The Boy Who Disappeared

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February 91

Severus' potions quickly became very popular, and he was in high demand within the American Wizarding community. He had even been approached by a few people who wanted him to open a shop. People who were willing to invest in him so that he could open one. Others had come to him for apprenticeships to help get their mastery.

After a year of settling in with Regulus and Hadrian in Forks, he finally decided to bring it up with Regulus and see what he thought about it. So, at dinner, he did just that.

"Hey Reg, there is something that I have been thinking about a lot. I think I want to open an Apothecary in Seattle and consider taking on an apprentice. What do you think?" Severus asked.

Regulus looked up from barely stopping Hadrian from throwing his cup on the floor. Reg smiled brightly over at him and Severus swore his heart stuttered. His feelings for Regulus had started to become harder to ignore in the last year. He had watched Regulus caring for Hadrian and their home.

Regulus was working hard to make sure that they became legitimate and respected members of the town. He took Hadrian for walks around town and socialized with the community. Made an effort to be seen as likable and involved. Regulus volunteered at bake sales and community events. He was marvelous and put all of his charm to good work to make a real life and home for them.

Severus fell harder for him every day.

Hadrian was full of life and laughter. He filled their home with giggles and energy. Hadrian had also taken to following Severus everywhere he went when he wasn't in his potion lab. Severus found that when Hadrian wasn't toddling behind him, he missed it.

Severus loved Hadrian as if he were his own. Regulus and Hadrian were everything to Severus and now that they had taken the last year to get settled into their new life he wanted to make things even better for them.

"I think that is a wonderful idea, Sev. I am glad that you finally decided to do it. I could see that you wanted to as soon as it was first mentioned. Anyone would be so lucky to apprentice for you. You are the youngest person to ever get their mastery," Regulus beamed. Severus loved that smile. He knew that Regulus would support him. He just wanted to make sure that it was the right time for it.

"You think we are in a good place for it?" Severus asked. Regulus had turned his attention back to the toddler and was helping him feed himself.

"Of course, we are. Hadrian and I are good and settled. I want you to do this, Sev. This will make you happy and I want you to be happy." Regulus responded. Then a piece of food flew across the room and almost hit Severus in the face. There was shocked silence for a moment before the room was filled with Hadrian's giggles. Severus chuckled and tapped Hadrian on the nose which just made him giggle more.

"All right, Little One, how about I take you to play while your daddy gets your bath ready?" Hadrian held his arms up and made grabby hands at Severus who happily picked him up and took him to the sitting room to play with him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Regulus watched them go with a smile on his face.

He loved them both so much. But that wasn't new for him. Regulus had always been half in love with Severus. Regulus had spent a lot of time thinking back on how he could have been so wrong about who James was as a person.

He had come to the awful realization that he had been just another person blinded by his charisma and charm. The Black household had been so dark and full of resentment and anger growing up. And James had been like seeing the sun for the first time.

But Regulus hadn't actually had anything in common with James. In fact, he hadn't agreed with half of the pranks James and Sirius had pulled or the bullying that they had done. He hadn't seen it as bullying then, but he saw it for what it was now. James had been nothing but a spoiled rich boy who thought the world owed him everything. His parents had spoiled him so badly that James didn't know what the word no meant.

When Sirius had met James, he had quickly become caught up in all things James Potter and was enchanted by the thought of someone who had been loved and spoiled by his family. Regulus and Sirius had been raised in a home where a crucio was often used as a punishment. Sirius had just clung to the first person who had given him positive attention and helped him escape from the hell that was their home life.

Regulus had followed behind his big brother like he always had. He had allowed his love and adoration for Sirius to affect the way he saw James.

But when he looked back at everything, Severus was always there. He had been far more steadfast and present than James ever had. When James was busy planning pranks, Severus had been in the library with Regulus for hours at a time studying and talking. When James was prancing around as the Golden Boy and asking Regulus to keep their relationship secret, Severus had been proud to be seen with him and often asked Regulus to come with him and keep him company when he did all of the extra brewing when he was working toward his mastery while still in school.

