Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Adrian Pucey Takes on the World

1

Meanwhile, at Hogwarts

Despite being the first to leave the locker room, Flint was still loitering out front by the time I left. With the rest of our teammates already trekking back up to the castle after a long practice, I knew he was waiting for me. "The Weasleys accepted my father's offer", Flint said as he fell into step with me.

The sun was starting to set; making the castle look like it was glowing in orange and pink hues. Usually, it was a pleasant view but my mind was too occupied for me to enjoy it. "Thank you", I answered although I already knew that Holly was now under the protective wing of Lord Flint's law firm. Mother was being diligent about sending me daily owls to keep me informed. But I knew better than to ruffle the feathers of an upperclassman. Especially when his family was providing me with a substantial favor.

For a brief moment, the only sounds were the crunching of grass under our feet and the wind rustling the leaves in the trees. However, Flint isn't one to leave things in silence. "She made a good impression, your girl". That statement had me arching an eyebrow. Holly's manners were questionable on the best of days. And I highly doubt she was trying to be polite when she and Lord Flint were introduced. Flint grinned when he read my expression of disbelief. "Father found her to possess a sharp tongue and appreciated how fast she came up with arguments to counter him. Even if she didn't think through the flaws in her counterpoints".

I lowered my eyebrow in favor of rolling my eyes instead. That sounded like Holly. The brash, tactless mess that she is. With how forward she is with her affections and allegiances. Her penchant for trouble. How every emotion was easily read on her freckled face from flushed anger to brown eyes that danced when she laughed… I kept my eyes focused on the castle's entrance; biting my tongue to keep myself in check.

Unaware of my distracting thoughts, Flint continued. "He said he understood why your parents approved of your choice. Asked if Weasley was someone I might consider for myself. Father said if it came down to a bidding war, we could win". Every feeling of warmth I was experiencing vanished as my face snapped in Flint's direction and I glared at him like I have never done before. Flint smirked at my obvious displeasure. "Relax", he said as he clapped me on the shoulder. We were getting closer to the school's entrance and soon we'd be sitting down to dinner at Slytherin table. "Redheads aren't my type".

Exhaling through my nose I shrugged Flint's hand off me. "It wouldn't matter anyway". I assured him and myself as we walked up the steps to the entrance door. As the presumed younger person, there was no question of who would hold open the door for the other, so I reached out for the handle. "The Weasleys have been against our traditions for a couple of generations now. They'd never agree to a marriage their daughter didn't want", I explained as I let Flint enter the castle ahead of me. "They would probably be offended if they were offered a bride price". I said as I followed after him.

Inside there were a lot more sounds as students chattered on their way to dinner; the soles of their leather shoes slapping against the cold stone floors. Flint waited for me a couple of feet from the door and we continued to the great hall together. "Everyone on the team thought you had taken one too many bludgers to the head when you started to pursue Weasley", Flint kept on talking as we passed through the opened doors behind other students. Immediately, we turned towards the Slytherin table. "But I'm starting to think you saw something that no one else did. A pureblood girl who isn't motivated by title or connections. A family you don't have to buy off with your pocketbook". Flint continued to rattle things off as we took our sits. Looks like we were having Shepard's pie tonight. "And Weasley doesn't act like she's boring either".

It was easier to focus on placing portions of food on my plate than it was to listen to Flint prattling on, but I knew the only way to get him to drop the subject was to introduce a new one. "Professor Snape seems uncomfortable", I commented; eyes flashing towards the teachers' table as I picked up my fork.

Accepting my offered diversion, Flint glanced towards the teacher; lips twitching upwards at the constipated scowl on Snape's face. Snape had a difficult time tolerating Lockhart. But his distaste for Lockhart was nothing compared to the disgust he felt for the substitute that had taken over Lockhart's classes. "Black was an interesting choice for the position". Flint said. "I'm surprised Snape hasn't murdered him yet".

Sitting between McGonagall and Snape sat Sirus with a small mountain of food piled on his plate. His shaggy black head of hair shook every time he laughed. He was sitting with his elbows on the table as she shoveled food into his mouth; holding his cutlery more like they were tools than eating utensils. Like he had forgotten all the table etiquette our shared mother had taught him. And despite Snape's clear displeasure, Sirus' presence was much needed. He brought lightheartedness back to the castle when everyone was worried about the chamber of secrets and unnerved that there had been a predator in our midst. My brother from another life wasn't a teacher and he didn't use any lesson plans for his classes, but it was still a stark improvement compared to the defense classes we've had all year. Instead of listening to Lockhart preen his own feathers, we were practicing spells. For the first time in a while, everyone could breathe easily in the defense classroom. And now that my… Regulus' brother was here, I knew I needed his help. Fortunately, a Hogsmeade weekend was coming up.

