come as you are

6

The Great Hall is alive with the sound of chants and cheers. The Gryffindor table is the loudest, the students in red giddy and excited and proud. They won the Quidditch match against Hufflepuff not even an hour ago, and James is still flying high on cloud nine about it.

Gryffindor absolutely thrashed Hufflepuff by the time their seeker caught the snitch. The adrenaline rush was still coursing through James’ veins even after he showered and joined the rest of the students in the Great Hall for their celebratory feast.

They were gloating, and James has no shame in it.

He loves Quidditch.

More so, he loves winning Quidditch.

James is in the middle of listening to Marlene recite her glorious last minute goal before the snitch was caught when he notices Regulus standing up from across the hall, tucking his book under his arm and slinging his bag over his shoulder. Realising that the younger boy is leaving, James jolts to his feet.

"Be right back," he mutters to Peter, but the other boy is too busy listening to Sirius and Marlene to notice.

James climbs out of the bench, resisting the urge to run as he exits the Great Hall. Regulus is already halfway down the corridor, so James has to break into a jog to catch up with him.

He’s been thinking about speaking to Regulus since he noticed at the start of the match that the younger boy wasn’t only not sitting with his Ravenclaw housemates, but worse: sitting with the Hufflepuffs.

The opponents.

"Regulus!"

The younger boy spins around, already frowning at the notion of being called. When he see’s it’s James, he stops walking and somehow, looks even more confused, and slightly frightened. "Hello?"

James stops in front of him, wanting to reach out and gently stroke the pinched skin between his eyebrows so it’s smooth again. He hates that Regulus is always frowning, that he’s always tense around people as if he needs to make himself smaller, braced for hits to come.

"Why do you always look so baffled when I speak to you?" James asks.

Regulus blinks at him, seeming surprised by the question. He seems to think for a moment, clear on his face that he doesn’t know how to answer.

Eventually, the younger boy shrugs. "Guess I’m still getting used to people speaking to me."

That… that’s quite sad, James realises. It also makes him feel like a bit of a jerk for always approaching Regulus. The boy hasn’t told him to go away yet, though, so James is assuming the boy is warming up to him.

"Congratulations on winning the game," Regulus says.

James almost puffs out his chest with pride. He grins, cheeks warming.

"Thanks! I saw you cheering on Hufflepuff," James says, pouting. "Very hurtful, you know."

Regulus frowns again suddenly, dark eyebrows pinching sharply and mouth turning down. "Why?"

"You should have been cheering Gryffindor."

"Why would I do that? Pandora is in Hufflepuff."

"Because I’m in Gryffindor! And so is your brother!" James cries, flailing his arms. "You supposed to want us to win!"

Regulus shakes his head, eyebrows smoothing out and a small tug of his lips marginally resembling a smile. "You’re silly, James Potter."

"It was the worst betrayal. Really. I’m going to need to see a mind healer to cope."

Regulus rolls his eyes. "You won anyway. You didn’t need me cheering you on."

"But I wanted you too!" James admits, and suddenly feels self-conscious over the fact that he doesn’t know if he’s joking anymore. "Did you enjoy it?"

"The game?" Regulus asks. When James nods, he adds, "Yes, I did. Very good catch of the snitch from Johnson at the end. Is Frank alright?"

"He’s fine," James shrugs."Just a little bump to the head. Pomfrey said he only needs to stay in the hospital wing for a night."

"That game is so dangerous," Regulus shakes his head disapprovingly. "I don’t understand how everyone is so keen to play it."

"Because it’s fun," James grins.

Regulus just grumbles and shakes his head again.

"Gryffindor are having a victory party tonight," James says. "Do you want to come?"

Regulus glances sideways at him. "It’s a Gryffindor party."

"So?" James laughs. "People from other houses always come. Pandora is there most of the time, and she’s Hufflepuff!"

"No thank you," Regulus shakes his head. "Parties aren’t really my thing."

James knows he shouldn’t be surprised. He didn’t expect Regulus to say yes, considering the younger boy considers socialising on equal terms with going one-on-one with the squid in the black lake. James wants to imagine Regulus at the party, enjoying himself and chatting to all of James’ friends. He appreciates Regulus’ definition of fun is different to James’, and Regulus is more content with sitting alone and reading a book or stargazing. It’s just the way it is, and James has learnt to not worry that Regulus is lonely or sad about it.

Still, James wants to spend more time with him. He wants to continue to get to know Regulus, to see all the sides of him that no one else has seen. Regulus makes him feel vulnerable, like he can truly be himself when he’s around the younger Ravenclaw. Regulus is so calm, so happy to just simply exist in a room that it gives James a respite from having to always be loud, or funny, or witty. He doesn’t have to be James Potter, the Gryffindor Casanova, the Quidditch Captain and infamous prankster in red and gold. When he’s with Regulus, he just gets to be James.

