Sweet innocence ~ Jegulus

19.

Regulus sat in the back of the library, nearly falling asleep. He'd been working on Potions homework for the better half of the day, hidden deep in the library trying to avoid any form of human contact. He was sure that Barty and Pandora were looking for him, he'd heard them come into the library's few times to check and double check that he wasn't there, but each time he'd shove his head into a book and wait for them to leave.

He also avoided anywhere in the school that Sirius might be. He still was upset with him.

And avoiding Sirius meant that he also had to avoid James since the two were practically attached at the hip most days.

Regulus sighed as he pulled out the pocket watch from his robe and checked the time. Dinner would be starting in a few minutes. He was quite hungry having skipped lunch to avoid seeing Enzo.

He pulled himself up off of the ground and slung his school bag over his shoulder lazily. Regulus said goodbye to Madam Pince as he left the library, forcing himself to smile at the woman. He dragged his feet as he walked and mentally scolded himself for acting so poorly.

Just as Regulus turned the corner, he was faced with an alarming sight.

"Dirty mudblood!" Snape spat as he leaned over Marlene who was on her hands and knees on the floor.  Snape pointed his wand at the girl but Regulus was quick to intervene. "Expelliarmus!" Regulus said, pointing his own wand at Severus. Snape's wand flew through the air and landed a few feet behind Regulus. Th older Slytherin turned, obviously caught off guard.

"You should humble yourself, Severus. Being in Slytherin doesn't make you better than anyone else. Does it make you feel good calling people mudbloods? It shouldn't, you're still a half breed no matter how much you try to act like you aren't." Regulus gave Severus a once over, rolling his eyes in disgust.

"Come on, McKinnon." Regulus helped the girl up to her feet. He let go of her hand as soon as she was standing and began walking away, Marlene stumbling after him.

He walked her all the way to the Gryffindor table, making sure that none of Snape's friends came to finish what he started. "Thanks." Marlene smiled as they stood at the head of the table. Regulus nodded, his eyes skimming the great hall. Sirius and the rest of the Marauders were watching them curiously, but he didn't let his eyes linger on them for too long knowing that if he looked at Sirius any longer he'd talk himself out of being angry with his brother.

"Um why did you help me?" Marlene asked, scratching her neck nervously, this drew Regulus's attention back to her and he was glad that she hadn't walked away yet.

Because you don't deserve to be treated like that. Regulus thought.

"Because you're friends with my brother." Regulus shrugged. He gave Marlene a tight lipped smile before walking away to his own table.

***

"What was that about?" Sirius asked as soon as Marlene took her seat at the table. He didn't even try to hide his curiosity. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Marlene replied, starting to fill her plate. Sirius raised a brow expectantly.

"Snape was messing with me in the hallway and your brother caught him. He disarmed Snape and then told him off. It was actually really... kind of him." Marlene explained. "He even escorted me back to the great hall so that it didn't happen again."

"I told you that Reg doesn't care about blood status." Sirius beamed, looking over his shoulder at Regulus who was joining Barty and Evan. Sirius's smile fell when he saw the dark purple eye bags on Regulus's face that accompanied the boy's bloodshot eyes.

Barty whispered something in Regulus's ear and Sirius watched as Regulus turned to look at the Ravenclaw table. Sirius followed his gaze and saw that Enzo had his arm draped around a pretty brunette, a huge smile on his face acting as if Regulus wasn't sitting a few feet away.

He quickly looked back at Regulus and saw that he was clearly trying his best not to let his sadness show. Barty said something again and Regulus shook his head, grabbing Barty's wrist before he could stand up.

"Don't stare." James mumbled, kicking Sirius under the table. "Not staring, just observing." Sirius replied.
As if feeling his eyes on him, Regulus looked up and caught Sirius looking at him. Sirius smiled softly, hoping that Regulus would come join them like he'd done every day that week but Regulus only rolled his eyes and looked away.

***

"Thanks for meeting me." James said, smiling softly at Regulus who was standing rigidly across the room from him. Regulus nodded politely, his eyes boring into James's. "Why'd you ask me here? Pretty sure Lily isn't going to be hanging around these parts." Regulus muttered grimly, his fingers toying with the hem of his sleeve.

"I'm here as your friend, not as your fake boyfriend." James mused, keeping in the chuckle he wanted to release. He didn't think that Regulus was in the mood to laugh.

"We are not friends, Potter." Regulus sighed, his voice sounding strained as if he hadn't used it in a while. Regulus ran a hand over his face, taking a deep breath with his eyes clenched shut. He stayed still for a few moments before sitting at one of the abandoned desks, not caring that the chairs were covered in dust.

"But we are. People who aren't friends don't pretend to date each other." James said while taking the seat next to Regulus. "Friends usually don't do that either. I think that we're just a special case." Regulus mumbled, holding his head in his hands as if it weighed too much.

"Did you sleep at all last night?" James asked, eyes full of concern as he took in Regulus's uncharacteristically disheveled appearance. "Not really, no." Regulus replied, pushing his hair back from his face to look at James. "I can tell. You look off." James placed his hand on Regulus's forehead, checking for a fever. "I'm not ill, Potter. I'm heartbroken." Regulus laughed dryly as he lightly pushed James's hand away.

"I saw Enzo and the girl. I'm sorry." James spoke, his voice soft. Regulus shrugged. "It's my fault, you shouldn't feel sorry for me." Regulus said, offering James a small smile. "You didn't do anything wrong, Reg. It can't be your fault." James exclaimed. "It is what it is, Potter. Let's just talk about something else." Regulus slouched further into his chair, bringing his knees up to his chest. Another thing he wouldn't usually do. Regulus always maintained proper posture when sitting down. James frowned at the sight.

"Tell me about you and Evans." Regulus said after a bit of silence. "There's nothing to tell." James huffed. Regulus looked at him sadly for a while, finally letting James see past his cold facade. He put a hand on James's knee comfortingly and patted it. "I'm sorry." Regulus mumbled, giving James a sad smile which James returned.

They sat there for a while, Regulus's hand on James's knee.

"Merlin, we must be the saddest boys in school." James joked, laughing without any humour. Regulus made a humming noise in agreement.

"At least we can be sad together."