Regulus was in his garden, planting his raspberry seeds next to the already grown plants, James was off with Sirius and Remus somewhere.

Lily was with Mary most likely, the latter having not parted from her side since the former found out she was pregnant with her child (mtf mary for the win).

Regulus could sense someone watching him, he lifted his head and looked over his shoulder but saw no one. He went back to planting his seeds but he still felt eyes on him.

He stood to his feet, looking around the garden, he saw nothing, he was sure he felt someone’s presence though.. Could it be...? No. No, Walkers were rare, and they made more noise.

As he began to walk closer to his fence he saw a glimpse of someone ducking behind the tree.

"Hello?" He called out, but got no response.

Regulus stood there for a few more moments, the watched feeling creeping over him again.

Once again he spotted movement from the corner of his eyes and when he turned he saw a boy standing behind the tree.

"Who-” He cut himself off as the stranger stepped out.

A child. A fucking child, with ripped clothes, glasses barely held together with tape.. Were they even the right prescription? Eyes that looked like they had seen horrors beyond Regulus' perception.

Regulus watched warily as this boy moved closer him, his heart pounded in his chest, he looked absolutely filthy, his clothes where ragged.

This was the perfect recipe, for walkers, and other creatures out there alike.

He looked.. Scared. It made his heart ache.

"Hey.. What's your name, bud?" *He asked in the softest and kindest tone he could muster, slowly walking over.

The boy flinched at the sound of Regulus' voice, taking a step back to put more distance between them, he was on high alert, body tensed like a cat ready to bolt.

Regulus stopped his approach and held his hand in a surrender motion.

"Hey, it's alright." He soothed, keeping his tone calm and gentle. "I'm not going to hurt you. I'm just trying to help.." He took a small step forward, slowly, and stopped again when the boy flinched.

Regulus was now less than ten feet away. He could jump. Grab the boy and run into the reserve.

"My name is Harry..." is what renders him still. "My momma and papa turned into monsters." and oh, how his heart breaks for this child.

He looks.. familiar. Like a copy of James, and Regulus sage green eyes, not like Lily's emerald ones, (as Mary and James made a point to emphasise.)

Regulus' heart dropped, and he felt a wave of sympathy wash over him. He took a few more steps closer, trying his best to look as nonthreatening as possible.

"Are you hurt, Harry?" he asked softly, his voice gentle.

Harry flinched again, taking another step back, fear still etched on his face.

"I-I don't know..." He managed to stammer out, his eyes darting around as if expecting something to jump out at any moment.

Regulus noticed the boy's glasses, hanging on by a thread, and the torn clothes he was in.

That was earlier today. Now, he was nearly asleep in James' arms, Harry in his lap, fixed glasses, better clothes and after a warm shower in a onesie, but Harry was shivering, still terrified and confused by everything that had happened. His body was tense, and his eyes were wide with fear.

Regulus could see the child needed comfort, but he also knew that he couldn't rush things. He needed to take his time and build trust with Harry.

James was gently running his fingers through the boy's damp hair, humming a soft tune, trying to soothe him to sleep.

Regulus was beside them on the couch, a cup of tea clutched between his fingers. His gaze kept drifting to the window, as if worried that something might attack them at any moment.

Regulus felt the weight of responsibility now that they had a child with them. He knew they needed to keep Harry safe.