The Stages Before a Lovers Quarrel ~ A Jegulily and Wolfstar Fanfiction

Bellatrix was strutting down the hallway and everyone was staring at her. Why? Her hair was tied back in the messiest loose ponytail, her uniform was cut up, and finally, her sleeves were rolled up, revealing her Dark Mark to the entire school. She was speeding through the corridor when she ran into someone, knocking them to the ground. She glared at Sirius as he stood back up to face her, stuffing the letter she dropped him into his robe. "Well," she said. "I'm waiting."

"Sorry." He mumbled, fixing his uniform and turning back to his mates. Bellatrix scoffed and continued walking, the clack of her shoes echoing in the silent hall, along with the whispers. She passed McGonagall on her way, giving her a fake smile and wishing her luck with the Gryffindors. Her voice was laced with disgust.

It must've been hours before Sirius read the letter, but when he finally got back to the dorm for a moment of peace, he did.

Cousin,

I don't have time for games, and neither do you. Meet me in the Room of Requirement this Friday at six o'clock. Bring Regulus. Come alone.

We have unfinished business. A family matter. One you will care about.

Don't be late.

-Bellatrix Black

Immediately, the paper was set on fire with an Incendio cast that the students had coincidently learnt with Flitwick hours prior. He let the pillow swallow his head whole, sighing in frustration and exhaustion. A short knock came from the door. Sirius quickly stood, dusting the ashes off of his uniform, fixing his hair, and straightening out his tie.

"Remus. Hi." He let out a long, slow breath of relief and rested his head against the wooden pole of his canopied bed.

"Hi." Remus smiled at him.

They stood there in silence for a moment, listening to the wind whistle by through the window for a moment. "Do I smell smoke?" Remus questioned. "What did you set on fire, Sirius?"

"Me? Fire? No... What's fire?" Sirius sputtered, earning a snicker from Remus. "Hey!" Sirius watched each footstep Remus took as he walked past him, the way his arm rubbed against his own. He watched Remus' hand as he reached for the book on his nightstand. "To Kill a Mockingbird, Eh? That's what you and Lils are reading." Remus tapped his fingers across the book, regripping the spine.

"Yep. Book club meeting starts in... negative 5 minutes." He sighed. "I'll see you at dinner."

"See you."

Sirius fell to the soft covers of his bed the second the door clicked, breathing out a second sigh of calm and relief.

The walk to the Room of Requirement was heavy with silence.

Sirius shoved his hands into his pockets, eyes fixed ahead as his boots scuffed against the stone floor. Beside him, Regulus walked with measured steps, his usual quiet contemplation more intense than ever. The dim torchlight cast long shadows behind them, stretching and twisting as they moved.

"She looked insane today," Sirius muttered, finally breaking the silence. "Strutting around like she wanted everyone to know."

Regulus didn't glance at him. "She did want everyone to know."

Sirius scoffed. "Yeah, well, she got their attention. Merlin, the way McGonagall looked at her..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "What the hell is she playing at?"

Regulus exhaled, slow and controlled. "She's making a statement."

"A bloody reckless one."

"It got you to show up, didn't it?"

Sirius turned his head sharply, meeting Regulus' gaze for the first time since they'd left the common room. There was no challenge in his brother's expression, just fact. He huffed, turning away again. "Yeah, well, let's see what she actually wants."

They reached the wall where the door would appear. As soon as they stepped forward, the stone shifted, rearranging itself until the door emerged. Sirius shot Regulus a look before pushing it open.

The Room of Requirement was dimly lit, the usual endless space condensed into something intimate-a single long table with three chairs, and Bellatrix standing at its head. She wasn't pacing, wasn't smirking. She just stood there, arms crossed, waiting.

Neither Sirius nor Regulus moved to sit.

For a long moment, the only sound in the room was the crackle of a lone torch burning low.

Then Sirius sighed and dropped into a chair with a thud, slumping back with his arms crossed. Regulus followed more cautiously, perching on the edge of his seat. The silence stretched again, thick with unspoken words.

Bellatrix tapped her nails against the table once, then twice, then stopped. "I assume you both understand why you're here."

Sirius tilted his head back, staring at the ceiling. "No, Bella. We just love sneaking out to meet you for family bonding."

Regulus shot him a look, but Bellatrix didn't react. She only inhaled sharply and let it out through her nose. "We don't have time for your jokes."

Sirius sat up, expression darkening. "We already know, Bella. We've known for days. It's not exactly been a quiet announcement."

Regulus nodded, his voice quieter but firm. "Aunt Druella's been preparing her for it. She's been meeting with Mother more often. It's happening soon."

Bellatrix's jaw tightened. "And we're not going to let it happen."

Silence. A weight settled over the room, pressing down on all three of them.

Regulus was the first to speak. "How?"

Bellatrix's fingers curled against her arms. "We need a plan. A real one. Not just defiance and theatrics."

Sirius exhaled through gritted teeth. "And you think we can actually stop this? Without getting killed or worse?"

"Yes." Bellatrix leaned forward slightly. "Because we have to. And because if we don't, then she's lost."

Regulus' lips pressed into a thin line. "And what exactly do you expect us to do about it?"

Bellatrix's eyes gleamed. "We're going to make sure she doesn't take the Mark. By any means necessary."

Regulus glanced at Sirius, his expression unreadable. "That could mean a lot of things."

Bellatrix didn't blink. "It does."

The silence that followed wasn't empty-it was sharp, humming with the weight of what they were about to do.

Sirius sat up slowly, resting his forearms on the table. "Alright." A slow grin crept onto his face, reckless and dangerous. "Let's hear it."

A/n T-T Rest of the meeting happens next chapter. L. UUUHHHH this is exactly 1000 words :). This is my first time consecutively posting chapters since like April-July last year lmao. Yay me. Luv yall and I'll try and to double update this. BYEEEEE