The Three Broomsticks
The next two weeks flew by as quickly as the first day. Pandora, Evan, Barty and Regulus watch movies and go shopping and go to fancy restaurants. Evan and Regulus have a few shoots to attend, but nothing too important.
“Regulus! You’re still not ready.” Evan and Barty shake their heads, sharing a look.
“I have nothing to wear!” Regulus says, distraught.
Pandora smiled and shooed the rest of them out. Sorting through Regulus’ closet doors for something to wear. She picked out a green, woollen sweater, a pair of black pants and every piece of silver jewellery Regulus owns, which took about half an hour because Regulus kept refusing every outfit Pandora picked. Evan and Barty fought over who should drive for another 15 minutes before they decided it’s safer for Pandora to drive. But they finally got to The Three Broomsticks in time.
Regulus Black pushed open the heavy wooden door of the pub, its hinges groaning in protest. The warmth of the room hit him immediately. The smell of beer mingled with the strong scent of smoke. They made their way to a small table near the wall, ordering drinks while the band set up.
James Potter stood on the small, elevated stage, adjusting his mic with an effortless grin. The pub around him buzzed with excitement, anticipation filling the air as he and his band prepared to perform. His hair, as unruly as ever, caught the dim light giving him that carefree look that made him seem born for the stage. He exchanged a few jokes with Peter, Sirius by his side, and Remus calmly setting up his drums in the back.
Sirius flashed a quick smile at the audience, his eyes sparkling with the thrill of the moment. The pub was packed, a sea of faces, all waiting for the music to start. A short, red haired girl sat near the front, her eyes never leaving James, a smile tugging at her lips. He shot her a playful wink, and Regulus felt a pit grow in his stomach.
James stepped up to the mic, taking a deep breath, he looked over his band one last time, grinning at Sirius, who gave him a nod. Regulus can almost feel the air shift when James Potter starts to sing.
It started on a weekend in May,
I was looking for attention
Needed intervention
Felt somebody looking at me
With a powder white complexion
Feeling the connection
The way he looked was so ridiculous
Every single step had me waiting for the next
Before I knew it, it was serious
Dragged me out the bar to the backseat of a car
When the lights go out
He's all I ever think about
The picture burning in my brain
Kissing in the rain
I can't forget my French love affair
Embarrassing Regulus feels his cheeks heat, something in his chest thunders at the memory.
Today,
I'm seven thousand miles away
The movie playing in my head
Of his king size bed
Means I can't forget my French love affair
My French love affair
His voice was smooth and rich, like velvet, wrapping around the room, strong and captivating yet equally playful and bubbly.
Next thing we were back at his place
A hideaway in Paris
All the great and good there
Drinking all the way to third base
Prince getting naked
Memories of James calling him a prince flood back, and he stupidly wonders if anyone can read his mind.
Every single step had me begging for the next
Before I knew it, it was serious
Dragged me up the stairs and it wasn't ending there
When the lights go out
He's all I ever think about
The picture burning in my brain
Kissing in the rain
I can't forget my French love affair
Every note he sang was drenched in feeling, his voice trembling with passion. And Regulus can’t help but miss that voice, the way it whispered his name.
Oh, oh, oh, oh
When I got out I knew
That nobody I knew would be believing me
I look back now and know
That nobody could ever take the memory
When the lights go out
He’s all I ever think about
The picture burning in my brain
Kissing in the rain
I can't forget my French love affair
Today,
I'm seven thousand miles away
The movie playing in my head
Of his king size bed
Means I can't forget my French love affair
His eyes travel through the crowd before suddenly meeting Regulus’.
My French love affair
The crowd bursts into cheers as the band laughs and places their instruments down to make their way off the stage and towards their friends. They all go separate ways. Sirius squeezes a tall blonde girl and they bubble with laughter, gesturing excitedly with their hands, telling a story. Peter giggles with a curly haired girl who whispers in his ear, pointing at various people, as if gossiping. A few people congratulate Remus as he walks over to the bar, but he seems to be the most sane one of the bunch. But James simply stands there staring deeply into Regulus’ eyes as if he’ll disappear if James looks away. Time seems to stop as they stare at each other, but is quickly interrupted by the short, redhead who wraps James in a tight hug of congratulation. Regulus feels like all the air has been sucked out of him and he gently tugs Pandora’s sleeve, whispering something about wanting to leave before turning towards the doors without waiting for a reply.