Regulus lay on the grass, his eyes closed, enjoying the warmth of the sun, while Hermione sat next to him, engrossed in a book. Nearby, Barty and Evan frolicked in the Black Lake, enjoying the warmth of the day. With a contemplative expression, Regulus broke the peaceful atmosphere, "I'm thinking about trying out for Quidditch next year, what do you think?"
Hermione continued taking notes without raising her head, her focus on the Black family grimoire. "What difference does it make to you what I think? I'm not going to be the one on the broomstick."
Regulus turned, propping himself up on his right hand, pouting as he tried to convince her. "I would like you to come watch me play, ma cherie . Besides, I know you know how to play Quidditch; Barty told me."
"Barty is a snitch, and I know how to fly. It's not the same as knowing how to play, baby Black," Hermione commented in a condescending tone, her quill still scribbling away.
"Can you stop whatever you're doing and pay attention to me, Hermione?" Regulus's voice took on a petulant tone, reminiscent of a small child. Internally, Hermione sighed, praying for a bit of patience.
With a loud thud, she closed the book, narrowing her eyes at Regulus, who smiled innocently. "Wipe that smile off your face before I wipe it off myself. Now you have my full attention. What do you want?"
"What do you think about me playing Quidditch? I would like to be a Seeker, and I would like you to come see me,"A light pink tinted Regulus's cheeks as he smiled. Hermione noted that, at least for the moment, the timeline remained unchanged.
Recalling Harry's mention of a photo of Regulus with the Slytherin Quidditch team, she reassured him, "Luce, Alice, Ella, Barty, Evan, and I will be there to cheer you on during the matches. You're going to do great at tryouts, Reg, I'm sure of that."
"I'm worried. What if I don't make it? I know my brother is going to try out for Beater," Regulus admitted, his concern evident. "Blacks don't get nervous," his mother's voice echoed in his head. He shook off the thought. His mother didn't dictate how he should feel.
Hermione looked at him with a raised eyebrow, leaning against the tree trunk. "What are you really worried about? I know it's not Quidditch."
"Father gave Sirius the family ring last year," Regulus confessed after a moment of silence, running his hand through his curls.
"I didn't know you cared so much about that ring. Or is that what bothers you, that he gave it to your brother instead of you?" Hermione inquired, observing him closely.
"No—yes—it's complicated, you know? I'm happy for Sirius, I know how much he wants Father's approval. But I was hoping he would also give me something for my first year at school. I'm sure all of this..." Regulus looked at his hands, embarrassed. He was a little jealous that his brother, despite being a Gryffindor, received the family ring instead of him, who had continued with the tradition.
"It doesn't seem silly to me, Reg. I got jealous of Remus when I was little when he got a bicycle and I didn't. It's a sibling thing." Hermione laughed, reminiscing about her own childhood squabbles."Besides, you're the baby of the family and you've been spoiled rotten since the day you were born. I'm sure if you ask Orion for a ring, he'll make it for you."
"Now that you mention my father, I find it quite disturbing that you get along with him and write letters to each other." Regulus faked a shiver, "Ever since you gave him the Grimoire, he smiles every now and then when he looks at it, and Sirius and I get scared." Hermione burst into laughter at the image. "Don't laugh; you haven't seen how he smiles. He looks like he's crazy and about to commit murder or something."
"I know your father has been looking for it for a while, and I thought he would like to have something that rightfully belongs to him," Hermione clarified shortly without going into detail.
"Where did you—" Regulus was about to speak further when the voices of Hermione's friends interrupted them, running towards them.
He observed the trio from a distance, though he had never spoken to them directly, he knew who they were. Alice Greengrass stood out with her distinctive green eyes and flowing blonde hair, her stature slightly surpassing that of Hermione.
Regulus was well aware of the ties that connected Alice's family to his own. Céline Greengrass, Alice's mother, had a history of exchanging occasional pleasantries with his mother. Then there was Lucy Macmillan, another blonde beauty with penetrating gray eyes. Regulus knew her family well, too. Her father, Edmund Macmillan, had been involved in business dealings with the Black family in the past.
The third girl, Arabella Selwyn, with her striking black hair and violet eyes, completed the trio. Her father's mysterious disappearance added an air of intrigue to her presence. The Selwyn name carried weight in the wizarding world, and the uncertainty surrounding her father's fate only heightened the curiosity and speculation among those who moved in the same circles.
