 Lovely™ | Captain Hurted | Ariana's Bane | Resident Antagonist | Unparalleled Delight
Though Regulus always paid attention to the Sorting - or at least he had last year, and naturally in the year he had been actively involved in it as well, both of which he thought must constitute as 'always' - he had more reason this year to pay attention to it. Another uncle, for one thing, but he'd had two and a niece sorted last term. This year, it was a sibling. Half-sibling. He was lacking one of those this year, but the other had now arrived. Probably that was something that preyed on their thoughts, but they'd not seen how it was, maybe wouldn't understand it was better this way. Regulus was even vaguely aware of a small anchor of relief.
The point here being that he was paying attention to the Sorting, up until the moment Des was placed in their house, and beyond. Already slow-moving, and them not yet out of the first half-dozen letters of the alphabet.
Regulus didn't greet the newcomers verbally as they arrived, in case he got swept up in conversation and missed one of the names he was trying to keep track of as they were read out. He did, however, give each a nod and small smile as they joined the table, such as that one first year who proceeded to become transfixed on the sorting himself.
But then there came one (Etta) who didn't sit right away. Regulus glanced at her first, before returning his attention to the Sorting, only to find his eyes drifting back again as she stayed stood in place. He noticed the tears, recognised the signs of panic when he saw them, wondered if he ought to try and let someone else... handle that, but it was already obvious he'd noticed.
Regulus glanced up at the Sorting again, then around those nearest him, in case there was an older girl who might decide to take this one under her wing, and then he looked at the girl again and offered her a small smile.
"Hello," he said, and gestured at the empty place across the table and few places down, near-ish to where she stood. "You can sit here, if you'd like." He couldn't do much better than to offer a place to freak out where it wouldn't feel like the entire Hall was watching. After a pause, he reached out and poured some water, and set it at the place he'd just gestured to, but made no further comment.
__________________ Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You?
You are Chocolate! |