Chapter 1
Sixth year started off with a strangling hug from Dorcas when he sat next to her in the Great Hall. Hugs were something Regulus had grown to tolerate, but only from his best friends; if anyone else tried to hug him, he would most definitely stab them.
"I was worried about you, Reg. You barely sent any letters during the holidays," she frowned, when Regulus was finally released from the hug. "I'm sorry, I was busy helping my mother with... stuff," he lied, wearing his usual unbothered expression. In actuality, Walburga had banned Regulus from writing to his friends. She feared that he would run away like Sirius had done the year before.
Dorcas was not satisfied by this answer, but she soon became distracted by Evan, who began talking quickly and softly to her. Both of them looked outraged and concerned. Regulus just tuned them out, instead focusing his attention on his food and subtly glancing up at the Gryffindor table where his annoying brother and his friends sat.
Unfortunately for him, one of those annoying friends was someone whom Regulus had a massive and embarrassing crush on. He had to be the man that Regulus hated and liked the most in this cruel, cruel world.
Stupid, annoying, extremely attractive James Potter.
He glared at his plate like it had personally wronged him. He shouldn't like James; James took Sirius away from him. James is a blood traitor (Regulus didn't care about that stuff, but whatever), and James is obsessed with Lily Evans, but... Regulus couldn't help it. His heart stopped whenever James was near.
At least he could keep that secret under lock and key, since he never actually had to interact with James or Sirius for that matter... so, it would all be fine.
An hour later, he was in his dorm. He sat cross-legged on his bed while reading the new book that Pandora got him. Barty was busy showering, and Evan, who had just finished showering, was drying his hair with the loud hairdryer. It was peaceful. Enjoyable.
Eventually, Barty exited the bathroom, wearing his usual green pajamas. He wore a cautious expression and hesitated before speaking. "Regulus, did you hear? we are going to have to do Potions with the seventh years"
Regulus choked on air. "What? Why? That makes no sense," he frowned, and Barty shrugged.
"There's one more thing, and you're not gonna like it," Barty muttered, his face full of concern, which was completely out of character. "What is it?" Regulus asked.
"It's with the Gryffindors, and uh... your brother's in our class."
Evan turned off his hair dryer, turning to Regulus with a calculating expression, while Regulus had an internal crisis. Regulus couldn't explain how he felt in this moment; he did not want to be in the same class as his brother because every time he saw Sirius, it hurt. Even worse, Regulus knew James would also be in that class, if Sirius was there. Maybe the emotion was fear... maybe anger?
Regulus did not know. He just knew how much he didn't want this, but he couldn't show it. He just couldn't.
He didn't know he was gaping at a wall until Dorcas walked in and said, "You told him, then?"
Quickly, Regulus tried to formulate an answer for about 5 minutes, until, he evanually mumbled a reply, "It's fine, it's just a class, I can survive that."
"Are you sure, Reg, after what happened..." Evan spoke softly. Regulus hated how they were concerned for him like this. He hated the pity. His friends only knew how hurt Regulus was about Sirius running away because Regulus had broken down into pathetic sobs and told them.
"It's not important. Can we please talk about something else?" he mumbled, masking his face with his usual unbothered expression.
His friends stayed silent for a moment. Perhaps they were considering his words or thinking of another topic of conversation. Either way, he liked the silence.
"Actually, Evan and I, have something to share," Barty declared, his usual grin and cocky expression returned as he swung an arm around Evan, who was blushing. "We kinda... got together during the summer," announced Evan, and the two shared a brief kiss before they turned back to the other two.
Regulus was happy for them, but even happier for himself since the obvious pining, flirting and tension that he gad to deal with for years was finally over.
Dorcas grinned wildly, and Regulus mirrored this expression. "I'm so happy for you two!" she screamed, hugging the happy couple. "Finally, the flirting was getting too much to deal with," added Regulus, and the others gave small laughs
Judging from Evan and Barty's expressions, Regulus sensed that he might need to say something kinder or perhaps he should have shown more interest, so he spoke again, "Seriously, I'm happy for you two... just don't forget the silencing charm."
They seemed satisfied with this answer, and they shared another kiss, a long one this time, and Regulus looked at them longingly. He wished he could have something like that, someone to love, someone who cared about him. But all he has is a crush on a man who probably hates him.
Not long after, Dorcus had left and returned to her own dorm, Evan and Barty went to bed (both of them were in Evan's bed), and Regulus lay awake staring at the ceiling; contemplating the likelyhood of drowning before he had to see his brother again.