Regulus strapped Hypatia's wand holster onto her arm, pulling the straps tight. She insisted, and he knew better than to try to contradict her on this. The Chamber of Secrets was her past, and she was the expert. Regulus slipped the strap through its buckle, and moved so Hypatia could see her reflection in the mirror.

She had chosen to wear a short black dress that cut close to the body. A dagger was strapped to her thigh, and her dragonhide boots were on her feet. Her long unruly hair has been subdued back into complicated braids. With her wand strapped to her arm she looked like some kind of warrior princess. His own black battle robes paled in comparison to her radiance.

Regulus admired her over her shoulder, "You look stunning like this."

Hypatia spun to face him, her eyes bright with worry. "I need you to understand the soul fragment I killed in my second year seemed as real as any person. That diadem is going to put up a fight."

"I know, love. We're going to make it out of there in one piece, I promise you."

Hypatia let out a deep breath and nodded her head, she knew she could trust Regulus. If she had to face fragments of the Dark Lord's soul, she wanted him at her side. Hypatia took his hand and allowed him to lead her downstairs.

"We should bring the locket, and get the diadem first. We can destroy them in the Chamber to control the magic if it lashes out."

"One step ahead of you," Regulus said as he pulled it from his pocket.

Hypatia scowled at the sight of it, but held out her bag. Regulus gave her a questioning look.

"I don't want you holding it any more than necessary either. Just drop it in."

Regulus was surprised at how firm her voice was. Gone was his little princess in the face of a threat, here was the Girl Who Lived. He dropped it in without protest. Hermione had a point. Hypatia was just as much an expert on the Dark Lord as he was, if not more.

"Thank you, love."

She hooked the bag around her wrist, then placed a sticking charm on it to keep it attached to her. "The last thing we need is for this bag to go missing."

When they reached the end of the stairs, Fleur and Bill were there, with all the occupants of the house. Even the elves were there with their wide, watery eyes. Hypatia gave them all an admonishing look.

"What's all this?"

"We wanted to see you off," Hermione said as she rushed towards her and pulled her into a hug.

"We're only going to be gone for a few hours Hermione, we're not going on some great journey."

"I remember your stories from second year," Hermione whispered. "I know it's going to fight back."

Hypatia hugged her tighter, "Yes, well you can tend my wounds when I come home. We'll be fine."

She released her friend and turned to address the group, "We'll be fine."

Sirius was pouting something awful. "We shouldn't let them go alone," he grumbled.

Regulus went to him, "We're coming back. You know that right? This isn't like last time. You know where we'll be. We'll call the house elves if we get into a tight spot. I won't let anything happen to either of us. I promise."

Sirius looked at him intensely. There was so much that went unsaid between them, but he really did love his little brother.

"Good."

Bill cut in, "So we'll get you through the wards. Do you have a way to get out in case we can't meet up again?"

Hypatia smirked as she looked at Sirius and Remus, "Yeah, there's a one-eyed witch statue by the Defense classroom. You know it?" Bill nodded. "There's a passage to Hogsmeade through it. Make sure not to seal the wards over it, and we'll do it after we leave."

"Alright."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The sight of Hagrid pained Hypatia. She wished she could give him a hug, but it was impossible. He had such a good heart, but he was easily led. Regulus held her hand tightly as they walked behind Fleur, Bill, and Hagrid.

"Have you noticed anything off about Dumbledore lately?" Hagrid asked Bill.

"Uh, no. Not particularly," Bill replied. "His one hand did look pretty mangled, but he brushed it off. Why?"

"Just seems like something's off. It's not like him to ask for outside help with the wards, or anything, if he can help it. He's relaid these wards every summer that I can remember."

"You think he's ill?" Bill asked.

Hagrid shrugged his massive shoulders, "I dunno, do I? Just seems off is all."

Regulus' eyes went wide. Maybe that ring was killing more than just Dumbledore's hand. Perhaps the curse was slowly spreading.

They crested the final hill to the castle and continued on when Fleur and Bill began to run tests on the wards. Regulus held Hypatia's hand as they walked through the castle.

"Here? Really?"

