Back to Hogwarts
The first time that James Potter laid eyes on Regulus Black, in his second year, Regulus had Rapunzel length black hair. Slytherin robes, with a skirt that fell just above his knees.
This was why James was incredibly confused as he laid eyes on Regulus Black again, at the start of his sixth year.
Regulus had walked right past him, followed by Barty Crouch Jr. and Evan Rosier. Regulus cut his hair short, making it now reach just below his earlobes. He had grown, though still not being taller than James.
He had always been intimidating, James had thought. The way he had never seemed phased, by any insults that Sirius would throw at him. His facial expression stayed the same, no matter the situation. The intimidation factor had grown massively as James had watched him. The look on his face had screamed “Cross me and you'll regret it”
James was absolutely baffled, leaning against the wall behind him for support. He had obviously heard the immediate whispers that came from his fellow students, but decided to ignore it, as he made his way to the Gryffindor tower.
“Padfoot, a word?” James said as Sirius had been laying with his head in Remus’s lap “Sure” Sirius replied confused but went along, upstairs to their shared room.
James and Sirius had the sort of relationship, where they could discuss things that they would never dare to say in front of anyone else. James figured that this was one of those things, not that it was much of a secret anymore.
“You alright mate?” Sirius had asked, laying back comfortably on his bed “Any special news you might like to share that happened over the summer? Concerning a sibling of yours?” James asked, raising an eyebrow and Sirius finally understood “Right” he cleared his throat sitting up.
Sirius began to explain that Regulus had confessed his “secret” to him around his second year, though Sirius already knew. Therefore it made no difference to Sirius, that he now had a brother instead of a sister. He also explained how scared Regulus had sounded when he told him, knowing the way their family thought of these sorts of things.
“I had convinced him not to cut his hair until he was sure he was ready for everyone to know. The hair is sort of what makes it more official I think” Sirius said “Good idea. I mean I'm not gonna pretend that me and everyone else didn't know something was up, but the hair definitely ties it all together” James sat down, seeing as this was an odd topic for the two of them.
“Mum was furious, throwing expensive things at the wall. Our father was rather quiet actually, not that it was a good thing. I know very well what he thought about it” Sirius explained.
“Reg just cried silently. I mean she didn’t kick him out, yet, which is good. I think what she was the most upset about was for other people to find out” he chuckled “That sounds awful, are you sure he’s safe to go back there then?” James asked concerned “Don't know. We will see how things are around Christmas” he simply said “You know my parents will be happy to take him in if things become worse” James said “I know Prongs” Sirius smiled.
James had definitely noticed something going on, without being able to pinpoint it. Regulus had been wearing pants instead of skirts for about a year, but many of the girls did from time to time, so it hasn't exactly been obvious.
It was new. Confusing. Regulus, Regulus Black. It sounded a lot more fitting if you asked James.
“I mean, ever since this little arrangement of yours. Do we even need a fourth bed?” James asked Remus and Sirius, laying practically on top of eachother in Sirius’s bed, as all of them had just woken up.
“I recommend we use it for storage, instead of having Sirius’s dirty laundry on the floor” Peter suggested, as he got out of his bed, heading to the bathroom “We do switch between beds you know?” Sirius said defensively as he sat up next to Remus “It was just a thought padfoot, relax mate” James chuckled as he looked for his clean robes in his trunk.
“And what exactly did you mean by arrangement?” Sirius stayed defensive as Remus just shook his head and started getting ready as well “As in sleeping arrangement. You are perfectly aware of how much I adore the two of you together. No matter how stupidly long it took you to figure out you were in love with him. Right moony?” James asked “Yes, stupidly long. But definitely worth it” James watched Remus stare at Sirius in complete awe “ I think I might actually vomit” Peter gagged dramatically, as he put on his shoes.
“Pete, that's homophonic. Are you homophonic? Is our relationship bothering you, is that it?” Sirius had now walked over to Peter who just looked completely done, since this happened often “Calm down love. You love us, right Pete?” Remus asked, placing a comforting hand on Sirius’s shoulder “Of course” Peter smiled.
James watched as Sirius's defensiveness had completely vanished, seeing as Remus was now touching him.
Whenever something like this happened, James always thought back to before they were dating, and how pathetic Sirius had constantly acted.
