Chapter 21
James~
Regulus hasn’t spoken to James since he’d called him a waste of his time. It’s been tearing James apart. Sirius seems to be happy about it, of course he is… he hates the fact that James goes near Regulus. He’s convinced James has some ulterior motive and just wants to harm Reg. The whole thing has just been an absolute pain in the ass. James can’t even attempt to talk to Regulus without Sirius trying to kill him for it. He either loses Regulus or he loses Sirius. Each way he’s losing someone he loves too deeply to lose. Worst of all is Sirius is acting like James personally wronged him and James can’t even find it in himself to care. Honestly he just misses Regulus. Nothing else matters right now but Regulus. Which is why he’s training so hard for the upcoming Ravenclaw v Gryffindor quidditch game, if Gryffindor wins, they host the party and Regulus would come to it for Sirius. James has never pushed himself this hard before,he’s been training in every spare moment he has, everytime he goes to stop he thinks of Regulus and keeps going.
It’s the day of the game and he’s been up since 4 training in the grounds. He knows logistically it’s not good to train the morning of a game but he can’t sleep knowing he could be working to get Regulus back. So, that’s why he’s now on his 3rd hour of training. He’s been alone all morning, normally he hates solitude but being with anyone but Regulus right now seems horrible. So when he heard footsteps making their way up to where he was retying his quidditch shoes, he was so close to yelling at them to fuck off, even if it was Sirius.
“You look like shit.” Regulus’ sweet, sweet voice broke through his anger.
“Reggie?” He looked up at him, praying this wasn’t some dehydrated hallucination.
“Why are you out here? It’s 6:30, Potter.” Regulus’ voice lacked any sympathy.
“I’m training.” James stood up, trying not to reach out to touch Regulus.
“It’s game day.” Regulus’ eyebrows strained together.
“I know.” James smiled at him.
“Why are you training on game day? I thought you knew better than to do that.” He remarked.
“I need to be prepared.” James answered.
“Potter, you’ve been training nonstop for days. Give it a rest or you’re going to burn out.” Regulus‘ words felt caring but his tone hurt.
“How would you know?” James asked, trying to bite back his hurt.
“Sirius told me.”
So, they’re keeping tabs on him? He’s not even technically allowed to be talking to Regulus right now but Sirius has the nerve to keep tabs on him for Regulus? “Cool.” James answered coldly, immediately regretting it.
“Go back to your dorm, there’s still a few hours left before we have to be up.” Regulus told him.
“I’m training.” James tells him.
“Yeah, I gathered that. I’m sure you're prepared enough, go back to your dorm, Potter.” Regulus’ voice strained, gaining back its emotion. James’ heart skipped a beat. Yes, he thought, give me back all that emotion you used to.
“There’s still more training I could get in before the game, I still have…..” James dramatically looked down at his watch on the floor, “about 6 hours of training I can fit in.”
“Are you kidding me? You’re going to train till the game starts? You must know that’s not healthy.” Regulus’ face started to shift into a more concerned look.
“Not healthy, but smart.” James baited.
“Smart? Smart? You’re kidding, you must be. Let’s go.” Regulus demanded.
“I’ll see you at the game.” James said, pulling the feeling back out of Regulus.
“James,” Regulus immediately caught on his slip up, James couldn’t help but smile. “...let’s go.” Regulus asked.
“Thought we weren’t talking? Why the sudden change?” James remarked.
“Yeah, we aren’t. But, when you’re sitting here basically killing yourself with training, I have to step in because clearly Sirius and the others aren’t.” Regulus explained.
“So, what you're saying is you’ll talk to me if I keep training?” James smirked, Regulus’ face flushed and James let himself believe he had something to do with it.
“James, let’s go, now.” Regulus demanded.
“Reg I-” Regulus cut him off by pulling him by the arm. “What are you doing?”
