Christmas Time, Don't Let The Bells End
✧✩✧
Regulus
✧✩✧
It’s the last night before the Christmas Holidays and Regulus and Barty are using all the time they have left in Regulus’ - luckily - empty dorm.
Regulus is too caught up in Barty and his lips and the stupid things he whispers in the small space between them when they break away for air to notice the door swinging open. Though Regulus doesn’t think he would care to stop even if he noticed, he has to spend two full weeks in that hellhole and he won’t be able to see Barty in those whole two weeks so he’s going to get all the time in with him that he can.
People should understand that Regulus needs one good thing before he’s subjected to two weeks of hell after months of being in bliss - or as much bliss as Regulus will allow himself to feel while still being under the grip of his family.
“Ok! Ok! Are you two done now? Jesus!” Evan shouts, Felix and one of his friends from Ravenclaw that Regulus didn’t bother to learn the name of standing behind the older Rosier who looks more jokingly angry - probably playing it up for the kids - than actually frustrated.
“Ugh. Party pooper.” Barty grumbles, leaning his forehead on Regulus’ shoulder.
“Do you need to be in here right now?” Regulus asks, running his hand through Barty’s short green hair that now has some roots showing through, Regulus wonders if he’d dye it another colour, go back to brown or stay green. Regulus would like it no matter what he picked, Barty’s objectively hot. “Because I’d like to have one nice night.” Regulus says, the words before I have to go back home are implied but he doesn’t feel like saying them in front of that random child.
“Oh, of course.” Evan nods.” Let’s go to your dorm then Felix!” Evan announces, following the two 13-12 year old children out of the room before closing the door behind him.
“What’s it like… going home?” Barty asks, not having moved his forehead from Regulus’ shoulder after a brief silence.
“It’s fine.” Regulus shrugs, scratching Barty’s scalp in the way he knows he likes.
“Yeah… and you also grew up in a loving family.” He says mockingly, sitting up to give Regulus a disbelieving look, making him move his hands away from his green hair.
“Fine it’s… I don’t know how to describe it.” Regulus sighs. “I guess it’s like… I’m terrified for me and Sirius.” He starts. “I’m also scared they’re going to leave me because they’re talking with Andromeda - the cousin who ran away for a man - and every meeting we have they bring up leaving, even when I say it won’t logistically work.” Regulus says, flopping onto his back with a heavy sigh. “I want to leave, you know I do but- I can’t and I don’t think they’ll ever get that, no matter how many times I say it.” He huffs.
“I’m sorry…” Barty whispers and Regulus isn’t sure he’s heard Barty sound this miserable before and he hates it. “I wish… I wish I could do something.” He mutters, starting to run his fingers through Regulus’ dark curls. “I hate just leaving you to deal with them.”
“There’s nothing you can do.” Regulus sighs like that makes it fine - even he knows it doesn’t - and relaxes slightly into the touch. “No point in losing sleep over it.”
“No point in losing sleep over the fact my boyfriend will be in danger for weeks and I can’t even contact him to see if he’s - I don’t know - alive !” Barty shouts standing up to pace the length of the room. “I know you don’t think you’re important to people because of your parents but you have to know that you’re important to me ! So yes I will lose sleep over the thought that something’s happening to you because- because- you- I-” Regulus holds his hand up, knowing what he’s about to admit to, silencing him before he announces something he can’t take back.
He can’t let himself love a Black. Like the rest of his family, his heart is rotten and there’s no one that can “fix” him. He’s rotten and soon he’ll be forced to marry some rich woman he could never love who can strengthen the Black family's alliances. Love should not belong to a Black. It’s always going to be in sight before it’s ripped right from their hands just like it always is.
The family always belongs to the tragedy of “what could have been” eternally. They always vow to change how the Black family is but they never do, they can’t fight what’s embedded into their DNA. They always get who they need before they have to give them up for the greater good of their family.
Sirius and Andromeda may be exceptions to the rule but they were born to be the pure, untouched Black members. The people to try - and fail - to question the family’s beliefs and try to take down the empire built off of pain and suffering from their own people but it’ll never happen.
