toujours pur

regulus × sixth year × slytherin “the world needs bad men. we keep the other bad men from the door.”

[hercism]

Neither am I, it just seems to have a nice ring to it. [She shrugs.] I speak in puns as well: no good fish goes anywhere without a porpoise!

[regulusarcturuss]

[Regulus glances at her sidelong, mouth tugged into a frown. He'd think it strange that he'd never spoken to her, really, before today, but she's an odd character and he can't quite get a handle on her, which explains a lot, really.] Clearly you didn't cast your line out far enough for a decent pun there.

[narcissalyra]

[A breath of fresh air would do her a world of good, so Narcissa nods enthusiastically. It should not be too cold outside, the early Autumn sun shining  through thin clouds and dressed in a thick Slytherin sweater, Narcissa doesn’t bother with another layer.] Outside it is, then. But if you kick, or throw leaves at me again I will not hesitate to hex you. Consider yourself warned.

[regulusarcturuss]

Throw leaves at the esteemed Narcissa Black? Me? Never! [Laughing easily, he grabs her hand in his and pulls her through the Slytherin common room, heading outside.]

[hercism]

[Sybill’s eyes narrow.] You’re telling me that you’re never curious? 

You’ve never wanted to peer past veiled mysteries into the Beyond? Not even o n c e?

[regulusarcturuss]

I'm not even sure what a veiled mystery is, honestly. Do you always speak in riddles?

[hercism]

[Sybill’s answering laugh is loud enough to earn a glare from the librarian.] Haha—ooh, sorry! [She wipes a tear from the corner of her eye.] Oh goodness, not at all!

It simply refers to my ability to see the future. Something tells me you never took Divination, did you? Pity.

[regulusarcturuss]

I don't really care much for the future. I read somewhere once that the past isn't real, and it made me think that the future isn't either, not really. I mean, obviously, it's there, but that's only because we're constantly thinking about it. I like to live in the present, personally.

[narcissalyra]

[A mischievous glint appears in her eyes as a smile curls her lips.] My sense of adventure? Now, my dear — we all know I’m a good little girl who always does as she is told. No, I do not have time for silly things as adventure and fun. [Her tone is light, she tilts her head to the side.] What is it you want to do?

[regulusarcturuss]

I don't know. Let's... let's go outside. Come on, let's go. [Suddenly invigorated, he jumps up from his seat and hastily throws on a pullover, peering outside at the weather.]

[hercism]

[Sybill leans sideways along the desk.] I get headaches quite often, actually. Loud rooms, lots of people — too many auras all at once. [No one’s ever taken the time to ask Sybill about the colours. Aside from her parents, really. And parents aren’t like friends. Or fellow students in libraries. Same difference, right?] 

If there’s one out there; I haven’t seen it. I’ve read texts about it being part of Indian folklore, but personally, I like to think it has to do with the strength of my Inner Eye.

[regulusarcturuss]

Your Inner Eye. What is that? Does it mean you can see when you close your, you know... real eyes? 

[narcissalyra]

It is a dreadful subject indeed. He’s slowly taking over the castle, and not even by force. Appearing at the feast was a smart idea, while it’s brought many questions. When have people ever fully trusted politicians? One way or another, all they want is power. Whether they use that power with good, or bad intentions for everyone else, we can only wait and see. I find it pointless to think of, considering there’s nothing I could do about it. I’m not even of age — and neither are you.

[regulusarcturuss]

Oh, but Cissy, when has being of age ever bothered either of us? Where's your sense of adventure? [Regulus stands up, grabbing her shoulders and giving her a little shake.] Come on, let's do something fun. I'm tired of sitting around trying to study.

[hercism]

[Sybill’s small smile stretches into a catlike grin. She retrieves her textbook and hugs it tight to her chest.] “It’s more of a feeling, really. I see people — or words on a page, or even sounds — and they all correspond to colours. It’s like a g l o w, or a haze. Everything has an aura if you pay enough attention. You, for example— [She gestures around Regulus’ head.] — you’re studying, aren’t you? And you’re a trifle…intense about it. Boom, yellow-brown. Patron-aura of most Ravenclaws, actually.

[regulusarcturuss]

Doesn't it get a little confusing, seeing all these auras all the time? [Regulus tilts his head a little. He isn't sure whether he's genuinely interested, or he's just mocking her. She's always seemed a little strange, but that doesn't really bother him much.] I mean, all the different colours. And how do you know what the different colours mean? Is there a... chart, or a rule book, or something? [Now he's definitely teasing her.]

