The next days Severus kept mostly to himself. He couldn't help but keep replaying in his mind what the three ghosts had shown him. He had done his best to avoid Potter and Black who seemed keen on trying to find him. "What do you think, Severus," Dan prodded. For a moment Severus thought he'd recognized some insecurity. "Would be fun right? To teach that girl a lesson."

Quickly Andrew butted in. "We should show to him that we are worthy. You even more so than the rest of us. But the Dark lord recognizes talent. You will join us in our little prank right?"

"Of course, Andrew," Severus smoothly drawled. He could hardly say no directly to their faces. It would make him a target and having Black and Potter to deal with was more than enough, even if the past year they seemed to have layed off on him most of the time. A year earlier Potter would not have missed an opportunity to attack or prank him. "Wouldn't miss it for the world. What were the incantations again?"

Andrew launched into elaborate instructions. He talked how he had adjusted it from the imperius curse. He of course could not be found guilty of doing such a curse if word would ever come out. With every word Severus felt his heart sink more and more. He did not even feel the energy coursing through him he normally got from studying the dark arts. It felt bleak. As much as he wanted to ignore or forget that night the ghosts visited, he could not, and while he ignored it life seemed to pace by way too fast. He needed to think, but felt terrified that time was too limited for it. When Andrew seemed satisfied that Severus was on board and that he showed understanding the incantation, he quickly stood up. He seemed very bored suddenly. "Maybe tune and practise it a bit, Severus, I found that spiders work pretty well." Andrew clapped Severus on the back. Then Andrew nodded at Rabastan and Dan, who followed him out, though Dan seemed torn and lingered a few seconds before scurrying after them.

With a sigh Severus took his potion book and put it in front of him, with no interest in actually reading it. He would get an outstanding on his NEWT anyways.

"What happened?" Regulus then abruptly asks. Grey eyes are studying him.

Severus glares at his friend. How would he be able to make a plan in time if he had no moment to think. "Nothing."

"You are a git you know," Regulus blurts out annoyed. "And something changed. A few weeks ago you would have been thrilled to study that curse of Andrew. You found the dark arts fascinating, now you barely seemed able to pay attention. You haven't even picked a fight with Black and Potter!"

"It is nothing, " Severus hisses.

"Liar," Regulus says. He folds his arms. "Are you gonna ditch me tomorrow for going to Hogsmead? And Lucius as well. The past few days you have kept to yourself more than normal." Severus groans. He had forgotten about the weekend. Regulus eyes then lit up as he seemed to understand something. "Is it about Lily? She finally said yes to Potter, didn't she? I heard some gossips about it." That surprised Severus, but then again, didn't she marry him in those future memories? "Oh well, I guess you hadn't heard yet." Regulus now seemed a little uncomfortable.

Severus closes his potions book. "You were right about one thing though," Severus says. "I do not wish to partake in that joke."

"Then don't," Regulus states puzzelled. As if it could have been that easy. "It is not as if you have family to live up to."

Severus realized Regulus had no idea. No clue at all. He only knew what he had lived through. "You don't understand. That little joke of Mulciber is not just a bit of fun. You know it stands for bigger things. I'd reject the dark lord as well."

Regulus eyes lit up at the mention of the dark lord. "You still want to join as well, right?" Regulus leaned into Severus and started talking softer. "We will help him make the world a better place for wizards like us, Severus."

"Wizards like you, Reg," Severus whispers back. "Would you really want to harm anyone to back up his ideals?" Severus knew Reg to have a soft heart, much softer than his own. He could think of no other pureblood who befriended his house elf. Especially not in a home were they were so badly treated. And the ghost of the future has shown it too, that Regulus had deflected and died.

"I wouldn't have to harm anyone Severus," Regulus states proudly. "The Black family holds power. We can change laws. We can support the cause with money. It would make mum and dad proud and-"

Severus sighs. "Do you really think you could stay clear of harming anyone? Or is what they want to do to Mary harmless fun to you?"

"Of course not," Regulus says, for the first time he sounds less sure of himself. "But I will not harm her. I won't be one of them who curses her. And it is not as if Black and Potter haven't done things like that."

Severus tenses up at the names Black and Potter. Furiously he storms off. Even worse is that he walks into Potter of all people. "Snape, please," Potter says, while messing up his hair and readjusting his glasses. "We need to talk." Severus ignores it and just storms further.

The next days go past quicker than Severus wanted. He had been able to dodge talking with Regulus about the dark lord or Mulciber's prank and while Regulus had seemed keen to bring up the topic earlier, his childish excitement for the Hogsmead weekend seemed to win out. "Let's go, Sev," Regulus whined while pulling his arm in excitement. "What if we miss the carriages? And I cannot wait to see Luce and Cissy! And we'll have butterbeers and watch the newest broom and-"

"Okay, okay," Severus groaned. In Hogsmead, Severus was warmly embraced by Lucius and Narcissa, just like Regulus. "How is Hogwarts, Reggie?" Narcissa asked Regulus, who immediately launched into stories of lessons.

There seemed to be a sudden understanding between Lucius and Severus. "I will be meeting the dark lord next week. I am expected to make my father and my in-laws proud," Lucius stated. Before Severus could ask questions, Lucius continued. "You of course know how I stand on his ideals. I fully support the dark lord and would not hesitate to give political support to his ideals or money to back these ideals up, however I am very fond of my home life. I heard from Regulus you are backing out?" Severus looked suprised. "Reggie owled us, don't worry no one else knows." Severus felt tongue-tied as if he was hexed. "I am sure you have a plan?"

Severus relaxed. "You might want to buy us some polyjuice potion. How about you? Do you have a plan?"

"I am not sure if I can walk away as easily as you, Severus. I love Narcissa very much and do not wish for her to be disowned as a Black or Malfoy because of my choices," Lucius confides.

Severus suddenly gets a steely look. "And you would wish for her to be with a murderer? What if our son would become one too? What would you give up for the cause?"

Lucius looks startled. Angry even. "I am sure things will settle itself. Surely I wouldn't have to-" Lucius takes a deep breath. "The Malfoy and Black name hold power and money, surely other people could do whatever else is needed."

Severus just stares unbelievingly at Lucius. It is silent for some time between them. "Do you really think it will be any easier to step away the moment it is asked? Or safer?"

Lucius stares in the distance. "People will be mad, that is for sure. I hope that I am not harmed, dead or disowned next time I see you, Severus. Polyjuice potion you said you needed?"