Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode

All I ever wanted, All I ever needed

Is here in my arms

Words are very unnecessary

They can only do harm


BOOK TWO: AWAKE, TETHERED, AND UTTERLY CATASTROPHIC

July 2nd, 1979

Flitting around the Greengrass's sitting room like an agitated wasp, Ivy grumbled under her breath. Taking a seat in one of the plush armchairs in front of the window, she bounced her leg impatiently.

Regulus -who had been early enough to have breakfast with her- lounged on the sofa, reading My Life as a Squib by Angus Buchanan. With his long legs splayed out and one muscular arm behind his head, she wondered fleetingly whether Theya was going to be late enough for the two of them to have a quick shag.

"Forty bloody minutes," Ivy muttered her first coherent sentence in nearly a half hour.

The corner of Regulus's mouth twitched, but he didn't look up.

Feeling the sun -which was surely frying Sere's lawn- beat down on the back of her head, she got back to her feet. In search of entertainment, she examined random trinkets around the room without actually examining them, as she was too annoyed to focus on much else.

Eventually, footsteps sounded down the hallway, and Theya whisked into the room.

"What's the big surprise?" She yawned.

"If you were ready on time," Ivy said flatly. "You'd know by now."

"I need my beauty sleep."

"I've been planning this for months," she glowered.

"Oh," Theya ducked her head.

Regulus snapped his memoir closed. Getting to his feet, he adjusted his black robes in the reflection of the window, before coming up behind Ivy. When he locked his arms around her waist, her vexation waned - slightly.

"What's the surprise then?" He kissed the side of her neck.

Fighting a smile, she pulled out of his embrace and held out an arm to each of them. "Side-Along and you'll see."

Once they had a firm grasp on her, she twisted on the spot. Everything around her went black and her lungs became compact, as the sensation of being squeezed in a vice grip set in.

After a few moments of not being able to breathe, the trio landed on a sandbar, the green sea stretching endlessly before them. The wind beating into Ivy's back, her shoes sank into the sand underfoot. Stepping away from them, she turned toward the shoreline, breathing in the stormy air and the sky's haze of light rain.

"Don't get me wrong," Theya's voice carried on the wind. "This is great and all, but why'd this take months of preparation?"

Carding a glance over her shoulder, she realised that neither of them had bothered to look around. Clearing her throat loudly, she pointed a manicured finger inland, beyond the pier that connected the sandbar to the shore, toward a ten metre high cliff where a grove of trees was nestled atop, the thicket cloaking a house.

"Er," Regulus frowned. "I still don't understand."

"I know." Heading across the pier, she beckoned them to follow with a jerk of her head. "This is the entrance to a safe house. Our safe house."

Fixing her stare over her shoulder, she grinned smugly at their surprised expressions and nearly fell face-first into the sand upon stepping off the pier. Recovering quickly, she guided them to the base of the cliff.

"I bought it over Winter Holidays," Ivy told them proudly. "Under fake credentials."

"I knew there was a reason I liked you," Theya sounded impressed.

Regulus, however, didn't seem to be paying attention, as he was too busy stepping forward, backtracking, then stepping forward again. "Is that- Theya, do you see that?"

"Huh?"

He gave her a light shove, but before she could muster up anger, she gasped.

Although Ivy knew what they were gawking at, she still turned to admire the staircase that had been painstakingly carved into the cliff's mossy side. She'd used a modified Disillusionment Charm on both it and the house above so that from a distance, neither seemed to exist.

"Come on." She began to climb the stairs with a little extra bounce in her step.

Regulus craned his neck for a peek at what was atop the cliff. "So this is where we'll go if we're ever caught?"

"Right." Ivy smiled at the awed look on their faces. "Not to mention, we now have somewhere to talk and plan. No more worrying about being overheard or barged in on."

Reaching the top of the staircase, she led them down a pathway of mossy stones that had been embedded into the rich soil, which had once been part of the cottage her ancestors lived in hundreds of years ago. When they reached a stone archway and door, which had been erected in the middle of a neatly trimmed hedge, she kissed the pad of her index finger. Pressing it against the stone, she opened the door to reveal a massive garden.

It was wild and slightly overgrown. All manner and colours of untamed flora grew along the edges of the stone path, which eventually brought them to a lounging area. A weeping willow had been planted in the centre of the space, a wooden swing hanging from its branches to sway slowly in the breeze. Multiple wicker chairs and a sofa languished around the tall tree, Moly flowers wound into the furniture. Glass baubles floated overheard, acting as houses for bluebell flames that would light up at night.

Guiding them the rest of the way to the dark-wooded house, Ivy admired the stone columns that stretched up to hold the weight of a large balcony. Reaching the double glass doors, she paused. "Thoughts so far?"

