Saturday 11th December, 1976

"And so we danced," I finished telling Lily. "It was really nice."

Lily grinned at me. "I'm so happy for you."

I grinned back, feeling excited as I thought about the dancing lesson I had with Regulus later that day. It was breakfast and the marauders hadn't arrived yet, nor had Mary and Marlene, so I decided that was the perfect time to tell Lily about my dancing lessons with Regulus.

"So, what about you and James?" I asked slyly. "How's that going?"

Lily's smile tightened and she looked down at her hands. I knew something was up, and waited for her to speak.

"He still hasn't asked me yet," she confessed. "I'm scared he might have finally given up on me."

"James would never give up on you Lily," I assured her. "He's probably just planning something big and elaborate for you."

Lily sighed miserably. "I wish he wouldn't.

"Why don't you ask him before he has a chance to do all of it then?" I suggested.

Lily looked thoughtful at my suggestion, humming in answer as she turned back to her food. Just then, the marauders, as well as Mary and Marlene, arrived in the Great Hall, all six of them making their way over to us and sitting down.

"I won't find a date in time for the Yule Ball," Marlene complained as soon as she sat down. "I had this horrible nightmare last night about it, and basically...."

My eyes widened as I realised I didn't have a date either, and that I might not get one in time for the dance. I half-listened to Marlene explain her nightmare, fretting over who I would take myself. I wanted to go with Regulus, obviously, but he would never say yes, which meant I'd have to go with someone I didn't like or want to go with.

"James, will you go to the Yule Ball with me?" Lily asked, interrupting Marlene's ramble.

Everyone went silent, staring at Lily in shock, James most of all. His mouth was hanging open as he blinked at Lily, once, twice, three times.

"M-me?" he asked, pointing towards himself.

Lily nodded her head in amusement, a small smile on her face. "Yes James, you."

James opened his mouth and then closed it, no sound coming out. He tried again, and again, but when he couldn't say anything he just settled for nodding his head very enthusiastically. I smiled, sending Lily a thumbs up, who smiled back at me, though her eyes kept darting back to James.

Lily, Mary, and Marlene eventually left to go study, and as soon as they were out of ear-shot James immediately started obsessing over everything that happened this morning, wondering if this meant they were dating or if she just asked him as a friend.

I started regretting my talk to Lily as James continued talking about it to me up until lunch. All those hours that could have been spent studying, playing exploding snap, or anything else that interested me, wasted on James's endless chatter on what he was going to wear to the ball and whether or not he needed to get a matching outfit with Lily. I was happy for him though, which was the only reason I endured his rambling for half of the day.

After lunch though, I left him to meet Regulus at our spot, feeling anticipation thrumming inside me. When I entered the room I found Regulus looking out of the giant window, the sun reflecting off his face making him resemble an angel. He looked so beautiful I felt a little breathless.

Regulus turned to look at me when he heard the door open and I found myself feeling shy, looking down at my shoes instead of making eye contact.

"Is something wrong?" Regulus asked, instantly sensing something off.

I looked up at him, noting the worry in his eyes and shook my head, smiling slightly as butterflies exploded in my stomach. "No, I'm fine," I said. "Shall we get started?"

Regulus nodded and flicked his wand, playing a song on the record player as he walked towards me, placing his hands on my waist with more confidence than he did yesterday. I nearly melted on the spot. Instead, I placed my arms on his shoulder and we started dancing, Regulus changing my posture here and there and offering helpful tips.

"You're thinking about it too much," Regulus noted as he twirled me around. I stumbled a bit but didn't fall over. "Try to relax. Think about something else."

"Like what?" I asked, growing frustrated as I messed up the steps again.

"When are you going to get your dress?"

I sighed, knowing he was trying to distract me, but if it meant talking to him I didn't mind that much.

"Tomorrow," I said. "I'm going with Marlene, Lily, and Mary."

Regulus made a face as I mentioned Lily and Mary. I frowned. "What was that for?"

