Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

RAB & BCJ

Malfoy Manor.

July, 1978.

"Oh by Salazar's left bollock, yes! Yes, yes, yes!!!"

Barty's whole face lights up the moment Regulus Black walks through the door.

Pausing and quirking an eyebrow upwards at the sentiment, Reggie gives his old friend a very reluctant smile back, "Hey Barty."

"... They said we were each being partnered with someone. But I didn't actually think - so does this mean - it must mean -"

Having realised this near simultaneously, Reggie forces a small nod, "I suppose so. You and I, Barty."

Fighting back against the sudden feeling of butterflies, Barty swallows and nods back, "Brilliant."

... Last night with Henry was an unqualified disaster, and Barty woke up this morning alone, hungover, and more depressed than he's ever remembered feeling.

But this?

This.

... Partnered with Reggie?!

All his secret sorrow momentarily forgotten, Barty pushes his chair back and rises to his feet as Reggie steps closer. Reggie, who's now fighting against a sea of his own hidden emotions.

Because you must understand;

Barty ...

Barty's so very complicated.

Much more than you might think.

From the instant they met in their first year at Hogwarts, the two of them formed an immediate connection.

Friends at first sight, really.

But that was back when things were so much simpler. Though to be fair, it certainly didn't feel that way at the time. Back then the biggest problem keeping Reggie awake at night was Severus Snape, who spent the entire first term relentlessly bullying Reggie over Sirius. And when Reggie let slip that it was happening, who was the very first person to step in and put an end to it?

Barty.

Barty, with Evan following right at his heels.

For all intents and purposes, a completely even tie.

And Snivellus?

Never made so much as a peep Reggie's way after that. Never dared.

Yes, Reggie always adored Barty, always enjoyed his company. And who wouldn't? Barty's sociable, energetic, spontaneous, and above all else, an absolute riot. To put it simply ...

Barty's fun.

If only it were that simple though ...

Because as with everything else in their lives, politics has once again gone and mucked everything up, at least as far as Reggie's concerned.

Because Barty's become far too extreme, far too radicalised when it comes to the cause. Especially this past year, which saw an alarming progression in Barty's fanaticism. And so, as Reggie's secretly betrayed the pureblooded agenda, Barty's moved in the exact opposite direction. And the inevitable result? What was once a close friendship now feels to Reggie like an empty husk, the shell of a terrifically strained acquaintanceship.

Add to this Barty's numerous run-ins with her...

I just can't forgive him for the way he's treated her, the things he's said to her.