**Chapter 1: A Night to Remember**

The music pulsed through the crowded room, casting a hypnotic spell over the students of Hogwarts. Regulus Black, a 15-year-old fifth-year student, was lost in the rhythm, his eyes gleaming with a reckless abandon. He was a popular boy, and it showed in the way the girls swarmed around him, vying for his attention. Regulus lapped up the admiration, his smile growing wider as he flirted shamelessly with a group of girls. Sirius Black, Regulus' older brother, stood at the edge of the room, his eyes narrowed in disapproval. At 17, Sirius was a seventh-year student and one of the most charismatic boys in the school. He had a reputation for being fearless and confident, but as he watched Regulus' antics, he felt a growing sense of unease. Regulus was being outright slutty, grinding against one of the girls in a way that made Sirius' cheeks flush with embarrassment. Sirius had always tried to keep an eye on his younger brother, but Regulus was getting increasingly difficult to manage. He seemed to be courting attention from every girl in the room, and Sirius worried that he would get hurt. As the music reached a crescendo, Sirius pushed his way through the crowd, his long strides eating up the distance between him and Regulus. He reached out and grasped Regulus' arm, his fingers closing around it like a vice. "Regulus, that's enough," Sirius said, his voice low and even. Regulus looked up at him, a flash of defiance in his eyes. "Let me go, Sirius," he said, trying to wriggle free. But Sirius held firm, his grip unyielding. With a swift motion, he swept Regulus up into his arms and strode out of the room, leaving the music and the crowd behind. The cool night air hit Regulus like a slap in the face as Sirius carried him across the grounds. He struggled and kicked, but Sirius held him fast. "Put me down, Sirius!" Regulus shouted, his face red with anger. Sirius ignored him, his long strides carrying them towards the Gryffindor common room. He pushed open the door and strode inside, James Potter, his best friend, looking up from the couch in surprise. James was a year older than Regulus, with a messy mop of hair and a warm smile. He was lounging on the couch, a book open in his lap. As Regulus landed with a startled yelp on his lap, James' eyes widened in surprise. "Blimey, Sirius, what's going on?" James asked, his eyes darting between the two brothers. Sirius dumped Regulus onto James' lap, his expression stern. "Regulus was getting a bit too friendly with the ladies," he said dryly. Regulus scrambled to his feet, his face still flushed with anger. "That's not fair, Sirius!" he exclaimed. James looked at Regulus, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "I think Sirius was trying to save you from yourself, Reg," he said, a mischievous glint in his eye. Regulus glared at Sirius, his eyes flashing with resentment. But as he looked at James, he seemed to falter, his expression softening slightly. The scene was set, and the story was waiting to unfold.