To the Sun and Back
James
27th July, 1977
Marlene finds them the next morning, all collapsed on foldable camping chairs, slumped over each other with cups of hot drinks in their hands. James is the only lively one, being used to getting up for Quidditch practices at the crack of dawn. He's surprised Regulus isn't more spritely right now, but then again they were up until way into the night before.
Remus and Sirius had managed to get a fire going the Muggle way (Sirius refused to use his wand, wanting to do it "properly"). So, they spent hours sat around the roaring flames, roasting marshmallows, telling stories the others didn't know, watching the stars bloom in the sky.
Barty and Evan had stayed with them in their tent, using the spare fold-out beds in the back room. It had just seemed more convenient, rather than them trying to search for their tent in the early hours of the morning.
"Come and meet my parents!" Marlene demands, grabbing James' wrist. His tea goes sloshing around, over the rim of the mug. Luckily, Regulus notices and grabs it before it can spill on his clothes. James sends him a thankful glance and then holds onto his hand, dragging him along with them.
"Oh, I don't think Marlene meant-"
"Yep! You too, Reg! And anyone else who wants to come!" She grins at the group of half-asleep boys (or completely asleep, in Barty's case).
"Sorry, Marls," Sirius yawns and snuggles himself closer into Remus' shoulder. "It's too early for meeting new people. My hair."
James rolls his eyes with a quiet laugh, which earns him a playful finger thrown at him by Sirius. Remus mumbles in agreement, whilst Barty snores, and Evan... Well, James assumes he is pretending he has fallen asleep too.
"Just us," James smiles.
"Come on!" Marlene repeats.
Regulus groans, so James wraps an arm around his shoulders.
"Mum's been dying to meet you, James, since first year. She knows you're the Quidditch Captain and that you're wicked good at Quidditch too."
"Oh," James says a bit perturbed. "Thanks, Marls. That's... uh, really nice of you."
"Also, I didn't tell you because I was planning on inviting everyone round at some point during the summer, but now I guess you can just know!" Marlene continues to ramble and James feels as Regulus yawns and tucks himself closer under his arm. He chuckles and kisses his head. "I have a baby brother now! He was born back in April!"
"There's a baby?!" James perks up, immediately awake and alert. "What's his name? Oh, Merlin! A baby!"
"I know!" Marlene squeals, pushing herself under James' other arm. "His name is Bobby Finch McKinnon."
"Bobby!" James almost swoons at the name, finding it unbelievably adorable. "That's so cute."
"I know!" She says again and then pulls away from him, bounding towards the entrance of the tent they have made their way to. "Mum! Dad! Mu-! Oh, there you are. James is outside! And Regulus!"
James looks down at Regulus and notices how tense he seems.
"You alright?" He whispers over the shell of his ear, making Regulus shiver.
"Fine, just... new people, you know."
"Yeah."
A woman with red hair and massive brown eyes - the same as Marlene's - steps out of the tent. There's a baby wrapped closely to her chest in something that looks to be a bright yellow scarf. She's wiping her hands on her dungarees when she turns to them both, a loud smile making it's way to her face.
Her face that looks so uncannily like Marlene's, it's almost frightening.
"You must be James!" She beams and hits him playfully on the arm. Yep, definitely related to Marlene. "I'm Jolene, call me Jolie. This is Baby Bobby. You must be Regulus?" She turns to the smaller boy.
Regulus straightens instantly and smiles politely, "Yes, Ma'am."
"'Ma'am'," Jolie snorts and points at him, whilst looking at James with amusement covering her features. "Ok, Sir." She shakes her head with laughter. "As I said, call me Jolie."
"It's very nice to meet you, Miss Jolie," James settles on.
"Where did Marls get to? Marlene!" She shouts. Her voice has a bit of a kink to it that James can't place. He doesn't want to ask, thinking it would come off as rude since he's never actually met the woman before. "Ah!"
Marlene and a tall man with bright blonde hair and a matching goatee emerge from the tent, both scuffling about, trying to get a gentle punch in. Jolie watches them with fond exasperation and then claps her hands together to get their attention. Baby Bobby doesn't seem to mind, cooing away in his... scarf?
"Right... right," Marlene says and then straightens her clothing. "Mum, dad, this is James Potter and this is Regulus Black."
"I know, darlin'" Jolie nods. "Just met 'em."
"How are you doing?" Marlene's father holds his hand out to James, who shakes it eagerly and then to Regulus, who shakes it with less enthusiasm but just the right amount of friendliness. "My name's Roland."
"Regulus is one of Dorcas' best friends," Marlene beams proudly and taps Regulus gently on the shoulder once, not enough contact to make him uncomfortable.
"Oh, the famous Dorcas," Miss Jolie says, nudging Marlene in the ribs. "Tell me, Sir Regulus, is Dorcas a nice girl?"
"The best," Regulus answers without hesitation. "She's brilliant."
"Good," Roland grins and gestures for the both of them to sit on the log benches they have scattered around their tent. "Tell me, James, who are you hoping will win?"
"Er..." James knows exactly who he is rooting for, but doesn't want to answer this wrong, having the impression that this meeting is rather important to Marlene. One of his oldest friends. "France?"
"Is that a question or an answer?" Roland laughs.
"I uhm, France," he says more firmly.
"That's what Marls is rooting for. Me and Jolie are going with Brazil," he replies without a hint of resentment at James (or his daughter) because he is hoping the opposite team will win.
"Bobby thinks France too," Marlene interjects.
"Oh, really?"
"Yep. Isn't that right, Bobby-Boo?" She wiggles her finger in her brother's face - who is now sitting on her lap - making him let out a babbling sound of joy.
