Got To Get To Know
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James
☼𐂂☼
That night after James and Sirius both retired to their dorm room, James was hungry. That was the result of barely eating anything. But at least he wasn’t as huge as he was when he was 13 at a whopping 133 lbs when he was 5”7. Thank God he wasn’t ruining his chances at his dream because he was sick and unhealthy anymore.
But James was a weak man and after not eating all day he was ravenous.
James waited until Sirius went into their ensuite that was conjoined with whoever roomed next to them, for a shower before he tore through his bag like an animal. James finally pulled out the pack of dark chocolate digestive biscuits his chacha snuck into his bag - refusing to let James go without a snack he told him he liked when he was 12 and when his chacha knew how to act around him.
James ate the whole pack.
He felt so gross doing it but he couldn’t stop. After he was left with the packaging too soon after he opened it he felt a horrible sense of resentment clog up his mind. He was disgusting and Sirius would walk in soon and they’d know. They’d know he was a disgusting pig that just ate and ate all the time without control, they probably noticed his refusal to eat at dinner and they’d think he hated anything that wasn’t sweet and full of sugar because he was a fucking whale.
He quickly binned the empty packet - making sure to bury it under other stuff in the bin so if Sirius looked down at the bin they wouldn’t be able to tell unless they searched through the bins like a racoon - and sat back on his bed. James was sweating heavily, fearing that Sirius would be able to tell and think he was disgusting. Even without even being able to find the packet - smelling it on him like one of those sniffer dogs in airports. Though he was disgusting, so was it a bad thing for them to know what they were rooming with?
“James.” They grin after they step out of the bathroom, their hair wet and done up in a poor attempt at a ponytail, so many strands hanging loose around their face but James would never tell them. They hadn’t even looked up at him from their phone yet so that’d be super uncalled for, especially as he can’t talk about hair looking ‘presentable’ with his wild mess of curls atop his head. “Mary and the girls are having this kinda…” They finally look up at him but it’s almost like they’re not seeing him - too busy thinking - which James is embarrassingly grateful for. “Party thing in their dorm. It’ll just be them, me you, Remus and Peter - and alcohol of course but-”
“I’m actually really tired after having our first practice today and everything.” James lies. “Uh… you have fun though.” He says with what he hopes is a convincing smile.
“Ok… uh have fun then.” They shrug. “You can always come if you change your mind.” They smile before leaving James to his own devices.
That’s a mistake.
He doesn’t remember leaving the room but suddenly he’s on his way to the astronomy tower when some girl he recognised from back home stops him in his tracks. She’s pretty enough. Long blonde hair that goes down to her armpits, wide blue eyes that are surrounded by sparkling makeup and heavy fake tan all over her. She has that look in her eyes James knows by now. Everyone looks at him that way and he would be stupid to turn her down. After all, what was he made for?
☼𐂂☼
That girl - he never learned her name - was long gone. She left as soon as it ended, as James expected it would. Everyone else did, James was used to it. No hard feelings.
He was bored again so that self loathing crept up his mind. He stood up and actually made it to the astronomy tower this time. When he got there - sweaty and panting from the millions of stairs you have to climb to get up there - James realised he wasn’t going to be alone. He was very happy about being around people, it means you can think about other things than your own self loathing and that’s exactly what James needs.
His eyes meet Frank and Nichole - two people he grew up with and loves more than anything.
“James!” Nichole smiles with a huge grin. Her coils - now purple instead of the blue she’d had when James last saw her at breakfast - has the bottom half flowing free down her back, while the top has two poofy space buns on it. “Help me out here. Frankie boy’s having a bi panic and-”
“Nichole!” The black haired boy panics, brown eyes wide with fear.
“Frank… we both know you were gonna tell him in a second anyway and I’d rather die than hear you struggle to explain it to him like you did with me.” Nichole shrugs. “And anyway, James is great. Aren’t you some kind of gay?” She asks, turning to look at him.
