Metanoia

Regulus Black could not figure out his opinion of Hogwarts. It was a place he had dreamed and worshiped for as long as he could remember.

Growing up with stories from his cousin's own experiences at the magical school filled with creatures, environments, and people who he could never even begin to envision. An entire year spent free away from his parents disappointment, an entire year without arguments between his mom and brother. And best of all, an entire year spent with Sirius, where they could both be their true authentic selves.

But then instead of becoming the safe haven for him and his brother, it became the place that took his brother away from him.

A part of him didn’t want to blame the school, but even if Sirius tried to not be obvious, his time at Hogwarts allowed him the opportunity to find what his brother had wanted all along, friends.

Even during the months leading up to September it was as if Sirius was becoming bolder because he knew that he would be free soon. And with the nearing of his freedom, the more his brother stepped away from him, as if his brother was preparing for the time where he didn't have the burden of protecting Regulus.

So when Sirius came back from that school, he only became even more unreachable to Regulus. Instead of spending their nights looking at the stars from their rooms together Sirius locked himself away, instead of quiet but fun chess games, Sirius wrote to his friends.

From what Regulus could comprehend even as young as he was, he couldn’t help but notice how often Sirius used their family owl for the couple months he was home. Every time he sent off a letter or multiple with Kanik, Sirius would rest against the window and sigh wistfully watching as the Owl flew off, as if wishing, willing that he would be the one leaving, not Kanik.

And when Sirius would spend those few afternoons that he actually chose to be with Regulus he spent that time snapping at Regulus for comments Regulus never got snapped at before. To make it even worse his insults were always accompanied with lectures about how thoughtless Regulus was about Hogwarts and the idea of family; and told him that he wasn't allowed to be a 'slimy snake'.

The part that probably stung the most though was when Sirius told him if he was even nearly half as good as James Potter he would know better than to align himself with the House of Dark.

But then, when Regulus saw Hogwarts for the first time, it was truly the most gorgeous sight he ever had beheld. It was grand and ancient but the feeling of home that encompassed him as soon as he entered its halls was so unforgettable that for a moment it didn't even matter that his brother would never be considered family in these halls.

So in the end Regulus couldn’t bring himself to decide how to class Hogwarts.

Even now, the young Slytherin, who was out on his nightly walk near the black lake, could not find a way to decide between the separation and welcome the school instilled into his life.

His walks at night had become a recurring pattern for the past two months. The first time he had ever gone near the lake had been when he had accidentally  lost track of the time at the library and needed to get back to the common room.

It had only been a week into the school year, and he wasn’t nearly as accustomed to the layout and how to get back to the common room as Regulus liked to think.

During his walk back and in an unfortunate train of events Regulus accidentally ran smack dab into James Potter, with an unhappy Sirius Black beside him.

The tension between them had been uncomfortable to say the least, with their only interaction since getting to Hogwarts was the accidental eye contact they had made after Regulus’s sorting.

The younger brother understood his brother was upset, if those previous lectures during the summer were any inclination of how he would react. But even with his new attitude and opinions of their family and life, Sirius was still his older brother. The older brother that covered him from their mom when Regulus accidentally tracked dirt in the house from flying or used to watch the stars with him. 

So when Regulus had looked to send his brother a reassuring but apologetic smile, he didn't receive the pouting but still loving look he would get from Sirius when he messed up.

Instead his brother glared at him, with eyes full of a hate he wasn't used to. Then, James Potter patted Sirius, who turned his attention away from Regulus refusing to look at him for the rest of the night.

And that was the beginning of the end in a way, without a single conversation, Sirius had made his message very clear. It was so different and yet so eerily similar to the familiar pattern that every Black family member had been taught.

When you disappointed the family, you were exiled, burned off the tapestry with no hope of ever returning to the place you once held in your family.

And no matter how many times Sirius had berated or yelled that a tapestry didn’t symbolize his bonds with them and that it didn't matter if he was burned off because it was a barbaric act, he was doing the same thing himself in that moment.

He was burning his own tapestry, except instead of a piece of cloth in their ancestral home, it was in his own heart. And he had decided with the call of a hat that Regulus was no longer a part of his.

As a result, when Sirius saw his brother in that dark hall, all he saw was a slimy snake in need of defanging. Not his eleven year old baby brother who was lost at night.

The Gryffindor brunette said and did nothing as Sirius stepped forward with nothing but cruel words leaving his lips. As he used his slightly bigger physique to push Regulus down, asking him if his mother was proud of him for being nothing but a good for nothing snake unable to think for himself.

