A meeting
2019
After James said goodbye to his parents, he wandered a bit over the platform. The train didn't leave for another ten minutes, and he decided it would be best to keep moving for a bit longer due to the length of the trip. Sirius had left him to go search Remus, though that didn't take very long as James could still see Sirius sprinting into his arms, almost tackling both of them to the ground.
Only a blind person wouldn't have been able to see how much closer the two of them had grown more and more fond of each other. And though James's eyesight wasn't the best, and he might have been one of the most oblivious people in the entire world, he noticed the eyes Remus and Sirius shot at each other. The only people who hadn't seemed to notice were Remus and Sirius.
James had decided to go through a few small shops, in the few minutes he had left. He was mentally preparing himself; he wouldn't be home for a long time, because he would be staying during the Christmas break as well. His parents would be going on a trip, just the two of them. James had insisted on it when they were still in doubt, they needed to do more things together and they had to work when James was at Hogwarts, so this was the only moment they had time. James didn't really mind though. He would still have Sirius with him.
Sirius ran away a year ago in fourth year, finally leaving his horrible family behind. James only ever heard stories about how he lacked a childhood, except for the adventures with his little brother Regulus, though Sirius had told him they didn't see each other as much as they used to, since Regulus attended Beauxbatons in France and their holidays only overlapped for one week in the summer. And though Sirius had sent an owl after he ran away, he never got a response.
When James looked at the clock again, he saw that the train was leaving in two minutes. He made it on the train right in time, searching for his friends. Remus and Sirius found a train compartment, the girls were there as well. Lily was once again occupied by a book, Mary and Marlene were talking about something, though it was impossible to understand. It seemed to be funny, as Mary was constantly giggling. Though that was not really an uncommon occurrence.
He sat across from Lily, who didn’t look up from her book. “Hey, Evans.”
“Shhh, I'm reading!” she snapped back
“I can see that. It's almost like you didn't have any time in the holidays.”
Lily finally looked up meeting his eyes, she had bright green eyes that contrasted beautifully with her red hair, she looked like she was about to murder someone. Probably James. “Potter, I'm almost done with my book, so if you could just shut up for once that would be appreciated.”
James hadn't noticed she only had a few pages left. She was reading the song of achilles, James hadn't heard of it, but he made a mental note to ask about it when she was done.
James and Sirius had made a game of guessing what houses the new kids would be in, they were terrible at it, but that made it all the more fun. Hogwarts was quite a big school; it was specialized in many creative subjects and was one of the best schools you could go to. Durmstrang and Beauxbatons were close behind. Durmstrang were more dans centered and Beauxbatons mainy had their focus on vocals and instruments whereas Hogwarts had a bit of both, and more, like photography, writing and design.
The houses were divided in four groups: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin.
Most of the times the more musical people were sorted in either Gryffindor or Slytherin, and the craftier ones in Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. No one really knew what divided the subgroups, except for the ones that sorted the new students.
After everyone was sorted and had taken place on the table of their house the headmaster, Dumbledore, wanted everyone's attention. James thought he should have done that beforehand. People were hungry and everyone had started talking halfway through the sorting, when they became bored.
“Attention all students,” Dumbledore started “I will be making this short, as I know everyone is just waiting for the feast to begin.”
Barely anyone was paying attention, but he went on.
“I'm here to inform all of you there is a student who transferred from Beauxbatons to our lovely Hogwarts, He'll be joining in with the fifth years. Now I want to make a request to all of you to help him if he ever asks for it, and don't treat him differently because of the rivalry some people seem to think Beauxbatons and Hogwarts have.” Dubledore signed toward Argus Filch who went away, presumably to get the new boy. James thought it was all a bit dramatic. But the hall went silent when the doors of the hall opened again and Filch returned with the boy. He had jet black hair, and sharp grey eyes. Before James could even catch himself staring, he heard the sound of Sirius's fork hitting his plate.
“Please welcome Regulus Black!”
James's head snapped toward Sirius whose eyes were wide, locked on his younger brother.
“Sirius?”
Sirius blinked a few times before he made contact with him, “sorry, it's just- it's- I'm-”
“Stop. It's fine, it's a lot to process at once. But are you ok?”
Sirius nodded “I'm fine, it's just been a long time. Since I saw him.”
“I know,” James said flinging his arm around Sirius to comfort him. Not missing the murderous look Remus had in his eyes due to the gesture. He looked back at Regulus, who was now talking quietly to Dumbledore and some other important looking people. One of them was Professor McGonagall, she taught literature and often helped sorting people. James couldn't hear what they were saying, because everyone had started talking again; probably making up rumours about the younger Black. Because what was Hogwarts without unnecessary drama?
When Regulus nodded about something McGonagall had said, Dumbledore demanded silence. “Regulus will be joining in... Slytherin,” Some people from Gryffindor booed, but quickly shut their mouths when McGonagall shot them a warning look. “That was everything that needed to be said for now, please enjoy the feast.” Dumbledore mentioned, as Regulus took place at the Slytherin table.
James thought Dumbledore was a bit stupid for dividing the students in groups and expecting them not to start some kind of rivalry. He had kind of hoped Regulus would be in Gryffindor as well. He felt some kind of fascination towards the boy, though he couldn't really place it. It would've been nice for Sirius too; they might have been able to talk past all the family drama.
Sirius and Regulus seemed to be having the most intense staring contest of the century.
