Regulus
"Perhaps you should slow down on your cups, sir?" Regulus asked Horace, a polite smile on his face. Inwardly, the Black scion was panicking at Horace's burps, dreading the sight of watching him throw up.
Still, Horace held up admirably in Regulus opinion, and after an impressive and considerably disgusting gulp, the older man waved him off.
"It's nothing, Regulus. Thank you." Hora slurred, and at least Regulus thought that was what he said, before he waddled off, falling down to a couch face-first. Regulus frowned. He had been a common participant of Slughorn's reunions ever since his first year, and although he wouldn't claim to be either his favorite, or his closest student, he was really close with the Head of his House. And he had never seen him behaving so…pathetically.
Shrugging in response, he left the man in the private compartment, reuniting with the rest of Horace's guests.
"Is Horace alright?" The demure voice of his cousin Narcissa asked him, a delicate eyebrow raised elegantly. He could see the slight concern in her voice, and yet her face was blank, as always. He nodded.
Looking around, he could see that most of the students had already left, only his two cousins, Rabastan Lestrange, the mudblood that his blood-traitor cousin James pinned after, his -and hers- friend, Severus Snape, and Dorcas Meadowes, someone he constantly encountered but had never even talked to. Regulus was slightly intimidated, being in the presence of a bunch of older students, but he figured he would be alright as long as his cousins remained with him.
And then the door of the restroom opened, and Henry Peverell came through.
Regulus admitted than he was attractive, with bright emerald eyes-similar to the mudblood's, but far brighter- and he carried himself like a proper pureblood heir. And yet there was something about him that unnerved him, making him look away when Peverell's eyes fixed on him, something Regulus had noticed during the meal that he would often do.
"Henry" Andromeda said. "I thought you had already left."
"Oh no" He answered cordially, his mouth morphing into a smirk. "I would never go without saying goodbye to the beautiful daughters of House Black."
Regulus could see Narcissa's lips thinning, most likely in annoyance. His other cousin on the other part blushed lightly, a couple of giggles leaving her mouth. She opened her mouth to retort, but a rough voice cut through her.
"Then say your goodbyes and leave, Peverell. It is improper to speak to an engaged lady like that."
"I'm sorry, I was in the restroom, so I must have missed it."
"Missed what?" Rabastan growled, and Regulus saw Peverell's smile turn cold, his eyes glinting in the youngest of the Lestrange's direction.
"Missed the part when you were asked your opinion, you dumb fuck. Next time, keep it for yourself."
The twinkling sound of breaking glass was heard, coming from the cup of Dorcas. Andromeda and Narcissa were all wide eyes and gasping mouths, and Regulus could see Severus discreetly reaching for his wand. Either way, he doubted Rabastan or Peverell would notice, their staring contest as intense as it was.
"You don't know who you're talking to, Peverell."
"That's right, I don't. You see, I heard your name this evening, Lestrange this and Lestrange that. But you know what? That name you seem to take so much pride on, it wasn't even worthy of being taught to the Heir of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Peverell."
"You dare!"
"Yes, I do dare. What are you going to do about it, little strange?"
A dark, greyish curse left Rabastan wand, the wizard moving extremely fast in Regulus eyes. He recognized the curse, of course, one of the many variants of the organ-liquefier, and he turned anxiously towards Peverell, hoping to see him fall down to the floor.
Instead, Peverell batted it aside, splashing it harmlessly against an expensive looking couch that Horace must have surely protected against several things.
"You fucked up, Rabastan." Peverell said, and everyone else gasped when his emerald eyes turned black, darker than night, and Regulus even thought they were sucking the light out of the room. "But I, as it is my right as Lord Peverell, accept your challenge for an honor duel. It will be held one week from now, at Hogwarts. Now, fuck off."
And with that Peverell waved his wand, and Rabastan was sent flying through the door. Another flick, and the door locked, leaving Rabastan out of the room and everyone inside in a state of shock.
"You shouldn't have done that, Henry my boy." Horace said, seemingly much better than before. Regulus could see several peppers up potions recipients in his hand.
"He was asking for it throughout the entire meal, Horace. Not even you can deny that. And attacking a Lord is, in fact, a duel challenge. I have several witnesses."
"I don't think your name will take a good light when you kill him."
"Kill?" Lily shrieked, and Regulus cringed. He didn't know what James saw in the mudblood, because she was loud and immature in his opinion.
"Honor duels are matches to the death, Lily." Peverell explained gently, and Regulus rolled his eyes.
"You could have just hexed him and ignore the challenge." He said, and Peverell turned towards him, an appraising look on his eyes, which were emerald once more.
