It might have taken longer than usual, but it seemed Carina had decided to make the most of her summer rather than fret over when they would go home. She picked up surfing again, a muggle sport she had learned the summer before last. It had drastically changed her sleeping schedule in the days since, as she insisted the best time to go out was early in the morning, just after the sun was up.
If Regulus were honest, he would admit he did not like the idea of her surfing at all. Not because it was a muggle activity, but due to the potential for drowning (he deemed her to be too old for accidental magic). As a rule, if he couldn't see the bottom of any amount of water, he wasn't getting into it if it could be avoided. Of course, those were his issues, not hers.
Against his better judgment, she was allowed to surf, provided that certain precautions were in place. Primarily, she was not allowed to go alone.
It was for that reason that Regulus had dragged himself out of bed at the break of dawn, to sit alone on an empty beach. The early morning sun reflected on the surface of the water, lighting it up like a sea of diamonds. By all accounts it should have been relaxing there, listening to the ebb and flow of the waves with the light breeze… but there was an unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach that he knew would not cease until after his daughter was again on dry land.
As he kept a close enough eye on her to ensure she was not on the verge of drowning, his mind drifted to the account that Harry had given concerning the Chamber of Secrets and Riddle's locket.
He had read before in The Daily Prophet that Harry was a Parselmouth. He had had his doubts, given the source and Harry's parentage. The skill was almost exclusively hereditary, after all.
When Harry confirmed it, Regulus couldn't help but to feel a bit envious - not just because of the bragging rights it would have presented in Slytherin house. He could not quantify the amount of time and effort that he had invested in finding a way to open Slytherin's locket.
To know that Harry could have asked the locket to "open up," as easily as he had done at the entrance of the Chamber of Secrets… was almost infuriating. Not that Regulus would have been keen to face the beast that lied within the Chamber as Harry had done…
The boy had been very matter-of-fact as he told the story. If anything, he had downplayed rather than embellished any of it, while giving the air of someone who had survived by accident rather than from any skill of his own.
It was a sort of humility that James Potter never possessed. At least not that Regulus ever saw.
Admittedly, he had resented James before he ever met him. From the perspective of his ten-year-old self, he had stolen his brother and closest confidante, and turned him against their family. Meeting him did not improve the sentiment, as Regulus found James to be arrogant, loudly opinionated and more than a little self-righteous.
Exacerbating the latter, was that he and Sirius went around hexing people who annoyed them, or just for fun. Regulus had been targeted more times than he could count, but it was scarcely better when another Slytherin was their victim. There were evenings when he dreaded walking into the common room, knowing he was going to be confronted over whatever stupid thing Sirius and Potter had done.
Aside from his appearance, Harry bore few similarities with James. He was not arrogant. There were times when he seemed lacking in self-confidence altogether. He supposed the relatives he grew up with contributed to that.
At the least, the kid was resourceful and seemed to have good instincts. He couldn't have known that stabbing Riddle's diary using a basilisk fang at twelve-years-old would destroy it. Like Sirius, Regulus believed that it was a Horcrux.
To know that Lucius Malfoy had been delegated to look after it was so careless it was almost impossible to believe. It suggested the diary was unessential. Meaning that Voldemort had other Horcruxes - ones that were so well-protected that he needn't worry about the diary.
Such as the locket in the cave.
Given its protections, Regulus had easily believed it was the only one Voldemort had made. He could better understand Dumbledore's confidence that Voldemort had made others now (though it would have been nice if the old man would have shared that information with them before).
If the protections on the other Horcruxes were anything like what he had encountered with the locket, the prospect of looking for them felt nauseatingly unenticing.
Besides, he had done his part, hadn't he? He had nearly died on his mission to retrieve the locket from the cave, and it wasn't as if destroying it had been easy even after the fact. If there were other Horcruxes, he should be content to let someone else find them.
But who would that be? His brother? A fifteen-year-old boy who already had the weight of the world on his shoulders? He supposed there was Dumbledore…
The reality was, for as long as Voldemort was alive, he could never trust that his family was safe. And Voldemort would never really be gone until his Horcruxes were.
His thoughts on the matter were put on hold when he noticed Carina was swimming towards the shore. He went to meet her.
"Is everything okay?" he asked, while handing her a towel. She rarely ever came in so quickly.