Severus, without hesitation, had followed Regulus when he had joined the Death Eaters. Severus had begged Regulus to run when they found out he was pregnant. He had wanted Regulus and his unborn baby as far away from the war and Voldemort as possible.

When James had all but demanded that he keep spying for Dumbledore, that it would be worth it if the Light won the war, Severus had helped Regulus find a charm that would hide his pregnancy from the Dark Lord and the other Death Eaters so that he and his baby were safe.

Regulus didn't understand why it had taken him so long to realize that Severus had always been there for him and that he had always had feelings for the older Slytherin.

Regulus loved his home and the life that they were building here far away from Britain. Severus and Hadrian were his whole world and as soon as he worked up the courage he was going to tell Severus how he felt. He knew that Severus loved Hadrian. Regulus could see it in the way that he watched him and how just Hadrian's giggles made Severus' whole face soften.

Regulus stood from the table finally when Kreacher popped in to clean up their dinner messes and went to get Hadrian's bath ready.

Just as he was finished setting it all up Severus came in chasing a squealing, naked toddler. Regulus laughed and scooped up Hadrian before sitting him down in the water. Hadrian had barely touched the water before he was splashing his hands around and throwing water all over both wizards.

Severus stood there watching the two of them.

Hadrian giggled and played while Regulus fought to get him clean. It was everything life was supposed to be for a family. This was his family, and he could make it official if he would just get the courage to ask. He handed Regulus a hooded dinosaur towel when he pulled Hadrian out of the tub and then followed them to Hadrian's room.

He grabbed a book off the toddler’s bookshelf while Regulus wrestled him into his pajamas. Severus handed the book to Regulus after he tucked Hadrian into bed but Hadrian sat up and frowned.

"No Dada," Hadrian stated and took the book and held it out to Severus.

Regulus smiled and happily moved from his spot so that a surprised Severus could take his place. Severus sat down with the book and Hadrian snuggled back up under his blankets and smiled. Severus quietly read the book, and Hadrian was sound asleep before he had gotten halfway through it. He put the book back on the shelf and pressed a kiss to Hadrian's head before walking out of the room and leaving the door cracked.

Regulus was waiting in the hall. Severus just figured he had been waiting to make sure that Hadrian was asleep. This was the first night that Hadrian had ever asked Severus to read to him. Usually, it was always Reg. He opened his mouth to tell Reg goodnight but was promptly silenced when Regulus took the two steps to get to him and pressed his lips gently to Severus'.

Everything in Severus' world narrowed down to the feel of Regulus’ soft lips on his own. It was chaste and hesitant, but Regulus lingered instead of pulling back. Severus placed his hands on Reg's hips to steady him in place. Regulus finally leaned back and grinned.

"I love you, Severus. I want to be a family with you and Hadrian. I am tired of trying to hide the way I feel about you," Regulus told him a bit breathlessly and shyly. Severus smirked and pressed his forehead against Reggie's.

"Well, you took the words right out of my mind Reggie. I love you, too. I have for a while I just didn't know how to tell you, and I didn't want to ruin our friendship if you weren't ready or didn't feel the same. You and Hadrian mean the world to me, and I would love for us to be a family," Severus told the blushing younger man. This was not how he had expected this conversation to go but he was not going to complain.

"Will you…will you come to bed with me, Sev? I want to sleep in your arms. Just that, nothing more," Regulus asked after a few minutes of the two of them just standing there. The warmth of Severus' hands on his hips felt so nice and he wasn't quite ready to be separated from that warmth. This had been a long time coming and if this was something they both wanted there was no reason not to jump right in.

"Yeah, I want that too," Severus replied and then Regulus took him by the hand and led him to his room.

