A Pen With No Paper
Regulus awoke to his ears ringing and bright lights. He found if he squeezed his eyes shut and really tried to listen, he could hear the muffled sounds of a conversation. More like an argument, he corrected.
One thing he could easily assume was that Barty was there - talking 10 times louder than the rest of the figures. He would pause in one place, and put his hand to his chin as if in thought, then walk to the next place and repeat the process. He could make out the blurry lines of exercise shorts and a white tank. Regulus blinked a few times in an attempt to see, but was unsuccessful.
“What?” Barty threw his hands in the air as Regulus decided he’d had enough of seeing for the day and promptly closed his eyes. He took a few deep breaths and monitored how fast his heart beat by placing a hand on his chest - something he could only do since it was beating so hard.
“I didn’t do anything.” A voice that was so clearly Sirius spat, Regulus squirmed in his cot.
“Well something had to have happened.” A crisp voice presumed. This was Evan, Regulus was sure of it. When they were younger and Evan got into fights a lot, Regulus remembers his voice cutting sharper than a knife. Evan was the polar opposite of Sirius who would burst into flames at any brash comment.
“Madam Pomfrey said she should be h-” the ringing grew louder and Regulus could no longer hear. He couldn't even decipher who had just spoken. Reg sprang up and shot a hand up to his ear.
“Ah-” Regulus' voice strained. The shadows collectively froze, then enclosed Regulus in a circle. One of them bolted out of the room and came back with another person moments later.
A lady came into Reg’s view, parting the sea of arguers. He could make out the pink of her clothes and white of her apron. She gently took his chin and tilted it to look at her. She held up her wand and the world white. A few seconds later it was back to its irregular blurriness.
Her hand took his and cautiously moved it away from his ear. Her hand moved back to his ear, but he couldn't tell if he had touched it or done anything at all. The pink lady began scribbling down notes and turned away from him.
A person with long blonde hair came hastily in and Regulus wondered if she was another doctor prepared to tell him he was destined to die. She pushed two people standing next to the cot, most likely Barty and the unnamed voice, aside and her hands rose to cover her mouth. She just stood there for a few moments, staring. Studying the pale figure before her who couldn’t even recognise she was calling his name.
Slowly, her hands cupped Regulus’s face and used a finger to draw hair out of his eyes. This was Pandora, Regulus softened in her hands. Beside her a figure slowly adjusted his glasses and ran a hand through his hair, averting his gaze.
Someone from the other side of the cot waved his hands about and Pandora dropped her hands, making fists at her sides. The Pink Lady came back and held Regulus’s hands, slowly pulling him out of bed. He got the message and swung his legs around to stand. She then pushed his shoulders down so he would sit on the cot.
The figures stood watching intently, some moving behind the lady to look over her shoulders. She got out a tool resembling a triangle on a stick, and when people crowded closer around her, she waved it towards the exit. Some of them hesitated, but ended up leaving the hospital wing anyway. Pandora squeezed Reg’s shoulder before walking away.
The Pink Lady hit his knees with the contraption a few times, and began scribbling away again. Regulus found fists squeezing the sheets now that people filtered out. Her hand went to his ear again, as if to double check, and took it away nodding. The Pink Lady then took her clipboard and left. She walked out the doors and Regulus was left alone in the static and silent world. His hands instinctively clutched the sheets tighter; he could feel his nails digging into his palm.
A few minutes or hours later, Regulus didn't know, the Pink Lady came back followed by a line of displeased people. She tilted his chin up and peeled open his eye-lids. Drops of medicine flooded his eye and he squeezed it shut. She then forced open the next eye and the same drops fell. He blinked a few times to get his eyes to stop burning and sure enough his vision began to clear. He could now see the face of the Pink Lady, who turned out to be Madam Pomfrey, but Regulus had already assumed it was her. He looked to the other side of the cot and saw a crying Pandora, an angry Barty, Evan, Sirius (who had put both hands on the bed to lean closer to Regulus), and James standing slightly away from the rest and fidgeting.
Now that Regulus could see expressions he turned back to Madam Pomfrey and, with a shaky breath, whispered - or screamed (Reg had no way of telling), “I can’t hear.”
Madam Pomfrey nodded, and flipped to the next page of her clipboard to write something down. Regulus gave Evan a worried glance. Madam Pomfrey nudged Reg with the clipboard which read I know Regulus. It seems you have caught a case of the Wizbee’s from playing quidditch. Eyesight is a bit easier to take care of than hearing. We’re making a potion for you to fix it, but we don't have one of the ingredients on hand so we are outsourcing it. It will take a maximum of 4 days to arrive. I know this is a lot, but we are trying our best. Do you have any other symptoms?
