5th June, 1985 (5)

Draco and Harry raced around the large Malfoy back yard. Regulus had kept an eye on them for most of the party, however at this point his eyes had been darting to the various other children that swarmed the grass.

It was Draco's fifth birthday and Narcissa had spared no expense. There were balloons, rides, fireworks that shot about three feet from the air at numerous times, two unicorns that were being petted and brushed by a handful of little girls, a baby dragon that was sleeping with one eye open in a secure enclosure, and the table of gifts that sat between two old majestic trees was almost toppling over.

It was weird, really, because Regulus knew there was a mix of different views currently talking as if there had never been a war; as if Regulus and Lucius had never been the dark lord's right hand men. Here, in this moment, dark followers, members of the order, ministry wizards and witches, all congregated across the vast Malfoy lawn in celebration of the Malfoy Heir.

"This party is quite lovely." Regulus shifted his upper body to look at Sirius who had come to stand next to him. "Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine either one becoming friends."

"They get thrown together a lot." Regulus shrugged. "I would imagine in another life it would not have been so simple for them. I can give you that." He smirked at his brother. "However the two boys and Hermione have become quite close in the last year or so."

"Yes, yes." Sirius took a long sip of his drink. "I still don't trust Lucius."

"Well, he doesn't like you much either."

"But I'm so likeable." Sirius gave Regulus a strong look. The younger brother rolled his eyes. "Harry wants to know if he can sleep over tonight. I think he's avoiding going back to that muggle prison."

"She is his biological aunt, Sirius. But of course, he is always welcomed. Dad loves when all the kids are together."

"He's having a blast." Both brothers turned to look at their father swinging Hermione around.

"I'm happy he came. Mother said her head was hurting and I thought it best not to push."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "She's a joy kill."

"Daddy!" Regulus looked over his shoulder to see Hermione racing towards him. He barely had enough time to turn his body and catch her, causing Sirius to put his arm out to balance him.

"My little star, I thought you'd be playing with everyone!" Regulus gave her a tight hug, enjoying the feel of her little arms hugging back. He thought he would calm down about her safety once the physical threat of the dark lord had been confirmed gone, but he found himself still worrying; all the time.

"Draco and Harry won't let me be pirates." Hermione pouted causing Regulus to chuckle.

"There are other children here, Hermione. You can go and play with Neville, or Pansy, or Theo?" Regulus' eyes darted across the lawn.

"But I want to play with Draco and Harry."

"But they're being prats." Sirius stated, earning a look from Orion and Regulus. "I'm just saying," Sirius put out his arms and Hermione moved to her uncle. "We can go and create lots more fun without them." He gave her a wide smile and turned towards where Neville and Pansy were trying to catch the fireworks.

"Never thought I would live to see this day," Orion said. He looked over to Regulus. "Narcissa has been holding it together quite well today."

"I think she's under a bit of a calming draught. Lucius said she was inconsolable a few nights ago. I have not spoken to her directly since last week." He shook his head, pointing over to an empty table.

The two men made their way over and sat down. Two chilled glasses of fresh ice tea appeared on the table, causing Regulus to smile.

"She thinks of everything." Orion smirked, taking a rather large gulp of tea.

"My heart does hurt for her. She wanted another baby so badly." Regulus kept Hermione in his line of sight, despite Sirius and Alice Longbottom hanging around the three children. "She asked if she could do a girls day with Hermione, I told her she never need to ask for something like that."

"Hermione needs positive female roles. I can only steer the topics of discussion with your mother for so long."

"Mother knows she cannot fill Hermione's head with narrow thoughts. I'll take her away from the house."

"Kreacher would hang himself if you took Hermione away from him." Orion gave his son an almost nasty look.

"He could come with me too." Regulus shot a toothy grin to his father who simply stared at him.

"REGULUS!" The men looked up to see Draco standing on a chair, in front of the table with all the presents. "IT'S PRESENT TIME!" The five year old shouted, waving them other.

"Well, that's one way." Orion mumbled as they head over to the table.

Draco drove into his present before all the guests had even made it to the table. Narcissa was smiling brightly behind him as wrapping paper and cards seemed to fly all around them.

Stuffed animals, books, puzzles, toys, brooms, and various knick knacks were unwrapped and littered the table and ground. Harry at some point had dove right in, helping Draco and putting toys that Draco deemed worthy to play with now next to him. Hermione was sneaking anything that remotely looked 'smart' next to her. With-in ten minutes of laughing, tearing, and giggles, there were two large piles next to Harry and Hermione, with items still scattered about.

Regulus went to start clapping when Sirius suddenly appeared next to Draco.

"The last and best present of all," he announced, causing Regulus and several other parents to freeze. Sirius was not known for common sense when it came to these types of things.

Draco looked at Sirius and then at the small box that was being held out. He smiled widely. "Thank you!" He stated, taking the box and delicately unwrapping the bright green paper.

The adults held their breath as Draco patiently tore the paper.

"He couldn't have done this with all the other presents?" Regulus heard Demetri Parkinson ask.

"It's animals." Draco looked at the box of tiny animal figures before looking at Sirius whose grin was almost twice his face.

