A/N: Well, lets see how this turns out. Few things before we start - this will start before Harry's 5th year and go AU after that. And yes, this will be slash. Please don't complain and if you have an issue with it, please don't read. Otherwise, I hope everyone enjoys!

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and I do not make any money off of this story.

He couldn't breathe. He could feel the water in his lungs. His brain was foggy. The hands around his legs had disappeared. He no longer felt himself being pulled under the dark water. Unable to fight it any longer, he opened his mouth, shocked when he tasted air and not more of the substance already filling his body. Gasping desperately, he began to cough loudly. He turned over onto his stomach, feeling the water coming up out of his throat.

It was then that he realized there were voices around him. Still coughing, he felt his body stiffen as his head began to clear. There were people around him. He no longer felt the poison in his system, the inferi were gone, he was on land – inside on a hardwood floor actually – and there were people standing in a circle around him.

It shouldn't be possible. No one had known about the cave. No one should have been able to save him. Even the Dark Lord hadn't known what he was doing, he made sure of it. But if it was him, if the people standing around him were Death Eaters, why would they bother getting the poison out of his body? Unless they meant to make his death more painful. Which was a very real possibility.

Slowly, he moved his hand down toward his hip, hoping his wand was somewhere on him. His wand holster was gone from his wrist, put there was a possibility his wand was in a pocket.

"Don't move," a gravelly voice ordered. It was then that Regulus felt the tip of a wand being pressed against the back of his head. Regulus froze instantly, still on his hands and knees with his head down. He didn't know that voice. "How did you get in here, boy?"

Get in where? Regulus thought desperately, his mind whirling through various possibilities as he tried to figure out where he was and what was going on. "That depends," he said, his voice hoarse as he tried to speak around the pain in his throat, "where am I?"

The various voices around him instantly went quiet. It seemed none of them wanted to give him an answer, but the man behind him pressed the wand harder against his head. It really wasn't necessary. Regulus was well aware of the position he was currently in. He wasn't stupid enough to try anything at the moment. Especially until he figured out exactly who was standing around him.

It was a few seconds later that he heard footsteps moving toward him. He saw a pair of dark shoes from the corner of his eye and the owner moved slowly into a crouch position, only a few meters away from him. "Reg?"

Regulus's head snapped up, slamming painfully into the person behind him as he looked at the person kneeling beside him. He knew that voice but, as he laid eyes on the speaker, it couldn't have been possible. The man in front of him was at least twenty years his senior, his hair a dark mass, his skin weathered. Regulus stared in shock when he met a familiar pair of gray eyes. Eyes that matched his exactly. It couldn't be. This person couldn't be…"Sirius?"

The man let out a deep breath, eyes staring into Regulus's own. "Wha- I don't- you're… Moony!"

Regulus turned his head to see what his…brother?...was looking at. He knew that name. That was one of the stupid nicknames Sirius and his friends had had. Moony was the Lupin kid. Yet the man Sirius was staring at was no longer a kid. The main was almost gaunt, with graying light brown hair, thread bare robes, and extremely wide eyes. The wide eyes were probably because he looked as shocked as the other man as he stared at Regulus. But those scars that lined his face…they were the same ones Lupin had. Maybe a bit lighter, but the same, nonetheless.

This wasn't possible. How could this possibly-

Regulus moved quickly, pushing up off the floor into a kneeling position. He was instantly met with a circle of wands pointed at him. He held up his hands instantly, showing them he didn't have a wand and wasn't going to try anything. Instead, he let his eyes travel to those standing around him, looking for some sign that he wasn't as crazy as he currently seemed to be.

Beside the men that looked like an older version of his brother and his friend, there was a slim young woman with bright pink hair and a scowl on her face, a tall black man who was watching him impassively, an even older man with dark gray hair, scars all over his face, and a false eye (this was the man that had been pushing his wand into Regulus's head), a red haired woman, a red headed man, and a younger red haired man who was looking at him curiously.

"What is your name?" The gravelly man demanded.

"Regulus Arcturus Black," he answered truthfully. He might have tried to hide his name, but he didn't really think it would matter either way in his present situation.

