Chapter 4
The whole castle is truly beautiful. Not too large, surrounded by gardens full of cypresses and orange trees, with a faint scent of lavender lingering in the air. Fountains, draped in ivy and framed with marble statues, glimmer in the summer sunlight, giving the place an atmosphere straight out of fairy tales about princesses and dragons.
James Potter, standing on the terrace, can’t help but let out a low whistle of admiration as he takes in the view. Green hills stretch endlessly to the horizon, with rows of vineyards and tiny red-roofed houses visible in the distance. Regulus, leaning against the stone balustrade, seems less impressed.
“Were you expecting something different?” he asks, raising an eyebrow. James grins broadly, running a hand through his hair.
“I don’t know… Maybe a dark, spooky castle with bats and secret passages? It is your family, Black,” James teases. Regulus rolls his eyes, but the corners of his mouth twitch in a faint smile.
“Surprise, Potter. Not all Blacks live in Gothic ruins. This place has belonged to Alphard for years. Druella probably thought it was the perfect setting to show how very…” he pauses, searching for the right word, “… extravagant we are.”
“Care to give me a tour?” James asks suddenly. They don’t have any plans for the day, and he’d love to uncover more of the castle’s secrets. It seems no one could reveal them better than Regulus, who spent much of his childhood here.
“Gladly,” Regulus replies, his smile tinged with nostalgia. James picks up on the subtle reaction, planning to use it to chip away at the walls Regulus Black has built around himself.
“Then come on,” Regulus says, leading him away from the small balcony at the end of the corridor.
The castle is noticeably busier than when they first arrived. James can’t help but notice how elegantly everyone is dressed. Their assessing glances exude a coldness unfamiliar to him—something he never feels with Sirius or even Regulus, despite the latter’s aloofness.
Regulus guides James toward the gardens, leaving behind the bustle in the main building. Andromeda’s and Ted’s families has been arriving for days now, and the atmosphere in the castle grows increasingly tense. Although the wedding is still two weeks away, preparations are in full swing. Druella Black, the bride’s mother, doesn’t let anyone forget for even a moment that everything must be perfect.
“I feel like I’m walking through a minefield,” James remarks as they pass through the gates leading to the estate grounds. “I’ve never seen so many people smiling and judging you at the same time.”
“You’ll get used to it,” Regulus replies with a faint smile. “And if you don’t, you can always pretend you got food poisoning.”
James chuckles, following Regulus toward the gardens. Part of the estate is enclosed by perfectly trimmed hedges and flower-lined pathways, but it’s the sight of the stables in the distance that makes James raise an eyebrow.
“Are those stables?” he asks incredulously. “You have horses?”
“What, did you think all the Blacks sit in marble salons sipping tea?” Regulus gives him a brief, mocking glance. “Some of us have more… grounded interests.”
“Grounded?” James gestures at the elegant stable building. “Regulus, that looks like a palace for horses.” Regulus rolls his eyes, but his lips twitch in amusement.
“Alphard loves horses. The stables were his idea. And I… well, there’s one mare I spend time with whenever I’m here. Come on, I’ll show you.”
James follows, trying to mask his surprise. Regulus Black, cold and distant, spending time in a stable? It’s a side of him James never expected.
As they enter, the smell of hay and the soft sounds of horses greet them. Regulus heads deeper into the building, stopping in front of one of the stalls. Inside stands a sleek, gray mare, who lifts her head at the sight of Regulus and neighs softly.
“This is Diana,” Regulus says, opening the stall door. “I think she’s the only one in this family who doesn’t judge me,” he adds with a quiet laugh, though it carries a hint of sadness. James watches as Regulus strokes the mare’s muzzle. There’s something incredibly natural about the scene, as though in the stable, he sheds all his coldness and masks.
“I never would’ve guessed you had such a soft spot for animals, Black. It’s… charming,” James teases. Regulus shoots him a frosty look, but there’s amusement in his eyes.
“Don’t get sentimental, Potter. You might end up with a soft spot for me.”
“Who knows?” James grins, leaning against the side of the stall. “Maybe I already do.” Regulus rolls his eyes, but a faint blush creeps into his cheeks.