I found the next morning to be challenging. As Mother had warned me, the Daily Prophet released an article that informed about the accusations made against Lockhart and identified Holly by name. It had to be done. But as I sat with a half-filled plate of eggs and toast in front of me as I read the article, it irked me that it was Skeeter who had penned the article. Couldn't Lord Flint request a reporter who didn't treat every story like she was writing for a gossip rag?

I folded up the paper and set it down next to my plate with a small shake of my head. It was enough that I know the article had been written. I didn't need to busy myself with discussion of its contents. However, in a school filled with people who have nothing better to do than to whisper and speculate about others, the discussion proved to be unavoidable.

From across the table, Flora and Hestia sat down in front of empty plates. "Are you the mutual friend Lord Flint mentioned?" Flora asked; nodding at the paper by my plate as Hestia worked to fill both of their goblets with pumpkin juice.

I took my time picking up my fork and getting ready to eat before answering. "Good morning to you too", I said in warning. I know my uncle didn't approve of gossip. Flora and Hestia should know better.

Flora rolled her eyes as she passed Hestia a serving plate of sausage. "We're only asking because we want to know what you want us to say".

I take a bite and chew slowly to give myself time to think. Why would they need to say anything?

When I didn't continue the conversation, Hestia explained her sister's statement. "When people ask us about your relationship with Ginevra's sister". I felt annoyance set in. The world would be so lovely if no one busied themselves with the personal affairs of others. "We know father will support whatever Aunt Florentina decides to do". Things were making sense now.

"Are you still seeing Weasley? Is she ruined? Should we distance ourselves from Ginevra?" Flora started rattling off questions. "We rather like Ginevra. She's the first friend we've had that can tell us apart. Perhaps her reputation can be spared".

I raised a hand slightly to signal that I wanted to speak. It was never a good idea to allow Flora and Hestia to get too carried away with their thoughts. "Neither Holly nor Ginevra is ruined. I found Holly before… anything could happen. Yes, I'm still courting Holly. Yes, the Puceys are the mutual friends Lord Flint mentioned in the article. No, you don't have to distance yourselves from Ginevra. And I highly doubt anyone would be crude enough to ask two eleven-year-olds about their family affairs". Or at least I hoped. "Where is Ginevra, anyway?"

Hestia nodded behind me until I looked over my shoulder. Only to see an extra redhead sitting at Gryffindor table. "She's been upset since Holly was pulled from school", Hestia explained when I faced forward again. And she's worried about Fred and George".

That was interesting. Why would she be worried about those two? I thought back to the classes we've had together since Holly left. They had been quiet and more subdued than was the norm. I knew Holly was rather dependent on them. It was something I slowly trying to wean her of. But perhaps that dependency went both ways. "It is a terrifying ordeal for the entire Weasley family", I said despite my thoughts distracting me from my cousins. "Make sure to offer Ginevra your support". I didn't need to say that a show of support from the Carrow name would discourage most who would bully Ginevra for who her family is.

Flora and Hestia nodded their agreement. But before either of them could speak again, the morning brought another, more unpleasant presence. "Oh, Adrian!" Stimpson said in a faux sympathetic voice as she suddenly appeared on my left. "It's just awful", she exclaimed as she placed a manicured hand on my arm.

It took all my good breeding to fight the urge to shrug her off. From across the table, Hestia and Flora hastily covered their mouths with napkins. No doubt to hide their smirks of amusement. "I assure you, Stimpson. Everything is well in hand", I said even though it wouldn't be enough to end the downpour that is Stimpson.

"Your family must be so embarrassed that you got so close with an unworthy girl", Stimpson continued as if I hadn't said anything. I felt my eye twitch as I resolved myself to not look at the girl who was currently petting my arm.

Flora and Hestia did not hold themselves to the same level of restraint as I. "Didn't you read today's paper?" Hestia asked.

Before Stimpson could say anything to her sister, Flora continued. "The front page talks all about the… hardship Ginevra's sister faced and hints at a secret protector".

