Chapter 5- Sectets
6:30 P.M.
James was still on the quidditch pitch. He couldn't bring himself to go back to the common room.
He thought about everything that had happen today, it was all too weird, first Remus' friend and letter, then the fight between the Black brothers, Remus and Sirius fighting, the whole thing with the Slytherins, and Sirius not talking and keeping secrets from him.
He tried to make sense of it all, but he just wished Sirius would talk to him.
He still had some time until his detention, so James decided to stay out on the pitch a little more, not wanting to deal with Sirius or Regulus.
He looked up at the sky, it was just starting to get dark, James could see the moon starting to rise, almost full. He thought of Remus, in a couple days, all four of them would go to the shack and spend a full moon together. But with how things were between Remus and Sirius recently, James was scared something bad might happen. They were all aware that Remus wasn't the wolf, but the wolf was part of him, and maybe what ever emotions Remus felt, would be heightened when transformed. James hoped not, or they needed to fix things quickly.
7:30 PM
James had zoned out, and was now rushing up to his dorm, hoping to not bump into Sirius. He didn't want to have deal with him anymore then what was necessary for tonight.
He opened the door, and looked inside. No one was there. He made his way to his bed, casted a silencing spell and one to keep the curtains shut.
Looking around the bed, he spotted The Green Basket, took the letter inside and got to reading, his mood getting better.
I won't lie, it is nice writing to you too, and I do enjoy it. Don't let it get your head though.
If I'm being honest, I'm not doing so good right now. I have family problems... if that what we're going to call it. Anyways, it's just overwhelming, however, there's something else going on. Merlin I can't believe I'm about to tell this to a stranger. There's this person I like. And well they definitely do not like me back. There's just so many reasons as to why, they hate me, I'm suppose to hate them, and... other reasons. Besides their friends hate me too, it's just a big mess, but everytime I see them, my mind goes blank, and all I think about is them. I hate myself cause it feels so wrong, and I shouldn't like them. Plus they would never like me, especially if they got to know me. (I know you hate when I say that, but it's true) But I can't anymore, it's killing me, I think I of had fallen in love with them. Anyways that was embarrassing, I just told you one of my deepest secrets. So yeah, I could definitely be doing better, but at least I have my friends.
Yes I did see the fight, honestly they need to get over themselves, they're brothers, I get arguing a little, but I feel like they should try to talk to each other, they are family after all.
Hope you're doing better than me,
- 12 4 8
James smiled. Not wasting time, he started writing his response.
I'm glad you have your friends. I wish I could say that I'm doing good but, in all honesty, things are going wrong with my friends. Two of them are arguing with each other and barely looking at each other, and one of them isn't talking to me, which now I don't know what to do. I just wished that they'd talk to me to make me understand what's going on but no, they just keep themselves locked in their bed all day. Besides that, I'm doing okay.
I'm sorry about this person you like. Also I'm sure they'd love you if they got to know you. (don't say I'm wrong, no negative thoughts) If you have to, you should tell them, it won't do any harm, cause if you say nothing, you'll regret it the rest of your life. Also I don't understand why you're supposed to hate him? Is he a Slytherin or something and you're a Gryffindor? Also why does he hate you? You don't have to answer those questions if you're uncomfortable with that. I hope it goes well them and I am happy that you have your friends and can talk to them.
About the Black brothers, there's a lot more to them. It doesn't matter if they're family, there's a family you choose, and family by blood, and sometimes the one you choose is stronger than blood.
I hope it gets better for you and your person,
-1 2 3
He dropped it in the basket, sending it off with a whoosh. He checked the time, and hurried to go to his detention, not wanting to get Minnie angry.
8:30 P.M.
James entered Minnie's office right at 8:30.
"Well, look who's here." Minnie said, "Please Mr.Potter, take a seat next to Mr.Black."
James nodded and made his way next to Sirius. As much as he didn't want to, it was better than Regulus.
"If you don't mind me asking, what are we going to do on this fine night My Lord?" James asked.
Minnie looked at him with a smile, "I'm glad you asked, earlier today, a terrible accident happened in the Potions classroom. It seems that one of the students mixed up a rat tail with a mouse tail. Sadly, their potion exploded, so Mr.Potter, tonight, you three will be cleaning up this potion."
None of them spoke, and followed her as she led them to the classroom.
Once arrived, Minnie extended her hand, "Now, hand over your wands, you will be cleaning up without magic. Perhaps that will help you think about next time you decided to scream at each other across the hall, hm?"