Regulus had been unable to say anything, in shock for the first ever truly cruel treatment from his brother. His once biggest protector is now nothing more than the kid that bullies him at night. He spoke no words choosing instead to run away and to the first open doors that took him outside and to the lake.

He didn’t start his walks until a few days later, instead that night he laid near the lake clutching his long sleeves as he cried for the first time since entering Hogwarts.

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The air was somewhat chilly with the seasons slowly changing into winter but Regulus was too busy staring at the different stars above him.

Ever since he had cried himself to sleep that night Regulus had developed an even bigger comfort and interest in seeing the stars.

His wandering thoughts were interrupted by unfamiliar scuffles and frantic noises from farther up the hill. He slowed to a stop near the tree he was walking past to watch what looked like two dark silhouettes stumble down the hill. 

From his positioning it looked as if a person was carrying someone or something big down the hill towards the dark water. There were soft curses mixed with an unusual language Regulus wasn't used to and the raven haired male melded himself into the tree wanting to see where his curiosity led him.

The pair of shadows were getting closer and he could now recognize one of the shadows, it was a boy around his age or a year above. The boy didn't notice Regulus, too busy trying to catch himself as he stumbled and fell, dropping what now looked like a girl as he tripped over her.

"Shit- oh Merlin shit Emma, Emma pay attention to me- I-- I need you to get up. I can't carry you anymore." The boy seemed to be in a panic as he tried picking her up but again fell down, now clutching his head.

"Emma- come on I know you can hear me my strength is draining too we need to get to the water." Regulus's eyebrow rose up slightly but he didn't move, the two of them seemed to be Hufflepuffs from the look of their robes.

The girl was getting worse by the second as she let out a pained groan. Her skin was becoming incredibly dry, and even in the dark night Regulus could see the large pieces of skin peeling. The other boy had given up trying to wake the girl- Emma, up.

The boy was blonde and he pushed himself up onto all fours, wrapping one arm around Emma and dragging both himself and her along the ground to the water which was still too far away for them to drag themselves.

The Slytherin didn't wish to give away his position but as he watched the boy continuously moan and hiss from whatever pain he felt as he dragged the girl Regulus figured he had no choice. 

He said nothing walking to the pair of students and the blonde boy looked up at him, his eyes going wide. He was clearly too panicked not even questioning the possible ramifications of a Slytherin, a Black specifically, coming up to him.

 "Help me please." He whimpered, his own skin was somehow now peeling but Emma, whoever she was, was definitely in a worse state.

Regulus nodded, ignoring his question instead going down and picking up the girl that looked to be lifeless, her weight was too much for him. And with the male seemingly now too weak to get up, Regulus wrapped one of the girl’s arms around his shoulder, stumbling to the shore.

Once he was at the edge he submerged her enough so that she wouldn't drown but was still surrounded by the water.

He glanced back to see the blonde was now up a little holding himself on his knees and elbows. Regulus walked up to him and pulled him up wrapping the boy's arm around his shoulder. He helped, but really dragged the nearly limp blonde and placed him down looking towards where the girl had been.

Regulus took a double take, to look at the now empty spot she had been, the area was now cleared with nothing more but a few bubbles rising from under the water. "Oh Salazar!" Regulus gasped, taking off his shoes and stepping into the water quickly. He swiped his hands in the water looking into the incredibly dark lake for a glimpse of light skin.

The blonde male raised his head to watch Regulus, an unsaid question in his eyes.

"I’m looking for your friend!" Regulus exclaimed exasperatedly, even a trained upbringing could do nothing to hide the fear that bled through his voice as he stepped further into the freezing water without a thought. His only focus was on searching for the girl, all whilst cursing her in his head for being idiotic enough to slip in the water, but his thoughts were cut short with the sound of heavy giggling.

Regulus turned around to stare incredulously at the Hufflepuff who must’ve lost his mind even more to be laughing at the thought of his friend possibly drowning.

"She is perfectly fine." The blonde sighed while Regulus continued to watch him saying nothing as if expecting for a better explanation. But before he could actually voice his thoughts a new sound echoed into the night sky, splashes.

"Matt, the water is even better than the bathtub!" A female voice laughed and Regulus' eyes widened noticeably as he witnessed the previous normal girl come forward, a large and very not human-like tail behind her.

The girl stopped for a moment, eyes widening as she made eye contact with the surprised boy. "Emma it's okay, he helped us get here." The boy, Matt, mumbled keeping his eyes closed as he waited for his headache to finally stop.

