Sirius watched, hiding his agony behind a quick smile and ready wit, as his brother trudged further down the dark path. He tried to intervene, you could ask James and Remus about that, but, despite their best efforts, none of it seemed to do any good.

Before Hogwarts, Bellatrix and Narcissa had sunk their claws deep into Regulus. Sirius could not find a way to remove that without destroying himself and Regulus as well.

The day he got the news that Regulus died, Sirius ended up on James’ doorstep, grim defeat mingling with grief; for he had failed his brother.

mood: accomplished
audio: Cranberries CD