CHAPTER 14

They apparated outside of a small muggle playground in London Borough of Islinton. In his letter , Regulus had demanded Sirius to meet him in the place were Uncle Alphard had taken them for Christmas treat. This has brought a shred of hope for Sirius since his brother had refused to acknowledge that they ever had those days. Number 12 Grimmauld Place was a dull place even Christmas Day did nothing to excite the mood in the house. It used to be always about adults and their pureblood agendas. Walburga often sent her boys to bed early so that the adults could sit with their rum and enjoy in their own twisted evil way. It was those times when Alphard would sneak the boys out and take them to a muggle café to give them pastrie and cupcake treats. It was until Sirius got sorted in Gryffindors. No matter what Alphard did would not convince the young Reggie to go with the traitor after his family declared him so.

Sirius was very nervous to go inside the café. What if Regulus was not there? What if he had planned an ambush on them? Could he really take it ? Due to the witch he finally had a hope now that he could have his little brother back. It had hurt him to lose his brother once. It will be hell lot more painful if he lost him a second time.

He was still deliberating if it was better to return when he felt Hermione's hand around his. He looked at the witch who was smiling encouragingly at him. Together , hand in hand , they walked in the café. It was not that crowded. There were a few school students sitting in groups around the two tables. A third one was more private as a couple sat there. The rest of the café was empty except for a man in black sitting in one corner of the café. Sirius would have passed him for a normal muggle reading his book if he hadn't been so secluded. Regulus Black , the perfect son of Walburga and Orion Black, the worthy heir of the Nobel and Ancient house of Black was dressed in a black leather jacket and jeans that Sirius recognized as his own. He smiled at the attire. After he ran away from his house, his mother had burnt all his belongings. He had no idea how Regulus got his hand on those. His grey eyes met a pair of similar eyes and he looked around in panick to see if there were more Aurors to capture him.

Hermione who too had recognized him , squeezed Sirius' hand and pulled him towards the occupied table. Sirius was thankful for her presence beside him because otherwise he would have just run away.

As they neared the table, Hermione murmured some spells.

"Muffilato and Notice me not. So that no one hears us even if they were eavesdropping." Hermione explained to Sirius but he knew it was more for Regulus.

"Who is she? And why is she here? I thought it would be just the two of us." Regulus said and again Sirius realized how much have changed over the years. Gone was the young aristocratic and carefree Regulus black, the man sitting in front of him had suffered ( or was suffering?) in life and was scared.

"She is a friend. She wanted to meet you for something important."

"I am not going to give you any information on the Dark Lord." He stared at both of them indifferently.

He is not my Reggie anymore, Sirius repeated like a mantra inside his head.

A young waitress approached them and Hermione ordered some muggle drink for all of them.

"You are a mudblood." Regulus scowled at her.

"Apologize to her this instant." Sirius roared in angered. He didn't want Hermione to get hurt trying to help the bastard who didn't know to differentiate between his real enemy and friend.

Regulus looked away not saying anything.

"This meeting is over then" Sirius got up from his place. For a moment there, he thought that he saw panic and guilt in his brother's eyes but it was gone too quick. If the Blacks knew anything, it was to control their expressions.

"She is more important to you than your own brother?" He gave Hermione an ugly look which only angered him more but before he could say anything, Hermione who was still sitting while both men were standing said, "His little brother is important to him, not some death eater who believes in the blood purity prejudices of Voldemort. Now, sit down both of you." She said authoritatively which reminded them both of Walburga for an instant. They both reclaimed their seat.

"Regulus" she turned to him, "Has Voldermort asked for Kreacher yet?"

The look of absolute horror on his face was all the answer she needed.

"How do you know about Kreacher?" Sirius asked. "How do you know about that?" Regulus asked. Both at the same time.

She gave a sigh as she started, "I know about Kreacher just as I know about other things. But that should be least of your concern here. Regulus would you like to explain to your brother what I am talking about?"

Regulus shook his head, swallowing hard. Clearly, he would rather not have this conversation.

"Let's just say, Voldemort is doing some dark ritual to make himself immortal," Sirius gasped and Regulus winced. Had he helped him? Why was Hermione discussing it in front of him? He was his servant. "He has even succeeded but for something related to it he needed a house elf and used Kreacher. When his work was done, he left Kreacher to die. But Regulus had ordered him to come back to him when his work was done, so even dying, Kreacher returned and told Regulus about it."

It was too much for Sirius to take in. He knew Hermione knew things that even Dumbledore didn't. Recently, during Order meetings, she would often tell them where their mission will fail and after the first time, everyone listened to her. But this was huge. Snake face was immortal. How could they win the war then!

"How do you know this?" Regulus asked again.

"She is something like a seer. She knows things." Sirius knew it was a lie. She was too specific to be a seer. Her knowledge was limited to a selected group that was them. She knew things about them or in which they were somehow related. However, he let her have her secrets as long as she was family. Afterall who didn't have secrets.

"So, is it true? Your master is immortal."

Sirius had expected his brother to gloat or smirk at him or tell how the traitors and mudbbloods would be punished. He hadn't expected him to flinch, and definitely not to say what he said next.

"He is not my master. Not anymore."