"Who are you?" The girl asked, as if every single person not in Slytherin doesn’t know to stay away from the house of green as well as everyone in it.

Meanwhile Regulus has come to realize what sort of position he had put himself in. These two, or at the very least the girl was half-blood, not even full fledged wizards.

His parents would kill him for willingly interacting with those so below him. Especially out in the open where anyone could see and use it to their advantage, the night time only protected him so much.

With the sudden but very real threat suddenly looming over Regulus he did the one thing he could do to preserve any form of protection from this situation. He ignored the halfling’s question instead grabbing his shoes and socks leaving the pair of Hufflepuffs in the night.

Neither of the blondes said anything as their now translucent eyes easily watched the young Slytherin scurry up the hill and into the castle.

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Regulus had done his best to avoid the two strangers he had helped, after he had left he had realized it would've been better to inform them he wouldn't tell anyone about what he had witnessed in order to prevent any further interactions. 

But Regulus knew if the pair of Hufflepuffs thought he was trying to be nice to them then the rest of the students would notice quite quickly. His reputation had already grown to the point that it was bothersome, students hid away or ran as soon as they even saw him near, and at this point all partner projects had become private projects for him and him alone with no one else wanting to work with him.

It had seemed to Regulus that Sirius had gone to work quickly in isolating Regulus from any possible ally’s, or even friends.

So clearly who wouldn't question the perfect future dark wizard and evil Slytherin Regulus Black being friendly with two Hufflepuffs of all people.

But the mysterious pair had clearly seemed to not take this account. It had only been a couple weeks since he had helped them and the two siblings were now clearly doing their best to be friends with him.

They shared most of their classes together and Regulus either spent his time being watched by the pair of Hufflepuffs or they had somehow managed to snag a seat or two next to him in order to try to talk. That was the only good part about each teacher now forbidding him from being able to work with others in his class, it protected him from them.

They were certainly persistent with their pestering, they had no talent in being subtle. And to make matters worse they were popular, but not in a way that caused fear in the rest of the students' hearts, no, a part of them were worshiped.

Everyone knew that the Chantara family were French pureblood wizards and with the knowledge that they were a part of the romantic french and not just any old half-blood family...well.except Regulus now knew they were most certainly not pure bloods. 

Even the Malfoy family which had undertones of Veela heritage had not had a Veela in centuries. They had only had them before the realization of Pure-bloods and half-bloods came to light. And the only way for a Veela to come from the Malfoy family again was if one of their members with a big enough percentage of Veela came together with another veela.

Because of this Regulus understood that the entire Chantara bloodline were either lying about being pure bloods or the Chantara siblings were the children of a pureblood Chantara and a half-blood siren creature.

The male Chantara, who he later learned was Matthew, was the main problem. He led the goal of trying to befriend him while the girl seemed skeptical but followed her brother anyways. But she was clearly still trying to figure out if Regulus would sell them out--

"Hey." Regulus tensed, glancing back to see the same boy he was just thinking about looking at him through a shelf of books. Regulus scoffed, he was in the farthest and most hidden corner of the library as he read over his Potions assignment for a reason.

He turned back to his assignment ignoring the Hufflepuff as he went back to his work. The blonde frowned and took his head out from the shelf instead to walk around and take a seat at the table.

The raven haired male glanced up before quickly taking his eyes away, the siblings would have to get bored at some time, all he needed to do was wait these weeks out if need be.

"You know Matt, I don't see what you're so interested in." Another voice spoke and Regulus groaned mentally but continued to intently stare at his book. Emma- who was actually apparently named Emmaline moved graciously taking a seat beside her older brother and stared at Regulus.

The male grinned at his sister, he leaned forward resting his chin on his hand and whilst looking at Regulus. "What isn't there to be interested in, he had no idea who we were or what we were doing...yet he still helped us. And it turns out that our dear savior of two lowly Hufflepuffs is not just anyone, but the Slytherin Prince of dear Hogwarts. The same prince known for disregarding his older brother only because he’s not Slytherin, who doesn’t even bother being nice to anyone and would rather work alone than play nice."

Matt held a cheeky grin as he watched a slight and almost subtle blush rise on Regulus' cheeks. "And he blushes when someone talks about him."

The girl raised her eyebrow in question of the unexpectedly easily flustered boy. She smirked slightly leaning forward copying her brother's pose, "Matt I'm not sure those rumors are true if he blushes so easily at hearing them, so maybe you’re right in being interested in the little Slytherin.”