"But are they?!" There was groan throughout the crowd. Sirius ignored them all and took the box, tossing the figures into the grass a good ten feet from them.

Regulus inwardly moaned as life size, animated, animals began to emerge from the tiny toys. His moan intensified as the gasps of the children in attendance whooshed across the crowd.

Son of a bitch.

"Mommy! It's a giraffe!" Neville Longbottom stated, moving towards the open field owned by the Malfoys, stopping as his mother grabbed the sleeve of his shirt.

"No worries, all the animals are harmless! The kids can go and pet them and play with them." Not one child waited for their parents' 'ok'.

There was a giraffe, a lion, an elephant, a hippopotamus, two penguins, a polar bear, three peacocks, a tiger, two pigs, a mother duck and about seven ducklings, two horses, and a rhino, all mulling around the lawn, unfazed by the fifteen or so tiny children rushing towards them.

"Narcissa is not going to be happy." Orion stated, looking at the crowd of parents who were all frozen to the ground, staring at Sirius who was laughing and clapping behind the children.

"Regulus," He looked over to see Lucius standing next to him. The tall Malfoy was staring at the scene in front of him. "My son is sitting on a hippopotamus." The younger Black brother looked to see Narcissa standing in a polite manner next to a hippopotamus with both Draco and Harry on top of the vast animal.

"Yes, I see."

"Your brother is no longer allowed at the manor." Lucius stated, politely, before walking towards his wife.

"I mean, he said they were completely harmless!" Regulus called after his friend. Orion scoffed.

"Daddy!" Both men turned to see Hermione riding the polar bear, which was meandering through the grass. "Can we keep him?!"

Regulus gave his daughter a forced smile.

Merlin forgive him, he was going to have to murder Sirius.

25th October, 1986 (7)

"Well, at least you didn't have to go far." Regulus looked over at Narcissa. He rolled his eyes at her comment, but turned back to the scene in the room in front of them.

His mother and father had gotten into a rather large argument; at least this is what Kreacher had told him when he walked into the house after, yet another, late night at work. He had gone upstairs to check on Hermione, only to find his seven year old missing.

He had apparated to Malfoy Manor in a hot panic, only to have Narcissa drag him up to Draco's room. His tiny daughter was snuggled close, forehead to forehead, with a snoring blonde.

"She floo-ed into the upstairs den," Narcissa mumbled; her hand waving towards the left of the hall. "I heard the bell and came upstairs. His door is always a little open, but it was completely closed when I got here. Found them like this."

Regulus sighed. "I'm so happy we taught them how to floo."

Just as Narcissa opened her mouth, they felt a slight push at their hips.

They looked down to see a very drowsy Harry Potter walking past them, into the bedroom, and then flopping himself on top of the other two children. The two adults watched as the three adjusted slightly until they were all comfortable.

"How often does this happen?" Regulus asked, looking at Narcissa.

"Master Black, mistress." Dobby stood directly behind them, his eyes glancing into the room. "Dobby has seen mistress Hermione and Master Harry Potter sneak into Master Draco's bedroom at least four times in the last few months. They usually wake up and sneak home in the early hours."

Narcissa did not hide the shock on her face. "And we never noticed? We never realized our children were not safely in their beds? Oh Merlin, we're horrible parents."

"Kreacher and Dobby keep track. We take turns watching Master Harry Potter. Kreacher and Dobby make sure the children are safe."

"Why didn't you or Kreacher tell us?" Regulus asked, more curious than anything else.

"The tiny masters and mistress asked us not too." Dobby's fingers wrung in and out.

"We're not mad, Dobby. Confused, but not mad," Narcissa assured the house elf.

"I guess they find comfort in each other." Regulus stated. He leaned against the door frame, watching the three sleep peacefully.

31st July, 1987 (7)

He had never really been in a muggle home before. Though he thought that maybe if it was muggle home not owned by the Dursley's, there was a chance he may have felt comfortable.

"I don't know why you're doing this to them." Regulus whispered to Sirius.

"I need to remind them that Harry is in their care for only a short time and he should feel welcomed for that short time." Sirius whispered back. "And this way they know that it's not just me looking out for Harry."

Sirius had begged Regulus to come with him to the Dursley's to have a birthday dinner for Harry. They had spent most of the afternoon watching Hermione and Harry play, while Dudley tried to join in, only to be pulled back by his father. It wasn't until Hermione marched over, grabbed the boy's hand, shot Vernon a sharp look, and then pulled the seven year old over to her and Harry.

Vernon had opened his mouth, but shut it almost instantly as he felt Regulus and Sirius eyes on him.

"It is lovely for you to join us." Petunia stated. Regulus ignored that it was through gritted teeth and she had looked neither him nor Sirius in the eye since their arrival; however there was a touch of an effort being made.

"Thank you for inviting us to celebrate with Harry before Sirius took him home."

