The Fourth Drink Instinct(Bella)

[brett]

Regulus Black sat alone to the immediate right of the last stool at the bar. Of course he wasn't completely alone, the Broomsticks had drawn a pretty steady crowd on this night. There were even people at the bar only a few seats away from him, but as far as Reg was concerned he was alone. Off in his own little world as he sipped his mug of rootbeer.

Yes, rootbeer. It wasn't that Reg was opposed to drinking, but butterbeer was never all that appealing to him and the drunkard on the other side of the bar was all the reminder he needed of what a little too much firewhiskey could do to a guy. At home he would drink it through a straw, he liked blowing into the straw and making his drink bubble and fizz...keep in mind that Regulus is 16 and still doing this. Of course that was in private, he would be mortified to do such a thing in public. After all he did have an image to maintain.

Of course the once fearsome reputation of Regulus Black seemed to already be slipping. The Slytherin Prince was making a surprising number of friends from other houses, including the Gryffindor girl he was dating. Of course Indi was pureblood, so in his eyes that was justification enough. Among his other new friends was a hufflepuff girl, Bella Swan, who come to think of it, he had not seen in quite sometime. He actually almost missed her.

[bella]

OOC: Aw, he actually almost misses her! (Hey, she’ll take what she can get. XD lol).


For the past couple of days, Bella’s life had been going in constant circles – up and down, up and down. It was like some sick and twisted carousel ride, and it wasn’t ever ending. She’d hadn’t been very sociable upon returning to Hogwarts, her mother’s death weighing too heavily on her shoulders. She had all but cut herself off from the world, keeping herself busy with mindless tasks and trying hard to just not think about things. Her life hadn’t been very good, indeed she’d felt it it was like she was stuck in some irreversible depression. But now Bella had a few reasons to smile, and it was having a positive effect on her. Slowly she was beginning to talk to all her friends again and take upon her role of a social little Hufflepuff again. It was like life was almost normal again.

It was in those spirits that Bella had decided to go to Hogsmeade that day. She was going alone, but it didn’t bother her as much as she’d thought it would. She’d spent most of her time revisiting old shops that she hadn’t gotten around to going to the past few trips and stocking up on little candies to throw into her suitcase. Bella had even gone as far as to getting Ms. Drivels a book about quick knitting techniques – after all, she deserved some sort of thanks for having to put up with Bella and Regulus all day. As she walked along the slowly narrowing street Bella wondered what he’d been up to. She hadn’t had any classes with the Slytherin’s recently and having separating herself from most of the student body, hadn’t seen him around. But even if she had, would she have been able to talk to him? Despite what Regulus thought, there was still a Hufflepuff-Slytherin line between them. In dry humor she wondered if there were any Gryffindor lines drawn around him, seeing how his brother and newly acquired girlfriend were sociable enough. God, what are you trying to say? You’re jealous? And that just made her feel stupid. She just wanted to be able to talk to him; that was it. Bella didn’t want to have to worry about who was watching.

She was simply just annoyed with herself by that point, and decided she was way over due for another distraction. She wasn’t very far from the Three Broomsticks and decided it was as good as any place to go for a warm drink. Bella pushed open the doors and felt the warmth washed over her, replacing the cold night air lingering on her skin with heated air instead. She went directly to the bartender on duty and ordered herself a Butterbeer, completely consumed in her own thoughts. She had already paid and turned back around to find an empty table when a peculiar figure caught her eye – what were the odds. Regulus sat alone at the end of the filling bar, few stools keeping him isolated from two chatting girls. Bella couldn’t help the hesitant smile that crossed her lips, nor could she stop her feet from carrying her right over to him. “Hey Reg,” she said lightly, hoping she wasn’t intruding on anything. It’d be just her luck to find him alone and then be informed he was just waiting for someone. “Mind if I join you?”

