Tension
Regulus wasn't happy.
What else is new?
Well, Barty wasn't happy either, so maybe that is new.
It was Thursday, and they were waiting outside the dungeon for Sirius and James. Dorcas and Pandora were somewhere, they called it having "girls night." Regulus didn't know what they were doing, but he told them to stay safe, which prompted them to call him their "mother" and tease him for four minutes.
Evan met with his group yesterday night and seemed to be having a terrible time. The Slytherin girl was rude to the Gryffindor girl for being Muggleborn, and the other Gryffindor almost hexed her. He learned that the Gryffindor girls were friends of Sirius, one of them named Mary and the other one named Marlene.
Dorcas was paired with two sixth-year Gryffindors and a Slytherin girl, who was a prefect. Dorcas was in seventh year, so they weren't in the same class. Pandora has yet to inform them of her class, so Regulus decided to ask her about it tomorrow.
Evan decided to join them in their adventure of waiting outside the dorm. He and Barty were now snogging, and Regulus looked away. Seeing people kiss made him feel awkward.
He felt envy for them; they clearly didn't care for the comments or threats they would receive for this.
Eventually, Sirius and James showed up.
They silently walked to the dorm, Evan deciding to leave to join in on girls' night.
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James couldn't lie, he was so excited to see Regulus. He knows it's wrong, but Regulus is so beautiful and so amazing.
He saw him standing outside the dungeons, looking rather uncomfortable. James soon realized it was because his two friends were snogging rather affectionately right next to him.
They silently went to the dorms, Evan left, muttering something about 'girls' night.'
When they entered the dorm, James scanned the beds. He immediately knew Regulus' bed was the one with books scattered everywhere, a small telescope next to it, and about fifteen Polaroid pictures.
James looked to Sirius; he knew how much he longed to speak to his brother again. He ranted about it at length the night before. He seemed so excited to have a chance to speak to his brother, to try and make amends. But Regulus didn't seem to want to speak to Sirius at all. James tried to keep peace yesterday in the group, which failed miserably.
Regulus' outburst yesterday had made his heart drop. He truly must hate James and Sirius to respond like that.
The group sat in a circle on the floor. The silence was so loud.
Sirius seemed to be looking at Regulus' bed. There was a picture frame on his nightstand, as well as a pile of books.
The Slytherin dorm was similar to theirs, just less chaotic.
"Are we just gonna sit here in silence, or are we gonna do this?" asked Regulus. Barty leaned close to him when he said this and whispered something in his ear, making James's head flood with jealousy. He wanted to be that close to Regulus.
Regulus looked disgusted at whatever Barty had said because he moved away from him slightly.
They began brewing the potion in silence. Well, when James says 'they,' he means Regulus. He was obviously the best at Potions and did not mind doing all the work.
While he worked, Sirius looked at him longingly. James did the same. Meanwhile, Barty helped Regulus tie his hair back into a very short ponytail, which made him look amazing. James felt another pang of jealousy at this.
"So...Reggie, how have you been?" Sirius asked, and Barty sent him a glare.
"Don't call me that," Regulus snarled. Merlin, why did he look so good when he was angry?
They were silent for a bit after this before Sirius spoke again. "You still like astrology?"
Regulus looked up from the potion and glared at him. "I'm trying to finish this."
Barty, yet again, glared at Sirius. James was starting to get annoyed with him.
"You almost finished that book that Pan got you?" Barty asked, leaning back, boredly. It was almost like he was saying, 'Haha, I can talk to him, and you can't.'
"Halfway done. It's very interesting," Regulus responded, and Sirius saw the hurt expression on Sirius's face. James had heard Sirius say how he wants to try and convince Regulus to run away. He is convinced that Regulus declined the first time because he was scared. Personally, James would be delighted if Regulus lived with him.
James realized he hadn't spoken yet. "This is awkward, isn't it?" He laughed nervously, which caused Regulus to look up and glare at him. He loved those angry looks.
Sirius then took up and walked to his brother's bed. If the other two were bothered by this, they did not show it. They did not say anything, nor did they acknowledge Sirius.
Sirius seemed to just scan all of Regulus' items, especially the photos.
"You know, two of our friends are with Rosier," James said, and at the mention of his boyfriend's last name, Barty's head shot up.
"We know," mumbled Regulus, and James nodded.
