Sharing beds like little kids
---
The third year of Regulus Black at Hogwarts brought few changes to the challenges he faced. The bullying that had always followed him through the Slytherin corridors still persisted, though it was less overt now, taking the form of cutting glares, hushed murmurs, and provocations disguised as jokes. The most blatant aggressors had retreated, partly due to James Potter's intervention months prior, but that didn’t mean the pressure surrounding him had diminished.
In truth, the problems seemed to accumulate in more subtle and difficult ways. The expectations of his family continued to hover like a shadow over him, especially with weekly letters from his mother filled with rigid instructions and thinly veiled threats. It was as though even the distance between him and Grimmauld Place wasn’t enough to keep the Blacks’ control at bay.
Despite this, Regulus made every effort to maintain a façade of normality. He hid the small cruelties he faced daily from his closest friends, Barty and Evan, and even from Pandora, whose sharp intuition often made him wonder if she truly believed his apparent calmness.
Above all, Regulus worked to shield James from knowing just how deeply things affected him. James, with his light, his optimism, and that unfailing ability to make Regulus feel like the weight of the world wasn’t quite so oppressive, was one of the few good things in his life. Regulus feared that by sharing his anguish, he might push away what he treasured most—the safe haven that their nightly meetings brought him.
---
Regulus and James continued to meet every night, but on this particular occasion, James had something special in mind. When Regulus arrived at their usual meeting spot in the secluded hallways, James was already waiting with a conspiratorial smile.
“What are you plotting this time, Potter?” Regulus asked, crossing his arms and shooting him a suspicious look.
James smirked mischievously, holding out his hand. “Trust me. Tonight, we’re going somewhere different. Something that’ll surprise you.”
Regulus hesitated but eventually took James’s hand and followed him through the hallways. James was visibly excited, walking quickly and turning several corners until they stopped in front of an apparently ordinary wall.
“James...” Regulus began, frowning. “You’ve brought us to... a wall?”
“It’s not just any wall,” James responded with the mysterious tone he loved to use. He began pacing back and forth in front of the wall, keeping his eyes shut while muttering softly. Regulus watched, clearly dubious but also intrigued.
Suddenly, a door materialised where there had been nothing before. James opened the door with a theatrical gesture and looked back at Regulus. “Welcome to the Room of Requirement, Reg. Let’s see what it’s prepared for us.”
When Regulus stepped inside, his breath caught for a moment. The Room of Requirement was dazzling. The space had transformed into a magical garden, with trees whose branches shimmered in silver and gold. A table was set with a feast of magical sweets, and at the back, a crystal-clear fountain created patterns in the air before the water fell again.
James turned to Regulus with a satisfied smile. “Isn’t it perfect? A place just for us. No rules, no expectations. Just the two of us.”
Regulus stared at the surroundings, feeling strangely comfortable in the space that seemed tailored to them. “You’ve really outdone yourself, Potter.”
James chuckled and gestured for Regulus to take a seat at the table. They spent the evening talking, laughing, and enjoying magical sweets that popped like tiny fireworks with each bite. Regulus, who usually kept a reserved demeanour, found himself relaxing little by little.
“You know, you’re irritating in just the right amount,” Regulus said after one of James’s exaggerated Quidditch stories.
“And you’re serious in all the wrong amounts,” James replied with a cheeky grin. “But, honestly, that’s what makes us such a good pair.”
Regulus shook his head but couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his lips. He picked up one of the sweets and, as he tasted it, glanced at James, whose sparkling eyes showed how much joy he took in creating that special moment.
---
Before leaving the Room of Requirement, James stopped near the door and looked at Regulus with a softer smile. “I want you to know… I do this because you deserve it, Reg. More than you think you do.”
Regulus didn’t reply immediately, but there was something in his eyes that James didn’t often see—something that seemed like gratitude and affection at the same time. He gave a small nod and, in a low voice, said, “Thank you, James. For everything.”
James just smiled, placing a hand on Regulus’s shoulder before opening the door and letting him pass through.
---
As the weeks went by, Regulus did everything he could to keep his relationship with James a secret, but not everything escaped the watchful eyes of his friends.
