calm before the storm

Evan made a pretty solid point of staying as far away from the Ministry as much as possible. It wasn’t most of the time of course, since he had to follow Rodolphus around like a lost puppy, soothing his ego and trying to temper the advice he gave him, half good, half awful, walking the fucking tightrope of his life.  But for now he was at the Ministry on purpose, on his own time, which made his skin crawl in and of itself.

But now he was here, in the archive on purpose.  Not because he wanted to look anything up, but because he was looking for the guy that tended to hang around here.  When he caught him, Evan immediately put the most severe look he could on his face and looked Regulus up and down.  "I was looking for that guy that’s supposed to be taking good care of my sister, but I don’t know if you’re him, you look a little too reedy for my taste.“

-

While he kept the smile on his face, a jolt of anxiety ran through him as he recognised Evan, as well as the thinly veiled insult. He’d always liked Evan, but ever since he started dating Nellie at Hogwarts, he also made him nervous as fuck. Considering he was Nel’s older brother, he’d expected his protectiveness - he was more than glad at least someone in her family gave a single shit about her more than just viewing her as a pawn, even if it meant having to take a bit of heat. “Hello to you to Evan.” Regulus greeted, not unkindly “I can assure you Nel is being taken good care of, both because it is what she deserves and because I enjoy having my limbs attached to my body.”

Eleanor hated going to the Archives. Everyone else on the Wizengamot did too, and she suspected that that was why she was always sent down there to grab ancient court decisions whenever they needed them. She had thought about bringing it up to some of the judges to see if they wanted to digitalize it all but she was sure that they would say no. They didn’t seem to understand that technology was there to help them rather than hurt them, and Eleanor had given up on trying to explain it to them. She sighed when she arrived outside the door, preparing herself for the headache that was inevitably going to come eventually, before she pulled it open and stepped in. There was something incredible about so many centuries of history in one place, but she couldn’t help but think that all it would take was a lit match and centuries of history would go up in flames, she sincerely hoped that there were plenty of protective charms on this room. Eleanor was startled when she heard a voice and whirled around. “Reg! You scared me,” Eleanor laughed. “I didn’t know you were in here.” Eleanor smiled. “What’re you doing in here?”

-

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you Eleanor” Regulus replied with a light laugh and a sheepish smile. “I work here, as a junior Archivist.” he offered in explanation, motioning to the library around him. “Have been for a while now, though the place is so big you’d be forgiven if you haven’t seen me before.” He added with a small shrug, smiling. “In saying that, is there anything I can help you find? I’m pretty good at navigating this maze by now.”

⌸

The Archives had a bit of beauty to them. Really, every place did to Ted. But the tall shelves towering over him, as he wandered seemingly endlessly to find Regulus or another employee, impressed the beauty upon him. You could get lost in here for days reading. And with charmed windows, you may not even know how much time had passed. Spotting someone down the hundredth or so aisle he passed, he made a sharp turn into it. “Please! I’m looking for a copy of a press release from…” Edward looked down at the scrap of paper in his hand with a squint. “May 5th of 1922.” He wasn’t sure why the department needed it but Ted was never one to argue with a task. Besides, he enjoyed stretching his legs and saying hello to various people in the building. “I got a bit turned around. Do you get lost in here often?”

-

Regulus smiled as he recognised Ted and nodded. “1972...” he repeated, mentally going over the layout of the archives, and counting how many rows away they were. “Yeah that happens. I used to get lost all the time when I started working here. Not so much now - there is a system, albeit a haphazard one.” he said with a light laugh. He still occasionally had to consult his own handwritten notes and crudely drawn outline from time to time. “It’s this way though.” he added with a nod of his head, motioning for Ted to follow him as he began walking down the aisle. “How have you been Ted?”

thefervorblack​:

When: two days after New Years Where: coffee shop in Diagon Alley Who: open

It was only nine thirty and Victoria had already been to the gym to work out with her personal trainer, had taken a phone interview with Vogue and answered several emails in between. Her day wasn’t over yet, she had a photoshoot with Witch Weekly later that afternoon but she had a little bit of time to do some shopping and to get coffee on the way. She sent Dom a quick good morning text as she opened the door to the coffee shop and got into line. 