"It's beautiful," Theya said dreamily.

"Yeah," Regulus looked impressed. "You've done a great job with this place… That reminds me, where exactly are we?"

"Merlin," Theya snorted. "I completely forgot to ask."

"We're near Falmouth." Satisfied with their praise, Ivy swung the doors open for them.

Entering the sitting room, her eyes were drawn to the ceiling, just as they were every time she walked in. The ceiling was high and lined with skylights that let in a substantial amount of natural light. Deep blue armchairs and a matching sofa had been placed in a wide semicircle around the elegantly carved fireplace. A black floor-length mirror had been crammed into a corner, and the right side of the room was taken up entirely by a staircase leading to the second level.

"I see you haven't gotten around to decorating much," Theya commented.

Regulus nodded silently.

"Yeah," Ivy rubbed the back of her neck. "I was hoping you two could help with that; I'm not sure how to liven it up."

"There's this thing called shopping," Theya smirked. "It's where you find stuff that you like, buy it, then put it in your house."

"Ha ha," she made a face.

"Are you planning to live here?" Regulus was staring at the ceiling.

"Part-time," Ivy said. "Though, I was going to suggest that once we're married, we live here. I don't need an answer now, it's just something to consider."

"What sort of protection spells have you got on this place?" He headed for the stairs, the two witches trailing behind.

"Only a few." As they reached the next level, Ivy remained in the spacious hallway and watched them poke about. "I was hoping you could give me a list of what your parents used on Grimmauld Place. I intend to make this place just as safe - safer, actually, since you two are going to be its Secret Keepers."

"Really?" Theya beamed.

"This place might be in my name, but it's supposed to be ours. You're both free to come and go as you'd like, so long as it stays hidden."

Regulus walked through an archway and into the small library, while Ivy poked her head around the entrance to gauge his reaction. Deep blue armchairs and a worn table sat in the centre of the area, while floor-to-ceiling bookcases covered the walls. A bay window stood opposite the door, its view obstructed by branches and leaves that filtered in mildly green light. Only one shelf had been filled and Regulus gave her a look that said: If I have anything to do with it, this house is going to need a second library.

"I suppose this place is a secret from Severus, then?" Theya's voice tightened.

"It has to be," Ivy eyed her. "If we want somewhere to convene. Which is half its purpose."

Theya gave a noncommittal, slightly rude sound.

Regulus shot Ivy an inquisitive look.

She shrugged.

"How many rooms have you got in this place?" Her boyfriend wandered back out into the hall where she and Theya remained. "And what are we gonna call it? Can't keep saying this place."

"I was thinking we could name it the Haven," Ivy replied.

"Works for me." He poked his head into two other rooms, returning to give her an unimpressed look that she knew was due to them being practically empty.

What do you think, Theya?" Ivy inquired.

"Hm?" She blinked, looking like she'd been drawn out of a deep thought.

"Calling this place the Haven. Yes? No? Maybe so?"

"Oh, sure," Theya waved a hand. "Whatever."

Regulus looked at her with a quizzical frown, before walking the rest of the length down the corridor to peer around the corner. "Really, though, how many rooms do you have?"

"We have five rooms on this level," Ivy said. "If you count the library and not the lavatories. My room and another empty one are down the hall. Below us is the sitting room, kitchen, and another loo. Below that is the cellar, for if we ever need to question someone."

"You've got a dungeon?" Theya cackled.

"It's not a dungeon," she rolled her eyes. "So much as an interrogation room. And might I remind you, again, it's our d- I mean, interrogation room."

"Same thing," Regulus smirked.

Ivy waved a hand. "If someone finds out about us, it'd be good to have somewhere to put them aside from a shallow grave… Now, who's ready to become a Secret Keeper?"


July 7th 1979

Regulus sighed contentedly. Leaning back in his chair and placing his hands behind his head, he looked out at the Peruvian wilderness just beyond his parents' villa. The rainforest stretched on for kilometres with seemingly no end, the greenery lush and broad. It was full of sound, though most of it seemed to be coming from the seven or so turquoise birds hopping about a nearby kapok tree. He'd been eyeing them for several minutes, as a green anaconda was creeping its way up a branch, headed for the cotingas.

When the serpent went in for the kill, Severus jumped on Regulus's left. "Remind me, what exactly is keeping that snake from eating us?"

"Protection spells," he said easily. "So long as you stay around the villa, you'll be fine. Sirius learned that the hard way."

"Did he?" Theya laughed nervously from the other side of Severus.

"I'm sure you've noticed that he fancies himself some kind of explorer - that's a trait he's had since childhood. Jaguar nearly chewed off his foot when we came here in '71."

"Comforting, that." Ivy, who was seated to his right, looked unsettled.

