The Beginning
The campus of Strawgoh University was abuzz with the start of a new semester. Freshly turned leaves painted the pathways in warm hues of orange and red, while students' chatter and the distant thrum of campus life filled the air. In the heart of this vibrant chaos, two friends sat on a weathered wooden bench beneath a sprawling oak tree.
James Potter, with his tousled brown hair and perpetually rumpled clothes, looked at his best friend, Sirius Black, who was more neatly put together with his band t-shirt, always paired with a bomber jacket, and styled long curly hair. James was gesticulating wildly as he spoke.
“I’m telling you, Sirius, there’s something off about him. He’s just… so broody,” James said, frustration evident in his voice.
Sirius raised an eyebrow, his green eyes fixed on James. “Who are we talking about again?”
“Regulus,” James said, rolling his eyes. “Your strange little brother… He’s been giving me this look like he’s trying to decipher a secret code.”
Sirius chuckled, his grin widening. “I think you might be overreacting. I’ve lived with Regulus my whole life, and though he’s dark and mysterious, I can't imagine he’d waste his time on you.”
“Wait- now- that’s just rude.” James scoffed. “Here I am, trying to confide in my best friend, but you insult me! Anyways, no offense, but he’s weird. Who wouldn't want to spend their time on me?”
Sirius put his hands up in surrender. “I’m just saying, look at his style, the people he surrounds himself with, then look at us. And don’t call him weird! He’s still my brother, you twat.”
James shrugged and paused, deep in thought. “We are the dirt they walk on.”
Sirius barked a laugh before nudging James's shoulders and trying to pull him further from his Accounting lecture delusions before James left for his next class. “I’ll see you later, lovebird.” Sirius chuckled. “I DO NOT like him!” James yelled back while leaving.
.*.
Across campus, Sirius found his lover huddled over a stack of textbooks and a half-empty coffee cup in the library's cozy, sunlit corner. Remus Lupin sported a tired smile. His eyes instantly light up as he feels Sirius bend down to kiss him on his head.
Remus hummed. “Good afternoon, Pads.”
“Hello, my Moony,” Sirius replied gently as he sat beside him. The boys came up with nicknames after becoming a friend group during freshman year's first week of school. James and Sirius had already been friends since high school, so when they arrived at college, they automatically shared friends to socialize more efficiently. Believe it or not, Remus’s freshman seminar was The Study of Werewolves. Hence, everyone teased him and called him Moony. James had a funny encounter with a deer on one of their hikes. This deer was not afraid of humans, having been accustomed to them hiking this trail for years. So when they stopped for a snack break, he offered one of his Cheese-its to the deer.
Not a bright idea. The deer not only took his Cheeze-its but accidentally bit James’s finger, which now has a small white scar. So the nickname Prongs emerged. The name Padfoot had come later when Sirius helped an old woman chase her dog down the street. It was a large black German Shepard. This dog was not easy to catch, but for that sweet little old woman, he’d decided he’d do anything for her. Lastly, Peter Pettigrew, James’s freshman roommate, was named Wormy. It involved a rat, a kitchen, and four screaming boys jumping on countertops. One can guess the rest.
“How was the workshop?” He asked, interested in how Remus’ morning went, giving a lecture on how to interpret old English literature to undergrads.
“It was alright. As well as a lecture students don't care for and are only there for extra points in their writing seminars can go.”
Remus was a first-year graduate student working on his master's in professional writing. This is how he met Regulus, who attended one of his first lectures at the top of last semester. Regulus was a junior in undergrad, a cybersecurity major with a minor in writing. From day one, Regulus was eager to learn Remus’ methods. Pick apart just how his thesis statements were pristine and perfect. Of course, Remus was excited to finally share his passion with a friend. Before seeing him in the lecture, he knew of Regulus as Sirius’s posh brother. Sirius mostly talked about him fondly but complained they never hung out due to different friend groups and hated how close he was to their mother, Walburga. Sirius had run away from home in high school, leaving Regulus behind. Though Regulus has grown up and forgiven him, Sirius can’t help but feel guilty. However, that guilt doesn't stop Sirius from having some sort of subconscious resentment for his brother due to the fact Regulus kissed his mother's ass, and she’s paid for his college every year. They would go to the ends of the earth for each other, but until the world does end, they have a complicated relationship.
“What are you working on now?” Sirius asked as he saw Remus scribbling a to-do list in his journal.
“A plan to get the two pining gays to see each other finally. This is going to be perfect,” Remus said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve been watching them both for weeks now. They’re so obviously into each other, it’s almost painful.”
Sirius looked intrigued, leaning in closer. “And you’re saying James and Regulus need a little push?” Although Sirius was initially against the idea of his best friend and little brother getting together, after a year of hearing James pine over Regulus, he couldn't take it any longer. He realized their happiness meant more than his jealousy.
“Exactly!” Remus’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “James's been complaining about Regulus’s glare like it’s a personal attack, and Regulus—well, he’s been staring at James like he’s the sun and Regulus is Icarus.”
Sirius shook his head, smiling at the reference. “Okay, I’m in. But what’s the plan?”
Remus took a deep breath, clearly excited. “We need to get them together, force them to confront whatever is brewing between them. I was thinking of convincing Regulus to be a writing mentor. I love James, but his essays can be heinous. Regulus could help him ace his senior thesis, so I don't have to do it myself. ”
Sirius nodded, his expression turning serious. “And we’ll need to ensure it’s just the two of them in these sessions.”
