Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter as that belongs solely to J.K. Rowling

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After such an odd day, Regulus thought that walking through Knockturn Alley would be normal but it wasn't. Besides everything looking bigger because of his child form, Alexander couldn't seem to stay in one form long enough to actually get home. It seemed that with every other corner, he would end up traveling with a red eyed black cat, and he was quickly becoming annoyed with the whole thing. Once was funny, two was okay, but anymore than that was pushing it. It didn't help that with Regulus rising ire, the occurrences became more frequent.

As soon as they entered Alexander's shop, Alexander went hiding behind one of the many shelves that lined the shop, leaving Regulus standing in the doorway with slopping wet robes.

Regulus raised an eyebrow at his reaction. "Is there a reason why you are hiding behind those shelves?"

Alexander eyes peeked out from the space between shelves. "I'm looking for something to help you with your magic. I don't like being a cat in every other minute, its rather disorienting to be switching forms so quickly."

"I would hardly call you a cat, more like a kitten. Besides it hardly fair that you're blaming me when you have no proof it's my fault, you might actually have an affinity for kittens. You are a rather cute one."

Alexander looked at Regulus in disbelief. "I highly doubt that I have anything to do with my own transformations, seeing as a vampire I would have an affinity for bats, not kittens."

"I know it's my fault, but I don't know why my magic is so determined to keep you as a kitten. I'm not even that good at transfiguration."

"Really I thought you would be good at it, all things considered. Anyways while I'm looking for something to help with you magic, why don't you get changed and dry? I highly doubt you're comfortable in those robes, and I don't really want to deal with you while you're sick. If you look over there, I'm sure you'll find something to wear, and feel free to use the shower." said Alexander pointing in the direction opposite of him.

"Why in the world do you have children robes in your shop?" mumbled Regulus as he walked away, leaving Alexander behind to continue his search.

Regulus made his way over to the area where Alexander had pointed to, careful of the items that were strewn about. His every step was touching the few clear areas that were like little islands among a sea of belongings. Regulus didn't want to step on anything, seeing as many of the items were of a magical nature. With his unstable magic, it was a recipe of disaster, and he didn't want to chance it.

Luckily the robes were in the area that Alexander had pointed to, so he wouldn't have to go hunting for them. Though he couldn't help but stare in horror at the selection of robes available. He couldn't help but think that he finally found out where Dumbledore got his robes. Grabbing the smallest, most ordinary robes he could find, he retraced his steps back towards Alexander.

Taking the steps to the apartment above the shop, Regulus took a quick shower. The warm water cascading over his dirty frame warmed his cold flesh. It was welcoming after the coldness from nearly drowning.

He dressed quickly, glad that the robes he had chosen fit him, if they were a bit big. As he made his way out, Regulus found himself caught in his reflection.

It was him. His gray eyes were the same as always, but everything else was different. It wasn't the face he had grown used to seeing in the mirror of every morning, but one he could barely remember. It brought memories of Grimmauld Place. Of a time before Hogwarts had come in between him and his brother.

He took a deep breath; his eyes searching for differences he knew should be there. Anything that would prove that everything he had been through was nothing but some twisted nightmare. He found what he looked for in his eyes. His eyes holding the knowledge that he had gained through his experiences and it soothed him. He was able to calm down, and break through the memories that seemed to be popping up at every turn.

"Hey, are you done in there yet? I found what I was looking for, and you have a nice cup of hot tea waiting for you. It's even your favorite."

Regulus felt a smile tugging at his lips, and he left the bathroom without another look at his reflection.

"You sure took your time in there. I thought you might not have been able to reach the sink or something."

"You should have been more worried about me drowning." said Regulus absently as he took a chair.

"So that's how you died." Alexander said an expression that Regulus had never seen before on his face.

He froze at Alexander's voice the tea cup at his lips. Regulus put it down, watching Alexander's movements as he took the seat across from him. "So is this an interrogation? Or is it a peace offering before we get down and dirty?"

"Hardly, I have no desire to speak of my own death, and you're far too young for me. I'll take a rain check."

Regulus chuckled. "Thank you. I'm not quite ready to speak of it, but when I am, you'll be the first I'll tell."

"Glad to hear that. Anyways here's the item I was looking for. It should help."

"Isn't this a child's bracelet?" Regulus said as he stared at the thin band of silver, with a rune sequence carved on the inner ring. He traced the markings, recognizing them from his Hogwarts days and from his own research.

Regulus put it on his wrist and his magic immediately calmed. His magic was no longer bursting at the seams. Something that he hadn't even notice, seeing as his magic had always felt the same.

"Yep! Seeing as it's your magic that's causing trouble, well to me anyways. I thought this would do the trick."

"I haven't even realized that my magic was so unstable." He said quietly.

Alexander grimaced. "You've had a rough day so it's not that surprising, and it's not like your magic changed. You just didn't factor your child body in the equation."

