The next morning, Severus was woken up by Regulus bouncing on his bed. "Wake up, Sev!" the boy bounced on his knees happily. Snape blearily opened his eyes, murmuring, "What are you doing, Reg?"

"Waking you up, silly!" the Black boy chirped.

Severus, in an unusual display of happiness, reached out and grabbed his boyfriend's waist. He tickled Regulus on his stomach, grinning when the boy giggled and rolled back and forth.

"Stop, Severus!" he gasped out between peals of laughter. His shirt was riding up, exposing his belly button. Severus was amused to see his outie belly button. He finally released Regulus, who lay on his bed, struggling to regain his breath.

When he gained the strength to sit back up, the boy tried as hard as he could to glare at Severus, but every frown turned into a burst of laughter.

"Craziest little bugger I've ever met," Severus commented as he walked to the bathroom, smiling secretly.

Regulus glared playfully, sitting up finally.

"You're going to pay for that, Snape," he vowed.

"Are you excited for the match?"

"Not really," Severus replied honestly. He would rather be improvising potions, but if it made Regulus happy, he was content.

Regulus frowned slightly before saying softly, "You don't have to."

Severus looked up and said, "I'm fine here because it makes you happy."

The smaller boy smiled widely as he cuddled underneath Severus' arm. It felt nice, being protected from the cold by Severus, who really wasn't as bone-thin as he looked; he had some nice muscles underneath his robes, Regulus decided. Not that he had ever seen them, but he could feel them underneath the boy's clothing. He wondered how they looked without cloth over them...

"How's your Whomping Willow?" Severus asked, and Regulus started slightly. He had nearly forgotten about the plant; though he fed and talked to it daily, it was no longer the focus of all of his attention after recent events with Severus.

"It's fine, I think it's almost done growing," the Black boy replied.

"I've been meaning to ask, can I have a few branches? I want to experiment with Whomping Willow in potions," Severus said honestly.

"Sure. I think I should cut it right before you use it though, to keep the plant fresh and see how that affects the potion," Regulus suggested, and Severus nodded with a smile.

They sat quietly for a few minutes, until Severus grasped the smaller boy's hand tightly underneath his own.

"Say it," he murmured quietly, and Regulus smiled up at him, knowing what he meant.

"I love you, Severus Snape," he smiled, and Severus' face lit up. He leaned his face down just as Regulus leaned his own up. They bumped noses and chuckled softly before their lips finally met.

Merlin, it felt so good kissing Regulus. The boy's vanilla scent soaked Severus in general Regulus-ness. He loved it.

"Oh, Merlin, Sirius, look away..." a low voice intoned, and the couple separated.

Sirius was glaring angrily at Severus, hands balled into fists, while Remus gripped his arm to hold him back and Lily and Potter stood next to them. Sirius and Potter both wore their Quidditch uniforms; it was clear they were about to go to the team.

"Hi, Sirius!" Regulus smiled sweetly, waving to his brother. Severus noted how well he played innocent, but the cunning in his eyes and the tenser way he held his body told the truth.

"Reg?" Black sounded surprisingly calm, Severus noted. Snape was still annoyed at the boy for interrupting him and Regulus.

"Yes?"

"You're fourteen."

"Thank you for knowing my age."

Severus nearly burst out laughing at the calm, pleasant expression on Regulus' face as he said the words. Sirius looked angrier than ever, but Regulus cut him off.

"Actually, I'm turning fifteen in February, so I don't know why you're yelling at me for." He calmly made eye contact with his older brother.

"Because I don't think you're old enough to be dating!" Sirius spat, and Regulus' eyes flashed. This is going to be ugly, Severus thought with glee. He loved the idea of Black getting it from his younger brother.

"Sirius? Get out of my face. Because I'm about to start cursing you, and you know Bella taught me quite a few curses for self-defense and general nastiness. Would you like a sample?" Regulus toyed with his wand innocently.

By now, Severus was trying as hard as he could not to laugh in Black's face; it was too funny. He was pulled from his mirth by a tinkling laugh coming from near the Gryffindors. Lily Evans was giggling, covering her mouth with her hand.