“Taking you back to your dorm.” Regulus didn’t look at him, James let himself believe that Regulus simply couldn’t look at him and hide all his love at the same time. James didn’t argue, he just let him pull him. Regulus’ hand was wrapped around his wrist and James would do anything to keep it there, even give up an argument. Regulus pulled him back to the outside of the Gryffindor common room and stopped. “Don’t tell Sirius we spoke, he’ll flip his shit.” Regulus told him.
“Wait, so you’re not mad at me?” James asked.
“No, I told you I wasn’t mad.” Regulus admitted.
“So it’s just Sirius?” James felt anger run up his throat.
“Yes and no.” Regulus answered, not giving much up.
“What? It’s because of the vision, isn’t it? He can’t just stop us from being tog- friends because of some stupid fucking vision.” James caught himself.
“It’s not that simple, Rem-… Sirius, he thinks he’s helping me, let him.” Regulus said sympathetically.
“How is it helping? How could he think it’s helping?”
“James you don’t get it…” Regulus sighed, dragging his hand over his face.
“Then help me get it.” James pleaded.
“Sirius thinks he’s protecting me from getting hurt-” James went to interrupt but Regulus put his hand up to silence him, “even though it’s such a small thing, he feels good for doing it. Let him feel good about it.”
“Why’s making me lose you make him feel good?” Regulus was trying to diffuse this but just making James more pissed off at Sirius.
“Sirius- well- he still feels bad for leaving me behind, even though I’ve told him I know why he did it, he still feels bad. So, when something small like this, where he thinks he can stop me from feeling pain, he’ll take the chance.” Reggie explained.
“Well, I don’t care. We aren’t avoiding each other for that.” James declared.
“Well I am. Unless he believes it’s fine again, then it’s not. If he’s happy, I’m happy.” Regulus resolved.
“I’m not happy.”
“Learn to be.” And with that he walked away.
James stormed up to his dorm preparing to yell at Sirius but Regulus’ words played on repeat in his mind, ‘Unless he believes it’s fine again, then it’s not.’ He just has to make Sirius realise his brother’s safe with him. James will do whatever it takes to get him to trust him again. One way or another, he’ll have Regulus back. No matter how long it takes, he’ll be his… in whatever way he’ll let James have him. James jumped into the shower and went back to bed, hoping his mind would drift off to Regulus in his sleep.
Regulus~
Regulus walked back to his dorm alone, internally kicking himself for being so weak. He knew James was training not because Sirius has been giving him updates but because Remus has been. They’ve been hanging out more, mainly because Remus is the only one who’s able to keep him from just giving James his everything. Sirius is only partially the reason Regulus hasn’t been near James, it’s mainly Remus telling him not to. In all honesty he’s not mad about it, just sometimes he wishes Remus and Sirius would look the other way so he can at least have a five minute conversation with James. He misses him more than he thought he would.
Todays especially worse with it being the Ravenclaw v Gryffindor game and all. It’d be a lot easier if he wasn’t going to be supporting Gryffindor, which he normally wouldn’t be. Normally his alliance would be with Ravenclaw over Gryffindor but Dora’s gotten into a whole strop about how it’s a sheep mindset to support their house’s team simply because they’re in it. Really, he knows it’s just because they got into an argument with Gilderoy (the horrible chaser who does nothing and is only on the team because his father is a school counsellor) and is refusing to support the team until Lockheart apologises to them.
So, Regulus has to show up to James’ game, in James’ colours and will undoubtedly be watching James the whole time. Regulus got back to his dorm and slumped in his bed, regretting every half-formed thought he’d just acted on. Regulus laid there, curled around a pillow, thinking of how badly he wanted to be curled up next to James. He laid on his back, staring up at his ceiling, thinking of how badly he wished James was lying next to him - if he could see the little shapes and people on the roof, like Regulus could. He laid on his stomach, thinking of how deeply he wished it was James’ chest. He sat up on the edge of his bed, thinking of how desperately he wanted James to be sitting next to him, with his hand on his thigh - domestic bliss.
