Regulus Black had always been a mystery, even to himself. At sixteen, he had mastered the art of keeping his face impassive, his tone even, his movements graceful and deliberate. He was the perfect son of Walburga and Orion Black — quiet, composed, and ambitious, a Slytherin through and through. But there were pieces of him hidden away, deep beneath the layers he wore like armor. Pieces he never dared to show.
That is, until he found the music room.
The old room, tucked away at the end of a dusty corridor, was seldom used. It housed a grand piano, a few string instruments, and a set of enchanted drums. Most students bypassed it in favor of Quidditch practice or studying in the common room, but Regulus had discovered it one evening by accident, needing a place to think, away from the pressures of the Slytherin common room and the heavy expectations of his family.
It was there he found solace. He sat down at the piano, running his fingers over the keys. It had been years since he played, and his fingers felt awkward at first, hesitant. But as he began to press the keys, a melody emerged, tentative and searching, yet somehow familiar. A wave of emotion flooded through him, and for the first time in a long while, he felt… free.
He made it a habit to return every evening, slipping in quietly after dinner. It was his sanctuary. No one to judge him, no eyes watching, no expectations weighing him down. Just him and the music.
But then, one evening, everything changed.
James Potter had been searching for a quiet place to escape. The common room was too loud, the Quidditch pitch too crowded, and the library… well, he wasn’t desperate enough for that. He had wandered the castle, his guitar slung over his shoulder, hoping to find a spot where he could work on a song that had been stuck in his head for weeks.
He didn’t expect to hear music already filling the room when he approached the door. Curious, he pushed it open a crack and peeked inside.
There, at the piano, was Regulus Black. The younger brother of his best friend, a Slytherin prefect with a reputation for being cold, aloof, and unreachable. But in that moment, Regulus looked different. His face was relaxed, his eyes closed as he played, a faint smile on his lips. James was struck by how… human he looked. Vulnerable.
He didn’t mean to make a noise, but the door creaked as he leaned in closer. Regulus stopped playing abruptly, his head snapping up, his expression turning to a scowl. “What do you want, Potter?” he demanded.
James raised his hands defensively. “Whoa, hey! I didn’t mean to interrupt… I just heard the music, and… well, you’re pretty good.”
Regulus narrowed his eyes, clearly suspicious. “Why are you here?”
James hesitated, then decided honesty was the best approach. “I was looking for a place to play. Didn’t expect to find you here.”
Regulus seemed to consider this for a moment, then his gaze softened just a fraction. “Well, now you’ve found me. You can go.”
James hesitated. “Or… I could stay,” he suggested with a grin. “Maybe we could play something together?”
Regulus blinked, surprised. “Why would you want to do that?”
“Because I think you’re good,” James said simply. “And I think we could make something great together.”
Regulus scoffed, but there was a flicker of intrigue in his eyes. “Fine,” he said at last. “But if you breathe a word of this to anyone…”
“Not a word,” James promised. “Scout’s honor.”
Regulus rolled his eyes. “You were never a scout, Potter.”
James grinned. “You got me. But I promise. Just music. Just us.”
And so, it began.
At first, their meetings were tentative. Regulus remained guarded, his face an unreadable mask as they sat down together in the music room each night. James would strum his guitar while Regulus tinkered on the piano, neither quite sure how to begin. The awkwardness was palpable, a heavy presence in the room.
But as the days passed, they began to find a rhythm, an unspoken understanding. James was surprised at how quickly Regulus could pick up a tune, how easily his fingers danced across the keys, adding layers and depth to the simple melodies James had started with.
Regulus, in turn, was surprised at James’s genuine passion for music. He had always assumed that Potter’s interests began and ended with Quidditch and pranks. But here, in the quiet of the music room, James was different. He was focused, creative, and surprisingly patient. He would make suggestions, ask Regulus’s opinion, and always listen — really listen — in a way that no one ever had before.
One evening, as they were working on a new song, James leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. “You know, you’ve got a really unique style,” he said. “The way you mix classical with more modern influences… It’s different. In a good way.”
Regulus felt a strange flutter in his chest at the compliment. “Thanks,” he muttered, pretending to focus on the sheet music in front of him.
James grinned. “You’re welcome. We should write something together. Like, a real song. One that means something.”
Regulus hesitated. “I… I don’t know if I’m ready for that,” he admitted. “I’ve never… shared my music with anyone before.”
James nodded, his gaze softening. “I get it. But I think… if you’re willing to try, we could make something incredible.”