Neither of them blinked until the moment Barty crouch jr. Started talking to Regulus, and he averted his gaze.
“He's really here.” Sirius breathed
“apparently” James said, because he really couldn't figure out how he could help Sirius right now.
The rest of dinner was very chaotic, Sirius didn't open his mouth for 20 minutes, after which he apparently decided to act like nothing happened at all.
James left as soon as he was done eating, done with the awkward situation where he didn't know what to do.
He walked around for a while before deciding to work some more on the song that he, Sirius, Remus and Peter were working on. The moment he was about to open the door to their usual music studio, when he heard music coming from it. Most people thought it was the worst music room, but it was perfect for the four of them.
James slowly opened the door; someone was playing a song on the piano. He silently stepped inside, the boy playing had his back turned to James. He wasn't sure what song it was, though it sounded familiar.
It wasn't until the boy sang along under his breath that James figured out the song was ‘Runaway’ from Aurora. He wasn't sure he ever heard someone sing that beautifully. James just stood there staring until the song was over. The moment the boy stopped James felt a wave of sadness, not wanting him to stop. He let out a breath he hadn't noticed he was holding, it was literally breath-taking, just like the boy who abruptly turned around because of the sound. The boy who turned out to be Regulus Black.
Fuck.
Sirius would kill him if he found out he talked to his little brother before him, or even just talked. Regardless before or after him. It wasn't like James had any other options.
“Why were you watching?” Regulus asked.
“You play good.” James shrugged, pretty obvious to him.
“Should I care about your opinion?” The boy returned; grey eyes locked with his. James felt like he was stuck to the floor, he really needed to get himself together.
“Obviously.”
Regulus chuckled. “And why is that?”
“Because my opinion is superior”
“Who do you think you are? God?”
“No, even better. I'm James potter.” he held out his hand as an offer for Regulus to shake, but something in the boys’ eyes had changed. He shifted uncomfortably; his eyes had gone cold again.
“I should go,” He said as he stood up hastily.
“Wait, why-”
“Just-, just don't talk to me. Please.”
James was left baffled, as he was staring at the door where Regulus just left. Next to the piano was a tote bag, that couldn't have been from anyone else but Regulus. That short after the holidays. James took a breath as he picked up the bag, it had little Planets and stars drawn over it, and James thought it was the cutest thing when he saw the names written next to the stars. He started walking to the Slytherin dorms, but halfway there he saw regulus walking.
“Regulus!”
He spun around, a mixture of shock and annoyance on his face. “What part of ‘don't talk to me’ is unclear to you, because I would love to explain it with detail if it'd make you listen.”
“You left your bag.”
Regulus looked a bit flustered, “Oh,” he said, looking at the floor.
“I don’t need a thank you.”
Regulus gritted his teeth as he yanked the bag out of James' hand. “Good, because I wasn’t going to give you one.”
“And that’s why I said I didn't need one.”
“Stop acting like you know me.”
“You’re right. I don’t, but if you give me the chance to-”
“I won't”
“For now. Bye Reg,” he said, as he started to walk away. But he still saw a light blush creeping on Regulus’ cheeks.
“Don’t call me Reg!”
“Whatever you want darling.” He jolted off before Regulus could say another word.
James couldn't sleep that night, he was twisting and turning in his bed. Not being able to turn his mind off. He wished there was a way he could help Sirius and Regulus. He didn’t know how. He didn't know if there was one. He got distracted really fast, thinking about the way Regulus ad played piano, his grey eyes, everything really. James didn’t know what was it that made him so fascinated about the boy, but what he did know was that he would find out.
“Prongs catch!” Sirius threw the newspaper at him, but James didn't catch it in time and got slapped in the face by the paper. Peter picked it up, yelled “Oh my god!” before passing it on to Remus
Who just laughed and handed it back to James who had gotten curious because of the reactions.
ARCTIC MONKEYS PERFORMING THIS YEAR
The popular band is closer than ever, get tickets before they're gone
Sirius was jumping up and down in excitement “We’re going right? We're going.”
“We kind of have to, right?” Remus added, “They’re basically our inspiration. And it's not too far away.”
“Oh my god.” It took a while to sink in. “We have to go!”
"Right?!” Sirius exclaimed. James wasn’t entirely sure if Sirius had been breathing for the last few minutes.
They had collectively bonded over Arctic Monkeys when they met, and immediately started planning their music career together. So, the need to go see them live was indescribable.
“Arctic Monkeys?” Marlene asked as she, Lily and Mary came walking over.
“They're coming to perform soon,” Remus replied.
“Oh my god!” Marlene gasped “We have to go!”
“That's literally what James said. Verbatim.” Remus laughed.
“Well, that means I made a valid point did I not?” Marlene said.
Mary giggled and joined in the conversation “I love daddy issues!”
Marlene raised a brow, “Daddy issues is from the Neighbourhood though.”
“Eh same thing.”
“How dare you!?”
Lily stepped in before it got out of hand, “Mary does know Arctic Monkeys songs, I found her dancing to Arabella yesterday.”
“Oh! that's from Arctic Monkeys?”
Marlene shook her head in disappointment, before continuing, “We’re joining you, if you are okay with that...”
“Of course, the more the merrier!” peter beamed.
“I'll make a group chat!” Mary volunteered.
And that was the beginning of the extended version of the friend group.