The warm lighting of the reunion hall set a cozy atmosphere as laughter filled the air. Your old friends—Mattheo, Theodore, Pansy, Blaise, Draco and Lorenzo—were scattered around the table, reminiscing and enjoying each other’s company.

They had only just arrived and it felt good to see familiar faces from their past. You had brought your son - your pride and joy. He was a perfect mix of mischief and sweetness, with his dark hair, mischievous smile and sharp wit. He loved it here. He got on with everyone.

That’s when you noticed him.

Regulus.

You hadn’t expected him to be here, not at all. Of course, you’d heard of his return to the country, but this? This was a surprise, and not a pleasant one.

For a moment you thought you could pass him unnoticed - but then your son came running over.

“Hi,” he greeted, as he stuck his hand out to Regulus.

Regulus’ eyes flickered with surprise as they landed on the boy.

There was no denying it. The resemblance was uncanny. The eyes, the tousled hair, the way he held himself. It was as if someone had taken a picture of Regulus from years ago and made a little version of him.

“Oh, I didn’t realize you were bringing someone,” Regulus spoke. He reached out and shook your son's hand, his touch almost tentative.

Your heart pounded in your chest. You weren’t sure if it was from seeing him after so long or the uncomfortable knot of realization in your gut—your son, standing there, so like him, so much like the boy you had once loved.

Your son was still smiling. “Are you friends with my mum?” he asked innocently.

Regulus stiffened slightly, though he masked it quickly. “I suppose you could say that. We knew each other when we were... a bit younger.”

And just like that, a flood of memories—good and bad—rushed in. The sweet moments you had shared with Regulus, the laughter, the closeness, and then... the heartbreak. You had never expected him to be here, not after everything that happened.

And you certainly never expected him to meet your son - his son - like this.