"We're seventeen. Who knows anything at fucking seventeen?"
"Is that the best excuse you could come up with, Reg?!"
Two silhouettes are merging as we see two souls pacing around the Slytherin common room.
"Merlin, Reg, can't you see that your actions have consequences that are hurting both you and me?"
"Cheating was unbecoming of me," Regulus stated with less emotion than she had hoped to come out from him.
"That's it?! No apologies, no remorse. What the hell happened to you, Reg."
"You," He said heavily, his eyes straying from place to place.
"What... What do y-"
"This," He gestured to the two of them, "This shouldn't have happened. I have no idea what I was thinki-"
Regulus didn't manage to finish his sentence when a resounding slap resonated across the entire room.
Her ears ring, her face numb at what she just hears come out from the mouth of the boy she loves. The slap is instinctive, both defensive and offensive.
The silence stretches far too long for the both of them, but only one had the nerve to continue speaking.
"I don't know you anymore, Black." She didn't know how to emphasise her feelings anymore, and for once she just wants to leave without a fight.
"That's the way it should, Willow."
After a final stare, her eyes are on his for the final time. She then turned and walked away. As soon as she was out of sight, the sobs she was holding back finally let loose.
She knows it's time to go.
And she did, for her good and her baby.
-----------------------------------------------------------
11 years later
"Be safe. Remember, if anyone tries to bully you, you stick your foot where the sun doesn't shine."
"Yes, mum."
"I promise to keep Phoebe out of trouble, mum. Don't worry."
"How can I not worry. My babies are growing up and leaving me." Madeline promised her kids that she won't cry but it's hard to keep a stray tear at bay when she finally realised how much time has passed.
"We'll be back every holiday, mum. Don't forget to eat three times a day, okay."
"Alright, alright you worrywart." She kissed the top of his head. "Keep her in one piece." She looked at her son, seriously kissing his cheek for one last time.
"C'mon, Arch, the train is going to leave soon." Madeline had to physically pull her troublemaker of a daughter to give her a peck on the cheek to which she knew her daughter disliked.
Madeline saw her daughter pull her brother as they entered the train. Many children varying from ages 11 to 17 were also piling near the entrances, many crowding near the entrance she was near, ultimately accidentally pushing her back to make space. As she backed away from the crowd, she accidentally bumped into someone behind her. She was about to apologise when she turned and saw who it was.
"Black."
Sirius couldn't be more surprised to see her. The last time they had a conversation, or an argument was when Regulus cornered him after he left home. It was an unforgettable moment as she watched two hearts break that night, to which she tried spending the next two years trying to heal, but it was never enough, she was not enough.
"Madeline. I thought you would be off living in a cottage in the middle of nowhere."
"And, I thought you would be off travelling the world by now or dead in a ditch somewhere."
Silence. Sirius cracked a smile to which Madeline responded to the same.
"So, what are you doing here?"
"I was dropping off my kids."
Sirius's face dropped as he heard her.
"Is-, hmm is it Reg- my brother's?"
"No," Madeline kept her eyes straight and face blank at the blatant lie, "They're mine." She tried to smile but even she couldn't make it convincing enough to deceive herself.
"Mads, I-"
"Don't Sirius. It's fine. I'm-, we're fine." This time she managed a small smile.
"So, did the self-proclaimed "Mr. I Will Be Single Forever" got a kid himself?"
"No," He laughed at the snide remark, "I'm with James. He and Lily got this adorable prongslet. He's here for his first year, so we're here for him. Uhm, do you want to meet them? They missed you. Remus is also here, he would be glad to know that he's got to teach a spawn of yours, Mads."
"Spawns"
"Hmm?"
"Spawns" She stressed the letters for emphasis.
"Shite. Are they anything like you and if so, I'll have to warn Rem- I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Relax, woman."
Sirius placed both his hands up in mocked surrender.
"Wait, Remus got the post?! As what?"
"DADA"
"Really?! Damn, I've always known he would become a teacher."
Madeline smiled as many memories of the older Gryffindor tutored her through several of her worst subjects. She remembered how proud he looked when she finally got an EE in DADA.
"So, do you want to take me up on that offer?"
"What offer?"
"Meeting the folks. They would lov-"
"Sorry Siri. I've got work and..."
"Oh. That's fine then. We'll meet some other time."
Madeline nodded, a fake one that Sirius could easily see through but chose not to comment on.
A high whistle rang through the air. Dispersing the tension between the two, leaving instead an awkward air.
"I guess I'll see you later, Wills"
"We'll see, Black."
----------------------------------------------------
The two children with similar disposition scoured the train for an empty compartment, haggling their heavy baggage as efficiently as their small body frame can handle. They finally found an empty compartment right as they were nearing the end of the train.
"Merlin, Pheebs. What did you pack? It's so heavy."
"It's my broom and other girl's stuff. Plus, yours is no different, heck yours is heavier."
"Well, I actually packed for school. Books, and clothes, and stuff."
"Nerd."
"Twat."
"Hey, I'm older than you."
"Puh-lease. Only by 2 minutes."
