Apricity

Going back to Hogwarts this year was a whole new experience for James. This time it was not just him and parents. With his mum spending the whole ride there, reminding him to keep his grades up, and be nice to everyone, and of course telling him that both Sirius and Regulus would always be welcome.

This had been routine since the first year. Now both Sirius and Regulus were in the car with them. This of course meant that his mum didn't pay much attention to him, but asked them both a million questions instead.

“And remember that we will of course take care of everything. Oh and I almost forgot. Did James tell you about our Christmas party? You are of course invited as well, i will make sure to introduce you to every single one of our guests”

As Euphemia continued to ramble on, James looked over at Sirius who was holding back a big smile. Half of it was from genuinely being happy, and the other for James being right about the fact that his mum talks a lot.

James turned his gaze towards Regulus.

He was looking out the window, as they were nearing Kings cross. Then James noticed that he was in fact listening to the conversation, which had caused him to try and hide a smile as well.

—-----------------

They had just said their goodbyes to Euphemia and Fleamont, when Regulus suddenly felt off.

This past week and a half, he had felt so safe and had oddly felt like he fit into Potters family, or at least wanted to

And now he was standing in front of Potter and Sirius, feeling more out of place than ever.

“You think Moony is on the train yet?” Potter asked, looking down through the ridiculously long train.

“I'm gonna go find Barty” Regulus said, and Sirius simply nodded at him, giving him an aching feeling in his chest.

But as they were starting to walk away from him, Potter turned back “Come find me after the feast okay? I promised Dumbledore we would speak with him as soon as possible”

Regulus had nearly forgotten about the whole thing with his parents, having done his best to push it as far back into his mind as possible.

“Right, I will” Regulus watched a smile spread on Potter's face, before turning back towards Sirius.

He made his way to his usual spot on the train, feeling an intense amount of relief once he saw Barty and Evan.

“Reggie! We nearly thought you died, you're always here way before us” Barty smiled, scooting in and patting the seat beside him.

“Sorry about that, things are a bit complicated at the moment, i'll explain later” Regulus sat down, praying that they could just change the topic.

“Of course, no pressure mate. But did you see Pandora's hair? She looks brilliant!”

—------------

After the feast, James looked around for Regulus, praying that he wouldn't just ditch.

“Merlin, Relax Potter” Regulus chuckled, as we walked into his field of vision “Sorry, you ready?” he said clearing his throat “I kinda have to be i guess”

The pair walked up to Dumbledore's office.

“Mr. Potter, Mr. Black, please have a seat” the older man smiled, before taking a seat himself.

“So, if I am understanding the situation correctly. You Mr. Black has moved in with Potter. So I am assuming that means that all post and other necessities are to be sent to his address and not your own?”

“Yes professor” James instantly sensed the nervousness in Regulus' voice. He had no reason to be nervous, none that James knew about anyway.
“Good. well all i needed was just to see you both in person to confirm. I will forward the information to all of your professors, so everything should be sorted” Dumbledore smiled warmly, as they both stood back up.

“Thank you professor” James smiled and they made their way back down.

“That almost seemed too easy” Regulus said, as they had started walking towards the dorms “I don't see a reason why it shouldn't be” James looked at Regulus “I've just never had a reason to meet with the headmaster before, i guess that's why it freaks me out”

—---------

Potter almost walked him all of the way to his dorm, before meeting someone from the quidditch team, and excusing himself.

“Regulus Arcturus Black” Evan was standing in the doorway to the common room, arms crossed.

“Ew, don't ever use my full name like that” Regulus said with a look of disgust, walking past him inside.

“Well it seemed necessary seeing as you were just walked back here by James Freaking Potter” Evan continued to follow him to their room, where Barty was sitting, arms crossed as well.

“Stop acting like you saw me snogging him. Sit and ill explain” Regulus ordered, and Evan joined Barty on his bed.

“You know things were getting even shittier for me at home, and this summer it got so bad that Sirius and I had to run away. And unfortunately for me. Sirius is best friends with Potter so that's where we ran to” he explained, watching the jaws drop on both of his best friends.

“Well then it kinda makes sense. But he walked you all the way here, the gryffindor tower is on the other end of the castle. Are you sure Potter hasn't hopelessly fallen in love with you in the process?” Evan asked.

