neon nights
Regulus is only concerned about two things: Sirius Black, and the Winter Showcase. Regarding the former, he feels dreadful. His last conversation with his brother blew over horribly; Sirius threatened to leave the school if Regulus didn’t leave hockey practice, so Ms. Mcgonagall had to ask Regulus to “step outside”. So, Regulus stepped outside and got tracked down on his way to the lake.
The former concern, however, is nothing compared to the latter. At Cherier, there are two main shows in a year. The first is the Winter Showcase, the second is the Spring Spectacular. Why they call them that, Regulus has no idea. “Spring Spectacular” makes him want to gag.
But, back to the point. Everything rides on these two performances. As one of the premiere ballet schools in the country, artistic directors for European, Canadian, and American companies come to see Cherier’s shows, meaning everyone is competing for lead roles and time on the stage. And now that they are in their second year of Upper Secondary school–grade 10--they are all pining for company contracts as soon as possible.
He doesn’t suspect it will be as bad as last spring, or at least he hopes, but tensions will be high. They do other performances throughout the year, like the open house in September and performances for the primary school in February, but those are nothing compared to the winter and spring shows.
The administration will hold auditions shortly just after telling them the name of the ballet they'll be performing. His friends will be in the studios before class, after class, through meals, and late into the night– to be fair, so will Regulus. And everyone will be nice on the surface level, but he knows even Evan and Barty hope that they’ll get the lead roles over Regulus. It simply is that way; there’s no room for friendship in times of competition.
And then after the audition everyone will be a nervous wreck, waiting for casting results. They usually take about a week, but they pester their teachers everyday for insight on who got what. After the casting releases, everyone will rush to the bulletin board outside the cafeteria then scream, cry, leap with joy, or do some odd combination of the four. And finally, it’ll be back to war until the shows end. Understudies will be scrupulous, those cast in lead roles will be obnoxious and practically pestiferous, and Regulus will be dragged into the pointe-shoe-glass-drama, not to mention the smoking-in-the-dressing-room-debacles, when he needs to stay out of it.
But, he’s been training consistently for months, so he knows he shouldn’t worry too much for the auditions. He’ll give it his best shot, and if they don’t chose him, then fuck them. Besides, contractual negotiations have already begun for Regulus, so the artistic directors just need him to stay good, not prove himself (again). Unfortunately, Regulus chronically worries that he will underperform, so he is wracked with nervous energy.
So much so that he finds himself pacing around his dorm room, having decided to ignore his homework and wait for Barty and Evan to finish their math class. They’ll calm him down, surely. Regulus walks by the door for a millionth time, just in time for a card to slip under his door.
you don’t mark in class; why mark their dorm?
fix it; party @ 9pm. common room.
Regulus freezes, staring at the haunting note. The silver lining is that the lovely writer notices his hard work; Regulus never slacks in class or rehearsals. But fear creeps into Regulus’ mind, like a dark curtain is closing over his memory.
Someone has discovered a loose thread from last spring. But what’s more interesting is that they’re offering to help him. They know what Regulus did, and yet they’re willing to give him a warning so no one uncovers his secrets before he can lock them away.
But who could it possibly be? And why would there be a party in the common room? The boys in his dorm specifically stated last winter that no parties can happen on the first floor, as they need their “beauty sleep”. Buzz kills.
So it doesn’t make any sense, unless– Regulus stops to think about what has changed recently– the party was in the other common room in the boy’s dorm. And that would make much more sense. Whoever wrote the note thought Regulus could use the party to his advantage and slip into his old room to wipe the slate clean. And now that all the ballet boys are in the same dorm– thanks to Regulus– the room's current residents must be hockey players, meaning they’ll be at the party.
If he can find out who his old room belongs to, then maybe he can find out who wrote the note. But Regulus does not want to run into the new resident while in their room, so he’ll take his chances on keeping that a mystery.
When Evan and Barty bustle through the door, Regulus jumps up from where he was sitting on the bed.
“Howdy Regulus!” Evan jokes in a western accent, one he is too fond of using. Regulus crumples up the note and slides it into his pocket, hoping the two boys didn’t notice. He doesn’t need them worrying over Regulus’ personal problems.
“Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” Barty asks him, giving a concerned look while unraveling his scarf.
