, that was priceless!" he said.

Regulus picked up his wand, pointed it to his face, and muttered an incantation, causing the cut to seal. Then, he went back the bathroom, Sirius right behind him.

"You're lucky that wasn't a deep cut. If I'd had to go out with Dittany on my face, I'd have returned the favour."

"Ohh, look at me, shaking in my shoes."

"Grow up, Sirius."

Sirius ignored the remark, and asked, "Where are you going, anyway? It's not like you to lie to your best mate, Kreacher."

Regulus smirked. "Don't be jealous of a house-elf. It makes you look pathetic. Oh wait, you are pathetic."

Sirius sat down on the antique wingback chair in the corner of the large bathroom, watching as his brother continued shaving. He crossed his leg over his knee and leaned back, his clasped hands on his abdomen.

"Pathetic people don't learn to apparate at 14 years old," he countered. "You probably still can't apparate and you're 20."

"You wish. I learnt how to apparate at 16, at Hogwarts, like the vast majority of wizards in this country. Breaking rules doesn't make you special."

"You'd better not tell Father and Mother… or else."

Regulus chuckled. "Or else what?"

"I'll tell them you're sneaking out. That you lied to them about being sick."

"They won't believe you. Kreacher will back me up."

Sirius narrowed his eyes at his pompous twit of a brother. He felt disgusted by him, always kissing up to their parents, pretending to be the perfect son, when really he was getting up to Merlin-knew-what behind their backs. He was the poster-child for hypocrisy.

"Why do you have to be such a prick?" Sirius asked.

"It runs in the family." He peeked at Sirius from the corner of his eyes, the hint of a grin on his lips. "Don't worry, I won't tell them. I have better things to do with my life than concern myself with your idiotic behaviour."

"The feeling's mutual."

"Then why are you pestering me about where I'm off to?"

Crap, he had a point.

"Just curious," Sirius said with a sigh. "You're betrothed is going to be at the ball, so you're obviously not meeting her."

"Mind your own business, Sirius. Where I'm going is none of your concern."

"Fine," Sirius said as he hopped up from the chair. "Just don't get caught, whatever you're up to. Even Kreacher can't save you from Father and Mother."

He headed out the door and back to his room for his trunk. Regulus stepped out of the bathroom just as he was heading down the stairs.

"Sirius."

Sirius looked up at him. "Yes?"

"You stay out of trouble, as well. You understand?"

Sirius gasped, his eyes wide. "Me? Get into trouble? Never." He broke into a grin and shook his head as he continued down the stairs.

Regulus shook his head as well, and retreated into his room for the directions his mate Lucius had given him the day before, to the house of a powerful wizard called Tom Riddle. Someone had to maintain the Black family's status in the pureblood community. Sirius never would... that was for certain.

If you have any wishes for one-shots with other characters, let me know, and I'll see what I can do. It's good practice for me! :) CarriePlum x