The Beginning

by Slopopina

Regina is Severus Rogue's twin sister. They soon meet Lily Evans, who becomes their best friend, if not family. This is the story of their years of study in Hogwarts. Friendship, love, family, hatred, suffering. All those things who make us the adults we are, the three students will go through them all. Warning: It's a SQ story. Rated M

5. Chapter 5

Chapter 5. The beginning of adulthood. Fifth year.

The bright side of the whole broken heart situation was the trio's friendship. Severus and Lily never left Regina alone, and tried their best to cheer her up. This had the advantage not to bring the hard discussions about why they hadn't hung out with each other anymore for the past six months. This also reminded the three of them how much they cared and loved each other. It was not Regina's heartbreak. It was the trio's heartbreak. Although they never openly spoke about it, words weren't needed. Regina knew her friends shared her pain. And Severus and Lily knew their friend needed time to process it all to speak about it. She wasn't ready yet.

That year, they went to Diagon Alley on their own, without the Evans. First, Severus and Lily feared to cross Emma's way. They would have hated to explain why Emma wouldn't have said hello, or why Regina would have darkened, had they seen the blonde girl. Second, they tacitly needed to rebind with the magical world as a trio. They had been separated for far too long. Finally, this year would be the year of their OWLs. And they were as enthusiastic about it as stressed. It became their main subject of discussion, even though Regina was a little withdrawn and listened to them more than she spoke. But it was a blessing to focus on what her friends were saying rather than thinking about Emma. Whom they didn't see. And that was also a relief for Regina. She definitely wasn't ready to see her.

"What do you want to do, after school, Lil?" asked Severus.

"I think I would love to become an Auror…" she murmured.

"To fight against dark wizards?"

"Yeah…"

"That's very complicated… You have to pass most of the subjects with Exceeds Expectations, or something like that" Severus pointed out.

"Yes, I know. But I don't know what else would attract me… what about you?"

Severus reddened and murmured that he didn't know. Lily darkened, understanding his unsaid response.

"What about you, Gina?" gently asked Severus.

Regina shrugged and didn't answer.

"Come on, you must have an idea, honey" Lily insisted.

"Nothing for sure, yet" she murmured.

When they went back home, they immediately went to their spot, to start training.

It's been two years since we last saw our parents, she bitterly thought. Her gaze drifted from her former house to a magnificent oak standing in the distance. She felt tears forming in her eyes. And she saw Emma's golden hair and feathers. Her greenish or bluish eyes. She remembered her perfume. The way she would hold her in her arms. How she would make her feel adored. How she would kiss her and provoke that indescribable and ravishing desire.

"Come on, Gina. Make that feather disappear!" Severus suddenly exclaimed, probably noticing her distress.

He was holding a golden feather, and Regina couldn't help lifting her head to look for Emma. She closed her eyes, berating herself for her stupidity, and bit her lips hard. Two seconds later, the feather had vanished.

"Perfect!" congratulated Severus, proudly.

"Well, we all know that Transfiguration is her subject…" Lily noted, joyfully.

This reminded her a conversation they had had with Emma when she had first turned into an owl. And it brought tears in her eyes once again, but she smiled painfully at Lily anyways. It was not the time to allow her mind to think about Emma.

The summer passed with monotony. She wasn't glad to perform magic anymore. She wasn't really hungry. And she was fed up with pretending she was okay when she was near the Evans. Regina was becoming the shadow of herself. The only moment she felt good was when she turned into an owl. She would sneak out of the house, very late at night and would transform for a few hours. The memories were less painful when she was an owl. Less human, maybe. After an entire month of depression, she finally realised what her friends were enduring because of her. And she felt ashamed, sick. She didn't want to be that girl that everybody should pity. She wanted to be strong. She didn't need Emma Swan to live. And she certainly didn't need her friends to think that she was weak; that a simple girl could break her. Because she wasn't weak. She had survived years of mistreatment. She could survive a hesitant teenager, couldn't she?

In August, her behaviour radically changed. She really focused on her magic, and the trio didn't train for their OWLs but for the NEWTs. They would easily do it. Another important fact to underline was that they had received letters from Hogwarts, informing them that the trio would be Prefects. The twins were Slytherin's Prefects, and Lily one of the Gryffindor's. It didn't quite change anything about their situation, but Regina was relieved to know that she wouldn't face Emma as another Prefect. And if she bothered her too much, she could always give her a detention. The thought made her snore.

"What's so funny?" Lily asked joyfully.

They were at their spot as usual, and her friends were happy now they knew Regina felt better. They could see it.

"I was thinking about all I could do now that we're Prefects…" the brunette smirked.

"What did you have in mind?" Severus inquired.

"Oh, you know… detentions to Gryffindor students who will hit on my nerves…" she mischievously smiled.

"Speaking of… Would you like to talk about what happened?" Lily asked, carefully and detached.

"There is nothing to talk about… she wasn't ready to live with our relationship. And I hated the whole secrecy thing. So I broke up…" Regina explained, indifferent.

"You're okay, now?" Severus added.

"I'm…" she was about to say "fine" but she didn't want to lie to her friends. Especially when they had shared her pain for weeks. "I'm better, and I'll survive. She'll not be the only one to break my heart, right? There'll be plenty others. And there are worse things on Earth than a heartache. So don't worry about me anymore." She said confidently.

"That's well-spoken honey!" Lily exclaimed happily.

"Indeed. You're the bravest woman I know, Gina" her brother said proudly.

She simply smiled fondly at them, and they resumed their training. At the end of the summer, they were ready to take their NEWTs exams. They laughed about it, thinking that it'd be an awful year for the other students, but that they'd still have plenty of time on their own. The last night spent at the Evans was nice but despondent. The trio didn't want to leave (especially Regina for some obvious reasons), and the Evans didn't want them to go.

"Next summer when you come back, we'll teach you how to drive, okay? You'll be sixteen…" Mr Evans said.

The trio beamed, eager to learn. After all, the twins had leaved with a Muggle father for years, and they wanted to drive cars too. They happily confirmed and thanked the Evans.

"Be safe, darlings. Have good grades, I want as many Outstanding as possible" Mrs Evans said the following day, at the railway station.

"Don't worry about that, Mom. I'm pretty sure you'll have dozens of them with the three of us, next year!" Lily laughed, happy.

They said their goodbyes and sat on the train, in the Prefect compartment. Remus was the other Gryffindor Prefect. There was a Ravenclaw girl she had never noticed before, with very bright blonde hair and shiny blue eyes. Regina didn't even look at the others, but the girl caught her attention. She seemed sad. Instinctively, she sat next to her. Severus and Lily were on Regina's other side.

"Hi, I'm Regina" the brunette said gently.

"I know. I'm Elsa" the blonde girl smiled.

"Nice to meet you, Elsa. This is my brother Severus and our best friend, Lily." Regina introduced.

"Hi guys" Elsa greeted politely. But her smile didn't quite catch her eyes.

They spent the entire journey, speaking about how they should behave. They were explained what was their purpose, their goals, their duties. Regina quickly disconnected, trusting Severus to explain it all to her if she needed it. Instead, she thought of Emma, and her apprehension to see her again. When they parted ways with the other Prefects, they were almost at the castle. Elsa waved them goodbye, saying something like "see you soon", and they got out of the train. Regina focused her gaze on her feet, afraid to see Emma, and maintained her position all night long. She occasionally looked at Severus when he would speak to her, but otherwise focused on her plate.

