Les Étoiles

How could he have been so stupid?

It wasn’t as if it was a complicated plan. He really just had to not regress in front of anyone else. But of course, within the first month of school, he had been little in front of James Potter.

It was bad enough that he was friends with Sirius, and a Gryffindor, and an infuriatingly good person. Now, on top of all of that, he knew that Regulus was a little and Regulus was a little bit more than mad about that to say the least.

Gryffindors were awful at keeping secrets because they trusted other people too much. When word got out that he was a little, Regulus would probably have to leave school and then he’d be kicked out by his mother obviously. Then again, it was James and as annoying as he was, he would probably try to talk to Regulus about it before blabbing to the whole school, though Regulus wasn’t sure which he preferred.

As soon as he had gotten ahold of himself, he left whatever random corridor they had been in and continued down to the dungeons. The plan was to avoid James for the rest of his life and that ended up working very well for Regulus; until it didn’t.

It was a little after breakfast towards the end of September. A Saturday. Relatively warm out, which was perfect because it meant that while the majority of the student body was outside enjoying the best that the Scottish Highland climate had to offer, Regulus could remain indoors tucked in a little corner of the library reading a book in the morning sunlight without having to worry about anyone bothering him.

He wasn’t sure how or why the other boy had even considered going to the library of all places on a perfectly nice day. Especially considering the fact that he was a bit of a quidditch addict and there probably wouldn’t be a better day for a game for the rest of the school year. Despite the fact that it made no sense whatsoever for him to be there, James Potter was in the library, and he had found Regulus.

Obviously Regulus had tried to get away. As soon as he saw James coming towards him he got up from his seat near the window and disappeared behind the nearest row of bookshelves. He weaved his way towards the stairs and was about to make a dash for the first step when he heard a voice behind him, “Hello.”

He jumped and spun around to stand face to face with James Potter. His hand had instinctively gone over the pocket containing his wand. Seeming to notice the frightened state of the boy in front of him, James put both of his hands up in surrender. The two of them looked at each other for a moment before Regulus spoke, “Can I help you?”

James frowned at his icy tone and lowered his hands, though Regulus’ own moved no further from where they were hovering over his pocket. “I just wanted to talk. I’m not here for anything else.” James said, eyes calm and fixed on Regulus.

“Well I don’t want to talk,” he said, “Goodbye.”

Regulus tried to walk away but James made a sound in the back of his throat that sounded almost like a whine and it caught Regulus’ attention. James was still frowning as he asked “Please?”

Regulus wanted to say no. He really truly did but… James made it exceedingly difficult by looking so upset. Besides, Regulus wasn’t the best at saying no to people anyway. “Fine,” he said, “but not here.”

It was then that James seemed to notice that they were standing in the library. It wasn’t exactly crowded but it was still public and Regulus was sure that whatever James wanted to talk about, he would not want to talk about anywhere that there was a possibility of the two of them being overheard.

So, James followed him out of the library and into a small room in one of the hidden corridors of the school. Regulus put as much distance as he reasonably could between the two of them and then James started talking, “You ran off again.”

Regulus narrowed his eyes, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

James looked at him, puzzled, “First on the train, then after the meeting,” he prompted.

Regulus gave him a blank stare, “I don’t know. What. You’re. Talking. About.”

“Why do you keep saying that? I know you know what I mean.” James said.

Regulus huffed, “I don’t know what you’re referring to.”

James looked at him in disbelief, “Regulus.”

“Potter.”

James frowned, “Don’t call me that.”

“I’m sorry, would you prefer it if I added a mister?” Regulus retorted.

“Call me James? Please?” he asked.

“Call me Black,” Regulus snapped.

James ran a hand through his hair, “Fine. You can call me Potter.” He looked Regulus sincerely in the eyes, “But talk to me, yeah?”

“What do you think I’m doing here?” Regulus questioned, “Just don’t push your luck.”

James nodded with a frown on his face. It didn’t suit him. “Why’d you lie to me?” he asked.

They were jumping right into it then. That was fine. Regulus despised small talk anyway. “None of your business,” he huffed, crossing his arms defensively.

James ran his hand through his hair again, “Why’d you come to the meeting then?”

“None of your business,” Regulus repeated.

“Look, if you’re agreeing to talk to me then could you maybe give me something to work with?” James pleaded.

Regulus looked at him for a moment, considering him before he said, “They made me go.”

He could see the color in James’ face drain. “What?” he asked. “Who?”

Regulus waved him off, “They didn’t exactly make me go. Didn’t give me much of a choice would be more accurate.”

James’ frown deepened and he scrunched his brows together, “Doesn’t make it much better.”

Regulus rolled his eyes, “Yes well nothing much you can do about it.”

James narrowed his eyes in thought, “I just don’t understand why.”

Regulus had to admit that he was a bit surprised by the other boy’s slow understanding. He may have lied about himself but he doubted James was lying to him when he’d said he was a switch. “Did they not say something in your letter?”

James looked at him confused, “What do you mean in my letter?”

If it was anyone else then Regulus would’ve guessed that he was playing dumb. “Your letter? Didn’t they give you a,” he paused, trying to find the right word, “deadline?”

James tilted his head making him oddly reminiscent of a puppy, “For what? Did they give you a deadline for something?”

