Chapter 4
Regulus listened to his mother drone on and on about how he was to behave this summer, but the thing that caught his attention was that he was going to stay with his aunt for the first half of the summer. He was surprised. His father had been saying that he had big plans for when Regulus had turned sixteen, but maybe they had forgotten that his birthday had passed. It’s not like anyone had celebrated it this year. Not even Pandora, Barty, Dorcas, or Evan.
“Don’t bother unpacking, Dorea will be here to collect you shortly. You must be on your best behavior for your aunt and no writing to those little friends of yours.” Walburga instructed as she straightened up Regulus’s shirt.
At that moment, Dorea Black walked into the hallway with ash from the floo clinging to her clothes.
“I’m here for Regulus, Walburga,” Dorea announced. Her house elf was standing beside her. Walburga pointed to his trunk and the elf took it away with a pop.
“He’s all yours for half the summer, Dorea.” Walburga pushed Regulus towards his aunt. He had only met her a handful of times. Dorea took him by the shoulder and brought him to the floo.
“We’re going to the Black Wiltshire Cottage,” Dorea informed him and gestured to the floo.
Regulus took the floo powder in his hand and threw them down, “Black Wiltshire Cottage!”
He tumbled into a small, dusty cottage. Dorea appeared right after him. She rubbed her hands together and smiled at him.
“Now that we’re alone, you’re not allowed to tell Walburga the truth of anything we do this summer, Regulus.” Dorea patted him on the head.
“What are we doing this summer?” He asked, confused about what was happening.
Dorea laughed, “Oh, why, we’re going to Potter Manor. Don’t worry, Effie assured me that Sirius is with the Lupin boy and the Pettigrew family is in Egypt.”
Regulus’s jaw was hanging open, “Why are we going to Potter Manor?”
“It’ll be much more fun than just the two of us hanging out all summer, that’s why,” Dorea explained with a grin.
“Mother would never allow it.”
“That’s why she doesn’t know. She think’s we’re traveling before your father returns home.”
“I’m so confused,” Regulus admitted.
Dorea laughed, “Oh, dear boy. While you’re with me, you need not worry about being the perfect Black Heir. Once upon a time, I almost married a Potter. Your cousin Andromeda and I are very similar.”
Regulus nodded slowly, “I still don’t get it, but I’ll go with the flow. Can I owl my friends?”
“Of course you can! Now, Treacle took your trunk to the Potter’s already and should be on his way back to get us.”
At that moment, a house elf appeared with a crack, “Treacle is ready to take Mistress and young Mr. Black to Potter Manor.”
Dorea clapped happily, “Yes! Delightful! Are you ready, Regulus?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Regulus shrugged. He definitely was not ready to see James Potter again, but what was the worst that could happen?
Regulus stared at Potter Manor as Dorea grinned and laughed. She put her arm around Regulus’s shoulders and walked them to the front door.
“Oh Regulus, you’re going to love summer at the manor! I used to adore it as a girl when it was just Flea, Charlus, occasionally Effie, and I!” Dorea smiled. It was odd for Regulus to see a member of the Black family so happy, but then again, Sirius looked like this a lot of the time. Before Dorea even had the chance to knock on the door, it swing open to reveal a woman that looked a lot like James. Regulus guessed that it was his mother, Euphemia.
“Ah! You must be Regulus, you do look so much like Sirius, but I suspect you two are very different,” Euphemia Potter smiled at Regulus like they were sharing a secret. Dorea and Euphemia hugged and then walked inside. Regulus tentatively followed them in. He glanced around and noticed that Dorea’s house elf, Treacle, was gone.
“Oh Effie, thank you so much for having us this summer!” Dorea looked at Regulus and he echoed the statement.
“Of course! Why, Dorea, you are family. James is out at our quidditch pitch, but he should be in for lunch shortly though.” Euphemia told them as she poured them tea.
Regulus picked up the tea and recognized it as chai. He smiled, thinking about how this is probably the tea James drinks every morning at breakfast.
“So, Regulus, Dorea tells me you just turned sixteen. What did you do for your birthday?” Euphemia asked him as she sipped on her chai.
Regulus shrugged, “Oh, the Blacks aren’t big on birthdays, so I didn’t do anything.”
“Ah yes, I forgot about how cold and unfeeling my brother is for a moment,” Dorea sighed.
Euphemia clapped her hands together, “We’ll have to celebrate here!” Euphemia nodded and Dorea smiled.
Regulus shook his head, “Oh, you don’t have to go to the trouble at all, ma’am.”
“You can call me Effie, and it’s no trouble at all!”
“I think it’s a wonderful idea, Effie,” Dorea smiled. Regulus gave in and smiled too. Something about Effie’s excitement was contagious.
Effie sat them both down at the table and then went to help the house elf with getting lunch set up. Fleamont Potter made his appearance at that moment. Dorea immediately embraced him.
“Dorea, it’s wonderful to see you again! It’s been too long since you’ve visited,” Fleamont exclaimed as he put his forehead against Dorea’s. Regulus looked away, it seemed like an awfully loving and private moment he was witnessing.
“It truly has been too long, Flea. I was with Alphard before he died for most of it. I’d like to introduce you to my nephew, Regulus.”
Fleamont smiled warmly at Regulus, “Welcome to Potter Manor, young man. James tells me you’re extremely advanced at potions. If you’d like, I can show you around my lab later.”
“Oh, uh, that would be lovely. Thank you,” Regulus stuttered out. Fleamont telling him that James talked about him was like someone dumped ice water on him and as if on cue, the front door swung open.
“Mum! Dad! Is Aunt Dorea here yet?” James called out as he walked in. He was wearing his quidditch kit. Regulus felt his cheeks warm up.
“Yes James, Dorea is here and she brought Regulus with her,” Fleamont called back.
“Really?” James called back. Regulus thought that James might’ve sounded excited. James rounded into the room and smiled when he saw Regulus.
“James Fleamont Potter! Go change out of your quidditch kit right this instant!” Effie laughed when she saw him.
“Hi Baby Black,” James greeted Regulus, ignoring his mother.
Dorea laughed, “James, your mum told you to change.”
James yelped and then ran out of the room and up the stairs.
“Oh that boy,” Effie laughed as she finished setting the table for lunch. James ran back into the room a moment later.
He sat down right next to Regulus. Fleamont was at the head of the table with Effie to his right and James to his left. Dorea was seated next to Effie. Regulus felt comfortable for the first time while around a table for a meal. Regulus looked curiously at the food.
“It’s tandoori chicken,” James whispered to him.
Regulus nodded as he bit into it. It was amazing and unlike anything he’s ever tasted before. Suddenly the spices that Regulus had smelled in the amortentia made sense.
“It’s delicious,” Regulus whispered back.
James smiled broadly, “I didn’t know you were coming with Aunt Dorea.”
“I didn’t know until she picked me up.”
Dorea laughed, “Believe me, this is the best way it could have worked out. Walburga is easiest to deal with when you surprise her.”
“Mother doesn’t know I’m here,” Regulus admitted.
James nodded, “That makes sense. She never would’ve let you come here.”
“You’re always welcome here, Regulus.” Effie smiled warmly at him.
“I’ll show you around after lunch if you want,” James offered.
Regulus nodded. He could handle half the summer with James. At least he thought he could.