[brett]

OOC: Coming from Reg almost missing someone is a very high compliment

Bella's voice pulled Reg out of his thoughts...which oddly enough had been about her. It took him a moment to convince himself she wasn't just a product of his imagination. But no it was actually her...and he hadn't yet said anything. "Uh, yea, always glad for the company," Reg said motioning to the stool next to him. He took a sip of his root beer letting the carbonated bubbles tickle the back of his throat. "How've you been?" Regulus asked looking to catch up with the only Hufflepuff he had given the honor of being called his friend.

It wasn't until just now that Reg remembered their last meeting...how Bella had lost her mother. Flashes from the day came back to him the horrible bright white of the hospital halls, Bella's mothers feeble frame in her bed just moments before she would pass, sitting next to Bella in that hallway, trying to make her feel better about what was happening. Clearly Bella hadn't had an ideal relationship with her mother, but still it couldn't have been easy to lose a parent...especially considering Bella's situation.

Traditionally Blacks had a notoriously short life span, but Reg was rather lucky in that none of his closer relatives had passed. Both his parents and his grandparents were still alive...in fact the only family members he had really 'lost' were his brother Sirius and the uncle who had helped Sirius financially. Of course Sirius he saw most days at school, but he doubted he would ever see his uncle again. It was a shame Reg had rather liked Uncle Alphard, but willingly going to see a family member who had been banned was a huge no-no and would likely end up getting him kicked out as well.

[bella]

OOC: Heh heh. We must document this moment! XD


At first Bella thought that she guess had been correct – he was waiting for someone and she was about to be rejected. Now, that wasn’t necessarily a problem but she still felt a wave of disappointment begin to wash over her. He looked almost as confused to see her here as she was to see him. And his silence wasn’t very promising. But when he was finally able to sputter out words, they weren’t what she had braced herself for in the few seconds of contemplating finding another seat. “Uh, yea, always glad for the company.” Bella let out a small sigh of relief. She set her drink down on the counter and pulled herself up onto the stool.

She hadn’t really known what to expect from him; I mean, since their last encounter, which wasn’t all that pleasant, they hadn’t spoken a single word. She knew that was her fault, being so distant. Maybe she could make up for that now, make amends. She had missed his company – Regulus really was the only one who knew fully what was going on. She’d told a few other people now, but none of them would ever be able to fully comprehend the way that Regulus could. After all, he’d been there – he’d watched what it had done to her.

“How’ve you been?” That was a good sign – at least he wasn’t mad at her for suddenly disappearing seemingly off the face of the planet. “I’ve been better,” she allowed, understanding what he was getting at. “It was sort of hard at first, but I guess now it’s just kind of…well, I mean, there isn’t anything I can do about it.” She sighed, staring down at her mug before taking hold of it with both hands and taking a sip. Bella held it to her lips for a moment, gazing at Regulus from over top of the foam. “Things have gotten better though; I found a date to the Ball,” she added conversationally, trying to ensure they’d be able to have a normal conversation. Bella wasn’t sure if it was her place, but she was oddly curious… “Were you planning on asking Indigo? I’ve heard things are going good for you two…”

[brett]

OOC: Don't we kinda document every moment...cause we're writing it lol

Regulus nodded, not exactly sure what to say, but that didn't stop him from speaking. "They say that time heals all wounds," he said philosophically, but also managing a fair amount of sympathy. Leave it to Regulus to quote a cheezy saying...the sad thing was he did this surprisingly often and most of the time he picked his spots well enough that people accepted his sage advice. Reg wasn't sure how he made it work he was just glad most people didn't call him out on it since he mostly used sayings like that when he had no personal experience.

"Aren't you going with your boyfriend?" Regulus asked figuring that it was usually assumed that a couple would go together. He couldn't remember Bella's boyfriends name, or if she had even told him, but even if she had that had been a rather busy day it it would have been a minor detail at best. Still it left him wondering if things were okay between the couple and he suddenly remembered on the bus when they had both agreed that the other was attractive. They actually had a pretty solid basis for a relationship, but both had others they cared more about. And even if Bella had lost her boyfriend he still had Indi...so why was he bothering with this thought process?

