Party
Regulus fixates his eyes on Padfoot and jumps onto his back.
Padfoot, who until now has been having a relaxed sleep, jerks up in alert and tries to throw the black cat off his back.
He shouldn't have done that.
Regulus claws himself at his back even more in panic to get thrown against the nearest wall and break some body parts.
That's only partially the reason though. He really enjoys riling his brother up like that. It's his newest favorite thing to do.
After kissing James, that is.
Nothing could ever compare to the euphoria that comes over him whenever he is with James.
It's not healthy, especially after the little time they actually have spend time together.
It hasn't been often yet. They haven't discussed it either. Regulus isn't sure if they are only dating or already in a relationship and he doesn't know what he wants either.
He knows that he wants James. Always has, if he was being honest. He just didn't want to admit it until now.
But now he knows that he wants whatever James will give him. He'd be embarrassed if he wasn't so sure that James wants the same thing.
They only haven't talked about it. Tomorrow they will, Regulus resolves.
Tonight will be the 'famous' Gryffindor party that everyone has looked forward to. Regulus not included, obviously.
But he just so wants to come along, because of a specific boy that he can't help but think about all the time.
It's normally not common that a Slytherin spends time in the Gryffindor common room, or the other way around, but that does not apply to Partys. Partys are for everyone, no matter which house you are in.
So it won't be suspicious that Regulus will be there. Everyone would assume that it would be because of his brother.
He let's them. This way nobody questions if it is because of his brother's best friend.
He isn't afraid of some stranger finding out. He is afraid of his parent's reaction though.
He isn't as naive as to expect them to be fine with him being gay. They wouldn't accept it. And he isn't ready to lose them, not yet. He is not Sirius, he can't just escape and never look back.
He knows that what they do isn't right, god he knows that. And he wishes he would be brave enough to free himself.
He isn't though. He was always the quiet kid, the one that has submitted to everything his parents wanted from him. He isn't proud of that. It's just who he is.
Sirius was always the loud one. The rebel, the one who was loud about his views and disagreement with their parents.
Regulus has always admired that.
Regulus has always wanted to be like that.
If he would just be a little bit braver, a little bit more like Sirius, he would leave them.
But Regulus is not Sirius and will never be Sirius. Even though brothers, they are as opposite as two could be.
Or so he thought.
It seems like they share one thing. Only the one. The most important one.
Their love for the boy who is a little bit too bright for this world. The boy, who has so much love to give that it affects the people around him, making the evils of this world a little more tolerable. The boy who isn't a boy at all, but a man.
The kindest and most beautiful man who has ever existed.
And Regulus can call him mine.
He, who's shadows can darken any room he enters. Who can destroy people's life with a blink, not caring at all
What a funny world.
"Aww, look at you two snuggling like two best friends. If only I had my photograph here. Wait, let me search for it."
Regulus watches him through narrowed eyes, too tired to move. Sirius seems to have a similar thinking, as he doesn't move one bit.
They fought a bit against the other, but then decided silently that it was enough, as it was still too early in the morning, and dropped on the floor next to each other.
There were moments like these too. Where Regulus enjoys Sirius' company. He is his brother after all and he does miss him. Very much. When they are animagi it always seems like he has his brother back. Almost.
*click*
It's so bright. Regulus still isn't used to the flash of the camera. And with the sensitive cat eyes it seems even worse for him.
He has overcome the reflex to run away from the brightness though. Now he only reacts bored and tired, having his head on Sirius' back.
Sirius shifts and slowly distances himself from Regulus, before turning back to his human form.
He yawns and drops face down on his bed. He stays this way until the door opens and he tilts his head only to see Lupin there.
Regulus sees them smiling at each other, before remembering that they are not the only people on this room. He wants to roll his eyes.
Regulus decides at this exact moment that he is going to get them together this evening, he doesn't know how yet though. Maybe James will help him.
"Okay guys, we still need to plan the last bits for tonight."
The other three nod to Remus' plan.
"Alright. James and Sirius, you two sneak under the cloak to hogsmeade and get us some drinks. Not too much alcohol, you know that there will be third years too."
James and Sirius look at each other mischievously and Regulus really wants to go and not come to the party. These two together mean chaos every single time they do something together.
" Peter, you will go down to the kitchen and get some snacks. The house elves love you."
Pettigrew blushes at the compliment, but nods his head in agreement.
"Great. I will put some charms on the common room so that the teacher won't hear it, the girls are arranging the music."
"Does that mean we have to listen to ABBA the whole night?" Sirius groans in disapproval.
Lupin shoots him a pointed look.
"Even if, you will not be dramatic about it in front of them. They were nice enough to help us, because nobody of you lot wanted to do it. You all know how stressful the charms are."
