Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter series, but surely I can wish.

Ebony Scales: OK. Well, I know that it might not have been such a good idea to start another story right now, but this one just won't seem to leave me alone. Please review and let me know what you think. I'm a bit stuck with the other story, Barbed Roses, but I'll get the next chapter to that one as soon as I can. Sorry for the wait.

His Regret

Chapter one: Hindsight

He ran faster than he believed he had ever accomplished before. He was running from more than just danger. It was difficult to wrap his mind around what had just happened. With the younger Malfoy running in front of him, he frantically made his way towards escape. The man heard Potter behind him, wildly casting hexes, trying desperately to delay their escape. He heard the curse thrown by a Death Eater, causing Potter to stumble. He continued running, now completely focused on getting to the end of the wards.

A jet of red light flew by the dark-haired man's head, testament to how quickly their pursuer recovered. He knew he had to get Draco to safety. He figured he could buy them time. After pushing Draco to get away, Snape swiftly turned to face the Potter boy. He saw rage etched into the gaze of the boy, an unbridled fury of hatred and disgust.

"Cruc–-" the boy started. Snape was startled. The boy couldn't be that stupid! Snape quickly interrupted the curse with one of his own. He was not sure if Potter could actually use the curse, but he wouldn't take his chances. The last thing he needed was for the child to become hooked on the power of the Unforgivables.

"Cruc–-" Potter tried again. Snape stopped the curse as he did before. He had to pound some sense into the brat before he got himself sent off to Azkaban and looked upon as the next dark lord, though Snape knew he would have to be careful with his words.

"No Unforgivable Curses from you, Potter!" he shouted, "You haven't got the nerve or the ability–"

"Incarc – " Potter started, but Snape stopped him. He wished he could get Potter to think objectively and ignore insults. Obviously, it was too much to hope for, though not unexpected.

"Fight back!" Potter screamed. "Fight back, you cowardly–"

"Coward, did you call me, Potter?" shouted Snape. "Your father would never attack me unless it was four on one, what would you call him, I wonder?" It was easy to see that the boy was getting frustrated but he had to keep up appearances.

"Stupe –" It was a sad attempt.

"Blocked again and again and again until you learn to keep your mouth shut and your mind closed, Potter!" A veiled warning for all the good it would do. He figured that no matter what, Potter could only see him as an enemy. There was no point in continuing his attempt at giving the boy a message. "Now come!" he shouted to the Death Eater behind Potter. 'Idiot boy. He'll get himself killed one day if he doesn't take better notice of his surroundings' he thought. Out loud, he continued.

"It is time to be gone, before the Ministry turns up–." He had to get out of here. Being seen by the Ministry would crush his chances of gaining back trust from the side of light. Not that he had much of a hope of that as it was.

"Impedi–." The spell was cut off with a painful scream. Snape turned back around to face the source of the wrenching noise. His heart was in his throat. That scream always brought horrors to the forefront of his mind, which wanted to fly into a panic.

"NO!" he roared. Snape quickly composed himself and searched for a way to explain his outburst. "Have you forgotten our orders? Potter belongs to the Dark Lord – we are to leave him! Go! Go!" That sent the three Death Eaters running for the gates. He saw Potter yell and stagger to his feet, coming closer to Snape. He could almost feel the rage radiating from the boy in waves.

"Sectum–!" Snape repelled this curse as well. He was losing his patience with this child. The next curse tried by the boy was not spoken. Snape's temper flared with hearing Potter try to silently cast his own creation. The Levicorpus curse.

"No, Potter!" He used a spell that sent the boy flying backwards. Snape advanced on the fallen boy, deciding to tell the boy off in his own way.

"You dare use my own spells against me, Potter? It was I who invented them – I, the Half-Blood Prince! And you'd turn my inventions on me, like your filthy father, would you? I don't think so…no!" Snape shot a hex at the boy's wand as its owner dived for it, causing the wand to fly back out of sight.

"Kill me then," Potter panted, "Kill me like you killed him, you coward–." The professor snapped.

"DON'T CALL ME COWARD!" he yelled. Snape knew he was losing control over himself and, therefore, the situation. If things continued as they were, he would be surprised if he didn't end up maiming the boy. Snape slashed his wand through the air, sending a painful hex at the Potter boy. It sent him back into the ground.

The beating of wings distracted Snape and soon Buckbeak came into view. The huge hippogriff flew at Snape and clawed at him. Snape, who preferred to keep his appendages intact, turned and ran towards the ward perimeters, Buckbeak screeching after him.

When Snape finally reached his destination, he quickly apparated away, one thought dominating his mind: These events would not be working to his benefit.

Ebony Scales: So, I would appreciate it if people would be so kind as to leave a review for this story. That's really all I have to say.