Chapter 2
Chap Two (Remus, Regulus, Lucius)
~~~Perspective: Remus~~~
Remus sighed kneading the bread on the counter as Lyall sat at the table watching him. His dad yawned, rolling his eyes with a groan.
“Rem my boy. You know I love you, but that is the third loaf of bread you’ve made today. Surely talking to me is better than taking your frustrations out on the poor yeast.” Lyall chuckled; Remus flushed as he wrapped the dough in foil.
“Y-you’d laugh at me anyway father. I’m probably just imaging it…” His father scoffed, standing up and patting Remus on the shoulder.
“My boy you are a lot of things, imaginative is not one of them.” He glared back at his father with a grumble. Lyall just patted his shoulder.
“I’m going to walk down and see if our neighbors need any frustration bread. Try not to make more dough while I’m gone. Please Rem.” He groaned at his father’s words.
“I’m not going to make any more damn bread old man, be careful while you’re walking. I don’t want to heal another concussion, I’m dreadful at healing magic.” Lyall smiled nervously, waving his hand.
“I was fine all those years you were living in London Rem; it was just a bad fall.”
“I’m not trying to insult you dad, but you are not getting any younger.”
Lyall smiled softly, limping out of their tiny house. Remus stared down at the pile of dough before sitting down. Visiting Petunia kept her and Harry in his mind. What stayed on his mind the most was that bruise under Petunia’s eye. Its place couldn’t be an accident. Remus started down at the rising dough and assorted ingredients. His father limped back an hour later coated in mud. To focaccia and corn bread cooling on the counter. Remus was half asleep on the old couch. Large stitching marks running through it from the first time he turned. His father face palmed obviously seeing the bread.
“Dad where is the aurors headquarters? I ran out of money Sirius had in our joint account, and I don’t want to take his money.” Lyall sighed walking over to him, crouching.
“You know he’s never getting out; he’s not going to need the money.” Tears pricked at his eyes at those words.
“It’s currently in the same place as always, are you sure you want to return though?” He nodded softly.
“Take some of your bread as a housewarming gift. Not sure Alastor will be overjoyed to see you right now.” Remus dragged himself off the couch wrapping up the focaccia. He waved his father goodbye, using floo powder to travel to the ministry.
He entered the hidden room for the aurors, his first sight was a petite man sat on a table reading a book. Remus could recognize the fluffy groomed black hair in an instant. Even buried in a book Regulus black stood out like a sore thumb. A silent spell flew out of Remus’ wand hitting the death eater dead on and sending him flying off the table. His book fell to the ground near the door with a thump ‘Byron’s works’, a poetry book.
Remus blinked, why in god’s name was the Black reading poetry after breaking into the aurors office? He heard an angry grumble as Regulus came back onto his feet, glaring entire swords at Remus.
“What the FUCK is wrong with you Lupin?!” Regulus raised his wand to cast a spell, anger flaring in his eyes. He huffed shoving the black walnut wand back into his pocket still glaring at Remus. He fixed his black hair, which was now shooting in every direction as Alastor appeared from another room.
“He’s an auror Lupin, calm yourself. You missed his appointment. Regulus, control that damn locket of yours, you know it’s not an excuse to throw curses at fellow aurors.” Regulus huffed heavily, fingers gripping at a locket Remus just noticed. It was a gold one with red stone in the middle. On the other side of it was a smaller locket he couldn’t quite see.
“I’ll rot before I give you this locket.” Regulus glared at Alastor holding the locket close. Alastor huffed rolling his eyes.
“Nobody in their right mind here wants the demon locket Black, calm yourself. You’re the only one here sane enough to carry it anyway.”
“I’m not sure sane is the right word, Alastor. Patient and damaged enough work better.” Remus looked between the two men in confusion, Regulus must have noticed his confusion. Because he cleaned himself up and turned to talk to Remus.
“It’s a horcrux, it has part of Voldemort’s soul inside. This one induces irritability and paranoia for the wearer. Not one to be worn by the faint of heart or easily influenced. If you try to destroy it, it will show you your greatest fears. It only opens if you speak parstltongue which is a pain in the ass. I mean I can so I shouldn’t really be complaining but I don’t really want too. Ya know?”
