Not Our World
Guessing

His stomach churned, and Regulus went over the puzzle pieces again in his mind. " Her last name is the same as Olivia 's. Her first name is the name Olivia said she liked for a girl. Her eyes are brown, and her hair is brown, like Olivia's. I can see that from here. But her hair isn't straight. That untamed bushiness reminded me of Bella's hair when she didn't care for it. So is she… "

Regulus felt someone elbow him in the ribs as the Sorting Hat was placed on the girl's head, and he turned to look at Fabian to his right while Gideon looked on. He whispered low, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Regulus said, noting how the Sorting Hat took a bit of time with this one, his mind worrying that if what he suspected was true, the Sorting Hat was discussing it with that girl. "No. Hermione. She referred to her as that girl who makes me no better than the rest of the family. It—does she know about me? I mean…"

"Gryffindor!"

Regulus looked up, watching Hermione Granger approach the Gryffindor tables. " Is she really Olivia 's daughter? She must be. But is she mine? Is that where the kink in her hair comes from, the Black family wave? And does she know about me, is that why—is that why she hates me? "

He thought that the moment she decided to look at him, glaring as she did so, he couldn't help but feel some level of hurt that she hated him. Quickly he became interested in his cup, thinking of how he might, " It certainly is an awkward situation I 've found myself in, but there's a chance she's not. Not mine, not Olivia's. I can't jump to conclusions. "

"Regulus."

There came another nudge, and Regulus looked up, eyes blinking at his cousins, albeit cousins through marriage.

"You've not eaten anything," Gideon said.

"Oh." Not eating wasn't something that bothered Regulus as it probably should.

"I'll ask the House Elves to send something to your quarters, so promise me you'll eat something?" Gideon smiled, yet Regulus knew he was unhappy with how he'd not eaten.

"Don't worry. Just tell them to bug him until he does eat. They'd be pleased to do so, and Reg hates worrying the House Elves," Fabian said. "And don't stay up too late doing computer stuff, albeit I know how you love your minesweeper. Perhaps we should suggest that to Fred and George for their plans on making a Wizarding game?"

"Don't encourage them, Fabian."

"It's still better than those jokes they're developing and more towards Molly's liking."

"Ron is the one for this year?" Regulus said, having listened to Draco being sorted into Slytherin and Harry being sorted into Gryffindor, finally hearing the name of the Weasley child for that year.

"Yup. I'm curious to see the route that one goes," Gideon chuckled.

"And hopefully, he's not a handful," Fabian muttered.

"Fred and George are amusing, though," Regulus said. "And quite a joy to have in class."

Which brought a laugh from the two uncles of the boys, but eventually, the Start-of-Term feast ended, and Regulus headed to his quarters where Crookshanks was lounging on the bed. At the same time, Regulus pondered whether he should have told his cousins about his suspicions.

"No. I need to confirm it first. But to do so…" Regulus glanced over at the computer, unsure of whether doing so was a good idea, before heading over and turning on the computer, knowing full well the computers allowed professors to keep in contact with the parents, including the Muggle parents.

He logged in, opening up the list of students to click on the communication link for the Grangers, freezing the moment he did so. His mind suddenly thought this was a bad idea if it was Olivia and Olivia were married. He took a deep breath, the urge to hit the cancel button before—

The video chat connected, and—

"Rabbit?"

Regulus swallowed, his gray eyes wide from shock as it sunk in. He opened his mouth, only to find himself unable to say her name.

"You're alive. You're alive," Hermione's mother said, a smile on her face, but her facial features faltered. "Wait. What did Hermione do?"

"I—nothing," Regulus said. "I just. I suspected. I don't know. I'm confused."

"About whether she's yours or not? I promise I've not been with someone else, although I wonder if that's what you wanted to hear," she said, possibly becoming prettier as she'd gotten older.

"I don't think she likes me, Olivia," Regulus said.

"You don't think so?" Olivia frowned. "That's odd. I haven't told her about…" It was then that Crookshanks decided to make his presence known by jumping up into his lap, to which he started scratching the cat's chins. "Wait? Is that a half-Kneezle?"

Regulus looked up. "I don't believe I got the chance to talk to you about magical creatures."

"So I was right. I mean, that's what Hermione called it," Olivia frowned. "Regulus, I haven't told her about you. I mean…"

"I know. You thought I was dead."

