Chapter 56, This is the time to remember, cause it will not last forever
Severus took a few days to mull over everything Dumbledore had told him. Though he understood the man's reasoning for beginning his training the next year to keep him occupied once Heather and Raislen were gone, he wished he could begin it now. The sooner he could plunder Black or Potter's minds to learn Lupin's secret, the sooner he could make them leave him alone. On the other hand, if he could talk Dumbledore into beginning his training in the mind magics at once, it would take away from his time with Heather and Raislen, which would be a shame as this was their last year at Hogwarts. After this year was over, things would change forever. Perhaps not for the bad, but they would change.
The friends would never again be able to return to the days of playing on Dumbledore's stairs. Instead, they would all be growing up. Though Heather and Raislen were leaving Hogwarts to begin their adult lives, Severus knew he would be growing up as well even if still a student. He was being trusted by Dumbledore with secret knowledge, and that certainly made him feel older. He would be beginning extensive training by Albus Dumbledore, and who else could say that? And he would be taking more certain steps in the direction of Voldemort and his Death Eaters for his own means. Yes indeed, Severus would be growing up with Heather and Raislen gone. Growing up earlier than perhaps he should have to, but revenge did not wait. For now, though, he had this final year. As such, he would not ruin it by beginning his studies with Dumbledore sooner than he needed to. He would pause revenge for one selfish reason, for the rest of this year.
Though it was odd to see Heather and Raislen as a couple even if he had somewhat expected it some day, it was peaceful. Odd and peaceful was a mix that Severus had not expected to experience, but he'd take it over the previous depressing tension any day. Besides, he knew the odd aspect would fade once everyone got used to how things were now. Though he knew it was silly, Severus hadn't expected Heather and Raislen to begin dating for at least a few more years.
Perhaps after they'd graduated and the three of them had all made a name for themselves. He just hoped the romantic aspect that they'd started up would not get in the way of the high hopes they all had for the future. Though those hopes weren't quite defined as of yet, he knew that the three of them would eventually be traveling and seeking out interesting places and lost knowledge. Of course Heather and Raislen would begin without him, but when he graduated, he would be ready and eager to join them. At least he would not feel like the third wheel even though they were now a couple, as everyone was well accustomed to it always being the three of them.
Regulus made things just as comfortable as four or even five with Kreacher along, but Regulus had other plans for his life. Disappointing but true, and it was better with just he, Heather and Raislen anyway. In spite of this, it did bother him more and more as he grew older that Regulus planned to waste the best parts of his life in the service of an evil monster as soon as he could manage it. Likely this was because he'd gotten to know Regulus for the past three years and found him to be a good and loyal friend and a decent person. Not only that, Regulus was quite smart, and there certainly weren't enough smart people in the world with whom Severus could actually have an interesting conversation.
Far too frequently, though, Regulus used his wit to converse about a particular topic the others had no interest in. It may have been that he was so drawn in that he was oblivious to the fact that the others weren't, or perhaps he wished to change it. The frequency of Regulus proudly commenting over shared meals at the Slytherin table about Voldemort's doings, otherwise known as crimes certainly increased. When Heather, Raislen and Severus made no comment to his praise of Voldemort, he often attempted to persuade them more often than not of the necessity of Voldemort's goals. "If we do not conquer the Muggles and teach them better, we shall never be safe," he insisted one morning over breakfast. He glanced up from the newspaper in his hand to regard Heather and Raislen in open exasperation before returning his blue gaze to the latest report of Voldemort's last Death Eater raid on a Muggle night club. "We need a committee specifically for reeducating Muggles about how magic can help them. Then they won't want to kill us."
"Oh," Heather said almost brightly. Her pleasant tone did not at all match the skeptical look in her eyes. "Reeducating! Is that what he's after? I never would've guessed, considering all the killing he's doing."
Raislen chuckled. "She's talking facts," he said, giving Regulus a 'what can you do' shrug.
"I'm sure he is just trying to thin the masses, you know. So they'll have to listen to us," Regulus said. Severus regarded him intently, searching for some sign that Regulus knew he was having himself on, but the younger boy's eyes were sincere, full of fervent belief.
