“Let me get this straight,” he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, “you want me to waste my precious time to make you a vial of veritaserum by Friday… for a prank?”
“Exactly! So, will you-”
“No.” he interrupted snappily.
“What? Reggiee, why nott?” he pouted, elongating his words in a whine.
“I’m not interested in assisting in your childish behaviours.” He stated abruptly before he continued, “besides, what makes you think I would do it for free?”
“Uhm, because I’m your brother?” Sirius chooses to ignore the comment about his childish behaviours, they were not childish, they were very, very mature.. well at least the reasoning for it was.
“You’re hilarious.” He deadpanned. Not a single emotion in his eyes, other than the slight amusement of his raised eyebrow.
“Fine, fine! What if I invited you to the Gryffindor party this weekend?”
“Why in Merlins name would I want to go to a party? A Gryffindor party nonetheless. I have much better things to do with my time.”
“You can invite your friends, how about that?”
Regulus scoffed, “no-
“He’ll do it!”
Their heads turned to Meadowes, who had a sly smile plastered on her face, as if she were anticipating Regulus’ response.
“Dorcas, what the actual fuck? No, I won’t.”
“Yes, you will.” She countered with a glare.
“She just wants to see her precious Mar-” Barty was quickly interrupted by a kick, from the great Dorcas herself, the amusement in his eyes quickly shifting to a whine.
“Both of you, shut the fuck up. Sirius, why pray tell can you not ask literally any other student?”
“You’re kidding, right? You’re literally the smartest person when it comes to potions, Reggie.”
Well, he does have a point. Regulus would usually never stretch his ego but he could admit that he is the most efficient student in Hogwarts when it comes to potionology. And he would likes Sirius to owe him a favor, knowing exactly what he wanted for it.
“You know what, fine. But you have to pay for me when I go to the bookstore next week.”
“Sure, done, deal!”
“You just signed a death warrant to your wallet dude.” Evan stifled a laugh ludicrously.
“Well, whatever, I’ll pick it up on friday, bye Reggie!” Sirius half-yelled as he jogged away, probably to go tell Lupin the good news or something.
“This is going to end badly. Imbeciles, the lot of you.”
“Love you too Reg” Barty winked, with a smirk coating his face.
Regulus let out a heavy sigh. This is definitely going to be a long week.
Regulus is the best student in Hogwarts, when it comes to potions at least. He could brew just about anything at the top of his head, he was extremely interested with every aspect of it, the way he could just make anything he wanted using ingredients he’d hunt down himself. It was a hobby he could definitely see himself turning into a career.
However, that didn’t mean he always got his potions right.
The week was a very long week, filled with several assignments for herbology class, defense against the dark arts, potions, and many many other classes. The bags under his eyes were heavy, and quite frankly, his brain could not process a single thing at the moment.
Ideally, he would much prefer to be in bed right now, taking a long blissful nap and, in a perfect world, he wouldn’t wake up until his exams were over.
However, things seldom go as planned, as instead of being long lulled into slumber or being acutely engulfed in a novel, he’s spending his Friday after-noon brewing (and failing to keep his eyes open) veritaserum for his asinine brother.
He reached for a bottle with a label he couldn’t quite bring himself to read, no matter how much he squinted and begged his head to focus. He poured it in the brew, coughing when unexpected smoke arises from a small explosion.
Well, that’s not normal.
He shook his head and poured the mixture into a vial, he was much too tired to care about it right now. He’ll just have to re-do the potion after a nap, he could barely keep his eyes from shutting.
Much to his dismay, he jolted awake when the door slammed open, revealing a very excited elder Black running towards him.
“Reggie!”
Regulus blinked, a visibly peeved expression dusted his face.
“Sirius what the actual fuck-”
“Is it done?”
The younger boy rubbed his eyelids as he sighed exasperatedly.
“No, but-” his words were interrupted when Sirius walked towards his earlier messed up vial, holding it in his hands as he examined the recipient.
“Is this it? Looks good to me!”
