Chapter 44
Chapter 44
The ward strengthening was about as successful as it had been previously. The wards now sat at 50% everyone in the room was exhausted. Opal brought pepper up and nourishment potions for all.
As they are recovering, Minerva asks, ‘who will head the school?’
‘We were hoping-’
‘I am not interested, if that was your hope. I can agree to be temporary Headmistress while you search.’
‘We understand, thank you. Will you need any help clearing out the Head office?’
‘I'm sure I can manage.’
‘I will assist you.’
‘Thank you Severus, We can leave Dumbledore’s things with his brother.’
‘I'm not sure Abe will be happy with that arrangement.’
‘No matter, he is family and I have no idea where Dumbledore lives when not at school.’
‘Does he have a home?’
‘Who knows?’
‘Alright it is settled then.’
‘What does the diagnostic tell us now?’
‘There has been tampering in the student archive, it wont tell us who the children were but it does tell us who they are now.’
‘That is excellent now we know how much heritage potion we need to brew.’
‘Anything else.’
‘We have the location of the mail redirection.’
‘Really? I wonder if there is anything still there.’
‘Let’s call the Aurors.’
‘Minerva, I will get started in the Headmasters office if you don't mind.’
‘Thank you Severus. I will join you after the Aurors leave.’
Everyone begins to disburse but Lord Travers gets Severus’ attention.
‘A word if you don't mind.’
‘Of course.’ The two men begin to walk toward the Headmasters office.
‘Tell me more about that girl.’
‘Lovegood?’
‘Yes. I can't get her words out of my mind.’
‘That does happen. Remind me what she said again?’
‘You will find him. The wait is nearly at an end.’
‘Ah, and what are your thoughts on this?’
‘Do you think she is right? Will I find my son?’
‘We were just discussing the student archive. We know who they are now but not who they were, it is entirely possible that he is here at hogwarts.’
‘I can barely hope. I am so nervous.’
‘Did you tell your wife?’
‘How could I? “My love, I had a chance encounter with a student, who may be a true seer and she told me that we may find our son in the near future?” She has been in such a state since we lost him that I couldn't do that to her. What if the girl is wrong? I can't break her heart like that.’
‘I didn’t even think of that. I'm sorry you have had to endure this alone.’
‘How long until you can discover the children's identities?’
‘Within the month. All the ingredients must be found first.’
‘No matter the cost, I will help.’
‘I will keep that in mind.’
‘Thank you. Why did you offer to clean out this office again?’
‘I was given an order that must be carried out.’
‘The Dark Lord covets something in Dumbledore’s office?’
‘Actually not yet.’
Travers looks very confused. Snape summons a box and places a dozen strange figures inside. Then he casts a spell to cushion each one. Finally the box is shrunk.
‘Please deliver this to our Lord. Tell him I will arrive as soon as I can to explain.’
‘Alright have fun.’ Travers enters the floo and vanishes.
*.*
Andy arrives home and begins to run diagnostics on the figurine. Nothing. She can sense a magical signature but as far as her tests show this is nothing more than painted ceramic.
For some reason the magic feels familiar. Running out of options and patience Andy floos to Grimmauld Place. Perhaps the family library will have an answer to this puzzle.
‘SIRIUS?’ she calls.
‘Madam? Why does you yell?’
‘Oh, Kreacher. Is Sirius in?’
‘Bloody hell, who is yelling?’
‘SirI, I need your help- are you drunk?’
‘I was… then I was asleep now I'm talking to you.’
‘Why are you drunk? It's barely midday?’
‘Well, when a friend is trying to forget his disastrous marriage to a horrid woman you drink with him. No matter the time of day.’
Andy has the figurine in her hand and begins to put it away. ‘I guess I can come back later.’
‘What is that?’
‘That is what I'm trying to figure out.’
Sirius grabs it and looks closely.
‘This feels strange. Kreacher, get me a sober up potion.’
Sirius turns to head toward the sitting room when Kreacher pops back into the room and hands over the potion. Sirius is startled and drops the figurine. Before it hits the ground, Kreacher suspends it in midair.
‘Thank you Kreacher. That is all for now.’ Sirius downs his potion and grabs the figurine and walks into the sitting room. Andy follows hoping the potion will kick in soon. Suddenly, he stumbles.
The figure slips from Sirius' hands as he recognizes his brother's magical signature. As the figure shatters there is a blinding blue light that fills the room. Suddenly Regulus is on the floor, laying on his back. He looks starved and nearly dead. His eyes are open but he is not moving.
‘Rennervate.’
Regulus takes a deep breath before tears spring to his eyes.
‘I’m- I’m free.’
His tears stream down his face as Sirius crouches next to him. Andy begins casting diagnostics before summoning a glass of water. After he drinks what he can, Andy summons nutrient potions and anything else that is needed to treat her cousin.
‘Why were you a figurine? Did Dumbledore put you there?’
Reg nods.
‘Can you tell us what happened?’
Reg shakes his head. ‘You look.’
Siri nods his head and dives into his brother's mind.
*.*
‘Where are my children! I know you took them.’
‘I have no idea what you mean. I didn't even know you had a child, let alone more than one.’
‘Stop lying. You stole them from their cribs. Where are they?’ Reg draws his wand and Crucio rings through the room. Dumbledore doesn't even flinch. The spell stops and fizzles out inches from his body.