When she got up to the counter she ordered her coffee, a latte with four pumps of espresso, paid, and then stepped aside, casually glancing down at the news stand. Alastor Moody and Suri Shacklebolt released from Azkaban. Anger bubbled in her stomach. She didn’t care much about the Shacklebolt girl, she couldn’t care less about her release. No, it was Alastor, Dom’s uncle, that she targeted her rage at. It was his fault that Dom went to Azkaban, his fault that his nephew had spent the last decade in Azkaban, alone and tortured. Victoria could never forgive what he had done to Dominic, and she had personally been glad to see him thrown in Azkaban. It had pained her when Rodolphus finally gave in to the pressures and ordered their release, even if she could understand why he did what he did. 

Victoria turned away from the news, her lips pursed as she glanced down at her phone. She had to let it go. But it made her angry for Dom’s sake. She looked up just in time to see someone grabbing her coffee from the counter. “I believe that that is mine,” Victoria spoke up, gesturing to the coffee in the other’s hand. “Unless your name is Victoria too, in which case that would be a pretty big coincidence.” 

-

It was only 9:30 and Regulus wanted to go back to sleep. It had been a long few days, that had mostly been stressful, thought at least there had been some silver lining. He glanced at the news stand as he walked inside the coffee shop.  Alastor Moody and Suri Shacklebolt released from Azkaban. He smiled to himself, knowing how much work the Order- or rather, The Rising, had done to make that happen. It was worth being a little tired.

He ordered a double shot latte with sugar, and stepped aside, scrolling through his phone. He sent Helena a quick text, knowing she’d would already be at work and right in the thick of the aftermath of Rodolphus ordering Suri & Alastor’s release. He worried about her more now, but he also knew she could handle himself.

He became aware of eyes on him, and looking up he noticed one of the baristas staring intently at him. He looked back at his phone for a few moments, before looking back up. She was still staring at him, and he suddenly wondered if his order had been called. There was a coffee cup sitting on the bench, and he walked towards it, picking it up to check the name. Just as he read the name ‘Victoria’, he heard a voice from behind him. He recognised Victoria Delacour, and understanding flashed on his features. “That would be a pretty big coincidence, but you’re right, this is yours.” he said, giving her a sheepish smile as he offered her the coffee “My bad, I got distracted and thought they’d called my name.” he explained, as he put his phone in his pocket “How have you been Victoria?”

The Ministry’s Archives spanned several stories and seemingly endless shelves. Regulus sometimes wondered how much space they would make by digitalising everything, and how much easier it would be to navigate. But the Ministry had always been stubbornly old-fashioned, especially when it came to newer muggle technology. Still, there was something charming and comforting about the rows of tomes and scrolls, centuries of recorded history and events sitting side by side on shelves. Regulus had spent the last couple weeks, recording, organising and cataloguing recent events. So much had happened, and it was the ethos of the Archive to record as much as possible, including many perspectives. Footsteps approaching from behind pulled him out of his thoughts, and Regulus turned to face the sound. “Can I help you find something?” he asked.

With that verbal confirmation, Regulus turned around and walked towards their bedroom, all while he attacked her neck with kisses. He sucked and bit at all the spots he knew she loved, the ones that would make her moan. This was far from the first time he’d carried her to their bedroom, so he didn’t have to look where he was going - he knew the way off by heart. 

As he reached their bed, he practically threw her down and pulled back, eyes scanning her form. He clicked his tongue shaking his head “You’re wearing far too many clothes sweetheart.” he murmured, and as he finished his sentence his fingers were unbuttoning her blouse, pulling it open once there was only a couple left. Tossing the fabric away, he pulled down her pants and panties together, throwing it aside as well. With only her bra left, he pulled her close, crashing his lips against hers in a rough kiss, his nails dragging up her back until he reached the clasp of her bra, making short work of it. He pulled away, and pulled her bra away with him. Now that she was completely naked, his eyes drank in her form hungrily. “There, that’s better. Merlin, you’re so beautiful.” he murmured.

