Neville lost his toad.

Again.

For the 48th time.

It wasn't even half-way through the first school year.

But he was sure he heard croaking coming from the second floor near the west corridor as he saw the slightly open door, belonging to a certain potion's classroom.

Neville looked though the opening and saw the bubbling of neon pink liquid and jars of fish eyes, licorice, chicken feathers and frog legs before he saw Trevor surrounded by, in Nevilles horror, dead toads.

"Now then, for the fresh toads," Professor Black said before grabbing Trevor, "Well that's strange, your alive," Professor Black said as he held up Trevor in his hands who croaked in reply.

"Well, guess it's time for you to die," Professor Black said.

"Nooo," Neville screamed out, running for Trevor much to Professor Blacks surprise and Nevilles as well.

"Ah, Mister Longbottom, pleasure to see you come in. Do you know this toad?"

"Well yes, his my toad sir. His names Trevor and he tends to disappear sometimes. Although I do find him eventually," Neville mumbled out in embarrassment as his ears reddened.

"Mr. Longbottom, could it be that Trevor does not have proper sleeping quarters?," Professor Black questioned.

"Um I-I'm not sure?" Neville stuttered in confusion.

"Well Mr. Longbottom, common toads, such as Trevor, like moist locations with around twelve hours of light a day as well a place of warmth when temperatures are to cold." Professor Black informed.

"Twelve hours? But how would I get him to stay in a sunny spot?" Neville asked, he could probably take Trevor outside he supposed. Or maybe leaving him near the window?

"Try using a heating charmed a flat rock. It would keep him still for the night. Maybe then you can try a light for him?" Professor Black advised, "Now you should start heading off, I don't want to be reason for your tardiness to your classes."

"Oh, yes, okay, thank you." Neville said before hurrying off to his Tranfiguation's class.

"Maybe I should start a lesson on memory potions soon?" Regulus questioned to himself seeing as Neville still left Trevor in his room which croaked in reply.

———
McGonagall has always known, that when it came to the Black family, there was always more then what meets the eye.

And the Black brothers were no exception.

In fact, she had never seen such a strained sibling relationship before her eyes as ways between Sirius and Regulus Black.

"Hello Minnie; already placed orders for the new Quidditch supplies yet?" Regulus asked as he floated 17 barrels of concentrated giggle water behind him.

She could still remember Regulus Black's trembling hands when he arrived at Hogwarts for his first year. The boy couldn't even look anyone in the eye let alone his brother who watched his every move.

"I already have the forms prepared, only problem is that I'm worried as to what broom to buy for Gryffindor's newest seeker although I'm worried that buying a newer model would become favoritism against the other teams, especially since Ravenclaws team ordered two new brooms for the new year as well." McGonagall replied.

"You could order him a Nimbus 2000, if money becomes a problem, I don't mind spending my own. It could be considered a generous donation to the team." Regulus offered leaving the transfiguration teacher surprised as his wand still held up 15 barrels of concentrated giggle water behind him.

She remembered that once the sorting hat was placed on the Young Black's head, even she could fill the anticipation in the other students heads. After Sirius Black's sorting into Gryffindor everyone wondered where the last Black would go; and it two minutes of silence and mild squirming before the old hat put him in Slytherin.

"Are you sure Regulus? Spending such an amount of money on someone who isn't even on the Slytherin team?" McGonagall asked shocked.

"It isn't much money to me, the Gryffindor team needs a proper seeker with a proper broom. The Gryffindor team has been practicing quite diligently might I add; although I don't see why there practicing at five in the morning on Sundays." He said still holding up 13 barrels of concentrated giggle water behind him.

As to for filling his family legacy, Regulus did everything he could to prove himself, excelling in everything given to him with flying colors. But it was clear to all the teachers, that this boy was quite alone.

"And I could have sworn you were no better at there age; but if they win the Quidditch cup then you would have to wear red which I can still remember you clearly hating it. You kept saying it made you look like a tomato.

"Don't be ridiculous I look great in every color," Regulus said jokingly, "Except orange, I don't look good in orange, or pastel colors either, but then again no man over 25 should be wearing pastel. I'm okay with pink though, nothings ruined pink for me yet." He then added making sure to keep his concentration on the 11 barrels of concentrated giggle water behind him.

