I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Just so everyone knows, I will be on vacation for the next two weeks, so I do not know if I will be able to update during that time. If I can, I will, but if not, I will update when I get back. Thank you for your patience!
Chapter 101: A Sibling's Dream
Regulus I was bored. Then again, he was just a portrait, so he didn't have much to do, especially because he was stuck at Black Manor, where his brother had left him and his sister, Lycoris. He wished he wasn't stuck with Lycoris, because she liked to talk non-stop, and he had probably heard all of her stories at least fifty times by now.
Regulus I was listening as Lycoris was telling him about her fifth year at Hogwarts, which he already knew all of. All of a sudden, the door opened, and in walked Arcturus.
"Lycoris, I am sure Regulus has already heard that story, just as I had," Arcturus interrupted her rant. Turning to Regulus I, he continued. "Regulus, you know how I've told you about my grandson who was named after you?"
"Of course, I remember," Regulus I answered with a roll of his painted eyes. "Why?"
"I was wondering if you'd be willing to talk to Regulus and his older brother, Sirius. Funny enough, they grew up with parents like our father. However, their mother was worse by far. Before they came to live with Melania and myself, Sirius and Regulus had a childhood like we did. Regulus acted like the perfect child, like you did."
"Alright, alright, whatever you say, Arcturus," Regulus I cut him off. "I get what you're asking. Fine, I'll talk to them, but not with our sister around."
"Hey! I want to hear it too!" Lycoris exclaimed.
"I'll take you with me back to Hogwarts, Regulus," Arcturus said, ignoring Lycoris. He knew that she didn't want to hear what anyone had to say, she just wanted something new to gossip about. "Just a warning though, the younger generations use nicknames. So, Regulus is Reg, and Sirius is Siri."
"Children these days," Regulus I muttered. "Fine, take me to Hogwarts. Say, could you keep me there?"
"Hey! I don't want to be all by myself!" Lycoris exclaimed.
"How about I take you to Grimmauld Place where you can bother someone else?" Arcturus suggested.
Lycoris' face lit up. "Oh, I would love to be around the other portraits!" she said excitedly.
"Good. Then I shall take you to Grimmauld Place," Arcturus said, picking up her portrait. "Regulus, I will be back for you, and we'll go to Hogwarts."
Sirius and Regulus were playing exploding snap together when Sirius suddenly got a message telepathically from his grandmother.
"Sirius, your grandfather wants to see you and Regulus," Melania said.
"Oh, Grandmother wants us to go see Grandfather," Sirius told his brother. "Come on. Let's go see what he wants."
When they arrived, they found Arcturus sitting at his desk, with a portrait they didn't recognize.
"Sirius, Regulus, this is the portrait of Regulus I, your grand-uncle," Arcturus introduced them.
The two brothers widened their eyes in surprise. Regulus, especially, had never thought he'd have the chance to talk to his namesake.
"Oh… wow!" Regulus said in admiration.
"Hello, Sirius and Regulus," Regulus I greeted them.
"Hello, Uncle Regulus," Sirius said.
"Hello, Uncle Aslan," Regulus greeted him.
Regulus I rolled his eyes. "What?" he asked.
"Uncle Aslan," Regulus repeated. "It's your new nickname. I sometimes go by Reg or Leo, and Sirius goes by Siri or Padfoot."
"What is it about children these days, having nicknames and giving other people nicknames?" Regulus I asked. "It's silly."
"I think your new nickname fits you well, Aslan," Arcturus said, smiling at him when Regulus rolled his eyes again. "You've always rolled your eyes a lot as a child. Not around our parents, of course. Anyway, the younger generations have nicknames. For example, there's Andromeda, also known as Andi, Narcissa, also known as Cissa, and Bellatrix, also known as Bella,, I might add, that Bellatrix has a more complicated story, one that I will tell you later. Then we have Lucretia, also known as Lucy. It's a form of affection, something that we did not have growing up."
"Do you have a nickname?" Regulus I asked.
"No, I do not," Arcturus admitted.
"We need to change that!" Sirius cut in.
"There is no need," Arcturus protested.
"Oh, come on! You're not getting away with not having a nickname when Uncle Aslan has one!" Regulus pointed out. "Besides, now you sound like him! So, either you pick one, or we will!"
"You pick one, then," Arcturus said with a chuckle. "You're better at coming up with them than I am."
"Basil," Sirius decided.
"I can see that. Very well," Arcturus agreed.
"Good. Now no one's left out," Regulus I said. "Now, where did Leo and Padfoot come from?"