James watches them with adoration, thinking about how cute they look. Marlene looks up, noticing his stare and gestures for him to sit beside her. He glances over at Regulus first to check if it's alright, but Regulus seems to be absorbed in a conversation with Miss Jolie about astronomy, of all things.
When he sits down beside Marlene, he is surprised that she hands him Baby Bobby immediately.
"Oh!" He squeaks, holding the baby in his hands.
He's so small, he thinks.
"He's so small," he voices aloud.
"Babies tend to be so, James," Marlene states, smirking at him.
"Well, obviously. But he's just so tiny, I could fit him in my pocket and carry him around all day long." He notices his voice has morphed into something babyish and looks up, meeting eyes with Regulus, who is watching him intently.
Marlene knocks into him gently, gaining his attention. "You think you two will ever have kids?" She nods in Regulus' direction.
"I don't know," James shrugs and looks down at Baby Bobby. His eyes look like they could be as big as golf balls on his small face, but James knows that isn't possible. They're big and brown, just like Marlene's. He has his mother's hair, only a tuft but it's a deep ginger, bright and beaming on his head. "Maybe someday."
Marlene is leaning with her elbow on her leg and her head in her palm as she watches James speak to her baby brother. Eventually, Miss Jolie has to put him down for a nap, and James feels mildly disappointed, missing his little friend already.
"How do you think I feel?" Marlene pouts. "I have to spend most of the year at Hogwarts. What if I miss his first... something?"
"You won't," James reassures her. "He's too young to have a first. Other than a smile or a yawn or a laugh, I suppose."
"I saw his first yawn the day he was born. His first laugh was the second he saw my face-"
"Charming," James snorts.
"Right? He smiles in his sleep all the time and he laughs quite a lot, but he hasn't properly grinned at anyone yet."
"I'm sure you won't miss it when it happens and if you do, so what? You'll get to see it all the other times. If you're lucky, you'll be the cause of it."
Marlene smiles up at him gratefully and then studies him for a moment.
"You really want a sibling, don't you?"
"I do," he whines and rests his head on her shoulder. "I have Sirius, but I want a baby one."
"Perfect then! You have Sirius."
James tries to bite back his laugh but fails miserably. Regulus joins them shortly after and they start talking about Quidditch, including the Gryffindor's unfortunate loss last season, who will win next year (definitely the Gryffindors, both James and Marlene agree, so Regulus calls them biased), and the impending Cup.
"Have you found Pete yet?" James asks Marlene as they are getting ready to go back to their tent and find the others.
"Yeah, he came by yesterday for a little while. He was going to go and find you, since I told him I saw you guys arrive, but we got invested in chess. I think he said he's with Benji Fenwick today."
"Ok, thanks, Marls." James kisses her on the cheek, which she rubs off immediately, grimacing at him as if he has just called her the most horrific slur known to humankind. "Can I ask you a very-random-possibly-rude-but-don't-mean-it-to-be question?"
"Always," she replies eagerly.
"Where's your mum from? I noticed an accent but I couldn't quite place it. I didn't want to seem rude and ask her."
"Not rude," she waves her hand casually in the air. "She's originally from Texas, moved over here when she was nineteen. My dad was the first person she met. Sickeningly romantic if you ask me." Regulus nods in agreement, whilst James coos. "Her accent has kind of faded over time, but with some words it's really strong."
"That's so cool," James grins. "My parents just met in school and didn't even get together until a year after Hogwarts. Waste of time."
Marlene shrugs and looks down at the ground. "Maybe one of them liked someone else, someone they couldn't have." She toes the ground with her shoe. "Then found each other after."
James watches her suspiciously and then shakes his head. "My mum said she liked my dad since second year."
"Doesn't mean your dad couldn't have liked someone else," Marlene says.
"He's never really mentioned anyone. No one ever said he was with anyone, unless it was a secret, but he would have told me. He's never had a hidden relationship before."
"Ok," Marlene replies and then shoves at his arm. "Now, go on, get out of here. Go have fun with your boyfriend." She winks at Regulus.
"Bye, Marls. Goodbye, Miss Jolie and Mr Roland, it was nice to meet you!" James whisper-yells to Marlene's parents, not wanting to wake up Baby Bobby.
"Goodbye, James and Sir Regulus!" Jolie responds with a wild wave.
"Brazil for the win," Mr Roland points at James with a challenging smirk.
James rolls his eyes playfully, a grin playing on his lips. "Sure, Mr Roland. We'll see about that."
28th July, 1977
They find Peter the next day. He's at his tent with Marlene, Benji Fenwick, Emmeline Vance, and another boy James doesn't recognise.
This time, it isn't only James and Regulus who are being sociable. Remus and Sirius have come along, as well as Evan and Barty. Apparently, Barty and Benji know each other well (Barty knows everyone at this point), so they immediately dive deep into a conversation with Marlene.
Evan and Regulus go over to Emmeline Vance, a Slytherin in their year, and try to make idle conversation. Sirius seems to gravitate towards Barty almost straight after he breaks away from Evan, leaving James and Remus standing awkwardly opposite the remaining boy.
"Hello," James smiles brightly, taking the initiative. He knows how hard it can be to meet new people, which is why he always strives to be kind and welcoming. "My name is James Potter. What's yours?"
"Kingsley Shacklebolt." The boy speaks in a thick American accent, which isn't surprising since he has heard about a dozen other accents and languages since arriving at the Cup. "And you?"
"Remus Lupin."
"Nice to meet you," Kingsley grins and James already likes him. "Do you go to Hogwarts?"
"Yep," James replies, popping the 'p'. "Do you go to- oh, what's the American school called again, Moony?"
"Ilvermorny," Remus supplies.
"Yeah! Do you go to Ilvermorny?"
