ARSONIST'S LULLABY ━━ r. black?

?. the wolf is baying

"Good lord Reg, have your parents been feeding you?" Margot Selwyn gasped, as she pulled away from him. Romulus Avery had an arm slung around her waist, which he temporarily let go of to wrap his arms around Regulus.

Regulus ran a hand through his mop of dark curls. "Nice to see you two, I guess. Mae, can I not go twenty seconds without being pestered by you?"

"Oh shut up," Romulus snickered. "You're happy to see us. How was your holiday?" he added, as the three found an empty compartment.

Regulus stood up almost immediately. "It was okay, I'll tell you about it later, but I've got prefect duties to attend to, so-"

"Of course lover boy," Margot nodded. "Have fun with Theodora Greengrass," she teased, miming kissing motions. Regulus laughed, shaking his head at the thought of the blonde, other, Slytherin prefect in their year, and her infatuation with him. He wasn't exactly paying attention, still laughing, when he collided with someone outside the prefect compartment, blonde hair flying into his face. It was when he smelled that faint cinnamon scent, that he realized who he had collided into.

Morgana Fawley sneered, at Regulus, her eyes blazing with anger. "Watch where you're going, Black."

Regulus scowled at her, before taking an empty seat in the compartment, Morgana filling the last remaining one next to him. He could feel the displeasure radiating off of her, though he was in no way pleased to be sitting next to a girl who irritated him so much.

James Potter and Lily Evans beamed at the group from where they were standing, hands intertwined. James was slender, with blue eyes, messy hair, and glasses, one of Sirius' best friends. The brother Sirius had replaced him with.

Lily on the other hand, was more petite, a contrast next to the gangly James, with brilliant green eyes and flaming locks of molten lava. She was an academic marvel, and all around perfect, which is why her getting Head Girl was no surprise. James on the other hand, was strange. He and Sirius frequently got into trouble, and always seemed to be writing lines in detention.

"This year is going to be an unprecedented one," Lily started with a faint smile, attempting to hide the dread that laced her voice. "As many of you know, there is darkness growing out there, and as prefects, it is our job to keep the students of Hogwarts safe and content."

"Professor Dumbledore has requested additional patrols this year. A schedule will be posted in our meeting room, and meetings will be held once a month," James added. "Now then, since that is out of the way, you may return to your compartments, and have a great first night."

Regulus remained in the compartment for a second with lowered eyes, the mark inked into his skin burning. Bellatrix has assured him it would never stop hurting, but he would be used to it soon. "Black?" Morgana called out. "Is your scrawny ass going to move?"

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

ROMULUS AVERY MAY be intelligent in certain subjects, but making it his responsibility to acquire alcohol for Slytherin's welcome back party had been a poor choice by the party planner this year, Emma Vanity, the Slytherin Quidditch captain, for Romulus had completely forgotten, and only realized so when Emma had asked him five minutes before the party was supposed to start.

Word somehow managed to trickle its way down to the damp of the dungeons, that the Ravenclaws had a rather large quantity of alcohol, the Slytherins making the trek up to the tower rather begrudgingly. Regulus had to argue with the eagle knocker, who wouldn't let him in even after knowing the answer to the riddle. They were finally let in by Sabine Rosier, who greeted them with a small smile, pushing her glasses up her nose. She may be pureblood, his cousin nonetheless, but it seemed her wits outweighed her ambition. She and Regulus were cordial, but not very close.