To See You Shine

James saw darkness.
The same darkness that he considered to be his earliest memory. It was warm yet somehow he still felt cold...very cold.

"It's always a wonder to see an owner of one of my master's items down here. Tell me, how close were you to the others, the stone and the wand?"

A voice of warmth and comfort spoke to James. James had no clue what the voice was on about. James had no connection with whatever it was inferring.

"Ah, i see, shame that is...though as fate will have it, you were closer to my master instead. Shame you didn't get the chance to know him...tell you what, this story has been so awfully boring to me, and Fate owes me one anyways... let us make it interesting."

Before James could get any thoughts in, he saw a blinding light. He tried to cover his eyes but there was no hope, his heart had started to beat harshly, so harshly. James felt like he was under water.

"Goodbye James...I'm sorry."

James had thought this voice belonged to the same mysterious Entity speaking to him earlier. Yet this voice, it was more recognizable, softer in his heart. He's heard it before, he's sure, he's heard the sound of this sweet piano-like voice.

"Something caught your eye potter?"

"You are an idiot."

"Silly Potter."

"Amor...Jamie?"

"I love you, James..."

Regulus! The voice was Regulus, Regulus was here, he was with Regulus..., but Regulus was dead... No, no he went back, Regulus isn't dead yet.

"Regulus! Regulus get up, come on baby doll! get up! please Regulus I need you!"

James tried to scream out, but his voice was muffled. The feeling of Water sinking in his mouth. James felt sharp pains all over his body. His lungs felt on fire, it was distracting, it was horrible, yet he knew this wasn't his pain, it was Regulus.

"Regulus please, please you have to, Harry needs you, my- our son needs you."

Then James saw greenish gray around him, his eyes finally opened to the harsh surroundings that took Regulus away the first time. He felt Regulus move his arms, kicking his legs, desperately pulling against Stillwater.

"That's it, baby, just like I taught you, you can do it!"

Regulus thrashed, he swam, kicking his feet at the face on inferis in his way. His eyes were wide and his body was on fire despite the cool water.

His head was ringing as he looked towards the light, yet he heard it, he's heard the lights voice, and the light was his Jamie, his James was here for him, his James was waiting for him.

Then James felt Regulus's cold hand breach in the air, and as soon as Regulus pulled his head from under the water, James could see Regulus.

His Regulus was soaked and bloody. His Regulus panting and breathing. His Regulus is alive. His Regulus is alive. His Regulus was alive and in front of him.

Regulus was breathing heavily, with wide eyes, and hair more messy then he would ever allow. He spat out water, groaning at the feeling of his stretched throat. He groaned and wined as he laid on his side. "Kreacher!" Regulus called the old house elf, his voice coming out raspy and strained.

The elf appeared with a snarl on his face before it visibly softened when he saw Regulus trying to pull himself from the ground up. Kreacher popped to his side in an instant. "Master Regulus is alive! Oh joyish! Thank you, master! Thank you! Kreacher is forever thankful for the young Master!" Kreacher sobbed to Regulus. Kreacher popped Regulus back to Grimmauld immediately.

Regulus shuddered and he gasped for air, coughing as he sat on his knees, panting. "Kreacher i-, I need to know where? where are the potters, what day is it? did you destroy the locket?" Regulus sent rapid questions, looking at the elf with hopeful eyes.

"It is November Twelve 1981, the Potters are all dead, except their son. I am sorry Master Regulus, I had no success in destroying the blasted thing." Kreacher informed Regulus, sobbing at his lack of success. He handed the boy healing elixirs.

James watched Regulus down the vials, he watched Regulus sit in silence staring at the warm fireplace. James wanted to reach over and move the misplaced damped strands of hair away from his forehead. James wanted to kiss ever single faded scar that showed thanks to the monsters in that damn cave.

"I've been dead for three years...," Regulus swallowed the lump in his throat at the thought. He shifted his weight to the other side of the loveseat he sat in. Three years, he's been without James, longer technically, but three years dead.

Regulus looked around the empty study of Grimmauld and he swallowed the lump in his throat. "Where are my parents Kreacher?" Regulus asked the house elf, turning to look at the old elf.

"Dead, Master Regulus"

Regulus's lips tightened and his hands fisted at the towel wrapped around him, he looked back at the warm fire. The warm light, golden and red like James and Lily. "I want you to retrieve articles of the Potter family since the date they've passed, then inform me of my troubled brother and his spouse. Merlin knows what those idiots are into now that James is gone." Regulus muttered the last bit, shaking his head with a sigh. His James was dead, he and Lily were dead.

Kreacher disappeared, and as soon as the elf did Regulus began sobbing.

"Jamie...mon soleil," Regulus cried placing his head in his hands. "Mon soleil, Mon soleil, Jamie, S'il te plait reviens, mon soleil." Regulus begged as he curled himself into a ball.