____

Feeling his hands down her back, Nellie felt waves of comfort wash through her. Nodding, she gave a soft hum, “I’d like that,” she murmured in agreement, grateful to not have to think too hard about anything for a while. It happened sometimes, one of them would become too overwhelmed, pushed beyond their limits, and the other would step in to ensure they were well taken care of. The perks of being together for so many years was that they knew each other well enough to have their dynamic down pact. Nellie followed closely, still attached at his side as he started warming up some of the leftover carbonara from the night before. “Thank you,” she mumbled softly. 

Nodding, she sat down as instructed. Once the food and water was in front of her, she focused on the two simple tasks in front of her. She hadn’t realized how hungry she’d been until she’d finished eating her food in hardly any time at all. Nellie finished the water as well, knowing she was likely dehydrated by this point as well. After she was finished, she set about clearing her plate, at least rinsing them and setting them in the dishwasher, before turning back to Regulus and answering, “Distraction. I don’t want to think about any of it anymore tonight,” she admitted. She’d talked about it at length with Evan, which had helped, but she didn’t want to think about the darkness any further tonight.

\

Regulus was glad to see her eat, having a funny feeling that she hadn’t eaten much all day. He watched as she put away the dish, nodding at her answer. He wasn’t concerned - he knew she’d talk about it when she was ready. He walked up to her slowly with a knowing smile, placing a hand on the counter top either side of her. “I can definitely distract you love.” he murmured, as he tipped his head forward to catch her lips against his own in a soft but passionate kiss. 

Regulus had barely finished reading Sirius’ text before he was walking out the door.  Everything was falling apart: Rodolphus had won the election and Penelope was in the thick of it. All while Marlene was in the hospital after saving James from an attempted murder. Sirius had asked him to check on Narcissa, and while Regulus assumed his cousin was safe, with everything else crumbling around them, there was that seed of worry in the back of his mind.

He reached Cissa and Ren’s flat shortly, apparating to a safe location and walking the rest of the way. He knocked 3 times, paused, knocked once, and then two more times. It was a knock they’d developed during childhood when signalling the coast was clear from their oppressive family members. He waited outside, his fingers twitching nervously each second that passed by.

REGULUS BLACK’S PLAYLIST - listen here;

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__

As a general rule, Nellie didn’t break down often. She wasn’t much of a crier and had learned to redirect her emotions over the years. It wasn’t that Nellie let them pent up, she just expressed them in more productive ways. However, her grief, her anger, her fear, all threatened to consume her, and she could do was cry in the face of it. Her arms tightened around him slightly at his words and burrowed her head against his chest. “I thought I was ready for this, but fuck,” she murmured, her voice thick with tears. 

Nellie looked at him softly, leaning into his hands as he wiped her tears. “I know. Merlin I know, it just feels so big. So heavy,” she admitted. As he kissed her head, Nellie breathed out a sigh of relief. At his questions, she shrugged her shoulders, giving him a look that screamed indecisiveness. She was hungry, yes, probably needed water as well, could use a shower, and maybe a rest, but she didn’t want to leave the comfort of his arms. “Dunno, any of it,” she shrugged.

-

Regulus held her tightly, rubbing her back comfortingly as she spoke. At her indecisive look, he smiled softly, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Well then, how about I just take care of you then huh?” He decided.It was a dynamic they’d had for ages. When either one of them was overworked, stressed or plain exhausted, the other easily took the reins in making sure they were well taken care of. “I think, food first. I’ll heat up some leftover pasta for you.” He added, before half-pulling away, keeping one arm wrapped around her. He led her to the kitchen, pressing some buttons on the microwave to heat up the bowl he’d put in there earlier.

“Go sit down, I’ll bring it to you love.” He murmured, gently nudging the small of Nel’s back forward towards the table. He grabbed a bottle of cooled water from the fridge and poured two glasses, and by the time he was done the microwave buzzed as it finished. He placed the pasta dish and water in front of Nel, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. “Do you want a distraction or do you want to talk about it? I am equipped for both.” he asked as he sat down beside her.