After the death of Lily and James, it had been decided (against Sirius, Orion, Molly Weasley, Professor McGonagall, and Narcissa's complaints) that Harry spend six weeks with his biological aunt each year. Apparently there was ancient magic that would keep Harry safe until he was seventeen, however there had to be contact. Basically once Harry entered Hogwarts and the year was finished, he would spend the weeks leading up to his birthday with his mother's muggle relatives. Regulus, never a true fan of the things Dumbledore did, was convinced there was more to this whole thing than the older wizard led on.

"Sirius is taking me to London tomorrow." Harry announced a giant smile on his face.

"We're going to look for brooms. Practice flying." Sirius winked over to Harry.

"Can I go?" Dudley asked, his eyes getting large.

"Absolutely not!" Vernon gave his son a sharp look.

Regulus wasn't sure if it was because Dudley enjoyed the rough but exciting aura Sirius gave off, or if it was because he only had a short time with Harry, but the child had not turned up his nose to the idea of magic the way his parents had. Dudley and Harry always seemed to find friendly ground despite Dudley's parents' prejudices. .

"Can Dudley come to my birthday party in September? I turn eight." Hermione asked/announced. Even though Regulus figured she was asking him, her eyes had a glare across them towards Vernon.

"We will send an invitation closer to your birthday and I'm sure if Dudley and his parents do not have prior engagements they would be more than happy to attend, my star." Regulus gave her a look, but her eyes did not budge from the round man at the head of the table.

"I'm sure we would be happy to try and make your birthday." Petunia stated, albeit her tone was not comforting or agreeable.

"I want to go to Hermione's birthday!" Dudley announced. "I can go with Harry! I want to see magic!"

Sirius' lips curled into a smile. "I would be more than happy to take the tike to the birthday with Harry and myself. There would be plenty of adults and supervision."

"They're all going to be like you lot." Vernon grumbled, pointing his fork at Sirius.

"As we are from a very prominent wizarding family, it would be difficult to not be surrounded by our lot." Regulus quibbled politely.

"I would very much like it if Dudley came to my birthday." Hermione's eyes had not left Vernon.

"I think that is very nice of you, Hermione. Eat your food and stop looking at Mr. Dursley like that." Regulus did not lift his eyes from the plate of food he had started eating.

"You'll like our friends, Dudley." Harry spoke up. "Draco and Theo have toy dragons that breathe fire!"

Sirius and Regulus both groaned as Vernon's fork clattered to the table and he started to sputter.

"It's not real fire. It's not even hot. It doesn't burn." Sirius stated. He gave a look to Harry who shrugged.

"We will discuss this closer to her birthday, Dudley." Vernon stated through gritted teeth. "Enough. Eat."

All three children dropped their heads and began to shovel the food into their mouths. Sirius and Regulus were holding Vernon's look, which threatened to not only throw them out but forbid them access to the house ever again.

Regulus sighed and looked over to Petunia. The older woman was cutting into her food that was scattered across the plate. Her eyes were glazed over in deep thought. It seemed as if she had tuned out everything. Her jaw was set firm, her hands working robotically. He noted that if she didn't stop soon the food would be cut to microscopic proportions.

"I think he should go." Her voice was monotone, but it cut through the silence so suddenly that all three children and Vernon had frozen. "He should go to Herminny's party."

"Hermione." Regulus stated, almost ashamed to interrupt her.

"I apologize," she looked at Regulus and nodded. "Dudley should—he will be in attendance at Hermione's birthday party."

"Petunia?" Vernon looked at his wife; his head was slightly tilted with his eyes wide.

"We can discuss this further, alone, after Harry has finished his birthday dinner and our guests have departed us." Petunia did not glance at her husband, but rather casted her eyes to the tiny pieces of food on her plate.

"Yes, I think we were planning on heading out after dinner. The children had quite a fulfilling day." Sirius cleared his throat, causing Regulus to look over at him. The older brother shrugged, clearly confused on the events that had just played out.

Regulus looked over to Dudley who was smiling widely into his plate.

If Regulus had to guess, the boy was too excited to eat.

15th January, 1989 (9)

"This is boring." Draco stated, crossing his arms as he leaned back in one of the vast dining chairs that lay on the outside perimeter of the grand ballroom.

"My dress robes are uncomfortable." Harry had been sitting up, playing with the collar of his robes which seemed to be trying to choke him.

"Raise your hand if you've seen any of our parents in the last half hour." Hermione asked, looking around as she tried to smooth down the frilly top of her green and golden dress.

They had been dragged to the Malfoy's annual ball. Sirius, Regulus, and Lucius had almost instantly disappeared as they all arrived. Narcissa had shown the children off for the first forty-five minutes, but after Draco started groaning any time they got close to new people, she had ushered them to go and find ways to entertain themselves.

"I still haven't gotten use to your teeth. Is Grandma-Black still in hot water with Regulus?" Harry asked, looking at Hermione.

The nine-year old smiled widely, her once slightly buck teeth (that may have been a smidgen too big for her mouth) were now perfectly straight and sized. Her grandmother had taken her to St. Mungo's earlier in the week and had them corrected/fixed. Any woman of the name Black had perfect teeth and posture, and since Hermione had mastered posture, all that was left were her teeth.

Regulus had been pissed when they got home. Pissed.

