Persephone POV
It takes a week for Theo to feel well enough to leave his room. In that time, I spoke to Sirius about renovating the two extra rooms on this floor as medical and recovery rooms, who agreed to the idea immediately.
Harry helps Theo down the stairs to join us in the kitchen. After that first night, Draco went home with Narcissa, though he did visit while his dad was at the Ministry. Today must be a Lucy free day, because both agreeable Malfoys sit at the table.
After a breakfast of pancakes and sausage, Theo stands on wobbling feet, turning to Kreacher. "Thank you for the meal. Also, for the care you've given me these last few days," he says, softly.
"Kreacher helps Theo, because Mistress Korre helps Theo," the old elf tells him. The group collectively asks who he is talking about.
"That would be me. Korre, daughter of Spring and the mortal realms name for the Goddess Persephone," I quickly answer, before Kreacher accidentally mentions Regulus. It's almost the end of July, but Regulus still isn't ready to see his brother.
"Ms. Gaunt, I must thank you, as well. I don't remember much of that night, but I know you are the one who healed me. I owe you a life debt." A small magic burst is released. "And magic accepts it."
Later that evening, I pull Sirius aside. "Can I use the library? I want to study up on healing, so that we are better prepared for anything like what happened with Theo. I also have personal interest I want to research, but priority dictates the first option."
"Don't touch any books with the family crest. They are cursed to harm those without Black blood," he says, looking unsurprised by the request. "Kreacher likes you, so I'm sure he'd help you locate whatever you want. Thank you for whatever you said to him. I don't think I've seen him this happy." I thank him, taking my leave.
Inside the library, I call Kreacher. "Can you keep a secret from Regulus for a little while? I want to make him a present." Kreacher nods, enthusiastically. "Bring me any texts about magical portraits you can find." The little elf pops away.
That task taken care of, I head to a random shelf, pulling out a tome about curses and their counterparts. Hours into copying down useful information, my eyes grow heavy. Casting Tempus, I see it's almost 1 o'clock in the morning.
I quietly sneak up the stairs, slipping into my room. "Korre," my secret guest calls out. I can't help smiling to myself. No matter what the day throws my way, Regulus is always there to make it better. Walking around the corner of the bed, his smile drops. "You're overworking yourself, again." I try to deny it, but the yawn gives me away. "Sleep, Mon Ami. I'll see you in the morning." Crawling into bed, I bid him goodnight.
Hogwarts letters came today. I passed my OWLs with mostly Os.
"I knew you did well. You are highly intelligent, after all." I give him my best grin.
Today is Harry's birthday and Molly is hosting a party at the Burrow. Sirius and Harry will be joining the Weasley clan for the Quidditch World Cup. I refused to let Sirius buy me a ticket, because I am needed at the house. Theo isn't well enough to be left alone, and we can't risk his father finding him yet. He'll be safe once we get to Hogwarts.
"Happy birthday to you," we finish singing as Harry blows out his candles. The cake is beautifully decorated like Snitch for our favorite seeker.
"Hey, Sef-" Fred starts.
"-just the girl-" George adds.
"-we were looking for," they finish together.
"If you want to talk, lose the twin speak," I tell them.
"Fine! We wanted to give you a few things," Fred says, while George gives me a small box. "Forge and I make prank items. It isn't much, but these should help you protect the Home." Inside the box sits Decoy Detonators, Purvian Darkness Powder and different healing salves.
"We make the healing pastes ourselves. Recipe is in the box, too. You guys are doing good things. We just want to help," George says, before both walk away.
I pace the sitting room waiting for my boys. The Quidditch cup was attacked by Death Eaters, and of course, Harry gets caught up in it.
Several pops sound around the room, causing me to draw my wand. Seeing my foster family, I relax my stance. Looking around, I start barking orders, "If you're hurt, find a seat. If not, I'll need help."
Several people step forward, leaving only Remus and the oldest two Weasley sons on the couches.
