The perfect story

Regulus was nervous. He had only got back to England a week ago and now he was supposed to go to a homecoming party, where there would be too many people. Of course Regulus had missed everyone dearly, especially his godson and goddaughter.

The problem was that no one had seen him as Regulus yet. They all knew he was not a girl but the last time he had seen the others he had still presented as a girl. So he was nervous, really fucking nervous. He knew everyone at the party was okay with him and no one would make any nasty comments but he was still afraid of what they would think.

He was comfortable in his own skin now. It Has been for five years now. When he had left Britain to go to Brazil to be a part of the research group he had known he would come back as a different person. Well his personality hadn’t changed much but his appearance definitely had.

He took a deep breath before taking a handful of floo powder. He stepped into the fireplace. He lifted his eyes to Bill Weasley who was giving him a thumbs up with a big grin. “I’ll be right after you.”

Remus and everyone else was waiting for Regulus to floo in. The children and Sirius were especially gippy about Regulus homecoming. Sirius was sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace showing the four kids how to use the confetti. “One minute kids.” Sirius said with a big grin.

The Fireplace flashed green and Regulus stepped out. Before Remus got a good look at the man the kids twisted the confetti and Regulus was covered by it. “Welcome home!” Sirius shouted and tackled his brother into a hug. Regulus would have fallen back into the fireplace if someone else hadden stepped out right at that moment.

Regulus patted his brothers back. “I think you can let go of me now. I’m not going anywhere.” He whispered so no one else could hear. Sirius let go after a while. but kept his hands on his brother's shoulders.

“Let me take a good look at my brother then.” Sirius moved his eyes over Regulus' face with a big grin on his face. Regulus noticed Sirius' eyes looking past him. Regulus turned his head to see that Bill was now standing behind him with a hand on Regulus back.
“Oh. Yeah I forgot to tell you that I was bringing Bill. Sirius, this is Bill, my friend. Bill, this is Sirius, my brother.” Sirius let both of them step more into the room before turning to Bill with a smile.

“A pleasure to meet you Bill.” Sirius offered his hand which Bill took.

“The pleasure is all mine.” Bill winked which took Sirius off guard but in the best way possible. Regulus gave Bill a look that Sirius couldn’t understand but it made the redhead cheeks warm.

Everyone had been waiting for the brothers to get their moment before moving to greet Regulus. Pandora, Barty, Evan and Dorcas were the first ones to take Regulus into a group hug.

“Damn Reg. If you ever get lonely you can always join me and Evan.” Barty said with a wink. Evan nudged Barty on the ribs which made Barty smirk at his boyfriend.

“What Barty meant is that you look well and we missed you.” Evan said.

“You really do look like you are doing well.” Pandora said with a soft voice.

“Yeah, Damn Reggie if I wasn’t a lesbian I’d definitely fuck you.” Dorcas said with a smirk.

Oh, how much Regulus had missed his friends.

“It’s good to see you and all, but where is my goddaughter?” Regulus looked at Pandora, ready for a baby to be handed to him.

“There with the other kids.” Pandora pointed to the corner where four kids were playing explosive snaps. Regulus' jaw dropped. They were all so big already. He didn’t say anything, he just walked to the kids. He felt tears gathering in his eyes, but he took a deep breath. He promised himself he wouldn’t cry.

The first kid to notice him was of course Luna. Who quickly got up. “Reggie!” She yelled running to him. He picked her up into a hug. She was so much older than the last time he had sawn her. Well she was ten already.

“Why are you crying?” Luna asked, wiping Regulus' face.

“You’re all grown up. And I wasn’t here.”

Luna looked Regulus straight in the eyes for a while before answering.” You’re here now and I’m only ten. I will still live many years.”

Regulus gave a wet chuckle. “That’s true.”

Regulus felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Lily next to him looking at the kids. “They grow up so fast don’t they?” She was looking at Harry with a warm mother gaze.

“Way too fast.” Regulus replied. “It’s lovely to see you again Lily. I heard you and Mary got married. Congratulations. Sorry I couldn’t make it.”

