Ten years ago, Regulus Black and Marlene McKinnon fled the wizarding world and were presumed dead. Now they've returned in time for their adopted son, Harry Potter, to start at Hogwarts. The potion left by Voldemort in the cave had long lasting consequences, however, and Regulus begins to teach at Hogwarts while Severus Snape works on a cure. Can they save him in time, while also hunting down horcruxes and destroying them before Voldemort can return?

Chapter Two

An hour later, Regulus was in bed, sleeping, and Remus and Marlene sat in the living room, mugs of steaming tea in each of their hands. "He's ill, then?" Though posed as a question, Marlene was aware it was more of a statement. Still, she nodded. "It's why you didn't reveal you were alive."

"Partly," she said, before taking a sip. Once she swallowed, she continued. "Regulus was a victim to one of Voldemort's experiments. He was forced to drink a horrible poison, and its effects never left. He's got a team of healers, but so far they've not figured out a cure. They manage the severe symptoms, but when he's extremely stressed or shocked, he - well-" She trailed off, staring into the empty fireplace. "He almost died. And without the healers, he would've died years ago. The boys, they know their dad is ill, and has to go to healers once a week, but they see the trips as an adventure. They aren't there for his monthly experimental treatments, and they don't see the after effects. On a normal Tuesday, we get home and Reg takes what the boys call his 'beauty nap'." Remus snorted, and Marlene managed a smile. "Do you have any other questions?"

"You said there's experimental treatments?" Remus looked horrified at the thought. "How long has he been doing them for?"

"Only about five years, when the pain became unbearable even with the potions they had him on, and the boys were old enough to understand that our magic had to be kept a secret. We moved out here then. Harry, Archer, and our other boy, Leo, go to a muggle school, but they know they'll be attending Illvermorny. Harry's actually signed up to go next year-"

"You aren't bringing him back to attend Hogwarts? Potters have always attended!" Remus sounded incredulous, and she leveled a gaze at him.

"Harry doesn't quite see himself as a Potter, Remus." Anger flashed on the werewolf's face, and Marlene stopped him before he could erupt. "He knows who he is. Regulus and I've never hidden that fact from him. We might have told a few falsehoods on how he came to be with us, but he knows about James and Lily, and he knows he is famous. We've asked him if he'd rather attend Hogwarts, and he's chosen Illvermorny. He of course has the right to change his mind, but quite frankly, we aren't pushing the subject. Harry deserves a nice, normal life. He's only a boy."

Before he went home, they made tentative plans for Remus to visit again. She made him swear he'd come alone, and then he left. She stopped by Archer's room on her way to her own, and content that he was playing with his army toys, she went to check on Regulus.

"Company's left," she said softly, sitting down next to him on the bed. He blinked up at her, eyes sticky with sleep. She ran a hand across his forehead, feeling the heat that radiated from his skin. "Do you want to sleep more? I was just going to make dinner."

"Is he coming back?" Voice cracked with tiredness, Regulus slowly sat up in bed, leaning his back against the headboard.

"In a few days. I told him I'd owl him with the best time and place after I've spoken to Harry and explained who Remus is." She handed Regulus the glass of water she'd brought with her from the kitchen, and he took a slow drink.

"Are we sure about this?" Regulus asked her. "If we need to, we can pack up and leave again. We could try France, maybe, or Germany."

"Your healers are here, Regulus. Not to mention the boys are in school here. They're old enough that they'd remember us running away." She heaved a sigh, sinking into the bed with him. "Harry deserves to know more people he should've grown up with in the first place, Reg. We've been talking about it for years."

"I know. I just never thought it'd happen quite like this."

She let out a short laugh. "Honestly, nor did I."

They laid in bed together for nearly an hour before Marlene finally rose to go make dinner. She'd barely started when Harry and Leo bounded through the door, excitement on both their faces. They'd spent the morning with Mrs. Figg, their neighbor, since they'd both been down with colds the day before, and that didn't usually lend such excitement. Harry explained immediately.

"Mom! Mom!" he cried. "You'll never guess what happened to me today!" Marlene turned to look at him sternly, and he instantly covered his mouth. "Sorry," he whispered, after a second. "Is Dad still taking his beauty nap?"