[narcissalyra]

[Mockingly, Narcissa gasps.] Giving up already? How un-Black of you. [Features relaxing, she leans against the desk as she watches him.] Same old, same old, I’m afraid. Riddle this, Riddle that, in the hallways and an overload of prefect duties. Here I thought the Slytherin first years would be less of a hassle. Serves me right to underestimate them, I suppose — how about you?

[regulusarcturuss]

Cursing whoever it was that decided Ancient Runes was a subject I should take. We spent the last lesson avoiding work and discussing Riddle as usual, actually. Finding it difficult to believe how many people don't trust him. I mean, it's a minority, but it's rather shocking, don't you think?

[hercism]

"Er…excusez-moi?" [Sybill taps her fingertips together below her chin, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.] “I can tell by that darkish-brownish yellowish aura of yours that you’re very very very focused, but could you move just a tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiny bit to the left?” 

"I left my Charms textbook right where your knapsack is sitting, dear."

[regulusarcturuss]

[Regulus glances up, quill in his mouth, and studies Sybill with a raised eyebrow for a moment before shifting aside a little.] And pardon me for asking, but what exactly does an aura look like?

[narcissalyra]

[The blonde scrunches up her face in a way her mother would certainly disapprove of at the mention of Ancient Runes.] Please tell me you are kidding. I don’t know what makes me want to jump off the Astronomy Tower more, Divination or Ancient runes. [Then a sigh escapes her lips as she leans in, reading over his parchment.] Well, maybe if you did .. — no, that’s not it…. Oh! No.. Unfortunately I have to admit I’m far better at keeping you company while you do homework, than actually helping you.

[regulusarcturuss]

[Sighing, Regulus sits back in his chair and folds his arms across his chest.] There's really no point in bothering at this time. I might as well admit defeat now. [Turning to face her properly, his face splits into a smile.] So how have you been, cousin mine?

[narcissalyra]

[Sneaking up behind him has always been easy, but it’s significantly easier when he has his mind on something else. Narcissa wears a small smirk of amusement on her lips as she leans in, right next to his ear.] It looks a little off, if you ask me.

[regulusarcturuss]

[Jumping slightly at her sudden presence, Regulus' expression relaxes into a grin.] Cissy! Help me with this Ancient Runes nonsense, would you? I'm stumped.

[regulusarcturuss]

"Just stop Regulus...I'm tired. For once in your damn life. -- Walk away without a word."

[Regulus tightens his lips into a scowl, and looks decidedly in the opposite direction to Sirius.]

For once in my life? You're the one incapable of walking away from a fight!

[regulusarcturuss]

"You're adopted."

Shut up, Sirius. If anyone's the black sheep in this family, it's you.

[regulusarcturuss]

[Sitting back a little in his chair, Regulus stares at the parchment in front of him, brow furrowed.] Well, that can't be right. [He scratches at the back of his neck, rifling through the open book beside him with his free hand, and nods, though he's still decidedly unsure.] What am I talking about? That's fine.

I think.

[regulusarcturuss]

hypothesis

TAGGING:  n/a  TIME FRAME: 1am, September 2nd  LOCATION: Sixth year Slytherin boys’ dormitory  GENERAL NOTES: clearly I am a fan of the conditional tense. for prompt #1~

Regulus takes a deep breath, and he holds it in his lungs like he’s waiting for it to say goodbye. He thinks, Nothing’s different, not really, and he lets the breath stagnate a little longer.

He’s lying in bed, staring up at the canopy above him, and he’s thinking about the opening feast, and the Sorting, and Tom Riddle. He doesn’t really write home much – his mother would have liked it, he knows, but he rarely has anything to say – but this time he feels like he should. It’s late, and it’s dark, and he doesn’t really want to get out of bed because that means padding across cool flagstones to his trunk, so he closes his eyes and lets out the breath he was holding and imagines what he’s going to write.

Dear Mother and Father, he would write.

The journey to Hogwarts was fine, and we arrived in plenty of time. Weather remains surprisingly clear for September. Bella, Cissy and Dromeda are doing well.

At this point he would lean back a little in his chair, sucking on the end of his quill, staring at the parchment, willing words to appear.

Tom Riddle spoke at the opening feast.

And Regulus would screw up his nose, and blink at the sentence, and frown. And he would write:

He’s a brilliant man. You’d have loved him, mother. He has such a way with words. And he has so many ideas for the future of the wizarding world. It’s an exciting time, and he’s an inspirational figure. Sirius didn’t seem so

Regulus rolls onto his side, screws his eyes shut, and forces himself to sleep. He doesn’t write the letter, in the end.

[monsieur-rosier]

And here I’d gone and almost mistaken you as sentimental — So, why the mess then?

[regulusarcturuss]

Lost a book. It doesn't particularly matter - I'll have my mother owl it to me later. How are you, then?