Chapter Eighty-Seven
"Well. It's not every day I'm graced with the presence of Regulus Black in my office," Amelia Bones said, in that rather intimidating voice of hers – always so serious – as she stepped across the threshold, closing the door behind her.
Regulus titled his head from where he was sat on the guest side of her desk, waiting on her arrival, shooting her a grin over his shoulder, "Oh, the pleasure is all mine, Madam Bones."
Amelia's lips twitched in amusement as she approached, placing her briefcase upon the desk and taking the seat opposite, "You have certainly caused quite a stir."
"Have I?" he asked, innocently.
"It is more than a little unusual, pulling an entire organisation from the Floo Network at only a moment's notice."
Regulus raised his eyebrows, "Perhaps that's why Madam Edgecombe was so unaccommodating regarding my initial request."
"Well, Madam Edgecombe does revel in exerting her power upon even the most charming of pests."
"I gathered as much. I do hope she won't be offended by my going over her head and coming to you."
Amelia's eyebrows lifted, her lips pursing together to supress a smile at his tone, as she straightened up in her chair.
"It is rather extraordinary timing, your application for withdrawal. In case you haven't noticed, Regulus, we're having a bit of a crisis in Ministry at the moment."
"Oh, I've heard."
"Count me surprised. Hardly a subtle move, pulling the Aurelius Foundation from the grid, right in the middle of it all. In fact, it is almost as if you have insider information."
"Merely attuned to the writing on the wall, Amelia," Regulus smiled, "I was under the impression that connection to the Floo Network was wholly voluntary."
Amelia eyed him, consideringly for a moment, before she finally smiled and unclipped her briefcase, pulling out a roll of parchments and handing them over.
"Five pm tomorrow. If you can possibly wait that long."
"Much obliged, Madam Bones," Regulus said, smilingly, as he tucked the scrolls into his robes – trusting her enough that he didn't even bother to read them – before he went on, "And the other matter I sent an owl regarding last week, did you happen to –"
"Oh, I happened to," she nodded, handing over another scroll, which Regulus did unroll that time, keen to ensure that the situation was as he had thought and hoped.
"This is an officiated copy of the birth certificate of Draco Malfoy?" Regulus asked, needlessly, as he skimmed the document.
"As you see," Amelia said, seriously, "And, as you indicated it would be, there is your own name in black and white, the last living godparent of the boy. Regulus Black, I must say, you are playing with fire in this endeavour."
Regulus grinned, eyes still on the parchment, "Well. What's life without a little risk, hm?"
Amelia handed over another two scrolls of parchment.
"As his father is not yet deceased, the only route available – should you actually decide to go through with this – is temporary guardianship until the time comes that either Mr. Malfoy comes of age or his father is released from Azkaban and contests the arrangement. I'm afraid any other means by which to claim the boy would involve Lucius Malfoy being willing to sign away his own parental rights which – considering the hush hush nature of your enquiry – I imagine is not something you expect him to be willing to do."
Regulus met her eyes, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Temporary guardianship will do nicely. Thank you, Amelia. And, so, with these forms I shall assume all legal rights and responsibilities to do as I so please with him?"
"Within the child's best interests, yes. Ideally, the young Mr. Malfoy will be in agreement, particularly as he is over the age of twelve. It is a Godparent's prerogative to evoke the right to guardianship upon the loss of parental custody – usually through death – though it is by no means commonly practiced. Often, the child simply ends up in the system."
"Well. That won't be happening here."
Regulus took the scrolls and tucked them into his robes, getting to his feet and reaching out a hand, "Pleasure as ever, Madam Bones."
Amelia smiled, shaking his hand, before he turned and headed from the office.
Regulus made his way down the corridor, ignoring the way Rufus Scrimgeour eyed him, distrustfully, as they passed one another, and Regulus lifted his hand to the side of his head in a mock salute, which made the other man's eyes narrow in annoyance.
He carried on down the corridor of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and, even as an outsider, could easily pick up on the sense of unease and distrust that lingered in the air. Caught the way suspicious eyes glanced around the room of the open offices when he walked on by the department reception area.
Regulus smiled, giving a nod at Dora up ahead when he noticed her standing conversing with Kingsley Shacklebolt – she lifting a hand in greeting from the end of the corridor she stood in – as Regulus made a left, towards the exit.
He rounded the corner, physically running into someone, and he reached out a hand to steady him by the arm, "Pardon me, Pius."
Pius Thicknesse's eyes lingered upon his, just an extra second long enough for Regulus to frown at his lack of recognition, before the other man smiled.
"No trouble, Regulus."
Pius passed on by, making his way down the corridor Regulus had just come from.
Regulus' eyes followed the other man for a moment, consideringly, before he turned, carrying on his way, returning the smiles of the two aurors that passed and greeted him with nods, before he reached the lifts, summoning one to return him to the Atrium and, within minutes – armed with all he had come there for – headed from the Ministry of Magic back to the Foundation.
More than a little bit of work still to be done before he and Lily were to meet Severus again that night.
A thump in the hallway – in the middle of the night – drew Harry and Malachi's attention to the door of Harry's room.
Both of them hurried over, carefully opening and peeking out the slight gap. His mum was heading down the stairs, fully dressed in her day clothes.
Harry and Malachi shared a look.
"Have you heard from Daphne?" Harry whispered, quietly, so as not to wake Grace who'd only just finally fallen asleep on the transfigured mattress on the floor behind them.
