— chapter nineteen —
ON LOST TIME

—

IT WAS NIGHT. It was a late night and she was there sitting across from him and he was real. This wasn't a figment of her imagination, it wasn't a dream. At least, she hoped it wasn't. If it was, she would call her mind cruel for letting her see him right there with a glowing face, looking happier than he had ever looked in his life. She had to imagine she looked almost the same, a sparkle dancing in her eyes as well. Because they were there and they were free and there was no turning back to those cold times which harbored darkness in them.

But he was there, and that was enough. He was there and he was amazing and his hair had recently been cut but he still looked like the same person and he skin seemed to be tanner, like it had more life and he was wearing a short-sleeve shirt even though it was February and the weather was the same old cold shit it played every day. He must've been somewhere nice, she concluded. And they were happy, they were there in the Hog's Head with barely anyone else and they were happy. She hoped no one really noticed them, no one really looked, because if they did they would see the ghost of Regulus Black – or they would think that.

No, Regulus Black was very much alive and he was sitting in front of his sister with a drink in his hand as he glanced around the old pub. No students came in there, it was deemed shady and only a place for bad business, but that was the exact opposite for those two. They were there to talk and rejoice in the knowledge that they were both alive and well. That was enough.

"How've you been?" she found herself asking before correcting herself with a better question, "Where have you been?"

"Everywhere beautiful, Mel. I have to tell you. I was in Romania for a bit, at a dragon caring farm and it was amazing. There was a woman there who was just so kind and welcoming," Regulus smiled, "She runs the place with her husband. Wish I could've stayed there longer but the Prophet ran the story and when I saw her reading it, I knew I'd have to leave."

Remelda nodded and took a bite from her salad, grimacing slightly at the taste. She never really did like salads, but didn't trust any of the meat products the Hog's Head sold. You don't know where the meat came from. "Sounds wonderful."

"It was," he nodded, "Then I took a plane – a muggle plane – and went to Hawaii. It was so beautiful, and the water was so clear and the weather so warm...and no one knew who I was. Gave myself the name Rick, might go back there after this."

"A muggle plane? How'd you think of that one?" Remelda mused, opting to sip at her drink instead of attempting the salad again.

Regulus' smile turned to a sad grin, "Nadia. When she was a child, they went to Italy – took a plane and everything. I remember telling me that and I had to see what it was about, and it's not like I can Apparate or anything yet."

"That explains the tan," she then cleared her throat, "So tell me, where do you plan on traveling next?"

"Think I might stay in London for a bit," he noticed her apprehensive look, "I know it's risky, but I miss home. And I'll be careful. Don't worry."

"I'm your sister, it's my job to worry," Remelda reminded him, "But in other news, I've seen my first Disney movie."

"Nadia?" she nodded, "That girl is obsessed! I mean, I love her, but I don't really miss those marathons. Miss talking to her, but those movies...damn, they get so boring after a while. Just the same old story told in a new setting with new characters and new songs. Doesn't change the story though."

"I agree," Remelda nodded, "I mean, I've only seen one, but she's demanded that we have a marathon ourselves and I admit that I'm a little scared. She was singing last time – singing! Knew all the words and I can only imagine what will happen with the other movies."

"Be warned, Cinderella is her favorite. Knew all the bloody lines and recited them perfectly," Regulus smiled softly, recalling those days, "But she means well and she's nice."

"She is," the girl agreed, "But tell me, where would you stay in London?"

Regulus shrugged, "I don't know, a muggle hotel? I've been doing it for a while, but I really do need to find a permanent place to call him. Get a job and earn a living. Can't do that in London though, can I?"

"Sadly, no. It's too dangerous. But if you wait until summer – just until then – I can help you with living arrangements. Hot or cold climate?" she asked.

"Um, cold. I love the warmth of Hawaii and everything, but I can't imagine living in that heat!"

Remelda nodded, "Well, we'll find somewhere for you, don't worry."

He took another sip, looking outside the small window the pub had and noticing that the stars were beginning to shine, causing him to sigh, "It's getting late."

She looked over, noticing that it was much too late for her to still be there at Hogsmeade. Everyone else must've left at least thirty minutes ago. A frown appeared on her face, "It is."

