Chapter 7 - Olive Branch

Dealing with Lucius Malfoy always requires finesse, Regulus thinks as he settles into Lucius’s study. There is already a tray of refreshments, and Regulus helps himself to some pumpkin juice. He doesn’t believe Lucius will try to poison him: if he did, it would be the fastest betrayal the other wizard has enacted. Regulus can’t rule out Veritaserum, though, cautiously taking a single sip and then leaving the juice aside. Even one sip can cloud the mind and is the only way to tell if he has been drugged with an odourless and tasteless potion.

            Lucius does his usual dance of social niceties.

            “You are not cautious of venturing into Diagon Alley?” Regulus asks with hidden surprise as Lucius talks about the changes in seasonal robes already on display at Twilfit and Tattings.

            He pauses. Of course, Regulus refers to the danger of betraying the Dark Lord. Though he is hiding, his loyal ones are still free to do his bidding or even take matters into their own hands.

            “I would not allow Draco or Narcissa to visit the Alley without protection,” Lucius admits. “There are restrictions we must all follow.”

            “It is important that care and attention are taken, given current circumstances. We cannot afford to sleep,” Regulus says. He might not like Lucius – the other wizard comes from a long line of wizards who only look out for themselves – but Regulus has never found fault with his dedication to Narcissa and Draco.

            “Indeed,” Lucius agrees.

            Then, changing the subject completely, Regulus decides to chance his question. He was present when Severus received Tobias’s letter about his daughter. He does not know about Harry’s connection.

            “How is Severus doing in finding his daughter? Is he looking for her? In fact, was the letter even telling the truth?”

            Lucius holds a look of triumph.

            “We have found her,” he states, observing Regulus, who allows his surprise to come through. He must ask as if he does not know anything.

            “When?”

            “A little over a week,” Lucius confesses.

            Regulus nods, studying the other man carefully.

            “Is she here?”

            Lucius inclines his head in affirmative.

            “Was it wise?”

            He gives Regulus a questioning look.

            “Severus has been outed as a spy, Lucius. You have allied yourself with Dumbledore as well by bringing a child into our world. Did you not put her in danger by dragging her into this?”

            Regulus knows this is a hypocritical question, given that he has already arranged with Harry to bring Holly to Grimmauld Place. He knows Harry will be happy that Holly is no longer alone, but despite his earlier words that he would be fine with Severus finding his daughter too, he will be disappointed. Regulus agrees with Harry: Severus will never allow him to have anything to do with his daughter.

            “Would you leave your child alone, with muggles, once you discovered her existence?” Lucius asks in a cold voice.

            Regulus’ answer is equally icy, “I would never put myself in the position of losing my child in the first place.”

            He might not know the full details of how Severus conducted his relationships. However, he knows him well enough that none of the witches he has bedded have ever been considered more than a substitute for a long-dead woman.

            Lucius tenses, watching Regulus coldly. He is like a coiled snake, ready to strike. Regulus wonders why Lucius has requested this meeting in the first place. It is several seconds before Lucius allows the tension to drain from him.

            “Do not judge him too harshly,” he says quietly. “He is still wounded.”

            Regulus knows he is severe in his words, but he believes this has gone on long enough.

            “By indulging his self-pity, you are doing him a disservice. Hopefully, his daughter will mellow his bitterness.”

            Regulus leans back, giving off the air of someone who is not concerned.

            “How is dear Severus taking fatherhood, anyway? Has he taken a leaf out of your book and indulged her every whim, or is he ruling with an iron rod?”

            Bizarrely, Lucius wears a smirk as he says, “Severus is floundering like a flobberworm.”

            “What do you mean?”

            Regulus listens in fascination as Lucius describes Holly’s attitude – Harry has described her well.

            “Well, it seems Severus has to grovel a lot if he wants Holly to accept him as her father,” Regulus comments, reaching for his juice once more.

ooOoo

Lucius lets a victorious smirk escape: Regulus has made a mistake. The other wizard realises this too.

            “I have not told you the girl’s name,” Lucius drawls, rising languidly to his feet. He stares down at Regulus, seeing that the other is hiding behind a mask, no doubt debating whether he should bluster about it or not.

            “No, you didn’t mention it,” Regulus concedes quietly.

            Lucius, feeling vindicated, moves towards his desk, where he has everything set up. He hears the chink of glass on glass as Regulus puts down his juice and follows him quietly.

            Lucius taps his desk with his wand and dispels the charm that conceals the pictures from those he doesn’t want to see.

