solfège

Regulus might have been the biggest idiot ever to exist, actually, he was the second biggest idiot alive, the first place already belonged to Sirius. The world really was a small place, but Regulus still felt smaller. His brother, his obnoxious, idiot brother was standing right in front of him, they could sit down and talk and be brothers again but of course, Regulus couldn’t let himself have anything good, he simply couldn’t afford the price of fulfilling his greatest wish. He missed Sirius, more than anything, he really did, Regulus could admit that he loved his brother. He was sorry, he wanted to talk with him, ask how things have been,

And yet. Sirius had this fantastic talent, only one breath was enough for Regulus to get irritated. Out of anger and pettiness, and since Sirius got the last punch, he gave James his number. That would anger him, much to the satisfaction of Regulus and on top of everything James would end up sad. Serves him right.

“You alright?” Dorcas asked, they were driving the rest back home “You seem tensed”

“That's because I am,” Regulus mumbled, he blew the smoke out of the window, ignoring Meadow's disapproval for smoking in her car “I mean, it will be my first time musically decorating a theater, it seems like too much pressure” he lied and threw the cig out of the window

“You could always refuse”

“Don’t make me laugh” He said bitterly “Riddle wouldn’t let me live it down”

“Oh well” she took a deep breath, her braids were falling on her face, and she was concentrating on the road “Did Barty actually dance on the table?”

“Yes, made some guy threw money on him too”

“And I missed it?” Dorcas laughed

“You were too busy glaring at blondie”

“You mean Mckinnon?”

“If it's her name”

“I hate her” Older girl, without any other explanation, went completely silent after, she was looking at the mirror checking on others, her eyes, from time to time, would blankly stare at the steering wheel, she didn’t look like she was thinking, for a moment she didn't even look like she knew how to drive.

Regulus knew how that felt, your mind going completely blue, your vision going blurry, your body moving on its own, not remembering what to do next. Feeling like the world is there but not really.

He started tapping on the seat, Regulus was moving his fingers silently but in his mind, he was playing nocturne no.19. He was looking at the stars “you need to wear more red, it suits you”

“Mh” Dorcas hummed “Purple suits me more”

“Ever heard about trying out new things?”

“I never try” Dorcas retorted, she sounded like Regulus just said something completely ridiculous “so what is the deal with you and the glasses?”

“My brother’s best mate” he answered simply, his mind slipping back to the fight. It was Regulus' fault really, he said some horrible thing to Sirius, but then again he had no idea what to do, or how to deal with millions of emotions that ran through him. Was he disappointed with himself? Absolutely, would he, if the opportunity was given, punch Sirius again? Absolutely.

Sirius had changed. He seemed more relaxed, more…He looked fine, he looked like for the first time he had his life together. Good for him for being happy, even without his brother.

Regulus knew he was being way too harsh but he couldn’t help it, as a younger brother, if that title still belonged to him, it was his job. So, maybe, Regulus, out of anger and desire to annoy his sorry excuse of a brother, gave Potter his number while one of his friends could see them. Regulus might have just realized what he has done.

He fucked up.

“I gave him my number”

“Weirdo”

“Va te faire foutre”

Dorcas just laughed. At the time, they didn’t notice but Pandora was already not asleep, a song ‘summertime sadness’ started playing on the radio and she was quietly singing along in Evan’s ear, which led to him sitting up and violently hitting Bartty in the head

“What the fuck?”

“I can’t hit Pandora” Evan snapped, he looked around, like he just realized that he was in Dorcas’s car “I love this song” he yelled right after one of the One Directions songs started playing, not that Regulus was aware that it was called ‘gotta be you, no why would he know that horrid boy bangs song.

“Please don’t start singing, my head hurts way too much for that” Regulus whined as he strict his head on Dorcas’s car “Evan. for the love of tits or dick shut up”

“Rosier” Dorcas also warned, but that didn’t stop Evan from singing his heart out, Regulus, once again was about to complain when his phone suddenly lit up

Unknown
This is James
Did you get home safely?

