Happy Mid-November Christmas, James.
Regulus was in line to pay for James' gift, with the other gifts he had bought that morning ready in his hand. For Lily he had gotten a red cotton scarf, for Pandora a simple silver bracelet that the girl had shown him the day before and for Marlene instead had gotten some new headphones, something that Pandora had recommended to him. The gift that had been much more complicated, however, had certainly been that of James. At first he thought of giving him something about Christmas, as James loved Christmas but he hadn't found anything. Of course. It was November.
Subsequently he went around the various shops, waiting to find something that might... remind him of James? Or something like that anyway, but nothing. But then, passing in front of a particular shop, he saw them. Different camera models lined up next to each other with photos depicting different still images. And he remembered when Sirius had told him, showing him the photos that had been taken mostly by James, that during one summer Remus had shown them a Muggle camera, and how it could capture precise moments which then didn't move. Regulus still remembered a photo that Sirius had tried to hide taken by James which depicted Remus stretching in a corner, his sweater slightly pulled up revealing his stomach slightly and Sirius on the sofa literally looking at him with his mouth open, while Peter sat next to him rolling his eyes at him. Obviously Regulus had that photo, thanks to Peter's help and he was just waiting for the right moment to use it, but all in due time.
So there he was, after having read all the descriptions of the cameras for at least a good twenty minutes, and then finally taking the one that seemed most in James' style, ignoring what he had read, choosing the one that also had a built-in strap. James would probably like it, right? He hoped he would like it. But if he didn't like it, that would be funny. If Sirius had been there, none of this would have happened. If only Sirius had been there, he would have known how to tell him what to do and what to buy. If Sirius had been there, he probably—
“Lus? Is that you?” asked a familiar voice behind him and Regulus shook his head, breaking out of his train of thought quickly, to turn and meet two blue eyes looking back at him with a huge smile.
“Benjy.”
“We need to stop meeting like this, don't you think?” The boy asked tilting his head, curls falling into his eyes, but which he ignored, the smile still on his lips.
“Yeah, it's like you've been following me.” Regulus said playing along and Benjy's smile widened,
“Well, what can I say? You got me there. I couldn't help but come and talk to you.”
“I think it’s right.”
“You change your hair.” Benjy said and Regulus shrugged,
“Guess I did.”
“I like it.”
“Well, thank you.”
“What brought you here today?” asked Benjy while Regulus passed the camera through the cashier, also asking for some wrapping paper,
“Buying gifts. What about you?” Regulus asked after paying, waiting for Benjy to finish too,
“My best friend broke my cable, so I have to get a new one and while I'm at it, I'll get him one too, so that he doesn't take mine anymore, even if I doubt it. Thank you very much and have a nice day.” He then told the cashier with a wink not taking the change and walking out of the store with Regulus.
“My brother is basically the same person.” Regulus said and Benjy nodded,
“He is an idiot. But, you know.”
“It's your friend.”
“I love him.” The boy said affectionately, before nodding towards the bar that was not far from them, “Do you want something to drink? It's on me. Coffee, tea, beer, water. Your choice.” Benjy asked and Regulus glanced at his watch, to see that he was still wearing the same watch stuck at the famous 11:11, so he quickly picked up the phone and nodded.
“I have some time. But it's on me."
“Oh, please. It's on me. You paid a fortune for that camera, let me pay.”
“Let's split or nothing.” Regulus offered and Benjy laughed,
"Fine. Let's split. But after you, Lus.” He said bowing and Regulus rolled his eyes smiling slightly.
It was official. Regulus hated presents. And he hated wrapping paper. And the scotch. And pre-Christmas. And James Potter. Had he been sitting and talking to Benjy for at least ten minutes? If not more, and he couldn't wrap the damn gift. It was a box. Why couldn't he wrap a box?
“I fucking hate these things.” Regulus said nervously, placing the tape on the table and running a hand through his hair nervously, while Benjy looked at him amused, playing with the tip of his handkerchief absentmindedly.
“Can I help you?”
“Trust me, this is not working. Something it's wrong.” Regulus said making Benjy laugh who stretched out his hands and took the package with the paper and tape, starting to place it more delicately than what Regulus had done, starting to wrap it just as delicately. After less than five minutes the gift was beautifully wrapped, complete with a bow.
“Here. See? Nothing's wrong.”
“Whatever.” Regulus said taking the gift back and placing it in the bag that was under their table and taking a sip from his drink.
“Can I ask you for who is the present?”
“It's for a friend. Is it—a game?” Regulus concluded slowly in confusion,
“A game?”
“We need to give each other gifts.”
“Oooh. It's like Secret Santa, without a secret and with everyone.” Benjy said as Regulus nodded. “So it's like an early Christmas.” He added and Regulus sighed,
“Yes. It's like an early Christmas.”
“That's cool. I'm going to do it with B. He said that for Christmas he had already decided and got the gift, a lie if you ask me. But it will be fun to see what excuse he makes to say he can't take it.” Benjy explained before adding. “However, I would like to add that I didn't help you for free.”
“Oh really.” Regulus asked ironically,
Benjy nodded. “Exactly. I want something in return.”
