“What about… James Potter?” Barty was hanging his head upside down off his bed, looking over to where Evan and Regulus were sat by the forgotten chess board.
Regulus tilted his head, an eyebrow raising expectantly, “What about him?”
“Well,” Barty said, turning upright and resting his chin in his hands. “You think he’s fit?”
“No! What? Why would you even ask that?!”
Barty raised his hands in defence. “I mean you did have a crush on him for the entirety of third year.”
“Not the whole year,” Regulus protested. “And besides, he’s and arsehole anyway.”
“I don’t think so Reg,” Evan spoke up from where he had moved to, leaning against the chest of draws. “Potter is kind of cool.”
“Nope. He’s an arrogant, selfish boy who has had everything in his life handed to him on a silver platter. His only concern is helping himself.” Regulus crossed his arms, satisfied with his argument. However, he didn’t miss the shared glance between Barty and Evan.
But Barty spoke up before Regulus could comment, “Yeah whatever Reg. Can we go to dinner now?”
After a round of approval from all three of them, they stood up and left the dorm, making their way to the entrance of the dungeons.
Regulus, who was never a fan of busy places or crowds, must admit that the great hall was definitely his exception to that dislike. Despite the crowds of students and loud chattering, he often enjoyed meal times where he could spend the time people watching, his favourite subject a certain tanned Gryffindor, not that he would ever tell Barty or Evan that. Or anyone really.
His crush began in third year, and to say it was extreme was an understatement. Not only was James Potter his gay awakening, he was also one of Regulus’ rivals when it came to the affection of his brother.
Sirius and James were immediate friends, since the train ride in their very first year. Regulus would know, as Sirius had not shut up about it since.
The only problem is that it turned out useless. Everyone loves James. And in third year that fact really got under Regulus’ skin.
But when Sirius ran the summer before his sixth year, this year, and went to live with the Potters, Regulus no longer needed help hating James. It was easy to do when this arrogant guy, grinning like an idiot had stolen his brother.
The only person who knew the full extent of Regulus very mixed and mildly confusing feeling towards James was Pandora, a Ravenclaw he only saw at meal times as they didn’t have any lessons together, another reason he loved the Great Hall.
But when Regulus sat down for dinner that night, it dawned on him very quickly that it was Pandora’s birthday, and he had left her present in his dorm. He apologised profusely, telling everyone he would be right back, before absolutely sprinting out the hall.
The castle at this time, when everyone was in the Great Hall, was always immensely peaceful, sometimes so quiet you could hear the ripples of the Black lake and the creatures in the Forbidden Forest.
Well, you would be able to hear them, but not when the sound of crying was echoing down the hall, coming from the dungeons.
Regulus could feel his eyes itching to roll, expecting to turn the corner and see Mulciber and his gang bullying a first or second year.
So imagine Regulus’ surprise when he turned the corner to the sight of a crouches down James potter positioned in front a Slytherin first year who, from what Regulus could tell, what having a panic attack.
A wave of confusion washed over him, his previous knowledge of James hating anything and everything to do with Slytherin being profusely questioned as he watched the scene in front of him unfold.
The students breaths were shaky and stuttered, like they could get air to their lungs properly, and their knees were tucked into their chest, head bowed and eyes screwed shut, tears streaming out of them. The sobs that young boy was making pulled at Regulus’, reminding him of a time he was in a very similar position.
What pulled him out of his own thoughts was the sight of James reaching for the boys hands and squeezing them gently. The boy looked up slightly to see James, who was simply beaming at his while giving his hands a quick squeeze every three or four seconds.
“Hiya,” James said, gently. “What’s your name?”
“M-Marco,” the other boy managed to stutter out, broken by sobs and sniffles.
“Hi Marco. My name’s James.” James kept holding his eye contact with Marco, making sure he kept smiling gently to let Marco know he was safe. “Do you think you can tell me what’s wrong?”
“I can’t- I can’t breathe,” Marco sobbed, his tears coming back in full force, and James winced slightly. He settled down on his knees in front of Marco, looking him square in the eye.
“Ok Marco, I’m gonna ask you to try something for me, okay?” Marco nodded quickly, watching James intently, listening to his every word. It occurred to Regulus that he was doing the same, but currently he was really too curious to care. Since when did James Potter care about Slytherins?
“Okay, what I want you to do is take a deep breath,” he paused to demonstrate a breath that filled his whole chest, “and then I want you to blow all back in my face, like this,” he said, before blowing all the air out into Marco’s face, earning him a small giggle from the first year.
Regulus could feel his heart blow up like a balloon. Here he was, watching James Potter, rumoured Slytherin hater, arrogant prick, making a first year in green robes giggle despite struggling to breathe.
He watched as Marco looked to the floor before breathing in a shaky breath, filling his entire body just as James did, and then hold holding it until James nodded gently, encouraging him to blow in his face, which Marco did with a smile.
