"I just don't get it, Moony. I don't know why they're so mad at me." Sirius sighed, sitting down with his friends in the Gryffindor common room.

"Don't you think it could be cause you left them behind, or something-" Peter started, resulting in a smack in the arm from James. "What?"

James gave Peter a wide eyed look, before clearing his throat, "I think what he means is-"

"No he's probably right." Sirius cut him off. "But- I don't understand why they're being so dramatic about it! They were always the favorites, anyway, its not like they're being punished for me leaving." Except that's exactly what was happening. But Sirius didn't know that. How could he? "Aurelia has never been so angry with me in her life."

"And Regulus?" James questions.

"He's always angry with me." Sirius laughed a little bit, before frowning a bit. He'd never admit it out loud, but he missed his siblings. Though they never actually hung out while at school, Sirius missed their small interactions, usually resulting in one of the twins scoffing and rolling their eyes, while he's standing beside them laughing.

James looked at Sirius intently, feeling bad for his best friend. He put his arm around his shoulder for comfort. "It'll be okay. like I said, they'll come around, Padfoot."

"Yeah- I just..." Sirius kept rambling about his siblings, especially when he saw Aurelia in the library. That was all Remus could think about too. He thought about how she looked like she hadn't slept in days. She seemed rather withdrawn, going about her regular business, only she wasn't there. Well, physically, yes but something was just off. Anyone who knew the girl could tell this but to everyone else- the ones who didn't matter- she seemed just fine.

It was as though something had swooped in, snatching her from her body and another had taken its place. It tried to imitate her, not drawing attention to itself and yet... it was almost obvious. Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes, her laugh wasn't as loud or genuine, her eyes had lost their spark. She had lost a piece of herself, that much was clear but how to fix that was the ultimate question. The world was far too full when Aurelia Black didn't have her light...

"Moony? Moony...? Remus!" Sirius startled the boy, who was lost in thought.

"What?"

"What's wrong with you? I've been trying to talk to you." Sirius huffed, shoving Remus' knee impatiently.

"Sorry- I was thinking."

Sirius chuckled, "Dangerous thing to do- but anyways. Are you sure she didn't say anything about me in the library? Not even a little reference or like-"

"Sirius, I already told you everything." well, not everything. Remus failed to mention that he was with Aurelia longer than Sirius had thought, and actually had more of a conversation, instead of the impression Sirius had, that they were just reading.

"I know I just-"

"Sirius, just like James said, they come around at some point," Remus told Sirius, waving his hand as though it were simple. "They just need time so give them time." Remus suggested, but he wasn't even sure he knew what he was telling him. From the small interaction he had with Aurelia, it was clear as day that whatever his siblings were upset about, it was way deeper than Sirius leaving home.

It was so much more than that.

---

"I saw Sirius today." Aurelia sighed sitting down next to Regulus in his common room.

"Not surprising, we go to school together." Regulus saw Mulciber approaching Aurelia out of the corner of his eye, "Shove off, Mulciber."

The prefect took a deep sigh before turning the other way, Aurelia sneering in his direction before continuing the conversation with her twin brother.

"I know we go to school together- but he tried to talk to me again..." Aurelia held her breath for a second before continuing, almost hesitant to talk about the interaction at all. "When I was in the Library-"

"Sirius? In the Library? Don't make me laugh Aury." Regulus scoffed.

"No- no he wasn't there to read-" she laughed a little bit, not a genuine, happy laugh, just a small chuckle at the suggestion. "He was there to find Lupin."

"So, if he was there to find Lupin, how'd he run into you?"

"Lupin was reading with me-" Regulus raised his eyebrows in confusion before Aurelia immediately shook her head. "No- no! Not like that- he was- he sat down and I tried to- I tried to tell him off- but he was very persistent about sitting with me- It wasn't voluntarily!"

"Alright, I get it, continue." Regulus chuckled a bit at his stuttering sister.