"I actually already asked her," Reg smiled to show that she had said yes. Of course saying that he asked Indi was a bit misleading. "Of course I would probably still be waiting if she had prodded me into it," he added smiling. He was glad Indi had intervened because knowing him he would have ended up chickening out at the last minute. It was something he really couldn't help. He wasn't used to having a girl he had fallen so hard for falling for him as well. Even with Indi set as his date he feared she would soon realize what a terrible mistake she had made in her sleep deprived state and would stand him up...or worse show up with someone else.

[bella]

OOC: Hmm, fair enough...


Bella nodded seriously, figuring that was about how it was going to have to work. She wouldn’t just one day wake up and everything would be better. It was something that was just going to have to fade over time; it couldn’t be rushed or hurried along. She was glad to note that at least she was making progress. The only thing bugging her now was that Ms. Drivels still hadn’t replied to her letter. Bella had finally gotten brave enough and sent an Owl asking about the regards of her father. Still, almost a week later, no reply. “I’m not so much worries over my mother, but more of my father,” she admitted, wondering how best to try and voice it. “I don’t know anything about it, so I asked Ms. Drivels. She hasn’t sent anything yet – do you think that’s a bad sign?” Bella had for so long fantasized that her father was the hero – but what if he was the villain?

“Aren’t you going with your boyfriend?” Bella looked up from her mug, the ‘B’ word catching her off guard. It was difficult to say if her and Drew were ‘boyfriend and girlfriend’ but for purposes of Regulus’ understanding, it was easier to say that in loose terms. “Yeah, Drew. He finally asked me a couple days ago. He was pretty cute about the whole ordeal – guys always get so shy when it comes to asking a girl out. It was nice though; we accidentally stayed out past hours on the grounds,” Bella added, smiling a little. It had been a memory that was always on her mind.

Judging by the way Regulus lit up at the mention of Indigo, apparently it had been a success. “Yeah, Indigo would do that,” she laughed. “But she had to make sure she got you before anyone else did. Luckily I didn’t have to go to such lengths. Sometimes Drew can be slow on the uptake but he got there eventually.” Bella took another long sip, letting the Butterbeer warm her throat. “Just a word to the wise Reg,” she added, smirking, “Whatever Indigo suggests you wear just go along with it. There’s no worst way to spoil a girl’s fun then saying no to her ideas for the tux.” And that was very, very true.

[brett]

"Not necessarily," Regulus responded looking to give his friend hope. In reality it probably was a bad sign, but why depress a friend who was having a tough enough time as it was. He still wasn't going to commit either way...now would probably be a good time for a light hearted joke to take her mind off her worries. "If that woman's owl is anything like her you've probably got at least another week to wait," Reg smiled going along with the joke though he wasn't quite sure what he was trying to say. It had just been the first thing that came to his mind and he really didn't have time to sit here and think of the perfect joke. Besides he had met the woman once and ignored her through most of the day.

The mention of the Bella's date, Drew sparked a memory. Not so much a complete memory as he remembered now that Bella had in fact mentioned him in their day at St. Mungo's and she had also mentioned that he didn't like the term boyfriend. That certainly would help to explain why he had needed to ask. Reg resisted the urge to poke fun at the fact that she had 'accidentally' stayed out after hours when he himself intentionally snuck out quite often, including the night he had asked Indi out.

"I'll keep that in mind," Regulus smiled. Though honestly if Indigo asked him to go to the ball in his green silk boxers with the Slytherin crest in the back he would do it...hopefully she would be dressed to match. "I suppose that means you'll be picking out Drew's tux than?" he asked assuming she was already looking at outfits. He doubted Drew, or any guy would object to his dates choice for there tux after all it just made one less thing that the guy had to take care of. So, now with Indi most likely choosing his tux all he would need to worry about getting was a corsage...and perhaps a single rose as a romantic gesture.

