Friday 24th December, 1976

Everyone was pairing up, finding their dates, and starting to dance with one another. Everyone but me, because my date had left. I felt the tears threatening to fall but willed them not to, determined not to cry.

James looked and me, and then to Lily, the girl of his dreams waiting patiently for him to dance with her, and walked over to Lily. I tried to be happy, knowing that James was finally going to be able to slow dance with Lily, but my own rejection was hanging heavy over my head, making it hard to find much happiness in this situation.

"Sorry Lily," I heard James saying to Lily, surprising me. "I really want to dance with you, but right now I have to be a brother and comfort my younger sister."

I stared at them incredulously as Lily smiled, perhaps more head over heels with him now than she had been before, and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

"Next time," she said.

"Next time," James repeated, almost in a daze.

James walked over to me, immediately grabbing my hand and leading me to the dance floor before getting into dancing positions, though as we swayed from side to side it was more of an embrace than a dance.

"You okay?" James asked me softly.

I smiled; eyes watery as I felt a strong surge of love for my older brother.

"Yeah," I whispered. "I'm okay."

"Good, because Lily just kissed me on the cheek and I need you to help me figure out what happened to the real Lily Evans and who this imposter is."

I laughed, feeling my spirits rise. "Maybe she just likes you."

"You really think so? That would be amazing if she did. Oh Merlin I really hope she does," James rambled.

For the rest of the dance I was forced to listen to James analyse every single thing Lily did tonight up until this moment, including how she looked, talked, and even walked around him. I was still grateful that he was dancing with me, so I endured it without complaint. I also noticed that Sirius and Remus were dancing together rather closely, both gazing into each other's eyes lovingly.

When the first slow song ended and another one came on, I stepped away from my brother, gesturing to Lily.

"Go dance with Lily," I said.

James looked at me worriedly. "Are you sure?"

I nodded my head, smiling at his concern. "Yes, I'm sure. I've got to go find Regulus anyway."

"Give him hell," James said.

"Oh, I will," I assured him, and he gave me once last smile before heading over to Lily looking like an over-excited puppy.

I left the Great Hall, walking through the halls aimlessly as I thought of where Regulus might be, when I was hit with a thought. Would he be there? No, that would be silly. Why would he run from me only to be there? And yet the possibility that he was there was enough for me to direct my path towards it.

When I arrived on the seventh floor, just like always, the door magically appeared and when I opened it I found Regulus there, staring out the window. He spun around swiftly at the sound of the door opening but stared at me in surprise when he saw me.

"Y/n..." he said softly.

I scowled, angry at his kind tone after what he did. "You left me."

Regulus looked down, sliding on his blank mask once more. "I didn't feel like dancing."

"So you just left?" I asked incredulously. "Didn't even bother to tell me?"

Regulus opened his mouth, about to say something, when he seemed to think better of it and snapped his mouth shut. He took a deep breath before speaking again, and I could see he had once again shut off from me.

"You should go."

"Why do you always do that?" I asked frustratedly.

Regulus blinked. "Do what?"

"Push me away!"

"I don't-" Regulus started immediately, as if it was a reflex to deny it.

"Yes you do!" I said, cutting him off. My voice quietened significantly when I continued speaking. "I thought we were friends."

"Well you thought wrong!" Regulus spat angrily.

It felt like I'd been hit in the chest with a brick. I even stumbled back a step, shocked. "What?"

"We're not friends," he repeated.

I stared at him in disbelief. How could he say that? After all those months of hanging out, actually getting to know one another, spending more time together than ever before. How could he even think that? Why would he say that?

"Why?" was all I said.

Regulus let out an irritated groan, throwing his hands up in the air. "Because you're a Gryffindor and I'm a Slytherin!"

I scoffed. "Why does that matter?"

"Because I'm a pureblood from a pureblood mania family, Y/n. What would they think if they found out I was friends with a Gryffindor blood traitor?"

"Why do you care what they say? Why are you letting that get in the way of what you want? Why are you letting them control you?" I asked.

Regulus looked at me, the fight draining out of his face. "Because... because- "

"Because?" I prodded.

Regulus stared at me with an unreadable expression on his face, a million thoughts going through his mind. He stared at me like he did earlier this night, like I was something precious that he wanted to keep forever.

"Fuck it."

The next thing I knew, Regulus was in front of me, hands on either side of my cheeks as he grabbed my face and pressed his lips against mine. It felt like fireworks had erupted on my skin where he was touching me as his lips moved franticly against mine. I melted into the kiss, feeling my arms wrap around his neck as I pulled him closer. Regulus gave a sound of approval from his throat that made me knees go weak as he kissed me harder.

We broke apart when we needed air, Regulus's hands sliding from my face to my shoulders, down my arms until the found my hands and intertwined themselves with mine. He rested his head in the crook of my neck, breathing deeply, while I tried to figure out what the fuck was happening.

My breathing was erratic. I was completely discombobulated; the only thing going through my mind being how much I wanted to kiss him again.

"What were we talking about?" I eventually managed to say.

Regulus moved his head so he could look up at me, a lopsided grin on his face.

"Who said we were talking about anything?"

"I know we were because I was right and you were wrong," I retorted, feeling some semblance of sanity return to me.

Regulus kissed me. Regulus kissed me. Regulus kissed me.

