Chapter 25

Thank you all for waiting! Enjoy!

There is something comforting about storms.

The way the lighting comes before the thunder, like a warning before the inevitable, giving you a short moment to prepare.

The same pattern followed a note from Kingsley, that the Order has received one early morning.

"The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."

And short while later came the thunder…

The headlines of every newspaper talked about a massive break out from Azkaban.

Death eaters were freed.

Hermione wasn't at the HQ when it happened. Her, Ron and Harry have returned to Hogwarts for the rest of the school year by then.

Hermione never thought she would find herself waiting for every hour to pass faster, for every lesson to end sooner. For the year to finish so they could return to the 12 Grimmauld Place.

Returning after Easter was difficult. You could see it on everyone's faces. The first dinner was quiet and almost dispiriting. With Professor Dumbledore gone, it was Professor McGonagall who acted as the temporary Headmistress, until the Board of Governors decide who should take up that role more permanently.

In some way after the first week has passed, Hermione noticed the students around her seemed to shake off the bitterness and sorrow, that the recent events have brought on. They began to slip back into their routine. There was gradually more talking, joking and even laughing. They had no idea what was coming.

Hermione felt as if she was having an out of body experience. Like she could do nothing but observe everyone go about their day. Were they really okay or was it just a pretence? Even Harry and Ron seemed to blend in, but Hermione couldn't ignore the memories of the First Wizarding War. The headlines, the deaths and fear. It made her feel so angry, so useless… Being stuck in Hogwarts while they should be looking for the Horcruxes.

At least Ron finally looked the dragon in the mouth and gathered his fickle courage to break up with Lavender.

But not before she tried her very best to set Hermione up with Corman McLaggen. Hermione knew he had a crush on her, but with Lavender interfering, he was more determined than ever. No matter what excuse she gave him, he wasn't giving up. So, she told him she had feelings for someone else, and Lavender exploded with rage and fury.

Hermione mentioned to her that the boy she had feelings for wasn't Ron, and that he was older than them, but it was too late for her because Ron had enough.

After that, Lavender was crying her eyes out whenever she saw them, and her eyes always looked for Won Won at every meal.

Soon a month has passed and, another agonising month was left to go.

Hermione was sitting on the staircase, in the spot where she used to meet Draco, away from prying eyes. She had a good view of the massive window where she observed the nature battle the ancient glass with its tears of rain.

She remembered her last conversation with Regulus, before they left for the train.

"Why do you want to save Draco so much?" She asked, cuddled up in his tight embrace.

"It would be a shame for him to die so young." He replied coldly and Hermione gave him a disbelieving look.

"He's family." He said, looking at her. Surely it wasn't as simple as that. Draco was in fact half a Black but, Regulus wasn't one for familial sentiment that extends to family he's never even met.

"No. There's something more, isn't there?" She tilted her head and Regulus rolled his eyes.

"There is no just one reason, Hermione. I owe it to Lucius and Narcissa. They were of great help to me in the past and they are family. But I'm going to do it also because I want to help him. And, I also want to do this for you. Draco is your friend and that alone means he's worth saving."

"It's hard you know. Going back there knowing I won't see him anymore." She cuddled up even closer. Thinking about returning to Hogwarts felt stranger than ever.

"You will see him soon enough. I cannot accompany you to the train station this time. I must stay here and keep trying to convince the remaining members of the Order of my plans."

"Don't worry about it. I'm sorry I won't be here for your birthday." She kissed him on the cheek.

"That's not important, there will be plenty of chances to celebrate my birthdays in the future." He smiled at her.

Oh, how she missed him…

Within the past month and a half, she has received only two letters from him. The first letter came two weeks after her arrival at Hogwarts.

Dear H.G,

Once you have left it has become clear that the Order trusts me less than they previously have shown. I have been consistent in my efforts to convince them of the plan I have formerly discussed with you and C.G, but they remain stubbornly set in their beliefs.