"Mia," the three exclaimed, their breathing labored from running, "We are in need of your assistance," Alice added.
Evan, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, slung his arms around Alice and Lucy, smiling cheekily, "Good morning, ladies."
"Why do you need my help?" Hermione stood up with Regulus's help and ran her hand through her skirt, removing the grass that had gotten stuck to it.
"Sirius is fighting with Lucius Malfoy, apparently Malfoy said something about you and Sirius punched him," Lucy explained in a fast voice. Arabella and Alice nodded at Lucy's words, "We didn't quite hear what he said but it was something about your brother too. Something about your lineage being cursed, maybe?"
Saying that, Hermione started running towards the school followed by the girls, Regulus, Barty, and Evan. It didn't take them long to see where Sirius was with James trying to hold him down while Lucius looked at them with disdain and laughed as Sirius tried to hit him.
The crowd surrounding Sirius and Lucius parted the moment they saw Hermione appear. They instilled fear and respect every time the seven of them walked together, despite only being first-year students. The entire school considered them royalty, they came from families notoriously known for their use of black magic. They knew that a word from any of them to their parents would put a target on their backs.
"Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, you think you're more of a man facing a twelve-year-old boy. I find it pathetic, if you ask me." The crowd around them began to laugh, making Lucius blush.
"Who do you think you are to talk to me like that?" Lucius glared at her, the vein in his forehead throbbing furiously.
"What will Orion Black think when he finds out that Abraxas Malfoy's son has punched the face of the heir to the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black?" Hermione teased Lucius, as she rolled up her sleeves. "What is she going to do?" she heard Barty ask.
"I didn't hit him," Lucius cleared his throat slightly. Without anyone having time to react, she turned and punched Sirius in the cheek making him grunt while James yelled at her, "Are you bloody crazy?"
"It seems to me that you did hit him, Malfoy, and quite hard seeing how it's swelling." She smiled falsely at him as she watched as Lucius began to adjust the collar of his shirt slightly uncomfortably, "Sirius may be the disappointment of the family but he's still the heir of the House of Black."
"I didn't hit him, it was you." The Slytherin prefect pointed an accusing finger at her as the crowd watched the exchange open-mouthed.
"Me? A poor, dirty half-blood dared to touch Sirius Black?" She put on a fake sad pout, her tone imitating Lucius's voice. "Good luck getting Orion Black to believe you, but be my guest, and watch your family be wiped out before you can set foot on the platform."
"Is that a threat, Lupin?" roared Lucius furiously trying to grab the first year Ravenclaw. Immediately, Barty and Evan were in front of her like a shield.
"Take a step back, Malfoy." Evan was the happiest of the boys, always cracking jokes and being annoying on purpose, but when it came to Hermione, let's just say that the little gifts that certain people could expect from him were quite curious - let's leave it at that.
"One more step and all the dark artifacts that your father hides in Malfoy Manor and your vault in Gringotts will be confiscated and sold to the highest bidder, muggle bidder." Barty did not mess around, Hermione was his friend and, despite at first, being wary of being friends with Evan and Regulus, now he couldn't imagine his life without the two Slytherins.
"I would truly hate to break your engagement to Narcissa Black," Hermione drawled, looking at her nails indifferently, "after all that's what your father wants, isn't it? Getting hold of part of the Black fortune through the dowry."
"You can't break my engagement with her." Lucius was getting nervous but he didn't want to admit it, he had underestimated the power of Lupin's connections and now he was paying for it.
"She can't, but I can." Regulus' voice echoed through the hallway, he had also positioned himself slightly in front of Hermione. "If I hear that you have mentioned Hermione's name again, I swear that you will pay dearly, among other things, because I will break your engagement with my cousin."
Lucius squared his shoulders, attempting to regain control of the situation. "You think your little friends can protect you forever, Lupin?" he spat out, his eyes flickering with a mix of anger and fear.
Hermione simply smirked, crossing her arms. "Now, Malfoy, I suggest you go back to your precious Manor and think twice before uttering a word about my brother or me. The consequences could be... unpleasant." She glanced at Regulus, who wore a cold expression that sent shivers down Lucius's that, he turned on his heel and walked away, humiliated and seething with anger.
Sirius, still rubbing his cheek, watched the scene unfold with a mix of surprise and amazement. James, who had been holding him back, released his grip as the situation seemed to be under control, albeit in an unexpected manner.
