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BOO for Friday the 13th. Ugh.

Dinner Conversation

After some discussion about visiting Mrs. Notts-definitely something to consider, especially since Regulus wanted to meet her regardless-the conversation turned back to the story Hugo had started to read them before he'd been interrupted. A story that Hugo began again as he started from the beginning, everyone managing to keep quiet this time until the very end. Which unfortunately didn't take that long seeing as all the stories the book contained were short stories, and obviously the author was more concerned with the romance of it all rather than explaining or even speculating as to just how Caleb Parrish had managed his 'living masterpiece'.

Accord to the author Caleb Parrish had had quite the time convincing his parents to allow him to marry his eventually wife, Cecilia. She'd been from a poor family, her father a known philanderer and drunkard, and Caleb's parents had apparently been quite convinced that their son was simply enamored with Cecilia's beauty and would soon regret marrying her. But Caleb had dug his heels in and made it clear to everyone that he'd marry her with or without their permission, and eventually his parents had given in. The young couple had married-amongst much scandal-and gone on to prove everyone wrong by having a long lasting and loving relationship that had lasted decades. Ergo when Cecilia had passed away in her eighties from dragon pox Caleb had been grief stricken-who wouldn't be-and had descended into a deep depression that had only ended when one of his sons had suggested that his father might do something in tribute to his wife. A way of memorializing her for decades to come.

The son had no doubt meant his father could make a charitable donation to a worthy cause or perhaps open up a park or scholarship in her name, like a normal person, but that wasn't how his father had taken it. Instead, or so the story went, Caleb Parrish had set out to create a portrait of his wife that, when viewed by someone, would somehow cause them to have visions of the couple in order that their love story be known far and wide.

According to the book the man had succeeded. It just didn't say how he'd done it or what had happened to the portrait in question.

"This was very poorly researched. To an unforgivable degree. I can't believe it was published in this state." Hugo couldn't seem to stop shaking his head over it once he'd finished reading and they were all left to absorb. "If all the stories are this badly done it's a wonder anyone's read it."

"But at least it does give us some new threads to tug on." Teddy pointed out, trying to be optimistic for all their sakes. "We can look into the Parrish family, contact them. Maybe a more detailed story has been passed down through the generations."

Wren looked less convinced, no surprise. "Or more likely it was a happy mistake, and that's if he managed it at all and the whole story isn't just that. A story. One made up by a depressed, unhappy old man who was possibly not all there mentally towards the end of his life. And I mean really, how does anyone cause a portrait to have the psychic ability to pass along someone else's memories to people? And why would you want to?"

"Not everyone is as private as you, dear cousin. And perhaps he thought it was a way for his wife to live on for him as well. As one ages one's memories go along with everything else. The portrait could, perhaps, have helped him remember the good times."

Teddy was with Wren in thinking it was a tad creepy, but he also got where Regulus was coming from.

"Right. I'll be right back."

Off Hugo went on his mysterious quest, the teenager returning moments later with a pad of paper and a pencil. Huh. Where'd he gotten those from? Oh well, didn't matter, Teddy mused with a shrug.

"I thought it best if we write down the avenues of investigation and who is looking into what. That way we don't waste time overlapping research or risk forgetting something. Are we all in or would you prefer to leave it to us, Professor?"

Wren grumbled that he would help.

Teddy had a feeling Wren wanted to be involved so that he could keep an eye on him and his cousin, but wisely didn't say so and instead thanked him for offering to help.

"So let's see...we need someone to contact the Parrish family for information. Would you be interested in taking on that task, Regulus? You are a part of the art world, after all, and would have connections to people who could perhaps aid you in getting the family to talk to you."

"Oui. That won't be a problem."

"Excellent. Professor, would you be willing to contact the publishing company and maybe the author of the short story to see if maybe, possibly, he actually did his job when it came to doing research? It's probably unlikely, but perhaps the editor just cut the important bits out because he or she was horrible at their job. Or the Parrish family requested it. I hadn't thought of that but...it's a thought that should be pursued, just in case. I'd do it myself, but I have a feeling I'd start telling them how to do their jobs and that likely wouldn't end well."

A low, unexpected chuckle from Wren. "I don't know how much nicer I'll be, but yes. I can do that."

Hugo grinned over that, looking up from the pad of paper he'd been writing away on after a moment to look in Teddy's direction.

"Teddy, I was thinking that you and your grandmother could try finding the place where your painting was painted. Unless she recognized it and this wasn't mentioned to me?"

"Not that she told me. But why is that important?"

"The more we can prove events from the dreams and the painting happened, the better. If for no other reason that it will help make the other people we need to talk to take us seriously."