"No. I was gonna write her next time I was at the Foundation, but it's closed down now, for the holidays so –"
"Yeah, what's up with that?" Harry said, "Since when does the Foundation close for anything?"
"I dunno, my dad was really edgy about it when I tried to ask," Malachi shrugged, "I keep seeing him and Julia whispering but any time I ask what they're going on about, my dad just makes jokes about a married couple's need for privacy," Malachi rolled his eyes.
Harry snickered, "Mum's been acting really weird too. She sent us off with Uncle Remus and Tonks twice this week – me and Grace – and it's weird, right, that you're all staying for New Year? I mean, who has a party when…"
Harry broke off, eyes lowering, Snape back on his mind. He pushed it aside, thoughts going back to Daphne, instead.
"Well, even if the Foundation's closed, your dad must still be checking in, right? Do you think if I sent Daphne a letter and told her to return it there, he'd get it for me?"
Harry found himself wishing – with each day that passed – that he'd at least kissed her goodbye or said something more than the little exchange they'd had before parting for the holidays, missing her, now, like crazy. Especially with his mum hinting that he might not even get to go back to school at all.
Malachi nodded, "Yeah. Sure, he would. He's been ducking in and out of the house all week, leaving me and Julia to 'get to know one another' a bit better. As if we haven't known one another for the past eight years."
Harry frowned at that, eyes glancing back at the staircase his mum had just gone down.
He headed towards the wardrobe, pulling it open and rummaging in the box at the back.
"What are you doing?" Malachi whispered, behind him.
Harry's hand closed around the fabric of what he'd been looking for – his Invisibility Cloak – and he shot Malachi a grin.
Malachi smirked, nodding, and Harry flung it over his head, heading from the room.
He crept carefully down the hallway – hearing the sound of soft voices and hearty laughter coming from the other side of Grace's bedroom door, where Mr. Black and Julia were spending the night as he passed – and headed down the stairs, seeking his mum.
The kitchen was empty and, with a quick glance through the living door, he could see that that it was dark. The mound on the couch – which had been transfigured into a bed for Remus and Tonks – entirely still, as if those beneath the blankets were deep in slumber.
Harry hesitated, not wanting to go into the basement – thoughts of Snape coming back to mind – but he put a hand on the door, anyway – curiosity winning out – and was ready to push down the handle, when something out the corner of his eye caught his attention.
It was his mum.
And Remus.
Outside in the garden, talking while standing close.
Harry eyed the door behind his mum.
There was no way he'd be able to sneak out without them noticing.
Harry pushed down on the doorhandle of the basement and hurried down – pushing away the immediate surge of nostalgia he got, remembering how he and Snape had spent so much time that summer in here, chasing memories while Harry both fretted about and teased him – and went straight to the door at the back, slipping outside.
He rounded the house, careful where he was walking so that they wouldn't hear his approach, and he could hear their voices when he finally reached the corner, peering round it at where his mum and Uncle Remus stood, speaking quietly.
"Have you thought any more about it?" his mum asked.
Remus nodded, "I…Yes. Of course. But…Yes. I've thought about it."
"You don't believe him."
"I'm not saying I don't believe him, Lily. It's just…It's just a lot to take, that's all. Dumbledore did a lot for me."
Harry frowned, straightening up, realizing, suddenly, that they were talking about Snape.
Harry knew he should turn away – right now – quickly go back into the shadows, into the house, and pretend he hadn't heard anything. It was too risky –
"We would have lost him, either way," his mum went on, and Harry found himself frozen, unable to help but listen, "The curse was too powerful. Severus did everything he could to contain it but…It made sense – logically – that he and Dumbledore would have planned to use his death as a way to advance Severus' position in the circle. That's the only way –"
The kitchen door opened, and Mr. Black stepped out, also fully dressed in his day clothes, now, and stopped, eyebrows lifting, when he noticed them both standing there.
"Ah. Sorry. Didn't realise you two were –"
"No. No, it's okay," his mum shook her head, "We were just –"
"Agreeing to the plan."
His mum looked at Remus then, and he met her eyes, drawing in a breath before shrugging and giving a nod.
His mum smiled, warmly at him, the two of them sharing a look.
Mr. Black clapped his hands together, making his mum jump.
"Excellent! Well, with that said, Lily, maybe we should –" Mr. Black nodded in the direction of the gate, "He's probably waiting."
His mum nodded, tugging her cloak tighter around herself, as Mr. Black walked by the two of them and headed to the gate. His mum turned back to Remus, still smiling, and reached up to squeeze his his arm.
"Thank you, Remus."
His Uncle Remus smiled, nodding, before his mum swept away, following Mr. Black's steps up the path to where he was waiting for her beyond the fence.
The two of them disapparated when she reached him.
Remus turned, heading back into the house.
Leaving Harry reeling in their wake.
Severus touched his wand to the tip of his finger, a bead of blood forming beneath it, and he touched it to the circle carved into the top of the wooden box in front of him.
The wooden top stirred like molten lava and drew back, parting and opening, revealing the empty inside of the container.
He grasped the nearest object – a book – and placed it inside, swishing his wand and the top of the box reformed, the item sealed off.
Regulus repeated the process, following the same steps Severus had just done, upon the box in front of him, where he stood on the opposite side of the table.
