HOLD HER PART 2
Today was a shared class in Divination. Regulus doesn't see much use for the subject, the antithesis of his divination partner and close friend, Pandora Lestrange. She was a whimsical being with curious mannerisms but that was why Regulus found her so refreshing to be around. She points out what isn't always obvious and never judges anyone for anything. For those traits alone, she's the only person he's been able to talk about regarding you.
After the fiasco at the courtyard following your bogart lesson, it's become incredibly obvious to Regulus how attached he's become to you. And vice versa. Over Lupin, you had gone to him for comfort. He was the one to wipe away your tears, he was the one to lovingly pet your hair, he was the one to whisper sweet reassurance into your ear, he was the one who held you tight until your shaking figure calmed and you were no longer sobbing helplessly into his shoulder.
"You like her," Pandora had declared, matter-of-factly after the event. He had gone to her, unable to fully articulate his feelings and needed guidance from someone who wasn't naturally disparaging. "As more than a friend," Pandora elaborated further when her brief answer didn't satisfy him, sending the youngest Black brother spiralling. It was a reality he had been actively denying in an attempt to distance himself from you. His family were dangerous people and so were his forced associations – he didn't want to burden you with that type of peril.
Ever since that day, owing to his whispers of protection, Regulus avoided you adamantly. It wasn't easy, however. You didn't make it easy. Being your precious, cheerful self, you didn't antagonise him for his sudden distance. Whenever you would catch his eye, you would flash him a smile. It's as bright and warm as he remembers – you haven't changed at all in spite of his obvious avoidance.
"You are conflicted," Pandora whispers from beside him as the objectives for the lesson are laid out by their divination professor — they were to use their crystal balls to attempt looking into their partner's future. The procedure follows the same steps as their previous lesson, where they were tasked with looking into each others' past. There were only a few tweaks that needed considering for future sight so it was simple enough. "There's no need to distance yourself from someone who brings you such peace, Regulus," she smiles at him serenely, not a trace of judgement in her eyes as the professor finally allows them to commence their set tasks.
"It's for a good reason—"
"You aren't protecting her," Pandora takes the lead and begins the ritual as Regulus grumbles opposite her, "You only succeed in denying her and yourself happiness. It's time to stop, yes?"
Regulus doesn't want to answer regardless of her truthful observations, "Do you see anything about my future?"
With grace, Pandora allows the change in subject and focuses on her crystal ball. The two of them actively ignore a growing dispute occurring not too far from their table. The pair protests their tasks, questioning the validity of divination and doubling down on their claims of the subject being pointless once the professor makes his way over to interject. Regulus scoffs under his breath, eyeing the duo critically in his peripheral.
"They're only trying to divert attention from their own incompetence," Regulus returns his gaze to Pandora, feeling apologetic over her needing to concentrate twice as hard because of the distracting background noise.
Pandora hums in agreement but keeps her main focus on the crystal ball until she's finally able to conjure up a light grey cloud. The achievement steals Regulus' attention – he's always been fascinated by his friend's ability in the subject; she makes the practice more believable to the pale Slytherin and the lessons more interesting to partake in.
"What was that, Black?!" one of the temperamental duo snaps, having heard Regulus' snide comment. It wasn't appreciated and the tension in the air suddenly came alive with the heated rage emanating from their combative classmates. But Regulus pays his aggressor no mind; he kept his attention solely on Pandora and the ball, which now swirled with a stormy cloud compared to the previous light grey — it took the concentration of both people to make the task work and Regulus wasn't going to put his friend's efforts to waste. "Hey! I'm talkin' to you—!" upset at being ignored so flippantly, the classmate reaches over and pushes their table.
Suddenly, the crystal ball was flung off its stand, propelled by the forceful jolt and sent crashing to the stone floor. It was a majestic disaster with glass pieces sent flying across the cold stone as the stormy cloud from within the ball was released into the air in a screen of opaque, dark-grey smoke. All attention is on the emitted fumes and gasps can be heard about the room as the cloud begins to create a clear picture, painted in vibrant colours so that all witnesses had no doubts about what they were seeing.
The smoke formed the undeniable image of Regulus, only, this version of him looked a little older. But he had the same elegant nose, perfectly permed hair, steel-grey eyes and sharp features. It was, without question, Regulus. The only difference was his serene smile. It looked natural on this older Regulus' face, his features appearing to melt into the expression as another figure emerged.
It was you.
"Merlin's beard, is that their future?" Regulus hears a faraway whisper. It grounds him in the realisation that he might be seeing what his life entails with you in the picture. Unable to breathe or move, Regulus continues to watch what plays out before him like a man possessed. Because, maybe this had the answers. He can no longer deny that you were an important person to him. But will that entail withdrawn yearning or a shared warmth?
