Sirius was scratching his chest and yawning as he tripped down the stairs and into the kitchen. He heard her soft laughter and tilted his head in wonder. When he stepped from the last stair, he saw Remus and Regulus sitting at the counter while Hermione was cooking. Remus was smiling at the witch as Regulus sipped his tea.
"I had the full intention of walking away, but he called me that vulgar name. I turned around and punched him square in the jaw." Hermione said, and Remus chuckled.
The animagus frowned and tilted his head. "You have your voice back…" he murmured through his sleepy haze.
Hermione froze and looked over at him; her face was shocked. "Regulus came home last night," she responded, and his brother nodded at Sirius.
Regulus wagged a finger at Hermione, and she rolled her eyes but walked over to him. He lifted her curls from her neck and revealed the small weaving snake that curled into a cursive 'B,' delicately. The color of the marking even changed to a light gray against her pale skin.
The younger Black smirked and ran his fingers over her shoulder. "I'm glad to be back home," Regulus declared.
Sirius felt taken back but said nothing as he sat next to Remus with a smile. Remus offered him a cup, and he could smell the liquor in the teacup. The animagus patted his best mate's back in relief and took a great gulp of his cup.
"What time is the party?" Hermione questioned, and Sirius smiled.
"Six tonight, kitten," Sirius replied, and Regulus drank from his cup.
"It should be quite splendid. The decorations look fantastic. It will be a good celebration for the Potters," Regulus spoke cautiously, and the witch moved to the other side of the counter.
"So, what are you going to name your spawn?" Sirius asked as Hermione glowered at him.
Regulus cleared his throat. "I hardly think this is breakfast conversation, brother," The younger wizard voiced.
"I think it is a great idea; we can find out what your plans are? Are you going to do the traditional Black names? Constellations and stars? Maybe change it up?" Sirius pushed forward with the conversation.
"Sirius," Remus started, and Sirius ignored his friend.
"Oh, what if the young tot has beautiful black hair and gray eyes. That would look adorable with curly hair and a witty disposition," The older Black growled.
"Sirius," Remus snapped and shoved him.
Hermione was glaring at him as he smirked at her. "I would be envious. Intelligent little devious Blacks," Sirius hissed, narrowing his vision at her.
She tossed her hair, and it revealed the tattoo in clear view. "Really?"
"Yes, I am positive. It is a shame that it happened before we could give it a go," Sirius snickered, and she threw the spatula down.
"Cook your own breakfast. I will not feel guilty for this," Hermione said coolly, then left the kitchen in a stiff stride.
The younger Black glanced over at his brother. "You realize you both have youthful chemistry. It is rather difficult to stomach at times," Regulus sighed, shaking his head.
"Are you going to warn me to stay away from your future wife, brother?" Sirius sneered, and Regulus shook his head.
"No, not this time, Sirius."
Remus glanced over at Regulus and offered a look of sympathy. "Go ahead, tell him what you told me before she joined us today."
"I cannot father children. A bit of irony I suppose because it was never meant to be so," Regulus said before his lips thinned.
Sirius furrowed his brow. "What do you mean? How do you know?"
"Any well-groomed wizard under persistent pushes to find a match after school would seek out a proper answer first. I wanted to make sure I was well equipped to handle the next adventure our parents wanted me to go through. I am not, ineffective swimmers as they say." Regulus finished and moved his hand dramatically like a flopping fish.
Sirius's face turned compassionate, and he rubbed his chin. "So, that means that there isn't a chance for you two to have children?"
Regulus smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "Not one chance. I wasn't meant to have them, and it does not even remotely bother me. I feel awful for her; she saddled herself with me not knowing such. I hadn't the heart to tell her."
"Do you even want to marry her?" Remus asked gently, and the Black exhaled.
"I never wanted to get married once I saw the evils of this world. She came along, and it seemed like the best cover. She is fantastic, great company, and a right good shag, but we both have different plans. Hers is to save this world from the wretchedness, and our mission together was a fine excuse for me to rise up and have an ally in doing so."
Sirius frowned and tapped the counter. "But you love her?"
"Of course, I love her, you twit. She saved my life, slapped reality in my face and made me a better person," The younger brother huffed with a glower.
"But are you in love with her, Regulus?" Remus inquired, and the younger Black laughed.
"I am just as handicapped about love as my brother, Remus. More so actually. The things I do for her are the only good things I have done for another person in my life. You can ask Severus. He understands exactly the complexities of my nature."
The wizards grew silent, and Remus was the first to make a sound. "Funny. I never thought you would be someone I actually could entertain being friends with," The werewolf remarked.
"A surprise even for me, Remus," Regulus replied and drained his cup. "I have quite a few tasks to finish up before our party tonight. Things need to be set in place."
"Sirius?" her voice was a croaking question as it rousted the figure sitting beside her bed.
"Sirius? Where's Remus? Am I dead?" her questions grew, and the Black opened one eye at her.
"I am Regulus, and this is my home," He snapped, and she sat up, fear increasing on her face.
"Did you get the necklace?"
"Witch, stop with your incessant questions. Kreacher will fetch us some tea, and we can talk."
The house elf popped in and bowed. "Master Regulus, does my most honorable master need tea?"
"Yes, please, Kreacher. Enough for Miss…"
"Miss Fawley," Hermione choked and cringed at the young Black's glare.
"Miss Fawley needs some tea as well," Regulus repeated with a sneer and folded his arms.
