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1.Pandora
Look, it hadn’t been Pandoras proudest moment to watch as Regulus accepted the tea James offered him, the one she knew Barty had tainted with a 24-hour love potion. But what was she to do, they may not be known for it like some certain Gryffindor’s, but some of the Slytherins were quite avid pranksters, and they had resolved this was their next great feat; to watch as their close friend is made a fool, fawning over James Potter.
It was an easy plan to set in place seeing as since the moment James had made decided to find civil ground with Regulus, he had been with presenting him with a cup of tea every breakfast. This persisted well past them building something close to friendship. Still every morning stood James Potter in front of the Slytherin table with a cup of tea and still every morning Regulus took it with the same grumbling and attempted disregard sometimes following with brief conversation. Though on occasion Pandora had seen the two looking at each other and caught the ghost of a smile on Regulus’ face, presumably his polite nature gaining a small win in showing his appreciation for the drink.
He took his first sip looked to James with the same irked expression as per every other day,
“Today the day you poison me Potter?” he asked drinking more of the tea
“Not yet Black, first I need you to realize the tea as a friendship offer and not a murder ploy.” James responded
“Right, so you befriend your victims first. Got it.” Regulus shot back a teasing grin growing on his face, something rare but not unheard of.
His words left James rethinking his sentence and letting out a groan, “You’re impossible”
“Only thanks to your persistence.”
Regulus craned his head back to catch James eye and shot that small appreciative smile towards the fond grin he was receiving. Their looks were cut off by the marauders calling James over to join them for food before someone ate all the toast. He looked over to them and then back to the table in front of him.
“Alright then, I best be off. Enjoy your tea Reg.” he finished with a cheeky smile turning and walking away while Regulus muttered after him
“Don’t call me that.”
Once James had made his way back to his table, Barty, Evan, Dorcas, and Pandora, who were watching the interaction intensely, looked between each other questioningly. Really there was nothing abnormal about their interaction, perhaps the potion needed a moment to kick in? or just maybe, Regulus acted normal around James when under a love potion was because loving James was already his normal?
Pandora had to chide herself on her thinking, one interaction was nowhere near enough to be building those kinds of theories.
***
But then it happened again, Regulus and Pandora were at their usual spot in the library waiting on the rest of their study group, Remus, and Lily, when James came rushing over to them a sheet of paper in hand which he placed down on the table careful not to make too much of a disruption. On the top of the page was an angry red scribbled 23%. Pandora and Regulus looked back to James who stood watching them and when he gathered they’d seen it began his rushed talking
“I’m so sorry to bother you with this but Remus always says about how good you are with potions Reg, and I mean as you can see I’m pretty bloody shit at it. So maybe you could lend a little hand if you have the time?” It was a sight to see, James Potter minus the confident aura, Pandora was a little taken aback by it, but Regulus only shrugged and made room for him on the bench.
Muttering a “don’t call me Reg” as he got back to his work, while also lending notes to James here and there, guiding him through the trickier bits and offering slight criticisms, never harshly, always left open ended, a “do you want to try that again” or “what about this step here?.” Similar to how he would speak to any of the students he took up for tutoring. Pandora eyed them constantly, looking for anything out of the ordinary, yet there was nothing to be found. This was the average interaction between Regulus and James, and to have that while Regulus was being influenced- or seemingly not influenced- by love potion. It really could only mean one thing.
Pandora didn’t get the chance to think too much into it though before Lily and Remus showed up, taking their seats, and acknowledging their new company with only a nod as they saw how he was between looking intently at his work and listening to Regulus. In any case, Pandora didn’t think much with Lily around, especially not when they were sat beside each other on one of the library benches, shoulders occasionally brushing, every soft laugh the other let out at one of the few jokes made by the group reverberating through Pandoras spine in a shiver. Though she’d never say it aloud, Lily Evans may have been the reason she had to show up for study group early, to get something done before half of her attention left her to reside closer to the girl.
By the time they’d wrapped up their studying Pandora had completed a grand sum of nothing, between observing for differences in Regulus, and the distraction Lily provided. As they were walking out Lily caught up to her, matching her stride as they walked through the halls.
“So, tell me, what’re you up to with Regulus and James?” Lily asked
“Uh, nothing?” she replied unconvincingly
“Come on Dora, for at least half of that session you practically had them under a microscope. What is it?”
Pandora wasn’t sure how to answer that, though she did note and tuck away the implication that Lily had been watching her for at least half of their session. She wondered if Lily would take kindly to knowing one of her closest friends had been tricked into giving out an illicit potion and unknowingly putting one of her other friends under its influence. She guessed she’d find out the answer to that in the end, Pandora would tell her anything with the eyes she was getting from her in that moment, Pandora wondered if maybe Lily knew the effect they had on her.