Before the quarrel can escalate, the compartment door slides open revealing a black-haired boy who was also struggling to carry his baggage. Both children were taught from a young age by their mother to be kind and wary to strangers. It was clear that each twin took one quality and disregarded the other. Phoebe sat, eyeing warily at the newly arrived four-eyed stranger, while her brother stood up to help the struggling boy.
After the boys place the baggage on the top compartment, only then did the boy introduce himself.
"Thank you. I'm Harry by the way."
"It's alright. I'm Archer or you can call me Archi-"
"Nope, that name is reserved for family."
"And, that's my twin sister, Phoebe."
"Twins?"
"Yeah, fraternal."
"Cool. I met identical ones before. They're older than us though."
Once again, they were interrupted by the door sliding open, a red-haired boy of the same. His eyes lit up at the sight of Harry.
"Mate, I've been looking for you. Mum is going to kill me if I lose you on our first day."
"I'm fine. Oh, and this is Archer and Phoebe."
"Hey, you can call me Archi- Pheebs don't."
"I didn't say anything,"
"But you were about to. I know that look on your face."
Ron looked at the two, "Let me guess, twins?"
"Yeah..., how did you know?"
"Lived with one for 11 years. Ron Weasley, how do you do."
Harry decided to stay with the twins while Ron went back to inform his brothers. During that time, another girl with bushy hair came in knocking.
"Hello. May I ask if there is an extra space for one."
"Yeah, please join us." Harry motioned as he pats the empty seat beside him.
"I'm Hermione Granger, and you are."
I'm Harry, that's Archer and Phoebe."
The carriage was pretty much silent, with a few conversation fillers courtesy of Harry and Archie. It wasn't until Harry asked a question that everyone looked up from doing whatever they were doing.
"What house do you think you guy will get into?"
"Ravenclaw sounds fitting for me." Hermione answered to which all three nodded their heads in agreement after seeing the girl head down on a book the whole time she was there.
"I think I'll get into Slytherin."
"Why would you want to get in Slytherin? My dad said that Slytherin houses dark wizard gits." Harry got offended at the mere mention of the house.
"Well your dad sounds like a git himself."
"Hey, don't you dare talk about him like that!"
"Okay, okay stand down, both of you."
"Git."
"Prat."
"Alright that's enough, both of you. Sit back down."
Archer did his best to calm the two hot-headed people in the carriage while Hermione tried to change the subject.
"So Archer, which house do you want to get into?"
"I was thinking maybe, either Hufflepuff or Gryffindor like my mum."
"Both sounds go-"
"Gryffindor is clearly the best option of the two. It houses the bravest of the brave. Like my mum and dad."
"I wonder if they are prats like you."
"And I bet your parents are blood supremacist."
"Do not ever talk about my mum like that or I swear I will make your life in Hogwarts like hell."
Phoebe was always the scariest between the two of them, and in his whole life, he had never seen anyone not cower in fear at the sight of her blazing anger until he met Harry. He was interested to see this rare battle; however he made a promise to his mum to keep her out of trouble. So he signalled Hermione with his eyes, and the two got to work to calm their respective seat mates.
-------------------------------------------
It was dawning nightfall when they finally arrived at Hogsmeade. A big giant then escorted the first years using a boat, through the black lake and to the glowing castle.
A strict looking professor then ushered them into the already crowded room full of seated older students. Then an older wizard took the stage and welcomed them to Hogwarts. Phoebe looked around curiously and landed in eye contact with one of the professors seated at the elongated table on the stage. Phoebe can't remember where she could've seen him but there's a feeling of familiarness that she couldn't deny in her heart. It also seemed as if the professor was interested in her, as he kept looking at her with furrowed eyebrows.
Both their stares went interrupted when the first name was called up. It took quite a long while before her name and her brothers'. Harry got into his dream house along with Hermione who got into Ravenclaw. By the time her brother was called up, Phoebe's eyes went immediately towards the previous professor who looked way stunned, for some reason unknown to her. Putting her suspicion in the back of her mind, Phoebe heard that her brother got into Gryffindor much to her dismay and to Harry's excitement. She locked eyes with Harry who pulled his tongue out at her, to which she then mouthed, how mature.
After her brother hopped down from the stool, her name was called. Archer placed his hand on her shoulder in support. To be honest, she was never worried because her family won't love her less just because of a house.
"Hmmm, you're a clever girl but you never show it. You're a person controlled by her emotions, you would do good in Gryffindor."
"No, not Gryffindor please."
"Hmm, alright then. An excellent sense of resourcefulness, and resistance to change. A perfect addition to the noble house of Slytherin. No comments? Alright then, SLYTHERIN."
The table in the far right of the hall clapped their hands at the new addition to their house. As she made her way to the table, she again saw the professor who was also clapping his hands while refocusing his attention on her.
----------------------------------------------------
Madeline felt drained after covering a three hour long court session. She's been working as a scribe for almost nine years now. She was about to head out to the cafe nearby when she heard a shout of her name.
Sirius Black was about to head home to his apartment after visiting Peter when he saw the figure he's been searching for from behind the elevator door. By the time the door opened, she was already quite far away.
