Chapter II.
James was a dead man.
"Eleven o'clock," the other boy had said, "not a minute more!" The clock, however, showed almost midnight. He hurriedly climbed the spiral staircase towards the astronomy tower.
- I said I wouldn't wait for you - James smiled when he found him with his arms crossed looking impassively at the sky.
"And here you are" he replied, walking over to Regulus and wrapping his arms around the boy's waist. Reg turned to face him with a threatening look. Anyone with any sense would have feared it, but James was a Gryffindor, and most importantly, he was in love - Sorry, cariño. I met Filch on the way here, I had to wait for him to leave.
- Did James Potter almost get detention? - A provocative smile appeared on Black's lips - Amateur error, I would say,
- Hey, he wouldn't have appeared if it weren't for that flash that appeared in the third floor corridor - And it was true. James hadn't been walking long when a burst of light came his way, forcing him to change route and almost run into the janitor and his cat.
- I also saw the light. I thought it was part of your team's extravagant celebration - A proud expression replaced Regulus's frown - Congratulations, by the way. You were amazing, and I hate you for that - James laughed, pulling the boy into a tighter hug.
- You were too. You're always amazing - he whispered - The point is that Gryffindor is always better than Slytherin in general...
- Potter, I'm going to throw you from the top of this tower - he threatened, eliciting a laugh from James, who moved away just enough to bring his lips closer to Regulus's. The boy kissed him back, running his long fingers through the dark strands of James' hair.
This was the last night they would spend together before summer vacation. James and Sirius would return to the Potter mansion and Regulus would return to Grimmauld Place, with his toxic family, his abusive parents and the imminent threat of being forced to receive the dark mark and join Voldemort's army. James knew this wasn't his will, but it was either that or death. At least that's what the boy thought, but there was another option and James wouldn't give up until he convinced Regulus of it.
- Reggie…
- No!
- Please, just listen - He knew he was pushing the limits, they had had this same conversation a million times, but at this moment he was more afraid of Regulus coming home than of an argument - If you lef me talk to my parents, we'd help you.
- Mon cher, we're not going to fight. Not today – “I don’t want to fight!” James wanted to scream, “I just want you to pack your bags and come with me!” But despite the term of endearment, Regulus' tone was sharp, discouraging all of Potter's arguments - Come on, I want to show you somewhere!
James took the conception off his face and sent it to the boy, who was pulling him by the hand towards the door.
- So, the perfect little prince of Slytherin also has his hiding places?
- You and your annoying little friends aren't the only ones who can sneak around at night - he replied with an arrogant look - the difference is that I don't get caught.
Okay, that place was definitely not the Grimmauld Place library.
It was the first thing Harry thought after falling about ten meters onto a hard floor. His shoulder should have been broken, like many other bones in his body, but there was no fracture. The spell must have protected me, he thought. Damn, the spell! According to the books, that wasn't what was supposed to happen, he was supposed to float through the tunnel, which would take him to the same place he was in, but at a different time.
Harry looked around. He knew this place very well, in fact. It was Hogwarts, more specifically the third floor corridor near Gryffindor Tower. He started to move, but stopped when he heard a soft curse behind him, followed by footsteps. He turned to look, but there was nothing there but empty space.
Seconds later, Filch came limping down the hall with Madame Nor-r-ra in pursuit. Harry's first instinct was to feel in his pocket for the cloak, but then he remembered that it couldn't be seen. Anyway, this Filch was vaguely different than the one he knew, still old and grumpy, but a little younger. So, did time travel work? He needed to confirm if it was really 1979, and why he was at Hogwarts.
He walked through the hallways and down the stairs until he reached the entrance hall. The air felt palpable and slow, not like a memory in a pensieve, but like a dream. Everything was a bit shrouded in fog and Harry could feel time passing at an inconsistent pace, unable to decide whether he wanted to pass quickly or slowly.
He braked just in time to avoid bumping into someone.
- We can leave, there's no one here - whispered a voice.
He jumped back when two boys simply appeared a few steps in front of him. The first of them had black curls framing a face that looked like it was carved from marble. After a week at Grimmauld Place he couldn't help but recognize him, that was Regulus Black. The second had practically the same appearance as Harry, with the exception of brown eyes, slightly more tanned skin and the absence of a scar on his forehead. Even without the obvious resemblance, it became clear who he was when Harry noticed that the two had left under a cloak, the invisibility cloak. That was his father.
But why were he and Sirius' brother hanging out together? Had they been friends?
- Wait. Is it the kitchen? - James questioned - Are you taking me to the kitchen?
Regulus didn't respond. he did something to a fruit basket picture, which James couldn't see and then a door appeared, similar to the door to the Gryffindor common room. He walked past her and held out his hand for James to pass as well.
The kitchen was huge, as big as the main hall itself. Hundreds of elves ran back and forth chopping vegetables, stirring cauldrons, and carrying trays. When they noticed the two's presence, they all waved and at least twenty of them crowded around Regulus. “Hello, Mr. Black!” “How are you Mr. Black?” "Glad you came to visit!".
Regulus bent down and greeted everyone, answering some and talking to others. “Hello, Aerin!” and “How is your cousin Mimy, Maggie?” He finally stood up and pointed at James.
- This here is James Potter - James was aware of the silly look he had on his face, but that was basically his default expression whenever Regulus was around.
“Hello, Mr. Potter,” they said in unison.
- H-hello! All good?
- What can we serve for Mr. Black and his friend? - asked one of the older elves, in a deep and hoarse voice.
- It would be lovely if you brought us two cups of hot chocolate. If it doesn't get in the way, of course - The elf's eyes lit up with delight.
- No way, sir. No bother! Rory will bring the chocolate, sir.
- Thanks, Rory.
- Since when are you friends with elves? - James questioned, as he and Regulus sat down on one of the benches in the corner of the kitchen.
- First year - He remembered the boy from his first year, James's second. He was a slight boy, with shy eyes and an adorable frown - I didn't have many friends, I didn't know Barty yet. One day I got lost near the Hufflepuff common room, an elf found me and brought me here. I've been visiting them every week since then.
James looked at Regulus in surprise.
- You're amazing, did I mention that?
- Yes, but I like to hear it anyway - replied Black, leaning over to place a kiss on the corner of the other's lips.