            He waits silently as Regulus meticulously examines each photograph with a carefully blank face.

            “Severus has not seen these,” he pronounces assuredly.

            “What makes you so confident?”

            “You would not have needed me here if Severus had known about Harry and Holly. You would have had no reason to invite me.”

            “Would I not?” the other challenges.

            “Enough dancing, Lucius. I’m getting tired of it. Tell me, what do you want from me?” Regulus asks.

            Lucius debates how best to formulate what he wants from him.

            Finally, he says it in the most straightforward way he knows how “I need Potter’s goodwill.”

ooOoo

“Regulus?” Narcissa greets her cousin in surprise. “What brings you here?”

            “Boredom, cousin. Perhaps a bit of curiosity,” Regulus answers. “Where is Severus?”

            “Sulking in his room, I expect,” Narcissa tells him as she gets up to embrace Regulus. He is her favourite cousin, not that she had much choice; Regulus was always more tolerable than Sirius.

            “Yes, I have heard he is having trouble relating to his newest relation,” Regulus jokes.

            Narcissa shoots a look at Lucius, who returns it with a bland expression. Lucius didn’t tell her of his intention to invite Regulus. Severus has not allowed them to talk about Holly to anyone else, but it seems Lucius has divulged enough already.

            “What is she like?” Regulus asks more seriously.

            Narcissa graces him with an arched gaze. “Didn’t Lucius tell you already?”

            “I wanted your perspective, Cissy.”

            “She is … moody, morose, sullen and lonely. She is grieving,” Narcissa answers with a sigh.

            “I asked you about Holly. Not Severus,” Regulus teases.

            Draco, who walks in at that time, snorts with laughter. He quickly stops when Narcissa gives him a stern look.

            “Afternoon, Uncle Regulus.”

            “Draco,” he greets him with a smile. “Where is mini-Snape?”

            The boy chuckles again.

            “Draco,” Narcissa admonishes.

            “What? He’s not wrong,” his son points out.

            “She’s out in the garden,” Narcissa answers, ignoring Draco.

            “Do you mind if I introduce myself?”

            Narcissa looks between Lucius and Regulus. Both of them are up to something, and she will make sure she finds out what it is.

            “Near the rose garden,” Narcissa tells him. What is left of it, she laments.

            Regulus waves and walks towards the kitchen entrance to cut through the gardens.

            “What are you up to, Lucius?”

            “There’s more than one way to skin a kneazle, darling,” Lucius responds. “Your cousin will show us how.”

            “You’re going to let Uncle Reg go talk to Holly? Alone?” Draco asks incredulously. “Why?”

            “That is a good question,” Lucius inserts smoothly before Narcissa can say anything. “Your uncle thinks he is more charming than me. Shall we see if he is telling the truth?”

ooOoo

Regulus walks confidently out towards the rose garden. He falters a little as he sees the scorched remains of what used to be Narcissa’s blue roses. Lucius mentioned the accidental magic that resulted in a fire, but not this result. He is impressed.

            Turning back to look at the Manor, he sees Lucius, Narcissa and Draco watching his walk to Holly as if he were some sort of entertainment. Looking a few windows over, he sees Severus looming over another balcony. Pity stirs in his heart as he realises that this is the only way Severus can watch over his daughter.

            When Holly comes into view, he finds that he is looking forward to talking to her, and his steps quicken in anticipation. She is lying on the ground, staring up at the sky.

            “Hello, darling,” Regulus greets as he stands over her, blocking her view of the sky. “Looking for an owl?”

            Holly jerks up, startled, and turns around, crouching on her knees.

            “What?” There is a look of panic in her eyes.

            “I asked if you were looking for an owl. Waiting for a letter? Perhaps from a lovely white owl named Hedwig?” Regulus baits, though not maliciously.     

            A wary look settles in her eyes, and Regulus wishes he had a letter from Harry to offer. He came to Regulus a few nights ago, upset that Hedwig came back with his letters unopened. Considering Holly has been hidden behind Malfoy Manor wards for a little more than a week, it explains why Harry has not been able to send a letter. Unfortunately, given that he has been discussing with Lucius for the last hour and a half, allowing access to Harry’s owl would be too risky. She is too distinctive an owl.

            “I’m Regulus, little darling,” he kneels on the ground in front of her, offering his hand for her to shake, “I think Harry mentioned me in his letters.”

