Wednesday 12th May, 1977

I missed waking up to Regulus everyday. That was the thing that I missed the most now that I was back in my Gryffindor dorm. I missed being able to stare at him sleeping peacefully, missed how clingy he was when he was drowsy. I missed that I spent less time with him now, exactly what Regulus had feared would happen, but I was determined not to let it last.

I was walking to class with Regulus and the other Slytherins, as well as Pandora and Dorcas, the seven of us sharing a potions class together. As we walked, I held Regulus's hand, still feeling a jolt of adrenaline any time Regulus and I shared any form of PDA. I was slowly getting used to it though, and found that I immensely enjoyed being with him in public.

"You know," Evan started, "I've started to miss your two friskiness."

Barty nodded his head. "I second that. The dorms a bit boring without you."

I placed a hand on my heart. "Barty, do you miss me?"

The Slytherin scoffed, rolling his eyes as he crossed his arms. He didn't deny it though, and I took it as a success. The others started teasing him about liking me more than Regulus, something Evan was all too happy to participate in.

"Hey, do you wanna break up?" he offered. "I'd hate to keep you from your one true love."

Barty spluttered. "What? No! Evan!"

"Wait, who would I be with then?" Regulus asked with a pout.

Evan thought about for a second before giving Regulus a suggestive look. "I mean... we'd both be single."

I raised my eyebrows, surprised by the turn the conversation had taken. I shared a look with Barty and knew he was not at all happy with what was going on. I had to admit, I was a little jealous myself, especially because Regulus seemed to be considering Evan's offer.

"Yeah, okay, enough of this," Barty demanded, pulling his boyfriend to the other side of him in an attempt to put some distance between Regulus and Evan. I was secretly thankful he did it so I didn't have to do it myself.

"What were we talking about?" Avery asked. "Oh, right yeah, Y/n. You gotta move back into the dorm."

I blinked, surprised. "What?"

Regulus elbowed Avery in the side before turning to me. "What he meant, was you could come back, even though you don't have to."

I was startled by his offer, but also warmed. I had thought I was only in their dorm because I needed a space to stay, but now I was realising that they had wanted me there. It made me happier than I'd like to admit, especially because it meant Regulus must have been missing me as much as I missed him.

"I'd like that," I said quietly.

Dorcas grinned at me, raising her eyebrows slyly and I rolled my eyes at her. I was very happy though and continued my walk to class with a skip in my step. I was happy for majority of the day, actually, my good mood following me all the way to lunch as I sat on the Gryffindor table with my friends. That was where my mood dimmed slightly, because I knew I'd have to tell James and Sirius about it.

"Hey Y/n," James greeted happily. "You won't believe what happened today-"

I interrupted him by holding up my hand. "Wait, I have something important I need to tell you."

James sent me a questioning look as he sat down, followed by the rest of the marauders. I took a deep breath, knowing they were not going to like what I had to say. I needed to tell them though, because they deserved to know the truth of our relationship now that we weren't keeping it a secret.

"I'm moving back into Regulus's dorm," I said.

There were sour expressions on both of the boys' faces after I finished, and I hurried to continue, hoping I'd be able to make them understand.

"I love him, guys. I'm in love with him, and I want to spend time with him. I don't want there to be distance between us because I made up with you guys. I just want all of us to be able to get along," at the still bitter look on Sirius's face I continued. "Can you at least try to like him?"

Sirius responded immediately. "No."

I gave him a pleading look. "Sirius..."

"I shouldn't have to be nice to my brother," he complained, throwing his arms up in the air angrily like a toddler.

"Sirius," Remus warned.

He glanced at Remus and they seemed to have a staring contest, communicating silently with one another without blinking, Eventually Sirius let out a frustrated groan, looking away and back at me.

"Fine," he muttered. "I'll try. No promises though."

I smiled in victory, turning to James. "And you? I want you to try as well."

James huffed, crossing his arms. "Whatever."

I gave him a stern look and he sighed. "Fine, I'll try as well."

. . .

Wednesday 12th May, 1977

"No."

I crossed my arms as I stared Regulus down. He stared right back just as defiantly; chin held up as his eyes blazed with stubbornness. A stubbornness so similar to his brothers.

"Regulus," I repeated. "Let's go."

Again, Regulus curled his hands into fists as he glared at me, his lips curled downwards. It was an expression I'd seen many times before, and one I'd probably see many more times. He was very determined not to go, I'd give him that. Unfortunately for him, I was very good at persuasion.

"I'm not going," Regulus said through gritted teeth.

