Third year -Top Secret Marauders Business
James potter
James sits in charms class quite bored. He wishes he has something more entertaining to occupy his mind with, Sirius sits next to him he’s fidgeting with his hands and he’s sure Sirius is thinking the same thing.
“Pst” James whispers. Sirius turns his head to him. “Hm?” Sirius hums.
“We should do something after classes. We’ve been dull as of late” James suggests
“Like what” Sirius raises his brows intriguingly.
“I dunno. The ducks were cool. We could do something like that” James whispers back.
“Yeah we should ask moony and Pete, they’re usually the brainstormers” Sirius huffs a laugh.
“Hey” James nudges Sirius’s arm “ we come up with ideas too”
“Yeah. Yeah we do” Sirius nods in agreement,
James gets out of class and Sirius goes off to tell Remus and Peter about brainstorming ideas and James is off to honeydukes to look for ideas.
James walks up to the entrance and he hears footsteps come up on him.
“What are you doing here?” James whips around and his eyes connect with regulus.
He stands about four feet away from James. He has a dark green sweater and black pants.
“Regulus “ James coughs out. “Godric you scared me” he brings a hand up to his chest.
“You’ll live” regulus snorts a laugh.
James analyzes Regulus’s face. His usual pale cheeks are flushed pink. his usual neat dark curls are in his face. He looks away from James’s gaze.
“Why are you here?” He questions.
“I’m just going to honey- nothing” James clears his throat. Hoping regulus doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
“How do you know about honeydukes? Have you been following me?” Regulus squints at him.
“What? No! No” James straightens his jumper. “Remus found out about it on first year. how did you find out about it”
Regulus rolls his eyes “That’s none of your business “ he asserts looking back away from James,
James grins at him “okat, I’ll uh see you” James turns back towards the entrance.
“What? No, I'm coming with " Regulus protests.
“We’ll alright then keep up” James teases.
“Shove off. I’m keeping up just fine” regulus huffs. Following James along the entrance .
They get to the trapdoor and James lets Regulus in front of him “you first” James says politely
Regulus turns to him, his eyes glaring right into James’s. “Why?” He squints.
“I dunno I thought you would want to” James shrugs. His chest feels tight like it’s going to explode if he takes a breath.
Regulus brings his hand up to James’s chest. And picks at his jumper “cat hair” , Regulus looks at his hand that holds an orange colored hair. “Jesus potter. , you’re covered in cat hair” regulus backs away. Wiping his hands on his pants.
James feels his chest loosen. “Sorry” he laughs “Paul’s my weak spot”
“Paul?” regulus furrows his brows.
“The cat. "James smiles stupidly , Regulus' face turns red once more.
“You’re an idiot , Potter” Regulus rolls his eyes. Looking away from him to the trap door again.
“One of my many qualities black” he shrugs, grinning stupidly.
“I’d say it’s your main quality” regulus huffs a laugh. Jumping slightly to enter the trapdoor.
He stands above James, looking down at him. James looks up at him for a moment.
He’s quite beautiful.
“What? Can you not get up by yourself or something ” regulus makes fun.
“Of course i can” James knocks back into reality he jumps up into honeydukes.
Regulus and James' eyes lock for a second before regulus turns on his heel towards the candy. James follows him . Looking at the back of his head analyzing his dark curls.
“You’re following me” , regulus states. Stopping in his tracks.
“What no I’m not” James defends looking away from his locks. Regulus whips around to face him.
“What are you even doing here?” he questions squinting at James
James adjusts his glasses “Top secret marauders business” James answers.
“Is that code for being stupid? “ Regulus tilts his head.
“No.” James laughs . “I’m a marauder, and This is business ” Regulus rolls his eyes, turning back to the sweets.
“Nothing you say makes sense,” regulus huffs a laugh.
“Well I was telling Sirius we need to do something fun. Like a prank . So that’s why I’m here”
“A prank. What are you five years old? "Regulus picks out a chocolate bar.
“At heart always.”
“So what? you got ditched so now you’re here by yourself “ regulus asks smugly.
“I wasn’t ditched. Sirius is brainstorming with Peter and Remus. Who are the brainstormers and Sirius likes to call himself a brain stormer when he really just distracts them. And ends up getting kicked out of the library for being to loud “
“Well that sounds like him,” regulus laughs.
His laugh is like a songbird. So angelic you could hear it all day. James just wants to tell jokes to him forever to get more laughter from him.
“And well I like honey dukes, they have all sorts of stuff. And a whole lot of ants” James kneels down to the floor to see a line of ants making their way to a hole in the wall.
“Ants” regulus looks at James. a look of confusion painted over his face.
“To turn into ducks. Y’know last spring when the great hall was filled with ducks?” James turns his head to look up to regulus.
“That was you?” regulus raises his brows and a slight smile appears on his face. Making James' heart flutter. A smile instantly plasters across James’s face.
“Yup. Here I can show you” James grabs his wand and points it at the ant, whispering the duck jinx to it.
Regulus gasps lightly at the duck that appears on the ground.
“Cool right?” James picks up the duck and stands up. Regulus looks away from him and the duck. “It’s okay “
James's smile spreads ear to ear. “Oh please regulus stop with the flattery” he brings his hand to his heart.
