âââââââââ-
They lost. They actually fucking lost.
Regulus throws his bag to the ground and slumps down in his seat, well aware that his mother would be scolding him, had she seen him then and there.
Thankfully, no dear mother is nearby. Only the mermaids swimming outside the common room and someone snoring rather loudly from the couch facing away. Regulus snorts lightly at that, kicks his feet up on the table, and leans back on the couch, his muscles aching with every move.
This was humiliating in every way. The first game of the season and they lost. To Hufflepuff of all houses. Now, in theory Regulus doesnât really like to underestimate the Hufflepuffs. Their seeker is darn great at what she does; he knows that. The rest of the school is another story.
He decides to go out and find Barty instead of moping in the common room and rises with a soft hiss, picking up his bag as his body protests the sudden movement.
As he limps across the hallways he avoids catching the other studentsâ eyes, yet keeps his head up while he looks straightforward, making sure he looks aloof enough for the others not to suspects heâs avoiding them, yet aware enough to actually avoid looking at the others even by accident.
He finally reaches the foot of the stairs of the Ravenclaw tower and lowers himself on one of the steps as he takes his charms book out of his bag, finding no harm in reading the homework as he waits for Barty to get here, or for another Ravenclaw to get him for Regulus.
Immersed in the theory of the Banishing Charm that he only noticed the deliberate cough a boy was making after the third time, dismissing the first ones as mere noise in his brain. He looks up at him impassively.
The other boy looks startled at the cold tone and puffs himself up in response, ââAre you here for Barty?â I said.â his voice taking on a hard edge.
Oh⌠Heâd completely forgotten.
The boy seems to know this as he shakes his head while he walks past him, up the spiral stairs, âIâll get him.â
Regulus - too surprised by the unexpected conversation - letâs out a small âthank youâ, though the boy was already gone by the time he managed it. He looks at the time which tells him heâs been here for an hour and flinches. MerlinâŚ
His embarrassment is short-lived though as his friend rushes to his side, but stumbles down the last steps in his haste. Regulus smirks at Barty, and the other boy just rolls his eyes at him.
âYeah, yeah⌠So⌠good game?â
Regulus snorts and throws his charms book into the bag. âYou werenât there?â
Barty looks sheepishly at him as he sits up on the floor, âSorry.â
Regulus just shakes his head, not saying anything.
âWe were obliterated.â
They sat there in awkward silence. Regulus wondered when itâd stop being awkward between him and Barty. He certainly hadnât expected his friend to like him, but he also didnât want to lose his friendship. He was an important part of his life, and someone who despite countless disappointments still stood with him.
Honestly, Regulus wouldnât sit on a staircase for an hour for just about anyone.
âActually, Iâm really sore. The Hufflepuff Seeker really gave me a run for my money.â
âReally? Sheâs usually really bad.â
Regulus shakes his head, a contemplative look on his face, âNo, youâre thinking of Charon. She graduated last year. This new Seeker isâŚâ
âOkay!â Barty said abruptly, startling Regulus, then his face reddened, âSorryâŚDo you⌠well⌠I mean⌠I could give you a massage?â
âNevermind, forget I said anything.â
Regulus sighs and hides his face in his hands, âBartyâŚâ he lets out, the sound muffled, âIâm sorry, look, let us just go out and⌠I donât know⌠Letâs sneak out to Hogsmeade. Find someplace to sit andâŚâ he gestured around him, âAway from all this⌠this.â
Bartyâs face lights up and he immediately rushes past Regulus towards the hallway, âItâs a date!â
Regulus sighs as he picks up the bag and slings it over his shoulder as he goes after him, âCall it whatever you want,â he mumbles to the empty hallway.
