The Beginning

by Slopopina

Regina is Severus Rogue's twin sister. They soon meet Lily Evans, who becomes their best friend, if not family. This is the story of their years of study in Hogwarts. Friendship, love, family, hatred, suffering. All those things who make us the adults we are, the three students will go through them all. Warning: It's a SQ story. Rated M

9. Chapter 9

Chapter 9. The Beginning of Parenthood

When Dumbledore left, understanding her need to be alone, Regina literally fell apart. She sobbed for hours, curled up on the ground, thinking about only one thing: how am I going to do without them? This sentence had rung again and again in her head. How will I raise our child without my wife? How is it possible for the world to spin around without Lily in it anymore? Why did Severus leave me? Why am I alone? Where are they? It's a nightmare. It's a nightmare. It's just a nightmare.

But as the night came to an end, and the day broke through, she accepted the truth. When Henry called out for her to come, she did. Composed again. She acted automatically, like an automaton. But surely Henry wouldn't notice it. He was just one year old. He wouldn't see the complete emptiness in his mother's eyes.

Two days had passed. Severus had come back. He had acted strangely too. Emotionlessly. Regina faked not noticing it. He did as well. For Henry's sakes. That was all that mattered, now.

Severus had been convicted for being a Death-Eater. His trial would take place in a week time. For now, Regina had to assist her wife's trial. Dumbledore had asked her to come, and she had felt too numb to even consider protesting. Severus would keep Henry. Everything would be alright.

But when her wife entered the court, she wished she hadn't come. She seemed completely defeated. Crushed. Sirius was right next to her. Their extreme pallor and distress matched. Emma didn't even try to look at the audience. She simply advanced. So did Sirius. They acted like ashamed culprits. Regina couldn't bear it. The pain in her chest was excruciating. But instead of getting up and flee the scene, she found herself stuck in her chair, her eyes bound to Emma.

Barty Crouch was judging them. He asked many questions. He wanted to know who the Secret-Keeper had been. So did Regina, in a little part of her mind, very far away from her consciousness. But they didn't answer anything. They kept a low profile with a persisting silence. Dumbledore looked at them, concentrated. But he didn't intervene. How could he, anyway?

Soon, the Dementors came to take them away again. Regina hadn't even heard their sentence. Emma's frightened gaze felt like acid on Regina's skin. But the blonde and pale woman, as if feeling her wife's pain, turned around, desperately looking at the audience. Their eyes almost immediately locked. Emma mouthed something like "I'm sorry". And then, Regina collapsed and she couldn't remember anything else.

When she awoke, she was in Dumbledore's office, lying on a couch. Severus was here as well.

"Henry?" she worryingly and feverishly asked.

"Is fine" Severus tersely replied.

"He's with Minerva, Regina" Dumbledore reassured her.

The brunette weakly nodded.

"I need to speak to you two" the old man kept on.

The twins remained silent.

"Severus, I will take your defence the day of your trial. You helped us. You tried to save many innocent people. I will do everything I can to protect you in exchange of that. On one condition"

Severus dejectedly and desperately murmured:

"I wish… I wish I were dead"

"And what use would that be to anyone?" said Dumbledore, coldly. "If you loved Lily Evans, if you truly loved her, then your way forward is clear"

Regina who couldn't quite focus on Dumbledore's words remained impassive. Severus seemed to peer through a haze of pain, and Dumbledore's words appeared to take a long time to reach him.

"What – what do you mean?"

"You know how and why she died. Make sure it was not in vain. Help me protect Lily's son"

This provoked Regina's attention.

"He does not need protection. The Dark Lord has gone –"

"—the Dark Lord will return, and Harry Potter will be in terrible danger when he does"

"NO!" Regina screamed. "This is impossible. You told me he was dead. How is it possible?"

"I suspect him to have resorted to the worst of what magic can do, Regina. And as you know, I'm rarely wrong."

"Which means –"

"—which means he'll return. And Harry will need protection"

"I'm his godmother. I promised Lily…"

Regina's voice faltered. Her suppressed sobbing was overwhelming. She eventually regulated her breath. Dumbledore was waiting patiently and compassionately. Severus didn't even seem to listen anymore.

"I promised I would always protect him. You can confide him to me, Albus."

His eyes reflected nothing but admiration, compassion and pride for Regina. But his words remained neutral.

"I cannot confide him to you, Regina. I perfectly know you would be perfect for him. But the house I placed him in, is a magical sanctuary for him. No matter what Voldemort will ever try on him, will never succeed in this house." He reassured her.

"Where is he?" Regina suddenly worried.

She had been obsessed with Emma and Lily… she hadn't even thought about her godson. This made her want to slap herself. And it also gave her a new reason to go on. She had kids to care about. She wasn't alone, and she couldn't abandon them. She owed this to Lily. And she owed this to Em… her wife. Even the thought of her name was painful now.

"He's at Lily's sister's house"

"WHAT?" Severus and Regina asked, offended.

"She's the worst Muggle I've ever met! Jealous and arrogant" Severus kept on, despising.

"And I suppose you care because you're afraid for Harry Potter?" Dumbledore coldly replied.

Severus seemed to remember who they were talking about. He didn't talk anymore.

"I am, Albus. Petunia isn't exactly a decent human being. Trust us, we know. Harry doesn't deserve to be educated by someone like her. He'll be miserable." Regina pleaded, desperately.

"Maybe he will not be loved as much as I would like him to be. But at least, he'll be safe, Regina" Albus softly explained.

Regina lowered her head, defeated. She knew Dumbledore wouldn't change his mind on the subject.

"Now. I would like to offer you two, teacher's places in Hogwarts. You are incredible wizards and Hogwarts needs you"

"What post are you willing to offer us?" Severus sternly asked.

"You've always been the best student in Potions, Severus. And you Regina, in Transfiguration. Minerva is willing to share her teachings with you" Dumbledore gently offered.

Severus didn't answer but nodded his approval. Dumbledore turned expectantly to Regina.

"I cannot. I want to focus on my son and my…" she was about to say wife… except she didn't have a wife anymore... "Grief" she said instead.

Dumbledore seemed on the verge of arguing. But he probably understood that this wasn't the right time. Regina was about to fall apart again.

"Severus, if you wish, you may move in the castle right now. The year has already begun but you can teach with the Professor Slughorn at first"

Severus affirmatively nodded again, unable to speak. He vanished. Regina was alone. Again.

"You are not alone, Regina" Dumbledore softly said, as if he was reading her mind one more time.

Silent tears seemed to be endlessly falling on her cheeks, whenever she was around him or Severus. She just couldn't stop.

"I know I have to be stronger for them" she weakly confirmed.

"Crying is no weakness. It may be your biggest force" Dumbledore reassured her.

"You're wrong, Albus. Love may be a force, indeed. But in times like this one? Love is nothing but a weakness" she sombrely murmured.

"Don't let your pain blind you, Regina. Never. Be loving to the persons who need you. And don't ever change your humanity" he mysteriously added.