"I did," Kingsley nods. "My mum got a position in the Ministry of Magic in England this year, however, so I'll be transferring to Hogwarts for my final year."
"Hey, that's the year we'll be in!" James beams. "Guess you'll have a friend or two, that's good."
"I- er... yeah," Kingsley's smile becomes shy. "Thanks."
"No problem."
"What do you like to do?" Remus asks and James is grateful, he's run out of things to say. Other than Quidditch, of course, which is always his safety conversation if he ever finds himself speechless or in any awkward conversations.
"Read mostly. I'm big into politics, like my mum." James notices they way he says mum like marm. "Quidditch is alright, I think my mum just bought me here to see if I could find some friends that go to Hogwarts, but it isn't my favourite thing in the world." He lets out a nervous chuckle.
"Remus loves to read, it's all he ever does. Ever," James chuckles. "I'm the Quidditch nut, so you'll probably be better friends with him, but that's fine. Reading is... fun."
"Fun?"
"I'm more into Muggle Greek Mythology than the books you guys would be into," James explains and Kingsley's mouth makes an 'aah' shape.
"We should introduce you to everyone," James claps his hands together, getting into Quidditch Captain mode. "I'm assuming you already know Peter, Marlene, Benji and Emmeline?" Kingsley nods. "Ok. That is Sirius Black, he's my best friend and Moony's boyfriend."
"Moony?"
"Remus," James nods in the direction of Remus. "Long story. There's Regulus Black, Sirius' little brother and my boyfriend." James grins, he still can't believe that Regulus is actually his boyfriend. "Then we've got Evan Rosier and Barty Crouch, they're Regulus' best friends, ours too, but mainly his."
He doesn't say they are each other's boyfriends, not wanting to out them, just in case they aren't telling everyone.
"There is more of us somehow," Remus widens his eyes, making Kingsley chuckle, "but they aren't here. Guess you'll meet them at Hogwarts."
"Guys!" Sirius announces to the group. "We should go exploring!"
"Yes!"
"How about the woods?"
"Where is that?"
"Near the big tent thingy."
"You mean the pitch?"
"Isn't it near the gift shop?"
"Or the canteen area?"
"Now I'm hungry!"
"We can get some food on the way."
"Fine!"
Remus turns to Kingsley, who is staring at the scene with a look of mild fear on his face. "You get used to it," he smiles.
"I'm hoping so," Kingsley replies.
"Come on," James gestures for them to go over to the group of everyone else. "If you want I can introduce you to everyone you haven't met yet?"
"Thanks," Kingsley sighs with relief.
***
They walk up to the woods in mini groups, but somehow all together. Evan, Barty, Benji, Emmeline and Peter walk together on the left. Marlene walks with James, Remus and Kingsley, whilst Regulus and Sirius walk upfront, both talking avidly in French.
"Oh, certainement. J'ai de l'argent sur la victoire de la France," Sirius says quickly.
"Vraiment, Sirius? Argent?" Regulus' voice rings in a patronising way. James wishes he could understand what they're saying. He knows Regulus is probably saying something mean right now and he wants to know what it is.
"À quoi d'autre servaient maman et papa?" Sirius shrugs and Regulus laughs at whatever he has said. "Vous dites que vous n'avez rien volé avant de partir?"
"Non! Comment as-tu ? Vous l'avez littéralement passé à travers la cheminée!" Regulus' voice becomes louder and James makes a to-do list that consists of: learn French as soon as possible.
"Je l'ai volé des années à l'avance," Sirius responds like whatever he is saying is obvious. The brothers stare at each other blankly and then burst into fits of laughter.
"Know any French, Moony?" James sighs.
"No..." he says, sounding just as disappointed.
"They were saying something about stealing money," Kingsley shrugs.
Both Remus and James turns to gape at him. "You know French?" Remus questions.
"Yeah."
"Oh, Merlin. Whenever they speak French at Hogwarts, I need you around. If they don't know you understand them, who knows what they'll say." James grins, wrapping an arm over Kingsley's shoulder. "You and I are going to be great friends, Shacklebolt!"
"Who were they stealing money from?" Remus asks suddenly.
"Their parents," Kingsley replies in a curious tone. "I think."
"Makes sense," Remus says and James nods. Kingsley stares at them as if they have lost their marbles.
"Oh, their parents were shit, so they both live with me now," James explains. "They have more money than they know what to do with, so I'm sure whatever Sirius took wouldn't have so much as scratched their Gringott's vault."
"Right..."
"You have a lot to learn, Kings," Remus chuckles and pats the boy on the back. "You've chosen to become friends with the drama-crazed people of the year. Plus me, of course."
"Hey!" James puts his hands on his hips, coming to an abrupt stop. "You have your fair share of drama too!"
"Yes, it's called my boyfriend," Remus responds and they keep walking.
They roam the woods until it gets dark and they have to head back to their separate tents for dinner. Just like the night before, they spend a large chunk of the night around a fire, roasting marshmallows and talking about their adventures from today.
When it's time for them to go to bed, James is still very awake. He shuffles about in bed for a while, feeling too hot with Regulus wrapped around him, but too cold and bare when he's in a ball on the other side of the bed.
"James," Regulus whispers at some point. "Are you ok?"
"Can't sleep," James answers truthfully. "Can we talk? Tell me something no one else knows about, just anything to turn my mind off, please?"
"Of course," Regulus responds and James feels the soft brush of his lips on his cheek. "Did you know that I asked the sorting hat to put me in Gryffindor?"
"Did you really?"
"Mhm," Regulus nods against his chest. "I think I was close too, but it was provoking me and I started ordering it about and shouting at it in my head and it said something like 'thanks for giving me a reason to put you in Slytherin' and that was that. Other than you, I've only ever told Pandora."
