Don't leave me (tell me why)
Their relationship had been a secret.
That was all it could be, because Walburga Black would definitely not approve of her son dating a half-blood. A Slytherin, but a half-blood still. Severus knew that in her eyes, that was all he would ever be. But he didn't care.
Why?
Because he had Regulus.
Regulus, who sat with Severus when he was upset and talked softly or said nothing at all. Regulus, who would come to Severus's table in the library and plop down without an invitation (though Severus didn't mind). Regulus, who would stand up against the Marauders for Severus. Regulus, who was always there for Severus.
Until one day, when he wasn't.
It started completely normally. Severus arrived home after brewing some potions, then went to a place in the Muggle world which Severus had adored in his childhood.
But Regulus wasn't there for their planned lunch date.
Severus took a deep breath. Regulus was just a bit late, he told himself. But Regulus was never late. Never.
He tried to avoid panicking. That would not help. Severus took another deep breath.
The seconds ticked by more slowly than ever. Severus waited not-so-patiently, vowing to himself to tell Regulus off when he did arrive.
He will arrive, Severus told himself, over and over again. Regulus wouldn't let Severus down like that. Regulus knew how much he meant to Severus, even if Severus hadn't ever said it out loud.
The seconds passed. Then minutes. Then hours.
Still, Severus waited.
He was very aware that it was getting very late now, and he ought to go back home. But still, he waited.
Three hours, forty-five minutes and twenty five seconds later, Severus went home.
He didn't want to. He wanted to wait for Regulus so that he could tell him off (not only for that reason, of course, but it was one of the main reasons).
Nothing happened to him, Severus told himself as he walked back home by foot. He didn't know why he didn't just Apparate. Maybe, some part of his mind wanted to keep waiting for Regulus.
Severus couldn't fathom out why Regulus hadn't come. He always did.
Regulus probably just forgot. But, Severus thought, that wasn't likely, because Regulus never forgot anything. Severus wouldn't lose another friend. Not after Lily.
No, why did he have to think of Lily?
With difficulty, he pushed the red-haired witch out of his mind. Regulus, Severus thought. Regulus. Regulus. Regulus.
After what seemed like forever, Severus reached home. He glanced behind him one more time, because a hopeful little voice in his head was saying, Maybe Regulus forgot, remembered again and is coming to apologize!
But all Severus saw was a swirling mass of snow, whipping everywhere, piling snow on people's heads so that they looked like they were wearing fluffy white caps.
Severus went to sleep early, unable to think of anything and anyone but Regulus.
The next morning, Severus woke up uncharacteristically worried. He didn't know why he was - until the memories of last night bombarded him.
He took a deep breath. Regulus forgot, Severus told himself. Of course he did.
Severus went about his morning routine as usual. He made potions for the Dark Lord, as usual.
Regulus didn't show up.
Finally, Severus could bear it no longer and Apparated to Grimmauld Place.
"For what?"
Walburga Black stood in the doorway, her hands on her hips, glaring at Severus with her grey eyes.
"For our...meeting," Severus responded, having already thought of this answer beforehand. He knew that Walburga would recognise it as 'Death Eater meeting', which was what he was aiming for.
Walburga's eyes widened. "Why couldn't another do it instead?" she demanded.
"Because," Severus said, "they are...occupied and He has sent me to do it instead."
An innocuous enough sentence, but with hidden meaning.
Walburga looked like she was trying to swallow a lemon. "Fine." she bit out, but Severus detected a hint of fear in her voice. She opened the door of 12 Grimmauld Place, and slammed it shut as soon as Severus stepped inside.
The Black ancestral home was a gloomy place.
Severus couldn't imagine that both Sirius Black and Regulus had grown up here. The wallpaper was boringly grey. The carpet was musty and it smelled like a whole family of small animals had died there.
Severus walked the halls, trying to figure out where Regulus might be. He checked the bedroom he knew was Regulus's.
Everything there was perfect. The bed, the desk, even the floor. Together, it gave off the feeling of something that hasn't been used in a very long time.
Severus swallowed.
He walked out of the room, trying to put it behind him. Regulus is here, he told himself. He's here and he's just hiding.
Severus's eye caught on a closed door.
He strode forwards to open it.
"No!" Walburga's panicked cry stopped him in his tracks.
He ignored her.
Severus opened the door, and stepped inside the tapestry room.
Regulus Arcturus Black
Born 4th of June, 1961
Died 28th of November, 1979
It had been years and years since Regulus died. Some might have moved on and found someone new. But Severus didn't, couldn't. Regulus would always have a special place in Severus's heart. No one could replace him.
Severus drank the entire bottle of wine in a single gulp, like he did every 28th of November.
Life was so different without Regulus.
Regulus had been the sunshine, the light, the hope. He had been what held Severus together. He had been everything.
Severus wondered what life would have been like if Regulus hadn't died. If Regulus had stayed alive. Severus would have been happier, for one thing.
Right now, he wouldn't be drinking wine. Maybe Severus would be doing something with Regulus. Anything.
Severus Snape knew secrets.
He had many of them, after all.
But this was a secret to rival all others.
To the Dark Lord
I know I will be dead long before you read this but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can.
I face death in the hope that when you meet your match you will be mortal once more.
R.A.B.
R.A.B. was obviously Regulus. Severus knew that.
Regulus - Regulus had died, fighting the Dark Lord.
It was all too much.
Severus fled.
Fled from what? That, he didn't know.
Patronuses weren't supposed to move without their Master commanding them, even subconsciously.
Yet Severus's own Patronus guided him into the forest where he'd left the Horcrux. He reached the pool, and spotted the locket, now broken and shattered.
Dark magic still radiated off it. Severus had to restrain himself from recoiling. But the magic felt splintered, broken.
Regulus was finally avenged, and Severus took a small bit of comfort in this fact.
The Quidditch League Fanfiction Competition
Team Challenge: Kenmare Kestrels
What A Wonderful Life
Prompts:
{Character} Severus Snape
{Object} Broken Locket
{Word} Fathom
Word Count: 1157