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

10. Chapter 10

Chapter 10. The Beginning of Horrors.

Regina went back home, feeling very lonely. She couldn't wait to see them again. She felt a little pathetic. She had lost everything but her brother and her kids. It was only natural for her to love them with everything she had.

She took all the furniture she would need at Hogwarts and left. The kids had taken their suitcases. Ergo, she had been left with her own personal stuff. Which wasn't much. Merely her clothes, and her pictures. She left without looking back, somehow relieved.

She arrived in Dumbledore's office. He was waiting for her with Minerva and Severus. She went to her brother and enlaced him. Minerva surprised her when she kissed her on both cheeks. And Dumbledore astonished her when he took her in his arms, too.

"Welcome back, Regina" he said.

She smiled, grateful.

"This year is a little peculiar, even for Hogwarts"

Regina raised her eyebrows, but kept on listening, not asking any questions.

"My dear friend, Nicolas Flamel, asked me to protect the Philosopher's stone"

"The stone used to prolong one's life indefinitely?" she asked, curious.

"Precisely. You see, Nicolas has been witnessing some… weird occurrences"

"What do you mean?"

"He thinks someone's after the stone" Minerva detailed.

"Does he know who?"

"He doesn't have a clue… but I do" Dumbledore gently resumed.

Regina chuckled. Of course he does.

"And? Will you reveal who is after the stone, or will you let the suspense kill me?"

"Voldemort"

Minerva jumped, Severus winced, but Regina didn't even bat an eyelash.

"Are you certain about this?" she inquired.

"It's only a guess. But my guesses are often right"

For once, the situation didn't seem to amuse him. And Regina felt the danger like a vulture smelled blood from afar. She felt scared suddenly.

"So we will protect the Philosopher's Stone from Voldemort?" she asked neutrally.

McGonagall startled again, murmuring something along the lines of "Oh, for God's sakes" but didn't interrupt.

"Yes, we will. The Philosopher's Stone will be placed on the second floor of the right aisle"

Regina nodded. She knew where it was and where they would hide it.

"There's a trapdoor in this room leading to a downside one" she remembered.

Albus looked at her, raising his eyebrows. She didn't add anything. He chuckled.

"This is correct. Hagrid suggested Fluffy as the Keeper of the upside room."

"Who's Fluffy?"

"A monstrosity of a dog with three heads" Minerva grunted disapprovingly.

"Isn't it dangerous?" Regina inquired, worried now.

She was thinking about the children and didn't like the sound of it at all.

"Of course, it is. For anyone who would enter the room. But don't worry. It is secured, and I will give my instructions to the students not to go there"

Regina frowned.

"Is it going to be enough?"

"I will know if something's wrong, Regina" Albus said almost severely.

Regina wasn't convinced. She had done many forbidden things during her years as a student without Dumbledore noticing them. But she nodded anyway, thinking she would keep her eyes open too. Just in case.

"Okay. So Fluffy will keep the upside room. What about the downside one?"

"Professor Sprout gave me a Devil's snare, Severus made a rebus with potions and Professor Flitwick enchanted some keys. It is up to you and Minerva to create whatever you want to protect it best. I will also contribute to the defence, as soon as I will find a way"

"How?" Regina asked eagerly.

"That is for me to know, I'm afraid"

Regina pouted a little.

"The man holds to his secrecy" Severus explained.

"Okay. Anything else I should know?"

"You should know that the Mirror of Erised is also here, in Hogwarts"

Regina startled. She would have given anything to look into this mirror.

"It's not bound to stay indefinitely, though. If you wish to look at it, just once, come to me" he offered.

"Thank you, Albus" Regina accepted, gratefully.

"Great. Now that everything is discussed, we only have one important matter to speak about. Would you like to teach the First Years?" he asked joyfully.

"I'd rather have the Second-Years instead, Albus. If it's okay with you, Minerva" Regina answered.

"Of course, dear. I have absolutely no problem with that. I can't wait to meet the children"

It seemed so odd to see her former teacher like this. She used to be so strict and severe. But maybe only with her students, Regina thought.

"This is settled, then" Dumbledore said, cheerfully. "You may attend to your business, now. The students will soon be here, and I'm sure there is much to do in the meantime"

Severus smiled politely, and Regina chuckled at the Headmaster's antics. Then, they left. They went near the lake and sat down. Regina could see her oak in the distance. It felt so weird to be back as a teacher now. Without Emma. The rush of memories was almost too much to bear. Lily, Emma, Severus. It was all so overwhelming.

"Are you okay, sweetie?"

Regina snorted.

"I haven't been okay in years. I wonder how you did the first days… feels even worse to be here without them."

"I know…" he whispered.

"Please, tell me you'll make an effort with Harry. He's a great boy"

"I cannot promise anything, Regina. He looks so much like him" Severus sighed, angry.

"I knew you would be curious to see him the other day!" she exclaimed.

Severus remained silent.

"You're wrong though… he looks very much like James did, physically… but he took after his mother"

"The outside is enough proof that she was with him, Regina. If you know what I mean" he said, bitter.

"Yeah, I do know what you mean" Regina conceded "It's still no reason enough to resent Harry"

Severus shrugged and remained silent.

They impatiently waited for Henry to arrive. Which he eventually did. He didn't seem afraid, although he seemed a little impressed. Just like Harry. Regina chuckled when they entered the Great Hall and waved happily at her. Henry beamed at Severus from a distance, and Severus mustered all his self-control not to wave back at him. He simply half-smiled. Which was huge, Regina knew it. A red-headed little boy was with them. Regina couldn't help feeling proud that they made friends so soon.

Minerva called them all, one by one, to the Sorting Hat.

"Malfoy Draco" raised her attention. She turned to Severus, and he nodded. So this Draco was Lucius' son. Unsurprisingly, he was sent to Slytherin.

"Potter Harry"

Harry seemed so small when he walked to the hat. Everyone started chatting in the room, staring at him. Harry looked at her apprehensively. She simply winked, and he smiled. He sat on the chair, and Minerva put the hat on his head. He was so tiny the hat fell on his eyes. Regina chuckled nervously. The Hat took his time to decide about Harry's house. She wondered why. She looked at Severus and Dumbledore. Her brother shrugged, uncertain. Dumbledore didn't look back, focused on the boy.

"Gryffindor" the hat finally screamed.

The Gryffindor table cheered, and screamed. Harry smiled, relieved and went to sit. He then looked expectantly at Henry, waiting for him to join the Gryffindor table.

"Snape Henry"

Severus sat up straight and looked at his nephew expectantly. To Regina, it didn't change anything. Whatever the house, she didn't care. She would have preferred for him to be with Harry, though. She didn't want them to be separated. And Gryffindor was Emma's House. She would be proud to see Henry going there. It would mean a lot. The Hat took a long time to decide, just like it did with Harry. Regina wondered if it was becoming old and senile.

"Gryffindor" the Hat finally decided.

Severus grumbled. His eyes were throwing daggers at his glass. But Regina cheered with the students. She was proud of her boys. Gryffindor was the house of the braves, after all. The two boys patted themselves on the back and sat next to each other. They then looked at Regina who was still clapping and they beamed at her. But Henry's face fell when he noticed his uncle's. Of course, he knew they had been Slytherins. Regina didn't want him to feel ashamed. She kicked Severus' foot under the table, and pointedly looked at Henry. Severus understood and winked at his nephew, smiling. It was enough for Henry to feel better. But Severus probably felt bad… Regina was fed up with all these little problems. Sometimes, she felt like she was dealing with three children.

"Weasley Ronald"

Henry and Harry's attention were drawn to the next student, suddenly. Regina recognised the red-headed boy she had seen with them at the beginning. His name was Ronald, then. It turned out that Ronald was also sent to Gryffindor. The redhead seemed so relieved it was almost comical.

And so was Regina. Her boys would be fine in this House. And they wouldn't have any problems about the origin of their blood.

The lessons began slowly. Regina wouldn't have the First-Years before the end of the week. Her first lesson was with the Second Years. She was a little nervous, but it didn't show. She knew how to be intimidating. She was the best at this game, after all. And intimidating was she. She turned the table into an elephant, bringing the kids to scream their fears. Then she changed it into a bird. She caught it in her hand, sliced its throat with a knife and changed the pouring blood into a brown liquid which slowly reformed the table. The kids looked at her, shocked. And two read-heads cheered, gleefully. They were exactly the same. Surely twins. Regina immediately felt drawn to them… she knew everything about having a twin brother.

"Oh my God, Professor!" the first one exclaimed.

"That was awesome!" the second one screamed.

"DO IT AGAIN" they both demanded.

Regina chuckled darkly.

"Give me your names" she threateningly said, expecting them to curl up in their seats.

But they beamed even brighter, it seemed.

"Fred and Georges Weasley"

"At your service"

Weasley? Regina remembered her kids' friend. They had to be his brothers. She softened immediately, without even wanting to. She was about to like this family, that was for sure.

"Misters Weasleys. I am flattered of your enthusiasm. I hope you will be as good as you are brave" she acknowledged them.

They stuck out their chests, ready to prove her right.

"Take you books page 32" she severely said.

The lessons ran smoothly. The male students seemed to like her very much – despite her being intimidating. The girls seemed either to worship her, or to fear her beyond imaginable. Henry and Harry were good students, according to Minerva.

Although nothing like you used to be, had she said. Regina only chuckled. The kids had never opened a magical book before going to school. Harry hadn't even known about magic up until a few days ago. Their situations couldn't be compared. And it was okay if Henry took after Emma rather her. She remembered the night she went to her wife, after that first day to let her know Henry had been sorted in Gryffindor. She hadn't said a thing, and she couldn't have felt joy, or smile, or laugh since she was in Azkaban but she had nodded and said "good". Regina knew she would have been overjoyed in normal circumstances.

"We should think about something to protect You-Know-What" Minerva had added.

