Chapter Text
It's a bit unusual in their dorm right now. Somehow Remus Lupin ended up in it. Looking as torn appart as he did the last few days. When he and Regulus stupid brother stopped talking for whatever reason. Probably because Sirius abandoned them like he does with everybody and everything. They finally accepted that after all he is just a black.
And after three days of Lupin looking like somebody nearly killed him and he's a living dead now, he came to him. To be more precise he came to him, Barty and Evan. The look in his eyes made it very clear that there is an important reason behind this, so they decided to let him into their room.
Now he is here and he seems to hesitate. Sitting uncomfortably on Bartys bed, his bag kind of slouched into itself. Like he wants to hide from being with them. Him the big Gryffidor, speaking with them the Slytherins, who are dirt to his feet. Or at least that is how the marauders usual behaved about their relationship. And something seemed to be important enough to make him come here. Against his better knowledge. Poor boy. Or more idiots.
"Well Lupin we don't have all day, tell us what you want or leave."
As usual Barty breaks the silence at first. Regulus just rolls his eyes. If it had been up to him he would have waited. And waited. Till Lupin felt awkward enough to break. He's the one wanting something from them. They have the power. But now the damage is done and it gets at least faster over. Because it is true. He has other things to do.
"I uh...well I.", at any other time the older boy is very good with his words. From what Regulus noticed he could talk in quite a flow so that people like to listen to him, different from his brother or Potter. Who always scream way too much and are just generally annoying.
"Spit it out." and yes Regulus would have holded his breath for an eternity, for not giving up the higher position. But this was already broken by Barty and now his patience is getting lower. Especially when he starts to think how this all could have been a prank of his brother just to get his nearly lover into a Slytherin dorm.
"I want revenge." Suddenly Lupins whole body changes. Like he made a decision to trust them and now he will stick with it. This is his way to go now, his whole back straightens and there is no fear on his face anymore. It is a typical stupid Gryffindor move of putting everything in you have. If you asked Regulus he should definitely hold more back and don't give them so much information this easily.
But he does. Idiot. Again.
"Good for you genius, don't we want that all. What has this to do with us?" , he snaps back.
"Very charming Black. Just listen to me. It is about your brother he wronged me terrible. Misused my trust in him a lot. I want to pay him back, to make him hurt as much as I do now. I figured to come to you. I thought if there would be anybody to make me help hurting him much it would be you. So here I am."
"What did he do?", Evan asks calmly.
And this is why it is perfect to have Evan in their group. Barty would have been too daring while asking this. Regulus would have sounded to much like he doesn't give a fuck. Which he doesn't to be honest. What his brother does or does not do is not his business anymore. Well ok maybe in this specific situation he cares. But usually he doesn't. Whatever.
Evan on the other hand sounds perfect. He has enough caring in his voice so that Lupin doesn't feel like they don't take him seriously. But this sounds clinical enough to assure it is important for the following that they know about it.
But it seems like his brother's ex lover doesn't care for all these good reasons. His back goes stiff and he squints his eyes. There is no information coming from him.
"Good you won't tell us, fine. But what do you expect us to do?"
Now there is a scamming smile on his face. "I thought the best way to get to him would be to make him jealous. I'd like to make an open invitation with this to you."
Now there are different ways to read into this. Possibly number one he wants to have a relationship with him. Would be a smart move, nobody would hurt more than to choose the little brother over yourself. But Regulus came too often in Sirius's second place. There is no way in hell he would do this out of free will again. Even if it is just some fake dating nonsense.
Additionally to this there is this deal he made with Pandora. A deal in which he would work more on getting into something, anything really with James. She can't stand him and this is a quote "sad boy poetry" anymore. So she forces him to go after it instead.
So no dating with him and the boys know this as well. They each turn their head to each other and you can see the same thought in their head.
Option number two.
For various reasons it won't be possible to just date Barty or Evan. But even better they could be a ménage-a-droit. And in their eyes you could see how they love it. Barty more, he looks like he wants to jump onto Lupin. But Evan is interested as well. Good for them.
They all turn to Lupin again.
"I think you made yourself a deal. Evan and I are going to be your new partners."
"Congratulations on that, you will want to hex yourself pretty quickly." Regulus only adds to it.
If Gryffindor is surprised by this he doesn't show it. He quickly nods and then leans himself forward. "How do we want to do this."
Now is the perfect timing to announce for Regulus his other plan that comes for him all together now. This is perfectly usable for his deal with Pandora.
"Oh no worries about that. I have the perfect idea."
***
The next morning they all walk into the great hall like usual. The others accepted his plan easily and now it is his time to shine. Instead of walking to the Slytherin table like they are supposed to do, all three of them walk to the Gryffindor table, where the whole sixth year is already seated. Most of the hall falls silent as they walk. This is an interesting turn of events nobody expected when they woke up this morning.
As planed and promised yesterday Lupin sit's close enough to Sirius. Still some room between them but in a way that he can see and hear everything.
Next to their new partner sit's Potter. As predicted. Everything according to plan till now.
Of course Regulus wouldn't be Regulus now if he wouldn't have an entire breakdown as he walks. It is definitely a genius way to come closer to James as he likes and deals with Pandora. But it is also before the entire school. So his anxiety and his whole body hates him for doing this. But he always was a stubborn ass and he wont stop it now. This will happen.
Potter doesn't even see them coming. Strategically placed and gets up from his seat right in the perfect timing. You can say about Lupin what you want but this guy is great at planning and making things happen exactly like they should. Probably why all the pranks of their group worked so great.
Then Regulus only has to turn James on his shoulders so that he stays up front to him. The poor boy doesn't even realize what's happening to him. He just smiles at Regulus and gets out an "Hey Reggi, wh..."
Till Regulus kisses him with all he has. And it is much more than it was supposed to be. This just should have been a little fling to make Regulus forget him. But now it gets worse. Why does a heterosexual guy kiss like that?
To Regulus' defense he isn't just pulling himself onto James who really doesn't want that. In this way this would have been just an easy kiss. But no. James actually pulls him closer.
Then it ends and after all Regulus nearly forgot to look at his brother's face. But he doesn't and it pays off. The amount of betrayal on Sirius' face almost looks like what Regulus felt the day he left him.
"And we also take this one with us.", Barty laughs, the only one seeing everything that happened light enough to speak. He grabs Lupin's hand and pulls him away with them to the Slytherin table.
This is going to be an interesting month.