What You Can't See (Harry Potter Fanfic)

On the Bus Again

"You look bored."

Regulus sat up from his bed. For days he lay on the bed, staring at the sea of green, trying to read a book from his shelf to distract himself, but instead ended up using his thumb as a bookmark as the book rested near him. As he sat up, Regulus closed the book. His gray eyes blinked at the sight of his father entering his room as he sat on the bed, legs crossed, unsure of how to react to the presence of Orion Black.

And then he saw the bag.

His mouth opened. His eyes blinked. Regulus looked at the book bag he knew he'd left at Sirius' place, not knowing what to say at the sight of the familiar wear and tear on the bag. He also wondered when his father got into

"Sirius managed to scrounge up your bag from somewhere in Diagon Alley after your incident with the Gryffindor students," his father said.

"What?" Regulus said, confused at what his father was saying.

"So it looks like I won't get to buy you new text, although thinking about it, I know you likely prefer having books that feel familiar in your hands, so perhaps it's for the best," his father continued, setting the bag on Regulus' bed. "Also, if you want to save face with your mother, you could always tell her that your older brother was overreacting to the situation. It might actually get him on her good side for once."

"Will it? Put him on her good side?" Regulus said, brightening at the thought.

"Regulus, Sirius is never going to return home, so you might as well continue visiting him at his place," his father said. "Which you can, given you're no longer grounded."

His father turned to leave as Regulus swallowed. "Wait? You knew? Since when?"

Orion paused, then turned back. "I know you've been visiting your brother since last summer. And before you ask, I am fine with that."

"So my spellwork has been failing?" Regulus choked out, glancing at the window.

"What are you talking about?" his father asked.

"You noticed I was gone, which means you saw me leave. That means the spells I cast to make sure nobody saw me—they really weren't working as I suspect."

Orion stared, then walked over. "Honestly, I don't know what you're talking about, Regulus. However," He said, reaching out and gently taking Regulus' left forearm in his hand, looking right at where the Death Mark was on his arm. "I don't have to see something to know."

"Bella's birthday present," Regulus muttered, his eyes narrowing. He took a deep breath.

"Speaking of your birthday, you're going to be turning seventeen soon. What will you do if they ask you to do something you don't want to do? What if he wants you to torture or kill someone?"

Regulus frowned. "I do research. That's it."

Orion frowned back, his thumb pressing slightly into Regulus' arm. "Let me clarify that I'd rather you spend time with your brother, but I don't want to lose you." He then let go. "I'm more than willing to cover for you when it comes to your mother, Regulus."

Regulus frowned the urge to visit Sirius defintiely there. "Do you know how she found out?"

"There aren't many places to apparate around Grimmauld Place," Orion said. "But that place is used by those not using the Floo to get to and from our place. But if she asks, I've given you permission to ask for Sirius' help getting home in a pinch until you can Apparate on your own."

And then his father was gone, leaving Regulus to reach for his book bag and pull out one of his textbooks. A sigh of relief escaped, his eyes closing as he found himself pleased to have the book in his hands. Yet, he found himself unable to read, his mind still pondering what had happened, particularly his father's unexpected reaction to everything.