Chapter 28: The Halloween with More Friends

Regulus and Melody Royale's initiation into Severus' already extensive social group had a fair few ups and downs as September rolled in then out into October. Regulus still couldn't kick the habit of addressing Half-bloods as filthy and Muggle-borns as Mudbloods. But every time he did, he received a smack from Mary, a retort from Lily, a whimper from Melody and a clout round the head from Sirius.

Severus couldn't help but feel some sadness and jealousy that Lily was still willing to tolerate and keep up the plan to befriend Regulus, when all it took was one pronunciation of 'Mudblood' to lose the old Lily. But then he recollected that this Lily was more patient and more genuine a friend. That was one change in between the two Lilys' personalities that Severus was eternally grateful to the Higher Ones for.

He also had less time to be obliged to be close to James and Sirius as the days passed as both Gryffindors had signed up for try-outs for their Quidditch team. As Severus knew, both boys passed their try-outs with great success and pure talent, and became Chasers.

As October reached its mid-point, Severus and Lily visited Hagrid. The whole group made an effort to visit the gamekeeper at least once a month, and as they came in pairs or in trios, Hagrid had more visits in one month than he could have asked for. He was always happy to make the children welcome, a bit too welcome as far as they were concerned, when it came to food. His rock cakes were practically just rock, and his toffees were like quick-drying cement. However, Lily, being the most patient, always obliged to indulge herself to Hagrid's treats and was nevertheless always happy to receive the kindly half-giant's hospitality.

Severus remained distant with Regulus, to give the latter space to fit in of his own accord, but at every turn, he stopped Regulus from doing or saying something that would ultimately leave him alone, without Melody as a friend and left to the Slytherins who had no doubt in their minds about joining Voldemort. Regulus did admit secretly to Melody that he didn't like the idea of anyone dying or getting tortured, having watched the latter occur to Sirius and Kreacher multiple times. He felt that he did have a lot of his brother's capacity for empathy within him, but it would take time for him to adopt it as a stronger part of himself, than the personality that his parents expected of him.

"What if they disown me and blast my name off the Black family tree?" he asked nervously. "Sirius is already on his way to having that done to himself."

"I don't think Sirius is bothered by that." said Melody. "Hasn't he always been against your parents' principles?"

"Yes, though he's been too small and timid to argue…until he became a Gryffindor. Now, he thinks he is brave and strong enough to resist them, but if he carries on, he'll get beaten black and blue, then disowned for good measure." replied Regulus grimly. "I just…I just don't know how he seems perfectly at ease with it all."

"Because he doesn't love your parents as you do." said Melody deeply.

"I guess." agreed Regulus. "I don't want to lose them, Mel. If I lose the Black family, I have nothing."

"No." said Melody insistently. "You'll have your brother, I'll be here too; as long as you're nice…and if this goes well, you'll have this whole group who want to bring peace to the Houses. If your parents don't see the greatness in that cause, then maybe they're not worth bothering about."

Regulus considered those words. Melody had a fair point, but he also could not bring himself to believe that his parents were unworthy of him, instead of the other way around.

"As I said, Mel…this will take some time."

"And I'll be waiting patiently." said Melody assuredly.

Severus was watching the whole exchange. He sympathised with Regulus greatly. He knew how difficult making friends with people he didn't like was. He still had some trepidation and distrust for the Marauders, bar Remus. But he was powering on through it, and he would ensure that Regulus did the same.

But fitting in wasn't the only issue for Regulus. He had difficulty getting on with Lily and Quincey, and he also couldn't help but feel different around Melody, although he kept quiet about her blood heritage. But they were actually the least of his worries. He still had very strong suspicions about Remus. He was certain that the second-year Gryffindor was keeping a secret from the rest of the group, not just him. Regulus wanted to confront him about it but was sure that it would be a pointless endeavour. He also considered speaking to one of the group about it, but he was not close enough to them to be taken seriously in his concerns. He didn't even turn to his brother, as he could see quite clearly that Sirius was good friends with Remus.

