winter is coming
Regulus huddled under his winter cloak as he read his book. It was freezing cold, but sitting outside by the foggy Black Lake was the only bit of solace he managed to get during this season. The Slytherin common room was always packed with students, and even the library, which was normally a quiet refuge for Regulus, was busier than normal now that the weather had changed.
He didn't really mind the cold. When he was absorbed in his reading, he barely felt it anyway. His breath misted in front of his face and his fingers were numb when he turned a page, but he didn't care. It was quiet. He was at peace.
At least he was, until he heard the crunch of the frozen grass behind him as someone advanced upon him. He tried to stay focused on his book, hoping the person would realise he didn't want company and leave him be.
"Have you gone mad?"
Regulus inwardly groaned. Of course. James Potter. "What do you want?"
James slipped up behind Regulus and swiped the book out of his hand. Regulus jumped to his feet and tried to grab it back, but James held it over his head out of reach. "Why are you sitting out here in the freezing cold? Winter is coming, you know."
"Winter is already here, idiot."
"The lake is covered in ice. You're going to catch your death."
"Sweet," sneered Regulus, trying to regain some composure while he tried to snatch his book back. "Are you concerned for my welfare?"
James scoffed, but his smirk didn't quite meet his eyes. "No," he said, turning his back so he could read the front cover of Regulus's book. "'Lady Chatterley's Lover'? What kind of girly nonsense is this?"
"Give it back!" Regulus snapped. James used his free hand to hold Regulus at arm's length while he tried to open the book with one page. "I don't expect you to understand good literature. You're going to lose my place—James!"
"'His body was urgent against her', bloody hell," James read aloud, sniggering. "'She felt his naked flesh', Regulus Black! Is this a dirty book?"
"It's a classic!" Regulus's face was aflame with embarrassment as he tried desperately to reach for his book.
"It's classic filth is what it is," James snorted. "I think I'm going to have to borrow it. In fact, I may even have to tell Sirius what awful rude books his little brother is reading."
Regulus made one last lunge for the book, but James turned away at the last second, causing Regulus to crash into his back instead. They both tumbled to the ground and rolled towards the lake, falling through the icy surface of the water with a wet smash.
"Oh my—" Regulus shrieked as soon as he managed to gasp for air.
"Freezing!" James gasped. He was closer to the edge, and he managed to pull himself to dry land. He reached out and grabbed for Regulus's arm, yanking him to the bank.
Regulus staggered to his feet, dripping wet, and James reached out and pulled a piece of pond grass from his hair. Regulus flinched away, glaring at James. "Why did you have to do that?"
"Me?" James replied, aghast. "You're the one that shoved me into the lake. It's your fault we fell in."
"Freezing," Regulus murmured. "My book...you made me lose my book."
James rolled his eyes and pulled his wand out of the pocket of his soaking wet jeans. "Accio," he muttered, pointing at the lake. The book, sodden and the pages ruined, flew into James's hand. He thrust it towards Regulus, who promptly dropped it on the floor.
"My hero," he sneered.
"Oh, don't be so dramatic," James replied. "You can use a drying charm on it."
"That's not the point. You've completely ruined my free time. I was enjoying sitting out here—"
"—reading your filth—"
"—spending some time alone!" Regulus shouted. "And you just had to come and annoy me, as usual. You couldn't just stay up in the castle with your stupid mates?"
"Maybe I didn't want to hang out with them," James said, taking his glasses off and unsuccessfully trying to wipe them clean on his wet shirt. "Maybe I wanted to hang out with you."
"Why would you want to hang out with me?"
"Well, we have fun, don't we?" James moved closer to Regulus and reached behind his ear. "More pond grass." He flicked the weed onto the floor.
"You have fun winding me up," muttered Regulus, looking away.
James held out his arms suddenly. "Let's hug it out, then we can be friends again."
"Don't be stupid."
"I'm not being stupid. Come on."
"I'm not hugging you when you're wet—"
"You're wet too."
"That's not the point!"
"Oh, just come here!" James threw his arms around Regulus despite his protests, trapping him in a soggy hug. Regulus gave up resisting after a moment, allowing himself to lean against James's chest, sighing in defeat.
It was really quite nice, actually. Despite their mutual smell of pond water.
"Now, as lovely as this is," James said. "There's something digging into my leg. Is that your wand, or are you just pleased to see me?"
Regulus huffed and pushed James away, reaching into my pocket. "It is my wand, idiot."
James grinned. "Friends?"
Regulus rolled his eyes. "Friends. After you've fixed my book."
Written For:
- Race to the Top of Mount Potter/Checkpoint 29: (dialogue) "Is that your wand or are you just happy to see me?"
- Writing Club/Written in the Stars: 16. (setting) the black lake
- Writing Club/This or That: Winter 8. (weather) Ice
- Writing Club/Showtime: 19. (genre) friendship
- Writing Club/Hobby Hole: 7. (emotion) composed
- Autumn Seasonal/Days of the Year: 6th November - Book Lovers Day: Write about a bookworm
- Autumn Seasonal/National Author Month: 14. (dialogue) "Winter is coming."
- Autumn Seasonal/Flowers: 5. (dialogue) "I don't expect you to understand."
- Sandwich Time/Fillings: 13. (weather) fog
- Moony's Neon Cafe/Drinks: 26. (word) crunch
- November Monthly Insert Title: 6. (word) hero
Word Count: 901