"What are you… oh! Yes, absolutely. I had completely forgot"

She had suddenly realised Minerva was talking about the Philosopher's Stone and berated herself for forgetting about it altogether. They had talked about it, and had settled on a chess play, life-size. Ron had given her the idea: she had seen him play with Henry and Harry.

One day, her boys came to her. They chatted for a little while. They told her everything, and she realised she had been right: Ronald Weasley had become their new friend and they wouldn't stop speaking about him. The boy didn't seem to like Hermione Granger much. Even Harry and Henry looked annoyed when they talked about her. She thought they were a little harsh with her, but as long as they wouldn't be bullies, she'd let it go.

"Mom, why doesn't Uncle like Harry?" Henry asked out of the blue.

Harry looked at his feet, uncomfortable.

"What are you talking about, dear?"

"Well… he keeps on interrogating him, and he's all mean when he's around him. I had never seen him behave like this, ever before"

Regina scrunched up her nose. She knew this was meant to happen.

"I'll speak to him… don't worry, Harry. He doesn't have anything against you. Do not take this personally" she sighed.

Harry seemed unconvinced but didn't say anything.

"Mom, there is something else I need to tell you" Henry said, even more serious.

Regina became very wary and waited for him to continue. Harry seemed to be very awkward which put Regina even more on edge.

"All the boys are talking about you. And even some girls. It's very disturbing"

"What do you mean they are talking about me?"

"Well… some say that the magic you perform is absolutely wicked… although not in a bad way, I guess"

"Is that a bad thing?" Regina asked, puzzled.

"No" Henry reluctantly admitted "But they keep on saying that you're really beautiful, and that kind of things, you know?"

Regina was so relieved and amused by this, it took all her self-control not to burst into laugh. She held it back.

"I see. What do you want me to do about that, Henry?"

The boy seemed to think very hard about it, and hesitated.

"Guys, tell me. I'm listening" Regina urged them.

"You will not like what he's about to say" Harry warned her.

"Do you want me to resign?" Regina asked, shocked.

"No, of course not! I love that you're here with us"

"Yeah, me too" Harry vigorously approved.

Regina smiled.

"Then what is it?"

"Why don't you wear your ring? That way, people would know you're married to Ma, and they would stop speaking about you this way. Are you ashamed of her?"

Henry's tone was a little bit of many feelings: accusation, remorse, sorrow, fear. Regina's heart clenched. Harry had been right: she didn't like that. Her hand flew to the chain around her neck. This was the only way she had found to keep the ring close to her heart, but not close enough. Unconsciously, her fingers clung to the golden circle.

"Henry, I could never be ashamed of her" she slowly answered finally.

"Then why don't you wear your ring anymore? You had it on in the pictures" he persisted.

Harry seemed so un-at-ease, it sobered her right away.

"Henry, your mother is the love of my life. You need to understand this. Living without her is… it is… it's so hard I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you" Regina admitted in a whisper.

Henry looked at her.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I didn't mean to hurt you" he murmured back.

"You're not hurting me, Henry. I'm just trying to make you understand what it is to live without Emma. It's the hardest thing of my life. And I am living with this every day. So if you wish to tell your friends that I'm in love with your mother to feel better, please do so. It is the truth. And trust that I will never be in love with anyone but her… and maybe I'll put my ring back" Regina smiled, trying her best not to cry in front of them.

"When?"

"When the time is right"

"You mean when you don't love her anymore?"

"No. I could never not love her anymore…"

"How did you meet her?" Harry wanted to know.

Regina had never talked about her youth with Henry. Even less so with Harry. It was too painful. But he had a right to know, now. She knew it. She sighed, defeated and the boys knew they had won. Henry beamed at her, and Harry smiled, happy to be included in this family revelations.

"Henry, I should have talked to you about your Ma, way before. And Harry, I consider you as my son, and so does Emma. But I will tell you about your parents too… I met Emma when I was your age, in the train to Hogwarts. We kind of fought back then. Our history began wrong, a little like your friend Ron and Hermione Granger" she smiled mischievously.

The boys sniggered at that.

"She was a Gryffindor" Regina kept on.

Henry seemed ecstatic.

"And I was a Slytherin. We didn't like each other, because our houses were rivals. But she intrigued me so much. I found her beautiful. And Emma… she tried to speak to me, as if I wasn't a Slytherin. She wanted to know me as a friend. But I had two friends already…"

"Uncle Sev and Lily" Henry guessed.

Harry's eyes bulged.

"Yes" Regina confirmed. "My twin brother was everything to me, and Lily was the best friend I could ever have hoped for. She was our rock. She was always on our side, and for years we hadn't had a single fight… she made us bracelets" Regina raised her wrist for the boys to see it "it's the infinite sign. She said we were family".

She paused, her throat constricting. Harry nodded, unable to speak and patiently waiting for her to resume.

"Lily was my friend and a little more than that if I'm being honest. I didn't want any other friends. I was clearly not interested in having lots of social contacts. And I didn't like Emma's friends. At all"

"James" Henry filled in the blanks again.

"Not only him" Regina smiled "James and Sirius were Emma's best friends. There were also Remus, Ruby and Peter. They weren't very nice to me, because they didn't like Slytherins, just like I didn't like Gryffindors… to be fair, only James and Sirius were real jerks" she added as an afterthought.

Harry lowered his head. Regina noticed it and winced.

"They changed. I changed. I wasn't always nice either, you know. However you think I'm nice now, don't you?"

"Of course" Harry answered wholeheartedly. "I understand. But you were friends with my mother. And she was a Gryffindor. So why weren't you friends with my father right away, too?" Harry pointed out.

"I had known Lily way before Hogwarts. And we were family before we knew what Houses were. We didn't care. But we were still very stupid. I didn't understand at this time that, if I could love Lily, I could love any other Gryffindor students" she explained.

"We don't like Malfoy either" Harry provided.

"Pretty sure that's because he's a Slytherin…" Henry approved.

"And also because he's mean" Harry added as a clarification.

"My point exactly. Anyways, I didn't talk to Emma the first year. The second year, we spent Christmas together. I couldn't go back home, and neither could she. So we were both at Hogwarts and… the very first friendly conversation we had was right here."

Regina smiled at the memory. The exact moment when Emma had opened up to her. She was so crazy in love with her, even then. She had realised it so much later. She approached the window and pointed the place to the kids. Henry had tears in his eyes now.

"Ma was here with you, seventeen years ago?"

"Yes… and we were both secretly in love with each other… but we were too shy and too young to realise it. Anyway from that moment on, we became friends. And we kissed for the first time under that oak over there, when we were fourteen" Regina kept on.

Henry eagerly looked at the oak. Then he winced. Gross, she heard him whisper.

"What about my parents? If my dad didn't like you, Mom mustn't have loved him very much" Harry guessed.

"True. They had the same beginning as Emma and I. They got together at seventeen. They married just after school. They grew to love each other very much" Regina said.

"And it didn't bother you?" Harry asked, afraid.

Regina chuckled.

"Of course not. I grew attached to James with time. We both grew up, eventually. He was a good man actually. Emma and Lily would never have loved him so much if he hadn't been"

Harry smiled happily.

"You saw the pictures, honey. We were all very close and we loved each other deeply"

It was a little far from the truth, and Regina knew she was making them believe a story which wasn't entirely true, but she also knew it was better this way. They didn't have to know the whole story, the heartbreaks, and the treasons. They were far too young for this.

"What happened then, Mom?" Henry asked, apprehensively.

"Then… we lived in a troubled time. You-Know-Who was killing Muggles and the wizards who wouldn't rally to him. Harry's parents, Emma and I were among those. And we were scared he would find us" Regina began, shakily.

"Who was he?" Harry asked, anger filling his voice.

"His name was Voldemort" she darkly answered.

Harry nodded.

"Your parents protected your house. We don't know how Voldemort knew how to break this protection. But he found you. He killed your parents and when he tried to kill you, it destroyed him. We don't know how" Regina sinisterly kept on.

Harry's eyes were wide open, in shock.

"This is why everybody looks at me like that?"

"Yes. It is" Regina confirmed.

"I'm famous because a mad man killed my parents and didn't succeed in killing me as well?" he clarified, his tears refusing to spill.

"You are famous because you are the only wizard of history who has survived a death curse, honey" Regina developed.

Harry nodded, unable to speak.

"And the Ministry didn't know how the protection of your parents didn't work. They seemed to suspect Emma. They charged her for their deaths, along with Sirius" Regina finished.

Regina knew it wouldn't be easy. But she couldn't give them the details, so she just waited for Henry's questions, ready to tell more lies – by omission, but still lies.

"She couldn't have betrayed them" Henry cried.

"No she couldn't. It wasn't her. But it's the only explanation they have, so…" Regina trailed off.

"Why didn't you help her? Why didn't you find evidence of her innocence?" Henry accused her.

"Because I needed to take care of you, Henry. This is was what Emma wanted."

"I believe you. Emma wouldn't have betrayed my parents" Harry acknowledged.

"She loved them too much, Harry. She would never had done that" Regina confirmed.

"I know." Harry simply answered, sad.

Henry was pacing, unable to sit down.

"I'm sorry, honey." Regina whispered.

She now felt awful.

"Please tell me there's something we can do for her. We need to get her out of jail" Henry desperately said.

"I already thought about taking her away. But there would be too many complications. I tried to find proofs, but everyone who could have answered my questions are dead or imprisoned – which means that their testimonies would have absolutely no impact. And Emma refused to explain what happened, during her trial. She didn't say anything."

"Why not?"

"I don't know…" Regina sighed.

"So there's nothing we can do?" Henry asked, defeated.

"I'm afraid there isn't" Regina confirmed.

"—mediocre, arrogant as his father, a determined rule-breaker, delighted to find himself famous, attention-seeking, impertinent -"

"I sure hope you're not talking about my godson, Severus" Regina interfered coldly.

She just stepped into the Headmaster's office and caught the heated monologue her brother was having with Dumbledore. Severus had the decency to look ashamed.

