Regulus Black

The lights of the Muggle fair flickered in a kaleidoscope of colors, a chaotic dance that seemed to mock the quiet elegance of the Black family manor. The sounds were even worse, a cacophony of laughter, shouts, and clanging metal that made Regulus wince. He felt out of place, the weight of the Muggle clothing they had forced him into adding to his discomfort. The air was thick with the smell of fried food, sweet and greasy, and the unfamiliar mix of scents only deepened his irritation. Why did I agree to this? he thought bitterly, the answer immediately rising to the surface. He missed Sirius. As much as he tried to deny it, the chasm that had grown between them was a source of constant ache. So when Sirius, grinning and carefree as ever, extended the invitation to join him and the Marauders, Regulus had reluctantly agreed.

Now, standing on the edge of the fairground, he regretted every decision that had led him here. He was about to turn on his heel and leave when something caught his eye no, someone. She was laughing, her voice ringing out like a clear bell above the noise, and for a moment, everything else faded away. Her smile was bright, lighting up her face as she worked one of the fair games, effortlessly tossing a ball into a basket. It looked simple enough, yet everyone else seemed to fail, cursing the trickery of the game. But she made it seem easy, and that smile...

Beautiful. And a Muggle. The realization hit him like a bucket of cold water. He should have looked away, should have turned his back and walked away, but he didn’t. He couldn’t. Something about her drew him in, something that felt as foreign as this world but equally magnetic. If I believed in such ridiculous things, I’d say this was love at first sight. But I don’t. I don’t.

“Oi, Regulus! You staring at the game or the girl?” Sirius’s voice cut through his thoughts, and Regulus stiffened, his heart pounding as if he’d been caught doing something shameful.

He turned sharply to face his brother and the Marauders, who were all grinning like cats who’d cornered a mouse. “I wasn’t staring,” Regulus snapped, his voice colder than he intended.

“Oh, right,” James chimed in, elbowing Sirius. “And I suppose we’re all just imagining the dreamy look in your eyes?”

“I wasn’t staring,” Regulus repeated, this time more forcefully, but his gaze flickered back to her despite himself. Stupid, foolish, what is wrong with me?

Peter snickered, trying to hide it behind his hand. “Sure you weren’t, Reg. Must’ve been the game then. You’ve always been a fan of tossing balls into baskets, haven’t you?”

Regulus scowled, but before he could retort, he felt hands on his arms James on one side, Sirius on the other. “What are you-”

“We’re helping, little brother,” Sirius said with a grin, his grip firm as he started dragging Regulus toward the game. “You’ve clearly forgotten how to talk to people, so we’re going to give you a refresher.”

“Let go of me!” Regulus struggled, but they were stronger, and the more he fought, the more ridiculous he felt. This is humiliating.

“Come on, Regulus,” Remus added from behind, his tone more gentle but no less teasing. “It’s just a game. No harm in talking to someone new, is there?”

“Yes, there is,” Regulus muttered, but it was too late. He was standing right in front of her now, close enough to see every detail of her expression, every nuance of her smile. The Marauders were all around him, watching expectantly, and he could feel his face heating up in a way that made him want to disappear.

“Go on then, say something,” Sirius urged, nudging him forward slightly.

This is madness. Absolute madness. Regulus swallowed, his mind racing for something anything to say. But all he could think about was how utterly out of place he felt, how much he didn’t belong here, and yet... how much he didn’t want to leave this moment.

Why can’t I just walk away?

“Uh...” The word stumbled out of his mouth, clumsy and awkward, and he cursed himself inwardly. His hands were clenched at his sides, and he could feel the tension radiating through his body. I’m making a fool of myself.

The Marauders were silent now, watching with wide, expectant eyes. Sirius was barely holding back a laugh, and James looked like he was on the verge of bursting with amusement. Regulus wanted to glare at them, to demand they let him leave, but then she smiled at him a small, polite smile and for a split second, everything else disappeared again. Maybe... just maybe... I do believe in love at first sight...