"Home sweet home," Regulus remarked, a pang of nostalgia in his voice.

Sirius sighed as he glanced at his brother, sharing in the sentiment as they entered the familiar abode. Mixed emotions churned within them, a blend of pain, grief, and shock at the unchanged state of the house. Their steps were met with echoing yells, and Sirius braced himself for what was to come.

"Sirius, you disgrace to the family name! How dare you darken our doorstep after all this time!" Walburga's voice boomed, the accusation sharp in the air. The brothers exchanged a look of disbelief as they pondered how she could recognize Sirius from behind.

"And who are you! Another blood traitor!" she continued her tirade, her fury palpable.

Regulus and Sirius turned to face her, her jaw dropping in realization as she took in their presence.

"Regulus, my loyal son, why do you consort with the likes of him?" Her words dripped with disdain as she grappled with the shock of her sons standing before her, alive. Her voice rose to a hysterical pitch as she struggled to comprehend the situation.

"Regulus Black, defying death itself to stand before me? Your presence is an insult to our noble name, you FILTHY BLOOD TRAI-"

"Silencio," Sirius interrupted, putting an end to Walburga's tirade with a flick of his wand.

"Thank you," Regulus acknowledged his brother, grateful for the respite.

"Any time," said Sirius casually as they made their way through the ground floor. They paused to admire the library, Regulus's favorite spot, before continuing on to the dining room.

Their exploration was interrupted by the appearance of an old house elf.

"Kreacher!" Regulus exclaimed happily.

"That old nasty house elf is still alive," Sirius whispered to Regulus, who promptly smacked the back of his head.

"Kreacher is happy his master is home. Kreacher is going to make his master dinner!" BAM, and he was gone.

"That hurts," Sirius remarked, rubbing the back of his head.

"Hmph," grunted Regulus.

As they ascended the stairs, they couldn't help but glance at the Black family tapestry in the drawing room. Instant regret washed over them as they noticed a large bloodstain on the floor and others on the walls. A grey t-shirt lay discarded on the floor, soaked in blood. Sirius bent down to pick it up; it was small-sized, likely belonging to his daughter. He couldn't hold back his tears, and Regulus eventually bent down to hug his brother for comfort.

"I was never there for her," Sirius confessed, his voice choked with emotion.

"It's okay; it's not your fault. She understands," Regulus reassured him, pulling him into a tight embrace.

"Thank you, Reggie," Sirius said, gratitude evident in his voice.

As they surveyed the room, they noticed the familiar sight of their names, Sirius and Alphard's, burned into the tapestry. Regulus quickly guided his brother out of the room, mindful of his mental well-being. They proceeded upstairs, starting with Regulus's room.

An old wooden sign with "R.A.B" engraved on it still adorned the door. Sirius pointed out a new addition – "R.A.B Jr." – obviously added by Rosalie.

"So Sirius coded," Regulus chuckled.

Sirius attempted to open the door, but Regulus stopped him.

"Haven't you got any manners? We're not allowed in a girl's room," Regulus scolded.

"Not when she's my daughter! MOM!" Sirius retorted, following Regulus into the room. It was practically unchanged from when he left it, filled with Slytherin posters and a green color scheme. Among the photos on the wall, they found one hidden among her books. Sirius gently retrieved it, revealing a two-framed picture – one of Rosalie with a messy bun, seemingly happy with a boy who appeared older, possibly her boyfriend.

"Is that her boyfriend?" Sirius asked.

"I have no idea," Regulus lied, knowing more than he let on.

The second picture was Sirius's wedding photo, which brought a smile to his face. He looked at his brother.

"I thought you would've thrown this away before coming home," he said.

"I planned to, but decided to hide it. Seems she was smart enough to find it," Regulus admitted.

Sirius's gaze fell upon two letters on the desk, along with a diary.

"I guess we could read these at night," Sirius suggested.

Regulus wanted to object, but Sirius was already in his old room, now Alphard's, embracing the nostalgia of his messy but beloved space.

As they sat down for dinner, Sirius opened the first letter.

Hello love,

How's it going over at 12 Grimmauld Place? I hope you're hanging in there. I know living in a house full of Pureblood stuffiness isn't exactly a walk in the park. Are things getting any better, or is it still as grim as ever?

