I snuck into the Hog's Head Inn to get food for the DA. Aberforth said that it would be there for us if we needed it.

I know no one enjoyed Aberfoth's cooking, but it was our only food source.

I walked into the Hog's Head Inn. I didn't see anyone. Aberforth must be asleep.

I heard footsteps. I turned around quickly, but I saw no one. I pulled out my wand.

Suddenly, a hand came to my mouth. Another hand grabbed my arm and pulled me behind the counter.

I tried to scream for help. Perhaps Aberforth would hear me, but my screams were muffled. I elbowed and kicked the stranger.

I looked at the stranger in the hood. "There are Death Eaters out there. Get the food for your friends. I'll distract them", the stranger said. It was a male voice.

"How do I know I can trust you? Who are you?" I asked.

The stranger took off his hood. I gasped in surprise. I recognized him from pictures I've seen.

"Do you know who I am?"

I nodded my head slowly. "Hi. It's nice to finally talk to you, Aurelia", he said.

"Hi...Uncle Regulus".

My Uncle smiled at me. "I don't understand. This isn't possible. You're...you're dead", I said.

"It's a long story, which I will explain. Right now, however, is not the right time", Regulus said. "Grab everything you need to help your friends. I'll hold them off".

Regulus ran outside with his wand in his hand. For a moment, I was stuck in shock. I shook the feeling away and grabbed the food for the DA.

The portrait opened. I jumped inside and closed the portrait. I stayed standing by the portrait, waiting for Regulus.

Regulus came into the secret tunnel, panting. "Those bloody Death Eaters are everywhere", he said.

"How are you alive?" I asked. "I assume you're in your 30s, but you look my age".

"I don't entirely understand it, but it was Dumbledore. It was also the Resurrection Stone. One of the Deathly Hallows", Regulus explained.

"You died before I was born. How do you know who I am?" I asked.

"When I was dead, I watched over you in the Afterlife", Regulus said. He smiled. "You were always covered in mud when you were younger".

If he has watched over me...then he knows I'm a werewolf.

"And you're not afraid of me? You don't even hate me?"

"No", Regulus said. "In fact, I have been making sure you're safe ever since I came back to life".

Regulus walked down the tunnel with me. He helped me carry the huge pot of food for the DA.

"If Dumbledore is the reason you're back, have you been alive since last year?" I asked.

"Yes. I was the one who made sure your friends found you after Greyback's attack", Regulus explained.

"You did? They didn't mention you".

"Well, I had to make sure I still kept my return to life a secret. I posed as a Death Eater and your friends followed me", Regulus said.

"Does Uncle Sirius know you're alive?"

"No, but I assume you'll be the one to tell him".

"Don't you think he should know? He's your brother. You could finally tell him how you really died", I said. "How did you die?"

"I'll explain that later. What is the deal with you and the Potter boy?"

"I'll explain later", I said to avoid answering that. Regulus smiled.

When we met up with Dumbledore's Army, everyone was in their sleeping bags.

"Sorry I took so long", I said to everyone. I climbed the latter. "I ran into a friendly guest. Everyone, this is my Uncle Regulus".

There were murmurs as everyone approached us. "How is this possible?" Ginny asked.

"It was Dumbledore. Before he died", I said. "Neville, send an owl to Sirius". I turned to Uncle Regulus. "Do you need anything? A change of clothes? Food? Perhaps water?"

"No, but thank you. I'll be quite alright", Regulus said.

"Alright, well, there's a hammock over there. You can stay with us tonight. We could really use some more help", I said.

"Thank you, but I won't be helping much. I must help with weakening Voldemort's power, but for now, my mission is making sure that you are okay".

"But I'm fine".

"Aurelia, this war has traumatized you and you're worried about your friend. At least let me be here with you", Regulus said.

"You don't have to do that".

"No, but I want to".

I didn't know how to respond to that. It felt...different having him here. After learning all I could about Uncle Regulus, he was just a fictional hero that I looked up to. Now, he's here.

--

I stood by the tunnel entrance, waiting for Sirius and Remus. They both finally arrived, looked worried.

"We got your owl. You said it was urgent. Are you alright? Did someone hurt you?" Sirius asked.

"No, I'm fine. If I explain, it is going to sound crazy, so...I-I should show you instead", I said.

I led Sirius and Remus to the corner of the room, where Regulus stared at the pictures on the mirror.

Regulus turned around to look at us. Sirius stopped moving. "Dumbledore brought him back with one of the Deathly  Hallows. Before he died", I explained.

I looked at Remus. "I think we should leave them", I said. Remus nodded in agreement. We walked away from Sirius and Regulus.

"How did you two meet?" Remus asked me.

"He fought a few Death Eaters so I could get away from them. He said he's been making sure I'm safe ever since he came back to life", I said. "I think he can be trusted".

"I know you want to trust him, Aurelia, but he was a Death Eater".

"I know he was a Death Eater, but if he was really evil, he wouldn't have led Luna, Ginny and Neville to me when I almost died from Greyback. There wouldn't have been an almost. Please, give him a chance, Remus. I feel like there's a part of his story that we don't know about".

Regulus and Sirius approached  Remus and I. Regulus explained to us how he died. How he replaced Slytherin's locket with a fake so slow Voldemort down. As he spoke, Sirius looked like he was on the verge of tears.

Regulus explained what Horcruxes were and how they were connected to Voldemort.

"Slytherin's locket is one of Voldemort's Horcruxes", Regulus explained.

"Is...Harry searching for Horcruxes? Is he going to destroy them?" I asked.

I had to know. I need to know. For months, I have been unsure where Harry is or what he's doing. I guess he's not exactly okay if he's on the run. If he got injured, Hermione is with him and Ron. I'm sure Ron is worried about his parents and siblings. He has been away from them for months.

"I believe he may be looking for the Horcruxes, but I'm not entirely sure", Regulus said. "Before you ask, I do not know where he and his friends are".

I looked down. I was wondering if Regulus has had any contact with Harry, Ron and Hermione. I guess not.

"I didn't do much of choosing the right side before I died, but I'm hoping to fix my mistakes", Regulus said.

I looked at Sirius and Remus. "I think he can be trusted", I said to Sirius.

"If Aurelia trusts him, I trust him", Remus said. I smiled gratefully at him.

Sirius sighed. He stared at Regulus for  a moment. Sirius looks at Remus and I. "I trust him too", Sirius said. He looks at Regulus. "Listen, Regulus...I um...I'm really...I should have..."

Regulus smiled. "You're forgiven, Old man", he said.

I walked away to grab blankets for Regulus's hammock. And to let Sirius and Regulus continue their brotherly moment.