The Absence

Chapter 7

by The Conqueror Worm

"Having two identities for yourself is an example of a lack of integrity."

-Mark Zuckerberg

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At the ding of a bell, Severus looked up from where he was stocking rat eyes. Regulus Black strode in to the cramped, dimly-lit apothecary, looking as grim as ever in his dark gray robes. The color was incredibly flattering to Regulus's stormy eyes, but such things were not worthy of Snape's notice. The latter nodded at his friend before turning his attention back to the rat eyes. "Busy as ever, eh, Snape?" Regulus drawled, the cold amusement he felt toward working class people badly suppressed. Severus could hear the obnoxious snicker in his voice. What did Regulus know? Thanks to his parents, he'd never had to work and still had a few more years floating along on their sickle before he had to pick some high-end façade of a Ministry job that basically involved taking long lunches with other rich brats.

Regulus rolled his eyes when Snape made no move to answer. "Listen, Lucius is hosting a party for some of the close family and friends on Halloween night. Don't make plans, okay?" Snape quietly snorted at the idea of him ever being social enough to do so, but Regulus ignored him. "Lucius and Narcissa expect you to be there, and Draco has been asking after his Godfather, Cissy said."

Snape scoffed. "I already know, Regulus. Lucius is capable of sending an owl." Regulus narrowed his eyes at his tone. Even if Snape was a close friend, there was certainly no reason for a Half Blood to contradict a Pureblood. "You have a tendency to never receive such things. I can only assume that is the reason, as you've missed the last three gatherings your friends have held.

Severus sighed, abandoning the inventory he was supposed to be taking. "I have to work, Reg. I can't spend my days lounging around people's mansions. And anyways…" Here he felt his heartbeat quicken and he dared not look over at Regulus Black. "…There seems to have been an implication recently toward attending such things."

"For what?" Regulus snapped, but he was only feigning his defensiveness.

Severus turned to meet his eyes at last, black boring into gray. His expression was cross. "Will that man be there? That alleged Dark Lord?" When Regulus didn't reply, Snape's expression blackened considerably. "I told you I have no interest in it, Regulus."

Snape was not one for long speeches, and Regulus knew there was nothing more he could say to sway him. That didn't stop him from trying, though. "Is this what your life is going to be like, Snape? He waved his hands at the rat eyes and dung beetles. "Is this all you ever plan to amount to?"

Severus glowered at his friend's mocking sneer. "I've only just finished my apprenticeship under Melinda. I'll be an official Potion's Master soon enough."

Regulus snorted softly in disbelief. "You'd be better off teaching Potions!" he exclaimed. "I have yet to hear of a well-to-do Potions Master."

"Oh, but you have heard of supposed Dark Lords, have you?" Snape said quietly and with no emotion. This was the one thing that Regulus admired his friend for—the ability to be utterly apathetic. Regulus always had some expression on his face; he could never be as inscrutable as Severus Snape. "End of conversation, Reg." He turned his attention to a barrel of dried bat wings, his back to Regulus.

Black sighed, defeated. "Just come to the party, Snape. No strings attached. Just to show you're still friends with everyone." Severus's cheek twitched involuntarily at the words. He had never planned to stay in touch with anyone from school. Those seven years had only been slightly less miserable than his childhood, thanks to Potter and his gang. As both of his parents were now dead, it was quite easy to avoid them, but unfortunately, working in Knockturn Alley had only made him an easy target for any classmates wishing to stay connected to him. Truth be told, he preferred being alone, working all the time, inventing new Potions and spells by night. He felt no interest in other people and their desires or problems.

Severus shifted his weight and felt the letters in his robe's pocket brush against his thigh. One was the aforementioned invite for Lucius's party. The other was from Lily, inviting him over on October 27th to brainstorm new potions to alter. Snape scoffed at the idea. He had only grudgingly agreed to Lily's invite after demanding that the child be put away before his arrival and that Lily make good on her promise of pumpkin tarts. Lily, while capable of making Potions perfectly, was a dunce when it came to innovation. She served only as a helping hand when he needed it, which was hardly ever. He now felt only apathy, sometimes disgust, toward her and could not decipher why he allowed her to be near him; the only explanation seemed to be that it had been a life-long habit that he had never broken when he should have, just as smoking had become ever since he'd learned of her pregnancy with James Potter's child.

Snape sneered. The 27th, he knew, was the night of the full moon. Even though years had passed since he had discovered the truth to the mystery that was Remus Lupin, Severus still couldn't break his habit of keeping track of the moon's cycle. James must be out cavorting with his other moronic friends, blatantly putting the innocents of the world at risk.

"Fine, I'll come," he said dismissively over his shoulder, not meeting Regulus's eye. Black smirked, triumphant, and left without another word. He knew better than to push his luck. As soon as he was outside, on the nearly deserted street of Knockturn Alley, he paused to absentmindedly touch his left forearm. It still stung, even though it had been weeks since he'd been marked. The Dark Lord had yet to call on him to participate in one of the inner-circle's meetings, but he had been told to recruit new members who were worthy of their cause. If things fell into place correctly, he may be able to sway Snape to join. The Dark Lord had been especially interested in the idea of a loyal, skilled Potion's Master, especially as there were rumors that Slughorn would soon be vacating his post at Hogwarts. Regulus closed his eyes briefly, becoming beautiful and statuesque in a way he did not realize nor could his relatives ever achieve. A strangled shriek further down the alley made him jump and quickly move on, casting one last dark glance over his shoulder. He could never shake the feeling of being watched.

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A/N: First, thank you thank you thank you for the lovely reviews! I'm sorry I haven't replied; I've been swamped with so much homework lately, but it's always nice to know people are reading and enjoying the story. Second, my review schedule is usually twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays, so check back for updates around then.