Chapter 15 is here! I hope you like it. I'm really tired as I write this, so please let me know if there's any errors, otherwise enjoy!

Chapter 15

Harry slowly pulled the hat off his head, a small grin breaking out over his face as a polite smattering of applause rang through the room. Of course, he ended up in Slytherin. He felt like laughing at what Ron and Hermione would say if they were here right now. He made his way towards the Slytherin table where Regulus had created a space beside him and was looking quietly pleased with this development. He handed Harry his cane, which he gratefully laid beneath his chair.

He sat in the vacant spot, smiling as he was greeted by the Slytherins around him.

Regulus leaned over, "congratulations, Harry" he whispered in his ear, causing Harry to blush slightly.

Regulus introduced Harry to the few nearby who hadn't met him on the train already. He got the feeling that Regulus was asserting his power over the situation, making sure everyone knows that Harry is in with the Blacks.

"Not sure we've ever had a Potter before" a blonde girl said, with a subtle furrow of her eyebrows.

Harry shrugged. "I wouldn't know."

"So how do you know the Blacks?" a red head boy asked, glancing between Regulus and Harry.

"A distant relation" Regulus said, and Harry could see the cogs turning the light of understanding as those around him made the connection. A male related to the Blacks and Potters, it didn't take a genius to work out who he supposedly was.

"Why are you only starting Hogwarts now?" the same boys asked, and Harry felt Regulus bristle beside him.

"That's not really any of your business, now, is it?" Regulus said coldly and the boy lowered his head, going back to his half-finished dinner.

"Come on, Harry" Regulus said quietly, standing and helping Harry up with his cane before leading him from the hall. The other Slytherin 6th year boys trailing behind them.

None spoke as they walked, though Harry was hit with a wave of nostalgia so strong that he couldn't hold back a sniffle or two. It felt strange but wonderful to be back here. Regulus stayed close as they walked, a hand resting on his lower back, guiding Harry, though he knew Harry knew the way.

When they entered the common room, he couldn't help but look around in awe. The Slytherin common room really was stunning. It hadn't changed much in the intervening years, but this was a comfort to Harry rather than a disappointment.

Regulus allowed him a moment, before guiding him to the 6th year dorms.

"Are you OK?" Regulus asked quietly as the others came in, starting to unpack their trunks or else collapsing on their beds in a pile of splayed limbs.

"Yeah" Harry smiled. "I kinda thought I might end up in Slytherin. Plus, now we get to hang out together."

Regulus smiled softly, "I admit I had hoped you would end up with me. I wasn't sure if your Gryffindor tendencies would shine through, though."

Harry chuckled, before moving to unpack him own trunk.

Regulus watched him for a moment before walking over to Severus.

"Think you can analyse this for me?" Regulus asked, holding out the bottle of… something Walburga had given him.

Severus reached for it, but Regulus held it back for a moment. "I'm not sure what it is, but it's dangerous."

Severus nodded again, this time with a roll of his eyes. He didn't ask any further questions though and Harry wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

Everyone else watched the exchange but no one questioned a thing, Harry supposed it was just the way things were done here in Slytherin.

"How do you think the rest of your family will react to you being placed in Slytherin?" Severus asked, tucking the vial into his bag.

Harry knew he was talking about James and Sirius and fissure of worry did run through him. Everyone knew there was a chance he would be sorted into Slytherin, he hoped there would be no ill feelings about it. He was slightly disappointed that he hadn't been placed in Gryffindor with James and Sirius, but he was also kinda relieved. He felt like this was a new start for him and a new house was appropriate. He also was very glad not to be in the same house as Peter.

"I'll think they'll be happy for me."

Severus let out a derisive noise that Harry chose to ignore.

The room was mostly quiet as everyone got ready for bed, it had been a long day after all. He showered and changed for bed, murmuring a quiet good night to the room. He turned to Regulus who was in the bed beside him.

The Black was already looking at him, and for some reason Harry felt the urge to look away.

"Night, Harry" Regulus said pulling his curtains closed before Harry could respond. He lay down slowly, pulling his own curtains closed. His leg ached from the big day and the fall that morning, it wasn't too bad, but it did make it hard to get comfortable though.