It was the first night they shared a bed, and they did not sleep apart after that. Though they didn't always sleep alone. There were many nights that they were woken up to their tiny boy crawling into bed and snuggling up between them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May 91

Severus was finally ready to open his apothecary. He decided to name it The Black Prince Apothecary. It had taken him two months to choose an available property and then purchase it. He spent an absurd amount of time ensuring that he only bought the best ingredients and supplies. Then he spent all of his free time brewing and stocking up on everything he wanted to sell so that he would have a decent inventory to get him started.

During that time, he spent weeks meticulously going through the list of people registered with the Ministry looking for an apprenticeship before he decided on a lady a few years younger than him who had graduated with honors from Ilvermorny.

He had checked out the paper that she had submitted and all of her potions grades, her OWLS, and her NEWTS. She seemed like she had the same passion and dedication to the art of potions that Severus had. He thought she would be a good fit.

After meeting her, Regulus agreed. She was like a female replica of Severus according to his love. It was also a few points in her favor that Hadrian liked her too. Her name was Kira Grimsbane.

Severus would never admit it, but he was nervous. His grand opening was in two days, and he planned on taking Reg out to a fancy dinner afterward. Billy and his daughters were going to babysit for them on the reservation.

He was going to propose to Regulus that night. He had the ring burning a hole in his pocket for a month now. Regulus and Hadrian were going to be officially his. Agreeing to run away with Regulus had been the best decision he had ever made. Life could not get better than this.

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Two days later Severus had a big ribbon-cutting ceremony in Pike's Place, Seattle's magical community. Kreacher and Regulus had baked, and the old elf was overseeing the refreshment table at the entrance to the apothecary.

Regulus and Hadrian had come to the ribbon cutting and stayed with him for a few hours before Hadrian was tired and cranky. He was happy for the support and made sure that Regulus knew how much he appreciated it. He spent the rest of the day answering questions and accepting new orders for potions while his new apprentice, Kira, worked the register.

At four pm when he closed up shop, he was quite happy with the success of the day. He had Kira go to the lab and brewed the easiest orders they had received for the day. Severus started on one order that would need to be started and left to sit overnight.

He also took the time to watch Kira brew the easier potions and had her explain to him everything that she was doing while she was doing it. He wanted to know her thought process when she brewed. He wanted to know if she relied more on the instructions or if she was like him.

Severus tuned into his potions so that while, yes he followed instructions, he also adjusted according to what he ‘felt’ from the potion. He noticed quickly that she had perfect technique and followed instructions to the letter. He was going to start working with her on 'feeling' her potions.

The art of potions was not just about following instructions and tossing in ingredients. Knowing the difference is what separated the true Masters from those who were simply very good. Potions involved just as much magic as transfiguration or charms but was far more deadly if you made mistakes.

Severus latched his own magic on to that first trace of magic that formed when the intent for the potion you were brewing took on a life of its own to create the potion. He stayed linked to that magical trace the entire time he brewed. It told him when the potion was ready for the next ingredient or when it needed to be stirred and which way.

It was why he was so good at potions and had been able to get his mastery so young. It was why he was so good at creating new potions. He followed the trace tug of magical intent that pointed him in the direction he needed to go in order to create what he wanted. He would teach this to Kira. She would be as great as he knew she had the ability to be.