Turning back to the anaconda, he realised that it had turned its beady eyes to them.

His companions all leaned back in sync.

"Don't worry." Regulus yawned, a tad sleepy from the warm sun cascading down on them. "It'll stay away. Anything else that comes by will do the same, there's some sort of Animal Repellent Charm on the place." He picked up his empty glass from the veranda underfoot. "Anyone want another frutillada?"

The others murmured their assent, downing what was left of their drinks. Collecting their glasses, he walked back through the open door behind them. The kitchen was walled with whitewashed adobe bricks and an innumerable amount of windows. Although Regulus enjoyed the style on its own, his parents had made a point to flaunt their wealth by making most every flat surface a slab of polished acacia wood.

Once through with refreshing their drinks, he headed back out to the terrace.

"I'm surprised," Severus nodded his thanks as he took the frutillada. "That your parents are alright with us staying here."

"'Course they're not." Regulus passed Theya and Ivy their glasses before retaking his seat. "That's why I didn't tell them."

"Where do they think you are?" Severus asked.

"At Theya's château," Ivy answered for him.

Severus choked on his drink and turned to his girlfriend. "You own a castle?"

"Don't be ridiculous," she rolled her eyes. "It's owned by our entire family, immediate and extended."

Regulus bit back a laugh at the casual snobbery.

Severus stared at her as though she'd grown a second head.

"It's no Château de Fontainebleau," Theya's face reddened. "It's more the size of Château de Cruix."

"You're going to have to translate," Severus scowled into his pink drink. "I don't speak obscenely wealthy."

"I mean to say," she slouched in her chair. "It's not very big."

"A castle is a castle," he clenched his jaw. "Have you got any other estate-sized homes you want to tell me about?"

She paled and opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

Ivy cleared her throat. "Once you're through with your apprenticeship, Severus, you'll have plenty of estate-sized homes to rival ours. How's that going, by the way?"

Theya shot her a thankful look.

"Better," Severus said slowly. "Now that Bertha Jorkins quit. I've still got two more years to go before other opportunities start opening up, but I'm sure it'll be much more enjoyable now that she's gone."

"Who's Bertha Jorkins?" Regulus took a swig of his frutillada.

"She was Damocles's assistant," his lip curled with distaste. "And a right twit, if you ask me; always dropping ingredients on the floor and messing with my potions when I told her point-blank not to."

Theya grinned smugly, though Regulus didn't know why.

"No idea why anyone would want to hire her," Severus went on. "But she was offered a position with the Department of International Magical Cooperation."

Ivy nodded at Theya. "Isn't that where you interviewed last week?"

"No, that was for the Floo Network Authority." She finished her glass and set it on the veranda. "With any luck, you'll be looking at their new Secretary. Very glamorous, I know."

"What happened to being a politician?" Regulus raised a brow. "You know, your lifelong dream. Opera singer aside."

Ivy laughed into her frutillada.

"Well," Theya sighed and propped a hand behind her head. "I wanted to be a Court Scribe for proceedings, but the position was filled before graduation. Went to Edgar Bones instead, if you can believe it. Little weasel must've interviewed preemptively over Spring Hols."

Severus squinted, as though trying not to roll his eyes.

"You're just miffed that you didn't think of it first," Regulus told her.

"I'm miffed that Dad didn't think of it first. He's supposed to be my in to politics. Mum, too, but I think she's gotten a bit bored of it all. Anyway, the job with the Floo Network Authority was one of three low-ranking positions available in the Ministry, and I'm not exactly qualified for anything else."

"What about you?" Severus asked Ivy. "What've you got in the works?"

"I'm going to be an Unspeakable, hopefully. I've got an interview in August for a job in the Department of Mysteries, they're looking for an Administrative Assistant."

"Can you really call yourself an Unspeakable," Severus smirked. "If all you're doing is shuffling parchment?"

"I imagine," Ivy narrowed her eyes. "That the parchment will have unspeakable things written on it. Classified things that I won't tell you about, if you continue to mock me."

"Oh, dear. I suppose I'd better stuff it before you revoke my access to redacted scribbles."

Apparently at a loss for anything clever to say, she stuck her tongue out at him.

Theya leaned forward to look at Regulus. "What's your plan?"

Ivy sighed and took a large swig of her drink. "Yes, Regulus, do tell them your plan."

"My plan," he scrunched his nose at her. "Is to not have a plan."

"You're not going to find a job?" Severus cocked his head.

"Nah."

"What'll you do instead?" He laughed quietly. "Spend quality time with Mum and Dad?"

"Definitely not."

"Then, what?" Theya stared. "You do realise if you don't start planning out your life immediately that your parents are going to do it for you, right? No job means no responsibilities. You'll be entirely at your parents' disposal."

