This was not how he pictured his life at age thirty. Since he was barely a man, he'd always pictured himself a Quidditch player or an Auror or a painter. His parents were always such horrible examples for a child, and ever since he was really young, he'd stopped looking up to them. He promised himself years ago that he'd make a path of his own; that he'd never follow the demands of his parents. But then, after he saw what they could do to blood traitors, how they'd think of them no better than Muggle-borns and Squibs, he got scared. He dreaded the prospect of not having anyone by his side. How foolish he was to think so. How foolish he was to doubt the only person that he knew would have his back no matter what, even if they hadn't been that close since they both were just children (but then again, they were just children when the war first started). When he tried to redeem himself, doing the only good deed he thought would cleanse himself off all his sins, he was prepared that he would die very young. He knew that when he decided to become a coward, all his dreams were going to be wasted. But then he found himself in a Muggle hospital, several weeks after he did his good deed. He was wholly convinced that he'd died and gone to hell, but no, he didn't. He woke up to the sound of a Muggle woman talking to his unconscious-self, unaware that he'd been awake for almost ten minutes until she finally realised he had opened his eyes all along and had been listening to her. All his life, he'd always thought that Muggles would be hideous creatures. That… nurse, though, she was probably the most beautiful being his eyes had ever laid eyes on.

After she got over her shock (and was that joy?) of having him awake, she told him how long it had been since he got to the hospital. She said that a group of Muggle campers found him floating by the beach, barely alive because of all the injuries he suffered. The Muggle doctors were skeptical that he'd survive more than an hour after they tried to safe his life, especially with the head injury he suffered, but he did survive, even though he spent six weeks unconscious. The whole time the nurse talked, only a part of his brain managed to digest what she was saying though. The other part of him was transfixed on her exquisite face. She had thick brown locks with the most stunning pair of blue eyes he'd ever seen. Her skin was so flawless, it made his hand itch to stroke her soft and delicate features, to touch her porcelain-white skin. But her best feature was her lips, and he spent a great amount of time staring at those red lips of hers when she spoke, too much that she should be bothered by how rude he was being. He needed not to use a tenth of his brain to know that he'd fallen in love with the woman in front of him. He'd never been a charmer though, he was always the quiet one in his family. But for her, he'd damn well be a total prince charming, if that meant that she would never leave his side. So, with great effort, he opened his mouth and said the first thing he'd said since the six weeks he'd spent unconscious.

"What's your name?" he'd asked, his voice hoarse from disuse. His question caught her off guard, and it took her a while to answer.

By then, he'd mentally slapped himself in the face for making a fool of himself, and was wishing that he could die for real this time, when he saw her smiling. And dear Salazar, he felt like he'd seen the face of an angel. He felt her hand on his face, gentle as the wind, as she answered his question.

"Irina. My name is Irina Hooper."

With Irina's help, he was able to fully recover in record's time. It wasn't an easy thing to do, but he did it. True, because of all the horrible injuries, he lost his left leg because of how ruined it was when the Muggles found him, and the doctors had to amputate it. But if it was the cost he had to pay to have his Irina in his life, he'd gladly trade both of his legs and his hands as well. It was a week before his release from the hospital that he finally told her the truth about himself, and he'd admit that he was afraid that she'd freak out when she learned that he was a wizard. But Irina merely cocked an eye brow and asked him whether he was ready to have his daily therapy, acting just like she always did as if he just told her that it was raining outside. The day he was finally cleared to leave the hospital, he wrote a letter to Gringotts, withdrawing the money he'd stored away before his parents' death under the name Ronan O'Neal via the letter, exchanged it with Muggle money, and used the huge amount of money to settle about his living conditions in the Muggle world, and to buy a ring to propose Irina with. To say that the woman was shocked would be an understatement, and he had half a mind to take it back, expecting her to say no because of the fact that they'd only known each other properly for only five months. As always though, Irina surprised him when she gave him her angelic smile and said yes to his proposal.

It was simply the happiest he'd ever felt in all his life.

After all the horrible things he'd done, he was still given another chance.

It had been over a decade since they met, and he only loved her even more. With his marriage to Irina, he'd long discarded his magic, using it only when he really needed to (like that time when he accidentally set the kitchen on fire and had no choice but to use magic to put out the fire). Irina kept her job as a nurse, and he became a painter, fulfilling his old dream. Money was rather tight, and he had to admit it frustrated him at first that he had significantly less than what he was used to back in his old life. But it was okay, he didn't care much about money. Though he wished he could give Irina a better life, one that she more than deserved, he knew that what they had was more than enough. His happiness quadrupled when his daughter was born a week after New Year, looking every bit like his lovely wife was. The little girl did have his eyes though, and the moment he had the baby in his arms, he knew that he'd gladly lay down his life for her. He named her Astrid Irina because he knew that not only his little girl was beautiful, the girl would prove to be a better person, much stronger, than he ever was - like her mother. It had been years, he knew that, but he still regretted his past choices. Yes, Irina understood why he did what he did, but in the back of his mind, he knew that there was still one person that needed explanation from him.

