This story is really progressing. In this chapter, I decided to skip ahead to after break. Please enjoy! : )

Ever since that night in Regulus' house, Severus had been avoiding the boy. He felt terrified and ashamed of himself; his hormones had truly gotten the better of him that night.

When Severus had woken up in the morning, he could barely believe his eyes. He remembered the sight even now; Regulus curled up practically underneath him, shirt twisted and pulled up, pants lowered slightly to expose his underwear. His lips had been swollen from kissing, skin marked with several lovebites.

Horrified of his actions, Severus carried Regulus back into his own room. He covered the boy with a blanket, knowing that the evidence was there. The only thing Severus could think of that was a positive was that at least they had not had sex; he remembered their kissing and fondling, but nothing more had happened.

Poor Severus was more than confused about his feelings. He still carried a torch for Lily (a rather large, passion-filled, fire-burning torch), but being around Regulus was better than sunshine; Severus often found himself craving the boy's presence. Regulus was simply addictive.

"Hi, Sev! Study with me tonight in the library? I need your help on some-"

Severus hurried by as quickly as he could, pretending he couldn't hear the boy.

"Spells?" Regulus finished, confused. He cocked his head and watched as his friend stalked away, ebony hair flying.

Severus had been ignoring him ever since they had returned from winter break, and Regulus had no idea why. He was beginning to feel hurt. He didn't think he'd done anything wrong, besides his family, but Severus had made it clear while Bella and Sirius were plotting that he didn't hold it against Regulus. The younger boy was beginning to grow concerned; he felt so empty without his best friend, and Severus seemed lonely whenever he walked through the halls alone.

"Cissy, what should I do? He won't talk to me," Regulus sighed later that night. He and Narcissa kneeled by the fire in the Slytherin Common Room, where Bellatrix's head bobbed; they were speaking to her through Floo.

"Honestly, don't know why you bother. You could get different friends. Different, better, nicer, cleaner, purer friends," Bellatrix added. She seemed quite bored, twirling her hair with her wand and her fingernails.

"But I like him! He's smart and funny and sarcastic and he cares about me-" Regulus sucked in a breath at the thought of Severus; the older boy took his breath away.

"Sounds like someone's got a crush," Narcissa observed slyly, and Bellatrix grinned wickedly.

"Get real, Cissy! Our little Reg, falling in love with a half-blood? Don't kid me," she laughed, but her sister shrugged.

"I'm just saying. It seems like Reg has more positive things to say about Snape than he has negative, odd considering his recent jerky behavior," she pointed out. Regulus flushed. "Severus isn't that bad, I just don't know what I did to upset him."

He chewed his lip nervously while his cousins shared a knowing look.

"Regulus, darling, have you considered the possibility that maybe it's not your fault?" the blonde pressed gently, but Regulus shook his head. "I had to have done something, he won't even look at me." His eyes filled with tears at the thought. Narcissa immediately wrapped an arm around his slender shoulders, but Bellatrix stared at him incredulously.

"Are you-crying? Crying over that little half-blood?"

For tears were falling down her little cousin's cheeks, and he was sobbing into his hands.

"Stop that! He's not worth it! Look, Reggie, we'll find you someone else, okay? Someone cuter, and purer, nothing like Snape-no, don't cry!" Bellatrix shouted desperately. She was reaching out as though trying to hold the boy, and Narcissa could see the sympathy and ache on her face as she saw Regulus cry.

Bella's wide eyes grew larger, and she whispered, "Half-blood ahead. Got to go." She waved her wand, and the fire cleared.

Narcissa turned around to see what her sister had been talking about. Snape was entering the Common Room, carrying a bag full of books. When he saw Regulus, his pale cheeks grew red and he started to hurry into his dorm, but Narcissa stood. "Snape, come here. You two need to talk," she informed him.

"There's nothing to say." Severus stared straight ahead once more and continued on his way.