Something rose in his chest so strongly that it was painful. It was hope. Was it true? Finally, his brother had seen the error of his way. Shocked, he turned to look at Hermione.

"It is true." She answered the unspoken question. "When Regulus realized what Voldemort had done, he knew he could not be allowed to continue."

"I will stop him. I know where it is." He said looking at Hermione. Then he looked at Sirius, "I would have left already but I wanted to see you before. Thought you could forgive…"

"No." Sirius shouted. This couldn't be true.

"Well, it's understandable." Regulus said getting up, his voice pained. But Sirius was quicker and stood before him, blocking his way.

"You don't get to tell me you have changed and then ask for forgiveness like it's a goodbye. I won't let you do whatever it is alone." Sirius said and saw moisture in the grey eyes of his brother.

"It can save many people, including her" he pointed at her, "Potter's wife, Andy's husband, and many other Muggleborns."

The faces of his family and friends swum in front of his eyes. But he couldn't let his brother go and sacrifice himself. Reg was still young. It felt like he had failed his brother yet again. It felt selfish that he was ready to risk the world for him and he was. But he couldn't speak it out loud.

"We can't let you Reg." Hermione said. Sirius swore he could have kissed the witch if she didn't belong to his other brother. "I know you die in that cave if you go alone."

Both wizard stared at her wide eyed.

"But if someone doesn't do it, he will be invincible." Reg managed.

"We will defeat him." She promised, "But without sacrificing one of our own. Besides, there are more of it."

His mouth hung open and Sirius stared at her in confusion.

"What is the 'it' we are talking about?"

"Regulus will explain to you later." Hermione said.

"Then I should go."

"Where?"

"Home." Regulus shrugged.

"No, you can't. They will throw you at his feet again."

"It is our family, Sirius. Someone has to carry on the legacy."

"Being a Black doesn't mean you have to follow dark arts. And you can be a true heir even if you fight with the right side and make people respect you, not fear you. You, Sirius, Andromeda and Narcissa. You all show everyone that Black house has still some Nobility left in it. Build yourself from the ground up."

Sirius and Regulus looked at her in awe. He wanted to say so many things to her, but the only thing that came out of his mouth was, "Cissa?"

"Give me time, and I will bring her in. She too does not know whom to go." She winked at him.

Sirius laughed at her and pulled her in for a hug.

"You will give my dear old mother a heart attack. Turning all the Black Children against them." He added, "Do you know what it means?"

"What" Both Regulus and Hermione asked.

"Except Bella, no one turned out to be the perfect child."

"She was always rotten." Surprisingly, it was Regulus who said that.

Sirius pulled his brother in a hug. He was feeling so happy that it was hard to contain himself.

"I will leave you two then." Hermione smiled at them. She apparated not before hearing Regulus say

"She is a strange witch." And Sirius replied lovingly, "Don't I know."

When Hermione got back home, Remus, James and Lily were sitting in front of the fire on the couch too distracted to focus on the work in hand as they waited for them.

"Hey." She said as she stepped in through the door.

"Mione. Thank God." Lily rushed to pull her in a hug. James looked around her, searching for Sirius while Remus looked at her intently. His eyes analyzing her, searching for any injury.

"Sirius is okay. He is taking Regulus to his flat. He will stay there." She told them.

"So, he really turned?" James asked.

"Yes." Hermione told him happily at the same time when Sirius floo called them to tell them that he was staying at his flat for the night.

After Hermione filled them in whatever had happened, Lily retired for the day exhausted and James followed. It was just the two of them left.

Remus started to leave but Hermione was too tired of this distance between them.

"Remus, wait." She said.

His body tensed as he turned to look at her. He was too stubborn for his own good. At least they could return to how they used to be before.

"Please come here." She pointed to the couch beside. He stood there for several minutes, the wheels turning in his head before he sat down on the couch, putting painful distance between them.

Hermione slid to sit beside him and rested her head on his shoulder.

"I am tired. Please lets get back to how we used to be. I miss us being together so much." She begged. Another minute, and Remus pulled her closer to him with his hand around her. Remus missed her too and allowed himself a moment of satisfaction.

They were peacefully asleep on the couch bathing in the warmth of each other. Remus enjoying the rose and vanilla scent that was his witch. Though it was mixed with the firewhisky that was Sirius, he could not complain to have her back in his arms.

Both stayed blissfully unaware of the man with dirty blonde hair and mouse like face who stumbled into the room through the floo.

A/N: SOMEONE'S COMING

Red2Ruby

Your excitement regarding this story is overwhelming. I am so glad that my work can inspire such a reaction. Thanks a lot for reading. Though I apologize that Remus won't be leaving for the mission. I have already written few chapters and its too late to go back. I sincerely apologize. As for Regulus and Severus, They are going to be an important part in the story. I can promise a drama filled Severus Snape chapter in few days. The horcruxes hunt will begin soon too, but one task at a time. it won't come until our girl deals with Severus , Narcissa and Peter. Regulus is already dealt with in this chapter. I hope you continue the story with the same excitement. Thanks again.

daichisjuciythighs

my favorite person, Thanks again. I LOVE a protective Remus Lupin. It makes him all the more adorable. Who do you originally ship with Remus though? i would like to know.