villain - @jegulus-microfic - word count: 358
There were things that Regulus didn't talk about.
Not because they were bad, but because they were just.....well, they were stupid, alright? It was stupid and childish of him to like them, so he didn't tell a soul.
Who cared if he stayed up late reading muggle stories and obsessing over the characters and lore? It was his choice, his free time. As long as nobody found out. Because it was a bit embarrassing.
He hid it from everyone. Even Sirius had no idea that as much as he read poetry and classic literature in his free time, he also hid a very well-worn copy of The Hobbit under a floorboard in his dorm.
Until one day, he sat hidden in an alcove of the library, lost in his favorite story, only for James Potter to pop up out of nowhere.
"J-Potter!" he shrieked, quickly hiding the book next to him. "How did you find me?"
The older boy grinned, "Magic. I missed you."
Regulus felt the familiar flip of his stomach at Potter's words. It was new, this thing between them, but for some reason, he savored every moment. "That's...okay, then," he mumbled, eyes cast downward. He'd missed Potter as well. But it was hard to admit.
"What're you reading?" Potter asked, quickly snagging the book out of his loose hand, before Regulus could properly grab ahold.
"No-what?" Regulus protested, reaching in vain.
"The Hobbit?" James read aloud, looking curiously. "Isn't that Muggle?"
"I-yes," Regulus mumbled, reddening in embarassment.
James flipped through the book. "It's well-worn. You like this one?"
Surprised, Regulus looked up. "I...yes? Yeah, it's...it's alright."
Blinking, James sat down next to him. "Tell me about it," he requested softly.
Shock filled Regulus's body. "You...what do you want to know?" He asked, feeling self-conscious.
"Anything you want. You like it, I want to know about it," James shrugged. "Is this guy the villain?" he asked, pointing to the cover.
A warm feeling spread over Regulus. "Well yes, that's Smaug, he..."
And for the rest of the afternoon, he and James sat, heads pressed together, reading Regulus's favorite story.