flying practice
He couldn't remember falling, but one second Regulus was savoring his victory above the goalposts, and the next he was plunging through the air. Wind shrieked in his ears as he flailed helplessly, fear constricting his throat and muffling his scream. The ground was drawing closer, and he didn't have his broom this time to catch him. He thought he heard a shout, and closed his eyes to brace for impact when a sudden pair of warm arms wrapped around him and he was being lifted into the air. The mystery person gripped onto him tightly as he rose higher. His heart was beating erratically, his breaths coming in short bursts, and Regulus had to remind himself that he wasn't about to be flattened on the ground of the Quidditch pitch. That he wasn't about to die. He kept his eyes squeezed shut, pressing his face into the softness of the strange person's sweater for a few moments, before with a start he realized what he was doing and jerked up, nearly sliding off the broom again. The pair of arms instinctively tightened around him, and when Regulus opened his eyes he found himself staring into the hazel gaze of James Potter.
“What are you doing?!” Regulus yelped. James moved his face back, putting space in between the two boys, and Regulus ignored how cold he felt after the heat of his body was gone. James looked on the border between confusion and amusement, staring at Regulus in bewilderment.
“I- um, I-I was just coming out here to practice a bit, and I didn't mean to scare you! Honestly! That was just the best Wronski Feint I’ve ever seen…and then you fell of your broom, and er-”
Regulus stared at him for a second before remembering himself and forcing a mask of indifference. He didn't want James Potter to know how afraid he was just then.
“Thanks, I guess,” he said coolly. The other boy seemed taken aback by his unfriendliness. The two boys stared at each other, and Regulus was suddenly very aware of how close they were sitting, both straddling James’s broom and only inches apart. James’s hair was even more messed up than usual, somehow sticking up in every direction and giving the appearance that he just rolled out of bed. Maybe he had, Regulus thought. It was still barely sunrise and the rest of the castle was still asleep. Which again raised the question to Regulus ‘what on earth was he doing here?’
“What are you doing out here?” James said, obviously noticing the awkwardness and mirroring Regulus’s thought.
“Same as you, I suppose.” said Regulus, not meeting his confused stare. “I was just practicing a bit when you came and…startled me.” Regulus decided not mention how he had quite literally fallen off his broom. James looked sheepish.
“Yeah, sorry about that. I did come and rescue you thought.” he said with a half grin. Regulus raised an eyebrow. This boy didn't expect him to thank him again, did he? James was the one who basically knocked him off his broom in the first place.
“Anyway” James continued hurriedly at Regulus’s silence. “That was a really good Wronski Feint, I know you're only a first year so you can't try out, but next year you should definitely try out for seekers. I'm guessing you've played quidditch before?” He said it all rather fast in one breath, and Regulus took a moment to absorb it all, as well as get himself under control. He had to stop thinking about how close James was to him just now.
“Yeah, I have.” Regulus said shortly. James was unfazed by his lack of enthusiasm.
“As a seeker? I know Sirius is a Chaser but you seem like you would be better with the snitch.”
Regulus tried not to wince at the mention of his brother.
“No.” he said to James, keeping his face even and expressionless. “I've never tried seeker before.”
“You've got to!” James said, beaming. “C’mon. I can release a couple of snitches for you and we can see how you do…you might make the team second year! I don’t think Slytherin has a seeker, their last one just graduated and she was a slow one anyway.”
Regulus was taken aback by his excitement. James was talking to him almost as if they were good friends. As if he wasn't his best friend's brother, as if he wasn't a Slytherin and a Black. His glasses were askew, but he was looking at Regulus with earnest excitement sparkling in his eyes. Up close, Regulus noticed he had tiny freckles on the tip of his nose.
“Um.” Regulus said, straining for something to say so he wasn't left staring at this hazel-eyed Gryffindor.
“I'll think about it. Thanks, James.” a thrill shot through him saying the other boy's name. It felt strange on his tongue, like something that doesn't belong to him. James smiled a bit, looking at Regulus curiously.
“So, do you wanna toss a few snitches out?” James asked. “We still have an hour or two before breakfast. I usually have time to get in some solid drills before everyone is even awake.”
“I-” Regulus was suddenly reminded of the sorting hat, begging it to push him away from his only friend, to send him to Slytherin forever. “I don't think that's a good idea. I'm going to go in.”