Severus would make sure that anyone he chose to take the time to apprentice, was worthy of being taught by him or he wouldn’t approve them for their Mastery. He wouldn’t have his good name associated with dunderheads.

~~~~~~~

At five p.m. they finished up what they were doing for the day, closed everything up, and ended their first day. Severus expected her back a few hours before they opened so that they could brew and prepare for the day or fill in orders that had come overnight.

Severus, full of nervous energy, flooed home from his work office to his home office. He showered, got dressed, and when he came downstairs Regulus was in the sitting room waiting for him.

Regulus had taken Hadrian to the reservation earlier and had already been home and dressed so that he was out of the way when Severus came home. He stood and walked over to the taller Slytherin.

"You look dashing, My Love," Regulus said and pressed a kiss to Severus' lips. "How did the rest of the day go?"

"It went really well. The whole day was a success. You look absolutely, marvelous Reggie," Severus added. Regulus blushed and then Severus held his arm out to him and Regulus slipped his hand into the crook of his elbow.

He didn't actually know where Severus was taking them. His love had been very secretive about the entire date. Regulus was really excited. Severus apparated them to the fanciest French Restaurant in Pike's Place.

Regulus loved it.

They enjoyed a great dinner and talked about the rest of Severus' day and how he thought his apprentice was going to work out. They talked about how Regulus had spent the rest of his day. It was a good date.

Then desert came and Regulus' piece of tiramisu had a beautiful solid black band with the Prince and Black family crests combined on it in silver. It was a lovely ring. He gasped and looked up at Severus who had moved to kneel at his side while he had looked at the ring.

Then Severus lifted the ring from the desert and spelled it clean.

"Regulus Black you have been my best friend since I was twelve and you were eleven. And I know considering the fact that we are only 21 and 19 that in the grand scheme of things, that isn’t very long. However, our friendship has only grown stronger as the years went by until it finally developed into something more. I love you and Hadrian more than anything in the world. I want to make it official and call you my husband and Hadrian my son. I want to spend every day of forever with the two you. Will you do me the honor of becoming my husband?" Severus asked with a gentle love shining in his eyes. Regulus had tears streaming down his face. He was so happy; this was everything he had hoped for.

"Of course, I will Severus. Like I would ever tell you no," Regulus exclaimed and allowed Severus to slide the ring onto his finger. Then he pulled out another ring that matched it perfectly and held it out to Reg who took it with a smile and slid it onto Severus' finger.

"I am just as much yours as you are mine," Severus stated with a shrug. "We are equals. Always will be."

They shared a lovely kiss to the sound of applause from the other patrons and then shared their dessert before going back home. Once home they drove out to the reservation to pick up Hadrian and so that Regulus could show off his ring.

Billy had tried to convince Regulus to let Hadrian stay with them overnight so that he and Severus could enjoy their night together, but Regulus still wasn’t quite ready to let their little boy be away from them for that long.

Regulus assured Billy that they could celebrate properly after Hadrian was sleeping soundly for the night. And celebrate, they did.

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Their wedding took place six months later in October and was the talk of the town for years to come.

They were the first gay couple to get married in the small town of Forks. It was a big deal. Everyone had been invited, and it have been held in a lovely little clearing on their land near the house. It was everything that Regulus had wanted his first wedding to be. They did not take a honeymoon because they didn't want to leave Hadrian for that long and because Severus' apothecary was too busy right now for that.

He had just hired an elderly man who had been a potion master for years but didn't brew anymore. He was perfect for the front counter. He took orders, answered questions with true knowledge, and was super friendly. It gave Severus and Kira the opportunity to stay in the lab and brew to fill orders and for Kira to work on her mastery.

It was all going really well.

Kira had decided on what she was going to do for her dissertation to get her mastery. She was going to create a potion that would essentially turn Lycanthropy into something closer to shapeshifting.

