"Wow," Pandora leans on her arms and gives him a funny look. "That saying must be true, sometimes."
Regulus takes a sip of his coffee, grimacing at the bitterness. "What saying?" He asks, looking for some sugar, sighing when he can't find it. Given his luck, Dorcas probably stole the whole of it. Again.
"The one about marrying ones parents, or whatever." Pandora scrunches her nose up a bit, but she's smiling. "You lot have funny sayings. Sometimes."
Regulus is too stunned to even sputter at that. His parents? What the fuck does James Potter have in common with Regulus' parents?
He turns to look at the guy in question and finds him proudly standing by the door, grinning and being an all around menace to Marlene, Circe knows what for, Regulus had thought that they were finally getting along.
"You even had a crush on McKinnon, did you not?" Pandora points out, looking more and more satisfied with herself for connecting dots only she can see. "What do they have in common? Think. They're mean, and they're possessive. They're smug and think they're better than everyone around them. Sounds familiar, does it not?"
When she puts it like that, well, what is Regulus supposed to say? But Regulus' father didn't raise him, he is cold, detached and he generally doesn't care. And his mother... Walburga Black has been through so much, she's a ghost of the girl Uncle Alphard and Grandfather Arcturus speak of in their letters to Regulus.
James, though, James cares. Deeply, like his whole life depends on it. Marlene, too. They're hotheaded, they're strong willed and...
"Gods be good," Regulus must look hilarious once it dawns on him, Pandora starts laughing in his face. "No, I don't accept it! Sirius didn't raise me, alright?! He could barely tolerate me when we were little, we only got along for a very short time, and then Hogwarts happened, and then-"
"Your mama raised you, didn't she?" Pandora sounds too smug for her own good, even as she attempts some gentleness at the mention of Walburga. Regulus has found that Pandora seems to be rather forgiving, when it comes to his mother. "And what did you find out about her, recently? Isn't your brother just like her, in almost everything?"
Regulus deflates, his cheeks on fire. "...You like my mum, and you get along with James, though. Don't you?"
"The fact that you think so, when it comes to Potter, makes me proud of myself, Regulus." Pandora tilts her head to the side, her hair shining like a halo around her shoulders. "I cannot stand your brother, yes, I suppose that means everyone else around him is a bit more tolerable. Potter is understandable, and McKinnon is just funny. Your mama is a whole other story entirely, may she recover and die in pride and dignity one day." She steals a brioche from Regulus' plate, giggles when Regulus doesn't even try to glare at her for it. "You've given me an entertaining year, my friend. You must come to Durmstrang for the next one, let me repay the favour."
Huffing and puffing won't do anything to erase this conversation. All Regulus knows is that Sirius cannot find out, lest his head gets bigger than it already is. "I think I'll pass." Regulus mutters, pouting at his coffee. It's gonna get cold, it's gonna be bitter and cold, Regulus is gonna have such a shit morning, isn't he?
"We do magic much better, the way you do it, over there." Pandora gets that look in her eyes again, the one that had made Regulus grow closer to her when they bumped into each other during Charms, like a moth to a flame. "You're wasted here, all of the students are, but you most of all. Not your country's fault, not fully, it's a Hogwarts issue." She magics some sugar over his cup, mixes it in the drink for him, and touches the side of ceramic with one dainty finger.
Regulus feels the cup grow warmer beneath his palms; he can't help but ease his pout at that and relax in his seat. "You know, that's cheating." It's a weak protest, really, it's just that Regulus hates to give up so quick.
"Think on it, Regulus Arcturus Black." Pandora smiles, her eyes glinting dangerously. Regulus is reminded of a week or so ago, when he had dragged her into the lake despite the freezing temperatures. Nobody gets him like Pandora Lovegood does, not when he gets like he did that day. "Don't put yourself in a box just because it's grown comfortable, not now that you've barely escaped the noose."
Regulus hums, bringing his cup to his lips. The coffee is perfect now, go figure. "Make this a good year for me, too, and then we'll see."
Pandora's smile sharpens, and Regulus knows he's got an answering one on his lips. It always leaves him dazed, the way his magic thrums deep from within himself, reaching out and over, and how Pandora is always ready to meet him halfway.
"It's a deal." Pandora says, and it sounds final, like Regulus has just agreed to something much bigger than he can fully comprehend.
He doesn't mind. Just like when they rushed in the lake, Pandora won't let him drown. Not for long, that is, and Regulus will do just the same for her. Their souls are different, and in that difference they mix together perfectly.
"Deal." He agrees, and Pandora relaxes, resting her cheek on her arm.
To a fun year, Regulus thinks to himself, sipping some more of his coffee. It's not like it can get any worse than it did at the beginning of it.
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I know a number of people really didn’t like the “trio not really talking to each other for 10 years” thing, but I personally thought it was a nice thing to highlight.
as someone who’s had a lot of bad and toxic friendships, I realized that no one ever emphasized the importance of space, of distancing yourself to get better. it’s always about cutting them off, but what if you want to hold onto the person for the happiness you found in them? you have to take a little step back, look around, then keep going till you feel okay.
yes, the trio have been through a lot together, but they also hurt each other really badly and those don’t cancel each other out. not just everything in amphibia but the years of unhealthy dynamics back on earth. I know what it’s like to finally step out and have space after 8 months straight of a toxic friendship with its highs and lows, I can’t imagine what it would feel like for years of friendship. but it’s like a weird breath of fresh air. you both grow and you fix yourself out, then when you do come back, you’re better.
I feel like we don’t touch on these kinds of narratives/endings often, where goodbyes are permanent or the time away is significant. but there’s something beautiful in showing that friendships can stay intact in spite of distance and time away. that stepping away to grow on your own doesn’t diminish the value the friendship ever had in the first place. and I’m happy we got that.
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