Cries of deserted birds.

Regulus, 4th September 1975

Their Captain had arrived, at last, she´d been late, held back by Slughorn she´d said, that was not true, cause Regulus had seen her sneak off with Victor Rickett.

It would cause quite a scandal if the rest of the school would know. Lucinda Talkalot, captain of Slytherin with the Hufflepuff captain. The rest of Slytherin would look down on her. This was why he choose not to say anything, at least not in front of everyone, he might tell his friends later, but not Barty, cause he´d only gossip on to every person he knew. It would split the house into pieces, and they did not need that, not now.

Not this year. Not when Potter was captain. Regulus wanted to beat that smug smirk off his handsome face.

Handsome? Where had that come from? Alright, he was handsome, he was actually quite attractive, there was no denying it. But he was also vain, loud, arrogant, dense and conceited. And to Potter's distress, his looks did not make up for his arrogant personality.

Boys like Potter were used to getting everything they wanted, with no fight to it, no other competition, it had always been easy for him.

Which was why Regulus admired Lily Evans and sort of appreciated her. Sirius couldn't stand her for whatever selfish reason, but Regulus would smile whenever the redhead would humble him. He fought, but never got the girl. The Slytherin hoped he´d never get her either.

And he was not planning on letting his boasting self win, not if Regulus was still alive. Because he´d definitely fight against him this year. Not much he could do as a seeker, but people did tend to underestimate him, and it never ended well on their part.

The scene that had occurred only moments ago, had to be the most humorous thing about his day so far.

The blonde girl had fought with Dorcas as usual, it was nothing new. It was always the same: Dorcas trying to get a rise out of Mckinnon, that working surprisingly well every time then the Scot would come with the most unnecessary comment known to man, and Dorcas would jump right at it.

Regulus had told his friend at least a thousand times to leave it be, but he suspected that Dorcas secretly enjoyed it, how very Slytherin.

But then his brother and Barty had joined in, and that was when it went from serious to funny. Cause Sirius had quite literally threatened to beat Barty and if he saw right, tried to hit him with a second-hand broom.

Thankfully, for both of the idiots, Potter had the strength of a hundred men, and he had held back the broom in order for Sirius to not hit his friend.

If he was honest, Barty would have deserved it, he did provoke him but on the other hand, it was Barty, and he didnt want him to get hurt, least of all from his brother.

That was why Barty did exactly that. Provoking him. He did that a lot, to everyone, even his friends when he got angry at them, but not Pandora, she never got mad so he´d given her up.

One time she admitted that she suspected it was because he wanted them to reach his level, so he wouldn't feel bad about what he did or said. Evan said it was his normal, but Regulus was concerned for him, his self-destruction was unsettling, and it shouldnt be anyones normal, not even for a nutter like Barty.

Nonetheless, thanks to barty and Sirius charade, he had seen something very interesting during the little show.

Oh, Potter, he thought he´d been really subtle, but the truth is that the Gryffindor could not have been more obvious about it, he was just lucky to have been surrounded by fools at the moment.

But, to his credit, it was not a dumb move. And Regulus, yes, he sort of respected it. Something he shouldn't have seeing as he had just caught him stealing Slytherin house's most treasured possession. Something they wore with more pride than Gryffindors wore their uniform.

Such a stunt was not going to go ignored. Cause Regulus had the upper move, despite what they might think at the moment. And what any normal person would do, was to tell the team, and get it back immediately.

Regulus was anything but normal, which was why this was going to be his. The younger Black was cunning, he was sly and too smart for his own good. And he was going to bring Potter down.

He looked at his brother walking beside the boy with untidy hair, sharing sneaky smiles. God, this was going to be fun.

“Are you smiling?” brown hair and green eyes were in sight. Barty had landed inches away from him, something that made Regulus back away almost automatically.

“No, your hallucinating again,” Regulus replied, looking at him dead serious.

Barty smiled, “Nah, I caught you, now tell who is it you´re scheming ´gainst?”

“You´d beg to join if I told,” he mumbled.

“Promise I won't, just tell, c´mon, I'm curious who could make a stern bloke so pleased,” he joked, 'cause Barty loved to joke.

He knew Sirius would scream if he´d hear of the comparison, but he did remind him of his brother. Both are annoying, rude, witty, and well sort of lazy. But they were also quite different, Barty was colder, maybe more detached, darker in a way Regulus never saw in his older brother.