The second box opened in the same way as the first, when Regulus placed a drop of his own blood upon the carved circle, and they peered into it from where each of them stood, at the book that Severus had placed into his own box. Now passed through and lying within Regulus'.
Regulus met his eyes with a grin.
"How is the recruitment progress coming along?" Severus asked, satisfied that a foolproof way of communication between them had now been established.
Regulus shared a look with Lily, who was still pouring over the grid plans of the Foundation building, scribbling notes along the sides, as she had been doing all week.
"We've got the word out to all those in the Foundation who we think would be willing. Who'd need us. Not everyone – there's some we're not sure quite sure about yet – we'll leave them to the last moment, same as Lily and the kids. Last thing we need is to alert Voldemort's eyes in the Ministry that something's going on."
"The Dark Lord is already aware that something is amiss, but he is unconcerned. At present, he quite believes you are far too immaterial to pose any significant threat. His eyes remain on his current endeavors within the Ministry, itself, ensuring his foothold."
Regulus smirked.
"See that, Severus, it pays to be the fool, once in a while."
"Have you set about the means of securing the Foundation?""
"It's been disconnected from any means by which the Ministry can interfere, with the exceptions of the wards which will stand until Voldemort orders them down. It'll be pulled from the Floo network completely, tomorrow."
"What about the blood wards you came across?" Severus said, still addressing Regulus as he stepped in behind Lily, hand on her waist as he peered at the plans, "Could they be utilised?"
Lily looked up curiously as Regulus frowned, considering the suggestion.
"From what I gathered, they can only be placed upon a residence of the protected – the catch being that they and the person who shares the same blood as the deceased both consider the place home."
"With yourself and Harry residing at the Foundation for the foreseeable future, will that be enough?"
Regulus shook his head, "No. The enchantment would have to be manipulated – it wouldn't be easy – you'd need mine and Harry's blood to –"
"Get it, I'll look into it."
"We don't have time to be inventing charms and spells, the Ministry could fall at any moment," Lily said, shooting them both a look, "We stick to what's tried and true. The Fidelius."
Severus shook his head, "The Fidelius grants only one chance at protection. Should this be successful, we are talking about dozens, perhaps even hundreds, of people taking refuge within the Foundation's walls. All it would take is for the single Secret Keeper to fall, for the charm to break, and every one of those who reside there would be able to speak the location, rendering it unviable as a safe house."
"Only if the Secret Keeper is killed," Lily pointed out, "Regulus and I –"
"Neither of you could be Secret Keeper of a Fidelius Charm protecting the Foundation, as both of you are already Secret Keepers of your own respective residences. And – it goes without saying – it would not be practical for me to be so, as you need to be able to swiftly move those needing refuge into the Foundation's boundaries."
"Julia –" Lily began.
"Won't be on the field," Regulus said, in a tone that refuted all argument, as he rounded the table to join them where they stood, "She is not a duellist; her role will be tending to the wounded as they arrive."
"Speaking of which, a way by which to leave and enter the premises – by-passing the guarding Death Eaters – will need to be arranged –"
"I've been looking into that," Lily said, pulling out some other large rolls of parchment and she shook them out, covering those that they had previously been studying.
Severus and Regulus looked at them, at all of the suggested charms and enchantments that Lily had sketched in down the margins; Regulus' eyes widened while Severus' brow furrowed, as they took in the information while Lily went on.
"Regulus has shut down all methods by which to get in and out of the building right now, anyone coming in does so by invitation only, through the post –" she pointed at the section of the plans, " – all eyes are on the front of the building, while we're focusing on the tunnels."
"Huh," Regulus said, leaning in a little closer to them to look at the plans, "I was not aware that our success was contingent upon my extraordinary talents for ground-breaking wizardry. Must admit, I'm a little rusty. Don't quite like our chances."
Severus' lips twitched in a smile that he smothered when Lily shot Regulus a look over her shoulder.
"The collective efforts of the Order will be more than enough," she said, assuredly, before she indicated the notes made alongside the Tonks Facility, "Except –"
"Might I suggest Minerva?" Severus said.
Lily nodded, smiling, "That's what I thought. I'll go to Hogwarts. She's a member of the Order, anyway, but more direct input from her on this would definitely be welcome."
"I could speak to her, I have business at Hogwarts tomorrow," Regulus offered.
"What business?" Severus eyed him.
Regulus tugged on the front of his robes, not quite meeting either of their eyes.
"My cousin."
Severus' eyebrows lifted ever-so-slightly, as he looked at him. And, when neither he nor Lily said anything, Regulus added.
"With it only being a matter of time before Hogwarts and the Ministry fall, leaving Draco in that place is akin to leaving him to the wolves. Or, rather, the snakes. He needs to come out."
Severus nodded, agreeing with the assessment, while Lily smiled.
"The tunnels," Regulus said, turning back to the plans and pretending not to notice their looks of approval, "They'll be protected by any enchantments?"
"Whether by wards or the Fidelius, the perimeter could be set," Severus told him, "All above and below said perimeter would be shielded."
"And the perimeter could be set to include the external facilities – the Tonks building and the Farmstead?" Regulus asked, looking at the plans that Lily had been working on, which had notes written alongside both facilities, utilising each of them, "The Farmstead is a food source –"
"The perimeter may begin and end wherever the caster so wishes. Bear in mind, the larger the area, the longer it will take to implement and the more room there is for error. As both of you are well-versed in evoking the charm, if you were to rely on the Fidelius, it is best one of the two of you are responsible for executing it. Either way, the house elves will be able to apparate in and out of the building to provide supplies, as and when required –" Severus told him.
