Chapter Text
Regulus
Regulus opens his eyes, he sits up straight on his bed, he cant remember when exactly he fell asleep but it must have been while Reading.
He slowly lookes around in this empty dark dorm, no sight of Evan or Barty anywhere.
He closes his Book, put it on his nightstand table, seeing he was covered in his blanket, he shoved it to the end of his bed.
He still wore his white Shirt with his Black Jeans and his green converse, no tie.
His family would never allow him to wear green converse, Pandora was the one who gifted him those for his 13th birthday.
From then he wore them almost everyday. Pandora had to take them with her back home because if he gets caught with them, It’s gonna end bad, probably.
He got up and searches for his tie, till he found it on Bartys Bed. He ties it around his neck and walks towards the door. He takes his homework ,Potion books and walked down the stairs to the Common room.
He hears familiar voices, Dorcas ,of course, is the loudest, out of them all. He stays at the bottom of the stairs for a little bit just looking in the Common room. He sees Dorcas and Pandora sitting on the floor Surround by lot of Books ,mostly Potions.
Pandora spends most of her time here, She’s a little weird for some people who don’t understand her but Regulus loves her still. She’s, after all Evan’s twin sister so she sticks around with her brother. Regulus and the others agreed on protecting her at all cost.
Regulus walks past them without getting involved in their chatting, he was heading to the Library to actually do his homework which he just skipped the past days.
He could do it with them but as often they tried to study together all three of them won’t last 10 minutes before getting into a conversation wich has nothing to do with their work.
No one is entering or leaving the dorm so Regulus opens one of the books and Starts Reading. He is the Only one that walks through the Dungeons this time of Day, he does not have to worry about bumping in to someone.
Walking down the hallway to the Library, one of the Doors open and Students storm out complaining about their school work, probably, Regulus Doesnt Quite understand them.
A loud Voice echoes through the hall snapping Regulus out of the book.
It was Sirius‘s.
„Hey Baby Bro! Wait up!“ he howles, while coming down the hall to Regulus.
Fuck, was the only thing he could think about now, he absolutly has no time and no interest in talking to his detention collecting Brother.
Sirius and his and his friends have had more than 10 detention these last two weeks. Are they trying to make some sort of record?
„Could you stop screaming so loud please.“ Regulus whisperes when Sirius is next to him. „Probably not no.“ He answeres with a ridicuolus smile on his Face.
„What do you want“ Regulus askes, clearly annoyed. „I just wanna now were your going“ Sirius raises his arms in surrender.
„The Library, to do my homework“ Regulus answered quickly, „Ah Sorry you probably dont even know what homework is right Brother?“ Regulus mockes him.
Regulus looks into his Brothers Face while the sides of his Lips curl up.
„Ok First I know what homework his, im just To Lazy to do it and se-„
„And secondly you like to collect detention as much as possible am I right?“
Regulus breaks Sirius off.
„Er, no that was not My Point, I wanted to say secondly I dont have time to do it“ Sirius says confidently.
„Are you serious?“ Regulus asked him with a questioning, not quite believing Stare.
„Actually yes I am“ Sirius Smileys brightly
Without answering Regulus just Shakes his Head and walks away from him.
Following him, Sirius Speaks again.
„Ne fais rien de stupide, petit Freré“
„Je ne me ferais pas prendre, contrairement à toi, Freré“
And with that Sirius turns around and walks Over to his Friends, Regulus looks After Sirius and notice that James Potter is Directly looking at him. Salazar Slytherin have mercy. He looks good.
But He doesnt Look Like Usual when they pass eachother in the hallway, or when they Met in the Boy bathroom this Morning. Theres something about his expression that seems wrong but what would Regulus know, he thinks.
Gesturing him just one quick Look Regulus now heads where he wanted to Go.
Opening the large Doors to the Library he exhales softly before greeting the librarian and heading to his usual Spot at the back, between the last two bookshelves, he likes it here, he can observe other Students, its also quiet here since some of them are to lazy to Walk through the whole Library.
Laying out his Books all over the table, he sits down with his back to the entrance so he will Not get distracted by anyone.
Dorcas spared him some of her potions books seeing that She is a Bit more Talented and interested in it.
She was gifted a potions Book for the Seventh year Students, Personally from Professor Slughorn for Extra Credit. Dorcas even beat Lily who is now in 2nd Place, Regulus himself is also on the podest.
Fully into reading and taking notes ,he didnt hear the door open. He only knew he was not alone anymore, on his table, was when footsteps approched behind him. Regulus was sure it couldnt be Pandora seeing that she was occupied talking nonsense with Dorcas and evan in the Common room. His Brother went the other way so he didnt come to question either.
In the next second Regulus’s sight went pitch Black.
„Studying much Baby Black?“ a voice said near Regulus ear.
„Barty I swear to salazar I will rip your hands off your arms if you dont get your fucking dirty hands away from my eyes.“
Barty does so with a muffle laughter before he sits down next to Regulus, his brows fuzzed as he Looks on the table Filled with all Kind of Books, some from Dorcas ,some from the shelves behind him.