"You, Hermione Lupin, are the most fantastic creature I have ever seen," the eldest Black brother said dreamily as he touched his cheek. "I think I've fallen in love, Jamesy."
"Sirius, mate, I think the punch has affected your common sense. Was it necessary for you to hit him, Lupin?" James frowned at Hermione, his hazel eyes darkening with disapproval. "Although I'll admit that right hook was amazing."
Regulus, with a protective arm in front of Hermione, glared at James. "Don't tell me you've suddenly grown a moral compass, go around hexing students."
"Reg, let's go." Hermione alternated her gaze between her best friend and James. As much as she disliked James's face, she didn't want Regulus to get in trouble because of her "Potter, I punched a pureblood today; I can make it a two-time thing," she hissed, making James divert his attention to her. With a final glare from Evan and Barty, Hermione dragged Regulus away not before apologizing profusely to Sirius for the punch, but he shrugged it off saying they were okay.
James sat on his bed, nervously twirling a snitch between his fingers. The question had been haunting him, and he couldn't resist seeking reassurance from his friends. "Do you think I'm annoying?" he asked, glancing at each of them in turn.
Remus, sitting on a nearby chair, raised an eyebrow at Sirius, who responded with an indifferent shrug. "This has nothing to do with my sister, does it?" Sirius quipped, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"When is it not about Hermione?" Sirius was engrossed in a game of Exploding Snap with Peter, but his attention briefly shifted. Peter, with a small smile, revealed, "I think she's a great girl. She helps me with some subjects. Thanks to her, my grades are decent."
"Little Pete has a crush," Sirius teased, causing Peter to blush. Ignoring the comment, Sirius turned to Remus. "Rem, do you think your sister would go out on a date with me?" Remus responded by hurling a cushion directly at Sirius's head.
"Guys, can we go back to my initial concern? Am I or am I not annoying?" James protested, frustration evident as he slammed his fists on the bed.
"You're pretty annoying, Potter, but lovable all the same," Sirius replied casually, as if discussing the weather. "Ha, Peter, I've beaten you again!"
Remus, ever the observant one, raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why are you worried about whether or not you are annoying?" He had tried to foster a friendship between James and his sister, but it seemed impossible.
"I might like a girl," James confessed, blushing, capturing the attention of the trio.
"Please tell me she's not my sister," Remus groaned, visibly uncomfortable at the thought.
"What? No!" James exclaimed, scandalized. "Evans. I like Lily Evans. Why would I like your sister?"
"Mat, are you a masochist or what? Evans hates you even more than Hermione, and besides, at least Hermione laughs at my jokes," Sirius taunted as he snatched a book from Remus's hands. "Rem, what are you reading?"
"I don't know why I'm your friend, seriously," Remus sighed, internally asking for patience. "Also, I hate to tell you, James, but Lily doesn't even consider you her friend; we play pranks on Snape."
James, determined to win Lily's favor, rushed to his desk and grabbed a piece of parchment. "Quickly, guys, brainstorm ideas to make Lily my friend and possibly my future wife."
"Why don't you talk to my sister? Lily is terribly fond of her," Remus suggested. James scowled, "James, don't look at me like that. You're the only one who doesn't like my sister."
"What Remus says is true. Lily usually studies with Hermione, and although I hate Snivellus's face, they are both a great help," Peter added with a small smile. "Hermione is a great girl, very intelligent too."
Remus, munching on a chocolate bar, chimed in, "Mom insisted Hermione buy new books, but my sister said no, that she would take advantage because she would have her homework almost done thanks to me."
"Sometimes I wish Regulus was the older brother so I could copy his homework. The bastard is smart as hell," Sirius remarked dramatically, throwing himself on top of Remus. "Rem, your sister and I would make an excellent couple."
"Come near my sister, and I'll cut off your hands, and you won't be able to play Quidditch this year," Remus threatened, pushing Sirius to the ground.
"You're right. If I play Quidditch, I'll be even more handsome and popular than I already am, and Hermione won't be able to say no to me," Sirius mused dreamily, provoking Remus. "By the way, where is your sister?"
"She's meeting Barty, Evan, and Regulus at Gatsby's this afternoon. I think Alice, Ella, and Lucy are going too." Gatsby's was the bookstore pub where Regulus and Hermione had first met, and their group of friends continued to frequent the place. Jeremiah, the owner of the pub, always served them butterbeers with a knowing smile.