"Would it be of any interest to you if I told you what she's doing?" Severus whispered to her during the dessert.

"I'm not sure…" Regina winced.

"Well. She glanced at you all night long" Severus said, detached.

"What if she comes and speaks to me?" Regina murmured, terrified.

"Hey, baby! Remember what you said one month ago? That she wouldn't break you because you've seen worse? Well, just keep that in mind. She doesn't know what she lost, when she let you go. She should have treated you as the queen you are. Her loss. You don't have to be ashamed or fearful. Of anything, she should be the one feeling awful." Severus said, lovingly.

Regina looked at him, and brightly smiled.

"Thank you, baby bro"

"At you service, milady. But it's nothing new" he winked at her.

She laughed and they normally chatted for the rest of the meal. When they went to sleep, they tenderly kissed and hugged. Regina was used to flying every night by now, but she didn't want to risk crossing Emma's way in the hypothesis where she decided to do the same. She just laid on her bed and waited for sleep to come. Bellatrix didn't even try to come in her bed. Too bad, she thought. For once I wish I didn't sleep alone…

The first month was chaotic. Slytherins and Gryffindors didn't share any lessons besides Defence against the Dark Arts. This meant two things: first, she didn't have to see Emma all the time, which was a real relief. The blonde girl acted like nothing had happened between them, and didn't even say hi. Regina didn't mind. It was better this way. Second it also meant that they spent less and less time with Lily. So the trio had reached an agreement: they would be separated during school and get back all together for the holidays.

Elsa became a new friend for her. They shared the Transfiguration class and McGonagall paired them up. Elsa admitted to Regina that she had just lost her parents, and that had been very hard for her and her little sister – who was a Squib. Concerning Bellatrix, she was still hanging out with Mulciber and Avery. They were more and more into Dark Magic, but never were mean with Regina.

Another big change was Emma's resignation of the Quidditch team. Regina had sent a letter to Lily to ask her if she knew why – she needed to know, even though she hated herself for that. Evan had brought Lily's answer: "she said she doesn't see the point anymore. She lost her passion." So maybe she isn't completely over me, Regina thought, before completely dismissing the idea.

It was mid-October. Regina couldn't take it anymore, she needed to fly. She was fed up with the students' anxieties about the OWLs, tired of the complaints, sick of thinking about Emma… as much as she tried to get the girl out of her head, she couldn't delete her feelings. Emma was even more beautiful than before. Every time they went to the Slug Club, she didn't hesitate to dress provocatively. They didn't have to wear their robes then. They could dress as they wanted. And Regina didn't know which outfit was the worst: her tight blue jeans that glorified her ass, or her red dresses which hugged her curves so perfectly… Emma wouldn't look at her. And Regina tried her best to ignore her as well. But she couldn't help ogling her when she knew the girl wouldn't notice… which was probably the reason why Regina often dreamt about the blonde girl. And the least one could say was that the dreams weren't platonic. To top it all, many were the boys and girls attracted to Emma Swan. Her resignation had been the subject of all the gossips for a few days, and her fame had reached a very high level in the school.

Consequently, Regina needed to relieve the stress caused by all these frustrations. And the best way to do so was for her to fly. She went in a hidden and isolated corridor, and transformed. She then flew through the staircases faster than she ever could have as a human, and was finally outside. She inhaled deeply the cool air of the night and screamed for several seconds, happy to fly and to release the tension. She flew over the entire lake three times, and finally decided to go sit on her oak. She was at the other side of the lake from the oak, and however, she immediately saw the golden hair up high in the tree. She hesitated for a few seconds, but decided to go. She was curious to know what Emma was doing here, instead of being with her dearest friends.

While she approached, Emma's gaze never left her. Funny that the first time she looks at me this year is when I'm an owl… Regina bitterly thought. Emma was wearing her tight jeans again and a white tank top. So much for releasing my frustration. For God's sakes, it's freezing, what the hell is she doing in a tee-shirt at the top of a tree?

Regina finale arrived and settled next to her before changing into a human again. Emma was back at ignoring her, or at least not looking at her. She was fixing the lake, and probably the almost full moon reverberating on its surface.

"Regina" she coldly acknowledge her presence.

"Emma" the brunette answered with the same tone. "I didn't think I would meet you here"

"I know" Emma answered.

"Or else, I would never have come" Regina continued, ill-at-ease.

"I know" Emma repeated sternly.

"What are you doing here?" Regina inquired.

"I don't think it's any of your business, Regina." Emma replied curtly.

"Right. I just thought you'd be with your friends" Regina smirked, a little meanly.

"It's Wednesday…" Emma simply stated.

Regina's mouth hung open at her admission.

"Are you implying that you've been coming here every Saturdays and every Wednesdays for the past month?" Regina disbelievingly asked.

"Yes, I have" Emma answered annoyingly.

"Why?" the brunette asked, shocked.

"Why do you think, Regina?" Emma angrily said, finally looking at her.

But as soon as the green eyes crossed the brown ones, Emma diverted her gaze. It seemed as if Regina needed to stare at the blonde, while Emma needed to flee the brunette. But then, what the hell was she doing here? Regina has still not answered Emma's outburst, too astonished to think clearly. Emma seemed to think that Regina waited for her to speak.

"I think we haven't finished our conversation, yet" Emma elaborated.

"I see. You're here to finish it, then."

"I'm here to understand it, actually… Care to explain me how we got this way, Regina?"

"I think my words were clear enough, Emma. Can't we just forget about it all now it's over?"

For a second, Regina saw pain in Emma's eyes, and she noticed that the girl was about to protest. But she seemed to soften quickly. However, her eyes remained sad and hurt. She didn't answer Regina's question.

"How are your friends doing?" Regina inquired.

"Okay" Emma muffled.

"Good."

They stared at the lake in silence for the longest time. Inside her, Regina felt her feelings raging. But Emma didn't share them, and probably never had. She needed to bury them deeper. Emma could destroy her. Better try right now to become immunized to the girl's effects on her.

"Are you back with Bellatrix?" Emma broke the silence, painfully.

"No. Back with Ruby?" Regina whispered.

Emma looked at her disbelievingly and answered vehemently "of course not".

"Well you didn't seem so reticent last year when you wanted to make me jealous…"

Emma opened and closed her mouth several times, before answering.

"Guess I don't see the point in making you jealous anymore…"

Regina's heart broke again. So, to shut down her feelings, she stood up and murmured a vague "I gotta go". Emma didn't hold her back. She flew for a couple hours before going back to the castle, sick at heart.

Regina didn't fly again. She didn't want to see Emma anymore, and her obvious lack of feelings towards her. She just wanted to forget. So she hung out more with Elsa and some friends of hers. She also decided to dress provocatively, like the blonde girl, during the Slug Club. Not to be looked at or try to arouse Emma's interest, but just to try and make her regret. Or at least to remind the blonde that she was beautiful, too. And that she could attract people. She was sick of being weak. She wanted to be admired and feared. And admired but feared she was.