"Except, it's not much of a secret". Hestia continued.

Flora flashed me a ruthless smirk before she finished with, "I wouldn't be surprised if our cousin was signing a betrothal contract soon".

Inwardly I groaned as Stimpson retracted her hand from my arm. It might be time to remind my little cousins that I'm not here for their entertainment. "Adrian?" Stimpson's voice searched in an emotional whisper. An emotional whisper that promised tears.

Still, I decided the wisest choice of action was to not look at her. "I feel I've always been clear with my actions and intentions, Stimpson".

A loud whimper made my left ear ache as Stimpson stood and ran from the halls; her sobs echoing behind her. With a sigh, I said to my cousins, "That was unkind".

Hestia picked up her full goblet. "But effective", she replied before taking a sip.

When the Hogsmeade weekend arrived, I made my way to the agreed location alone. Sirus was already waiting for me when I arrived at Hogshead Inn. He was sitting at the bar with a glass of firewhiskey sitting in front of him; talking to the barkeep. "Interesting choice of venue", he said as I slid into the stool next to him. "Got tired of the Three Broomsticks?"

"The Three Broomsticks is too crowded", I answered as I reached into my robe pocket and pulled out a galleon. "Gin and tonic", I said; slapping the gold coin in front of the barkeep.

But before he could respond, Sirus snorted a laugh as he swiped the galleon and replaced it with two sickles. "He'll have a butterbeer", he said to the barkeep as he pocketed my galleon.

The barkeep grunted in response and turned to complete the order.

Sirus turned to look at me. When he saw me scowling, he said, "As if I'm going to let my little brother and student drink underage". His voice was low to prevent the barkeep from overhearing. I didn't want the world knowing I was Regulus Black reincarnate. It was bad enough that Dumbledore and a handful of teachers knew who I used to be. No one needed to be added to those numbers.

"I want my galleon back".

Sirus paused as if he was considering it. "No", he said after a moment. "I'm keeping it. Think of it a payment for the time you spilled ink on my Quidditch Through the Ages book".

"I was seven', I complained with a frown as the barkeep came back with an open, dusty bottle of butterbeer. Not at all like how it was served at the Three Broomsticks; in a clean and polished glass.

Sirus shrugged as he took a sip of his firewhiskey; wincing as he swallowed. "It was my favorite book. So, what did you want to talk about?"

I picked up the bottle of butterbeer and stood up from the stool. "Not here", I said before moving to a musky, dodgy-looking corner in the back of the pub that contained a single table and two chairs. I didn't have to look over my shoulder to know Sirus would follow. Once we were both seated, I forced myself to admit, "I need your help". All the information I had been keeping to myself for fifteen years, I offered to Sirus. The cave, the lake filled with inferi, Kreacher's involvement, and the locket; both the fake and the one hidden in Grimmauld Place. Sirus got up to get another drink and when he got back, I told him what Holly and her identical brothers told me. About the diary that I suspected was like the locket, Lockhart's possession, who had opened the chamber of secrets, and everything Holly and her idiot brothers had been doing trying to stop it.

Sirus smacked his lips as he raised his glass up to his eye level to study it; as if questioning how strong it was. Whatever conclusion he came to, Sirus set the glass back down and asked, "There's a piece of Voldemort's soul inside a locket in our parents' house?"

I exhaled loudly through my nose. I knew there'd be questions. My story was too much for any sane person not to ask questions. But it would be preferable if Sirus didn't have any questions. "Yes. If Kreacher hasn't hidden it elsewhere". My head was starting to ache from the stress and wished this butterbeer was stronger. "Is Kreacher still alive?"

Sirus shrugged as he distractedly scratched his stubbled chin. "I think so".

I blinked twice. "You don't know? You've been free for over a year now. Haven't you visited the house?"

"Why would I return to a house that I'd rather burn to the ground than live in?" Sirus answered with a question. "It's kind of fitting that a piece of Voldemort is haunting that wretched place…" Sirus trailed off as his brain caught up with his mouth. "I'm renting a place that's not far from London. Harry loves it. It's close to a river".

Unable to help myself, I scowled. "You're now the head of the Black family. How can you just leave our… the family's properties unattended?" Sirus didn't offer an answer. I ran a hand over my face. "The ledgers must be in shambles".