Barty, in particular, began to notice Regulus’s unusual behaviour. He would disappear frequently and return with a different air about him—almost too calm for someone burdened with the responsibilities of being a Black. Barty, with his relentless curiosity and naturally provocative nature, simply couldn’t ignore it.
“Evan,” he began during a break in the common room, leaning towards his friend, “Regulus is hiding something.”
Evan Rosier, who was distracted by a book, shrugged. “Regulus is always hiding something. Have you only just noticed?”
“No, but this is different,” Barty insisted, lowering his voice as if revealing a secret. “He’s been sneaking off at night. And there’s this look in his eyes... I can’t explain it. It’s almost like he’s... happy.”
Evan raised an eyebrow and closed his book. “Happy? Regulus? I think you’re imagining things, Barty.”
“I’m not, Rosier,” Barty retorted, crossing his arms. “And I’m going to find out what it is. It’s that, or die of curiosity.”
---
The next day, while gathered in the library, Pandora and Dorcas quickly noticed that Barty had his eyes fixed on Regulus, as though he were waiting for him to make a mistake.
“You’re going to set Regulus on fire with that stare,” Pandora remarked, giggling softly as she arranged her colourful quills.
Barty turned to her, feigning indignation. “Are you suggesting that I’m a gossip, Lovegood?”
Dorcas, sitting nearby, responded before Pandora could. “Suggesting? No. She’s stating it outright.”
Pandora let out a delighted laugh. “Evan, please, control your friend before he decides to start following Regulus around the corridors.”
Evan shrugged with a small smile. “I’ll allow it. He seems determined.”
---
The mystery was finally solved on an ordinary evening. Barty and Evan were returning from a trip to the kitchens when, upon turning down a rarely frequented corridor, they saw the door to the Room of Requirement materialise. They exchanged glances, their curiosity obvious.
Before they could react, the door opened, and none other than Regulus Black stepped out... accompanied by James Potter.
The silence that followed was almost comical. Regulus froze in place, his eyes widening as he spotted his friends standing there. James, however, seemed less concerned, raising an eyebrow and offering a small, mischievous smile.
“Well,” Barty began, breaking the silence, “this is unexpected. And intriguing.”
Evan crossed his arms, a smirk forming on his lips. “So this is what you’ve been hiding, Regulus. Potter, huh?”
Regulus opened his mouth to say something, but Pandora and Dorcas, who appeared just behind him, burst into laughter before he could defend himself.
“I told you there was something different about him,” Pandora said, clearly amused.
Dorcas lightly smacked Barty’s arm. “And you? You spent days trying to figure it out. What a waste of time. They’re adorable.”
Regulus felt his face burn with embarrassment, but James stepped forward, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. “Well... now you know. And I hope this means we can put an end to the mystery.”
To his surprise, Barty and Evan didn’t seem upset at all. Barty shrugged, wearing a half-playful grin. “Reg, you know we’re going to tease you about this forever, right?”
“I’d be a little disappointed if you didn’t,” muttered Regulus, clearly uncomfortable but relieved there were no hostile reactions.
Evan, on the other hand, gave a gentler smile. “Don’t worry. We’re on your side. Just... next time, try not to be so obvious.”
Pandora crossed her arms and tilted her head. “I disagree. I think you two should be even more obvious. The world needs a little more romance.”
---
Remus had always been observant. No matter how much James tried to hide it, there was something about the way he had been acting lately that was impossible to ignore. Remus noticed the distracted smiles, the increasingly frequent excuses to slip away, and that slight change in tone whenever Regulus Black was mentioned in casual conversations.
At first, Remus said nothing. He knew James was stubborn and, when it came to personal matters, preferred to keep things to himself. But one day, while reviewing parchment in the library, he saw James and Regulus leaving a corridor together. The expression on both their faces left no room for doubt—it was something more than friendship.
Later that evening, Remus waited for James in the Gryffindor common room. James entered with a smile, still seemingly lost in his own thoughts.
“Potter,” Remus called, making him pause.
James turned, his smile fading slightly as he saw the seriousness on Remus’s face. “What is it, Moony? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Not a ghost,” said Remus, sitting down in an armchair and gesturing for James to join him. “But perhaps a secret.”
James hesitated but eventually sat down. He crossed his arms, clearly on the defensive. “What do you think you know?”
