Only the Brave

Chapter 25: Would you rather...?

Interlude: Dorcas POV

Dorcas has made sure to be fussy about Regulus failing to tell her he's dating James Potter for about a week. It's enough. She misses her best friend and is ready to let this petty game go. That's why she's waiting for him in the common room. That, and Blair is shooting her disgusted glances every few minutes which doesn't make for a very cosy dorm. Blair doesn't dare say anything, because her hair is still multicoloured, but the looks convey her thoughts well enough.

Dorcas wishes she could just swap houses. Sure, she never before thought anything about being a Slytherin—she's fine where she is, and she met Regulus and Barty and Evan. But. There's always a but, isn't there? Gryffindors are just lest fucking prejudiced and, to Dorcas, that's good enough reason to want to be one. Not that she's particularly hot-headed or ready to jump into a fight any moment. But she's loyal to her friends. She'd do anything for Regulus. Can't she just be re-sorted? For the rest of this year? Then, she could share a dorm with Marlene every night without it being a game of chicken with teachers and prefects and other Slytherins who might catch on and tell on her.

It's a nice thought.

It's past midnight, and she's begun to droop a little when finally the entrance to their common room parts and Regulus walks inside. He's very much not drooping despite the late hour. He's graceful, slipping inside Slytherin territory like a black cat. There's a bit of sadness clinging to him, blurring his edges as he crosses the space looking for all the world as though the night ought to be scared of him and not the other way around like a normal person.

"Dorcas?" Regulus asks, cocking an eyebrow when he finds her on the sofa in front of the fireplace.

"Hi Reg," she says, smiling at him then gesturing to the space right next to her.

"You're done throwing a tantrum, then?" Regulus asks petulantly, but he's crossing the space towards her already, like she knew he would.

Dorcas snorts. "Just had to make you sweat a little."

"You were being childish," Regulus replies primly, sitting down on the sofa next to her. "Why are you here? Blair?"

Ah. This is why Dorcas loves Regulus; he's unfailingly protective. Fierce, even. She's never going to be able to repay him for putting a stop to the slurs from her dormmates, or for immediately thinking of her when Selwyn was suspended. He goes about in a very particular, slightly unhinged and dangerous way, but Regulus has never not gone above and beyond to make sure Dorcas is alright. How can she not love him?

"She hasn't said a word," Dorcas replies, waving a hand to dismiss the topic. "I was waiting for you."

"Ah."

"You said you didn't know how to tell me about James," Dorcas tries. Regulus tenses next to her, but he doesn't interrupt so she continues. "I know you're mildly allergic to emotions, so I can see how talking about them would be difficult. But Regulus. I'm... well, I'm your friend, aren't I?"

"Yes," Regulus replies stiffly.

"To me, you're my best friend," Dorcas informs him. "Just thought I should tell you that. So, there's no confusion."

A small muscle twitches on Regulus' jaw. He nods, swallows. That, for now, is enough of a confirmation for Dorcas that he thinks of her as his best friend too. It warms her heart.

"Does anyone other than Sirius know?" Dorcas asks him.

Regulus sighs like he's being punished for his sins. Closing his eyes, he reclines his head back on the sofa and speaks towards the ceiling. "Lupin found out, too. James has never met subtlety, apparently."