Chapter Text
”Did you actually prepare a speech for the coronation?” Remus asks jokingly when Regulus walks in and sits down with more papers in his hands than normal.
Regulus nods, “I did, I’m not good at improv and I know that Lily is going to make me actually say the fucking speech, because she’s cruel-”
“Rude.”
“So I wrote a speech.”
“More credit to you.” Remus hums, “I think we’re going to have fun today.”
“I won’t,” Marlene pouts, “This is just a whole load of talking and plot, I want to fucking kill someone.”
“Calm the bloodthirst, Marlene,” Lily placates, “We’ll be doing some fighting later, just not today.”
“Are you ready for this?” James asks, helping Regulus smooth out the stuffy suit that he was shoved into by their tailors while he straightens out his hair, “You become King today.”
“And you, my consort.” Regulus smiles, finally turning around to properly face James, his hands going to the taller’s waist, “You look wonderful, my love.”
James smiles, “And you look… ethereal. How were you planning to reveal our relationship?”
“You’ll see.”
“I hate you.”
“No you don’t,” Regulus shakes his head, turning his attention to Pandora when she walks through the doors, “Hello Panda, you look wonderful.”
“You look regal,” Pandora smiles, walking towards the two, “You’re going out in ten minutes, did you want to come with me? Sirius is waiting by the doors for you.” Regulus nods, takes one last moment to straighten himself out, then links arms with James before following the girl out of the door. She leads them through the palace to where Regulus will be standing in front of his people. Sirius, Remus, and Leo are standing by the door, the rest of Regulus’ court nearby.
“Am I going out with you?” James asks while Regulus stands in front of the doors, taking a couple deep breaths.”
“No, I’m going to individually address you and Sirius, you both will walk out when I say your names. You’ll stand at my left and Sirius will stand at my right, both just a bit behind me.” James and Sirius nod and Regulus takes another deep breath as some of the guards open the doors and the bards play the royal tune. Regulus steps out.
The sun flashes in his eyes when he first steps out, momentarily blinding him from being able to see his people, a large crowd. It seems that everyone has come forward to witness and hear Regulus' speech for his unexpected coronation. He looks to one of the clerics and waits until they signal that they’ve casted Thaumaturgy on him before he starts speaking, “Hello to the people of Grimmauld. I am aware of the fact that this is sudden and you all have been left in the dark over what is happening within the palace, and I sincerely apologise for your lack of knowledge.
“My first point of this speech will be explaining what has happened over the past several weeks. Shortly after the Solstice ball, my Mother and Father fell ill and therefore had become more hidden from the public than they were previously.” He takes a deep breath and tries to make it look as though he is upset by the topic, “Recently, I discovered my parents dead in their room, but it was too late for anyone to get to them. They were dead officially, there wasn’t any magic in the world that could bring them back-”
”Roll me deception, that’s not at all true.”
Regulus rolls then smirks, “Nat 20.”
“Alright, proceed.”
“I have been working hard behind the scenes, preparing my coronation, preparing to take the throne, preparing a burial for my parents, and finding the best way to break the news to my people. I wish to tell you that I take this throne and the responsibility as your King, as your protector, and as your ruler to take care of you, to ensure your consistent safety, and to rule with a fair hand.” Regulus sighs and pauses while another cleric nearby picks up the Thaumaturgy, “Things will be changing in the next few months, as would be expected, and I aim to revoke many of the laws that have been put in that I do not agree with, or that endanger any of my people, and reinstate laws that are here for protection.
“You all are going to witness, under my rule, a change for the better in Grimmauld. You are going to witness a rise in the safety of my people, and a rise in the protection of those in need. This will not happen overnight, as laws and rulings do not change easily, especially once established by time. However, I do promise change. And that starts today, with my acceptance of the crown.” Regulus sighs and looks back at the door for a brief second, “This also changes today because I wish for my people to meet two people.
“James Potter,” Regulus calls, waiting for his boyfriend to walk out onto the balcony next to him, “Is my lover, he is the person that has been helping me through this situation, and he will one day be your ruler alongside me. I am pleased to introduce you to the man that means the world to me. Furthermore, I wish to bring forward Sirius Black,” there’s a series of gasps throughout the crowd at his words, but Regulus only waits a second before he pushes on as soon as Sirius is at his right, “For those of you who are not aware, Sirius Black is my older brother. He was exiled from my home several years ago for having relations with a man. Sirius will help me rule, and he will use his trustworthy education from where he was heir to help guide me in the right direction.
“He is not the only one,” Regulus breathes, knowing that he’s close to finishing, “I have already begun, and will continue with, my full taking over of my court, replacing those that do not treat me with respect with people that I trust, names that I assure you all that you know. That being said,” he looks to the side and waits until Kreacher, Walburga and Orion’s main servant, comes forward with the Black family sceptre and the crown that Regulus had fashioned for himself. They go through the motions of Kreacher crowning Regulus and pressing the sceptre to each of his shoulders as he kneels before the man before helping him come to a stand and handing the sceptre to the new King. The crowd cheers as Regulus stands fully in front of his people, Sirius to his right and James to his left.