"And when house elves don't cut it, we have the tunnels," Lily interrupted, indicating the plans, "We can charm them with the same enchantments that manipulate the staircases at Hogwarts. So that they never begin and end in the same place, a constantly changing system of tunnels, so the Death Eaters beyond the border of the charms never know exactly where we'll be coming in or out. That's where the Fidelius is best – only those who can see it, will know where the entrance and exit points are. The Death Eaters would be blind to the point where we're heading towards."
"That's genius," Regulus said, smiling at her, and Severus nodded, hand squeezing her hip where it rested.
"The Dark Lord will have to make a far more visible show of ruling than he might otherwise have wished to – normally he would rely upon whispers and fear alone – but, in this case, with the resistance standing strong, it will not be possible for him to spend every moment and every resource attempting to bring down the Foundation and station guards at every possible entry point. He will be busy, attempting to maintain his and advance his stronghold and his rule – these tunnels, they are ideal."
"When can we expect Voldemort to make his move at the Ministry?" Regulus asked, meeting his eyes, "I was there this morning; you could cut the tension in that place with a knife."
Severus nodded, "A coup will be staged, as soon as all are in place who need to be."
"Something to do with Thickeness, dare I ask?"
Severus shook his head, "Far more than only one. Things are moving far more rapidly than I – or, even, the Dark Lord, himself – anticipated. Much to his pleasure, granted. The time for hesitancy has passed, the sooner this is all implement, the better."
Lily and Regulus shared a look, before giving Severus a nod. And he drew in a breath, turning back to the plans.
"It is only a matter a time."
Draco stared at Regulus Black, who sat in the chair next to him, more than just a bit confused at what the man had just said to him once Professor McGonagall – the new acting Headmistress of Hogwarts – had departed, leaving them alone in her new office.
"You want to – what – adopt me or something?"
It sounded as ridiculous spoken aloud as it did in Draco's mind.
Regulus smiled, in that strange, affectionate way that was entirely foreign to Draco.
No one ever smiled at him like that. No one other than his mum.
"Not quite as ambitious as that, no," the man cleared his throat, leaning forward so that his arms rested on his knees, "With your father in Azkaban, Hogwarts currently has intermediary responsibility for your care but that will only last until the summer, when the last term of the year ends. At that point, the Ministry would step in and –"
"I'd just get put somewhere. With anyone."
"Well. There is a rigorous process by which families are selected – the suitability of those you'd otherwise be placed with is not in question. Just…I thought you might rather be with family."
Draco eyed him.
When Draco said nothing, Regulus' eyes lowered, before he glanced around the room – Draco noticing how the man's eyes kept going to and lingering, uneasily, upon the new sleeping portrait of Dumbledore on the wall – and then said, quietly.
"Draco. It's not safe at Hogwarts."
Draco met his eyes.
"I know you're angry with me. And I know there's nothing that I can do to make it up to you, what you've lost. Your mum was an extraordinary woman. But…I will say to you the same thing that I said to her. If you let me, I will protect you."
Draco stared back at him – at the kindness and the warmth in the man's eyes – hardly daring to hope but, when the man's gaze didn't falter under Draco's distrust, he found himself nodding, in spite of his doubts.
Regulus smiled, a hand reaching up, squeezing his arm.
"Get your things. I'll explain to Professor McGonagall and meet you in the entrance lobby."
Draco frowned.
"What – now?"
Regulus nodded.
Draco kept his eyes on him a moment longer – a feeling of dread coming over him, when he realised what Regulus meant, why he had come here at all – before he got to his feet.
"Draco –"
He turned as he reached the door.
" – say nothing to anyone."
Draco nodded, understanding, and hurried down to the dorm rooms.
It was easy to do as Regulus asked without anyone noticing him. The Castle was almost entirely deserted after what had happened before the holidays – the Battle of Hogwarts and Snape's murdering of Dumbledore a good enough reason for almost every kid in the school to go home and be with their families that year – so there were no questions at all to dodge from anyone other than himself.
Questions such as whether or not he really trusted Regulus Black.
And did he really want to spend the next two years until he came of age with him, his mudblood wife and with Malachi, who, surely, hated him, now, after what Draco had done to him.
And had his mother been right when she'd asserted the safest place for him was by his father's side – the Dark Lord's side – and that following Regulus Black and his promises was nothing more than suicide.
Foolish fantasies.
Draco ignored all the questions because – despite the many that surged up, continuing to fill his mind with doubts – none of them were enough to drive it away.
That which Regulus Black actually had offered him.
Hope.
And so, Draco did as he told him to, packing up in silence – speaking to no one – and he didn't even bother taking everything, just the essentials, so that he was ready and done, heading up to the entrance lobby within twenty minutes, finding the man standing there waiting with a smile.
"All set?"
Draco nodded.
He found it difficult not to smile, under the beaming one of his cousin's.
Regulus put a hand on his shoulder, the two of them heading from the school, and Draco felt his nerves increasing with each step they took. Relief and nervousness and uncertainty waring within him until they reached the gates.
Regulus held out an arm once they were off Hogwarts grounds, and Draco did as he was supposed to, taking it for side-along apparition – he'd learned and done it many times through the summer, while in service to the Dark Lord – and he was pulled along with him.
