Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

Chocolate Frogs

"... More than quidditch?"

"Of course! It's not even close. Leagues more than quidditch."

Laughing at this, I kicked my feet lazily beneath the countertop and watched as Reggie sighed contentedly, our eyes meeting once more as he cradled his chin in one hand. We'd been sitting here like this admiring one another in Evan's kitchen for the better part of the evening, the remains of the dinner we'd shared now pushed off to the side and long forgotten.

"Your turn again now."

Rising up from his stool, he chewed at his lip and hummed thoughtfully. Then, leaning both elbows on the countertop, he fixed his eyes on mine, smile widening, "More than ..."

"Go on."

"... Your favourite muggle music?"

"Oh Merlins, yes. So much more. I'd give it all up in a heartbeat."

Again we beamed at one another. Then, winking at me, Reggie picked up his wand and twirled it slowly in the air, a small but immediately recognisable tin box appearing on the countertop before him. Glancing up at me, he held his wand suspended mid-air, "Would you like one too?"

"Yes please."

Nodding at this, he politely pushed the small tin towards me before waving his wand again. With the new tin before him, he began tapping his fingers lightly against its lid, "... Evan keeps them stocked for me. I think he ordered them in bulk from Honeydukes the very same day I told him I'd be staying here. He himself doesn't eat them - I've never once seen him eat one, not in all these years."

"Never?"

"I don't think he actually cares for chocolate. He's not as big a sweet tooth, though occasionally, yes. Which makes it all the more special that he thought to fill his pantry with these - that he'd do that just for me. Because he knows they're my absolute favourite."

"Love."

Love.

Exactly what we've just been discussing;

What we've been discussing since the moment we shared earlier this afternoon.

Love.

It's the only topic on our minds, and we can't seem to get enough of it.

Sure enough, Reggie nodded and smiled back, "That's right. Love."

I watched with amusement at the way his eyes lit up as he cupped the blue and gold pentagonal tin in his hands. Then, setting it gently back down before him, he slowly pried it open, the distinctive clink of metal on marble as he carefully set the lid down and sighed anticipatorily, "... My Chocolate Frog."

He's just so pure.

I don't understand how anyone can be so pure.

Especially someone raised in the manner with which he was, someone subjected to such a cutthroat, cold environment.

You really see it with Evan.

But Reggie?

The fact that his spirit remains so warm, so untarnished  ...

... It's not just beautiful, it's triumphant.

"Regulus?"

"Y/N?"

Giggling and unable to resist, I pointed at the now open tin, "More than ...?"

... More than Chocolate Frogs?