‘That was a mistake you will not be making again.’ Suddenly Regulus is transfigured into a paperweight that resembles a phoenix. ‘I think I will keep you for a while. You would make a lovely addition to my collection.’
Regulus is aware of everything. He is unable to sleep. He can feel his magic but he has no way to channel it. For years he focuses on trying to build his magic but only when he is alone. After a decade he has enough magic to sense other magic nearby.
He determines that he is not the only person on the shelf. Frustrated, he continues to focus his magic. Years continue to pass. He gradually becomes aware that he sits between 2 other items on the shelf both holding their own magical signatures. The one to his left seems stronger so he focuses his energy in that direction. He pushes and stretches his magic as far as he can.
‘Hello?’
‘Hi-i.’
‘Trapped?’
‘Yes-es’
Regulus is confused. Why does there seem to be an echo? Words are tough. After a break he tries again.
‘Name?’
He hears a jumble of letters. What? Fabgidian. There is no echo this time but that was not a word.
‘Last name?’
‘Prewett-ett.’
Exhausted once more he contemplates what he has learned while he gathers up more magic. What were the prewetts' names?
‘Fab… gid… Fabian and Gideon?’
‘Yes-es.’
‘Merged?’
‘YESSS!!’
‘Regulus Black.’
‘Nice me-et you.’
Over the next few months Regulus and the twins gain the ability to talk more easily. Forming sentences is not such a draining task after a while. One day Regulus spreads his magic to his right.
‘Hello?’
‘-lo’ a faint voice answers.
‘Im Regulus Black.’
There is a faint murmur that sounds like bones.
‘Bones?’
Barely able to hear the faint yesss whispered back.
‘Gather your magic and try to build it up. I will check in with you soon.’
He pushes his magic along the now familiar path. ‘Prewetts do you know anyone named
Bones?’
‘Maybe? Younger?’
They have practiced speaking separately, one actively tries to delay his speech.
‘Alright he will need time to gather his strength.’
Dumbledore enters the room with severus snape and begins casting privacy charms.
‘Why am I here?’
‘You need to be aware of some things. It's time I told you.’
‘Told me what?’
‘In the event that I am removed as Headmaster for any reason I need you to take the items on that shelf and keep them safe but secret.’
‘Why would that matter?’
‘I can't really explain right now but I need your word.’
‘Alright. You have my word.’
Dumbledore begins talking about students and lessons. Snape reaches out with his magic and feels something familiar but doesn't know why. Before he can move closer the Headmaster has ended the meeting and bid him good night.
Regulus wonders if Snape will recognize his magic, so he decides to reach out to him any time he is near enough.
Over the years Regulus hears many interesting tidbits. But nothing relevant to getting free.
*.*
Sometimes Dumbledore will walk over to the shelf and look at his collection.
‘I wonder if any of you can hear me.’
Regulus does his best to control his magic.
‘I have watched your children come to Hogwarts, seen them sorted and watched them grow. Unaware of the fact that you reside within these halls.’
Regulus seethes nothing matters more to him then finding a way to be free and hopefully find his children again. He barely keeps his magic from flaring in anger.
‘The Order is forming again. I'm guessing your children will join. Did you know that they plan to fight for my cause? No matter if my goals are right or just. Those in the Order are willing to fight for the Greater Good. Sometimes accidents happen.’
The implications of his words enrage Regulus. His magic flares without his consent. Albus smirks.
‘There you are. I know you would be easy to rile. No worries. Your children are safe for now.’
Albus walks back to his desk looking very smug.
‘What does-’
‘-he mean?’
‘He stole my children. Adopted them out to someone willing to support his ideals. Do either of you have children?’
‘Gideon has-’
‘One son.’
‘I'm sorry. I hope he is not in the middle of all this. Do you know who would raise him in your absence?’
‘Molly-’
‘And Arthur.’
‘I hope they keep him safe.’
‘Doubtful. They were-’
‘Both in Order.’
‘I'm sorry. We need to find a way to get free. For all our children's sake.’
‘AGREED.’
‘My daughter,’ Regulus hears this from his other direction.
‘You have a daughter?’
‘Yes, my sis raise-’
‘Go slow. It takes time to gather the strength needed to communicate. Your sister will raise your daughter? What about your wife?’
‘Albus make-’
‘She is one of us?’
‘Yes,’ he whispers.
‘I can't feel her but I will keep trying, rest now.’
Sirius leaves his brother's mind.
‘There were others?’
‘Yes.’
‘Are they there still?’
‘Not sure.’
‘You need rest.’
Regulus shakes his head, grabs sirius’ shirt, clears his throat and asks, ‘Boys?’
‘I will get them to visit you as soon as they can. I know who they are. They will be happy to meet you. Get some rest ok?’
Rather than respond, Regulus drifts off to sleep. Andy looks at Sirius questioningly.
‘Reg has twin boys. I recently learned they are the Weasley twins.’
‘Really? So many new family members to love and protect.’
‘Let’s get him to his room and I will floo them. Can you stay with him until I return?’
‘Of course. I will be around to ensure he recovers properly.’
Once Reg is settled into his childhood room and tucked in bed Sirius heads to the floo.
*.*