As winter rolled into spring, Regulus grew even happier with the passing months and warm weather. He liked the winter for its snow, but spring was definitely his favorite season; the presence of his classmates combined with the warmth outside of the castle made for a perfect combination in Regulus' eyes. That combined with the fact that he could now enjoy the outside with his boyfriend was like heaven for the boy.
Unfortunately, Severus was very often busy studying for his N.E.W.T.s; he had very little spare time, most of which he spent sleeping or studying even more. Regulus was patient, helping his boyfriend study and trying to calm his frazzled nerves, but he couldn't help himself wishing that they could spend more time together as the spring flowers blossomed.
"Do you want to do your studying outside today?" Regulus asked Severus as the older boy hurried into the common room, looking nervous and panicked. "Today I think I'll go over Transfiguration-what?" the older boy stopped in the middle of his explanation and stared at his boyfriend, who gazed up at him expectantly.
"I said, 'do you want to do your studying outside today?' It's very nice out, and no offense, but- you look like you need the air," he explained, noting Severus' pasty skin.
"Reg, I have to study, I don't have time to go outside," Severus seemed to view their conversation as seconds of possible study time wasted. He dropped his books onto the desk and began to read quickly.
Regulus forced his temper down.
"I know, but going out to study won't mess you up. In fact, it may even help you focus more, what with the fresh air, the birds chirping, the grass growing-"
Severus looked up and smiled slightly. "How about another day, okay? I really want to work indoors," he replied. Regulus was calm as he rose to his feet, explaining that he was going to go help Narcissa study. Severus nodded and returned to his textbooks.
"Conjunctivitis Curse," Regulus said boredly, barely flinching when Narcissa cast the spell on him. He was practically blind, his vision going blurry and dark until he could barely see a thing. What had been his own legs crossed in front of him in the grass was now a massive swirl of dark blue and black, the grass edging slowly into darkness before settling for an unfocused forest green. He placed an experimental hand in front of his own eyes, only to see shattered fragments of off-white being eaten at the edges by black.
"Sorry, Reg," he heard his cousin apologize, but he shrugged. "You have to study."
She helped him sit down next to her, and he felt her body heat. "I don't know when it'll wear off," she noted, a hint of anxiousness creeping into her voice, but Regulus was unfazed. "It's fine. It just gives me an excuse to skip McGonagell's class. Although, I'm pretty sure I could stay in class, I'd just need some help," he noted.
He felt Narcissa's fingers gripping his arm tightly as the sound of flipping pages cut through the quiet air.
"I think I'm done for now," she was saying, and he heard the soft thump of a book closing. "Come on, let's take you to Madam Pomfrey, see how long this spell will last. Oh, I'm sorry, Regulus," she apologized. He was stunned silent for a moment; he could barely recall an occasion upon which Narcissa called him by his full name.
"It's fine... Cissy?"
She held his arm and pulled him up. "Hmm?" she said absently.
He started to open his mouth, then shook his head.
"Nothing."
Regulus listened as his cousin muttered both to herself and him about how nervous she was, both in regards to her engagement and her N.E.W.T.s. He heard her shoving books in her bag, clicking the top shut before doing... something, he puzzled, that sounded as though she were speaking in a muffled voice.
"Reg, I'm going to leave you here, okay?" she said abruptly, and his jaw nearly dropped.
"What? Hell, no!"
"Regulus Black, watch your mouth!" the blonde scolded, but Regulus was unfazed.
"No! Cissy, you can't strand me here after you put the Conjunctivitis Curse on me! I can barely see a thing, can't even focus on my own shoes!" he protested, growing annoyed as she placed a cool finger over his lips.
"Trust me, alright? I'll see you later, bye, lovely!"
"I'm going to rip your pretty blonde hair out strand by strand if you leave me here, Cissy!" Regulus threatened emptily, but he heard her tinkling laughter as her voice grew further and further away.
Regulus scowled deeply and plopped into the grass. He was quite angry with Narcissa at the moment, as well as seventh-years in general. Who did Narcissa think she was, just cursing him, not knowing the counter-curse, and leaving him all alone?
"Need some help?"
"Severus!" Regulus sighed in relief at the familiar snarking voice. He felt a slim, strong hand grasp his own and pull him from the grass, the sudden motion forcing him to fall into Severus' chest. "Clumsy, hmm?" Severus murmured, and Regulus rolled his eyes. "Not my fault. Cissy cursed me, and now I can't see."