.*.
The following week, the campus witnessed the birth of what would become a series of meticulously orchestrated events. It started with a casual conversation with Regulus casually mentioning needing more mentors at the writing center and framed it as an easy opportunity for extra money from the university.
“Hey, Regulus, I know you’re minoring in writing, and you’re amazing at it.,” Remus said casually as he passed him in the library. “I work part time at the writing center on the third floor, we could use a tutor like you. The university pays decently well, and for you it would be easy work. You should apply.”
Regulus raised an eyebrow, caught off guard. “Oh, sure. Where can I find the application?”
“Come to the writing center this Friday at 4:00 pm for your first shift.,” Remus replied with a smile that left no room for argument. “This is going to be really productive.” He yelled behind him as his long legs carried him down the hall.
Regulus was left speechless; Lupin just hired him without a second thought. He’d only read some of Regulus’s work, like research papers and persuasive essays. What about his rhetoric analysis’ and his expository papers? It was suspicious. But maybe Remus really did like his writing. That made Regulus blush, he, although he’d never admit it, loved academic validation.
Later that week, James received a similar invitation from Sirius. “James, Prongs, the love of my life, how is your thesis going?” Sirius asked, his tone friendly and encouraging, knowing he could get his best friend to vent about being unable to write. James groaned, “Awful. I rather fuck a brick than write this shit.”
“You know, Remus has helped me a lot with my essays. Maybe you could visit the writing center.”
“And admit I’m too stupid for my own good? No thanks.”
“I think it could be good for you. Seriously.”
James was never a good learner. After countless nights in tears after receiving a lousy mark on a test he studied extremely hard, for his friends were well aware of this. However, James hated to admit that. Receiving help from the writing center would finally admit to the world that he was different. “Sirius, I can’t do it,” James replied with a tired sigh.
“Friday at 4:30, I plan to visit Remus at his shift. Why don’t you just come with me? I think it’ll be helpful. You need a good grade on your senior thesis if you want to graduate. I think it’s time James.” Sirius said, putting a hand on James's shoulder.
After a long pause, James, buried in his thoughts, gives in.
“Hm. Fine. Only because you’re taking me. I love public transportation, but I avoid the bus by all means necessary if I can.” James gave Sirius a grin before slinging his bag over his shoulder. “Well I’m off to class! Can’t wait to stir under your brother's gaze in my seat!”
Sirius rolls his eyes and laughs before waving goodbye.
.*.
As Friday evening approached, James and Regulus both arrived at the library, each harboring their own reservations but curious nonetheless. The writing center was set up with a casual air, but behind the scenes, Remus and Sirius were ready to play their parts.
“Glad you could make it!” Remus smiled as he led Regulus through the center. After a quick tour and a verbal list of expectations and what to do, Regulus found himself sitting in a private study room waiting for his first 1-on-1 tutoring session.
“I can't believe I agreed to do this.” James frowned as he trudged up the stairs behind Sirius. “You'll be fine. Besides, you'll thank me later,” Sirius replied with a sly smile that made James shiver. Sirius was oddly excited that his best friend sucked at writing. They met up with Remus soon after. “Hey Prongs! I promise there's nothing to worry about, all of our tutors are top-notch, and you’ll pass your thesis with flying colors. Tutors are randomly assigned by mutual free time, so you can continue to come in here at 4:30, and the same guy will be with you so you can make efficient progress.” Remus reassured him as he steered him to a small room. “Good luck!” Remus said as he opened the door and pushed James inside before shutting it behind him.
“Jesus, eager much?” James huffed to himself before looking up at the boy sitting at the table. “You?” James asked incredulously.
“Me,” Regulus replied wide-eyed.
James slowly sat across from him, separated by a few textbooks but close enough that conversation was inevitable. He was visibly thrown off by seeing his mystery man from his other class as his tutor.
“Well then. I must be here if I want to keep this job, and you must be here to keep your graduation date. I’m Regulus Black. But I’m sure you know that being best friends with my brother.”
“Yeah,” James replied curtly before shaking himself out of whatever weird air was surrounding him. “Let's- Let’s just get this over with,” James continued while nervously running his fingers through his hair. Regulus gave him a curious look before starting his mental checklist of what to ask and help with.
The hours ticked by with tense exchanges and awkward small talk, but as the evening progressed, the atmosphere began to shift. A question about a particularly tricky concept in grammar turned into a positive discussion that bridged the gap between them. Slowly, their initial wariness began to fade, replaced by an unexpected connection. Regulus was surprisingly patient and helped break down topics and methods in a way that was easy for James to comprehend.
By the end of the night, James and Regulus exchanged a tentative smile as they packed up their things. It was the beginning of something neither had anticipated, but their friends had been quietly working towards. The night had opened a door, and whether they walked through it willingly or not was yet to be seen.
As James and Regulus left the library, Remus and Sirius watched from a distance, their expressions filled with satisfaction. The plan was unfolding perfectly, and both were eager to see where it would lead. In the heart of Strawgoh University, amidst the shifting dynamics of college life, James and Regulus were beginning a new chapter—one that neither of them saw coming but that promised to be as transformative as it was unexpected.