Apparently Walburga had done all of this without informing her son. They had had a row that echoed across the Black estate.

Hermione wasn't sure why, really; this was no different than Narcissa taking her to get her hair cut and straightened (which had only lasted two days). Nor was it any different than Orion taking her to buy a whole new wardrobe and throwing all her old clothes away. Her grandmother had just taken her to get something done.

"He's still not talking to her, if that's what you are asking. I love how nice they feel. No more chewing weirdly or looking goofy in pictures." Hermione was in love with her new smile.

"You look prettier." Draco said.

Harry nodded his head. "Much prettier."

Hermione opened her mouth but shut it in lieu of rolling her eyes. "I haven't seen Theo or Pansy? And Neville has been dragged around by his grandmother for almost the whole night."

"Theo is with his uncle in Scotland and Pansy has been at the chocolate fountain with Dean Thomas. Their dads work in the same office." Draco nodded over to the gigantic food table that was all the way to the back of the ballroom.

"I think it is good we'll have friends before Hogwarts." Both boys looked over, again, at Hermione.

"You fight with Pansy. A lot." Harry stated. "Over stupid stuff."

"You and Draco fight over stupid stuff all the time." Hermione scoffed.

"We do not." The blonde haired boy said, shaking his head. "I hope we're all in the same house."

"Sirius doesn't think I'll go into Slytherin." Harry said.

"Both your parents were in Gryffindor." Draco nodded. "So maybe not, father said that you usually follow your parents' house lineage. I have no doubt that I won't end up in Slytherin."

"Me too," Hermione said. She gave Harry a small smile upon seeing his shoulders dropped. "Don't worry about it. We're still going to be friends. We can hang out in the library to do school work after classes." The boys groaned. "You don't get ahead by sitting on your behind."

Draco rolled his eyes. "You know we're all pretty smart. We only made Mrs. Longbottom cry once last week while she was teaching us."

Hermione shook her head while Harry laughed. "That was a good class."

"I don't think she was crying because we're not smart, Draco. I think she was crying because you and Harry set off fire crackers."

"Good class." Harry repeated wincing as Hermione's hand came in contact with his upper arm.

She was about to say something when the image of her father escorting her grandmother out of the ball room caught her eye.

"What's going on with them?" Draco asked, leaning forward in his seat.

Hermione shrugged, her feet moving to follow them. She registered both Harry and Draco calling out to her, but she continued to move.

The air in the hallway was much cooler than the ballroom. She knew the Malfoy estate as well as she knew the House of Black. They were currently to the far left side of the house. The hallway they had found themselves in led to mostly empty rooms and corridors the house elves used.

She could hear her father's angry voice just around the corner that led to Dobby and Mipsy's 'room'. She walked delicately forward. It was the first time her father had even acknowledged her grandmother in the last six days.

"How dare you tell everyone that there is no other option than for her to be in Slytherin? I told you that I would not allow that mindset around her." Regulus had placed a decent amount of space between him and his mother.

"What other option would she have, Regulus?" Walburga rolled her eyes. "She's a Black."

"Don't even get me started on that, I'm still mad you went behind my back."

"Honestly." She stated. "I don't care that she may not be my blood grandchild, but in name and presentation she is a Black. I don't know what type of lineage she has, but her teeth had to be fixed."

"You are so narrowed minded!" Regulus snapped. He shook his head. "She needs to make decisions by herself, and she is not yet old enough."

"You're the one that wants to keep her in the dark. I'm trying to bring her up as a proper lady of this name." Walburga took a step towards him. "You and Sirius wanted to take in these orphans and now I have to clean it all up."

Hermione froze from her bend around the corridor. Orphan? She knew Sirius had adopted Harry when he was little, but Sirius was his god father, almost a brother to James Potter. And she, well, she was a Black. Her father was Regulus Arcturus Black. How could her own grandmother call her an orphan? How could she call Harry an orphan?

"Don't you dare, don't you dare." Regulus pointed his finger in his mother's face. "How could you even breathe such venom to Hermione or Harry?"

"It is certainly not, venom, Regulus. I'm not calling them an untrue or even false name. They were orphans. Harry at least knows his mother and father have passed. You are the one keeping such secrets from Hermione. You cannot get angry at me for trying to pass her off as member of this family."

Hermione took a small step back as her grandmother rushed out from the corridor and straight to the left, away from her son and the ballroom. She heard her father let out a muffle scream and his hand hit the wall, she hid around.

"Kreacher," she breathed, not even flinching as the house elf appeared besides her. "I want to go home."

15th January, 1989 (9)

Regulus opened the door to his daughter's room. He had been alerted by Draco and Harry that Hermione had rushed off after him and his mother and had never returned to the party. He hoped that she had not heard anything, but by the look of extreme disappointment on Kreacher's face, all hope had vanished.

His eyes landed on the tiny body that was wrapped up in blankets in the middle of the vast queen bed.

"Star?" His voice sounded foreign to his own ears. "Draco and Harry were very worried about you."

