Reading Time: 125 Minutes

Title: Roots to Ground You
Author: WestWind
Fandom: Harry Potter
Genre: Fantasy
Relationship(s): None
Content Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Hate Crimes/Hate Speech, Violence – Domestic and/or Against Children, Child abuse – mentioned: failed imperious curse cast by Walburga on teenage Sirius and Walburga’s bad parenting, Minor Character Injury and death, Canon Level Violence, Hate Crime – Death Eater attacks – nothing graphic
Word Count: 83,413
Summary: Regulus stops and questions his plan to retrieve and destroy the locket which leads him to seek help and down a different path.
Artist: CoCo

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Chapter 11 – Meetings

June 1980

James and Lily entered Henson’s Eatery. Sirius waved to them. Peter and Remus paused in sharing pleasantries at his movement. James nodded back and led Lily to the table. James pulled the chair out for Lily.

“Thanks.” She pulled her wand and cast several charms on it before sitting. She let a sigh out as she settled onto the cushioning charms.

Sirius was sure he had seen Andromeda use similar charms especially as she progressed through the pregnancy. Lily was now over eight months and looked more uncomfortable with each day, so her using them should not come as a surprise to him.

Greetings were exchanged. It had been several months since they could all get together. Moony was back from six weeks of wherever Dumbledore had sent him. Peter had been away frequently for work.

“I hear you’ve got a job,” Peter muttered towards Lily.

“Yes. I found a mentor to help me become an artificer.”

Their food was delivered to the table and that was as far as the topic got. They dug in. Peter fell on his dish like he had not seen food in days.

“Slow down there, Wormtail,” Sirius said, “or you’ll end up choking on it.”

“Remember first-year when you inhaled bread crumbs and the mediwitch had to spell them out.” James chuckled at the old memory.

Peter slowed down. He only briefly looked up. His shoulders were rounded forward. “How could I forget, everyone brought it up for the rest of the year.”

Remus coughed into his fist then cleared his throat. “They weren’t nice about it.”

“Kids can be mean,” Lily said.

Sirius slowly cut his food while he took in the tables’ occupants. Both Remus and Peter seem distant. That could be because of them having been gone for months, but something felt off. He did not know what or why.

Remus was always melancholy after returning from infiltrating a werewolf pack. Sirius understood the need for information on them since they were ripe to be swayed to Voldemort’s side. His offers of freedom when all the current government did was restrict their rights would be very appealing.

That made him wonder what games Dumbledore was playing with Remus… with the wolves… with their government. It was his manipulation that had kept those considered lesser from advancement in their world. Was his intention to have a group that would easily support anyone who opposed the existing government? Who did he think would take that role? Did he plan to take that role or have someone of his choosing fill it? Did he choose Voldemort for that role?

“Damn, Arcturus and his talk of political games,” Sirius mentally cursed and pulled his attention back to his friends.

“Was your recent trip successful, Remus?” Lily asked.

Remus dragged his focus from the food he was pushing around on his plate to Lily. “Same as always. It’s hard for new individuals to gain trust in those situations.”

Lily patted his arm. “Sounds rough. Maybe those sending you can be convinced a change of focus is required. I feel like you are up against a losing battle.”

Remus shook his head. “No, he’s right that we need to pursue this path.”

“Even when your talents could be put to better uses elsewhere?” James asked. “You look exhausted… and for so little benefit. I’m concerned about you, Moony.”

“I’m sure he knows what he’s doing. It’s something I’m uniquely qualified for.”

Sirius and Lily shared a quick doubting look.

“I agree with Remus,” Peter said. “It’s not something any of us can do.”

“But is it worth his life?” Lily asked.

“Just living is a risk in today’s climate,” Peter said.

“True,” James agreed.

“On a happier topic, tell me about your baby preparations,” Remus said.

James happily told them of getting the nursery ready for the baby. The topics drifted from there but stayed on more neutral topics for the rest of the meal.

~~~~

Sirius walked the paths of the formal garden behind Arcturus’ house with his grandfather. Blooming flowers lined several of the pathways and were a splash of color against the evergreen hedges. The sound of the fountain in the distance was just audible from their current location.

Arcturus’ pace was slow. His hands were clasped behind his back adding to his dignified carriage. “I can teach you about your Wizengamot responsibilities, but you need to attend the meetings as an observer so you get a feel for it and see the interaction for yourself. We can compare notes after.”

“On what grounds?” Sirius asked. “If we want to keep it secret…”

“I suggest you go with Mr. Potter. He has taken up his role in the Wizengamot. No one would think a thing of you coming and going with him to the meetings. You will have to sit in the spectator seats since you have no claim to sit with him. It is known that the two of you are close and it is not out of the ordinary for members to have trusted friends and advisors sit in on the sessions. They often see things happening that the member misses because they are otherwise engaged.”

Sirius listened and had to agree to the advantage it would give. He wondered if James had considered it or knew about it. His father had not done much to train James for his place on the Wizengamot due to his sudden passing. They always thought they had more time.

He rubbed the side of his nose. He never wanted to go down this path, but… he could not afford to ignore it if he wanted to make a stand. If he went in with James… it would not be much different than what they did in school. It would be the two of them working together for a common goal.

“Mr. Potter is welcome to join us in our after session discussion if he so wishes.”

Sirius was surprised at the offer, but he should not be. Since their reconnecting, Arcturus was willing to converse on many topics and welcomed the debate from alternate stances on a topic. He suspected that his grandfather argued points he personally disagreed with to explore the holes in his own side.

Sirius suspected he was also using it as a way to teach Sirius to think critically about topics and his own beliefs. Having James over was a way to sweeten the situation for Sirius and influence James more directly.

“I’ll ask him,” Sirius said. James would probably agree. He had been interested in some of the things Arcturus had been teaching him. He would like to see James in a debate with Arcturus. He was sure his grandfather would out-argue James, but it would be entertaining.

Arcturus hummed an acceptance of his answer. “I will be bringing Regulus with me to this month’s Wizengamot meeting. He will be seated beside me.”

Sirius wanted to demand why but bit down on his initial response. Arcturus had a reason or reasons for bringing Regulus to the meeting. The obvious one was it would continue to obfuscate who the true heir was and protect Sirius from attack based on taking him out of the line of succession.

“What does Regulus think?”

“He knows his place,” Arcturus answered, frustrating Sirius.

Sirius hated these word games where the true meanings were hidden or just hinted at. However, that was something else his grandfather was trying to teach him. He needed to be able to read between the lines for his own safety even if he was direct in his own interactions. He understood the need for the skill, but he did not have to like it. Doing things that you did not like seemed to be a large part of being an adult. – Not what any of them thought it would be when in school.

Their footsteps seemed loud in the silence that fell between them while Sirius weighed the words. He could guess that Regulus knew he was not the heir to Arcturus’ estate. He was in the line to inherit, so his attendance was not uncommon. In most families with multiple children, Regulus would be taught the same as Sirius in case Sirius handed the responsibilities to Regulus or wanted his counsel.

From previous conversations, Sirius now suspected that Regulus was not happy following their mother’s plan for his life. He did not know what had changed his mind. Sirius theorized something scared Regulus, and he turned to their grandfather for help. That’s what made sense to Sirius. If Regulus wanted to stay alive, the fact that he wanted to quit had to be hidden. Maybe all of this was just as much a cover for Regulus as it was for Sirius. However, that fact was best unconfirmed to him for all their safety.

Sirius hated the war. He hated politics. He hated all the hoops they jumped through because of both. He was a Gryffindor, and he would meet the challenge.

~~~~

This will be the first time Regulus attended a Wizengamot meeting with his grandfather. They sat in the Black box and watched as others took their places. Arcturus placed a hand on Regulus’ knee to keep him from bouncing it.

“You will need to do better,” Arcturus muttered lowly so only Regulus would hear.

Regulus forced his body to not display his anxiousness for his upcoming meeting with Tom and evened out his breathing.

“I know. I just want it to be done so I can get through the meeting after this and put it behind me,” Regulus said. “Having this gauntlet before… it’s… not helping.”

Arcturus chuckled. “I’m sure it’s not. But, it is part of the political game. It would be ill-mannered for you to visit your friend before your duties to me have been seen to.”

Regulus took several even breaths. “I know.” He let out a slow breath and ran through his occlumency training and made sure everything was in order. He scanned the room. “Is that Sirius down there?”

Arcturus glanced over. “Good. He took my advice.”

“Advice?”

“I suggested attending would be educational for him and useful in the future. It would be beneficial to his friend as well.”

That was how Arcturus was making sure they both were trained for the duty – one visible at his side and the other under the Potter name. It was a good cover for the situation they were in.

~~~~

Arcturus was right. No one batted an eye seeing him walk in with James. He watched others enter and take their assigned seats from his position in the observer seats. The Wizengamot members treated those in his section like they did not exist as they swaggered past them to their seats. It seemed disorganized at first, but Sirius was beginning to see a pattern.

He took mental notes of how and who various individuals greeted. Ms. Kendrick tried to hide her dislike of Mr. Boulder when she took her seat but was not good at it. There were the exchanged greetings of comrades he expected. He spotted at least one attempted strong-arming of another to their side of some issue.

The different factions danced around each other before being called to take their seats. From an outsider’s perspective, Sirius did find it slightly interesting. But he knew if he was involved in it, he would not see things so clearly because he would act on his emotions…

He scratched behind his ear instead of flinching as clarity hit him. This was one of the lessons Arcturus was trying to teach him. He could not let his emotions rule him because they would cloud his perception of what was happening and lead to him acting rashly. He had to learn to step back and observe without letting his personal beliefs color what he’s seeing. That was not an easy thing to do.

He glanced at the section where Regulus and Arcturus sat. He was not the only one to look their way. They had gained the attention of several in the room upon entering and the mumbling increased. One or two individuals sitting around him glanced his way probably to gauge his reaction. He tried to keep his face neutral.

The meeting began and dragged on. Some parts were interesting, others were boring as hell. Most of it fell into the second category. It gave Sirius plenty of time to people-watch. Those like his grandfather gave very little away, but the majority were not that good. James definitely was not, but Sirius did not know if it was because James was bad at it or he was just good at reading James.

Finally, the meeting closed and people got up to leave. Sirius stayed put to watch. Those seated around Arcturus were quick to exchange a comment or two with him and Regulus. They were just as quick to be brushed off. Lucius managed to slip in on Regulus’ side to engage him in conversation while Arcturus was conversing with another hideous plum-robed individual.

Regulus was stiff but not hostile toward Lucius. His gut told him that Regulus was not happy to be talking to Lucius. Lucius’ posture straightened as soon as Arcturus set his attention on him. Lucius fled after exchanging a few words with Arcturus.

Arcturus directed Regulus out of their section and toward the exit. Sirius watched how the others reacted as the two passed.

“I never realized how much power he welds,” James muttered, startling Sirius.

Sirius reached out and wrapped an arm around James playfully and tugged him around. It was a movement common between them in their schooldays. If it happened to make him seem childish in the eyes of those remaining, all the better.

“Personally, I like the way Malfoy scrammed as quickly as manners would allow.”

He was ready to head out the door when Dumbledore stepped in their way.

“Lovely to see you, my boys. Hope all is well.”

Sirius managed not to growl at the epitaph. Each time Dumbledore addressed him with it, the more he felt like Dumbledore was trying to put him in his place or make him feel beholden to him. He was reminding Sirius that he held power over him when he really did not.

“We’re good, professor,” James answered.

“I’m surprised to see you here, Sirius.”

Sirius shrugged, hoping to give off a casual air. “Here to support James, you know. Plus we have plans right after.

Dumbledore nodded as if his approval was needed. “I shouldn’t keep you from your pursuits, but I do have one question that I would appreciate you answering before you take your leave. Your brother was here.”

Silence followed. Sirius waited. Dumbledore radiated sageness. Then it became uncomfortable.

“Your question,” Sirius prompted.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. “Oh, yes. Your brother has returned. Does he plan to stay?”

Sirius shrugged. “Not a clue. We don’t share such information.”

“With your renewed relationship with your grandfather, I thought…”

“Arcturus shares what Arcturus wants to share. I’m sure you know the type.” Sirius mentally cursed for letting that dig slip out. It was better than some other wordings he could have used.

“He does not trust you?” Dumbledore sounded shocked.

Sirius found his eyes drawn to Dumbledore’s eyes. He felt the lightest of mental touches and slammed his defenses on him.

“I don’t appreciate people trying to read my mind no matter how subtly,” Sirius hissed at a volume to catch the attention of those near them but not make a scene. “I can ask you the same question with such a breach. Don’t you trust me?”

James was bristling beside him and ready to defend him.

Dumbledore’s eyes shot between them and seemed to realize he misstepped. He raised his hands. “No, my boys, nothing like that. I don’t doubt you. I just thought you might have subconsciously picked something up and hoped it would rise to the top.”

“Not a good reason for breaching others’ privacy,” James growled.

Remorse contorted Dumbledore’s face. His shoulders slumped as if they carried a heavy weight. “Of course, of course, you are correct… I’ve let the need to find a way to end this war cloud my actions. Forgive an old man.”

James folded. “Understandable, but that makes us no better than those we are protecting the world from.”

“Exactly, my dear boy.”

Sirius folded his arms over his chest and snorted. Not offering forgiveness.

“We must go, or we will be late,” James announced and pulled Sirius with him.

Once they were on the street and anti-eavesdropping spells were cast on them, James growled, “The nerve of him!”

“What?” Sirius was surprised by the outburst.

James shot him a quelling look. “Siri, I’m not stupid. I know about the research on him you and Lily have done.”

“How?”

“I asked.” James directed them to the nearest apparition point. “I knew you two were in a tizzy about something. You let several things drop into conversation that pointed to it. I asked Lily, and she shared it with me.” He shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal.

“She didn’t tell me?” Sirius trotted to catch up to his friend.

James gave him a friendly punch in the arm. “I’m her husband and your best friend. She knew you would tell me when you were ready but figured it was better for our relationship if I had the data to go through beforehand.”

~~~~

Regulus apparated to the Lestrange manor as instructed through Lucius after the Wizengamot meeting. Bella escorted him into the ballroom. Lord Voldemort sat on a throne-like chair at the far end of the room. Regulus had to pass between the handful of robed followers that lined each side. It was a gauntlet designed to intimidate.

Regulus regulated his breathing and moved forward without hesitation. He was a loyal follower and believed in their cause. He was working to gain resources for his lord even if it would take him time to secure them. The reward was worth the effort. – This was the shield he was hiding his true actions and beliefs behind.

The Lestrange brothers were present in Death Eater robes but without the masks and standing on each side of Tom. They watched him closely for any sign of betrayal from him.

Regulus ignored the brothers. He approached the elevated chair and kneeled before the man. With his head bowed, he could not see what was going on around him, but to lift his head would bring a curse down on him. He was a good Death Eater and would await his lord’s command.

Cloth ruffled before him as Voldemort stood. The bottom of his robes entered Regulus’ sightline. A hand rested on the back of his head for a moment before fingers curled into his hair. Pressure to the edge of pain was placed on the handful of hair.

“Our traveling brother has returned,” Voldemort said.

Regulus had not been addressed so remained silent.

“A year ago, he left us to better our cause.” Voldemort pulled his hair so he would look up at the man towering before him. “Let’s see what progress you made.”

Regulus let Voldemort’s mental probe past his first mental shield and into the area that they had spent the past year crafting with memories of working on various European properties and mock discussions with his grandfather trying to get him to confirm Regulus as his heir. In all of them, Arcturus withheld his full blessing and played his cards close to his vest, as expected of a Black. Regulus made sure Voldemort saw the memories of him testing other European purebloods for their acceptance of Voldemort’s cause. He would provide a list of names for Voldemort to court and bring into the fold.

The truth was kept behind the innermost shields where Voldemort could not enter. Each of those names was an undercover InterMyst agent. It was another way for them to infiltrate the ranks.

Regulus brushed a finger against the hem of Voldemort’s robes when Voldemort broke eye contact. He gasped a deep breath as most would do under such a lengthy Legilimency probe. The two bugs latched onto the robe and concealed themselves.

Voldemort patted him on the head. “You have spent your year better than I expected. Continue doing as you have done, but secure your position as heir soon.”

Regulus tipped his head to the floor again. “Yes, my lord.”

“Join the ranks!”

Regulus stood. He placed his mask on and walked back down the room to the end of the line of Death Eaters. He took up a position beside an unknown individual. He placed a bug on the man as he brushed the edge of his sleeve when he turned to face the room.

Voldemort called another follower forward for a report. Regulus studied the room looking for the best place to deposit a canister of bugs where a wizard or elf would not find it before it has a chance to do its job. He was happy to see no wizarding pictures in the room that might report any odd actions when he hid the canister. The room, unfortunately, was lacking furniture. Even the tables that would be set at the edges of the room were absent.

To Regulus’ relief, the meeting did not last long. There were only a few of the inner circle. He suspected that most of those here were newer members, and Regulus was an object lesson. If he passed, he would be held up as an example for them to emulate, and if he had failed, he would be an object lesson of what happens to those who fail Voldemort.

Voldemort exited out the side door. The entire room took a breath when the door closed behind him. Most exited the room swiftly. Regulus walked to one of the curtained windows and pushed the drapery back to look out on the manicured lawn. The canister attached to the back of the curtain easily and blended in like a chameleon.

“Well done,” Bella said followed by a cackle. She stepped close to his side and leaned against him to see what he was looking at. “I had my doubts, but he’s pleased. I can tell.”

“I saw an opening and took it. You are not one for the long game so may not have seen all the benefits of taking this slowly.”

“True! I prefer immediate results for what I do.” She pivoted away from him then twirled across the floor until her husband caught her.

Regulus let the curtain drop and faced the room with all his pureblood airs about him.

“You’re looking good, Reg,” Rodolphus said.

“Thank you. You appear well.”

“Hear from your parents?”

“Oh yes!” Bella exclaimed and clapped her hands together. “How are Antie and Uncle?” She swayed across the floor. “They never write to me.”

She pulled her wand. Rodolphus plucked it from her hand before she could aim and cast a spell. She grabbed at her wand.

“The Dark Lord would be displeased if you damaged this room,” Rodolphus reminded her.

She pouted but relented. “He would.”

They both focused on Regulus for his answer.

“I get a letter very occasionally,” he said. “They seem to be enjoying traveling.”

“Have they ever told you why they left the country?” Rodolphus pressed.

