You Don't Strike Me As Somebody Who Listens To Queen
If James Potter learned anything from nearly missing breakfast on October 22, 1976, it should have been to never stay at the Astronomy Tower overnight and risk fatigue and chronic back pain. But of course, the one thing James Potter takes from his all-night solo expedition is a secret passage from the top of the Astronomy Tower to the Great Hall.
He isn’t sure how he got lucky enough to find it, he wasn’t even looking for it! The passage had simply opened itself when James tripped and knocked down a crystal ball on the windowsill. His grin shines with smugness, while his eyes shine with exhaustion.
“Oi!” James snaps back from his imagination. Sirius Black throws a roll at James’ head. James turns to face Sirius. His long hair hangs just above his shoulders, and it falls nicely at the sides. It’s clear he tried to mess it up a little bit - Sirius always does the most to ensure he looks the least like a product of high society. His tie is poorly knotted, and the top two buttons of his shirt are undone. If James didn’t know better, he would think Sirius woke up from a wild night, but James knows Sirius best. James readjusts his glasses and he creases his brow, “What’s got you in a daze this morning?”
James looks between Sirius and the other Marauders - Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. Contrary to Sirius, Remus doesn’t have to do anything to look like he had a wild night, but he carries it well. His back is hunched so his left elbow can reach the table. He rests his head on his hand and waits for an answer from his mate. He is tapping his knee under the table while looking at James, his patience running thin. - while his cheeks twist into a wicked grin, “It’s been a while since we’ve added to the map, is it not?”
Peter chokes on his pumpkin juice, clamping his mouth shut with the back of his palm. His pale face reddens, and he bounces with each cough - it shakes his blonde tufts of hair. Once he settles, James continues, “I was at the Tower again last night, I’d fallen asleep doing my Astronomy homework. I had to run to the stairs - God forbid I would be missing Minnie! She would never forgive me! I was on my way to the stairs when I-” He stops himself, thinking of what he had done to discover the passage, “okay, well I tripped and knocked over a crystal ball. I thought I was a goner, but it only swirled in the window and suddenly,” Sirius was on the edge of his chair, “a doorway appeared that brought me to the great hall in seconds.”
“No way, I’ve knocked at least thirty crystal balls off their stands! Which one is it?” Sirius thinks half out loud. He is beaming enough to light the entire great hall. Next to him, Remus’ mouth is hanging agape.
“If it took you here, then shouldn’t there be a way to get back there?” Remus thinks of all the days he has walked into the great hall, yet he has never noticed a secret passage. His mind went to the mathematics of the situation - at least until he realized Hogwarts was a body with magic coursing through its walls and corridors.
“That’s what I need to figure out,” James says as people begin to leave the Great Hall. James realizes he has none of his bags, only his astronomy book and his notes. Sighing, he tears off a small square of parchment and pulls out his wand. Swirling his wand and mumbling, the paper grows into a full sized sheet, he mumbles almost inaudibly“Gemino Opperatus”. His motions are lazy, yet his execution is stellar.
Next to Remus, Lily Evans is staring - not at James - at the above-NEWT-level transfiguration. “How the hell did you do that so easily?!” Her voice is edging shrill, and her eyes are wide leaving a white rim around her emerald irises.
James looks up at her, momentarily oblivious to how difficult the magic he just did is, but he manages to realize and his smile becomes cheeky, “Contrary to what you may think,” he puts on a posh accent and straightens his back, “I have dabbled in the fine arts of transfiguration.” James is ominous in a mock-proper fashion. Sirius giggles beside him.
Despite the fact that the marauders act like complete fools - sans Remus - most of the time, they were brilliant wizards. After all, they managed to become (unregistered) animagi at 13 years old. Of course it took them a long time, but there are even adult witches and wizards incapable of such magic.
Lily turns away from him and rolls her eyes. Meanwhile, James doesn’t realize how significantly less hostile that short conversation between them was, at least in comparison to previous years. His head is elsewhere, specifically Astronomy.
The first term of sixth year of astronomy focuses on astrological constellations, and James is currently on Cancer. The night prior, James stayed up until he passed out on top of his essay on the star Beta Cancri - James chose this star because it is the brightest star in the Cancer constellation. He really did enjoy Astronomy, partially because he had always enjoyed stargazing with his mum and partially because it gave him a reason to be out after curfew.
Beta Cancri is much larger than the sun, and James Potter can’t help but think of another solar system and another earth that is always warm and glowing - maybe it’s because October has a sharp bite this year.
James snatches his short stack of papers off of the table, and begins walking up to Transfiguration. He wishes he had another layer underneath his coat. You’d think Hogwarts would manage a heating charm in the corridors. Of course he knows the partial outdoor corridors are a part of the magic at Hogwarts, but he feels numb to the bone.