“Barty may have slipped a little twenty-four-hour love potion into the tea James gave Reg this morning as a prank.”
To her surprise Lily let out a loud laugh at this
“Right, and how’s that proving for you guys?” she asked with a knowing tone
“He was already there aye?” Pandora replied
“Ass over tits in love they are” Lily said with a smile
“They’re together?” Pandora queried
“Oh no, they may be in love but they’re still oblivious prats.” Lily said with a fond chuckle, “of course I’d do some meddling there but really that’s more the lads work, and I mean, a girls got to look out for her own oblivious crushes.” She added that last bit with a look Pandora couldn’t put a name to.
She was a little dejected at knowing Lily fancied someone, of course she knew it would happen and her crush would remain unrequited but to hear it was something different. A little too late and with a little less energy she replied
“Yeah, I guess she does.”
Lily only looked at her with that expression again smiling fondly, the two were stood at the corner they’d have to part. Pandora mirrored Lilys smile and went to turn away shooting back a
“Goodnight… and uh good luck with that oblivious crush of yours, if they’ve any sense at all I’m sure they feel the same.”
Lilys smile softened “Goodnight Dora.” The two walked their separate ways but not so far for Pandora to miss Lily muttering “Totally oblivious” behind her.
She’d think about that later, now it was time to meet Evan, Barty, and Dorcas and see if they’d managed to come to the same realization.
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2. Evan
Regulus and Evan were sat under the cooling shade of a tree both comfortable in the grass immersed in their books and enjoying each other’s quiet company. They were disrupted when more shadows joined those of the branches looming overhead. When he pulled his eyes forward he found them coming from Regulus’ brother and his band of dolts.
“What d’you need Sirius?” Regulus mumbled at his brother
Sirius put a hand to his heart in mock offence “Dear brother, I am after nothing but your company. Frankly I am offended by the suggestion that I might only seek it when in need of something- “
Regulus rolled his eyes putting on a face to indicate him being truly fed up with his brother, though they all knew better than to believe that. “Spit it out Sirius we don’t have all day.” he said unenthused
“We need more players to make teams for a holiday quidditch match we want to throw. Interested?” Sirius finally let out, behind him James was watching Regulus brightly
Regulus’ brow quirked “what’s in it for me?”
Sirius floundered around for a little bit searching for an answer, in the meantime though James jumped in suggesting “a good friendly competition and a little fun?”
Regulus rolled his eyes
Peter piped up then “We’ll fully steer clear of your dorm room whenever we prank the Slytherins.”
Now this was an offer which piqued Evans interest, he was about to volunteer Regulus himself when Remus stepped “Plus” he said leaning into Regulus’ ear to whisper something Evan couldn’t fully make out though he caught the words “James” and “quidditch uniform” whatever he said it made Regulus’ cheeks flushed red and almost immediately he relented “fine, we’ll do it.” he said
This started Evan right out of his wondering, “sorry, we? Reg, I don’t even play quidditch in the school year. Get fucked with that “we””
“No time to learn like mid game, get some of that friendly competition Ev. We’re in.” Regulus reiterated and there really was no point in arguing that.
Peter, Remus, Sirius, and James hung around the two for a while. The six chatting idly among each other. Evan wasn’t entirely sure when the two friend groups were brought to one but as he and Peter laughed heartily with each other, as Remus stole his book to decide if he deemed it worth stealing later, as he bashed Sirius around like a second you ger brother, and as he and James shared mischievous glances when the same thought occurred to both of them, he found he didn’t care so much for how it happened but found it more important to appreciate the fact it happened at all. Unexpectedly Evan found a family here where he truly least expected it.
He must have shown his sentimentality on his face because James was giving him a questioning look to which he could only smile and wave a hand in front of his face in a “don’t worry about it” gesture.
James turned back to Regulus, who was telling some story Evans couldn’t quite follow, for the first time he saw the look on James’ face as he looked at Regulus. it spoke more words than he thought either of them capable of. Evan almost couldn’t believe he never caught it.
James had never been one to hide his emotions, but Evan never really took much note as to what he was looking at, now he knew what he was trying to find the adoration was so evident it’d take a fool to miss. He looked at Regulus like the man had hung the stars in the sky personally from him. But when he looked to Regulus he found a look that said he would do that if it’d makes James happy. It could very well just be the love potion taking Evan considered, but something was telling him it was more, as he thought back to all the mornings James offered him tea, all the conversations, and offhand glances, they were all full of that same immense adoration. On top of that, Remus had whispered something to Regulus about James in a quidditch uniform and he threw both their asses into the pit without hesitation.
There was no denying it really, Regulus Black and James Potter were greatly, irrevocably, balls deep in love with each other.
