Phoenix does not leave Theo's side, he sits with him at all hours holding his hand. Occasionally, his Father comes in for awhile and watches them both. Sometimes Draco will sit with them, waiting for his best friend to wake up again. When Theo is sweaty, Phoenix soothes him with cold water. When he's shaking, he holds him and gently kisses his head. He does not let go of his hand.
Hermione is okay and on her feet within a day, she's back to her books and researching obsessively over what the last Horcrux could be. Ron hovers around her, lingering awkwardly over her shoulder- his paranoia of something bad happening to her again making him act oddly. He didn't know what to say to her or how to explain how he felt, so he opted to hang around her like a wet wipe instead. His wand always in his hand ready to strike anyone who dared to come near her.
Sirius unsurprisingly spends his time between all of the guests, he sees to everyone's needs. He helps Ollivander take his medication, giving up his own room for the elderly man. He hates thinking it, but he definitely didn't have much time left. He was too old for war and being held captive for such a long time had taken its toll on his health. He also helps Luna get back to her Father, a pain in his chest as he watched them reunite after weeks apart. He gets Dean to the Weasleys- ready to go with the twins when they next return to Hogwarts.
Mostly he sits with Barty. He really does try his best to bring Barty back, but the man is lost inside his own mind. He's trapped in a maze of his own memories and he can't tell the difference between current reality and the past. He gets distressed whenever Draco is around, he yells about Evan and wails for Regulus. Sometimes he mistakes Sirius for Regulus, before insisting the eyes were the wrong colour and he was too old to be Regulus. He liked to tell Sirius that Regulus was much better looking too, but he wasn't saying it directly. He was huffing it to himself, muttering and mumbling in the confides of Regulus' bedroom.. slowly losing grips on reality. Sirius really was trying to bring him back, for Regulus but it was too hard. The years in Azkaban had done their irreversible damage. Sirius knows if it wasn't for his animagus form, he would be in a very similar state.
The day Kate shows up, Sirius can't hide his relief. He had to tamper with the floo network and force the two places to reconnect, Phoenix needed his Mum and Sirius did whatever it took for that to happen. He might have broken a few laws but it worked.
Kate steps out of the fireplace, her eyes landing on Phoenix immediately and rushes to him. Taking him into her arms and kissing his face all over. Phoenix hugs her back with one arm, ensuring not to loosen his grip from Theo's hand for even a second. Noticing, Kate pulls away and smiles down at the unconscious boy on the couch.
"How is he doing?" Kate asks, brushing Phoenixes messy hair from his face.
"It..there's..um there's one that's taking longer to heal and I don't know why." Phoenix mumbles, squeezing Theo's hand tightly.
"Can I take a look?" Kate asks softly.
Phoenix reluctantly lets go of Theo's hand and nods stiffly, standing to his feet and lifting his boyfriends top up, before lowering his pants to unveil a deep gash across the lower region of his stomach. Kate frowns at it, gently brushing over it with her fingers but it makes Theo whimper, his eyes opening in fear but relaxing once he sees Phoenix staring down at him.
"Theo?" He says softly, taking his hand again, "This is my Mum. She's going to help you, okay?"
Theo hums and nods weakly, "Looks like Marlie."
"Yeah she does, unlike me and Zion unlucky fucks look like our Dad."
"Oi!" Sirius complains, folding his arms against his chest, "I'm very handsome."
Draco appears at the door, glancing nervously at Kate and then at Phoenix who is too wrapped up in Theo to notice. Sirius squeezes Dracos shoulder encouragingly before slipping out of the room to check on everyone else. He liked having people to look after, it made him feel important and helpful. Kate smiles at Draco, beckoning him to follow her into the kitchen.
She starts grabbing ingredients for a potion, dumping them onto the table as Draco awkwardly lingers at the door. He had no interactions with his cousins Mum before, it sounded dumb but he wasn't sure what he was supposed to do or say. Her blonde hair reminded him of his own Mother, who he had lost just days earlier and it makes it very difficult to look at her.