Regulus can see that Sirius understands, and he doubts that he will say anything tonight, at least not so loud that the girls will hear it, but right now the dramatic git has to sulk so his ego won't be hurt too much.
The amount of times Regulus wants to roll his eyes because of these people, honestly.
But he has to go to his dorm now too. Maybe it is early in the morning and Saturday, which means there won't be lessons today, but he will spend time enough with the Gryffindors this evening and night, he needs to rest for that.
He yawns and stands up from where he lies on the carpet. James sees him going, acknowledges it with a smile but lets him go.
He has learned a thing or two since Regulus first appeared in his animagus form.
Good.
The rest of the day is dragging along without a real sense. Regulus rests a bit in his dorm, talks shortly with his friends, who will come along this evening as well, and rides his broom a bit in the noon after lunch.
He loves doing that. Flying relaxes him in a way that nothing else is able to. He lets his thoughts drift to various things, letting them be there for a while and then letting them go when they are drifting away from him again.
Maybe it is not productive, but it eases his mind, so when he walks to the library later in the afternoon and reads, nothing is able to distract him.
Well, the one person who could distract him from reading isn't there to do that, as he his under his cloak somewhere Regulus doesn't even want to know, but he sees it as a success anyway.
He has been reading for some time now, but when he notices the sun, which has wandered a good bit over the sky, he sighs and makes his way out of the library.
He guesses it's time for him to return to his common room and start getting ready for the Party.
He misses the silence already.
_____________________________
A few hours later he finds himself in front of the fat lady with his friends. It's completely quiet.
Have they confused the date? Or the time? Are they too early?
No, Regulus was certain that they are right on time, if not a little late.
Before he can think about it even more, the portrait opens and as if with that they were teleported into another reality, loud music blasts them in their faces.
Regulus looks up into James' face and his eyes fixate on his mouth that is formed into a big grin.
Oh, how he loves that grin.
"Come on in!" James waves towards them enthusiastically.
He pulls everyone into a short bro-like hug, until it's Regulus' turn.
James' grin widens when he looks down at him and, after he looked around and sees no one, pulls him into a heartwarming hug.
Regulus relaxes into the other boy's body and closes his eyes with a sigh.
It hasn't even been a whole day since their last hug, but he has missed it nevertheless.
And how much he has missed it.
They both take a quick step back when they hear a close sound and smile crookedly at each other.
Then they walk into the Gryffindor common room together.
Not daring to hold the other's hand, but it's enough for both of them.
For now.
ABBA is playing into Regulus' ear and is taking over his mind more with every given minute.
The alcohol helps him loosen up even more.
The firewhisky is burning in his throat, his stomach is hurting with every laugh that he can't control, his head is spinning through his hectic dancing with his friends as if hell could take over and they wouldn't notice.
It is a great party. Regulus is actually having fun.
Alcohol is dangerous, but Regulus knows his limits. He is still conscious enough to notice everything going on around him.
Some time around midnight Dorcas, one of his closest friends, disappears with a blond Gryffindor that Regulus can identify as Marlene McKinnon, and he is happy for them.
He is relaxed enough to leave the thought about having an intimidating conversation with the Gryffindor to know her intentions for later.
From time to time his gaze locks with James'.
They smile dumbly at each other, not giving a damn if somebody watches them.
It's just them. Fuck the others, they're not important.
In this state he is foolish enough to actually believe that.
It's getting late and slowly most of the guests are leaving the party, leaving only a few.
Everyone is pissed, but not yet tired enough to sleep.
The music isn't blasting off Regulus' ear anymore, it's still there, but mostly playing in the background.
He finds himself half-laying on a red couch surrounded by his friends.
Barry's legs are on Regulus' lap while his head is on Evans chest. Pandoras head is rested on Regulus' shoulder while a half-sleeping Dorcas, who has returned some time after disappearing, is cuddling her from behind.
Regulus fights a smile, until he asks himself why he doesn't let it be, and smiles lightly af the sight of his relaxed friends.
They are always like this. There is always this cliché that Slytherin are reserved and hate physical touch, but their friend group has never been like this.
They understand silently that all of them crave physical connections due to the lack of it in their homes, so they throw it around as much as they can.
Only among each other, of course.
Regulus hears voices coming closer and, after looking up, finds himself looking into the chocolate eyes of one James Potter.
Only a few moments later he realizes that he hasn't come alone, but with his friends.
This doesn't stop them from smiling at each other slightly though, a quiet understanding that they are here and they think about the other.
Their hidden glances are interrupted by a voice, that Regulus can identify as the one annoying voice of his brother.
"So, anyone wants to play truth or dare?"
Regulus wants to die.