Seaton Sluice
Regulus's wand was out and at Severus's neck faster than the others could react, with Severus's eyes only slightly widening.
"What a surprise. So glad to see you back stateside, Severus."
"Where's Lily?"
But a fuming Sirius answered first. "I don't see how it's any of your concern, Death Eater."
Snape's eyes narrowed as he pushed against Regulus's wand, attempting to surge forward. "You don't know anything, Black."
It had been years since the war. Years that the Black brothers had spent together, even if most of it was spent bickering. There was a comreiderie between them that rivaled any other bond that the two shared with others, and Regulus could feel it flare within the moment.
Regulus pushed against Snape's chest with his forearm, shoving him back and pointing his wand directly at Snape's heart. "You have ten seconds to tell me why I shouldn't kill you."
The restraint, for Regulus, was new. He would attribute it to working with children.
James, though, had not spent the last years around children. He had spent it around Death Eaters, Dark Lord Sympathizers, and lowly criminals. Because of this, it wasn't all that shocking as he surged forward, grabbing Severus by the collar and punching him in his nose.
Blood gushed from it immediately, but that didn't slow James down. He laid into Severus, letting out every ounce of frustration he had been feeling in recent days, even if it had nothing to do with him.
He was angry at Snape for obvious reasons.
Punch.
He was angry at Lily for endangering herself.
Punch.
He was angry at the fact that everything was beginning to have an effect on Harry.
He was angry that for just a split, selfish second, he thought that maybe he could have a normal life with Regulus Black as his partner.
Remus was the one to finally pull James off Snape, leaving the former laying on the ground with a broken nose, a chipped tooth, and a severe black eye.
"Careful, Prongs. You're an auror."
"Not today, I'm not," James almost growled, spitting at Severus's feet.
Regulus placed a hand silently on James's shoulder, seemign to try to convey something to him silently. And it appeared to work, with James shoulder's lowering but slightly as Reg spoke.
"We need to see what he knows. Then, we call the aurors."
"As if! I vote we take care of him ourselves!" Sirius seemed to be steaming, given that he had not had the opportunity to lunge at snape first. "The Ministry won't give him a harsh enough punishment!"
Regulus's spine straightened, and the look on his face was as reminiscent of the old Regulus that James could remember. It drummed up a feeling within him, remembering the days of camping out and fighting Death Eaters together.
Specifically, he remembered the night in the field. They had fallen asleep in the grass together, looking at the constellation that held Reg's namesake. The Heart of the Lion.
"Please, Sirius," Regulus scoffed. "You and I are some of the last surviving members of The most Noble and Ancient house of Black. Prongs, over here," he gestured with his head, trying to hide the smirk that played on the edges of his lips. "Is the head of the Potter family. If we need him, we'll get him."
"Why, Regulus," James couldn't help but scoff, his anger abated for the moment by other, more important feelings that he wasn't ready to think about. "Are you suggesting we use our galleons and influence to get our way?"
"That is the Black family way, Potter."
***
The waves were tumultuous on Seaton Sluice Beach, the wind blowing erratically. It appeared abandoned, the weather being too much for even the tourists that day. But if you were to look closer, you would notice the small shape that was balled up on itself and perched on a small pile of rocks. Her black, curly hair was whipping around her in the wind, almost completely blinding her.
She wasn't sure what caused her to walk to the beach that morning. She was cold, with the spray of the ocean coating her and the wind causing a chill to prick at her skin.
Delphini had ran away from what some would consider her home.
Sunderland's Home for Children was bleak, with underfunding and neglect running rampant. No matter how Delphi tried to wrap her mind around why her mother would leave her in a place such as that, she simply couldn't understand.
Didn't her mother love her?
She had to love her. Why else would she leave her the lifesaving medicine that she was forced to take once a week?
It tasted vile, and Delphini kicked and screamed and refused until the matron was forced to have men hold her down and force it down her throat.
She was set to take it again earlier that day, and the thought made her chest twinge with unease. She always felt so empty after taking it. As if part of herself was withering up and dying. Which is what led Delphini to fleeing to the beach, running away from both the Matron, the men who would hold her down, and the medicine.
As she sat and listened to the waves, Delphini almost missed the small grass snake that slid over the rocks next to her.
"Oh!" She startled. "Hello. You scared me."
And to her surprise, a voice answerd back.
S-s-ssorry. I'm friendly.
Delphini's magic was returning.
250 miles away, a book in the Headmistress's office began to glow. Minnie watched as a name was pulled from the air and written in elegant script at the bottom of the page.
Delphini Gaunt Lestrange, Seaton Sluice Beach
McGonagall apparated away immediately, ready to welcome a new witch.
***
Harry watched as Draco read the book they had stolen from the restricted section, watching the way he crinkled his nose in frustration.
"Well?" Harry finally asked, not being able to wait any longer. "It's bad, isn't it?"
"Well," Draco sighed, closing the tome. "Yes. But I can't read it all."
"What?" Harry exclaimed. "Let me see."
Harry opened the dusty book, looking down at the first passage.
Time magick is one of the oldest forms of magick, predating any control of wizardkind. The results of using time magick are more disasterous than not, diverting pathways between branches of dimensions and realities that continue to exist.
The passage continued, but in a language that Harry nor Draco were familar with.
"Is this...latin?"
"I think so?" Draco sounded unsure. "Do we even know someone who reads latin?"
A subtle cough sounded from two seats down, and Draco and Harry looked up to meet the eyes of one Hermione Granger.
"There's no way!" Draco began to complain. "Even I can't read it, and I've had a latin tutor since I was six!"
"I can't read all of it, but I might could help."
The busy haired witch held her hands out for the book, looking at the boys expectantly.