He turned away before he could take back the words, but he couldn't move as he was still balanced on James’s broom. Regulus tried to steel his heart at the crestfallen expression on James’s face. He didn't know why James cared so much, or why the look of disappointment in those warm eyes made him want to tear apart the world until he made it go away.
“Ok, then.” James said, so painfully obviously trying to seem unaffected. This boy wouldn't last a day with Walburga, Regulus thought with a bitter laugh. His feelings were written on his face plain as day. He could imagine someone more different than Sirius, or him.
“I'll just-er-let you off then.”
James flew to the ground smoothly, and even at his awkward position Regulus couldn't fail to notice the effortless way James controlled his broom. He was a fantastic player, Regulus could tell. Regulus hopped off the broom quickly, ignoring James’s offered hand. His comet 260 was lying on the ground a few feet to their left, missing a few twigs but thankfully unharmed. James watched as Regulus snatched it up and sped-walk to the broom shed. He would just go straight to breakfast, he thought. Going to wake up Evan and Barty and deal with their questions was too much just now. Regulus slid a hand through his hair, attempting to flatten his windswept curls. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught James chuckling at him.
“What?” he said in a flat voice. James looked amused.
“Oh, nothing. It's just that Sirius does the same thing all the time. He spends hours fixing his hair.”
Regulus held back that this was probably due to Walburga forcing them to have perfect appearances since the age of four. Unbrushed hair would have earned Sirius at least a day locked in his room, or worse. Regulus didn't laugh.
“Just because I prioritize my appearance.” he said coolly. “Does not mean I am vain.” he gave James a clear up-down with his eyes. “You should try it sometime.”
James didn't get angry, or hurt, or leave like Regulus expected him to. He didn't even seem fazed by the ice in Regulus’s tone.
“Nah.” James said, still grinning. “Not for me.”
Regulus rolled his eyes and started for the dining hall, leaving James alone on the Quidditch pitch. No wonder his brother likes this boy so much. He shone so bright it was hard to miss, and Sirius always liked shiny things.
Footsteps pattered behind him and James appeared by his side, casually looping his arm with Regulus’s. Regulus felt himself stiffen immediately. He wasn't used to physical touch, much less affection. James took no notice, but started talking cheerfully about his Quidditch ambitions as he practically dragged Regulus to the dining hall. Regulus forced his shoulders to relax, breathing in deep through his nose. He had to relax. But what was this boy thinking? James felt warm beside him, their sides were so close they were almost touching, and Regulus could feel the subtle beating of his heart through his soft crimson sweater. Regulus snuck a look in his direction, but James was already looking at him and their eyes met in a moment that seemed to hang in the air. Blush rose furiously to his cheeks, but he noted with some pleasure that as James looked away, his face was tinted rosy.
“where-are you going straight to the dining hall?” Regulus asked, trying very hard not to stammer.
“Yes, aren't you?”
“Er-” Regulus didn't understand what the other boy wasn't seeing. “no-I should go up to my room and-”
“You seemed headed for the dining hall before.” James broke in, looking at Regulus confusedly.
“Well, yes. But since you’re going I should probably go up-”
“Why?” James interrupted again, hazel eyes wide and looking for all the world like a lost puppy dog. Regulus wondered if he was going to have to spell it out for him.
“I'm a Slytherin. And a Black.” he looked at James pointedly, who said nothing but stared at him with raised eyebrows. “You’re a Gryffindor, as well as my brother's best friend.”
James nodded. “Yes, indeed Regulus, all of that is true.” Regulus forced himself not to chuckle.
“We don't mix.” Regulus finished shortly. “How do you think it would look for us to appear in the dining hall together? I don't want to ruin your perfect reputation with my dark scary family.” he said it sarcastically, but somewhere deep down Regulus felt a sharp pang. James paused for a moment, looking at Regulus’s muddied shoes. Finally, he looked up.
“Do you think I care about any of that?”
“I-um-well yeah…” Regulus said. A flash of hurt passed over James’s face.
“Well.” the other boy said matter of factly. “It doesn't. Come on, we’re gonna be late for breakfast.” and he took off walking in the direction of the dining hall once again.
Stunned and slightly bemused, Regulus smoothed his jacket, shook out his hair, and let himself be dragged along by James Potter.