Regulus had not considered this. It occurred to him that he also hadn't thought about how much more useful he would be to the Dark Lord if he had unlimited time on his hands. Hogwarts had been a good excuse for not participating often, and if he didn't replace that large consumption of time, who knew what he'd be made to do?

"Well, where the hell would I even work?" He threw his hands up. "You said it yourself, Theya, there's only three low-ranking positions available in the Ministry. You and Ivy are interviewing for two of them, what's the third?"

"I don't think you'd be interested," Ivy cut in. "From what I understand, it's janitorial; you'd be the Filch of the Ministry."

He released a deep groan.

"I'm sure there's jobs available outside the Ministry," Severus pointed out. "What are you interested in?"

"Dunno… history? Ancient runes? Comics?"

"Walburga would love that," Ivy shook her head and took on a snooty tone. "The sole heir to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black… working at a comic book store."

"You might've just sold me on that idea."

"Orion would skin you alive," Severus told him.

"Not if I skin him alive first. Though, my inheritance will be coming through once I'm married. I could just work until then; no one would have to know if I quit after that, since I wouldn't be living with Walburga and Orion." Regulus nodded to himself. "Then, I can just sit back and piss away my inheritance. Running the Black family fortune into the ground would really make my parents barmy."

"Hear, hear!" Theya raised her glass.

"You're not really going to do that?" Severus looked on in disbelief. "Waste all that money?"

"Why shouldn't I?" Regulus said nonchalantly.

"There are a lot of people," a muscle in his jaw tightened. "Who would be extremely happy to have all those Galleons lying around. People who, for once in their life, wouldn't have to worry about where their next meal is coming from or how they're going to pay for their flat."

Regulus stared, taken aback by his anger.

"Pissing it all away," Severus said venomously. "Is without a doubt one of the most spoiled things I've ever heard."

"Severus…" Theya reached for his arm.

"No," he jerked his arm away and got to his feet. "You all can sit here in this villa, talking about your small châteaus and how bothersome it is that Daddy didn't find you the perfect job even though you'll never need to work a day in your life. But I am not losing a week's worth of pay to sit here and take part in such an ignorant bloody discussion,"

Rounding on a heel, he stalked inside in a fury.

Regulus cringed as the door slammed shut behind him.


July 10th 1979

Regulus stormed into Severus's bedroom at the villa, and was just about to whip the door closed behind himself, when he spotted Theya in the armchair beside the bed. Taking in Severus's stoic posture and Theya's solemn one, he noted that he was interrupting an emotional discussion of some sort.

However, he was perfectly willing to make an arse of himself right then.

"You." He pointed at Theya, then the door. "Out."

Her brows shot up in bewilderment. "We're sort of in the middle of something."

"I don't care," he barked. "Out. Now."

"What's got your knickers in a twist?" Theya scowled. "A simple please would suffice, though you'll excuse me if I respond with no."

"Oh, sod it." Regulus grabbed her by the arm as gently as he could manage, while also forcing her from the room.

"Hey!" She yelled, as she was shoved into the hallway. "What's the matter with you?"

"Make it up to you later," he slammed the door shut and locked it.

"Wanker!" Theya shouted from the other side of the wood.

"Severus." He turned on his heel, ignoring the insults she continued to sling. "I'm losing it, mate. I'm really losing it."

"If you think," Severus drawled. "I'm going to forgive you just because you're all worked up, think again."

"This isn't about that," Regulus ran a hand rather violently through his hair. "I'm sorry and I'm a git, I know - but I'm going to propose to Ivy tonight and I need your help."

"You're what?" Theya squealed from the hallway.

"Bugger off!" Regulus shouted.

"What're you all yelling about?" He heard Ivy say from the other side of the door.

"Oh, nothing," Theya said loudly. "Your boyfriend is just trying to find haemorrhoid cream."

Releasing a long groan, he slouched into the armchair as their footsteps retreated. "She's never going to marry me now. Help me."

"Fine," Severus looked to be repressing a smile. "But just so you know, there's no coming back from haemorrhoids. You're on your own for that one. And I'm going to tell Ivy that I didn't have any cream."

"Pratt," he ran a hand over his face. "I don't know what to say to her. I had it all prepared, but when I practised in the mirror, it sounded cheesy and ridiculous. We're going to the beach in an hour and I've no idea what I'm going to do."

Severus heaved a sigh and stood, straightening out his robes. "Alright. Pretend I'm Ivy."

"I can't do that," Regulus laughed.

"Why not?"

"Well, see, you're just not as pretty as her."

He rolled his eyes. "Do you want my help or not?"

"Yes, yes," he got to his feet as well and took a deep breath, composing himself and throwing his shoulders back. "Ivy. The term Ya'aburnee is defined as-"

"No. Just no."