“You can pet her if you want,” Regulus offers. James reaches out and gently strokes the mare’s muzzle. She regards him calmly, and James smiles softly.
“I think she likes me,” he says.
“She hasn’t made up her mind yet,” Regulus replies, though there’s a note of warmth in his voice. James glances at Regulus, then back at Diana.
“You know, if someone told me I’d spend an afternoon in a stable with Regulus Black and his favorite horse, I’d have thought they were crazy.”
“Life is full of surprises, Potter,” Regulus says with a touch of irony. James, catching the rare smile, decides to take a risk.
“Maybe you’re the surprise,” he says. Regulus narrows his eyes but doesn’t step away.
“You’ve got a lot of confidence, Potter. Maybe too much.”
“And you’ve got too few smiles, Black,” James retorts, leaning slightly closer and looking at Regulus with a glint in his eye. “I think I can fix that.” Regulus raises an eyebrow, trying to maintain his usual composure, but the faint blush on his cheeks gives him away.
“You think you can have that kind of effect on me?” he asks, leaning against the stall door. His tone is neutral, but James catches the challenge in his gaze.
“I already do,” James replies with quiet confidence. There’s no typical cockiness in his tone, just something more sincere. “Look at you. You’re smiling.”
“Or maybe I’m just in a good mood because I get to see Diana,” Regulus counters, giving him a pointed look.
“Then I’ll have to work on making you look forward to seeing me just as much,” James quips, stroking the mare again as she dips her head, seemingly accepting his presence. Regulus rolls his eyes but doesn’t walk away.
“I can’t decide what’s more annoying, Potter. The fact that you keep flirting, or the fact that you’re sometimes good at it.”
“Let me know when I’ve convinced you, will you?” James steps away from the mare, looking at Regulus with a smile that’s surprisingly gentle. “I’d like to know if it’s worth investing more time in.”
Regulus raises an eyebrow, then turns away with feigned indifference.
“Stop talking, Potter. There’s no one here.”
James chuckles softly, returning to petting the mare. He knows he’s managed to unsettle Regulus. The scent of hay and the gentle warmth of the summer afternoon surround them. And even though Regulus has turned his back, James notices his ears are slightly red.
xxx
The Italian sun brushes against James’s skin, and he realizes how much he’s missed summers like this. When he was younger, his family used to vacation in Spain every school break. But adult life had consumed him to the point where he no longer continued the tradition. Work, obligations, and lately, the lack of someone to share those moments with kept him from taking any holiday trips. Now, though, walking through the expansive Black family estate, he feels the long-forgotten taste of carefree summer days.
The warmth of the sun, the scent of summer, and the steady rhythm of Regulus’s footsteps beside him are oddly soothing. James glances at his companion, who seems utterly indifferent to the picturesque surroundings. Regulus is the same as ever—cool and composed, as if nothing could ever move him.
“Why did you choose me?” James asks suddenly, breaking the silence. Regulus glances at him out of the corner of his eye, frowning slightly.
“What do you mean?”
“As your…” James hesitates, searching for the right word. “Fake partner. You know, so everyone thinks there’s something between us.”
Regulus shrugs.
“Because you’re unbearable,” he replies dryly, but there’s a hint of amusement in his tone. “You’re perfect for my plan. The family won’t like you, but they won’t dare say it.”
James laughs, stopping for a moment.
“So you brought me here as your human shield?”
“If that’s how you want to put it,” Regulus shrugs again. “But let’s not kid ourselves, Potter. You’re having the time of your life playing this role.”
James can’t deny it. Getting pulled into the drama of the Black family, with their disapproving stares and whispered judgments, does have a certain… thrill to it. But that’s not entirely what’s on his mind. Not quite.
“You could’ve picked someone else,” he says, more quietly this time. “Someone who wouldn’t meddle, who wouldn’t…”
Regulus stops and looks at him, this time with more focus.
“Who wouldn’t try to understand?” he finishes for him. James stays silent, surprised by how accurately Regulus hits the mark. “I picked you because I know you won’t pretend to be someone you’re not. And that’s enough chaos to distract from what’s really going on here.”
