Comfortable Uncomfortability
As Harry got comfortable Regulus began to explain everything.
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1979
Regulus was sitting in his bedroom in Grimmauld Place writing a letter. Today was the day he planned to betray the Dark Lord and he knew that there was no way he would survive this. Even if he were to somehow make it out of the cave alive there was no way he would survive the Dark Lord’s wrath. So, there he sat at his desk writing a note to put in the fake locket; writing his suicide note. It read:
To the Dark Lord - I know I will be dead long before you read this, but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more. - R.A.B.
Folding up the note in an orderly fashion he locked it away in the locket’s replica that was hanging around his neck. Regulus took a deep breath, sighed, and called for Kreacher.
Regulus felt guilty for having his house elf, his closest friend come back into the cave with him especially after he was tortured by the Dark Lord in that very same place. It was something that would haunt him, even in his death. Kreacher cracked into the room and Regulus took the elf’s small hand in his and apparated them to the cave’s entrance.
Shivering due to the cold, wet atmosphere the two made their way into the cave. Upon making it towards the wall, Regulus looked down to see Kreacher getting ready to cut his hand. Regulus immediately stops him,” I will do it, I don’t need you getting hurt.” With that being said Regulus took out his wand and made a small cut in his hand that he then placed on the cave’s wall. The hidden door creaked open to show a large lake behind it. On the shore lay a small wooden boat that the two slowly clambered to.
Sitting down, Regulus immediately grabbed the two oars and started rowing towards the island in the center of the large cavern. It was completely silent aside from the quiet sloshing of water against the oars as Regulus and Kreacher got closer. Finally reaching the island, Regulus stopped rowing and let Kreacher walk out first. Quickly following the small house elf, Regulus climbed out of the boat and onto the rocky island that had a single pedestal with a small bowl in it.
Looking down at Kreacher, he began to recite their plan one last time,” I will drink the potion in this bowl. Even if I want to stop you cannot let me, I must finish it. That being said, you Kreacher must take the locket once the bowl is empty and immediately replace it with the replica. Then you must leave, no matter what. You must get out safely and destroy the locket in any way that you can. You cannot let anyone see it or know about it. Do you understand?” The house elf sadly shook his head in recognition at his master.
Trusting that Kreacher would follow through with his directions, Regulus grabbed the shell and began to drink the vile contents of the bowl. A few sips in and Regulus was crying and begging for his pain to be ended. Memories of his past were haunting the poor young man and torturing him. His house elf only crying as a result of his master’s pain and telling him he must continue. With the bowl nearly empty, Regulus was inconsolable and began to hear a third voice above his and Kreacher’s. Not thinking much of it because he wasn’t in the correct state of mind, Regulus continued to force the potion down his throat.
Taking the last sip, Regulus let out the most anguished scream he could muster, all of his worst memories flooding his mind. Regulus fell to his knees away from the pedestal sobbing and begging for his death. As Kreacher replaced the locket in the bowl with its fake twin, Regulus felt hands grab his wrists and ankles and drag him into the depths of the lake. Already being so acceptant of his death, Regulus put up no fight against the Inferi. Soon the lack of oxygen began to burn his lungs, so Regulus decided to stop fighting it and take in a mouth full of water in replacement for air. Just as the water started to fill his lungs, he felt two hands on his wrists tugging at him to break the surface. Coughing and sputtering, Regulus was thrown out of the water to look directly into the silvery blue eyes of Pandora.
Regulus passed out.
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Regulus slowly opened his eyes trying to adjust to the light above him. Groaning as he sat up, he began to look around the room. Quickly becoming familiar with the room, he was laying in, Regulus recognized it as Pandora’s apartment that she shared with her boyfriend, Xenophilius Lovegood. Regulus’ hoarse voice began to call out to see if anyone was in the room, almost immediately he heard rustling in the adjacent room and a voice call out,” I’m coming, I'm coming, be patient.”