„Where were you?“ Regulus asks, „You were gone when I woke up, Evan to“
„We were on the quidditch pitch, flying a Bit“ ,He explained, „You were still sleeping and Evan and I woke up 20 minutes After you feel asleep so we decided to Not wake you up“
„Oh okay well, What do you want Barty?“ Regulus askes, watching Barty sit down, his tie is not tied properly and his hair looks a mess, normally After flying. He got back to the dorm to fix it but it Looks like he came straight here After flying.
„ I.. I Need your help“ he admites quietly, sounding ashamed.
„You- wh.. what“ Regulus stutters tilting his Head in confusion, Barty, Barty Crouch Jr. His bestfriend for 6 years suddenly needs help from him? Wasn’t it always Regulus who came to him when he needed help, Even if its hard to believe but Barty actually has a talent for comforting people and helping them with their Problems.
Regulus didnt ask often for help but when he did, Barty was always There for him.
Regulus came to him when his house wasn’t a home and his brother didn’t act like the big brother he’s supposed to be. Barty would Never admit it or say it out loud but he would do anything for his Friends if they were in trouble. Regulus knows.
„Reg please…“ Barty stammers desperate, tapping with his Fingers on one of the Books that lays infront of him.
„Okay okay Calm down“ Regulus Replied while reaching out to Cup Bartys Hand in his own and whiping his Thumb up and down to Calm Barty.
Regulus doesn’t do that often he hates people touching him. He allows it very rare. Unless his friends are distressed and he sees they need it he gets over himself and allows it.
„What is it?“ he asks.
Barty is silent for a Moment before he opens his mouth and closing it again and shaking his Head
„Barty, its okay you can tell me, I wont tell anyone“ Regulus tries to convince him.
But even after that confirmation Barty
shakes his head again and just answers
„No, No Archie its, its Fine, Im, Im Fine it was stupid I dont know what got into me, sorry for bothering you“
And with that He got up and left Regulus sitting there in silence starring to the now empty chair.
———————————————
James
As James wakes up something was different, he isn’t sure what was wrong but he had this feeling in his chest, he never felt like this before, or not that he can remember feeling this before, so he has no clue what to do about it.
He got up slower than usually, Sirius was doing his hair in the mirror, Remus just admiring him, they are kinda obvious about they’re feelings everyone sees it, or atleast Peter and James do.
Sometimes James just wants to blurt out How ridiculous and obvious both of them are.
But if he does he might also expose Sirius feelings towards Remus.
……
A couple weeks Ago Sirius and him had one of those talks again. Sirius was feeling guilty about Regulus not talking to him After the Holiday because of the things Happening at that house.Regulus was the one collecting all the curses now instead of Sirius. They’re Parents found out about Regulus company with the Rosiers and with Meadows.
Even though The Rosiers are one of the first people who joined the dark lord, The Blacks don’t have the best relationship with them.
A few minutes after that Sirius confesses James his feelings towards Remus. James could not have held that Laugh that came out of him in any longer.
And of course Sirius was a Drama Queen and was MAD at him for laughing about something like that. James explained it to him funnier and then Both of the Boys were laughing they’re Asses off.
……
„You okay Prongs?“ Remus asked sitting on his bed next to James‘s one. James turned his Head to see the concern in his best Friends eyes.
„Yea, yea Moons of course Im okay! Why wouldnt I be“ James tried to sound as convincing as possible but it doesnt seem to work as Remus lifts his brows and just nods while more muttering to himself
„Right of course you Are“
„Dont Lie to Moony prongs!“ Sirius turns around to Look at him „ you dont look fine James, Remus is just worried ,so am I“
„I’m sorry Moony, You dont have to worry Im Fine, just had a Bad Night, Thats all!“ That’s not all, James thinks, he’s feeling different.
And with that they all got ready and headed down for breakfast.
At the bottom of the stairs ,James bumbed into Lily who seems to be Reading a very interesting Book.
Lily dropped her Book at the shock and bend down the same time as James to pick it up.
„Oh Im Sorry Lily I didn’t see you“He tried to apologize while standing up and handing her the Book.
„Oh dont worry James! I didn’t see you either“ Lily Said polite.
She was always very Polite since the beginning where they met in first year. James has noticed her at the train station first. She was standing next to Severus Snape. He hoped Lily would get sorted into Slytherin with him, wich honestly wouldn’t have made sense. Lily was destined to be a Griffindor, her courage, her beauty, she is very beautiful indeed, her smartness, her ability to light up an entire room just by opening her eyes. She has some sort of special Charm on her, James guesses.
James had this big crush on her back in forth year, it was embarrassing. Thinking back at that He gets chills all over his Body.
„I should probably be more careful where I read“ Lily Said giggling.
„Yea probably“,James agreed also chuckling, „What exactly Are you Reading?“
He asks, pointing at the Book.
„Potions, I make notes in the Book while slughorn explains something and it can be very useful as to just Write down what he says to Write down. You know?”