The Headmaster's eyes grew amused, although he didn't raise them from a copy of Transfiguration Today. He answered calmly:

"You see what you expect to see, Severus. Other teachers report him to be modest, likeable and reasonably talented. Personally, I find him an engaging child"

Regina felt immensely relieved at the admission. Harry would have another source of support thanks to Dumbledore. And this kind of support didn't mean nothing.

"I didn't ask you two to come here to discuss about Mister Potter" the old man kept on. "I have some… concerns… about one of your colleagues"

"Who?" Regina asked.

"What concerns?" Severus added.

"Professor Quirrell doesn't seem to be like he used to be… keep an eye on him, won't you?"

Regina sniggered. The dismissal was loud and clear, contrary to the cryptic explanation he had given them. Brother and sister looked at each other, rolling their eyes at the man's behaviour and left.

"What do you think he meant by that?" Severus broke the ice as soon as they were alone.

"I have no idea. How was Quirrell before I arrived?"

"Long haired"

Regina raised an eyebrow at her brother, not understanding his answer.

"I mean he didn't wear a turban, before."

"Wow. What a drastic change" she said, sarcastic.

"We weren't actually friends, I couldn't know what changed" Severus defended himself.

Regina sighed.

"We'll just have to observe him, then. I'll try to befriend him."

"Fine. As soon as you need me, whistle. For old times' sake." Severus said, bitter.

"Don't you dare, Sev" the brunette warned.

Severus shrugged and left. Regina rolled her eyes but didn't go after him. She was fed up with being surrounded by children.

Time to be surrounded by despair, she thought.

She climbed the stairs to the Astronomy tower, the higher one of the castle. Once she was up there, she transfigured and flew away.

She didn't stop until she was in Azkaban. Now well accustomed to the localisation of her wife's cell, she landed without hesitation. Peering inside the room, she realised Emma was transfigured into her owl form, too. She hooted to get her attention, which she had immediately. The golden owl flew to her and landed right in front of her. Only the bars were keeping them apart, now. They were so close, though… Regina enlaced her through them and rested her head against hers. Emma fell into her embrace and they remained like this for a very long time. Just breathing in and out.

"The school is awful without you"

Emma acknowledge her with a lugubrious hooting.

"The oak is still very much the same. I go there every Wednesdays and Saturdays… waiting for you"

Emma didn't reply anything. She just closed her eyes. Regina was about to leave when she answered.

"I can't think about happy memories anymore. I can hardly remember them even… But if I could, I would often think about this damn oak"

The weeks passed. Harry, due to his reckless behaviour with Malfoy, had been allowed to become the Seeker of Gryffindor's team. Just like his father. It didn't help Severus in his aversion of the young boy.

"He did it to protect Neville's belonging" Henry tried to reason his mother.

"It doesn't matter why he did it" Regina tersely replied "You're punished. Both of you"

"Henry didn't do anything!" Harry protested vehemently.

"As the big brother, he should have stopped you from doing just that".

The two boys looked at each other, resigned. But they both look somewhat happy, Regina thought.

"You'll have a detention with me, tomorrow. Eight o'clock"

The detention had run smoothly, of course. She had chosen to make them classify the mischiefs listed by the intendant, fifteen years ago. Of course, the boys often found James' and Emma's names. Regina would laugh with them, sometimes remembering the exact facts about the punishments and explaining the mischiefs done. She wasn't sure it was a great example to give them… but again the kids needed to talk about their parents, and it was a good way to do so, without having an emotional breakdown.

At the end of the hour, Harry and Henry thanked her and readied themselves to leave.

"Wait a second, you two" Regina called them back.

They observed her, intrigued.

"You can punish us every night, Mommy" Henry suggested.

Regina smiled and shook her head.

"Nope I'm not giving you another detention… for now. But I was thinking you could use a good broom, for the Quidditch games, honey"

Harry looked at her, perplexed.

"Your father would kill me, if I didn't offer you the best one, so…" she trailed off, looking for the broom beside her desk. Henry and Harry looked at it incredulously.

"Harry, Mom… is this the Nimbus 2000?" Henry asked suddenly excited.

"Yes, it is" Regina confirmed.

Henry shrieked and hugged Harry, then his mother, screamed Gryffindor was going to kill it this year. Regina wondered when and where he had learned such a language. Maybe Ronald, she thought. But she was too happy to see him like this to think about reprimanding him. Harry's eyes were shinier than before.

"Thank you, godmother" he sincerely whispered, not trusting his voice.

"You're very welcome" she answered the same way.

They went away and she went back to her room. She laid on her bed and looked around, at all the photographs of Emma and Lily, smiling at her. On her nightstand, there was different portraits, all smiling at her. Emma, Lily, Severus, Henry, Harry and the Evans. Looking at the missing ones, she whispered:

"You would be so proud of them, right now. Harry made it to the Quidditch team. And before you start to worry, of course I offered him the best broom there is. According to Minerva, he flies incredibly. She's positive Gryffindor will win the Championship, just like before. Henry was so happy to see Harry's achievement. He didn't complain once about not having his own broomstick. You would be so proud of your sons."

"Speaking alone is the first sign of craziness"

She turned around and looked at her brother tersely.

"What if I am?"

"If you are, I'll take you to St Mungo's Hospital"

"What? You wouldn't keep your big sister with you to take care of her?"

Severus smiled and lied down next to her.

"Depends on the craziness. If it's just about speaking with the dead, I would participate" he sighed.

"I was just telling Emma and Lily about their sons"

"You think they can hear you?"

"I'm pretty sure Emma can't… but that's no big deal, because I tell her in person… as for Lily. I'm sure she can. Actually I think this is not really necessary because she watches over us…"

"As in she protects us?"

"Maybe she can't protect us. But she sees and hears us"

"That would be nice" Severus conceded after a moment of silence.

"What about your classes?"

Severus deeply breathed.

"They're okay. I would rather not see the embodiment of my personal hell everyday but besides that, everything's okay"

Regina closed her eyes.

"He's a sweet boy. Nothing like James used to be when he was his age"

"If you say so"

"Sev…"

"Please… don't Gina. I need to hold on the anger. It's easier this way"

"Harry doesn't deserve your anger. He hasn't done anything" Regina defended earnestly.

"Since when do you question my feelings?" Severus asked annoyed now.

"Since they directly impact my godson!"

Severus didn't answer right away.

"Do you think he looks mistreated?" he questioned slowly.

"No"

"Do you think he looks unhappy?"

"No" she murmured.

"Do you think I'm traumatising him by making him hate me?"

"No" she admitted.

"I promise you that I will stop right away if you ever can answer yes to one of these three questions" he solemnly said.

"Really?"

"Yes. Promise. I won't let Lily's child be miserable. But as long as he's fine, I need to do some petty things not to be miserable all the time" he explained.

Regina was still reluctant.

"I feel miserable all the time, and I don't feel the need to unleash on an eleven years old"

"Maybe someday you will find someone to unleash your anger, and you will understand where I am coming from"

"Hum… let's just hope that someone won't be my son" she whispered.

"Of course not. Maybe a bad guy. Like Quirrell" Severus suggested.

"We don't know for sure he's a bad guy"

"Albus seems to think he is"

"Albus is merely suspicious of him" she pointed out.

"We'll soon find out if this is well founded"

"Anyway, even if I unleashed my anger on him, it'd still be acceptable! He's not a child, unlike Harry"

Severus remained silent and Regina let it go. She couldn't understand how she could be so weak with her brother. She hated to know he was abusive with her godson, and still… she wasn't able to fight about it against him. She was too scared of losing him.

Quirrell was indeed very strange, just like Albus had told them. The first time she had tried to talk to him, he had stammered so badly, she hardly understood him. She had tried to decipher what he was thinking, using Legilimency. But as soon as her mind approached his, she hurt a wall so strong, it couldn't be here for no reason. He's definitely trying to hide something, she thought.

"Look, I don't know anyone. And the teachers here were the teachers I used to have when I was a student, except for you. Maybe we could spend a little time together?" Regina gently offered.

"I…I…I…. do…don't…kno…kn…know…if this…this is…a…a… g…g…goo…good…idea"

"Why wouldn't it be a good idea?"

The explanation Quirrell gave her was uncertain at best. He told her he didn't want to be disturbed in any way from his job and she resisted the urge to lash out. It looked awfully as if he was thinking she was hitting on him and preferred to reject her. She didn't know if she was angrier at the man for thinking that, or for rejecting her.

"It's okay I understand" she smiled nonetheless.

While she was walking away from him, she could feel his gaze burning her back, and chills ran down her body.

Something is definitely wrong with him.

Instead of spending every Wednesdays and Saturdays at the oak, she decided it was time she paid visits to her wife more often. She brought some supplies for her to eat – her skinniness was frightening – and photographs of the boys and their friends. She explained everything about the kids' lives: their grades, their friendships, their successes, their mistakes. Emma never smiled, never cried. She just listened, utterly focused on the explanations.

Halloween was almost there, and Regina was conflicted. It was Wednesday, and she wanted to go see Emma, but on the other hand, she was used to ask and eat sweets with Henry for hours before going to sleep, on Halloween's day. She was deciding she would do both, when Quirrell rushed inside the Great Hall, screaming. And not stuttering, Regina noticed.

From what she gathered, a troll had been introduced in the castle. Quirrell collapsed and fell on the floor. The kids were frightened, chaos ensued. Had it not been for Dumbledore, they would have been running everywhere through the castle, unprotected.

"SILENCE"

Albus gave his instructions, which were respected as far as she could tell. Regina wasn't worried about her kids. She looked at Severus who was obviously thinking the same thing: Quirrell wasn't lying on the floor anymore.

They rushed to the second floor at the same time.

"Do you think he tries to steal the Stone?" Regina asked.

"I have no idea… Albus thought Voldemort wanted it"

"Looks like he's not the only one"

"We can't be sure that's why Dumbledore warned us about him" Severus pointed out.

"He could have been less cryptic" Regina huffed, annoyed.

"Maybe he doesn't even know himself why he's suspicious of him" Severus wisely suggested.

