Chapter 1
Regulus has always been good at pretending. He pretended when his mother asked him about his love life. He pretended he didn’t care when Sirius left him alone at that house. He pretended he wanted to become the heir of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. And he was pretending now. Sitting across the table in the library from James Potter. Pretending as if he’s a totally normal person, who totally wasn’t freaking out.
Across the library, a frantic ball of green and black hair was waving at him. The total arse, Barty Crouch Jr. Regulus’ best friend, for some reason. Barty mouthed at Regulus, “You’re staring.”
Regulus’ grip tightened around his quill. He wasn’t staring, really. He was just conducting an in-depth, highly scientific analysis of the way the light reflected off of James perfect chocolate brown eyes.
He tore his gaze away from James to glare at Barty and, very casually, flip him off under the table. Barty’s very intellectual response to this was to make kissy faces at Regulus – before turning to Evan with a smirk that lingered just a second too long. What a great response for the smartest kid in 6th year.
“Reg?” James’ voice cut into his glaring, warm and teasing, “You alright?”
Regulus schooled his impression into something that, hopefully, looked like he didn’t care that James was teasing him. Because he didn’t care, really. “Hardly.” He looked back at his transfiguration essay, the few words on the parchment blurring together. “I’m just wondering how someone who’s supposed to be so intelligent manages to hold their quill like a first-year.”
James just grinned at Regulus, tilting his head in a way that knows Regulus’ stomach. “I’m a hands-on leaner.”
Regulus didn’t dignify that with a response. Instead, he turned back to his essay, which he’d barely started, and is due tomorrow. He could feel James looking at him, like a weight, and expectation.
This was dangerous territory. It always was with James.
The silence wedge a gap between them, uncomfortable and charged. James shifted, groaning and stretching his arms in a way that lifted his shirt so Regulus could see his belly-button. Regulus felt warmth creep up his neck – he was sure James could see how red his ears were.
“You know,” James started, his voice trying to be casual, “I was thinking-“
Regulus shot him a knowing look, “that’s never a good sign.”
James ignored him. “We should go to Hogsmeade this weekend.”
Regulus froze. “Out?”
“Yeah, out.” James grinned, spinning his quill between his fingers, not quite meeting Regulus’ gaze. “Somewhere that’s not the library. The three broomsticks, maybe. Or Honeydukes?”
Regulus’ heart did something odd in his chest, something quick and sharp that left his chest aching. What James had suggested was very innocent, and perfectly friendly, but it sent Regulus’ mind for a loop. But James would never ask Regulus to Hogsmeade in the way he want. For a date.
So, Regulus shook his head. “I have work to do.”
James makes a face and leans forward on the table. “You always have work to do.”
Regulus forced himself to keep his expression blank, “some of us care about our academic, Potter.”
James narrowed his eye, but there was faint amusement in them. “Some of us also know that outside of books, there is a wonderful life waiting for you.”
Regulus wanted to tell him that books were safer, and didn’t expect anything from him. That books didn’t send his heart racing or make him overanalyse every word, every touch. That ink and parchment weren’t wanting him to take a leap he wasn’t ready for yet. That books didn’t look at him the way James is looking at him. But James wouldn’t understand that. Not really.
So, instead, he shrugged. “Then go out without me.”
James expression flickered – so quickly Regulus almost missed it. Almost. But then the easy grin was back, a playful beat to voice. “Fine, maybe I will.”
Before either of them could say anything else, a shadow loomed over their table.
“Interrupting something , lovebirds?”
Regulus didn’t need to look up to know who it was. Barty flopped into the empty seat next to him, sitting much closer than necessary. He smirked like he knew everyone of Regulus’ secrets. Which, unfortunately, he did. James immediately leaned back, the playful energy around him shifting into something else – something sharper. “Don’t you have anything better to do, Crouch?”
“Not particularly.” Barty said cheerfully, stealing the quill from Regulus’ hand and twirling it between his fingers. “I couldn’t help but notice the intensity of whatever this is.” He vaguely gestured between Regulus and James. “Fascinating, really.”
Regulus scowled at him, snatching his quill back. “Don’t you have an essay to finish?”
“I do,” Barty admitted, stretching his legs underneath the table. “But watching you two squirm is infinitely more entertaining.”
James scoffed, “I’m not squirming.”
Barty hummed like he didn’t believe him, then turned to Regulus, resting his chin on his palm.
“So, what are we doing this weekend?”
Regulus blinked. “We?”
“Yes, we,” Barty said with a dramatic sigh. “Unless, of course, you’re too busy.”
James stiffened across the table, and Regulus glanced over just in time to catch the way his jaw tensed and the grip on his quill tightened. There was something unreadable in his expression – something too fleeting for Regulus to decipher.
Barty smirked again, almost like he was testing something. His finger drummed absently against the table before his gaze flickered – just briefly- towards Evan, who was engrossed in his own work just a few tables away.
Barty must have noticed too, because his smirk deepened. “Or are you already booked Reggie? Got a big date with Potter?”
Regulus rolled his eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
James didn’t say anything. Instead, he looked down at his parchment, and started packing his things, his movements just a little too clipped, too precise.
Regulus hesitated. “Are you leaving?”
James slung his bag over his shoulder, the strap far too long, flashing Regulus a smile that didn’t quite meet his eyes. “Yeah. Looks like you’ve got other plans.”
And before Regulus could say anything, he was gone.
Regulus stared after him, something tight settled in his chest. Something he couldn’t quite name.
Barty, meanwhile, looked thoroughly entertained. “Interesting.”
Regulus narrowed his eyes at his friend, “you’re so annoying.”
But Barty just chuckled, tapping his fingers against Regulus’ bag on the table, before tilting his head towards Evan. “You don’t know the half of it.”
Regulus rolled his eye and shoved Barty off his chair. “Shut up.”
But Barty only grinned because they both knew –
This was getting far too complicated.