Sarcastic, me?
Some days passed and James didn’t see Regulus, well more like Regulus seemed to be avoiding him. Even at night, when he searched the map for his name, he always seemed to be either in his dorms, in the Slytherin Common Room or not even on the map. Well, James wasn’t really searching for his name, he was just looking at the map as a distraction and happened to see (or not) his name.
Finally, at the end of the week, and one day before the party planned by The Marauders, James saw Regulus again whom himself didn’t seem to have noticed James. He was alone, again, going towards the library. James turned towards his friends. “I gotta go, see you later!” and he went towards the library before anyone had the time to answer. Once he was inside, he stopped running as he wanted to avoid getting a detention from Mrs. Pince. He looked for Regulus for 5 minutes and finally he found him, at the far end of the library, alone in a dark corner, doing some sort of homework. He sighed, scratching his head and biting his lips in concentration. His curly hair was falling in his eyes and he seemed pretty focused as he didn’t even hear James approaching. He startled violently when he heard James’ voice. “Hi Reg!” “Bloody fucking hell Potter! Don’t sneak up on people like that!” He was shooting daggers with his eyes towards him. “Well Reg, not my fault you’re so… so focus? Concentrated? Or whatever you are when you’re doing your homework and that causes hat you don’t even hear people coming to you!”
When Regulus continued to stare at him, well more glare at him, James burst out laughing seeing his expression, which made Regulus glared even more. He spat “What do you want Potter?” Seeing that he wasn’t going to laugh, James sighed softly. “Can I sit with you?” Regulus observed him for a moment and nodded vaguely, huffing. James sat and waited a few minutes to see if Regulus would say something. Bu then, after some times, he stopped looking him, shrugged and got back to his homework.
James sighed. “Reg, aren’t you going to say something?” “Firstly, don’t call me that. And secondly, what do you want me to say?” He was always glancing at his homework, writing an essay in his neat handwriting. James smiled at the reaction of the boy. “Well I don’t know, for starters maybe why you have been avoiding me these past days?” Regulus looked up sharply and laughed, adding sarcastically “Yeah, like we’re friends and we usually mee and talk to each other everyday Potter. How can I avoid someone I don’t talk to or meet, that’s really a good question.” “Stop being sarcastic with me! It really is annoying!” Regulus looked at him puzzled by the remark. “What?” and he burst out laughing, like a real laugh. His face was immediately brightened, his eyes coming to life, making the already handsome face and features look even more handsome. James was exactly thinking this when he realized what exactly he was thinking about. He tried to look offended. “Why are you laughing??” “Like, do you realize what you just asked me?” Regulus’ words were strangled as he was still recovering from his laughing. “No!!” “Potter, your argument really was, and I quote, ‘It really is annoying’?” Regulus tried to imitate James’ voice and tone which made it even funnier with Regulus’ posh accent. “I don’t talk like that!” which made Regulus laughed even more. James looked properly scandalized by the outburst while Regulus struggled to regain his breath. “Are you serious?!” Regulus tried to keep his calm and James realized too late what he said. “No, I’m Regulus.” His lips twitched as he tried not to laugh in front of the defeated James while he tried to look arrogant “So, Potter, what do you really want? Except for me to stop being ‘sarcastic’, and I quote again.” James seemed taken aback again and finally he found back his voice. “Well, what happened the other night? You just left like that…” Regulus’ face darkened right away and his eyes became cold. His tone was back to his sarcastic self. “Don’t you remember? It appears that you made me cry.” He seemed quite uncomfortable saying that as he stiffened in his chair, his eyes looking down. James frowned “Well I didn’t make you cry. I said things that made you cry more likely.” Regulus snorted darkly “Yeah right, that makes a huge difference. But let’s just forget that you saw me in such a state of despair, yes?” During the last part of his sentence, he looked at James with pleading eyes, hazel meeting silver. “We cannot push back the matter indefinitely Reg. We can forget about it for today if you wish to, but soon, you know I’ll be back to talk about it.” “Yes, I think I understand you were some sort of… follower? Harasser? I don’t even know how to qualify it. But just don’t talk about it to anyone. Not even Sirius. And by the way, don’t call me Reg.” James looked at him for a moment and he settled his hands on the table, crossing his fingers. “Don’t look at me like you’re some sort of ancient wise man Potter” was the unexpected pun from Regulus. James looked at him in disbelief before laughing so much that he chocked. He could see Regulus slight smile, a real one for once. It