Chapter Text
November 1st 1981
It's been three years since Regulus Black faked his death, yes he tried to destroy Slytherin's locket, but the moment he saw the inferi grab Kreacher he gained power in his body and saved Kreacher from the inferi. After that he told Kreacher to speak nothing of this and destroy the locket, when the house elf asked what he would do Regulus simply said "I am going to go live my life, far away from the wizarding world, where I can finally grieve." It's been three years since then and Regulus was now waking up in his cottage in the country side, he lived a muggle life, which took some time getting used to but he lived it. Regulus got of bed and walks to the bathroom and starts brushing his curly black hair that now almost reaches his shoulders
Regulus heads downstairs and starts preparing for his morning salad. Regulus turns on the radio before cutting tomatoes. It took a while for Regulus to adjust to the muggle life but eventually he did, and for the first time in six years, he was happy. Regulus switches the station to the blank station he enchanted to give off wizarding world news.
"Today is a sad day for the wizarding world, as You-Know-Who attacked and killed Lily and James Potter."
Regulus stopped everything he was doing, he heard the knife clink against the cutting board as he looked at the radio he still used to connect to the wizarding world.
"On the night of October 31st 1981 You-Know-Who walked into the house of Godric's Hollow and killed the Lord Potter in the entry way and made his way up to the nursing home killing Mrs. Potter in front of the young Hadrian Jameson Potter. The Dark Lord failed to kill the infant though and was defeated by something unknown. A lot of people have asked how the Dark Lord even found where the Potters were living, well as of this morning Sirius Black, James Potter's best friend, godfather of Hadrian Potter and secret keeper was arrested for betraying the Potter's and murdering twelve muggles and killing Peter Pettigrew. Please grieve for the loss of all the people that have died but remember that the You-Know-Who has now fallen thanks to Hadrian Jameson Potter, the Boy Who Lived. Now onto the weather..."
Regulus turned down the volume of the radio as tears ran down his cheeks and gasps escaped his mouth.
"This can't be real..." Regulus whispers before turning around and sliding down the cupboards and sitting on the floor.
Regulus just sits there and cries for the whole morning while he thinks back on the love he shared with James... How he ruined it by leaving him, showing the Dark Mark on his wrist and calling him a filthy blood traitor... He thinks of Harry and how he will be raised without a father... Wait, what will happen to Harry? Regulus thinks to himself. If he's not being raised by Sirius or Peter then who will? I don't think Remus will... If they wanted to keep him safe then it they would probably leave him with muggles and that leaves... no. Regulus gets up and goes to his room and pulls out a small green painted wooden box and opens it. Laying on the crimson velvet is his wand that he hasn't touched in three years. Regulus grabs it and walks confidently towards the front door knowing he needs to save Harry and make up for his past mistakes, by attending the Wizengamot as the newly risen Lord Black.
The Wizengamot had been going on for a few hours as they were going over trades between houses and laws that needed to be voted on before the Chief Warlock, Dumbledore spoke up.
"Now it is time to decide what we do with Hadrian James Potter, a few members have suggested leaving him with his muggle aunt and uncle for saf-" Dumbledore was cut off by loud footsteps echoing down the hall to the Black Family seat.
"I object!" A loud cunning voice echoes out as a man with medium length curly black hair and grey eyes emerges from the hall way standing in front of the podium in front of his seat. "I Regulus Arcturus Black the second, claim my rightful spot as the Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black."
The room gasps and erupts into hushed whispers as Regulus emerges.
Minister Bagnold hits her gavel on her sound block. "Order! Order! I will have order in this briefing!" The Minister looks at Regulus. "Now young man, even if you are Regulus, we would still have to go through all the tests to prove you are-"
"Then do it," Regulus interjects. "I don't care run every test you can, if you would like I could provide a memory of my childhood."
The Minister sighs "Mr. Black why do you even want to object the boy living with his muggle aunt and uncle?"
"Because I will not let Harry live with those evil muggles," Regulus said coldly. "Petunia Dursley called her sister Lily Potter a freak, if Hadrian Jameson Potter goes to those awful people, we will all risk the Boy Who Lived forming an obscurus, do we really want the Boy Who Lived to be treated like a monster and obtaining an obscurus? Is that what James Potter would want?"
"How would you know what James Potter would have wanted?" Agausta Longbottom says in a cold and accusing tone.
Regulus turns towards Augusta sharply. "Because I loved him!" Regulus declares fiercely. "I loved James Potter, with everything I could, and I regret treating him like shit, for acting distant with him, and especially for breaking his heart in 1978..."