"Are you going to the astronomy tower tonight?"

"No. I’m going to the library," Regulus says, and James almost laughs at how predictable that is. "I’ve got some Ancient Runes homework to finish."

"Of course," James smiles. He ignores the feeling in his chest knowing that Regulus isn’t going to be in the tower under the stars without him. "I’m going to Hogsmeade on Saturday. Want to come?"

"What for?" Regulus asks.

"To go shopping? To grab a butter beer in the pub? You know, to get out of this bloody castle," James shrugs.

"With you?" Regulus asks, cheeks pink.

"Yes," James chuckles. "If that’s okay with you."

Say yes, he mentally begs. The weather is going to be cold, James knows, but he hopes it doesn’t put Regulus off.

"Okay," Regulus agrees, and James has to restrain himself from fist bumping the air in victory. Party is a no go, but shopping is clearly appealing. "I need some more snacks for my trunk anyways. Can we get up quite early and go? It'll be less busy if we get there before everyone else."

"Of course!" James nods. "Meet in the courtyard at eight-thirty?"

Regulus just nods.

"Perfect!" James grins, feeling oddly giddy. "I’ll see you later, yeah?"

Regulus nods again, the curls on his head bouncing as he does so. James tries not to stare, but he feels oddly hypnotised by the sight of the soft dark coils sitting so starkly against his ivory skin.

"Have fun at the party," Regulus says, and James' heart simply melts at the way the younger boys voice sounds so soft and gentle, as if the wish of James having fun is something precious.

"Thanks," James smiles, ignoring the sinking feeling in his stomach at the fact that Regulus isn't going to be there. He nods to the books in Regulus’ arms. "Have fun in the library."

"I will," Regulus adds, quietly. "Thank you."

There is a burst of noise behind them, and James looks over his shoulder in time to see a group of Hufflepuffs come bundling out the doors.

When James looks back at Regulus, the smaller boy has already walked off.

Hours later, the Gryffindor party is in full swing. Victory banners and Gryffindor scarfs decorate the walls, hanging off lamps and the corners of photo frames. The common room is packed, James is pretty sure even third years are nicking drinks and pretending they can handle the house poured concoctions.

After rounds of games and dares, the music has been cranked up so most of the students are dancing. Frank suck out of the hospital wing about an hour ago, and is lounged on one of the sofas with a bandage around his head and a goofy grin on his face with Alice practically pampering him.

James is sitting by the window with Lily, Peter and Mary. He’s drank enough that his vision is blurry, that his head feels like it’s detached from his body. He can feel himself grinning like a fool, knows his laugh is louder than normal, but the drink goes down like honey and everyone else in the room is the same.

He's having the time of his life. Grinning like a madman, a cup of fire-whiskey cradled in his hands, surrounded by his friends in their final year of Hogwarts. This is exactly what he'd hoped this year would be like: Quidditch victories, memorable parties, and laughs with his friends and housemates. They're going to go down in history, he just knows it.

"Refills?" Mary asks.

James nods easily, as do Peter and Lily.

"Let's see if Remus has any vodka left," Lily says, standing up and wobbling slightly. "Marlene and Dorcas took mine, so hopefully he has some."

When the two girls have walked off, Peter turns to him.

"Where do you keep disappearing off too?" The boy asks.

James’ head snaps to the side. The room spins as he does so, but it's nothing compared to the sudden speed his heart picks up. "What?"

"At night," Peter clarifies, slurring. The other boys cheeks are flushed, eyes slightly hooded. He looks exactly how James feels. "You keep disappearing for hours. Where do you go?"

James feels suddenly overwhelmed. He knows his cheeks are hot red with blush and he's sputtering like an idiot, but he can't help it. The sudden need to keep his evenings with Regulus a secret consumes him. It's not a secret as something to be ashamed of, but something special and vulnerable that James wants to keep private.

This must be how Regulus feels about everything.

"I don’t know what you mean."

"Prongs," Peter raises an eyebrow in a silent endearment of are you kidding me? "I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt here. You know we can just stalk you on that map if you refuse to tell us."

James winces. "Us?"

"Yes, us. Me, Sirius and Remus. You know, the other three lads you sleep in the same room as?" Peter laughs. "Do you really think you’re that stealth? That we wouldn’t notice you disappearing most nights and coming back when you think we’re all asleep?"

James shakes his head vigorously, "It’s really nothing."

"You seeing a girl?" Peter asks bluntly.

"No!"

"A boy?"

A pause.

"No."

"That one sounded less convincing," Peter grins. Suddenly, his face falls, and he looks at James with a warming concern. "Is something wrong? Do we need to be worried about you?"

"No, of course not," James assures.

He feels good to know the boys haven't been following him on the map, respecting his privacy enough to let him do things independently without them having to know the when, who and where's. They've granted him that, but now James is worried what they'll think when they know the truth.