"Because needless random killing always tends to make people listen?" Raislen questioned gently. Heather spluttered pumpkin juice down the front of her sweater, then swore at Raislen as she dabbed at it with a napkin.
"Scourgify, Heather," Raislen drawled, aiming his wand at her sweater as he smirked at her. "Now it's clean. That's all you had to do."
Heather scowled. "I'd have gotten there eventually." They paused to grin at one another, doing that weird staring into one another's eyes thing that was completely new and a bit annoying. In fact, it was so annoying that Severus forgot his annoyance with Regulus long enough to exchange an eye roll with him.
"Do not forget all the needless random killings the Muggles have done to us, Raislen," Regulus reminded, returning the focus to the topic at hand. "Before you say that the current Muggles have done nothing to us, they could and likely would if they were aware of our magic. Muggles never change. Why just have a look at their history to see how it repeats itself! That's what they aught to be teaching in Muggle studies."
"So it's constant war," Raislen asked. "It hasn't worked out yet."
Regulus nodded. "Oh I agree entirely! That's why this shall be different. It's about guiding and ruling the Muggles. Influencing them on a deeper level even than has been attempted with just all out war or domination."
Raislen and Heather exchanged a glance. "I hope so," Raislen said and Heather nodded. That was diplomatic, Severus thought in some relief. Due to his own future plans, he did not want to take sides in his friend group, so he was glad that Heather and Raislen liked Regulus enough to keep things cordial though they clearly disagreed.
Regulus leaned forward in sudden frustration. "If we don't do something, eventually the Muggles shall, again. Their history does repeat itself, and that history has involved us over and over. Eventually some idiotic Mud-blood will set a foot wrong and expose themselves to more Muggles than we can Obliviate before it's too late. Things will get out of hand, and they will be aware of magic and come after us a- bloody- gain. If we refuse to take action first, we shall be sitting ducks just as in the past. We have lost to Muggles too many times before."
Though Severus hated to admit it, Regulus made sense. In part it made him feel disloyal to Tobias's memory to even think such, but would Tobias not agree? Most Muggles did cause a lot of problems amongst themselves and to magical folk in the past. History could not be changed just because not all Muggles were bad. Many Muggles were bad and likewise some wizards and witches were bad. There just weren't as many magical folk as there were Muggles was all.
"There are some decent Muggles," Severus told Regulus. He chose his words carefully as he sought not only to reach his friend, but to learn if Regulus was truly decent as Severus, Raislen and Heather believed him to be. "Some would even agree with you, and those deserve their equal rights in an improved world. Those intelligent and accepting Muggles with valuable skill sets to offer who can appreciate magic should not be treated like the rest." As he spoke, Severus recalled Tobias laughingly boosting his six year old self onto Eileen's broom when he wanted to fly, calling him his little wizard. Though the memory was one of the happiest of his life, it still caused a sharp pang of regret in his chest for what was no more.
Regulus considered his words briefly before nodding. "I can see that. Yes, of course." At this concession, Severus felt his very insides relaxing. He exchanged a quick look with Heather and Raislen, and the three friends exchanged a fleeting smile.
"Only how shall someone as blood thirsty as Voldemort filter out the good Muggles so that they may be spared and given those equal rights," Heather wondered, smile slipping from her face as she spoke.
"He isn't like the papers would have you think," Regulus said. "He is very kind and reasonable."
Severus nearly choked. Tobias Snape would have disagreed. He itched to tell Regulus as much, at last believing that his friend may understand and even take his side if he did. Where would that lead, though? Would Regulus truly turn his back on Voldemort as a result? No. Quite likely not. No strange Muggle that he'd never met could truly open his eyes wide enough to turn him away from his precious dark lord. Instead, his mind would surely supply excuses and justifications to explain how such a thing could have happened. Worse, perhaps he would even wish to speak to Voldemort about it which would forever ruin Severus's cover along with any hopes he had for revenge. This was all going to be so difficult at times, he thought. Such a blasted balancing act, and he worried he did not have the social graces for it. Social graces were never anything he had any use for, but he may have to develop a few, at least in Voldemort's ranks. The thought made him quite certain that his head would explode at any moment.