Severus could see Regulus was getting curious, and privately went to see James and Sirius about it, much to his own discomfort.

"I think Regulus is trying to figure out Remus' condition." he forewarned.

"Like we did." said James forebodingly.

"We'll just have to divert his attention when we meet." said Sirius.

"But he can still get curious on his own time." argued Severus. "And as we're not in Slytherin, we cannot access him to make him forget about it with distractions. He might either figure it out by checking the lunar chart, or noticing Remus always disappears around the time of the full moon. Or worse…"

None of them wanted to think of the possibility Severus was alluding to, but nevertheless had to take it into consideration.

"We could tell him the truth?" suggested James.

"He's my brother and I still don't trust him with that information in confidence, plus we promised Remus and Dumbledore that we'd never breathe a word." replied Sirius.

"We need to find a way of keeping track of him." said Severus. "A way to know where he is, all the time, especially around the time of the full moon."

Severus was trying to instigate the idea of the Marauders Map into the heads of James and Sirius. He didn't know if it was earlier, later or at the right time to spring the thought, but now was as good a time as any. They needed the Map to make sure Regulus did not run into Remus at his worst, Wolfsbane or no Wolfsbane.

"That sounds like a good idea…if only we could find something that did just that." said James in a conspiring voice.

That made Severus see he had done his job. Sirius looked deep in thought too.

"We'll keep an eye on Reg for now. You as well, Severus. Hopefully, he won't voice his suspicions to anybody else either. In the meantime, though, James and I will do some brainstorming."

"For what?" asked Severus innocently.

"You'll see…we hope." replied James with a grin on his face.

Halloween came a couple of weeks later. Remus had transformed twice since returning to Hogwarts and was recovered nicely. He and the others were excited about the Halloween feast and celebrations. Mary was even sporting an exaggeratedly purple and spider-web covered witch's hat for the feast. She had fashioned it with Lily's help after learning of the Muggle tradition of children dressing up on Halloween.

Severus joined the group at the feast and as part of their unity plan, they all gathered at the edge of the Gryffindor table, inviting Regulus and Melody to do the same. This was a big step considering that they would be seen by the whole school, and people like Lucius Malfoy would not take this development sitting down.

This was proven correct when as Regulus and Melody sat down at the Gryffindor table with the others, Lucius Malfoy immediately rose from his seat and marched over defiantly.

"What is the meaning of this?!" he hissed viciously.

"Nobody here has invited you to join us, Malfoy." snapped Sirius. "So why don't you just take a hike?"

"You're joining up with these worthless bits of filth, Regulus?" snarled Malfoy, completely ignoring Sirius.

"He's my brother." replied Regulus dimly.

"Yes, and like it or not, he betrayed you and your family, the family I will soon be marrying into with Narcissa after we graduate!"

At that point, Malfoy was joined by the fourth year and alternate version of Narcissa Black, soon to be Narcissa Malfoy.

"And you don't want anything to disgrace the name of Malfoy by marrying a Black whose just as malicious as you? Boo-hoo!" sneered Sirius.

"Shut up! Reg, come back to the Slytherin table. Now!"

"I-I-I just want to be with Sirius!" cried Regulus, trying not to cry. "Is that so much to ask? Cissy, what if Bellatrix suddenly turned against the Dark Lord-"

"HA!" laughed Sirius.

"Or what if Andromeda suddenly decided she wanted to be friends with Mudbloods in Hufflepuff?" continued Regulus, failing to omit the common nickname. "Would you seriously find it so easy to estrange yourself from them?"

Severus knew full well that Narcissa and Andromeda did indeed estrange from each other after the former married the Muggle, Ted Tonks and had the Half-blood daughter, Nymphadora Tonks. But he also knew that it was harder on Narcissa as she loved her sister deeply but was too loyal to the Dark side to resist the estrangement by much. Andromeda knew this but could no longer contact Narcissa in any way as a result. Severus wondered if the sisters would reunite after Voldemort's death in the past universe, unaware that Bellatrix killed Tonks and therefore made reuniting next to impossible.

"If I had to, yes." replied Narcissa, though she looked very hesitant in her reply.

