I'll cry for you – Lord Black got out of bed, trudged down the stairs, made himself some tea and then sat down on the sofa in the lounge, sipping at it, waiting for the rest of his household to awake. An owl came flying in through the window that was always left open for it and dropped a paper into his lap. He gave it a handful of knuts from his pocket and some bacon from a pot on the mantelpiece kept there for this precise purpose. He petted its head and let it play with his fingertips for a few moments before sending it on its way. He opened it up, read the headline and covered his face with the paper to hide the tears that started to course down his cheeks.

Regulus awoke at precisely nine in the morning, threw on some clothes and made his way down the stairs; he could not be bothered to head straight for the showers while he was still sluggish from sleep. He made himself some tea, and grabbed a couple of breakfast bars (something Hermione had introduced him to) and moved to sit on a sofa in the lounge. He saw his brother asleep on the sofa, it was routine for him to get up, have caffeine and promptly fall back to sleep, it was no longer a surprise, or funny. It was different this morning though, there were tears in his eyes as if he had been crying before dozing off – can't have been too traumatic then. He traced the tracks on his skin with his fingertips where those tears had run in concern.

Sirius hardly ever cried, although he did note that he had no idea what he did when he was in private. He was not hurt physically, and things had only been going well for him so surely it was nothing mental. His eyes alighted on the newspaper discarded on the coffee table and his eyes widened as he read the headline. Sirius Black found innocent. His stomach dropped out from beneath him, they had done it. After so long of stringing along and fighting and hiding and hunting and the world knowing it but trying to politically get an official acquittal anyway. He was a free man; the revolution was as good as over... that was noted with a little sadness, he had immensely enjoyed the time they'd spent together.

He focused on the positive side to this story. Sirius was free now, this was all he ever wanted, he should be happy for him, and he was, he was happy. When they were both children Sirius had told him that one day he was going to change the world. He was eight when he said that, Regulus thought he meant he was going to be a Griffindor, which he was, or he was going to make some sort of law enabling some sort of prank get passed. Whether Sirius had had something of this magnitude on his mind when he said that was debatable, but he had, and he was continuing to do so. When he was done, whenever that was, it would be a new and glorious era, there would be no Voldemort, no dark side, a good ministry, a brilliant minister and recognition.

As this thought rained down on his mind he felt wetness on his cheek, he lifted a hand to his eye and wiped it, confused, he was crying. He allowed himself a wry smile, things were only going to go up from here, he just was not going to say it out loud. He heard a groan and turned round as Sirius' eyes fluttered open signaling it was time for his second wake of the day. He could not do anything but grin at him, too elated for words, throat tight for some unknown reason. "I did it for Reggie, I'm free, things are only going to up from here," apparently he had no trouble voicing it; he just hoped their luck would continue, except he guessed he did not have to worry, because it was not luck making them so successful it was Sirius' immense power.

"What are you gonna do now?" Reg asked.

Sirius shrugged, "is it strange to say that I really don't know? I know I am usually full of ideas and planning but I actually do not know what I want to do now. I have enough money, I do not want the money they want to give me, though I am glad Arthur is now running for minister, he'll almost certainly get it, he may be a muggle eccentric, but he is powerful, smart and has a strong sense of right and wrong. His conscience will not be affected by his new power; maybe I'll pay him a visit."

"So that is what you are going to do as your first actions as free man, visit an old friend and congratulate him on his new job."

"Well the things I want to do I have already been doing just I can do them now without the glamours, what do you suggest then?"

"Find the person who has been going around calling himself Lord Black."

"Oh yeah, him."

"Yes, him."

"I told you not to worry about him Reg," he said with a wave of his hand.

Regulus narrowed his eyes in suspicion, "you are keeping something from me," he accused, "what are you hiding?"

Sirius blinked, "let a man have his secrets Reg."

"I am your brother!" He shouted, "and this is very important!"

"FINE!" With a wave of his hand his black hair and tanned skin was gone to reveal fair hair, violet eyes and pale skin like a Malfoy.

Regulus deflated, once he got over his shock he sniffed, "should have guessed."

"Yes, you should have."

"Why did you keep it from me?"

"You would have wanted to come with me, and there were some things I wanted to do myself but without me doing them if you know what I mean. I had no authority as I was still officially a fugitive, but Lord Black did."

"I see," he said and Sirius could tell that he really did, but he was still hurt. "You know you still could have told me and insisted I not come with you."

"Would you have really just forgotten about it like I asked?"

