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—THE NEXT WEEK, RIGEL RAISED AN EYEBROW WHEN HE NOTICED A FEW STRANGERS IN THEIR HOME. "Ri.. you're here." Sirius said in shock.
"I live here." said Rigel monotonously.
"I didn't mean that—" Sirius sighed and shook his head "..Nevermind. That's your cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange, her husband— Rodolphus Lestrange, and his brother, Rabastan Lestrange."
"Right.." Rigel nodded, not even trying to look interested.
Bellatrix, who was holding a plate, dropped it to the ground in shock when she noticed him. "Reggie?" She whispered.
Rigel sighed.
Honestly, he didn't even know how or why he looked like his uncle, but Sirius had reckoned that it was normal, claiming that the Blacks all looked the same in many ways— the sharp jawline, their grey eye color (which was the only thing Rigel didn't have), the black curly hair, and much more— but he just happened to look more like Regulus than any other Black.
"This is my son, Rigel." said Sirius, ruffling his son's hair.
Rigel glared at him, merely getting a grin in return.
Someone whistling made him turn around.
Rabastan Lestrange smirked. "Damn, you're hot."
Tom immediately glared at him.
"Keep your gayness to a minimum, Raba." said Rodolphus Lestrange, slapping his brother's head. "Ignore him. I'm Rodolphus Lestrange, a pleasure to meet you."
Rigel shook his hand. "Likewise."
"Any chance you're gay?" smirked Rabastan, shaking his hand after his brother was done.
"Any chance you're younger than 18?" shot back Rigel knowingly with a raised eyebrow.
"32."
"Way too old."
"Dammit." mumbled Rabastan, earning an eye-roll from his brother.
••
The next morning, Rigel was the first to wake up, as per usual.
He walked downstairs to the kitchen, ate breakfast, and started looking for his antidepressants.
When he was done, he put the pill bottle back where it was, and turned around, freezing when he noticed Rabastan Lestrange looking at him curiously.
"What's wrong with your health?"
"Feeling a bit under the weather lately." lied Rigel immediately.
Rabastan frowned. "There are potions for that. Why use muggle medications?"
"Easier." shrugged Rigel.
"Ah." Rabastan nodded, agreeing with him.
Tom walked in at that moment and immediately glared at Rabastan. "Get lost, Lestrange."
Rabastan nodded with a bow and walked out of the kitchen, leaving the two alone.
"Why'd you do that?" asked Rigel in confusion.
Tom raised an eyebrow. "You like his company?"
"He's not that bad."
Tom tried hiding the jealousy he just felt. "I'm better."
"Didn't say you weren't." said Rigel, biting into a green apple.
"Well then why do you need him?"
"Tom," Rigel looked utterly confused. "what are you talking about?"
"Nothing. Nevermind." said Tom quickly.
"Right." nodded Rigel. "I'll be in my room if you need me."
Tom watched as Rigel walked away, frown never leaving his face.
Why did Rigel like Rabastan's company? They've known each other for only a day.
Him, however.. he has known Rigel for years and has only now got him to enjoy his company.
Was something wrong with him? Was it because he was Voldemort? Or was it because Rigel just.. hated him?
Did Rigel even hate him?
Tom snapped himself out of his thoughts as he realized something. Why did he care so bloody much?
••
That night, Rigel was on the rooftop of the manor, looking at the stars.
He pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lit one up, starting to smoke it.
"Since when have you started smoking?" asked a voice behind him.
Rigel didn't turn around. "Does it matter?"
"Yes, I believe so." said Tom, walking up to him. "It's bad for your health."
Rigel gave him a look and exhaled the smoke.
Tom glared at him.
Rigel merely shrugged with a small smirk.
A few minutes passed by in silence, both of them just looking at the stars, enjoying each other's company.
"I'm not good at Astronomy." started Tom, "So, which one's Rigel?"
Rigel felt his lips twitch upwards. He pointed to a star at the sky. "It's in the constellation Orion." He said, not realizing that Tom just made that excuse up to see him smile, knowing Rigel liked Astronomy.
Which was actually surprising. Nobody knew Rigel liked Astronomy, nor did they know that it was his favorite subject— apart from DADA.
But Tom.. he noticed how Rigel would look at the stars whenever he had the chance to and would smile, so here he was..
"Orion?"
Rigel nodded, exhaling some smoke. "It's the brightest star in the constellation Orion." He explained, still not looking away from the said constellation.
"What else?" asked Tom softly, not looking away from the boy.
Rigel finally smiled, not realizing his look. "It is a blue supergiant—"
While Rigel was explaining, Tom unconsciously started smiling. He finally looked at the constellation and then looked back at the sixteen-year-old.
Tom looked at Rigel like he just realized what love is.
His smile vanished and a sad frown replaced it as he realized something.