"I went to the library, where the family tree hangs." Her voice was soaked in tears. "I never noticed anything before really. Draco has a solid, thick line from Lucius and Narcissa. Harry has a dotted line from Sirius. I never noticed the dotted lines from you to me. Maybe I didn't want too." A sob escaped her throat. Regulus felt his heart break. "I'm not your daughter."

Regulus took two large steps. He sat on her bed, dragging her up and into his arms. He felt tears sting his eyes as he cradled her close to him.

"You are my daughter. You mean more to me than anything in this world. Blood or no blood, you are my child." He felt his voice break and he felt the shaking of her cries. "I'm so sorry my little star. I should have told you."

"I don't look like you, or grandmother, or papa, or Cissa. I look nothing like Draco." Hermione stated. "I should have known."

"My friend, Ophelia, asked me to take care of you when you were only a few weeks old. It was during the time of the war. She did not think she would survive." Regulus had only told Hermione so much of the war and his involvement. But she knew it had been a difficult time for everyone. "I did know your father, but it was only in passing. He died before you were born, before your mother even knew she was with child." He felt the words spilling from his lips. "Your mother loved you so much and she said I was the only one who could be trusted with her most precious possession. I have never regretted one day with you, Hermione. I went through every channel to make sure that in the magical world, as well as the muggle world, you would be legally and magically be my daughter. I'm so sorry you over heard all of that nonsense."

"Is my mother even really dead?" He closed his eyes. She had been told since little that her mother had passed away during the war. That he had been heart broken when he found out the news. Yet this was just an example of how he had lost his daughter's trust.

"Yes, my star, I did not lie about that. She was murdered by the dark lord's men."

"Do I look like her?"

"You do. You look exactly like her."

Several minutes passed and Regulus held Hermione close to him. He felt a slight relief as her sobs subsided.

"Do you love me?" Her voice drifted across the silence and Regulus felt his tears overwhelm him.

He spent the rest of the night swearing that he never loved anything more nor would he ever love anything more for as long as he lived.

March 21st, 1989 (9)

Narcissa sat in the living room of the little cottage her cousin was currently occupying. He had moved Hermione and himself out of his parents' home the morning after the Malfoy Annual Ball. The cottage was several miles from both the Malfoy Estate and the House of Black. It was white, with dark green trims, and a large bay window. A fence surrounded the property, enclosing about two large shady trees and several white rose bushes. There were three large bedrooms upstairs, a vast kitchen, living room, and study/den occupied the first floor, and even a small elf quarter, as Orion had directed Kreacher to stay with Regulus and Hermione for the time being.

Of course that could have been because of the massive breakdown Kreacher had when discovering his master and tiny mistress' things had been moved in the early wakes of morning, but Narcissa figured that was beside the point.

Mostly she was upset that Dobby was currently helping to serve the House of Black. She had a special fondness for the elf that seemed to like Draco and Harry so much.

"The children are ok; they're playing in the field with Harry's new broom." Regulus stated, walking in from the kitchen. "Thank you for bringing them over."

"I mean, you took Hermione from her home where she had easy access to everything and everyone she loved." Narcissa gave him a look. "It seemed only right to bring the boys over."

"I didn't want her near that woman." Regulus stated calmly. "You act as if I have banned her from going anywhere. The fireplace is more than equipped for her to go from here to you or Sirius. And my father has open access whenever he wants; as does Kreacher."

"I understand, Reggie, I'm just, it's a new environment to get use too. She grew up in the house of Black." Narcissa had been so busy with a few of her projects with-in the ministry of Magic that she honestly had barely enough time to see Draco. It was killing her. So not being able to see Hermione as often as she would have like was doing nothing to help. "How is she doing?"

"I mean, she's warming back up to me. She really pulled away. But we talk more openly about everything now. And she's coming to terms with the fact she's half muggle and half Gryffindor and that I'm a liar."

Narcissa rolled her eyes. "You aren't technically a liar. There was a lot happening and we all had to make choices. Draco doesn't know that I've had three miscarriages, despite being a fucking witch." She huffed, causing Regulus to let out a deep sigh. "They will be starting Hogwarts in a year and a half. And all I keep thinking about is what are they going to learn, about the war, about us. It's hard being a parent."

"Well, I decided that no matter what she asks, I will tell her the truth." Regulus leaned back into his chair.

"That could get dangerous, fast."

"Not as dangerous as losing her completely. Sirius said that mother thinks that it was all for the best. Now Hermione knows the truth and can completely throw herself into the correct mindset."

"Walburga cannot still be set on this idea that purebloods are better than everyone else." Narcissa stated.

"She can and she is. Hermione wasn't sure about how she felt about her dear old grandmother after I had that talk with her." Regulus shook his head.

"Is that why Draco and Harry have been so distant with her as well?" She nodded her head. "It must be. Those three are peas in a pod."

"It could have been different. Draco could have been turning his nose up to both Harry and Hermione as they are half-bloods."

"This is true." Narcissa stated, though her tone solemn. "In a different life I think I may have promoted it too, just to keep up with Lucius."

"He seems to have given up the old ways."

"Not to the extent of you or myself, but he's not on the same line as Walburga either."

"So he's just hoping everything runs a smooth course." Regulus nodded.