They think me ignorant of the disorderly schedule they drafted for themselves to watch my every move. They suspect me of being involved with the Azkaban break out. But it is of no consequence. N.G has become sufficient at impersonating me. They have no idea it is him they waste their time keeping under surveillance. If this is the extent of their intellect, then I fear we are doomed.

Ergo, I have decided to take matters into my own hands and leave them out of it. C.G and I are waiting for the right time to follow through with the plan. There is one piece of the puzzle that needs to fall into its place before we can proceed. I will meet with him for the first time when he attends the next meeting.

I love you,

R.A.B

The second latter came three weeks later.

Dear H.G,

I thought it necessary to inform you that A.G and L.G have returned from France. They were pleased to see me again. I had no choice but to disclose the details of the plan. They both support it and wish to be involved in it. Don't be alarmed by this, I swear on my honour to keep them safe.

The Order has been letting their guard down. C.G and I have swapped the imposter. Kiwi has taken my place in the HQ and N.G is back at the Manor. I have been diligent in working with him on his powers and his connection to the veil. I'm pleased to say we have made a tremendous progress. N.G is growing in power that will prove to be essential to us in the future.

The final puzzle piece attended the last meeting. Unnoticed by the Order we took him to the Manor after it ended. He was shocked to see me alive and remained suspicious, but in the end he agreed to play his part.

I will contact you again, once the plan is put in motion and the hostage is secured.

I love you,

R.A.B

The letters of course weren't sent by an Owl. Regulus became very proficient at the undetectable Druid ways of communication. The letters were hidden under her pillow for Hermione to read when she woke up. Regulus sent them by throwing them into the fire and casting a spell that moved the letter into the exact place he intended.

The letters could not be intercepted; they were blank to anyone else who would try to read them. But Regulus always made sure to use only initials. Better to be safe than sorry, after all.

Klaus' progress was enormous. He became very skilled at channelling Regulus' energy. Hermione knew that Regulus was a very skilled teacher, but her cousin has made a 180-degree turn since he appeared.

The future looked bright for Hermione, because as soon as Regulus was done with Niklaus, Amelia and Claudius would begin to prepare him to inherit the family title, fortune and the big pile of responsibilities.

Harry was feeling on edge.

Ron refused to back down and the two of them were now on their way to the dungeons, to meet with Professor Slughorn.

"I don't think this is such a good idea Ron..." Harry frowned as they were about to knock on Slughorns' door. "Do you remember how he reacted last time? When I asked him about Tom Riddle."

"We need to do this Harry. He's got Hermione and half the Order under his thumb. What if he turns out to be his spy? Or worse, what if he's another dark lord, trying to overthrow you-know-who and take his place?" Ron was impressively consistent in his suspicions of Regulus Black. The lengths he went to, to prove Regulus Black should not be trusted…

"Fine." Harry sighted and knocked on the door. Slughorns' faint voice came from inside, inviting them to come in. Harry pushed the door open and the two of them walked in.

"Ah, Mr. Potter, Mr. Wallenby. Do you have questions about the upcoming exams?" Slughorn asked looking back down at the paperwork in front of him, as soon as he saw who came into his office.

"We do have a question Professor, but not about the exams." Harry said carefully.

"Oh." Slughorn frowned, sensing what was coming.

"Actually it's Ron who has a question, not me. Go on Ron." Harry said quickly, pushing his friend in front of him. Slughorn looked up at them with uneasiness clear in his eyes. He has long forgiven Harry, but the unpleasant experience of him asking questions unrelated to the curriculum left a bad taste in his mouth.

"What? Why me?" The potions Professor heard the redhead whisper to Potter, who replied quietly saying that 'this way your idea'.

Wallenby straighten up and cleared his throat. He took a step forward and Slughorn could see the nervousness is his face slowly disappear, and be replaced with determination.

"Sirius Black is Harry's godfather." Ron said. Horace blinked.

"Yes, I've heard."

"And, you once taught his younger brother, Regulus. Regulus Black. Do you remember him Professor?"

Slughorn looked from Ron to Harry and back. Then, his expression visibly relaxed.

