Work Text:
Regulus was walking quickly, nearing a run. The quidditch game had concluded several minutes ago, but he had to change and then Crouch had yelled at him for missing the snitch and Regulus didn’t have time to mention how the rain had obscured his vision and he was sure it had something to do with Sirius. He feared he wouldn’t catch Sirius in the changing rooms in time and he was right.
Regulus’s slow-paced jog came to an abrupt stop upon finding James in the Griffendor changing rooms. In fact, he was the only one there. On his chest were bandages, not for an injury. The stark red of the walls shone in Regulus' eyes and James turned to see him. The room shifted for James and he found he couldn’t utter a word at that moment. Their faces mirrored each other with shock; Regulus turned on one heel and rushed from the room. James fumbled with his clothes, his hands shook. As he chased after Regulus the mud kicked up on his shins, hair stuck to his dark skin and his eyes began to shine.
Rain dropped ran down his glasses as he caught up with Regulus, “Regulus, please. Don’t tell anyone.” James tried to whisper-shout, but his voice was not suited for such.
Regulus paused, “Wearing bandages like that is going to hurt you.” The rain dribbled onto his brow and was caught in his eyelashes.
James was confused and confounded by Regulus' reaction. He reached out a bit to tug lightly on Regulus' jumper. “What should I do instead?”
Regulus did not turn, even though he could feel a slight pull. “After dinner, meet me in potion workroom four and I’ll show you.” He then yanked his arm with a much more considerable force than was necessary to break out of James’ hold. He made it more dramatic than necessary.
Smiling and confused, James shouted, “Okay weirdo!” He felt a bit giddy after the encounter and he suspected that Regulus may be more like himself than he previously thought.
After dinner in which James thought he ate far too much. He attempted to escape his marauders four. Which he did in a rather ridiculous manner by not mentioning his gradual departure. As the four boys walked along the corridor James slipped away from sight very slowly. He went unnoticed until Sirius went to swing an arm around his shoulders and was met with air.
Sirius’s gaze fell on him, “James?” He had to shout across the corridor. His manner exuded confusion and slight anger. “Where the bloody bats are you off to then?”
James’ departure slowed as he waved, “Just off to do some... homework.” James knew this was a flimsy excuse due to the marauder's nature of doing approximately every task together.
This intrigued Remus, “You are doing homework… after dinner," he made a point with each word. Remus shook his head laughing, “I don’t buy it.” He stared at James for a moment and gathered that he was nervous about this studying. Which persuaded him to let it go. “Alright then, we’re off to the common room.” He turned and tried to nudge Sirius along.
Sirius lingered, “What, we’re just going to leave Prongsy here all alone in this big wide castle. What if he gets lost.” Sirius made dramatic arm gestures and then fake shivered at the thought of being alone in the castle.
Peter began walking towards James and was pulled back by Remus. Peter turned towards Sirius, “You don’t think he’d actually get lost here…” Peter crossed his arms as though he suddenly needed protection.
James attempted to interject, “I’m not going to ge-” he was interrupted by Peter.
“Right!? If we got lost in here it’d be okay right?” He was becoming a tad frantic.
Remus rolled his eyes, “You two would lose your minds if I left you alone. Come on then, no one is getting lost here.” Remus subtly nodded his head to his bag. “We have the map you dopes, also there are like a thousand people in the school. We’d be fine.”
“Yes, alright then, but give the map to James. If he's to be alone.” Peter's eyes entreated Remus.
Sirius hopped over to Peter, “I agree Prongsy deserves the map on this Hallows Eve.” He was resolute.
“It’s not even Hallo- Okay never mind. James,” Remus bounded over to him and shoved the irritable map in his hands. “Take the map, so these two will shut up.”
“Right. Fine then. See you three...later” James made an awkward thumbs-up motion which he'd never done in his life and not so subtly ran from them.
Peter looked to the boys, “He was being weird right?”
Remus closed his bag, “Definitely.”
Sirius assumed an ironic thinking pose, “Totally.”
James was walking quickly through the corridors which was unusual for him, as he preferred to walk leisurely but this was not an event to be flippant with. First off, James had no clue where the potion workrooms were (let alone workroom four). He assumed it was in the dungeons, but you never know with Hogwarts. The second and much more pressing issue was that he was about to intentionally meet Regulus without telling Sirius. He was about to meet a rumored dark wizard without anyone knowing. This is slightly concerning to James, however, he was more concerned that Sirius would be furious at the planning of this meeting and the execution of it than James' own possible execution at the hands of the dark wizard Reggie.
It was easy to find the workroom once James found Regulus on the map as James had much experience locating that seven-letter word on this old parchment.
When James pushed at the door there was an ominous feeling settling in his bones filling a cavernous expanse in his chest. He took a deep breath and, rather cowardly, tapped the door. It turned out that the potion workrooms were quite small and dark; James had to squit to get a good picture of Regulus standing in the corner looking out a small oculus that faced the forest.