That was fair. And Teddy was smart enough to realize that he was being given a job he could mostly leave to his grandmother since of the four of them he had the inflexible job hours that meant he wouldn't be able to apply himself to the task as much as the others could. Especially if he also wanted time to spend with Regulus that wasn't family history and painting related.

"And what are you doing?" Teddy asked, curious.

"I'll arrange to talk with Mrs. Notts about what happened to her brother's art supplies and if she knew what brands he used. I'll also ask her about the background in the painting too. It could have been done at her family home-that would be the most logical. I'll also continue my research into magical portraits in general, and previous attempts at making something similar. The idea that this hasn't been attempted numerous times-well it's not likely."

"It's a mental idea." Wren reminded them sternly, as though one of them might get the idea to try and replicate the painting.

Since Regulus was the only one with any artistic ability to speak of Teddy did not see that happening. Regulus was far too private a person, that was obvious.

And as it turned out Hugo was not only writing their assignments, but questions they should ask. Each person was given a sheet of paper, the one for Wren humorously also containing questions pertaining to the competence and work history of the publishing company, the editor of the book, and the author.

Because of course it did.

"We should also factor in what Dumbledore said. About how your grandfather wouldn't have done this deliberately, Regulus. Of the five of us he actually knew him, after all." Hugo tapped the pencil against his cheek as he mulled that over. "I keep coming back to the paints. As soon as we're done here we should go up and Regulus, you can tell us what level of paint quality was used, right?"

"I can't guarantee I'd be able to tell from the paint whether it was made by Parrish, but yes, I could at least tell you what quality it is."

"Then let's finish eating before our dinners gets any colder. Then we'll check out the painting. Work up an appetite for dessert." Teddy put forth.

The others agreed.

)

So as planned the four of them trooped upstairs to get a look at the portrait once they'd consumed their main course. Regulus, Teddy noticed, took his cousin's arm before they were even halfway up the stairs because Wren kept looking around them and paying more attention to Teddy's home than where he was going. Why he was so interested Teddy wasn't sure; but he wasn't going to ask. No matter how tempting it was. Especially since he hoped that Wren was checking the place out to see if it was worthy of Regulus.

Though then again...the house might count against him if that was the case. It was not the coziest or most welcoming of places. It was still very much a work in progress, turning the Blacks' depressing as fuck family residence into a home. And interior decorating was NOT a skill he'd been blessed with.

"How long has this place been in your family?" Wren asked as Teddy reached the top of the stairs.

"No idea, actually. I'd think a couple centuries, at least. Or maybe a bit less than that. My grandmother would know." She'd probably told him at some point, and he'd just forgotten. "I'm still working on redoing the décor and such. Not my area of expertise."

"It could certainly do with some paint and better art."

Turning his head Teddy smiled at Regulus. "Suggestions are welcome."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Arriving at his study Teddy opened the door and then motioned for the others to go on in.

Wren was cursing in French over the portrait and the resemblance to Regulus before he'd even stepped across the threshold, the painting visible from the doorway.

Quite understandable given the circumstances.

Everyone moving in to stand in front of the portrait Teddy watched Regulus as the other man stood so close his nose was almost touching the canvas, his focus absolute.

"You know...if we took it out of the frame I bet we could get a paint sample from an edge without harming the work."

Immediately Teddy joined Regulus in giving Hugo a look that warned of dire consequences if he were to try and take a paint scraping.

"Nevermind."

It was the logical course of action, Teddy giving Hugo an apologetic look for his reaction. He just wasn't logical when it came to the painting and its wellbeing. Even the idea that harm might come to it...yeah, no.

"I recognize the background in the painting."

Now all eyes turned to Wren, waiting expectantly for him to tell them where.

"I don't remember where I've seen it before."

Damn.

"Well at least we know it's probably in England, then. And maybe still around for us to find." Chewing on his bottom lip thoughtfully, Hugo started peppering Wren with questions about how he remembered it. As in was his point of view of the room a child's, or an adult's? Could it be a room in Hogwarts, maybe? Had Wren ever been inside the Room of Requirement?

"The what?"

Teddy explained. "The Room of Requirement is a room at Hogwarts that sometimes exists-well I assume it always exists-what I mean is it doesn't show itself unless someone needs it to appear and provide them with something. It's a really handy place if you know where to find it."

"Uncle Harry and my parents used it for a secret Defense Against the Dark Arts club. The room provided them with all the equipment and such they would need. It just knows."

"Fascinating. I should like to see this room sometime." A pensive expression on his face, Regulus held up a finger to indicate he wasn't done speaking, but needed a minute to line up his thoughts better.

"This room...it would be the ideal place, no, to have done the portrait while at school. Could it...it could have provided the paints? If it provides equipment, then why not quality painting supplies?"