"Butt-munch," Narcissa mumbled under her breath before turning and comforting her cousin.

"Morning," Regulus mumbled the next day as he sat down for breakfast.

The Great Hall was filled with commotion and noise, cheerful students chatting about their weekend plans; it was a Friday. Things at the far end of the Slytherin table, however, were not nearly as perky.

Regulus was slumped on the table, ebony waves falling over his eyes. "Are you okay?" Narcissa asked, passing him a plate of eggs, but he did not move.

"Reg!" she snapped her fingers, and her cousin rose. Narcissa gasped in horror.

Thick, dark lines had formed bags underneath Regulus' eyes while his skin was tinted a sickly yellow. "Hmm?" he asked, shaking his head slightly and putting the plate of eggs down.

"You look awful!"

"Gee, thanks," Regulus smiled wryly, though he collapsed back on the table top.

"Chin up, Mr. Black," Slughorn said cheerfully as he walked down the Slytherin table giving greetings and good wishes.

"Yes, sir." He coughed into his elbow before sighing. "Cissy, thank goodness it's Friday." Narcissa eyed him critically. Regulus stared back with amused, yet tired eyes. "May I help you?" he questioned, but the blonde girl shook her head.

"It's nothing, just thinking. Here, you should eat some breakfast." Again the plate of eggs was offered. And again the eggs were declined.

"Thanks, but I'm just not hungry today." Regulus coughed again.

Narcissa poured him a glass of orange juice next, insisting, "You sound sick, at least drink some orange juice to fortify your immune system." But once again Regulus refused. The sight of food was making him sick. It felt good, not taking it. He imagined the eggs, slimy and running down his throat, trickling, and he shuddered.

For some reason, his mouth filled with saliva that tasted of bile whenever he considered eating anything. His stomach wasn't even growling, though he hadn't eaten since lunch yesterday; he had skipped dinner to talk to Bella.

Poor Cissy was begging now, offering every dish she could reach, but to no avail. Regulus left the breakfast table after kissing her cheek.

He felt sick to his stomach.

As he walked quickly to his Potions class, he swallowed nervously. Adrenaline was pounding through his system, hinting that something was going to happen later. Shaking his head, he tried hard not to think about it. Instead, he focused on his footsteps.

Right foot, left foot. Right foot, left foot. Right, left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right-

He crashed into somebody, somebody petite and tiny. Instinctively, he grabbed the person to keep them from falling, and his stomach sank. The person he did not need to see.

Severus stared at Regulus' wrist, trapped beneath his own hand. His eyes moved to the boy's face, and he winced inwardly. He looked terribly ill.

The two stood there for several moments, breathing deeply, before Severus let go. He could feel Regulus' eyes watching him, but he simply murmured, "Go to the hospital wing," before walking off.

"Perfect as usual, Ms. Evans!"

Slughorn's voice boomed through the dungeon, permeated with the smell of spices and steamy with smoke coming from the cauldrons.

The professor was standing in front of Lily Evans' cauldron, praising her Draught of the Living Dead. Severus waited patiently for Slughorn to finish his shouting so that he could inspect the rest of the potions. The Snape boy determinedly kept his eyes away from the Gryffindor table. He was not stupid; he had seen Lily and Potter holding hands underneath the table, and it was not something he wanted to see.

Severus' heart was aching. Just being in the same room as his childhood friend and his enemy was bad enough, now they stepped on his unrequited love by holding hands and doing lovey couple things he refused to think about.

Snape was relieved when Slughorn dismissed the class; he had been so busy awing over Evans that he had not completed his round check. Severus did not mind today, however. He calmly poured out his potion as the rest of the class, including Slughorn, left for lunch.

"Hello, Severus."

The soft voice that was forever in his dreams was speaking his name again. He turned. Lily stood near the doorframe, smiling the tiniest bit. She was alone.