"You'll have to go back soon," Regulus said again, both of them still looking outside. His hands fidgeted, not wanting to leave the comfort of his sister.

"I don't want to go," she whispered, voice soft as she almost didn't want him to hear, but he did.

"I don't want to leave you either. I've missed you too much," Regulus said back.

She looked at him with soft eyes that the world didn't know about, didn't care about. She was painted as a heartless Slytherin girl anyways. "No one will notice if I'm gone for the night. I'll be back early morning for breakfast – or maybe in time for lunch. Won't breakfast together be nice?"

Regulus nodded, "It would, but we can't. It's already so dangerous for me to be here, will all of these people who've seen me before. We can't risk tomorrow morning, someone'll start talking tonight."

She bit her lip, looking around at the other people at the Hog's Head. They were noticeably older than they were, at least in their mid-thirties. All men too, the only other woman being the waitress. But no one was looking at me, though that didn't mean they never did. Regulus was right; it was too dangerous. "I know," she sighed, "I just – I don't want to leave you yet, not after I just got you back."

He made a noise of agreement, "But you have to get back, in case anybody does notice. I won't let you get in trouble because of me."

"Haven't I already? I mean, I've been disowned since we last saw each other," she cracked a smile and he chuckled a small bit, "Not to mention that I ended my engagement to Demetri – should've seen his face when it became clear to him that I wasn't the girl he dreamed of; compliant."

"Must've been a shock," he agreed with a smile, causing her throw her head back and laugh as well.

"It was. His face drained of color, looking at me as if I'd grown two heads. Hilarious, really," she added on, "And I patted him on the cheek – with everything else!"

"Wish I was there to see that," Regulus mused, "Merlin, I hate him."

"Well, you're certainly not the only one. He is a pretentious prick who thinks women are property – told me himself. A part of me feels bad that Nancy fancies him so much, but then I remember she's a horrible person herself and they deserve each other."

"Remelda, you cruel of you to say that! And unlady-like as well!"

"Who are you, my mother?" that caused the two to break out into even more laughter in joy. She really had missed him, his jokes, and just his presence. This would only make it harder to leave him. She then sighed, "Well, I must be heading off soon."

Regulus nodded and the two of them stood up, leaving the money on the table before walking outside the pub. The air was cold, as it always was, and no one was out there to bear witness to them. They walked until they crossed the bridge that led to Hogwarts, knowing this was there they had to leave each other. Until that point, there was only a comforting silence as they soaked in the last few moments with each other.

Then they stopped at looked at each other, Regulus speaking first. "You won't tell anyone that I'm still alive, will you?"

"You don't want me to?" Remelda asked him, confused, "Not even Nadia? Or Sirius?"

He shook his head, "I don't need anyone trying to find me, don't need anyone to know and that cause them trouble. It's better if everyone still thinks I'm dead."

"Then why tell me?"

"Because I couldn't bear the thought of you thinking I was dead. The torture I must've put you through," Regulus explained, "So please, tell me you won't say anything."

Remelda looked at him with sympathetic eyes, "If you don't me to, I won't. This is your business, not mine. But I must tell you, Nadia's been quite sad since your death – and even Sirius is still in mourning."

"And I don't want them to mourn me, but it's easier for them – safer – if they don't know," Regulus stressed, "What if the Ministry gets hold of them? Tortures them or something?"

"What about me?"

He shook his head, "I don't think they'll go after you. Why would I when I could go to my already disowned brother or muggleborn friend?"

"Nadia's a muggleborn?"

"She doesn't know. Her father's a muggle but her mother left shortly after she was born and never told him whether or not she was a witch. So, she doesn't know."

"That makes sense."

"I'll miss you, Remelda," Regulus said again.

"I'll miss you, too," she repeated, bringing him into a warm embrace as they said their final goodbyes.

"I won't see you again for a while," he told her, even though it hurt so much to say those words.

"Until summer."

"Until summer," he confirmed, "But after that...I'm not sure. I'll be far away and it won't be safe to contact you. It won't be goodbye though. I know that."

She nodded, sniffing as a way to stop herself from crying. It was too sad, she didn't want to say goodbye. "I wish you didn't have to leave. I wish I could go with you."

"I love you, Remelda," he offered, both of them already knowing he thought the same thing.

"I love you too, Regulus."

"Forever?"

"Forever."