She had a younger sister who had been bitten and suffered once a month and so this was something that was very personal and motivating for her. Severus had kindly given her a work area in the lab that was just hers for her to work on her project when she wasn't otherwise busy. She had picked up Severus' method of brewing quite easily and he was very glad to have chosen her.

She was making great progress and Severus knew that she would have it finished before it was time to apply for her mastery. Severus was going to be her first buyer. If it worked, he knew that it would make Regulus very happy to be able to gift it to Remus if they ever found him. He had not, as of yet come looking for them. But hopefully one day he would.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 91

Two months after the wedding in December, Regulus was at home making plans to give Charlie Swan, the sheriff, a call he wanted to get Isabella, Hadrian, and Jacob together for a playdate soon.

Hadrian was taking a nap and Kreacher was picking up the mess that the two-year-old had left behind. Regulus felt something against his wards. Three wizards had just stepped onto their property.

"Kreacher," Regulus called. The house elf popped into the room. "I need you to stay close to Hadrian. Three wizards just crossed our wards. If there is any danger at all you take him and go straight to Severus. Do you understand?"

"Kreacher understands, Master. Take the little Master and run," Kreacher bowed and then popped away just as there was a knock on the door.

Regulus dropped his wand into his hand and went to answer it. He had to be careful, there were three wizards at their home that he did not know. He looked through the peep hole in the door. They looked American and were all standing with their hands up showing that they were empty of wands. Regulus took a deep breath and then opened the door.

"Hello, Lord Black-Prince. My name is Joshua, and we are from the unspeakable department of MACUSA. May we come in? This is about the horcrux hunt that you sent us on," Joshua the wizard in front asked politely. Regulus slipped his wand back into its holster and opened the door wider.

"Yes, of course, please come in." Regulus led them to the formal sitting room. "Tea?" He asked. They shook their heads no.

"No, thank you. We are here because when you handed over the locket to us, we used it to create a device to track everything that carried this specific signature. When we first did it, we got a ping from your direction, but we brushed off as residue from having the locket in your possession for so long. So, we went and searched out all of the other pieces. Which we have now completed. However, we are still picking up a signature from your home. So, there must be something here that still holds a piece of him and we would like permission to check." Joshua informed him.

Regulus was horrified. There was still something in their home that carried a piece of that vile man? He wanted Severus home before they discussed this any further.

"If you would please just give me a moment. I want to call my husband home so that this can be handled together," Regulus stated and Joshua nodded. "Kreacher," Regulus called. The house elf popped in. "Please, go and fetch Severus. Tell him it is very important and that I need him home now." Kreacher popped away and not even a minute later he was back with Severus.

"What's the matter, Reggie? Why are you upset?" Severus asked his husband. Regulus indicated the Unspeakables.

"They are still picking up a small trace of the Dark Lord here. They think it is another horcrux. In our home, near our son," Regulus looked at Severus pleadingly. Severus placed a hand on Regulus' shoulder and turned to the unspeakables.

"So, what is it exactly that you want to do?" Severus asked them. One of the other men pulled a small trinket from his pocket that looked a bit like a muggle compass. He handed it to Joshua.

"This is the device. It will tell us where and what the item is that is carrying the soul piece. We will simply allow it to lead us. With your permission of course," Joshua explained calmly.

"Our son is taking a nap upstairs so we would rather you did not disturb him. If your trinket takes you in that direction please be as quiet as possible," Severus stated.

He patted Regulus' shoulder and then followed the three men as they started following the pointer. Severus followed with a growing feeling of trepidation as the men went upstairs and closer and closer to Hadrian's room. They stopped outside the door and turned to Severus.

"It is in your son's room," Joshua stated quietly and then waited for Severus to decide how to proceed. He didn't have to worry about it a moment later as there was a quiet noise from inside.

"Papa?" Came the quiet question as Hadrian's little hand pulled the door open and looked around. He saw the strange men and made grabby hands at Severus.

"I got you, Little One," Severus comforted him as picked him up and snuggled him close. The unspeakable was silent. "You can check his room now." But the man didn't move he just looked at his trinket and then back at Hadrian. Severus looked at him, in growing fear.