Remus raised an eyebrow, his tone calm but firm. “I saw you with Regulus today. And it wasn’t just a hunch. There’s something going on between you two, isn’t there?”
James was silent for a moment, trying to formulate a response that wouldn’t give everything away immediately. But he knew it was pointless to lie to Remus. He let out a long sigh. “Alright, yes. You’re right. Regulus and I… we’re more than friends.”
Remus studied him, his expression thoughtful. “And you thought I wouldn’t notice? James, you’re not exactly subtle.”
James gave a sheepish grin, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t want anyone to know. Especially Sirius. You know how he feels about Regulus.”
Remus nodded, his expression softening. “Sirius won’t take this easily, but… that doesn’t mean you’re wrong for getting involved with Regulus. I just hope you understand what this means for him.”
James frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that Regulus doesn’t have the freedom you do, James,” Remus explained. “You can choose to be who you are, be with whoever you want, and still be loved and supported by your friends. But Regulus is fighting against oppressive expectations, a family that controls him, and a world that sees his surname as a sentence. Being with you is a risk for him, even if he doesn’t say it.”
James remained silent, taking in the words. Finally, he nodded slowly. “I know that, Moony. And that’s exactly why I’m standing by him. I want him to know he doesn’t have to face everything alone.”
Remus gave a small smile, which quickly turned into a sigh. “You have a special talent for getting into complications, James. But honestly, if there’s anyone who can support Regulus, it’s you. Just… be careful. For his sake.”
James smiled, more confident now. “I’m always careful. And thanks, Moony. For understanding.”
Remus stood up, placing a hand on James’s shoulder. “Well, someone has to keep your feet on the ground.”
As James sat alone in the common room, he realised that despite the challenges, there was something stronger that kept him by Regulus’s side. It wasn’t just a casual connection. It was something he knew was worth facing, no matter the obstacles.
---
After Regulus and James’s secret was discovered, something curious happened: the room Regulus shared with Barty and Evan became the unofficial meeting spot for the group. It was as if, suddenly, that space had transformed into a refuge for conversations, laughter, and moments of unexpected camaraderie.
It all started discreetly. Pandora, with her knack for appearing where she was least expected, was the first to invade the room one random evening, carrying a package of magical sweets that popped at the touch.
“I hope you don’t mind,” she said, already throwing herself onto Evan’s bed as if she owned the place. “The common room is boring.”
Evan, lying down with a book in hand, merely sighed. “Pandora, you do realise this is technically against the rules, don’t you?”
“And since when do you follow rules, Rosier?” Pandora retorted with a mischievous grin.
Barty, sprawled on his own bed, laughed. “She’s got a point.”
---
From then on, the nightly visits became more frequent. Dorcas and Marlene started showing up too, always bringing something to share—be it a funny story, the day’s gossip, or even planned pranks that rarely came to fruition.
“You lot have no idea what Filch did today,” Marlene began one evening, settling on the floor with a pillow stolen from Barty’s bed. “He tried to catch Peeves with a net. A net! As if that would work.”
Dorcas laughed, tossing a cushion in Marlene’s direction. “I’d give anything to have seen that.”
Regulus, sitting cross-legged on his bed, watched it all with a mix of amusement and incredulity. He had never imagined that his room, once such a private space, could turn into something so… alive.
---
And then there was James. He was the only one who entered in secret, always waiting for the corridor to be empty before lightly knocking on the door.
“Potter, you do realise this is a terrible idea, don’t you?” Evan said one night as James slipped inside.
“And since when do I care about that?” James replied with a carefree smile.
Pandora, sitting on the floor with Dorcas, gave a conspiratorial grin. “I think he just likes living dangerously.”
“Or he just likes Regulus,” Barty teased, earning a death glare from Regulus in response.
James, however, simply laughed and sat beside Regulus on the bed. “Guilty.”
---
The nights in Regulus’s room became an unofficial tradition. They played Exploding Snap, shared sweets, and even planned small pranks that rarely left the drawing board.
“You lot are unbearable,” Regulus muttered one night, watching Pandora and Barty argue over the rules of a game that no one was taking seriously.
“And you love us anyway,” Pandora replied, winking at him.
Regulus shook his head but couldn’t help smiling. As chaotic as it was, that group had become his chosen family—a reminder that, even amidst difficulties, he wasn’t alone.
