Between the pool, plenty of space to fly, and the general freedom to do whatever he wanted, Sirius would compare the past week he'd spent at Regulus' house to being on holiday - except rather than relaxing in his spare time, he was learning all he could about Horcruxes.
He was perched on a sofa in the sitting room reading, Secrets of the Darkest Art, when movement caught his attention. He looked up, expecting to find Harry, though was not entirely surprised to see it was his brother.
"Sirius," he greeted as he entered the room, hesitating just inside the archway. His eyes lingered on his face with an unreadable expression. "How are you?"
In truth, he felt better than he had in years, but...
"Since when do you ask questions like that?" he asked bemusedly.
Regulus' mouth twitched. "Would you have preferred if I hexed you upon entry?"
"You could try," Sirius said. His tone indicated that he would regret it if he did.
"I suppose being civil towards one another may have a learning curve," Regulus said, as he moved further into the room. He sat down in an armchair, opposite of him. "So, what have you been doing?" Noticing the book in his lap, he added, "Besides brushing up on your Horcrux knowledge?"
"That's about it, besides flying and swimming... I just want Harry to have a good summer."
"He could have a good summer while still learning a few skills along the way," Regulus said offhandedly.
Ah, so they had arrived at the real reason for his brother's visit, thought Sirius. "There is no need to beat around the bush… just tell me whatever it is."
Regulus had the decency to look abashed. "I wondered if Harry has ever tried to learn occlumency?"
Considering that he grew up with muggles and his closest parental figures in the wizarding world before Sirius were the Weasley's, who would have seen little use in the skill, he knew the answer.
"No… there isn't anyone who would have taught him."
"It might be a good idea to try to teach him… I mean he knows where you are staying-"
"Don't pretend it's me that you are worried about," Sirius advised. He understood that Regulus had cause for concern, but he knew better than to believe it was for his sake.
"Fine," he said after a moment. "Harry knows that I am alive, and that I have a family. He knows where I live, and where my kids go to school. I would feel much better if I could trust he that he isn't going to reveal all of those secrets to Snape the moment he goes back to school."
"Snape?" Sirius repeated incredulously. "He is the last person Harry would tell anything-"
"I didn't mean on purpose," Regulus interjected. At Sirius' bemused look, he added, "You must know he is a Legilimens."
"Why doesn't that surprise me," Sirius said dryly. He knew Snape was an accomplished Occlumens - he would have to be in order to betray Voldemort (or if not Voldemort, then Dumbledore) in his act as spy. Legilimens were even rarer than Occlumens, but it was just the sort of skill that someone like Snape would want to learn.
"Alright," he agreed, as already another reason for Harry to learn Occlumency had occurred to him. If he could protect his mind, it wouldn't be nearly as risky to tell him about the Prophecy…
"Do you feel like you could teach him?" Regulus asked carefully.
He honestly wasn't sure. He had missed out on the majority of their father's lessons by virtue of avoiding Grimmauld Place as much as possible. When he was there, he flat out refused to allow his father to test his Occlumency shields after learning that Remus was a werewolf. He might have honed his Occlumency skills in the twelve years he spent in Azkaban if it was his only protection from the dementors, but transforming into his animagus form had proven far more effective.
Beyond that, it would be nearly impossible to master Occlumency without at least having an idea of what an intrusion would feel like, and Sirius was not a Legilimens.
He suspected that Regulus would have acquired the skill - enough so to teach his own children Occlumency as their father had done, if nothing else. He hesitated in enlisting his help right away as he wanted to see how Harry would feel about it first.
"I guess we'll find out," he said noncommittally.
Regulus looked for a moment as if he would object, but must have realized it was the best he could hope for.
He took a surreptitious glance at his watch. "I should probably warn you the others will be coming through here," he said, indicating the fireplace.
Sirius stood at once, having already decided when Regulus' family came back, they were leaving.
"We're just passing through on our way to get the rest of Carina and Caelum's things for school. We'll Disapparate from the road." he explained. "I'm sure Harry needs things if you'd like to come with us."
His expression hadn't changed, though Sirius sensed he was amused. Kreacher would have overheard him promise Dumbledore they wouldn't leave.