He didn't think he had any more pain potions left on him, though he had an appointment to see the mediwitch tomorrow and get a new supply. He squirmed, rolled over, rolled back, before giving up with a huff. It was no use; his mind was too full, and his leg was too painful. He pulled the curtains back and slowly made his way out of bed and into the common room, which was blessedly empty.

He wandered the room, taking in the small things that he hadn't noticed the only other time he'd been in here. The carved snakes around the fireplace. The softness of the cushions, the large assortment of books, piled high on bookshelves in a room off the common room. The painting of Salazar Slytherin that hung on the wall, watching his every move, though it did not speak to him. Eventually his leg grew too sore for even this movement, so he grabbed a book and used his cane to hobble over to a comfortable looking lounge, collapsing in it with a sigh.

A sad grin pulled at the corner of his mouth as he looked at the book, "Hogwarts, A History" he murmured. Hermione would be proud. He figured this would be a good place to start to learn more about things that had been happening at Hogwarts during this time. He wished he'd gotten around to reading the version Hermione had at school.

He started reading, getting lost in the quiet and the soothing light flickering around the room from the fireplace. He's not sure how long he was reading for before he heard a noise and looked up to find Regulus coming into the common room.

He looked delightfully ruffled and Harry had to fight the urge to chuckle.

"What are you doing up, Harry?" Regulus croaked; voice rough from sleep.

"Couldn't sleep" he said simply, and Regulus frowned.

"Come on" Regulus said wandering over and scooping Harry up into his arms. He let out a squawk of surprise dropping the book as he did so. Regulus didn't seem to notice though and Harry's cheeks were flaming red as they made their way back into the dorm.

He didn't, however, ask Regulus to put him down.

They didn't go to Harry's bed however, instead Regulus deposited Harry onto his own bed before rummaging through his trunk.

"Is your leg hurting?" he asked softly. "I packed some extra pain positions just in case."

Harry felt his chest warm at the thoughtfulness of it.

"Oh. Regulus, thank you." Harry murmured, causing Regulus to look up from his rummaging, a small grin on his face as he produced a potion.

Harry downed the potion in one go, feeling its effects almost immediately.

"Sh- should I go back to my bed?" Harry asked as Regulus climbed in beside him.

"No. Stay here, that way you can wake me if you need another potion. Can't have you sitting up half the night in the common room again."

Regulus was already pulling the curtains around them, and Harry found that he quite liked the idea of staying here in Regulus' bed with him… it made him feel less… alone. He curled up on his side, careful not to touch Regulus but still enjoying the warmth of his body beside his own. It didn't take long for sleep to claim him.

When he awoke, it was to find Regulus wrapped around him, holding him tight. Harry snuggled further into the hug, burying his face in Regulus' chest, while his eyes remained closed. He had no recollection of being held like this before. A hand stroking through his hair had him jolting in surprise and he glanced up to find Regulus already staring down at him.

"Good morning" Regulus whispered. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better, ah, thank you."

Regulus smiled, placing a soft kiss on Harry's hair.

"We better get up, first day and all."

"Wouldn't want to be late" Harry joked, still not moving from Regulus' hold.

The younger Black let out a soft sigh before releasing his arms and sitting up. Harry did the same and they pulled the curtains back together. Blinking in surprise as they found the rest of their dorm mates staring back at them.

"Good night, hey fellas" Rabastan laughed, and Harry felt himself blush again, glancing at Regulus who had laughed.

"Wouldn't you like to know."

"I would actually" Rabastan said, and Regulus' eyes narrowed before the youngest Lestrange put up his hands in mock surrender.

"Take it easy, I'm just joking around."

Regulus nodded, climbing out of bed and starting to get ready.

Harry started to as well, realising he'd left his cane in the common room the night before. He pulled on his now green robes, got himself ready before slowly making his way out to fetch it.

Unfortunately, this time there were already people in the common room, and someone had his stick in their hands. He approached them, trying to ascertain if he recognised them at all.

