I know, I know, I promised you all an update the other day, and I completely forgot. Forgive me? *hands out Sugar Quills and butterbeer* Everyone perked up/satisfied/ready to rock and roll? Good. Read on!
Grace looked up from the book resting in her lap and contemplated the skull on the Black family tapestry. Its grin seemed less grotesque now, and more triumphant. And well it should, she thought. By defecting from the Death Eaters and going after that locket, Regulus opened the door for Harry's latest adventure. There was no way he could have known there was more than one. Who would have even considered the possibility? No, he sacrificed himself, thinking he was making a better world for her and for their children. She frowned, wishing with all her heart that she had been pregnant when her young husband had disappeared, but knew that living, alone and frightened, in the Black family mansion would have been no life for a youngster. No, the Black family name would have to live on through Sirius' child. She placed a hand on her stomach and allowed herself a private smile. The triumph of Regulus' last act finally being fulfilled by Harry had overshadowed her news, but she would tell Sirius soon enough.
When she glanced up again, she gasped. The skull was gone. In its place was Regulus' handsome face, smiling down at her. She blinked, and he stood before her, holding out his hands to her in supplication. She rose to her feet, placing her hands in his, and he pulled her close. His glossy black hair shone in the firelight, and his smile made her heart melt, as it always had in her childhood. He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her and whispering into her hair. "I love you, Gracie. I'm so proud of Harry for what he and his friends have done. Now the Dark Lord can finally be defeated. And I can rest in peace. All because you remained faithful to my memory, my love."
"But I-" Grace began, but Regulus pulled back and silenced her with a finger on her lips. Pressing his other hand to her flat stomach, he smiled knowingly. "I love you," he repeated. "I am glad that the Black name will continue on. I'm proud of my brother- he has become a man in the years since I saw him last. He will take good care of you and the child. I know he will. I only ask one thing of you."
Grace smiled up at the young man whom she had loved with all her heart, and had pledged her life to all those years ago. He was handsome, and always would be- forever young and unscarred by the world. She reached up and touched his face gently. "If it is a boy, we will name him Regulus," she promised him.
He grinned, a pureblood smirk that had always made her pulse race. "I am allowed some desire for immortality," he told her.
She smiled. "You shall have it, my love. Just as you will always have my heart."
"I love you, Gracie," he said for the third time, and kissed her cheek.
Her eyes filled with tears. "I love you, too."
Grace opened her eyes to see Sirius bending over her, having just kissed her cheek. She sat up, realizing that she had dozed off where she was, curled up on the couch with her book resting on her lap. She glanced over Sirius' shoulder at the tapestry, where the skull stared unseeingly out at the drawing room over Regulus' name. Her eyes flicking back to meet Sirius', she smiled, knowing that she had just seen her husband for the last time. "I love you," she told the man before her sincerely, and he grinned. "I love you, too, Gracie," he said, leaning in for another kiss.
When their lips parted, she patted the couch cushion beside her. "Come, have a seat, my love," she urged. "I have news."
I know it's short. Don't worry, my loves, there will be an epilogue! Special thanks to kungfupandabear for all of the reviews!