I'm back! I'm really getting excited, returning to the story. Hopefully I'll get Sev and Reg together soon! : )

Oh, gosh, I'm so happy, Bella's in this chapter, and I'm planning on giving her a big part (this one's for you, ImaginationWalks! : ) ).

Disclaimer: To be honest, if I owned Harry Potter, it would be a hot mess.

It was the most awkward dinner Severus had ever attended.

He glanced around the table nervously. Regulus sat next to him, eating slowly as usual, though his eyes were sparkling, a reflection of his happiness. Across from Regulus sat Sirius, who was alternating between glaring daggers at his parents and at Severus. Narcissa and her sister Bella were on Sirius' respective left and right side, making faces at their youngest cousin to get him to laugh. Walburga Black sat at one head of the table while her husband Orion sat at the other. Narcissa and Bella's parents were next to Regulus' parents.

No one spoke. The silence was deadly, not to mention the tension so thick a knife could cut it. It seemed that one word could send somebody off the edge and begin a duel.

That was what unnerved Severus about the ordeal; it seemed much too deadly. There was too much tension, too many repressed ill feelings, too much resentment and ill will.

Pushing his tongue away to keep him from nervously licking his lips, Severus took another bite. Immediately, Bella's eyes flicked to him, and she spoke the first words said at the table.

"Alright, Snape?" Her Cockney-sounding accent was thick.

"Yes," he nodded quietly.

"Mother, Father, Auntie and Uncle, may we be excused? It appears us children have finished," Narcissa asked.

"I am not-!" Bella started angrily, then shut up with a look of pain in her eyes as Narcissa smoothly kicked her under the table.

"Of course," all four parents said at once, in the same dismissive tone. The children rose elegantly but quickly, and, after bowing to their parents, left the room.

"So, Snape, what kind of relationship do you and little Reggie here have?"

Once again, Bellatrix was the first to speak.

Her heavily lidded, dark chocolate eyes were fixed intently on Severus. Full lips curled in a sadistic smile, she sat on the arm of Regulus' chair swinging her pale, slender legs from underneath her deep red robes. Her crazy dark curls fell over her right eye, but Severus was still overwhelmed by the intensity in her stare.

"Bella!" Regulus cried in shock as pink crept over his cheeks. He tried to cover his cousin's mouth.

"Now, now, Reggie, the question wasn't for you. I'm asking Snape," Bella said carelessly as she took both of the young boy's hands.

"It is merely a simple friendship," Severus interjected coolly. It could have been his eyes, but he thought for a second that he saw Regulus slump slightly with tearful eyes.

"Mmhmm, then why is it that he invited you here? Why is it that you two are so close? Why is it that he SLEEPS IN YOUR BED?" Bellatrix shrieked, jumping to her feet. She looked quite mad, with her flying curls and wild eyes, pointing at Severus while clutching her little cousin's wrist.

There was a long, awkward silence in the room, during which Severus thanked God that Narcissa had put a Silencing Charm on the room when they had all walked in.

"You have got to be kidding me."

Sirius spoke from the corner of the room. He dropped his book and stood.

Immediately, Bellatrix turned to him with eager eyes, so unlike the evil faces she made at him during dinner.

"Oh, but I wish I was, dear cousin! I was getting a glass of water a few nights ago, and happened upon wittle Mr. Black here creeping into Snape's room! And when I opened the door, Reggie was curled up under him!" Bellatrix was shouting once again.

"Indoor voice, Bella," Narcissa reminded her sister absently.

"Doesn't this bother you?" Sirius asked his blonde cousin curiously.

"I'm rather used to it. They do it in the castle all the time," she said boredly, flicking through another page of Witch Weekly before throwing it in the trash bin. "Bunch of rubbish," she snorted.

"So, you've been doing this for awhile, hmm?" Bellatrix asked as she pushed Severus rather roughly into a seat. Sirius was doing the same to Regulus, and the two cousins circled the friends. It was like they had banded together to investigate and protect Regulus' innocence. Not that he had any, Severus snorted.

Bellatrix's eyes grew wide, and she reached out and throttled Severus.

"I ought to kill you! I ought to kill you right now!" she whispered in a high, breathy voice, pressing her wand to Severus' neck.

"Bella, no!" This time, Sirius was on Regulus' side. The older Black boy pulled their cousin off of Severus, while Regulus helped him sit again and made sure he was breathing.

"Why did you do that?" Regulus cried.

"Didn't you hear him? He was insulting your innocence!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Regulus seemed exasperated.

"I heard him! He said it-in his head!" Bella was now pointing dramatically at Severus while she clutched her wand to her chest.

