And so it begins
James POV
I had kept most of the crew on the ship, and had the others followed behind, to ensure nobody was recognized.
I doubt that the runaway heir to the throne could be recognized in his castle. I'm joking. of course he's going to be recognized. or maybe not. that's not the point. I think he's being dumb for coming back here.
"James, we're ready when you are," Remus whispered leaning over to me as we walked closer to the door.
i nod at remus and breathe in a shaky breath. "Let's get this over with." I push open the doors to the ballroom and adjust my hair. I notice a few people look over but nobody said anything.
Marlene and Dorcas move to the bar while Sirius and Remus run off somewhere into the crowd. Now I'm alone and I do not know what to do.
I walk around and grab a glass of wine walking over to a corner and leaning against the wall, observing the dancers. The women here are very pretty, dancing to the slow songs, but they're not my type. I suppose I prefer men, but at the same time, I wouldn't mind dating a women.
I take a sip of my wine as I let my thoughts pass through my head, wishing I was anywhere but here. I know that not all rich people, or royals, act inconsiderately, or only think for themselves, obviously considering my bestfriend was once a rich royal. I just don't understand why most of the rich don't give back to the poor.
which brings me to my next problem, the Black royal family and their associates, the Crouch family, the Malfoy family, and the Rosier family. all of them are stuck up pricks who only think about the next way to elevate themself.
My mother and father raised me to not care about who has money, but care about how they treat others. I live by that ideology. that's why my crew is so diverse. people who have run away, people who have been raised as pirates, and people looking for change. everybody is welcome.
I begin walking to the bar since i finished off my wine. I spot Sirius and Remus at the bar as well, talking while filling up their cups.
"Hey James!" Sirius says loudly, slurring his words, once I approach them.
"Hello Sirius. Remus." I say acknowledging Remus. "If I have to be here against my will, I'm going to need something stronger than wine." I say groaning, pouring a cup of whiskey.
"James you're being dramatic, it's not that bad." Remus said rolling his eyes, smiling. "Besides, once they play less slow music it'll be fun." I perked up at the idea of them playing dancing music before realizing this is a ball, and the music won't be like party music. I'll work around it, it's fine.
I think I drank too much, because the next thing I know, I'm in the middle of the dance floor dancing. I start running my hand through my hair and swaying my hips and moving around with Sirius.
Eventually Remus pulls us off the floor because he doesn't want to bring us anymore attention then we already got. I start drinking water to sober up, but I'm still very tipsy. "Remus I was actually having a..wonderful time mate." I say take a drink of water. "Why can't I always have fun moony?"
"James," He says looking at me sympathetically, "Do you need to go back to the ship?"
"No," I say quickly. "I quite enjoy being able to get off for a while. I'm going to explore, do you want to join me?" I ask both Sirius and Remus.
"I have to make sure Sirius doesn't bring himself attention. Sorry, James." Remus replys shrugging. I didn't care, I was asking to be polite if im being honest. I enjoy being alone sometimes.
I know that I shouldn't have danced but everybody was right; I do need to have more fun. I make eyecontact with a boy who has black curls and a light eyes as I exit the ballroom doors. He looks at me as if he's trying to figure me out. I smirk at him and wink as the doors shut.
~~~~~~~
Regulus POV:
I get out of the shower, my curls dropping over my eyes and water dripping down my face monotonously.
I enter my room seeing someone has laid out my suit for me. I dry off my body before putting the clothes on, allowing my hair to dry as time passes. It is 7:00pm. Almost time for me to go downstairs to attend the ball.
I know mother loves the attention she receives from hosting these balls, but I do not understand this one. It is August 14th, 1643, and I'm unsure why she would host a ball on a random Friday during the summer.
I realize I was more in my head than I realized because by the time I finished tieing my tie, it was already 7:15.
I run the towel through my hair one last time to try and dry it the best I could before I start to walk downstairs to the ballroom.
I greet the incoming guests as ordered by father. He wants me to prove I am a "true heir" unlike Sirius was. I'm nothing like Sirius. I prove my loyalty to the thrown unlike he did, running away and abandoning his duties.
I know it is harsh to say, but I hate that he left. Not that he left the thrown, or the kingdom, or even this God forsaken castle, but the fact that he left me. I'm his brother, his friend, and he ran away to Captain James Potter.
I'm unsure how he met Potter, but Barty told me that is where he ran off to. I'm also unsure how Barty found this out, but I suppose I don't need to know everything.
Potter stole my brother. and I don't hate him for it. I admire the fact that Potter has a better relationship with my brother than I do.
I shake another guests hand as I welcome them to our castle and tell them to enjoy their stay. As snap out of my thoughts I see my Father walk over to me.
"Hello, son."
"Hello, Father." I say hoping I'm not in trouble. He has a knack for finding me and figuring out the little mistakes I've done wrong.
"You can join the guests in the ball now boy." He pauses before nodding, signaling for me to do as he says. I nod my head in acknowledgment to his demand and walk into the ballroom.
I hear the music before I see it. I hear the strings of multiple instruments harmonizing together with a piano. When I finally glance over to the stage, I see people surrounding it, dancing with their respective partner.
I watch the married couples, and the people looking for a spouse dance with each other. I sigh knowing soon Mother and Father will try to set me up with more suitors. I don't mind the suitors themselves, all of them are lovely ladies. But that is infact the leading issue; they're women.
I shake my head to shake the thoughts from my mind, knowing I'd be in serious trouble if Mother or Father ever heard what I just thought.
I walk to the bar, finally being of age to drink. Originally I could only drink wine, but now I'm old enough to have everything. Although, I do not want to get heavily intoxicated, I enjoy the taste of wine. Not all alcohol in general, but wine is always delicious.
Time passes, I check my watch and see it is 9:00pm. Bored, I walk over to a corner near the stage as I observe a painting. Well, multiple paintings actually. But my favorite painting is the one of a group of people congregating in a forest. I'm unsure why it's the best, but it is.
The music starts to speed up and become more exciting to listen to, however not yet fast enough to be considered "party" music, as my mother would describe it. I turn away from the painting and lean against the wall, sipping my wine.
I watch the guests start to dance with my energy than when they were playing slow music. Out of the corner of my eye I notice a small group of people just a few feet away from the bar, dancing.
I start walking closer to the small group, to get better view, when I notice two boys dancing. oh my god-
My thoughts get interrupted when my father walks up to me. "Regulus, what are you doing" He asks, putting a hand on my shoulder, forcing me to look at him.
"Nothing father, just wandering towards the stage to hear them play better." I lie. I've gotten good at lying.
I see Father glance over to where I was looking before I quickly grab his attention.
"Is the something you need, father?" I ask, hoping he hasn't seen what I've seen.
"No, I suppose not. Carry on, Son" He says shaking his head before walking towards the guest who were waiting to talk to their King.
When I finally look up again, I know I wasn't mistaken. I see Sirius, my brother, drunk next to a boy with many scars running across his face. I try to search for the other boy, who I am 99% sure is Captain James Potter, but when I've finally spot him, he's walking to the ballroom doors.
I stare at Potter as he looks around before grabbing the door handle. I study him, wondering why he is here, and what he could possibly be doing. My thoughts start to race but stop abruptly when I make eyecontact with him.
James Potter spots me. We lock eyes for thirty seconds as he grins widely. He pushes open the ball door and winks at me right before it shuts.