Chapter 6 - Yule Ball
Regulus' go-to answer should not be 'yes'- especially when he didn't hear the question.
Now he was sucked into a date with Annalise Carter, despite his better judgement.
"You look great, Regulus." Claudette said as she exited the bathroom putting in her sparkly, opal earrings.
Regulus buttoned up the last pearl shaped button of his cream blouse, tying it at the bottom.
A flowy, ruffled cape-like part of the blouse hung over his pale shoulders.
He wore tight black pants and dress shoes- stepping slightly out of the box when it came to his dance attire.
Claudette had applied the slightest amount of copper eyeshadow under his eyes, making the grey pop.
He ran his finger through his curls, in attempt to control them as he looked into the mirror- Claudette joining beside him.
"You think?" Regulus questioned.
She wore a long, baby blue dress that had tulle ruffled layers. At the chest was a white lace swirl design that coordinated with the same design at the sleeves.
The top dipped low- in a V shape showcasing her silver necklace with some type of bird, that Regulus couldn't determine.
She wore a soft brown eyeshadow and her lips were a glossy dark pink.
"Please, people wish they were half as pretty as you." Claudette jeered as she popped her lips together to spread her lip gloss.
A knock on the doorframe caught the attention of the pair.
"Evening ladies." Ivan greeted with a teasing smile.
He wore a brownish red velvet suit, over a cream button up with dark brow dress shoes. His long messy hair was pushed behind his ears.
"Did ya tell James the about Bethany?" Ivan questioned, joining the duo by the full-body mirror.
Regulus rolled his eyes, "You know that's not her name."
"You avoided the question." Ivan hummed with a smirk.
"Of course I didn't tell James", Regulus huffed still taming his hair, "James is many things- and one of those is extremely possessive."
"So Regulus' genius idea is to just spring it on him." Claudette teased with a laugh.
"That'll work out well", Ivan chuckled as he turned, grabbing Claudette's hand and pressing a kiss to her knuckles, "You look lovely."
She smiled at him, blushing- at least Regulus thought she did, but he couldn't tell if she was actually blushing or it was just the makeup.
"Obviously neither of you have had hot jealousy sex." Regulus chuckled, Claudette joining in as Ivan grimaced.
"Great, you'll be eye-fucking the entire Champion's dinner." Ivan groaned.
"Can you finish bickering so we can actually attend the Ball?" Claudette quipped as she moved her dark hair- tightly curled at the ends- in front of her shoulders.
Ivan looked towards Regulus, gesturing towards the door, "Ladies first."
"I'm going to punch the next person that says that to me." Regulus hissed walking out the door anyways.
"Five galleons says it's James." Ivan quipped holding his hand to Claudette for her to shake.
"Bet." Claudette giggled shaking Ivan's hand.
The couple made their way out of the room, in pursuit of Regulus who had waited for them at the end of the hall.
"I don't know what's worse, third- wheeling you two or having to hang with Annalise and her friends." Regulus groaned as their steps fell into sync.
"Oh come on, Reggie, you know you love us." Ivan quipped throwing his arm onto Regulus' shoulder.
Regulus' shrugged the boys arm off him, "Claudette maybe, not you."
Claudette laughed at that as Regulus' smile seeped through his pretend annoyance.
The trio headed down the set of steps where few students were scattered around the outside of the Great Hall.
Regulus swiftly pushed open the doors entering the unrecognizable Great Hall, Claudette and Ivan falling back a bit behind him.
The entire hall was decorated with Icicles and blankets of snow.
Round tables full of drinks and snacks of all kinds lined the walls.
In the middle was a large dance floor placed in front of a white stage, set up with all kinds of instruments as soft music filled the air.
To the furthest wall was a trio of large Christmas tree, dusted with snow- the middle towering over the others by a significant amount.
The room had a soft blue glow and the glittering lights floated by the ceiling.
A few students danced around the floor, whilst most were enveloped in conversations- their attentions moving towards the open door.
Regulus knew the eyes were on them, as the chatter came to a soft whisper.
However much Regulus hated the attention, he did choose a more- standout- outfit, so he tried to accept the attention for what it was.
Regulus stuffed his hands into his pockets his eyes stopping upon James.
His hair was neat and tidy- at least compared to his usual. He wore a cream button up under a dark grey waistcoat.
His suit jacket was black with a deep red step lapel. Red outlined his pocket where a cream pocket square was tucked in.
Regulus found it amusing their ability to coordinate unintentionally.
If he didn't feel pretty before, he definitely did now with James' gaze on him.
Regulus looked the boy up and down- less discreetly then he should have- a smile growing on his face.
"Punch?" Regulus suggested to the two behind him, before victoriously gliding towards the closets drink table.
"We're gonna go dance." Claudette explained to Regulus before dragging Ivan away.
Leaving Regulus by himself, pouring punch into his cup.
"Mother'll freak when she finds out."
Regulus whipped around to see Sirius.
His long dark hair- messy, in his own Sirius way. He wore a white button up under a black waistcoat that matched his black dress pants and shoes.
He had his hands tucked into his pockets, acting casual as if their last conversation they'd had hadn't been eons ago.
Regulus wasn't entirely sure he'd remember the last genuine conversation he'd had with his older brother.
"Mothers not going to find out." Regulus spat, coming off harsher than he'd meant to.
Sirius held his hands up in surrender, "Not like I'll tell her."
"What do you want, Sirius?" Regulus asked, curious as to what brought this conversation on.
"I just-" Sirius started.
"Regulus!" Annalise called as she headed his way.