He would really need to mention that later when they got together about this.
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3. Dorcas
She probably should have said something.
When Barty suggested the idea in the first place, she probably should have said something about the more than questionable ethics. Then again when James handed Regulus the tea, they should have said something. Dorcas was chastising themself for not from the moment Regulus took that first sip and she prepared to see him do something he would never forgive them for letting him do. That was until that moment never came, he merely went about his morning, sipping down more of the tampered tea and not loudly professing his love to James Potter.
For a second they were stunned, thinking maybe the potion hadn’t been quite right. Her first real indication it may have been working, after bearing witness to several interactions between the two which were seemingly normal, was when they were walking down the hall and James dropped his things, Dorcas watched Regulus swiftly drop to the floor and gather them, shoving the books into the other’s arms and giving his glasses a wipe before setting them carefully back on the bridge of James’ nose.
They realized then that Regulus was never going to jump onto a table and start screaming to Hogwarts he was in love with James Potter, because that’s never been how Regulus showed his love to anybody.
Regulus loved quietly, it was in the way he made Barty’s bed in the mornings, in the way he even knew the other was always too tired to do it but liked crawling under neat blankets. It was right there where he would always throw an extra book into his carry bag for Remus or Evan lest they forget theirs going somewhere. Or the way he brought Dorcas and Pandora pastries whenever he saw them knowing which their favourites were. The more they thought about it the more they saw the love Regulus had been giving James that day, and really every other day.
He knew the class schedules of all the marauders but would chide only James when he saw him rushing through the corridors. He went to every Gryffindor quidditch game, “in support of Sirius” but still showed in the weeks Sirius had broken his arm, cheering enthusiastically, and giving sly thumbs up at James. Every time he got distracted in classes they shared, Regulus would take extra notes and then ball them up to throw at the back of his head pulling James’ attention back to the lesson.
Dorcas really should have seen it; it was so blaringly obvious if someone were to make a neon sign declaring it they’d bet no one would take so much as a second glance at the words.
Regulus may have loved quietly, but quiet didn’t mean unspoken, the neon sign was in every glance, touch, and action.
It read so very clearly “Regulus Black is in love with James Potter.”
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4.Barty
Barty knew what it looked like to love Regulus Black, it’s a look he had once seen in his own face until the two decided they’d rather keep their friendship intact over pursuing their feelings, some would call them cowards for it but in the end their feelings fizzled out and they remained as close as ever. But whatever the circumstance the bottom line remained, Barty knew that look, and he saw it on James Potters face every waking day.
Not only that but he knew what it looked like to be loved by Regulus Black, and you bet your ass he saw that every time his mate looked at James.
Barty saw it, he knew they loved each other but he also knew they were both oblivious and too dense to actually make any moves for fear of stepping on each other’s toes. So, if he gave a slight to his friends, what’s that to anybody.
The plan was simple enough and worked efficiently, he didn’t want to give himself too much credit but really Barty thought himself to be quite the genius for his little plan. He just hoped it had worked
When the four met back in the Slytherin boys dorm, he was overjoyed by the results. They took their usual spots lounged around the room and within five seconds it was out in the air
“So…. Reg was already in love with him” Evan spoke from his spot
“So, he was” Pandora replied
“So, so very in love” Dorcas added
They all looked between each other and burst out with laughter
“How did we not see it.” Pandora shouted
Dorcas chimed in with an astonished “Painfully obvious right?”
And Evan saying, “Can’t believe it took some nonsense plan of Barty’s for us to see.”
“Bet you didn’t see that coming when you thought of it aye B.” Pandora said teasingly
But upon seeing the smug look adorning his face the three seemed to realize that actually yes, he did see that coming.
“Barty,” Evan started slowly, watching him intently, “did you do all this knowing Reg was in love with James.”
Quite bashfully Barty replied looking up at Evan through his eyelashes “Maybe” he said stretching out the word until the mask of it became thin enough for everyone to know he did exactly that.
“And pray tell. Why might you have done that?” Dorcas asked
Barty hadn’t considered the part where he may actually have to voice his plan, out loud it sounded much, much, less put together.
“Uh, because none of you were seeing it so I figured I’d just find a way for them to realize Regulus is in love with James because eventually one of you will say something and Reg will have to admit his feelings to someone. Frankly it’s been quite annoying watching those two daft fucks be perfect for each other and so incredibly in love but remain so, so, oblivious to each other.”
The three looked at him mirrored looks of confusion across their faces.
“Let me get this straight.” Pandora says, “You were tired of James and Reg dancing around each other?”
“yes”
“And you figured the best way to get it out there was for us to figure it out because, yeah, we can’t keep jack to ourselves sometimes?”
