Author's Note: Written for Ah, the memories by Rue-the-Marauder on the HPFC forum. Takes place between chapters 2 and 3 of "In Media Nocte." The title means "final end."
They're alone in their compartment on the Hogwarts Express, leaving school for the summer – or in Severus's case, for good. Regulus props his feet up on the seat across from him and leans his head against his lover's shoulder, feeling oddly detached from everything. They're still connected, as they've both taken the Mark now, but Regulus doubts if they'll see each other again. The Dark Lord isn't exactly known for his compassion.
"Do you ever wonder if it was a bad decision?" he whispers, staring at his left forearm. The Mark is hidden under his sleeve, but he can feel its burn.
"It was the only choice we had," says Severus. He's staring at the wall across from him, expression carefully indifferent.
Regulus knows the lack of emotion is feigned. "Are you all right?" He slips his hand into Severus's and squeezes gently.
Severus presses a kiss to his hair. "No," he admits. "I can't… can't imagine what it will be like to be… alone." His parents were killed only a few weeks ago, the Dark Lord's work. It's why Severus finally got Marked. "I didn't like them, but I didn't want them dead."
Regulus can hear the thought that follows as though Severus has spoken it. And if I hadn't joined the Death Eaters, he wouldn't have stopped there… Regulus took the Mark early to avoid just that fate.
"Severus," he says, and reaches up to turn the other boy's face for a real kiss, because it's probably the last time he'll ever get to kiss his lover.
They remain entangled for the rest of the ride, lost in each other as they try to forget what's coming. But it can't last. The train finally stops, and they disembark with the rest of the students, hiding their emotions once more.
Regulus stops before he reaches the barrier that leads into the station and looks at Severus. Last year they walked through it together, and Regulus got an earful from his mother about hanging around half-bloods. Seeming to understand, Severus nods to him and steps through first.
When Regulus comes to the other side, Severus has vanished. A shiver runs down his spine as he realizes that he just watched someone walk out of his life forever.