Illicit Affairs

James continued to pop up when least expected. He would appear in the library when Regulus was studying for some exam or another. He would be waiting by the quidditch pitch after Regulus had finished flying to clear his head. He was bloody everywhere. And he kept using that damn nickname.

“Hello, little bird.”

“How do you always know how to find me?” Regulus asked. James had just found him packing his things to leave in the library one night.

“Magic.” James replied, smiling. He was always smiling.

“Very funny, Potter.” Regulus had refused to call James by his first name or by that dumb nickname he had his friends used, Prongs.

“Well, I can’t very well give up all my secrets now, can I?” He grabbed a book from the table and offered it to Regulus to add to his stack, pausing to check the title and the blurb on the back. Regulus warily accepted before shifting the bag on his shoulder to walk out.

He turned the books into the drop-off at Madam Pince’s desk, nodding a good night to her.

“Mr. Potter, please tell the senior Mr. Black that he still owes me that book on animagi from last year. I know the topic is interesting, but he will have to share.” She peered over her glasses at James, who looked embarrassed at the admonishment of his friend.

“Will do. He shared it with all of us, that’s why it took so long. I think we’ve all finished. Thank you for letting me know.” He responded before noticing that Regulus had already walked away. “Hey, wait up!”

Regulus scolded himself for pausing. James jogged to Regulus’ side, and they walked down the corridor toward the Slytherin common room.

“The Gryffindor common room is the other way.” Regulus pointed as though James didn’t know.

“What kind of gentleman would I be to let you walk back all along?” James replied.

Regulus shook his head, deciding to give up. Once James Potter had decided to do something, he was not convinced otherwise. He’d heard all about James’ antics during his first year through Sirius’ letters. On the train to Hogwarts, James had decided that Lily Evans was the love of his life, and nothing would keep them apart. He had tried all year to woo her, much to her best friend, Severus Snape’s, chagrin. He’d brought her flowers (lilies, of course), sent her gifts, wrote her poems (which he performed in the Great Hall), and more. Oddly enough, he’d seemed to give up because Regulus never noticed James pursuing her the way he supposedly had the year before. They seemed friendly, but not like two fated lovers or anything like that. Last Regulus had heard, she and some girl named Mary were together.

James walked Regulus back to the common room, luckily not running into any other students. If someone saw the two of them together, the news would spread like wildfire.

“Here you are,” James leaned against the stone wall.

Regulus looked at the boy in front of him. Just what was he up to? A prank? A mission from Sirius? He was about to ask when James asked a question of his own.

“Have you ever been up to the astronomy tower?”

Regulus had in fact been to the astronomy tower. He actually went there quite often. It was a good place to think and to get away from everyone. He went there most nights to clear his head or do homework alone.

“Why?” Regulus didn’t want James to start appearing in the astronomy tower in search of him. He could barely handle James finding him in the library most nights. He certainly wouldn’t be able to stand being alone with James in the dark tower with its stars and its moonlight and-

No. Not going there.

“I’ve never been. Wondered if you had. I hear it’s nice.” James looked at Regulus, and those eyes broke down every wall Regulus had built.

“I can show you.”

If you had told Regulus Black four years ago- hell, five minutes ago- that he would be alone with James Potter in the astronomy tower at night under a sky full of stars and a beautiful crescent moon, he would’ve hexed you into the next week because why would he be with James Potter? Who are you and what do you know?

Yet, here he was. James was sat on the floor near the edge of the window, peering at the stars. Regulus was still standing close to the door, debating booking it back to the common room.

“Which one’s yours?”

James’ question broke Regulus from his debating. “What?”

James pointed up at the sky, tilting his head. Oh.

Regulus took a deep breath and walked toward the other boy and sat down. He pulled off his bag and looked up.

“It’s fall. Mine won’t show up until the new year. Closer to April.”

“Oh, got it. So you and Sirius know a bunch about stars, right? Sirius refuses to talk about it. Says he doesn’t remember.” James looked back at the sky. He didn’t notice Regulus flinch at his brother’s name.

“We learned a little. Obviously, our stars and any other family’s stars. Sirius probably slept through those lessons.” He rolled his eyes, leaning back on his arms.

James chuckled, “I don’t know. He does well in classes, I think he cares more than he lets on. But I didn’t know him back then, I could be wrong.”

Regulus nodded, not trusting himself to speak. All this talk about his brother brought up some not-so-pleasant memories.

James looked over, noticing the expression on Regulus’ face. His eyes widened, “Hey, hey, it’s okay. I’m sorry, did I say something wrong?”

Regulus swallowed the knot in his throat, “No. It’s fine. I need to go.” He stood up, grabbing his bag. He cursed himself for coming up here. He headed toward the door.

James grabbed his arm. Regulus stopped in his tracks and looked back.

“Look, I know you and Sirius aren’t on the best terms. I won’t bring him up again if you don’t want me to. I’m sorry.” James' eyes glowed with sincerity and concern for Regulus. Regulus stared for a moment, not able to move. He didn’t know what to do. His brain was telling him to go. Leave and never interact with James Potter again. But his heart was pounding and begging him to stay.

“Why do you keep finding me?”

James looked surprised at the question before he stopped to consider his words.

“Because I want to.”

Oh.Well, what does Regulus do with that?

Not knowing quite how to respond to that, Regulus pulled his arm away. He dropped his bag and went back to where he and James had been sitting a few moments earlier. He pointed up, “That’s Pegasus.”

James had seemed confused when Regulus had sat down but caught on quickly. He scrambled over to Regulus’ side. He watched as Regulus pointed out and told stories about the different stars and constellations. They sat like that for an hour before James started yawning.

Regulus stood up, “Come on, Potter. It’s past your bedtime.” James laughed, standing up as well.

“Let me walk you back?” he asked. As tempting as the offer was, Regulus shook his head. He couldn’t risk someone seeing them, especially after hours. The rumors would be awful. 

“Not tonight. Goodnight, Potter.” Regulus walked toward the door.

“Goodnight, little bird. Sleep well.” Regulus looked back to chastise him for the nickname, but James’ expression stopped him.

James was looking at Regulus as if he himself had hung the moon and stars. Regulus had seen that look between other students. He recognized that look from when he was younger with Sirius. He’d never been on the receiving end of this expression.

“You too, James.” And with that act of boldness- well, bold for Regulus- he left.