illuminated his face. Once he was calmed down, James turned to Regulus. “We already went over that once Reg, of course I won’t tell anyone! But we’ll talk about it soon enough. And just for your information, I am really wise. But not ancient.” He had a smug smile on his face. Regulus just shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Is that the only reason you came to see me Potter?” “Not really, well I wanted to check if you were alright and also check why you were avoiding me…” “Which I wasn’t.” was said in a arrogant tone. “… and also asking you if you wanted to come to a party we’re organizing in our common room tomorrow night. And you totally were.” “No I wasn’t. What kind of party? And… is Sirius okay with it?” He actually seemed worried that Sirius wouldn’t want him there. James frowned. “Why wouldn’t he be? I can ask if you want but I don’t see why he wouldn’t want you there. And it’s like… a regular party.” Regulus sighed. “Fine. I’ll be there. But I’ll bring my friends.” Then he muttered “I don’t see why you would want a Slytherin there after everything you did to our house, and me out of all of them but anyway…” James scowled at him. “Regulus Arcturus Black, don’t you dare say something like that! It means nothing! And you are not nothing or insignificant! And let’s say that we’ll put our houses’ rivalry aside for once huh… ” Regulus just shrugged and added after a few moments “Well, you finally got my name right” as he was wearing a self-satisfied smile. James rolled his eyes. “You really are an arrogant brat, you know that?” “Proud to be. Now, if you’ll let me get back to my homework, I have an essay to finish for McGonagall and I’m nowhere near the end.” James grinned. “Transfiguration? That’s my best subject. You’re so lucky Reg.” “Well, here goes the fact about you calling me something else than Regulus. And about what should I be lucky? Having a Gryffindor stuck to me? Having to actually talk to him? Or being invited by said Gryffindor to a party in the Gryffindor Common Room?” James just rolled his eyes laughing. “So what is this essay about?” Regulus reluctantly let James look at him and he even let him help him (upon James heavy insistence), and after less than an hour, they were done. James left the library after having Regulus promised he would be there at the party, even if his friends had to drag him there.
When he got back to the common room, Sirius jumped to him “Where were you Prongs?!” “I just had to do something important and I forgot so that’s why I ran.” Sirius looked at him with piercing eyes. “And what was so important that you left us, me, on our own, desperate…” James rolled his eyes, amused “You’re such a drama queen Pads. And I had to help someone in Transfiguration.” “I am not. And who did you have to help?” James thought about it for a moment and decided to tell the truth (well the half-truth). “Your brother.” “Reg?? He’s first in his year, how come he needed help??” “Well he’s pretty good, but there was something he needed help with. And I’m better” he said with a smug smile. “I see.” As Sirius said nothing more.
James thought about telling him for the party. “I, um, he asked if you were okay.” Sirius had a sad smile: “He asked that while he’s the one alone at home with them.” “Well, I invited him to the party…” Sirius laughed, well more barked out laughing “Ahaha Prongsie, you invited Reg to a party!!” Sirius was laughing out, tears in his eyes. “How did he send you off?” James grinned “He accepted to come.” Sirius turned sharply towards him “What did you do to him for him to accept going to a fucking party?? Did you make him believe it was some sort of study session??” James laughed “No, he just… accepted. Said he’ll come with his friends.I had to insist and said that you would be happy to see him there but… yeah he accepted” said James with a shrug. Sirius’ eyes were wide open “I don’t believe you. Regulus. Accepted. To go. To a fricking party. With no resistance. That’s unbelievable.” James just laughed. “Let it go Pads, for once he ‘just’ said yes so enjoy it!” Sirius still seemed to be thinking “Yeah yeah sure. I’ll ask him tomorrow.” James rolled his eyes and went to the couch where he flopped down next to Lily. “Hi Evans” and he grinned at her. She sighed “No James, I already told you. I will not help you find a date!” The year before, after vain attempts at getting her to be interested in him, Lily had finally given up. They went on a date once where they kissed and that’s when Lily realized that well, she wasn’t attracted to boys. Since then, James was harassing her to help him find someone else which she refused. James made puppy eyes to her “Liiiils pleeease” “No James. Now, let’s get back to the planning of the party.” James sighed as if she offended him deeply. “Sure.” “Right. So, is Pete gonna take care of the snacks?” Peter answered “Yep it’s my turn.” Then Lily turned to Remus “Are you taking care of the music?” “Yep!”
“Okay, what about the people who are coming? Did you all went inviting people? Sirius, did you put up the signs?” A chorus of ‘yes’ answered her. “Well we’re all set then, let’s get down to dinner.”