XVIII —— 'til death do us part

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FIANNA BARELY SLEPT THAT night, or the next one, instead tossing and turning and staring at the ceiling, asking herself, since when did Animaguses change colour? In the end, it got to five o'clock and she gave up trying to sleep, instead slipping out of her and Georgia's dorm room, to shower and get ready for her Monday classes.

She was the second to arrive to Defence that morning — the first being Evie Rosier, the Ravenclaw sister of Regulus' friend that was expelled earlier that year. Maybe that was common knowledge or maybe Fianna can find everything's correlation to Regulus. Fianna isn't so sure at the moment.

Fianna doesn't speak to Regulus that whole class; luckily, they sit on different sides of the classroom, so she was able to slip out before he could catch her. If he wanted to, she thinks grumpily, wondering what's going on, what's the whole point of this. She knows she's spiralling, and she knows she's annoyed with him too, but still. She doesn't know if this is worth the hassle, not after he said that about her brother.

She trudges across the castle to Divination, ignoring Regulus, who she knows is walking the same way, because they sit together in that class and they'd normally walk together.

Thankfully, Trelawney spends the hour lecturing them on prophecies, quickly spiralling into a lament about fate and divine timing and blah blah blah. It makes Fianna feel a little existential, but she's glad she doesn't have to speak to Regulus the whole class.

Fianna rests her head in her hands, wishing she wasn't sitting next to her kind-of-but-kind-of-not boyfriend whilst hearing all of this nonsense, when Trelawney tells them all, "Souls align at the exact moment they're meant to." And Fianna can't help it — she groans, rolling her eyes. A few people (Regulus included) glance over, but thankfully Trelawney's too into the monologue to notice.

Like, what does that even mean? "Souls align at the exact moment they're meant to." Does that mean her life has led to all of this? Is everything with Regulus so important, that it's even something demanding divine timing?

She thinks about when she first met Sirius; he told her how his little brother Regulus was her age, and how perfect he was, but she didn't think he meant that kindly. Or, when she and Regulus started at Hogwarts, and were awkwardly polite because their brothers were friends. Or, how Fianna felt sorry for him after Sirius left so she was extra nice, and Regulus noticed, didn't like it, so he was rude back. Or, how he softened again over the summer, which made her think she was being tricked...

She spends the whole day in a grump, not knowing what to do. Part of her wonders if she should go back to the Divination classroom and borrow a pack of tarot cards, to try and ask them something. But then she remembers their paired reading at the start of the school year — The Tower, The Empress, Death. The cards aren't going to help when she already knows what all of this is leading up to. A big change, good or bad.

It's not like her Animagus has changed colour or anything.

As she packs up her bag at the end of her last lesson, Potions, Regulus appears in front of her. Fianna exchanges a glance with Georgia, who was sitting next to her, and sighs.

"I'll meet you at Duelling Club," she tells Georgia.

Georgia gives Regulus a nasty look before walking out of the classroom. Obviously Fianna told Georgia about the Remus comment; Georgia had offered to break up with Regulus on her behalf.

"Are you going to speak to me, ever?" he says.

"Depends," she says, then she frowns, a waft of mint hitting her in the face. "Merlin, are you eating mint leaves?"

"They're soothing," he says, sheepish.

Fianna rolls her eyes. "I feel like I'm going to die via Polo."

"What's—?"

"A muggle type of mint — obviously you wouldn't know that, because you hate them and my brother and everything else happy in this world, like Fleetwood Mac and bunnies and—"

Regulus gives her a funny look. "Are you done?"

Fianna scowls. "No. And happiness and joy and—"

"They're the same thing," he says.

"I'm amazed you know that," she says.

"Evil people can know synonyms," he says dryly.

The classroom has emptied out now, everyone desperate to escape their last lesson of the day. Fianna wanted to do the same; they had spent the class brewing Amortentia, and Fianna held her breath every time she was near the thing. At one point, she used a hair clip to clamp her nostrils down, refusing to smell anything. She thinks that the two hours spent blocking her nostrils has made them super sensitive, though, because all she can smell is Regulus' aftershave, which she bets is some expensive Pureblood shit his mum buys him.

"Please let me apologise," he says.

"I need to go to Duelling Club," she says, picking up her textbook.

Regulus pauses, and then goes, "OK, I'll come with."

Fianna raises an eyebrow. "Can you handle being around my brother, the monster?"

"Merlin's sake, Fee."

