Okay, first off, lemme just thank all of you guys that reviewed and Favorited/Alerted. To put it shortly, I was a little depressed over some love stuff and didn't feel like writing, but you guys encouraged me and brought me back to writing. Thanks so much! Xoxo
Now to the story! But first…
If I owned Harry Potter, I think I would have twenty houses.
Regulus quickly sat down on a couch in the Common Room. It was almost twelve o' clock midnight, but this did not deter him. He had noticed that Severus often stayed out in the library very late at night, and now the young Black boy was determined to catch him before he went to bed.
The Common Room Door creaked open, and Regulus quickly sat up very straight. Just as he expected, Severus quietly slipped inside and shut the door, and Regulus called cheerfully, "Hi, Severus!"
The older boy jumped terribly, and once again, books went flying. "Black, why is it that whenever I see you I end up dropping my things?" Severus asked crossly, and Regulus hurried to help him. "Is it because I'm so cute?" he smiled, and Severus snorted.
"No need to be so mean," Regulus pouted.
"Whatever, Black."
"Do you ever get in trouble for staying out of the dorm so late?" Snape looked at Regulus, as though he were calculating the boy's level of interest. Finally deciding it was a serious question worthy of an answer, Severus replied slowly, "Madam Pince gives me a hall pass."
"What's a hall pass?" Regulus asked, and Severus drew a small yellow sheet of paper from the pocket of his robes. "It's a little note showing that the student has permission to be out of class, or in this case, out of bed. Muggles use them often."
The Black boy traced the writing on the letter, intrigued. It should not have been so interesting, but the idea that Severus used and held it had captured his interest. "That's so cool!"
Severus smiled slightly at the awe lighting up the younger boy's face. He had to admit, Regulus was pretty cute. "I suppose," he answered, and Regulus looked up. "You're very cool, Severus," Regulus smiled, watching the pale boy's cheeks turn bright pink.
"Oh, hush, Black."
"If you want me to!" Regulus agreed happily, and Severus stood. "Well- I'm going to bed. Goodnight, Black," he managed, and Regulus waved goodbye happily.
Once Severus had gone to bed, the Black boy sighed in bliss and collapsed next to the couch. He had held a conversation with Severus, and his crush had actually seemed interested! Regulus did a tiny little dance as he sat on the floor, then yawned. He had to get to bed… Standing, Regulus departed, longing for his bed.
The next night, Severus was surprised to find Regulus curled up on the couch, waiting for him. "What are you doing?" the older boy asked, and Regulus awoke with a jolt.
"Hi, Severus," he grinned tiredly, and Snape sat down next to him. "Did you really stay up waiting for me?" he asked sourly, though on the inside he was flattered.
"Yes," Regulus nodded, and he stretched out, resting his head on the older boy's lap. "You should've gone to bed, you need your rest," Snape said immediately, and Regulus looked up at him, smiling. "Why, Severus, are you beginning to-" his full lips formed an 'O' as he yawned- "care for me?"
"Nonsense!"
"If you say so," Regulus shook his head sleepily and, within seconds, fell asleep resting on Snape's lap. Severus blushed deeply and stared down at Regulus.
He hated to admit it, but Regulus was too cute. His soft ebony waves fell over his eyes and graced his shoulders. Pale lids were closed over silvery eyes reminiscent of full moons, long thick eyelashes touching high arched cheekbones. His skin was creamy and smooth, and Severus couldn't help but run a finger over the boy's cheek. It was soft and dewy.
The older boy's legs were falling asleep, but he did not mind. He looked down at Regulus. He might as well take the boy to his dorm, no use leaving him there. Sighing to himself, Severus picked Regulus up bridal style and walked up to Regulus' dorm, unaware of glittering silver eyes that watched him cunningly.
"So, Severus... I saw you with Regulus last night."
Severus jerked up from the book he was poring over and stared incredulously at Narcissa Black. The two were sitting at the breakfast table, the only Slytherins awake and at breakfast.
"What?" Severus demanded, and Narcissa smirked, flipping her long blonde hair over her shoulder. "You heard me. You were playing around with my cousin while he slept. I saw you."
Her eyes narrowed. She looked feral suddenly, as though the switch were flipped internally from playful to dangerous. "No, Narcissa, I was not playing with your cousin, he's been so clingy-"
"Oh, get off your high horse, Snape, you know you love Regulus," Narcissa replied, though she was warm again. "I do not! He's annoying and ridiculous and-"
"Whatever, Severus," the blonde girl rolled her eyes and stood, taking her books and waving goodbye to the sputtering Snape boy.
"Ridiculous!" Severus muttered, but his cheeks were now a rosy pink as he viciously tore off a chunk of toast.
Regulus yawned sleepily as he stirred his potion. He had stayed up all night waiting for Severus, but woken up in his bed. He did not understand it; he could've sworn that he had been in the Common Room and had a conversation with Severus before falling asleep on the older boy's lap. Ah, well. Must have been a dream.
"Shame, too," the Black boy mumbled, grabbing something off of the counter and tossing it into his potion. "Black, no!" Professor Slughorn shouted, but it was too late.
The substance in the cauldron, which had been a tranquil blue, turned bright orange and began to bubble quickly. The bubbles shot up out of the cauldron and popped in jets of potion, exploding in the faces of students.
Regulus blinked and stared around him; four or five small elephants were frantically trumpeting and stampeding around the room, knocking over desks and cauldrons full of potions, which seeped into the robes of panicked students that were already running away from the elephants.
The potion-drenched students began to go through a metamorphosis of their own; their skin began to take on a yellow-tan shade, their heads getting smaller and their faces growing elongated, necks stretching high and bodies angling like a horse.
Now, herds of giraffes and elephants were destroying the Potions Lab, and all Slughorn could do was fire spells at the animals, hoping he would hit them.
"Wow," Regulus mouthed, and the Potions Master gave him an irritated glare. "Don't just stand there, you moron, help me!" he snapped, and Regulus hurriedly pulled out his wand.
Aiming at an elephant, he murmured a spell and laughed as the creature began to morph back into a student. "Ooh, I have a headache," the boy moaned, leaning heavily on Regulus, who called, "Um, I think I'll take him to the hospital wing!"
"Oh, no, you don't! Stay right here and fix this, Black, while I take him! And you know that you're going to go to the see the Headmaster!" Regulus gulped.
"This boy is terrible at potions! He caused total chaos and destruction in my classroom!" Slughorn roared, leaning heavily on Dumbledore's desk. "I'm sorry, it was an accident!" Regulus cried, bowing his head.
"Accident? You're a menace to my classroom! Albus, I refuse to let this menace into my class until he learns to actually brew a potion!" "But how am I supposed to graduate if I don't take potions?" Regulus demanded, then jumped back at the evil look on Slughorn's face.
"That isn't my problem," the Potions Master growled.
"Horace." Dumbledore raised a hand, and both student and teacher fell silent.
"While I agree that Professor Slughorn's idea is rather harsh, today's incident is an example of Mr. Black's... challenge with the art of potions. Perhaps he needs a tutor," Dumbledore suggested, and Regulus' heart began to beat wildly.
"Whom?" Slughorn asked warily. "I was thinking Severus could do the job nicely," the headmaster replied, and Slughorn thought it over.
"Yes," he nodded, and Dumbledore smiled. "Excellent. Is the matter finished with?" Regulus nodded faintly. He could not move. Slughorn walked quickly out of the room, and the Black boy stood slowly. As he left, he saw Dumbledore wink at him.
Well, that's it for now! I know it isn't the best, but hopefully it'll tide y'all all over for now... Once again, thanks so much for being so supportive!