Falling
Mother and Father,
I am sorry to inform you that due to my exams coming up, I would prefer to stay at school for the holidays instead of at the residence.
I will of course send my sincere apologies to all attending the festivities at the manor, and owl presents over for all close family.
Thankyou for considering this on such short notice.
Best regards,
Your son,
Regulus Arcturus Black.
“Fucking hell.” Regulus sighed, kicking his legs up onto the coffee table in front of him.
Evan picked up the letter and laughed “So formal, it hardly feels like you mate.”
“Well,” Regulus ran a hand through his hair, “there's no chance they'd let me stay for my own pleasure - is there?”
“‘Spose.”
Barty then came clattering in the room, head to toe in mud. Neither Evan nor Regulus batted an eyelid.
“What we talking about?” Barty singsonged, sitting between Regulus and Evan - both scooted away attempting to avoid the mud.
“Regulus asking to stay at school for Christmas.” Evan said, carefully moving all of his books away from Barty.
“Ughhhhh.” Barty groaned. “I swear to fucking merlin if Walburga lets you stay and fucking Bartemius doesn't let me I'm going to commit a hate crime.”
Regulus snorted, leaning back further into the couch. “It’s not exactly a competition, Barty.”
Barty shot him an exaggerated glare. “It bloody is when I’m stuck at home being paraded around like a prized peacock while you’re here sipping tea and reading your pretentious books.”
Evan smirked, still flicking through the letter. “Let’s not pretend you’d spend the holidays doing anything productive here, Barty. You’d just use the empty common room to stage some ridiculous prank.”
Barty grinned, unbothered. “And? That sounds like a far better use of my time than hearing ‘Bartemius Junior, why can’t you be more like your father?’ on repeat.”
Regulus raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly. “You do realize you’re talking to the wrong audience about oppressive parental figures.”
“Touché,” Barty said, throwing his legs up onto the coffee table and causing both Evan and Regulus to flinch as mud splattered dangerously close to their belongings.
“Watch it!” Evan snapped, shoving Barty’s feet off the table.
“What? It’s not like your precious books got hit,” Barty said with mock innocence. “Though, knowing you two, they’d probably survive better than we would in a duel.”
Regulus shot him a dry look. “At least they have substance.”
Barty gasped, clutching his chest dramatically. “Regulus, you wound me.”
“Not yet,” Regulus muttered, earning a laugh from Evan.
“So, when do you think Walburga will respond?” Evan asked, setting the letter back on the table.
“Soon,” Regulus replied, rubbing his temples. “But until then, I’ll just have to brace myself for the screaming that’ll come through the owl.”
“She’ll survive,” Barty said with a wave of his hand. “Shame she hasn't got Sirius to torment in your absence.”
Regulus stiffened, his expression souring instantly. Evan sighed, giving up on avoiding getting dirty, shoving Barty's shoulder lightly. “Tact, Barty. Tact.”
Barty groaned, rolling his eyes. “Fine, fine. No Sirius jokes. For now.” He relaxed into Evans' side with a yawn - completely ruining Evan's white shirt.
Evan kicked Barty, and that began the neverending bickering that almost always managed to take over conversations involving those two.
Regulus slipped out of the common room quietly, the sound of Barty and Evan’s bickering fading as he climbed the stairs to the dormitory. He preferred the solitude of his room to the chaos downstairs, especially with the weight of his decision to stay at Hogwarts for the holidays gnawing at him.
His dorm was cold and dimly lit, the heavy curtains drawn tightly shut. The neatness of his bed and belongings stood in stark contrast to the more chaotic setups of his housemates. Regulus shut the door behind him, the quiet enveloping him like a second skin.
He sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the letter he’d written but hadn’t yet sent. It felt like a betrayal, even though he knew it wasn’t. Staying at Hogwarts would give him space—space to think, space to breathe, space to figure out what the hell he was supposed to do about… everything.
Regulus pulled open his bedside drawer, extracting a small, tattered notebook. It was charmed to open only for him, and he murmured the incantation under his breath before flipping it open.
Inside were pages and pages of cramped handwriting, detailing his every thought about his family, about the war, about the shadow of the Dark Mark looming closer and closer.
His quill hovered over a fresh page for a long moment before he finally began to write:
December 20th, 1977.
I’ve written to Mother and Father. Told them I’m staying for exams, but we all know that’s a lie. Truth is, I don’t think I can face them—not now. Not with Sirius gone and the house so... empty. He left a hole in the tapestry, but somehow it feels like he left a bigger one in the house itself. I thought I’d enjoy the quiet without him, but it’s suffocating.
Regulus paused, tapping the quill against the parchment before continuing:
Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to follow him. To leave. But I don’t think I’d survive it the way he does. Sirius always had that spark in him, that defiance. Me? I was made to follow orders. To obey. To uphold the Black family name. Merlin, even the thought of stepping out of line feels like a noose tightening around my neck.
He stopped writing and sat back, staring at the words on the page. He hated the way they made him feel—small, trapped, powerless.
With a sharp motion, he shut the notebook and stuffed it back in the drawer. He leaned back on his bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to let the quiet soothe him.
