Sweet innocence ~ Jegulus

43

This chapter is unedited and poorly written. Literally so sorry 😞

Regulus sat at the Slytherin table, frowning as he listened to Evan and Snape have a heated argument about Potions. He allowed himself to briefly entertain the idea of going to join the Marauders at the Gryffindor table, then mentally scolded himself for even thinking of doing something so ridiculous.

"Reg, are you even listening?" Evan asked, snapping his fingers in Regulus' face. The raven haired boy slapped his hand away, scowling at the blond. "Of course I'm not listening to you, you're both boring me half to death." Regulus mumbled.

"Potter is watching you, the bastard." Snape muttered grimly, nodding at something over Regulus' shoulder. Regulus' frown deepened as he turned to look over his shoulder towards the Gryffindor table. James was indeed watching him. When their eyes met, the older boy smile and Regulus had to turn away quickly before he could smile back.

"It's Valentine's Day tomorrow, maybe you should get a date to rebound from Potter." Evan suggested, spooning some carrots into his mouth. Regulus scoffed at his friends stupidity. "I can't just rebound from James. Not when I'm still so in love with him. The idea of going on a date with someone else just- ugh I shudder the thought!" Regulus exclaimed dramatically. Evan and Snape exchanged a look.

"Well, you need to get over this puppy love of yours because I'm starting to think that you're becoming a bit depressed." Evan said, placing a hand over Regulus'.

Regulus scoffed, pulling his hand away. "I am not depressed!" He exclaimed.

"You wear all black and walk around like a ghost. That seems a bit depressed to me." Evan mumbled. Regulus looked affronted. "I wear all black all of the time, even when I was dating James. And, I do not walk around like a ghost!"

"Sometimes I forget that you're even in a room because of how quiet you get." Snape butt into the conversation, giving Regulus a pointed look. "Like you're any better." Regulus replied sarcastically.

"Look, all we're saying is that you need to move on. As your friends, we're concerned for you and your mental health." Evan said, smiling softly at Regulus. "Fine, I'll try to stop sulking so much." Regulus muttered, sighing to himself.

"And make up with Barty. He's been brooding for days." Evan added.

"Not a chance, Barty can go fuck himself." Regulus replied. "Weren't you two best friends?" Snape asked. Regulus snorted. "We were until he said- it doesn't matter what he said, actually. He did something stupid and I won't forgive him." Regulus muttered grimly.

"Well, Barty's heading straight for us." Evan whispered, looking over Regulus' shoulder. Barty took the seat next to Snape, looking at Regulus nervously. Regulus stood up abruptly, not even sparing his friends a glance as he walked away. He left the Great Hall, deciding to go down to the kitchens to spend some time with the house elves.

"Reg! Hey, Reggie!" James' voice called out to him as he walked. Regulus sucked in a sharp breath, looking back at the older boy. "James..." Regulus sighed as the older boy caught up to him.

"It's Valentine's Day tomorrow," James said, scratching his neck nervously. Regulus raised a single eyebrow, urging the Gryffindor to go on. "I just- I thought that we could do something together." James mumbled, turning a light shade of pink. Regulus sighed.

"James, only couples do things together on Valentine's Day. Need I remind you that we're broken up?" Regulus drawled, tapping his foot against the stone floor. James huffed in annoyance, advancing closer to Regulus.

"Sirius told me what your dad did," James said, grabbing Regulus' hand. "If your dad accepts that you're leaving the family, why are you still avoiding me? We're wasting so much time, Reg!" James exclaimed.

"Just because my father was accepting of my leaving doesn't mean that my mother will be. You have to understand that I'm doing this for your own safety. When she learns that I'm leaving, she'll want to hurt me. She'll go to you first if she thinks that we're still together." Regulus replied.

"She won't have to know!" James protested.

"Some of the older Slytherins have been watching us. Mulciber writes to his father about all of the gossip going around in our house. That's how my Mum found out." Regulus muttered, squeezing James' hand. "I'm sorry, James, but I can't risk her finding out that I blatantly disobeyed her demands. She'd throw a hissy fit and go on a murderous rampage."

"We could do it in secret." James suggested, ever the optimist. Regulus sighed. "James that is the most ridiculous suggestion ever. You still act like my boyfriend even now while we're broken up, if we date in secret it'll be too obvious that there's something going on between us."

"How about we report your mum to the Ministry and get her shipped off to Azkaban and then we'll be free to be together!" James said.

"If you think that I'm going to get my own mother arrested then you'd better rethink that plan." Regulus said sternly. James huffed. "Fine, then I'll get Sirius to do it."

"James..." Regulus said exasperatedly.

"I love you, Reg." James muttered, cupping Regulus' face. "And you love me too so why are we letting your wench of a mother keep us apart? Be with me, if she tries to hurt us for loving each other then we'll deal with her."

"It sounds so easy when you say it like that, but we can't just deal with a dark witch like my mother. She's into some very ancient and dark magic, James. Blood magic and such. She can kill us all with a wave of her wand."

"My dad works at the Ministry," James replied, "if we give him enough evidence to build a case against her then we can get her sent to Azkaban."

"You're infuriating, have I ever told you that?" Regulus mumbled, shaking his head fondly.

"So I'll take that as a yes?" James raised his eyebrows questioningly. Regulus paused, considering the suggestion. "See what your dad can do. If he can get her arrested before the summer hols then we can get back together."

"And you'll come live with me?" James asked hopefully.

"Don't push your luck, James. Im still going to live with- I shouldn't tell you."

"Give me a clue at least," James groaned.

"She's one of the few good family members of mine. But that's all that I can say."

"I'm going to write to my dad tonight." James told him.

"I'm sure that you will," Regulus replied, smiling softly.