Chapter 149

No more regrets

Note from J.M. Jackson: Sorry for the delay, it's been a rough week.

As Sirius looked around what would have been his office at Hogwarts, he sighed. "This really is creeping me the fuck out," Sirius said, waving his wand to clear the place of dust. "Honestly, if not for the fact that Slytherin's tomb is here, this would probably be the perfect hiding place for the school that Minerva's running."

"I can see why you'd think that, love," Remus said, as he sat down in an old chair that looked stable. He smiled. "It does feel nice, though, being here, as though we were back at Hogwarts. I was actually thinking that when we've done this, I might look at teaching at Hogwarts."

"Minerva would like that, I think," Scrimgeour said. "You have a lot of wisdom to impart, Remus."

"Thank you, Rufus," Remus smiled at the man. "So, if you don't mind me asking, how did things start with you and Molly?"

"Well, we've been at the hidden school, teaching, as you know, and one evening we were talking about when we've won the war. Thanks to Lily, and how well she's been leading us, everyone is speaking about when we win the war, not if. It's been a good sign of hope, and we know a lot of people are starting to question everything that Riddle and Pius are spreading," Rufus explained.

"Yeah, she's pretty good at giving hope," Sirius agreed, chuckling. "She's a lot like her mum in that sense."

"I wish I'd had a chance to know the Potter's, everyone tells me about how wonderful they were," Scrimgeour replied. "In any case, from that we got to talking about what we want for the future, and she and I discussed what she would do. She wasn't sure, so I suggested that she could come and work at the ministry, or even at Hogwarts. We discussed the fact that she is far more powerful than she realises, and that the future should involve learning life skills; with all due respect to Albus, he never put a lot of focus on that at Hogwarts, and I think we need to change that."

"Can't disagree with you on that one," Crouch said, chuckling. "My mum would have loved to hear you say that; she tried to teach me those kinds of spells all the time at home."

"In any case, one thing led to another, and then we were kissing. I must admit, I never expected anything like that to happen, but it felt right, and nice," Scrimgeour said.

"She's a good woman, Rufus, and you're a good man. The two of you can, and likely will, make each other happy, and you both deserve that," Remus said. "I'm thankful that I have Sirius and Angeline, so I can appreciate how you feel."

"How did that happen anyway?" Crouch asked.

"Us and Angeline?" Sirius asked. "That involved a night of drinking, laughter, and letting down our hair for the first time in a long time. We woke up the next morning, all three of us in bed together, and Remus wasn't sure how to react, but I pointed out that we were all consenting adults, and we shouldn't think of it as a mistake, but maybe as an opportunity."

"I wasn't sure when Sirius got so damned wise, but it left me dumbfounded. Angeline agreed, and we spent the next few days talking about what the future could hold, and after we'd been dating for a while, we decided to try for kids," Remus added.

"Romantic and sweet," Crouch complimented. "Always cherish those moments. I'm just… it's funny that we're all here, friends, and happy in our lives thanks to Lily and her gift."

"I know what you mean. I did some research, and there have been examples of an Aura making a difference to people's lives, but not for the last three centuries. She is… very unique, and forgiving," Scrimgeour said. "I have to admit, I've considered what might have happened had she not been who she is, and if her gift hadn't been brought out. I think I'd have been colder, harsher, and maybe even dead. I wouldn't have trusted Lily so much, or been happy to go to your wedding," Scrimgeour said.

"And chances are, we wouldn't be together. We loved each other, but Lily's confidence in us helped us find that love again," Sirius said.

"And all because you, Sirius, defied Dumbledore's plans, and raised Lily yourself," Crouch said. "All these changes because of one small difference."

"Yeah, it's kinda impressive how you managed to screw with Dumbledore's plans. As much as I respect the man, I never understood why he wanted Lily raised as a muggle, or why he wanted to have Lily raised by those muggles she's related to," Scrimgeour said.

"I kind of understand his thinking," Remus said. "I don't agree with it, but I understand. I researched the spell he did, and I know what Albus said; he thought it would give Lily a normal childhood."

"With all due respect to Albus, that's bullshit," Scrimgeour said, his eyes narrowing. "Did he think wizarding children didn't have a normal childhood?"

"Lily would have had whatever childhood she wanted. I went along with raising her like a muggle, but with what we've learnt, I suspect it was also because it meant Death Eaters couldn't track her," Sirius said. "I mean, the trace activates when a child is born, and from what Riddle has done, it wouldn't have been too difficult for his followers inside the ministry to use the trace to find her."

"I suppose not," Scrimgeour agreed. "I mean, was she ever found?"

"If we believe Severus, then yes, she was, once at least," Remus replied.

"Unfortunately, I do," Sirius grumbled. "I remember exactly the moment he referred to when he told Lily what he did; Minerva and I both suspected we'd been found, so we left the area as we'd been on holiday."

"I don't understand why Snape waited for so long to kill Dumbledore," Crouch said.

"Lily… well, there's something that Lily suspects, but we don't understand how it could be true," Sirius said. "Lily thinks it's possible that… that Dumbledore asked Snivellus to kill him."

"No offence to Lily, but that's insane," Scrimgeour replied. "I know she wants to see the best in people, and we know he was dying anyway, but asking Snape to kill him? No, even I can't see that happening, and there isn't much I'd put past Albus."

"I agree, and I told Lily as much. If she comes across him, she won't hesitate, but she does want answers. Hell, I want answers as well. Lily senior trusted him, and always thought there was good in him. Really can't see it myself, but there could be something we're missing," Sirius replied.

"Maybe, but we'll figure this out once we've defeated him," Crouch said. "We've got to find the entrance to the tomb; it has to be around here somewhere."