Narcissa shrugged. "I don't know. But the farther we get away from the mind set we should separate each other, the less of a threat for another war."

"Mom, we're hungry." Draco marched in from the front door of the cottage, leading into the living room.

Harry and Hermione followed behind him. All three looked a little worn for wear.

"You three look like you waged battle." Regulus stated; a small smile lit his lips as Hermione moved to sit next to him on the couch, her head instantly hitting his arm in exhaustion.

Harry went and plopped down on the foot stool that was next to Narcissa. "We were racing, to see who was faster than the broom."

"None of you," Narcissa stated, ruffling Harry's hair. "What do you guys want to eat?"

"Shepherd's pie," Draco said. Regulus and Narcissa looked at him. "We were running really fast!"

"Kreacher will cook for tiny masters and mistress!" Regulus rolled his eyes as the house elf shouted from the kitchen, the sounds of pots and pans echoing.

"Daddy?" Regulus felt his heart skip a beat. She had only recently begun calling him daddy again, and every time she said it he felt a weight being lifted. "Can we go to Sirius' next week? Neville is going over there."

"Sure, I'll get the details from Alice and Sirius." He gave her a kiss on the top of her head.

A silence took over the living room as lunch was being prepared, and the children seemed to calm down from racing and the general play time outside.

Narcissa leaned back into her chair, giving a smile to Hermione who seemed to be dozing. Harry was staring into space, as Draco leaned on the arm of his mother's chair. His face scrunched up.

"So, if Harry and Hermione both get into Gryffindor can I ask to go into Gryffindor?"

Regulus felt his body tense by the question; the name of Black and Malfoy heirs as a Gryffindors? He wandered briefly if Lucius was feeling the effects of an unknown aneurism.

"Uh," Narcissa looked at her son as if she hadn't seen him in days.

"I'm brave and smart, too!" Draco argued.

"Darling, I, uh," Narcissa looked at Regulus.

"Is it bad to be in Gryffindor?" Hermione asked, suddenly alert.

"Sirius and my dad were in Gryffindor." Harry piped up, looking at his 'aunt'.

"It's not bad to be in any house at Hogwarts. They each have special qualities. And that is not to say that a student can't share different qualities from each house. Just because a student likes reading, does not simply put them into Ravenclaw and exclude them from the other houses." Regulus cleared his throat. "We would be very proud to see any of you go into Slytherin or Gryffindor or Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff."

This was said despite the fact that any of them (Sirius, Narcissa, and Regulus) would definitely have to question a lot if any of their children were destined for Hufflepuff.

"Neville said that Slytherins are bad." Harry stated, causing the other two children to look at Regulus.

Well, of course he bloody did. Regulus sighed. "Slytherin has somewhat of a reputation; this is because some wizards and witches believe that Slytherin is better than all the other houses for specific reasons. He who shall not be named used the name of Slytherin as a tool to try and obtain power and fear, and that was wrong. But that doesn't mean anyone who gets into Slytherin is bad. None of you are bad."

"No matter what house any of you three end up in, remember that you were friends before Hogwarts and you'll be friends long after. Always stand with each other." Narcissa gave Draco's arm a squeeze.

"Lunch is ready!" Kreacher walked into the living room. His ears fell at the sight of the three children's solemn faces. His eyes immediately went to Regulus. "What did master say now?!"

Regulus' eyes went wide.

Merlin's Beard.

November 11th, 1989 (10)

Hermione sat on the long side of the kitchen table in the House of Black. Draco had been lounging in the comfy chair that sat at the end of the table, while Harry sat at the other end.

All three children were staring at their barely eaten plates of dinner.

It had been a long and tiring day, as Walburga Black's funeral seemed to almost have never been ending. At least that's how the three children had felt. Truth be told (according to Remus) the ceremony was not that long for a funeral.

There must have been at least two hundred wizards and witches in attendance for Walburga Black's funeral. In which case the children had been poked and prodded with both fake and sincere apologies. Regulus and Sirius had commented they had no clue that their mother had meant something to so many people.

Though, Sirius reasoned, most of them were probably in attendance to confirm that she was in fact dead.

"You think they forgot we were in here?" Draco asked, pushing a carrot to the very edge of the plate.

"There was like fifty people in the den. I think they're just busy trying to keep them occupied. Has grandfather even come downstairs?" Harry looked at Hermione.

The girl shook her head; her bushy hair had been tamed into two French braids, little white flowers woven into the strangled curls.

"He went straight up after the funeral and hasn't been down. Kreacher was up there with him. I think he's in his room now, though." Hermione shifted so she was facing Draco. "I haven't seen your dad all day."

Draco rolled his eyes and shrugged. "I never know where he is anymore. Mother is always mad at him, and she won't tell me why."

"He might have had a meeting." Harry offered.

Draco scoffed, "With who? The entire magical community has been at grandmother's funeral all day."

"You don't think he's doing something bad though, right?" Hermione's eyes widened slightly.

"I don't know. I hope not. He's just been distancing himself from mother. He spent a few weeks at the cottage."