Regulus bit his lip, weighing his options. “Alright,” he said finally. “But it stays between us. Just for us.”
James held out his hand. “Deal.”
Regulus shook it, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Deal.”
The first few weeks of writing together were slow, full of stops and starts. Regulus was meticulous, scrutinizing every line, every note, while James was more impulsive, throwing out ideas and letting the music take him wherever it wanted to go. They argued, debated, and even laughed — much to Regulus’s surprise — as they worked late into the night.
But gradually, a song began to take shape. It was called “Quiet Echoes,” a haunting melody that spoke of isolation, longing, and the quiet spaces between words. It was unlike anything James had ever written, and he knew it was because of Regulus.
They played it over and over, fine-tuning the lyrics, perfecting the harmonies. And as they did, something shifted between them. The music room no longer felt like just a place to play; it felt like home.
One evening, as they sat side by side at the piano, James turned to Regulus, his expression serious. “I think… I think we should release it,” he said.
Regulus’s head shot up. “Are you mad?”
“No,” James said earnestly. “I’m serious. This is… this is something special. I think people need to hear it.”
Regulus hesitated, fear flickering in his eyes. “What if… what if they don’t like it? What if my family finds out?”
James reached out, touching Regulus’s hand lightly. “They won’t find out. We’ll release it anonymously. Just give it a chance, Reg. You have nothing to lose.”
Regulus looked down at their hands, then back at James. “Alright,” he said softly. “Let’s do it.”
They released “Quiet Echoes” under the pseudonym “The Echoes.” James used his father’s connections to a small wizarding record label that specialized in underground music. At first, nothing happened. A few listens here and there, a few likes on the magical equivalent of a Muggle streaming service. But then, something shifted.
The song began to spread, whispered among the students at Hogwarts, passed around by enchanted records. The haunting melody, the rawness of the lyrics, the way the music seemed to speak to something deep and unspoken in every listener. Within a week, it had become the most talked-about song in the school.
James and Regulus watched from the sidelines, their excitement tempered with disbelief. They had done it. They had created something that people actually cared about.
One evening, James found Regulus sitting at the piano, his expression pensive. “Hey,” James said, sitting down next to him. “You alright?”
Regulus nodded slowly. “It’s just… surreal,” he admitted. “I never thought… I never thought anyone would care about what I had to say.”
James smiled, nudging him with his shoulder. “Well, they do. You’re incredible, Reg. I knew it from the moment I heard you play.”
Regulus turned to look at him, his heart pounding. “Thank you, James,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.
James’s smile softened. “Anytime.”
The success of “Quiet Echoes” brought a new energy to their meetings. Regulus found himself looking forward to the evenings more and more, counting down the minutes until he could escape to the music room. He had never felt this way before — this nervous excitement, this inexplicable pull towards someone he wasn’t supposed to be drawn to.
He didn’t know what to make of it. All he knew was that James had become more than a collaborator. More than a friend. And it terrified him.
One night, after a particularly heated debate over a new chord progression, Regulus found himself lingering as James packed up his guitar. “Do you… do you ever wonder what it would be like if things were different?” he asked suddenly.
James paused, looking up at him. “Different how?”
Regulus hesitated, then shrugged. “If… if we didn’t have to hide. If we could just… be ourselves.”
James’s gaze softened. “Yeah,” he said quietly. “I think about that a lot.”
Regulus swallowed hard. “What do you think it would be like?”
James took a step closer, his eyes never leaving Regulus’s. “I think… it would be amazing.”
Regulus’s breath caught in his throat. “Yeah?”
James nodded. “Yeah.”
And for a moment, they just stood there, the air between them charged with something neither dared to name.
Their secret meetings continued, but the tension between them only grew. Every brush of their hands, every lingering glance, felt like an unspoken promise, a question neither was ready to ask.
One evening, after another late-night session, Regulus found himself unable to sleep. He tossed and turned, the unfinished melody of a new song playing over and over in his mind. Frustrated, he grabbed his sheet music and slipped out of the Slytherin dormitory, heading straight for Gryffindor Tower.
He didn’t know what he was doing — all he knew was that he needed to see James.
He reached the dormitory, whispering the password James had told him in confidence. The Fat Lady gave him a disapproving look but swung open, allowing him inside.
James was asleep, his glasses askew on his face, his guitar propped against the wall. Regulus hesitated for a moment, then reached out and shook his shoulder gently. “James,” he whispered. “Wake up.”
James stirred, blinking blearily up at him. “Regulus?” he mumbled, rubbing his eyes. “What… what are you doing here?”