            Slowly, cautiously, she places her hand in his to shake back.

ooOoo

“No way,” Draco gasps. “She didn’t even shake my hand.”

            Lucius cannot help but smile as he watches the scene unfold before him.

            “Who invited Regulus here?”

            Severus quietly approaches them, but his question is harshly thrown out.

            “I did,” Lucius answers carelessly.

ooOoo

“You know Harry? And Hedwig?”

            Regulus releases her hand carefully and sits down properly, crossing his legs, watching with satisfaction as she copies him. He has positioned them so that she cannot look up and see the others watching them. Severus has now left his own window in favour of joining the Malfoys.

            Regulus nods.

            “Prove it,” she demands.

            He is amused by her caution and approves of it also.

            “In his last letter to you, when you were still at the care home, Harry told you he will find you. He said your grandmother left her house to both of you, and when he finishes Hogwarts, he will take you away from whoever has you and how you’ll live together in your old home. Harry promised he would keep sending Hedwig to you, so you would know you’re not alone.”

            Holly looks up reflexively as if checking to see if Hedwig will come swooping down.

            “Harry’s been trying to send Hedwig to you,” Regulus says gently.

            “I haven’t seen her,” Holly confesses, still looking up to the sky.

            “There are wards around the Manor that prevent unknown owls from delivering post. Do you know what wards are?”

            Holly shakes her head as she looks back at him.

            “In this case, they are protective barriers.”

            “Oh,” Holly whispers. “So I’m not going to get a letter from Harry?”

            “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Lucius’s wards won’t allow it since Hedwig is unknown to him.”

            She lowers her gaze to the ground in a dejected manner.

            Gently, he reaches forward to tilt her chin with the crook of his fingers.

            “I can give him a message for you.”

             She lights up immediately, “Will you?”

            Regulus smiles at her, pulling his hand away.

            “Do you know where he is? Is he staying with you?”

            “Yes,” Regulus nods.

            Instead of giving him a message, she immediately launches several questions at him.

            “He’s safe, isn’t he? Did you take him away from the Dursleys? They didn’t hurt him, did they?”

            It saddens Regulus to find that she knows about Harry’s treatment by the Dursley’s.

            “Did you see them hurt him a lot?”

            Holly gives him a sorrowful look that should not belong to such a young girl.

            “Oma used to heal his hurts when they used the belt on him,” Holly answers, tears forming. “Sometimes, there was a lot of blood.”

            Regulus isn’t quick enough to hide the look of anger on his face, but Holly understands that it’s not her he’s angry with.

            “He’s not going back there,” Regulus says in a firm voice. He is not sure if he is assuring her or himself. He will fight Dumbledore on this point if the old man tries to backtrack.

            “Really?” Holly beams so widely that the sullen look disappears completely, changing her features to something more suitable for her age.

            At Regulus’ nod, she throws herself at him, surprising him with her strength as her bony arms trap his own.

            “Thankyouthankyouthankyou,” she repeats gratefully as if she were the one Regulus has promised to remove from the Dursleys.

OoOoo

Lucius assures himself that he could have gotten a positive reaction like that if he had been allowed to mention or even known of her connection to Harry Potter.

            He tells himself he is not jealous of Holly hugging Regulus Black.

            Severus, on the other hand, looks apoplectic. He clenches his teeth so hard that a nerve ticks in his jaw.

ooOoo

Later that evening, when Regulus is long gone, and Holly is in her room in a curiously chipper mood, Severus has spent the whole day sulking in his room.

            He is fuming at everything – at Jasmine for turning his daughter against him, at Regulus for connecting with his daughter much better than he could. At Lucius for the temerity of inviting Regulus over.

            Later that night, he waits for her to fall asleep before quietly sneaking into her room, as he has done almost every night since they have fetched Holly. She still has trouble sleeping, and Narcissa often spends much of the night soothing her for a peaceful slumber. Without the aid of potions.

            He feels like she is a sleeping Cerberus that he is constantly afraid to wake up for fear she will bite off his limbs. He is struggling to connect with her, to get close to her. He longs to know her. If Severus is truthful, he knows he was not ready for children when Jasmine first told him she was pregnant, even if he chose to believe her. Now, he is drowning. He has lost so much time. Would he have been a good father back then? Could he be one now?

            All he knows is that, since he has found out about his child, he has done everything he can to bring her to him. Now he needs to do everything he can to show her he is worth knowing – to show her he can be a good father to her.