"Then why doesn't he spy on him himself?"

Severus sniggered but didn't answer: his sister had a very valid point. They arrived at the second floor and saw Quirrell from a distance, entering the room. They sped up and heard him scream before opening the door. They winced.

Regina entered first and immediately saw the shaking man curled up on the floor, the immense dog hovering above him and snarling at him. As soon as he saw Regina, his attention flew to her though.

"Good boy, Fluffy" she warned him, menacingly.

The snarling stopped and he just looked at her. His stance was still on the lookout but he wasn't so threatening anymore. Severus took advantage of the opportunity to retrieve the man from the room, using the Accio spell. The dog began snarling again and Regina took it as her cue to leave. She closed the door at the exact moment the dog jumped at them.

Quirrell used the distraction to try and run away. Regina used a Protego charm and the Professor bounced against it, falling on the floor several feet away. He turned around and immediately attacked them. Regina pushed Severus aside. She needed to fight. Severus seemed to understand that and didn't interfere. The fight was a little too easy for Regina. But life-saving nonetheless: she could finally express all her built-up rage and desires. She didn't hold back. The guy was a mess within two minutes. She approached him slowly, after having him immobilised, Severus right behind her.

"What the hell were you trying to do, Quirrell?"

"I was trying to see if the wards were protected"

"What do you mean?" Severus inquired further.

"I mean that I thought the troll could try and enter the room where it's hidden" he said.

Still not stammering, Regina thought.

"Dumbledore has secured it himself. I'm sure it's well guarded" Severus replied sarcastically.

"Let's find the troll, now" Regina concluded the discussion, not even trying to ask why he would attack them. She didn't care anyway.

Severus looked at her, and the message was loud and clear for both of them. Quirrell was lying. She silently nodded her approbation.

They were walking through the corridors when they saw Minerva urgently running to the ladies' room.

"Does she need to… or is she afraid the troll is there?" Severus sniggered.

"It's worth the confirmation" Regina shrugged.

They ran to her, Quirrell on their steps. Regina stopped dead in her tracks when she saw what was inside the room McGonagall had just entered. The toilets were completely demolished. The troll was lying on the floor, unconscious. And Henry, Harry, Ron and Hermione were standing around him, face turned to the ground. Severus tensed too, and kneeled to inspect the troll.

Minerva was scolding the children from what Regina could understand. But she herself was too flabbergasted to speak. Emma would have been so proud. So proud to see her son defeat a troll on his first year. Transgress the rules. Then Hermione said the three boys were trying to rescue her. That she had tried to find the troll to defeat him by herself. Regina didn't even use Legilimency to know she was lying. She was protecting the three others. But why? She didn't know. She didn't even know if she wanted to. Right now, she was just torn. Torn between the reactions she should have… Emma's? Hers? Had she been the only one in charge, she would have punished Henry and Harry for the rest of the year…

But Emma would be so proud of him…

She couldn't help it. She secretly took a picture of the scene and fled. She would let Severus and Minerva deal with the situation the way they deemed fit. She knew Severus wouldn't punish his godson. And therefore he couldn't punish Harry either. The thought made her smile. Minerva would punish them both, anyway.

She transformed and headed straight to Azkaban. It was Wednesday, after all.

"I really don't get this fascination for the Philosopher's Stone" Emma calmly said.

She had chosen to remain as her human self this time. As usual she wasn't looking at her. But she was communicating with her, now. The weeks passed by, and she opened more and more to her wife. Regina should have come more often during the previous years. But Henry was too young, she thought bitterly.

"I mean… who would want to live forever?" she resumed.

Regina thought about it for a moment. If she had a choice, she would live forever with the people she loved. She would share the Philosopher's Stone. They would never die. And they would live happily ever after. She shook her head. She couldn't think like that anymore.

"I have no idea. Anyway when we came back from there, we found the troll in the ladies' room. Passed out. Just guess who had fought it?" she hooted.

"Henry? Harry?"

For the first time she raised her eyes to her. They were still hollow. But something akin to recognition was shining in them.

"Yes. And Ron. And Hermione. They fought the troll together. And he was at the very least thirteen feet tall"

Emma smiled for the first time. It was small and broken. But a smile anyway. Regina wondered if it was a reflex or if she could actually smile and feel the joy despite the Dementors. She chose this moment to give her the photograph she had taken: the four of them were around the troll, looking ashamed and fearful. But they looked each other sideways sometimes, exchanging reassuring smiles.

Emma looked at it for the longest time.

"It's the strangest thing… I know I am proud and happy… but I can't feel it…" she whispered. Regina shivered. And Emma added, so low she almost missed it: "They look like us"

Regina didn't ask who she was thinking about. That much was clear to her. She saw in the four children the clan she had had with James and Sirius. It broke her heart just a little more.

"Good thing they have a girl in their circle. It's always necessary" Emma approved.

"She's very intelligent. Brave. I suspect her to have lied to protect the boys from punishment. A real little Gryffindor" Regina described Hermione.

Emma smiled again.

"Good"

She looked at her for the second time this night. And this time, her expression was stronger. Not happiness, yet. But not emptiness either.

"Thank you"

"I love you"

In that moment, Regina couldn't help it. She still loved her wife with all her heart. Even though it killed her.

"I love you too" Emma murmured.

Regina turned around, ready to leave, when Emma called her name. She looked at her, waiting, and was surprised to see her wife smiling.

"Don't punish them to hard"

Regina snorted.

"I'll leave that to McGonagall" she answered.

For the first time in almost twelve years, Emma chuckled.

"Can you feel it?"

Emma looked at her, quizzical.

"Amusement… can you feel it?"

Her wife took her time to answer, seemingly deep in thought.

"I grew used to Dementors… they don't affect me as much anymore… I guess that for a split second… I felt it"

"You must eat something, Harry" Hermione pressed him.

"I'm not hungry" Harry answered, obviously worried.

Regina heard them from a distance. She had just walked in the Great Hall. As always, many eyes turned to her. She didn't pay them any attention, focused on the four students. She approached them smiling.

"Hermione is right, sweetheart. You need to eat" she said, while kissing his forehead. "And don't worry, you'll be fantastic" she whispered in his ear.

Harry smiled brightly at her, forgetting his fears for a moment.

"You'll watch the game?" he asked, hopefully.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world" she confirmed.

"But what if I make a fool of myself?"

Henry threw a piece of bread at him.

"Don't be silly. You'll be the best" he said confidently.

Regina smiled.

"You know, your father had pretty much the same reaction when he played for the first time" Regina smiled.

"Really?" Harry beamed.

"Really. I was sitting at the Gryffindor's table, we were having breakfast with Lily. I overheard the discussion between them… Emma was reassuring him and encouraged him to eat" Regina smiled at the memory "Although at the time, I hoped with all my heart he would fail" she laughed.

"Because you didn't like him"

"There was that. And I was a Slytherin"

"What happened?" Harry asked eagerly.

"He was so good he made his team win within fifteen minutes. And they played against the past champions. When he showed the Snitch to the stadium he screamed at Lily that the victory was for her" Regina remembered.

"Was he a Seeker?"

"Yes… he was"

Harry nodded.

"I hope I won't shame his memory"

"Don't ever say that again, Harry. You will honour his memory, I'm absolutely sure of it. You wouldn't have been selected by McGonagall if you weren't gifted" Regina reassured him.

Harry nodded, not really convinced, but not so scared anymore. Regina thought back at what she had said and realised it wasn't the complete truth, so she added:

"You know… even if you were a total klutz and couldn't fly, your parents would be so proud to call you their son"

Harry turned to face her and his eyes expressed so many emotions. Sadness and happiness flowed in them. And they were so much like Lily's. For a moment, Regina forgot she was looking at Harry and saw her sister. Red-hair. Piercy and shiny green eyes. To forget her own aching heart, she added as an afterthought:

"Plus, you're already better than your father… he only made the team in his second year!"

She hugged Harry again and quickly left after saying good luck one more time. Harry was still smiling when he got up and left for the game.

Moments later, Regina was sat next to Severus in the Slytherins tribunes not far away from the students.

"Looks like old times" Severus commented.

"Not really" Regina disagreed.

"You side for Gryffindor now" he stated.

"I side for my godson now" she gently corrected.

"As you should" Severus grumbled.

He said it so low, Regina thought she had misheard and didn't comment further. Hope exists.

Gryffindor scored. Then Harry saw the Snitch and tried to catch it, but Marcus Flint, the Slytherin's captain, collided with him so hard to stop his course, he almost fell. Regina was seething. She screamed her indignation, collecting many scornful glares by Slytherin students she didn't even notice. In her rage, she didn't notice Severus' silence either. Had she looked at him, she would have seen him almost angry.

Gryffindor missed their penalty. Slytherin equalised. Then all hell broke loose when Harry's broomstick went crazy. Before she could even move, she saw Severus muttering dark magic while fixing Harry. Understanding immediately that her brother was trying to diminish the force of the spell cast on the broom, she stood up and ran to find the source of the problem. She didn't see Hermione rushing from the other side of the Stadium, nor Quirrell being destabilised by her, nor her brother catching fire from the spell that Hermione said.

All she heard was the Gryffindor students screaming in victory and Harry, safe and sound on the ground, brandishing the Snitch in his fist. She couldn't cheer. She went back to Severus immediately.

"What the fuck happened?" she cursed.

"I have no idea. I was trying to counter the spell and someone set my cloak on fire" he answered confused.

"They thought you were trying to kill Harry, then" she guessed.

"Which means the culprit wasn't far away. Their attention must have been distracted by the perturbation"

They looked around but didn't see anyone suspicious.

"What about Quirrell?" Regina suggested.

"I don't know where he was, I didn't see him"

"I need to see the kids. I'll be back"

Severus nodded and let her go. She found them at Hagrid's, drinking tea. And she caught their conversation. On the one hand, she felt betrayed they hadn't come to see her right away. On the other hand, she understood why they didn't. Hermione, Harry and Ron were certain that Severus was trying to kill Harry. Hagrid and Henry were fiercely defended her brother.

