Rebel Rebel
Over the course of the next several days, Regulus began dreading his potions class. Brewing potions and studying the intricacy of each component used to be something Regulus enjoyed immensely. He loved the way it challenged his mind, the trail and error was thrilling to him. It was a distraction to everything that was bad in his life.
Sirius and his little group of troublemaking hotshots were staring him down every second of the class, Regulus couldn’t enjoy the wonders of potion making without feeling mildly uncomfortable. He didn’t know what was worse, Remus Lupin staring him down, or his brother.
The way his mind focused on brewing was almost therapeutic. Now, Regulus couldn’t concentrate without his nerves screaming at him because of the fact he felt eyes burning into him.
If there were another life where Regulus were brave enough, he’d probably stare right back at them. Maybe even throw a sneer or two just for good measure. But, Regulus was not brave. He kept his gaze down, trying his best to ignore the bubbling rage brewing inside of him.
Regulus couldn’t help but fumble his materials every now and then. He needed to get a grip. He swore that he caught Snape smirking at his mistakes on multiple occasions. The Crouch boy seemed to have noticed Snape’s unnecessary smirking because somehow he’d always ended up ‘accidentally’ knocking over Snape’s cauldron. Though, Regulus remembered seeing him just blatantly smacking it once or twice.
As everyday passed and tensions between Regulus and his brother rose, he could feel that pressure grow within him. Sometimes, he felt like a faulty potion that would explode at any given moment.
Other than the weird staring problem that Gryffindors seemed to have, his days weren’t anything special. Evan and Pandora hovered around occasionally, but he knew they’d probably get bored and find someone new to spend their lunchtime with.
It was another boring day when Regulus was roaming the halls. He still hadn’t explored much of the castle, his curiosity was practically clawing for answers about the mysterious castle. Regulus was pulled from his thoughts when he heard a yelp coming from the courtyard. For some reason, Regulus felt compelled to check it out.
He made sure to hide behind a pillar, having no interest to step in or make himself known.
“Let me go! You disgusting twat, let me go!”
Regulus frowned. The girl’s voice was awfully familiar, yet he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. The panic in her voice made his stomach turn.
“Quiet, you half-blood. You think you could talk to me like that, with your polluted blood?” There was no doubt that the pure hatred in the boy’s voice came from Mulciber.
A frustrated groan came from the girl. The sounds of struggling burned into Regulus’ ears. He quickly peered out from the pillar.
Mulciber was pinning Dorcas Meadowes against a tree. The look on his face was clear. He intended to do much more than just hurt Dorcas.
“Get your dirty hands off of me!”
Dorcas squirmed against him. Her second year body was no match for Mulciber’s 4th year build. Regulus watched in disgust as he quickly sifted through his mind for a spell that could get him off of her.
“People with your blood either need to submit to purebloods or die with the other muggle filth—“
Mulciber’s body was blasted away from Dorcas. The spell had caused tiny cuts to slice away at his body. The boy twitched on the ground.
Dorcas watched in shock, she quickly looked around, wondering where the spell came from.
Regulus bolted from his pillar and down the corridor. He couldn’t be connected to the incident in anyway.
“Barty..?” She spun, looking in the direction of where Regulus fled towards. When Dorcas realized whoever had saved her wasn’t going to show themselves, she turned to Mulciber and spat on his twitching body.
“Watch your back, Mulciber. You’ll get what’s coming for you soon enough.”
Regulus made sure to avoid Dorcas Meadowes for the next few days. Even though he was sure she didn’t see him, he couldn’t risk it. He swore she kept glancing at him during meals, but every time he’d look back at her, she’d be acting as if nothing was different. He chalked it up to his paranoia.
The bullying continued. It were as if Avery and his goons were finding new things to hex Regulus about. Regulus was on his way to his Potions class when an unnecessarily loud ‘Expelliarmus’ echoed from down the hall. It took all but a second before Regulus’ wand was skidding across the floor.
Within seconds Regulus was cornered by the tall, scowling pure bloods. He felt his heart sink a little as his back hit the wall. The older Slytherins were practically flanking him.
