On Christmas day Regulus woke up early, he walked down the stairs to find his parents were in the Kitchen. Kreacher was laying the table for breakfast, the dishes in the centre were already overflowing with bacon, pancakes, eggs, French toast, croissants as well as jugs of maple syrup and bowls with cubes of butter. Kreacher shuffled around them handing them green napkins with Christmas puddings that changed colour.

They feasted together on their breakfasts, Regulus helped himself to pancakes and maple syrup while Kreacher sat down to join them. A Christmas tradition in the Black house was that Kreacher ate with them, it was normal practice for house elves to eat alone, Regulus liked Kreacher and didn't see the need for him to remain down in the Kitchen while they ate in the dining room everyday but his mother insisted it was all about family honour so he kept his thoughts to himself.

"Thanks Kreacher, these pancakes are amazing."

"Thank you Master Regulus."

"I thought you might be too busy what with everyone coming here this afternoon to make too our normal Christmas breakfast…"

"It was no trouble Master Regulus."

"I can help you if you need me too Kre-"

"Regulus." His mother said sharply, "you will be needed upstairs with our guests. Honestly. Sometimes I wonder what goes through your head, you are normally such a smart boy."

"But Mum, the whole family is coming, all of the cousins, Malfoy and his parents, he can't be expect to manage on his own."

"Of course not darling. Your Aunt Lucretta is sending us her house elf to help. I had asked the Crouch's to send Winky but they are spending the holiday in France. The Crabbe's are sending theirs though. Orion, darling can you pass the butter." Regulus nodded, he wasn't sure how he was related to either the Crabbe's but he knew Barty's grandmother had been a Black before she had married.

Regulus's father looked up, grunted and handed the bowl of butter cubes across the table to his wife before once again giving his full attention to his omelette.

"I would have asked Alphard for use of his elf but he will not be welcome in the Black house again."

"What? Why? Uncle Alphard is great. Have you fallen out?"

"Humph… great….. Indeed. He gave money to your good for nothing brother last year. That is how he could afford to move out and shame us with that stupid motorrider."

"I think it is called a motorcycle mum."

She glared at him, "Whatever it is called it should not be ridden by pure blood wizards. It is a stupid muggle contraption, they are dangerous like all thing muggles create. And you better not think of getting one Regulus Araticus Black or I will have no sons left." Regulus took that to mean if he was anywhere near a motorbike he would get disowned as quickly as Sirius and so watched his tongue.

After breakfast was finished they exchanged presents. From his parents Regulus had been given a large pile of books and a brand new racing broom and broom maintenance kit. He was delighted and desperate to try it out but his mother would not allow him to leave the house while visitors were soon to arrive. Regulus gave his parents a book on pure blood ancestory he knew his mother in particular would adore while he gave Kreacher a cutler set with kreacher's name engraved onto it. The house elf was so greatful he sobbed and hugged Regulus.

"Thank you master Regulus. You are too kind." He whispered before retreating to his bed to leave his new knife, fork and spoon there.

Regulus returned upstairs to change into his dress robes only to see Kalleiope had returned with a card from Hannah in her beak. Regulus gave her some treats and stroked her head before turning to open the card. Inside smelt like strawberries and had silver snowflake confetti which spilled out onto the floor. Regulus vanished it with his wand knowing if his mother or Kreacher saw it they would wonder what it was. Inside the card offered more apologies for her mother's behaviour a few days before and more admiration for the Christmas present. "I loved it so much I didn't feel right not getting you something and when Kalleiope showed up this morning I sent the parcel with her. It's not much and not nearly as special as my broach but I hope you like it. Love, Hannah"

"Love Hannah", the last part made his heart leap inexpliably. Putting it down to being a side effect of eating too many pancakes Regulus glanced around the room looking for a parcel, which he found sitting on the window sill. He picked it up and unwrapped it eagerly, shoving the wrapping paper under his mattress before he properly looked at it. He opened the box only to find a small and plain wooden picture frame. A postit over the glass said "Mum took it when we weren't looking. What a creep. I think we look good together." He took it off to see an image of himself smiling at Hannah while they sat together, hands intertwined. He grinned down at it for a few minutes before panicking.

He needed to hide this photo. If his parents found it he would be worse off than dead, shoving the frame back in his box he snuck into Sirius's room where he stuffed it under the false bottom of a drawer alongside the letters. He sighed with relief and exited the room only to find his father standing in front of him.

"Regulus what are you doing?"

"Nothing." Hoping his father would drop it.

"Why were to in that room?"

"No reason."

"Regulus….." he said sternly. Regulus was once again panicking, there was no reasonable explanation to why he would be in Sirius's room but when he didn't reply his father continued. "It is ok to…. Miss the people that are no longer with us, especially at the holidays. But he made his choice. Now please tell your mother I feel very ill and will be going to bed. Guests will be arriving soon, make my apologies."

