Warm

“You’re so hot.” James mumbled into his mouth as he slammed Regulus against the door of the broom cupboard later that day.

“Godric, you fucking destroyed them.” He continued breathlessly before diving his tongue into Regulus’s mouth. The Slytherin certainly wasn’t complaining. He let James take the lead this time, licking into his mouth and taking his fill.

The Gryffindor suddenly pulled back and shot a locking charm and silencing ward at the door.

“Plan to be in here a while, do you?” Regulus teased with a smirk.

“Yes.” James told him, eyes glazed over in lust. “You destroyed them and used my name to do it.”

Regulus paused. “…And you… liked that?”

James placed his hands firmly on Regulus’s waist, crowding closer. “You used my name like it was yours. That’s so hot.”

Oh. Regulus could certainly work with that.

“It is mine, isn’t it?” He purred, leaning closer. “Everything about you is mine.”

“Yours.” James growled out and surged forward to capture his lips again.

This kiss was much more demanding than Regulus was used to from his boyfriend. Hard and fast and passionate and intense. Like James wanted to devour him whole. Regulus quite liked this animalistic side of him.

“You’re vicious.” James whispered between kisses. He said it the same way he so often called Regulus beautiful or lovely, awe dripping from his tone.

“And cruel.” Regulus added sweetly, tugging on his hair harshly to emphasise the point. James moaned in response.

“I want–” He panted haltingly before biting down on Regulus’s lip.

At the next free moment, Regulus yanked James’s hair again, forcing him to tilt his head back. “What do you want, Sunshine?” He crooned meanly. “Be a good boy and tell me.”

“I wanna reward you.” James gasped out, causing Regulus to freeze. “Wanna get you off.”

“James…”

“Please.” He whined temptingly. “Want to feel you in my hand.”

Regulus swallowed, forcing himself to remain calm. “James, my birthday’s still a month away.”

“29 days.”

“James.”

“I really want to.” He insisted. “Is that not okay with you? Because I thought–”

“It is okay with me.” Regulus said carefully, searching his boyfriend’s eyes for any hint of pretence. “But I don’t want to do anything you’ll regret.”

“I won’t regret it.” James told him seriously. He looked like he meant it. “I really want this. Have for a while.”

“As long as you’re sure…” Regulus finally relented.

“I’m so sure.” The man assured him. “Can I touch you? Please?”

“You that desperate for me, Sunshine?” Regulus slipped back into things cautiously. He was beyond excited at the prospect of finally having James’s hands on him, but he wanted to make sure it was really okay.

“Yes.” James breathed eagerly, not a hint of shame or hesitation in his eyes. “Please.”

“You want my cock?” He drawled teasingly.

“Yes.”

Regulus grabbed his boyfriend’s jaw harshly. “And why should I give it to you?”

“I’ll make you feel so good, I swear.” He pleaded desperately. The sound went straight to Regulus’s already hard dick. “Please, Regulus.”

“Hands off and step back.” Regulus instructed to which James complied but whimpered softly. He then slowly, teasingly, brushed his fingers over his fly. “How bad do you want me?”

“So bad.” James answered right away, eyes locked on Regulus’s crotch as he licked his lips, probably subconsciously. “Regulus, please.”

“Maybe I should have you on your knees begging.” The Slytherin mused as he played with the button of his trousers.

“I will.” James promised. “Just say the word.”

Regulus smirked in satisfaction. “Not today.” He finally took mercy on his boyfriend.

Instead of unbuttoning his trousers right away, he began slowly unbuttoning his shirt. Truthfully, it was because a hand-job would be easier and less messy without his shirt in the way, but it also had the added effect of teasing James further. The Gryffindor in question watched him with his wide eyes roaming over every inch of skin as it was revealed. Regulus relished in the attention.

When his shirt was finally open, he moved to his trousers, dancing his fingers along the waistband tantalisingly before finally undoing the button. He then guided the fly of his trousers down the zipper, ever so slowly, and made a show of pushing them down to his knees.