[bella]

Bella tried to take comfort from that fact, but couldn’t suppress the thought of whether he really meant it or not. But in some way he did have a point – what if the weather was just bad out in London? There were many reasons for an owl being delayed in delivering the post. Regulus seemed to be thinking along those lines, making Bella smile without much effort. She even laughed a little. “Yeah, I guess so. Last time I checked she still had Chester and he’s not the brightest of owls…” The plump brown owl had always struck Bella as mentally impaired.

Alright, so maybe everything was alright. There were justifiable reasons why perhaps Chester – if he was indeed the owl supposedly bringing Bella her reply – could be late and why he hadn’t come yet. You’re letting yourself think too much about all this, she thought vaguely, knowing she was just letting her imagination blow things seriously out of proportion again. It wasn’t something she was necessarily proud of, but she did have a way of over thinking things; looking too much into the simplest of concepts. A good habit for school work, but for these sort of things…not the best skill.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Regulus grinned, and Bella returned the smile. “Just to let you know – I mean, I’d hate for her to catch you off guard or anything…” Bella smirked, casting her gaze back down at her mug. She’d made it about half way down her Butterbeer, but that didn’t stop her from taking another sip. Maybe she’d just order two instead of the one. “I suppose that means you’ll be picking out Drew’s tux then?” Only Drew would have been able to understand her smile just then, her mind racing back to their late-night conversation. He’d threatened to wear a repulsive green suit and she had stomped all over that little dream of his; Bella had taken over the duty of dress-wear at that point. So far she’d managed to get permission to not only burn the green suit, but find him a matching tie to complement her gown. “Something like that,” Bella finally managed to answer, still suppressing a laugh.

[brett]

"See, nothing to worry about," Reg smiled glad that Bella had been able to make some sort of connection to his off handed comment. And he really did hope that the delay was only due to a dimwitted owl and not the bad news which the owl would be carrying. Coming from a legacy of not so nice relatives where purity of blood and simply being better than everyone else were held above all else he could see why Bella would be concerned. Regulus was raised a Black, but for someone like her to find out that her father was anything like Reg's father could be quite a shock.

Of course Regulus loved his family and he loved being a part of the Black legacy. He was actually quite set on creating his own spectacular legacy in the service of the rising Dark Lord perhaps even one day overthrowing him. Achieving ultimate power was his goal, simply because that was what was implanted in him. He was brought up to believe he was royalty, so why not take his rightful place on the throne?

"Everything Indi does catches me off guard," Regulus smiled clearly indicating this was a good thing. "She is the most amazing person I have ever met," he added unable to keep from beaming as he blurted this statement. He couldn't help it really. Bella was about the only person he could really talk to about how he felt about Indigo. His family wouldn't care anything about her past her heritage and feelings toward mudbloods and his housemates wouldn't be able to see past the rivalry.

[bella]

“Nothing to worry about,” she agreed with a nod, preying it was true. There really was no need to get worked up about it. Not yet; if in a month she still had nothing, it would be time to send another owl. But until that time came, it was just going to become a shelved thought in the back of her mind. Nothing more. Nothing to worry about.

For a moment Regulus seemed to drift, still focused but oddly disconnected. She thought about asking him what he was thinking about, but figured if he really wanted to share he would. And well, if he didn’t she would just have to squash her curiosity. But watching him just think, it sparked her own thoughts. “You know, I never did properly thank you,” Bella remarked, “One for making me go see her. I know it wasn’t exactly picture perfect but I guess it brought a small ounce of closure. But also for proving that even Slytherin’s have a heart.” She smirked fleetingly, “Clearly you’re not as bad as everyone says.

“I mean, just the way you talk about Indigo, its sweet. I didn’t think Slytherin’s were capable of managing sweet. Not to lower your manly ego or anything,” she added with a laugh, “But I guess I still am finding it to be new knowledge that someone in the snake household could even care about anyone but themselves.” She examined Regulus for a moment, lost in thought. “Just kind of nice to know I guess.”


OOC: BTW, sort of random, but I've been meaning to tell you - I really like your little quote thing on in you siggy; is that like from a song or something?

