June 26th

June 26th <3

Knee - @jegulus-microfic - words: 1747

Most would be surprised by this, but one of Regulus’ favourite subjects is Care of Magical Creatures. He just loves taking care of the animals, they’re so gentle if you treat them right, he much prefers them to humans.

So, almost everyday after his lessons, he walks over to the edge of the forbidden forest and helps out with the creates. The teacher loves him.

“Regulus my dear?” She asked him one day.

Professor June was a lovely woman, probably in her mid thirties, Regulus wasn’t too sure. She had long curly hair down to her waist and it was always dyed a different colour, right now it was midnight blue with some blonde streaks running through it.

“Yes Professor?” He answered as he gathered some fruits from the forest bushes and trees, the Hippogriffs surprisingly loved apples.

“My first seventh year class is tomorrow, we’re going to be studying Hippogriffs and I know how much Buck Beak here likes you.” She patted the giant animals head. “You could come and help out, or just observe, if you like?” She offered a sweet smile. “You are far too advanced to be in your regular class.”

Eagerly, he nodded and cleared his throat. “I’d be happy to help out, keep Bucky safe.” He saw his Professor grin, of course his priority was the Hippogriff, it was Regulus Black you were talking to.

-

Now this is how Regulus found himself leant against a tree at nearly ten in the morning, throwing a green apple up and down on his hands as he waits for the professor to arrive along with the rest of the students.

Normally the kids aren’t allowed near the forbidden forest without supervision, but he was an exception and definitely the one they shouldn’t be worrying about. He’s pretty sure he’s seen his brother and his gang of idiots wandering around the forest at ungodly hours of the morning.

Why was here there, you may ask? Well that’s no one’s business, he finds it’s far more relaxing outside. It’s either that or listen to Barty’s horrible fucking snoring.

He continued to toss the apple as he zoned out, watching and listening to the ripples on a nearby pond. Up, down, up, d- what the fuck?

The apple stayed motionless in the air, taunting him as he jumped to get it, failing every time.

Finally coming to a conclusion, he heard the crunch of leaves behind him and he whipped around, glaring at the dark skinned brunette before him.

“Potter.” He hissed. “Put-“

“Reggie!” He smiled widely, way too happy for this early in the morning.

“You know better than all people that I don’t like being called that.” He growled.

Potter raised his hands in surrender, chuckling a little bit at the shorter boy. “Hey now, don’t hex me again.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe I should start a bingo card. Hexed by Regulus, check. Slapped by Regulus, check-“

“All of them very deserved, may I add.”

“-insulted by Regulus, check check che-“

Regulus fetched his wand out of his pocket, casting a quick wordless spell before the apple fell with a thud followed by a yelp, right on top of the Potter boys head.

“Well okay, ouch?!”

In that moment, Professor June decided to stroll over. Her black skirt clipping her heels as she folded her arms and offered an unimpressed look towards Regulus.

“Regulus, we’re teaching the students, not dropping apples on their heads.”

“In my defence, he deserved it.”

“Don’t I always.” James grumbled, now grabbing the apple from the floor and tossing it around in his hands.

Regulus stood next to his Professor and started to walk away with her, shouting over his shoulder. “Finally, you get it!”

He heard a laugh come from James as Regulus walked further away, leaves and twigs crunching beneath his dark green converse.

Why does that boy always find Regulus’ insults funny? They’re not funny in the slightest, he’s being as rude as he can get.

The Slytherin scoffs out loud, ignoring the strange looks from his Professor.

-

The helping was pretty simple, Professor June spoke, letting Regulus add some things, and then he’d demonstrate. Her excuse being that her skirt is too impractical to climb onto a Hippogriff, but he really didn’t mind doing so.

“So! Any volunteers?” The Professor spoke loudly.

Murmurs erupted from the students as they all took a few slow steps backwards. Regulus locked eyes with the Potter boy as he edged backwards.

Wimp, Regulus mouthed. Now he can just watch it all unfold.

He leant against the tree, running his hands through Buck beaks feathers as he watched Potter jump forwards and raise his hand.

Not quite hearing the discussion between Professor June and Potter, Regulus took his time to look at the Gryffindor boy, like actually look.

Currently he had flushed red cheeks pigmented on his tan skin, his messy, wild, brunette hair blowing in all directions due to the wind. His shirt was buttoned down far further than allowed, showing off the top of his collarbone. His shirt was untucked and his tie undone and hung lazily around his neck.

He looks so messy, why does he look good? How can he look like he’s just rolled out of bed but still look gorgeous.