“You’re so beautiful.” James breathed, enraptured by the sight. Regulus would never get tired of his compliments in ‘bed’ – he’d been called a million things before: ‘hot’, ‘sexy’, ‘baby’, ‘slut’, ‘whore’, but the types of things James said: ‘beautiful’, ‘lovely’, and yes, even ‘vicious’, it would never get old to Regulus.

“Tell me more.” He commanded, trailing a teasing hand over his chest, while the other played with the waistband of his boxers.

“You’re beautiful.” James repeated breathlessly, eyes glued to Regulus. “You’re so lovely. You belong in a gallery with the other art. I– you’re so pretty. Absolutely gorgeous. Stunning. Wonderful. Breath-taking. I want–”

“To touch me?” Regulus cut in with a faux unimpressed facade. “Yes, I know.” He hummed consideringly as he rubbed a hand over his clothed bulge. “I suppose you’ve been quite good today.” He crooked a beckoning finger at the Gryffindor. “Come take these off for me.”

James didn’t waste a second before closing the gap between them. He surged forwards and immediately reached down, his hands hovering over Regulus’s boxers in question. Regulus might be the one half-naked but it was clear he had all the power. It was a heady feeling.

“Go on.” Regulus prompted, his cock as hard as nails in anticipation.

James carefully hooked his thumbs into Regulus’s boxers and slowly pulled down, watching with rapt attention as his cock was finally revealed.

“Beautiful.” He breathed when Regulus’s cock was finally free, rock-hard and leaking from the tip. He was not as big as James’s monster cock apparently was but his boyfriend didn’t seem bothered in the slightest. “Merlin, you’re perfect.”

“Hold out your hand.” Regulus instructed. James did and the Slytherin spat on it without warning. He swore James’s pupils dilated even more, which was something to consider in the future. “Touch me.” He demanded next, and his boyfriend was happy to oblige.

Experimentally, James grasped hold of Regulus’s cock, causing the Slytherin to bite back a gasp at the sensation. James slowly started to explore, tightening and loosening his grip, moving his slick hand up and down in careful strokes. James had big, calloused, warm hands, and so it felt absolutely heavenly on his dick. Like they fit together perfectly.

James rubbed a thumb hesitantly over the head and Regulus couldn’t help but moan slightly. So James did it again, smearing the precome there and driving the Slytherin wild.

“One day,” Regulus told him, fighting to keep his voice even, “I’m going to get you on your knees and shove my cock down your throat.”

“Regulus.” James whispered, licking his lips again and looking absolutely enamoured with that thought.

The Slytherin reached a hand up and grasped his chin once more, placing a thumb on his bottom lip. “Your lips are going to look so perfect around me.” His boyfriend inhaled sharply at the mental image.

“Now stroke me properly.” He ordered. “You wanted this so badly, so prove to me you deserve it.”

“Tell me what’s good.” James said quietly before moving his hand in earnest.

Regulus absolutely did not hesitate to instruct him at every turn. Telling him what felt good. Telling him what to do. And James obeyed without question, gaining confidence as he went on.

It was the hottest hand-job of his life.

He dragged his hand up and down Regulus’s cock. Up and down, gaining surety as he went. He started to build up a rhythm and find a pattern, squeezing more at the base and running his thumb over the head periodically. It made Regulus want to thrust but he waited for now, wanting to see how James would do.

He maintained the rhythm well, stroking and driving Regulus to insanity with muttered praises whispered in quiet reverence. His other hand joined in to play with the Slytherin’s balls, cupping them and fondling in a way that made him gasp and moan.

He felt cherished. Attended. Worshipped. Like Regulus was the altar James knelt before and he was happy to serve his every whim. Like Regulus was something precious and James was blessed to be able to touch him.