"Leave them be." said a voice.

Andromeda Black, a sixth year Slytherin prefect came up, and due to this gathering dispute, Professors McGonagall and Slughorn stepped over too.

"If Regulus wants to be with his brother, let him." said Andromeda. "Besides, Lucius, for all you know, he just wants to see if he can get Sirius to see sense."

Andromeda winked to Sirius swiftly, so nobody would notice. Unbeknown to most, Andromeda approved of Sirius' branched out outlook on Wizarding life. Sirius liked her most out of his whole family for this reason, though Regulus was now attempting to level with her in that sense.

"Fine." said Lucius, under the fierce gaze of McGonagall and the gentle pull of Narcissa on his arm. "But don't get any fancies in your head that your brother can be saved, Reg. And don't let him take you in with his delusions."

That was the best he could say with the whole Great Hall watching, particularly Dumbledore.

As the three Slytherins returned to their table, and Sirius proudly patted Regulus' back consolingly, Severus looked over to Dumbledore. The Headmaster smiled and tilted his head upwards, discretely telling Severus to join him in his office after the feast.

After everyone had eaten, the students made their way to bed, and Severus made an excuse to Quincey that he fancied one more pumpkin pie from the kitchens and made his way to Dumbledore's office.

After being permitted to enter, Dumbledore smiled politely to his guest.

"Good evening, Severus." he said.

"Headmaster." replied Severus with a nod.

"Have you any news to share?" asked Dumbledore.

"Yes, though not fully related to our anti-Voldemort plans." replied Severus.

"Oh, then you must be referring to your efforts to create full union of the four Houses. A splendid idea, and a noble effort, Mr Prince."

"Um, thank you, sir."

After that, Severus asked if Dumbledore had learned anything significant.

"I only know that Bellatrix Black and Rodolphus Lestrange have married and I find it safe to assume that they have joined the ranks of the Death Eaters." said Dumbledore. "As they are new and yet to fully prove their worth to Voldemort, I doubt he has entrusted them with the Cup of Hufflepuff yet."

Severus had to agree. For all he knew, Voldemort only gave Bellatrix the Cup to put in her Gringotts vault during the Second Wizarding War.

"I might have more news after using the…the Stone?" said Severus hintingly.

"Of course. I shall be in my quarters." said Dumbledore cheerfully, placing the Stone itself on his desk before rising from his seat and departing to his quarters.

Fawkes remained on his perch, with his head tucked into his feathers, dead to the world.

Severus ignored him, waited for the door to Dumbledore's quarters above to close, then he turned the Stone thrice in his hand.

With a soft breeze, Severus was eye to eye with Lily Potter once more.

"Hey, Sev." said Lily with a sad tone.

"Hey, Lils." smiled Severus.

"I can't help feeling more and more sorrowful whenever we meet." sighed Lily.

"Why?"

"You always have a thought of how the new Lily Evans is so much better than me as a friend…and you're right. I wish I could have gone back, not to be the woman in your life, but to have proven my worth as your best friend."

"You're doing that now." assured Severus.

"But…you still think ill of me in comparison to your…true Lily."

"I'm sorry, Lils…I just sometimes wish things that are going the way they are here had happened back there and then too, then you and I may have suffered less."

"It's my fault. I should have realized your love for me…and how I was the only thing stopping you from completely turning Dark. I didn't realize until it was too late…and I am so sorry."

"Me too…for everything you've gone through and are still going through." murmured Severus.

The two best of friends kept silent.

"I told you before, Lily. The Lily I am with now may be a better friend, but she is hopefully going to be my soulmate. You are my best friend. If it wasn't for you, I would never have known love or friendship in the first place. I wouldn't be here now. And I love you, as a best friend, for that. So please, no matter what I think on a whim of jealousy or regret, know that I will never think of you as a lesser person. You'll always be my best friend ever."

"And you mine." smiled Lily tearfully.

A few more minutes passed until Severus got to the topic at hand, glad the emotional part was over.

"So…have you any news on the Horcruxes for me?" he asked.

