Chapter 3
Regulus was missing again. It wasn’t an unusual occurrence, if anything, Regulus was out more often than he was there. Usually, James would be disappointed by this fact, but Remus and Peter were arriving later that evening for the full moon as the Potter estate was the largest and Moony needed space. Euphemia and Fleamont had left early yesterday afternoon for a ‘couples retreat’. Truthfully, James was pretty sure they were well aware of Remus' situation and just too polite to state it outright, so they ensured they were away when the estate was required for Moony’s monthly visits during the holidays. What concerned James was how they intended to ensure Regulus’ safety if he made the mistake of stepping outside during the night as he was known to do from time to time.
Hogwarts started back in three weeks and Regulus had been using an old spare wand the Potters had as they hadn’t had a chance to shop at Diagon Ally since he had been there. They had a shopping trip scheduled in two days though as Euphemia liked to be prepared and Monty needed new dress robes for his next appearance at the Ministry.
The doorbell rang and James shot up, dashing down the hallway to answer the door only to find Sirius already opening it. Sirius slumped in disappointment and James peaked over his shoulder to find that instead of Remus, who Sirius had clearly been hoping for despite the fact it was common knowledge the two bickered before full moons, Regulus stood in the doorway. James noticed the difference immediately,
“Your hair!” James cried in dismay. It had been cut to just below Regulus’ jaw. Regulus shot James a glare deserving of his Slytherin status. Striding into the house and slamming the door before turning to Sirius with what was clearly hope for approval. And approval he got,
“It looks great Reg.” The way Regulus straightened, as if proud of reaching his brother’s standards made James realise just how rude he had been.
“Sorry,” he winced, “It’s just- well, I had been hoping to plait it. I mean- I, well, only if you wanted of course but there’s only so much practice I can get with Sirius hair and I noticed how much it annoyed you when it was in the way. I suppose you won’t have that problem any longer though. Will you?” Regulus’ gaze seemed to grow colder the longer James spoke, but James had always been one to ramble when stressed. Luckily, a distraction came in the form of the doorbell ringing again, and this time James reached the door before Sirius. He flung it open and almost sobbed in relief when Remus and Peter stood on the doorstep. Remus pushed past James, his pre-full moon strop in full swing until he saw Regulus in the entryway and his eyes lit up.
“Reggie!” Remus cried with a laugh. Regulus cringed at the nickname. “What are you doing here Reg?”
The way Sirius's eyes darted between them, his jaw tensing, concerned James. He reached to grab his arm before his renowned jealousy could get the better of him.
“Hi Remmy, I’m- well- I’m living here.” A soft smile curled Regulus’ lips and he reached to shift the sleeve of yet another band shirt stolen from Sirius's closet off his shoulder to reveal the bandages James had noticed days ago. James' heart fluttered at the sight of Regulus' smile, he was so pleased to see him actually show some semblance of positive human emotion. Remus gasped at something James was clearly oblivious to but from the look on Peter’s face, he too didn’t understand.
“You finally did it? Yes Regulus! Yes!” He was laughing again and James turned to see an odd mixture of pride and envy curdling in Sirius' gaze.
“About three weeks ago. Mother kicked me out as soon as she found out, but it was worth the week I spent homeless.” He grimaced and Remus nodded.
Peter and Remus said their hellos and then they all moved to the living room. James offered to make tea and Peter rushed to help him, leaving Remus and the two brothers in the lounge together. Remus lowered himself slower than usual, the approaching shift making his joints ache and Sirius hovered like the over-anxious knob he is. James listened to the murmured conversation in the other room as he filled the kettle and set it on the stove, lighting it with a flick of his wand. Their voices were muffled and though it was none of his business he found his ears straining to hear more about the surgery Regulus mentioned, at which point he decided to cast a silencing spell over the doorway. Despite his curiosity, he didn’t want to hear anything he wasn’t supposed to. Peter clearly didn’t share this sentiment,
“Awwww! Did you have to do that? I wanted to know what they were talking about.” He groaned, but James shook his head at Peter. The kettle whistled and he turned to grab it off the stove with a hand cloth.
“Fair enough.” Peter nodded, filling the teapot and placing it on a tea tray. James swished his wand and five mismatched mugs flew out to rest on the tray which then floated before them as they made their way into the living room.
The three in the room were in the middle of a conversation about tattoos when they entered, and Sirius bounded over to drape himself over James like an attention-seeking pup. Remus began to explain that he had brought his tattoo gun. He’d said if Regulus wanted anything in particular, he’d be willing to do it the following day free of charge. A celebration gift he had called it. Of course, James and Sirius had both made slightly strangled sounds at that, causing all three heads to turn in their direction.
“You can’t tattoo him Remus! He is a child!” James shrieked as Sirius protested that Remus’ tattoos were his thing and Regulus wasn’t allowed to without his permission as an older brother. Regulus dismissed them with a wave of his hand.