"Once again, I'm delivering a message from Sirius," she explained as she walked closer. He felt disappointment, but pushed it away. No matter the reason, Lily was still talking to him.

"He wants to know what's the matter with Regulus. He said he tried to ask him, but Regulus just said he was fine. He wants to know... if it was you or him that hurt him," she recited hesitantly.

"Tell him I haven't the slightest," Severus replied: it was a half-truth. He had an idea of what was bothering Regulus, and knew it was because of him. He sank into a chair tiredly.

"Will do. Severus..." Lily sat down next to him.

"I know it isn't my business, it's barely even Sirius', but what's going on between you and Regulus? Sirius has been worrying himself sick over it, Remus can barely calm him down," the redhead said.

Severus paused for a long time. "We're friends," he said carefully, and Lily nodded.

"Severus, I think he likes you. I can tell by the look he gets when he's with you, because... I get the same look around James," she blushed.

It was the last thing he wanted to hear ever. Severus shot out of his seat and said coldly, "Leave me alone."

Lily realized that she had said the wrong thing, but she thought he was angry over a different part of her statement.

"I'm sorry, Severus, I know how you feel-" she reached out to touch his shoulder, but he snapped, turning on her.

"No, you don't understand! You don't understand anything! You don't know how I feel about it, how I feel about you-" he choked; he feared he would cry.

Lily's bright green eyes grew concerned. "Severus," she whispered, but he fled, leaving her standing alone in the Potions dungeon.

Oh, how the tables have turned, Narcissa thought wryly as she entered the 7th year dorms. Severus Snape was pacing his dorm room, wiping at his eyes suspiciously.

"What's the matter, Severus?" she asked, using her most soothing, motherly tone. His head jerked up and he snarled, "Leave me alone!"

"Snapping at me won't erase my memory or solve your problems. You might as well just tell me, because I'm not leaving until you do. Besides, I'm all that you've got right now."

As if to prove her point, Narcissa sat down on his bed and watched him with cool grey eyes.

Severus seemed to consider his options; finally he stopped pacing and whipped out his wand, stating, "I'll tell you, but only if you swear not to tell anybody else."

"I swear," the blonde girl agreed calmly, and resuming his pacing, Severus told her everything. He told her of his panic, of his confusion over Regulus, of his conversation with Lily, of his love for her. The one thing that did not slip from his mouth was mention of the night he and Regulus had shared; he knew he would be killed.

As he spoke, Narcissa listened patiently. It was almost like talking with Regulus; she sat still and only listened first, waiting until he had finished to voice her opinion.

"Tell him the truth," she said when he was done. "Tell him that you still love Evans. That'll keep him from getting his hopes up. Knowing Regulus, though, he'll still love you. But be honest with him; tell him all that he deserves to know. Because I can tell you miss talking to him, Severus. I don't know what happened between you two, but I've watched you, and you both have been miserable without each other. I don't like you, and I definitely don't like how close the two of you are, but I see that it's necessary and I tolerate it, even accept it. You two need to speak again. I'll tell him to meet you on the Astronomy Towers tonight if you wish."

Narcissa stood and raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you good with that?"

Severus smiled as much as he could in spite of his recent feelings. "Yes, I suppose I am."

"Cool," she said coolly, and he almost laughed at how funny it was, her saying that. She walked out of his room with the smallest smile on her face.

The Astronomy Towers were Regulus' favorite part of the castle, save for the lake. They were tall and large, made of a smooth grey stone. The top of the towers were open, allowing for an unblocked view of the sky. It was best at night; the sky's inky black contrasted with the shining, sparkling stars that winked and grinned at the always-growing, always-learning humans of Earth. Regulus could honestly see why so many girls giggled when they talked about kissing on the Astronomy Towers.

Regulus loved the Astronomy Towers even more when Severus was on them. His pale skin glowed from starlight, ebony hair accenting the light. He looked like the heavens, with his hair as the sky and his skin as the stars.

