i really loved him

chapter 2

Thursday, 5th September - Regulus sat at his desk, acutely aware of the clock hands crawling behind him. Fifteen minutes left. Professor Flitwick was explaining the uses of cheering charms, and he wasn't bothering to concentrate. It was a spell he perfected months ago.

According to the four quidditch captains, all of the try-outs were complete, so the lists of those who made the teams would be pinned outside the great hall by lunchtime. The school had been buzzing with anticipation all day.

"To cast a cheering charm, one must point their wand at the intended recipient and perform a tight figure-of-eight with the wrist," Flitwick was saying, raising his arm to demonstrate. "Try the movement now. No, don't use your wands just yet – we don't need another desk set ablaze, thank you very much. That's right. No, don't wave your arm around, Baudin, it should be a mere flick of the wrist. A flick... That's right!"

Flitwick hopped off his stool and patrolled the aisle that ran through the centre of the room, assessing each student's wand technique. He raised his eyebrows and gave an approving nod as he passed Regulus' desk. When satisfied, he returned to the front of the class and clapped loudly to gain their attention.

"Excellent! We'll spend the rest of the lesson practicing the cheering charm on your partner. Remember, the incantation is 'Cheriolas'. Remember to speak clearly. Now, off you go!"

Before long, the classroom was filled with the yelling of the incantation, soon joined by fleeting peals of laughter from students already recipient to the spell. Regulus turned to face Liam Miller, one seldom seen without a cruel snarl etched across his face, and cast the spell. Almost immediately, Miller burst into a fit of high-pitched giggles. This was so oddly uncharacteristic that Regulus had to conceal his smirk of amusement.

Flitwick, who had been surveying the class' progress, gave an excitable squeak and sped over to observe the effects of Regulus' charm.

"Exquisite, Mr. Black! Take five points for Slytherin." He turned to address the other students. "Come and have a look, everyone! This is the effect we should all be aiming for."

Even those who weren't under the influence of the cheering charm began to snigger at the sight of Miller, who was now rocking back and forth in his chair and still giggling uncontrollably. Flitwick cast a counter-spell to bring him back to his senses just as the bell rang to signal lunchtime. He dismissed the class and returned to his desk.

Regulus hastily began packing his spell book and quill into his bag. Someone was too close behind him as he made to leave; he whipped around in time for a firm hand to clasp around his wrist. The hand belonged to Miller, who was now glaring down at him.

"You're going to pay for that, Black," he growled. Regulus' chest tightened, but he did nothing to show it, meeting his eyes with a defiant stare.

"I don't know what you mean," he replied loftily. "Flitwick told us to practise; that is what I did."

Miller's eyes flashed with fury. He let go of Regulus and raised his wand, but before he could utter another word, Flitwick looked up from his desk and spotted them.

"Everything alright over there, boys?" he called across the room.

"Yes, professor," Regulus said shortly. "I was just leaving."

He left the class and walked towards the great hall briskly, yet not hurriedly, taking on his usual air of indifference. He refused to give Miller the satisfaction of his fear. A crowd had already congregated outside the hall when he arrived. Everyone was trying to push to the front to catch a glimpse of the lists. Regulus hung back until most of the group had dispersed, then stepped up to the Slytherin list and scanned it.