James' POV
The boys were late to breakfast.
As they descended the stairs, James could smell the food before he heard the loud chatter emanating from the Great Hall.
"I've been craving pumpkin juice since I woke up," Sirius drawled as the group turned the corner and entered the large room.
It was late November and the hall was experiencing its last days of normalcy before the December holidays would cause it to be dripping with decor. That was James' favorite part of the year. When garland hung from the ceilings and the rooms were enchanted to smell of pine needles and cranberries. It made him smile just thinking about it.
They approached the Gryffindor table, a few students looking up from their food to say "good morning" or "how are you" to James as they passed. He smiled back at them and returned their affections before sitting in his usual spot next to Peter and Sirius.
The girls were already there, waiting for them. Lily and Marlene smiled at them as they sat down and it was then that James recognized a new face at the table.
Dorcas Meadowes sat in Mary's usual spot, her expression one of confusion as James greeted her.
"Why'd they all practically light up as you walked past?" Dorcas motioned towards the rest of the Gryffindors at the table, who were now enthralled in their own conversations and food.
James grinned in response. "Because I'm incredibly lovable and handsome."
Lily scoffed and turned towards Dorcas. "He always gets that treatment on the day of a Quidditch match. Being the star player and all." She rolled her eyes at James but her lips curved into a smile.
Dorcas pursed her lips and nodded, evidently impressed before she reached for another piece of bacon from the center of the table. "Well, as amazing as you are, Potter, I think you're forgetting someone." She wrapped an arm around Marlene's shoulders and the latter laughed.
"Oh please. I know I'm great. I don't need to be reminded." She winked at James before giving Dorcas a kiss on the cheek.
"Can I please get through a morning without you lovely, happy couples suffocating me?" Peter begged, his head falling into his hands.
James laughed and slapped his friend on the shoulder, apologizing on his friends' behalves.
The group spent the next half an hour catching up, sharing what homework and classes they had and devouring the delectable breakfast in front of them. They had about fifteen minutes left before classes when it happened. James had just finished his first goblet of pumpkin juice, wincing at the sour taste that was no doubt due to how long it'd been sitting on the table, when he rested his chin on his hand and gazed across the hall towards the Slytherin table.
"Have you lot ever noticed how beautiful Regulus is?"
The group's conversation stopped dead in its tracks. James felt Sirius' eyes on him before he replied.
"What?" But Sirius' question sounded more like a statement. James turned to find his friend staring at him like he'd just admitted to getting the Dark Mark. James tried not to panic at his friends' shocked faces as the words continued spilling out of him.
"I mean he's got such a mysterious aura, you know? Not to mention he's smart and cute and-"
"Bloody hell, James! What are you going on about?" Sirius nearly shouted. Remus' hand flew to Sirius' shoulder to keep him from standing up.
"Prongs, is this a joke?" Remus kept his voice calm, but his face betrayed his tone.
"Yeah, where is this coming from?" Lily asked, setting down her scone onto her plate.
James shrugged. He honestly didn't know why he was admitting this now. "C'mon you guys don't agree?"
"Uh, he's my brother? So, no?" Sirius replied, very much annoyed. James looked back towards the Slytherins and tried to spot Regulus among the sea of forest green robes. It took him all of fifteen seconds to find him. He sat next to Barty Crouch Jr, his head resting on his palm as he absent-mindedly stared forward. James felt his heart rate skyrocket as he watched him, the younger boy's hair slightly messy, his rosy cheeks a stark contrast against his pale complexion. He was intoxicating just to look at.
"James?" Remus' voice interrupted James' thoughts and he tore his eyes away from Regulus.
"Hm?" he responded as he stared past Sirius' horrified expression towards Remus.
"I said you're staring..." James laughed lightly, a bit embarrassed at his friend's words. He reached for his now empty goblet and swirled it around in his hands, trying to get the image of Regulus out of his head. He failed.
"You're kidding, right James?" Peter added, his tone a mix of nervousness and concern.
"Why do you all think this is a joke?" James looked around at his friends, all of whom were watching him with confusion and disbelief. "Do you not believe me?"
"No, no, we just..." Marlene started. She swallowed at glanced quickly at Sirius before continuing, "...this is sudden, is all."
"Yeah, sudden and totally disgusting!" Sirius exclaimed, brushing Remus' hand off his shoulder. "Seriously, Prongs, anyone else. Please!"
James took a deep breath, attempting to clear his head. How had he gotten here?
"Sorry, Padfoot. I don't know what's going on with me..." he did feel bad. The last thing he wanted to do was make his best friend upset.
But his feelings were out of control. Or at least, that's how it felt. Since he finished his breakfast, his thoughts had been consumed by Regulus.
Sirius exhaled and shook his head. "It's fine. I mean, crushes go away. That's all this is, right?"
The whole group's attention was back on James, who sighed and pushed his glasses up his nose.
"I wish I could say it was."