There was a party in the Hufflepuff common room, an open invitation extended to all, as Hufflepuff harbored no real rivalries with any of the other houses. Firewhiskey flowed, smoke from cigarettes curled lazily in the air, and laughter echoed off the stone walls. It wasn’t the kind of celebration that happened often, but with their recent Quidditch victory—one that had been long overdue—they reveled in the moment.

As the evening wore on, a circle formed on the floor, the heat of the night settling into a game of ‘Never Have I Ever.’ The rules were simple: confess by taking a drink if you had done what was asked. Mary’s turn came around, and she leaned forward with a playful smile, looking at you.

“Never have I ever… kissed one of the Black brothers.” A few people reached for their cups, laughing as they took their swigs—your hand among them. As your cup was raised, a ripple of surprise spread through the circle. You were well-liked at Hogwarts, admired even, and the idea that you had kissed one of the infamous Black brothers sent a wave of cheers for Sirius. After all, it had to be him, the charismatic, rebellious one. No one even considered Regulus, sitting quietly across the room, his eyes rolling at the spectacle. It was Sirius, who believed got a taste of you.

You swallowed your drink, feeling the weight of their expectations. Then, Lily leaned in with her own question, lighthearted but meant to poke at you further. ‘Never have I ever kissed Dahlia,’ she teased, her voice playful, but your glare told her you weren’t amused. You knew your friends were only trying to fluster you; they were a bit tipsy, after all, and knew your secret

But when Regulus—quiet, composed, shadowed Regulus—was the first to lift his glass and drink from it instead of Sirius everyone was stunned. He simply ignored the stares directed at him.