Persephone POV

The last car on the train is filled with friends and family, but lacks the usual laughter.

Voldemort is back. Cedric died young, so that a madman could be revived. No, worse, he was an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire.

A knock sounds from the door. Sliding it open a bit, Dean Thomas asks to speak with me.

"Before you open the box, could you pay me first? You'll see why when you open it." I give him the agreed upon Galleons.

Opening the box, there are several paintings. The two pictures I gave him are perfectly replicated on canvas, but he also painted the Hogwarts lake, Hogwarts library, and most surprisingly, the Slytherin Common room. "I won't charge you for the extras. Harry told me why you need the paintings," he says, before walking away. It seems something good did come of today.

Re-entering the carriage, I hear the Weasleys talking about what living in Grimmauld will be like. Apparently, Dumbledore plans to use it as headquarters. Sharing a look with Harry, I hiss, "We'll talk to Pads at home and go from there."

Sirius is sitting in the kitchen after the Order meeting, when Harry and I enter.

"Sirius, can we talk?" Harry asks, a bit nervous.

"Sure, Prongslet. So what can I do for you guys?"

Harry looks at me to explain. Taking a deep breath, I tell Sirius, "I don't think we should let the Weasleys move in. They are a wonderful family, but that's the problem, Pads, they have family. We need the rooms for those who don't have good homes."

"Using Grimmauld as headquarters isn't smart, either. It puts all of us who call this place home at risk. I love the Weasleys, but they can't stay. Not when someone else may need the room more," Harry adds.

Lines are drawn when Sirius informs the Order of the change in plan. "The Gaunt girl has a good head on her shoulders. She and Potter had the right idea, kicking us out," Moody's gruff voice says. Most of the Order agree with the decision, thinking it wise to keep the war away from the children.

"You expect us to listen to some little girl, who hasn't even completed Hogwarts?" Molly shrieks. "I won't stand for it."

"Considering it is said girl's home you are trying to invade, the answer is yes," Remus answers, calmly.

"Mrs. Weasley, I won't stand by while you dictate what my adopted father and I do. If you don't like it, feel free to leave, like we asked," I tell her defiantly.

Seeing that I'm serious, the Order trickles out, including the Weasley clan. Apparating over before they leave, the twins congratulate me for standing up to their mother.

The silence is broken when Regulus blurts out laughing. "You are truly amazing, Mon Amour."

"That's a new one. I'll learn French one of these days. Just you wait," I tell him, jokingly. Grabbing him off the wall, I head to bed.

I've stayed up late every night for the past week, infusing my magic into the portrait setting potion, carefully applying it to each painting. Regulus has been getting upset at my lack of sleep, but I need to do this, for him.

After the enamel finally dries, I cast a variety of Antiquity Preservation Charms, finishing the enchantments needed.

I stumble up to my room around 2 in the morning, trying to ignore the lecture Regulus is currently giving. "Persephone," Regulus says, gaining my full attention. He's never used my real name before. "What is so important that you are willing to work until exhaustion? I just want to understand why you do this to yourself."

"I promise, it was worth it. I'll show you after I've gotten some sleep. Goodnight, my love."

Regulus gives a frustrated sigh, "I will have to learn Parseltongue, if you keep this up. Goodnight, Mon Amour."

When I wake up turning over to greet Reggie, I notice something different about his portrait. Quietly slipping out of bed, I get a closer look at his face. I didn't know he could sleep. Sure, the Hogwarts paintings do, but I have never seen Regulus asleep, no matter my reckless sleep patterns.

I shower and dress, quickly returning to sit on my bed. Regulus still hasn't woken up, so I patiently wait for him. He never complains about me sleeping, saying he finds my sleep talking amusing, but what if he didn't actually watch me sleep? Maybe he just doesn't sleep for long periods of time.

"Good morning, Mon Cheri. How did you sleep?"

"The better question is how you slept. You seem to never properly rest," I reply. "Come on, I'll show you what's been keeping me so busy."

Carrying his portrait downstairs, I greet everyone as I go. Entering the office where I hid the paintings, I put up a sliencing charm. "I missed your birthday, so I hope this makes up for it."

Unveiling the canvases, Reggie stares at them intently. "While a sweet gesture," he starts. "the reason I'm sentient is because my magic was infused in the portrait. I don't think I'll be able to use them."

Taking a deep breath, I launch into portrait lore, finishing my explanation with, "Basically, if I imbue my magic into your current portrait, you should be able to use the other paintings containing my magic." Regulus examines each scenery before moving to the Lake. Seeing that he actually moved, Regulus cheers in his frame. "Now, I won't have to leave you behind in September. The magic connects them no matter the distance."

Picking up a few sketches, I hold them up for Regulus to see. "I'm not an artist, the paintings were made by a fellow student. However, I wanted to be the one to create this piece." Shrinking the rough sketch of our room, I place it in the locket. "That way, you can be with me, always."

"Petal, when is your birthday?" Sirius asks two weeks into summer holiday.

"Oh, um, it's May 1st. I thought I told you I was born on Beltane?" I reply, genuinely thinking they knew. Even Regulus looks surprised.

"I'm sorry we missed your birthday," Remus says, offering to plan a small party.

"Wait," Theo says, abruptly. "That makes you seventeen." Every pureblood in the room freezes.

"Shit, we have to host a ball," Sirius dreadfully exclaims. "The heir has come of age, so people will be trying to request betrothal or marriage contracts now."

"No fucking way," Regulus hollars from his portrait. The room goes silent, never having heard Regulus swear before. "I don't care how you stop it, but My Korre is not getting married!"

"Your... Korre? That's where Kreacher got the name. I knew that menace didn't know mythology," Sirius exclaims, triumphantly.

"Not the time, Padfoot. What do you suggest then, Regulus? She can't be single forever," Remus reminds him.

"I-i, I have to go," Reggie says, bolting to one of the other paintings.

"I won't marry. Not to anyone but him," I tell them, pointing at the empty frame. "We'll find a loophole before the ball. I don't mind adopting an heir, carry on tradition and all. I'm going to the library to research."

As soon as I enter the library, I ask Kreacher to bring me books on magical marriage laws.

A few days later, I pick up the Gaunt ring, along with a note containing one word.