Her walk became confident. Her expression was a bit haughty and dissuasive. She wore make-up, most of the time light but dark. She cut her hair, which was now resting loosely on her shoulders. She impressed most of the students, and the rare who would speak to her were her friends or some seventh years who thought they were above everyone else. They quickly understood that "everyone else" didn't include Regina Snape. One time, an insistent seventh year caught her up at the end of a class. He became very annoying, repeating that she was made for him, and that they would be perfect for each other. She was about to hack him off when another student came to her rescue. She had no idea how things changed so fast, but within five minutes, five students were fighting for her… Muggle style. Elsa was at one of her side, shocked. Severus was at her other side, slightly disgusted and clearly haughty. Regina was smirking, victoriously. Bugs, she murmured. She raised her wand, and all the students were thrown up in the air, before landing on dozens of purple cushions she had made appear. The students were laying on them, stunned and she turned to Severus whispering:

"We really have to train to cast unspoken spells. And we must become occlumens as well!"

"And all this while beating the crap out of peasants? You really are multi-tasking" Severus smirked.

Regina mischievously sniggered and turned to the astonished boys.

"Now, get off my way"

In a single motion, the three friends turned around and left, the cushions disappearing. The story of the incident spread throughout the castle like wildfire. For an entire week, every single students she crossed lowered their gazes politely at her, or looked at her reverently. However, Potter and Black remained the same.

Truth be told, Potter was adored by the students. He was the most famous Quidditch player, and had very good grades. Black was handsome and exploited it. Severus seemed to scare other students. For them, he was that strange guy who was able to create new potions, and spells. The fact that he pretended to love dark arts, and that he hated Muggle-borns (even though Regina knew it to be a façade – much like her own intimidating attitude) didn't help his case. Pettigrew, Lupin and Lucas were shadows in their ways. Bellatrix was also becoming more and more beautiful and most of the Slytherins were either in love with her or with Regina. The two girls became the symbol of Slytherin's pride.

Anyway, the incident with Regina and the annoying guys didn't go unnoticed, and especially not by Slughorn. During the last dinner before Christmas' ball, he asked her severely as if to reprimand her:

"Regina, is it true you turned down many guys last week?"

Regina wore a black dress, which emphasized a great amount of cleavage and her perfect legs, and dark make-up, which somehow made her even more intimidating. She noticed Emma stared at her, like the rest of her comrades (besides Lily and Severus who were looking at each other silently snoring). She focused on her teacher, smirked and answered sassily:

"It is true, Professor. Although turn down may not be the best description of my actions."

"And why would be your description, Regina?" Slughorn asked, hardly repressing a chuckle.

Regina pretended to think about it hard, while biting her lips.

"Uuum… Threw them away?"

"I'd rather say flew them away" Severus smirked.

The entire class (mostly mixed with Slytherins) burst out laughing. Even Slughorn chuckled loudly. But Emma didn't.

"None of them were to your liking, Regina?" Slughorn continued.

Regina's eyes went to Emma's. The blonde girl was still looking at her, and seemed rather pissed. This made Regina smile even more brightly. She focused on Slughorn once more.

"You could say that, Professor"

"Well, anyway, none of them would have deserved you, my dear. Don't repeat that to anyone, of course" he giggled.

The entire class laughed again.

Regina didn't go to Slughorn's ball. She didn't want to see Emma with another conquest. She went flying instead. She thought about Lily and Severus who had been to the event together and the fact that it had been one year now, since they had fought so hard about Potter. The latter was as insistent with Lily as ever, but the red-head still didn't seem to care. She kept on rejecting his declarations. Maybe Severus was wrong. Maybe Lily truly didn't care about the guy. Maybe she would fall in love with her brother, and become her sister for good.

Regina wondered who Emma would go to the party with. Would it be Ruby? Or her dearest friend, Potter? Or Black? After all, she had turned Regina down for their sake. Regina couldn't think about those persons without feeling a deep hatred and disgust. She only wished one thing: beat the shit out of them, for making her life and her brother's a living hell. But she couldn't deny, even to herself, that her own hell had been built by Emma. She was the guilty one, more than Potter or Black as long as she was concerned. But she couldn't hate her. She pretended to. She pretended to loathe the girl, or be indifferent to her, but she knew it wasn't true. Deep down, she was still head over heels in love with her. And the thought was frightening. She had not forgot that exactly one year ago, Emma was kissing her senseless against a tree.

Regina tried her best not to think about her feelings, and kept on flying, until the sun rose.

On the morning, the trio left. The Evans had invited them to spend Christmas all together. The twins had accepted. The holidays were cheerful. When they weren't with Lily's parents, they practised the occlumency and the unspoken curses. The three of them almost immediately succeeded in casting spells without saying anything, but Lily and Regina met some difficulties to close their minds. Severus didn't. He had always been the best of them at repressing his feelings.

The Evans noticed Regina's changes, although with them, she had dropped the attitude she used at school. Consequently, they complimented her. They were now looking at her as the adult she was becoming. She was the oldest of the trio – even if only by a few hours or days – and it showed. Lily and Severus were always referring to her when it came to make a decision. She enjoyed the tiny power it gave her. She felt essential and necessary for once. It was more than an agreeable feeling.

The months passed. In January, the trio celebrated their 16th birthdays. They would soon be able to drive, and they couldn't wait.

Regina kept on attracting undesirable (but somehow pleasant) attention. Emma seemed to become less and less focused during the only lesson they shared. She was always talking with Potter and Black, and didn't pay attention to anything besides them. However, every time Gold asked her a question to stop her incessant chatting, she would always answer correctly, and Regina couldn't help being impressed. She felt confident enough to discuss with the blonde girl, now.

Consequently, the first Wednesday of February, she went to their oak, hoping to find Emma. And she did. She landed next to her, and like the first time, Emma greeted her impassively.

"Regina"

"Emma. Didn't think I'd find you here."

"Pretty sure, you did…" Emma answered, smugly.

"I can assure you I didn't. Although I may have wished it" Regina smirked.

Emma's head turn to her so fast, Regina didn't even notice it.

"What did you say?"

Regina laughed at Emma's bulging eyes.

"I said. I hoped. I'd see you. Here. Tonight" Regina slowly repeated as if she was speaking to a deaf and mental person, looking directly in Emma's eyes.

"Why?" Emma murmured, lost.

"I could use the distraction" Regina shrugged, confidently before turning her gaze back to the lake.

"Right. A distraction from the dozens of love declarations you receive every day?" Emma asked sarcastically, and a little bitterly.

"Last time I checked, there were hundreds per day" Regina laughed.

"You wish" Emma snored.

"Actually, I don't. But I'm grateful for the fear I seem to inspire…" Regina replied, calmly.

"I'm not afraid." Emma said.

"I know" Regina acknowledged.

"Mustn't be very happy with me, then?" Emma smirked, looking at Regina.

"I haven't been happy with you for a very long time, Miss Swan" Regina replied strongly, looking back.

"Well, maybe you would have been, if you hadn't broken up with me" Emma replied, annoyed.

"I wouldn't have had to break up with you if you had truly cared about me" Regina contradicted, angry now.

"Is this what you think?" Emma forcefully exclaimed, shocked.

Regina didn't answer, and kept on glaring at her, furious.

"I truly cared about you, Regina! You left me without giving me the chance to explain. You ignored me for the entire summer and year."