Regina simply nodded. There was nothing to say. She took Henry back. He seemed so happy to see her, it hurt. The first thing he said was:

"M'mmy! Wer'is M'ma?"

She almost lost it, but instead she gave him a big hug and lots of kisses to make him laugh. She purposefully didn't answer his question and he seemed to let it go. For now. She knew that she would have a conversation with him, sooner or later. About his other mother. But right now, she would never have had the strength. So they just went back home.

Albus kept his promise. He defended Severus. Or that's what Dumbledore wrote to her. Regina couldn't go, she needed to watch Henry. Severus was released. He wouldn't be condemn. The day of his trial was also the day of his first lessons as a new teacher. And around 10pm, while Henry was already sleeping, he appeared in the living-room.

Regina couldn't sleep in her bedroom anymore. Too much memories. And the bed still smelled like her. So she slept on the couch. Or rather she cried on the couch and tried to rest the best she could.

Anyway, Severus was there. He didn't say a word. He just laid down next to her, closely interlaced to his twin sister. And they cried for most of the night. They didn't speak. They were still unable to. For the first time ever, their appeasing presence didn't work. It didn't fill that little part of the hole in their hearts. Nor did it comfort them. It did nothing but to feel the pain harder. Maybe they needed it to reconstruct. The thing was, they would have been completely powerless to let go of each other. So they just sobbed, speechlessly. When they woke up, Henry was crying. It was still very early and they hadn't slept much. They hurried to his room. Regina quickly but gently grabbed him and rocked him.

"Hey my baby boy. Everything's fine. Mommy's here. What's wrong?" she soothingly said.

"M'mma" Henry answered.

Regina looked at her brother helplessly. He seemed as lost as she was. He seemed so sad.

"Momma's not here, baby. She's taken some holydays" Regina tried to explain, as her vision blurred. "But she'll be home soon, honey"

Severus conjured Henry's broomstick and enthusiastically suggested Henry to fly. Luckily, Henry loved his broom. Severus tirelessly tried to catch him for thirty minutes. Regina knew it was a way as another for her brother to cope with his emotions. Henry was helping them. They were lucky to have him. So damn lucky. They would have died otherwise, Regina was sure of it.

A routine automatically took place. From that moment on, Severus came back every night. And every night, they would cry themselves to sleep. In the morning, Severus would play with Henry. Then, he would kiss his sister and nephew goodbye to go to work. And Regina would play with Henry for the rest of the day. She would go out in Hyde Park with him, and try not to think. Henry seemed happy. Even though he constantly referred to "M'mma".

After one month of this routine, Severus decided to come back at night early, to be able to eat with them. He wanted to feed Henry. He gave Regina the excuse that soon, Henry would be too old to be fed. Truthfully, Regina guessed that it probably wasn't easy to seat in the Great Hall. To witness the Slytherin's and Gryffindor's animosity without thinking about unpleasant memories. The mere thought made her shiver. So many memories in this castle… she didn't even begin to understand how Severus bore it.

They put Henry to bed after babbling with him nonsense, cleaned the dining room, and laid down on the couch again. Silently. Sobbing. They hadn't exchanged a word about this absolute nightmare once. They eventually did.

It had been a little more than two months, now. It was almost February. They hadn't celebrated their birthdays on the 9th. But tomorrow would be Lily's. The 30th. She would have been 20. Harry was put to bed. They were cleaning.

"Do you work tomorrow?" Regina lowly asked.

Severus shivered. He knew why she was asking the question.

"Unless you don't want me to" he prudently answered.

"I was thinking… you know what day it is tomorrow… I think I need to… I mean… I think we need to go, you know?" she stammered, unsure. Broken.

"On her grave?" Severus painfully provided.

She nodded, unable to speak. He acquiesced. They didn't cry that night. But didn't speak either.

Seeing Lily's grave was absolutely terrifying. Regina realised how much a life could change in the space of a few seconds. She thought about life. And death. She wondered if Lily could see them. And as she looked at her engraved name, she could only think about one person: Harry. What would Lily think about her for not looking after her child? It had been two months since she had last seen him. She missed him.

"Severus?" Regina murmured.

Henry squirmed in her arms, uncomfortable, before finally settling in. Severus was silently crying while looking at Lily's name.

"What?" he whispered, finally acknowledging her question.

"I promised Lily I would always take care of Henry" she slowly began.

"I know"

"We cannot leave him with Petunia. At least, we should try and give him to his grandparents" Regina tried.

"There is nothing we can do, Gina. Dumbledore won't allow it. You know that" Severus shrugged.

"Please, Sevy, help me find a way" Regina begged.

Severus turned to his sister and looked at her. He probably saw the desperation.

"Fine. Give me Henry. I give you the day to find a solution" he said.

Regina nodded, gave him her baby boy after kissing him several times, and disappeared.

She needed to see the Evans. Surely, they would be okay to take their grandson.

When she arrived, all the memories of the happy times resurfaced. It was almost unbearable to think that Lily had gone, here. But when she entered the house, it was empty. The Evans weren't there anymore. The dust was everywhere, which Mrs Evans would never have permitted. She frowned. She needed answers quickly.

She went at Petunia's, focusing on Lily's sister to find her. She arrived in a suburban street called Privet Drive. Regina knew which house was Petunia's before verifying. She politely rang. A very fat man opened the door. She almost couldn't contain her disgust at the sight of him. But she found the strength to politely smile instead. And ask for Petunia Evans.

"It is Petunia Dursley now… Ma'am?" the man smugly but not hostilely asked.

"Swan. Regina Swan" Regina introduced.

"Vernon Dursley. Please come in, Mrs Swan. Are you a friend of Petunia's?" he vehemently inquired.

"I've known her for years. I was a close friend of her sister, Lily" Regina explained.

Vernon Dursley stopped dead in his track. His face reddened. Regina understood her mistake too late. They were afraid of witches.

"Petunia isn't here, get out" he seethed.

"I'm afraid I won't, Sir. With all due respect, I need to see your wife. And I will. Right now"

On these words, Regina got her wand out and silently threatened the idiot. She was fed up with being nice with everyone. She needed answers, and she would have them. Vernon paled, but didn't contest. He led her to what appeared to be the living-room. It was immaculate. Seemed like Lily's sister had inherited her mother's meticulousness. In a very awkward way, that was.

Petunia was sat at the very end of a chair, cradling a crying baby who wasn't Harry. He was screaming and fighting her grip. He must have been around two and already seemed very fat to Regina. He must have taken that from his father, she darkly thought.

"Petunia?" she clearly and distinctively called.

Petunia raised her head very fast. Her eyes locked with the brunette's. Her grip on her child was released in the instant. The boy didn't lose a second to escape her and began running everywhere, still screaming.

"Regina?" she asked disbelievingly.

She seemed scared.

"Where's Harry?" Regina demanded, frowning.

Something wasn't right.

"Upstairs. Sleeping" Petunia coldly replied.