Hermione said that she had been the one to set Severus on fire, to protect her friend. And she did save him, she thought. Her admiration and gratitude for the little girl increased tenfold.

She entered the small house and rushed to Harry, taking him into her arms.

"How do you feel?"

"Shaken" Harry murmured.

She then turned to Henry to hug him and finally to Hermione. She slowly walked to her, and opened her arms tentatively. Hermione looked at her, stunned. Finally, she accepted the hug.

"Thank you for setting Severus' cloak on fire" she loudly said "And for saving my boy"

Five pairs of eyes looked hard at her. Harry, Hagrid, Ron and Hermione seemed shocked. Henry seemed furious.

"Uncle has nothing to do with what happened to Harry" he protested vehemently.

Regina turned to him and calmly replied:

"Of course not. But she probably destabilised the culprit without noticing. Which saved Harry"

"Who were they?" Harry asked.

"I have an idea. But I need to be sure" Regina replied uncertainly.

"And Mrs Swan? I'm sorry to ask the question, but… how can you be sure that…" Hermione didn't dare finish her question and reddened.

After what she had witnessed, Regina really couldn't blame the girl for asking.

"That my brother wasn't trying to kill my godson?"

Hermione reddened even further but didn't answer. She didn't lower her head either, though.

"Because I was standing right next to him. And I know the counter spell he was reciting" she said gently, letting her know she wasn't mad.

"What? Counter spell?" Hermione asked shocked.

"There's no doubt for us that someone was trying to kill Harry. I was looking for the source. Severus was trying to counter the spell. Without him, Harry would have fallen"

"Why did he help me?" Harry asked, even more shocked now.

Regina winced. It wasn't the time, nor her place to explain. And she was certain that Severus would forbid her to tell him his most hidden secret.

"You're my godson. Just trust that Severus will never harm you in any way, whatever happens."

Harry nodded. He trusted his godmother with everything he had. She was like a mother to him. So he accepted her explanation and let it go.

"He's not very nice with him, though" Ron murmured.

Surprisingly, Regina laughed.

"Yeah… remember what I told you about Gryffindor and Slytherin aversions for each other?"

The four children silently confirmed.

"Well… Severus is still a kid" she simply stated.

The three boys sniggered but Hermione frowned, looking deeply at Regina. That girl is really something else. She just guessed I'm not saying the whole truth… yet, she believes me. Regina smiled at her, proud. Hermione smiled back, understanding once again Regina's affection. She will replace Dumbledore one day, Regina thought amused.

After kissing the two boys' foreheads and thanking Hagrid and Hermione again, she left. She had many things to think about. And one conversation to have. Arriving at her destination, she realised her brother was already where she wanted him to be.

"Regina! We were waiting for you" Dumbledore welcomed her.

She smiled at the two men and sat down.

"Headmaster" she formally addressed him.

The man chuckled at her greeting and looked at the two teachers.

"Severus was explaining to me what happened during the game"

"Why didn't you come to watch it?"

Dumbledore serenely looked at her.

"I wasn't even in the castle up until now… but this is a story for another time" he answered.

"Okay" she capitulated "I didn't know you were gone"

"Do you think all this would have happened if I had been here?"

"Look who's getting cocky, sis" Severus smiled sarcastically.

"It's not cockiness if it's the truth" Dumbledore winked at Regina.

Regina remembered a discussion she had had with Bellatrix many years ago and her heart clench at the memory of the girl. She used to be nice. Or at least, not completely mad.

To distract her mind, she told them everything she had heard at Hagrid's. She told them about Hermione. And about her suspicions about Quirrell.

"Yes, we were having the same conclusions" Severus confirmed.

"Why don't you expel him, Albus?" Regina inquired.

"Because I need to know what he wants and if he's a danger" the Headmaster calmly replied.

"Had it not been for Severus, he would have killed Harry! I would say it's pretty obvious how dangerous he is" she proclaimed outraged.

"If he is the one who attacked Harry" Dumbledore answered severely.

This time, there was no playfulness in his sentence, and Regina felt reprimanded. She hated it. She wasn't a little girl anymore. They needed to take action. No one else would have tried to murder Harry.

"First, we need proofs" Dumbledore added.

"How do you expect us to collect them?" Severus intervened, sensing his sister was about to say something she would regret.

"By keeping your eyes and minds open" Albus cheerfully stated.

Regina disbelievingly looked at the man. Severus was smiling, amused.

"Have a good night, my friends." he dismissed them "It's clear tonight and I'm sure your dreams will fly high and fast through the cloudless skies"

He smiled knowingly at Regina and the twins left the office. Severus was confused.

"Did you tell him about your Animagus and Emma?"

"No… I'm sure he reads minds" she answered, annoyed.

"Then, learn to close it"

"Didn't he just say to keep it open?"

"Hum… he wants us to spy Quirrell's mind then, you're right"

"I already did. His walls are so high and strong nothing can break them" Regina protested.

"Doesn't hurt for me to try" Severus shrugged.

"Keep me posted"

But tonight was one of Emma's nights: Saturday. So she said goodbye to Severus and went to her.

Emma looked at her all along when she told her about the events, while eating what Regina had brought her. She didn't interrupt, but her look didn't falter. She didn't seem so empty anymore.

"That Hermione girl seems great" she finally said "I'm glad she's around our boys"

"Me too" Regina eagerly confirmed.

"How do you do, Regina?" Emma blankly asked.

"What?" the brunette replied, confused.

"You heard me"

"I'm… I just told you! There's a lot on my mind with the kids. And I fear they're always in danger. But besides that… everything's okay I guess"

"What about your life?"

Regina was getting annoyed, now.

"I just told you, Emma. My life is full. I don't have to complain. Kids to supervise, friends to mourn and wife to visit. My life's a paradise"

"Is your wife the only woman you visit?"

Regina blankly stared at Emma for a few seconds. She wondered if she had heard correctly. Did her wife think she was having an affair?

"Are you asking me if I'm fucking someone at the moment?"

"I am" Emma confirmed.

God, what an idiot! How could I marry such an imbecile? She internally seethed.

"No, I'm not"

"You should"

Regina's eyes bulged. What the hell?

"Have you gone crazy?" she menacingly hooted.

"Not yet. Although my sanity will not last long anymore" she darkly chuckled.

It had happened more and more. Her chuckle. It wasn't like before. However, it was a sweet melody to Regina's ears. Not this time, though.

"Emma… I don't know if you realise that I'm still very much married with you"

"I'll accept to file for a divorce if you wish me to" Emma answered.

Regina was about to explode when Emma stood up and came face to face with her, shouting:

"Regina, you're thirty-two. You still have your whole life ahead of you. And I'll be damned if the both of us can't take advantage of it. I'll be damned if, because of me, you waste it. I will never go out of this living hell. But you can, baby" tears were pouring from her wife's eyes now "you don't have to feel like you can't move on. You can. You're free. I won't hold you back and I won't resent you for it. I was the one who turned my back on you when they sent me to Azkaban. You just do what you have to do, now"

Regina's anger made the bars disappear. She entered the cell effortlessly and transformed back into herself. Despair immediately took over her mind. She felt as if she would never be happy again, right away. Her vision blackened and she couldn't see Emma anymore. Screams of Lily's, Severus' and Emma's filled her mind.

Emma rushed to her side.

"Baby, listen to me… you need to transform back into an owl right now. You won't bear the emotions as your human self. Come on" she encouraged her.

Regina barely understood and it took the longest time to focus enough to transform. The pain and desperation faded gradually while Emma cradled her and comforted her. It took her several minutes to recover but she finally did.

"How do you support that?" she moaned.

"I told you. I hold on to a thought that isn't a happy one. It prevented me from going mad. When it becomes too… hard… I transform. It helps" she shrugged.

"You seem almost normal, nowadays"

"Yes… your presence and my love for you are stronger than the Dementor's and my desperation when you're with me" Emma confirmed.

"You learnt how to fight them without a Patronus"

"No… you are my very own Patronus"

Regina nestled in her arms and closed her eyes. Tears ran down freely on her animalistic form.

"I love you, Emma. I could never be with someone else than you. The mere thought is sickening" she lowly hooted.

Emma kissed her head but didn't comment.

"Do you want me to come more often?" Regina offered.

"No… it's not a place for you. And Henry needs you" Emma refused.

"Henry has his friends now… and he will only need me to protect him during the vacations" Regina protested.

Emma seemed to think about it. And Regina knew what she would do, whatever the decision she would give. Her wife needed her more than their child, right now.

"It is not a place for you here, my love" Emma finally answered.

"Nor yours" Regina countered.

"But here I am"

"And therefore, here I will be…"

"Regina…." Emma protested weakly.

"My place is with you, Emma. I was wrong to think otherwise"

Regina held on her words. Every day she spent teaching and sharing time with Severus, Harry and Henry. Every night, she joined her wife. Her life was balanced at last. Even if hope seemed so far away and desperation didn't, she found a sort of happiness for the next few months.

Henry was growing and his results were promising. His teachers loved him.

Harry was glowing and finally surrounded properly with friends and family.

They spent Christmas at the castle and were spoiled. Harry even received an invisibility cloak for a mysterious sender. She was ill-at-ease to let him keep it, but she had completely analysed it and nothing seemed suspicious.

When she told Emma, the blonde woman looked at her mesmerised.

"I kew Dumbledore had it" she murmured.

"What do you mean?"

"The cloak was James'. We disappeared under it so many times, you have no idea. James lent it to Dumbledore before he died"

"You think Dumbledore is the mysterious sender?"

"Could be" Emma shrugged "I'd need to see it to be sure"

Intrigued, she went to see Dumbledore.

"Albus, I need to speak with you about an important matter"

Dumbledore looked at her, impassive.

"I do too, Regina"

It stopped her dead in her tracks.

"Is it about Quirrell?"

"No. It is about Harry"

"What about Harry? Is he injured?"