"Can you move to the other end of the hall with Hadrian, please?" Joshua asked to test his theory. Severus did so and they all watched in horror as the pointer followed them.

"That isn't possible, is it?" Severus asked holding Hadrian tighter. Hadrian just snuggled closer to Severus and buried his face in his neck. There was no way that his precious, innocent, sweet Hadrian had a piece of a soul that dark inside of him. The unspeakable looked sympathetic.

"Unfortunately, Lord Black-Prince, it is absolutely possible. We can run a quick scan to verify," Joshua stated and Severus nodded. The other man stepped forward and did a complicated wand movement and then looked sadly at Severus. "He is definitely carrying a piece of Tom Riddle's soul. It is a very small sliver, but it is there none the less. It needs to be removed as soon as possible.”

"Let's go downstairs and talk to my husband. How quickly can this be done? He is going to agree with me that we want this out of our son as soon as possible," Severus asked as they made their way back downstairs.

"We could leave straight from here as soon as you make the decision," Joshua stated.

"What decision? Did you find the horcrux?" Regulus asked as he went to stand with Severus and Hadrian. He ran his fingers through Hadrian's messy hair and pressed a kiss to his forehead but left him in Severus' arms. Severus wrapped an arm around the shorter man to give him the comfort he was going to desperately need.

"The soul piece is inside of our Hadrian, Regulus," Severus stated calmly. Regulus looked up at Severus horrified.

"My baby has had a piece of that evil man inside of him since he was seven months old?" Regulus asked. Severus simply nodded. "Can they take it out?"

"Yes, Love. We can leave right now to start the process of removing it. It can be out of him before dinner," Severus comforted him. Regulus looked relieved.

"I want to do that. I want it out of my precious baby right now. Let's go," Regulus stated a bit irrationally. He was about to yell for Kreacher to put together a bag for Hadrian, but the house elf popped in holding the bag. Kreacher looked just as upset as Regulus was. The old elf adored Hadrian probably more than he had ever adored Regulus.

"We are going to the main headquarters of MACUSA in New York. Do you know where it is, or do you need to side along? Or we can even floo over if that is more comfortable for the three of you," Joshua offered.

"We can floo over. Hadrian doesn't like to apparate. It makes him sick," Severus stated.

His boy was sick every time they apparated somewhere with him. Then he would be wimpy and clinging for hours afterward. He didn't want him to be any more stressed about what was about to happen than he already was. He might be little, but Hadrian could tell that something was going on. He was clinging to Severus as if his life depended on it and he was being unusually silent.

Joshua nodded and Severus with his arms still full of Hadrian and Regulus led them all to his office to use the floo. It was the only one in their house that they had connected to the network so that it could be monitored better.

They took floo powder and gave off the address and password to be able to access the Department of Mysteries directly. Once there, they were led down a long corridor and into a ritual room. They were joined by other Unspeakables and soon there were runes being drawn on the floor and a cup was placed in the center inside one of the two circles that were drawn in the center of the large one.

"We need to set him in the middle. He will have to stand there alone. You cannot enter the circle no matter what until the ritual is over. He is going to be in pain and may even scream for you. You must resist. If you feel more comfortable you may leave the room," Joshua told them. All color drained from Regulus' face.

"Can we not give him a dreamless sleep or something similar to put him to sleep so that he does not feel it?" Severus asked Hadrian was beginning to tremble in his arms.

"Unfortunately, not. He must be completely clean of any potions, spells, or outside influences. Like I said, if you do not think that you can keep yourself from interfering you need to step out of the room," Joshua informed them. Severus looked at Regulus who was still pale and kept fluttering his hands over Hadrian like he was going to snatch him out of Severus' arms and run.

"I want to be in here for him, Severus. I want to be strong for this, but I don't know if I can do it. Hearing him in pain and not being able to comfort him will make me lose my mind," Regulus said. He had tears forming in his eyes. Severus tightened his arm around him.

"It's okay, Love. I will stay with him. I will be strong for all of us," Severus told him and handed Hadrian to Regulus so that he could hold him and comfort the both of them before he had to leave the room.

"Okay we are ready," Joshua told them.