His late night trips to the tower are nothing to be ashamed of, nor is the added fact that those nights are spent with Regulus. It suddenly dawned on James how Sirius would feel. Sirius and Regulus get along fine, their lives seem to glide alongside each other in harmony. They rarely cross, but when they do, it's a gentle connection that seems to part with little catastrophe. Sirius has no problems with Regulus, but will he have problems with James spending so much time with him? It's his little brother, after all, not that James is doing anything wrong. He's not going against bro-code, or getting Regulus into any trouble.

It's just stargazing. It's practically educational.

Surely, no one would be bothered by that.

"I’ve been going to the astronomy tower," James admits.

"You planning on lobbing yourself off it one night?"

"Peter!" James cries, horrified.

The other boy shrugs. "I gotta ask, Prongs. I’ve told you we’ve noticed you sneaking off—"

"You have nothing to worry about, Peter," James says. "I promise."

Peter frowns at him, clearly confused. "What are you doing in the astronomy tower then?"

"Learning astronomy," James shrugs.

Peter stares at him for a moment, just blinking. Then suddenly,  he barks a loud laugh and shakes his head disbelievingly. "Fuck off."

"I’m serious!" James defends uselessly.

"Sure," Peter muses, shaking his head again. "I’ll believe that when I see it."

It's true, James almost says. It's true, I promise.

It's true because I practically pressured Sirius' baby brother into doing it despite the younger boy loathing any kind of social interaction.

James realises he should tell Peter. He should tell Remus and Sirius too, because he's invited Regulus to join him on his trip to Hogsmeade on Saturday and they're going to find out then. James can't keep that a secret, and if he tries, the action is going to seem anything but it's true innocence. They're going to ask why he didn't tell them, why he's hiding his time with Regulus away like it's something to be ashamed of, and Regulus is anything but something shameful.

The younger boy deserves to be showered in praise, showed of in the ways he's destined to be adored. For someone so naturally quiet and private, Regulus deserves to be shouted about from the rooftops. He deserves to be noticed, to be appreciated for his intelligence and kindness and softness. Regulus isn't something that needs to hide or be hidden. He deserves to be seen, and James has finally managed to clear the fogged glass built around him to see the star shining from within.

Plus, if Sirius finds out and James kept it a secret, he doesn't want Sirius to make any guesses about James' intentions. He doesn't want Sirius to assume James is embarrassed to be hanging out with Regulus, because he's absolutely not.

"It's Regulus."

Peter turns to him. "What?"

"Regulus," James repeats, voice stronger and louder. "That's who I've been hanging out with in the astronomy tower."

"Regulus?" Peter echoes. "As in Regulus Black? Pads’ little brother? That Regulus?"

"Yes," James nods. "He's been teaching me about the stars and constellations."

"What the fuck?" Peter laughs in disbelief. "I can't believe it!"

"What?" James frowns, heart sinking. "Do you— is it wrong? Do you think Sirius is going to be mad? It's just astronomy lessons. I'm not—"

"Prongs, calm down," Peter interrupts. "Sirius won't be mad, you know he loves you and he loves Regulus. He won't have a problem with you being friends with him. It's just... it's Regulus, you know? I don't think I can count on one hand how many times I've noticed the poor sod in the whole six years he's been here unless it's Sirius who's talking to him in the Great Hall. How did you even... how did it even start?"

James chews his lip. He tells Peter about finding Regulus in the tower the first time, and how he managed to talk Regulus into giving him an astronomy lesson the next night that turned into spending the whole night up there under the stars. And the next night. And the next.

Peter still looks baffled even after James has explained.

"I suppose it makes sense," he says.

James frowns. "What?"

"He's a Ravenclaw. No one can resist the James Potter charm apart from Slytherins," Peter smiles. "Of course he said yes when you asked. He couldn't resist that begging, puppy face."

"That's not it," James argues weakly, but he doesn't really have much to defend himself with.

Honestly, he doesn't know why Regulus is content enough with James' company to allow the older boy to invade his private time in the astronomy tower. James isn’t complaining though.

"We're going to Hogsmeade this weekend," James adds, suddenly feeling the need to confess everything. He's admitted enough now, he might as well lay it all out on the table.

"As in a date?" Peter gasps.

"No!" James cries. "Of course not! It's just as friends. And it's not just us exclusively. Anyone can come! It's just Hogsmeade!"

Peter laughs at him. "Oh, Prongs."

"What?"

"Nothing," he shakes his head, chuckling. "Nothing at all."

James sputters, feeling hot and suddenly self conscious.

James excuses himself quickly. He half stumbles to the stairs, gait unsteady from the drink. He manages to get up the stairs without completely humiliating himself, and by the time he gets to the dorm room, he’s got enough control of his body that he doesn't fall through the bedroom door.