At some point, Regulus couldn’t help himself any more; he started thrusting into James’s grip, unrestrained moans spilling from his lips.

“James.” He groaned.

“Regulus.” The man responded, staring unabashedly at his face as the Slytherin rapidly became undone.

“I’m going to come.” He warned.

“Come for me, then, Starlight.” James crooned in response. “Come.”

Regulus spilled into his hand with a loud groan.

“So perfect. So beautiful.” James muttered, cradling his face with his clean hand. “Was it okay?”

“You were so good for me.” Regulus praised him, tiredly leaning further back onto the door behind him. “Now lick me up.”

James didn’t hesitate this time. While maintaining eye contact, he brought his hand up and licked the come off of his fingers sinfully until his whole hand was clean.

“That’s so hot.” Regulus breathed at the sight, his cock twitching in excitement. “We’re still going to need cleaning charms, though.”

James took care of it this time. He cleaned them up and tucked Regulus back away, redressing him gently and slowly. They kissed sensually and softly, the taste of Regulus’s come still on James’s tongue, and James muttered honeyed words at him.

“Thanks for trusting me.” James said eventually. “Trusting that I knew what I wanted.”

“No regrets?” Regulus asked, just to be sure.

“None.” James smiled at him. “I still feel just a touch guilty in the back of my mind but…”

“It’s not sex.” Regulus told him his perspective. “The way I see it, you’re still, incredibly, a virgin.”

“Is sex only penetration, though?” James asked absently. “I don’t think that’s all there is to it.”

“Agree to disagree?” Regulus offered with a slight smile, playing with the curls at the back of James’s neck.

“I guess we’ll have to.” The man smiled back. “Want me to walk you back to your dorm?”

Regulus shook his head. “Barty and Evan are fucking all over the dorm. They told me to stay away unless I want an eyeful. Can I stay with you?”

“How considerate.” James drawled. “Me and the boys are going to be out most of the night but I guess you can stay over anyway? Just ignore how much we look like tired messes when we get back.”

Regulus raised an eyebrow. “Got a prank planned?”

“Now that would be telling.” James grinned mischievously, pecking him on the lips.

“Try not to get caught.” Regulus told him. “This is the last weekend before exams so you’re barely going to see me as it is. You don’t need detention too.”

“Sir, yes, sir.” He intoned jokingly.

“Would you ever call me ‘sir’ in bed?” Regulus wondered aloud.

James pulled a face. “That would be weird.”

“So ‘good boy’ is fine but ‘sir’ is over the line?” Regulus countered, raising an eyebrow.

The Gryffindor looked a little embarrassed. “I don’t know – there’s a difference, okay?”

Regulus smirked in amusement. “Okay.” He acquiesced. “Now, let’s go because I really want to lie down and do nothing for a bit.”

“Sounds good.”

“You sure you don’t want me to… reciprocate?”

The Gryffindor shook his head. “Nah, I’m good. Getting to watch you was plenty.”

*

They made their way to Gryffindor tower together, chatting as they went. They talked about their plans for the next day – the last day before OWLs and other exams started. Regulus planned to hunker down for last-minute revision, while James planned to skive off and occasionally pop in to bring him food and force him to take breaks.

“Shouldn’t you be revising too?” Regulus pressed as they climbed the last set of stairs before the portrait.

James just shrugged. “If I don’t know it by now, I’m not going to know it by Monday. No point in stressing myself out.”

The Slytherin gave him a disagreeing look. “But don’t you want to freshen things up in your mind?”

“Moony will probably– what the fuck?” James cut himself off, causing Regulus to follow his eye-line.

Snape, yes, Severus Snape, was making his way out of the Gryffindor Common Room and Regulus couldn’t fathom why for even a second.

“What are you looking at, Potter?” The greasy git snapped. Salazar, he really needed to learn to wash his hair.

“Just wondering what you were doing in Gryffindor of all places.” James shot back suspiciously.