"We'll show you," Sirius said, turning into Padfoot. He barked a few times, running around the room.
"Padfoot! Sit!" Regulus scolded.
Padfoot turned around and growled. Regulus got the hint. He turned into his lion form.
"Ha! I am a mountain lion," Regulus I said. "Too bad I can't transform anymore, not even in this portrait."
Sirius turned back to his human form. Leo walked closer to Sirius. He got the cue. He climbed onto Leo's back and rode around on him for a few minutes. Finally, Sirius jumped off of his back, and Regulus turned back to his human form.
"Do you want to play twenty questions?" Sirius asked.
"What's that?" Regulus I asked curiously.
"It's something that Muggles play all the time when they want to get to know someone," Sirius explained. "You ask questions back and forth, and not only do you have to answer it, but the person asking does too."
"Alright, fine. Go ahead," Regulus I agreed.
Regulus started. "What's your favorite color?" he asked.
"Green," Regulus I answered.
"Royal blue," Regulus answered.
"Yellow," Sirius added. He then asked his question. "What is, or was, your favorite subject at Hogwarts?"
"Magical Transportation," Regulus I answered.
Sirius and Regulus gave each other surprised looks. They had never heard of such a class. Sirius then spoke. "Mine is Transfiguration."
"Me? Probably Astronomy," Regulus responded thoughtfully.
Regulus I asked his question. "What is your favorite family holiday?"
"Halloween," Regulus answered.
"Yule," Sirius added. "But as a disclaimer, except for when my namesake interrupted!"
"What happened?" Regulus I asked.
"Answer the question, then we'll tell you," Sirius said with a smirk.
"Oh, alright. New Year," Regulus I stated.
"So, basically, Father ruined everything," Arcturus explained. "He was upset because there were half-bloods there, along with Squibs, and, you can probably guess what he did."
"Did he hurt the children?" Regulus I asked angrily.
"Almost. But I stopped him, and, to put it simply, he finally left, and never comes to the balls anymore," Arcturus explained.
"He must be really old by now," Regulus I said. "I mean, old for him, anyway. He's used dark magic his whole life, and that eats away at your magical core."
Arcturus chuckled and nodded. It was now Regulus' turn to ask a question. "What is the best book you've ever read?"
"Well, I was never allowed to read Muggle books, so I once snuck in Molière," Regulus informed them.
"And didn't you read them in French?" Arcturus wanted to confirm.
"I did!" his younger brother replied.
"For me, Lord of the Rings," Regulus responded.
"Little House On the Prairie," Sirius added. Sirius then asked, "What's your favorite food?"
"Rice pudding," Regulus I answered.
"Treacle tart," Sirius said.
"Chocolate biscuits," Regulus said. Regulus I rolled his eyes. "Of course," he said. "All desserts. Alright, what's your Hogwarts House?" He had a feeling he already knew. After all, Blacks were always in Slytherin.
"Gryffindor," both boys said at the same time.
"Gryffindor? Really?" Regulus I asked in shock. "I was in Slytherin, of course."
"Yeah, the Hat decided that we were just too strange for Slytherin," Sirius joked.
"I love my brother more than life itself," Regulus commented. "That's why I went, but, to be honest, Gryffindor fits better."
"I agree with you, Regulus," Regulus I said.
"Leo," Regulus corrected with a grin.
"Aww, Reg, how nice of you!" Sirius said, throwing an arm around his little brother.
"Aslan, I always knew that to be true in our adult lives, but of course, as children, you had a role to play. Either way, it is nice to hear that," Arcturus spoke up.
It was Regulus' turn to ask a question. "What's your favorite music?" he asked.
"Not much of a music person," Regulus I admitted. "But what about you two?"
"Rock," Sirius said.
"Pop," Regulus said.
"Alright," Sirius said. "Who's your favorite family member, and why?"
"Arcturus, of course," Regulus I said with a smile. "Despite all the things I've said or done as a child, he never stopped caring, even when he pranked me, it was harmless."
Sirius grinned. "I have to agree with your pick," he said. "Grandfather's the best!"
Arcturus chuckled. "Thank you, both of you," he said gratefully.
"Sirius is my favorite, because he made sure I was a part of the Marauders when I started my first year, and he's always looked out for me," Regulus said.
Sirius grinned. "Thanks, Leo!"
It was Regulus I's turn. "What is your favorite hobby?"
"Quidditch or just flying in general," Sirius responded.
"Playing chess," Regulus added.
"Mine was reading," Regulus I said with a sigh. "I miss reading. However, chess was a close second. Chess is what Lycoris loved to do whenever she wasn't gossiping."