The dorm is empty, and he makes a beeline for Peter’s bed where he knows the map is hidden under his pillow. Snatching it up, James utters the words and the ink bleeds across the parchment.

Hunting Regulus down on the map is never hard. The younger boy is always one of three places: the library, the astronomy tower, or the Ravenclaw common room and dorms.

Scanning the map, James smiles to himself when he finds his name hovering in the Ravenclaw common room. It makes him feel happy to know that Regulus isn’t still sitting in the astronomy tower this late. Despite how much the boy loves spending time there and has done it long before James knew about it, James worries about Regulus doing it. It’s so cold up there, and Regulus never seems to take cushions or comfy things to sit on. He must get so uncomfortable, especially now James knows that more often than not Regulus can sometimes spend all night up there, sitting on the cold hard floor with nothing but a warming charm and an extra sweater.

James has been in the Ravenclaw common room once. It was purely out of curiosity in first year when the marauders got curious what other common rooms looked like. Peter had managed to get the answer to the riddle through the portrait from a Ravenclaw he sat with in Herbology, and that night the marauders went on a scout to see what the room was like.

James didn’t find the Ravenclaw common room as homely as the Gryffindor or Hufflepuff ones. Doused in the navy blue, the room was so spacious and the high ceiling made it feel more like James was in the Great Hall than a cosy common room. The room was so airy with it’s long windows and curved, arched ceiling. Now, James can imagine Regulus in it. He can see the younger boy reclined on one of the navy sofas under a blanket with a book, or sat with his legs crossed and neatly rewriting his class notes under the golden glow emitted by the candle lights. He can imagine Regulus sitting at the window, curled up on the seats and staring out at the magnificent views the tower provides of the Hogwarts grounds, the forest and the lake.

James closes the map with a sigh. He’s happy Regulus is in the warm safety of his own common room, but it also means he’s in the one place in the castle James can’t reach him. James can join him in the astronomy tower, or the library, or smile at him in the Great Hall, but the only way James can see him when he’s in his common room is through the map.

Not that James has any reason to see Regulus again tonight. He’s drunk, and it’s late, and all he’d end up doing is annoying the younger boy.

James shakes his head. He’s being ridiculous, and he scolds himself for it. He needs to go back downstairs with his friends, not be sitting up in his empty dorm room wishing he could go and visit Regulus in the tower.

Shoving the map back under Peter’s pillow, James leaves the dorm room in search of another drink.

He’s got a victory party to see through, after all.

*

Saturday comes round in a blink of an eye.

Realistically, it only comes two days after the Gryffindor quidditch match, but James still wakes up on Saturday morning with a burst of new-found energy. He practically leaps out of bed, diving into the shower first before anyone else can get in there (most importantly, Sirius and his ridiculously long washing routine).

James hasn't seen Regulus since the day of the Quidditch match. He's been looking, but Regulus seems to have successfully go M.I.A amongst the Hogwarts student body in the last 48 hours. James hasn't seen him in the corridors or in the Great Hall, so he figures Regulus is avoiding any and all contact with people. Remus said he saw Regulus in the library the last few times he's been, but the two of them never conversed. James at least hopes that he's simply been missing Regulus every time they could cross paths, otherwise that means the younger boy hasn't eaten since Wednesday.

James told the rest of the Marauders about the day at Hogsmeade with Regulus. Peters only response was a smirk, which annoyed James because he doesn't understand what the Scottish Gryffindor is so smug about. Remus seemed surprised, and Sirius looked down-right confused. James couldn't seem to explain it in enough different ways to Sirius that yes, his little brother is going to Hogsmeade, and yes, he's going with James, and no, there is nothing wrong and definitely no, Regulus is not being forced to go against his will. Sirius seemed fully convinced that Regulus was being either kidnapped during the ordeal or bargained with something horrific to make him go.

James was quite insulted by the end of Sirius' interrogation about James' intentions and Regulus' strange agreement, but Remus seemed to do a pretty good job of helping Sirius understand that his brother may be an unsociable, shy, potential hermit, but that the younger Ravenclaw also has the human potential to do things outside the classroom and library.

Hence, the arrangement for the rest of the Marauders to meet them later in the day was decided. They would go with them in the morning, but apparently 8:30am is far too early to be ready for on a Saturday.

James gets ready in record time, mostly so he can spend the majority of the time to spare trying to get his hair marginally tamed and presentable. He gets dressed, hopping around the room in a frenzy getting his clothes on in a rushed desperation.

At 8:05, he leaves the dorm and makes his way downstairs to the Great Hall to grab some food before the trip. He sees Mary and Lily at the table, and practically skips over to them to sit down. They ask why he's so cheery, and when he tells them he's going to Hogsmeade, they seem confused.

"Where is the rest of your annoying band of twats?" Mary asks.

"In bed," James replies after a mouthful of toast. He looks around the hall, but he can't spot the familiar head of dark curls on the Ravenclaw table.

