Talk
After his little confession, Regulus got back to his room to get his clothes before going to shower and finally remove his makeup from last night. He showered, did his skincare and curls routine and then got down to eat his breakfast. The girls and Dorcas had left earlier in the morning and Evan had just left to go back to his house. Sirius sure was still sleeping knowing him. When he got down the only voice he heard was Barty’s. He was trying to get into the kitchen but the door seemed to be locked. Regulus got to him and casted a stronger Alohomora which worked and they now could open the door. When they got in, James and Remus were already sitting around the table on chairs that were really close to one another. Regulus gaze directly locked in James’. His eyes were puffy and red. He must have been crying and Regulus didn’t like it. He knew he might be the reason but he didn't know why. A knot was forming in his throat. He really didn't like seeing James in this state at all. Without even noticing Regulus was brought back out of the room by Remus. Remus closed the door behind them. Which meant James and Barty had been left together in the same room.
“Where are you taking me Remus.”
“We are going into Fleamont’s study. This way we can have a private conversation”
“Are you flirting with me Remus”
“I'm not joking right now Black” his tone was harsh and it made Regulus flinch. “Sorry. The full is coming.” Regulus didn't fuss because he knew how Remus could get over a full moon. “Okay we're here. Get in”. “Okay so, do you have a crush on James?”
“No I don't. I don't know what you are talking about.”
“Regulus don't lie to me or I'll go ask Barty.”
“Don't ask Barty”
“Okay so my theory was right. And for Barty, I thought it was a little strange of him to ask a question without a purpose. I guess he wanted to know if the crush was one sided. He already knew James and Lily dated but he couldn’t let anyone else know about your crush so he chose his word wisely. It was very subtle but I still noticed the dagger you were shooting at Barty with your eyes” Then they just looked at each other for a few seconds. Remus was the first to break the silence.
“So, Regulus. What happened last night when James took you back up.”
“I guess you already know. That's what you and James were talking about I suppose. What I don’t get is why James was crying.”
“It’s not mine to tell. Go ask him and I’m sure he’ll tell you. Did you mean what you said to him.”
“Of course I did. The thing is I'm not ready to tell him I really meant it. Only my drunk self is capable of assuming his feelings yet. Does James not know I was being honest?”
“I think a part of him believes you but a bigger part of him will be waiting for you to say it again while being sober.”
“I can’t”
“Hey Regulus you don’t have to tell him yet. Just don’t ignore him, it will break him. He really cares about you, you know.”
“Yeah, he kind of told me, I guess, in some sort of way. But it doesn’t mean he likes me back. James cares about everyone. He is a people pleaser after all”
“Yeah I know. Well just don’t hide in your room for the rest of the holiday. I think we should go back before Barty and James kill each other.”
“That‘s an excellent idea. And thanks for the advice.”
“I couldn’t do less for you Reggie.”
~ (at the same time in the other room) ~
When Regulus entered the room it was like James wasn’t able to breathe anymore. Their eyes locked into each other for a moment before Regulus was taken away by Remus. When the door closed all the senses came back to James. He noticed he had been left alone with Barty.
James wasn’t the biggest fan of Barty. Well he didn’t really know him. He knew he was the son of a politician and did everything in his power to go against his father’s will. There weren't a lot of people James didn’t get on with but Barty was one of them. James didn’t know why he didn’t like him. There was no real reason for it. Barty was one of Regulus' closest friends and seemed to make him happy. James didn’t have the time to think a lot more about this before Barty.
“Hey Potter. How’s your crush on Regulus going? ”
James wasn’t expecting that so he just spit out his tea.
“What are you talking about??”
“Oh come on James you and I both know that you weren’t talking about Lily at never have I ever. And I saw the way you looked at him when he entered the room. So don’t deny what we both know is true.”
“Okay so if, hypothetically, I had a crush on Regulus what would be your thoughts?”
“And prayers you're going to need them. No but seriously if you really do, be patient with him he is not the one to confess his feelings at any given time. He also isn't the type of person to understand they deserve to be loved.”
“Okay that’s really nice of you to share. I won't make any move until I’m not sure he likes me back so I could wait forever.”
“If you ever get the chance to date him just remember that if you hurt him in the slightest, you are warned that I know how to kill someone slowly and painfully and then hide what remains of your body so that no one could ever find it. So just a warning, be careful.”
“It must be wonderful to date him. I can’t even imagine what my life would be like if I did”
“Well sorry, I can’t relate. It’s wonderful and horrible at the same time. But mostly it is incredible. Did you know he had a birthmark on his right tight.”
“Uhm no I didn’t. Wait how do you know that”
“Oh my poor Potter, so innocent. Think a little, it might help.”
James thought and then it hit him. He went speechless and Barty was just smirking at him.
“I think I know how you could get your way into Regulus' heart.” Barty said, breaking the silence that had set.
“Could you maybe do me the honour of sharing your thoughts.”
“So you know how the Head Boy is the one to decide the Prefect’s pairs for patrols right.”
“Yeh but I don't really see where you are going with that.”
“You really are stupid. So you are the Head Boy this year” James nodded in agreement. “And Regulus is a prefect….”
“Oh I get it. Him going to make us pair together so we can spend more time with each other. You are a genius Barty.”
“ Well I know that. I got 12 OWLs. But a real genius would tell you to sometimes change the pairing and put Pandora and Regulus together so he doesn't get sick of you Potter.”
“Thank you thank you thank you Barty you are the best. I don't know why I ever doubted we could be friends.”
“ We are not friends, Potter. I just like gossip that's different.”
“Yeh well still thanks.”
They didn't talk after that but Sirius finally got into the kitchen and Barty said he had to leave.
Not long after Remus and Regulus got back to the room as if nothing just happened. They seemed confused about the scene.
“Where's Barty?” That was Regulus addressing directly to James
“Oh he just left, we ate our breakfast and he then said he had to go. You almost caught him before he left. It was only a matter of minutes.”
“Okay that means I'm stuck with the three of you until the end of the summer.”
“Don't be so dramatic Reggie. We know you actually like us. You are just playing the role of the younger brother who hates living.”
“You must be right Sirius. Excuse me but I am going to read now so have a good day.”
When James was sure Regulus had left, he said.
“Oh Merlin, he is so pretty and cute. I just want to take his head in my hands and smash it. How can such a beauty cross the same earth as us.”
“Calm down, you love sick boy. It's my baby brother we are talking about. What got you in such a good mood.”
“Oh Barty found a plan for me to get closer to Regulus so he would trust me and maybe talk about his feelings with me. Barty said he was going to help me get with Regulus, isn't it wonderful.”
“Prongsy boy, you seem really convinced. I'm glad you got your happiness back. I hope it will never leave you because trying to get Regulus will not be an easy thing. You will need to be brave and most importantly you have to want it.”
For the rest of the summer nothing really important happened. Regulus did spend time with the others like Remus told him to. They went to Diagon alley to get some stuff they needed for the year and that was pretty much it.
Oh Regulus almost forgot to say that he did play Quidditch with Potter and his brother. It had been really fun to go back on a broom. Regulus had missed the feeling of flying and was glad he could have got to it again before the start of the year. During the summer he had been named Quidditch Captain of the Slytherin team so he had a reason to train other than seeing James in his Quidditch gear.
Regulus could say that those last two weeks of summer had been one of his favourite in his life.