But the quiet wasn’t soothing tonight. It was heavy. Too heavy.
He barely slept that night, the minute he had begun to drift off Evan and Barty had come barreling into the room, half wrestling each other as they laughed - attempting to tell Regulus a story about a first year falling down the stairs?? Being pushed?? It was hard to tell - they were talking over each other and laughing too much.
“Do you two ever sleep?” he muttered, his voice muffled by exhaustion.
“Sleep is for the boring,” Evan declared, throwing himself onto Barty’s bed with a dramatic sigh.
Barty flopped into the chair by Regulus’s desk, still breathless from laughing. “You should’ve seen his face, Reg. Absolute horror. Like he thought the entire castle would ban him from the kitchens forever.”
“And what did you do to help him?” Regulus asked dryly, already knowing the answer.
Evan smirked. “Help? Why would we help? We were too busy—”
“Laughing,” Barty finished, throwing his head back as if the memory was the funniest thing he’d ever experienced.
Regulus sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You’re both insufferable.”
“Insufferably charming,” Barty corrected, grinning.
Evan nudged Regulus with his elbow. “Admit it, you’d miss us if we weren’t around.”
Regulus didn’t respond, which only made Barty and Evan laugh harder. Eventually, their raucous energy died down, and Evan sprawled out on the bed while Barty spun lazily in the desk chair.
Regulus sat up, glaring at them both. “If you’re staying in here, you’re both shutting up. Some of us have exams to think about.”
“Exams,” Barty muttered, rolling his eyes. “You’re such a Ravenclaw sometimes, Reg.”
“And yet, I wasn't a hatstand like you, smartypants” Regulus shot back smoothly.
Barty feigned offense, clutching his chest. “Rude!”
“Go to bed,” Regulus said firmly, lying back down and pulling his blankets over his head.
Evan and Barty stayed for a little while longer, their chatter eventually softening as sleep claimed them too. Regulus lay there, staring at the dark canopy above his bed, feeling an odd sort of comfort in their presence despite his irritation.
Perhaps the quiet wasn’t what he needed tonight after all.
The next morning, Regulus woke to an owl tapping violently on the window between his and Barty's bed.
Evan, who hadn't moved from Barty's bed since last night groaned loudly, sitting up to throw a pillow at Regulus. “Tell your bird to shut the fuck up. I'm tired.”
“Sleep is for the boring.” Regulus mimicked half heartedly, heading over to open the window.
He carefully took the letter from his returned owls talons, and allowed her to perch in her cage.
“Good girl, Athena.” Regulus poured a few treats into her tray, and opened the letter she had carried, neat cursive reading ‘Cassiopeia A. Black’ on the envelope.
Cassiopeia (Regulus),
It is unfortunate to hear that you would like to stay at school - however we do agree that this is the best course of action for you this year.
Extended family still need time to get used to our heir change, so your absence at our annual festivities this year may help our relatives transition to you being our male heir instead of your brother.
We are greatly looking forward to seeing you again over the summer,
Walburga and Orion Black.
Regulus sighed and tucked the letter into the drawer of his desk, turning to find both Evan and Barty watching him—though neither looked particularly interested in prying.
“Well?” Evan asked, stifling a yawn. “What’d they say?”
“They’re letting me stay,” Regulus said simply. “Apparently, my absence will ‘help the family transition’ or something like that.”
Barty scoffed, finally sitting up properly. “Of fucking course it's all about family reputation. What a cunt. At least you’re off the hook.”
“Lucky bastard,” Evan muttered, running a hand through his hair. “Meanwhile, I get to spend my holidays stuck at home with my delightful family.” The sarcasm in his voice was practically tangible.
Barty rolled his eyes. “At least you know you’re going home. I’m still waiting to hear from dear old Dad.” He leaned back in the chair and kicked his legs up onto the desk, earning a glare from Regulus.
“You really think Bartemius is going to let you stay?” Evan asked.
“Doubt it,” Barty admitted, smirking. “But I like to hold onto the hope that one day he’ll surprise me and not be a complete arse.”
Evan snorted. “Dream on.”
Regulus didn’t join the banter, instead moving to his wardrobe to pull out his robes for the day. “You’ll probably hear from him soon,” he said quietly.
“Yeah, probably a letter full of lectures and bitching,” Barty muttered, though his tone was lighter than usual.
Evan stood and stretched, his long limbs nearly brushing the canopy above his bed. “Well, I’m heading back tomorrow morning. If you two end up staying, try not to burn the place down without me.”
Regulus raised an eyebrow. “I’ll be studying. Barty, on the other hand...”
“I resent that implication,” Barty said, feigning innocence.
“You resemble it, too,” Evan shot back, smirking.
Barty grabbed a pillow and launched it at Evan, who ducked out of the way with practiced ease. “Honestly,” Regulus muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Do you two ever act your age?”
“No,” they said in unison, grinning.
Regulus shook his head and headed for the bathroom. “I’m surrounded by children,” he muttered under his breath, though he didn’t quite manage to hide the faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“FUCKING PRICKARSE,” Barty shouted, his voice muffled as he slammed face-first onto the bed in front of Regulus.
