“What if it happened to you on a different day?”
Regulus and Mary approached the door with arms full of huge bags of candy. Regulus figured that James wouldn’t be able to resist handing out too much candy so he may as well just buy enough for him to do so. When Regulus walked up to the door he was surprised to see that the door was not only unlocked but slightly ajar. When Regulus pushed the door open he saw a sight he would never be able to forget as long as he lived. He saw the man who he had sacrificed everything for laying lifeless on the floor. Regulus dropped the bags in his hands and ran to James’ side.
Regulus frantically tried to wake James up but it was to no avail, James’ body had already gone cold. Mary walked into the room and stood paralyzed in the doorway before yelling out for Lily. Mary began to search for Lily and finally found her in Harry’s nursery laying dead on the floor. Regulus and Mary’s cries could be heard for miles as they held their now deceased partners.
After a few minutes Harry walked over to Regulus with a confused look on his face. “Papa, why are you crying?” Harry asked. Regulus rushed over to Harry and scooped him up in his arms. “Harry! Are you ok?!” Regulus exclaimed his tears now a mix of sadness and relief. “I’m ok Papa. What did that man do to Mama and Dada?” Harry asked. Regulus didn’t know what to say.
Mary walked downstairs with a look of terror on her face. Suddenly they heard a knock at the door. “I’ll get it.” Mary said, terror still painted across her face. “Oh, Mary. I’m sorry that this had to happen. Obliviate.” Regulus heard a familiar voice say from the doorway. Regulus didn’t need to look to see who it was, it was Dumbledore. Regulus rushed to the door with Harry in his arms and drew his wand to Dumbledore’s neck. “What are you doing here?” Regulus asked accusatorially. “Regulus, surely now you see why I couldn’t turn Peter in.” Dumbledore said as if he was expecting Regulus to thank him. “Why? So he could kill my husband and leave my son without his father or mothers?” Regulus asked. “Regulus, you must understand. This had to happen in order for Harry to fulfill the prophecy and defeat the dark lord. Professor Trulany has had a prophecy that states that a boy born in October who was orphaned by the dark lord himself will one day defeat him.” Dumbledore explained. “I don’t give a rat's ass about your stupid prophecy. Now, stay away from me and my son.” Regulus said. “Regulus, the boy must be protected, he’ll be safer if you let me take him.” Dumbledore said. “He is safer with his father. Now, leave us ALONE.” Regulus yelled before turning away from Dombledore and leaving the house.Regulus didn’t know where he was going, all he knew was that he couldn’t stay in the home where his husband’s body lay cold and lifeless.
Regulus walked for a while with no real purpose but after a few minutes he decided where he needed to go. Regulus gripped Harry tightly to his chest and did his best to keep him warm but as their walk grew longer and longer Harry began to shiver. When they finally reached their final destination Regulus knocked gently on the door as he pulled Harry closer to him. “I’ll get it!” Regulus heard a woman’s voice cry out. “Papa, Where are we?” Harry asked, his eyelids heavy. “Your grandparents' house, we’re gonna stay here for a while.” Regulus explained, trying to hide the sadness in his voice. “Are Dada and Mama going to come stay with us too?” Harry asked. Now Regulus couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. “No, Harry, we’re not going to be seeing them any time soon.” Regulus replied through tears as he gently stroked Harry’s head.
Suddenly the door opened and Euphemia Potter was standing in the doorway, her face as happy and joyful as ever. “Oh!” Euphemia exclaimed with a shocked look on her face, “Regulus, my dear, is everything alright.” Euphemia asked with a hint of concern in her comforting voice. Regulus looked up at Euphemia with mournful eyes and said, “Effie, he’s gone, he’s just… gone.” before erupting into tears. Euphemia didn’t need to ask Regulus who he was referring to, she knew in her heart that her son was dead, and nothing could bring him back.
Fleamont rushed to the door, alarmed by the sounds of sobs. “Effie, what’s wrong?” Fleamont asked with a puzzled expression on his face. Euphemia turned to her husband and his look of confusion turned to disbelief as she told him the news.
After the three of them had finished crying and cleaned themselves up Regulus took Harry upstairs to their room. Euphemia had left everything in the boys’ rooms exactly as they left it in case they ever dropped in for a visit. Regulus looked at the doors with the engraved writing that had their nicknames on them and noticed that something had been added to his door where there was once a blank white wall. There on Regulus’ door was a poorly written name carved into the pine wood plank that read ‘Reggie’. Just below the engraving was a small note stuck to the door with four years of dust covering it. Regulus gently pulled the note off the door and opened it, inside the piece of paper was a handwritten note that James had written for Regulus but Regulus had never gotten to read it because he was never allowed back to the Potters’ after that first summer.
The note was simple, it read:
Reggie, I love you sooooooo much and I’m so glad I get to spend another month with you outside of school,
-love, Prongs
Regulus felt a small tear roll down his cheek as he folded the letter neatly and put it in his pocket before opening the door and placing Harry down on the bed. Regulus got both him and Harry changed into some Pajamas, Regulus wore the few clothes he had left behind at the Potters’ and Harry wore an old onesie that Euphemia had dug out of the basement for him.
Regulus laid in bed with Harry resting on his chest and though Harry was already fast asleep Regulus couldn’t help but sing him a lullaby.
si tu changes ton esprit (If you change your mind)
Je suis premier en queue (I’m the first in line)
Regulus thought back to all those years ago, when James sang that very song to him (in English of course) in the same room he sat now.
chèri, je suis toujours libre (Honey, I’m still free)
prenez une chance sur moi (take a chance on me)
si tu as besoin de moi fais-le-moi savoir (If you need me let me know)
je suis à traves (Gonna be around)
Now a small tear rolled down Regulus’ cheek softly as he looked at the small boy who shared so many qualities with the man he once loved, and as James’ life slowly drifted away into the night.