"Aren't you curious what your sister does in her free time?" Peter innocently asked.
"We are a close family, and Mimi knows that if she needs help, she can come to me. She also has many people around her who protect her," Remus explained. "Last weekend, they were all at home for a barbecue, and I have to say they are very different from how they are at school."
Initially hesitant to invite Hermione's friends over, Remus found them respectful and curious about the Muggle objects in his home. "Mother got angry with Father because he joked about inviting Hermione to a family dinner," Sirius chuckled, remembering the fight. "Reggie and I find it quite disturbing to be honest but since Hermione gifted him the Black Grimmoire, he's on a better mood. Who would have thought that my father would openly admit that he liked a half-blood? "
"That book is black magic. How did she get it?" James questioned, frowning at Sirius.
"Apparently, she knows someone who knows someone else. You know how it goes, Jamesy; it's a nice way of telling me to mind my own business," Sirius shrugged casually. "Lyall Lupin is a world-renowned wizard; no wonder he also has a wide network of connections."
"That's no excuse to have the oldest black magic book in our world in your hands, Sirius. She's not even twelve years old. I don't know why you don't see how dangerous she is," James expressed his frustration.
"Are you implying something, Potter?" Sirius hissed, rolling up his sleeves. "I suggest you choose your next words wisely."
"I'm just saying that grimoire is dangerous, Sirius," James sighed, wiping his glasses. "That book should be burned."
"That book belongs to my family, Potter," Sirius asserted, pushing James lightly. "It's none of your business what my family has or doesn't have."
"Guys, calm down," Remus intervened, trying to separate the two friends. Sirius continued to push James, taunting him about his mother's Black lineage.
"My mother is not a dark witch, Black," James retorted, face turning red with anger.
"Okay, stop before you say something you'll regret," Remus snapped, not in the mood to deal with their arguments as the full moon approached.
"Fucking don't talk about my family when you don't know shit," Sirius declared before storming out of James's room and slamming the door behind him.
"Great, James. Couldn't you just let it be?" Remus crossed his arms, making James frown. "The day you realize what your sister is doing is dangerous, we'll talk."
"Hermione, what is this place?" Arabella inquired, her eyes scanning the mysterious surroundings. The three girls—Arabella, Alice, and Lucy—had received a letter from Hermione, summoning them to Pandemonium.
"I'm surrounded by too much testosterone," Hermione quipped, giving them a toothy grin. Barty, Evan, and Regulus gasped in mock offense at the comment. "The idea is to offer you the possibility of investing in Pandemonium, but we need help to clean it and fix it up a bit."
The three girls exchanged glances and shrugged. "Sounds interesting. What do you want us to do?" Arabella asked.
Hermione smiled, and the seven of them got to work. Wands in hand, the girls began transforming the curtains, changing lights, and repainting the walls. Meanwhile, Barty , Hermione and Regulus organized the bar, and Lyall had purchased some fridges to install under the bar. The Muggle inventions, including the refrigerators, had caught their attention during a visit to the Lupin house.
Evan, however, ventured to the upstairs part of Pandemonium, moving boxes that seemed to contain legal paperwork. After a while, he noticed a red mark on the wall—an inverted F to the left. Glancing around to ensure no one was watching, he brushed his fingers against the mark, and a black door materialized before him.
The door opened with a slight creak, inviting Evan to enter. "I'm so going to regret this," he sighed, reaching for the doorknob. Inside, the room was poorly lit, prompting Evan to complain about the lack of decent light bulbs. He looked around, and suddenly, a voice boomed through the room, calling his name.
"EVAN ROSIER," the voice echoed, causing Evan to quickly draw his wand. "What the fuck?" In the center of the room, a column emerged with a box on top. Curiosity getting the better of him, he approached and opened the box, revealing a ring. He frowned, feeling a sense of déjà vu but unable to place where he had seen it before.
Another door swung open, revealing a long black oak table surrounded by Victorian-style chairs. The table seemed set, as if someone were about to sit down for a meal. "What the hell is this place?" Evan wondered, taking in the surroundings that resembled an old library with towering bookshelves. From one of the shelves hung a sword pointing at the mark he had seen on the wall. However, what truly caught his attention and left him frozen in place was a photo on the wall—a photo of his father alongside other prominent wizards and witches, including Orion Black, Dorea Black, Celine Greengrass, and Lyall Lupin.