James inhaled sharply. "Someone told you?" His grip on her shoulders tightened just a fraction. "Reg, you were dreaming—"
"It wasn't just a dream." Her voice was low, almost shaking. She turned back to him, eyes dark with something unsettled. "It felt real, James. I could hear him. I could feel him."
James's jaw clenched. He was trying to be logical, to ground her in reality, but something in her gaze made the air in the room feel heavy. "Who did you see?"
Regulus hesitated. She didn't know how to explain it. What could she even say? That it was a man who wanted to right all his wrongs?
She swallowed hard. "I don’t know," she decided to say. "He was cloaked, his face was hidden, but I felt like I knew him."
James studied her for a long moment, searching for something in her expression. "What exactly did he say?"
Regulus exhaled slowly, running a hand through her hair.
"He recited the prophecy, said something about a locket," she murmured. "But I— I can't remember the last two lines. I had them, James, I swear I did, but now they're gone."
James remained quiet, his brow furrowing. "You think this… figure wanted you to remember them?"
"Yes." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "And I think if I don't, we'd be hurt."
James let out a long breath, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright," he said finally. "We’ll figure this out. Maybe Dumbledore—"
"No." The word left her lips too quickly, too forcefully. James raised an eyebrow, but Regulus shook her head, trying to steady herself. "Not yet. Not until I remember. Not until we know more."
James sat warily beside Regulus on the bed, his fingers laced together as he stared at the floor. Silence stretched between them, thick and heavy. Regulus was tense beside him, lost in thought, and James hated the way he felt distant from her.
He had seen the fear in her eyes, the way her hands trembled when she spoke. The way she was concerned for their child. And instead of believing her, instead of trusting that she—his wife, the mother of his child—wouldn’t be shaken so easily by just a dream, he had questioned her. Not to mention, he had brutally cast doubt on where her loyalties lied.
James sighed, rubbing a hand down his face.
"Regulus," he murmured, turning toward her. She didn't look at him, her arms wrapped around herself as she stared into the dim light of their bedroom. "I'm sorry."
Regulus blinked, finally glancing at him. "For what?"
"For doubting you. For not trusting you like I should’ve." James shook his head, exhaling sharply. "I saw how much it shook you, and my first instinct was to try and explain it away instead of listening to you or consoling you. That wasn’t fair."
Regulus was quiet for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, she let out a small breath, shoulders loosening slightly.
"I know that," she admitted. "But James, this isn’t something I can ignore. It means something."
James nodded, reaching for her hand. This time, she let him take it.
"I believe you."
Regulus studied him, searching his face for any hesitation, but found none.
"There's something else," she said, her fingers tightening around his. "The prophecy states that the child will be born to those who have thrice defied the Dark Lord."
James frowned slightly. "Right, so—?"
"You've already done it twice," she murmured. "Once by marrying me to birth the child and kill the Dark Lord. Once by fighting for the Order of the Phoenix."
The weight of her words settled between them, but James noticed the way her jaw tensed, the way her breath hitched. He frowned, shifting slightly. "Reg…?"
"I've never done it," she admitted. Her voice was quiet, but the truth behind it was deafening. "I've never defied him. I only did this for my parents."
James’s heart clenched. Of course, she hadn’t. Not in the way he had.
She had married him, she had left behind the life they had wanted for her. But she had never stood against Voldemort. Not directly.
"I'm sorry," he said again, softer this time.
Regulus' jaw tightened. "Stop apologizing."
"I have to," James insisted. "I'm sorry that I hurt you by doubting your loyalties. I know we all make mistakes, but I was cruel."
Regulus still didn’t look at him, but her grip on his hand remained firm.
James ran a hand through his hair, exhaling. "When I said all that before, about Dumbledore not trusting you, about keeping you locked away… I wasn’t thinking about how it would feel to you. I was just scared. For you, for the baby. But I should’ve known better. I should’ve trusted you better."
Regulus swallowed, the anger in her eyes flickering, giving way to something more raw.