"I don't recall you tried to speak to me, Miss Swan… and I don't remember you having any further explanation to give besides the fact that you wanted to keep your friends" Regina answered coldly and menacingly.

Emma chuckled darkly before answering.

"Of course… I'm tossed aside like a smelly sock, and I'm the one who should have spoken to you" she bitterly remarked.

"You made me break up with you, Emma!" Regina exclaimed, furious.

"No, I didn't, Regina! You did that on your own, and without my consent! I've been waiting for you! I've been coming here every Wednesdays and every Saturdays for the past six months, hoping you'd come back to me, and realise that it didn't matter if we had a public relationship" Emma stopped talking, tears threatening to overflow.

"But you preferred to silently wait for me, instead of coming directly and admit to everyone you wanted to be with me." Regina pointed out.

"You told me you didn't want me to choose between my friends and you" Emma reminded the brunette.

"And I still don't" Regina remarked.

"And yet this is what you're asking indirectly."

"I beg to differ, Swan. Admitting your feelings for me won't necessarily make you lose your friends" Regina said, annoyed.

"They wouldn't understand" Emma murmured.

Regina sniggered. This conversation is dangerous, it needs to end, she thought.

"Anyway it doesn't matter anymore, right?" Emma asked.

Regina thought about it for a second, and decided to answer the less dangerous reply. She didn't want her heart to be broken again.

"No, it doesn't"

This time, it was Emma who stood up and left. Regina watched her go. She realised a little late how desperate she had been to touch the girl and to kiss her. She went back to the castle, and like every night dreamed of Emma.

From that moment, she never missed a Wednesday or a Saturday. She didn't know why she returned to the oak. It shattered her armour every time. But she would spend the following days being admired by the rest of the school, and then she would feel the need to go back to Emma.

It seemed like every time they saw each other, they got hotter, more attractive, or dressed more provocatively. It was a torture for Regina to look at Emma when she was wearing her tight jeans, or red dresses. And she wondered if they were even allowed to wear Muggle clothes, but somehow she didn't care about the repercussions. She loved seeing Emma like this, and she loved being ogled by Emma.

It was now the end of April. They were both sitting on the highest branch of their tree. Regina wore tight black jeans with a silver belt. Her black shirt was loose and one of her shoulder wasn't covered. She also had black stilettos. The first time she had put them on, she had noticed how the blonde girl's eyes had darkened. Ever since, she got used to walking in heels (which were higher and higher). And to be perfectly honest, Emma obviously wasn't the only one affected by it… even with her witch robes, the students never failed to stare at her. Emma was wearing her usual blue jeans, and a very tight red shirt, with a great cleavage. Her hair was curly and seemed even lighter with the moonlight.

It was the last Saturday of the month, which meant that the OWLs would begin on the next Monday.

"And you're telling me that you're not even a bit stressed?" Emma asked disbelievingly.

"That's exactly what I said, dear" Regina replied confidently.

"God, I think I've never seen someone so self-assured before" Emma laughed.

"Is it a bad thing?" Regina asked, smirking.

"Depends on the person…"

Regina lied down on the branch. She bent her right leg in front of her to support her position, and let her other leg dangle. She placed her both hands under her head, never looking away from Emma's eyes. The latter's eyes had considerably darkened and were now roaming all over her body, lingering on her breast and her core. Regina suddenly realised that her legs were quite opened and probably welcoming to Emma… And the blonde girl seemed to be seriously considering to lay on her. Regina suddenly felt extremely aroused. The fact that Emma was licking her lips and desperately grabbing the branch to hold her back from doing anything, wasn't helping her. At all.

"But we're talking about me. Is it a bad thing if I'm… self-assured to use your words?" Regina resumed talking. Even to her ears, her voice sounded hoarse.

Emma was obviously struggling to concentrate, and finally diverted her eyes to the lake, shaking her head to clear her thoughts. Regina smirked victoriously, knowing that the girl was as aroused as she was.

"What other words would you use to describe yourself?" Emma inquired.

"I'd say I'm sure of my… abilities" Regina slowly murmured, provocatively. "Unlike you…"

"What is that supposed to mean?" Emma chuckled humourlessly.

"Well… I remember how unsure of yourself you were… when we used to kiss…" Regina confidently and teasingly answered.

"I don't know what this has anything to do with the OWLs, Regina. But you're right. I used to be doubtful with my sexuality." Emma answered honestly.

"Used to?" Regina pointed out, curious.

"We were fourteen the first time we kissed… we're sixteen now. And I don't have the same problems, anymore" Emma chuckled weakly.

"Really?" Regina asked. She was furious at the mere idea of Emma experiencing sex with someone else than her.

"Careful, Regina. Your tone is almost indicating jealousy…" Emma teased, still not looking at her.

"I'm not jealous" Regina lied.

Emma simply snorted, and didn't answer.

"So, I take it that you had sex with someone…" Regina insisted.

"No, I didn't. But I watched some… interesting videos. And trained alone" Emma smirked.

Regina was close to drooling. She would never have believed that Emma would be so straightforward.

"Plus, I told you once that I waited for the right person. This hasn't changed" Emma continued.

Regina closed her eyes, her hands tightening in her hair, trying to restrain her desire. She exhaled and inhaled deeply and silently.

"I see" she finally murmured, hoarsely.

"You seem surprised" Emma chuckled.

"I am" Regina admitted.

"Of what? You never masturbated?"

Regina couldn't take it anymore. Emma's crude words were arousing her beyond imaginable. She sat on the branch, her two legs hanging loosely on each side of the branch and brought herself closer to Emma, up until their legs were brushing. Emma turned her face to her. They were so close they could have kissed. But Regina had other plans. She wanted Emma to be even more turned on than she was. Her two hands were grabbing the branch between her legs, and she raised her left one to turn Emma's head towards the lake again, leaving her a clear space to her ear. Emma's left hand grabbed instinctively Regina's left knee and tightened her grip almost painfully.

"Regina" Emma whispered warningly and a little desperately.

"Emma… I have masturbated. And I have watched porns if this is what you're referring to. I was shocked about your admission. Not about your… activities, if you see my point" Regina whispered in Emma's ear slowly, temptingly, and sultrily.

Emma had closed her eyes somewhere in the middle of the sentence. At the end, she moaned almost imperceptibly but Regina heard it. Her grip on the branch tightened. Great, I wanted to turn her on, and I'm the most aroused one here, Regina berated herself.

"Regina… can you please back off, now?" Emma whispered through her gritted teeth.

"Why?" Regina asked knowingly, brushing her chest against Emma's arm.

"Because if you don't… in five minutes, you'll be lying naked on this branch, screaming my name" Emma murmured, almost angrily.

Regina chuckled in her ear, and Emma shivered.

"Things getting too intense for you, dear?" Regina resisted the urge to bite her ear.

"Yes" Emma admitted shamelessly.

"Good"

And Regina backed off, smiling widely.

"Don't be so proud of yourself, woman" Emma snored. "I know you want me too"

"Now, who is self-confident here, Miss Swan?" Regina said, lying back down on the branch.

"I'm merely sure of my abilities…" Emma mimicked her.

"What abilities, Swan? You didn't do anything" Regina remarked, sarcastically.

