Jealousy, Jealousy || Jegulus & Rosekiller

6. Hand-holding, toasts and secrets

Evan

Evan is entering the Great Hall with the sound of Barty's chatter in his ears, and he would like to focus on what he's saying, but he can't because on Barty's other side walks Regulus, and they're holding hands.

Barty puts an arm around his shoulders, and Evan snaps back to reality.

"...you have to come. I will not accept a no", says Barty, smiling.

"Yes, it's the last one of the year", adds Regulus.

Hogsmeade. Right.

"I don't know, I was thinking of remaining here, actually".

"Come on, you need some distractions from all the studying. You will involuntarily transfigure yourself into a book at this rate", insists Barty.

"I'll think about it", says Evan trying to smile back. He is not going. The last thing he needs is to see Barty and Regulus being their sweet coupley selves, buying each other candies, and sitting close at The Three Broomsticks, or maybe they would go to Madam Puddifoot's.

And now they want to include him. He shouldn't have told Barty that he was feeling left out. He had to say something, though. Somehow Barty saw that he had an issue with their relationship. He certainly couldn't have said the truth.

Pandora and Dorcas join them. "Ancient Runes is becoming harder and harder at every lesson. I don't know how I'll pass the O.W.L.s", says Dorcas.

"You should have followed us and done Divination. Evan made the right choice", says Barty, smiling at him. Then he says to Dorcas: "We did palmistry today. We will invent something and just pass", laughing.

But Regulus seemed sincere when he said that you're a great boyfriend, Evan thinks. He seemed so in love, and so did you when you smiled back at him.

"I think you can see the future in the palms of your hands, as with tea leaves, tarot cards, crystal balls...", says Pandora, "Today I saw that Xeno will forge his life independently and without giving in to outside influences. I believe it's the truth".

"Maybe you're just not good at it, Barty", laughs Regulus.

"Maybe you don't understand my talent", says Barty, acting offended.

Regulus then takes Barty's hand in his and says, "You're right. Forgive me, please", with an exaggerated frantic expression. Barty starts giggling.

Regulus brings his hand to Barty's cheek and stares into his eyes, Barty grins, and Regulus brings their lips together. Evan turns his attention back on his lunch.

Pandora whispers in Regulus' ear for a bit, and then they both turn around to the Gryffindor table. Pandora is the only one whom Regulus doesn't threaten with murder if she brings up Sirius. It's strange that Regulus would look for his brother at lunchtime, but maybe things are getting better between them.

After lunch, he says he's going to the library and quickly leaves, hoping that Barty will just remain with the others.

He sees Marcus at their usual table, already studying.

"I'm so behind. I still have to start the essay for McGonagall and I wrote just a few lines for History", says Evan.

"I hope being in the library will make you absorb the knowledge by breathing", jokes Marcus, then he adds, "No, but seriously, tell me if you need a hand. I saw that yesterday you weren't concentrated all day".

"Thank you", he smiles. "Let me know if you find a spell that will actually allow me to learn a book instantaneously", he adds laughing.

Rodolphus arrives and joins them. "Do you know that we have to do an essay also on what we saw in each other's palms today for Divination?", says Rodolphus with an annoyed tone. They did not. "Yes, Xenophilius just told me! I think we had already left the classroom when Catts said it".