Lily frowns at him. "You're going on your own?"

"No," he replies. "I'm going with Regulus."

Mary and Lily exchange glances, but James doesn't have time to question it has it's already 8:20. He downs his orange juice and stands, waving goodbye to the girls and practically sprinting outside.

Winter has coated the castle and grounds in a blanket of white. The air has a sharp chill to it, a bite that pricks at James face and hands as he steps out of the doors and into the courtyard.

He spots him then. Sticking out like a sore thumb, dark clothes in sharp contrast to the shocking white snow. A sliver of change in the vast expanse of brightness from the sun reflecting off the fallen pale blanket. James grins to himself, hopping down the steps and approaching the waiting boy.

Regulus turns when he hears the loud crunch of James' hurried steps in the snow, and the sight almost makes the older boy fall face first in the soft snowflakes on the ground.

Regulus is wrapped up in every sense of the word. With his Ravenclaw blue scarf wrapped around his neck, navy gloves protecting his hands from the winter wind and earmuffs on his head. His curls, thick and dark, are haloing around the band across his hair, the fringe of stray ringlets covering his forehead and framing around his ears.

He looks cuddly, and James has the sudden need to wrap him in the thickest blanket and call him adorable.

"Morning," Regulus greets quietly when James stops to stand in front of the shorter boy.

"You’re wearing earmuffs," James blurts.

Regulus cheeks glow an instant red, and he suddenly seems incredibly offended by the statement, staring at James as if he laughed in the laughed in the younger boys face and called him every insult under the sun.

"It’s snowing, James. I get cold easily," Regulus defends snappishly. He frowns, face tense and red nose scrunched up in a way that shouldn't be as adorable as it is. "What’s wrong with my earmuffs?"

"Nothing! Nothing at all!" James assures, feeling oddly breathless. "They’re lovely. You look lovely."

"Oh," Regulus blinks. "Thank you."

James beams, resisting the sudden and unexplainable urge to reach out and tug on one of the curls stubbornly sticking out beneath the fluffy band of the earmuffs.

"Shall we?" He asks, feeling strangely breathless.

Regulus nods, and they begin to trek through the soft, fresh snow out of the Hogwarts grounds.

It's peaceful. Soft and delicate snowflakes fall from the sky and settle on the ground and in their hair. The laid snow beneath them crunches and flattens beneath their feet, leaving behind fresh tracks of their shoes. It's cold, the sharp iciness biting at their toes and fingers painfully, but James loves it. The skyline is a thick, impenetrable grey cloud. The hills around and slopes of usually green grass and trees is covered in white, glistening and sparkling like glitter has been dusted along them.

James wishes he had his broom, so he could fly above them and see the landscape from a birdseye view. Not that he doesn't mind being on the ground, walking beside the smaller boy.

In fact, he doesn't mind it at all.

The early hour means that Hogsmeade is quiet when they arrive, the shops barely opened and barely a handful of students are up at such an hour on a Saturday morning. They go to Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop first to restock on their parchment and quill supplies before James drags them into Spintwitches Sporting Needs to get himself another pair of Quidditch gloves and takes the perfect opportunity to show Regulus all the different types of brooms. The younger wizard seems interested, and not at all annoyed by James' excited rambling about a game the Ravenclaw has no interest in playing.

After, James drags them both into Honeydukes to get Regulus some trunk snacks. James finds it enduring to discover that Regulus' favourite treat is sugar quills, especially when the younger wizard buys an excessive amount for stock in his trunk. 

When they leave, James asks where they want to go next. It's still too early for butterbeer, but it's late enough now that students are crawling amongst the Hogsmeade high street.

"Times and Scrolls?" Regulus asks, though it's clear it's more of a shy request than a question.

"The book shop?" James asks. "I don't think I've ever been in there."

"That doesn't surprise me," Regulus smiles slightly. "I just want to ask and see if they've managed to get in a book I requested a little while ago."

"Sure," James nods. He grins, "Shall we?"

Unsurprisingly, the shop is empty when they go in. James wasn't joking when he said he'd never stepped foot in the place in the whole seven years he's been at Hogwarts. Inside in cramped and cosy, on the brink of being claustrophobic. The natural light from the windows barely makes it past the books piled from floor to ceiling on every wall.

James looks around in curiosity, but his attention is snatched when a man appears from around a bookshelf to stand behind the till desk. He's tall, practically towering over them both, but the height of the ceiling makes him look below average. The lenses of his glasses are so thick the glass makes his eyes look like they're being seen through a magnifying glass.

"Hi, Thomas," Regulus greets, and the man's face breaks out in a surprised smile.

"Regulus!" The older man beams, "How are you, lad?"

"Good," Regulus nods. "Did you manage to get hold of that book?"

"Of course I did," Thomas chuckles, already making his way to a bookshelf near the back. "It came in yesterday. I would have sent a letter, but I figured you'd come by sooner rather than later," he comes back into view with a hefty, leather bound book in his hands, "Here y'go."