Draco had thought – expected – that the two of them were heading to the covert location of the Black family home.
Instead, the sight that greeted them as the daze of apparition wore off, were the gates of the Aurelius Foundation.
Harry lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, his mind still reeling about what he'd overheard between his mum and his Uncle Remus and Mr. Black the week before, on New Year's Eve.
A conversation that seemed to explain his mum's continuing erratic behaviour; frequently leaving him and Grace with Julia or with Remus or with Tonks, all week, while she slipped out to 'work'.
Harry was pretty sure he knew – if not where, at least who she was with.
For the conversation Harry had overheard had basically confirmed to him not only that he was right – Snape was still on their side – but that Dumbledore had actually ordered him to do it.
Had told Snape to kill him, in order to advance their steps in the war.
The thought made Harry's gut churn, again, as he turned it over and over in his mind. All that people were giving up, and all that they were willing to do – Dumbledore willing to die and Snape willing to do it – to fight back against Voldemort and win.
If they would even win.
Harry closed his eyes against the unwelcome thought. The very idea that – after all that had been done – they might actually lose.
That it would all be for nothing.
His mum had been almost frantic this past week, since that night – New Year – and he had seen the headlines of the Prophet on the kitchen table every morning, Voldemort and the Death Eater's advancing, as morale amongst the light dimmed with each passing day following the death of Albus Dumbledore.
Harry's bedroom door opened, and his mum marched into the room, up to his wardrobe. He sat up, frowning, "Mum?"
She pulled out a bag and headed over to him, in an obvious hurry, and put it onto the bed, "All your clothes are sorted. Anything else you think you need, that you can pack into this within the next five minutes, get them, and come downstairs."
"What's going on?"
His mum didn't answer him, hurrying from his room and into her own, and Harry followed her, quickly, to her doorway, watching as she accioed and added bits and pieces to the top of her own already-packed bag and she shot him a look.
"This is all I need, Mummy!" Grace held up her favourite book and their mum gave her a smile, before shooting Harry a look, and Harry could tell that whatever was going on – and he had a fairly good idea – he had to be quick, so he turned and hurried back into him room.
Quickly gathering together anything he thought he might need – which wasn't much – though he was careful to make sure his Invisibility Cloak was in the bag. And some books. Some moving pictures.
Daphne's scarf.
He tucked his wand into his sleeve, zipped up the small bag and lifted it up over his shoulder, hurrying back into his mum's room just in time to see her flick her wand, minimising the large holdall she had just finished packing into much smaller one that could pass for a handbag and she hurried around, grabbing Grace by the hand.
"Come on."
"Mum, where are we going?" Harry hurried after them down the stairs.
"You'll see."
They didn't stop in their steps, hurrying straight through the kitchen and out the door – not bothering to say bye to the house, even if Harry was sure, now, that they wouldn't be coming back here any time soon, his panic rising with each step they made up the path – and once they got past the boundary of the Fidelius his mum stopped, swinging Grace up onto her hip.
"Whee!"
"Harry, take my arm."
Harry did.
Within a few seconds, they were at the gates to the Foundation.
His mum hurried up, sharing a nod with one of the guards, handing over a piece of parchment that the man studied before he asked her three questions.
"Your Patronus form?"
"A doe."
He eyed a scroll he appeared to have in front of him.
"Your daughter's date of birth."
"May fourth, nineteen eighty-nine."
"Your code-word."
His mum stepped forward, speaking it quietly, so low that Harry couldn't hear it.
The man nodded, before writing something down on the pass; "Your new code, Mrs Potter."
His mum took it, reading it, but before Harry could see what it said – leaning in behind her to look – the word vanished in a sprinkle of glitter just as the gates opened and his mum took him by the arm, ushering him on inside, and as she did Harry noticed others appearing behind them, apparating in behind the gates, which closed on them before they could follow the three of them in.
The guards at the gates appeared to go through the same process with the new arriving family, as his mum hurried up to the building with Grace still on her hip and Harry on her heels.
The Foundation was bustling.
It wasn't as busy as it normally was but there were people running back and forth through the corridors and across the lobby, calling out orders and instructions to one another, a sense of excitement or, perhaps, of panic in the air and his mum ushered them straight through the entrance hall and through the other side, to the door that led out onto the back of the grounds.
Harry looked back over his shoulder at the main building of the Foundation and, when he did, he noticed people he knew through the windows, most of them gathering in the ballroom.
Mr and Mrs Weasley were there, Harry noticed, and Bill.
He was sure he could see Ron, too. All the Weasleys, actually.
And he could see Tonks and Remus.
Mad-Eye Moody was at their side, but they weren't standing about with the small, gathered crowd, they were moving about, eyes focused, as if waiting and preparing for something to come, speaking amongst themselves.
Harry noticed Draco Malfoy, sitting at one of the tables in the corner, alone.
"Mum, Mum!" Harry hurried up alongside her, as she pulled open the door to the Tonks Facility, "What is going on?"
"Am I going back to the Learning Centre, Mummy?" Grace asked, looking excitedly down the corridor, but she frowned when she noticed that – while everything outside the building was exactly the same – everything inside was different.
They walked down the corridor, past all the new doors, most shut, but some were open, and Harry could see that the interior had been divided up and made into rooms.
His mum stopped in front of one of them, putting Grace down to lift her wand and muttered an incantation. The door sprung open, and the three of them went into the chamber.