Regulus got up and went and sat out on the balcony, staring down at the fields below him, the sun was just rising, barely lighting the grass. He looked at the small flecks of yellow and red among the green and couldn’t help but think of James. Was he looking at the field too? Could he even see it from his dorm? Was he in bed yet? Did he listen to Regulus? Does he miss him as much as Reg misses him? Does he long for him the way Reg does him? Salazar… why did Regulus think going outside would change the course of his thoughts?
Evan came out and sat by him. They didn’t say anything to each other for a few minutes until Evan broke the silence, “You don’t have to come to the game or the party, you know that, right?”
“I know.”
“Then why are you coming?” Evan asked.
“I’m an idiot who lacks self preservation skills. Or, maybe I just like it when pretty boys with curly hair make me wanna curl up and cry like a child.” Regulus joked.
“Both are options.” Evan laughed.
“This is going to sound horrible… but I miss it when you were as miserable and sexually frustrated as I am. You actually having Barty is so unrelatable.” Regulus smirked up at him.
“I would apologise but I’m not sorry.” Evan nudged him, “Alright, come on. It’s 7, there’s still time to sleep before the game.” Evan pulled him up. “You can think of James all sadly in bed, just as well as you can out here.”
Regulus got up and followed Evan back into the dorm just to collapse back into his bed and be so awfully aware of the emptiness beside him. Regulus chased the warmth of a ghost till his eyes forced themself shut.
—-------------------------------------------
Gryffindor’s games against Ravenclaw have always gone quickly but today it felt as if James was taunting Regulus. The game had been going on for an excruciatingly long time and James had decided mid way through the game to tie his shirt up, leaving his toned stomach on perfect display for Regulus. Not to mention the stupidly beautiful smiles he kept throwing Regulus’ way. Regulus was one more smile away from grabbing him by his waist and snogging him in front of the whole crowd. Of course Remus would stop him before he got up there. Thank Merlin for Remus and his ability to control Regulus’ stupid. Maybe he’s just fluent in Black brother?
By the end of the game Regulus was sweating as if he’d just been the one flying around on a broomstick. Gryffindor won in the end, of course they did, James is amazing. Regulus immediately left after the game, walking off with Pandora wrapped around his arm - talking his ear off about how horrible Gilderoy was.
“And did you see that turn?! He totally would’ve fallen straight on his face if his father hadn’t riddled his broom in safety spells! Stupid Professor Lockheart, looking out for his gross little son!” They yelled, Regulus couldn’t help but laugh about how passionate they were.
“Hey! Reg! Wait up!” James screamed after him. Pandora pulled him to a stop before grabbing onto their brother and running off. “Wow, you actually waited for me.” James smiled down at him. Regulus couldn’t help but think, son sourire soutenait le soleil.
“What? Did you expect me to turn and start sprinting at full speed away from you? Would that have been preferred?” Regulus asked.
“Oh, you’re funny. I really missed your funny.” James smiled.
“What do you want, James?” Regulus rolled his eyes.
“For you to come to the Gryffindor party tonight.”
“Was I not already invited?” Regulus raised his eyebrows at him.
“What? No- no of course you were.” James threw his hands up.
“Okay, cool. Bye,” Regulus turned to walk off but James just kept walking along with him.
“Thought I already taught you how to say goodbye in a nicer proper way?” James smirked.
“Did you? I must’ve forgotten. Remind me, was it ‘Got to go, bye.’ with a wave or the overly glorifying, ‘Sorry James, I have to run. Please do forgive me. I’ll miss your presence more than a drowning man's lungs miss air while submerged 10 feet down.’ with a farewell kiss?” Regulus joked, biting back the blood rushing its way to his cheeks.
James looked stunned, “Well… if you’re offering up…”
Regulus scoffed, hiding the pain in his throat that James meant it as a joke, “Do me a favour, yeah?” James nodded eagerly, “Shut up.” With that Regulus walked off, leaving James and his stupid beautiful smile behind. Regulus stayed out by the garden for a few hours, laying on the very fields he sat staring at all morning.
