The large manor appeared before them as Regulus apparated to the property line with Hadrian. He must have tired himself out from crying because he was asleep in his arms. Seren Du had always been like a bubble hidden away from the rest of the Wizarding World, so it was the perfect place to raise his little Hadrian. Hadrian would be much safer with him than the other people Dumbledore would probably have given him to.
Regulus shuddered at the thought and walked towards his family's home. Seren Du was special in that only family was allowed into the house; they never served guests here before and they never will. The black walls of the manor were intricately carved with pure silver detailing. Usually that would make the house look cold and uninviting, but the use of candles for lighting gave the entranceway Regulus walked into a warm glow.
"Master Regulus!"
He looked down and saw the happy face of Seren Du's house elf staring back at him.
"Hey Ceri, this is your new master. You can call him Hades. Also, can you prepare the nursery for him?"
"Of course, Master Regulus—Young Master Hades."
Ceri, the house elf, disappeared with a pop. Regulus carried Hadrian out of the entrance and into a room off to the side. The room was a lounge with three large couches made of black leather and a large chair big enough for two adults, all in a half circle around the fireplace that was currently burning logs. Ceri must have turned it off before going upstairs.
Regulus sat down on the large chair with Hadrian in his lap. He whispered, "Welcome to your new home, little man." Hadrian barely noticed the noise. A small smile appeared on his face in response to Regulus's warmth. Hadrian stayed snuggled in Regulus's arms for the rest of the night.
•••
Sunlight flowed through the open curtains of the room. Hadrian yawned as he looked around. The last thing he remembered was a flashing green light. Warmth radiated through his body as he looked up at the sleeping face of a man who looked really familiar.
As if sensing he was being looked at, Regulus opened his sleepy eyes with a smile on his face. Upon seeing Hadrian's confused expression, he almost started laughing.
"Remember, I'm Reggie," said Regulus, even though he wasn't sure Hadrian remembered. He had only met the kid once when Lily and James had been called away to a Order Meeting. As he was pondering this, a flicker of recognition appeared on Hadrian's face, and he smiled brightly. "So, you do remember, huh."
A pop signaled the arrival of Ceri. She said, with a chastising expression, "Masters sleeping on chairs and not beds."
"Sorry, Ceri," Regulus said, with a sheepish grin, "it won't happen again. We... I mean, he fell asleep against me, and I didn't want to wake him. He had a long night, after all."
Ceri seemed to consider his words before nodding, "I'll make Masters a good meal, and yous will rest in beds. Yous need sleep."
Without another word, Ceri popped out of view. Regulus let out a relaxed sigh before standing up and secured Hadrian's legs around his side. He had the trouble of rescuing him, so he didn't want him to fall. Regulus walked into the dining room with Hadrian in his arms and sat him down in a chair before sitting next to him.
Hadrian peered up at him with a giggle before looking down again, but he never quite looked Regulus in the eyes. Regulus couldn't help but smile at his sometimes-shy-sometimes-not godson with amusement.
The kid had already been through so much, losing both of his parents in a single night. Hadrian watched as the amusement in Regulus's eyes slowly turned to sadness. He reached up with his little hand, trying to touch Regulus's face but not reaching it. He let out a huff of frustration, and a small smile appeared on Regulus's face. Hadrian clapped his hands together at the sight.
"It's okay, Hades. I'll be fine."
"Master Regulus needs sleeps. Ceri will help Young Master Hades with food."
Regulus didn't even notice the pop-sounding Ceri's arrival, but he didn't let the surprise show on his face. Ceri placed his plate in front of him. The plate was filled with three stacked pancakes that looked as fluffy as clouds, two glistening sausages that were still sizzling, a portion of airy scrambled eggs with salt and pepper cooked into them, and a slice of wheat bread with strawberry jam on the side.
Ceri sat down in the chair next to Hadrian, after asking for permission and Regulus assuring her that it was okay to sit while doing her duties, and chopped his food into pieces small enough that a one-year-old could eat it.
The house elf scooped up a spoonful of the mash and brought it to his mouth. Hadrian seemed pleased with Ceri pretending that the spoon was an airplane. Regulus, however, was just confused. Ceri shook her head in reprimand before saying, "Master Regulus taking care of childrens with knowing how they work."
"What do you mean?"
"Childrens learn through repeated actions."
"Oh... So when you tell Hades that it's an airplane, he knows it's time to eat."
"Yes, Master Regulus finally understands. Now, if Master Regulus will allow Ceri to finish feeding Young Master Hades."
A nod from Regulus was all Ceri needed before she finished feeding Hadrian. Hadrian kept giggling the entire time, making the feeding take longer. He fell asleep almost immediately after Ceri was done. With an okay from Regulus, the house elf took the sleeping little boy off to the nursery she prepared the night before.
Regulus walked up the ornate stairs of the manor. It had been so many years since anyone had stepped foot in the house. It used to be the Black Family's summer home, where all the branches of the family could be together without needing to invite outsiders to a ball. The manor was for family only. But after the war started when he was a third year, Regulus never got the chance to come back.
He opened the door to his own room and sat down on the bed. A pop sounded the arrival of Ceri.
"Young Master Hades be sleeping."
"Okay—um, Ceri, I was thinking of giving you a raise since now you will also be taking care of Hades. How about ten galleons instead of two per week."
"Master Regulus doesn't have—"
"No, I insist," Regulus said. When his family still came to the manor in the summer, he would always give Ceri a few galleons for the extra work she had to do with them there. He never told anyone this. His mother would probably disown him if she knew her perfect son had a soul.
"Master Regulus is so generous. Very well, but right now Master Regulus needs sleeps."
He didn't even realize how tired he was until he laid down on his bed; he couldn't open his eyes and passed out like a light.