Grimmauld's Home for Unsafe Learners

Chapter 6: The Perfect Dark Child

June 1995 - June 1996

CW: implied past grooming, past child abuse, torture, mentioned murder (not explicit), past child manipulation, implied past child rape (very very brief, literally 5 words, blink and you miss it)

—

"No."

"Reggie, come on. This is Headmaster Dumbledore asking." Sirius begged.

"No. Sirius this is our home. Children live here. I'm not going to risk my children's health for an undercover war group. You're crazy if you think I would."

"As the eldest, we should really consider this–"

"As Lord Black, and the owner of Grimmauld, I say no."

That shut Sirius up, not being able to contest the title.

"Sirius, I'm sorry, but I'm not going to endanger the health of children for a covert group."

Sirius nodded and left the room, going back upstairs to stay with Freya.

Regulus sighed and fell back into his chair, picking up a quill to write back his response to Albus.

"You okay, Reggie?"

Elora said as she came down from her room to get something to eat. Of all of Regulus' kids, he was very proud of Elora and her accomplishments in her schoolwork and outside. She was at the top of her class, right behind her being Cedric Diggory (Regulus honestly wouldn't be surprised if Elora and Cedric ended up together in the future. Two Hufflepuffs, top of their class, got along spectacularly and would spend a lot of time together in their common room. Regulus could see them having a future together). She had come far from her mothers abuse. Before, she had been a very shy girl, being one of Regulus' first students to come forward when she was a firstie with eyes too big for her face. She had dreams of becoming a healer in her future. Now, as a Hogwarts graduate, she was starting a career at St. Mungo's.

"Yeah, El. Dumbledore wants to use Grimmauld as a base for his group. I have a feeling if Sirius was Lord Black, he would've asked him and not me. But, since it's me, he asked me and I wanted Sirius' opinion, so I told him. Sirius wants to allow it."

"That's really dangerous. In itself, but also seeing as kids live here." She sat next to him, "Plus, we all know you aren't Dumbledore's biggest fan."

Regulus laughed, "Is it that obvious?"

"Well, yeah. You quit when he didn't let you start GHOUL. And then again when he almost didn't let you take Harry. And again when he tried to say he was gonna come once a week to see Harry. And when you found out he didn't fight for Sirius to get a trial. Shall I go on?"

Regulus shook his head. "I didn't know it was that many times."

"Yeah, well. You hate him. Absolutely despise him."

"He's not the grandfather everyone thinks he is. I just actively point it out."

"Good."

—

In a far, far place, a potion was being stirred in a big cauldron.

The person stirring with his wand stopped, before pulling a small bundle into the potion.

" Bone of the father, unknowingly given, you will renew your son! " The man said, throwing a bone into the cauldron.

The man grabbed a dagger from his cloak. " Flesh — of the servant — w-willingly given — you will — revive — your master ." He cut his hand off and let it fall into the mix.