Regulus waved a dismissive hand in the air. “They gave me some tripe about time to themselves now that I’m an adult.”

Rodolphus seemed satisfied that was all Regulus knew. “Do you have time to join us for dinner?”

“I told Grandfather I would be back for dinner,” he answered, trying to sound regretful.

“Another time then.”

“Of course.” Regulus checked his watch. “I should be going. I have a couple of errands I wanted to accomplish before returning to Grandfather’s and while in England.”

He bid them goodbye and left the estate.

~~~~

As expected, James and his grandfather were engaged in a discussion about the Wizengamot meeting. They covered everything: the items voted on, the items brought up, how various people voted, and various people’s reactions and dealings. Sirius had more to add on the last one.

“She put a tracking charm on me,” said a voice that was deeper than the last time he heard it. Regulus opened the door and froze seeing who else was in the room.

“Bellatrix?” Arcturus broke the stilted atmosphere.

Regulus straightened as he took in a deep breath. He continued into the room. He nodded to them. “Greetings, Sirius, Mr. Potter. Nice to see you.”

Sirius was unsure that was true, but there was a lack of hostility from him toward them. That was new or Regulus was really good at hiding things now. He seemed irritated by what happened before and not them.

“Hello, Reggie,” Sirius returned the greeting.

“Mr. Black.” James matched the formality he was offered.

Regulus sat down. He glanced at them before looking to Arcturus for… approval… instructions… something. That was a point for his growing suspicion on Regulus’ part in this. He missed whatever signal Arcturus gave, but Regulus relaxed into his seat.

“Yes, Bellatrix. Don’t know why she bothered. I told them I was having dinner with you – which means passing through the Black wards.” He huffed.

It took Sirius a moment to catch on to why that was significant, but he did remember how aggressive they were at identifying and negating all sorts of spell work that passed through them. Tracking charms was only one category.

“She seems to forget or ignore that fact often,” Arcturus casually commented.

“To my parents’ benefit.”

“I heard they took off but didn’t know why. Bellatrix the reason?” Sirius was fishing for answers. Beside him, James sat quietly watching. It was a reversal of their roles during the Wizengamot.

“In part. They were concerned about others in their positions suddenly dying mysteriously.”

Sirius nodded. He remembered there had been various older individuals who suddenly died leaving their estates to their Death Eater children. It was not a large leap to assume Bellatrix did or said something that made them doubt their safety in England.

“How are your… estate management,” Sirius paused for the term to be corrected, “studies progressing.”

Regulus was uncomfortable… or maybe unsure in talking with them, but he did not hesitate to answer. “They are going well, thank you. I’m learning more than originally expected. I’m meeting new and interesting people.”

The answer was accurate and vague. It let the listener fill in the blanks with their assumptions.

“I found estate management dry,” James said.

“Some of it most definitely is. I’ve found areas that I enjoy and plan to seek continued education on.”

Sirius leaned forward. “Such as?”

Arcturus sat back in his chair watching the exchange with no hint of stopping it.

“Application of runes.”

That took Sirius by surprise. “What’s that have to do with estate management?”

Regulus smirked. Sirius hated that smirk. It often preceded Sirius getting in trouble when they were kids. James nudged him, reminding him to behave.

“A lot, actually. They are the bases for most of the permanent spell work on the estates – wards, building integrity and longevity, livestock area boundaries, and management. They need to be regularly checked and repaired to keep everything running.”

Sirius glanced over at James, who collaborated the information with a nod.

“If I know how to take care of them, we don’t have to pay for someone else to do it and risk breaches in security.”

Sirius bit the inside of his lip to not point out “we” would require Sirius to trust Regulus. That was either a threat to Sirius’ position and life, or it was a declaration of a common goal. He was unsure it it was them working together in the future or Regulus and his buddies.

Arcturus was not reacting… so it was part of his plan… therefore probably meant Sirius and Regulus working together. What did this mean for him now and down the road? Could he work with his brother now that they were both adults and out from under Walburga’s thumb? Those and other questions, he would have to find answers to.

A shared look with James assured him that he would not have to find those answers alone.

~~~~

James’ head appeared in the fireplace flames. “Lily’s in labor! She’s getting her bag, and we’re headed to St. Mungo’s.”

He vanished as quickly as he had appeared. Sirius chuckled. James was obviously flustered. He did not even check that Sirius was home or that he heard his message. Luckily he was home and near the floo. He shut the wireless off and headed to his room to change out of his dressing robe.

Sirius found James’ in the waiting room pacing. James snagged him as soon as he caught sight of him.

“They took her to the delivery room,” James said. His hands held tight to Sirius’ biceps. He shook Sirius slightly. James had been running his hands through his hair based on its disarray. His eyes were wide and wild – probably due to panic. Sirius had never seen his friend in such a state.

“That’s part of the process, as I understand it,” Sirius said.

“You don’t understand!” He shook Sirius harder. “We’re having a baby – right now! I’m going to be a father.”

Sirius grabbed James’ hands and pried them off him but held onto them. “You have had months to get ready and come to terms with the idea.”

“But… but… it all seemed so far off,” James lamented.

A passing nurse took note of them.

“It’s going to be real! I mean… there’ll be a little person depending on us.”

The nurse returned and thrust a potion at James. “Calming potion. Take it!”

James reluctantly accepted the potion and downed it. Sirius mouthed thanks to the nurse who smiled at him before leaving. He pulled James to the chairs and pushed him into one. He sat beside his friend to wait.

~~~~

Sirius followed the nurse into the room an hour after they took James back to see his wife and meet his son.

“Come in, Sirius,” Lily said. She held a swaddled baby in her arms. “Come meet Harry James Potter, your godson.”

The words caused Sirius’ heart to swell with pride at having the honor of godfather. He felt joy at being part of this family. It was a family that was the opposite of his own.

He walked up to the free side of the bed and gazed down on Harry. Lily pushed the blankets back from the sleeping face.

“He’s perfect,” Sirius softly said.

Lily lifted Harry up and towards him. “Hold him!”

Sirius took a deep breath before slipping his arms under the baby. Once Lily was sure he had Harry, she removed her arms. Sirius pulled Harry in close and gazed in wonder at this new life in his arms. He would be a part of helping this child grow up. The things he would teach this small being as he grew… but he’s so small and fragile. The world was so cruel and dangerous especially with the madman running around. How to keep him safe to grow up?

Now Sirius began to feel the panic that James was showing earlier. James and Lily arguing over getting a nanny elf pulled him from the edge of his panic.

“You insist on going back to work. A nanny elf can watch Harry when you do that,” James insisted.

“I’ve already worked it out with my boss and will be taking Harry with me to the office,’’ she countered.

James ran his hand through his hair and huffed. “That can’t be safe!”

“I will only be working on theory just like I did when pregnant. We have others who do the testing.” Lily looked at Sirius and rolled her eyes expressing her frustration with James as they once more clashed over their different values and upbringing.

“But… it’s not done!” James paced beside the bed. He waved his hands in the air.

“Obviously it can be,” Lily stated.

“But…” James turned and faced Lily. He held his hands out in question. “But what will others think?”

Lily snorted. Sirius tried not to chuckle at her “fuck them all” attitude that he so loved.

“One – who cares what others think? Two – Arcturus thinks it is a wonderful idea.”

James sputtered. Sirius choked. He did not realize she talked to Arcturus about such things. If they talked about her taking Harry with her to work, what sort of relationship did they have? He knew Arcturus had given her a bit of direction on something she was working on at the beginning of the year, but he did not realize they talked about personal and family matters.

“You talked to Sirius’ grandfather about this?” James managed to get out.

“Yes,” she said. “He has been very helpful in my research and in my understanding of the nuances of wizarding society.”

James looked to Sirius for help, but Sirius was unsure what he could or should do.

Sirius shrugged. “We all know he’s not what we thought he was.”

James tugged at his hair and sank into the chair with a sigh.

“Not all nanny elves tend to the children all the time,” Sirius said.

The Potters turned their attention to him. “Sure many pureblood families let the nanny elf take care of the children all the time, but some elves care for the children on a part-time basis and have other household tasks they tend to.”

Lily appeared interested in the information but not convinced of the need for a nanny elf. James’s look expressed that he was grateful to have someone else argue his side.

“Some have elves take care of the nighttime feeding or watch them for a few hours while the parents tend to business away from the house. Some people just need a day away and an elf gives them that break… like hiring a babysitter or sending the kids to spend a weekend with grandparents… but wizards don’t hire babysitters. They have elves and extended family watch the children when needed. And from my understanding of the non-magical world, the age children are brought out into public in the magical world is a lot older than what you are used to.”

“Your point?” Lily asked.

“Just giving you background and maybe more options than you considered,” Sirius said. “There is nothing wrong with having a house-elf to help around the house, especially since you are working. Don’t let your muggle upbringing cut off your nose despite your face.”

She huffed but did concede he had a point.

“One house-elf,” James said, pushing at the provided opening, “to help around the house, cook a handful of meals, and help with Harry as needed. Do you want to spend our evenings cleaning and cooking or with your family?”

That hit the target.

“I’m still taking Harry to work with me,” Lily said.

James smiled and kissed her temple. “Of course, dear.”

She swatted him. “Don’t patronize me!”

James sat back in his chair with a smirk. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

It was Sirius’ turn to roll his eyes at their antics. Harry twitched and drew his attention to the baby. He arched his small body but was still asleep. All this fuss over such a small child… but he was worth it.

Chapter 12 – Options

September 1980

The sound of a baby fussing sparked Regulus’ curiosity as he neared their common room. He stood in the door to the room and saw the source. He knew that Lily was returning to work at least on a part-time basis soon, but he thought it would not be until October. Had he been told that she would be bringing her son with her?

Lily was in the middle of changing his diaper. She glanced briefly up to see who was at the door. She quickly finished the process and swaddled the baby in his blankets.

“Look, Harry, we have a visitor.” She held Harry so he faced Regulus.

He entered the room. He was drawn closer to Lily and Harry. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a child so young,” he admitted. He moved his gaze from Harry to Lily. “I didn’t expect you back so soon either.”

She chuckled and blushed. “I wasn’t planning on coming back for another two weeks, but James was driving me crazy with his hovering over me and Harry. Then there’s Dumbledore wanting to check on Harry…” She shook her head. “With him not telling us about the prophecy yet… It’s just fishy. I don’t want to leave Harry with just James, because somehow, Dumbledore will know I’m not there and come and do who knows what to Harry.”

“He won’t do that with you there?” Regulus asked.

“I won’t let him cast anything on Harry without him explaining what it is… I’m sure magicals have been using it for centuries on children and you should have no problem explaining what it is, why it’s needed, and what it does to a muggle-born. How else am I to understand this world?” She widened her eyes in an innocent expression.

Regulus chuckled. “I take it he hasn’t provided you with the answers you desire.”

She huffed and shifted Harry into a different hold against her body. “Not anything solid or satisfactory. He’s stopped even asking me.”

“That is highly suspicious.”

“James doesn’t think people casting spells on Harry is wrong. He is suspicious of the amount of interest Dumbledore has about Harry, but not that he wants to cast spells on Harry.” She shook her head causing strands of red hair to bounce around and get snagged by the baby’s opening and closing hand. She freed her hair from the small fist. “Is that normal among you purebloods? Do you go around casting spells on everyone’s children without permission from the parents?”

“You think I’m a pureblood?” Regulus asked.

She snorted. “You’re better at hiding it than others, but I can tell after spending seven years at Hogwarts. You all have this bearing about you. It’s in the way you speak and the words you use. It’s in your lack of understanding of anything beyond this world.” She inclined her head. “Granted, I’ve seen more who don’t fall into that last category working here.”

“We have to look beyond us and understand what’s going on if we want to stay hidden.”

“Agree. Muggle technology is changing faster than any other time in history. Magicals take decades to accept even a new spell or potion unless it’s to save lives.”

“Even then, it’s not easy,” Regulus said.

“And that will be our downfall,” she predicted.

Regulus agreed with her after all he had learned since joining InterMyst. The tipping point of muggle technology outpacing their magic was growing closer. People like Tom and his followers were truly increasing the risks of discovery with their actions.

Harry softly fussed.

“He’s probably getting hungry,” she said. She moved closer and held the bundle out to him. “Hold him while I get the bottle, please.”

“But… I’ve never held a baby,” he protested.

“No better time than now to learn.”

Lily instructed him on how to hold and support a baby and before he realized he was holding Harry in the crook of his arm.

Joseph entered the room, empty coffee mug in hand. He patted Regulus’ back in passing. “Relax kid. You’re doing fine. Babies are more resilient than they seem – especially magical babies.”

Lily returned with the bottle and handed it to Regulus.

“What? No… I don’t…”

She maneuvered him to sit on the sofa. “No better…”

“…time to learn,” he finished for her and sighed. He accepted the bottle.

“This way you will know what to do when you have kids of your own and can impress your wife. Also, one less thing for you to stress out over.”

Regulus held the nipple to Harry’s mouth. He latched on and started eating.

“James stressed out over it?” Regulus asked.

Lily laughed. “His best friend told me the nurse had to give him a calming draft during his birth. He worried about every little thing once we got home even after we got an elf.”

Regulus raised an eyebrow in question to her.

“Yeah, I was talked into it by Sirius. It’s not a full-time nanny elf. I won’t leave the care and development of my children up to others. They are my children, and I have a responsibility to give them all the tools they will need to survive in this world. I can’t do that if I abdicate that responsibility solely to others.”

“Is that a common attitude for Muggles?”

“No. Some muggles are just as likely to send their kids to boarding schools to be raised as magicals are. Some don’t take an interest in their children’s education other than making sure they go to school.” She shrugged. “No group is perfect and one system does not work for everyone.”

Regulus watched Harry suck at the bottle.

“I want my children to know I care.”

He nodded.

“A sentiment I wish more purebloods had,” Joseph said, reminding them he was in the room. “I’ve seen too much emphasis on upholding the family name than love in many of my friends. I’m sure some do love their children, but just with everything else, they hold onto traditional ways over what’s best for their loved ones.”

“Or they love the traditions more than their children,” Regulus said.

Lily gave his shoulder a comforting pat. “You can make a different choice and make it better for your children and those that follow.”

Regulus was not sure if he would live that long or have any children, but he knew what he was doing now was to make life better for all of them.

~~~~

Lily had been back to work for two weeks when Marcus called their group together in their common room for a meeting. He looked grave when he sat down beside Lily and gave the rest of Regulus’ group a brief nod.

“Good news is that the latest version of the bugs is lasting longer and providing us with great intel.”

Nephthys said into the long pause, “Some new intel is relative to what we are working on?”

Marcus nodded his head and looked at Lily. “Voldemort is focusing on Harry as the child of the prophecy.”

She pulled Harry tighter against her. “I shouldn’t be surprised, but I hoped…” She shook her head. “That sounds so selfish.”

Nephthys placed a hand on Lily’s shoulder. “No. It’s realistic. None of us want a madman after any child, but that quadruples when it’s your child.”

Lily slowly breathed and closed her eyes for a moment. “But, we have been working toward protecting both boys.” Determination fortified her and blazed in her eyes. “What do we know of his plans to get to Harry?”

“He doesn’t have much of one for the moment. He set a couple of his minions on gathering information on your family’s movements and your property ward scheme. I’m going to provide you with a port key set with your home and here as the destinations to cut down on them being able to track you.”

“Eventually, he will come for Harry,” she said. “The prophecy points to that no matter how you want to interpret it.” She looked each of them in the eye. “I would prefer he wait until Harry is a trained adult wizard…”

“We all know that’s not going to happen,” Regulus said. “We’ve been lucky to get the time we have.”

“I don’t think he’s going to move quickly on this unless he has a clear opening,” Marcus said. “He has several things going on, and we’ve been putting bumps in his path. That should buy us time.”

Joseph shifted in his seat. “Why are your Aurors not taking him out? I have not understood that since coming here.”

Marcus sighed and rubbed his temples. “Mostly politics and the lack of support from the Department of Magic. They do and say the right things to not have the ICW come down on them while they keep us from doing our jobs to the fullest. That is one of the reasons it’s important to know who the Death Eaters are and who they are doing business with. When this comes to a head and the public is ready to crucify anyone who looks guilty over it, we will sweep in with our evidence and clean house. Hopefully, a more reasonable group will replace them.”

“I wouldn’t hold my breath on that,” Regulus said. “It will just swing to the other side with Dumbledore’s minions.”

“We are aware. Someone else is working on that issue.” Marcus said.

“I need to get the kinks worked out of the AK-vest,” Lily said. “We’ll be needing it soon.”

They agreed with her.

“I know what you are working on has something to do with defeating Voldemort. Does it have any bearing on the plans to protect my family?”

Regulus was ready to say no. No one else should know about the Horcruxes.

“Not directly,” Nephthys said.

“Could it hinder the protections I am working on?”

“Possibly,” Nephthys said. “I’ll work with you on your protection magic and make sure it isn’t an issue.”

Lily seemed accepting of the answer.

“Does Dumbledore know yet?” Regulus asked.

“Not that we know of. That’s a little harder to get intel on since the bugs home in on individuals with the dark mark. I figure Lily will be the first of us to know.”

“He still hasn’t told us about the prophecy and it’s been six months.”

“He’ll wait until the time suits his plans,” Marcus said. “It’s the way he’s operated since I’ve known him.” He waved a hand. “That’s neither here nor there. We all have our tasks to bring an end to the current wizard terrorist.”

Marcus left.

Joseph clapped his hands. “Back to it then! I think we are close, Lily. I have a few new ideas for us to work through on paper.”

They went to their workroom.

As soon as they were gone, Regulus asked, “Is it safe for her to know about the items?”

Nephthys smirked. “I won’t tell her everything, just enough to create a device to capture his spirit.”

Regulus squinted at her. “Is Tom becoming a spirit a possibility? I haven’t seen that in my readings.”

She nodded. “A very good one from my studies. The smaller the piece of soul in the body, the more unstable it is.”

“Which makes it susceptible to separating from the body given the right situation.”

“Exactly! And with her help, we will be able to set up the right situation.”

“Wouldn’t it, once free, seek out the largest Horcrux?” he asked.

“That’s one theory. Another is that it will seek out the last one made and another line of thought is it won’t join with any.”

“What happens to it then?”

“It hangs around on earth in spirit or wraith form – at least for that theory. But we’re not going to find out. I want to trap the last of him.”

“Then we can destroy all his soul pieces at once.”

