Following the Battle of Hogwarts a year ago, Hermione Granger returns to Hogwarts to complete her final year of schooling to obtain her NEWTs, and is working secretly to find a book of Dark Magic she heard whispers about when she was on the run from Death Eaters in the years following the Battle.
It is on her first day, when she sees Draco Malfoy, she realises that the Ministry has pardoned all ex-Death Eaters who have renounced their loyalty to the Dark Lord, who has since been defeated, and allowed any who have not completed their seventh year to also return.
Little does she know, Regulus Black, a man who she believed to be dead has also returned as a professor.
Reluctantly, she must accept the help of both in order to find the book, and comes to learn of the secrets they have both been keeping.
AU: In which Regulus is 13 years younger than his brother Sirius, and follows two timelines; before and after the Battle of Hogwarts from perspectives of Hermione, Draco and Regulus
Let's rewind...
It's 1976 and Regulus is returning for his fifth year at Hogwarts.
With one of the worst summers of his life behind him, he's slightly glad to be back at the castle.
Regulus is looking forward to a relaxing year spent focusing on his studies and lounging in the library.
Only, Regulus' plans are derailed after runs into (quite literally) the one and only James Potter.
It seems passing the year is the least of Regulus' problems- with the dark lord's influence growing into his inner circle, new blossoming feelings for his brother's best friend who he should hate, and a prank that goes too far.
Regulus is in for a bumpy ride.