“Wait, Sirius!” he didn’t get the chance to warn his brother before the older sibling stormed off screaming “Thanks Reg!”
He let out a frustrated groan.
He didn’t have the energy to chase after him. Whatever, that’s completely on Sirius if it goes wrong, he did try to warn him, it’s not his fault the other was a complete dunce.
Yeah.
This was definitely going to be a long weekend. And it hasn’t even started yet.
“You should totally wear it!”
“I am most certainly not going to wear it.”
“Reg”
“Dora” he retorted petulantly.
She sighed dramatically, “Oh, but you would look sooo hot in a corset! He’d be practically drooling you know?”
“He?”
“James, of course!”
He threw a pillow at her. “Piss off.”
“We both know you’re head over heels for him, come on, I’d be surprised if he didn’t pounce at you the moment he sees you wearing a corset.” Her eyes twinkled in feint amusement.
The audacity of the girl in front of him- he did not like James Potter. Why would he like the guy who practically stole his brother away? He was an annoying, childish, arrogant bloke. He hates James Potter. He hates his crooked glasses, his untamable hair, the way his eyes glimmered whenever he talked about quidditch or something he was interested in, the fidget in his hands whenever he was nervous about something, his sly smirk whenever they were to face each other in a quidditch match, his stupid arrogance, his attractive fucking face. He hates James Potter. Isn’t that obvious?
“I- You know what, fine. But I’m wearing it for myself, not for him. I do not like him. I hate him. Is that clear?”
“Sure reg, whatever helps you sleep at night. Now come on, I still need to do your makeup!” she shoved him into the closet (ironic isn’t it?), ordering him to get dressed quickly.
Regulus sighed and mumbled some incoherent curses as he complied.
The party was in an hour, though he had no doubt it probably already started. Pandora had helped him pick an outfit. He was wearing an emerald green blouse, only the last two buttons were buttoned, black pants and some heel-like dark green, almost black, boots. And a corset, because of course Pandora would force him to wear a black lace up corset. Not that he minded really, he did enjoy wearing them, the tightness was kind of comfortable, in a weird way.
For jewelry, he was wearing a black choker with a matching emerald green lace on it. His fingers were covered with several silver and black rings, including his favorite snake ring with emerald eyes. He really did love that color. He also had his nails painted black for the occasion.
Once he stepped out, Pandora sat him on his bed and began doing his makeup. Eyeliner, blush, mascara and lip-gloss, the gist of it.
She’s wearing a light blue bralette lace top with a soft white skirt and white thigh high heels. She wore a lily flower necklace and a silver heart chain on her waist. She also has a few bracelets on, all different kinds of flower beads on them. One of them was a friendship bracelet she had bought for him and her. They were matching handmade bracelets, hers was green and his was blue, to match their houses. They had the letters ‘R’ and ‘P’ etched onto them. He would never admit it to her face but it was his favorite piece of jewelry he owned.
Pandora, in the easiest of words, is his favorite person. Ever since they had met on the train ride to Hogwarts in their first year, they were practically inseparable. To anyone who asked, he’d shrug them off, saying her presence was simply tolerable. But that was a lie. Pandora is his best friend, his sister, his lifeline. He’s sure that if the multiverse theory was real, they would find each other in every single one of them. She talked and he listened. She knew when to give him space and not push, and she knew exactly when to pry for information and sit cheek by jowl to him. He loved his space and hated physical touch, but when it was Pandora, he simply let it happen. She’s his entire world, he would never say it to her face but he wishes he could. He loved her like a sister, a soulmate and a best friend.
“Alright! Look in the mirror.” She gestured, bringing a mirror up to his face.
He looks, well, he looks- hot. He looks hot. He had eyeliner on, mascara, blush and highlighter on his nose and cheekbones. He also had glitter on his eyelids and a bit on his cheekbones and under his eyebrows. Basically he looks gorgeous.
She had already done her own makeup, she had white eyeliner on with the faintest of blue eyeshadow and glitter. Her cheeks were a rosy pink tint and her lips matched them perfectly, with a subtle coat of lipgloss on top.