Emma looked at her and raised her eyebrows. She then got on her hands and knees, and crawled to her slowly. Regina's eyes widened when Emma's hands went resting on both sides of her head and she sat on her waist, her feet refolded against Regina's ass to reduce her weight on the brunette. Regina could feel the heat emanating of her core against her stomach and she bit her lips to prevent a moan from escaping her throat. Emma stared at her lips.

"I could do many things, Regina. But I'm sure you don't need that to want me" Emma smirked, dangerously bringing her mouth closer to Regina's.

"Please, stop" Regina begged.

"Things getting too intense for you, dear?"

"Yes" Regina admitted, closing her eyes.

"Good" Emma whispered in her ear, before biting it. Regina loudly gasped and one second later, Emma wasn't on top of her anymore. Regina didn't open her eyes right away. She absolutely needed to clear her thoughts before doing something she would regret the following day. So she let herself fall from the tree and flew away.

This helped her think perfectly. Don't you dare fall for her again Snape, she berated herself. She will break your heart one more time. She's not ready for a real relationship… She noticed Emma was following her, and they flew for the rest of the night, chasing each other. It was far less risky than to be humans, full of hormones.

The following day was spent outside with Lily and Severus, studying. They felt absolutely ready, and talked more than they studied. Regina saw Emma in the distance, laughing with Potter and Black. She diverted her gaze and focused on her friends instead.

On Monday, they passed Charms. On the morning they had the written exam, and on the afternoon, the orals. As the trio had planned, it was a walk in the park. Tuesday they had Transfiguration – and Regina was absolutely sure she would have an Outstanding. On Wednesday, they passed Herbology. It wasn't hard either. She didn't know if Emma would be there that night (since they were in exams period), but needed to see the girl.

So this time again, she went to the oak. She wasn't at the top of the tree when she landed. But a whistle made her lower her gaze, and she saw her waiting at the foot of the oak. She quickly flew down, and transformed.

"What are you doing here?" Regina asked the blonde girl, approaching her.

"I needed you down here" Emma answered, her face impassive.

"Why that?"

Regina was now in front of Emma, curious. Emma closed the distance, cupped her face and kissed her, deepening the kiss right away. Regina was took off guard, but instinctively, and as if her body was answering without her agreement, she reciprocated the kiss, passionately. Her entire being felt like it was on fire and awaken (thing that hadn't happened in more than a year). She didn't know what they were doing anymore, but suddenly she was pinned up against the tree once again, her legs wrapped again Emma's waist.

She couldn't think anymore. Emma's tongue was driving her crazy and she needed it everywhere on her body. She didn't even know what Emma was wearing. Probably a tee shirt, she thought once she ripped up the cloth. The shirt fell on the floor, and Regina's mouth immediately attacked Emma's neck, who was now gripping the tree behind Regina, resting her entire weight on Regina, and moaning loudly in Regina's neck. The weight prevented Regina from rubbing against Emma like she wanted to. So she pushed the blonde away, and forced her to lie down on the grass, straddling her once she was. Emma's core met Regina's automatically, the blonde girl moving to release both their needs, but it became even worse. Emma ripped up Regina's cloth as well. She reversed their positions and unzipped her jeans. They struggled a little to take them off, and Emma took advantage of Regina getting rid of her jeans to get rid of her own as well. Regina created her red cushions and some blankets for them to be more at ease, and before she knew it, Emma was back against her, completely naked.

They looked intensely at each other, Emma removing the last pieces of cloth from Regina's body. Regina's legs wrapped around Emma and her hands got lost in Emma's hair. One of Emma's hand was also in Regina's hair, and the other was grabbing her thigh. Both girls were breathing erratically and felt overwhelmed. Emma kissed Regina slowly, lovingly, without stopping to look at her. And her hand got closer to the place she needed her to be. When she finally reached her destination, Regina closed her eyes, and moaned violently. She never thought her pleasure would be so different from the one she gave herself. It was more intense, more beautiful. When Emma penetrated her, she screamed her pleasure, and Emma's other hand silenced her. Soon, her mouth replaced her hand, and muffled every sound produced by Regina.

Within a few minutes, Regina experienced her first orgasm. Emma didn't stop, and the second happened so quickly afterwards that Regina almost didn't even realise it. Emma's mouth hadn't muffled her screams this time, the blonde girl too busy watching her girlfriend coming hard on her hand. Regina didn't lose time to ride off her orgasm completely. She lied down her legs, and forced Emma to straddle her, before repeating Emma's moves. At first, their mouths were stuck to one another, and their eyes wide open, but as soon as Regina came inside of her, Emma straightened up, now sat on the brunette's fingers, and threw her head back, half screaming half moaning her pleasure. Regina kept on looking at Emma's glorious body, and she was sure she had never done anything as magic as that. She sat up too, licking, biting and kissing Emma's breast. Her left hand was securing Emma's back while the other never slowed down. When Emma came, Regina looked at her reverently. And she knew that from now on, she would only live to pleasure this girl. Not only did it felt right and natural, but it also felt vital.

They looked at each other once again, their breathing still erratic. And Emma whispered for the first time the words Regina had so desperately needed to hear from her:

"I love you, Regina"

"I love you, Emma"

They both chuckled, and Regina retrieved her fingers from Emma, and licked them.

"I take it that your exams went well?" Regina said smugly, still licking her fingers.

Emma playfully pushed her back on the grass, and laid on her.

"Yeah" she murmured sultrily.

"Ready for Defence against the Dark Arts, tomorrow?"

"Absolutely. But there's something I'm even readier for…" Emma teasingly said.

"And what would that be, Swan?" Regina answered flirtingly.

"You"

And Emma kissed her way down Regina's body.

When she woke up, Regina was alone. She didn't remember exactly when or how she had passed away, but she knew it to be after many orgasms. She had honestly lost track of how many times they had pleasured each other. But here she was alone and naked. And cold. She looked at her watch, the sun had already risen. She was late. It was ten to eight, and the written exam was supposed to begin in ten minutes. She hastily dressed and bitterly thought that she wouldn't have time to shower and dress properly. Hopefully, no one would question it.

When she arrived in the Great Hall (profusely cursing Emma in her head), the fifth year students were waiting in front of the door. She spotted Severus and Lily, and went to them.

"Where the hell are you coming from, dressed like that? And what happened to your make-up?" Lily exclaimed.

"Shit, shit, shit" Regina murmured, trying to fix it.

Severus was looking at her as if she had a second head, suddenly.

"No" he slowly and threateningly whispered.

Regina looked at him, guilty. She knew her brother had understood, and he was judging her. Hard time. He knows me far too well, she thought.

"Tell me it wasn't with her?" he continued, with the same tone.

Regina didn't answer and blushed. Realisation seemed to fall on Lily.

"For fuck's sakes, Regina! What the hell were you thinking?" he exclaimed, and his voice wasn't a whisper anymore.

"I don't know… we got caught in the moment, and…"

"And what? You decided that it was ok to fuck a slut who broke you once, and who will probably shatter you again?" Severus seethed.

Regina didn't answer and gritted her teeth. Her brother was right. She had been stupid. She wanted to cry. But Regina Snape didn't cry. She was strong and feared. Not weak and broken.

