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Harry was always curious about his father and mother’s lives. Sure he heard from everyone that they were great people and loved each other and him so much and he was reminded them of them. But, he wanted to know the things that other kids get to know when their parents are around. Like silly stories of relatives, old romances that never panned out, ETC.
So, to his joy during the summer before 5th year when he was cleaning up Grimmauld Place, in Regulus Black’s old bedroom when he found a stack of letters to and from James Potter. Harry wondered why his father was in contact with Regulus Black. He had heard nothing from Sirius or anyone else for that matter ever said that they were close. It made little sense to him. Regulus Black was a death eater and his father was in the Order of the Phoenix. Regulus also wasn’t in contact with Sirius during school so why would he be in contact with James but not his own brother? It just made little sense to Harry.
So, he did the only logical thing. Go ask someone like Sirius or Remus about it? No, of course not. This Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, and also the Boy Who Doesn't Go To Adults When Most Would. He hid them and snuck them up to his and Ron’s bedroom and continued on like he didn’t do that. Though his thoughts were only on what were in those letters? Once Ron and Harry got into their room and the door was shut Harry went and grabbed the letters he found.
“Harry, what the bloody hell is that?” Ron asks coming over to Harry’s bed to see what his friend has found now.
“Ron you cannot tell anyone but I was cleaning out Regulus Black’s room, and I found these letters to and from my dad and him.” Harry says, trying to untie the stack of letters. “Harry, no offense but why don’t you just ask Sirius or even Remus about it? They must know something because that is a shit ton of letters.” Ron asks looking at his best friend confused, because to Ron that seemed the most logical thing to Ron.
“Ron, don’t you think someone would have said something by now? Like, someone would have brought up that my dad was friends with a death eater and betrayed or something like that. Also, Regulus wasn’t talking to Sirius after he left for my dad’s house, he could talk to my dad but not Sirius? That doesn't make much sense to me. Something was going on and it was a secret.” Harry says, trying to decide what letter to read first.
“You know what? That makes sense.” Ron says getting onto Harry’s bed waiting for his friend to read him the letters. This was going to be a night where there is no sleep and maybe answers. Harry picked one from James to Regulus; it seemed to be the first correspondence between the 2. He cleared his throat to read to his best friend.
Dear Regulus,
Listen, please read this letter. I know you probably don’t want to but I need to tell you this. I don’t regret that night. When I kissed you, it was the best I ever had. You made me feel like I could fly. I understand if you don’t or can’t want to continue this. But I want this. I want this so badly.
I can’t believe that I feel this way for you. It all started in that Arithmancy class, (which you are fantastic at I am surprised each time that you know more than most people in our class) you hated me I hated you too. And now I love you so much. I hope you feel the same.
If you are scared about people figuring it out Lily and Mary are going out and they want to keep it a secret so I and Lily are going to pretend to date to keep suspicion off of them. And most likely us too.
It is okay if you don’t desire more; I understand. I won’t be mad and I would love to still be friends with you if it means nothing more for us.
Sincerely Yours,
James Potter.
Ron and Harry were shocked. Each one trying to process what they just read/heard. Harry just kept on reading out loud out of shock not knowing what to do. The silence was thick and uncomfortable. Neither breaking the silence.
“Read the next one.” Ron eventually says and Harry complies.
Dear James,
I too want more out of this, I can’t tocure myself with having you in my life knowing that you too want his and denying both you and me this pleasure. I think the whole Lily thing will work for us and if anyone notices me I will just make an excuse. I have gotten good at those. Please do tell Lily I am sorry for all the horrid things I have said to her. I would feel too guilty with her helping without explicitly telling her so.
Can you sneak away during break? I know it is your last year at Hogwarts but I think I would die if I don’t get to see you soon. Even if it is for a minute, I will take it.
Yours,
Regulus Black.
“So, my parents' original relationship was fake. Okay. I can live this. At least they eventually fell for each other?” Harry asks, feeling as though everything that he has known about his parents was a lie.
“Yeah, they probably were faking emotions for it and then they became real. At the very least they cared for each other enough to do this for them right?” Ron says and Harry nods. At least they always wanted the best for the other so they at least cared for each other which is important and wanted the other happy. Harry thought to himself and went to the next letter to read.
Dear Regulus,
I told Lily, and she understands as long as you do nothing too bad she will forgive you. I am glad you are giving us a chance. Lily and Mary are chill about it. Also yes I can get away for a bit of Christmas eve during the party my parents host. Everyone will be too busy and it will be too crowded for anyone to notice and Lily and Mary will be there and they will cover for me if need be. Will that work for you?