They talked for a while until an hour had passed, faster than he imagined, and they were headed to the Gryffindor common room, where he could already hear the music blasting. He hated parties, hated being around people. But he was kind of, just a tiny bit, looking forward to this one. He’d die before letting anyone know the real reason for that. Nevertheless, he was just a slight bit eager to know what people found so interesting about the famous monthly gryffindor parties that were held here.
Well anyways, he’d have to get through the superfluous amount of stairs. Why the fuck are there so many stairs? How do the gryffindors live this way?
James loves parties. He loves being around other people, basking in their presence, mingling with everyone and everything, he took a large proclivity to making others laugh and smile.
Currently, he was making rounds at the Gryffindor party they were hosting in celebration to their victory against Hufflepuff in their most recent quidditch match. He was feeding off the energy of everyone around him, dancing and swaying to the music with a light drink in his hand, conversing with quite literally anyone he could lay his eyes on.
And well, funny it may be that the person his eyes decided to lay on was a certain slytherin entering the common room looking absolutely divine.
How can someone possibly look that effortlessly gorgeous? And god that corset, oh Merlin, mercy on him, bless the soul of whoever convinced him to wear it, he’d have to remind himself to thank them later.
James patted his current chat partner on the shoulder, Benjy Fenwick, a ravenclaw just a year below him, and strutted towards the slytherin group who were seemingly observing, and judging the common room around them.
The common room was very well decorated, if he’d say so himself, though he might be biased since he did most the decorating anyways. The furniture were all dusted in gryffindor colors, gold and a deep red, sort of maroon, it highly aided in making the area very cozy and calming to be in. There were candles charmed to float and change colors above their heads, to add to a party atmosphere. The tables were all littered in drinks and food, the fireplace was on and was also changing colors with the candles. The room was dimly lit, but it was very full, due to their successful parties, and you could see several people dancing and snogging in corners.
His eyes landed on the boy in front of him, as his lips twitched into a grin. “Welcome, welcome my favorite slytherins!” he bowed dramatically, winking at Regulus, taking in the sight of his flushed face, though it may just be the lights and the makeup glowing on his features.
“You look- uh- you look uhm really good, Reg, I uh like the corset, suits you.” he was a bit too flustered, but he couldn’t help it! I mean look at him.
Dorcas eyed him as Pandora giggled and Barty playfully shoved Regulus’ shoulder slightly, a smirk evident on his face. James, however, was completely oblivious to the lot that joined the younger boy hand in hand, as everything in his periphery completely blurs and disappears the moment Regulus walks into a room. As if he were a star, shining brighter than the rest of his constellation, as if James' sole reason of living is to try, try and try to keep the other boys gaze on him. To keep looking at him as he glistens in his radiance. As if there was some kind of invisible string, tying him to Regulus Black, and only him.
“You’re quite drunk aren’t you, Potter? The party barely even started yet.” Regulus eyed him down, if he didn’t know better he’d say the other was thinking the same thing.
James scratched his neck sheepishly, a grin still settled on his face. “Not that much. Anyways, thank you for coming, really, I hope you enjoy it! Sirius has some shots planned in a bit, he’s very eager about it apparently, something about having prepared for weeks, I don’t know much about it but it sounds fun I guess.”
Regulus seemed to have an idea of what he was talking about, his features showing a slight concern for a second, but quickly turning into an apathetic smirk.
”We’ll see. You don’t look too shabby yourself, Potter. At least not as horrible as you usually do.” it doesn’t go unnoticed how James’ eyes twinkle for a moment and he snorts.
“Such high praise, coming from you.”
”Don’t get your head in a twist.” Regulus uttered, but you could tell it was a good-natured scowl.
James didn’t get much time to respond, as Sirius began calling everyone to a game of truth or dare, with shots involved of course.
He watched as Regulus and his lot walked towards the rest of the party sitting in a circle, especially Dorcas who seemed overly eager to catch up to McKinnon. He was a little lost in thought, still staring at the other boy in awe, but he was snapped out of his trance when Sirius called for him impatiently.