"Really?" Regulus's shoulders sagged. "I haven't even gotten to the cheesy part yet."

"Merlin's beard," Severus rubbed his forehead. "Alright, let me hear the entire thing and we'll see what we can do."

"Right… Ivy. The term Ya'aburnee is defined as the wish that a loved one will outlive you, because of how unbearable life would be without them. Thus, it translates to you bury me. I can't say that I'd ever felt such a thing before I met you. But once I did, that was it. No one ever came close to comparing to you. No one ever came close to Ya'aburnee. I've never been happier than these last few months with you." Regulus took a breath. "Will you marry me, and make me happier than I believed possible?"

"No, you've got haemorrhoids."

"Not. Funny."

Severus burst into laughter. "I think it is."

"Oh, piss off. What did you think?"

"The beginning needs work," Severus said slowly. "Definitely rephrase it. But the rest was solid. Good length, I think. Say too little and it seems insincere, but say too much and her eyes will glaze over. I approve, once you make some alterations."

"That's a relief," Regulus released a long breath, feeling significantly more at ease. "I thought you were going to say to scrap it entirely."

"Mm," he made a mildly disinterested sound. "Are we done now? I'm not through with wanting to Crucio you."

"Yes, we're done."

"Good. Now, get out and apologise to my girlfriend, you tosser."


"Can I open my eyes now?" Ivy tittered.

"Not yet," Regulus replied, voice shaking a little.

Consumed with uncontrollable laughter, she looked at him through her fingers. Her boyfriend was putting the finishing touches on the beachside picnic he'd procured, and was casting jittery glances in her direction every few moments.

He probably would've noticed her peeking, if it wasn't for the sun going down, as well as the seagulls that were trying to nick the sweets. From what she could see, he'd brought all of her favourite desserts, as there was everything from sticky toffee pudding to custard tarts, and a pitcher of pumpkin juice that she suspected was spiked with nutmeg.

The best part -the part that was turning her into an undignified, giggling mess- was that he couldn't seem to figure out where to put the ring.

Regulus cursed himself, then sent a fearful look her way, before anxiously plucking at the hair on the back of his neck.

"Are you done?" Ivy asked, just to tease him. "It's been ages."

He nearly leapt out of his skin at this, and quickly shoved the ring into a tart, which he carried preciously in his hand. Making a quick circle around the spread, he picked up the bouquet of Moly flowers from the sand, dusted them off, then sat on the blanket. He took another few moments to adjust the way he was sitting, as though posing for a portrait, before finally clearing his throat.

"Ready," he said confidently. "You can look."

Dropping her hands, there was no need to feign delight, as a natural grin engulfed her features. Taking a breath that did nothing to calm her excitement, she sat beside him on the blanket as the world grew darker around them. "This is wonderful."

He returned her broad smile and passed her the bouquet, looking altogether too attractive as he did so with his shaggy black hair and aristocratic features. "These are for you."

"Thank you," Ivy took them gratefully, holding them close to her chest. "I love this. Truly."

"Yeah? I- shoo!" He swiped at a seagull that was verging on their picnic, and the bird bounced away with an indignant squawk.

"Why didn't you cast an Animal Repellent Charm?" She leaned forward to kiss his cheek.

"I don't know the incantation." Rubbing the back of his neck, he let out an embarrassed laugh. "Anyway, I wasn't sure a beachside picnic at sunset was going to be your thing, since it's so cliché. But then I realised that it might be nice to have a bubble of normalcy amid all our chaos."

"Couldn't have put it better myself," Ivy set the bouquet down with a soft smile. "Now, where should we begin with the sweets?" She nodded at the custard tart he was still holding. "That looks like a good start."

"What does? Oh!" Regulus looked down at the dessert in his hand. "Uh, yes. Yes, I think this'll do."

When he passed it to her, she suppressed a laugh. The tart was deformed from how tight he'd been clutching it, and his hand had warmed the underside of it making it mushy with his sweat.

I really must love him, she thought as she went to take a bite.

"Wait!" He lunged forward and snatched back the dessert. "It's- I don't want you to choke- bollocks, I did not think this through!"

"Huh?" She was trying not to laugh like a maniac, but her elation was close to taking over. "Are you quite alright?"

"Yes!" He blurted. "Yes. I am very alright. More than alright. I- I'm- Ya'aburnee!"

"What?"

It was then that a seagull snatched the tart out of his hand.

Letting out a panicked holler, Regulus shot to his feet as the bird flew away.

Ivy watched, doubled over in absolute hysterics, as he chased the seagull down the beach. It was dark enough that she would've lost track of him entirely if it wasn't for the spells he was shooting into the night.