Kate turns to look at him though and she smiles warmly at him, "Thank you, Draco. I know you looked after Phoenix a lot this past year..you were his best friend for awhile before the death eater stuff and I really am grateful to you for everything. I'm comforted by the fact he had someone like you on the inside with him."
"You don't blame me?" Draco manages to choke out, his words getting stuck in his throat.
"No, of course not. Phoenix is old enough to make decisions all on his own..I'm just happy I didn't have to bury another child." Kate admits quietly as she begins crushing ingredients, "I believe you're quite the whizz at potions.. do you think you could give me a hand?"
"Of course." Draco nods, grabbing a knife to begin chopping stalks.
They work around each other, adding the ingredients when necessary and Kate is blown away by the young boys skill. She doesn't comment outloud but he is incredible, just as Regulus is with potions and she can't help but see the similarities between them. She knows about Draco and Regulus, Sirius had informed her about Evan Rosier too but she didn't know him well enough to make comparisons. Regulus however she sees in many things Draco does, the way he furrows his brows and slacks his jaw. The harsh grey of his eyes and the pale skin, his snarl when he accidentally cut his finger- Draco is just like his biological father.
They're soon interrupted as Harry enters, Kate drops what she is doing to pull Harry into a hug. She can feel his heart racing, she can see the heartbreak in his eyes and she knows it's because of Phoenix and Theo... but Phoenix is happy. Kate can't be mad at him for that. After so much pain, her little boy has found a reason to live and someone who makes him smile. It might not be Harry anymore but Harry was still part of their dysfunctional family- no matter what.
Draco clears his throat awkwardly, "Uhm Harry? Can I talk to you a minute?"
Harry frowns but nods before following Draco into the drawing room next door. Draco shuts the door behind them and takes a deep breath. He stares at Harry for a moment, a weird fluttering in his chest before he forces it down and away. He shuffles around the other boy, pointing to the Black family tapestry and Harry can't help but pull a face.
"What about it?" He asks almost scoffing at the entire interaction.
"I noticed something odd the other day with Sirius... I'd have asked Regulus about it but.."Draco swallows at the mention of Regulus and pulls his eyes away from Harry, he kneels to the ground and points at the specific portrait.
Harry rolls his eyes before kneeling besides Draco, their legs accidentally knocking together making Harry jolt in surprise as he squints at the blurred image on the family tapestry. He leans forward, his nose almost pressing against the portrait as he tries to read the damaged letters.
"Who is that?" Harry asks, glancing up at Draco with confusion.
Draco shrugs, "I was hoping you would tell me."
"Well according to the tapestry..."Harry stands to his feet, following the family tree with his fingers and stopping abruptly at the unknown person and frowning, "It's not possible.."
Draco stands up, blinking at Harry awaiting the grand reveal, "Well?"
"Someone removed traces of whenever it is." Harry states, "But if you look at the line connecting them to the family tree.." He says tracing it backwards, landing on Zion, "It says that Zion is the Father."
Draco swallows, "You're sure?"
"Yeah." Harry nods, pointing at the line between Zion and Sirius, "It's the same. See?"
"But he's dead?"
"Yeah.." Harry nods, "So are my parents but they're still my parents."
"So..Zion..had a child? Before he died?"
"Sure looks that way." Harry confirms, "I..maybe don't say anything though..I don't think any of them need this right now."
Draco nods in agreement, thinking of how much this would destroy his cousin and best friend Phoenix, "I think Regulus knew."
"What makes you say that?"
Draco points at the damaged portrait, "Someone had to destroy the evidence and traces. No one can do that better than him."
"Draco.." Harry says softly, "Regulus...he really isn't all bad and-"
"Spare me the pity Potter. Like you, my parents are dead." Draco states, "Regulus is not my Father. He is not the one who raised me. He d-doesn't love me, he loves Phoenix and his siblings. He raised them..he didn't come for me..he didn't want me.."
The door clicks open, Sirius stands there and looks at Draco with pity, "He did want you."
"No he didn't."
"Come with me Draco." He instructs, heading up the stairs.
