On Friday, the seventh of January, all the students returned to school and got settled back in. Severus told his friends that his mother's divorce had gone through and that he and his mother had changed their last name to her maiden name, Prince. "So you're a Prince now, Sev?" asked Sirius with a grin. "Do we have to bow to you and call you 'Your Highness'?"
Knowing that Sirius was only joking, Severus replied, "The others do. You have to kiss my feet and call me 'my master and Imperial Highness'."
In reply, Sirius threw a sofa cushion at him and retorted, "Oh, very funny. Like I'd ever kiss somebody's feet and call them master."
Dylan, who was also smiling, said, "A more accurate description would be the 'halfblood Prince', since you happen to be a halfblood, Sev."
"Good point," said Severus, thinking that it sounded interesting. "That would be a nice nickname to have. But I think I'll stick to you all calling me 'Severus' or 'Sev' for now." However, he did get out his commonplace book later, crossed out his name where he had written 'Property of Severus Prince' and over it wrote 'Half-Blood Prince', only half-joking when he wrote it.
The following day was a Windmere visit, and Lily and Remus, Severus's two closest friends in the Phoenix Club, kept him distracted for an hour while the rest of the group slipped off to get the presents for his birthday, which was the next day.
The next day, the Phoenix Club gathered in one of the rec rooms in the boys' dormitory after lunch. Claire, Yun, and Katya had gone down to the kitchens and gotten a sheet cake, a plate of cookies, and some paper plates and utensils from the house-elves there. Kurt set the two candles in the shape of the numbers one and two (which had been bought for Sirius's birthday and used again for Nicole's) in the cake, and Yun's sister popped in for a minute to light the candles magically and wish Severus a happy birthday.
After the singing the 'Happy Birthday' song, Severus made a wish and blew out the candles. He then cut the cake and when everyone was done eating, opened his presents. He got a book on Defense, his best subject besides Potions, a framed watercolor painting of him and Lily ice skating on the pond, and a box of sweets. "Thank you guys," he said, smiling at his friends. "And the painting is really good, Nicole."
The next day classes resumed. In History of Magic, the first-years began learning about Asian magical history, starting with China. Apparently the Chinese religion of Taoism had some basis in magic. In fact, the founder, Laozi (a title that translated as Old Master), had been a wizard. Also, there had been witches and wizards in the Imperial Court, though it wasn't common knowledge. Of course, thanks to stories like Journey to the West, the Chinese weren't unfamiliar with magic and took no issue with it as long as it was being used for good and not evil.
The Wizard and Muggle Culture classes ended and was replaced with the Customs of Magical Beings class. Severus, Claire, Yun, Katya, and Sophie and Stefan Rybar no longer had a study period because of this. The very first lesson was taught by a goblin named Goldtooth, who taught the students (except for the ones that already knew it) the standard greeting and good-bye in Gobbledegook and gave a general overview of some of the Goblin Nation's customs. He also taught the next lesson, and then the class moved on to centaur culture, taught by an older centaur named Eldran.
On Sunday, 30 January was Lily's twelfth birthday. There was a cake and the Phoenix Club presented her with a book on Charms, her favorite and best subject, a watercolor painting of her and Severus brewing a potion together, and some sweets. The next birthdays after that were Marshall's and Yun's, who both happened to have been born on the same day, February 10th. Claire had once joked at their joint seventh birthday party that they might as well have been twins, since they were born on the same day and were best friends. The group gave Yun a book of Chinese stories and myths translated into English (since he couldn't read Chinese as well as he could speak it) and sweets and Marshall a pair of padded gloves (since he played Quodpot, an American variant of Quidditch that was like a cross between Hot Potato and Keep Away) and sweets. They also got identical pictures that Claire had painted, of the two of them flying and Marshall tossing the Quod (the exploding ball used in Quodpot) to Yun.
On February 14th was Valentine's Day and the Phoenix Club exchanged platonic valentine cards that they had made. The day after that was the Lunar New Year's. The Asian students (except the Indian ones, since they had a different calender) were excused from classes. Yun and Yuki wore new outfits that their parents had sent them. Yun also received a red envelope containing five Galleons. Since the Lunar New Year had been the subject of the last World Culture class, the Phoenix Club wished Yun and Yuki a happy New Year's and all wore something red, since it was a lucky color in Asian culture. Dinner that evening was composed of mainly Asian dishes traditionally eaten during the New Year festivities.
That Saturday, at breakfast time, Sirius got a letter when the mail arrived. Uncle Alphard sent him a letter once a month, and cousin Andromeda or her husband Ted Tonks would write every couple of weeks, so getting mail normally didn't surprise him. What did surprise him was that it was another letter from Uncle Alphard, who had sent him the monthly letter a week ago, and it was thicker than normal. Sirius opened it to have three pieces of parchment fall out, instead of the usual one or two. He picked up the first sheet and saw that it was a short note from Uncle Alphard saying that he was passing on a letter from Sirius's brother, Regulus, of all people.