“But James!” Sirius complained “No” James stated, about to walk away from his drunk best friend “Please just ask him about it, be subtle though. Because if i'm wrong then i think i might jump from the astronomy tower” Sirius had grabbed his arm “If you would like to know whether or not he fancies Lily you are gonna have to ask him about it yourself”
James had known that it wasn't about if Remus fancied Lily. It was about if Remus fancied girls at all, and in particular if he might fancy Sirius “But what if he just thinks I am in love with Evans or something?” Sirius was so smitten it was hard for James not to laugh “I have an idea” James walked over, grabbed Remus by his arm and sat him down across from Sirius “Hi?” Remus had said “Hi” Sirius had replied, his face now fifty shades of pink.
James was thrilled that it was finally over. He remembered how relieved he had felt when Sirius had finally confessed to James
“James?” Sirius asked, “Yes padfoot?” James replied uninterested, having read over the same page five times, trying to actually absorb the information “Can I ask you something? It might sound strange but bare with me”
“Alright, what's up?” James had put his book down, now seeing the state his friend was in. Anxiously bouncing his leg, and having bit his lips to threads “I think i might- I mean I know that Im. Can I fancy another boy?” Sirius asked finally “Of course you can, anyone in particular?” James had asked, trying his best not to smile too much, since Remus had had almost this exact conversation with him the night before
“Well, I mean I- Yes there is someone in particular. But It wouldn't work out. I mean it couldn't possibly, right?” Sirius had sounded so confused by his own feelings “Just tell me who it is mate, might make it easier for me to help you here” James chuckled “Moony- Its Moony. I fancy Moony”
“You are aware that this isn't going to work right? Might even get you in detention” Sirius was going to flirt with Mcgonagall, in an attempt to make her forget his missing transfiguration assignment “It's worth a try. Who knows, good old Minnie might even enjoy herself a little” Sirius said, before making his way up to her desk.
The three Gryffindors watched, as their friend leaned flirtatiously against the desk and bloody winked at their teacher “He's absolutely insane” Peter sighed in disappointment.
They were all surprised to hear that the flirting had earned him an extension on the assignment. This of course made the three of them bow down, to the “Cat whisperer” (This wasn't the first, or the last, time that Sirius Black had charmed Minerva Mcgonagall)
As the four Gryffindors made their way to the great hall for lunch, James felt as though he was the only one who was oddly drawn to the Slytherin table. He watched Barty explain something, which needed big arm movements. But the thing he noticed the most, was that this had earned a smile across the aforementioned Regulus Black's lips.
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Regulus had felt a sort of empowerment, when he had cut off his hair. Well it was Barty who actually did it, but still. It was as if all of the years of suffering had settled in his hair, having been released once it was cut off.
Barty and Evan had taken it better than he could've ever imagined. It had been over the summer, when Regulus had gotten permission to visit Barty. Even though they had both known for a long time, they reacted in a way that had made stone cold Regulus almost cry.
“You know we love you regardless mate” Barty had smiled, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder “Yes of course, and this means that we will finally get to share a room!” Evan had said excitedly “Oh Evan I am not exactly sure that they're gonna let me-”
“Not another word, I will do whatever it takes to get you transferred to our room” He said walking confidently around the room, but had paused in his tracks “Wait if your mum knows, does that mean we finally get to chop off that awfully long hair of yours?” he asked “Yes Evan” Regulus had chuckled, watching Barty practically sprint to the kitchen for a pair of scissors.
He had fantasised about this day, running it over and over in his head for as long as he could remember. Imagining the thrill of not having to hide anything anymore. Not having to wear the stupid skirts, and the knee socks, which could honestly make anyone feel uncomfortable.
As he had walked down the hallway, that first day of his fifth year, he had felt free. Knowing that Barty had personally written to every single professor of theirs, threatening them to get his name right. The most challenging thing was changing rooms. Even when the feeling of freedom was so overpowering, the judgemental looks from his former roommates didn't exactly help.
Regulus had successfully ignored the stares from one person in particular, as he had walked the halls. James Potter had been watching him closely, with a look of confusion, mixed with almost a smile on his lips.
He had hated him, for as long as he could remember. Hating him for taking away his brother, for being so stupidly optimistic all of the bloody time, but most of all for being who he was.
A proud Gryffindor who everyone adored. He could simply do no wrong.
But oh how Regulus dreamed of knowing what had gone through his mind as he had watched him.