She starts to walk out of the classroom. Regulus follows her.

"I didn't mean what I said," he tries to tell her.

"But you still said it," she says. "I'm not saying that I wish this on you, but you don't get what it's like — you haven't had to worry about this, the way that I have." She stops walking for a second, wanting to take advantage of the quiet hallway. "I just didn't think you still thought that way."

"I don't!"

"So why did you say it?"

"Because I was annoyed!" he says.

Fianna gives him a look. "That's really dumb."

She moves to start walking again, but he grabs hold of her hand, stopping her.

"If I could take it back, I would," he says. "And I know I'm privileged, I've never thought otherwise — but equally, I don't want this privilege if my current life is what it represents."

"You don't mean that," she says, softly.

"I know what I'm sacrificing," he says. "And I'd gladly do it, for you."

Fianna feels dizzy, not knowing what to say back to that. Eventually, she breaks the silence and goes, "Well... that's awfully kind, but I'm still annoyed."

"I expected it," he says, and he leans in, kissing the top of her head.

"Oh... Didn't mean to intrude."

Salome appears behind them. Fianna notices that Regulus stiffens; he puts his hand on her arm, as if trying to protect her. Her gaze moves down to Salome's feet: she's wearing her idea of casual, heeled Mary Janes, but Fianna knows you can hear Salome's heels clicking before you see her. Did she use a Silencing Charm so she could listen into them? Fuck, what if she gets suspicious?

Fianna tries to play it cool. "I'd rather it be you than a second year."

Salome snorts. "Is Reggie coming to Duelling for once?"

"Uh—"

"Yeah," says Regulus, interrupting Fianna. "I'm sure he'd like us having extra practice."

There's a glint in Salome's eye, before she smiles slyly.

"I'm sure he would, Reg," she says. "Shall I meet you both in there?"

What would look less suspicious? Hurrying along with her, or waiting a few minutes to whisper about her possibly hearing Regulus exposing himself? But if she silenced her shoes, which Fianna's almost certain of — what's the point in them even staying behind? Unless...

"Yeah, we'll be there in a few," says Fianna.

Salome nods, then walks past them. Regulus gives Fianna a look, as if to say, what are you doing? Salome's shoes are still silent, and Fianna watches Salome walking away, turning a right towards the corridor the Duelling Club classroom's situated.

Fianna, as Salome turns the corner, mouths to Regulus, "Play along."

He frowns, but she takes hold of his hand, squeezing it.

"Maybe next time, we need to book a classroom for our arguments," says Fianna, with a fake scoff, trying to pretend she's embarrassed.

Regulus says back, "Duly noted."

They look at each other, as if trying to think of what to say. Fianna thinks back to what Regulus said: he was talking about sacrificing his current life, wasn't he? Something about sacrificing his current life because it'd be better for her... Fianna's mind goes to Death Eaters, but maybe they could change the narrative... But what else would equate to sacrificing his current life, giving all of that up, for her?

Fianna feels her stomach twist. She has an idea: there's one thing that could mean.

"I just... I don't want you to regret giving everything up, if we get married. I know your mum's not going to approve, and the way she was with Sirius..."

Regulus looks less horrified than what she expected. She's still holding his hand; he pauses for a second, as if processing what she's just said. She stares at him, though, as if to say, this is pretend I do NOT mean that.

But, he pulls her into a hug, and says softly, "I'd give up the entire Black fortune for you."

Fianna hugs him back; he seems weirdly sincere.

She laughs into his chest. "OK, rich boy."

"Shhh," he says, squeezing her body closer to his. "Enjoy the moment, Mrs Black."

"You're so corny," she says back, smiling.

They follow Salome's path to the Duelling Club's allotted classroom, the room starting to fill out when Fianna and Regulus walk in. Salome's eyes light up when she sees the two of them, as if she thinks she knows something they don't think she knows; Fianna hopes that this is the supposed engagement, and nothing else.

Fianna catches Georgia's gaze, who looks confused that Regulus is making an appearance since he normally avoids this. She tries to mouth, "I'll tell you later," but Prewett appears, sheepishly asking Georgia to partner with him. Begrudgingly, she accepts.

Remus, though, looks uncomfortable by it. He says to Fianna, "Did you know that James had no idea about Georgia and...?"

"Prewett," Fianna says.

"Prewett," Remus repeats. "Prick name."

Fianna snorts. "Did you say the same about Reg?"

"Reg?" Remus sticks his tongue out. "Get a room."