Sirius choked on his orange juice and hastily set down the cup. He hadn't had any contact with Regulus since breakfast of the day he'd gotten his acceptance to Nightwind School. In fact, he hadn't thought about his brother much at all, since the two hadn't been getting along ever since Andromeda's elopement, as Regulus had sided with their parents on the matter and thereby became the favored son. Wondering why his brother would suddenly be writing to him now, Sirius picked up the other two pieces of parchment and began reading.
"Dear Sirius,
I know we haven't been close since Andri married a Muggleborn and was disowned for it. I'm sorry about that, but I was never the rebel like you were. I wanted to seek our parents' approval, but you didn't care about getting it. After you got disowned for attending Nightwind School, I started thinking, however. And then I found out that Cissy got disowned too for returning to Nightwind School instead of going to Hogwarts. Plus Uncle Alphard got into a huge fight with Mother and Father, and then Uncle Cygnus and Aunt Druella, over the whole thing. Since he supported you and Cissy, Mother blasted his name off the family tapestry like she did with you, Andri, and Cissy.
I don't know exactly what to do, but I do know that I don't like what's going on at home now. Mother and Father go on about how I'm so perfect and that I'm their only son. They don't even talk about you, except to say bad things about you when they think I can't hear them. You may have been a little bad since you were a rebel, Sirius, but not as horrible as they say you were. I had fun with you and you are still my brother, no matter what.
I've been secretly writing to Uncle Alphard and he says that you and Cissy are doing well at Nightwind School. He's also told me about the school and it sounds better than Hogwarts. A part of me wants to attend, but I know Mother and Father will be angry at me if I do. They'd probably disown me, and I'm not sure if I can handle that. I can rebel to secretly write to you and Uncle Alphard, but I don't know if I can go as far as you and Cissy did. Do you think I should? Uncle Alphard says that I'd likely get the acceptance letter this year, since I'm not a horrible person like Bella, and I am turning eleven in June.
Please write back with advice. Send the letter to Uncle Alphard and he'll forward it to me. I hope you forgive me for not being a good brother to you lately. Just know that even if I go to Hogwarts, you will never stop being my brother. I'm going to write to Cissy now and ask for her advice too. I love you, Sirius.
Your brother,
Regulus."
Sirius wiped his eyes as he finished reading the letter and folded it up. "What's the matter, Sirius?" asked Dylan, a look of concern on his face.
"Reg wrote to me. My brother Regulus," Sirius clarified. "We haven't been close since my cousin Andromeda got disowned from the family for marrying a Muggleborn and Reg sided with my ex-parents on the issue. He wrote a letter apologizing for it and said that my being disowned got him thinking. He still wants to be my brother, wants to attend Nightwind School but isn't sure if he can handle being disowned like I did, and would like my advice."
"If I were your brother, I'd attend Nightwind School and who cares how the parents react to it," said Dylan. "Your brother has you, two cousins, and an uncle that's willing to support and help him. If he stays at home and goes to Hogwarts, what's to say that he won't change in order to be the son that your ex-parents want? You said before that Regulus sought out favor and approval from his parents."
Just then, Narcissa got up from the fifth-year table and walked over to Sirius, a letter in her hand. "Sirius, did you get a letter from Regulus? Because he's written to me for advice about breaking from the family and coming here and said that he'd written to you as well."
Sirius nodded, holding up his letter for proof. "He apologized for our split and said that he still wants to be my brother. And he also asked for advice."
"I'd say that he should attend Nightwind," said Narcissa. "It'd be good for him, and if Aunt Walburga and Uncle Orion disown him, it's not the end of the world. Uncle Alphard will pay for his school supplies and stuff, and you and I will be here to help him. If Reg doesn't, he could be brought back to the rest of the family's way of thinking, since he has shown before that he wants to be a good son and have the family's approval."
Sirius sighed deeply. "He also wanted my approval, before our big fight. Maybe I should have tried harder to patch things up with him earlier. All right, I'll write to Reg and tell him that I want him here at Nightwind School."
"I'll do the same," said Narcissa. "If you need help with the letter to make it encouraging and whatnot just ask me."
The following day, Sirius and Narcissa sent out the letters they had written with the latter's owl to Uncle Alphard, who then secretly passed it on the Regulus. A week later, they received a letter in reply, saying that the family house-elf, Kreacher, had found the letters before Regulus could burn them in the fireplace. Kreacher had reported it to the parents, who had thrown a fit. Orion Black had actually spanked his son for it before confining Regulus to his room. The only effect the punishment had was convince him that he had lost his parents' favor and that he definitely wanted to attend Nightwind School now, if he was accepted that is. He told his cousins not to write back, since his parents were now intercepting all his mail.
At that, Narcissa left the table and marched up to Headmistress Nakamura over at the staff table. "Headmistress Nakamura, I have a question. Is my cousin Regulus Black accepted to Nightwind School this year? He expressed a desire to attend, since his brother Sirius and I are students here, and he would like to get away from his parents, who he feels are bad influences on him."