"We can go to the school tomorrow, see what happens. I know where to find it." Wren didn't look thrilled at the idea, but he was still willing to help at least.

Regulus agreed that that was a good idea.

"I wonder...the paint also could have come from 'The Room of Hidden Things'." Hugo suggested, running with the idea that the Room of Requirement had been used. "It's a version of 'The Room of Requirement'-they're the same room still-only it exists to house things students are desperate to hide away. Hence the name. Rowena Ravenclaw's lost diadem was lost in it for a number of years."

"And depending on what someone did with the paint I can see wanting to ditch it in there." Teddy added.

"Anyone who would waste such valuable paint on mindless vandalism deserves to be fed to Hippogriffs."

Regulus's declaration-and how obviously serious he was-made Teddy think that the other man's 'Black' was showing. Though he didn't say so because yeah, rather not go there if he didn't have to.

"Am I the only one disturbed over the resemblance?" Wren abruptly asked after a few moments of silent contemplation.

"The old families were-and some still are-very into intermarrying." Teddy pointed out. Weak argument though it was.

"Or an affair by someone in either of their family trees." .

Naturally Hugo felt he had to apologize for casting aspirations against their respective ancestors.

"A quarter of my ancestors are Blacks, Hugo. Finding nice things to say about most of them is hard."

"That's true." A pause. "Sorry again."

While Teddy gave his cousin's hair an affectionate ruffle Wren asked his cousin if he was actually serious about staying here one night to see if the portrait affected him the way it did Teddy.

"That's the plan, yes. Though not tonight, if that's what you're really asking."

Wren's face made it clear he did not like that idea.

Regulus's expression said he didn't care if Wren liked the idea of not. He was going to do it regardless.

Teddy and Hugo shared a look that said their money was on Regulus getting his way.

"If you stay here then I'm staying with you." Wren decreed.

"This isn't your house, it's Teddy's. You would need his permission, remember?"

In response to the look now aimed in his direction Teddy smiled weakly at Wren before looking over at Regulus questioningly, silently asking which answer he wanted him to give.

Regulus just looked amused.

Damn. "You're welcome to room with him if it will make you feel better about the situation."

And hopefully that won't come back to bite me in the arse later, Teddy silently added to himself.

)

In the dream Teddy Prince was sitting up in bed, his back against the headboard as he stared down at the sketchbook in his hands. More specifically he was looking at the portrait he'd done of Regulus a few days ago, drawn from memory. He had yet to work up the courage to ask Regulus to pose for him. Or deliberately show him any of the many, many, very many drawings he'd done of the other boy over the years they'd known each other. Regulus...if he didn't like them...it would just kill him. Gut him beyond saving, really. He'd always believed he'd been born to be an artist; just not one destined to be one. At best it would only ever, could only ever be, a hobby. That's how his parents spoke of it. That was even how he spoke of it, knowing there was no point in pretending he'd ever be able to devote himself, heart and soul, to his artwork.

He could take his art being dismissed by everyone else. Just not...just not Regulus. That would be too much.

That first night, their first night together, Regulus hadn't commented on the artwork that had been strewn all over his bed before Regulus had interrupted him. Teddy still didn't know how well Regulus had been able to see the drawings-Hell, he didn't even know if Regulus had recognized his own face on the parchment given the lighting and the reason for his visit in the first place.

Should he cull out his best and show Regulus?

Or maybe he should put some serious effort into a painting of him, Teddy mulled over as he continued to flip back through his book. A real work of art rather than just a quick sketch. Gift it to him. Regulus was a Black, after all. They did not lack vanity.

Unfortunately, that would require a quality canvas. A canvas he couldn't afford given what little money he had currently. And while he did have paints they weren't-they did the job but they weren't on the level of say Harpers or Parrish paints. And just practically, he hadn't painted a portrait since the one he'd done for his mother as a gift over a year and a half ago.

There was a thought. He could suggest-offer-to paint a portrait of Regulus that the boy could give to his parents as a gift. Regulus could pay for the canvas and paints and he'd-nevermind. That would never work. He didn't know Regulus's parents that well, but he did know that Regulus's father wouldn't see any value in a portrait of his son from an amateur, and as for Regulus's mother...

Teddy shuddered at the thought. The way that woman clung to Regulus and bombarded her son with letters and cries for attention creeped him out. He'd seen their partings and 'reunions' at the train station as well. They were hard to forget.

One of his paintings would not be used to encourage her obsession.

But he'd like to-someday-get the chance to paint a portrait of Regulus that Regulus would love.

Or at least work up the courage to show Regulus his work and ask him what he thought of it.

Eventually.