Hidden as the stars
James watched as his friends left for the library, Remus had asked him to join them but he had made up a lie to excuse himself. James had other plans for tonight, Dorcas had informed him of a Slytherin invite-only party, let him know she would help him get in if he could get away from his friends. Once they had left and the common room door closed behind them James quickly wrote a note and sent it, via Marlene’s owl as discussed, to Dorcas. He then rushed up to his dorm to get ready.
After tearing through his clothes James settled on an outfit, he threw on Reggie’s favourite of his cut-off shirts and a slightly worn pair of jeans. After much too long a time being unable to find a belt James did the only thing he could think of to avoid wasting more precious time and slipped his tie through the loops tying it off to one side, it would have to do. He quickly grabbed his brush and ran it through his hair once or twice to dispel any knots before sweeping his hands through it, ruffling it back up in the carefree style he was known for. Once he’d finished he gave one last look in the mirror ensuring any little adjustments that had to be done were done and headed off.
He met Dorcas in a classroom just down the hall from the Slytherin common room and they walked together to the door. She spoke the password allowing them entry and immediately left heading for a corner of the room where James could see Marlene gazing out the window. He smiled softly at them as he headed off in the opposite direction searching the crowded room. He found the drinks first, smiled and took one slowly drinking it as he searched.
Finally, James found him leaning up against the wall “Reggie!” He smirked as he held his drink out towards the boy in front of him as if in a toast.
“Potter.” Regulus replied with a sneer though the flicker of light in his eyes showed James he didn’t mean it. James moved closer to him quickly finishing off the last of his drink.
“I don’t ever want to feel so alone again Reggie, I want you by my side…”
Regulus rolled his eyes at James’ dramatics. “No Potter, absolutely not, go away.” He spoke softly trying not to hurt James’ feelings but this was certainly not the time or place for his shenanigans.
“Come onnnn Reggieeeee, Pleaseee!” James looked at him with wide pleading eyes.
“Not here Potter…” Regulus urged looking around the crowded room. “There’s” he stopped mid-sentence as a new Gryffindor student appeared.
“You’re James Potter, right? Isn’t that your best friend’s little brother?” The student spoke up sounding a little uncertain as if they weren’t one hundred percent sure they had the right students.
James gave a smirk looking at the much younger student. He gave a wink as he replied, “We don’t talk about it.” He then pulled Regulus around the corner with a soft giggle. “Come on Reggie, it's not like it's really a secret anymore, you really think our friends haven’t noticed? We’re only as hidden as the stars, Sirius is the only person who hasn’t clued in yet Reg, we just have to tell him and we’ll be in the clear.”
Regulus sighed, “I’ll think about it, but not tonight okay? We can get out of here, go to the tower just not here James…” James could hear the fear and self-doubt in Reggie’s voice and it pained him but there was nothing he could do. Reg would come around in his own time, he had a lot of stuff to work through first. James and Reggie spent the rest of the night in the astronomy tower, wrapped in each other’s arms.
Later that week their paths crossed in a less frequented corridor. James smiled at him and they talked for a bit when the very same first year happened upon them. James didn’t recognize them until they let out a soft giggle as they passed. He smiled at them with a small wave, a silent thank-you for keeping quiet.