“None of your… business.” He replied and started walking down the stairs without another word.

“Well, now I’m paranoid he’s done something.” James said, watching his retreating figure.

“You think he’s pranked you?” Regulus asked, though he was thinking along the same lines.

“Probably.” The Gryffindor blew out a breath. “Well, nothing to do about it now, I suppose. Still want to stay here?”

“I’m not watching Barty’s skinny arse get railed.” Regulus answered, face twisting in mild disgust at the thought.

James chuckled a bit. “Fair enough. Let’s go.”

They made it through the Common Room without incident, the occupants of the Tower more than used to seeing Regulus in there by now. When they arrived at the dorm, it was already occupied by all three of the other Marauders, though Remus appeared to be lying down, looking rather ill.

“Hi guys.” James greeted softly, mindful of his friend.

“What’s he doing here?” Sirius spat, though his voice was equally quiet.

“Yeah, Prongs. You know what’s happening tonight, don’t you?” Peter added with a frown, which was strange because he tended to protest about Regulus’s presence the least.

“I already told Regulus we’ll be out all night and not to mind how haggard we’ll be when we get back.” He assured them.

“I’ve been exiled from my room because Barty and Evan want to fuck all over it.” Regulus explained.

Sirius didn’t look happy about that but Peter nodded in understanding, biting his lip.

“Exiled for sex. Ha! Sexiled.” He joked quietly and James snorted in amusement.

“I can go if you need, though.” Regulus offered, eyeing the sick boy with concern. “You look rather ill again, Remus.”

Remus waved a lazy hand in the air. “S’fine. We’re gonna go soon anyway.”

“Are you sure you should be up pranking people?” Regulus asked carefully. “Can the others not handle it without you?”

Remus gave him a sickly grin. “They’d be lost without me. I’ll be fine, I swear.”

Regulus gave him a sceptical look. “If you’re sure. Can I do anything to help? Read to you? Get you some tea, maybe?”

“Nah, I’m just going to nap–”

“That’s a great idea!” Sirius cut in. “In fact, I’ll go get some. Be right back!”

Regulus watched him in bemusement as he swiftly got up, placed a kiss on Remus’s forehead, then headed straight out of the room.

“That was weird.” James commented.

“Is he really walking out of every room I’m in now?” Regulus frowned incredulously.

“I thought things were getting better with you two.” James lamented quietly, pulling Regulus onto his bed to lay down together. In lieu of answering, the Slytherin just shifted closer and let James wrap his arms around him.

The dorm was relatively quiet from then on; Peter silently reviewed some revision notes, Remus dozed off, and James cuddled Regulus tightly, a fragmented and muttered conversation drifting between them.

When Sirius remerged, he was carrying a tray of tea and cups, ready to go.

“Black with two sugars for my Moony.” Sirius narrated softly, putting the cup down by a sleepy Remus’s bed. His boyfriend gave him a grateful smile and sat up slightly to sip it.

“An obscene amount of milk for Wormtail.” He handed the next one over to Peter, who took it and immediately started sipping it distractedly.

“Got a nice green tea for Prongs the Herbal Tea Snob, and you still take it sweet as hell don’t you, Reggie?”

Regulus raised a surprised brow at his brother as he sat up and took the cup. “Yes, I do.”

James nudged him after he took his own cup with a smile and a thanks.

“Thank you.” Regulus forced out. ‘For James. Be nice for James.’ He told himself.

“Drink up, Reggie! I went to all the trouble.” Sirius grinned at him and that immediately put Regulus on edge.

“Did you poison it?” He asked before he could stop himself.

“Regulus!” James reprimanded at a whisper.

“Of course, I didn’t.” His brother denied in fake offence. James seemed to buy it. “I can’t believe your mind would jump to that.”

James nudged him again and Regulus knew he was trapped.

“Sorry.” He said, completely ingenuine, but it was enough to appease his boyfriend.