"Of course I remember him. He was one of my best students." Slughorn smiled fondly.

"He, he was? What was he like?"

"I suppose you're not asking about his grades." He said looking between the two boys.

"He was one of the smartest and most talented students I ever had the pleasure of teaching." Potions master answered honestly.

"He was very different from his troublemaker brother Sirius. Regulus was very individual in his ways. Kept to himself. Sirius was very popular amongst his peers, Regulus was quite the opposite. But, why are you so interested in Regulus? From what I've been told, he died many years ago."

"We have heard he became a death eater, and with the recent Azkaban break out, we were wondering who they could be." Harry provided. "And if Regulus was one of them, then…"

"Sirius told us he disappeared, but he also said his younger brother was a fan of the restricted section of the library." Ron added.

"Regulus was in fact very passionate about the dark arts, it's not a secret but rather a well-known fact." Slughorn said.

"Was he anything like Tom Riddle?" Harry asked before he could stop himself. Slughorn looked at him annoyed but answered nonetheless.

"Harry, let this be the last time you ask me about Tom, please."

"I'm sorry Professor." Harry smiled sheepishly, and Slughorn leaned back in his chair.

"Let's get one thing straight, boys. Tom Riddle was brilliant; he was a model student. Never shown his true nature. Regulus was very different. He was much more obvious in his interests for the dark arts and his loyalty to the pureblood supremacy. He never hesitated to openly ask during the lesson about the darker aspects of each topic.

I believe there wasn't a teacher who wasn't scared of him. He was the most avoided student Hogwarts has ever seen, and for a good reason, mind you. Back when I used to teach him, many horrible rumours were flying around about him, but I knew better than believe any of them. He was dangerous, but he was also in a lot of danger himself."

"What do you mean Professor?" Harry and Ron looked at each other.

"Well, there was a war going on and he was a Black. I suspect Regulus, like many other Pureblood students didn't have much of a choice when it came to taking sides. Any small mistake could have gotten them and their families killed.

Before he disappeared, I heard Regulus became one of his most trusted followers. It didn't surprise me at all. But I always thought if the circumstances were different, his life could have ended very differently."

Weeks went by and the death eater activity was becoming more frequent. Voldemort has taken over the ministry and the Order was occupied fighting small battles within the already thoroughly corrupted organisation.

Horcruxes long forgotten.

During one of the meetings, the Order has decided they should put the efforts of looking for them on hold, as they had no wands to spare with all the other problems they deemed more urgent.

Claudius offered to look for them, since he couldn't help much with other matters, seeing as he wasn't a wizard. But with the Order running around like headless chickens, Regulus was free to do as he pleased.

The time has finally come.

"Severus Snape." Pheo, the Greenfell house elf announced.

Regulus looked up from the spellbook he was reading as Severus walked into the big drawing room of the Greenfell Manor.

"My final piece of a puzzle. You're finally here." Regulus closed the book and stood up to greet him. Severus nodded his head and sat down on the sofa.

"Make yourself comfortable." Said Claudius, who sat next to Klaus. The two of the were dabbing their fingers in a Scrying Fount, a stone bowl used for magically viewing events in various locations by Seers and very powerful Priestesses of the Old Magic. It took three Greenfell House elves to bring it up to the drawing room from the dungeons, where it was usually kept.

"You shall stay here with us Severus, and wait for Regulus to return, as soon as he does you're free to leave."

"And how will I know what happened during the meeting if I was to be asked about it? Is it too much to ask for a vile of your memories?" Severus drawled, turning to Regulus.

"This is why we have this." Claudius gestured to the Scrying Fount. "My sister Amelia is a Seer. Her and my grandson will show us everything that is happening." Amelia wouldn't be able to keep the scrying channel for long enough on her own, but with Klaus' help, her powers would be magnified.

Klaus' powers have evolved incredibly fast once he had Regulus help him. It turned out that his connection to the veil made him an amplifier for magical energy, something that Regulus found very useful, very quickly.