Evan followed closely behind, sitting gracefully beside him and pulling one of Barty’s arms into his lap. He began to gently rake his fingers over Barty’s arm in a soothing motion, though his expression betrayed his own irritation at the situation.
“Bartemius says you have to go home, then?” Regulus asked, though he already knew the answer.
“Obviously!” Barty snapped, his voice muffled by the duvet. “Apparently, my ‘presence is required at all family events to ensure the proper image.’” He lifted his head slightly, sneering. “Because that’s the most important thing, isn’t it? Not what I want, not my sanity—no, the bloody image.”
Evan hummed softly, his fingers still running over Barty’s arm. “Sounds like my family and yours should start a club. Bet they’d have loads to talk about over tea.”
Regulus sat at his desk, his hands folded neatly in his lap. “At least they aren’t pretending it’s for your benefit,” he said dryly.
Barty groaned loudly, rolling over onto his back to glare at the ceiling. “I swear, if I have to listen to my father lecture me about duty and responsibility one more time, I might hex him.”
“Don’t,” Regulus said automatically. “It’s not worth it.”
“Oh, come on, Reg. You can’t tell me you’ve never been tempted,” Barty said, sitting up and narrowing his eyes at him.
Regulus hesitated, but before he could respond, Evan cut in. “Regulus is too clever for that. He knows subtle rebellion is far more effective.”
“Exactly,” Regulus said simply. “I prefer to avoid outright confrontation.”
Barty groaned again, flopping back onto the bed dramatically. “Well, I prefer outright confrontation, but it doesn’t seem to be working for me.”
“Shocking,” Evan said with a smirk.
Barty shot him a look but didn’t respond, instead reaching up to cover his face with his hands. “You’re both terrible at cheering me up, by the way.”
“Do you want cheering up, or do you want validation for your outrage?” Evan asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Both,” Barty said without hesitation.
Evan chuckled, leaning down to press a kiss to Barty’s temple. “There, you’re validated and mildly cheered up.”
Regulus rolled his eyes, though he didn’t comment. Instead, he stood and began gathering his books. “Well, since you’ll both be leaving soon, I suppose I’ll have the dorm room to myself.”
“Don’t sound too happy about it,” Barty muttered, peeking out from behind his hands.
“I’m not,” Regulus replied, his voice soft. “But it is what it is.”
The room fell quiet for a moment, the weight of their circumstances settling over them. Then, Barty sat up abruptly, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
“Well, if we’re all doomed to miserable lonely holidays, we might as well make the most of tonight, don’t you think?”
Evan tilted his head, intrigued. “What are you suggesting?”
Barty’s grin widened. “I’m suggesting we raid the kitchens and get ridiculously drunk.”
Regulus sighed. “I’d rather not end up with detention for Christmas, thank you.”
“Don’t be boring, Reg,” Barty said, already sliding off the bed.
Evan stood as well, smirking. “Come on, Regulus. Just this once?”
Regulus hesitated, looking between them. Then, with a resigned sigh, he set his books back down. “Fine. But if we get caught, I’m blaming you both.”
“Deal,” Barty said, grabbing his wand.
Regulus was definitely regretting last night. He was hung over, tired, and slept in so late he missed breakfast and Barty and Evan leaving.
Regulus trudged into the library, clutching a steaming cup of tea he’d bribed a house-elf to fetch for him. His head pounded mercilessly, and his robes were slightly wrinkled—a rare sight for someone as meticulously put-together as him. The events of last night were a blur, but the taste of firewhisky still lingered faintly in his mouth, and he vaguely recalled Barty attempting to charm the suits of armor into singing carols.
Sliding into his usual seat in a quiet corner of the library, Regulus opened his notes and frowned at the smudged ink where his forehead had apparently met the parchment during some late-night studying earlier in the week. He sighed, pulling out his wand and muttering a quick cleaning spell before settling into his work.
But the silence of the library couldn’t quite chase away the emptiness he felt. Barty and Evan’s absence was louder than he’d expected. He hadn’t even managed to say goodbye, too busy sleeping off his poor life choices to see them off.
“They’ll be back soon enough,” he muttered to himself, flipping through a dense Arithmancy text.
Still, the knowledge didn’t quite soothe the ache. The library was his sanctuary, but today it felt... lonely. He tried to focus on his work, scribbling notes and solving equations, but his mind kept drifting.
He thought of Walburga’s letter, her cold acceptance of his decision to stay at school. He thought of Sirius, who likely wasn’t receiving any letters from her at all.
And then he thought of Evan and Barty, who would be enduring their own versions of familial disappointment this holiday.
Regulus let out a quiet sigh, closing his book and leaning back in his chair. Athena, who had been perched on the back of the chair, gave a soft hoot, as if sensing his mood.
“You’re right,” he murmured, reaching up to stroke her feathers. “I’m being ridiculous.”
“Who's being ridiculous?” Lily Evans stood at the edge of the table, a tote bag slung over her shoulder.
“Hello, Evans.” Regulus said, raising an eyebrow.