"I could." Peverell conceded. "But by now you must surely realize than it has less to do with him in particular, and more to do with the Lestrange family as a whole."
"So, you do know about the Lestrange family?" Severus asked scathingly, and Peverell laughed.
"Of course. Before my family went into hiding, it was widespread news that France had just ennobled the son of a goat fucker whom everyone referred to as 'The Strange'. Took my elf less than 10 seconds to get me the genealogy, laughing his ass off as he did so."
Silence covered the room, everyone gaping at him, until a laughed broke through it. Everyone turned towards Dorcas, who was laughing so hard tears were already forming in her eyes.
"Goat-fucker!" She breathed, erupting into another laughing fit. Alas, her laugh was contagious, and even Regulus laughed a little, although he did notice that only Severus remained silent.
"Anyway, sorry if that little piece of action spoiled your night." Peverell said, while looking meaningfully at Horace.
"No problem, no problem!" The potions master said. "It is quite alright. But it is getting late, and you should be leaving to your compartments. Severus, please make sure to escort Lily to hers. As for Dorcas…"
"Perhaps I can be the gentleman and offer my services, miss?" Peverell asked Dorcas, who looked up and down at him before nodding, taking his extended arm. Regulus could see Andromeda looking at them for a second, before looking away, jaw clenched, something that confused him. His cousin was normally emotionally absent in reunions like this, as he liked to call it.
"And that just leaves the Black clan. Take care, my dears."
And just like that, the meeting was at an end and every couple, or group went their separate ways. It was rather anticlimactic, in his opinion.
"Well, I'm going to-why are you looking me like that, Andromeda?"
"We need to talk." Andromeda said, looking at him and then at Narcissa, a hard look on her face. "The three of us."
Narcissa
The walk towards her and her sister's compartment was stiff, Regulus shooting her confused looks every now and then, begging for a clue. She wouldn't have given him any, had she had one. But she didn't. Frankly, she was a little concerned for her sister's attitude.
If she could describe Andromeda with one word, it would have been aloof, not laser focused.
"We're here" Her sister announced, and had it been any other day, she would have commented on the unnecessary announcement, but at that moment, Narcissa was somewhat wary of Andromeda.
Taking a seat next to Regulus, exchanging glances with him once more as they did so, they turned towards Andromeda, expectantly.
"Lord Peverell wants to fight Lord Reinhard."
Regulus looked at Andromeda confused, but Narcissa just rolled her eyes and clapped him in the back of his head.
"Really, Regulus? And you still whine about why you aren't the Heir yet?" She asked sharply, making him flinch back a little. "Think. Peverell goaded him after purposely ignoring him the whole afternoon and stealing the spotlight any time Lestrange had it. Then he announces how he has issues with the family…with Severus there, whom he must have noticed has a relation with Lestrange. He knows that little comment will make it's way back to Lord Reinhard, and that he will surely take offense to it, miraculously returned Peverell or not."
"But-I don't understand. Why would he want to do that? Lord Reinhard is one of the best duelists of the country right now, even at his age."
"I don't understand either." Narcissa replied, and they both turned towards Andromeda, eyebrows raised.
"I swear you two have the same expressions." Andromeda muttered, before speaking up. "I don't know the extent of it, but Henry Peverell is allied with Lord Potter…and Lord Black."
Two gasps were heard in the compartment, and Narcissa could see Andromeda cursing herself before placing a silencing charm.
"How do you know?" Regulus asked, and Andromeda turned to look at the rolling countryside from the window.
"He told me." She whispered, before coughing a little. "I took him to Slughorn's compartment when he appeared at the middle of the prefect's meeting. There, he insinuated that he was in communication with uncle Charlus. And when I walked with him, he outright told me that he knew grandfather, and quite closely at that."
"You think grandfather had something to do with it?" Narcissa asked, frowning. But Regulus was the one who answered.
"Of course." When both ladies turned to look at him, he continued. "You may not know this, but grandfather has always been against Bellatrix and Rudolphus engagement. When he took the Lordship back from father, he even considered breaking the agreement, consequences be damned. But he was ultimately convinced not to. And if the rumors of when Peverell came back to Britain are true…"
"Then he was the one to convince grandfather of straying his hand." Narcissa finished, an excited glint in her grey eyes. "Peverell came to Hogwarts only to provoke Rabastan, get a duel, and free Bella of her marriage!"
"I don't think so" Andromeda injected, stealing a little of her sister's excitement. "When I took him to Slughorn, he immediately placed a privacy charm. Like he automatically knew that they would be discussing serious topics, something quite different from Horace's innuendo and double meaning. And I don't think it had anything to do with Bella."