As happy as she is to know that the once lonely boy now lives with a purpose, it's strange; even after so many years, to see one brother now have the freedom the other used for freely.

———
Draco got the invitation during lunch for tea with Professor Black on a Thursday afternoon.

At first, Draco had no intention of wasting his time with tea. But then again, this was his professor that was offering; and not just that, but the Lord Of The Most Ancient And Most Noble House Of Black, the most powerful and wealthiest family in all of Europe.

So here he was going for tea.

The only thing Draco knew for certain about the Lord of Black was that he was dangerously smart.

He did his research and so far, more then half of the potions they've learn in class were of Professor Black's own creation carefully crafted to fit into are curriculum to excel in the needed potions.

This, as well as the fact that, to the Lords of Black's name, over two hundred and fifty potions have been made.

Taking that with the fact that he owns potion's shops as far as Spain and political power in five magical governments so what ever the hell Dumbledore has on him is beyond Draco's knowledge.

Although his mother said that the Lord of Black would not harm him; his father made it clear not to anger the Lord of Black because not even the Malfoy fortune would be able to protect him from the his wrath.

"Mister Malfoy; do take a seat." Professor Black said the moment Draco stepped into his room.

"Professor. Is there something you wish to speak to me about?" Draco said sitting on the comfy wooden chair, marveled by its every detail. It looked as if it was carved out of a tree by bowtruckles, and based on the matching set, it probably was.

"Well that depends. What do you want to talk about?" He asked offering tea from a floating carved teapot of a green jade which Draco accepted.

Draco went silent as he questioned what he could ask and decided, "Why have I never met you before?"

"Going into such a topic so quickly; you really are your mother's son to a fault but I'm afraid that would be a question best served for a later time, but what I can say is that I've always made sure to send gifts during the holidays, not to mention your mother and I have kept in touch about you often," Professor Black explained.

Now that it was said, he did remember getting gifts from a stranger on his birthdays and holidays by owl, always wrapped in elegant bronze and black paper with a bright green ribbon on top; his mother seemed to know who sent it even though he never saw a name.

She always had a smile on her face when she saw the gifts but he never knew why.

"Mother always said the gifts where from a grand emperor," Draco said sheepishly.

Professor Black gave off a pleasant laugh at the bit of information.

"Interesting; to know my rank improved; but Mister Malfoy, can I asked; what does a pureblood mean to you?"

"A Pureblood is someone who only has wizarding blood in there family. My father says that purebloods should have control over the wizarding world so that we can strive on tradition and make the perfect world." Draco said proudly puffing up his chest.

It must have been the wrong answer because Professor Black gave a stern disappointed look to Draco who had the awful sense that he was going to be severely punished.

"I suppose I'm going to have to be the bad guy and give a punishment. Next year the Slytherin team will be needing a new seeker and I've been looking forward in training one to fit the teams need," Professor Black offered which left Draco wide eyed.

"Why would you offer me something I want as a punishment?" Draco asked skeptically.

"Well think of it as an incentive to prove yourself and to quit on your path of foolishness. Bullying is only use by people of brutish nature," Profes- no Lord Black stated in a high manner. One Draco often heard his father used to make deals or show authority.

Draco stayed in thought for a moment, thinking of Lord Black's offer and it was clear to Lord Black as well, to see that Draco was contemplating his options.

"I could speak to Headmaster Dumbledore into letting you bring your own broom."

And that sealed the deal.

Extra

•I thought it would be cute to add these short stories to show of what others think of Regulus and as well as how he acts even without Harry or Snape around.

•You got to love Neville and Trevor development.

•Regulus is definitely one of those people that look at a large some of money and think it's not a lot.

•I hope someone noticed the barrels and that two people were definitely stealing them (Regulus ordered extra)

•baby boy Regulus needs a hug.

•The Black Family is powerful but Regulus only increased it.

•Draco is not the type of person to listen to a firm talk; his the kind that need to know there's something to gain and a more favorable way to win the respect and power he wants.

•Regulus can see that because he was the same way at Draco's age to.

•I like to also mention that Draco actually was a good seeker, he only ever lost to Harry because his ego got in the way.