Dumbledore smiled reassuringly.

"He's not, Regina. He found the Mirror of Erised"

Regina tensed.

"I had forgot about it. How do you know?"

"I caught him"

"When?"

"Yesterday night"

Regina remained silent for a moment. She wasn't at Hogwarts anymore during the nights. She took the time to compose herself which Dumbledore seemed to understand and finally said:

"What did he see?"

"Lily. James." he enumerated slowly.

Regina nodded.

"His family" she whispered.

"I explained to him what it was. And I asked him not to go see it again. The Mirror has been removed anyway and I hope he won't try to find it"

"You promised you would show it to me" Regina reminded the man.

"I don't see the point… you know as well as I do that you will see almost the exact same thing as your godson… and your son" Dumbledore sighed.

"How would you know what my son would see?"

"Because I was there when he saw it, too"

Regina stared, unable to speak.

"Harry discovered the Mirror. He brought Henry with him the second time to show him his family. Henry only saw Emma and you"

Regina was crying by now.

"You should speak to them again. About their family. I think they need it"

Regina acquiesced and stood up to leave, on the verge of breaking down. She stopped dead in her tracks and turned around.

"They used the cloak to walk in the castle by night?"

"They did"

"Am I right in assuming you were the sender?"

Dumbledore didn't answer right away, too surprised.

"You are" he finally stated.

Regina nodded and left. She wasn't interested in knowing why. She just wanted to see her two little boys who were doomed to grow up far too quickly for her taste.

Months passed. Knowing that Henry and Harry were pacing the castle at night didn't change her mind about visiting Emma. She asked Severus to look after them and Quirrell, though. She trusted him more than anyone else, after all.

The end of the year was near. The little clan was solid and inseparable. They seemed to balance each other perfectly. Henry was the optimistic one; Harry, the fierce one; Hermione, the brains; and Ron, the humourist. They seemed happy. Although a little nosy. Which wasn't of Severus' approval. He hated to see Henry fraternising so much with the little Gryffindor students who were polluting his nephew.

"Relax Sev. They're really not. I find them to have a good impact on Henry"

"What do you mean good impact? I caught Potter spying on me more than once!"

"Maybe he wouldn't if you stopped giving him reasons to do so"

"What?!"

"If you weren't so mean, Harry wouldn't feel compelled to protect himself" Regina continued.

"And maybe I would be nicer if he wasn't so despicable"

"Enough! You will not speak about my godson in these terms in front of me" Regina finally exploded.

"You would choose him over me?" Severus inquired.

His tone was suddenly murderous.

"Don't be silly. I will protect him against you if I have to. But I will never choose him over you. As I will never choose you over him. I will not abandon him, Sev. Never. As I won't ever abandon you"

Severus sighed, deflated. Crisis averted.

"I know, I'm sorry. I would never ask you to abandon him" he recognised.

"I know. I love you baby bro, you still know that, right?"

Severus smiled.

"I remember, yes"

"You're my rock. One of the inalterable persons of my life and the oldest one"

"So are you. The only inalterable person of my life"

"That's only half true" Regina pointed out "You forget Henry"

Speaking of his nephew made Severus smile.

"You're right"

They finished their tea silently. Then Severus said:

"Quirrell works for Voldemort"

Regina almost spat her tea.

"What? You're sure?"

"Almost certain. He wants the Stone to bring him back"

"What do we do?"

"We remain vigilant. Keep your bracelet near. If I sense something's wrong, I'll call you right away"

"Okay" Regina confirmed.

She felt scared suddenly. What would it mean for Harry if he ever came back? What would they do? How would they protect him?

She left Severus and went to the lake. She knew the kids would be there. It was the end of Spring, soon the vacations would be there. She found them easily. They seemed focused and in a deep conversation. She found them so cute she took their picture. She would bring it to Emma and see her smile again.

She approached them and they instantly stopped talking.

"Everything's alright?" she inquired.

"Yes" they answered eagerly in unison.

A little too eagerly for her liking.

"You seem up to no good" she smiled.

Hermione and Ron blushed and Henry lowered his head. Harry almost kept a straight face but his eyes were betraying him. She was tempted to look inside their minds but the intrusion seemed disproportioned and irrational. She refrained from doing just that.

"Okay" she relented "If you need anything, you know where to find me"

She kissed her boys and smiled to their two friends and left. They needed their privacy, after all. And what harm could happen to them, anyway? Hogwarts was the safest place on earth.

"Mom!" Henry called her.

She turned around, surprised.

"What's wrong?"

"We need to speak to Dumbledore" Harry answered instead.

She looked at him, puzzled.

"Why?"

"We have something important to tell him" Henry provided.

"He's not here. He comes back tomorrow. What's wrong? You can tell me anything" she replied, concerned.

The four friends looked at each other, torn.

"It's about the Philosopher's Stone" Harry finally revealed.

"How do you know about it?" Regina exclaimed, suddenly feeling exposed.

"It doesn't matter, Mom. We think someone is trying to steal it" Henry said, shooting Harry a dark glare "We need to tell the Professor Dumbledore in order for him to prevent him"

Regina was flabbergasted. She knew the kids were right. But she wouldn't have thought them capable of discovering the truth. Who had? Probably Hermione… She's the fastest one after all.

"You're right. But don't worry. It is well protected. And we patrol regularly to be safe" she tried to reassure them.

"This is where you go every night?" Henry inquired.

"How do you know I'm not in my bedroom?"

"I tried to visit you several times" Henry blushed.

"After the curfew?" she asked disapprovingly.

"No" he protested outraged.

She didn't know what to answer. She couldn't tell him the truth.

"Don't worry. We patrol. And your uncle is the best at what he does"

Henry winced and Harry seemed victoriously sinister. She had to refrain hard now, not to take a quick peak inside their minds.

"You have to understand… the Stone is really very well protected. We all contributed to the effort. No one will reach it"

They didn't seem convinced, though. And she felt powerless.

"Please, be reasonable. And don't ever doubt me" she almost begged them.

The four teenagers lowered their heads and acquiesced. She let them be, afraid to lose control and spy on them against their will.

At the nightfall, she was in Azkaban. She entered the prison like always and landed on Emma's thighs. The blonde woman caressed her head and took the photo she held in her beak. She examined it smiling and Regina contemplated her. She almost looked like before. Her smile was so beautiful. Maybe she could take photographs every day from now on. But suddenly, Emma's expression changed. She stood up so quickly, Regina fell on the ground. She hooted, offended, but Emma didn't apologise. She didn't even seem to notice her anymore.

"He's in Hogwarts" she was whispering while pacing the tiny cage.

Regina looked at her, worried now. Was Emma finally losing it? Had she been driven insane? She was about to approach the furious woman when her ring burnt. She flew away, not looking back at her wife. There was only one reason Severus would call. Either he was in danger. Or the boys were. She disapparated right away and using all her powers, she broke the protections of Hogwarts to penetrate the castle immediately. She focused on Severus and landed right in front of the Gryffindor's entry.

"Where are they?" she urgently asked.

Severus was on the floor, partially unconscious.

"Tried to find them… drugged" he moaned.

"What?" she asked desperately.

"I've been drugged… second floor"

She understood right away. Her brother had been drugged and had tried to find his nephew as soon as he had realised it. She didn't think twice. She murmured a spell that would ensure Severus' life and disapparated directly on the second floor. The rest of her journey felt like a blur. She barely noticed her surroundings. Fluffy kneeled down in front of her. She enflamed the Devil's Snare. She cast a quick glance around her in the next room and exploded the door without trying to find the right flying key to open it. She did the same throughout all the other rooms, running. She hoped she wasn't too late. When she entered the last room, she immediately noticed her son grabbing onto Quirrells legs and Harry passing out after touching the former teacher.

Although the said teacher was in the worst condition. The place where Harry's hands had been had left Quirrell's face badly burnt. From the corner of her eyes she saw something else, too: the Mirror of Erised.

When she saw her godson collapsing she shouted a cry of rage. She secured the boys far away from the man, and used a protecting spell to ensure their safety. She then slowly approached the mad man and faced him. But his face was crumbling. And the body turned. Her blood boiled when she saw an inhumane face at the back of it, staring at her.

"You must be Regina Snape" the face whispered.

"It's Swan" she answered automatically.

"I tried to find you for a really long time, Regina"

Regina then understood she was speaking with Voldemort. Her rage turned into pure fear. As she was about to respond to save time, she heard Henry crying and asking for Harry to wake up.

Was Harry dead? Her fears, rage, despair, collided inside of her. She couldn't explain what was happening inside of her but she cast a spell. So powerful the ground crackled in its wake. When it hit Quirrell the body exploded into sand and vanished. But a shadow subsided. Voldemort, she guessed.

"YOU WILL NEVER TOUCH HIM EVER AGAIN" she shouted.

Light coming from her wand illuminated the room and Voldemort's shadow disappeared too. But she knew she hadn't killed it.

She didn't lose one second worrying about where Voldemort was. She rushed over her boys and took them in her arms before disapparating and going into the infirmary.

"MADAM POMFREY" she screamed again.

Her voice was hoarse. But the woman heard her and came running.

"What is wrong with them?"

"Henry is just shocked, I think. I don't know about Harry."

Madam Pomfrey took the unconscious boy and laid him on the bed. Regina was left with Henry, watching helplessly the nurse, praying silently that Harry would be alright. She noticed Ron, laying on a bed, and Hermione right next to him, staring at her, apologetic. She suddenly remembered Severus.

"Stay here, Henry. I'll be back right away"

But Henry clung to her.

"No Mum. Please, let me stay with you" he cried in her neck.

She took him with her, unable to let him go anyway. She brought back Severus to Madam Pomfrey. She seemed exasperated with Regina but one look from her made her stop any remarks she was about to make.

Madam Pomfrey tended to Harry's and Severus' injuries the best she could.