---
Sirius had always had a keen nose for secrets, and lately, something about James Potter was making him restless. James had been disappearing frequently, returning with a smile Sirius couldn’t decipher, and strangest of all, he seemed to avoid certain topics—which was completely out of character for someone so talkative.
Sirius tried to ignore it at first, but his curiosity quickly turned into frustration. He needed to find out what was going on.
---
“Prongs,” Sirius began one afternoon in the common room, throwing himself onto the sofa beside James. “You’ve been awfully… smiley lately. What’s going on?”
James, who was distractedly scribbling something on a piece of parchment, merely shrugged. “Nothing much, Padfoot. Just… enjoying life.”
Sirius narrowed his eyes. “Enjoying life? Is that the best you’ve got? Come on, I know you. Something’s going on.”
James gave a carefree smile but said nothing.
Frustrated, Sirius decided to try Remus. He found his friend in the library, surrounded by piles of books.
“Moony,” Sirius said, sitting beside him. “Do you know what Prongs has been hiding?”
Remus didn’t even lift his eyes from the book. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Sirius.”
“Of course you do,” Sirius insisted, crossing his arms. “You always know. He tells you everything.”
Remus finally looked at him, his expression calm. “If James wants to tell you something, he will. Until then, maybe you should stop pushing.”
Sirius huffed but knew he wouldn’t get anything out of Remus. As a last resort, he tried Peter.
“Wormtail, do you know what James has been up to?”
Peter, who was chewing a piece of pie, looked at Sirius with a confused expression. “Up to what? He hasn’t said anything to me.”
Sirius sighed, frustrated. “You’re all useless.”
---
Determining that the only way to uncover the truth was on his own, Sirius decided to follow James. He waited until everyone was in bed, and when he saw James sneak out of the common room, he got up and followed him through the dark corridors.
James seemed to know exactly where he was going, and Sirius kept a safe distance, careful not to be seen. He followed him to an empty corridor where, to his surprise, a door magically appeared on the wall.
Sirius frowned, watching as James entered. He waited a few minutes before approaching, but before he could open the door, it opened by itself.
And that’s when he saw.
James was there, with Regulus Black. They were close, speaking in low voices, and before Sirius could process what he was seeing, James leaned in and kissed Regulus.
Sirius felt his blood boil. Without thinking, he stormed into the room, the door slamming shut behind him.
“What the bloody hell is going on here?”
James and Regulus immediately separated, both looking caught off guard. Regulus turned pale, while James stepped forward, trying to stay calm.
“Sirius,” James began, raising his hands. “I can explain.”
“Explain?” Sirius nearly shouted, pointing at Regulus. “You’re… with him? My brother? What are you thinking, James?”
Regulus tried to speak, but Sirius cut him off. “And you, Regulus? What do you think you’re doing? Is this some kind of game to you?”
“It’s not a game,” Regulus replied, his voice firm despite his nerves. “I… I care about him.”
Sirius laughed, but there was no humour in his tone. “You care about him? This is a joke. You’re a Black, Regulus. You can’t just… do this.”
James stepped forward, placing himself between Sirius and Regulus. “Enough, Sirius. You have no right to speak to him like that.”
“I have no right?” Sirius retorted, incredulous. “He’s my brother, James. And you’re my best friend. How could you hide this from me?”
James took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. “Because I knew you’d react like this. But that doesn’t change how we feel about each other.”
Sirius stepped closer, his expression filled with frustration. “You don’t understand, James,” he began, his voice lower but full of intensity. “You’re throwing everything away. Everything we’ve built, everything I tried to leave behind. And for what? For him?”
Regulus met his gaze firmly. “I didn’t ask you to leave your family, Sirius. But that doesn’t mean you have the right to decide who I am, or who I choose to be with.”
Sirius let out a short, bitter laugh. “Are you joking, Regulus? You’ve always been the perfect Black son, the pride and joy of them all. Don’t tell me that now, suddenly, you’re trying to be different.”
“I am different,” Regulus replied, his voice sharp. “Just because you never saw it doesn’t mean it isn’t true. I was never like them, Sirius. But you were so busy hating me that you never noticed.”
James tried to intervene, placing a hand on Sirius’s arm. “Sirius, this isn’t about destroying anything. It’s not about you or your family. It’s about us. We don’t have to go to war over this.”