Regulus grinned. "That's funny," he commented before asking his next question. "What is the most rebellious thing you've ever done?"
"Probably by me declining to marry anyone," Regulus I said. "I thought Father was going to kill me."
"I think I can speak for both of us when I say that the most rebellious thing was when we told Grandmother and Grandfather what our parents were doing to us," Sirius explained.
"You did the right thing," Regulus I said.
"Thanks," Sirius said, then asked his question. "What are all the languages you speak?"
"English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Latin, Korean, and Chinese," Regulus I named off. The two boys stared at him. "By the way, Arcturus knows the same languages."
"Wow!" Sirius breathed. "Reg and I only know how to do English, French, a little Spanish, and a little Italian."
Regulus I nodded. "Not surprising," he said. "What is your favorite memory?"
"For me, probably when we brought Uncle Marius back into the family," Sirius said with a smile.
"For me, it's when I got sorted into Gryffindor, and I was surrounded by friends, not just allies," Regulus stated. "Mother and Father had always said not to make friends, only allies or enemies. But I finally had, and still do, have friends."
"That's good," Regulus I said with a sigh. "I never had real friends. So I'm glad you do, at least. Well, I guess the memory that comes to mind is the time when we went to Germany for a vacation, and for just one week, there was no blood purity. It was just a regular family vacation."
"I remember that trip," Arcturus said with a smile.
"Alright, my turn," Regulus said. "What is the best gift you've ever received?"
"Honestly, the notebook that Cassiopeia gave me for Yule one year," Regulus answered.
"For me, the Advanced Transfiguration book from Cissa," Sirius said.
"I think it would be the chess set that Grandmother and Grandfather got me on my eleventh birthday," Regulus said.
"We talked about our favorite subjects at Hogwarts, but what about our least favorite?" Sirius asked.
"Divination," Regulus I responded immediately.
"You'll be happy to know that we do not have that class here anymore," Arcturus informed him.
"Thank Merlin!" Regulus I exclaimed.
"For me, it's Transfiguration. Sorry Sirius," Regulus said.
"It's alright," Sirius assured him. "Mine is Potions. I just can't stay still for long, and you have to sit there forever."
"I liked Potions quite a bit. Probably my second favorite subject," Regulus I said. "Now, when are your birthdays?"
"Twentieth of January," Regulus said.
"Third of November," Sirius added.
"The tenth of July," Regulus I informed them.
"Alright, what are your love languages?" Regulus asked.
Regulus I rolled his eyes. When he didn't say anything, and Sirius and Regulus were getting confused, Arcturus spoke up.
"He gave you his answer," he said with a chuckle. "Rolling his eyes."
"Oh!" Regulus said with understanding. "Got it! For me, probably a hug."
"Same here," Sirius agreed. "Now, what about favorite animals? What is your favorite animal?"
"An owl," Regulus I replied.
"A dog, obviously," Sirius said.
"A snake," Regulus stated.
"A Gryffindor snake. That's unusual," Regulus I said thoughtfully.
Arcturus smiled. "Snakes are rather useful," he commented. "They are feared by many, but in reality, they are very useful. And speaking of hugging, snakes can hug without using arms."
"True," Regulus said.
"Well then," Regulus I said. "What is one dream you haven't been able to fulfill?"
"Well, this is still something that the school is struggling with, but uniting the houses," Sirius explained.
"For me, probably… I think getting into the Hogwarts straight O list," Regulus said. "I always seem to get at least one E or A."
"Well, I didn't get on that list until my sixth year, so don't give up," Regulus told him. "Me, I never really got a chance to just be me, and not worry about what the family thinks of me."
"You were more open in your adult years," Arcturus pointed out.
"Yes, but I always had that worry about impressing people or making people happy, no matter what it cost me," Regulus I explained.
"I felt like that when living with our parents," Regulus said. "Alright, what country do you wish you could visit? But just to let you know, you don't have to impress us. We just want you. Besides, you've already impressed us by being fluent in eight languages."
"Well, I like learning new languages," Regulus said.
"Yes, but that's a lot!" Sirius exclaimed. Regulus I shrugged before answering the question. "The United States, because there are members of the Black Family there, and I never got the chance to meet them when I was alive, because I never was allowed to go to the States. Father said that only the Heir and the adults got to go, and by the time I became an adult, I just didn't ask to go. I should have."
"The United States is fascinating, but it was wrong for Father to refuse to take you. I remember going, both as the Heir and once as the Patriarch," Arcturus explained. "If you'd like, we can go to the States someday, and I can take your portrait with us as well."
