Dear readers, I had to add a chapter retroactively so that Chapter 28 is now new, so if anybody had missed it, check it out. I'm really sorry about creating confusion, I try to be super careful but here we are. Anyway, this is one follows the events of what is now Ch31, in the hope that the plot isn't confusing. Please let me know if it is. Hope you enjoy the chapter! Thanks for reading!
-"How are we supposed to get to Romania?" Severus asked. Neither he nor Lily had ever left the UK, but Regulus had. Again, they looked to him for knowledge on the ways of the purebloods, those who had been raised on magic.
"Portkey," he shrugged. Apparently, there was a place at Knockturn Alley where they had portkeys that could get you anywhere - close enough, anyway, to Apparate to your destination.
Their other problem was that an impromptu trip to Romania was bound to raise suspicion. Regulus was still dangerously naive - the idea that anyone would suspect him and not automatically excuse anything, just because he was him, was still new. They decided to go through Italy first, as it was a much more plausible destination for a romantic getaway, and to go to Romania from there.
The Knockturn Alley portkey station had a definite air of semi-legitimacy. The proprietor was a short, bespectacled man with overly manicured hands. "Ah, Mr. Black, how nice to see you," he greeted Regulus. "And your friend is?"
"Snape," Severus answered, and they shook hands. "Always a pleasure to meet new customers. Will you two gentlemen be travelling together?" The man asked, hiding his curiosity under a thick layer of politeness. "Yes, we will. Italy, please," Regulus said abruptly.
"That can easily be arranged," the proprietor said. He donned a pair of thick gloves made of giant skin, and disappeared into a back room. Severus craned his neck - could it be that behind that door, there were portkeys that could take him anywhere?
The proprietor returned, holding a boot. "I do love it when the Portkeys fit the destination so neatly," he said. "It makes it easy to remember what goes where. Wouldn't want to send you to India by mistake, would I?" He said, amused by his own joke. Regulus said nothing, and Severus barely listened in the first place. Behind that door, he could touch any old thing and find himself anywhere in the world - places he had only read about in textbooks as where potions ingredients come from, or magical creatures, or the places he had learned about in "History of Magic." Was he actually going to be in Italy in a matter of moments?
"Perhaps you would like to take advantage of our special discount program?" The proprietor asked Severus, who was snapped right back to reality. Regulus slammed a number of galleons on the table - he had very little patience for that kind of talk and very little respect for James Potter's money. "Keep the change, as a thank you for your discretion, Christopher."
The man, whom Regulus knew on a first name basis, it turned out, nodded.
Severus had never used a portkey before, and when they materialized in what was apparently Italy, he had to hold on to Regulus for support.
"What the fuck was that?" He asked, not daring to open his eyes, as soon as he felt like he had a mouth again.
"Oh you'll get used to it," Regulus assured him.
"Is there much more to go?" Severus whispered.
"No, we're here."
Severus opened his eyes slowly, and even though he felt like his stomach was still in London, his eyes were in a deserted field. The air was warmer, and it smelled clean - nothing like the London traffic that had polluted even the wizarding streets, and certainly nothing like Spinner's End. After a few moments, he gained his composure.
"Now we need to memorize this spot, so that we can find the Portkey again and go back," Regulus explained. "Then, we Apparate to Rome, to Piazza Degli Stregone, and take a portkey to Romania from there."
Severus continued to take deep breaths. "We will need" - he collected his thoughts as his inner voice scolded him for being so overwhelmed - "proof that we were here. Some photos, or some presents." You're acting like you did the first time you went to Lucius's house , he berated himself.
The stress of needing to appear cultured compounded his stress of the realization that they would need to account for their sudden decision to go overseas.
"Oh, why didn't we just send Lily," Severus asked, when his panic finally set in. She hadn't been branded with a mark that could go off at any minute, she could go wherever she wanted…
"Because the newly widowed don't go on honeymoons," Regulus reminded him. "A romantic vacation is a good cover story, don't worry."
At least I'll get to see Italy before I die, Severus told himself. It was more than the guttersnipe from Spinner's End could ever ask for, and if they absolutely had to enjoy a romantic day in Rome, they might as well enjoy it in earnest.