"Harry take the twins to the med room. Get burn and bruise paste, maybe some Skele-Gro. Pads, kitchen, Moony needs chocolate." The four boys take off. "Mr. Weasley, have you let Molly know you're all okay?" He leaves.
Accessing each person, I start with Remus, the most injured. The Death Eaters targeted him specifically for his wolf genes. Cursed wounds are healed and Skele-Gro for his broken ribs, leaving just bruises, so Sirius takes over.
The younger five Weasley's are administering healing salves to the oldest sons, while Arthur has his head in the floo, calming an irate Molly Weasley.
A knock rasps against the front door. Walking over to to answer it, I look up at Narcissa, asking, "Why are you three here? I have no problem with it, of course, but will I need to prepare a room?"
"Two, unfortunately. My husband was part of the late night entertainment, and Pansy's father tried to kill her in the chaos. I can not let either return to those conditions. Unlike with Theodore, you'll have parental consent of guardianship. Paloma and I have both signed them," she says, handing me papers.
"Narcissa, these documents give me custody, not Sirius," I look at her in disbelief.
"My cousin is reckless. While I do not wish it, he is bound to get over his head one day. This protects the children, in the event something happens to Siri." I nod in acknowledgement, still reeling from the revelation.
"Alright, Draco, stay with Theo in the recovery bay for the night. Pansy, you can stay in the medic room next to mine, and tomorrow, we'll get the three of you moved into proper rooms. Weasleys, floors two and three have empty beds. Stay or floo, it's up to you."
Making a round through the guests, I let my boys know I'm heading to bed. Pansy follows me up. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. Just, please don't go in my room. I'm currently hiding something from Sirius and don't want anyone to know until it's ready."
Opening the door to her temporary room, she thanks me, going to lay on the lone bed. "Goodnight, Gaunt."
"You live here now, call me Sef. Goodnight, Pansy."
Entering my room, I hear faint laughter. On the hidden side of my bed, Kreacher is telling Regulus about tonight. "Oh, Lucius is going to be pissed, losing his heir to Sirius."
"It's worse than that," I say, grabbing their attention. "Narcissa didn't give Sirius guardianship. I now have two foster children." His quiet laughter rises in volume.
"Even better," he grins. "Are you okay, Korre? This is a lot of responsibility for a sixteen year old."
"Yes, Reg, I'm okay. It is a lot, but they need me. I need to protect them."
"Just be careful, Mon Ami. Someone should be protecting you," he says, staring me down.
"That's what you're here for," I tell him, sitting on the edge of my bed.
"You are entirely frustrating, do you know that? I can't protect you trapped in a painting, nor will I be around all the time." I never knew a portrait, even magical, could look so frantic.
"You've been helping me study all summer, and said yourself I'm 'highly competent' with my magic. You know I can hold my own, I know you watched the mock dueling contest we had with the Weasleys last week. Reg, what's really bothering you?"
His frustration depletes into sadness. "No teenager should face such responsibility. I should know," he whispers, fiddling with his sleeve.
"You bare his mark? But not willingly. Sirius said Walburga respected Voldy, but to coerce her child to be branded and abused?" Looking up at his eyes, I see an unspoken truth. "Regulus, when did you take the mark?"
"My seventeenth birthday Father took me out to celebrate. I woke up the next morning, arm sore and permanently hating myself. I ended up dying within a year." He died, because of someone else's greediness, in forced servitude to a mad man. "Hey, don't think on it too much. The past is over and done with."
"You were so young, Regulus. Someone should have protected you, too," I tell him, voice dropping to add, "Sirius should have protected you. That's why you're avoiding him, isnt it?" He nods, solemnly.
Quickly lightening the mood, he starts asking about my new children. We sit talking and joking around for about an hour, before a knock sounds on the door. Pulling the curtain around my bed closed a bit to better hide Regulus, I tell the new comer to enter.
"Hey, Cub, everyone is in bed. Get some rest, Kiddo," Remus tells me, before stepping back out.
"He's right, it is late. We can talk more tomorrow," Regulus says with a smile.
"Goodnight, Love."
"I hate when you do that," he groans. "Go to sleep, Korre."
