A/N: I am posting Chapter Two cause I can't resist.

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Hypatia had the strangest dreams. She dreamt she was back in the halls of the Ministry, fighting Death Eater's with Regulus Black at her side. They fought seamlessly, back to back, as if they could anticipate each other's next move. When he struck down Bellatrix he grabbed her and kissed her until she could hardly remember where she was.

Hypatia began to stir in her sleep, and Regulus stroked her back gently. He had moved her to her bedroom while Remus and Sirius had their talk. He had to inform Remus about what had happened to Regulus, and the path he wanted to take forward.

Hypatia woke up slowly. She felt terribly ill, but the slow rubbing on her back made her feel a bit less queasy. She knew now what people meant by the phrase 'Know your limit'. She certainly hadn't known hers. She felt the smooth sheets of her bed against her face.

"You're alright, love."

Hypatia scrambled backwards towards the edge of her bed. It turned out that was a very bad idea. She immediately felt ill, and lurched over the side of her bed to throw up. Kreacher cleaned it with a snap of his fingers, and to Hypatia's surprise he didn't so much as mumble a complaint.

"Kreacher, please fetch your Mistress a pain potion."

Hypatia turned around slowly. She steadied herself with one hand against her headboard. She knew who he was as soon as she saw him. She had seen the pictures. She had just battled at his side in her dreams. Her stomach flipped as she remembered the way he had kissed her in her dream.

Regulus Arcturus Black was sitting on the edge of her bed. He looked like he hadn't aged a day since he had disappeared at the age of seventeen. He had on black robes, and a small smile. He was far more handsome than the pictures she had seen.

Kreacher reappeared with a pain potion, and held it out to Hypatia. She took it and shot it back. She held onto the bottle, ringing it in her hands nervously. Kreacher stared at her impatiently until she handed it over. Then he left her alone in the room with Regulus.

"This is improper," she blurted out without thinking. "I mean- I'm sorry. It is improper, but that's not the point. What are you doing here? What happened? Are my friends safe? Also, this really is improper. Sirius will have a fit, even if he doesn't usually care about etiquette."

Regulus tried to keep track of all her questions. "Sirius and I have already had a chat. He found us shortly after you brought me back. He is speaking with Remus, though I'm sure he'd come, if you felt the need to call him. I'm sorry to say I have no news of your friends, though Sirius told me about the battle."

Hypatia narrowed her eyes at him. She wished those gray eyes were just a little less enchanting. They were just a few shades darker than Sirius's own. They made it hard to think straight.

"I brought you back? I can't remember. I had..." she looked at him nervously. He motioned for her to continue. "I drank quite a lot of Ogden's. There was a Battle at the Ministry of Magic, and I thought it would help me sleep. I assure you it's the only time this has ever happened."

"The Ogden's I know about. There was a nearly empty bottle next to you. Quite a feat for a woman so small, especially if you're not used to drinking. You used the blood magic ritual in one of my notebooks to bring me back."

"Where were you? Sirius could have used your help."

Regulus was panged with regret. If he had just been a little more careful, if he had allowed Kreacher to tell Sirius, perhaps this could have been avoided. Still, it did no good to dwell on what might have been.

"I tried to defeat the Dark Lord. I was unavoidably detained in a state between life and death by the Black family magic. It's practically sentient, like several of the ancient family magicks." He looked away from her, lost in thought, before he turned his eyes back to her. "I'm sorry I wasn't here. But I'm here now. I won't allow anyone to hurt you, or Sirius."

Regulus' gaze was too much. Hypatia looked down at her left hand. There was a new scar down the center of her hand. She vaguely remembered using the ritual dagger from her cabinet to cut herself and press her hand onto the tapestry.

"Why did you bring me back?" Regulus asked gently.

Hypatia's eyes snapped up to him. They were the most piercing shade of emerald green Regulus had ever seen. She considered his question as she filtered through her fuzzy memories of the night before.

"I can't say exactly, as I can only remember some of it. But I've always felt connected to you somehow. When The Order tried to clear out the library I kept them from touching your collection. I've read through most of your books and notebooks multiple times. I felt so hopeless after the battle. Maybe I thought you could help me."