She was getting further away so Sirius decided, against all of his inner wishes and the weird stares he'd undoubtedly will get, to shout out to her.
It worked. She looked back in confusion at the sudden shout of her name. She looked around the room to find the culprit only to sigh when she met his expectant gaze. Sirius, delighted that he got her attention, walked towards her. They decided to grab coffee in a nearby cafe.
They sat down in silence after ordering. Neither side knows what to open the conversation with.
"So...," Sirius wringed his fingers, something Madeline knew is a sign of terrible foreboding after the many times she has seen him before every mischievous plan, "When do you plan to introduce me to my niece and nephews."
"I don't."
"Aww, don't be like that, Wills. The kids need to know their amazing uncle especially since one of them got into Gryffindor, a.k.a the best house, a.k.a our house."
"How did you know that?!"
"Did you forget, a certain best wolfy mate of mine is a professor in the castle. Tsk tsk tsk, did you seriously, pun intended, not expect me to have a spy on the inside. Your kid is now best mates with little Prongslet."
Madeline groaned, though inside she's happy that her shy son has a reliable friend, even though it's Potter's spawn.
"Now, now, let's discuss schedules. I'm free on Mondays, Tuesda- wait no I have a date later on- Wednesday- nope another date too- so the rest of th-"
"Wait, wait hold on- who decided you're going to meet them because you're not."
"Willy, they need to know their uncle or at least have a male figure they can look up to- don't look at me like that- and the-,"
She scoffed, "They will and it will not be you."
Sirius placed a hand on his heart in mock offence before stiffening, "Will? Are you dating someone? Wait, what about Regulus?"
"That's none of your business."
"It is my business, Madeline. Does Regulus even know that you're dating someo-"
"I said it's not your business. It wasn't ever since you stepped out of our lives, and especially ever since he stepped out of mine." Madeline hissed, venom from her still wounded heart spilling out of control.
Sirius didn't know what to say after her outburst. He didn't even know what happened or if he is even entitled to know what happened. Still he braced himself hoping maybe she'll still find him reliable enough to rely on him just like the good old days.
"What happened, Wills?"
Her breath roughed that question, hurt pooling from the same wound in the same heart that broke 11 years ago.
"He broke my trust, Siri." Long gone was the strong girl before him, defeat was drawn in every corner of her face.
"He... he would never."
"Perhaps you two were more similar than you thought"
The full coffee was cold at this point with no one drinking it. Sirius was still star-struck at the revelation, his mind wondered if there was a mistake, a misunderstanding, or anything. Love might have been a foreign emotion in the house of Black, but he knew that his little brother loved her, so much so that he was willing to enter the Gryffindor tower one time when she was ill.
"I've gotta go. My break is almost over. Goodbye Sirius."
When Madeline stood, she walked away, only to stop a couple feet away from the table before looking back to Sirius' slump figure. She remembered the confident boy that took her beneath his wings as an honorary marauder. She also remembered the broken boy who had the strength to leave. After taking a deep breath, she walked back.
"Christmas. Don't be late."
Sirius looked up in surprise and confusion.
"They deserve to know about their uncle. They also deserve to know you, despite your concerning habits here and there."
Sirius laughed at her not so concealed attack at his activities during his marauding days.
"YES!! WILLY YOU WON'T REGRET IT!"
Madeline smiled, happy seeing the smile in the usually cheery Sirius. "I better not."
---------------------------------
"Class dismissed. Do not forget to do your research on the many uses of dragon blood. Submit it by next class. Willow, stay back, I need to speak to you two."
Everyone except the Willow twins started going out of the class. Harry was slightly reluctant to leave his best mate with snakes, but a glance from Archer tells him to go. Phoebe saw the worried stare of the Potter boy and rolled her eyes at their quick friendship, to which Harry noticed. He glared at the Willow girl before leaving the room.
While waiting for their classmates to leave, both of them observed their teacher. One was wondering what he had done to be called out like this, while the other was watching the potions master who is currently cleaning his desk.
She noticed the soft spoken but domineering nature of their teacher. Her wandering thoughts were then interrupted when said professor beckoned them closer.
"Professor, I'm not quite sure what we have don-"
Archer, who was trying to inquire about the problem was quickly shut down when the taller professor raised a hand.
"You both did nothing wrong. I'm here to inquire about information that only you two can confirm for me."
The two watched the teacher expectantly, albeit one was more obvious in his curiosity than the other.
"So, this might sound weird but just answer yes or no. Is your mother Madeline Willow."
The question brought shock to the two eleven year olds. Archer was about to respond when Phoebe spoke up quicker.
"No."
At her response, Archer turned his head towards her, his eyes wide in bewilderment. She sided her elbow at his side, while trying to keep a straight face and eye contact with the older gentleman.
"Alright then. You both can head off to your next class."
Regulus watched the two rush out of his classroom. He could finally confirm the theory that has been brewing in his head ever since the first day. He laughed bitterly as he sat down in his chair.
