“Jamie! Why do you always win!” I jokingly yell as he beats me, again, in our makeshift quidditch match.
“What can I say? I was born to be a quidditch star.”
“Boys, come inside for lunch!” Effie called from the window.
Staying with the potters had been like a dream. I had honestly never felt safer, plus moony lived close so that was a bonus.
We quickly clean up and head to the kitchen table when Monty hands me a copy of the daily profit. Black heir disowned after using an unforgivable on brother Regulus. I guess there's no going back now.
I hadn’t, of course, but that doesn't make it hurt any less when James looked at me with this pained expression in his eyes. “Did you actually?”
“Of course I didn't!”
…
I was five when Walburga first hurt me. She would never hit me, that was far too muggle. Instead she would use curses. Cruise was her favorite.
I was seven when the food stopped appearing on my plate. I had behaved out of line and this was the only fair punishment. I don't remember what I did.
I was eleven when I was first exposed to happiness. I had friends, teachers, all who cared. It was then that I decided I was going to make it out. Somehow.
I was fourteen when I first got the chance. I ran out the front door one summer when no one was looking. I was already on a bus to London when I got a patronus demanding I return right away. They didn't need to tell me what they’d do if I didn't. I vowed to never leave regulus again.
I was sixteen when I got another chance, but this time I'll make no mistakes. I packed a couple of mine and regs outfits, enough money to get to the potters and my wand. Walburga and Orion were at an event so Regulus and I were home alone. I remember going into the reg room and begging him to come with me. He said he just couldn’t. I had to get out. So I left him. They wouldn't hurt him like they did to me.
…
James dropped it after that. Although he did still seem concerned. “Okay.”
I couldn’t let that bother me, we're going back to Hogwarts in two weeks and there's so much to do to prepare. We have to go to Diagon Alley in order to get supplies. James and I are doing a quidditch skills camp, so we can both make the team. Plus we're all going to a party at Moonys this weekend. I really dont have much time to worry.
“Pancakes anyone?” Monty offered. I'd recently learned he could be quite a chef when he was in the mood.
James, who always had room for pancakes, declined. Something was up with him. So when he finally left the table I followed.
“What's going on?”
“What?” He looked startled. “Oh, nothing.”
“Bullshit. What happened, is it Evans?”
“No, god, why do you guys think we're a thing?”
“I dunno,” I reply honestly. “Are you seeing someone else then?”
“It's complicated.”
“No it isn't! What house is she in?”
“He.”
…
“So are you gay then?” Orion askes. Causing me and our muggle neighbor to pull backwards at lightning speed. “Go,” He says to the boy.
“Im sorry papa, I-”
“Be quiet. That is a sin, I hope you're aware.”
“Yes papa.”
“Good. Now I trust you dont want me telling your mother, is that correct?”
“Please?” It's barely a whisper.
He nodded, but the relief is short lived as he begins to unbutton his fly.
…
“Thank you for telling me that, so what house is he in then?”
James breaks eye contact and starts picking at his skin. “Slytherin.”
Oh. “I mean they're not all bad right? I'm sure he’s really nice.”
“He is.” He still doesn't look back at me.
That's when the doorbell rings. Instinctively James gets up to open it and I start cleaning up in the kitchen. When I don't hear voices I grow a little concerned so I put down the dishes and meet James by the door.
“Reg,” I say when I meet his eyes.
“I made it out.”