Regulus nodded and motioned for the pen - not wanting the people around him to be worried. More importantly he wanted to ask Will I be able to play Quidditch again?
Madam Pomfrey responded. Yes. You will need to heal first, and take it easy when starting back up again. The altitude messed with your ears giving you an infection that spread to your eyes. We need to take care of that first and foremost. Do you have any other symptoms?
Regulus began to write, but the pen ran out of ink. Madam Pomfrey began rummaging around for a minute before producing a new one. My throat is sore - but I’m sure it’s not that horrific of a problem. Really needn't worry - it’s not bad at all. Stomach is a bit queasy, nothing to be alarmed about - I ate Barty’s cooking at lunch today, so that’s probably the cause. Regulus looked up to an alarmed face, worried because he was writing so much he presumed. He quickly added, so really I don't have any symptoms besides hearing loss - which as you said will be resolved shortly and handed the clipboard back to her.
She looked up at him and shook her head before writing, I will leave you to converse with your friends now - if you have any questions I will be walking through the corridors every hour till 10 if anyone needs me. I will be back around 7 with supper and some mixes to help with your appetite and throat.
Regulus nodded and she left. He was now stuck there with Sirius, James, Evan, Barty, and Pandora - the most unlikely gathering of people ever to exist. He tried to ignore them for as long as possible, but it was hard to do that when everyone was shoving notes in his face. He decided to humor them for a moment - but only a moment.
She said it could’ve been way more severe, I was really scared Reg.
I looked at some books in the library - the infection could have gotten
bad enough to kill you. I was really worried. You better get lots of rest.
And listen to everything Madam Pomfrey says. You MUST be more
careful out there, yeah?
~Pandora
I’m really fine, Dorie. She said the mix would be done in 4 days to
get my hearing back. Really it’s not much of a problem - I don’t have
any other symptoms either, just the hearing. I’ll be good as new by
Thursday : )
- R.A.B.
YOU PROMISED ME YOU WOULD GO TO THE HOSPITAL WING
IF THINGS GOT WORSE REG
Regulus looked up at Evan who stood there with his arms crossed. He mouthed, promised, and pointed at the paper. Reg shrugged and put the paper aside - hiding a grin as Evans jaw dropped.
Doc says it's Wissbis or something like that. I’m still convinced its
that thick headed arsehole standing bout the end of the cot. I’ll beat
him up if you can talk the teachers out of giving me detention or
losing house points - you’re persuasive like that Reg
- B
Regulus scoffed. Sirius could use a few blows to the head, he thought, maybe it would knock some sense into him.
No need Barty - he is an arse but he didn't cause this illness.
Very noble of you to offer a fight to defend my honor.
- R.A.B.
You couldn't have chosen a worse time to be sick.
me and Ev were planning a prank on you - Ev says
we can't do it now because it would be unethical, I’m
gonna go through with it anyways I think.
- B
Evan leaned over Regulus’s shoulder to read the note and snatched it from Reg, crumbling it up and throwing it at Barty.
Sirius began walking away as James handed Regulus two notes. The first one was from Sirius.
You little shit
The second one was in softer handwriting than Sirius’s, less angular lines and more curves.
I’m glad you’re alright Redge.
And on the back,
He’s more worried about you then he puts on.
He reread the back of the note at least three times before Pandora nudged him another note. He took it and put all the notes on his night table. He didn't even look at Pandora’s last note before he laid down and faced away from the group. He watched Barty and Evan’s shadows fight a bit - probably arguing about the prank, but even that eventually subsided. The shadows dissipated from the golden light, leaving him with only his thoughts.
- - -
Four days had passed and Regulus was ready to hear again. He was almost jittery as Madam Pomfrey had come in with supper for the evening. The past four days he’s been almost always by himself. Marlene and Dorcas visited him once and Pandora once more. Everyone else had chalked it up to wanting to give him space to recover. So this - getting his hearing back - was exciting. His mood immediately changed when he noticed the slight decline of Madam Pomfrey’s lips and the tiredness of her eyes. She walked over slowly, as if avoidant, and placed a tray on Regulus’s lap. Supper, along with a note, was sitting on it. She nervously fidgeted with his fingers.
The note read:
The shipment was delayed due to riots at the coast.
The letter they sent said it should arrive in 2-3 weeks -
I am so sorry Regulus. In good news, your infection is completely
healed! The hearing loss may get better without the medicine,
but it is a long-term side-effect. We’re looking at other places
that can get the plant - I wouldn't keep your hopes up about
getting it before 2 weeks time.
She eyed him as he read and looked expectantly at him when he finished.
