Constellations of Black

Chapter 77 - HBP

The quiet sitting room was disturbed as the green flames of the floo roared to life. Severus stepped out, dusting off his dark robes. He immediately noticed the twins, giving a nod to greet them before Regulus Black entered the room.

"Severus, welcome. I expect there is much to talk about?" Regulus greeted.

"Hello, Regulus," Snape glanced at the twins, "Yes, there is much to talk about."

Lyra dipped her head; no discussion over dinner would be avoided. Regulus led his friend and twins towards the dining room, where Kreacher was waiting. As soon as the elf saw his master, he snapped his bony fingers and food appeared on the table.

"Thank you, Kreacher," Regulus and Lyra murmured to their loyal elf.

"Of course, Kreacher lives to serve the Noble House of Black," Kreacher bowed and left the room.

"Take a seat wherever you would like, Sev," Regulus motioned around the table, taking his normal spot at the head.

A glass of wine appeared beside Regulus' plate. Severus took the other end of the table and the twins sat across from each other—pumpkin juice for the twins and a glass of wine for the professor.

"I won't beat around the bush, I know something happened from Christmas until the last day of the term," Regulus voiced, taking a sip of wine.

"Mr Potter had a dream the day before students were allowed home for Christmas, Dumbledore sent them with the Weasleys. I couldn't risk anything by having them stay with me," Snape explained, looking at Lyra and Cetus, "All I know is that they weren't talking when they arrived back at Hogwarts."

Lyra and Cetus lowered their heads, looking tentatively at each other.

"Well?"

"The Weasleys were staying at Grimmauld Place with Uncle Sirius and Remus Lupin," Cetus began.

"Shortly after Potter and Granger arrived, I felt that I wasn't supposed to be there. Sirius was focused more on Harry and Cetus, as were the Weasleys and Remus. I spent most of my time in the attic, your room, or the library when Granger or Remus weren't in it," Lyra continued, staring at Cetus, "A few days before we were due to return, I ended up sending Narcissa and Mrs Longbottom letters. They both allowed me to stay with them until we returned and I chose Mrs Longbottom."

Crtus furrowed his brows, only knowing of Narcissa's letter. Regulus raised a brow at the mention of his mother-in-law and cousin.

"After dinner, I confronted Ly because I had found Narcissa's letter. We got into a... A disagreement in front of everyone, and she slapped me," Cetus admitted, "And I know I deserved it, I was pushing her away when she needed me because you weren't responding to our letters."

"And I apologise," Regulus interrupted.

"Early the next morning, I left Grimmauld with a trunk of clothes Kreacher had brought for me and went to the Leaky Cauldron, where I met with Neville and Mrs Longbottom. She knew I was telling her the truth when I said Mother's name," Lyra cleared her throat, "The day we were to return, she took Neville and I to Mother's grave."

"Beside not speaking, I never noticed much difference from them until a few weeks ago when Dolores... Umbridge called me to her office after OWLs," Severus drew Regulus' attention, "She made a group for extra credits and Lyra happened to be in it. I walked in to see Potter tied to a chair while Lyra and Draco held Neville and Parkinson held Cetus. Potter said something about him having Sirius using his bloody nickname Potter and Lupin used."

"Padfoot," Regulus murmured, nodding.

"We got away after Hermione and Harry were taken by Umbridge because Ron used puking pastilles," Cetus continued, making Ly shudder at the memory, "We got to the Ministry and were ambushed by Lucius and Bella."