"Beneath the Darkening Shadows"

The night air was heavy with an unsettling energy as Sirius, James, and Remus made their way to the Slytherin dungeons, determined to uncover the truth about the rumors they had heard. The castle's corridors seemed to grow darker and more ominous with every step, as if the very walls were watching them. As they descended into the dungeons, the sound of whispers and muffled voices grew louder. Sirius's heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing with the possibility that the rumors might be true. He had always considered Regulus to be his little brother, a Slytherin student who was often the target of teasing from the Gryffindors. But the thought of anyone taking advantage of him was unbearable. The trio turned a corner, and Sirius's eyes scanned the dimly lit corridor. That was when he saw him - Regulus, his little brother, standing in the corner, his eyes red-rimmed and his face pale. A group of older Slytherin students, including Crabbe and Goyle, stood around him, their faces twisted into cruel grins. Sirius's world went black. With a feral growl, he launched himself at the group, his fists flying. James and Remus tried to hold him back, but Sirius was unstoppable. He had never felt such a deep sense of rage and protectiveness before. He grabbed one of the Slytherin students and slammed him into the wall, before turning to face the others. "Back off!" Sirius snarled, his eyes blazing with fury. The Slytherin students, taken aback by Sirius's ferocity, retreated in disarray. Regulus, still standing in the corner, looked like a trapped animal. Without hesitation, Sirius strode over to Regulus and grabbed him by the hair, pulling him towards him. Regulus yelped in pain as Sirius dragged him through the corridors, James and Remus struggling to keep up. As they burst into the Gryffindor dormitory, Sirius slammed the door shut behind them and released Regulus, who stumbled forward, clutching at his hair. Sirius's chest heaved with rage as he towered over Regulus, his eyes blazing with a fierce protectiveness. "Is it true?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing. "Have they been hurting you?" Regulus's eyes welled up with tears as he looked up at Sirius. For a moment, the two Black brothers just stared at each other, the air thick with unspoken emotions. And then, in a move that shocked James and Remus, Regulus nodded, his face crumpling into a sob. Sirius swept him into a tight hug, holding him close as if he would never let him go again.