Harry stood just over the threshold, Grace just in front of him, the two of them looking around the interior, in curiousness and confusion.
It was a small room, with nothing more than a couch, a cooling unit in the corner, an empty bookcase and a table with three chairs. To the back of the room, Harry could see through a door that led into a bathroom and, on the right-hand side wall, were two doors. Doors into bedrooms.
Grace hurried towards one of them, "I get to pick the best room!"
"I'm afraid two of us are going to have to share, Sweetheart," his mum said, smiling after her, as she put the bag she carried onto the couch, flicking her wand and returning it to its normal size.
Harry noticed there were already two bags in there, one of them open, and he could see some of his own clothes packed inside of it. As if his mum had been preparing this room – this space – for them, all along.
Harry hurried up to her, "Mum. What – are we staying here, at the Foundation? Why?"
"There's two beds in this one, Mummy! It's got pink covers on both! Am I sharing with you?"
"Yes, that's probably best," his mum said, smiling at her sister, who was standing back in the doorway of the room she'd decided was theirs, before his mum turned to Harry, a hand on his arm as she nodded, "Yes. You'll understand soon."
Harry realised she couldn't tell him anything yet. Realised – by the number of people already there – that they had been some of the very last to arrive; to keep it from Voldemort for as long as possible. Just in case he happened to look inside his head.
"Harry!"
Harry turned at the voice, finding Malachi at the doorway, smiling widely at him, obviously glad to see him.
"Hey," Harry hurried up to him, casting a glance over his shoulder at his mum who smiled and nodded that he go ahead – safe now, apparently – and the two of them went out of the room.
"What's going on, what is all of this?" Harry asked him, frowningly, as Malachi tugged him up the corridor.
"Something's going on," Malachi told him, "My dad brought us here right after we saw you at New Year. Draco – Draco is here, too, my dad's looking after him. There's a ton of people in the ballroom right now – I think they're waiting for my dad – there was just a few of us the first few days, just day guests – your mum was here a lot – but more people started coming in last night and this morning. I don't know why there's so many rooms in here – mostly it's Order members staying and some Foundation staff – muggleborns and the senior members – but…" Malachi stopped, finally taking a breath; "I think it's actually really bad, Harry. I've overheard some of the stuff they've been saying. I…I think we're about to lose."
Harry stared back at Malachi, almost gobsmacked – by everything but especially that.
"Lose? As in, lose the war?"
Malachi nodded, "Yeah. They're calling this the safe house. The 'resistance' or whatever, to fight back when V – when he takes power. They're saying it like it's inevitable. Like it's happening right now. My dad's been – I've never seen him like this. He's totally wired. Like. Nervous and scared and excited, all at once."
Harry stared back at Malachi, pretty sure he understood the feeling, with the way his own heart was starting to race and his palms became sweaty.
They couldn't be about to lose the war.
That was…that was impossible.
After everything they had done, trying to win. It would all be for nothing.
"Regulus Black is about to speak," Harry heard someone saying as they dashed down the corridor, addressing the person who walked along at their side.
Harry and Malachi shared a look, before they hurried down the corridor back in the direction of the main building.
Regulus drew in a breath, eyes closed, as he attempted to steady his nerves.
Tried to convince himself that Severus' plan wasn't absolutely ludicrous.
That Voldemort wasn't going to just turn up here the second the Ministry succumbed to the coup that was – likely at this very moment – taking place and simply wipe out the Foundation and every single person that he and Lily had lured here, promising protection and a manner by which to fight and resist the regime that would soon be imposed upon them.
Regulus pressed his hands to his face, hearing the crowd on the other side of the door to the ballroom, waiting for him.
Looking to him.
He had made speeches and jokes and addressed the packed-to-the-brim ballroom at least a hundred times before but – this time – words failed him.
Words failed him in this critical moment, when he had to go before these people and ask them if they could possibly be willing to tie their fates to his and stand with him against one of the most brutal, most wicked of all dark wizards, now, when he was about to finally ascend and reach the height of his power.
Stand with him, even once the war was lost, and oppose the regime of the next ruler of the Wizarding World.
"Hey."
Regulus smiled, in spite of himself, lowering his hands, and his eyes met Julia's where she was standing before him. Having snuck up on him, it seemed, during his quiet moment of panic.
"Hm. They waiting for me?"
Julia took his hands, returning his smile, "They can wait. Until you're ready."
Regulus touched his forehead to hers, drawing in a breath.
"Ready, huh? To ask all these people to put their trust in me to protect them. Gotta say my track record on that isn't exactly stellar."
"Stop," Julia lifted her chin, speaking firmly even if her eyes were warm, "They're not here because they want you to protect them. They're here because this is what they believe in. And, Regulus, you can't take responsibility for the principles that they're standing up for or for their deaths if that's what it comes to. They're making their own choices. What you do, the Foundation, is rally them together. It gives them strength in numbers, and it gives them purpose and it lets them know that they're heard and that they can do something. Now, at a time when they would be running, you give them strength. You give them hope."
Regulus kept his eyes on hers for a moment – mesmerised by her gaze and her words – and then he sighed, drawing her to him and holding her close.
They lingered there a moment – he indulging himself that they had the time – and then he pressed his lips to her temple, drawing in a breath, breathing her in, before he stepped back – giving her a smile as he did – and he headed into the ballroom.
It wasn't as full as it would be during a function.
