Chapter 5
The next day, James showed up in the studio, already regretting everything about this situation.
Regulus was there, already stretching, his movements precise, almost mechanical. James couldn't help but feel a little annoyed—Regulus seemed to have everything figured out, while he was just... here.
McGonagall had barely given them time to process the announcement before thrusting them togethe.
Regulus didn’t bother greeting him. Instead glancing over his shoulder he said “We’ll start with the routine, Potter. Try to keep up.”
James crossed his arms, leaning against the wall. “Don’t worry, Black. I can follow along just fine."
Regulus raised an eyebrow. “We’ll see.”
The music started, a smooth, slow track with a steady beat. Regulus moved first, elegant as ever, and James hesitated for just a moment. He was used to quick movements, energetic beats, not something so controlled. But when he caught sight of Regulus’s effortless glide across the floor, he couldn’t help but follow.
At first, it was awkward. James tried to match Regulus’s movements, but his rhythm was off, his arms too wobbly, his steps too heavy. Regulus didn’t seem to notice, lost in the dance as if the world had melted away around him.
As the rehearsal wore on, the friction between James and Regulus only grew. Regulus was strict, his gaze cold, constantly pointing out James’s mistakes. But James wasn’t some fragile ego—he wasn’t about to give up just because Regulus acted like he was better than everyone else.
“Your footwork is sloppy,” Regulus said, his voice like ice. “You need to pivot more smoothly or you’ll fall out of sync.”
James let out an exasperated breath. “Yeah, I know. Thanks for the lecture, though.”
Regulus’s eyes flashed with irritation, but he didn’t stop. “You’re making this harder than it needs to be. Just—move. Follow the rhythm. If you keep fighting the music, it’s never going to work.”
James couldn’t keep quiet anymore. “Maybe if you weren’t busy trying to be so perfect all the time, you could show me how it’s done instead of just criticizing me.”
Regulus’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment, James thought they might actually come to blows. But instead, Regulus let out a low chuckle.
“You have a lot to learn, Potter.”
James couldn’t tell if it was sarcasm or a challenge, but he wasn’t about to back down now. “Well, you better be ready to teach me then.”
For the first time, Regulus actually seemed to take James seriously. He stopped and gestured for James to come closer. “Alright then. Follow my lead. Watch my feet. Don’t think, just move.”
James stepped forward, feeling an odd mixture of anger and determination.
Regulus wasn’t easy to follow, but for some reason, James wanted to prove him wrong. He focused, this time letting the rhythm take over rather than thinking through every movement.
And, slowly, he started to get it. His feet moved more naturally, his body following the flow of the music.
“Better,” Regulus said, his voice softer than before.
James couldn’t help but smirk. “Told you I could do it.”
Regulus glanced at him, his expression unreadable, but there was something different in his eyes now—less disdain, maybe a little respect.