“I need to hear the offer first.”
“Oh, c'mon. Don't you trust me?”
“I trust no one.” Regulus said flatly and Benjy laughed,
“You're dramatic.”
“I'm not.”
“Of course not.” He nodded at the boy before adding, “Anyway. I was just going to ask you if you would give me my number.”
“Your number?” Regulus asked smiling and Benjy ruffled his eyebrows, before realizing he had made a mistake,
“Oh. No, not mine. I'm so stupid, sorry. I mean your number.”
“Do you want my number?”
“Of course I want your number. You're Lus.”
“Excellent reason.” Regulus said smiling as Benjy smiled back,
“I know. So? Can I get your name?” Benjy asked, slowly passing him the eager tat he was playing with earlier and a pen,
“Where do you have the pen?”
“Magic.”
“Magic. Really?” Regulus asked, taking the pen and writing his number on the handkerchief and passing it to the boy who took it, folding it and putting it in his pocket.
“I love magic. Who doesn't love it?”
“On that, I agree.”
“Only on that?” Benjy asked raising an eyebrow
“I don't agree that that was magic.”
“How to hurt a wizard in his magical heart. A tutorial by Lus.”
“And I'm the dramatic one.”
“Of course you are.” Benjy nodded, taking the last sip of his drink while Regulus rolled his eyes, picking up the phone that had just started ringing the next moment.
“Sorry.” He said before accepting the call,
“Reg! Where are you?”
“At the mall?”
“Oh good. I'll be there in like one minute. I can give you a ride home.”
“James, you should have given me a ride home regardless. You offered it to me this morning. We had agreed.” Regulus said
“Really?”
“Don't you dare leave me here, Potter. I swear—”
“I'm kidding. I'm here. Where are you exactly? I can't see you.” James said laughing as Regulus got up from the chair and took the bag containing the various gifts, throwing an apologetic look at Benjy, who however smiled as he stood up too,
“Wait for me in the parking lot, I'll come.” Regulus said
“I'm already in the mall, Reg.”
“Of course you're already in the mall. Where?”
“In front of—oh, I can see you!” James said and then added after a second of silence, “And you're not alone. Who is the guy?”
“I can't see you. Are you joking with me right now?” Regulus asked confusedly but received no response and looking at his phone, seeing that James had hung up on him.
“Did he hang up on you?” Benjy asked curiously and Regulus looked around carefully managing to see James in the distance.
“He's dead.”
“You’re definitely the dramatic one.” Benjy laughed shaking his head,
“I have to go to kill someone. I'll see you?”
“I'll be in touch soon. Always a pleasure, Lus.” Benjy said winking at him before heading in the opposite direction that Regulus then took.
“You hang up on me in the face.” Regulus said as he got in front of James, hitting him hard on the arm.
“Oi!”
“Never do that again.”
“I didn't mean to bother you with…who was he, anyway?”
“None of your business. C'mon.” Regulus said starting to walk and James quickly caught up with him,
“No, seriously. Who was he?”
“A friend of mine.”
“Do you have friends?” James asked surprised and Regulus gave him a flat look, “I mean, here. Do you have friends here?”
“Apparently. How were Remus and Peter?”
“They were good. Who was he?”
“James.”
“Reg.”
“Really?”
“I'm just curious.” James said trying to sound as calm as possible, even though his playing with his fingertips didn't seem to say the same. And honestly, he knew that it was wrong. Regulus wasn't his boyfriend or anything. But seeing him there, with someone else who he suspected he knew... wasn't the best. Okay, maybe he was exaggerating.
“Benjy Fenwick.” Regulus said and James recognized the name, as he couldn't anyway. Benjy Fenwick was a prefect who had caught them several times, even though she had only reported them there once and from what he remembered James was definitely attractive and nice. Great.
“Isn't he the Ravenclaw prefect?”
“Mhm.”
“He knows who you are?”
“No, I don't think so.”
“Mhm. And what did he want?”
“To chat.”
“That's all?”
“That's all.” Regulus nodded as he got into the car and placed the bag with gifts on the back seats, where there was a package already carefully wrapped. “He asked me for my number and helped me with the gifts, but yeah, pretty much that.”
“He asked for your number? The first time you see each other and he doesn't know you?”
“It's the second actually.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah. Remember that time when we went shopping? At the start?”
“Yeah?”
“I met him there. He didn't seem to know me and honestly doesn't even today.”
“Okay. Cool.”
“How do you know Benjy anyway? I didn't know he knew you.”
“He—he caught us many times during pranks. He even caught Remus once.”
“Really? He never told me that.” Regulus asked in surprise as James nodded,
“He only reported us once though.”
“The shower joke?”
“Do you know it?”
“Remus told me about it. You saved yourselves, because if that had happened you would probably have come to a bad end.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes. Touching the showers and the water in the dormitory showers is a low blow. And it would probably have erupted into a war.” Regulus said as if nothing had happened and James smiled at hi
“Noted. Anyway, did you find all the presents then?” James asked how he started the car engine
“I did. And I hate you.”