"I didn't know if you were dead or alive, but I didn't want her first impression of you to be—that. The Death Eater business. Because there's so much more to you than that. But…" Olivia frowned.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have. I should have left it well alone," Regulus muttered. "I didn't mean."

"No. Stop. It's not that. Hermione was saying some odd things."

"Odd things like what?"

"Rabbit, is your birthday the thirty-first of July?"

Regulus tilted his head. "That's not something we talked about."

"I'll take that as a yes, then," Olivia said. "And for your information, Hermione told me that was your birthday."

"Wait…"

"And I know I never told her that her dad, who she believes to be a Muggle, has black hair and gray eyes."

Regulus frowned, continuing to scratch Crookshank's chin. "I don't understand."

"I know. I mean, magic."

"I don't think magic can explain this. There's the seer ability, but it doesn't work this way."

"You know what else was strange?" Olivia said.

"What?" Regulus said, not sure he wanted to know, nor did he know how to explain to Sirius. He reached up and rubbed his head, pulling Crookshanks closer.

"She's mad about Crookshanks," Olivia said, pointing her finger at the cat.

Regulus startled, continuing to hug the orange ball of fluffy goodness. "I did mention his name in front of her."

"That's not the odd thing that bothers me, rabbit."

"It's not?"

"Not once but twice, she told me she's convinced her dad would have loved that kitty, but today when I dropped her off at King's Cross, she said you'd love it to pieces as you're doing now. Oh, and she asked if she gets her stubbornness from you, though I'm not sure."

Regulus tilted his head. "I guess Blacks are known for their stubbornness." His lips pushed together, his eyes focusing on Crookshanks. "Olivia. About that. About my family. I…"

"Don't. You don't need to explain as you already have. Back when we—you know, you left me with something wonderful. You've nothing to apologize for. That said," Olivia took a deep breath. "Are you married?"

"What?" Regulus startled. His head tilted. "Are you married?"

"Of course not!" Olivia laughed. "I mean, even though we couldn't be, you're the one. But you, I remember you told me about your family's expectations."

Regulus looked away. "I'm not sure whether to be grateful I couldn't meet them or not. And for your information, no, I'm not married. It's—complicated." He took a deep breath. "To be honest, even if they tried, I wouldn't have been able to."

"I see." She then said, "You're hurting, aren't you?"

"The Black family is my problem and not one I want you to worry about." Which was the truth. He rubbed the back of his neck as Crookshanks continued to rumble that calming purr of his.

"She's your daughter, though."

"It's not that I don't want to be a part of her life, and I will be, considering I'm…"

"I meant she takes after her father."

"I should hope not. I'm a complete basket case to the point…" Regulus snapped his mouth shut, his body tensing.

"I meant she's as smart as a whip and likely to figure out that you're her father. What the Black family is like."

"And that," Regulus took a deep breath, letting it out while resting his chin on Crookshanks's head, letting the rumble reverberate into his chest.

"What?"

"I'm under the legal guardianship of a family member." Regulus blurted out. "And I'm absolutely inept. I talked to you about how some of the things I say and do are considered odd, eccentric, and inappropriate. And I wouldn't have been able to live on my own once I graduated even though I wanted to."

"I didn't care, remember."

"But…" Regulus took a deep breath, suddenly nuzzling his face into Crookshank's fur.

"You're worried she might care?"

"About that, and the fact I'm under the care of my brother. Though, I do have to admit it is nice that Sirius is talking to me again. But I'm not exactly in a position to be a dad either, I think. Or be a good one."

"But you're teaching?"

"Sirius gave me permission," Regulus lowered Crookshanks. "It makes her mad. That's how I convinced him to let me get Crookshanks. Because Crookshanks could shed all over the place." He frowned. "Which, I guess it's not that flattering me saying all of this. It's one of those things." The sound of a House Elf popping in made Regulus turn. "Oh. I'd forgotten I'd not eaten at the Start-of-Term feast, so Fabian and Gideon were going to ask one of the House Elves to bring me something to eat."

"Well, I should go so you can eat, but please take care of yourself."

"You too."

"And you are free to tell Hermione when you're ready."

The screen turned off, and Regulus didn't feel like eating; he had so many thoughts, yet he knew he'd hear no end if he didn't. He turned to the House Elf. "Hey. Say nothing about this to anyone. Particularly since you only heard part of the conversation, it might be misconstrued."

"Yes, Professor Black," the House Elf chirped before receiving a pat on the head and a thank you for the food.

"Always welcome, Young Master Regulus," the House Elf said, dropping to what he was called as a student.