"They're out of danger" she had said "they just need calm and rest"

Regina had thanked her. The nurse had tried to look at Henry but he was so completely gripping her that she let it go. She also allowed them to stay in the infirmary despite her disapprobation. Regina Henry and Hermione didn't sleep at all that night, listening hard to the breathing of Harry and Severus, tightly holding onto each other. And Regina couldn't calm down. Her heart was still racing.

At the break of the down, Dumbledore finally came in. She looked at him walking towards them and sitting next to their bed. The two kids had just fallen asleep.

"Headmaster" she acknowledged him.

"Hello Regina. How do you feel?"

"Afraid?"

Dumbledore stared at her and slowly nodded.

"Don't be. Severus will wake up very soon. It might take a little longer for Harry. But he will wake up, too. Can you tell me everything that happened?"

Regina deeply sighed. And began her story from the beginning: the chat she had had with the teenagers in the afternoon. Then she talked about Emma and her agitation. And then what had happened in the castle.

When she was over, Dumbledore seemed so lost in thought she didn't ask him anything. She just waited. Diverting her eyes to her brother, she saw them opened and staring back at her.

"Sevy!" she whispered.

"That's quite a ride you had!" he said humourlessly "I'm sorry I wasn't with you"

She didn't answer right away. She lied down with him and enlaced him.

"You were. Thank God you called me. You saved the kids" she whispered.

"What did he give me for me to collapse like that?" Severus asked.

"Madam Pomfrey doesn't know. Besides sleeping it didn't affect your body in any negative way. I'd say it was a strong sleeping pill"

Severus nodded.

"From now on, I think I'll drink in a flask"

"You would look silly" Regina noted.

"You would look silly" Severus childishly responded.

Regina giggled and held him tightly.

"I've been so scared" she confessed.

Severus didn't answer but tightened his hold on his sister. Dumbledore chose this moment to let the twins know he was still there.

"You know… I always found your bound admirable"

Severus and Regina looked at him surprised. He was smiling at the two of them, fondly. But Regina wasn't lured. She loved the old man deeply, but he had some explanations to give.

"I thought you knew everything that happens in your castle" she accused him.

"I do"

Regina was too stunned to answer. Severus did, slowly.

"Are you telling us… you knew Voldemort was here? With Quirrell? And that the kids wanted to defend the Stone?"

"I did" Dumbledore confirmed gravely.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Regina half whispered, half shouted, exasperated "Was it some kind of a test?"

"I won't explain all my reasons to act the way I do, Regina. But I will answer your questions the best I can"

"Why didn't you tell us?"

"Because nobody told me. I wanted to see if your conclusions would lead me to the same as mine"

"Severus' did"

"I know" Dumbledore smiled appreciatively.

Severus shook his head in acknowledgement of the compliment, but his face remained severe.

"You would have too, Regina, I'm sure of it. But you had better things to do" Dumbledore gently reassured her.

Suddenly, Regina felt guilty. She had failed to protect the boys even though Dumbledore had warned them.

"You didn't fail, Regina. You came back just in time and you saved everyone. I'd even say this was a perfect timing" he chuckled.

"What do you mean?"

"Now, Voldemort knows. He knows that Harry isn't a weak opponent, and that he isn't alone" the man simply answered.

"You wanted him to be afraid?" Severus guessed.

"I wanted you to realise that" Dumbledore cryptically answered.

Regina's heart was still constricted and she still failed to understand Dumbledore's reasoning.

"It doesn't make any sense. Why didn't you tell us everything?"

"Because I won't always be there, Regina. I'm getting old. And I was never your teacher, but from now on, I will be. I will teach you how to think properly and guess things the way I do… it's usually a long process, but you're both quick students" he smiled.

"Well, you'll teach us Legilimency, then!" Regina rolled her eyes.

"Legilimency is the dull brother of psychology, my dear. But I'm really flattered" Dumbledore beamed.

"Why didn't you tell us the kids wanted to protect the Stone? Was it a test for all of us?" Regina kept on.

"They told you, Regina" Dumbledore tersely replied.

Regina was about to protest when she stopped. Suddenly she realised what Albus was saying. If she had thought the way Dumbledore wanted her to think, she would have understood everything. That Harry, Ron and Hermione were certain about Severus' culpability. That Henry was defending him constantly. That they couldn't speak with her because she trusted Severus too much and she wouldn't listen to them. Maybe even be angered. That they would go by themselves, to be sure Severus wouldn't take the Stone to give it to Voldemort.

There were still many blanks, such as how did they know about the Stone?, or why Fluffy didn't chop their heads off?, but she would ask them when the time would come.

"Yes. You see, now" Dumbledore smiled.

She wasn't ready to smile back. She felt ashamed, angry and tired. But she answered nonetheless:

"Thank you"

"You're very welcome" Dumbledore giggled.

Severus' face was impassive. She had no idea what her brother was thinking about all of this.

"You should go to rest, now. In your own bedrooms"

"I'm not leaving Harry nor Severus" Regina quickly bit back.

"Severus' place isn't in the infirmary. Nor is Henry's and Hermione's. You should go back to your bedrooms. I would like to speak with Mister Potter when he wakes"

Regina wanted to protest. But Severus was already getting up and she didn't want to make a fuss. Dumbledore had maybe some very important information to give to Harry. Severus cradled Henry in his arms and lift him up. She got up as well, took Hermione and was ready to leave when Dumbledore spoke up one final time.

"She's not losing it" he said.

Regina's first reaction was to ask what do you mean? But she knew now that Dumbledore wanted her to think by herself and decipher his mysterious way of thinking. So she pondered. And it was clear all of the sudden that he was speaking about Emma.

"How can you be so sure?" she replied, hopeful.

"She was calm when you arrived. The photograph made her lose it" he pointed out.

"Emma saw something in it that wasn't supposed to be?" she guessed.

Dumbledore's smile was radiant.

"My thought exactly… and I guess it is up to you to find out what" he confirmed.

"Promise me you'll call me as soon as Harry wakes up?"

"I promise you"

Regina nodded and left, followed by her brother still holding the sleeping Henry.

Regina slept the whole day, and thought about everything the whole night. She suddenly wondered about things she had never considered before. Why had Voldemort chosen him and not Henry? Why did Harry survive the death curse? Why Voldemort was still alive? Why Emma hadn't defended herself if she wasn't responsible?

She asked Severus about the prophecy he had heard so many years ago, the one she had almost completely forgot about. She shivered. Either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives. She would help her godson. He wasn't alone. She remembered Albus' words. Harry isn't weak. He's intuitive. His friends helped him. He's not alone.

Then she remembered something else. Something Dumbledore had said. Voldemort had used the worst of what dark Magic could do to in order to survive. She would have to find a book about Dark Magic. She would have to figure out what it was. She would have to figure out a way to vanquish him once and for all, to help Harry in his quest.

But all this didn't answer the question of why Harry had survived the death curse. She thought hard and yet she couldn't find the explanation. What did Dumbledore think about it? How Dumbledore would think about it? She needed deductions. She went back to basics. Voldemort was dark. Harry was light. Light had defeated dark. And will defeat it again, she thought ferociously. How?

He will have power the Dark Lord knows not. Light. Dark. What light power the Dark Lord knows not? And all of a sudden, the answer was evident. Love. Voldemort never loved anyone. And Lily and James had given their lives to save Harry's, out of love for him. Harry was protected by blood magic. Light and pure magic. The one no one can control. This was why Dumbledore wanted him to stay at Petunia's: Lily's blood was running inside her veins, too. Harry was protected under her roof. Voldemort couldn't fight that kind of magic.

She felt powerless and small… if only Lily had been her blood sister... So many things would have been different. Their lives wouldn't be the same at all. Severus and Lily would never have fought. Severus would never have been a Death-Eater. Regina would have saved her sister because she would have been the Secret Keeper. Emma would still be with her…

She felt sick. Why Emma hadn't defended herself? She knew her wife… she wouldn't have taken the fall for something she hadn't done. Then, she thought she was responsible. Indirectly. But who was directly responsible?

Regina was starting to have a headache. The sun was rising. The night was over. It was a new start. And this time, she had her eyes and her mind wind open. Fawkes appeared in her room. This could only mean one thing… her godson was awake.

She entered the infirmary and Madam Pomfrey appeared immediately.

"You can't come in. The boy needs rest"

Regina glared at her silently. The nurse flew. Harry was already looking at her, ashamed. She approached him quickly and took him in her arms. He burst into tears. She didn't try to speak. She just soothingly rubbed his back and stroke his hair, waiting for him to be ready. Her own eyes were watering but she knew she needed to be strong. He couldn't see her weak. He finally calmed down. She pushed him gently to lay down, and did the same. He nestled against her.

"I'm sorry" he ended up saying.

Of all the things she expected him to start with, that wasn't the one she would have picked. She had a hunch why he would be sorry, but she wanted to be sure.

"What for?"

"Not believing you. You asked me to trust you. And I didn't. Not completely" he whispered.

"I know. But you don't have to be sorry for that" she admitted.

"You're not angry?" he asked with a small voice.

"I'm enraged. But my anger isn't directed at you. Any of you" she clarified.

"Voldemort?"

"Yes. And myself"

"Why are you angry at yourself?" Harry was surprised.

"Because you tried to tell me. And I didn't hear you" she explained.

"We weren't really straightforward" Harry defended her.

"But it was my job to understand it anyway… and I failed" she calmly stated.

Harry obviously didn't know how to react to comfort her. So she tightened her hold and whispered:

"Don't worry, honey. It won't ever happen again"

Harry smiled in the crook of her neck and she closed her eyes.

"Dumbledore told me my mom… had saved me when she sacrificed her life" Harry confessed.

Regina was surprised to see that her reasoning had been correct. Although she had thought both his parents had saved him. But she hadn't known Lily had been the one to sacrifice. She wondered what James had done.

"Yes… the proof of her love for you remains in your blood. And a love like this is unbreakable. Voldemort can't touch you anymore"

Harry didn't answer but seemed hollow.

"She loved you… so damn much, Harry. You were her biggest source of pride"

"My father's too?"