But James’s words only seemed to ignite Sirius further. He pulled his arm back, pushing James’s hand away. “Don’t give me that speech, James. You chose him. And by doing that, you chose the family I tried to escape. Don’t expect me to accept it.”
The silence that followed was heavy and filled with tension. Sirius looked at them both one last time, the conflict clear on his face.
“You both deserve the chaos this is going to bring,” he said finally, his voice low and bitter. “But don’t come to me when it all falls apart.”
With that, Sirius turned and left the Room of Requirement, the door closing with a hollow thud behind him.
---
After witnessing the moment between James and Regulus, Sirius felt as though the foundation of everything he had built was crumbling. The anger still burned within him, but the silence of Grimmauld Place had been replaced by the warm comfort he found in living with James. This made the situation even more complicated—he felt as if, somehow, his sanctuary was blending with the past he had fought so hard to leave behind.
Remus was reading beneath a tree by the Black Lake when Sirius found him. Without ceremony, Sirius sat down beside him and let out a long sigh, clearly struggling to find the words.
“Moony, I... need to leave for the holidays,” Sirius began.
Remus glanced up from his book, frowning. “Leave? What do you mean?”
“I can’t stay with James,” Sirius continued, shaking his head. “Not now. Not after... everything I saw.”
Remus closed his book and looked at him closely. “You’re still angry with James, aren’t you?”
“Angry doesn’t even begin to cover it,” Sirius admitted, his shoulders tense. “He’s with Regulus, Moony. My brother. This... this feels like he’s tearing apart everything I’ve built here. This is my new family, and now he’s bringing my past into it.”
Remus considered his words carefully before replying. “Sirius, I understand why this bothers you. But maybe you’re looking at it the wrong way. Regulus isn’t trying to destroy anything. He’s trying to find himself, just as you did. And James isn’t against you. He’s just following what he feels.”
Sirius crossed his arms, visibly uncomfortable. “I can’t deal with this right now. I just... need some distance.”
Remus offered a small smile, nodding. “If you need space, of course you can spend the holidays with me. There’s always a place for you.”
“Thanks, Moony,” Sirius muttered, his voice low. “That... means a lot.”
---
Sirius found James in the Gryffindor common room during a quiet evening. Most students had already gone to bed, and James was reclined on the sofa with a book in his lap, though his mind was clearly elsewhere.
“Potter,” Sirius called, his voice low but tense.
James looked up, surprised to see Sirius there. “Sirius. I thought you were avoiding talking to me.”
“Not anymore,” Sirius replied, crossing his arms as he stood. “I just... needed time to think. But we need to talk now.”
James closed the book and sat up, seeming ready for whatever was coming. “I’m listening.”
Sirius took a deep breath, trying to control the whirlwind of emotions inside him. “I’m spending the holidays with Remus,” he began, directly. “I won’t be staying at your house this time.”
James frowned, clearly surprised. “With Remus? Why? You always stay with me during the holidays.”
“Because I need space,” Sirius admitted, his voice heavy with frustration. “I need space from you, James. From all of this.”
James remained silent for a moment before speaking, his voice quiet. “This is about Regulus, isn’t it?”
Sirius laughed, but the sound lacked humour. “Of course it’s about Regulus! You’re with my brother, James. Do you have any idea what this means to me? Do you know what I went through to leave that family? And now you... you’re bringing him into my new life.”
James stood, facing Sirius. “Sirius, you’re not being fair. Regulus isn’t like your family. He’s trying to be different. He’s trying to find a way to exist outside their control, just as you did.”
“I’m not ready to accept that, James,” Sirius countered, shaking his head. “You and him? It’s too much for me right now. And I don’t want to say something that will ruin everything between us. So I’m taking a step back for now.”
James sighed, his shoulders relaxing. “I never wanted to hurt you, Padfoot. I never wanted this to affect you so much. But... Regulus matters to me. And I won’t apologise for that.”
Sirius watched him in silence for a few seconds before averting his gaze. “I just... need time, James. And maybe staying away for a while will help me see things differently. I hope you can understand that.”
“I do,” James replied softly. “But don’t think I’ll stop trying to make you see how much he means.”
Sirius gave a small nod before leaving, leaving James alone in the common room.
---