“James, Sirius, you guys literally got your firsts in fourth year. He’s only a year younger than us.”
“That’s exactly my point Moony! He’s just a baby.” That earned Sirius a glare.
“Plus,” Regulus added once his brother had shut up, “I’ve already had my first, and second, and several more. I’d just be getting these ones for free.”
Sirius began to make more incomprehensible noises and James moved to place the tea on the small table before the couch only to be distracted by Regulus Black turning to lift the base of his stolen shirt, baring his lower back. The bandages ended at his lower ribs and all the skin below was now exposed.
James froze as his eyes roamed over the stylised constellations that crisscrossed Regulus' pale skin, the way the ink shifted with the twist of his spine. The tea tray slid from the air as his concentration slipped and the spell holding it released. Remus flicked his own wand to catch everything before it caused a mess, setting the cups and teapot upright on the tray which settled on the table to avoid any more mishaps.
Sirius was interrogating Regulus on when he had gotten the tattoos done and how he had afforded it. James assumed he had gotten it done the same way he had gotten his hair cut, the origin of the funds were still unknown to James, but where Regulus had been disappearing to all week was suddenly much clearer.
Remus inclined his head towards the tea,
“Grab a cup each guys, the tea will get cold.” James was staring into space as the others each grabbed a mug.
“I wouldn’t touch that one if I were you Reg.” Sirius warned, and Regulus looked up from the cup he’d just closed his hand around.
“Why ever not?”
“Cause that’s Prongsie boy’s mug.” This caught James’ attention and he saw that Regulus had grabbed the handle of his Gryffindor house captain’s mug.
“Don’t worry about it.” He shot a smile at Regulus which wasn’t returned, but he also wasn’t outright glaring at him so James considered it a success. Sirius was flummoxed by James’ nonchalance.
“How- When I picked that mug up he verbally abused me worse than McGonagall ever has! I swear he could have rivalled Pomfrey for the fear factor he possessed. How come you trust Reg but not your best friend in the entire world?”
The entire room laughed at that. James faced Sirius,
“I trust him because he isn’t trying to balance it on his nose which is already an improvement to what you did.” He grinned, winking at Sirius as he leaned forward to snatch the last mug off the tray before his tea went cold.
Of course, being James, he didn’t test the heat of the tea before sculling a massive gulp and scalding his throat, leaving him sputtering tea everywhere and looking like a fool in front of everyone. James cheeks blazed red as he tried to play it off, but there was only so much dignity one could retain while choking for the second time in front of the most attractive man James has the memory of seeing. Obviously, he was referring to Remus. It was common knowledge that Remus with his soft curls and freckles as well as his countering scars was the most attractive living oxymoron ever to grace Hogwarts’ halls.
Once James regained his breath, he placed the mug back down on the table and shoved his glasses back up his nose. Everyone else was casting colling charms or blowing on their tea in what felt like a purposeful mockery of James. Sirius even dipped his finger into the cup before quickly withdrawing it with a hiss. Regulus’ nose scrunched in amusement and James found himself wanting to trace the creases. He cleared his throat,
“Well, once you’re all finished with your tea place the cups in the sink, we have places to be. I hope you enjoy your evening Regulus. We won’t be back until early morning. Off to an event, don’t stay up.”
Peter tipped back his cup to guzzle the last of his tea and turned to help James clear up while the other finished. Regulus nodded slowly, fighting off a smirk and James sensed he knew something he wasn’t sharing. Oh well, he had things to prepare for tonight before they left. He ducked into the kitchen with the tray hovering ahead of him and Peter trailing behind. He set about searching for the book with the spell for making dishes wash themselves and Peter hoisted himself onto the bench, watching him.
“So Prongs, what’s with you and Regulus?” There was mischief in Peter’s tone.
James sputtered, “Nothing Pete. He actually did save my life the other day though. I was choking on a piece of pancake and he anapneod me. It’s just, well- he’s rather cute don’t you think?”
“I thought you had your heart set on Lily?” Peter snickered.
“Oh, fuck off Wormy! Not like that. Not that there’s anything wrong with liking guys but I just, well I like girls y’know?” Peter shook his head but before he could continue the conversation Regulus came wandering into the room looking rather disturbed.
“Umm, you might want to go in there and stop whatever’s going on. I swear they were flirting and then Sirius said something, and Remus seems rather mad, and I worry for your parents’ house Potter.”
The two friends in the kitchen rolled their eyes in shared exasperation before rushing to break up one of the pair’s infamous arguments. It was better if Remus shifted in a good mood, not only would it leave Moony in a good mood, but it also made the shift less painful.
“Thanks Reg. See you in the morning!” James hollered as he and Peter threw themselves between the two.