Regulus
I don’t know, did I?
Why would you care

Unknown
Stop being so bitter love
It doesn’t suit you

Oh, Regulus could feel the smug grin that James was flushing at his phone. He wanted to wipe it off his face

Unknown
And you were the one who gave me his number
Even though I didn’t ask for it

Regulus
If me having your number bothers you so much
Then I can block you right now

Unknown
Not what I meant
Do you mind if I give this number to Sirius?

Regulus,
Of course, I do.

Unknown
Too late

Regulus
Fuck you.

“So what do you say, Black?” Barty suddenly snatched Regulus’s phone

“Uh sure, give me back my phone”

“Great” Barty cheered with a mischievous smile “We’re staying over at Regulus tonight”

“What?”

“Oh this is wonderful, it will be like a sleepover” Pandora, that little shit, she knew Regulus couldn’t refuse her “Please” she mouthed at him

Regulus sighed, he wasn’t fond of that idea “Ye, sure fine” He said bitterly

“Thank you” Pandora jumped out of her sit, she kissed Regulus’s cheek, Regulus made a sound of disgust in return Evan also put his lips on his cheek, and so did Barty, When it was Dorcas's turn she laughed and bluntly refused to even have some type of physical contact with Regulus. He was not offended by this “You own me” he whispered to Pandora

“We need to buy food” Barty announced, he and Evan jumped outside and came back with beer.

“I thought- food?” Dorcas said

“Beer” Evan smiled at her, they, after one hour of trying to figure out which way to go, finally got to Regulus’s apartment. They tried to be quiet, really fucking tried but of course, a group of four people just couldn’t keep Barty mother fucking Croach keep it down.

A light scream from the next door was heard, they were begging for them to shut up, and in return, Evan flipped them off, and for some reason that was the funniest shit for Pandora.

“I love you” Barty whispered to Evan, and now both of them were giggling, loudly. Regulus, with a help of Dorcas, finally pushed the other three into his house.

Barty has lied down immediately, and Evan was soon cuddled up next to him. Dorcas, who went on the balcony for a smoke, didn’t come back. Regulus was sure that she fell asleep there, which only left him and Pandora, she was laughing freely while playing with kitchen supplies. Regulus was sitting on the couch, with nothing on his mind, looking at the ceilings “I missed you” he whispered, all parts of him hoping that she didn’t hear it

“I did too” Pandora smiled dreamily, she sat next to him, and laid her head on his lap “You have changed”

“Is it a good thing?”

“I don’t know, I mean kind of, you- Reg I’m so- even after so many years I can’t get used to your voice, like when you first said hi to me my soul left my body, it’s just- I was happy”

Pandora, nearly never, struggled to talk about her emotions, which made this whole speech of her even more heartbreaking “I- I don’t think I can get used to my voice either” he said quietly, mostly for himself.

“I mean, the only way for you to communicate normally was through piano, to think that you started talking… I don’t think I got enough time to get used to it” That was true, she got disowned shortly after

“Do you have any requests?”

He didn’t need to say anything more, it was always easy with Pandora “Play something that was created by you”

Regulus smushed uncomfortably, he hated playing his melodies, one part of him always thought that he wasn’t good enough to be making his compositions, but it was Pandora who was asking. He stood up, dramatically starched his hands, and with an unconfident and yet still, a foolish smile started dropping his hand on the piano keys

It was like a battle between his already bruised fingers and black and white keys, like a knight fighting for his life. The composition started with soft, gentle notes, they were harmonic and calming but chaos sneakingly crawled its way through. It quickly turned into war again. Regulus was switching and mixing the genres, this whole competition was about not getting bored. It definitely wouldn’t be appealing to everyone's ear but it would be for Pandoras’.

When they were young, she used to say that boredom made people create the greatest things, when they grew up she used to say that bored was her biggest enemy. He doesn’t know what has changed, all he knows is that she hated it, hated getting bored, hated having nothing to think about.

