Halloween
Halloween party October 31st 1977
It was 6:30 pm. Early but not overly early which is why Regulus found himself at the Fat lady’s portrait, “what is a snake doing here!?” She screeched, “oh god shut up, ever heard of a party? The password is Cauldron cakes, now let me in” Regulus replied in a snap. The portrait swung open with a sulking fate lady on the front. Obviously not his first time in the common room, Regulus found himself looking at decorations trying to play lost. “Siri- omg it’s a mini Sirius!! Jamessss look, a little version of your best mate.” Marlene screeched out, “I have a name, and it’s not mini Sirius, I’d rather die. My name is,” Regulus started when an enthusiastic “Reggie, you’re here!”came from across the room, not from James who was sneaking up behind Regulus no it was from Remus. “Boo!” James yelled from behind Regulus, resulting in a punch to the stomach, “fucking fuck, gah, shit!” James moaned and groaned holding his stomach as he doubled over. “Shit, James, are you okay? I didn’t mean to I swear, shit!” Regulus said panicked “fucking hell, I can’t. Fucking. breathe, god damn, Jesus Reggie.” James wheezed out “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m so so sorry James, I didn’t, I didn’t mean to” Regulus was panicking it was evident in his voice, the instant internal thought for James was he needed to help but he could barely stand himself up, so he motioned Regulus to lean down a bit “Reg, you gotta calm down, I’m okay, really. You can fucking punch, but I’m okay, you gotta breathe and calm down.” James whispered for only their ears “Moony help.” James said, Remus who was at his side in milliseconds “what can I help with Prongs?” Remus was very clearly worried but a lot more relaxed, “I’d like to get upstairs for a bit and find a quiet spot with cold air for Reggie will you? He’s panicking and I’m in too much pain to help right now. Please.” James groaned “Marlene,Mary get James up to his dorm for a bit please and thank you.” Remus replied, he slowly reached for Regulus, he used a slow and gentle touch, putting a hand on his shoulder, “ hey Regulus, let’s walk for a minute, get some air.” Remus said gently, while his own boyfriend was dense, Remus was not. So he tried to calm regulus down with James as they walked, “James is fine Regulus, he needs you to be okay though” Remus said softly trying to help, “I hurt him Remus don’t you get that, talk about worse boyfriend…I wasn’t supposed to say that, please don’t tell anyone.” Regulus muttered now really wanting to cry, he knew he was allowed to tell Evan and Barty but Remus? That’s James' friend,not his. “It’s alright Regulus, 1. I don’t care and 2. James won’t care either, but he won’t know I know. Though respectfully you guys are super subtle, like enough but it could be better if you don’t want people knowing.” Remus giggled out. They were in the astronomy tower, regulus had no idea how they got there so fast or had it been that long? “You can go back, I’ll be okay, I promise. Just stressed, parties aren’t my thing but you know James really wanted me there even though I was going to surprise him. I just don’t like loud, ironic I guess.” Regulus breathed out. “If you don’t want me here that’s one thing but if you don’t mind I’ll stay a little longer, can I ask a few questions? Or should I ask James?” Remus asked sincerely, getting the hint that right now might not be the best time. “You can stay, and a few questions, not too many though.” Regulus sighed out, “alright just a few. How long have you and James been…dating? Are you guys dating?” Remus asked, “I’ll count that as one question, I’m a fair person. Yes James and I are dating and it’s been Salazar I don’t know, that’s a lie. Just over a year, the 29th was one year…it’s why I spent the night.” Regulus said grinning, “a year! That’s crazy, I mean it’s not but it is. Question two: why James potter of all people? I mean you said you don’t like loud and obnoxious things. He's the definition of loud and obnoxious.” Remus asked pointedly. Regulus had to think before answering the question, “I’m not sure. He’s not loud in an annoying way when I’m around. Even if Sirius is there. I’ve always found his loudness pleasing. I don’t like when he’s quiet, which is good because he rarely is, but he just made me feel like I could be me without changing who I was or where I came from. He’s Mon soleil, my everything.” Regulus replied with a smile that regulus hadn’t seen on his lips before. “Final question: Did you guys ever plan to tell us…me?” Remus asks the hurt in his voice present. The question throws Regulus for a loop, he doesn’t know how to answer, of course they were gonna tell people eventually just when and at what cost? “Yes Moony, we would've told you guys eventually. The thing about being boyfriends is we had to overcome fear of people knowing we had to grow together. So eventually you all would’ve known but it was never my first priority. I think that’s enough questioning the boyfriend the first time you meet him. Thank you for helping but Padfoot