Regulus scooted closer to her, and took her hand gently. Her hand tingled everywhere their skin made contact. Snitches took flight in her stomach.

"I am going to end this war. Your enemies are my enemies, and I will subdue every one of them."

Regulus watched as realization came into Hypatia's face. She was a smart witch, as Sirius had said.

"I invoked a soul bond to bring you back. Didn't I?"

"You did."

Hypatia felt a thrill rush through her as strong and as powerful as when she caught the Snitch for the first time. He looked at her as if asking for permission, and she nodded her head. He came even closer to her, until they were sitting across from each other with their knees touching.

"Can you feel it?" Regulus asked.

Hypatia closed her eyes, and willed herself to calm down. Soul bonds were ancient magic- one of the earliest forms of marriage. It wasn't commonly practiced anymore, because it was irreversible. It tied your soul and magic with your partners, so that it was truly shared.

She blew out a breath to steady herself, and tried to clear her mind. Ah, there it was. The echo of something new, of someone else's emotions and magic. It was Dark and refined, but it called to her in a way that was nearly irresistible. It was Regulus.

He watched as her eyes fluttered open, "I can feel it. But there's something else."

"What?" Regulus asked. He was fascinated by Hypatia.

"I don't feel alone anymore."

Regulus smiled as he stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. With every pass he could feel the words that had been carved into her skin. He couldn't wait to exact vengeance on her enemies.

"I feel it too," he assured her.

"I read once that soul bonds are supposed to feel intense when new. Why does ours feel so faint?"

Regulus bit back a laugh, "Because we haven't consummated the bond."

Hypatia pulled her hand back from him, and he couldn't help but laugh. The sound sent a small thrill through Hypatia even as she panicked.

"It's not that I don't want to- I mean you're very-" Her hands waved wildly as she motioned at Regulus, and his face grew even more smug. " I've never even been kissed. I've never even been on a courtship date! I just met you!"

"We can take things as slow as you want, Hypatia. I have no expectations. I was simply answering your question."

Hypatia relaxed and offered Reguls her hand again. He took it and placed a light kiss over the scar left by Umbridge.

"Don't think I haven't noticed that scar. Things are going to change now that I'm back. Tell me who hurt you."

Something in his tone soothed her. He was in control now, and Hypatia found that she liked it.

"Dolores Umbridge."

Regulus burned the name into his mind. She'd be dead soon enough. He kept his exterior calm so he wouldn't scare Hypatia. She'd been through enough, but the monsters sheer audacity shocked him.

"Someone dared to do this to the Heiress of the House of Black?"

Hypatia sighed, "She hates me, but it's my fault. I let her bait me. I didn't ask for help."

Regulus cut her off. He cradled her face in his hands, and made her look into his eyes.

"You are not to blame for what she did. A Blood Quill is classified as torture under the law. At least it was when I disappeared. They're not easy to come by. She knew what she was doing."

"I didn't know that," Hypatia whispered. "No one told me."

"I need you to know I'm not a Light wizard, Hypatia. I'm not noble like you and your parents. I won't have mercy on your enemies. They've clearly had none on you."

Tears filled Hypatia's eyes. She believed him and it comforted her, because she knew that the man in front of her would burn the entirety of the wizarding world to the ground for her if he had to. She could feel it through the bond at the edge of her consciousness. She was his, and he was hers.

"What else is going to change?" Hypatia asked.

Regulus leaned forward and swept away a tear that had fallen onto her cheek. "A great many things, my love. But we'll talk about that later. I imagine people will be descending upon us soon."

"Why?" Hypatia asked, dazed by the feeling of him so close to her.

Regulus smiled, "You won a very public battle last night. Not only that, but soul bonds are automatically recorded at the Ministry of Magic. Someone is going to notice in the next few hours, even with all the commotion about the battle. Dumbledore at the very least will be here by noon."

Hypatia froze under his touch, her posture going stiff.

"Why does that scare you?" Regulus asked intensely.

