Chapter 1
"Oh honestly you cannot be serious Potter!"
It turns out he can be, and is in-fact very serious. "I'm not Sirius, I'm actually James!!!" Regulus doesn't think he could possibly roll his eyes any harder, trying his hardest to brush past James and continue in his search for his brother.
Putting his hand on Regulus' shoulder in an attempt to stop him from walking off again, James starts "Reggie, wait! i'm sorry, I-"
Flinching away, Regulus finally stops and looks back at James. "Firstly, it's Regulus, not Reggie. What could you possibly want Potter? Is it truly so important that you need to stop me from finding my brother?"
"I- well look okay, so maybe its not that important but-" Regulus is walking away again, this time succeeding at his attempt to side step James as he spots Barty and Evan up ahead, and speed walks a little to catch up to them.
"Why hello there Reggie, since when did you start keeping such poor company?" Barty looks positively pleased with himself and his teasing. "Leave him be Barty. Potter doesn't know when to lay off does he?"
Looking over his shoulder, Regulus sees James is still there, watching the three Slytherins from a safe distance, clearly hoping for another opportunity to spoil his day further. As if having to find a way to sneak a conversation in away from prying eyes with his own brother isn't hard enough with how his parents have been watching him so far this year. This year is different. This year is important. They had made sure to drill it into Regulus' head before he even left Grimmauld for the train. No speaking to Sirius. Or anyone they deemed not worthy enough. He is the Black heir, after all. He had no idea why this year was so different from the rest, they're likely trying to save face after Sirius ran away to live with the Potters. Making sure everyone knows they have the heir they want. The heir they choose to have. When they'd finally left him at the train station, Regulus had finally been able to breathe freely for the first time all break, and of course Potter had taken that exact moment to start ruining his peace in an entierly different way. Since arriving onto the platform for his sixth year at Hogwarts just under two months ago, James had decided it was his mission to make Regulus' fifth year more of a nightmare that it needed to be. Constantly running into him in the corridors, brushing against him or saying hi with his hand extended out in a wave, just far enough away to not touch, but close enough to almost touch if he really wanted to. Popping up outside of Regulus' classes even tho James should be on the other side of the school at that time of day, it seems it doesn't matter to James tho, as he just keeps reappearing. No matter how clear Regulus has made it that he does NOT appreciate these impromptu visits that James seems so keen on.
"No, he doesn't. This is the third time today that he's tried to stop me and actually talk to me instead of his normal awkward wave at me from the other side of a corridor." Why James had decided today of all days was when he wanted to kick it up a notch, he had no idea, but it was starting to get noticed by other students too, which wouldn't go over well if it got back to Avery or Mulciber, which it likely already had, who would definitely tell his parents. He supposes he should look forward to a howler with his breakfast sometime this week. Regulus turns abruptly on his heel back in the direction that James is still standing and watching him in, and walks back over to him. James resembles that of a deer in headlights as Regulus grabs his sleeve rather harshly and pulls him into a private alcove to find out what he wants. Rip the bandaid off and get it over with so he can tell him to sod off once and for all. "Just tell me what you bloody want with me already Potter, you're going to get me into trouble if you keep on like this." James, still a little stunned from the abrupt change in direction, struggles to find the right words. "I- well I mean I just" "get to the point please" Regulus states with a sharp glare. "okay okay. I just wanted to ask how you're doing?" Confused, Regulus just stares at James, waiting for him to elaborate because surely that cannot be all he wants. Sensing that Regulus wants more information, James speaks again, this time rambling a little. " Sirius is worried about you, and so am I quite frankly, and I wanted to ask how you're doing because I genuinely want to know, and because Sirius wants to know too, and also I wanted to ask if maybe possibly you'd consider spending the next break at mine with us because Sirius misses you, and I know you miss him too because you're still trying to sneak around and talk to him and I just think it'd be better if you knew you could look forward to seeing each other over the hols. And that way theres a little less pressure to sneak around as much and also less chance of being caught sneaking around too. Plus if you're with us over the hols, we wouldn't be constantly worrying about whats going on at Grimmauld place" He finally finishes, a little out of breath. And all Regulus can do is stare, wondering if he caught all of that correctly. Because surely, James Potter didn't just suggest he, Regulus Black, stay at Potter manor with him and his brother. Theres no chance. He would be killed if his parents even caught a whiff of what was happening. As if sensing his thoughts, James speaks again, "my Mum will talk to Minnie, arrange a plan to make sure your parents think you're here over the holiday, they won't suspect a thing". Clearly seeing Regulus is still hesitant, James speaks one last time, " Mum knows a little of how it is at Grimmauld, and so does Minnie, Sirius has talked to them both about it before. Not in depth but enough that they wouldn't hesitate to cover for you so that you could actually enjoy a holiday and hang out with your brother without looking over your shoulder for once. It'll be safe, I promise" And Regulus isn't sure what does it. The promise of being able to talk freely and hang out with his older brother again without fear, or the look currently on James' face, so honest and open. Regulus stares intently for another moment, and then, "fine, I'll stay at yours over the next break. IF you stop bloody annoying me and promise me that you won't bother me on holiday either". The smile that breaks out on James face is blinding, and Regulus already feels anxious about what will come next.