Chapter 43, #12 Grimmauld Place
As promised, Regulus wrote Severus frequently during the next month to sort out plans for their visit as well as to talk about the books they were both reading and how their respective summers were going. Sirius had already been rude to Kreacher three times after having only been home for five days, so Mr. and Mrs. Black were not allowing him to visit his friends in Hog's Meade at all for the summer.
That meant he would likely be even more angry to see Severus being able to visit Regulus. While this certainly meant there would be more unpleasant exchanges, Severus did not mind. This time Sirius would be outnumbered, so revenge promised to be sweet! Regulus also wrote that the Lestranges had agreed to come and take them shopping in Knockturn Alley if they wished to go. Rodolphus had heard from a friend of his that Borgin and Burkes had just gotten in some interesting new items.
Of course Severus was intrigued, even if he did not have much money to spend. Looking allowed him to make mental wish lists for Christmas or future savings. When it came to such matters, he had learned to be patient, mainly because there was no choice. To his surprise, when time for the visit came around, his mum gave him fifteen Galleons to take along to Regulus's for spending money. "Work has been busy so far this summer," she explained with a smile. as she pressed the coins into his hands as he was packing for the trip. "It is almost as if your grandfather isn't interfering with my potions sales to the mail order catalogs," she stage whispered.
"He has been occupied with his friends of late," Severus observed dryly. "Let us hope that continues."
"For sure," Eileen agreed.
"Are you certain we can afford it, Mum?" Severus felt a sudden stab of guilt at taking that much money on a frivolous trip to see a friend.
"Of course we can," she assured. "I want you to have a nice time away and not worry about anything." As Severus hugged his mum in thanks, he vowed to either buy her something while out shopping, or to bring back enough of the money to return to her. If there was something particularly amazing that called out her name, he would get it for her as a show of his appreciation and if not, well he knew she had plenty of uses to which to put the money.
When she Apparated him to #12 Grimmauld Place the next day, Regulus and Kreacher opened the door together. Severus took in the old stately manor with fascination, because not only was it the home of his friend Regulus, it was also the home of his enemy Sirius. Of course the place could tell him nothing of Sirius, because he surely detested every stone of it, but the realization was interesting nonetheless. "Yea, you're here," Regulus exclaimed gleefully.
He turned back into the manor, shouting over one shoulder. "Mum! Dad! Severus is here!" Regulus's parents came to greet Eileen and Mrs. Black gushed about what a good boy Severus was. Eileen was more than happy to expound on just what a good boy Severus was, from his high marks in all classes to what a good loving son he was.
"Unlike Master Sirius Black, Master Regulus has quality friends," Kreacher commented and Mrs. Black nodded, looking pleased. Though Severus felt mildly embarrassed by all the focus being directed at him, the praise felt nice nonetheless. Kreacher reached for Severus's trunk. "Kreacher will take this up to Master Regulus's room. Master Regulus had suggested putting Severus Snape in the nearest guest room, but Kreacher feared there would be trouble with Master Sirius Black. For that reason, Kreacher suggested that Master Regulus share his room. Kreacher brought in a folding bed from the attic for Severus Snape."
"I know it's weird, but Kreacher fears, probably rightfully so, that Sirius would attempt to push you into using wandless magic if he corners you alone here," Regulus said. "We do not want you to get into trouble because of him."
"That is thoughtful of you," Eileen told Kreacher with a smile.
"Kreacher is a dear, and we are fortunate to have him as part of our family," Walburga said, giving the elf a fond smile.
Kreacher beamed from ear to ear at the compliment before Apparating away, presumably to Regulus's room, with Severus's trunk. "His parents passed in a magical accident when he was very young, so he's practically one of ours," Mr. Black explained, a sad smile briefly ghosting across his face.
Severus had not expected to find such personal common ground with Kreacher. Sadly it was nothing he would likely ever bring up to the elf. He did not relish lying to his friends, and Kreacher was a friend of sorts. If the elf were to ask how Tobias Snape had died, there was no way that Severus dared explain that Voldemort had done it. That was not likely to go well considering how utterly devoted Kreacher and Regulus were to the monster. To Severus's relief, Eileen made no comment about Tobias either. All she said was,"How dreadful."
"At least Kreacher does not remember their deaths, due to being so young, but it was indeed dreadful," Mrs. Black said. Before more could be said on the matter, if indeed anymore would've, Kreacher apparated back into the room. "There," he said, giving a pleased smile. "All is now organized for Severus Snape in Master Regulus's room."