is looking for you.” James replied to the question with a smirk. As James walked over Remus got up ready to leave, “Regulus so you know anyone James cares about I want to get to know, we should grab lunch together one day.” Remus said then left. James sat next to Regulus who’d been on the floor for some time, “you okay there reg?” James asked as he wrapped his arm around Regulus, “I hurt you James, I physically hurt you. I’m just like my mother.” Regulus muttered as he stared at the floor, “no you’re not, do not compare yourself to that shit piece of a human, I scared you, you reacted. I’m sorry, I should’ve thought more. You did nothing wrong.” James replied pulling Regulus closer, “I’m sorry I told him…I didn’t mean to, I just didn’t think and said I was a bad boyfriend and then he knew.” Regulus muttered as his head fell into his hands, it’s the thing he’d do whenever he needed to cry but didn’t want to because of people seeing him. “I don’t care,Remus won’t say anything and I think he’d be a good friend to you, but I could care less who knows. Hell you could scream it out to the world and I wouldn’t give a rat's ass because all I care about is you Reg, only you.” James commented as he pulled Regulus’s arms away from his face, “it’s only us, no one else. Happy late one year anniversary, I don’t think I said it on Saturday.” James said, kissing Regulus’s face. “You did, about a million times. I love you so much Jamie.” Regulus replied, giving into the love that was being showered on him.
They sat in one another’s company for a while, getting to calm down and slow down for a little while. “I guess I need to add Remus to the list.” Regulus mumbled, grabbing his wand, summoning a piece of paper that had writing on it and a quill. “The list? What in Godric's name is the list?” James asked, leaning over Regulus’s shoulder. “ I write the names of who knows we’re in a relationship, when they found out/were told and by who. So Barty and Evan 10/31/77 by me, Remus Lupin 10/31/77 by me.” Regulus said as he wrote.
The List
Barty & Evan 10/31/77 (Regulus)
Remus Lupin 10/31/77 (Regulus)
“And why are you keeping track?” James asked like it was silly. “I like knowing things Jamie you know this, it’s I don’t know a comfort? Reassuring, I like lists and I like knowing who knows so this is what it will be…that is alright with you,right? Now it was Regulus asking, “anything you want my love, you can have or do.” James mumbled into his hair. “And as much as I love spending time here alone and together, at least I have to go to the Gryffindor party. You could accompany me or I could walk you back to the dorms?” James offered. “No, no I’ll go but can I get Barty and Evan? They’ll enjoy it and Dorcas will be there, that way it’s 4 slytherins, and more people I can buy when you get bored and go talk to others.” Regulus asked while also backhanding James bicep. “Yeah let’s grab them, I like Evan and Barty, especially when I know I don’t need to keep an eye on Bartys hands.” James giggled, which caused Regulus to laugh, “only Evan has to watch his hands, or else they get disgustingly frisky.” Regulus grimaced obviously having walked into those times on too many occasions. “Well come on my little… what even are you my love?” James asked, “Your Boyfriend, can’t you tell?” Regulus replied with a smirk, “oh well then let's get you a little more spruced up shall we?” James said with a smile, grabbing Regulus' hand, dragging him to the slytherin common rooms to tell Barty and Evan what time then to the Gryffindor common room, up to the male rooms and into his. Sirius, Remus, and Peter were all already downstairs so they had the room to themselves. “Sit down I'll grab you some stuff.'' James said as he walked to his trunk. Grabbing one of his gryffindor jumpers, and a hair brush, “A hair brush jamie?” regulus asked “oh humor me a bit yeah?” James asks as he crosses back over to Regulus, “Always.” he breathed out as James was in front of him, “if you're my boyfriend no way in hell your hair is that perfect, if i got my way that is. Let's make you a little more presentable shall we?” James says as he takes the brush to Regulus’s longish curly hair. He’d grown it out since leaving the Black home the past spring when Walburga threatened the dark mark. His hair sat in a long bob hair cut. James ran his hands through his hair, messing it up making it frizzy or as James was thinking ‘absolutely gorgeous’. “Jamie, my hair really?” Regulus whined out, “trust me this is being civil, I would do much more if I could. My boyfriend is parading around as my boyfriend but everyone will think it's a joke and I Love It.” James breathed out grabbing his jumper that had a P on it, sirius, remus and peter all had matching ones, Prongs (p), Padfoot (Pa), Moony (M), Wormtail (W), all Red and yellow gold to match house colors. “You can do all you want to me Jamie as long as we’re downstairs in no longer than 10 minutes.” Regulus said desperately, “oh if only I could Reggie, as much I would love to and trust me I would love to, we have places to be