Not that Regulus didn't appreciate Barty for that, in a way those were the reasons that made them friends. They were both flawed enough to find the right in each other, it might sound a tad fucked up, but their life had been from the start.

Sirius was flawed, there was no doubt about that, but Sirius never hid it, nor did he deny it. Also, his biggest flaw was his emotions, something that made people love him, not including their family of course.

People like Regulus hid it, people like Barty as well because they were not good.

“Potter,” he bit his tongue to not spill out more than he intended to.

Barty´s eyes widened, “what– him? are you having a laugh?” he looked confused.

Regulus didn't answer the dense question, instead, he looked him dead in the eyes.

“Riiight, cus your allergic to laughs—but why Potter?” he questioned, Barty asked too much.

“Not telling, ´s my little secret,” he told him, 'cause it was. And he was going to have fun with it. Maybe hatch a little plan along the way, keep his mind busy from other intriguing thoughts.

Barty groaned, “always the tease Black, but Potters a prick, wouldn´t go near that tosser unless I´d have to,” he insisted, the wind was blowing his hair so it went upwards, it looked ridiculous, but it didn't seem like he minded. Another difference between Barty and his shallow brother.

“Oi girls, get on your brooms, Talkalot´s gettin' tired of ya talkin´ a lot,” the bright voice of Dorcas Meadowes spoke in the sky. In contrast to the rest of the team, she was not wearing a helmet, cause she claimed she was too cool for it. Also, it apparently didn't go with her hairstyle.

The bad joke made Barty cackle to the ground, Regulus facepalm, and also their Captain irritated.

“Meadowes that joke´s growin´ tired, also where´s your helmet?” Talkalot shouted, to be honest with a last name like that she could not expect not to be teased, not that Regulus could talk with a first name like his.

“Ah, must have forgotten it at home, oh well,” she lied, there was no chance anyone would fall for that.

Talkalot certainly didnt, “Fine, but fetch one for next practice, I will not risk my star chaser and lose to Hufflepuff next match, imagine losing to fuckin Hufflepuff?” Imagine fuckin´ one, he almost said but he bit his tongue. If people saw his thoughts they´d think he was a comedian.

“I´d rather take some puffs if you get what I mean?” he nudged Regulus, laughing himself, but he only rolled his eyes, which was a victory in Bartys eyes, seeing as they literally lit up.

“C´mon Crouch and Black, your gettin´ slow,” Dorcas said, flying in circles at a rapid speed above them.

“You think you could beat Reg? he flies at the speed of light love,” Barty claimed, jumping on his broom again.

“Didn't claim I could beat Regulus, you on the other hand ´darling,” she said condescendingly.

“Oh really Cas?” he jumped on the broom and had a headstart.

“You little sneak, that's cheatin´!” she shouted while trying to catch up with him.

He merely laughed while flying in front of her, a crazy laugh, that sounded more like shrieking, most people were peeved by his laugh, but Regulus was never. He felt a little warmth every time, every time he heard his friends laugh.

“Not when you´re a Slytherin, catch up sweetie,” he shouted through wild laughs. Regulus couldn't hear more of their bickering after that, seeing as they were too far away.

He had missed Hogwarts even if he did not moan about it as his brother did. Screaming about his home in Scotland and not their house in London. He´d never accept defeat, and defeat to Sirius was to let them Win over him, to let them control him, something he´d never let them have. Regulus let them believe he was theirs, that he was controlled, he played the long game, the safer one. He´d follow their rules, act exactly as he was supposed to, but

Sirius had been pushing for a while now, but their parents were growing angry, especially their mother. And it was a mere question of time for when the final stunt would occur. Regulus dreaded that day. The day it all would play out. And Regulus always knew, it was one of the things he prided himself in, but the uncertainty of this scared him.

Being back here, was nice, he had seen his friends sometimes during the break, but it was more about the scenery. Hogwarts didnt demand him to be perfect all of the time, which left him some room to breathe. And that room was very appreciated by him. His mentality had improved a tad, even his physical health.

The thing he missed about Grimmauld was not his parents, but something that was within the walls of Hogwarts as well. Cause Sirius was both here and there. But he was more distant here. Selfishly enough of Regulus, it had been nice having Sirius so close to him. Even though he´d been miserable, the liveliness he´d seen in Hogwarts was gone and been replaced with something ugly. Regulus had him there at least, they had each other, but now he was gone. And something in Regulus told him he wouldn't be back. Not to him at least. Because he was back to Potter. Potter who he idolised so.

