The hour hand reached eleven and the train whistle blew. The sound of goodbyes echoed, but he had no one to wave to. He had left a message with one of Gringotts' goblins and now, in an empty cabin, Regulus Arcturus Black was embarking for his sixth year at Hogwarts. He had brought his legs to his chest and—with his head resting on a blanket Kreacher had embroidered—was witnessing the beginning of the long journey and the dark clouds that rose ahead.

As the Selwyn's had split up last summer, his friend Pierre had moved to live with his mother in France and spent the last two years of his studies at Beauxbattons. In this way, he was left with the company of himself and of the everyday sympathies that he occasionally had in his class.

It was then that, suddenly, the door opened and the pale boy with black hair asked him:

-Why didn't you come to us?

Severus had his usual nonchalant tone, but Regulus - despite capturing concern - was uncomfortable with the question.

"I'm not keen to hear Yaxley's voice or Burke's inconvenience," he said, drawing something on the window with his index finger.

-You have to help yourself, Black. It's not enough anymore...

-Sirius? - broke off.

-Not just him... You. Don't be reckless and careless in the face of your obligations...

Regulus turned his eyes to Severus. There was a lot in them... It didn't take legilimency to translate.

-I know what I experienced this vacation, Severus. It wasn't sweet or comfortable. Hearing you talk to me about recklessness sounds like an insult to me...

-These problems are yours. I'm just taking care of what's common to us - finished the veteran Slytherin, closing the door slowly this time. As he walked out to join the group, he muttered something that was muffled by a slight jolt of the tracks.