“Reg-” Pandora said but her lovely voice was overcome by the piano, by the dramatic sounds that Regulus was caple of making “I- this is exciting” she tried again, she watched with wide eyes how her best friend's body moved, how he was giving it everything “Regulus” she shouted and still nothing. So Pandora waited, her heart beating way too fast, she was telling the truth, it was exciting perhaps way too much

When Regulus stopped, he was massaging his hands, and he turned to Pandora “How was it-” Regulus cut himself off “Hey, are you crying?”

“No, I’m sorry, ye” she wiped off a single tear that was hanging on her cheek “It was beautiful, truly,” She said quietly, “I think I’m tired, let’s go, we have to sleep”
“Did I offend you?” Regulus asked “Did you not like it? Don’t lie to me”

“Reg, It was the most beautiful piece of music I have ever heard but-” she took a deep breath “This was inspiring and exciting, new emotion came with every note, it’s just- It’s-I don’t think-”

“You don't have to explain to me,” He said quietly “We can go to sleep now, thank you, for listening to me I mean”

“Regulus, my brothers are assholes, they hated me for killing our mother, my father is a drunk that abuses his power not only on his employers but on his children too, you’re the closest to the family that I ever had and now I have them” she pointed at the room where Barty and Evan were sleeping, then at Dorcas “It would mean the whole world to me if you could love them just as much you love me”

“They seem like shitty people” he admitted “But in a good way”

“Like you have the room to talk lord Black”

“Oh no, fuck off” Regulus buried his face in the pillow “I fucking hate you”

“Lier”

“I haven’t even trained yet” Regulus yawned “I have to sound perfect tomorrow,” he said between long blinks, Regulus doesn’t remember what happened next, all he knows is that he put his head on the pillow and eventually fall asleep.

—---------------

Regulus lazily opened his eyes, and as soon as he did he started wondering if he made a mistake. Evan and Dorcas were staring right at him with wide eyes “What the actual fuck?”
“I think there is a mouse in your house,” Dorcas said

“What?” Regulus fastly jumped out of his coach, he started scanning the room “What? Why- when- What?”

“I don’t know” Evan cried out “Pandora went to buy groceries and well I went to close the door because she never closes it and then I saw a white mouse”

“What the fuck” Regyulus jumped on the coach “Where?”

“There,” Dorcas yelled, a small mouse probably the size of a mini elephant was staring at them. All three of them ran to the bathroom, where Barty was already happily washing his face

“A mouse” Evan yelled, and now Barty was freaking out too. Regulus jumped in the bathtub, and so did Dorcas. They were staring into one another’s eyes, Dorcas nodded, and just like that it was decided that if something happened they would sacrifice Evan

“No, No No” Barty screamed in high pitched voice, he pushed himself between Dorcas and Regulus, Evan who looked betrayed, laid on top of all three of them

“What do we do now?” Evan asked

“First of all try to breathe,” Dorcas said angrily “Second of all, wait for Pandora”

“I hate rats, I think I’m going to move out”

“Yes, do that” Barty encouraged him

“Barty move your fat ass” Evan pinched Regulus’s leg

“Hey, that’s my leg”

“Shut up”

Dorcas pointed at the door, a white mouse was running in circles. In a scene like this, none of them made any more sound, Barty was hugging Dorcas “What the fuck” she screamed, trying to get him off her

“I’m going to throw up” Evan announced happily, he did look a little dizzy, and he was paler than usual “No seriously”

“Don’t throw up, I will stink for the rest of the day” Regulus mumbled under Evan, he was still very tired. “Where the fuck is Pandora when I-”

“When we need her” Barty corrected him

“Where is my phone?”