"I need to see him." Regina countered.

Petunia seemed to internally debate. Her gaze lowered to Regina's hand, where her wand was still residing.

"Fine. Wait for me, here"

But Regina didn't listen. She followed the woman sending the woman a warning look.

They didn't go far, though. Petunia stopped and opened a cupboard. Harry was in it. Sat on his excuse of a bed. Silent. As soon as he saw Regina, he beamed, and rushed at her. Regina took him in her arms, whispering soothing words in his ear.

"What was he doing in here?" she murderously asked Petunia.

"He was having a tantrum" Petunia shrugged, angry at being lectured.

Regina was seething but didn't say a word. Still firmly holding her godson, she motioned to the living room, where Vernon and the boy were waiting. She sat in front of them, without being invited. She didn't care. Petunia sat too.

"Where are your parents?" Regina asked.

"Gone" Petunia sternly answered.

"What do you mean gone? Where did they go?" Regina further inquired, surprised.

Harry tightened his grip on her and buried his head in her neck. She protectively hugged him a little harder.

"You didn't understand me, Snape. They're gone. Dead." Petunia cruelly explained.

Regina didn't answer right away. She was too stunned. Too pained. If she hadn't been holding Harry she would have fallen.

"You're lying" she weakly protested.

But she was an occlumens. She knew Petunia wasn't. The Evans weren't there anymore. Petunia shrugged again.

"How?"

Silent tears were running down her cheeks.

"When they learnt that Lily had been killed, they both had a stroke. She had always been their entire universe, you know? Well… to be fair, I should add that they were quite fond of you, too. And now, Vernon and I are stuck with their brat" Petunia bitterly spat.

Regina wanted to vomit. Harry would suffer from Petunia's jealousy and Vernon's fear of magic, she knew it. She already had had a glimpse of it. She felt sick and tired. Maybe she should just take her godson away, and damned be the consequences? Could she just betray Dumbledore's trust? Dumbledore's plan? Was Harry really in security there, with those idiots? All those questions whirled inside of her head. Grief, remorse, fear overcame her again. She looked pleadingly at Harry, as if he could give her an answer. He beautifully smiled at her, and put his tiny hand on her cheek. She interpreted it as "do what you have to do, I'll be fine". It was easier to think that than the alternative: "Please take me with you, don't leave me again… I need you"

"Petunia… I cannot take him with me. And trust me… if I could, I would…" she began.

"Of course you can't" Petunia interrupted her, despising. "What am I thinking? You don't have a child, you don't have a proper job, why would you find time to educate that kid?"

"You don't know anything about me, Petunia" Regina dangerously murmured.

The woman gulped. She was feeling the change in the tone.

"I have a son. I work for your Muggle Prime Minister. And if I could, I would still take Harry away from you and find time to educate and love him. But I am forbidden to do so. See my dilemma?"

Petunia sniggered disbelievingly, as if she didn't want to show she was impressed.

"Where is your husband? And what's your marital name, anyway?"

Regina paled.

"I have a child and you automatically deduce I have a husband? This is none of your concern" Regina warned the woman.

"Swan. Her marital name is Swan" Vernon intervened.

Petunia looked at him shocked.

"How do you know that?"

"She told me earlier. And I noticed you called her Snape. I deduced" he explained.

The infuriating woman turned once again to her.

"So you married Emma Swan, huh?" she mockingly asked. "Where is she?"

Regina was fuming. But she couldn't use magic on Muggles, she knew that. She would be sent right away in Azkaban. Although that wouldn't be such a bad thing… she would be with Emma.

"Disgusting" Vernon Dursley spat.

Regina was torn away from her murderous daydream. The fat man was obviously talking about her being a lesbian. She winced. Seriously? Harry is going to be educated by that sham of parents?

"I don't have much time. My family is waiting for me. As I was saying, I cannot take Harry with me. But I am going to look after him. I will watch you all closely. And if I ever see mistreatment, I will come to you. I'll make you suffer so much, you'll wish you were never born." She slowly and threateningly said.

Her tone was so low, nobody but the Dursleys could have heard her statement. But everything about her in that instant screamed "danger of death". And the Dursleys weren't fool enough not to notice it. They nodded their understanding.

Her farewell to Harry was horrendous. In a few minutes time, she changed her mind a dozen times. She still wasn't sure if she was making the right choice. But she felt like she had to trust Dumbledore. Plus, she would keep her promise. She would watch after him. He would never be alone. She kissed him for the umpteenth time and left, without turning back. It was already hard enough to hear Harry's cries provoked by her departure.

She returned to her family. Severus was playing with Henry. He saw right away that his sister wasn't well, so he gave her Henry and began to bake. That night, they had a long conversation. She told him about the Evans, about Harry. He didn't answer anything. He just listened even though she knew he hated the child. Harry was the living embodiment of what he could never accept: Lily's love for Potter. She also spoke about her wife for the first time. She told him she couldn't believe that she was a murderer. This wasn't true. Severus agreed with her. But what could they do about it, anyway? They didn't know who the Secret-Keeper had been. They suspected Sirius, but even if it had been him, it didn't explain why Emma had taken his side. It just didn't make any sense.

"Maybe we should look out for the truth, and get her free?" Severus suggested.

"Yeah? And how do you want to do that? Only four persons knew about the Secret-Keeper: my wife, Sirius, Peter and James. Two are dead, and two are imprisoned. Plus, they refused to tell the truth. Emma even refused to tell me about the Secret-Keeper" Regina desperately murmured.

"Gina, she's not a murderer. And she would never have betrayed Potter and… you know"

Severus was having a hard time saying Lily's name. Just like Regina couldn't say or even think her wife's.

"I know" Regina simply answered, defeated.

Months passed by. Monotonous. She kept her word. She checked on Harry at least thrice a week. She used her Animagus form. She confided Henry to Severus and just left. He understood. He even asked her some news of the child.

Harry wasn't ill-treated. But he wasn't loved either. The Dursleys never hit him. But they didn't seem nice either. Harry was sleeping in a little room somewhere upstairs. From his bedroom, he could immediately see the street of Privet Drive. Not that he would have, he was still very young. But it was easier for Regina to see him. She often landed on his window, and carefully watched him sleep. He didn't seem very agitated. He didn't seem peaceful either, though. Leaving him always felt like a pang in her chest. But she had no choice.

Another thing was eating her alive. The thought of her wife. Green eyes never left her mind. She saw them everywhere: Henry had exactly the same. Harry had Lily's, which wasn't helping since they were quite resembling.

Henry's birthday arrived before she even realised it. Her baby boy was going to be two. Severus and she planned everything: presents, cakes, magic. Henry was ecstatic. When he blew his candles she photographed him. They all clapped their hands happily. But Regina couldn't think of anything else but her wife. This wasn't fair. She should be there. With them. Celebrating. The thought suffocated her. Severus noticed. He always did. He suggested to take Henry out, at the theatre. Henry couldn't contain his excitement at the idea. He was such an accommodating child. He would be enthused about anything they would offer him.