            He just wishes he knew how. He cannot change the past – if he could, he would change so many things. He only needs to forge a better future. He has wallowed enough. He needs to make plans.  

ooOoo

“Harry, can I see you?”

            Harry jumps up from his bed. Regulus would knock on his door straight after breakfast because he must have news about Holly.

            “Neville, would you-”

            His roommate waves him off.

            “I’ll tell Ron and Hermione you’re with Regulus. Hope it’s good news, mate.”

            Regulus is already walking to his bedroom, and Harry has to move quickly to catch up. The older wizard is curiously reticent but understands. Since the beginning of summer, Harry himself has been in a morose mood: his mood had improved slightly only when Regulus had told him Dumbledore would allow Holly to move to Grimmauld Place. The waiting, however, has been painful.

            Harry sits on Regulus’s bed again, as the other sits in his desk chair again. By the look on Regulus’s face, Harry already knows that the news isn’t good.

            “You haven’t been able to find her?” he asks before Regulus can speak.

            The other gives Harry a small smile.

            “I did find her,” Regulus corrects softly. “Alas, Severus found her first.”

            Harry’s heart sinks. His face falls for a moment, but he pastes an insincere smile on his face.

            “That’s good, right?” he states in an overly bright voice. “She’s not alone. That’s better than being stuck in a care home or an orphanage or a-a family that doesn’t know she’s a w- witch. She wouldn’t – she wouldn’t want to get st-stuck with a family like the – the Dursleys.”

            Harry is not usually a stutterer, but he desperately tries to hold back tears. He feels like he has lost Holly.

            “Harry,” Regulus begins in a sympathetic voice, getting up to come to sit next to him. He immediately stands up and turns his back to Regulus.

            There is odd rattling noise: Harry is startled by the display of accidental magic and tries to stop. He has just dodged a bludger with the Ministry due to his Patronus.

            Regulus follows Harry, gently turns him around and pulls him close to his chest, one arm over his shoulders and the other over his head. It almost feels like when Iris embraces Harry, but he doesn’t move, keeping himself stiff. Regulus is not Iris. The rattling eventually stops after several minutes, though Regulus does not let go of Harry. He is not worried about getting hurt by accidental magic.

            “He’s going to turn her against me, Regulus. She’ll hate me like Snape, and then – and then I’ll have no one,” Harry’s voice is muffled against Regulus’ chest once he manages to speak again.

            “No, she won’t,” Regulus gently disputes. “Now, come on. Sit down. Let me tell you what I know.”

            Harry allows him to guide him back to the bed.

            “I got an owl from Lucius a few days ago,” Regulus begins.  

            “Malfoy?” Harry asks, then flushes for interrupting. “Sorry,” he mumbles.

            Regulus continues with a kind smile, “Yes, Malfoy. You know Severus was fostered by Abraxas when he was still in Hogwarts.”

            Harry nods, listening intently.

            “Severus still lives with the Malfoys when he’s not at Hogwarts during term time. He has his own apartment in one of their wings.”

            Harry nods again, though his heart, which he thought couldn’t get any lower, is down to his knees. It is bad enough that Snape has Holly and could turn her against Harry. Now, she also has the Malfoys whispering in her ear against him. It doesn’t matter if Holly hates him, though, he tells himself resolutely. She’s still his sister, and he can still look out for her.

            He bites his lip so as not to interrupt Regulus again.

            “I saw her yesterday. When I was at Malfoy Manor, I spoke to her.”

            The words leave Harry before he can stop them.

            “You did? Was she all right? Have they been treating her well? Has she been eating properly? Did she say anything about me?”

            Regulus laughs at the barrage of questions and answers them in order, “Yes, I spoke to her. She’s fine, and Severus and the Malfoys have been treating her well, although she could eat better: Narcissa is trying to correct that. She misses you, Harry. Every day she goes outside and looks up to the sky for Hedwig.”

            Harry has to swallow the bludger sized lump in his throat before he can speak. She’s thinking of him. Even though she has a dad now, she’s still thinking of him.

            “I send Hedwig every day,” he tells Regulus. “She can’t seem to get her letter to her.”

            “It’s because of Lucius’s wards. No unknown owls can get through their wards –a security measure from years ago. I told Holly the same when I spoke to her and that you hadn’t forgotten her. She has a message for you.”

            “What is it?” Harry asks eagerly.

            “She said she’ll always be waiting for you.”

            Harry lets out a warbling laugh, happy that she still wants to know him.