She pointed at him. “That is my hope. But we’ve got work to do before then and need to figure out a way to get the remaining three.”

Regulus ran his fingers through his hair. He looked out the door even though he knew they were alone.

“I’ve been thinking about the book and cup.”

She nodded her head and made an encouraging hum.

“What if we offered Malfoy the removal of his mark and his name cleared in exchange for the book… we might be able to leverage for Narcissa to get the cup if she’s Bellatrix’s next of kin or has her key. It’s an angle worth examining.”

“You think he would accept such an offer?”

“To save his own hide, sure.”

She tapped her finger to her lips and studied him. “Do you have more to support Lucius’ flexible loyalty?”

He wobbled his head. “Maybe. He said some things in the Wizengamot that make me wonder how committed to the cause he is. He is a bigoted purist, but…” He shook his head and fingered his pendent. “I don’t know. Maybe he’s trying to feel me out or test me…” He shrugged. “Narcissa is one of the easiest ways to get into Gringotts.”

“The book we could claim after he’s arrested for being a Death Eater, but the cup in Gringotts is the trickier issue. Talk to Marcus and Arcturus. They would have better insight into it.”

He nodded. “I’ll do that.”

~~~~

Sirius placed Harry in his bed when Minby, the Potter house-elf, popped into the room.

“Mistress Lily says Dumbledore is here and asks you stay out of sight.”

The elf handed him one of their two-way mirrors Lily had been tinkering with. It was already active but muted on his end for transmitting both image and audio. She had been using them to keep an eye on Harry while he slept.

The mirror gave him a great view of the sitting room. He had a better view of Dumbledore than he had of his friends. It must be on one of the higher shelves. He would figure that out later. He tapped his wand to increase the volume and sat down in the rocking chair.

Dumbledore sat and declined Lily’s offer of tea. He looked around the room.

“Where’s Harry?” he asked.

“In bed asleep,” Lily answered.

She sat down beside James. He took her hand.

“You said you have vital news concerning us,” James prodded.

“There’s a prophecy concerning Voldemort’s defeat, and he believes Harry is the one meant to defeat him.”

“How do you know that?” Lily questioned. Her doubt was clear in her tone.

Dumbledore stroked his beard. “Divination is a very important art, my dear. Important information can be gleaned if one knows how to properly look at it. It’s a shame you did not take the course.”

The set of Lily’s shoulders told Sirius she was not buying it.

“I think it can lead you astray and to your own downfall when given too much credence.”

“True. The point isn’t if you believe the prophecy is true or not; it is that Voldemort believes it. He plans on acting on it,” Dumbledore said.

“How do you know he’s targeting Harry?” James asked.

Dumbledore held his hands up reminding Sirius of when he called for calm in the Great Hall. “I have my sources and leave it at that. I don’t want to compromise them.” He sagely shook his head. “Be assured, the information was practically from Voldemort’s mouth. He is targeting Harry and you.”

He paused letting the seriousness of the situation sink in. James and Lily looked at each other. It looked like a few words passed between them, but they were not loud enough for the mirror to pick up. He guessed Dumbledore could not either by the brief look that crossed his face.

“Thank you for the warning,” James said. “I’ll check the wards and strengthen them.”

Dumbledore shook his head and clicked his tongue. “I fear that won’t be enough, my boy. I’ve been looking into various protections. I think you should use the Fidelius Charm.”

Lily had a stubborn set to her shoulders. “Why would we rely on a charm we know nothing about?”

James nodded his head in agreement with her.

“It’s a very powerful spell,” Dumbledore said. “It is used to hide a variety of items or to conceal secrets.”

“How does it do that?” James asked.

“By hiding the secret inside an individual’s soul.”

Sirius was not sure how he felt about that. Magic involving the soul was dangerous. Even his family felt it was taboo. James and Lily did not look too comfortable with the idea either.

“I assure you, no harm will come to the secret keeper’s soul because of the spell,” Dumbledore immediately assured them.

“If it is safe, why isn’t it used more?” James asked.

There was a twinkle in Dumbledore’s blue eyes. “Who says it isn’t? The knowledge of the secret is hidden from everyone but the secret keeper. How do you find something you don’t know about?”

“That’s a lot of responsibility on one person,” Lily said.

“True. They can share the secret with others. They are the only ones who can.”

James shook his head. “I want to know more about it before we take that path. If I’m going to entrust my family’s safety to it, I want to understand how it works. For now, we’ll be on our guard and add extra security to the house.”

“Finding information on it is not easy. I will provide you with the reference materials I have on the topic.”

“Appreciate that,” James said.

Dumbledore stood. “I’ll take my leave.”

James escorted him out of the house. He returned. Lily put a finger against his mouth before he could say anything. She cast a silent spell. An area on James’ robes lit up. James looked like he was going to ask about it, but Lily must have given him a look because he closed his mouth.

“Let’s go to bed,” she said. “We can talk about it in the morning once we rest and have time to process.”

They left the range of the mirror. Sirius heard them come up the stairs. He waited for them in Harry’s doorway. He placed his finger to his lips telling them he knew to be quiet. They vanished into their room and returned several minutes later in different clothing.

Lily beckoned them into her workroom. She shut the door and cast a series of spells.

“We’re secure,” she announced.

“Lily?” James asked several questions with one word.

“I don’t trust Dumbledore has our best interest for what he’s asking,” she admitted.

“I know, but he’s the Headmaster,” James said.

Lily put her hands on her hips and squinted at James. That was not an argument he expected from James.

“Yes, but that does not mean he has the best interest of us as individuals in mind. He’s a big picture person. He cares about wizards as a group. He will sacrifice a person if it will achieve his desired end.” Lily was growing more aggravated. “He cast eavesdropping spells on you and in our home. Why is he spying on us? What gives him the right to invade our privacy like that?”

“But he wants to make it a better and safe world.”

Lily looked to Sirius. He pulled his wand and cast a few other spells.

“Well, looks like he’s been layering behavior modification spells on you, James.”

“What?”

“Do you know the counter?” Lily asked at the same time.

“If the ones I know don’t work, Grandfather will know.”

“What did he modify?” James asked.

“He made you more accepting of his ideas and trust him without question.”

“When was the last layer applied?” Lily asked. “Can you prove it was him?”

“I would say when he left, and no. I assume he was the caster based on time, but I don’t know who the actual target of the modifications is. I assumed him since James is trying to follow Dumbledore’s plan.” Sirius cast a standard counter and tested James again.

“Did it work?”

“It did.”

“How do we keep it from happening again?” Lily asked.

“Ask Arcturus,” Sirius said.

“Let’s call him now,” James said.

~~~~~

“Where can I find information on the Fidelius charm?” Lily asked.

Regulus was surprised by her sudden question. It was not a familiar charm to him.

“Did you ask Joseph?”

“He doesn’t know anything about it.” She sat down beside him.

“Where did you hear about it?”

“Dumbledore. He stopped by the other night to finally warn us about the prophecy and being targeted because of it. He wants us to use the Fidelius charm to hide our location.”

“The catch?” he asked.

“It hides the secret in the soul of one person.”

Regulus’ brow scrunched at the idea of messing with a person’s soul especially since his group had been dealing with Tom’s fractured soul pieces.

Lily inclined her head. “Exactly how I feel. He claims it’s fine. Said he would send us copies of his research material, but I’m not going to trust that. I want other external sources to verify his claims.”

“Smart.” He took a sip of his tea and began compiling a list of places to look. “What did he tell you about it? Might provide a place to look for answers.”

Lily told him about their conversation with Dumbledore.

“On the surface, it sounds like an excellent way to hide something,” Regulus admitted.

“Too good.”

Regulus fingered his pendent while thinking. “I have to agree with him that part of its beauty and usefulness is in others not knowing of it. Those seeking the secret would have to know there was only one path to get it and who it was.”

“That person would have to be trusted to keep the secret,” Lily pointed out. She shook her head. “Relying on little-known spells is appealing, but how long can it be kept? I would have to trust Dumbledore, which I don’t.”

“Did he ask to be the secret keeper?” Regulus asked to clarify.

“No, but he would know that’s how we were protected unless that can be included into the secret.” She huffed. “I don’t know if that’s possible without more information. If it can’t and he hints of the possibility to the wrong person… there would be only a few choices that we would trust to keep us safe, and that would put them in danger.” She rubbed her eyes. “I just see too many ways for it to go wrong in unexpected ways.”

Regulus’ mind went straight to his brother as the main target in such a situation whether he was the keeper or not. Everyone knew James and Sirius were like brothers.

“Marcus might be able to point you in the right direction,” Regulus said. “If he doesn’t know, he will know who or what department within the Mysteries will have the information.”

The tension eased from Lily’s shoulders. “Good idea. I’ll ask him next.”

“What do you think Dumbledore’s motive is for waiting so long to tell you?”

“Control. Control of the flow of the battle. I think that’s why he wants to use that charm to hide us. It will keep us hidden until we are betrayed at the optimal time. We would feel safe and our guard would be down.” She leaned closer to him. “Did I tell you about him wanting to take James’ family invisibility cloak for study several months ago?”

“No.” Regulus leaned forward.

“He played it off as being interested in magical curiosities and relics. He promised to return it. I don’t know what it is about the cloak, but it is special – one of a kind. It hides the wearer from more detection spells than the standard invisibility cloak. Knowing what I know, it is a crucial piece of protection for Harry in our hands. If we were attacked, one of us could get away with Harry.”

“I assume you didn’t let him.”

“James was going to, but when I explained my fears, he agreed not to loan it to Dumbledore. The cloak was too useful at school for him not to agree with my desire to use it to protect Harry.”

“How did Dumbledore take the news?”

“Not well. James said he kept trying to ensure its safety while in his care. He just wanted to have a closer look at it. If it could be replicated for those fighting against Voldemort…”

Regulus scoffed. “He’s not talking about the Aurors but his own group of supporters.”

Lily seemed shocked at first but it faded. “It’s probably not as well kept a secret as we like to think.”

“Not from those of us who are watching from the shadows and seeking how to stop it without our world imploding.”

“On some level, I knew that, but…”

“We deny truths we don’t want to see for a variety of reasons.”

“Yeah.”

“Do you think he would have made new cloaks if he could?”

Lily shook her head. “Not for use by just anyone. Maybe one for himself or a close and trusted individual for the same reason knowledge of the Fidelius is scarce.”

“The tool loses its value if others know to watch out for it. I can see how such a statement was crafted to sway James into capitulating. If he doesn’t, then he could be responsible for the injuries or deaths of his fellow fighters.”

“James did say he felt bad because of that, but that protecting our family was more important. I think Dumbledore’s mask slipped at his refusal because of a comment James made about a flash of anger from the man.”

“He could given it back after examining it,” Regulus said but doubted was clear in his tone.

Lily snorted. “I doubt it. He would put us off if we asked about its return.”

“Think he’ll ask again?”

Lily leaned her head against the back of her chair. “I hope not, but I bet he will. He probably does want to study it…”

“But that does not keep him from having more than one reason to have it in his possession.”

“He will probably ask again. Although, I don’t know why we would change our minds now that we know about the prophecy.”

“Probably why he asked before you knew about it.”

“True.”

“Could you give him a fake when he asks again?”

She sighed. “I don’t know. You’re correct. He’ll ask again or find a reason we can’t say no to because it is crucial for his plans.”

“Most likely. Have you tried studying the cloak?”

“Nothing beyond a basic scan.” She looked Regulus in the eye. “You think Joseph and I can make something that will fool Dumbledore long enough to…” she waved her hand in the air, “…to get away, slip out of his plan for us… what?”

“That will depend on how things play out, but something like that. We don’t even know how much time he will devote to studying it. If he’s busy with moving his pawns around to oppose Voldemort, he might wait until the war is over to dig into it.”

Lily nodded following his logic. “The later in the game we give it to him, the more likely that will be true and the deception undetected. That may be a plan worth following. Thanks, Reagan. I need to talk to Marcus and Joseph.”

“Glad to help,” Regulus said.

Lily was up and out the door obviously anxious to follow the new trails. Regulus pondered the new information and how it fit into the information he knew about the two sides of the war. How could he use it to their advantage?

~~~~

For the second year, Sirius and the Potters were having a Christmas meal with his Grandfather. They were escorted into the drawing-room by an elf since dinner would not be served for half an hour. Arcturus was standing by the door to welcome them. Sirius was surprised by the brief hug he received from his grandfather.

“Sirius,” Regulus said. “Nice to see you again.”

They had been told that Regulus would be here this time, so they were not surprised. Regulus had attended the December Wizengamot with Arcturus and did not plan to return to the continent until the new year.

The after Wizengamot meetings with his brother and Grandfather had tempered his knee-jerk disdain for him. It did not fully curb his instinct to lash out, but he did try. They were finding common ground now that they could find their own paths in life.

“Regulus. You look well.”

Regulus stood straight and had every air of a pureblood displayed their mother had drilled into them. His eyes shot momentarily to the Potters before returning to Sirius. It was not a look of disdain he would expect from his family for James sullying his family blood by marrying a muggle-born. On closer study, he realized Regulus was fidgeting. He kept fingering the pendant that rested at the base of his throat. Could it be he was nervous about being here and meeting his friends?

But, he talked with James in their monthly post Wizengamot analysis meetings at Black Manor. Maybe it was Harry. Had Regulus ever been around any babies? That could be the reason for his odd behavior.

Arcturus introduced Regulus to the Potters. Pleasantries were exchanged. Arcturus invited them to sit.

“How are your projects going?” Arcturus asked Lily.

“Some better than others,” she answered.

Arcturus nodded knowingly. “Part of the course.”

Harry sat on Lily’s lap playing with a plushy. However it did not take long before he tossed it to the floor. To Sirius’ surprise, Regulus was the one to float it back to Harry. Harry grabbed the animal from the air with a pleased sound.

Arcturus inquired about James’ family businesses. Sirius thought it was a bad topic choice, but he was proven wrong. Arcturus gave thoughtful advice when asked. Conversation bounced from topic to topic until they were told that the meal was ready.

They stood to egress to the dining room. Regulus motioned for Lily to proceed him.

“Thanks,” she said. She moved past him. Harry lurched and reached out toward Regulus.

Regulus lifted his hands to catch Harry. Lily automatically adjusted her hold to keep Harry from falling but stopped moving forward.

“Would you mind holding him?” she asked.

“Um….” Regulus seemed flustered by the question.

Harry was determined as he continued to make grabby hands in Regulus’ direction. Lily shifted Harry, and Regulus accepted him with practiced ease. Harry happily slapped his plushy against Regulus’ chest.

“What babies have you been holding, Reggi?” Sirius asked, stepping up beside Regulus.

Harry offered him the plushy.

“I work with actual people and not just the elves,” Regulus said.

Sirius accepted the toy.

“One recently had a baby. She brings him to work. I have had to hold him at various times.”

Sirius handed the toy back to Harry.

A hand rested on each of their shoulders. “Time to eat, boys.”

Arcturus guided them out of the room.

Chapter 13 – Secrets Learned

January 1981

Sitting in his office, Regulus was absorbed with reading through texts to further his studies under Nephthys.

“Hey, Regulus, will you give me a hand with this?” interrupted his concentration.

“Sure,” he said before looking up. He realized his mistake once he did.

Lily was standing in his office doorway with a triumphant grin on her face and Harry on her hip. She entered and closed the door behind her. She sat down in the free chair.

Regulus was mentally cursing himself for reacting to his real name. He and the others had obviously become too complacent around Lily.

“Don’t try to deny it. You are Regulus Black,” she said.

Harry happily sat on her lap. He focused on Regulus and babbled excitedly at him. Lily smiled down at Harry and bounced him a few times.

“You should break yourself of the habit of stroking your pendant. I noticed the action at Christmas.”

Regulus was not sure what to do or how to respond. If Lily was not working for the department, she would be obliviated once they knew how she figured it out. Then he would be reprimanded. But, she did work with them. He knew that Marcus might bring her in depending on how things progressed with the prophecy.

“Then there’s Harry’s reaction to you,” she added.

As if to prove her point. Harry reached toward Regulus.

Regulus refused to groan and hit his head against his desk.

“I need to call Marcus,” he said and sent a message.

~~~~

The next hour was spent with Marcus transferring Lily from DoM to InterMyst and covering all the regulations that applied. It was followed by a group meeting to bring her fully into what they were working on. Regulus was charged with entertaining Harry during the process.

Regulus bounced Harry. “How did you give me away?” he muttered as Joseph and Nephthys sat down at the table.

“I would like to know that as well,” Marcus said.

“Could he sense the magic in the pendant?” Joseph asked. “Has he spent much time around anyone else with a similar pendant?”

“Maybe. Easily to check. Just have someone else wear it and see if he reacts,” Marcus said.

“I assumed he is picking up on Regulus’ magical signature in some way,” Lily said. “He recognized Sirius when in his animagus form.”

“Interesting,” Marcus said. “Something to explore later. Right now, Lily needs to be brought up to speed on what we are doing to take down Voldemort and his Death Eaters.”

“That will help in our last line of defense project,” Nephthys said.

Lily nodded. “I could tell there was something you were not addressing in that. We keep circling around the centerpiece in the spell web with no resolution. It was getting irritating.”

“I did bring that up with Marcus,” Nephthys said.

“And why we were able to bring you in so easily today,” Marcus added. “The background and paperwork were already in motion.”