“Shove off, Avery. I need to get to class..” Regulus tried his best to keep his voice steady.
Avery seemed extra violent today as he pushed Regulus’ shoulder.
“Your brother and that blood traitor may think they could just strut around unscathed, but they’ll get what’s coming for them soon enough.”
Regulus blinked. He stared at the hand that Avery laid on him. There were tens of tiny red bumps on the boy. Regulus couldn’t help the look of disgust that crossed his face.
“Look, if this is because of something Sirius did, I’m not connected to it at all.” Regulus sounded throughly annoyed. Merlin, he really needed to get to class.
A spell collided with his chest, throwing him to the floor.
“Don’t start with me, Black. You aren’t a prince here.” Regulus could practically hear the jealousy rolling off of Avery. His goons, Nott and one of the young Mulcibers, cackled at the sight of Regulus on the floor.
“He’s pathetic.” Nott chimed in. Regulus had to refrain from rolling his eyes as he struggled to push himself up. He didn’t need another hex.
“You may not be Sirius Black, but you’re close enough.” Avery sneered. It really made his face look three times more unfortunate looking.
Regulus tried not to flinch as Avery’s wand met his throat. He could only close his eyes as he hoped that whatever spell Avery was about to cast wouldn’t be permanent. He quite liked how blemish free his face was.
A gust of wind blew against his body. Regulus opened one eye and found Avery and his goons on the floor. A crazed looking Bartemius Crouch Jr. was punching away at Mulciber’s immobilized body.
Regulus stood in shock.
Nott and Avery were on the floor next to Mulciber. Their bodies were stiff, they must’ve been hit with ‘immobolus.’ Regulus wasn’t sure what to do. Sure, he wanted nothing more than to stomp the older boys out, but he knew it wasn’t worth the tattle to his mother.
He watched as Barty’s fists collided against Mulciber’s face. Something inside of him twinged with satisfaction. Regulus couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face at the sight of Barty’s bloodied fists.
Regulus walked to grab his wand from across the hall. He debated whether he should just walk away and leave Mulciber to Barty’s will. He eventually caved and walked back to the bloodied scene. After a sickening crack from Mulciber’s nose, Regulus decided to step in.
“Crouch.” His voice was steady.
Barty didn’t stop. Regulus rolled his eyes at his lack of self-restraint.
Regulus narrowed his eyes. His voice held more edge this time. If Barty didn’t stop now, Mulciber would definitely have permanent damage.
“Crouch.”
“I heard you the first time.” Barty growled, still punching away at the older boy’s face. Regulus stared him with a dull expression.
Barty let out a dramatic sigh as he got up from Mulciber’s body. “Fine, fine!”
He began walking towards Regulus, before pausing for a moment to kick Nott’s gut. Regulus rolled his eyes once again, but couldn’t hide his smirk.
Regulus knew they would be late to class if they didn’t leave now. He began walking towards the potions classroom, Barty soon fell into step with him.
“Do they usually corner you like that?”
Regulus stayed quiet for a moment. “Why do you want to know?” He stayed guarded, Barty might’ve beaten up the older Slytherin boys, but who knows if he’ll use it against Regulus. He didn’t need to be indebted to anyone.
“I think that Mulciber has a habit of cornering people.” Barty tried wiping his bloodied hands on the inner fabric of his robes. Regulus sighed and casted a spell that cleaned the boy’s hands. Barty grinned menacingly at him.
“Yes… it’s mostly Avery that terrorizes me, but he usually has Mulciber and Nott trailing behind him.” It felt almost relieving to admit his troubles to another person. The relief didn’t last long as he quickly realized that Barty could easily use his words against him. He snapped his mouth shut, but his curiosity gnawed away at him.
“Why did you save me?” Regulus felt somewhat embarrassed as he realized that he was practically a damsel in destress. He cringed at the idea of having to be saved. He doesn’t need a savior.
“You saved Dorcas, didn’t you?”
Regulus tensed for a second before trying his best to appear nonchalant. “That’s proposterous. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Barty rolled his eyes. “Oh c’mon. She saw you, Regulus.”