When Severus agreed to help, Claudius told him about the Greenfell family heritage. It was inevitable for him to find out. At first Severus was startled but soon, in his obnoxious tone the Potions Master concluded that his suspicions about Miss Granger were in fact correct.

Kiwi suddenly appeared out of the thin air.

"It is done, sir." She said to Claudius, who requested her to slip in a mixture he concocted, into Draco's food every day for the past three weeks.

The mixture was harmless; it was supposed to make Draco appear gradually ill. And today with the last dosage, in a few hours, it would stop his heart beat for long enough to announce his death.

"Let's get this over with." Regulus clasped his hands together.

Malfoy Manor – Death Eater meeting.

Regulus walked into the big dining room where the death eaters were already sat around the long table.

There was a body of a half alive woman levitating over it.

How homely…

He paused to look around, and see if there were any familiar faces.

Nott, Avery, The Carrows, Crabbe, Lestrange, Rosier, Rowle, Yaxley… He recognised every single one, despite their shabby state. Voldemort was not someone, one could ever call a kind master.

It wasn't that long ago that he himself sat at the table, at Voldemort's side.

He noted that the Malfoys were sitting in the middle. Half a table away from His Darkness. Regulus, feeling the cold and stiff atmosphere, the smell of damp and death in the air that he was so used to, resisted the urge to smirk at the Malfoy's misfortune. It still amused him whenever someone fell from Voldemort's good graces.

Lucius looked old and worn out, only a shadow of who he once was. His stay in Azkaban must have been restless. Narcissa, his cousin, sat straight, always the pureblood witch, elegance and decorum till the very end. Her elegant, sharp features were timeless it seemed, only the wary look in her eyes reflected the trauma of the last few months she managed to get through.

Next to them sat a blonde boy, Hermione's age. Not much younger than Regulus.

He was told that Draco was pale, but the boy appeared while as a sheet. The veins on his forehead were popping and under his eyes, they were dark and red. He looked like he was struggling to breathe, but was attempting to control it and his overall appearance for the sake of survival.

Wasted effort – Thought Regulus.

Voldemort wouldn't kill him. He would rather watch him suffer.

Draco obviously tried very hard to mimic his mother's posture and graces, but the mask Narcissa had in place was a result of many solid years of practice. Merlin knows, the Black family trained her well. But her son's amateur cover was slipping.

Regulus wondered if Voldemort was able to tell how scared Draco was. He probably suspected, seeing as the mission Draco was assigned, was in the end carried out by Severus Snape.

Regulus' eyes landed on the boy again. He smirked bitterly. Draco Malfoy was just that, only a boy. Much more vulnerable than Regulus ever allowed himself to be. What was that boy doing, sitting here with the adults and the monsters?

Suddenly he felt the annoyance arise within him. How dare the saint Order of the Phoenix, the proclaimers of all that's supposedly good and right, be so against trying to save him? They were just as prejudiced as those they were fighting against.

They had their reasons, he supposed…

"Severus! I was beginning to worry you had lost your way. Come. We've saved you a seat." Voldemort gestured for him to sit in the only free chair, one seat away from him. Right next to Bellatrix. Regulus smirked internally. How lovely…

Regulus walked over to the empty seat and sat in it.

"You bring news, I trust?" The Dark Lord turned to him.

"It will happen a week after he arrives home from Hogwarts, Saturday in three weeks, at nightfall." Regulus answered, just like he discussed with Severus beforehand. The Dark Lord has tasked him with finding out the whereabouts of Harry Potter. Voldemort was after the boy and wasted no time.

"I heard differently my Lord, the Auror has let slip that the Potter boy will not be moved until the 30th of July, the day before he turns 17." Said Avery. He took it upon himself to sniff out any useful information that roll through the Auror office.

"This is a false trail. The Auror office no longer plays any part in the protection of Harry Potter. Those closest to him believe we have infiltrated the ministry." Argued Regulus.

