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Harry Potter was a curious boy, the unknown had always fascinated him.
So it was no surprise when he ended up reading his father's diary. Sirius had found it and given it to Hagrid under the proviso that he must give it to Harry to read on his 15th birthday.
Harry had been overjoyed to get a piece of his parents but the diary didn't hold the answers he was looking for.
September 1st 1972
I met Sirius' younger brother today and I must say, he is rather marvellous. I have never met someone with such an odd sense of humour, not to say that he wasn't funny because he was, he was hilarious. Honestly the only other person that could make me laugh so much at our first meeting was Sirius. It must be a genetic thing.
He is also so incredibly smart. I wish I had words to describe his intelligence but I know that he'd find something wrong with the way I described it. He is definitely going to be a smart one.
And I swear on Merlin's beard he has the cutest smile I have ever seen. I only spent about two hours with him but I already know I would do anything to see him smile again. I don't know how Sirius would feel about these thoughts so that is why I'm writing them down here.
I doubt there will be many more entries actually, Regulus was sorted into Slytherin and by the way Sirius tensed beside me, I don't think we will be spending any more time with Regulus which is a shame. I feel I could grow to like him very much.
James F Potter
Harry was shocked. His father seemed quite taken with Sirius' brother of all people. And just from the first entry too. He turned the page.
October 31st 1972
I'm updating this a lot sooner than I thought I would.
In my last entry I talked about Regulus' smile, and I'm glad I did get the chance to as it seems he hasn't smiled since September 3rd. It seems odd that I'd remember that but anyone could see the immediate shift that happened.
Sirius said it was because of his parents and I'm inclined to believe him after all I've heard but it is still sad. He truly did have a blinding smile.
Today is Halloween and Dumbledore set up a treasure hunt to encourage house mixing. And Regulus asked to be in my team! My team! Not even Sirius (we weren't allowed to be in the same team because according to McGonagall we are "menaces" when together) could get his brother to join in but I could!
Sirius was definitely salty about it for a few hours but he seems to have calmed down now. There isn't much to say about the actual hunt, Lily won which surprised no one but people were surprised at how close Regulus and I came to winning. I told you he was smart.
I don't think Sirius likes that I'm somewhat friends with his brother and I find myself not caring which is odd for me. I always find comfort in the fact we agree on most things, I guess this just can't be one of them.
I will see what happens over the next few weeks but now I have to think about what Regulus would like for Christmas.
James F Potter
Harry was less surprised this time. In Fact the biggest shock was that his father seemed to think these feelings were platonic when they so clearly weren't to other people.
December 25th 1972
Okay so technically this happened before we left for Christmas but I felt it fitting to write it on Christmas day.
I ended up getting Regulus the cauldron he wanted. That way it was practical and it was something he wanted. He smiled for the first time in over 3 months when I gave it to him and all of my protective instincts seemed to come to the surface. I never wanted him to be anything less than happy ever again.
And then, the unexpected happened! He got me a gift!
Can you imagine that? Cause I was certainly caught off guard but I loved his gift. It was a book based on the history of quidditch and while that gift was quite perfect for me I feel I would have had the same reaction no matter what Regulus had bought me.
I still have not told Sirius about the Christmas presents from either party, I'm not entirely sure how he will react still and I don't want to risk putting Regulus in that place.
I never thought I'd say this but I cannot wait to go back to school, and if that doesn't tell you about his influence on me then I'm not sure what will.
James F Potter
Harry doesn't even allow himself much thought while reading the next few entries. There was nothing of significance in them, just James being lovestruck.
November 17th 1973
I fear I may be in love.
Me and Regulus were talking about the upcoming Christmas festivities when mistletoe was mentioned. Lily overheard us and spelled some above me and her.
She tasted like mint and chocolate. It was honestly addicting. I felt a wave of affection for her overcome me in those brief moments our lips met. But we eventually had to pull away and when I looked for him, Regulus was no longer there.
I was very upset about this but it also left me confused. Did I like Lily? If so why was I upset about Regulus? If I am upset about Regulus does that mean I love him?
I still have no answers but I know for a fact I like someone. If only I could figure out who.
James F Potter
Harry wanted to shout at the stupidity of his father. It's quite obvious he is in love with Regulus. However he felt conflicted because he was rooting for his dad to be with someone other than his mum.
January 7th 1974
So I have come to the conclusion that I am in fact in love with Regulus.
I was talking to him on the way back from Christmas break and I don't know what I was thinking with Lily because it's just so obvious that the answer is Regulus.
He started smiling again last year and I found myself staring at the little crinkle at the corner of his eye and at the way his nose scrunched up just the slightest when he laughed.
There is no doubt in my mind anymore. I am in love with Regulus Arcturus Black.
James F Potter
'Finally,' Thought Harry. It was getting a little sad just how oblivious his Father was.
"Harry, dont forget your meeting with Sirius today," Hermione whispered.
'Oh,' thought Harry, 'this is the perfect opportunity to ask about the diary.'
September 1st 1974
You will never guess what happened today. Regulus kissed me! He kissed me!
I am well aware of my feelings for him now and I have fully accepted them but I never thought he could like me back.
Regulus has been hanging around me and the marauders a lot less recently but I'm not super surprised. According to Sirius their parents have given up on him and have moved all of their attention to Regulus so he has to appear like the perfect Slytherin.
But on the train we bumped into each other and he gave me a note telling me to meet him by the prefect's compartments and when I did they were all empty. Apparently there was a rat in there or something and so everyone refused to go in there.
But long story short we went in there and he kissed me and admitted to liking me. I think we are dating now? I'll have to ask him tomorrow but I still haven't told Sirius about my feelings let alone this advancement. I have to figure out how to tell him.