She looked at her brother gratefully. He winked sadly at her, silently stating his understanding. They left. Regina suddenly wondered if it was a good idea to be left alone right now… instead of brewing over, she looked at her photograph of Henry. The animated picture showed a much focused Henry, blowing two candles. And then he was mouthing "Momma". Blowing. "Momma". Blowing… she couldn't detach herself from the picture. Henry was wishing for his other mother. He hadn't forgot.

He had rarely asked about her, recently. She had thought he was forgetting her and had envied his baby brains. But clearly, he hadn't. Internally, she was a raging inferno, a storm of grief. But on the outside, she refused to cry. She wanted to be stronger. Her son needed his mother. And a strong one. Looking at the picture she realised something.

Without even thinking about what she was going to do, she disappeared. Before she even opened her eyes, she knew she had arrived at destination. Despair instilled her brains. Even from the other side of the lake, the dementors' powers hit her fully. She knew she would be killed if she stayed in her human form: they would feel her right away. So she transformed. She gently picked the photograph of Henry in her beack and flew to the tower. To Azkaban.

It was lugubrious. Dementors were guarding every entries. And she didn't feel keen on passing right next to them, even though she knew her emotions wouldn't be felt the same way by them. She still didn't want to risk it. She had much to lose. Suddenly, she realised. Being an owl made it less difficult to be around Dementors. Her despair and her sadness should have been overwhelming by now. But instead, they seemed distant. Less powerful. She didn't dwell on it. She needed to find her. She flew around the tower, stopping at every bars to check who was in there. She was surprised to see Bellatrix. She hadn't known she had been arrested. Her husband was right next to her cell. All the prisoners were in the same foetal position. All of them were either screaming or sobbing.

At the highest level of the tower, she finally saw Sirius. Surprisingly he didn't seem as affected as the rest of the prisoners. He was sitting on his bed, silently looking right in front of him. She didn't want him to see her, she kept on flying. She knew Emma would be the next to come into view. And she wasn't wrong.

Emma was sat in the same position as Sirius. And like him, she seemed less affected by the Dementors. How was that possible?

Regina landed.

She quietly hooded through her closed beack. Emma's head turned so fast she felt hurt for her. Her mouth opened in shock. She had lost so much weight it was terrifying. And her eyes seemed empty. Her skin was even paler than the last time she had seen her. She raised a weak hand towards the barred "windows" as if she couldn't believe it, and Regina couldn't help noticing the thinness of her wrist.

She hooded again, silently requesting her to get up and come to her. Emma did. The bars were too narrow for Regina to come into the cell, but she managed to slip the photo through them. Emma caught it in flight, mechanically. As soon as she saw Henry, she began to cry. She sobbed for at least a quarter of an hour, standing, and a hand on her mouth to muffle the sound, unable to take her eyes off of Henry. Regina found herself stuck. She couldn't move. She couldn't leave her. Even if she wanted to. She just stared at her, blankly. Shattered inside.

Emma finally calmed down. Or more seemingly forced herself to calm down and looked at Regina. Without releasing the photo from her left hand, she raised her right one. The level of their eyes were exactly the same. Her hand easily slipped through the bars and she caressed Regina's left wing.

"Thank you, baby" she murmured, still crying.

Regina hooted.

"I love you too, Gina"

Emma's desperate tone was unbearable. Regina cried, unable to contain her pain any longer. It felt strange to cry in her animalistic form. It felt so foreign. They never broke eye-contact though. Emma's green blue eyes printed on her retina and she couldn't look at anything else. After all, these eyes had inhabited her every dream for the last nine months.

"How's Henry?" Emma whispered through her endless tears.

She hooted that he was fine, but missing her obviously.

"And Harry?" Emma kept on after Regina's answer.

She told her Petunia had his "custody".

"Do you watch him, though?"

Regina confirmed, but didn't specify that Petunia was a horrible person. Emma needn't to know that.

"I'm sorry, baby" Emma apologised, heart-broken.

So am I, Regina bitterly thought. It was becoming too difficult for her. Seeing Emma like this… it was pure poison. A Dementor walked next to the door. He slowly stopped and turned his head to them. Emma didn't even turn around. He kept on. Regina realised she wasn't even able to feel relief anymore. It was… unsettling.

Turn into an owl when it becomes too hard, Regina advised Emma.

And like this, without saying goodbye, she tore herself from Emma's fingers and flew away. She couldn't return to her human form, yet. She would fall apart if she did. So she just kept on flying, trying to forget. Like she could. When she realised she couldn't feel her wings anymore, she was above the Atlantic Ocean. She took some altitude, transformed into her human form and disappared.

She softly landed on her couch.

"Ouch" Severus exclaimed.

Or on her brother's feet more likely.

"Sorry, Sev" Regina quietly apologised.

"Where the hell have you been? I was worried sick for Fuck's sakes!" he seethed, although he took her on his arms, giving her a strong hug.

"I'm not sure you will appreciate the answer to that question, Sevy" she whispered.

He looked intensely at her. She knew he had understood.

"Tell me anyway" he insisted.

"I went to Azkaban" she confirmed his thoughts.

She could still feel Emma's touch on her right arm. Her hand had been so cold. And yet so soft.

"How did you do?" Severus sternly asked.

"I… trained to be an Animagus" Regina said.

After all, this wasn't a lie. She just didn't specify when she had been training.

"To watch over Harry, you know?" she kept on.

Maybe that one was a lie, although not entirely since she used her animagus form to watch over him.

"What do you transform into?" Severus asked, his eyebrows raised.

"An owl. It permitted me to fly at the top of the tower, where Emma was" She kept on explaining.

"I see. And you didn't tell me that, because…?" he asked, a little hurt.

"Because there's only two thoughts in my head right now, Sev: my need to protect Henry and Harry, and the loss of my wife. You know that" she defended herself.

Severus seemed about to argue, but changed his mind. Instead he asked:

"Did it help you? To see her?"

Regina shake her head negatively, barely containing her tears.

"Why did you do it, then?"

"Because I needed to give her Henry's photograph… he was wishing for her" her voice broke.

She remained silent. But didn't cry. Severus didn't ask her any further question. This wasn't the right time. He knew it. And he understood his sister. If he had had the chance to be able to see Lily just one last time, he wouldn't have hesitated. Even if it meant going to Azkaban. Hell, he would even have moved in in Azkaban if it had been required.

Five years passed.

Severus was perfectly getting accustomed to his new job. He seemed to be closer to Dumbledore every day. Regina could still see the ghost of Lily haunting the darkest parts of his eyes, but it didn't seem as painful as it used to.

Henry was growing up. He was still very talkative. And very advanced. He was controlling his magic. Regina suspected Severus to have trained him behind her back when she was with Harry. It wasn't common to be so conscious of their powers at this age.

