RISE OF THE FALL | R.B.

LII.

Disclaimer: The Harry Potter World belongs to J.K. Rowling.

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CHAPTER LII.

Reia had just arrived at Potter Mansion for an Order Meeting, and she had taken to bring Ariel to the meetings in the past few months because obviously Regulus couldn't take care of their baby while he was away, and it was just much safer for Reia to keep Ariel close than leave her at home.

The little girl had developed a larger tuft of black hair than she'd had originally and her eyes had almost changed colour throughout the past few months, turning a darker shade of grey to match Regulus' eyes even more.

Sirius grinned when he saw her, climbing carefully out of the chimney to avoid hurting her daughter.

The little girl just looked curious, even though they had been here almost every day for the past five months. Her grey eyes were wide, and she giggled a little as Sirius tickled her cheek and whispered a cheerful greeting to the little girl as she laughed.

"Looks like me, doesn't she?" Sirius observed as the little girl's laughter faded and she turned back to her mother.

Reia couldn't deny it—Ariel did look like Sirius, because she looked like Regulus.

"And she's named after a star," He continued softly, stroking the baby's hair, "She's beautiful, by the way. Where's Caelum?"

"Oh," Reia said with a little sigh, "Yesterday, he didn't want to leave—so he went with Lily and James, since he wanted to play with Harry. Hopefully he's here right now—,"

"Momma!"

A little golden-haired boy stumbled up to Reia and pulled her into a hug so sudden and enthusiastic that she was almost knocked over.

Reia laughed, "Hello, Cae."

"Momma," The little boy said very seriously as Reia picked him up in her other arm, "I flew broom with Harry today."

"Really?" Reia said with a smile, "Well, Cae, I'm sure you'll be great at it when you grow up."

The boy laughed in delight and wriggled out of Reia's arms before regaining his balance on his feet and making his way step by step back around the corner, where Harry probably was.

"Missed you too, Cae," Sirius grumbled, as the boy didn't even pay him any mind, "But anyways, Rei," He turned back to Reia, "The meeting starts in five minutes, you should get over to the meeting room."

"Oh—um, right," She adjusted Ariel's blanket before she followed Sirius to where the meeting was going to be held.

***

"The Longbottoms have also gone into hiding, now, and they are unable to attend this meeting because they are still casting the protective spells around their house," Dumbledore told them, as his gaze swept around the room and everybody noticed the two empty chairs where Frank and Alice usually sat.

"Wouldn't they need your help?" Lily asked, raising her hand as if she were a student in a classroom.

"They are highly trained Aurors," Dumbledore answered, "So, no, Mrs. Potter—they do not require my assistance."

"Sorry," She muttered as she quickly put her hand down.

"There is no need to apologize," The old man gave the young woman a kind smile, "Well—Miss McKinnon has returned from her mission with the Prewett twins—there was Death Eater attack in the muggle city and they handled it excellently."