Regulus gave a small sob and pressed a kiss to Hadrian's forehead before handing him to Severus and following one of the other unspeakables out of the room. Severus held Hadrian close and spoke gently to him about what a good boy he was and how much they loved him.

"Look at Papa, Hadrian, and pay attention, okay?" Hadrian nodded his head. "You have to stand in the small circle, Hadrian. Do you see it?" Another nod from the toddler. "It is going to hurt, Hadrian but there is something inside of you that wants to make you sick. Like a germ. Remember Papa told you about germs?" A slow uncertain nod this time. "This is going to take the germ out and make you better," Severus explained to little Hadrian.

"Okay, Papa. Hades will be good, stand still," Hadrian repeated.

Hadrian had taken to calling himself Hades recently because it was too hard for him to say Hadrian. Regulus didn’t really like it, but Severus was pretty sure it was going to stick. Isabella Swan, Billy, and the others on the Reservation had already started calling him Hades.

Severus smiled and pressed a kiss to his forehead and then stood him in the circle. He used a sticking charm on his feet when an unspeakable suggested it to keep Hadrian from running or stepping out and messing up the ritual. He ruffled Hadrian's hair and then stepped back.

"Hadrian, Papa is going to stand right there. You can see me the whole time. You keep your eyes on Papa if you feel scared ok," Severus told him. Hadrian nodded and never took his eyes off Severus.

He kept their eyes locked when the ritual started, when the chanting began, and when the pain started. He kept his little eyes trained on his Papa who was saying non-stop words of encouragement about how brave Hadrian was and how he was such a good boy. He kept his little eyes on his Papa even when the tears started to track down his little cheeks.

When the screaming started, Severus just had to work harder to keep his face neutral and his voice loud enough for Hadrian to still hear. It was pure torture when Hadrian started uncontrollably sobbing for Severus and Regulus.

Then the bleeding started from the scar on Hadrian's head and a black smoke came streaming out of it. It hovered in the air with a shrieking that rivaled the screams coming from the toddler. Then the smoke flew into the cup in the second circle and everything was silent except for the horribly heartbreaking sobs that Hadrian was still making.

Severus was scooping Hadrian into his arms the moment he was given the okay.

Hadrian sobbed and clung to him like he would break apart if he didn't stay as close to Severus as possible. Severus just turned, walked right out of the room, and found Regulus pacing in the hallway. Regulus came to them quickly and Severus pulled him into his arms so that Hadrian was cuddled tightly between them.

He held them both until Regulus was calmer and Hadrian had cried himself to sleep. His little body was still trembling slightly, and he kept giving little hiccupping sobs in his sleep. Severus and Regulus hated it. Severus quietly led them back to the floo room and they flooed home. Severus took them both upstairs to the bedroom and settled Hadrian between them.

They spent the rest of the day in the bed cuddled together.

Kreacher brought them all of their meals to the room and informed Severus' workers that he would be missing work until Hadrian was feeling better. It took three days before Hadrian was back to his old self. Three days where he was in constant contact with either Regulus or Severus and sometimes both. He was quiet and completely out of character.

He still slept in their bed between them even a week after he had gone back to acting normal. After two weeks it was as if the incident had never happened at all and Severus and Regulus would forever be grateful for a child's ability to bounce back from something like that without any issues.

Severus and Regulus also celebrated the fact that in the months following the destruction of the final horcrux, their dark marks, as well as Hadrian's scar, faded before finally disappearing completely. It had been a wonderful day to finally break their final ties to the dark lord and his Death Eaters.

Life went back to normal for the Black-Prince household.

At least for a bit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 92

A year later, on Christmas Day, Regulus handed Hadrian one last gift to give to Severus. Three-year-old Hadrian, watched intensely as his Papa opened the gift and looked at the paperwork. Severus sat quietly in shock. Hadrian smiled nervously.

"Do you Papa? So, we have the same gymetincs?" Hadrian asked. Severus chuckled pulled him into his lap and hugged him tightly. Then he looked up at Regulus.

“Genetics, Love,” Regulus corrected with a small laugh. Hadrian didn’t respond he was too busy listening for his Papa’s response.

"Truly? You want me to blood-adopt him?" Severus asked him. Regulus nodded.