Draco glances over his shoulder at Harry who presses his finger against his lip, Draco nods vowing to keep their discovery to himself. He never thought he'd have a big secret with Harry Potter, but here he is. Sharing secrets as if they were friends. He follows Sirius upstairs, hesitating when Sirius opens Regulus' bedroom door. He knows Barty gets distressed whenever he sees him, he reminds him of the man he lost and it makes Draco feel horribly guilty.
Sensing his unease, Sirius nods, "I'll be one minute, just wait there."
Minutes later, Sirius reappears shutting the bedroom door behind him and carrying a box filled with letters.
"Reggie would murder me if he knew I had these but I genuinely came across them on accident." Sirius explains, handing the box to Draco, "Take a read of them. If you don't want to that's okay, but he did fight for you Draco. I promise you that much."
Marlie sits up when the secret tunnel door begins opening, she can't hide her smile when Fred jumps out first. He grins at her before glancing around, running to Seamus and Lee in the corner where the Potterwatch radio is set up. She watches as Luna Lovegood is helped down by Neville, who's blushing at her. George follows, then Remus Lupin who stops and waits for someone else. She stands to her feet, her eyes wide as Dean Thomas emerges.
Seamus is fiddling with the aerial of the radio, he doesn't notice when everyone around him falls quite. He is too focused on getting the connection back before the next broadcast. He had checked the death list hundreds of times, obsessively checking the recently added names to see if Dean was on there. If he was dead, they hadn't found his body yet and somehow that was worse.
He feels a hand on his shoulder, it makes him jump slightly and he drops the aerial in surprise. The fingers squeeze his shoulder, gently turning to him around. His heart stops as his eyes widen when he sees Dean for the first time since he went on the run before Christmas. He stares at him, completely lost for words. It was like seeing a ghost except he was right there, he was okay and he was alive.
"Sorry I took so long, I got held up." Dean smiles, dropping his hand from Seamus' shoulder.
Seamus feels heavy with the loss of contact and instantly reaches out for Deans hand with both of his own and sort of tugs at it. He can't stop blinking, half expecting his friend to vanish from sight again but he remains right there. Right in front of him.
"I'm really here." Dean confirms, laughing breathlessly, "You're not crazy. I'm right here."
Seamus nods, tears beginning to fill his eyes as he takes Dean in. He just needs to look at him, remember him as he is right now. He feels awfully pathetic as he looks at his best friend, but he felt so lost without him. He isn't really sure when he fell in love with Dean, but he realised it when they were apart. His heart ached to be by Deans side and here he was..
"Did they take his speech or something?" Dean asks, frowning at the twins and Lee.
"He never shuts up usually." George snorts knowingly as he takes Lee's hand and kisses his knuckles.
"He's in shock." Lee nods, smiling up at his own boyfriend, "He will come around in a minute..he really thought you had died."
"Pfft." Dean says, turning back to Seamus, "It'll take more than a few death eaters to take me out."
"I love you." Seamus blurts out, his ears burning red as he stares at Dean in horror. He hadn't really meant to say that, but it's all that was spinning around in his head. It was all he could think about and now Dean was going to regret coming back to Hogwarts-
"I love you too." Dean smiles, his free hand reaching out to cup Seamus' face, "I love you Seamus. Truly I do."
"As a friend?" Seamus asks uncertainly.
Dean laughs loudly, "You clueless idiot. No not as a friend."
Dean closes the space between them, letting Seamus keep hold of his hand with both of his own. He uses his free hand to tilt Seamus' head towards him, lifting his chin and looking into those bright blue eyes before pressing his lips against his.
Fred coughs, diverting his eyes across the room and catching Marlie already smiling at him. He smiles shyly at her, his cheeks burning red before looking down at his feet. George nudges him, making Fred scowl towards his twin. George tries to convince Fred to go over to Marlie but Fred declines furiously. He couldn't do that! It didn't matter how many feelings he had developed for her, she was still Zion's little sister.
"Alright you two! Break it up." Lee interrupts, stepping between Dean and Seamus who were starting to get a little too handsy in front of the crowds.
"Later." Dean smirks, squeezing Seamus' hand.
