Chapter III
When Harry watched Snape's memories, he asked Remus and Sirius how their parents had started dating, as apparently his mother hated his father. Remus mentioned that they had only started going out in seventh year. Therefore, it was assumed that they had been seeing other people.
But nothing had prepared Harry for this revelation.
The gears in his brain turned so quickly, he felt like his head was going to combust. Regulus Black, Sirius' brother, had kissed James Potter, his father!
Suddenly an excerpt from the letter appeared in his mind, which he had not noticed until then.
"I'm relieved to know you don't hold any grudges against your best friend."
Perhaps the small time jumps were still happening, or perhaps Harry was so stunned that he simply hadn't noticed the time passing, but when the boy came out of his thoughts both his father and Regulus had already finished their chocolate and got up to leave, if saying goodbye to some elves on the way.
Harry decided to go after them, but when he passed the painting, he was no longer behind them or in the kitchen hallway.
-When he finds out, he will kill you. You know that, right?
-What are you talking about? he asked, genuinely curious. The sun was scorching. That was probably the hottest summer James could remember. He and Remus were sitting at a bus stop, near the Lupins' house.
After the fateful prank, the group's spirit was shaken. James might be mad at Sirius, but they were still brothers, there was no way to avoid him. Remus, on the other hand, always had loneliness as his first instinct, he would withdraw from everyone if James didn't make an effort to stay in touch. Therefore, he had promised that he would visit his friend often.
The problem that bothered him was that Remus often seemed distant, as if he was trying to overcome his hurt for James' sake. Today, however, his eyes were very present, awake, and he was looking at James with that penetrating expression typical of Remus Lupin, as if he knew something that no one else did.
At any other time, he would be happy to see his friend thinking about something other than recent events. The problem was that there was only one thing James was hiding, and if it reached anyone else's ears, Regulus would kill him slowly and painfully.
- I'm not stupid, James,” Remus turned to look at him, making James's blood run cold, “I know that your ‘mystery boy’ is Regulus, and I don't even want to know how you got into this mess, but...
- You're not going to tell Sirius, are you? - He realized his mistake the second the words left his mouth, but his tone must have sounded very desperate, because Remus just continued in his calm tone.
- It's not my secret to tell - He let out a small sigh before speaking again - James, he's your best friend. How long do you think it will take him to connect the dots? Who's the only person in that castle who would ask you to keep it a secret, even from Sirius?
- I'm going to tell him, Moony - James wiped his hands over his face tiredly - Regulus is afraid of his reaction, in fact he's worried it'll get back to his family.
- I'm sorry, James, but I can't imagine Regulus Black caring about anyone but himself.
James understood. After all these years listening to Sirius's tales of his cowardly and selfish brother, his own image of Regulus was biased, but after meeting him, after so many conversations in the astronomy tower and on the Quidditch pitch, he could say that he knew Regulus Black, his Regulus Black.
- I know what you think about him, I thought so too. But he's not like that, cold and arrogant. He's sweet, Remus, so sweet! And kind too. And his brain should be studied, you have no idea how clever he is!
Remus was looking at him with the same expression of pity and concern as when he spoke of Lily.
- He's different from them, just like Sirius - there was a short pause -He makes me happy, Moony.
-I really hope he does, James.
That was a tone that clearly said “There is no other option!”.
-Show me your star.
-You see that constellation? Over there, on the left.” Regulus and James were lying on the grass of the Quidditch pitch. At first they were side by side, but James thought it wasn't close enough, so now Reg was practically on top of James, who wrapped his arms around his boyfriend's waist, pulling him closer. Which, in his opinion, still wasn't enough.
-That one over there? - he said, pointing to a cluster that seemed to form a shapeless design.
-That's the lion constellation - He placed a kiss on the top of Regulus' hair, because he had no self-control.
- Well, it looks more like a swan than a lion - And it did, but James only commented so that he could observe Regulus' adorable scowl of indignation. He had to hold back his laughter when the sonserin turned around, resting his chin on the other man's chest, frowning.
- A swan, Potter? - The lion of Nemea looks like a swan?
- Wait, that's not Hercules' lion, is it? - He vaguely remembered his mother telling something about an animal with indestructible skin to a hyperactive seven-year-old James about to go to sleep.
- It was the first of the twelve labors of Hercules. Legend has it that Hercules was supposed to kill it and tear its skin off,” he said.
James looked at him in horror.
- And did he really kill him?
- Yes, he strangled him with his bare hands - Regulus answered simply, and added when he saw James' expression - Then the gods took pity on the lion and took his body to heaven. But that's just one version of the story behind this constellation.
- That's awful. I thought Hercules was a nice guy - Maybe he should dedicate himself a little more to studying Muggles. Specifically in myths and legends.
- It's relative. Personally, though, I agree,” he concluded, turning around and resting his head on James' chest to look at the sky again.
- How do you know so much about Muggle mythology? - asked James. Knowing the Black family, any interest in anything to do with Muggles was punishable by expulsion from the family tree.
- All the children in my family are forced to study the history behind the stars, not to mention the fact that most wizards attribute the origins of the various mythologies to the magical community.
- Well, that doesn't make sense, does it? - James argued - I mean, the Muggles are frighteningly creative. Mary said that some of them believe in magic and are even suspicious of our existence. They could have created all these gods and monsters. Maybe they even have a different kind of magic to ours.
- Yes, perhaps - Regulus bent his head to kiss him gently.
A few minutes and some lazy kisses passed before James finally gathered the courage to speak.
- Reg, I need to tell you something - Regulus immediately pulled away and opened his eyes. Remus knows.
The Slytherin stood up, sitting up straight.
- “I didn't tell him, I swear,” James said defensively - He found out on his own.
- Sirius...? - He began. His tone was practical, but slightly shaky.
- He won't tell, he promised.
- And why should I trust him? - she asked, arching an eyebrow.
- Because he's my friend and I trust him - she argued calmly - isn't enough?
Regulus gave her a sharp look, thought for a second and then spoke.
- I'm going to rip your skin off and make a cape out of it,” he announced, drawing a laugh from James, who immediately felt the tension leave his shoulders.
- No, you won't. Because you love me,” he pulled Regulus back to himself.
- ...First I'm going to strangle you, like Hercules did the fucking lion.
- Oh! With your bare hands? - James laughed even harder, pausing only to let out a groan of protest when a slap burned his arm.
- I hate you, Potter.