Severus's hand instinctively went to his wand before he could so much as stop himself. Noting the way Regulus looked at him, a look of understanding and...pity made him feel awful. He had promised himself that he wouldn't let them get to him anymore. It was his seventh and final year and he had a lot more to worry about than Potter and Black getting their jollies out of torturing him. Still, he couldn't keep himself from sending a glare their way that could stop a charging bull.<br/><br/>"Let's find a compartment before they're all taken," Regulus cut in, not bothering to honour those idiot Gryffindors with so much as a glance. He felt bad for Severus, he really did, but he couldn't let them bother him as much as they did. He grasped his belongings tightly and motioned for the thin boy to follow as he boarded the train, wincing a bit at the sheer level of noise. It seemed even worse inside.<br/><br/>"Further back," Severus suggested, passing by several familiar faces before coming upon one he deemed acceptable. Well, a little more than acceptable. Narcissa Black was a right beauty and even someone like him could recognize and appreciate this. Still, he didn't dare try and engage her in conversation without Regulus's presence there.<br/><br/>"Mind some company, Cissa?" Regulus inquired pleasantly enough, though judging by the way he was already beginning to set his belongings down, he was going to stay whether she liked it or not.<br/><br/>After a moment, Severus followed suit and joined him, mildly relieved that he wouldn't be suffering any unwanted company over the long train-ride to Hogwarts.