Astronomy
James woke up early, as was his routine. The sun was barely peeking through the curtains, casting soft light across the room. He glanced around to see that his friends were still deep in slumber, their snores a symphony of comfortable chaos. As much as he loved their company, today, he needed solitude.
After a quick shower, he dressed in his Quidditch gear and made his way outside. The brisk morning air felt refreshing against his skin, and he relished the quiet of the grounds before the day began. He practiced hard, focusing on the rhythm of his movements, the feel of the broom beneath him. Each swoop and dive cleared his mind, momentarily pushing aside the chaos of his thoughts.
Once practice was over, he showered again, feeling rejuvenated yet still restless. With a sense of purpose, he headed toward the Astronomy Tower. It was his favorite spot for contemplation, a refuge from the whirlwind of Hogwarts life. He climbed the stairs, the creaking wood echoing in the stillness.
When he reached the top, he was met with the sight of the dawn breaking across the sky—a breathtaking display of pinks and oranges painting the horizon. He sat on the stone ledge, staring into the vastness above, hoping the quiet would help him make sense of his feelings.
But the tranquility was abruptly interrupted by the sound of footsteps. “Shit,” he muttered under his breath. He turned to see Regulus Black stepping into view, clad in a pretty green sweater that somehow made him look even more striking.
“Fuck, can’t a man be alone for a day?” Regulus grumbled, irritation lacing his tone.
James raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin creeping onto his face. “Oh, sorry, Regulus. But the tower isn’t in your name.”
Regulus sighed dramatically and chose a spot several feet away, closing his eyes as if trying to meditate. James felt a surge of annoyance but was also amused. It was hard to stay mad at someone who wore a green sweater so effortlessly.
“Regulus, I was thinking—” James began.
“That’s new for you. Did it hurt?” Regulus interjected, a smirk playing on his lips.
James laughed, feeling a warmth spread in his chest. Regulus was a bit mean, but it was endearing in a way. “No, no, for real. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your friends sometimes?”
“Potter, we are not friends,” Regulus shot back, his tone playful but with an underlying edge.
“Bloody hell, Regulus, just let me talk,” James retorted, crossing his arms as he leaned back against the cool stone.
“Okay, okay, but I won’t hear you,” Regulus said, his eyes still closed.
James sighed, knowing this was his chance. “I mean, two of my best friends are madly in love but can’t figure it out on their own.”
“You just screamed your brother and his best friend, idiot,” Regulus said, his eyes finally opening as he turned to James with a mix of exasperation and amusement.
James laughed again, the sound lightening the mood. “You feel the connection between them too, right?”
Regulus nodded, his expression shifting slightly. “They will figure it out, Potter,” he said, his tone more serious now.
Just as they shared a moment of understanding, the castle clock began to chime, signaling the time for breakfast. They both stood, the moment slipping away like grains of sand.
“Guess we should head to the Great Hall,” James said, his voice slightly tinged with disappointment.
“Yeah, before someone sends out a search party,” Regulus replied, a hint of humor returning to his eyes.
As they made their way down the tower, James couldn’t help but feel a shift in the air around them. It was strange—Regulus had never felt so… accessible. Maybe it was the solitude that made their banter feel lighter, less burdened by the expectations that usually loomed over them.
“Hey, Reg,” James called out, his voice echoing in the stairwell.
“What now?” Regulus replied, glancing back with a hint of curiosity.
“Thanks for, you know, not being a total git today,” James said, a grin spreading across his face.
Regulus rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Don’t get used to it, Potter.”
As they reached the Great Hall, the familiar chatter and laughter enveloped them, but James felt a small flicker of warmth inside him. Maybe, just maybe, there was more to Regulus than he had initially thought. And maybe, amidst all the chaos of friendship and unspoken feelings, they could navigate this tangled web together.
Breakfast passed in a blur of noise and chatter, with students buzzing about the upcoming Quidditch match. James joined in with his usual banter, his sunny facade hiding the internal storm brewing from the early morning encounter with Regulus. His thoughts drifted as they ate, replaying their conversation on the tower. There was something magnetic about Regulus that James couldn’t quite shake, but before he could dwell too long, they were rushing off to class.
