Two weeks
2 weeks before:
Regulus
Regulus has been wearing longs sleeves for the past few months. He has been very careful. He really doesn't want to lose James before he really has to. Well he doesn't want to lose him at all, but he knows James wont get it. He wont get that Regulus had to do it. He had no choise. If he chose not to take the mark, he would be dead. He is dead in some way, at least he feels like it. He knows deep inside that he has to tell James before he hears it from someone else. And losing James? It will feel like death.
Regulus is on his way to a gryffindor party, James invited him. They’ve been together for two years and they told Sirius 7 months ago. At first Sirius laughed, he thought they were pranking him. Then he attacked Regulus telling him to keep his hands off of his “real brother”. In the end though Sirius warmed to the thought of his little brother and “real brother” dating. He is pretty chill about it now. Well, except for the “ewww”s and gagging when he sees the couple doing literally anything.
Regulus has tried to distance himself a little, so that it would be easier in the end. Even though Regulus still has that little hope of James joining him, he knows James wouldn’t leave his friends for a deatheater. He chose a day to tell James about the mark, april 16, which is in two weeks.
Regulus is so deep in his thoughts that he hadn’t noticed approaching the gryffindor common room. He looks up from his feet and sees James waiting outside the common room, a big smile on his face. He walks up to Regulus with that beautiful smile of his and says “hey, I was waiting for you.”
Regulus gives him a quick smile back “thanks. Should we go inside? Barty and Evan are coming too but they’ll manage to get in themselves” James nods and takes Regulus’ hand in his.
James hads are so warm compared to regulus’. In the winter James would always cover Regulus’ hands with his to keep the younger boys hands warm. Regulus always forgot to take gloves and because of his pale skin, his hands turned red very quickly.
They walk inside the very busy common room. People are dancing to abba and drinking. Everywhere you look someone is laughing or making out. Regulus would never say it outloud, but gryffindors throw the best parties.
James is pulling him throung the sweaty crowd of dancing people “Let’s get drinks” he says loudly, so that regulus can hear him over the music.
“James I don’t feel like drinking tonight, is Pandora here yet?” Regulus says looking around trying to find his best friend.
James frowns “I feel like we don’t spend as much time together as we used to. You’re always running off.”
Regulus feels bad but he thinks it’s for the better “Oh I see her” he says lifting james hand to his lips and kissing it. “I’ll see you around, love” he adds letting go of James’ hand and escaping the situation.
James
Regulus is walking away again. James feels like that’s all that he’s done for the past few months. He doesn’t know what to do. If he asked what’s wrong, the younger boy would just say that everything is fine. Regulus never sits with them in the dining hall. He says that he wants to spend time with his friends but James knows that’s not the case. Regulus is mad at me, James thinks. That must be it.
James grabs himself a drink and heads to the sofa where Mary, Emmeline, Benjy and Gideon are sitting.
He sits on the edge and looks at the people around. “So what are we talking about here?” He asks smiling his charming smile.
“Oh, nothing” Emmeline says giggling. James notices that she’s very tipsy. He raises an eyebrow questioning her. “Emmeline?” James says raising his voice "I really want to know."
“We were just talking about the couples in our school. Just if they work and stuff” Benjy tells him. Gideon and Mary nod along.
“Well, tell me about it.” James says swiching his position to a more comfortable one.
“Remus and Sirius are definitely the best couple in the whole school. Well, after me and Lily ofcourse!” Mary tells him eyes bright when mentioning Lily.
“No, I think Marlene and Dorcas are the best one.” Gideon speaks for the first time.
“No, no and no! It’s me and Emma!” Emmeline says giggling, again
“You can’t say yourself! I think it’s Dorcas and Marlene, too” Benjy tells James “What about you? Who do you think is the best couple?”
All of the eyes turn to James and he blushes caused by the sudden attention. “I’d say me and Reg, but since you can’t say yourself maybe Pete and Fab”
“Wait I thought you and Regulus broke up” Gideon says genuinely confused. “Me too” Emmeline and Benjy speak at the same time.
Mary and James turn to the other three “Where’d you hear that from?” James ask eyebrows furrowing. “Just some rumors I’ve heard, I thought it was true since I haven’t seen you two together for a while” Gideon tells him.
“What?” James says suprised “We still hang out!”
“Well clearly not as much as you used to!” Emmeline shouts. That gets attention of some people at the party as they turn around where the yell came from. When they realize it’s nothing important they keep doing their own things.
“You know, that’s kind of the problem. Regulus seems to be upset about something and I don’t know what” James tells the others burying his face in his hands.
That’s when he hears a familiar voice “James, can we talk?” He turns around to see his boyfriend standing there with Pandora.
“O ou” Emmeline says with a snort. Regulus shoots her a look which gets her quiet quickly.
“Sure, love” James says getting up and taking Regulus’ hand.
Regulus leads him to the marauders dorm and sits on James bed pulling James to sit beside him.
“What’s up?” James asks. He’s getting concerned. “If it’s about what I said, I’m sorry but it’s true, I just-”
James gets caught off by Regulus saying “It’s not about that”. He’s looking down at his hands and fidgeting with one of his rings. “Well, kind of, I just wanted you to know I’m not mad at you”
“What is it then? And don’t say ‘nothing’ cause I know for a fact that something is up. You are clearly ignoring me.” James asks
“I don’t really want to talk about it right now but it has nothing to do with you” Regulus looks up from his hands with teary eyes. “I promise I will tell you soon.” He adds cupping James cheeck.
“Okay, whenever your ready.” James says smiling a little. He kisses Regulus’ forehead gently and gets up. “I’m really tired. Do you wanna stay here tonight?” James asks.
“Sure”