"Impossible," the man growled. "Black died sixteen years ago. How did you get in this house?"

Regulus just stared at the man. Sixteen years ago? Died? Well, honestly, that had been the plan but he didn't think-

His thoughts broke off as he spotted something behind the man's shoulder. He knew that portrait. It was the portrait that had been gifted to his great-grandfather. And the carvings on the banister were as well known to him as his own hand. How in Merlins name had these people managed to get into his house?

"I do not know what you are talking about," Regulus started, taking care to keep his voice even, "but I think I should be asking you how you were able to enter my house."

The words brought a round of choked off sounds and whispers. Regulus continued to stare at the man who was threatening him, his mask firmly in place. None of these people should have been able to enter Grimmauld Place. His family had placed an unknown amount of wards and protections on the house over the generations. The only way they could be here is if they were invited by the head of his family. And, after his father's death and his brothers disownment, the only family head that could have possibly done so was himself.

"Someone needs to get Dumbledore," the red headed woman said loudly, making Regulus turn his attention to her. Dumbledore. That was a name he knew. And if these people wanted him, then that meant they were part of his band of followers. "He'll know what to do!"

"No need, Molly," a very familiar voice said softly. Regulus brought his shoulders back as he raised his eyes to the man walking into the room. The man never moved his eyes from Regulus as he addressed those around him. "It seems Mr. Black has a story to tell us. And we have some explanations to give him. If you would kindly follow us into the dining room, Mr. Black." With a wave of his hand, Regulus felt his soaked cloths dry.

Extremely aware of the eyes on him, Regulus slowly pushed up off of the floor into a standing position. He blinked at the pain that shot through his body as he did so. He hadn't been aware of the soreness in his body until now. He felt his legs shake and was prepared to hit the floor as he felt them collapse under him. Before that could happen, a strong arm wrapped itself around his waist and pulled his body up. "Careful," the man who looked like Sirius said, in a soft voice that Regulus was sure his brother hadn't used with him in many years.

Regulus didn't fight out of the man's hold as he helped him into the dining room, the rest of the group following behind them. The man surprised him as, instead of placing him in one of the first chairs at the table, he helped him to the other side and pulled out the chair Regulus had always sat in when forced to attend formal dinners with his family. The man slid into the seat beside him instantly, though he moved the chair closer as if to be near in case Regulus fell out of the chair.

"Molly, if you would please call the children down, I believe they should be here for this discussion," Dumbledore said to the red haired woman.

The woman, Molly, narrowed her eyes slightly, "I don't think-"

"This is not something that can be kept from them," Dumbledore said in that infuriatingly calm voice. "They, of course, will need to agree to keep anything that is said to themselves. However, it is better they hear it now from us instead of from…other sources." Regulus saw the man's eyes begin to twinkle at the words.

Molly huffed but turned to walk out of the dining room, only to meet a group of teenagers outside the doorway. "Did you want us-"

"-mother dearest?"

"I told you not to listen in on the meetings!" The woman screeched. Regulus fought the instinct to reach up and cover his ears.

The teenagers, however, seemed used to it as they filed into the room. Regulus saw three red haired boys, a red haired girl, a bushy headed girl that seemed to stare at him with narrowed eyes and pursed lips, and a boy with black, messy hair-

Wait, he knew that hair.

"Potter?" He questioned.

The boy looked up and Regulus felt himself fall back slightly in his chair. The boy couldn't have been James. First of all, his eyes were the wrong color. Second, his face was slightly different, not much, but less sharp than his brothers friend. And third, the boy seemed to be younger than him, not two years older.

"Yes?" the boy asked, seemingly confused as he looked from Regulus to the man who was sitting next to him.

"Have a seat," Dumbledore said, breaking the staring contest. Once everyone was seated, Dumbledore turned those blue eyes back onto Regulus.

"It is understandable for you to be confused, Mr. Black. However, before we can go any further, we need to verify you are who you say you are." Regulus felt his eyes narrow at the words. Why would he need to explain himself? These people were the ones in his house! "So, just a simple test. The Black family has a house elf. If you wouldn't mind-"

House elf! How could he have forgotten! "Kreacher!" Regulus called instantly. The elf appeared in front of him, eyes wider than Regulus could ever remember. The two stared at each other for a moment before Kreacher broke into sobs, wailing loudly.