“I finished it,” Regulus said breathlessly. “The song. I finished it, and… I needed you to hear it.”
James sat up, a grin spreading across his face. “You came all the way here just to show me?”
Regulus nodded. “Yeah.”
But before he could say more, the door to the dormitory swung open, and Sirius Black stood in the doorway, his expression a mixture of shock and amusement. “Well, well, well,” he drawled. “What do we have here?”
Regulus froze, his face flushing. “Sirius, I —”
But Sirius just laughed. “I knew you were up to something, little brother. But I never expected… this.” He gestured between James and Regulus, his grin widening. “You two… are making music together?”
James groaned. “Sirius, please, just —”
“Oh, this is too good,” Sirius continued, clearly enjoying himself. “Wait until the rest of the Marauders hear about this.”
Regulus’s mouth went dry as he stared at his brother, the sudden fear of exposure gripping his chest like a vice. He could handle James knowing about their secret music sessions — James had become a confidant, a partner in this unexpected adventure. But Sirius? Sirius was unpredictable. He thrived on chaos and rebellion, and Regulus wasn’t sure what he would do with this knowledge.
“Please, Sirius,” Regulus said, his voice unusually soft, almost pleading. “Don’t… don’t tell anyone.”
Sirius tilted his head, his teasing grin faltering as he caught the genuine anxiety in Regulus’s eyes. For a moment, there was a flicker of something like understanding between them — a rare moment of brotherly connection that had been missing for years. Sirius’s expression softened, the usual mischief in his eyes replaced with a hint of concern.
“Alright, alright,” Sirius said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “I won’t tell anyone… yet. But you have to admit, this is bloody interesting. My brother and James Potter… partners in crime — or should I say, partners in melody?”
James couldn’t help but chuckle at Sirius’s dramatic phrasing, but Regulus stayed serious, his expression unreadable. “We’re just writing music,” he muttered, but even he could hear the defensiveness in his voice.
Sirius’s eyes narrowed slightly, his playful demeanor giving way to curiosity. “Why, though?” he asked. “I mean, I get why James would do it — he’s always been into music. But you, Reg… I never thought you’d do something like this. Not with a Gryffindor, at least.”
Regulus shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to explain it. “I don’t know,” he admitted quietly. “I guess… I wanted to try something different. Something that wasn’t… expected of me.”
Sirius studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly. “Yeah, I get that,” he said, surprising Regulus with his sincerity. “More than you know.”
James, sensing the tension easing, stepped forward. “Look, we’re doing this because it’s fun,” he said, trying to keep things light. “And because Regulus is bloody brilliant at it.”
Sirius’s gaze flicked between the two of them, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Well, in that case… I guess I’m in on the secret,” he said. “But you owe me, little brother. Big time.”
Regulus raised an eyebrow. “Owe you what?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Sirius said, his grin returning full force. “Maybe a private performance? Just for me?”
James laughed, clapping a hand on Regulus’s shoulder. “Deal,” he agreed before Regulus could protest.
Sirius’s laughter filled the room, but there was no malice in it, only a strange mix of amusement and genuine happiness. “Alright, alright, I’ll leave you two to it,” he said, turning to leave. “But don’t think I’m not going to keep a close eye on this… partnership.”
As Sirius left, the door clicking shut behind him, Regulus let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “That… could have gone worse,” he murmured, half to himself.
James nodded, a relieved smile on his face. “Yeah, but it could have gone better too.”
Regulus turned to James, his face suddenly serious. “Are you sure you want to keep doing this? Because now that Sirius knows…”
James cut him off, his voice firm. “I’m sure, Reg. I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
Regulus’s chest tightened at James’s words, his heart pounding for reasons he didn’t quite understand. “Okay,” he said softly. “Okay. Let’s keep going.”
And with that, they sat back down at the piano, ready to dive back into the music that had brought them together in the first place — the music that had somehow made them more than just a Slytherin and a Gryffindor.
Despite Sirius’s vow to keep their secret, he couldn’t resist dropping hints — dramatic, overly cryptic hints, which only fueled the speculation. Remus and Peter had their suspicions as well, especially after Sirius caught them both in the common room and theatrically asked, "Have either of you heard that haunting new song by The Echoes? It's so familiar, isn't it?" His raised eyebrows and sly grin did nothing to calm the rumors.
Within days, the whispers grew louder. The school buzzed with curiosity, students from every house asking each other who could possibly be behind the anonymous sensation. Theories ranged from a secret Hogwarts band made up of teachers to an elaborate prank by the Weasley twins — neither of whom were actually at Hogwarts during Regulus and James’s time, but rumors rarely relied on facts.