Lily nodded. “So what am I missing?”

~~~~

“This is the third one this month,” Hutchins told Sirius in a hushed tone to only carry across the table of the pub they met at. “We aren’t halfway through February. Two last month. He’s targeting us, I tell you.”

“Attacks have picked up from him across the board,” Sirius pointed out. “Our losses are not higher than other target groups.”

Hutchins shook his head. “He’s onto us and making it look like he’s not so we aren’t suspicious. Moody’s right with his constant vigilance, but…” his voice shook, “I can’t live like that. I’m packing up and leaving the country.”

Sirius was shocked at the news. Hutchins was all behind the order in the beginning. He convinced James and him to join. Could have sworn he was a life-long Dumbledore follower.

“But Dumbledore…”

“Screw Dumbledore. My wife’s pregnant, and I don’t want their lives at risk because of this mess. They’re more important.”

Sirius nodded his head and let Hutchins rant a bit more.

“I gotta get out before we can’t.”

“Yeah. Have a place to go and a way out?” Sirius asked.

Hutchins nodded. “Melody has family in New Zealand. We’ll have everything in order by the end of the week at the latest. Then we’re out of here.”

Sirius lifted his glass of butterbeer. “I wish you luck and a good life then.”

Hutchins lifted his glass and clinched it to Sirius’. “Thanks. Stay safe yourself. Your family has lands abroad. Maybe you should spend a few years at one. I hear you and your grandfather are talking again.”

Sirius pulled his jovial devil may care mask on tight. It would not be impossible for Hutchins to know about the new relationship between him and Arcturus. Dumbledore had brought it up after several Order meetings. Anyone could have overheard them and known about it. But was this an attempt by Dumbledore to gather information?

Sirius hated that he was seeing nefarious motives behind everyone’s actions because of this war. His father would be proud of him. Sirius found that disturbing, but it was a vital skill in the times they lived. It was worth developing to keep him and his friends safe despite not wanting to do anything that would make his father proud.

“We’re not that close. Anyway, he’s been taking my brother to the Wizengamot meetings. Everyone knows what that points to.”

Hutchins nodded.

“Plus, I wouldn’t leave the Potters on their own.”

“True. You and James are thick as thieves.” He took a large gulp of his drink. He glanced around the pub. “I suspect there may be a spy in our ranks for them to know and target the members.”

“Any suspects?” Sirius casually asked.

Hutchins shook his head. “Hard to believe anyone would turn trader in the group.”

“Maybe they don’t realize it or we’re giving things away unknowingly. None of us are trained for this kind of work. All it takes is one carelessly spoken word when not behind proper protection spells.”

“True, true, but if there was….”

“It could be anyone. You told me your plans and timeline,” Sirius pointed out.

“But did I tell you my true plans or just what I want everyone to know?”

That pulled a barked laugh from Sirius. “True. Taking Moody’s lessons to heart, then.” He lifted his glass in a toast. “Good luck.”

~~~~

Regulus was sitting at Grandfather’s table when Sirius came for their weekly Sunday meal.

“Aren’t you usually somewhere on the continent?” Sirius asked.

“Grandfather invited me to come early. The Wizengamot is tomorrow.”

An interesting answer to his question. Regulus gave valid reasons for his presence, but he did not address where he usually was. Sirius did not know if Regulus was limiting what he shared or was there something about his time on the continent he did not want him to know?

“Hello, Sirius.” Arcturus pointed to a chair.

Sirius sat. Moments later, food was on the table.

“How have you been?” Arcturus asked him.

“Could be better.” He glanced at Regulus and pondered his next words. “Many people I know have been killed during the attacks by Death Eaters. Voldemort and his forces have become deadlier of late.”

Regulus’ hand tightened on his fork, but he did not flinch at the use of the Dark Lord’s name. Which was interesting. He had seen those suspected of being Death Eaters flinch at its mention. There were all sorts of speculation about the reaction among the Order members. He did not know if any of the theories held any truth to them.

One of the out there ideas was they vowed servitude to Voldemort. That seemed out of character to Sirius. Why would purebloods allow themselves to be bound like slaves? They would be placing themselves in a lower, subservient, position to someone. That went against them believing themselves better.

Whatever the cause of Regulus’ non-reaction, it was curious even if he was not sure if it meant anything, but he tucked the observation away.

“I have heard things were worsening here,” Regulus said. “I’m sorry for your losses.”

Sirius shrugged. “I’m not the only one to know someone who was killed or missing.”

“Unfortunately, you are not,” Arcturus said.

Anger rushed to the surface. “Yet, no one seems to be taking any meaningful action.” He focused on his plate and took a deep breath trying to control the surge. “The worse the attacks the more platitudes are given by those in charge, but nothing is being done! Will the attacks ever be addressed by the Wizengamot?” He met Arcturus’ eyes in challenge.

The eyes held a deep sorrow. “Unfortunately no, and the odds are low they will take action… at least not anytime soon.”

“It doesn’t help that many of the members don’t fully disagree with him whether a follower or not,” Regulus said.

Sirius set his silverware down and sat back in his chair in shock. He studied his brother. “Not the entire Wizengamot.”

Regulus huffed and scowled at Sirius. “Consider who holds the majority of seats on the Wizengamot. Except for the spots for ministry heads, the rest are passed through families.”

Sirius bit back his initial flippant retort and looked for the point his brother was wanting him to see. It took him a moment, but he caught on. The family seats were held by wizarding families with long magical histories. They might not spout the extreme pureblood ideals, but that did not keep them from seeing muggles and muggle-born as less than them or a threat to them. The subtlety of biased beliefs and needing to be on guard against them were points Arcturus and Lily had both repeated again and again.

Sirius rubbed at his temple. “He’s a bigger threat to them than any muggle-born.”

“And not everyone is blind to that,” Arcturus said. “With the continuing attacks, more are coming to that conclusion, but an agreed upon plan of action is elusive.”

“And muddied by those who it benefits,” Regulus said.

“That’s why I hate politics,” Sirius muttered. “Games within games. I understand those who are followers, but the past year has proven he’ll take out purebloods if they are in his way. Why aren’t more of the fence sitters smelling the stinksap?”

“They think they are safe hiding behind their neutrality,” Regulus said. “They think he will bring an order to our world that will have them on top by right of their family name and magical blood, or more firmly on top, despite them not being on his side. They believe his pureblood rhetoric and only see what they want to see.”

“What are they not seeing?” Sirius softly asked.

Regulus snorted. “That he doesn’t plan on sharing his power, and he sees them below him as much as they see themselves above creatures or muggles.”

Sirius managed to not flinch from the venom filling the words. Something must have happened to Regulus to spawn that much emotion within his brother and for him to let it out.

Regulus was always better at keeping his emotions hidden. He was always the low simmer anger sort in contrast to Sirius getting angry, exploding, and moving on. Regulus would not say or do anything for weeks. Then he would get revenge when you were not expecting it.

“So not the paradise they expect if he wins…”

Regulus snorted. “No. You pointed to it. He’ll kill them just as quickly as those who actually oppose him if they don’t bow to his whims. Which they probably will because of fear.”

Sirius ran a thumb over his chin and wondered what had happened to Regulus. Grandfather was cool as ever and did not seem surprised. He did have very micro tells that Sirius had learned to pick up since their reunion. So it was probably something he knew. It was also probably what sparked Regulus to flee England.

“The irony of it all is that he’s not even a pureblood,” Regulus muttered.

Sirius was shocked. Arcturus was not.

“He’s not? What is he?”

“Oh, he does have magical ancestors on his mother’s side, but she was only a step up from being a squib, and his father was a muggle.” Regulus jammed a forkful of salad into his mouth and viciously chewed.

Sirius’ spit chose that moment to gather in his throat and choke him. He coughed several times before everything worked correctly. “And the purebloods follow him? Do they know?”

“Only a few, those who knew him in Hogwarts,” Arcturus said.

Sirius snapped his head toward Arcturus. “What?” He rubbed his temple. He was getting a headache. “Voldemort went to Hogwarts?”

Regulus snorted at him. Arcturus raised one eyebrow implying Sirius was being dense.

“Obviously not under that name but the one he was given at birth,” Arcturus said.

“Why don’t we tell them they are following a half-blood to end the mess?” Sirius asked.

“Do you think that would really work to dissuade those that follow him? That they would believe you? That would really stop their actions at this point?” Regulus asked.

Sirius opened his mouth and froze. He slowly closed it. He got it. They would deny it, even if they knew it to be true. The Death Eaters were so far in that they would rather kill the messenger than admit to their shame or any failings on their part. It would not change their beliefs on blood purity.

“I believe he figured it out,” Arcturus said.

“Who knows the truth?”

“Father went to school with him, so probably any Slytherin of that timeframe would know or should be able to piece it together,” Regulus answered.

Sirius took a bite and chewed. He mentally tallied who fit that criteria.

“Dumbledore… he knows this?”

“Unless he’s gone as soft in the head as he wants people to believe, then yes,” Arcturus verified. “He was a teacher there at the time.”

“Would this knowledge have stopped this madness if it was known earlier?” Sirius asked.

Internally he wondered if Dumbledore could have stopped this before it got started or was that giving him more credit and power than he had at the time. On a gut level, he felt that those who knew Voldemort before should have seen and taken action…

Both brothers waited for their grandfather’s answer. Arcturus appeared to be thinking about it.

“Honestly, I don’t know. There were and are many political wheels and agendas intertwined with it. The pureblood agenda was the one that drew the most followers. He could rally more behind him and hide his true agenda.”

“They aren’t savvy enough to see through it?” Sirius asked.

“Tom was a very charming and persuasive individual when he was young. Orion often commented on its effectiveness despite his station.”

If that were true, then maybe the danger was not obvious… or only a suspicion that could not support any action. Sirius sighed. Maybe he was projecting his own wishes on the past.

“So he’s running a con on the wizarding world…” Sirius took a sip of his wine.

Arcturus nodded his head. “It could be seen in that light.”

“Because of that, people are living in fear and being killed.” Sirius rubbed his face.

“Unfortunately,” Arcturus said. “It will take more to get them to overcome their fear and act.”

“Is there nothing that can be done?” Sirius asked.

“You’ve watched enough of the meetings to see how it goes,” Regulus said. “Even the ‘light’ side is divided on addressing it.”

He had.

“I think that’s because of Dumbledore,” he said, surprising himself.

Regulus’ eyes widened. Arcturus snorted.

“Of course it is,” Arcturus said. “He has his own agendas he’s working toward. Somehow this plays into it. I’m just not sure how or why.”

“At one time, I thought I did know his motives… but not now.” He focused on Regulus. “Something tells me you have had something similar happen.”

Regulus choked and sputtered. Sirius smiled at catching his brother out. He caught Arcturus’ small smile out of the corner of his eye.

“I have a feeling it’s best if I don’t know the details.”

“Those feelings should be followed,” Arcturus said. He directed the conversation to other topics.

~~~~

By May, the notion that there was a spy within the Order was being whispered more frequently as time passed and more of their members were killed in attacks or went missing. Everyone seemed to have a few suspects that they thought could be the spy based on one bit of trivia or another. Sirius had been pulled into several conversations on the topic similar to what he had with Hutchins. Now it was worming its way into his pack.

Peter leaned into the table and whispered to James and Sirius, “Do you think the spy could be Remus?” His eyes were wide and his words hesitant. “I don’t want to think that about him… but…”

Sirius let his fork drop to the table. “But?” he growled.

Peter hunched in on himself. He looked at James. “Too many of us have been targeted. There has to be a spy. Everyone is saying so.”

Sirius balled his hands into fists. James rested a hand on his arm asking for patience.

“That’s not proof that there is one,” James pointed out. “And why would Remus work for that man?”

Peter shifted in his seat. “He’s been spending a lot of time with others of his kind.”

“At Dumbledore’s request,” Sirius said.

“Yes, Yes.” Peter’s head bobbed up and down. “But it gives the other side a chance to recruit him. What he’s doing can go both ways.”

James looked thoughtful.

“James!” Sirius hissed. “You can’t believe Moony would betray us like that?”

“I don’t, but it is a good point. We wouldn’t know if others were approached by the Dark Lord or his people and converted or threatened into being a traitor to the group. Such tactics aren’t outside his wheelhouse.”

Sirius agreed with that.

“If he took a loved one hostage… I can see someone giving in to his demands,” James said.

“But there’s no guarantee that they would be safe and returned once he’s got what he wants,” Sirius pointed out.

He did not trust Voldemort or his followers to do as promised without a magical binding vow. They were the type to kill the hostage in front of the person once their usefulness was gone. But, it could be effective on some. He could see it. What would he spill if it kept his loved ones from being tortured?

Peter shifted nervously in his seat. “Do you… do you think that’s what happened to the missing members?”

James shrugged. “There may not be one spy but each captured member leads to more names getting out. We can’t rule that out.”

“Do we know if family members of our club have gone missing?” Sirius asked.

James and Peter shook their heads.

“This is why I find such talk and finger pointing unhelpful. We don’t have any proof, and it casts doubt that could, in the long run, lead us to not acting as a group at a crucial moment,” Sirius said.

“Point,” James said, nodding his head. “Let’s drop the topic. How’s your mother, Peter?”

~~~~

Sirius sipped his before-dinner drink and studied Lily and Regulus sitting on the couch looking as thick as thieves. He was suspicious of the closeness between the two of them. Sure they talk at the after Wizengamot family dinners at his grandfathers that have become standard since Christmas. That was not enough time for them to interact so well, in his opinion.

“Somethings fishy,” he told James and tipped his glass to the two.

James chuckled. “They have similar interests. You should hear Lily go on about the magical theories and ideas for her work after they get together.”

“I don’t trust it.”

James nudged his shoulder with his own. “I thought you and Regulus are getting along now.”

Sirius was reluctant but admitted, “Mostly. Like I said before, Mother wasn’t good for either of us. That doesn’t mean I fully trust him.”

“I think you’re jealous because he’s not spending time with you.”

Sirius choked on his drink. “What? Why would I…”

James shook his head. “He and Lily always end up talking at these dinners. Your relationship with him is newly mended but rocky. There are so many pitfalls for you to fall into when you two do talk. I think you are jealous of how easily they converse and how close they seem to be. He is your brother.”

Sirius huffed. “Maybe some truth to it, but there’s something more.”

James shook his head. “And you feel like you are competing with him for Harry’s attention because Harry likes him as much as you.”

Sirius was not pleased by the teasing but let the topic go. He knew there was something he was not seeing… or something he was seeing and not conscious of.

They were called to dinner. It was lovely as usual.

‘“Reggi, anything new and exciting for you this month?” Sirius asked.

“Not really.”

“Which estate are you at now?”

“Same as before. The gardens are lovely there this time of year.”

“I bet they are lovely in June,” Lily said. “What’s your favorite area of the garden there?”

“The lavender fields.”

The lavender plants had always been Regulus’ favorite in their own garden.

“Meet any cute witches?” Sirius asked.

“Several, but none in the way you are implying,” Regulus said.

“Why not?”

“It’s not a complication in my life I can afford right now. What about you? You always had a girl in school.”

Sirius’ initial response to that would be to lash out. A tap on his foot by James called him to reassess. If James had said that, he would take it as good-natured teasing. Regulus was waiting for his reaction with a wariness he remembered from him as a child. Sirius smiled.

“That I did. But alas, times change, and responsibilities pull one in different directions.”

That was as close to mentioning the war as he would get at the dinner table tonight.

“True.” Regulus nodded.

He met Regulus’ eyes. They were just as worried and tired from the conflict they had to daily maneuver through as his own. Current events weighed heavily on both of them, and they both knew it.

Arcturus directed the conversation to another topic. Sirius participated but could not help but wonder what Regulus was really doing. He was not hiding out at the European Black estates like their parents, or he was not just hiding out there.

Arcturus had basically told him that Regulus was shipped away for his own safety when he first reestablished contact with Sirius two years ago. He had taken it at face value then. But Regulus was back in England almost monthly now for verisimilitude. It did limit his exposure to the rest of their family but did not prevent it. Why take the risk?

Sirius pondered the question through the rest of the meal and on his way home. As he shut his eyes, a possible answer came to him. What if Regulus was spying or working against Voldemort for someone? If that was the case, then who was he working for? Was it Dumbledore or someone else? Was there another group opposing Voldemort?

The Ministry sure was not doing anything to stop the increasing attacks… but Deborah said a good Samaritan had helped her get clear when the Death Eaters attacked a muggle section of London. Was someone working far enough behind the scenes to be helping but not noticed? That was ridiculous…

But the Order was supposed to do that. Sirius’ dissatisfaction with their effectiveness at stopping Voldemort and saving people had grown over the past two years. He thought about leaving it, but how else could he fight against the tyranny that wanted to subject them? Doing nothing would bother him more than being ineffective.

If Regulus was working for a supposed third group, who would they be and would they get the job done?

Tomorrow, he would start looking deeper into the stories of those who escaped attacks and for evidence of the possible third group.

~~~~

Sirius’ suspicions were growing. He had found more stories of surprise aid. He looked at the numbers of injured during attacks and raids, and they are lower than he would expect. That went double for attacks on the muggle side. Those numbers were not easy to find.

Someone was a step ahead of Voldemort but was hiding it. He did not know how they were doing it, but many of the muggles supposedly killed during Death Eater attacks over the last year were alive and living somewhere else. Sirius had tracked down five relocated families so far. That was enough evidence to point to another group doing a better job than anyone else was. He wondered who they were and what their motives were.

Sirius walked away from the muggle house of the fifth family he had found. He whistled a jaunty tune and turned down an alleyway to apparate home. A spell hit him. He fell unconscious before he hit the ground.

~~~~

Sirius woke up bound to a chair and in a small room with only a door. Two men in dark hooded robes were there as well. One of them was putting his wand away. He forced himself to study the men instead of running his mouth without thinking.

They were not Death Eater robes. He had been in several skirmishes with them to recognize those robes. If he had to guess, they were part of the third party. He had been naive to think they would not keep an eye on the relocated muggles. But he did find them this way.

“I usually like to discuss a scene before participating,” Sirius said. He exaggeratedly looked around the room. “You are lacking the good toys.”

“They’re kept elsewhere,” said the one who he assumed woke him. “Depending on how well you cooperate, you might find yourself there.”

His voice was disguised with no clear indicators of gender or accent. He tried to see what was under the hood but could make out nothing.

He waggled his eyebrows at the figure. “Which will get me there?”

The taller individual seemed fed up with what was going on already. “What were you doing at 248 Highland Rd?”

He wanted to give a flippant answer; he really did. But, if his growing suspicion was correct and he wanted a chance to truly stop Voldemort, he would have to win them over. He did discover them after all – that was impressive – right.

“Proving a hunch,” Sirius said.

“Which is?” the first person asked.

“That there is a group working in the shadows against You-Know-Who but don’t want people to realize what they are doing.”

“You thought poking your nose into this supposed group’s business was a good idea?” the taller one asked. Despite the magical distortion, Sirius felt there was exasperation behind the question.

“How else would I be able to join them?” Sirius asked.

The shorter one’s shoulders briefly looked like they were shaking.

“What if you don’t agree with their philosophy or they don’t want you?” the taller one asked.

“Don’t know unless we talk. Plus, I believe my brother’s already involved in the group.”

Curses came from the taller one and laughter from the other. Sirius was feeling like he was being pranked but knew magical robes like those were not items you could obtain easily or casually for a prank.

“Does he pass?” the shorter one asked.

The light flickered. The shorter one pushed his hood back.

“I’m Marcus Smith. Welcome to the DoM and InterMyst.”