”Coming, Padfoot!” He jogged up and huddled with the rest of them as Sirius began explaining the rules of the game.
“Alright so, listen up, we’re gonna be playing truth or dare but with a twist! If you refuse to answer a truth or commit to a dare, you have to drink shots.” He explained simply, smirking before continuing. “But first, let’s make this more interesting. I asked my dear Reggie to make a vial of veritaserum, enough for one person, so we’re gonna spin a bottle and whoever it lands on has to drink it before we start.”
Oh he’s evil. This will be interesting.
Around him, everyone was gasping and laughing, eager to start playing, but nervous for the results. Sirius seemed to have a different idea though.
He walked to the center of the circle and placed a bottle before he used his wand to cast a spinning spell. Regulus has no doubt he charmed it to land on a specific person, because he could simply spin the bottle with his hand if that weren't the case. The question is who? And Why?
They we’re all sitting in a circle, Marlene and Dorcas whispering to each other, Lily and Mary were sitting next to them, talking to Pandora who was beside him. Barty and Evan were on the opposite side of the circle, surrounded by people he didn't know and didn't necessarily care to know, and James was seated in between him and Sirius, Remus and Peter on the other side of him. His knees occasionally grazed James’ and he had to forcibly stop himself from reacting. He’s quite pathetic.
The bottle kept spinning, spinning, and spinning.
Spinning, spinning, until it started slowing down. In front of him. He was a bit panicked, slyly trying to make his features remain neutral, but he couldn’t stop the sigh of relief as the bottle settled, not on him, but on the hot bloke he fancies right beside him.
It landed on James. Of course. Why did Sirius charm it to land on his best friend though? That’s stupid, he could spell anyone he wants and yet he chose the one person who has probably told him his entire life story since his birth.
”Prongs! Time to drink up” Sirius looked like a man on a mission as he eagerly shoved the shot containing the -failed- veritaserum towards James. Admittedly, Regulus was a bit nervous since he did fuck up on the potion, but he’d rather die than admit that so he kept to himself as James chugged on the drink, grimacing a bit at the taste. Regulus sucked in a breath, secretly crossing his fingers, hoping he didn't fuck up that much.
”Soo, how do you feel?” Remus inquired. Was he in on this too?
Regulus glanced to his left, to look at Pandora, both sharing unspoken words of weariness as they turned to James again.
”Merlin, that was gross. Uhm- fine, I guess. A bit weird though.” He blinked as he rubbed his neck a little, still gagging slightly at the aftertaste of the potion.
"Weird how?" it was Peter who questioned this time, a look of worry smearing his face.
"Call me crazy, but I kind of feel like singing a song-?" he looked utterly confused, singing the last word out, immediately covering his mouth with his hand and wide eyes.
"Ah, of course, only you Prongs would feel like singing a song after drinking veritaserum. That's actually so on character for you!" Sirius teased, clearly not taking any of this seriously (ha), assuming that it was just some side effect.
Regulus though, was a tad it worried, yet intrigued, but simultaneously relieved that it wasn't anything too consequential. Singing can't be too bad, he must've accidentally mixed his singing potion he had been brewing for his potions class.
"So Prongs, we have to start with you now! Truth or dare?" ideally, truth would be the wrong answer after drinking veritaserum.
"Dare."
Oh, how wrong he could be.
Sirius was practically ascending as he screamed out mischievously, "I dare you to confess to your crush!"
Ah. So that's what he had planned. He wanted James to confess to his long lasting crush on Lily Evans, right in front of his face. Well isn't this delightful?
It was a fool-proof plan really, everyone knew James Potter had a crush on Lily Evans, everyone except Lily herself apparently, who kept rejecting him no matter what. It made Regulus feel incredibly irritated. James was wasting his time on someone who clearly showed no interest in him. It also made him feel thoroughly jealous and inadequate, because he didn't understand how Lily rejected James, he would quite literally fold if James ever asked him out. Surely Lily wasn't that oblivious, was she?