The sibling pair kept their gaze steady on him, saying nothing as they watched as Regulus unwillingly became more red at the awkward situation. The two Hufflepuffs were very certainly not breaking, and they waited patiently for the next forty seven minutes until Regulus finally broke.

The curly haired male had done his best to ignore them to focus on his work but it was decidedly impossible. His mind had been going in a constant loop of possible ways to  was frantic with the familiar lessons branded into his skin and brain whilst the burning stares continued to add their own marks to Regulus's body.

The Slytherin prince slammed his hands down glaring at the pair of blondes, "What do you want?"

Instantly the two siblings broke out into victorious grins, "Wanna go swimming with us?" They asked simultaneously.

Regulus raised a single eyebrow in disbelief with his best face of composure, of course the bright tinge of his cheeks ruined any form of poise he wanted to have. "We're not allowed to go swimming?" He stated.

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"AH-" Regulus yelped when he was suddenly pushed into the freezing black lake.

It was dark out when they decided it was a safe enough time to go outside, they had brought the Slytherin out without any explanation of how they wouldn't get caught, or better yet freeze to death. But he still skeptically allowed them to anyways, against his better judgment.

He had expected at least an explanation once they were outside, but no, instead he was met with a mouthful of icy gross lake water. He broke above the surface holding his arms tightly with a loud gasp. “WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT.” Regulus yelled his teeth chattering as he spoke, the pair of Hufflepuffs could clearly see his entire body shuddering from the temperature.

"It's way too cold to swim right now!" Regulus shrieked with a huff, already hurrying to get out of the water but the two blondes ignored his exclamation entering into the water as well.

"Obviously it's the only time we can, Black!" Matt cackled as he and Emmaline each wrapped a hand around one of Regulus’s arms pulling him backwards into the water.

"Trust me you're gonna wanna see this." Emmaline stated with a smug smirk. Once they were deep enough in they let go of the Slytherin to allow him to tread the water.

Their tails were materializing much quicker than before if the strong waves under the water pushing Regulus away had anything to say about it.

"Oh I really don't need to see this-" He went to protest but the boy slapped him on the back. "Where's your fun Black? Don't you know any person would like to be in your shoes watching a creature change like this? Especially two creatures that most people haven’t seen in years!"

Regulus glanced at the blonde, “Must be a shock for you, having someone not want to freeze to death. Even at the cost of not seeing your great transformation, which I can barely see anyways with your tails being, of course, below the water.”

Regulus rolled his eyes at them but even he couldn’t deny that even if he couldn’t see their legs, their faces and arms were a sight to behold. It was as if the pair had become more physically beautiful, except there were scales all along the back of their arms and the frames of their faces.

If the scales didn’t stand out enough then their eyes definitely do. Emma- Emmaline's eyes were an unnaturally cold tint. They absolutely shined in the dark with the electric almost frost blue that glowed in her eyes. While Matthew’s eyes did the complete opposite.

A part of Regulus had expected for the males to be red or even purple but he was looking at a color he did not expect. It was like liquid gold swirling in his eyes, the yellow was vibrant in a much warmer way but also electrifying in its own way.

The Slytherin swam backwards until his feet were able to touch the surface under the water. The Hufflepuff siblings hadn’t even allowed him to take off his clothes or anything before shoving him into the water, absolute wankers.

He tugged off his long robe and tie leaving him in his white button up shirt, black slacks and shoes. The raven haired male didn’t even bother taking off his shoes or socks, they were already soaked anyways and at least protected his feet from the jagged rocks.

The other two weren’t saying anything, or even really paying attention to him. Instead they were both bathing in the moonlight on their backs, leisurely moving their tails in front of him.

As he watched them he couldn’t help but marvel at them, they weren’t just any regular magical creature but Sirens.

Regulus has always spent most of his time reading and learning about magic with his best ability. And because of that he knows he’s in an incredibly valuable and rare situation.

Siren’s are one of the most rare magical creature lineages, they are able to integrate frighteningly easily with human society. To make it worse they physically look identical to warm watered mermaids whilst in the water, the only feature that distinguishes them from the mermaids it's of course their eyes.

It is assumed that the striking features of their eyes are a result of their feasts of men and ability to lure humans. Because of this difference Siren’s are seen as more highly valued, there is even an underground market known by the most pureblooded families where they eat these eyes.

There has always been an old myth whispered into any and every pureblood child’s ears about how eating eyes from a siren grants a witch or wizard the ability to have anyone love them, or even increase their magic.

Another fact not as known about Sirens is that, unlike mermaids, they do not need to wait for a full moon to change. A warm blooded mermaid can switch from mermaid to human for a month and then switch back the next full moon.