Regulus wanted to facepalm but instead he pinched the bridge of his nose. “The “we need to confirm that we have caregivers or they’ll reach out to us to make sure we find someone” deadline,” Regulus quoted.

“Not that I remember. Pretty sure my letters were only about classification and meetings,” James answered.

Regulus just hummed in response so James continued, “You went to the meeting to confirm your caregiver?”

“No,” Regulus said, as if it were obvious.

James furrowed his eyebrows, “So… what? You came to the meeting to tell them to bugger off?” he asked.

“That’s certainly one way of putting it,” Regulus replied with a scoff, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Why’d you do that?” James asked him. Asked him like he wanted to know because he cared.

Regulus pouted, “Maybe because I don’t want to be pestered into finding a caregiver.”

The look in James' eyes changed. The furrows in his brow disappeared and his eyes widened slightly. His gaze was focused and vulnerable at the same time. “You don’t want to be forced into getting a caregiver?” he asked, sounding far more like he was just repeating what he already knew.

“Yes,” Regulus confirmed, horribly confused by James’ sudden change in mannerism.

James closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them, he was determined, “Let me be your caregiver.”

Regulus stared at him dumbfounded, lips parting slightly in surprise, “What?”

“Let me be your caregiver,” James said again. “If you tell them that you have one they’ll get off your back.”

Regulus narrowed his eyes at James suspiciously, “Why would you do that? Surely your Gryffindor savior complex doesn’t make you want to help me that badly.”

“So what if it does?” Regulus looked at him skeptically. “Let me help you Regulus,” James whispered.

Regulus swallowed the whine that James’ comforting tone brought to his throat. “No,” he answered in a clipped tone, “I can take care of this on my own.”

“You shouldn’t have to,” James said.

Oh. Oh no. This wasn’t looking very good for Regulus at all.

“Why do you care so much?” he asked.

“Why don’t you?” James countered.

Regulus sputtered, “What do you mean? Obviously I care or I wouldn’t have gone to that ridiculous meeting.”

James ran a hand through his hair, “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what do you mean?” Regulus questioned, clenching his fists at his sides.

“Do you not want a caregiver?” That was most certainly not the question Regulus had been expecting.

“That’s irrelevant,” he snapped.

James hummed, “Actually I think it’s very relevant. Do you want a caregiver?”

Regulus shook his head, “I want to be left alone.”

“You didn't answer my question.”

Regulus glared icily at James but the other boy didn’t look away. “Regulus,” he whispered, “Do you want a caregiver?”

Regulus tried his best not to pout, “I dont know!” he fumed, “I just want them to leave me alone.”

“Then let me be your caregiver,” James offered. He continued before Regulus had the chance to say no, “They’ll leave you alone and you can decide whether or not you want a caregiver.”

Regulus twiddled with his fingers, looking away from James. In a voice that was barely audible he whispered, “You’d do that for me?”

James smiled softly at him and answered, “Yes. Let me take care of you.”

Regulus bit the inside of his cheek and mumbled, “Okay.”

“Okay?” James repeated, looking at him for confirmation.

Regulus looked back up at him, “Okay. But don’t tell… anyone. Please.”

James nodded, “I won’t. I solemnly swear it.” He offered Regulus his pinky and, taking the hint, Regulus interlocked it with his own.

Marlene McKinnon loved Quidditch. Sure she loved things like her family and friends and whatnot, but mostly, she loved Quidditch. The feeling of getting onto a broom and flying across the pitch. Tuning the rest of the world out until all that was left was the game. Watching the other players and making sure that none of them got hit. Carefully planning hits to keep the other team on their toes. She loved it.

Speaking of the other team though, the only thing that Marlene possibly loved more than Quidditch was currently flying in circles over the pitch; Dorcas Meadows in a Quidditch kit. She was doing a cool down after a few hours of pre-season practice and Marlene was sitting in the stands watching. She could watch Dorcas for hours.

When Dorcas finally touched the ground and started heading towards the changing rooms, Marlene followed. The rest of the team had long since finished, Marlene had watched them all make their way back up to the castle. So, when she walked into the changing rooms, the two of them were alone.

“Oi Meadows,” she called, Dorcas moved ever so slightly at the sound of her voice but she didn’t turn.

“What’d ya want, McKinnon?”

Marlene grinned, leaning against the locker next to Dorcas’. “Better not fly like that during the game.”

“Oh? And why’s that?” Dorcas asked, working on undoing the buttons of her Quidditch uniform.

Marlene reached over and helped Dorcas take the rest of the buttons off. When she finished, she held on lightly to the end of her girlfriend’s top and leaned towards her face, “Well if you fly like that, I’m not going to be able to keep my eyes off of you.”

Dorcas leaned in further, forcing Marlene to back into the locker. She put an arm on the metal right next to Marlene's head and used her other hand to tip her head to the side as she whispered on the skin right beneath Marlene’s ear, “Seems like you’ve got a hard enough time with that already.”

Marlene leaned into Dorcas’ touch, bringing their lips only inches apart. Dorcas tilted her own head so that their lips were just barely brushing and then she whispered, “Not a chance,” and pulled back, leaving Marlene breathless. Against her will, a needy whine slipped out of Marlene’s mouth and Dorcas smirked, raising a brow. “Well if you’re that eager…”

She pulled Marlene off of the lockers by her tie and said, “Come on,” as she walked off and turned the corner leading to the showers.