Not Hot
Regulus’ POV
Regulus watched as the two boys danced across the Gryffindor table, trying to keep a grimace on his face. Although the music made that easy for him, their performance made him want to let down his stupid facade and laugh along with them. But he held on, forcing himself to watch as if disgusted.
Mcgonagall interference just made the whole thing funnier, as kids giggled and whispered while she told them off. Regulus assumed they’d get a week of detentions or so, maybe even be forced to help out in her class. He knew from when him and Sirius still spoke that neither of the boys liked transfigurations, so it really would be the perfect punishment.
He rolled his eyes when he saw them whisper to each other when Mcgonagall had reached the front of the room. She glared down at them, not saying something right away, until they stopped speaking in hushed tones.
“Quiet, boys!” she yelled out, earning giggles from all four. She just rolled her eyes and continued the sorting. The boy who had been interrupted and the usual uproar from Slytherin ensued, the boy beaming proudly as he walked towards the table.
This continued for another twenty or so minutes, first years mostly excited about their houses, while some frowned when separated from friends or family. Regulus knew what that felt like.
Finally, Dumbledore had finished his stupid speech, and the food appeared in front of them, laid out perfectly on the tables. Regulus just scoffed at the way the first years eyes widened and their mouths fell open when the food showed up. If they knew a bunch of house elves had slaved away to make it look perfect, he was sure they’d be less impressed with Dumbledore and more angry instead.
Although these were Slytherins he was talking about, most of them had no regard for living creatures. Even when they resembled humans, they were still seen as some sort of pet.
It disgusted him, but he had yet to say something about it.
His mind clicked back into the present moment as he heard Evan Rosier asking his opinion, a whining Barty Crouch at his side.
“What about you, Regulus? You find Barty attractive?”
Regulus tapped his finger on his chin, as if in thought. “Hm,” he hummed, “Now that I think about it, I don’t think I do.”
“Reggie! How could you?” Barty put a hand to his forehead and threw himself back, grabbing Evan’s arm for support, “I thought we were friends!”
Regulus laughed lightly, ‘Friends’, as if.
“Told you, Barty, no woman will ever want to date you if even your friends don’t find you attractive,” Evan gave a playful smirk.
But Regulus yet again noticed the word ‘Friends’. No, that’s not what they are. They’re acquaintances at best, but he’d let it slide for now. It’s like the word was too much of a hassle for either to pronounce.
“Bet,” Barty and Evan were shaking hands when Regulus looked up from his food.
“Oh Merlin, what are you two betting on this time?” He rolled his eyes at them to seem annoyed, although he enjoyed the stupid things they’d make each other do.
“Do you ever listen, Reggie?” Barty leaned in when he said it. “Whoever gets a girlfriend first has to pay for the other's Hogsmeade trip.”
“Like either of you will get a girlfriend,” he smiled at them, a sort of knowing look on his face. After knowing the duo for several years now, he had come to the realization that they’re gay. Most likely for each other.
“Rude!” Evan gasped, holding a hand to his heart in defense, “Surely I’ll get a date before Barty.”
Regulus scoffed at his roommates, listening to them for the rest of dinner.
-~-~-~-~-~-~-
The light from the sun blinded Regulus as he was awoken by his curtains being ripped open. He heard someone shouting something about him being lazy as he rubbed a hand down his face and groaned in response.
“Reggie, please,” Barty begged for him to get out of bed. “Don’t make me sit alone with Evan! He’s the worst,” he dragged out his words with an exaggerated tone.
“Fuck of, Barty,” Regulus said as he squinted up at the boy, grabbed a pillow, and hit him in the head.
“What was that for?” Barty yelled back.
“Waking me up!” Regulus sat up, stretching out his sore back.
“You two better not be fighting in there, otherwise I might just have to hit you with a silly little curse,” Evan yelled from the bathroom in a mocking tone, almost as high-pitched as his mother.
“No, please!” Barty whined back, using his own sort of baby voice, “I don’t like daddy Voldemort's favorite game!”
Evan burst into laughter, leaving the bathroom as he pulled his jumper over his head. Regulus couldn’t help but smile as well, even in the early morning sun.
Once the noise settled down in the room, the three of them quickly got ready. Regulus noted how Evan and Barty had exchanged jokes to each other, never loud enough for him to hear.
They had finally left for breakfast after lots of complaining for the time it took Regulus to complete his skin routine. When they walked into the great hall, Barty practically dragging Evan as he skipped through the aisles, Regulus gave Pandora a small wave.
She was leaning on her hand, trying not to pass out, and just gave him a nod in return. Regulus let out a breathy laugh as he sat down and watched as Mcgonagall strided over with their timetables.
“Good morning, boys,” she greeted as she handed each of them a slip of parchment. “I trust you slept well?”
“I can’t say I did, professor,” Regulus gave the others an accusatory look.
Mcgonagall hummed lightly, “Never a good thing to sleep poorly on the first night of school.” She continued walking when none of them responded, moving along to a different table.
Regulus ran over his timetable, memorizing it as best he could. Most of his classes he was not looking forward to, but he knew potions would be easy because Slughorn played favorites, and he absolutely loved astronomy, so they weren’t all bad.
“Fuck,” he heard Evan say, “I’ve got most all my classes with Gryffindor.”
“Me too,” Barty frowned deeper than Evan. “We should compare, maybe we got the same schedule.”
Regulus leaned over the table to look at their schedules as they went through and compared their own. He’d have Charms and Transfigurations with Barty, and Potions with Evan, but that seemed to be it. He was amused to find that Barty and Evan would only have Herbology together, especially since they had tried to sign up for all of the same classes as well.
Regulus zoned out of the conversation again, slowly nibbling at his plate.