The day moved swiftly through classes—Transfiguration with McGonagall, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and finally, Charms with Flitwick. In each class, James’s mind wandered back to Regulus. He tried to focus, but between thinking of Sirius’s obvious affection for Remus and the odd connection he felt with Regulus, he felt scattered.
“Oi, Potter! Focus,” McGonagall snapped as James’s Transfiguration spell faltered, and the object in front of him wobbled.
“Sorry, Professor,” he muttered, casting a quick glance at Sirius, who snickered under his breath.
By the end of the day, the boys were exhausted, but they made their way back to the Gryffindor dorms. After long hours of classes and the pressure of the Quidditch match looming over him, James welcomed the quiet as they returned to their room. He showered quickly, letting the hot water wash away his tension.
As he walked out of the bathroom, running a towel through his hair, he noticed Sirius sitting on his bed, his face buried in his hands. James froze, his heart sinking at the sight. Remus was already asleep, curled up under his blanket, looking pale and exhausted—the full moon was nearing, and it was beginning to take its toll. Peter was snoring softly in his own bed, oblivious to the tension in the room.
“Pads?” James said softly as he walked over, placing a hand on Sirius’s shoulder. “What’s going on?”
Sirius looked up, his eyes red and watery, and James’s chest tightened. The sight of Sirius, usually so strong and carefree, breaking down like this reminded him too much of the night Sirius had shown up at his doorstep, bruised and beaten, having fled from Grimmauld Place. James shook the memory away, focusing on the present.
“I don’t know what’s happening to me,” Sirius whispered, his voice trembling as tears slipped down his cheeks.
James’s heart clenched. His best friend, the one person he had always relied on to be unbreakable, was crumbling in front of him. He sat down beside Sirius, pulling the curtains around the bed for privacy, casting a silencing spell to block out the others.
“Talk to me, Sirius,” James said, his voice gentle. “What’s wrong?”
Sirius hesitated for a moment before he tapped the space next to him, signaling for James to sit. As James settled down, Sirius’s walls finally broke. “I don’t know why I’m feeling like this. Why do I want all of this with… with a boy?”
James’s heart ached at the vulnerability in Sirius’s voice. He had always known there was something between Sirius and Remus, something neither of them would ever admit. But seeing Sirius like this, so raw and confused, made it all feel so much more real.
“Sirius,” James began, choosing his words carefully, “who are you talking about?”
“I’m in love with him, James,” Sirius whispered, his voice barely audible. “And it’s impossible. Why is this happening to me? Why am I falling for him?”
Without thinking, Sirius threw his arms around James, clinging to him like a lifeline. James held him close, his heart breaking for his friend. He hated seeing Sirius in pain, hated knowing there was little he could do to help.
“This is about Moony, isn’t it?” James asked softly, even though he already knew the answer.
Sirius nodded, his face pressed against James’s shoulder. “It’s him, James. I’ve tried to fight it, but I can’t. I love him, and it’s tearing me apart.”
James sighed, pulling back slightly to look at Sirius. “Siri, trust me. He’s in love with you too.”
Sirius shook his head, tears still glistening in his eyes. “No, he’s not. He couldn’t be.”
James smiled softly, brushing a stray tear from Sirius’s cheek. “You’re wrong, mate. He’s head over heels for you. He just hasn’t figured it out yet.”
Sirius looked doubtful, but James could see a flicker of hope in his eyes. “What am I supposed to do, James? It feels impossible.”
“Here’s what you’re going to do,” James said, smirking as a plan began to form in his mind. “Tomorrow, we’ve got the Quidditch game against Ravenclaw. We’ll win, as usual, and there’ll be a party in the common room. You’ll get drunk. Moony will get drunk. And then… well, you’ll see.”
Sirius looked skeptical, but James grinned mischievously. “Trust me, Pads. Everything will fall into place.”
Sirius chuckled weakly, exchanging a look with James before lying back down. “You’re mad, Potter.”
“Maybe,” James replied, his grin widening. “But I’m usually right about these things, aren’t I?”
They exchanged one last look before exhaustion finally overtook them both, and they drifted into sleep.