The tension in the Order of the Phoenix meeting was thick, as always. In the dimly lit room, the group sat in uneasy silence, waiting for updates from the latest battlefronts of the war. These meetings seldom came with more good news than bad. Dumbledore stood at the head of the room, his calm but calculating gaze sweeping over the gathered members. He never sat, always stood. Mad-Eye Moody was pacing as usual, his magical eye twitching to every corner. Fleamont was absent, assigned to Harry duty, but Effie was there, doing a headcount of the young adults she still considered children. Sirius, James, and Remus exchanged glances from where they sat close together. Peter was noticeably not meeting their gaze as he twitched in his seat.
Dumbledore cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. “Go ahead Peter.”
Peter Pettigrew, nervously fiddling with his hands. He had been a spy of the Order for a year now. While the information he gained was immeasurably important, it was rarely ever anything good. “There’s… something strange going on,” he said hesitantly, shifting in his seat. “Regulus didn’t show up at the latest Death Eater meeting.”
For a moment, no one spoke. The words hung in the air like a curse. Not everyone knew him, but everyone in that room knew OF him. Eyes instantly shifted toward Sirius. A few more knowing ones shifted to Lily and James.
Sirius suddenly straightened in his chair, his expression a mixture of surprise and something deeper—an emotion he’d tried hard to suppress. Now was not the time to be getting sentimental. This was a war meeting. They were discussing an enemy here. It didn’t matter if that enemy happened to be his little brother. “What do you mean, he didn’t show?” Sirius’ asked, struggling to keep his voice steady.
Peter winced slightly, his voice low and shaky. “I’m not sure what it means, but he’s never missed a meeting before. Voldemort's inner circle is whispering about it, though they haven’t said anything outright. They’re suspicious, but not panicked—yet.”
Lily's hands tightened around the edge of the table, her knuckles turning white. She exchanged a quick glance with James, and though neither of them said a word, the weight of their shared past with Regulus hung between them. Regulus had been their love once—before everything, before the war, before he had made the terrible choice to join the Death Eaters. Lily’s heart twisted at the thought of him, but she buried it deep. They’d broken up the day he’d taken the Dark Mark, but the love hadn’t just disappeared.
James ran a hand through his messy hair, his jaw tight. “It could mean he’s in trouble,” he said, his voice low, but there was no mistaking the concern in his words. “If he’s going against the Death Eaters, it’s only a matter of time before they come for him.”
Dumbledore, who had been silent until now, raised a hand. "We cannot act on speculation," he said, his voice gentle but firm. “Regulus Black has made his choices. The last thing we need is more risk to our operations.”
Sirius’s head snapped towards the old wizard, eyes blazing. “He’s still my brother, Dumbledore.” His voice was raw, filled with years of hurt and anger. “He might be a bloody Death Eater, but that doesn’t mean we leave him to die.”
“Or worse,” Lily whispered, and when Sirius’s gaze flickered to her, he saw the unspoken words behind her eyes. They never talked about Regulus. Sirius knew it was as much of a sore spot for her as it was for him. She still loved Regulus, just like he did. Just like James did.
James stepped in. “Look, Dumbledore,” he started, trying to remain calm, “Regulus isn’t like the others. We don’t know what he’s doing, but if he’s gone missing, there’s a reason. We need to find him before the Death Eaters do.”
Dumbledore’s face remained inscrutable. “If Regulus Black is working against Voldemort, then he should have revealed himself. We cannot afford to waste time on a rescue mission for an enemy when we’re already stretched thin as it is.”
“I’m going after him.” Sirius’s voice was resolute, and James immediately nodded in agreement.
Dumbledore’s blue eyes, sharp and thoughtful, studied each of them in turn before he spoke again, his tone calm but unyielding.
“I understand your concerns, but Regulus Black is not our priority. The risks far outweigh any potential benefit. If he is in danger, it is a result of the choices he made long ago.” His gaze softened as it rested on Sirius. “I know it’s difficult, especially for you, Sirius, but we cannot afford to jeopardize the Order’s efforts by going after him.”
Sirius’s hands clenched into fists, the frustration written all over his face. He opened his mouth to argue, but Lily caught his eye, a silent plea to stand down, at least for now. James, sensing the tension, put a hand on Sirius’s shoulder, trying to calm him.