"I know you're not the same person you were back then," James continued, his voice steady. "I never agreed with your pure-blood nonsense, and still don't, but I know you chose to leave that behind, for someone you didn't even know. I should've never made you feel like you had to prove that to me."
Regulus finally turned to him, eyes searching his face for any hesitation, any doubt. She found none.
For a long moment, there was silence. Then, finally, Regulus let out a slow breath. "I understand why you said it. It's okay, I'm used to it."
James reached for her again, this time more carefully, lacing their fingers together.
"You don’t have to prove anything to me," he said. "Not anymore. And whatever happens next, we’re in this together. You will defy him, Reg. And I’ll be right there with you."
Regulus knew that she would never defy the Dark Lord, ever. Still, she did not express those thoughts.
"You'll stay with me?"
"Until the very end." said James.
====
James exhaled through his nose, trying to summon patience—something he had very little of when it came to Narcissa Malfoy.
“Cissy…” Regulus started, tone weary.
Narcissa lifted a perfectly sculpted brow, utterly unbothered as she sipped at her tea with an air of grace only a Black could manage. One hand rested on her stomach, her movements slow, deliberate.
Yes, Narcissa was pregnant. She had actually discovered her pregnancy the day of Regulus's wedding but kept silent. She was 3 months along now with barely a bump, whilst Regulus seemed to be in her early weeks.
“Hm,” Narcissa mused, tilting her head. “I suppose you mean I should stop intimidating him?”
Regulus nodded. "Suppose so."
"Hm, a pregnant woman shouldn't scare him."
James scoffed. "Maybe that pregnant woman is a lunatic who keeps insulting me in another language and threatening to hex me wherever I go!"
Narcissa took a slow sip of her tea before giving him a blank stare. "Then fight back."
"Sod off, I can't fight a pregnant woman!"
"Hm," Narcissa rolled her eyes. "Weak."
"Don't tell my wife to sod off," Lucius supplied, leaning towards Narcissa. He leaned in slightly, a hand already reaching for Narcissa’s, intertwining their fingers. That seemed to please him. "Before I curse you."
Regulus pinched the bridge of her nose. "This is giving me a headache. Please, for the love of Merlin, stop."
James huffed. He watched the couple holding hands before turning his full attention back to Regulus. He reached for her hand, only for her to immediately pull away.
"I am not holding your hand, Potter."
James blinked at her before trying again, fingers stretching towards hers insistently. "James," he corrected. "Or Jamie. C’mon, you're my wife."
"Have some shame!" Regulus hissed, giving him a withering glare.
James pouted, thoroughly unrepentant. "You married me, Reg."
Regulus exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "I’m aware.”
"Which means," James continued, still reaching, “I deserve at least some affection, I'm so jealous that Malfoy gets to hold hands with your cousin.”
Regulus scoffed. "Affection?"
"Yeah. You know—hand-holding, kissing, loving gazes over breakfast—"
Lucius made a disgusted noise. "Must you?"
"Yes, actually,” James shot back. “My wife keeps dodging my affection, and it’s tragic.”
Regulus groaned, pressing a hand to her stomach as if this was somehow causing her nausea instead of pregnancy.
Narcissa hummed thoughtfully. "You are being rather dramatic."
Regulus pointed at her. "Thank you."
James took the moment of distraction to quickly grab her hand, squeezing it tightly. He smiled in triumph when Regulus didn't make a move.
Regulus narrowed her eyes at him. "You absolute menace." She whispered, lowering her voice so Lucius wouldn't hear. Regardless of how close they were, it wouldn't be proper to insult her husband in front of another man. Doing it in front of Sirius or Narcissa was fine, though.
James grinned. "And yet, you're still here."
Regulus muttered something under her breath in French.
James brightened. "I heard that, love!"
"Good."
Narcissa cleared her throat, setting down her tea with deliberate care. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”
Regulus, who had been absentmindedly tracing patterns against her sleeve, glanced up. “Go on.”