"Yes," she said, hesitating as she wiped her face. "I was just thinking that this would be a good place to learn to surf, and… well, it must be boring if you're only watching. If I taught you, we could do it together."
Regulus committed the almost hopeful way she was looking him to memory, as evidence that she did not loathe spending time with him nearly as much as she sometimes let on. As heartening as the suggestion was, he could think of no prospect that would be less appealing.
"It is peaceful just to watch," he said delicately, rather than risk hurting her feelings with the truth.
"But wouldn't you prefer a bit of adventure?"
"Sure," he said, as it seemed he was gearing up for one, "as long as it doesn't involve oceans, lakes or any other drain of the earth."
Harry reached Cedric's body and summoned the Triwizard cup.
Somewhere in his subconscious he registered the portkey would take him to Hogwarts – to face everyone as they realize Cedric is dead.
Rather than Hogwarts, he is in a long corridor. The only light is provided by torches that glow with a blue-white light, dimly illuminating his surroundings. The windowless walls are black tile. There is a door ahead of him. Harry reaches his hand forward, inexplicably eager to see what lies on the other side.
"Almost there," he muttered.
Someone sniggered. "What?" a boy asked. Harry knew that voice. It sounded like…
His eyes flew open, and immediately landed on Caelum, who was standing just inside the door.
The younger boy was looking at him with a mixture of amusement and something almost akin to fear.
"Sorry, I - didn't realize you were sleeping in here," he said contritely.
"It's okay," Harry told him quickly.
His scar was prickling uncomfortably and he was desperate to rub it, though Caelum was still there, looking at him as if he might ask what his dream was about. He must have thought better of it.
"Breakfast should be ready, if you're hungry," he informed him, just before stepping out of the room, and pulling the door closed as he went.
By the time it was Regulus' turn to come through the Floo, the other members of his family had already dispersed throughout their house. He found Sirius in the dining room, nursing a cup of tea and reading over a newspaper. However much he claimed to remember his lessons from years past, he had changed the text of the French paper to English.
"Sirius," he said by way of greeting as he joined him at the table.
"Regulus… have you moved back in?" he asked, as he refolded the paper and sat it aside.
"Not quite," he answered lightly, though he understood the reference. His family had been spending increasingly more time at home over the past couple of weeks. That included eating at least one meal every day with Sirius and Harry. Naturally, each meal they shared was a feast. He liked to think it contributed to Sirius and Harry looking as if they had gained a bit of weight recently, rather than being overly skinny as before.
He would suggest Kreacher stay and prepare all their meals for them if not for sensing it was best to limit their interactions. Sirius and Kreacher had despised one another for as long as Regulus could remember. No more did Kreacher seem to like Harry, whom he had already suggested might be more comfortable staying in the musty pool house rather than in Caelum's bedroom.
"Where is Harry?" he asked, despite likely knowing the answer. Harry was often already outside on his broomstick, any time he had dropped in on them on an early morning.
"Asleep," Sirius answered to his surprise.
"Well... he isn't likely to be anymore, Regulus said sheepishly. "I hadn't thought to mention to Caelum that Harry was sleeping in his room." Thinking he might have misjudged the time he took a surreptitious glance at his watch.
"He hasn't been sleeping well," Sirius admitted.
Regulus thought again of Kreacher's suggestion. Despite the house elf's undoubtedly warped intentions, giving Harry his own room was not without merit.
"It would not be difficult to come up with an extra bedroom for Harry to use while he is here, if you think he would be more comfortable."
"I don't think the bedroom has anything to do with it," Sirius said darkly.
Nightmares immediately came to Regulus' mind. No doubt Harry's encounter with Voldemort would have left anyone with them.
"I could find some Dreamless Sleep if you think it would help – or brew some in the basement, if not."
That was an understatement, really. He knew exactly where he could find the potion - his bedside drawer was never without a vial of it, just in case...
"I worried that might make it worse for him during the day," said Sirius.
Regulus knew from his own experience, what could help with that. "How are his Occlumency lessons coming along?"
"About as well as could be expected," Sirius muttered. With what appeared to be an immense amount of effort, he admitted, "I might need your help."
The five Blacks were already seated at the long table in the dining room by the time Harry arrived.
"Good morning," Mrs. Black greeted him cheerfully.
He returned the sentiment on his way towards his usual chair, which was between Carina and Sirius. The latter of which offered him a small smile as he approached.
