Chapter Text
Regulus opens his eyes to the familiar green light and sound of waves. He stretches, and his gaze lands on Evan's poster bed across the room. Barty has his head on Evan's chest and Evan's arms around him.
It is a picture he has become familiar with since Barty's nightmares came back at the beginning of the year, and he often didn't feel safe sleeping alone. It has been some time since Barty hasn't had a nightmare, but they continue to sleep together.
When Evan opens his eyes and tries to wake Barty up, Barty just clutches Evan even more.
Evan starts whispering in Barty's ear, and after some time he opens his eyes and smiles at Evan. They get up, and Evan is getting ready, but Barty lets himself fall on the bed again.
"Barty, you really have to hurry up, or we will be late to Transfiguration", says Regulus, smiling, "You know McGonagall is perfectly capable of giving us a detention even if we are just two minutes late".
"You'll see, I'll be ready before the both of you", says Barty, grinning as he starts getting dressed.
"Barty, I have to tell you something", says Evan, looking at the floor.
"That sounds ominous".
But Evan doesn't laugh and goes on to say: "No, no, it's nothing. It's just... Well, you see, I'd prefer if you didn't sleep with me anymore". Regulus looks at him in surprise.
"I just need more space at night, you take all the bed and end up being over me, and you know I love you and I want to help you when I can... I didn't want to say anything, but it has become really hard for me to sleep".
Regulus glances at Barty, he's standing still, his eyes darker.
"Okay. No problem. Message received", says Barty flatly. "I didn't know I was bothering you, I'm really sorry", he says, as he almost tears his shirt, tugging it with too much force. Evan is still in the middle of the room, and his eyes look watery.
"I didn't want to cause you any trouble, and rest assured, I will not invade your space anymore", adds Barty while fighting with his tie.
When they are ready, the three boys exit the dorm and then stay silent all the way to the Great Hall.
As they join Dorcas and Pandora, Regulus whispers to Evan: "Are you okay?"
Evan nods. "Do you think Barty is?"
"He will be. It's a tender spot".
"It came out all wrong. I hope he's not too mad at me".
"No, I'm sure he isn't. Don't worry", says Regulus, squeezing his arm.
Barty is silent and staring at his breakfast while Pandora is telling Dorcas about her new partner in Divination, who is apparently very funny and with whom she quickly became friends. "His name is also funny, but like in a cute way: it's Xenophilius. How peculiar is that?"
"You know, I think I've met him. He's friends with Marlene"
"Oh, so you and Marlene hang out a lot?
"Well, sometimes..." says Dorcas blushing.
Pandora can't help turning around to look for Marlene at the Gryffindor table and suddenly says, "Reg, there is someone staring at you, and none of you will ever guess who".
They all immediately turn towards the other side of the room, but whoever it was must have looked away after being caught.
"Who was it, Dora?", says Dorcas.
"James Potter", she says, grinning.
They all freeze like someone had cast a Stupefy.
"Potter? Are you sure?" says Dorcas.
"Completely, he seemed frozen in place and utterly lost in the sight of our dear Reggie".
His friends all laugh and start talking about something else, but Regulus doesn't listen to them. Potter? What is he doing staring at him? Is he planning one of those childish pranks of his? He wouldn't be surprised if Sirius- No. He won't think about him.
After Transfiguration, they have Divination, except for Dorcas who chose Care of Magical Creatures. Today Evan, instead of sitting with Regulus and Barty, goes to sit with Pandora's twin, Rodolphus, and Marcus Nott.
Regulus tries to talk to Barty about what happened with Evan that morning, but the only reply he gets is, "Don't worry, I'm fine. Honestly".
Regulus doesn't believe a word, but doesn't want to push him.
"From now on, you will sleep with me, and I will not accept a no", says Regulus.
Barty doesn't look at him, but whispers a thank you.
In Potions, Regulus finds himself between a silent and gloomy Evan and a pointedly cheerful and chatty Barty, because they have to finish a project they already started together.
They are working on the Draught of Peace, which is a difficult potion and would have needed three people to be completed, but Regulus is the only one paying any attention to it.
Regulus fortunately knew already all the ingredients, and what their reactions would have been with one another, so he can focus on the potion without needing to leave it to check the book, and he is able to complete it on his own.
Barty continues to act as nothing happened, but he avoids talking to Evan, while Evan barely says a word or look at them..
At the end of the class, Slughorn seems content enough with their work, so they start cleaning up. As they are finishing packing their things, James Potter appears on the door and goes up to Slughorn desk.
The three boys are exiting the classroom, when the Professor calls Regulus and asks him to come back.
"My boy, this young man is in desperate need of tutoring at Potions, and I reckon you could help him".
Regulus' eyes widen, and he tries to quickly come up with any excuse.
"Sir, I'm surely not equipped to do it, maybe someone in his year would be more qualified. Not to mention, I'm already very busy with quidditch and my other classes, and I wouldn't want to fall behind".
"Nonsense, nonsense. You're my best student and surely will not have any problems with Potter's assignments", and he continues addressing the other boy, "I'm sorry, Mr. Potter, but I have to say your level is unquestionably not advanced". James smiles sheepishly.
"Moreover," continues the teacher, "I know with absolute certainty that you do have the time to take on this task, as I know perfectly well the training schedule, and have already talked with your other teachers. It's settled".
Regulus has a murderous look in his eyes when a flustered James asks him when he has a free period to meet up and start the tutoring sessions.
"I have to check. I'll let you know, Potter". And with that, he turns on his heels and storms out of the classroom.
Regulus slams the door behind him as he enters the dorm room. Barty jumps up, he is alone. Evan is apparently still avoiding them.
"What has gotten into you?"
"Slughorn is forcing me to tutor Potter", says Regulus as he tosses his bag on the floor.
"What?" exclaims Barty.
"That cocky, arrogant, entitled idiot. Strutting around the castle as if he owned it-"
"I'm sorry, Reg,", says Barty, moving to hug him.
"I'm not going to dinner. I'm not hungry. I just want to go to bed, I've had enough of this day", says Regulus, sighing.
"Me too".
Regulus sees Barty's dejected expression, cups his cheek, and forces him to look at him.
"Evan has simply trouble sleeping, you've done nothing wrong," he says softly.
"I bothered him, imposed on him", Regulus sees Barty's eyes filling up with tears, "These stupid nightmares".
"Not stupid. And that's not what he said", he says as he hugs Barty again. "Come, let's go to sleep".
Once in bed, he hugs Barty tight and strokes his back, hoping to soothe him. He's happy when Barty finally falls asleep, and he follows him soon after.