Dumbledore pressed on, addressing the entire group. “I urge you all to focus on the larger picture. Voldemort is moving faster than ever. Regulus Black is just one man, and if he’s chosen to disappear, there’s little we can do without putting ourselves in unnecessary danger.”
Sirius, staring at the floor, said nothing, though his jaw was still set in a hard line. Lily and James exchanged a glance. They weren’t going to fight Dumbledore here, not directly.
James spoke first, his voice measured, though the strain was clear. “You’re right, Dumbledore. We’ll stick to the plan.” His words were careful, obedient, but the look he gave Sirius said something else entirely.
Lily nodded, though she kept her eyes cast down. “We understand,” she added, her voice barely above a whisper. She squeezed James’s hand tightly under the table, as if trying to ground herself against the weight of the decision.
Dumbledore studied them for a moment longer, his expression unreadable. “Good,” he said at last. “Stay focused. The Order needs you.” He gave them all a slight nod, signaling that the meeting was over. “Now, go home. Rest.”
As the others began to leave, Sirius lingered, watching Dumbledore’s retreating figure until he disappeared from sight. He turned back to James and Lily, his voice low, barely restrained. “We’re not really leaving him, are we?”
James shook his head, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. “Of course not.”
Sirius’s face softened, some of the anger ebbing away as he realized they were still with him. “Then we do this on our own.”
Remus, standing quietly at the doorway, gave a resigned sigh. “This is madness, you know that. But...” He looked at Sirius. “I’ll help, but only because I love you.”
Peter shuffled awkwardly, but quickly made his excuses to leave. “I need to get back... keep my cover,” he mumbled. No one protested.
James turned to the others, his voice hushed but determined. “We keep this from Dumbledore, but we’ll find him. Agreed?”
Sirius’s lips curled into a grim smile. “Agreed.”
Lily squeezed his arm. “We’re not abandoning him, Sirius. No matter what Dumbledore says.”
They shared a brief look, one filled with a mixture of hope and fear. The war was unforgiving, and they knew the risks, but some bonds were too strong to sever. Together, they left the room, a silent promise between them.
They would find Regulus.
~*~
The Potter household was warm. Fleamont Potter sat in a cozy armchair with a blanket draped over his knees, watching little Harry wobble around on unsteady legs. The boy was laughing, reaching for a stuffed stag toy that looked suspiciously like his father. Fleamont chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling as he kept an eye on his grandson.
When the door swung open, and James, Lily, Sirius, and Remus walked in, the mood shifted instantly. Fleamont looked up from Harry, immediately sensing the tension in their faces.
“Back so soon?” Fleamont asked, his brow furrowing. “Everything alright?”
James exchanged a look with Lily before shaking his head slightly. “It’s… complicated, Dad. We need to talk.”
Lily crossed the room to scoop up Harry, who squealed with delight. She held him close, her expression softening briefly as she kissed the top of his head. “Hey, love,” she murmured to him, before setting him down with a toy.
Fleamont glanced between them, the lines of concern deepening on his face. “I’ll give you some space,” he said, standing up slowly and ruffling Harry’s hair. “Let me know if you need anything.”
As Fleamont made his way upstairs, the group gathered around the dining table. The warmth of the room couldn’t dispel the heavy weight of what lay before them.
“We need to figure out how to find Regulus,” Sirius said, breaking the silence. His voice was hard, but there was an undercurrent of desperation.
Remus leaned against the back of a chair, arms crossed, his face troubled. “The question is whether we should even be going after him at all.” He exchanged a glance with Lily. “We could be walking into a trap.”
“It’s not just about him being Sirius’s brother. We know Regulus. He’s not like the others.” Lily’s voice softened. “If there’s a chance he’s trying to get away from the Death Eaters, we can’t abandon him.”
“Yeah, but what if it’s too late?” Remus countered, his tone cautious but pained. “What if the Regulus we knew is already gone?” He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, clearly torn. “He had multiple chances to leave and he hasn’t. Why now?”
Sirius’s face darkened. “I’m not giving up on him. I can’t. You don’t get it, Remus—he’s my brother. I hate what he’s done, but I still—” His voice caught, and he ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.
James rubbed his eyes, looking exhausted. “We’re risking a lot just thinking about going after him. Dumbledore was clear. The Order can’t afford this.”