Regulus must have been staring for a moment too long, when the Professor and James Potter came walking over to him, Professor June saying something that he didn’t quite hear. Admittedly, he was busy staring at the golden jewellery on Potters hands and neck.

“Sorry, what did you say?” He asked with a puzzled look.

“Away with the fairies are we, Regulus?” The teacher spoke with an amused smile.

Ignoring the eyebrow wiggle from James, he sent a glare in the brunettes direction before turning back to the Professor, still in need of an actual answer. “I was just telling Mr Potter that you would help him mount Buck beak, could you do that?” She asked.

He wasn’t quite sure what this task entailed, he just hoped he didn’t have to touch the Potter boy more than needed. He already gets annoyingly flustered around the boy, there’s no point adding more fuel to the fire.

Nodding, he explained to James how everything worked.

First, you had to make sure the Hippogriff trust you. Then, you have to slowly and very carefully, place a hand on the animals beak, that’s its invitation to kneel down.

James followed these steps perfectly, Buck beak loved him. Regulus wasn’t jealous at all… nope.

A little voice at the back of his head teased him, which one are you jealous of?

Pushing the thought away, he focused back on James. The boy did quite well, he was currently sat atop Buck beak, stroking his feathers and looking around in awe.

“You ready Potter?” Regulus spoke as he stood on his tiptoes, running a hand along the Hippogriffs smooth beak.

“I wish you’d just call me James.”

Regulus shrugged, ignoring the statement and looking around to make sure James was safe.

“Okay, hit your foot to his side to set off.” Regulus pointed out. “And when you come back down, just come straight back here.” He reached his hand out to point at the points on Buck beaks back. “Place your arms there to hold on so you don’t fall off, and you have to be very calm.”

“So you do care about me?” James spoke, a pleased grin appearing on his face.

“Fuck off.”

No one else spoke, the amused grin staying on James’ face as he looked away from the Slytherin and muttered something to Buck beak before setting off. He sent a small wave in Regulus’ direction as the Hippogriffs feet lifted off the ground, causing James to nearly fall off.

Regulus let out a small snort and rolled his eyes fondly, he was so stupid sometimes, how did Regulus manage to find that endearing?

-

About ten minutes later, James came flying down with so much ease, he looked perfect.

Buck beaked landed on the floor with the clicking sound of his heels and the crunch of twigs underneath him.

James, clearly not remembering Regulus’ specific instructions to ‘remain calm’ cheered loudly and lifted his hands up into the air while Buck beak was still walking. The Hippogriff, clearly spooked, stopped halt on the spot and lifted his front legs off the ground, sending James falling into a heap on the floor.

“Fuck-“ Regulus ran over to the boy on the floor, who wasn’t too far away from him. “James?” He spoke as the Professor and many other students crowded around, James still had his eyes closed.

James, like the idiot he is, kept his eyelids down and stretched his lips out onto a wide grin. “James,” he mocked in a soft voice. “You should do that more.”

“Merde.” Regulus sighed through his teeth and pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers.

“Whats wrong with him?” Sirius spoke hesitantly from Regulus’ side, making him jump and look at his brother.

“Concussion?” Lupin added from Sirius’ side.

James’ eyes flickered open, Regulus was leant over him, trying to see if there was any serious damage. “Hi.” The Gryffindor sighed quietly.

“Hi.” Regulus responded absentmindedly.

“Pretty.” James spoke again as Regulus gave him a puzzled look.

“What?” Both the Black brothers spoke at the same time.

“Hm?” James smiled and attempting to run his hand through Regulus’ black curls, shockingly, Regulus actually let him for a moment before snapping back into reality and pulling James’ hand away from his face. A whine came from the brunettes mouth, Regulus is pretty sure James’ is pouting now.

Professor June walked closer, pushing the students away. “Stop crowding, move back! Not you Regulus, I need some help.”

Regulus nodded, sliding down onto the muddy ground and sitting on his knees in front of James. “James- open your eyes.”

“Anything for you.” James pinched his eyes open, looking blinded by the sun and clearly not noticing the red flush of Regulus’ cheeks - which had to be horribly prominent on his pale, ghostly skin.

“How do you feel?”

“My knee hurts, but keep your hand there, it’ll make me feel better.” He gave a goofy smile, Regulus only just realising the hand he had placed on James’ thigh, swiping it away quickly. “Mean.” He frowned.

Choosing to ignore the fluttering feeling in his stomach, he turned to his Professor. “Yep, definitely concussed.”