And then, someone figured it out. It wasn’t clear who — perhaps a student passing by the music room had heard their voices through the heavy oak door, or maybe someone had noticed the way James and Regulus seemed to vanish after dinner every evening, only to return hours later with faint smiles and ink-stained hands. Whatever the case, the truth emerged, slowly at first and then with increasing certainty: James Potter and Regulus Black were The Echoes.
At first, the news was met with disbelief. But then, the details started to align — the way James had always been obsessed with music, Regulus’s unexpected appearances outside the Slytherin common room, the rumors of James sneaking into the music room late at night. It all started to make sense.
Within hours, the whole school knew. Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, and even some Slytherins began to look at James and Regulus differently. Some were impressed, others confused, and a few outright disapproving — especially those who couldn’t fathom how a Slytherin and a Gryffindor, of all people, could work together.
But the reaction at Hogwarts was nothing compared to what came next.
Regulus had always known that his family would eventually hear about his music. He had told himself he was prepared, that he didn’t care what his parents thought. But when the letter arrived, his hands trembled as he broke the wax seal bearing the Black family crest.
The words were harsh, scrawled in his mother’s sharp, angry handwriting:
*"You have disgraced this family with your foolishness and rebellion, Regulus. Your involvement with that blood traitor and your shameful decision to make music — music, of all things — has brought dishonor to our name. You are no son of mine."*
His father’s cold, detached signature was at the bottom of the parchment, but it was his mother’s words that burned like fire on his skin. He read the letter once, twice, and then crumpled it in his fist. He didn’t know what he felt — anger, fear, sadness, relief? All of them at once, like a tangled web in his chest.
He sat there, staring at the crumpled letter, until James found him in the Slytherin common room later that day.
“Reg, are you okay?” James asked softly, concern etched across his features.
Regulus looked up, his expression unreadable. “They disowned me,” he said flatly, holding up the letter as if it were some kind of foreign object.
James’s face fell. “I… I’m so sorry,” he said, moving closer. “I knew they wouldn’t be happy, but… Reg, I’m so sorry.”
Regulus let out a shaky breath. “Don’t be. It’s not your fault. It was only a matter of time before they found a reason.”
James hesitated, then pulled Regulus into a hug, wrapping his arms around him tightly. “You’re not alone,” he murmured. “You have me. You have Sirius. You have all of us.”
Regulus leaned into the hug, surprised at how much he needed it. “I know,” he whispered, his voice cracking slightly. “Thank you.”
Regulus moved in with the Potters that very week. James’s parents welcomed him with open arms, treating him with a kindness he had never experienced at home. Mrs. Potter fussed over him like a mother hen, making sure he had enough food and blankets, while Mr. Potter offered him quiet support, never pushing too hard but always being there when Regulus needed to talk.
Sirius, of course, was over the moon. “Finally!” he declared, pulling Regulus into a tight hug the moment he arrived. “I knew it was only a matter of time before you realized what a bunch of tossers Mum and Dad are.”
Regulus snorted, though his heart was still heavy. “Yeah, well… it’s not like I had much choice.”
Sirius’s grin softened, and he slung an arm around Regulus’s shoulders. “Hey, you’ve always got a choice, little brother. And I’m glad you chose us.”
James stood off to the side, watching the brothers with a smile. He knew how much this moment meant to Regulus, even if Regulus wouldn’t admit it. And as he watched Regulus relax into Sirius’s embrace, he felt a warmth in his chest that he couldn’t quite explain.
Over the next few weeks, Regulus began to adjust to his new life with the Potters. He spent most of his time in James’s room, where they worked on new songs late into the night, their shared passion for music only growing stronger with every session.
Regulus found himself feeling more at ease than he ever had before, even daring to laugh and joke with James, something he never thought he’d be capable of. And James… James found himself drawn to Regulus in ways he hadn’t expected. The more time they spent together, the more he realized how much he cared about the boy who had once been nothing more than his best friend’s quiet, aloof little brother.
With their secret out and their music becoming more popular by the day, James and Regulus decided to start hinting at their true feelings in their songs. They wrote lyrics filled with longing, with hidden meanings and double entendres that only they understood.
Their next song, "Between the Lines," spoke of secrets whispered in the dark, of finding comfort in unexpected places, of love that grew in the spaces between words. The melody was soft, melancholic, with a hint of hope woven through the chords.