Lily, holding Harry close, glanced down at their son. The room quieted, the tension building. Harry giggled, oblivious to the weight of the decision hanging over his parents. She brushed her fingers through his messy black hair, noticing how it curled at the ends—just like Regulus’s used to. And then there was that smile, the one Harry gave freely. It was a smile Lily thought she’d never see again once Regulus left. Even in school, before everything, it was rare. But Harry smiled in a way that could only be described as Regulus’s smile.
Lily looked up at James, her throat tightening. “We have to do this. For him. And for Harry.”
James followed her gaze to their son and sighed heavily. “Lily…”
“I know you still love him too,” Lily whispered, her eyes glistening with unspoken emotions. “We both do. We’ve never stopped.”
James looked at Harry, his resolve hardening. “Alright. We’ll do it.” His voice dropped to a murmur. “But we do this quietly. No one else can know.”
Remus shook his head, a mix of disbelief and fear in his eyes. “This is madness. Even if we find him, what are we expecting? That he’s been working against Voldemort all along? What if he is still loyal to the Death Eaters?”
Sirius stared at Remus, his voice quiet but intense. “I don’t care. He’s still my brother. I need to know the truth.”
Remus’s jaw tightened. “Fine. I’ll help. But I’m not convinced this is the right thing to do.”
Lily’s eyes lit up with determination. “There’s something I can try.” She glanced at James and Sirius. “Old Irish blood magic. It’s dangerous, but I think it might be able to track him.”
“Blood magic?” Remus asked, his eyes narrowing. “Lily, that’s—”
“I know it’s dark,” she interrupted, her voice steady. “But it’s the only way to track someone who doesn’t want to be found. We need blood from Sirius, and…” She hesitated, turning to Remus. “And from you.”
Remus’s eyes darkened, the weight of her request hitting him hard. “Because I’m a werewolf.” He said it flatly, the self-loathing obvious in his tone.
Lily nodded, her face apologetic but resolute. “Yes. We need the blood of a dark creature to power the spell.”
Remus looked away, his jaw clenched. “Right,” he muttered, the reminder that he wasn’t human cutting deeper than he cared to admit.
Sirius noticed the tension and reached out, grabbing Remus’s hand. He leaned forward, his voice soft. “Hey, no self-loathing spirals. You’re not a monster, Moony. You know that.” And before Remus could argue and bring up how according to the classifications they learned in Defense Against the Dark Arts, he WAS in fact a monster, Sirius kissed him, a gentle, lingering press of lips.
Remus’s eyes softened, but the pain remained. He gave a short nod. “Let’s just get this over with.”
James took Harry back to Fleamont as Lily worked swiftly, setting up the ritual in the middle of the room. She muttered incantations under her breath, her wand tracing glowing runes in the air. She pricked both Sirius and Remus with the tip of her wand. Drops of their blood floated in the air, mixing together and forming a shimmering thread of light.
For a moment, nothing happened. The tension in the room was thick as the spell’s magic swirled around them.
And then—it worked.
The thread of light snapped to attention, pointing directly north, pulsing with energy.
Sirius’s breath caught in his throat. “That’s him. I can feel it.”
James pulled on his cloak, his expression grim. “Then let’s go.”
They all touched the thread, letting its magic carry them away.
They appeared outside of a rocky cavern, the air damp and cold. The spell had brought them to the edge of a cave. The only sound was the distant drip of water echoing through the darkness.
“We’re here,” Lily whispered, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and hope. “Now we find him.”
James waved his wand, but nothing happened. “Apparating won’t work here,” he muttered, frustration seeping into his voice. “We’ll have to go on foot.”
Sirius was already moving forward, his jaw set in determination. Lily stayed close to James, and after a brief hesitation, she slipped her hand into his. “We’re doing the right thing,” she whispered, her voice tight with a mixture of hope and fear.
James squeezed her hand, though his heart pounded in his chest. “I hope so.”
“Lumos,” Remus whispered. His wand flickered to life, casting a soft glow that barely cut through the dense darkness. The others followed his lead, their wands held aloft, lighting the way forward.
The sound of their footsteps echoed unnervingly in the cavern, each step sending a wave of unease rippling through them. As they ventured deeper, the tunnel walls grew tighter, colder, the weight of the rock pressing down on them. Worry gnawed at each of them.
Then they heard it—the unmistakable sound of screaming. It was high-pitched, desperate, and it echoed off the cavern walls like a chorus of terror.