Draco and Harry looked at one another, silently debating on whether to trust her. But before they could give it much thought, Draco simply shrugged and dropped the book into her waiting hands.
He lowered his voice, "We nicked it from the Restricted section. Don't let Pince catch you with it."
Hermione looked scared at the thought of that, but nodded regardless. "Would you want to work on this together, Draco? We might could have it done this evening."
"Oh, well Harry and I-"
But harry stomped forcefully on draco's toes, causing him to change his mind.
"-Don't have any plans. I'd love to help."
Hermione smiled brightly. "Of course. Meet me after dinner?"
Draco nodded, and Hermione rushed from the table.
***
Severus wasn't sure what caused him to return to England.
No, that was an outright lie that he was telling himself.
He returned for Lily. It was always for Lily.
She had been the first person to show him real and unabashed kindness in his life, and it was something that he could never forget.
They had been friends once upon a time, although it felt like several lifetimes ago to Severus. Until he had went and bungled it all up, joining the Dark Lord and somehow thinking he would be given power.
Severus had recognized his error many years ago, which is why he didn't fight back as James hurled himself at him.
With every hit landed, Severus knew he deserved it. He deserved much more, of that he was certain. As they bound him and appararated him back to Grimmauld Place, Snape knew it was pointless to try to argue with them.
It appeared that they had not changed much, at least to severus. Remus and Sirius were still sickeningly in love, their bodies moving in tune with one another. Remus looked a little bit more worn and haggard, but in good health for a werewolf. James had seemed to add a bit of muscle to him, which was obvious by the searing and throbbing pain in Severus's nose.
But Regulus surprised him.
He tried to observe him subtly , looking at the way he had changed. He seemed to carry himself lighter, given the stress of the war was supposed to be behind them.
But subtlety against Regulus Black was damn near impossible, and Snape found himself staring directly into Regulus Black's eyes.
His shoulders may have eased over the years, but his eyes were still has hardened. The monster that lived within Regulus Black would live on forever, a part of himself that he would tap into to save those that he loved.
Regulus had killed the Dark Lord, after all. There was no stopping him once his mind was decided.
Regulus studied Severus intently, who was tied to a chair in the Black family library, as the others around him bickered.
"Kreacher?"
The elf popped into existence at Regulus's side. "Yes, Master Regulus?"
"Would you bring me the clear vial in my desk drawer, please?"
"Certainly, Master."
With the crack of the elf's disappearance, the room stilled.
"You keep veritaserum in your desk drawer?" Remus asked. "Isn't that a bit...dangerous?"
"The children are too afraid of me to snoop, Lupin. Especially in my desk."
James clicked his tongue, "I don't know, Reg. I think you're losing your edge. You should've heard Harry earlier today. Oh, Regulus is the best teacher, Dad! Him and Moony are my favorites! I think you've become soft."
Regulus's eyebrow quirked up. "You think I'm...soft."
He shook his head, "Oh, Potter-"
But the crack of Kreacher appearing once again caused the remark to die on Regulus's tongue. "Thank you, Kreacher."
He then turned to Severus. "Will this be willing or do I have to force it down your throat?"
"Willing is fine."
Regulus held the small vial of potion to Severus's lips, allowing him to drink down the clear liquid.
"What's your full name?"
"Severus Tobias Snape."
"Did you wish Lily harm? Is that why you followed her?" James demanded.
"No! She had come to see me, but she seemed to have some sort of magical fit. She began yelling for Harry, and how he couldn't have him, and then she just crumpled on the floor! I tried to renerverate her, but nothing worked. After a bit, she seemed to wake back own and she couldn't remember our entire visit."
It was the most that Severus had ever spoken to any of them, but the words seem to just pour out. the concern and panic that were intertwined in his words was genuine.
James almost felt sorry for him. "Lily's going to be fine. She's completely depleted her magic and has been put into an induced coma until she recovers."
Severus almost slumped in relief. "Thank you."
"What's this potion for?" Regulus then asked, holding the shimmering bottle out. "She had it in her hand when Remus found her."
Snape looked almost shy, and did not want to respond. The veritaserum, however, gave him no choice. "It's for McKinnon. I know Lestrange did a number on her during the war. I made this in hopes of...fixing her."
Everyone wore a look of surprise on their face aside from Regulus. He continued on. "What does it do?"
"It's a memory potion, probably the strongest ever brewed. It will right her mind from whatever state it's in. If it causes her to wake, she will wake thinking it is the exact moment before she passed out.
"She'll believe we're still at war."
"Unfortunately."
"Why would you do that?" Remus couldn't help but ask. "Why help her?"
"The second best time to do the right thing is now."
"That's it?" Sirius scoffed. "You've suddenly had a change of heart, have you?"
"No," Snape answered. "My heart is the same as it always has been. I take care of myself above everything else."
"Except Lily."
It wasn't a question posed by Regulus, and yet Severus found himself answering.
"Yes, except Lily. Lestrange has always had it out for her, even after all these years. I needed to know what they were up to."
"And what is it that they're up to, Snape?" James asked.
"I've been trailing a few of them over the past year. The information is shrunken in my cloak pocket. I don't know what she's planning, but the number of recruits in Brazil has almost tripled in the last three months. Her numbers rival that of Voldemorts at the end."
James roughly dug through Severus's pocket before finding the files, enlarging them and beginning to rifle through the pages.
"She knew," Severus willingly volunteered. "About the horcruxes that is. She also has the last living piece of Voldemort."
"Last living piece?"
"Delphini Lestrange," Regulus surmised.
He couldn't help but turn his head and look at the spot that had formed on the family tapestry, a line linking Bellatrix to a small child.