chapter 4
The next morning in the Potters sitting room the boys find themselves on the receiving end of one of Euphemia Potters’ great lessons.
“Sirius how are you doing this season my boy,” she said placing her tea down.
“Well, however I don’t think a single mama in the ton will let me within three feet of their son or daughter.”
Monty let out a laugh before putting his paper down, “What about you James any prospects?”
“The diamond of course but I have other plans this morning.”
“And what would that be son,”
“Regulus Black,”
Sirius chocked on his scone, “Oh so you were serious,”
James gave a smirk, “No, your Sirius,” he was met with a dead room.
“James the only who can make that joke is me. Anyways, you’re really going to be calling on Regulus?”
“Yea, why not. I mean I’m pretty sure the queen is set on me marrying Lily. She was making all sorts of quips at me at the ball last night, but I don’t see any problem with merely entertaining the idea.”
“I guess but James do you really think Walburga is going to let you near him. I mean to her you’re as good as a comer,”
“What do you mean?”
“Mother blames you for me running away. She made that opinion very clear when I left. Reggie wrote to me a bit after I left.” James looked uncomfortable to the floor. He had never been good at not being liked, “still James I’d say give it a shot. If nothing you will have a funny encounter to inform me about later today,”
“Yea Pads,” James noticed his mother as she looked a little to confused at her tea, “Mother, do you think I shouldn’t, call on Regulus I mean.”
“James you are a grown man you can make you on choice I’m just saying, don’t toy with the boys feelings,”
“Mother you know I would never,”
“Besides Regulus doesn’t have feelings,” Sirius added.
“Sirius,” Effie warned, “I’m just saying, be cautious James. Not just of the boy but Walburga is right. She can and will be an utter bitch to you,”
“Effie,” Monty said laughing.
“What I can swear I’m an adult,”
“And the boys?”
“Aren’t adults until their managing their own lot of ruffians,” she smiled, “just be careful beta,”
“Yes, mother I will,” James said getting up from his seat, “Alright I’m off family, wish me luck,” James said kissing Sirius and his mother on the cheek before leaving.
“Don’t die James.” Sirius called out.
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Regulus was hoping for a quite day after the ball. He had been awoken by Kreacher as normal, dazed in his bed with no memory of the night before. That’s how he knew his mother had got to her. Not wanting to upset her further he made his way to the cold dining room and ate in silence, his parents sat at either end of the vast table as Regulus sat facing the empty seat which, not so long ago, was filled with his older brother. After being excused, Regulus resigned himself to the gardens hoping to waste the day with the newest copy of dickens in his hand.
He was partly invested in the book when he heard his mother’s voice screech from the drawing room.
“No, absolutely not you already took one of my sons leave my family alone!” Regulus didn’t even have to think. He knew who was at the door.
“Ma’am I have nothing but the purest intentions for your son. I just wish to accompany him for a promenade. My mother will be chaperoning if that is your concern,”
“No! No, Potter get out of my house now!” Regulus heard his mother’s voice screech to an octave he was sure only dogs could hear before he heard James’ footsteps walk away.
Why had James come to call on me. The two boys didn’t have a particularly riveting conversation last night at the ball and he assumed Potter would be more fussed with the season’s diamond. Regulus looked back into the house, a wave of relief washed over him as he saw his mother and father walk up to their bed chambers. Regulus had a feeling the boy wouldn’t be far, he assumed he was like Sirius. James didn’t know when to quit.
He placed his book on the porcelain table next to him as he made his way out by the back door. As suspected, the boy was still waiting outside the house. Regulus couldn’t risk anyone seeing them, especially not his mother from a window, so he did the first thing that came to mind.
James felt defeated after being cussed out by Walburga Black, but it was not as his mother and Sirius hadn’t warned him. He was taking a minute to sit in his own pity outside Grimmauld Palace, when he felt the grip of a hand pull him into an ally by his collar.
“Potter,” he saw as the younger Black stared at him with daggers for eyes.
“Regulus, great to see you again,” James said with a smile, “I was hoping we could go for a promenade this morning. I got use these,” he said holding up a bouquet of hyacinth and chrysanthemum.
“Potter, did you not hear Walburga. You can’t be here. And put away the stupid flowers.”
“Yes but-“ James looked solemn meeting Regulus’ eye lowering the flowers.
“James after what my mother thinks you did to our family. I can’t be seen with you,”
“Well then maby we could meet another time,”
“Unchaperoned,” Regulus raised an eyebrow.
“I-“
“Weren’t you telling my mother you had only the purest intentions,” the boy teased, stepping only an inch closer.
“I would have never taken you to be a tease Reg,”
“You clearly don’t me then,”
“Well, I should have guessed, you did pull me into a dark secluded alley,”
“To tell you to leave me alone,” Regulus added.
“How did you know I just wouldn’t myself,”
“Because you socialize with my brother,” Regulus had come way closer to James by now than he had ever intended to. The boy was now nearly inches away from his face. “Well, you should be going,”
“Can I see you, please at some point soon,”
Regulus didn’t understand the boys needed to get to know him. Apart from being the now Black heir. He was nothing special. Not compared to who James already had. Not compared to Sirius.
“Ok James, do you know the peach orchard behind the square,” James nodded, “meet ,me there tomorrow at midnight,” Regulus said making his way back into the garden.
“I’ll see you soon Reggie,” James smiled before walking back into the public eye.