“Sorry,” Lily blushed, rubbing the back of her neck timidly. “I just usually study with people, you know? But all my friends have gone home - and you were all alone…”
“Yes, you can sit with me.”
Lily’s face lit up, and she quickly pulled out the chair across from Regulus. “Thanks, Black. I promise I won’t distract you.”
Regulus smirked faintly, flipping a page in his Arithmancy textbook. “We’ll see about that.”
Lily set her tote bag down and began pulling out her own stack of books, parchment, and a quill. “So, why are you still here? I thought the Blacks had grand, over-the-top holiday gatherings every year.”
“They do,” Regulus said, not looking up. “I’m staying for my exams.”
Lily tilted her head, studying him. “That doesn’t sound like the full story.”
Regulus sighed, closing his book and leaning back slightly. “It’s the story I’m telling.”
Lily smiled softly, recognizing the boundary but not pushing further. “Fair enough.”
The two fell into a comfortable silence, the only sounds being the scratch of quills and the occasional rustle of pages. It wasn’t unpleasant, Regulus realized. Lily’s presence was quiet and unassuming, a stark contrast to Barty and Evan’s constant chaos.
After a while, Lily broke the silence. “I was thinking of making something for the house-elves for Christmas. Do you think they’d like that?”
Regulus looked up, surprised. “The house-elves?”
“Yeah,” Lily said, her cheeks coloring slightly. “They do so much for us, and I feel like they never really get any thanks.”
Regulus hesitated. “I suppose they might appreciate it. But they’re bound to serve—it’s not like they expect anything in return.”
“That doesn’t mean they don’t deserve kindness,” Lily said firmly, her green eyes meeting his.
Regulus blinked, taken aback by her intensity. “I didn’t say they didn’t.”
Lily’s expression softened. “Sorry. I just… I think it’s important, that’s all.”
Regulus nodded slowly, filing away her words. He had never thought about that - and there was something so admirable about her conviction that made him begin to agree.
The silence returned, more thoughtful this time, as they continued their work.
Eventually, Regulus spoke again, his voice quieter. “What about you? Why are you still here?”
Lily glanced up, smiling faintly. “I told you—all my friends went home. Besides, my sister and I… we don’t really get along. It’s easier to stay here.”
Regulus nodded, understanding more than he wanted to admit. “Families can be... difficult.”
Lily’s gaze lingered on him for a moment, as if she wanted to say more, but she simply nodded in agreement.
They worked together in companionable silence for the rest of the afternoon, and for the first time in a while, Regulus felt a little less alone.
“I'll see you tomorrow then, Black? Same time, same place?” Lily asked, as dinner rolled closer and she began to yawn over her parchment.
“Sounds good, Evans.”
Regulus watched Lily disappear through the library doors, her bag slung over her shoulder, before turning back to his now-cluttered table. For the first time in days, he felt lighter, the solitude of the library replaced by the quiet company he hadn’t realized he needed.
He gathered his notes methodically, placing them back into his bag alongside his textbooks. Athena let out a soft hoot from her perch, and he glanced at her with a faint smirk.
“Don’t give me that look,” he muttered. “It was just studying.”
Athena tilted her head as if to challenge him, and Regulus shook his head, amused despite himself.
By the time he made his way to the Great Hall for dinner, the usual rush of chatter was replaced by a quieter hum. The students who remained for the holidays were scattered across their house tables, the emptiness of the room giving it an unfamiliar intimacy.
Regulus slid into a seat at the Slytherin table, keeping to the far end where he could eat without interruption. The house-elves had gone all out for the holidays- he had made a mental note to thank them next time he was in the kitchens- and the warm scent of roast meats, mulled cider, and fresh bread filled the air. He served himself a modest plate, thankful for the relative quiet after the chaos of last night.
But even as he ate, his thoughts drifted to the afternoon. He hadn’t expected to enjoy Lily’s company as much as he had. She was different—straightforward but not overbearing, warm without being invasive. It was… refreshing.
For a moment, he wondered what Sirius would say if he knew. His brother had always surrounded himself with Gryffindors, yet Regulus had never been tempted to cross that line. Not until now.
With a quiet sigh, he pushed the thought away and returned to his meal. Tomorrow would come soon enough, and with it, another study session with Lily.
And though he wouldn’t admit it, he was looking forward to it.
Over the next week, Regulus and Lily fell into an easy rhythm. Each day, they met in the library, claiming the same table in the corner. At first, their conversations were sparse—Lily asked the occasional question about his notes or commented on the dreadful weather outside, and Regulus responded with polite, measured answers.
But as the days passed, their exchanges grew more natural. Lily shared stories about her childhood, how she used to climb trees with her sister and bake disastrous cakes that always ended up burnt. Regulus found himself talking more than he expected, sharing small anecdotes about his life at Grimmauld Place, though he kept the darker details to himself.
They laughed quietly over shared frustrations with their coursework—Lily’s distaste for Divination, Regulus’s struggles with the monotony of History of Magic. And in those quiet hours, surrounded by books and parchment, something unfamiliar began to bloom between them: understanding.