"Severus, you don't have to be angry at her, and you don't need to insult Emma. She's a nice girl" Lily protested. "They're both adults, and Gina knows what she's doing…"

"Really?" Severus fumed. "Last time I checked, we both spent our summer cheering my sister up. And you're now saying me that she's a nice girl, after what she's done to Regina?"

He looked more and more pissed, and his anger made him very intimidating. But Lily didn't back off.

"They both suffered from it! No one can judge either of them!"

"Yes, we can. And you should know that more than anyone! But maybe you don't care that much about Regina" Severus said, furious.

Lily widened her eyes, raging mad too, now. She didn't answer him, and left.

Severus inhaled and exhaled deeply, trying to relax.

"Please, tell me she didn't hurt you" he murmured, his eyes closed and his nose pinched.

"Not physically, no" she shyly answered.

"What is that supposed to mean?" he boiled, opening his eyes again, and looking hard at her.

"She… that was… the night was very… nice. But she wasn't there… this morning… when I woke up" she stuttered, looking at her shoes, ashamed.

The doors suddenly opened, but Severus didn't even look at it. The students were trying to enter the room, but her brother hold her tightly in her arms.

"You took advantage of her, okay? You don't feel anything about her. It was just about sex, you needed release after these stressing days, and she provided you, what you needed. Not the other way around. Understood?" he whispered in her ears.

Regina chuckled darkly in her neck, tightening her grip on her brother. He was offering her a way out of her shame. He was comforting her and trying to convince her of something that wasn't true but was necessary for her sanity. He really does know me by heart, she thankfully thought. Her love for him in this moment overwhelmed her. She let it go, and smirked mischievously.

"Of course, love. She's only a mean to an end. The sad fact about this whole ordeal is that I didn't have the time to shower", she said while entering the Hall with her brother.

"True. You smell like sex, now. But the upper hand is that you're completely relieved from your frustrations, and you will kill the Defence against the Dark Arts" he smugly answered.

"Lucky you. You don't need sex to kill it" she winked at him.

"You know it" he winked back.

She laughed. She never would have thought it possible, but her brother had succeeded in giving her back her confidence. He had even persuaded her of the lie. When she sat, she even crossed Emma's look, and kept an impassive and confident face. She is showered and properly dressed, she couldn't help thinking though.

The written exam was – like the rest of the tests – a walk in the park for the twins. At the end of it, Severus was looking at his notes, and she told him she needed to take a shower before the orals of the afternoon. He vaguely nodded, saying he would be near the lake, and kept on looking at his notes.

She was mid-way to her dormitories when Emma grabbed her arm.

"Regina, wait!"

Emma was breathless, and when Regina haughtily looked at her, she reddened.

"I… can we talk?" she stuttered, ill-at-ease.

"There is nothing to say, Miss Swan. And right now, I really need to change. So if you'll excuse me…" Regina coldly replied.

"No please, wait! There is a reason why I wasn't with you this morning!" Emma exclaimed.

"Yes, I get that. You panicked and got away." Regina murderously answered.

"What? No! I didn't panic! I had been waiting to do that with you for years!" Emma said, surprised.

Regina didn't answer and stared at her, threateningly. Emma gulped and continued.

"After we… I mean… the last time you… came" she winced at the word, and looked at Regina apologetically, "well, you sort of passed out. And I was watching you sleep, and I didn't see nor hear them coming… and…"

"See who coming?" Regina's eyes widened.

"My friends" Emma reddened.

"Your friends?" Regina seethed.

"Yeah… or at least James, Sirius, Peter and Remus" Emma explained.

"What the hell were they doing there?" Regina asked, furious. "Oh God… they saw me naked?"

"Yeah…" Emma admitted. "They also saw me naked, if it's comforting to you" she offered.

Regina didn't bother to answer her last statement, and only glared at her. Emma swallowed again.

"Anyway, we have this map that we created which tells us where everyone is in the castle, and James saw us next to the oak, and they all wondered what we were doing there… so they came to find me, and they saw us, and then I left with them to explain it all, and…"

"What the hell?" Regina interrupted, trying to make sense of this all crazy talk.

"I know, it's a lot to take in but anyway… I didn't want you to wake up without me. I… last night was… I mean…"

"Yeah, I get the picture, Swan" Regina cut her off.

"They didn't understand" Emma murmured, sadly.

"Well, I don't understand how you can hang out with them, so…"

Emma didn't answer and bit her lips.

"I suppose that means, that we forget this whole thing, and just go back at ignoring each other?" Regina said impassively.

"Is that what you want?" Emma asked, hurt.

"Well, obviously your friends didn't like it" Regina sarcastically said.

"They didn't understand why I had been hiding it for so long… they don't understand why I'm in love with you, but they didn't question it" Emma developed.

"Are you telling me that they're okay with it?" Regina asked disbelievingly.

"Well… yes. They just don't want me to lie to them" Emma murmured.

Regina's mouth hung open. Maybe they're not those assholes I thought they were, she thought.

"Regina… what I told you last night… when I said I loved you. It's true. I've never loved anyone like I love you, and I know I'm young so it's kinda stupid to say that, but I'm sure I'll never love anyone again like I love you and…"

Regina interrupted her babbling by kissing her. Finally, she thought happily. When they parted, they were both grinning like idiots.

"Does that mean I'm your official girlfriend, then?" Regina asked, smirking.

"Until, I'm in age to call you my wife, yes" Emma answered, brightly smiling.

Regina's giggled in such a girly way, it surprised her. But she didn't think anything about it, and kissed Emma again, before parting almost immediately.

"I really need to take a shower, though…" she exclaimed.

"Can I join you?" Emma asked, lustfully.

Regina grabbed her hand and dragged her to her bedroom. She asked Emma to sit on her bed, and wait for her.

"Hey why?" Emma pouted.

"Because I don't have time to have… funny business with you again. We have to get prepared for this afternoon…" Regina explained.

"Oh please, you don't need to prepare" Emma pointed out.

"True, but I need to make you want me… until you'll combust from desire" Regina whispered against Emma's mouth.

"I'm pretty sure that I'm ready to combust now…" Emma murmured, closing her eyes and trying to kiss Regina.

"Pretty is not even close to enough for me" Regina laughed, escaping Emma's grip and closing the bathroom door.

She heard Emma groan, and she snored. Ten minutes later, she was clean and properly dressed. They both went to the park, holding hands. And what Regina saw shattered the rest of the sanity that she had left. Her brother was in the air, suspended by Potter who was making fun of him in front of the entire school. Rage invaded her heart. Regina had never felt anything so strong before. The last time she had lost control like that was when her father had hit Severus. And even then, she hadn't been so enraged. She didn't hear Emma trying to hold her back. She didn't see the frightened students moving aside on her way. She only looked at Potter and Black. Who were realising what was happening. And stared at her like the scared rats that they were.

"Liberacorpus" Potter quickly said.

Without saying a word, Regina softened her brother's fall. She didn't stop walking to them.

"Look, Snape. We don't wanna fight a girl" Black arrogantly said.

Emma grabbed Regina's hand and tried to hold her back. Regina flew her away, and Emma crashed loudly on the grass, several feet away.

"Hey!" Potter exclaimed, angry.

"Expelli…" Black tried.