Lily’s heart leaped into her throat. “What is that?”
“Run,” Sirius breathed, his voice taut with fear, and without waiting for an answer, he took off into the darkness. James, Lily, and Remus were close behind, their wand lights bouncing as they sprinted through the narrowing cave.
The tunnel opened up suddenly into a wide, eerily still cavern. In the center of the chamber lay a black lake, its surface smooth and untouched, reflecting the jagged stone above it. But their attention wasn’t on the lake—it was on the island in the middle of it.
Kreacher, the Black family’s house-elf, was standing on the shore of the island, his small body shaking violently as he threw out bursts of fire from his hands, desperately trying to fend off the figures emerging from the water.
Inferi.
The undead creatures were rising from the lake’s depths, their rotting hands reaching out for a figure crumpled at Kreacher’s feet. Regulus.
He was barely conscious, his body sluggish and unresponsive as the Inferi surrounded him, their cold hands dragging him toward the water.
“No!” Sirius’s voice cracked through the cavern. He didn’t think, didn’t pause—he dove headfirst into the freezing black water.
“ Sirius! ” Remus shouted after him, panic filling his voice. The water splashed as Sirius swam with powerful strokes toward his brother, but almost immediately, the Inferi turned on him. Pale, bony hands grabbed at him, dragging him under the surface.
“Sirius!” Remus didn’t hesitate. He sprinted to the water’s edge but the Inferi didn’t seem to care, their focus entirely on Sirius and Regulus. They weren’t attacking him. The recognized him as a creature like them.
Remus didn’t have time to unpack that realization. His heart pounded as he realized what he had to do. He waded into the water, his eyes locked on Sirius as he thrashed against the grasping hands. “Hold on!”
James, seeing the chaos unfold, made a split-second decision. He didn’t have time to think, only to act. He transformed into his Animagus form—a stag. He swam toward the island, his antlers slashing through the Inferi as he reached Regulus.
Lily stood on the shore, her mind racing. She needed to help, needed to do something. Her wand flashed as she conjured a roaring wave of fire. The cavern lit up as the flames scattered across the surface, and the Inferi shrieked in terror, retreating from the light.
“Sirius!” she shouted, throwing another wave of fire over the water, clearing a path for him.
Sirius, gasping for air, finally broke free of the Inferi’s grasp. “I’ve got him!” he shouted, his voice raw with desperation. He reached for Regulus, but the weight of his unconscious brother pulled him down.
Remus was there in an instant, wading through the water. He grabbed Sirius, steadying him as they struggled against the current. “Get him on James’s back,” Remus instructed, his voice calm despite the chaos.
Together, they hoisted Regulus’s limp body onto the stag’s back. James, still in his Animagus form, swam toward the shore, pushing through the water as fast as he could. Sirius and Remus followed, the Inferi’s screams growing distant as Lily’s fire blazed brighter.
Once they reached the shore, James shifted back into his human form, collapsing to the ground beside Regulus. “Is he alive?” he panted, his chest heaving.
Sirius knelt beside his brother, his hands shaking as he checked for a pulse. “He’s breathing. He’s alive.”
Relief flooded through them, but it was short-lived. Regulus was pale, unconscious, and clearly weak. They had no idea what had happened to him in that cave, but whatever it was had nearly killed him.
Lily quickly conjured warm blankets, wrapping them around Regulus’s soaked body. “We need to get him out of here. We need to go back to the house.”
Sirius nodded, his face tight with worry. “Let’s go. Now.”
They didn’t waste any more time. With Regulus barely clinging to consciousness, they ran back the way they came, Regulus slung over Remus like a ragdoll. As soon as they emerged from the cavern, they apparated back to the Potters' home.
The warmth of the house enveloped them as they stumbled into the living room. Remus carried Regulus up the stairs to one of the guest bedrooms. They laid Regulus on a bed, drying him with magic and tucking him in carefully.
As they retreated downstairs to regroup, Sirius lingered in the doorway, staring at his unconscious brother, his emotions a storm he could barely control.
When he finally turned to join the others, his voice was barely a whisper. “What now?”
Lily looked at him, her eyes filled with worry. “Now we figure out what happened to him.”