Without a word, James stood up and walked towards the speaker, where the music was being controlled, and played a tune that Regulus didn't quite recognize. He then transfigured his wand into a microphone and wordlessly jumped on one of the tables in front of him.
James cleared his throat, dancing along to the beat of the song while still standing on the table.
"Did I mention, that I'm in love with you?
And did I mention, there's nothing I can do,
And did I happen to say?
I dream of you everyday
But let me shout it out loud, if that's okay ay ay
If that's okay (Hey!)"
Oh. He was singing. And he was singing well. And he was dancing. And he was wearing a tank top that showed his sweat and skin. And oh, Regulus was in trouble.
He quickly took a look around the room, daring to rip his gaze away from James, watching every ones bewildered yet astounded reactions to James' performance. He quickly shifted his sight back on the boy in front of him the moment he heard him take a breath in, meaning he was going to start singing again.
"I met this boy who rocked my world, like it's never been rocked,"
"A boy?" he heard his brother mutter with wide eyes, which he had the same reaction so he couldn't quite blame him. A boy? James Potter liked a boy? Holy shit. So it wasn't Lily?
"And now I'm living just for him, and I won't ever stop,
I never thought that this could happen to a guy like me,
But now look at what you've done,
You've got me down on my knees"
He swiftly jumped on his knees as he sang that last part, and in a quick blink and you'll miss it manner, he shifted his gaze to Regulus, who could only stand shocked in response.
"Because my love for you is ridiculous
I never knew
(Who knew?)
That it could be like this
My love for you is ridiculous
My love is R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S!
(R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S!)
It's (Ridiculous!)
Just (Ridiculous!)
And I would give my kingdom for just one kiss"
Everyone around him was actively dancing and cheering James on, clearly amused and thrilled by James' display. Regulus however, was just completely enamored by the bloke, his mouth hanging wide, and clearly his friends weren't oblivious to this as they recklessly teased him about it.
"Try not to drool too much Reg" Barty winked at him. He scowled in response.
"Well did I mention that I'm in love with you
And did I mention there's nothing I can do
And did I happen to say?
I dream of you everyday
But let me shout it out loud, if that's okay ay ay
(Yeah!) If that's okay"
James was directly staring at him now, while still closing his eyes every once in a while, swaying and jumping around to the beat.
Regulus felt his breath hitch. James was singing about a boy. Not Lily Evans. Oh he couldn't have been more wrong about that. He knew there was little to no chance that James was singing about him but he still allowed himself to enjoy it like everyone around him. Except to everyone around him, James was simply James Potter, a 7th year head-boy who took part in every mischievous act you could name, with a large ego that could only be matched with his large heart.
But to Regulus?
To Regulus, James was the sun. James was warmth, James was the muse of every poets desire. He had told the stars about James. Every night at the astronomy tower, he would talk to the stars about what they were missing out on, seeing as they could never be in the presence of a star as bright as James. He felt so utterly blessed that he was granted that permission, that he, just a simple star in the sky, was able to co-exist in the same space as the embodiment of the biggest star himself. The moon and the stars tried their best to grasp Regulus' attention, but he could just simply never let it stray away from James. James ignited a fire in Regulus' heart, and Regulus selfishly refused to let go of that warmth.
"I gotta know which way to go, c'mon gimme a sign
You gotta show me that you're only ever gonna be mine
Don't want to go another minute livin' without you
Cause if your heart just isn't in it, I don't know what I'd do"
James took a deep breath in, as if he was building up courage for the next part.
"Because my love for you is ridiculous
I never knew
(Who knew?)
That it could be like this
My love for you is ridiculous
My love is R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S!
(R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S!)
It's (Ridiculous!)
Just (Ridiculous!)"
Suddenly, James had kneeled right in front of Regulus, still on the table, his hand gently bringing Regulus' chin to meet his face. James' hair was dripping with sweat. Regulus' heart stopped.