Remus processed the words Regulus had said before chuckling remembering the way Sirius would complain in the exact say way.
~~~Perspective: Regulus~~~
Regulus leaned against the wall waiting for something to do, the poetry book hung loosely in his hands. Lupin and Alastor had disappeared into another room almost twenty minutes ago and McGonagall had just appeared entering the same room. The locket hummed in his mind to listen in.
He didn’t want to, but he had to admit that his curiosity was starting to get the better of him. He stalked silently to the room they’d entered. Delicate footsteps trained into him. Not a soul heard him. McGonagall had her arms crossed looking at Lupin with concern while Alastor leaned against a wall. Almost uninterested.
“Lupin say that again please?” McGonagall requested looking at him with pure concern, she sighed softly.
“They’re keeping him in a broom closest under the stairs Minerva, and I have a reason to believe that Harry is being hurt as well. I don’t care if there’s some charm on Harry from Lily. There’s no point in it if that charm is causing him to be hurt.”
McGonagall bit her thumb with a sad look on her face. Regulus didn’t listen further. World going red at hearing that James’ son was being hurt by people meant to protect him. He could kill someone right now and the locket picked up on that.
‘They’re just muggles Regulus, how dare they hurt a pureblooded child. You need to help Harry. His son is in danger’. Regulus dug his nails into his head, hearing the voice ring through his head. He was frustrated because he knew he agreed with the locket. How dare a simple muggle hurt Harry?
‘They must be punished Regulus. You can do it effortlessly. You must save James’ son; he would detest you if you didn’t. You already lost them, now you’ll let the boy be at risk.’ He was going to draw blood if he kept digging into his head, relinquishing to the locket's words. It was right. He failed Sirius and James. He couldn’t do the same to Harry. Dumbledore would stop the aurors from helping Harry. But Regulus wasn’t exactly one, was he? Not a soul would question a Death Eater attacking Pivet Drive. His family would even be proud, though disgruntled about his getting his hands dirty. But he could care less what they thought, his James’ son was in danger.
4 Pivet Drive was easy to find, the muggle man who lived there ‘Vernon’ was loud. Easy to track, and the one likely harming Harry. It was dusk and two days later he found himself sitting on the ledge of a nearby house waiting for the pig's car to reappear. He watched with bated silence as the car pulled back in. A thin, tall women emerged from the car. Lily’s sister (he didn’t bother to remember her name), a dreadful creature in his opinion. An equally piglike seven-year-old boy to his father left the vehicle next. Whining about something or other. The pig himself came out next and practically ripped open the final car door. A small boy was dragged out of the car by the back of his neck, he cried out softly as he was dragged into the house. Regulus felt his body stiffen with disgust.
‘The muggles are nothing but filth Regulus, that pig needs to be put down.” He only nodded, waiting for any movement on the street to settle down. Once it did. He let the final piece of the scratchy and tacky outfit of the death eater's robes appears, the mask. He didn’t know how quick the other aurors would come so he’d have to be quick himself and not able to be tracked. Which is why he ‘borrowed’ another one of the Death Eaters wands and left his own in Kreacher’s faithful hands. He hated leaving his wand anywhere where Walburga could get it. It has served him with complete loyalty for almost 13 years now. Other than James, Pandora, and Sirius. It was the only thing he trusted completely. Lovely Pandora had fled Europe years ago after her fiancé (now husband) learned that she was not only pregnant. But Best Friends with a death eater. As far as Regulus was consider he hoped Xenowhatfuckingever was eaten by a nargle. Whatever the hell that was.
Regulus jumped off the roof, landing without a sound. The sun had almost completely set now. He stalked towards the house in complete silence with an even greater burning anger. He placed the wand against the door and muttered the incantation. He preferred silent magic, but this wand would be a pain to do it with. The doors lock clicked open, and he entered silently. He could hear 3 voices in the living room ahead of him but soft almost muted sounds from the broom closet.