"Excuse me- "

I cut Regulus off with another kiss, feeling a thrill when he immediately kissed me back, untangling our hands so he could wrap his around my waist and pull me closer. This kiss wasn't as rushed as the other one, and I took the time to get acquainted with Regulus's mouth. His lips were as soft as ever and moved against mine like they belonged there. His tongue was hesitant at first when it pressed against my lips, but I parted them quickly and let him eagerly explore my mouth while I did the same with his.

When the kiss ended I found myself grinning like an idiot and Regulus, upon seeing my expression, smiled fondly and shook his head playfully.

"I've gone this far, might as well go all the way," he muttered, before looking at me in the eye. "Y/n, will you be my girlfriend?"

I wanted to say yes, but instead blurted out, "James will kill you."

Regulus laughed; the sound so full of delight it made me want to kiss him again. "I guess we'll have to keep this a secret then, just between me and you."

I hummed, pretending to think before shrugging. "I mean, I guess that would be okay."

Regulus scoffed, pulling me closer as he nipped at my neck playfully. I laughed and he pulled back, victorious. He stared at me with such admiration I felt heat rise to me cheeks as I smiled.

"You're mine," I whispered.

"I'm yours," he agreed instantly, pressing his head into my hair as inhaled deeply.

I sighed happily, content to stay like that forever, but Regulus pulled back, his expression significantly more serious than it had been moments ago.

"I'm sorry for leaving you at the dance, Y/n," he said quietly. "I'd been trying to distance myself from you these past few weeks, knowing my family wouldn't approve of how I felt for you, and I ended up hurting you in the process. I'm sorry."

I smiled. "It's okay. Thank you for apologising."

He smiled back, and then held out his hand. "Would you like to dance?"

I put my hand in his and he pulled me close, music starting to play out of nowhere. I smiled at the magic, looking around in an attempt to find the source of the melody. When I couldn't find it I gave up and looked back to Regulus, only to find him already staring at me.

We danced in silence, swaying from side to side as Regulus stared at me. His eyes traced my face, as if trying to remember every tiny detail.

"You're so fucking beautiful," he murmured.

I smiled shyly, looking at my feet as he twirled me around. I stumbled, falling forwards, but Regulus caught me by the waist and pulled my upright, my back resting against his chest. I tilted my head upwards and there Regulus was, smiling down at me as he bent his head to peck me on the lips. My smile widened. I couldn't believe this was actually happening.

Regulus turned me around to face him, smiling.

"I know it's not Christmas yet," he started, "but I want to give you your gift now."

He rummaged through his pockets before taking a small, velvet box out of one of them. He handed it over to me and I opened it. Inside was a beautiful silver necklace with a f/c gemstone in the middle.

"Oh Regulus, it's beautiful," I breathed, carefully taking it out of the box to admire it.

"Turn it around," Regulus advised.

I did as he said and felt a warm feeling spread inside me as I read the initials carved inside the back of the necklace

Y. E. P.

Y/n Euphemia Potter.

I've always found it cool when people had jewellery with their initials on them.

"You remembered," I said.

Regulus smiled, pleased I liked his gift. "Yeah."

"I don't have your gift with me right now," I mentioned, feeling bad he gave me this beautiful gift and I couldn't return the favour then.

Regulus didn't seem to think the same thing though, because his face visibly brightened after my words.

"You got me a gift?" he asked.

"Of course," I replied.

Regulus smiled softly, then gestured to my necklace. "Would you like me to put it on you?"

I nodded, feeling butterflies as he walked behind me and slowly put my necklace on, his fingers brushing my neck unnecessarily. I turned around when he'd finished, and we smiled at one another, but our attention wavered when we heard multiple sets of footsteps outside the room.

"The dance must be over," Regulus said. "People are going to their dorms now."

"I guess I should go then," I sighed, not wanting to leave. "I'll see you tomorrow though, and I'll give you your gift then, yeah?"

Regulus cupped my face in his hands. "Yeah," he whispered, before kissing me softly.

We both left after that, going our separate ways, but he stayed in my mind as I made my way to the Gryffindor Common Room. As soon as I entered, I was bombarded with hugs from my friends, all of them feeling sorry for me.

"I'm so pissed Regulus walked out on you," Sirius fumed.

"What?" I asked, momentarily confused. My eyes widened when I remembered the events before Regulus and I got together. "Oh yeah, that. Y'know, I'm not really that mad. He obviously had his reasons."

James stared at me incredulously. "He obviously has his reasons for standing you up at the dance?"

The others were also staring at me with disbelief, though Peter looked more confused and Remus and Lily were both looking at me suspiciously with narrowed eyes.

"Uh, yeah, like I said. Anyway I'm pretty tired I think I'll just go to bed night," I rambled before hurrying up the staircase to the girl's dormitories.

I got ready for bed and crawled under my covers, sighing happily at tonight's turn of events. I fell asleep thinking about Regulus and his soft lips.

A/N:

IT FINALLY HAPPENED!!! OH MY GOD THAT WAS A SLOW BURN

so, what we thinking? is regulus the most romantic bf ever? is he also a little shit for leaving y/n at the dance? did he make up for it?

i'm actually very nervous about this chapter, so your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

also just want to let people know this is not the end of the story. we still have much more stuff to delve into before the end of it.

should be updating on christmas, but that can be a hectic time so there is a small chance i might not be able to. if not i'll post on boxing day.