That was why, for the first time in years, he ventured out from his small house that he built with his wife, and went to the Ministry of Magic, using more magic than he had ever allowed himself since he met Irina. With a little spell, he'd managed to get the information he wanted from a clueless intern. A week later, after all the encouraging his wife gave to him, he finally found the courage to do his long-overdue task. So, with his beautiful wife by his side, and his newborn daughter in his wife's arms, he stood in front of the huge gate of the Black Manor, pointing his wand at the Black family-crest on the centre of the gate and sent a spell to alert the people inside of the Manor. He waited with baited breath for the gates to open, his hand automatically searched for Irina's ever soothing-one, especially when the gates finally pulled open by an invincible force. At the same time, a man that he hadn't met in almost seventeen years appeared before his eyes. He swallowed heavily when he saw the man's grey eyes landed on him (so very much like his own grey ones), cold and devoid of emotion they were as he heard his wife beside him gasped loudly. He knew exactly what got the woman so surprised about.

Because Regulus Black really did look very much like Sirius Black.

There weren't many things in this world that could catch Sirius off his guard. No matter how much he hated his parents and their horrible teachings, he couldn't help but to be grateful for all the times they taught him to always have absolute control. It had helped him a great deal during his adult life, when he was dealing with all those power-hungry Ministry officials or those hardly trust-worthy Sacred members. But when he saw his brother standing in front of him, looking like he wished the ground would swallow him whole, Sirius thought his heart just stopped. He barely noticed the woman with her baby standing beside Regulus, barely noticed how they held onto each other for dear life. All the Auror could think of was that his little baby brother, who he thought had been dead for thirteen years, was standing right in front of him. Shorter than Sirius was, lankier than Sirius was, it really wasRegulus' face that Sirius was staring at. He didn't even realise Remus' presence beside him a while later, not even when the werewolf let out a small curse under his breath – which was so unlikeRemus, who always made sure he minded everything he said. Sirius had no idea how long he stood there staring at Regulus, who stared right back at him, until he felt Remus tapped his shoulder.

"I think it's best for us to get inside," his best friend said. "It's freezing out here, and it's bad for the baby."

Both Blacks snapped their eyes onto the baby in the woman's arms, one had a curious look on his face while the other looked worry. The younger of the two picked the baby and brought her against his chest, turned to his brother and said, "Sirius, I promise I'll explain everything to you, but please, will you let us in?"

Sirius eyes flickered onto the small bundle in his brother's arms, and made a small nod. "Yeah, sure."

With his best friend by his side, Sirius led Regulus and his small family back into the house. Once inside, he Conjured a thick blanket and passed it to the younger Black, who accepted it with a look of the utmost gratitude. Feeling awkward, Sirius turned to Remus and wordlessly told him to get their respective better halves down into the living room. The werewolf gave a curt nod and went to fetch Marlene and Dorcas, but not before he told one of the Elves to get their guests something to eat. Once the Elf came with cake and hot chocolate, Sirius waved his hand and gestured for Regulus and his wife to have some. Regulus muttered thanks but he didn't move to take a bite of the cake or a sip of the chocolate. In fact, the only movement in the room came from the Regulus' wife (was she really?) who carefully drank her hot chocolate, a slight tremor in his hands as her eyes flew in the direction where the Elf just disappeared after it delivered the food. Unable to handle the silence any longer, Sirius cleared his throat and said, "How old is she? Your baby."

"She'll be a month old on February sixth," Regulus answered, shifting a bit in his seat to get a little more comfortable with a baby in his arms. His movement caused his pant-leg to lift a bit, and only then Sirius noticed the metal-leg where Regulus' right leg should have existed.

"What happened to your leg?" Sirius said before he could stop himself. His brother flinched a bit, looking down to his prosthetic leg with a small frown.

"It's a long story," he said, earning a scowl from the Auror.

"Well, I have plenty of time, right now. And you did come to say something to me, right?" Sirius said, his voice raising even though he was mindful not to wake the baby up. "So, I suggest you to start explaining to me, Reggie."

The use of his childhood nickname seemed to do it, because the next thing Sirius knew, Regulus' story came like a flash flood. "I'd wanted out for a long time before my…death.I learned about the Dark Lord being a half-blood, and how almost everyone who joined him became mad with power. I knew I had to get out, but I realised it'd come with a price. I worked hard to find his weakness and tried to destroy it. But I…I nearly died. To be honest, it was always a mystery to me about how I managed to survive after…after trying to fight off hundreds of vicious Inferi. I was found not long after that, floating on the shore of a beach near the cave where I almost died. A group of Muggles brought me to a Muggle hospital, and they had to chop my leg off because of how the Inferi tried to mangle it. Six weeks later, I woke up and learned that after all of my sins, I still had another chance to make everything right. I met my wife Irina at the hospital, and decided that I'd leave the wizarding world once and for all. But when my little Astrid was born, I realised that she'd be a witch, and I didn't want her to be isolated from all that, pretending to be a Muggle until she finally had her letter. So yeah, that was when I decided I'd have to come clean to you."