Sirius and Regulus shared a look and began to mutter quietly.

"I told you not to invite her."

"I didn't think she'd gone that crazy. Besides, if Cissy came, she would have to come."

"Not necessarily. Should've locked her in a closet."

Regulus nodded slightly before turning his attention to Severus.

"Are you okay?" he asked, running a finger over his friend's throat, where his crazy cousin's fingerprints were imprinted.

"Mmhmm," Severus found that he could barely squeak words out. Regulus took out his wand and healed his friend's throat as Sirius turned to Bellatrix.

"Alright, let's start over, but no attacking-yet," he was saying, and the older girl nodded reluctantly.

"You two sleep in the same bed?" Sirius asked, continuing the earlier conversation.

Regulus flushed, sitting on the edge of Severus' seat. "Only because I can't sleep some nights, and I get scared or alone," he confessed.

Bellatrix was scowling now. "Surely you can sleep with one of your other roommates, a pureblood perhaps? Or better yet, get over it?" she suggested, but Regulus shook his head.

"It doesn't matter, Bella. We're not doing things, just sleeping," he said, but his cousin seemed unassured.

"I... don't like this," Sirius said suddenly, and the cousins turned.

"Don't like what, Siri?" Regulus asked.

"Please, don't date Snape. You can do so much better!" Sirius was gripping his little brother's shoulders tightly, looking deep in to his eyes.

Severus was extremely offended. He let out a snarl, and Bellatrix pushed her wand to his neck. "Shut it, you."

"Siri, Sev and I aren't dating. Please don't worry," Regulus smiled, though there was a nerve twitching tautly in his cheek.

"I think there's something going on here," Bellatrix announced before turning her head. "What do you think, Cissy?"

"I think that I need to go shopping and see Lucius," Narcissa replied as she stood and gathered her purse.

"I'll come with you!" Regulus announced suddenly, and Narcissa nodded with a smile. "Get your coat and we'll go."

"Goodbye, all. Have a nice night, and go to bed soon, wankers," Narcissa chirped cheerfully as she left the room, kissing her sister's cheek and doing the same to Sirius.

"I'm sorry," Regulus mouthed quickly to Severus before blowing kisses and exiting with Narcissa.

"Thanks for letting me come with you," Regulus smiled at his cousin as they boarded the Knight Bus.

"No problem. I could tell you were getting uncomfortable," Narcissa grinned.

The cousins sat in comfortable silence until the bus dropped them off in London.

"Is Lucius meeting us?" Regulus asked curiously.

"Yes, he told me he'd be- Lucius!" Narcissa ran ahead. Regulus waited patiently and watched, amused, as the blonde couple kissed passionately in the middle of the street. Cars honked angrily at them, but it seemed as though they were invisible for all the impact they had on the couple.

"Evening, Regulus," Lucius nodded a tad breathlessly as he and Narcissa returned to Regulus.

Laughing, Regulus waved. He rather liked Lucius, mainly because he made Narcissa happy.

"Where to?" Narcissa asked as she clung to Lucius' chest.

"Anywhere," Regulus shrugged, and Lucius suggested that they go to Hogsmeade instead.

"Sounds cool."

"I'll Apparate us," the blonde man announced, and Regulus took ahold of his wrist. It felt as though his body was being twisted, his vision was stretching and shrinking, so many colors were flying before his face, and just as he thought he was going to be sick, it was over.

"Give me a minute," Regulus gasped as they stood in the snowy village. It was pleasantly crowded, streets bustling merrily as choirs sang Christmas songs. Regulus could barely pay attention, though, as he staggered to a bench and was sick.

"Oh, Reg, are you okay? Lucius, we shouldn't have Apparated, you did it right in the middle of the street, and Reggie has a weak stomach!" Narcissa scolded, wrapping her arms around Regulus' thin shoulders as he hacked up his dinner.

"No one saw us, Cissy, don't worry. And as for Regulus, we'll just let him throw it up a bit before we head on. Maybe a drink will make him feel better," Lucius said carelessly.

Narcissa sighed at her boyfriend/consort's attitudes and waited until her cousin had finished vomiting.

"Okay, I'm okay. Just... breathe, Regulus, breathe," Regulus whispered to himself before standing.

"You look like you need a drink," Lucius observed. The three began to walk, with Lucius in the middle, arms thrown around both Narcissa and Regulus.

"Juice would be nice," the Black boy admitted, and Lucius laughed.

"Trust me, where we're going they don't serve juice."

"Well, Siri, looks like we're all alone with Snapey here," Bellatrix mused, twirling a curl.