Suddenly, all humor was gone. Severus could not tear his eyes away from her. She looked so beautiful. Regulus suddenly grew rigid, and he subtly pulled himself from Severus. When she finished her laugh, Lily looked up to smile at Regulus, who was stiff as a board and just as warm.

"Perhaps we should find another area to sit," he said coldly, standing and pocketing his wand before storming off. The Gryffindors blinked, and Severus was pulled out of his trance. "Reg!" he called, running after the boy.

"What was that about?" Lily asked James as she sat down.

James shrugged.

"No idea."

"Regulus!"

"What?" Regulus snapped, turning. Severus grabbed his arms.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't-" he began, but Regulus shook his head.

"For the sake of the day," he said in a low voice, refusing to look at Severus, "I'm going to pretend that didn't happen. I'm going to smile and be the model little boyfriend. But when we get back in the castle, you're dead."

He sat down and crossed his legs, staring out at the field emotionlessly, though Severus noted that he was trembling slightly.

"Regulus, I don't care for her anymore-" Severus lied desperately. He was unsure; he loved both Lily and Regulus, despite the fact that the former was unobtainable.

But the younger Black boy held up a hand. "Please. Enough." Severus admired his perfectly straight body. Growing up pureblood had engrained good posture into the boy.

"Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?" Severus asked worriedly, sitting close. He clutched Regulus' hand in his, watching the boy's face.

"Well, you could start by, gee, I don't know, not ogling Evans when you have a perfectly decent and willing and beautiful boyfriend sitting right here. Unless I'm not pleasing enough for you..."

"Never!" Severus said hastily, pressing Regulus' fingers against his face. "Never. You're the most beautiful person I've ever met. You're gorgeous, and kind, and smart, and funny, and sweet..."

"Cissy says my eye is getting lazy from watching for you so much," Regulus sniffed.

"Your eyes are perfectly straight," Severus said truthfully.

Regulus sniffed again but said nothing, until Snape whispered, "You're the best, Regulus."

"I know. And don't you forget it."

At that moment, Severus realized that he was whipped.

The match was wonderfully exciting, Severus had to admit. The thrill of seeing Gryffindor face off against Slytherin raised his blood pressure until he found himself shouting encouragement for his house. Regulus raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly, but said nothing.

He seemed to have forgiven Severus, though he refused to let the older boy sit too close or hold his hand. They were back to this, Severus sighed. He did not press the matter, however, knowing that he had to find a way to sooth Regulus' mood.

Severus turned his eyes back to the game. He laughed aloud when the Slytherin Beater hit a well-aimed Bludger at Potter. It hit him on the arm and he nearly fell off his broom, but straightened himself at the right time and swerved upwards.

Severus had never realized how amusing this game was. He had always associated it with Potter and his showing-off, but seeing people he hated being destroyed or injured was rather fun to him. Perhaps he should come out and watch Quidditch more often.

When the game was over (Slytherin won, finally), Severus turned to Regulus. "Want to do something new?" he asked. He snagged Regulus' interest; the boy looked up and asked, "What's new?"

Severus smirked and reached out a hand. "Exploring."

With an impressive Slytherin-worthy smirk, Regulus took the older boy's hand.

"What are we doing here?" Regulus gasped as all light left the room.

"Just wait," Severus laughed lightly before capturing the smaller boy's lips.

The two had been exploring the castle all day. They had found secret passages, climbed up towers, opened nearly door, even seen the outside of Common Rooms. Now, they were holed up in a cave-like space. Severus had gotten rid of his wand-light, and he now wrapped his arms around Regulus.

Surprised, Regulus fell onto the older boy's lap, enjoying the feel of being held. "Severus-" he gasped softly, but Snape chuckled and pulled him tighter.

"Say it," he demanded softly.

"I love you, Severus."

Severus loved hearing those words coming from Regulus' lips. It completed him. "Severus," Regulus whispered for the nth time that day.

"Will you say-"

"What's all that noise?" a female voice interrupted Regulus' voice. The couple turned and looked at each other, panicked, and started to run away, but wand light flooded their vision.