The familiar voice got closer as Pandora walked into his sight. Suddenly the recent events began to flood Regulus’ mind; apparating to the cave with Kreacher, drinking the potion, drowning, being saved by Pandora. Regulus shot up completely from the couch he had been laying on and towered over Pandora.” how the bloody hell did you know where I was,” Regulus threw at her. Pandora put up her hands in an act of surrender, “just let me explain. You are in no state to be up and about, let alone yelling.” Sighing the young man sat back down on the couch,” explain.”
Pandora started right away,” last night when I was dreaming, I had a premonition. I saw you apparating to the cave. Then I saw everything, you drinking the potion, sobbing and falling in pain as Kreacher replaced the locket, you being pulled down by the inferior. Finally, I saw your tombstone. I saw your grave Regulus. With your full name and today’s date. I couldn’t just let you die. So, I waited all day and as soon as I felt that you were in danger I apparated to the cave.”
Regulus sat processing everything his friend had just told him. Without a second thought, he reached over and hugged Pandora as best he could considering he never really hugged anybody. Pandora simply hugged back and savored the rare moment.
“Thank you. You saved me.” Pulling away Regulus began to form more questions. He didn’t actually know how to break the locket and he definitely thought other people should know about the Horcrux. As if reading his mind, Pandora asked, “who are we going to tell about the Horcrux?” They both knew that the Order of Pheonix should know about the Dark Lord’s only weakness, the only question was how they would tell them.
Pandora turned to Regulus giving him a knowing look, “if anyone were to tell him, he’d trust you the most. You and I both know it.” Regulus sighed knowing that Pandora was right as much as he didn’t want to admit it. “I don’t even know where he is, Pandora.” She gave him a stupid look,” but your Patronus definitely could find him.” With that being said Regulus begrudgingly pulled out his wand and recited the incantation.
Flowing out of its Masters’ wand the wispy, a blue stag leapt out to go find James Potter.
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Less than 15 minutes later Regulus, Pandora, and Kreacher were all apparating outside of the Potters’ apartment. Landing on the front door mat, Regulus took a deep breath. Receiving a reassuring smile from Pandora he knocked on the door. Within mere seconds the door was flung open, and a wand was thrown in his face, "what two constellations did I always mix up in my 6th year?" Immediately knowing the answer Regulus quickly countered with, "Orion and Taurus." As James lowered his wand everyone in the small doorway released a breath, they didn't realize they were holding. "Come in. Come in," Lily ushered them all into the apartment's living room from where she stood behind James.
With everyone sitting down on the sofa and nearby chairs, all heads were turned to look expectantly at the young Black. So, he began to recite everything that he had learned about the Dark Lord's Horcruxes and the events that had occurred earlier in the day. The entire time he had been staring at his hands, fiddling with the singular Black family ring laying on his left ring finger. Finally looking up, James began to collect his thoughts and speak up.
Things were still uncomfortably awkward between the two young men since the elder had found out about Regulus’ dark mark. Once James had found out, they had never really spoken again. So now sitting across from him in his apartment, Regulus can’t find himself able to make eye contact.
“So, Voldemort” both Regulus and Kreacher flinched at the name, “split his soul, at the very least once, making him as close to immortal as possible. He made a Horcrux into the locket that you just found, but don’t know how to destroy. And now you want to betray him by coming to the Order with all of this?” At the end of his rant, James looked at Pandora and Regulus expectantly. “Basically,” is all that Pandora said.
“Ok,” James said while letting out a breath and getting up. “Where are you going,” Lily questioned. “We need to call the others, we need Sirius, Remus, Alice, Frank, Marlene, Mary, and Peter.” Upon hearing the last name, Regulus flinched, “you can’t call Peter.” “Why not?!” James immediately threw back at the younger man slightly raising his voice.
Regulus stuttered unsure if he should tell James or not. “I-I’ve seen him. I’ve seen him at the death eater meetings.” James shot up and looked at Regulus as if he’d completely lost it. “That is too far. You can come to my house. You can ask for help. But you cannot accuse my friend of being a Death Eater.” Feeling guilty Regulus shrunk back into himself and softly told him, “You can take my memory if you need, but you have to believe me.” Looking defeated, James sat back down. Putting a hand on his shoulder, Lily got up and began to floo their friends in the Order.
