Everyone Adores You(At least I do)
~You can act all shy
But you know that I want you
In the dead of night
I want to live with you
So terrified of the road that takes you
Me too
Don't modify, every one adores you
At least I do~
Days have passed since the incident with Remus and Regulus. Anytime Regulus sees Remus, all he can think about is how Remus saw him that day, how he was so panicked when he saw Remus, how he felt comforted by Remus. He tried not to think of it too much, but it’s nearly impossible. For now, he spends his time trying to avoid everyone at all costs. At least everyone besides his friends.
He tried to stay with them but sometimes he just wanted time away from them. Especially Barty and Evan. They, for some reason, thought it ideal to stay up late every single night trying to bother Regulus. They also started to follow him to the library when he was going to study. Today was the day that Regulus and his friends went out to Hogsmeade together. They had this tradition since third year. This time, however, extra people were coming along.
Dorcas was bringing Marlene, Pandora was bringing Lily, and Evan’s been bringing Felix(who invited Charlie this year- though they’ll probably be running around all day) since last year because he doesn’t want the younger to be ‘a loner.’ Regulus didn’t mind much, because everyone else being busy means that he could have some time to himself around Hogsmeade.
That didn’t go as planned though. When Dorcas and Oandora said they were both bringing Gryffindors, he brushed it off, but now, he can’t. Along with Marlene and Lily came James, Remus, Peter, and worst of all Sirius. He wanted to run away yet again. Not only was Remus going to be around, but so was Sirius. As soon as he got the chance, he practically vanished from the large group, settling on a back table in Three Broomsticks with a book he had brought. To his dismay, as he was sitting peacefully, he heard a group come in, and low and behold, it was who he had been running from.
No one bothered to walk over to him besides Felix and Charlie.
‘Regulus. Why did you run off?’ The older of the two asks.
‘Because your stupid brother has been driving me insane all week and I finally got a chance to have some peace. Don’t attract them over here please?’ It wasn’t a complete lie.
‘Okay then. Bye-bye.’
Regulus lets out a sigh he didn’t know he was holding in. He goes back to reading his book in now interrupted quiet, but luckily, none of the group sits near him.
—
‘So… How are things with Regulus?’ James asks Sirius, turning to him to hand over the glass of Butterbeer he got.
‘I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to him since the argument. I don’t think I should, honestly. He needs to apologize first.’
‘That’s kinda difficult to when you’re avoiding him, isn’t it, Sirius?’ Remus adds to the conversation.
‘I’m not avoiding him, Moony. He just hasn’t made an effort to talk to me and therefore I won't make an effort to talk to him.’
Sirius sighs, taking a sip from the buttery drink and looking over at James. He knows he probably should go up to Regulus. He knows how Regulus is. Regulus doesn’t hate confrontation, but he sometimes feels unworthy to talk to people. Walburga has influenced such thinking in both of the stars, but one has managed to escape from the pull, while the other is forever trapped as the smaller less important star.
‘I’ll be back.’ James briefly mentioned, not sharing where he is going or why he is leaving before he gets up and walks off.
—
Regulus isn’t sure when he zoned out, but he does know that when he heard James’ voice, he snapped out of it.
‘Hey, Regulus.’ He sits in the seat in front of the Black.
‘What do you want?’
‘Woah there. I just wanted to talk to you. How are you doing?’
Regulus just then realises how rough his tone was. He can’t help it. He wishes he could, but something in him makes it impossible to not overreact when he sees someone he doesn’t want to talk to. It’s not even like he doesn’t want to talk to James. He would talk to James any day. It’s just that he knows why James is really there.
Why else would he be talking to Regulus if not to mention his brother? Regulus isn’t nearly as enjoyable as his older brother. He isn’t funny, doesn’t speak what’s on his mind, and is known to be the heir to one of the sacred twenty-eight. He knew he wasn’t enjoyable.
‘I’m fine. And me and my brother will figure this out eventually. Or maybe we wont. Depends on if he feels like liking me again.’ Regulus responds after a momentary pause, getting straight to the point. He can’t help ut want to stare at James.
James is kind, and friendly, listens to others, and is always there for the people who need it. In a way, James reminds Regulus of his brother. In other ways, Regulus sees James as someone he’d love to just be friends with- like Remus. He hates Sirius for having amazing friends. It’s not as if Regulus hates his own friends- he doesn’t even dislike them. Sure Barty and Evan get on his nerves, but he doesn’t hate them at all. He is perfectly fine with them. At the same time, though, he can’t help but want to switch places with Sirius for at least one day.
‘I’m not here to talk about you and Sirius. I’m here to talk to you.’ James’ tone is calm, emphasising the seriousness in his tone.
Why is he choosing to talk to Regulus?
‘Why do you want to talk to me?’
‘I just want to see how you’re doing. You and I don’t talk much.’
‘For a reason. You talk to my brother. I’m not my brother.’
‘No. You’re your own person. I want to know you. You’re probably nothing like him.’
What reason is that to talk to me? Regulus thinks, but he would never really say that. ‘Okay. Why does that matter? I assure you, I’m nothing more than an average person.’
Curse James for being so kind. Maybe if he wasn’t so nice, it’d be a lot easier for Regulus to tell his pretty- him to leave. Him and his stupid generosity and his stupid willingness to speak to others and his stupid pretty face.
Why does he have to be so amazing?
‘You’re everything but average, Regulus. You’re so different compared to everyone else. You’re different from everyone in your family. You’re nothing like them.’
‘Really, because Sirius doesn’t seem to think so. That’s my fucking brother. Why would I believe you over my brother.’
‘Sirius is wrong sometimes, Regulus. You’re not like your parents. You’re smart and kind to others even if you don’t think so. You’ve just been wronged.’
‘Me wronged? I’m fine, trust me. You don’t need to pity me just because Sirius and I argued.’
‘I’m not trying to pity you. You deserve better. I wish you could have better.’
Regulus rolls his eyes, but he isn’t truly upset. The scoff that leaves his lips is apparent to James.
‘Yeah right.’
‘I want both you and Sirius to come to my house this summer. He wants you too as well.’
‘As if my mother would allow that. I also doubt Sirius would actually want that.’
‘Don’t tell her. And I assure you, he does. He is worried for you.’
‘Whatever.’ Regulus says, not believing that Sirius could be worried for him after what he said. Both of them said things that shouldn’t have been said, but Regulus has a feeling that he shouldn’t be forgiven.
‘At least consider it, please. You’re always welcome in my home if you need.’
And with that, James stands and walks off, returning to his friends. Regulus only wonders why James is so nice. Nearly everyone adores him. Why would he show any attention to someone like Regulus?