"Thank you," Regulus murmurs softly, taking the book and cradling in his hands as if he was holding a baby bird instead of an old, dusty book. "How much?"

"Five galleons," the older man replies. "Sorry it's so expensive, but it's a pretty rare find and the shipping from Hungary wasn't cheap."

"It's fine," Regulus shakes his head, not sounding fazed at all by the price. He hands over the coins and smiles, "Thank you so much, Thomas."

"Anytime, kid," Thomas says. "Enjoy reading! You'll have to let me know what it's like."

"Of course."

They bid their goodbyes, and before James blinks, Regulus is leaving and James is scurrying to catch up. The snow crunches under his rapid footsteps, and he almost collides with Regulus' back when the smaller boy stops suddenly to put the book in his satchel.

"What's the book about?" James asks.

"Hungarian runes," Regulus replies. "I read a book over summer about the Hungarian wizarding history and their extinct animals."

"Wicked!" James grins.

Regulus' head snaps suddenly, his face tight with a slight frown. "Really?" He asks.

James stops short in surprise. "Yeah? Why wouldn't it be?"

Regulus keeps staring at him, clear on his face he's waiting for James to suddenly shout psych! and start mocking him. What for? James doesn't know.

"Honestly," he adds, "It sounds cool. I wish I enjoyed reading enough to learn this stuff. To be honest, even if I enjoyed reading, I don't think I would ever think to request books about Hungarian history and runes."

"Oh," Regulus blinks. There's fresh fallen snow setting on his hair and earmuffs again. "I could tell you about it some time. Maybe. If you want?"

"Sure," James nods, smiling. He looks at his watch. Time has flown since they arrived and it's already midday. "Do you fancy a butterbeer?"

Naturally, Three Broomsticks Inn is busy. Most of the students are making a lunch time pitstop for a pint of butterbeer and protection from the winter chill. Luckily, James spots a free table close to the back.

"I'll get us some drinks if you want to grab that table?"

Regulus nods, wordlessly slipping through the crowd. James gets their drinks and sits opposite the younger boy. In the time he was at the bar, Regulus has taken off his coat and earmuffs, but the scarf is still loose around is neck and the layers of navy jumpers protecting his form from the chill seeping into the pub. He looks ridiculously cuddly, and James is surprised once again by the want to curl him into a hug and make sure the younger boy is warm enough.

"I've never been here before," Regulus says.

James' eyes widen in surprise. "Really? No way!"

"I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true," Regulus replies haughtily, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Of course not," James instantly amends. "I'm just surprised. You've been at Hogwarts for years. You've been to Hogsmeade many times, and you've never come here?"

Regulus shakes his head. "Never felt the need. I’ve only ever come to Hogsmeade to get stuff from the shops. Plus, it’s always so busy in here."

James nods in understanding. He doesn’t disagree that Three Broomsticks, during Hogsmeade weekends, is always overflowing with students. It’s the main attraction to everyone visiting. It’s a pub, after all. It’s the place to go to get something to eat, to get a butterbeer, to chat to your friends. To Regulus, the busy, overcrowded tiny space is probably his worst nightmare.

"We can leave if you want," James offers. "I don’t want you to be uncomfortable."

"It’s okay," Regulus shakes his head. "I’ll be fine."

"Well, if you change—"

"Potter, I said I was fine," Regulus interrupts. "I’m not a child."

"Of course," James smiles. "How are you finding it so far?"

"Loud."

James nods. "Does this mean you’ve never had butterbeer before?"

Regulus shakes his head, and James can’t help but gasp.

"Scandalous!"

"Not really."

"Try it."

He does. He takes a tentative sip, holding the glass in one gloved hand as if he’s handling a crystal tumbler. When he puts it down, there is no stray foam on his upper lip like everyone else.

It’s exactly how James would have guessed Regulus would have taken a drink.

Civilised, composed.

"And?"

Regulus shrugs. "It’s alright."

"Like it?"

"I think so."

"How can you 'think so'?"

"You ask a lot of questions."

"Sorry," James blushes. "Do you want me to shut up?"

"No," Regulus replies. "I’m just not used to this."

"The pub?"

"People talking to me," Regulus answers. "People generally leave me alone."

James frowns. "Are you happy about that?"

"Yes," Regulus nods, and he seems to mean it. "I like being alone."

"I can’t imagine how that’s fun," James laughs.

James needs his friends and family to function. There isn’t a time when James likes to be alone. He enjoys the company of others, thrives off the security and safety, the praise of being around people who want to be around him. He likes to talk, to share stories with people and hear theirs. He likes to talk to check on his friends, to laugh at things that have happened in classes.

His mother has always said James can make conversation with a brick wall, and it’s true. James can talk to anyone and anything, about anything and everything. He loves to talk, to listen. He’s never turned down company, shied away from hugs or shoulder bumps.