---------------------------------------
It was finally Christmas. The kids are back from the holiday. She looked at the kids in the back seat as Archer told stories about his adventures with Harry while Phoebe made snide remarks about the boy in question.
Phoebe smiled at their conversations, she giggled innerly at her daughter and Harry's animosity. Perhaps the past isn't quite far from the present afterall.
Phoebe was in a good mood, driving home until she saw something in her driveway.
"Shite" She muttered lowly as she backed into her garage.
Phoebe heard her mother's annoyed tone and saw a big black dog wagging its tail in happiness at the sight of the family of three.
"Woah, mum. Look, it's a dog!"
Archer jumped out of the car in excitement. Phoebe followed behind, also excited as seen from the small upward tick in her mouth albeit more calm compared to her brother.
Both children were circling around the dog who was ecstatic at the sight of the growing attention.
"Mum, mum can we keep her."
The dog woofed at Archer, in indignation at his false pronoun.
"Archie, he's a he."
The dog woofed once again, this time in surprise at the sudden lift of his tail.
"Okay, enough with the touching. We don't know where he's been or who he's been with."
For the third time, the dog woofed again, exasperated at the family of three.
The family walked into the humble house to which the dog followed in. That was apparently something unusual as the two looked shocked at their mother allowing a stray dog into their house.
"Okay, kids, take a seat."
The twins looked at each other before moving to the couch in the centre of the living room. As soon as her two kids were nicely seated, curiosity dawning on their faces, "Sirius, c'mere"
"Mum, who are you calling?"
"Him" Madeline pointed to the black dog who was looking around the house in curiosity. The dog then came towards the three.
"You named him Sirius? What kind of ridiculous name is tha-"
"Hey! That's my name you're talking about."
The twins jumped out of their seat at the sight of the grown man with wild long black hair in the place where the dog was.
"Kids, meet my friend Sirius Black."
"Sirius, meet Archer and Phoebe."
The twins are still agape with shock at the sight of the unfamiliar man on their couch.
"Are you an animagus?!?" Archer resolved his shock pretty quick as soon as he realised what was happening.
Sirius, on the other hand, was ecstatic at the mention of animagus. They both immediately went on this long animated rant or discussion, Madeline was not sure. She did smile though, at the sight of her usually shy son bonding with someone other than his sister and Harry. Speaking of his sister, Madeline saw the brooding look on her face, and she was about to ask her what's wrong when the girl in question immediately sprang out with a shocking question.
"Are you related to Regulus Black?"
The two adults in the room instantly freeze in dread. Madeline slowly looked over to her daughter,
"Honey, who did you hear this name from?"
"He's our potion's professor, mum."
"What?!?"
Madeline was stunned at the information but that shock quickly turned to anger directed towards the only person who could've told her.
"Black, you better have a good reason why you didn't tell me he was a staff there, or so God help me, I will jinx you hell and back."
"Woah, I had no idea. Moony didn't tell me this either. I swear on my hair."
She was furious at him but she knew he was telling the truth. She sat back on the couch, hands on her forehead as she is trying to process the situation.
Sirius came near her, leaned towards her ear, "Wills, you need to tell them."
"Tell us what?"
Archer questioned, only to be ignored when the two adults were seen bickering in a low tone.
"Is he our father?"
This question brought a dead silence between the two.
Madeline knew that this moment would come, but she never expected it to come this early. Everything is way out in the open already. It's a matter of time before they find out on their own. It's better to hear it from her first, so she braced herself for the children.
She explained to them to the best of her ability. Leaving out the part about his infidelity, she doesn't feel comfortable airing it out in front of the kids just yet.
"Well, it didn't work out between us, and I found out about you two after we had broken up. And my God, you two were a blessing in disguise. I would do everything the same again to keep you."
Madeline smiled before a thought occurred to her.
"Oh no. I'm sorry kids, I never expected him to become a teacher. It would be so uncomfortable for you two. Maybe we should mov-"
"No, mum. It's fine, we're fine. Right, Phoebe?"
Phoebe was quiet for a while but at the sight of her twin and his out of sight pleading eyes, she nodded in agreement, "We made it so far without him, what's a couple more, right?"
Sirius frowned at what was being said. He now wonders if happiness is really a long stretch for the Black brothers. It seems as though the past will eventually kick them in the arse after all. One could barely entertain the idea of commitment and the other pushed anyone who cares away, hurting himself in the process.
Other than this fiasco, the rest of Christmas was joyful. Sirius did throw a small tantrum when Madeline refused to let her house become ground zero for a Marauder's reunion. Not to mention how both Archer and Phoebe also followed suit in their uncle's dramatics, both for different reasons. The former wants to invite Harry while the latter vehemently refuses to invite said boy; both take a kneeling posture to get their request. Finally, all four of them made an agreement, James and Lily would leave Harry here before going on a date, Remus would join them in picking up Hermione. Thankfully everyone was satisfied with this arrangement and Madeline can live another day with bursting eardrums.
After seeing the 4 children running around amok the household, she wonders if as a group they might have the ability to rival that of the Marauders. Honestly, if it wasn't for the inner rivalry between Harry and Phoebe, a new group might take up the legacy that the Marauders have bestowed on them, involuntarily that is.