“Yeah mate,” Evan adds, “You have some scary science homework or something?” The two of them laugh, but Regulus can tell they’re still worried about him.
“Just tired. Not ready for auditions.” Regulus admits, hoping this answer will deter them from seeking the truth.
“Ah, no need to worry,” Barty swats a hand at him, “If there’s anyone who’s prepared, it’s you.”
“What he said!” Evan calls from the bathroom, “And whatever happens, can’t be as bad as last time–”
Barty hurls a shoe at Evan’s face.
“Oi! What the fuck was that for, Crouch?” Evan rages.
“Not the time, Rosier.” Barty scolds; at least he has some social cues. Regulus throws his face in his hands as silence encases the room. He knows the three of them are all asking the same question: what if everything is as bad as last time?
Evan clears his throat. “Right right, sorry.” He walks out of the bathroom to make sure Regulus is alright before continuing. “And anyways, that prick is in the hospital, so nothing will even be started.”
Regulus doesn’t respond.
“Right, then” Barty cuts in, unable to continue the awkward conversation, “Well, today we learned Euler’s method. Not sure when I’ll ever be mugged in Quebec and asked to approximate a differential equation to get my stuff back, but you never know…”
“You absolute nerd.” Regulus tells him, not sure how Barty is so good at math.
“Oh but Reggie, all the chicks dig it when he starts going on and on about integrals.” Evan makes impersonations of the girls Barty is supposedly wooing, and they become so awful that Regulus has to look away. Barty looks like he wants to shrivel into dust.
“Not not, Evan. Not ever.” Regulus pleads. “I’m trying to live, and I might have a heart attack if you do that again.”
“Oh alright, fine. But they really do–”
“Ok!” Barty cuts in, “I think it’s time for dinner now…”
At 9pm sharp, Regulus, Barty, and Evan, all head to the common room in the other boy’s room. Apparently the party wasn’t very much of a secret– Barty told them at dinner that the hockey boys told him to tell as many people as he could that it was an open party. This was good for Regulus, because he could slip in without anyone questioning him, and get to his old room without any glares.
The bad news, however, is that the party’s creation was thanks to Sirius and James. Those annoying prats. Allowing everyone to become hungover 2 days before auditions. It was the perfect crime, and they probably didn’t even know it. Did they even know they had auditions on Monday?
See, if they had planned the party for the day before auditions, no one would show up; it would be too risky. However, an extra day (and a rest day at that) between the party and the auditions would push many people towards going. Like how Barty and Evan had to “push” Regulus into going.
His prediction was correct. He thinks about 80% of the upper secondary schoolers are present. Almost the entire campus. Stupid, he thinks, the administration will catch on and shut it down quickly. Regulus must act relatively fast.
A record player booms when he opens the door. It’s one of Sirius’ David Bowie tunes. Regulus would know because he was forced to listen to every song as a child. He can’t remember them all, though, which is why he doesn’t know the name of this one. Neon is everywhere. Faces with bright paint, glow sticks littering the floor and acting as jewelry. Even the walls are light up.
“Regulus!” Pandora screeches as he runs to give him a hug. “Oh, it feels like it’s been days without you.” She’s a little out of it, he can tell; she’s wearing multiple neon purple necklaces.
“It’s only been since 1 o’clock, though,” he tells her as he gives her a sweet smile.
“Oh, and Evan, Barty!” She also hugs his two friends, telling them how happy she is they’re here. She also gives them all neon red necklaces.
Regulus adores Pandora’s wholesome aura; she always brightens Regulus’ day. This becomes a problem, however, when Regulus tries to make his escape.
“Oh no, you’re coming with us!” She says as she pulls them to the counter with food and drinks. Regulus must hand it to James and Sirius, they were thorough with their choices. It aggravates him; of course they would plan a stellar party.
Regulus refuses any culinary distractions; partly out of spite, and partly because he has a mission that he needs to fulfill. He does have to sit and talk with Barty, Evan, Pandora, and her friend Dorcas for a while, however. Dorcas is wearing a lovely array of green wristbands.
“So,” Pandora asks, “Auditions…? General feelings? Gossip?”
“I’m feeling pretty confident, actually.” Says Evan, he beams at the group, “definitely getting casted as the lead tree this time.” They all laugh, even Regulus. Evan was casted as a tree last year, and even though that wasn’t his main role, they still like to joke about it.