“Oooh. You haven't said that in a while. How come, if I may ask?” James asked smiling as he backed up.
“Because it's impossible to wrap your gift.”
“What is my gift? The biggest?” James asked jokingly,
“Yes.” Regulus sighed and James turned to him quickly,
“Really? What did you get me?”
“I won't tell you.”
“Oh c'mon. Please.”
“Of course not. You'll find out tonight."
“A small clue?”
“It's in a box.” Regulus said shrugging,
“Reg.”
“All right. It's in the back seat, how about this?”
“You're having fun, huh?”
“Yeah, it's funny to make fun of you.” Regulus replied satisfied looking out the window, hearing James’ smile.
“Wait. How much sugar should I add?” Regulus asked confusedly as he was mixing what would later become the chocolate cream.
The two boys had returned home and after putting down the presents, they got to work making the churros that James had promised to make, so they divided the tasks. James would make the impact for the churros and cook them while Regulus would make the cream or chocolate sauce, under James' instructions.
James looked up from the dough and looked at the container, “Taste it.” He said and Regulus gave him a flat look, but doing as he said,
“It’s sweet?” He said uncertainly as James smiled,
“How much sweet?”
“I don't know, sweet?” Regulus said taking another spoon and after dipping it in sauce, he passed it to James, who however, having his hands full and dirty with dough, put it in his mouth while Regulus held it up, before nodding,
“It's sweet.” He said smiling and Regulus sighed throwing the spoon into the sink nearby,
“No shit, really?”
“Be nice, Reg. We're making churros!” James said laughing before putting the first churros to cook in the oil.
“I'll put more sugar.” Regulus said lying as he raised the sugar pack slowly and James quickly stepped in,
“I think that's enough, don't you think?” He asked and Regulus shook his head,
“No. I want it more sweet.” He lied to Regulus by bending the package to make the sugar fall out, even though he would never actually do it,
“Wait!” James said reaching him quickly and lifting the sugar package it fell into Regulus' arms, dirtying it slightly,
“You could have told me it was sweet!”
“I thought you understood!”
“I understood it, in fact.” Regulus said calmly as he put the package down and wiped his shirt,
“Then why—”
“Because you had to tell me.” Regulus said simply while James looked at him speechlessly, before remembering the churro and quickly taking it from the oil, which was now burnt, causing Regulus to laugh which the boy hid with a cough. James looked at him for a few seconds, before throwing his hand full of flour and dough in his face. “Are you stupid or what?” Regulus asked turning to James with a murderous look and he simply smiled at him,
“You could have told me.” The bespectacled man replied, repeating the phrase he had said to him before.
“Oh yeah? Really? Could I told you?”
“Pretty much.”
“Well. Here's what I'll tell you then.” Regulus said getting chocolate on his fingers and then placing the chocolate on James' face.
“You didn't!” James said outraged as he looked at Regulus in surprise and amusement, while he looked satisfied.
“Oh, sorry. You could have told me you didn't want chocolate on your face, Jamie.” Regulus said with a smile as he rinsed his face with tap water.
“You're such a—”
“Don't try to finish.” Regulus said, wetting him with the water that was left on his fingers.
“Okay, you're done.” Instead the boy said, now dirtying his shirt while Regulus wet his hair, laughing.
“You're so stupid.”
“At least I'm not dirty.”
“Did you see your face?” The boy asked laughing and James smiled at him in response, bending over the sink, cleaning his hands under the jet of water and then moving on to his face.
“Here. How do I look?”
“Like a stupid?” Regulus asked politely and James pouted,
“Reg.”
“You look fine, James. You still have chocolate on your face, but anyway.”
“Take it off.” James said as he approached Regulus as he shook his head,
“No.”
“Please.”
“Nope.”
“Pretty please.” James insisted, leaning towards Regulus again so that his face was aligned with the boy's.
“No?” Regulus now said uncertainly and James smiled, tilting his head,
“Please?”
“Fine.” Regulus said sighing as he put his hand under the jet of water and then placed it delicately on James' face who honestly didn't think Regulus would ever do that and who was currently holding his breath. The boy's fingers moved delicately over James's face and after having removed all the chocolate, or at least it seemed so to James since he no longer felt it on his face, the fingers stopped slightly more on the boy's cheek and his eyes Regulus found James's and the latter slowly released the breath he had now been holding for a while. Neither of them said anything or moved. And what was happening? Was James dreaming? Had he been drinking? …gas leak?
“Who bought those—oh shit.” Pandora said suddenly appearing in the doorway and the moment broke faster than one would expect. Regulus immediately dropped his hand from James' face and took a large step back, while James stepped back slightly.
“Hey. Everything okay?” Regulus asked turning to Pandora who nodded sadly.
“Yeah. Everything's fine. Lily wrote to me shortly and she and Marlene should arrive in half an hour or so.”
“Already? Oh. I'm going to take a shower then to get the dough off me. Do you still need a hand, James?” Regulus asked, turning to the boy with a slightly strained expression.
“No, I'm fine. Thank you.” replied James and Regulus didn't wait any longer to get out of the room as quickly as possible. Great.
