The Hobgoblins (Harry Potter Fanfic)

Heir Now

Lyrics and summer school work, Regulus dived into them, and with that, his feverishness quelled, although the feelings involving Sirius taking off, becoming a—

"Blotch on the family name, blotch on the family tapestry," Adrian sighed. "Definitely can not go into the lyrics of any song at this point because there aren't that many pure-blood families with tapestry, and the Black family is the only one to blast family members off the tree."

"They're quite unique things, "Regulus responded on that particular visit, when—

"Regulus. I've come to fetch you."

Regulus blinked, confusion setting in as he sat at the table, helping Adrian revise his homework as he looked at his grandfather. He glanced over at Adrian, "But..."

"You can help me revise later," Adrian said, his mouth twisting into a frown as he watched the older Black. "This is about Regulus now being the Black heir, Orion's heir, isn't it?"

"And you know this because?"

"Aunt Lucretia and Uncle Ignatius asked I be supportive, are all," Adrian said, packing up his bag. "I've not any worries about this, having older brothers as I do, but I hope nothing ever becomes of them."

"Perhaps Ignatius should be preparing you in case something bad happens to them in this war?"

Regulus cringed, packing up his own books. "You really did walk into that one, Adrian."

"Yeah. No. This—I've other plans. Plans that..." Adrian paused. "Plans that will certainly change the world, I think." He took off, heading to their aunt and uncle's fireplace and flooring away.

"It's good that the two of you are speaking again."

"I guess," Regulus said, looking at his grandfather. "I didn't know something like this was in the plans."

"For starters, I do not want your mother to know. Second, I don't want your mother interfering. Third, I don't want your mother to know."

"That seems like—the first and last are just the same thing, but isn't it all just a matter of not involving maman."

"Oh. She will not be involved. Goodness knows she managed to ruin one of my grandsons already. I won't be having her ruin the next one as well, but you and I are going to visit one of the family businesses."

Regulus tensed. "Wait. You mean I have to deal with people?"

"Yes. As future head, you will have to deal with people Regulus, even though this is outside your comfort zone. You may take notes as you wish, but I'd rather think you do not need them with that brain of yours. And that would mean Walburga can't go digging through finding out what I'm up to."

"If it's something scandalous that..."

"We're Apparating, so prepare yourself."

"Regulus felt the familiar tg, preparing himself as requested. They landed in an unfamiliar place, near a small park. The man. "So. Do you know where we are?"

Regulus looked around, then said. "Among Muggles?"

"Why, yes, dear boy." His father chuckled. "Among Muggles, because we Blacks have many very profitable businesses in the Muggle community." He held out his arm. "Care to walk an old man across the street?"

Regulus frowned, knowing full well his grandfather's cane served a more ornamental purpose than something Arcturus Black used for getting around, yet the man with his salt and pepper hair put on a show of using the cane. At the same time, Regulus helped him across the street from the alleyway.