#xgryffindor!reader

Something sweet. Lingering memories of holding someone. They came and went through his mind, quick as lightning and just as bright. He hasn’t woken up yet, and he could already feel the nausea combined with his throbbing headache. 

All of it vanished when he felt a pressure on his body, something a bit heavier than his usual bedsheets. He opened his eyes slowly and saw you leaning against his chest, still fast asleep, still clutched onto his body like he was something to never be let go.

He should have felt surprised first, but the pang of admiration he felt for the lady beside him made him think something along the lines of - Merlin, she’s gorgeous.

Then his brain fully woke up, and it went to full Regulus Panic Mode.

Him, you, tangled sheets, one whole damn night. 

What the hell happened last day? He thought frantically. Why are we in a bed? We obviously didn’t do anything, we’re both fully clothed. What did I drink? Did anyone see us? Why is she cute? WE ALREADY ESTABLISHED SHE’S CUTE. CAN YOU FOCUS, YOU LOVESICK FOOL!

Regulus Black doesn’t externally freak out. Why? Because he’s Regulus Black. The dramatic genes seemed to have been dumped to his brother anyway. His brother- why did he remember something about hugging his brother?

He looked at you once more, his heart dancing in a rhythm he knew he could get used to. He imprinted the memory of you sleeping in his arms — your scent, your light breathing, the peaceful smile on your face  — he hoped he’d remember it all forever. But for now, he quietly pulled himself away from you, making sure you don’t wake up. 

Once he was out of bed, he nearly had a heart attack when he saw Rosier sitting opposite to Regulus’s bed, his mouth open. He looked like he’s been there for a while.

“What are you doing? You scared the hell out of me!” He hissed quietly, nudging Rosier to go to the hallway. 

“Don’t worry, I wasn’t staring at you two the whole night.” Rosier said, the shock on his face not quite washed off. 

“I hope not, that’ll be really creepy.” Regulus slowly closed the door of their room and stood before Rosier, not knowing what to explain. The hallway was empty, a few kids scattered across the place, possibly running late. Both of them were way too late to even attempt talking about going to class. 

“You’re just going stand there while I try to read your mind?” Rosier asked. “I was late ONE day, and you sleep with L/N.”

“I didn’t sleep with her. I just slept with her.”

“Thanks for clearing that up.”

“No, I didn’t do anything. We were at a party and,” he squinted his eyes, confused, “she accompanied me back. Merlin, I think I asked her to stay. Oh no, no, no, please do NOT tell anyone.”

A different kind of panic swept over him. The rumors were one thing. Proving them right was his deathtrap. Someone will tell his mother, who already hate L/Ns because they were so close to Potters’ and everything they stood for. Not only his house, everything within Slytherin would break away. People like Lucius wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to take revenge on his enemies and sleeping with Y/N L/N  — the girl who once punched him in the face  — was an instant way to be his enemy.

The sick part was the wannabe Death Eaters know nothing they would do to Regulus would shatter him as much as hurting Y/N herself. And that was a possibility he didn’t want to entertain. The whispers of Dark Lord through the corridors were treated as a myth. So far. 

But most Slytherins knew a war was coming. And they sure as hell were preparing for it. Admitting he likes a blood traitor wouldn’t go so well for Regulus. They’ll cut him down, as if he was a rotten tree just taking up space.

It all now rested on the hands of Rosier.

“Please.” Regulus was practically begging now. Rosier gulped, looking distraught.

“Someone came by before you woke up. A girl from 1st year. She said Sirius Black —  the brother you seemed to hate till last day — said that you should meet him in the library in an hour.”

Regulus paled under his questioning glance but he couldn’t help asking for more details, “An hour from now?”

“No, an hour from when she came here.”

“And when was that?”

“An hour ago.”

Regulus cursed under his breath and prepared to rush to the library, then stopped, remembering Y/N still being fast asleep.

“I’ll make sure no one sees her.” Rosier said, surprising him.

Do not trust him. Do not trust him. Something said inside Regulus’s brain, but he needed space. He needed to think. He needed to see his brother.

“If you hurt her-”

“You’ll kill me, got it. How romantic.”

“No, she’ll kill you herself and I’ll stand watching.” He snapped. He knew the smart option was to wake her up before he go. But then she’ll ask questions and they’d need to talk about what happened. He can’t say he was hopelessly in love with her, not when there were complications in the form of Death Eaters involved.

Rosier rolled his eyes. “Just for this day, Black. We all slip. But if I ever hear about this girl again, I’ll have to confide in our dearest friends.”

Regulus refused to break his intense glaring, but he had to go.  - “Almost thought you’d forget about how we made up last night.” Sirius smiled awkwardly. Regulus didn’t miss how relieved he looked to actually see him too.

“I messed up.” Regulus sat opposite him, his eyes wild.

“Good morning to you too.”

“I’m serious, and if you make the Sirius joke, I will strangle you here and now.”

Sirius held up his hands in surrender. “Fine, what happened?”

“Y/N.” Sirius noted how his voice automatically turned softer when he said her name. “She stayed the night. We just slept. I don’t know, Rosier saw us and I freaked out-”

“You slept with my Y/N?” Sirius’s mouth fell open. “My bestfriend? Her? That is a disgusting image to put in my head.”

“We just slept.” Regulus retorted. He explained what happened and watched his brother get more alarmed by the second.

“Let me get this right. You like Y/N. You asked her to stay the night, but now you left her alone with Rosier for company? The same Rosier you didn’t want to know about any of this?” 

“Like I said, I don’t make the best decisions under stress.” Regulus sighed. “I just don’t want to tell her how I feel.”