Thoroughly entertained, she was content to stay there, until something snapped at her ankles. Looking down, she let loose a shriek as she found that the picnic had become engulfed by seagulls. Two were pecking at her ankles, while a dozen others snatched the desserts and knocked over the pitcher of pumpkin juice in a flurry of feathers and crumbs.

Seizing the bouquet of Moly flowers, she choked on a scream as a bird went for her hair, effectively yanking a chunk out of her skull. Crawling away as she felt the skin on her ankle split open, she scrambled to her feet and ran blindly in the direction Regulus had gone in. He'd stopped shooting spells, and although the moon was rising in the sky, she couldn't see much except for the wet sand underfoot and the waves lapping the shore.

She didn't get more than five metres away from the flock before she crashed directly into someone who she could only assume was her boyfriend. Landing hard on her back, the wind knocked out of her lungs, she gasped unsteadily for air.

"I'm so sorry!" Regulus said frantically, leaning over her. "Are you alright?"

"Never better," she croaked as he helped her sit up.

"Fucking hell." He looked her over, letting out a huff when he beheld her dishevelled state, before cupping her face in his hands. "I'm so sorry, this was not at all what I had planned. I was going to propose - I had a speech ready and everything."

"What was your speech?" Ivy's voice was hoarse, and she took a breath to clear the leftover huskiness.

"Well, I came across this word a few months ago, Ya'aburnee."

"Is that what you were trying to say earlier? I thought you were choking."

"It was a bit of both if I'm being honest," Regulus brushed the messy white hair away from her face. "Anyhow, Ya'aburnee translates to you bury me. It's the wish that a loved one will outlive you, because of how unbearable life would be without them. I was going to tell you that's how I feel about you, then talk about how happy you make me… It was all much more eloquent than how it's coming out now."

She was silent for several moments, taking in his brown eyes and how softly they looked at her. "You love me that much, huh?"

"Of course."

"Will you do something for me, then?"

"Anything."

"Let me have Ya'aburnee," Ivy said quietly. When he looked at her in surprise, she took his hand in both of hers, kissing the back of it fondly. "If you love me enough to want to die first, love me enough to hope that I do instead. Love me enough to spare me that pain. Don't die before I get the chance."

Regulus swallowed, watching her with an unreadable expression. Then, he cupped her face again, leaned forward, and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "As you wish."

Letting her eyes close, she held his upper arms as his forehead rested against hers, his fingers still holding her face as though she would slip away any second. The moment was akin to what she felt in her new garden at the Haven; peace that stretched on into eternity, like a quiet afterlife.

Eventually, though, she pulled back to give him a smile. "Where's my ring, then? I'm assuming the bird didn't give it back."

"It's- how'd you know the bird took it?" His dark eyes widened and he shook his head in mock astonishment. "I knew you were peeking! I knew it!"

"Yeah, yeah," she smacked his chest lightly. "The ring, Regulus."

He opened a palm to reveal it and leftover bits of mushy pastry. She couldn't be sure in the dark, but the engagement ring seemed to be embedded with diamonds and obsidian, made in the shape of a Moly flower.

"Oh," she felt her throat close up.

"I thought," Regulus leaned back on his heels. "You'd like a positive reminder of her, since she won't be around to see us get married. If it's too much-"

Ivy yanked him in and crushed her mouth against his, her cheeks wet with tears. When she pulled away, she let out a shaky sob. "The only person I could ever love more than Hazel is you. I can't thank you enough for tonight."

"Even though it was an absolute disaster?" He released a half-pleased, half-shocked laugh. "I really should've done my research before I planned this. Who knew the beach could be so bloody dangerous?"

Laughing and wiping the tears away, she pulled him in for another kiss. "Catastrophe, remember? It goes without saying that everything we do emits chaos. I wouldn't have it any other way - I wouldn't have you any other way."

"Merlin," he chuckled quietly against her mouth. "We're truly are disgusting, aren't we? No wonder Theya's always gagging around us."

"Well," she pulled back to run her nails down the front of his shirt. "If you're through talking, I could be the one gagging."

Regulus went still, before nodding vigorously. "I can do that. Not a problem. But first, I need you to put the ring on." His eyes darkened and his voice took on a low octave. "I never want to see you without it again. And I most certainly want to see you wearing it while I fuck you on this beach."

Ivy didn't need to be told twice.

Taking the ring from him, she shifted onto her knees and leaned over to wash it off in the waves. Slipping it onto her finger, she felt him move closer behind her, one of his arms locking around her waist and pressing her back against his chest.

When he began to remove her hair pieces with his free hand, she let her eyes flutter closed for the briefest moment, before she opened them again, wanting the moment to scald her memory. Feeling him tuck the adornments away into his pocket, he slowly pushed her hair over her shoulder. Tilting her head slightly, his fingers grazed her neck tantalisingly, tracing her skin, before his lips made contact.