During the cheering, James leans over, “Would it be improper for me to kiss you?”
Regulus hums and tilts his head back and forth for a moment before he shrugs as subtly as possible, “Just keep it appropriate.” James smiles down at him and sweeps the younger into a swift kiss.
”Did you two really need to kiss in real life?” Sirius groans, playing up the dramatics like he tends to do when his brother and best friend get affectionate. James just grins at him while Regulus flips him off.
Lily laughs fondly at the interaction before clearing her throat, “You heard a myriad of reactions to your kiss. Some people gasp, some people start cheering louder, you hear a couple that sound particularly scandalised, but the cheering doesn’t stop until you three are able to retreat back through the door. And even then, you can hear some people continue to clap and talk amongst themselves while the crowd thins out. Did you guys just want to skip straight to the ball or do something between this and the ball?” After some conversation, the group decides to just stick to jumping straight to the ball.
The girl nods and clears her throat, “Alright, after everything with the coronation is all said and done, you all go to some of the tailors that the Blacks have in the castle to get your clothing, both things that you’ve had prepared before and are either finished or need a couple alterations, and going there for the first time because you refuse to do anything on time, Marlene. Would you guys like to describe for me, as you all go out into the ballroom before the gala starts?”
Regulus and James are wearing similar suits, accenting their relationship. Where Regulus wears a black tailcoat suit with a deep green undershirt and black and silver vest and tie, James wears a dark green suit with a white undershirt and a black and golden vest with a regular black tie. Regulus’ new diadem sits peacefully on his head and there are several pieces of jewelry that adorns him and James’ attire.
Sirius wears a similar suit to Regulus, although the undershirt that he wears is red, and Remus wears a deep brown suit with a white undershirt and a lighter brown vest and tie. Pete wears a charcoal gray suit with a regular white undershirt, although he doesn’t seem to want to wear the suit coat. Marlene comes out wearing a ballroom gown type dress in a teal colour that falls around her charmingly, her own neck decorated with silver jewelry.
Pandora, walking out just behind the girl, bears a long white gown that looks akin to her normal one, though there are more formal decorations instead of the usual decorations on her gowns. There are jewels in her hair alongside silver little bits and bobbles.
The ballroom is nearly all set up, there are several servants running around with food and drink trays, guards standing all around at their posts. James and Regulus take their place at the dias, Regulus sitting at his throne with the family sceptre in hand, James standing to his left, a hand on his shoulder. Sirius settles in the smaller throne to Regulus’ right that he had been seen in previous to him being exiled, Remus standing to his left. Pandora stands to Regulus’ right between the thrones and a bit further back. Around the dias, Marlene and Pete are holding platters of food and talking between each other.
It’s not long until people begin filling the room, many of them walking up to the edge of the dias and greeting Regulus. One couple, the woman wearing a stunning purple dress and her husband wearing a black suit with a matching purple tie, gestures towards James, “And this is your consort?”
Regulus hums, “He is not my consort yet, the marriage will be happening soon, but he is my partner as of right now.” Regulus nods, the couple nodding back. They go through the same conversation many times throughout the night, however a couple people stay for longer to talk to James and Regulus. Few people engage with Sirius and Remus, though they all figured that would be the case. At some point, Marlene disappeared off to dance with someone with dark skin and a long purple dress and Pete had run off somewhere.
Regulus hums after a little while, “I’ve just realised.”
James leans over just a bit to be able to hear him better with the noise, “Hm?”
“This was in my prophecy.” Regulus says after a second, looking around the room, “I didn’t see Sirius, Remus, or Pandora, but you and Leo were near me and there was a ball.”
“You did it, Reg.” Pandora smiles.
James hums after that, “I can’t wait until we’re at my prophecy.” He seems to delight in the blush that spreads over Regulus’ cheeks.
”This entire thing is just an excuse for you guys to flirt the entire time, isn’t it?” Marlene groans, gesturing to where Regulus is actually blushing.
James just shrugs, “You guys agreed to doing this, our characters are literally getting married. We’re gonna flirt.”
Regulus nods, supporting his partner, “Also, Remus and Sirius flirt all the time, they use the playing together as an excuse.”
“I hate you.”
“No you don’t,” James singsongs.
Eventually, before either of them are ready, Kreacher pulls the two of them off the dias and towards the dance floor -- Sirius and Remus having disappeared from their space long ago -- to lead a dance as the music turns. Regulus seems a bit frustrated at the interruption to their otherwise activity-less event, but James just smiles at him and places his hands where they need to be, letting Regulus guide him.
“You’ve gotten better at dancing since we met.”
“You’ve been teaching me.” James smiles, tilting his head just a bit, “Though I do miss you insulting me for the way that I dance.”
