Rating: R
Word Count: 1520
Characters: Regulus, Sirius, Orion & Walburga Black, Severus Snape

Author's Note: The dates in the text version of this story have been adjusted to bring them in line with canon. The end of the story, of course, remains AU.

"... my idiot brother, soft enough to believe them ... that's him."

Sirius jabbed a finger at the very bottom of the tree, at the name "Regulus Black". A date of death (some fifteen years previously) followed by a date of birth.

"He was younger than me," said Sirius, "and a much better son, as I was constantly reminded."

"But he died," said Harry.

"Yeah," said Sirius. "Stupid idiot ... he joined the Death Eaters."

"You're kidding!"

"Come on, Harry, haven't you seen enough of this house to tell what kind of wizards my family were?" said Sirius testily.

"Were -- were your parents Death Eaters as well?"

"No, no [....] But I bet my parents thought Regulus was a right little hero for joining up at first."

"Was he killed by an Auror?" Harry asked tentatively.

"Oh, no," said Sirius. "No, he was murdered by Voldemort. Or on Voldemort's orders, more likely; I doubt Regulus was ever important enough to be killed by Voldemort in person. From what I found out after he died, he got in so far, then panicked about what he was being asked to do and tried to back out. Well, you don't just hand in your resignation to Voldemort. It's a lifetime of service or death."

-- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter Six (pp. 104-105 Bloomsbury hardcover edition)

Excerpts From the Diary of Regulus Black © 2005 Skjaere