a celebration
★ Chapter IV: Regulus
Barty’s sudden entrance to the party doesn't go unnoticed. Immediately, students point him out to friends, some side-eyeing, some smiling. A couple come up to Barty, congratulating him and patting him on the back. Regulus is impressed by the mask Barty can put over his emotions. Very different from the boy in the bathroom a couple of minutes ago, he now stands with a relaxed, laid-back stance, smiling slightly at his peers.
It's a hot night and windows are thrown open, crickets chirping and humidity seeping into the room. Firewhisky bottles are here and there, and miraculously there are no spills on the carpet so far. Music plays from a hidden record player and students dance and mingle to the fireplace to the table piled with snacks on the other side of the room. It’s hot and stuffy, cigarette smoke clings to people’s clothes as Regulus walks past them.
Someone shoves the girl talking to Barty aside and hugs him. It’s Evan. Barty laughs and sends a friendly wave to the girl as she takes her hint and turns to leave. Remus also disbands the trio, heading in Lily and James’ direction.
“You drunk, Rosier?” He asks the boy, who pulls back and shakes his head.
“Only a little,” He reaches for Barty’s hand, “I was worried about you.”
Barty’s face flushes slightly at Evan holding his hand and he looks around to make sure no one has noticed.
Regulus turns his head so fast he thinks he might have whiplash, pretending to be looking behind them at God knows what. He taps Barty’s shoulder and says a quick goodbye, making a beeline straight to Sirius, who is near the cold fireplace, drink in hand. He turns away from the students Regulus doesn't know when he calls his name, a smile on his face.
“Reg!” Sirius says, stepping back from the group of Gryffindor students to face Regulus. His face is flushed and he looks like he might fall over with only a poke to the arm. Regulus puts a steadying hand on his older brother’s shoulder.
“The party’s barely started and you’re already fucked up?” Regulus laughs. “Whatever happened to setting a good example for me?” He teases.
“Ha, ha,” Sirius laughs sarcastically as he tips his cup back to his mouth, frowning when he finds it empty.
“James!” Sirius pushes Regulus’ hand off as he looks behind Regulus’ head at the trio joining them. James, Lily, and Remus all greet Regulus with smiles.
“Wow, I really feel the love,” Remus says as Sirius ignores his wave and goes straight into James’ arms for a hug. Lily takes the empty cup from his hand while he’s distracted.
Regulus laughs. He hardly ever sees Sirius drunk, it’s always a pleasant reminder to see how he gets. He gets so loving and clingy.
“He’s going to have a killer hangover tomorrow,” Regulus says to Remus and Lily, loudly enough to hear him over the chatter and music.
“For sure, It’s going to be a pain dragging him out of bed tomor- oof.” Remus is cut off as he is suddenly carrying Sirius’s full weight as he collapses onto him, apparently done clinging onto James.
Sirius says something into Remus’ ear that makes him blush and look away. What was with all the couples tonight? He needed to find a bucket to throw up in.
Regulus rolls his eyes and turns to the newly freed James. “Where’d you get that?” He asks, nodding to the alcohol he’s holding.
“This is shit,” James says, grimacing as he takes another swing, “I’ve got some good stuff in my room. I've been dying to have an excuse to bring down. Wait here one moment.”
Regulus nods as James pats him on the shoulder and heads up the stairs to the dorms.
“Apparently he’s got dragon barrel brandy up there,” Lily says to Regulus. “He’s been going on about it all night, you're a savior for bringing it up.”
Regulus smiles. “No problem at all, I love helping. And getting shitfaced.”
Lily laughs. “Just save some for me!” She shouts as someone turns up the music.
“Oh, I love this song.” She says, and grabs Remus’ hand. “Dance with me!”
“Well- I'm not much of a dancer. Lily!” Remus tries to protest, but he’s already being dragged away. Sirius looks confused for a second, but shrugs and follows the pair as he puts his hair up into a ponytail.