That and the pigs behavior before was all the confirmation he needed that James precious boy was truly being mistreated. He swallowed down any final nerves he had and stepped into the living room. The Pig noticed him instantly and flew out of his chair. Screaming something Regulus didn’t bother to listen too. The disgusting creature was acting like Regulus should fear him.
“How the hell did you freaky little ass get in my home?! What are you wearing you freak?!” Regulus could only snicker evilly under his mask as the man lumbered towards him.
“What makes you think you calling me a freak scares me in the slightest, Vernon Dursley?”
The man paused slightly looking almost fearful, the pig then moved to punch him. Regulus smirked wide under the mask. He waited till just before Vernon’s fist was in view before flishing his wide to the side and muttered the words ‘undam ignis’. Flames quickly grew out of the wand and swam around him. They only lightly touched everyone else around the two of them but sent Vernon hurdling back into the fireplace. There was a sick crunch that was even more sickeningly satisfying to Regulus. The man was pulling himself off the ground as Regulus bent over with a chuckle.
“You missed Vernon, that was your one shot too!”
Regulus tapped the wand against Vernon’s skull watching blood seep out of his back. The man groaned in pain as magic stitched his skin closed. The pig glared at him; Regulus could only laugh. He stood up hearing someone enter the room, he scoffed loudly seeing Lily’s sister aim a wand at him. He blocked the spell the left her wand easily, before stunning her and turning back to Vernon.
“Now I have about five, eight minutes before the aurors arrive. So, I have about three more minutes to play with you Pig.”
The man’s eyes widened as Regulus aimed his wand at Vernon again. Deciding what spell will work, he decided but this wand would likely hate it. He aimed at Vernon’s chest, ‘profundus incisus’. A gash grew across the Pigs chest, Regulus stopped just when he could barely see the man’s ribs. He took off his mask smiling down at the man, ‘crucio’. A scream tore out of the large man, Regulus stomped on his face. The man looked so terrified.
“You recognize these eyes don’t you Dursley? What the fuck made you think you could get away with hurting James Potter’s son? You should’ve known id find you.” He heard something hit the roof and smiled warmly.
“Theres your savior Pig, I’ll be leaving now. If you ever look for sweet little Harry again ill bleed you dry.” He left the man sobbing and returned to the broom closet, he put the mask on before tearing the door off. He threw the wand off to the side looking into the closet.
In the corner was a small boy on something that could barely be called a bed. He was trembling, piercing emerald eyes wide with fear. Jet black hair was a complete disaster, past James naturally messy hair. It was covered with dirt and mats. Regulus took the young boy gently, he barely weighed anything. Regulus held him close as he apparated out of the house. He heard Barty call out about his apparition and never wanted to hex the lifetime friend more. He could later, he landed at Malfoy Manor. Which was apt to upset Lucius, but it was better than bringing Harry straight to his mother.
Narcissa was the first to appear, likely hearing the window break. She was still stiff upon seeing his death eater outfit but lowered her wand. She only sighed as he removed his mask.
“Good merlin Regulus you cannot just apparate through my window with zero warning.” She rubbed the bridge of her nose, but a chuckle escaped.
“I’m sorry Narcissa, this was the closest place I could land. I didn’t know if the aurors were following me.”
“But I thought you were an Auror Regulus? Why in merlin’s name are they after you?”
He swallowed opening his robes to show the tiny boy, who had passed out from the shock of apparating for the first time. Narcissa covered her mouth, he wasn’t sure if it was because it was Harry or because of the tiny boys’ condition.
“I’m so sorry for leading them here dear, I just didn’t want to take Harry to my mother.” She smiled, beckoning him over. He held the boy close walking over to Narcissa.
“This poor boy, what were the filthy muggles doing to him? Bring him downstairs so we can clean him up.”