“I swear it’s not poisoned.” Sirius assuaged but he still looked far too fucking pleased with himself. “Drink up.”

James looked at him expectantly then, taking a sip from his own cup, and Regulus cursed his brother in his mind. Bracing himself for whatever he was about to be pranked with, Regulus took a careful sip.

He waited.

He waited.

He waited.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing happened. The tea hadn’t even tasted any different than normal.

“How is it?” Sirius asked curiously.

“Good.” Regulus responded without a thought. “Tastes normal.”

Sirius smirked in satisfaction. “Good to hear.”

Was that really it? He just… made Regulus some nice tea. Was this some sort of mind-game? Because Regulus was quite rusty. Or was he trying to reconcile? For James?

“Thank you.” Regulus said again, more sincerely this time. If it really was a reconciliation effort, then Regulus would try to meet him halfway.

Sirius looked slightly surprised by that but James beamed at him so it was worth it, at least.

Sirius went over to Remus again to comfort him some more and they all continued in much the same way. But with tea now. It didn’t seem to help Remus much, which was a shame. Regulus at least enjoyed the quiet cuddles with James.

Eventually, the tall boy rolled out of bed, looking pale and haggard already as he stretched out a bit, his joints cracking loudly in a way that made Regulus fight back a wince. “I’m going to head off.” He announced. “Meet you all in a bit?”

“You don’t want us to come straightaway?” James asked gently but Remus shook his head.

“I’d rather do, er– phase one, alone this time.” He responded, downing the last of his tea. “But don’t be late for phase two, please.”

“We’ll be there.” Peter promised instantly. To which the other two quickly and emphatically agreed, Sirius in particular.

“Should I be worried?” Regulus drawled jokingly, though he was still rather concerned about Remus.

“Nah, you’re not the target.” Peter assured him lazily, attention already returning to his work.

“This time.” Sirius muttered.

Remus headed off then, after some hugs and kisses from his boyfriend, and the dorm fell back into a relative quiet for a while.

Until Sirius spoke up.

“Say, Reggie.” He began with a very fake level of nonchalance. “We do pranks and plots and tricks all the time. But you’re rather good with plots yourself, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” Regulus replied instantly, making himself frown at how quickly he had answered. That was strange.

“We have several schemes in the making at any given time.” Sirius continued casually and Regulus went on to high alert. He was up to something, the Slytherin was sure.

“Do you have any plots going on right now?” Sirius asked, staring at Regulus carefully.

“No, I don’t.” Regulus told him immediately, almost like… he was being compelled to tell the truth.

Oh no.

Oh fuck no.

Sirius fucking didn’t.

His brother looked mildly put out by that answer but was quick to ask another question before Regulus had any time to properly react.

“What was your last big plot, Reggie?” He asked surely, leaning in as if he already knew the answer.

Fucking hell, how did he know? Regulus started panicking internally.

“To ruin your life.” He answered before he could stop himself, and James tensed behind him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Peter whip his head to look over at him in shock.

Fuck, he needed to salvage the situation.

“I abandoned that plan, though.” He said next, sitting up and staring his brother down. “It was stupid and immature and it didn’t matter as much as other things.”

Sirius frowned in annoyance.

“Did you put Veritaserum in my tea?” Regulus accused before his brother could get another word in.

Peter’s head whipped over to Sirius disbelievingly while James sat up slowly, looking between the two of them and already looking upset.

“Padfoot?” James asked hopefully.

“Of course, I didn’t.” The boy in question denied, rolling his eyes. “He’s just paranoid.”

“Ask me something I wouldn’t want to say.” Regulus turned to face his boyfriend.

James looked between the two of them desperately. “Sirius wouldn’t.”

“Ask me.” The Slytherin insisted. “I’m giving you permission to make me uncomfortable.”

“Stop being so dramatic, I was just making conversation.” Sirius sat back casually, projecting ease.