"Oh I nearly forgot," Raislen said. "I am having a holiday party over the Christmas break at mine. You are all invited, of course, and Kreacher too, Regulus. I wrote my parents about it, and just got the letter back this morning officially giving their permission." While Severus was grateful for the change of subject, parties weren't his thing. Raislen's library was, though, so he decided that this party would be the first good one in history.
"I'll write Mum before class for permission to come," he said excitedly.
Raislen grinned. "Good. I asked mine plenty in advance so you would have time to get permission. It wouldn't be a party without you there, Kid." Because Raislen was not joking, Severus did not laugh.
Instead he smiled. "Thanks." Hurrying to finish his breakfast in order to dash to the Owlery before class, his mind was already on the towering walls of books of Raislen's library.
"It will be the twenty-third of December," Raislen said."Two days before Christmas. That way, it won't interrupt anyone's holiday plans with their families. And no one needs to bring anything, but if Kreacher feels an urge to make those marvelous cookies, I won't complain," Raislen told Regulus with a wink.
Regulus grinned back. "Those cookies are amazing."
Severus made it to the Owlery and back to class on time, though he dashed into Charms last and everyone else was already seated. Flitwick hadn't begun the class yet, though, and Severus was not late, which was all that mattered. He hurried toward his seat near Mulciber, still trying to catch his breath.
"Nearly late weren't you, Snivellus?" The whispered question came from Sirius Black as Severus hurried past his desk. "What you doing anyway?" As he glanced up to glare, a small scuffing sound caught his attention. He dropped his gaze just in time to see James Potter's foot in his shiny black leather boot sliding out to trip him. Severus avoided this with a small skip over the foot in question, then pausing, kicked James hard in the ankle.
"OUCH," James practically howled. "You greasy little git!"
"That's for trying to trip me, Potter," Severus sneered over his shoulder before hurrying to his own seat.
"Trying to trip people is not nice, Mr. Potter," Professor Flitwick said calmly. "Fifty points from Gryffindor. Let that teach you some manners if nothing else will." Severus couldn't keep the wide smile of pleased triumph from his face. It was short lived, though, for he knew the Gits would eventually make him pay for it even though they had started with him.
"Ah professor," James groaned. "Fifty whole points for a little joke? Isn't that a bit unreasonable?"
"I refuse to have my class disrupted by your little jokes," Flitwick snapped. "Now class, turn in your charms texts to page eighty-eight."
"What the hell'd you ever do to them anyway," Mulciber whispered to Severus over the rustle of pages as everyone opened their charms texts.
"According to Black, I exist," Severus whispered back.
Mulciber's green gaze narrowed as he stared down at his charms text. "So they just don't like Dark Slytherins with potential." He grinned. "Makes me want to give their lot a reason, you know? They keep asking for one it seems."
Severus smiled back, seeing precisely where he was coming from. If someone accused one of a thing enough, one got tempted to prove them right, especially if it would inconvenience them. He was definitely ready to inconvenience the Gryffindor Gang Of Gits as much as possible and beyond.
By the time he joined the others at lunch later that day, he'd nearly forgotten the incident. His mind was on Raislen's Christmas party and that library, and no stupidity from Black and Potter was about to ruin his good mood. "Did you have time to write your mum before class," Raislen asked and Severus nodded eagerly.
"Muggle studies is such a pointless class," Regulus complained. "I don't even care if I fail it. We just got a load of stupid homework that I simply refuse to do. It's all about researching how Muggle holiday customs differ from ours, and who cares? We need to be studying how their minds work when it comes to things that frighten them. Also knowing what sorts of weapons they have now, and what their best and brightest are excelling in would be helpful to know as well."
"Not bad thoughts, actually," Heather said, nodding in approval. Her gaze was oddly sad as she regarded Regulus. Likely she was hoping he would not come to a bad end, Severus silently speculated. "Perhaps we could suggest these changes to Dumbledore after school," she suggested and Regulus brightened.
"What a good idea! Lets!" At moments like that, the four of them were completely unified in their minds and intentions. As silly as it may sound, Severus felt at those times as if they may be able to change the world together someday.