"And I would give my kingdom for just one kiss, c'mon now!"
Everyone around him was staring in stupor, some cheering, some horrified, Sirius definitely horrified, but James was just looking at him. And god was he about to melt under that loving gaze. James' hand was still cupping his chin and he felt his knees go weak.
"Hey Reg," the room went silent. James' heart was beating frantically as it echoed throughout the walls. "Did I mention that I'm in love with you?"
Regulus let out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding. James is in love with him. James confessed his love for him in front of everyone in the party. But no, that didn't sound right. James didn't love him. Someone as warm and kind as James could never love someone as cold and reserved as Regulus. He just couldn't. This has to be a prank of some sort, surely it was just a prank and James didn't actually feel this way.
However, as much as Regulus wanted to deny it, he knew that everything James had just sang was true. Every word, every breath, every beat. Because James had drank veritaserum, and sure, maybe Regulus had messed up the potion a slight bit, but it was still veritaserum, a little singing added to it didn't change that fact. James loved him. James Potter loved Regulus Black.
For his entire life, Regulus was the poet, writing and yearning for something so beautiful, yet so unreachable. Just once, Regulus wanted to be the poem. He wanted to feel what others felt when someone loved them. He wanted the blissful experience of it all, love, hope, and even pain. And here James was, giving him the chance to do just that. Regulus had wished upon every star for James to be his. Perhaps, maybe, James had done the same. And perhaps, they were wishing for each other upon the same star.
Regulus desperately wants to try and feel happy, although he isn’t sure he deserves it. He had always pushed his heart aside, listening to his head instead. The tiny voice in his head that constantly voiced its doubts, relishing in the fear it caused Regulus; "what if you fall?" and he knows, Regulus knows that risk, and yet the tiny voice in his heart chimed along, "but what if you fly?" and for once, just once in his life, Regulus takes a leap of faith, choosing to trust his heart, because how could he not, when James was looking at him as if he had hung the stars in the sky?
Regulus too, chose to look at James with that same love in his eyes. "Hey James,"
The older boy gulped, still holding onto Regulus, his eyes constantly drifting to his lips.
"Yeah?"
"Did I mention that I'm in love with you too?"
Neither of the two wasted any second before closing the distance between them. Cheers could be heard in the background, but neither of them were paying attention to that. Because right now, there was just this, James' lips on his, desperately kissing him as if his life depended on it. They leaned in further, and it felt magical. All the dreams Regulus has ever had of kissing James Potter would never compare to how the real thing felt. It felt euphoric, like nothing he had ever felt before. It felt warm, as if he were being enveloped by something so mythical. He had suddenly understood Icarus' need to fly too close to the sun, because if this is how it felt to be burned by the sun, he would gladly live and die for that feeling.
James' lips were soft, almost silken and Regulus savored every little feeling it gave him. He breathed the other boy in, only pulling apart when they both needed air, gasping as they leaned their foreheads together, cupping each others face.
Regulus felt safe. He felt loved. And most importantly, it felt right.
They both chuckled in each others touch, panting as they confronted each other's eyes, in which only pure love and ecstasy could be revealed.
They both started leaning in again, almost succeeding in enrapturing the other's lips before-
"JAMES FLEAMONT POTTER YOU BROTHER F-"
Well, that's not good.
Their eyes both went wide as James quickly jumped off the table, both of them running out of the room hand in hand, laughing the entire way up to the astronomy tower, where they both leaned against the railing, admiring the stars and each other.
"So you love me, huh?" Regulus teased, the grin on his face evident, it was impossible to hide no matter how good he was at masking his emotions.
"Did I mention that?" James laughed as he took his lips once more, both of them melting at each other's embrace.
They could deal with Sirius and with the world later, because for now, it was just them. And for now, that was all they needed. Regulus couldn't be more grateful that his, slightly-less, idiotic brother convinced him to make a potion and attend this party.
And he was forevermore grateful that for the first time in his life, he listened to the sound of his heart, which tugged on the invisible string that led him straight to James Potter.