Bound By Magic

As they arrived back at James's flat, the atmosphere was light and filled with a newfound sense of ease. James turned to Regulus, a playful smile on his lips. “Hey, do you think you can handle watching Harry while I shower? Just for a bit?”

Regulus hesitated, a flicker of nervousness crossing his features. They hadn’t been alone with the baby yet, and the thought of being solely responsible for him was daunting. But looking at James’s hopeful expression, he nodded. “Yeah, I can do that.”

“Great! I won’t be long,” James reassured him before heading off to the bathroom.

Regulus took a deep breath as he settled onto the couch, positioning himself carefully. He leaned back, his legs slightly bent, creating a cozy nest for the baby, who was resting against his knees. Regulus gently adjusted his grip, holding Harry securely in place. The tiny form felt both fragile and incredibly precious.

As he watched the baby coo and gurgle, Regulus couldn’t help but smile. The sound warmed his heart, and it was surreal to think that this little creature was half of him. Harry’s silver-green eyes sparkled up at him, the unmistakable trait of the Black family.

Regulus found himself instinctively leaning closer, and before he knew it, he was pressing his lips softly to the baby’s forehead, planting gentle butterfly kisses. “You’re a little miracle, you know that?” he whispered, his voice barely above a murmur.

Feeling inspired, Regulus began to hum a soft French lullaby, the melodic notes drifting through the room. The baby’s eyes widened, clearly intrigued by the sound. Regulus couldn’t help but chuckle, a warmth spreading through him as he continued to sing. “Mon ami Pierrot...
”

“I’m going to be the best dad I can be, nothing like your mean old grandpa Orion ” he promised, his heart swelling with sincerity. “I’m going to spoil you rotten, just you wait. Everyone’s going to love you.”

In the midst of his musings, Regulus accidentally let the name slip. “I mean, everyone  already loves you, Harry.”

Harry responded with a laugh, his tiny hands flailing in delight. Regulus’s heart melted at the sound. “It is a funny name, huh?” he said, laughing along with the baby. The joy radiating from Harry made Regulus feel lighter, as if all his worries were melting away.

He continued to chat with Harry, letting the conversation flow naturally. “You’re going to do amazing things, you know? You’ll be so loved. And if anyone ever bothers you, just tell them your dad’s James Potter, and they’ll think twice!”

He grinned, remembering the kind of reputation James had in school. “Your dad was the coolest guy around. No one messed with him. Just look at you with his wild hair and that smile of his!”

Regulus chuckled softly, imagining Harry’s future adventures. “Let’s just hope you don’t inherit his horrible grades and his love for detention,” he teased, shaking his head.

Suddenly, he felt a presence beside him. James leaned against the couch, his head resting close to where Regulus was sitting. “Hey! I had good grades!” he said, his voice playful but a hint defensive.

Regulus’s face flushed furiously—not just from the embarrassment of being caught talking about him but because James was still damp from his shower, wrapped in nothing but a towel that clung tantalizingly to his form. “Go put on some clothes!” Regulus stammered, his heart racing.

James just smiled, leaning over to give Harry a playful blow kiss, which sent the baby into fits of giggles. Regulus felt a flutter in his chest, both amused and slightly annoyed. “You’re getting us wet!” he protested, trying to shove James away, but the older boy just laughed, clearly enjoying the moment.

“Okay, okay!” James relented, finally pushing off the couch and heading toward his room. Regulus watched him go, his eyes reluctantly trailing over James’s muscular frame—tan and dripping wet in a way that made Regulus’s heart race even faster.

“James,” Regulus called out, his voice catching slightly. James turned around, and Regulus took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus on James’s face instead of his body. “His name’s Harry.”

James’s expression lit up, a wide smile spreading across his face. “Harry,” he repeated, the name sounding even more special coming from Regulus. He laughed, a joyful sound that filled the room. “I love it!”

With that, James headed off to get dressed, leaving Regulus alone on the couch, feeling a whirlwind of emotions. As he looked down at Harry, he couldn’t help but feel grateful for this little family they were building, one laugh and one moment at a time.

James emerged from his room, dressed in a fitted red t-shirt and gray sweats that showcased his lean physique. He moved to the kitchen, getting to work on dinner while Regulus sat on the couch, feeding Harry a bottle. The soft cooing sounds of the baby filled the room, warming Regulus’s heart.

“So, now that we’ve agreed on a name, we can head to the Ministry and register him tomorrow,” James said, glancing over his shoulder.

“Yeah, sounds good,” Regulus replied, gently cradling Harry as he finished the bottle. He stood up, careful not to jostle the baby too much, and walked over to the cradle still set up in the living room. As he laid Harry down.

After making sure Harry was comfortable, Regulus turned back to James. “I think I should head home for the night, you know? I need to pack and stuff. I’m still in these clothes Remus brought me this morning.”

James paused, his expression shifting from cheerful to slightly panicked. “Wait, you don’t have to leave!” 

Regulus raised an eyebrow. “Well, I’ll have to leave if you want me to move in. You can’t exactly fit me in your bed, can you?” at the moment James only had one bed in the flat.