“Stop moving” Dorcas screamed “I’m sweating like a pig”

With all the noises, they don’t notice Pandora sneaking on them with that same mouse in her hands “What? Are you all scared of this little guy” she said with a dreamy smile

All four of them froze? Like regulus said before, Pandora that little shit “Panda” Barty mumbled “You wouldn’t”

“Oh, I would” and with that maniac smile of hers she threw it on them. Evan was screaming louder than all of them. Regulus jumped out of the bathtub, he ran to the living room only to see Benjy and Xeno, they were standing there awkwardly

“Hey” Regilus greeted, still trying to catch his breath

“Hey, so I think our mouse is here” Benjy started “His name is Tommy, he sometimes does that”

“Why the fuck do you have a mouse for?” he stopped for a moment “And who the fuck names mouse a Tommy?”

“Aske Xeno,” Benjy said with an energetic grin, way too energetic “So how have you been sunshine?”

“Reg, Reggie, Reg” Evan ran outside “Oh hi” he looked at Benjy, and eyed him for a moment, Regulus knew that look, Evan didn’t like him “You and Barty have to go now, Poppy called, she’s expecting you in an hour”

“Shit” Regulus cursed under his breath and went to his bedroom.

—-------------------

“Did you even practice?” Riddle's tone was cold “I specifically asked you to do so”

“I think he sounds quite alright,” Poppy said, she narrowed her eyes at Regulus “Your students are always so special” she whispered, loud enough for only Tom and Regulus to hear

“Poppy” the Older woman frowned at how unformal Riddle was being “With all due respect, he may sound alright but he doesn’t sound perfect, I need for him to sound unforgivable, not ‘alright’” Then Tom turned to Regulus “Whatever, we will fix this later alright?”

Regulus didn’t have any more energy, he was told to play the same part over and over again, only for it to sound ‘quite alright’, Poppy accepted Regulus, he had a new schedule now, and Riddle was going to start training him again. His luck. Fuck his luck.

“You’re welcomed to stay for rehearsal” She smiled kindly, Regulus, of course, accepted the offer, he was sweaty and way too tired for anything “So, today we will be going over acting, tomorrow our costume designer and my co-writer will join us, this is quite informal”

“Alright” Regulus answered unsurely, not having any idea why she was telling him all of this

“Oh and before anything, I must tell you something that I tell all of my co-workers here” She gestured to a sit “Regulus, you’re truly talented, I can see that you have a special gift” Regulus tried to bite off his smile “And well, our play isn’t traditional at all, if you think that you need to change something or cut the composition shorter or even play a completely different one, I wouldn’t mind, no one here would, I think that I can trust your judgment”

“I-” Regulus, not being used to having so much freedom, of people wanting for him to do something his with his music (Well maybe besides Pandora) had absolutely no idea what to say “Thank you”

“Mh” She hummed with a slight smile on her lips, then her phone rang “Oh sorry I have to take it, it’s my wife”

Oh. Regulus knew he liked her.

He awkwardly sat in the empty theater, watching an equally empty scene, there were some props, costumes were all on the floor, the sits were red, and only one light was shining on the scene.

Suddenly Barty came out of nowhere, the lights were now shining on him, making his eyes that usually burn with passion, even more, brighter, the light was dancing perfectly on his skin “Oh but Father, you have to understand that I’m not a child no more”

“Not a child he says” laughed a man that was only now visible “Bu still as immutable as one”

“I just don’t want to-” he groaned in frustration “I want to be free father, I want to be free from this golden cage, why can’t you understand me? Why can’t you hear me?”

“Maybe you’re not loud enough, maybe your wish is unreasonable, I have given you everything” the older man throws his hands up “Everything. What more can you want from me? First, you take away my wife” he was now slightly raising his voice “I don’t say anything, I’m trying to not blame you, trying to excuse her death, than you take away my money, my fortune, you put my name in dirt and yet you still want something from me? What more can I possibly owe you?”