A realisation struck Regulus. “That’s why Snape was here – you got the potion off of him. Actually, that’s why you were talking to him the other week.” He looked insistently at James. “And when we bumped into him in the hallway last week – the Jobberknoll feathers. Don’t you remember?”

James’s eyes widened. “Sirius…”

The boy scoffed. “You don’t genuinely believe him over me, do you?”

“Regulus, how did you feel when Sirius ran away from home?” Peter cut in; his face more serious than the Slytherin had ever seen it.

“Devasted.” Regulus answered against his will, face twisting uncomfortably as the words came out. “Abandoned. More upset and angry than I’ve ever been in my life.”

James inhaled sharply. He was staring at Sirius like he didn’t recognise him. Even despite being furious with his brother, Regulus didn’t envy him for being on the receiving end of that look.

“Merlin, Sirius!” Peter burst out. “Why would you do that?”

“Because I had to prove that I’m right!” He finally admitted in a shout. “Regulus how were planning to ruin my life?”

“By stealing your friends, seducing James and turning them all against you.” Regulus blurted out.

Peter and James both turned on him with wide eyes. He felt like the walls were caving in around him, like his heart had been ripped out of his chest and squeezed by his awful brother.

“See!” Sirius yelled, standing up and gesturing to Regulus. “See! I fucking told you! I told you he was out to get me! I told you he was just using you!”

“But I’m not trying to do that anymore.” He promised frantically, his heart pounding out of his chest as he tried to save the situation. “I gave up on it months ago, I promise.”

“How long?” James whispered, looking utterly devastated; he was fracturing in front of Regulus’s very eyes. And it was all his fault.

“Since I stopped? I’m not sure.” Regulus really wished he could stop talking. “I didn’t care about the plan after you had that panic attack in the Astronomy Tower. I didn’t realise my own feelings until our first kiss.”

“How long have you been fucking playing with us?” Peter cut in, rage burning in his eyes as he jumped to his feet. “When did you start this plan?”

“September.” Regulus felt bile raising in his throat as he choked the word out. Salazar, he hated this.

He turned to James with panicked eyes. “I love you. James, I love you. You have to believe me. Please believe me.”

“I believe you.” James whispered even as tears welled in his eyes, his chest heaving as he clearly struggled not to lose it.

“You’re as sick as Sirius said!” Peter raged, his face like thunder. “Using people isn’t the same as loving them, you sick fuck!”

“Pet–”

“No, have some self-respect, James!” He continued. “He’s been playing you like a fiddle, knowing that you’re a fool when you’re in love! He just likes having someone he can control! He’s been using you for your name! For your home! For your money! Like a fucking puppet-master! I can’t believe I fucking encouraged this! I’m gunna be sick!”

A ringing started in Regulus’s ears. He felt like his soul was being ejected from his body. Numbness was settling in as the panic became too much.

“I– I–”

“I fucking told you both.” Sirius said again, vindication oozing from every pore of his being. “And now that the truth is revealed, let’s get out of here or we’re going to be late.”

“You go on.” Peter told him, venom in his eyes. “I’m not done here.”

Sirius threw an arm around his shoulder playfully, as if Regulus’s life wasn’t falling apart around him.

“Nah, I’ve got another surprise up my sleeve today.” He smirked in satisfaction. “You’re going to like this one.”

“What.” Peter asked uninterestedly, eyes still boring holes into Regulus.

“I made a little trade with Snape.” He revealed conspiratorially, practically bouncing on his feet in his excitement. “A truth potion for some actual truth.”

James’s head snapped up. “What did you tell him?”

Sirius grinned, apparently missing James’s intent look. “He wanted to know where we go on nights like this. I told him he could find out if he went to through the secret passage at the base of the Whomping Willow.”

Peter froze then too as James stood abruptly. “You didn’t.” They both looked as if their worst fear had come true.