“Can’t say good enough for the lead tree,” Dorcas chimes in, “But I think I’m ready.” They all wheeze again, Pandora telling her, “I think you’d get lead tree over Evan. You’re much more elegant.”
“Hey! I sway excellently in the wind,” Evan retorts.
“All those corrections from last term say otherwise…” Regulus mumbles. Barty claps him on the back as he shoots his drink out of his nose.
“Whatever, at least I wasn’t doing a variation with a flexed foot on video!” Evan eyeballs Barty, whose mouth drops.
“What?!” Pandora yells.
“For the whole variation?!” Dorcas exclaims. Evan confirms, nodding his head like he’s just exposed Barty’s largest secret.
“You said you would never speak of that!” Barty blurts out. “It was January, 9 at night, my foot was practically injured, and the video was for some random school in–”
“A flexed foot is a flexed foot.” Evan tells him, raising his shoulders.
“I mean, he’s kinda right…” Pandora agrees. Everyone in the group laughs, except for Barty, who crosses his arms and huffs at his friends. Regulus finds himself laughing, too, and he’s having fun for the first time in a while.
This means he needs to leave; he’s getting too distracted.
“I’m going to use the bathroom.” He announces, getting up to leave as Pandora wishes him a “farewell!”.
He keeps his head down as he pushes through the crowds of people; there are too many dancers and hockey players for the size of the common room. That’s why Regulus likes his group’s roof parties; more space, less annoying people. But James and Sirius had to invite everyone, they’re like that.
It is a task to dodge the masses, but those who see him clear a path for him. No one talks to him either. Most of the dancers respect Regulus, but they also fear him. Particularly after last spring. He isn't much of a people person, either. The only ones who would mess with him would be Avery, Yaxley, Snape, and Mulciber– if he was here.
But, they’re not in sight, so Regulus can continue covertly to the staircase and up towards his old room. The room’s location on the top floor is not highly convenient, for he has to worry about running into people on the stairs, but that means it's unlikely for someone to be in the room.
Regulus forgot that the door might be locked, but lucky for him the people living in his old dorm are stupid enough to keep it unlocked. As he steps inside, the scent of fast food laces the air. How these boys live with smelling fries all night, he has no idea.
However, he has no time to waste questioning such trivialities. He untucks the warm water, salt, spoon, and rag that he had hiding under his shirt and searches for the spot where he knows he left blood. Some would call it his achilles heel. The one thing Regulus didn’t have the opportunity to clean up before summer break, and it appears the maintenance crew was too lazy to locate and clean the splotches of blood before the beginning of the school year.
So, Regulus is forced to do his own dirty work. He prays the blood comes out; there’s a few patches of it. Not something that could go unnoticed once discovered. Most of them are tucked away under the bed, but there’s one that’s vaguely noticeable near the outside of the carpet that the bed covers.
He starts off with just the water and salt. It helps, but doesn’t get it all out. He’s forced to crack open the book– the one that James ridiculed him for– to find other remedies. They talk about white vinegar, but Regulus does not have that, and doubts the owner of the room does. It does smell like fries, however, so maybe malt vinegar would work? Regulus is betting on the fact that it exists somewhere in the mess of a room.
Clothes are scattered everywhere, plates pile up, and the sheets are disorganized. Not to mention it’s dark in the room; Regulus doesn’t desire to attract any unwanted visitors.
After a few minutes of rummaging through a nightstand that was near the plates, he found exactly what he hoped he would. A bottle of malt vinegar. Regulus mentally pats himself on the back.
He goes back to rubbing the mixture, this time with the vinegar, and this time it works. Like, it actually works. Regulus throws his hands up in the air; everything is going to be alright.
He manages to clean all the splotches, although it takes quite a while, maybe an hour or longer. His friends must be looking for him by now, or maybe they figured he went back to the room. It’s not the first time he’s left a party early.
Regulus sighs in relief, and hopes to get out of the dorm room as fast as possible. He’s picking up his supplies and putting them back under his shirt when the door opens ajar.
Oh shit.
Regulus Black watches as James Potter stumbles into his old dorm room, giggling; his face covered in green neon paint. As well as his hands and legs.
He’s not quite sure what to do in this situation. He doesn’t think James will notice him, at first. But of course, not his luck.