[brett]

OOC: Thanks, yea it's from Hands Down by Dashboard Confessional. www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhXCvGC08ms&mode=related&search=...if you wanna listen to the full song

"I'd prefer if we kept that our little secret," Regulus smirked. The last thing he needed right now was people knowing he actually had a heart. Of course he was letting that cat out of the bag pretty well all on his own. Still though the fewer people that saw that Regulus actually was human the better. "And I was glad to help," he added smiling lightly. As long as Bella didn't spread word of his kind deed that would be thanks enough.

"Well I do still care too much about myself," Regulus said smiling as he attempted to defend his bad reputation. "And to be fair Indigo is the first girl I've felt this was about," he added. Of course Reg had always been a romantic, a charmer. He may not have been as attractive as Sirius, but he pulled of the romantic loner thing to a T...perhaps because that was who he really was. Even though he spent quite a bit of time looking at himself in the mirror in the morning trying to convince himself it was all an act.

"I mean I still get butterflies in my stomach when she talks to me...it's weird," Reg said quickly trying to rebound and pretend he hadn't used the word butterflies in a sentence that didn't also included the word smushed. The fact was that he loved that nervous for no reason feeling because it told him Indi was special. That she wasn't just another pretty face...of course he had figured that out from talking to her, but Bella was also more than just a pretty face, but she didn't give him that feeling.

[bella]

Bella just had to laugh at him, shaking her head. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of Reg. But I won’t tell anyone, I promise.” She imitated the old lock and key, zipping her lips shut and throwing away the key. And Bella had been good about that, knowing he would feel that way. She was sure it had been a big enough leap for him just to offer to come with her. Bella wasn’t about to go and push her luck, flaunting about that Regulus was actually a decent person when you got to know him. It was the one Sytherin characteristic she knew that would never leave him; he had to at least look bad, because he was – in the end – a snake.

She tried not to dwell too much on that fact though, knowing similar conclusions could be drawn about herself. After all, she was a Hufflepuff and she demonstrated frequently just why she had been placed there. For however many labels that could be through at the Slytherins, there were just as many put on the Hufflepuffs, and Gryffindors, and Ravenclaws. That’s how it always had been, since the opening of the school. But similarly Bella and Regulus certainly weren’t the first pair of students to walk through the doors and not let House differences keep them from being friends.

A softer smile crossed her lips when he spoke about Indigo, noting with ease how much he beamed just letting her name roll off his tongue – it was downright adorable, but she knew better to just keep that thought to herself. “Trust me, you’re not the first to feel like that,” she consoled, knowing the exact sort of feeling he was trying to describe. “I can get sort of tongue tied just when Drew smiles at me a certain way. It’s sort of silly, but quite true. It’s neat you and Indigo have that. Besides,” she added, “think of it this way: if you get all nervous talking to her, she has to feel the same way, right? You can be a jittery little pair together.” Bella had to add it in, smirking to keep from laughing. It was kind of funny; but maybe she was just laughing because she knew both her and Drew could be described the exact same way.


OOC: OMG, that song is so cute!!! And it's rather true too. Hmm, that's neat. ^^ I might have to look into that band... XD

[brett]

OOC: Yea, they're one of my favorite bands. I'm surprised you haven't already heard of them.

Regulus gave Bella smile to say thanks, though the words never left his lips. Reg didn't typically like using words like 'thank you' or 'please' or 'sorry.' Of course he did, as Bella had been so lucky to find out, have a heart and let these words escape his lips on rare occasion. Mostly though he had learned to convey each with a look that was carefully practiced and hard to misinterpret. Yes, Regulus did actually spend time practicing various looks in the mirror, but it came with very nice advantageous. One he got to look at himself, and two he learned that he could probably have a short conversation without ever actually saying a word.