"I would not have followed you if you asked me to stay Sirius," Regulus said truthfully, eyes burning, "no matter how much I wanted to join in or how worried I got about you despite your reassurances. I do respect you and your secrets you know as you respect me, I know they say everyone has secrets, but you were the one who said there were to be no secrets. I have nothing you do not know of, I do not even make it a secret what I eat as a snack during the day, you know everything about me, is there anything else I should be made aware of?"

"No, that's it; you know you are sounding like a girl breaking up with her boyfriend."

"STOP BELITTLING THIS!"Reg screamed, and then quieted realizing Harry was still snoozing up there, due to his parent's sleep/wake cycle, he had modified it so he could stay up later which consequently meant he slept until just after nine most mornings, which was quite late for a small child, and he was still a small child. "You strung me along making me believe it was someone different and you knew I was worried about the whole thing."

"Are you angry with me?" He changed back, voice softer.

"Furious, and hurt and betrayed, you could have, should have trusted me with this, it did not even need to be a secret, this is such a stupid thing to get cross over too."

"Then calm down."

"I'm trying."

"Look, Reg... I am sorry, I mean that, truly, but I did not want to feel obliged to bring you along, it just worked better with one person. It really was not my intention to hurt you, but I am used to doing things on my own once I have an idea. I couldn't hold back and I wanted to get them to feel fear without threats of death and flashing colours and silhouettes. Azkaban is a place of pure horror meant to take away your very being, leaving you just a blubbering shell of your former self. The Dementors hold no care for the crimes that a person has committed and treat each person the same as if they were jailed for a hundred murders or for a simple charge of breaking and entering. My life there was hell, all I wanted to tell them was the truth."

"Bringing up Azkaban again, it will not excuse you for everything."

"I excused you being a death eater for trying to destroy the locket and seeing the error of your ways, will you not extend me the same courtesy."

Regulus was mad, he did not know what he was saying, his pure intention to hurt his brother and send him on a guilt trip. In the midst of his anger at having things kept from him he realized this was the only person who loved him unconditionally and could truly rely on. He knew he was not really being fair, but he hated having things hidden from him. His earlier tears of sentimental value on behalf of his older brother had long since dried as if they never were. "You are always bringing up that place, you use it as an excuse, that is all it is, an excuse."

Sirius said nothing in response to that, he did not apologise once more and he did not vehemently deny it. His eyes darkened and he swallowed as if to reign in anger and Regulus did immediately regret what he said. How could he say that? He had no idea what it was like for him and he had been so strong since. He moved to apologise for his thoughtless words but Sirius just scraped his hair back, got up and left the room. He had gone too far there, but he could not follow him yet, Sirius needed time to cool off before his apology would sound as sincere as it was to him. Damn it, why couldn't Sirius just get angry at him? It was so much easier to deal with confrontation; the idea was not to send himself on a guilt trip.

Regulus stared on in silence, his hand reached out towards the closed door helplessly. Damn it, what had he done? What had he bloody gone and done? He had spat the accusation with so assuredness, which could destroy him. Sirius loved him and he had used that against him, he loved Sirius too, he really did and he was making a mountain out of a molehill or a secret. He bit his lip, he had been so proud to declare himself a Slythindor, he held no great love for the serpent house anymore, not after it drove him to follow a mad psychopath. However he was not as brave or as foolish as Griffindor, he was cool and calculated and planned, but he had just acted more like a ruthless Slytherin than all of his years at Hogwarts growing up in that house.

Another tear escaped his eyes this one was in anything but relief and joy. He counted back from one hundred before he went in search of his brother. That was the thing about family; you could abuse them and still go back to them, that was what Sirius himself had said. Blood runs thicker than water and all that, Sirius would forgive him, he had to, that did not mean he was off the hook for his harsh words even to himself or that he was ever going to lash out with his tongue so ruthlessly and hastily again, for such a small secret too. He was going to apologise, and keep apologising until he was listened to and forgiven, at least partially. He could not go on without Sirius' love, he was the only person he needed and wanted.

He needed to apologise to him and quickly because words were vicious and hurt for longer than anything physical and cut deep into a person's psych. He needed to tell him he did not mean it, that he was not thinking, and he had not been. It was his love that made him say it, his desire for there to be no secrets, no walls, no barriers so they could be closer and closer like they were as kids, like they'd always wanted, like he'd always wanted. But Sirius would be dangerous to be around right now, when he was upset and angry, much like a child doing accidental magic his power would roll off of him in waves, ever since he unlocked his core... Perhaps that was why he was so cool and calm and collected all of the time.

