To a Better End

Chapter 58

September 1st 1978

Some things Hermione didn't condone. Other things, Hermione didn't condone before the time-travelling took place. After? Well, things were different after. That's how Hermione justified hiding out in the kitchen at Grimmauld Place with Regulus as they passed a bottle of firewhiskey back and forth.

Word travels quickly in Wizarding London. So when Regulus found out that James Potter was getting married, it hurt him. Whatever blossomed between them dwindled down to nothing. Hermione didn't know much about what happened between them, but it was obvious that Reggie loved James. The day he found out about the wedding, he walked through the shop doors with tears welled up in his eyes.

And it was only a couple of hours ago when Hermione's journal notified her of a new message from her cousin.

Come over.

R.A.B.

Scoffing at the way he liked to try to order her around, she wrote back.

You need to ask nicely, little cousin.

Of course, Reggie always knew how to out-irritate her.

Oh, yes. I forgot that I need to respect my elders. Oh please, old cousin of mine. Come over, so that I may not drink alone.

R.A.B.

After a hefty sigh, Hermione packed up her things and closed the shop early. Just as she finished writing her confirmation, Kreacher popped into the shop. With a quick snap, he locked the doors and then apparated them out and straight into the kitchen.

"Well, that was fast," Hermione said as she straightened out her button-up shirt. She had taken to dressing in more muggle clothing since they were easier to move in.

"What was?" he asked, seeming genuinely curious.

"You sent Kreacher right after I sent my message."

"Oh look at that!" he exclaimed, looking at his journal. "Your note just came through. Brilliant charm work. Truly."

"You-" Hermione stood there for a moment, putting the pieces together.

Reggie merely slid down to the floor with a bottle in hand and shrugged with a sad smile. He was always sad these days. Hermione extended her hand, gesturing to the bottle.

Arching a brow, he asked, "Gonna take it away from me?"

"I'm older, so I get the first drink. Unless you started without me?"

"I told you," he said, passing the bottle. "I don't want to drink alone."

She took a sip before pointing out, "You have Kreacher." She gestured over the house elf, prepping food for dinner most likely.

"I barely convinced him to not tell Mother."

Hermione gave a small smile. Kreacher adored Reggie. Through and through, that house elf was truly with him until the end. And even after...

"How are you doing?" she asked, making an effort to keep her mind off of his future.

Regulus grabbed the bottle and studied the amber liquid before taking a large gulp. He shivered slightly and then answered.

"Well, it's three in the afternoon. I'm drinking with my cousin on the kitchen floor. Oh, and the only man I've ever loved is getting married. And to a woman no less." He made a cheering movement and took another swig of amber liquid with a grimace. "I'm just dandy, Mina. Fucking dandy."

She gently removed the bottle from his hand and patted his shoulder. "It's okay to not be okay."

"I know."

Hermione nodded. "Do you want to tell me about him?"

"You know him."

"I know he's loud and obnoxious, even in just the way he carried himself. I know that he harassed that poor girl for years until she finally caved. I know that he quickly stopped himself from inviting me to his wedding when he found out how close I am to Bella. Want me to keep going?"

"He sounds like a dick," he said with a laugh. The sound was so rare as of late that it warmed her heart to hear it.

"Most guys are, kid."

"You know, you're barely older than me. I'm not even a kid anymore."

Hermione laughed. Genuinely laughed. If she was being honest, she really didn't remember how old she truly was, only how old she was supposed to be. She would be twenty-one again soon. Sure, sitting down and doing the maths on it wouldn't be hard. But she didn't want to think about all the years she wasted on Tom. She didn't want to think about how she had grown and changed so much that she might not even mesh well with her friends again. It was one sad thought that led to a list of them.

"There's more fish in the sea, Reggie."

"I'm not much of a fisher," he said with a shake of his head.

"That's right. Maybe you just need to wait for your Golden Snitch?"

"Good one."

His smiles stopped reaching his eyes. His cheeks barely lifted. Hermione didn't press anymore and Reggie didn't talk much after that. Instead, they sat on that floor, listening to the mutterings of Kreacher while they drank the firewhiskey. And the entire time, Hermione couldn't help but think that her fake cousin was starting to look just as sick as Draco did in sixth year.

*****

September 19th 1978

In all honesty, Hermione never expected to have this many birthdays. She had given up on living a full life when she dedicated herself to fighting alongside Harry. She almost died more times than she could count. Even after the war, she didn't know what else to do besides research and fight. So when she took the risky job of an Auror, she still anticipated a tragic death. Maybe there was a little bit of hope there for one too.

Regardless of what she thought life had in store for her, she was waking up on her birthday next to her husband and found herself glad for her years. The sun was still asleep when she let her body stretch out.

"You need to stop waking up so early, Granger."

"More hours in the day this way."

Draco groaned before turning on his side and pulling his wife into his arms. Hermione melted into the embrace, moving her head to the side so he could pepper kisses on her neck. Truth be told, Hermione loved waking up early for these moments.

"I want to do something for you today," he said between kisses.

"I told you I don't want to do anything big for my birthday. I still have to work, you know?"

"Is there anything you want for your birthday? I just want to treat you."

Hermione turned over and looked at her husband, sincerity in his eyes. "You know what I want?" she began. "I want the exact date that Regulus went to that cave. I want to know exactly when it is, so we can just jump there and save him. Instead, we are just laying around, waiting."

"I know, dear."

The idea of missing it and losing him, Hermione couldn't bear it. She had grown to love the Black family as her own. And Reggie was the brother she never had. He didn't deserve to die, and Hermione would do everything in her power to make sure he didn't. No matter the cost.