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1997
Harry, who to give credit where it’s due, sat and listened the entire time. Albeit with a bouncing leg and fidgeting hands, but the young man contained himself to listen as intently as he could. However as if on cue, the second Regulus finished talking he was spitting out as many questions as he could think of.
“Did my dad help you? Why is your Patronus a stag? Why didn’t you go to Dumbledore? Pandora as in Luna’s mom? What happened to Peter? Did you break the Locket? Did you find more Horcruxes?” Finally regaining his breath again, Harry looked expectantly at the older man sitting next to him. “OK one at a time.”
“Yes, James helped us after that day, and yes Pandora as in Pandora Lovegood, Luna’s mother. We could not trust Dumbledore; in case you have not noticed that he was a power-hungry manipulator. “At that Harry gave a face of consideration turned to understanding. “Peter was caught by your godfather the night of Hallow’s Eve, but he framed your godfather as I’m sure you have already heard. After a few years, we were finally able to break the Locket. And yes, we did find and destroy two others over the past few years.” “You didn’t answer my second question.” Harry’s green eyes were burning a hole into what felt like Regulus’ soul. Rubbing the palms of his hands against his eyes, he decided to answer,” Your father’s Patronus is a stag.” Harry only looked more confused than he had before, “I don’t understand.”
After several uncomfortable moments, Harry finally took a sharp intake of breath saying, “You and him? Kind of like me and…” Harry cut himself off before he could say anything else. “Like you and who, Harry?” He diligently ignored the question. “Never mind me, you dated my dad!” Realizing exactly what Regulus meant, Harry could feel himself start to get excited thinking of his dad’s previous relationship before marrying his mum. “That means we’ve all got matching stags! That’s bloody brilliant!” Harry was absolutely beaming with joy. Regulus gave a small chuckle at his excitement, relieved that he was reacting so well.
Calming back down, Harry realized something he hadn’t before. “You made the same mistake again.” Regulus simply stared in confusion at the young man. “You said ‘is.’ You said my dad’s Patronus is a stag. He’s dead.” Regulus, realizing his mistake, took a deep sigh preparing himself for the next topic of conversation. “Harry, what do you know about the night you got that scar?” He questioned whilst pointing at the scar that cascaded down the man’s forehead the same way lightning would illuminate a stormy sky. Harry answered with, “Voldemort killed my father and when he went to kill me, my mother’s love saved me killing her and leaving me alive.”
“Ok. What I am going to tell you may be confusing, but I need you to stay with me. Alright?” Harry nodded his head. “As we already discussed, Dumbledore could not be trusted with the Horcruxes, well that wasn’t the only thing we couldn’t trust him with. When your parents found out about the prophecy that Voldemort sought to change, Dumbledore immediately suggested that they go into hiding, making Peter the only person to know of their location, a Fidelius Charm. By then we had known Peter had long switched sides so that made us even more apprehensive about Dumbledore. So, on the night of Hallow’s Eve, the Potters were ready for Voldemort to come, except not everything went according to plan. Peter showed up before the attack to distract the Potters. And in their distraction, Voldemort got in and attempted to kill you. Of course, he was unsuccessful, but the entire world thought Lily and James were dead, including Dumbledore. They had dueled with Voldemort until in his final attempt to win he shot a killing curse right at you. Your parents cast a protection charm so strong, filled with so much love that you survived and Voldemort died. Or at least a portion of his soul did that night. After the attack Dumbledore came and stole you from them however, forcing your parents to go into hiding.”
“S-so that means, my parents,” Harry couldn’t even finish his sentence, his eyes glistening with tears. “Yes,” is all that Regulus said and at that exact moment, a door opened at the end of the hall connected to the living room.
