Call Me
“Your mother wants you to be present for the Crouch’s ball this week.”
“Is that the only social engagement for a while?” Regulus asked, taking his bag from Mr. Kreacher’s hand.
“There is also the figure skating qualifiers next month.” Yes, those… Regulus loved figure skating, but Walbruga seemed to suck the joy out of everything. He was set to qualify for the Nationals competition, one that could make him a contender for the Olympics. It wasn’t his dream, but it could be, if he willed it enough.
“I suppose Mother intends for me to practice every night, also?”
“Yes, Master Regulus.” Kreacher bid his goodbye, and Regulus made his way into the school.
It was multiple buildings, the entrance gate with a massive H on the front and a brick wall surrounding the grounds. The main building was as big as a castle, with a sports hall to the side, a gym plus swimming pool to the other, and then the music and drama rooms behind.
He told Walburga he would get in early to study for his politics test, but it really wasn’t. It was one time a week people didn’t arrive an hour early. Therefore, it was the one time Regulus got to spend in the music room.
He and Sirius were estranged. They didn’t talk anymore, even though they went to the same school and one of his friends was dating James Potter. But there was something Sirius left behind, and it was one of his Bowie CD’s. (Regulus may have hidden it when Sirius ran away.)
He’d memorised every song on that damn album and couldn’t for the life of him figure out why Sirius loved him so much. But he learnt them nonetheless.
Regulus was classically trained, Walburga and Orion believing it was good to be involved in culture (their culture, obviously). So, Regulus learnt the violin from the age of five, and Sirius the same with the cello. However, Sirius quickly gave that up for an electric guitar.
Alone in the drama studio, Regulus put his earphones in. Opening his phone, and turning on one of his playlists, the first song being As The World Caves In.
He preferred the drama studio to the music room because it had a wonderful echo. He did grab a mic from the music rooms just to hold, even if he wasn’t going to turn it on. Singing was a part of who he was. If he ever lost that ability, it would be like losing one's soulmate.
As the piano started, Regulus sang the first note, closing his eyes and losing himself in the song. He didn’t picture anything while singing, he saw nothing, and he heard nothing but his voice and the music. Not even his own footsteps. Not even the footsteps of James Potter carefully opening the door midway through his rendition of Life On Mars did Regulus notice.
When he got to the end of the song, there was a slow clap. One that echoed through the room and made him stiffen. Regulus never jumped.
“You’re brilliant.” James said in awe, looking at Regulus like he created eclipses.
“What are you doing here?” Hissed Regulus, yanking his earphones out and stuffing them in his pocket.
“I came to print off posters for a lead singer for the band but turns out I don’t need to.”
Regulus scoffed, “What makes you think I have time for this group of unprofessional miscreants?”
James leant against the doorframe, cocking his head to the side. And smiled. Regulus couldn’t look away. “Just come to my house next week? It’ll be fun. Here.” James took the poster, turning it over and scribbling his number on the back in the red pen from his pocket. Handing it to Regulus, James smiled even brighter. “You might even enjoy yourself.”
Regulus rolled his eyes. “Unlikely.”
“No, you’re right.” James started, “Maybe you’ll remain this cold little twat for the rest of your life.” And he strode away.
Curse James Potter and everything he values because he definitely just failed that politics test. At lunch he was quieter than normal and Pandora picked up on it, asking him what was wrong and then inviting herself over to his practice that night - Regulus gave up trying to stop her. Barty and Evan were too loved-up (insulting each other) to really be paying attention, and Dorcas kept staring at Lily Evans and Mary McDonald, still believing they were together - saying she just knows other women-loving women when she sees one.
He and Pandora tied their skates together, Pandora looking beautiful as usual with her hair tied back and everything up to her neck and wrists covered when visiting Regulus with Walburga present.
Going out into the ice, Walburga stood in the stands and Pandora decided to stand in the far corner, phone ready to record for them to look back on later. “What are we working on, Regulus?”
“The Axel Paulsen jump.”
“And what else?” Walburga wasn’t smiling and she wasn’t happy. Like he was a means to an end.
“Doing it multiple times in a row.”
“Good. And why?”
“Because it is the hardest move in figure skating so far.”
“And?”
“And the quadruple Axel, as it is a forward-facing four and a half turns.”
They had been working on both moves for six months now, and Regulus forgot the amount of stitches he’s had to get. The quadruple Axel is something Walburga told him not to include in his up-and-coming routine, telling him to only use it at the Olympics.
If she said that, then that must mean she believes he can make it. That the Olympics is already in the bag, but she doesn’t act like it. When she isn’t passive or scowling, she is scolding and shouting at Regulus to do better. To fold his arms tighter, to not hold the back outside edge for so long because he looks nervous.
When she left, Walburga told Regulus to work on his routine then watch back the video and make a list of everything he did wrong. “She’s as spritely as normal.” Pandora sighed.
“It’s the happiest I’ve seen her with my skating since we started practising.” One thing Regulus loved about Pandora was there was no pity. She could empathise, but she never gave Regulus sad eyes.
Regulus’ legs ached from hours on the ice, but from the bruising and the falling. As well as his arms and his shoulders and his knees and his head.
“How have I gotten worse?” Complained Regulus, hanging his head.
“No you have not.” Pandora clipped his head. “All you have to do is pick up more speed and tighten your core more and then you’re there.”
“Oh, is it that easy?”
“When incorporating all the other elements, no, but you can do it. Like you’ve done everything else.” Pandora squeezed his hand. “I’ve picked up a lot of skating stuff from you. Maybe I could go pro.” Regulus laughed, and then went off to take an ice bath when Pandora headed home.
At dinner time Walburga sat at the head of the table, the seat to the left occupied by Orion but the one straight to her right empty. Only the seat after Regulus sat in. “Your performance was poor today, Regulus.”
“Sorry, Mother.”
“Black’s do not apologise.” She spat the word like it was something a common worker had made. “Just do better.”
“What about that Politics test today? Did that go as expected?” Orion asked, having to look diagonal to see Regulus.
“Yes, Father.” Regulus responded like he was expected to. After being observed studying for two hours after dinner, Regulus was allowed to go to bed where he spent hours staring at the one poster. At the bottom in the centre was the people in the band, and Regulus wondered why they needed a singer in the first place.
In readable cursive it said ‘Auditions for Gryffindor! next week!’ And there was James Potters number written at the top. If his number was already there, why did he feel the need to write it on the back? Regulus huffed at James’ stupidity.
Still, it was a chance. It was something he loves, something he dreams about every time he closes his eyes. Something he dreams about even with them wide open and stuck in a dreadful reality.
This is James Potter, correct?
Yup. Who r u?
The ghost in your attic
REALLY!?
No, you fucking imbecile. It’s Regulus: you wrote your number for me to message earlier
Had my hopes up 4 no reason. smh
Can you not form a standard English sentence?
Why should I? U dont own me!
I’d never own something so vile
Why u have those turtle necks then?
Do you want me in the band or not?
Luv the turtle necks. Suit u
Meet @ my place after scl. Ride w me?
If I have to