Her hair was pinned up into a braid crown, decorated with sparkly barrettes.
She wore a long simple sparkly pastel purple dress.
The waist had a bedazzled belt that matched the straps of the dress.
It had a sweetheart neckline that curved down, displaying her chest.
As she got closer the clicking of her dark charcoal silver heels, grew louder.
Regulus looked from her back to Sirius, urging him to finish.
Sirius paused, sighing defeatedly, "You look nice, Reg."
Regulus was taken aback, but he masked his shock.
Softly, he smiled at Sirius before Annalise's small stubby fingers latched around his wrist, dragging him away from the older boy.
Regulus couldn't help but resent the girl for pulling him away- away from the only civil conversation he'd had with Sirius since he was eleven.
Annalise dragged him over towards a pair of girls.
"You both know Regulus", Annalise started, "Regulus, this is my best friend Tamara."
The girl wore a dark velvet green dress that hugged her hourglass figure and then ruffled outwards in a mermaid style.
The sleeves hung off her tan shoulders and she was covered head-to-toe in the most expensive jewelry.
Her roots were dark, but the rest of her hair was blonde- perfectly straighten and hanging down past her shoulders.
Her eyebrows were fuller and her eyes were as green as her dress. She had a beauty mark to the left of her cupid's bow.
"And her girlfriend Claire." Annalise finished gesturing towards the other girl.
She had short bob-cut strawberry blonde hair and light brown eyes- lighter than the splatter of freckles all around her face.
She wore a short sheer yellow dress that fell a little above her knees.
The long sleeves that hung off her shoulders were a puffy yellow see-through mesh, that traveled down to her forearm before slimming down to normal sleeve width.
At her waist was a floral belt-like design, full of all kinds of berries and plants. Flowers made from gems scattered around the area of the belt piece.
The piece matched down to the last detail with the crown that sat upon her head.
She wore strappy tan sandals allow with all kinds of anklets- Regulus figure- she'd made herself.
"Regulus? As in Sirius' little brother?" Claire asked with a giggle, "Holidays must be eventful."
Regulus pressed his lips together before mumbling, "You have no idea."
The music grew louder as the Champions and their dates were guided onto the dance floor.
Regulus didn't pay much attention to Evangeliya or Jacques and their dates, but James and Lily- dancing in perfect sync.
The orchestra played beautiful symphonies as the pairs danced.
Lily wore a scarlet dress that was short in the front and ruffled longer towards the back.
The dress had a V-neckline that dipped low.
Her fiery red hair was placed into a low bun with strands pulled out to frame her face.
She danced hand-in-hand with James swiftly even in her black high heels with silvery bedazzled straps around her toes, ankle, and heel.
The dress looked beautiful on her, like everything did on Lily.
Regulus loved Lily- he did- but he'd always envied the girl.
James had liked her for much longer, way before him and Regulus were ever a thing.
And how could Regulus blame him?
He'd never have her unique fiery red hair or her long defined legs.
She had perfectly sized hands and they were always warm, unlike Regulus'.
She was fuller in a completely gorgeous way- something Regulus could never do with his metabolism that gives him his skeleton-like build.
Her green eyes were so pretty and her lips were full and naturally pink.
Not only was Lily exceptionally gorgeous, she was kind and gentle.
She was incredibly smart and caring.
And she wouldn't have to hide her relationship.
She could give James everything- a public relationship not confined to empty classrooms and hallways, a relationship supported by his best friends and the people he cared most about, a future not completely thrown up in the air by her family.
And even though Regulus knew she'd never- as she seemingly preferred the female company- the insecurities were still there.
Regulus knew James and Lily were only close because they were each other's beards- the front to their true sexualities.
Regulus didn't ask why Lily hadn't come out, it wasn't his business and maybe- maybe she had a reason quite like James'.
The song came to an end as other students entered onto the dance floor.
Before he knew it, Annalise had dragged him onto the dance floor- placing her hand on his shoulder and the other intertwining their fingers.
Regulus placed his free hand on her waist as they slowed moved around in circles like they had at dance lessons.
They pair danced for quite a few songs beside Tamara and Claire, before the songs grew to be more upbeat.
After a while Regulus found himself silently standing as the three girls gossiped by the dance floor.
Sick of the constant giggling and whispers, Regulus snuck away to the punch table- wishing desperately that his brother and friends had spiked it.
They didn't- to his utmost dismay.
Regulus stood, leaning ever-so-slightly on the table as he scanned the room for his boyfriend.
He placed his cup down, unsuccessful at spotting James in the crowd.
A hand grasped his ankle causing him to jump.
Regulus furrowed his eyebrows, looking for anyone watching, before crawling under the tablecloths table.
"What the hell are you doing under the table?" Regulus quizzed with a laugh.
"Why are you on a date with Annalise Carter?" James questioned.
Regulus could feel the jealousy radiating from the boy.
"It's not a date", Regulus assured as he failed holding back his smile, "Will you just go and have some fun, yeah?"
James only frowned more looking Regulus up and down before whining, "But you're so pretty."
Regulus sighed. He knew how much the both of them wanted to be there together and couldn't.
Regulus grabbed the boys chin with his finger and thumb before pulling James' lips to his.
It was a soft, assuring kiss, that lasted longer than Regulus intended- James deepening it as Regulus tried pulling away- which he didn't mind.
Regulus pulled away moving towards his ear as he whispered to the boy, "I'm all yours after this."
Regulus placed a soft kiss to the boys temple before slipping out from under the table.
He discreetly dusted himself off, before casually returning back to the group of girls- who acted as if he hadn't left.