You belong with me ~ Bartylus

4. A great idea

Regulus

Regulus and Barty have just left the Great Hall when Regulus' hand is grabbed and he's pulled into an empty classroom.

Regulus squirms, as Barty says, "I have to tell you something."

"You didn't like the new courses today?" says Regulus worriedly.

"No. I mean, yes, I liked them, but that's not it."

Regulus looks at Barty fidgeting with his bag. "What is it, then?" he asks.

"I missed Evan this summer," says Barty.

"Yes, me too."

Barty glances at him. "I think not the way I did."

Regulus furrows his brows, "What do you mean?" he says.

"I missed how he hesitates before hugging you. I missed listening to him for hours talking about the most disparate things, going from topic to topic, I missed how he takes on the role of our conscience when we jump to do something, I missed having him there beside us when something funny happened, or getting a joke only we would..."

Barty's voice is hesitant when he says, "Reg, I think I like him. As in more than a friend."

"Barty! I'm happy for you, I guess, I don't know what to say, it's Evan, and it's you, but I'm so happy for you," he rambles, "You actually make so much sense together, now I see it, you would be so good for each other."

Regulus suddenly stops. "But you have to be sure, you can't change your mind, you can't break his heart."

"No, Reg, Reg, you are going too far", interrupts Barty. "I'm not going to tell him", he says as if it were obvious.

"No? Why not?" says Regulus taken aback.

"He doesn't feel the same way. I would completely ruin our friendship," he explains, with condescension in his voice and an incredulous expression on his face. "I just wanted to ask you how to make these feelings disappear."

"Barty, you can't simply make your feelings disappear," says Regulus confused.

"But I have to. I just have to find out how..." Barty mumbles, lost in thought.

"I'm sorry, I have to go patroling now, I'm already late to meet James, but this conversation is not over."

They reach the entrance to the Slytherin common room, James is already there and smiles at them.

He hands Regulus a book, "The other day Slughorn recommended us some books for extra reading, and I found this," he says, "I think you'd like it, it's on the Phrary Lotus and how its properties change based on how much you use. Plus all the potions that contain it."

Regulus feels his cheeks heat up. Give it to James to be awfully considerate.

"Thank you," Regulus smiles, already flipping the pages.

"Could you bring it to the dorm for me?" he asks Barty, before they leave.

"Ready to give away detentions?" James grins as they walk down the corridor.

Regulus chuckles. "Should I be warned against any pranks tonight?" he asks.

"Hey, you're talking to the Head Boy!"

"How they ever made you Head Boy is a mystery. Don't you have to go a year without breaking the detention record?"

"You should know that last year I only got one."

"How? You did do pranks."

"But we didn't get caught," James smirks.

Regulus laughs. "I don't believe McGonagall didn't see through you anyway."