“Thank you. It’s okay I know you were busy. And it’s really good to see you too, Regulus. I’m glad you are back.” She smiled up at him.

Regulus let Luna down and walked over to the kids with her. He sat down next to Draco. Draco was sitting, legs crossed, playing with the hem of his shirt. He hadn’t yet looked at Regulus.

“Hi Draco.” Regulus said softly as the other three kids continued playing.

“Hi Reg.” Draco said so quietly that Regulus almost didn't hear him. He did though and Regulus felt the tears gather in his eyes again.

“Can I give you a hug?” Draco didn’t answer but he did give the smallest of nods, Regulus didn’t wait before he cooped up his godson into a hug.

Regulus felt Draco shake against him. Regulus slowly ran his hand over Draco’s hair in a calming manner. Regulus had felt most horrible leaving Draco behind. Draco had always been a sensitive boy and having an abusive father hadn’t helped his childhood. Thankfully Lucious was now in Azkaban and would be there for the rest of his life for all of his crimes. Regulus hadn’t been here for Draco and he would never forgive himself for that but now he was here and he would do everything to make sure the boy doesn’t ever have to feel pain again.

Regulus kept Draco close to him as he cried.

“He missed you a lot.” Regulus opened his eyes to see Narcissa infront of him. She had a supportive hand on his son's back.

“Tu m'as manqué aussi, mon étoile.” (I missed you too, my star.)

“Ne partez plus jamais.” Draco said with a small voice. Draco’s grip tightened on Regulus' neck. (Never leave again)

“Je promets que je ne le ferai pas.” Draco sighed before letting go of Regulus. (i promise I won’t.)

"Dad, he is really handsome." Regulus lifted his eyes to look at Harry who was trying to whisper to his dad but whispering wasn't really his strong suit. James was now sitting behind his son.

"He is." James fake whispered back to his son. He winked at Regulus. Who just rolled his eyes.

"It's good to see you too James. And you Harry you have grown so much."

"Thank you." Harry said with a blush. Regulus smiled at the adorable child.

"I'm here too." The girl on Harry's right said, crossing her arms over her chest. Lifting her chin.

"I see you, Jara. You too have grown. Do you think you can beat me in chess yet?" Regulus lifted a challenging eyebrow. The girl grinned. She got up and walked over to Regulus.

"Yes. I challenge you in a match." She held out her hand for Regulus to shake.

"I accept." Regulus took her small hand and shook it.

"Oh no. He has been here for 10 minutes and you are making him play chess.” Regulus turned to look at Marlene who was standing over him with a smile. Trying to look stern as she looked at her kid. “Good to see you Baby Black.” Marlenen turned to look at Regulus with a smile. “Let Regulus say hi to everyone before playing okay.” Jara nodded.

Regulus got up from the floor. He looked around the room and found James standing with Remus. He went to them next. They both smiled at him. “Hi guys.” He said with a small wave. He didn’t get to say anything before James pulled him into a hug. Regulus hugged James back. James always gave the best hugs just like his mother. After a while James took a step back taking a better look at Regulus.

“You look really good Reg.” Fifteen years ago Regulus would have fainted if James Potter had complimented him like that but now he only thanked James. There was no flutter in his stomach.

“Dad!” They turned to look at Harry who was yelling with a grin on his face. “Come look Bill has a really cool watch.” James smiled at Regulus before making his way over to his kid.

Regulus turned to Remus. Remus was already looking at him. Remus' eyes seemed a bit darker than usual. Maybe it was the coming moon. Regulus felt his stomach turn. He was probably hungry.

“Hi Remus.” Regulus said softly.

The moment Remus got a first good glance at Regulus' face he felt himself freeze. It felt as though time had stopped. Regulus had changed a lot, but at the same time not much. He was handsome but still so very beautiful. He had much shorter hair now, it was barely to his jaw. His jawline was much sharper. Eyes much brighter.

Oh no.

Remus was fucked.

He couldn’t take his eyes off Regulus the whole time he was talking to his friends and the kids and literally everyone but Remus. Regulus was a natural with the kids, they all loved him. And Remus loved watching him.

It took Remus a second to realize Regulus had said something. He was even more beautiful now that he was closer.

