It hurts.

It does, being here. Standing here in Regulus's empty dorm, and knowing there's nothing you can do to bring him back.

Even if it's been a year since he drowned. Even if his honor was restored.

It's a terrible thing to be aware of. That he's gone. That he was pushed too far. That the wicked die alone.

There has to be something good to come of the bad. There has to be.

Evan and Pandora stand in the corner of the room, Pandora staring blankly at the bed, made perfectly. She had seen it, after all. The boy who was drowning in all her visions. He was closer than she could've known. Evan just looks down. Barty, looming over the desk, not daring to touch a thing, but his fingers twitching as if he wants to grab each quill and book and store them forever. He's quiet. It's rare. And Dorcas, standing in the doorway, as if not sure if she even deserves to mourn. But in her eyes, you can see that she does anyway.

Just then, a knock behind Dorcas, against the wall, rings through the dorm. All heads, feet rooted in the floor, turn. And there stands the one person who would never believe that Regulus died with honor.

Sirius Orion Black.

Sure, you had met Sirius at least once, when him and Regulus were still in touch, but now... He looked different. Breathtaking.

Was this the good?

Was he the good to come of the bad? The unknown factor that would suddenly step into your life?

It's been months since Regulus passed. Why now?