"I didn't realise that what they were telling me was wrong until I actually started to live by what I was saying. I couldn't follow a man like that. He hurt Kreacher." And Regulus had no one growing up but his elf. Sure, Sirius was there at the start but then he wasn't. He had deep affection and love for his elf, to see him in such a sorry state after an outing with the dark lord? It was too much.

The arm around him was heavy but comforting. Not that he'd admit it. It felt odd to have contact, he would never get used to it. "What mistakes could you have made? You were always perfect." Frustratingly so.