James takes his seat in Transfiguration, between Peter and Sirius. Remus is on the other side of Sirius. James sees “Transfiguring Objects to Animals” and he lets out a sigh. He is not feeling up for a lesson he had to listen to, and (not to brag but) James had practically perfected any sort of animal transfiguration.
“Mr. Potter?” Some time later, Professor McGonagal says and James moves his eyes to the front of the classroom, “Would you like to explain to the class the wand movements to transfigure a golden painted goblet into a hummingbird, or should I?”
“Well, Professor,” James is completely serious, “If you’d like the bird to be particularly large, the motion would be a reverse counter clockwise swirl that expands- oh and draw it towards you for three rotations. And if you’d like to get into the specifics, you should enunciate the second syllable in Verterminus Vero. Now, if the bird you’re looking for is on the smaller side, the swirl should be reversed counter clockwise but it should be getting smaller for two rotations, and the enunciation should be on the third syllable.”
The corners of Mcgonagall’s lips are fighting to curl, “Well, Mr. Potter, if I should find myself looking for a fill in if I should take sick leave I may suggest it be you.”
Though Minerva McGonagall was strict regardless of the house, she takes pride in her students when they shine. She is still confused how James Potter knows so much, yet he acts like a child.
“Anything for you, Minnie,” James smiles at his favorite teacher, and she chooses to disregard his comment. She continues her lesson, and doesn’t bother to bring him back out of his trance. I really need to start sleeping more.
~~~~~~
Regulus Black is the complete opposite of his brother. Standing side by side, it is impossible to spot a difference, but the second they move or speak the stark differences appear. Where Sirius is loud, Regulus is quiet. Where Sirius is impulsive and inattentive, Regulus is calculated and observant. Sirius hardly carries himself on his own two feet; he glides and prances through life. Regulus’ eyes are always seven steps ahead of his own feet. Sirius is always moving. Regulus is always waiting.
It’s hardly 6:30 in the morning when Regulus wakes up to silence. An alarm is hardly necessary to him - at least at home he never needed one. He gets to his feet with ease, or at least it looks like it. He hears the creaking of his bones in his head, and his heart feels like it’s being clawed at. The simple pleasure of insomnia, he thinks. He quietly walks to his (private) bathroom and opens the top drawer. His fingers brush against the tops of the bottles until he feels the one he needs. It is a large bottle with a dropper. He looks at the mirror, the circles beneath his eyes look drawn on. He stares into his own eyes while he waits. He isn’t sure how long it is, maybe ten seconds or minutes, before he hears a pop on his left.
“Hello Master Regulus! Zolly is here to brings Master’s morning cup!” A wide eyed house elf extends her frail arms to Regulus, her lips curled up at the sides. She is a young elf, and a very kind one too. Regulus smiles down at her and takes the cup.
“Thank you Zolly, and please only call me Regulus, we’re friends,” Regulus smirks at the elf who looks as if she might die from his graciousness.
“Sorry Regulus, Zolly sends her sincerest apologies to her favorite student,” she giggles and blushes at him. Regulus does not understand how awful people could be to the house elves. His mother always said they were stupid, but Regulus had been reading to Zolly since his first year and she was turning into quite the brilliant story teller.
He sets the espresso on the counter of his sink and puts two drops of his Pepper Up Potion into his coffee. He asks Zolly before taking a sip, “How is Penny?” Penny is Regulus’ other favorite elf. She is much older than Zolly, but she is kind. She is always happy to see Regulus, and to him that’s more than enough.
“Penny is good! Penny tells Zolly she misses Master Regulus and hopes he isn’t leaving Penny for Zolly,” Zolly looks sheepish as Regulus chuckles. He takes a sip of the espresso and instantly feels a weight lift off his shoulders.
“Tell Penny I will always come back for her,” Regulus says kindly.
Zolly’s face is gleaming with joy as she nods, “Zolly must go now, but Zolly hopes to see Regulus before bed time!” Without warning, she pops away - probably back to the kitchens.
Regulus quietly changes into his robes and combs his hair for the day. He grabs his bag before heading to the great hall.
Though he is very early to breakfast, he is not alone. There are several Ravenclaws - who Regulus isn’t sure if they’ve ever slept or not- chit chatting rapidly while scarfing their breakfasts down, some younger Hufflepuffs, and of course Remus Lupin.
Remus has a book in one hand, a fork in the other, and he leaned back in his chair that was far too small for a human his height. His plate of food is piled high with eggs, sausages and toast. He can simultaneously hold the book in one hand and flip the page without movement. Ah, magic.
It isn't long before the Great Hall begins to flood with students of all sorts- grumpy, sleepy, alert, etc. There are ten minutes left of breakfast when James Potter runs into the Great Hall.