The room is silent as they take in Regulus's declaration of love. Regulus turns towards Dumbledor and Minister Bagnold.
"I have every right to be the boys guardian," Regulus says softly as his hands are clenched into fist against the podium trying to keep his composer. "As his godfathers brother... I have every right to be the boys guardian..."
Dumbledore looks with sympathy at Regulus, seeing the sincerity. He looks at the Minister and then back at Regulus speaking up so everyone can hear him. "It was mentioned in James Potters will that if all the other options weren't available, that Harry should go with Regulus Arcturus Black the second." Dumbledore reveals. "This wasn't changed after your assumed death because Mr. Potter didn't think the other four options wouldn't be available..." Regulus gains a look of hope. "But we also need to run some tests on you to see if you are indeed, Regulus Arcturus Black."
Regulus nods. "I understood. I Regulus Arcturus Black, am willing to go under Veritaserum, and am willing to provide select memories to prove that I am Regulus Black." He says calm and smoothly as everyone gasps.
The minister raises an eyebrow. "Select memories?" She asks curiously.
Regulus takes a deep breath. "It is best if I explain in private."
The Minister looks at Regulus suspiciously while Dumbledore nods and speaks up. "Then I suggest that you, the Minister and I walk to the back."
The Minister looks at Dumbledore in shock looking up at everyone. "Okay everyone we'll have a ten minute recess as we talk with Mr. Black." She hits her gavel on the sound block starting the ten minute break.
Everyone starts whispering as Regulus, Dumbledore and Minister Bagnold walk to the back. Minister Bagnold turns to look at Regulus.
"So why do you only want to show select memories?" She asks accusingly.
"Because from 1978 to 1979 I was a Death Eater." Regulus says knowing its best to honest and truthful.
"What?! You were a Death Eater and expect us to allow you to be the guardian of Harry?" The Minister asks frustratingly.
"Yes, because I fully intend on using my past status of a Death Eater to help you arrest You-Know-Who's followers... Just let me gain custody of Harry, spend some time with him and reconnecting with the Wizarding World..." Regulus asks desperately.
"I'm okay with it Minister, if he is able to prove that he can keep the boy safe." Dumbledore says calmly as he looks at the Minister through his half moon glasses.
The Minister sighs "Alright, but lets get this over and done with, so Mr. Black can go and spend some time with Harry and get his lord's ring so he can attend future Wizengamot meetings."
They all walk out and return to their seats. Minister Bagnold hits he gavel on the sound block. "Recess over. Can someone get the Veritaserum as Regulus choses the memories he wishes to show the Wizengamot."
Regulus closes his eyes and thinks to himself. I need to be critical of what memories I choose, I need to chose memories that can be crossed referenced with other peoples memories... memories of events that others in this room can remember... Regulus takes his wand and rests the tip against his temple extracting three memories one at a time putting each in one of a vial. Do I dare us that memory...? No... They would have no memory from James to reference it with... And I don't want to relieve that... But I can use the moment leading up to it... He takes out one more memories and puts them in vials as well giving them to a Ministry official as he walks down.
The Minister looks up at Regulus. "Which would you like to do first Mr. Black? Veritaserum or review the memories?" She asks calmly.
"I wish to do both at the same time, so you can ask me questions about the memories and you will know that I am telling what I believe to be true." Regulus says "And If I may, could you please refrain from asking questions outside of my identity or the memories?" Regulus requests calmly.
The Minister nods as two Ministry officials bring out the pensive and one comes up and gives Regulus the small vial of Veritaserum. Regulus undoes the cork and swallows three drops and gives the vial back to the official.
"Now, are you as you claim to be, Regulus Arcturus Black?" The Minister adds to see if the serum is working.
"Yes, I am Regulus Arcturus Black, the son of Orion and Walburga Black born on Jube 25th 1961." Regulus says calmly.
"Alright." The Minister says. "Play the first memory."
The official that took Regulus's memories and walks up to the pensive that is enchanted to show everyone in the room the memory. The official takes the cork off one of the vials and pours it in. The memory sits for a bit before the pensive glows white and shoots the memory up into a cloud.
The memory starts with Regulus in his third year in Hogwarts walking up to the potions classroom. When he walks in Professor Slughorn greets him.
"Ah Mr. Black, right on time as usual." The Professor says in his usual cheery tone.
"Well I figured if the sooner I get here the faster I can get this detention over and done with." Young Regulus says in his usual cold and cunning voice that he had for that time.