"I will have to consult the student list for the upcoming school year, Miss Black," said Headmistress Nakamura, looking surprised. "But he most likely is, since we normally accept relatives of current or past students if they have magical ability and are good at heart. Since your aunt and uncle have a prejudice against Nightwind School, I suppose Regulus Black will have to live in Windmere during the holidays like his brother is doing?"
Narcissa nodded and the headmistress continued, "Hmm, since your cousin wants to attend Nightwind School and escape his parents' influence on him, even if he currently isn't on the acceptance list, I will personally add his name to it. Will that do, Miss Black? Also, how worried are you about him?"
"Very," Narcissa replied. "Uncle Orion spanked him for secretly corresponding with Sirius and me, and implied that he would punish Regulus even more if he continued this kind of rebellion. Since his outgoing mail isn't being monitored, he was able to secretly send a return letter, but we can't write back."
Headmistress Nakamura frowned. "Something needs to be done about it. We may have to give Regulus his acceptance letter early instead of at the end of June and arrange for him to move here. I believe I shall need to send several teachers, so your aunt and uncle can't stop Regulus. I will call a staff meeting after breakfast and discuss the arrangements. You may inform your cousin, Sirius, about this, Miss Black."
"Thank you, Headmistress Nakamura," said Narcissa gratefully. She turned and went back to Sirius, telling him about the conversation.
The following Saturday, Headmistress Nakamura, Deputy Headmaster Ihejirika, Professor Nakamura, and all the Defense Against Dark Arts teachers left the school and returned an hour later with Regulus and Alphard Black. Sirius and Narcissa had been told to wait in the Entrance Hall and as soon as Regulus spotted them, he ran over to and hugged his brother tightly. "I've missed you, Siri," Regulus said.
Sirius smiled. "You haven't called me 'Siri' since you were nine. I've missed you too, Reg."
Regulus returned the smile and then hugged Narcissa, who ruffled his hair and patted him on his back. "It's great to see you, Reg. So what happened?"
"I was in the drawing room being lectured by Mother about proper behavior when Kreacher said that we had company at the door. When Headmistress Nakamura said that they were from Nightwind School, Mother tried to throw them out. Professor, I think it was Bruneau, had to magically silence her and bind her to her chair so she could hear them out. I insisted on attending Nightwind School, so when Professor Bruneau undid the spells, Mother threw a huge fit and declared that I was no longer any son of hers, saying that I was turning out just as bad as you. Father came in to see what was going on and Professor Nakamura had to temporarily Stun him so that he couldn't Curse any of them or try to stop me. The rest of the teachers helped me magically pack up my things and took me to Uncle Alphard, while Professor Nakamura un-Stunned Father and Apparated away."
Uncle Alphard walked over to them. "Sirius, you're no longer going to be staying with the Llewellyns. We don't want to split you and Regulus up now that you're back together, and the Llewellyns just don't have the room to take in both of you. However, your friend Severus's mother has volunteered to take both of you in, since she's got a spare room."
Sirius perked up at this, for outside of James, he was closest to Severus of all the members in the Phoenix Club, since the other boy understood what it was like to have a bad home situation, though his had been much worse than Sirius's had ever been. "Since Ms. Prince has to work," continued Uncle Alphard, "Regulus will attend the primary school during the day. After school he'll be at the rec center with the other kids until Ms. Prince gets off work."
Headmistress Nakamura interjected, "Sirius and Narcissa Black, you have my permission to help Regulus get settled into his new home and show him around Windmere today. You can also invite Severus Snape, I mean Prince, to go with you, and get acquainted with his new foster brother."
"Thanks, Headmistress!" exclaimed Sirius. "I'll go get Sev now and tell the rest of the Phoenix Club what's going on."
Ten minutes later, after hurriedly explaining to the Phoenix Club what had happened, he and Severus returned to the Entrance Hall. The two of them, plus Regulus, Narcissa, and Uncle Alphard, who was carrying Regulus's trunk of belongings, set off for Windmere. Sirius's belongings over at the Llewellyns' flat had already been brought over to the Princes' flat. Since it wouldn't be fair to have one of the three boys have a room to himself while the other two had to share, the wall between Severus's room and the spare room had been removed and the two rooms combined to one big one. A pair of bunk beds, a dresser, a double desk, and a bookcase had been added.
Sirius and Narcissa helped Regulus unpack and put his things away, while Severus made room for the other belongings and got to know the younger boy better. After that, Ms. Prince, who had taken the day off work, served lunch. Uncle Alphard had to leave after the meal, but before he did, gave his nephews and niece some spending money and pressed upon Ms. Prince a bag of Galleons for expenses despite her objections that it wasn't necessary. Since he wouldn't take the money back, Ms. Prince decided in the end to open an account for Regulus at the bank and deposit the money there. She did so as part of the first stop on the tour of Windmere. When the tour ended, Sirius, Narcissa, and Severus returned to school, while Ms. Prince took Regulus to the rec center so he could meet the other children his age that lived in the town.