"Your family wouldn't want me around," he said amicably. No more than I'd want to be with them, he added to himself.
Regulus glanced at the still-empty fireplace. "There doesn't have to be animosity."
"Are you kidding? We're Blacks! There's always animosity."
"They're Bones," Regulus reminded him. "Certainly not a family known for hostility."
"Maliah was the black sheep," he pointed out. It was a fact more than an insult rather like he'd been the only Gryffindor in the Black family.
Regulus withheld his response as the fireplace glowed green. With a swirl of robes, the witch in question was there. Her dark brown hair was a bit shorter, but otherwise she looked much the same as she had in Regulus' Pensieve memories. If not for being in Slytherin, Sirius would have taken more notice of her in school.
"Sirius," Regulus said. "I believe you remember Maliah."
"Vaguely, from around twenty years ago," he said in a tone that was passable as friendly.
She seemed momentarily conflicted, but then smiled slightly. "I do not believe we have ever met, officially."
"Better late than never," Sirius said, shaking her proffered hand.
When he looked up it was to find Regulus wasn't the only one watching them. There were now three sets of eyes on him as their kids had joined them.
The boy looked between his parents before stepping forward, "I think we may have gotten off on the wrong foot," he said politely, as he extended his hand. "I'm Caelum."
Sirius shook it, an involuntary smile tugging on his lips, "It's nice to see you again, Caelum."
When he turned to look at his niece, Sirius was reminded of all the times his parents tried to force him to be nice to the Slytherins he hated.
"It is lovely to see you again," she said before turning to her father. "Didn't you say we were just passing through quickly so as to not be a bother?" she asked innocently.
"I did say… something like that," Regulus agreed.
After another moment of forced pleasantries, Sirius was left alone.
He immediately went upstairs to wake Harry, intent to be gone before they returned. What he found was an empty bed and an open window.
Harry awoke suddenly with his heart racing and covered in a cold sweat. His eyes darted across the unfamiliar room for a moment before recognizing it was the one he'd been sleeping in at Regulus' house.
It was just a dream, he reminded himself. He hadn't really been back to the graveyard. He closed his eyes but couldn't dispel the image of Voldemort's red orbs burning into his. Giving up on sleep, he grabbed his wand, slipped on his trainers, and summoned his Firebolt from the corner. Throwing open the window, he flew straight out.
The calming effect of flying was almost instant and by the time he'd made a couple of loops around the property, the memories of the graveyard were a distant memory.
He rounded the side of the house, intending to go back inside, when he saw four dark-headed figures walking purposefully down the driveway. He instinctively reached for his wand. His curiosity getting the better of him, he decided to investigate.
As he drew closer, the tallest among them looked up and Harry recognized it was Regulus. Realizing who his companions must be, he quickly stashed his wand just before landing beside them.
"Hello, Harry," Regulus greeted. His eyes flitted to where he'd just stashed his wand, and a small smile was playing on his lips.
Harry pushed his hair out of his face and tried to look casual. Rather peculiarly, the movement seemed to quash Regulus' amusement, while eliciting a faint smile from his wife.
"Hello," he said, feeling awkward. "I just – er, saw you out here and…"
"Wanted to say 'hi'?" Regulus suggested mildly.
"Yes," he said, latching onto that idea rather than admitting he thought they might be intruders.
"I believe introductions are in order," Regulus said. "This is my wife, Maliah," He indicated the woman beside him whom Harry recognized from pictures.
"Nice to see you again, Harry," she smiled.
He instantly recognized her voice as belonging to the woman he had met with Regulus in Little Whinging and he found himself smiling back at her.
The kids were watching them - the boy with a bemused expression, while the girl's was more difficult to read.
"This is our daughter, Carina, and son, Caelum," Regulus said, "And this is Harry Potter."
"Nice to meet you," the siblings intoned politely.
"You too - all of you," he answered, trying not to feel self-conscious as they scrutinized him. They collectively looked like they should be modeling their robes on the cover of a magazine, while he had quite literally rolled out of bed in the t-shirt and shorts he had slept in the night before.
