𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐧𝐞-𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬

Shielding the Heir Black 5

### Part 5: Shielding the Heir Black

Sirius shifted uncomfortably in the drawing room, eyeing the bassinet by the fireplace. Regula stood beside him, her arms crossed, wearing an expression that was equal parts curiosity and irritation. Orion, glowing with parental pride, sat on the couch holding one of the infants, while Marvolo stood nearby, smirking as usual.

“Sirius, Regula, come here,” Orion called softly, beckoning them closer. “I’d like you to meet your new siblings.”

“Siblings,” Sirius muttered under his breath, emphasizing the plural. He shot Regula a look. “How many are there again?”

Regula rolled her eyes. “Three. Papa decided to break the record for how many siblings one can dump on us in one go.”

Marvolo chuckled, clearly enjoying the exchange. “Don’t be so dramatic, Regula. You’re lucky to have such a big, strong family.”

Regula glared at him. “I’m not sure what’s worse: the fact that there are three of them or the fact that I’m still the *only* girl in this family.”

Sirius snorted, covering his mouth to stifle a laugh. “Poor you. You’re going to be outnumbered now.”

“I already was!” Regula snapped, throwing her hands up in exasperation. “And now it’s even worse! Boys everywhere. This is ridiculous.”

“Regula, darling,” Orion said soothingly, “I’m sure you’ll love your new brothers once you get to know them.” He gestured to the infant in his arms. “This is Astrophel.”

Sirius leaned closer, peering at the tiny baby swaddled in green and silver blankets. “Astrophel, huh? Not bad. Better than some of the names in this family.”

Marvolo raised an eyebrow. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Regula sighed dramatically, turning her attention to the other two bassinets. “And let me guess, these two are Hydrus and Castor?”

“Correct,” Orion said with a warm smile. “Hydrus is in the middle, and Castor is on the right.”

Regula walked over and peered into the bassinets, her expression softening slightly despite herself. Hydrus let out a tiny yawn, and Castor’s hand twitched as if he were trying to grab something.

“They’re…small,” she admitted grudgingly.

“Most babies are, Regula,” Sirius teased. “Give them time; they’ll grow up and start annoying you soon enough.”

Marvolo’s smirk deepened. “I’m sure they’ll look up to their older siblings for guidance. Sirius, Regula, you have important roles to play in their lives.”

Regula shot him a look. “Don’t think this means I’m going to start babysitting.”

Orion chuckled, cradling Astrophel closer. “You might surprise yourself, Regula. I think you’ll be a wonderful sister.”

Sirius sat down on the couch beside his father, his curiosity getting the better of him. He carefully reached out to touch Astrophel’s tiny hand, which curled around his finger. “They’re…not bad,” he admitted. “For babies.”

Regula sighed and plopped down beside him, crossing her arms. “Fine. They’re cute. But I’m still annoyed. Couldn’t at least one of them have been a girl?”

Orion smiled gently. “Regula, you’ll always be my special girl. That will never change.”

Marvolo nodded in agreement. “And you’ll always have the final say in keeping these boys in line. A powerful position, don’t you think?”

Regula huffed, but a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “Fine. But if they turn out to be troublemakers, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Sirius grinned, nudging her playfully. “Troublemakers? In this family? Never.”