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Regulus
Regulus is not a people person nor a sociable one. Most importantly, he does not consider himself a partygoer. This is why he's here in a corner, nursing a drink and watching (most accurately, judging) the party people celebrating the start of the school year's event. It's unofficial of course so the booze has come and gone. He doesn't even want to think about the hangover these people are going to have tomorrow.
He released a long-suffering sigh when he caught sight of his brother dancing in the center of the room. Long black hair that goes beyond his shoulder, aristocratic nose lifted upward the ceiling, arms raised, and hips swaying sexually. His brother is wearing black ripped jeans paired with a holographic sheer mesh shirt accessorize with a punk geometric chain cross pendant necklace. And if he isn't his brother, he can almost say he looks somewhat attractive (and I didn't say it. You can't prove anything.)
His brother invariably draws attention whenever he's in the vicinity. Looking at him now, Regulus can't even argue that. He took a sip from his drink and scanned the room for what, he doesn't even know.
He felt someone sidled beside him so he glanced sideways and found Pandora watching him with a thoughtful look. He looked away with a scowl. His mind races because it gives him a slight tingle on his nape whenever Pandora looks at him that way. It means trouble approaching.
I sighed before turning and handing her my drink. She took it and sipped while hooking her other arm on mine. I shook my head a little then pressed my back on the wall.
"What are you doing here, darling?" She inquired after giving me back my drink. I reach for my glass and drink it empty. The burn on my throat from the vodka I just drank couldn't even surpass the boredom I'm feeling.
"Fucking bored out of my arse." I rolled my eyes at her hence the reason she pinched my arm that caused me to yelp.
"What was that for?" I asked while trying to ease the discomfort away. When I look at it, a slight bruise is starting to form.
"You said you were bored and obviously, that also means you're close to sleeping. Had to sacrifice for the greater good." She said while nodding her head to emphasize her point.
"You-- I-- you know what? Let's leave it at that yeah? Your method is efficient so I couldn't even complain." I conceded without pointing out that she doesn't make sense at all. Well, what do I truly expect? That's Pandora for me. Even though she doesn't make any sense, she's still one of my best friends. Speaking about them,
"Where are the others?" I asked Pandora when I realized I could not even see Evan nor Barty's shadow anywhere.
"Barty is snogging someone in the kitchen when Evan walks in. Luckily, Dorcas came and snatched Evan's arm and dragged him towards the dance floor." She pointed to the former and latter positions.
"And then McKinnon is glaring daggers at them." She nods her head at McKinnon's spot.
I looked over and saw that Pandora is not mistaken, Marlene McKinnon is glaring not only daggers but also a hatchet at Evan and Dorcas' stance. I couldn't even blame her for doing so because the way the two danced, you might think they'll shag afterward.
"All I can say is that Dorcas is living a dangerous life," I said with a huff while shaking my head. "Not even I want to mess with someone knowing they feel something for me."
That caught Pandora's attention back to me.
"Is that so Reggie? So you won't even plan revenge? Or make someone jealous to feel special? To clarify your assumptions if they truly feel something for you?" She raised one of her eyebrows at me and squinted a little. I may have smacked her with the nickname she used but we're on a serious matter so I let it pass.
"Of course not. I'm nothing like that. Do you think so lowly of me Dory?" I shook my head looking solemnly at her.
"No darling but I know you too well to even believe the words you're saying." She pats my arm lightly.
"I am offended Dory love. How could you even think of me doing an extremely awful thing?" I said placing my hand on my chest to act insulted.
"Not even for spite?" She asked while wiggling her eyebrows. I cleared my throat, bit my bottom lip to hide a smile, and looked away.
"Not even for spite," I responded dryly. I looked back at her and she caught my gaze then we both wheezed at the absurdity of the situation she laid out on me.
"Nobody-- can--" she tried speaking but couldn't due to laughing immensely. I giggled at her while she tried to catch her breath. She took a deep breath before speaking.
"Nobody can say that line like how you do it. They can try but you delivered it perfectly. I might consider that you invented it." She teases and then chuckles at her joke. I tried matching her but maybe my face gave me away to her because her expression changes into concern.
