Chapter 52: I've Already Been Holding Back
In the entrance hall of 12 Grimmauld Place, Regulus had barely found his footing when Walburga strode forward to meet him.
She wore a dark-green robe embroidered with Black family crests, the black-diamond Sirius brooch at her collar winking in the firelight. A pronounced smile lifted the corners of her mouth, even softening the fine lines at her eyes.
"My Regulus!" She reached out and gripped his arm firmly. "You're finally home. Look at you — so much taller, and the color in your face is wonderful."
Her gaze swept over his neatly pressed robe and tidy curls, coming to rest at last on the family brooch at his chest. The pride in her eyes was almost spilling over.
"I've read every letter from Hogwarts. Slytherin Head of First-Years. Top marks across the board. You even taught those blind fools what it means to cross a Black. Well done!"
Orion stood by the hearth. His face, as ever, betrayed no surplus expression — but the look he turned on Regulus was pure satisfaction.
He stepped forward and clapped a hand on Regulus's shoulder, the weight of his palm deliberate and heavy. "Good to have you back."
Walburga pulled Regulus toward the parlor, chattering nonstop: "Kreacher had your room ready ages ago. I left the ivy outside your window — you used to stare at it when you were small."
She paused, then shifted topics with practiced ease: "And Sirius? He didn't come back with you?"