Aurelia smiled a bit. Even if it was small, she enjoyed seeing Regulus laugh, as it wasn't a common sight. "Okay- anyways. Sirius came in there looking for Lupin and I just immediately got up to leave. He tried to talk to me but I just left. Am I a coward?" she looked down.

Regulus took her hands, "No- you're not a coward. You're not ready to speak with him and that's fine. Aurelia you're one of the strongest people I know. I promise you, this doesn't make you a coward." he squeezed her hands to comfort her. This was that side of Regulus that seemed to be reserved for the people he cared about most, so really, just Aurelia.

She smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. "Thank you." she whispered. He put his arm around her, gently stroking her arm in response.

They stayed like that for a second, before their moment of peace was disrupted by the loud voice of one Evan Rosier.

"Alright guys, wrap it up, we don't need to see the twincest display!" he laughed, sitting on the couch across from the two with Barty following behind him.

Aurelia and Regulus both gave him a death glare. Aurelia scoffed. "Aren't you a twin too? Why is it only us?"

"It's just funnier." Evan shrugged.

Regulus made a face of disgust, furrowing his eyebrows. "How?"

"It just is!" Evan exclaimed, as Barty laughed beside him.

"No- wait Ev, they've got a point. How do we know you're not macking it with Pandora behind our backs-"

Evan gagged loudly. "Shut the fuck up! Merlin- that's so gross! Why would you even- Oh. Okay, I get it now."

Aurelia pressed her lips together in a thin line, while Regulus raised his eyebrows at their blonde haired friend. "Good job, Rosier." Aurelia said sarcastically as she rolled her eyes.

The teens continued to laugh and talk, but Aurelia was getting tired. She knew she wasn't going to sleep very well, but she could definitely use it as an excuse to get away from her so called friends.

"I, uh, I'm tired. So, I'm going to go back to the Ravenclaw dorms." she stood up, straightening out her skirt. "Rosier, Crouch." she nodded, "Bye Reg."

"Bye Aury." Regulus gave her a small wave, but his eyes softened a bit. He could see right through her. He always could. He knew she wasn't going to sleep. He could feel something was wrong with her all day. He watched as Aurelia ran her hand through her hair and walked out of the common room. He looked over at Evan and Barty, clearing his throat, "Hey- uh. I'll be right back." Evan furrowed his brows in response, as Barty just shrugged.

Regulus quickly followed after Aurelia, meeting her just a couple feet from the entrance. "Aury- hold on."

Aurelia turned around, and was met with her brother wrapping his arms around her. Her eyes widened as she let out a small gasp. "Reg-"

"Don't. Just- shh." he said, his tone still the same. He inhaled before whispering, "I love you."

She felt tears gloss over her eyes, sharply inhaling every few seconds. She wrapped her arms around Regulus, "I love you too."

He pulled away after a few moments, before breathing out, "Most people would tell you, it's going to be okay. But that's not something we can be completely sure of. All I know, is we can try. Try to keep each other safe."

"Regulus-"

"Go. Please try and get some rest. You really need it." Regulus patted her shoulder, before turning back towards the Slytherin common room.

---

The next few days were definitely better than the first day of school for Aurelia. Though her hours were not good, she got some sort of sleep, waking up early enough to get right on with schoolwork.

However, for one Remus Lupin, he couldn't take his mind off of the mysterious girl. Her behavior that day was so odd, and not just with the motive of making things better for Sirius, he wanted to help her. He could tell she needed it, but she would never accept it from him.

Remus found out through the years, mostly from pranks planned by Sirius, Aurelia spent a lot of her time in the library or with Slytherins. He figured, the one place they both enjoyed would be the best place to start.

~

A/N HI!! okay so this is 100% a filler chapter if i've ever written one, but its definitely needed for pacing purposes, because i have HUGE PLANS that i can't write yet and its killing me. i love aurelia and regulus so much its not even funny :c 
also writing the marauders is so fun, sirius being oblivious + peter having no filter is the best. I hope you guys like this chapter <3

take care of yourselves!! mwah mwah mwah <3