"We've looked in all the places it could be though," Remus pointed out. "And none of the others have had any luck."

"Yeah, but is anyone else getting a weirded out feeling?" Sirius asked, looking around and frowning. "Like we're being watched?"

"Noticed it too?" Scrimgeour asked, also looking around. "Maybe a spell left behind, or some kind of remnant ghost?"

"Maybe," Remus replied, as they headed out of the office, and back towards the hallway. He stopped as he saw a flicker of light. "Did anyone else see that?"

"Yeah," Sirius replied, his wand out as he headed down the corridor, followed by the other three. As they followed the flickering light, they quickly came upon what would have been the Great Hall. There were four rows of tables, as was the norm at Hogwarts, all with plates on them, but everything was covered in dust. Crouch waved his wand, the dust instantly vanishing and the room looking untouched.

"Okay, this is… weird," Sirius said, as he looked at the crockery on the tables. "Slytherin really missed being at Hogwarts I'm guessing."

"Very likely," Crouch agreed. "But he couldn't reconcile his differences with the other founders."

"He was a bigot; they were right to be shot of him," Sirius muttered.

"Whilst I don't disagree, he did help bring around the era of peace that was needed back then," Scrimgeour said. "Doesn't excuse his actions, but I think he did genuinely care for his people."

"Maybe, which is what makes him different from Mouldy Shorts, but still, he clearly had an obsession with the school," Sirius commented.

"We should be able to find something here," Crouch said, before freezing and looking at the top table. The others looked in the same direction, all of them seeing what Crouch was seeing; a ghost, sitting at the top table, looking like he was waiting for them. What bothered Sirius was who he was looking at.

"Regulus?"

"Hello, Sirius," the ghost of Regulus Black said, smiling as he stood up and walked through the table towards the group. "It's been a while."

"This is impossible; you never became a ghost after you died," Sirius said. Regulus nodded.

"You're right, I didn't. This place is more than just a replica of Hogwarts. As your goddaughter is finding out at the moment; it's a conduit for great magic," Regulus said, before holding up a hand. "Don't worry, she's perfectly safe."

"A conduit? I thought there weren't any left?" Scrimgeour commented, his eyes narrowing. Regulus waved his hand, indicating the great hall.

"This place was the last to exist; the magic mostly faded after the people were killed, or left," Regulus, before sharing the story of the wizard in love, whose true love was killed by his family.

"So, bigotry led to the downfall of this little culture; that doesn't surprise me," Sirius remarked, rolling his eyes.

"No, it doesn't surprise me either," Regulus said.

"You're here because there's still some magic left to the conduit?" Sirius asked. Regulus nodded.

"I am; all of your friends are experiencing a vision from the conduit. For you, I am here. I'm not entirely sure why, though your goddaughter is seeing the spirit of Lucius Malfoy," Regulus said.

"That kind of makes sense," Remus told them. "I'm guessing that the conduit is sensing the regret that Draco has; it's powerful, and if this place was destroyed because of anger, the loss of love, and sorrow, then that's what the conduit would be connecting with."

"Logical," Scrimgeour complimented. "Sirius, you still have regrets about your younger brother, and how things were left."

"Are you aware of what's happened recently?" Sirius asked Regulus.

"I am," Regulus confirmed. "I am… thankful to you, and Lily, for completing the mission that I could not."

"Why did you do it? Why did you try to destroy the Horcrux when you learnt of it?" Sirius asked. Regulus sighed.

"When I became a Death Eather, Mother and Father were both so proud of me. I suppose it was because after you left home, they were pressuring me to be better, thinking you were nothing, and essentially saying you were dead," Regulus said. "It felt nice, having that praise from them. But… after a while, I saw how many innocent people were being killed, and it didn't feel right. I didn't understand why we were killing the people we were supposed to be helping. Even muggles were supposed to be better off under the Dark Lord's rule."

"He lied to you; of course he lied, that's what he does, and you didn't see it because Mum and Dad didn't let you see it," Sirius remarked, rolling his eyes.

"Unfortunately," Regulus agreed. "When Kreacher returned to me that night, I began to research everything, and finally figured out what it was he was doing. I knew of Horcruxes; with Mum and Dad insisting I know all the dark magic, of course I knew. But for him to have created multiple… it was horrific. I wondered if that was something that we were going to have to do, or maybe our souls were already broken. I tried to reason that it was for the greater good, but sometimes, there are things you can't reason away."

"I guess you weren't the idiot I always thought you were then," Sirius muttered drying.

"Sirius!" Remus admonished. "Regulus, one night, you decided you had to do something, right?"

"I did. I thought… or rather, I hoped… that Kreacher's magic would be powerful enough to destroy the Horcrux. The fact he had it for so long is, I think, what made him bitter and angry, allowing his feeling of failure to get the better of him. I know he's free of that now, thanks to Lily," Regulus said. Sirius nodded.

"And that Horcrux is destroyed. We're here for another; the Staff of Merlin. Don't suppose you know where the entrance to Slytherin's tomb is, do you?" Sirius asked.

"I can guide you, and perhaps even help you in that fight. The spirit of Slytherin will be powerful, though not as powerful as it once was, since the conduit is failing. Once he is gone, then the conduit will be gone, as will I. But at least I can tell you… that I'm sorry, Sirius, for everything," Regulus said. Sirius sighed and nodded.

"Me too, little brother, me too. I always thought that if I had been nicer to you, maybe I could have saved you," Sirius said.

"I'm not your failure, Sirius. I did this myself; you helped me find peace when you and Lily destroyed the real necklace, and for that, I'm always going to be thankful," Regulus smiled at his brother. "Now, let's go and destroy Slytherin, shall we?"