James and Lily managed to join the group of seven, hence finishing Christmas off with a blast.
Lily was teasing Harry and Phoebe's rivalry, predicting that something other than hate might sprout in the future, to which Madeline immediately giggled in agreement. She also saw how her daughter had taken quite a liking to James, maybe because of their overwhelming love for quidditch, something Harry was bitter about. It was also surprising because she remembered that half of his personality was hating on Slytherins. On the other hand, her reserved son and Hermione took quite a liking to their Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. This time it wasn't a surprise since both would often be found with a book in hand and strangely are mates with a Potter.
--------------------------------------
Christmas has ended and it's time to go back. Usually this would be something Madeline and the twins looked forward to, but after the revelation neither of them felt the previous excitement. Seeing the kids in such a solemn expression, Madeline so much that she wondered if she had ruined the kid's expectation of Hogwarts. She wanted her kids to experience Hogwarts like she did. It was a whole new world for a muggle-born witch like her, she found friends, love, heartbreak, and many others in there. She's slightly conflicted as she sent her children off at the station.
She had asked the kids on the way, if they're sure they're ready to go to Hogwarts with the knowledge that their estranged father is a teacher there. They nodded which honestly did nothing to lessen her stress.
Later in the train, Phoebe, Archer, Harry, and Hermione try to figure out what to do with the twins father who is currently their potions master who doesn't know he is a father of two.
Phoebe and Archer suggest ignoring him, Harry surprisingly suggests confronting him, though Phoebe knew this was his hero complex showing through. Hermione on the other hand was busy thinking and with a confused expression, she asked, "If he left first, why did he have such a desperate face?"
"What desperate face?"
"I saw him looking at the two of you during dinner."
"You sure its desperation and not suspicion. I mean, I would also be suspicious if two children walked in, with the same black mane he has and the last name of his ex."
"Well, I didn't look at him that long, anyway just try and give him a chance."
The twins looked at each other, and perhaps it was a twin thing but both of them felt nervousness deep in their bones.
Harry and Hermione were worried, so the former changed the topic to a more jovial one, quidditch. This immediately brought the somber mood into a more exuberant one because this is the year their grade can audition for a position in their houses' quidditch team. Phoebe's mood was promptly raised and by default, so was her twin's, as well as Harry's and Hermione's, who found it a bit unsettling to see the twins so down.
The remainder of the journey was filled with the comedic banter between Harry and Phoebe, and when Archer and Hermione got tired of their excessive fight, they would ignore the two and discuss a book they both managed to read during the holidays.
The second year passed on peacefully with the twins avoiding their 'father' and potion's professor. Phoebe and Harry got into their respective houses' Quidditch teams, the former auditioned as a chaser and got in as one, and Harry auditioned for the seeker position and got in as one as well. Both were infamous for their deep rivalry in general and now with quidditch added as a category, the school will find it hard to find peace as long as they're still here.
It was time for the final Quidditch game, the Gryffindor versus Slytherin match. The days leading up to this match were not pretty, at least according to Hermione and Archer, who had the 'best' time preventing the two from committing manslaughter.
Despite both their positions rarely interfering with each other because of their vastly different roles, the two manage to find ways to irritate each other despite being miles away from each other.
Gryffindor was ahead by 30 points when the game was reaching its climax as both seekers spotted the snitch. While the audience is keenly observing the highlight of any Quidditch game, Phoebe felt a sudden stiffness with her broom. Unlike before, she finds it increasingly difficult to control the broom. Her pondering went to a stop when she heard her teammate call for her. She forced the broom to follow her as she rushed past several Gryffindor chasers. She was about to reach for the ball when she saw a bludger heading from the corner of her eye to which she responded quickly by dodging it. Fortunately she was able to recover quickly and capture the quaffle. However, her keen eye did not notice another bludger heading towards her back. Draco, her teammate, was about to warn her, but it was too late. The ball slammed hard into her left arm and the end of her broom. This proved to be extremely fatal to her broom, as it suddenly snapped in half, and like a final blow, her and the remnants of her broom started falling downwards in an awfully rapid fall.
The audience was so fixated on the seekers' match that they failed to see what was happening in the main field. They only seem to notice the predicament Phoebe was feeling when one of the seekers made a surprising 180 degree turn, riding his broom faster than he did even when chasing after the snitch.
Phoebe was ready to feel the heavy impact to the ground when she felt a warm engulfment instead but before she could ponder over what or who it was, the impact of the ground hit her, knocking her out cold.
-------------------------------------------------------
Phoebe awoke to a very loud room. The hospital wing from the looks of it. She tried to crane her head to find the source of the noise when the ringing in her head got worse. The matron, Madam Pomfrey, heard her groan of pain and instantly cajoled her into drinking the most vile drink she has ever drank. The pain immediately went away as soon as the liquid slid through her digestive system.
"Who won?" Phoebe asked no one in particular with a scratchy voice, only for it to be answered by Hermione who heard her waking up.
