‘I know, I’m so sorry Moony.’ James soothed as he and the other Marauders listened to Remus rant about how horrible everything is now that Severus told everyone he was a werewolf.
‘I just-I don’t understand how he would know to go to the shrieking shack on a specific day and time. It’s so weird…” Silence filled the dorm. ‘What?’ Remus asked, alarmed by the sudden silence. ‘What…. Wait… did one of you…’ Silence still. ‘Which one of you was it?!’ Remus exclaimed, standing up, his eyes brimming with tears.
James and Peter’s eyes fell onto Sirius.
Remus’s eyes widened. ‘How could you?! I-I thought we were friends!’
‘I’m so sorry Moony…’ James watched as Remus yelled and screamed and Sirius argued and argued. Peter silently watched but seemed unphased.
James' eyes widened as he watched his friends screaming at each other. James covered his ears and shut his eyes trying to block out the sound. He felt frozen, lost. He couldn’t move, couldn’t do anything besides make all the yelling bearable.
He felt a tap on his shoulder and opened his eyes.
It was Peter. Peter gave James his hand and hauled him upright. The two boys silently walked out of the dorm and to the common room.
‘Are you okay?’ Peter asked.
‘Yeah. Sorry just- shocked.’
‘I understand.’ The two sat on the couch in silence, not knowing what to do.
‘I’m going to take a walk.’ James said finally.
‘Okay.’ Peter replied. James said nothing more, walking out of the common room and into the quiet hallways of Hogwarts.
The silence seemed to eat at his head as he walked, his mind racing. Nothing would ever be the same. They hate each other, there will always be fighting, I’ll have to pick a side, they’ll hate me… His thoughts were rapid.
He made his way out of the castle and walked to the black lake. The walk was long and it was cold outside, but it seemed to be exactly what he needed to gather himself. He leaned against a tree and closed his eyes, breathing deep.
Just then he heard footsteps approaching him. He opened his eyes and looked around to see Regulus walking towards him. Regulus and James had been in a secret relationship for about a month now, and all had been going well.
‘Hey.’ Regulus said to James, his tone filled with a usual iciness.
‘Hi.’ James said, his voice sounding strained. Regulus gave James a strange look.
‘Explain.’ Regulus said, his voice softening a little.
‘Remus found out. About everything.’ It was all Regulus needed to hear. His face softened as he sat down next to James. He held out his hand and James took it.
This was abnormal behavior for the young Black, but the two of them sat next to each other hand in hand in a comfortable silence. Neither of them felt the need to say anything so they didn’t.
‘Let’s head inside.’ Regulus said, starting to get up and dropping James’ hand.
James quickly tightened his grip on Regulus’s hand. Regulus sighed before helping James up and allowing him to walk, holding his hand, back up to the castle.