Pandora waits a few minutes before approaching James with a mortified expression. “I'm so sorry. It's like the fifth time that I interrupt you.”
“Don't interrupt anything, Pan. We are not together so.”
“Oh, please. I know that you like him, James. And I think that… he is starting to feel something for you even if he will never admit it.”
“I don't—you think?” asked James and Pandora nodded,
“Lily thinks so too.”
“Great. Am I that obvious?” James asked in a slightly terrified tone and Pandora smiled sweetly at him,
“Well. Not that much? I mean, me and Lily are just good at these things, I guess.”
“Great.” James said flatly and Pandora hugged him quickly,
“Stop saying great like that. You're one of the greatest person I know and anyone can see it. And Regulus will see it too. He's just…you know him.”
“I do. That's why I like him.” James said softly and Pandora smiled,
“I know, James. That's why Lily and I are trying to wake him up. If I could just stop interrupting you all the time it would be easier. I'm sorry.”
“Do you want to help me finish the churros?” asked James instead changing the subject and Pandora nodded at her, rolling up her sleeves and tying her hair into a messy bun.
“They are here.” Pandora said passing Romeo to Regulus who confusedly picked him up.
“Why are you passing me Romeo?”
“So that it doesn't get out.” Pandora said as if it were obvious.
“Romeo doesn't leave the house.” replied Regulus while the girl looked at him for a few seconds,
“Better not to risk it.”
“I trust Romeo, okay?” asked Regulus to the cat in his arms who purred in approval while James next to him gave a half laugh. “What? I trust him.” Regulus said then giving Romeo to James who picked him up now becoming confused himself. “In case you don't feel like hugging or anything Marlene.” Regulus whispered as he looked forward and damn, how fair was that? How could James not fall in love with him when he said things like that?
“Thank you.” James said and Regulus shrugged, turning towards the door to see the girl enter. Marlene had light eyes, blonde hair and an infectious smile, which widened even more as soon as she saw Pandora, running towards her and hugging her.
“I fucking missed you so much.” The girl said, rocking from foot to foot with her while Pandora laughed,
“I missed you too, Mar.”
“Okay, sorry.” Marlene said as she walked away from her and entered her house, where Regulus and James were. “So, you must be Regulus and James.” Marlene said smiling as she took off the wool cap she was wearing and James closed his eyes for a second as her words came out of her mouth. From the mouth of his best friend all his life. From the mouth of the first person he told that he had feelings for boys too. From the mouth of the person to whom he told her nightmares. From the mouth of his person.
“And you must be Marlene. It's a pleasure to meet you.” Regulus said kindly as he extended a hand which was immediately grasped by the girl with enthusiasm. Regulus approached James and leaned against him, making the boy who was still holding Romeo open his eyes, not wanting to actually leave him.
“And you are James, am I right?”
“Nice to meet you.” James said just thinking about the fact that Regulus was leaning against him and Romeo was in his arms.
“The pleasure is all mine. Pandora is always talking about you two, and honestly I couldn't wait to meet you. And yes, you two are simply beautiful. You found each other, I swear. If I were straight and you weren't together, I'll probably try something. But you know, girls have all the fun.” Marlene said and James laughed in spite of him.
“Marlene!” Lily said slapping her friend on the arm who simply smiled,
“What? It's the truth. And you can't really talk.” Marlene replied, glancing at Pandora, who kissed Lily on the cheek, who blushed slightly and rolled her eyes.
“Stop it.” The girl said and Marlene rolled her eyes smiling,
“Fine. But just because I'm hungry. And I want to open the presents. And celebrate. And you know, know them better. We have a lot of things to do.”
“I'd say let's start setting the table.” Regulus said with a half laugh from next to James while Lily gave him a look of gratitude. “Everything okay?” Regulus then whispered to James, who nodded,
“It's fine, really.”
“Okay.” Regulus replied nodding equally before taking Romeo in his arms and placing him on the floor, then following the girls, followed a few seconds later also by James to find the girls already setting the table, with an extra place, to head of the table from what could be seen given the (red) handkerchief that was added.
“Why are they setting the table for six people?” James asked confused Regulus who shrugged, moving closer to Pandora,
“Hey, Dora. Will anyone else come?”
“No. Just us.”
“Then why are we setting the table for six people?”
“Oh. That's for dad.” She said putting her fork on the handkerchief. “I'm sorry, I never actually talked about him, but just because the opportunity never arose, I think. Five years ago, dad and I were in a car accident and he lost…his life while I was hospitalized for at least a month.” Pandora explained, raising her hair and showing the two boys a huge scar on her head.
“I'm so sorry, Pandora. We didn't know.” James said quickly as the girl smiled sadly,
“It's okay. It's just—His favorite holiday was Christmas. He especially loved Christmas Eve, so every year we set up a place for him too.”
“That's really beautiful, Dora.” Regulus said as the girl smiled at him,
“It’s something little but…My dad would love you, you know? He really liked books, music especially classical music and—”
“Magic.” Regulus finished sadly because yes. Pandora always said that if he met him they would become friends. Unfortunately, Fate didn't want to, apparently.