"Of course that's the first thing you say as soon as you wake up."
"Ha ha. Answer the question, mione."
"You've been out for a couple hours by the way. And to answer your question, Slytherin did." Hermione answered, relieved that her friend was acting like her normal self.
"YES!" Phoebe pumped her hands up, only to regret it afterwards after feeling extreme pain.
Hermione exclaimed in worry, "You shouldn't move. What happened out there. One minute you were dodging the ball like a pro then the next minute you felt like a bloody comet. We were so worried about you."
"I messed up my broom yesterday. I thought little of it, and it was foolish of me to do so cuz looked where it got me. And you said... we? As in plural?" She looked left and right in a mock searching expression, "So far, I'm only seeing a single person worried. Where the heck is my biological brother?!"
"Pheebs, I'm right here." Archer opened the curtains of the bed beside hers, revealing another injured person. Harry James Potter.
"You just had to draw the attention back to you huh Potter."
"As if I would risk this," Harry gestured to his face, "for attention."
"Hey, Harry skipped out on getting the snitch when he saw you fal-"
Harry immediately placed his hands over Archer's blubbering mouth.
"You did that? For me" Phoebe said in wonder and a teasing expression at the last one.
Harry scoffed and looked away, to which the three giggled.
"If I hadn't tried to do that, I wouldn't have this bloody permanent scar on my forehead."
"It looked cool though mate." Archer cheered his friend up, "Looks kind of like lightning. Wicked."
While the two boys were fussing over the scar problem, Phoebe noticed Harry's odd wording.
"Wait, what do you mean try? I felt someone clearly embracing me before we both fell." Phoebe wondered in deep thought, gears were turning in her head before she looked to her brother and asked, "If it wasn't Potter who caught me, then who did?"
The three looked at each other, each urging the other to break the news to Phoebe who was currently close to shouting at them.
"Who?"
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Phoebe"
"Pheebs"
"Willow"
The three called out to the girl, who told the news, immediately ran out of her bed and the hospital wing. The trio was so shocked that neither responded quickly to the escape. By the time they regained a measure of realisation, Phoebe was already quick on her feet considering she had just had a major accident a few hours earlier, heading to the dungeons, and behind her, the remainder of the quartet rushing in after her.
Phoebe didn't even bother knocking as she rushed in the door, the trio was closing so close in so close that all four managed to plunge into the potion's classroom like a heap of dominos.
The four looked up to about 20 students along with Regulus Black staring at them in mixed shock and curiosity.
"Ahem. Read the pages of chapter 5. There will be a surprise quiz when I come back."
Regulus then motioned for the four second-year students to meet him in his office. The four followed suit, with Phoebe leading the group.
"Now, would you do me the honour and tell me why you interr-"
"Why did you save me?" Phoebe interrupted, turmoil written all over her face, and hearing no response she continued, "I mean, you barely know me, so why would you do that?"
"It was an appropriate response for any faculty member when any student falls from their broom. Would you rather me letting you fall to your death, Ms. Willow."
Phoebe had nothing to refute the figure in front of her. All she could do was stare at him, to which he held for a couple of seconds before straying his eyes to anything other than her.
"But professor, you could've casted a spell to prevent her fall, yet you didn't. Being a highly professional and qualified faculty member that you are, your actions seemed not so professional but personal instead."
Hermione said in high confidence to her potions professor. She knew what she saw. Knowing what she knows, what she saw wasn't a professor trying to help a student but a father desperately trying to save his daughter, so much so that he threw all logic out in the air along with himself the moment he saw his daughter fall out from a faulty broom.
Faced with that argument, he couldn't refute a single thing. After much pondering, he sighed. He gestured for Harry and Hermione to leave the room but the twins insisted that they should stay. And so they did.
"Okay. This might sound confusing but I am your fathe-"
"We know." Archer, who had been silent in most of the conversation, spoke up.
"Oh. You knew..."
Regulus was shocked at the revelation. "Did your mother tell you... or..."
"She told us over the weekends."
"Oh." Regulus went into deep thought about his ex-lover. "Is she well? Your mother."
"She is we-"
"You don't get to ask that when you were the one who left her."
This left Regulus shocked again, for the third time in the past hour.
"Did she tell you that?"
"Yes."
"And only that?"
"Why...? Is there something else?"
"No, no. So if you knew I was your, ahem, father, why did you come bursting into my classroom in the middle of the day." Regulus turned to the girl in question who for the first time since he met her, showed embarrassment.
"I... I" Phoebe turned red as she realised her previous predicament. '"
"Alright, you best be going now. I still have a class. You are free to come to me if you like. I would like to get to know you, and you to me of course."
"We'll think about it."
"Goodbye, Professor. Apologies for the interruption"
Archer and Hermione answered while Phoebe ran out the moment he said his first sentence, along with Harry who followed suit soon after.
After the children had left, Regulus went back to his fifth year students who are now taking the pop quiz he had just distributed. With his students peacefully doing their quiz, Regulus got to thinking, or more to reminiscing about his days in Hogwarts. It wasn't the best, with his older brother getting into Gryffindor, a taboo house in their household, which led to many screaming and shouting matches back at home along with the increase in pressure to be perfect from his parents to make up for their disappointing eldest son.
