Remus leaned over, giving Sirius an exaggerated, impressed look. "Wow, that's your father? I mean… well, he's, uh… he's handsome."
Sirius chuckled, watching his father walk away. "Yeah, well, I never expected to see him here looking like that," he admitted. Then he turned to Lucius with a raised eyebrow. "By the way, Malfoy, what's all this about? I didn't know our fathers were close… or that you knew mine so well."
Lucius, usually so composed, seemed taken aback. "I didn't either, Black," he replied smoothly, though his voice held a hint of surprise.
James grinned, stepping in with a mischievous look. "Heard you're engaged to Narcissa Black. Congratulations on that, Heir Malfoy."
Lucius grimaced, shooting James a death glare. "You're trying to get me killed, Potter?"
"Oh, don't worry, you won't" James teased, throwing a mock-friendly arm around Lucius. "If I were you, and I'll treat her well."
Sirius and Regulus exchanged glances, their eyes narrowing protectively. Sirius, with his usual devil-may-care attitude, now wore a fierce look. Meanwhile, Regulus, normally calm and refined, also had an unmistakable edge to his gaze. Together, they had the unmistakable look of two brothers who would defend their family, especially their cousin, no matter what.
"Wait," Sirius asked, his tone slightly accusatory, "How come I never knew about this?"
"Actually, I didn't either," Regulus chimed in, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he joined his brother in closing in on Lucius. The two brothers seemed united in a sudden, protective front, with Sirius looking a bit more dangerous and Regulus coolly calculating.
Lucius held up a hand, attempting to calm them. "It's not official yet," he said carefully, trying not to let on just how cornered he felt by the two Black brothers.
In the background, James was grinning ear to ear, clearly enjoying watching Lucius being "interrogated" by Sirius and Regulus. "So, this is why you went up to talk to him," Remus said, smirking at James.
James shrugged innocently. "Someone's got to get back at Malfoy for all those stunts he's pulled on us."
Remus raised an eyebrow, noticing how engaged James was in stirring up trouble. He glanced around, noticing that Peter had wandered off and James had drifted over to chat with Lily, grinning ear to ear. "Great," Remus muttered to himself, shaking his head with a smile. He headed toward the dorm, leaving Sirius and Regulus to continue their protective questioning of Lucius.
Orion and Abarax stood before Dumbledore as if nothing had changed since their school days. Abarax, as smooth and charming as ever, flashed a practiced smile.
"Well, Professor," Abarax began, "I think we can handle the tour ourselves. It'll be a bit more discreet, and, as you know, we aren't exactly strangers to Hogwarts."
Dumbledore chuckled, amusement glinting in his eyes. "When Abarax Malfoy sets his mind on something, there's no stopping that silver tongue. Go on, then."
Orion inclined his head respectfully. "It was good seeing you again, High Wizard." With that, he and Abarax made their way down the corridor, leaving Dumbledore to mutter to himself as he watched a passing first-year stare after them with awe.
*******
"So what's all this sudden fuss about an inspection?" Abarax drawled, tone lazy but sharp beneath the surface. "You never cared about being on the Council. Why the sudden interest, Orion?"
Orion didn't slow his stride as the two moved silently through Hogwarts' dimly lit corridors—hidden enough not to attract attention, but visible enough to look like they belonged there.
"Let's just say," he replied coolly, "it's more of a personal interest."
Abarax raised a brow. "Personal interest. Right." His voice echoed with suspicion and irritation. "Are you truly not going to tell me what this is actually about?"
They turned the corner, moonlight spilling through a tall window, and Orion finally spoke—quiet, almost reluctant.
"Abarax… do you remember the room? Near the Astronomy Tower?"
The question hit like a spell.
Abarax froze.
His voice, normally slick with sarcasm, softened into something dangerously close to longing."You mean that room?"
Orion nodded once. "Yes. That room."
Abarax's expression hardened again as he resumed walking. "What exactly are you planning, Black?" His tone was sharp—accusing, defensive.
Orion inhaled slowly, gaze fixed ahead. "I spent years—years—chasing clues with you. Following dead ends. False hope." His voice deepened, controlled but threaded with something raw."And while it destroyed me, you moved on. I didn't."
Abarax's jaw twitched, eyes glimmering with something unspoken.
"I tried to move on," he murmured. "I focused on my son—the only reminder I have of her—and tried to build something that didn't hurt." He laughed once, hollow."So tell me, Orion… why do you insist on dragging me back?"
Orion stopped at the base of the Astronomy Tower stairs, turning to face him.
"Because I don't stop." His voice was low, unwavering. "And because this time I found something. Something real. Why do you think I look healthier than I have in years?"
Abarax stared at him for a long moment, then exhaled.
"Still dramatic as ever."
By the time they reached the highest landing of the tower, both men were quiet—focused.
Abarax looked at the staircase behind them and muttered, "Still can't believe we climbed these cursed stairs every morning to study stars. Utter insanity."
Orion ignored the commentary and sliced his fingertip with practiced precision, pressing bloody skin to stone. Slowly, he drew a symbol—a shape resembling the outline of a concealed door.
He extended the blade toward Abarax.
"We need your blood as well."
Abarax scoffed. "Of course we do." With a swift motion, he mirrored the gesture, drawing a doorknob where Orion's shape ended."I'll give you this," he smirked, "you really were a brilliant bastard."
Orion's mouth pulled into the faintest smirk."I'm aware."
"Arrogant narcissist."
"Sarcastic menace."
The air shifted.
Magic surged—ancient, hungry, familiar. Abrax instinctively lifted a shielding charm, cloaking their presence from Hogwarts' ever-watchful wards.
The wall shuddered, stone rippling like water, and a door materialized—solid, real, waiting.
Together, they opened it and stepped inside. The moment the door closed behind them, it vanished—leaving no trace.
Inside was a room—warm, breathtaking, and untouched by time.
A place neither of them had seen since before everything went wrong.
Abrax swallowed.
Orion's voice was quiet. Controlled.Deadly.
"This time, Abrax… I'm not leaving without answers."