“Reggie?” James snorts, doubling over as he squints his eyes, “Am I dreaming, or is that really you?” He laughs again, his neon paint lighting up the dark.
Oh, James is not in his right mind. Regulus says nothing, hoping that if he stays silent, James will think him a figment of his imagination.
Regulus’ unresponsiveness, however, causes James to sway over to him and get extremely close to his face.
“Reggie?” James questions, “Regiland?”
Regulus stares back at James, whose glasses are crooked, like always. His hair is a mess of waves, but his eyes sparkle in the dim light. The neon paint ties the whole look together. There’s even specks of orange paint in his hair. Regulus still doesn’t give a response.
“I guess you really aren’t here then.” James nods his head downwards, then immediately springs back up and… boops? Regulus’ nose?
Regulus’ immediate instinct is to swat his hand away, “What the actual fuck, James?” He starts, but the other boy interrupts.
“Haha!” James points at him, “I knew you were real. Sneak attack always works.” He starts laughing again, and then mumbles something about needing to call Remus. He starts walking towards the door and starts bellowing.
“Remus! Help please; there’s a Victorian child near my bed!” James looks towards Regulus and smiles; Regulus is in a bit of a daze, though.
Regulus fights the urge to punch him.
“Remus!” James calls again, when the other boy doesn’t immediately show up, “Didn’t you tell me you’d take care of anyone who snoops under my bed? Well he’s here now–”
Regulus turns James around and covers his mouth. “Shhhh.” Regulus tells him, using his free hand to put it to his lips. He can feel James breaking out into a smile under his hand, before he licks Regulus’ palm.
“Jesus Christ, will you stop that!” Regulus hisses. What is wrong with this boy?
James laughs again, “But Remus told me to call for him if this happened. I feel like I need to–”
Regulus freezes, his hands now rest on James’ shoulders– to stop him from tracking Remus down– as magnets click inside his head.
Remus wrote the note. Of course. He helped plan the party, he’s in with Sirius, James, and the other boy (who he thinks is named Peter). A swell of relief flows through Regulus. He can trust Remus. Remus wants to help him.
James is still babbling, now asking Regulus how “dope” he thinks the party was.
“...And you see, the coolest thing is that everyone is decked out in neon! That was Sirius’ idea, the bloody genius. Oh, you might not want to have known that. But s’ ok, because even you are in neon!” He points to the red necklace that Regulus forgot he had on.
“Yes James, I do have neon on. You have a lot, too.” He tells James. He figures that if he can distract James enough to get him into bed, then he can make a swift exit before… well before his brother waltzes in.
“Yeah,” James smiles again, “I do. But yours is cool. Where’d you get the red from? I love red.” He reaches out to touch Regulus’ necklace, but Regulus quickly shuts that down.
“Uh, not sure. Pandora gave it to me.” He says. James’ mouth goes wide open.
“You know Pandora?!” He asks, incredulous, “I love that girl. We just met recently, actually, at the dining hall, but she is just too cool.” James shakes his head, seeming so happy.
“You know,” James continues, “I didn’t think you liked a lot ofpeople. But boy am I glad you like her.” He looks back up at Regulus, still smiling.
“Sure,” Regulus says, looking away, “she’s great. Hey, you know what James?”
“What?” James questions him.
“You should get to bed, and I’ll get Remus for you and tell him to sternly talk to that man under your bed about staying away from it.” Regulus hopes by implanting a false bed-stalker that James will forget Regulus was ever there at all.
“Yeah, make sure that guy stays away from my bed. Don’t need any trouble.” James finds his bed and flops onto it. Now is the time for Regulus to escape. He almost reaches the door when James calls out to him again.
“Hey wait, are you going to use that red necklace?” His voice is muffled as he speaks into the pillow.
“Um, no. Why?” Regulus asks, confused and anxious to go.
“You should give it to me. I won’t let it go to waste.” James giggles at the accusation while Regulus rolls his eyes.
He shouldn’t give James his necklace. So, it surprises Regulus when his own hand betrays him and unclasps the necklace to throw it on James’ bed.
Screw James Potter and his highly likable personality. Regulus hates him; he surely does hate him.
So, Regulus is completely unbothered when he unlocks the door and turns back to see James putting the necklace on the back of his head, like a crown, before promptly falling asleep.
Well, Regulus is almost unbothered; it’ll have to be good enough, he supposes as he shuts the door.