“Nope, I mean I like Lily so I’m not-”
“Bi?” Frank asks with a raised eyebrow.
“Nothing, I’m straight!” James gasps exasperatedly.
“So that friendship with Sirius?” Nichole asks.
“A friendship, they feel like my brother that I never had, like one of you guys.” James says, not feeling anything like that for them.
“I don’t know Nic… I’d say getting into a relationship and moving in that quickly's a lesbian thing.” Frank says, holding his chin between his fingers in mock deep thought.
“So you’re saying he’s a lesbian? I can see it… the flannels and everything, he dresses like one, fucks women… all signs point to lesbian.” Nichole says, trying so hard not to laugh before finally giving in with James and Frank.
“Shit… I now get why so many of my exes ended up being lesbians.” James laughs, rubbing the back of his neck. “Anway, what’s this bi panic I’m hearing about?” James asks excitedly, flopping onto the stone bench next to Frank as Nichole leans her back against the barrier, facing the two boys.
“I kinda like Alice I mean… she’s kind and-”
“You mean the girl’s captain?” I don’t really know her… Nic is she nice? James asks, smiling wide when Nichole nods at him then he plows on: “The two captains of the same team but different genders has to be a cliche doesn’t it?”
“Now that you say it I’m surprised that it isn’t popular.” She smiles, running her hand through her freshly dyed hair. “I think they’d be cute.” She says, causing Frank to go bright red.
“Who wouldn’t love our Frankie boy.” James coos, messing up Frank’s hair while he tries to bat him away halfheartedly. “I sure do.” James jokes, changing to make kissy faces at him, leaning it like he’s going to and laughing while Frank starts practically chanting “Ew” as he tries to push James’ face away.
“He also likes Fabian.” Nichole says, which stops both of the boys in their tracks, unfortunately at a bad time as James comes crashing into Frank - who because he froze - didn’t move away in time, causing the boys to accidentally kiss each other smack bang on the lips.
“Shit!” James shouts, jumping to his feet. “I’m so sorry I-” He freezes when Nichole and Frank burst into uncontrollable laughter.
“James… calm down… please.” Frank wheezes between fits of laughter. “I was panicking about my first kiss with a man ever so… you’ve solved it.” He laughs. James looks over to Nichole who’s clutching her stomach - bent over it - in laughter.
“Panicking less now Frank?” Nichole asks once her laughing fit ends.
“Seems less scary seeing as James Potter, one of the straightest guys I know, was the first kiss I had with a guy.” Frank laughs. “Less daunting now. Thanks Prongs.” He grins.
“I don’t think I’m the most straight…” James mumbles, but the other two either don’t hear him or ignore it.
“Uhhh… anyway… Fab’s like your roommate so wouldn’t it feel weird to say anything?” James asks.
“I think it might be a more physical thing than me actually liking him… like I think he could be just a friend but-”
“Just ask him then Frank, then you can go on to Alice and someone here can be in a relationship.” Nichole smiles. “I think we’ve all been chronically single for too long. And no James, flirting with Lily doesn’t count, I mean an actual serious relationship.”
“I think this year is gonna be great for you Frank. But… having a crush on two cousins is kinda fucked.” James fake grimaces and Frank’s eyes go wide as bowling balls. “Though I respect it.” He shrugs.
“Spoken like a true straight man.” Nichole sighs, rolling her emerald green eyes, the funky earrings she makes out of anything she can find hanging off her ears - these ones are the mini footballs that James got at a birthday party when he was like 6 that she found in James’ room a when they were cleaning out while packing to go here - and he let her take them.
“Oh my God I’m a freak!” He gasps, burying his face in his hands while laughing to himself.
“Next you’re gonna rave about how hot Gideon is too, yeah?” James laughs. “I mean that ginger side part really suits him, makes him super manly.” James whispers into Frank’s ear jokingly seductively while wiggling his eyebrows at him. “I mean I would 100% let that man-”
“Ok James time’s up!” Frank shouts, his face red as the team shirt he seems to have not taken off since practice a few hours ago.
