Chapter 1
Regulus started the day off with a laugh in the face from Barty.
He cringed as the sound echoed through the halls, drawing the attention of nearly every student standing nearby.
"You're taking advanced potions? On purpose?" Barty practically spat as they continued down the corridor. "Was this your mother's idea?"
Not a bad thought. Regulus' mother had been known to push unnecessary classes on to her son's plate, but this opportunity had come yesterday, not nearly enough time for Regulus to send a letter to his mother and fill her in.
So he just shrugged to his friend. "No. McGonagall asked me yesterday if I was available during this time. Apparently, Slughorn asked about me himself."
Barty quieted at that and Regulus had to hide his triumphant grin. Barty's father had been livid last year when his son wasn't chosen to be a part of the Slug Club. And while Barty himself claimed to have no clue why he wasn't selected, Regulus knew why. He didn't particularly blame Slughorn for not inviting a student who'd altered his potion on the first day to explode when Lily Evans walked by. It had been funny, Regulus admitted to himself as both boys rounded the corridor. By now, most 6th years had disappeared to spend their free hour getting food, studying, or even just lying out on the lawn, enjoying the warm autumn weather before it got too chilly.
"Do you know anyone else taking this?" Barty questioned, looking around at the practically desolate hall. Regulus shook his head in response as they approached Slughorn's classroom. He could hear students behind the closed door and prayed he wouldn't get stuck with a rowdy bunch. Potions had always interested him, despite Barty's constant teasing.
"Well, I'll leave you to it," Barty clapped a hand on his friend's shoulder before turning away. "Have fun with all the nerds!"
Regulus exhaled in a small laugh before opening the door.
Thankfully, the 7th years inside couldn't care less about him as he walked in and looked around the room. But Regulus couldn't say the same about them. He scoffed as he took in the red and gold ties, robes, and sweaters he saw filling the room. This class was almost entirely Gryffindor students.
Even worse, he recognized 3 of them gathered by the only other empty spot in the room. The spot Regulus would have to fill. Right next to Pettigrew, McKinnon, and Potter.
It was the latter who noticed him first, turning his attention away from his conversation with Peter to smile largely at him.
"Hey, Reg! Didn't know you'd be here!"
Regulus winced as half the class now turned to the back of the room to notice him awkwardly clutching his bag and looking back at them all. Fortunately, they all got bored after a second and returned to their own conversations, leaving just Potter and his friends smiling at him.
Freaks Regulus thought as he scanned the room once more, praying there was another empty seat he had overlooked.
"You're gonna have to join us it seems," Potter shouted to him and Regulus responded by rolling his eyes.
"Must be my unlucky day," he retorted as he made his way towards their side of the room.
Potter grinned as Regulus slung his bag down onto the floor and stood next to him. Pettigrew and McKinnon shared a desk directly behind the one he and James were now stationed at and they both began talking furiously about an upcoming Quidditch match as Regulus slammed his textbook onto the table.
"Must be pretty good at potions if you're with us, eh?" Potter leaned forward on the desk and Regulus avoided his gaze.
"Either that or you lot are pretty bad."
Potter chuckled at the response and opened his mouth to continue when Professor Slughorn entered the classroom from his small office. The 7th years quieted their conversations and Regulus straightened, determined to ignore Potter for the rest of the period.