When Regulus got back to his dorm it’d already been overrun by his friends. Barty and Dorcas sat arguing over who stole whose eyeliner - though Regulus heard that from outside the dorm. Pandora was laid out on Regulus’ bed putting rainbow cuffs into their locs - they looked like a child of Iris. Evan was braiding Emmeline’s hair while Sybil painted her nails - she looked stressed. Edgar and Caradoc were arguing with Amelia and Benjy about the proper use of Doc Martin’s. Regulus felt the raging headache of the next hour of getting ready would give him.
The second Amelia spotted him she stopped yelling at her brother and turned her upturned glare to Regulus, “You’re still wearing a quidditch jersey? Are you kidding? The parties in an hour you idiot. Also, you were rooting for Gryffindor? You understand this is stage one traitor shit against me, right?” She glared, saying a thousand words a minute.
“Yes, to all of those questions.” Regulus smirked up at her.
Him and Amelia weren’t close but they were friendly enough to joke with each other. Amelia was the only Ravenclaw to understand Dora in their first year - Amelia being in her second year - still that wasn’t what made them friendly, merely acquainted. What got them to where they are was her twin brother Edgar dating Caradoc. Caradoc was in the same year as Regulus and Pandora, he was also a Slytherin but he hung out more with Antonia Zabini and the younger Greengrass kids. Though not being in their group Caradoc was still close with Evan - which by extension made him close with the rest of them. So, when Edgar entered the picture, so did his sister and her friends - Benjy, Sybil and Emmeline. They weren’t his close friends but he would consider them his friends still.
“You’re a mess. Go get ready before we leave without you.” Amelia rolled her eyes, always the mum friend.
“Yes, Sir.” Regulus, Benjy and Barty all saluted her before going back to their respective tasks.
“I sense you’re feeling a deep burden. Any pet deaths lately?” Sybil called over to him as he was going through his drawers.
“No but keep trying and maybe one day you’ll get close to the truth.” Regulus repeated to her, as he has been since 5th year.
“Reg, stop being a cunt.” Emmeline Reprimanded as usual.
“Hmmmm, maybe a deep grief for a human?” Sybil guessed again.
“N-”
“NAY, NAY, A PLANT!” She cut him off.
“I don’t own any-”
“Did I say grief? I meant to say a desire. You want a plant!” She yelled.
“I can assure you I have my hands full with my own lifeline, I do not need another living thing on my hands.” Regulus quipped.
“Ohhhh, you’re in the denial phase. You’ll see, one day you’ll have a plant OH, AND ONE DAY IT’LL DIE! I was right.” She smiled and Pandora clapped for her.
“You really are the best seer of our time.” Pandora smiled over at her, completely engulfed with her presence.
Benjy rolled his eyes, “Yeah sure, and I’m the best singer to ever walk the lands of Scotland.” Benjy let out a shrill squeak, Pandora giggled looking over at him. He looked over at them, smirking, “You like my singing, Dora?”
“Oh, of course.” They giggled.
“Well, I guess I have to give you a little concert then.” Benjy jumped up and started letting out horrible notes. Regulus rolled his eyes as Pandora got up and started twirling around with him. Regulus and Evan are almost certain they’re into him but are letting them stay in blissful ignorance for a while.
Caradoc threw a pillow at him, “I’ll smother you with that pillow and throw your lifeless body in the Black Lake while I cast spells condemning your soul to the lowest pit in Dante’s inferno.” Caradoc gave him his usual death glare. Benjy stopped dancing immediately and sat down on Regulus’ bed with Pandora, helping them put more clasps in their hair.
