First Stepping Stone (Harry Potter)

First Stepping Stone

"He'll come to his senses after Christmas," Walburga insisted. "Regulus isn't like his brother; this is just a phase."

"I don't think this is a phase, Walburga," Orion said, his own mind reeling from the unexpected—and in Walburga's case, unwanted present from their youngest. "Was it unwanted for me? I mean, I understand what father and Aunt Cass were saying. I didn't even expect Regulus to find someone, given the way he is. The way others are likely to treat him, given how different he is."

"Don't be silly," Walburga said, glaring at Orion. "I'm sure this is just a whim, one that we'll be able to convince him is the wrong choice."

"Choice," Orion sighed. "You did hear Aunt Cass, right?"

"Aunt Cass is crazy," Walburga said. "Everyone knows that, but we've got to get it done before there are any grandchildren, Orion."

And then he felt a slight feeling of pain, the idea of not ending up with any grandchildren, of being in the same situation as Walburga 's father of losing something. "Is my father crazy as well? Because, in case you don't remember, he was the one who orchestrated the two of them getting together."

"That," Walburga said. "He must be insane."

Orion didn 't think so.

...

It slowly happened as the month progressed. He stopped and talked to his father, wanting to know how Regulus ended up meeting that girl Olivia. "Does it matter?"

"Yes, well, you did say that you did something to make it, so Regulus had a choice," Orion said.

"I wonder, though," Arcturus said.

"You wonder what?"

"I knew what choice he'd make," Arcturus said. "But had I not, he would have married whoever your wife picked for him, putting duty to family yet again before his own happiness. He was certainly not a happy child after Sirius left for Hogwarts, having lost his best friend in the world, his sibling. But the ones we marry—they're our friends for life. Olivia—she is a wonderful girl, so do give her a chance."

"This is a lot to take in."

"Yes, well, that's not the only thing," Arcturus muttered.

"What?" Orion said.

"Just, Christmas was about Regulus letting the family know his choice regarding the girl he wanted to be with," Arcturus said. "But things didn't go the way they expected."

"Meaning?"

"Yes, well," Arcturus took a deep breath. "Regulus expected to be blasted off the tapestry." Which reminded Orion of the death date that misrepresented his youngest as being dead. "He admitted as much. He'd not expected a good portion of the family to come around."

"Walburga hasn't. She's convinced she can break them up before there are any grandchildren."

"Good luck with that, "Arcturus scoffed, and then he said. "That said. About how they met. It's Regulus' story to tell, but don't be afraid to approach him."

"Considering I don't know where he is, where they are," Orion said.

"When you're ready, I'll let you know how to find them," Arcturus said. "Just promise not to be too mad with that boy. He went through a lot in order to finally get his piece of happiness."

...

"If you go, expect the unexpected as well as him not expecting you to show up," Arcturus said a month after Christmas.

It was a Muggle bookstore, one owned by the Granger family. Even with Walburga not with him, he almost hesitated in going in. The voice in the back of his head—there was an inkling this was where the two met. He stepped in, the bell over the door jingling as he did. He looked for either Regulus or Olivia, when his eyes lighted upon the older gentleman behind the counter, and he said, "Regulus?"

The person turned their head, looking in a specific direction, speaking before Orion could say anything else. "Regulus is over there. With his daughter."

Orion 's eyes blinked, telling himself he'd been mistaken before heading in the direction the man indicated, his mind spinning again as it had a month ago, yet he knew in the back of his head for there to be a child already—

He found them, Regulus sitting at the table, books all around him, reading to the small infant. He took a deep breath before saying, "Regulus?"

Regulus ' head darted up, and then he said, " P ère ? What are you doing here? "

"Don't worry," Orion said, coming over. "She's not here. Still hasn't come around."

"Does this mean you have?"

"Can I sit?" Orion asked.

Regulus nodded his head.

He sat down, even though he felt out of place, looking at the small infant. "It wasn't a matter of objecting to what you've decided to do with your life. It was more of—well, I'd given up on this. On you ever marrying and having children."

Regulus flinched. "Olivia and I—we actually aren't married. Not yet."

Orion closed his eyes. "I see. This has to do with the tapestry, doesn't it?"

"A marriage would have shown up," Regulus said.

"I don't think you have to worry about the tapestry. So, get married. If that's what you and Olivia want," Orion swallowed. "I mean, I've heard some aren't getting married even though they're living together, strange as that may seem to me."

"And something you'd expect of Sirius?"

"Speaking of which. Does he know he's an uncle?"

"Um, no."

"You should really tell him, or should I run interference?"

"I," Regulus closed his eyes. "While I'd like to say I've got this, that I can do it on my own, it might actually be best if I did, in fact, have some help with that. He can be as stubborn as maman."

"That he can."