“Hi.” Remus hoped he didn’t sound as breathless as he felt. His breath hinged when Regulus smiled at him.

“I heard you’ll be the defense against the dark arts professor next year.”

“Yeah. We’ll see how it goes. If it goes okay I might stay there.”

“You’ll do great, I know it. I’ve been saying you should be a professor for the last seventeen years. I’m glad Albus finally opened his eyes.”

Remus smiled. “I remember the first time was when we were studying in the library in my third year and I had just taught you the disarming charm after you had struggled with it for a long time.” Regulus chuckled remembering that. Remus smiled wider.

“I can’t believe I struggled with a disarming charm.”

“Yeah, well you were 12.”

“True.” For a while they didn’t say anything, just stared at each other. Remus had to look away. He cleared his throat

“I heard you’ll be the new potions master.” Remus said with a raised eyebrow.

Regulus grimaced. “Yes and that’s very scary.”

“I know right. But I’ve been saying for a long time that you should be a professor too.”

“At least we are in this together.”

Remus opened his mouth to answer something but Bill Weasley came behind Regulus and put a hand over his shoulder. Regulus turned to Bill. Remus closed his mouth.

“Bill Weasley.” He said, offering his other hand to Remus. He was grinning, like he knew something Remus didn’t. Remus didn’t like the guy for some reason but he still shook his hand.

“Remus Lupin. It’s nice to meet you.” Remus tried to smile but it felt more like a scowl.

“Oh.” Bill said, looking at Regulus with raised eyebrows. “ The Remus Lupin, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Regulus rolled his eyes. “Don’t listen to Bill, he is just a stupid kid. “ For some reason Regulus calling Bill a stupid kid made Remus happy.

“Hey. I’m 25, only five years younger than you.”

“And when I met you, you were 18 and a stupid brat.”

Bill grinned at Regulus. “And you still love me.”

“I love you exactly as much as the giant squid in Hogwarts’ lake.” Regulus said with a deadpan expression.

“You’re so mean.” Bill said before turning to Remus.”You can have him.” He winked at Remus before leaving them alone again. Regulus rolled his eyes but a fond smile made its way on Regulus’ lips.

“Sorry for him.”

“It’s okay. How do you know each other?”

“We worked together in Brazil and Egypt. He was only an apprentice when I met him, but he grew on me and now we are actually roommates, because we both decided to move back to London at the same time.”

“ He seems.. enthusiastic.”

Regulus sighed. “You have no idea. I was actually pretty scared for him to meet Barty and Sirius. Because those three would cause so much chaos.” Just when Regulus had finished his sentence there was a toddler being dropped onto his arms.

“Hold her will you.” Barty said with a smile before going to Bill and Sirius. Regulus stared at the man's back. Before blinking a few times and turning to the blonde toddler who was staring at him with big brown eyes. Remus watched as Regulus' eyes softened.

“You must be Rosie.” Regulus gooed with the fondest smile on his face. Remus felt a squeeze in his heart. The toddler made grabby hands towards Regulus.

“Weggie.” The small one smiled so wide you could see all her five teeth. Regulus looked up at Remus with a shocked expression that made Remus chuckle.

“She knows my name.” Regulus said with wide eyes.

“Well, I don’t think your name is Weggie.” Remus grinned. Regulus stepped at Remus' side so he could nug him in the rib.

“Oh shut up. She is one. You didn’t learn my name until fifth year, you always called me Reggie.”

“I knew your name.” Remus said with an amused smile shaking his head.

“Oh yeah. Then why did you never call me Regulus?” Regulus squinted his eyes at Remus while he let Rosie play with the rings on his left hand.

“You always blushed when I called you Reggie.” Remus grinned when Regulus blushed. Regulus never turned red but there was the faintest pink that covered his freckles, nose and cheeks.

“I don’t blush.” Regulus said, looking at Rosie. Not meeting Remus' eyes.

Remus leaned closer. “Sure you don’t Reggie.” Remus whispered to Regulus' ear before walking away leaving behind a flustered Regulus.

Both Remus and Regulus had been oblivious to the looks they had been getting and the bet that had been made.