Edgar smiled brightly, putting a soft kiss to Caradoc’s cheek, “You’re so funny.” He laughed, playing with Caradoc’s hair. One of Edgar’s many problems - he was not afraid to give in to PDA. Edgar was like this walking ball of rainbows, mixed in with the gold you find at the end of one. Caradoc on the other hand was a barren pit where both those things went to shrivel and die. Regulus has known Caradoc since first year and still has yet to see him smile once. He always has the same dead look on his face, though Reg’s sure he’s seen his lips twitch every once in a while when Edgar does something especially disgusting.
“Thank you.” Caradoc said, his voice lacking any semblance of emotions.
“You’re welcome, Smuk!” Edgar pressed another kiss to Caradoc’s cheek.
“Oh Roweena! Stop it before I throw myself off the balcony!” Amelia yelled, throwing a pillow at her brother. “Gross freaks.” She rolled her eyes, lying back onto Dorcas, “As I was saying before we were grossly interrupted by that vermin - Delila totally punched Ryan in the face, it was amazing!”
Regulus walked through his room, picking up on fragments all his friends weird little conversations,
Barty and Evan had crawled off over to the couch by the balcony door, “You look like a sexualised disco ball, by the way.” Evan giggled into his ear.
“Is that a compliment?” Barty raised his eyebrow at him.
“I have no idea.” Evan looked shocked by his own confusion.
“I shouldn’t have let you have those drinks.” Barty laughed, pulling Evan closer to him.
Pandora and Benjy sat on the floor beside Regulus’ bed, Benjy was playing with Dora’s pastel shoelaces, “I feel like if we cut you open, you’d be all pastel- WAIT- THAT DIDN’T COME OUT HOW I MEANT IT- I was just trying to say that you’re all pastel.” Benjy stuttered, looking flushed.
“That was beautiful, Benjy.” They smiled, holding onto his hand.
“Really? You know I have always thought I’d be a killer poet.” Benjy smiled up at them.
“Poetry isn’t for everyone… but you’d be an amazing potions master.” They reasoned, letting him down softly.
“Yeah, yeah, you’re right… you’re so smart.” He marvelled at them.
Caradoc and Dorcas sat by the mirror, Dorcas drawing small doodles on his hands. “You know this will all rub off with the spill of one drink, right?” Dorcas asked.
“Of course.” He replied.
“Then why are we bothering with this?”
“Ed likes them.” Edgar said, completely void of any emotion.
“Aww, that’s surprisingly sweet.” Dorcas happily went back to drawing on his hand.
“It’s a bonus that Sirius keeps asking why my tattoos change every time he sees me.”
“Knew there had to be some weird intent behind it.” Dorcas rolled her eyes.
Edgar and Amelia sat on the floor by the door completely ready, waiting on everyone else, “Stop frowning, it gives you wrinkles.” Edgar poked his sister.
“Really? Does it? Oh golly gee, I’ve always wanted those.” Amelia aggressively frowns at him.
“Fine, when we’re 80, I’m gonna look at least 30, you’re gonna look around 160.” Edgar turned his nose up at her.
“When I’m 80, I’m going to look 160.” Amelia agreed.
“And me?” Edgar asked.
“Oh you dear brother, you are too stupid to survive all the way to 80.” She went back to aggressively frowning at him.
Emmeline and Sybil sat on the floor, by the bathroom, Sybil reading her hand. “You’re either in love, pregnant, secretly an animal or you’re dying tonight.” Sybil smiled up at her.
Emmeline beamed, “Well, I am in love so you’ve got that right!”
Regulus bent down to interrupt, “Or you’re a corpse tonight, how thrilling.” He smirked.
“I’m going to chop your dick off.” She glared at him, then turned back to Sybil, “You got it right, don’t listen to him.”
“And wrong, do listen to me.” Regulus teased.
“Regulus, you fucking cunt I will quite literally drown you and your bullshit comments in the loo.” She glared at him before he slipped off into the bathroom to get changed.
The second the door closed Regulus slumped against it, he loved his friends but they were a lot sometimes… especially when they were all so happy (in their respective way) and he didn’t feel anything strong enough to surpass the deep sense of loss resting in the pit of his stomach. Regulus slowly got himself up and changed but stayed in the bathroom to take a few breaths.