James handed over his wand first, then Sirius mumbling 'sorry My Lord", lastly, Regulus handed over his wand with a disgusted look as he observed the classroom.
"Very well, I'll leave you three boys to it, when you're done, you may go back to your dorms."
She gave one last look before turning and leaving the boys alone.
James waited 10 seconds to make sure Minnie was gone before slipping Pete's wand out of his jacket's sleeve.
"Holy shit James you genius!" Sirius exclaimed.
"Thank you, thank you." James said, waving him off.
"You snuck a wand in?" Regulus asked, looking at him.
"What? You want to clean this up by hand?" James asked.
"No but we have to."
"Merlin Reggie your such a rule follower, if you want to clean up fine, clean up, me and Prongs will do it with magic."
"Fine, whatever." He paused, "Who's wand is that anyways?"
"Our very good friend Wormy." James said smiling.
"Alright Prongs, all you." Sirius said.
"Wait, I don't want to clean up yet, or else it will look too suspicious."
"Good point, we ought to wait a little." Sirius said sitting at a desk.
James and Regulus stayed standing, an akward silence falling on them.
"Sooo, y'all want to play a game?" James suggested.
"YES MERLIN JAMES YOU'RE A GENIUS!" Sirius yelled, jumping out of his desk, while Regulus covered his ears, "TRUTH OR DARE! TRUTH OR DARE! TRUTH OR DARE!" He chanted.
"Alright, alright," James said, calming Sirius down, "You can go first."
"Like it was a choice, of course I'm going first." Sirius countered, rolling his eyes. He looked back and forth between James and Regulus trying to figure out which one he was going to choose.
Regulus looked back and forth between James and Sirius, "Oh no. I'm not playing."
"Umm, yes you are, it's no fun if it's just me and Pads!" James said.
"No I'm not. You can't make me."
"Yes we can." Sirius said smirking, "If you don't play, I'll tell James about Mr.Cudd-"
"OKAAAY! Fine ill play. One. Round."
"Alright! Prongs, truth or dare?"
"Dare, obviously."
He heard Regulus scoff.
Sirius smirked looking around, "I dare you to put this potion in your hair."
"Sirius you can't!" Regulus exclaimed, "You don't even know what potion that is!"
"Relax Reggie, Prongs never turns down a dare."
James sighed, "I'm getting you back." He said, before picking up the potion and plopping it on his hair.
"Ew" Regulus looked at him like he was impressed but disgusted at the same time.
"Alright, my turn." James said confidently.
"Hey! No reusing dares!"
"Relax, who said I was going to pick you." He respond smirking, before turning to Regulus.
"Regulus, truth or dare?"
Regulus looked back and forth between James and Sirius, "Do I really have to do this?"
"Yes! It's your fault we're hear anyways."
"Sirius."
"What!?"
"Nevermind, Regulus just pick."
"Dare."
James was surprised, but he had hoped that's what Regulus would've had picked.
Grinning, he grabbed Regulus by the arm and pulled him closer.
"Woah! What are you doing!?" Sirius exclaimed.
"I don't want you to hear," James responded, smiling innocently.
He felt Regulus shiver, but continued, and leaned in to whisper in his ear.
"I dare you... to cast a spell to shave off Sirius' hair."
Regulus eyes widened, "I can't! He'll kill me!"
"Can't what! James what did you tell him!"
James just shook his head, "You'll see."
He turned to Regulus, "Relax, if he ought to get mad at anyone, it should be me, I told you to do it."
"You have to do it." Sirius said, "It's the rules of truth or dare, you're not allowed to turn down a dare."
"That's a stupid rule." Regulus mumbled, but raised Peter's wand anyways at Sirius.
"Woah, what are you doing!?"
Regulus recited the incantation under his breath so Sirius wouldn't hear it, and before they knew it, Sirius' hair was gone.
Sirius froze. He went to touch his hair, and screamed. He grabbed a brush they had to clean up with and transfigured it into a mirror.
Sirius looked at himself, screamed again, and dropped the mirror on the floor.
"James you son of a bitch!"
But James was laughing so hard he had to place his hands on the desk.
He looked over at Regulus, and saw that he was smiling, almost laughing.
James doesn't think he's ever seen Regulus smile, but he liked it. Regulus looked so much more relaxed, and not as overwhelmed. Suddenly, James found himself in a trance, just staring at Regulus, at his curly hair, his grey eyes... Regulus lips-
"Undo the spell right now!" Sirius exclaimed, breaking James' trance.