The two followed their friends down the stairs. Sirius sat on the edge of the couch, his face buried in his hands. The weight of the past few hours pressed down on him, and though he fought it, tears escaped from between his fingers. His body shook with silent sobs, and every breath he took felt jagged. Beside him, Remus was a steady presence, rubbing slow, comforting circles on his back. He didn’t say anything—what could he say? Instead, he offered silent comfort, a solid, unspoken promise that he wasn’t alone.
Across the room, James was pacing, his hand running through his already wild hair as he tried to make sense of what had just happened. “We got him out, but now what?” His voice was edged with frustration, but underneath that, the deep worry he rarely allowed himself to show was clear. “What do we even do now?”
Lily, sitting in the armchair near the fireplace, watched James, her brow furrowed in thought. “We can’t just keep him here, not like this,” she said softly. Her eyes flicked to the stairs, where Regulus was upstairs, still unconscious in the guest room. “What if he’s still with them? What if he’s dangerous?”
“I don’t think he is,” Remus murmured, but the doubt was there, hidden beneath his calm tone. “But we don’t know for sure.”
Sirius lifted his head, his voice raw. “He wouldn’t have fought the Inferi if he was still with them.” He sniffed, wiping his eyes roughly with the back of his sleeve. “He wouldn’t have let himself get caught like that.”
James stopped pacing, his hands falling to his sides. “But why was he there in the first place? What was he doing in that cave?”
Before anyone could answer, there was a soft creak on the stairs. They all turned to see Fleamont Potter coming down, a look of concern etched on his face. “I heard voices,” he said gently, stepping into the room. His eyes settled on Sirius, noticing the red in his adopted son’s eyes. “How’s he doing?”
Sirius shrugged, his voice hoarse. “Regulus. He’s... he’s alive. That’s all we know.”
Fleamont came over and placed a hand on Sirius’s shoulder, giving it a firm, reassuring squeeze. “That’s a start, son. Sometimes it’s all you can ask for.”
Sirius closed his eyes at the gesture, drawing in a shaky breath. “I thought I lost him for good, Monty,” he admitted quietly, his voice cracking.
Fleamont’s hand didn’t waver. “Maybe he’s not as lost as you think.”
James crossed the room in two quick strides and wrapped his arms around his father in a tight hug. Fleamont chuckled, patting his son’s back. “Still my boy,” he said warmly, “Never change.”
Lily gave Fleamont a small, grateful smile as he pulled back from James. But before anyone could say more, there was a sudden, bright flash in the center of the room. Effie Potter’s patronus, a brilliant silver bird, materialized in the air, filling the room with light.
Her voice rang out urgently, “Fleamont, something’s happened at the Longbottom residence. They need you now.”
Fleamont’s face shifted immediately, his expression growing serious. “I’ll have to go,” he said quickly, already heading for the door. He paused for a moment, turning back to face them all. “Send a patronus if you need anything.” He hesitated, his gaze lingering on the stairs, where Regulus lay. “But... are you sure it’s wise to have Harry here? With him?”
Everyone fell silent at the question. Fleamont’s worry was palpable, and for a moment, James glanced at Lily, his own doubts mirrored in her eyes.
“We’ll keep them both safe,” Lily said softly, her tone firm but still filled with concern.
Fleamont nodded, though his eyes were still clouded with doubt. “Be careful,” he said again, his voice thick with emotion. He hugged them each one more time, his embrace lingering a bit longer on Sirius, before he turned and left the house, the door closing softly behind him.
As the door clicked shut, an uneasy silence settled over the room. Sirius wiped at his eyes, looking utterly drained. James ran a hand through his hair again, staring at the floor.
“What do we do now?” James finally asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.
Remus, who had been quiet for most of the conversation, spoke up. “We need to figure out what Regulus was doing there. Why was he in that cave, and what it means for us.”
Lily nodded. “He was doing something. Kreacher was protecting him... but why?”
Sirius’s jaw clenched, his fists tightening in his lap. “What if he’s still working for Voldemort? What if he was there on some mission?”
James shook his head. “I don’t think that’s it, Sirius. He was too out of it. Whatever he was doing, it wasn’t for them. He was trying to get away.”
Sirius stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. “Then why didn’t he come to us? Why didn’t he tell me?!”
Lily stood up, placing a gentle hand on Sirius’s arm. “We don’t know yet. But we’ll figure it out, together.”
Just as the tension seemed to settle, a sudden, sharp scream pierced the quiet.
All four of them froze, their eyes snapping toward the stairs.