But for sirens, all they must do to change is walk out of water and dry long enough.

Regulus's thoughts and facts were running a mile a minute, the differences between similar species and how they developed or why have always been fascinating to him.

He wasn’t allowed to research the differences in how Muggles and Wizards evolved of course, so any other magic being was his next option.

His thoughts were cut short as the pair swam towards him with matching grins on their faces.

"You guys are beautiful." Regulus exhaled, the two sirens both froze, unable to prevent their own blushes from forming.

Unbeknownst to Regulus no one else had ever been allowed to see their forms before, other than those like them.

To be called beautiful by someone with no connection to them so sincerely made the scales along their necks rise.

Regulus, the way he marveled at them, no one had ever done so appreciatively before. Matthew cleared his throat moving forward to shake Regulus' hand, Regulus raised a questioning eyebrow but Matthew only smiled brightly. 

"Nice to meet you, we've seen you around but haven't ever properly introduced ourselves. I'm Matthew Chantara and this is my sister Emmaline. Yes we are indeed Sirens in case you couldn’t tell, and in case you actually couldn’t then I am already retracting this friendship. But if not then you should know we are also first year Hufflepuffs at Hogwarts."

Regulus let out a small unsure look grace his face but he reached forward anyways shaking the blonde’s hand, "It is an utmost pleasure to meet you, I am Regulus Arcturus Black and I'm also a first year Slytherin at Hogwarts."

Matthew pulled back with a happy grin looking at Emmaline who watched the interaction wearing the same exact mischievous grin. "I think this is a start to a great friendship." Matthew spoke with a nod as his sister nodded as well.

Regulus said nothing looking over the two as he took in the current situation. Ever since he had come to Hogwarts he had mostly kept to himself, originally he had been spending time with Evan Rosier and Barty Crouch Jr. but the fallout he had experienced with his brother had caused the younger Black to isolate himself.

There were others of course who had tried allying themselves with Regulus, the great Black name and fortune had a tendency of making people try their best to force companionship onto him.

A part of Regulus wished to accept befriend them merely to spite Sirius who had experienced the same situation numerous times. And maybe Regulus deep down also wished that if his brother saw him interacting with people he shouldn’t that the elder Black would sweep down and try and protect him as he always had.

But Regulus never got that far, even at the expense of his own brother he did not wish to align himself with people like Lucius Malfoy, even if he was his future cousin-in-law.

So right now, as he observed the Chantara siblings, even if their persistence had caused major issues for his comfortability in class. Having some company that isn’t overly ambitious Slytherin’s trying to get in good with the Black name was a definite plus for him.

"Follow us, we need to show you something." Emmaline said, forcing the younger male from his thoughts. She swam forward to take Regulus's hand and pull him towards her and she placed a harsh but quick kiss on his lips, shocking the raven haired male.

Matthew cackled obnoxiously from his new spot beside the completely shell-shocked and very red Regulus, grabbing onto Regulus' other arm. Emmaline pulled back ignoring the fact Regulus was very much not breathing, dragging his frozen self under the water. Regulus' eyes widened comically as he came back into his body opening his mouth as if to gasp for air before losing it; but it was too late he clenched his eyes expecting to choke as he took a mouthful of freezing water only to breathe perfectly fine.

There were harsh jabs poking into his shoulder and another hand forcing one of his eyes open. Regulus had no thoughts in his brain or even feelings as he acknowledged what was happening making eye contact with glowing eyes.

Matthew smiled gleefully, he was glowing even more somehow under the water, he was like a beacon of light in the nearly black water. A silhouette of glowing blue came up beside him. 

"Don’t worry you pretty little head darling. You can breathe and not die of Hypothermia from this water for now, but! It only lasts for a little over an hour." Regulus watched him like he was crazy still refusing to accept it but his sister chimed in her own assurances in the form of forcing Regulus’s mouth to stay open and breathe in more goddamn water, the traitor, she coulda warned a lad.

They weren't going down yet, they were only just below the surface in order for Regulus to get accustomed to swimming in the no longer freezing but still cold water and breathing water. Magic is completely out of this world.

After a few minutes of sweet words and compliments Regulus finally decided to resume breathing normally. Of course he had to ignore the fact if any normal wizard, or even him an hour ago, would’ve already drowned if they had stayed under this longer.

But what was keeping him alive, somehow, was his first ever kiss..that just so happened to be by a Siren. Merlin’s bollocks what is happening.

