The Death Debt

Chapter 13

Severus knew what many of his classmates say about him, including the Marauders. They call him weird, and creepy, and a future serial killer, just because he prefers to be alone and read up on the Dark Arts. But it was all theoretical! It wasn't like he was actually planning to use any of the stuff he learned. Except that one time when he invoked Black's Death Debt and tried to force him to kill his father. And, okay, maybe he was working on a spell that would cut his enemies in half, but in his defense he was nearly eaten by a werewolf.

It would never occur to him to decorate his house with murdered elves.

He looked back at the butterflies. They were beautiful, their iridescent wings fluttering, unable to fly away from the monstrous pins that pierced their backs. Merlin, he was in over his head, wasn't he?

"They're really neat, Reg," Severus said and Regulus beamed at him, pleased.

"I knew you'd like them. Sirius hates coming in here. Bugs give him the creeps."

Severus didn't think it was the bugs that creeped Black out.

"I've got to get ready for the party, I'll see you when I get back."

"Oh, yeah, see you." Regulus gave him an awkward wave as Severus scurried out of the room as fast as he could, bolting it to his bedroom as soon as he was out of Regulus's sight. He hid for the next two hours until he was forced to dress in the fanciest robes Lady Black had bought for him or risk being late.

Severus scowled at his reflection in the mirror and tugged at the collar. They were long, high-necked, and such a deep shade of red they almost looked black when he stood in shadow. There was white at his wrists where the undertunic peeked out and silver braided cord embroidered along the cuffs. He was going to spill something on this, he just knew it, and Lady Black will freak when he comes back to Grimmauld Place with ruined robes. Severus grabbed his comb and started brushing out his hair again, just in case.

By the time he stepped out of his room, Black was plodding down the stairs. He looked as uncomfortable as Severus felt; Black was wearing his own set of dress robes, robes he had never seen the other man wear before. Black hardly ever wore Wizarding clothing, preferring his artfully ripped denim and band T-shirts. Even at Hogwarts, when forced into the school uniform, he made a point to pair it with his Muggle boots and jeans. Now he looked like a proper pureblood wizard.

"You better be grateful for this," Black grumbled, tugging at his collar. "This thing is choking me."

"You don't have to come with me."

"Yeah, I do." His tone left no room for argument and Severus wasn't feeling much up for a fight just then.

When they reached the ground floor, Lady Black and Regulus were waiting for them. Regulus was pouting, "I don't see why I can't go too. Severus is only eight months older than me." To which Lady Black only absently hummed. When she looked up and saw Severus and Black standing on the bottom stairs, she leapt up from her seat.

"Look at you two," she exclaimed. "My handsome boys! Stand next to each other, let me get a picture."

Their shoulders were brushing as they squeezed together. Black's smile was more of a grimace, and Severus didn't know what kind of face he was making. He blinked, dazed, spots dancing in front of his eyes as they flash went off. "There! You two have fun!" Lady Black sing-songed and ushered them toward the Floo.

Severus coughed, unable to breathe through the smoke, and when he blinked the ash from his eyes he found himself standing in a solarium that ran along one side of a courtyard. It was the size and shape of a wide hallway and despite the snow blanketing the ground outside, inside it was warm and a little balmy. Exotic ferns and magical plants stood in large, stone vases all along the sides. Several of his classmates were already there. Most were wearing wreaths of evergreen and red berries in celebration of the Yuletide season. He spotted Priscilla Yaxley drinking punch and eating cake at a wrought iron garden table with two other girls who were also on the Slytherin Quidditch team. There was a large group surrounding a gramophone as they pulled out the new Seraphina Sforza record, very nearly spilling punch on it.