**Reunion at Hogwarts**

The warm glow of the Great Hall's enchanted ceiling cast a golden light over the long tables, where students of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw laughed and chatted over their lunchtime meal. Sirius Black sat at the Gryffindor table, surrounded by his closest friends: James Potter, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Mary Macdonald, Lily Evans, and Marlene McKinnon. The usual noise and chaos filled the air as they joked and teased one another, their camaraderie and easy banter a testament to the strong bonds they had formed. Sirius, with his messy black hair and bright, mischievous grin, was in his element, holding court as he regaled his friends with a tale of his latest prank on Professor Snape. James and Remus chuckled and snorted, while Peter nodded enthusiastically, his eyes shining with excitement. Mary and Lily exchanged a warm smile, and Marlene rolled her eyes good-naturedly. As Sirius paused for comedic effect, his gaze drifted across the hall, and suddenly, his eyes locked onto a figure rushing out of the Great Hall. His heart skipped a beat as he recognized the messy, dark hair and the determined stride. Regulus. It had been years since they'd last spoken, not since his first year at Hogwarts when Regulus had been sorted into Slytherin and Sirius had deliberately avoided him. The memories of that painful time still lingered, and Sirius felt a flutter in his chest as he watched Regulus disappear into the crowded corridors. Sirius's friends noticed his sudden distraction and followed his gaze. James raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong, mate?" he asked, but Sirius just shook his head, his eyes still fixed on the doorway. Without a word, Sirius pushed back his chair and stood up, his eyes never leaving the spot where Regulus had vanished. His friends exchanged curious glances, but Sirius didn't notice. He felt a sense of trepidation mixed with curiosity, wondering what had brought Regulus to the Great Hall, and where he was headed now. As he stood there, frozen in thought, the sounds of the Great Hall receded into the background, and all Sirius could think about was the brother he had left behind, the brother he had barely spoken to in years. A pang of guilt and regret washed over him, and he felt an overwhelming urge to follow Regulus, to catch up and find out what had changed. With a quiet apology to his friends, Sirius strode out of the Great Hall, his heart pounding in his chest, and disappeared into the crowded corridors, determined to find Regulus and face whatever had brought him to Hogwarts.