Eternal Light | Regulus Black

Fifth year at Hogwarts

James and Sirius had planned everything. They were throwing a party as an excuse to perform the song for Lily. All I had to do was teach them the song and convince Regulus to play the guitar.

The atmosphere between me and Regulus had been tense lately. I noticed his lingering looks on me as I tried to seem as unbothered as possible. Even though my heart raced like a bloody hummingbird's when he was around. I wouldn't let him know that. It was best if he still thought I didn't have feelings for him. It was easier, and since everything else had been so hard, I needed easier.

The nightmares had begun to be more intense. They didn't feel like nightmares at all, and once I finally woke up, I could still feel his blood on my hands. Invicible blood that was impossible to wash off.

That didn't stop me from trying.

Theo looked me up and down once I sat to my new seat, next to him. Severus must have really gotten his ego bruised since he'd requested to sit alone. Otherwise I wouldn't mind sitting next to Theo, but he wasn't particularly interested in the lessons. He'd always find some excuse to disturb me.

"You look like shit," Theo raised his eyebrows.

"Is that so?" I said lazily and held my head up by my hands.

"Yes," he said blankly. I ignored him as Slughorn walked in and started the lesson.

Professor Slughorn requested that we read the chapters about tranformations by potions for the rest of the class. I read it carefully, while biting my thumb fingernail absentmindedly. I could see from the corner of my eye that Theo was leaning back on his chair, rocking it back and forth. I had an urge to kick the chair lightly, causing him to fall back but decided to pay attention to the book instead.

That was until Theo reached to yank my hand so I wouldn't bite my fingernail.

"What the fuck?" I hissed.

"Stop doing that," he narrowed his eyes at me.

"I'll do what I want to," I glared at him and went back to reading. I wasn't going to play along with him just so he's amused. I actually wanted to get good grades.

"Do you think —"

"You interrupt my reading once more, and this book will become a lethal weapon," I spat as I held up my potions book. Theo held up his hands in defence with a grin on his face.

Theo didn't say another word but he kept tapping his foot annoyingly. I was close to snapping and telling him off for it, but something smashed on my temple and I flinched in surprise. It was a paper ball, scrunched up. I looked over to Abraxas who had thrown it at me and flipped him off. I smoothed the parchment and read the scribbles.

I heard you're going to a Gryffindor party tonight. I'm going too.

Just as I had read it, Theo snatched it from my hands.

"Rude," I scolded him.

"There's a party tonight? I'm going too," Theo stated.

"No you're not. It's a Gryffindor party. You hate Gryffindors. Besides, there's something important I have to do, I can't have you or Abraxas messing it up," I objected.

"I promise I'll behave!" Theo pleaded theatrically, earning other students attention.

"Fine, just shut up," I hissed.

•••••

I walked out of my dorm, dressed for the party. I strolled upon my group of friends on the common room and made a face. I'd held up hope they'd changed their minds about going. I swear to god if Abraxas and Theo do something to screw this up for James, I'm going to kill them.