Chapter 1
~1975~
Regulus
By the time Regulus left the great hall and got into the Slytherin common room he was dead tired. It wasn’t helping matters that he could already hear Evan and Barty arguing before he even made it up to their dorm. If it were anyone else, Regulus might be a little worried about why they were arguing the first day back from holiday. Still, Barty and Evan were so madly in love with each other that they couldn’t stand each other so it probably wasn’t a serious issue. After a good minute of eavesdropping, and determining it was just an argument over quidditch, Regulus opened the door and stepped inside.
45 minutes later and with many pillows thrown, Evan and Barty both came to a stopping point, an agreement being too “strong of a word” according to Barty. And it took another hour or two before Regulus had enough peace to work on his astronomy homework. It’s not that his homework required a great amount of concentration, Walaburga made sure Sirius and he were very well knowledgeable on the subject. So to say the least, they had the moon cycles memorized for the next 30 years. It was so very tedious, who needs to know what exact light waves the moon of–“EEEEEEEEVVVAAAANN…EVVVVVV—”
“SHUT UP, I am sitting next to you!” Evan growled as he shoved Barty off his bed.
“Oh fuck! That’s bullying... Reggie come tell Ev—”
“DO NOT CALL ME THAT” Regulus practically hollered at him,” I need a break from your guy’s insufferable voices, I’m going to the library.”
“No Reggie!!! Don’t leave me alone with him!!” Evan cried, reaching out his arms and grabbing uselessly at Regulu’s shirt as we strutted by.
“Ya well you don't have every class with him so can’t you just deal for an hour” Regulus complained as he gathered his books.
“Fine”
“RUUUDE”
And with that, Regulus slammed the door.
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In the Gryffindor dormitory, a series of loud crashes and thuds echoed through the room, followed by Sirius and Remus practically screaming at each other. The heavy scent of some foul concoction hung in the air, mixing with the sound of bubbling cauldrons.
"Sirius!"
"It’s not always my fault, Moony!"
"Yes, it usually is, and it's also your fault this time."
"Woah, woah, woah, it’s your potion too!"
" WELL, I didn’t add snail livers to it!"
"WELL–"
"GUYS!! Just start over, please, I’m begging you!" James yelled as he fell to his knees, clasping his hands together dramatically and overexaggerated.
"Sorry, Prongs, no can do. Moony and I just spent 2 WHOLE hours on this!" Sirius whined.
"I am not putting up with this for two more hours, I’m going to the library." James sighed.
*Cough* "Bookworm" *Cough* Remus muttered as James left.
"Shut up, Moony. I heard that. You have a new book in your arms every day; don't come after me," James spat back.
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As Regulus stepped into the library he was hit with the strong smell of old paper and aged leather, with undertones of cinnamon. (One of Regulus's hobbies was perfume making but only Barty knew and he was sworn to secrecy). He wandered through the tall shelves, carrying his books hugged against his chest, stopping every so often to look at a title or admire a cover. After a few minutes, Regulus found his way to his little study corner. It was far enough from the front of the library that no one would bother him, but not too far back to be lost in the cold dark that was up against the restricted section.
After a few minutes, he was settled in and had gotten into his reading flow, carefully flipping through the pages, and switching between annotations and... well, you get the gist. This went on for about ten minutes before he was so violently interrupted by the stupid, beautiful, annoying voice of James Fleamont Potter.