Astronomy Tower – Inter-House Game Night
The firelight flickered low in the brazier someone had conjured, casting soft shadows across the gathering. Laughter drifted between clinks of butterbeer bottles and the quiet crackle of flames. Someone had dragged out cushions and blankets, and a half-circle had formed around the makeshift firepit, where dares were being handed out with reckless glee.
“Alright, Potter,” said Marlene McKinnon with a wicked grin, her cheeks pink with drink. She leaned forward, eyes gleaming. “Truth or dare?”
James raised a brow, smirking. “Dare, obviously.”
Marlene smirked wider. “Then I dare you to kiss the prettiest girl in the room.”
There was an immediate chorus of laughter and whoops—half of Gryffindor already pointing fingers, some calling out names. James chuckled, played it up, rose to his feet with a theatrical stretch.
“Easiest dare I’ve had all night,” he said.
But then he turned.
He crossed the circle in slow, deliberate steps, his expression suddenly unreadable.
And he walked straight up to Regulus Black.
Regulus had been silent the whole evening, perched on the edge of the cushions with his arms wrapped around his knees, sleeves pulled over trembling fingers. He wore black, of course—simple, tailored, elegant. His short hair curled at the nape of his neck, still damp from a late shower. He hadn’t wanted to come tonight. He should have trusted that instinct.
James stood before him.
The noise in the tower faded like someone had cast a Silencing Charm.
James crouched down. “Hey,” he said, voice barely a breath. “You okay if I…?”
Regulus stared at him—wide-eyed, already hurting. “Don’t,” he whispered.
James ignored it.
He leaned in and kissed him, slow and soft and lingering, like they hadn’t stolen kisses in empty hallways or dark corners for months. Like this was the first time. Like it was real.
And then he pulled back.
He looked at Regulus the way people look at stars—like they’re far away and burning and impossible to hold.
Regulus blinked, once, twice. His throat worked around a word he didn’t say.
The silence broke like glass.
“Are you serious?” Sirius barked, rising to his feet. “James, what the fuck—”
Regulus stood abruptly, knocking over the glass at his feet. It shattered against the stone.
“You said you’d never do that,” he said, voice low and shaking. “Not in front of them. Not like this.”
James looked stricken, guilt flooding his face. “I didn’t mean—Reg, I wasn’t thinking, I just—”
“You never think,” Regulus snapped. “You said I was safe with you. You said I could trust you.”
“You can,” James said quickly. “You can, I swear—”
“No,” Regulus whispered. “Not when you kiss me like it’s a joke.”
And then he was moving, slipping past him, cloak swishing, footsteps sharp on stone as he made for the stairs. The door creaked open.
“Regulus, wait—”
But he was gone.
Marlene looked like she wanted to disappear. Lily looked furious. Remus looked like he wanted to hit someone.
James sank slowly back to the floor, heart in his throat.
“She is the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen,” he murmured to himself, voice cracking. “She always was. Even when he stopped being her.”
No one said a word.
Not for a long time.