And his thoughts were interrupted when a familiar voice screamed. It came from the stands. The stands were empty except for two people. And when Regulus saw the owner of the scream, his heart almost stopped.

It was his older brother, falling over the fence, he was definitely going to fall over.

Regulus was scared, he was so scared. And he panicked, he searched for his wand. Cause he wouldn't let him fall.

Wouldnt.

Couldn't.

Cause that was Sirius, it was his older brother. And a world could not exist without him. Not a world Regulus would want to live in.

No matter any issues they´d had in the past, Regulus forgot it all.

And when Regulus finally found his wand and grabbed it, he raised his gaze to where his brother had fallen from a mere second ago.

Sirius had been grabbed and saved by Lupin. His brother's other best friend. He held him very closely. And the question popped into his head without a warning. Why was he so alright with being held tight, why didnt he feel as uneasy as Regulus did, they had after all been raised in the same home, under the same roof.

But his brother didnt fall. And his world wasn't black, again.

He felt the urge to go up and see his brother.

To know he was alright, be assured that Lupin's arms weren't as threatening as they looked. Or maybe it was just him?

Either way he for the first time today, jumped on the broom and flew gracefully up.

And Sirius didnt notice him right away. It had been his friend who did.

But when Sirius noticed him, he looked sort of odd.

All expressions, of course, cause that was all he did nowadays. Mouth about his opinions sitting in the high chair of what was right and wrong. T

“Saw you almost fell, what happened?” he asked dryly, without any depth to his voice. Though he felt more than what he showed, he was not planning on turning this into a pity party.

“Didnt die, sorry you gotta wait a couple more years when the fags get me till your finally heir Reggie,” he said very seriously, but ironically. Why did he insist on that nickname? And did he think Regulus wanted to be heir, god that was hilarious. He´d rather drop dead on the spot than inherit the house of Black. Or just drop dead.

He rolled his eyes. “Be vicious if you want but im still your brother, and I do get concerned,” he informed him cause it was important for him to know. His eyes were ice blue, they looked like his mother's, but they weren't and he knew that cause she would never look at him like he was important. Like he was someone and not something.

“Not bein´ vicious, just proper honest, you don't care, and I don't either, just go back to ur Slytherin mates, will ya?” he criticised, his accent would always change when he got back here, drop his g´s and h´s.

“I will,” he said but his eyes were set on Lupin, who stood right beside him. He looked him up and down. From his ragged shoes to his aged face. He had dark circles under his eyes, and it didn't suit him. Because Regulus could tell under his tired face there was something well, something rather pleasant. His height was something to notice as well, he was taller than any bloke Regulus had met. He was not too dumb either, smarter than his company. And his knowing looks were hard to escape, something told him Regulus that Sirius shared more with his friends than he did.

“Your right, this summer taught me as much,” he said when his gaze returned to Sirius. Mimiring what Regulus considered one of the worst summers of his life. It had been a living nightmare, nothing about it had been right. Summers had never been all good, but this one had been pure distress, standing out for all the wrong reasons. And something told him it had not ended.

Regulus was not the greatest little brother, he didn't know how it had happened but he knew it was true. Supporting and loving had never come easy to him, especially for the ones he cared for. It had bothered him more before, but Regulus was fine with it now. Nonetheless, it still stung when he said what he said next.

“You´re a shit brother anyway, ´ll do better without ye,” Sirius had said. He blamed Regulus. As usual. But as hopeless as Regulus was, it was not true. Sirius was a shit brother too. And to not acknowledge that was shit. Because they were two in that house. It hadn't only been him.

They were two.

Two to blame.

And Regulus could not do better without Sirius, cause he didnt know how to. Why would he want to, when he´d had Sirius his entire life. Did Sirius want to leave him. And would it really be that selfish of him to want him to stay, despite Sirius telling him he´d be better without? Probably, but Regulus was selfish.

“Correct, im the bad one,” he said in an exaggerated tone, as if he disagreed. He didnt, cause he was truly the worse out of the two. Sirius had always been better, gooder.

“Don't die just yet will you, our parents need you for Christmas,” Regulus said just as cruelly as Sirius had, and he sort of meant it.

“Your parents,” he corrected. “You´ve got Orion's wit and Walburgas´ tongue, great combo,” it was a bad and mean joke that only the two of them would get. And it was sort of true, so he couldn't really blame him.