“Whatever.” James laughs.
“Oh.” A disgusted voice says behind them. James turns to see a carbon copy of Sirius. The boy has perfectly styled black curly hair atop his head, milky white skin with a light smattering of freckles across his nose and cheeks. His sharp but bored looking eyes are coloured like wild sea in a storm, he has a perfectly curved nose that ends with a point and his cheeks are naturally a slight pink. A perfectly carved scowl sits on his face as he looks at the three people he’s stood on the tower with.
“Hi I’m-”
“I don’t care.” The boy spits. “You’re my brother’s teammate, yes?” The boy asks, turning to Frank who nods and the boy continues on. “Tell him-” He ignores James when he tries to correct him. “-to unblock maman, it is only going to do him harm. Also tell him he’s a fucking idiot for even thinking about it.” He says with his posh English and French accent before he turns on his heel. The boy’s long black coat trails behind him as he leaves down the stairs with an air of superiority surrounding him.
James is so intrigued by him. He wants to know everything about the bratty boy and he’s not ashamed of that fact.
🕱
Barty
🕱
Barty was added into the group in less than two hours. Now he’s lounging in Evan and Regulus’ dorm with just Evan - who he’s taken an immense liking to - smoking while just rambling at each other.
“How’s Ravenclaw?” Evan asks eventually, breaking the easy silence the two boys seemed to have fallen in.
“They’re fine, incredibly boring but… not bad.” Barty shrugs. “Why?”
“I just… well I love Felix and Pandora but… I worry about them. They’re both… I guess… strange? That feels harsh but-”
“I get it.” Barty shrugs, because he does. “They’re weird but just know I will make sure no one says anything, and if they do they will come off worse than Felix and Pandora.”
“You barely know them.” Evan says, seemingly shocked that Barty would want to protect people he’s known for only one day.
“Well… they seem nice and I… I think bullies should get what they deserve.” He smiles, showing a murderous stare at the blonde boy sitting next to him.
“Amen to that.” Evan laughs tiredly, taking a long drag of his fag before he hands it back to Barty.
“Ah… Felix was right then.” Barty smiles, taking a drag.
“That we’d get along? Probably.” Evan grins. “I actually have a question though… what is your accent it’s so…” He moves his hands like he’s trying - and failing - to find a word to describe it.
“I grew up in Scotland but I’d spend most of my time speaking in Italian to my mum so… whatever that mix is I guess.” Barty shrugs.
“I’m bored.” Evan announces after they fell into another comfortable silence.
“Same, we should do something stupid.” He grins, standing and holding out a hand to Evan to help him off of the bed.
“Like?”
“Dye my hair.” He smiles. “It’s small but I know my dad would be pissed because he can’t control me here so… I don’t really care what he thinks - unless he hates it of course.”
“I think Panda has some green dye somewhere.” Evan suggests.
“Fuck yeah!” Barty laughs. “But I want you to do it.”
“Bet.” Evan laughs as the two walk out of Evan’s dorm.
🕱
Regulus showed up after Evan and Barty had returned from the Ravenclaw common room with the dye. Barty was sat on a chair that Evan moved into the bathroom.
“Hey Reg!” Barty calls as the - slightly scary - boy walks into his bedroom.
“What are you doing in my bathroom?” Regulus asks, standing in the doorway with his arms crossed.
“He wants me to dye his hair to piss his dad off.” Evan says, eyes not moving from the instructions he’s reading on the box.
“And you’re his hair dresser, why?” Regulus asks with a raised eyebrow.
“Well he’ll do streaks on my hair and I’ll do one on here!” He exclaims, grabbing one of Evan’s white locks.
“Where do you want it again?” Evan asks.
“Here and here.” Barty says, pointing to the underside of his hair, and the front.
“Wanna join?” Evan asks.