"I should have."

"Maybe, but you'd have figured it out eventually. I just merely speeded up the process."

"How did you figure it out so quickly?"

"I've always been sensitive to your magic, sense I first met you. It literally sings beneath your skin, and very tempting. The bond also helps."

"You've told me that before, but the bond is something I haven't heard before. So will tell me what it is, and how it affects me, us?" Regulus finished knowing that a bond like this usually went both ways.

It was Alexander's turn to freeze. "Er, bond?"

Regulus merely stared at him, the demand clear in his eyes.

"As you say, it goes two ways. When you came over the night before your death, I created the bond. I'm sure that you remember that passionate night?" Regulus blushed, his face turning it bright red at the memories. Alexander sent a quick but rugged smile before he continued. "That night I drunk your blood with the intention of creating the bond and our magic did the rest. Well after it decided to let me. There are a couple of different bonds that this could be, but I don't know which one we have exactly. I wasn't even sure it would work, as you died before it could settle. I won't be able to tell you what kind of bond it is before it settles."

He only had one question. "Why did you create a bond with me?"

"You're my friend. That night when I realized that you were going to walk to your death no matter what I said, I panicked. I didn't want you to die. All I could think of was that you were far too young to die, nothing compared to the years I had lived. A bond was the only thing I could think of at the time."

"I wasn't young enough to fuck."

"You are now, and you shouldn't say words like that. I thought you were a noble. Words like that are so crass; you shouldn't use them, especially as you are now a child. You should at least use words like lovemaking, sleep with, or even fornicate. Anything would be better than that word. Though if you want to shock a group of mothers go ahead and say that word, though hopefully without me in earshot. I would hate to be accused of teaching you bad words."

"You seem rather hung up on the fact that I'm child. I think your making it a bigger deal than I am which is kinda weird. Does it bother you?"

"Yes and no, the bond between us is still there no matter what form you take. I'm just used to seeing you…well older." finished Alexander lamely.

Regulus couldn't help but agree. "It is rather strange when I sit down and think about it. It's surprising how everything looks so much bigger now. It wasn't really something that I noticed when I was a child as long as there was another way to get what I want, and then one day I realized I could reach. Now it the opposite seeing as I can't reach the same things anymore. I can't help but wonder why Mother Magic made me a child again."

"It's probably because you're legally dead. I even went to your funeral, despite the fact that they never did find your body. In fact they think you blew yourself up in one of your experiments." Alexander simply pointed out.

Regulus blinked. "Yeah you said something about that earlier. It's been six years right?" Regulus asked, the fact he'd been gone for six years hitting him all at once. The first time didn't really sink in as Alexander was transformed, but now it was different

It'd been six years for everyone he knew, yet to him, it had merely been yesterday. There were things that must have changed, and things that he would never be able to have again. He had no home, no family, and no money. He had lost everything and perhaps nothing at all. He finished, hearing Alexander babble, obviously trying to get his mind out of his depressing thoughts.

"Six years is a lot, but you shouldn't have to worry about that. It's eleven that is the turning point for your wizards, so it should be fine. Children don't need to know what happened six years ago, and what you do need to know, I'll tell you. Hey would you like to know how your funeral went?"

"Why would I want to know how my funeral went? I imagine it was rather depressing, as I was dead." Said Regulus, knowing it was Alexander's attempt to change the subject. Something which he would allow, but would his funeral be any better?

"It was brilliant."

"Really? What happened? Did someone die?"

"How would someone dying be brilliant?" asked Alexander not seeing how Regulus could come to that conclusion, from the word brilliant.

Regulus shrugged. "It would be interesting I suppose."

"Whatever you say anyway no one died at your funeral, but it did almost turn into a mini war."

"Really?"

"Yep! There were so many people on each side of the war, that the whole affair was really tensed. I bet you'd like to see it."

Regulus raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "You're making it sound like I could actually see it. Are you thinking of a pensieve perhaps?"

"Nope, I'm going to show you through our bond."

"How does that exactly work?"

"No matter which bond develops, telepathy is a common thing among them. I figured this would be a great first test."

"So you have no idea of what to do."

"I've never bonded to anyone before, but I've seen it done plenty of times before. It should be fine as its part of being a vampire."

"What makes you think I will agree with this test?"

Alexander leaned closer. "Your curiosity knows no bounds." he said holding his hand out for Regulus to take, a smile dancing across his lips.

Regulus eyed him wearily, but he took Alexander's hand anyways. As Alexander said, he was a rather curious person by nature. When their hands touched, nothing happened, except for Regulus' warmth that danced between them. His warmth chasing away Alexander's cold.

Slowly the magic began to gather. And their combined hands began to glow.

It was only a matter of time before Regulus lost all sense of reality, as he was drawn into Alexander's memory.

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