The Disposition Discerner
Challenge Nineteen: Bring Out Your Dead!
Title: The Disposition Discerner
Author: seaislewitch
Wizard/Witch: Regulus Black/Original Witches, Sirius Black/Marlene McKinnon
Rating/Warnings: G/PG
Genre: Romance/Humour
Word count: Exactly 750
Prompt: 29. that first kiss
Summary: Regulus gets a little help romancing the witches from Sirius.
"All right there, little brother?" Sirius said, mussing Regulus' hair.
"Oi!" Regulus recoiled, brushing his dark locks into place. "I bloody well spent time on that!" He glared at Sirius. "What are you doing here?"
"Invited, just like every year."
Regulus froze as Galicia Travers glided by with a friend. The tall blonde aroused yet terrified him. She was the reason he wore stack-heeled boots tonight.
Sirius blocked his view. "You're nervous."
"I'm not!" Regulus stepped aside to observe Galicia across the festooned grand hall.
"You fancy that Travers witch?"
Regulus gave an irritated nod.
"Take my advice," Sirius said, "and you might get your first kiss tonight."
"I've snogged her before!" Regulus lied, straightening his black velvet frock coat.
"Well, don't rush up to her and drool! You're a handsome bloke in your own right, not to mention the brother of the sexiest wizard at Hogwarts." Sirius grinned, tossing his hair back.
Regulus rolled his eyes.
"Just give her the occasional glance. She'll come to you."
Regulus doubted it. "What's that appalling ring you're wearing?"
"This?" Sirius toyed with the amber stone. "I call it the Disposition Discerner."
"What's it do?" It must have a significant purpose if Sirius bothered with it.
"Normally, the ring changes colour to show the wearer's mental state, but I've charmed it to reflect a companion's mood instead."
Regulus raised his eyebrows. "Witch?"
Sirius nodded. "Blue means she's happy and likes you. If it's green, she's comfortable, so you might have a chance. Amber tells you she's nervous or annoyed, so retreat. No sense in spooking her. Black shows she's angry or lying to you."
"Hmmm…"
"If it turns red, then kiss her."
"Let me have it, just for tonight!" Regulus demanded.
"I don't think so…"
"You've given your advice, so hand it over!"
"Well, it's not like I need it. I'm meeting Marlene. I already know what her mood will be," Sirius boasted, removing the ring.
Regulus snatched it, sliding it on. The stone turned green -- Sirius was calm -- but Regulus wanted to test it.
"Are you ever coming home?" Regulus asked. The ring immediately changed to amber. It works.
Just then, James strode up. "What's your prat brother wearing a gaudy ring for, Padfoot?"
"Get your nose out of it, Potter!" Regulus spat, sneering.
Sirius ignored the outburst. "It's a confidence booster."
James laughed. "Ten galleons says it doesn't help him."
"You're on," Sirius said, slapping James on the back.
"Bugger off!" Regulus snapped but then stiffened as Galicia and her friend floated by again, apparently oblivious to him.
Sirius shook his head. "Travers plays games, but she wants a snog at midnight too. Make sure you're nearby. Good luck."
As James dragged Sirius away, he said, "Travers? I've heard bad things about that family."
Bastard blood traitor! If it weren't for his lies, Sirius would still be living at home!
Eventually, Regulus calmed down and sought out his wizard friends, glancing at Galicia every so often. Not that she noticed. It grew warmer in the crowded hall as the evening wore on, and Regulus tugged on the starched white collar stuck to his neck.
By eleven thirty, he was desperate. I'm going to talk to her before bloody Rabastan does. Regulus squared his shoulders and made a bee-line for Galicia. It was too late when he realised he had nothing to say.
Her gaze was icy. "Well?"
Gulping, he glanced down at the ring. It was amber. Nervous! Or annoyed! Retreat! "I-I'm… Have you seen Rosier?"
"No." Galicia abruptly turned, long hair whipping his cheek.
Cringing, Regulus stepped back. A small hand touched his arm, startling him. It was Galicia's friend, the petite brunette.
"Evan is away."
"Oh, right." Regulus looked at the ring, now green. Oh! The music was loud, so he moved closer.
"Staying until midnight?" she asked.
With creamy skin, pink lips, and dark eyelashes defining hazel eyes, she was quite appealing. Why hadn't he noticed before tonight?
"I'm staying. Want to dance?"
Nodding, she led the way.
It seemed the pretty witch enjoyed dancing with him because the ring slowly turned blue. Encouraged, he kept her on the dance floor and even loosened his collar. Regulus spotted Galicia staring at them incredulously. He didn't care anymore.
The countdown began, and he took his partner's delicate hands, feeling a tug on his heart when she smiled up at him. By then, the ring was dark red.
"Happy New Year, Bliss," he murmured, leaning down for that first kiss.
Author's Notes: Galicia (an original character) is the sister of Travers, the Death Eater who murdered Marlene McKinnon and her family. Thanks to gelsey for her fine Proof Witchery.
ETA: There are two sequels to this: Death Wish Upon a Star and Under the Protection of Stars.
Proof-reader: gelsey