"We were just on our way to get some things they'll need for school," Mrs. Black said, indicating their kids. "You are welcome to come with us if you'd like."
Harry cast another furtive glance at their kids. Caelum was observing him with a politely curious expression. Carina was looking him over more critically. Her eyes lingered on his shoes. The one thing he was wearing that wasn't new. They'd belonged to Dudley, didn't fit right, and the sole was beginning to peel.
Noticing he was looking at her, she met his gaze. Her eyes were the same golden-green as her mother's. He guessed she was taller than he was, though she also had much better posture. Realizing he'd been looking at her for longer than necessary, he averted his eyes. And straightened his stance.
He thought it might be nice to see something besides the Black's house while in France. He had never been before and would likely never be back, what with Voldemort wanting to kill him and all.
"I would have to check with Sirius," he realized, glancing in the direction of the house. It was then he noticed Sirius was quickly descending upon them.
"He hasn't got his supply list yet," Sirius said tersely.
"You don't need a supply list to know some of the things he'll need," Maliah speculated. "New robes, for instance. I am sure he has outgrown his uniforms from last year." With a bow of her head, she added, "Of course, if you have other plans, we understand."
Harry looked to Sirius knowing good and well they had no plans for the day. He waited for Sirius' decision with bated breath, but was careful not to look too eager.
Sirius cast an odd look at Mrs. Black then Regulus before addressing him. "Do you really want to go?" he asked sounding rather doubtful about the prospect.
Harry shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal either way. "Sure, if you want," he said, though in case there was any doubt, he added, "It could be fun."
After a quick change into some more presentable muggle clothing, Harry was walking with Caelum to their Apparition point.
Mrs. Black and Carina were up ahead and Sirius and Regulus were behind them. More accurately, Sirius had been somewhat dragging his feet and Regulus slowed his pace to walk with him.
As they neared the end of the drive, Mrs. Black indicated they should wait for the others.
"Padfoot is not mangy!" they heard Sirius exclaim suddenly.
Caelum raised an eyebrow and Harry laughed under his breath.
"His coat may be exquisite," Regulus said dryly. "But if you go as a dog, there won't be an explanation for Harry."
"Why not pretend to be father and son," Maliah suggested. "Harry could be thinking of transferring. Madame Maxime would have asked Regulus to meet with the two of you."
"Dad teaches at Beauxbatons," Caelum supplied, seeing Harry's puzzled look.
"Would that not invite more questions?" Sirius asked doubtfully.
"Not unless your first language is French," Regulus answered. When no one objected to Maliah's suggestion, he turned to Harry. "We should cover that scar."
"Okay," Harry consented.
Regulus stepped towards him. Harry stared at his feet as he studied it. Then with a feather-light touch, he pressed a finger against it. Harry shuddered and he immediately stopped.
"Does it hurt?" he asked quietly.
It had been bothering him more often lately. Sirius knew that, but Harry was embarrassed to admit it with everyone watching them.
He shook his head, "It just… twinges a bit sometimes."
"Well, it can't be covered permanently," Regulus concluded, "But for the short-term, a glamour will do the trick. I'll also make it so you can see without your glasses."
After concealing his scar, removing his glasses, and managing to make his hair lay better than usual, little else was deemed necessary to make Harry unrecognizable outside of Britain.
When Regulus turned his attention to Sirius he was met with an instant, "No."
"Like it or not, we resemble one another."
In the end, Sirius elected to extract his own wand and make the necessary changes himself. Once Regulus was satisfied that Sirius looked more like Harry than a Black, he Disapparated with the two of them.
Harry experienced the unpleasant sensation of being squeezed into a narrow tube and his eyeballs shoved into the back of his head. When his feet returned to solid ground, his ears were ringing. He rubbed at them profusely in effort to make them stop. When he realized Regulus was watching, he dropped his hands.
"Better than last time," he said with a hint of a smile.
Harry grimaced at the reference to the time he'd vomited on his carpet.
In the next moment, Maliah arrived with Carina and Caelum in tow. As they were both clearly accustomed to side-along Apparition, Harry was glad neither of them had been there to witness his discomfort with it.