No one had ever stated that a Siren's kiss made a regular wizard, probably even muggles, immune to drowning for increments of time. There’s no way Regulus isn’t losing his mind, Sirius must’ve done a prank to make him lose all sanity.

The two sirens ignored Regulus’s still obvious discomfort at his situation Matthew squeezed his hand that still encased Regulus’s own, "You can talk too but just know we are going further down."

Regulus looked down gulping in fear, even just looking straight ahead was almost impossible to see, but below him it somehow got even darker, who even knows what else is down there other than the Giant Squid. He took a strong gulp forcing himself to speak even if it tickled his throat, "I'm scared."

For a moment, a small sad moment, Regulus was drowning in his mind, in his own memory in the abundance of nights where he would sneak into his older brother's room after a nightmare. 

Whenever he told the older boy how afraid he was, Sirius without fail would say to him to tell fear to fuck off. The last time he had even felt comfortable entering his brother’s room was only a couple months before his brother had gone off to Hogwarts, it was the last time he remembers being comforted by his brother.

The Slytherin shook his thoughts away and watched as his two (friends?) brought their wands from their wrist guards that Regulus had clearly not looked at until now. They each casted their own Lumos, it wasn’t very effective for the entire lake obviously but the action made Regulus’s muscles loosen.

Even if the pair of obnoxious but weirdly persistent Hufflepuffs acted aloof 24/7, they are incredibly strong Wizards and Sirens. They at least felt comfortable enough to take him on this absolute mind boggling adventure just because he helped them out.

He had to trust that they weren’t bringing him into mortal peril. He tightened his grip on each of their hands allowing both of them to lead him down as the darkness swallowed them whole.

He wasn't sure how long they swam, the other two had kept conversations going through the swim, they didn’t say it but all three knew who they were talking for. 

But they kept swimming until even Regulus’s legs began to tire, but he kept his kicks going, he refused to force the other two to drag him, albeit the kicks were still weaker.

The water still surprisingly felt the same, it wasn’t getting any colder even as they went deeper. 
Regulus bit his lip, once he was back up to the surface he was going to immediately begin researching the effect of a Siren’s kiss.

Somehow even with a peck that small it allows for him to do all the things Siren’s can do in terms of surviving under the water. It was truly a wonder to him if warm watered mermaids also have the same effect.

There were so many possible theories in terms of their kiss, what were the actual limits to the kiss, do time lengths vary? It was only inevitable for Regulus to have to ask the pair of Siren’s what they know–

There are lights…like actual city lights alone that look like a road or sidewalk. Instead of pavement the walkways are outlined by rocks.

Regulus gaped openly as they got closer he immediately recognized what it was, he was literally looking at a mermaid town, Merlin. "Is this where the other mermaids stay?" Regulus murmured fascination bleeding through his words and Emmaline nodded. She was smiling serenely at the bustling area.

It was absolutely gorgeous, the houses looked like actual buildings  with windows and seaweed doors. There are actual mermaids swimming along the paths, talking, or even entering their houses. There were what looked like guards stationed outside one of the bigger houses with their own weapons.

"We come down here a lot now at night...ever since you helped us here they decided they quite like us. They don't necessarily like wizards of course with the bad blood and everything but we told them we would be taking you down here and after some convincing they allowed us." Emmaline spoke, Regulus couldn’t help but marvel at her, the pair stuck out like torches in the dark water even with the sea lanterns lighting up the entire town.

Both siblings had slowed down significantly not out of fear but at how content they are here. They never displayed this ounce of peacefulness since running into them that night. But here…but here they seemed to thrive.

"Some may still be hostile and you should probably refer to them as Selkies-- they hate the name mermaid." Regulus nodded whilst looking around with pure fascination. They had now reached the bottom and were surrounded by different Selkies and buildings. Emmaline coughed lightly as she looked around,

“From what Matt and I understand because of muggle stories mermaids are expected to be beautiful. And the Selkies pride themselves on their strength not on their beauty.”

Most of the Selkies seemed to pay them no mind, others would nod or wave to the two sirens but other than that none paid a single glance to the wizard.. Regulus would still smile at them saying a quick hello, sometimes a selkie would deign Regulus enough importance to respond.

The other two kept their hands in his as they took him along, they pointed out certain buildings or plants to explain their importance to the town. For the rest of the hour they explored, even introducing him to different selkies. Thankfully with Matt’s translations the language barrier wasn't too difficult.

Some had also been able to tell him, through Matt, how they had interacted at the Slytherin common room windows before. Regulus somehow flushed even in the water when told that he had earned himself a nickname from the more curious selkies that had a tendency to hang around the windows. Small fry.