Sucking in a shaky breath as he planted reverent kisses on her, the hand he had locked around her waist came up to hold her throat. Heat flared between her legs as he shifted closer, his growing hardness pressing against her bum.

Ivy reached a hand behind herself to stroke him, but before she could, he caught her wrist. Grip tightening around her throat, he laughed in her ear. "Do you want me to worship you the way you deserve, or not?"

"Worship can go both ways, you know,."

"Not tonight," he bit gently on the side of her neck, eliciting a whimper. "Tonight, I'm going to draw out every moan, every ounce of pleasure from you, until you can't remember any name other than mine. Because that's what you are now, Ivy, mine."

Regulus grabbed her by the waist, and the next thing she knew, she was lying on her back in the cold sand. He nudged his knee against hers, effectively parting her legs, and in one fluid movement, he arched his body into hers, his length making brief contact with her core. When she released a groan, he claimed the sound as his own by kissing her, deep and slow. His tongue teased hers, before tracing her bottom lip.

Squirming beneath him, she pressed her hips up in hopes of contact, as she was already burning for him. But his hand found her hip and shoved her into the sand, while his other wound itself in her hair, pulling her head back.

"What do you want?" He asked headily. "Tell me."

"I want you to touch me." Her fingers itched for his dark, silky locks as he lavished the tops of her breasts with hot, biting affection. She wanted to make an attempt, to reach out and feel him, but didn't for fear of delicious punishment. "I want to touch you."

"Where?" Pulling the straps of her dress down her arms, he yanked the neckline down to reveal her pert breasts to the air. Letting out a low groan of his own, his eyes hungrily roamed her.

"Everywhere." Deciding that she'd rather have the punishment than be teased, she made to touch his hair.

Before she could make contact, however, he grabbed her wrist and pinned it against the sand, his grip tauntingly bruising. Bringing his mouth down to gently bite one of her nipples, she writhed in anticipation. "What do you say?"

"Please." Ivy sighed out the word, the tension in her core near bursting, despite him barely having touched her. "You have no idea what you're doing to me."

"Yes, I do." He laughed, the hot air fanning over her breasts. Moving his free hand beneath the skirt of her dress, he dug his fingers into her lower thigh, then her upper thigh, until they nearly reached her wet knickers. Just when she thought he was going to give her what she wanted, his hand skirted around her, making her release an angry whine.

"Again," he demanded.

"Please," she begged.

This seemed to be at least somewhat satisfactory to him, as his fingers pulled aside her underthings, which was enough contact to make her gasp. Then, he freed his length from his trousers and hitched one of her legs over his hip. Pressing his tip against her entrance, he slowly moved himself along her clit. When she tried to grind against him, he released her wrist and forced her pelvis to still with his hand.

"Again," he murmured, as though in a trance.

"Please." She needed him inside of her now. If she didn't get what she wanted in the next thirty seconds, she was genuinely worried that she might burst into tears with longing. Had she been in any other state of mind, she'd consider her desperation pathetic, but he'd been right when he'd said that she couldn't remember any other name aside from his. "Regulus."

Instantly, he shoved his cock deep inside her.

Her legs shook as he released her hip, and she took this as permission to touch him.

Finally, as he moved in her slowly, just the way she liked, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in close. Kissing him hard, she lifted her hips to meet his as the pressure built between them.

Her deprived fingers moved to yank his still half-tucked shirt out of his waistband. Tearing at it with pure abandon as he fucked her into the sand, the buttons down the front burst off, and she raked her nails down his now exposed torso. Greedily, she shoved the shirt off his shoulders, eliciting a breathy laugh from his throat, which she promptly claimed with her mouth.

It was his turn to whimper as he buried himself inside of her, his strokes quickening when she bit his throat in a spiteful attempt to make him forget every name but hers.

"I need to hear you say it," Regulus's voice quivered.

"I'll marry you," Ivy breathed against his skin. His neck now marred to her satisfaction, he began to whimper her name, and she placed a hand on his chest and pushed.

He leaned back onto his knees, and Ivy rode him despite the grains of sand roughening her knees, which had fallen to either side of his waist. Thoughtless and wanton, a frenzied battle of desire ensued between them. He bit her lower lip hard, clawing at her breasts, while she yanked at his hair and fucked him into the sand.

They were desperate for each other, despite having each other already.

When they came within seconds of each other, hips undulating in raw, furious chaos even after the tidal waves of ineffable pleasure began to wane, all Ivy could think was that she would never get enough of him.


July 11th 1979

"You were right," Ivy said approvingly as the shopkeeper went on his way. "Translator spells are a thing of wonder."

