Dancing Queen
The pub they chose was very similar to the one the night before. A number of booths along one long wall and a mix of high and low tables scattered between the pool table in one corner and a dance floor with a stage at the far side of the long room. There was more neon and a jukebox which provided music when there was no band.
“Hey, there’s a band tonight. Wonder what they play.” Sirius said when he spotted a poster inside the door.
“The best rock and roll of the last decade.” James read over his shoulder. “Show starts in an hour.”
“Excellent. Gives us time for a drink or two while we wait. Reggie come help at the bar while the others find a space big enough for us all.” Said Sirius
“Commanding others seems to be a family trait.” Tara observed to Lily and Pandora.
“Yes. Problem is people rarely dispute them.” Lily agreed.
“Reggie, come on.” Sirius turned to his brother who had ignored him.
“Who’s Reggie?” Regulus said, a layer of frost in his tone.
“Oh hell. Regulus I would appreciate your assistance with purchasing and carrying drinks for our friends.” Sirius huffed
‘Certainement. Pourquoi n’as-tu pas demande?.’ Regulus responded airily. James felt his insides do a strange flip and shifted his gaze to Regulus who smirked at him.
“Pourquoi es-tu si difficile?”
“Parce que tu sais que je desteste ce nom”
Sirius shrugged and steered his brother towards the bar.
It didn’t take long for the others to find a vacant booth. James had a theory that Remus had a lot to do with people’s willingness to vacate an area when the tall wiry Welshman was hunting for a seat. He had a tendency to emit the air of a predator which triggered a sense of self preservation in most sensible folk. Of course when you grow up with a werewolf you tend to ignore the undercurrent of menace and focus on the sexy smirk instead. Regulus and Sirius came back with a variety of drinks and the night began. When the band started to play Sirius was first up to dance dragging James and Lily with him. It wasn't long before Willow, Tara and Pandora were lulled by the pop music leaving Regulus and Remus to mind the booth.
“You’re going to break his heart.” Remus said after a while.
Regulus cocked his head, unsure who the he was.
“Sirius broke mine a long time ago.” he said coldly.
“It was mutual.” Remus paused to take a drink of his beer. “Will you at least stay in touch this time?”
“I’ve promised to help find a way to send the Americans back to their own time.” Regulus hedged.
“And James?”
“He’s a big boy. He can look after himself.”
Remus met and held Regulus’s gaze. Regulus didn’t so much as bat an eyelid, his eyes and face showing nothing of his true feelings. Regulus had faced far worse people than Remus Lupin. And won. “Hmmm.” was all Remus said, though the threat of harm was evident in its cadence.
The tension remained until the set finished and the dancers returned to the booth. With a quick flick of his wrist Sirius filled all the glasses.
“How?”
“Magic.” he grinned. “We learnt in fifth year. You need to have some liquid in the vessel but the you can just keep topping it up with the same thing. Very useful when you’re drinking on a budget.”
“Or need to refill the parental stock” James laughed squeezing himself into the booth.
“Personal space Potter. Personal space.” Regulus said exasperated. “Get out or let me out.”
“Oh come on. It’s cozy.” James wheedled, not wanting to loose the physical intimacy.
“I don’t do cozy.” Regulus said, his voice devoid of what little warmth it had had previously.
“Best to let him out. Otherwise the whole room will freeze.” Sirius said with a laugh. “That’s not a bad idea given how much I’m sweating” he added clambering over Lily to sit beside Remus.
Hurt by the distance in Regulus' voice, James scooted out, plonked himself on one of the many chairs they had gathered and pouted.
“What are you five? Why are you pouting?” Regulus asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
“I just thought I ..” James stopped as he realised the rest of the table was listening. “I forgot which brother I was dealing with,” he amended.
“I can totally see why. Regulus hasn’t been himself since the snaglepacks ate his sandwich.” Pandora offered. Everyone looked at her. “What? The smaglepacks were hungry and I forgot to make them lunch. You need to make them lunch once in a while or they come and steal things. It was very annoying last time they did that.”
“Oh Pan. You are truly adorable.” Lily said, her eyes shinning. Pandora smiled. The tension around the table dissolved as Willow started asking a myriad of questions about the different creatures Pandora knew.
