attack - jegulus - @into-the-jeggyverse - word count: 792
There were several reasons why playing veritaserum or dare with the Gryffindors was really, truly dangerous, but two that stood out to Regulus.
Firstly, there's veritaserum involved. Which you have to be a world-class occlumens to get around - not that Regulus was bad at it by any stretch but even sober he wasn't that good. After 3 hours of constant top-ups he had no chance. So if he was asked a truth, he was revealing it, without doubt.
Secondly was that Sirius was involved. Sirius had been there for all of Regulus’ embarrassing childhood stories, and wouldn't flinch at getting him to reveal them if he could get a good laugh out of it. Sirius also didn't know how to leave anything well enough alone - he'd figured out that Regulus was seeing someone, and he was desperate to find out who.
The trouble was, the person that Regulus was dating would not go down well with his brother.
James Potter, who had been the first one to crack open Regulus’ shell the year before, leading to the brothers eventual reconciliation. He'd opened his heart fully to Regulus and slid between the cracks in Regulus’ frosty exterior to cement himself a home in Regulus’ heart in return. And in that year? Well, there were no secrets left between them any more, no physical boundaries left to cross.
Knowing with full certainty that Sirius would force him to reveal this, Regulus did the only thing he could do - whenever Sirius’ spin landed on him, he chose dare. He was positive that Sirius had jinxed the bottle because every single time he spun, it landed on Regulus. Without fail. A premeditated attack designed to get him to give in and embarrass him into asking for a truth.
So far Regulus had sung an off-key rendition of Queen's I want to break free, he'd given his best impression of a menagerie of creatures (the lion was surprisingly realistic, much to Sirius’ chagrin), and he'd been forced to write a love letter to Professor McGonagall, which was tossed into the fire the second he signed his name lest an overeager house elf deliver it in the morning.
But 3 hours in he was drunk. And complacent. So when the attack came, he hadn't expected it.
Peter loosed the bottle and it spun until it landed firmly on Regulus. Now, Peter hadn't been asking anything too revealing tonight. He'd gotten a few people's first kisses (Barty, not a secret), and a few people's “hear-me-outs” (Fleamont Potter, a secret but not an embarrassing one, the man had aged like fine wine). These, Regulus decided, weren't too bad. So he reached for a shot glass spiked with veritaserum and clearly spoke.
Peter leaned forward, steepling his fingers against his chin.
“Alright, Black. Truth it is.” He paused and Regulus took the shot. “Why are you and Prongs hiding the fact you're shagging?”
At once, the room exploded in a cacophony of shocked sounds.
Sirius nudged James’ shoulder and loudly exclaimed “What a waste of a question! There's no way you're shagging!”. Finally noticing James’ slack-jawed, fearful expression he added “Are you?”
Regulus, meanwhile, was furious. He was desperately trying to hold back the words that were dying to escape, physically biting down on his fist in an attempt to keep his response in. But it was no good - veritaserum would force the truth out, one way or another.
Tears streaming down his face he looked to Peter, and let the words spill out.
“Because I think Sirius will make James choose, and I don't think he'll choose me.”
Silence. Every eye in the room was now trained on Regulus - some in confusion, some in pity. And Peter? He carried a look of triumph.
Quietly, Regulus stood and left the common room, closing the portrait behind him with a firm click.
“You know what Pete?” snarled James. “Fuck you, you traitor.” He rose to his feet and followed Regulus out of the door.
Shell-shocked, Sirius made to stand too but was halted by Remus’ hand on his shoulder. “Not now Pads. Talk to them in the morning.”
“Right. Yeah.” He shook his head. “I won't make him choose. I won't.”
“I know” Remus gently stroked Sirius' arm.
“Might have to give them both a shovel talk, mind you. But they're good for each other, yeah?”
“I think so too. Prongs has been happier recently, hasn't he?”
“Yeah, he has.” Sirius settled his head against Remus' shoulder. “Oh, and Pete?”
Peter's head snapped up, a light smirk still playing on his lips.
“Find somewhere else to sleep, yeah? If you want to survive the night, that is.” Sirius' eyes lit up with a menacing glint. “That's my brother you've just hurt.”
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