For a moment, James doesn’t know how to respond. He watches as Regulus carefully spreads a towel over a lounge chair and lies down on it.
“That’s the most twisted compliment I’ve ever received,” he finally says, trying to break the tension.
“I’m glad you appreciate it,” Regulus replies with the faintest hint of a smile. James sighs dramatically, sitting down in the chair beside him.
“All right, Black. Maybe I am here for more than just playing your fake boyfriend.”
Regulus glances at him, their gazes locking for a brief moment. In that instant, under the golden light of the Italian afternoon, James feels that this trip might bring more than he had ever anticipated.
xxx
“I didn’t know Regulus and Remus got along so well,” James says to Sirius, who swims up to him. His friend’s gaze follows his.
“They’re friends,” Sirius informs him with a shrug. James raises an eyebrow, surprised. “Reg didn’t tell you? Although, come to think of it… I’m not surprised. Regulus has this habit of not letting himself believe people genuinely care about him.”
Sirius’s gaze stays on the two in question. Now both of them watch Lupin and the younger Black, engaged in a lively conversation that’s likely above their intellectual level.
“Friends?” James repeats, still unconvinced. “Regulus? And Remus? How did that happen?”
“Probably books,” Sirius says with faint amusement. “Reg has always had a thing for people who value brains over ego. It doesn’t surprise me they get along.”
“Makes sense,” James replies.
“You’ve surprised me, you know?” Sirius says after a pause. “I didn’t think Reg would drag you into all these family games.”
James blinks, confused.
“What?”
“You and Regulus,” Sirius makes a vague hand gesture. “A relationship is one thing, but… I didn’t think Reg would open up to someone outside of our twisted little world and bring you along to Andromeda’s wedding.” James starts to deny it, but something in Sirius’s tone makes him hesitate.
“I don’t know if ‘opening up’ is the right phrase,” he says cautiously. It’s more like… he tolerates my presence.” Sirius laughs, though his gaze softens.
“Potter, you’re blind if you can’t see it. Regulus wouldn’t have invited you here if you didn’t mean more to him than even he’s willing to admit.”
James stays silent, watching as Regulus leans in slightly toward Remus, listening attentively. He looks calm, relaxed—something James has rarely seen in Regulus Black.
“Do you think… he really cares?” James asks, trying to mask his curiosity. Sirius sighs, like he’s explaining something obvious to a child.
“Of course, he cares. Reg is hard to figure out, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel things. He’s just scared to show it. And you… I don’t know how, but you make him different. At first, I wasn’t sure, but now? I’m glad you’re both happy.”
“So you’re saying he’s serious about this?” James tries to sound confident, but there’s a more serious note in his voice. Sirius raises an eyebrow, then grins.
“If Regulus commits to something, it’s always serious. But if you hurt him… well, then we’ll have a problem.”
James feels his heartbeat quicken, but before he can respond, Remus and Regulus walk over.
“What are you two discussing so seriously?” Remus asks, looking at them with a slight smile.
“You, of course,” Sirius answers before James can speak. Remus tilts his head, giving his boyfriend a smile that’s meant just for him.
Regulus narrows his eyes at Sirius but says nothing. James, however, looks at Regulus with a newfound curiosity, wondering what else lies beneath his calm exterior.
Just as he and Sirius step out of the pool, a car pulls into the driveway. Regulus must recognize it, as his smile fades, and even his usual practiced confidence seems to vanish.
Two men get out, chatting cheerfully. One is a tall, slender man with dark hair and a gentle smile, his face vaguely familiar to James. The other, slightly shorter, has sun-kissed skin and wears a sharp suit, carrying a small suitcase in hand.
James glances at Regulus, startled by the sudden change in his demeanor. He’s closed off, shoulders tense, his gaze avoiding the newcomers.
“Who’s that?” James asks quietly, leaning closer to Sirius. Sirius, noticing the same shift in Regulus, frowns slightly.
“The taller one is Kingsley,” Sirius says, his voice low but tense. “They were together for about two years.”
James’s eyebrows shoot up. “Regulus? And… him?”
