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Regulus P.O.V
Regulus sighs as he makes his way to the quidditch pitch with Evan and Barty, who are their usual flirtatious selves. Secretly, he wishes they would just confess their feelings for each other. Today, they have quidditch practice in preparation for their upcoming game against Hufflepuff.
"So, Reg," Evan interrupts his flirting with Barty for a moment, "What's going on between you and Josephine?"
Regulus turns his head, giving Evan a glare. "What?"
Barty chimes in, wiggling his eyebrows. "You like her, don't you?"
Rolling his eyes in annoyance, Regulus replies, "Even if I did, I wouldn't tell you."
Evan laughs. "Oh, mate, you definitely have feelings for her."
"It doesn't matter. She's a Potter and a blood traitor," Regulus admits, though it is the truth. Even if he does harbor feelings for her, he knows they can never be together.
"Come on, despite that, you do like her," Barty persists.
"It doesn't matter, Barty," Regulus changes his tone, signaling them to drop the subject of Josephine.
But now, his thoughts are consumed by her.
He hasn't seen much of Josephine today, not that it matters. At lunch, he noticed her messy hair, as if she has been running her hands through it nervously. He also observed that she didn't eat much again. She never seems to have much of an appetite, and it frustrates him.
Upon reaching the pitch, he has to push past other Slytherins in the changing rooms to find a spot to change into his training uniform. Leaning his broom against the wall, he swiftly changes.
The team captain delivers her speech about the importance of defeating Hufflepuff this weekend. Regulus finds her quite annoying; she always goes out of her way to give him the best opportunities simply because she likes him.
Licking his lips, Regulus hears the captain announce that it is time for training.
"You ready, Black?" Preston Parkinson asks. Regulus skillfully plays the role of the perfect pure-blood son. Sliding that role into place.
He would do anything to one day escape from that act. Nodding at Preston, they walk out onto the field.
~~~
Regulus takes a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure as the captain scolds Barty for a mistake. After her rant, she approaches him with a flirtatious demeanor.
Oh, Merlin...
"You did well today, Reggie," she says, batting her eyelashes.
"Is practice over now?" he asks, hoping to end the conversation.
She huffs but reluctantly confirms that it is indeed over.
As Regulus makes his way back to the changing rooms, he joins Barty and Evan in conversation. Suddenly, Preston calls out to them, his face twisted into a cruel smirk. The other boys around him wear similar expressions. "Oi! Black, Rosier, Crouch wanna hear this bet we have?"
Curiosity piques, and Regulus tilts his head, glancing at Barty and Evan. They seem interested in hearing about the bet, so they approach Preston together.
"What kind of bet?" Evan inquires, raising an eyebrow.
Parkinson's smile grows wider, crueler. "Well, you know James Potter's little sister, Josephine?"
Oh Regulus did not like where this was going, his fist clenched behind his back.
"What about her?" his voice turns cold.
"Well, the Ravenclaw boys started it," Parkinson explains, seemingly oblivious to the growing anger in Evan and Barty. "There's a bet on who can make her fall in love with them first and take her virginity."
Evan and Barty's anger flares, but Preston remains oblivious and continues, "Davian Cross initiated it after she turned down a date with him. So, do you want to be a part of the bet?"
His expression drops, his calm tone a complete opposite to the turmoil raging inside his head. "What did you just say?" he asks, trying to maintain composure.
Preston glances at him and notices the change in his demeanor. "Oh, sorry, Black. I didn't know she was yours."
"She's not," Regulus snaps.
Evan steps forward, his voice seething with anger. "If any of you," he points at the boys around Preston, "continue with this bet, I swear to Merlin, I will kill you."
Preston laughs, seemingly oblivious to the dangerous glares from Regulus, Evan, and Barty.
"Well, she's no one's girl, Rosier. She's free game. Besides, I think Davian has the best chance at getting her."
Regulus ponders for a moment. How much trouble would he be in with his parents if he hexes Parkinson? He could always lie, claiming he caught him with a Mudblood. But even then, his parents would still punish him.
He decides to do something for himself. His parents wouldn't kill him for it, although they would undoubtedly torture him. But in that moment, it doesn't matter.
Taking a step forward, he finds himself grabbing his wand from his back pocket and pointing it as Parkinson's face. The small hex he sent wouldn't effect him permanently. Just something to make him hurt.
Leaning down to where Parkinson lies on the ground clutching his face from the hex, Regulus whispers, "You mention her again, and I'll fucking destroy you. Don't doubt this, Parkinson."
He straightens up and turns to leave. Barty and Evan follow suit, standing by his side as they walk away.
"Should we tell her about the bet?" Evan inquires.
Regulus clenches his jaw. "No, not right now. If it resurfaces, then we'll consider it."
They both nod, and Evan can't resist a smirk. "You like her."
"Shut up, Evan."
They walk together towards the Great Hall for dinner. Regulus's eyes scan the room, searching for Josephine. As they make their way to the Slytherin table, he spots her engaged in a conversation with Dorcas, whose arm seems to have healed.
Josephine smiles at Dorcas, and Regulus feels an unexpected desire to capture her image on paper once again. Shaking off the thought, he sits down with Evan and Barty at the Slytherin table.
He watches as the girls move to the other side of their table to join their conversation.
"Hey, guys, how was practice?" Pandora asks, taking a bite of her food.
"Good," Barty replies.
Regulus can't help but notice Josephine tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and take a bite of a strawberry. Glancing at her plate, he observes that she has only a few small pieces of food.
His jaw clenches. He's at a loss for what to do in this situation, and he despises that feeling.
Josephine tilts her head, a faintly blank expression crossing her face—a look she often wears when lost in thought.
She smiles at him, and once again, Regulus feels the urge to capture her essence in a drawing.
~~~~~ Sorry for not posting these chapters yesterday. There was a hurricane and a tree fell on my house😁