High ramparts with fortified gates surrounded them on all sides once they were inside the village. Stone buildings were aligned neatly along the cobblestone street. Harry was reminded of his first trip to Diagon Alley. Just like that day, he would have needed another set or two of eyes to see everything. As the signage was all in French, Harry tried to peer into the store windows to guess their purpose as they walked. Caelum had taken it upon himself to walk with him and explain things as they went.
They turned a corner and his eyes were drawn to a prominent building with columns that seemed to dwarf everything around it. Noticing his gaze, Maliah told him it was the bank, though made no mention of needing to go there.
Everyone seemed to know Regulus' family. Either watching them with interest from afar or being near enough to greet them, eyes seemed to follow them everywhere they went. Harry and Sirius were observed with varying degrees of interest but, as no one addressed them directly, were spared from explaining themselves.
Harry was the only one in their group not wearing wizarding robes, and felt like he stood out more because of it. He was glad they went to a robe shop first.
A little bell on the door rang as they entered and they exchanged a "Bonjour" with the shopkeeper and another witch. The shopkeeper was a thin lady with graying hair while her assistant was younger and had blonde hair that was pulled into an elaborate twist.
While Maliah was speaking with them, Harry heard Caelum ask Regulus if they could look at brooms while they waited, apparently having already gotten his uniforms. Regulus agreed and Harry expected Sirius to go with them. When he made no indication of doing so, Harry glanced at him.
"I'll be fine," he assured him, as Maliah rejoined them.
"Oh, go on," she prompted Sirius gently. "We all know the men in the Black family are rubbish at shopping." Regulus and Caelum exchanged a glance that indicated they were content to have earned such a reputation. "You should leave Harry to the experts," she added, indicating herself and Carina.
"We'll be just around the corner," Regulus told him.
Sirius hesitated another moment before going after them.
Harry and Carina were soon led to the back of the shop and directed to stand upon footstools in front of a mirrored wall, at least, that's what he thought the lady had said. As he couldn't understand French, he just mimicked whatever Carina was doing. The shopkeeper looked each of them over for a moment before disappearing into another room in the back of the shop.
Harry glanced at Carina and tried to think of something interesting to say. Compared to the rest of her family, she had been somewhat aloof towards him – polite when asked a direct question, but otherwise ignored him. Realizing she looked content to wait in silence, he gave up on trying to initiate a conversation.
The shopkeeper returned, and with a flick of her wand, procured a clothing-rack filled with several different styles of garments. They were all in the familiar shade of blue he knew to be Beauxbatons uniforms. Unlike Hogwarts' black robes for everything, the French school seemed to have a different uniform for every occasion. When the fabric was draped over Carina, Harry noticed her eyes changed to look almost blue as if to match.
A third witch came out of the back room. She was pretty, with wavy blonde hair that fell just to her shoulders. Harry didn't think she could be much older than he was. Her eyes fixed on Carina for a moment though she didn't seem to notice.
Turning to him, she asked, "You need… just robes?"
"Yes, please," Harry said, relieved she could speak English.
"Any particular kind?" she asked, as she studied him with an unreadable look.
"Black," he said, since it was the color that he needed for school. It wouldn't hurt to wear them a little early.
She raised an eyebrow, either at his answer or because she was eavesdropping on Carina's conversation with the shopkeeper. Harry's eyes involuntarily drifted to them in the mirror, as if he could figure out what they were saying by reading their body language.
The shopkeeper said something that caused Carina to turn pink and the blonde girl laughed, drawing her attention.
"Hi Carina," she greeted when she looked at her.
"Hello," she said with a hint of uncertainty. "I didn't know you worked here." She cast a furtive glance towards her mother who was looking around near the front of the store.
"I am more in the way than anything," she shrugged as if it couldn't be helped.
Carina's mouth twitched at that. She looked from her to the woman doing her fitting as if something had just occurred to her, but before she could comment, the latter asked her a question in French. At her nod, a partition erected between their footstools.
The girl released a sort of measuring tape that zoomed around and took different measurements of Harry.
"Are you related to the Blacks?" she asked while casually jotting down the more relevant measurements.
