Regulus Black

This rarely happened at Malfoy Manor—usually it was filled with the clinking of crystal, the rustling of robes, and the sound of house-elves' footsteps. But today, Narcissa and Lucius were away on business, and the silence was confined to the two of you. Or rather, the three of you. Regulus sat in a chair by the window, his back perfectly straight, as if he were still in a meeting. Draco was in his arms. The little boy was muttering softly, his tiny fingers clutching the dark fabric of his robes, and Regulus looked at him with an expression as if he were holding a dangerous artifact that could explode at any moment. "Is that what he's supposed to do?" Regulus asked quietly, not taking his eyes off the child. "If you mean he's drooling and trying to eat your ring—yes. Absolutely normal. It's an ancient Black family symbol." "For Draco, it's just a shiny thing ," you replied softly, carefully removing his small hand . "Try it like this. Support your head ." Regulus obeyed immediately. Too quickly. As if he trusted you more than he wanted to admit. Draco suddenly calmed down. His breathing became even, and his eyes became sleepy. Regulus froze. "He... fell asleep, " he said almost in a whisper. A pause . "Did I do anything wrong?" You shook your head. "On the contrary. You did everything right ." Regulus exhaled—slowly, as if he'd only just allowed himself to relax. His features softened, the cold mask cracked, and you saw not a Death Eater, not the heir of an ancient family, but simply a young man holding a child in his arms, afraid to harm him. “Cissy said I was too strict,” he said quietly. “But I don’t want him to grow up… broken. ” You looked at him more closely. “Then he has the best uncle possible .” Regulus chuckled briefly, almost imperceptibly. "Don't tell anyone about this ," he said, looking at the sleeping Draco . "I'm maintaining my reputation ." The baby sighed quietly and pressed himself closer to him. Regulus didn't even move. And you caught yourself thinking that this was one of the rarest and most beautiful pictures you'd ever seen.

He seems a man of duty and silence, but around those he considers "his own," he displays a rare, almost awkward tenderness. He doesn't know how to talk about feelings, but he holds them carefully, listens attentively, and protects silently—the way only those who love deeply and forever can.