"Sadly no." said Lily.

"You didn't miss anything, I hope." said Severus. "Although…it is a bit much to ask you to spy on three families just to help me…you should be enjoying your Heaven. Your paradise and instead you're exhausting yourself for my sake."

"Actually, Sev, that's where you're wrong." smiled Lily knowingly.

"Huh?"

"Roll the Stone again, wish to see the people helping me." winked Lily.

"Helping you?"

"Do it, Sev!"

Severus conceded and rolled the Stone round, and then he saw two more women standing on either side of Lily. He knew one of them to be Helena Ravenclaw, formerly Ravenclaw's ghost, the Grey Lady. She looked much happier and at peace, and gave a very kindly smile to Severus himself. The second woman looked like she had aged into maturity after her death, judging by the similarity she had in the book, The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore. It was Ariana Dumbledore.

"You two…are helping Lily to…help…me?" he asked, flabbergasted.

"You seem surprised." chuckled Helena. "You helped me find peace."

"And I'm really doing it more for the Albus Dumbledore of this world." explained Ariana. "I want to prove my worth in at least one world."

Ariana and Helena explained for Lily all about how they came to an alliance in watching one family each: The Blacks, the Lestranges and the Malfoys. Each family would be connected to a Horcrux and each woman watching them would obtain knowledge of either the locket, the cup or the diary.

"Once we all find a Horcrux, we will tell you." said Lily.

"And then you can end Voldemort at last." said Ariana.

"And peace will come to this world." added Helena.

Severus was very happy that Lily wasn't sacrificing as much of her time as he had thought, and their two new allies were more than happy to partake in Voldemort's downfall.

"You really think I can do it?" he asked shyly and worriedly. He still had self-doubt.

"I know you can, Sev." Lily winked with a smile of encouragement.

"Thank you, Lils…and you as well, Miss Ravenclaw, Miss Dumbledore."

"Call me Helena."

"Call me Ariana."

They said those words in unison, and Lily laughed, and Severus smiled.

"So…I shall see you guys again after Christmas and New Year's?" asked Severus.

"Yeah, definitely." confirmed Lily.

Severus smiled. "Have a happy Christmas."

"Puh-lease, Sev." laughed Lily. "If we wanted, it could be a Happy Christmas every day! Just make sure you have a lovely time and keep up this idea for House Unity. It's wonderful! Just give Regulus some time."

Severus nodded knowing full well he would have to employ the skills of patience he adopted over the years as Dumbledore's spy.

"See you soon, Lily. Helena, Ariana."

"Until 1973, Severus." said Helena and Ariana before fading.

"Till then, Sev." whispered Lily happily.

Severus dropped the Stone, and Fawkes raised his head, screeching quietly, and on cue, Dumbledore emerged from his quarters.

Severus smiled. Fawkes was as crafty as his master, or was it equal?

Severus soon relayed all that had happened and had been said to Dumbledore. The latter was very intrigued and a little overwhelmed emotionally that Ariana was involved.

"Now I feel that the war with Voldemort is more personal, knowing my sister, or at least one version of my sister is involved. Sadly, we still have no information on the location of the remaining three Horcruxes."

"We will soon, I hope." said Severus.

"Perhaps." said Dumbledore. "But Regulus and Lucius Malfoy are still at Hogwarts. And Bellatrix has only just joined Voldemort. None of them can be trusted by Voldemort yet…it could be long after you graduate Hogwarts before we learn of the remaining Horcruxes' locations."

"Then all we can do until the time comes, is wait, sir." said Severus with a tone that reminded him of himself back in his days as a spy.

Dumbledore nodded gazing at his young student deeply with his piercing blue eyes, before smiling and gesturing to the door.

"Have a good rest of the term, Mr Prince." he said cheerily. "If I hear any further information prior to Christmas, I shall inform you thus."

"Yes, Headmaster." replied Severus as he left the office and made his way to the Ravenclaw Tower and to bed.

(Here's Chapter 28. Sorry it's shorter than the others. Chapter 29 coming soon! Please read and review, thank you!)