“REGULUS! LET’S GO! WE’RE ALREADY SO MUCH LATER THAN I’D LIKE TO BE, COME ON!” Amelia screamed through the door, breaking his break from them.
“I’m coming!” He screamed back.
—---------------------------
James~
Regulus isn’t here. Granted, the party only started 10 minutes ago but the fact still stands that he isn’t here yet. James wants to run to his dorm and pull him here himself. Peter’s been keeping him calm for the most part, promising him Reg would be here soon. James was believing him - until Barty, Evan, Dorcas and for some reason Amelia, Edgar and Caradoc all showed up together without him. James wanted to scream. So, of course he confronted Evan (the nicest of the bunch).
“Hey, Ev!” James danced awkwardly over to where Evan was getting drinks from the drink table.
“Hey?” He looked up at him through drunk confused eyes.
“Are you buzzed already?” James laughed.
“A little. What’s it to you?” Evan scowled.
“Nothin’, nothin’.” Evan nodded, then turned to leave, “Wait! Uh- Where’s Reg, mate?” James asked.
“Comin’ soon with Dora, Sybs and Emmeline.” Evan promised, then patted him on the shoulder, “You’re a good dude, James. You woulda been great if you weren’t straight.” He sighed sadly then walked off, leaving James there confused if he’d just been hit on or not. He would think on that but he had bigger things to think of, like why the fuck is Regulus coming with Emmeline? Wasn’t the whole pursuit of her meant to be some big waste of time? What happened to it not being worth it? What are they together now? So that’s it then… she wasn’t a waste of time it was just any part of her that involved James was a waste of time.
James stumbled his way over to Lily, but stopped himself before getting to her. It’s bad enough his days ruined… why ruin hers. James went and sat by the stairs, staring up at the door. Regulus walked in a few minutes later with Emmeline next to him. James wanted to throw his cup at her. She stood there all prettily next to him, she knew she won and he hated her for it. She sat there flirting with his boy, while he had to watch from the sidelines. He really thought he and Emmeline were friends, guess this is what betrayal feels like.
The second she spotted him she waved and walked over.
“Amazing game today, you killed it!” She screamed over the music.
“Yeah thanks!” He screamed back.
“Better train extra hard though because your next games against me and you know I won’t go easy!” She laughed.
“Yeah, neither will I!” He bit back at her.
“Oh, I’d hope not!” She smiled, taking a seat next to him. “Why are you sitting over here all on your lonesome?! This party is for you, James! You’re the star player!” She beamed.
“I know it’s for me, don’t need you to remind me thanks!” He said snarkily, struggling to let his bitterness pass over the blaring music.
“I was just complimenting you?”
“And I didn’t need you to.” James told her.
“Why are you being a dick?! Didn’t realise our friendship goes straight out the window the second you have a bit of alcohol in your system!” She yelled.
“Yeah, guess so!” He yelled back.
“What the fuck, James?!” She yelled, looking genuinely hurt… James didn’t want to hurt her- well, he did… just didn’t realise it actually would hurt her. Merlin, he’s a raging cunt.
“I’m- I’m sorry… Can we go talk somewhere so I can stop yelling at you?!” He asked. She didn’t reply, just grabbed his arm and pulled him to the nearest closet.
“Alright asshole, we’re alone. What the fuck is wrong with you? You’re being a dick.” She fumed.
“I- This isn’t an excuse for the way I was acting… because it was unacceptable. But, it’s the truth… I’m jealous of you… I think? I’m not sure, I don’t think I’ve ever properly felt it to this degree before…” He admitted.
“Jealous? What the fuck? Of me? Why?” She interrogated him.
“You and Reg.” She gave him a blank look, clearly not following, “You guys are dating.” He extended.
