Severus Snape glowered. Why did the Dark Lord have to choose him? Lord Voldemort had decided that the best way to deal with the threat posed by the Potter boy's existence was to have one of his Death Eaters kidnap the boy and raise him to serve the Dark Lord, not defy him. Although he served as a spy to Albus Dumbledore, Severus knew he couldn't warn the Headmaster. If the old man had listened to his warning that the spy sounded suspiciously like Peter Pettigrew, Snape wouldn't be on his way to Godric's Hollow. It was too late now. He was glad that he hadn't been too late to warn Regulus about Malfoy. Black had had time to fake his death and thus avoid execution by Lucius's wand, and it was thanks to Regulus that Severus now possessed the Invisibility Cloak he'd be using during the kidnapping. Regulus was another secret he was keeping from Dumbledore. The younger Black brother had been hiding in Snape's quarters for nearly a year now.

According to his information, Pettigrew had managed to lure the Potters to a friend's house for a Halloween party. Those idiots had left their son to that fool, Sirius Black. Severus cast a whispered, "Alohamora", and the door opened silently. Without a sound, Snape snuck over to the goblet of pumpkin juice Black clutched. While the man glanced over at Harry, momentarily leaving his drink unwatched, Severus tipped a few drops of potion into the goblet. The potion was colorless, tasteless, and odorless; the only sign it ever left was a terrible hangover, and one drop was enough to knock Hagrid out for several hours. Sirius turned back to the goblet with a sigh, obviously not noticing the invisible wizard beside him. Snape watched as Sirius emptied the goblet, collapsing immediately afterward. Severus almost pitied his old enemy the headache he would have in the morning; one sip would have sufficed so draining the goblet would no doubt leave the man unconscious all night and for most of the morning. Snape plucked the goblet from Black's hand and replaced it with a half-empty bottle of firewhisky. Quickly, he arranged twelve empty firewhisky bottles by the man, taking off the Invisibility Cloak for a moment to work.

When Severus had finished with Black, he found Harry staring at him. The boy had been watching silently the whole time. Surprising himself, Snape began speaking softly and reassuringly to the child. "I'm really sorry about all this, Harry. I know things won't be easy for you. I have to take you away now, and you might not see your parents again."

Harry cocked his head slightly, staring at Severus with curious emerald eyes. "No more James Lily? No more Padfoot?" Snape nodded slowly. Harry bit his lip, clearly trying not to cry. "No more Uncle Remus?" he asked hesitantly.

"Sorry," Snape mumbled.

Now Harry was watching him shyly. "Don't be sad. James Lily sad lot. Padfoot sad too. His family bad. Uncle Remus not so sad. He very brave. Harry wanna be brave." Severus smiled gratefully at him and Harry grinned back.

"Don't worry Harry. You won't be alone. You'll have Regulus and I."

"Regulus?"

"Yes, Harry. I'll introduce you." Snape picked up Harry carefully, making sure to get a good grip on him before Disapparating. He walked through Hogsmeade, hiding Harry and himself under the cloak. When they finally arrived at the castle, Severus used a secret entrance that took him directly to the dungeons. Once they were safely in Snape's quarters, he took off the cloak. Regulus came in from one of Snape's other rooms and glanced curiously at Harry.

"Is he the Potter boy?" Black inquired. Snape nodded.

"Harry, this is Regulus," Severus informed him slowly.

The boy giggled. "He look like Padfoot."

Regulus raised an eyebrow. Severus explained, "That was Potter's ridiculous nickname for your brother, remember?"

"Oh. You know Sirius?" Regulus asked Harry.

Harry nodded enthusiastically. "He funny. Make Lily yell lot."

"Yeah, that's him," Regulus laughed.

Snape rolled his eyes. "Here, you take him. I have to grade some papers."

Regulus held Harry gently, watching the potions master frown and stalk over to his office. He assured Harry, "Don't worry, Severus is just grumpy. I think he likes you."

The Death Eaters held a meeting several nights later, and afterwards, Severus was told the name the Dark Lord had chosen for Harry Potter. He had to struggle not to laugh when he was told that the boy would be called "Regulus Black". All the Death Eater members of the Black family had been informed and were instructed to act as if the boy were truly one of them.