Regulus is almost surprised he didn’t notice “the one-and-only James Potter“ missing from his brother's hip. Regulus watches James pick at his food while staring into the abyss. I wonder what’s got his brain twisted today. He didn’t give it any more thought.
He grabs his bag and leaves. He is aware there are about 7 minutes left of breakfast; if he leaves now, though, he will have plenty of time to walk in the corridors and it would save him the rush. He turns out of the great hall and begins walking to Potions, he has double potions today.
It is a blessing Regulus likes potions - if he had to have double History of Magic he thinks he would just end it all. Slughorn also favors Regulus so it makes his second favorite subject even better.
His favorite class, that comes even before potions, is Astronomy. If he’s going to be awake for an extra four hours a night regardless, he would rather spend it with his mates watching the stars (but he would never say that to their faces.
In potions they begin by brewing dreamless sleep potion. They are currently studying the effects of mind potions on living things. While the potions are brewing, Slughorn explains the specific ingredients in the potion and what they do. The river bug legs bring a potent tranquility and the yellow beetle juice is used for pain relief. Regulus thinks of adding a little bit of the beetle juice in his Pepper Up potion.
At the end of potions, Regulus takes a small phial and fills it with the dreamless sleep potion, sneaking it into his bag. He knows how dangerous it is to rely on it, but Regulus was willing to try anything to get one night of good sleep.
~~~~~~~~
After a long day of class, James gets ready. He grabs his wand and the map, he changes out of his day robes and wipes his glasses clean. He brushes his teeth - James Potter hasn’t missed a day of brushing his teeth in 5 years, and he is not going to ruin his record. Peter is already snoring in his bed, and Sirius and Remus are probably in the kitchens or the common room - James doesn't give it too much thought. He covers himself in the cloak and jogs out of the common room. He isn’t sure whether or not anybody was in the common room, or if anybody saw him leave.
He quickly prances through the corridors down to the great hall, one eye glued to the map and the other to his feet. He dodges Mrs. Norris one time and considers himself lucky, bloody cat.
He brings himself to the place the passage led him to. There is a portrait of two men standing on either side of what looks like a pensive. James stares at the image for a minute, trying to place who was inside of it.
With no avail, James shakes his head and thinks of how he could possibly open the passage. He stands still for about ten whole minutes before beginning spells. He tries transfiguring it with the intention of going to the Astronomy Tower. He tries a simple “Alohomora” and other opening charms. He begins to feel hopeless after fifteen minutes of attempts and failures.
“What do you bloody want me to do?!” He grunts at the wall where the passage had once been. The two people inside of the portrait turn their heads to James and began to approach him. They do not speak to James, they only stare at him as if the answer is obvious, “Could you guys let me through to the Astronomy Tower?”
Of course, the passage opened. And of course James Potter is the only person in the school who could think simply enough to just ask. It can not be denied how smart James Potter is, but he has a gift for thinking of things in a very straight forward, simple manner. It is a true gift to be as brilliant as he is, yet as easy as him.
James drapes the cloak over his head and casts a simple muffliato charm over himself as a force of habit. He is used to sneaking into classrooms after hours. He looks at the map and sees nobody is left in the tower. He makes his way through the passage and within seconds, he is at the top of the Astronomy Tower. Once he steps through the threshold of the passage it closes behind him.
James thinks of how the Astronomy Tower does not get enough credit for how magnificent it is. That is probably because most students only go into the Astronomy tower in the dead of night - or for Divination (which is almost just as bad). James has always been a sucker for the stars, though, as well as some alone time. Everyone loves James, and James loves everyone, but he hardly has a moment with himself. The Astronomy Tower is always empty, so James has a secret appreciation for his nights inside of it.
There is quite a breeze - something else that tends to turn students away from the Tower - from the October air. James lays his cloak over his body besides his head. He stares at the stars, and finds the constellations he knows. He creates a game of finding a star and reciting the name of it and, if he can, a little fact or story about it. He plays this game in his head until sleep takes him gently.
~~~~~~
Regulus loves Astronomy, in fact he would say it is his favorite subject. As he leaves the Astronomy tower, Barty grumbles about how they have to “go to class this bloody late”. Regulus doesn’t mind, though. He knows he wouldn’t be sleeping anyway, sleep isn’t something he needs as much as his dorm mates. At the bottom of the staircase, Regulus stops. When Crouch turns around to see what is keeping him, he says “I left my-” he looks into his hands and sees that he has everything he brought with him, “thing. I’ve got to go back up, don't wait up for me.”
Barty doesn’t need to be told twice, and he turns and walks back to the dungeons. Regulus has to be sure the Professor was gone before he went back, so he hides himself in the crook of a window for a bit. He looks up to the sky and watches the stars twinkle. He lets his mind drift between his classes and homework he has, as well as his friends - or if they would wonder what he was doing, rather. Once he is sure the Tower had to be clear of every student or teacher, he begins walking up the stairs. His steps are always quiet, he was used to slithering through the shadows and being unnoticed.