"I didn't know he had gone all the way to Paris?" Harry gave a look to Draco. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"Well, I mean, mother was still here. And honestly with Regulus and Sirius I don't really feel it's a big deal if he's not around."

"Draco." Hermione scolded.

"It's the truth." He shrugged. "You're going to tell me you haven't noticed that he's been around less and less? It used to be all of them hanging out and stuff with us, and now it's like, whoever's turn it is gets stuck with us."

Harry and Hermione looked at each other for a split second.

It was true. Over the last year or so, Sirius and Regulus had both been promoted and had taken on additional responsibilities at their jobs at the Ministry of Magic. Narcissa had become the head of two different witching organizations and was spending the majority of her time with them. Orion and Remus were usually around, so when they weren't at the Longbottom's for lessons, they were generally with at least one of the adults. In the last month it had been either Orion or Remus.

The only silver lining was that they were at least always together.

"How are you lot holding up?" The three looked up to see Remus Lupin enter the kitchen. He was holding a tray filled with empty glasses. He gave them a small smile.

It was only recently he had been around as much as he had. Of course Remus attended every birthday and every Christmas, but it was usually for just a few moments before disappearing. Over the last few months, however, he was now living with Sirius and Harry, was always around, and had even started helping teach with Professor Longbottom for their home schooling.

"I mean, we're here," Harry state, gesturing towards the kitchen.

"Yes, I see that." Remus chuckled. "People are starting to head out, so it'll give you three a bit of space back into the house."

"Did grandfather come down?" Hermione asked.

"No, not that I saw." He began to place the glasses into the sink.

"Did you see my dad?" Draco leaned forward on the table, his chin resting on his fists.

The three watched as Remus hesitated slightly, almost dropping the glass into the metal basin. He looked over his shoulder to Draco, his eyes moving swiftly to Hermione, then Harry.

"I'm sorry, Draco. I have not seen your father at all today." His eyes locked up with the silvery grey of the nine-year old boy in front of him. "I know he's been very busy with some ministry work, so I'm sure it was difficult for him to pull himself away."

Draco stared at his 'uncle'. "Even for a funeral?"

Remus flinched slightly, that Malfoy snark was a notorious inheritance. He sighed deeply and turned back to the sink. "Sometimes adults do things that not even other adults can understand."

"He's never around anymore." Draco's voice was low. Hermione frowned and got up to move closer to Draco. Harry took the sugar bowl and brought it near Draco. He sat down and poured the contents onto the table. Using his pointer finger he started moving the sugar around until it started forming shapes and animals by itself in front of the three children.

Remus had turned to look back at Draco.

"You know, I want to spend a day in London next week. How about I ask your mom if you can come with me?" Remus gave Draco a smile. "It'll just be you and I."

It was a rare, rare occasion when it wasn't all three or at least two of the group that were taken on day trips, or really any trip to be honest. So the prospect of being the only one was sometimes a bit of treat; and all three knew it.

"Really?" Draco perked up.

"Yes, just us two. I have to go to the Library and I was planning on going to a few muggle shops, so I hope you won't get bored, but we would have plenty of time to spend together and talk and learn new things." Remus gave him a bright smile. "I will have Regulus and Sirius help me convince your mom if she even thinks about saying no."

"I think that would be awesome!" Draco jumped up. "Can we ask her now?!"

"Maybe we should wait until all our guests have left. And then we'll bring it up." Remus walked over and mussed Draco's hair.

"Thank you!" Draco smiled and rushed out of the kitchen.

"He's going to stand with Aunt Narcissa until everyone has left." Harry stated.

"Probably," Hermione agreed. She leaned back into her seat before looking at Remus who had moved back to the sink. "You think Cissa will let you?"

"I do." Remus nodded, drying the last glass. "Full moon was last week, so I have a couple of weeks before anything drastic could happen. She also thinks I'm more responsible than the Black brothers."

Harry scoffed, "Way more responsible. Do you know what's going on with Lucius?"

"I do not, Harry. I hate to say it, but I try to stay out of the Malfoy business as much as I can. Sirius or Regulus would know more than I do, but I'm afraid to say that I think we're all a bit in the dark with everything."

"Do you think it's something bad?" Hermione asked. She was leaning against the table, her eyes big as they looked at Remus for answers.

"I do not think much of it at all." Remus said, his tone was gentle, as if trying to soothe the children from their running thoughts.

"Draco is worried." Hermione stated, catching the adult's eye. "He hasn't been sleeping well. And he hasn't been eating that great." Harry had turned to look at Hermione, his eyes wide.

"I didn't know that." He said, his voice small.

Hermione looked at Harry and nodded before looking back at Remus. "Maybe you should think somewhat about it."

Remus' shoulders fell as his eyes widened slightly. Before he could say anything however Draco came rushing back into the kitchen.

"I can go with you next week!" Remus stared at him, forcing a smile as his mind still dwelled on Hermione's words.

"That's great. We're going to have a lot of fun."

September 1st, 1991 (11)

"Ok, you have everything?" Narcissa was literally fluffing every bit of clothing that was on Draco. He was staring behind her blankly, completely oblivious to everything happening.