The Black Empire will never fall, it has to stand tall and suck all of the joy from those forced to participate in its traditions.
Regulus is cursed to stay in that rotten house while his heart rots away with it but that doesn’t mean Sirius has to. Their heart is too good to belong to Grimmauld Place. Regulus would be selfish to make them try to stay in that house when he’s the person who’s been made for the job of being the heir - never Sirius. Sirius doesn’t deserve it and Regulus will do anything to make sure they get to live a good life with their friends and Remus.
Even if it’s the last thing he does, Sirius has given enough up for him already, it’s Regulus’ turn to return the favour.
“Reg…” Barty sighs, walking over to the bed to cradle his boyfriend’s cheeks in his hands. “You need to let someone in. Living like this will kill you.” He says, almost like he’s begging.
“You don’t deserve to be mine. That’s a curse.” Regulus whispers, his voice cracking pathetically.
“If you ask me, you’ve been nothing but a blessing in my life.” Barty smiles sadly, pressing a kiss to the tip of Regulus’ nose, seeming disappointed when Regulus’ face doesn’t scrunch up like it usually does.
“Can we just pretend tomorrow isn’t happening?” Regulus asks and Barty nods, crawling into bed to wrap his arms around his boyfriend.
☼𐂂☼
James
☼𐂂☼
The common room is full of festive cheer and James loves it.
The Christmas tree they put in the corner is casting the room in a red and gold glow - the team colours - as everyone sways around each other to Christmas songs. Everyone has some kind of hot drink in their hands as they dance around the common room.
“Ah! James!” Marlene shrieks when the start of Last Christmas starts to play. He doesn’t know when it started but it became a tradition for Marlene and James to dance to Last Christmas together - it’s been their own thing since he can remember and he loves it.
“I heard, Marls.” He laughs, putting his hot chocolate - which he made Frank add some cinnamon to when he was making it because he refuses to drink it without it - down on the table next to him as she grabs his arms.
“So… how’ve you been?” She grins as they begin to dance around the common room - joining most of their team on the dancefloor.
“Uh… fine I guess.” James shrugs. “It’s nice… being here.”
“It is, isn't it?” She smiles. “It makes me wonder where all these people have been my whole life.” She laughs softly. “Like I love you guys but-”
“But you’ve met some people you want to spend the rest of your life being friends with?” James asks with a smile.
“Yeah, we’ve made one big family, huh?” She smiles, looking over her shoulder to where most of the group are standing, Lily’s taken James’ mug in her hands - guarding it almost - and Nichole seems to be doing the same thing to Marlene’s as they talk amongst each other.
“Exactly.” James smiles fondly, love flowing out of every bone in his body for the people standing across the room from him.
After the song finished James and Marlene went back to the group, taking back their mugs from the two girls who were guarding them.
“Thanks, ful.” James smiles, pressing a kiss into Lily’s temple.
“You’re welcome.” She grins, leaning into him for a second before turning back to talk with Remus and Sirius - who’s practically lying on their boyfriend on the sofa below the rest of the group.
“So, what’re we planning for Christmas then?” Nichole asks, taking a sip of her hot chocolate before grimacing. “I think I took yours.” She groans. “Why are you putting whiskey in your hot chocolate?” She complains while trading the mugs.
“Uh, makes things more fun.” Marlene shrugs.
“I mean, Moony’s staying with me so… we have more people for Christmas and then Lily’s coming over for New Years.” James grins. “So…”
“Wait? Remus ! Since when?!” Marlene shrieks, bringing the tall boy’s attention to the three.
“What about me?” He asks, looking slightly fearful of whatever the blonde girl’s about to say.
“You’re staying with us for Christmas and you didn’t think to tell me?” Marlene asks with a laugh.
“Yeah, my husband’s leaving for the war.” Lily laughs.
“You were planning on going to James’ for New Years anyway and my situation was unavoidable.” Remus says, taking a sip of his flask of hot chocolate - the man loves chocolate a bit too much but James doesn’t think he can criticise anyone on food.
“Fine.” Lily smiles.
“We’re gonna be busy then.” Nichole smiles. “With my siblings and your thousands of cousins there’s gonna be too many kids running around.”