"Master Regulus! Kreacher did as Master Regulus requested but Kreacher couldn't fulfill his promise! Kreacher is a bad elf! Kreacher-"

Regulus moved instantly, sliding from the chair to kneel in front of the distraught elf. He grabbed the old elf's hand, shaking his head. "No Kreacher. I should have known it wouldn't work. You did exactly what I asked you to."

"Master Regulus!"

"Well, that is that," Dumbledore said loudly, breaking Regulus out of the bubble he fell in the moment his old house elf had appeared. "Kreacher would not have appeared without being called by a Black and elf magic would have recognized an imposter. Mr. Black is who he says he is."

It was only years under his mother's 'tender' care that stopped Regulus from rolling his eyes. Regulus placed his hands behind him on the chair, hoping he would be able to push himself back up, but the man beside him put his hands under Regulus's arms and lifted him back into the chair. Regulus fought back a snarl and the giggles he heard from the teenagers and gave the man a short nod of thanks.

"Well then, let's start with the basics for those that do not know who you are," Dumbledore said looking at the others around the table. "Regulus Black is the younger brother of Sirius. Two years younger, in fact."

"Two years?" the red head boy sitting beside the James look-alike questioned. He frowned as his eyes skimmed over Regulus's form, "looks more like his son than his brother."

Regulus clenched his jaw at the words. It couldn't be true. The man beside him couldn't be –

"Ah," Dumbledore said, most likely having seen the slight twitch on Regulus's face. "Perhaps we should start with that. Mr. Black, all records show that you died in 1979. Your body, however, was never recovered. The current year is 1995."

Ah, well maybe he could be. Regulus slowly turned his head toward the man beside him. "I do not suppose this is a joke."

"'Fraid not," Sirius responded, giving Regulus a small smile.

Regulus nodded slowly. Truthfully, he had suspected as much the moment he laid eyes on the man. However, waking up in 1995 after dying in 1979…unless he didn't die. He could have been in a coma. Maybe – but that kid made a comment about looking like his brothers son. "And how do I look, exactly?"

More giggles from the teenagers and confused looks from most of the adults, but Sirius seemed to understand what he was asking. "The same as the last day I saw you," he responded. "Like an eighteen year old."

Regulus nodded once, his mind working to process this information. Dumbledore said records showed he actually died that day in the cave. Which means the family tapestry, his Gringotts accounts, all would show his death. Those could not be fooled. Yet, here he was.

"And how exactly-"

"No clue," Sirius said, looking expectantly at the man sitting across from him.

Regulus turned his attention to the man as well, now realizing it really was Lupin. Ah, yes, he had always been the smartest of the boys. Sirius and James had been some of the top students in their year, but Lupin was actually very intelligent. Even Regulus would admit that. But Lupin was shaking his head, "I have no idea, Padfoot. I've never heard anything like it before."

"Neither have I," the bushy haired girl stated firmly, her eyes still fixated on Regulus in a calculating way. Regulus merely rose an eyebrow in her direction. He wasn't aware anyone had been asking her.

"It is something we will look into further," Dumbledore said smoothly, making everyone turn their attention to him once more. "Now, as I was saying, Mr. Black is the younger brother of Sirius. He grew up in this household until his death."

Sirius shifted uncomfortably at the words. "Wait, didn't you say your entire family was in Slytherin?" The redhead said again, now looking at Regulus in disgust.

Regulus felt a sneer come across his face at the words. Of course that would be they type his brother surrounded himself with. Just like when he was in school. "What of it?"

"Were you a Death Eater, too?" the redhead demanded, making his mother gasp and the two other redhead teenagers, twins, exchange a look before leaning forward in their chairs.

Sirius also sat forward, his mouth open, but he froze as Regulus pushed up the sleeve on his left arm. Every eye in the room instantly went to the displayed dark mark. "I was marked at sixteen," he said quietly. Even if he regretted his choice, he wasn't going to hide it. He was sure most in the room knew the truth anyway.

