Moving Day
James smiled as he put down the last moving box. He was quite excited for his first year of university, after spending the last year abroad interning at a law firm in the states he was ready to start his university education. “Thanks for the help, dad!”
Fleamont placed a firm hand on his shoulder, “Anytime, son.”
“Oh, James, are you sure you have everything?” Euphemia fussed, “You remembered your toothbrush and… oh all your textbooks!”
He shook his head, “Yes mum, I have everything. My textbooks, my toothbrush, the alarm clock you bought.”
“Alright honey, I just want you to have the best experience you can,” She pulled a tupperware container out of her purse. “I thought you could share these cookies with your friends.”
She handed him the container and James put it down on his desk. “Pete and Remus always love your cookies, mum”
“Well champ, we’ll let you finish getting settled. Your mother and I have a few meetings to get to.” His dad pulled him into a hug.
“I’ll see you on Sunday for dinner,” He hugged his dad and gave his mum a kiss on the cheek. “Drive safe!”
After closing the door behind them, he sat down on his bed. He was so excited for university, all his classes, and meeting his roommate. Over the summer, he, Remus and Peter had talked about rooming arrangements. Remus was more comfortable rooming with one of them, and James loved meeting new people, so ultimately he decided to opt for a randomly assigned roommate.
James looked around the room. It was bland, with white walls and matching furniture. It looked like a university dorm. Cold and uninviting. He got up from his bed and started unpacking.
Pulling out his phone, James hit shuffle on ‘ Queen's Greatest Hits ’. He loved music, podcasts, and leaving the tv on in the background.
His mum had insisted on ordering brand new everything for the school year. “It’s a fresh start, so you’ll bring fresh things!” He recalled her saying to him.
Thank god for his mother’s obsessive tidiness, all of his boxes were labeled and had lists of everything in them taped on top. It made unpacking so much easier.
James started with his clothes, mostly they got put away in the drawers. Though the suit his dad insisted on him bringing was hung in the closet, along with his shoes.
On top of his dresser he placed some framed photos, one of him and Peter as kids, a few of him and his parents, and the signed photo he had of him and his favourite rugby player Dmitri Krum.
He opened the box labeled ‘Desk’ and started taking things out of it.
A pencil holder, his law textbooks, a speaker, and a few other things; knickknacks and such.
From his backpack he grabbed his Macbook and placed it on his desk, plugging the charger into the wall.
James took a step back to admire his work. It took him around two hours, but he’d finally finished setting up his side of the dorm. His Chudley Cannon rugby posters were hanging beside his bed, his law textbooks stacked neatly on his desk. Everything set for the year. He picked up the empty cardboard boxes and collapsed them before shoving them under his bed to deal with later.
Not wanting to wait around for his roommate to arrive, James decided to call Peter and see if his friend was settled and wanted to come hang out.
The phone rang a few times before Peter picked up.
“Hey Pete! I’m all set up if you and Remus wanna come over!”
“Yeah!” His friend said enthusiastically,
“Sweet!! I definitely won't be able to finish all my mum's cookies alone.”
“We’ll be right over, what's your dorm?” Peter asked.
James wasn't 100% sure what his dorm number was, he pressed the phone to his neck and stuck his head into the hall to check. “225.”
He couldn't hear much from the other line, just a bit of shuffling. The phone clicked, letting him know Peter had hung up.
As he slid his phone into his pocket there was a knock at the door.
“It’s open!” He called, picking up the last empty boxes and shoving them under his bed.
In walked Peter, and behind him Remus, who, as always, had a book with him.
James pulled his childhood best friend into a hug. They’d both been so busy that summer that they hadn’t hung out much. “Heard anything from Marls?”
The blond shrugged, “No.”
Marlene was the third in their childhood trio, and while she’d gone to a different high school than James and Peter, the three managed to stay close. So they were all ecstatic when they found out they’d be going to university together.
“She’s probably moving into her apartment, or exploring the campus,” James suggested. He hoped that Marlene had good roommates, her old apartment had been kind of nasty.
Peter nodded, “Yeah, we should all go out for dinner this week.”
James’s eyes lit up, he loved going out with his friends. “One hundred percent!” He turned to Remus and pulled the boy into a massive hug.
“What are you reading? Would you like a cookie? Do you want one, Peter?” He asked as he grabbed the cookie tin his mum had left.
“Pride and Prejudice,” Remus replied, taking a cookie from the tin.
James set the tin on his desk and sat back on his bed, “That’s Jane Austen, right?”
Remus nodded, still eating the cookie.
“I didn't know you read books, Potter,” Peter joked as he grabbed a cookie from the tin.
He shook his head, “Nah, just overheard mum’s book club talking about it this summer.”
Most of the time James didn’t have time to read outside of assigned reading for school. Between playing Rugby in and outside of school, homework and working a part time job, James hadn’t read a book for entertainment in a while.
Remus didn’t talk much while they hung out, but he occasionally chimed in while Peter and James caught up with each other.
“So, meet anyone special this summer?” Peter jokingly asked, taking another cookie.