~~~Perspective: Lucius~~~
Lucius leaned back into his couch as Regulus slowly worked the knots out of mini-Potters hair. Itty bitty Iris slept soundly on his leg; she started bawling whenever he wasn’t around. But she was starting to warm up to Narcissa and Draco after a week. She snuggled closer into the satin blankets. Lucius knew that that Regulus would be harmless to the young girl, but his resting bitch face scared everyone except Fuckboy Potter and the other Black. Harry looked up at Lucius curiously, trying to grab his hair whenever Lucius moved. Harry laughed happily, wincing slightly whenever Regulus pulled out a knot. But he seemed cheerful altogether.
Regulus huffed in relief when he finally got all the mats and knots out of Harry’s jet-black hair. He smiled, green eyes softening when he looked down at the boy.
“I wish I could hex your father for his damn hair texture Harry, actually I’d hex him regardless.” Regulus chuckled; Harry titled his head.
“Auntie said that Daddy was gone Mr Black?”
Regulus looked down at the young boy with a pained look. He only nodded before hugging the boy. He bit his lip, holding Harry close. Lucius sighed sadly; everyone told him that getting so close to Potter would be his undoing but when did the Black’s ever take advice. Neither Sirius nor Regulus listened. The only difference was Regulus was smart enough to back out when he did. Sirius end up accused in Azkaban, the only people that truly believed he was a killer was the ministry.
Regulus stood up clapping his hands, Lucius scoffed softly as a hunched over house elf appeared.
“Master Regulus, I’m glad to see you’re okay.”
Regulus nodded to the house elf, Kreacher bowed more holding out Regulus’ own wand. The same wand he’d always had. Lucius always thought there was a simple elegance to it. Eleven inches of black walnut wood and a dual core of phoenix feather and unicorn hair made it truly dangerous. Like the man himself. The appearance of it was almost the opposite of his brothers. A simple outset handle with white vine like engravings at the tip of the wand were Norse runes. Nauthiz, Thurisaz, Kenaz, Isa, Othela, Sowilo, Tiwaz and a Reversed Berkana. Lucius never took ancient runes, but he remembered them from when Regulus took the class.
He seemed content about getting his wand back, sending the house elf back to Grimmauld place. Sitting on the couch again, sitting with his legs crossed. Harry tugged on Regulus’ silk blouse, squeaking softly for attention. Regulus huffed.
“You picked up James attention whore traits I see.” He smiled; Harry lit up when the Black pet his hair.
“Mr Black how do you know my dad?”
Lucius could see a curious look in the young man’s eyes, Regulus picked him up. Taking Harry to another room to explain they’re relationship. Lucius didn’t know why the Black was being secretive, everyone knew. Lucius immediately stopped carrying about the younger man when Iris yawned softly. Looking up at him affectionately. Lucius picked her up gently. Iris laughed. Raising her arms and kicking her feet.
“You should go play with your big brother if your hyper sweetie. Maybe even mini potter will join you two once he’s ready.” Iris nodded happily, running off to find Draco. Lucius had to prepare for dinner tonight. Anytime he got to host was better than going to Grimmauld Place. It made his skin crawl.
~~~Flashback One~~~
Regulus felt a great disturbance in his space and general sanity. He huffed to himself, closing his book looking up to see Sirius peering down at him like a cat. It was only his first year of Hogwarts and he already wanted to bombarda his older brother off a cliff. Not that he could, as unfortunate as it was. He loved Sirius and his endless shenanigans. As much as he knew what love was. He truly doubted what he did sometimes, his love always seemed subpar to others. Then Sirius gave him that wide toothy grin they’re mother despised, and any annoyance drained from Regulus.
“Reggie, dear brother. I found something and it gave me the greatest idea and that idea immediately made me think of my indifferently sweet baby brother.” Sirius grin twitched in a way that told Regulus that his brother had not a damn clue what he was talking about but was going to try it anyway. Not try, do it. When it came to stupidity his brother always succeeded.
“What do you need from me this time Sirius. You don’t grin like that unless you have something stupid to do. And its Regulus." He chuckled remembering everything Sirius had done as children after that grin.
“I need a vial of your blood; promise I won’t do anything weird with-it Reggie.” Sirius completely ignored his correction about the name, he always did. Sirius held up a vial to him, he had these puppy eyes on his face that made Reg not want to kick the puppy by refusing.