Hand in hand, they Apparated to the largest wizarding street in Rome. It was beauty and grandeur beyond Severus's wildest dreams. Concealed behind an insignificant Muggle alley was a spacious square (Regulus called it a piazza) with a magnificent sculptured fountain right at the center, honoring the great Roman wizards and witches from the days of the Empire. He had seen pictures of this fountain in the history of magic textbook, but he never thought he would see it with his own eyes. Regulus took out a camera and took a picture of Severus staring, awe-stuck, at the sculptures. The flash made him turn and scowl at Regulus. "What?" Regulus asked him. "It doesn't have to be good. We just need proof that we were here, remember?"
Secretly, Regulus was sure the picture would come out perfect - but he already knew compliments nearly always ended up taking more time than they were worth, and that putting it in terms of necessity would make the whole thing go down easier.
It occurred to Severus how rarely he had been photographed before. Why would anybody want a picture of you anyway? He asked himself.
He tore himself away from the fountain, somehow, as they walked along the street that was so unlike anything Severus had ever seen in London or in Hogsmeade. The stone-paved roads, the architectural marvels of ancient times - everywhere he looked, he was steeped in magic and history and wonder. The smells of different shops called to him to come and look, and the sounds of people speaking in Italian was enchanting. He wanted to walk slowly, to absorb it all, and he wanted to walk faster, to see more and more, so he settled for copying Regulus. "Have you been here before?" He asked Regulus.
"Twice. We usually go to Paris," Regulus answered, casual to a madenning degree. "We usually go to Paris, but I'm a little tired of it."
Severus said nothing. How could anyone be tired of this?
"It's nearly lunchtime here," Regulus reminded him. "They can get a bit particular about it on the continent, so we need to stop somewhere."
Food was the last thing on Severus's mind, but soon they found a cozy little ristorante with menus that magically changed into English when they looked at them. Regulus took the liberty of choosing what they would have, and Severus soon found out that he could develop a taste for Italian food, truffles in particular, and warned himself against getting used to this, because he did not know if he would ever get to see this place again.
Regulus watched Severus picking up the tiny cup of espresso as though he had seen stuff like that every day, yet struggling, at first, with the bitter flavor of Italian coffee, and a realization came to him, that made him happy and sad at the same time. When this is over (if it ever will be), if we make it out alive, I would like to marry him.
Regulus must have been staring, because Severus asked him, "what?", with a mildly annoyed expression on his face. "Nothing," Regulus said. This was not the time. He might not feel the same, anyway. But Regulus knew that if he was indeed a Black at all, once his heart was set on someone, it would stay set forever, and he feared that no matter how much of an increasingly bitter disappointment he was turning out to be, he was still a Black in that sense.
"I'm sorry I can't drink this stuff without making a face, alright?"
"Sure, Sev," Regulus answered, trying his best to sound mildly amused, but he was grateful all the same that Severus hadn't mastered legilimency.
It was time to get going on their real mission. Regulus had trouble remembering where the local portkey station was, and they wandered the streets in search of it. Occasionally, they would walk into a store to buy a gift - something for the Malfoys, Regulus's parents, the Dark Lord himself - a bottle of wine, a necklace, a leather cloak…
Eventually, they found the portkey station and set off to the country where breeding basilisks was legal. Lily hadn't been able to get anything more out of Slughorn than "Romania", but Regulus insisted that portkey operators all over the world were knowledgeable - there was more to the job than making stupid jokes about India, and that was it. He promised Severus he would know what to do when they got there. It turned out that his brilliant plan had consisted mostly of copious bribes - although basilisk breeding was not strictly outlawed, it was not done in broad daylight either, and their desperation for the rare ingredient must have been obvious to anyone who looked at them.
By the time they had found the witch who wasn't only a friend of a friend of a former happy customer, but actually knew the breeder, and could broker a transaction, they had run nearly out of money. They had not planned for this contingency, and Regulus especially had no idea how to behave around people who did not know he was good for any kind of money just from looking at him.
Regulus and the witch spoke in French. Severus could understand the words "England, uh, l'Angleterre," and "Black", and "Basilisk," but otherwise all he saw was that the witch's expression was growing more impatient by the second. When she crossed her arms and jerked her head in the direction of the door, Regulus turned to Severus, scandalized. "She doesn't know who I am, and we don't have enough money - what are we supposed to do now?"