On the seventh day, as the evening light filtered through the library windows, Lily closed her textbook with a decisive snap and stretched. “Alright, Black. That’s enough studying for today. My brain is going to melt.”
Regulus looked up from his Arithmancy notes, raising an eyebrow. “Giving up already, Evans?”
She grinned, gathering her things. “I’m not giving up—I’m taking a well-earned break. Speaking of which…” She hesitated for a moment before continuing, “Do you want to come back to the Gryffindor common room? We could hang out for a bit. It might be nice to get out of the library.”
Regulus blinked, surprised by the offer. The Gryffindor common room was Sirius’s territory, a space he’d only ever seen in passing. He hesitated, glancing down at his notes as if they might provide an excuse.
“You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” Lily added quickly, misinterpreting his silence. “I just thought… well, it might be fun.”
He looked up, meeting her green eyes, which were filled with a mixture of hope and nervousness.
“Alright,” he said finally, his voice calm. “Why not?”
Lily beamed, standing and slinging her bag over her shoulder. “Brilliant. Come on, then.”
The Gryffindor common room was unlike anything Regulus had expected. It was warm, cozy, and alive with a charm that felt utterly foreign to him. The walls were lined with mismatched decorations—holiday garlands, old Quidditch banners, and handwritten posters that proudly displayed House pride. The fire in the hearth crackled cheerfully, casting a golden glow over the red-and-gold furnishings.
Lily guided him toward a small table near the corner, where an old, slightly battered chess set sat waiting.
“Fancy a game?” she asked, pulling out a chair and motioning for him to sit across from her.
Regulus smirked, lowering himself into the seat. “I should warn you, Evans—I’m quite good at chess.”
“Perfect,” Lily said, grinning as she began arranging the pieces. “I like a challenge.”
They started the game in comfortable silence, the only sounds the soft clatter of chess pieces moving and the occasional pop from the fire. But as the game progressed, the quiet gave way to laughter and easy conversation.
“You’re better than I thought you’d be,” Lily admitted, studying the board with a frown.
“Surprised?” Regulus asked, raising an eyebrow.
“A little,” she teased, moving her bishop to capture one of his pawns. “But I suppose it makes sense. You’ve probably been playing since you were a kid, right?”
Regulus nodded, his expression softening. “My father taught me when I was six. It was one of the few things we could do together without arguing.”
Lily’s smile dimmed slightly, and she looked at him with quiet understanding. “I get that. My dad used to take me fishing—not because I liked it, but because it was the only way we could spend time together without my sister kicking up a fuss.”
Regulus glanced up at her, surprised by how easily she shared pieces of herself. He felt a flicker of something unfamiliar in his chest, a warmth that spread as she laughed softly at her own story.
They continued the game, their conversation drifting from childhood memories to school gossip and holiday traditions. Regulus found himself smiling more than he had in weeks, caught off guard by how natural it felt to talk to Lily.
“Checkmate,” he said eventually, leaning back in his chair with a triumphant smirk.
Lily groaned, dropping her head into her hands. “You’re insufferable, Black.”
“Only because I’m better at chess than you,” he replied, his tone light.
She rolled her eyes but laughed, shaking her head. “I’ll beat you next time, just you wait.”
As the evening wore on, Regulus became acutely aware of how close they were sitting, the soft glow of the fire highlighting the way Lily’s red hair fell over her shoulder. He noticed the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed, the way her smile made the room feel even warmer.
And then it hit him—sudden and undeniable. He had a crush on Lily Evans.
The realization was like a jolt, and he quickly averted his gaze, pretending to examine the chessboard. He couldn’t—shouldn’t—let himself feel this way. Not about her. Not about anyone.
But as Lily leaned forward, teasing him about his smug victory, Regulus knew it was already too late.
After their chess match, Regulus and Lily drifted to the couches near the fire. The room was quiet now, most of the other Gryffindors having gone to bed or disappeared elsewhere in the castle. The crackling of the fire and the soft hum of the magical clock on the wall filled the comfortable silence between them.
Lily tucked her legs beneath her and leaned back, nursing a cup of cocoa she’d brought from a nearby tray. “It’s nice, isn’t it? Having the castle so quiet for once.”
Regulus nodded, staring into the flames. “It’s... peaceful. A rarity, especially in Slytherin.”
She glanced at him, her green eyes curious. “What’s it like, being in Slytherin? I mean, really.”
He hesitated, the question catching him off guard. “It’s... complicated,” he said carefully. “There’s a lot of posturing, a lot of expectations. Everyone’s always watching, waiting for you to slip up.”
Lily frowned. “That sounds exhausting.”
“It is,” he admitted, surprising himself with his honesty. “But it’s what I’m used to.”
She studied him for a moment, then offered a small smile. “Well, for what it’s worth, I think you’re more than what people expect you to be.”
Regulus glanced at her, startled by the sincerity in her voice. He didn’t know how to respond, so he simply nodded, his throat suddenly tight.
They sat in silence for a while, the fire casting flickering shadows on the walls. Regulus found himself relaxing in a way he hadn’t in years.
Eventually, the clock chimed softly 11 times, and Regulus sighed, standing. “I should go. It’s getting late.”