“Least I don´t go around threatening to beat ur friends with a broom,” was all he managed to say before he left him as quickly as he had arrived.

Sirius was dumb, he was egoistical, and rude and he didnt owe anything to Regulus.

*

The rest of the practice went fine. Except for some comments from Talkalot about where his head was at. He brushed it off, cause she was right. He was the star seeker of Slytherin, and he played worse than ever.

It was as dramatic as it was real. Sirius didnt want anything to do with him. And that was alright. He felt the same.

He wasnt exactly obliged to. Family loyalty and all was important, but not here. And Regulus wasnt going to force his older brother to love him, neither was he going to love someone who clearly didnt want his love. He had no idea how to. The concept of it was fake. At least in his world, there was nothing real about it, all calculated.

He didn't need love. There was no space for it in his life.

Regulus didn't love his friends. Yes, he cared for them, but it had nothing to do with loving them. He believed himself to be incapable of doing so, and even if he did love someone, it´d be too dark to call it conventional love. So Regulus preferred not to get feelings involved in any of his relations with the people he cared for. Because he was afraid he´d stop caring enough about them, and he´d break them with his sanity.

His friends were probably sitting in the library by now, waiting for him. They usually met there, since Pandora was a Ravenclaw. But even if they were in a library they did anything but reading or studying.

The only ones with a bright academic future among them were he and Evan. Cause while Pandora was bright and all she never was a scholar. She said she wanted to work at home, she´d rather create potions in a small study. Dorcas was smart, but she wanted to be a player, and she wasnt smart in the conventional way. Barty was a genius, straight up a genius, Regulus had noticed early on in their friendship. When he was asked why he didnt do better in school, he´d respond with half a shrug and a comment about how the teachers had it out for him.

Regulus was supposed to meet them half an hour ago, but he had been distracted. James Potter was sneaking around the castle. And to Regulus that was a lot more interesting than meeting his friends to gossip. That was all they did lately either way,

Potter thought he was being real quiet, but the boy couldn't be to save his life. He was loud, and it was odd how no one had noticed him sneaking up the astronomy tower. No one but Reg.

And he hid something in his hand. The boy was really going to hide their serpent up here. Regulus almost laughed, but because he was following, he held back the laughter and took a strained breath instead.

But Potter apparently noticed, trust the boy to not notice a bludger to his head but a mere breath.

He turned around very quickly, so Regulus didnt have time to hide. Not that he would want to do that either way, he sort of wanted him to notice. To confront him.

Maybe he shouldn't have waited till they were this far away from humans, or maybe it was a good thing. No one would witness this.

And at first, he didnt recognise him, probably because of the dark. But Regulus saw him and stared back till Potter realised who it was he was looking at.

“Regulus— what are you doin´ here?” he asked, his eyes wide.

“I'm not Regulus,” he lied, very badly. Why did he say that, such a stupid thing to say. It came to quick out of him.

Potter tilted his head slightly, looking at him. Regulus tried to not eye the serpent he held in his hand, cause that would ruin his little plan. Luckily, Potter was smart enough to realise so himself, and he stuffed it in his pocket.

“Alright not Regulus, what are you doin´ up here at this ´hour?” he asked while doing so, he stepped closer.

Regulus stepped back, “I was going to deliver this book to the library, then I saw your suspicious arse,” he explained, and pulled out a book that he hid in his black leather handbag. It had been a gift from Dorcas, one of the few bags he owned without his initial to it.

The older boy eyed the book that he had in his pale hand. It was a classic, Crime and punishment.

“Crime and punishment hm, good book innit,” he smiled, trying to small talk with Regulus. It was weird, how he could be this friendly, to someone he barely knew.

“Like you´ve ever read it.`”

“You don't think I have? Do you think I'm illiterate?”

“Yes I do, what's the author's name if your so cultured?” he said as he turned the book around quickly so he couldn't read of it.

“uh, what's the name of the geezer, ahh— Dan wasn't it? Yeah sounds about right,” he smiled thinking he had said something right. “Miserable name for the author of a book called crime and punishment, yeah?” he continued.

“How did you get it wrong you fool, the book was right in front of you a mere second ago,” he scoffed in disbelief.

“Oi I'll have ye know im proper smart yeah, it's hard to read in the dark, ” he argued playfully. Regulus imagined that he did that a lot with Sirius. “What's the name of the bloke then?” he asked.