"Will he try to take me away from you and Siri?"

"He can't. It's illegal."

"That doesn't matter to him," she cried desperately.

"I won't let him love. You're mine now. He won't challenge a Pureblood Lord in their own home. Remember, the family magic has a will of its own, and you're Lady Black now. It won't let you be taken from here by force."

"Do you promise?" Hypatia asked.

Regulus leaned in and pressed a featherlight kiss to her lips. Her swirling panic stopped at the contact. His lips were better than whiskey, better than anything she had ever tasted.

"I promise I will never let anyone take you away from me," he swore against her lips. Hypatia's lips curled into a smile as Regulus pulled back to look at her. The trust she gave so freely thrilled him to no end. "I have a few things to see to. Why don't you get ready for the day while I do them?"

Hypatia nodded as she watched Regulus leave her room. When the door closed behind him she sighed happily and collapsed back in bed.

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Regulus pinched the bridge of his nose, and blew out a steady breath. "Severus, I have to tell you, you've done an absolutely abominable job."

Severus merely raised an eyebrow at him, but Regulus knew just what it meant. 'You don't know what it was like. You weren't there.'

"I mean, really. If everything you've told me is true, it's a miracle Lily has not found a way to come back from the dead herself, and kill you. Her only child, and you've allowed her to be traumatized every single school year. Not only that but you've made her life significantly harder by bullying her."

Severus had arrived quickly after Regulus' reappearance, at Kreacher's summons, and had just finished telling Regulus a quick run down of Hypatia's time at Hogwarts. As Regulus expected, there was quite a lot that Hypatia had failed to tell Sirius. He would have taken her and fled the country long ago if he knew half of this.

"And the Basilisk still lies in the Chamber?" Regulus asked offhandedly.

"Yes, but why-"

"It's none of your concern." Regulus leaned in towards him. "What is it about my wife that upsets you so much? Is it that she's a Gryffindor?" Severus practically rolled his eyes. "No, of course not. Nothing so plebian for you. I should have known. You see James when you look at her, don't you?"

Severus leveled him with a look absolutely dripping in derision. "She is just like him. From the messy hair, down to her attitude."

"She is not James. She barely even looks like him. She's my wife. I suggest you remember that when you find yourself in her presence. I won't allow her to be disrespected in her own home."

Severus didn't respond. He merely looked evenly at his old friend. Of course Potter would find a way to bring Regulus back. She had a penchant for breaking the rules with her best friend Miss Granger.

"How is your brother taking this?" Severus asked.

"He is adjusting as well as he can."

"What exactly happened to you?" Severus asked.

Regulus smiled, though it was filled with bitterness. "I think you know what I was hunting. Though perhaps you've never even dared to say the word aloud."

Severus stilled, "So it's true."

"Yes. I want Hypatia involved as little as possible."

"Dumbledore is going to fight you on that. He destroyed one, though it took the use of his right hand along with it."

"Which one?" Regulus asked.

"The Gaunt ring."

"At least there's one less to collect. Have any been made in my absence?"

"Nagini."

"The maledictus?!"

"She finally lost her ability to transform back into a human. She is with him constantly."

"Well that complicates matters," Regulus sighed.

Severus was surprised by how well Regulus was taking all the news. He must be running on pure adrenaline at this point. He leaned forward.

"You know The Order has been using your home as Headquarters. Will you allow it to continue?"

"I'll do whatever's necessary to end this war, and protect my wife. Everyone and everything else comes second."

"You just met her, and yet she has all your loyalty."

Regulus' eyes narrowed, "Of course you wouldn't understand. Hypatia called to me at her lowest, across space and time. The ritual wouldn't have worked if she didn't love me. I can feel her at the edge of my consciousness. She's a part of me now, and I won't let anyone or anything harm her. Now Severus, how long do we have until The Order up?" 

Severus looked at the ornate golden clock on Regulus' desk. The entire room had been untouched since his disappearance. Books lined the walls. Rare magical artifacts sat in pristine glass cases. He doubted The Order even knew of the existence of this room.