Regulus watched his father disappear into his study, sighed with relief and made his way back to his room to change.

An hour later he was standing in the living room chatting with Rodolphus Lestrange about the chances of the English Quidditch team at the next world cup. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a bottle of champagne which had been floating around pouring itself into glasses hit his Aunt Druella in the back of the head. Regulus suppressed a laugh while Rodolphus, completely unaware of Regulus's distraction continued to speak with an air of expertise they Regulus knew he lacked.

After an afternoon of champagne and strawberries, with the members of the Black family getting drunker and drunker, they were called for dinner at five. Regulus and his mother led the guests to the dining room. Regulus's father had not re-emerged from his study and as a result his seat was to be left empty for him. Regulus, much to his surprise was forced into a seat which had normally been reserved for Sirius at such family occasions. That is the seat to the right of his dad's opposite Mrs Black. His elderly grandmother Melania sat beside him while his Aunt Lucretia sat next to his mother.

The guests sat down at the long grand table, Regulus saw Lucius Malfoy's parents who had been invited for the first time pick up and admire the gold cutlery with the Black family crest emblazoned onto them. The first course of soup was promptly served and more bottled of floating wine, champagne and firewhiskey floated round the table. The food was delicious, as was expected, Kreacher practiced all year for this dinner after all.

It was half way through the first course that grandmother started to ask about girlfriends. "Well Regulus, you cousin Bellatrix is married, Cissy has a rock the size of a boulder on her finger and… well we are probably better not to mention Andromeda too loudly." She glanced down at Cygnus Black (Andromeda's father) who was deep in conversation with his wife, "Its about time you found a girl."

"He was dating Nulla Mugwart last year, comes from an old Irish wizarding family. Good blood" piped up Aunt Lucretia

His mother nodded profusely, "I don't know why he broke up with her, I tried telling him."

He expected his grandmother to scowl at him and badger him like his mother. But when his mother was distracted by Bellatrix engaging her and Lucretia in conversation his grandmother turned to him; "Well Regulus, listen to your Nana Melania, the best thing you can do is find a girl who you love and who loves you back. Keeping the bloodline pure is all very well and good, and I know it is very important to Orion and Wulburga but there is no substitute for a happy marriage." She paused before continuing, "… and Nulla Mugwart's grandfather came to my wedding, and my mother swore to the day she died he had ran off with her favourite vase." From her tone it was clear that this was enough for the whole family to be worthless in his grandmother's opinion.

"Thanks Nana Melania for the advice."

"Anytime Regulus, anytime. After all with Sirius gone and refusing to reply to my owls, you are the only grandchild I have left.

An outburst of laughter distracted his grandmother. They looked down their table to see Rodolphus and his brother laughing at Regulus's great Uncle Pollux who was making the cutlery disappear, only to pull it from his nose seconds later. Narcissa sat across the table from Pollux looking disgusted by the old man's antics and casting concerned looks at her future who in laws who were too intoxicated to be disturbed by anyone's actions.

Dinner was a long affair with four more courses followed by mulled wine and then firewhiskey. Regulus was quite relieved when the guests started to leave just after midnight. Needing a few minutes of quiets after showing his Uncle Cygnus and Aunt Druella to the door he retreated upstairs to his room where he found his grandmother sitting on his bed.

"Nana Melania! What are you doing up here? Are you ok? Can I get you anything?"

"Darling, I am quite well. I was just looking at an interesting photograph."

Regulus looked down to see her holding a small wooden picture frame, the exact picture frame he had hidden away in Sirius's room that morning. He had no idea how she had found it but that was the least of his worries. Fear overcame all his features and it was if he was having an outer body experience as he heard himself say "Nana Melania, it's not what you think, its-"

"It's exactly what I think Regulus. Do not lie to your Grandmother. I am 102 and have seen some things in my time, so none of your little made up stories will work on your grandmother."

Regulus continued to stand next to the door unsure of what to say.

"What's her name?"

"Hannah."

"Muggle or muggle born."

Regulus hesitated.

"Answer the Question dear."

"Muggle."

"I see. How long have you been together?"

"Around four months. Not long. Its just a silly fling."

Your Grandfather and I married four months after we met and he was very much in love with me. And I don't believe you would be foolish enough to keep such incriminating evidence if it was just a silly fling." Regulus gulped afraid of what would come next. "I am old but I am not foolish as you may think. No, darling my mother married a muggle and they were happy, I am not as close minded as your father and grandfather to think it can't happen. I want to meet her."

"Meet her?"

"Yes darling. I want to see if she is worthy of my grandson's time." She stood up and handed him the picture. "And don't look so scared Regulus, I won't be telling your parents. Come round tomorrow afternoon Lucretia will be out all day. Three O' Clock should be ok."

With that she exited the room.