29th September - Regulus
The dog was back. Everyday this week, the same small, sad looking dog has been curled up on the pavement outside Regulus’ block of flats. Today, it was tucked in as close as possible to the side of the steps leading up to the entrance. The rain pouring down and soaking the poor thing only made it look even more sad. Despite the voice in his head telling him that this is not his problem, Regulus started moving towards it.
Hearing Regulus’ approach, the dog lifted its head. When it was clear that Regulus was actually walking over to the dog instead of the stairs, its tail began to wag. The poor creature was so weak that even this seemed lethargic.
Regulus crouched down beside the dog and reached out cautiously to check for a collar. The dog made no move to avoid his touch…
He was unsurprised to find no collar and a few small lumps that he guessed were most likely fleas.
The rain was getting heavier, soaking through Regulus’s jumper and reminding him of the October chill. He needed to get inside, but he couldn’t leave this dog out here, not now that he was almost certain it didn’t have a home to return to. Against his better instincts, Regulus scooped the dog into his arms, re-adjusting the very wet tote bag on his shoulder, and made his way inside.
He braced himself for his flatmates’ reactions as he pushed open the door, highly aware that bringing home a stray dog was very out of character for him. Evan and Barty’s heads turned towards him at the same time. They had both been sat on the sofa watching Stranger Things ‘to get them in the mood for spooky season’, as Barty had explained the night before.
“Is that a dog?” Evan asked, his voice filled with confusion with a matching facial expression.
Barty leaped out of his seat and rushed towards Regulus, making grabby hands and cooing.
“Oh, what a sweetie,” he started. Almost immediately after beginning to stroke the dog, he snatched his hand back.
“Reg…” he began, “it has fleas,” he said, his voice dripping with disgust.
Evan, still sat on the sofa, but now having paused the TV, pinned a stare on Regulus so venomous it could be the poster for ‘if looks could kill.’
“Tell me you didn’t bring a flea-ridden stray into our flat, Regulus, I am begging you.”
“Um… It’s possible that I brought a flea-ridden stray into our flat.” Regulus looked a bit sheepish, but his eyes were defiant. “It’s staying here tonight, and I’ll take it to Remus tomorrow to get checked out and deflead.” His voice trailed off as he added, “and then it’s staying here indefinitely.”
Barty and Evan looked at each other, both hearing Regulus’ last sentence. Communicating with just their eyes, as they often did, they appeared to come to some sort of conclusion between themselves.
“Ok,” Barty said, shrugging as he continued, “if that’s what you want.”
“I…” Regulus started, intending to question their quiet compliance, before deciding to just let it go and accept their lack of argument. “Ok. Great. Glad we all agree. I’m just gonna… Yeah.”
Smiling hesitantly and awkwardly, he headed towards his room, grabbing his towel off the rack it was drying on the way.
After drying the dog (which Regulus was now almost certain was a girl) as best he could, Regulus wrapped it in the towel and attempted to build a makeshift dog bed out of throw pillows. Beginning to strip out of his own soaked clothes, Regulus shook his head. What had he gotten himself into?