Chapter 18
Ever since Regulus had told James about the whole thing with Barty and Evan, he had found himself paying a lot more attention to the pair. They were all currently at a party in the Slytherin common room, and of course James and Regulus wanted to see if they could help them along just a bit.
Luckily James was drunk, otherwise he was sure he wouldn't have been able to approach Evan in the way he did. What also helped, was the fact that Regulus was in on it, meaning he wouldn't get yelled at for flirting with Evan.
“Well hello Potter, enjoying the party are we?” Evan asked him, leaning slightly against the nearest wall, with a smirk across his lips “Very much so, yes. And yourself?” James asked, taking a sip of his drink, though he probably didn't need more alcohol in his system “Of course” Evan smiled “so how are things with Crouch? The last time we spoke, you seemed to fancy him a bit perhaps?” James asked, not so discreetly “Ah i dont know actually, maybe i was a bit too quick with that. But I am very pleased that you are here though” he explained, taking a step towards James. Fuck, this wasnt the way it was supposed to go “Any particular reason you are asking me around him?” Evan asked “Just curious. I still firmly believe that the two of you would make a great pair” James explained, desperately.
Regulus watched as the whole thing went down. They had planned it out. James was supposed to make Evan realise that he was in love with Barty as well. Also, Regulus would love Evans' attention to be on Barty instead of James, he was incredibly sick of it actually.
But of course, that was the opposite of what happened.
Evan, as always, just thought that James was flirting with him, and as usual flirted back even more.
Regulus scanned the room for Barty, praying that he hadn't noticed what was going on, because that would just set them back even more.
He spotted Barty storming off, and rushed up to follow him “Don't reg, not now” Barty said as he sat down on his bed, in their room. “Barty, as your best friend, i kinda have to know why you are upset, so spill” Regulus sat across from him, and noticed his teary eyes as he finally looked up.
“It's Evan. Why is he like that? Why does he have to flirt with everyone all of the bloody time? He knows that Potter isn't going to like him back, why does he keep trying reggie?” he asked, sounding defeated “I don't know Barty..” Regulus felt his heart break for him “Why doesn't he do any of that with me….?” he finally said, locking eyes with Regulus “Because he is clueless Barty. You have to tell him…” he said and Barty sighed “How the bloody hell am I supposed to tell one of my best friends that I'm in love with him? When it's clear that he has interest in literally everyone but me?”
James had successfully made it away from Evan, though it had been bloody difficult. Just as he had felt relieved for a second, he saw a miserable Lily sitting in a corner “Lil…” he sighed sitting with her “I know James. I know how pathetic I am, okay?” she said frustrated “You're not pathetic lil. Actually let me help” he stood up looking around the room “No James don't do anything dumb-” she cut herself off, as James had found Mary, and simply dragged her over there, sitting her beside Lily “Hi” Mary smiled at her, slightly drunk and confused “Hi..” Lily said, a bit relieved, as her cheeks turned bright red.
Seeing as the two of them had to be extremely careful, they couldn't just speak freely in the daytime. This meant that they had to think of other solutions, which had resulted in them meeting in the greenhouses from time to time.
Regulus had called James ridiculous the first time he had suggested it, but it had turned out to work perfectly.
James had managed to successfully sneak off all those times, without anyone suspecting anything.
He had grabbed his bag, filled with library books and was about to leave the dorm “Where are you going?” Sirius asked him, coming out of their bathroom “Greenhouses, i borrows a couple books from professor sprout” He lied. Sirius took one long look at him, them simply grabbed the map that was sticking out of his bag “I had really hoped i was wrong. I still hope for your sake that im wrong prongs” Sirius said raising his voice throwing the map showing Regulus name, right back at him.
“Cmon Pete, let's give them a minute” Remus said, and dragged a very confused looking Peter with him. James was simply terrified. “What the actual fuck has been going on? And dont you fucking dare lie to me!” Sirius said, lightly shoving James back, making him drop the books “Lets just breathe for a second okay? I understand that you're mad, but let me just explain okay? It's not as bad as you think” James said defensively “Explain what exactly? How you've been hooking up with my little brother behind my back for months? How exactly are you planning to explain that prongs?” Sirius asked sounding so upset that James had teared up “I- Sirius i'm sorry. I really am. I wanted to tell you about it, before anything even happened I thought about telling you how I felt. But I knew how you would react. Which is exactly what you're doing right now” James said, his voice trembling “How you felt? You were planning on going to the greenhouses to hook up, correct?” Sirius asked “This time, yes. But I promise you it's not just like that. I tried holding it back i really did, but i couldn't hide the way i felt about him” James explained “and how do you feel about him exactly? Cause its not looking too good right now, prongs” Sirius crossed his arms.
“I love him” as James said that, it felt as though a sort of weight had been lifted off his chest. He hadn't even dared to admit that to himself yet, but here he was saying it out loud, and damn it felt good. He watched as the look on Sirius's eyes, turned from murder to almost happy “You love him? Are you seriously telling me that you're in love with Regulus?” He nearly chuckled “Yes pads. I am so sorry but I really am..” he confessed, and Sirius scanned his face for a second, before completely caving and pulling his best friend into a hug.
“This doesn't mean that I'm just okay with it yet. It has just stopped me from wanting to murder you” Sirius said, making James chuckle “I can live with that”