“Yeah.” Pandora said with a half laugh, “He believed in things like that.”
“Well, they exist. Just look at us, right?” James said as he put his arm around her shoulders and she leaned into him,
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Everything.”
“My dad…is still alive in the other universe?” Pandora asked in a low, and oh. How did Regulus tell her he was dead? to extinguish that little light of hope that had lit up in the girl's eyes?
“Yes. He is.” Regulus then said and James gave him a quick look,
“Can you say hello to him for me? Somehow?” Pandora asked after a second of silence, and Regulus nodded, swallowing slightly.
“Yeah. Of course.”
“Thank you.”
“You don't have to thank me, Dora. Really.” Regulus said with a nod as the girl smiled, hugging him.
“I know.” She said before going to help Lily with her dishes.
“You lied to her.” James said softly and Regulus turned to him,
“What was I supposed to tell her, James? That her father died there too? Or that she always says that her father and I would have been great friends? I couldn't. I just—I remember the day that she discovers that her father was—i still remember that face, James.”
“That was very beautiful thing to do, Reg.” James said simply and Regulus turned to the table,
“Pandora deserves everything. But of course, the people who deserve the most get the least. Pandora deserves the world, but the world doesn't deserve her.”
“She has you. I think that is something that she deserves.” James said and Regulus smiled shyly at him. “And I managed to make you smile again. I'm getting better and better, I see.” He added causing a roll of the eyes,
“More stupid, you mean.”
“Who knows.”
“Everyone?”
“The Reg mean is back.”
“You'll never stop calling me Reg, will you?” Regulus asked instead and James smiled,
“Maybe one day I will. But no. Not now.”
“Of course.”
“If you're done flirting, can you come and give us a hand?” asked Marlene as Lily hit her arm again making her laugh as the two boys went to help them, putting the food on the table. “Oh god. Are those churros?” She asked as soon as she saw them, then immediately took one and ate it.
“James made them.” Regulus said and Marlene made several sounds of approval.
“These are the best churros I've ever had, and I'm not kidding. Who taught you how to make them?” The girl asked enthusiastically and James felt a slight lump in his throat but he quickly swallowed it,
“My…my mom.” The boy replied, running a hand through his hair,
“Compliment her because if yours are so good, I can't imagine how good his are. What's her name? If I can ask, of course.”
“Euphemia. Effie. You call her Effie. Everyone does.”
“Tell her that I love her already. Because—they are so good. Like, really good. I mean, one day I have to meet her.” Marlene said sitting up as James felt that lump in his throat again. He had tried not to think about his mother, especially in the last few days, but making churros, celebrating Christmas and even hearing Marlene say that she already loved her without even actually knowing her, because it was like that, Marlene didn't know her there, had brought to mind only his mother. That he hadn't heard from for more than a month and that he had never had time to reply to her last letter that was sent to him. And fuck, now he was about to cry, right? He could the lump go up his throat too high and—and—
“I'm sorry, I just—need some air. I'll be right back yeah. You can eat, though. I will be right back.” James said quickly before quickly walking out of the room because actually why had it gotten so tight? Why didn't his lump want to fall and why did he already feel the tears falling when he didn't want them to fall?
“Did I say something wrong?” Marlene asked lost and in a terribly guilty tone, “I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to. I just—Mine were compliments, forgive me.” said the girl again as Regulus shook his head.
“It's fine, don't worry.”
“Really? ‘Cause—”
“Don't worry about it.” Regulus said taking a handkerchief and placing two churros inside it, “I'll go to him. You can eat, yeah? Excuse me.” The boy said quickly leaving the room and leaving the girls alone, who looked at each other, Lily and Pandora a quick conversation of glances.
“I'm sorry if I did something wrong.” Marlene said softly and Lily hugged her,
“You did nothing wrong. He's with Regulus, he is fine.”
“I didn't want to upset him. I like him. We could be really good friends. Call me crazy but I can feel it. I—James—”
“And you will be. I know that for a fact.” Pandora said kindly and Marlene nodded unconvinced.
“Hey. Can I?” A voice said behind him and James quickly wiped the tears from his eyes again.
“If you want.” He responded by clearing his throat and tilting his head slightly so his face couldn't be seen as Regulus slowly sat up next to him.
“I had imagined that you had come here.” Regulus said after a few moments of silence looking at the pool,
“I love the pool.” James replied trying to sound as calm as possible. He was fine. That was for sure, wasn't it? So why did he still feel that damned lump in his throat?
“I know. The pool is cool.” Regulus said softly before wrinkling his nose slightly, “I'm sorry, I didn't mean for it to rhyme.” He added mortified and James half laughed.
“You should write poetry.”
“Yeah, I don't think I will. I prefer to read it. But. If you're gonna write it someday, I'll read yours.” Regulus said slowly and James took a small, shaky sigh, before turning towards him, to be met with a soft smile on his lips,
“Oh, really?”
“There you are.” Regulus said before adding, “Really. I promised you.”
“I'll write it, then.” James said before turning towards the pool, the lights of it illuminating his face streaked with previous tears which however were quickly drying in the air.