Everyone watches as an older version of you appears before Regulus. You look so beautiful, mature and with an elegance that elevates your existing beauty. The way you look at Regulus makes it seem as if he had swiped all your troubles away; your beaming countenance conveys your carefree spirit while your smiling eyes convey a deep devotion to the Regulus you hold your hand up to cup the face of.
Regulus watches as he leans into your touch, eyes closed and with a peaceful smile on his face. He says something, then you say something and you're leaning up further so that your noses are touching and your lips are mere centimeters away from each other's. His heart almost stops beating in his chest at this point. But you take it one step further by tilting your head and pulling the image of him into a deep, heartfelt kiss. Squeals of delight were heard throughout the room, mostly from the girls as the guys quietly gasped, unable to realise that such a contented version of their usually stoic Slytherin classmate could exist.
It was at that moment that Regulus remembers Pandora's earlier words: there's no need to distance yourself from someone who brings you such peace. Regulus finally understands. All this time, he was being selfish. He was selfish by denying his happiness while simultaneously denying your happiness too. It wasn't his intention but that was what he had been doing and the guilt that pinched at his heart was painful. How could he deny such a cheerful and innocent person something as wonderful as happiness?
He was ashamed. But as he watched you and his future self embrace each other tightly before pulling away to look into each other's eyes, something began to tug at the strings of his heart. It was a yearning, a craving, a desperate need to see you and hold you and pull you into a kiss he only plans to deepen and never pull away from.
Future Regulus has his arms wrapped around your waist as your hands hold his face at either side, your fingers twitching in the temptation to comb through his inky, curled locks. It seemed like forever before you finally pulled away from one another and future Regulus leaned back to flick his wand, accio-ing a bouquet into his hands.
With fond eyes, Regulus watches your future self's reaction as if he were the one to bring you the flowers and not the future version of him. He savours the bright smile across your kiss-coloured lips and the little jumps you do. Cute. You always jumped like that to express your cute joy. It's so incredibly endearing, no wonder his future self was entranced and fully committed to bringing you simple joys over and over again. The edges of the scene begin to fade as the cloud becomes lighter and lighter in colour. Eventually, the vibrant colours of the scene begin to bleach out just as you hold the flowers to your face for a shy smell of the blossoms. The image fully bleeds away just as everyone witnesses future Regulus bring your spare hand up to his lips, where he kisses your knuckles while his chin brushes against your wedding ring. All the while, his own, matching marriage band glistens on his ring finger.
The class is silent as the professor vanishes the smoke completely and broken glass pieces with a flick of his wand.
"50 POINTS TO RAVENCLAW AND SLYTHERIN!" everyone is jolted from their frozen states at the booming elation of their divination professor, "Congratulations on a successful future reading Miss Pandora and Mr Black," he turns to the argumentative student from earlier and remarks somewhat patronisingly, "your pair could learn a thing or two from that,"
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
The gossip chain was immediately in motion after the class. By the time dinner had arrived for everyone, the entire school was privy to what had happened and Regulus was on the lookout for any indication that you may have heard the news too.
"WhAT?!" James Potter's incredulous squawk of disbelief was heard by everyone and Regulus had to bite back a smirk. Trust Potter to make things obvious – if James knows then you know too. "THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING! NOOOO!" James' protesting sobs soon became incoherent as he slumped against the dinner table, those closest to him patting his back as others avoid his theatrics completely, wanting to have a normal dinner for once. Some things were coherent enough such as: 'corrupted', 'married', 'please no', 'never let it happen', and 'not her'. All were expressed in varying degrees of distress and despair, as expected from someone who took it upon himself to adopt you as his baby sister despite the absence of any blood relation.
For now, Regulus can wait, he can hold his tongue, and he can keep himself from reaching out and pulling you into a long embrace. He had yet to apologise for his pathetic behaviour – what was he thinking distancing himself from you, thinking it would keep you safe when that only leaves the two of you vulnerable and deprived of the future you had the potential to share.
Looking over, he watches with fond eyes as you comfort James in a vain attempt to distract yourself from the gossip and becoming overly flustered. You're too precious. He'll allow himself one full day; he can, at least, keep himself away that long to help you digest what happened.
Appearing to sense his lingering gaze, you look up and meet his eyes. As predicted, you're immediately flustered and look away but not without trying to face him again and offer your usual warm smile. It's as if you're telling him it's okay, that you're okay with what's happened and what it all means for you. You look adorable, so cute and sweet. Why do you have to look like that and torture him further?!
No... he can't last a full day.
He won't even make it past the hour.