[HPforGrownups] What if Regulus is ALIVE? (LONG)

[Magpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 161974

Julie:
> But what if Regulus is alive? Regulus, brother of Sirius, who  went
> to Hogwarts during the same period as Snape, a  DE during the
> same time as Snape, perhaps friendly with Snape. Regulus, who,
> if he was hidden so well by Dumbledore that his "death" became
> fact, probably approached Dumbledore via Snape. And if Snape
> was involved in hiding Regulus, it's certainly possible they've
> remained in some sort of contact over the years. And possible
> that they've exchanged personal information, from their Hogwarts
> days right through HBP.

<snip>

> But Regulus...he's the brother of Harry's godfather, Sirius. Harry
> would feel an immediate kinship with him. And once Harry  finds
> out that Regulus defied Voldemort (RAB, you know), that will
> only reinforce Harry's trust in Regulus. Whatever type of  personality
> Regulus has, it's likely he's suffered a great deal less emotional
> damage from his enforced isolation in hiding than Sirius did from
> his incarceration in Azkaban. And it may be that Regulus was a
> less edgy and impetuous person than Sirius from the beginning,
> allowing him to gain some wisdom from his ordeal. All of which
> would allow him to be supportive of Harry in a way poor Sirius
> could never really be.
>
> In any case, I would love to see Regulus become Harry's mentor
> and friend, a father-figure that Harry can truly rely on as he moves
> toward his final confrontation with Voldemort. And as Harry learns
> to trust and love Regulus as friend and mentor, that could only
> help him learn to accept whatever Snape's true motives and role
> in Harry's life has been.


Magpie:
My two problems with this idea--besides that I think JKR meant Regulus was 
dead when she said he was dead these days--is that first, if Dumbledore hid 
Regulus why did he drink a pot full of poison to retrieve the worthless 
locket?  Dumbledore should already have that Horcrux by now if he was 
working with Regulus (I know some believe RAB is someone else, but since 
you're making him RAB here I could just assume it).

Second, in terms of an adult mentor, I think Harry's has/had plenty and 
definitely doesn't need a new one as he reaches adulthood.  Especially in 
this case we would be talking about creating a whole new character to 
replace Sirius, whom Harry was fine without in HBP. I think he's just got 
far too much to wrap up to start having a relationship with a stranger.  He 
had three books to get to know Sirius and still only managed a few scenes 
with him.  And at the moment Harry wouldn't exactly be poised to be close to 
Regulus because he's Sirius' brother since Sirius himself wasn't exactly 
complimentary about him.  Also, I think Regulus' sacifice is a bit blunted 
if we find out he never really died.

-m