an upstate escape
It started after the final Gryffindor versus Slytherin match of James Potter’s seventh year. Gryffindor had won, of course, what with James as their seeker. Regulus was a fine seeker, too, but nobody compared to James. When the two rival houses played each other, Gryffindor almost always won with James catching the snitch.
Perhaps it didn’t start then. Perhaps it started after the first Gryffindor versus Slytherin match of that year, when Regulus Black had caught the snitch, leading Slytherin to victory. James was upset, but also quite impressed. He’d watched Regulus more closely since then at every match. He noticed how Regulus’ hands gripped the brand-new broom his parents had purchased for him. He noticed the way Regulus pushed his hair out of his face after the wind messed it up in the air above the field. He noticed Regulus Black’s firm handshake after each game and the sympathetic look in his eyes after beating Gryffindor.
“Good season.” Regulus nodded to James in the changing room after the final game. His Slytherin cohorts snickered, but Regulus maintained his civility towards the Gryffindor. James forced a quick smile in acknowledgement to Regulus.
James took his time packing up his quidditch things. He’d miss this: the game, the team, the field. He knew he likely wouldn’t play again after graduation. He was going to fight in the war. There wouldn’t be time for games. Merlin, there hardly was now. Practices had been scarce this season and games fewer.
He shook his head as if to throw the thoughts away. He undressed himself and made his way to the showers. The water was hot, boiling in contrast to his skin, still severely cold from the outside.
Suddenly, he heard a thump that came from what sounded like nearby. Steam from two teams worth of showers still filled the air and he couldn’t see very far. It didn’t help that James didn’t have his glasses on, either.
“Hello?” He called out. Stupid , he immediately thought, that could be anyone, maybe a Death Eater.
“Sorry,” replied a familiar voice, muffled. “Dropped my shampoo.”
“Oh. ‘S ok,” James said back. “Just startled me, is all.”
“My bad, James.”
The Gryffindor seeker furrowed his brows. Who was it? He couldn’t quite place the voice.
“It’s Regulus,” the voice clarified, as if he could hear James’ thoughts.
“Oh, hi.”
James turned the water off and began to dry himself off as he walked back to the bench where his things sat.
A moment later, Regulus approached him, towel wrapped around his waist. “I meant it, Potter. Good season. Sorry I startled you in the showers.”
“All right.” James offered. “You played really well, too, Black.”
“Thanks.” Regulus extended one of his hands.
James met the gesture with a firm handshake.
“Gonna miss playing against you next year,” said Regulus.
“Yeah?”
The younger Black brother nodded. “You keep me on my toes, Potter. I like that.”
“As do you.”
“Look, why don’t we go for a drink. I’ve got some firewhisky in my bag. We could go into the forest a little ways.” Regulus offered.
“We’re of age, Black. It’s ok to find someplace in the village, you know.”
“I know. It’s just…” Regulus trailed off for a moment, gathering his thoughts. “Our friends.” He decided that was a safe reason. They’re friends did hate each other, to be fair.
“Right.” James agreed, though they both knew there was another reason. The same reason, James feared, why Regulus never took off his robes anymore. “The forest.”
.・゜゜・ ・゜゜・．
“Are you worried?” Regulus asked, taking a swig from the glass bottle.
“‘Bout what?” James reached over to take it from him.
“After.” Regulus allowed James to take the drink. “After Hogwarts. After graduation.”
“Not any more worried than I am now, I suppose.” James shrugged. “Why?”
“I guess I just wish I knew what’ll happen next.”
“‘Next’ is a very broad time frame, Black.” James tilted his head back and swallowed a large gulp of firewhisky.
“The war…” Regulus dared.
“Let’s not…” James took it upon himself to take another slug before handing the bottle back.
“I wish it wasn’t like this.” Regulus frowned.
“Me neither.”
The bottle was half gone by now and James took the chance to ask the question that had burned in the back of his mind all term.
“Do you have it?” He asked.
“Have what?” Regulus’ tone changed. It was cool now.
“The mark,” James said grimly.
Regulus avoided ‘yes.’ Instead:
“I didn’t want it.” He bowed his head in shame. “Still don’t.”
“Then why did you let them do this to you?” James prodded.
“I didn’t have a choice.” Regulus lifted his head, still ashamed, but met the brunette’s piercing gaze.
“Sure you did! Sirius left years ago!” James raised his voice.
“AND LOOK WHERE THAT GOT HIM!” Regulus shouted.
“We could have taken you in, too, if you had left.”
“And what? We’d all live together and play pretend? The war was going to happen anyway.” The young Death Eater countered.
“Don’t do that…”
“I wouldn’t have stayed with you, anyway, Potter.”
“Why not?”
“I have my reasons.”
“Oh, yeah? Like what?” James protested.
“Like this.” Regulus crawled a few inches across the forest floor, closer to James.
“Wha-”
And then James couldn’t tell if the aftertaste of firewhisky came from his mouth or Regulus’.