Only the Brave

Chapter 11: The Owlry Roof

Regulus makes it back to his dorm quite late on Friday night, because after his awkward run-in with Lupin in the infirmary, he climbed to the owlry and sat on the roof to smoke. He missed dinner, too, so he had to take a detour into the kitchens to ask the elves for some food. They whipped something up for him quickly, and Regulus ate with them.

He likes it in the kitchen, because house elves are nice, simple creatures. Not simple in that they aren't intelligent—they are extremely capable. Just simple. They have a clear purpose in life and fulfilling it makes them happy. Regulus bets none of the house elves have anxiety over whether a boy that should be their natural nemesis has thought about him in the past day, or break down and shout at a star because he doesn't show up when he goes to smoke some cigarettes.

No.

Regulus is pretty certain the house elves would laugh at him if they knew just how pathetic he's becoming over one James Potter.

Anyway. He's had time to be morose over how out of proportion his crush is getting, and now he needs to get himself ready for bed. The world doesn't stop turning because Regulus is despairing over a messy-haired boy.

Regulus pushes open the door to his room and almost bumps into Slughorn's back. He's tired enough that he doesn't immediately question what his head of house is doing in his dorm.

"I'm sorry, professor," he says, stepping to the side and making his way towards his side of the room.

Slughorn shakes his head. "No worries, boy. I shouldn't stand so close to the door." He has his hands on his waist and is tapping his foot on the floor rather impatiently.

And now Regulus realises how odd this is, because Slughorn hasn't been in his dorm ever before. Regulus glances at Barty and Evan, who are trying very hard to pretend they're not enjoying the show. Barty tilts his head, and Regulus' gaze follows to find Edward Selwyn crying and packing his trunks. Regulus' eyebrows shoot to his hairline. He works hard, but apparently there are times when Horace Slughorn works harder.

"Hurry up, boy. We don't have all night," Slughorn says impatiently to Selwyn.

"I swear I didn't do it," Selwyn cries. Voice hoarse. "It wasn't me. Please, don't do this."

Slughorn's face softens, because he is fucking weak. Regulus thinks a head of house should be firmer. Like McGonagall. Not that he'd ever admit this to anyone.

"It's a temporary suspension, Mr. Selwyn. You'll be back in four weeks."

Selwyn continues to cry, but Regulus ignores him. A temporary suspension? He was hoping for expulsion. Regulus sits on his bed and begins to take his shoes off. The sounds of Selwyn's crying are music to his ears.

Regulus takes a long, hot shower, purposefully wasting time so that Slughorn and Selwyn are both gone when he re-emerges. He succeeds, finding only Barty and Evan in his room.

"How did that happen?" Regulus asks, even though he knows.

Evan, who's lying on the bed, looks up. "Slughorn was inspecting the entire classroom after Snape's cauldron blew up. He found evidence in Selwyn's things that he tampered with it. Some compound that produces a delayed reaction, scribblings for a containment spell so that only Snape got hurt. All pretty premeditated, all in Selwyn's handwritting. A bit stupid of him not to get rid of the evidence, if you ask me."

"He swears he didn't do it," Barty adds. He's sitting on the floor again. Evan's hand is near his hair again. They're pretending it's not happening. Again. "But everyone knows he's got a grudge against Snape."

"He does?" Regulus asks. This is a surprise. It's absolutely brilliant, and he's not above congratulating himself on having good luck as well as a carefully enacted plan. The fact that Selwyn had 'motive' is the cherry on top of a delicious cake.