HAPPINESS IS A BUTTERFLY ? regulus black

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 

𝐚 𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

The embers in the Gryffindor common room glowed warmly, casting a soft light on the faces of Sirius, James, Remus, Peter, and Holly as they gathered in the Gryffindor common room during the late hours of the night. 

The rest of the house was asleep, so the five took the opportunity to discuss Holly's tutoring session with Regulus.

Sirius, scowling and unable to conceal his frustration, paced restlessly while the others sat around, exchanging glances of shared annoyance.

"Of all the people, why did it have to be Regulus?" Sirius mutters. "I swear, this is some kind of sick joke."

"Maybe Slughorn thought it'd be a great opportunity for a Black family reunion." James jokes, trying yet failing to lighten the mood.

Peter leans forward nervously. "I mean, it's not like he's a Death Eater, right?"

"Let's not jump to conclusions, Peter." Remus spoke calmly. "But I can understand why Sirius is upset."

Holly, leaning against the back of a worn-out sofa, sighed, her frustration mirrored in her eyes."I don't get it either. Why would Slughorn pair me with Regulus? We're like oil and water. Or the earth and the stars. We just don't match."

Sirius, unable to contain his annoyance any longer, stopped pacing and turned to face the group. "This is more than just a bad pairing. Regulus is— he's not the kind of person I want you associating with, Holly."

"And who says I want to associate with him? Believe me, I'm not thrilled about this either."

"Well, we can't change it now. Maybe there's more to Regulus than we think." James nods.

Despite attempts at humour, a heavy silence settled over the group. The flickering fire seemed to dance in rhythm with their collective unease. 

The unexpected intrusion of Regulus into their tight-knit circle left them grappling with a discomfort they hadn't anticipated. Especially Sirius.

The girl feels guilty. Sirius only just managed to escape his family and because of Holly he has to face his brother again.

Sirius, with a brooding expression, sank into a nearby chair, his frustration evident.

Oh, how she wishes she could take it all away. 

Sirius has survived through so much, and Holly is so proud of him. 

But some part of Holly, a distant part, likes to remind herself that whatever Sirius went through, Regulus also went through.

Is still going through. Without Sirius.

What's the harm in pitying an enemy?

━─━────༺༻────━─━

The following week, in the quiet solitude of the Potions classroom, Holly arrived for her second tutoring session with Regulus. 

The air seemed thick with the tension from their first encounter. As they began to set up for the session, an awkward silence hung in the air.

"So, another thrilling potion to tackle today. It's the ageing potion." Regulus muttered quietly, the evidence of him wanting to be anywhere else clear.