Remus rounds the corner quickly of a tall bookshelf in the Hogwarts Library, rummaging through his sack as he approaches to one of the areas far from the entrance but still being shed with light from the bright spring day. Whatever his dumb friends were doing outside the door and out the hall, he just needed peace and quiet to study.
Suddenly the 6th years left foot is caught on something, and he begins to stumble a few steps before regaining his balance, instinctively closing the bag and keeping it close to his body so none of the contents spill out.
“Bloody hell-,” he looks over his shoulder to see what it was, or rather who, “Hello Regulus.” He nervously acknowledged the 4th year Slytherin.
Regulus Black stared at him blankly, it was not unpleasant but not particularly warming Remus’s stomach either. He was sitting with his legs crossed, a medium sized book in his lap, and his house cloak seemingly disregarded, nowhere to be seen.“Lupin.”
Remus slightly bows before he remembers that the pale boy was younger than him, although Remus Lupin was not ill-mannered, even to the younger grades at Hogwarts.“I am sorry, my mind is frazzled, important Potions exam coming up you would not understand.”
“You do not think I can be worried about schoolwork too?” Regulus immediately contradicts, exhuming a nervous chuckle from Remus. The younger boy’s previously crossed legs come up so he can hug them, setting the book to be resting between his chest and legs.
Remus smiles down at him wearily, gripping the strap of his bag that is over his shoulder,“Of course not Reg-Black, you are very very brilliant. No doubt about it, if I do say so myself.”
“And you do?” Regulus’s dark eyebrows twitched with humour.
“Um. What are you reading?” Remus tries to change the subject, tilting his head, although it was obvious that the younger boy’s long legs were concealing the cover so at no angle would Remus actually be able to read it.
“Theories of the Soul,” Regulus answers, before the other boy perhaps picks up the book from his lap in desperateness to read the title.
Remus stands up straighter, smiling at the answer, seemingly loving it,“Theories of the Soul? I don’t believe that is any curriculum currently being taught here.”
Regulus closes the book, not before slipping the ribbon through to hold his place, and sets it beside him, away from the 6th year and towards the window. “Self teaching you can say. It’s light reading Lupin.”
“You can call me Remus of course, we’re not strangers, I am best mates with your brother.” Regulus shifts uncomfortably at the mention of the older Black, Remus observes and sits down leaning on the bookshelf a few steps from him. “Or Loony, whatever you need, I have heard it from your acquaintances every now and then, I am not terribly upset by it anymore.”
“I appreciate the word acquaintances contrary to ‘friends’, but I wouldn’t call them even that Remus. Housemates, some of them horrible I admit. But you, your friends.”
“They are not horrible, just dumb, not very mindful.”
“I can say the same about my ‘acquaintances’, and still how did they make you feel.”
“Fair point.”
“I’m a seeker, I don’t believe any of my points are earned fairly.”
Remus burst out laughing, banging his head on the books lined up with his head, which elicits a chuckle from the other boy. Remus stares at him for a moment, and really looks. The light from the window creates a dark halo around Regulus’ hair with his dark curls and frames the sharp and ghostly features of his face. Remus finds it familiarly, “Beautiful. Regulus Black, have you ever been told that you’re beautiful?”
“Hello?” The younger boy’s face drops, which scares Remus, because yes this 15-year-old boy is very smart and surely knows some terrifying hexes. But Regulus’ face changes again, a teasing smile, “Remus Lupin do not get cheeky with me when you have not taken me out yet.”
“Three Broomsticks? This Friday evening? Yes, yes.” Remus responds humorously.
“It would a true tale of stars crossing, the snake and the angel.”
“I thought we were past houses and acquaintances Regulus. And you are anything but a snake, as I am anything but an angel. Can’t we accept our humanity? And friendship?”
“You would not be caught dead at the Three Broomsticks with me, enjoying butterbeer and laughing like buddies. I know him, he wouldn’t allow it.” Regulus looked down shamefully, feeling a wave of patheticness overcome him.
Remus slid over, grabbing the younger boy’s hand to also grab his attention, “I know your situation, but I’ve seen the good consequences that come from someone who has escaped it. And I do not pity you, I feel you. Darkness overwhelms the soul only when you allow it to when the fear consumes you. This is for people who are weak, and stupid. And you Regulus Black, are anything but.”
Regulus didn’t have time to respond before Remus stood up, grabbing his bag, “I’ll pay, just be there Little One.”
He took off, down to the end of the bookshelf. Regulus watches him with careful eyes, shiny eyes.