Emotionally and psychologically, Regina was absolutely certain that Henry was a genius. She had no idea who he had inherited that from, but anyway he was a great boy. He understood his mother's pain, as much as Severus. When he was four, he was listening to music while playing with his little dinosaur figurines. Regina was reading. Everything was fine. Henry was changing the music, using his magic. And the radio was suddenly playing "All of Me" by John Legend. This had been their first dance as a newly wedded couple. They had danced on this in Lily's garden… Regina froze whilst painful memories invaded her broken brain in matter of seconds. Henry noticed. Right away. The song had been playing for ten seconds but he changed it. Regina could have thought of a coincidence if he hadn't subtly-but-not-so-subtly checked on her every minute after the incident.

Every other day she was going to Harry, too. At five, the boy seemed to crave attention and love. Which he obviously didn't get with his aunt and uncle. Even less from his ugly and fat cousin. She was still landing on his window. But the child had grown up, and he eventually saw her. She didn't have the heart to prevent him from having a "friend". She allowed it when he opened the window and gently invited her in. She also allowed it when he petted her. Her love for the little boy was growing. He seemed so loving. There was no hatred whatsoever in his eyes, although he seemed unhappy. It was heart-breaking. So a routine came into place between them. Every time she arrived, he would open to her and explain his whole day. And when he struggled to fall asleep, she soothingly and lovingly hooded to him.

Every year, for Henry's birthday, Regina would go to Azkaban. And every year, it seemed harder and harder to leave Emma's side. Which was the reason why she only just gave her Henry's photo and left, without even any explanation of any sort. She just couldn't. The whole thing was too painful. If she had stayed, she would have found a way to kill one and every Dementor of Azkaban before taking away her wife and bringing her back home…

Regina had also kept in touch with Remus. One day she had received a letter from him. He was presenting his condolences for the pain he knew they were living. He asked after Henry and Harry. So Regina answered, and a periodic conversation had ensued. Regina finally invited him to come to lunch with her son and her. He did. Henry was almost six. They had a very long conversation about Remus' friends. He didn't understand why they hadn't told him who the Secret-Keeper was. Regina bit her lips: it wasn't her place to explain him why. He said that he would never think Emma and Sirius capable of killing James and Peter. But again, there was no other explanation. Henry was silently listening, although he didn't show anything. Anyway, Regina didn't suspect him to remember his mother's name.

Remus left, enjoining Regina to contact him if she needed anything. He had given a hug to Henry, even though the latter seemed to wonder why, since he didn't know the man. When Severus came back, as every night they set the table, and dined. Severus explained his day. And usually, Henry asked excited questions about the castle, the students, the teachers, magic, etc. But that night, he remained awfully quiet.

"What's wrong, honey?" Regina inquired, unable to wait any longer.

"Emma is my other mother?" he questioned, his eyes fixed on his plate.

Regina's heart almost exploded in pain. She winced. Severus seemed surprised.

"She's blonde" Henry kept on. "And her eyes is the same colour like me"

These were statements. Not questions.

"Are the same colour as mine, Henry" Regina tersely corrected him.

Severus disapprovingly looked at her, frowning.

"Yes, Henry. Emma is your mom. How do you know she is blonde and has green eyes?" his godfather casually inquired.

"Because I have pictures" Henry shrugged.

"And who gave you them?" Severus asked, surprised.

Henry blushed.

"I found them at Mommy's cupboard. I look them all nights"

Regina's head spun around. These photographs, she hadn't seen them in years. It was too painful. There were a lot of their study years in Hogwarts. Especially pictures of Emma and her boyfriends. But there were also some of Regina and Emma when they were in their senior year, just before everything fell apart between them, and they seemed so happy. So dependant and in love. There were many pictures of their wedding. Needless to say these were the worst to watch. And there were a lot of Henry, in his first year. Pictures with the three of them. Pictures with the four of them. Pictures with Severus and Emma. Pictures with Harry and Henry. With James and Emma. With Regina and Lily… just the thought of these made her sick. She had hidden them. Intending to show them to Henry in due time. Guess it was it. Except that she wasn't ready. She hadn't hidden them from Henry. She had hidden them from herself. It was too painful.

She difficultly cleared her throat. And forced herself to look at him in the eyes. She patiently waited for him to maintain the eye-contact. Then, she gently said:

"Yes, Henry. Emma is your mother. You used to call her Momma. And she loves you very, very, very much, baby"

"She killed your friends?"

His voice was so small. So weak. So defeated. Regina found herself incapable of answering. Her throat was too tightened.

"We don't exactly know what happened, Henry. But we're sure she didn't kill them. It was a mistake" Severus reassured him.

"Then why she is in prison still?" he grumpily asked.

"Because they don't know they made a mistake."

"Who?"

"The judges"

"Tell them"

"I cannot"

"Why?"

"Because they don't listen to me"

Regina disconnected from the silly conversation. She felt so tired.

"Henry?" she eventually interrupted them. "Will you bring your photographs to me?" she asked nicely. But it was an order. Henry did.

Severus looked at her quizzically.

"You're gonna be alright?" he said, concerned.

"We need to be strong for the next ten minutes, Sev. Then, we're gonna be fine" she warned him.

He tensed. He understood. There were going to be photos of Lily. And he hadn't the permission to cry, of course. Henry came back with a large closed box. He gave it to his mother. Regina put it on the table, and took Henry on her lap.

Severus left. He wasn't strong enough to see Lily. And it was a much needed time between mother and son.

"Tell me, Henry. How did you recognise your Momma?"

He blushed again.

"Because she's beautiful. And we have the same eyes."

"Your Momma is very beautiful, indeed. Tell me, did you recognise all the persons on these pictures?" Regina said again.

"No, Mommy. But the man we saw this afternoon is in there" Henry answered, becoming excited to see that his mother was willing to give him some details.

Regina opened the box. She searched a few seconds, concentrating on not looking closely at the faces, and finally handed a picture at Henry.

"The man you saw this afternoon is there. His name is Remus. This boy next to him is Peter. Here, it's Sirirus. Here this is James. And here… this is your Momma. They were best friends at school. Remus is one of your Momma's best friend" Regina explained.

They were all brightly smiling and waving at the camera. Then James was taking Emma's head in his arms and messing up with her hair, laughing. He loved to do that when they were students. The memory hurt her more than she thought possible. Emma would never have betrayed James.

Henry was scrunching up his nose.

"Then, why do he thinks Momma's a murderer?"

"Who, baby?"

"Remus, Momma's best friend"

"He never said that she's a murderer, Henry. He just doesn't know what to think anymore. But we know. Emma didn't do anything. She loved her friends. And she was a devoted and a loving woman. You can be so proud of her, honey. Don't ever think your Momma is a murderer. She is not."

Henry solemnly nodded his understanding.

"She loves me?" he whispered.

"More than anything, baby."

Regina searched the box once again.

"Look" she said, once she had found it.

It was a picture of Henry when he was a little baby. He was snuggled in Emma's arms. She couldn't help kissing him, which woke up the baby. Then, she rocked him to get him to sleep, while softly singing. Then again, she couldn't refrain from kissing him.