“It is… rather untraditional,” Narcissa admitted, her voice measured, carefully devoid of emotion. “But as you know, I am expecting a child. And I would like to ask you to be the child’s godmother.”
Silence settled between them.
Regulus stared. The request was unexpected—not just for its sentiment, but for the break in tradition. Godparents were almost always men, especially in the Black family. The idea of a woman being given such a role was unheard of. But then again, Narcissa had always been adept at following tradition just enough while still bending the rules to her favor.
"I understand your second male child is to be the heir of the Black family, so what I ask is not unusual." Narcissa said. "I need it to be someone I know and trust. It can't be Bellatrix, only you."
It was unusual, but still Regulus found herself immediately nodding, ignoring the warmth she felt.
"It'd be an honor Cissy."
Lucius, who had been watching the exchange with quiet tension, exhaled, visibly relieved. “That went well,” he muttered under his breath.
But Narcissa wasn’t finished. “And you would have to protect this child,” she said, her gaze unwavering. “Treat them as if they were your own.”
"I would never do any less."
“Keep them safe from harm. And, should the time come—keep them away from the Dark Lord as well.”
Lucius tensed beside Narcissa. James stiffened, fingers curling into his palms. There was no mistaking the weight of her words, nor the audacity of speaking them aloud, especially in front of James. A Death Eater family they seemed at first, but the question noted otherwise. It was admiring, really. Narcissa was trying to set up a good life for her child, away from the claws of the Black family, away from the Dark Lord, and away from any sort of harm. Regulus felt something tighten in her chest. A dull, aching sort of grief. Their own parents had never done that—for her or Sirius. They had only ever shaped them into weapons, tools for their own ambitions.
This—this was different.
Regulus nodded. "Of course."
Narcissa studied her for a moment, searching for any sign of hesitance, then spoke again, softer this time. “Then you would take the Unbreakable Vow for this child?”
James spluttered. "There is no need for that--"
"Yes," Regulus cut him off, unfazed. "I would."
James inhaled sharply beside her, his fingers twitching as if he wanted to grab her hand, to pull her back, to stop her from saying something so final. "Regulus, you don't have to—"
"I want to," she interrupted, her voice firm, eyes locked onto Narcissa’s. "You asked me to protect them as if they were my own. If I say yes, then I mean it."
A slow breath escaped Narcissa's lips, her expression softening, ever so slightly. "Thank you," she murmured.
James looked as though he wanted to throttle someone. His lips pressed into a thin line, and he turned to Narcissa with an almost accusatory glare. “This is unnecessary. You know she’d keep the kid safe. You don’t need some bloody vow to prove it.”
Narcissa merely arched a brow, entirely unbothered. “Perhaps. But I will not risk my child on a perhaps.”
"As is our family customs," Lucius added, scoffing at James. "A blood traitor wouldn't understand."
"Not a chance," James shot back immediately, eyes still burning with frustration.
"It's my choice." Regulus snapped.
James stayed quiet for a few moments. "If you're going to swear your life on this, I’m going to be there when you do it."
Regulus blinked. Something in his voice, in the sheer certainty of it, left her momentarily speechless.
Narcissa merely sipped her tea, unimpressed. "Fine. Just don’t get in the way."
James scowled but said nothing more.
Lucius reached into his robes, pulling out his wand. “Shall we, then?”
Regulus and Narcissa stood, facing each other. James moved out of the way to stand at Regulus's side. Without hesitation, Regulus extended her hand, and Narcissa clasped it in both of hers—cool, steady, unwavering.
Lucius lifted his wand.
“Will you, Regulus Arcturus Black, swear to protect this child, to guard them from harm, treat them as your own, and to keep them away from the Dark Lord’s grasp, should the time come?”
Regulus squeezed Narcissa’s hands. “I will.”
A thin ribbon of light wove around their joined hands, binding them in an unbreakable promise. Warmth exploded through her arm, traveling through her body before settling. Like a pulsing ball of heat, just above her chest.