The witch suddenly laughed. "I know who you are," she said in plain English. "You're an insufferably arrogant Anglo who thinks I'm stupid enough to sell to you, just because your family is apparently important. Don't waste my time. I am willing, however" - her lips curved into a thin smile, clearly despite herself - "to speak to your friend."
She held her hand out, and Severus shook it tentatively.
"Despina," she whispered her name. "And you are?"
"Severus," he introduced himself, feeling quite hopeless - if the Black name was no good here, Severus had no chance of getting anywhere at all.
"What do you need the venom for?" She asked.
Severus could barely believe his own nerve when, instead of scrambling for an answer, he asked: "How do you breed a Basilisk?"
A sad smile flitted across the witch's face.
"I am not breeding anything," she said, inflecting the word I. "And I asked you first."
Since he had no idea what lie would appease her, he decided to be sincere. "I cannot answer that. But our ends are lofty, I assure you. What is your relation to the breeder?" Severus was overcome with curiosity - what sort of powerful dark wizard could work with the monster who could kill with a single glance?
"He's my father. Severus, was it? Oh, I love that name. Shall we continue this discussion over tea?"
Severus nodded. The witch returned to the room with two cups of tea, realized there were three of them, and went to make a third cup, visibly annoyed.
Finally, they were able to resume their discussion.
"I want to help you, Severus, I really do - but how am I supposed to explain that I've agreed to sell to two foreigners who won't tell me anything about themselves, or their relation to one another, or what they'll do with it, who come to me with almost no money? Help me help you, Severus."
Regulus could not believe how oblivious Severus was being. She was busy flirting, and Severus was earnestly scrambling for something to offer her as payment. They desperately needed to get their hands on the venom, but they were not that desperate…
"A word, Severus?" He said, and motioned at him to follow him to a corner.
"Stop offering to brew for her, Severus," he scolded him. "Are you blind? She doesn't want anything like that. She's flirting with you."
"Stop being an -"
"'Idiot, Reg'. Yeah, I know. But she is. She would have kicked us out ten minutes ago if she wasn't interested in you."
Severus felt himself turning red. Me? He's right there and she wants me? Can she not see what's staring her in the face? It was about the most unlikely thing he could ever imagine.
"Are you sure she's not interested in you, Reg?" Severus pointed out the possibility that seemed to him most obvious.
"She couldn't remember I existed long enough to make me a cup of tea," Regulus reminded him.
Severus remained skeptical, but in the lack of another explanation, he allowed himself to accept the theory, at least until something more likely would come up. They returned to their seats.
It felt like hours had passed since anyone spoke. The witch coughed a little. Severus took a sip of his tea, which was still warm. He looked around the room, and tried to make sense of things.
Never mind that she clearly can't see what's in front of her, he told himself, we still need the venom, and we still can't pay for it. Quick, Severus, think of something before she kicks you out, even if she is blind - then, it hit him - he knew exactly what to do.
He rose from his seat and leaned in close to Despina's ear, and whispered something. She suddenly looked astonished - her jaw nearly dropped. Regulus seethed - what was he doing?!
"If you're happy with it", Severus said aloud, "we shall see you here tomorrow with the venom. If you aren't, we won't bother you again. Regulus, come."
Outside her office, a mischievous smile spread on Severus's face.
"What did you say to her, Sev?" Regulus pleaded with him, barely able to conceal his panic.
Severus had to admit that sometimes, he impressed even himself.
"He's blind!" He said triumphantly.
"WHAT?"
"The breeder, he's blind! He's not some powerful dark wizard, he's just someone who was clever enough to turn a weakness into a strength!"
Regulus still did not understand. "So?" He asked. Does that mean she wasn't flirting with him? "How are we going to pay her, even if he is blind?"
"Already did," Severus announced. "I taught her Umbra Revelo . If it helps him see reflections, at least, she'll sell to us. If it doesn't - we'll just have to think of something else. But it'll work, Reg, I'm sure of it."
Regulus remembered the day he had witnessed the creation of that spell - how he went looking for Severus, to break up with him, how stupid he had been… I really can't wait to marry him one day. The thought of it enthralled him - so much so, that it took him a whole minute to realize his left hand was burning.