“My cousins and your brothers are fun to play with though.” James shrugs.
“True, they’ll probably love the new arrivals too.” Marlene grins, leaning on James with her arm swung around his shoulders.
“Guys!” Mary announces, walking over to the group with a shit eating grin on her face. “I went to get some more whiskey from Xeno in the Ravenclaw common room and guess what I saw on my way back!”
“What did you see?” Remus asks, taking a sip from his flask.
“Peter and Sybill were full on making out like…” She trails off but widens her eyes for emphasis.
“Ah! Nic you owe me 5 quid!” Marlene shouts, pumping her fists in victory, moving away from James to hold her hand out to the purple haired girl in front of her.
“Ugh, I had faith in Gilderoy, what a mistake.” Nichole sighs.
James doesn’t miss the look Sirius and Remus share at that. “What’s wrong with Gilderoy?” James asks. “He’s a bit cocky but he seemed-”
“Me and Remus overheard him saying he didn’t even like men and he was just doing whatever he was doing with Pete for popularity.” Lily sighs.
“Ew, what the fuck?” Mary says, her nose wrinkled like she’s smelt something gross. “Who does that in real life? Like what did he take that from the plot of a film or something?”
“Yeah, he was just being a cock to Pete on my birthday when me and Rem went up to his dorm to get something, to Remus too so I hit him in the face.” Sirius shrugs. “That’s where the black eye came from.” They grin, pride radiating off of them.
“It sounds like I’ll be joining the club soon.” James snarls, cracking his knuckles like he’s readying himself for a fight.
“I don’t know…” Remus starts. “If him and Sybill are gonna be a thing maybe he’s over it?” He asks tentatively.
“Fine, but if I hear anything else that cunt did he won’t look the same when I’m fucking done with him.” James spits.
“I second that.” Marlene nods, taking the whiskey out of Mary’s hand, pouring a large amount into her hot chocolate to the point James is convinced it’s more alcohol than hot chocolate at this point but he’s not going to stop her.
If she wants to be hungover in a car with her mum lecturing her for not getting straight nines tomorrow morning then who’s James to stop her?
“Sirius, don't feed into that.” Remus lectures when he sees them open their mouth.
“Ugh, but-”
“Sirius Orion Black, I swear.” He warns and the boy goes silent, holding their hand out for the bottle in Marlene’s hand.
𓆙
Dorcas
𓆙
The door swings open the second Dorcas knocks. All of her friends in Ravenclaw left her to the party alone so she decided to just suck it up and go to the Gryffindor’s party - Marlene did invite her after all.
Sybill - who no one in her group besides Pandora and Dorcas are friends with - was “busy” and Dorcas now sees that she’s busy sucking face with Peter Pettigrew - much better choice for the boy than Gilderoy Lockheart, who’s only appealing factor is his pretty face. Barty wanted to spend time with Regulus, Evan was practically babysitting Felix and a friend of his because he’s scared they’re dating - they’re not but Felix hasn’t come out as aroace to his siblings or Regulus yet so how would they know? Pandora was out on a date - finally - with Xenophilius Lovegood, who has a friend of his dealing all the alcohol tonight.
“Dorcas!” Nichole smiles the second the door’s open just a crack. “Come in! Come in!” She grins, ushering her into the common room.
Everyone’s dancing with mugs or flasks in their hands to a Christmas playlist Dorcas was informed was made by Remus. Currently, Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End) by The Darkness was playing over the speakers as Dorcas was led to the group by Nichole who was slightly swaying to the music as she walked.
“Dorcas!” Marlene shouts the second she spots her, her friends laughing at her enthusiasm from behind her.
“Hey Marls.” She grins, hugging the excitable blonde girl in front of her.
“I thought you were going to the Ravenclaw one?” She asks, her eyebrows furrowed and a slight pout on her face, almost like she’s upset Dorcas came after telling her she couldn’t.
“Oh, all of my friends were busy doing other stuff and I didn’t wanna be a loner at a party so… why not join in here?” She shrugs.