"Good to know I'm not alone," Reg smiled. But the feeling were still alien to him. He wasn't used to wanting to be around a certain person as much as possible. He wasn't used to enjoying the feeling of nervous butterflies and your heart constantly in your throat despite your cool exterior. Even feeling all this nervousness and pretense Regulus felt more comfortable in Indi's presence than he did around almost anybody else.

"I sometimes wonder if she does feel the same way," Reg said voicing the doubt that had come along with all his feelings of joy. He was in love with Indi, he was sure of it, but he wasn't positive she loved him back. She had done nothing to make him think such thoughts, if anything Indi's actions should have erased this doubt. But still Reg couldn't stop himself from thinking, every so often, that Indi was too good for him and that as soon as she realized it she would leave. Of course other girls would probably jump at the newly single Slyth, but what he feared was never getting back the feelings that he had when he was with her.

[bella]

OOC: Nah, they're new to me. Although hoping to be familiarized. ^^


“Alone?” Bella echoed, shaking her head. “My Reg, is Indigo you’re first girlfriend ever? You’ve got to know by now love isn’t ever easy.” Sadly it was the voice of experience talking. Bella had been hurt to many times before and had put up a rather firm wall. She was best friends with everybody, but the minute you tried to get any closer she’d push you back. It had been hard enough to let Drew closer; she was glad she had, but it had been difficult. And embarrassingly enough, he knew it had been. Bella had to grind her teeth for a moment, recalling her practical nervous breakdown in front of him. So on the edge, anything could set her off – but, she was getting better.

She quickly calculated her own words though, knowing it was unfair to poke fun at him when she had lived those same thoughts. “Alright, well, first or not I guess it’s still something we all think about. Kind of one of those pity-party type of things. ‘Why me?’ and ‘How could this have happened’?” She shook her head in wonder. “Oh well, either way, you’re most definitely not alone. I don’t know if I count for much, but you can have my vote on that.” And they were in the same boat: the one clearly labeled teenage love.

Now, even if they hadn’t exactly been friend for a long time, the tone that came next was one she had never heard: doubt. More then that, self doubt. Bella had to look up form her mug just to be sure, thoughtfully staring at Regulus. “That’s probably the hardest part,” she admitted quietly, too familiar with the feeling. “You can love someone more then you could ever even love yourself and the entire time you’re wondering if they feel the same way.” Bella sighed then, looking back at her near empty mug. “Like most things, you can only ever hope for the best.”

[brett]

OOC: cool well, some of the other ones I like are The Best Deceptions, Screaming Infidelities, and Stolen...I like most of there songs but those along with Hands Down are my favorites.

"Sorta," Reg admitted. "I've only had a few, and none lasted more than two weeks...and I never felt half as strongly about any of them as I do Indi," he explained hoping no one else in the bar could here him. He sounded like a bloody idiot getting all mushy about his feelings and what not. Still, it felt good to finally be able to say these things out loud instead of just in his head. He was glad that by some weird fate Bella had shown up at the bar and joined him.

Reg smiled at Bella, at least he had some company in his boat as the sailed the bumpy waters of love. Looking down to his mug Regulus realized that somewhere a long the way he had finished his drink. Keeping his attention on Bella Reg waited until she finished before silently calling the bartender to refill his mug. Mulling over her words as he watched the bartender pour the foamy, fizzy, brown liquid. Somehow wait and see wasn't quite the response he was hoping for.

Taking a sip from his refreshed drink Reg's somber face broke out into a wide smile. "Well I've had about enough of the mushy feeling sharing to last me quite a while," he said clearly looking for a change of subject. "But thanks Bella, you've been a really big help," he added seriously lowering his voice so he was positive no one else could here. Bella herself may have even had a little trouble making it out, but even if she did once again Reg's face said it all.

And in the next instant it was gone back to being replaced by the cheery smile of a man with no problems, worries or fears. "So about the ball, have you heard of any other couples?" Reg asked taking another sip of his drink. Oh my god, he was about to start gossiping about couples now? What was going on with him tonight? How was that even remotely close to the first thing that came to his mind. Clearly he needed to stop passing notes in class with Danni.