Regulus looked from his cousin to the eager pre-teen in front of him. He sighed, rolling his eyes as Hermione chuckled. "Well, my little star, are you ready?"

Hermione's smile brightened. "Yes."

"You look smashing. And you'll have all your friends." Regulus tucked a stray hair behind her ear. Her French braids had little gold and silver baby's breath sparkling through them, her cheeks rosy, and her smile lighting up her face. "And do not fret, whatever house you end up in will only be made more brilliant by your presence."

"Even Hufflepuff?" Hermione smirked.

Regulus chuckled, the events of Harry joking about asking to be in Hufflepuff and a drunk Sirius' reaction flitted across his brain.

"I'm not saying they're a bad house, but where's the gumption? The bravery? The OMPF!"

Narcissa continued to drink her tea and read her book, ignoring the situation that was occurring in her living room. Regulus had sighed deeply, placing his hand over his face. All three children were sitting on the couch, watching Sirius basically throw a tantrum on the floor.

"We were the Marauders, we were legendary, the executions of some of our plans—UH—that was the real magic!"

Draco tilted his head, "Are you drunk?"

This in turned cause Hermione and Harry to lift their eyes from Sirius, to look at Draco, to then turn back to the floor, a chorus of 'Ohs' echoing.

"James' little Marauder is going off to Hogwarts." And then he busted into tears. "And he's going to be in Hufflepuff."

"Not that there is anything wrong with that." Narcissa stated, giving the children a confident look before going back to the book she had been reading, her tea still steaming.

"We had friends in Hufflepuff. A very good and strong house." Regulus nodded his head.

"Oh! The shame!" Sirius sobbed.

Regulus sighed and shook his head. "Ok, enough dramatics for one night. Come, come children." He began ushering them out as they stood from the couch.

"No more fire whiskey for you." He heard Narcissa say as they cleared the hallway.

"Yes, even Hufflepuff." He bent down, kissing her forehead. "Be careful and follow the rules, please."

"I know."

"I love you so, so much, my little star. And you can write to me or your grandfather for anything. Any questions or concerns we're here for you. No matter how big or small." He reached down and grabbed her hand, giving it a squeeze.

"She can write to me too." Both father and daughter looked at Sirius who was holding a cage with a white owl in it. Regulus made a face to him. "Ah, you're still mad from last night. I understand."

"You were very drunk." Harry clarified, looking at his god father with an almost disappointed face.

"My little Marauder is leaving me. It was rough afternoon." Sirius cleared his throat.

"I'm surprised you made it up." Regulus commented.

"Dobby popped in to check on Little Master, and once he saw me still sleeping, he sort of, you know, got upset." Sirius cleared his throat once more. "We made it here just in time, so, all is well."

Harry scoffed, causing Hermione and Regulus to chuckle. Sirius looked over to see Lucius standing tall as Narcissa continued to fuss over their son.

"I see he made it." Sirius mumbled over to Regulus, though Harry and Hermione's ears were perked.

"Narcissa made sure of it." Regulus whispered back, his lips barely moving.

It was no secret that with-in the last year Lucius Malfoy had been absent for the most part. He had stolen away to Paris for a month here, Italy a couple of times there, Russia for a weekend here and there, and America just barely a few weeks ago. Narcissa had stated numerous times that as far as she knew it was all for business. The Malfoy's did have their hands in a lot of different companies and subsidiaries. However they had all noticed Draco's change in emotion as the weeks and months rolled by and his father became ever more distant.

Regulus and Sirius had taken both boys on a few 'guys' trips, while Remus made it so once a month Draco would spend a day with him in muggle London. He had stated Draco just seemed angry with Lucius because he knew some of his father's dark past and mostly assumed the worse. But the young heir had been withdrawing and it was noticeable, especially to Hermione.

"He took Draco to Ireland last weekend." Regulus mumbled out again, as he had gotten closer to Sirius. "It seems to have cheered him up a bit."

"What is he up too?" Sirius all but sneered.

"He says it's just the businesses. All of which are quite real. I can account for them." Regulus shrugged.

Sirius shook his head slowly. The men paused as Draco and Narcissa made their way over. Sirius patted his shoulder and then gave a look to all three children. "Are you lot ready?"

"Yes," they answered together.

"Please, despite all the shite Regulus and I have talked about, told you, and schemed, stay out of trouble." He gave them a look.

"I doubt Uncle Severus is going to allow for that." Hermione said.

Sirius scoffed. "Professor Snape will not be your main protector. He cannot play favorites."

"Sirius is right, Professor Snape is the head of Slytherin and the potions professor. He does not have time to run after you three. And I don't care whose house you are in, who you remain friends with, or what subjects you excel in, you three will be there for each other, no matter what. There will be no fighting, no pranks, and no gossip. Don't let your new friends come between the bonds you three have." Regulus gave them a significant look. "You three are thee most important things to us, and I want you to promise you'll be on your best behavior."

"We promise." They answered, once again, together.

Narcissa smiled and gave each a kiss on the head. Lucius had walked over, and gave them a confident nod of the head. "Off you go, my loves."