“My mother's death is no fault of mine” Barty whispered “I’m going to go, I’m going to leave you behind and prove that I can survive on my own, That I do not need you in my life”

“You walk out of this door and your no son of mine”

“It’s better this way” and with those words, the scene changed, now Barty was sitting on the floor, and next to him a blonde girl, one that Dorcas hated was sitting

“What the matter Willaim? You know you can talk to me”

“Oh, sweet, sweet Rose I don’t think you would have been able to understand it”

“But I can try” she took his hands in her owns

“Rose, you wouldn’t want to, stop being so silly”

“No! you stop being so mean” suddenly she burst into tears “Why are you being so mean Willia? For the love of god stop and talk to me”
“What if I do not love god?”

“Do you actually?”

“No, but I don’t think he loves me”

“That’s not true” She started scratching her jaw “That’s not true at all, god loves everyone, he’s our father, we were created by him and no matter what he will love us”

Then, it was like, a sudden realization hit her “Oh Willaim”

“Than Why doesn’t my father love me”

“I-”

“Okay cut, cut” Barty interrupted, the blondie threw him a nasty look “What? Don’t look at me like that, this is giving me PTSD” her gaze softens a little “Ha can’t say anything now can you Marls?”

“Fucking Hell Barty-” only then she noticed Regulus staring at them, Regulus felt kind of uneasy under her gaze, it felt like he has been caught “I- Barty- the-the people- I wasn’t-wasn’t ready for this” She took a deep breath and whispered something to Barty, with that only he and Regulus were in the room

“Come up Reg, I’m going to introduce you to the rest of the crew”

“Alright”

He went up to the scene and with Barty’s help jump up “So how did it go? With Poppy, I mean”

‘Fine, uh she’s cool”

“She is ye” Barty mumbled, he scratched his eyes “I’m tired” and yawned

“I got you a Coffee” Someone cheered, way too energetically for Regulus's liking “Oh, Where’s Marlene?”

Barty looked ta Regulus and laughed “Jamie-boy, did you get me a coffee?”

“Oh- I mean? What the fuck?” James took off his stupid glasses and wipe them with his jacket “What an interesting coincidence” he smirked, his eyes not leaving Regulus

“Unpleasant you mean” Regulus mumbled, Barty, took a Coffee that James was holding

“I’m sure you and Reg will be able to buy a new one” H laughed “Now go”

“But-”

“Go!”

“Jesus fucking christ Barty” And with that James and Regulus went to the closest Cafe. James ordered tea and sat down “We’re not doing this” Regulus decided

“We are” he smiled, Regulus definitely hated him “Now, order some tea for yourself and sit down” Regulus didn’t move “Please” James added with a hopeful look

Regulus groaned in frustration “I prefer coffee”

“Alright” he smiled “we need to talk”

“I don’t think so”
“Listen, you need to talk to Sirius”

“I don’t need to do anything,” Regulus said bluntly "He's the one who needs to talk to me, since he was the one who abandoned me" Regulus was telling a lie, he did feel betrayed when Sirius left but if Regulus got a chance as Sirius did, he would have left too

“True” James looked around like he was afraid someone would have been there, Regulus was absolutely disgusted with James's response, he knew for sure that Potter didn't mean that, what was he trying to do? “So” he gulped “What is your favorite color?”

“No”

“No?”

“No”

"Never heard of that, didn’t even know that color name ‘no’ existed” he laughed like he was the funniest man that had ever walked on earth “What does it look like?”

“Mix of Black and white”

“So grey?”

“No?” Regulus now was offended “Who the fuck liked grey?”

“But you said the mix of Black and White?”

“No, I’m pretty sure I said the mix of blue and red”

“Purple then?”

“Fuck no, are you stupid”

“You’re confusing me” James whined, he shook his head fondly “Mine is red”

“I know, you’re easy to read”
“I don’t think that’s true” he mumbled, Regulus was about to answer but the phone rang, It was a message from…four people at the same time?

Andromeda
Hey, can we meet up tomorrow we need to talk

Narcissa
Send me your address. I will come by tomorrow

Bellatrix
Reggie, I need to ask you something
I will send you the address and come meet me tomorrow

Unknown
Reg, it’s me Sirius
Can we please talk
If you’re free tomorrow come meet me

“merde”