Seamus blushes and nods, unable to hide the smile from his face. He couldn't believe Dean was okay. He couldn't believe he got Dean back. He couldn't believe Dean felt the same. He felt like the luckiest man in the world to get to love Dean Thomas.
Marlie notices how Fred is avoiding her, it shouldn't hurt as much as it does. She was sort of used to people forgetting about her and acting as though she had no feelings of her own or something. She knew Phoenix was safe but she hadn't been able to speak to him. She only had Remus' word that everyone was okay. They all still treated her like a stupid little kid, she knows they don't want her diving head first into danger but even Teddy knew more about what was going on that she did and he couldn't even talk yet!
She relied on Fred to be honest with her, she relied on his as her friend and as Zions best friend but he wasn't coming anywhere near her. He just kept glancing over occasionally, even long after the Potterwatch broadcast was over. He stayed third wheeling with his brother and Lee, even though it was obvious that George wanted to shove his boyfriend against a wall and snog him.
Her chest feels awfully tight as she longs for Fred to just acknowledge her. She's pretty sure Zion will be shouting from the skies above if he was seeing the way Fred had switched up on her. Luna Lovegood sits besides Marlie smiling at her, Marlie rests her head on Lunas shoulder. Grateful that one of her very few friends was okay and safe once again. It had been terrifying not knowing where Luna was as well as Phoenix joining the death eaters and Dean being on the run. Everything was so unpredictable and all over the place, all of the time that it was difficult not to feel stressed all of the time.
She can feel her breathing in her ears, it's a weird feeling, sort of fuzzy and it reminds her of when she was younger. It reminds her of when she couldn't breathe in the forest but this time she isn't panicked, she's calm and ready for whatever is happening next. She is breathing in her nose but finds that it isn't reaching her lungs properly so she keeps trying except she just feels woozy.
"Marlie? Are you okay?" Luna asks with concern on her face, "Marlie?"
Fred laughs at the obvious unimpressed look on George's face, he and Lee had been dating officially for a few weeks now and George always wanted him to himself. What George failed to remember was the fact that Lee was Fred's best friend too and even though he didn't want to shag Lee, he still wanted to catch up with his friend when they'd been apart for awhile.
Lee loves winding his boyfriend up, so he's smiling too whilst holding George's hand. In moments like this, he is thankful to his old self for coming out as abruptly as he did because now he gets to have George Weasley. He hadn't seen George as anything but his friend until they'd had a heart to heart after the birth of Teddy Lupin. George told him he was pansexual, Lee had smiled grateful to be trusted but he hadn't known that George had been harbouring a secret crush on him since their fourth year. He thinks it's funny how things work out.
"Marlie?!" Lunas panicked voice rings out across the room, "Marlie? Please?!"
Fred is by her side in seconds, panic and guilt slapped across his face as he kneels besides her and starts shaking her limp body with his hand. Her lips are blue, her breathing short and laboured. Remus Lupin scoops her up in his arms, his face contoured in distress as he makes a quick decision.
It's reckless and dangerous, he is not supposed to be in the castle. He's part of the Order and he knows deep within his soul that he isn't going to make it far. If he can get Marlie to the infirmary, Madame Pomfrey can fix it. Nothing else matters but Marlie's survival. Fred Weasley is by his side, wand in hand and as they turn the corner, they hear footsteps behind them as Neville, Luna, George and Lee follow them. All armed and ready to fight if necessary.
Sirius inhales sharply at Harry's request, it was dangerous... suicidal. He was basically asking to be thrown in the deep end, it would not end well. Hogwarts had been taken over by death eaters, some of Voldemorts most loyal followers were in charge of teaching there.
"I believe the final horcrux is there." Hermione speaks up, swallowing thickly, "There's nowhere safer than Hogwarts.
Sirius' heart sinks as he looks toward his godson, he knows where the final horcrux is and he knows it's time. The Dark Lord can't keep living, he can't keep killing and tearing families apart but Sirius knows Harry won't be walking away from the war freely. He will be carried out, buried besides the gravestones of his parents and Sirius isn't ready to say goodbye just yet. He knows deep down he will never be ready for that. Goodbyes were never easy, but he had to let go eventually.