Not yet.
Soon, if what Severus had warned he and Lily about came to pass, it would be.
It would be packed with muggleborns and those who opposed Voldemort – those Voldemort sought to subjugate, murder, throw into Azkaban – all who the Foundation and the Order could reach and save, before Death Eaters or Snatchers could find them.
Assuming, of course, that this was all not just some ludicrous fantasy – one of those which Narcissa accused Regulus of living in during their final moments together – the belief that he could actually do this and had, somehow, managed to fool Severus and Lily – and all of these people – into believing they were going to be powerful enough to make any sort of difference.
A hush settled over the room as Regulus stepped up onto the stage, all eyes and attention upon him, as he turned to face them.
He smiled, lifting his eyebrows.
"Well. Here we are," he shifted, under the eyes of all who had come, "I know I'm usually excellent at this. Making speeches and doing my best to make you all laugh along with me at what is becoming a rather horrendous world, indeed. But…this isn't the time for jokes. We all know what's happening over there. The Ministry is crumbling. And, when it finally does – very soon – we all have to make a choice. Do we bow or do we rise?"
There was a little stir, people sharing looks, whispers exchanged between one another.
Regulus' eyes found Malachi then, unexpectedly, when he hurriedly walked into the room – Harry on his heels – and took a place at the back of the crowd, eyes meeting his, as eager as everyone else in the room to listen to what his father had to say.
His son.
His son who had been raised in shadows. His boy's entire life spent in hiding. Losing his entire childhood to this war and this darkness that Regulus was asking these people to embrace. To come into with him. To fight. His boy who, despite it all, had emerged into the world, the most remarkable person that Regulus had ever known.
Refusing to be beaten down, to become bitter, to turn away from his own principles and who he was despite everyone and everything that fought back against him, telling him that he was wrong.
That he was unworthy.
His son was the best of them.
The best that they could be.
If they would only stand strong and fight back.
Malachi smiled at him. Eyes of warmth and affection and love.
Unbroken.
Even now, after all that he had been through, his son was still unbroken.
Refusing to bow.
Regulus smiled.
And then he laughed, rolling his eyes, drawing the attention of all back to the stage.
"Who am I kidding?" he looked at them all, before lifting his chin, "We rise."
Chins lifted, bodies turned fully to face him, rapt attention upon him now, as Regulus went on, with more conviction that he had ever felt.
"It won't be easy. In fact, I'm sure we're all going to be pretty damn miserable for a very long time. Not just us. Everyone. But the only way we can put end to that is if we do rise up and fight back. It may seem as if all is lost – for how could it possibly get any worse – but this is just the beginning. If we don't fight back, we will keep on losing, descending further and further into darkness, and this misery we've been feeling for far too long, already, will just go on and on. That will be our legacy. Our children's future. Their children's future. Our fight, our war, our surrender, will become theirs. Well. I will play no part in that. I won't give up. Never will I bow before Voldemort. Of course, he'd just squash me like an insect, if I tried to do this alone. So, I am asking all of you to please, stand with me and fight back. Resist his rule. Together, we can do this. And we will do this."
There was a silence in the ballroom.
Every eye upon him.
The drop of a pin on the floor would echo throughout the stillness of the room.
"They'll be here soon. All are free to stay or to go. So, anyone who wishes to leave, do so now. But know this. Those of us who stay will become undesirables. We are all enemies of the state of Lord Voldemort."
Regulus' eyes glanced over them all – at all who stared back at him – and then he took a step back, meaning to leave the stage – the room – but, before he could, a single clap rung out in the silence, stopping him.
Another.
And another.
One person, and then two, and then five, and then, suddenly, the room was filled with the thump, thump, thump of claps in time with a steady heartbeat.
"Black."
A voice rung out.
"Black."
Another.
"Black. Black. Black. Black. Black."
His name suddenly filled the hall, a chant, in time with the claps and the thud of feet stomping on the floor as he stared back at them, his heartbeat no longer in time with the claps of those before him – suddenly beating off-track, erratically – as he stared back at them in amazement, in wonder, at the crowd before him who cheered him.
His eyes sought Julia, where she stood at the back of the crowd beside Malachi now – Lily, Harry and Grace with them – and Julia smiled at him, her arm around Malachi shoulders, and his son smiled, too, widely, at him. Pride and love evident in both their expressions as they looked back at him as the claps and the chants carried on.
Regulus released a breath that trembled, giving a wavering smile to the crowd and ducking his head, before he stepped down from the stage and the steady claps became applause as he walked down past them, walked by their smiles and their nods and their words of approval, to his wife and son where they stood.
Regulus reached for them, hands going to each of their arms, while the applause continued and he smiled at them – at the two who gave him strength and hope – and they just carried on looking at him with looks of pride and adoration until Regulus nudged them, urging them back.
Still work to be done.
The three of them headed from the room, Lily and her children on their heels.
"Mr. Black," Wilbur Rankin, his Security Supervisor, stepped up immediately when they emerged from the ballroom.
"Wilbur."
"Situation at the post, Sir. Ministry Aurors asking to speak with you."
Regulus squeezed Julia's arm, before sharing a knowing look with Lily; "Could be it. Better get everything ready."
He pressed his lips to Julia's cheek, giving her a reassuring smile.
"I'll be right back."
Regulus winked at Malachi as he passed – his son giving him a small smile in return, even if he looked as uneasy as all of them who stood there, watching him go – as he headed out onto the grounds, making his way over the mound and down to the gates.