Lily stood too, brushing a hand through her hair. “Yeah, I suppose so.” She hesitated for a moment before adding, “But... maybe tomorrow we can do something that doesn’t involve books - it is Christmas Eve, afterall.”
He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Such as?”
She grinned, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “How about Hogsmeade? We could grab a drink at the Three Broomsticks or check out some of the shops. It’d be nice to get out of the castle for a bit.”
Regulus considered her offer, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Alright, Evans. Hogsmeade it is.”
“Great,” she said, beaming. “Let’s meet by the front gate at noon?”
“Sounds good,” he replied, adjusting his robes.
As he turned to leave, Lily called after him, “Goodnight, Regulus.”
He glanced back, his smile soft but genuine. “Goodnight, Lily.”
As he made his way back to the dungeons, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. Spending time with Lily was becoming the highlight of his days, and the thought of tomorrow filled him with a quiet anticipation.
For the first time in a long while, he found himself looking forward to Christmas.
The morning of Christmas Eve was crisp and bright, a light dusting of snow blanketing the grounds as Regulus made his way to the castle gates. The cold bit at his cheeks, but he hardly noticed, his thoughts preoccupied with the plans for the day.
Lily was already waiting when he arrived, bundled in a deep red coat with a matching scarf. Her cheeks were pink from the cold, and her green eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Right on time, Black,” she teased, her breath visible in the frosty air.
“Of course,” he replied, smirking faintly. “I wouldn’t dare keep you waiting.”
They made their way to Hogsmeade, the snow crunching underfoot. The village was lively, with garlands of holly and fairy lights strung between buildings, and the smell of spiced cider wafting through the air.
Their first stop was Honeydukes, where Lily insisted on picking up a variety of sweets for the house-elves. “They deserve a proper treat,” she said, selecting an assortment of chocolates and peppermint humbugs.
Regulus helped her carry the selection to the counter, bemused by her enthusiasm. “You’re really committed to this, aren’t you?”
“Of course,” Lily replied, grinning. “It’s Christmas. Everyone should feel appreciated, don’t you think?”
Regulus didn’t respond immediately, but her words stayed with him as they left the shop and wandered further down the street.
In Tomes and Scrolls, the village’s quaint bookstore, Lily’s face lit up as she browsed the shelves. She lingered over a section of rare spell books, her fingers brushing the spine of one in particular.
“This one looks incredible,” she murmured, almost to herself. “It’s about ancient potion practices—imagine what Slughorn would say if someone brewed these in class.”
Regulus noted the title, filing it away in his memory.
When Lily turned to the next shelf, he quietly slipped back to the counter, signaling to the clerk. “That book,” he said, pointing to the one she’d been admiring. “Wrap it up, quickly.”
The clerk gave him a knowing smile and moved efficiently, handing him the wrapped book just as Lily turned back around. He tucked it into his coat pocket, feeling a faint sense of satisfaction.
“Find something interesting?” Lily asked, tilting her head.
“Nothing worth mentioning,” he replied smoothly. “Ready to move on?”
They spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the village, sipping butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks and admiring the holiday decorations in the shop windows.
After their trip to the shops, the cold had begun to bite a little sharper, and the promise of warmth and comfort beckoned them toward the Three Broomsticks. The sound of laughter and chatter filled the air as they stepped inside, the cozy pub immediately enveloping them with its heat and the smell of spiced cider and butterbeer.
Lily’s face lit up as she took in the familiar sight of the pub, and she immediately led the way to a small table by the window, where the soft glow of the fire added a welcoming warmth to the otherwise chilly afternoon. Regulus followed her, glancing around the room as he pulled his coat tighter around himself.
“I can’t believe we actually made it through Hogsmeade without freezing to death,” Lily joked, slipping out of her scarf and gloves. “I thought I was going to lose feeling in my fingers after all that shopping.”
Regulus chuckled, pulling out a chair for her before sitting across from her. “It’s a bit colder than I remember,” he agreed. “Maybe it’s the wind. Or the fact that I haven’t been out here for a while.”
Lily gave him an amused look. “Yeah, I can imagine. You’re more of a ‘keep to yourself and avoid the crowds’ type, aren’t you?”
He smirked, lifting an eyebrow. “And you’re the ‘social butterfly’ type?”
Lily laughed, the sound light and easy. “I suppose that’s one way to put it. But I’m not complaining.” She paused, her expression turning more thoughtful. “It’s just... I like being with people who actually care, you know? Not just people who are only interested in their own little world.”
Regulus, a little taken aback, glanced at her with a quiet understanding. It was the kind of honesty that caught him off guard, something he wasn’t used to seeing so freely from others. He wasn’t sure how to respond, so he simply nodded and gave her a small, appreciative smile.
At that moment, Madame Rosmerta appeared, a tray of butterbeer mugs in her hands. “There you go, dear,” she said, setting down the mugs in front of them with a wink. “Two butterbeers, just how you like them.”
Lily grinned, thanking her, and they both picked up the mugs. Regulus took a sip of his, savoring the warmth that spread through him. The sweetness of the butterbeer mixed with a subtle spiciness, the taste reminding him of warmth on cold nights, and he felt a small smile tug at his lips.