"No," he frowned as the measuring tape measured his eyebrows. He recalled they'd chosen this shop because it was unlikely that they would be asked unnecessary questions.
"Have you worked here long?" he asked. "It's just, you don't look very old."
"I am sixteen," she answered blandly. "Do you go to Hogwarts?"
"Yes, but I am thinking of transferring to Beauxbatons," he said, recalling the excuse Mrs. Black had suggested.
"Perhaps we are fitting you for the wrong robes then," she remarked. "What year are you?"
"I'll be a fifth year."
"The same as Carina... Do you know the Blacks well?"
"Er- well, not really, no."
"Does anyone?" she asked drolly. "They are a rather mysterious family, do you agree?"
"Louise," a voice called. The girl quickly turned to face the older blonde witch he'd seen earlier. The resemblance between them was obvious now that they were together. After a brief exchange in French, Louise handed over the measuring tape that she had been using and slinked away to a room in the back of the store.
Turning to Harry, the older woman spoke with rather more of an accent than her daughter. "You can look around if you wish. I will be back to adjust in a moment."
With that, she turned and left, disappearing into the same room the Louise girl had gone. Harry stared after them for a moment before going to the nearest rack and sifting through its garments.
Sirius had been reluctant to leave Harry with Maliah. He had not yet made up his mind about the ladies of the Black household. He would have been content to remain indifferent to all of Regulus' family, though his nephew was growing on him. He'd gone out of his way to ensure Harry didn't feel completely lost – walking with him and translating signs. Despite their age difference, the boys had gotten along quite well.
"Can I get a broom?" Caelum asked as they entered the shop selling quidditch gear.
"You have a broom," Regulus answered.
"It's a Nimbus 2002," he deadpanned, as if that explained everything. Perhaps it did as there was a Nimbus 2003 on display, alongside a Firebolt.
"It's a better broom than what half the kids at school have got and you aren't allowed one as a first year."
"Harry has a Firebolt," Caelum pointed out.
"So, he does," Regulus agreed. Sirius resisted the urge to tell him he'd been the one to buy it for him.
"Carina has a Firebolt," he said in a tone that suggested it was even worse than Harry having one.
"She didn't get it until she was fourteen."
Caelum's scowl was identical to what Regulus' would have been.
"If you still want a Firebolt when you're fourteen-"
"They'll be ancient by then," he said, horrified.
"We are not getting a broom today," Regulus said firmly.
Whether he was old enough or not, their parents definitely would have gotten Regulus a Firebolt – or a newer model if it was out yet. They would want everyone to know they could afford the best of everything.
Despite Regulus and Maliah's apparent effort to downplay their wealth, it would be evident to anyone paying attention that they lived beyond the means of what a single teacher salary should afford. He supposed the Bones patriarch would have set them up financially before his untimely death.
Caelum exhaled slowly and let the subject drop. "Do I at least get an owl?"
"Of course," Regulus confirmed. "Everyone needs an owl."
Mrs. Black returned, carrying several sets of black robes in thicker material, that would be more appropriate for the weather at Hogwarts. Finding them suitable, Harry added the required three sets to the hanger nearby for them to be fitted.
By the time the subject of dress robes came up, Harry was quite ready to get out of the store. He was tempted to simply choose the first set he found. Unfortunately, the majority of options were overly ornate for his taste.
Seemingly impatient herself, Carina rifled through the garments meant for men and found a simple set of navy.
"What about these?" she said, holding them up for him to see. Finding them suitable, Harry took them from her. His hand grazed hers as he did so, sending a tingling sensation though his arm.
"This really isn't necessary," he said for what must have been the tenth time on their way to the register a moment later. "I've got enough gold to buy the robes I'm wearing now, and I can get more later."
"Do you hear this mother?" said Carina, "He's enjoyed shopping with us so much he wants to come back."
Maliah smiled when she saw his expression. "You don't really want to go through that again before you have to, do you?"
He sighed and it was obvious she had won.
"I'll pay you back," he insisted as he handed over the ticket he had been given. Mrs. Black took it with a look that indicated she would allow no such thing and he watched as she paid for his stuff along with Carina's.