“Fjodor Dostojevskij,” Regulus answered with what he considered an excellent accent. He had read Russian since he was young, so the accent came easy to him.

Potter gaped, “it's Russian how do you expect me to know— oh fuck you read it in an accent, do you know Russian Regulus?” he spoke so quickly and moved on from topic to topic so fast. It was honestly intriguing to watch him. He was energy through and through, Regulus had never seen anyone like this before.

“A little yes,” he admitted reluctantly.

“Pffft, your bein´ humble,” the boy laughed. “I know for sure that's bullocks, you bloody Blacks are proper good with languages yeah?”

“That's an exaggeration—”

“God you and Pads are so different,” he chuckled, Potters dark eyes were closed for a second, and it let Regulus look properly at him for a moment. The boy was an eyeful, with his brown skin, and his dark hair in a mess on the top of his head, he looked like a character. A Book character that Regulus would love. Cause he often liked the ones most different to himself, was that a psychological thing? Either way the boy

“Pads?” Regulus questioned, a tad confused but more embarrassed for the person with the unfortunate name.

“Padfoot yeah, he´d just boast on ´bout how his much better—,” Potter was talking but Regulus had fallen off long ago. He was just watching him now, the way he talked was odd to him. Course he had talked to him before, he had watched him, commented, stared him down. But he had never been alone with him. It was a bit suffocating if he was honest. It felt a bit egoistical to share the same air as him because that wasnt his, it was Sirius´ air.

Potter was still talking, and he was still looking like himself. It was unfair. And it made Regulus a bit angry. How could anyone be that perfect, and have it all? Cause he did, have it all.

“—- do know you and Sirius are arguing, so what's that ´bout?” Potter finally asked and it grabbed his attention, Regulus could see his reflection in Potter's round glasses.

“Why are you asking me? Doesn't the tosser tell you everything?” it wasnt a question, more of a statement.

James didn't notice his sharp tone, “Yes the tosser did tell, but I want to hear it from your pretty mouth,” he smirked.

What was he playing at? Pretty mouth, was that how he and Sirius talked to one another? Knowing his brother they probably did.

“This pretty mouth will curse your bullocks if you—”

“Not my bullocks, Regulus Fuck, it is my most important equipment!” he was trying to hold back a smile but he looked like a prat while doing so. And in that moment Regulus sort of understood Severus.

“You´re bloody insufferable Potter, I'm leaving,” he didn't want to go.

“No wait— sorry ´got carried away reg,”

“Right,” he stayed.

“Sorry bout that on the pitch too, think he got carried away.” James explained.

“Don't apologise for him, if he wants to act a brat, let him.”

Potter tilted his head, and Regulus could swear that he for a second saw his look darken, but he might have imagined it.

“You know Sirius is like my brother so it sort of means ur my brother too, y´know?”

“Dont make me gag Potter” That was bloody disgusting-

James apparently found Regulus reaction amusing, and he clapped his hands together while letting a deep chuckle escape his lips. “God you're funny, never change Regulus,”

“Wasn't planning on doing so,” he wanted to smile, but held it back cause that would be cringe.

“You know ur not half bad, I know you like to pretend—”

“I like to pretend?” Regulus interrupted. He wasnt one to interrupt he wasnt sure what to say, as he wasn't sure what it was Potter was hinting at.

“Yeah you like to act as ur indifferent to all, but you´re not, you have depth,”

“Oh depth, are we are usin´ big language now?” Regulus joked, which was odd in the first place, cause Regulus never joked around people he disliked. But nothing about him talking to James Potter was normal.

“Im a big boy, you should now that by now.”

“Might look like one, but d´sure not act it,” he didnt notice but he was apperently tapping his foot against the floor in a repeated move. Regulus hoped the older boy didnt notice.

“Oh? How so you wise one?” he looked at him all his attention on him. Regulus was certain that the boy had even forgot why he was here in the first place.

“Well, youre incredibly immature first of all–” he began.

“´m pretty sure incredible´s a good thing,” it is. It is too much of a good thing, it might even turn bad to quick, cause its too incredible to grasp.

“You want to know whats incredible, there might be life on mars.” he said instead.

Regulus did not notice then but he was close potter, less than a meter apart.

“Yeah i heard, Sirius obsessed with Bowie, he´s got this song you see” potters teeth were too straight.