“It’s gunna be great!” Sirius smiled. “He’s in for the shock of his life! I’m a pranking genius!”

James bolted straight out of the door.

*

“James!” He called desperately as he ran after his boyfriend. Salazar, Regulus hoped he was still his boyfriend.

But James just kept running.

Running unbelievably fast.

It wasn’t a secret that he was athletic, but did he really have to run so fast?

The second James made it out the door, Peter had turned a betrayed look on Sirius and dashed after him.

Yes, that’s right. Peter Pettigrew. Started running.

Regulus had been the next one out of the door, coming to his senses and racing after James, determined not to let him go.

“James!” He yelled again, even more desperately than before.

But the man was rushing through the maze of corridors with a singular kind of focus. The same he used for playing Quidditch. Initially, he only had a second, maybe two, on Peter, but that gap quickly ballooned as James zoomed ahead.

Peter was still a few yards away from Regulus, running surprisingly fast for a bloke that disdained partaking in physical exercise generally. Regulus himself was scrambling to keep up, dashing through the halls and all but throwing himself down the stairs to keep up. The other boys didn’t seem to have quite the same issue navigating the halls. Regulus supposed they were rather used to running through them after their latest prank.

“Prongs!” Sirius shouted from behind him. “Wormtail!”

His brother had followed a few seconds after Regulus but he was already catching up. The other two didn’t pay him any mind, and James was actually so far ahead now, that Regulus lost sight of him, barely catching a glimpse of his body dashing round corners way ahead.

He determined not to lose Peter, who was clearly following James.

Fuck. How had this all happened? How did it all get this out of control? Just earlier today, everything was perfect and now it was all slipping out of his hands.

Regulus had never thought James would be the type of person to run from his problems. He seemed more like he would face them head on no matter how much it hurt.

But here he was. Running. Away from Regulus.

Perhaps, he had been a runner all this time. He had certainly been running from Regulus’s attempts to seduce him. But the Slytherin had thought that was an anomaly. A special circumstance.

Maybe James really did run when things got hard.

Just like Sirius.

Maybe that’s why they got along so well.

Regulus wasn’t a runner.

He ran from one thing in his life and he hated it. James had come to save him that day.

Regulus was the type to stay. To stick it out. Even when he shouldn’t. Even when he probably should be running.

He had stayed for too long at Grimmauld Place.

Maybe he was doomed to make the same mistakes over and over. To put all his eggs in one basket. To love and follow and build his life to fit someone else’s conditions only for it to fall apart later. To slip through his hands like sand he so desperately and fruitlessly tried to hold on to.

No.

This wasn’t like that.

James wasn’t like that.

They could get through this. Together.

James believed that Regulus loved him. He had promised never to leave him. To love him forever.

Regulus could fix this.

He was determined.

He kept running. Pushing as fast as his legs would carry him.

“James!” He called again, even though he wasn’t sure if the man could hear him. If he was even listening.

Ahead of him, Peter dived through an open portrait.

A secret passage.

Fucking of course Hogwarts had secret passageways.

Fucking of course the Marauders knew about them.

Regulus dived in after him.

It was a stupid and reckless thing to do, and Regulus almost tripped when he realised the passage had stairs on its immediate entrance. But he followed anyway. Racing down the steps after Peter.

After James.

He was determined to get James back.

No matter what it took.

Regulus loved him too much to let him go.

Or maybe that was selfish of him? Maybe Sirius was right. And Peter. And that fucking Hufflepuff girl – Kayla something. Maybe Regulus didn’t deserve James after all, and this was just Hecate fixing things. Making them as they should be.

Fuck that.

Fuck all of them. And Hecate. And fate.

James was his.

Regulus would fight for him with all he had. He refused to give up on them now. Not when they were doing so well.

He kept fucking running.

