Chapter Five

Regulus had always looked forward to his aunt and uncle's annual ball. His parents would let him drink as much as he liked; the food was always fantastic; the women were pleasing; and the guests were entertaining.

However, this year was different. He was of drinking age now, so his parents' permission meant little to him. He had already succeeded in 'breaking his way' into the female domain. And the guests were people he would rather avoid; Severus, in particular. He'd been astonished that the fellow Death Eater had even bothered to attend; partly due to his obvious loathing of social events, partly due to his recent actions regarding Lucius.

It had been over a week since the incident. Regulus had managed to avoid him ever since; he doubted that Severus thought much of it. After all, he hadn't bothered contacting him either during that time. Regulus shifted uncomfortably as his 'friend' approached.

"Regulus," Severus nodded at him.

"Severus," he returned stiffly. Severus raised an eyebrow slightly at his tone but said nothing, as he turned to stand side by side – at distance – to look at their fellow Death Eaters, who were seated several feet before them.

"It won't be long until the Ministry falls completely to the Dark Lord," Evan Rosier was saying.

"Very true," another Death Eater agreed, "it's already heavily under our influence. A few more key players and it's done."

"I believe he intends to target Hogwarts School within the next few months," Yaxley added.

"That nuisance of a headmaster will be a problem," Rosier stated, "Lost count of the number of times Dumbledore has ruined one thing or another."

"That man is the worst thing that could have ever happened to that school," Lucius Malfoy said, putting down his now empty glass, "No child of mine will be attending a school under Dumbledore's regulation."

Severus noticed Narcissa, who was at the other side of the room talking to a couple of other women, turn her head at his comment. Lucius met her look evenly. After a few moments she turned back to her conversation at hand.

"That could have been awkward," Regulus muttered, taking a drink from his glass.

Severus shot him a glare that firmly said shut up. He looked towards Lucius, who was also sending Regulus a furious glare.

Regulus didn't respond to either of the two men, instead making his way towards the buffet table. Severus watched him with a slightly perplexed look.

Lucius, meanwhile, was making his way over to his wife, who had distanced herself from the ladies she had been speaking to previously, and was now standing outside on the balcony.

Narcissa leaned heavily on the railing which looked out over the West side garden; the garden in which she, Bella and Andie had played in as little girls. Everything had seemed so normal then; perfect. None of them had had any idea of the events that life would throw their way. She smiled sadly as she lowered her eyes from the view and then jumped as a hand touched her shoulder.

She turned abruptly, coming face to face with her husband. He smirked in amusement, "Did I frighten you, my dear?"

Narcissa only smiled softly in response and turned back to look out over the garden. She felt Lucius slowly glide his hand from where it had rested, across the bare skin at the base of her neck until he reached her other shoulder. He leaned in close to her ear, whispering; "Is something troubling you?"

She shook her head, no.

"Don't lie to me, Narcissa," he spoke quietly, keeping his lips close.

She gave a barely audible sigh.

"Dumbledore may not be Headmaster of Hogwarts when our children are ready to begin school," he stated, thinking her knew the reason for her demeanour. He felt her tense at his words and was certain he'd touched on the subject of her distress; "If he is," he continued, "There are plenty of other, better schools…"

"It's not about Hogwarts, Lucius," she interrupted him quietly, but didn't elaborate further.

Lucius, expecting her to continue, frowned when she didn't go on. Women!"Then what is it about?"

She remained in silence.

"Narcissa?"

She turned slowly to meet her husband's gaze; he let him arm slip from her shoulder to her waist.

"It's been two years, Lucius," she said, "Two years; and we still haven't been blessed with a child."

Lucius gave a small smile, one he saved only for her as he stroked her arm, "It'll happen."

Narcissa shook her head, lowering her eyes, "I know how much you want a family…"

"An heir will suffice," he interrupted, "Narcissa, you're a young, healthy woman. We must be patient." With a smirk he leaned in and pressed his lips to her neck, "Perhaps we're just not trying hard enough."

"Lucius!" she hissed, pushing him from her with an embarrassed glance towards the window. She immediately noticed Regulus peered intently at a blank spot on the wall.

Lucius gave a low laugh at her blush as he drew back from her. Again he placed a hand on her elbow, "We will have a child, Narcissa. I'm sure of it."

His words were little comfort to her; but his earlier playfulness had lightened her mood somewhat. She took the arm he held out to her and the two made their way back to join the party.

As Regulus abruptly turned from the sight of his cousin and her husband on the balcony, his eyes met with Severus. His smirk disappeared immediately; something that was not lost on the other man. And, to his unease, Severus began to make his way over to the youngest Black. Regulus stood as he reached him.