Out stepped two people. A beautiful woman with bright emerald eyes and wavy long red hair. Behind her was a tall man with unruly raven hair, hazel eyes, and round glasses sitting on the bridge of his nose. Harry immediately stood up with tears streaming down his face that matched the tears of the couple approaching him. As soon as they got close enough the three adults crashed into a hug. Harry quickly began to sob into the new yet familiar embrace of his parents. They stood in the living room hugging for several minutes before Harry made to move out of it. Lily immediately began to apologize, “I’m so sorry we left you, my darling boy. I’m so sorry. We never should’ve left you. You’re so strong. We’re so very sorry.” James stood behind her with an arm around her waist and tears silently streaming down his face. He turned to Regulus and mouthed “thank you.” Regulus nodded in return and walked out to the room the couple had come from.
Calming down, the small family made their way to sit on the couch. Harry was still in a state of disbelief as the fact that his parents were alive and breathing in front of him sunk in. The first thing he said since they had come out was, “I love you, mum and dad.” Something he had dreamt of saying for as long as he could remember. The couple gave him matching watery smiles saying, “We love you too, Harry.”
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After sitting, the adults were frozen in a state of awe from the most recent events, Harry finally decided to break the silence. “So don’t get me wrong, it is beyond amazing seeing the two of you, something I dreamt of when I was younger, I have to ask. Where were you? My entire childhood I was raised as an orphan. But here you are, my parents alive and breathing. So, what happened.” Harry could feel his heart rate start to rise as he attempted to keep his temper under control.
His mother’s eyes were immediately saddened at his small outburst and his father quickly went to try and explain. “We couldn’t, Harry. We wanted to, desperately but we couldn’t.” “Bullshit,” Harry yelled,” you’re my parents! I thought you both were murdered, my entire life. Until Hogwarts I had nobody. All while I was stuck in that horrible house. With your sister,” he looked pointedly at his mother,” I cleaned for them, cooked for them, lived in a cupboard for Merlin’s sake; I could never please them. I was punished, starved, hit, yelled at, and where were my parents?! You both were dead.” Harry’s voice cracked on the last word, and he sat down with tears silently streaming down his face.
“We fought, for years to get you. Sirius fought; Remus fought. We fought Dumbledore to give you back to us. Every time we tried, we failed. He put a blood protection on you, Harry. There was no way for us to have you back, for you to be anywhere else. You were stuck by Dumbledore’s magic to live with your Aunt and Uncle until the second you turned 17. The second that Regulus found you and brought you here.” Lily tried her best to explain the extent of the full situation.
“Whatever Dumbledore told you about your housing was completely wrong, Harry. Trust me, trust us. He cast powerful, powerful magic on you binding you to your Aunt and Uncle. There is no known way to break the spell. So, we had no choice but to plan for your 17th birthday. Where we could finally see you, be with you again,” Lily finished explaining. James picked off where his wife left off. “We did not let any time go to waste, son. We hunted Horcruxes, destroyed them, we researched and researched to gain an upper hand on Voldemort. We anonymously built up the Order of the Pheonix from the crumbles it was left in after the first war. We did everything that we possibly could to ensure that your childhood was not in vain.”
Harry, finally making eye contact with his parents, began to understand. “I believe you, both of you. I just can’t forgive you right away.” Both his parents nodded in understanding and moved to hug their son.
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The newly reunited family had been sat talking for about an hour before a small knock could be heard from the room the Potters were originally in. James exclaimed, ”I nearly forgot, we have two more surprises for you.” Harry looked confused, glancing between his father and the door. Slightly on edge Harry slowly stood from the couch as the door creaked open.
With a tight grip on his wand, sitting in his back pocket Harry crept closer to the door. As it was fully opened now and stood in the doorway was no other but his godfather. “Sirius,” Harry breathed out as he rushed to give him a hug. Pulling away he saw a second figure standing behind Sirius. Harry quickly rushed to pull Remus into a big hug. When he went to stand back, he did so with a large grin on his face. “I’ve missed you guys,” he exclaimed while making eye contact with the two. “Happy birthday, Harry,” Remus told him while Sirius said, “you’re finally an adult now!” Laughing he thanked the older man.
“We’ve got just one more surprise for you,” Sirius said moving forward so that he and Remus were no longer blocking the doorway. Suddenly walking out of the doorway with his cousin, Regulus standing behind him was Draco Malfoy.