Rotten To The Core

It always gets loud when they’re all together. Regulus just sat with his head in his hands while the others argued about how they were going to get the wand at James’ coronation. So far no one had any good ideas.

“Oh! What if we have one of us dress up at that McGonagall woman and take her place during the ceremony? Then we can just take it before like blessing him with it or whatever they do”

“I genuinely don’t think I have ever heard a more stupid plan. They’ll be able tell it’s not her straight away, none of us would be very convincing old women”

“Speak for yourself, I think I’d do swimmingly” Marlene said in a shocking attempt at an old woman's voice, causing Mary to crack up.

“How about we just create a distraction and pull the good old grab-and-run? Works every time”

“And what would we use as a distraction? Cus I am not falling down the stairs again” Mary said, putting her hands up to block the suggestion.

“You could always do your little lio-” Marlene started before Remus cut her off.

“No. I am not turning, you know I hate it.”

“Alright, sorry. Anyone got any other brilliant ideas?”

“Actually yes, James said that up front was only for his parents and partner right?” Mary asked, clearly thinking things through in her head.

“Yeah, why what’re you thinking?” Said Regulus sceptically.

“Well, my cards work here because magic isn’t, you know, forbidden, so what if we used them to spell James into falling in love with one of us?” No one said anything for a second but looks were shared. All looks that said it was a good idea.

“Who would it be though? Like who would he fall in love with?” Marlene asked, “Because it's not gonna be me, I don’t think I could convincingly pass as any man's girlfriend, I mean look at me” She did have a point, if you were to look at Marlene for the first time, she looked about at gay as she could.

“Well it can’t be me either, I don’t know if you guys noticed but I’m kinda seeing-”

“Lily” they all responded in unison, “You haven’t exactly been hiding it” Marlene said. Then, there was a knock at the door. Regulus got up to answer it, knowing who it would be. Only one person in the whole school knocks at their door.

“Hi Reg! Just checking in again to see how you’re doing. All of you I mean”

“Hey James, yeah we’re fine, just talking about.. Stuff”

“Well I’m glad you’re settling in nicely.”

“Yeah well, you’ve been very welcoming so it’s been easy. Sorry but we’re kinda in the middle of something so do you mind, you know..” Regulus nodded to the side, gesturing for James to leave them be.

“Oh yeah sorry, of course. Just quickly, there’s something else.” Regulus stopped closing the door half way and opened it again, raising an eyebrow as if to say, ‘go on’.

“Your flies are down.”

“Fuck, again? Are you kidding me?” Regulus said as he rushed to pull his zipper up for the third time.

“God you must just be really excited to see me, I’ll leave you guys to it, see you later mate!” James said as he walked away. For a short moment Regulus just stood there in front of the door before remembering that the others were with him. He quickly turned around, shutting the door with a slam and sat back down. When he looked up, he saw Marlene staring at him with a smile. Then she said,

“Reg, can I talk to you outside?” confused and slightly panicked, Regulus nodded and followed her out the door. Once they were outside she smiled again, leaving Regulus even more confused than before.

“When were you going to tell me you like soon to be fucking king James?” She said laughing. Regulus just stared at her, not knowing what to say. He could feel himself getting red. “Oh my god you really do! You like him!”

“Shut up, someone will hear you” Regulus said, panicked. How the hell did she find out? Remus wouldn’t have told her.

“Oh this is amazing, did you think I wouldn’t find out? I’m amazing at this stuff” she said, laughing.

“Was it that obvious? Like, do you think loads of people know?”

“I don’t think loads of people have seen you two together, but yeah, it was pretty obvious”

“Shittt” Regulus said, running his hand through his hair.

“Don’t worry, I’m not gonna tell anyone. OH! You know what this means right?” Regulus shook his head, “You have to be the one that we spell him to fall in love with!”

“But what if-” Regulus started before Marlene interrupted him, waving her hand in dismissal.

“No! No protest, we’re doing this!” she pushed open the dorm door and, dragging Regulus in behind her, said “We can spell him to love Reggie! It’s his mother’s plan after all”

“Ok then, Reg come here I’ll show you how the cards work”