"Okay." Sirius agrees reluctantly, "But first we get back up."
Phoenix snuggles with naked with Theo in his bed, which had once belonged to Walburga and Orion. It didn't look like the bedroom of rich pure bloods though as Phoenix had turned it into a shrine of Gryffindor red and posters queer muggle singers. Since his Mother had made the potion a few days ago, Theo was back to full health and nothing but a sexy scar left over.
Phoenix was a little obsessed with his boyfriends new scar, he loved kissing it as he lowered his head to get to his favourite treat between Theo's legs and it made Theo squirm which was fucking adorable. Phoenix was falling hard for Theo, he loved him with his whole entire heart and he can't remember a time of ever loving anyone else this fiercely. Theo was his entire world.
He could see himself marrying him once the war was over. He would marry him and then fuck off to another country, far away from the misery and the reminders of England. They'd talked about it a lot, especially with the final battle right around the corner. Theo was more than willing to come along. He'd go anywhere his boyfriend wanted him to, as long as they got to be together- he didn't mind.
Theo loved Phoenix more than he ever thought possible. When he was growing up, his parents didn't much care for love and affection, he didn't know he was capable of it but Nix brought the softest version of himself out. It was like instinct, he just knew how to love and cherish Phoenix. He wanted Phoenix to know how loved he was. He didn't want him ever second guessing how much he was worth, especially not to Theo.
After their late night talks of the future, Theo had pulled Draco to one side and asked him for help. He was running out of time, they'd all be returning to Hogwarts in a few days and he wanted to go there, knowing his fiancé was waiting for him. It pained him really that he couldn't do it the perfect way, Phoenix deserved the entire world and as much as Theo wanted to express that- he had limited time and resources.
Draco had asked Hermione for help, her Transfiguration skills unmatched by any witch or wizard in their year. They chose to transfigure a teaspoon into a ring, grinning excitedly for their friends and their future. Part of Draco was expecting Phoenix to turn Theo down, he didn't doubt Phoenix loved Theo but he wasn't convinced that he didn't still have feelings left for Harry.
Draco loved his cousin but he also loved and cared for his best friend, he really wanted this to work out. He wouldn't admit to himself that there was another reason he wanted it to work between Theo and Phoenix. He'd never admit to himself that he was attracted to fucking Potter. That had become more and more apparent since they now shared a stupid secret, one that Draco was positive he should tell Phoenix about- and soon.
If he and Potter died in the war, who was around to tell Phoenix about his brothers child? Who was around to tell Sirius he was a Grandfather? Or Kate that she was a Grandmother? There was a missing child out there somewhere and Draco knew he'd have to tell Nix eventually.. or maybe Theo.
Theo gulps as he turns on his side and smiles nervously at Phoenix. He knows they're young, they're only eighteen but he wants forever with him. They're legally adults, so there's not a whole lot anyone can do..except for Phoenix who can definitely say no if he wants and Theo really hopes he doesn't want that.
"I'm so afraid Nix." Theo says, swallowing thickly, "But you..you make me feel like I can take on the world. You make me want to do better..be better and be brave.. I really..really love you."
Phoenix sits up, leaning on his arm and reaching out to stroke Theo's cheek with his thumb, "I love you too baby."
"I just... I still haven't forgiven myself for when we were younger and I..I.."
"Shhh." Phoenix soothes, pulling Theo into his chest and holding him there, "I forgave you along time ago. There's no need to bring that up ever again, yeah? We're happy aren't we? We don't need to bring up horrible shit from the past, it's all about now and tomorrow. Not yesterday."
Theo shudders as he breathes out,he pulls away, his eyes meeting Phoenixes and looses himself again to Nix's gentle reassuring kisses. They grow deeper and deeper, Nix scrambling into his boyfriend lap and kissing him like it'll be the very last time.
"Wait wait..love slow down a second." Theo rasps, resting his hand against Phoenixes chest.
"Can't go another round hmm?" Phoenix teases, kissing his nose, "What's up?"