“Why not, for all the gods above?” Sirius sat up straighter. “If you think she doesn’t like you, you’re stupid. You asked her to stay the night. She did. She was the one sober. It’s a good sign. And I know Y/N. If you’re not the type of person she’ll date, wouldn’t I tell you so?”

“Is that why you were so surprised when you saw us together last day? Because I was exactly the type of guy she’ll date?”

“That’s neither here nor there.” He waved it off.

“I can’t tell her. I don’t know what I’ll do if she says no.” He sounded so broken, that Sirius instantly melted inside. He hasn’t seen many vulnerable moments from his brother.

“I still can’t believe you’ve never properly flirted with her.” Sirius shook his head in mock disappointment. “Are you even my brother?”

Regulus rolled his eyes. Now that he was going to see Sirius a lot, he’s going to have to get used to his dramatics.

-

Coward. Fucking coward. You thought repeatedly, waiting for the Slytherins to reach the door. He’s been ignoring you ever since that night. You had woken up to find Rosier - Rosier the Meanie - handing out a cup of tea to you. You were mostly certain it was poisoned. 

You tried to talk to Regulus later that day, but he was nowhere to be seen. When you finally saw him in classes, he said he was busy and that he could talk later. The next few days followed the same pattern.

Now the both of you were in Transfiguration, him on the farthest side with other Slytherins and you standing impatiently against the door. The class was over but they seemed extremely slow.

“Regulus.” You grabbed his wrist when he came, because you were sure he would have pretended not to hear you otherwise. He didn’t seem startled but his eyes shifted from you to his friends, who were all looking at you with malicious eyes.

“I’ll be right back.” He told them and went back inside the empty classroom with you. The friends weren’t gone - they looked onto the scene from outside the door, under the disguise of waiting for Regulus.

“What?” He asked shrewdly, his eyes on anything but you. His tone made it clear that he wasn’t interested to talk, but you had to. He was your friend, and you couldn’t lose him over one stupid night.

“I hope you choke on boogie flavored Bertie’s Botts.” Not a great start, but points for trying.

He let out a sigh, “I don’t know what you are talk-”

“You have been ignoring me like the plague!” You shouted, not caring if anyone heard. “I thought you’d be grateful because you’re on friendly terms with Sirius again! But instead, you ignore my existence like I did something wrong!”

“You did do something wrong!” He yelled back.

“If you’re referring to me staying the night, you’ve got a lot of nerve. You were the one who asked me to stay. You.”

“But you stayed.” His voice turned to a whisper. “You were supposed to say no.”

“Why?” You asked, scoffing. “You’d rather face rejection and pain because you’re the great Regulus Black, who feed off his sorrows?”

Regulus didn’t reply but he stood his ground.

“You’re a coward.” You went on talking. “Maybe you like me. And that scares you. Not because you think I’ll say no- I think that’s just the excuse you’re telling yourself. You’re scared I’ll say yes and then everything would get complicated. You’d have to choose between me and your family. Me and your friends. Me and everything you’re supposed to stand for.”

Each word hit him like a train. He couldn’t deny them, could he? All of it was true.

“You forgot one thing.” You took a step forwards, your anger getting ahead of you. “Not wanting to make that choice already says you chose them, Black.”

“No.” He was firm. “I think you’re making up things and if we could just talk-”

“I’m tired of talking when no one’s listening to me.” You interrupted. “But yes, we can settle it here and now. Regulus Arcturus Black, you may be a coward, but I am not. Do you want to go on a date with me? A proper date? If you don’t want to, you’ll still be my friend, no matter how awkward things could be.”

He was stumped. When he fantasized about all the feelings finally coming out, this wasn’t what he envisioned. Not in this sad, empty classroom with Rosier, Lucius and other Slytherins’ observation. 

But you were looking at him, demanding an answer. Break down your walls Regulus, you seemed to taunt, you know you want to.

He can’t say yes. He can’t say no either. 

Like he once said, he didn’t make the best decisions under stress, so he took a deep breath, looked at his friends, thought fuck everything and stepped forwards, pressing his lips against yours before he would change his mind.

Your heart started beating in a not-so-normal way, and all you could think was - wait, this is happening. Regulus Black, the boy you were hopelessly in love with, was kissing you, his lips soft but urgent against yours. Your hands found their way to his hair, and you pulled on it. How many times have you thought about doing that? How many times had you stared at him a bit too much when you thought he wasn’t aware? 

He broke apart hesitantly. 

“Yes.” He whispered against you and your face broke into a huge grin. He had never been so close to you when you smiled, and the sight only made his heart swell. He chose a lot of wrong decisions in his life, but this wasn’t one of them.

Both of you looked at the Slytherins, who looked like Regulus cheated on them.

“Staring is rude.” You said, looking at Lucius. “Unless you want to be punched again?”

He ignored you. Rosier was the only one who didn’t look angry, but disappointed. He looked at Regulus like he was dying.

“You chose this, Reg.” He said, gritting his teeth. “Remember that. Your brother, the blood traitors, the mudbloods. You chose this.”

He practically stormed away and the rest of them followed him with bemused faces. When you met Regulus’s eyes again, it was filled with worry.

“C’mon, it’s not a big deal. We can take care of them.” You said quickly.

“What if they hurt you?” He asked quietly.

Your smile grew wider, an evil glint appearing in your eyes. “Then I hurt them.”

He let out a small chuckle and you felt yourself relax.

“We’ll burn that bridge when we come to it.” You said, putting your hands around his neck. 

He rested his forehead against yours, and his eyes slowly closed. He seemed to be relaxed too.

“And we’ll burn it together.” He whispered back.