            “She was worried about you too, you know,” Regulus says casually, placing his arm across Harry’s shoulders once more. “She was concerned about your relatives hurting you.”

            Harry looks away from Regulus. She constantly worried about him when he was with the Dursleys.

            “There’s something else I need to tell you,” Regulus declares, prompting Harry to look back at him: he is surprised and concerned to see the wizard so anxious.

            “What?”

            “Lucius is aware that you know Holly.”

            Harry frowns in confusion.

            “How?”

ooOoo

Regulus is still annoyed with himself for his mistake yesterday. He cannot even say that Lucius tricked him. Truthfully, Regulus’s social skills are rusty since he’s been trying to stay away from people in general: for years, he’s only had Kreacher for company. He has not spent the last thirteen years honing his negotiation and networking skills like Lucius.

            Regulus does not tell Harry that Lucius snooped through Holly’s things – there’s no point in upsetting the younger boy. He is impressed and alarmed by the display of accidental magic at Harry’s age.

            “Lucius saw the pictures with you and Holly,” Regulus says instead. Then, hesitating slightly, he adds, “He recognised Eileen.”

            Harry’s eyes widen in alarm.

            Fearing a worse bout of accidental magic, Regulus hastens to assure, “He didn’t tell Severus. In fact, Lucius thinks telling him about Eileen is a bad idea.”

            Harry calms down slightly.

            Regulus explains everything Lucius knows about Elieen raising Holly. And how Holly and Harry are close. He also holds back Lucius having read the letters Harry sent. The Malfoy patriarch is not stupid enough to divulge that to Harry, and Harry would not be happy to have his (or Holly’s) privacy invaded in such a way.

            Harry’s thoughts turn inwards, and Regulus waits patiently for everything to sink.

            “How did you manage to explain why you knew Holly’s name?”

            “Well, after I accidentally let it slip, I had to think quickly. Lucius wasn’t included in the Order, but he does know I’m a part of it. Also, he’s the one who investigated the Dementors and got Umbridge caught; he’s the one who managed to convince Fudge to cancel your trial. He’s gathered you and I are close and it was better to admit it.”

            Regulus expects Harry to burst into questions about this and is surprised when Harry’s reaction is nothing more than eye-widening. Sometimes, he forgets that Harry is not the typical Gryffindor: he has spent too much time with Sirius, who needs to yell at each new surprise as if he’s getting bitten by a snake. Also, he needs to remember that Eileen, a Slytherin herself, practically raised Harry. She would have cultivated certain traits in Harry. It backfired if only she knew that Harry was clever enough to find her original identity.

            “Why would he do that?” Harry probes shrewdly. “What does he get out of it?”

            Regulus cannot deny the pride he feels at Harry’s question, proving his assessment of his abilities correct.

            “I’m glad you realised that Lucius has his own agenda,” Regulus praises. “Listen, Harry. The Malfoys have always been thirsty for power. They excel at making money and at surviving. He has forsaken the Dark Lord – worse; he’s convinced many people to forsake the Dark Lord.”

            “But why? Because of the graveyard?”

            “Before that even, Harry,” Regulus says dryly. “Something about your second year. Oh, and you never told me you fought a basilisk.”

            “Dumbledore tell you that?” Harry gives him a sheepish shrug. “Malfoy wouldn’t have known about the basilisk. Also, it’s not exactly a topic I can casually slide into conversation,” he points out defensively. “I’m not Lockhart.”

            Regulus laughs. He finds it hilarious that Harry has mentioned Gilderoy Lockhart several times for his inability to teach without coiffuring his hair, but he can’t even bring himself to talk about his own formidable accomplishments.

            “You impressed Lucius with your ability to thwart him. At twelve years old,” Regulus tell him.

            “He didn’t look impressed at the time,” Harry sounds disbelieving. “If Dobby hadn’t been there, he would have cursed me.”

            “He too was impressed by your cunning in freeing his House-Elf,” Regulus relays. “Once he nursed his wounded pride, that is.”

            Harry still looks like he does not believe any of this.

            “Suffice it to say, Harry, you did what many others were unable to do at a young age. Whether he can admit this or not, you’ve done what Lucius could never do. He recognises you as a power worth following. All the Marked Death Eaters have heard that the Dark Lord will come back,” Regulus enlightens, his hand going to his own Mark. “They might spout that they would follow him if he should return, but even they have changed in the last thirteen years since his defeat. Most of them have children now.