“They dont have no global magnetic field that protects the planet from potentially life-threatening cosmic radiation and solar radiation tho,” the fact spilled out of him without even thinking of it.

“Ah so danger to the aliens?” his teeth were so white it made his brown skin shine.

“Yes, as a result, Mars has been vulnerable to radiation from space for about 4 billion years.”

“Thats insane Reg, imagine being in danger for that long” the brown of his skin were the same as his eyes. Reg he´d called him.

“Muggles think mars has never been inhabited, but waffling proved that there was traces of acient magic on the planet.”

“So bowie is a Wizard?” the skin that wrinkled around his eyes while he was smiling, made him real as well as his smile genuine.

“No, he´s a musician on coke.”

“Really? Thats fascinating, drugs let people see truth? Wonder what id see.” James´ eyes were too bright to leave any trace of lies.

“Are you planning on doing drugs Potter?”

“Why wanna join?” brown hair that was lengthy enough to fall infront of his eyes if it wasnt for it sticking upwards, cause his hair too much of a mess. Did his mum never told him off?

“Depends,” he half muttered.

“Hmm, but i dont do drugs— just so you know, do you?” but the hair suited him, it made sense for him to have thick messy hair. It was nice.

“No.”

“Ah, see, how are we goin´ to compete against ye if we´re sleazin ´round eh?” he had dimples, how had Regulus never noticed.

Oh.

And just like that Regulus knew he had to leave. This time he did. He left in a hurry, not running exactly, but rushing. Fucking dimples. He wasnt supposed to notice dimples on Potter. They werent his to see.

Potter looked confused.

And he would call for Regulus. Regulus didnt know Potter to well, not exactly, but he had seen the boys face enough to guess that he´d do that next.
And he did.

“Regulus—-” he couldnt hear what else he said after he shouted his name. Not something smart, that was for sure.

Thankfully he didn't follow after him. Now that. that would have been embarrassing.

How wrong his plan had gone, ah for christs sake. He had actually laughed, laughed with fucking Potter. The plan was to intimidate him, intimidate the wanker, but he´d gone and muddled it up, chattin with him like that wasn't Sirius´ James.

He didnt dislike james, but he wasnt supposed to like him either. No he shouldnt.

Not when he was planning something against him.

“Ah there you are you mate, did ye got lost or something?” suddenly Regulus was met with Evan´s white hair.

He had pased down the halls so quickly he hadnt realised that he´d already arrived at the Library.

“Uh hi?”

“You alright, you seem a bit unsettled,” he said while they walked over to their friends.

“Yes, just a long day is all,” he mumbled then he looked at Evan for a mere second. “you got any of those pills?” he asked.

Evan squeezed his eyes shut and groaned, “Reg—”

“Come on Rosier, be a chap,” it was ironic, sort of. But well he doubted Evan would say no, after all they were family.

“Fine, but do not let Crouch see,” he opened up a little box with green pills. The first time he´d seen Evan swallow one was during a late night last year. Regulus asked for one, and Evan was happy to give one.

Only it didnt stop with one.

The effects of the pills were something Regulus liked, he didnt feel like his mind was moving wihtouth him when he had it in his system. He felt more calm, and well less of himself. Which was a good thing in his case.

Evans aunt was big on those, and she was to gone too notice that he would nick a dozen of them.

He swallowed the pill waiting for the wave of calmness to hit him.

“Oh Regulus, im glad youre here,” pandora said smiling when they arrived at their table, she pulled out a chair for him.

Regulus offered a small smile, sitting down with his friends.

“What took you so long?” Dorcas asked, always the more direct one.

“Met this one annoying bloke in the hall, ´kept me up,” he murmured.

“a bloke you say? Who was it?” barty asked, he was leaning in his chair, with a nonchalant look about him, but his tone told otherwise.

“None of your business Crouch,” it might have been a bit rude, but Regulus wasnt in the best mood.

“Was it Potter again?” he answered back.

“Potter, whats he got to do with our Reg?” Evan asked looking back and forth from Regulus to Barty.

“Thats curious, whats up?” Dorcas agreed.

“S´ nothing really, just met him in the hall, you know how he is,” he said while shooting barty a look because he didnt want the others to know more.

“Oh? What did the wanker want from you?”

“He wanted to let me know how they were goin to win the trophy,” regulus rolled his eyes and tried to look a tad annoyed to seem more convincing. Not that he had to try, he was a natural liar.