The vision brought tears to Regina's eyes. The love was so evident here. Regina had almost forgot.

"It is me?" Henry asked, surprised.

"Yes, my little prince" Regina smiled.

Henry avidly took the picture and almost stuck it to his nose. While he was looking at the picture, Regina sought another picture. This time it was one of Lily, Harry, James, Emma, Regina and Henry. The only one they had taken just the sixth of them. Regina and Lily were holding the babies. James and Emma were holding their wives. Regina was first looking at Lily, happily smiling, then lovingly laughing at Emma who was snuggling her head in her neck to get her wife's attention. Then they were kissing. And then, they both kissed Henry.

"Look at this one, baby" Regina told her child.

But Henry didn't. He was crying. He threw his arms around his mother's neck.

"I wish I know her. She will never recognises me when she sees me again. And she won't loves me as much as she loved me back then anymore, Mommy"

Regina closed her eyes for a second. It was even harder not to sob when Henry was crying. She focused on the task at hand: reassuring Henry.

"Baby, listen to me. Momma gave you birth. She loved you as much as this from the very second she saw you – and she didn't even know you. Her biggest pain is to be far away from you. But she's your Momma. She will always remember you. She will always recognise you. She will always love you more than anything because it is what Mommas do" Regina explained.

"She is a hero, Mommy?" Henry asked, hopeful.

"Yes, my baby boy. Your mother is a hero. A Savior" Regina indulged him.

"A Savior" he repeated, amazement in his eyes.

"There is another picture I want to show you, now" Regina kept on.

Henry broadly smiled and nodded, his excitement renewed. She gave him the picture. He eagerly seized it. His eyes immediately landed on Emma.

"Momma loved us very much" he finally established.

"Momma loves us very much, Henry. But this isn't why I wanted to show you this photo. Look at the three other persons" she instructed.

"This is one of Momma's best friends." Henry noticed.

"Yes. This is James. The name of the baby is Harry. He was your best friend when you were very little. You used to fly together on your broom-toys." She explained.

Henry looked at her with wide-opened eyes, astonished to have had a best friend when he was little and ready to ask her thousands of questions, but Regina interrupted him:

"And the red-haired woman…" her voice broke. She needed a few seconds.

"She's in many others too" Henry quietly provided, wanted to be helpful.

His excitement at the news had deflated when he had perceived his mother's distress. She deeply breathed.

"Yes, she is. Her name was Lily. She was my best friend and like a sister to me. And she was your Godmother. She loved you deeply"

When Regina finished her sentence she felt like she had been running a marathon. She felt exhausted, broken.

"She's beautiful, too. Where are they?" Henry wanted to know.

"They're gone. Momma has been imprisoned because they think she killed them" Regina whispered hollowly.

Henry looked at her, horrified.

"But she loved them" he disbelievingly exclaimed. "Why didn't you show them these pictures? They would have understanden" he reproachfully told her.

Regina sadly smiled.

"They wouldn't have, Henry. You remember when I talked to you about a very dark and a very bad wizard?"

Henry nodded.

"They thought Emma was working for him. Many persons betrayed their family because of him, and turned into murderers. Emma would never have done that. She fought against him many times and he was afraid of her. But they didn't believe us. You understand?"

Henry nodded, beaten.

"My godmother and my best friend is dead?" he tearfully asked, changing the subject.

"Lily is dead, yes. But Harry is still alive" she patiently said.

"Where is he?" Henry asked, again excited.

He looked all around the room, as if Harry was about to come out of nowhere and play with him.

"He's with his aunt. And you know, he's my godson too" she smiled.

Henry crossed his arms.

"No. I'm your only son." He established.

"He's my godson, baby. And Harry doesn't have his parents anymore. Don't you think you could share anyway?"

"You want replace me, Mommy?" Henry asked, insecure.

"Of course not, my little prince. I love you more than life itself. You're everything to me, you know that. But Harry needs love too, doesn't he? Maybe even a brother?" Regina soothingly answered.

Henry seemed to ponder it for a few seconds.

"Yes" he finally established, serious. "He is unhappy otherwise. I want to see him and be friends with him"

Regina suddenly had an idea. She'd need to speak about it with Severus, but maybe… just maybe…

"Henry, maybe you could." She began.

Henry beamed.

"But… Harry doesn't know anything about witchcraft. He's been educated by Muggles. If you want to meet him, I could register you in a Muggle school next year. With him. But, you mustn't perform magic, Henry. You think you could do that?" Regina slowly said.

Henry thought about it. His attention was drown to the picture of their two families. He looked at Emma and smiled.

"Yes. I will not do magic, Mommy. I will be good. And I will be with Harry"

"One more thing, baby: you mustn't tell Harry we know him or his parents. You must act like he's a perfect stranger. Okay?"

"Okay" Henry automatically answered.

"You sure you understood baby?" Regina insisted, wondering if she wasn't making a mistake.

"Yes, yes. I understand. I believe" he solemnly answered.

"What do you believe?" Regina asked.

Henry simply shrugged in answer. Regina dropped the subject and hugged her son. When they separated, Henry saw his uncle in the door frame and rushed to him, screaming excitedly:

"Mommy said I would go to a Muggle school with my best friend Harry, but without tell him I am his best friend because he don't know"

"Yes I heard that, son" Severus affectionately said.

His eyes were black when they landed on Regina. He wasn't happy.

"Time to go to bed, big boy" he continued.

Henry sighed but agreed. They tucked him in, and magically lighted a dozens of fireflies. Henry didn't like to sleep in the dark. It created a soft lightning, appeasing. But as they kissed him goodnight, Henry held back his mother.

"Wait Mommy" he whispered

"What's wrong, Henry?"

"I can have our picture next to me, please? I want look at it to get sleep" he begged.

Regina's throat tightened.

"Which one, baby?"

"The one with Momma and Harry and my godmother and Momma's best friend" Henry described.

Regina loved this photo, too. She magically attracted it to her, framed it, and delicately put it on Henry's nightstand.

"You'll be careful with it, right? You'll be its guardian" Regina instructed.

Henry seriously nodded. Regina kissed him again.

"Sleep now, little prince. I love you, my baby boy" she murmured.

"I love you too M'my" Henry sleepily answered, yawning.

Regina quietly left the room and went to Severus. He immediately exclaimed, angry:

"What are you thinking, Gina? You want the boys to be friends? He's a Muggle! This could be very comprising for Henry if he ever forgot about not using his magic"

"It happens all the time with Muggle-borns, Sev. And I want my son to befriend with Muggles. To accept their lack of magic and see it as normalcy. I want to teach him acceptance and love, can you understand that?" she angrily replied.

"What you want is to get closer to Harry!" Severus snapped.

"Of course I do!" she exclaimed, incredulously. "He needs us. And seeing an owl every other day will not be enough" she humourlessly and bitterly smiled.