„Wait Potions? Why Potions aren’t you Reading one of your Fantasie Books? You told me you have a few you want to finish“
„I wanted to but we Are writing an exam? Next week? Dont tell me you forgot it?!“ Lily sounded more serious now and looked shocked at the very confused James.
Shit.
Shit.
Shit
James was so busy with other stupid things to avoid studying that he actually forgot to study anything
“When exactly is the exam Lily!?” He now sounded desperate
“Wednesday before dinner”
“That’s in 5 days omg Lily you said next week! I thought it was set on Friday!”
Even if it was, He knows he will not pass it
Shaking his head in disbelief and trying not to sound panicked, he just runs off and out in the corridor right to the abandoned boy bathroom. The place he always goes when he needs time to calm himself down.
But James isnt the only one who uses this place, Regulus Black, Sirius’s little brother, the boy James wanted to talk to since they met, sat in the back of the bathroom not even looking up as James forgot the reason he is here in the first place. James took a quiet Deep breath and started going towards him.
“What are you doing here Potter” The boy said annoyed. “How did you know it was me?” James asked confused sitting down next to him.
“First I heard you Walk in, second I saw your Red converse as you stoped infront of me and lastly you come here as often as I do so it was easy to guess it is you.” Regulus answers closing his book and looking at James
James felt his face shift in confusion, “you knew it was me because of the way I walked in?“ The question left his mouth in the same confusing Tone James face has.
“Every person who pays attention will know you by your footsteps, not many people have your way of struttering” Regulus answers.
„I think your the only person who pays attention to something other than My looks“ James admitts with a lumb in his throat.
Every Person in this school only saw him as THE James Potter, The Rich Boy (aswell as Sirius), The ladychaser, The Prankster, Quidditch Captain, Sunshine in Person but no one, so James thought, except his Friends saw him as nothing Else.
„Dont get sentimental now please, I can’t deal with you at this time“ Regulus Blurted out annoyed.
God hes so difficult, James thought.
One moment he seems nice and then the next hes being a dick again. Apparently Regulus has always been this way, this cold hearted Person who only has a Little Bit of Empathy for a few people, James was obviously Not one of Those.
Sirius warned him, but James still tried his best.
Ever since he has known Regulus the Boy was always rude to him, even through the only thing James did was being nice and Kind to him. He had wished Regulus would do the same but he gave up on this hope long time ago.
James was Friends with Sirius since the Train Ride in First year. Regulus on the other Hand went into an Apartment with his Cousins Bellatrix, Narcissa and Andromeda, to say in Regulus’s Words „giving Sirius some space to dissapoint our Parents“
No matter how often James tried Talking to him, Regulus did his best to avoid him.
Just as now ,Regulus suddenly stood up “well you can rot here for the rest of the day if you like but I won’t cover for you when you miss classes.” And with that the boy left without looking back.
Now James was left sitting alone on the cold bathroom floor, alone with his thoughts.
…………
The next few days flew by like it was nothing but James still didn’t understand anything that happened in potions wich was not helpful seeing the exam is tomorrow.
Sitting next to Regulus in potions was torture enough, (He and Sirius got sat apart after laughing to loudly) but getting looks from slughorn that are basically saying “I expected more from you Potter, your dad won’t be proud about this” was way worse because James once was one of the best Students Along with Lily and Regulus.
The way Slughorn saw right through him, seeing the disappointment James has become, he was supposed to be good in potions like his parents, James used to be but now something changed and he can’t figure out what it is.
His Mother, Euphemia, was class best with Sirius Mother (unbelievable that she finished school before joining the dark side). Slughorn talks about them almost every class. James and Sirius always just look at eachother and think the same *How did Effie survive being in the same class as Walburga*
“Potter” Regulus voice snapped him out of his thoughts. “What is up with you”
Regulus never spoke to him in Potions or any class, why now? What changed Godric what is happening with James?
“Hello?” Regulus asked quiet but clearly annoyed, “are you deaf?”
“No sorry I was thinking” James tried to Defend himself though he can clearly see that Regulus did not believe him.
“Is it because of the potion exam?” He asks numb.
“Maybe” James said “ I don’t know” he muttered barely hearable but Regulus seemed to have noticed it.
“Your gonna fail Potter you know that right?”
“That’s very helpful, thanks Regulus“, he rolled his eyes at him.
„Relax Potter,I wanted to offer to help you ,but it seems like you have no interest“ Regulus admitted looking at James and then continuing his work.
Regulus, The Regulus Black, offering help to James? Offering? Help? To James? Merlin’s beard James must be hallucinating or some weird shit because Regulus couldn’t have said that.
„Well if you wouldn’t be such a dick you would know that I am interested in getting help from you!“ James blurted out a Little louder.
“Hey, guys ,stop Slughorn is looking!” Marlene said looking at them from the right side of Regulus.
Now Regulus was the one confused „Merde, Potter Calm down“
„No Black I cant calm down, I’m fucking stressed okay!? And your not making it better“
James could feel his heart racing, he tries to breath normal wich seems not to work. Regulus looking at him makes it harder.
In the Next Moment ,James stands up unwilling and runs out of the class, his legs feeling like they could Break any Moment but he just continues Running.