Once he is in the tower, he reaches into his pocket. It takes him a moment before he feels the small metal box. He pulls it out of his pocket and places it on the one remaining table. He flicks his wand, and the box grows. He pulls out a record player, as well as his “Sheer Heart Attack” vinyl.
Every time he places a record onto the player, he can’t help but think of how much his mother would curse him for listening to the “muggle trash”, but when he is at Hogwarts he quiets the voice in his head long enough to enjoy Freddie Mercury’s voice. He places the needle onto the edge of the vinyl, and closes his eyes. He hums to the opening lines and feels the corners of his lips turning at the sides. Nights like this were one of the only times Regulus would let himself pretend. Pretend his brother still cared enough to tell him about the album, rather than how he really overheard Sirius raving to “Moony” about how much he loves Queen, and their new album. He would pretend his brother still wanted to love Regulus.
He walks over to the edge, but somewhere in the middle of the tower he trips over an invisible lump. He jumps up, only to notice James Potter’s head looking very confused and VERY MUCH SO without a body. “What the bloody hell, Potter?” Regulus shrieks, hoping he didn’t somehow just decapitate the boy.
James’ eyes seem to focus and widen on Regulus, and suddenly his body is revealed, and he is holding some cloak behind his back, “What are you doing up here?” James is quickly on his feet.
“Who’s cloak is that?”
“How long have you been here?”
“How long have you been here?” Regulus fires back.
For a moment, James’ mind is flying with too many questions to process the position he is in. Eventually, his senses wake up. Regulus is confused with the smug look on Potter's face until he asks, “Is this Killer Queen?”
Regulus pales as he realizes his sticky situation as the lyrics “She’s a Killer Queen, Gunpowder, gelatine” play behind him. He clears his throat and asks, “Where did you get an invisibility cloak?”
“Family heirlooms and what not - you know how it is,” James trails off. He no longer makes an effort to hide the cloak, “you don’t strike me as the type to listen to muggle music.”
“Well wizard music is shite most of the time,” James laughs at that. Regulus is frustrated by how nonchalant James is acting, “What brings you to the Tower in the middle of the bloody night?”
“I like looking at the stars, it’s nice being away from people sometimes,” Regulus gapes at how easily James answers his questions, “What about you?” James asks Regulus, leaning against the wall.
“Astronomy,” Regulus tries to be vague, but James gives him a look that says he knows that is bullshit, “And I don’t think Barty or Alphie would be too happy if I was playing this in our dorms in the middle of the night.” James nods, and Regulus watches as he sits down a bit too close to the edge for Regulus’ liking, his feet dangling over the edge.
Regulus walks over to his record player and packs it up to go, but when the music stops, James says, “Where are you going?”
“I thought you liked being alone, ‘away from people’,” Regulus says plainly, although in truth he is slightly uncomfortable with how relaxed James seems.
“But you can’t listen to your music in your dorms?!” James argued.
“I’ll manage without it,” Regulus is on his way to the door, but James is quick to his feet and grabs his wrist.
“I would hate to deprive you of that simple pleasure, what, do you think I’m a monster?” Honestly, James had no clue what compelled him to make Regulus stay, but he decides it’s better than him leaving. Regulus stands still for a moment, debating whether it was worth staying or not. He looked down at where James had grabbed his wrist, then back up at his face. He sighs and relents, walking back to the table and setting up his record player once more.
Regulus goes to sit near the edge, but not quite as close as James had done before. James walks and sits next to Regulus, “Do you know much about stars?” He asks the Slytherin.
“Is that a serious question? My name is literally a star,” Regulus rolls his eyes at James’ stupidity, but can’t help but feel a little excited that somebody asked him about the stars, “Of course I know about the stars.”
James begins asking him about certain stars (what is the orange looking one? The tiny one?) and Regulus has an answer to all of them. James is happy to be playing his game with somebody else.
Time passes, although neither one in the tower seems to know how much, and James’ face stretches into a yawn. “You know, Potter, if you fall asleep here you’re going to miss breakfast tomorrow.”
“No, I don’t think I will,” James smirks.
“You didn’t strike me as the type to be full of secrets,” Regulus says.
“You didn’t strike me as the type to listen to Queen, yet here we are,” James smirks and looks at Regulus.
Regulus gets up to leave, and he looks down at James, “So we both have our secrets.” Regulus stares, waiting for a way to ask that James keeps them to himself.
“And we’ll both keep them,” James finishes, “See you around, Regulus.”
Anger bubbles in the pit of Regulus’ stomach every time Potter says his first name, but he ignores it and replies on his way out, “Yeah, see you around Potter.”