"No, Regulas."

Severus stood looking at his husband. "Harry, Reg's been dead for years. Just after you were even born."

Harry nodded. "I know Siri told me. He said that no body was ever found but he was killed by death eaters. But that is his writing or looks like it."

Severus knew about the no body but he was certain the man was dead. "How? When have you seen his writing before?"

Harry smiled. "At Grimmauld. I was in his old room once. I found some of his old letters with his writing. Grandma left his room a shrine to him."

"Harry, I mean even if this is his writing, there is little chance that he could possibly be still alive." Severus cut in.

Harry sat down on a rock and finally broke open the seal and looked down at the letter.

"There's a letter from him in here, and a note from the goblins. The letter was found in the Black vault, addressed to me with orders to send it when I had claimed the title."

Severus nodded. "Reg knew Sirius made you his heir in blood rite. He must have known he was dying and left you a message."

Harry looked at the parchment and began to read.

Harry

The family attorneys have informed us that my brother has made you his heir by blood right. When he dies the titles, hands and power of my family will have passed to you. I do not feel jealous for I know that I will likely be dead in a few weeks time. I want though for the Black name to be cleared. I know my brother is dead if you read this but I want someone to know I was a spy and that I have like my brother tried to bring the dark lord down. I realize now that the man I have served, Dumbledore, is no better then the dark lord. If not at Voldemort's hands then at Albus' I face death soon. I have left proof of my innocence and evidence against Albus at my safe house in Ireland. It is an old family estate you will find on the list. It is under the fidelius charm but if the goblins have given you this when you took the title, you will be able to enter. Use this and bring down the man who has betrayed me and my brother, and avenge our names.

I have two regrets in my life. One that my brother never knew that I was on his side. I became a death eater out of fear of my parents when my big brother left me. I always loved and respected Sirius and it was he who made me turn spy. I hope in the after life we are reunited. And two, that I never had a chance to work with you, help you, fight on your side. I hope what I have left you in my cottage will be enough.

Do the name Lord Black proud, and bring honour back to our clan.

Your Uncle by blood right and heart, Regulas

Harry felt a small pang in his heart. "I wish Siri was alive to read this. He should have known his brother was not a traitor."

Severus nodded. "Unfortunately you would never have got the letter until Sirius died as you'd never have been Lord Black. I think they'll be reunited in death."

Harry nodded his head and folded the letter. "Can we honour his last wish and go to Ireland?"

Severus sighed. "I do not wish the risk but I think that if Reg was telling the truth, we must. There might be some key to victory."

As they climbed onto their horses to head back harry turned. "If Reg had not died, would you have been able to claim Lord Slytherin?"

Severus nodded. "Yes, as Sirius' adopted son you would have had the right before Regulas. Only if you died before Reg, would he have inherited."

Harry felt an even deeper resentment towards Albus. "Another life taken for nothing. Reg was a spy and betrayed, and for what? I will avenge my Uncle's name."

Severus thought the title was funny. "You know I think Sirius would find it amusing to here you call his mum Grandmum and his brother Uncle."

Harry laughed. "I think he'd be happy in a way. He wanted me to have his name and his legacy after all. I will restore the Black name no matter what it takes."

"I know you will." Severus said.

They went back into the house and harry sorted through the paper work of all of the estates that were listed in ownership. There was only one in Ireland and it did not have a listed location to it as it was unplottable he realized. All it had was a name so holding his husband and concentrating on the ring Harry pictured the name of the cottage in his mind. "Killoch Cottage."

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Harry found himself standing with his husband outside of a rundown stone cottage on a rocky out crop on the Irish Sea. An old painted sign near the door informed Harry that they had come to the right place. He could feel the wards as they slipped through them and went to the door. He was about to open when Severus stopped him.

He pointed at the chimney and smoke coming from it. "We're not alone."

Wands drawn Harry knocked on the door. "Perhaps they won't attack us if we show them some manners."

The door opened and Harry near fainted for he thought he was looking at Sirius. Realization hit him. "Regulas."

The man nodded. "And you I must assume are my nephew, Lord Black."

Harry nodded. "Harry to you but yes Lord Gryffindor Potter Black-Snape. My husband Lord Slytherin Snape, Severus for short."

Regulas turned to Severus. "Hey Sev, too many years it has been. I wished back then we had known we were on the same side."



Severus shook his hand. "We were both fooled into believing we were fighting for the light when we were just fighting for a different dark lord."

Regulas led them into a small kitchen and seated them. Harry looked at his Uncle. "How? I mean you are supposed to be dead. Sirius has believed you dead."

Regulas frowned. "I wish more then anything I could have told Siri I was alive. I miss my brother. But when he was released from prison there was no time."

Harry was confused. "Why? He was out of prison for two years before he died. Why have you been hiding all of this time?"

Regulas shook his head. "I barely escaped with my life. Voldemort thinks me dead but Albus knows better. He threatened if I ever came back he would kill all I love including my brother. For Sirius' sake I have stayed dead. I hoped one day you'd break free of him and claim your title, read the letter."

Harry pulled the letter from his pocket. "It just came. I noticed the writing and thought I was going insane. I had seen some of your letters at Grimmauld."

"I can't come back from the dead until this is over but I will take over where my brother left, and do anything to help you that I can." Regulus assured Harry.

Severus decided to broach a subject. "We have performed the founder's right. Through our marriage Harry has made me Lord Slytherin through your line."

Regulas was not angry. "Harry has the rights to those titles. I never wanted them. You have the power to face Voldemort. My time has come and gone for that."

Harry didn't understand one thing. "But why hide still? I mean Siri is dead, Albus already wants me dead, and what family are you protecting by staying in hiding?"

Regulas showed Harry a ring on his own finger. "I was married many years ago. My husband has been held prisoner like my brother was."

Harry blanched. "Your husband is a prisoner?"

"Sirius was set up and put in prison by Albus. My husband is in one of Albus' hide outs, I know not where. I know he lives because of our bond." Regulas explained.

"So if you show up alive or try and fight Dumbledore, he will kill your husband?" Harry realized.

Regulas nodded. "I already lost almost everything. I can't lose him. I haven't seen him since you were a baby but I love him with all of my heart."

Severus was racking his mind for any idea of who Regulas had been involved with. "I can't remember you being with anyone."

Regulas smiled. "Surely you can understand the value of a secret relationship Sev? My husband was a member of the order when I was not a known spy."

Now it was Harry's turn to run through names. He thought of all of the former order members. "Who?"

"Fabian Prewett"