Word Count: 870
Written For:
- Gift Giving Extravaganza 2017: Written for Amber (Cheeky Slytherin Lass)
- 2017 Drabbles: Insane
Late Night Cramming
No man can keep me together, been broken since I was born.
Regulus frequently woke up in the middle of the night. He was often stirred by unusual dreams but also from the dim green light that streamed through the windows of the dungeon dormitories.
Every time he woke up in the middle of the night, he would be soothed instantly by the image opposite him. His best friend, Barty, slept in the four-poster bed beside his. Unlike Regulus, he wasn't a light sleeper, and he always slept through the night. Whenever Regulus woke up, Barty would be flat on his back with his arms behind his head and the covers tangled around his skinny frame, snoring softly. The image of Barty sleeping soundly always soothed Regulus back to sleep.
So, it was only natural for Regulus to panic a little when he woke up one night and Barty wasn't there.
The dark green blankets had been made neatly, and Barty's pyjamas were folded on top of the covers. Just the way they normally were when the Slytherins went down to start their school day—but it wasn't a school day. It was the middle of the night.
Regulus sat up, glancing around the dormitory. The other boys in their year slept soundly; the lumps in their beds snored and sighed as proof. He pulled his dressing gown from the end of the bed and wrapped it around his body, shoving his wand into the pocket. There was no way he would be able to get back to sleep, not without knowing if Barty was okay.
As he crept out of the Slytherin Common Room, he racked his brain determinedly, trying to think where Barty could be. "Where would Barty be in the middle of the night?" he murmured to himself, as he hurried down a corridor. A portrait shushed at him rudely, but Regulus ignored it. "Where would I go if I was Barty…?"
Suddenly, the answer sprang to mind.
oOo
By the light of his wand, Barty thumbed through the heavy book at the top of his pile. He was sitting in a dark corner of the library, where he was sure that Filch wouldn't find him if he came snooping. The pages of A Guide to Advanced Transfiguration blurred as he tried to read them, and he screwed up his eyes tiredly. "Come on," he grumbled, tapping the side of his head with the hilt of his wand. "Work, work, work."
"Barty?" came a familiar hiss from behind the bookshelves. He nearly jumped out of his skin and quickly extinguished his wand with a flick of his wrist. "I know you're in here. You left the door open."
It was Regulus. Barty rolled his eyes and climbed up from his spot on the floor. He wandered around to the centre of the library, and spotted Regulus standing by the doorway in the dark. "I'm over here," he muttered and gestured for Regulus to follow him back round to his corner.
Regulus's eyes widened as he saw the enormous pile of books that Barty had gathered. "Don't stare like that," Barty grumbled, flipping open the Transfiguration book to where he had lost his place. "They're only books."
Regulus sat on his knees next to Barty. "What on earth are you doing reading all these in the middle of the night? You look insane."
"Studying, what do you think I'm doing?" snapped Barty.
"It's three in the morning."
"Look, I don't have time to sleep right now."
Regulus pushed the Transfiguration book out of Barty's hands, and it landed on the floor with a loud, dusty thud. They sat in silence for a few minutes, waiting to see if any sound of Filch emerged.
"Don't be a dick." Barty glared at Regulus. Regulus noticed the huge purple bags under Barty's eyes, and he brushed his thumb over one gently. Barty pulled his face away, reaching for his book.
"Just leave it," Regulus grabbed Barty's hand. "You're killing yourself, Barty."
"I have to pass these exams. You don't understand. My father—"
"You are top of every class you take," Regulus argued. "There's no way that you won't pass your exams."
"That's easy enough for you to say," Barty's voice was dry. "Your father isn't expecting you to get twelve Outstanding O. ." He buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking. "I can't do this, Reg. I'm so stressed out." His voice was thick, and Regulus became aware that he was crying.
"You're never going to get an Outstanding if you haven't had enough sleep when your exams come around," Regulus murmured, staring down at the back of Barty's neck. "Trying to read all of these books in one night isn't going to help you absorb the information. You're just cramming it in, and it won't work."
"I know," Barty mumbled. "I'm a wreck, Regulus."
Regulus placed his hands on Barty's chin and pulled his face towards his. His sleepy brown eyes were swimming with tears. "You're the prettiest wreck I've ever seen," Regulus replied, stroking the tears away with his fingers. "Even if you do look like you haven't slept for days." He pulled Barty to his feet. "Now come on. Let's go back to bed."
