A/N: Hey guys! Hope you enjoy this next chapter! It was lots of fun writing. Please R&R

Disclaimer: J.K Rowling's book, characters, etc. have never and will never belong to me. The plot is my own, however

Chapter Two: Graduation, etc.

Reg shivered. There had been an article in the newspaper that morning about the Dark Lord, and how his power was growing. Some seemed to think that even Dumbledore couldn't stop him.

…In a press conference this morning, the minister has confirmed that the rise of a certain dark wizard, You-Know-Who is getting stronger and more fast paced. The minister insists that everything is under control and that there is no reason for anyone to fear. However, he suggests that you don't wander too far from home and that you stay with someone else, preferably a pure-blood, at all times. Outside of the ministry, things are different. There is no false sense of control and many families are calling for the resignation of the minister in favor of Albus Dumbledore, headmaster at Hogwarts. "In previous cases, the ministry has been able to control the rise of dark wizards. The power that You-Know-Who is gaining is merely because of a lack of a strong government" argues Augusta Longbottom. "The necessity of a new minister is quite obvious," stated Fabian Prewett. "If the minister doesn't stop pretending that nothing is happening, kids will start joining the ranks of Voldemort, and then nothing will stop him."

Too late, thought Reg. He recalled a particular hilarious article he read, by Rita Skeeter.

…it is suggested that You-Know-Who is an evil, cold-hearted wizard with no more sense of compassion than Merlin's earwax. After much research, your lovely, evanescent reporter has come to the conclusion that this is not true. You-Know-Who is merely suffering from depression. This pureblood wizard (his pureness was confirmed by one of his followers whom I had the privilege of talking with) lives in a world surrounded by irrelevant muggles, muggle-lovers and half-breeds with little pure magical blood. You-Know-Who is merely depressed over the lack of pure blood nowadays and is merely trying to get rid of the vile mudbloods and mudblood offspring. In fact, it has been suggested that You-Know-Who is a caring, kind-hearted wizard….

HA! thought Reg. As if! Everyone signing up to be a Death Eater knows that they're expected to kill a couple mudbloods for fun. That's why mum loves Voldy so much.

Then Reg remembered why he had woken up so early that morning. IT WAS GRADUATION DAY! Reg sighed. "Lumos." The Slytherin common room was so deep under the lake that it was impossible for any light to come through. As a result, Reg's dormitory was dark with glowing green walls except for when a fire was lit. Reg set his wand on his clothes chest as he attempted to look nice in his emerald green and silver dress robes. It was a Hogwarts tradition for the seventh years to graduate in all the school colors but it was a Slytherin tradition to ignore the school tradition and dress in Slytherin colors. Reg glanced in the mirror and was happy to see that for once, he was as handsome as Sirius. I wonder if Sirius is coming. I hope he does, even if we don't get along anymore.

Reg made his way to Severus' room. He pushed the door open only to see Snape quickly hide something under the pillow. His curiosity overcame him and he summoned the object. "Accio." With his seeker reflexes, Reg easily caught it. He gasped as he saw the beauty of the girl in the frame. It was the redheaded mudblood Snape used to hang out with. There was a small heart next to her name – Lily.

Reg looked at Snape whose shallow breathing gave his true feelings away, along with the heart. Reg's eyes were sad as he looked at the man in front of him. Scorned by his one love, and doomed to fight against her in the war. Snape seemed to acknowledge Reg's pity and said, in a raspy voice, "Don't tell anyone. I don't want her in trouble." "Yeah," was all Reg could say. "And don't you try anything either," added Snape fiercely, "I'll protect her with my life if I have to!" Reg merely nodded and left, but not before saying "You should have been in Gryffindor, Sev…and that's not an insult. You deserve her….by the way, graduation's in about ten minutes. I'll wait for you outside, 'kay?"

And so, the two noble Slytherins, with hearts too large for their house, walked down to the Great Hall together, as friends. So cliché thought Reg. His amusement quickly disappeared as he saw his mother, Wazhilda, sitting quite stiffly in the front row with her knees crossed and her hands so tightly clasped that their veins showed. Reg quickly looked around for the source of her irritation. And there, in the back row, was Sirius…with Andromeda. No wonder she's…well, irritated doesn't really cover it… the two people she most despises, besides mudblood lovers like Dumbledore, are here.

Sirius, ignoring his mother, was talking animatedly to Andromeda. Wazhilda sniffed and then began talking to Bellatrix, Lucius, and Narcissa who were sitting next to her. Wazhilda turned around every so often to glower at Sirius and Andromeda (who is Bella's sister). Bella and Narcissa also seemed to be resisting an urge to curse their muggle-loving sister, senseless.

