James was… James.
the library was almost empty, there were some students studying, but overall there weren’t a lot of people there.
Regulus sat down on one of the many bay windows, and grabbed the letter out of his bag. the paper was a little creased, and the ink was leaking, but he opened the letter anyway.
Regulus,
Pete has been acting strange, really strange. we don’t know what to do about it, we can’t ignore him, that would make us suspicious. Meetings of the order have been rescheduled, for now, at least. we haven’t told anyone else why, just to not tell anyone in the order about anything; since there might be wrong people with us.
i still don’t want to believe it, to be honest. but everything is pointing towards it; and i think this is the point where we need to be careful. Life’s been too good lately, i don’t want to die young, or something.
i hope things are good at Hogwarts, please just enjoy your last year, you’re going to regret it if you don’t.
greetings,
Prongs
ps: Pads didn’t want me to tell you this, but he misses you, lots; please contact him, i know you miss him too.
Regulus smiled at the last part, he had been so busy with school, he had almost completely forgot to contact the left over marauders. ‘left over’ sounded strange, Peter wasn’t dead or anything; but he was gone. the Pete they had known would never return, never would they meet him again.
he was concerned about the first part, Peter being distant to them wasn’t necessarily a good sign. Regulus wasn’t only concerned for them, but he also felt bad for them; he could only imagine what it would feel like if his best friends betrayed him suddenly, and that imagination hurt; it would be a bazillion times worse if it actually happened.
James was right, he did miss Sirius. he missed him lots. lately it had felt like he was closer to Sirius than ever, but it also felt like Regulus was accidentally distancing himself from him.
he opened his bag and grabbed a piece of parchment, switching it with the letter. Regulus also grabbed his last bag of the invisibility candy, taking some out, and keeping them in his pocket.
dear Prongs,
that’s awful. please stay safe, all of you. let me know if the meetings are starting again, i’d love to attend.
i understand, well, i actually don’t; can’t imagine what it must feel like, i’m terribly sorry.
things are okay here, just some difficult classes, nothing major, though. off point, i know, but my friends and i went to honeydukes a couple of days ago, they have some new candy! (the ones i send you guys, with this letter) i figured you guys would like them, a shame they didn’t exist when you guys were still at school; could have used them for cool things.
is Sirius home? you’re right, i do miss him. don’t you dare tell him that, though. can you ask him if he can talk tonight, maybe? i think i can make it work to be at a fireplace around 9:30.
stay save,
Reg
he put a spell on the letter, making the candy package stick to it. he walked of to the owlery, rushing a little because his next class was in ten minutes.
the rest of the day was quite boring, not much happened; dinner was good though, like always, but there was this pie Regulus thought James would love. he was thinking lots about James, lately. for some reason Regulus missed him too, more than he would expect, seeing they were never really that close; obviously Regulus had always liked James, i mean, what was there not to like about him? James had everything Regulus didn’t have, yet he didn’t act like that. James was… James.
at around nine, Evan, Barty and Regulus eventually went up to their dorms; curfew and everything. they talked about school stuff for a while and after they all went to bed, since tomorrow was a school day again.
Regulus waited for a bit, until he knew for sure they were asleep; he got properly dressed again, grabbed the invisibility candy, and walked out as quietly as possible.
he was going to the prefects room again, but he ate some of the candy beforehand, he didn’t want to risk being caught; detention wouldn’t be in his favor, right now.
Regulus closed the door of the room behind him, once again being greeted by the huge bath, and on his right seeing the sitting area, where he once again sat in front of the fireplace, and said:
“Potter mansion!”
as he closed his eyes and pushed his head into the hot flames, immediately being greeted by the lovely living room of the Potter’s.
James was sitting on one of the chairs, reading a paper; at first Regulus had thought it was Fleamont, but it actually was James, who, as he grew older, started to look more and more like his father.
Sirius and Remus were both sitting on the couch, laughing at a photo book, or something. Regulus assumed it was a photo book with old pictures of James, since they kept laughing at him, while James gave them a death stare every couple of seconds.
Regulus stayed quiet for a bit, and just enjoyed the environment. the looks on all their faces made him happy, even though he was almost sure most of the laughing, and being happy, was to hide the pain they were, still, in.
Sirius looked so happy, the look in his eyes was one of the happiest Regulus had ever seen. Moony sitting next to him, looking just as happy. Even though Regulus knew it was impossible for him to ever experience love - if that was what it was called - like that, he wished it more than anything. he wished, he hoped, but he knew in the back of his mind it could never be.
“ah Regulus! how lovely to see you, my dear!” Euphemia suddenly said, as she came into the room, making the men in the living room turn to her, then turn to the fireplace.
she clicked her tongue and put both hands on her waist, looking disappointingly at the three boys sitting in the living room.
“James, you have a GUEST.”
“yes mom, i know.”
“well then!”
she said, as she walked away again, shaking her head. It took a bit of time for them to re-realize Regulus was there too, and then they focused on him again
“Reg! it’s so good to see you! how have you been?” Sirius said, as he sat down in front of the fireplace, James and Remus joining him.
“i’ve been great, thanks. how are you guys?”
“i don’t even know, it’s weird, to be honest.” James said, making the others nod.
“it’s just strange, a lot to think about.”
Regulus nodded, he felt awful about the entire thing, even though nothing about it was his fault.
“have you heard anything from, well, anyone?” Remus said again
“no, only the letter of Pettigrew, but i already told you guys about it.” Regulus looked at Sirius, “maybe i’ll send Cissy a letter, figure she probably knows if there’s something going on.”
Sirius nodded. “yeah, that’s a good idea,” he stopped, and was about to talk again until James interrupted him. “be careful, Regulus.” making Sirius and Remus turn to him, not expecting that.
“what? i’m just saying. he needs to be careful!” James said, defending himself. Sirius rolled his eyes and Remus let out a little smirk, while raising his eyebrows at James, making him look away quicker than someone could say quidditch.
“i will be safe. i’ve been doing this type of things for ages now! and i mean, i haven’t died or anything, yet, so how bad could it be to send my cousin a letter? **”
they sat and chatted for a bit, just about random things; nothing serious.
“hey uh, Prongs, i think, wait did you see my new uh record, yet?” Remus suddenly said, looking at James while standing up.
“what? you haven’t even bought,” James started, but when he saw Remus was looking at Sirius and Regulus, he finally caught on. “oh of course you have! that uh, well, bye Regulus!” James said as he walked away, quickly waving at Regulus.
“are you sure you’re okay? i haven’t heard anything from you in ages, i was worried sick, Regulus!” Sirius said, once they were alone.
“as i said, i am, i’m just you know, busy. school, and stuff.”
Sirius nodded, he grabbed the bottle of butterbeer standing behind him and took a big sip, taking a cigarette out of his pocket and lighting it with his wand only seconds later.
“thanks for the candy, you’re right, i’m quite pissed they didn’t come out with it earlier; we could have used it for so many fun things.”
Regulus laughed, a genuine one this time. he was happy, it was moments like this that made him happy; these simple moments, nothing special. just being with friends.