James let out a breath beside her, but he remained silent.
Narcissa held Regulus’s gaze, something almost soft in her expression. “Thank you, Regulus.”
Regulus nodded.
James shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck before clearing his throat. “Right. And, uh… who’s the godfather, then?”
Lucius barely spared him a glance. “Severus.”
James choked. “Snivellous?” He let out a sharp laugh, looking between them as if waiting for someone to say it was a joke. “Oh, that’s rich. Really, Malfoy, out of all the people in the world, you picked him?”
Lucius arched a brow. “Severus is an intelligent, capable wizard. Unlike some.”
James let out a huff, shaking his head in disbelief. “Snivellous,” he muttered under his breath before turning to Regulus, eyes still wide with exaggerated incredulity. “Reg, you can’t possibly be fine with this, right?”
Regulus barely blinked. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
James gaped at her, motioning wildly. “Why wouldn’t you be?” He repeated, voice going a little high-pitched. “Because it’s Snivellous—the bloke who spent half his school years sulking around in the dungeons brewing questionable potions and the other half worshipping the Dark Lord like a lovesick maiden! You're okay with him being the godfather of your godchild?”
Regulus, entirely unbothered, shrugged. “He's changed sides now. Not to mention, he’s loyal to Cissy.”
James groaned, running a hand through his hair. “Regulus!”
Regulus gave him a dry look. “What, James?”
Lucius, watching the exchange with mild amusement, leaned back. “Jealous, Potter?”
James whirled on him. “Oh, sod off, Malfoy!”
Regulus let out a quiet, amused breath before turning to James, tilting her head slightly. “Are you really that bothered by this?”
James grumbled something under his breath, kicking at the floor.
“No.” Then, after a pause, “Yes.” He frowned, eyes darting to her. “It’s just—I hate his guts. We have history It’s bad enough I have to deal with him skulking around, but now you’re all… fine with it. What if you think he's better than me and than steals you?”
Regulus studied him for a moment, then, to James’s surprise, reached for his hand, lacing their fingers together without hesitation. “You’re an idiot,” she informed him flatly.
James, caught off guard, blinked down at their joined hands. He swallowed. “Oh.”
Regulus sighed, shaking her head. “You do realize that just because I don’t loathe Snape doesn’t mean I’d ever choose him over you, right?”
James perked up slightly at that, though he tried to hide it, failing spectacularly. “Yeah, well, I should hope not,” he muttered. Then, quieter, “Still think it’s a terrible choice.”
Regulus squeezed his hand. “It’s Narcissa’s choice.”
James huffed. ". . .Even if he's better than me at potions, or maybe smarter? You won't choose him over me."
Regulus smirked slightly. “You sound like Sirius. I'm not one to break a vow, and I vowed to be yours.”
James looked at her, lips parted like he wanted to argue, but then shut his mouth. His grip on her hand tightened just a fraction. “Good,” he said, attempting to sound casual, but his voice came out a little too soft. A little too pleased. He tilted his head at her, mischief dancing in his eyes. “But if I were to get jealous again, you’d reassure me like this, yeah?”
Regulus sighed. “You’re insufferable.”
“But you like me."
Lucius, who had been watching with an expression of deep revulsion, cleared his throat. “Must we be subjected to this nauseating display?” His tone was sharp, impatient. “There are more pressing matters to discuss, like names."
James rolled his eyes. “Right, let me guess—you’re naming the kid some nonsense like Centaurus or Cassiopeia or whatever else purebloods think sounds dignified.”
“It’s a boy,” Narcissa interrupted coolly. “His name will be Draco.”
Lucius blinked, caught off guard for just a moment. Then he inclined his head, any surprise melting into swift agreement. His gaze softened ever so slightly as he regarded his wife. “Of course, my dear,” he murmured, as if there had never been any other option.
"And they say I'm the sap. . ." James whispered, earning a kick to his shin from Regulus.
