Chapter 1: Alrighty! Here it is, my first multi-chapter fic. I hope you all enjoy it. I've spent a lot of time on my OCs, trying to make them likable and realistic. I've also tried my best to accurately portray the extremely complicated family dynamics between Regulus and the other Blacks. I'm going to post more frequently at the beginning, so we can get really into the story. Then, I'll likely move to once a week. I have about 15 chapters so far! Anyways, here you are! I will include any major trigger warnings in the notes for each individual chapter.

P.S. I'm still looking for a beta reader. If you're interested, please DM manage-mischief on Tumblr for details.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Prologue

September 1st, 1972

Regulus Black stood with his family on the train platform. He squirmed uncomfortably as his mother doted on him. "Have a wonderful year, darling. I'll see you at Christmas," she cooed, patting his cheek affectionately before turning to his older brother, Sirius. "And you," she sneered, "behave yourself."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I will," he said, not paying attention as he searched the station eagerly. He suddenly broke into a grin. "It's James!" he said excitedly, "See you later, Reg!" He darted off into the steam and crowd of families, leaving Regulus behind.

Though this was not the first time Regulus had visited Platform 9 ¾ he was still amazed by his surroundings. Groups of wizarding families ushered their children forward, exchanging heartwarming goodbyes. Owls, toads, rats, cats, and all sorts of magical pets zoomed past him in their cages. Older students in their House colors reunited in a flurry of excitement and anticipation. It was, for lack of a better word, magical. Regulus could feel his own anticipation mounting. Soon, he too would be a student at Hogwarts. He would make himself new and interesting friends and learn how to use his magic, just like hundreds of generations of family members before him. Even better, he would get to spend more time with his brother, free to socialize and explore away from their hovering parents and family pressures. To Regulus, the future looked bright.

He was shaken from his thoughts by his mother's claw-like hand on his shoulder. "Come now, Regulus, let's not stand too close to them," she hissed, glancing over at the platform entrance where another small family stood: two adults and a young brown-haired girl in peculiar clothing. The two adults seemed just as enchanted as their child by the bustling scene. Their mouths were hanging open and their eyes were wide. It was clear they were Muggles. The group piqued his interest. He had never met any proper Muggles before. However, Regulus obediently followed his parents and moved away from the nonmagical folks.

His father crouched down at his side, noticing how his son was still staring at the small family. "Now remember, son," he said, sternly, "that while Hogwarts may accept questionable students, they will never have the strength and power that we do. Be careful. They wish for a society where family lines such as ours mean nothing. They hope to take your power away from you. Do not let them. Be mindful of who you associate yourself with," his father threatened.

Regulus nodded. He, unlike his brother, knew better than to argue with his parents openly. His father stuck out his hand. Regulus shook it. "Good luck, boy," he called as Regulus boarded the train. "Make us proud."

After the long, uneventful train ride, Regulus finally stepped down onto the Hogsmeade Station Platform. His cousin, Narcissa, with whom he had sat for the duration of the journey, gave him a small hug. "See you at the Slytherin Table, Reggie," she winked and ran off towards a horseless carriage with her other 7th year friends.

"Firs' years, follow me," a giant man with a large beard shouted. Pushed forward by the crowd of eager young witches and wizards, Regulus followed the booming voice. Before he had moved far, he felt a tap on his shoulder. His brother, Sirius, stood awkwardly behind him, accompanied by three other Gryffindor boys that Regulus assumed were the friends he spoke about so frequently. He pushed down a surge of jealousy. He was finally here with his brother. They'd get to be proper friends, now, too.

Sirius bounced up and down on his tiptoes as he spoke: "Good luck, Reg. I'll see you at the feast, 'kay?"

Regulus gazed hopefully at his brother, expressing a desire he had not dared admit to any other member of his family. "Yeah…maybe I'll be in Gryffindor, too!"

He searched his brother's face for a reaction. Sirius looked a bit surprised at his eager outburst, and smiled sadly. "Yeah. Maybe you will," he said, without conviction. One of the boys nudged Sirius. "Well, I'd best be going. Get a move on. You don't want to miss Hagrid and the boats!" And with that, Sirius left his brother amongst the sea of unfamiliar faces.