"Oh..." James frowns. "Imagine if you had been put in Gryffindor."
"Things would be so different," Regulus murmurs. "My parents would have loathed me as much as they did Sirius. Sirius wouldn't have ignored me for years. I could have got out so much sooner. I could have known you sooner."
James breathes for a moment, imagining it all.
Regulus' smile as the sorting hat calls out "Gryffindor!" and the standing applause and howling that would have come from James and Sirius. He pictures Regulus in a red and gold tie, sitting in the Gryffindor common room doing homework or lounging by the fire playing chess. Maybe he would have played with Peter or his brother. He imagines Sirius and Regulus playfully fighting over one of the armchairs. James watching them, James watching him read in the common room, James helping him with his homework. Being closer to him.
A fantasy.
A dream.
A something that could have happened but didn't; all they have is now and now is perfect.
"You wouldn't have your friends if you were a Gryffindor. We wouldn't have found each other the way we did. We wouldn't have the same inside jokes or nicknames. You and Sirius, whilst perhaps better, would be different. You would've had it worse off at home..." James leans down and presses a kiss to Regulus' head. "I know we fought a war to get here, but at least we did. We found each other. I don't care how it happened or how long it took, I just care that we're here now."
It was a war, getting here. They had so much in the way, so much pulling them apart. They were fighting for opposite sides, but fighting for each other at the same time. There were obstacles, bombs dropped on them, people in the way. But they are here.
They are here.
James likes being a 'they'.
He never wants to be an 'I' again.
There's one thing still standing between them, a new obstacle, and James wants to shoot it down.
"Reggie?"
"Mmm?" Regulus hums against his bare chest.
"You're the cat, aren't you?"
He feels Regulus tilt his head to look at him. It's a long moment before he answers. "Don't tell Sirius," he whispers. "I want to do that."
"I promise," James whispers back.
"I love you, James."
"I love you too."
"I love you to the sun and back," Regulus mumbles, sleep blurring the edges of his words.
"The sun?" He yawns deeply.
"Of course, the sun."
"Isn't it usually the moon?" He asks quietly. He thinks about how it might be the moon for Sirius, since Remus is Moony and Moony is possessed by the full moon.
"I suppose... but the moon isn't far enough," Regulus' voice gets smaller and smaller. "I love you more than that."
James' heart bounces in his chest, lifting him high into the clouds, out of the atmosphere and into the endless dancing stars and moons and planets and just... everything.
"How about to the edge of the universe?"
"To the edge of the universe and whatever is beyond this galaxy," Regulus replies, almost completely asleep now.
"All of the galaxies," James whispers into his hair, knowing Regulus is asleep. He remembers the day of the Liquid Luck incident, how Regulus had said he wanted to give James all of the galaxies.
You have, he thinks. You've given me all of the galaxies and all of the stars. You've given me everything.
29th July, 1977
"What about Omnioculars?" James asks, pointing at the strange contraption-looking thing. "Then we could watch it in slow-motion!"
"Yeah! Let's get one each!" Sirius grins, bouncing on his feet. "Ooh! Let's get a jumper or something with the team's names on too!"
"Ok!"
They've been in the gift shop for the past hour now, trying desperately to decide what they want to buy and what isn't really worth wasting their money on. Everyone else left ages ago, having already got what they came for.
James and Sirius make their way over to the rails that hold the clothing merchandise of the two different teams. The French team's colours are blue with a checked brown and cream pattern. The Brazilian team's colours are much crueller on the eyes, in James' opinion, being a mixture of bright orange and a harsh purple, with small black accents which only help to accentuate the other two colours.
"I think I'm just going to stick with a shirt," Sirius tells James as he pulls one off the hanger and then proceeds to hold it up against his body, comparing sizes. "Then I can wear my jacket on top without sweating my balls off."
"Nice visual," James laughs. He picks up a hoodie off the rack, one a size bigger than he would usually go for. He's secretly hoping that Regulus will get his hands on it and steal it from him, which he loves even if he jokes that he doesn't. It'll be even better the bigger it is on Regulus too.
They go to the counter to pay, but not until after they have grabbed armfuls of different treats too. On top of his shirt and goodies, Sirius purchases some Omnioculars, a flag, some face-paint they can use during the match, and a poster for his bedroom wall back home. It's of the French Seeker: Cybèle Peltier. She's reaching her arm out to it's fullest potential, a Snitch mere inches from her fingertips.
James gets a matching one.
They bump into Benji as they exit the small shop, who informs them he's having a "on the down-low party" later on. He tells them to invite their friends but not to let any adults find out, spare the Prewett twins, who will of course be stopping by.
When they get back to the tent, they tell the others about the party and James shows Regulus everything he bought. He watches as Regulus' hungry eyes linger on his new jumper for too long and smirks to himself, knowing he'll "offer" it to him after the match - also knowing he will probably never see it again after Saturday night.
They arrive at Benji's tent at nine, just as the sun is setting, creating a fiery glow over the tent heads. Marlene, Peter, Emmeline, Kingsley, and the Prewetts are already there when they arrive. There's a long table along one walls of the tent holding different beverages (including a lot of alcoholic ones) and a large choice of different snacks.
In the corner is a radio that's emitting music; James realises there must be a silencing spell around the tent because he couldn't hear anything from outside.
A few more people join them, people James has never met before. They're all around his age, the youngest person being fifteen, and the eldest's remaining to be Fabian and Gideon.
The party really starts to kick off smoothly around eleven, once everyone has had a fair amount of alcohol and the music gets louder. Remus and Sirius are curled up in a corner, both chatting with Kingsley and Emmeline about something James doesn't catch, the alcohol making his senses a bit blurry.