He doesn't remember how he got in touch with Madeline. She was a lion and he was a snake. It should've been impossible for love or any kind of relationship to sprout between them but somehow it happened. All he could remember was how often he had to supervise the Gryffindor girl whenever she got detention for her poor potions skills that seemed to make a huge mess after class.
During her time in detention and his supervision, they accumulated a sort of friendship, one that he was suspicious of at first due to her close involvement with the Marauders. As they talked, they found each other less irritating and Madeline even went so far as to cause more trouble which Regulus vehemently scolded her for and the marauders cheered her for. They made it official under the moonlight at the astronomy tower during their fifth year, right after Regulus found her smiling and laughing with a Gryffindor boy he didn't know. When he saw them, he felt this weird uncomfortable feeling in his chest, when he saw her smile, a smile which was usually only directed to him, he felt pain like a punch to his gut, leaving him breathless. So at that moment he knew he needed to take a leap in their friendship in case some other bloke steals her first.
His thoughts get disrupted as his students start to submit their work. When the last student handed in their papers, he dismissed the class and returned to his reminiscing, only this time instead of the happy moments, he remembered his mistake, his sin.
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It was a holiday, Christmas of their seventh year. It's been around a year since Sirius left home. With him gone, every attention was immediately established on his every movement. It didn't help when they found out about his muggleborn Gryffindor girlfriend. The whole holiday, he was subjected to immense torture by his parents, each morning he woke up, refusing to comply with their order to break up with Madeline was a day filled with everything Sirius had gone through but twice as worse. He thought of running away but never he couldn't imagine the thought of him running away like his brother did. Maybe that's why he was placed in Slytherin and not Gryffindor.
After being subjected to weeks of severe mental and physical beating, he went hollow. That was when he started to stray from Madeline who was confused at the 180 degree personality change of her boyfriend. Every time he saw her, he was reminded of his brother, his familial problems, and he started to resent her for it. He started to resent Madeline for the things she had no control over. Yet at that time, he felt nothing but hatred and so he acted on it. Ignoring her, ridiculing her in public, and then cheating on her, in front of her.
He pushed and pushed her like his parents kept pushing him all these years. He pushed her until they reached a precipice and instead of letting herself fall down the cliff, she stepped away at the last minute, saving herself and killing him instead. He fell into the deep dark abyss, and he could only blame himself. Just himself, no one else. He ended up just like his parents urged him to be, cruel, malicious and unhappy. He gave in, and he paid for it.
Regulus then recalled the aftermath. After she called it quits, he spent a few days feeling relief. He thought of how happy and proud his parents would be, but like any moment of happiness in his life, it quickly dissipated. As he sat at the foot of his bed, he felt odd. He felt relief, yes, but he felt something amiss. It felt like the magic that was casted all over him was washed away. The longer he pondered over this matter, the more his head started to throb painfully.
He had an inkling feeling just from discerning his symptoms. He tried to approach Madeline but every time it was as if his consciousness was pushed to the back of his mind and kept imprisoned.
He soon found the answers he's been looking for when he confronted his parents right after he graduated from Hogwarts.
At first they denied ever doing anything to him but after he threatened to kill himself, his mother revealed that they used the Imperius curse and obliviated their tracks. All to get him back to the person they wanted him and his brother to be. Regulus was appalled at what he had just heard, he immediately went upstairs to pack but he stopped when his father taunted him, wand at hand, "Who do you think would help a boy like you? You have no value outside of this house, your identity is as the heir of the noble house of Black and nothing more. And that girl of yours... you will never get close to ever again. You've always been a clever boy, you understand."
He laughed maniacally before Regulus stunned him unconsciously and his mother afterwards who attempted to take out her wand. After immobilising both his parents, Regulus collapsed on the stairs of the wretched house and sobbed in extreme anguish. He wished for Madeline but he knew he couldn't. Whatever his parents did, a special curse ingrained in him that prevents him from ever getting close to Madeline.
For once, he truly felt the severity of loneliness as his whole body became drenched in numbness and ice. All he could do is stare at the sight of his parents, at the house, wishing for everything to end.
Kreacher, the Blacks' household elf, saw and heard everything that unfolded. He saw his master who had always been kind to a mere house elf like himself, go down a deep and dark rabbit hole, and for the first time in his elf life, he acted independently. He held his master's hands and apparated to the only place he knows can help.
The two of them arrived back in Hogwarts, right in the hallway, right outside of the headmaster's office. Kreacher laid his master down on the wall, before apparating to find help. During that, someone actually did stumble upon the listless Regulus.
Professor McGonnagal was shocked to see a figure lying motionlessly in front of the headmaster's office. She ran closer to see her recently former student. His eyes were unresponsive and sluggish, she noticed. She immediately pulled out her wand and transferred him to the best of her ability towards the hospital wing.