He can’t imagine what it’s like to enjoy being alone, enjoy the silence.

"It’s not fun, necessarily. It’s just the way I like it," Regulus shrugs. "I don’t have a lot to say to people, and I like the quiet. The best way to get that is to be alone, and I personally have no problems with being my own company."

"That sounds lonely," James says, and instantly regrets it.

Regulus’ eyes harden, the soft grey becoming like molten silver. His shoulder straighten, as if he’s bracing himself, and James becomes scared he’s said something offensive, something that’s hurt Regulus and is irreversible.

"I’m sorry—"

"It’s only lonely if you require company to feel content."

James blinks in surprise.

"Of course," he smiles gently. "Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I don’t think you’re lonely."

"Most people look at me and think I am," Regulus sighs. "Or they look at me and think I’m too unpleasant to have friends, which I can’t always argue with. I’m not lonely though. Lonely is a state of mind, and I don’t feel that way when I’m alone. I enjoy it, if anything, I seek it out. People make me uncomfortable."

"You’re like the opposite of everyone else I know," James says. "It’s quite brilliant, really. You’re brilliant."

Regulus frowns, eyes flicking down to his drink on the table. "I am anything but brilliant."

Now, James frowns. How can Regulus believe that? James wants to shake him till he sees sense, till he sees what other people see.

What’s not brilliant about Regulus? He’s crazy smart, resilient, and James doesn’t need to see him in a fight to know the younger Black brother is strong as hell.

James truly believes it takes a special type of strength to be so content with being alone. Does Regulus not think so?

He doesn’t get a chance to think on it any longer, because suddenly, there’s a shout across the pub.

"Prongs! Reggie!"

James’ face splits with a grin. He would know that voice from anywhere.

"Oh, Merlin," Regulus mutters, eyes closing slowly in clear exasperation.

James can’t help but chuckle at the younger boy before spinning around and shouting back, "Pads!"

He watches as Padfoot comes bounding between the tables of mingling students, grin so wide it practically splits his face. Moony and Wormtail are still by the bar, watching with amused expressions.

Sirius instantly drops down beside Regulus, grinning down at the younger boy who only seems to return a startled glare.

"How's your morning been?" He asks, practically vibrating with energy.

"Brilliant!" James grins. Then adds, "Of course, no surprise, as I had wonderful company."

Sirius frowns in confusion. "Who?"

"Your brother, Pads," James rolls his eyes.

"Yeah…" Sirius replies slowly, "and who’s the wonderful company? Because I know there’s no way it’s this little nerdy hermit over here."

James rolls his eyes again at Sirius’ laugh at his own joke.

"Don’t be mean, Padf—"

"Fuck you, Sirius."

James almost gasps, but Sirius just barks a laugh at the insult. He looks sideways at Regulus fondly, tugging at one of the curls sticking out of his head.

"You know I love you, rabbit," Sirius teases.

"Please die."

"Never," Sirius winks. "I can’t annoy you from the afterlife."

Regulus rolls his eyes and batts Sirius’ hand away when he reaches up to tug at his hair again.

James relaxes slightly. There have been so few times he’s seen the Black brothers interact that he’s still not used to the loving teasing and poking.

"Alright, boys?" James asks when Moony and Wormtail approach the table, Wormtail sitting beside James and Moony down beside Padfoot.

Instantly, Peter and Sirius start ranting about the essay due for Minnie’s class next week. 

While they talk, James takes the time to watch.

It's a stark difference, suddenly seeing the two Black brothers so close together. Side by side, they look so similar yet to opposite. They both have the dark, almost black hair, though Sirius' is straight and long yet Regulus' is curly, cut short and barely reaching his shoulders. They're both crafted with ivory skin, yet Sirius' is flushed and yet Regulus' looks like it hasn't seen a ray of sun in years. Sirius has never been a big lad, his muscle lean from quidditch and always standing a head shorter than Remus, but when they're side by side, he makes Regulus seem tiny. The younger boy looks like a shadow of his older brother.

Sirius is full of energy, huge smiles and loud laughs. He switches between having his arms wrapped around Remus like a koala or flailing them whenever he talks.

Regulus is passive, silent. He only moves when he reaches for his drink, his hands permanently in his lap otherwise. His eyes follow the conversation of the table, but he never speaks.

Despite their differences, they're clearly brothers. They share the same thick, dark eyebrows. Their eyes, though different colours, are the same shape, huge on their faces and framed with ridiculously long eyelashes. They both have the same jaw, defined and chins slightly pointy. Their cheekbones stand out like shards of glass, and when they do smile, James knows they'd look the same.

If only Regulus would smile too.

James suddenly feels nervous.

Is Regulus not having a good time?

Is he uncomfortable?