He hasn't strayed away from Regulus all night, but he doesn't think Regulus minds. He's also been clinging to James for the past couple of hours.
They are dragged into a game of truth or shot with Benji, who also get Gideon and Fabian to join in.
"Ooh, us too!" Marlene calls, dragging Peter over with one hand, whilst her drink sits limply in her other. A small, still-aware part of James' brain tells him that she should be careful not to spill it all over Benji's floor, but he forgets this thought the moment he blinks.
"Ok," Benji claps his hands together and makes a hmm sound. "James and Regulus, why did you start dating?"
"Oh, easy," James waves his hand and then wraps his arm around Regulus' shoulders, bringing him in closer. "Because I had a humongous, fat, gigantic crush on him! Ever since I met him, would you believe?"
Everyone in the circle starts chuckling and then they turn to Regulus. He blinks and then sways a bit, apparently befuddled by the sudden attention on him. He looks up at James and grins, "I wanted to fuck him."
James presses a loving kiss on his head, understanding fully what he is on about. Their deal. He knows it's the truth, it really is. But he also knows Regulus loves him and that he liked him too, right back.
Marlene laughs the loudest and clings onto Fabian for dear life, who also can't seem to catch his breath.
"Oh M-Merlin!" She cries, wiping away real tears from the corners of her eyes. "That's brilliant! I love drunk Regulus!"
"I also had a teensy-weensy little not embarrassing crush on him since the second I saw him, but it was the fuck thing mainly," Regulus slurs, making Marlene start up again.
"Ok, Peter," James turns to the smaller blonde boy on the end of the circle. He looks up with a dazed expression and then smirks.
"Go ahead, Prongsie. Give it your best shot."
James smirks right back and watches as Peter begins to squirm a bit in his seat. "Have you ever been caught?"
"Been caught...?" Peter repeats.
"Having sex!" Marlene yells, making Sirius, Remus and Kingsley glance over at them, all with confused looks on their faces.
Peter glances worriedly at James and then glares at him.
"You know full well that I have!" Peter complains, crossing his arms. "Me and India Wildsmith, fifth year, Charms classroom. You and Sirius walked in. Anyway, who's next? Aah, Marlene!"
"Wildsmith?" Marlene cackles, her head going back in laughter. "My goodness, Pettigrew. Just how many girls have you been with?"
"I don't know..." Peter looks up towards the sky, apparently trying to mentally count. He shakes his head after a full minute and mumbles, "I lost count around twenty-one."
"Wow!" Marlene beams at the circle. "You've been with more people than James, Remus and Sirius combined! I'm so proud, little Petey."
"Shove off," Peter laughs and pushes Marlene away light-heartedly. "Marlene, are you a virgin?"
Marlene's face goes red as she mutters an almost silent, "No."
"Who-"
"I think my go is over," she interrupts and turns to Fabian.
The game continues like this for a while until it's James' turn again. He gets asked how many people he's slept with and proudly declares, "One," to which everyone toasts with their bottles of whatever they're drinking.
When it's Marlene's turn again, she is asked if her and Dorcas have slept together yet, to which she answers (to everyone's surprise), "No."
"Wait. Then who- Hold on a moment. I'm too drunk for this," Peter says, rubbing at his eyes and then blinking rapidly. His hair is a complete mess now, resembling James' own. "Then who did you lose your virginity to?"
"I don't shag and tell, Pettigrew," Marlene smiles and takes a long sip of her drink. She doesn't even wince.
Gideon and Fabian get asked something about their jobs - they're both working with magical creatures in Peru at the moment. Evan and Barty join the group soon after and say that they just got back from a trip in Peru. This turns into a full-blown conversation, much to Peter's obvious disappointment, who just wants to find out who Marlene shagged.
Then, they have to catch Evan and Barty up on everything that has been shared or hidden so far. They too both look surprised at what Marlene has said.
Benji is questioned about Emmeline, to which he admits he has a thing for her, but they've been best friends since first year, so he doesn't think she would feel the same way. James disagrees with this. Emmeline has been staring avidly at him for most of the night from where she is sitting with some of the people James has never met before.
"James, have you ever had a crush on anyone in this room who wasn't Regulus?" Benji asks.
James blushes and then looks over at Regulus who just smiles at him with an encouraging look about his face. Remembering the tiny thing he had for Remus without even knowing it back in third year, he nods quickly, making everyone start questioning him.
"I think my go is over, it's Regulus' turn now."
"Have you ever had a crush on someone who is in this room who also is not James?" Benji quirks an eyebrow, apparently trying his luck with catching Regulus out now.
"Yep, for like a second."
"Who?" Benji asks.
Regulus mimes zipping his mouth and throwing away the key. Everyone groans.
James hates disappointing people, so he turns to Regulus with a pout. Regulus rolls his eyes and suggests, "Want to say it together?"
"Ok," James agrees. "We'll tell you who we liked, but only if you don't go spreading it around the school because it would make things very awkward. In my case, anyway. I don't know about-"
"Yep, very awkward," Regulus nods quickly.
Benji and Marlene count them both down from three and at the same time they announce, "Remus."
"Yeah?" Remus calls from the other side of the tent, which only makes everyone in the truth or shot circle burst into uncontrollable laughter.
They continue going and when Marlene's turn comes around, she already knows what's coming. She's already devastatingly drunk though, so James isn't sure she would be able to take another shot.
"Who did you lose your virginity to, Marlene Jayne McKinnon?" Peter asks with a dramatic edge to his voice, as if this will be some world-changing thing.
"I'm not even going to question how you know my middle name," Marlene answers, squinting at Peter. "Ok, fine. She already said we didn't have to keep it a secret, but I decided to anyway because this is just too good for people to just know. So, before I tell you, I need you all to take an oath that this will not leave this circle. Even Remus and Sirius can't know, we can use it against them."
