Chapter Text
The one with hair as black as coal sat on a chair and looked at the empty house, a house that had never been welcoming and was now completely vacant. His parents: dead, his older brother had been arrested for a crime he never committed, his lover: dead, all because of an old man with wicked intentions.
"Kreacher" the boy called out.
"Yes, master."
''I want you to prepare a room with two cribs.''
''Yes, master.''
The man looked at the clock; it was time. He got up slowly and stepped out of the house. He needed to get there at the exact hour, not too late, but not too early either. He had to convince the old man to let him take the boys. After all, he and Sirius were supposed to take care of the boys if something happened.
He had the element of surprise in many aspects, and if he had handled his conversation with Sirius and Remus correctly, he had Remus's help as well. Now all that was left was to talk; it wasn't going to be easy. That old man wanted the two boys to stay with Muggles so they would be easier to manipulate when they eventually found out about the wizarding world. He had no intention of letting that happen.
The man arrived just in time to hear the conversation, knowing he arrived just before the boys were brought in, which was good; it gave him time for negotiations. He would save Remus a little time too.
''Hagrid is late. I suppose he told you I would be here, right?''
'' Yes! replied Professor McGonagall. And I suppose you'll tell me why you are here in this place.''
''I came to take Harry and Ryan to his uncle and aunt's house. They are the only family the child has left.''
''Surely you don't mean... it can't be... the people who live here?'' exclaimed McGonagall, jumping up and pointing to the house at number 4. Dumbledore, it can't be! I've been watching them all day, they are completely different from us! And that child of theirs... He kicked his mother non-stop, screaming for candy. Harry Potter to stay here! Impossible!''
''Professor McGonagall, in this matter, we agree," he said as he approached them.
The looks on their faces were priceless; they didn't expect him to appear here, more precisely, they didn't expect him to be alive. They thought he had died trying in that cave, and if it hadn't been for Aaron, he probably would have. He had stayed hidden for two years, waiting for the right moment to reveal himself.
''Regulus Black'' Professor Dumbledore said after a few good minutes. ''It's impossible, I thought you were dead.''
''Everyone thought that, Professor, but thanks to Aaron Potter, I live.''
''Now what do you want?'' asked the old man, fear in his voice.
''You know very well what I want. Lily and James Potter named me and Sirius as the legal guardians of the twins if anything were to happen to them. I want to take care of them and give them a happy childhood, something these Muggles couldn't do.''
Dumbledore looked skeptically at the boy, aware that this wasn't the whole truth. Plus, he knew very well that if they grew up with him, they wouldn't be as easily manipulated.
''You're just a kid; you can't take care of two children. You won't manage.''
''Lily and James believed I could manage since they named me in the will.''
''How did they know to name you if they thought you were dead?'' asked the professor, seemingly more and more surprised.
'' Oh, Professor, Lily and James, along with the others, knew I wasn't dead, but we had to keep this secret for various reasons.''
'' I can't let you take them, Regulus. Besides being just a kid, the boys will be safer here. Plus, the world can't know that Ryan is a Potter.''
'' I never said they had to know. He can take my surname; instead of Potter, he'll be Black. People will believe he is my son, and Harry my nephew whom I raised.''
''Lily Potter placed a spell on the boys; they will be safer here.''
'' I'm quite sure that the spell Lily cast won't break if they stay with me. Don't try to convince me otherwise; I'm not leaving until the boys come with me. And if they don't come with me, we'll see each other in wizard court.''
'' How will you manage alone with two children, Regulus Black? '' asked Dumbledore, seemingly defeated.
''He won't be alone.''
A weight lifted from his soulders when he heard the all-too-familiar voice of Remus. He was starting to think something had happened to him, which is why he hadn't shown up.
'' Remus'' said Dumbledore, '' I didn't know you would be here too.''
''Regie asked for my help. I will help him raise the boys, both of them. I will move closer to Regulus's house, and whenever he needs my help, I will be there.''
''But Remus, you also have a son, Cade. Are you sure?''
''I'm very sure. Plus, it will be good for Cade to have playmates.''
''That's enough, Professor Dumbledore, said Minerva McGonagall, who had been extremely quiet until then. I agree with Regulus and Remus; the twins would be better off with Mr. Black. Anyway, he seems very determined to take them with him.''
''Very well then, Regulus, but remember, at the slightest mistake, the twins are out of your house.''
''I doubt that, Professor. I will take care of them as if they were my own sons. Oh, and one more thing, I will not lie to them about being brothers.''
It seemed Dumbledore wanted to say something else, but Hagrid appeared, looking very confused to see the two of them there.
''Change of plans, Hagrid'', said Regulus. ''The boys are coming with me.''
Hagrid looked uncertainly at Professor Dumbledore, who nodded approvingly. Hagrid approached Regulus hesitantly, seemingly unable to believe his eyes. Regulus could understand that, considering many people believed he was dead. The brunette took Ryan in his arms while Remus took Harry, and then they disappeared.
Regulus breathed a sigh of relief when he found himself in his own house with the boys in his arms. It was almost unbelievable that the plan him, his brother, and Remus had put together had worked.
''We did it ''he said with a smile on his face.
''Yes, but this is just the beginning, Regulus.''