Pieces clicked into place. He did not know what the second name was but could make a guess. It explained how they were able to do what they were doing.

Marcus pulled his wand and vanished the ropes holding him to the chair. “If you want to be a part of our operation, there are things to go over and paperwork to fill out.”

The taller man pushed back his hood. Sirius was surprised to see Arcturus. Arcturus shot a light stinging hex at him.

“You weren’t supposed to get mixed up in this part of my life. You were to be the public face of the Black family while Regulus worked in the shadows,” Arcturus grumbled.

Marcus patted Arcturus’ shoulder. “Best laid plans, my friend.” He motioned to Sirius. “To my office and after that, I’ll escort you to your brother’s work area. We can decide where you will best fit in our branch.”

~~~~

Lily pulled Regulus into the room Sirius was working on plans to counter Voldemort’s next planned raid in muggle London.

“Sirius, do you still have that map of Hogwarts you made?” Lily asked.

“No, Filch confiscated it from Peter and didn’t give it back before we left school. Why?”

“Tom left something in Hogwarts that we need to retrieve without getting caught,” Regulus said.

Sirius reminded himself that Tom was Voldemort’s real name. He had been surprised to learn his true name, but he should not be. Grandfather and Regulus told him at dinner that Voldemort was not his birth name.

“What did he leave?” Sirius asked. “Do you know where?”

“That’s the other problem,” Regulus admitted. “We don’t know where the item is in the castle specifically. We do know what floor it’s on looks like.”

Sirius narrowed his eyes at his brother. “How do you know that?”

“A very special location spell,” Regulus said.

“The item is important to bringing Tom down,” Lily said. “Do you have your notes on creating the map or can you make a new one?”

Sirius leaned back in his chair and studied his two visitors. “Why’s it important?”

Regulus huffed. “It just is.”

“We can’t tell you more without Marcus’ stamp of approval,” Lily said. “But a map would make sneaking into Hogwarts so much easier. We don’t want Dumbledore to know we were there.”

“You have a way past the wards?” Sirius asked.

“We have some ideas,” Regulus said.

“I think going in with the students would provide a good cover and Dumbledore would be busy with the opening feast.” Lily pushed her hair from her face.

Regulus ran his fingers through his hair. “But we’d be less likely to run into anyone before school starts. If we could be guaranteed that the headmaster was out of the castle would be best.”

Sirius tapped his chin and thought about the issue. “How about the August Wizengamot meeting? He’s always at the meetings.” He waved a finger in the air. “We had other features we talked about adding to the map that we never got around to. One of them was a location spell. Could we incorporate your location spell into a new map?”

“Yes!” Lily said.

“Maybe not the one we used,” Regulus slowly said. “But a modification, maybe…. We’d have to talk to Nephthys.”

“I’ll bring in my notes tomorrow, and we can put our heads together on this.”

~~~~

“Dumbledore is pushing us to change our mind and use the Fidelius charm,” Lily told their group as they ate lunch. “He insists that’s the best protection for us.”

“Tom hasn’t been able to get past your wards. We’ve been one step ahead of them,” Joseph said.

“He’s been hounding me about it as well,” Sirius said. “Only it’s about the secret keeper, or not being the secret keeper. ‘My dear boy, who would they go looking for first when your best friend disappears?’” he said in his best Dumbledore impression. “Said I should be a decoy.”

Lily shook her head and made sure Harry ate his lunch.

“Did he suggest who should be the secret keeper?” Regulus asked.

“Peter,” Sirius growled. He learned of Peter’s duplicitous nature once he was hired on and included in the group eavesdropping on the marked Death Eaters.

“Which strongly indicates Dumbledore knowing Peter’s the spy in his group,” Nephthys pointed out.

“That’s what I figured from the beginning,” Lily said. “He keeps frowning at any of our choices for secret keeper, especially for it to be James or me.”

Regulus cocked his head at Lily. “I never did learn what you found about the charm.”

Lily nodded. “Marcus did come through with the information. Despite the soul being involved, it does no harm to it. However, it’s not as simple as Dumbledore made it out to be, but it is also more versatile. There is no reason why James or myself can’t be the secret keeper despite what he says.”

“Could we utilize it for the final stage of our plans?” Nephthys asked.

Lily pondered that. “It might be a good idea. I’ll get you my research, and we can talk about it.”

Sirius rocked back on his chair legs. “We might want to give in and let him cast the charm.”

“Let him think he’s getting his way and hope he’ll back off?” Regulus said.

Lily huffed and rolled her eyes. “Probably should. He also started asking about the cloak again.”

“He’s been hinting at its usefulness to James whenever he gives out missions.” Sirius shifted his weight forward to keep the chair from falling over when Regulus gave it a nudge with his foot. “I’m expecting one so important that James can’t say no to.”

Sirius stuck his tongue out at Regulus who ignored him.

“Good thing we were able to create a passable duplicate of the cloak then,” Lily said.

~~~~

Sirius, Lily, and Nephthys watched their version of the Marauder’s Map from the safety of the Shrieking Shack.

“He’s gone,” Lily said when Dumbledore’s name vanished from his office.

Nephthys checked the time. “Let’s give it more time. I want the Wizengamot meeting to be in full swing before we move. Too early and he might be able to return sooner than we want.”

Sirius understood the caution, but he hated waiting. Nephthys seemed to understand that.

“Locate the others currently within Hogwarts’ grounds so we know what areas to avoid,” Nephthys said.

Sirius activated the inventory feature they had added. A list of names appeared on the side with locations. The corresponding dots grew in size to be visible on the multi-floor representation of Hogwarts that floated over the paper.

“We’ll need to keep an eye on the groundskeeper,” Nephthys said. “The notice-me-not charms should keep him from noticing us, but he’s the one that could hinder our entrance or exit.”

“There are other passages out of the castle we can take from inside,” Sirius said.

Nephthys nodded. “We will take one if needed. I would rather not take the chance of being seen and remembered by going through a store’s basement. They might turn a blind eye to students doing so during the school year. But…”

“School is not in session to cover if we were noticed,” Lily finished.

They had covered all these points during planning. The path through the Shrieking Shack was chosen despite having to cross the open yard between the whomping willow and the castle. The shack gave them a private location to prepare and wait.

McGonagall was in her office. The other few teachers who were in the castle were all in their office or classroom. That meant they were out of their way as long as they did not leave their current locations.

“Final checks,” Nephthys said.

They made sure their hoods were up and secured to obscure their identities in case their notice-me-not spells failed or were seen through. They activated the silencing runes Lily had created and put on their shoes. It worked better and longer than the charms he and James used when in school. He had fun sneaking up on Regulus when testing them for Lily.

He changed the map’s mode so the image sank into the paper and into the background with the list and location of the current occupants clearly visible at a glance.

“Move out,” Nephthys ordered.

Sirius led the way, having traveled it many times. Nephthys ran detection spells as they walked and called them to a halt when they got to the ward line. She did several things that Sirius had no clue about. She shook her head at whatever she found.

“Seems this section of the wards’ notification function has been disabled.” Her frown deepened the more she examined her readings. “It doesn’t even keep anything out. They cross through here but are useless.”

“Would he have modified them to let a werewolf pass?” Lily asked.

“They would not have needed to be pruned back to this extent. All they would have needed was an exception for the individual werewolf to be worked into them. This is a gaping hole in the defenses. Why would anyone knowingly create and leave such a thing?”

The two Hogwarts graduates did not have an answer. They pushed on knowing the wards would not bring attention to them, and Nephthys continued to analyze their path.

Sirius led them to the opening under the whomping willow. He checked Hagrid’s location. He was in his hut and no longer working in his garden, which was good. He would not notice the willow freeze when they exited.

“Stop,” she called before Sirius could reach through the opening to push the root to freeze the willow. “There are monitoring spells over the opening.”

She pulled out a device and settled it next to the opening. She tapped it with her wand and muttered a few words. The spells became visible and arched up and over the top of the opening.

“We can pass through without triggering them now,” Nephthys said.

“Where’d you learn that?” Sirius asked.

“I did have to know at least the basics in curse-breaking before following my specific area of study,” she said. “I found knowing more was better.”

They had no issue getting out and crossing the yard. They slipped in a side door that Sirius had often used because there were no paintings to tattle on him. The castle was quiet. It felt so different from when it was filled with students even if they were all tucked into their respective houses for the night.

Lily took the map to monitor while Sirius led them along the best path to the seventh floor. He led them through secret passages and along little-used halls until they reached the correct floor. They stood close together in an out-of-the-way nook. Lily refocused the map on their current floor and activated the feature that located the item they sought. A dot showed it on the other side of the wall.

“I still don’t see a door in,” Lily said.

They had hoped that something would be evident when they got there.

“Then we search the hall for any hidden access or magical pockets,” Nephthys said.

Sirius took the map and activated the perimeter notification. They would hear a soft chime if anyone else in the castle got within a floor of their position. Then they split up to find a way to the item.

Nephthys cast detection spells starting at their current end of the hall. Lily walked the length physically examining it for any sign of a trigger. Sirius haphazardly wandered the hall following the instincts that had led him to the other secret passages they had discovered as kids.

Time quickly ticked by as they searched. Sirius kept returning to the empty section of the wall across from a painting of dancing trolls. He ran his hand over it, finding no hint of a doorway. From the map, the item they were looking for was on the other side of this wall. He ran his hand along the wall as he moved farther away from the spot.

He paused and looked to the end. The rest of the wall was covered with items or had nooks for suits of armor to stand in. Lily was currently examining the nook behind one suit of armor. Sirius turned and ran his other hand along the wall just in case it would make a difference.

They needed to find that item. To do that, they needed to find the room it was in. He passed the blank section and stopped. The other end of the hall looked the same. No doors were visible and covered with landscapes and nooks. He turned to join his partners in the endeavor.

He knew finding the room was vital to taking Tom out. He passed by the blank wall a third time. A door appeared.

“I may have found it,” he spoke loud enough to draw their attention but not for it to carry through the stone hall.

They looked toward him. Their eyes widened when they saw the door. They both headed his way.

“Where did that come from?” Lily asked. “It wasn’t there before.”

“It just appeared when I passed the wall,” Sirius said.

Nephthys was casting diagnostic spells at it. They waited several minutes while she cast spell after spell. She looked more intrigued with each casting.

“It’s safe,” she said. “Let’s see what’s on the other side.”

Sirius looked at Lily who shared his confusion about Nephthys not giving them more information on her findings. Nephthys opened the door and stepped in. They followed. The door closed behind them.

The room was filled with stacks of things. Some looked old but serviceable while others were obviously broken. Sirius took several steps down one of the paths and turned slowly letting out a long whistle at the number of things around them.

“What is this place?” Lily asked. She had ventured down another path and poked at a ripped robe draped over what looked like a melted suit of armor.

Nephthys was facing the closed door repeating her spells.

“It appears that the founders created a room that can morph into whatever a person needs it to be.”

“Who needed a room filled with junk?” Sirius asked.

“Not sure.” She cast several spells around the room. “It appears to be filled with cast-offs. Maybe someone was looking for a place to get rid of a broken item and stumbled across the room…” She shrugged. “Only a guess. Try the map now.”

Lily and Sirius returned to where she was standing. Lily held the map so they could all see it. It now showed the room they were in as well as the maze of paths through the items. An orange dot flashed within the room.

“This way,” Lily said and pointed down one of the paths.

They followed the winding paths to their target.

“I’m beginning to think this room has been used since the creation of Hogwarts,” Sirius muttered. “That last robe we passed looked to be from that time.”

“Here,” Lily said, stopping before a section of junk that looked the same as all the others.

Nephthys pulled out the box the item would be secured in. “There you are,” she said.

She pulled her wand and floated a diadem off the head of a bust and into the waiting box.

“Is that Rowena Ravenclaw’s diadem?” Sirius choked.

Nephthys snapped the lid shut. “I can’t verify that, but Marcus and Regulus think it is. It would fit the pattern.”

Sirius groaned and almost regretted being brought into their full confidence – almost. In truth, he was glad to be a part of this hidden and hopefully unknown part of winning the war.

They headed back the way they came. Lily kept checking the map to make sure they did not get lost. Soon they were back at the door. Lily changed the map’s focus back to the list.

“Coast is clear,” Lily announced.

They refreshed their charms to be sure they were working at peak efficiency.

“Into the breach.” Nephthys opened the door and walked out.

They followed. The door shut behind them then vanished.

Sirius ran his hand over the blank wall. He detected nothing – just like before.

“Come, we must get moving before the session breaks for lunch,” Nephthys said.

Sirius took the lead once more, and they passed through the castle with none the wiser of their presence.

“Hagrid is in the forest now,” Lily said.

Sirius pushed the door open. Crossing the yard was as easy as the first time. Sirius’s years of freezing the Whomping Willow from this side allowed him to do so this time quickly and efficiently. Once the branches stopped moving, they slipped into the passage.

Nephthys deactivated her device, and the detection spells slid back over the opening. She tucked the box away. The rest of their journey was smooth. They took the port-key back to base once they were clear of the shack.

They landed in one of the dedicated port-key arrival rooms of the English InterMyst. They were processed through as per protocol and headed for their research rooms.

“Mmoomm,” Harry happily exclaimed when they entered. He sat on the floor playing with his toys. He reached his hand up to Lily, and she scooped him up and peppered kisses on his face, making him laugh.

“Successful?” Marcus asked.

“Yes,” Nephthys said. “Only two left.”

“Good. Things are picking up,” Marcus said. “He’ll make his move soon – probably before the year’s end is my guess.”

Sirius removed his robe and hung it up on the rack. He sat across from Marcus. “What makes you say that?”

“He’s ramping things up, more so than in the past,” Marcus said. He tapped a finger on Harry’s picture book. “We need to get things in place – probably before you go into ‘hiding,’ Lily. We can’t guarantee to be included in the secret.”

“Couldn’t someone be there under the cloak?” Lily asked.

“Probably don’t want to risk it,” Nephthys said. “Just because we don’t know a way to see through it doesn’t mean Dumbledore doesn’t know one.”

“If he detected it, our ruse with the fake cloak would be a bust,” Lily said and sighed.

“If Peter verbally tells us the secret, could they listen in over one of your bugs?” Sirius asked.

“He doesn’t have to tell us,” Lily said. “He could write it down.”

“Replace the paper before ‘destroying’ it?” Sirius asked.

“Maybe?” Marcus said. “We can prepare for both, but we don’t know if the Fidelius charm will block the bug’s ability to transmit back to us or not. We should try those options but not count on them.”

“That gives us a little over a week to get our project working,” Nephthys said.

“Then I can make improvements to it if needed with or without you,” Lily added.

“Work to do,” Nephthys said and headed out of their common room.

Chapter 14 – Downfall

September 1981

It was the end of September before the Potters agreed to the charm. Sirius arrived at the Potter home before Peter or Dumbledore for the casting.

“Everything set?” Sirius asked Lily when she let him in.

“As it can be,” she answered.

She placed a bug on his sleeve when she patted his arm. It moved to under his collar and camouflaged itself. He knew she had one on as well. They joined James who was pacing the sitting room.

“Are we doing the right thing?” James asked. He looked at Lily.

“All my research points to it being safe,” she said. “However, it does seem foolish to only rely on it.”

Sirius chewed on his lip. “Maybe you should have an escape plan or plans… ones no one else knows about.”

A knock at the door kept them from pursuing the topic, but James gave him the nod that he heard and accepted his point. They would talk about it later.

Lily led Dumbledore into the room. He scanned the room and clapped his hands. “I’m so glad you’ve agreed to this.”

“The attacks are getting worse,” James said. “They are getting into places that we didn’t expect them to.” James pushed his glasses up his nose then ran his fingers through his hair. “We need to take more drastic measures if he’s after us.”

“You’ve made the right choice, my boy.”

“Sorry I’m late,” Peter muttered upon entering the room. “Got held up.”

“All good,” Dumbledore said, asserting his control over the room. “Shall we get started?” He called Peter to him.

Dumbledore waved his wand causing the furniture to pile up along one wall and the floor rugs to roll up.

“Everyone else to the edge of the room.”

They moved back. He magically spread the herb mixture to form a circle around him and Peter. He started casting the charm.

He was following what they had read about it. It would be interesting how he worded the secret. Lily had told him that they had talked with Dumbledore about the wording and even made suggestions. However, he assured them he would take them into consideration and come up with the best wording for the secret.

“… Peter Perkin Pettigrew, do you agree to hide the knowledge that James Potter’s family lives at 493 Peverell Way, Godric’s Hollow.”

“I do.”

Dumbledore made several sharp wand movements and said the words to seal the secret away. They sounded correct to Sirius. He would check with Lily afterward to be sure.

Sirius blinked. Something changed when Dumbledore finished the spell. He felt like he needed to pop his ears or something. He looked around. He was at James and Lily’s house. They were casting the charm on it to hide them. If Tom could not find… where was their house located? He shook his head.

“It worked,” Sirius said. “I don’t know where we are other than the Potter’s home.”

Dumbledore chuckled. “Did you doubt it would work, my boy?”

“No. It’s just weird,” Sirius admitted. “I know it, but I don’t…” He shook his head again as if that would clear the pressure he felt. “It’s sort of like breathing underwater.”

Lily handed Peter parchment and quill. “Write the secret down and we can test what wording is correct on just one of us and not lose test subjects by telling all of us at once.”

Dumbledore chuckled. “I applaud you for wanting to verify such a thing, but it isn’t needed.”

By then, Peter had written the location on the parchment. Lily accepted the items back.

“I am curious what the address on our post looks like?”

“I’ll check,” James offered. “Albus, if you would put things back to order.”

“Of course.” He waved his wand. The herb mixture vanished and all the furnishings went back to their previous locations.

“Thanks.” James walked to the desk and pulled out a previously received post. “I can’t read it. I know there’s something there. I see letters, but they are nonsense.”

Sirius looked at the letter in James’ hand. “Same.”

Lily thrust the paper in front of James to read. “And now?”

James took and read the parchment. He looked at the envelope. “Looks like it should now,” James said.

Sirius plucked the parchment from James’ hand. “It’s like a film is suddenly gone.”

“I feel better about our safety,” James said. He patted Peter’s shoulder. “Thank you, Peter, for doing this.”

“Of course, how could I not.”

Sirius used every trick he had learned to keep a pleasant look on his face. He could not give away that he knew where Peter’s true loyalties were.

“I appreciate it too, Peter.”

Peter seemed to be enjoying the praise.

“For safety’s sake, we should destroy the parchment,” Dumbledore said. He plucked it from Sirius’ hand. He glanced at it and it went up with a flash of flames in his fingers. “I must be off for other duties and all that.”

“Thank you, Albus,” James said. “Let me escort you out.”

“I should be going as well,” Peter said.

Sirius waited until they were in the hall and cast a muffling charm around him and Lily. “He got the original. I didn’t want to risk switching with the one we pre-made with the address because…” he pointed to the discarded letter.

“He would know if he tried reading it,” Lily supplied.

“Good idea having James check. I did try magically duplicating it and tucked it away but didn’t get the chance. Peter didn’t say the address. I should have not read the parchment and had him tell me to see if the bugs would pick it up.”

Lily pulled a parchment from her pocket, grinned, and waved it before Sirius. “I got it.”

“How?”

“Carbon paper spelled between two sheets of parchment.” She put the parchment back in her pocket.

“What?”

“Tell you later.”

James returned. “Dinner?”