“Yes exactly.”
“So, instead of just maybe telling us you devised a whole plan centered around slipping our friend a love potion and hoping us three were vigilant enough to catch on?”
“You would be following pretty much perfectly yes.” Barty conceded with a nod
“My goodness B, you are quite literally the most dramatic, off the walls person I have ever met.” Evan said both exasperated and impressed by what he’s hearing.
“Yeah but you love me despite.” Barty teased
“No, I love you regardless.” Evan muttered fond and unthinking in response
Barty faltered for a second on a smile, sure he knew Evan loved him, he knew everyone in the room did, they didn’t say it much, they never needed to it was evident, and he tried to show them the same in return. But there was something in the way Evan had been so keen and sure in his answer and something in the bashful smile he was getting that made Barty’s heart swell. Something he couldn’t put his thumb on, deciding to leave it for a later date.
Dorcas cleared her throat “as interesting and as long awaited as it would be to have that conversation about,” they waved their hand vaguely between Barty and Evan “all that. We have other focuses right now. It’d be quite the waste to have given him that potion to no furthering in how things actually are between Regulus and James. So tell me, what’s the plan?”
-
+1 Regulus & James
Regulus was going to murder Barty.
“Really Barty, couldn’t think of anything better than a fucking broom cupboard.” He yelled at the door hoping Barty was still standing out there somewhere
“Look, I’m sorry Reg but all my genius went into one other plan you weren’t supposed to know about. Dorcas wants to tell you anyway though which is partially the reason for the cupboard, I need to watch my safety and all.”
James from where he stood, far too close, just looked very confused “You have any idea at all what’s going on here?”
“Not even a little bit.” Regulus replied
Pandoras voice broke through the door, “Okay so basically, the entirety of yesterday Regulus was under the influence of this love potion, we put it in the tea. So, he was supposed to you know, be all in love with you for the day. But the thing is, he didn’t act any different, and we pretty much gathered that you’re both in love with each other but too afraid to say it. Fully intended to let you figure it out on your own but that felt like a waste of a perfectly good potion if you actually get nowhere. So….. broom cupboard. Alright that’s everything, you two have fun in there. We’ll be going now.”
Regulus and James were left staring at the door in shock “those fuckers, I mean those fuckers. Slipping me a potion right under my nose. Barty was right about needing protection. Mark my words when I get out of here-” He muttered to himself getting lost down a trail too quiet to hear but undoubtably violent.
“So, Reg” James cut in getting Regulus’ attention.
“Don’t call me that” he muttered then turning his full attention to James “yes James?”
“Were they right, with what they gathered there.” He asked sheepishly
Regulus shrugged “I guess it’s pretty common knowledge now that I’m a little bit in love with you, so really you tell me, were they?”
“yeah” James said just above a whisper, meeting Regulus’ eyes “yeah, they were right. I’m kind of in love with you.”
Regulus, for all he tried to fight it, just couldn’t keep the smile off his face. “cool” he replied matching the quiet tone James had taken
“cool” James smiled
They stood as they were for a moment, too grinning fools, neither sure what move to make before the reality of it all hit Regulus and a snort escaped from him, he leant his head against James’ shoulder as the laughter took over. James seemed to be going through the same thing as he collapsed into it breathing laughs into Regulus’ curls.
“Wow, I can’t believe It took this much for us to buck up about it.” James said once they’d calmed a little
“Is it really bucking up if Barty basically herded us together? I mean really I’ve been keeping this in for like three years, probably could’ve gone another three.”
“Whatever you call it, I’m glad for it, I don’t think I would’ve survived another three years without you. I’m a little bit mad for you Reg.”
“I’m a little bit mad for you as well James.”
Regulus and James stand for a second looking at each other, caged into a broom cupboard, hopeless, foolish, and desperately in love. Regulus’ face aches from the smiling and he’s shamelessly fawning over James Potter, getting lost in his doe eyes that’re just filled with more emotion than he knows what to do with, he takes a tentative step forward, slightly too aware of the caginess of the cupboard. It’s all slightly overwhelming in the best way possible.
In a split second though it all disappears. Because oh, James Potter is kissing him.
Oh, James Potter is kissing him and nothing else in the tiny room or outside of it matters.
He almost forgets to kiss back, when he does the two allow themselves to get lost in each other. There were no fireworks as always described, no huge, incredible, feeling. Only one of complete and utter comfort. Something about the moment just felt right.
They pull apart and look at each other for a second, swollen lips smiling brightly at each other, lovesick minds forgetting for a brief moment they have other things to think about.
Regulus will still absolutely be threatening each of his friends heavily once he gets out, but maybe just maybe he could be a little thankful for love potions, broom cupboard, and the conniving dolts he adores.