Chapter 13
Severus flooed into the cozy cottage. The smell of old, leather-bound books and ancient magic immediately assaulted his nose. He took a moment to steady himself, shaking off the excess floo powder and climbing out of the hearth with his suitcase. Severus looked around the warm but poorly lit space, wondering where its owner had disappeared off to. The couch looked modest, a far cry from the grandiose furniture found in most Wizarding homes. Severus was surprised to find his friend living in such a demure place, considering his preferences for the regal back in their youth.
"I'm in here, Sev!" a deep voice called from a small hallway, snapping Severus’ attention back to his friend. He set his luggage down and followed the voice to a small kitchen.
Severus took in the sight of his old friend throwing tea leaves into the kettle. Slowly, the man turned to him. He seemed to have lost the mask he carried throughout their childhood. His features were no longer boyish, but his eyes were softer and his smile more genuine than Severus had ever seen before. His deep purple robes were the only thing that reminded Severus that this was the same young boy he had grown up with.
"Hello, Regulus," Severus greeted.
Regulus responded by pulling Severus into a gentle hug.
"It's good to see you again, Severus," Regulus replied.
"It's been too long," Severus said into the hug.
"Well, you never visited, and I never wanted to go back." Regulus pulled away. "Now let’s get you settled into the guest room, and then we can chat about what my idiot brother did this time."
Regulus showed Severus to the guest room, where Severus summoned his luggage. He took a few minutes to freshen up before going back to the living room, where Regulus had already set up the tea, sugar, and some cookies.
"I see you still remember all the etiquette lessons your mother gave you," Severus commented dryly at the sight of the setup.
Regulus gestured for his friend to take a seat. "Hard to forget lessons that are seared into your memory like a horse getting branded." Regulus chuckled darkly. Severus gave a non-committal sound, empathizing with Regulus' relationship with his parents. He sat on the double couch perpendicular to Regulus and opened the sugar container to add some to his tea.
"Now, you know I hate small talk. Will you tell me what happened?" Regulus asked after a bit of silence.
"Trying to get rid of me already, Reg?" Severus asked, humor evident in his jab.
"Not at all. In fact, I was the one who kept inviting you here for years. I would like to know what finally made you decide to visit." Regulus smiled.
"Well, if there are people who could make me do the impossible, it's your brother and his dunderhead friends." Severus meant it as a joke, but it came out too bitter. Regulus gave him an encouraging smile, silently asking him to continue.
"He never orchestrated that attack in fifth year—Potter did. Potter erased our memories. Blamed your brother."
Regulus' eyes widened as he froze, hand freezing midair as the teacup was on it’s way to his mouth.
"James was the reason you got attacked?" he asked, aghast.
Severus nodded. "Not only that, but Black and I were in some sort of romantic tryst that year, but Potter took those memories away as well." The words came out without any emotion. Severus sounded like he was reading potion ingredients aloud, but Regulus knew his friend better. He saw the pain in Severus' eyes—the ever-growing abhorrence over the deceased wizard.
Regulus blinked, his fingers tightening ever so slightly around his teacup. "You and Siri? I don't know what to say..." Regulus trailed off, unable to complete any thought.
"Reg," Severus said, a tiny crack in his voice giving way to vulurablity he had not shown in years, "this is tearing me apart. A whole relationship, with a man I always believed I loathed. Do you remember anything from my fifth year?"
"I—no, I don’t. Sorry, Sev. Now that you mention it... I remember Sirius hiding letters that summer. Said they were nothing—but when I saw them, they were from you. You were civil with each other, at least in public. Then you went to that hospital wing and came out with this hatred for him. When I asked what happened, you just said he almost killed you." Regulus recalled, trying to grasp any memory of Sirius and Severus he had.
A beat of silence passed as Severus tried to regain control over his emotions. He had spent his life mastering them, and he wasn't about to lose control now. Regulus gave him a minute, finally sitting back and taking a sip of his tea. Then he decided to break the silence.
"How did you find out?"
"Potter junior did a Legilimency attack on me and saw the memories of that night. He thought—they thought—the memories were tampered with and believed I framed Black. He stole my wand and performed the Ritual of Past Mysteries. After that, I left. Your brother found me that evening and we fought again. He called me a 'cold, vindictive bastard who pushes away anyone who gets too close' because I called James Potter out for what he really is," Severus said, giving the rundown of the past few days.
"I have so many questions," Regulus began.
Severus immediately stood up, setting his now empty teacup down. "And I have no desire to answer them right now. Regulus, there is a war brewing, my allies are my childhood tormentors, and I have been given the task of protecting their disrespectful, reckless—insolent—children. I am here for one week, and I would just like one bloody moment where I do not have to think about my life back there."
"Alright, but I want to help you get through this, so we will talk about it before you leave," Regulus replied.
"Thank you. And thank you for opening up your home to me," Severus said, his voice gentle and grateful.
"I'm glad you're here, Sev," Regulus said with the same sincerity.