"Blah, blah, blah," Fianna says, pulling a face.

It hits six o'clock, so Fianna walks to the front of the room, and tells everyone to get into pairs, so they can practise everything from the week before. She tries to teach them new techniques or spells every other week, the ones in-between being practice. Her plan is to spend December doing a mini duelling tournament, so they've got a sheet at the front of the room, for people to sign themselves up. She reminds them about this, and that if they've got any problems, to find herself, Prewett, Remus, or Salome. Then, she steps back down.

"I normally don't practise," Fianna says, when she finds Regulus at the back, waiting for her. Remus walks past them both, as if he had been standing next to Regulus. Fianna brushes that off, because there's no way those two would've been speaking.

Regulus looks over at Prewett, who's been disarmed by Georgia.

"But he does?" says Regulus.

Fianna sighs. "He lives on a different planet."

"Well, if he's allowed, I think it's only fair if you are," says Regulus, extending his hand for Fianna to take, as if they're about to dance.

She snorts. "Always the gentleman."

"For my wife, always," he says, with a grin.

Fianna glares at him, her cheeks burning red. "If Remus hears you—"

"That's quite Tybalt of him," says Regulus, with a shrug. "Are we going to duel or not?"

"I guess," she says.

They step backwards, like she's been teaching in this club since September. Regulus moves with the same pace, and Fianna wonders if his father or the Death Eaters tutored him before. He's always been one of the smartest in their year, but any of their lessons that once required practicals — like Defence or Charms — dropped them when the rumours about Death Eater students started. Apparently some half-blood at Durmstrang (they don't allow muggleborns through their doors, so half-bloods are the equivalent there) was killed 'by mistake' because of a practical-gone-wrong.

Fianna already has a spell on her tongue when she turns around. Regulus looks her in the eye, and at the same moment, they both go, "Stupefy!"

There's an awkward crack, both of their wands cancelling each other out.

"Stop stealing my spells," he says.

"Shut up," she says.

They do it again, turning around and then facing the other when they're casting their spell. The second time, the same thing happens — so the third time, Fianna stays quiet, letting Regulus try to send a spell her way. She uses her wand to deflect it, instead smacking the hex into the desk next to her. He looks at her, surprised.

He rolls his eyes. "OK, hat-staller."

"Bite me," she says.

They continue to duel, Regulus getting Fianna a couple of times, but for the most part, Fianna beating him. The longer they duel, the more he seems to get a hang of her tactics, and after a little while, their duelling turns less into duelling, and more into tennis; her sending a spell his way, him deflecting it and sending another, and so on until one finally gives in.

"Salazar," Salome's voice muses, appearing behind Regulus. "The Gryffindor's giving you a run for your money, Reggie."

Fianna looks at Salome, then Regulus, who looks uncomfortable.

She doesn't mean to, but Fianna doesn't deflect Regulus' spell as easily that next time, a spark erupting next to the desk chair beside Salome.

Salome claps her hands together. "You don't need to go easy on him, Fee! It's not his fault if he can't duel," she says. "What would he think about this—?"

"Bored of killing bunnies, Lestrange?" says Remus.

"Completely," says Salome.

Fianna looks at her brother, then Regulus, who's completely stiff, as if praying Salome will leave him alone. Remus must've noticed it too, or overheard Salome, because he stays put in-between Fianna and Regulus, waiting for Salome to leave them alone. But, Salome looks at him, waiting for him to walk away so she can continue.

He doesn't, though, so finally, Salome sighs. "You take the fun out of everything."

"You're not meant to be here to bully people," says Remus, grimacing. "It's not my fault if you misread Fianna's invite."

Salome gives him a nasty look. "Scurry along to Sirius."

Remus doesn't move, while Fianna and Regulus stare at each other. Was that who Salome meant, in the last duelling club when she talked about Remus having a boyfriend? Salome was acting horrible about Remus and Sirius going out?

Fianna turns to Remus, to try and piece together something supportive and coherent, but he's already disappeared. Fianna finds herself next to Regulus instead, her eyes wide.

Under her breath, she says, "Did you—?"

"I mean, I figured Sirius was but I didn't think they'd—"

"Oh my God, are we incestual?" says Fianna.

"No?" says Regulus, and then pauses. "I don't... think so?"

"I don't think so in regards to incest is the most pureblood thing you've ever said—"

"It's not though, right? It's just... weird?"

