A Godfather willing to try
4th August 1983
The summer home was exactly how he remembered it. Huge, open, and space to fly. When they had stepped outside the twins had both gasped in shock at the space. They had a few minutes before they needed to meet Arcturus in the sitting room. A short tour had been in order. The floo was connected illegally to grimmauld. The ministry couldn’t track it and you could not floo to it unless you had been told the address by Regulus. Except for Arcturus apparently. The charm on the house was not a fidelus but it seemed it worked along on a similar idea and it was bound by some form of blood magic. He had never really thought about looking into the wards himself before and that was an oversight on his part to only go off what his Papa had taught him. It made sense the head of the family could find any Black property. Everything was legally under his name and nothing could be spent from the family accounts without his knowing. Though he never made a point to tell them how they should spend it. Instead just allow them to do as they pleased.
He hurried along to the study. Harry was on his left hip while Aurora sat on his right hip. They had gotten heavy over the years and they would eventually get fussy from being carried. He had spent the last few days a little lost. When he thinks about it Arcturus had never said anything about blood purity growing up. He would simply change the subject and eventually they stopped the talk about it and they gossiped about things like whose husband had a side piece. Who had been seen in diagon alley. What Dumbledoor was doing behind the scenes. What money filled different pockets for personal gain. The things that actually mattered in the wizarding world. Potential blackmail was always a good thing to check up on.
Secrets worked just as good as galleons if you knew the right kind of secret. That is why he felt so lost the last few days. His mind was whirling from the information he gained from grandfather. Secrets that told a truth that would not only bring chaos into his family but into the wizarding world. A school meant for squibs and other muggle half creatures. One that no wizard had attended in the past and for good reason. The blood purity and creature wars have been a constant thing for decades. Hawkins Private School would have been wiped off the face of the earth if word had gotten out about such a place. Regulus knows secrets, has his own secrets to protect and this one is going to keep growing. Never mind the whole thing about those who had been ”disinherited” still have the option to take from the family vaults.
The moment Arcturus decided to floo over things had changed. The feeling of destiny taking a step in a different direction had settled deep in his bones. This was a pivotal moment like it had been a pivotal moment when he told James about the cave all those years ago. Regulus is no seer. There has never been a spark of divination in him. He still knew that walking into that cave with only Kreacher would lead to death. In another life he thinks he did. In a different time, a different place he went alone and did not come back out. The thought of Aurora and Harry being left with those muggles makes something twist inside. He is pretty sure another pivotal moment had been sending that letter to Arcturus about what they had done to a small child. Destiny depended on their choices, what they would be willing to do and how they acted. When James had told Regulus Lily was pregnant it had filled him with happiness for both of them. It was the start of everything they talked about. The conversations of how he would travel and collect secrets from all over the world. Daring himself to explore the darkest jungles, the coldest south and the bitterness of further north winters. Free from any form of obligations or responsibilities. James would have his giant family and days filled with a soft, comfy stable life. Holidays that are met with a full table and joy to be heard for miles.
When he steps into the sitting room, Acturus is standing by the window looking outside. A tray with snacks, tea and milk appears on the coffee table. Regulus isn’t surprised Kreacher followed them to the summer home. The old elf worries about the children under his care. He sits both of them down by the table and sits down on the sofa.
“Hello, Grandfather.”
Arcturus turns to him, his eyes pass over the twins first. Some toys have appeared to entertain them for a bit while they chat.
“Regulus for the last few years while you have been hiding away from society. I have been working to make sure Harry stays with you and that the Potter estate doesn’t crumble away without someone to run it. In doing my research I came across only one other person who could possibly try fighting for custody over Harry. After taking care of the Dursleys I wanted to make sure there was no one else to contend. Did you know muggles have their own version of godparents? It would seem that young mister Potter has three different godparents.”
“Sirius Orion Black is one of his magical godparents and the second role has not yet been filled. That is a major oversight and it must be taken care of as well. It could be painted as neglect if we aren’t careful. However, he also has two godparents through the muggle way. Alice Longbottom was his listed godmother. Her stay in permanent care at St.Mungos has left her unable to take him. His other godparent is Remus John Lupin. As of right now he is not fit to care for a child due to his drinking problem but should he ever get sober. There is still a small chance that he could fight for custody over Harry. If Albus Dumbledore decides to back him they could cause trouble for the both of us.”