The stairs petered out into a flat hallway and Regulus kept on going. The sound of his feet slapping against the cold stone floor was loud and frantic in conjunction with the footsteps of the others. His chest heaved with the effort it took to keep going and his legs were fucking screaming at him to stop but he paid it all no mind. Just focused on Peter ahead of him.

Eventually, the passageway ended as Regulus slipped out of a gap in the wall and spilled out into the open air. They were outside at the back end of the school, near the wilder part of the grounds. Finally making it outside didn’t stop the boys from running further.

It suddenly occurred to Regulus, even as he continued to run, that James might not be running from him.

the secret passage at the base of the Whomping Willow

That’s where Sirius had said he sent Snape.

Why the fuck would he have done that? Why would Snape be stupid enough to believe it? Why was James headed in that direction?

Regulus could see him up ahead now, racing forward with purpose and intent despite the rough terrain. The Whomping Willow was still so far away and they had already run so much, but he didn’t look like he was showing any signs of stopping.

“James!” He yelled again, though he wasn’t sure why. Maybe just to let James know he was still there. That he wasn’t going anywhere. Well, metaphorically at least.

They all kept fucking running; Regulus’s eyes fixed on James in the distance.

Until he suddenly disappeared.

Just poof!

Gone!

Except he wasn’t really gone.

Because there was something else in his place.

A creature of some kind. With four legs, and… antlers?

Was that a stag?

Merlin and Morgana, was that James?

Was James a stag? How the fuck could he be a stag? Was it a spell?

Prongs.

Hecate above, it wasn’t just a nickname. It was a codename.

James was Prongs and Prongs was a stag. Because James was an animagus. A secret, unregistered animagus.

Why would he do that? He was seventeen, he could do the process legally. Without risking his fucking career.

Unless he became an animagus before his career took off.

But how much before? How long ago did he–

Last year.

When the Marauders played a prank on the school in which they didn’t speak for weeks. They must have had Mandrake leaves in their mouths.

Peter disappeared next.

Except he didn’t disappear really.

He was a rat.

Wormtail.

Regulus risked glancing back only to see a large black dog chasing after him. It looked unnervingly like the grim. Like death was coming for them all.

A big black dog.

Sirius.

Padfoot.

Why would they all do this? To what end? Why would Remus get involved in this madness? What was his animal?

Moony.

A wolf perhaps?

They were nearing the Whomping Willow now and Regulus squinted as he ran.

There were figures there.

A boy. Possibly Snape.

And… oh fuck, was that a werewolf?

Regulus almost turned tail and ran the other way.

James – Prongs – the stag charged straight towards the scene.

Peter – Wormtail – the rat followed without hesitation.

Regulus’s heart pounded in his chest even as he followed. He’d come too far to turn back now.

The werewolf loomed over Snape threateningly. The boy already looked hurt, lying limply and fearfully. The creature had an arm raised above its head preparing for another swipe.

How did a werewolf get on the school’s grounds?

Werewolf.

Wolf.

The full moon was high in the sky.

Moon.

Moony.

Remus had looked so ill earlier.

He got ill quite often.

Once a month or there abouts.

Like clockwork.

Regulus had thought he had some magical malady that he didn’t want to disclose.

Remus’s face was scarred up.

Like someone – something – had raked its claws across it.

Remus was a werewolf.

Remus was a werewolf.

The same boy who carried chocolate in his pockets everywhere he went.

The same boy who ran a study group to help others.

The same boy with a sharp wit and soft jumpers and kind smiles.

Remus Lupin.

Remus Lupin was a werewolf.

A terrifying, horrible dark creature.

They learnt how to defend against them in Third Year.

How to defend against Remus.

Regulus was struck with the stray thought that that class must have been awful for him. Especially given that Defence Against the Dark Arts was his favourite subject.

Remus wasn’t some mindless awful creature.

He was Regulus’s friend.

He was also a werewolf.

He was about to gut Snape.

He brought his grotesque arm down and down and–

The werewolf was tackled out of the way.

“JAMES!”