☆Starman☆

“Regulus! Merlin, Regulus! Wake up!”

Regulus stirred awake to a worried, but annoyed Barty shaking him. Regulus groaned in response, and opened his eyes just to squint them at the rising sunlight peering into the Slytherin dorm room. He sat up, and rubbed the skin under his eyes, his fingers traveling to his temples.

“What the hell Barty?! What time is it?!”

He stretched his arms out in front of him, his freckled skin glowing in the early morning light. Usually, Regulus wears long sleeved shirts but he was so exhausted the night before, he didn’t even care what shirt he put on. He always would wear long sleeved shirts because he always thought it made him look more classy, not to mention in covered his scars and freckles, which to Regulus was always a good thing. Barty snatched the clock lying on Regulus’ bedside table and held it out to the annoyed boy. 7:43. Regulus’ eyes widened and he practically jumped out of bed.

“Potions starts at 8:00, Reg! I tried telling you last night to set your alarm but you just told me to fuck off so I did. I recon you get ready now, considering it’s on the other side of the castle.” Barty said, cocking his head to the side while giving Regulus his “I am making fun of you in the bitchiest way possible” grins. Regulus, already half dressed searching for his tie, glanced at him and flipped him off, finally finding his tie and putting it on quickly. Regulus quickly slid into his shoes and grabbed his bag, running through the dungeon, dragging Barty with him. They made it to the potions classroom 6 minutes before it started, and they decided just to sit and wait there, doing whatever they pleased.

Barty of course, had unfinished homework for almost all of his classes, so he decided that would be the smartest thing to do with this spare time. Meanwhile, Regulus was reading. He always had more than one book in his bag because he would have free time to read during study periods in the Great Hall, and time between classes. Today wasn’t his usual book of choice. Today, it was music, music that he found intriguing and beautiful. When he heard it the first time, he almost automatically knew that he would one day learn to play it on his violin, and he figured today would be that day. Barty and Evan always teased Regulus for it, but he would just roll his eyes and ignore them. He knew they would never understand it like he does, and that was okay with Regulus.

Evan came in less than 3 minutes later, carrying his bag and 2 wands. He had this smirk on his face that basically said; he had done something. Regulus sighed, and looked up from his music as Evan slid into his chair.

“I know for a fact you do not own 2 wands so Evan, whose wand is that?” Regulus asked in a melancholic tone. Peering at Evan, as he stuffed both wands into his bag. Suddenly, a tall, long haired Gryffindor came strutting into the room, looking as mad as an angry dog. There was his answer.

“Rosier, if you don’t give back my wand in the next 5 seconds, you’re going to be in the infirmary for months.” Sirius said, his eyes shooting daggers at Evan, who looked unbothered, a smug expression on his face. “Well Black, if I had your wand, why would I want to give it back? Do you deserve to have it back?” Evan responded, looking back at Sirius, with a grin. Sirius looked like he was going to commit murder right there with his bare hands. Regulus sighed again and pretended to go back to reading his music, while he slowly dragged Evans bag toward him under the table with his foot. He reaches down to his bag, which Evan’s was now right next to, to take out his potions book. He also grabbed Sirius’ wand from the pocket Evan had stuffed it in earlier. Regulus stuffed the wand into his back pocket, hiding it as he stood from his seat. Sirius shot him a glare as he looked at his older brother, noticing the eyeliner on his face. He dragged Sirius out of the potions room and quickly pulled him away from the mob of students running to class.

“Well, good morning to you, Reggie. Can you tell your bastard of a friend to give me my wand back before I put his head on a stick?” Sirius asked, his teeth grinding together. Regulus rolled his eyes and took Sirius’ wand out of his pocket and handed it to him. Sirius took it back, grinning back at his brother. His gray eyes almost lighting up in the now risen sunlight. It was a good sight for Regulus really, he cared a lot about his brother and every time he was happy, it made him feel better. Considering what he went through, and what Regulus saw, it made him glad and relieved that he had gotten out. Unfortunately, that was the case for Regulus quite yet.

“Why’d he even take it anyways?” Regulus asked, looking up at his brother, tilting his head slightly. “Oh well, Evan was being a jerk to Moony and I told him to back off, right? Then the little shit said fine and ran off with my wand.” Sirius said, shaking his head, rolling his eyes. Regulus often wondered if him and Sirius had looked the same when they rolled their eyes, considering they look almost the same except Regulus is shorter with shorter hair, and more freckles. They both had the same eyes though. The eyes that were as silver as night with a slight hint of blue as icy as the ocean. “Well, I’ll see you later Reggie. Have fun in classes and enjoy playing White Swan Pas de Deux on your violin. Je t'aime.” Sirius said patting his brother’s shoulders and walking the opposite direction.

