gentle
After a while they all gathered around the table to have dinner. Regulus made a mental note to go see Kreacher, he missed that little geezer. Regulus was sitting between Rosie who had her own special chair and Draco. Draco had kept close to Regulus the whole time and Regulus was pleasantly surprised to find out how well the boy spoke french. Narcissa had told him earlier that Draco wanted to learn it so he could speak with Regulus so others couldn't understand them. It warmed Regulus' heart.
The whole dinner was a loud affair. Especially with Barty, Bill, Sirius and Jara sitting near each other. Jara was talking enthusiastically with the men, her eyes shining. Regulus noticed how she blushed everytime Bill grinned at her. To Regulus' amusement Bill had the same effect on Sirius but not so noticeable, but Regulus could tell and so did James. He shared many glances with Regulus rolling their eyes to the older Black.
Regulus fed Rosie while also eating himself. Rosie was trying really hard to eat by herself but most of the food dropped to her lap and she always seemed shocked when there was nothing to make it to her mouth. Regulus would chuckle with Evan at his daughter. She was the cutest child Regulus had seen. Not that he would ever say it out loud. But her dark skin and white curly hair and those eyes. Regulus was melting.
Draco kept quiet most of the time but he did join a conversation Harry was having with Regulus about quidditch. Both of the boys wanted to play once they got to Hogwards. Regulus told both of them that they would definitely make it to the team, they would just have to wait a couple of years max.
Regulus talked to Lily and Remus about the books he had been reading and the two talked about their upcoming books. Remus was a little bit sad he wouldn’t have time writing but at the same time he was excited to be a professor.
Pandora kept Mary and Narcissa occupied while she told them about the new flowers she was growing in her gardens. Marlene and James were talking about their own childhood before Hogwards while Dorcas was listening to their crazy stories.
Everything was perfect. Oh, how Regulus had missed this.
When it was time for desert Sirius pulled out a bottle of firewhisky. In a half an hour Sirius, Bill and Barty were dancing in the sitting room. The other adults were sitting on couches watching Jara play Chess against Regulus. Draco was sitting next to the chess board. He stared at the pieces intensely. Harry and Luna were playing astronauts running from the sitting room to the kitchen and back. Rosie was sitting on Dorcas lap as Marlene gooed at the baby.
Regulus won. But Jara had improved a lot and Regulus told her that. Draco insisted on playing against Regulus too. Of course Regulus was all for it. The game against Draco took much longer. Draco would have won if he hadn’t been so tired. Narcissa took Draco upstairs to sleep in one of the guest rooms after Regulus had given the boy a hug and a good night kiss, promising to be there in the morning.
During that game Evan, Marlene, James, Dorcas and Mary had joined the dancing trio. Regulus went to sit on the couch next to Lily who was now holding Rosie. Rosie looked like she was ready to go to bed.
“I can take her to bed.” Regulus said to Lily. Lily smiled at Regulus and gave him Rosie who was almost asleep. Lily went to her wife.
“Weg.” She mumbled as Regulus pulled her closer to his chest. She grabbed one of Regulus fingers, the one that was holding the snake ring. Regulus got up from the coach.
“I’m going to take her upstairs.” He told Remus who was sitting on the opposite coach. Remus got up as well and took a step closer to Reg.
“I’ll come too. These people are giving me a headache.” Regulus nodded with a smile. They walked out of the sitting room. Luna ran straight to Regulus' legs. Luna fell backwards and collided with Harry who had been running behind her.
Regulus quickly crouched down still holding the now sleeping baby. “Are you okay?” He asked while he helped the girl stand back up while Remus was helping Harry.
“Yes.” Luna said with a laugh. “That was funny. I went like ugh, and then like ah and then Harry was there and he went like aagh.” Luna laughed harder holding her stomach. Harry joined in the laughter.
“Shh.” Remus hushed the laughing kids. “Rosie is asleep, don’t wake her up.”
“We won’t.” Harry tried to whisper but it came out much louder. Remus gave Regulus an amused look and Regulus smiled.
“Good.” Regulus whispered.
“Can I give Rosie a good night kiss?” Luna asked, inching closer to Regulus.
“Of course.” Luna leaned over to kiss the baby on the forehead.
“Me too.” Harry said excitedly. Regulus made a hand gesture for Harry to come closer. Harryleaned forward and gave the baby a kiss on the cheek. ”Muah.”
“Now Rosie will sleep really well knowing you too are there to protect her from anything.” Regulus told the two kids who looked at each other and beamed at Regulus.
Harry puffed out his chest. “I will protect her from the biggest monsters.”
“I know you will.” Regulus patted Harry’s hair and got up.
He and Remus made their way upstairs to the nursery. The 12 Grimmault was nothing like it was when Regulus grew up there. Sirius had renovated the whole place. The nursery had been one of the first places renovated so that it was ready when Harry was born. James and Lily had at the time been living with Sirius.
Regulus put Rosie down on the crib. Leaning down to press a kiss on her forehead.
Remus was sure he was going to die. Watching Regulus be so so gentle with the kids smiling and laughing with everyone.
Oh, Remus was going to die.
He didn’t even know what was happening to him. It was probably the fact that the moon was in a couple of days. And because he hadn’t seen Regulus in a long time. The wolf was probably just happy to have its pack fully together.
Yes, that had to be it.
“I was thinking about going to the garden to get some fresh air. Do you want to join me?” Regulus whispered after they had made it out of the nursery.
“Yes, please.” Remus needed fresh air. He felt like he was on fire.
Remus followed Regulus to the garden. They sat down on the chairs that were facing the sunset. It was one of the rare days when it was not raining. Remus watched as Regulus closed his eyes and took a deep breath and let it go slowly. He shouldn’t be staring at the man like this but he couldn’t stop either. He needed the full moon done already so that he could get this hot feeling away from his gut.
“Kreacher.” Regulus called and the house elf appeared right away. Regulus smiled at the creature. “Hi Kreacher.”
“Welcome back Master Regulus. I been waiting for you.”
“Kreacher, you know better than to call me master. How has it been?”
“The house always full of life. Never quiet. Kreacher has new friend, Miss Luna.”
“That’s lovely. Luna is nice company.”
“Yes, Miss Luna is nice company. But Kreacher likes Regulus.”
“I like you too, Kreacher. I missed you.”
Kreacher had tears in his big eyes. “Kreacher missed Regulus. Would you like to have anything?”
Regulus turned to Remus. “Tea?” Remus nodded.
“Some tea would be nice, thank you.”
“It will only take a minute.” And Kreacher was gone as quickly as he had appeared.
Just like Kreacher had said a tea tray appeared on the table only a minute after he had left.
Remus and Regulus sat watching the sunset and drinking their teas. They both appreciated the silence. Sometimes it was overwhelming but now it was peaceful.
After a while Regulus spoke.
"Can I join you on the next moon?" Remus was surprised by the sudden question. He turned to look at Regulus but the younger man wouldn't meet his eyes.
The wolf inside Remus was joyous, he felt a big smile making its way on his face. “Of course. I mean if you want to. You don’t have to. I mean it would be nice but you don’t…”
Regulus stopped Remus’ rambling by placing a hand on his knee. “I want to. “ Regulus said softly. Remus met Regulus' eyes looking for a lie but couldn’t find one. Regulus let go of Remus' knee and he almost told Regulus to keep it there. Regulus looked back at the sky where they could now see some stars. “It’s been too long since I have been in my animagus form. I think I should transform before the moon a few times though.”
“I think that would be for the best. We don’t want any accidents.” Regulus nodded and got up. “Wha-” Remus didn’t have time to finish before human Regulus was gone and in his place was a black cat.