Regulus clutched his searing arm, an unnecessary reminder of the day's events. Checking up and down the hall he slipped into the cupboard under the stairs. His mother had kept a close eye on him since his 'little stunt' as she called it and the cupboard was the only safe spot in the house left.
Sirius had found it when they were young. Then he started school and suddenly everything changed, he was constantly in trouble, not that he was the perfect child, to begin with, but he'd made it pretty clear where he stood when he told his parents he wouldn't ask to be re-sorted. Then when he came home he'd placed all these enchantments on the cupboard to ensure that Mother wouldn't find it. A lot of things had changed since then. He was on his own now, and far, far over his head.
Although there was that girl, he hadn't decided whether she was either insane or stupid but she'd given him a lot to think about.
Why did she step in? Why risk it? How did she perform an unforgivable with so much ease at such a young age? Why risk life imprisonment just to cover for him? What could she gain from such an act? Had Sirius sent her? No, he thought bitterly, Sirius had made his stance clear long ago. But, he had heard whispers that the Dark Lord had taken out her family, not a house fire. Perhaps she wanted revenge, perhaps she wanted an informant? The stupid girl is bound to wind up dead, but she might be useful in the meantime. She might even get him out of this alive.
Footsteps fell into the hallway and Regulus pushed himself against the wall and slowed his breathing determined not to be found.
"If you fail him again Bellatrix he will not be forgiving."
"We couldn't have known they'd give it to children."
"They should never have escaped."
"They were ready, someone told them we'd be there, and they were almost gone before we even arrived. One of them must have it, I am certain it wasn't in that pitiful cottage."
"It'll be the eldest; she's head of house now. You had better hope it's not in their vault, the goblins won't even release a summary of assets for the Harmen estate, let alone let you in."
Harmen? Regulus frowned thoughtfully.
"Don't you think I know that?! The girl has it, she must."
The voices faded down the hall until all he could hear was muted mutterings and he slowly moved back into the seat.
Bellatrix had a plan for that girl in the alley. If he wanted to get out of this alive he needed her alive, he needed to warn her, but how to do it without getting himself killed was the question…
Portia groaned and rolled her neck, things had been tense around the house lately. Everyone had been smothering Sirius since he announced his Uncles death and she honestly could not understand it. As far as she was aware Alphard and Sirius weren't close. Sirius was fiercely loyal but ultimately a loose cannon and Alphard's only real interest was keeping himself alive. It was one of the reasons she trusted him with her secret, he realised that a secret like that was far more likely to get you killed than give you an advantage. Alphard stayed as far out of matters that could potentially get him killed as physically possible and Sirius, whether he knew it or not, had jumped neck-deep into a war by just being himself.
Alphard's secondary function was not letting his house die and from Alphard's point of view, Regulus would be the logical choice. So if any relationship existed between the boys and Alphard, it would've been with Regulus, which seems likely as Regulus was laying low at his house. So coddling Sirius seemed unnecessary, if not pointless.
However this would not have been a popular point of view so she'd taken to avoiding any area where emotion was running high, because, to be honest, the stuff at home was the least of her worries, her laundry list of things concerning the war effort were increasing with size each day and she was stuck doing the mundane; necessary but frustratingly mundane things.
Sitting back she listed them off in her head as she stared at the cracks in the ceiling.
1. Regulus. Namely that he hadn't wised up and contacted her yet.
2. Werewolves.
2a. Finding if someone took Greybacks place.
2b. The rogue werewolf in the forest.
2c. Remus' animal friends. Seriously what werewolf makes friends?
3. Safeguards for morons who got/will get too deep. (Snape, Regulus, possibly that Crouch kid.
4. The inquiry the goblins received about the Harmen Estate.
4a. Discover the snoop. The Goblins wouldn't spill so obvious they have money.
4b. Compose and send a list of things to be moved from the family vault.
5. Auror Report for the night they arrived.
Technically she shouldn't have it but then, when has that ever stopped her? The curious thing about the report, though, was that it was almost empty. They had had nothing to report. The Deatheaters had razed the cottage. Why? They could have made it look like a break in and feed the pureblood propaganda that muggles were dangerous.
Of course, that would bring to light to potentially missing objects and if they were looking for something that could be bad. But what on earth would her descendants have that he would want?
The creak of the kitchen door interrupted her thoughts and she reluctantly looked down to find Sirius strolling towards her.
"Tea?" She offered.
"No thanks, I'm a coffee man myself."
Portia shrugged. "That's okay, it stopped being tea about ten minutes ago, it's mostly just Firewhiskey now."
Handing her a mug, he sat opposite. "Well by all means my good woman."
They sat in silence for a moment and when it became obviously that Sirius wasn't going to initiate the conversation, she did. "So you're hiding."
"Noticed did you?"
"Doesn't seem very Gryffindor of you."