Uninterested in the conversation James turned his attention to Regulus desperate to know how someone could be so passionate only a few hours ago and so unapproachable now. He was feeling confused again. He hated feeling confused. Then Regulus winked at him. At least James was pretty sure it was a wink. A spark of hope flared in his chest. Maybe Regulus was only pretending to be mean so the others wouldn’t know. Yes. That must be it. Grinning broadly, James jumped to his feet as the opening bars of the next set started.
“Come on.” He said reaching out a hand “Some one else can look after the booth.”
“I will.” Lily and Pandora said at the same time.
Remus and Regulus shared a look. They were beaten and knew it. Reluctantly Regulus made his way out of the booth without taking the proffered hand. He really hated dancing. “I’ll compromise. You guys dance. I’ll stand to one side and watch the band.”
James flashed another grin as he said “Once you see our sexy moves you’ll absolutely want to join in.”
“It’s not sexy.” Remus muttered to Regulus “Funny, chaotic, completely bonkers, but not sexy.”
It turned out Remus was right. James might be brilliant on a broom but he had all the coordination of an oversized puppy who thinks they’re a small dog. Dancers were forced to duck out of his way but he’d then spin them around or cause them to laugh and all would be forgiven. ‘He’s like sunshine on a summer's day.’ Regulus thought “It’s hard to be angry or sad when there is so much warmth and joy being poured out into the world.’
“Hey lover boy. Didn’t know you liked live music.”
Regulus barely managed to suppress the urge to let off a curse and jab his elbow into the person who’d had the audacity to run a hand down his spine.
“V” he said, affecting Art’s lazy drawl. “What brings you here? Shouldn’t you be fleecing the locals of their hard earned cash at the pool table?”
V laughed. “My cousin’s the guitarist. Thought I’d come say hello. What brings you here?”
“Friends of friends.” hs responded, tearing his eyes away from James to appraise the guitarist. Other than height and well defined cheekbones Regulus could not discern any family resemblance. “Cousin you say.”
“My fathers side. They’re all red haired and freckled. I got the better genes,” V said, pressing a little too close for comfort.
Regulus held his ground, forcing himself to stay in character. After all he’d fucked V in France and spent most of last night flirting with the intention of doing it again. “You definitely look better in your jeans.” He said instead.
“Now now. You know I’m more than happy to shed them for you.”
As the current song came to an end and the next began Regulus heard the slur in Vs voice. Watching James dance had been causing his heart and heart to argue about to do next. He needed a distraction. . ‘Oh fuck it! This could be fun’ he thought and turning his back on the dance floor headed for the otherside of the pub where the pool table was.
On the dance floor James watched as Regulus headed back into the now crowded pub inexplicably followed by a vaguely familiar tall blonde. “Where’s Regulus going?” He asked Sirius
“No idea mate. Probably the loo. Even my uptight brother has to pee sometimes.” Sirius laughed “love this song. All the fat skinny people. All the tall short people.”
James laughed, Regulus forgotten for the moment. Sirius was doing his best Ziggy Stardust impression while Remus watched with a highly amused expression. Sirius was such a show pony.
—-
Pandora watched as Regulus slipped by with V close behind. She really hoped Regulus knew what he was doing. Her sight had given her nothing around this possibility.
Pandora gave a mental shrug. He didn’t need her protection. And V wouldn’t be harmed, she was sure of that, so Pandora returned to muggle watching. Lily had gone to the loo so she’d been free to observe the people around her, enjoying the carefree way they interacted, drank, stumbled and sang along with the band. Pandora had loved her muggle experiment over summer and decided that she was going to it again next year.
“Will you come with me?” She asked abruptly as Lily returned with two GNTs she’d collected on her way back.
“Sure. Where?” Lily said, determined to be more spontaneous then she had been since Sam died.
“France I think. Maybe Germany. I won’t know until after the spring equinox.” Pandora answered.
Lily smiled. Pandora’s ethereal approach to everything was so different to hers it was intriguing. “Just let me know and I’ll be there.” she said and leant in to kiss Pandora. Something she was thrilled to do and Pandora happily reciprocated.
They were chatting quietly when the others came back laughing and singing, this time with drinks.
“Where’s Regulus?” Sirius asked, beating James to the question.
“No idea,” Lily responded, moving around to let James have a seat.
“This place is so neat.” Willow said tripping over and landing on James.