"Sev, you are his dad in every way that counts. James neglected him and didn't take care of him the way that he should have. You have cared for him, fed him, taken care of him when he was sick, and love him already as if he were born from you. This will just make it official, My Love. You are already his father," Regulus told a very happy Severus. Hadrian was literally bouncing on his lap.

"Papa?" Hadrian asked again. Severus hugged him tightly and kissed him on the cheek.

"Of course, Hadrian. I would love for us to have the same genetics. For you to truly be my son," Severus told his little boy. He would love for Hadrian to truly be his.

Two days later they were at Gringotts bank in the ritual room and Severus and Hadrian stood in the center while the blood was given with a potion to Hadrian. The words were spoken, and Severus officially took the place of James Potter as Hadrian's father. Hadrian no longer carried any Potter DNA. His name was changed to Hadrian Orion Black-Prince just like his Daddy and his Papa.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
February 93

The following February, Kira finally completed her Lycanthropus Separare Ex Luna potion. She tested it on her sister and a few other Werewolves who had been willing to participate in her study.

All six of the Weres that participated were successfully severed from their ties to the moon. They now had complete control of their transformations and were in complete control of themselves. It was more like being a shapeshifter or Animagus.

It had taken two months of taking the potion on the night of the full moon for it to take proper effect.

The six wolves had agreed to continue to be monitored by Kira and check in with her after the full moon every month for the next few years to make sure that the potion was still working properly for them. Severus sent in all of the proper paperwork and evidence that Kira had satisfied all of the requirements as his apprentice to receive her mastery.

Kira took the paperwork and all of her own work about her Lycanthrope potion as well as having the six wolves to come with her to prove that it had been a success so far. She completed the practical that the Board of Masters set up for her.

A month later she received notice that she had passed everything and had earned her mastery. Regulus threw her a large party to celebrate. Kira had also agreed to stay with Severus for another four months while she waited for the new year at Ilvermorny to start. They had hired her as a potion teacher. Severus and Regulus were very proud of her.

Just like Severus promised, he was the first person to purchase her potion. He purchased what he would need for Remus and then a little extra just in case.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
June 94

A year later in June after Regulus’ 23rd birthday, a month before Hadrian would turn five, Regulus took him to the Reservation to play with Jacob. Charlie had Bella for the month, and he had brought her out there as well so that the three kids could all play together. While the kids were all running around playing with the other children of the tribe the adults were cooking and watching over them.

"Who is that?" Billy looked up when Regulus asked. There was an old beat-up car pulling up to the gathering.

"I don't know. As far as I know, no one else was expecting company today," Billy shrugged casually. He wasn't too worried about it. If the person were up to no good they wouldn't have pulled right up to the main gathering of people. The person sat in the car for a bit longer and Regulus was distracted when Hadrian ran up to him.

"Daddy," Hadrian asked as Regulus lifted him into his arms.

"What is it, Loveling?" Regulus asked his smiling son.

"Can I stay and spend the night with Jake? Bells wants to stay too," Hadrian asked with a grin.

"Reggie?" Regulus looked up quickly at the sound of his name. The voice had sounded so wrecked and full of despair and hope all at the same time. Regulus smile brightly at the man standing next to the car.

"Mooney," Hadrian stated. "Daddy, that's Mooney, isn't it? It looks just like his picture," Hadrian exclaimed excitedly. His dad often showed him pictures and told him stories about Mooney. He was Hadrian's uncle and his godfather and his dad had told him that he would come and find them one day.

"Yeah, Hadrian. That’s Mooney. Go say hi, he looks like he needs a hug," Regulus put Hadrian down.

Hadrian's feet barely touched the ground before he was running full out at the werewolf. Remus looked wrecked. Like he was looking at something wonderful that he had been denied for so long. Regulus watched as Hadrian finally reached Mooney and the werewolf bent down swept the laughing boy into his arms and crushed him to his chest.

"Who is that, Regulus?" Charlie asked, always the cop.

"Hadrian's uncle and godfather. We have been expecting him," Regulus told him before heading over to the two of them. He was so happy that Remus had finally found them. Regulus had been so worried.