James startled, and made sure no one had caught him staring at Regulus.
God what is wrong with me?
That's Sirius' brother, a boy.
James shook the thoughts away, it was nothing, he had just seen Regulus smile.... oh that smile...
Focus James!
Regulus never smiled, of course it was normal for James to stare when someone did something they never did. Perfectly normal.
"Fine." Regulus pointed Peter's wand and muttered the counter spell, bringing Sirius' hair back.
"Oh thank fuck. I missed you so, so much..." Sirius started stroking his hair and baby talking to it.
James looked at Regulus, "Gosh he really has problems."
"Tell me about it."
"Well I suppose it's time to clean up," He took Peter's wand from Regulus.
"Wait. What about me?"
James looked up at Regulus, then at Sirius "Yeah, ok, I mean we made you play, it's only fair if you get to ask one of us."
Regulus nodded, "Uhh, James. Truth or dare?"
James was surprised that Regulus chose him, but he responded anyways.
"Dare."
Regulus paused, thinking of a dare.
"Okay, I dare you.... to transfigure you glasses into Pineapple glasses and wear them for a day."
"Just a day?"
"Well I don't want to be mean, why what did you have in mind?"
Sirius looked at James raising an eyebrow.
"I don't know, a month?"
"A month!?" Regulus exclaimed, "That's just evil. Ok... how about a week?"
"Alrighty." James transfigured his glasses.
"Pads. Pass me the mirror." He said very seriously.
He took a look at himself in the mirror, "Yep, still the best looking guy in the school."
"Yeah, but unfortunately, you have a random potion in your hair." Sirius countered.
"Oh fuck off. Alright, I guess it's really time to clean up." He said, before casting a cleaning spell.
In just a couple minutes, everything was spotless.
"Alright, Pads after you."
"Why thank you Prongs."
"Wait, what about our wands?"
"Merlin, have you never been to detention?" Sirius said.
"No. unlike some, I don't get in trouble."
"Alright 'Mr.RuleFollower'" Sirius said, getting annoyed.
"Our lord and savior Minnie will just apparate them in the middle of night, she's a genius like that." James explained.
"Oh."
Sirius put an arm around James shoulder, and the two of them started walking out.
James wanted to say goodbye, but felt too awkward to actually say it. Right before leaving, he turned, and waved.
Regulus looked shocked, and by the time he had comprehended and was waving back, James and Sirius had left.
James and Sirius were in their bathroom trying to get the potion out if James hair, but miserable failing, too busy laughing.
"Prongs! Stop moving!"
"Ow! Pads you just pulled on my hair!"
"If you. Stopped. Moving. Merlin, ok I got most of it out, here, rinse it."
He practically shoved James head in the sink.
"Merlin, ow! ow! It's in my eyes!"
"You'll be fine."
The door opened and Peter stopped short in front of them, "Looks like y'all are talking again, cool."
"Yeah, who knew detention would bring us together."
"Huh, cool glasses," Pete said, "Are y'all almost done?"
"Just two minutes!" Sirius called out.
Peter sighed before leaving an closing the door.
"Alright you're all good Jamie-boy."
"Thanks," He paused, "Hey can we talk, about you know.... earlier."
James heard Sirius sigh, "Yeah I guess."
"What's going on with you and Moons?"
"Something happened, we had a disagreement... and I just- I just stopped talking to him, which then made him mad. It's just- I just, I want to be with him, you know you and Wormy are great, but Remus, he's different. The relationship I have with him is special, you know, different. And I was so sad that I lost him that I got mad too. But now he isn't talking to me, and probably won't ever again cause I've gone and mucked everything up."
"Pads, y'all have been friends for ever, you need to talk to him, even if neither of y'all want to. The Marauders aren't the same when y'all are fighting, besides, I can tell you mis him, and that he misses you. It's hurting both of y'all, you have to talk."
"Yeah I guess, I'm scared he doesn't want to be my," He paused looking at the ground, "Friend."
"Of course he would, come on, who wouldn't want to be friends with you? Everyone needs a friend that makes you put a random potion in there hair!"
Sirius snorted "Yeah well you shaved off my hair."
"Fair. I'm exhausted, don't stay up too late."
"You got it."
James left the bathroom, said goodnight to Pete and Remus, and fell in his bed, closing the curtains. He was so tired that he fell asleep imminently, not noticing the Green Basket on the bed.