The Louise girl had mysteriously been absent since Maliah joined them. It wasn't until they left the store that he saw her again. She was outside smoking a cigarette. Harry gave her a sort of nod that he hoped would be considered friendly as they walked away. He felt the sensation that she was watching them until they rounded the next corner.
Maliah pulled out a gold timepiece from within her robes and concluded, "Caelum is getting an owl."
They crossed a cobbled street and soon arrived outside a shop with a small sign that said, "l'animalerie magique."
Sirius must have been looking for them as he stepped out and held the door open for Maliah and Carina.
"You look sharp," he said after they had passed. Harry looked down at his new robes.
"Thanks," he muttered. "I didn't pay for them though… and I have money."
Sirius' mouth pinched slightly, "In the world we grew up in – Regulus and I, Maliah, I'd expect… and your father - it would be insulting to expect you to use it."
Harry winced. "How insulting is it to offer?"
Sirius clapped him on the shoulder. "I wouldn't worry about it."
Harry found Caelum in the back of the store at an enclosure that seemed to house the largest owls.
"What do you think?" he asked, indicating a great-grey and an eagle-owl.
They were both large, magnificent birds. The grey owl looked particularly dignified with intelligent, yellow eyes looking back at him and with a patch of white just below its beak that resembled a bow tie. As if realizing his inclination, the brown eagle-owl raised its ear tufts, and fixed him with an unblinking gaze with its vivid orange eyes.
"I don't think you can go wrong with either one of them," he said. Recalling the times he had watched Draco's eagle-owl bring him packages from home and how the Weasley's grey owl, Errol, struggled to deliver small bits of parchment, he felt compelled to add, "The grey owl's size is deceptive – it is mostly feathers. The eagle-owl can support more weight, if you intend to use it for anything besides letters."
Caelum glanced at him, "Thanks," he said before speaking in French to a nearby worker.
Harry watched for a moment as the eagle-owl was coaxed into a cage before going to find the others. He did a double take when he saw Carina. She was carrying around a bundle as if it were a baby. As he got closer, he saw it was a cat with a thick, bluish-gray coat of fur.
"-because we are not opening a zoo," he heard Regulus say.
"Look at it," she insisted. "It's terrified of the other animals."
"We have other stops to make, Carina. It would only be in the way."
"But-"
"We did not come here to get a cat," Regulus said more firmly.
She turned and was perhaps about to storm off to her mother when she saw him standing behind her and hesitated. Her eyes flitted past him and she scowled.
"Did you just choose the biggest one you could find?" she asked. There was little sign of her previous distress, though Harry noticed she was cradling the cat closer as if to hide it.
"No, there was a gray one that was bigger," Caelum smirked as he joined them. The shopkeeper was following him with his new eagle-owl in its cage.
"That beast is going to eat Zeus!"
"If she eats your owl, I'll let you borrow her to order a new one," Caelum promised.
Carina looked at her father in horror.
Regulus merely shook his head, "You got to choose the owl you wanted, so should Caelum."
After getting Caelum's owl, it was time for lunch.
Harry found himself seated at a round table in between Sirius and Caelum on the terrace of one of the more casual restaurants he'd seen. The menu in front of him was of little help, given that it was written entirely in French.
He supposed there was probably a spell that could translate everything to English, but as Sirius appeared to be in deep conversation with Regulus and Maliah, he felt compelled not to interrupt them.
Caelum had his chair pushed back slightly, talking to a boy around his age at the next table.
Carina was on the other side of Caelum. Her hands were resting casually on either side of her menu though her eyes were scanning over the other patrons rather than looking at it. Harry took a sweeping glance around them and was surprised by the number of people watching them. If not blatantly staring, their eyes seemed to drift to their table every few moments before looking away again.
"Do you get the feeling we are being watched?" he asked, trying to sound casual rather than paranoid.
Her eyes came to rest on him and he thought she seemed vaguely amused. "I would have guessed you are used to that."
"Well, maybe, in Britain... but I didn't expect it here," he admitted. He was the 'Boy Who Lived' back home. In France, he was portraying a boy named James and wore a glamour.