James rushed forward on instinct and attempted to wrap his arms around the boy. James tried to hold him, he really did. but his arms only went through Regulus. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Regulus." James frowned as he looked at Regulus. "I really did try to find you, but the baby and Lily, I couldn't leave those two."

After a bit of Regulus sobbing in his chair, he reluctantly pulled himself together, dragging himself through the old abandoned house of his family. He passed portraits in his wake, they whispered and stared as his mother screamed. Regulus made his way to his bedroom and shut the door before lying on the floor.

James of course followed along with Regulus, his shoulders tensed as he examined the torn and dark wallpaper. The portraits of angry and cruel wizards and witches. He stopped at the portrait of Walburga, staring at the woman that damned his lover and best mate. He glared and shook his head before slipping inside Regulus's room.

Regulus's hand laid on a part of the floor, he muttered to himself before sitting up and tugging at the wood. A few tugs and the wood pulled open.
Regulus pulled out the hundreds of notes exchanged between James and him, as well as each golden snitch Regulus had ever been given by James. James recalled begging his seeker for them after winning games, he so desperately wanted Regulus to have them.

Regulus went through each letter, tears baring in his eyes, he let out a shuddering breath before placing the notes down. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed heavily. He looked back down and pulled out a crappy paper ring and a rough carved ring. Each was given to him by James. The wooden ring was made of the same wood as his wand.
Regulus twirled the wooden ring in-between his fingers, staring at it lovingly, he then frowned and began to sob again, pulling the ring to his chest.

James's heart shattered when he saw the rings. James's kneeled to his side immediately. "Oh baby doll, I'm sorry," James apologized again to the boy. He frowned and tried to hold Regulus's hands, but they just faded through. "I'm sorry, I should've done more for you, I should've done differently." James's eyes grew blurry, and he sniffled.

Kreacher popped up again, and he carried newspaper bundles. "Master Regulus, I've brought as you ask...," The house elf says as he creeps closer to Regulus.

Regulus quickly wiped his tears and took the items from Kreacher, he muttered a short thanks as he closed the floorboards again. James sat and watched as Regulus began examined each article thoroughly. He frowned at the one in particular about Sirius.

"Sirius...a murder of his best friend, his brother? This isn't right at all. It's like after I left, everything went to shambles..., Kreacher where is the locket?" Regulus asked Kreacher, the elf frowned deeply. James watched Regulus sigh into his hands. "No use then I see." Regulus figured by Kreacher's guilty expression.

Kreacher immediately threw himself at Regulus's feet. "Master Regulus ordered me to destroy it, I have no luck, be that locket is evil Master Regulus, cold and dark!" Kreacher wailed. "Evil master! Evil!" The house elf sobbed and sobbed.

Regulus face was grim and he sighed. "Up Kreacher! Up! It is alright, It's fine...I'll have to figure it out later." Regulus muttered the last bit to himself, biting down on his thumb pad. It was sure to be a habit.

James smiled at Regulus as he read more and more papers next to the fire. He watched Regulus tempt himself about throwing certain papers in the fire that bad-mouthed his brother.

"So you married Lily...that was awfully quick, though I cannot fault you for the matter." Regulus sighed and set his paper down. James moved closer to Regulus to read what he had. "And Dorcas, blimey meadows, you surely served a single woman armed battalion. You did wonders." Regulus almost prayed to the woman, to communicate with her.

James grinned brightly and he nodded, he stood up in excitement. "It was outstanding! Dorcas Meadows, taking out death eaters left and right!" James punctuated his statement by throwing punches in the air. He laughed and sat back down next to Regulus. "I'd do the same for you, as she did for Marlene... I'd do the same for you." He smiled at Regulus softly and attempted the rest his head on his shoulder.

Regulus stood from his seat and walked through the man, and went to slam the shutters shut. "Idiotic draft," Regulus grumbled to himself as he drew the curtains for extra measures.

James watched Regulus walk back to his seat, picking his papers up again to bury his nose in them. James didn't frown at Regulus not noticing him, James smiled brightly instead. "Just like before, just like Hogwarts. Do you remember, Regulus, my love?" James sat on his knees, facing Regulus with a big grin.

He chuckled lightly when Regulus shivered and spelled a blanket over. "Why is this house so cold?" Regulus muttered to himself.

James smiled pleased and he continued. "When you'd go in the library late, only there because you had a perfect badge. You'd go and read your little poetry. Then I showed up in my invisibility cloak watching you read, and you'd sit there ignoring any signs of my presence, and when I kissed you...," James faltered a bit, his shoulders drooling as he reminded himself of countless times before.

"When I kissed you, you'd breathe in so sharply, and smile so softly, do you remember?" James whispered from where he sat, he looked up at Regulus, the smile fallen from his face. Regulus didn't look at him in return. He went to reach and touch again.