Sirius had hard time trying to process everything Regulus said. His brothers' words were going on repeat in his mind, and he was sure he looked like a bloody idiot the whole time he tried to have some sort of control on his scattered mind. By the time he finally digested what Regulus said, Remus had come with the ladies into the living room. Both Dorcas and Marlene, who was holding Jade in her arms, let out loud gasps when their eyes landed on Regulus' form. Sirius immediately went to his fiancee's side, guiding the love his life toward where his brother and his family were, the Lupins following behind him. Clearing his throat for the second time that night, Sirius said, "Mar, let me introduce you to my brother and his wife; Regulus and Irina Black. And that little one he's holding is Astrid, his daughter. Reggie, meet my fiancee Marlene McKinnon and my little baby Jade."

"Pleasure to meet you, Miss McKinnon," Regulus said politely, offering his free hand to Marlene, who took it with a dazed look on her face.

"And you know Remus, don't you, Reg? The petite woman beside him is his wife, Dorcas," Sirius continued. Regulus nodded his head and went to shake Remus and Dorcas' hands.

Regulus opened his mouth to say something, but whatever it was he was going to say was cut short when his daughter started to cry, her little fists punching out of the blanket Regulus wrapped her with restlessly. Almost immediately, Regulus' wife (she was his wife, and her name was Irina, you dunderhead!) transferred the baby into her arms, gently cooing over the crying girl. She grimaced when she felt the baby's forehead, and it didn't take a genius to guess what she felt. Looking at her husband, she worried her lip, before carefully averted her gaze at Sirius.

"Yes?" Sirius said, tilting his head to the side. Irina swallowed but she bravely continued.

"Do you…do you have some place for me to lay Astrid down for awhile? I promise it won't be long. I just want to give her something for her cold. She's been a little sick since yesterday."

Without looking at Marlene, Sirius said, "Mar, please take Irina here and Astrid to the guest room. And if it's okay with her, will Dorcas check on the baby? Make sure she's okay."

"Of course, Sirius," Marlene said, giving Sirius a small peck on his cheek before she turned to Irina. Giving the blonde a smile, she said, "Follow me, please. We'll make sure your daughter is okay. I believe she's around my Jade's age, right?"

Whatever reply Irina gave Marlene, Sirius had no idea. The three women had disappeared into one of the many guest rooms the Manor had. But Sirius had enough time to observe the woman that had won his brother's heart. Since they were young, Regulus was always the more reserved one between the two of them. In fact, Regulus and their cousin Narcissa were the only quiet Blacks when the younger generation of the Black family gathered together. Sirius himself and Narcissa's sisters, Bellatrix and Andromeda, were obnoxiously loud like the rest of their family were. He remembered while he was gifted the ability to talk his way out of every situation he got himself in, especially when it came to charming girls off, Regulus was always tongue-tied. But Sirius remembered the the bratty Pureblooded girls Regulus dated back when they were still at Hogwarts, all the leggy blondes that tailed after his little brother while Sirius was busy dodging his own hoard of giggling girls. But of course, it wasn't the fact that Irina was a brunette and shorter than Regulus' past girlfriends that shocked Sirius. It was the fact that the woman seemed to be scared when she saw the Elf, or when Sirius popped in front of the gates to see who had sounded the alarm.

The woman was a Muggle.

"She's a Muggle, isn't she?" Sirius said slowly, his eyes boring holes into his brother's. Regulus made a small nod, his face blushed faintly.

"She is. Irina was the nurse who looked after me back when I was still at the hospital. She was the first person I saw after weeks of being unconscious. And I fell for her the second I laid eyes on her." He let out a mirthless chuckle before he continued. "Don't you find it ironic, brother? You were always the one who hated all of the Pureblood traditions. Mother was always convinced that you'd end up marrying a Muggle. Yet it was me, who married one."

For the first time since their reunion, Sirius felt himself grin. "The harpy must be rolling in her grave right now, I bet. Along with her husband and the rest of our ancestors."

Both Blacks shared a laugh, but it didn't last long. A serious look took over Regulus' handsome face as he looked at his older brother closely. "Sirius, if you must know, I'm here not only to clear things out with you. I'm here for other purposes."

Sirius instantly sobered up as well and he leaned forward, showing his brother that he was all ears. "What do you need, Reggie?"

Regulus glanced at the door where his wife was with his baby, and let out a small sigh. It wouldn't be a walk in the park, sure, but if he really wanted his daughter to be a part of the world he'd left behind, he had to do this.

"I want to help you to defeat Voldemort, and I want to join the Order of the Phoenix."