As the line of first years waited to be ushered into the hall, Regulus's heart pounded fiercely in his chest. His peers excitedly babbled about which House they would be in, what classes would be like, and if they reckoned they'd be able to make the Quidditch team in their first year. He spotted the brown-haired girl from the train platform standing with a few others, looking nervous.

"How'd you reckon they sort us? Is it a test? I haven't studied!" She ran a hand through her wavy hair, anxiously.

"If it is a test, I doubt it's the kind you have to study for, Des. Relax!" a curly-haired black girl laughed next to her.

"I know, I know. I just don't want to make a fool out of myself! After all, I'm new to this whole," she vaguely gestured around the room, "magic business." As the girl glanced around, she caught Regulus staring at her. She raised an eyebrow. Regulus quickly tore his gaze away, remembering his father's warning. The girl was clearly a Muggleborn witch. And Regulus, guided by years of wanting desperately to please his parents and avoid confrontation, figured he'd better not engage in the conversation.

The new students processed into the Great Hall, drinking in their surroundings with greedy eyes. It was breathtakingly beautiful. The ceiling was enchanted with realistic depictions of the glittering night sky. Candles flickered and bobbed in midair. Ghosts floated happily through the aisles between the four, long House tables, where older students laughed and chattered. As the procession continued, however, the voices died down. Everyone knew the sorting was about to begin. Regulus searched the room and caught his brother's eye. He gave a small, hopeful smile, which Sirius returned. "Good luck," his brother mouthed. The messy-haired boy sitting next to him gave him a thumbs up.

As the first years reached the front of the hall, a severe-looking professor carried out a stool and an old, battered hat. Regulus assumed this was the Sorting Hat that he'd heard about from Sirius. Oddly enough, it didn't seem to be on fire, as Sirius had warned him it would be. Perhaps they lit it ablaze later.

As soon as the professor had set the hat upon the stool, its folds formed into a grotesque mouth and it began to sing. Regulus heard some of the other students behind him yelp in surprise.

Gather round, all.

Let us answer the call.

For my decisions, on you,

Are about to befall.

I am merely a hat—

An old one, at that—

But once a year only,

I'm sent out to chat

So today, ere we dine,

Let me look for a sign.

I won't take but a moment;

It is simply divine.

Oh, Gryffindor,

What do you have in store?

Can you be brave—

Face danger and gore?

Ravenclaw's wit,

Is the reason I sit.

Are your brains clearly working?

Are the candles all lit?

Dear Hufflepuff,

Made of magical stuff.

Will you prove yourself loyal—

A wizard quite up to snuff?

And old Slytherin,

Who will you allow in?

Those who have dreams,

Let your ambitions begin.

Though four we divide,

Do not set aside,

Take heed of my warning:

By unity and love, we must abide.

The song concluded, and hushed whispers filled the hall. Regulus wasn't sure if the Sorting Hat's songs always ended on such an ominous, preachy note. He didn't know what the hat meant by "love and unity," but it sounded a bit too sappy for his taste. Clearly, unity only went so far amongst the wizarding world. His parents were proof of that. Corruption and lust for power had dominated politics for centuries. One hat's song telling a bunch of teenagers to become friends wasn't going to change that.

But, no matter. The fading of the applause signaled to everyone that the Sorting Ceremony was about to begin. Regulus steadied his breathing, preparing himself for what was to come. The few students in front of him seemed to be doing the same.

The tall witch who had brought the hat out was once again standing in front of the audience, holding a long parchment in front of her. She adjusted her glasses and then called out in a booming, Scottish accent: "Tiffany Jane Archer."

The girl at the front of the line squealed and bounded up the stairs. She plopped herself down on the stool as the professor placed the battered hat upon her head. To Regulus's relief, it did not catch fire.

"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat shouted, and cheers erupted from the table at the end of the hall, where Sirius sat with his mates.