"It's bloody well not. But I'm not the only one hiding." He glanced at her. "Don't think I haven't noticed. You're very good at being present but not exactly around."
Sirius was more observant than she had thought. She would have to be more careful.
"Noticed did you?"
Sirius smirked. "Touché."
Portia considered him for a moment. "I went through the paperwork they gave you. He gave you a storage space."
"He did?"
"He did. It's listed as your Christmas present."
He was silent for a moment.
"I know why he did it you know."
"Did what?"
"Why he left me everything… It's because Reg and I are on opposite sides of the war, this way no matter who wins, the black name and money live on."
The words felt bitter; like he planned to make sure neither happened.
"I fail to see what is so wrong with that." Sirius opened his mouth to retort, a frown etched into his facial features, and Portia raised a hand to pause him. "Admittedly your family is predominantly dark at the moment, but it wasn't always like that, and it won't remain that way. Things have a way of going in circles."
His frown deepened. "You think?"
"You have had incredible people in your family Sirius, people who fought for those who couldn't fight for themselves, they were noble and honourable and I am absolutely certain that not only are they proud of you but that you are one of them."
Sirius stared resolutely into his drink. "Thanks, Harmen."
"Now about that storage space…"
Hermione wandered through the manor, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders keeping her warm. Opening a set of French doors she walked out onto a balcony, bracing herself for the cold morning air that never reached her. She smiled at the magic keeping her warm as she made her way to the balustrade and overlooked the surrounding gardens.
"Did James' snoring wake you?"
Hermione turned to him, a slight smile on her lips. "Remus, we are at least eight bedrooms away."
"You would do well not to underestimate him. James Potter could out snore a troll and I genuinely worry for Lily's future."
"Lily is brilliant, I'm sure she'll sort something out."
"Well if anyone could battle James' snoring and come out on top…" Remus shrugged.
Hermione had started to feel slightly guilty over holidays. While she did have every right to be mad, at the very least, annoyed, perhaps she had overreacted a little. She boiled it down to the embarrassment that had come from outing Portia as she had.
"I think I owe you an apology..."
Reus frowned.
"I should have answered your letter, it was childish of me not to," Hermione spoke quietly.
"Nonsense, Hermione, it was completely understandable. If I hadn't been so wrapped up in my own insecurities..."
"You're a lycanthrope."
Remus flinched at her bluntness.
"It's perfectly natural to have insecurities about it, especially considering the social climate surrounding the subject, but you need to remember that you have people who love you, who would put their lives on the line for you without a moment's hesitation. People who adore you for all that you are, faults and strengths included and if you think for a moment that we will let you or anyone else get in the way of the amazing future you are absolutely going to have. You. Are. Mistaken." Hermione poked him in the chest punctuating her last three words.
He was grinning at her.
"Is that so?"
"Stop that." Hermione frowned.
"Stop what?" Remus grinned wider, advancing on her slowly.
"Stop grinning, it's not a joke, and, and stop coming toward me." She backed up as he came forward, the glint of mischief in his eyes making her heart race.
"Oh, I don't think any of what you just said was a joke." Remus scooped her up in his arms and she unwittingly squealed. "People, who love me huh?"
"Oh! Uh, of, of course! There's Mr and Mrs Potter, who, who think of you as a son and James and Sirius and P-Peter who think of you as a brother and, and…"
"You." Remus smiled nuzzling her neck. "You love me…"
She did. He was insecure, a little stubborn, obviously mischievous and however smart he was he could be exceedingly daft at times and she loved him. Hermione relaxed into his arms and hugged him back. Until a deep rumbling noise disturbed her utopia.
"Remus, are you… purring?"
Remus moved back looking affronted. "I'm not a bloody cat."
"Obviously." She rolled her eyes. "But can't you hear that?"
Remus tilted his head listening. "Oh. That, that sounds like a motorcycle."
Hermione resisted the urge to roll her eyes once more. "We're a thousand miles from anyway with a muggle motorcycle."
"Well considering it's flying, it's rather doubtful a muggle owns it anymore." Remus frowned into the sky behind her.
Turning around, she could see why. Flying directly towards them was two people on what was clearly a motorcycle.
"Uh, maybe was should…" Hermione started.
"Get out of the way? Splendid idea." Remus finished for her as he pulled them towards the doorway just as it came to land on the balcony.
Hermione pursed her lips. "Where have you been?"
Portia smiled at her. "Alphard left him a storage space, we went to check it out, bloody good Christmas present if you ask me."
"I'm not going to point out how incredibly irresponsible…"
"You just did." Portia kindly pointed out.
"…your actions were because I am in an incredibly good mood."
"We can see that." Sirius grinned wide, teeth showing and pointedly looked at Remus' arm wrapped around her shoulders.
She sniffed, pointedly ignored Remus' triumphant grin and headed back inside.