Chapter 16
Regulus had become, Severus would hesitate to say a friend normally, but that was exactly what he had become...a friend. The boy was tasked by Lucius to watch over Severus when he could, but Severus found himself in the library with Regulus more and more often, the other finally beginning to relax, if just a little bit, around him. It was also how Severus began to understand more about Regulus, and what was going to be expected of him. The information was valuable, for certain.
"Mother and Father do not necessarily like the Dark Lord," The words were hushed, as though admitting it was dangerous. Perhaps it was, Severus wasn't exactly very adept in pureblood politics. "They are not going to become followers themselves." A flick of nonexistent dirt over his robes cued Severus into the discomfort Regulus had, but he stayed quiet. Regulus likely had none else to confide in. From what he could tell, the boy was quite lonely. More so than Severus at times, which was truly saying something. "It is perhaps a bit hypocritical to expect that I do it, but when the Dark Lord came to our house for dinner...apparently Lucius had vouched for me." Regulus shrugged helplessly, like he was uncertain what to do. "I did not know what more to do other than simply accept. Lucius claims that once I fall under the Dark Lord's service, I will no longer have to worry about Mother and Father beating or starving me." The words were stated so nonchalantly that Severus had to wait a moment to respond. Despite the fact that he knew Regulus was treated extremely cruelly by his parents, and the Lucius was helping Regulus out from under their thumb, he had to admit he was a bit surprised at the careless way he spoke about it. Severus always avoided speaking about his father, and even more so about his punishments. Regulus seemed to think it is normal, expected. Perhaps that was why he spoke as if it meant nothing, when in reality it did mean quite a bit.
"Why are you wanting to wait until you are seventeen then?" Severus could not help but ask. Grey eyes struck his, and Severus, not for the first time, was realizing just how young Regulus truly was.
"it is dangerous to be marked before I turn seventeen. If I am marked at sixteen when Sirius..." The words froze on his lips, an automatic thing. It was something Severus had come to realize. Regulus hesitated when saying anything wrong or negative about his brother. Despite the fact that they both knew Sirius was a bully, and a vicious one at that, he still could not quite stop himself from avoiding insulting him. An automatic response. When Severus had gotten curious enough to ask Lucius about it, Lucius had stated it was because Sirius was the Heir. As the spare Regulus was expected to say no wrong about them even when it was obvious to everyone else. He had also said that now that Regulus was the heir, the same expectation was held with the rest of the blacks, which was why the disparaging comments-particularly from Bellatrix-had dwindled to next to nothing. "Well it will not go well. Things will escalate, and I have never exactly managed to stand my ground with Sirius." Regulus shrug slightly, a wayward action.
"Perhaps you can talk to the Dark Lord about it," Regulus turned eyes towards his, a curious, warded look in them.
"What do you mean?"
"Lucius is doing this to help you out, wanting to help you get out from under your parent's will. Granted I am certain there is a secondary motive, Lucius doesn't really seem to be the type of person to agree to something just for the sake of it..."
"He is not." regulus confirmed. "Narcissa agreed to marry him, but in the contract it states that he is to help me with my parents before she agrees to children." Severus had to admit, that was quite conniving, and something he supposed he entirely could expect from Narcissa. She had a weak spot for Regulus, but so did bellatrix. Regulus was the black that everyone wanted to care for, but in the process of caring and protecting, left him with no right to his own actions.
"Well, either way. The Dark Lord will surely see your point if you talk to him about it."
"I cannot call on him though," Regulus admitted lowly, fingers gripping the edges of his sleeves. "I can as Lucius to help but..." Regulus sighed.
It was something Severus longed to know. He understood Lucius and Regulus had a strange relationship. He was not really sure the depth of it, but there was something there that was almost sinister. Regulus had more than once warned Severus against Lucius, but only in the depths of the darkness, where none was around. He knew that Regulus did something for Lucius, but he was not sure what. He was also not entirely sure if he wanted to know.
"Nonetheless, this will help with things. I have already submitted my memories to Lucius. He will inform me if there is anything else expected of me." Regulus stated simply. Severus hummed.
No, He wasn't sure how he felt about regulus, but one thing was certain, he did care for him. Deeply.