"What's wrong? Did I say something, darling?" She placed her hand on my shoulder and then glanced at where I was looking. She shook her head and then cups my jaw to break my gaze. I regarded her before speaking.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Looking at you like what, Reg?" I winced a little with the nickname she used. It was her own 'code' for me (her words, not mine) calling me Reg but with a j sound instead of g.
"Looking at me like you want to shower me with affection and all those shits. Like I deserve such sickening gestures. " I grumbled while removing her hand from my jaw.
"Because I do, darling. I do want to shower you with affection and love because you fucking deserve it all Reg. Let me, let us bestow you with everything you merit, darling." She said while holding my gaze. I couldn't even look away from her eyes. It speaks the truth, that I am sure about. And Pandora seldom curses so when she does, it only means she fucking means it. I nodded and kissed her forehead. She embraced me so I wrapped my arm around her shoulder.
"I know Dory. I know." I said while glancing at where my focus was mere seconds ago.
My brother was bathed with devotion from his boyfriend, Remus Lupin. I can't help but feel envious of what they have. It's rare to find someone you're willing to be vulnerable with, to bear yourself raw, and to be in love with. Sirius is lucky to find such a treasure.
I stepped back from her embrace and snatched a bottle of Guinness from a nearby table. Pandora remained to stare at me. Looking thoughtful which scares the shit out of me occasionally.
"What?" I snapped at her without looking because she is still watching me and it makes him uneasy.
"Why don't you interact with other people Reggie? It's a party yet you look like someone vomits on your shoes." She spoke up after a little while. Now watching the people who were having the time of their lives. Probably because it is the time of their lives. Starting anew, schools and parties.
"This is how I always look Dory, I don't need anyone to vomit on my shoes to convey this look." I replied, turning to face her and frowning a little.
Her face has an unreadable expression when she looks away which only means that her mind is working overtime by thinking of possible troubles she can bestow upon me or probably to someone else (high chance on me). She chances a glance at me and gives me a soft smile. She looks amused and fond at the same time. Shaking her head a little, she tilted her head to the side and raised her hand. I squinted my eyes and frowned while trying to read her objective.
"Padfoot!" I heard someone yelling in the background.
"What are you doing?" I asked through gritted teeth. Her smile changed and turned into a grin. Oh, this shit smells like trouble.
She stepped back at the exact moment someone passed a microphone in my hand. I looked at her and then at the microphone with a horrifying expression. She only waved her hand, a grin yet plastered on her face and mixed with the public. I hear the people in the background cheering but I can't even lift my head to look around. My eye is still glued to the microphone in my hand. Shit. I-- I can't do this. I mean, I know my voice isn't that bad but with all these people watching me? Nope, no can do.
I broke out of my daze when someone nudged my shoulder toward a karaoke machine. I darted around trying to hand the microphone to somebody else but they kept on pushing me in front of the device. I raised my head and saw that written on the screen was a song from, of course, it is High School Musical. How cliche this crowd can be? The intro starts without further ado however I didn't know who my companion is. I looked around trying to locate whoever it is.
"Living in my own world,
I didn't understand.
That anything could happen,
When you take a chance."
A voice sang the prelude a little huskier than it should have been. It's like he was woken up just to sing the song which is quite puzzling because it's a party, who could be asleep? I peered at the screen and saw that the next line was up and it was my turn. Why do I get the girl's part? Fuck.
"I never believed in,
What I couldn't see
And never opened my own heart (oohh)
To all the possibilities"
"Oooooohhhh"
I looked over my shoulder when I heard him make an adlib. My breath hitched when our eyes met and it felt like we were the only ones existing. He made his way toward me stopping merely two feet away. I projected myself to take a deep breath and tore my gaze from him to focus on the screen before starting the next line.
"I know
That something has changed
Never felt this way"
I brought my gaze back to him when he joined me on my part. He was already staring at me. His cheeks colored a light pink when I caught him staring. My heart skipped a beat. Thanks to all the Gods that I know this song by heart or I won't be able to continue the next piece because my eye is only focusing on him. Which is no more to be said about him because he's also doing the same thing.
"And right here tonight
This could be the
Start of something new~~~"
James
"Prongs! Prongs! Bloody hell. He always sleeps like a log."
"Prongs! James! James, wake up!" Someone spoke directly to my ear which caused me to sit upright.
"Wha--?" I tried saying while rubbing the sleep off my eyes.