Theo reaches over to the bedside table with a bit of struggle, his hand clamping over something as he removes it from the draw. He looks at Phoenix nervously, he suddenly wants to take it back. He feels sick. He's never been so nervous for anything in his life, that includes the orientation to join Voldemort and the pending final battle. This. This was the most nerve wrecking thing he'd ever felt.
"Theo?" Phoenix asks gently, his eyes soft with worry, "What's wrong?"
"N-nothing is wrong," Theo manages to say, stumbling over his words anxiously, "Well not yet anyway, though if you say no.. then I'll probably be a bit sad but as long as you don't dump me then it's all fine. All good and-"
"Breathe." Phoenix reminds him, gently squeezing the top of his thigh, "Say no to what?"
Theo closes his eyes, unclamps his hand and thrusts the ring towards Phoenix, his face burning bright red.
"Ow?"
He forces his eyes open, seeing Phoenix rubbing his eye as his waters down his cheek.
"What the fuck was that?" Phoenix asks, blindly looking around the bed.
Theo lifts Phoenix off of him, he quickly stumbles out of the bed and pulls his pants on. Phoenix is still looking around on all fours, shuffling the pillows around and tossing the duvet onto the floor as he hunts, his eyes still weeping from the impact of being hit. Theo reaches for the door handle, he opens it just for it to slam shut. He glances up and sees Phoenixes right hand on the door, Phoenix pressed against his back.
"Turn around." Phoenix demands lowly, his voice sending shivers down Theo's spine.
Theo gulps again, timidly turning around to face his boyfriend.
Phoenix laughs at him, "You're such a dick."
"I didn't mean to throw it in your eyeball."
"I figured that much out love." Phoenix grins, his eyes sparkling as he looks at Theo, "What did you try and blind me with?"
"I wasn't trying to blind you!" Theo pouts, closing his eyes when he feels himself flushing red again.
Phoenix snorts, "If you wanted me to marry you, you could have just asked?"
Theo peels his eyes open slowly, Phoenix is looking at him with a shit eating grin as he wiggles his left hand at Theo. On his ring finger is the silver band, Theo had almost blinded him with in his panic.
"So..you're..saying yes?" Theo breathes out, his heart hammering in his chest.
"Yes." Phoenix smiles, pinning Theo against the door with his body, "I can't wait to be your husband. Now come back to bed, I want to fuck my fiancé for the first time."
Theo smiles as Phoenix takes his hand and leads him back to bed, "Okay fiancé."
"I love that word. Fiancé." Phoenix beams, looking at his ring, "Fiancé. Fiancé. Now..take your pants off, Fiancé."
"Alright Fiancé." Theo snorts, diving on top of Phoenix once he's in the nude again, "I love you so much,Nix."
"I love you more."
Sirius blinks at his son then at Theo, his mouth hung open slightly as he tries to process the fact his son is engaged at eighteen. It takes a lot for Sirius to feel fucking old, but his child being engaged? Yeah... that'll do it. No one at the table reacts at first, everyone reeling in the shock as Phoenix just grins lovingly at Theo.
Draco is first on his feet, pulling them both into a hug, "Congratulations."
Kate is next, her eyes filled with tears as she reaches for her baby and holds him close, "Congratulations sweetheart. I'm so so happy for you. I am so happy that you're happy."
"Thanks Mum, I really am." He confirms, hugging her tightly and resting his head on her shoulder, "Love you."
"I love you too, baby." Kate whispers, kissing his cheek, "You best tell Marlie as soon as you can, you know she will want to help you plan this."
"We already decided she's head bridesmaid." Phoenix nods, "She can plan the whole damn thing if she wants."
Theo laughs, then sheepishly accepts a warm hug from Kate, "You best look after my baby or you'll have all of us to answer to."
"I promise." Theo nods, "I'll never let anything happen to him, Kate."
Hermione excitedly hugs Phoenix and then surprises everyone by hugging Theo, "I'm so happy for you both! It's about time we had some good news around here."
Sirius swallows, watching as Ron congratulates them and follows after Hermione like a lost puppy. He had missed out on so much time, he'd missed watching Phoenix grow up and now here he was, engaged and flushing every time he looked at his fiancé. He wouldn't miss out on this as well. He stands to his feet, his legs shaking a little as he stands in front of them with a forced smile.