"You know about the Room of Hidden Things?" Regulus asked in shock.

"Well yes, but we called it the Room of Requirement. It's where we held our D.A. Meetings."

"You're full of surprises," Regulus teased before he pulled off the invisibility cloak.

Hypatia stowed it in her bag as he paced in front of the wall, seeking the Room of Hidden Things. A door appeared and they entered as quickly as they could.

Everywhere Hypatia looked was covered. Stacks of books taller than her rose on either side. Furniture, brooms, and fireworks littered the stacks. She dared to venture that there were more than one Weasley product in here. Regulus guided her through the piles by her hand.

"It should be up here. It was on top of a broken vanishing cabinet."

Hypatia paused, her eyes captivated by a shining diadem on top of a mannequin's head. She could feel the Dark magic from here, but it wasn't beautiful like the Black's. It was twisted, and venomous.

"There it is Regulus!"

Regulus turned his eyes upward, "Perfect! Open your bag, love. Let's not touch it if we can avoid it."

Hypaia removed the bag from her wrist and opened it as wide as it would go. Regulus levitated the diadem carefully. Tension filled the air as it floated towards Hyaptia. Her eyes blew wide.

"Can you hear it Regulus?!"

He didn't remove his eyes from the diadem. He was sure it was fighting back. Merlin only knew what would happen if he allowed himself to be distracted.

"No, Princess. I can't hear it. What's it saying?"

Hypatia's bottom lip wobbled, and her hands shook. Tears tracked down her face. The diadem was getting closer now.

"Talk to me love! What is it saying?!"

Hypatia screwed her eyes shut and tried to shut out the serpentine words of the diadem. She focused on Regulus. He had asked her a question.

"I'm a disappointment. I can't keep everyone safe. It's my fault my parents are dead. Everyone would be better off without me."

The diadem fell into the purse. Regulus took it from her hands and closed it tightly before he slipped it around his wrist and placed a sticking charm on it. He turned his attention back to Hypatia, who was still standing with her eyes shut tight. Regulus drew her into his arms.

"It's not true, Hypatia. It was never your duty to keep the entire wizarding world safe, and yet you've done an amazing job. You've saved so many. Trust me when I say you were your parents saving grace. They were stupidly brave. They would have been on the front lines fighting if it wasn't for you."

Hypatia let herself be comforted. Part of her really did believe she was responsible for her parents death, and that's why it hurt so much. She constantly worried about the danger she put her loved ones in. Yet, perhaps Regulus had a point.

"Do you truly believe that?"

"I do," Regulus confirmed. "Sirius did some absolutely insane things when we were in Hogwarts and they never turned their backs on him. They'd never blame their own daughter for the acts of the Dark Lord."

Hypatia sighed against him. She allowed herself a few seconds of peace before she pulled herself back together.

"Now to the Chamber."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"A girls' lavatory? Really?"

Hypatia rolled her eyes, "Salazar had an odd sense of humor. Stand back."

Regulus watched appreciatively as his wife crossed the floor to the sink. Her short black dress swayed as she walked. He was glad he had waited. This was going to be worth it. She bent over and hissed something at the faucet.

"Merlin, that's hot. Why is that so hot?"

Hypatia chuckled at him as she backed up from the rapidly moving sinks to stand by her husband.

"Imagine how it would feel if I did that around your cock."

"What's gotten into you?" Regulus asked with a laugh.

Hypatia shrugged, "Hogwarts brings out the stupidly brave in me. You coming?"

"Merlin I hope so."

Hypatia shook her head as she took Regulus' hand and led him to the edge of the hole. She looked down into the darkness, surprised to find that she didn't feel any of the terror she did during her second year. It wasn't nearly as scary with Regulus at her side.

"We have to jump," she told him.

"Of course, fucking Riddle."

Regulus picked Hypatia up and jumped. Her screams and giggles echoed off the stone walls as they fell. Hypatia aimed her wand downwards and mumbled a cushioning charm, hoping to avoid any major injuries. They landed with a thud a moment later.

"What in the world did we land on?" Regulus moaned.

