Almost the split-second James spotted Regulus walking down the corridor, he reached out to grab his arm and tug him into the nearest empty classroom. For a moment, Regulus thrashed around and shoved at him before he ultimately realised that it was James yanking him around and settled down, though he still met him with a glare cold enough to freeze hell over. Nothing knew there, then.
When they were safely inside, he pulled his arm back and took a large step back, looking through the threshold to see if anyone had witnessed his kidnapping.
“James, what is wrong with you?” He hissed.
James grinned proudly as he leaned against the closest desk. “Hey Reg,” And the look on his face almost made Regulus forgive him for pouncing on him in the middle of the corridor. Almost. “Nice to see you.”
That was met with an eye roll, again, nothing new. “Wish I could say the same thing for you, what do you want?”
James seemed to light up even more when he remembered why he'd been so happy in the first place. Unfortunately for Regulus, his joy was highly contagious and he couldn't help but smile slightly.
“I, Reggie, have a plan!”
Whatever smile Regulus had dropped immediately. “No. No, absolutely not.”
Apparently James had been expecting that as he didn't seem to bothered by the response.
“It’s nothing bad, I swear,” He reached forward to rest a hand on Regulus’ shoulder. “It's just…so you know how you're an animagus?”
“Shh!” Regulus smacked a hand over James’ mouth to muffle his voice as best he could. “What were you thinking? Anyone could hear?”
James peeled his hand away, still smiling like a madman.
“Calm down, it's fine I promise. But…you know how you are?” Regulus nodded slowly, unsure of where this was going. “Well, nobody in Gryffindor knows that-”
“No,” He pointed a finger in James’ face. “I'm not risking everything by going into your obnoxiously red common room. I don't want any Gryffindors to try and touch me just because I'm a cat they've never seen before.”
“They won't! I promise, look, it'll be fun.” Still not convinced, Regulus crossed his arms, waiting for a further explanation. “Sirius really hates cats.”
Any doubts that Regulus once had about the idea evaporated instantaneously.
“Okay, I'll do it.”
James laughed, stepping forwards to grab his face and press a kiss into his forehead, seemingly overjoyed that his plan was going to work.
“Oh, I love you so much. This is gonna be amazing, you'll love it. I might not even feel that guilty about tricking Sirius.”
“So,” Regulus looked up at him. “What's the plan?”
-
Their little scheme didn't happen until the next day, given it happened to be a Saturday and everyone was in their common rooms studying or chatting. The seventh years had taken the chairs and sofa nearest to the fire and were quite deep in conversation when the portrait opened to let in two younger students, a sleek black cat traipsing in behind them. James knew it was Regulus by the grey of its eyes and little white toes. He couldn't help but grin when it turned to find him and quickly reached his hand out towards him, beckoning him over.
“Hey little guy, come on, don't be scared bud,” James really seemed to be enjoying himself. Regulus hesitated for a moment, looking around nervously before prancing over to the sofa and rubbing his face against James’ hand. Even when he was a cat, Regulus was able to walk like a prince. He was as far from Sirius’ clumsiness as you could possibly get, which was likely on purpose on the part of both brothers. “You're sweet, aren't you? Come up.” He patted his lap and Cat-Regulus leapt up onto the arm of the armchair, clambered into James’ lap and made himself comfortable, sitting down and nestling into his jumper.
Everyone else had seemed to notice James’ little friend and we're quick to acknowledge it.
“Oh Merlin, oh fuck, that's horrible, get rid of it!” Sirius had pulled his feet onto the sofa, curling closer into Peter, who was simply laughing at the overreaction. They were sitting opposite James and Regulus’ so really they weren't too close at all, but that didn't stop him from clutching to Pete’s shoulders like his life depended on it. “Wormy, save me from it.”
Peter snorted, resting his arm around Sirius’ shoulders and rolling his eyes fondly. “Sirius, calm down, it's just a cat.”
If it were at all possible for a cat to look smug, Regulus absolutely did.
“Yeah, Sirius,” James picked Regulus up, holding him close to his chest, Regulus saw an opportunity and stretched his head up, rubbing it under James' chin. “He's just a little cat.” He wrapped his arms around the cat and let him snuggle deeper into his chest, purring Lidl and successfully creeping Sirius out. “He's so cute, he needs a name. I'm thinking Leo.”
Regulus paused and pulled away momentarily to stare at him blankly, clearly his way of saying ‘Not funny'. James laughed and filled down to kiss his furry little head. That did not sit well with Sirius, who pretended to gag and his his face in Pete’s shoulder.
“Why would you kiss it? You have no idea what diseases thay thing has.”
Lily had just left her dorm and spotted them all gathered together, so she walked over to say hello, face softening the second she saw the little black cat in James’ arms.
“Oh, aren't you just beautiful,” She cooed. Regulus slowly turned to face her, seeming hesitant. “James, where did you find them? They're so pretty. Aren't you?” She reached a hand out to see if he wanted to be near her and to James’ surprise, Regulus placed his paws on James’ arm and leant out to meet her halfway, letting her scratch behind his ears and under his chin.
“I-erm, he just sort of found me. He doesn't have a collar or anything so I named him Leo.”
Lily knelt down to keep stroking him. “He's wonderful. I've always loved cats, dogs are way too rambunctious for me.” Sirius scoffed and Regulus purred louder.
Safe to say, James was in shock. Regulus Black getting along with Lily Evans was certainly something. “Never thought I'd see the day,” He whispered, noticing the way the cat quickly withdrew from Lily’s hand and pushed itself back against his chest, clearly trying to pretend it hadn't happened at all.
“Well,” She stood up and backed away a little, still looking at the cat happily. “I promised Pan I'd meet her in the library to look over some notes, I'll see you guys later. Bye Leo,” She waved at him and made her way out of the common room.
Sirius was still eyeing the cat suspiciously. Regulus returned the look, then made to move towards them, but James decided it had gone far enough and pulled him back towards him, knowing what he was about to do. Sirius was grumbling.
Remus looked up from his book, leant against the wall after choosing to sit on the floor. “It's not going to hurt you Sirius.”
After a bit more whining, he eventually settled down.
Regulus stretched up to rub his face against James’ cheek, likely reveling in the fact he was this close to James without anybody having a clue. Sirius stayed firmly glued to Peter’s side but didn't say anything else, silently watching the bond James had formed with the animal.
It didn't take long for the cat to fall asleep, curled up in James’ lap, so silent that it was as if he wasn't even there.
“It's alright when it's not looking at me.”
James nodded. “Maybe one day you'll get along.” Nobody else on the room knew the double meaning to that but James was quite proud of himself for it.