“Yeah, but I’m not ready to be alone,” James replied, his voice softening. He looked at Regulus with those big, earnest eyes that made Regulus’s heart flutter. “What if food will change your mind?”

Regulus crossed his arms, trying to hide his grin. “Depends on how good it is,” he shot back, unable to resist teasing him.

“It’s amazing!” James exclaimed, grinning at the memory of Effie’s cooking lessons. “She taught me to be a perfect chef, you know.”

James chuckled, leaning against the counter with a playful smirk. “You can wear my clothes, I’ve got an extra toothbrush, and in the morning, you can go home and grab your stuff while I get another bed for the other room.”

Regulus considered this for a moment. “Can I bring Kreacher?”

At the mention of the house elf, James clenched his fists, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “We’ll think about it.”

Regulus pressed on, a teasing glint in his eye. “He could be a night nurse! That way, you won’t have to get up at night, and you’ll be refreshed for Quidditch practice.”

James’s brows shot up in surprise. “How did you know I do that?”

Regulus shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Sirius mentioned it once. You’re quite the star athlete, huh?”

James laughed, the tension easing as he stirred the pot on the stove. “Yeah, I guess so. But I think I’d rather have you here than Kreacher.”

Regulus felt a warmth spread through him, realizing just how much he wanted to stay. “Alright, then. I’ll stay for dinner.”

“Deal,” James said, a grin spreading across his face as he turned back to the stove. As Regulus settled back onto the couch, the sound of sizzling food mixed with the gentle coos of Harry, and he felt a sense of belonging he hadn’t anticipated.

James and Regulus settled at the dining table, the aroma of the meal wafting between them. The rich, savory scent of the food James had whipped up filled the air, making Regulus’s stomach rumble in appreciation. As they ate, the atmosphere shifted from tense to warm, laughter bubbling between them as they recounted silly moments from their past.

After a few bites, Regulus looked up, a playful grin on his face. “I’ll just sleep on the couch, you know.”

James frowned, shaking his head, his dark hair tousled from his earlier shower. “No way. I’ll sleep on the couch. You need to be comfortable.”

Regulus shot him a pointed look, his brow arching. “It’s your house. You shouldn’t be stuck on the couch because of me.”

“Yeah, but you’re my guest—and baby daddy,” James said, his tone teasing yet affectionate.

Regulus felt his cheeks heat at the reminder, and he rolled his eyes, trying to hide his embarrassment. “Well, you’re my BABY daddy and host!” he retorted, the banter making his heart race with something more than just playfulness.

James leaned back, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Alright, then. We both sleep in my bed. It’s huge anyway.”

The suggestion caught Regulus off guard, his heart flipping in a way he didn’t quite understand. “Uh… okay, yes!” he blurted out, realizing too late how eager he sounded. His cheeks flamed, and he quickly looked away, feeling flustered.

“Great! I’ll grab some extra pillows!” James said, bouncing up from the table. He headed to the bedroom, leaving Regulus to wrestle with his racing thoughts.

Regulus took a moment, needing to collect himself. The thought of sleeping in the same bed as James was both exhilarating and terrifying. He excused himself to the bathroom, stepping into the warm shower. The water cascaded over him, soothing his nerves, but the fluttering in his stomach remained.

After showering, Regulus changed into one of James’s oversized shirts—soft and comfortable, it hung loosely around his frame—and a pair of shorts that were definitely too big. He brushed his teeth, staring at himself in the mirror, feeling a mix of excitement and dread at the evening ahead.

Taking a deep breath, he finally approached James’s room. The door was ajar, and he could hear James bustling around inside. Pushing it open, Regulus’s breath caught in his throat. James had transformed the bed into a makeshift pillow fort, cushions piled high to create a barrier between them.

“Ta-da!” James exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. “This way, you have your own space and can feel secure.”

Regulus couldn’t help but smile at the sight. “You really went all out, huh?” He stepped inside, the air filled with the faint scent of James’s aftershave and the warmth of the room.

James shrugged, his cheeks tinged with a hint of bashfulness. “Just wanted to make sure you felt comfortable. Plus, I thought it’d be fun to start this whole… living situation on a light note.”

“Right,” Regulus replied, his voice laced with a nervous undertone. “So, uh, what’s the plan for tomorrow?”

James moved to sit on the edge of the bed, his posture relaxed yet attentive. “Well, we can drop off Harry at my parents’ place in the morning. They’ll be over the moon to see him. Then, I can help you move in and bring your stuff over.”

Regulus nodded, his heart swelling with gratitude. “That sounds good. Thanks, James. I really appreciate it.”

“Anytime,” James said, his smile softening as he met Regulus’s gaze. The warmth in his hazel eyes made Regulus feel a flutter of something deeper. “Now, let’s get some sleep. We’ve got a big day ahead.”

As they settled in, the pillow fort creating a cozy barrier, Regulus felt an odd mixture of comfort and nervousness. Despite the awkwardness of their situation, there was a strange sense of belonging blossoming in his chest, something he hadn’t felt in a long time. He glanced at James, who was already stretching out under the covers, his tousled hair glowing softly in the dim light.

Regulus took a deep breath, deciding to let the moment sink in. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all