James F Potter
Harry felt like jumping around from his excitement. Maybe his father wasn't a total lost cause after all. But he was still confused as to how his father and mother came to be when James talked about Regulus with such finality.
February 14th 1975
Sirius found out.
Me and Regulus have been together and sneaking around for over 5 months now and it's been amazing. Honestly there aren't words to describe how much I love hi our time together.
Today is valentines day and Lily gave me a gift. I felt dreadful rejecting her but what else was I supposed to do? I couldn't just abandon Regulus like that, even if I want to. Which I don't.
Anyway, it's actually quite comical how Sirius found out. Me and Regulus had snuck off to the room of requirements to exchange valentines gifts and when we came out Sirius and Remus were just about to enter the room of requirements to do exactly what we did.
Oh he was furious. Talking about how I defiled his brother and kept it from him, which hasn't happened by the way, Regulus is in his 3rd year. Much too young for that kind of thing.
Eventually Sirius calmed down. I think he realised that it's me he's talking to. He wouldn't have become friends with me if he thought I would do something to anyone against their will but especially his brother.
He still doesn't like it but he will learn to live with it because me and Regulus aren't going anywhere.
James F Potter
The next year or so of entries is just James talking about any dates they've been on and any little arguments they've had. But Harry did notice that James was getting more and more concerned for Sirius and Regulus' home life. He writes multiple times about how Sirius is coming to live with him and that he is trying to convince Regulus to do the same thing before his parents force him to became a death eater, an issue which is also brought up numerous times.
August 27th 1976
I can't wait to see Regulus again. Its been months since he refused to join me and Sirius and while I was hurt, I understood it. More than Sirius did anyway.
Sirius has settled quite nicely into the Potter household just as I knew he would. I finally know what it's like having that brother I always wanted, but putting up with him and Remus takes some patience and I always come out of it feeling a little bit accomplished.
Me growing concern for Regulus has become a prominent fixture in my life. I fear that because Sirius is no longer there, Regulus will have a harder to resisting and going against his parents wishes. I do hope he chooses the right option, after almost two years of dating I'd hate for that to be the thing to break us up. Especially because I know he doesn't believe in any of the dark Lords views.
James F Potter
Harry was perplexed. Regulus had refused to go with James despite the fact that everything pointed towards his wanting to go.
December 5th 1976
Regulus never came back to school.
I haven't seen him about 5 months and I'm sort of going crazy because of it.
Sirius is convinced he took the dark mark and is to scared to face the consequences but I know Reggie. He wouldn't do that. Despite what Sirius says, Regulus is just as strong willed and disobedient as him. His relationship with me is proof enough of that.
I think I have to start moving on. I don't know if or when Regulus is coming back but I know that if I don't move on by myself, the rest of the marauders will certainly give me a not so nice push.
I'm heart broken to tell you the truth. I couldn't stop crying for weeks. Ask Sirius if you don't believe me!
I don't know how to function without him.
James F Potter
'Oh my god,' Harry thought, using a muggle saying that he still kept with him over the years.
He couldn't help but wonder what happened to Regulus and hopes that for his dad's sake it was nothing to nasty.
The last few pages of the diary were dedicated to James slowly moving on from Regulus with the help of Lily. And even though he was still a prominent figure in the entries, Regulus seemed an afterthought half of the time.
The last thing Harry expected to find was a letter, but sure enough just as he was about to close the book, a slip of parchment fell out.
Dear James,
By the time you have received this letter I will be long dead. I can't tell you exactly why just yet but I hope the reason will become apparent to you and everyone else one day.
If you remember any of the time we shared together fondly then I just want to say I'm sorry. I really did love you, and I know even after two years of a relationship we didn't say that to each other, but it's true.
I heard that you were able to move on with Lily! That's great. I always did love Lily, she never made me feel like just another disappointment to the Black family. I'm happy that you are happy James. That's all I've ever wanted for you, and while I would have loved to be the one to give that to you, I'm not picky about where you get your happiness.
This letter is just to tell you that I never got the mark. I am aware that that is what Sirius and honestly a lot of others think but I swear I didn't.
After Sirius left for yours I understood that I couldn't stay in that house any longer but I couldn't go to yours at a risk of endangering you and Sirius, so I ran.
I ran and I am so sorry for that. I felt I had no other options at the time and only now am I realising how untrue that was.
I went to France for a while after that. Collected Intel on voldemort and his followers. I was able to bring down a whole faction of them that were living in Andorra.
Again, I am so sorry James. And I know it makes no difference but I still love you just as strongly as I did when I was 14.
Yours always,
R.A.B
Harry didn't even realise when he started crying while he read that. Or when Sirius walked into his room for their meeting.
"Harry? What's wrong?" Sirius asked, concerned.
"They loved eachother Sirius. So much more ferociously then most ever will. It's not fair that they got ripped apart like that." Harry replied, still sobbing softly.
Sirius seemed to know exactly who he was talking about because he just nodded along with what was said.
"I don't know what I'm supposed to feel anymore Sirius. I mean I always thought my parents had the perfect live story but how can I think that when my dad had that with someone else?"
"Harry, one thing you need to understand is that James loved Lily and you so very much. Much more than most people would find themselves able to love others. But James and Regulus, as much as I hate to admit it, we're soulmates. They were so perfectly made for eachother that people expected your father to never love again after Reg left. But he did. And he did because his love for you and your mother was just that strong." Sirius explained.
Harry listened to what was said and took a few minutes to calmed down.
"So… you and Remus?" Harry asked.