Chapter 12
When Regulus woke up the next morning after his encounter with James Potter he felt strangely happy. Thinking about his brothers best friend made him a little bit happier than it probably should have.That was single-handly ruind by Barty and Evan aggressively making out on a bad next to him. "Couldn't you at least cast Silencio, you dipshits?" growled Regulus with hostility.Barty climbed of Evan and look at Regulus.
"Naah, we good. Besides, you are welcomed to join us anytime." He winked.
"Yeah- right." Regulus climbed out of his bed. "Aren't you like dating Dorcas or something?" He pointed at Barty.
"As a matter of fact WE are, dating Dorcas, platonically." Answered Evan.
Regulus just looked at them. "Fuck you guys, it's too early for this." He walked off into the bathroom to freshen himself up.
"Sure! Like Barty said you are welcomed to join!" shouted Evan behind him as he closed the door.
"The two motherfucke-" Regulus mumbled under his breath. Submerging his face in cold water absorbing whatever it is he just heard and saw. "BARTY!" he shouted through the closed door. "WHAT TIME IT IS?!"
Barty banged on the door. "TIME FOR BREAKFAST, HURRY UP!"
"I WOULDN'T HAVE TO HURRY IF YOU DIDN'T WASTE TIME IN THE MORNING!" Snapped Regulus back.Regulus quickly finished freshening up and emerged from the bathroom, glaring at Barty and Evan as he passed them on his way to get dressed. Barty and Evan were still entangled on the bed, unfazed by Regulus' annoyance.
"Seriously guys, can't you keep it down in the mornings?" Regulus grumbled, grabbing his clothes and getting dressed quickly. "Some of us would like to start the day without witnessing your love fest."
Barty and Evan exchanged mischievous grins as they finally pulled apart from each other. "Sorry, Reg," Barty said with a smirk.
Regulus rolled his eyes, not bothering to respond. He grabbed his wand and checked the time. "We are late for breakfast, love birds."
Barty and Evan jumped out of bed, their hands still casually brushing against each other as they walked. Regulus just watched his friends with amusement. When they sat down to eat, Dorcas joined them seconds later squeezing teasingly herself between Barty and Evan, making a snark comment about Barty's hair.
"He really woke up like this, huh." She poked Evan.
"You know how it is, some of us don't have the natural beauty and don't put in the effort." Evan snarked dramatically, brushing his own hair.
"Don't try me, Evan, you started into the mirror for AT LEAST 30 minutes this morning, and you don't look, no offence, HALF as good as I do." Barty defended himself.
Evan definitely took offence. "Oh- you wish."
Regulus chuckled at the banter between Barty and Evan. It was always entertaining to see his friends teasing each other, even if it was sometimes at the expense of their own narcissism. Dorcas, tried to defuse the situation she fired up in the first place.
"Now, now, let's not get into a beauty competition," Dorcas said with a grin.
"You are right." Barty took the initiative "We all know that Regulus here is the most handsome of us all." He nudged Regulus playfully.
Regulus rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but smile at his friends. Despite their quirks and occasional annoyances, he cared for them deeply. Their constant teasing and 'annoyance' with each other was a one fucked up way to show affection, but it worked for them. And that was all that mattered. At least to them.
"OH- by the way guys," started Dorcas. "Pandora said, the Ravenclaws are planning a party, a 'Welcome back to school party' I guess, but you know Ravenclaws, so I already know it's going to be neat!"
"Huh? But it's the second day. How is there a party planned, already?"
"It's not yet!" Dorcas defended her statement. "It's in the process of planning..." She rolled her eyes.
Regulus found himself stealing glances at James, who was sitting a few rows ahead of him at the Gryffindor table. James caught his eye and gave him a wink, causing Regulus to blush and quickly look away, but his heart raced with anticipation. And to his surprise James stood up waved off his two friends and talked towards the three Slytherins and Dorcas.
"Morning, Black," James said giving Regulus a small smile.
"Morning, Potter" replyed Regulus akwardly
Barty, always the one to break any tension, chimed in. "Morning, Potter. You're up early for a Gryffindor..." re rolled his eyes. James raised an eyebrow, but before he could respond, Evan added with a teasing grin, "Not chasing after Evans this morning, are you?"
James chuckled, shaking his head. "Not this time, Rosier. I've just came to say Hi to Reg."
"Giving her a little much needed break, are you." continued to tease Evan.
"Alright, whatever. I've come to talk to Regulus not you, so piss off, Rosier." snapped James.
"Uuuh, burn, Evan..." teased him Dorcas and Evan turned her face to her and Barty, letting James speak with Regulus undisturbed.
"So, I've seen your brother this morning." James started. "He look awful, what happened to him?" asked James.
Regulus shook his head. "That's not my place to tell, James..."
"Yeah, yeah you are right, I didn't mean to pry." James seemed to sense Regulus's discomfort and changed the subject. "So, any plans for the day, Reggie?" he asked, trying to steer the conversation in a more lighthearted direction.
Regulus took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. "Not sure yet. Just going to see how the day goes," he replied, keeping his guard up.
James look a bit dissapointed in his response, the light in his eyes flickered for a bit "Alright then, take care, Regulus." James said with a smile. Regulus nodded in response, feeling a mix of relief and disappointment. He couldn't deny that he was attracted to James, but he also couldn't ignore the complications that came with it.
"SEE YOU AROUND, BLACK!" shouted James half way across the hall, making Regulus blush.
"So Reggie..." Barty decided to pry almost immedietly. Thar was however shut down by Regulus more then quickly.
"Call me that again... and I rip out your tounge and feed it to the Thestrals." Regulus hissed taking am aggressive bite of beacon, which helplessly lying on his plate. "Now, come. Both of you. It's time for class."
"Reg, you are full of shit, we have a ton of time." protested Evan.
"Sure, we do." Regulus nodded. "If you want to risk being late on the first day." he smacked his head with a book.
"Holy shit, Regulus. I'm sorry for teasing you alright!" Barty fell on his knees. "Please don't release your unfaltering wrath on me as well."
"Fuck both of you." Regulus smirked pointing his fingers and walking away in a true dramatic fashion.
"Like we said-" Barty didn't have to finish his statement to be met with two carelessly raised middle fingers.
Regulus walked towards his classroom, smiling. Maybe it was the environment. He let his thoughts flow freely, his sences taking in the atmosphere of the castle. He's save, at least for now, he doesn't have to deal with mothers or the dark lord.
A little while later James found Regulus, standing in front of his Charms classroom.
"Hi, Regulus." James said as he approached him
Regulus turned his head towards James, his expression softening into a small smile. "Hey, James," he greeted, pushing himself off the wall and standing upright.
"Looks like the classroom is locked, though. Flitwick must be running a bit late, huh?." James asked. "How's your day been so far?"
Regulus nodded, "Yeah, seems like it. My day's been alright, just the usual Hogwarts stuff," he replied with a grin.
"I-I-I've been thinking... You should join me and my friends to hang out sometime, it's always more fun with a new partner." James was stuttering, awkwardly scratching behind his neck. "Also- if you ever need like. A study partner or something- I am offering... we could study new spell together or somehing-"
Regulus's curiosity was piqued. "New spells or something, huh?" he said with interest.
"Yeah-" James answered awkwardly. "b-b-ut I should probably go...I've got Herbology... next." James started to slowly turn around.
"Herbology is one of by best subjects, by the way," Regulus stopped him, grabbing his shoulder. "so if you never need any help with that, you can just, eh- let me know."
"Alright, thank you, Regulus." James smiled again, it make Regulus's heart skip a beat as he caught a glimpse of his smile.