Chapter 1
Regulus Black found pleasure biking to school in the mornings every day. It felt nice feeling the cool breeze caress his hair gently and the warm sunlight kissing his skin like a mother's touch—not his mother obviously.
He could hear the soft laugher of Pandora Rosier from behind him as the duo raced down the side of the street, the large Hogwarts sign getting larger as they approached. The bike rides to school were considered their special time together; It would feel like they were in their own little bubble where the rest of the world just seemed to fade away, and Regulus would just bask in the peace every morning.
However, that peace was soon interrupted by the chaotic sound of teenagers voices filled the atmosphere as the pair of best friends went to park their bike; There was only a few days of school left, yet majority of kids seemed to have already mentally leave for summer break.
Sirius seemed to be one of them. The older Black brother sat in the middle of the courtyard with his arm around James, laughing loudly without a care in the world and his eyes crinkling in the corners with happiness. A bunch of others surrounding the duo and also laughing at whatever James Potter was saying, but they all seemed to fade in comparison; no one else was able to shine as brightly as his brother and James did.
He felt his cheeks heat up at just staring at James, making him force his gaze away as he ignored Pandora's knowing gaze, and walked the other directions; the sound of his brother's laugh fading away until it was nothing.
"Do you wanna talk about it?" Pandora asked easily, slipping her hand into Regulus's and giving it a comforting squeeze.
He squeezed her hand back. "No."
"Okay."
Regulus felt a rush of fondness for his best friend. Their friendship had always been soothing like that; she never pressed or pushed him too hard, and Regulus always felt like he could just be with her. As much as Regulus liked his other friends: Barty, Evan, Dorcas, or even Sirius, they were fixers. As soon as Regulus showed slight discomfort with anything, they would immediately wanna know and fix it for him. He loved that they cared, but he also often felt overwhelmed or even suffocated.
Speaking of his friends—
"WHAT'S UP MOTHERFUCKERS?"
Two arms threw themselves around Regulus, and he was greeted by each side, the sight of a beaming Evan Rosier and Barty Crouch Jr.
Regulus scrunched up his nose as he shoved the two boys off. "Get off me, oafs."
The duo remained unbothered, and quickly fell into retelling the story of how Dorcas punched the both of them in the morning when they were bothering her while she practiced lacrosse.
Regulus restrained the urge to roll his eyes. They had it coming, honestly. The entire school knew how Dorcas was about lacrosse; the only one that could rival her passion was Marlene McKinnon. The duo were constantly at odds with each other: disagreeing with game plans, trying to one up each other, and always picking fights outside of practice. Despite the difficulty, they still managed to coexist with each other on the game field, but once they were off, they were free to rip each other's head off.
The constant topic of which rising senior would make captain next year was floating through the air, and everyone was already putting their bets in. Regulus, in a full non bias perspective, had full confidence in Dorcas. Despite the difference in age, the duo still managed to stay close and Dorcas Meadowes was the coolest person Regulus knew. She had the best style in her year, and managed to pull off anything in any area effortlessly.
There were so many different types of rumors about Dorcas swirling around the school. None of them were right though. They didn't know the true Dorcas Meadowes. They didn't know her the way he did.
Speaking of the devil: "Talking about me?"
Barty narrowed his eyes as he watched the girl approach. "Don't think I have forgot what you—"
"Save it Bartemius," Dorcas said, throwing up a dismissive hand. "No one has time to listen to you whine. Some of us got things to do."
"Like what? Go argue with McKinnon for the hundredth time each day?" Barty shot back, huffing angrily, earning an eyeroll from everyone in the group.
"It's too early in the morning for this," Evan muttered, latching a hand on Barty's wrist. "Come on drama queen, let's go to class."
Barty immediately snapped his head towards Evan to start protesting, but one look from the blonde silenced him. He reluctantly obliged, but still grumbled as the duo started to depart. Regulus squinted as he observed the two; he couldn't place his finger on it, but something about their dynamic seemed to have shifted.
It was probably nothing.
Sirius Black took his role as a big brother very seriously. That's why there was no way he was leaving Regulus unsupervised during the summer. Alphard had already told Sirius in advance about his summer plans in France, and how he expected Sirius to find somewhere safe they can both stay with a responsible adult present. It didn't matter Sirius was approaching adulthood, Alphard still saw it as best they didn't stay in the house alone.
Sirius didn't mind and immediately asked James if he and his baby brother could stay there, which James had immediately accepted, excited to have his best friend over for so long. Euphemia and Fleamont immediately agreed as well and were more than happy to play host to the two brothers.
Regulus, on the other hand, wasn't too happy. He had instantly refused when he heard about the plan and insisted he could stay in the house alone or even suggested staying at one of his own friend's houses. Alphard had agreed to the latter idea, but Sirius wasn't happy with either, which led to where they are now.
"I said no Regulus!" Sirius exclaimed, his voice sharp with finality. He would not budge on this.
"That's not fair," Regulus frowned, "Why do you get to stay with one of your friends, but I can't stay with one of mine?"
Sirius didn't know why his brother was so against staying at the Potters. "I can't watch over you if you stay at one of your friend's house. And besides, I don't trust any of them." As soon as the words escaped his mouth, he knew he fucked up. Despite his words being true, he knew how much Regulus felt about any backlash against his friends. Though it wasn't his fault his little brother's friends had bad rumors spiraling around the school constantly.
"Well I don't trust Potter!" Regulus exploded, an angry flush coming onto his face.
"Yeah well too bad," Sirius glared, "I'm older, so I get to decide."
"I don't need a babysitter," Regulus spat, crossing his arms and glaring back with just as much heat. "I'm turning sixteen for fucks sake, yet you still treat me like I'm a toddler."
