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age swapped brothers au: a conversation w/the parents.
There's something more solemn than usual in Regulus when he settles across from their parents. They don't know what he's going to ask and he smiles ingratiatingly to further his agenda. It feels like it splits his face in two. "Mother, Father. I think I've come up with a solution to one of our largest problems as a family."
Walburga lofts an eyebrow and shifts where she's sitting, but nods nonetheless. "Go ahead, Regulus darling. You know we'd love to hear your ideas."
Of course they would: he parrots back everything that want to hear. "I know Sirius has been even more ... unruly as late, and I'd like to ask your opinions on what I'd like to do to remedy that." There's a quiet pause and his stomach twists, but finally Orion nods silently. Regulus can't sigh in relief. He turns his smile more sickly instead. "I know we can't have him acting out like this and besmirching the family name, but I think I can turn him back to the right path without the need for any drastic measures." They seem interested, so he continues. "As you know, he bucks harder against any grain of sense that's tried to be fed to him." And it is fed to them, spoon-fed since they were children, and it's slimy pouring down his throat but he'd swallowed the poison while Sirius had resisted.
His smile turns sharp. "I believe part of the problem is location and proximity. As authority figures, of course he refuses to see the light from you. You've seen his behavior at Hogwarts. But..."
Walburga nods this time, smiling in a way that makes Regulus feel like he's going to vomit. "Continue, dear. You've always had such bright ideas and insight."
So true he has. "Sirius trusts me. He looks up to me. I believe that, given time alone with him, I can steer him properly. Without the need to push back against authority, he's sure to fall into line. Why wouldn't he want to be like his big brother, after all?" (Slick, sly, vile.)
"What are you suggesting then, Regulus?" Orion seems interested but cautious. Regulus has to push this through the gate.
He gestures off to the side, inclining his head a little. He's learned over the years what people like to see; confidence mixed with deference mixed with superiority. "I think he would do well to live with me for a while. Out of the house. Left in an environment with me, I can practically guarantee you that he'll no longer be an embarrassment to the Black family name by the time he graduates Hogwarts. Drawing him into the fold, so to speak."
(Like a lamb to slaughter.)
They seem to be considering it, at least. But there are, of course, questions. "How do you suggest this is done? Where will you live? And what about your care?"
"We stay in a flat together. Take an elf with us, perhaps Kreacher? He's most loyal to me, in any case. Being in proximity without outside influences will help in Sirius' journey and I can keep you apprised of updates. And in the end, you won't have to lose your younger son."
No. They'll lose both of them. But they don't know that.
"It's all quite simple really, it just wasn't feasible until now that I'm of age. Surely a stipend to allow this is nothing in light of saving your son?" He plays them so well. So expertly. They believe money can fix everything. They believe in their perfect son. He waits nervously, compartmentalizing so that his eyes don't flick back and forth between them worriedly.
For a brief moment he thinks it hasn't worked. Walburga and Orion look at each other and it's quiet, frowning. Then they look at Regulus and Walburga smiles too. She almost never smiles. Ever. "I see you've put quite a lot into this plan, Regulus. I think it would be a very good idea to try. However, please do try to remember that if this doesn't work, we'll be... disappointed."
He knows what that means and it sends a shiver down his spine that he can barely control. "Of course, Mother. I'd never disappoint you, you know that."
It's enough. Please let it be enough. Orion finally nods. "We'll set up your Gringotts account with a monthly allowance. As this is your plan, I'll expect you to follow through on the details. We're only financing it. Use any methods you see fit to save your brother."
He knows what that means too. He can feel bile rising in his throat, but Regulus nods anyway. He stands and inclines his head, moving to kiss his mother on the cheek and pat her hand. If he knew anything about Muggle religions, he might've compared himself to Judas - but that would make Walburga Jesus, so perhaps not. "Thank you, Mother. Thank you, Father. I'm glad to be able to help you like this. I promise you won't be disappointed in the results."
He manages to keep from shaking until he leaves the room.
Walburga lofts an eyebrow and shifts where she's sitting, but nods nonetheless. "Go ahead, Regulus darling. You know we'd love to hear your ideas."
Of course they would: he parrots back everything that want to hear. "I know Sirius has been even more ... unruly as late, and I'd like to ask your opinions on what I'd like to do to remedy that." There's a quiet pause and his stomach twists, but finally Orion nods silently. Regulus can't sigh in relief. He turns his smile more sickly instead. "I know we can't have him acting out like this and besmirching the family name, but I think I can turn him back to the right path without the need for any drastic measures." They seem interested, so he continues. "As you know, he bucks harder against any grain of sense that's tried to be fed to him." And it is fed to them, spoon-fed since they were children, and it's slimy pouring down his throat but he'd swallowed the poison while Sirius had resisted.
His smile turns sharp. "I believe part of the problem is location and proximity. As authority figures, of course he refuses to see the light from you. You've seen his behavior at Hogwarts. But..."
Walburga nods this time, smiling in a way that makes Regulus feel like he's going to vomit. "Continue, dear. You've always had such bright ideas and insight."
So true he has. "Sirius trusts me. He looks up to me. I believe that, given time alone with him, I can steer him properly. Without the need to push back against authority, he's sure to fall into line. Why wouldn't he want to be like his big brother, after all?" (Slick, sly, vile.)
"What are you suggesting then, Regulus?" Orion seems interested but cautious. Regulus has to push this through the gate.
He gestures off to the side, inclining his head a little. He's learned over the years what people like to see; confidence mixed with deference mixed with superiority. "I think he would do well to live with me for a while. Out of the house. Left in an environment with me, I can practically guarantee you that he'll no longer be an embarrassment to the Black family name by the time he graduates Hogwarts. Drawing him into the fold, so to speak."
(Like a lamb to slaughter.)
They seem to be considering it, at least. But there are, of course, questions. "How do you suggest this is done? Where will you live? And what about your care?"
"We stay in a flat together. Take an elf with us, perhaps Kreacher? He's most loyal to me, in any case. Being in proximity without outside influences will help in Sirius' journey and I can keep you apprised of updates. And in the end, you won't have to lose your younger son."
No. They'll lose both of them. But they don't know that.
"It's all quite simple really, it just wasn't feasible until now that I'm of age. Surely a stipend to allow this is nothing in light of saving your son?" He plays them so well. So expertly. They believe money can fix everything. They believe in their perfect son. He waits nervously, compartmentalizing so that his eyes don't flick back and forth between them worriedly.
For a brief moment he thinks it hasn't worked. Walburga and Orion look at each other and it's quiet, frowning. Then they look at Regulus and Walburga smiles too. She almost never smiles. Ever. "I see you've put quite a lot into this plan, Regulus. I think it would be a very good idea to try. However, please do try to remember that if this doesn't work, we'll be... disappointed."
He knows what that means and it sends a shiver down his spine that he can barely control. "Of course, Mother. I'd never disappoint you, you know that."
It's enough. Please let it be enough. Orion finally nods. "We'll set up your Gringotts account with a monthly allowance. As this is your plan, I'll expect you to follow through on the details. We're only financing it. Use any methods you see fit to save your brother."
He knows what that means too. He can feel bile rising in his throat, but Regulus nods anyway. He stands and inclines his head, moving to kiss his mother on the cheek and pat her hand. If he knew anything about Muggle religions, he might've compared himself to Judas - but that would make Walburga Jesus, so perhaps not. "Thank you, Mother. Thank you, Father. I'm glad to be able to help you like this. I promise you won't be disappointed in the results."
He manages to keep from shaking until he leaves the room.