"So, what's next?" Tonks asked as they walked down the halls of the Ministry.

"I will take the Wizengamot seat for our family next week. In the meantime, any time Sirius or I leave the house, you come with us."

"Sounds good," Tonks cheered, her hair turning a bright pink.

Their group stopped abruptly as someone stepped into their path. Regulus glared at the blonde boy in ugly burgundy robes. He'd remember Heir McLaggen anywhere.

"Can I help you?"

Tonks and Sirius were shocked by the vitriol in Regulus' voice, but they knew there must be a reason. Tonks looked around the corridor, thanking Merlin that it was abandoned but for them. Heir Smith stepped closer than Tonks would consider wise, but Regulus stood his ground.

"What did you do to Hypatia? She'd never love a Death Eater like you. You must be potioning her. Either that or she's a whore. Who marries themselves out to the first Dark wizard they meet?"

Tonks grabbed hold of Sirius' arm as he reached for his wand. Regulus didn't take his gaze from Heir McLaggen as he paled his wand, and addressed his cousin. Regulus pinned Heir McLaggen against the wall, as his wand dug into his throat. Sirius snatched the boy's wand out of his hand with vicious glee. This was the most fun he had in ages.

"Tonks, what's the penalty if I maim him?"

"3-5 in Azkaban."

"Tonks," Regulus warned.

Tonks rolled her eyes, "Kidding. He insulted a Pureblood Lady's honor in front of her Pureblood husband and witnesses. You'd get a slap on the wrist, and a fine of three hundred galleons, as long as there is no permanent disfigurement."

"Great." He dug his wand further into the boy's throat, enjoying the look of panic in his eyes. "You made a grave mistake today. No one insults my wife's honor. Hypatia chose me."

"She wouldn't," he gasped.

"What, you think she wants you? Some idiot that wouldn't even know how to please her? My wife begged me to fuck her in our library mere hours ago. She begs me for a child. You have no idea what you're playing with. If you ever try to talk to my wife again, I'll kill you."

Regulus let a weak torture curse surge through his wand and into the boys body. It was weak, but even it had the boy whimpering. Regulus let him go after a mere moment. He scurried backwards and Sirius threw his wand at him.

"I don't know what you did, boy, but come near my Goddaughter and you'll see the force of the Black family madness. Now run away!"

The boy ran off, his eyes wide, and his pants wet. Tonks smiled as they continued on their way. Sirius looked at her oddly.

"Thought you'd object to the use of force more, Tonksie. Being a Hufflepuff and all that."

Tonks hair flashed a brilliant gold, "Well it sounds like that boy is threatening Hypatia. There was a weird sense of ownership in the way he spoke about her, but I've never heard Hypatia speak about him. If it was someone she liked, she would have mentioned him at some point. So I think Regulus is just trying to protect her. Which is actually quite sweet. I approve."

Regulus smiled brilliantly at his cousin.

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

Hypatia listened with barely concealed boredom as Hermione and Draco droned on about class options. Cissa looked at her with pity. Not everyone excelled in the same areas, and it was clear Hypatia didn't care for Runes and Arithmancy like Draco and Hermione did.

"What is it you would like to study, Hypatia?"

Hypatia jolted out of her boredom. "Uh, I don't know. I never really liked the classes part of Hogwarts all that much."

Cissa laughed, "Yes, I can see that. They're options are rather restricted. What are some of your interests?"

"Well I always liked Care of Magical Creatures, that's part of what drew me to Regulus. He wrote about them in his journals."

"Ok, well we can integrate that into our studies," Remus acknowledged. "Regulus has mentioned wanting to push through werewolf rights after the war, so if you're all educated on it already, that would help the cause a lot. Anything else?"

Hypatia looked down at her hands, unsure of how to say what she wanted. Hermonie nudged her with her foot, and she looked up to see Hermone smiling encouragingly. Even Draco was waiting patiently to see what Hypatia would say.

"Ok, hear me out. I really like clothes, and I'd like to try my hand at design. But not just design. There are all kinds of protection spells that can be placed on fabrics, or woven into them, if done at the right stage in production."

Cissa nodded. She knew it was true. It was an ancient form of protection, not often practiced anymore because of its connection to the ancient families that practiced Dark magic.

"I want to explore how far I can take that. Regulus has done all sorts of research into spell creation. If mother's could send their children to school in protective cloaks- if Mugggleborns could be sent home with protective clothing or jewelry- I think it would be worth it."

Remus smiled, "Of course. Regulus may have to work more closely with you on that, but we can allot time for that, and order books."

"Don't bother looking," Cissa told him. "The most useful books on a topic that Dark will be right here in the Black library. As for the fabric, and the like, I can help Hypatia order that from a boutique I know."

"Perfect."

Regulus smiled from the doorway. Working protective enchantments into clothing seemed like the perfect thing for Hypatia. She had a keen eye for style, and always wanted to save everyone. The added benefit of them getting to work together was only a bonus for him.

He felt a tug on his robes, and looked down to see Dobby looking at him with wide eyes. The house elf motioned for him to follow him, and Regulus did so. After a few steps he knelt down to hear what the elf had to say.

"The toad woman has left the hospital."

Regulus' eyes glinted in anticipation, "Where did she go?"

"A small cottage in the countryside. I can take you there if you're ready."

"Can you take two others as well?"

"Of course."

"Right then. Time to get Sirius and Remus."

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

Sirius looked around the sitting room, utterly destroyed. Blood covered nearly everything. His brother wore a satisfied smirk. The Umbridge bitch was dead, and her precious pink cottage splattered red.

"This really was my favorite sweater," Remus lamented, taking it off and tossing it.