Regulus looked at me strangely before stating simply, "they're Mudbloods."

I stopped dancing, pushing myself away from him angrily as I scowled. "What the fuck? Why would you say something like that?"

"Because they are," Regulus answered, sounding ticked off.

"They're my friends," I spat.

Regulus scoffed. "Doesn't change the fact they're Mudbloods."

"Fuck off," I snarled, turning on my heel and storming out of the room.

I headed for the Gryffindor Common Room, still in a rage by the time I arrived. I trudged into the room, noticing the marauders sitting by the fire, sour expressions on their faces.

"I can't believe we messed up the prank," Peter said miserably.

So, their prank went wrong and that was why they were in a bad mood. We could be in a bad mood together. I sat down across from them, instantly going on a rant about how infuriating Regulus was and what absolute shit he spouted sometimes. Talking to the marauders about him actually helped calm me down a bit, though it seemed to have an opposite effect on them as they all groaned.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.

"You always talk about him," James complained, a little harsher than he needed to be.

"No I don't," I defended.

Sirius snorted. I glared at him, and he stared back defiantly.

"You kind of do," Peter said.

I glowered at all of them. "No, I don't. He can just be so annoying sometimes-"

"Merlin, if you're so obsessed with him why don't you just go and ask him to the Yule Ball?" Sirius snapped, James laughing harshly.

I stood up; upset by the way they were acting. "Fine! I will!"

"Sure you will," James said sarcastically.

I spun around and left the Common Room, deciding to go to the kitchens. Food always cheered me up. On the way though, I bumped into Regulus, the boy looking surprised to see me before sighing.

"Listen, if you're here to yell at me, just leave it- "

"Take me to the dance," I interrupted.

Regulus froze, mouth slightly agape as he blinked at me. He managed a flustered, "what?" and I explained the marauders nasty taunts. Instantly I regretted it, knowing Regulus would say no and it would ruin whatever friendship we'd made.

"Okay," Regulus stated.

It was my turn to blink at him, shocked. "Okay?"

"Okay."

"Oh, um okay," I stammered, surprised he said yes. Once the initial shock wore off though, I narrowed my eyes at him. "And about earlier-" Regulus groaned but I continued on. "-whatever your views are about blood status, Lily and Mary are still my friends, and I won't let you disrespect them like that. Calling them slurs just because of how they were born is wrong, and I know you know better than that. Try to think of them without the prejudice, because if you do you'll find they're just the same as everyone else. Okay?"

Regulus looked at me in silence, almost like he was ashamed. He looked away as he answered me.

"Fine. I won't call them anything. I'm... I'm sorry."

I was surprised I'd gotton an apology from him, and a smile grew across my face.

"Thank you," I said softly. "I'll um, see you at the dance I guess. Well, obviously before then but like, I will see you at the dance so-"

"Goodbye Y/n," Regulus said, amused.

"Bye Regulus," I replied quickly, before walking away.

As soon as I turned the corner I jumped up and down, pumping my fist in the air as my heart soared.

I was going to the Yule Ball with Regulus Black.

A/N:

i was bored so i decided to update.

so, like, regulus was a real bitch this chapter, but y/n had a talk with him and encouraged him to look past the prejudice his parents planted in his brain. i want everyone to know that regulus isn't a bad guy. he doesn't understand calling muggleborns anything other than slurs. he was brainwashed at a young age and this prejudice is ingrained in his brain. he's working on it, yes, but he will always have some of that prejudice, and currently he still has a long way to go and still views himself superior to muggleborns. he learns overtime that he's wrong, so i implore you not to hate him because of what he said. living in an abusive household effects you greatly, and though i'm not blaming his actions on trauma, i am saying that his views on things are greatly influenced by his parents because he does not have the freewill to explore other options.

sorry for the rant, i just didn't want people to hate regulus.

anywho, hope you enjoyed the chapter!