With a wave of her wand, Regina blocked his spell. They tried to disarm her again and again; they tried to immobilise her. They failed. Regina had still not said a single word. And her rage had only increased. She was now close to them. She sent her wand from left to right, as if she was holding a knife which would harm them, and deep cuts appeared on the boys' torsos. They were hissing in pain when she immobilised them. They fell loudly on their back, unable to move.

She was now standing in front of them, and she crashed her foot in both their male genitals. Tears fell from their eyes. She then bent down next to Potter, and placed her wand against his throat.

"If you ever do that again, I'll kill you Potter" she threateningly murmured.

When she stood up and left, she noticed that a scald had appeared on his throat, at the place where her wand had been. Without even a look for Emma, she ran after her brother, who was quickly walking towards the castle. She caught him up in the entrance.

"Severus, wait! Are you ok?" she asked, concerned.

He turned around, furious.

"Why did you do that, Regina?"

"What do you mean why did I do that? They were brutalising you!"

"Did I ask for your help? I didn't need it!" he exclaimed, raging mad.

"No, you didn't!" she replied, angry now. "Why didn't you defend? You're far better than these losers!"

Severus raised his wand menacingly, but quickly turned around instead. Regina was lost. Her brother knew her by heart, and she didn't understand him. She despised herself. She wondered why Lily hadn't done anything to help him. Even if she's mad at him, it doesn't excuse her. She hated Lily too, in that moment. She was following her brother, trying to understand him when they were stopped by McGonagall.

"Snapes! Follow me in the Headmaster's office!" she exclaimed.

She didn't seem angry, but she wasn't kindly either. They followed her silently. When they entered the office, Emma and the two idiots were already there. Emma looked at her apologetically and Regina began to feel guilty of what she had done to her. It had not been her fault. But they're her friends, and she tried to protect them, she remembered. Regina's eyes turned icy.

"I would like you to explain what happened, Regina" Dumbledore asked her, gently.

Regina wasn't expecting this question and didn't answer anything. Dumbledore raised his eyebrows, but she remained silent.

"Alright. Can one of you explain what happened?"

They all remained silent. Regina was surprised to see that Potter and Black didn't seize the opportunity to complain. Their cuts were still largely visible, and they seemed to be in great pain. Regina meanly snored thinking that they had to be very hurt in their egos… and their genitals. Dumbledore raised his eyebrows again, but didn't comment. Emma suddenly spoke loudly.

"James and Sirius were attacking Severus. Regina protected him"

She sounded angry, and Regina looked at her, flabbergasted.

"We were not attacking him" Black protested weakly.

Emma threw at him a murderous look, and he lowered his head. Regina was more and more relieved now. Emma's not mad at me but at them, she thought mesmerised.

"Sirius, maybe you can explain?" Dumbledore continued.

Slughorn suddenly entered the office, apologising not to be here sooner.

"Thank you Horace. Minerva saw an… altercation between these students, and we needed the Headmasters of Gryffindor and Slytherin to be here." Dumbledore explained to him.

Slughorn looked at the twins and Emma, concerned.

"What happened?" he asked.

"This is what we are trying to know" McGonagall answered.

"Are you going to expel us? Because if you are, Severus and Emma have nothing to do with this!" Regina angrily replied.

Dumbledore looked at her. He seemed to already know what had happened, and what she felt. He seemed to understand her.

"We are not going to expel anyone, Regina" he calmly answered. "But we need to know what happened, why you hurt these students".

Regina remained silent. And Emma explained everything. She didn't miss a single detail. She even described the non-spoken curses Regina had used, and the softening of her brother's fall. She tried to minimise it, though. By emphasising her friends' cruelty towards Severus. Regina never stopped looking at her, and felt even guiltier.

"I see" Dumbledore said.

"She's missed the beginning, though. We ridiculed Snape because he had insulted Lily Evans" Potter vehemently added.

Regina's head turned to her brother, incredibly fast. She looked at him disbelievingly and he reddened, not looking back at her.

"What did he insult her?" McGonagall inquired.

"Mudblood" Potter answered, wincing.

"No" Regina murmured.

"I did" Severus admitted, still not looking at his sister.

"Why?" Regina whispered, tears in her eyes.

Her brother didn't answer.

"Because she tried to protect him" Black answered instead, scornfully.

"I don't remember asking you the question, Black." Regina threateningly and forcefully replied.

Black didn't lower his gaze.

"Why were you making fun of Severus in the first place?" Dumbledore asked, not so gently.

The boys didn't answer and reddened a little.

"I see" Dumbledore repeated. "Regina, did you really cast spells without wording them?"

"Yes, Professor" Regina answered, a little challengingly.

"You didn't mutter the spells?" he asked again.

"No, Professor"

"When did you learn to do that?"

"Last Christmas" she reluctantly answered.

"Alone?"

"No. With Severus and Lily, Professor"

"And she also can create things" Emma added, before blushing.

Slughorn was broadly smiling.

"I've never seen more gifted students, Albus" he happily said.

Dumbledore looked at him, disapprovingly. Slughorn straightened.

"Minerva, I let you deal with your students and fix an adequate punishment for their behaviours. Horace I would like to speak with you and your students if you please" Dumbledore then said.

McGonagall and her three students left, but Emma looked at Regina expectantly. Regina smiled at her apologetically, and Emma beamed. When they were gone she focused on Dumbledore who was looking at her knowingly again. She blushed.

"Severus, can you cast unspoken spells as well?" he asked.

"Yes" Severus answered.

It was clear to Regina that he was thinking to something else and prayed that his rude answer wouldn't be noticed.

"There is nothing I can do that he can't, Professor" Regina added. Except for the Animagus thing, she thought. "And he can create potions, too"

"Horace?" Dumbledore inquired.

"This is very true" Slughorn answered fondly. "Severus is the best student I've ever had" he assured. "And Minerva probably already told you Regina's skills in Transfiguration"

"She did" Dumbledore answered. "Transfiguration was also my favourite subject" he winked at Regina.

She was flabbergasted by this, but she smiled anyway.

"I think you should also give an appropriate punishment for Regina, Horace. And about their aptitudes, I would see fit to give Severus and Regina private lessons, which would be more adequate to their levels" He added.

Slughorn beamed, and approved.

"What do you want to do after school?" Dumbledore asked.

The twins shrugged.

"They should then take general subjects for their NEWTs. I let you deal with that, Horace".

They were about to leave when Dumbledore softly added:

"Regina, Severus. Your love for each other is the most powerful thing you have. Don't let anything come into its way. And don't let it darken your hearts" he gravely said.

"I'm so sorry, baby!" Emma exclaimed as soon as Regina arrived to the oak, that night.

"I'm the one who should apologise, Emma. I didn't want to hurt you" Regina blushed.

"It's okay, honey. I get it. Haven't you been too punished?" Emma worried.

"Nah. Slughorn just gave me a detention next Saturday. But I should make it to our night together" Regina smiled.

"Well, if you can't, we can go another day" Emma suggested.

Regina raised her eyebrows.

"I mean, we're officially together now, right?" Emma asked, concerned.

Regina smiled lovingly at her girlfriend and hugged her.

"Thank you for standing up for me" Regina whispered.

"They were wrong…" Emma murmured back.

"I thought you were trying to protect them" Regina admitted.

