Apricity

Since James was an only child, having five people instead of three in the house, was a big change for him.

He was of course in no way complaining, he did get extremely bored, usually around this time before going back to hogwarts.

His parents had taken care of everything. They had always had too much space in their house, which meant that both Sirius and Regulus could get their own room.

James' heart ached, whenever his parents would say something, and it was obvious that neither of them had ever been treated that way before.

It had been a simple sentence “You boys take all the time you need. We can always heat up the food in case either of you need a little extra sleep. It has been a tough 24 hours, so we completely understand” Fleamont had said, after setting up Sirius’s room.

Sirius looked almost scared “b-but you’ve made us food, it would be wrong to take advantage of your time like that sir” he said “Sirius dear, you and Regulus are a part of this family now. Which means that you will be treated equally to James. So I insist you get some extra sleep, off you go” Ephemia patted them both slightly on their backs, towards each of their rooms.

—----------

None of the three boys, got much sleep that first night. James spent the first hour, tossing and turning, before falling asleep from the exhaustion caused by his anxious thoughts.

James felt so helpless. Of course he had gotten them both safe, but were they really? He knew that Orion and Walburga would probably try to contact them somehow, or show up randomly. But for now, his biggest worry, was how they were both dealing with it.

He knew Sirius went quiet. This had been the way of dealing with his family issues for as long as they had known each other, so James knew that this wasn't about to change. He was just waiting for the outburst that he would normally have, once he was done being quiet.

But with Regulus, it was all still a mystery to James. yes , sure sirius had told him a couple of things, but he had never experienced it first hand. He had no idea how he was supposed to approach him, or if that would even be possible. 

James had always been a very affectionate and open person, when it came to feelings. But he knew that sitting Regulus down and asking if he needed a hug, was the opposite of what worked with him.

—--------

The second night, James gave up on sleeping. He had left his room to go make himself some tea, when he saw the light on in Regulus' room. It was past two in the morning, so of course this made him curious.

James wasn't really one to think before doing, so he went and knocked on his door. 

“Yes?” Regulus sounded almost frightened, before James opened the door.

He was simply sitting on his bed with a book, like it hadn't even occurred to him to try and fall asleep. James also noticed the fact this Regulus bed was made, and he was sitting carefully on it.

“I was going to make some tea, if you can't sleep?” James said, leaning against the doorframe.

Regulus looked him up and down carefully. He was about to give him a simple no, but closed his mouth again with a sigh.

“Sure Potter, i'll have a cup of tea with you” he closed his book, standing up.

James smiled pleased, and the two of them walked down to the kitchen. Regulus sat at the table, as James put on the kettle.

“So how are you-” 

“Don't. i'm really not in the mood to sit here and talk about my feelings, if that's what you were trying to do” Regulus said quickly.

“Actually, I was about to ask if you were more of an Earl Grey or chamomile type of guy” James smiled leaning against the table, earning a slightly embarrassed look on Regulus face.

“I'm totally kidding, that is exactly what i was about to ask you, but fine then we won't talk about that” James chuckled, taking out two tea cups.

“Then what exactly do you suggest we talk about?” Regulus asked, tilting his head.

“Anything, are you excited about starting fifth year?” the kettle started whistling, and James poured the tea. Placing one in front of Regulus.

“I am not about to sit here and make small talk with you Potter” Regulus wrapped his hands around the cup, letting it heat up his hands.

“Alright, then I will just sit here and stare at you intensely” James smiled, looking at Regulus, as he took a sip of his tea.

“Fine, I guess I am kinda scared of taking the O.W.L.S this year.” Taking a sip of his tea as well, earning a smile from James.

“Don't be, it's really not that bad. Im terrible at studying and i did just fine.i know for a fact that you'll do better than sirius and i combined” James explained “I wouldn't be so sure” Regulus looked down picking at his fingernails.

“You're kidding? Whenever I see you in school your nose is always in some book” James laughed, then remembered that his parents were asleep upstairs, and quickly lowered his voice. 

“It's not always school stuff” Regulus said defensively “Oh really? What were you just reading then?”

—----------

The next couple of nights went exactly like the first one. 

They would have a cup of tea, James would ask a million questions, which Regulus would answer after enough convincing.

Regulus would never ever admit it to anyone, but he kinda enjoyed talking to Potter. Sure he was the human version of a golden retriever, but it was nice to just talk about random stuff.

The day he showed up at Grimmauld Place, Regulus had been sort of relieved. He had been too scared to leave with Sirius at first, but somehow it hadn't felt as terrifying when Potter had asked him.

—---------

There were only two days left before they were returning to Hogwarts. All five of them, were gathered around the table, having just finished dinner.

“So are you boys excited to go back to Hogwarts?” Fleamont asked, Sirius couldn't help but smile “Well I know for sure that James is” he said, instantly earning a glare from his best friend sitting across from him. 

“What do you mean by that?” Euphemia smiled at her son “He's been getting tons of letters all summer from a girl in our year” Sirius said quickly “Dude?!” James said “Oh that sounds lovely, what's her name? Maybe we know her parents?” Euphemia asked, a bit too excited for James' liking. 

“Lily Evans, but she's muggle born, so i doubt you would know her parents” James explained, looking over at Regulus, who had been awfully quiet during the whole conversation. 

—-----------

That night the light was off in Regulus' room, when James went to knock. Maybe he had just finally been able to get some proper sleep? 

James did not get any sleep that night.

Regulus was quiet at the breakfast table as well, and James couldn't take it anymore. 

“Hey” James had walked in front of him, blocking the stairs “Hey?” Regulus looked annoyed “I saw your light was out? Did you finally get some sleep?” he smiled big, leaning against the railing “I did” Regulus walked past him, up the stairs “Are you about to go read the book you told me about the other night?” James asked, following him like a puppy.

“I am” Regulus walked into his room, grabbing the book on his bed. “Will you let me know how it is? In case i wanna read it sometime, it sounded really interesting” James continued to follow him, as he walked down into the backyard “Sure Potter” 

“So how is it?”

It had barely been two hours, and James had sat next to Regulus, under the tree where he was reading “Merlin you scared me” Regulus clutched his heart “My apologies, i'm just extremely bored. Sirius is taking a nap” James explained.

“It's good, so far anyway” Regulus looked at him “I could tell, you've barely looked up from it since you sat down” 

“Have you just been watching me?” Regulus asked confused, “No. I mean yeah kinda, I really am bored” James explained.

This made Regulus smile, which was all James had wanted.