Chapter 1
James wasn’t sure what to expect when Slughorn pulled him over at the end of Potions and asked to speak to him later. He knew he wasn’t doing the best in class, that was for sure, but it couldn’t be that bad, right? Wrong.
"Mr. Potter, it seems you are failing Potions." Slughorn began. "I have assigned you a tutor, he should be here any minute now. You are expected to study with him at least twice a week until your performance shows a noticeable improvement."
James fiddled with his hands as he heard the news. It was ironic, really. The son of one of the most famous potions masters of all time, the man who invented Sleekeazy’s Hair Potion’s son, was failing potions.
James bit back a laugh, but the corners of his mouth tugged upward anyways. Slughorn looked like he wanted to say something, but a sharp knock on the door cut him off.
“Ah, that must be him, come in my dear boy,” Slughorn called out towards the door.
James froze as he watched his new tutor enter the office. Regulus Black walked in, donning the scowl James had learned to stay far, far, away from over the last few years. It was mainly due to Sirius’ turbulent relationship with the brooding Slytherin, which had only gotten worse after Sirius had run away in their fifth year.
“Him?” James exclaimed. “He’s not even in my year!”
“Problem, Potter?” Regulus arched an eyebrow, watching him menacingly.
“Now James, Regulus takes potions with the sixth years, brilliant as he is, and he is my best pupil. You’d do well to learn from him. I trust you two to come up with an arrangement between yourselves.”
With that, James and Regulus were ushered out of Slughorn’s office with promises to attend the next Slug Club meeting. James for one, knew he would rather throw himself in the Great Lake than attend one of those things again. It was fine, Slughorn always bought his excuse that he needed to practise Quidditch. He was the star chaser of Gryffindor tower for a reason.
James stood there outside of Slughorn’s office for a second before realising that he should probably say something. He turned to face Regulus, who met him with a blank stare on his face. His grey eyes seemed particularly stormy today, not that James was paying them any attention. Of course he wasn’t.
James rubbed his neck awkwardly before he began to speak. “So, I guess we ought to uh-you know-figure out this whole tutoring thing.” He grinned at regulus in an attempt to ease the tension.
Regulus did not smile back.
“When are you free?” The younger boy asked.
“Uh, well I’ve got Quidditch practice on mondays and tuesdays from 5 to 7, and before class on thursdays, and I usually hang out with my friends on saturday…” James trailed off, noticing the expression on Regulus’ face.
“Does Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 5 to 7 work for you?” Regulus asked. “We can meet in the library.”
“Yeah that should be-” But before James could finish his sentence, Regulus was already walking away from him, heading down to the dungeons. James watched as he turned a corner and away from his sight.
“See you on Wednesday I guess,” he muttered.
*****
Regulus slumped onto his bed the second he made it back to his dorm, throwing his Defence Against the Dark Arts textbook onto the floor. He grabbed a pillow and screamed into it.
He left. He didn’t even speak to James properly, and he’d just left. James probably thought he was some sort of weirdo now.
Not that he didn’t already. Sirius had made sure of that. Regulus didn’t miss the looks Sirius’ Gryffindor friends gave him when they thought he wasn’t looking. One would think that they’d get better at hiding their judgement after six years at Hogwarts.
“What’s got your knickers in a twist this time?” Barty drawled from his bed. “Let me guess, was it Potter again? What’d he do, flirt with Evans?”
Regulus flipped him off, but got up anyway. He’d given up arguing with his friends about James in his third year. They all knew about the hopeless crush he'd harboured since his first year.
“He was not flirting with her. Besides, isn’t she dating that one muggle-born witch? What was her name? Maria or something?”
Barty rolled his eyes. “Yeah, like that would stop Potter. He’s been pining after Evans since their first year. Remember that time one of her boyfriends punched him in the face because he tried to declare his love?” Barty snickered and it was Regulus who was rolling his eyes this time.
“Shut the fuck up Barty.” Regulus rolled over and ignored Barty’s maniacal laughter, closing his eyes. He wasn’t sure why he’d agreed to tutor James, if he was honest. He was so screwed.
So, so, screwed.