"Hi Harry," Carina said.
"Hello," he answered, trying his best to act natural despite the fluttering sensation that erupted in his stomach when he accidently grazed her arm as he sat down.
The moment he was situated, the dishes at the center of the table were filled with a tantalizing array of food. Harry filled his plate with a bit of everything though he wasn't feeling particularly hungry just then.
Caelum was sitting across from Carina, and it was evident that they had been talking just before he arrived. Harry couldn't help but wonder if Caelum would have told her about overhearing him talk in his sleep. As they were currently lamenting a semifinal quidditch match, in which their preferred team had lost the evening before, it seemed out of place.
He recalled Carina telling him that it was arrogant to think they sit around talking about him. While he hadn't particularly appreciated the comment at the time, it actually made him feel a bit better now as he realized he was likely being paranoid. It wasn't long before the three of them were discussing quidditch.
A screech owl arrived at the window as they were eating. Harry didn't think the letter bound to his foot would be for him as he'd only just sent a letter to Ron and Hermione the day before, thanking them for his birthday card and candy they'd sent him.
He was surprised then, when Regulus called his name, as he walked back to the table.
Harry took the letter from him and turned it over. He recognized the Hogwarts seal and quickly tore it open. He found the envelope contained two pieces of parchment - one the usual reminder that term started on the first day of September, the other a list of books he would need for the coming year.
"It's my book list," he said in case anyone wondered.
"Is there anything you need that you don't already have?" Sirius asked.
"Just two books," Harry said after consulting the list. "The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5, by Miranda Goshawk, and er- it says I'll tentatively need, Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard. I've never seen it worded like that before."
"Anyone wanting to teach the theory of defense is probably from the Ministry," Sirius mused. "I expect its tentative because Professor Dumbledore is hoping to find someone else." He glanced at his brother, "Have you given it any more thought?"
"What?" Carina and Caelum exclaimed at the same time, while Regulus exchanged an unhappy look with Maliah.
"You've considered teaching at Hogwarts?" Harry asked interestedly.
"Dumbledore asked me to," he admitted. Judging by the way Carina and Caelum were staring at their father, this was the first they were hearing of this as well.
"And what did you say?" Caelum asked.
"No, of course," Carina said. "We can't go there."
"If you're teaching at Hogwarts, I want to go there instead of Beauxbatons," Caelum said openly.
"You don't know what you're talking about," Carina said quietly. She might have meant for only Caelum to hear, but it drew their mother's attention as well. Her eyes lingered on her daughter, whose gaze had dropped to the table.
Harry found himself speculating which houses they would be sorted into. Their parents had been in Slytherin but surely neither of them belonged with the likes of Draco. He remembered Maliah's family had been mostly in Hufflepuff. Would they go there? He thought Caelum might. He didn't necessarily care for 'fair play', but he was friendly and outgoing – a trait many Hufflepuffs possessed. He had a harder time imagining Carina among the badgers. She was not quite like anyone in Gryffindor either. As she was generally calm, thoughtful and observant, he supposed she might have gone to Ravenclaw?
"I'm content with the job I've got," Regulus said, making Harry's silent deliberation irrelevant.
Carina visibly relaxed while Caelum looked disappointed.
He tried to guess what Regulus would be like as a teacher. Harry had witnessed a hint of his temper under the ruse of Mr. Eddings. He expected he would not be a teacher to cross - but there was no doubt he would be better than someone from the Ministry wanting to teach them defensive theory...
"You can't teach at both schools, can you?" he asked.
Regulus smiled wryly, "I am not convinced Dumbledore could hire me even if he wanted to."
Harry knew Regulus was 'supposed to be dead' and that he was only alive because everyone believed it, but he couldn't imagine that Dumbledore would ask him to teach if he couldn't arrange it. And, after all, he wouldn't be the first person who was supposed to be dead to take on the job.
"Last year, a death eater abducted the guy who was meant to be our teacher. He impersonated him for the entirety of the year using Polyjuice Potion. No one even noticed until after the third task when... I mean, I just think if you wanted to come to Hogwarts, Dumbledore would figure out a way to make it work."
"If it was as simple as wearing a disguise, Lupin could do it again," said Regulus.
"Remus wouldn't do it," Sirius countered. "He doesn't deem himself to be safe around children after what happened when he was there before."