His power came with responsibility and sacrifice. His responsibilities to those he loved meant he had to use his power to protect them as a true alpha did, and fight for the world he envisioned. If he had to change his persona to one of cool serenity from the easy going prankster he used to be then so be it. It was an improvement if you asked him, a cool Slythindor, cunning, intelligent, thought out, exceedingly powerful, righteous, very noble, a true hero. He had to make sure he was not around others when his magic did that so he did not hurt anybody because it was too large to be contained within that body. that meant that Sirius had left the room to protect him from the effects of his hurtful words, his gut twisted painfully.

His own magic called out to him, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. He took a step towards the door-maybe it is still too dangerous for the moment-he was out the door before the thought had finished. Yet he was to be disappointed, he could not find Sirius anywhere, he forced himself to breathe evenly, he must have just gone to blow off some steam, to run an errand or something and forget. Sirius would return soon and he would apologise and do something to make it up to him. He would not take his dreamless sleep potion to tonight to find out some more information on the horcruxes to help him find them. Though this time he would wait for Sirius to come with him or even let him conduct the mission alone.

Sirius sat alone in his study looking over the papers he had been receiving as Lord Black. Owls had been arriving almost every day from branches of his family he did not even know about. Most of them were families of squibs or lived abroad and while they were more than happy to ask for financial aid when needed and send Christmas presents, they would not fight for him. No, they were more than happy to just carry on living their little lives free from disturbance. The only papers he was really interested in were the letters he had been receiving nonstop from Narcissa, who kept trying to arrange meetings and talked about her son. She was also, rather amusingly, requesting his help in getting her husband out of jail, she should have guessed as well.

It was not as if he could explain that getting her husband out of jail would kind of defy the point of arresting him and it would be a cold day in hell before a Black would once again give their protection to the Malfoys. It would be good if they met up though, he needed that diary, and Narcissa could hardly refuse to give it to her Lord and head of house. She could try by saying she was Malfoy now and therefore, would not ask anything from the house of Black now so it would mean nothing to be cut off. Yet if that was the case then she would still always respond to a threat, that is, he would tell her she could either hand it over or he would level her house.

Narcissa would not be any trouble; she had this habit of sucking up to people with more power than she. That was originally why she joined the dark side, because it looked as if it was going to win, after getting a taste of his power first hand she would be falling over herself to get into his good books. It was not the sort of thing he wanted loyalty based upon, he would be little better than Voldemort, having subjects based on fear instead of love and trust. Yet if his victory was pretty much assured from the get go, an ally was an ally. Even though he was the one who put her husband in jail, and there were elements of love in that relationship even if it was arranged, and such an act would hardly bless him with her good graces, but she was left with pitifully little choice.

Her husband was in jail and he was not going to try and get him back out of there, even if his alliance was assured from it, he deserved to pay for what he did. She could fight against him, try and bad with other death eaters to fight back against him but even if she resisted the winning side, others would not and she would eventually fall. She was not an idiotic woman, and neither was she as vile as Bella, if she was he'd just get her arrested or kill her, because he did not have enemies. If he hated someone or someone was a threat, they were eliminated. She would not like it, she would curse him to kingdom come, she would kick and scream, cajole and beg for Lucius, but ultimately she would obey him and that was what counted.

He drew out a piece of parchment and started to compose a letter, it was time they met up, and their sons may as well mingle, they were young enough to not be set in specific ways and Narcissa would want to be on her good side so would instruct her boy to be as nice to Harry as he could. Harry was a tolerant boy, Draco, an friendship between them could always be something he could use, not that he prided himself on such underhand methods. This was still a war, and all is fair in war, because all that matters is the result, and as they say, history is recorded by the side that wins. He kept the letter short, simply stating her name, Lord Black, and that the letter was a portkey which would be active at noon tomorrow.

There was no question that she would come; he just had to make sure that he put on an impressive display for her. He had Kreacher make sandwiches, cakes, biscuits and tea, he had the finest china out, he had toys and games for Harry and Draco and the most comfortable furniture in the front room where they would be meeting. The afternoon had all the appearances of a formal yet pleasant meeting; it was the subtlest form of intimidation. Flaunting money and success was not something he was used to, but Kreacher knew what to do, his mother had done it often enough. Maybe it was in his blood maybe he was just doing what he had to do to win this war he'd initiated, but it did not change the fact that his actions were becoming more Slytherin with every passing day.