"You've managed to make me feel so fucking old." He says, glancing between them both.
Phoenix snorts softly, "I don't know how to tell you this Dad, but you..sort of are really fucking old."
"Cheeky little shit." Sirius smirks, pulling Phoenix into a hug before the tears can fall, "Congratulations Nix."
"Are you crying?" He asks, pulling away from his Dad and catching his as he wipes away the tears.
"Just... really proud of you." Sirius smiles stiffly, turning to Theo, "I know you'll take care of him."
"Of course, Sirius." Theo nods, his voice full of promise.
"Thank you." Sirius smiles at him, wiping his eyes again, noticing Harry sat at the table still, "I'm err...I'm going to update Barty on the happy...news."
Harry hears the door close behind Sirius, he knows he is alone with Phoenix and Theo. He's oddly nervous as he pushes his chair out, coming face to face with the happy couple. He stares at them for a moment, they're both looking at each other for comfort and reassurance at whatever is about to happen. Phoenix fits besides Theo, like they were moulded for each other and whatever Harry expected to feel...he just doesn't.
He loved Phoenix. He always would, but the trust was gone and any relationship between them had been wrecked by immature and selfish decisions by both parties. He loves Phoenix enough to let him go. He won't stand here and declare something that is meaningless in the grand scheme of things. The war is just around the corner, Harry knows he will die and he will die knowing Phoenix is loved and being looked after.
"Congratulations." He says eventually, offering them both a tight smile.
Theo smiles back and nods gratefully, "Thanks..I'll leave you both to-"
"No." Phoenix says clutching to Theo's side, "There's nothing we need to talk about."
Harry hesitates, closing his eyes as he quickly makes his decision, "Actually..there's something you should know.. both of you."
"Oh?" Phoenix frowns, side eyeing Theo to ensure he had heard correctly, "and what is that?"
"It's about Zion." Harry whispers, "Um, just follow me.. it's easier if I show you."
Phoenix frowns, watching as Harry exits the kitchen. It's Theo who has to pull him along, following Harry into the drawing room as Phoenix is sort of dragged behind. He can't seem to get his legs to move, the second he heard Zions name it was like a slap. A reminder of the one person he didn't get to share his news with.
Regulus would return eventually and Phoenix would blurt it out, receive a lecture about being irresponsible before ultimately being given a hug and a sharp congratulations. Phoenix didn't doubt that Regulus would be returning, unlike Sirius. But Zion had approved of Harry when Phoenix died for a minute, when he was in the halfway Zion had all but yelled at him about his feelings for Potter and yet Phoenix was engaged to someone else, he didn't know if Zion would approve.
He would never know how his brother would react. Probably a lot like Regulus. He'd probably lecture him for getting engaged so young, call him stupid and he definitely wouldn't give them any warm words. He might have acknowledged his fiancé with a dirty look and a nice threat, but he wouldn't show his enthusiasm for the nuptials.. not when Phoenix was eighteen.
"So erm.. when you look at the family tree.."Harry says nervously, pointing at the lines, "These gold ones connect the heirs to their fathers, so here you have Orion gold with Sirius but black with Regulus. Sirius was gold with Zion, but then he died and usually, it would turn gold to you..except..Zion had an heir."
"You what?!" Phoenix blinks in disbelief, dropping his fiancés hand to look at the tapestry closer, "Who is that?"
"The gold line descends from Zion.."
"Shit." Phoenix breathes out, staring at the blurred image and smudged name, "Fuck."
"What does it mean when it's blurred?" Theo asks with a soft frown.
"A protective spell.." Harry mumbles, "Somebody tinkered with the tapestry to keep it hidden."
Phoenix gets on his knees, his shaking hand stroking over the blurred face of the missing heir. Theo and Harry both glance nervously at each other as Phoenix mutters to himself, cursing up at the sky at his reckless irresponsible older brother.
