Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.

Written for Hogwarts Assignment 10. Muggle Music, Task 6; Write about a snowy Christmas.

Word Count - 607

Beta'd by Sam


All I Want For Christmas


"You know, just one year, I want to see a snowy Christmas," Regulus complained, leaning back against Rabastan's chest.

Rabastan chuckled. "It snowed last week."

"It wasn't Christmas last week, was it?" Regulus sneered. "Look, one minute left of Christmas, and it's been dull as dishwater all day. Not a single snowflake to be seen."

"It snowed on Christmas a few years ago," Rabastan said, his nose wrinkling slightly as he thought. "And it happened quite a few times when I was still at Hogwarts, so you must have had snow when you were a kid?"

Regulus nodded. "I… my best memories were when I was little and it snowed on Christmas. Mum and Dad, they always relaxed a bit, you know? I think, probably because they were recovering from all the parties, they were a little hungover and didn't really care what Sirius and I were doing. I remember, I think I was about seven, Sirius and I snuck outside and had the best snowball fight. And another year, there was even enough snow to make a snowman."

He shook his head and chuckled as Rabastan rubbed his shoulders comfortingly. He knew Regulus had a hard time thinking about his brother. Even now, when they were as far apart as it was possible to be, a small part of Regulus still craved Sirius' affection.

Rabastan thought that that was why he hated Sirius so much; he knew how much the man had hurt Regulus when he'd left without looking back.

"I just… snow always meant fun when I was younger."

"Well," Rabastan murmured, pressing kisses to Regulus' neck. "Maybe we can make 'dull as dishwater' mean fun too? How about if I promise every time we have an un-snowy Christmas, I spend the whole day making love to you on the rug in front of the fire?"

Regulus tilted his head up, a small smile on his face. "How about you do that anyway?"

"What's going on with you?" Rabastan asked, fighting to keep his tone even. It was far too tempting to rage and shout.

"Nothing," Regulus replied coldly. "Go back to bed."

"I can't help you if you won't tell me what's going on, Reg!"

"I don't need your help!"

"Are you sure about that? Because from where I'm standing you need all the help you can get! What the hell was that today with the Dark Lord? You're lucky he didn't kill you!"

"Am I?" Regulus asked softly. "Death might've been a mercy, Rabastan. I don't know how much more I can take."

Rabastan's heart clenched in his chest and he took an uncertain step forward. "Reg…"

Regulus shook his head. "Ignore me," he muttered. "Just… the weather is dull as dishwater, Rab. You've got a promise to keep."

"I thought that only counted on Christmas?"

"Just for tonight. Please. Just… make me forget."

"Forget what?" Rabastan asked, stepping forward and pulling Regulus against his chest.

"Everything."

"I… I have to go out for a bit," Regulus murmured against Rabastan's cheek.

The older man grumbled, blinking his eyes open sleepily. "Where?"

"A job for the Dark Lord. I'll… I'll be back in the morning, okay?"

"Hmm," Rabastan agreed, his eyes already falling closed. "I love you."

"I love you too, baby. So much."

Rabastan pursed his lips for a sloppy kiss and then dropped back into sleep.

Rabastan stared out of the window at the falling snow. He checked the clock repeatedly, watching as the hands neared midnight.

As they struck the hour, and then moved past it, Rabastan smiled at the falling snow.

"There you go, Reg. A snowy Christmas."

There was no reply.