Narcissa arrived the minute it was noon. It must be strange to her to have to be the one keeping to a time instead of setting it, and having to be punctual and not three quarters of an hour fashionably late. She dropped into a curtsey at the sight of his – he had chosen to be the fair haired, pale skinned man to start off with, it was all about the delivery after all. He responded with a nod and wondered if he should have revealed his true identity from the get go after all, at least then he would not be expected to kiss her hand. Still, it was not as if she was repulsive, he just didn't like her, he pressed his lips to the back of her fingers, "it is a pleasure to finally meet you, Narcissa," he greeted formally and he forced his lips to curl into a half smile.

"The pleasure is all mine my Lord," she replied in turn, giving him another curtsey for good measure. "This strapping young lad behind me is my son, Draco." Indeed there was a platinum haired boy about Harry's age hiding behind her skirt. "Well come on Draco, say hello," the boy shuffled further out from behind his mother and the gentle order and bowed his head. It was not quite a hello but he was polite and he was just shy, he supposed he could let that pass – he was only a kid. "I'm afraid he's a bit shy," Narcissa said as if this was not blindingly obvious. "He was actually very excited about coming over today, wouldn't drop the portkey from the moment he woke up, he's not had the chance to meet up with many other children."

"Well, that will not do at all," Sirius replied, playing the kindly uncle type still, and he was, technically, a blood relative to the boy. "Harry, you can stop hiding in the doorway now, come in and say hello, you too Hermione." His core and ears recognized the presence of his pack and he smiled as he thought of the firm friendship that was to follow. Just like his cousin told him Draco was, Harry and Hermione too had been ecstatic at the thought of a new playmate, right up until a couple of minutes before they were due to arrive. The two children shuffled into the room holding hands, unlike Narcissa and her son, they were no longer startled by Sirius' uncanny spatial awareness, they knew exactly what he was capable of – practically everything.

Sirius was pretty sure the kids were still at the young age when they could all start playing without much further ado. "Draco, do you like to fly?" The ears of all three children perked up, Harry adored flight, which made sense, it was in his blood, Hermione, not so much, but she was more than happy to cling onto Harry while he soared through the air. He did not get a verbal answer from the blond haired boy, but then again he was not given the chance to do so. Harry, with the speed only known to an exuberant six year old, dashed forward, Hermione in tow, grabbed one of Draco's hands with his free one and started to lead them to the garden and the broom shed. "Get your uncle to supervise you," he called after them, knowing he'd be obeyed.

He turned back to Narcissa, he could she was brimming with questions. Questions about who the uncle he was referring to was and whether she would be meeting him today. Questions about the girl with the strawberry blonde hair he seemed to also have custody of. Questions about Sirius Black and whether the meeting they had today would pertain to him. Questions about the reason he had summoned her, and after so long of seemingly ignoring her. Questions, questions, questions… questions he would probably not answer. "Please do take a seat," he said, gesturing to the armchair and he sat down on the sofa himself. Kreacher popped into the room with a bottle of red wine and two glasses, set them on the table next to his master and popped out after bowing in response to the quiet thank you Sirius offered him.

He hid his smirk when he sensed two more questions appear in Narcissa's mind. Why was he cordial to a house elf, and why did he still have this particular house elf anyway – it was common knowledge he was crazy. He poured two glasses of wine and handed her one, she accepted, clinked her glass with his and drank to his health – she was sucking up to him big time. "Well it seems our sons are going to grow to be firm friends, I hope Draco befriends Hermione as well, I have never seen Harry so happy as when Hermione is here." He had another sip of wine, "I am sure you are wondering why you have been summoned, I will admit that curiosity is the main reason, I do like to meet with all of my familiars, the other pertains to the incarceration of your husband."

"You can get him to be released?" Her eyes shone with hope, "I will do anything for you, anything you ask if you can get him back to me and Draco."

"I can get him released, but I will not."

Despair clouded her gentle features once more, "but why, my Lord, he would be an excellent ally to you, we would both be your friends and serve you tirelessly."

"I do not wish to have you as a friend, you are a turncoat, you are only offering to join me because I am the winning side, you would join Voldemort the moment he rose should he regain his power or his body, you and I both know it. Do not bore me with denial; I am not going to arrest you as well as long as you continue to not annoy me."

"He is not a danger though my Lord," she was still trying.

"He has killed before Narcissa, and tortured, and taken pleasure in it, surely you know this." Could it be she was ignorant of death eater activity? "He admitted to as much when he was interrogated under veritaserum by your cousin." She was also completely unaware of who it was she was sharing a drink with, this spell was after all, more than a glamour. "They may have only been muggles or muggle borns to you Narcissa, but to me they were people. Your Lord was a half blood, and one of the greatest witches I knew, one of the greatest of her generation was a muggle born, and because of what the man your husband followed did to her and her husband, I cannot possibly release him from Azkaban, he is where he belongs." He let his hair lengthen and darken to black and his fair skin adopt its true appearance.