"Damn, McKinnon. Having a Slytherin girlfriend is wearing off on you," Evan chuckles.
"I know," Marlene grins. Once everyone has promised to secrecy, she smirks at them all as if she is about to change their lives forever. "Lily Evans."
There's a collective gasp as everyone takes in her answer.
Lily?!
Lily?!
James' brain can't even comprehend...
Lily?!
"Lily?!" He blurts out loud.
"Yes, yes. I know. Lily. It was experimental," she waves them all off and then carries on the game as if nothing just happened.
Regulus
July 30th, 1977
On the morning of the game, Regulus wakes up feeling a bit woozy from all the drinking the night before. Luckily, he has the best boyfriend in the world, who has left a Hangover Potion on the cabinet beside his bed.
Once he's greedily drunk the whole thing, he gets dressed in what he knows Sirius would call "pre-game" clothes and goes out to join the others. Evan and Barty are here, they've stayed at James' tent more than they have their own; they're sitting at the round table, situated in the open kitchen area, with Remus.
"Morning, Reg," Evan greets him, patting him lightly on the shoulder as he takes his seat between him and Remus.
"Did you find the Hangover Potion James left you?" Remus asks, leaning down a bit to look him directly in the eye.
Regulus smiles lazily and then nods, he lets out a yawn before asking, "Where is James? Oh, and Sirius? He must be somewhere else, it's far too quiet."
Barty and Evan chuckle, whilst Remus explains that he and James have gone to fetch everyone breakfast from the pastry marquee near the gift shop. Regulus hums in approval and daydreams about croissants and pain au chocolat's and beignets. His stomach makes a rather loud rumble, so he rubs it with his hand and pouts the whole time until James and Sirius return.
When they do, it looks like they have bought everything they possibly could have. Sirius is holding a stack of at least a half a dozen boxes. James is carrying about four, his other hand being occupied by a drink holder, which bears six different drinks.
They both scurry over, eager to lay out their found treasures to everyone. Regulus goes straight to the beignets.
"A chocolate whipped milkshake for Moony," James says as he starts passing out the drinks. "Vanilla-iced latte for Evan. A candyfloss-flavoured infusion for Barty," he clearly tries to hide his grimace as he passes the salmon-coloured drink to Barty - Regulus, however, does not and openly glares at the drink as if it has personally offended him. "Black coffee for Reggie," he thanks James, who winks at him back, "Black coffee for Sirius, and a raspberry lemonade for moi!"
"Wow, you learnt a French word," Evan points out, a tone of sarcasm to his voice.
"I know!" James grins, clearly not noticing.
"Did you really get a lemonade first thing in the morning?" Regulus questions as James crouches down beside him, all seats taken.
"Yep! Why not?" He takes a large sip of it through his straw and Regulus watches as his eyes visibly water. "It makes me feel more awake because it's so fizzy."
"I can see that," Regulus laughs, witnessing how James is already buzzing and it's barely ten in the morning. He looks up and notices that James is the only one on the floor, Sirius having taken residency on Remus' lap.
Regulus frowns at this. James should get to sit down, it is his tent and table after all. Plus, he just went to get everyone else breakfast. Double plus, he's James.
He stands up from his own seat whilst simultaneously lifting James from the floor. Then he switches their positions so quickly that James doesn't even have time to argue when Regulus pushes him into the chair.
James does try to argue once he is sat, only to stop when Regulus sits himself right down in James' lap. He remains quiet after that.
They easily fall into an eager discussion about the game later this evening, tucking into some of the pastries in front of them. Most of them are left uneaten, to which James voices he'll bring some to the rest of their friends later, if they want them. Really, Regulus just thinks James wants an excuse to go and visit Baby Bobby again.
James bites into a cream-filled croissant, leaving a moustache on his top lip. Regulus wipes it away with his thumb and licks it off, which makes James halt in what he was explaining to Barty about Wronski Feints.
"Carry on," he whispers directly into James' ear. Smiling when he feels James shiver beneath him.
The rest of the day goes rather slowly, the anticipation of the game clearly taking it's toll on everyone's nerves and excitement. Especially, James and Evan's. In fact, James and Evan spend a large chunk of the day side by side talking raptly about who they think will score first and who they predict will score the most, which Beaters will be the most brutal, which team will catch the Snitch and if that will win them or cost them the game.
They do go to everyone else's tents at some point. Benji is offering Hangover Potions to those who didn't have some already on hand.
Regulus finds himself getting dragged into an utterly un-fascinating conversation with Peter. Luckily, James is by his side and is apparently used to the most random shit coming out of his friend's mouth.
"How many days are there in July?" Peter asks and it takes Regulus everything in him not to hit Peter in the forehead, or himself.
"Thirty-one," Regulus answers flatly.
"Why? Isn't thirty enough?"
"Hey!" James gasps dramatically. "Do not insult the day! What did it ever do to you, Pete? The thirty-first day just makes summer longer! That's why there is one in July and August."
"Sorry, I didn't know the day meant so much to you." Peter raises his hands as a sign of surrender before scurrying off to find Sirius and Remus.
***
After they've eaten dinner, they all go to their separate tents to get ready for the game. James puts on the new hoodie he bought yesterday; it's the French team's colours, with a personalised 'Potter' on the back, as well as the two digit number '16'.
"Why sixteen?" Regulus finds himself asking. He's currently applying face paint under James' eyes. He wanted two lines on each cheek, just like Remus is probably doing to Sirius in their room.
"That was how old I was when I realised I loved you. So now, it's my lucky number."