"He forgot to take his Wolfsbane potion one time, and no one got hurt... well, physically, anyway," Harry amended, as he recalled it was the night Pettigrew got away. "He was the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had."
"I have so many questions," Carina said under her breath, drawing a smirk from Harry, as he considered how ridiculous it must sound.
"I do not intend to teach at Hogwarts," Regulus said pensively, "but there is nothing to say we can't attempt some practical sort of training while you are here."
"What do you mean, like dueling?" Harry asked, excited at the prospect.
"Yes, I could help with that," Sirius said, looking a bit miffed. "I am his godfather, you know."
"Of course," Regulus said calmly. "The first thing would be to find out what you know already. I believe you were taught by Barty Crouch Jr. last year. What did you study?"
"He taught us about the Unforgivable Curses. He showed them to us-"
"Showed them to you?" Maliah repeated.
"He performed all three of them on a spider in the classroom. Then, he cast the Imperius on each of us so that we could practice resisting it."
"Harry was able to throw the curse off entirely," Sirius said proudly. "Crouch's after just a few tries, and then later, in the graveyard, Voldemort's didn't affect him at all."
There was a moment of silence in which everyone was looking at Harry, causing him to feel immensely embarrassed.
"What classes are you taking?" Carina asked him casually.
Harry blinked in surprise at the abrupt subject change though he was rather glad for it. Not feeling particularly articulate, he handed her the list.
"What class is the book, Unfogging the Future, for?" she asked after reading over it.
"Divination," he said tersely.
"Beauxbatons doesn't offer that," she remarked, while casually selecting an orange from a bowl of fruit at the center of the table. Harry had always seen it as more of a decoration than a viable option for food. He watched as she used a knife to cut off each end of the rind, then proceeded to make cuts along the outside of the fruit, so delicately, Harry could barely tell it was breaking the skin. "What is it like?"
He shook his head slowly, distracted by her dissection of the innocent fruit. "All I do is predict my imminent death."
Her mouth twitched as she put the knife down and began pulling away the strips of rind, all in even segments, and stacked them into a neat pile. Harry imagined attempting something similar with the result of them both being covered in juice.
"What other elective are you taking?"
"Care of Magical Creatures." Her brow furrowed as if considering something. "I took what I thought would be easy," he admitted wryly. "What classes are you taking?"
"Our requirements don't look to be much different from yours. I have Ancient Runes and Arithmancy as my extras."
Harry pictured Hermione during her late nights with long essays and complicated star charts and scrunched his nose. With her father being a teacher, it shouldn't have come as a surprise that Carina would take more challenging classes than him, but he couldn't imagine her taking school as seriously as Hermione – no one did. He'd also never seen her open a book.
"What made you choose those?"
She laughed humorlessly, "My advisor at school."
"Your advisor?" he asked.
"Well, it's one of the professors. We all had to meet with one before choosing our electives. They told us what we should take based on what we saw ourselves doing after school. Do you know what you want to do after school?"
He hadn't given much thought to his life after Hogwarts but had a sudden sinking feeling he may have inadvertently limited his career prospects with his class choices. As much as it pained him to admit it, Hagrid's, Care of Magical Creatures, likely wouldn't be much more useful than Divination.
It didn't help that the first career choice that came to mind was 'International Quidditch star'. He could only imagine her expression if he admitted that.
"I might like to be an Auror," he said, as it was the only viable option he had considered. She glanced at the end of the table where her father was now engaged in conversation with Sirius and Maliah. He hastily added, "But I have not given it much thought yet. I should probably research some other careers."
"I've got some pamphlets in my trunk from school if you want to look at them," she offered.
As they were finishing their meal, a disembodied voice interrupted. The woman's voice spoke in French but sounded vaguely familiar to Harry.
Regulus and Maliah jumped up, with Carina and Caelum following suit. Maliah called for Kreacher to clear away the dishes as Regulus led them to the sitting room. Harry and Sirius exchanged a look as they followed them.
"I suppose it is time to go back to Grimmauld Place," Sirius remarked. Undoubtedly, it would be better to avoid having to explain why either of them were there if someone was on their way over.
"You can access where we've been staying from the Floo if you'd prefer." Regulus said, indicating the fireplace.
Sirius looked at Harry as if it were up to him. He wondered if they went to Grimmauld Place if they would be coming back. Would he still get lessons in dueling if they left?
"Let's go there," he decided.