"The other Slytherin was very rude to Mary since she's Muggleborn," Sirius said, looking at Regulus curiously. Regulus did not respond; he looked as though he did not care. Which he probably didn't.
"Regulus, why are you reading 'Pride and Prejudice'?" asked Sirius, sounding amused.
"Why are you interrogating me?" snapped Regulus, still focused on the potion.
James decided to try and be helpful. "Do you need any help?" he asked, and Regulus shook his head, giving James another glare.
Silence, again.
"How mad would you be if I snuck off to 'girls' night' and left you here?" Barty asked with a grin, speaking to Regulus, who gave him a death stare.
"Okay then," muttered Barty, clearly getting the message.
"I'm almost done. We just have to wait for it to cool, and then we can 'discuss, compare, and contrast,'" Regulus yawned. He was quoting the piece of paper, which said they needed to write an essay for each potion. Fun.
He pushed the cauldron away and put out the fire that was under it.
"How long do we have to wait?"
"One hour."
"Can't we just finish it tomorrow?"
"If we finish it today, then we can finish the project quickly."
Barty and Regulus spoke so naturally to one another, like they were anticipating each other's responses.
Sirius came back and sat next to James.
"You guys can leave and come back," Regulus suggested, his voice dry and bored.
"It's fine. We can wait here," Sirius responded quickly.
And...Silence...
James was happy that Sirius wasn't angry like he was yesterday. Sirius was extremely upset that Remus was in a group with a man that fancied their friend. Yet he still refused to admit that he liked Remus. He is truly a strange man.
Barty seemed to get bored of the silence, and he turned to Regulus.
"Girls' night seems better than this," he frowned, and Regulus rolled his eyes, instead focusing on the potion.
Barty, exasperated with Regulus, turned to James. "You're awfully silent."
"Hey, I'm just trying to avoid arguments and tension...and stuff," James tried to defend himself. It was only half a lie; he just couldn't speak around Regulus. Every time he sees him, it takes his breath away.
Barty didn't ask Sirius the same question, glaring at him instead.
"Okay, I'm done being quiet. Let's talk!" announced Sirius. He was being cautious around Regulus, but he seemed to grow tired of it.
"Reggie, come on, little brother, talk to me!" he grinned, and Regulus looked at him, visibly appalled.
"You're clearly more of an idiot than I thought," Regulus stated. Regulus was still evading eye contact with Sirius.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Are you joking right now?"
"You're being ridiculous."
"Excuse me!"
James could sense an argument, so he decided to stop being a quiet little child and actually do something.
"BOTH OF YOU, SHUT IT," he said loudly, making both brothers flinch. "Now that I have your attention, you guys seem to forget that we had to tolerate each other all year, so NO FIGHTING," he added.
Sirius nodded, and Regulus stared at him with a look that he couldn't quite decipher.
"I'm going to take a walk," Sirius announced before standing up and walking out of the room.
"I need to tell Evan that we are gonna work late," Barty sighed, but immediately after, he looked to Regulus, like he was asking for permission. Regulus gave him a small smile and nodded.
That smile made James' heart skip.
Barty left, and it was just Regulus and James left in the room.
In awkward silence.
"Hey, I know this is awkward, but we could make this work, maybe be friends?" suggested James with a smile, but Regulus just glared at him.
"Let me make this perfectly clear, Potter. I hate your guts, and I am only here with you because I have to be."
That's when James's heart stopped.
That hurt too much, but he masked his face with a grin and nodded.
He would just cry later.
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Regulus yawned, his eyes heavy. He knew he should have told James that he hated him, but he was so upset after seeing Sirius.
"We can continue tomorrow, you know," James said, and Regulus glared at him.
"No, it's—" a yawn stopped Regulus from completing his sentence, "I'll just take a short nap," he said instead.
Laying his head on the comfortable floor, he found himself drifting off to sleep. Regulus heard shifting around him. Suddenly, someone was lifting his head. He couldn't find the energy to protest as his head was placed on James' lap. Regulus was too tired to comprehend what was happening.
"Thanks," Regulus mumbled, barely awake. He felt a hand in his hair and let out a small huff. James took his hand out of his hair at this, and Regulus sighed.
"Sorry, I—"
"Mm, continue," he muttered, taking James' hand and putting it back in his hair. He could hear James chuckle before continuing to play with Regulus' hair.
He drifted off to sleep, feeling a happy bliss wash over him.