~~~~

Lily dashed into Regulus’ lab. “We did it!” She jumped excitedly before him.

“You did what? You have at least six projects in testing and development and at least that many on the drafting table.”

Nephthys put down what she was working on to join them.

“The Avada Kedavra vests work!”

“They stop the curse?” Nephthys asked.

“Only one, but yes.”

“If you play dead, once is all you need,” Nephthys said.

“What if it hits a part that’s not covered?” Regulus asked. “I know you had ideas for that case…”

“Doesn’t matter where they aim, it takes the hit.” She bounced on the balls of her feet.

“That’s unbelievable… and mind blowing,” he admitted.

“Congratulations,” Nephthys said. “That makes setting our trap easier.”

“Yes. It also means James will need to know more about what and who I work for,” Lily said. “He would wear the vest if I told him it’s important… but I don’t see him staying down if he thinks we are in trouble.”

“I can see that. What if you spelled his vest to knock him out when hit with the AK?”

“It would work, but… he’d see it as a betrayal.”

“Won’t he think that if he finds out Sirius is already in on your plan?” Regulus asked.

She nodded her head. “Yes, but… Sirius came in this by a different path than me. He will understand keeping the work secret.”

“But when he becomes a part of that work, you think he will have a harder time if you don’t tell him upfront,” Nephthys supplied.

“Yeah, something like that. I think it will be safer for him to know and understand more of what’s going on. He knows Sirius and I have been looking into Dumbledore and other things.”

“Have you talked with Marcus about it?” Regulus asked.

“We’ve kicked it around. This breakthrough will mean we need to revisit it.” Her demeanor became more serious. “I think James needs to know so he knows what to avoid.”

Regulus cocked his head and arched an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Dumbledore wants us to not leave the house now that the Fidelius Charm has been cast. He offered to be James’ proxy in this week’s Wizengamot meeting.”

His eyes widened at the forwardness to ask such a thing. “Sirius would be the logical candidate,” he blurted out. “He’s attended several of the meetings with James.”

Lily nodded. “That was pointed out. James has insisted he can go at least this month and that he would think about it for the October one.”

“Interesting,” Nephthys said. “You should probably talk to Marcus soon.”

“I’ll see when he’s free. Thanks.” All the joy seemed to have fled.

“Don’t forget that you and your team have created what we thought was impossible,” Regulus said. “We’ll make it through these crazy times.”

She smiled at him. “Thanks, Reg.” A bit of bounce returned to her step as she left.

Nephthys patted him on the back. “You’re a good friend.”

~~~~

Sirius was taking his turn listening to the Death Eaters. He scanned through the small active section of his assigned auditory feeds. His job was to spot check them and note who, where, and topic on each so they would know which recordings to focus on first. He recognized the ID belonging to Peter when the active light flashed. He pulled it up and listened.

“What news do you have for me?”

“I can tell you where they are, Master,” Peter simpered.

“How do you know where they are when all information about their location has vanished since September?”

Sirius listened as Peter told Tom about the charm and how he managed to get them to make him their secret keeper.

“Crucio!” was followed by Peter’s screams.

“Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

“M-M-Master, I was protecting your best interest. If I reveal myself too soon, you could lose your source of information on the Order… and the others were always around…”

“Little suck-up,” Sirius muttered.

“…you would want the information when others were not around and to take out your enemies yourself.”

“Tell me where they are?”

Even though he knew it was coming, Sirius was crushed to hear the address so easily given. Peter had just crossed the line of no return. Some small part of him must have still been clinging onto the hope that Peter would not betray them. It died and left anger and grief in its place.

The quill snapped in his hand. Ink splattered across his page.

“When will you go?” Peter’s voice pulled him away from his rage for a chance at more information.

“Samhain is almost on us. It is a fitting day for my victory, don’t you think.”

Peter eagerly agreed verbally kowtowing to Tom. Sirius guessed he was physically as well. Peter was soon dismissed, and Sirius deactivated the channel. He took several deep breaths to calm down. He could not run out and kill the rat bastard. That would not end the threat to the Potter family or the wizarding world. He reminded himself of that several times until he felt he could hunt down Marcus and let him know. Plans needed to be finalized, and the last pieces put into place.

“I should be happy that we could put such plans in place. If Regulus had not sought help from Grandfather…,” he told himself. That thought did not calm him as much as he hoped, because if Regulus had not asked for help, he would probably be dead now. No one would know about those accursed items. They would not know Peter had betrayed them. Who knows what else they would not know and who would suffer because of it.

Sirius pulled himself together and headed off to notify Marcus.

~~~~

Regulus joined Marcus’ elite team as they set up around the Potter home behind magical blinds. He kept a firm hold on his brother’s robes. They both knew his first reaction would be to rush in there to help.

“I’ll stun you if I have to,” Regulus hissed.

“I know. Someone has to. Might as well be family.” Sirius grinned at him.

Marcus gave them a look to be quiet. They settle in to wait. The crack of apparition called them to attention. Their target and Peter had arrived. Marcus signaled to hold their positions.

Tom blasted the door in and strode in like he owned the place. They could hear shouting and see flashes of spellfire, but only Marcus knew what was happening inside.

“Wait,” Marcus ordered when it stopped. He watched the hand mirror closely.

Regulus kept a tight hold on Sirius’ robes. Every muscle in Sirius’ body was coiled and ready to catapult him into action.

“They will be fine,” Regulus reminded him.

“We don’t know that.”

“Trust in Lily’s inventions.”

Sirius pressed his lips together and inhaled before slowly nodding.

A bright flash lit all the second-floor windows. The window glass blew outwards and the section of roof over the nursery gained a hole.

“Move in,” Marcus ordered.

They did. One of their members caught Pettigrew as he tried to scurry out the door. A second knocked him out.

“Transport him!” Marcus said.

Pettigrew popped away to the InterMyst secure holding cell. They moved on. Broken furniture and spell scorched walls greeted them. Sirius headed for James as soon as they found him on the floor.

“James!” Sirius helped the groaning man sit up. “Are you alright?”

“Did you catch the hippogriff that ran me over?” James asked.

Regulus followed the group up the stairs where Harry’s wailing was coming from. The agents cleared the floor before they let him and Nephthys enter the nursery.

“Shhh, you’re all right,” Lily cooed to Harry as she swayed with him tucked against her chest. “I know it was scary, but you’re safe. Mommy’s here.” She looked at Regulus.

“James was talking when we came up.”

Nephthys was casting to check on their trap.

“Did it work?” Regulus asked.

Lily pointed to the floor where a pile of black robes lay. “That’s all that’s left of him.”

“Except what we captured,” Nephthys said. She grinned and held up a dark soul stone.

Lily’s shoulders sagged with relief. “Here.” She thrust Harry into Regulus’ arms.

“What?” he squawked but held the boy close. He sniffled and curled against Regulus’ chest.

“We’ve got to get this dismantled quickly so the agents can cover our tracks,” Lily said.

That was true. They did not know how long they would have until they were interrupted. The women worked quickly removing their arrays.

“Time to leave,” Nephthys said.

They headed downstairs while the agents removed their magical traces and set the golems in place. James hugged Lily and reached out for Harry. Regulus happily handed him back to his parents.

Sirius brushed away a tear. “They’re alive.”

“Told you.”

Sirius squeezed Regulus’ shoulder. “Yeah, you did.” They stood there watching the family bask in their survival. “Oh, we captured Snape while you were up there.”

“Why was he here? How was he here” Regulus asked.

Sirius shrugged. “They stunned him and had him sent away as soon as he entered and was identified. I’m sure they will get those answers from him.”

“Wrap things up!” Marcus ordered. “Regulus, take the Potters.”

“Yes, sir.”

He pulled the rope port-key from his pocket and held it out. James placed Harry’s hand on the rope and wrapped his hand over it. Lily grabbed on. He activated it, taking them to Black manor.

~~~~

Sirius was relieved they were off and would soon be safe behind a Fidelius of Grandfather and Regulus making. They would bring him in on it later. For now, he had a part to play.

The agents placed the James golem on the floor.

“I believe we’re done here,” Marcus said. He patted Sirius’ back. “Return to headquarters once Dumbledore shows up.”

Sirius gave him a sloppy salute. “Will do.”

“Amethyst and Ruby will be outside in case any more of Tom’s followers show up.”

“Thanks.”

They all left. Sirius looked around.

“What would I do if I walked into this situation? Check on James first… then head upstairs to check on Harry and Lily.”

He walked up the stairs and headed for the nursery. It was in disarray and had bits of ceiling scattered across the floor. Lily’s doppelganger was crumpled on the floor before the crib. Slowly he walked up to the crib. His heart broke seeing the still resemblance of Harry. This could have been his godson’s fate if they did not intervene.

Heavy footsteps echoed up the stairway.

“Not Dumbledore then,” Sirius muttered. That made him mad. The old goat did not come himself! He stared at the Harry golem and blinked back tears.

“Sirius, what’a doing here?” Hagrid asked.

“I could ask you the same,” he said without turning around. He tightened his hands around the bed’s railing.

“I’m here to fetch poor Harry on Dumbledore’s orders.”

Sirius scoffed. He turned to face the larger man. “Why does he want you to fetch my dead godson?”

Hagrid took a step back at the news and the venom Sirius delivered it.

“The tyke’s dead?” Tears were gathering in his eyes.

“Have a look,” Sirius spat and stepped out of the way.

Hagrid slowly moved closer. He pulled out a large handkerchief and bawled at the sight.

“B-b-but the Headmaster was sure he was alive,” Hagrid insisted. “That’s why he sent me. We have to make sure he’s safe and kept out of the hands of those Death Eaters.” He sniffled into his handkerchief then loudly blew his nose. “I can’t believe he’s wrong.”

Sirius gestured to the crib. “Here’s your proof.”

He marched out of the room and down the stairs. He made it to the floo and activated his call before Hagrid pulled himself together and followed.

“Sirius, what are you doing?” Hagrid asked.

“Calling the Aurors.”

“What? Why? Shouldn’t we call Dumbledore?”

“Aurors department,” Marcus said from the flames. “How can I help you?”

“They are the people who handle such things.” He turned to the floo call. “I’d like to report a murder.” Sirius gave Marcus the details.

“We’ll have a couple of Aurors to your location soon.”

He stood and brushed off his trousers. Hagrid looked lost. The ‘Aurors’ showed up before Sirius could figure out what to do about the other man.

“What happened?” the one who introduced himself as Auror Graham asked.

Sirius gave a brief overview while Auror Young questioned Hagrid. She patted his arm and ushered him out of the house.

“He’s gone,” she said when she returned.

“Clean-up and return to headquarters,” Auror Graham said.

~~~~~

Sirius followed Agent Graham and Agent Young to Marcus’ group briefing room. The rest of the team from the night were seated at tables. The setup reminded Sirius of a lecture hall only smaller. He glanced over the gathered agents. There were only around twenty individuals. It was probably everyone who was fully read into this part of the plan.

He sat at the table with his two agents. Marcus stood at the front of the room.

“Good work tonight,” Marcus said. “Your dedication and hard work have brought us to this point. You all are to be commended. Unfortunately, this victory does not mean the work is done.”

Several heads in the crowd nodded.

“You will each have assignments in line with your standard responsibilities as things play out in the next few weeks. Some may seem trivial, but you know sometimes it is just one question or piece of information that is the key to bringing the downfall of a threat.”

An agreeing murmur swept through the room. Marcus gave them a tight-lipped smile.

“News of tonight’s events will be limited for now. Officially, news of an attack on the Potter home will be released. The news of Voldemort’s defeat and the fate of the Potters, will not be released at this time. There are still pieces that need to be collected. Thank you for your time and get some well-earned rest.”

The agents cheered at the news and started to file out of the room. Marcus motioned for Sirius and the two agents to stay.

They walked to Marcus.

“I heard the exchange at the house and the bugs you planted on Hagrid are working. Good job, Amethyst.”

She inclined her head.

“I think you three need to hear the feed from those bugs since you will most likely be approached by the Headmaster about the events.”

He sealed the doors with a spell and turned to a table that had their surveillance equipment set up on it.

“I’ve been informed that Hagrid crossed the Hogwarts boundary line a few minutes ago due to his limited travel options,” Marcus said. He pressed the activate button.

Hagrid’s sobbing came through clearly and drowned out some of the other sounds around him.

“Where’s Harry?” Dumbledore’s words came through clearly.

“He’s dead,” Hagrid managed to blubber out.

“Dead!” Dumbledore was shocked. There was rustling indicating movement, and Sirius wished they could see what was going on. “He can’t be dead.”

“Must have some kind of monitor on the babe,” Amethyst said softly.

Her partner nodded.

“I saw him with my own eyes. He was in the crib as still as could be.”

“Tell me what happened,” Dumbledore demanded.

Hagrid told the entire story from arriving at the house to finding Sirius in the nursery and calling in the Aurors. Dumbledore had many questions along the way. He finally dismissed Hagrid with the assurance he would look into things.

Marcus switched feeds. Hagrid’s sniffling vanished and the new line was quiet except for the sound of movement. There was the sound of items being moved or fiddled with.

“Dumbledore’s office,” Marcus said.

Spells were cast. Sirius guessed they were diagnostic in nature from the structure.

“It’s in working order,” Dumbledore muttered. Something was set down with a thunk. “Too bad I didn’t make one for Lily and James.”

Only the sounds of movement came through for a bit.

“This is not to plan,” Dumbledore said. “What went wrong, where, and how to fix it?”

Sirius could imagine Dumbledore stroking his beard in contemplation like he often did during Order meetings.

“I need answers before I can plan the correct course of action.”

Footsteps retreated from the bug and then there was silence.

Marcus switched the feed off.

“Can we break the connection to the child?” Amethyst asked.

Marcus looked concerned. “I don’t know without more information. I will be putting a few people on it. I don’t even know how he created it. We’ve been trying to keep him away from Harry since his birth.”

“Could we make him think he attached it to the wrong person?” Ruby asked. “If he had issues accessing the baby…”

Marcus nodded. “I see where you’re going with that. It’s a path we will explore.”

“What is his next move?” Ruby asked.

Marcus opened the case that held one of the master mirrors to one of their spy mirror networks. Another of Lily’s ideas she brought to life. The master showed several feeds from the network they set up around and in the Potter cottage.

The advancement Lily’s creations brought to the wizarding world if only for the InterMyst spy network, was astounding and dangerous in the wrong hands. For the first time, Sirius could empathize with those who resist change. These tools were scary if they got into the wrong hands.

However, according to Lily, the muggles were already using such systems. She and Marcus both suspected that the monitoring would only increase on that side which was dangerous for the ignorant wizards.

The perimeter alarm around the cottage sounded.

“As I suspected,” Marcus said.

Dumbledore walked into view of one of the mirrors. He appeared displeased to run into an Auror crime scene ward around the home. He pulled his wand. A wave of it allowed him to walk through without tripping any more alarms to their surprise.

“How did he do that?” Amethyst asked.

“Unfortunately, I don’t know,” Marcus admitted. He tapped the mirror image that showed Dumbledore entering the home. The image filled most of the screen with the others shrinking and taking up positions around the edge for easy access.

Dumbledore moved through the house inspecting the spell damage. He stopped at the spot James’ body had been with a bit more accuracy than chance would provide. He progressed up the stairs and into the nursery. He spent more time in the room casting spells and muttering to himself. He gave the spot where Tom’s robes had been the greatest attention.

In the end, he did not seem pleased or satisfied with his findings. He left as easily as he entered.

“What did he do?” Sirius asked. “What did he learn from it?”

“I’ll be sure the spell experts take a look at the recording orb for this and hope they can identify the spells,” Marcus said. “The real concern is what will he do next?”

~~~~

Regulus was waiting for the group to exit the briefing room. The Potters were settled into their rooms in the Black manor and under the protection of a new Fidelius charm with Regulus as the secret keeper. To add to the protection, they would not leave the grounds without an InterMyst disguise pendent like Regulus used when going out in England.

Finally, the door opened and the four occupants emerged. Sirius homed in on him.

“They’re ok?” Sirius asked.

“Where are they?” Regulus asked.

Sirius’ mouth opened to answer then froze. Understanding followed. “Good to know.”

“Grandfather sent me to bring you home for the night. Although since Marcus is to come as well, I doubt we will be getting much sleep.”

Marcus joined them at the mention of his name. “I’ve got a few things to tend to here, but I’ll head there afterward.”

“I’ll tell Grandfather.”

Regulus dragged his brother to the manor.

Chapter 15 – Fallout

November 1981

Sirius downed the cup of coffee that Alice gave him. “Sorry, long night,” he explained.

“I’m sure,” Frank said. “Are you certain you don’t want anything to eat?” He motioned to the food on the platters before them.

Sirius waved them off. “Ate before coming over. I didn’t want the headlines to be your only source of information.” He nodded to the paper on the edge of the table. The headline of “Potters Attacked” was in big bold letters.

“It didn’t say how they were,” Alice pointed out.

“By design,” Sirius assured. “They are all fine and hidden away much like you are. Do not fret if you hear or read that they were killed in the attack.”

“The rest of the plans?” Alice asked. “I understand not sharing the details of them, but I know there was more and have an inkling of their purpose long before you were brought in.”

Sirius inclined his head knowing it to be true. “They went smoothly and things are on track for ending the madness, but there are more steps to accomplish that.”

Alice nodded, appearing satisfied with that answer.

“Can we go back home?” Frank asked.

Sirius rubbed at his jaw. “I would not advise it as yet. There are a lot of loose ends – meaning Death Eaters – out there. We don’t know what they know or what action they will take because of last night.”

Frank and Alice exchanged a look.

“We’ll stay here for a while then,” Frank said. “A few more days is nothing compared to the safety of my family.”

Alice freed Neville from his chair. She kissed Frank’s cheek in passing. “Time for his afternoon nap.” She swept from the room.

Frank watched her leave with a love-sick expression on his face before returning to the conversation with Sirius.

Sirius winked mischievously at Frank.

“Any idea on how much longer?” Frank asked.

“Maybe a week. Could be more.” Sirius shrugged. “You are free to leave at any time. It is your choice.”

Frank pushed his empty plate away and rubbed his face. “I know. I’m tired of fearing for our lives and of the fighting and of looking over my shoulder.”

“I’m right there with you, Frank. Each funeral I have to go….”

Frank took a deep breath. “The end is near?”

“I believe so.”

“Then so will I.”

Frank suddenly sat up straight.

“What’s the matter?” Sirius asked, going on alert.

“The manor wards just fell.”