“Would you like to tell me what happened in there before? Or, if you don't want to, we can just stay here, even if it's freezing and you're gonna get a flu if you continue like this, in silence.” Regulus then said and James chuckled slightly,
“It's not that cold.”
“Really? Because from what I know, it's always cold on Christmas Eve.”
“It’s Mid-November, Reg.”
“Oh, really? Is it now?” Regulus said with a smile as James chuckled softly again.
“I'm sorry.” The boy said after a moment of silence, but before Regulus could say anything he added, “I'm just being silly, really, don't worry.”
“You're not, James. I know when you're being silly.” Regulus said kindly as he approached him, “It's about Marlene?”
“No. Yes. I don't know.” The boy said sighing and Regulus waited silently for him to continue not wanting to push too hard. “It's just—it's my first Christmas Eve without my friends, my family and…my mom. I—I had never gone this long without talking to her and I was trying not to think about it but when Marlene mentioned her and everything—and it really doesn't make sense thinking that there are people who don't hear from their mother every day though—”
“The relationship you and Miss Potter have is different, James.”
“You can call her Effie, Reg.” James said with a half laugh-snort
“I'll call her Effie when she'll tell me to, James. But that's not the point. What I was trying to say it's…that it's normal. The relationship you and her have is special. It's what everyone, even me, envies. You understand each other. Like me and Cissy. And, I am sure that, although I have never met her in person, Miss Potter is a wonderful woman. Just like her son.”
“You don't have to say it, just because—”
“I'm not lying to you, James.” Regulus interrupted him, and James stopped.
“She wanted to meet you, do you know? I was instructed by her personally to invite you and Narcissa to celebrate Christmas with us, after you rejected Sirius' invitation.” James said instead after a moment of silence and Regulus looked at him differently,
“I didn't know that.”
“Well, I didn't have time to ask you after the match considering what happened.”
“Well, yes. You were too busy getting us into trouble.”
“It was not my fault.” James said and when Regulus raised an eyebrow the boy looked at him offended, “It wasn't my fault.”
“Okay.”
“But some mud.”
“Some mud?”
“Yes, on which we fell. Well, you fell on me but whatever.”
“Yeah, yeah, okay. It's the mud's fault.” Regulus said and James nodded in satisfaction now smiling slightly. “Are you really okay, James?”
“I am, really.”
“You know, if I can have good days…where I’m apparently humming—”
“You do!”
“You can have bad days too, James.” Regulus said slowly and honestly James felt he was wrong. Why did he sound so wrong? “It's not wrong, trust me.” He added Regulus as if he had heard it and—had he said it out loud? “Narcissa says the same thing to me. More often than I'd like to admit, honestly. I always think that having good days…is somehow wrong and I think you feel the same way don't you?” Regulus asked and when James didn't answer him, just looking at him, he continued, “but it's not. It's normal. Really normal actually.”
“I just—just feel like—”
“I know. I feel it too.” Regulus said before adding, “But like I said, like Narcissa says, it's okay to be that way. It’s right.” Said Regulus and James just looked at him, uncertain. “It will be our secret, okay? Even if I'm not the sweetest person on this world, and I know it….talk to me, James. Or we will never be able to go home. Not alone anyway.”
“Okay.” James said nodding and Regulus raised his pinky,
“Pinky promise.”
“Are you for real? It's—”
“Your thing. I know. But we will do it. Come on, you don't want to leave my pinky in the air.” Regulus said with a fake pout and despite everything James laughed, holding him.
“I promised.”
“Good. And now, I brought the churros.”
“Aw, really Reg? I'm getting emotional."
“I can throw them in the pool, remember it.”
“No, you won't.”
“Never say never.” Regulus replied smiling and passing him the churros he had taken. “James?” He asked the boy after a few minutes while the two were now eating the churros,
“Yeah?”
“Tell me something.”
“What would you like me to tell you?”
“Something that goes on your mind, really.” He said, leaning against the wall and listening to what was on James' mind at that moment.
“You're back.” Pandora said getting up as soon as she saw the two boys come back into the room,
“Of course we are back. We have some presents to open.” James said as Regulus next to him, fake rolled his eyes,
“James? I'm sorry if I said something that upsets you. I didn't want to do it.” Marlene said instead approaching the boy and James nodded, a smile on his face,
“It's not your fault, really. I just needed some air.”
“I'm still sorry. Can I hug you? I mean, I—really, and for—” the girl began uncertainly but James wrapped his arms around her,
“It's fine, Marls. Reg brought me churros.” James said and the girl hugged him tighter in her arms, before moving away from him with a nod,
“You have to teach me someday.”
“Date and time, and they are there.”
“Oh, wait until I have your number. You will soon tire of me, like them.” She said the girl laughing and James shook his head,
“How could I ever? You are Marlene.”
“The one and the only. Can we open the presents now?” Lily asked, stepping in while Regulus gave her an amused look,
“I didn't know you were a gift-giving type, Evans.” The boy said and Lily gave him a flat look,
“Well, honestly, me and Dora bought some rings together and I want to wear them.”
“Oi! Did you give each other gifts? It does not work like that." Marlene said and James next to her nodded,
“That's true.”