"Three fucking girlfriends at one time... that random girl from Beaubaxtons,. Selene..I mean honestly Zion, what the fuck?" He whispers heatedly, rolling his eyes, "Now I'm guessing you're wanting to me to find your fucking son and what? Raise him myself? I am not equipped for children you dumb fucking cunt."
Harry exhales sharply, "The random girl from Beaubaxtons? What was her name?"
"What the hell makes you think I'd remember? Zion had his throat down a different girls throat every week at one point!" Phoenix exclaims sharply, "Absolute whore."
"I don't think we're supposed to slut shame the dead.." Theo whispers under his breath.
Phoenix bursts out laughing, standing to his feet and shaking his head, "Fucking hell."
"I think you should find the heir." Harry says quietly, "Instead of coming to the final battle, you should go and find your niece or nephew."
Phoenix exhales sharply and laughs bitterly as he narrows his eyes at Harry, "So that's why you told me. You don't want me at in the middle of a battlefield!" He scoffs in annoyance, letting Theo grab his arm to hold him back, "Well, unfortunately for you..I'm going there because my little sister is there. I haven't seen her in months and I won't let her die before I tell her I'm getting married, so the heir will have to wait until Voldemort is fucking dead. Wherever he is..is safer than where we are right now."
"He?" Harry asks quietly, "How do you know it's a he?"
Phoenix looks toward Harry as if he's stupid, "He's an heir. The tapestry is traditional pureblood magic. Females are not heirs."
"Oh."
"You'd have thought you'd learnt something in all the years you've been a fucking wizard but apparently you're still dense."
Theo tugs his fiancé back again, "Nix-"
"Come on." Phoenix says, taking Theo's hand and pulling him out of the drawing room, "Let's go to bed."
Harry closes his eyes with frustration, his plan to get Phoenix to safety had failed. He should have known Phoenix wouldn't leave Marlie behind. For some reason he thought the living connection to his big brother would be enough, but it wasn't. Phoenix and Theo were two more people that were risking their lives by taking part in the battle, it was two more people Harry had to ensure survived. They needed to marry and live happily ever after, Harry had to find another way to get them out of it and quick.
"FUCKING REGULUS!" Phoenix yells as it finally clicks in his head.
Theo blinks at him on the stairs as several people come out of their rooms in an expectant hurry. Sirius is half way down the stairs, his eyes staring at his son bewildered. Phoenix turns and sees Harry by the door of the drawing room, he knows he can't keep quiet about this. There's no knowing who was going to die in the war and someone would have to find Zions son.
Phoenix clears his throat, his eyes flickering between his Dad on the stairs and his Mum at the top of them.
"Did you say Regulus?" Sirius asks, half hoping that his little brother had shown up.
"Sorry.." Phoenix frowns, "He's not here."
"What did you yell his name for then?"Sirius frowns, feeling his heart break a little.
"Because he did something to the tapestry in the drawing room to hide the identity of Zions son."
Sirius blinks at him, "He.. what?"
"Zion has a son." Phoenix repeats slowly, "Uncle Reggie hid it from us."
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A/N: heyyy how y'all doing? So I moved house AGAIN. I am so fed up of moving so istg this better be this last time. This update is just over 6k works not including this author note at the end. It's been that long since I updated I'd be surprised if the OGs remember anything at this point.
Since the very beginning I said Zion is Sirius 2.0 he's still dead tho sorry xxxxx
Also Theo throwing the engagement at Phoenixes head is me af 😂 but my babies are engaged ❤️ and no idc if you prefer Nix and Harry I just love Theo and Phoenix too much!!!
Toying with the idea of Drarry rn but we will see I'm having to rewrite so
And Marlie 😐 she's gonna be fine we just got to scare Fred into action a bit before the battle hehe
This chapter is spread over a few days so Marlie is being rushed to the hospital wing on the day of the battle!! Then it goes back in time a little bit for the rest 😭it's more clear in the next chapter, going to have that out next Saturday. Aiming to post each week as there's only a few chapters left now👀❤️
Thank you as always for the love and support on this fic! 400k reads is crazy 🤯 this genuinely started as a pic of a comedic fic and then it just got dark but yeah idk what happened lots of love bye❤️