            “Glory is different when their children are old enough to be ready to take the Dark Mark themselves. To know that their children will be tortured as they were. To remember that it was not all about glory. Most of those who managed to escape imprisonment in Azkaban live pretty comfortable lives now: those lives will be forfeit if they go back to bowing and scraping like we had to.

            “During the Dark Lord’s first rise, everyone feared for their lives, Harry. But, believe it or not, none were more afraid than his own followers. We were all just one mistake away from a Crucio.”

            Regulus trails off, trying to keep the memories of those dark days at bay – of finding the will to escape, to survive. The will to live.

            Shaking off his gloomy thoughts, he continues, “Lucius will always look out for his family.”

            “What’s stopping him from going back to Voldemort?” Harry challenges.

            “The punishment will be far worse for those who deserted him. And Lucius knows it will not be him who will bear the brunt of it. It will be his family.”

            Harry thinks this over and nods.

            “All right. Let’s say I believe you about Malfoy being on our side: why, then, wouldn’t Malfoy want to tell Snape about his mum being alive?” Harry questions.

            Regulus sighs.

            “That’s a story that I’m not prepared to reveal. It’s not for me to tell. Lucius has always looked out for Severus from the moment he became a Slytherin. After Eileen’s disappearance, whatever the reason, Lucius and Abraxas treated Severus as one of their own.

            “I won’t lie and say it was utterly altruistic. Severus has always been clever and ambitious. He was the youngest Potions Master of the century and the youngest wizard to ever become a professor at Hogwarts: he was an investment.

            “Which isn’t to say that Lucius doesn’t care about Severus. You’ve known Eileen for years, Harry. You tell me. She might have told Severus via Tobias that he had a child, but she could have simply sent a letter in her own name, letting him know what she’s been doing for so many years. Why wouldn’t she do that? Because it would have hurt him.”

            Regulus watches as Harry thinks about it: he has never been the vindictive sort – not like James. He would never use that against Severus.          

            “We keep getting off-topic, Regulus. So, what does Malfoy know?”

            “Lucius knows that Eileen was alive and taking care of Holly. From the pictures, he knows how close the three of you were, but not that you are aware of Iris and Eileen being the same person. I told him you knew Severus was Holly’s father because Eileen told you. It was difficult to explain how I knew Holly’s name. When Severus got his letter, I was there, but I’ve not contacted him since. I had to tell him that you had sent me pictures of Eileen and Holly of the years, and I recognised Eileen but told him you didn’t know about her.”

            Harry nods as he listens.

            “You said Malfoy saw pictures of me, Holly and Oma. If he has seen them, then what’s not to say Snape will see them as well?” Harry points out logically.

            “Lucius and I will take care of that.”

            “What does Malfoy want?” Harry asks as he mulls everything over.

            “Lucius is on your side, Harry. He thinks you’re powerful, and people will look up to you once they pull their heads from their arses. He wants you to give him a fair chance. In return, he will keep Eileen’s secrets for her, and he won’t allow Severus to find out about you and Eileen.”

            Harry shakes his head. “He will, sooner or later.”

            “Yes, that’s true. Lucius just wants to protect him for as long as he can. Severus is like a brother to Lucius, which you might find hard to believe. Lucius has protected Severus from many things; he considers him family, after all. A Malfoy will always look out for himself and his family.

            “Severus might have fooled everyone else who stood by Dumbledore, following orders and waiting patiently until the Dark Lord rose again, but Lucius knows Severus better than he thinks: Severus is a Malfoy in all but name. Lucius could have outed him at any point – he certainly has the money, power and influence to back him up.”

            “You trust him?”

            “I trust Lucius to look after his family. Severus has always been his family. Now, Holly is too. Don’t get me wrong, Harry. Lucius is a bastard, and he will use you for his own purposes. You will have to be careful around him. When you speak to him, be careful of what you agree to. If it’s too good to be true, it’s because he’s ready to drown you like a kappa once he’s used you all up.”

            “Why would I speak to him?” Harry latches onto the sentence.

            Regulus sighs and braces himself.

            “Lucius will be your new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher in the fall.”

            “WHAT?”

            “When he outed Umbridge as the one who sent those Dementors after you, Fudge wanted to distance himself from her and came up with the brilliant,” Regulus cannot emphasise the contempt in the word enough, “idea that she should be sent to Hogwarts to fill the Defence Against the Dark Arts position. Lucius dissuaded Fudge from that lurking disaster and managed to talk himself into getting the role.”

            “How can he be better than this Umbridge woman?”