“It’s better than I remember,” he said after a moment, looking over at Lily.
“I told you,” she teased, her eyes twinkling. “Nothing beats a good butterbeer. It’s the perfect cure for the cold.”
They sat back, talking more freely now, sharing stories about the people they'd seen on the streets of Hogsmeade or the oddities they’d witnessed around the shops. Regulus found himself enjoying the moment more than he’d expected. The conversation flowed easily, the banter light and natural between them.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the pub, Lily leaned back in her chair, looking out the window. “I’m glad we did this,” she said, her voice softer now.
Regulus watched her, feeling an unfamiliar flutter in his chest. “Yeah,” he agreed quietly, the weight of her words sinking in. “Me too.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke. They just sat there, savoring the warmth of the butterbeer and the comfortable silence between them.
Then Lily turned to him, her smile bright. “Tomorrow, we’ll do something else fun. I don't want either of us spending Christmas alone.”
“I agree, that sounds fun.” Regulus sipped his butterbeer to hide his growing smile.
“We can meet at breakfast, 9am. Is my common room okay, or would you rather go to yours?”
Regulus grinned, feeling lighter than he had in ages. “Yours sounds perfect. Thank you, Lily.”
“No problem, Regulus.” She grinned back.
As they finished their butterbeers, the conversation shifted again, but this time, Regulus couldn’t help but wonder if this simple day was the beginning of something more. Something he hadn’t even known he was looking for.
By the time they returned to the castle, laden with bags and rosy-cheeked from the cold, Regulus felt lighter than he had in weeks.
“Thanks for today,” Lily said as they parted ways near the Gryffindor tower. “It was fun.”
“It was,” Regulus agreed, surprising himself with the admission. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Definitely,” she said, smiling warmly.
As she disappeared into the tower, Regulus reached into his pocket, his fingers brushing the wrapped book. Tomorrow, he thought, would be the perfect time to give it to her.
Christmas morning arrived quietly, the Slytherin common room still and cozy as the soft glow of firelight flickered over the snow-covered windows. Regulus had woken early, and after a restless night of sleep, he found himself standing by the warm fire with a mug of hot chocolate. The faint sounds of the castle slowly stirring echoed down the hallways, and it was nearly time to meet Lily. He couldn’t help but feel a small spark of excitement at the thought.
When he entered the common room at 9 a.m., Lily was already there. She was sitting cross-legged on the rug near the large Christmas tree, her red and gold scarf draped over her shoulders as she sipped from a cup of tea. The tree glistened with sparkling ornaments and fairy lights, and the pile of presents around the base was just waiting to be opened.
Lily looked up when she heard Regulus enter, a wide smile lighting up her face. “Merry Christmas, Regulus!” she greeted cheerfully. She patted the spot next to her on the rug. “Come sit! I was just waiting for you.”
“Merry Christmas, Evans,” Regulus replied with a grin, walking over to join her. He sank down beside her on the rug, a small distance between them but close enough to feel the warmth of the fire. “I was beginning to think you were going to open all your presents without me.”
Lily laughed. “I was this close,” she teased, holding her fingers just a few millimeters apart. “But I figured I’d wait for you.”
Regulus smirked, enjoying this overexcited, joyful version of Lily “I’m glad you did.”
Lily nodded with satisfaction. “Now that you're finally here, let’s see what we’ve got.”
Together, they began to open their gifts from other friends. Lily pulled a small, neatly-wrapped package from the pile and tore off the paper, revealing a set of beautiful, multicolored quills. “Oh, I love these!” she exclaimed, holding them up to the light. “Marlene’s always so good at picking out the perfect gifts.”
Regulus watched her with an appreciative glance, happy to see her so pleased. He unwrapped his own gift, finding a box of chocolate frogs from Dorcas. He raised an eyebrow. “Seems like someone knows what I like.”
Lily chuckled as she opened another gift, this time a lovely scarf from one of the first years she tutors. “This is adorable,” she said, holding it up to admire the knitted pattern. “It’ll be perfect for when I go home. I can’t wait to show my mum.” She looked up at him, her eyes shining with the same kind of warmth he’d come to admire. “This is so much fun. It’s nice to spend Christmas with friends for once.”
Regulus nodded, his chest feeling a little lighter than usual. “Yeah, I know what you mean. It’s... it’s different, but in a good way.”
They continued to open gifts, laughing and talking in between. Regulus received a set of potions ingredients from Evan, a rare book of charms from Pandora, and a pair of gloves from Barty. Lily got a lovely book from her mum, a set of hand-made jewelry from Mary, and a gift card to a bookshop in Hogsmeade from Remus.
By the time the pile had shrunk to only a few stray gifts, Lily paused, looking around as if searching for something. “I think we’ve gotten everything,” she said, her smile softening a little. “But there’s one more surprise.”
Regulus raised an eyebrow, confused. “One more?”
Lily leaned forward and glanced at the small stack of presents near the tree. “Well, I’ve got something for you...”
