Regulus arrived home to a house were even the plaques with the heads of their dead house elves were decorated. It looked a little tacky with the green and red tinsel, lights that flashed merry Christmas and bells hanging from the light shades which sang Christmas songs when you turned the lights on. He had been embraced by his mother the second he had stepped into the kitchen and she had spent the whole evening fussing over him, making sure he knew that the decorations were all for him.
This was the second Christmas since Sirius had ran away. The first had been spent with their parent's mourning his loss but now his mother seemed to want to forget the existence of her eldest son. His father on the other hand had refused to let him office be decorated, ignoring his wife who muttered "scrouge" under her breath when he entered the room, a fact Regulus was greatful for when the smell of cranberry sauce that seemed to be coming from the floor boards in each room made him start to feel sick. It was then Regulus retreated to his father's office.
It was a room he had rarely been in. As a child it had only been entered when he and Sirius were being punished and as they grew older they had only came in at his father's request for a short conversation or when his mother sent them to call their dad for dinner. Regulus didn't blame him for locking them out. It as his father's sanctuary, the place the man had locked himself for five days after it became clear Sirius was not coming home.
His Father was sitting with his back to the door, bent over the large wooden desk. His father worked at Gringrotts but hated the Goblins, so did as much of his work at home as he could, and by the looks of what he was doing he was drafting a report. Mr Black did not hear his son enter the room and it was only when Regulus cleared his throat that his father acknowledged his presence by grunting "What do you want?"
"To escape the madness, is there anything in the house that mum hasn't massacred in the name of Christmas."
His dad turned around almost smiling; "No. You should have seen her trying to decorate, even Kreacher was distressed. I found him hiding in a cardboard box in the attic."
Regulus laughed and was surprised to see his father was joining in. Regulus spent the rest of the afternoon hiding in his father's office, chatting and helping him with rune translations.
That night after dinner, his father returned to the office and his mother sat planning the Christmas itinerary. And as planned Regulus snuck out of the house. Just a few weeks ago he had passed his apparation test and so he apparated to outside Hannah's mum's house, where she was spending Christmas. Her house was a pretty cottage in the countryside, Regulus imagined from the shrubs outside that in summer it would look beautiful and colourful. He gulped as he opened the gate.
When Hannah had sent him a letter asking him to come and meet her mother he had been reluctant, but eventually after a lot of pleading he had conceded. He was pretty sure he had never been so nervous. He tugged at his blue jumper and checked his appearance in the dark window of the door before knocking.
Hannah opened the door, she looked much lovelier than Regulus remembered. Her long dark hair was shiner, her smile was wider, her eyes looked a deeper shade of brown than he remembered. He smiled and kissed her on the mouth in greeting. She pulled back to look at him.
"You're dressing to impress mum?"
He nodded. "You look beautiful."
She smiled even wider and looked down appreciatively of her dark green dress and whispered thanks before pulling him into the warm house and kissing him on the mouth. When she pulled away she took his hand and led him to the living room.
He followed her into the living room were her mother was sitting in front of the fire, drinking tea and reading a book while rocking a cradle with her feet. She looked a lot like Hannah with the same nose, hair and face shape. When she saw he had arrived she jumped up.
"Oh my! Hannah you didn't tell me he was so gorgeous. Well done baby girl, he is a catch."
Hannah buried her head in her hands embarrassed by her mother's outburst while Regulus stood uncomfortable with being talked about in such a way in his presence, while trying to appear at ease.
She grabbed Regulus's hands "I am Rhona, and I am very pleased to meet you Regulus. Sit down and I will get you a cup of tea and some cake."
She shoved him back wards into a heavily cushioned flowery armchair, and rushed from the room.
"Sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry. I swear I am filing for emancipation tomorrow." Was all Hannah managed to say before her mother reappeared with a tray featuring plates, a custard tart and a pot of tea.
"Hannah made the custard tart this morning. It is delicious. My girl is so talented. Not the brightest but she can cook. Good wife material as I am always saying."
"Mum! Please stop."
Regulus looked down and after unnecessary encouragement helped himself to a large slice of custard tart. It was wonderful and certainly rivalled the one he ate regularly in Hogwarts and the idea that she had made it with him in mind after the letters made it taste all the better. While he ate Rhona talked constantly. She apologised for the absence of her husband, Hannah's step dad, once again exclaimed at his "handsome" appearance, talked about the cottage, revelled in the colour of his eyes, chatted about tea and teapots, asked him what shampoo he used and felt his hair to see if it was soft. Meanwhile Hannah, who was sitting on the arm of Rugulus's armchair, cringed more and more.
Hannah felt a surge of relief and affection for her baby brother in his cradle when he started to cry. Her mother was reminded that she needed to feed her baby son while Hannah got up walking over to the crib picked up her baby brother, but it only made him cry more.
"Oh please keep crying Landon or mum will come back."
Regulus laughed at her comment, she rocked Landon back and forth and the passed him to Regulus. Regulus had little experience with babies. He was the youngest of the Black family with all of his cousins older than him by quite a lot. He held Landon awkwardly and the dark haired baby stopped crying and looked up at him fascinated.
"Hi there Landon," Landon responded by just staring back at him.
Rhona reappeared into the room with a bottle. "Oh Regulus. You look adorable with Landon. How about you feed him, Hannah show him how." Regulus listened carefully to Hannah's instructions and was soon feeding the baby in his arm.
It seemed that the break in the kitchen had calmed Rhona down, she chatted more normally with Regulus about school and his family and his interests. Regulus felt guilty that much of what he was saying was a lie but he had very little choice, he couldn't tell his muggle girlfriend's mum about quidditch and muggle chess.
When a sharp ringing noise came from the Hall Rhona left them alone. "I should probably answer the phone." Regulus made a mental note to find out what a phone was.
"This isn't too awful for you is it?" Hannah asked
"Of course not. I really like your half brother. He is great conversation but your mum is so quiet, I wish she would talk more," he smiled down at the sleeping baby in his arms, smiling even wider when Hannah at the sound of Hannah laughing at his comment.
"I will need to leave soon but can I see you again."
"of course. Probably not until after Christmas though."
"Well Christmas is three days away, so can I see you very soon after."
She grinned and nodded.
"I have a present for you."
She looked surprised, "Oh Reg, I am soo sorry I didn't get you anything. I didn't even think. I am so sorry."
"No it's fine."
"Oh I am the worst girlfriend in the world."
"False and impossible. Anyway you haven't seen my present. You may hate it." He put Landon back in his cradle and pulled a small gift wrapped package out of his jeans. He was nervous about giving it to her but when he had found it in the attic the day before while looking for his older quaffle. He watched her as she unwrapped it, and opened the box and smiled at the antique enamel broach with roses on it.
"It is beautiful. Regulus thank you."
She hugged him, and admired it more.
As she pinned it to her Red winter coat which hung in the hall Regulus smiled to himself. The broach had been his a family heirloom that was enchanted to protect the owner from harm. His heart warmed as he hugged her goodbye, knowing she would be safe from harm if their relationship was ever found out.