"Now that you mention it" Regulus said, deep in thought. "I had been wondering what Horace's deal this evening was. I have never seen him like this. He drank to forget, today. Kind of like Uncle Alphard on Samhain's dinners."
"I noticed that, too." Narcissa said softly. "He looked shaken. Do you think that Peverell threatened him with something?"
"Quite honestly, he doesn't seem like one to make threats." Regulus said, smiling sardonically. Andromeda chuckled.
"No, he doesn't seem to. He doesn't need to. You all saw his eyes while he confronted Rabastan. There's a book of ancient families at Grimmauld Place, and they had a few things about the Peverell's. That trick with the eyes is well documented."
"And scary."
"Yes, that too."
"There's something else we are not contemplating." Narcissa said, placing her eyes on Andromeda. "That he came to Hogwarts, to deal with Rabastan, for saying you will be engaged. If grandfather was mad about Bellatrix, he must have been mad about Lestrange's attitude, even when he rejected the offer."
"You speak as if he is grandfather's attack dog, Narcissa."
"Well, he is allied with grandfather, but there are very few places where grandfather can't do anything to interfere. Hogwarts being one of them. And Peverell can."
"Yeah, but-Andromeda, are you blushing?" Regulus asked wide eyed.
"You are!" Narcissa added, incredulous.
"Sh-shut up!" Andromeda said, her blush deepening. Narcissa wanted to write a letter to her mother there and then, telling them about the guy who had finally gotten to her sister's eyes.
"Moving on" Regulus continued. "Was it necessary to get us here like that? With all that drama, Andromeda?"
"Oh yes" Andromeda replied, nodding sagely. "We all know that the three of us spy into the dealings of our family our own way. I believe that, if we combine our knowledge, we may be able to get a better picture at whatever it is that it's happening."
Looking at the gleam on her sister's eye, and the smirk on her cousin's mouth, Narcissa smiled.
"Let's do that."
Dorcas
"I must say, you look rather dashing tonight, Lady Meadowes."
"Oh? In my school uniform, Lord Peverell?"
"I dare say you would look rather dashing in every type of clothing, my lady. And please, call me Henry." He said with a grin she would classify as wolfish, a warm rush reaching her cheeks as he looked at her.
"Then please, call me Dorcas. Lady Meadowes is my mother." She said, and the pair was enveloped by a comfortable silence, the train noise on the background. Dorcas looked at the Peverell scion from the corner of her eyes. He was tall, handsome, and courteous, and yet there was something quite feral about him. She almost smiled, thinking how there was also something quite feral about her too.
"Is something funny, Dorcas? I admit it is quite disheartening that you're smiling, and it's not because a charming joke made by myself."
"Oh no, nothing of that sort." She replied, smiling up at him. "But do you know your eyes turned black back there when you confronted Lestrange?" She eyed him carefully, analyzing his body language, expecting to see him uncomfortable. Instead, he just smiled bashfully.
"Oh, you saw that?" He said, scratching the back of his head with his free hand. "It's a Peverell thing. I'm sorry. Were you scared?"
"Scared?" She repeated. "It was…slightly unsettling. But no, not scared. More like…"
"Like…"
"Like, turned on." She whispered in his ear.
He lighted up immediately, his face turning into an impressive amount of red, whilst she laughed boisterously.
"You walk around, acting all charming and throwing compliments around, and yet here you are, blushing like a virgin in my hold." She said, and she could see his blush intensify.
"I am a virgin!"
"Would you like me to help you with that?" She asked coyly, laughing again when he began to stammer. Taking a moment to wipe a tear, her face hardened, and she walked forward, making Henry stumble backwards. "You are good Peverell. But you're not as good as you think you are."
"What do you mean?"
"You said that little thing about your business with the Lestrange family, and you thought you were mysterious and impressive, but that was sloppy and careless."
"What?"
"I said that it was sloppy and-"
"No, I heard you. I just don't understand."
"All the Blacks were there!
"Funny enough, I noticed."
"And Snape was also there."
"The bloke's hard to miss" Henry answered, grimacing. "Your point?"
"That Lord Lestrange will hear about it! Rodolphus as well. And your little schoolyard scrap against a student who shouldn't have passed his owls, will turn into a true honor duel against a powerful Lord or his equally considerable heir."
"Oh no" Henry answered, and Dorcas almost growled at his look of fake horror. "It is almost like I wanted it to happen."
That brought her up short, and she was left staring dumbfounded at the man beside her.
"Wh-what?"
"I wanted that to happen. You think Rabastan was my target? I couldn't care less about that troll. But Rudolphus, or better yet, Reinhard…I need either of them dead, preferably both."