"Now Regulus, out of everyone I expected you not to cause trouble and make another students potion explode in their face." Slughorn says calmly. "I was going to let you off with a warning and take five points away but Dumbledore insisted that I-"
"Of course that old man would insist I get detention." Regulus says coldly as he rolls his eyes.
"Now Regulus as much as I think that it is a little unfair that he gave you detention as this is your first offense, but if Dumbledore thinks that this is appropriate then maybe there is a lesson to be learned here." Slughorn places a hand on Regulus's shoulder. "Now lets go clean the cauldrons so you can be on your way."
The memory cloud fades and everyone takes. The Minister looks at Dumbledore.
"Do you recall this Dumbledore?"
"Yes I do." Dumbledore says calmly not adding more that isn't needed.
"Alright next memory." The Minister says as the official pours the second memory and the pensive shoots it out.
The next memory is again of Regulus in his third year walking back to the Slytherin dorms with his Slytherin Quidditch teammates, they are all looking frustrated and as they walk in the other Slytherin's start laughing at them as the Quidditch players' hair is died in Gryffindor red.
"Yeah yeah laugh it up!" Regulus raises his voice in frustration. "My older brother must have snuck into the Slytherin locker rooms and replaced our shampoo with hair dye..." Regulus snarls
That's when a boy with pale skin and medium length black hair that has a middle part. The boys cold black eyes show nothing of his motives.
"Don't worry Mr. Black, we will get them back." The boys cold cunning voice almost seems to roll off his tongue.
"I have no doubt you will Severus." One of the Quidditch boys says with a sneer.
The short memory fades and everyone whispers to each other. The Minister looks at Dumbledore.
"I do remember that memory quiet well, the entire Slytherin Quidditch team had red hair for a week." Dumbledore says with a chuckle. "I can ask Severus to give us that memory to cross reference it with this one."
The Minister nods. "Please do." The Minister looks at the official next to the pensive and nods.
The official nods and pours the third memory into the pensive and the pensive shoots it up. The memory shows Regulus at 12 Grimmauld Place after his third year. There is a light rustling coming from a few rooms down. Regulus groans and gets out of bed and walks down to Sirius's room and opens the door and sees him packing his trunk... Regulus stands there in shock, his mouth opens to try and speak multiple times but nothing comes out.
"W-What are you doing?" Regulus finally gets out in a shaky breath.
Sirius stops what he's doing and looks at Regulus. "I'm leaving." Sirius says confidently.
"For how long?" Regulus asks.
"Forever Reg." Sirius whispers.
Regulus's body tenses up. "You can't." Regulus gets out with a shaky voice.
"Why can't I Reg?" Sirius asks instantly getting defensive. "Our parents have put me through hell! Why shouldn't I leave?"
"Because I need you!" Regulus counters b ack. "I need you! And your just going to leave me here?!"
"Well in that case if you need me so much why don't you come with me?!" Sirius retorts.
"You know I can't Si..." Regulus murmurs.
"Why can't you? They don't love you Reg, not the real you, the version of they now is just a business deal to them." Sirius says bluntly.
"That's not true..." Regulus says with a tremble in his voice.
"Bull shit it's not!" Sirius exclaims. "They see us as pawns in the their Pure-Blood game! Just so that way our family remains supreme in the Wizengamot! They hate me!"
"How can you say that!" Regulus shoves Sirius. "They love us! Maybe their so hard on you because you act out to much! You don't bottle up your emotions like I do and wait to let them out!" Regulus takes a breath. "Honestly I should have seen this coming... I already saw you using our secret language with James Potter! Who you are probably running away to! I knew you would leave me behind sooner or later..."
"Maybe I'm just not a coward!" Sirius shoves Regulus back. "At least I'm not like them!"
Regulus goes wide eyed. He stays still for a moment before taking a shaky breath. "Go..."
Sirius realizes what he's done. "Reg wait I-" Sirius reaches out but Regulus turns away.
"Just go Sirius... If your blood traitor friend really means that much to you.." Regulus starts to walk away and the memory fades away.
Everyone in the Wizengamot looks at Regulus and sees that his arms are shaking as his hands are clenched into fists against the podium and he holds back the tears rushing to his face.
"Would you mind telling us about that memory Mr. Black?" The Minister asks softly.
Regulus sniffles before speaking. "It was during summer of 1975... I guess Sirius was tired of taking our parents abuse and decided to leave... and I felt betrayed." His voice shook as he spoke.
"What about the term "blood traitor" that you used? I thought you said that you loved him?" The Minister asks in an accusing tone.