"Guess so, Bella. And since the parents are asleep..."

"And the door is locked..." Bellatrix crossed the room and locked the door.

"And the Silencing Charm has been renewed..." Sirius cast a quick Silencio.

"We can play a little game!" the girl squealed, jumping up and down with Sirius, who grinned half-heartedly.

"What do you suggest? The court is yours, Lady Bellatrix."

"Why, thank you, Lord Sirius. I propose that the game we play... involves Snapey here."

"Clever idea, Lady Bellatrix. I agree whole-heartedly."

There was something odd about their interaction; playful, but deadly. They seemed to outwardly enjoy each other's company, though flashing eyes and tense bodies contradicted this notion.

"I'm going to bed," Severus snapped suddenly, standing and crossing the room. He was tired of this, tired of the over-analyzation that came with meeting the Blacks, tired of the accusations being thrown at him, tired of being forced to fight a pointless, useless fight.

"Oh, no you're not!" Bellatrix snarled, grabbing Severus' arm and spinning him back into his chair. "We have some questions for you."

"Yes, like what are your intentions for our precious Reggie?" Sirius demanded, leaning over the chair.

Severus was struck by how much he looked like Regulus. The brothers shared the same eyes, intense and beautiful, along with the milky skin perfect for marking. Their hair was the same ebony, though Sirius' was straighter while Regulus had a wavy texture. They had the same pouty pink lips, a pair of lips which Sirius was currently pressing into a tight line as his eyebrows furrowed.

The two looked so similar, yet so very different. Sirius carried a rebellious air about him, especially while in the presence of his family. He seemed looser than Regulus, more casual. Regulus on the other hand was... drifty. He was like the wind, always moving and whirling gracefully, yet so clingy it was bordering annoying. Regulus was more prone to soft smiles and excited airs; he still carried a childish air about him. The Black brothers were incredibly complex, Severus noted with a sigh.

"Long silence, eh?" Bellatrix noted from across the room. She was walking leisurely, observing the paintings around the room.

"Look, I'm not interested in Regulus. He's just a friend, nothing more," Severus snapped impatiently.

"So Regulus isn't good enough for you?" Bellatrix growled, turning quickly.

"What?" This whole conversation was making no sense.

"You said you're not interested in Regulus. What are trying to say, that he's too ugly for you? That he's not cool enough or pretty enough? I dare you to say something about my cousin!" Bella grabbed Severus by the front of his robes, pushing Sirius aside.

"I never said those things. Regulus is beautiful," the words came so easily out of Snape's mouth that he was embarrassed.

The Blacks raised their eyebrows at one another before Sirius stepped forward.

"Snape, promise me something."

Severus eyed him warily. Why should he promise Sirius Black anything? The boy had been tormenting him along with Potter since he had set foot in Hogwarts. Why should he even listen? But the look on Black's face was curious; anxious and... fearful?

"Promise me you'll protect him. Promise you'll keep him safe, be his friend, never leave his side. Promise you won't hurt him. Promise me you won't fall in love with him."

Severus' lips moved before he found his voice.

"Okay."

He knew, deep in his stomach, that he was doomed.

Regulus laughed and leaned on the wizard that had been flirting with him all night. "H-help me find m...my cousin," he demanded, dragging the man along with him as he searched for Narcissa.

Regulus was dead drunk. When the group had gotten to the bar, Lucius had started ordering drinks immediately. Narcissa and Lucius drank some, but not nearly as much as Regulus. After the fifteenth shot of firewhiskey, Regulus had lost count of how much he had had to drink.

"Reg, thank goodness, there you are! Cissy and I have been looking all over for you," Lucius sighed in relief and grabbed his future cousin-in-law.

"Hi, Luc," Regulus giggled, hiccuping. The older wizard next to him laughed as well, and Lucius' crystal blue eyes narrowed.

"I think it's time to go home," he said lightly, but the man next to Regulus protested, holding tight to the boy's arm.

"Is this a friend of yours?" Lucius asked. He was losing patience quickly with this man, wasting his time and holding the younger boy hostage. Regulus shrugged and laughed again, leaning towards Lucius.

The blonde took this opportunity and grabbed the boy's arm, pulling him away from the man and outside of the bar, where Narcissa stood waiting impatiently.

"Got him?" she asked, reaching out and taking one of her cousin's arms.

"Yep," he nodded grimly, and they Disapparated.

"Cissy! What are you doing- Cissy! Is that Lucius? Why is he here? Cissy, what on- what happened to little Reggie?"

Merlin, Bellatrix was enough to give someone a headache. The girl was just damn annoying, Severus thought with a sigh. Bellatrix gave him a dirty look.