I've been thinking about you a lot lately and wondering how you're coping with all the old-fashioned ideas floating around. It can't be easy, I get it. But just remember, you're stronger than all that nonsense. Don't let them get you down.

Anyway, shoot me a reply when you get the chance. I'm always here if you need someone to talk to or just vent about the madness of Pureblood life.

Ps: how is that old hag doing?

Take care,

Cedric

Sirius and Regulus burst into laughter when they realized "the old hag" referred to their mother. If she read this, she would've killed him or haunted him down as a ghost. They took the second letter, but the parchment was crumpled.

"She didn't send this," said Sirius.

"Obviously," replied Regulus.

Hey Cedric,

I hope this letter finds you well. I... I don't know who else to turn to right now. I'm sorry if this comes out all jumbled up; my head's all over the place.

I can't take it anymore, Cedric. The pain... it's unbearable. Every moment feels like an eternity of torment. I try to hide it, to put on a brave face, but inside, I'm screaming. The memories of the Crucio curse haunt me, ripping through me like claws tearing at my soul.

It's like a thousand hot needles stabbing into me all at once, Cedric. It burns, it sears, it feels like I'm being torn apart from the inside out. And the worst part? Knowing that the pain isn't just physical. It's... it's like they're trying to break me, to crush my spirit under their heel.

I try to be strong, I really do. But sometimes, it's just too much to bear. I feel so alone, so trapped in this nightmare. Will it ever end, Ced ? Will I ever find peace again, or am I doomed to suffer like this forever?

I'm sorry for dumping all this on you. You don't deserve to be burdened with my pain. But you're the only one I trust enough to share this with. Please, Cedric, if you can, just... be there for me. I don't know how much longer I can hold on by myself.

Yours in anguish,

R.A.B

Sirius was heartbroken at the thought of his kids suffering, but Regulus understood it more. He knew the pressure she faced when her brother left. Then, he set the diary aside.

                          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arthur noticed his kids talking to Molly, so he pulled Alphard aside for a conversation.

"Um, yeah, so we have to go to Grimmauld Place," Arthur began.

"I know, don't worry, I understand," Alphard replied, patting Arthur's back. Arthur was a bit concerned about how Alphard knew, but he was smarter than to ask.

"Alright, all of you, come on," Molly yelled, prompting the others to leave.

"Are you good mate?" Said ron

"Yeah perfectly fine" lied alphard

As they arrived, Alphard felt a strange feeling, memories of his sister's voice, his grandmother, everything, flooding his mind. When the door opened, the Weasleys rushed inside the fancy house, and his grandmother yelled.

"The nerve of you, parading your impurities in our ancestral home! Leave immediately! You filthy blood traitors, and you, Alphard, you disgrace to the family name! How dare you darken our doorstep after all this time!" she exclaimed.

"I didn't miss you either," Alphard muttered as he silenced the portrait with a spell.

Alphard was nervous about meeting his family. As he moved further into the dimly lit interior, he spotted Sirius emerging from the shadows, his expression weary yet determined.

He took the first step into the dining room for lunch. His eyes widened a bit, unnoticed by anyone except Regulus. Alphard looked at the thin man in front of him, a carbon copy of his sister, from the eyes to the hair to the lips. He still hadn't noticed Regulus until he spoke.

"Welcome home, nephew," Regulus said.

Alphard turned his head to look at the man who resembled him a bit.

Then, he turned to the man who was supposed to be his father.

"Um, uh, Ria, I mean, Rosalie told me about—" Alphard began nervously, but he stopped talking when he received a hug from his father. It was a deep, warm embrace that said everything. Alphard hugged his father back, which relieved Sirius.

"Don't leave us again," Alphard muttered.

"I will never leave you," Sirius answered.

When they parted, Alphard greeted his uncle with a light hug.

"Well, come on, all of you, it's lunchtime," said Regulus.

They all sat at the table, with Alphard beside Fred and his uncle, and in front of his father. As dinner was served, everyone was talking, creating a mess. Meanwhile, Sirius and Regulus looked at their younger one, who was eating with a fork and spoon, not talking and only looking at his plate with concern.

"You can act freely, you know," regulus stated. Alphard looked up.

"Rules were made by her. She's gone now," Sirius added with a wink, which made Alphard laugh. Sirius looked at his son, his beautiful son who had grown up. He couldn't wait to meet his daughter.