"They are not looking at you," she assured him quietly, before looking down at her own menu.
When Harry looked around again, he realized that she was right. While eyes drifted over everyone at their table, they nearly always lingered longest on Regulus.
"Do you know what you're ordering?" Caelum asked when he rejoined them.
"No idea," Harry admitted ruefully. "I can't read any of this."
The younger boy translated the highlights of the menu for him but Harry nearly went cross-eyed trying to keep it all straight. He decided to just get the same thing that Caelum got, which he did not regret. It was only with determined restraint that he remembered to take small bites rather than try to eat his steak whole - he felt ravished after having missed breakfast.
Caelum, it turned out, was interested in all things relating to Hogwarts and Britain. Harry didn't mind his questions, especially because he knew he'd asked more than his share throughout the day. Carina was less inclined to ask him anything, but listened attentively. Harry avoided looking at her when he could help it but always knew when she was looking at him; it was the cause of him becoming tongue-tied on more than one occasion.
"So, are you looking forward to going to Beauxbatons?" Harry asked Caelum during a lull in conversation.
"I suppose so... I've been there with my dad, so finding my way around shouldn't be terribly difficult. And I already know a few of my classmates, but..." he hesitated.
"He's nervous," Carina supplied. Caelum shot her an annoyed look and she shrugged.
"I was nervous about going to Hogwarts at first," Harry admitted.
The younger boy raised his eyebrows at him. "You were?" he asked doubtfully.
Harry nodded. As he had only just learned he was a wizard, had no friends and most certainly had not already known his way around the castle, there was a good chance that he was even more nervous than Caelum was. "Yeah, but after going, there is nowhere else I would rather be."
"I've been telling you for weeks that everyone is nervous about going to school at first, and now you act as if it is new information," Carina said, amused if not slightly exasperated.
"Well, yeah, but he's faced... a dragon."
Harry couldn't be sure that dragon is what he originally intended to say, or if he amended it due to the sharp look that Carina gave him.
Rather than allow it to be awkward, he said, "I was nervous about that too... up until I started flying. After that, it was quidditch strategy and diversionary tactics."
"It must have been exciting to watch," Caelum mused. "The other delegates too... though some say the Beauxbatons champion wasn't very good."
"Fleur enchanted her dragon to fall asleep," Harry recalled Ron telling him. "It had to have been incredibly difficult since dragons are resistant to nearly all magic."
"Dad told me that Fleur was the most accomplished out of the seventh years who were old enough to compete," Carina said mildly.
"Weren't all of the seventh years old enough to compete?" Harry interjected. Obviously he was a special case, but even Cedric had only been a sixth-year.
She shook her head. "In France, it is the year of one's birth that determines when we begin school, rather than our age on the first of September. Any seventh year whose birthday was in November or December would have been too young to enter the tournament... based on the rules that were initially laid out," she added as if an afterthought.
"I wish the age rule would have held up," Harry muttered sullenly. When he saw the other two watching him, he added, "I never wanted to be in the tournament."
"We know," Caelum said in an undertone. "Our dad told us that it was because of Voldemort that your name was entered."
Harry stared at him blankly for a moment. "You said the name."
The siblings exchanged a look. "We... can try to avoid doing so, if it bothers you," Carina said tactfully.
The realization that they had grown up saying it without giving it a second thought raised Harry's mood substantially. "I think more people should use it," he assured them with a small grin.
Sirius had made it plain he did not want to be around his family. Regulus was pleasantly surprised then, that he, and Maliah for that matter, were making an effort to be civil.
"Do you need help with the menu?" she asked him.
"No," Sirius answered, helping himself to some wine. "I remember more French than I would have guessed."
"Who would have thought any of those tutoring lessons our parents forced on us as children would actually come in handy," Regulus said wryly.
"You have certainly put them to use," Sirius remarked. As he looked around them, his expression became more somber. "It is nice here… one could almost forget about what is going on back home."
Regulus' constant reminder of Voldemort's return was searing through his left arm just then.
"It is not yet apparent to most people in Britain either," he pointed out.