Loving Yours,
James Potter.
“You know these are really sweet. Your parents are friends and they are both in love, grant it with different people then we thought, but it is all nice. But also bittersweet since we know how it ends.” Ron says getting really invested, though Harry can’t blame him, this is the most he got in until about his parents life and he was interested and happy that they had a good time in their lives.
My Dearest James,
Yes, Christmas Eve works for me. I am glad that Lily forgives me and I won’t do anything willing. Tell Lily and Mary thank you for covering for us. I hope we don’t cause too much of a hassle for them. I can’t wait to see you again. I have longed for you at night so many times. Wishing I could run and see you or the other way around.
Love you much,
Regulus Black
Right after Harry finished Ron said, “Don’t keep me waiting! I need to know if they were able to get away. What happened with your mom and Mary? Harry tells me I need to know.” Harry laughed at Ron, and was invested.
“I will, don’t worry I am just looking for the letter. Geez you are really into my fathers love life.” Harry says looking for said letter.
“I know it must be weird for you since you know he is your dad but I don’t know I love gossip about romance and this feels like that to me.” Ron replies blushing a bit at admitting it.
“Ron, I know you love this kind of stuff. And I love you telling me it.” Harry says, and he was not lying. He enjoys talking to Ron about the drama about school getting to pretend that he was a normal high school aged boy worrying about who is dating who. That and he loved hearing about who was trying to get Cedric to date him while Harry was dating him. He found funny, that people think they could convince Cedric Diggory, the most Hufflepuff person and loyalty is a big thing to him.
Harry found the letter and got to reading.
Dear my love, Regulus Black,
Here is the photo you requested of Lily and Mary.
[Picture of Lily and Mary kissing in what looks like a backyard or some park.. Mary’s legs wrapped around Lily’s waist and Lily's arms helped hold her up. They break apart and they laugh and Regulus stumbles into view for a second.]
That was the funniest time in my life. No one noticed us or that we left. Sirius was too busy making out with Remus and Peter was trying to beat my dad at chess (they are both very intense).
Hope your parents didn’t notice I want to still see you.
Yours,
James Potter.
Ron and Harry read more and more letters finding out things that used to not make any sense, they found out that Remus knew. And that Lily and James got married so people wouldn’t ask questions. Regulus worked at Gringotts and was amazing at Arithmancy. James was a Aurror. Lily was an amazing potions master. Mary was training to become a Quidditch player. How Harry came to be they used a spell, so they didn’t have to have sex to convince since Mary and Lily wanted a child. Mary lived with them (Lily and James) and shared a bed with Lily that people thought James did. Regulus would come over frequently. All in all, it was good.
But it all came to a head when James found out that Regulus had the dark mark. It was the last letter between the 2, at least that they knew of. It was from James to Regulus. A bitter and sad letter. Losing a loving name and the nicest just straight to the point.
Regulus. I can not believe what you did. Why? You could have come to me, Lily, and Mary and we would have taken you to the end. You have broken my heart and have hurt Lily and Mary so badly, both thought that you were not your parents. But apparently you are. I am so sad and mad at what you did. You took their trust and love for you and smashed it against the wall. Like it was a piece of paper. My love for you is gone, because it feels as though you took our love and ruined it. All the letters you sent to me are coming back to this. I find it so dumb and naïve to keep them and treasure them. You get to keep what was our love since you were the one who ruined it. Letters. It is so funny. It is what started our love and what ended it. These silly brief letters. Letters. That is the only thing left of our love.
Harry and Ron were shocked. It was about 5 in the morning now and they stayed up to read of their love and friendship. And then it just ended like that. Afterwards they put all the letters in the drawers. They went downstairs to the kitchen both starving and exhausted. There they found Remus sitting at the table working on something probably for the Order Of The Phoenix. Ron, being the one out of the 2 that needs to know everything just says, “We know about Regulus, James, Lily and Mary. What happened?”
Remus becomes guarded quickly looking at the 2 with eyes that say I know something but I don’t know if you know. “What do you mean?”
“I found the letters. What happened after my dad broke it off with Regulus?” Harry speaks up while making hot chocolate
.
“Well, after that Regulus was killed by the dark lord because he. . .found something he shouldn’t have. Mary was away on mission when what happened to James and Lily. Mary is still alive but left after what happened to James and Lily.” Remus tells them and silence feels like it goes on forever. Before anyone can say any more Molly comes in to make breakfast. With the silent knowledge of these stays between them. Harry, Ron, and Remus will remember the letters that are left of James, Regulus, Lily, and Mary’s love for each other. Romantically and platonically.