Then, they all straightened as the graduation ceremony began. Dumbledore made a very flowery but amusing speech and then Professor McGonagall began to call names, just like it had been in the Sorting all those years ago. First to be called was Avery. He went up to the stage, made a short speech, shook hands (reluctantly) with Dumbledore, received his diploma and sat down, after lots of clapping. Several more students were called and then it was Reg's turn.

"Black, Regulas." Read Dumbledore from the scroll. Reg strode up, as confidently as possible, to the podium. "Good afternoon. I am Regulas Orion Black." Shoot! I forgot my speech! aaaaaaaaaah…stage fright……aaaaaaaahhh……..IMPROV TIME! "My Hogwarts experience has been a pleasure. I have made many important purebloodfriends and have learned a lot. This school experience has taught me that blood statusand wealthare what matters most in life. In the future, I hope to make many more pureblood friends and hope to support the cleansing of wizard blood." Yay! That wasn't that bad…I hope.

Regulas could here the falsity in his voice as he spoke his speech and lied to himself but knew it was what would please his mother and the death eaters in the vicinity. He hoped that Sirius would recognize the falsity in Reg's voice. I'm really not that bad of a person. Blood status and wealth aren't actually the most important things. It's more friends and love but that sounds so cheesy besides, mum would kill me if I said that.

There was a burst of applause from the audience, especially from the pureblood crowd and Reg walked up to shake hands with Dumbledore. Dumbledore, again, looked at Reg with his x-ray eyes and seemed to recognize the falsity of his speech. Dumbledore sighed sadly and shook hands with the reluctant and unnerved Reg. The Reg received his diploma from Professor Slughorn, head of Slytherin house, and sat down next to Avery.

Many more students were called up – some Reg's friends, some not – until it was Snape's turn. Reg sat in ready anticipation. Snape coughed and looked around. None of his family was there. Reg watched him and interpreted this motion; feeling even more pity and sorry, Reg smiled encouragingly at Severus. Sev smiled back—a half smile. He wasn't sad because his family wasn't present, in fact, he was glad they weren't here to see; it was more because Lily wasn't here watching him. He sighed and began his speech and Regulas listened intently. Bella, meanwhile, glared. (It had taken her ten days to get his dandruff out of her hair)

"Hogwarts has been my home since they day I got on the train to come to school. In fact, even before I got my letter, Hogwarts was my home; I dreamed about it, anticipated it, and could not wait to go…and to leave my house. At Hogwarts, I have made some amazing friends; some whom I have lost, some whom I still keep. My school experience has been my life and it is with great sorrow that I leave my home. In the future, my dream is to be a teacher here, so that I can once again return home….thank you."

Many eyes were glistening after this speech. It wasn't so much the words as much as the soulful way he said it; his black eyes were full of emotion and even though Sev wasn't even close to being the handsomest guy ever, he looked truly special as he spoke. Wazhilda and Bella were the only ones not clapping. They coughed and looked away (he's a half-blood, duh) although Reg swore he saw a stray tear traveling down Wazhilda' cheek. Reg smiled at Sev as he applauded. Sev was such a good friend/guy who really didn't deserve what he got in life. Reg watched through Sev's handshake with Dumbledore (who seemed touched beyond words) and Sev's diploma before tuning out for the rest of graduation.

Suddenly, all eyes focused on Dumbledore, who stood up. Apparently the ceremony's over. The purebloods glared at the blood traitor. "A few words before I dismiss you seventh years and your families to the Hogwarts feast for the last time." (Insert audible sniffs here) "It has been absolutely spiffing having you at Hogwarts and I can't wait until your little munchkins make it here as well. Have fun!" Reg choked with amusement (and slight confusion—he wasn't even considering having kids) at those words. Trust Dumbledore to add humor in the last moments of Hogwarts. Everyone else in the hall, however, looked appalled so Reg made his laugh into a cough. "Let the feast begin!"

A/N: Sorry it wasn't that much longer than the last chapter. Will improve. You likey? Please R&R to let me know. I've decided to add Voldemort later on coz the plot is taking a bit longer to develop than I thought. Will update quickly. I know Reg seems like a suck-up and all but that is how I explained his character. He knows what is right, in his heart, (so cliché) but he also wants to be accepted by his family and friends. He ends up being a heartfelt but sometimes sarcastic character. Let me know what you think! Should Reg be different? What about Bella and the others?! R&R