Chapter 10
James had never in his life felt the way he was currently feeling. He had been unable to leave the map alone, ever since that night in the astronomy tower. He had made up some lame excuse, if any of the other marauders wanted to use it. He had become just slightly obsessed with knowing where Regulus was at all times. He knew it was wrong. He was very aware of how stalkerish he was being, but he just simply couldn't help it. After that night, he would find himself getting out of bed at an ungodly hour, simply to see Regulus.
The second time he had gone up there, Regulus had looked at him like he was absolutely insane, for not having a reason for showing up. After a while, he just sort of let it happen.
The same thing would happen every single time. Regulus would be sitting down, reading a book, and James would continuously ask him about it until he would get tired. Their conversations were never particularly long, but James didn't care at all. He seemed to enjoy every little second of attention that Regulus would give him, no matter if he was being straight up mean or not. He found Regulus so incredibly interesting. James just enjoyed being around him, and it quickly became a habit, and he would be unable to fall asleep, without having spoken to Regulus first.
James had once again snuck out of his dorm, to see Regulus. He hasn't bothered to check the map this time, he just sort of expected him to be there, as he always was. This had been a dumb desicion, because Regulus was not there. James felt a slight panic entering his mind, thinking the worst possible explanation as always. Maybe Regulus had grown tired of him. Perhaps he had been too persistent to speak to him, and had found another spot where James wouldn't be. James stood against the railing, overthinking as much as possible, as always.
“Not planning to jump, are you Potter? I don't really feel like dealing with that at the moment” James had turned his head, and there he was. Book in hand, same forest green sweater, and a very tiny smile creeping on his lips as always. “No, of course not. Sorry i was just- Hi” He felt his cheeks turning oddly warm, and feel slight embarrassment, seeing as he had in fact been waiting for him “Hi” Regulus said, simply sitting down, with James following him “You were waiting for me weren't you?” Regulus asked him, without even looking up from his book “Well I- Yes, yes I was” He replied, feeling sort of defeated. But his cheerfulness returned, once he was reminded that Regulus was in fact there. He would be able to have his full attention, for at least a little while, and he wasn't about to waste that.
Regulus had been extremely surprised the first time Potter had joined him, but had luckily been able to keep his cool. At first he was incredibly annoyed with him. When you had roommates like he did, peace and quiet was very much a luxury. He had started coming to the tower at night, around the start of his fourth year. He had found that it helped him a lot, especially after he had transitioned. To just get away from everything and everyone, for a couple of hours and just be him. So he had resented Potter for it. Taking away his private time just like that. Asking the most obscure questions, simply just to talk.
But as he kept showing up, Regulus felt himself very slowly start to look forward to it. He felt how much it mattered to Potter not to overstep, or ask too personal of a question, which he very much appreciated. There had even been a couple of times where Regulus had been in a terrible mood, refusing to speak at all. Potter understood. He just sat there beside him, simply keeping him company, and offering whatever sort of comfort that he could without speaking. Regulus hadnt known whether or not he should tell Evan about his nightly talks with Potter, but had decided against it. He knew that evan would just randomly decide to join, and that would ruin the whole thing even further. Another reason he hasn't said a thing, was the fact that he kinda liked having Potter all to himself. No Evan, desperately flirting and no Lily Evans taking his attention away. Though he would never ever admit to anyone that he felt this way.
When Potter had stood there against the railing, all alone, and clearly waiting for him. He had wanted nothing more, than to just completely crumble. He had seemed embarrassed almost, when Regulus had confronted him. This had made him feel so much more than just happy, he had felt wanted. Another extremely unfamiliar feeling for him.
“Evan remember, no one likes a sloppy drunk” Dorcas told Evan, and the four of them were walking down the hall. They were headed to a party being held in the room of requirements, and Evan had emptied almost half their shared bottle of vodka “Not sloppy, I'm only using it for confidence. I have to make Potter see that I can be much more than just a one time snog” Evan explained. Regulus looked over at Barty who was shaking his head in disappointment, paired with a slight look of hurt.
“No I promise I just forgot. Merlin Padfoot relax I'll go get it” James was being yelled at by Sirius for apparently forgetting one of the bottles they had stashed away for the Party. Regulus had definitely felt a sort of shift in the way Potter was acting around him. They had both grown to be much more casual, and less ´He is just my brother's best friend´type of relationship. Evan had of course noticed this as well, taking it as an opportunity to speak to Potter more “Do you even remember where you left it then?” Sirius asked Potter “Well, it was by the dungeons I'm pretty sure” he said sounding very unsure, his eyes wandered around the room, landing directly on Regulus “I have an idea, Regulus knows his way around down there, so I am sure we'll find it. Do you wanna come with me?” Potter had asked him, making him feel a bit lightheaded “Sure”
Regulus wasn't sure if being drunk and alone with Potter, or the possibility of Filch catching them, was what was making his heart race “Sorry to just drag you along like this, but you know more than anyone how persistent Sirius can be” Potter chuckled “I don't mind, besides at this state I'm pretty sure you would end up dead or lost in a matter of minutes on your own” Regulus replied “Good point, I did have just a few too many drinks” He chuckled, making Regulus notice the slight blush on his cheeks, only wishing for what might have caused it. They walked the long hallways, and everything seemed to be working out just fine. Until they both immediately stopped in their tracks, as they heard meowing from Filch's cat.
“Bullocks, c'mere” Regulus felt Potter take his hand, leading them down another hallway, and into the nearest broom closet “You sure this is the best solution?” Regulus asked “Shh” Potter placed his hand over his mouth, but almost immediately removed it “Sorry” He whispered with a smile. He had closed the door behind them, but there was a gap in the door lighting up the small space, just enough so that they would see each other. It was incredibly cramped in there, which Regulus hadn't realised before. He was in fact standing nearly chest to chest with Potter “But seriously? The broom closet was your first choice?” Regulus asked him “First thing in my head” Potter replied “Merlin, I'm starting to understand the amount of detention you have gotten yourself through the years” He chuckled “Actually I've managed to get away with quite a lot, Thank you very much” he huffed, acting offended “Listen Potter, i am aware of the amount of pranks you and my dear brother have managed to get away with. But I also know of a few that didn't exactly work out” Regulus explained “If we managed to succeed every time it wouldn't be fun now would it? And also I think we are past you calling me by my last name don't you think?” he smirked slightly at Regulus, making his heart skip a beat “You think so?” he asked, not sure if he would actually be able to say it “Very much indeed, Regulus” he added, making Regulus roll his eyes “Fine. Your pranks have always been utterly ridiculous, James” He gulped slightly, but the look on James face made it worth it. His eyes had softened, his lips parting and he was simply just looking at Regulus “Again” he said, making Regulus confused “Again?” he asked looking up at him “Say my name again....I wasn't expecting to like the sound of it that much, but here we are” James confessed, the smirk back on his lips, making Regulus feel like his knees might give in “No” Regulus smiled satisfied, thinking he had maybe won this one “please..?” James had furrowed his eyebrows slightly. His stupid brown eyes, paired with the desperation in his voice made Regulus unable to breathe.
The door was ripped open, revealing an angry looking Filch with his dumb lantern “Detention! Both of you! Now back in your beds before I call your headmaster” Regulus looked at James, as they were walking their opposite ways, both trying their best not to laugh.