"Thank you for saving my life, Regulus," she said as the house elf disappeared.
He rolled his eyes and scowled. "Lots of good it did me. Now I have to house you and clothe you. Explaining to my mother how a sickly and unconscious witch arrived in our garden. Telling her lies… it all is taxing business, to say the least."
"I saved your life! The least you could do is show a speck of gratitude!"
"And calling me my brother's name is going to convince me that you are grateful to me?"
She glared at him and spat. "It wasn't like I was of a decent frame of mind, Regulus."
The Black huffed and waited for the house elf to reappear. He gave them each cups and departed when Regulus dismissed him. Hermione sipped her cup and rolled her eyes.
"We have work to do. We do not have time for luxuries of who owes who. For every minute we spend on a ridiculous conflict is a moment lost in solving the real problem. Just because we have the necklace doesn't mean the next task is any easier." She declared, and he frowned.
"You are completely serious that you want to do this with me?"
"Regulus, I didn't save you because I thought you're husband material…" she trailed off with a glower, and he rolled his eyes.
"Then what is our next move, Hermione?"
"We must convince Albus Dumbledore that we are on his side. It might be difficult, but I do have time on my side."
Their conversation was halted as Walburga Black came into the guest room. Their adventure together would always be set on the tip of a knife due to her actions. However, Regulus realized he was far from alone now.
The party was a smash, and Hermione was having her fair share of fun. She was dancing with Remus, the Prewett twins and even chanced a dance with James. He was lanky like Harry, so it wasn't a far stretch for her.
Lily was sitting between the other two marauders and watched their group of friends circulate and dance to the enchanted stereo system that Sirius set up. They had their fill of dancing and chatting absently with others for the time being.
"She is a sweet girl," Lily murmured, and they nodded.
"She is. Rather, too sweet if you ask me," Sirius snickered, and Remus rolled his eyes.
Lily sighed and shook her head. "That business about Regulus is tough. No one has told her yet?" The redhead asked in a soft tone.
"It doesn't matter, Lil. She is talking about sacrificing herself," Remus muttered and rubbed his face.
"Well, it does to us. She is our friend," Lily retorted with knitted brows.
Sirius slumped to his knees and frowned. "Hermione is one of those witches you don't want to let go. I don't, and I am not even speaking about shagging."
"Which is choice, brother," Regulus said, and they glanced back at the younger Black.
"Rub it in a bit more, you git," Sirius grumbled, and Regulus smirked.
"Come take a bit of a walk with me before I leave? A bit of air would do us some good," Regulus murmured, and he seemed worn.
Remus frowned and tilted his head. "You're leaving? The party isn't even over."
Regulus nodded and sighed slowly. "I am, but there are a few things we need to have words on before I do."
The Marauders stood up, and Lily waved at them as they walked off with the younger Black. They went out into the spectacular garden that was decorated with floating candles. Regulus seemed skittish, and a bit upset, but Sirius kept an open mind as they found a secluded part. When he turned to them, he was smiling with melancholy.
"As you know I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. I'm finding the last item needing to be acquired, but there is more to this. My standings with those we are defiant of, they're going to bend my hand. I am not going to bend this time."
Remus frowned and ran fingers through his hair. "Regulus, you have to make us understand what is going on."
The young Black sighed and rubbed his face before sighing. "I need you to take care of her for me."
Sirius glared and waved a finger at him. "We already do, but you need to tell us what is going on."
Regulus handed over three rolled parchments with seals. "When the time comes, make sure she gets these. They're important, and I want her to have them."
Remus took the scrolls and tucked them into his jacket. "Regulus, please tell us," The werewolf implored with a tight expression.
"I can't say, but it won't be long," Regulus said and patted their shoulders before giving them a nod. "Remus, you mind if I speak to my brother alone a moment?"
The werewolf motioned agreement. "Absolutely. I will go see if Hermione would like some company," Remus left toward the house.
That left the Black brothers alone. "Sirius; I need you to do me a favor."
Sirius waited a moment and glanced around in suspicion, "We have never spoken like this before. You're either going to try to kill me, or it's a death in the family."
Regulus stepped toward him. "It's important; more so than either of those. More than anything you have ever done," Regulus whispered before running a hand through his hair.
The older brother glowered at him. "What do you mean?" Sirius questioned.
The younger brother frowned slightly and rubbed his face. "Remus has it easier than you, she leans on him, but I need you to do something else," Regulus mumbled, his lips twitched in aggravation.
"Reggie, stop talking in tongues. What do you want?"
"I need you to do what I can't," Regulus admitted and gave him an arched eyebrow.
"And that would be?"
"You will find out soon enough, just do it and don't think about it when it happens." The younger wizard moved to leave.
"Regulus, you can't just walk away and not tell me," Sirius snapped, snagging his brother's arm.
The younger, slender Black looked up at his brother and his face contorted. "Sirius, I always thought you were mental for leaving, but now I understand why. Sometimes, it's more important to do the right thing than what's easiest," he finished with a massive exhale. "I love you, brother. Please take care of her. She's more important than you think."
Sirius tried to keep the conversation going, but Regulus pulled his arm away and stepped toward the house. "Reggie! Why don't you just tell me?" The animagus cried with frustration.
Regulus turned back toward him before reaching the door. "Because, brother. You already know why. You always have, and so has Remus. Goodbye," the young wizard declared and disappeared inside the house, leaving Sirius to pull out a cigarette to think.