He’d barely seen his friends that summer, let alone had time to date anyone. Not that he’d admit it to Peter, but he had met a girl during the break.
Car rides as the sun set, her fiery red hair in the wind, it had been a summer to remember, but in the end, they decided to be friends.
He shook his head, “No, no one special.” James turned to Remus, wanting to change the topic “What are you majoring in again? I swear it changed three times before you settled on one.”
“Actually, I’m double majoring” The blond replied, “English Literature and Education.”
“I don't think I’ll be able to handle my one major, let alone two!” He joked. “Pete, can you pass me the cookies?” James asked. The door opened before Peter responded.
A dark, curly-haired man with ripped jeans, a crop top, and a leather jacket walked in. He had a backpack slung over one shoulder and a suitcase in hand.
“Which one of you is James?” He asked, he had a mixed English-French accent.
James assumed this man was his roommate, “That's me, uhh Sirius right?”
The man nodded. “Mmhm, nice to meet you man.” He tossed his bag onto the empty bed, sitting down beside it.
“Do you want a cookie?” He passed Sirius the tin. “My mum made them.”
Sirius took a cookie. “Thanks yeah,” he took a small bite before taking a larger one. “Holy shit, these are fantastic.”
“I know, right,” Peter said, his voice muffled by the cookie he was eating.
Since James was sitting down across from him, he got a better look at his roommate. He had a bunch of piercings, what looked like some tattoos peeking out from under his shirt and he was wearing a bunch of eyeliner. But what caught his attention the most was the fading bruise in the corner of his eye. James looked away the moment he noticed it; he refused to make Sirius uncomfortable.
Remus also seemed to be observing the curly haired man. “Nice eyeliner,” he commented quietly.
His roommate smiled at his friend. “Thanks.” The two kept eye contact for a moment before James noticed Remus blush and quickly look away.
“I saw a paintball place on my drive over,” Peter exclaimed, oblivious to Sirius and Remus. “We should all go!”
Remus kicked Peter lightly. “You think I can play paintball, you rat?” He joked.
“Oh yeah, sorry Remus.”
“Don't worry Pete, if you and James went I wouldn't mind,” Remus shrugged.
“We’ll figure it out later this week,” James decided. He didn't want to make plans with his friends while his roommate was just sitting there.
They all talked for a bit, mostly small talk, majors etc. He learned that Sirius was a photography major from Florence, Italy. While James, Peter and Sirius were discussing the extracurriculars the school offers, mostly sports teams, Remus stood, picking up his book from James’s desk. “I’m going to head back to my dorm, finish unpacking and all.”
“Okay!” James got up to hug his friend again. Pulling away from the hug, he passed Remus his cane. “See you around?”
He nodded, and as he left, Peter also got up. “I’m gonna head out too. See you around, James!”
“Bye Peter, we’ll talk about dinner!”
His friend nodded before leaving, closing the door behind him.
Sirius unzipped his suitcase, pulling out several records and some posters. He set the records on his desk.
“Hey, do you have any tack I can use for my posters?” He asked James.
“Yeah I’ll grab it!” James got up from his bed and rummaged through his desk drawer. “Here, catch.”
He tossed it to Sirius, who caught it with one hand. In the curly-haired boy’s other hand he held an unravelled Chudley Cannons poster.
“No way! I love the Cannons!” James exclaimed, excited he had something in common with his roommate. He grabbed his signed photo to show Sirius.
His roommate’s jaw dropped. “Holy shit, that's so cool!!”
James nodded excitedly, “He was the coolest person I've ever met!”
“Have you seen his documentary?” Sirius asked.
“Yeah! In theatres, I have the popcorn bucket at home! Did you?”
He shook his head. “Not in theatres, streamed it illegally, wasn't allowed out much as a kid.”
“Well then that settles it!” James decided.
The black-haired boy looked at him, confused. “Settles what?”
“We’re going out tonight!”
Sirius hesitated for a moment before a massive smile crossed his face. “Hell yeah!”
The university orientation wouldn't be for several hours, so Sirius and James hung out in their dorm. James helped his new friend with his posters and they found somewhere safe for the dozen records he’d brought with him. Sirius explained that his plan was to buy a record player for the dorm in the coming week, since he wasn't able to bring his on the flight.
After unpacking, the boys found themselves playing a game of Mario Kart. James, as always, had picked Mario and Sirius had picked King Boo.
“Come on!” Sirius yelled as James used a booster to get ahead.
He laughed, lightly shoving his new friend. “You’re just a sore loser.”
“Oh you wait till the Rainbow Road, I’ll knock your sorry ass off the track!”
Just as James set up the next race, there was a knock at the door. Sirius got up before James could. His roommate’s posture went rigid as he opened the door. His demeanor changed suddenly.
From where he was sitting, James couldn't see who was at the door, but from Sirius’s body language and his tone it was a very unwelcome person.
“Fuck you,” He spat at the visitor, closing the door.
The visitor pushed the door open and for a moment James could see him. He looked very similar to Sirius, dark curls and grey eyes, there was a dark energy about him. They made eye contact for a moment before James turned back to the switch, not wanting to eavesdrop on Sirius’s conversation.