“Wait Sirius, who’s-“ Regulus started, but then looked at the time. Class was going to begin any second now. “Moony.” He sighed and walked back into the potions classroom, now filled with students. He made it back to his seat and opened his potions book to the page they were going to be working on today, since he had looked at the lesson plans for this week yesterday. Evan was glaring at him and so was Barty, who had finished his homework. Regulus felt their eyes on him, causing him to shudder slightly. Their gazes felt cold, and he assumed it was because he gave his brother his wand back. He didn’t regret it though. Regulus truly felt the only friends he could need is Pandora and Sirius. But Regulus doubts Sirius feels the same way, given that he made himself a friend group, and a nice family. A family that didn’t include Regulus. That thought always haunted Regulus, always made him feel like he was drowning in a cold sea, alone. Slughorn finally began class after losing his lesson book for the 57th time (counting). From there, all Regulus’ thoughts and overall emotions faded away. Doing schoolwork was a primary way that Regulus got rid of them. Focusing on his studies was important to him and he wouldn’t let his thoughts drown him. Not today.

~~~

Study period had came quick and Regulus had finally gotten a chance to sit near Pandora. Pandora was the only friend that Regulus knew he could be around and be ever so slightly understood, and not judged. He sat with her during study because she always would have something to share, keeping Regulus company. Regulus would often have something to say back, and she would listen. Regulus appreciated Pandora in countless ways that if he were going to thank her for everything she’s done for him, he wouldn’t know where to start. Today, was different than usual day though. Pandora has brought her girlfriend to the table and Regulus was shocked to see who it was. There, Pandora was, holding hands with Lily Evans. Lily was a pretty, sweet and compassionate girl that Regulus had always in some way admired. He liked her confidence and her ability to be kind to everyone, even Snape. Regulus would never admit this out loud, but he had this small sprout of envy towards her, but he never let it get in the way of liking her as a friend. It still shocked him that Lilly was sitting with Pandora, being a cute couple. Regulus found it endearing, but he was not one to swoon that hard over somebody. Or so he thought.

He felt a tap on his shoulder and he turned himself around on the bench. He had to look up to see who the person was. And once his eyes met the other person’s golden eyes, his breath hitched. The guy who stared back at him had light brown hair, and scars all across his face, matching the freckles that were sprinkled across his face from cheek to cheek. He was beautiful. A beauty that Regulus hadn’t seen before, a beauty more beautiful than poems for a significant other, more beautiful than a breathtaking scenery, more beautiful than a masterpiece created by a famous artist. No, this boy’s beauty more beautiful than all of it.

“Hey, Sirius said you’re the one who gave his wand back earlier. Just wanted to say thanks for that. Rosier was picking on me earlier, and Sirius was just trying to be a good friend. I’m Remus by the way.” The older boy said, reaching out his hand, waiting for Regulus’ hand to meet his. Regulus could almost swear he was seeing stars in the boy’s eyes, making him even more beautiful than Regulus already thought he was.

“Oh uh- I’m Regulus. I- I’m Sirius’ brother.” He quickly broke out of his trance and shook the other boy’s hand. He was stuttering. Why was he stuttering? He never stutters. He noted that the older boy’s hand soft, but also covered in scars. Regulus couldn’t help but wonder what lays under the boys sleeves, and if the scars covered his entire body. “Snap out of it Regulus.” A voice in his head snapped, taking him out of his thoughts. And he let go of other boy’s hand. The disconnection made Regulus wanna grab his hand once again, and not let go. But sadly, he couldn’t do that.

“So… I guess I’ll see you around then. Regulus.” The older boy nodded and flashed a warm smile as he walked back to the table where Regulus’ brother and friends were seated. Remus’ voice saying Regulus’ name repeated in his head.

“Regulus. Regulus. Regulus.”

Regulus turned back to face his music, and he couldn’t focus anymore. No matter how hard he tried, all he could focus on was Remus’ voice echoing his name in his mind. And for once, the empty space that lived inside of Regulus had been filled a bit. A bit wasn’t a lot but, a bit was enough for Regulus. Enough for him to wait for more. Enough for him to know it would be worth the wait.