"Alright," Regulus I agreed.
"For me, I'd like to go to Germany," Regulus said. "That sounds like fun!"
"I think I'd like to go to Hawaii," Sirius said.
"That's in the United States," Arcturus informed him.
"Oh! It is? Cool!" Sirius exclaimed. "Alright, last question! Well, to make it fair, we can do a bonus question after this one. Then it will be seven rounds altogether. Anyway, are you allergic to anything?"
"I was allergic to peanuts," Regulus I said.
"Same here!" Regulus said. "Something else we have in common!"
"Nope, nothing for me," Sirius said.
"Alright, if you insist on one more question, then here we go," Regulus I said. "If you could learn another language, what would it be?"
"Japanese," Regulus said.
"Arabic," Sirius said.
"Ukrainian would have been a fun one to learn," Regulus I said sadly. "Oh well. Eight languages is good enough."
"I've always wanted to learn that one too," Arcturus said. "Perhaps we can both learn it together."
"But I'm just a portrait!" Regulus I said.
"Perhaps, but you can still learn," Arcturus said with a smile. "We'll make it work."
"You know, I've found that you and I did live similar lives," Regulus said to his namesake. "I mean, I live in a much better home now, but when I was with Mother and Father, it was really bad. I had to be the perfect child. I hated it."
"Yes, I was the perfect child too, though I think you have it better than I did, because at least now you live with Arcturus," Regulus I pointed out. "I never got lucky. I had to stay in that blasted old house my entire childhood. At least you are cared for, now."
Regulus rolled his eyes. Sirius burst out laughing as Regulus went and tried to hug the portrait.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?!" Regulus I asked.
"It's called a hug!" Regulus said with a laugh. "So what if you're a portrait? I can hug you!"
"Arcturus, are the younger generations really like this?" Regulus I asked, annoyed.
Arcturus smiled. "The younger generations are much more affectionate," he said. Sirius stepped forward and hugged Arcturus. "See? I told you! They hug me all the time, and I've started hugging them as well." He turned to Sirius and Regulus. "It's getting close to curfew," he informed them. "You will have to go back to Gryffindor Tower soon. The portrait will remain here from now on, so you'll see Aslan often."
"Really?" Regulus asked. Arcturus nodded. "That's brilliant, Grandfather Basil!" Then he became introspective. "I've learned a lot about my family, but the one thing I can put to rest is that I can freely be proud of my whole name. I lucked on two of the most amazing members of my family. One of my biggest dreams has been fulfilled today." Sirius grinned.
"You lucky bugger," he said, grinning, hugging his brother tightly. "I'm not so lucky."
Regulus I and Regulus rolled their eyes, causing everyone to laugh. Arcturus smiled.
"Lucky or not, your names are uniquely yours," he said. "And as for dreams being fulfilled, that's always a good thing."
"That's correct," Regulus I agreed. "You both will have more dreams fulfilled than I did."
"Don't be a downer," Arcturus said sternly.
Regulus I rolled his eyes. "Alright, alright," he said. "But in all seriousness, I am glad that I have lived up to your expectations."
"Oh, you're more than enough!" Regulus exclaimed contentedly. "You're a sibling's dream! I'm not pulling your leg, I promise!"
Sirius smiled. "I stand with my brother on this one, Uncle Aslan. But also Leo, you're a sibling's dream."
"Er, thanks?" Regulus said, almost like a question. "That's nice of you to say, Siri."
"Thank you, I suppose," Regulus I said awkwardly.
"Now, you both need to get going," Arcturus told his grandsons.
"Alright, goodbye, Grandfather, Uncle Aslan," Sirius and Regulus said as they left the headmaster's office.
Once they had left, Arcturus turned to Regulus I's portrait. "Well?" he prompted.
"Well, what?" his brother asked.
"What did you think of them?" Arcturus asked.
"They were… interesting, to say the least," Regulus I said. "They are different from the generation we grew up in, but I am glad that they have you to look after them."
"Did you think they would love you as much as they do?" Arcturus asked curiously.
"No, I did not," Regulus I said simply. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I want to take a nap."
Arcturus knew that portraits did not need naps, so Regulus I was just trying to end the conversation because it made him feel awkward. He was not used to the praise or being loved. Arcturus decided to let it go for today because they had already discussed many things for one day, and a lot of it had been emotional.
"Alright, enjoy your nap," Arcturus said, setting the portrait on a shelf. He walked over to his desk to get some work done.