Lupin
James felt hands pulling him up from the floor, the fight had stopped when another one of James’ friends joined them, Remus Lupin was now trying to get James up.
“Prongs, please, you have to, no matter what, mate” Remus was clearly trying to be patient. James didn’t reply, he can’t do this without Regulus.
“Come on pretty boy” Barty said, James still didn’t even look up “look, Potter, I’m sorry”
James felt his body being pulled into Sirius’ body and James tried to calm down, all he wanted was Regulus, for Regulus to be the one holding him.
“Prongs, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have…” James just looks at Remus, not knowing what to say.
“Sirius, you have a right not to trust Crouch. He is a death eater, but if James wants him here he stays, alright?” Remus says and after Sirius nodded he continued “now. Does one of you two care to explain what the fuck happened?”
“Love-” Sirius tried.
“No. Sirius, that won't work. What happened?” Remus’ tone was harsh.
“...Crouch called me Black, I called him Bartemius, he called me a git and-” Sirius started.
“This is all about names? Sirius, what? Your legal name is still Black, I know you don’t want it but it is your name. How did that end in this?” Remus gestured to the crying James
and smashed furniture.
“But it’s not, Moony, he said it like a slur. He said it like I think of it” Sirius said while leaning his head to rest on Remus’ shoulder to which Remus’ eyes softened.
"Lupin…s? Potter, should I go?” Barty clearly felt out of place.
James sobbed a little, then looked up.
“N-no, Reg would want you to stay-...I want you to stay” the last part was just above a whisper.
“Fine, just keep that dog off me” Barty said, as James got up from Sirius’ lap.
“Crouch, give me the book back” James said, ignoring the confused looks on his friends faces.
“No, Potter, I can’t let you do that. Reg wouldn’t want-” Barty said, cut off by James’ words.
“Crouch, Reg told me to read it. It’s mine”
“He told me to make sure his little boyfriend wouldn’t break himself while grieving. James I won’t give you the book but we can read it together.”
“...join me then?” James said, tearing up.