Day 3
"Now, infusion of wormwood can be a complicated ingredient, but when used correctly..."
Regulus could barely keep his eyes open as Slughorn droned on, the afternoon sunlight making the room a perfectly warm temperature that only enhanced his sleepiness. He hadn't slept well last night, and while that normally meant his night was plagued with dreams, he hadn't experienced one since returning to Hogwarts this year. Instead, he was left helplessly tossing and turning while Barty and Evan slept soundly in their beds, occasionally snoring as if to spite Regulus' inability to rest.
As if sensing his lack of energy, Potter had been quiet all through class. Or rather, the parchment that now seemed to be pre-placed between the two of them at the start of class remained empty. Regulus tried not to imagine James recognizing his waning patience and deciding to remain quiet to keep him happy. He was probably just as tired as Regulus. That would explain it.
"It's important to remember that this ingredient alone is poisonous..." Slughorn was placing drops of the drought into his own cauldron now, going into depth on the Draught of Living Death's properties. Regulus was beginning to regret even showing up to class today, the meticulous description of each ingredient making his eyes heavier and heavier.
And then he heard the swipe of parchment against the wooden desk. Regulus contained his exhale as he looked down and read.
You know if you fall asleep, that effects both of our grades.
Regulus blinked, mustering the energy to shoot Potter an exasperated look. He was met with a playful smile that made his heart skip, and he quickly broke eye contact. He reached for the parchment before writing lazily: Well, someone has to humble you.
He slid the parchment back over and ignored the small burst of adrenaline he got from James' chuckle. By now, Slughorn was nearly finished with his brewing and was finishing the lecture. Regulus rested his chin on his hand as he watched his professor stir the potion comfortably and reach to his side for a small leaf.
The parchment scratched his arm and broke Regulus' focus.
Day 3. Let's see if you can redeem yourself from last time.
The words made Regulus swallow hard. His last method of killing James had come off a bit violent, even for him. And while his exhaustion hadn't totally subsided, he was just the slightest bit grateful to James for the scant amount of energy he now had. Though he'd never ever admit that out loud.
Glancing quickly at Slughorn to make sure he was occupied, Regulus took the parchment and began to write.
Day 3: Poison your drink at dinner.
As James read the words on the page, Slughorn clapped his hands and offered closing remarks before dismissing the class. The other students began to stand, grabbing their things and chatting casually, as they filed out.
Regulus dared a glance towards James, who was nodding at the parchment with a smile that bordered on prideful.
"Nice one," Potter offered before meeting Regulus' gaze. The younger boy tried, and failed, to conceal the small grin that curved his lips.
A grin that immediately faded when he noticed Slughorn approaching their desk.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Black. How are we?" The professor asked, his hands folded professionally in front of his stomach.
Regulus heard James shove the parchment into his pocket as he forced a polite smile. "Hello, Professor."
"Great lesson today," James added, and Regulus nearly kicked him under the table for his tone.
"Why, thank you Mr. Potter. I simply came to remind you both of the first meeting of the Slug Club, happening tonight in this room." His smile calmed Regulus' nerves, before the confusion hit. Why would he be addressing both Regulus and...
James took over. "Thank you, Professor. We'll be there!"
Slughorn smiled again before turning and heading back towards his desk. Regulus waited until he was a couple paces away before turning to James.
"Since when are you a member of the Slug Club?"
"Well, I'll ignore your horrified tone and tell you since I received his letter." James was collecting his things, but that didn't stop a boastful grin from plastering his face.
"Wha- but you were-"
"Kicked out my second year, yes I'm well aware. Did Sirius tell you about that?" James was standing now, his bag thrown over his shoulder in a way that accentuated the muscles of his torso.
Regulus inhaled a breath and looked away, praying that his face wasn't visibly red. "He didn't need to. Everyone heard about it." His voice was tense, and James' light laugh only highlighted that fact.
"Really? Huh, well I suppose Sluggy was feeling kind this year."
His words made Regulus' throat close. "Does that mean- is Sirius also-"
"Sirius? Merlin, no. Well, he received a letter but politely declined." The face James made when he said "politely" indicated that Sirius was clearly anything but polite in his dismissal of the club.
Which Regulus was more than happy about. He wasn't sure he could tolerate being in the same room as Sirius for that long, where they were bound to be forced into some conversation together. Their infrequent interactions now were painful enough.
Suddenly, Regulus looked up and realized the room had cleared out, leaving just him and James. Even Slughorn had grabbed his briefcase and retreated into his office, closing the door behind him. And the silence from James was enough for Regulus to know he noticed too.
Regulus cleared his throat and began collecting his things to leave, avoiding James' gaze.
But he could feel it. Without looking, he knew James was watching him meticulously place his ink bottles and quills into his bag. It made his face hot all over again.
When he was done, he raised his head and found James observing him quietly, his face unreadable.
"Done staring?" Regulus quipped with a smirk.
James hesitated a moment, then gave Regulus a once over with his eyes and leaned against the table with one hand, mirroring the younger boy's smirk. "Not yet," he answered, his voice deep and almost unrecognizable.
Oh. Regulus' breath caught in his throat, and he found himself frozen in his spot. Fortunately, a familiar voice rang through the corridor.
"Regulussssssss!" Barty.
As if in sync with one another, Regulus and James both blinked and looked away just as Crouch appeared in the doorway.
"There you ar- Potter. Holding him hostage, are we?" Barty leaned against the doorway, his eyes darting between the two boys.
But James didn't even acknowledge him. He glanced back to Regulus, stating, "Of course not. He's free to leave whenever he wants."
Alright, fuck you, James Potter.
Crouch responded with some retort, but Regulus didn't comprehend it. He just narrowed his eyes and approached his friend at the door, leading him away from the older, infuriatingly irresistible boy still standing in the potions' room.