 With the help of the Hufflepuff he was able to inform them about his interest in aquatic life and how loved learning about their way of life and creatures under the water.

The selkies responded positively, however Matt had explained Regulus’s words to them seemed to give them pride in being so interesting to him. They gave high pitched but seemingly happy clicks poking him lightly and spinning around as they communicated with Matt.

Emmaline however was a little away from them conversing with one of the younger fingerlings, their clicks were almost identical to laughs as she chased him around.

After some time the trio decided it was best to leave, none of them had a good way of knowing how much longer Regulus could be under the water. Agreeing it was better not to risk the younger Black boy, the three Hogwarts students said their farewells to the few selkies that had been with them.

On their way back it was as if Regulus was reborn, there was a shine in his smile and eyes that hadn't been present on his face ever since entering Hogwarts. He was too caught up in asking about the underwater town with the siblings that the previous fear of the darkness was completely forgotten.

It made the two sirens incredibly glad but saddened that this boy who was talking faster than he could breathe could also be the boy known to be walking with no facial expression and always...always alone. 

There was no shadow of sadness or pain that seemed to always (and maybe unknowingly) hold in every bone in his body and step he took above ground. They were completely different people, Regulus was almost unrecognizable in his utter happiness and fascination, and to know the two Hufflepuffs had brought such a change, even for a night, brought them happiness beyond compare.

Regulus couldn’t help but ask them if there were anyways to make visiting the town any easier. Yes he would always be accompanied by them and the kiss was vital in helping him stay alive. But there has to be a way for Regulus to not have to let the siblings drag him all the way to the bottom of the lake. 

"Hm, what about a spell that transfigures your legs into a tail like ours?" Matthew mused while they were still swimming up they could see the brightness of the moon now as they got closer to the surface.

"What about animagus?" Regulus asked after a moment and the other two looked at him in confusion.

"What is that?" Emmalind asked, they were still first years with not much vast knowledge of ways to change someone's body. The three broke the surface, Regulus was let go now that he was finally back to regular wizard territory. He went over to the shore getting out to perform a spell to dry himself.

"It's something I heard my brother talk about, apparently you turn into an animal?" Regulus spoke hesitantly, not entirely trusting of his memory, or his brother. Emmaline and Matthew were not yet moving to get out of the water instead bobbing in the water. Emmaline let out a gasp and snapped her fingers towards Regulus.

"Oh Wait! Yes–!  I think I heard about that! They teach it in your third year...but from what I understood you only turn into one animal and it isn't actually your choice. We would also entirely depend on the possibility of you being an aquatic animal, who knows what those chances are." Emmaline muttered, she seemed to shrink in on herself in thought. She moved forward to join Regulus on the shore muttering the dry spell and waiting for her legs.

Regulus stepped forward staring at her determinedly. "But there's a chance, isn't there? We have to try."

“He is right Emma, not that dragging him every time we go down there wouldn't do wonders for my muscles. But it might be nice for you to not have to kiss him and worry about if the time is up or not.”

The two blondes looked at each other, Emma looked unconvinced but after a few moments let out a sigh. "I guess we could try it, and if it doesn't work then you'll still have another animal. One of us could even do it with you"

Regulus’s face broke out in a jubilated grin. He opened his mouth to thank them–

"Isn't it incredibly hard to go through with it though?" Matthew asked and Regulus’s uplifted mood seemed to drop as Emmaline gave an affirmative nod.

"Well well well what do we have here?" A voice drawled deeply. Regulus snapped his head towards the voice, Emmaline slipped back into the water with her brother in hopes of hiding the tails that still hadn't left. 

A shadow came out from behind the formation of rocks and Regulus tensed as Severus Snape revealed himself.

Regulus had a tendency to stay away from the older Slytherin due to many things, but most importantly because of the company he kept. Any self respecting Slytherin would not align themselves with Lucius Malfoy of all people and that is all Severus did. Well..other than getting antagonized or antagonizing the self proclaimed Marauders. 

When he wasn't following Lucius like a puppy then Severus could be found with Evans, the Gryffindor mudblood who James Potter, Sirius’s new brother, is obsessed with. 

It always left a bitter taste in his mouth, whenever during meals or altercations in the hallways and library where the group of four ganged up on Severus.

Even if he disagreed with the older Slytherin's tendency to follow Lucius, he couldn't bring himself to laugh at how Snape was always the end of a cruel prank. Because in Snape’s eyes, Lucius and his groupies are the only means of protection from cruel attacks as well as the easiest path to possible prosperity for his ambitious wishes. It wasn’t as if Snape had a powerful name to hide behind like Regulus.