With a flick of his wrist the bottle of wine hovered over to her, "you may want to have more of that," he smirked, she obeyed. "I have another reason to ask you over to here other than to gloat about the fact I got your husband arrested and he is going to stay where he is. Your master gave Lucius a book, more precisely; a diary labeled Tom Marvalo Riddle, Voldemort's diary when he was still going by the name his parents gave him. It may be in your house or in your vault for safe keeping, but I need it, do you know what I am talking about?" The expression on her face was a dead giveaway, "I need you to get me that book Narcissa, if you are honest about wanting to ally yourself and your family to me, I cannot stress how important it is."

"Will you release Lucius if I do?"

"No."

"Then what if I refuse?"

"Well I would be upset and disappointed for starters, then I would do something about getting that book back anyway. If I have to level your house, dig up dirt about you and get your son taken away from you then that is what I will do."

"You can't do that!"

"Yes I can!" he yelled back, "I can," he repeated in a more level voice, "and I will. But it does not have to be like this, you can do what I ask of you of your own volition first."

She looked to the floor, "I'll get it to you tomorrow."

"Good girl," he said patronizingly, "oh and, make it tonight."

"Sirius," Regulus came hurtling through the door looking pained, he noticed Narcissa and faltered, "ah, um, hello Cissy."

Having never been the sort to follow the news, it did not come as a surprise to either of the men when she fainted where she sat.

Regulus rubbed the back of his neck somewhat embarrassed, "it seems I am always having this sort of effect on people." He looked back to Sirius, "um, the kids are fine, they started to do something else with Kreacher, I've been looking for you. I just wanted to say that I am sorry for what I said, it was uncalled for, I didn't mean it. We all have our secrets and I blew it out of proportion, I have no idea what that year must have been like for you, so I apologise." He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw his older brother smile in response; he'd been waiting for this. Usually he'd be annoyed at this, it was the same when they were kids, Sirius had always walked off and waited for Reg to come and find him to apologise, this time he was glad.

"Everything is forgiven Reg, I know you did not mean to hurt me and therefore did not truly mean what it was you said, so do not think about it." He walked over and hugged him to show that he meant what he said and the little argument did not change and in no way ruined the special bond they had, both Black brothers were still cherishing the closeness they had re-established. He turned to the woman passed out in the armchair, "we should probably maneuver her into a more comfortable position." Sirius lifted his cousin into his arms bridal style and laid her out on the sofa with a pillow under her head. He was going to wait until she woke but she was not injured from anything, just shocked and he was impatient, he clicked his fingers, "enervate."

Narcissa's eyes snapped open and she started to pant as if she had just broken through the surface of icy water she'd been drowning in. She looked to Regulus, "Reggie, I thought you were dead, we all thought you were dead, you did say you were prepared to die."

"Yes, well, I saw the light, quite literally and decided to make my last dying efforts a move to crumble Voldemort's rise to power. What is it with everyone but me and Sirius flinching at his name, he was clearly nothing like a benevolent Lord, did he kill everyone bearing bad news like they do in games and movies? He is not going to suddenly appear if you say his name Cissy, fear of name only increases fear of the object. I did die, and I don't know how, but I was brought back."

"I have never heard anything like being brought back from the dead before," she whispered, shaking her head in wonder, "but I am glad, I was sad to hear you died, you are my beloved cousin."

Reg rose one eyebrow, Narcissa had never liked him and Sirius, "nobody likes a brown nose Narcissa." He turned to Sirius, "I assume you asked her about the diary."

"We are in luck Reg, she wanted me to release her husband for her first, but we came to an understanding about that. The good news is she knows what I am talking about and where it is, in fact she was just about to go and get it for me – weren't you Narcissa?"

She nodded yes, "you can use the floo if you like, I am sure you have worked out where I am by now, you can take Draco back with you now or when you come back with the diary, it makes no difference to me." His business done with her, Sirius swept out the room and went on search of the kids to see how well they were getting along. He found them in the playroom playing some pretending game, and though they were not talking they all seemed to know the plot and the rules. Hermione was definitely a cat and Harry a dog, chasing after her, he was not sure about Draco, he was definitely not used to being allowed to act so childishly but he seemed to be following Harry's lead. Kreacher was disillusioned in the corner, making sure they were safe.