            “Lucius knows a lot about the Dark Arts. What better teacher than someone who used to be a Death Eater?” Regulus points out.

            Harry sighs in reluctant agreement.

            “Will Holly be safe with them?”

            Regulus knows the answer to this will mean a lot to Harry: he and Holly are so similar in so many ways. Holly’s primary concern when he spoke to her was that she wanted to make sure Harry was safe from the Dursleys; now, Harry wants to make sure Holly is safe with Severus and the Malfoys.

            “She will be very safe, Harry,” Regulus assures him.

            “What about when Snape and Malfoy come to Hogwarts to teach?” Harry asks in a small voice, not looking at Regulus at all.

            “They are at the Manor at the moment, but I believe Lucius will not want Narcissa and Holly to be alone. I’m trying to convince Lucius to allow me to bring them here after he and Draco leave for Hogwarts.

            “Perhaps, for Christmas this year, you can leave Hogwarts and come here?”

            Regulus is pleased to see Harry’s face light up at that suggestion. He vows to do everything he can to make that happen. After everything they have suffered, Harry and Holly deserve a happy Christmas together.

            Harry does not throw himself at Regulus as Holly did, so he embraces the younger boy instead. He wishes he had been a better person when he was Harry’s age—watching how Harry is now makes him think how he was a crueller person then. A lot of it was growing up with a mother like his. Regulus does not understand how Harry could be a kind person when he only had the Dursleys as examples.

            Yet, he corrects himself; Harry also had Eileen, who showed him that adults could be benevolent. If Eileen ever had an agenda for showing Harry such kindness, Regulus hopes he never finds out. It would shatter the boy to find out that the woman he loved as a mother might have used him.

            Eileen was a Slytherin, after all. If she didn’t have a scheme, then why the song and dance of using Tobias to send a message to Severus about his daughter? Yes, Regulus thinks, tightening his arms around Harry protectively: he prays that Eileen had no agenda when it came to Harry.

ooOoo

“You’ve been spending a lot of time with Harry,” Sirius says in a soft voice, standing over the library's threshold.

            Regulus looks up from his book with a smooth expression.

            Sirius knows from the year he spent with Regulus that his godson and his brother wrote to each other for most of the year after he escaped from Azkaban. He was surprised that Harry sent him to Regulus back then, and even more when Regulus allowed him into their home on the word of a thirteen-year-old boy. Regulus would not have allowed him in if Sirius had decided to show up on his own accord.

            He cannot deny that he is jealous of their closeness: he should have a better relationship with his godson than Regulus has with Harry.

            “There are simply a few more things he feels comfortable sharing with me,” Regulus discloses to him in a mild voice.

            Sirius marvels at the change in their relationship. The two brothers had drifted away from each other when the Sorting Hat had placed Sirius in Gryffindor. He had always defied their mother and paid the price:  any rebellion Regulus showed, as a result, was therefore met with even harsher punishment. Sirius had looked down on his brother back then for giving in and following their mother like a good little House-Elf.

            Yet, Sirius ended up in Azkaban for twelve years, accused of being a Death Eater, while Regulus, the real Death Eater with a Mark, got away with it. Despite their light-hearted letters to Harry over the past year, Sirius and Regulus’s relationship was strained.

            The house is so different from how Sirius remembered it. After their mother’s death, Regulus had completely renovated it, getting rid of most of the Dark objects, overhauling and updating the library, and removing the ugly House-Elf heads that adorned the walls downstairs. He had even burned their mother’s portrait before it became part of the house: it was undeniably a much better place than the one Sirius had grown up in.

            “Do you think he’ll ever feel comfortable sharing them with me?” Sirius asks in a casual voice, stepping into the library. Though the house is different from what Sirius remembers, it is not home for him: he has not made any changes to it; he has not made it his home. He still feels like a stranger, even though he has the same rights to the House of Black as his brother.

            Regulus leans back in his chair and stares at Sirius with blue eyes so similar to his own.

            “Perhaps one day you will,” he replies in the same mild voice.

            Sirius takes two more steps into the library and then walks over to the shelves, making a show of studying them.

            “Do you know why he’s been upset?”

            “You mean aside from the fact that he was kidnapped at the end of a tournament he was forced to participate in, saw a classmate die, forcefully participated in a ritual to bring back his parents’ murderer, was sent to his muggle relatives and denied permission to communicate with his friends, was attacked by Dementors – who, I stress, were sent by a Ministry official – and was threatened with expulsion for defending himself, all while the Ministry drags its feet on whether or not he should be believed?”