“I value my life and maman’s already angry at Sirius so… no thanks.” He says distantly, eyes glued to a space over Evan’s shoulder that the boy seems used to by now.
“What, does she hit you or something?” Barty asks, earning a slap on the shoulder by Evan.
“Yep.” Regulus says, no emotion in his voice or face.
“My dad does too… before I came here I was like his puppet… I’d do everything he asked exactly how and when he asked but he still found things to criticise me for. I’d always end up getting punished.” Barty sighs. “I knew that ages ago and then… well then I saw him take it out on my Mamma so I decided I wanted to give him hell until I’m rich enough to get us both out of there and ruin his fucking career.” He spits.
“I’m probably going to be just like my father… like everyone expects me to be.” Regulus says distantly.
Barty feels Evan start working on his hair but he’s too busy relating to the seemingly closed off boy he only met yesterday, so talking to Evan will have to wait.
“And what’s he like?”
“He’s never around… and if he is it’s to just watch as maman hurts us… he always looks upset whenever it happens but he’s too scared to stop her. He loves me and Sirius… he makes that known but he doesn’t love us enough to stop her, even when we beg him to help us.” He says. His eyes swim with unshed tears that he furiously wipes away with the back of his hand.
“Then fight against whoever you’ll marry.” Barty says. “Fight against her, be the father you and Sirius needed. Even if all of this isn’t what you want, fight for it to be as good as you can make it…” He pauses. “...Or make it all come crashing down for the Black family.” He says with a smirk. “Make them pay for how they treated you. I’d help.”
“Why would you?” Regulus asks.
Evan makes Barty tilt his head to the side as the boy goes on. “No one deserves to have to grow up as we have. Disgusting people deserve disgusting consequences, especially when it’s to an innocent child.” Barty says bitterly.
“Yeah… but I don’t think it’s easy to take down the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black.”
“Never said it'd be easy.” Barty grins. “And also I’d love to see your dad hurt, he’s a knob.”
“His dad’s the best one.” Evan laughs from above Barty, working on the underside of his hair.
“Well he’s a politician - they’re all knobs like mine - and we had a dinner for an election and he came over and then made a move on my mamma, and didn’t stop until I lied and said I needed her, the filthy cunt.” Barty snarls.
“You really love your mum, hey?” Evan laughs softly.
“Yep… second best person in the world.” Barty smiles.
“Second to who?” Regulus asks, leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest.
Ew why does Barty think he’s hot?
What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck? What the fuck?
“Me, obviously.” He grins, trying his hardest not to check out the moody boy he just had a heart to heart with.
“Right.” He laughs and Barty isn’t sure if it’s at his expense or not but fuck, that laugh is- No he can’t be crushing on his new friend. “Your hair looks fucking ridiculous.” Regulus says, with absolutely no heat behind those words before turning on his heel and leaving the room.
“What the fuck…?” Barty mutters under his breath.
“I don’t even know and I thought I knew everything about that boy.” Evan laughs. “I don’t want to expose him or anything but well… let’s just say I expect he doesn’t think you’re too hard on the eyes.”
“Shit.” Barty mumbles.
“Shit indeed, Barty.” Evan laughs.
The boy finishes with his hair quickly before Barty dyes one of his many pure white locks with a laugh, when the boys leave the bathroom Regulus isn’t there anymore, his books that were on his bedside table are gone and Barty - disgustingly - thinks that he’s disappointed with the boy’s disappearance. Disappointed that he didn’t bother to say where or when he was going.
“He does that a lot. I think it’s because he worries that people will try to stop him.” Evan shrugs, dropping down onto his bed with a sigh. “Do you have another one of those cigarettes?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” Barty grins, taking one out of the pack and lighting it, taking a drag before handing it to Evan.
“Thanks.” The blonde - and now green - haired boy smiles. “I can see why Reg likes you.” He teases.
“Who wouldn’t.” Barty laughs, fluffing up his new hair.