"Yes. He's very tired today," Marlene said, as Archer rushed into the kitchen and began chattering to his brothers.

"We met a stranger that mommy and daddy know at McDonalds!" he gushed, even as both Leo and Harry spoke too.

"I spoke to a snake today!"

"There's a snake living in the bike shed!"

Marlene sighed, shaking her head. "You boys need to stay away from it. You never know if snakes are poisonous, and it's better to be careful."

"It's okay mom. The snake said it's not poisonous, and even if it was, it said it wouldn't hurt a speaker. Oh yeah. Mom? What's a speaker?"

The spoon Marlene had been holding clattered to the floor and she gaped at the dark haired boy. "The snake - told you it isn't poisonous?"

"Just sounded like hissing to me," Leo stated calmly, opening the fridge, with only the obliviousness a ten year old boy could have. "Mom, are we out of orange juice?"

"If it isn't in the fridge then yes," Marlene said automatically. "Harry, when you say the snake spoke to you, do you mean it used words?" When Harry nodded, Marlene closed her eyes and shut her head slightly, trying not to allow the crazy laugh to escape. The day had been full of event after event, and she just wanted to go to sleep. "We'll have to discuss that later. Archer, Leo, I need you boys to go watch tv. Keep the volume down, okay? Don't wake up dad." The boys rushed off, and Harry made to join them. "Harry, wait."

"I'll stay away from the snake, I promise," the boy in question said defensively, and Marlene shook her head.

"No, Harry. That's not what I need to speak with you about." She chewed her bottom lip for a second, mind scrambling to come up with a way to begin. "Harry, do you remember me telling you about the group of friends your dad had?"

Harry grinned. "Yeah. The pranksters. They were always in trouble, just like me." Marlene contemplated throwing the towel at him, but reconsidered. Harry's face turned serious. "Is it about one of them? The one that went to prison?"

Marlene quickly shook her head. "Oh, no, Harry. It's not about that one." She paused. One of these days, she'd have to tell the boy that Sirius was Reg's brother, as well as his biological father's friend. Today, though, wasn't yet that day, and she made a mental note to let Remus know the details of what Harry knew about his parent's death and the people involved in it. "We ran into Mr. Remus in the city today, Harry, and he would love to see you."

Harry looked thoughtful. "Mr. Remus was one of dad's close friends?"

"Yes, he was."

"Does he know stories about my parents that you and dad don't?" Harry looked eager, and Marlene smiled at him.

"Of course he does, Harry. Remember how I said I was your mum's friend? Mr. Remus and your dad were rarely apart when they attended school together."

"Hogwarts, right?" The glint in his eyes made Marlene wonder, not for the first time, if Harry would rather go to the same school his parents had attended, but this wasn't the time to bring up the subject. Marlene didn't get a chance either way, for Reg walked in the kitchen and Harry's eyes lit up. He temporarily forgot all about Remus and began telling his dad about the snake he and Leo had encountered. Regulus exchanged a concerned glance with Marlene, and she could only shrug. Just another thing they'd have to discuss when they got a second.

After a few minutes, Harry seemed to recall Remus. "So - my dad's friend. He wants to meet me."

"Yes. We told him it's your choice, though. If you don't want to, or if you want to wait, or if you'd prefer to write him instead-"

"Yeah, I'll write him, but I would like to meet him. Can I? Soon? Before term starts?"

"Of course. Write a letter, and we'll send it at once. Dad has an appointment on Friday. We could invite Mr. Remus to the McDonald's if you'd like."

"Could we?" Harry's green eyes shone with excitement, and Marlene let out a small chuckle as she agreed. Harry gave his parents a tight hug before rushing off, going to join his brothers in the living room while Marlene finished dinner.

Friday found Marlene and the three boys seated in the McDonald's, her nerves frayed. Healer Wainwright had expressed her disappointment in how unwell Regulus remained after his last appointment and subsequent barrage of potions, and discussions were being made later that afternoon regarding his care. For now, though, they were continuing the next phase of the current experiment.

She talked as happily as she could with the boys as they waited for Remus to arrive, but when he did, her smile vanished. There, striding beside the werewolf, was one of the men Marlene had hoped she'd never see again - Albus Dumbledore.