Regulus waves him goodbye and rolls his eyes again as Sirius blows him a goodbye kiss, the overdramatic tosser.
He watches the room as more and more people drag their friends into the middle of the room to dance. Soon enough, everyone seems to be caught up in the fun. He’s pretty sure he sees Dorcas Meadowes and Marlene McKinnon steal a kiss, but they're soon lost in the crowd. Hah. Peter owes him five galleons.
What was taking Potter so long? Regulus crosses his arms impatiently and looks up the staircase as if that’ll magically cause James to appear. He sighs and says out loud “fuck this” to no one in particular, then makes his way up the stairs to the Gryffindor boys' dormitories.
He knocks once on the door before letting himself in. He’s been here once before, last year, when Sirius didn't know what to wear for his first Slug Club meeting. Regulus, being recruited before him, was happy to help. And also happy to gloat Slughorn had chosen him first the whole time.
The room hadn't changed much. Still messy, with clothes and books scattered around. Peter’s bed was the only one made. Cups of long-cold coffee and tea sit on Remus’ bedside table and so many Quidditch posters hang near James’ bed, you can hardly see any wall.
James is kneeling on the floor, an upturned floorboard beside him. The brandy bottles are still neatly lined up, none taken out yet.
As Regulus walks closer, he can see why the bottles have been forgotten. James is clutching a picture in his hands, cradling it like it’s precious. Regulus swears he sees James hastily wipe away a tear as the older boy turns to look up at him.
The picture was taken from last summer holiday. Regulus remembers it clearly. Remus and Peter had stopped by for the day, joining James and the Black brothers. Regulus would have been perfectly fine sticking to what he had been doing all summer: lying around with his books, taking long naps, or helping Effie with any cleaning or cooking. But Sirius had dragged him outside under the hot sun. Oh, it was so hot that day.
They had gone out to the creek nearby, packing a bag of food. They had splashed in the cold water and slipped on the wet rocks, and done their best but failed to catch any minnows. They ate sandwiches with grass and mud sticking to their bare feet. They were sweaty and dirty but had such a great time.
Sirius had taken a picture to remember, always the one for sentimental shit. In it, James was splashing Peter with water in the background, where Regulus laughed and stood out of the splash zone, his hands up to block the stray drops. Sirius was closer, holding the camera as he squished his face into Remus’ cheek as he took a bite of his sandwich.
“Potter?” Regulus says lightly, trying not to startle the other boy.
“Oh, hey,” James says without looking up. “Uh, sorry. The brandy. Right.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Regulus says and sits down next to James who still hasn't moved.
“I remember that day. I got so sunburnt, it hurt like hell.” Regulus says softly, taking the picture out of James’ hands.
Regulus smiles in satisfaction as he looks over and sees this has made James grin.
“It was probably worse because you Blacks are practically vampires, though.” The Gryffindor says.
Regulus laughs. “That is true. Don’t tell anyone my secret though, or I’ll be forced to kill you.” He raises his eyebrows as he adopts what he hopes is a creepy voice. “Or make you one of us.”
James smiles and then his face falls. He swallows. “I’m scared for Remus. Last tournament, all three champions died.”
“Hey, he’ll be okay. It’s Remus, for Merlin’s sake. He’s strong.”
“More than you know,” James says, absentmindedly. It probably wasn't meant with any ill intent, but the tone he uses rubs Regulus the wrong way. Like James was more inclined to care about Remus than Regulus. Like he was in on a special secret.
Regulus scoffs. “Actually, I do know. We’re mates too, you know.” He’d meant to have a joking tone, but poison seeps in.
James looks at Regulus, eyes wide. “No, I just–sorry. It’s like. He’s got this thing–I'm not supposed to tell anyone, though.”
Did Potter think he had half a fucking brain? Why had he thought Remus hadn’t trusted Regulus enough to tell him that he was a werewolf? Because he had. And even if he wouldn't have told him, it was so obvious. Potter must have thought him a bloody idiot.