“First of all, again Ew. Second of all, even if I wanted that to be the case, he is apparently in love with some girl. Lily Evans” Regulus explained “Ah Evans, i've seen her in the library a lot. I'm not even sure she would have the time to be shagging Potter” Barty explained.

“Merlin please stop talking about this, i've given you my explanation, now i would like to get some sleep”

Even though he tried his best to ignore it. It actually felt like the greatest thing in the world, when for the next two weeks Potter would light up and smile at him, whenever they passed each other in the hallways.

—-----------------

James loved Hogwarts. In fact he fell in love with it more and more every year. The people, the teachers, oh and of course the grounds.

James had been really good at flying ever since he could remember. So the second he was allowed a broom at Hogwarts, he became unbearable, at least according to his friends.
They were glad he was on the quidditch teams, so that he could rant to someone else about how great flying was.

Practice had just ended, and James had decided to be Risky and take a quick trip around the castle, before turning in his broom.

He decided to land over Hagrid's hut, and walk back to the quidditch pitch to avoid getting caught.

He got distracted and ended up landing right by the old wood bridge. He heard a voice and instantly crept back behind the nearest wall.

“Oh my god, didn't you hear? I am almost too disgusted to tell you. Apparently the Slytherin seeker, Regulus Black is a poof. A bloody queer! Good thing i don't have to share a locker room with that freak”

James felt his heart pounding in his chest. He felt an intense amount of anger build up inside of him. He had to hold himself back, as he watched the two Hufflepuffs walk back into the castle.

James was furious. How could they just be allowed to go around and talk about someone like that?

James hadn't told Sirius about what he heard. What if he had no idea? Or what if it wasn't even true?
Actually it didn't even matter if it was true or not, those Hufflepuffs had no right to talk like that.

James felt off the whole next day. He watched Remus lay Sirius's head in his lap, as he was casually reading a book. Watching his two best friends realising that they were in fact in love with each other, had been the best thing to happen last year.

He couldn't wrap his head around the fact that someone could actually find such a beautiful thing disgusting.

—---------------
James had just finished writing an essay with Lily in the library. It was getting dark, but he somehow still felt like he had time to swing by the quidditch pitch.

As he walked towards the pitch, he stopped in his tracks once he heard noises in the locker rooms.

He knew for a fact that the Slytherins practice had ended at least an hour ago, so it made absolutely no sense. He decided to walk in there, and nearly let out a gasp.

Regulus was sat on one of the benches, having looked up at James with wide eyes.

He had a cut lip, as well as a bruised jaw and cut eyebrow. It was clear to James that he had been crying, and was now using his jersey to wipe off the blood.

James approached him cautiously.

“Who did this to you…?” he asked, watching Regulus analyse him carefully before responding.

“D-Doesn't matter, im-”

“It does matter. Please Regulus..” James kneeled in front of him, reaching his eye level.

“Some 7th year Hufflepuffs. They were waiting for me after practice…But I'm fine really” Regulus explained, not looking at him.

“You're not fine. Here let me” James went to take the jersey, and Regulus hand flinched, making them both look up at each other.

James very slowly places his hand on top of his, taking the jersey. He lifted it up and very gently wiped the blood off his eyebrow, and the rest off his lip. He was pleasantly surprised that Regulus just let him.

“You said they were waiting for you?” James asked, putting away the jersey. “Yeah, this thing got out. I'm sure you've already heard…” James noticed that he looked just slightly scared, awaiting his response.

“I did hear about that. But that is certainly no reason to beat someone up. I am so sorry that they did this to you, and I also realise that this is a sore topic, making you even more of a target. So if you want, i won't tell anyone” James said, watching him soften slightly “Thank you, but it's gonna get out regardless. Not really much I can do” he sighed looking down at his hands.

“Well, the first thing we are gonna do, is get you to madam Pomfrey” James stood up.

“Do i really have to-”
“Remember, I never take no for an answer, when it comes to important things. Cmon”

Regulus sighed, but went along.

“Merlin's beard!. Thank you for bringing him in, come lay down Mr. Black” and once again James could breathe, knowing Regulus was safe. For now at least.