“Sirius, Mère vous demande de rejoindre Narcissa et moi pour le thé cet après-midi. Elle suppose que vous savez où se trouve son bureau.”
He shook his head, “Non!”
"Tu n'as pas le choix.”
“Reggie, je te l'ai dit en partant, j'ai fini de faire son sale boulot. Je veux avoir une vie, avoir des amis, obtenir mon diplôme. Cela n'est presque pas arrivé à cause d'elle, tu te souviens de ce qui s'est passé la dernière fois qu'elle m'a envoyé. J'ai failli mourir.” Sirius attempted to close the door again, but was stopped by the visitor again.
“Viens ou pas. Je m'en fous plus. Tu n'es pas lâche Sirius,” The voice spat.
“Goodbye, Regulus.” He closed the door, locking it before the man could stop him again.
Sirius slumped down on his bed, sighing.
The room was silent for a moment, James hesitated before asking. “Who was that?”
“My dick brother.” He kicked off his shoes, throwing his legs onto his bed. “My mother is demanding we have tea this afternoon.”
“Are you going?” He didn't want to push, but James had to admit he was curious about Sirius.
“Nah, besides I already got plans.”
James looked at his roommate, slightly confused, “With who?”
“You, dumbass!” He shook his head laughing, “Okay toss me the controller. I've decided I must demolish you at Mario Kart now.”
“As if!”
They played so long they ended up missing the orientation. When James pointed that out, Sirius shrugged. “Probably better anyway. I don't have to see my bitchy mother.”
“I thought you were from Italy?” James asked,
Sirius shook his head. “Technically I was born in France. We moved to Italy when I was 16, though my parents still own the house in Paris and they have one here as well.”
“Damn, and I thought my parents had money,” He joked. “What do your parents do?”
The curly-haired boy shrugged. “Not a hundred percent sure, they’re into some shady stuff I've tried to stay out of. What about your parents?”
“They’re politicians, nothing interesting.” To James it wasn't interesting, though he did often meet other famous politicians he could never bother to remember the names of.
Sirius’s eyes narrowed. “What's your last name?”
“Potter, why?”
“Ohh shit,” Sirius mumbled. James looked at him curiously. “Sorry, my parents had me and my brother tutored in, like, everything, and British Politicians were one of them, so I know a lot about your parents’ political party.” Sirius explained.
“Oh, okay,” James nodded and turned back to the game. “Alright one more round?”
~~~
After several more rounds of Mario Kart James leaned back in his chair.
“So where do we wanna go tonight?” Sirius asked,
“Good question, I'll start looking at fun stuff nearby, Oh and we can bring Peter and Remus!” James opened his laptop trying to find something that would be fun for all of them.
Sirius walked up behind James, pointing out a few places that looked cool. “Ooo what about that one?” He pointed at a roller skating place,
James shook his head, “I’d a hundred percent be down but I don't know how Remus would fare with his hip. I’ll give him a call and ask though”
He dialled Remus’s number, it was one of the few he’d committed to memory along with his parents, Peter and Marlene.
His friend picked up on the third ring, “Hey what's up James?”
“Sirius and I were looking at some places to go out tonight and found a roller rink but I wanted to check and see if you were up for that. There’s also an Arcade inside.” He explained,
“Yeah I think so,”
James felt Sirius poking him, he pressed the phone to his neck, “Yes?”
“There’s also a diner, we can get dinner too!”
“Mhmm!” He nodded, turning back to his phone call. “Awesome, if y'all come by our dorm and we’ll head out in ten.”
“Sounds great James”
“See you in a bit Remus”
The call clicked off. James grabbed a small backpack and threw in his phone charger, his wallet, spare headphones for Remus in case he forgot his. A bottle of Advil and Tylenol, and a water bottle. He also shoved a hoodie in there in case it got cold.
James turned to Sirius, “You ready?”
“Hell Yeah!” Sirius cheered, he’d thrown on a leather jacket and darkened his eyeliner.
James knew this would be the start of a glorious friendship.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Here's the conversation between Regulus & Sirius in english (also in Sirius's POV)
As James set up the next race, there was a knock at the door. Sirius set his controller down on the desk and got up. He opened the door to see his little brother standing there, a blank expression on his face.
“Fuck you,” He spat at the boy before closing the door. Sirius wasn't expecting to see his brother, since moving out he'd barely talked to his brother. He'd tried to stay in touch but it was difficult, especially after their massive fight.
Regulus pushed the door open again, preventing Sirius from walking away from the conversartion.
“Sirius, Mother requests that you join Narcissa and I for tea this afternoon, She assumes you know where her office is. ”
He shook his head, “Not happening!” He hadn't seen his mother in months and he prefered to keep it that way.
"You dont have a choice”
“Reggie, I told you when I left, I'm done doing their dirty work! I want to have a life, to graduate, make friends. That almost didn't happen, I almost died.” Sirius attempted to close the door again, but was stopped by his brother again.
“Come or dont, I dont give a shit anymore” Regulus spat.
“Goodbye, Regulus.” He closed the door, locking it before the boy could stop him again.