"Henry doesn't need that. He needs us"

"Henry needs to meet kids of his own age." Regina riposted.

"What if he becomes enemies with Harry?" Severus suggested.

Regina gulped.

"Well then, I'll face the consequences. But it will do no good to grow up with just the two of us" she persisted.

Severus seemed to run out of arguments. He remained silent. But he still was very much angry.

"Will you keep Henry for the night? I need to go to Harry"

Regina didn't wait for an answer and left. When she came back, her resolve was stronger than ever. Harry needed them. Severus was sat on the couch, still furious.

"I'll go to sleep, now" she informed her brother.

Severus looked at her, surprised. They had never stopped sleeping on the couch, for the past five years, almost six. But Regina felt it was time to go back to her former marital bedroom.

"If you wish to sleep in a bed, the guestroom is yours"

She then retreated, taking the box of pictures with her. She was careful to let one behind, though. It was one of Lily and Harry. She knew Severus would look at it. And she was hoping it would help him understand.

The room she hadn't entered for years seemed empty, soulless. It was dusty. And Emma's smell was gone. Although she should have known it, it still felt weird. With a flick of her wand, the bedroom was clean, and some clean sheets appeared. She religiously and cautiously sat on the bed. She opened her box, and emptied its content in front of her. So many smiles, so many kisses… all of it felt so hurtful. She looked at them one by one. Emma with Henry, Emma on her wedding dress, Emma with Lily, Emma with Sirius, Emma, Emma, Emma…

Suddenly she felt horrible. Her wife was all alone. Taken away from her son, from his life… from their lives. And Regina didn't even have the decency to inform her of their decisions. Emma had a right to know all of this. This was unfair to keep it all away from her. Her next visit to her would happen in a month time. But she realised she couldn't wait any longer. She needed to speak to her...

For the second time, she framed every single photo of Emma, and fixed them all over her walls. No matter where she was looking now, Emma and Lily were smiling at her. It was like they were here, with her. Where they were the most needed.

Then, Regina turned into her owl and disappeared. She flew right away to Azkaban. It was dark. The place looked even more distressing. Emma wasn't sleeping. She was sat on her excuse of a bed, looking at Henry's pictures, slowly rocking. Regina hooted. Emma looked at her. She seemed to look for her photograph, but seeing none, she simply stared at Regina, with her big green empty eyes. She didn't even bother to stand up… she was used to seeing Regina fly away as soon as the delivery was done, by now. Regina felt even guiltier than ever before.

"I need your advice" she hooted.

Emma nodded her understanding, silently.

"I want Henry to go to the Muggle School with Harry. This way I could be closer to my godson, and Henry would meet other kids" she difficultly explained.

Emma nodded again.

"Can you tell me what you think?" Regina tried again.

Emma winced and dejectedly shrugged.

"It is not my place to say, I think" she finally answered.

"Of course, it is" Regina angrily protested.

"I think the best way to put it in my state is that I trust you, Regina. Do what you think is best. And everything will be alright."

Regina didn't even know what to say, anymore. This broken woman wasn't her Emma. And she couldn't deny her responsibility in this disaster. She should have freed her sooner.

"Henry doesn't need me to protect him, anymore. You will do what is best for him" Emma whispered.

Silent tears were running down her cheeks now. Despair was written all over her face.

"How long have we been here, Regina?" Emma cried.

"Six years, in five months" Regina automatically answered.

"Thank you. You should go, now. This isn't a place for someone like you" Emma said.

In this instant, Regina craved Emma's touch. But the shattered woman didn't seem ready to approach her.

"How are your days here?" Regina asked, desperate to extend their time together.

"Empty. Sad. Despairing."

"How comes you don't seem as affected as the others?"

"What do you mean?" Emma hesitantly asked.

"The other prisoners scream and cry all the time" Regina developed.

Emma seemed lost in thought for a long time. She finally answered:

"I'm holding on onto a conviction which isn't happy. And they cannot take it away from me"

Regina didn't understand a word of Emma's statement. And she was beginning to question her wife's sanity.

"What do you mean?"

"It doesn't matter. Go now. I don't want Henry to be alone. Ever" Emma said.

Regina was desperate to take her away. She seriously thought about it for a few minutes. But she knew there would be investigations. She couldn't put Henry through all of this. It would be painful for him.

So she left. There were so many things she was feeling. Love, despair, hopelessness. She still loved her wife more than her own life. But she knew she would never be with her again. She knew she had to move on. It didn't mean to forget, that was out of the question. But it meant to turn the page and accept it. So when she arrived in her bedroom, she took away her ring, and attached it to her necklace. She would never forget her wife. And Emma would always be a part of her. But she didn't belong to her anymore. She couldn't.

Years passed.

Henry was sent to Harry's muggle school, and Severus accepted it. The two little boys became fast friends. Regina brought Henry to school every morning, and picked him up every afternoon. She saw Harry all the time. She made arrangements with Petunia to spend every Saturday with Harry and Henry at her place. At the beginning, Petunia had refused. It had taken Regina two seconds to make her change her mind. For four years, Harry had been with them every week. He didn't know Severus, though. The latter refused to meet him. And Henry never talked about his uncle to Harry. He knew he couldn't.

Harry had discovered his powers at seven, while trying to escape some of his comrades with Henry. Of course, he hadn't understood he was performing magic. But Henry had. And he was so excited about it when he narrated it to his mother.

Their eleventh birthday was fast approaching, and Regina knew she soon would have to separate from them. And break the news to Harry… she needed to see Dumbledore to establish a few things. So before Henry's birthday, at the beginning of July, she went to him.

As usual, Dumbledore was glad to see her. He welcomed her with enthusiasm.

"Regina, dear! To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence here?" he inquired.

"Harry's a wizard" she went straight to the subject.

"Yes, he is" Dumbledore encouraged her to continue.

"We will have to tell him"

"I am aware" he kindly smiled.

"I would like to be the one to tell him" Regina announced.

"And you will be" Dumbledore acquiesced.

"I have just one favour to ask you, Albus"

"Go on, then" Dumbledore chuckled, as if he already knew what she was about to say.

"I cannot separate from them" Regina began, unsure.

"Ha… so many parents feel this repugnance to let go, Regina" Dumbledore nodded, understandingly.

"Yes, I know. But… does your proposition still stand? Can I be a Transfiguration teacher?" she inquired, un-at-ease.

Dumbledore looked at her through his glasses, amused. She felt somehow diminished in her attempt to stay with her children.

"You have to understand. All the family I have left will be in Hogwarts in September. I couldn't spend a single day without them, you know it. They are a…" she kept on, desperate.

"Regina. The place I had offered you is still very much available. You take it anytime you want. It will be my honour to count you as a member of this school" Dumbledore fondly smiled.

Regina smiled back, relieved. Without even thinking, she couldn't help but hug the elder man. He seemed very surprised at first, but finally returned the embrace.

"Thank you, Albus. You know… when I referred to my family being here… that included you" she whispered to him.