"Told you." Severus turned slightly on the podium, scrutinising his reflection in the three surrounding mirrors. "If you're quite done with your search for those bloody gloves-"

"Vicuña gloves," she said pointedly. "You know better than anyone how hard it is to find a good pair."

"You heard the shopkeeper," he snapped. "They don't have any. At least, none that are up to your standards. Now, are you going to tell me what you think or not?"

"Right," she furrowed her brow in concentration. Moving in a semicircle around him, then back again, she took in the expensive robes, trying to gauge whether or not they suited him. "I was worried that that shade of blue would wash you out, but now that it's on, I think you look distinguished. I'm not sure about those cufflinks, though."

"Yes, they don't have enough shine, do they?" Severus nodded. "What were the other options?"

"Well, there were those gold ones-"

"I hate gold."

"Good, the colour doesn't suit you. There were also some with opals on them-"

"Not my style."

"I'm well aware," Ivy huffed. "If you'd let me finish, I'd have told you the same thing. Another option was the pair with jade, which-" He opened his mouth to cut her off again, so she barked: "If you interrupt me one more time, I am going to throttle you, right here in this shop, until you pass out. Are you quite finished?"

He glowered at her in the mirror.

Ivy took this as a yes. "As I was saying, jade would clash with the blue, so I was going to suggest the silver and sodalite ones. They're not too flashy and they'll match spectacularly."

Severus's expression was stoic, but he gave a grudging nod.

"Lovely," she turned round to go find the cufflinks. "Prick."

"I heard that," he called after her.

"Good, you were supposed to!" Locating the cufflinks, she returned to help replace them on his robes. Once through, she stepped back to let him adjust the clothing as needed. When he finished, he turned to face her and she examined the outfit. "Much better. The hem will need tailoring of course, but otherwise, I think we've done well."

"Agreed," he stepped down from the podium.

Ivy waited as he left for the dressing room, picking at her nails until he returned.

"I may start a robe collection," Severus told her as they headed for the front of the shop. "The apprenticeship requires a lot of travelling, so I think I might begin purchasing new robes from each place I go to."

"I like that idea. Mind picking some up for me, while you're at it?"

"No."

"Come on, I can send you my measurements."

"Not a chance."

Leaving him to the shopkeeper as he paid, she headed outside to wait.

On the surface, Wizarding Lima didn't seem all that different from Wizarding London; the architecture was far more interesting and most everyone spoke Spanish, but the shops sold more or less the same things. Even so, she'd found a few items of interest in the hours she'd been out with Severus, and there was one in particular that she was determined to go back for.

The sound of a door snapping shut reached her ears and she turned to Severus, who asked: "Where to next?"

"I'd like to circle back to Emporio de Trucos for that Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder. Then, I suggest we go back to the villa before we get scorched. It's getting really fucking hot out here."

"The villa," he mocked. "I hate that word almost as much as château."

"I know," Ivy sighed as they set off down the road. "That whole conversation was very thoughtless."

"I'll say. Why do you need Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder, exactly?"

Looking at him sidelong, she thought to press him about Regulus and Theya, but pressing Severus had never worked out in her favour. Especially when it came to his upbringing, which was precisely the sore spot that had been impaled with a hot blade.

"I don't need it," she said finally. "So much as want it. It could be useful, so I thought I might buy some for the four of us."

"Don't do me any favours, Selwyn." Severus said through gritted teeth.

"Selwyn? Really?" She stopped walking to catch his arm, which he promptly pulled from her grasp. "I'm not buying it for you because you grew up poor, Severus. Maybe I'm being insensitive when I say this, but I couldn't care less. It's just in case we need a quick escape. Would I lie to you?"

"Yes," he sneered.

"Alright, I would, but I'm not…Unclench, please, before you break a tooth."

He let out a sound that was somewhere between a scoff and a growl, but indeed loosened his jaw. "Why would we need a quick escape?"

"I dunno," Ivy said dryly. "Maybe because we work for a certain someone who endangers our lives every other day."

"You do realise we're the ones choosing to put our lives in danger?"

"Not like we have a choice."

"Right," Severus laughed mirthlessly. "There's not exactly a way out."

"Do you want a way out?" Ivy asked casually.

"Doesn't matter if I do," he looked at her sidelong. "There's no point dwelling on it; we've done what we've done and there's no taking it back. Besides, I like the power I have. Why would I give it up just to be slaughtered in the street on the Dark Lord's whim?"

As he kept on down the road, black robes swishing grandly behind him, she wished he would stop proving her right about his state of mind. She'd already spent countless hours trying to figure out how to sway Severus, but she had yet to find a workable angle.

The fact of the matter was, what he cared about most was self-preservation. The trouble wasn't worth it to him.