“That’s Regulus,” Sirius breathed, his face paling. Without another word, they bolted for the stairs, their wands drawn and hearts pounding in their chests.
When they burst into the bedroom, they found Regulus thrashing violently in the bed, his face twisted in terror. His hands clawed at the blankets, his breathing ragged and uneven. He was trapped in a nightmare.
James was the first to move, rushing to the bedside. He grabbed Regulus’s shoulders, shaking him gently. “Reg, it’s alright. You’re safe. You’re here with us. Wake up.”
Regulus’s eyes flew open, wild and unfocused. His chest heaved with every breath, and for a terrifying moment, he looked as though he didn’t recognize them. But slowly—agonizingly—he began to calm, his breathing steadying, though his whole body still trembled.
The noise had woken Harry, who began to cry from his room down the hall. Remus gave a sigh and quickly headed down the hallway. “I’ll get him,” he called over his shoulder.
Back in the room, Regulus’s wide eyes darted from face to face, his mind clearly struggling to make sense of where he was.
“Where... where am I?” he asked hoarsely.
Lily stepped forward, kneeling beside the bed and taking his hand. “You’re at the Potters’,” she said gently. “We found you in the cave, with Kreacher. Do you remember?”
Regulus’s brow furrowed, and he nodded slightly, his voice shaky. “The cave... I... The Inferi...”
Sirius stepped closer, his voice raw with emotion. “What were you doing in that cave, Regulus? What the hell were you trying to do?”
Regulus squeezed his eyes shut, shaking his head weakly, and pushing himself up as if to stand. “I can’t tell you. It’s too dangerous. You don’t understand—”
James put a hand on his chest, pushing him gently but firmly back onto the bed. “You’re not going anywhere until you tell us what’s going on.”
Lily squeezed Regulus’s hand. “Please, Reg. We’re trying to help you.”
Regulus opened his eyes, tears gathering at the corners. “I didn’t want to hurt you. I had to make it look real, so they’d believe me. I never wanted this... I never wanted to betray you.”
Sirius’s voice trembled with frustration. “Then why did you? What was this about?”
Regulus swallowed hard, his voice barely above a whisper. “I was trying to destroy him, but I needed to get close. I need him to trust me. The Dark Lord. That’s why I was in that cave. There was something there... something of his.”
“What was it?” Lily asked, her voice insistent.
“A piece of his soul,” Regulus said, the words almost sticking in his throat. “A Horcrux. I was trying to destroy it.”
The room fell into stunned silence. The enormity of his words hung in the air, almost too heavy to bear. James’s heart pounded in his chest as he tried to process what Regulus had just revealed.
“You’ve been doing this... all this time... to protect us?” James asked, his voice choked with disbelief.
Regulus nodded weakly, tears spilling over his cheeks. “I love you. I never stopped. I never wanted to hurt you, but I had to. It was the only way he wouldn’t be suspicious. The only way to keep you safe.”
Before anyone could respond, Harry’s cries grew louder as he burst into the room followed closely by Remus. “Sorry,” he said, out of breath. “Kid’s going to be a Seeker, I swear.”
James couldn’t help but laugh despite the tension. He crossed the room and scooped Harry up, pressing kisses to his son’s chubby cheeks, making the little boy giggle.
But Regulus just stared at Harry, his eyes wide with shock. “You two... have a baby?”
James cleared his throat, glancing at Lily. “Uh... yeah, we do. He’s—”
But before he could finish, something seemed to shift in Regulus’s expression. His wide-eyed gaze traveled over Harry, lingering on the baby’s dark, curly hair and aristocratic features. And then, as if a veil was lifted, realization struck him like a blow. His voice wavered as he murmured, “This whole time...”
Lily exchanged a nervous glance with James, who held Harry a little tighter. Regulus’s eyes, full of disbelief, shifted between the two of them.
“Harry isn’t James’s... is he?” Regulus whispered, the realization hitting harder now. “He’s mine.”
There was a deafening silence in the room. Sirius stared at Lily and James in shock, though part of him must have known it too, deep down. Remus, still standing by the doorway with his arms crossed, looked stricken. Harry would always be James’s son, but biologically…
Lily stepped forward, her heart aching. “Reg, we couldn’t tell you... Not with everything that was happening. Not when you joined the Death Eaters.” Her voice was soft, but firm. “It wasn’t safe for him. It wasn’t safe for you.”