“Woah! The Ravenclaw’s ditching her team!” The voice of Alexander Tonks laughs as he slides over to the group, leaning against the chair Sirius and Remus are draped over each other on. “Taking advice out of baby Black’s book to be disloyal?” He grins, a sly smile on his face.
“Leave her alone, Al.” Kingsley sighs, walking over to his - friend? Boyfriend? Dorcas has no clue - grabbing his arm to start leading him away from the group.
“No, it’s fine.” She grins. “I’m not, your team was just a last option seeing as everyone was too busy.”
“So you’re telling me Ravenclaw parties aren’t enough to have fun at on your own?” He asks.
“Yep.” She nods. “Even though we have free alcohol from Xeno, everyone’s too boring and the Slytherin ones are full of- well you know the Slytherins.” She says and Alex nods.
“Fair enough.” He grins.
“Sorry, I let him drink too much.” Kingsley groans, dragging Alex along with him away from the group. The pink haired boy flops onto Kingsley, pressing kisses into his neck and he doesn’t seem fazed by them, just annoyed - definitely dating then.
“So…” Marlene starts, the rest of the group have already started to talk amongst themselves again, so it’s just them. “I wasn’t any of the reason you came tonight?” She asks, a wicked grin working its way onto her face as she looks at Dorcas through her eyelashes.
“You were a bit.” She shrugs. “But my main objective was to not be alone.” Dorcas smiles - only half joking.
“Mmm… and my invitation still enticed you.” Marlene grins, leaning against the table next to Dorcas. “Good to hear.” She smirks, turning to face Dorcas once again, both of them suddenly noticing how close they’d gotten. Marlene’s eyes flick down to Dorcas’ lips, causing Dorcas to lick them subconsciously, they slowly move closer to each other and-
“Anyone want more whiskey before Sirius drinks it all!” Mary shouts.
“Me!” Marlene calls, putting her hand up like she’s in a lesson, turning away from Dorcas almost and immediately jumping towards Sirius and Mary, leaving Dorcas standing alone, unsure how to feel.
“You ok?” Nichole asks.
“Yeah, yeah, perfectlyfine.” Dorcas says all at once making it very obvious that she is not perfectly fine.
“Uh-huh.” She nods disbelievingly. “She’s a bit… skittish when it comes to relationships at the start. It’s frustrating but-”
“How would you know that?” Dorcas asks, turning to look at the purple haired girl next to her who’s eyes are on the rest of the group who are all jumping around each other like idiots.
“We dated for a bit.” She shrugs. “It wasn’t serious, we were 13. She doesn’t see me that way anymore, trust me.” She smiles, finally looking at Dorcas and she can see she’s being honest.
“And you?” She asks. “Do you see her that way?”
“No.” She says, quickly averting her eyes from Dorcas’. “I just didn’t say anything because it wouldn’t affect you if I did.” She says, definitely lying.
“So you won’t-”
“She doesn’t like me.” Nichole shrugs. “She’s embarrassed that she ever dated me. So no, I’m not going to do anything. You two seem cute together but do know if you break her heart-” She breaks off but she looks back to Dorcas, anger in her eyes just at the thought of anyone doing that to Marlene.
“I’m not planning on it.” She shrugs. “But I’ll keep that in mind.” Dorcas smiles up at the girl opposite her.
Dorcas notes Nichole’s earrings, they’re cute, some leaf charms hanging off of her ears and they really fit her style. They look a lot like those earrings with those weird plastic babies on them that Marlene wears a lot.
“Uh… where’d you get those earrings?” Dorcas asks eventually.
“Oh!” Nichole grins, her left hand going to hold one of her earrings in between her index and thumb. “I made them, I love doing it.”
“Oh cool, could you make me some?” Dorcas asks. “I’ll pay.” She adds on quickly, not wanting to seem like she expected anything less.
“You don’t have to.” Nichole smiles sweetly. “You’re a friend and I haven’t charged any of my other friends so… what do you want?” She asks.
“Can you make snakes?” She asks.
“Oh, yeah I think I have some charms I can use.” Nichole grins. “I’ll get them to you after the break. Uh… good luck with Marls.” She nods before going to talk to someone else.
Dorcas feels warm after officially being integrated into the Gryffindors.