Will You Remember Us When This Has All Blown Over?
James never got a good night's rest anymore. His mind was always going a million miles an hour, never able to calm and focus on one thing. Despite that, he kept what he presented on the outside as perfect as ever. He always got up at 6:30 to go on a run. He’d then shower, put on his Slytherin uniform, and go to class.
It was mid-December, and Christmas break was approaching along with the dread of what was to come. Earlier in the week, he’d gotten a letter from his mother detailing a rather important dinner party to be held during the break. Specifically, he was told to be polite, the embodiment of the perfect son, all things that weren’t of any particular difficulty to James. The dread notably stemmed from their dinner guests. Considering their family was of high status, the dinner invitations included a few families of the Sacred 28 and other high-status families like theirs. Mother even invited what she called ‘fixer-uppers’ or families that had a lot of money and respect but had ‘drifted’. James, of course, had never been to one of these parties. He was now 17 and finally of age to begin training to take over his father’s business. He had to learn the tricks of the trade, including being a gracious host.
However, in general, James did not want to sit in a room with old wizards discussing politics and business. As he sat in class thinking of all the ways he could possibly get out of this, his teacher announced there would be another class joining them. “Today class, due to an unexpected staff shortage from Professor Iprix quitting, the Gryffindor potions class will be joining us today.” This was followed by groans from around the room. “Now students, you will be polite to them and show them the Slytherin way of how things are done! Make them comfortable and help them if they so need it... Oh! Here they are now.” The door swung open, and Professor McGonagall walked through the door, leading the Gryffindor class inside. While the teachers were figuring out how to orchestrate this, James looked about the room at the Gryffindors who had just walked in. Groups of boys and girls litter the front of the room, many of them in their respective friend groups. There was an especially loud group of boys that hung out next to the door. Two of them had dark black hair that looked like it was made of ink. The taller and seemingly older one of them was obviously the main one of the group. Loud and obnoxious, like the walking depiction of annoyance. The other, although very similar in terms of looks, held a book in his hand and seemed more reserved. His fingers were elegant and long, littered with silver rings. He didn’t look to talk to the others, only when the others yelled at him, asking for his opinion or adding a quick snide comment to the conversation. Overall, he didn't seem that interested in the conversation they were having, just in the book that was lying in his hands. Almost like he was going to find the secrets of the world hidden in the pages.
There were two more boys in the group, one with lighter brown, maybe dirty blonde hair, and always smiling at what his friends were saying. The last one was a tall boy with brown hair. He had to be at least 6’, maybe taller than he is, and that's saying something. Contrary to his prominent height, he seemed more reserved and quiet than the rest, only anchored to the group by the loud and obnoxious black-haired boy. He kept glancing at the other when he wasn't looking, a permanent smile on his face for that one person.
James peered at the rest of the class until Professor Akalis came from talking to McGonagall and said,” Alright, everyone, find a seat. No need to be nervous!” At this, the Gryffindors made their way up the stairs one by one, filling each empty seat. James already sat by a boy from the Avery family, but there was an unoccupied chair to his right. “Merlin, is this really happening right now? It's bad enough we have to share a school with these disgraces of the wizarding world, now we have to share a class with them?” the Avery boy muttered under his breath. James hummed at this in agreement, not entirely listening to what he was saying, but enough to know he was supposed to agree. As most of the empty seats were one-offs, most of the Gryffindor friend groups were split up, to James’ relief. He could not deal with a group of them. The seat to his right was promptly taken. He looked over just as the boy with a book and silver rings covering his fingers pulled out the chair and sat down, dropping his book on the desk and bag on the floor. The boy neither looked at James nor did anything to acknowledge him.
“Now class, I will pair everyone up to brew the invigoration draught.“ He looked around the room counting, mentally pairing each student up with another. “Now, let me see, hmm... Ah yes, Penny and Remus can work together. Sirius and Marlene. Barty and Juniper.” James slowly tuned him out wanting to be anywhere but there. “Finally, James and Regulus.” The echoing of his name on the classroom walls brought James back to reality. “Now these will be your partners for the coming weeks, so get comfortable!” His teacher said in finality as he turned the class loose to go and work.
“I assume you’re my partner then?” James promptly said, turning to look at the boy. Peering up at him, James finally got a good look at his face. He was undeniably handsome. With sharp features, gray eyes, and silky black hair, he looked like all the models women fawned over.
“Aren’t you smart? I bet the girls love that,” The boy proceeded to say in a mocking tone and sporting a smirk on his face. Oh lovely, he got paired up with a rude asshole. Although his thoughts were probably plastered on his face, he quickly put on a polite smile, just like his parents had taught him to do.
“James Potter,” He said as he held out his hand to shake.
“Ooo and polite too.” Regulus gave in a quick response, putting his hand in James’ and shaking. Regulus’ hands were surprisingly soft and warm despite the coldness of his rings. Even as he took his hand back, it was almost as if his touch lingered. It made his mind dizzy and his face hot. “How about you start the potion while I prep the ingredients, deal?”
“Sure thing, Potter,” Regulus said with a smirk, James then quickly got to work chopping, squeezing, and mashing all of the ingredients in preparation for the potion. Finally allowing James a moment of calm that he hadn't had since the boy sat down next to him.
In James' mind, the potion was going smoothly. Regulus was no longer making snide remarks and the potion was looking exactly how it was supposed to. Just as he began to take notes on their progress, his arm softly brushed Regulus'. James looked up at the other boy who had stopped writing moments ago to find his gray eyes already on him.
"Sorry, left-handed," Regulus quickly offered with a small shy smile. With heat already enveloping his face, he just gave a curt nod and continued to take notes. Get yourself together, James, if you can’t handle strange classmates, how are you going to handle the businessmen at father's firm?
Although deep down knowing his nervousness was for an entirely different reason, James brushed the encounter aside. He finished up the rest of the potion and class in peace. As the bell rang for their next class, he was packed up and ready to leave. But before he could leave he felt a hand grip his wrist, pulling him back. Looking back, Regulus swiftly packed his things before finalizing their first meeting.
“It was nice to meet you, James Potter, until our next class.” As he held out his hand to shake, his eyes peered into his own with an intensity like no other.
“Of course, until next time, Regulus.” He shook his hand quickly and left the class. Never had he felt so frazzled in a conversation with another person. He always knew what to expect. But Regulus made him nervous, he was unpredictable while also playing James at his own game. His every thought kept traveling back to Regulus. Even as he lay in his bed at night, the only thoughts that were left in his mind were of this mysterious boy. As frazzled as it left him, it also calmed his mind long enough that he got a restful night's sleep. Looking back at that first day with Regulus in potions class, James knew he would never be the same again. He knew that he couldn’t come back from Regulus Black, he wouldn’t be able to do it without leaving a part of himself behind. He wouldn’t find out until later that part would be his heart.