So many people did not see Severus' beauty the way Regulus did. The older boy was tall and thin, with a prominent nose. Many students found him strange-looking and greasy, but Regulus was honestly in love with him. He loved every flaw, every perfection, every piece of Severus. No one would ever know how much Regulus loved him, his appreciation and caring for the boy was so deep.

"Regulus."

The younger Black boy loved hearing his name come from Severus' lips. He liked watching the way the older boy's lips moved when he was saying Regulus' name, loved the sound of it being used by that low, silky voice. Regulus liked to pretend that his name sounded so good coming off of Severus' tongue because the older boy was in love with him.

"Regulus, do you remember the night you went out with Lucius and Narcissa?"

What an odd question, Regulus thought, but it was better than the silence that had been plaguing him.

"I remember when we left, and when we went to London and Hogsmeade, but I don't remember what happened after we got to the bar," Regulus replied thoughtfully.

"Mmm. Regulus..." The worried expression on Severus' face was beginning to make Regulus concerned.

"Are you okay, Sev?" he asked, apprehensively touching the other boy's fingers.

Severus' hand twitched on top of his, and he started to move it away, but kept it in place. Regulus' heart began to flutter excitedly.

"Narcissa said she thinks you love me," he said abruptly, and everything stopped to the Black boy.

"I-" he started, but Severus interrupted him.

"Reg, you're my friend. My... my best friend. But I love Lily. We... we can't be together like that."

He was clenching Regulus' hand in his tightly, nearly crushing the smaller boy's fingers.

Regulus was silent.

Severus glanced at him. His pallor had returned, only it was not the usual milky, creamy color. Regulus' skin was paper-white tinted with yellow, and his wide grey eyes had dulled.

"...Oh."

He started to stand, moving his hand from Severus', but panic seized the taller boy's heart, and he clutched Regulus' hand tightly.

"We're still friends," he said hastily. "We'll always be friends. Reg, I need you. You really are my best friend-"

"No, I don't think so," Regulus said, and Snape's heart stopped. Regulus' voice sounded so airy, yet flat.

"Reg-"

"I don't. Severus, I don't. I don't think we're friends, at least honestly. I don't think you like me enough to be my friend. I don't think you need me, I think you use me. You want to be around me one day, the next you don't. I can't take it. Thank you for telling me your real priorities. Bella was right. Bella was too right."

For a fourteen-year-old, he seemed so old and mature suddenly. All of his bubbly, excited attitude was gone, replaced by this calm shell of Regulus.

"I really did love you, Severus. To be honest, I still do. But- this hurts. Too much. I-" Regulus pulled his hand away from Severus', but Snape held on.

He was panicking, desperate now. He couldn't lose Regulus, his only real friend. But Regulus was gently prying his fingers away.

"Goodbye, Severus," he said softly, and Severus stood. "Regulus," he was almost begging, "can we still be friends?"

Regulus thought for awhile, arms folded over his stomach.

"I think this silence thing you've been doing for the past few days is for the better," he said finally, leaving the Astronomy Tower, the stars, the sky, and Severus.

Oh, gosh, you guys, I'm so sorry! I set out for a bit of drama, then happiness but got just drama! Don't worry, I'm going to fix Regulus and Severus; if my imagination works out well, they'll be together in one or two chapters.

I want to clarify on a few things just to clear both my mind and any possible questions. Regulus is a 4th year in this, Severus and the rest are 7th years. I checked HP Lexicon, and they said Sirius and Regulus have about 2 or 3 years between them. I started to make Sev and the rest in 6th year, to put the ages closer, but then I remembered James and Lily got together in 7th year, and I needed them together for Sev's confusion.

Anyway, thanks to everyone who Alerted/Fav-ed this story and thank you to fan girl 666 (I look forward to your reviews; thanks, I wasn't sure how well that scene turned out) and AllaSchersterferan (really? thanks!) for reviewing Ch. 9.

See y'all next chapter!