Regulus stayed in the ward. His state was checked on every hour or so by everyone; his former professors, Slughorn who looked devastated seeing the sight of his once brightest student turned into a lifeless puppet, and Dumbledore who worked closely with the head matron to try and help Regulus' mental state. With his slow cooperation, Dumbledore found out about the curse and promptly went to investigate.
As time passed on, he got better. His memory was returned to him one by one, courtesy of Dumbledore who found a way to reverse the spell. The modified imperius curse was much harder to fix. It took years before he could entertain the idea of meeting her. Even if he could meet her, he has no confidence in himself anymore.
He stayed in the school for almost 5 years now, and during that time, he would often make himself useful. Often substituting for teachers or supervising detention. When he was deemed suitable for discharge, Regulus was immediately notified of a vacant position in Hogwarts as a potions professor as Slughorn was to retire.
Regulus applied and immediately worked. He worked towards a better future, and perhaps, hoped, that one day fate might allow him to meet her again. Till then, he's going to recover and improve himself.
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After his impromptu meeting with his estranged children, he knew this was the chance he got. He contacted the first person he knew could help.
"Sirius, get the door. It should be Remus."
"Alright, alright Lily-flower."
"Hey. Only I can call my Lily-flower that."
Sirius laughed at the banter, barely paying attention to the person behind the door he had just opened. He only realised who it was after he heard a voice, the only person he never thought he would ever hear again.
He turned slowly, and stared for a long time at the sight of his little brother. James went out of the kitchen in sudden silence,
"Don't tell me you two are having a bro-moment without me. I told you, I would like to get involved in hugs-"
James was shocked to see the other Black brother, and soon that shock turned to alarm as he raised his wands in alert at the sight.
"Sirius, why is your brother at my front door."
"I have no business with you, Potter. I need to speak to my brother."
"Hah! No can do Black. Whatever you need to say to him, you say to me."
"And why should I do that?"
"Because you came to my house. And my house means my rules. You got that, Black?"
Regulus and James went into this stare off, with Sirius in the side, still reeling in shock at the sight of his brother. When Remus arrived, he arrived at a weird scene.
Regulus' sitting in one side, while James, Sirius, and Lily on the other. The two boys urged their third companion to sit down with them as they began their interrogation.
"So, why did you come looking for Sirius."
"I need to find Madeline."
"No."
"No."
"No way."
"Nope."
As expected, Regulus was met with rejection after rejection. He assumed she had told them what happened between them. That's good, she's not alone.
"You have no business with her. Not especially after you did what you did."
"It wasn't like that. I would never hurt her like that. Voluntarily that is."
James scoffed, to which Lily jabbed him. Sirius asked him to elaborate, hopefully wishing that everything was a misunderstanding. Regulus explained everything as the other four listened attentively.
Safe to say, everyone was gobsmacked at the turn of events. James actually looked guilty at what he said, Remus and Lily looked at Regulus with pity, and Sirius on the other hand, was crying.
"I'm so sorry, Reggie. I didn't know they would do that to you. Merlin, I never could think of anyone other than myself. I shouldn't have left you with those monsters."
"Sirius, we both knew you would leave sooner than later. It's who you are and I didn't see it back then but I'm truly, truly glad you left."
Sirius has long to hear that from his brother. He has always felt guilty of leaving, it was selfish and he knew his brother resented him for it. He stood up from his side of the room and went to hug Regulus, who at first flinched at his touch but gave in anyway. The moment was then ruined by none other than James Potter.
"Hey! I told you to include me in your bro-moment and hugs." And with that, James joined in on the hug, not before pulling Remus and Lily in as well. Regulus groaned at the weight of 4 adults hugging him, but for the first time in a long time he felt warm.
While the five adults were having a moment, they all failed to notice another figure eavesdropping on the top of the stairs.
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After the embarrassing and heartfelt moment, they calmed down. Lily went back to the kitchen to prepare some tea while Remus followed suit to help bring them out.
"So, I'm not sure if Madeline would be ecstatic to see you. I don't know if she would even let you near her without hexing you."
"Yeah mate. She was feisty back in Hogwarts. I don't dare to get close to her whenever she has smoke coming out from her ear."
They were so busy thinking that they failed to notice Harry entering the room.
Lily was surprised to see Harry enter the room and when she was about to question him, the flame in the fireplace roared. The attention spun from Harry to the two children that entered the room. Their faces and clothes were smeared with ash but neither of them seemed to notice or cared as they rushed from the fireplace to their apparent father.
Regulus' face was of pure shock when the two figures sprinted towards him and did one thing he never expected, they hugged him. He was shocked of course because the last time he met them, they were less than charmed.
Naturally, Regulus had a guess when Lily scolded Harry for eavesdropping on private matters. Secretly, he thanked the boy for distributing private information to people he never could have the courage to in the first place.
"Lakeson Cafe." Phoebe said, moving back to look at her father.
"What?"
"She's going on a blind date there now." Regulus thanked the children but before he could rush towards the door he heard something he never thought he would ever hear.
"Dad. Don't mess this up."
To say he was shocked was a big understatement. He flashed the brightest smile he ever pulled. "I won't. I promise."
The end.