            A dull flush starts at Sirius’ neck and works its way up to his cheeks as he lists the things Harry has been through.

            “Good point,” he mumbles, not looking his brother in the face and going back to pretending to study the shelves.

            “Is that what you came to ask?”

            “No,” Sirius denies instantly as he picks a book randomly. “I just thought I’d pick a book to read. I’m allowed to do that, right?”

            “Of course,” Regulus answers with amusement.

            Sirius purposely sits down across from Regulus, opens the book to the first chapter and pretends to read it. He ignores his brother, who watches him for several seconds before going back to reading his own.            

            Still not looking up from the book he’s not reading, Sirius speaks up, “There’s something else bothering Harry.”

            Regulus does not confirm this, but Sirius knows it’s true.

            “Do you think he’ll ever tell me?” The question escapes Sirius’ lips before he even realises he wants to know the answer.

            “He will,” Regulus responds quietly.

            Sirius believes him. His words lift the heaviness from his heart; Regulus wouldn’t lie to him about something like this.

            “How do I get with Harry what you have?”

            “Time. Trust. Hope.”

            Sirius nods. He knows all this. Time seems skewed for Sirius: he was twenty-one when he was thrown in Azkaban, at a point when he thought he was invincible and arrogant. Losing James made him lose all that. He had lost hope every day he spent in Azkaban when he realised that the people who should have known him better really believed he would betray his best friend – the one he loved more than his blood brother. He was innocent, but he felt guilty – he thought he was better off in Azkaban. As far as he knew, Harry was safe with Dumbledore when Hagrid took him away to his aunt and uncle’s house. He had already screwed up and cost James and Lily their lives: he couldn’t risk hurting Harry too.

            Until he saw Peter once more, alive, in his animagus form on the front page of the Daily Prophet two years before, and all his anger came rushing back. His animagus form, which had become his refuge when the Dementor’s effects became too strong, turned out to be his salvation. He had slipped through the bars of his cell, swam to shore and headed for Harry’s last known address, wanting to check on his godson before he began his hunt. It had not occurred to him that the Dursleys might have moved; he was lucky that they had not.

            He knew he had scared Harry that night. It was only last year that Harry told him why he was out that night. It hurt Sirius when he offered Harry a place to live with him, which he refused. He knew he deserved it –not to have Harry wanting to live with him. Why would he leave his aunt and uncle, who have raised him with a practical stranger like Sirius?

However, Harry has not told him everything, but Sirius has learned that his aunt and uncle aren’t the best guardians. So, he is confused about why Harry wanted to return there. Regulus knows the reason. Harry trusts him. In a way, he still does not trust Sirius.

“I’m glad he has you, Reg,” Sirius says in a quiet voice.

“He always will, Sirius. Harry will always have both of us.”

Sirius smiles. They sit in silence for a few more minutes until Regulus gets up and leaves.

“Enjoy your book, Sirius,” he wishes him on his way out.

Sirius is confused by the delight in his brother’s voice as if there is a joke he is not aware of.

“I am,” he replies with a swagger.

Sirius hears the snort of laughter and shakes his head. He actually begins to read the book and gets quite engrossed while sitting in the library. It’s one of the few fiction books.  

It’s Harry’s voice that interrupts him. “Hey, Sirius.”

Sirius greets Harry with a broad smile, “If you were looking for Regulus, you just missed him.”
            Harry gives him a weird look.

“I know. I was looking for you when I passed him in the hallway, and he told me you were here reading.”

Sirius feels a rush of pleasure that Harry came looking for him.

“Is the book good?”

“Yeah, it seems all right,” Sirius shrugs.

Harry glances at the title and bursts into giggles.

“Didn’t know you liked that sort of thing, Sirius,” Harry snorts.

Sirius turns over the book and looks at the front cover: Dick Pound Punishes Michael Toris by Craven Moorehead, says the title.

No wonder Regulus walked out laughing. How did he even have a book like that in his library?

“Do you want to borrow it after I’m done?” Sirius asks shamelessly.

“Ron might,” Harry answers without skipping a beat, making Sirius laugh.

“What did you want, Harry? Or did you just come to interrupt me when I was getting to the good bit?” Sirius wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.

Harry rolls his eyes.

“Can you tell me how you and my dad became animagus?”

Pleased with the topic, Sirius enthusiastically launches into the research they did before they could become animagi.