When they played it for the first time at a school event, the reaction was immediate. Students swooned, speculated, and whispered among themselves. But it was the way James and Regulus looked at each other while they played — the unspoken connection, the intensity in their eyes — that left everyone buzzing with questions.
Rumors flew fast. Some said they were just playing up the drama to keep the intrigue around The Echoes alive. Others were convinced there was something more. But no one could deny the chemistry between them — the way their voices blended perfectly, the way their melodies seemed to tell a story that was far from finished.
When Sirius finally put the pieces together — the stolen glances, the subtle touches, the lyrics that seemed to speak directly to his own experiences of forbidden love and rebellion — he reacted as only Sirius Black could.
One evening, he burst into James’s room where James and Regulus were working on a new song. “Oh, for Merlin’s sake!” he exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air. “Are you two ever going to stop being so bloody cryptic and just admit it already?”
James and Regulus looked up, startled. “Admit what?” Regulus asked, though his cheeks were already turning pink.
Sirius rolled his eyes dramatically. “That you’re in love, you idiots!” he declared, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “I mean, it’s right there in the bloody songs! And I’m supposed to be the reckless one?”
James blinked, his heart skipping a beat. “We… we’re not—”
But before he could finish, Regulus cut in, his voice soft but firm. “We are,” he said, looking directly at James. “At least… I am.”
James’s breath caught in his throat, his eyes widening. “Reg…”
Sirius let out a delighted whoop, clapping his hands together. “Finally! I’ve been waiting for this moment for ages!”
James couldn’t help but laugh, a weight lifting off his shoulders as he turned to Regulus. “Me too,” he admitted, his voice full of emotion. “I’ve been waiting too.”
Regulus smiled, and for the first time in his life, he felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.
With their relationship out in the open, Regulus and James decided to take their music to the next level. They started writing songs that were more honest, more raw, more real. Songs that spoke of their love, their fears, their hopes for a future where they could be together without fear or judgment.
Their final song, “The Truth in the Silence,” was a ballad of acceptance and love, a song that spoke of finding light in the darkest of places. When they performed it at the next school event, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Even the teachers were moved by the emotion in their voices, the way they seemed to pour their hearts into every note.
And when the last chord rang out, the applause was deafening. Students cheered, shouted, and even cried, swept up in the magic of the moment.
Regulus turned to James, his heart full, his smile wide. “We did it,” he whispered.
James grinned, his eyes shining. “Yeah, we did.”
And as they stood there, hand in hand, surrounded by their friends and the music they had created together, they knew that no matter what happened next, they had already won.
The summer after James’s graduation was a whirlwind of changes. With the Marauders leaving Hogwarts and embarking on their new lives, there was a mix of excitement and melancholy in the air. For James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter, it was a time of new beginnings, filled with possibilities and plans for their future.
Regulus, still at Hogwarts for his final year, found himself navigating this transition with a mixture of hope and apprehension. He was excited for the future but also acutely aware of the void that James’s absence would create in his daily life.
The summer was spent in a flurry of preparation. James had managed to secure a small recording studio in London, and the plan was to continue their music career together. They had already started making a name for themselves with their latest album, and their music was gaining traction. James often visited Regulus during Hogsmeade weekends, their time together marked by late-night recording sessions and quiet moments of companionship.
Sirius, who had taken up a position at the Ministry of Magic, was often around as well, visiting Regulus and making sure that his little brother wasn’t missing James too much. Though Sirius was busy with his new responsibilities, he made it a point to stay involved in Regulus’s life, knowing how important James was to him.
The holidays arrived, and James managed to convince Regulus to spend Christmas with him and the Potters. It was a magical time, filled with warmth and laughter, and Regulus felt more at home than ever. He and James spent hours in the studio, working on new tracks that would continue to tell their story.
When Regulus finally graduated, he joined James and the rest of the Marauders in their new life. The bond they shared was as strong as ever, their music continuing to be a testament to their journey. Regulus’s final year at Hogwarts had been marked by growth and self-discovery, and as he stepped into the world beyond the castle, he did so with a sense of purpose and excitement.
James, ever supportive, stood by his side, their partnership stronger than ever. They faced the future together, their love and their music guiding them through the uncertainties and challenges of adulthood.
In the end, Regulus knew that no matter where life took them, their story was far from over. It was a story of love, resilience, and the unbreakable bond forged through music and understanding. And as they looked toward the horizon, they knew that their greatest adventures were yet to come.
And so, with the echoes of their past still resonating in their hearts and the promise of a bright future ahead, James and Regulus embraced their new beginning, ready to face whatever came next — together.