the road to redemption

book 1 chapter 6

Eventually everyone all the people that were staying leaving the great hall empty expect for a handful of students Regulus included who was sitting towards the middle of the Gryffindor common room reading a book on self transfiguration with Harry and Ron Playing wizards chess not far away. "Happy Christmas Regulus." Hermione said as she walked by while Regulus nodded showing he heard her. "That barbaric." Hermione's broke Regulus from his reading as he looked up as Ron picked up a chess piece. "That is wizards chess... See you packed." Ron said as looked down. "See you haven't." Hermione jabbed as Ron shrugged. "Change of plans mum and Dad are visiting my brother Charlie in Romania he is studying dragons there." Ron said as Regulus sighed and looked back at his book until he heard Hermione's next words. "Well then you get to help Harry look in the library for Nicholas flamel." Ron looked at Harry in disbelief. "We have look a hundred times." Ron groaned as Hermione smriked and was about to speak when Regulus cut in. "Nicholas flamel born somewhere between 1300 and 1326 is a world renowned alchemist and is created this creating the philosophers stone a powerful alchemical substance with incredible powers only recently celebrated his 665th birthday." Regulus said as the trio looked at him in shock.

"How did you know that?" Hermione asked as Regulus dug out a small blue and gold card in the shape of a Pentagon and slid it across the table. "It's on the back of Dumbledore's chocolate frog card." Regulus said as he looked back at his book. "You knew this whole time?!" Ron snarled as Regulus nodded. "Then why didn't you say something." Harry snarled as Regulus looked at them from the corner of his eyes. "You didn't ask and remember I shouldn't be in Gryffindor much less the school." Regulus said sadly as he threw Ron's own words back at him making the red head flinch. Before either of them could say anything Regulus closed his book and got up closing his book as he walked away.

Regulus sat down in the library with a quil and parchment as he was copying down some warnings. "Mr lestrange what brings you here?" A voice asked as Regulus looked up to see McGonagall in front of him. "I'm researching the animagus transformation process just because I can't learn the process yet doesn't mean I can't research it so I'm aware of anything that can go wrong." Regulus said as McGonagall smiled. "You seem diligent when it comes to your studies only Ms Granger tries as hard as you." McGonagall said pride evident in her voice. "Yes professor my guardian calls it Murphy's law anything that can go wrong will go wrong so I best prepare for anything." Regulus said as McGonagall smiled as she walked around and looked over Regulus's shoulder to exam his notes. "You are very thorough Mr lestrange and you are even already trying to narrow down where the best place to collect the dew and the death head hawk moths chrysalis, well done Mr lestrange." McGonagall praide as Regulus smiled warmly. As the hours ticked by Regulus continued to ask McGonagall questions about the process trying to gain a more in depth understanding of the process which McGonagall was more than willing to answer but she said he wasn't allowed to try during the school year.

On Christmas morning Regulus was awakened by Ron calling for Harry at roughly 6 am. Regulus sat up from his spot on the couch with a yawn and looked to see two packages for him with little enthusiasm he opened them to find a coffee pot with a mug and a few months worth of coffee grinds, with little thought Regulus prepared a pot with a yawn. While Regulus sat waiting for his coffee, Harry and Ron were tearing into their presents as Fred and George walked in wearing knitted sweaters each with the letter of their name on it. "Ron why aren't you wearing yours?" Fred asked as he sat by Regulus who was now glaring at his coffee pot. "Because I don't want to Fred mum knows I don't like maroon." Ron whined as Harry opened a present to show a sweater just like the Weasley's. Wow mum must like ya Harry since she made you one to." George said as he set a similarly wrap gift infront of Regulus who was finally pouring his cup of coffee. "Regulus even got one." Fred said as Harry and Ron looked over in shock as Regulus looked at the gift like he was about to cry as he slowly unwrapped it to reveal a royal blue sweater with a capital R on its front. "Thank you." Regulus choked as he set his coffee to the side before pulling the sweater on and revealed it was a perfect fit. Regulus smiled brightly as he looked at it and a visibly relaxed. "We will tell her you like it." Fred said as Regulus nodded as he started to slowly sip at his coffee.