Chapter 18
“You made it!” James was grinning, a large suitcase by his feet, and a backpack slung over his shoulder. Regulus was hauling a suitcase of the same size, a similar backpack pulled over his shoulders. “Very punctual.”
“I tried my best,” Regulus shrugged, fiddling with the strap of his bag.
“Want to get coffee for the trip? Last time I made this trip they took, like, an hour to get the trolley to our compartment,” he asked. Regulus nodded, rolling his case towards the small coffeeshop situated just before the train platform. There were Hogwarts students that Regulus vaguely recognised bustling towards the platforms. They passed one girl who was arguing with one of the ticket men, practically begging for a ticket, and Regulus was silently very pleased he wasn’t waiting until closer to Christmas to leave the small town.
James ordered himself a cappuccino, and a vanilla latte for Regulus, slipping £5 over the counter. Regulus opted to wait by the door, minding their suitcases until James returned, holding out one of the small cardboard cups towards him.
He smiled his thanks, taking a sip as James slowly pottered towards the platform. Regulus shuffled behind him, his black Vans scuffing the concrete as they went. They stood on the side of platform 9, under the large sign that told them their train was running on schedule, and still 15 minutes away. They both clutched their cups, staring at the tracks. Regulus’ head was abuzz with the information Dorcas had harmlessly supplied him with the day before, but he was terrified of how to even broach that subject.
James’ phone rang loudly from his pocket, and he awkwardly fished around his jeans pocket until he pulled it out, answering it. “Dad?” He questioned. “Yeah, yeah. It’s a few minutes away, but then we’re off…” He slowly stepped away, his conversation quieting with every step. Regulus remained with the bags. He looked over at the boy who appeared to pace past people as he talked to his father. He was only in black jeans and a maroon jumper, but he looked twice as good as anyone else there. He ran a hand through his black hair as he continued pacing, his white converse looking scuffed and messy as they took each step. He could be walking a runway, in his glasses, with his clear tan glowing skin almost sparkling in the sunlight. It made him feel queasy to think about.
He couldn’t stop himself from staring, though. Something about James was like the sun, forcing you to look at him. Even when it burned, he attracted your gaze all the same. And suddenly, he was looking at Regulus, shooting him an easy smile, bright teeth shining. And Regulus felt himself smiling back, the idea of even mentioning Dorcas’ conversation disappearing.
Regulus finally managed to drag his eyes away, looking back at the tracks in front of him, still devoid of the train which was still minutes away. The platform was filling up behind him, and he could hear the occasional natter of conversation about where people were going for the holidays, and who they were staying with. He ignored them, his brain momentarily turning off as he stared at nothing.
“Sorry about that,” James’ voice was right by his side once again. He looked up, slightly, meeting his eye. “My dad likes to know the ETA. There’s a party tonight.”
“A party?” He questioned.
“Just a few people from the village. They have one on Christmas Eve, too. This one's kind of a pre-party,” he shrugged. “More family friends at the Christmas Eve event.”
“Ah.”
“They’re both rather small in comparison to the events your parents throw bi-weekly.”
“Well, not everyone can be as pretentious as the Noble House of Black,” Regulus teased.
“Not even the lording Potters?” There was some sort of lordship down the line of their family. It led to them living in a stately home, like something from a period drama on the outside. Regulus hadn’t been before, but after Sirius had spent a week there one summer, he’d been told that amongst all the oil paintings, and amazing sculptures, it was a perfectly normal home.
Regulus simply laughed in response to James, watching as their train came into view in the distance. “You’re sure you still want me to come?”
James looked down at him, smiling ever so slightly as the train neared them. “No one I’d rather spend Christmas with, Reggie.”
They ended up in the second train car, loading their suitcases onto the shelf above their seats, slipping into the seats beside one another. James ended up in the window, which Regulus didn’t mind, as he sat beside him, leaving his backpack at his feet. They set their coffee cups on their tables, and Regulus watched the train slowly fill up, more and more people shuffling through the aisles to take their seats. He ignored them, pulling his book from his bag, opening it.
James appeared to be writing lengthy texts as the train finally began lurching away from the station, their journey finally starting. Regulus lazily paged through his book, trying to get into it. He’d already seen the film, but the book held his interest long enough for them to arrive at the next station before continuing on.
He was about 60 pages in when James’ head fell onto his shoulder. Regulus hadn’t even noticed James putting his phone away, but he was apparently asleep now, his head lulling onto Regulus’ shoulder unconsciously. He turned his head, ever-so-slightly, James’ hair tickling his cheek. His eyes were closed, his mouth slightly open, as he slept soundly. Regulus looked back at his book, attempting to concentrate. But he was all too conscious of the boy on his shoulder.
He let himself relax after a few minutes, looking aimlessly around the train cart. A girl, across the aisle from them, sent him a small smile, which he awkwardly returned, looking back at his open book. There were still countless stops to go, which made him tired to think about.
He continued on with his book after a few minutes, turning his pages as quietly as possible. James seemed to sleep soundly through the endless station announcements, though. Regulus listened to them, watching commuters get on and off the train at their stops. It held his attention far longer than it should have, watching occasional people shuffle down the car towards their seats.
James slowly rose his head when they were a few minutes from their station. Regulus had checked google maps twice to make sure, although apparently all James needed was the announcement for the town before for him to blink himself a week. “Sorry, Reggie. Didn’t mean to turn you into a human pillow, there.”
“No problem,” Regulus shrugged, quickly stretching his neck. He’d been attempting not to move for some time, so James could have the best sleep possible.
“Our stop is next,” James informed him, and Regulus nodded as if he didn’t know. He slipped his book into his bag, as James stretched, yawning as he went. His entire body felt stiff from sitting still for so long. He quietly yawned into his arm, looking out the window as they passed a field. “You should’ve slept, Reggie. Might be a late night.”
“I’ll be okay,” he promised.
“Sorry if my parents are… A bit much. They can be quite… full-on,” he shrugged.
Regulus almost laughed, shrugging back. “If I feel myself drowning, I’ll let you know.”
“I’ll save you, don’t worry,” James winked, and Regulus couldn’t help his smile.