"Ah, that's mine" he said with a friendly smile, looking to the several girls gather around and the one girl in particular who was holding it.

"Oh, sorry" she said calmly, handing it over. "I wasn't sure who it belonged to. Why do you need a cane anyway?"

"Sore leg, obviously" Harry said cheekily, and the group of girls smiled at him.

"I'm Penny, this is Chloe, Mavis and Bernise" the other girls all smiled and said hello.

"Ah, I'm Harry."

"The Potter, that's right" Penny said, eyes turning calculating.

"Harry" a voice called out and he turned to find Regulus and George striding towards him.

"Penny" Regulus said cooly, and Penny nodded back.

Regulus turned to him, effectively dismissing the girl. "You got your cane OK?"

Harry waved it around a little, "yep, no worries."

"I'll be seeing you around, Harry" Penny said, with a little titter that had Regulus' scowl darkening.

"You, ok?" Harry asked quietly, touching Regulus' arm to regain his attention.

"Yeah" he said quietly waving his wand around them, so their conversation was private. George quietly walked away a few steps and stood watch nearby.

"I just can't stand Penny" he said quietly, and Harry knew it took a lot for him to talk about his feelings like this. "We dated for a while last year, but all she cared about was my name."

Harry felt anger, red hot roar through him. His eyes flashed, and his magic swirled around him.

"If she's too stupid to realise how amazing you are, then that's her loss" Harry said fiercely, turning to glare at Penny's retreating back. The force of it so strong that it caused the other to turn around and look at him, she startled at the anger on Harry's usually soft features before smoothing her face and continuing to walk out of the room.

Harry pulled Regulus into an awkward hug. "I'm sorry that happened to you." He went to pull away, but Regulus wrapped his own arms around Harry and held him close for a moment longer.

"Thank you, Harry. Unfortunately, it is something one has to expect when they are a Black and being a Potter isn't much better."

Harry snorted, "I don't think I have to worry about that."

Regulus furrowed his eyebrows but didn't comment further.

He waved his wand, cancelling the spell.

"Come on, Sirius and James will be having kittens waiting to talk to you."

Harry chuckled at the idea, but it ended up being scarily accurate. As they walked up toward the Great Hall, they spotted James and Sirius pacing, both looking anxious. They lit up when they spotted him, and Harry couldn't help his own warm smile as he hurried forward. They hugged him at the same time, making a strange but nice three-way hug. James squeezed him so hard he huffed for breath and Sirius lifted him off the ground, his cane falling with a clatter.

They let him down, but immediately started pelting him with questions.

"Are you okay?"

"Were the Slytherin's nice to you?"

"How was your dorm? Were you warm enough? We can always write home for warmer blankets."

"Did you eat enough last night?"

"How's your leg feeling?"

While they talked Sirius held his face while James paced around him, clearly checking for any injuries.

He let out a joyful laugh.

"Hey, slow down. I'm okay. Everyone has been kind. My leg was a little sore last night, but Regulus had an extra pain potion and he kept me warm all night. I ate plenty at dinner and plan on eating more in a moment."

Sirius and James seemed to deflate a little at that, relaxing and smiling at Harry. Remus let out a snort and Harry noticed him leaning against the wall.

"They've been worrying all night… and morning."

"That's very sweet" Harry said, hugging them both again, "but honestly, I'm good."

Both looked dubious, "remember you can come to us any time, day or night, if you need anything. The password is Tiberius, use it whenever you need to."

Harry blinked at being given the Gryffindor password. They must've been really worried.

"You better go and have some breakfast, don't want to be late on your first day" Sirius said, pulling him into another hug. "Make sure you're looking out for him" the Black heir said to Regulus who merely rolled his eyes in amusement.

"Want to meet up after dinner? You can tell us all about how your first day went."

"Sure, that sounds great."

They started walking into the hall, which was noisy and crowded with students excited for their first day back at school. They had just parted ways, Harry and Regulus walking towards the Slytherin table, while James, Sirius and Remus headed to Gryffindors, when James suddenly stopped and turned.

"What do you mean he kept you warm all night!?"