“I sent him photos of Harry and Aurora. They both receive presents for the holidays and birthdays from him. He would not do anything to jeopardise that bond or their happiness.” Regulus does not know Lupin. They had never been friends during their school days but he was still someone who had mattered greatly to James and Lily. He had to defend him in their place. For the twins sake. They already had so little left of the life they were supposed to have.
Artucus is quiet for a moment before he speaks.
“There is time to bring this Lupin into our fold and more on our side. If we act quickly and pull him into our circle instead of leaving him for Dumbledore's clutches. I know you wish to remain deceased for now and the house of Black has not had a steward for a few generations now.”
Regulus feels his breath hitch at those words. Most of the old ways had been left behind, old magical laws left to be forgotten to everyone except some families. The Blacks, the Potters, the Prewitts, the Lestranges, and the Malfoys if he recalled correctly. This could be bent to their advantage. While grandfather might not know about Remus’ condition; the old ways would still allow for him to take up the mantle and would let him keep the claim even if new laws came into place. Any creature signed to work for a family can only be released from the contract by the head of the family. Regulus however thinks grandfather won’t have any issues with Lupin being a werewolf considering the school he wants to send the school to.
“I do not offer this lightly, Regulus. If you have any doubt about this man; tell me now.”
“I am positive this is the best option for us and him.”
“It shall be down.”
…
? August 1983
The tapping on the window wouldn’t stop. He was in one of those times when he wasn’t sure what day it was. All he knows is that the new moon happened in the last couple nights. He had even managed to be aware enough to send birthday presents to Harry and Aurora, the mysterious daughter of the mysterious person raising his godson, his cub. It ached terribly knowing that he was missing it but he did not dare ask for more outside of the photos. Simply because Remus was not fit enough to take on such a role. Dumbledore had told him the wizarding world would go into an uproar if they found out the boy was being raised by a werewolf. It made sense he was a dark creature after all. Plus, there was supposed to be some kind of protection provided for Harry as long as he stayed with his blood relatives. It was funny now how that did not happen.
Actually if he remembers correctly a muggle paper from around the time Harry had disappeared from the Dursleys had mentioned something about them being arrested for child abuse and their son was taken into custody. If Remus had been more sober he would have gone to yell at Dumblemore over that. Instead he just picked up the bottle and drowned more of his sorrows away. It had been a couple years now, the kids were three now and he was still finding the bottom of bottles.
The tapping at the window pulled him back from his thoughts. Remus pushed himself off the bed and opened the window. A simple barn owl flew down onto the perch. It was another envelope from the most ancient and most noble house of Black.The photos of the kids had started coming in envelopes with the stamp used by the Lord of house Black. He had kept this from Dumbledore, Hiding all his photos in his room and burning the packaging it came from. The photos are his one bright spot in all this darkness. Nothing felt real. James and Lily are gone. Peter is gone. Everyone is gone. Except for those pesky little photos he gets every so often. His cub looks so happy and loved. Everyone is gone and missing it all. Meanwhile, Remus is alive and doing nothing but sitting from the sidelines. Watching his godson grow up through photographs. The throb in his head only makes the nausea worse. His latest dip into several bottles seems to have left him unwell. He tries to think of the last photos he got and what day it is exactly. He received a handful the day after their birthday.
He expects to find more photos in the envelope. Instead he pulls a letter out asking him for a time and date to discuss having him more involved with Harry. There's no time to run or stand up. He just barely turns his head before throwing up all over the floor. It does not make him feel better. He waves his hand and vanishes the mess away. Reaching onto the bedside table for a pen and writing out a time and date that would work for him. It’s everything he should want but Remus is a drunk and a werewolf. However, he owes it to everyone that is no longer here to at least try. The owl is still sitting on the perch waiting for the response and it flies away the second the note is tied on to its little leg. He had suggested monday. If he was going to do this it would mean no more depression drinking, and trying to take better care of himself. He doesn’t know if he has the strength but he is a sodding gryffindor, a marauder, a messer of chaos. He had been part of a brotherhood of sorts and with that came his cub. He had to try.