and if I have my way with you I don’t think we'll ever show up. So just a few things.” James replied. He grabbed Regulus plain Band-Tee and pulled it over his head, “not doing anything, really?” Regulus replied sarcastically, “oh shut up…You’re the one who enjoys when I undress you.” James grinned back at him, pushing his jumper over his head, “I need one final touch.” James said as he sat next to Regulus. He grabbed Regulus’s hips, pulling him onto his lap or as Regulus was thinking ‘lord im being MANHANDLED by James potter’. “I thought you said not doing anything Jamie, that’s twice now.” Regulus said in a joking manner, “what can I say? My boyfriend is fucking hot.” James replied followed by kissing Regulus, regulus allowed himself to be consumed in the kiss. James moved his hands to Regulus’s hair normally a big No, moving his lips down to Regulus’s neck, sucking two large hickeys before switching which side he was on, giving the other side one hickey, three bright reddish purple bruises. “Jamie!” Regulus squeaked putting his hands around his neck, James on the other hand looked and was very pleased with himself. “Now you look perfect,come on, we can go downstairs now.” James said followed by one last quick peck to Regulus’s lips. Regulus stood up, turning him back to James, hiding he was flustered. “They look nice on you by the way, same with the blush.” James murmured in his ear. “I hate you Jamie” Regulus replied, pulling his hands over his face. James grabbed his hands and dragged him back down to the common room behind him.
First to notice the two was Remus but he turned and continued to talk to Sirius who was very clearly, overly intoxicated. Having probably drunk a full handle of firewhiskey already. He was giddy and no longer in his brain. Next to see them was Marlene she gasped and sputtered out a “james- dwhat? Huh?” She was so lost, James had the simple reply that he loved “His costume is my boyfriend. See my jumper, my marks. My boyfriend” James smirked with the words. “Oh my Godric what a perfect costume, Sirius would hate it though you know that…I love it!” Marlene squealed, grabbing Regulus by the arm, pulling him closer so she could see his neck better, “this is a great glamour James, never seen you cast a better one.” She grinned, but she too was drunk and so she walked away giggling. Then Barty and Evan walked in, “Reggie your snakes are here” James whispered in Regulus’s ear, Regulus blushed as the two walked over to them. “Ah yes our snake and his lion boyfriend.”Barty said snarkily to Regulus, “yes, and my best friend who’s shagging my other best friend, lovely to see you too.” Regulus replied with a smirk. “Fuck, I love you Reg” Evan laughed out as Barty scowled. “I love him too, he’s my favorite, not that I am bothered by your company Evan.” James interjected, Evan knew he had an issue with Barty who had in the past made advances on Regulus. “I know James, I know.” Evan replied. Barty gasped out sarcastically “what about me? Don’t you love me too, lion?” Barty whined out, “gag Barty. Salazar is rolling over in his grave. Don’t call My Boyfriend lion in that context. James, his name is James, and he’s not wrong for his words. You are the one who’s made…sexual remarks on more than one occasion. Don’t make me list them.” Regulus stated what felt like holes through Bartys head. “Sorry, sorry Regulus.” Barty recoiled. Dorcas then walked over seeing the three boys. “Awwww James you have a group of baby snakes with you. You got Barty and Evan and even Regulus who never leaves his room. How are you so magical?” She joked, “I’m not sure I must be a wizard-“ James laughed out, “can you stay here for a second Dorcas? I wanna go grab a drink and I don’t trust Barty.” James told her, “Of course and I don’t trust him either, we all just accept it.” Dorcas said, clapping a hand on Regulus’s shoulder. “James, can you get me a firewhiskey or something?” Regulus turned his head over his shoulder to James. James now slightly flushed “yeah, be back.” And he walked to the drink table. There was anything and everything he could imagine, he knew Regulus didn’t really like firewhiskey. Regulus preferred a sweeter drink. So he made him one. Once it was mixed it was honestly just a strong ass margarita, peach, his favorite. Then grabbing a firewhiskey for himself he walked back over to the 4 slytherins. “Here Regulus” James handed him the drink, “thanks James.” Regulus replied with a gentle smile before going back to conversation. The 5 split up talking to others James and Regulus always seemed to be close, whether a few meters away or just a few inches when they had small conversations. It was 10:30 pm. Everyone except a few had a lot of liquor in their systems, Evan had none, Dorcas had none, Remus had a few shots but not enough to truly affect him. James was a little worse than tipsy but still had full thoughts, Peter was just past him. Regulus, Sirius, Marlene,and Barty were very drunk by this time. Regulus just wanted to be close to James, Sirius to Remus, Marlene to Dorcas, Barty to Evan.