James, who had been holding Harry close, finally nodded. His voice was tight with emotion as he looked down at the little boy who had become his entire world. “We thought it was better this way, Reg. You were—”
“I didn’t know!” Regulus interrupted, his voice trembling with disbelief and anguish. His eyes filled with tears again, and his hand gripped the blanket in his lap as if he was trying to ground himself. “I didn’t know I had a son.” His gaze fixed on Harry’s face, the baby’s tiny features looking back at him innocently, unaware of the tension swirling in the room. “Two years... I’ve missed two years.”
James shifted uncomfortably but kept his grip on Harry firm, protective. “You were gone, Reg. And I love him like he’s mine. I’ve been there for him every day.”
Regulus’s throat tightened as he looked at James, trying to reconcile the emotions surging inside him. There was pain, guilt, love, and something deeper—a regret so profound it almost consumed him. “But he’s my son,” he whispered. His fingers twitched, as if he wanted to reach out, but his body felt too weak.
Lily knelt beside him, taking his trembling hand. “He’s yours too, Reg. But James has been there from the beginning. He loves him. He’s his dad, too.” She paused, her eyes softening. “We never stopped loving you, but we had to make sure Harry was safe.”
Regulus closed his eyes, his emotions finally overwhelming him. A tear slipped down his cheek. “I never wanted to leave you. I thought I could keep you safe by staying away. By playing the part.” He looked at Sirius, guilt and shame heavy in his voice. “But I only hurt all of you.”
Sirius, who had been silent through most of this revelation, finally spoke, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re here now, Reg. That’s what matters. You’re not lost.”
Regulus shook his head, unable to accept that so easily. “I’ve done terrible things, Sirius. I’ve been a Death Eater. I’m no good for any of you.”
James stepped closer, his face set with determination. “You think we don’t know that? You think we haven’t been through our own hell?” He shifted Harry in his arms, and the toddler, sensing the tension, clung to James. “But you fought them, Reg. You’re trying to stop him, aren’t you?”
Regulus swallowed hard, his gaze still fixed on Harry. “Yes... I was trying to stop him. But I don’t know if I can. The Dark Lord... he’s stronger than all of us. I’ve only destroyed one Horcrux. There are more, and I don’t know how many.”
Lily squeezed his hand. “Then let us help you. You don’t have to do this alone anymore.”
James, standing just a few feet away, finally broke the tension. He slowly handed Harry to Lily and moved closer to Regulus. Without saying a word, he reached out and cupped Regulus’s face in his hands. Then, with a fierce tenderness, he kissed him. It was a rough, desperate kiss, full of pain, regret, and unspoken love.
Regulus stiffened at first, but then his hands came up, shakily brushing against James’s cheeks. When they finally broke apart, Regulus’s face was streaked with tears. “How can you forgive me so easily?” he asked, his voice cracking with the weight of it all.
James’s eyes were dark, filled with emotions he could barely express. “Because we never stopped loving you. We’ve all made mistakes, Reg. But we’re here now.”
Lily moved closer, holding Harry, her eyes full of the same love and pain. “We’ll figure this out. Together.”
There was a long moment where everything seemed to settle, the weight of the world pressing down on them. But in that small room, for the first time in years, there was a glimmer of hope—a fragile thread that bound them all together.
Regulus stared at Harry again, his son. Their son. He wanted to reach out, to hold him, but the overwhelming emotions made him hesitate. “What if I’m too late? What if I can’t stop him?”
Sirius, his voice soft but firm, spoke up. “Then we’ll stop him together.”
Remus, who had been watching quietly from the doorway, finally stepped forward, his voice filled with a calm reassurance. “We’ve come this far, Regulus. We’re not giving up now.”
James, still close, placed a hand on Regulus’s shoulder. “If only we could hold on,” he whispered, his voice heavy with the weight of the war and the love they all shared. “Hold on to this moment. To each other.”
Lily nodded, wiping her eyes. “We’ll hold on.”
Regulus, tears falling freely now, nodded slowly. “I’ll try,” he whispered. “For all of you.”
As the weight of their words settled in the room, Harry wriggled in Lily’s arms, letting out a small, innocent laugh. The sound cut through the tension like a ray of sunlight, and despite everything—despite the war, the fear, the uncertainty—hope flickered to life.
The war was far from over, but together, they dared to hope that they might still win.