"I'll buy you another," Sirius promised.

"After that I'll buy you a whole damn closet," Regulus chuckled.

Moony had lost it at the sight of the pink toad, taking control of the wizard's body he inhabited. Thankfully Remus had been on the same page for the witches fate, or he'd be having a moral crisis instead of lamenting the loss of his favorite sweater.

"What do we do now?" Remus asked. "I'm not well versed on covering up this sort of thing."

The Black brothers locked eyes, "Burn it."

"Burn it?"

"Yes. Transfigure what's left of her body into something innocuous, and burn the whole house down using Muggle means, so our magic can't be tracked."

Remus gave a fake salute and went in search of matches.

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

Regulus slid into bed around midnight. Hypatia turned to him and pressed a kiss to his bare shoulder.

"Where were you?" She whispered sleepily, her lips brushing along his collarbone. Regulus did his best to conceal the shiver at the feeling.

"Umbridge," Regulus said simply.

"She's dead?" Hypatia asked.

Regulus dropped a kiss on her head. "Yes, love. She's dead."

Regulus felt Hypatia's lips curve into a smile against his neck.

"Thank you."

He raised her hand, the one with the horrid scars, and kissed it softly. "We will always protect you, love. Now sleep."

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

The next day Regulus was inundated with letters. The news of Sirius' acquittal had made the front page of The Daily Prophet, and everyone had something to say. Thankfully the news of a house fire in a small village did not seem to grace the Prophet. Even Dumbledore had written to request a meeting, one that Regulus was not inclined to grant.

"What is it he wants?" Regulus asked Tonks.

"Access to Hypatia, I imagine. He thinks he'll be able to manipulate you into letting her come back to school."

Regulus scoffed, "Over my dead body. Maybe for her final year, if it's safe, and they'll allow me to join her. But we have a lot of things to do before that."

"Really?" Tonks asked in surprise.

Regulus shrugged, "If she wants. I'm her husband, not her captor. I could spare a year if she wanted to return. It could be fun."

"I think I should tell you, Hypatia isn't as delicate as you think she is."

"What do you mean?"

"The way she dueled at the Ministry, I've seldom seen anything like it. She's magically powerful, but it's not just that. She can move around a battlefield quickly because she's small. People underestimate her, and she uses it to her advantage. She could have easily killed Bella if Voldemort hadn't shown up"

"I know she's powerful, but she doesn't want to have to be at home. That is her decision. It's not something I forced on her. She's had to bear the weight of the magical world for far too long. If me being in control in these little ways helps her, I'm happy to do it."

Tonks nodded. "Still, I think you need to consider letting her fight against Voldemort, if it comes to it."

Regulus' jaw flexed. The thought had been on his mind for a few days. He knew his wife was powerful, and while he could use her magic, that wasn't the only factor in who won a duel. So much of it was luck, and timing. Still, he hoped it wouldn't come to that.

"I'll think about it."

"I know it's against our instincts as Black's, to let our partners run into danger, but we can't control them. Look at Bill and Fleur. They're both Curse Breakers. I can hardly tell them to stay home all day."

Regulus sighed, "Yes, perhaps you have a point."

A sharp door knocked at the door, and Regulus called for whoever it was to enter. Hermione opened the door, and was followed in by the mischievous looking twins. Regulus shoved the letters into a drawer, and greeted Hermione.

"What can I do for you three?"

Hermione drew herself up to her full height, squaring her shoulders. The twins looked more than a little amused. "Hypatia's birthday is in two days. I know there's a lot going on, but she deserves a nice day, and I won't let this distract from it. We have prepared several suitable options for celebrations, and presents, and you need to choose."

Regulus couldn't help but smirk at her cheek. He motioned to a set of doors in the wall that opened up at his command, showing piles and piles of wrapped presents.

"Hermione, you wound me. To think that I wouldn't spoil my own wife on her birthday. Though I admit the most grand of presents must wait until after the war is over. Trust me, I have this under control."

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

Regulus kissed Hypatia's neck, smiling when she whined and pushed her hips against him. He smirked against her skin as he held her still.

"Tell me what you want," Regulus pleaded.

He knew there was something she was keeping from him. He could feel it through their bond, and sense it in her actions. There was something she wanted for her birthday that she refused to tell him. He kissed her neck, nibbling so her eyes would roll back, and she'd lose that last bit of control.

"It's impossible," she gasped out.

Regulus ghosted his lips over her collar bone, and pressed a gentle barely there kiss to her lips.

"Nothing is impossible. Not for you and I."

He picked her up, and sucked a nipple into his mouth. She scratched his scalp in retaliation, and Regulus pulled away from her with a groan.

"Tell me."

His voice was low and commanding, and it fuelled Hypatia's want. She was half beside herself. "Fine, I want to fucking go on a date. I've never even been on one, but it's impossible."

Regulus stilled. Such a simple desire, so pure, and unadulterated. Hypatia should have been Courted, she should have been taken to dinners, and plays, and balls, but that hadn't been how fate brought them together. Regulus let his hips roll forward, and watched Hypatia as her head rolled back, and her eyes fluttered.

They'd have to draw out Voldemort eventually. The sight of Hypatia and he, dripped in finery, and living their lives freely, might be enough to make him act. He had no doubt he and Hypaita could end the Dark Lord together. Could they really end this war before Fall?

"Look at me," Regulus ordered. Hypatia's green eyes pierced him. "If we do this- if- you have to listen to me while we're out. If something happens, and a duel begins, you aim to kill. Do you understand?"

"I understand, Daddy."

Regulus let go, and let himself drown in Hypatia.