“Yeah. They broke up about six months ago,” Sirius shrugs, though his expression remains watchful. “But as far as I know, it wasn’t a disaster. They just grew apart.”
James looks back at Regulus, who now seems like he’d prefer to disappear into the nearest shadow.
“He looks stressed,” James notes. Sirius nods.
“Our family never found out they were together.”
Before James can respond, Kingsley notices Regulus, and his face lights up with a genuine smile.
“Regulus!” he calls, walking toward them. His voice is warm, and there’s a spark of affection in his eyes that James finds hard to ignore. Regulus straightens up, forcing a small smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Kingsley,” he says evenly, though there’s a faint tension in his voice.
“Good to see you. It’s been a while,” Kingsley says, stopping in front of them and seeming to disregard James and Sirius entirely. James shifts instinctively to stand beside Regulus.
“It has,” Regulus replies, his gaze briefly flicking to James as if seeking reassurance. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”
James knows it’s a lie.
“I wasn’t sure either, but I thought it would’ve been rude not to show up,” Kingsley explains with a casual shrug.
James watches their exchange with a mix of curiosity and growing irritation. Kingsley seems oblivious to Regulus’s guarded tone, his presence filling the space between them effortlessly.
“Hi, James Potter,” James interjects suddenly, extending a hand toward Kingsley. Kingsley looks at him, slightly surprised, before smiling politely.
“Kingsley,” he says, shaking James’s hand briefly before turning back to Regulus. “Got a minute? Can we talk?” Regulus hesitates for a fraction of a second, then exhales softly.
“Sure,” he says, turning toward James as if to say something but thinking better of it. “I’ll be back in a bit.”
James hesitates for only a moment. They’re supposed to be pretending, after all, and Kingsley shouldn’t have any doubts about their “relationship.” Before Regulus can step away, James leans in and plants a soft kiss on his cheek.
“Don’t keep me waiting too long, Reggie,” he says with a playful smile, though there’s something deeper in his eyes.
Regulus freezes for a moment, his eyes widening in surprise. He looks like he wants to say something but merely nods slightly before turning to follow Kingsley.
James watches them go, feeling a mix of satisfaction and unease. As they disappear around the corner of the garden, Sirius bursts out laughing, stepping up beside him.
“Seriously, Potter? ‘Reggie’?” Sirius gives him an amused look. “Jealous much?” James doesn’t answer, his gaze still fixed on the retreating figures. Sirius notices and places a hand on his shoulder, trying to reassure him.
“Don’t worry about him. Kingsley always had this… annoyingly perfect vibe. But they’re not getting back together. Kingi has some elf-like creature now, and Reg has you.”
The comment about Kingsley’s presumed companion draws a small laugh from James, who finally turns to his friend. “Come on, let’s go find my fiancé.”
Remus isn’t technically Sirius’s fiancé yet, but James doesn’t comment. He simply feels the heat of the Italian sun start to irritate him more than usual.
xxx
James walks briskly down the hallway toward the kitchen, hoping to find something to drink. On the way, while trying to dodge a table with a vase, he nearly collides with a petite blonde carrying a stack of freshly laundered tablecloths.
“Oh, Merlin—Marlene, sorry!” he exclaims, stepping back hastily. Marlene McKinnon looks at him with a mix of amusement and exasperation. The tablecloths in her arms teeter dangerously, but she manages to steady them.
“Lucky for me I bumped into you, of all people. Not someone important,” she sighs, though the faint smile tugging at her lips softens the jab.
“Good to know I’m rated so highly,” James quips with a grin. “Where are you taking all that?”
“To the dining room. Druella Black demanded the tablecloths be replaced because, apparently, the others didn’t ‘align with the aura of tomorrow’s reception.’” Marlene rolls her eyes in a way James instantly admires. “As if anyone would notice.”
James chuckles, suddenly energized. “Hold on, let me help. You look like you’re about to collapse.”
“Thanks, but I’ve got it,” she replies, though she doesn’t protest when he takes a portion of the linens from her arms.
“And while we’re at it… Why do you look so distracted?” he asks as they walk, noticing how her gaze keeps drifting elsewhere. Marlene lets out a sound that’s somewhere between a laugh and a sigh.