Regulus is so surprised by this that he leans back slightly in his chair. He hadn't expected that. "What was your lucky number before?"
"Seven. It works kind of. If you take the one and the six when it's written like '16'-" he gestures to the back of his jumper "-and add them together, you get seven."
Regulus nods, staring down at the blue paint in his hands. He brushes his index and middle fingers through it, ready to apply more to the other side of James' face, when he whispers, "You know, I was sixteen when I realised I loved you too."
"I know," James grins.
When they go into the the main quarters of the tent, they find Remus, who has face paint-stained fingers like Regulus, as well as face paint smudged all up the underside of his neck and chin. Regulus guesses that was Sirius' doing.
Sirius...
Well, Regulus almost wishes he could pretend Sirius isn't his brother right now.
He's in a shirt designed with the same colours as James' hoodie, his leather jacket on top. His face paint is the same as James'. The only difference is, James looks cute with his little team colours, Sirius does not. He has gone over the top. He's also holding a massive flag, which he is attempting to drape over his shoulders like a cloak. His hair has been braided into two French plaits (which ha-ha very funny, "French" plaits, Regulus thinks to himself dryly), with blue and cream-coloured ribbons braided through them.
To match, he's decided bright blue pipe-jeans would work and has rolled them up so that they are not tucking into his heavy boots.
Basically, he looks like something massively blue vomited on him.
He doesn't laugh though because he can see how excited Sirius is. Remus is staring at him dopily, like he's never seen an idiot as cute as Sirius Black. James goes bounding over and starts booming about how "amazing" Sirius looks.
Regulus himself has a wristband with the French team's colours on, as well as blue-stained fingers, and a silvery-blue button-down shirt. He's wearing his usual black dress-pants, a habit he cannot seem to kick from growing up at Grimmauld. Other than that, he isn't really dressed for the occasion.
Remus isn't either, which he takes with great relief, only wearing his regular clothes: a knitted jumper, jeans and boots that are the exact same as Sirius'. Somehow, he's managed to get his hands on another chocolate milkshake.
They leave the tent shortly after. The plan is to go to Evan and Barty's, which is on the way to the pitch, and then Benji's - which is where Peter, and everyone else is getting ready. Marlene is getting ready with her parents and will hopefully join them later. They aren't all sitting together, which is a bit disappointing, but Regulus supposes they'll all be seeing each other after the game anyway.
He is happy, at least, that Evan and Barty are sitting in the same section as they are. Effie and Monty really went all out, getting them seats in the spectator's box. High enough for them to see everything that's going on, especially with the Omnioculars that Regulus purchased the day before.
Evan and Barty are dressed as casually as James, both with team shirts on and a bit of face paint. No one has gone as all-out as Sirius. They make their way to Benji's tent next - Emmeline, Benji, Peter and Kingsley are waiting for them. Benji has - to Regulus' amusement - dressed as crazily as Sirius. He's even gone one step further by charming his hair to be the team's colours (what's worse is that he is supporting Brazil, so his hair is half blinding orange and half an eye-assaulting purple).
Regulus doesn't even try to hold in his laugh, nor does Remus. They lean over each other, wiping at their wet eyes and clutching their stomachs. James stands in front of them, blocking Benji from their view and says something about them having had pre-game drinks before, so they're a little tipsy. It's a lie, but Regulus knows James is only saying it so that Benji doesn't feel insecure.
They all make their way up to the massive, white tent that surrounds the pitch. It's quite a bit of a climb to the spectator's box. Peter ends up breaking off from them first around the second platform off the ground, saying his parents are waiting for him. They spot Marlene after a couple of more floors - the same place where Benji and Emmeline leave them.
Kingsley is the only person remaining with them when they make it to the spectator's box. He goes to sit beside a woman with dark skin and long black hair that is styled into dreadlocks. She smiles at him - Regulus assumes this is his mother - and then waves over at the group of them. They all wave back. James and Sirius are the only two to actually go over and introduce themselves.
Regulus takes his seat instead, ending up between James and Remus. He rests his feet on the railing in front, the game isn't starting for at least another half an hour. Remus slouches into the seat beside him, Evan and then Barty on his other side.
"I wonder who Benji is supporting," Remus says with a straight face, slowly turning to look Regulus dead in the eye. He lasts about eight seconds before his face cracks into a large grin and they both roll over laughing again.
"He looked like something you'd find at Zonko's!" Remus giggles.
"You're so mean, Rem," Regulus manages through his own laughter.
"You're laughing too?"
"Yes, but I'm a Slytherin," Regulus raises an eyebrow. "I'm not so sure you weren't meant to be in Slytherin."
"Well," Remus shrugs and smirks, their laughter finally settling down, "maybe I almost ended up there. I just know how to get what I want."
"You almost got sorted into Slytherin?" Regulus gapes.
"Mhm, that or Ravenclaw. I wanted to be in Gryffindor though because..." Remus furrows his eyebrows and then admits, "Well, Sirius was the only person I could tolerate so far, so I wanted to end up wherever he went. That was Gryffindor. So, I just asked and asked and asked, the hat eventually caved and put me there."
"That little- Favouritism!" Regulus complains. "I asked to be put in Gryffindor and it just basically said 'No' and chucked me in Slytherin!"
"Did you threaten it?" Remus asks.
"Obviously."
"Hah!" Remus chucks his head back. "I was very careful not to do that, you see. I think," his voice drops to a whisper, "it saw how I cope after full moons and apparently that was brave enough to be put in Gryffindor. Not evil enough for Slytherin, but brave enough for Gryffindor. Right."
"You aren't evil, Rem," Regulus hits him around the back of the head, making Remus look at him incredulously. "You're a Gryffindor."
"Gryffindor's can be evil, you know."