"Can't see?" Severus sounded concerned.
"Just blurs and darkness. Conjunctivitis Curse."
"Ahh. Sorry, I don't know the counter-curse, but maybe Madam Pomfrey knows," the older boy suggested.
"That's what Narcissa said before she ditched me," the smaller boy grumbled, and Severus laughed. Regulus enjoyed the sound, rich and real. Severus really needed to laugh more often, he truly had a beautiful laugh, the boy mused. When he told Severus this, he could practically hear the older boy rolling his eyes.
"You're insane."
"You love me for it."
Regulus was not dumb; he felt Severus stiffen at the word 'love', and he hurt. Badly. But he forced a smile to his face when Severus quickly suggested that they get going before lunch was over.
Madam Pomfrey poked and prodded before announcing that the spell would be quite simple to remove, but that Regulus might be coming down with a cold soon. He was more than relieved when she tapped the lids of his eyes (it stung) and removed the Curse. The slight pain that had been building at the corner of his eyes was gone; he could see again.
"Thank you so much, Madam Pomfrey!" Regulus thanked the mediwitch happily before hopping down from the bed and running off, Severus hurrying after him after shouting a quick thanks as well.
"Regulus, wait up!" Severus called, but his boyfriend shouted that he had to hurry to class and he'd see Severus later. Severus slowed and paused, watching Regulus' thin frame running ahead.
"Figures. Might as well head to class myself," Severus sighed, running a hand through his hair before spinning around on his heel and heading for the dungeons.
He was startled when Narcissa seemed to appear out of nowhere, smiling wickedly.
"You took him to the hospital wing?" she asked as she walked along side of him. Severus nodded slowly, staring at Narcissa distrustfully. The blonde seemed to hear his train of thoughts, for she rolled her eyes and scoffed, "Please, I don't want anything. Bella just told me to give this to you."
She handed him a blood-red thick piece of parchment that had a piece of black lace across the front and was stiff to the touch. Curious, Severus read the ebony text; black on dark red is quite hard to read, he thought to himself.
You, Severus Snape, are invited to attend the nuptials that are to be shared between Bellatrix Black and Rodolphus Lestrange. The wedding is to take place on June 20. Owl the couple if you are not able to attend.
Severus blinked twice. He looked up at Narcissa. The blonde girl was shaking with silent laughter, smirking widely as she pointed at him.
"What's so funny?" he asked, and she managed to explain between hysterical giggles, "The look on your face is beyond hilarious, Snape."
He snarled and rolled his eyes, though Narcissa was unfazed. "Please, you must forget that I'm engaged to Lucius Malfoy. Lucius created the evil look. Snape, you're nothing special," she told him after she calmed down. He had to squash his rising temper before he could trust himself to speak.
"Anyway, why did Bellatrix invite me to her wedding?"
He was slightly disappointed when Narcissa raised her eyebrows to the negative. "I don't know. I'm assuming that she was either forced by Mother or she did it to make Regulus happy."
Severus mulled this over. He did not particularly want to go to Bellatrix's wedding. He did not like the woman, nor did he enjoy celebrations and loud events, especially considering the hordes of people that were always at them. On the other hand, Bellatrix was extremely violent, not to mention crazy; who knew what she would do to him if he declined the invitation? Then again, she might be angrier if he bothered to show up.
"I'd accept if I were you. Bella's getting crazier as the wedding gets closer. I think she'd lose her mind if anyone declined. That's the only reason Evan's going," Narcissa added carelessly.
Severus' blood froze. He managed to keep his voice from betraying his inner turmoil as he asked, "Evan? Rosier's coming?"
"Him and his entire family. Rodolphus' family is close to the Rosiers, and as a result, they were invited. Bella can't stand them." Narcissa was smirking until she saw the look on Snape's face.
Immediately, the blonde turned sympathetic, putting a manicured hand on the boy's shoulder and murmuring, "Hopefully he won't be too bad."
"Hopefully..." Severus swallowed and forced himself to stay calm. After all, what was the worst that could happen?
I know it's kind of short, I'm sorry. Just hurrying to get a few chapters typed before we lose power. The newscasters are freaking me out, I'm all scared and paranoid... Crazy, I know. Anyways...
I've been thinking of writing some one-shots and other stories with other couples in the Harry Potter world soon. I appreciate a lot of pairings, so if anyone has any suggestions I'd be so grateful! Thanks for reading, you guys!