~~~~

Sirius and Frank apparated outside the Longbottom manor boundaries. Cloaked figures were moving with military accuracy across the grounds and into the manor. The commander saw them and approached.

“Mr. Longbottom, I’m Commander Harrison. We moved out as soon as the alarm sounded.”

“I appreciate that, Commander.” He looked toward his house. “Any word on what’s going on?”

“Not yet. We just breached the building.”

Frank nodded but looked like he would rather be going in after the men.

“Thanks for the update. We’ll just be over here out of your way.” Sirius grabbed his shoulder and pulled Frank to a safe location. “Best to let them do their jobs.”

“Who broke through the wards?” Frank asked.

“I might not know who but I can make a guess at their affiliation,” Sirius said.

“True. I don’t understand why.”

Sirius shook his head. “I don’t either.”

A group of men exited with four figures bound and floating between them. They were dropped on the lawn with little concern for their well-being. Commander Harrison motioned them to meet with him and the leader of the exiting party.

Sirius’ attention went to the bound and unconscious Death Eaters. He was not surprised to identify Bellatrix among them. They were all stripped of their masks. The Lestrange brothers were logical accomplices for her. The fourth was a shock. He would not have suspected Barty Crouch Jr. as being a Death Eater.

“They had a man under Crucio when we entered,” the group leader said. “When they realized we were there, she,” he indicated Bellatrix, “cast some sort of cutting curse at him which hit. The one on the end,” Barty was pointed to, “cast a killing curse first at the man then at us.”

“What man?” Frank asked. “The house should have been empty except the occasional house-elf making sure things were in order.”

Harrison held up a hand. “We’ll figure that out in a moment. Continue your report, Owens.”

“Westfield summoned the man to her so the killing curse hit the floor. She port-keyed away with him for immediate medical attention. We were able to neutralize them with some quick thinking by Raymond. We brought them out while the rest of the team makes sure there is no one else in the house.”

“Estimated time on that?”

“Fifteen minutes.”

Harrison nodded. “Take the prisoners to the holding cells.”

“Yes, sir.”

Owens went back to his team. They apparated away with their prisoners.

“Come along,” Harrison said.

Sirius and Frank followed him into the manor. As soon as Frank crossed the threshold a distressed elf appeared.

“Taffy, what’s the matter?”

“Taffy is a bad elf. She couldn’t stop the intruders. They sent Taffy into a wall.”

With that information, Sirius noticed traces of blood on her head.

Frank rested a hand on Taffy’s shaking shoulder. “I’m sure you did all you could. Who was in the house before they came?”

“Master Algie has been staying here,” she admitted.

“Why?” Frank asked, obviously bewildered.

“Hiding from Mistress Enid. Forbid us telling anyone he was here.”

Frank ran his hand down his face and groaned. “Since he knew we weren’t here, he moved in.”

“That answers who they attacked,” Harrison said.

“Get you injuries tended to,” Frank told Taffy.

She bowed and popped away.

“What a mess,” Frank muttered.

“Bet you’re glad you stayed where you were,” Sirius said.

“Yes. Just wish others in my family took the threat as seriously. Commander, where can I find my uncle?”

“I’ll take you there once we wrap up and secure the grounds.”

Frank nodded then looked at Sirius.

“I’ll go inform Alice,” Sirius said.

~~~~

Sirius pulled up his feelings of grief and anger before walking into the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

“I must see Bartemius,” Dumbledore insisted to the employee manning the desk.

“Mr. Crouch is in a meeting,” the young man said.

“When will he be out?” Dumbledore asked. “It is of the utmost importance that I speak with him.”

The man noticed Sirius’ presence which prompted Dumbledore to look behind him.

“Sirius, my boy, what brings you here?”

Sirius glared at Dumbledore like he had wanted to since he and Lily started their research project. “What do you think brought me here?” he spat. “I’m following up on what happened to James, Lily, and Harry. Someone should look out for their…” Sirius choked and swallowed down a sob. “… their affairs….”

Dumbledore placed a comforting hand on Sirius’ shoulder. Sirius took the opportunity to place a few bugs on Dumbledore’s robes. He had not detected the ones in his office. They hoped their luck would continue and he would not detect ones on him. So far, all of their testing of standard spells did not find them, but they did not know what unique knowledge Dumbledore had that might prove them wrong.

“Hagrid told me, but I can’t believe it. They really are dead?”

The receptionist gasped. Dumbledore ignored him and stayed focused on Sirius. The piercing blue eyes kept trying to lock on to Sirius’. Sirius pulled out his handkerchief and sobbed into it.

“The devastation when I got into the house… and they were laying there… so still when I got to the nursery…” All true if misleading. He sniffled and whipped at his eyes.

“I’m sure, my boy.”

“I hoped to talk to either of the Aurors from last night… hope they can give me a timeline… arrangements need to be made and all that.”

“Excellent idea. I’ll accompany you. I feel I owe the young family as much.”

“What about you needing to talk to Crouch?” Sirius asked. “It sounded important.”

Dumbledore looked solemn and grievous. “I think this is more important. I’ll catch Bartemius later.”

Like hell, he would. Sirius knew the soon-to-be former head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement was in meetings regarding his son and very shady dealings on the senior’s part that was discovered during their investigation into the Death Eaters.

“Which Aurors should we seek out?”

Sirius shook Dumbledore off, shoved his handkerchief into his pocket, and approached the desk.

“Would you check with Auror Young and Auror Graham and see if they have a moment to speak with me?” Sirius asked.

“Of course, sir. Your name, please.”

“Sirius Black and it’s in regards to the Potter case if you haven’t guessed.”

The man nodded and sent memos to the Aurors. Auror Young showed up and escorted them into a small meeting room where Auror Graham was waiting for them. As expected, Dumbledore stepped up to direct the conversation.

“Mr. Dumbledore,” Young said, “the investigation is in progress. We can not share many details at this time.”

He placed a hand on Sirius’ back. “Surely there is something you can share with a grieving friend?”

“No details can be released at this time,” Graham reiterated.

“Can the bodies at least be released to Sirius?”

“Not at this time,” Graham answered.

Dumbledore stroked his beard. “That seems odd.”

“Nothing odd about it,” Young assured. “In fact, it is standard practice. Mr. Black, be assured we will notify you the minute we can on the issue. Most likely in a few days.”

“Thank you,” Sirius butted in. “I just wanted to follow up… it’s so hard to believe.” He covered his face with his hands for a moment. He looked at the two Aurors. “Thank you for your time. I’ll let you get back to work.”

Sirius stood and walked out. Dumbledore hesitated as if he was unsure which group to question. He chose to go after Sirius. He caught up and walked beside him.

“Maybe if you shared your experience with someone, it might help.” He patted the air. “I know mourning is not that simple, but the process starts with small steps.”

Sirius agreed to talk with him in a wizarding tea house outside the Ministry. He told Dumbledore the story they wanted him to hear once they were served their tea.

“How did you know they were in trouble?” Dumbledore asked.

“Lily sent their elf to me,” Sirius said. Minby did come to him before the attack happened on Lily’s order. “She told me the house was under attack. Of course, I went to aid them. How did you know about the attack and to send Hagrid?”

“I may have added a notification charm to the house when the Fidelius Charm was cast.”

“That’s not very good manners, Headmaster.”

“No, but we live in dangerous times and needs must be and all of that.” He smiled his ‘I’m harmless and I know best for you’ smile.

Any smidgen of regret Sirius had at planting the bug on Dumbledore vanished.

~~~~

Regulus was escorted into Lucius’ study. The man looked cold and aloof behind his large desk. It was a standard powerplay in Regulus’ experience. It meant nothing. He knew he had the better hand even if Lucius did not know that yet.

“Regulus, what a surprise.” Lucius examined him looking for a clue as to why he was here. “I thought you were still kicking around on the continent doing Arcturus’ bidding.”

No one could infuse a sentence with contempt, accusation, and inquiry as well as Lucius. He had perfected the cold pureblood personality.

“Things change,” Regulus shrugged with a casualness he would not have been able to pull off a year ago.

Lucius leaned back in his chair and narrowed his eyes. “Yes,” he hissed. “Things did change two days ago.” He lifted one blond eyebrow.

Regulus sat in a chair without invitation. “I think we all know they did even if news of it seems to be minimal at this time.” He smirked as he crossed his legs and got comfortable. He focused on Lucius’ arm that was marked.

Lucius did not flinch. “Yes, there are all sorts of stories floating around the Ministry,” he said slowly and drawn out. “I’ve heard the Potters were killed in an attack, they were not home when it happened, they were never there.” He waved a hand through the air as if batting away a trifle. “Some whisper of our Lord’s defeat…”

Regulus adjusted his shirt sleeves and then his tie. “Interesting.” He unfastened his robe so it fell open around him. “Just whispering about his defeat? Do your sources not know the specifics?”

All pretense of pleasantness fell from Lucius’ face. He placed his elbows on his desk and leaned forward over his hands. “You know something different?”

He shrugged. “Warm in here.” He stood and removed his robe. He folded it and draped it over the back of the chair before retaking his seat. He unbuttoned one sleeve and rolled it up past his elbow then the other. He made sure his mark-free arms were visible. “I might.”

The other man’s attention was locked on his arm. “How?”

“I know people.”

“I know people as well, and I thought we knew the same people.”

“Some, but I’ve met more after learning of Voldemort’s secret.”

Lucius looked torn between interest and murder. “What sort of secret?”

“The type that the people I know are willing to do for you what they did for me,” he indicated his arm, “in exchange for help with it.”

His words were being weighed.

“Why would I do that?”

“Because it will be better for you and your family in the long run.”

“I don’t see how at this point.”

Regulus hummed. “True.” He appeared to be studying his nails even if he did not take his awareness from his opponent. “Did you know Bella, the Lestrange brothers, and Crouch Jr have been arrested for breaking into Longbottom manor and torturing one of the family? Did you know there are lists of Death Eaters being passed around to be brought in for trials?”

Lucius jumped up from his chair and aimed his wand at Regulus. “Traitor!”

“I provided some of the names.” He flashed his bare arm. “In exchange for other things. If you don’t put your wand away, such things will not be offered to you. We will find another way to procure what we need.”

He took a slow breath before tucking his wand away and sitting back down.

“What is the offer?”

“We need you and Narcissa to obtain a couple items for us.”

The mention of Narcissa brought his defensiveness to the surface again. “She has nothing to do with this,” he hissed, “as you well know.”

Regulus inclined his head acknowledging the truth. “However, she and your son will not be unaffected if you are arrested and found guilty of charges dealing with being a Death Eater.”

“Imperious,” he offered as a defense.

“Hmm… maybe, but there was intensive research done into my mark before we got to this stage and the recipient has to accept it on some level.” He waved a hand through the air. “What that really means is debatable because coercion can still be argued. However, I know Arcturus and others will be pushing for the use of Veritaserum during the trials. They most likely will get permission for it once they finish cleaning house in the Ministry.”

Lucius suddenly saw the handwriting on the wall and asked Narcissa to join them.

“Regulus, I didn’t know you were here.” Her gaze went to his missing mark before his face.

“I had business to discuss with Lucius before socializing.”

She assessed the room and took her place behind Lucius’ chair. “We are still talking about business?”

“Yes.” Regulus gave her the same facts.

“What do you want us to get?” she asked.

“We would like you to retrieve an item from your sister’s vault if you can,” Regulus said.

“What makes you think I can gain access?”

“It’s only a hope on our part. If you can’t, we have other paths to try obtaining it. We figured this one would raise the least questions.”

She pressed her lips together in thought.

“What’s the other item?” Lucius asked.

“A book Voldemort gave you to keep safe.”

Lucius flinched at that.

Regulus leaned forward in his chair. “Did you know his real name is Tom Riddle and that he was a half-blood? You, proud scion of the Malfoy family, have been bowing to the son of a practically squib witch and a muggle.”

The denial was clear in his eyes.

“He went to school with my father. He verified it when I asked.”

The denial faded and was replaced with anger.

“I’m sure your father was aware of that fact as well…”

Betrayal.

“… when he brought you into the cause.”

Narcissa placed her hand on his shoulder. Regulus could see she was shaken by the news as well despite her masks.

“If you want to guarantee your freedom from the man who deceived you… from the man who would use you, your family name, and your son until there was nothing left then toss it all away like he did Connolly and other…,” he paused to let his points sink in, “… then you will get us those abhorrent items.”

Narcissa was studying him critically now. “You having these items will end him and his hold on my family?”

“It’s too late for Bellatrix, but yes.”

There was a flash of understanding in her eyes and she gasped. Her grip on Lucius’ shoulder tightened.

“He wouldn’t…” She met Regulus’ eyes.

“If you are referring to the same books in the Black library that I read, he did.”

“I’ll find a way to get it for you,” she promised.

“Narcissa?” Lucius gasped.

“You will give him the book!” she ordered.

He shuddered.

“We will be better for it.”

“You just undercut the negotiation,” Lucius muttered.

“When you give us the items, we will remove the mark and claim you as working undercover after your father forced you to follow an insane half-blood. We’ll keep you out of jail this round. Any laws you break in the future are your problem. That’s the deal.”

The couple exchanged looks and a few whispered words before accepting.

“Thank you for your time. I’m sure you have things to talk about.”

“Yes, but you must come for a visit once this mess is cleared up,” Narcissa insisted.

“I look forward to it, dear cousin.”

He headed out and back to headquarters.

~~~~

By the end of the week, Narcissa contacted Regulus and arranged a meeting to hand over the items and have Lucius freed of the mark. They arrived at the Ministry and were escorted into one of the secret passages by a DoM employee. Regulus and a robed Joseph and Marcus were waiting in the room.

Lucius offered Regulus an impressed look, probably because he assumed Regulus was part of the DoM. That was true on one level, and he would not dissuade him of the notion. It solidified for him the pieces Regulus had dropped into a believable picture. He was smart enough to not ask because he knew about the secrecy around it from Rockwood.

Narcissa handed him the bag with the items in it.

“Do you know what the value of the item I retrieved is?”

“I have my suspicions,” Regulus said. He checked the contents of the bag and verified they were the items desired with a spell that Nephthys had taught him.

“Will you have to destroy it?” Narcissa asked.

“Thankfully, no.”

She nodded. “It’s a piece of our history he’s desecrated.” She lowered her volume to keep the conversation from disturbing the others in the room since Marcus was reviewing the terms with Lucius before Joseph removed the mark.

“Not the only one,” Regulus said.

“There are more? Was he insane?”

“If not at first…” Regulus answered. If she read the same books he had, she would know about the issues creating so many caused.

She pressed her lips into a thin line and controlled her breathing.

“Let me know when it’s taken care of if you can.”

“I will. You deserve to have that peace of mind.”

She reached out and squeezed his hand in thanks.

“Just because he’s gone doesn’t mean the reasons are.”

“Agree,” Regulus said. “However, those reasons might not be the ones we should be focusing on.”

She tipped her head in inquiry.

Joseph was now removing the faded mark from Lucius’ arm.

“We’re so wrapped up in our individual importance and perceived superiority, I’m afraid we will miss the true threat to our way of life. We will lose everything because of it.”

He had her attention.

“What sort of threat?”

“Ones we don’t want to acknowledge as being possible.” Regulus pushed his hair out of his face. “Since leaving England, I’ve looked into things and issues I wouldn’t have thought of before. If I brought it up to anyone in England, they would laugh at me despite it being true.”

“What sort of things?”

“Do you really want to know?” he asked.

She contemplated it. “Probably not, but… you’ve changed. I understand what started it.”

The word ‘Horcrux’ hung heavy in the air between them without being said.

“If we’re willing to follow someone who would walk that far down an evil path…” There was a small shake of her head. “I don’t like what that means for my son’s future. I think I want to understand what other threats there are out there to him.”

Their eyes met. Despite her cool veneer, she did care deeply for her son.

“I’ll get you some information for the next time we have tea together.”

She gave him a tightlipped smile and her eyes told him how grateful she was for his support.

“I look forward to our conversations.”

They finished up with Lucius. The Malfoys were escorted back to the Ministry lobby. Those that saw him in the Ministry with an Unspeakable would whisper about it. It would add credence to him being a spy for them even if it was never stated by anyone official.

“That gamble paid off.” Marcus pushed back his hood “I wasn’t sure when you first proposed it.”

“It might payout better than we expected,” Regulus said.

“Really?”

“I have an invitation to share what I think is the true threat to the magical world with Narcissa. She’s very concerned for her son’s future.”

Markus rubbed his chin. “I bet she’ll direct his political leanings in that case.”

Regulus smiled like that cat who got the cream. “I’m sure of it. Her family is free and she will want it to stay that way.”

“Good work, kid.”

~~~~

The team gathered in the Horcrux workroom. Each of the Horcrux items were evenly spaced inside the circle. In the center, Nephthys carefully placed the black crystal that contained the soul they captured at the Potters.

Regulus made sure he was in the correct position on the outer circle. Joseph and Marcus were on the north and south points to his east. Nephthys stood at the west. She gave everything a last look over.

“Let’s begin,” she said.

She led them in the chant for three rounds before she broke off on the next step. They continued with the base chant to support her as she combined the soul fragments from each of the items into the crystal.

The power around him was growing and pressing in. Noises and cries came from the items despite them having no mouths. Time seemed to creep to Regulus and nothing seemed to be happening. He focused on the words and on the magic needed for the task.

