Chapter Text
Regulus, Barty, Evan, Pandora, and Dorcas were probably the strangest friend group at Hogwarts. Well, most would assume Regulus , Barty, and Evans were friends, but Pandora and Dorcas made no sense, to other people anyway. What people didn’t know is that the group knew everything about each other. It had really started with Barty and Regulus. They were “friends” for a couple years, but that changed when Regulus walked in on Barty and a Ravenclaw in the year above them. After Regulus knew about Barty’s biggest secret, they became closer. Barty was the first first Regulus ever told that he was gay.
Next came Evan, he was Barty’s friend first. Regulus has had to listen to Barty slowly falling for the man, and eventually, Regulus introduced himself. Unfortunately, Barty and Evans' relationship has not improved yet, but Regulus still has hope.
Then came Pandora, she had approached Regulus one time as he wondered about the school, and eventually they started talking more. Regulus didn’t know when they’re friendship became just that, but he knew he’d trust Pandora with his life. When he introduced her to his other friends, they were surprised at first, but she quickly became one of them.
Dorcas was the last one to enter their little circle of friends. She came in a strange way. She came with a gift of knowledge in multiple ways. Dorcas was close with Marlene, and that meant Dorcas could keep Regulus informed about his brother’s life from a distance. She was introduced by Pandora surprisingly enough, and the only explanation was that she fit in which she very much did.
Dorcas also brought them the knowledge of weed. Of course Barty and Evan knew tons about it, but Dorcas knew how to get it. Regulus didn’t know anything simply because of his parents. Pandora’s judgement meant the most, no one cared to question why, but when she agreed to try some, they knew it wasn’t the worst idea.
That’s how they ended up being extremely close. Regulus knew that Pandora was heavily crushing on Xenophilius Lovegood, which had been revealed when she was so high she couldn’t open her eyes enough to see anything. He knew of Evans growing crush on Barty, whispered into his ears as Barty was passed out over their lap. He knew that Marlene and Dorcas were dating from a rant Dorcas went on before promptly falling asleep on Pandora's lap. He knew that Barty’s hate for his father often good in his way of making good decisions, such as picking good classes which he told them as he smoked.
That’s also how the group knew of Regulus’ steadily growing crush on James Potter. The chaser for the Gryffindor quidditch team. The most popular dude at Hogwarts, famously pining for a redhead named Lily Evans. Dorcas didn’t tell Regulus multiple times that James wasn’t showing much interest in Lily anymore, but Regulus informed it, cannot get his hopes up.
That’s also why they found the Room of Requirement. They were looking for a place to smoke when the door appeared, and it naturally became their smoke spot. The room had fluffy brown carpet, and they’re was a L-shaped couch with a square coffee table in front of it. The other two sides had a hanging chair and two beanbags.
They had begun to customize the room with parts of themselves too. There were tarot cards all over the square coffee table in the middle. There was a thick green wool blank that was in the hanging chair, where Regulus liked to sit. There were books in the corners too, for when they wanted to do some funny spell work, Evans ideas. Barty had thought of the brilliant idea to try and grow some weed in the room, and that’s why there were weed plants along one wall. Dorcas had multiple of Marlene’s sweaters flung across the back of the couch.
Regulus walked into the room, somehow being the last one to enter even though he left before Barty and Evan, and he quickly curled up in the hanging chair. The cone had already been lit and it was being passed around. Pandora talked loudly about how Xenophilius had looked at her today, and Regulus passed the weed. He took a long drag, relishing in the burn in his throat. He blew the smoke into the air in front of him. He waited a bit, commenting on Pandora’s story, before taking another drag from the cone.
“I even did a reading before I came here, and I think he’s going to talk to me soon!” She squealed before taking the cone from Regulus’ outstretched hand.
“Oo! Can you do a reading for me real quick?” Evan questioned, sitting up from his slouched position next to Barty. Pandora quickly scooted her bean bag closer to the table.
