Chapter 1
It started at the beginning of the year.
Wherever Regulus went, he couldn’t shake off the feeling that someone was watching him. At first he thought this feeling was the aftermath of being stuck with his parents all summer. But slowly, Regulus realised he had this feeling every time Sirius and his friends were around: in the Great Hall, crossing them in the hallway, even sometimes at Quidditch practice when they ran into each other.
Regulus always looked at Sirius. They weren’t on perfect terms, but they did still talk to each other and maintained somewhat of a sibling relationship. Underwraps of course, wouldn’t want their parents finding out he was ‘conspiring’ with his ‘traitorous’ brother. Sirius couldn’t be the one staring, too dangerous for both of them, and he wasn’t that dumb. So after a month of feeling watched, he started fixating on the other boys.
Next time he encountered them, Regulus stared at Peter. Nothing from him. He was normally chatting away, gesturing passionately about something, too in his own world. He liked Peter, funny and witty, never one to get into much trouble if avoidable. The only interaction he’d had with Regulus was once, over a game of chess in the library. Neither had any idea how they found themselves in that situation, but it had been an intense match. First time Regulus had ever lost. He developed a new-found respect for Peter after that.
Clearly Peter wasn’t the ‘starer’, as Barty insisted on calling the culprit. Regulus started looking out for Remus after that. He noticed that Remus, like Sirius, glanced at him when they crossed, but never for too long. If he didn’t have his nose in a book (more common than not), he was listening to Peter or Sirius, sometimes pitching in. Remus is the one he liked most of all, his quiet demeanour making it easier for Regulus to like him.
And finally, the one he least wanted to fixate on. The following times they crossed, he looked at James Potter.
And he was always staring back.
Every single time he crossed them, James was always looking. Even high on the stands, when Gryffindor was waiting for Slytherin to finish their Quidditch practice, Regulus could sense James following him with his eyes as he flew on his broom.
He started staring back. Subtly at first, just a glance to check he wasn’t imagining things. Barty and Evan laughed when he revealed his discovery. They started taking notice too, how James would actually look back at them when they crossed in the hallway.
“Looks like someone’s got a crush!” Barty teased Regulus.
They were in the dorms that day, and he shut Barty up with a book to the face. They both knew about Regulus’ little infatuation for Potter, which didn’t help in this situation.
With Regulus on the bed, Evan claiming his spot on his desk and Barty pacing around, they pondered over the matter.
“Fuck off, no he doesn’t.” Regulus murmured.
“I mean, why would he stare though?” Evan questioned wisely, “He isn’t frowning or anything, just looking. Him having a little crush on you wouldn’t be a crazy assumption if he were anyone else.”
Regulus hated to admit it, but Evan was right. If anyone else would be staring at him like James had been doing for three months, the only conclusion was that he liked Regulus.
“I think you’re forgetting this is James Potter we’re talking about. Sirius’ best friend? Stupid and arrogant git?”
“And hot. And captain. And smart. And hot.” continued Barty, earning a glare from both boys. “I’m just repeating what you wouldn’t stop saying a few months back!”
Unfortunately, this was true. He got kind of obsessed with James after the day he helped Regulus sneak into the Gryffindor common room to talk to Sirius after a row. He had been kind and understanding, not judging him or taking sides. Regulus also noticed how fit James was after having to hide behind a curtain so as not to be spotted by a group walking past.
“You ok?” James had said, with flushed cheeks and towering over him.
No, Regulus definitely wasn’t all right.
“That isn’t the case anymore.” huffed Regulus, rolling his eyes and going back to his book. It had been months since that, and even though the thought of James always made him feel a bit funny, he knew it was an impossible dream.
“Oh, come on Regulus, you still liikkkeee hiiimmm!!” Barty exclaimed, climbing on his bed and snatching his book away from him.
Regulus pushed him off the bed, ignoring his protests, and looked at Evan.
“What do you think? Seriously.”
“I think it’s worth exploring.” Evan shrugged, surprising Regulus, “James is a nice guy, and it's obvious the staring isn’t for nothing. You could let it be or… do something about it.”
“Do something about it?”
“Yeah, talk to him, see what all this looking is all about.”
“Maybe do it in Regulus fashion. Corner him and intimidate him until he spills his guts.” added Barty, smirking.
For once, both his friends were actually being helpful.