“Now you´ve all got to win it from that smug bastard, we won't let ye back if you lose” Evan joked.

Bartys eyes were still on Regulus, observing him, but Barty had always been the more doubtful one, even sceptical to his friends.

But luckily when the talk of Potter came up in the group Barty couldn't help but join, “Professor Slughorn seated me with the bastard ye know?”

Dorcas laughed, “oh god yes when I heard it I almost died of laughter, you should have seen his mug,” Dorcas mocked turning to Pandora.

“Ah yes, of course, I can imagine, what did James say about it?” pandora asked.

“Did you think Potter wanted to sit with this nutter–”

“Careful Meadowes,” Barty warned but it was an emty threat. “Fuck i can't stand him, actin all high and mighty, like he´s a fucking somebody,” he continued.

“he´s pretty thick as well you know, couldn't tell the difference between an ashwinder and an occamy, I thought his father was this potion genius?”

“Yeah his dad invented sleekeazy,” pandora hummed.

“The hair products? You joking? ´m usin right now!” Evan laughed ruffling up his very short hair.

“Treason! get away from me you bastard,” barty shouted while Evan tried to headlock him. But he laughed so it wasnt anything serious.

“Nah but the boy could actually use some of his daddys products eh?” evan joked after he´d let go of the brown haired boy.

“Evan! Thats rude, only cus he´s got– got a unique sense of style?” Pandora interrupted her brother giving him a scolding look.

Barty snorted. “Thats one way to put it,” his humorous attempt on making fun of potters hair hadnt got unnoticed by Pandora who´d defend the uniqueness of all. She smacked the back of his head with her magazine.

“But they´re sort of right, his hair is sort of ridiculous,” but it wasnt. It was nice.

“See, even Regulus agrees!” Evan smiled at his sister, but she only shook her head with a small smile on her face.

Pandora was quite beautiful, she didn’t even realise it. She didn't ooze with confidence like particular others did. She was more timid and humble, but at the same time she never hid herself. Yes, Pandora was odd, eccentric and maybe even quirky. But it never mattered to her when people would whisper around her or if they’d be brave enough to tell it to her face. The girl shrugged of anything that came against her like it was nothing, which it was to her, nothing. Regulus himself had appreciated her qualities, he appreciated her for simply being her. And she cared for him, she cared for everything and everyone. Even if it was tossers like Potter. She cared.

The others moved on from topic to topic, and they were laughing and glad to be with each other again.

Pandora had noticed Regulus' silence, and she turned to him-

“What´ are you thinkin' about?” She whispered low enough for no one to hear except for Regulus.

“Thinkin' of what it be like if we weren't here” he had answered because it was Pandora he was talking with.

“Oh? Where´d you be?”

“I don't know where, but I'd be miserable, more miserable.” he had admitted, and pandora had merely smiled, closing her eyes.

“Is that possible?” she gasped but her eyes were kind, so he couldn't find it in him to glare at her as he would do to anyone else.

“Oh pandora, it is very possible, you´v seen me after talking to that Sirius? I lose brain cells just listening to him,” he joked even though it was partly true.

Even if he and Sirius were not perfect, even if his brothers wasnt perfect, he was glad he could talk about him to Pandora. Cause the rest of his friends loathed him, which was understandable, but she did not. She liked listening to him.

“Oh Sirius yes, he´s dear, funny bloke I´d say,” her voice was so soft and sweet like an angel, sometimes he wondered how she had got with the most devilish group in the school.

“Never tell that to him, he´s already acting like god's gift to humanity.”

“You´re probably right if id judge by the mere seconds I spent talkin to him this summer,” she played with the necklace she had around her neck.

“Still can't believe that happened, what did you even talk about?” Pandora and his brother had for some reason found their way together at the party.

She raised a finger to her lip, “you know I can't tell, im sorry Reggie,” she smirked slightly when the nickname fell out of her mouth.

“Oh god, you had one chat with him, and now this, please do not tell me you´r leavin me for him?”

“Now that you mention it— im jokin– jesus Reg,” he gave her his stare, the stare which made most people break down in tears.

“Oh id always pick you Regulus,” she dawned, smiling with her brown eyes as well as with her mouth. “You do know that right?” she looked a bit more serious now.

And he only nodded, pushing his lips into a harsh line, that imitated a smile.

Pandora looked right through him, but she didnt push. Instead, she leaned on his shoulder, and he let her.