"Name one."
"I-" Remus stutters some more and then crosses his arms in defeat. "Fine. You aren't evil either, you're just... cunning."
"Thank you," Regulus puts his hand to his chest and Remus rolls his eyes, a grin playing on his lips.
James and Sirius return just before the Minister for Magic - Victor Fischer - makes his way up, ready to introduce the players and then the game. The commentator follows shortly after him - Leslie Lixivier. She's French, since it's set in France, which won't be a problem for Sirius or Regulus. He knows everyone will be asking them what they're saying though, which might become irritating very quickly.
They introduce the game and the rules, then as the players make their way onto the pitch, waving at the crowds, they introduce each member. Regulus whispers a translation into James' ear whenever he feels it is necessary - this is their little agreement, so as to not annoy Regulus with the constant translating.
"The game begins!" Regulus whisper-shouts and so they all get to their feet and lean over the railing, watching as both Seekers soar high into the air, followed by the rest of their teammates.
Brazil takes the Quaffle first and manage to take the first score. Monty was right, they're Chasers are excellent. However, so are France's. It continues like this for a while, back and forth scoring. Neither team's Beaters seem to be particularly brutal, which is good for a professional game because it means it will be more fair and there will be a clearer win.
Regulus watches with eager eyes as the Seekers roam the pitch, both having similar methods of moving slowly and gradually, eyes peeled and searching. Every now and then they will focus on each other, likely to see the other's progress, or lack thereof. There has been no sign of the Snitch yet.
The Brazilian Keeper isn't doing brilliantly tonight, having already dropped the Quaffle twice, fumbling with it.
At some point during the game, Regulus turns to see that Sirius is standing beside him instead of Remus. He doesn't know when it happened, but he doesn't mind. He wants to enjoy this with his brother too.
An hour into the game and Brazil is up by eighty points, with no sign of the Snitch anywhere. One of the teams calls time-out after another half an hour, clearly needing to have another team huddle and plan what they are going to do next.
Regulus is grateful when James and Remus offer to go and get everyone some drinks, he's parched. And tired. Very tired. From all the excitement and noise and having to stand for almost two hours straight.
"You alright, Reg?" Sirius asks, putting an arm around his shoulder.
Regulus nods and then yawns slightly. "Just a bit tired."
"Come on," Sirius pulls away and then bends down slightly.
"What are you- No, Sirius," he slaps at Sirius' back.
Sirius doesn't back down.
"Yes, come on. Climb aboard the Sirius express! Whoo whoo!"
"Top ten things you'll say to Remus on your wedding night," Regulus snorts and Sirius chuckles. After another minute or so of Sirius bending over, Regulus relents - he really is rather tired. He gets onto Sirius' back and suddenly feels nine years old again.
"There we are," Sirius whispers. He holds onto Regulus' legs tightly, so Regulus wraps his arms around his brother's neck. He hasn't felt this specific safeness - the Sirius safety he knew when they were living in that wretched house - in too many years. It's so comforting that it's almost soft and warm, like a pit of marshmallows.
He rests his head on one of Sirius' shoulder and breathes in the smell of leather and pumpkins, smiling sleepily as he does.
When James and Remus return, James passes Regulus his water that he asked for and Regulus doesn't miss the fond smile he gives them. Clearly he's just as happy about this as Sirius seems to be.
Sirius doesn't complain about Regulus being heavy once. He stays on Sirius' back for most of the game, snuggling closer every now and then. Enjoying feeling as if he is a child again, with his big brother there to protect him and love him and be his best friend.
I love you, he thinks.
He doesn't say it, thinking it would sound absurd to say it at such a random time.
The commentator shouts something that makes Sirius and Regulus both squeal with delight. Regulus taps on his brother's shoulder, which was always the sign to let him down. He does immediately, as if they do this every day.
James and Remus, as well as Evan and Barty, ask what they're squealing about. Clearly having missed something because they do not speak French.
"Peltier has eyes on the Snitch," Sirius explains swiftly to the group.
Regulus isn't listening.
He's watching... watching... watching as Peltier dives deeply, swooping down to the ground at breakneck speed, the Brazilian Seeker (Regulus doesn't know their name) not too far behind. At the last minute, she bends her broom upwards, just barely missing the ground, and twizzles up in the air in a corkscrew-like way. She then bolts towards the left side of the pitch, leaving behind the other Seeker, who just about manages not to go crashing into the ground, but is trying to balance back on their broom properly.
"Peltier a attrapé le Vif d'or! La France gagne!" The commentator booms and cries of both despair and joy echo throughout the pitch as Peltier holds up her hand, presenting the Snitch in all it's glory.
"Nous avons gagné! Nous avons gagné!" Regulus beams, leaping straight over to Sirius, who catches him in his arms.
"Putain! Nous faisions! Nous avons gagné!" Sirius breathes back in disbelief.
"Je ne peux pas le croire! Je suis tellement heureux!"
"Moi aussi! Je suis tellement heureux aussi! Ah! Je t'aime, Reg!" Regulus can hear the grin in Sirius' voice.
Hugging him tighter, he whispers, "Je t'aime aussi, Sirius."
"I hate to break up the brotherly bonding, really, it pains me," James says. Regulus pulls away from Sirius enough to look at James, who is holding onto his chest with the brightest smile on his face as if he has never been happier. "But what on Earth are you saying? We did win, right?"
"Yes!" Sirius beams.
From behind them, Regulus can hear Evan, Barty and Remus celebrating loudly. Especially Evan, who is usually quiet. Apparently, not about Quidditch.
"We won," Regulus grins. He finally moves away from Sirius and goes over to James, pulling him in by the strings of his jumper, kissing him deeply. "We won."