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?

When Reggie came home that evening, he told everyone the news - Harry had been sorted into Slytherin. Remus groaned, but Marlene didn't take it seriously as she grinned.

"He also told me he's made friends," Regulus continued. "A Gryffindor boy, Ronald Weasley, and-" he hesitated. "Theodore Nott."

Marlene's eyebrows shot up. "The Nott boy?" She didn't know much about him but she recalled his mother, Gwendolyn Greengrass. The two of them had been friends in their first and second years, before Gwen's parents had informed her she needed to make better choices in friends. Later, she'd become engaged to a man twenty years her senior. Last she had heard, Gwendolyn had died in childbirth.

Regulus nodded grimly. "His father wasn't a marked death eater, but he paid for much of Voldemort's expenses. He didn't end up in prison, but he's definitely someone to watch."

"Is Harry safe in Slytherin?" Remus voiced Marlene's secret fear, and she watched as her husband appeared to struggle with the answer. Finally, he responded.

"I don't believe any of his housemates will openly attack him. True damage would be hard to hide, and with Voldemort presumed dead and several of his followers getting out of going to prison, I doubt any of their parents would want them to risk the attention it would bring. Harry is a hero in most of the wizarding world's eyes."

But later, once Remus had left, Regulus was honest with her. "A true Slytherin would know how to hide the pain they inflict. I only hope Harry will come to me if he has a problem."

But as the first days turned into weeks, it seemed their fear was unfounded. Harry was thriving with a group of friends that now included Neville Longbottom and Blaise Zabini. From Regulus's nightly reports, it appeared the five were inseparable, spending as much time together outside of class as they could.

"He's doing well in his classes, too. Minerva and Filius both report he's a smart child."

Marlene sighed in relief as she set the table. It was early October now. Regulus spent many of his meals up at the castle, but tonight he'd chosen to come home early. Marlene couldn't help but note how pale he was, but she'd said nothing as he kissed her and hugged Leo and Archer.

"What does Snape have to say?"

Regulus rolled his eyes. "Harry's a menace in his class, apparently." Marlene snorted. "That's about what I said." He sank into a chair with a small groan. At his wife's concerned look, he sighed. "I'm fine, Mar. I'm just a little tired."

"Why don't you ask Albus if he could connect the floo from your office to home?" She questioned, sitting next to him and placing her hand on top of his. "At least then you wouldn't have to make the long trek from the castle to home."

"He's offered." At Marlene's incredulous look, he sighed again. "Mar. Dumbledore has already received over a dozen letters demanding my resignation."

"You were cleared!"

"Yes, and many people think I shouldn't have been."

She waited, and when he didn't continue, she spoke. "I don't see what that has to do with a floo network. If it makes it easier for you-"

"It would also make it easier for me to bring dark wizards into the castle. At least, that's what people would say." He squeezed Marlene's hand. "I'll be okay. The potions are helping."

He was wrong, of course. A couple of days passed. Marlene had been sitting in the living room, responding to Harry's latest letter, when the fireplace lit up and a strained looking Snape poked his head through. Marlene was on her feet in an instant, her quill falling to the ground, before he even had a chance to speak. "Reg-?" She asked, voice shaking.

"Is fine. He collapsed during his fifth year lesson, and one of his students ran to get Poppy. Wainwright's been called as well, but it seems like only a case of overexertion. He's sleeping now, but he asked for you."

It took a few minutes to get Leo and Archer ready and through the floo, but soon enough they were standing in the hospital wing.

"Marlene?" She looked over at Poppy. "He's okay. Severus said he explained?"

"A little."

"Leo, Archer, Harry's by your dad. Why don't you go join him while your mum and I speak in my office?" They obeyed without question, most likely eager to see their older brother, and Marlene followed Poppy into the back room.

"He was in a lot of pain when he got here. The student who came to get me said he was talking one moment, and screaming the next, like he'd been hit by the cruciatus." Marlene's heart clinched as the matron went on. "He was given a pain potion and sleeping drought immediately." Poppy tapped the desk absent-mindedly. "Until healer Wainwright gets here, I don't know how to proceed. It was his last class of the day, and it is Friday, so he'll at least have the weekend to recover. I do advise him to stay here overnight."

"I understand," Marlene said. She swallowed, looking back at the door. "He'll be out for awhile?" Poppy nodded, and Marlene stood. "Thank you, Poppy. I'm going to see if the headmaster will let Harry come home for the weekend." A thought struck her. "How did Harry find out he was here?"

"One of the students in the class was Percy Weasley. I assume he told his brother, and Ronald told Harry." Marlene nodded absently. "Marlene." Poppy's voice was soft, but it gained her attention. "I know you've spent a lot of time taking care of Regulus. Make sure you're taking care of yourself as well. Too often caregivers put their own health to the side, and it won't do Regulus or your boys any good if you get sick."

Marlene had heard this before, from Wainwright, and so she only nodded, smiling faintly. Thanking the healer once more, she left.

Her sons were grouped around their fathers bed, talking quietly but eagerly. Regulus himself was still, his face pale and drawn even in sleep. She sat next to him, taking a cold hand in her own.

"Mom?" Harry asked, and she looked over at him. "Is Dad okay? Percy said he collapsed in the middle of a lesson."

"Dad's going to be fine," she reassured him. "He's just been working really hard and not getting as much sleep."

"Everybody knows something's wrong with him," Harry said sadly. "Dad's gonna hate that."

That he would, Marlene mused.

"Mom?" Harry said again. "Could we get Oliver something?"

"Oliver...?"

"Wood. He's the Gryffindor quidditch captain, but Percy said he's the first one that realizes something was wrong and he went to get Pomfrey."

Marlene smiled at her eldest, ruffling his hair with a hand. "What did you have in mind?"

"Well, I asked Percy, and he said Oliver's been wanting this broom kit." He looked unsure of himself. "I don't know how much it would cost, though, so maybe some candy?"

"I'll look into the broom kit if that's what you want to do," Marlene told him. Changing the subject slightly, she said, "Would you want to come home for the weekend? Dad should be home in the morning, and I can get you when I come pick him up."

Harry grinned. "Can I really?"

Leo and Archer both perked up. "Yeah, can he?" Archer asked. "I want to hear all about Hogwarts!"

"I don't know just yet, I still have to get Dumbledore's permission. But we'll see, ok?"