The others in the dorm looked on in unease. We'd never had full on fights in front of them, and though this wasn't technically a fight, it could be one. Barty and Evan seemed the most on edge, ready to interfere if things went too far. They wouldn't though, because eventually Regulus would bend to my will.

"Please Regulus," I said. "I just want to be able to hang out with my family and you. This is the first step to being accepted as a couple. I know it'll be hard, but I'll be there with you."

Regulus continued glaring at me, but his eyes had softened ever so slightly, and I knew then that I had won. I flashed him a bright smile waiting for his response.

He let out a dramatic sigh. "Fine."

I cheered and grabbed his hand, leading him out of the dorm. We were already late, because Regulus had changed his mind at the last moment, but I'd managed to help him change it back. I understood his fear; we were going to be hanging out in his rival house's common room with his brother, who Regulus believed hated him.

I'd be there though, and I'd make sure it all went smoothly. I was excited to get James and Sirius used to Regulus, possibly even start to like him, and I knew having them all spend time together was the first step to achieving those goals.

When we arrived at the Gryffindor Common Room Marlene immediately threw herself at me, arms wrapping around me in a tight hug before she was gone as quick as she came. Next was Lily, who was less rough, and finally Mary who couldn't stop grinning as her eyes landed on Regulus.

"Well go on," she said. "Introduce the boyfriend to us."

I rolled my eyes but did as she said. "Guys, this is Regulus, my boyfriend. Regulus, this is Marlene, Lily, and Mary, my friends."

Regulus sent them a tight smile, his whole body tense. I gently intertwined our hands and he held on tightly like it was the only thing getting him through this. I moved further into the room, Regulus trailing behind me, and spotted the marauders sitting near the fireplace. The girls and I walked there together and I tightened my grip on Regulus's hand so he couldn't run away, forcing him to follow us instead.

When we got there James stood up, a large grin on his face, that was until he spotted Regulus. I may have accidently forgotten to tell James and Sirius that Regulus was going to be there. Whoops.

"Hey James," I greeted, letting go of Regulus so I could quickly embrace my brother.

As soon as I let go I was back to holding Regulus's hand, wanting him to know I was there for him. The action didn't go unmissed by James or Sirius, both of them glaring daggers at our intertwined hands. I cleared my throat, sending them both pointed looks, and they laid off.

We all sat down, Regulus and I electing to sit on the couch together. I knew Regulus wouldn't want to show too much PDA, and with my brother there I wasn't very inclined to either, but I was very surprised when he sat more than a person away from me, forcing me to stretch out my arm if I wanted to continue to hold his hand.

"Reg, this isn't going to work," I murmured to him, careful to make sure no one else heard.

Regulus looked at our positions and sent me a sheepish smile, inching a tiny bit closer. Sighing, I took charge and moved to sit right next to him, tucking my feet underneath me as I held his hand. Our bodies were touching, but there were no big displays of affection, so I deemed it a good position. Regulus seemed to agree too, because he relaxed ever so slightly under my touch, though his grip on my hand was still very tight.

As the evening went on, James, Sirius, and Regulus were all on edge. Everyone else was rather calm, letting the conversation flow between them and sending kind smiles to Regulus now and then. I wasn't sure if it helped him calm down, but I was grateful at their attempts to make him feel welcome.

At one point, Marlene had said something, and by then Regulus had somewhat relaxed so he made a joke out of it, and, without thinking, Sirius had thrown his head back and laughed. Everyone seemed to freeze after that, none so much as Regulus and Sirius. They seemed to stare at each other, sharing a secret look only they could decipher. I wasn't sure what it meant, or if it was a good thing, and while Regulus was more tense after that he also seemed to look at Sirius more often, almost like he couldn't help it.

"He shouldn't be allowed to be funny," James grumbled with his arms crossed as I went to say goodbye to him. Regulus had already left and was no doubt waiting outside for me.

I sent him a look. "You promised to try and like him, remember?"

James rolled his eyes, let out an annoyed huff. "Yeah, yeah, I remember."

I smiled at hugged him quickly. "Good."

After that I left the Gryffindor Common Room and found Regulus waiting for me. We went back to the dorm together and was immediately bombarded with questions from Barty, Evan, and Avery. I answered them to the best of my ability because Regulus had refused to answer anything, but as I recounted Sirius laughing at Regulus's joke, I saw the ghost of a smile on his lips.

A/N:

it's my birthday!!! so surprise update!!

barty and y/n being bffs will never not be my favourite thing