Regulus takes a sharp breath before speaking a smooth and calm voice. "I said some things I wish I could take back... I think we both did... And as of the fact that I loved him... It was before things sparked between us..." Regulus takes a deep breath and looks down while closing his to calm himself, because he knows that when the next memory plays... He won't be able to hold it back.
"Minister, as their headmaster, I can confirm that there was... tension to say less, between Sirius and Regulus, and James Potter could not keep his eyes off Regulus in his fifth year." Dumbledore speaks calmly.
Regulus looks up and opens his eyes in surprise as he looks at Dumbledore. Dumbledore smiles softly at Regulus and a wave of calmness shoots through Regulus's body. The Minister looks between Regulus and Dumbledore and sighs.
"Alright then." The Minister looks at the official next to the pensive. "Play the final memory."
The official nods and pours the final memory and the cloud shoots up and shows Regulus in his fourth year standing in the corner holding a butterbeer in Gryffindor tower during a party. Regulus takes a sip as James walks up to him.
"Hey Reg." James says as he leans against the wall brushing a hand through his messy hair.
Regulus rolls his eyes. "Potter your going to make people suspicious of us." He says sharply. "People are already looking my way since im a literal Slytherin at a Gryffindor party." Regulus takes another sip.
James chuckles. "Lighten up Reg, everyone has gotten past the fact that your here." He reaches out with his index finger and gently wraps it around Regulus's index finger.
Regulus looks down at it and decides it's subtle enough to let it happen. James scoots closer a little. Regulus stiffens a little bit as he is worried about their secret relationship being revealed. James leans in to either kiss Regulus or either kiss his cheek but Regulus gentle shoves him back.
"Enough!" Regulus whispers. "Were in public, we can't act out on our feelings no matter how much we want to." Regulus looks away.
"Im sorry..." James looks down with a guilty expression and a tint of hurt that he has to hide his feelings in public.
Regulus' face softens for a split before it stiffens. "Oh please Potter, get rid of that absolute pathetic look on your face before people notice and I start to pity you." He says sharply.
James looks up and then grabs Regulus's hand impulsively and starts to whisper in Regulus's ear. "Then lets go to my dorm, people wont notice if your gone, and everyone is to caught up with the party to notice if I'm gone, and we will have all the privacy in the world."
Regulus pauses as he brings the bottle up to his lips. Regulus looks at James with his eyes and smirks. James smiles and starts to pull Regulus away as the memory fades away. Tears are streaming down Regulus' face and he is fighting his knees from giving out. Everyone is looking at him.
"I do recall... Frank Longbottom speaking of this party..." An old woman's voice breaks the silence. Regulus looks where the voice is coming from and to his surprise it's Agausta Longbottom. "He voiced how he was concerned of the Slytherin, Regulus Black, attending the party, and how he was even more concerned that him and the young James Potter disappeared at the same time. So I, Agausta Longbottom, acknowledge this young man before us, as Regulus Arcturus Black the second, and that his memories are indeed authentic."
Everyone is shocked, but not as much as Regulus, on his way to the Wizengamot he grabbed a few copies of the Daily Prophet and read the article of what happened to Frank and Alice Longbottoms. Why... Why is she defending me? The cousin of the person who tortured her son and daughter in law... Regulus thought to himself. The Minister calls up a few officials, a few wizarding families, and Dumbledore to whisper amongst each other. The Minister sends everyone back and she looks up.
"With the fact that his memories are genuine, his cooperation to the tests we run, and the acknowledgement from Lady Longbottom, the Wizengamot acknowledges that he is indeed Regulus Arcturus Black the second. And with the fact that the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black has not had a Lord since Orion Black died in 1979, I Minister Bagnold appoint Regulus Arcturus Black, Lord Black." The Minister declares loudly and hits her gavel on the sound block. "Now Lord Black, you demand custody of Hadrian James Potter. What can you do to ensure that he is safe?" She asks in a professional matter.
Regulus takes a deep breath and wipe away the tears of joy from his eyes before speaking softly. "I can raise him at Twelve and Grimmauld place, it has the best protection wards that the wizarding world can have. But I'll have to talk to my mother first, and if I can't get Twelve and Grimmauld place then I can buy a new house and put new protection wards on it with my newly claimed wealth. Just give me some time to make arrangements and we can talk about this this weekend."
The Minister nods before speaking. "Alright then, Lord Black I'll give you till this weekend to make you arrangements, but until I can be assured that young Potter can be safe he will remain with Lady Longbottom since Alice Longbottom is his godmother." The Minister hits her gavel on the sound block declaring that this conversation has been paused until this weekend. "Now onto the discussion of the Department of Mysteries budget..."