Part 2
The Slytherin dorms were far from comforting to Regulus. The stones were cold and dark. The only light source being from lit candles from the chandelier on the roof. It was bare with hardly any furniture in it. There were books lined onto a bookshelf neatly tucked into a corner, it was directly next to a grand piano with bright white ivory keys. Armchairs sat themselves around a fireplace that was rarely used, a rug under them with swirling patterns decorating its surface. There was far too much green for it to be normal. Green, black and white with hints of silver. The only touch of colour was the dark brown of the wooden beams above Regulus. He was expecting Barty to stare at him up and down before asking him where he had been but he wasn't there tonight. It was odd considering how protective they were of each other despite all the rumours going around about Slytherins being heartless creatures. Regulus had always hated them since they were spread by the Gryffindors wanting some drama. Sirius always looked at the people who spread them with disgust and hatred. At least he was sticking up for his brother. At least.
Regulus wandered around the common room, feeling the walls. Focusing on the cooling sensation of the bricks between his fingers. He knew he had to go to his dorm but he couldn't find it in him to disturb the silence of the rooms. He was tired sure but he was still worried about being a nuisance. He hated interrupting people. Especially if he was taught to respect them or he genuinely liked the person, it was always the same. Regulus knew it was stupid but he was always taught to never interrupt or there would be consequences out of his control. Sirius never paid any mind to this warning but he would still knock on doors just to make sure. That was common decency but what Regulus had drilled into him was not. That was complete nonsense created by Mother to get him to stop talking. Like he ever talked much anyway. Light footsteps came from behind the door. Barty. He finally noticed. The door opened slightly when a pair of eyes came from behind it scanning the room.
"There you are I was wandering when you were going to show up." Barty said a slight smile creeping up onto his lips.
"Yeah, yeah me too."
"So where have you been?"
"Shut up Bart. I was out for a walk."
"For two hours?"
"Yeah so?" Regulus asked an eyebrow raised at his friends stupidity. He knew Barty was suspicious about his where abouts but never this much. Barty was starting to suspect something about where he had been. He was never awake past this point as well.
"Regulus!"
"Hm?"
"Stop spacing out for Merlin's sake!" Regulus flinched slightly the sudden change in volume. Barty didn't even notice. He was too busy glaring at him for not paying attention and being late. He would regret it later of course but now was not the time.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean too. My mind just wandered." Regulus muttered just loud enough to be heard. "I just had a rough day that's all."
"Rough day huh? Regulus when are you going to realise that that is not an excuse? You are lying to everyone. That's including yourself yourself!" Regulus stiffened. An apathetic mask rose up on his face. Hiding all emotion. Cowering under the voice in front of him. Accusing him. He couldn't bear the weight of his friend's anger. He felt his breaths get shallow. His mind was whirling but he couldn't show anything. Not now. Maybe later when no-one was around. "Don't you dare hide from me. Slip that stupid little façade of your face. No wonder nobody knows you that well. You hide from everything. Everyone." Barty sneered, knowing that Regulus couldn't speak anymore. He knew that he couldn't retaliate. He knew the consequences facing him and he was willing to pay them. Regulus had always guarded himself around others but it annoyed Barty that he did it in front of his friends. He shouldn't have to worry if Reg was truly fine or was still guarding himself. It was tiring for him. He had enough. Why should he have to deal with this. Why was he the one that had to make sure that everyone was alright? He had his own issues after all.
Regulus could barely keep standing up but he was in the middle of the room. The only way he could get support is sitting on the floor but Barty wouldn't have allowed it. Not whilst he is in one of his moods. Barty's anger issues never mixed well with him. It made him feel helpless. Only Evan could stop him but he was asleep. Crap. Evan was asleep. All of his fears were together. He couldn't disturb anyone, he could do anything without getting yelled at and his friend was yelling at him. He wished that this was a nightmare but much to his disappointment it was very real. He didn't have the energy to fight back. He couldn't. It was already hard enough to stand up let alone argue with him. He couldn't keep his thoughts straight, they were flying through his mind cramming his head with noise. Whispers riddled his ears, dancing to the tune of his darkest thoughts. They held him under their grasp as they told him what he should be doing, making him feel guilty, worthless. They reminded him of who he was but as much as he wanted to he couldn't let the mask drop. Something would stop him every time. He had to pretend. He had to be "fine" even though everybody knew so there was no point in hiding.
His legs felt like they were on the verge of giving up. They felt weak. Unable to support his weight. He could hear his heart pounding. It seemed to want to escape his chest, to run away from all his problems, not unusual, it was him after all. His head was spinning faster and faster, making him dizzy. His eyesight buzzed, blurring the lines of the world around him. They trapped him in a room. He couldn't breathe. The room went black and he could feel himself falling. It was the first thing he could feel after Barty yelled at him. The only time his senses didn't fail him.