dealing with demons // antonin & regulus
The Slytherin Common Room was almost empty, something Regulus took particular comfort in. He didn’t dislike his housemates, but he wouldn’t say he liked them very much either. It was a low level of tolerance he possessed – something for people who he knew were all words and no actions. Whilst he sat amongst the few who read the Prophet and dreamed of committing the horrendous acts written upon them, many of his housemates merely approved. If it called to them to step up and stand within them, he doubted most of them would join the worthy fight. And it sickened him.
It was also easier to hide how large his obsession for the dark wizards was. Only recently had someone, a nosey Quidditch friend, discovered the stash of newspaper clippings and journal entries regarding the various acts these men and women were taking part in. And every time he discovered something new, his collection grew larger. And this Prophet did not disappoint.
It wasn’t about anything particularly new, the paper still discussing the recent Hogsmeade attack, but it still possessed information about the group he so desperately wanted to join. Regulus took no time in using his wand to slice a particular part of the article he found interesting. Just in time for the Head Boy to walk in.
He stopped half way through his actions to curse himself in his mind.
“It’s… for an essay?” It sounded more like a question than a statement, and he lowered both his wand and the newspaper. “It is for an essay.” He repeated with more certainty.
He paused briefly as he looked up at the boy, a look a child would give a parent when being caught doing something they shouldn’t. He liked Antonin, but he didn’t know him and certainly didn’t know where he stood with the war. He was a charming man, charismatic and kind to all his prefects, at least to Regulus’ knowledge. Where did his loyalties lie? It worried the younger Slytherin briefly. He didn’t want to be reported to any Professor.
“That wasn’t even a convincing lie. Can you go out and come back in again so I can think of something more believable?” He didn’t know why he thought sarcasm and a sassy attitude could get him out of this situation, but he certainly didn’t know what else to do. So he settled with playing with his fingers nervously.