"Are you saying we're weird?" says Fianna, wildly. "You said you wanted to get married like twenty minutes ago—"

Regulus groans. "I don't know of how much more comfort I can be than—"

"No! She's doing this on purpose," says Fianna, putting her hand on his arm. "I'll talk to him later. Stay there. I'll let you win to even the score."

"Because that's how this club is meant to work," says Regulus.

It is when one of the chaperones is picking on someone, Fianna thinks.

As the session draws to a close, Fianna grabs her brother before he can disappear. Salome slips out, looking pleased with her meddling, while Fianna waits for the rest of the room to clear out.

Remus looks uncomfortable. "Yes?"

"Um, what Salome said..."

"I don't want to talk about it, not yet," he says. "I'm sorry, I just don't have the right words..."

"OK," says Fianna quietly. "Well, even if you don't have the words, I'm always here for you."

"Thanks," he says, awkwardly. "Why did Regulus apologise to me earlier?"

"What?" she says.

"He apologised for his behaviour," says Remus. "Which, unless this is the eighteenth century and he's taken your virtue, I don't know what that means—?"

Fianna smiles softly. "It doesn't matter."

"OK, weirdo," says Remus. "Can I go home now?"

"I don't know, can you?" she says.

Remus rolls his eyes. "Yeah I can, twat."

"I'm going to tell Mum—"

"That stopped being a threat when I moved out," he says.

Fianna starts laughing, just as Remus gives her the middle finger.

When Remus leaves, Fianna returns to the other side of the classroom to pick up her belongings. As she does, she hears the door go, the familiar scent of expensive aftershave and mint drifting in.

Fianna looks over at Regulus. "... Yes?"

"Can we... talk somewhere more private?" says Regulus. "In case your brother's put a listening device in here... and hears us talk about you-know-what."

Fianna nods. She knows Regulus is talking about Salome, and not Remus, but blaming it on him seems more realistic if they're talking about a fake elopement. Merlin. Fianna likes this boy, but she really doesn't want them to get married to keep this ruse going.

So, they walk to the prefects' bathroom, Fianna letting them both in. She doesn't get changed into her bikini, like her usual post-duelling club bath. Instead, she perches awkwardly on the stone bench next to the window, as Regulus stands in front of her.

"I heard you apologised to Remus," says Fianna.

Regulus nods. "I thought it was only right."

"Why was Salome being mean to you?" she asks.

"She thinks I don't have my heart in this anymore," says Regulus. "Says I've gone soft, or something — no one believes her, thankfully, but I think any more delay on their plan for Hogwarts is going to raise suspicion."

The Death Eaters' plan, to repair a Vanishing Cabinet so Voldemort can break in and murder Dumbledore. Fianna looks away, not sure what to say. On one hand, she doesn't want Regulus to get into trouble, but on the other, Voldemort raiding Hogwarts sounds terrifying...

"I don't want you to get any more involved than you are already," he tells her. "I appreciate everything you're doing for me, really, but the plan with the Vanishing Cabinet is something I need to do on my own."

Fianna nods, nervously. "Can you tell me if something's going to happen?"

"You can't tell the Order, they'll know it's you—"

"I won't," she says quietly. "I just... don't like surprises."

"Says the girl that half-proposed to me earlier," he says with a scoff.

"I couldn't think of anything else to say!" she says.

"It's fine," says Regulus, with a small smile. "It's nice to think that I'd live that long to experience something like that..."

Fianna doesn't know if she means with her, but she understands what he means, because she can't help but think it, too. She doubts you can destroy a Horcrux and come out unscathed.

"Yeah," she says, after a pause.

"They won't hurt you, when they come here," he tells her.

Fianna rolls her eyes. "OK, big man."

"No, I asked them not to," he says. "I think that's another reason why Salome's trying to pick on me."

Fianna looks up at him, surprised.

"You asked the Death Eaters to spare me?" she says.

Regulus nods. "I always will."

He kneels down in front of her, kissing her softly. Fianna tastes the mint in his mouth as she holds his face with her hands; he rests his hands on her thighs.

"Although, if you fight them, they'll disregard any promise they made to me," he says.

Fianna smiles. "I know."

"... and I know you'll fight them, regardless, but I wanted to do what I could to protect you."

"You're sweet," she says.

"Only for you, Fee," he says, kissing her again.

what's better than fake dating? fake marriage

(they're not actually getting married lmao they're going to die. anyways sorry for the long wait, hope you enjoyed!!) <3