"Do you have a minute?" Severus asked.

"Sure," Regulus consented, reluctantly, and followed the older Slytherin out into the hallway.

"Is there a problem?" Severus immediately got to the point.

"Excuse me?"

"You've been on edge every time I've been near you all night," Severus elaborated.

Regulus didn't respond.

"Have I offended you in some way?" Severus continued, though his voice seemed slightly mocking.

Regulus glared back at him. Severus stared at him in response; holding eye contact with him. To Regulus' alarm, the room blurred somewhat and the image of Severus standing with his hand pointed at Lucius' back came to the forefront of his mind. Abruptly the room went back to normal and he found himself staring back at Severus' alarmed expression.

"What did you just do?" Regulus snapped, though he had a fairly good idea.

Severus didn't respond, instead he quickly glanced at the closed door which lead to the other guests, grasped Regulus by the arm and pulled him into the neighbouring dining room.

"Regulus, listen to me," Severus spoke in a hushed tone, as he closed the door behind them, "I made a mistake…"

"A mistake?" Regulus hissed back at him, "You attack someone on our side; Lucius! If he found out; if the Dark Lord found out!"

"No one's going to find out," Severus snapped, Regulus could tell the other man was exceedingly worried, "I was aiming for the girl."

Regulus hesitated at that but then smirked, "Lily Evans?" The younger boy caught the momentary surprise on Severus' face at him speaking her name. Regulus raised an eyebrow, speaking quietly, "I know all about you two. I was at school with you, remember? Rumours about the two of you used to spread like wildfire 'round folk in the common room."

Severus didn't respond to the statement, only evenly returning Regulus' look.

Regulus shook his head, "You've really got everybody fooled, haven't you?"

"It isn't like that, Regulus," Severus spoke, calmly; "I slipped up. You've done it plenty of times. Don't think I don't know you don't want to be here."

Regulus' will wavered slightly at the reminder of Severus' previous support of him but kept his cool, "You screwing her?"

"What?" Severus hissed, "Don't be ridiculous!"

"What's ridiculous here is you just risked execution for some mudblood who just so happens to be the same mudblood you used to go out with at school."

"Lily Evans and I were never together," came Severus' resolute response, "And what happened was an accident. One that I never intend to repeat."

Regulus looked doubtful.

"I wouldn't forget that out of the two of us, you're the one who can't stand to watch muggles and the like being tortured and maimed at the hands of our fellow 'friends'," Severus spoke quietly, threateningly, "Who do you think Lucius is more likely to believe of the two of us? He and I have been friends for a substantial number of years."

Regulus' eyes narrowed at him but he said nothing further and, with that, Severus turned and strode from the room.


Severus slammed the door shut as he entered his home at Spinners End, not caring whether or not his mother was asleep, and noisily stormed his way up to his room. He was livid; at Regulus; at Lily; most of all, at himself. He couldn't believe his own stupidity. Not only had he attacked his only friend, he had actually been seen doing it! The last thing he needed was Regulus watching over his shoulder, waiting for him to commit another mistake. He threw himself down onto the bed with a heavy sigh.

He was also fairly certain that Lily had been aware of whom her rescuer had been. Since the night he'd received her outrageous note he had been contemplating what could have possessed her to do so; she must have got it into her mind that it had been him. After all, what other Death Eater would willingly attack a member of his own side to protect some muggle-born?

No doubt she had wanted to see him in order to preach some moral or other to him; to express her disappointment that he had joined them; or perhaps she had just wanted the chance to say 'I told you so'. She always delighted in being right.

Severus rolled onto his side, vowing to himself that he would think no more on the redhead for the remainder of the night.


Review Responses

Conqueror Worm: Thanks for the second review! I actually found that part amusing myself, imagining Lily's face, haha.

Alex the Anachronistic: I'm glad you liked the way Lily was portrayed in the chapter. I was a bit anxious about writing her, seeing as we didn't see much of her throughout the novels. I'm also glad you picked up on Severus' changing attitude. I wanted to demonstrate that he wasn't always the man he is in the novels; this story is meant to be an illustration of how he was made from an innocent boy into the pessimistic man he will become. As for having sample conversations between Lily and Severus, I'm intending to have flashbacks sometime in the near future which will include some of the interactions between the two of them during their time at Hogwarts. Thanks very much for the review! It's good when reviewers pick out certain points to comment on.

I've actually had a look at your story before, when only a couple of chapters were posted. I usually wait until around 20 or so chapters have been posted of a story because when I start to read them I tend to read them non-stop and then become frustrated waiting for updates (which I why I update so often); so I'll take your advice on board and read your one slowly. Thanks again for the review!