Five aurors were standing there, three of whom he recognised by name – Cobalt, Hayes and Kingsley – and two he recognised simply from his frequenting the Ministry whenever the occasion called for it.
Regulus nodded, stopping when he was in hearing distance, along the boundary of the wards that – at present moment – still held, signalling that the Ministry had not yet fallen completely.
"Gentlemen," Regulus greeted them, with a wide smile, spreading his hands, "What can I do for you?"
"Regulus Black, you are under arrest," Kingsley said in his booming voice, eyes upon him, steadily, and Regulus raised his eyebrows.
"Arrest?" Regulus repeated and he saw Cobalt's lips twitch – Kingsley remaining as serious as ever – while the two aurors in the back snickered, sharing a glance, "On what grounds, may I ask?"
"On grounds of treason, Mr. Black. Crimes against the very nature of the state, including espionage, sedition, incitation of violence and intentions to overthrow the existing governing body."
"Ah."
Regulus bit his lip, thinkingly for a second, before leaning forward with a little grin, "I think you have me mistaken for someone else, Gentlemen."
There were more chuckles, now, as the aurors looked between one another.
Cobalt stepped forward, coming in beside Kingsley, speaking in a tone as if trying to reason with him, "Reg. If you don't come with us now, he will come here and he will crush this place. And anyone else in there with you."
Regulus simply gave Cobalt a smile, unabashedly, before lifting his chin, and looking around the five of them.
"This Foundation…will not fall. So, if Voldemort wants me –"
Regulus grinned, lifting his hands at his sides.
"Then he's just going to have to come and get me."
The aurors laughed, then, shaking their heads amongst themselves – all but Kingsley Shacklebolt, the would-be-Secret-Keeper – and Kingsley motioned with his head that they go.
Cobalt smiled at Regulus, following the three who were already making their departure, leaving Kingsley who kept his eyes on Regulus. Speaking, only when the others were out of earshot.
"It's happening. You have ten minutes."
"The wards are coming down; we need to lock this place down now!" Regulus said, as he burst into his office, where Lily, Julia and the Order members who'd made it were gathered.
"Not everyone's here yet, Uncle Reg," Tonks said, with a frown, "Kingsley –"
"Voldemort's coming, we can't wait," Regulus stepped up beside them, a hand on Tonks' arm before addressing them all, "The wards won't hold. We need to evoke the Fidelius – Kingsley's been called in; he's out, now, as Secret Keeper. Lily and I can't do it, we need –"
"I'll do it," Julia immediately said from where she stood by Lily's side and Regulus shook his head.
"It needs to be someone out there on the field, able to give the location to people as they're being brought in –"
"Then me," Tonks piped up, stepping in front of Regulus.
"No."
Regulus turned away from her, as Tonks' hair flared bright red, looking at the others – the Order members – in the room and Mad-Eye Moody nodded, volunteering himself.
"Aye, alright. But one of you better get out there, scout out everyone in the building quick as you can. Once this charm is set, anyone within the boundaries will be privy to the location, without the need of me to speak it to 'em. Just the same as me bringing them in here, myself."
"We'll go," Tonks said, hair still bright red, taking Remus by arm, the two of them heading to the door, just as it burst open without a knock; Malachi, "Dad. It's him!"
Regulus stepped away, hand going to Lily's arm, meeting her eyes; "You can do it."
Lily nodded, while Regulus, Tonks and Remus stepped out the room.
Mad-Eye came towards Lily where she stood.
"Alright, Pet, we've got one chance at this."
Lily nodded, leading him over to the desk where the plans and perimeter were all sketched out.
"One chance is all we need."
Severus strode up the clearing, flanked by Bellatrix Lestrange on his right and the Dark Lord, himself, on his left.
The right-hand man to the newly ascended Dark Lord.
The coup at the Ministry having gone flawlessly – early – sooner and more perfectly than had been planned. Barty Crouch; Amelia Bones; Rufus Scrimgeour all eliminated. Their replacements – all under the influence of the Imperius – ready to be slipped in to take their places.
The Foundation came into view.
Severus remained calm.
There was still time.
They – Severus, the Dark Lord and all of his Death Eaters, all masked and ready for combat – halted at the gates. Awaiting the imminent fall of the wards.
Severus saw Regulus appear over the mound, stopping in his steps when he saw them.
For a moment, it was only Regulus.
And then Severus caught sight of Harry behind him – Malachi at his side – Regulus seeming unaware of the presence of their boys behind him.
At first.
"Come and get us then, you bastard!" Malachi hollered down at them, and Regulus spun to face him as Harry laughed.
There was a moment where father and son looked at one another and then, when Regulus turned back around, a smile played on his lips.
Malachi and Harry walked down further, coming to stand at each side of Regulus.
Others appeared on the edge of the mound, standing behind them – with them – the Dark Lord's most-wanted, and Regulus lifted his chin, impertinently.
Staring the Dark Lord down.
And then Regulus lifted his hand, touching his fingers to his lips, before the idiot blew the Dark Lord a kiss.
The Dark Lord snarled quietly beside him.
Severus smirked.
For a moment, all seemed suspended in time.
And then, suddenly, in a flash, the Foundation vanished before their eyes.
As if it were never there in the first place.
The rise of the resistance.
As the Dark Lord roared at Severus' side.