"Thank you," Severus said. Eileen departed and Regulus turned excitedly to Severus. "While our library isn't Raislen's, it is a bloody good library. I figured you would want to see it directly, so let's get that out of the way."
"Brilliant," Severus said eagerly.
"Master Regulus and Kreacher spend many afternoons reading in our library," Kreacher said. "Kreacher thinks that there are several obscure texts that Severus Snape shall enjoy having a look at."
"The three of you have at it, then," Mrs. Black said with a chuckle. "I assume we shan't see you until dinner."
"Sounds right," Regulus told his mum before starting off down the hall, gesturing for Severus to follow. As he did, his attention was caught by an odd umbrella stand.
"What is that made of," he wondered, glancing at Mr. and Mrs. Black who still stood together near the front door.
Mr. Black's lips twitched. "It's a troll foot. Word has it, said troll ran afoul of my great, great grandfather. As you can see, the troll lost." Severus laughed before hurrying after Regulus. Though he knew he would never love another library as he loved Raislen's, he was still eager to see this one. He hurried down a long hallway lined with heavy ornate picture frames which held portraits of imperious looking Black family relatives.
Most if not all had features similar to those of Orion, Walburga, Regulus and Bellatrix. Sirius put Severus in mind of the strapping farm boy addition, already more bulky than the rest by far even at his young age. With a sound of disgust, Severus sped up his steps when he realized that he was thinking of Sirius Bloody Black instead of books, because that would not do. He caught up to Regulus and Kreacher just as Regulus opened the library door. Right away the delightful smell of old books struck his nose, and Severus drew in an appreciative sniff.
Nothing in the world smelled as good and magical as old books! The room was pleasantly cool, providing a welcome bastion from the summer heat outside. The light that came from black shards of glittering crystal set into the ceiling was just bright enough to read by without straining the eyes while not being bright enough to be annoying. Heavy dark gray curtains were drawn over a tall window across from the door. That was good, because it kept the hot sun from harming the books, Severus thought.
Raislen's library had no windows for that very reason. For a moment, Severus simply stood just inside the library, familiarizing himself with the layout of the room. It was slightly larger than average size, and thick dark green carpet on the floor kept footfalls silent. Severus appreciated the quiet offered by carpeted reading spaces. It meant that no one was disturbed when others present went for another book. The walls were lined with ornate oak shelves and several arm chairs for reading were scattered about.
The chairs were wide sturdy affairs that appeared to mean business, ensuring a person's reading experience was a comfortable one. Thus far, those chairs were the least ornate item that Severus had spotted in the manor. Wandering over to the nearest book shelf, Severus began to scan the titles. "Our shelves are arranged by subject," Regulus explained. "That shelf is history. The shelf just beside it holds rare magic books. That's where our best books on hexing live. Perhaps one of them would have something inspiring for you when it comes to that cutting spell you are trying to sort out."
Severus brightened. "That would be nice. I've run into a few snags with it. I've been practicing it on pillows, or rather I was at Hogwarts before term ended." He sighed, not bothering to hide his frustration as he stepped over to the shelf that held the tomes on rare magic. "Let us just say if I tried it on a person at this point, I would tear chunks out of their skin rather than making small cuts in it."
Regulus cringed. "I would say it's not quite ready."
Severus chuckled. "Too right it isn't. It's a control factor when making the cuts that I lack. No matter how small the movements of my wand, big chunks just keep coming out of the blasted pillows!"
Kreacher frowned. "Perhaps Severus Snape is practicing upon the wrong material."
Severus felt his eyes widen in mild horror. "Well I can't very well practice on one of the gits in case those big chunks come out of them as they did with the pillows!"
Kreacher smirked. "Kreacher was thinking of a chicken. He has one in the kitchen at this very moment that he intends to prepare for lunch tomorrow. He could allow Severus Snape to practice on it before he cuts it up. If Severus Snape would like to, that is."
"Oh!" Severus said, suddenly feeling quite stupid as well as embarrassed. A chicken was far more similar to the actual make up of a person than was a pillow. "That's a great idea. Thanks, Kreacher."
Regulus grinned. "No need to look embarrassed, Severus. You would have thought of a similar idea yourself, but unlike Kreacher, you don't have raw meet at your constant disposal."
Severus nodded. "Yes, right." Material and matter density definitely factored in to such spells, though, and he still should have known as much. Ah well, he would never be forgetting it again. He spotted several books on hexes that he had never seen before that kept him busy until Kreacher announced that it was time for dinner. He and Regulus had sat side by side reading their own books right along with Severus, yet still somehow the elf had known what time it was. That was impressive, considering the room appeared to have no clock.