"Well they got that right, didn't they?" Rosier remarked with a chuckle, making everyone around the table laugh. Everyone except the Malfoys, and Regulus. If he were himself, he would smirk at least, but he had to play his part well to remain undetected and Severus seemed to be incapable of showing any emotion on his face other than indifference.

"What say you, Pius?" The Dark Lord turned to the newest Minister of Magic, who sat at the other end of the table. It was Yaxley who placed the Imperius Curse on him, just the day before,

"One hears many things My Lord, whether the truth is among them is not clear." Pius Thickneese replied.

"Hah, spoken like a true politician. You will I think prove most useful Pius." Voldemort sniggered, and turned back to Regulus.

"Where will he be taken?"

"To a safe house. Likely the home of someone in the Order. I'm told it's been given every manor of protection possible, once there, it will be impractical to attack him."

"My Lord, I'd like to volunteer myself for this task. I want to kill the boy." Bellatrix offered.

"As inspiring as I find your bloodlust Bellatrix, I must be the one to kill Harry Potter." Voldemort said pleased and waved his wand. The body of the witch levitated towards the other end of the table, the end where Voldemort and Regulus sat.

His darkness stood up from his seat and went to pace near the fireplace.

"For those of you that do not know, we are joined today by Miss Charity Burbage who until recently taught at Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Her speciality was Muggle Studies. It is Miss Burbage's belief that muggles, are not so different from us, she would, given her way, have us mate with them." He winced. The table burst with disapproving noises.

"To her a mixture of magical and muggle blood is not an abomination, but something to be encouraged." Voldemort said, looking at the witch in disgust.

Regulus met her eyes.

"Severus… Severus, please, we're friends…" The witch scowled looking at him, her head hanging upside down.

"Severus. Would you do the honour?" The dark lord looked at him with a small expectant smirk playing on his lips.

Regulus obediently took his wand out. He noted Draco's nervous look as he pointed it at the witch. He didn't want to kill her, but he had to get through the night. Better him than Severus.

"Avada Kedavra" He waved with ease. Voldemort made sure Regulus was more than well practiced at the Unforgivables.

The witch dropped on the table dead. Regulus saw Draco wince. He doubted the Malfoys would ever let their son take Muggle Studies, so it's not like she was his Professor. But Draco was obviously not used to seeing such things yet.

"Nagini, dinner." His darkness summoned the snake from where it was resting right behind his chair.

The snake slid up and down the table towards its dead prey. Regulus watched as the snake ate the witch. His nightmares were getting repetitive, maybe this would spice them up a bit…

"You're dismissed." The dark lord commanded suddenly. Everyone began to stand up from their seats. Regulus turned to leave the table and eventually the room, when he heard a thud.

"Draco! Draco!" Came Narcissa's distressed voice from behind him.

Regulus turned around slowly to see the boy lying on the floor, unconscious, with Narcissa trying to shake him awake and Lucius standing over them in fear for both his son and of the Dark Lord.

"My Lord?" Regulus dared to address him. Voldemort simply sat in his chair still and observed.

"Check on him Severus." He ordered, and Regulus slowly made his way towards his hostage.

He crouched down next to the boy. He looked into Narcissa's panicked eyes and went to check his pulse. After a few seconds, he stood up and turned to His Darkness with a straight face.

"He is dead, My Lord."

Regulus stood outside of the bedroom where Draco's body was taken. He could hear Narcissa's sobs through the door. Lucius was in there too, no doubt mourning the loss of his son with his heartbroken wife.

Voldemort has left the Malfoy Manor, after all other Death Eaters returned to their own homes. Regulus stayed behind, for obvious reasons.

"Shame he's gone at such young age. He could have lived a little longer and be more of use to the Dark Lord." Said Bellatrix, standing a few meters away.

"Why are you still here?" Regulus drawled.

"He is my sister's blood. I cannot leave." She replied.

"Yes, the famous blood loyalty the Noble House of Black holds towards their own is truly remarkable." He turned to face her as Bella came to stand much closer to him.