He paused when he saw Regulus reading Lily's bloodline, who knows where he got it. He swallowed the lump in his throat. "Lily loved you. Did you know that? I didn't, if I did I'd-..., I would've done something sooner? You died so early Reggie. You'd love life, love Lily, love Ha-," James tried to tell Regulus only to be interrupted by him.

"Harry! Harry James Potter, James you egotistic bastard!" Regulus stood up suddenly, laughing at the name. James smiled as he ran his hand through his hair.

James scoffed and he stood up as well with a grin. "Actually Harry was going to be named Harry Regulus Potter, have it done the moment that Lily and I were in the clear, you would've been on his birth certificate, in his name. So whose egotistical now?" James grinned brightly, leaning against the cabinet only to phase through.

Regulus paced in his room as he considered things. "Harry's only family would be Lily's sister, and I doubt they would've put a boy that famous in any other wizarding home, not when we don't know who was a spy for Voldemort or not...but they wouldn't leave Harry with...Petunia...would they?" Regulus asked himself, pausing as he considered the chances.

Regulus’s face grew grim and he shook his head. "Kreacher!" Regulus almost shouted, his anger flaring as he considered the possibilities.

James smiled brightly, knowing well that Regulus was going to rain a cold hellfire upon everyone.

Kreacher suddenly popped up tilting his head cautiously at Regulus's tone. "Master Regulus?" He asked creeping closer.

Regulus narrowed his eyes as he stared in the fire, his hands clenched. "Bring me my coat, and find me my wand." Regulus snarled.

James grinned like a maniac. "Yes! Yes, Baby Doll! go find our boy!" James shouted, jumping with joy. James rushed to hug Regulus. Only to have his arms phase through.

James stumbled and found his footing once more. "Dammit! No! No! Please! I want him! I need him please! I can't just watch, I can't...," James yelled as he sobbed. He should be happy, Harry was going to be safe in Regulus's arms. He is, but he is so sick, so tired, so lonely. He doesn't even have Lily. Yet he's here? Is there a place Lily Flower is? Perhaps with Moony, or Padfoot? Why is he alone?

James watched as Regulus put on a black trench coat that Kreacher handed to him. Regulus took his wand and apparated to Number 4 Privet Drive. James was taken with him.

"I guess we can't be far apart my love, I hope you aren't going to get sick of being cold." James tried to joke, he really did, but he could only frown and watch as Regulus marched up the steps of Petunias home.

Regulus sighed heavily as he looked at the door. "A few more seconds Jamie, and I'll have your boy safe." Regulus muttered silently. James smiled and hovered his hand next to Regulus's hand.

"I know baby, I know."

Regulus pounded on the door ignoring the wails of two babies, and shouts of two voices. He waited patiently for someone to open the door. The first to show was Petunia herself.

When Petunia opened the door she glared and huffed. "Who do you think you are knocking at such an hour, my Dudleykins is sleeping!" The woman argued and shouted.

Regulus raised his brow and he hummed. "Excuse my intrusion. My name is Regulus, you are Petunia, I presume?" Regulus asked to be sure, his eyes looking past the woman inside the typically muggle household.

Vernon Dudley raced down the stairs, his fat steps creaking and shaking the stairs in his wake, the sound of more crying from a baby sounded in Regulus's ears, he narrowed his eyes at the staircase.

Petunia folded her arms and she huffed. "That I am, what's it to you?" She asked as her Husband stood beside her with a face as pink as a pig.

Vernon grumbled. "We best be getting paid from this intrusion, we were napping you ought to know!" Vernon’s beady eyes glared at Regulus.

Regulus cleared his throat and he nodded. "I believe so, now this is simple. I believe you have something of mine, a baby, belonged to Lily Evans, well Potter now, the baby they given you should've gone to me, I was absent unfortunately." Regulus explained simply.

Petunias eyes widened and she immediately tried to slam the door. "We don't want to deal with you freaks!" She shouted in anger.

Regulus rolled his eyes and spelled the door wide open, making the two adults fall back. He stepped inside and shut the door behind him. "So I'll presume you do have Harry." He stated as he looked down at one of the pictures, he raised a brow at the stiff portrait. "How... odd?" He mumbled to himself.

Vernon scrambled up and stomped closer to him, getting in his face as he shouted. "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" he spat, his face growing redder and he huffed and puffed.

Regulus leaned back with furrowed brows, he summoned a handkerchief and wiped his face. "As soon as you give me Harry. Trust when I tell you both, I am not the kind type of Wizard, the boy will remain unharmed in my possession, yet should you not give him to me, I will take him." He glared at Petunia and Vernon snarling.