“It’s alright,” he said, feeling odd about not being able to hear himself speak. He found it all to be odd really. He didn't have to hear the low hum of the castle, the annoying bells, footsteps, lectures, anything really. He could still hear his thoughts though - and those weren't so forgiving.
Tomorrow he would be allowed free reign of the castle, since his infection was healed. He had found himself at the library looking for the muggle book’s he’d liked as a child. Unfortunately there was only magic. One thing Regulus had found about magic was that after a while, it isn't special anymore.
He sighed in defeat, leaned against a bookshelf, and slid down it until he sat on the floor. Someone at the end of the aisle had stopped and placed their hands in their pockets before tilting their head to the side.
Regulus had hoped they would kindly fuck off, but alas, the person walked closer and stopped right in front of Regulus - looking down at him through thick bordered glasses.
James sat down leaning against the bookshelf opposite of Reg and their feet were staggered between each other. He wore one of those dorky puffy jackets with the color blocking that had reminded Regulus of an old man trying to be modernly fashionable. He snorted and James raised an eyebrow.
Reg swallowed and shook his head - looking away.
“Nothing,” he had said and James kicked his foot. Reg turned back to meet James’s paint pallet eyes. Just near the pupil there were these tiny slivers of green that then faded into a tan color which matched his jacket. The rest of his eyes were light brown - and they stared at him intently. Regulus had never noticed how much James’s eyes sparkled in the light until now. Something about his look seemed truly genuine; Regulus was afraid if he didn't respond James would actually be offended.
“Your jacket,” he said, “reminds me of an old man.” Somehow the chance of offending him this way was better than silence. James put on one of the prettiest smiles Regulus had ever seen. He could tell he was laughing - his shoulders slightly bounced and his eyes crinkled around the edges. Regulus had wished he could hear the boy's joy. It was probably lovely, he thought, another alarming trait. Regulus sat there for a moment deliberating the best way to get James secrets. To expose James and undermine his sickening kindness with the ugly truth. He had decided that the best way to go about it was to get close to the target.
Once James calmed down he looked serious again. He straightened up and took his hands out of his pockets. He made a fist with one hand and rubbed it across his chest, mouthing something indecipherable. He then went on to make more hand gestures and Regulus was completely lost. James didn't seem to register the concern on his face so he kicked James’s foot.
James sat frozen with his hands in the weird shapes he was making. When he noticed Reg’s face he frowned. He said something out loud and then held up a finger to say one moment. He ran out of the aisle and came back with a pen. He sat back down again, criss-cross this time, and looked around for a moment confused. He had either forgotten or couldn't find paper. Regulus kicked his leg out to sit on top of James' knee and James pointed at his leg for approval. Reg nodded and leaned his head back as James wrote.
When he was done he poked Reg and he looked over. He brought his leg near and read the soft writing.
It was BSL! I went to the hospital wing and Madam Pomfrey told me about the problems. What I was trying to say was, I’m sorry about the delay - hopefully it will be shipped out soon. But clearly I was unsuccessful :/
Regulus chuckled and took the pen. James decided, apparently, that he wanted the response written on him. He took off his jacket and supplied Regulus with his arm.
James I’ve not been able to hear for only 4 days - do you think I know BSL?
When James read it his face went pink and it looked like he let out a defeated laugh. He grabbed Reg’s leg and pulled it towards him jotting down, I clearly did not think this through. Regulus nodded and snatched the pen and James’s arm, Idiot. How’d you even know BSL?
James shook his head and took the pen back. I found a book in the library…
Regulus cackled. He knew he had an ugly laugh, so he kept it hidden. But this was so irrevocably hilarious to him, that weeks later he would still chuckle. James uncrossed his legs and leaned back. His leg pressed against Regulus’s and he could tell James was laughing with him by the way his body vibrated.
Though, it abruptly stopped and Reg looked straight at James who was looking down the end of the aisle. Madam Pince, the librarian, stood there in all her short and frail impatience. James looked back at Regulus and was biting his lip to hold back a smile. He grabbed Reg’s hand and they stood up together. James led him out of the library. Once they were out of Madam Pince’s view James began writing on Regulus’s arm. He was standing so close that Reg could smell the scent of his shampoo and see - in detail - the stitches of his jacket he’d thrown over his shoulder.
We were kicked out of the library.
James elbowed Reg with a smile, then added.
Bell’s rung, a few minutes ago - I should head to class. Thanks for revealing my idiocy and for the shenanigans : )
Until next time - James
And he was off. One short smile and a wave, and he disappeared down the corridor bouncing as he walked. Reg stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do. Of what to think. James had alarming traits, he reminded himself, were doing this to see what is wrong with him - not to actually befriend him.
When Regulus laid down for bed that night, he found himself wandering towards the thought of James.