“I know you have to get to class so I won’t keep you, I’ll do it and meet you after classes tomorrow.”
He sighed, knowing the idiot wouldn’t let up. He dug into his hand with a spell, filling the vial for Sirius. The older took it carefully, almost too carefully for Regulus. When was his brother serious ever? He ran off and then Regulus had a thought. How did Sirius intend to meet him? He never gave the older his schedule.
Like clockwork. While he was walking out of transfiguration, he felt that great disturbance in his sanity again. He felt an arm sling over him and Sirius’ scratchy ass hair on his neck.
“Hello Sirius, what do you need now.” He started walking back to the dungeons, barely empathizing for his brother to follow. Sirius made a noise of offense running after him. Not really any need for that, he didn’t walk quick enough for him to be able to get away from the older.
“Wa-wait Reggie. I need to give you something but it’s, personal.”
He raised an eyebrow but let his brother lead him out of the castle and to a place where there wasn’t much traffic. They’re mothers voice rang back in his head how easy it would be to be killed right now. He decided to trust Sirius regardless of the voice. Sirius stopped, smiling down at him. A warm genuine smile, the one he gave that Lupin fellow. He pulled something out of his pocket, well two things. Both are attached to chains. He held his palm open to show two lockets. In the middle was a small, deep red gemstone that immediately caught his eye.
“I know neither of us are really the jewelry type, but I- Well..." He fumbled over his words rubbing his neck.
“The stones, I used a spell to make a gemstone out of a mix of mine and your blood. If were ever separated or something happens. I wanted a piece of you, I have no idea if you feel the same but…”
His brain fell behind, taking the locket Sirius offered. Staring down at the locket. Above the stone was a red and gold ‘S.B’. He wasn’t the sentimental type, so why did something prick at his eyes seeing those letters?
“You’re a fool brother. Aren’t your friends going to tease you for wearing silver and green.” He hated the way his voice waivered, showing his true feelings. He remembered Walburga’s ringed hand slapping across his face for crying. For showing weakness and so he shoved those feelings back. Just as he did, he felt Sirius arms wrap around him.
“I don’t care if they tease me, Reggie. Your important to me as well.” He hugged his brother back, soon after backing out of the conversation with Sirius. And if anyone saw him holding that locket close or saw him tuck it carefully under his robes every morning. No, they fucking didn’t.
~~~Back at Grimmauld Place~~~
Regulus rolled his eyes as he heard his brother and mothers voice roll through the house. He left Kreacher to stalk downstairs to where he heard the screams. Peeking into the living room. Sirius stood by the fireplace holding a small bowl of floo powder. That reminded Regulus why this argument was happening. Sirius was meant to go to the Potter’s yesterday. Walburga must’ve smelled him at the door.
“Regulus, did you know about your brother’s little trip?”
“How would I Mamen? We’re in different houses.” That was a blatant lie, and anyone could tell. But he knew how to lie to Walburga, and she took it. She whipped back around to Sirius.
“How about this Sirius if you want to go there so badly. Take your brother, let him see the filth those blood traitors live in.” She stomped out of the room and missed the smirk on her elder sons face. Regulus just pouted flipping his brother off.
“Well go on Reggie, get ready to see the filth.”
He huffed, raising his arms in defeat and went back upstairs. Kreacher helped him get ready and they left twenty minutes later. Walburga hiding somewhere in the shadows of the house. He hated the feeling of floo powder, but he’d take any excuse to get away from Grimmauld Place. When he appeared through the fireplace, he could see an older woman talking to Sirius.
“There you are Sirius; we were all beginning to worry something happened.” She raised her head seeing the fire activate again. “Who are you dear?”
“Je suis Regulus, son frère. I am Regulus, his brother.”
He saw Sirius chuckle into the back of his hand, the women looked confused looking over to Sirius.
“That’s my little brother Reggie, we speak French at home, so he probably just assumed he had too.”
She made a noise of understanding, smiling at Regulus.