James smiled pleased and he wolf whistled. "That's my baby doll." He cheered, folding his arms. He raised a brow as he heard more crying from the stairs.
James tilted his head confused and walked over poking his head through the door, and his eyes widened when he saw his Harry.

James frowned before his frown turned to an glare and he pulled his head back and glared at Vernon and Petunia, he couldn't believe his eyes, he was so mad, so frustrated.

James looked at the vase beside his feet and kicked it. His eyes widened in shock when it actually tipped over and shattered.

The noise of the vase shut up Vernon and Petunia. Regulus narrowed his eyes confused and hummed. "Now, as to what I was saying. Give me the baby." Regulus looked to Petunia and Vernon, who looked at him with wide eyes of fear.

Petunia swallowed the lump in her throat and pointed to the cupboard silently and hesitantly.

Regulus raised a brow confused and he pointed to the cupboard. "There? You... you're saying Harry...the baby...is in the cupboard?" Regulus asked to be sure, as he walked over and spelled the lock open.

Sure enough, staring back at him was a set of wide green teary eyes, and Regulus's heart stuttered. He stumbled back out of pure shock, feeling as though he was watching a scene out of his own childhood.

Regulus snarled and in an instinct he had Vernon shoved to a wall. "You dare lock my bloody child in the bottom of the very stairs, your fatten feet stomps on!? Tu es un maudit vilain cochon !" Regulus eyes were stormy, his magic on ten.

James grinned pleased as he watched Regulus's anger, and he felt a sick satisfaction as he listened to Petunia let out a fearful sob.

Vernon panted and he tried pulling at Regulus's cloak. "We didn't want him- his- his freakish nature near our son!" Vernon sneered a moment of bravery.

Regulus nostrils flared and with the serious help of his magic he slammed Vernon into the wall once more. "Bon sang ! Bon sang, toi et ta misérable femme qui ressemble à une garce ! J'espère que vous vous sentez misérables !" Regulus shouted in anger, he threw Vernon to the ground wiped the filth from his hands.

James watched with wide surprised eyes and he swallowed the lump from his throat. "Were you always this hot?" He asked Regulus even if he couldn't hear.

Regulus went back to the cupboard and scooped up Harry in his arms. He sighed heavily and smiled softly. "Hello...Harry." Regulus smiled at the baby who looked at him with wide curious eyes.

Petunia watched as Regulus made his way to the door. "Wait! Where are you taking him!?" Petunia went and grabbed the back of Regulus's coat, only to be backhanded by said man, making her fall to the ground.

James gasped and he covered his mouth in shock. He turned around quickly and started pretending to admire the wallpaper.

Regulus glared at Vernon and Petunia. "You are both pathetic. Since you were so careless...for my son, it is only fair I make you careless for your own. Obliviate." He used a wandless spell, taking the memories of all of Petunia and Vernon's life lessons. Leaving them completely empty-minded.

Regulus walked outside in the dead of the night. He kept Harry coddled in his arms, holding him close and tight as he planted kisses in Harry's messy hair. Regulus whispered praises to him as well, some in English, most in French.

James never saw Regulus so soft before, it was like watching pure dark energy lighten up for a child. He almost felt jealous. Almost.

Regulus apparated home with Harry. Rocking him gently as he used wand-less magic to move all those rough paper out of the way, he slowly sunken into the love seat.

"Hello Harry, my Harry," Regulus whispered to the baby, he ran a quick diagnosis with magic. James frowned at the words malnourished as did Regulus.

"Kreacher." Regulus whispered carefully for the house elf, said house elf appeared quickly. "I need you to run a warm bath for Harry and gather books on food for toddlers. Please." Regulus had requested.

Kreacher stood for a second staring at the sleeping toddler with wide eyes before popping away.

"My beautiful boys," James said looking at the two. He sighed and watch Regulus stand with Harry and carry him up the stairs to the powder room.

James watch Regulus undress Harry and himself. He smiled watching Regulus bathe Harry in his arms. Just like Lily use to do.

Harry bounced and giggled, splashing water everywhere. James pulled a giant grin watching Harry cup Regulus face to squish his face.

"Baba!" Harry screeched with laughter as he waved his hand in James’s direction.

James paused looking at his baby with wide eyes.

"Can you see me Harry, can you see Papa!?" James asked shuffling closer, grabbing onto the bath rim to move closer.

"baba huh? I'm pretty sure that's James name." Regulus smiled at Harry, grabbing the baby's attention. Harry giggled and grabbed Regulus nose.

James sighed placing his head on the bathtub rim. He laughed a bit at the smell of the Eucalyptus.

Smell...

James lifted his head quickly with widen eyes.

"I can smell..., I can smell and- and- and I can touch things I-" James small rant was cut off by himself. He stood up quickly and looked at Regulus.

"I can get back to you baby, I know I can." James promised Regulus.