A/N: Just so everyone knows, I feel awful for Regulus last chapter! That had to be so horrifying for him!

That said, I want to point out that I didn't want to do a Regulus chapter this close to the last one, but I have no option, apparently. Oh well.

Regulus was doing his very best not to positively fume about what had just happened. Honestly, no sense of propriety at all! If he wanted to shag Potter- not that he did- it was his own damn business. Severus had no right to interfere that way!

James, it seemed, was wise enough not to say anything for the time being, and after a while Regulus got a bit more control of himself. Severus wanted to ruin this for him, and like hell he would let him. He was going to enjoy this, whatever James had planned.

By this time, James had led him through the tunnel to Hogsmeade in which they'd previously kissed. Regulus smiled a bit at the memory, but carefully schooled his expression so it didn't show.

"Where are we going?" He asked, hoping James would get the clue that it was now okay to talk.

"You'll see," James responded, and Regulus could hear the grin in his voice. He scowled.

"I'm not a patient person, as you might remember."

"Oh, trust me. I remember." James lifted the door of the Hogsmeade cellar, and Regulus was surprised to find it was lit with dim candlelight. Remus Lupin was sitting on one of the crates, a lantern in one hand and looking nervous.

"Are you sure about this," Regulus heard Remus hiss quietly to James. James smiled.

"Come on, Moony, you said you'd help me."

"I didn't think you'd be pulling something like this!"

"Then you don't know me very well. Come on, Moony, it's harmless."

Remus sighed and reached into his back pocket. "Alright, fine. Fine! I got the stuff you asked for." He pulled what looked like a handful of muggle money out of one pocket and stuffed it into James's hand before reaching into the pocket of his coat. "I also brought the cloak. Thought you might like it until you got out of Hogsmeade."

"We're going out of Hogsmeade?" Regulus asked. He felt both excited and terrified by the idea. Besides traveling home, he hadn't seen much outside Hogsmeade. The idea of going somewhere muggle excited him. What were true muggles like? He saw them so rarely.

On the other hand, he was very much aware that they were seriously breaking the rules. Going to Hogsmeade on an unsolicited weekend was bad enough, but to leave entirely was crazy.

James looked over his shoulder, the light from Remus's lantern reflection off his glasses, as he grinned. "Excited?"

Regulus tried and failed to stop his return grin. "A little bit."

"Insane, both of you." Remus concluded, finally withdrawing his hand from his pocket and unfolding what looked like spun silver.

"An invisibility cloak!" Regulus gasped, amazed.

"Mine," James explained. "It's been handed down for generations. Come on, we'll have to get close for both to fit under it."

Personally, Regulus thought this was just an excuse for James to get close to him and still follow the rules, but he wasn't about to complain. He willingly stepped close to James, allowing their arms to touch briefly. Merlin, even that little touch gave him goose bumps.

Remus threw the cloak over both of them, shaking his head. "Good Luck. I'll be here in two hours to let you back in and you better be back by then."

"Promise," James responded, gripping Regulus's hand in one of his own and leading him up into the nearly deserted shop. They snuck out the door just as Mr. Honeydukes was locking it and crept silently to the outskirts of town. Regulus said nothing the entire way, though his breath was beginning to come in short and excited gasps.

"You know how to apparate?" James asked at length, stopping suddenly.

Regulus stopped to, and turned his head slightly to look at him. "Kind of. I don't get my license until spring, and I'm not seventeen for another month."

"It's alright." James tugged the cloak off, stuffed it in his pocket, and pulled Regulus close. "Don't let go, alright?"

Regulus didn't get a chance to respond before the familiar sense of apperating engulfed him. He clutched James's arm tightly, afraid of becoming separated from him. Just as quickly as it had begun, it stopped. Regulus stepped away from James a little, feeling slightly dizzy and his ears were ringing, but he didn't let go of the other boy's arm. James grinned down at him.

"Shall we then?"

Regulus blinked, allowing his eyes to adjust to the dim light. He glanced up at the sign above the door.

"The Fallow Deer?" He asked.

"I have a special love for this pub," James smiled secretly, and Regulus couldn't help but laugh. James's grin widened at this.

"After you," James said, bowing. Regulus bowed in return and walked toward the door.

The inside had the feel of an old hunting lodge. The walls and décor seemed to be made of dark wood that had been crudely cut. Painted scenes of duck and peasant hunting lined the walls.

"Two please," James said, approaching the counter. The lady behind it gave them a quizzical look, but said nothing. Instead she picked up two menus and led them to a small table toward the back window. The pub wasn't overly crowded, and in fact had a kind of homey atmosphere. Regulus was finding he rather liked it.

"Can I get yah anything to drink, loves?" The woman asked. Regulus looked at James for some kind of clue, and James just smiled at him.

"We'll have some Ginger Beer, please."

"Ice."

"Yeah."

She walked away, and James leaned across the table. "So, what do you think?"

Regulus looked around, taking in the warm feeling and the happy chatter going on around them. "It's brilliant."

James grinned, picking up his menu as the barmaid returned with their drinks. "So…what can I get you? Moony gave me plenty of muggle money. You can get whatever you want."

Regulus looked down at his menu, inspecting each item. Some of these things he'd never heard of, but most were familiar. They were things they ate at Hogwarts nearly every feast.

"I think," he said after a bit, "that Irish Stew sounds good. With mash."

James smiled a rather winning smile and leaned back in his chair, running a hand up to play with his blue bangs. Regulus stifled a laugh. James had probably forgotten all about his blue hair at this point, but it did look horribly blue when the light reflected off of it like that.

"Should I order now, then?" James asked.

Regulus shrugged. "I'm in no particular hurry. We've still got plenty of time." He reached for his drink, picking it up to inspect the amber liquid. "What is it?"

"It's Ginger Beer."

"Oh, very helpful. I mean what is it?"

"It's a soft drink, really. Not beer at all. Taste it, I think you'll like it."

Regulus did as he was told, and was surprised at how dry it tasted, considering it was a drink. It wasn't really a sweet taste, but it wasn't too bad. It took him a minute to decide that it did, in fact, taste like ginger.

"It's…different."

"Yeah, it is. Really great for calming a nervous stomach."

"I'm not nervous."

"You might not be, but I sure as hell am."

Regulus laughed again, shaking his head. "Does the world revolve around you, or something?"

"Why yes, actually."

They lapsed into a silence that was somewhere between unpleasant and awkward. Regulus turned to look out the window and noticed it was snowing.

"Shall I go order then?"

"Alright," Regulus responded, not looking away from the dancing flakes. He heard James stand to leave, and return a moment later.

"I got a Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich."

"Sounds American."

"Probably is. Our number is thirteen."

"What does that mean?"

"It means we could be waiting a while before our food comes." James offered him a somewhat nervous smile, which Regulus returned. This could be a very long two hours.