“Maybe because something’s been distracting me,” she admits in a slightly altered tone.
“Oho, now that sounds interesting,” James says, studying her face as if trying to guess. “Wait, don’t tell me. Let me guess… It’s a person, isn’t it?” Marlene’s cheeks flush faintly, which only confirms his suspicion.
“Shut up, Potter,” she mutters, shooting him a look of mock disapproval, though it’s clear she isn’t mad.
“Marlene, come on. Who’s caught your eye? Please tell me it’s not Bellatrix,” James teases. Marlene bursts into laughter, nearly dropping the tablecloths.
“No, you idiot! It’s… Dorcas Meadowes.”
James raises his eyebrows. “Dorcas? The one with the long braids? She’s friends with Regulus.”
“That’s the one.” Marlene sighs, shaking her head. “She’s amazing, but… I don’t know how to approach her.”
James pauses for dramatic effect, pretending to think. “Well, with my charm and your…” he hesitates theatrically, “…stubbornness, I’m sure we can figure something out.” Marlene gives him a skeptical look.
“I’m not sure whether I should be worried or grateful.”
“Definitely grateful,” James grins. “Okay, listen. Let’s drop these tablecloths off, and then we can ‘accidentally’ bump into her.”
Marlene snorts. “You? Playing wingman?”
“I consider myself highly skilled in flirting,” James replies, shrugging as if it were obvious. “And besides, who better to distract from any awkwardness?”
“Distract from what?” Marlene asks, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
“From your complete inability to talk to someone you’ve just met,” James says innocently, ducking as she swats at him with a stack of tablecloths.
“You’re impossible, James.”
“Impossible, but effective,” he retorts with a wink. “Come on, let’s offer these linens up to Druella’s impossible standards and then find your Dorcas.” Marlene rolls her eyes but smiles despite herself.
James doesn’t realize it yet, but he’s already becoming the closest thing Marlene has ever had to a true friend.
A few minutes later, with the tablecloths handed off, James and Marlene stroll toward the garden, where guests are beginning to gather to admire the decorations and test the evening’s lighting.
“So, what is it about her that’s got you so smitten?” James asks, trying to sound casual. “Her sharp gaze? Or is it the way she effortlessly avoids Bellatrix’s questions?”
“Maybe it’s the fact that she’s intelligent and funny, not that she can survive a conversation with a psycho,” Marlene replies, smiling wider. “And maybe… a little bit of that gaze.”
“Knew it!” James pumps his fist in triumph. “I told you, I’m brilliant at spotting these things.”
“You’re brilliant at sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong,” Marlene mutters. Before James can respond, he notices Dorcas standing near the pergola, inspecting a garland.
“All right, there she is,” James leans closer to Marlene, speaking in a low, conspiratorial voice. “This is your chance. Remember: casual, natural. ‘Hey, I noticed you’re into plants,’ or something.”
“What if she’s not into plants?” Marlene asks, panicked.
“Everyone likes plants,” James says with utter confidence. “Let’s go.”
“Dorcas!” James calls out before Marlene can protest. “Look who I found—someone who also loves staring at garlands!”
Dorcas looks up, first at James, then at Marlene, who is glaring at him as though she wants to strangle him.
“Oh… really?” Dorcas raises an eyebrow, clearly amused.
“James is being an idiot,” Marlene says quickly, throwing him a murderous glance before turning to Dorcas. “But, uh… the garland is really nice. I mean… your dress is nice. You look great, actually.”
Dorcas’s smile widens as she steps closer, tilting her head slightly. “Thanks. You look… pretty good yourself,” she says playfully, though her gaze softens. “I made the dress myself.”
Marlene blushes and stumbles over her words, muttering something about not being good with dresses. Dorcas, however, seems more entertained than anything, leaning into the conversation as though charmed by Marlene’s awkwardness.
James watches the two of them walk off together, now chatting effortlessly. He stands there for a moment, satisfied, before murmuring quietly to himself, “You’re welcome, Marlene.”
Whistling a tune under his breath, he spins on his heel and heads back toward the castle, as though he’s just saved the world.