A wisp rose from the cup. It was only a small ribbon waving above at first. As if yanked, a small black cloud emerged and dove into the crystal. The locket’s portion followed quickly behind.

The power in the circle grew with each round of chanting. Nephthys called on the power of the Egyptian gods to aid them.

The diadem gave up the ghost next. The ring and the diary were the last.

Regulus was relieved that all of the pieces of Tom’s soul were in one place.

“Osiris, we give you this soul to be weighed and passed on to his next home,” Nephthys called out.

The atmosphere of the room shifted in a way Regulus had never experienced before. There was a presence that felt old and… not dark or oppressive… but something to be revered and respected. A dry hot wind swirled around the room. It felt like sand was hitting his face. He narrowed his eyes and kept them focused on the crystal. The crystal flashed. The presence vanished as quickly as it entered.

“It is done,” Nephthys said, signaling the end of the chanting. “Tom is no longer in this world.”

The crystal was clear once more.

Chapter 16 – Mop-up

November 1981

The mass arrest and trials of the Death Eaters filled the papers for the next week as Marcus’ group presented their evidence against them to the proper authorities. The process was made more efficient due to the Death Eater and sympathizers being purged from their positions within the Ministry prior to the mass arrests being ordered.

Every day several scandals were filling the local and international papers. The British wizarding world was going crazy with the swiftly moving events and seemed ignorant that the rest of the magical world’s eyes were on them.

The Minister released the news of Voldemort’s defeat before Marcus wanted it out, and the magicals collectively lost all reason in their celebration.

Marcus pinched the bridge of his nose as reports of more individuals breaking the statute of secrecy were brought to him. “Why am I getting this again?”

Sirius looked up from his own paperwork. “Because the ranks of the Ministry departments, including the Law Enforcement, have inadequate staffing, and you were given orders to shore it up during these ‘trying times.’”

“I know they have been living under the threat of attack for years,” he waved the stack of parchment at Sirius, “but to risk your new safety with this. They should know better.”

“They think that it will all be covered up by the Obliteration squad. That’s what always happened in the past. All they got was a slap on the wrist.”

“The squad can’t keep up with the rate they are breaking the law since the news was released this afternoon.”

Sirius shrugged. “There’s no easy way to make them stop. We don’t have the means even with your department’s help.”

Marcus shook his head. “This is going to be a mess for months if not years. You know, England will be brought up on sanctions by the ICW?”

“Grandfather has imparted the working of the council to me in the past years, so I am aware,” Sirius said.

“Too bad the rest of the population doesn’t seem to understand it. When did they stop teaching about civics and government at Hogwarts?”

“It wasn’t a class when I went through.”

Marcus flipped through the paperwork. “Which might explain why most of these are under thirty. That will have to be addressed after we get things settled down.”

“Want me to send the request to the ICW for aid despite the Minister not wanting to bring them in?” Sirius asked.

“Yes. I’ll deal with her displeasure afterward.”

“Asking for help is probably the only thing of this kerfuffle they won’t sanction us for.”

Marcus grunted in agreement.

~~~~

“What business do you have with us today?” Regulus asked Dumbledore in the reception area for the Halls of Prophecy.

Magic brushed against him. Dumbledore appeared to be trying to magically probe for his identity beneath the Unspeakable robe. The probe was brief enough it could be explained away by habit. It was also unsuccessful. Dumbledore did not smooth the wrinkles of displeasure from his face fast enough for Regulus to not see them.

“There’s a prophecy I want to check on.”

Regulus handed him a form. “Fill out the request form.”

“Is this truly necessary?” he asked.

“Policy,” Regulus blandly stated and pushed the form closer to Dumbledore.

He sighed and picked up the quill. He handed the filled-out form back to Regulus. He looked it over verifying everything was filled correctly and placed the form in a box.

“Well?” Dumbledore asked.

“You will be contacted with an appointment time for your request.” Regulus internally cackled at giving the man grief.

“I need to see it today. Is there any way to expedite my request?”

“I can check with the Keeper. One moment.” He picked up the request and exited the office.

The Keeper, who they had already given the heads up to, was waiting in the hall for him.

“He’s not pleased with waiting.”

The Keeper snorted. “He often isn’t.” He looked over the paper verifying the suspected prophecy was listed. “Shall we take him to it?”

Regulus followed the Keeper into the office where they motioned Dumbledore to follow. They walked through the shelves of orbs until they came to the proper section. Dumbledore zeroed in on the prophecy immediately.

“It’s dark.” He was flummoxed.

“Then it has been fulfilled,” the Keeper said.

Dumbledore reached toward the orb but stopped. “How?”

The Keeper examined the plaque by the orb. “You heard the prophecy. You should have some clue as to how.”

“Are you sure this is the correct prophecy orb? It hasn’t been switched somehow or tampered with?”

The Keeper pulled their wand and cast a silent spell. “It has not been tampered with or moved.”

Dumbledore inched closer to the shelves and squinted at the orb. He looked to the lit orbs on either side of it. He stepped back and stroked his beard. “But I didn’t think it would be fulfilled this soon,” he muttered.

“You should know that prophecies can never be properly interpreted before the events,” the Keeper chided. “There are reasons we limit access.”

Dumbledore sighed. “I guess I was wrong.”

“Is that a bad thing?” the Keeper asked.

Dumbledore chuckled and shook his head. “No… no, it’s not a bad thing. I was sure….” He stroked his beard slowly in thought. “I’m glad to be wrong in this case.” He turned to the Keeper. A heavy weight seemed to have lifted from him. “Thank you for your time and indulging me in this.” He pointed to the orb.

The change surprised Regulus with its genuineness. The Keeper took it in stride and led the way back to the office. Dumbledore was silent and contemplative the entire trip.

~~~~

Three weeks after the Potters were attacked, Regulus sat at his grandfather’s side for the Wizengamot meeting as he had the past year. Sirius was sitting in Potter’s seat fulfilling the proxy duties James had given him when they went into hiding. Next time, Regulus hoped Sirius would be where he sat as the heir, and Regulus would happily be the second in line.

He did not want the full responsibility that came with being the heir and seat holder. He was just learning to spread his wings, and he wanted to see where else working with InterMyst would take him.

Marcus in his Unspeakable robes stood before them to give his report. “After a thorough investigation, we have verified Tom Riddle, AKA the Dark Lord Voldemort, has passed from this world.”

The statement was met with applause and whistles from the members and the watching crowd. Chief Warlock Dumbledore called for order, and they quieted down.

“How do you know this?” Dumbledore asked.

“It would be best if I start with the night of the Potters’ attack,” Marcus said.

Everyone quieted and waited for the story.

“We obtained intel that Tom had plans to attack the Potters. On the night of October 31, 1981, we set up around the Potter home.”

Dumbledore interrupted. “How did you know where it was? They were under a very powerful charm.

Marcus inclined his head. “One of our spies was able to overhear the information.”

Regulus bit his lip to not snort at the mixture of emotions passing over Dumbledore’s face at the news and what it implied.

“Tom and Peter Pettigrew appeared and entered the home. After a bit, there was a magical backlash and that was when we were able to enter the home. We found James Potter laying on the floor, assumed dead. Exploration of the home found Lily and Harry Potter in the nursery in a similar state. On the floor was a pile of robes but no body.

“We searched the house and found no trace of the man. However, the Potters came around.”

The audience gasped as one.

“How?” someone called out.

“The Potters knew there was a prophecy possibly about them and Tom. Lily was able to create a magical artifact that would block one AK curse.”

Sounds of shock and doubt made their way around the room.

“They were all protected by one of these artifacts. Unfortunately, they were knocked out when hit by the AK. Therefore, none witnessed what happened to leave only a pile of robes on the nursery floor.

“Due to the threat to the Potters’ lives, we placed golems in their place and placed them in a safe house. This proved to be a prudent move considering what happened at the Longbottom estate the next day.”

Several heads nodded.

“They don’t know if Algie will ever be right in the head,” a person in the seat behind Regulus told his neighbor.

“We called in a specialist to figure out what happened to Tom,” Marcus pushed on. “We could not figure out the exact mechanics of what happened, but we deduced that whatever magic Tom tried that night interacted poorly with the protection magic placed on the crib and caused a magical backlash that destroyed his body.

“We’ve cast all the location spells we know and verified his soul is no longer in this world. The rest you have been privy to through the trial process.”

“Thank you for your report, Unspeakable Gray,” Dumbledore said.

Marcus left the podium and blended into the shadows.

“Next we have a representative of the International Confederation of Wizards in regards to the increased breaches of the Statute of Wizarding Security.”

Regulus activated a muffling charm when he leaned closer to Arcturus and whispered, “Does he look like he just ate a lemon to you?”

“Hmm… I do believe he does.”

“I can’t imagine what would have happened if they hadn’t reached out to the ICW for help over the mess.”

“My bet is that Bagnold and Dumbledore would have not informed the ICW, wanting to tend to it themselves, and tried to keep the specifics from getting to them,” Arcturus said.

Regulus nodded. “I bet records would go missing or not exist in that scenario.”

The representative was calling them all on the carpet for their actions and for not seeking aid sooner in dealing with Riddle. That was going down like a lead balloon with the already battered ruling body.

A third of their members were now in jail because of Riddle. Political maneuvering to control the empty seats was going on already. It would make for an interesting shift in the political front in the next few years.

Hopefully, they could make needed fundamental changes, but Regulus would not hold his breath on that front. There was still Dumbledore and his murky agenda. Hopefully, the sanctions and oversight they would be under because of the ICW and the Queen would throw a flobberworm into their brew.

“Wasn’t Dumbledore angling for Supreme Mugwump?” Regulus asked.

“He was.”

“I see his chances of that position dropping with each minute.”

A smirk curled Arcturus’ lips. “I believe you are correct.”

~~~~

Regulus joined Lily, Sirius, and Marcus in what had become the spy-bug operations room.

“It has to be done,” Lily said, “and I understand why.” She looked around the room from the stations to access both live and recorded feeds to the shelves of specialized orbs all the recordings were stored in.

“I’m still amazed at how easy it was and how much information we gathered… it was scarily easy,” Sirius pointed out.

Lily’s eyes saddened. “I do regret the breach of privacy at times.”

Regulus snorted. “It isn’t like we haven’t been using eavesdropping charms and paintings to spy on each other for centuries.” He waved a hand indicating the setup. “This is just a new way and no one knows that they need to look out for them or how to identify it. It’s just the next step in the business.”

“He’s correct. Spying on people is not new. We have policies and approval processes in place to use such magic and artifacts. I did get the blessing of the director for this project,” Marcus said. “The situation with Tom required more information than we were obtaining through our traditional means. It also allowed a thorough testing of your bugs.”

“Scary and somewhat comforting,” Sirius said.

“Depending on who’s in control of it,” Regulus added.

Everyone in the room agreed.

“Countermeasures will be developed that will hinder or incapacitate the bugs as their use increases,” Marcus explained.

“I thought they were only going to be used by InterMyst,” Sirius said.

“They are. InterMyst is a multinational agency, and we work within and with our home DoM or equivalence. We use what tools we have to do our jobs.”

Lily followed to the logical conclusion. “And once exposed to an idea even if sworn to secrecy, it does not keep you from creating something similar.”

“We often encourage it,” Marcus admitted.

Regulus snorted at Sirius’ look of disbelief. He jumped in before his brother opened his mouth. “It causes innovation and magical advancement in societies who refuse anything new.”

Marcus nodded. “People are a lot more accepting of something if it provides them with an advantage or negates a threat to them.”

Lily narrowed her eyes on Marcus. “How many of the more recent magical advancements originated in InterMyst research?”

“Close to 80%,” Marcus admitted. “We do tend to snap up individuals who think outside the box and poke at things, so it’s only fair we share their advancements with the world. Just like we will be sharing your AK vests.”

“The Auror Department was very interested in those,” Sirius said. “I had a few Aurors ask me to pass on their interest once you returned home.”

Lily blushed and smiled. “We always planned on providing them to the Aurors. I just could not let their existence be known until after Tom attacked.”

“Otherwise they would be useless,” Regulus said, having been part of the original debate on it. “Send two Avada Kedavra curses at someone to overcome the vest’s protection or change what spell is used will negate its usefulness.”

“That’s why we are working on expanding their protective spell range or including other shielding properties into them,” Lily jumped in.

“That is the ever-evolving nature of advancement.” Marcus chuckled. “Shall we do what we are here to do?”

Lily stepped up to the master control board. She opened a panel and touched the tip of her wand to the symbol within. She muttered several words. A pulse of magic was absorbed by the symbol and the active indicator lights went out on all the bugs in the field.

“Self-destruct of all deployed units complete,” said a voice.

Lily put her wand away and closed the panel. She turned and smiled at them. “This means we’re done with hiding.”

Sirius pulled her into a hug. “You can go home. And the Longbottoms can go home.”

“And in plenty of time for Christmas,” Lily added. “I’m ready. I’ll leave the rest of the cleanup to you…” She looked to Marcus. “… and your team.”

Sirius led Lily out of the room with Regulus following. “I don’t think I will ever shake the feeling of being watched now that I know your little creations are out there.”

“I’ll teach you the detection spell I created. I even detected a reporter in animagus form with it.”

~~~~

As had become their custom, the Potters had Christmas dinner at Black manor with Arcturus and his grandsons. Sirius found it was something he looked forward to. Having his reclaimed Black family members and the Potters in one place made him feel complete. The acceptance, love, and support he had sought since childhood were present in these five people.

His heart felt like it was growing too big for his body as he watched them talk and eat. Lily and Regulus acted more like siblings than he and Regulus did, but theirs was a relationship that was slowly being mended. James fit in like another grandson under Arcturus tutelage as they debated politics and society.

“Pad,” Harry said and reached out to him from his highchair. “Done.”

Lily nodded assent when Sirius checked with her.

“Alright, pup.”

He removed Harry from the chair and settled him into his lap. Harry clapped then twisted to look up at Sirius. “Pad.” He patted Sirius’ chest.

Sirius brushed the wisp of bangs back and ran his thumb over the fading scar on his forehead. “Padfoot.”

Harry giggled and turned around to look out over the table.

“Did you ever figure out what caused the cut on his head?” Sirius asked.

Lily shook her head. “We all examined it once we were back at headquarters after Tom’s attack. There was nothing. Just a cut. Joseph suspected falling debris, but there wasn’t any in the crib.”

Regulus’ interest was caught on the topic, and he joined in. “His AK vest didn’t activate. We know Tom sent one his way from the mirror recordings.”

“I didn’t know that,” Sirius said. He ran light fingers through Harry’s hair. “Yet he’s alive.”

“They never did figure out what happened,” James said and shrugged. “I’m just happy we are all alive and healthy.”

Arcturus lifted his glass. “Hear, hear.”

The others around the table followed his example and drank a toast to their blessings.

“Nephthys’ best guess is the prophecy at work,” Regulus said. “The prophecy is why we let things play out the way they did that night.”

“With every safeguard that we could come up with,” James added.

They all turned to their food while the heaviness the topic brought dissipated.

“When are you officially returning to England,” Lily asked Regulus.

“Next month.”

“Will you be helping Grandfather with the Wizengamot?” Sirius asked.

Regulus glared at him. “Hell no. You’re the heir. I expect you to take on those tasks.” He looked to Arcturus. “You are announcing him as your heir?” There was a sharpness of expectation to the question.

“That is the plan.”

“But, that’s boring,” Sirius whined. “I don’t want to be the heir and all that. Can’t I go back to being the outcast?”

James chuckled. “You’ve been helping me with the Wizengamot things for months. What’s the difference?”

Sirius sputtered. “I’m just helping you. I’m not responsible for making the decisions.”

“You won’t be making decisions for Grandfather either,” Regulus said.

Sirius stabbed a piece of beef. “Not now, but I will in the future,” he muttered then shoved the beef into his mouth.

“You won’t have to do it on your own,” Lily chided. “I’m sure Regulus will help, as will James and I. We won’t let you suffer alone.”

Sirius ducked his head and blinked his eyes several times at feeling accepted and loved with her words of support.

“You can share the duties,” Arcturus announced. “Probably for the best since my original plans have been upended.”

Lily snickered at Arcturus’ faux affront. He sent a wink her way.

Sirius perked up at the information. “Your original plans?”

Arcturus pointed a finger at Sirius. “As my heir and known ‘light’ wizard, you would take over the Wizengamot seat and publicly lead the Black family in a new direction while Regulus followed my footsteps within the InterMyst and supported you behind the scenes. But someone got a bit too curious and managed to stumble upon said group on his own.”

Sirius smirked.

“I’m proud of you for the accomplishment, but boy, you sure know how to throw a plan off track.”

“Mother always did accuse me of not conforming to expectations.” Sirius felt only joy and teasing as he said those words. For the first time, those words did not even hold a shadow of power over him.

Arcturus huffed. “She never knew a good thing when she was handed it.”

“Agreed,” Regulus said.

“Speaking of your parents, are they coming back?” James asked.

Regulus laughed this time. He smoothed his features and answered with a prim and proper tone, “They have found living on the Mediterranean coast better for their constitution and decided to not return to England anytime soon.”

Sirius rolled his eyes. “In other words, they are afraid of being tied to the Tom mess.”

“Yep. Other than encouraging me to join, I don’t know what actions they took in support of him and if it is prosecutable,” Regulus said.

Sirius waved a hand through the air. “As long as it keeps them away, I’m good with it. Are you going to live in Grimmauld Place?”

“Not on your life,” Regulus said. “I plan on moving into my rooms here full time.”

“What are your future plans?” James asked. “Lily said the group you were working with is disbanding.”

“True, but I have another year of apprenticeship with Nephthys, so I’ll probably be traveling a bit with her even if my official residence is here. After that, I plan to continue working with the InterMyst. I don’t know in what capacity yet.”

“Lily’s staying with the research department,” Arcturus said. “What about you Sirius?”

“I’m leaving my options open. I want to see how things shake out, but I’m sure I’ll be loosely associated with them for the rest of my life.” Arcturus nodded then looked at James. “Are you sure you don’t want to work for them as well?” Sirius could hear the rarely used teasing tone in his grandfather’s voice. It was comforting to hear.

James laughed. “No, I think I’ll stick to dealing with my estate and the Wizengamot. Someone in the family needs to make sure the kids stay out of trouble.”

Sirius focused on Lily. She held up her hands.

“I’m not, but we do want more.”

They all laughed. Harry joined in just because they were laughing. Life was good, and for once Sirius had hope for their future.

The End

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