It had been years since Sirius had worried about what being associated with him would mean for Regulus.  And honestly, this was the first time the repercussions meant serious things to him.  Before he had been 16 and naïve and he the worst thing he could think of was having their faces blasted of an ugly tapestry. But as the war had picked up, Regulus had kept his position in the neutral zone and Sirius had done all he could to protect that.  They kept in touch because they were family but Regulus wasn’t as entrenched in Sirius’ orbit as he had once been.  It was safer that way, and it helped to create a safe connection for Nellie as well.  

Everything was different now, though.  The Order had been declared a terrorist organization and if the world didn’t officially know that Sirius was affiliated with it, it wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out.  He hadn’t exactly been subtle.  His connections to Nellie and Regulus were even more fragile now, and therefore all the more precious.  Which is why he hadn’t wanted Nellie to come to the hospital - and why he was just as nervous when he saw Regulus striding into the room.  With Regulus, at least, he didn’t need as much secrecy.  It was the one gift the name Black still gave them.  

He’d been perched on the windowsill, one of many makeshift places he’d sat when he couldn’t stand the chairs, and he hopped down, crossing the floor with wide steps to pull his brother into a hug.  “It was Sebastian.”  He answered as he hugged him, continuing as he relaxed his hold and headed back to his perch on the window sill, eyes drifting to Marlene from time to time as he spoke.  “He’d been spying for them the whole time.  We didn’t see it.  And then just before - or maybe just after, I’m fuzzy on the timeline - Marlene got wind that he was going to try and kill Jim.  She got there first.  Or the same time.  Got in his way.”  

.

Regulus held his brother tightly in their embrace, glancing over Sirius’ shoulder for any prying eyes. He hated that he even had to think about it. But now more than ever he had to be careful, not for his sake but Nellie’s. Throughout the election he had done his best to appear neutral, keeping contact between Order members brief and incredibly limited, as well as never meeting in public with known Order members. His brother and cousin had been the only exception, and even then they’d been careful. At the least they could explain it away as family.

“Merlin, Sebastian and Peter?” he said, shaking his head as he pulled away. But it made sense. If they had double agents among the Death Eaters, it wasn’t a stretch to imagine they had their own among the Order. At least hopefully they’d been rooted out now. He glanced at Marlene , eyebrows furrowed with concern. She was one of the Order’s strongest fighters and to see her knocked down wasn’t a good feeling. “Is James okay?”

By the time Nellie finally made it home, she was over the edge of exhausted. Rodolphus had fucking won. Somehow that wasn’t even the worst part of their night, and that alone made Nellie shiver with a fear she hadn’t quite known she could feel. Evan had made her promise to go home and get some rest, and she had kept up her end of the bargain, after a pit stop. Having stopped to check in on Marlene, and subsequently all of their friends that were there, Penelope finally felt confident in going home. All she wanted was to wrap up in Reg’s arms and forget. 

Stepping into the comforts of their home, Nellie gave an exhausted sigh. The first thing she did was kick off her heels and shed the blazer that had been constricting her all night. For the first time in her life, Nellie was at a loss of what to do. She was always the one with a plan, and now she was the plan. She had always been her backup plan, that much she knew. However, it had never quite occurred to her how they were going to stop this mess from getting worse. The weight on her shoulders suddenly felt a thousand times heavier. 

As soon as she heard Reg’s voice, Penelope gave him a soft smile. However, the moment his arms were wrapped around her, a quiet sob dislodged in her throat and the pressure that had been building behind her eyes for the last few hours finally released. “M’sorry,” she mumbled against his shoulder, but did nothing to stop the tears that were already flowing. “What the fuck are we going to do, Reg?”

.

