Regulus was delighted to have Harry around so that he wouldn't be left by himself everyday. He quickly got used to the boy's presence and spent most of his time making up games to amuse the boy. Severus pretended to be annoyed, but he was glad that Regulus wasn't as lonely, and he was starting to like having Harry around, not that he would ever admit it. They both worked on training Harry to respond to his new name when in public. The boy found it very amusing to be referred to by the other man's name, especially when it was Regulus calling him by it. Their conversations became difficult as Severus couldn't safely refer to either of them and make it clear whom he was talking to.

Harry was inquisitive, and as he got older and his speech capability increased, he began to ask more and more about what had happened to him. The boy was patient as he carefully learnt all the details of his kidnapping. Severus was surprised that the boy wasn't very angry. Once both men were sure Harry could keep secrets, they revealed that Regulus had betrayed the Death Eaters and was thought dead, and Severus explained his role as a spy. Harry startled them by announcing he wished they were his parents because he was very proud of them, and he thought they were very brave. Both men taught the boy about the Potters and the Order of the Pheonix, but he was still adamant that they were better heroes.

As Harry got older, Regulus began telling him stories about the Black family, and Harry was particularly fond of memories of Sirius misbehaving. Regulus informed Harry of some of the mischief he had caused, explaining that the reason why he never caught was that he was just like Sirius but a Slytherin so he was smarter. From Severus, Harry heard stories of his parents at school, and he was disappointed to find that his father and his friends were bullies. Both men reassured him that the Marauders had grown up and told Harry many of the nice things they did as well, but Harry remained disapproving.

Having heard that his parents, especially his mother, were very bright, Harry was eager to learn magic as well. Regulus helped Harry read, and the boy began to learn some basic spells, although he was warned that he wasn't really supposed to use them yet. Sometimes, Harry followed Severus into his private potions lab and demanded that the man explain it to him. Severus allowed Harry to prepare ingredients and sometimes add them, explaining the significance of the contents and the properties of each potion.

When Harry was six, he was invited to Malfoy Manor to aid his charade as a Black. Harry knew a little of Narcissa from Regulus, and he hated Lucius because the man was sent to murder Regulus and he had heard of other terrible crimes the man had committed. Severus and Regulus planned with Harry to try to convince the Malfoy heir to change sides. Harry was eager to meet the boy since he had not yet encountered any other children.

Narcissa was pleased to find that Harry was very polite and knew how to behave with the dignity befitting a pureblood. She was surprised at his knowledge of the Black family and their traditions. When she greeted him, she was startled. "Hello, young Regulus. Welcome to the Malfoy home."

He looked up at her with eyes that were far from innocent or childlike. Regulus had taught him this to unnerve people, and it worked well. Bowing formally, he murmured, "It is a pleasure to receive the courtesy offered me, Narcissa." She blinked and quickly turned to speak with Severus. Harry smirked and waited patiently.

Finally, Severus suggested, "Regulus, you may go speak with Draco. A house elf will show you the way." Harry nodded politely.

Draco was reading when Harry found him. The blond looked up immediately, his eyes shyly not quite meeting Harry's. "Hello…I'm Draco."

Harry grinned. "My name is Regulus Black." Draco nodded and then looked away, as if unsure what to do. "What are you reading?"

"It's a book my mother gave me. Father said I'm not very intelligent and I ought to read more if I don't want others to say that the Malfoys are illiterate. The book is about the Ministry, and I think it's rather boring, but Father says it doesn't matter what I think and I must read it or he'll be most displeased and he shall have to cane me again."

Striding confidently over to the young Malfoy, Harry glanced down at the book. "It does look boring. I'm allowed to read whatever I want."

"Really? Even muggle books? I saw one once. It looked funny, and I wanted to read it, but Father yelled at me and said I mustn't, and then he caned me."

Harry cocked his head. "Oh. I can read muggle books whenever I want. I was told that muggles are just as good as wizards, and the only wizards that don't think so are stupid, and they only say that because they're afraid of the muggles. Prejudiced wizards are even more pathetic than squibs."

"Really?" Draco inquired doubtfully.

Nodding emphatically, Harry assured him, "Some of the best books I ever read are by muggles, and I was told that some of the most important spells were inspired by smart muggles or created by muggleborns."

"My father said all muggle-lovers die."

"Oh. I don't think so. Your father's a Death Eater, and he only says that because if the muggle-lovers don't die, he will." Draco stared at him. "It's true, and there are much more muggles than Death Eaters so everyone knows that the Death Eater lord will lose, and everyone who listens to him will die or lose their soul in Azkaban."

"Would they kill me too? Father always says I have to be just like him."

"No, not if you join the other side."

"I can't disobey my father, he'd kill me."

"But Draco, your father canes you."

Draco blinked at him. "So? Doesn't yours?"

"No. My father loves me. So does my mother. I think your mother might love you too, but she's afraid of your father because he's evil and he likes to kill people."

"He likes to kill people?" Draco repeated nervously.

"Yeah. He's very mean. But the people that fight people like him, they're more powerful, and they will win. If you join my side of the war, we can protect you and your mother from your father. He wouldn't be able to cane you."

"Does your side kill people too?"

"We try not to. A lot of us have to be careful though and pretend to be like Death Eaters. If you join us, you have to pretend to do what your father tells you."

"Oh. That sounds dangerous," Draco commented doubtfully.

"Yeah, but when we win, everyone will say we're heroes, and they'll give us lots of presents."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Besides, in stories, everyone always hates the bad guys, like the Death Eaters. I think it would be a lot more fun to have friends, not have everyone hate you."

Draco paused for a long moment, considering. "Okay, I'm with you."

"Great!" Harry exclaimed and then frowned at the book Draco was still holding. "If you like, I can read that with you. It might be faster." Draco nodded gratefully.

By the time they finished, both boys could hear Narcissa and Severus approaching to tell Harry it was time to leave. Draco frowned. "Will you come again?"

"Sure, just ask your mother to invite me again. If you want, I can bring a muggle book for you to read."

"That would be awesome!" Draco told him excitedly.

Severus came in and told Harry, "It's time to go Regulus."

"Yes, sir," Harry replied, grinning at Draco.

Timidly, Draco smiled and whispered, "Thanks. Good bye."

"See you, Draco!" Harry called cheerfully, and then Severus Disapparated with him.

When they were back home, Severus and Regulus looked at Harry expectantly. "He agreed. We're going to be friends now, and I promised to bring him a muggle book. Draco's afraid of his father, and I think now that we have him on our side, we might be able to convince Narcissa. I think she really cares about Draco." Both men grinned.