"They're starting the karaoke," Remus said then turns his head to Mary and continued their discussion.
"Um, what?"
"Prongs, I'm sorry for waking you up but you said you want to try the karaoke that's why I woke you," Peter said sheepishly while scratching the back of his neck.
"Oh, no it's fine Wormy. I did say I want to sing. Thanks, mate." I said while standing up and patting his head.
"Argh! Stop that!" He said then swat my hand. I chuckled then stepped back making my way towards Alice who was probably in charge of the machine.
"Hey," I said when I was near enough. She swirled facing me then smiled.
"James! Oh good. You're here. Wait, why are you here?" She asked but was a little confused.
"Well, umm, I was kinda hoping I could try the karaoke?" I answered while rubbing my nape. A little embarrassed by what I said.
"Oh! Oh, you? Of course. Um, here. I think Lily's looking for someone else. Just so you know, it's a duet." She warned me.
"Cool. No problem." I said then tussled my hair. I stepped a little behind her to hide from the crowd's interest.
"Hey! None of that! Don't hide, dummy. We all love your voice, James. No need to hide it from the audience." Alice tried saying but I only shook my head.
"It's not that, Lice. Just woke up and my hair's a mess and I'm still kinda groggy, you know." I tried assuring her but her concerned gaze didn't even falter.
"James, we don't care if you want to sing. We all know you love singing." She said while rubbing my arm a little.
"I know. I know but Sirius-- "
"Nope. None of that. We all know Sirius doesn't give a fuck whatever you want. He only likes teasing you about it because everyone knows he can't sing better than you. I'm not saying he can't sing!" She said the last part hurriedly when she saw me open my mouth to contradict her statement about Sirius' singing habits. I huffed a laugh and then nodded my head.
"Now go! Make your way to the center and I'll handle your song. Make them grovel on your feet." She said then winked at me. I stepped around her while shaking my head.
The crowd cheered when they saw me. Everyone here probably knows who I am so the cheering is expected. I tried making my way toward the machine but the mob wouldn't give me enough space to come through. The song already started when I finally made it close. I looked back at Alice and smiled at her to say thanks. She knows I had an 'HSM' obsession growing up.
She, alongside Peter and Marlene, are my childhood friends. While Sirius, Remus (Sirius' boyfriend), and Peter are my best friends. We met when we were eleven at Hogwarts. It's a posh boarding school in the High Mountains of Scotland. I'm not posh though but Sirius is.
The first line of the song is coming up and I'm not even near the screen but lucky for me, I know the lyrics by heart. I don't have to look at the screen to know what the lyrics are. It's like my brain automatically supplies the lyrics because it's second nature at this point.
"Living in my own world
I didn't understand.
That anything can happen,
When you take a chance."
I sang a little huskier than normal. Possibly because I've only woken up. I'm still trying to make my way in front of the karaoke machine when someone sang the next part.
"I never believed in,
What I couldn't see
And never opened my own heart (oohh)
To all the possibilities"
"Oooooohhhh"
I adlib a little while looking at the person who is singing the part. He peered over his shoulder, body slightly turned facing my way when our eyes locked. My breath caught in my throat when grey eyes were looking at my own brown eyes. Perfectly shaped eyebrows, an aristocratic nose paired with steely grey eyes, and a gorgeous set of lips anyone can ask for. Bloody hell. He couldn't be real.
I stepped forward feeling like I am physically drawn to him, like a magnet. I stopped a few steps from him so that I won't overwhelm him. They always tell me that I'm too much so I'm giving him the space he needs. He broke his gaze from me and glanced back at the screen and continued singing the next part. Listening to him feels like hearing an angel's voice.
I couldn't help myself from singing with him on his part because it feels so wholesome. He makes this, the song, me, whole.
"I know
That something has changed
Never felt this way"
He looked back at me and he caught me staring at him. I felt my cheeks warm a little and I'm pretty sure I'm blushing. Thank fuck for my skin color (I'm half Indian so it explained my color is slightly darker than the normal brits). I couldn't break my gaze on him. It's like a sin to do so instead I propel my attention to him and to be honest with you, he's the only one I see. Nothing else. Nothing matters but him.
"And right here tonight
This could be the
Start of something new~~~"