"I suppose you've had Kreacher spying on Order meetings, so you know as much as I do - about Hagrid going to see the giants and Remus off to try to reason with the other werewolves," Sirius said distastefully.
As he spoke, Regulus had discreetly extracted his wand and placed a ward around them that would prevent anyone from eavesdropping.
"Yes, though I have to admit, I am surprised Dumbledore is allowing it to happen... Kreacher says he makes it plain that he knows exactly where he is hiding during the meetings, but he never brings anyone else's attention to it."
"My question is - why do you bother sending him to eavesdrop if you do not want to be involved with the Order?"
"I am hoping to hear news of Madame Maxime," he said, prompting Maliah to give him an unhappy look. He knew she was still holding onto hope that he would change his mind about resigning from Beauxbatons.
"I have to admit I was surprised to hear - not just that you are teaching, but that you work for a half-giant," Sirius remarked.
"Officially, she isn't a half-giant though," Maliah pointed out. "She just has big bones."
Sirius gave a short laugh at that. "Okay," he said, clearly believing that lie as much as Regulus did.
"I've worked for worse," he said simply.
Sirius adopted a satisfied smirk upon hearing him say as much, and turned his attention to Maliah. "I've wondered if you have contacted your family... now that Voldemort is back."
"Sirius," Regulus said tetchily.
"What? The Order is struggling to convince anyone of the truth, and her sister is the Head of Magical Law Enforcement," he reminded them as if they could somehow forget. "And your brother, what does he do?"
"He works in the Obliviator Headquarters," she said modestly.
"Suffice to say, no one else who knows Voldemort is back has your influence."
"I am presumed to be dead after disappearing nearly sixteen years ago," she said carefully. "I fail to see what influence you think I have."
"I was referring to the influence you must have on your family."
"She just told you, she is presumed to be dead," Regulus pointed out.
Sirius balked. "Your father and Edgar helped Regulus escape the death eaters."
"Yes, they knew…" Regulus allowed the words to hang between them for a moment rather than bluntly state the fact they were dead. "A secret does not stay a secret when one tells others about it."
Sirius scarcely disguised his disgust with that. No doubt he could sympathize with her siblings if they had been led to believe she was dead. It was possible that he would hate the truth even more: unlike Sirius, Maliah's siblings had always known she was alive.
"I can't understand the two of you," Sirius said flatly. "You invited Harry and me to stay at your house. You've got Kreacher spying on Order meetings… but somehow Maliah talking to her family is getting too involved? Where did you draw this arbitrary line of what you will and won't do?"
"It's etched firmly in between doing what we can to help you and Harry without putting our family at unnecessary risk," Maliah answered.
Sirius scoffed. It was evident he thought she was referring to their family of four. In reality, she also meant her siblings. She had contacted them shortly after Regulus' first encounter with Sirius at Grimmauld Place, in which he confirmed Voldemort's return, but she wouldn't only be admitting that if she said as much now.
She and Regulus had left Britain with the help of her parents and eldest brother. It was unfair that Amelia and Robert were the ones left to perpetuate the mystery of what had happened to their youngest sibling. If ever their survival became known, Maliah intended for them to claim they never knew. It was not for Regulus to tell anyone otherwise, even it was his brother.
After lunch they had a rather uneventful trip to a bookstore, an Apothecary and a shop that sold shoes (which Harry did not believe for a moment was because Caelum needed them) before returning to Regulus' house.
After Caelum's owl was acclimated to his new residence, he convinced his parents to let them stay long enough for him and Harry to race their brooms. Carina elected not to join them.
Harry's Firebolt easily outstripped Caelum's Nimbus 2002. When they raced with Caelum on his Firebolt and him using the Nimbus model, the result was much closer. Caelum nearly beat him on their last go and Harry decided he had borrowed his broom long enough. They switched back and flew around aimlessly for a while before they were called to come inside.
The sun had nearly disappeared by then. Harry estimated they'd been out there for over an hour. They ate dinner together and it was quite possibly the best meal Harry had ever eaten. As he helped himself to his third serving, he mused that he would at least have a full stomach while he wandered through dark corridors in his dreams that night.