Only the Brave

Chapter 8: Kiss Me

Regulus is elbows deep in his potions prep when Barty shows up in the lab unannounced. For the first time since they met age eleven, Regulus isn't too pleased to see Barty. In fact, he's inconvenienced. He needs to focus on what he's doing, and if Barty is here to be all fucking weird for no reason again, Regulus will kick him out. He's about to say as much when he hears Pandora coming in after Barty. Dorcas brings up the rear.

"Where's Evan?" is the first thing Regulus asks, because his absence is so obvious to Regulus he wants to smack Barty over the head for the stunt he pulled in the Charms classroom yesterday.

Evan noticed Barty acting strange towards Regulus, and he's been in a mood since. Last night in their dorms was awkward, to the point that even Edward fucking Selwyn asked Evan if he was alright (Selwyn only talks to Evan directly. He avoids Barty and Regulus like the plague).

Barty is trying to pretend nothing happened, gaslighting Evan when he asked if there was something going on. Barty wasn't too good at it, so the blond boy could definitely tell Barty was lying, which is only making Evan more anxious. Regulus is trying to stay out of it because he's just not here for drama and also, he's not entirely sure what Barty was doing or why. 

"Sulking somewhere," Barty says, oblivious. "He won't say why, but he's in a foul mood. Anyway, he'll get over it." Regulus stares at Barty, dumbfounded. Is he this unaware, or is he just trying his best to gaslight himself? Regulus can't tell.

Barty needs help, Regulus thinks. They all do, if he's honest, but he's not looking at that too closely.

Barty shrugs. Then, "Stop what you're doing, Reg. You need to listen to this."

Regulus tenses like a bowstring. This sounds like Pandora had another dream. He sighs, and puts town the knife and lavender petals he was prepping for his sleeping draught. He makes it in batches, but the potion can't sit for too long or it loses the effect so he's here at least once a week, brewing lavender and asphodel and about seven other ingredients so that he can get some damn sleep.

He brings the fire down to let the potion simmer, then steps away from his desk to face his friends. Dorcas' uniform has suffered alterations overnight, which makes Regulus mildly suspicious. Not that he's ever going to ask.

Dorcas' skirt is shorter than before, though nothing scandalous enough that someone would put her in detention for it. She's sewn two pins to her shirt and added a small silver clip to her Slytherin tie. Regulus quite likes the clip, because he's a silver jewellery preacher. Gold has no place on one's body.

"Pandora had a dream," Dorcas announces dramatically.

Here we go. "When?" Regulus asks.

Dorcas smirks. "Just now. She was having a nap on your bed."

Regulus blinks at this information but that's all the reaction they get. It's not the first time Pandora takes a nap in their room. Does he like she was using his bed? No. Is he going to make a big deal out of it? Also no. Because this is Pandora, and Pandora is to be protected. Even from himself.

He runs a hand through his hair, then nods. "Well?"

Pandora tilts her head up, as though listening to someone hovering above her. She nods, then fixes Regulus with a look. "There was a wolf. You were in danger."

Regulus groans. Not this again. Wasn't the ominous cave dream enough? Why does Pandora's subconscious insist on putting him in peril? Regulus thinks this is unfair. His life is shitty enough without divine intervention making it worse. Besides, he's already in peril. Or will be, once he fully kicks his revenge plans into motion.

"Reg," Dorcas says, a warning in her voice. "If Pan says you're in danger, you are. We need to be ready."

I am ready. But he doesn't say, because he hasn't told them what he plans to do. He's not sure he will. There are a few unresolve threads to his plan that he's struggling to make a decision on, and thus ignoring for the time being.