The corners of Regulus’ mouth pulled up slightly, and he didn’t fight it. This was undoubtedly the sweetest thing he had ever seen James do, and Regulus couldn’t help the wash of guilt that came over him.
Of course James was and angel, or had he not let Regulus borrow his jumper when it was cold in his first year? He thought back on all the times they had spoken, and couldn’t help but feel incredibly ignorant. James has always been kind, like when he helped Regulus off the muddy field after falling into a massive puddle on the quidditch pitch.
And every time, Regulus had just brushed him off, his unwavering hatred for James getting the better of him each time. How stupid he had been. No wonder Sirius wanted to live with James. If Regulus was given a choice of staying in that house or living with James and his most likely kind parents, Regulus wouldn’t even have to think about what he’d choose.
Oh Merlin, he thought, I really need to talk to Sirius.
But it could wait while he watched what was happening in front of him.
Marco had taken James’ hand by this point, allowing James to guide him through the breaths he took. His tears were still flowing, but only slowly now, his tear covered face shining in the light.
Once the panic had died down and Marco could breathe naturally, there was a moment of silence, James watching him to see what he wanted to do, and clearly not expecting Marco to launch himself into James’ arms, burying his head in James’ neck.
Regulus watched James’ face as it moved from a quick shock to the most loving smile as he rubbed Marco’s back. They stayed like that for a while, happily content to stay there hugging for as long as it took for Marco to calm down.
Eventually, Marco pulled back, standing up and straightening his robes out. “Thank you, James.” He smiled slightly, his tears stopping completely.
“No problem.” James got up from his crouching position, towering over the first year as he ruffled his hair. Marco laughed, and Regulus doesn’t know why he decided to make himself known, but there was something selfish in him that wanted James to be looking at him.
So he stepped into the middle of the hallway. “James.”
James and Marco both turned their heads at the same time, and it occurred to Regulus how similar they looked. Both had unruly dark brown hair and tanned skin, but where Marco’s eyes were green like the robes he wore, James’ were a honey brown, like gold. Regulus’ stomach did a flip just looking at him.
Marco immediately began to pace back to the dining hall, knowing that if it were a different Slytherin 6th year there, he would be hexed for showing such blatant weakness. Regulus hated that Marco associated him with that kind of behaviour, but then again, he was kind of asking for it.
As Marco went to pass by Regulus though, Regulus shot a hand out to catch him by his shoulder. Marco stopped abruptly, looking up at Regulus as if he was going to bite his head off, and Regulus needed to change that immediately.
He got down on one knee so that he was the same height as the first year, who now wore a look of apprehensive confusion. Regulus took his wand out the holster and held it between him and Marco, before creating a mug and charming to fill up with the sweetest hot chocolate.
Once the cream and marshmallows had appeared on the top, Regulus took it out the air and held it out for Marco to take. “A wise man once told me chocolate can fix anything.”
Marco slowly reached out to the mug, taking it in both hands and sipping it slowly, before absolutely melting at the taste. Regulus mirrored his smile, before nodding his head in the direction of the Great Hall.
He heard Marco murmur a thanks Regulus before walking to the Great Hall, slurping the cream of the top of the mug. Regulus watched him go, his cheeks hurting from smiling so hard.
“Look at you,” James said from behind him, and Regulus lost the smile, trying to return to a neutral face. But it was too late. James had seen his full smile, and was looking at him so so sweetly, that Regulus couldn’t help the little smile that pulled the corner of his mouth.
“Shut up,” he said, folding is arms and trying to look unbothered, to which James came up to him, still smiling, only now it was a different smile. More of a grin, but still full of loving. Regulus would like to think it was his Regulus smile, but he wouldn’t let his mind wonder on dolly things like that.
They stood there a moment longer in silence before Regulus realised he should probably say something. “You were…” he began, but found himself at a loss. He had really thought James was an arsehole, an idiot, a boastful Slytherin hater. But he wasn’t. He really wasn’t.
He was kind, and empathetic. He was clever, and endlessly loyal to his friends and house, making him a very admirable person. He was warm to the touch, and always knew what to say. And he was passionate, and quite obviously Regulus’ type, but he wasn’t going to acknowledge that right now. He was funny, and active, and motivated. He was the one who told Regulus chocolate fixes everything in his second year, but Regulus knew the logic was originally from Remus.
And he was here. Standing in front of Regulus like the sun rising, and he was smiling, and he was wearing his Regulus smile, and Regulus realises he hasn’t said anything yet. But then James puts a hand on his shoulder. “Shall we go back to dinner?” he suggests, and oh he is perfect.
Regulus nods, smiling softly, and follows James back to the hall. They murmur goodbyes, still smiling slightly at each other before turning to their own tables. And when Regulus sits down, he sees Marco finishing off his hot chocolate, the drink surrounding his mouth.
And he keeps catching James staring at him every so often from across the hall.
And he feels all warm and… sweet.
Like chocolate.