"With Draco gone, that's both Malfoy and Black family bloodlines lost forever. Unless you're planning on becoming a mother?"

Bella folded her arms.

"Do I look like a mother material to you?" She asked rising her brow in a way that reminded him of his own mother.

"No, but that runs in the family, doesn't it?" He smirked slightly. He could see suspicion appear in her eyes.

"I suppose there's still Andromeda's daughter." He added. Bella let out an exasperated sigh.

"My older sister was disowned; her offspring is not a part of my family."

"She has Black family blood running though her veins, does that count for nothing?"

"Her blood is filthy with her father's muggle blood. Why the sudden interest in my family Severus?"

"I only wish to know where you stand."

"I stand with the Dark Lord and my family." She said proudly.

"And if it came to choosing between your family and His Darkness?" Bella whipped her head around, to look at him disoriented. There was only one wizard she knew that referred to Voldemort as 'His Darkness'.

Regulus quickly pushed her against the wall, before she had a chance to get her wand out.

"You're not Severus." Her eyes opened wide.

"Where is the family ring I gave you?" He asked coldly. Her eyes have gotten even wider.

"How are you here?" She hissed.

"Seeing as Andy and her family are alive and relatively well, you kept your end of our deal." He smirked. "Long-time no see, cousin."

"Where have you been?" She whispered. "I searched for you. Everyone thought you were dead."

"I was dead. But now I'm back, and I'm going to need your help. Which brings us back to my original question… What will it be, Bella? His Darkness or your family?"

Greenfell Manor

"How long is he going to stay like this? It's been many hours since we gave him the antidote, I would hate for him to die after I promised Hermione I'd save his life." Regulus stood over Draco's body, which was tied to a chair in the dungeons of the Greenfell Manor.

Bella agreed to meet him in a few weeks' time to talk. She knew it wasn't safe to ask too many questions at the Malfoy Manor. Once she accompanied Narcissa and Lucius outdoor to get some fresh air, Regulus slipped inside Draco's room.

Kiwi, right on time appeared with another Greenfell house elf, who shapeshifted into Draco and took his place on the bed, allowing Kiwi to take Draco's body and apparate away with it to the Greenfell Manor.

After making sure the elf knew to return home as soon as the casket was buried, and checking he has concealed his pulse and appeared dead, Regulus left the Malfoy Manor unnoticed by the grieving family.

Severus left the Greenfell Manor as soon as Regulus has returned. Claudius went down to the dungeons where Kiwi was instructed to take Draco, and he gave him the antidote.

"His pulse is back." Claudius said, as he checked on their unconscious hostage. He stood up and went over to the wooden table to collect his things. "We must be patient. It's taking this long for the symptoms to ease because we fed him the poison consistently for quite a long time." He was saying as he packed up his vials with herbs and muggle instruments of torture he used to check on Draco's state.

"Do you think we could teach him druid magic?" Regulus asked, looking at the boy.

"He's from a druidic bloodline so I don't see why not. But it's going to take a while."

"I don't suppose one summer will be enough?"

"It all depends on his ability; I hear he's very clever. If's he has a talent for it, then it shouldn't take him much longer than it took you to master the basics." Claudius stroked his beard.

"It took me many months, but I taught myself in secret. We have no choice but to lock him up here, in the Greenfell Manor. He will have much more time to practice than I ever did, and with our help, he should be able to learn it quicker." Claudius patted him on the back and turned to leave the cell.

"Let's go and let him rest. Would you care for a cup of tea?" He turned around once outside the cell.

"As long as the biscuits come with it." Regulus replied.

"I'm sure Kiwi is already fetching them for you."

Regulus followed Claudius out of the cell. He turned to look at the Malfoy boy one last time as he shut the metal bars behind them.

"We are going to have so much fun together, nephew." His lips formed curled up slightly, and he walked away.

As always, thank you for all your amazing reviews! They are like oxygen.

I thought it was about time for Regulus to go off and be an individual. Draco was gone for long enough.

Lots of Love,

Livxoxo