Fire - Jegulus - @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic - word count: 896
Regulus looked up at the sound of the knocking and saw Alison Gillis standing in his doorway looking more than a little distressed.
“Alison? What’s happened?” Regulus asked as he beckoned her into the classroom.
“I’m sorry, sir, I didn’t mean to interrupt you,” the poor girl sniffed and this close, Regulus could see just how red and swollen her eyes were.
“It’s fine, Alison. Have a seat. Now, I’m going to make you a cup of tea and then we can talk about whatever’s gone on, alright?” Regulus had put on the same soothing voice he’d heard Remus use when Sirius had one of his nightmares.
“Thank you,” she replied, her voice shaking as she sniffed some more. Regulus slid her a box of tissues before he dashed off to the English office.
“Where’s the fire, Reggie?” Remus asked him as he flew into the room and started making the tea.
“Ah, Rem, I’m glad you’re here actually. Alison Gillis is in my classroom, crying and so I’m making her tea. She seems like she wants to talk and given her current emotional state, I’m not sure leaving the door open seems fair.”
“I see. Well, thanks for letting me know. I’m sure it’ll be fine, but you know the rules, yeah?”
“Of course. I’ve got her sat in the chair opposite my desk and I’m not exactly known for my hugging, so that won’t be an issue.”
Remus nodded and went back to his marking as Regulus took the two cups back to his classroom.
“Here we go.” Alison accepted the mug of tea and it looked as though she had managed to stop crying, for now. “So, do you want to talk about what’s going on?”
Regulus watched as Alison took a couple of calming breaths, a few sips of her tea and then stared down into her cup as she spoke.
“I spoke to my parents.” Regulus could see her hands trembling and he stayed quiet until she was ready. “About not wanting to go to Oxford, I mean.”
“Ah, I see.” Regulus leaned back in his desk chair and quietly sipped his own tea.
“Mum was alright with it, but dad…dad wasn’t. He said that History wasn’t a real degree and I had to do Law so I could join his firm. I tried to tell him that I didn’t want to join his firm, but he just kept shouting about how I was a disappointment and would be letting down the family name.” Regulus’ heart was breaking for the poor kid. “It’s not the first time he’s said those things, but, you know what the worst part of it all was? Mum did nothing. She just sat there and let him say all these horrible things about me. She said she understood and then said nothing. It was horrible. I didn’t know what to say, so I just stood there like an idiot before I went to my room. We haven’t spoken all weekend.” The breath she loosed shook as she clearly tried to keep calm, but the tears were already tracking down her face. “What do I do now?”
“Oh, Alison, I can’t answer that for you.” Alison nodded as she pulled a fresh tissue from the box and Regulus had never wanted to hug a student more than he did in this moment. “I wish I could though, if that’s worth anything. What have your friends said?”
“They all said I should tell my parents to fu-lip off,” she caught herself before swearing.
“But?” Regulus encouraged.
“But if I do that, my dad will cut me off and I know it’s selfish, but it means he won’t pay my fees and then it won’t matter where I apply, because I’ll never be able to afford it.”
“Alison, there are grants and loans and I’d be more than happy to help you with those, if needed.”
“Of course. That bit I can help with.” He gave her a small, reassuring smile. Regulus checked his watch. “I’m sorry, but I have a class now, but if you do decide you want to look at funding, or just need to talk again, please do come and find me.”
“Thanks, sir. For your help and the tea.” Alison forced a smile onto her face as she put the mug down and left the classroom.
“Oof.” James nearly walked right into the kid.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there. You alright?”
“Er, yeah, yes, sorry, er, sir.” Regulus bit back a smile as he watched the girl try to hide her blush as she scampered from the room.
“What?” James asked when he caught the look on Regulus’ face.
“Nothing. What do you want?”
“Wow, already bored of me?” James joked. “I’m heartbroken.”
“I have a class, James.” Regulus rushed as he checked over James’ shoulder for early students.
“I know, just wanted to see if you wanted to grab dinner tonight?”
“And this couldn’t wait till lunch?”
“It could, but I missed you.”
“Bloody hell, you’re an idiot, you know that?”
The bell rang out in the corridor as James beamed.
“I know. So, dinner?”
Regulus sighed with a grin. “Eugh, fine, now go.”
“See you at lunch, Mr Black.” James winked at him and shot off just as Regulus’ next class began to filter in.
