A/N: I don't know what has possessed me to do this, I really don't. It just has, and now that it has I shan't be able to stop myself. I would, however, like to note that I'm horribly proud of this characterization of Snape.

Severus Snape had been quite enjoying the lack of activity in the Slytherin common room that afternoon thank you very much. A heavy snowfall had coated the grounds with a new layer of fine powder which- he was told- was perfect for making snowballs. Only diligent O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. students were remaining in doors to study just before the holidays.

It was no wonder, then, that he was quite surprised when on Regulus Black sat beside him at the table, with neither book nor quill to be seen. He was not covered in snow, either, meaning he had not been outside. In fact, he looked pale enough for Severus to wonder if he wasn't ill.

Regulus turned to look at him a minute after sitting down, his blue eyes almost too bright in his face. "Hello, Severus."

Regulus was the only one to call Severus by his first name. He kept insisting it sounded more distinguished than Snape- and besides he didn't want his dirty muggle father's name anyway.

In fact, where Snape was concerned Regulus insisted on a lot of things. For example, remaining in his life. From the beginning, Severus had tried to force Regulus away like he did everyone else. He didn't want or need to be friends with a Black child. Regulus, however, was stubborn. The harder Snape tried to push him away, the more the boy had fought his way back.

'Tenacious bastard,' Severus thought with some fondness. He'd long ago given up trying to ditch the young boy, and now was even quite enjoyed having him around. Not, of course, that he would ever admit it aloud. He was certainly the only one currently attending Hogwarts Severus would stop his studying for. Setting down his book, he turned to look at the obviously anxious boy. "What's on your mind, Black?"

Regulus scooted the chair forward slightly so he could lean his elbow on the table and look at Severus at the same time. "I need to…I need to ask you a few questions."

Snape raised an eyebrow, shifting his chair so he was now facing the younger Slytherin. "What kinds of questions?'

"I need advice."

"Isn't that what you have cousins for?"

"Yes, but this is different." Regulus looked distinctly uncomfortable now, and Severus felt somewhat guilty for putting him in that position. Somewhat. "It's just that…well…you're the only one I can think to ask. Bellatrix wouldn't understand, and Narcissa is on her honeymoon. I don't want to trouble her. He might understand, but he isn't exactly willing to give me any kind of advice."

There was no need for Regulus to say how he was. His name was never spoken when they were together. They both understood that it meant the-Black-who-was-Black-no-more.

Severus made an indistinct noise, which Regulus took as a sign to continue.

"I think…I think I fancy someone. I'm not exactly sure."

Another rise of the eyebrow. How did Regulus figure he was the one to talk to about this? In a way, Severus supposed, he had come to replace what Regulus had lost when he had left. For some reason, this pleased him. "Explain."

"Well…I mean it's just someone. Someone I've known for a long time. I thought I hated him. I should hate him. But I can't."

'Of course,' Severus thought darkly, 'Potter.' It was no secret to the seventh year that the boy he was beginning to think of- if only to himself- as a younger brother had a crush on his arch nemesis. It wasn't that Regulus was obvious about it. He was so good at hiding it in fact that, as Severus had guessed, Regulus himself had been unaware of it.

No, it was simply that Severus knew what to look for. He had seen the stolen glances across the Great Hall. He'd seen him during Quidditch Matches, whether in the stands or on his broomstick, follow the Gryffindor Captain with curious eyes. Noticed how he perked up almost imperceptibly whenever Potter was mentioned or his voice was heard.

Severus had hoped that Regulus would grow out of it, but that appeared a vain hope now. Something had obviously happened to make Regulus aware of this crush, and when questioned the younger Slytherin squirmed again.

"I snuck out of the castle last night. Well…early yesterday afternoon, actually."

"Yes, I noticed you were absent yesterday. Knott was looking for you."

"I just had to think, you know? While I was out, though, I ran across…across this person. They were rather drunk- at least I think they were drunk because sometimes it seemed they were and sometimes it didn't. They told me…told me they loved me. And they, well they kissed me."

His immediate reaction was to stomp on this idea now. If Potter had confessed his feelings then he cared for Regulus, and having Regulus hate him would crush him. Anything to crush Potter was worth it.

Anything except the sparkle of happiness in Regulus's eyes as he talked about it. It had been at least three years since Severus had seen that light there. He looked again the little boy whose company he secretly enjoyed. The little boy that had been forced to grow up far to quickly the night his brother ran away.

Nothing, not even the chance to utterly destroy James Potter was worth having that disappear again. Cursing his heart and the fact he had it, Severus gave the softest of sighs. "It sounds as if…this person…is fond of you."

"They were drunk though. How can you be sure?"

"Drunkenness…it does not make you do things you would not normally think of doing. It makes you care less about the consequences. They had, obviously, considered telling you before but feared your reaction."

The happy glow that crept onto Regulus's face at this made Severus want to vomit. Merlin, why did it have to be Potter? Even Evans would have been better.

"Well, what do I do about it?"

He had to intervene now, for Regulus's sake. It was hard to be happy when you're dead. "Nothing."

"What?"

"You do nothing. You will pursue the relationship no farther. You will put the incident behind you and speak of it to no one."

"Why?"

Severus looked into the confused blue irises of his one true friend, trying to make him understand that he was only doing this because he wanted Regulus to be happy in the end. "Because it will take you places you cannot go. You are the last of the Blacks to bare that name. You have a tradition to follow. Regardless whether or not you take the Dark Lord up on his offer, you have a family name and honor weighing on your shoulders now."

Regulus slumped, looking defeated. It was evident that he knew Severus was right, and hated him for it. "You don't even know whom I'm talking about," he mumbled, sounding defeated.

If he were honest with himself, which he rarely was, Severus would have said he hated himself at that moment just as much as Regulus did. He should never have told him Potter really did like him. It would have made this easier.

He felt justified, however, in that Regulus was now aware that the Gryffindor could possibly try again and he would have to be on his guard. "I have a pretty good guess. It is in your best interest, Black, to stay as far away from Gryffindors as possible. They only cause trouble, in the end."

Regulus leaned forward to rest his chin on his arms now folded on the table. If Severus didn't know that Regulus was made of Black pride, he would have thought the younger boy looked as if he were going to cry. "There's nothing I can do?"

"Nothing but be on your guard. It is an impossible relationship, and it's better now to pretend that nothing happened at all. He may love you, but he can't protect you. To choose him is to choose death. Remember that." Gathering his things, Severus stood. If it would have done any good, he would have gone to talk to Potter right then, and told him to leave Regulus alone. He would have told him to shove off and leave the boy to his own devices.

He knew, in his heart, that things were going to be different now. That Regulus was going to have to make impossible choices and there was a very good chance that Severus would lose him.

He conveyed none of these worries to Regulus. Instead he gave him a squeeze on the shoulder, the briefest touch of comfort, and disappeared up to his dorm.