"I know" Emma chuckled. "All I was trying to do was to protect you"

"They didn't stand a chance against me" Regina protested.

"I know. But I didn't want you to be expelled… anyway how's your brother?"

Regina buried her head in Emma's hair.

"He avoided me. He doesn't want to talk to me" she admitted, feeling the tears coming.

"Why's that?" Emma asked, shocked.

"He hates to feel weak, I think"

"Why didn't he fight back? He's as strong as you, isn't he?"

"Yeah, he is… but I think he lost control. Potter gets to him in a way he's helpless against."

Emma groaned.

"Still in love with Lily?" she guessed.

Regina sighed, not answering.

"Why did he insult her, then?"

"To protect himself" Regina answered with conviction.

"How would that help him?"

"He knows she doesn't love him the way he loves her. So… he's got nothing to lose. And his pride was hurt, I guess"

"I'm sorry"

They kissed for a long time, and Regina finally said:

"We should go back inside. We still have Potions, tomorrow…"

"Right" Emma said, disappointed.

"I'll walk you to your dormitory to kiss you goodnight" Regina smirked.

"Okay" Emma answered, enthusiastically.

They walked back to the castle silently. When they arrived near the entrance of Gryffindor, they heard voices. Severus and Lily's.

"God, not again" Regina sighed.

From what they heard it was a farewell for the two friends. Lily wasn't accepting Severus' apologies. And Regina suddenly wanted to strangle her. They hid when Severus went away. Regina was too stunned to really react. She just stood there, thinking to what it would mean for their friendship.

"Your brother wants to become a Death-Eater?" Emma blankly asked.

Right, that had been one of the subjects of the discussion between Lily and Severus.

"I think he just wants to be free. And he thinks that becoming a Death-Eater will help him" Regina shrugged.

"Gina, how can you be so careless about this?" Emma exclaimed, shocked.

"I'm sorry baby. I would like to sleep. Can we speak about it another time?" Regina apologised.

"Okay" Emma answered reluctantly. "Sleep tight, Regina"

They kissed, and parted ways.

The following day, Emma ate at the Slytherin table and held Regina's hand. Soon, the entire castle knew about their relationship, but none of them cared anymore. They had waited too long for this. Severus didn't speak to Regina the whole day. The other Slytherins completely ignored Regina as well, and haughtily looked at Emma. The Potions exams were easy to the brunette. And she knew Severus must have found it even easier.

The following week was pretty much the same. The exams ended. Lily and Severus refused to speak to Regina. The brunette wasn't sure why any of them would avoid her like that. Every time she tried to speak with Severus, he flew away. She spent many nights crying for this. And Emma was there to hold her in her arms. She was there to kiss her tears away. She was there to soothe her fears. They didn't make love again. Regina was too preoccupied for that. And Emma was too concerned with Regina to think about it.

The last day of school, Regina decided to confront her brother. They needed to know where they would do with their summer. So she spied on Severus, and got assured that he would not escape her this time. He was walking down the stairs of his dormitory when she caught him.

"Hi" she said, blankly.

"Hi" he answered.

"I need to know what we're doing this summer. Obviously we won't go at the Evans. What should we do?"

"You do what you want to do, Regina. Lucius invited me at his place for the summer." He answered impassively.

"Are you making fun of me?" Regina asked, angry.

"Absolutely not. Now, if you'll excuse me"

He tried to bypass her, and she let him. But she screamed:

"WHAT THE HELL DID I DO TO YOU, SEVERUS? WHY ARE YOU PUSHING ME AWAY?"

He turned around, tears in his eyes.

"I'm pushing you away because I need to exist. I'm tired of living in your shadow. I'm tired to be seen as your brother, and not as Severus Snape. I'm sick of loving you two so damn much I don't even know who I am anymore. I need to push you away, Regina. Because if I don't, it'll drive me mad"

"You already are" Regina murmured, silently crying.

"Maybe I am. Maybe I'm making the wrong choices. But I need you to let me be" Severus told her.

"Wait, Severus"

He looked at her, waiting. She raised her left wrist and untied her bracelet, with the symbol of the infinite.

"If you need to live without me, at least let me remove my bracelet."

She threw the object to him, and ran to her bedroom. She didn't try to contact Emma. She needed to cry her pain alone. She needed to mourn alone for her loss. To mourn for her shattered family, and her broken heart. She didn't eat that night. She was laying down on her back, crying and crying again. The tears couldn't stop. Her wrist felt light as a feather without her bracelet to cling her to the past. Suddenly, she heard a knock on her window. She looked at her watch and the time indicated that the students were still dinning. She turned around and saw Emma, as her owl self. She opened her window, transformed too, and rushed forward, following Emma. The latter didn't stop at their tree, but continued flying, stopping at the other side of the river, the side the most far away from the castle. She then returned to her human self and Regina landed on her shoulder. She wasn't ready to go back to her human emotions, yet.

Emma understood it, took her in her arms, and cradled her gently. Regina weakly hooted.

"Even as an owl, you're the most beautiful bird alive, Gina" she soothed her.

Regina weakly protested, and Emma understood again.

"I'm serious. You're all black and dark. But your eyes are shiny, and the feathers near your heart are a little lighter. I'd say a dark blue maybe" Emma contemplated, caressing the feathers near her heart.

Regina changed and Emma kept on holding her tight. Regina buried her face in Emma's neck and cried again.

"What happened?" she finally asked.

"He doesn't want to be with my brother anymore." She lamented.

"Don't be silly, my love. He can't stop being your brother" Emma replied.

"He doesn't want to be with me this summer" Regina wept.

Emma tensed perceptibly and groaned angrily.

"It's not a big deal, sweetheart. You'll come with me" she said after calming down.

"Where to?" Regina asked, unsure.

"To the Muggle's world. We'll work at the beach, just the two of us" Emma smiled.

"I don't have Muggle money" Regina objected.

"Please, babe. You can create cushions, and you want me to believe that you can't create little pieces of paper?" Emma snored.

"Is it that easy to live in the Muggle world?" Regina asked surprised.

"Well, for someone like you it will be. I'm not as good as you… but for you Gina, it'll be even easier than living in the magical world." Emma said, confident.

"Okay" Regina whispered.

"What was that? I'm sorry I didn't hear you?" Emma teased.

"I said okay, silly" Regina sniggered.

"Perfect. You'll create money, and I'll buy you great things with it!" Emma exclaimed happily.

"We don't need to work, then" Regina pointed out.

"Sure we do! It's the best way to meet important people!" Emma protested.

"Important people?" Regina asked surprised.

"Yeah. I'm working in the south of France, in a city called Saint Tropez… let me tell you, I crossed many Muggle celebrities" she smirked.

"I don't speak French" Regina said, scared.

"It's okay. You'll learn fast. And they all speak English anyways."

"What if they don't want to hire me?"

"Oh but they will, Gina"

"How can you be so sure?" Regina asked disbelievingly.

"I know the boss, my love. Even if he refuses, you can lay down on the beach and tan all summer long" Emma laughed.

"How do you know him?"

"This piece of information is classified, Miss Snape"

Regina laughed, and Emma couldn't help laughing with her.

"You'll see, you'll love it. Trust me" Emma said confidently.

"I trust you. And I believe you" Regina whispered.

TBC.