Chapter Five

The next week passed in a indistinct blur for Severus. The days seemed to blend together, making him feel dizzy and sick. He was vaguely aware that he was still getting up every morning, still going through the day as usual, but his mind would no longer focus on anything except his promise to Regulus Black.

The whole school was talking about the previous week's incident with James Potter. The Head Boy was apparently still reeling from the abrupt end of his relationship with Lily Evans. His long standing friendship with Pettigrew was also in tatters; although James had apologised most sincerely to Peter and had been forgiven, their friendship was shaky and uneasy, and Potter was said to be a wreck after suffering two such major losses. Most Gryffindors had been sending Severus the blackest, dirtiest of glares all week, obviously blaming him for these catastrophes in their Head Boy's life. He hardly noticed.

He was too busy realising with a growing feeling of dread that he might be getting in too deep by agreeing to go to this meeting on Friday. He had begun to regret his promise to Black almost immediately, and unfortunately, the little nuisance seemed to have guessed what he was thinking and was steering well clear of him, as if to make sure he didn't try to back out.

Severus concentration had slipped so drastically that he managed to completely fail a chapter test in a Defence Against the Dark Arts class on Wednesday afternoon, getting his first 'D', the lowest mark he had ever received in that subject. This, if anything, caused him to snap out of it, and once he realised how much he was letting an angry promise affect him, Severus scoffed at himself for taking it all so seriously. He was not so far gone as that, and although the week had passed quickly he awoke on Thursday morning with his mind clear. He shook his head to organize his thoughts and realised he had one purpose in mind. Find Black and tell him he would not go to this- this gathering.

He cornered Regulus at lunchtime. Black was sliding out of the dining hall when Severus stepped out from behind him and yanked him from the corridor into an empty classroom, slamming the door.

"I'm not coming."

Black started, his eyes sliding apprehensively all around the room, refusing to settle on Severus.

"What do you mean, Sev? Of course you are," He laughed nervously, and made for the door. Severus stepped directly in front of him and glared down at the younger boy with narrowed eyes.

"No, I'm not. And what did you just call me?"

Regulus finally met his eyes.

"Sorry. Severus," Snape cuffed him around the head. "Ow! Snape." Severus stood back, satisfied. The day he couldn't at least intimidate a boy three years younger than him would be the day he declared himself James Potter's best friend.

"Listen Black. I'm not coming tomorrow, I've changed my mind. End of discussion." He turned to leave.

The whisper came from behind him, deadly, disgusted, malevolent; a spiteful hiss.

"Coward".

Severus froze. For a long moment, there was absolute silence. Nothing moved. Then Severus swung around, stunned and furious.

Regulus was leaning against a desk, staring straight at him with his chin down, a contemptuous sneer causing his lips to curl and his eyes to gleam as they met Severus' look of shock and anger. He remembered that this was not the first time Black had surprised him; inside Black was a hidden nerve he rarely displayed. When he did, as now, it came as a shock.

"What did you say?" Severus hissed.

Black's sneer flickered visibly before it grew more pronounced. He was steeling himself to something, Severus could see that.

"You're a coward, Snape. He told me you would be like this, but he wanted you to come, Lucius Malfoy did. Said you'd be a good addition. I thought so too, but I could tell right from the start you were scared. You're so-"

But what he was, Severus never knew. He had drawn his wand and hit Black with a silencing charm before the other boy had time to finish his insult. Regulus blinked and clutched at his throat. Severus strode back across the room and gripped Black's shoulder tightly, his wand still in his other hand.

"I wouldn't go any further with that sentence if I were you," he said lazily, watching in satisfaction as Black squirmed, his nerve having snapped.

"Now you get something into your thick skull, Black. I am not afraid of any tame meeting that has been arranged for idiots like you, even if Lucius and his friends have deigned to be there. Fear has nothing to do with it. I just want to see how things turn out before I go declaring myself a supporter of Voldemort".

Severus noted how Black flinched at the name. Regulus turned to look up at him and mouthed something. Severus shook his head irritably to indicate he did not understand and Regulus pointed to his mouth desperately. Muttering the counter-curse, Severus waited.

"What better way to see, than to really see! Really be there!" Regulus said hoarsely, rubbing his throat. It hadn't been a particularly gentle silencing charm.

Severus frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, if you were there, if you came tomorrow, you would see. No one's saying that by coming you're declaring yourself one of His supporters. It's just to…to see," Regulus said, managing a half-grin. "Sorry for putting you under pressure, and for calling you a coward." Here Severus rolled his eyes in disgust at the grovelling tone Regulus adopted. But then Black's tone changed completely, becoming an excited whisper. "It's just that this is going to be good, really good. So much could happen. You'll see. C'mon, Snape. Lucius wants you there, too. Think of this as your chance to see what you could become."

To his amazement, Severus found himself weakening. Regulus could be extremely persuasive. And it had been a long time since he'd seen Lucius, that was true.

He was just going to see. That was all.

"Alright." He snapped, releasing his hold on Regulus. "Alright, I'll go. What time do we have to be there? And where is it?"

"Secret location," Regulus giggled. "I'll take you, it's not too far. They wanted everyone to be able to make it. If we get there by about two, it means leaving Hogwarts at around midday."

"Fine. Get into the grounds and be at the Whomping Willow at twelve."

Regulus' eyes lit up.

"You know how to get out of the grounds from there then?"

"Yes," Severus said shortly.

"Great, good, I'll be there," But Regulus was talking to thin air. Severus had already gone.