She said it quietly, but the hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth, and Regulus felt his heart skip a beat.
“Really?” Regulus said, his eyes widening, “How did you find the time?”
Lily shot him a knowing look. “I work in strange and magical ways, Black,” she said softly. She took a deep breath, clearly nervous but still smiling. “I want to wait though, to give it to you. Tonight, after dinner, maybe.”
Regulus nodded, though he couldn’t shake the fluttering feeling in his stomach. He hadn’t expected to give Lily a gift, not really. The idea of a present from her had been... unexpected, and it made him feel a little unsure of what was to come. Still, he had a good feeling about it. Whatever the gift was, it was the thought that mattered.
Lily sat back, looking at the tree as the fire crackled. “I can’t believe it’s Christmas morning,” she said, her tone quieter now, reflective. “It feels so different from last year. I’m just glad I have some time to spend with… friends.”
Regulus felt a flicker of something unfamiliar in her words. A warmth, maybe, or a sense of connection. He wasn’t sure how to explain it. He only nodded, not trusting himself to speak just yet.
Lily seemed to sense the shift, and after a moment, she turned her gaze back to him. “Cmon, let's do something fun. Something Christmassy.”
Regulus gave a small chuckle. “Like what?”
“Well…” She grinned, a cheeky look taking over her face as she wiggled her eyebrows “It is snowing...”
“Snowball fight?” They both said, in unison.
Regulus couldn’t help but smirk as Lily laced up her boots, clearly already envisioning the mayhem that was about to unfold. The snow outside was thick and fluffy, perfect for a snowball battle. He wasn’t sure whether he was excited or slightly apprehensive, but either way, he was already on his feet, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips.
“You know this means war, right?” Regulus said, already calculating his first move. “I won’t go easy on you.”
Lily’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she grabbed a handful of snow and compacted it quickly into a perfect snowball. She turned to face him with an exaggerated shrug. “You’re welcome to try,” she said, her voice dripping with mock innocence. “But, I am a Gryffindor. We’re known for bravery. You might want to watch your back.”
Before Regulus could respond, Lily was off, running past the lake to the edge of the forest where the snow was the thickest, leaving him no choice but to chase after her. The snow crunched under their boots as they ran, the crisp winter air biting at their cheeks. Regulus caught sight of Lily ahead, grinning like she had already won.
“Oh, you’re definitely going down, Evans,” Regulus called, quickly scooping up his own snowball and tossing it toward her. She ducked just in time, laughing as she sprinted further into the grounds, the snowflakes falling faster around them.
“Catch me if you can!” she shouted over her shoulder, her boots leaving prints in the fresh snow.
Regulus grinned, his heart racing not just from the cold but from the excitement of the chase. He darted after her, his competitive nature taking over as he wove through the trees, carefully tracking her movements. He was quick, but Lily was fast—quicker than he’d anticipated—and she had a knack for staying just out of his reach.
After a few minutes of intense running and dodging, Regulus managed to corner her behind a large snowdrift. She raised her hands in mock surrender, but he wasn’t buying it. He took a step closer, his smirk widening.
“Gotcha,” he said, his voice low and teasing.
Lily, however, wasn’t so easily defeated. With a laugh, she whipped around, flinging a snowball right at him. It hit him square in the chest, and Regulus stumbled back, caught off guard. He looked down at the snow-covered front of his coat, then back at Lily, who was laughing so hard she almost couldn’t stand.
“Lily Evans,” he said with a raised eyebrow, “you are a menace.”
She grinned, pulling her scarf tighter around her neck. “I know.”
Regulus couldn’t help but laugh with her, the moment of playful rivalry feeling lighter than anything he’d experienced in a long time. For a few minutes, they stood there in the middle of the snow-covered grounds, neither of them saying anything, just enjoying the peaceful silence, broken only by their laughter and the soft swirl of falling snow.
After a few moments, Regulus spoke again, his voice more relaxed than before. “So… do you want to call it a draw?”
Lily raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a smile. “A draw? No way. You’re going to have to work a lot harder than that if you want to beat me.”
Regulus chuckled, taking a step toward her. “I’ll remember that next time. But for now… maybe we can call it a temporary truce. I don’t think I can handle much more of your ‘Gryffindor bravery.’”
Lily rolled her eyes, but there was a soft smile tugging at her lips. “Fine,” she agreed, holding out her hand. “Truce. For now.”
Regulus shook her hand, both of them still laughing, their breath visible in the chilly air. As they stood there for a moment, surrounded by snow, the world felt a little bit simpler. Just the two of them, having fun—nothing else mattered.
“So,” Lily said after a pause, “what now?”
Regulus thought for a moment, then grinned mischievously. “I’m thinking we head back inside and dry off. Maybe you’ll have to make me a hot chocolate to warm up.”
Lily raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue. “Deal. But only if you promise not to try to make up for your tragic Snowball fight loss with your freaky chess skills.”
Regulus laughed, holding his hands up in mock surrender. “I make no promises.”
Lily rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t suppress her smile. “You really are the worst, Black.”
He grinned back at her, his heart lighter than it had been in a long time. “I've been told.”