“Said the one who did everything today to discover your gift. Very coherent, James.” Regulus said and James looked at him for a few seconds, before shrugging,
“I would have guessed, you wouldn't have told me.”
“I remember you specifically asking me to tell you.”
“But you didn't. So no problem.”
“Sure.” Regulus said unconvinced as James smiled at him and the boys approached the tree that had all the wrapped presents underneath.
Of course, Pandora and Lily were the first to open the presents, happily exchanging the rings they had chosen together, then opening James and Marlene's until Lily opened the gift from Regulus and burst out laughing.
“It's cotton.” Regulus said flatly as Lily immediately put the scarf around her neck and continued giggling, then took her gift box and passed it to Regulus who opened it confused, then smiled to see that Lily had gotten him the same gift, which was a cotton, in that case however green.
“Even if we had agreed it wouldn't have happened.” Lily said as Regulus followed suit and elegantly placed the scarf around his neck,
“Well, I like it.”
“I like it too. Thank you, Regulus.” Lily said happily as Pandora stood up to give her gift to the boy.
“What is this?”
“It's a gift.”
“I thought the hair was the gift.”
“Well, I lied. Sorry, but I'm sure you'll like it.”
“We had a deal.” Regulus said as he took the package and gently unwrapped it,
“Well, you got me the bracelet I wanted.”
“How do you…” Regulus said delicately taking in his hand what was perhaps the most elegant version he had seen of Maurice,
“It's a limited edition! And James told me about how you wanted to have it but didn't have time to get it, so I did."
“That’s—James!” Regulus said turning to James who was standing next to him with a huge smile on his face,
“If she hadn't done it, I would have taken it for you. But then you would have been the only one with two gifts and it didn't seem right, don't you think?”
“You're an idiot.” Regulus concluded as if it were a fact, causing the boy to laugh, then turning towards Pandora and hugging her quickly, before sitting back down on the floor, at the same time as they were opening the presents. “Thank you, Dora. It's beautiful.”
“It's nothing. And I think Romeo has now had his gift too.” The girl said laughing, seeing that the cat had approached Regulus and he had quickly stolen the paper with which the book was wrapped, to play with it immediately afterwards.
“Don't eat it.” Regulus said stroking his head affectionately as Marlene stood up and handed a miniature letter envelope to the boy, who took it curiously
“C'mon. Open it.” The girl said as Regulus handed her his packaged headphones, then opened the envelope and found a small piece of paper inside, on which was written in slightly messy handwriting: «Marlene pass»
“What is it?” Asked confused the boy while the girl immediately put her headphones around her neck smiling like never before.
“First of all thanks for the headphones. I broke them and these are gorgeous, even the new model, Regulus!” Marlene said getting up and giving him a quick hug which only made the boy stiffen slightly, “You're not a hug person, mhm? We need to work on that.”
“What is the Marlene pass?” James asked curiously as he craned his neck to get a good look at what was written, before Regulus handed it to him directly,
“Well. Initially my idea was to give couple hats made by me to both you and James. Spoiler: James, I made you a hat by hand. But then Pandora told me how you were looking everywhere for books to learn sign language and so I said to myself, this was perfect.”
“Was it perfect?”
“Yes. I have spoken sign language since I was little, as my favorite uncle is deaf and mute. So instead of paying for books or even professors I will teach you personally, so that you can then talk to that childhood friend of yours you recently met.” Marlene said happily and Regulus looked up at her in surprise.
“Would you do that? Really?”
“Of course. I love teaching and I am convinced that sign language is very important and should be taught regardless. And then, I will be able to get to know you better by spending time with you. If of course it's okay with you.”
“That’s—I—thank you, Marlene.” Regulus said sincerely as the girl smiled,
“No, Thank you for the headphones, Regulus. This are one of the best ones I've ever had.” Marlene said sincerely and Regulus smiled kindly at him, placing the Marlene pass inside the book carefully.
“Well, now it's my turn.” James said as he stood up and took both his gift and the one Regulus had given him, passing it to the boy. “C'mon. Open it up.” He then said with slight anxiety as the boy did as he was told, then unwrapped a black notebook, which had some embossed embroidery on it. Regulus opened it to find that inside there were printed several constellations put together. Regulus watched in amazement, turning the first page, to find a pentagram in front of him, with a final sentence at the end, written in cursive in French. The following pages were all like this, pentagram pages, tall blank pages instead, each with sentences written at the end,
“James…” Regulus said looking up as the boy smiled shyly.
“They are lyrics from songs that I heard these days and that made me think of you or something stupid to make you smile. I thought I'd put the first one in French because you're French and that song reminded me of... you. The constellations are yours and that of Sirius. And the pentagram…well, for your music. Whenever you want. So you can write the world as you truly see it. And maybe, play it when you'll feel to.” James explained as Regulus looked at him silently, the black notebook in his hands, now closed. “Do you like it? This was the help Remus actually gave me you know? It wasn't the playlist. Remus knew this guy who did custom stuff and—” James added quickly when he saw that Regulus didn't speak, but before he continued the boy interrupted him.