Lucius and Narcissa were currently dragging what looked to be a very drunk Regulus Black into the bedroom. "You- you guys, guess what-guess what I did," Regulus was saying as he fell onto Sirius. "What did you do?" Narcissa asked to distract him while the others set about readjusting the room.

"I-I- you know what? I- I don't know." Regulus began to laugh hysterically.

"That's nice, love. Alright, everybody out except for Sirius, he'll dress Reg for bed. Let's all head to bed ourselves," Narcissa called, clapping her hands. Bellatrix nodded and kissed her sister's cheek goodnight. She turned to Lucius and stared at him for a long time before striding out of the room.

"Bella's just a little... antisocial," Narcissa comforted Lucius, though he didn't seem to care.

Narcissa now turned to Lucius as the couple kissed each other good night. "I'll miss you," Narcissa sighed, wrapped in Lucius' arms. "Don't worry yourself, we shall see each other quite soon," the blonde man assured as he kissed his girlfriend's forehead.

Severus snuck out of the room during this little love scene, hurrying to the guest bedroom where he was currently staying. He was very fortunate; no one even noticed.

In the middle of the night, Severus heard footsteps in the hall.

Immediately alert, the Snape boy sat up in the soft bed and clutched his wand. It was pitch black both inside the room and in the halls; he felt unsafe.

A soft knock on his door made him start horribly. Holding his wand tighter than ever, Severus stood and crossed the room quickly, opening the door a crack and uttering a quick "Lumos."

Regulus Black stood outside of his bedroom, obviously still drunk and leaning heavily on the doorframe. "Mmm, Severus," he murmured, collapsing into Snape's arms.

Flustered, Severus caught the boy and closed the door, going back to his bed. "What's the matter?" he whispered curiously, sitting on the edge of the mattress.

"N-nothing's the m...matter, Severus, ever-y-thing is fine," Regulus slurred, wrapping his arms around his best friend's neck. Severus flushed immediately at the contact; Regulus sat between his legs, curled up close and resting his head on the taller boy's chest.

"Maybe you should go back to your bed, Reg," Severus suggested nervously, recalling the looks of murder on both Bellatrix and Sirius' faces when they found out Regulus often slept in his bed. To his anguish, the Black boy shook his head. "No, no, no. Severuuusss, I caan't," Regulus whined. He was drawing out his words now, hiccuping softly as he laid down on Severus' bed.

Severus was confused. "Why not?" he asked, and his drunk friend looked confused.

"W-why wha?"

"Why can't you sleep in your bed?"

"Oh, t-that's easy, S-Severuuuus. It's b-be-cause I loooove you," Regulus giggled softly, rubbing his cheek against Severus' face.

The older boy thought his face would explode there was so much blood rushing to it.

"Enough of that, Regulus. Go to sleep."

Perhaps his tone was too harsh, for Regulus frowned.

"No."

"Black-"

"S-Snape."

"I am not playing with you."

"Ya know, S-Snape is a f-funny name. Where-where-where did you get it from?"

Regulus was beginning to get annoying. Severus covered the boy's mouth with his hand.

"Shut up," he murmured, then allowed Regulus to lay down as to take the sting out of the phrase.

"Sssoo mean." A pout curved Regulus' lips. Deliciously kissable lips. He wondered how they'd taste. Severus leaned in before he could stop himself.

Regulus' lips tasted delicious. They were soft against his, tasting of vanilla tinted with the spiciness of firewhiskey. Severus cupped Regulus' cheeks in his hands. The boy's face felt so small and fragile. Regulus was responding eagerly to the kiss by now, pressing his body close to Severus' and wrapping his slender legs around the other's waist.

Severus pulled his hands away from the boy's face and let them roam his body, exploring underneath shirts and discovering underwear. To his great amusement, he found that Regulus wore lilac panties. "Keeps me safe," the boy inexplicably mumbled when Severus asked, pulling him in for another kiss.

After what felt like hours of heaven, Regulus began to wind down, pressing himself close to Severus and breathing slowly. Snape almost laughed when a soft snore burst from Regulus. Chuckling, he wrapped his arms around the boy and kissed his forehead. Just as Severus was falling asleep, the realization hit him full-blast.

I just made out with and fondled a drunk 14-year-old.

Ta-da! There's Chapter 9! I don't know about it, I'm not proud-proud... I did enjoy writing Bellatrix, it was fun being able to change her mood so often and so quickly. I want to bring her back soon, maybe next chapter to give her an even bigger part : )Once again, shout out to ImaginationWalks for encouraging me once again- thanks so much! : )

Peace y'all : )