Two more students were sorted, though Regulus was too nervous to pay attention. His palms felt sweaty. What would the hat see in him? Would he be able to ask it to place him with his brother? Would this be his chance to break from the grip of his parents, as Sirius had done?

"Regulus Arcturus Black," the tall professor called. He slowly climbed the steps, careful not to lose his balance. He seated himself upon the stool, waiting for the hat to slip over his eyes.

It never did. As soon as the Sorting Hat's brim had brushed his dark brown hair, it had made its decision.

"SLYTHERIN!" It bellowed. Regulus was in shock. How could the hat have made its decision so quickly? Still dazed, he took his place at the Slytherin Table, where his cousin Narcissa was waving and cheering. He sat next to her, as there were no other first years at the table, yet.

"Good job, Reggie! I knew you'd make us proud!" Narcissa exclaimed and kissed his cheek.

Across the room, he saw Sirius's disappointed frown. Regulus grew annoyed. Why did everyone act like the sorting was the end-all-be-all of determining who you were? Slytherin wasn't an inherently bad house! Good witches and wizards had been in Slytherin! Blimey, his parents had been in Slytherin! And, sure, they had their faults, but deep down, Regulus cared for his family. He was proud to uphold their legacy. It was Regulus who should be disappointed in Sirius, not the other way around!

Imagining his mother and father's joyful reaction to the news, he slightly cheered up and turned to watch the rest of the students being sorted. There were only about half of the original number left.

"Desdemona Rain Lewis." The witch, who Narcissa had told him was Professor McGonagall, read aloud. It was the girl from the train platform. She seemed to be shaking slightly as she approached the seat. Like Regulus, the hat had barely touched her head before shouting its decision:

"RAVENCLAW!"

One of the middle tables erupted. Desdemona grinned widely and dashed towards her new housemates, sliding onto the bench and eagerly introducing herself to the other newly-sorted first-year Ravenclaws.

The sorting concluded, and the feast, soon after. Regulus ate his fill of steak-and-kidney pie, sprouts, tarts, and ice cream. He was lulled into a satiated fatigue. Narcissa, a Slytherin Prefect, led Regulus and his fellow first-years towards the Dungeons.

"I am showing you how to get to our Common Room. Remember these directions. I don't want anyone to go missing…again…" she paused, frowning slightly. "Anyways, the current password is Draconius Fatalis." As she said the words, an entryway was revealed. Narcissa led the younger students through, into an atrium decorated with snakes and silver. Greenish light shown through the windows. Regulus realized that they were under the Black Lake.

"Boys dorms are to the left, girls to the right. Classes start tomorrow, so you'll want to head up and get unpacked straight away! Have a good night!" Narcissa finished and flounced away.

Regulus stood awkwardly to the side, fiddling with the Black Family Ring on his right middle finger. Four boys quickly approached him.

"Oi," said one of the boys, "You're a Black, aren't you?"

Regulus narrowed his eyes, suspicious. "Yeah…"

The boy didn't seem fazed by Regulus's lack of enthusiasm. "I'm Edward Mulciber. I think our dads went here together!"

Regulus eased. "Oh, I think he did mention your name before. Nice to meet you," he greeted and shook the boy's hand.

"Hey listen," Edward continued, suddenly more serious. "This is Quentin Avery—first year like us—and Severus Snape, he's a second year." He paused so that Regulus could shake their hands, too. "And this," he gestured to the tallest and most intimidating among them, "is Thomas Rowle. 6th year." Rowle nodded tersely but did not offer his hand.

"They're involved in a little…club…I guess you would call it, and, well, they thought you and I would be interested in joining."

"Me? Why me? I've only just met you," Regulus questioned.

Rowle spoke, his deep voice startling Regulus: "We know enough about you to know you'd be a good candidate. The Black Family is one of the most influential bloodlines in wizarding history. By joining our group, you'll align yourself with some of the other most powerful wizards in the world. Your parents have already expressed interest in our cause, to our older members. Your family has stake in what's to come."

Regulus regarded Rowle skeptically. "And what's to come?"

"The revolution."