“James.”
“And—yeah?”
“I love it. Thank you.” Regulus said with a half smile and James' face suddenly lit up,
“Really?”
“Yeah. Thank you. Really I—it's beautiful, James. thank you.” Regulus said again and James smiled satisfied,
“I'm glad that you liked it.”
“What was the song?” asked Marlene curiously and Lily hit her on the arm, while both Regulus and James laughed at her.
“It's La fin du munde by Juniore” said James trying to pronounce the French terms well, but making Regulus laugh,
“You tried.”
“It's not the title that matters, but the song and the melody.” James said pouting as Regulus nudged him affectionately with his shoulder,
“You're right.”
“But what are the lyrics?” Pandora now asked as Lily sent her a resigned look,
“I won't read it.” James said as Regulus handed him the notebook,
“You are no fun.” Regulus replied before reading it aloud, “Le most souvent quand ton esprit vagabonde, Tu te répètes peut-être à défaut d’arguments, Et finalement l’espace d’une fraction de seconde, Tu te dis que l’infini c 'est dans trop longtemps.” Regulus said smiling as the three girls looked at him confused,
“Translation?”
“Mhm. I think It's like this: very often when your mind wanders, you may repeat yourself for lack of arguments, and finally for a split second, you tell yourself that infinity is too far away.”
“Oh shit, James. That's so Regulus.” Pandora said nodding and James smiled,
“I know.” He replied, looking at Regulus who delicately turned over the pages of the notebook, reading the sentences at the end of each page quickly.
“Now open his, come on.” Lily said as Regulus closed the notebook and now looked uncertainly at the package he held in his hands. Maybe that hadn't been such a good idea, right? I mean, James had given him that, while he—
“Can I?” Asked James, holding out his hands and the boy handed him the package in silence, not convinced, ready to say something to make... forgive him? But when James unwrapped the paper the boy's reaction silenced him, because the boy's face suddenly lit up as he took the camera in his hands and turned it carefully, stroking the strap, before putting it on and quickly turning on the camera, which after a few seconds it turned on.
“I'm sorry if it's not the best, but I took the one that looked more like you and—”
“Regulus. It's the best gift anyone has ever given me. I've always wanted one. Always." James said as he got into position and immediately took a photo of Romeo who was now looking at him curiously.
“Really?”
“Yeah! I love it, oh, Merlin. It's beautiful and even has a strap. Thank you, Reg. Can I hug you?” James asked excitedly and Regulus nodded and in a second he found himself in James' arms.
“So you can capture the world as you see it.” Regulus then whispered to him timidly so that he could only hear James and the latter held him more tightly in his arms, before walking away, a little color on his cheeks.
“It's time picture! C'mon. I want the second photo to be of us.” James said as he stood up and took Regulus' hand for him to stand up, which he did.
“Sit a pose so I can take the photo.” Regulus said as he reached for the camera but James shook his head,
“What are you doing? No. You have to be in the photo, Reg.”
“I—”
“He is right.” Marlene said as Lily added,
“We should all be there. Even Romeo, for that matter.” Before going to take Romeo in his arms,
“I'm not—” Regulus began, turning to James, who pouted,
“Please?”
“I'd rather take a photo than be the photo.” The younger said softly, and James approached him,
“Just one. For me. It's part of the gift, right?”
“Well…”
“If you don't like it, then I will delete it secretly. I promise you.” James said softly and Regulus was silent for a few seconds before nodding,
“Okay.”
“All of us are here?” He then asked in a louder voice, as the girls happily joined them, “Huddle a little, otherwise we won't all go in.” James said and as Regulus leaned into him, he held his breath slightly, “Say Christmas Eve!” Before taking the photo and happily looking at it on the screen.
Lily kissed Pandora's cheek who winked at the camera while keeping an arm around Marlene's shoulders, who held Romeo at her face level imitating his confused expression, the cat who instead tilted his head towards Regulus curiously, who had his face turned slightly inwards, curls covering his face slightly, but a smile could be seen on his lips and James looking at him from the corner of his eye, the same smile on his face.
“How did it come?” asked Marlene, moving closer to him and nodding in satisfaction, “You know what you're doing, James.”
“A little.” James said happily before reaching Regulus who shook his head,
“If you like it, it’s fine. I trust you, so… I won't see it.”
“I love it, Reg. Like I love the camera.” He answered him and Regulus nodded, going to help the girls throw away all the papers, but not before smiling sweetly at him.
“James?” Pandora asked, coming closer as soon as Regulus had moved away, while the boy continued to look at the photo happily.
“Yeah?”
“I found him.” The girl said in a low tone and James turned to her quickly.
“You did?”
“Yeah. He lives not very far from the mall.”
“You found him.” repeated the boy and Pandora nodded, sending him a few seconds later what she found, on his phone,
“Happy Mid-November Christmas, James.” Pandora said giving him a kiss on the cheek, then looking at the photo and smiling, “It’s beautiful.”
“Yeah.” James replied uncertainly as the girl's words in her head. She had found him. She had found Regulus’ brother. She had found his best friend.
Pandora had found Sirius Black.