Sirus took a long sip from his glass before he shrugged again. "That's what Gringotts is for".

"Unbelievable", I muttered as I took a swig from the bottle of butterbeer. Regulus' father was probably turning in his grave. But then it was time to get back to business. "When I died and awoke as a different person, I thought… I hoped that I could let all these dark dealings go. When I learned that Potter vanquished the dark lord, I had hoped that the Horcrux wouldn't matter. Last year, when I learned that Quirrell was being possessed by the dark lord, I started to think that my new life wasn't as secure as I thought. Then we had another possessed defense teacher this year and Holly, the reckless fool that she is, got tangled in this mess; uncovering another Horcrux, I know I have to do something". I paused and shook my head in an attempt to straighten out my muddled thoughts. "Maybe this is why I was reborn. Maybe I'm supposed to do something to stop the dark lord from rising back to power". Though the thought left a sour taste in my mouth. How much sweeter would my life be if I had no knowledge of Regulus? If I was merely Adrian?

Sirus picked up where I left off. "So, you want me to fetch the locket. How are you going to destroy it?"

"I don't know", was the honest response. "I never got the chance to learn how to destroy the locket. But the wonder Weasleys", I said with an eye roll. "tried to destroy the diary using house-elf magic. That didn't work. So, I'll have to find something stronger. I'll have to get the diary from them too".

"I'll get the locket", Sirus announced. "Even if it means I'll have to go back to that blasted place. Then we'll figure out how to destroy them both". The use of a plural pronoun had me surprised. But it was a pleasant one. I hadn't asked for his involvement beyond giving me the locket. But now that he had offered it, I welcomed it. "What about the chamber?"

My answer was the same. "I don't know. I think Holly and her brothers know more than they told me. I could question thing one and thing two. Maybe they'd be willing to cooperate". But my faith in the identical Weasley brothers was little. They weren't fond of me, nor did they trust me. And without Holly to warm the waters, it was doubtful they would even hear me out.

Sirus quirked an eyebrow. "And why do you think your girlfriend knows more about this?"

Eyebrows slanted inward as I frowned. That was the golden question. "She shouldn't know anything. She's reborn like I am, but this is her first magical life. But I know she's hiding something from me. Holly is a terrible liar". I shook my head again. "I'll confront Holly if I have to". If the right pressure was applied, I knew she would fold. "But right now, Holly is far away from all of this and that's exactly where I want her".

Sirus' eyebrow was raised higher like it was straining to touch his hairline. But he didn't comment. Even though I know it pained him not to. Instead, he said, "We should tell Dumbledore. He might know how to destroy… what did you call them? Horcruxes?"

"No", I answered quickly. "I don't trust him".

Sirus rolled his eyes. "Dumbledore's a great wizard. He's not going to…"

I interjected before he could give me any examples of Dumbledore's virtue. "He allowed two possessed teachers to roam freely in a school full of children. Dumbledore did nothing when the dark lord was breaking into students' minds when he was attached to Quirrell. The same can be said about the chamber of secrets. He is also the same man that didn't demand you receive a trial when you were refused one. And didn't he try to convince you that Potter needed to stay with his muggle relatives?"

There was quiet as Sirus thought through my words. He clicked his tongue. I knew the comment about Potter sits uneasily with him. "You didn't demand a trial for your beloved big brother either", he said when he couldn't think of anything he could use to disprove my trust.

The corner of my lips twitched in mild amusement. It had been a lifetime since we had last conversed like this. "You mean when I was a toddler still learning how to use my tongue", But then I decided to make things more serious. This was a serious matter after all. "I remember my parents discussing your case when it was printed in the Daily Prophet. I knew you were innocent. While you always enjoyed putting on a show, blowing people to smithereens, especially the defenseless, was never your style. Anyone who knew you should have seen that".

Sirus looked away in favor of staring into his now empty glass. This was as close to sentimental that either of us felt comfortable with. "We can try to solve this without Dumbledore. But if we can't, we have to tell him. I'm not going to let pieces of Voldemort survive. Not after what he did to Lily and James".

I nodded. For once, we wanted the same thing. It's funny that it took this long to be on the same page. "It's better for all of us that the dark lord is not revived," I said, thinking of that night in the forbidden forest. When the dark lord in Quirrell's body looked into my mind and saw me as both Regulus Black and as a traitor. I was in no hurry to die a second time. At least, not before I got what I wanted.