A/N: Thank you so much for the lovely reviews! I hope you like this chapter too.
WC: 898
Mother and Aunt Druella take Regulus with them, today. Regulus knows immediately where they're going: the Yuletide Market in Carkitt Market.
The Yuletide Market is the best thing ever. Regulus was sick last year when the Market was open – it only takes place during the three days before Yule – and he missed it sorely. At the Yuletide Market, there are new and exotic creatures to look at, there are fun Yule foods Mother never lets him have usually (cinnamon candy apples that make your hair go red are his favourite) and there are games to play.
Sirius isn't allowed because he was cheeky yesterday at dinner. And though it looks like Sirius doesn't mind at all, Regulus knows he's a little jealous of him, because, like him, he's bored out of his mind at Aunt and Uncle's. He knows Sirius will not like the day he will have to spend with Cissy all alone.
And also, it would be fun to spend time with Sirius, share this special day with him. They share so little already, but they both love having fun. So he asks – almost begs – Mother to take Sirius with them.
"No, Regulus, darling," Mother says, "This will be just a special time between you and me."
And Aunt Druella, of course, but Mother mentions that.
So they leave, just the three of them, and Regulus feels a little pinch in his heart. But the little pinch goes away quickly when he remembers to Carkitt Yuletide Market. Rather, excitement fills that little heart of his, it makes him feel warm inside.
Mother and Aunt Druella go to do some last minute Yuletide shopping, as well as catch up with their friends and relations, women who all have one or tow children they need getting rid of between them. All of them will give their offspring a couple of galleons (or a lot, some like to expose their wealth) and the bunch of them will run around. And though Regulus doesn't necessarily get along with all of them, he can't wait. It's an afternoon of fun.
Just maybe it would have been more fun with Sirius.
They leave with Father and Uncle, who have to go to the Ministry, and they all Floo there. They disappear as soon as they get there, and Aunt Druelle drops off a couple of papers. Then, they could just Floo to Diagon Alley, the way they usually do, and avoid the Muggles, but Regulus notices ti's snowing. And though it's snowed all through last week, there's nothing like walking through a snowfall.
Regulus asks Mother if they can walk to Diagon Alley. And, surprisingly, because Mother is in a good mood, and Regulus is her favourite, she says yes, and so they do.
Walking through the streets of Muggle London is a little strange, but Regulus marvels at the perfect little snowflakes falling on his coat as the walk brsikly through crowds of Muggles. Aunt and Mother grumble a little, but not too much, so it's fine.
Besides, it's only a five minute walk, so why bother Flooing?
As they reach Charring Cross Road, Regulus sees something ahead. Lots of little tents in rows, and a big wheel that turns with lights. People – Muggles – milling all around the place. It oddly reminds him of Carkitt Yuletide Market and when he reads the sign at the entrance of this strange place 'Christmas Market', he understands why.
'Christmas' is Muggle talk for Yule. But it surprises Regulus. He didn't expect Muggles to have their own special market. Mother says Muggles are like animals, so it is rather unexpected that they should have their own version of Yule. Especially because it looks so much the same: stalls with toys being sold, games to play where you can earn teddy bears, candy apples (but that don't make people's hair turn red). It's all eerily similar.
The only thing that is truly disconcerting for Regulus is that fat red man with a beard that seems to be everywhere. He's on every sign, on every packaging, he's even going around the market giving things to children. He perplexes Regulus.
"Don't look, Regulus," Mother chides. "Or we won't walk though London again."
Regulus nods but gives one last glance to the market.
And that's when he sees something even more surprising. More surprising than the uncomfortable similarity, the strange red man. No. It's Meda. Or at least he thinks it's her. A slightly smaller version of Bella, kind of the same hair, but definitely Black eyes. He's almost certain it's Meda, and her arm is looped with someone else's, someone he doesn't recognise. A boy, about her age. And she's laughing.
"Regulus," Mother warns.
"But, Mother," Regulus starts to say, trying to tell her he saw Bella.
"Now, now." Her tone is slightly cooler, so Regulus shuts up.
But still, what was Meda doing there?
They go though the Leaky Cauldron, tap the code into the wall (always something fun to see), bustle through the busy streets of Diagon Alley before finally reaching the Yuletide Market. Regulus decides not to bring up Meda again.
Mother and Aunt give him a couple of Galleons, as promised. Jonathan Avery, Simfonia Parkinson, Jules Greengrass, Estelle de Perpignan and himself rush away through the stalls of the Market, and Regulus has the absolute best time. He doesn't think of Meda or Sirius.