Word Count: 450

Rabastan is humming cheerfully as he kneels. Regulus stays close behind, head tipped curiously to the side. "Don't you think we should get back inside?" Regulus asks.

It isn't that he actually cares. He hates the parties his parents drag him to. All he ever does is sit around, leaning against the wall and watching everything that goes on. Truthfully, he's grateful for an excuse to get away, even if it is just in the Lestrange garden.

"Have you got anything to eat with you?" Rabastan asks, completely ignoring Regulus' question. "Preferably something meaty."

Regulus shakes his head. After a few seconds, he realizes that Rabastan's attention is elsewhere and he can't see him. "Just a muffin."

Rabastan looks up, holding out his hand. "Gimme."

Regulus hesitates. Still, it isn't a big deal. There are plenty of other muffins inside. He sets the muffin in his friend's hand. Rabastan pinches off a piece and tosses it into the grass.

"Oh, hello, beautiful," Rabastan says. Quick as a flash, his hand shoots out. "I thought I saw you around this morning."

The kitten is a fluffy thing, grey with a white patch on its forehead. Judging by the way it growls as it gobbles down the muffin, Regulus guesses it's skin and bones beneath all that fur.

"Are you trying to open an animal sanctuary in your basement?" Regulus teases.

Rabastan rolls his eyes, holding the kitten out. "Oh, you're a girl. Hello, sweet lady." He climbs to his feet, carefully cradling her in his arms. "Actually, Mother said I could keep her if I caught her. No secret basement sanctuary."

He's lucky. Regulus doubts his mother would ever allow him to have a pet. Even his owl doesn't count; Mother only allows him to keep Athena because she is practical.

His envy must show because Rabastan moves closer, motion for Regulus to pet her. As Regulus does, Rabastan continues. "You can visit her whenever you like," he says excitedly. "She can be our cat."

Regulus finds himself smiling at that. It isn't perfect. He would still much rather have his own cat. Still, how can he refuse? She really is a beautiful kitten. "Can I name her?"

"Of course."

Regulus hadn't expected him to agree. He isn't prepared, but he feels like he has to come up with something great. "I like Astara," he says.

Rabastan considers before nodding. "She looks like an Astara," he agrees.

And so, feeling more excited than he ever thought possible, Regulus follows his friend back inside, foregoing the party. As they head upstairs to show Astara her new home, Regulus feels a flicker of excitement. Maybe parties are boring, but this one is life-changing.