James laughed and pulled her onto his lap while Tara put the rest of the drinks on the table. It was then he saw Regulus talking to a tall handsome blond wearing tight faded blue jeans and sleeveless denim shirt. Was that a laugh? A smirk? Why was the blonde leaning in for a kiss? James could feel the euphoria of dancing drain away as Regulus lifted a hand and stopped the blond. It was a gesture that spoke of a level of intimacy James didn’t know Regulus had with anyone. Then he realized that he didn’t really know Regulus at all. And he really really wanted to.
‘Oh Merlin.’ He groaned to himself ‘Of all the people to fall for so quickly, you had to choose Mr Arrogant and Impossible. So much for a bit of holiday crushing. Well done James.’ With an internal sigh, he tore his eyes away from Regulus and concentrated on the group around him.
Willow was still on his lap but had propped her feet up on Tara’s. Sirius had landed on Remus and was completely oblivious to the stares they were getting from various patrons in the pub. James had to admit, they were seven rather good looking young people all laughing and talking with clearly no sense of personal space piled pretty much on top of each other. His heart sang at the sight. Friends for life.
His thoughts were interrupted by a smooth voice asking “Got room for one more?” With a start James looked up to see Regulus leaning against the booth and something fluttered as he met the sardonic silver-blue eyes.
“Reggie.” Sirius exclaimed “So glad you could join us.”
“I walk away for five minutes and you act like you’ve not seen me in years,”
“Oh stop glowering at each other. You’re worse than Buffy and Dawn.” Willow said, removing her feet from Tara’s lap. “Now come take a seat - if you can find one or don’t mind sharing a lap. Be warned, I’m keeping James.” She winked at Tara “I’m far too settled to move just yet.”
“Thanks, I’m happy to lean.” Regulus replied “Who are Buffy and Dawn?”
“Siblings. We hunted demons and vampires with them and a couple of others, including a Watcher. Dawn and her boyfriend Xander live near us in California. Buffy. Well Buffy trains other Slayers in different cities around the world. Doesn’t stay long anywhere anymore.” Willow said, finishing sadly. “I miss her.”
“Too many demons that girl.” Tara said into the silence “Stull I reckon we win with defeating an elder god”
“And meeting a real goddess that voluntarily stopped possessing me.” Willow said brightening up. “We slay. Hic. Hic. Doh! Hic.”
“Regulus do something frightening. It might help the hiccups go away.” Ordered Sirius from the floor.
“Your face fist thing in the morning would be enough to frighten anyone.” Regulus bit out.
“Not possible. I’m too pretty.” Sirius said in a smug tone.
“He is.” Remus and James agreed at the same time.
“ Uh!”
“I bet you’d be pretty in the morning. Hic.” Willow said squirming around to peer at James.
“He’s not.” Remus, Sirius and Lily all said
“How? How long have you guys lived together? Are you a polycule?” Tara asked
Lily shook her head. “Oh nothing like that. We all went to the same boarding school. James, Sirius and Remus shared a dorm. I was in the same house so I’d see them in the common room in various states. Then we all stayed at the Potters when we finished school until the end of the war.” Lily explained.
“And you two?” Tara gestured to Pandora and Regulus.
“Different houses. And a year lower. We only ever saw them for meals or sports matches so can’t attest to their prettiness or not first thing in the morning.” Regulis said.
“O .. hic. Hic.. i .. hic … think .. it might be … hic .. time for me to … hic … go.” Willow said “Maybe I’ll …. Hic … get to judge … hic ….hic … your prettiness in the …hic … morning.”
James laughed and kissed Willow’s cheek. “I’ll see what I can do.” He said cheerfully.
“Shall we all head home?” Lily asked
“Nah.. Bands started up and I’m in the mood to dance again. Coming Prongs?” Sirius announced crawling up Remuses leg until he was standing somewhat unsteadily.
James was torn. He loved to dance, but he also wanted to explore whatever it was he was feeling for Regulus as much as he could over the next two or three days. He shook his head. “Unlike you lazy bones, I was up early and didn’t have an afternoon nap, think I’ll call it a night as well.” he answered “Ladies? Regulus?”
Lily and Pandora met each other's eyes. “We’ll finish our drinks and then head out. Regulus, do you mind making sure James makes it home safely?” Pandora said beaming up at Regulus.
Regulus looked at her and then glanced into the glass panels set a little above the booth. V was heading his way. Definitely time to go.
“Sure. Wouldn’t want Potter to fall to the ground and hurt himself on the way up a hill. See you later.” Regulus turned and headed for the door. He was halfway through the crowd when he realised that V had changed direction and was now following him out of the pub