"Of course… but Emma would be the best one to tell you about him. He was her best friend, and she knew him the best"

"Why wasn't she my godmother then?" Harry wanted to know "I mean, I'm the luckiest to have you as a godmother and I would never change it for the world but since she was my father's best friend…" he trailed off.

"Lily chose your godmother. And James… your godfather" Regina said reluctantly.

"Who? You never told me" Harry seemed eager to know.

Regina sighed. But she couldn't hide the truth for ever…

"Sirius Black" she murmured.

Harry didn't answer right away.

"Was he the Secret Keeper?" he sombrely asked.

"My guess? No. Not more than Emma…"

"Then why are they in Azkaban?" he wanted to know.

"That is a question I don't have the answer for. And I think about it every day…" Regina admitted.

She thought about it again. They had been so defeated that day for their trial. They almost looked like culprits. What did they think they were responsible if they weren't? Then it hit her. She wanted to rush to Dumbledore right away, but Harry still needed her. She pondered her options for a few seconds then decided that her godson needed her more than her wife right now.

"You know… Emma would have been your godmother if James had had a choice, but do you know who would have been your godfather if Lily had made the choice, instead?" she suddenly asked, mischievous.

Harry didn't answer right away. Then, to her biggest surprise, he dejectedly said:

"Snape?"

That dam boy… so intuitive. She smirked.

"You're right. Don't look so disappointed. Severus is a really great man and he would have spoiled you" Regina laughed.

"So Henry says… but he hates me" Harry deplored.

"He doesn't hate you. He hates the memory you remind him"

"That my father saved his life?"

"How do you know that?"

Regina was stunned.

"Dumbledore told me…"

What a clever man… instead of saying that Severus was in love with Lily, he chose to use that detail to explain his behaviour…

"Dumbledore's right. But Severus prefers to think that James was at the right place, at the right moment and saved his life alongside Severus'…"

"That's pure bad faith" Harry underlined.

"I know… and he does too… he wouldn't protect you so hard otherwise. But it is what he needs to do to be able to hate his memory in peace?"

"Why does he hate my father so much?"

Regina couldn't answer the complete truth… so she settled on a half lie.

"Because your father wasn't always a nice guy. Not at first, I mean. And not with us. According to Emma, though, he has always been the best. In fact, we were in the exact same terms you are with Mister Malfoy, today" she explained.

Harry nodded his understanding.

"How long will I stay here?"

"A couple of days, I think" she ventured.

"Will you visit me?" he asked in a small voice.

"All the time"

Harry smiled at her, content. And she smiled back.

During the lunch meal, she told Severus and Albus that she needed to speak with them privately. Both men consented, curious and they all went to the Headmaster's office.

"Something's wrong?" Severus immediately asked.

"No… I mean yes. Do you remember Emma's face during the trial?" she answered, looking at Albus.

"Yes" he acknowledged her.

"She looked guilty. And I know for a fact she wasn't. My guess is that Sirius wasn't either"

Sirius huffed and sat down. Dumbledore just looked at her and enjoined her to keep on with a shook of his head.

"I think they feel responsible. I remember Emma coming home that night. She refused to tell me who the Secret Keeper was. They had made that choice with James and Sirius only, she said"

"I remember" Albus confirmed "They didn't tell me either. They were afraid and didn't want anyone to know in case there was a mole. And we knew there was one"

"Exactly. I think they felt responsible for choosing the wrong person. But they're innocent"

Albus' expression suddenly felt very far away. He began muttering incoherent things. He looked at his hands, thinking hard. Something's missing, Regina understood him tell. She felt like that, too. She was missing a crucial point, but couldn't put her finger on it. Something was right here, right under her nose but she couldn't understand what.

"You may be right" the Headmaster finally conceded "But the trial won't be reopened unless we have proofs"

"I know… we need to know for sure" Regina agreed.

"My advice is… maybe you should pay an important visit… and ask important questions"

"I already tried" Regina winced.

"Try again" Dumbledore chuckled "You have nothing to lose"

Regina nodded. The Headmaster was right.

"I have one last thing to ask" she said.

Dumbledore looked at her knowingly. And he smiled sadly.

"The answer is unfortunately no, Regina. Harry must go back to his aunt's for the summer"

"I know you think he'll be protected by blood magic there. But as long as Voldemort doesn't find a way to come back corporately, Harry's safe with me. I can protect him against everything. He doesn't have to suffer more. I will buy a new house. A bigger one. With more bedrooms. This way, the boys will be at ease, and you can be the Secret Keeper of it" she suggested.

"I used to be the Secret Keeper!" Severus protested indignantly.

"But I think the Headmaster would be more trusting if he was the one now" Regina said apologetically.

"You're wrong. I trust Severus" Dumbledore replied with gentleness.

Severus looked at him, surprised. Albus kept on thinking. Then finally relented.

"I trust you will be careful and not let the boys wander?"

"Of course" Regina immediately approved.

"Which means no more nocturnal visits" he clarified.

"I know"

The last day of school had arrived. Henry and Harry were ecstatic to know they would spend the summer together. Regina had gone one last time to see her wife… but Emma hadn't even glanced at her. She was focused on repeating "He's in Hogwarts" while pacing the cell. Regina had tried everything. But her wife never responded.

When she had come back from Azkaban, she had went straight to the second floor: she needed to see the Mirror of Erised. She hadn't been surprised not to find Fluffy or any of the other creatures created by her colleagues. She had been surprised however to find the Mirror of Erised. As if it had been waiting for her. She slowly approached it, a little afraid of what she would discover. As soon as she was in front of it, she closed her eyes and took deep breaths. In. Out. I can do this. When she reopened them, Emma was unsurprisingly on her right, her two arms around their son's neck and shoulders. The both of them were positively glowing. On her left, there was Severus holding Lily lovingly in one arm, and Harry in the other. She had never seen her brother smiling so brightly, nor her friend looking so radiant. Red, green, gold and silver were mixed everywhere. It was beautiful. One tear escaped her eye, and her loved ones cried with her although they never stopped smiling and laughing. Sometimes one of them would tease the other one who would retaliate, making them all laugh in the process. Lily and Emma often caressed or kissed her cheeks and she could almost feel their touches. Severus and Lily kissed. The little boys began chasing after one another, probably considering there was too many public display of attention.

"So… what do you see?"

Dumbledore's voice was so soft she barely recognised it. But it was still unmistakable. It didn't even make her start. What she had before her eyes was indescribable. And far too personal. She didn't want to share it with anyone… not even with Albus. Not even with Severus. Her deepest desire was hers… She cleared her throat, not wanting her voice to tremble.

"I see myself holding a pair of green and red socks"

From where she was, she couldn't see Dumbledore's reaction. If she had, she would have seen that his eyes were filled with recognition and sympathy.

The last banquet was beautiful. Harry, Henry, Ron, Hermione and even Neville made their House win the House Cup. They all looked so happy, it almost distracted her from her thoughts. But Emma's condition was too worrying for her to cheer with them. The peace of mind she had found those last few months was over.

She didn't sleep at all that night. She went to the Library and tried to find a book on the Dark Arts. She found none. She would speak to Severus about it. He used to read them a lot as a teenager.

She went back home, using the train. Regina didn't want to be alone anymore. Once they arrived at King's Cross, Regina met Mr and Mrs Weasley and their whole family of seven children. The last one, Ginny, was an overly cute little girl who whined when she saw Harry. It made Regina smile broadly. They also met Mr and Mrs Granger, who seemed to be very nice Muggles, if not a little withdrawn and impressed. They left quickly with their daughter – who Regina couldn't help kissing on both cheeks – and kept on speaking with the Weasleys. They promised to invite each other over, in order for their kids to meet. Regina explained why they wouldn't be able to come visit her – unless Severus gave his permission, which was highly unlikeable – but she promised she would accompany her sons to meet them.

Harry looked at her with big eyes at the slip-up. She winked at him, and his eyes filled with unshed tears.

They took a cab to go to their new home, not far away from the station. Harry and Henry were eager to see it. They were ecstatic when they saw the garden, and far less enthusiastic when they found out that the house was completely empty. She laughed. They put their luggage in the entryway and she created one by one all of the items they would need. Harry and Henry watched her in awe. They accompanied her in every decision she made, choosing the colours they wanted, the sizes of the furniture, and even the decoration.

They tried to create little things like forks and cups but every time, something exploded instead. Regina didn't mind. She laughed it away and repaired. She wasn't against home training anyway.

Once she was satisfied with her new arrangements, they settled. Harry was delighted to have a room he could call his own, at last. He asked for photographs which his godmother provided. The two boys asked for red and gold in their rooms.

Regina was cooking them dinner when they suddenly came to her.

"Mommy! The house is almost completely Gryffindor" Henry said pained.

She looked around and noticed he spoke the truth. The sofa was red. The furniture was a golden brown. Even the carpet and the curtains were red. She smiled.

"Yes. It is. Don't you find it beautiful?"

"Yes, but… it seems unfair to you" Harry said reddening.

She smiled fondly at her golden boys.

"Just because I am a Slytherin doesn't mean I don't love Gryffindor's colours" she pointed out.

"The same applies to us, you know" Henry replied, eagerly. "We thought we could add some green fake trees all around the living room, and put some argent around the mirrors and the photo frames"

Regina was too moved by their concerns to answer. Their kindness and thoughtfulness were beautiful. So she just flicked her wand, and the desired items magically appeared. Harry and Henry looked around them.

"Yes, it's perfect now" they settled happily.

They rushed back to their rooms. Regina looked around and couldn't help agreeing with her sons. The mix of colours was perfect.

When she kissed them goodnight, she didn't feel so afraid to go to bed alone anymore.

As she was about to, she noticed a letter in the fireplace. Severus must have sent it…

She grabbed it and recognised the writing of the Headmaster right away. The letter was so short… and yet, she had never read anything so bloodcurdling.

"Emma and Sirius escaped. Do not, under any circumstance, try to find them. Albus"

To be continued