“It’s wonderful to meet you Regulus, your brother talks highly of you. You can call me Euphemia and my husband is Fleamont.
“The pleasure is all mine Ma’am; Sirius talks about everyone here a lot too.”
He held out his hand for her to shake, Euphemia just laugh patting his head making his shoulders go rigid. Half expecting her to yank him over.
“You don’t have to be so formal Regulus please, make yourself at home here. You and Sirius are welcome at any time. Black or not.”
He could only blink in confusion at her not raising a hand against him as the older women left the room. Sirius hugged him gently pulling him out of his stupor.
“Calm down Reggie it’s okay, no one here wants to hurt you. Well, I might punch you if you keep being jumpy. But I’ll do it lovingly.”
He huffed, flicking his older brother before hugging him back. He followed Sirius upstairs, lifting both they’re bags with a silent spell. Sirius led them to a spare room. There was an older man in it, tidying sheets onto the beds with magic. Likely Fleamont. He waved to the two of them but was called by Euphemia before he could say anything, quickly finishing the beds and leaving the room with a smile. Regulus had all his things put away with a few wand flicks while Sirius took the time to do it by hand. He rolled his eyes leaving Sirius to do that and going to the back yard.
There was only one other person outside, the lack of scars and pudge told him that it was James. His hair was a rat's nest, Regulus couldn’t imagine not brushing that much. He was wearing blue jeans that were stained brown around the cuffs and knees. He had a shirt, but it was wrapped around his waist instead of where it was meant to be. Regulus himself was wearing a green silk blouse. Its collar was black, and the bell sleeves faded to black. His shorts were high wasted black satin and a gold chain he stole from Sirius. Sirius either didn’t notice or didn’t want to take it from him. Either way he didn’t seem to miss the chain.
James hummed, turning to see who was behind him. Regulus brain went blank at seeing the other man’s chest for some reason.
“Your Sirius’ brother! Reggie, right?”
His voice was deep, the excitement in his voice started Regulus. Taking a step back from the older man he could see a book in his hand. ‘Byron’s Works’ Which Regulus believed was a book of poetry. James tilted his head at the lack of response, fully turning around. Regulus cleared his throat, tearing his eyes away from James as his cheeks were starting to feel hot.
“Yes Potter, I’m Regulus Black. And you are James, my brothers best friend." It was a failed attempt his eyes flashed back down to James chest, fidgeting with his bell sleeves.
“I’m sorry is me being shirtless making you uncomfortable Reggie?.” James rubbed the back of his neck, setting the poetry book down and motioning to put his shirt back on.
“No, it’s quite alright Potter. You just don’t usually see people shirtless in my line of life. And my name is Regulus. Only two people get to call me Reggie.” James winced looking apologetic.
“Oh, shit sorry Regulus. Wait! Hey, do you like poetry? It seems like your kind of thing.” James smiled wide, almost a smirk. Grabbing the book, he was reading earlier and holding it out to Regulus.
“Listen Regulus I don’t know shit about poetry, this book would be better suited in your hands. At least you can appreciate whatever the hell these things are saying.”
Regulus took the book, scoffing softly at James admitting his stupidity. At least he had a cute face and nice chest. Wait W H A T?! He saw Lupin appear out of the doorway in the side of his vision. He inwardly thanked Merlin for the scarred man’s appearance, disappearing the second the two friends started really talking. Regulus hid in the spare room the rest of the day, ignoring the warm feeling in his cheeks. He must be catching some kind of sickness. Sirius appeared later that night.
“Sirius I- brother uhm, you? You’ve uhm, had crushes before yeah?” Sirius looked like he was going to laugh at him, but he nodded in agreement. Regulus wanted to stop there and save himself from the shame of asking further. Hopefully Sirius would show him mercy.
“Well, umm. How are you supposed to um know you like someone like that? Or if you just like them physically?” Sirius stifled back a laugh; Regulus wanted to cry. His brother was just going to make fun of him, wouldn’t he? He didn’t wait for that, shooting off the bed and out of the house. He heard Sirius call for him but didn’t stop.