Of course he's uncomfortable, James decides. That's a stupid question. The small boy doesn't socialise unless it's in the library with Pandora. Getting him to come to Hogsmeade with James was a feat in itself, and now they're surrounded by the rest of the Marauders, loud and brash and overwhelming to people like Regulus.

Does Regulus want to leave? He doesn't look like he's ready to bolt, and he doesn’t look angry, per say. He's looking at Sirius like he's ridiculous and definitely not planning on attempting to join in on the conversation, but he doesn't look like he wants to dive out of the corner and run for the hills.

An hour later, they all leave the pub, butterbeer drank and side by side into the still falling snow outside.

James feels warm and tingly as he watches Regulus readjust his earmuffs onto his head and tie the scarf snuggly around his neck. The younger boy barely manages to step aside in time and miss being barrelled over when Sirius swipes the hat off Peter’s head, resulting in the chase up the street between the two.

"Close call there, Regulus," Moony says easily as he walks out calmly, adjusting the collar of his coat. "You’ll have to excuse them. I’d say they’re not normally like that, but, well…"

"Don’t worry, no need to make excuses," Regulus quips back, grumbling. "I grew up with Sirius, remember? The day that moron acts his age is the day that Dumbledore brushes his beard."

James snorts and Moony laughs with a shake of his head, stepping a little bit ahead of them, most likely to get the hat off Sirius before it ends in a brawl in the snow.

James and Regulus fall into step with each other. The snow crunches under their boots as they trail after the other three back up the high street.

"What are you doing this evening?" James asks after a few minutes.

"Homework," Regulus replies.

"Boring!" James sings, chuckling. "You going to the library?"

"No. I’ll be doing it in my dorm. Today might have been nice, but if I have to spend anymore time with people and talking and noise I’m going to hex everybody’s eyes out."

James jolts with surprise. "Wow, so violent?"

"Not yet," Regulus shrugs, with unsettling nonchalance. "But I will be, if I subject myself to sitting in the library today. It’s not as quiet and peaceful as it once was now it’s been infiltrated by Gryffindors."

"Sorry," James snorts. "And, us Gryffindors are not that bad and noisy. The library is a quiet place anyways."

"I assure you, your lot always find a way despite the fact that, yes, the library is meant to be quiet."

"Oh, come on!" James whines, "Now you’re just picking on Gryff—oof!"

His face is cold. And wet.

He hears a cackle in the distance, and looks up in shock to see Sirius practically bowled over, hand on his stomach.

"What a shot!" He cries, and then James realises what just happened.

Sirius hit him in the face with a bloody snow ball!

"Sorry, Prongs!" Sirius shouts, and James can hear the wheezing from where he is.

"What an idiot," Regulus grumbles beside him.

James snaps out of his shock, jolting back into reality as anticipation and excitement suddenly warms his stomach.

"It is on, Padfoot!" He screams, already bending down and gathering and compacting snow into his hands. It’s ridiculously cold, border-lining painful, but he presses it into his palms and rolls until he makes a ball. He holds it up like a trophy and screams, "I’m gonna fucking get you!"

"Bring it on, antler-boy!" Sirius shouts back.

"What—" Regulus starts, but James doesn’t hear the rest, because he’s sprinting through the snow and pelting the snowball as hard as he can at Sirius.

The other boy ducks, and the ball hits Peter square in the shoulder. The ball obliterates like confetti, covering his coat in white and spraying his face with it.

Before James can blink, the four of them are in a full-fledged war. He doesn’t even have time to think about teams, just works on dodging and throwing as much as he can. Their laughter echos through the air, ringing loudly through the high street.

"Help me, Reggie!" James cries, when he notices the younger boy standing aside just watching them. "Save me!"

They all stop, panting and shivering. Each one of them is sodden and robes and coats ruined, their hair damp from the snow. Peter’s beloved hat has gone from it’s dry shade of burgundy and now looks black.

"Yeah. Come on, Reg!" Sirius adds, tossing a snowball between his hands and flashing his younger brother a shit eating grin. "Throw a snowball, will you? Learn to have some fucking fun!"

Regulus bristles, rolling his eyes. He glares at Sirius for a moment, eyes narrowed. When the older boy rolls his eyes back, leaning down to make another snowball, James watches as Regulus scoops up a handful of snow in his gloved hand, quickly rolls it and tosses it as Sirius with surprisingly strength and speed.

And the beauty hits Sirius right in the back of the head.

Sirius startles, looking up and at his brother with wide eyes.

Regulus stares back, unfazed, deadpan. James see’s a smug tugging of his lips before he says,

"You’re right. That was fun."

"You…" Sirius starts, blinking as if to switch himself back online. Then, he beams and laughs, "You little shit! I’m going to get you for that!"

The war restarts, this time with Regulus helping James gang up on Sirius.

They don’t stop until Peter accidentally hits a first year with a stray snowball.

— tbc.