Of course though that poses an issue with being caught by him, Severus Snape would throw anyone under the bus if need be, just like any Slytherin in his position would.

"What do you want, Snape?" Regulus called out with a falsely unbothered tone. The second year raised a single eyebrow taking a long look from his strained poster to the two blondes in the water.

"Dear me Black, you must forgive my curiosity as to why I found you and two Hufflepuffs out here in the dead of the night?" Severus sneered but Regulus only smirked, Severus was trying to put up a front for the two in the water.

 But Regulus could read him easily, Snape was startled, he was hiding out here for whatever reason and finding them was not in his plans for the night. But a Slytherin was not a Slytherin if they didn’t want to find a way to put whatever situation they find themselves in, intentional or not, into their favor.

"If you must know Snape we were hoping to get some ingredients for potions in the water, considering your…aptitude for potions you must know how many ingredients are used from the Black Lake? If you did not then don’t feel too bad, with your background it would be unfair of me to expect you to know as much as I would, or the Chantara’s with our–blood status.”

Regulus kept his stance and face relaxed, he stared at Severus with a haughty gaze. The older Hogwarts student shifted on his feet unconsciously but his glare was hateful and set his gaze onto the pair in the water.

"Baby Black..not that that is not a perfectly acceptable but unbelievable excuse. But pray tell me why the two in the water eyes are glowing. Or–- that you were talking about becoming an animagi in order to go underwater. For what though is what I wonder. I am not privy to that information...but it also begs the question of how you just were underwater for Salazar knows how long when I have been sitting at these rocks for half an hour."

Regulus let out a scoff and opened his mouth to retort but Snape spoke again, effectively cutting him off.  "Please don't waste your breath by saying you used a first year spell to get whatever ingredients you want to spew. Even a pureblooded first year cannot pull off any spells needed to be underwater for so long. Dare I ask but where are those positions ingredients you were looking for It would seem none of you have anything."

Regulus's posture stiffened, there was no good explanation that could get them out of this. He leaned back tilting his head up resolutely and spoke sharply,

"It's truly a wonder you allow yourself to strut around as if you know more about my world than you do. It's truly a shame every wizard worth their power knows what sort of home you come from."

Severus growled, "It would do you well to not continue to bring up such topics."

Regulus stepped forward confidently, "And it would do you well to know your place half-blood. As much as you ride on Lucius's pathetic flaunts of power you should remember whose house is the most ancient."

"Yet your most ancient house managed to create a Gryffindor in your midst, it wouldn’t surprise me if it was an omen of your family's downfall."

"Trust the son born out of wedlock and who grew up in a house led by a whore of a mother to know when a family will have its downfall."

"You little-"

"Please continue Snape. I would love to have a precious chat with Lucius about how much of a bother that you are to me, or even possibly Narcissa. You do know about Lucius's pending marriage with my cousin? I'm sure he would love to show her the power he holds over those lower than him as a wedding present."

The elder Slytherin shut his mouth rather quickly resolutely glaring at Regulus, if Snape was a  worse person or stronger maybe he would have spelled him right there on the spot. But he didn’t, instead he took a step forward forcing himself to Regulus’s space to shove a finger into his chest.

"I'll find out what you're doing Black, it’s such a shame that you're no better than your brother. I now understand why even he was so desperate to abandon you for Potter of all people."

Regulus laughed aloud harshly and smiled maniacally at him. "Yet your dear mudblood is also abandoning you for James Potter. How similar we are Snape, to have those we care about throw us away for a better model. But of course I still have something else going for me having the power and class you could only dream to have."

The air was tense as they stared each other down, it was something many Slytherin’s have experienced. Where they had to make their station and strength known to the others to be taken seriously. And Regulus would be damned before he let Severus Snape show superiority over him.

Snape gave one last sneer glaring at Emmaline and Matthew who silently had watched the entire interaction not wanting the older Slytherin to turn his attention on them and realize their secret. But with the battle lost Snape turned around with the swish of his robes and stalked off to the castle.

When he was finally out of sight Regulus allowed himself to untense, relaxing his shoulders. He turned to the blondes and was met with very different expressions.

Emmaline was clearly not happy with the conversation and near revelation whilst Matthew was too busy openly gapping. 

"When is it the right time to say that was the most badass thing I've ever seen in my life?"

"Matt- seriously."

"What it's true! And we've even seen those two clans near Scotland had a full on battle over the shared mating dens!"

“I’m going to actually drown you.”