"You ungrateful little shit!" Sirius smacked the upside of Regulus's head, "I'm just trying to protect you, and you choose to criticize me. How about a thank you instead, huh?"
"Yes Sirius thank you SO much for being an overbearing presence in my life that thinks they can control me."
Sirius scowled. "I'm not trying to control you."
"Well then you're doing a shit job."
Sirius pointed a finger at him. "You listen to me right now Regulus Arcturus Black: You can throw a tantrum all you want today, but you will going with me to the Potters house."
Regulus clenched his fist. "NO! I'll run away before I have to step foot—"
"I'm so glad you're staying with us!" the bright voice of Euphemia Potter said, ushering the boys to come in.
The whole I'll run away before I have to step foot in the Potter house was a failed mission.
It wasn't even summer yet! Tomorrow was the last day of school, but Alphard had to leave earlier than he initially assumed, leaving the two brothers to have to stay with the Potters earlier than they assumed, and giving Regulus Black no time to make an escape plan.
The last thing he needed this summer was the addition of a James Potter way more up close than usual. He was fine—happy even—with watching James from a distance, but now they would be living in the same house, eating at the same table, and orbiting around each other constantly. It was any second now he would make a complete fool out of himself.
"Padfoot!" A voice screamed, and Regulus watched as his brother's face lit up before meeting James halfway. The two shared a hug as if they didn't see each other in school only a few hours ago.
"Dramatic gits," Regulus muttered though it seemed to be picked up by James as in the next second, James eyes snapped towards him as if he just realized he was there.
James's eyes widened slightly, making Regulus frown in confusion as he watched James, who seemed to be frozen in place. Though as quick as he froze, a large smile grazed his face, and next thing Regulus knew was that he was trapped in James Potter's arms.
"Reggie! I'm so glad you're here," James said warmly, squeezing Regulus's smaller frame tightly. "You've grown so much."
Regulus stilled and every single limb of his body seemed to have froze in shock. Never in a million years would've he assumed he would have the chance to be this physically close to James Potter. James's biceps were solid, and held Regulus firmly in place, making the younger boy's body feel on fire. It took a large amount of restraint for Regulus to not just sink into James's arms, but he managed.
"James!' Euphemia scolded. "Let the poor boy breathe!"
James immediately let go out of Regulus and took a step back before rubbing the back of his neck, letting out a nervous laugh. "Sorry sorry. I was just excited."
If it were anyone else, Regulus might've scolded or say something sarcastically, but this was James Potter . He tried to come up with anything, but his brain seemed to be in haze and his tongue felt tied up.
"It's..it's fine."
James's eyes creased in worry. "Are you sure? I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
Before Regulus could even reply, Sirius jumped in. "Just be more careful next time."
Regulus rolled his eyes at Sirius's words. "Bugger off, Sirius. I can speak for myself."
Sirius let out a sigh and threw his head back. "I can never win."
Euphemia rolled her eyes fondly. "Stop your dramatics Sirius. Il show you boys to your room."
Regulus observed the house carefully as he followed Euphemia up the stairs. Having an overbearing brother like Sirius, Regulus would often get dragged to the Potter household over the years frequentley, but he would never get sick of basking in the warmth the house provided. The outside was gorgeous with large windows that highlighted the frame beautifully and a diverse community of plants decorating the front. The inside was no different. Despite being pretty grand, it still had a sense of comfort about it that screamed home. The photos of James decorating the walls, the lights not being too bright and blinding, but having a soft yellow warmth, and a variety of different soft colors everywhere.
Maybe this summer wouldn't be that bad.
Marlene McKinnon knew she was cool. She knew everyone else knew it too. There were many perceptions: The girl who gave zero shits, the girl who was down for anything, future super star, Hogwarts star athlete, hottest party animal; the list could go on forever.
She loved it. She loved the attention, the admiration, the envy, she just loved being loved. But little did everyone know: She gave many shits.
Cool people aren't suppose to make sure their eyeliner is perfect before going to see their crush, are they? But if so, why was she doing it?
"I can't believe school is finally over," the voice of Mary Macdonald rung through Marlene's ears, making the latter widen their eyes.
Quickly turning around, Marlene felt her heart thump just the sight. If Marlene was the epitome of cool then Mary was the epitome of hot.
Her dark curls sat perfectly on her shoulders, each of them falling in an effortless chic way. Her smile was perfect with not a single crooked teach and shining brightly. Blessed by aprodite was an understatement for people like Mary Macdonald. But Mary was more than a pretty girl, she was Marlene's best friend.
She was kind and the most caring person Marlene would probably ever meet in her life.
"Another year of hell done," Marlene replied, attempting to keep the fondness she felt for the girl gone.
Mary's smile widened. Fuck. "What should we do to celebrate?"
Make out. "Ice cream?"
"I knew there was a reason why you were my best friend."
"I thought is because of my good looks."
Mary snorted. "Careful McKinnon, your ego seems bigger than your head."
The two girls fell quick into step with each other, their elbows brushing against one another as they walked out of school.
"You going to the bonfire tonight?" Marlene asked, trying to keep her mind off the physical contact.
Every last day of school, there would be a bonfire on the beach as a declaration of summer officially starting.
"Are you kidding me Marls?" Mary scoffed, "Of course I am."
"You got a date?" Marlene asked, feigning causality as if she wasn't itching for the answer.
Mary's eyes lit up. "Bradley from the football team asked me out. He's giving me his varsity jacket to wear—"
The rest of Mary's words faded out in Marlene's ears. The words cut deep, but it was a reminder Marlene needed. People like Mary don't people like Marlene
People like Mary Macdonald don't like girls.