Hypatia lit her wand with a Lumos, "Bones. The basilisk had to be fed somehow."

Regulus stood to his feet, "I understand the choice of footwear now."

"Give me your hand. I know the way."

Regulus did as instructed and let her lead the way through the dark corridors. It was interesting to see her like this, so sure of herself, so brave. It made her eager submission all the more endearing.

She was only like that for him.

They came to the large door with snakes guarding it. Hypatia hissed at it to open.

Regulus was astounded by the Chamber. It was massive, and in the center of it all was a dead Basilisk. Hypatia approached slowly, as if afraid the skeleton would rise up and strike her. She paused at its head.

"It wasn't its fault, not really. Basilisks are bound to the word of their master. It couldn't help that Tom Riddle was Slytherin's Heir."

Regulus put a hand on her shoulder. She was a good person. Infinitely better than him. He wouldn't have spared a second thought for the creature hell bent on killing students, but she did.

"It's time to take the fangs, Hypatia. The creature can still do some good."

Hypatia and Regulus busied themselves taking the fangs, and finally Regulus pulled the bag from his wrist. At Hypatia's approving nod, he opened it and removed the locket and diadem, setting them on the floor in the center of the room.

"Together?" Hypatia asked as she held out a fang.

"Together."

He took the fang in his hand, blew out a deep breath, and raised his arm. He froze as Hypatia stabbed through the locket. There she was in front of him, his glorious wife, but her features were sharp and cold. Gone were the soft blushes and seductive smiles.

"Do you really think I could love you? A Death Eater? When I could have anyone in the world? I never meant to bond us!"

Hypatia crawled her way through the black magic clouding the room. She couldn't hear what the apparition of her was saying, but she knew it was lies. Her skin was getting bloodied from the rough stone, her dress torn into pieces, but she couldn't stop. She reached Regulus, and pulled at his legs. He looked down, his eyes full of tears.

"It's a lie, Regulus. I'm real. I love you. Kill it, please. For us. For our children."

Regulus felt like he was being abruptly awoken from a nightmare. His wife's pretty face was scratched. Her dress was torn at one shoulder, and blood ran down her arms and legs. He stepped around her and drove the fang into the diadem. With a whoosh of magic it perished.

Regulus turned and scooped up Hypatia into his arms. He conjured a bed and laid her down on it. He began healing her wounds as she watched him.

"What did it say to you?" She asked.

Regulus paused for a mere second, his jaw flexing, before he returned to whispering healing charms. He repaired her dress while he was at it. When he was done he laid beside her and pulled her into his arms.

"It did its best to convince me you didn't love me. I'm sorry I let you get hurt. That never should have happened."

Hypatia pressed closer to Regulus, "But I do love you Daddy."

Regulus felt some of his confidence return at her words, at the way her body molded against him. He tilted her face up so he could see her wide green eyes. He couldn't help but let his gaze flicker to her full lips, before it returned to her eyes.

"Do you mean that little girl?"

Hypatia's breath caught in her throat. "Of course I do."

Regulus smirked in a way that made her insides flip. He trailed his fingers down the slopes of her curves. There was nothing like the little noises of contentment Hypatia made when he touched her, or the little gasps she gave when something new pleased her. Regulus rolled her over so he hovered over her.

"Do you want me to fuck you baby girl? Right here in the Chamber of Secrets? It would drive the Dark Lord crazy to know you desecrated his ancestor's most tightly held secret."

His words alone had set off an inferno in her. She needed this. Needed him. She pulled her against him, or attempted to. His muscles held firm, his control impeccable, and oh that smirk did things to her.

"Good girls say please, Hypatia."

"Please fuck me, Regulus. I want to consummate the bond."

Regulus leaned closer to her, "Well when you beg so prettily."

He kissed her hard as his weight came to rest more firmly between her thighs. She wrapped her legs around him. She moaned loudly when his hardness rubbed up against her clit. Her tiny dress wasn't doing much in the way of separating them.

"Take it off please," Hypatia begged.

"What?" Regulus asked as he pulled his lips away from her neck.

"Clothes. All of it. I need to feel you."