“You might’ve been enjoying yourself, but I assure you that I wasn’t. You kept crowding into me and stepping on my feet.”
“And yet you still took up my offer for a date.” James grins wolfishly, smiling even more when Regulus tightens his grip on James’ hand, “I mean, look at where my atrocious dancing skills got me. About to be married to the love of my life.”
“The love of your life is a King now.”
“Which makes you even more incredible.” James hums, leaving down and sweeping Regulus into a fierce kiss mid-dance. The younger pushes him away after not long and forces him to get back into dancing. And before they know it, the music is swelling to a finish and Regulus is dragging his boyfriend back to the dais where he can sit down once again.
Other than that, the rest of the night is uneventful. More talking to people and welcoming and posturing, some teasing from their newfound friends, Regulus grimacing as he and James notice Sirius and Remus sneaking off into the halls of the palace together, and eventually people beginning to filter out of the room.
It’s an hour after people start leaving in bigger groups that the hall finally empties of the people of Grimmauld and leaves just the palace staff, Regulus, James, Pete, and Pandora -- Marlene ran off with the girl that she had spent her night with at some point as well. Regulus talks to Pete and Pandora about them getting themselves to their quarters before Regulus is sweeping James away and back up to his room so he can finally change out of his uncomfortable clothes and get some rest.
…
It’s only after a couple days does the wedding happen. It’s a beautiful thing, happening in the pavilion that is in the back of the palace, and Regulus is incredibly grateful that he had his team to plan the wedding for him and James, especially on such short notice and because he and James’ tastes tend to clash. The flower choice is a good blend for the both of them, there are silvers and greens and golds all over the place to accent the white.
Neither of them wanted to invite many people, with James not knowing many people other than those from home, but his parents were sure to be there, and Regulus not being particularly social, especially not when all of the people that he would invite are for political posturing and this day means just a bit more than a political statement. Of course he had to invite his court and several allies that Grimmauld have, but other than that and their recent band of friends, the wedding is entirely private. Well-
Other than the fact that towards the end of the wedding, they will have a whole crowd of people waiting for them so James can be crowned as Prince Consort before they are able to go back to their rooms.
For all intents and purposes, the wedding goes smoothly. Everyone is in well-fitting outfits tailored for them, Sirius is more than happy to walk Regulus down the aisle -- both as a ‘fuck you’ to their parents, and also because he is the closest family other than Uncle Cygnus that can walk Regulus -- and James is nearly in tears the entire time. They go through the motions of the wedding, and James is all the more willing to pull Regulus into a passionate kiss as soon as he is able to.
When they pull away, James remains close to Regulus, their lips brushing with his words, “I meant what I said in our vows.” The vows that they had exchanged privately with just the officiant because Regulus hates the idea of people being able to hear him baring his soul for his husband.
“I did too, I always will.” Regulus smiles, then after a couple seconds breaks away, “Let’s go get you your crown, yeah?” James nods and they fully pull away from each other, interlocking their arms and leading the wedding party to where James will be crowned.
Kreacher is waiting for them there, handing Regulus his sceptre as soon as they’re standing on the balcony as he moves to the side. Once everyone is settled and Regulus is waiting on the sidelines, Kreacher makes a show of welcoming James into the royal family and placing the crown that they had made for him, something that compliments Regulus’ in the way that they’re so opposite, gently upon his curls.
The crowd begins clapping as Kreacher moves away and Regulus takes up his spot to James’ right, turning to his husband and pulling the taller one in for a kiss. When they pull away, Regulus and James both say a couple things before retreating back through the doors of the palace. They take a couple moments to allow their personal friends to congratulate them before they slip off towards Regulus’ quarters to hide away for the rest of the day.
”And, that’s all for today,” Lily hums, starting to pack up, “I know that not a whole lot happened other than a bunch of me and Regulus talking, so thank you for bearing with me on this, but I wanted to make this into a conclusion for this part of the story.”
“So how are James and Regulus going to join us after this?” Remus hums.
James shrugs, “Lily has a couple NPCs that she’ll have us play for her, and I’m sure that you guys will come back to Grimmauld or walk through it for whatever reason and we can always go back to playing for them during those times. We’ll just play it by ear.” Regulus nods, though he doesn’t add much else.
The group chat for a while about the next time that they’ll meet up and about Lily’s possible plans for the future before they’re splitting up to go their own ways. As James, Regulus, and Sirius hop in their car to head back to their flat, Sirius hums, “So, were you not going to tell them that you’re actually getting married?”
Regulus hums and goes to play with the engagement ring that James gave him, “We didn’t want to drop that on them today, we’ll probably tell them next time or something.”
James nods, reaching for where their own ring from Regulus is resting on their necklace before putting their hand back on the wheel, “I honestly thought that someone was going to notice. Neither of us have worn rings on our left finger or around our necks before.”