"Reggie!" Bellatrix ran forward and threw her arms around her little cousin. It took awhile for the panic to leave Regulus' face, but when it did, he grinned and hugged her back.

"What are you doing here?" he asked curiously. "I've been sent to talk your lovely headmaster," Bella replied. Regulus nodded slightly, but Bella's attention was on Severus now.

"You."

The word was so small but so filled with hatred and anger. Her wand was pressed to his neck, and she had him against the wall. "What is your problem?" she snarled.

"Bella, it's okay. Severus is forgiven," Regulus said softly, holding the woman's free hand.

"Maybe by you, but I'll never forget what he did to you," Bellatrix snapped, but she withdrew and stalked away. Regulus followed her, and Severus reluctantly tagged along.

"How are you, Bella?" the Black boy asked, and Bella tossed her curls. "If you must know-" she flashed a onyx stone set inside a fancy silver ring. Regulus squealed softly and hugged her tight. "Bella, that's great!" he gasped, and she cracked an excited smile.

"Rodolphus just proposed two days ago. I wanted to wait to tell you and Cissy, but I was sent here," she admitted, fingering the ring nervously.

"When is your wedding?" Regulus questioned curiously. To keep Severus from feeling left out, he took the older boy's hand in his own. Bellatrix did not miss this show of affection, but she only narrowed her eyes slightly before replying, "This summer, that way everyone can come."

Regulus grinned before sighing, "This is great, Bella! I'm so happy for you!"

Bellatrix smiled back. She asked suddenly, "What's going on between you and Snape here?"

The Black boy's cheeks reddened, and he whispered, a small smile adorning his face, "We're dating."

The look on Bellatrix's face changed completely. Her face paled, her eyes darkened, and her lips were pressed into a tight line.

"I see," she said before turning on her heel and continuing on her way.

"I'll see you later, Reggie. Tell Cissy to come up to Dumbledore's office."

Regulus stared after his cousin, but nodded to himself.

"Let's go to the Common Room. Cissy should be there," he said aloud, though it seemed more for his own benefit than for Severus'. Severus nodded and led his boyfriend.

"Ms. Black. Or should I say, Mrs. Lestrange?"

Bellatrix glared at Dumbledore.

"Still Ms. Black."

"I see. What brings you to back to Hogwarts?" Dumbledore's face was calm and impassive, though his fingers were clenched tightly.

"The Dark Lord... requests a meeting. A moment of calm before the storm, he says," Bellatrix replied. She stood boldly in the middle of the headmaster's office, staring him down across his desk.

Dumbledore sighed, "I had expected such a thing. Lord Voldemort is quite easy to read."

Bellatrix's eyes flashed furiously, and she snarled, "Do not speak his name," though she did not draw her wand. She knew of the power the old man held and, though she despised him, she knew it was futile to attempt it. Just because she was a former student did not mean he would not injure or even kill her for attacking.

"I am sorry, perhaps the name 'Tom Riddle' is more appropriate."

He was mocking both her and her master, she could tell, though she said nothing. Dumbledore would not be able to laugh forever, she thought with a small smile. Everything must fall.

"I will accept his meeting only if it is in a neutral place and he does not initiate or plan any type of attack. Such attacks would not be beneficial for either of us," Dumbledore was now saying, and Bellatrix nodded sharply.

She turned and started out of the office, stopping only when she heard the old man say, "Bellatrix, perhaps you have wandered down the wrong path."

With a tiny smile, she turned and replied, "Perhaps my entire family was born on it."

Okay, this story is getting darker. I think it's because I'm not really the best at writing humor, but I've been trying. Some parts were good in this, others were bad.

Let me apologize for the delay- in my defense, I got sick, went to the beach, and didn't know what to write. I wanted to keep it light, but I gave up and let my imagination run loose. Maybe it's just me, but I prefer a better-written dramatic comedy/romance rather than a poorly-written comedy/romance. But please tell me what you guys think!

Thanks so much!

Btw: big thanks & shout-out to .x for favoriting this story! : )