Regulus pulled Nel closer against him as he heard the cry leave her throat, his chest tightening at the sound. Seeing Nel in any pain broke his heart. “Shhhhh, you never have to apologise to me sweetheart.” He murmured as he stroked her hair. “I don’t know, but we’ll figure something out.” He soothed. It was going to be a tough few months ahead of them, but seeing Nel like this, Regulus couldn’t afford to be despondent.

He pulled back slightly, cupping her cheek with one hand and wiping away a tear with his thumb. “I wish it was different, but it’s not over yet. You’re not alone in this. We’re going to get through this, okay?” He leaned his head down to kiss the top of her head. “Now you have had an incredibly stressful day so what can I get for you? Something to eat or something to drink? A cuddle? Anything you want.” He asked with a soft smile.

Regulus had been pacing around the living room for hours now, checking his phone every five minutes for any news or update. Penelope hadn’t come home yet and contact had been minimal, both for their own good and because he was sure she was swamped with work. The election results had been a significant blow, and Regulus was keenly aware that Nel’s position as a double agent had become even more precarious.

He had full faith that Penelope could handle herself well, but that didn’t mean he didn’t worry or fear for her safety. He knew all too well the cruelty of the pureblood elite who would be all too eager to cut down a traitor among them. It was why Regulus had never formally joined the Order and really only stayed in regular contact with Sirius and James. That could be explained away. If he was seen palling around with Remus, Marlene, or Alastor, eyebrows might raise. And given his relationship with Penelope, they might have raised at her too.

Hearing the door chime, his head shot up, and he almost bolted to the door. Seeing Penelope on the other side put his heart at ease, and he breathed a small sigh of relief. “Merlin, you’re a sight for sore eyes.” he greeted softly as he embraced her.

who: @thefervorblack where: st. mungo’s when: after the election 2019

There were few things that were succeeding at penetrating through haze of anger and grief that were rolling through Sirius’ system.  He didn’t have any brain power left for anything else, it was a struggle to focus his mind enough when Lily asked him questions or ran plans by him and James.  He managed but only because it was Lily and as she always had, she had a knack for being the voice that could always cut through all his minds’ chatter.  One of the few things that was able to cut to the front of his mind, though, was needing to check on Regulus.  One of his brothers had been attacked, another’s existence was under fire, yet another had betrayed them all.  He needed to talk to Regulus to see he was still in one piece.  

He was torn between leaving the hospital to go see him or just sending an owl but he knew that he shouldn’t be leaving the hospital, not yet.  He was liable to get eyes on Regulus, make sure he was safe, and then go commit homicide on the way back to Marlene’s side.  While he didn’t see the bad side of that plan, he had promised Lily he wouldn’t and that was anchor enough.  So an owl it was, written hastily and sent with one of the hospital provided owls for quick delivery.  

Reg, 

Everything’s gone to shit.  I’m sure you know.  I need to know you’re safe.  Can’t explain much but Marlene’s in Mung’s and they tried to do in James.  I’m at Mung’s with L+J, let me know you’re okay.  Check on Ciss.  

Love you, stay safe,

S

.

Everything had gone to shit.

An election that should have been solid had slipped from their fingers in a disastrous attack, and now Rodolphus’s victory had been called. The Order had been labelled a terrorist organisation, and they were all in danger. Nel was in danger. Regulus had hoped that winning the election would have given her an out, but it seemed their work was far from over.

An owl coming through the window, shook him from his thoughts, and he took the piece of parchment from owl he recognized as being a hospital owl.

Fuck.

He opened it hastily, scanning the words with a small sigh. Marlene in St Mungo’s... an attack on James, fuck what had happened? He grabbed a piece of paper and started scrawling out a response.

S

I’m safe. I’ll meet you at Mungs and check on Cissa on the way. 

Love you,

R

He sent it back with the same owl and headed out. It didn’t take long for him to find Cissa and check that she was alright. She was staying in and keeping her head down while everything was in chaos. Once he was sure she was okay, he apparated to St Mungo’s. Finding Marlene’s room was tricky, but once he saw his brother he knew he was in the right place. “I got here as soon as I could. Cissa’s fine, she’s safe at her place. What happened?”