The redhead looked furious and the bushy haired girl narrowed her eyes even further. It was the James look-alike that surprised him, though. The boy was staring at the mark without surprise, though he looked almost…sad.

Who was this kid?

"During Mr. Blacks school years, Voldemort," Regulus frowned when he saw most in the room flinch, "was recruiting many students within Hogwarts." Dumbledore said softly, "Mr. Black joined him, though rumors said he changed his mind which led to his death."

Regulus ignored the inquiring look sent his way. He instead stared at the teenagers in the room, not wanting to see the look on his brothers face. "The reasons for joining him are my own," he said, softly enough that most in the room leaned forward to hear him. "However, I was never as involved as many believed me to be. I did what I had to do and gathered information along the way. You can say I became…disillusioned as time went on. I realized you were correct," Regulus shifted his focus to his brother, knowing Sirius would understand what he was referring to. It was the last conversation the two of them had had, after all. "I found out some information that demanded my attention. I knew I would not make it out of it alive. However, if the world had any hope of defeating him, what I did needed to be done."

There was silence after his words. He knew they would want more information. He would not give it.

"And what is it you had to do?" The tall black man asked, his voice deep and his eyes calculating.

"I'm afraid I cannot answer that question," Regulus responded, pushing his sleeve back down over the mark. "I believe it is in the best interest to keep it as quiet as possible."

Many around the table appeared as if they wanted to argue, but Dumbledore nodded his head to show his agreement in Regulus's words. Regulus had no doubt the old man would be asking him more details in private.

"I assume from the responses he is still alive?" Regulus questioned with interest. If he had been dead for sixteen years and the Dark Lord was still at large…well, then he wasn't sure what type of world he was waking up in.

He was surprised many of these people were still alive.

His brother being the biggest surprise.

There were many looks exchanged around the table before Sirius finally nodded, "You can say that. I'll explain it to you later."

Regulus narrowed his eyes at the response. What exactly had happened?

"I believe introductions are in order," Dumbledore said cheerfully. "You already know Sirius and Remus," Remus gave Regulus a small smile, which Regulus responded to with a nod. "However, I do not believe you are acquainted with others."

"Nymphodora Tonks," the girl across from him said quickly, "do not call me Nymphodora. Tonks is fine."

Regulus looked at her in interest, "Andy's daughter?"

The girl, Tonks, looked surprised at the question. Although his cousin had been disowned, Regulus had secretly kept in contact with his favorite cousin. He had been aware she had had a daughter, though he had never met the girl.

"Yep," she finally responded, giving him a small grin. She seemed much warmer to him with that simple question. Odd.

"Kingsley Shacklebolt," the dark skinned man said shortly, giving a nod his direction.

"Bill Weasley," the younger red headed man beside him said with a grin.

"Alistor Moody."

Ah, that explains the wand to the head.

"Arthur Weasley," the older readhead.

"Molly Weasley."

"Hermione Granger," the bushy haired girl, who looked as if she would rather not tell him her name.

"Ginny Weasley," this girl smiled at him, even throwing in a wink. Regulus just blinked before looking at the two beside her.

"Fred and-"

"-George-"

"-Weasley," the two finished together. Regulus let his eyes flicker between the two. He wondered just how often they did that.

"Ron Weasley," the younger red head boy grumbled, not even looking in Regulus's direction.

"Harry Potter," the James look-alike said, staring straight into Regulus's eyes. He was the first to do so.

Regulus nodded to the younger teenager, instantly connecting who the boy's mother was. He had heard that Potter had married the Evans girl, though he hadn't cared much at the time. This Harry was the only person he had ever seen beside Evans with eyes that shade of green.

Now that he thought about it, where was his brother's friend? Those two had always been joined at the hip since the day Sirius entered Hogwarts. Why would his kid be here without him?

Regulus flickered his eyes over to Sirius, who was watching him with startling clear amazement. "Well, I think we should give the Black boys a chance to talk," Dumbledore stated, standing and motioning towards the doorway. "I'm sure Regulus needs some sleep as well. We will wrap up for the moment and speak more tomorrow."