"Why?"
"Oh?" Henry asked her, his eyebrow raised in amusement. "Why would you want to know? As far as I know, the Lestrange family and the Meadowes family are as far apart as two families can be. Furthermore, your family is as neutral as it can be."
She stared at him for a few seconds, before sighing.
"Seriously, I can't figure you out. One second you are this charming, mysterious teenager and then you are a bloodthirsty monster with black eyes. A blushing virgin and then a confident, secretive young Lord."
"Aw, I knew you were watching me!"
"Sh-shut up." She replied, her ears warm. "I understand now, you are targeting House Lestrange and are actually praying that this gets back to Lord Reinhard. Why tell me, though?"
Henry looked to one side of the hall, then another, before leaning in.
"Can you keep a secret?" He asked her, staring at her lips. Licking them, she nodded slowly. He leaned even closer, and she could feel his breath on her face before it disappeared completely when he leaned back.
"Wha…" She asked confused, but Henry just shook his head.
"A blushing virgin, was I?" He was cocky and thought far too much of himself in her opinion, and at that moment, Dorcas had never wanted to throttle anyone more than him. Except that she didn't, not when even he was blushing as hard as her at what he had just pulled out.
"I hate you, Peverell."
"That hurts me, right here." He said, pointing straight to his heart. Against her will, a smile crossed her face before she suppressed it.
"Come on, you tease." She said, grabbing his arm again. "You were tasked to escort me to my compartment, and I have yet to reach it.
"What my lady commands."
Henry
'Dorcas Meadowes. Voldemort killed her personally.'
Back when Moody had given him the picture of the original Order of the Phoenix, her name had stayed with him. In the picture he had seen an attractive, confident witch, and when he had found out that Voldemort had to kill her personally, his respect for her grew.
But he never really imagined escorting a very fun, very outgoing, very live Dorcas Meadowes to her compartment. Nor that he would be laughing as hard as he was.
"I don't believe it!" He said between laughs, gasping for breath as he could. Beside him, a pair of amused, dark eyes glinted at him.
"I swear every part is true." She said with a smirk. Finally calming down, but letting a chuckle here and there, Henry smiled.
"Well, if I want someone to turn me into a guinea pig, I will definitely give you a call."
"You better:" She answered smilingly, before stopping short. "This is my compartment. Seems like you fulfilled your mission, Henry Peverell."
"Not a complete fool, aye?"
"Perhaps only like 70% fool. Finding a compartment in a train is a somewhat low bar, my Lord."
She had ended on a coy tone and an enthralling smile, and Henry felt something inside him stir. He had never had much time to flirt-with Ginny, that part of the deal was done entirely by her, and thus, he had never gained much experience. Lord Black and Lord Potter had taught him to be charming and courteous to the ladies, to further his plans, but somehow, flirting with Dorcas seemed more…solid. Real.
"Will I ever see you again, Dorcas?" He asked, feeling a little more glumly than he was earlier. Dorcas apparently saw it too, because she flicked him in the forehead.
"Ouch!"
"Don't get all sad boy on me, Henry." She said, before leaning in, her face right in front of him, their breaths mingling. "Henry?" She said sensually, and he just gulped before nodding. Licking her lips, with his eyes glued to them, she slowly said "Payback's a bitch.", before leaning back quickly, leaving him flustered and aching.
"It's not fair!"
"Then perhaps you will learn proper etiquette." She declared, laughing. "Seriously though, we will be living in Hogwarts for the year, Peverell. The grounds and the castle are big, but not that big. We will run into each other from time to time, perhaps I will even share classes with your dorky ass. And if you want more…"
"Yes?" He asked quickly, almost too quickly.
"Then send my father your courting offer." She ended, smirking. "If you do, I promise not to tell him you're a total loser."
"Ha ha, very funny. I'm a Peverell, Dorcas. If anything, he should send me your courting offer."
"Wow, it's like you spoke, but all I could hear was 'please, Dorcas, hex me'."
"Please, Dork-ass, court me."
"Oh, now you've done it" She said, throwing him a color-changing hex while laughing. "Calling a girl name to get her to like you? What are we, Ew-nry, first years?"
"You suck at this, you know? Actually, you suck. In general."
Opening the door, Henry could see her stop at the doorway, the curves of her body more than visible in the position she was in.
"Someday, you might get really, really lucky, and you will witness me suck." She said, winking at him. "I will be seeing you around, Peverell."
And with one last laugh, she closed the door on his face.
"Fuck" Was all he could say, staring yearningly at the door for a few more seconds before apparating away.