“You do realize that Remus has best mates other than you and Sirius, right? God, you don’t own him.” Regulus says, rolling his eyes.
James narrows his eyes. “That’s not what I said!”
“But it’s what you thought,” Regulus hisses, then leaves the room. On his way out, he grabs a brandy bottle and takes a long drink.
Back downstairs in the warmth of things, Regulus runs into the girls.
Lily is excited, Mary and Marlene are hanging off of her, all talking at once. From what Regulus can make out over the loud music, they want to play a game of truth or dare. They want to know if he’ll join, they promise him it’ll be loads of fun.
Well, why the fuck not?
They gather up some more friends and Regulus drinks more of the whiskey. He’s hot. He rolls up the sleeves of his shirt and runs a hand through his hair. Dorcas is eager to join, as well as Peter and Gilderoy. Others filter in, joining the growing group as they settle down by the fireplace.
To his absolute distaste, James sits down across from him on the carpet. He acts normal, chatting with the people beside him. But Regulus would know a fake smile anywhere.
Then, the questions start. Regulus has a hard time focusing, his mind foggy. Honestly, he can’t really remember what he was upset about twenty minutes ago, but he still glares at James.
Pandora dares Barty to paint his nails again, holding his hands in hers. Remus is smoking a cigarette, thanking the occasional person who comes up to pat him on the back and congratulate him.
It’s James’ turn to ask Remus.
“Truth or dare, Moons?”
Remus takes a drag of his cigarette. “Hmm, truth.”
“Are you scared?” James whispers. He seems almost confused, like he can’t believe those words came out of his mouth; that he actually asked. His big, brown doe eyes skip over to Regulus. Regulus looks away before he drowns in them. His chest is so warm. From the alcohol.
“Yes,” Remus says simply. He leaves it at that and snubs out his cig. Beside him, Sirius rubs a comforting hand on his back and scoots a little closer.
It’s Evan’s turn, and he –thank God- reads the room and tries to shift the tone back to lighthearted joy. He dares Lily to kiss someone, and she kisses James, sitting right next to her, on the cheek.
Resentment builds in his gut. Merlin, why was he even upset? What was he so torn up over- the Remus best mate thing? He was fuming over James, and at the same time feeling guilty. Because why did he have the right to be upset? He didn't. He was a hypocrite, really, fighting over Remus' friendship with him. James didn't own Remus, but, fuck, neither did he.
He’s pulled out of his jumble of thoughts as everyone cheers as a very red Evan Rosier kisses Barty’s cheek. Barty wipes it off playfully, pretending to gag. Lily grins, triumphantly. It does bring a small smile to his face. His mood is lighter as he floats along, not really paying attention to the conversation, taking more sips and grimacing as it starts tasting worse and worse in his mouth. At some later point, Dorcas and Marlene sneak away holding hands, heading up to the Gryffindor girl's dorms. Regulus chuckles and pokes Peter, and they snicker together.
“Remus, who will you choose for your trial partner?” Mary asks suddenly, her big eyes shining and reflecting the fireplace light with interest.
Remus shrugs and looks down, clearly not wanting to talk about it. “Not sure. Sirius, maybe? Not sure he would be much help, though.” He teases, nudging Sirius’ knee with his.
Sirius laughs. “You git! I would be a brilliant partner!”
“What? Remus? What about me?” James squawks, obviously offended that he hadn’t been his first choice.
Lily places a hand on James’ knee. “Don’t worry, love, you can be my partner.”
Does she call everyone ‘love’? Or just James? Regulus can’t remember. But he’s having a hard time thinking in general. He really should put down the bottle.
James smiles at Lily warmly. “Alright.”
Regulus takes another drink.
He hopes his hangover tomorrow won’t be too brutal. God knows Sirius' is going to be.