And that was true. She had come to see Dumbledore like a father. The father she would have dreamed to have. Or maybe the grandfather. Anyway someone who had always been there for her, and who had helped her at the times she had most needed it. She would never forget it. Nor would she ever consider Dumbledore as any other man. He truly was something else for her.

"Thank you, Regina. I really appreciate it" he answered.

His voice was a little row. Moved.

Henry was celebrating his birthday. It was a Saturday. She could have invited every of his friends, but instead, it was just the three of them: Harry, Henry and Regina. They needed to have a very important discussion. Henry was blowing his candles while Harry was singing his birthday song, when Regina took a picture of them. She would offer it to Emma, later that night. She looked at it, wondering for a second of the best way to explain everything to Harry. She finally settled on the best way to proceed.

"Mrs Swan? Everything's alright?" Harry asked, noticing Regina's silence.

"Everything's fine, dear. Would you like to see my picture of you?" she gently smiled at him.

"Yes!" he happily exclaimed.

Henry quizzically looked at his mother. She simply nodded her head, making him understand that it was time for Harry to know everything. Henry smiled happily, although a little apprehensively. Harry was holding the picture, now. He was looking at it, flabbergasted.

"There is something we need to tell you, honey" Regina slowly began.

Harry looked at her. His eyes were disbelieving.

"Why is the picture moving? How is that possible?"

"It is moving because of magic. When we have magic, the pictures we are on are moving. See? Henry is moving. And so are you" she calmly explained, wondering if she was making any sense.

"I don't have magic" Harry sternly said.

He looked at her with suspicion and doubt for the first time. Like he didn't trust her.

"Do you remember that time when you were trying to escape the boys at your school and you ended up on a roof?" she tried.

"It was the wind" Harry said. But his eyes didn't seem so certain anymore.

"And that time when you made the window disappear and Dudley fell in the snake's cage?" Henry suggested.

"I…" Harry hesitated.

"It was magic, Harry. You are a wizard. And so were your parents" Regina very carefully explained.

"My parents…? They had magic?" he asked, suddenly focused on her every word.

"They had. Your aunt explained to you that they died in a car accident, didn't she?"

Harry simply nodded, eagerly waiting for her to say more.

"They didn't. A dark wizard killed them. But before they died, they had asked me to take care of you. Your mother, she was… the best sister I could ever have wished for" she said.

Henry got closer to his mom, and hugged her with one arm, accustomed to her emotionality every time she would speak about the past.

"You are my aunt?" Harry asked, tears in his eyes.

"No, I am not" she answered. Harry seemed suddenly disappointed. "But I considered Lily as my sister. And so did she. This is why she asked me to be your godmother and to look after you"

Harry looked at her with big eyes.

"Why did you leave me with my aunt, then?" he asked, unhappy.

"Because your aunt is legally just that. I couldn't take you away from her, I had no right over you. You understand?"

Harry lowered his head. He understood, that much was clear. And he was starting to believe her.

"But I have never stopped watching you" Regina added. "Do you remember the owl that visited you every other nights?"

The boy looked at her, surprised. He silently nodded. Regina didn't answer, but she gently let go of Henry and transformed… Harry had got up from his chair, shocked. But Regina didn't let him fret. She flew to him, carefully landed on his shoulder and soothingly hooted. Harry was crying now. He was accustomed to this sound. It was like a melody for him. A lullaby. It also had a calming effect on him. He looked at her, and said:

"It was you? All this time? You've been there for me?"

Regina gently rubbed her head against his, and flew away from him to change.

"I will always be there for you, Harry. You are my godson. And I love you, honey"

Harry smiled. Like he had never smiled before. He was crying and laughing… he had never seemed happier. He jumped in Regina's arms and Henry joined them, relieved, and happy. They were all crying and laughing now. Regina hadn't felt that good in a very long time.

They spent the rest of the day and a good part of the night talking. She explained everything to him. The magic world, Hogwarts, Dumbledore. She also told him about his parents and gave him some of their pictures.

"Do I have a godfather?" Harry had inquired.

Regina had been very un-at-ease with that question. How was she supposed to tell him that his godfather was charged with the murder of his parents? She had decided to avoid the question.

"You do, Harry. And someday I will tell you everything about him, but not today, okay?"

Harry had agreed, even though he seemed very curious. He had never been spoiled and was an easy nature. Just like his mother – even though Lily could be quite stubborn at times. Regina smiled at her memory. Harry slept at her place for the first time.

When Severus arrived, the boys were sleeping.

"How did it go?"

His tone was sinister and indifferent.

"He was happier than ever before"

"You bet. He must be so proud to be famous" Severus snored, haughtily.

"I didn't tell him he's famous, Sev. Henry doesn't even know that" Regina answered, somehow warningly.

Severus didn't say anything to that.

"He's sleeping in Henry's bedroom. Can you watch over them? I need to go and see Emma"

"Yeah, sure"

Regina had explained Emma everything about her plans and her life. It had been such a long time since she had confided so much to anyone. She had told her about her doubts, about her pain. About her children and her desire to become a teacher. Emma had listened. Silently. Focused. And when Regina had stopped, Emma had cried. She had said anything. And Regina had left, after giving her the photograph of the two boys.

At the end of the summer, Regina had taken the boys to shop in Diagon Alley. They had spent the rest of the holidays just the three of them, practising magic and laughing. Regina hadn't felt so alive in eleven years. She had gratefully welcomed the peace it provided her.

Harry and Henry looked like two brothers. They both had green eyes, and were quite resembling – even though Henry seemed to have inherited his uncle's nose. They were inseparable.

The 1st of September had finally arrived. And Regina had put the boys in the train, who had never been so excited.

"Mom, wait, how will you go to the castle?" Henry had exclaimed.

"Don't worry, honey. I will use our chimney, and I'll be there when you arrive" Regina had reassuringly smiled at her kids.

They had approved and smiled back.

"I will miss you" Harry had whispered.

"You will see me soon, baby" Regina had beamed. "Plus, you don't want your mom to be next to you when you meet your new friends" she winked.

Harry had laughed and shrugged.

"I don't care. It wouldn't bother me much"

His lack and desire for parents were always patent. And Regina felt bad every time she realised it and witnessed it once again.

"Well, it would bother me. Mom and Uncle will be our teachers, it's bad enough as it is" Henry had interfered, teasingly when he had realised his mother's discomfort.

The three of them had laughed, and they had said goodbye. Regina had watched the train get away from her, waving at the boys.

A new start was coming.

TBC.

Okay, please don't hate me. I didn't proofread myself, and I don't have any Beta… I'm doing my best to keep on posting, but life happens, and it's really hard to write as much as I would like. I already know where all this is going, but there is SO DAMN MUCH to write to you, that it sometimes feels overwhelming. Your reviews are most welcomed to encourage me. They are the only reason why I keep on posting It feels good to be read!

As usual, thank you for your support, I hope you enjoyed the reading ;)