They had all ended up in a circle by 11 pm. Playing never have I ever. No one fully asks logical questions, “never have I ever…shagged my friend?” Marlene asked, everyone drank and Sirius gasped, “you slept with moony too Prongs!?!???? He’s my boyfriend, that's off limits. And Regulus who Barty? Evan?” Sirius hiccuped and slurred. “Yes PadFoot I slept with Moony, mhm, before you guys were going out though.” James joked back Sirius not getting the joke. “Evan duh” Regulus slurred back. Dorcas at this point was understanding the little touches of James and Regulus. The small smiles. The loving glances, the glances of boyfriends.
1 am
Most were overly drunk and sleeping or almost there. “Jamie I love you, you know that right?” Regulus whispered in James’s ear, “yes I know love, let's head to bed yeah?” James replied and questioned, he was tired and at this point barely had liquor in his system. “But Sirius will find out.” Regulus mumbled, “he won’t, I’ll take care of it,let’s go upstairs.” James said, grabbing his hand pulling him to the room. Now in the dorms Regulus seemed to bounce around never settling fully.“Lay down Reggie gods.” James groaned. “Mais James, je ne suis pas fatigué.” Regulus replied, “Baby I love when you speak French but shut up and sleep.” James snapped back he was tired as it was late. “Désolé, Jamie n'avait pas l'intention d'être impoli.” Regulus replied, scooting over in the twin poster bed, scooting so he was nearly falling off. “Reg, why are you scooting away? I’m not mad, I'm just tired. Scoot back so we can cuddle and sleep.” James remarked as he grabbed Regulus’s hips,pulling him back. “Tu es sûr de ne pas être en colère contre moi?” Regulus mumbled. “If you’re asking if I’m mad, no. I’m tired, and I miss you being around, so for tonight shh and sleep okay?” James asked kissing Regulus head, “Je peux le faire, même pour ce soir.” Regulus replied and fell gently into a sleep, warm with James’s arms over him.
“What the fuck? PRONGS!” A voice shouted waking both boys up, “why is my brother in your bed? In your clothes?” Sirius yelled. “Can you shut the fuck up Sirius,Salazar.” Regulus groaned putting his forehead in the bed to hide his eyes from the light, “Padfoot it’s simple really, you were wasted, Barty and Evan were wasted, everyone was basically gone, I’d stayed sober because I need to talk to McGonagall today, so when I saw Regulus was trying to leave, I was going to bed so I brought him upstairs. He was safe in here and who knows who could’ve done what out in the castle or the common room.” James said as he released his breath. “And I was ‘James boyfriend’ as my costume hints the reason I’m in his jumper. Really from what I can remember he just took care of me. Put me in bed and told me to sleep.” Regulus seconded the claim. Sirius thought for a moment, “Well if that’s the case thank you prongs, and Regulus you're stupid. Anyways I’m hungry and going to get food.” Sirius said as he walked mostly stable out of the room. “As much as I love you, you are a pompous idiot James.” Regulus muttered as he shifted to cuddle into James’s chest. “Oh my Godric you love me!?!!” James said very over exaggerated, but wrapped his arms around Regulus’s torso nonetheless and brought him closer. “Oh and yes I know I’m a pompous idiot but I’m your pompous idiot,Mon amour” James said not surprised to hear the squeak of confusion for him saying my love in French. “Jamie…do you know French?” Regulus asked slightly concerned, “Not much, just some here and some there.” James replied.
Both, still asking how Sirius hadn’t found out yet.