“Regulus rolls his eyes. “That’s not flattery, ugh-” regulus walks away from him to the other side of the store. But same can still see the slight smile on his face
“You are a complete and utter idiot James Potter”
“Why thank you” James grins , his chest tightens at the sound of his name. Tucking the duck under his arm.
“That was not a compliment. Good godric. ” regulus sights bringing a hand to his forehead.
“It’s hard to think you’re telling the truth with a smile on your face” James hums teasingly. Looking away from regulus to the candy.
The room fills with silence and James looks back to regulus. His face is bright red. And he’s shooting a glare at James. James grins, dropping the duck that waddles over to regulus.
“How in the world does my brother put up with you?”
James opens his mouth but Regulus interrupts. “Wait. he's just as annoying as you. So great you too are perfect for eachother. Regulus leans down and picks up the duck.
“James? Pst James” he hears someone whisper. James spins around to the entrance l
“Sirius?” James squibs adjusting his glasses.
“Hey. Got kicked out of brainstorming.” Sirius huffs, rolling his eyes. “James. I’m not annoying and distracting right? ” Sirius questions. James opens his mouth to answer but gets interrupted once more.
“I’d say you are,” regulus interrupts. Sirius whips his head to regulus. “Reg!” Sirius’s face lights up.
“What are you doing up here?” Sirius asks. Tilting his head to the side.
“You told me where to find this place. I can come here whenever I like” Regulus answers , placing the duck to the ground. The duck decides to stay in Regulus's shoes.
“You told him? I thought this was marauders business “ James testifies looking at Sirius then back to regulus. Regulus instantly looks away from him to the ground. James feels his chest tighten again at the split second their eyes met.
“He is a marauder,” Sirius replies. Pointing his arm towards his brother.
“No I am not” Regulus protests . Furrowing his brows, his face scrunching up in disgust . “Whatever stupid ‘marauders group” you’re in , I have no part of it
“But reggy-“ Sirius starts. Regulus sucks in a rigid breath. “Stop calling me that stupid nickname “
“It’s not stupid. “
“Just get on with your dumb prank and leave me be” regulus crosses his arms to his chest.
“Okay” Sirius says softly. He runs a hand through his hair. “You won’t tell mom and dad about this right?”
Regulus’s face drops, his hands unfold from his chest. “No. I won’t” Regulus whispers back.
Sirius’s body relaxes as he sighs in exasperation. “Okay “ he smiles lightly.” Jamesie. Did you find anything? It’s alright if you haven’t because I’m sure those two have come up with about ten since I left”
“Nada” James shakes his head. “Honestly. I just came here for sweets”
Sirius huffs a laugh. “Well good, cause so did i”.
James and Sirius finish grabbing sweets and make their way out of honeydukes. Regulus follows behind quietly.
They get to the hallway and Sirius is checking his pockets.
“Shit” Sirius sighs. “James, you don’t mind walking back alone right. Because I forgot my wand in the library”
“Yeah I’m fine. See you back in our room?”
“Yup. See ya reggy” he waves running down the hallway.
James turns around on his heel. He faces Regulus and he's still holding the duck. He rolls his eyes at his brothers running.
“He’s an idiot.”
James smiles lightly and Regulus looks at him with a blank expression.
“Well I’ll see you on the flip side.” James says . He watched as Regulus’s face flushes once more.
“That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard “ he huffs a laugh.
“We’ll if he keep hanging out you're going to hear more stupid things.” James smiles.
“We’re not going to be ‘hanging out’ “ regulus pushes the duck to James’s chest. “We’re not friends.” He states.
“Why not?” James holds the duck to him . He furrows his brows, a slight frown making its way into his lips.
“Because I don’t like you” he answers blankly.
“Sure you don’t reg” James teases
“Shut up. Don’t call me that. We’re never going to be friends. So stop trying” he hisses at James taking a step back.
“I don’t understand-“
“You” he points. “And your entire family are blood traitors. Okay, I won’t be associated with you”
James feels his stomach curl up in knots. His eyes sting.
“My stupid brother might fraternize with you, but I refuse to. You really think he’s going to be friends with you forever? He’ll snap out of it eventually. And mother and father will be right.” Regulus Takes one more step back. He glares at James and points his finger to him.
James opens his mouth to speak. But it’s like words refuse to leave his mouth.
“He’s only friends with you because he wants to rebel. And he’ll drop you as soon as he finds a better opportunity, ” he adds.
James feels his chin wobble. “That’s not true he’s my best friend-l
“You can’t really think that’s true. That is exactly what I thought before he le-“ Regulus Stops. His lips are turned into a small frown.
“Before what?” James questions.
“It doesn’t matter jam-. Just leave me alone . And keep your stupid duck” Regulus tightens his jaw and turns around. Leaving James behind.
James feels tears make their way to his eyes, his chest heaves up and down. He places the duck onto the ground. As tears fall down his cheeks . He hates that’s he’s crying right now.
How emotional could you be to be crying over something so stupid. James thinks
He wiped his wet face with his sleeve, his glasses move up from the arch of his nose for a moment, as he wiped his tears.
He looks at the back of Regulus’s head. His dark curls are all he focuses upon. Regulus turns his head around for a moment. And James’s heart stops just for a moment as well. Regulus’s eyes widen and he turns his head to face forward.
James turns around as well and makes his way back to his dorm. Wiping his face of the tears left behind.