Regulus furrowed his brows at the boy. He doesn’t know what came over him as he jabbed his wand at the boy’s chest.
“Don’t… let anyone else know. If that information gets back to Mulciber, I’ll be dead by Yule break.”
The boy next to him barked out a laugh, but his face soon hardened as he realized Regulus wasn’t kidding.
Barty raised in hands in a surrender motion. “Right. Just think of me saving you as a thank you for helping Dorcas.”
The crease in Regulus’ brow didn’t cease as they continued their way to Potions. He assumed the rest of the walk would be silent, but Barty Crouch Jr. has never known a moment of a silence before. Nor would he allow one to happen.
“Why did you help her anyway?”
“What?”
“Why did you help Dorcas—“
“I know what you said.” Regulus rolled his eyes, waving Barty off from repeating himself. He relunctantly answered the feral boy. “I don’t know. Meadowes seems different from the others.”
Regulus glanced sideways at Barty. “Besides, she needed help. I couldn’t just leave her in Mulciber’s filthy hands.”
Barty watched Regulus carefully. The craziness behind the boy’s eyes seemed to have subdued. For a moment, it was like Barty was the calm in the eye of a violent storm.
“She’s right about you, Regulus. You’re an interesting fellow.”
Regulus looked at him curiously. He didn’t feel interesting. Right when he was about to question Barty, they found themselves at the door of their class. Regulus knew they were at least two minutes late, walking in while talking wouldn’t help their case.
The boys kept quiet as they tried to sneak in.
“Nice of you to finally join us, boys.” Slughorns voice boomed across the classroom.
Regulus bit back a groan. Barry didn’t seem to refrain himself as he let a loud groan out.
“You’re lucky that you two are my star students. I won’t take any points off, but if this happens again I will be obligated to.” The man’s bushy brow lifted as he gently reprimanded them.
The boys made their way to their table. Instantly, he could feel Sirius’ eyes burning into his back. When they settled in their stations, Snape was glaring daggers at the pair. There was no doubt the boy was jealous that Barty and Regulus were recognized as the top students in the class.
“As I said a moment ago, today you will be brewing your own hair-raising potion.”
Most of the class went by in a blur. Barty murmured to himself throughout a good portion of it, although he did try to strike up a conversation with Regulus multiple times. At one point, Snape pointed out the blood that was on Barty’s robes which led to Barty ‘accidentally’ tipping over his cauldron. The spilled half-made potion had reached some of Regulus’ spider legs, causing them to dissolve before he could even use them.
He glared at Barty, “Whoops?” The boy said sheepishly.
With a sigh, Regulus got up to get more ingredients from Slughorn’s closet. The room had a damp feel to it as he entered, the amount of different ingredients made Regulus’ lips twitch upwards in astonishment.
The door behind him creaked up, he half expected Slughorn or even Barty to walk in. To his dismay, he turned to find Sirius standing there with his arms crossed.
“Brother.” Regulus nodded in a stiff acknowledgment.
“What are you doing, hanging with Crouch?” Sirius whispered harshly, his tone was accusatory.
Regulus hated how Sirius’ tone made him out to be some kind of bad guy. He decided to play dumb. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Sirius groaned and rolled his eyes at his little brother.. “Oh can it, Regulus. I saw you walking in with him.”
“It was just a coincidence. Since when do you care?“ Regulus snapped back. He didn’t see why anyone he surrounded himself with was Sirius’ business.
Sirius softened his gaze. “Of course I care, Reg, I might be the only one who does.” His words stung Regulus, but even he knew it was true. Regulus stared at the jar of spider legs, not wanting to meet Sirius’ gaze.
He blinked rapidly for a moment before turning to Sirius. “It’s none of your business.” Regulus held his head high as he shoved past his brother, returning to his potion station.
Barty watched him with a sideways look. It were almost as if the boy was concerned about Regulus. “Are you good? Your face looks pale… paler than usual.”
Regulus glared at the potion in front of him, realizing he didn’t even grab the spider legs.
“Just peachy.” He scowled.