“Of course, V.” She closed her eyes real quick, and incense appeared next to her tarot cards. “Need to cleanse them first then we’ll go for it!” Regulus relaxed into the hanging chair as he listened to the chatter running through the room. He liked the smell of Pandora's favorite incense mixed with the weed. He thought that the smell alone felt like their friend group, like home.
“Oh, Reg, I almost forgot. Sirius was talking about you today,” Dorcas started. Regulus looked up sharply. “Nothing bad, he was telling James that he missed when you guys were close. I overheard them a little bit.” Dorcas looked down a little sheepish. Regulus' heart fluttered slightly.
“I still think you should talk to him, Reg. I think you’ll both gain from having a relationship,” Pandora added. Regulus looked down at his hands. Pandora was probably right, she’s never been wrong, but Regulus can’t help but chicken out anytime he tries. James also being so close doesn’t help.
“I could probably get Marlene to get Sirius alone if you wanted me to,” Dorcas offered. Regulus just shook his head; he didn’t want to make her do that.
“Okay Evan, anything in particular you’d like to know?” Pandora questioned, after shuffling her desk a few times.
“I think just let the cards tell me what they’d like.” He stated before leaning to hand the cone to Regulus. Regulus took more deep inhales, ready for the high to hit.
“Okay.” Pandora closed her eyes and began to shuffle her desk as she normally did when she was doing a reading. She looked to be mumbling under her breath. Regulus handed the cone to Dorcas, who reached behind a busy Pandora.
A card fell out, and Pandora opened her eyes to read it. “Looks like someone new is approaching, or maybe a new relationship. Oh,” She reached for a card as it fell from the desk. “It looks like it’s someone who is already close. A new level to your relationship with them.” Her eyes closed once more. They reopen when three cards fall out at once. “It looks like they are hesitant, but sure, sure of what they are feeling. They don’t know what your reaction will be, but it seems like they are certain on their own end. I’m feeling like two more cards then I think we’ll stop.”
Her eyes closed once more, and she continued shuffling her deck. Two more cards fell out together, and she opened her eyes. “This person may think that they are not in your league or interested, and that is causing the hesitance. You need to be ready for that insecurity, or that uncertainty.” Pandora placed down that deck, and looked up at Evan. Regulus looked up too, realizing he hadn’t the whole reading. Evan looked hopeful but also nervous. Barty looked the same way, but was making himself face away from Evan.
It was evident to everyone who that reading was about, but no one said anything. Soon, Dorcas started talking about a date she went on with Marlene. Regulus relaxed into the hanging chair and let his eyes droop, and his brain swirl. He liked the way everything had a different hue when he was high. It’s like that pureblood pressure has been lifted, and for once he’s a normal wizard.
Regulus saw Barty’s hand creep into Evans as his mind drifted. He stayed awake as the space in front of him shifted. Instead of seeing Dorcas gushing, he saw beautiful tan skin and hazel eyes, and-
Regulus’ arm was nudged, and he shook his head, to clear his eyes. He looked over and Evan was holding out the second come of the night. His hand was connected with Barty’s, and Barty was whispering in Evans ear. Regulus took the cone before leaning back. He thought about how cool it would be to get high with his brother, and James. He did a few tricks with the smoke. He mostly imagined a tan face in front of him, just obscured by the smoke. After probably five hits, he passed it on. Everyone knew that the higher they get the longer it takes the joint to get around. They often forget they had it, and no one particularly cares about how fast it comes because they smoke at night, most of the time on weekends too. They liked sleeping in their smoke room too.
Regulus let his mind drift, and eventually, he had fallen asleep. He dreamt of his pale skin contrasting against tan, grey meeting hazel. It was very common for Potter to invade his mind when he was high. It also wasn’t exactly uncommon for the others to have to comfort him when his emotions got blown a little too big.
Regulus loved his friends, and he wished, one day, his brother and his friend group would be included in these nights.