“What? Me and Regulus? You think we’re dating- Why in fucks name would you think that? That’s absolute gobshite, mate. I’m with someone else already.” She looked at him, bewildered.
“Wait- you are? Does Regulus know that?” He asked, worried about how Regulus would take this.
“”Yeah, of course? Him and Dora were my main confidants when I was trying to get with her.” She answered.
“He lied? Why would he lie?” James asked, hoping she’d somehow have the answer to that seeing as she seems to have the answer for literally everything.
“He told you we are dating?” Emmeline looked confused for a second, then it seemed everything clicked for her - James wishes she’d fill him in on it. “Wait- why do you care so much?” She broke into a grin.
“I- well- it’s just- I-” James was cut off by the music outside silencing and being filled with a screaming Arthur Weasley. Emmeline opened the door immediately to go see what was happening, James followed.
“I’M JUST SAYING! IT’S A LITTLE WEIRD FOR THEM TO BE HERE! I THOUGHT WE WERE AGAINST PEOPLE LIKE THEM?!” He yelled.
Regulus stood up angrily, “People like us? People like us?! Wanna explain what the fuck you mean by that Arthur? Cause honestly, I’d love to hear it.” Regulus smiled angrily. James didn’t know what the argument was but he stepped up beside Regulus immediately.
“You’re fucking Slytherins! You're all a bunch of pureblood, blood supremacist assholes! We don’t stand for that shit here, Black!” Arthur yelled back at him.
“Reg, just leave it.” Caradoc pulled him back.
“No, Reg, don’t fuckin leave it!” Barty yelled.
“I’m not gonna fucking leave it! You wanna talk Arthur? Let’s talk!” Regulus threatened.
“I’m not doing anything with a prejudice fuck!” Arthur screamed.
“Oh, is that what I am?! Go on then Arthur, since you fucking know so much about me bet you’ll know my fighting style real well. Why don’t we test that theory? Shall we?” Reg challenged.
“Don’t start shit you know you can’t finish, Black!” Arthur grabbed out his wand and went to run at Regulus. James stepped in front of him, twisting his arm making him drop the wand, pushing him back up against the wall.
“Touch him, I fucking dare you, Weasley.” James pushed his wand against his throat.
“Dude, relax, put your wand down!” One of Arthur’s friends called.
“Come on, man! He was just kidding!” The other yelled.
“No. Arthur wants to talk so much, go on then. I don’t seem to hear you, Artie. You’ve gone quiet.” James smirked back over at Regulus.
“Fuck you, Potter!” Arthur yelled.
“Sorry? What was that?” James pushed the wand tighter against his throat.
Arthur let out a squeak, “Fucking stop, Potter! Fuck! I’M FUCKING SORRY! JUST PUT IT DOWN!” Arthur yelled.
“You’re missing a word there, Weasley. Didn’t your mother ever teach you manners?” Barty yelled from beside James, holding his wand out too now.
“SORRY! I’M FUCKING SORRY! JUST FUCKING LET ME GO YOU CUNTS!” Arthur squacked before James pushed him over to his friends.
James walked over to Regulus, passing him Arthur’s wand, “Do with it as you please, I guess.” James smirked.
Regulus snatched the wand, “I could’ve handled it myself, James. You made it seem like I couldn’t. You made it seem like I needed some big, tough Gryffindor to come up and share the whole profound realisation, that maybe Slytherins aren’t just a bunch of demonic 11-18 year olds running around sucking the blood of muggles. I don’t need you to come and fight a battle you didn’t even give me the chance to attempt to win.” Regulus scowled up at him.
“What? No, that wasn’t what I was trying to do, Reg… I just- I was trying to help.” James reasoned.
“Jamie… you didn’t even let me need help before giving it. It’s like giving a life vest to someone on dry land. You didn’t even let me attempt to deal with it on my own.” Regulus explained.
“I just wanted to protect you.” James told him desperately.
“I didn’t need you to.” Regulus turned away from him, walking out of the common room.
James followed him out.