"I would say a couple hours at the most. Dumbledore has been going between the Ministry and St. Mungo's all night. As soon as someone notifies him that a soul bond had been registered for Hypatia, he'll come. Even with the battle, this is going to be front page news. The Dark Lord will soon know, if he doesn't already."

"I'm not concerned about him." He rolled up the sleeve of his shirt, revealing his flawless arm to Severus. "My Mark is gone."

Severus looked at the expanse of pale skin. Suddenly a thought occurred to him.

"What about Hypatia's scar?"

"Which one, Severus? I'm afraid my wife has many."

Severus blinked rapidly. He couldn't begin to imagine what all that meant.

"The one on her forehead."

"Yes, that one is concerning. When I woke up her face was covered in blood from it, but it seemed to have healed over. It's barely noticeable now. Why?"

Severus thought's spinned rapidly. He should have known as soon as Regulus told him they were soul bonded. It was obvious. The soul bond had removed both Regulus' Dark Mark, and the horcrux inside of Hypatia.

"Albus thought it might be...and then this last year he became certain."

Regulus' temper flared. He stood to his feet and slammed his hands on the desk. "Are you telling me you let Hypatia grow up with a piece of the Dark Lord's soul inside of her?!"

"I had no idea until recently. Albus didn't tell me!"

Regulus glared at him, and Severus was reminded of his formidable strength. He had no desire to make enemies of the young Lord Black. In many ways he was like a young Tom Riddle- handsome, powerful, and ruthless, with the added advantages of breeding, wealth, and sanity.

Regulus considered his options. In many ways Severus deserved to die. On the other hand, he might still prove useful. Regulus re-took his seat. "Where do your loyalties lie, Severus?"

"With Lily, always with Lily."

The answer was automatic.

"Then prove it. If I need your help, provide it. Hypatia is Lily's only child, and I guarantee you she would not like how you've treated her. You have a chance to redeem yourself."

Severus nodded tightly. Regulus had always had a commanding presence. The Slytherin's had flocked to him even when he was young. He was a natural leader. He was silent among those he didn't know well, collecting information as he charmed them all with easy smiles and flawless manners. There was a knock at the door.

"Enter," Regulus called.

Sirius entered the study, with Remus at his back. His eyes went back and forth between Severus and Regulus, his jaw tense. "What's going on here?"

"Severus was just filling me in on Hypatia's time at Hogwarts. It's a miracle she's still alive."

Remus put one hand on Sirius's shoulder to steady him. Severus stood up and moved fluidly towards the door. He paused at the sound of Regulus' voice.

"Where is Dolores Umbridge, Severus?"

Regulus' voice had the dangerous tone of a predator. Everyone thought that Regulus was more stable than Sirius, more sane, but he was merely more cunning. He had never hesitated to take vengeance on those who wronged him or those he loved.

Severus turned around slowly, "Why do you want to know?"

Regulus narrowed his eyes. "Are you going to tell me you didn't know what she was doing? Save your breath and tell me where she is, or I'll rethink my lenience."

Sirius looked between them, wildly confused. Severus cut his losses. He didn't owe the toad anything.

"She's in St. Mungo's. Potter and Granger left her in the Forbidden Forest with a pack of angry centaurs. She's not doing well."

A small smile found its way onto Regulus' face. It wasn't enough, but it was a start, and it pleased him that his wife could be vicious when needed.

"Thank you. You may go."

Severus fled, his cloak billowing behind him as he stalked out of the home. Regulus waved his wand to seal the door behind him, and silenced his study.

"What the bloody hell was that about?!" Sirius demanded.

"He needed to be reminded where his loyalties lie. We'll need his assistance before this is over. The Dark Lord has told him many things that may prove useful. As for Dolores Umbridge, she used a Blood Quill on Hypatia."

Sirius finally wiggled out from his lovers restraining hands and slammed his hands on his brother's desk. " What do you mean she used a Blood Quill on my goddaughter?! How are you so calm?!"

Regulus stood to his feet. His chair screeched against the floor as it was pushed back.