Regulus gripped his wand on the bed and whispered the charm. Their clothes disappeared and piled themselves on the edge of the bed as he kissed Hypatia with more abandon.

"Fuck your skins soft," he murmured as he trailed his lips down her stomach. Hypatia buried her hands in Regulus' hair as his hands gripped her hips and pulled her to his face.

"Daddy," she gasped as his fingers entered her, pumping out a steady rhythm.

His tongue circled her clit, eliciting curses and nonsensical praises from her perfect mouth. He ate her like a man starved until she clenched around him, and her limbs went rigid.

He pulled away to look at she came back down from her high. She was glorious like this. Her chest heaved, and her skin glistened. She whined at the loss of him, Her head tilted up and her large emerald eyes pierced him through. She bit her lip as she looked at him.

"What is it, baby girl?"

She tugged on his arms. She needed to kiss him. She needed him inside of her. She needed him in control, to feel safe again. Regulus seemed to know just what she needed. He was back on top of her in a second, his arms caging her in. He leaned down just enough so their lips were touching, but not their hips, not where she wanted him most.

"Are you going to be a good little girl for me and take Daddy's cock?"

"Yes Daddy, please. I'll do anything."

Regulus smirked as he placed a gentle kiss on her lips. He lowered a bit more of his weight onto her, until his hardness was between her thighs, still wet with her cum. She wrapped her legs around him, and angled her hips up. He sucked in a sharp breath.

"Be patient, baby girl. I haven't even said a contraception charm. You don't want a baby right now, do you?"

Hypatia arched up against him, and it took everything he hand not to give into her and fuck her without any precautions. He placed one hand on her throat, and her eyes snapped to his, though not reproachfully.

He stroked her pulse line, "As much as I want that too, I won't get you pregnant while there's a war going on. It's too dangerous. Do you understand Hypatia? Can you be patient? You know Daddy will give you everything you want if you're a good girl."

Hypatia nodded, "I'll be patient Daddy."

"Of course you will."

Regulus grabbed his wand in one hand and whispered the contraception charm. Hypatia's abdomen glowed a faint white as it settled.

"Are you ready?" Regulus asked her as his thumb traveled down to circle her clit.

"Yes, please."

Regulus was tired of waiting. He eased himself into her welcoming body. He was far too slow. Hypatia wrapped her legs even tighter around him and pulled him in until he was full seated inside of her. She felt so full with him inside of her, so different.

Bonding Magic was thick in the air around them, sparkling like fireflies.

Regulus began moving slowly. Every time he pulled out Hypatia groaned at the loss of him. When he pushed in she moaned out appreciatively. His movements felt like heaven and hell wrapped into one. Everytime he thrust in he hit her overstimulated clit, making her desperate for him.

He was going too slow, being too gentle.

"Harder Daddy, please. Faster."

Regulus smiled for a mere second at his girl's pleas. He picked up the pace of his hips, slamming into her. He sat up on his knees, and angled her hips up. He played with her clit, and watched her face as her eyes rolled back and her pussy began to flutter around him. Her legs floated up of their own accord, her ankles finding place on his shoulders.

Hypatia moaned in earnest now. Her words turned into a string of 'Daddy's' and 'Yes'. This angle was different and better. She could feel him pressing against something inside of her that made her want to explode with pleasure.

The magic was picking up around them now, but Hypatia didn't even notice. All she could focus on was the feeling of Regulus pressing deliciously inside of her, his magic beginning to merge with hers. Hypatia's muscles began to grow taut, her hands curled into the sheets of the bed.

"Are you coming to cum baby girl?"

Hypatia nodded her head, and Regulus was filled by an overwhelming need to make it happen. He needed her to cum around him, needed it like he needed his last breath. He kept the pace that was pushing her over the edge, and put one hand on her lower abdomen, pressing down hard. Hypatia screamed as she came around him, pulling him with her.

The bonding magic crashed over them as Regulus collapsed beside Hypatia, pulling her into his arms. There in the aftershock of their pleasure, they could feel everything they meant to each other. The pain of lonely childhoods, of pain, and loss, and torture, but even more than that was the renewed hope that each one represented.